Inclusivity

Inclusivity is one of our three core values that shape SUNY Oneonta’s mission and vision. We are committed to creating a campus environment where every individual feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive both here and beyond.

Facilities, Spaces and Places

We’re here to support everyone at SUNY Oneonta, from students to employees. Through campus programs, housing accommodations and a wide range of resources, we’re proud to foster a welcoming, inclusive community and help you navigate campus life.

The Office of Equity and Inclusion helps make SUNY Oneonta a welcoming place for everyone. It partners with students, faculty and staff to broadly celebrate diversity, promote equity and build a strong sense of belonging through events, programs and campus-wide support.
The Gender and Sexuality Resource Center is a welcoming space where students explore gender and sexuality through inclusive events, workshops, and conversations. It fosters connection, growth, and identity development through an intersectional lens.
The Center for Racial Justice and Inclusive Excellence is a campus-wide hub dedicated to advancing inclusive excellence, anti-racism, social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. It operates within the Office of Equity and Inclusion.
We offer gender inclusive housing options to support LGBTQIA+ students and those of all gender identities. The Marsha P. Johnson Housing Community provides a safe, welcoming space with programs focused on advocacy and inclusion. Gender Inclusive Housing allows students of any gender identity to live together, recognizing diverse needs and fostering an affirming campus living experience.

Getting Involved

Clubs and Organizations

Many SUNY Oneonta clubs focus on inclusivity, offering students ways to connect and learn from diverse experiences. Fraternities and sororities host inclusive events and fundraise for marginalized communities. Cultural groups like the Black Student Union and the Muslim Student Association celebrate identities. Others, such as the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and One Love, promote LGBTQ+ visibility and support social causes campus-wide.

Annual Events

Multicultural Club Expo

The Multicultural Club Expo is a great chance to explore SUNY Oneonta’s diverse student organizations each semester. It features groups like the Multicultural Student Council, Students of Color Coalition and the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center. It’s a welcoming space to connect, make friends, and feel at home on campus.

Diversity and Leadership Conference

The Student Diversity & Leadership Conference promotes multicultural understanding, self-awareness and leadership skills. Participants gain tools and insights to grow personally and become effective leaders on campus and in their wider communities.

Common Read and Distinguished Lectureship

Our Common Read invites the campus community to explore diversity, equity and inclusion through a shared book each fall, sparking conversations across disciplines. The Mills Distinguished Lectureship brings notable speakers to campus, inspiring thoughtful dialogue and enriching academic life with diverse viewpoints.

PRISM Conference

The annual PRISM (Pride, Research, Intersectionality, Support and Movement) Conference celebrates LGBTQIA+ experiences and creates space for open, meaningful conversations across disciplines, lived experiences and perspectives.

Recognitions, Celebrations and Ceremonies

Four students donning the Kente stole during a Kente graduation

Kente Graduation Ceremony

The annual Kente Graduation Ceremony honors the diverse backgrounds and achievements of graduating seniors. This tradition celebrates resilience and highlights the campus commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. The Kente cloth, a traditional African textile once reserved for royalty, symbolizes pride, community and cultural heritage, marking students’ accomplishments and future journeys.

Lavender Graduation Recognition Ceremony

The Lavender Graduation Recognition Ceremony is an annual event sponsored by the GSRC in the spring, recognizing exceptional service, leadership and activism on behalf of the LGBTQIA+ community. Awards honor graduating seniors, faculty and staff for their outstanding contributions to diversity and inclusion at SUNY Oneonta.

Tapestry of Diversity and Inclusion Award

The Tapestry of Diversity and Inclusion Award honors individuals or groups showing outstanding dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion at SUNY Oneonta. Represented by the Tapestry of Diversity Sculpture, created in 2010 by Haifa Bint-Kadi, it features seven mosaic poles symbolizing world cultures, connected by a central pole, inviting reflection on unity and shared commitment.

Inclusive Faculty Programs

Faculty Explores New Ways to Reach Students

SUNY Oneonta faculty from a variety of academic disciplines participate in professional development programs focused on inclusive pedagogies. One example was a four-day workshop and training led by award-winning educator Dr. Paul Hernandez. Faculty members engaged in discussions and brainstorming sessions focused on embracing and encouraging vulnerability in the classroom to build better connections with students.

Promoting Recruitment, Opportunity, Diversity, Inclusion and Growth Plus (PRODiG+)

SUNY is committed to diversifying its faculty to better reflect students and society. The PRODiG+ program aims to place 400+ postdoctoral fellows into tenure-track roles over the next decade. Focusing on equity and inclusion, PRODiG+ supports diverse faculty’s growth and success, ensuring students benefit from a wide range of voices and perspectives across SUNY campuses.