California State University Long Beach at Risk of Losing Africana Studies Department

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Save the CSULB Africana Studies Department

vsFRtylJEofMKam-556x313-noPadAfricana Studies has been vastly seen as an asset to college students.  Enrolling in the department’s curriculum  has often led many of its students down a path of discovery and awareness about themselves, their lineage, and even their future.  In spite of its many contributions, the  California State University Long Beach campus is looking to eliminate its Africana Studies Department.  In a petition recently started on Change.org,  campus students along with the general public are petitioning Dean David Wallace to reconsider demoting the Department of Africana Studies into a mere department.  The petition states ” Program status is a step toward the eventual dissolution of Africana Studies at CSULB.  ASSA will not condone or surrender to the destruction of our esteemed Department!  Dean Wallace explains that the department is required to have six tenured faculty to maintain its status.  Yet, CSULB President F. King Alexander has refused to hire new Department faculty for 8 years and now only 3 tenured faculty remain. The University president uses the California budget crisis as an excuse for not hiring new faculty. The Africana Studies Department is being punished for this neglect of action.  A well-rounded education MUST include Africana Studies, as well as, other Ethnic Studies Departments. Multicultural education is quality education!”

Following this statement, students outlined their demands of Dean Wallace, which included 1.) allowing Africana Studies to remain a Department,  and 2.) The hiring of three full-time tenured-track faculty in the next academic year.”

Those interested in signing this petition can do so by clicking here