For several months, determined groups of Duke University students have called for the establishment of an Asian American studies major in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences — an effort that has recently won some support while advocates say progress has been slow.
Duke is considering the development of the major, partly in response to a racially charged incident that targeted students of Asian heritage.
Christine Lee, vice president of political affairs for Duke’s Asian Students Association, said in an email to Diverse, “This program would affect students immensely. Although student organizations have been doing a lot of good work to support and educate students about AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) issues and history, this type of institutional support would be a tremendous support to AAPI students at Duke.”
Lee detailed the history of concerns of Asian American students at Duke, dating back to 2002 and reignited by a racist fraternity party in 2013.
“Late last semester, ASA, AAA and Diya gave the administration a list of demands at a forum organized by Concerned Students,” Lee’s email stated. “These demands were a reiteration of the demands given by AAA in 2013 following the Asia Prime party, none of which had been met at that time.”
Lee was referring to an incident in 2013 that outraged many students and other members of the campus community. Kappa Sigma fraternity held a party at which guests dressed in stereotypical and racist attire that mocked Asians and Asian Americans. A university investigation ensued; the fraternity apologized and was subsequently suspended from operating on the campus.
Lee D. Baker, Trinity college dean of academic affairs and associate vice provost for undergraduate education, told Diverse, “I recognize how the students feel and I am both empathetic and sympathetic to their desire to have a certificate or a major in Asian American studies.” He said, however, that he is “trying to gauge the relative commitment” of students to pursue either a certificate or major in Asian American studies.
