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The president of SUNY Plattsburgh said Thursday that the university would introduce a number of diversity initiatives after a racially offensive cartoon ran on the cover of the college newspaper last week.
The illustration depicted a cartoonish character of a black person with bulging eyes and an overemphasized white mouth, in a graduation gown, standing against a background of dilapidated buildings and graffiti. The cartoon accompanied an article that, ironically, addressed campus diversity, titled “Minority admission rates examined.”
Plattsburgh president John Ettling issued a statement Thursday detailing the university’s plans to remedy the issue.
“Deep hurt has prompted heartfelt conversations that have taken place all week. These are necessary and will continue to take place. Personally, I will be engaging in more conversations with campus organizations, student leaders, and more,” the statement read.
Ettling introduced several new initiatives, including naming a chief diversity officer, hosting a Diversity Week and resurrecting the school’s Multicultural Alliance.
The president had previously addressed the controversial cover in a statement on Monday, calling the cartoon “personally offensive.”
The editors of the paper, Cardinal Points, released a statement Sunday, two days after the cartoon ran, expressing “regret” for the use of the cartoon.
