While one ethnic studies program struggles, another potential program has just won support.
The student senate at the University of Washington has voted to support the establishment of a Pacific Islander Studies major, reports The Daily
The resolution was introduced by the Filipino American Student Association (FASA) and the Pacific Islander Student Commission.
According to The Daily, a Pacific Islander Studies minor is already scheduled to be offered beginning in the spring.
The resolution calls for the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity to pursue the matter. Right now no university in the state offers a Pacific Islander Studies major.
Back east the Asian American Studies program at the University of Pennsylvania has been without a director for one year. The vacancy happened after Grace Kuo left the university for Yale.
Lindsey Lui who sits on the Asian American Studies Undergraduate Advisory Board says without a director, it is nearly impossible for the program to move forward, reported the Daily Penn
Asian American Studies already faces unique challenges. Since it is not a department, it cannot hire its own faculty but must rely on faculty from other departments to teach its courses.
However, one department chair said Penn remains committed to ethnic and minority studies.
“Penn has a longstanding commitment to area studies and continues to support area studies with its range of programs,” said Professor and Department Chair of Russian and East European Studies Mitchell Orenstein.
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