By Charles Roberts

Amidst war, sometimes our visions of peace become blurred. Peace seems like a distant word in the Middle East, but here at Buffalo State College, it is far from distant.

The Presidents Council on Equity and Campus Diversity has asked a handful of students throughout the campus to nominate professors of their choice who they feel promote equity and diversity in their classrooms. This is the first annual award of its kind at BSC. www.buffalostate.edu/offices/equity

Students had to type an essay of at least 250 words, detailing the positive ways they were influenced in the classroom. The council then reviewed the essays and made its selections.

“Students nominate teachers who they feel support concepts of equity. These are students who have been positively influenced,” said Gail Maloney, assistant director of athletics and president’s council chairperson.

The award ceremony for the nominated professors, which is officially called “The Student’s Award for the Promotion of Respect for Diversity and Individual Differences,” will be held during Bengal Pause on April 8th.

“The President’s Council spends much time looking at issues of fairness and equality. The goal is that students and professors alike will become all encompassing and embracing with diverse issues and the climate on campus,” said Michelle Brown Douglas, assistant director of equity and campus diversity.

The President’s Council hopes to raise awareness of the award in order to have more students involved in next year’s nominations.

“We want this as student focused as possible,” added Dr. Maloney.

Students who would like to be involved in next year’s nominating can contact Dolores E. Battle, Ph.D., senior adviser to the president for equity and campus diversity at (716)-878-6210, or stop by the office, located in Room 415, Grover Cleveland Hall.