Documenting Diverse & Multicultural Milestones in SUNY Cortland’s Past (Virtual Exhibit): Introduction

Two students shaking hands, 1986

Creators of this Exhibit

This project originated during an internship opportunity within the College Archives during the spring 2021 semester. The implementation of this exhibit is largely credited to the Kayla Bellan '21 (History Student and archives intern). Bellan conducted research, established drafts of descriptions, assisted in scanning and uploading content, and assisted in the arrangement and creation of the outline.

Jeremy Pekarek (Archivist & Instructional Services Librarian) advised Bellan and oversaw the project. He additionally, added and edited content.

When James Meredith attended the University of Mississippi (Ole' Miss) in the early 1960's, at the time a racially-segregated institution, the SUNY Cortland House of Delegates (now known as the SGA) sent a letter to Meredith publicly supporting his right in attending the university, stating "we are with you as you continue to defend a principle which we strongly believe in, adhere to, and live by. The torch you are carrying is capable of illuminating the eyes of the world towards truth and equality for all" (Hilltop Press, 1962). This story is a reminder of students taking an anti-racism stance within SUNY Cortland’s history.

This virtual exhibit attempts to highlight some important moments in SUNY Cortland’s past where actions reflected various forms of diversity and inclusion that helped shape the campus. Evidence of campus activism can be seen through clubs/organizations, curriculum and programming, the establishment of new offices, committee work or task-forces, plus individual student efforts.

In the 1970’s, during a period of national activism, two weekly columns appeared in Cortland’s student newspaper that addressed racism, equality, and women’s rights. These were titled “Chuck’s Corner” and the “Cortland Woman” where students voiced their concerns on issues relating to the campus as well as the nation.

This exhibit attempts to highlight specific campus members from the past who deserve recognition for their contributions to SUNY Cortland, to the community, and to their profession. However, many of these student-organizations, offices, committees, or articles were established as a response to a larger issue involving diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Equally deserving of a voice, are the occurrences on campus that reflect harsher realities involving discriminatory acts toward various communities in the past. This is evident through the creation of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance, which was established under the Multidisciplinary Center for Minority and Women’s Studies, as a reaction to inappropriate conduct in the 1980's. Additionally, the Students United for Racial Equality (SURE) sit-ins in the 1990’s provide insight into students protesting racial slurs.

Through a transparent lens, this exhibit aims to address historical campus challenges of inclusion, while at the same time, seeking to celebrate moments of diversity, social justice, and campus unity. There is a lot to be proud of in Cortland’s past, as well as things that equally deserve reflection, acknowledgement and further understanding. Speaking to a group of college students, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated that “the time is always right, to do right” (Oration to Oberlin College, 1964).