Proceeding With Caution

The new year has seen developing controversy and discussion over the direction of a proposed ethnic studies program at Barnard College. In February, Barnard’s Student Government Association voiced support for a major in comparative ethnic studies, and a contingent of students favor immediate action. But not all students agree that such a program is needed, and some professors in relevant departments urge caution. The Barnard administration, led by the Committee on Instruction, should make certain that sustained student interest and adequate institutional resources form the backing for any eventual course of study.

This is not the first time that Barnard has undertaken to create a new program or major, although the current debate regarding ethnic studies has been particularly contentious. Film studies, a stand-alone major not based in a department or program, was created after individual petitions to major in film overwhelmed the COI. Environmental policy was recently created as an interdisciplinary track within the department of environmental science. Perhaps most applicable across the board is the human rights program, which allows students to combine human rights with any other major at Barnard. In each of these cases, however, the faculty spurred on administrative action—the creation of a new major or program requires that a faculty member make a formal proposal to the COI. If the COI deems the proposed program viable, it goes to a vote in a meeting of the entire faculty.

Though some students are anxious to see it phased in quickly, ethnic studies should be given the same cautious consideration accorded other recent proposals. For ethnic studies to be viable beyond its first year, it will need sustained interest from both students who wish to study in the field and relevant faculty who can provide advising. Existing tracks in Africana studies and American Studies concern similar issues of race and ethnicity. Some professors in these departments worry that an additional program in ethnic studies might stretch Barnard's resources too thin, though the administration is confident that it can support such a program. The numbers warrant circumspection: the 2007 and 2008 graduating classes include only five or six Africana studies majors each, as well as four proposals for individual majors in comparative ethnic studies. As such, the COI should look toward whatever outcome—a program, major, or neither—is most appropriate to the expressed levels of student interest and faculty support. In the meantime, interested students should make do with the programs currently in place in Africana and American studies or petition for individual majors in ethnic studies. That the last four such petitions were accepted suggests that the administration is amenable to accommodating demonstrated student interest.

Though students proposing an independent major are disappointed with the resources Barnard offers in this regard, an ethnic studies program or major appears to be on the horizon. Associate Provost Flora Davidson, chair of the COI, is confident that a program will be developed within the next academic year, but the COI should exercise due diligence in deciding how to proceed. Those advocating change should, in turn, be mindful that regardless of the immediate outcome, their efforts will affect likeminded students in future years.