Diversity and Inclusion Master Plan

This summer, SUNY Optometry had a strong showing of students, faculty, staff, and senior administrators as they marched in the annual NYC Pride Parade on Sunday, June 26, 2016. SUNY Optometry’s participation in the Pride Parade further demonstrated the College’ s support of diversity and equality within the College and in New York.

Clubs and Organizations

National Optometric Students Association (NOSA) NOSA’s mission is to recruit minority students to schools and colleges of op tometry, and to enhance the delivery, effectiveness and efficiency of eye and vision care services in communities with little or no eye care presence. In addition, NOSA markets the field of optometry in an effort to increase recruitment and retention of the underrepresented minorities into the profession. Current activities include the Taste of NOSA Fundraiser. To give members of the College community a taste of NOSA and its diverse culture, NOSA hosted a food fundraiser featuring cuisine from across the globe. Our multi-ethnic members brought dishes ranging from Vietnamese to Mexican and Chinese (Proceeds raised from the fundraiser went to funding travel grants to the NOA Convention this summer). Other activities include vision screenings & shadowing opportunities, Meet & Greets with current NOA members, final assessment mentors, volunteering, social events, high school and college outreach programs, and attending national conferences. Chinese Culture Optometric Students Association (CCOSA) CCOSA aims to spread and celebrate Chinese culture. Today, Chinese is the most common language spoken worldwide, and China contains the largest population of any country. CCOSA works with the Confucius Institute and the Cultural Diversity Committee at SUNY to bring awareness of Eastern ways of thinking to the Western world through speakers, events on and off campus, and of course, Chinese food. CCOSA also facilitates cultural exchange with students from Wenzhou Medical University, at which SUNY has an externship site. Current Activities include Mid-Autumn Festival, Chinese New Year Celebration, 1 to 2 social events per semester, 2-3 guest speakers and Welcoming students from Wenzhou Medical University (Summer).

P age | 54