UIC Today : February 19, 2002

Budget Cuts, Provost Turnover, Worry Asian Students

by Gina Caneva

Last November, UIC's Asian American Coalition Committee (AACC) submitted a proposal for the construction of an Asian American Resource and Cultural Center. Now, their plans have been postponed due to recent campus budget cuts and the addition of incoming provost, R. Michael Tanner.

The AACC submitted the proposal hoping to establish a center to promote awareness and understanding of Asian American culture, histories, and experiences. Currently, Loyola University, Northern Illinois University, University of Chicago, and University of Illinois at Champaign have answered the call for more Asian American awareness through the implementation of Asian American studies programs. UIC has no such Asian American studies program.

In fall 2001, Asian Americans constituted 25.5 percent of UIC's undergraduates. Interim Provost Charlotte Tate stood behind the AACC, but now the committee must await the thoughts of incoming provost Tanner. Tanner enters UIC on the heels of campus budget cuts that have hit the ACCC in the midst of their cultural center plans.

"If the Provost's office allocates the appropriate amount for us, we may be able to have a national search for a director for the cultural center. So far, budget cuts have imposed severe strain on the available funds to hire this director," said AACC Secretary Catharine Kuo.

The center will cost in the range of $175,00-$220,000 to get off the ground, and the committee looked to be finished between 2002-2003. But the budget cuts have made the AACC find other ways to organize and create many of their current activities for the upcoming Asian-American Awareness Month.

"We are truly grateful for the kindness of many members of the Chicago area Asian American community for making our events possible on a nearly zero budget. Many have agreed to be on a panel or speak without any monetary compensation," said Kuo.

Undergraduate Student Government currently supports the AACC's proposal for the new cultural center, but also sees the problems confronting them.

"There's a huge concern that it's not going to happen. I hope the new provost stands behind it, but if he doesn't, I hope the AACC can convince him that it is a good idea," said USG Vice President Brigid Gallagher.

The AACC also keeps their hope alive that their cultural center will eventually become a reality. Though frustrated by the current financial problems, the group's outlook is optimistic.

"I understand the budget cuts, and I know that it's out of our control. But we're not going to give up," said AACC Treasurer Wen Chen.

Chen sees the student, community, and administrative support as a positive influence to their cause.

"I know the budget cuts are hitting us and the campus hard. We're going to have to start off small, but at least that's a start," said Chen.

AACC will meet with Provost Tate again on February 28th following strategy meetings with other administrators to see how to approach Provost Tanner. The committee is also hoping to be presented with a possible budget for their cultural center plans.