Fall 2014 Farewell - Monday, December 8, 2014 - The Daily Cardinal

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University of Wisconsin-Madison

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Fall Farewell Issue 2014

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FALL FAREWELL ISSUE

2014

THOMAS YONASH/THE DAILY CARDINAL

Future of ethnic studies divides UW By Tamar Myers THE DAILY CARDINAL

Though the transition into college is tough for many freshmen, Marianna Rivera’s move to UW-Madison was especially isolating. She grew up in Chicago in a drastically different community climate. “I was always surrounded by people who spoke like me, had the same customs as me, the same traditions as me,” Rivera said. “I really struggled coming to campus and feeling comfortable around the people in my dorm or in my classes.” Rivera said she felt no one was interested in getting to know people with different backgrounds and that they believed her differences in experience were trivial. This frustration led her to pursue a certificate in Chican@ and Latin@ Studies, one of four ethnic studies units that prompted passionate debate in Spring 2014 discussions over consolidation.

Some leaders say consolidating four ethnic studies programs could save money while others, including Political Science Professor Ben Marquez, the former Chican@ and Latin@ Studies chair, said it exemplified a greater pattern of marginalization.

“If something is a priority, even with declining state budgets, you find a way to do it.” Michael Thornton professor Afro-American Studies

Though resource concerns loomed, they feared the move would ruin the autonomy of the programs, reduce their areas of study and further disrupt funding. Discussions ended last semester largely due to the outpouring of negative feedback.

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All four programs face unique challenges and cover different academic territory, but common themes prevail. They all grew out of students and others calling for the university to study their lens on the American experience, and faculty and students from all of them worry about continuing their mission amid cutbacks.

“We’re always trying to make something out of nothing.”

Ben Marquez professor Political Science

Combining resources or ‘an ethnic studies trash can’

The ethnic studies units are classified as such by the university and include four areas of study. Chican@ and Latin@ Studies, Asian American Studies and American Indian Studies have certificate programs, but Afro-American Studies offers a major and can be the home for tenure-track and tenured faculty because it has department status. College of Letters & Science administrators recommend-

The Daily Cardinal’s guide to a Madison winter +WINTER GUIDE, page 10

ed consolidation as part of a 10-year self-study, hoping to foster greater sharing of resources.

Afro-American Studies Chair Craig Werner spearheaded discussions and said there was never anyone “holding a sword over our heads,” but he wanted to look at pooling resources. For some, the discussions exemplified a greater pattern of marginalization. Several American Indian Studies faculty objected to the program’s classification as “ethnic studies” because tribes are

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sovereign nations and are distinct from groups designated as American ethnic minorities, said American Indian Studies Director Rand Valentine. Marquez said he views consolidation as “a big push to just dump us into this ethnic studies trash can.” Christy Clark-Pujara, a history professor in AfroAmerican Studies, also said the issues and histories of each group are too distinct to combine into one department. Similarly, UW-Madison student Amani Alexander, who is double majoring in Afro-American Studies and Rehabilitation Psychology, said consolidation undermines the mission of educating students to be culturally responsive and competent. “We’re moving in the opposite direction of what is important to culture on this campus,” Alexander said.

ethnic studies page 4

Top stories from Fall 2014

“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”


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