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Flags of Nations display in MCC

Flags of Nations

The Flags of Nations display represents the global, international, and Indigenous connections of the SUNY Oswego community. 

History has taught us the importance of solidarity, community, and representation. We will display national flags to acknowledge and honor the history, places, and experiences of our diverse community. In doing this SUNY Oswego is taking a step in appreciating the many heritages that lie within our community.  

Flags displayed represent students who first enrolled in 2017 and moving forward, including:

  • Flags of countries representing students who require a visa to enroll.
  • Flags of countries representing students from US territories and protectorates (e.g. Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, etc.).
  • Flags representing students of sovereign territories located within North America (i.e. First Nations, Native American, American Indian, or Indigenous Nations).

Other requests will be considered from students, current faculty and staff members. 

Flags of Nations Guidance

Flag Resource Guide

Flag Addition Request Form

FAQ

Why are these flags here?

In 2021-2022, our campus finalized its national flag guidance and determined that we would display country flags representing:

  • international students (based on students who need a student visa to study here); 
  • students from US territories and protectorates (e.g. Puerto Rico, USVIs, Guam, American Samoa, etc.); and 
  • students of sovereign territories located within North America (i.e. First Nations, Native American, or Indigenous nations). 

Our Flags of Nations represent the international and Indigenous connections of the SUNY Oswego community. Each flag displayed represents an enrolled SUNY Oswego student. We display these flags to acknowledge, celebrate, and honor the history, places, and experiences of our diverse community.

How can I request that a flag be taken down?

The flags displayed represent students who have come to study at SUNY Oswego. The flag displayed is the official flag representing that nation or sovereignty, and SUNY Oswego hangs the flag solely to recognize someone from that nation within our community for reasons described above. To some, flags reflect political ideologies and people within a national community with whom they may not agree. 

If you believe that a flag should not be flown within our Flags of Nations display, please email the Vice President for Student Affairs at [email protected] to share your concern.

I don’t see my flag. How can I get it up there?

After reviewing the Flags of Nations Guidance and Flag Resource Guide, if you still believe your flag should be represented in the Flags of Nations display, please complete the Flag Addition Request Form. The College Flag Committee will review your request as soon as possible.

I am a stateless person/I have refugee status. Can I choose a flag to hang?

Please fill out the Flag Addition Request Form and the College Flag Committee will review your request as soon as possible.

Campus Flag Committee

This committee serves in an advisory role to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Charge/Mission: The Campus Flag Committee is convened to review and oversee the Flags of Nations display and plan associated educational programs. The committee ensures that newly matriculated SUNY Oswego students are represented in the campus flag display by facilitating the additional hanging of flags, reviews requests for additional displaying of flags, and plans and coordinates educational activities related to history, cultures, identity, representation, and heritage.

Membership:

  • Co-Chairs: Vice President for Student Affairs and the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, or their designees
    • Gabriel Marshall, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs
    • Anneke McEvoy, Associate Director of the Triandiflou Institute
  • Two (2)-to-four (4) currently enrolled undergraduate/graduate students
  • Representatives from International Education and Programs, Student Engagement and Leadership, and DEI
  • Two (2) additional faculty/staff members