Cuomo said the SUNY system has long embraced diversity and encouraged social mobility.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo is directing the state university system to continue policies that promote racial diversity among students after the Trump administration said the federal government will let schools leave race out of admission decisions.

The Democratic governor on Thursday directed the chairmen of the boards of trustees of the City University of New York and State University of New York to prepare a report by Aug. 15 on how they'll increase diversity on campuses.

Cuomo said the Trump administration's move to rescind affirmative action guidelines is "a blatant attempt to limit the participation of minorities in higher education."

Cuomo said the SUNY system has long embraced diversity and encouraged social mobility. He noted that SUNY is nearly 45 percent minority and CUNY is 76 percent minority.