Clarifying
APA Studies Position
To
the Editors:
We as members of the Asian Pacific American Studies
Committee are writing a response to last week’s article, “National
Group Boycotts Sociology Position Search,” and the editorial
piece entitled “College Diversity Not Reflected in Tenure.”
We would like to make clarifications regarding the issues presented
in the article and editorial. The pieces focus on the dissonance
between the Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS) and Oberlin
College. However, as evidenced by the quotes within the article,
the AAAS as an organization is NOT BOYCOTTING Oberlin College. Rather,
several specific members have decided to sign a petition supporting
the case of Antoinette Charfauros-McDaniel. The article headline
portrays the entire Asian American Studies caucus as fully supporting
Antoinette Charfauros. We as students are more concerned with the
development of Comparative American Studies, the future of Asian
Pacific American studies at Oberlin College, and the communication
between students, administration and sociology department. The pieces
in the Review obscure the issues that are of greater importance
and ultimately oversimplify the nature of the situation.
The pending position affects more than the Sociology Department
and Asian Pacific American Studies. In order for the Comparative
American Studies program to function as originally constructed,
it is imperative that the Asian Pacific American sociology position
be filled by an informed and qualified candidate. The job description
at this point does not specify that the candidate will participate
in the interdisciplinary program.
Another major problem remains unresolved: the Comparative American
Studies program has not been considered in the search process thus
far. Because this position is fundamental to the existence of the
program, we feel it imperative that CAS faculty with expertise in
Ethnic Studies be involved in the search as an integral part of
the decision-making process.
In addition to the lack of consideration for CAS, there is another
pressing concern that the Sociology Department must address. In
the interest of attaining the best pool of applicants possible,
we urge the inclusion of those CAS faculty members in the search
process. If determined by this integrated search committee that
the applicant pool has been weakened, then we ask that the sociology
department push back the deadline, which is currently set at Oct.
21. This would allow time for issues to be fully resolved between
members of AAAS and the Oberlin College administration. It would
also ensure that the necessary additions to the advertised job description
will be heeded by prospective applicants.
We all (faculty, students, administration) are working towards the
same goal: to hire the best candidate possible. We do not feel that
any of these recommendations are unreasonable or unrealistic, and
hope that President Nancy Dye will exercise leadership in this important
endeavor. As students and as members of the Asian Pacific American
Studies Committee, the outcome of this position is extremely important
to us and to the future of APA Studies at Oberlin College.
–Jane Lee
(APASC liaison)
College senior
–Tracy Ng
(APASC liaison)
College first-year
–Daniel Domaguin
College first-year
–Melissa Francisco
College sophomore
–Lida Kim
College junior
–Tze-chun Liao
College junior
–Nancy Nguyen
College sophomore
–Tudo Nguyen
College junior
–Marianne Tassone
College first-year
The Asian Pacific American Studies Committee |