Addressing the Gaps in South Asian Representation at Cornell
The South Asian Council (SAC) is committed to voicing the needs‌ of Cornell’s South Asian community, particularly as it pertains to an alarming shortfall in courses and faculty dedicated to South Asian‍ studies. This situation starkly contradicts the University’s guiding principle of “any person, any study.” Over recent years, numerous faculty members instructing on topics relevant to South Asia have taken sabbaticals or departed Cornell for various reasons such as fellowship opportunities and retirement. Consequently, this has led to a noticeable reduction in South Asian course offerings and a lack of representation for students within departments such as Asian Studies, Government, History, Comparative Literature, and Asian American Studies. Although SAC has initiated important dialogues with faculty regarding these concerns, discussions with administration have often faced resistance or dismissal.
Engaging Faculty on Course Offering Challenges
In our pursuit of solutions, we convened meetings with several distinguished professors from the Asian American Studies department: Chiara Formichi, Sofia Villenas, Viranjini Munasinghe, and Derek Chang. We articulated how the insufficient number of courses focused on South Asia has created significant hurdles for students pursuing a minor in this area. Particularly for those not studying humanities disciplines—due to limited cross-listed options—the path toward earning this minor is exceptionally challenging. Faculty recounted their personal experiences observing a decline in staff specializing in South Asia throughout their tenure at Cornell. These interactions reaffirmed that our concerns were shared by faculty members across campus.
A Deeper Dive into Institutional Support
To gain more insight into our predicament regarding course offerings specific to South Asia’s scholarly focus areas, we held discussions with Daniel Bass from the program management of the South Asia Program (SAP). While not an independent department by itself—acting instead as an interdisciplinary hub connecting various courses related to both India and its diaspora—we found his confirmation of our issues concerning coursework availability particularly troubling. Of 49 affiliated faculty members associated with SAP, 14 are either retired or emeritus status while another 18 do not primarily focus on subcontinental subjects.
Bass also revealed that since 2009 only 60 students had graduated with a minor degree in South Asiatic studies—with zero graduates noted so far for 2024—indicating structural barriers prevent interested students from pursuing this academic avenue despite clear interest levels.
The Administrative Roadblocks Encountered
Eagerly armed with information gathered from Dr. Bass’s insights we proceeded to meet Patrizia McBride who serves as Senior Associate Dean within the College of Arts & Sciences. Initially responsive during our meeting—taking careful notes—the ensuing conversation soon showcased administrative hurdles typical within large institutions like Cornell; although ultimately decisions regarding new hires lie with Dean Peter Loewen’s hands her responses veered towards requiring “departmental engagement.” In response when underlining our frustrations about minimal course availability she provided examples like Professor Kaushik Basu whose expertise resides mostly outside dedicated coursework focusing specifically on narratives surrounding needs pertinent towards understanding modern-day perspectives involving people originating from this immense region.
Sustained Lack Creates Student Disillusionment
This disappointing interaction left five engaged student participants feeling nonplussed after raising pressing issues; time spent advocating prompted hopes exceeding mere directions toward “the next person”. Misalignment between rising student enthusiasm around such academic tracks combined — paired alongside ongoing disinterest perceived by upper-level administrative actors suggest severe institutional failure reflective detrimentally amidst current curriculum constraints existing under Arts & Sciences jurisdiction.
The Gap Between Principle and Practice
Cornell continues benefiting academically courtesy its diverse pool willing participants yet crucial components comprising structure offered illustrate disturbing void wherein PAG plans fail proper inclusivity or regard surroundings present encapsulating myriad cultural richness arising predominantly via enrollments among different backgrounds historically prevalent here dating well before current receivership positions started today shape future challenges against institutional introspection concerning involvement which constitutes overall credibility showcasing identity thoroughly realized—not merely token names set aside distinctively marked façades limited illustrations signaling intended commitments economically supportive depositories maximizing value beyond solely namesakes:
- Establish transparency concerning hiring practices aimed promptly addressing gaps directly affecting relevant A&S sectors through publicly available search timelines/resource.”
- Add wider geographic views integrating differing perspectives encompassing freshmen explorations pairing sudents’ lives juxtaposed alongside traditional assignments emphasize interconnected complexities inherent multinational realities presented presently evolving continuously around—to demonstrate dynamic living strands presenting invaluable tools progressing forwards profoundly shaping knowledge easily captivating audiences extracting larger prisms illuminating stars brightly filtered out nights deepen unrepressed currents amalgamate forgetting silence rendered imm(each scholar tradition counting human significance highlighted ahead.”
