Students seek voice in future of Af-Am studies

JULIA TIERNAN/YH SIT-IN: Student activists encouraged attendance at tryout lectures for Af-Am historians.

Students sent the Administration a message this week just by showing up. Sizable crowds flocked to hear applicants for joint appointments in the history and African-American studies departments, hoping to make a statement.

The lecture series is frequently used by Yale faculty to expose students and other faculty to the scholarship and teaching styles of job candidates, but this year the event became more politicized.

Student Coalition for Diversity (SCD) moderator Lee Wang, BK '99, said the group sent out an "action alert" encouraging members to attend some of the lectures. "It's crucial for students to attend these lectures in order to demonstrate their concern for the future of the African-American studies program," she said. "The program is in pretty dire straits right now."

The program's application for departmental status was rejected last year. And this year, three key junior faculty left on indefinite leave. "Their departure is a clear signal that up-and-coming African-American scholars do not feel that they have a future at Yale," Wang said.

Issa Colson, MC '99, the Black Students Alliance at Yale's representative on the Tenure Action Coalition, believes student attendance and input at these lectures will make the Administration appreciate the resolve of students devoted to the cause. "I think that we have to make sure that we have representation there, and that people from a lot of different groups have their input and show their support," he said.

African-American Studies Chair Hazel Carby also stressed that the crowds were a sign to administrators. "It's a good demonstration to the administration that the students are really concerned," Carby said. "It's also important to see what new work is being done and what the diversity is going to mean if these people come to the University."

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