SUNY-ESF ranked 99th in diversity when compared to the top 100 academically ranked colleges in academics just last year. So it’s no stranger to the problems that come with homogeneity.

With the recent hiring of Malika Carter, its first chief diversity officer, the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry is trying to improve that ranking, determined by the data analysis company Priceonomics. Carter has already shown she’s not afraid to tackle difficult topics to move the campus forward.

In a campus-wide email sent earlier this month, Carter asked students to be mindful of wearing Halloween costumes that may be objectionable to other students.

“In particular, please keep in mind that certain Halloween costumes inappropriately perpetuate racial, cultural, and gender stereotypes,” Carter wrote. “Although it may not be the intent, these costumes, and choosing to wear them, can depict identities in ways that are offensive or hurtful to others. Please take care in selecting your Halloween costumes.”

While Halloween costume choice may not seem contentious to some, the subject has been the center of controversy at several universities. Students slammed University of Louisville President James Ramsey after he wore a stereotypical “Mexican” costume at a staff Halloween party. Yale University students protested after a faculty member sent an email questioning Yale’s efforts to keep Halloween costumes culturally appropriate and sensitives. Some students called for the lecturer’s resignation.

University of Louisville President James Ramsey is taking a lot of heat for this photo. https://t.co/DCtXo4bOzZ pic.twitter.com/EVCKiu4Ycz

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 30, 2015

Every SUNY-ESF student I’ve spoken to has expressed approval and appreciation for Carter’s message and her general work at the university over the past few months. Often, the backlash over messages like Carter’s — and protests on college campuses in general — center on the conflict between sensitivity toward underrepresented cultures and groups and censorship of free speech. But Carter suggested these ideas don’t have to be at odds.

“Researchers learn early that bias affects validity and reliability of a study’s findings,” Carter said in an email.  “If bias can influence and consequently affect research outcomes, then should not an academic community be able to easily discern that bias can distort truth — affecting lived experiences? As I see it, the context in the celebration message holds the same considerations.”

Viewed in this light, it’s easy to understand why Carter’s message would resonate well with a university as research-focused as SUNY-ESF. We often talk about the importance of diversity of ideas in science and engineering, because with new ideas come new solutions to problems. By having a diverse body of students, faculty and staff, we introduce new paradigms and perspectives onto our campus, encouraging new ideas as well.

Carter put it best with one reminder for the campus community.

“If one is to remain an active participant of a community, it is important to keep in mind what the community holds true in order to enjoy the rights and responsibilities associated with membership,” she said. “ESF holds true that we value people.”

Cole Jermyn is a senior environmental resource engineering major at SUNY-ESF. His column appears biweekly. He can be reached at cdjermyn@syr.edu and followed on Twitter @Cjermyn8.

Published on October 17, 2017 at 9:49 pm