About OMEA

Mission Statement
The mission of the Office of Minority Educational Affairs is to effectively administer the institutional policies designed for the academic and social enhancement of minority students and others eligible for New York State Programs, through the facilitation of minority student related services and the advisement and consultation of the network of academic and non-academic individuals committed to diversity at Cornell.

Overview
The Committee on Special Educational Projects was established by Cornell University in 1965 with two primary goals: 1)increasing the enrollment of African American students at Cornell; and 2)providing support services to facilitate both their adjustment to Cornell and their graduation. Later, COSEP was expanded to include Latino/Hispanic American, Native American, and Asian American Students.

History
Over the past 40 years, COSEP has been highly successful. Besides changing the composition of the university’s student body, COSEP and its programs have helped to sensitize the university community to the challenges, needs and accomplishments of underrepresented minority groups at Cornell. Today, COSEP remains a committee of advisor’s, counselors, and administrators whosupport the special educational needs of its students.

In 1976, COSEP was subsumed into the Office of Minority Educational Affairs (OMEA). The OMEA offers and coordinates a comprehensive network of academic and administrative support services for minority students.

What OMEA Is Today
The OMEA facilitates academic and personal adjustment to Cornell, and increases the graduation rate of students. It also encourages institutional change, when necessary, to ensure that the university embraces its diverse student population. The OMEA is a central administrative office that is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that are designed to increase enrollment and ensure optimal academic success, retention, and graduation of students.