President Calvin O. Butts III welcomed the new student body of incoming freshmen to SUNY Old Westbury during his fall convocation on September 4th. Speaking at the Clark Athletic Center, Dr. Butts III started off his speech addressing the mold problems taking place at the residence halls, much to the surprise of many students.
“Let me state clearly that I hear and understand your concerns,” he said. “I can’t stress enough how much we’d like to see this remedied as much as you.”
Students had voiced their concerns about the issue, which remained unsolved after college officials received multiple reports involving mold in the dorms during the summer. Dr. Butts told students and faculty members that the school is taking proper measures to make sure that these issues will be avoided in the near future as best as they can. He applauded the students for bringing the problem towards his attention.
“Advocating for yourselves and for a change you think is needed are [sic] part of the spirit of this place we call SUNY Old Westbury.”
Shifting the discussion, he talked about the time period when SUNY OW was founded. “It’s a unique institution born out of protest in the 1960s,” said Dr. Butts. He went on to recall how the United States was divided through the social issues such as racism, sexuality and religion, where the leadership came into question.
“Some sacrifice their lives, many men and women died on foreign battlefields. Out of that, Old Westbury came to be,” Dr. Butts told the crowd. More importantly, he stressed to the students on the importance of taking advantage of their education and owning their future.
“While you’re here at Old Westbury, we want you to own that future. We want you to grab it with both hands, and take advantage of the time you will spend at this sequestered campus.”
His message to the audience was dedicating yourself to learning no matter your background, ethnicity, or what institution you attended.
Dr. Butts concluded his speech with reiterating the theme of the convocation is owning your future. He encouraged students on working together to make SUNY OW better.
“Let us work together, to make a better world. To make a better United States of America, to make a better Long Island, to make a better Old Westbury.”
