What I Want to Hear at the ASAM Rally

If you still haven't heard, there will be a rally in support of the Asian American Studies Program (ASAM) Thursday April 3rd from 12-4 on College Green.

I think the rally is a great step to build a stronger coalition of students, faculty and staff who support the ASAM program and want to see its continued viability. For those keeping count, the online petition has been signed by over 1500 people.

Here are some quick thoughts on what I would like to hear at the rally:

• Why is the ASAM program important to the whole Penn community?
• How does this relate to the recently adopted 'Cultural Diversity in the US' requirement that begins for the class of 2012?
• If there are going to be more cross-listed classes, which departments will house the standing faculty required to sustain those classes?
• What would an increase in ASAM funding do for the program's viability?
• What resources does a department have that differs from a program?
• How many students take the ASAM minor? What are the biggest barriers stopping more students from enrolling in the minor?

What I don't want to hear is how much the budget was or wasn't cut by. Since the exact budget figures are unlikely to be released publicly, we should focus on coming together to demand a necessary increase in funding for this year. We can then build a case for increased funding so that the administration will be morally compelled to increase funding and renew its commitment to diversity at Penn, especially within the academic sphere of the university.

p.s. Are there any students that have been appointed to SAS or Provost committees that could help in this effort? I am not sure, but the NEC definitely knows the answer and should be able to provide a list of all the currently appointed students.

~BT