‘Unity Wall’ Illustrates University’s Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Students, faculty, staff, and other community members are placing purple and gold thumbprints on a glass "unity wall" in a pledge to value diversity and be more inclusive. (Photo by Hilary Knox)

ALBANY, N.Y. (February 5, 2016) – Yesterday, members of the campus community came together to display their commitment to diversity and inclusion by creating a painted glass “unity wall” in the Uptown Campus Lecture Center.

Leaders in UAlbany’s Programing Board invited students, faculty, staff, and other community members, to dip their thumb into purple or gold paint and place it on the “unity wall.” By doing so, they pledged to value diversity and be more inclusive.

Aneela Gillani, a graduate assistant in the Programming Board office, said the idea was designed to unite the campus community. Pledging was kept anonymous, symbolized by only the thumbprint.

“We are all one; regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what color your skin is. That’s the idea behind an inclusive and diverse environment,” Gillani said. “There’s a lot of things that happen, on the campus, and across the nation. This idea was a way of showing we will always be there for each other.”

In total, more than 400 members of the UAlbany community have taken the pledge.

For those interested in showing their support, the Programming Board will be supplying paint again today until 5 p.m. The “unity wall” is located adjacent to Lecture Center 24.

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