Historically, students have always complained about the lack of cultural diversity at UCSD. The Undergraduate Student Experience and Satisfaction Committee explained last year that that one of the major faults students found with the campus was that they felt “”a need for a richer and more varied cultural life,”” while The MQ often runs satirical articles with titles like “”Black Student Tired of Posing for UCSD Publicity Photos.”” And the fact is, aside from a large Asian population that is projected to become the majority very soon, the student body at UCSD is rather homogenous.
Problems with diversity on campus tend to get their share of attention from the campus administration, since many prospective students consider diversity to be one of the most important attributes of a good college. Thurgood Marshall College has just begun a new African American studies minor in hopes that it will eventually grow, just like the dance and ethnic studies majors, into a viable major and department.
“”It’s like a seedling,”” said Allan Havis, the new Thurgood Marshall provost. “”We just need to give it the chance to grow.””
According to a UCSD press release, the new minor is “”an outgrowth of the longstanding and successful minor program, Contemporary Black Arts.”” The new minor includes some characteristics of the old, but has been expanding to transcend the previous narrow focus on the arts. Students pursuing an African American studies minor will now take courses in the history and context of the black experience, as well as courses about politics, society and the representation and voice of the culture.
Of course, one aspect of the minor, according to Havis, is that “”as it becomes more visible, it will attract more African American students, faculty and members of the community.””
But he is quick to note that this is not a “”ghetto program,”” nor was it ever intended to be one. The belief is that this minor will not solely be made up of black students, but rather help add to the prestige of a UCSD degree. It could be beneficial for quite a few students on their way to law or medical schools, Havis said, to show that they care about cultural diversity, not to mention add to the marketability of any number of other majors.
But perhaps the most interesting aspect is the minor’s is the cultural component. Already, the fledgling minor is responsible for organizing events bringing the Urban Bush Women and Juan Williams to the UCSD campus. Not only is the minor intended to improve the cultural life on campus, but it is also intended to plsy a part in convincing students to stay on campus long after classes are over.
“”I would love for UCSD to become a 24/7 campus,”” Havis said. He said he wants the minor to help bring attention to events on campus and re-educate people to stay nearby, thus working toward building a more viable social life on what is traditionally a commuter campus.
