HomeCampusAsian American Studies at Penn Struggles to Win Support. UW Student Senate...
Don't Be Fooled by Gift Card Scams

Asian American Studies at Penn Struggles to Win Support. UW Student Senate Calls for Pacific Islander Studies

Asian American Studies at University of Pennsylvania
Photo from University of Pennsylvania

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.

AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart.  We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns.  Check out our Facebook page  and our Twitter feed,  Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story for consideration.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest

Worth the Time

Must Read

Regular Features

Latest