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OFFICES/SERVICES SPOTLIGHT

NYU School of Medicine - Office of Diversity Affairs
Within the NYU School of Medicine, the office is dedicated to promoting programs that identify and nurture diverse talent, and also promotes cultural competency in health care. Mekbib Gemeda, Assistant Dean for Diversity Affairs and Community Health.

Institute Afro American Affairs

The murder of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 sparked the intensification of an NYU program to improve educational opportunities for minority groups. Central to the plan was the establishment of a scholarship program named for Dr. King. Also in 1968, John Hatchett was hired by Chancellor Cartter to direct the new Martin Luther King Jr. Afro-American Student Center. His appointment became controversial when it was discovered that Hatchett had authored an article accusing the New York City public school system of being dominated by "anti-black Jews and Black Anglo-Saxons." Religious organizations on campus labeled his comments "Black Nazism." During the controversy, Hatchett announced that certain seminars at the Center would be open only to Black students. At first, the administration vowed to keep Hatchett, an action which led to issues of racism, anti-Semitism, and freedom of speech being hotly debated on campus. However, after further review and increased pressure, Hatchett was fired. NYU President Hester responded that such policies "are not in keeping with the spirit in which the Center was created and certainly not in keeping with the spirit in which I endorsed it." The University decided that it did not wish to endorse a center that students saw as "a form of separatism," and the Martin Luther King Jr. Afro-American Student Center came under the control of an independent board of Black students and faculty who were willing to take full responsibility for the Center in order to secure its existence. The Afro-American Studies Institute was also created to provide lectures, workshops, conferences and programs about Black identity. This is now known as the Institute of African American Affairs.

A significant part of New York University's diverse identity is the international faculty and student bodies that have long been one of the university's defining characteristics. In addition to the international composition of the permanent faculty, visiting faculty and post-doctorals from all over the world are present. In the 2005/2006 academic year, NYU ranked 4th in the U.S. for international students (5,502), just behind University of Southern California (6,881), Columbia University (5,575) and Purdue University (5,540). International scholars are supported at the school and central university level through a variety of programs and initiatives, including:

The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

The OISS provides comprehensive support, advisory services and programs for New York University's international students, scholars, and their dependents. The OISS is the University's liaison to the United States departments of State and Homeland Security, and is the University's designee for ensuring institutional compliance with U.S. immigration regulations. The office assists members of the NYU international community with matters of special concern and serves as a referral source to other University offices and academic departments.

The OISS seeks to assist, and continually support, the international members of the NYU community as they transition to life at NYU and in New York City - from sponsoring workshops and seminars regarding academics and immigration and visa support, to walking tours and other recreational events around New York.

Office of Residential Education - Residential International Student Engagement (RISE)

Sponsored by the Office of Residential Education, RISE is a new initiative connecting international students with the NYU and NYC communities, while providing support and resources for a smooth transition to the United States.

Global Distinguished Professorship Program at FAS

Created to bring the world's leading scholars to the Faculty of Arts and Science at NYU, the Global Distinguished Professorship attracts scholars and researchers whose home institution is outside of the US. This unique opportunity to become part of NYU's faculty enriches the global reputation of NYU and offers scholars from all over the world the opportunity to collaborate on groundbreaking academic endeavors.

Hauser Global Law School Program at NYU Law (HGLSP)

Since its founding in 1994, the goal of the HGLSP has been to transform legal education, making NYU Law a global law school - increasing the number of international faculty, students, and the services and programming to support them, including opportunities to work and study abroad, seminars, colloquia, workshops, and a distinguished speaker series.

Global Faculty Affinity Group

Faculty with research interests or affinities to a particular region are invited to serve on a Global Faculty Affinity Group. These committees guide the development of new program initiatives and propose enhancements to existing course offerings at the NYU Global Sites. Affinity Groups offer the NYU faculty significant involvement in the management and direction of the NYU programs abroad, ensuring that the Sites meet their research needs and those of their students. Additionally, the Affinity Groups offer advice on the creation of new programs and sites, assist with curriculum review and assessment, and actively participate in the planning process for new campuses abroad. Affinity Groups are currently active for the following locations or regions: London, Accra, Florence, Prague and Shanghai.

Global Fellowship Program

The Office of Global Programs offers a limited number of fellowships to support international activities for students, faculty, and international scholars as they pursue academic and research opportunities abroad - through the Global Fellowships, International Visitors Program, the Harold Acton Fellowship, and the Fulbright Program.

Global Public Service Law Project - Post Graduate Fellowship

Offered through the NYU School of Law - Global Public Service Scholars, upon graduation, are required to return to public service practice in their home countries or regions or with an international public service organization. The primary purpose of the fellowship is to advance the Fellows' professional development while at the same time increasing interest in public interest law practice.