/ State University of New York
College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Undergraduate Student Association
105th / Legislative / State University of New York
Session / College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Author(s): E. Sykes, M. Comas, B. Taylor

Introduced:Action:

Final Reading:Action:

Resolution: 01.1718

A call for the Statement of Inclusive Excellence to be included in all course syllabi

Whereasall students, teaching assistants, professors, and other members of the classroom have the right to respectfully express relevant thoughts, ideas, and beliefs, and;

WhereasThe Baobab Society at ESF developed the Statement of Inclusive Excellence and Academic Governance voted for it to be an optional addition to course syllabi at the 12/15/2015 meeting (see statement attached) and;

Whereas when the Statement of Inclusive Excellence was formed, both the Undergraduate Student Association (USA) and the Graduate Student Association (GSA) supported it and;

Whereasalthough the college has policies related to inclusivity, the addition of this statement in the course syllabi would hold students and faculty mutually accountable to fostering an inclusive classroom and;

Whereas the Statement of Inclusive Excellence sets a precedent of mutual respect for all students, teaching assistants, and professors, so therefore;

Be it resolved that USA and The Baobab Societyrecommend that all faculty include the Statement of Inclusive Excellence in their syllabi and;

Be it further resolved that USA and The Baobab Society call upon Academic Governance to vote to establish the inclusive excellence statement as mandatory for all syllabi and;

Be it further resolved that the Statement of Inclusive Excellence be uniform for each syllabus and;

Be it finally resolved that a copy of this resolution and appropriate correspondence will be delivered to ESF President Quentin Wheeler, ESF Interim Provost and Executive Vice-President Valerie Luzadis, ESF Vice-President for Administration Joe Rufo, Academic Governance Chair Thomas Amidon, SUNY Student Association President Marc Cohen, ESF Graduate Student Association President Tyler Shields, and Vice-Provost and Dean for Student Affairs Anne Lombard.

This bill is true and accurate copy,

passed bythe Association on

.

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Undergraduate Student Association President

Statement of Inclusive Excellence

As an institution, we embrace inclusive excellence and the strengths of a diverse and inclusive community. During classroom discussions, we may be challenged by ideas different from our lived experiences and cultures. Understanding individual differences and broader social differences will deepen our understanding of each other and the world around us. In this course, all people (including but not limited to, people of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, students undergoing transition, religions, ages, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, veteran status, regions and nationalities, intellectual perspectives and political persuasion) are strongly encouraged to respectfully share their unique perspectives and experiences. This statement is intended to help cultivate a respectful environment, and it should not be used in a way that limits expression or restricts academic freedom at ESF.