Last week I listened on the phone dejectedly to a friend back home celebrating her university’s new college of arts and sciences diversity minor, a great new addition to her American ethnic studies major. I was deflated. “Jeesh,” I thought, “we can’t even get ethnic studies departmentalized.” Other Pacific Northwest schools have ethnic studies departments, most containing at least three curricula – African American Studies, Asian/Pacific American Studies, and Chicano Studies. The University of Oregon is the only public Association of American Universities member on the West Coast to not yet departmentalize ethnic studies.
After working on immigration issues this summer, I decided to pursue an ethnic studies minor. Yet, in autumn I was given a quick shove toward reality. I had plans to study abroad and return to graduate with a double major and ethnic studies minor. At any other university with an ethnic studies department, it could be done. However, realizing the uncertainties in the program – unlike with departments – I cannot count on returning my senior year to find requisite classes available, or even faculty available to teach them. This is solidified by ethnic studies not being a department; it cannot tenure its faculty, and therefore has to share with other departments, where faculty are required to teach.
Considering the recently composed student Diversity Plan, I am left disconsolate. Students have exhibited their commitment to cultural awareness and acceptance in the academic and social arena. Administrators need to display the same commitment with support in discourse and action.
Kendell Tylee
ASUO Elections Coordinator