• Goals & History of the EOP Office

Goals

One objective of EOP is to see that each student admitted is provided with all the services and assistance necessary for success in whatever degree program he or she seeks to complete. Another objective is to encourage each student to acquire skills at the college that may be used for improved citizenship. It is anticipated that through a spirit of cooperation and sincerity among all those interested in their education, students in the EOP Program will experience significant changes in their lives while attending SUNY Cobleskill.

History

The Educational Opportunity Program found its origins in 1967 through the efforts of Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve (Buffalo).  His idea was modeled after the SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge) program of the City University system that had been established in1966 by the efforts of Percy Sutton, and the State University at Buffalo enrolled 249 students its first year.  By 1970, New York State Education Law had set up the provisions for SEEK, EOP, and HEOP (Higher Educational Opportunity Program) which included private New York colleges.  The Educational Opportunity Program today is at 45 State University campuses and has had more than 44,000 graduates.