Not too long ago students were turned away from this campus on the basis of the color of their skin. Even today, the University has a long way to go towards creating a welcoming environment for all races. Despite the praiseworthy attempts to foster diversity on a University wide level, the campus still has the feel of an almost segregated institution. We believe that a fully funded department of African American Studies will do much to build unity on campus, in addition to establishing this University at the forefront of scholarship on the African Diaspora.
It is no secret that the University has been attempting to recruit more minority students in recent years. In a state where a black presence makes up close to a third of the population, it seems odd that students of African descent make up only 11.6 percent of Lousiana’s flagship University. In addition to better recruitment, a department of African American Studies will do much towards the University’s goal to make this campus a more diverse place.
While this is all well and good, several other issues must be considered as well. Critics will argue that the University, already stretched with regards to budgeting, cannot afford to fund another department. Indeed, over the past few years several disciplines have been shut down due to lack of funds — including Electronic Media from the Mass Communication school. While it is true that the University has had to cut back on several programs in the past, African American Studies is already in existence as both a minor and a facet of the Bachelor’s program in Liberal Arts. Turning it into a full time department, therefore, would not create too much of a strain, either on the budget or on the department’s already excellent faculty — whose numbers could be augmented by a full commitment from the University.
The second objection some will make is whether or not the establishment of a department based on the study of a specific race actually works to integrate the campus. There are those who will say that by establishing this department the University is inadvertently dividing the campus. Though we understand the reasoning behind the argument, we reject it on the basis that we are living in a diverse world in which ethnic and racial groups are encouraged to learn about themselves, while at the same point meshing with other cultures on a daily basis. If LSU is to embrace this new way of life and climb out of the past, it must do its best to establish a place of scholarship with regards to minority life.
The University could do wonders for its image by creating a major in African American Studies. Already several top-flight universities, from Harvard to the University of California-Berkeley have this department. Even regional rivals such as the University of Texas-Austin and the University of Mississippi, whose racial struggles have been known to the nation since the early ‘60s, have gone ahead with establishing this major. So often, our University has had to play catch up academically to others. Now, we have an opportunity to actually get in early and take the lead in an expanding field of study. Let us take advantage of it for once.
The University has a long way to come to terms with its stated goal of true diversity. It is our hope that if this institution is serious about making LSU an environment in which all can thrive that they take up the desire of both students, faculty and the community at large and establish African American Studies as a true, independent department.
The Daily Reveille Editorial Board is: Scott L. Sternberg, Editor-in-Chief; Mark F. Bonner, Managing Editor; Ryan Merryman, Opinion Editor; Dorothy E. Paul, Online Editor; Jason Dore’, Columnist.
The Editorial Board produces weekly editorials written by the Opinion Editor which express the views of the Editorial Board. However, the opinions of the board do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of The Daily Reveille’s staff.
This editorial was written by the editorial board of The Daily Reveille. The views expressed are those of the board and do not reflect the views of the entire staff.