Cal State LA Considers Suspending Asian and Asian American Studies

California State University, Los Angeles, is one of the most diverse universities in the country. Student enrollment demographics this year are about 55% Latino, 22% Asian American/Pacific Islander, 15% white non-Latino, and 8% African American. Since 1972, students of color have comprised the majority. Cal State LA established the first Chicano Studies program in the nation in 1968. Minority Access, Inc, named the school one of America’s top colleges that exemplifies diversity. It has received the President’s Award for Diversity from the national accreditation organization for engineering education.

So it seems almost unbelievable that one of the country’s most diverse universities with a history of pioneering ethnic and area studies is considering suspending its Asian and Asian American Studies program. Despite increased interest in the program — a spike in enrollment in the program’s introductory class (over 40 students each semester) and a higher number of new majors each year — the school’s dean, Jim Henderson, has decided to suspend the program citing not enough “majors, faculty support, and community interest.”

Even stranger, Dean Henderson’s decision came immediately before a program review scheduled last month could even take place. The dean has stated he believes ending the program right now and allowing it to reapply in three years will somehow “grow the program.” Faculty and student disagree: they have spoken out about the program’s minor operating cost (only $4,000 a year), and the fact that it is the only program in the university offering introductory courses on Asia. Cutting it would severely limit students, including many non-majors who enroll in the courses, in their access to education on this important sector of the world.

But at a meeting with the dean that over 50 concerned students attended, he offered little explanation. Some students came away feeling as if the decision to cut the program is symptomatic of a greater fear of ethnic studies programs sweeping over the nation, due myths about such programs. (Dr. Arnold Pan of Post Academic offers an excellent comprehensive breakdown of the flawed arguments against ethnic studies programs.)

The program at Cal State LA has always faced an uphill battle. Thirty years ago, when faculty first proposed the program, the university did not support the idea. Ten faculty members taught the first introductory course pro bono. Student organizers who have formed the coalition Save AAAS Cal State LA believe the threat of cutting the program threatens the dismantling of the other ethnic studies programs at the school which already receive “tenuous support.”

“I chose Cal State LA, in part, because of its diversity and the variety of courses it offered,” says recent alumni Amanda Garcia. “It’s incredibly sad to me to consider that students won’t have courses offered from multiple perspectives to reflect the diversity of the school and city.”

In addition to the organizing efforts of Cal State LA students, the California Faculty Association, Cal State Fullerton, and Cal State Northridge have all spoken out against the dismantling of Asian and Asian American Studies at the school. That’s not to mention the 1,180 students who have signed a petition circled by Save AAAS. So much for no community support.

Ethnic studies programs, despite their success resulting in higher graduation rates, are under attack in other parts of the country such as Arizona. Cal State LA, which has battled passionately to ensure these programs became a part of the curriculum, cannot go back now. Tell the school not to cut Asian and Asian American Studies.

Photo Credit: Neon Tommy