Update on Russian Program at SFSU

[Katerina Siskron]

Dear Colleagues,

  We have sad news: The Administration at SFSU decided to reduce the Russian
  Program to a minor. This was done despite the fact that we received
  extensive support that included over 2,600 signatures (combined Internet and
  paper petitions), more than 200 letter, three resolutions - two from the
  City of San Francisco, one sponsored by Supervisor McGoldrick and signed by
  the Mayor, the other from the Immigrant Rights Commission and one from the
  CSU Foreign Language Council, the support of the National and International
  Academic Communities, and local Russian Community, students and faculty at
  SFSU and finally, despite the vote of the Academic Senate in support of
  maintaining the B.A. in Russian at SFSU. However, we believe that thanks to
  the support we received the Program was not closed in its entirety and we
  were able to save the minor. Also, this current crisis has helped us make
  new contacts both locally and nationally, which we hope will help us develop
  the Program.
  However, are deeply disappointed that the recommendation of the Academic
  Senate to maintain the B.A. in Russian was not heeded by the Administration.
  The representatives of the Administration in our initial meeting said that
  our only chance of saving the Program was to get the support of the Academic
  Senate. And yet, despite the Senate vote to maintain the B.A. in Russian at
  SFSU, the Administration reduced the Program to a minor. At this point we
  haven't received yet a formal letter from the President. Informally, we were
  told that the President took the decision of the EPC (Educational Policy
  Committee, another meeting at which Kathleen Dillon from ATSEEL was present
  and was not even allowed to speak) and the Dean's wish to curtail the
  Program over the vote of the full Academic Senate.
  In the meantime, of course we are using the minor as a base of operations to
  promote our Program --for example, -our students are participating in the
  ACTR contest. We are sponsoring academic presentations and exhibits on our
  campus. We are organizing our annual summer abroad program.
  We are still pondering our next step in relation to the administration. The
  dean on one hand says if the Program has increased enrollment, he may
  reconsider the question of the B.A. On the other hand, he has not supported
  even one FT appointment for the Program and we need a full time person to
  help develop the Program.  We would appreciate any suggestions you may have.
  You have been very helpful and kind to us in this process and we would like
  to express our appreciation for your support.
Quoting CATHERINE LAZAREFF SISKRON <siskron at sfsu.edu>:

> Dear Colleagues, thanks to our joint efforts, the Academic Senate at SFSU
> voted to maintain the B.A. in Russian. Now the final decision rests with
> President Corrigan. We are hoping he will honor the decision of the
> Senate, but we really have no way of predicting the outcome. Thank you for
> your support. We had over 1400 electronic signatures and close to 250
> letters of support. Katerina Siskron, Program Coordinator
>
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