The Oswego State administration removed flags over the summer for what President Deborah Stanley referred to as “a close review and refresh.”

Returning students and new students who took part in summer orientations may have noticed the absence of the long-standing flag display that had been present along the hallway to the right of the auditorium since 2007. Some may have only noticed the two posted signs indicating the flags’ temporary removal.

“In addition to giving the flags – which have been visibly displayed in the Marano Campus Center since its opening in 2007 – a close review and refresh, it is important to also review the proper display and protocol for the inclusion of flags on campus,” Stanley said in a press release.

The process of the flag review is being led by Rodmon King, Oswego State’s diversity and inclusion officer, who joined the administration in July.

While King is not alone in deciding the fates of the flags, administration staff and the Oswego State community will also contribute to the process.

He said he is certain the flags “will fly where they will be respected every day,” noting a potential movement of the display. 

The specific criteria upon which the flags will be evaluated in terms of appropriateness must be established so that the reviewed display will reflect the college community while being consistent with New York state’s views and general ethical principles, according to King.

“I feel as if the collection of flags should represent the student body in all of its diversity, and stemming from that, it should also represent the global community that we will eventually influence,” Oswego State freshman Jeremi Chimbo said.

King said he is approaching this project with dedicated thoroughness in hopes that the revised collection of flags will hang for years, well past his retirement.

Since the removal of the flags, King said he received emails with recommendations for the display. King expressed gratitude for the input and welcomes ideas, while cautioning that, for additions to the collection to be made, they must benefit and represent the overall community.

“This effort represents yet another opportunity for all of us to work together to honor and celebrate the rich diversity of SUNY Oswego,” Stanley said in a press release.