Nov. 6, 2024, message from SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., shared the following message with leaders across the SUNY system on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024:
Dear Colleagues,
I woke up this morning, as I do every morning, believing in the power of public service to strengthen the lives of our fellow Americans and the democracy that binds our nation together. I’ve been privileged to serve in government roles at the state and federal levels and in a national civil rights organization, and to serve at times when the country has been led by both Democratic and Republican presidents. Every bit of this varied experience leads me to believe deeply that the work we do together at SUNY matters profoundly to our students, our communities, and the nation we are and seek to be.
In this moment of transition following yesterday’s elections, I want to reaffirm three core SUNY commitments.
First, SUNY and public higher education more broadly are foundational to the long-term health of our democracy. Trustee (and Student Assembly President) Harvey and I visited Westchester Community College yesterday to talk with students about civic engagement and thank the folks working at the campus polling station. The students we met with are passionate about the importance of voting, and about community service, student government, and student journalism, too. Their optimism and belief in their campus community inspired me. Polling station workers were selflessly giving their time in service of our democracy and their neighbors. We must continue to engender civil discourse and prepare engaged citizens.
Second, the four pillars driving SUNY to be the best public higher education system in the country are non-partisan and non-negotiable. We will diligently engage partners in government at the federal, state, and local levels as we work to advance (1) student success; (2) research & scholarship; (3) diversity, equity, & inclusion; and (4) economic development & upward mobility. We will continue to advance our mission and expand access and excellence for our students.
Third, while we champion free expression and seek to create spaces for healthy dialogue across difference, our institutional values are clear. At SUNY, we reject hate, bigotry, racism, sexism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, harassment, and discrimination. At SUNY, we embrace empathy, human dignity, and mutual respect.
No matter one’s views or perspective about particular outcomes, elections and heated national debates spur intense feelings. Please take care of yourselves, your loved ones, and each other.
Best,
John