SUNY Looks to Boost Women-Owned Business Enterprises

The board of trustees of the State University of New York has formulated a plan to increase efforts to support women-owned business enterprises in the procurement of goods and services for the university system. Under the new plan, the university has set a goal to have 20 percent of all goods and services purchased through women- or minority-owned firms.

The new plans requires an annual report to the trustees on the progress in increasing procurement from women-owned firms. These reports will be required to explain the obstacles faced in doing business with firms owned by women and the steps that are being taken to alleviate these obstacles. The board is also requiring mandatory training for employees who buy goods and services for the university on how they can seek out women- and minority-owned firms.