ALYSSA BUMP
Life & Arts Editor
On Oct. 8, all Fredonia students and faculty received an email from the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
The email addressed the Trump Administration’s “Executive Order on Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” which was issued on Sept. 22.
The email summed up the lengthy Order by saying, “In short, the Order says, ‘it shall be the policy of the United States not to promote race or sex stereotyping or scapegoating in the Federal workplace or in the Uniformed Services, and not to allow grant funds to be used for these purposes. In addition, Federal contractors will not be permitted to inculcate such views in their employees.’”
The email goes on to explain that some universities and institutions have already shut down their diversity programs and training.
Thankfully, Fredonia plans on continuing their diversity, equity and inclusion activities as scheduled.
Saundra Liggns, the interim Chief Diversity Officer, explained that the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion works to create policies that prohibit discriminition and create trainings that address sexual violence issues.
Liggins also explained that, “Members of the campus community also come to the Diversity Office if they want support regarding a discrimination or sexual assault issue.”
The office has hosted two Zoom events this semester that have promoted inclusion at Fredonia.
One featured Tiq Milan, a Black trans activist, writer, public speaker, social media consultant and LGBTQ+ advocate, and the other brought students of color together to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and the racial unrest due to police violence that took over our country this past spring and summer.
With some diversity programs already shutting down, some students were scared that Fredonia may follow suit. However, Liggins explained, “SUNY Fredonia’s training does not include any of the language that the Executive Order describes as ‘divisive.’ I think that the Executive Order shows a clear misunderstanding of what happens in training sessions.”
Section 2 (A) of the Order explains nine definitions for what “divisive concepts” mean.
These concepts include, but are not limited to: promoting that one sex is superior to the other, promoting that the United States is fundamentally racist or sexist and promoting that an individual’s moral character is determined by their sex or race.
Liggins pointed out that, “Fredonia students should feel no significant changes due to this Executive Order. It does not impact what or how faculty members can teach, so nothing will change in the classrooms.”
On Oct. 23, President Stephen H. Kolison sent out an email to all students and faculty where he addressed the Federal Executive Order.
In response to the Order, SUNY issued a statement, which Kolison signed.
Kolison stated, “The Order conflicts with who we are as an institution.” Below, SUNY’s Statement on the Importance of Diversity Training was included.
The statement said, “This prohibition on the discussion of ‘divisive concepts’ is in direct contravention of The State University of New York’s goals, our academic freedom and our constitutional rights to free speech and expression.”
It goes on to say, “We object to the unwarranted, illegitimate overreach.”
The statement also addresses potential discomfort that comes with discussing such topics.
“Facing the reality of discrimination was never meant to be easy. Indeed, the science of implicit bias reveals truths that may cause discomfort, and it is in that place of discomfort that individuals find motivation and courage to interact with others in ways that promote fairness and create greater cultural understanding.”
Students are welcome to sign the statement to show their support for the importance of diversity training. There are already hundreds of signatures showing support for the statement.