Petition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter
Item
COALITION FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF ASIAN AMERICAN
STUDIES AT HUNTER (CRA?SH)
Missicn:
The Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) is
dedicated to rejuvenating the Asian American Studies Program of Hunter College, as
well as expanding the program to include a greater variety of courses. CRAASH aims to
organize the Hunter community and spread awareness about the inadequate conditions
of the AASP. Through petitioning, meeting with faculty, and promoting AASP events,
we hope to educate the Hunter community about Asian American issues.
Petition:
We, the undersigned, are concerned students who urge the administrations of Hunter
College and the greater CUNY system to actively support the Asian American Studies
Program (AASP) at Hunter through, but not limited to, the following initiatives: 1)
increasing funding for the program; 2) allocating full-time professors to the program; 3)
and allowing raore of the courses listed under the program to be offered.
As of September 25, 2007, the Asian American Studies Department at Hunter College is
in a very miserable state. Here are some of the inadequate conditions that CRAASH
hopes to improve:
* There is no full time faculty in the AASP. All professors are either adjuncts or faculty
from other departments. Adjuncts who have been teaching at Hunter for more than a
few years do not get promoted due to a lack of financial investment in the AASP.
* There is no real office for the AASP. Right now, the AASP is based in the acting head’s
office. Conditions were so severe in spring 2007 that professors were forced to work ina
STORAGE CLOSET (yes, this is 100% true). Even the closet was taken away when a
sorority moved in.
* For fall 2007, there are 17 classes that are offered on Asian American experience,
literature, and history. Six of them are the same intro class. Many classes are packed and
are in high demand every semester. Most of the courses promised in the Hunter College
course catalog are not even offered!!
* Conditions got so bad last term that the AASP minor was put on hold until fall 2007!
Why do these inadequate conditions exist in a college in NYC where Asians make up
17% of the student population? Why are not ALL Hunter students given the chance to
learn about the Asian American experience, ESPECIALLY since it is not taught in lower
levels of education?
The answer to all these questions can be found in the amount of interest in the AASP
from Hunter students, as well as Hunter College & CUNY Administration. If we
generate more interest in these classes and AASP sponsored events, CUNY may invest
more funding. This means: AASP faculty, a permanent head of the program, more
classes, more events, and maybe ...even an actual OFFICE!!
The AASP is where it is now because there has never been any protest from Hunter
students. CRAASH will advocate for positive change, whether it is by petitioning,
writing mass letters to Hunter/CUNY administration, tabling to garner student
support, and supporting AASP events to spread awareness. However, we need YOUR
support and help.
STUDIES AT HUNTER (CRA?SH)
Missicn:
The Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) is
dedicated to rejuvenating the Asian American Studies Program of Hunter College, as
well as expanding the program to include a greater variety of courses. CRAASH aims to
organize the Hunter community and spread awareness about the inadequate conditions
of the AASP. Through petitioning, meeting with faculty, and promoting AASP events,
we hope to educate the Hunter community about Asian American issues.
Petition:
We, the undersigned, are concerned students who urge the administrations of Hunter
College and the greater CUNY system to actively support the Asian American Studies
Program (AASP) at Hunter through, but not limited to, the following initiatives: 1)
increasing funding for the program; 2) allocating full-time professors to the program; 3)
and allowing raore of the courses listed under the program to be offered.
As of September 25, 2007, the Asian American Studies Department at Hunter College is
in a very miserable state. Here are some of the inadequate conditions that CRAASH
hopes to improve:
* There is no full time faculty in the AASP. All professors are either adjuncts or faculty
from other departments. Adjuncts who have been teaching at Hunter for more than a
few years do not get promoted due to a lack of financial investment in the AASP.
* There is no real office for the AASP. Right now, the AASP is based in the acting head’s
office. Conditions were so severe in spring 2007 that professors were forced to work ina
STORAGE CLOSET (yes, this is 100% true). Even the closet was taken away when a
sorority moved in.
* For fall 2007, there are 17 classes that are offered on Asian American experience,
literature, and history. Six of them are the same intro class. Many classes are packed and
are in high demand every semester. Most of the courses promised in the Hunter College
course catalog are not even offered!!
* Conditions got so bad last term that the AASP minor was put on hold until fall 2007!
Why do these inadequate conditions exist in a college in NYC where Asians make up
17% of the student population? Why are not ALL Hunter students given the chance to
learn about the Asian American experience, ESPECIALLY since it is not taught in lower
levels of education?
The answer to all these questions can be found in the amount of interest in the AASP
from Hunter students, as well as Hunter College & CUNY Administration. If we
generate more interest in these classes and AASP sponsored events, CUNY may invest
more funding. This means: AASP faculty, a permanent head of the program, more
classes, more events, and maybe ...even an actual OFFICE!!
The AASP is where it is now because there has never been any protest from Hunter
students. CRAASH will advocate for positive change, whether it is by petitioning,
writing mass letters to Hunter/CUNY administration, tabling to garner student
support, and supporting AASP events to spread awareness. However, we need YOUR
support and help.
Title
Petition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter
Description
This petition was circulated by the Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) in the semester of its founding in Fall 2007. The petition outlines the issues facing the program and the reasons around CRAASH's forming: no full-time faculty, no office, lack of diverse course offerings, and the institutional freeze on the AAS minor. CRAASH's demands included: increased funding for the program, the allocation of full-time professors, and the expansion of course offerings. CRAASH petitioned for three months and collected over 1,000 signatures from Hunter students.
The Hunter College Asian American Studies Program (AASP) was established in 1993. As the only academic program in Asian American studies in the CUNY system, the AASP offers a minor in Asian American Studies and other resources and programming. The AASP supports scholars, artists, and activists advancing scholarship in the fields of Asian American studies and critical ethnic studies and serves as a resource for New York City's Asian American communities. In 2006, the program was at risk of being cut due to a lack of funding. Students formed the Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) and saved the program within a year. CRAASH is now a student-run club that continues to advocate for the AASP.
The Hunter College Asian American Studies Program (AASP) was established in 1993. As the only academic program in Asian American studies in the CUNY system, the AASP offers a minor in Asian American Studies and other resources and programming. The AASP supports scholars, artists, and activists advancing scholarship in the fields of Asian American studies and critical ethnic studies and serves as a resource for New York City's Asian American communities. In 2006, the program was at risk of being cut due to a lack of funding. Students formed the Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter (CRAASH) and saved the program within a year. CRAASH is now a student-run club that continues to advocate for the AASP.
Contributor
Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter
Creator
Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter
Date
2007 (Circa)
Language
English
Publisher
Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter
Rights
Obtained from Contributor - Copyright Unknown
Source
Hunter College Asian American Studies Program
Original Format
Pamphlet / Petition
Coalition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter. Letter. 2007. “Petition for the Revitalization of Asian American Studies at Hunter”, 2007, CUNY DIGITAL HISTORY ARCHIVE, accessed March 10, 2026, https://stephenz.tailc22a4b.ts.net/s/cdha/item/1519