In response to persistent student interest, the University plans to add Asian American studies to its repertoire of academic programs in the College, once funding is available for a director.
The Asian Student Union has lobbied for over 10 years to start an Asian American studies program at the University.
The hiring freeze has hindered the program's implementation, preventing the University from hiring a program director. However, Ryan McCarthy, third-year College student and ASU president, said College Dean Edward L. Ayers assured him the program is a priority once officials resolve budget issues.
McCarthy has made Asian American studies a top priority during his tenure in the position.
"The need for the establishment of an Asian American studies program has been demonstrated not only by the increasing numbers of Asian and Asian Pacific American students attending the University, but also by the changing demographics throughout the nation," he said. "If the University is truly committed to enhancing cultural diversity on Grounds, then actions must be taken to establish a program."
Earlier this year, Ayers asked McCarthy to present a formal petition demonstrating the student support for the program.
"We had students who were willing to protest" in support of the program, McCarthy said. "Fortunately, Dean Ayers and the administration have been receptive to our efforts, and we have not yet had to resort to protesting."
The online petition that the ASU created included 466 responses in support of an Asian American studies program.
"There's an obvious demand" for such a program, Assistant Dean of Students Ajay Nair said. "Now we have to figure out how to implement it."
A new Asian American studies course, AMEL 302, entitled "Topics in Modern Asia America," was created this spring. The class is intended to act as a stepping stone toward an entire program devoted to the discipline.
AMEL 302 is "a first step," said Nair, who instructs the course. "We're still working out the details, but overall it's been very successful."
Seventy-five students enrolled in the course, which originally was designed to hold 50 students.
The Course Offering Directory did not originally list the class.
Nair mentioned several new courses, including an Asian American literature course and an Asian American media studies course.
Nair would like to see the courses created for the new program.
"There has to be more courses offered, and more faculty need to step forward and offer to teach them," he said. "There are faculty who can teach these courses; it's just a matter of identifying them."
Third-year Commerce student Leah Kim, co-chairwoman of the Asian American Studies committee of the ASU, said she would like to see more history-oriented courses in the program.
Asian American history "is often left out of history courses," Kim said.
Her co-chairwoman, second year College student Deepa Nemani, said she also would like to see courses focusing on specific elements of Asian American culture, such as a course on cinema.
The current classes "are general and try to encompass a lot of information in one class," Nemani said.
Because of the current budget shortfall facing the Commonwealth there is no exact date for the official start of the program yet exists.
"Demand has been demonstrated," Nair said. "It's up to the University to react to that"
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