Cornell Africana Studies and Research Center
Encyclopedia
The Africana Studies and Research Center (ASRC) at Cornell University
is an academic unit devoted to the study of the global migrations and reconstruction of African peoples, as well as patterns of linkages to the African continent (and among the peoples of the African Diaspora). ASRC offers around 23 graduate and undergraduate courses each semester. The ASRC offers an undergraduate major for students in the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences
as well as a Master of Professional Studies degree through the Cornell University Graduate School
. The John Henrik Clarke
Africana Library, located at the Center, focuses on the social, economic, and political dimensions of the history and cultures of peoples of African descent. It has more than 17,000 volumes.
The ASRC occupies a renovated 18234 sq ft (1,694 m²) sorority house at 310 Triphammer Rd in the Village of Cayuga Heights, New York. Its interim co-directors are Eizabeth Adkins-Regan and David Harris.
to be the first director of the ASRC. The ASRC offered its first classes in the fall of 1969 in its first building at 320 Wait Avenue, after the subsequent Willard Straight Hall Takeover. On April 1, 1970, 320 Wait Avenue was destroyed by a fire that was presumed to be arson. The ASRC was temporarily relocated to the unoccupied North Campus low-rise dormitory 8, and was permanently relocated to 310 Triphammer Road. However, a number of irreplacable documents, including Turner's draft Ph.D. dissertation were lost in the blaze.
Subsequently, controversy arose because in ASRC's early years, its classes were not printed in the University's course and room roster making it difficult for white students to enroll. Instead, course offerings were distributed to COSEP students. As a result from 1969 to 1972, no white students enrolled in ASRC classes. In addition to limited distribution of ASRC's course offering, many classes had an "experiential prerequisite" requiring that students have the "black experience" before they are eligible to enroll in the class. In addition, enrollment in certain classes required the approval of Turner, the Director of ASRC, who would routinely fail to meet with white students who made appointments to see him at his office. On the third anniversary of the ASRC, the Board of Trustees formed a committee headed by Lisle C. Carter, Jr. to evaluate the progress of the ASRC, and three white students successfully enrolled in a ASRC course on South African history. The Trustees decided to continue the ASRC.
On April 15–17, 2010, the ASRC hosted a scholarly conference in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
From its inception, the ASRC reported directly to the Provost independent of any undergraduate college. In 2005, the Report of Visiting Committee to the Africana Studies and Research Center which consisted of scholars from Northwestern, Yale and New York University found the ASRC reporting to the Provost to be a "peculiar arrangement," and recommended that Cornell "revisit this arrangement." On December 1, 2010, Cornell Provost Kent Fuchs announced that the Center would become a department in the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences
effective July 1, 2011. Fuchs said that the shift would facilitate the start of an Africana PhD program. In response, Robert L. Harris, Jr resigned as ASRC's director.
Cornell University
Cornell University is an Ivy League university located in Ithaca, New York, United States. It is a private land-grant university, receiving annual funding from the State of New York for certain educational missions...
is an academic unit devoted to the study of the global migrations and reconstruction of African peoples, as well as patterns of linkages to the African continent (and among the peoples of the African Diaspora). ASRC offers around 23 graduate and undergraduate courses each semester. The ASRC offers an undergraduate major for students in the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences
Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is a division of Cornell University. It has been part of the university since its founding, although its name has changed over time. It grants bachelors degrees, and masters and doctorates through affiliation with the Cornell University Graduate School...
as well as a Master of Professional Studies degree through the Cornell University Graduate School
Cornell University Graduate School
The Cornell University Graduate School confers most professional and research master's degrees and doctoral degrees in various fields of study for the university. The departments under which instruction and research take place are housed in Cornell's other schools and colleges. The administrative...
. The John Henrik Clarke
John Henrik Clarke
John Henrik Clarke , born John Henry Clark, was a Pan-Africanist American writer, historian, professor, and a pioneer in the creation of Africana studies and professional institutions in academia starting in the late 1960s.He was Professor of African World History and in 1969 founding chairman of...
Africana Library, located at the Center, focuses on the social, economic, and political dimensions of the history and cultures of peoples of African descent. It has more than 17,000 volumes.
The ASRC occupies a renovated 18234 sq ft (1,694 m²) sorority house at 310 Triphammer Rd in the Village of Cayuga Heights, New York. Its interim co-directors are Eizabeth Adkins-Regan and David Harris.
History
In the late 1960s, the Black Community began to ask for academic programs and funding for ethnic studies, including the establishment of an Africana studies program. By the spring of 1969, the Administration had recruited James TurnerJames Turner (disambiguation)
James Turner may refer to: *James Turner , U.S. governor and senator*James Turner, 1st Baron Netherthorpe *James Turner, writer of the webcomic Beaver and Steve*James Turner , Australian Anglican bishop...
to be the first director of the ASRC. The ASRC offered its first classes in the fall of 1969 in its first building at 320 Wait Avenue, after the subsequent Willard Straight Hall Takeover. On April 1, 1970, 320 Wait Avenue was destroyed by a fire that was presumed to be arson. The ASRC was temporarily relocated to the unoccupied North Campus low-rise dormitory 8, and was permanently relocated to 310 Triphammer Road. However, a number of irreplacable documents, including Turner's draft Ph.D. dissertation were lost in the blaze.
Subsequently, controversy arose because in ASRC's early years, its classes were not printed in the University's course and room roster making it difficult for white students to enroll. Instead, course offerings were distributed to COSEP students. As a result from 1969 to 1972, no white students enrolled in ASRC classes. In addition to limited distribution of ASRC's course offering, many classes had an "experiential prerequisite" requiring that students have the "black experience" before they are eligible to enroll in the class. In addition, enrollment in certain classes required the approval of Turner, the Director of ASRC, who would routinely fail to meet with white students who made appointments to see him at his office. On the third anniversary of the ASRC, the Board of Trustees formed a committee headed by Lisle C. Carter, Jr. to evaluate the progress of the ASRC, and three white students successfully enrolled in a ASRC course on South African history. The Trustees decided to continue the ASRC.
On April 15–17, 2010, the ASRC hosted a scholarly conference in celebration of its 40th anniversary.
From its inception, the ASRC reported directly to the Provost independent of any undergraduate college. In 2005, the Report of Visiting Committee to the Africana Studies and Research Center which consisted of scholars from Northwestern, Yale and New York University found the ASRC reporting to the Provost to be a "peculiar arrangement," and recommended that Cornell "revisit this arrangement." On December 1, 2010, Cornell Provost Kent Fuchs announced that the Center would become a department in the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences
Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences is a division of Cornell University. It has been part of the university since its founding, although its name has changed over time. It grants bachelors degrees, and masters and doctorates through affiliation with the Cornell University Graduate School...
effective July 1, 2011. Fuchs said that the shift would facilitate the start of an Africana PhD program. In response, Robert L. Harris, Jr resigned as ASRC's director.