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Office of Recruitment and Diversity
395 Hudson Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10014
Tel: 646-664-3307
ORD@cuny.edu
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
The City University of New York has long been recognized as one of the most diverse university systems in the nation. The University aims to enhance its national standing by continuing to build a diverse community that enriches its academic environment.
Enacting a Vision for Diversity through our Mission
The University’s unwavering commitment to serving students, insistence on academic rigor, and support of world-class faculty guide its work to foster and promote an ever more diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. A pluralistic community is fundamental to the exchange of ideas and knowledge, scholarly discourse, and the engagement of the University’s diverse communities.
The University respects individuals while acknowledging the differences among them. These differences include, but are not limited to, race, national-origin, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, and socioeconomic status. However in order to create a vibrant academic, intellectual, and cultural environment for all, the University must move beyond representation to genuine participative membership. Thus, the University seeks to develop a community that is inclusive of all individuals and groups. Given CUNY’s long history of proactive support for diversity and inclusion, it is uniquely positioned to build upon that strong foundation and serve as a national leader and model, exemplifying the benefits that accrue when diversity and inclusion are integral components of an institution’s educational philosophy and core mission.
Benefits of Diversity and Inclusion
Exposing CUNY students to faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds with a range of ideas and perspectives is necessary if we are to adequately educate students in an increasingly complex world.
2023 Diversity Calendar – Quarter 4
October
Filipino-American Heritage Month
In 1991, the Filipino-American National Historical Society (FANHS) board of trustees proposed the first annual Filipino-American History Month to commence in October 1992.
German-American Heritage Month
The first proclamation of German-American Heritage Month was issued by Ronald Reagan in October 1987 to celebrate the traditions of Christmas trees, Easter bunnies, and Santa.
Italian-American Heritage Month
In 1989, it was celebrated by proclamation of the US President and Congress to honor the achievements and contributions of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the US.
Polish-American Heritage Month
Since 1986, October has served as national Polish-American Heritage Month. October also holds significance for Polish-Americans as this is when Polish settlers first arrived in Jamestown, VA.
LGBTQ History Month
This month celebrates the achievements of 31 lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender Icons. Each day in October, a new LGBT Icon is featured with a video, bio, bibliography, downloadable images and other resources.
Global Diversity Awareness Month
The aim is to promote knowledge and respect for various cultures.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
In the US, October has been designated to recognize how people with disabilities strengthen the workforce and deserve absolute inclusion in the workplace. The movement to raise awareness began in 1945 with National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week. In 1988 under President Reagan, “Physically” was deleted to acknowledge all forms of disabilities, changed to Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM).
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The goal is to increase awareness on one of the leading causes of death in women and emphasize the importance of early detection and access to timely, high-quality care. #PINKWEEK is October 3-5 and October 13 is recognized in the US as Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)
This was launched nationwide in October 1987 as a way to connect and unite individuals and organizations working on domestic violence issues.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month
First designated in the 1980s, it has been recognized every October since. It is a time to celebrate people with Down syndrome and make others aware of their abilities and accomplishments.
10/2 – International Day of Nonviolence is observed on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of nonviolence. This day is an occasion to disseminate the message of nonviolence, through education and public awareness.
10/9 – The second Monday of October is marked as a US federal holiday, Columbus Day. Some states and cities in the US have officially changed the day to Indigenous People’s Day. In Spanish-speaking countries and communities, it has long been celebrated as Día de la Raza, “Day of the Race.”
10/10 – World Mental Health Day promotes mental health awareness and education, and advocates against social stigma relating to mental health.
10/14 – Defender of Ukraine Day honors all who have fought for the sovereignty of Ukraine.
10/15 – White Cane Safety Day is a national observance, celebrated since 1964. The date is set aside to recognize the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired, and the important symbol of blindness and its tool of independence, the white cane.
10/21 – Spirit Day (LGBTQ+) LGBTQ+ youth face a disproportionate amount of bullying and harassment. Wear purple on this day to support LGBTQ+ youth and speak out against bullying.
10/22 –International Stuttering Awareness Day (ISAD) was designated in 1998. This day is intended to raise public awareness of stuttering, which affects one percent of the world’s population.
November
Native American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native Heritage Month
The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.
National Family Caregivers Month (NFCM)
This month celebrates the selflessness of family members and volunteers who support their loved ones with their health or managing a disability. It offers an opportunity to raise awareness of caregiving issues, educate communities, and increase support for caregivers.
Movember, Men’s Health Awareness Month
The goal is to create positive change by raising awareness of men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men’s suicide.
Diabetes Awareness Month
This is a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes, its prevalence, treatment and prevention.
10/31-11/2 – All Saints Day/All Souls Day/Día de los Muertos commemorates those who have passed away in the Christian faith, and recognized by many Mexican and Aztec communities.
11/9 – World Freedom Day is a federal observance commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall. The day commemorates the end of communism in Eastern and Central Europe and was designated in 2001 by President George W. Bush.
11/11 – Veterans Day In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of the day also known as Armistice Day.
11/12 – Diwali is a significant celebration in the Hindu faith in which diverse deities are praised.
11/13 – World Kindness Day is a global day that promotes the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world. The purpose of this day, celebrated on November 13 of each year, is to help everyone understand that compassion for others is what binds us all together
11/16 – International Day for Tolerance was founded by the UN to promote respect for various religions, languages, ethnicities, and cultures.
11/17 – International Students’ Day is an international observance of the student community, held annually on November 17. Originally commemorating the Czech universities which were stormed by Nazis in 1939 and the students who were subsequently killed and sent to concentration camps, it is now marked by a number of universities, sometimes on a day other than November 17, as a nonpolitical celebration of the multiculturalism of their international students.
11/20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance seeks to remember those who were murdered due to transphobia.
11/20 – World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare
11/23 – Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the US celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people, but many Native Americans do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims and other European settlers.
11/24 – Native American Heritage Day In 2009, President Barack Obama signed The Native American Heritage Day Resolution, designating the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day. After signing H.J. Res 40 into law he stated, “I encourage every American to join me in observing Native American Heritage Day…It is also important for all of us to understand the rich culture, tradition, and history of Native Americans and their status today, and to appreciate the contributions that First Americans have made and will continue to make to our Nation.”
11/26 – (fourth Sunday in November) is Umoja Karamu Celebration, created in 1971 by Edward Simms, Jr. to inject new meaning and solidarity into the Black family through ceremony and symbol. Umoja Karamu means “unity feast” in Swahili and is based around five colors and their meanings which represent five historical periods in African-American history. Black represents Black families before slavery, White symbolizes the scattering of Black families during slavery, Red denotes the liberation from slavery, Green signifies the struggle for civil equality and Gold implies hope for the future.
December
Universal Human Rights Month
This is a time for people in the US and around the world to join together and stand up for the rights and dignity of all individuals.
12/1 – World AIDS Day helps raise awareness of HIV/AIDs and secure funding for its cure.
12/3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities raises awareness for the rights and well-being of those with disabilities.
12/7-12/15 – Hanukkah reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem. The 8-day holiday includes both religious and nonreligious customs, including lighting candles each day.
12/10 – International Human Rights Day established by the UN in 1948, celebrates the day the UN adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
12/21 – Winter Solstice/Yule is the longest night of the year moving from fall to winter, and a winter festival according to the Pagan and Wiccan faiths.
12/25 – Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. This public holiday is both a religious and cultural celebration for many.
12/26 – Kwanzaa is an 8-day holiday inspired by African harvest celebrations.