<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Campus,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Black Solidarity Day was created in 1969 by
Panamanian-born activist, historian, and playwright, Carlos E. Russell.
Inspired by the fictional play “<a href="http://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/pds/maai3/protest/text12/warddayofabsence.pdf" target="_blank">Day of Absence</a>” by
Douglas Turner Ward, the day is now observed every November, on the Monday
before Election Day.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Thanks to the commitment and advocacy of our
Student Association, under the leadership of Association President Ahmed
Metwaly, SUNY Plattsburgh will officially observe Black Solidarity Day on the first
Monday of every November by formally designating it a "teach-in day"
for all on campus to teach, learn about and engage in discussions around
diversity, equity and inclusion. The <a href="https://www.plattsburgh.edu/about/offices-divisions/registrar/academic-calendar.html">Fall 2022 Academic Calendar</a> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">has been updated to reflect November 7, 2022 as our campus' first official
Black Solidarity Day.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Ohemaa Owusu-Poku, a sophomore majoring
in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies, was instrumental in this
effort. A member of the Student Association Executive Board and Coordinator of
Student Affairs and Diversity, Ms. Owusu-Poku acknowledged that "most
things don’t get recognized until the value is brought to light. Black
Solidarity Day is recognized, and I believe that is a great accomplishment. It
is time that we celebrate all students and appreciate the diversity and
different cultures that they bring to the institution. I believe we will all be
educated about the truth that has to be brought."</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mac-Olivier Lalannet, a senior majoring
in political science, was also critical to this effort. He explained that
"Black Solidarity Day is important as it shines light to a long-standing
issue of lack of acknowledgment of the BIPOC contribution to society/community
and the need for action. This is a great accomplishment, and this is a big step
forward to something right. Black Solidarity Day in SUNY Plattsburgh should be
acknowledged as a day of both action and education for students."
Mr. Lalannet stated: "I am proud of myself, Ohemaa, and Ahmed for our
support and effort in accomplishing this feat, and I look forward to
seeing how things will go with this in the future."</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mr. Metwaly, a second semester junior majoring in
Accounting and Management Information Systems with a minor in Political
Science, added that he is "extremely proud of Ohemaa and Mac for all of
their hard work on this initiative, which would not have been possible without
them." He added that "this is a great step in the right direction and
that we as a campus should be proud to be one of the first campuses to add
Black Solidarity Day to our academic calendar."</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dr. Raymond Carman, Associate Professor of
Political Science and Chair of Faculty Senate, added: "I am excited that
Black Solidarity Day is now listed on our academic calendar and that we will be
celebrating it annually by holding a teach-in. SUNY Plattsburgh has a strong
record of teach-ins on topics related to social justice. I look forward to the Faculty Senate working with the Student Association, Office of Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion, and others to make this a fantastic day of programming
with broad participation across our college."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px">Black Solidarity Day was originally intended as a day for African diasporic people to discuss their political status and advocate for their rights to equitable access to education and social mobility. It has since evolved into an opportunity for the BIPOC community to exercise a 24-hour moratorium from commercial activities such as shopping and using the public transit system, as a way to highlight their essential contributions to our economic sustainability and survival.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">I am grateful for the dedication and hard work that
went into coordinating this important and highly valuable opportunity for
learning, discussion and growth. Black Solidarity Day at SUNY Plattsburgh will directly support our campus-wide commitment to
create the most inclusive and equitable environment for all who
study and work here.</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Alexander Enyedi</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">President</span></p></div>