While I am glad that a permanent position has been established for Asian-American literature, it should not have come at the expense of one of the visiting professorships for Ethnic Studies.

Latino students rely on these professorships for courses relating to Latino Studies because it is the only means that the University provides for bringing professors qualified to teach such courses. I'm sure that this is true of other ethnic groups as well.

In addition, while this professorships will help to increase diversity in the curriculum, it is only a tiny step on the University's part, and I don't think that the problem is anywhere near being solved because of it.

The current structure of Ethnic Studies does not allow for the best possible curriculum in the field, especially since many of these so called "Courses Related to Ethnic Studies" do not really deserve the title. Only the creation of a department of Ethnic Studies can truly remedy this situation. --Isela Morales '98