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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

President's Wednesday Message


This past Friday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. An estimated six million Jews and five million non-Jewish victims were killed in this global tragedy: the deadliest genocide in history. January 27 is set aside as a day to remember all that was lost in the Holocaust: the lives of millions of men, women, and children, to be sure, but also the humanity of those who stood by and did nothing. How could it have happened? 

Almost thirty years ago, faculty at MCC asked that same question in an honors seminar that grew into MCC’s internationally recognized Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project. HGHRP is dedicated to telling the stories of the Holocaust and other genocides while transforming students to become advocates for human rights. Sadly, the work of HGHRP has not been relegated to studying the past: in fall, the project signed on to a statement calling on lawmakers to condemn a rise in white nationalist groups and hate speech. The work of HGHRP is grounded in the values that make MCC, MCC: inclusiveness, integrity, excellence, empowerment, collaboration. The HGHRP is grounded in the transformative power of education that is at the heart of MCC's mission. This experience and engagement transforms the lives of the students who participate, helping them see the responsibility they have to others and to themselves.

Our MCC values are just words on a page unless we live them. Their definitions are key: they call on us to live out our mission ethically and responsibly; to develop higher standards and exceed expectations; to see differences as strengths; to ensure fair and equal access; to expand opportunity. Community colleges were created as Democracy’s Colleges. We aspire to ideals of inclusion and opportunity. We inspire students who represent the diversity of our local and global community. We fulfill the promise that education holds out for all who dream bigger dreams, who hope for brighter futures.

In their search for the opportunity to learn, some of our students have journeyed thousands of miles. Whether international students, immigrants, or refugees, they have found a home at MCC. They are part of our community. We have a responsibility to these students, and the events of the last week have left them—and many of you—frustrated and confused.

At present, three MCC students are on F1 Visas and come from countries impacted by President Trump’s Executive Order banning travel from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, and Yemen. The College is working directly with them to assure they receive guidance and assistance. You can help reach other students (immigrants, refugees) who may be from these seven countries by sharing SUNY’s Immigration Information <https://www.suny.edu/immigration/> page, which is being updated regularly. This will assure they have the most recent information. Should students reach out to you seeking additional information or assistance, please direct them to Gale Lynch, Director, Global Education and International Services.

Over a decade ago, Associate Director Jodi Oriel (one of the founders of HGHRP) and student Charles H. Theis wrote in a Democrat and Chronicle piece on the impact of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project: “Such an educational experience changes how students view the world and their individual responsibilities towards families and neighbors. … Studying the Holocaust also motivates people to find creative ways to make a difference. Action against humanitarian crises starts at the individual level.” I hope each of you finds a way to make a difference in the lives of our students, to support them in the hours of uncertainty that occur in every academic journey, and to assure all of our students and colleagues feel welcome at MCC. This connection——whether across ten thousand miles or ten feet——is at the heart of the promise of our College: it is our community and our humanity.

Your feedback is welcomed on the blog.

Anne M. Kress
Office of the President
02/01/2017