The City University of New York has recently unveiled plans for increasing the university’s engagement with minority- and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOBs) at the CUNY and City University Construction Fund’s annual Conference on Contract Opportunities for companies owned by minorities, women, and service-disabled veterans.
The conference offered insight to prospective MWBE and SDVOB partners on how to conduct business with CUNY and to provide a forum for networking with CUNY decision-makers. This year, the conference attracted 1,100 attendees, an increase over last year’s 900.
In his keynote address, CUNY Chancellor Matos RodriÌguez, laid out new policies to bolster CUNY’s MWBE and SDVOB program. These include expanding the university’s mentorship program, conducting annual assessments of the university’s efforts to engage with MWBEs and SDVOBs, and increasing student internship and employment opportunities with these businesses, among others.
“When I was appointed Chancellor earlier this year, I began discussions with many members of the CUNY board of trustees and my senior team to create a concrete plan regarding the university’s MWBE and SDVOB efforts,” said Chancellor RodriÌguez. “We all agreed that as the country’s most diverse public higher education institution, CUNY needed to accelerate participation. These efforts will help inspire more people of color, women and service-disabled veterans to directly participate in our vibrant university community and help make CUNY a more inclusive institution. We thank Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support and for helping us create an MWBE and SDVOB program at CUNY that will become a national model of excellence.”