As a result of widespread complaints, College Faculty Council has reversed its decision to eliminate the Asian-American history professorship until further deliberation. For now the position will be kept on a temporary basis.

Student posters criticizing the CFC’s decision to eliminate the Asian American history professorship can still be seen around campus. Just before Thanksgiving break, on Nov. 19, 180 students held a sit-in outside the CFC meeting. Objections to the decision also came from faculty, administration and College President Nancy Dye, who urged CFC to reconsider its choice.

“In response to President Dye’s request, Council has reconsidered this [issue] and voted to postpone any final decision about this position. In other words, the position is not cut, but Council has also not authorized the return of this position on a permanent basis,” said Dean of Arts and Sciences and CFC Chair Harry Hirsch.

The temporary position, which will cover the same classes, will start next school year and will be renewable for up to three years, according to senior Gina George. The permanent position is “still up in the air,” said George. At any time over the next five years, CFC can vote on whether to keep or eliminate the professorship.

George said, “Students and faculty are very happy about [the decision].”

However, it adds more confusion to the issue.

“You can imagine the various combinations of the temporary and permanent positions that may occur,” wrote George in a Nov. 28 e-mail. “We can have anywhere from one year of the [temporary] Asian-American position and no more Asian-American history beyond that to having the temporary position put in place for two years and the permanent position reinstated for the following year and onwards.”

Junior Lydia Pelot-Hobbs expressed a similar sentiment of relief and caution. “It’s a vigilant victory,” said Pelot-Hobbs. “While [the position is] still in danger, we are in a better position than last semester.”

Pelot-Hobbs cited the outpouring of student and faculty support for the Asian-American history position. The sit-in drew roughly 180 students, which Pelot-Hobbs said will form a larger base of support to contact in the future.

CFC must eliminate seven faculty positions in the next five years before it can create new curriculum. Hirsch emphasizes that while cutting positions is not easy, it must be done.

“The faculty’s elected committees have an extremely difficult job to do,” said Hirsch. “They are doing their very best to make careful decisions.”

It remains unclear when a final decision will be made. George worries that CFC may postpone decision-making until pressure decreases.

“I feel there is potential for maybe CFC to wait for student pressure to die down,” said George. “But students are doing their absolute best effort. [The process has been] all full of surprises. Unfortunately students have to keep up the pressure.”