UIC Today : October 25, 2001

Plans Underway for Asian-American Cultural Center

by Irene Castaneda
News editor

Plans are in progress and the future is looking bright for the development of an Asian American cultural center.

Despite various opinions throughout campus as to why no Asian cultural center exists, the UIC administration is in the process of consenting to a proposal, as soon as a definite plan is laid out by Asian organizations.

The issue of establishing an Asian American cultural center was first introduced in the fall of 1999. At that time, UIC administration and Asian campus leaders discussed potential plans. Dr. Elizabeth Hoffman, provost during that time, believed that a cultural center was a great idea, according to Dr. Michael Ginsburg, Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. However, after Dr. Hoffman's departure from UIC, the plans for development were left incomplete.

Since then, verbal plans have been discussed. However a concrete idea has not yet been approved or implemented. Dr. Michael Ginsburg has a direct connection to plans for the center and believes that Provost Dr. Charlotte Tate and the UIC administration are being as diligent as possible in helping make the cultural center a part of UIC.

"At some point last year, Tate affirmed the commitment to an Asian American cultural center," said Ginsburg.

However, there are specific reasons for the delay in the process of creating the center. Ginsburg, Tate and the Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Asian Americans met last year and found that the Asian group did not have a clear idea as to how to proceed with obtaining a cultural center.

They were instructed to meet with the Latino and Black organizations in order to get "pointers" on a successful cultural center.

Ginsburg feels that obtaining a cultural center on campus is more than just a plan. Space, finances and a budget are three key factors to be considered for any group interested in a center. "It's not like we just have vacant space laying around; the issue is that until we know exactly what the program is, the exact proposal and budget, we cannot identify a space to suit their needs". He also believes that Tate has been very clear that the center will definitely be established. However, she is unable to comment.

On Thursday October 11th, a meeting with Tate and the Chancellor's Committee on the status of Asian Affairs took place at UIC. The main issue discussed was the development of the center. And although Tate did not sign a petition for the Asian American cultural center, Ginsburg said "what came from that meeting (11th) was that the provost reaffirmed to the group that they needed to list the resources they needed to start up and finalize their proposal..once the proposal can be finalized, then the provost and her staff can look to and find an appropriate space". Jason Marcus Waak, Co-chair of the Chancellor's Committee attended the meeting and feels that that Tate "is more than happy to get plans into effect".

Waak however, feels that more concentration should be placed on the academic aspect of having this cultural center, instead of a potential social scene.

Nancy Cirillo, Director of Undergraduate Studies agrees that focusing on academics is of paramount importance in establishing a cultural center. "Plans are moving along and are very much in the talking/planning stage; I would very much like to see the academic portion moving faster though".

Overall, what is needed is an accurate, clearly organized proposal from Asian organizations in order to "get the ball rolling" on the development of the center. Upon approval, it is possible that the center will be open next year. It is the hope of the UIC administration, students and faculty that this center, once opened, will serve as a clearing house for students, and more importantly, a strong academic department. "I guess my hope would be that the center would be a place that is strongly academic; we have enough places to hang out and socialize...it should be a clearinghouse. It's just nice to see something is being done," said Waak.