January 26, 2017

Dear President Glassman:

We, the undersigned members of the Womens Studies program at EIU,
protest in the strongest terms possible any proposal to eliminate major
programs in Africana Studies and Philosophy at EIU, for the following
reasons.
1. Africana Studies and Philosophy expose our students to theories and
methods that align perfectly with EIUs learning goals of critical thinking,
effective communication, and responsible citizenship. These programs
represent two pillars of a liberal education. Although in some ways they
seem very differentone representing ancient knowledge, the other
contemporary epistemology; one a traditional discipline, the other
interdisciplinary; one stereotyped (incorrectly) as the concern of the
privileged, the other (equally incorrectly) as only the domain of those
pushing toward empowermentboth offer our students critical perspectives
on ethics and social justice as well as preparation for responsible citizenship
and participation in the democratic process in our increasingly global and
interconnected world.
2. One purpose of regional comprehensive public universities is
democratization of opportunity through making higher education available to
the populace. EIU has always provided world-class educational opportunities
to students of all backgrounds, not just to those of wealth and privilege. We
assert that EIU is ethically obligated to continue this practice. All our
students deserve access to the knowledges and critiques developed in
Africana Studies and Philosophy just as much as do those students whose
families can afford expensive private universities.
3. It has been suggested that we could keep general education courses in
these departments without supporting the majors; this makes no sense. It
makes no sense financially because it doesnt save very much (if any) money
for EIU. In fact, cutting programs may cost money, as WIU is finding.
4. Moreover, eliminating these majors makes no sense intellectually. What
happens, then, to the undecided student who takes a wonderful course in
her first year and decides she wants to major in Africana Studies or
Philosophy? She transfers to another university. Are we so wealthy that we
can afford to advise students away from EIU?
5. Furthermore, Africana Studies, particularly, serves many of our students of
color in ways that exceed even the reach of its courses. The fact that EIU
situated in a small city within a rural communityhas Africana Studies on

our campus makes us an attractive option for families of African American

students seeking new opportunities. Sending ones African American student
to a predominantly white rural community involves a leap of faith that many
white people find difficult to comprehend. Families are concerned about their
students safety; recent events in the national news will only intensify those
concerns. The future of the U.S. is increasingly diverse. The demographic
information about college student populations in the 2020s is clear: we will
be serving more students of color every year. Surely, this is not the time for
EIU to take a public stance against these students and their families by
eliminating, or relegating to non-major status, one of the most visible
elements of our educational support system for students of color.
This letter is signed by 30 members of the Womens Studies program at EIU:
Melissa Ames, Assoc. Professor, English and Womens Studies
Dagni Bredesen, Professor, English and Womens Studies
Julie Campbell, Professor, English and Womens Studies
Lynne Curry, Professor, History and Womens Studies
Linda Coleman, Professor Emerita, English and Womens Studies
Gene Deerman, Assoc. Professor, Sociology/Anthropology
Sace Elder, Professor, History and Womens Studies and Graduate
Coordinator, History
Terri Fredrick, Professor, English
Michael Gillespie, Assoc. Professor, Sociology/Anthropology
Angela Glaros, Asst. Professor, Sociology/Anthropology
Eunseong Kim, Assoc. Professor, Journalism and Womens Studies
Bonnie Laughlin-Schultz, Assoc. Professor, History and Womens Studies
Jeannie Ludlow, Coordinator of Womens Studies and Associate Professor of
English
Gail Mason, Professor Emerita, Communication Studies and Womens Studies
Melinda Mueller, Assoc. Professor, Political Science and Womens Studies
Frances Murphy, Professor, Family and Consumer Sciences
Robin Murray, Professor, English and Womens Studies
Mildred Pearson, Professor, EC/MLE/MLE
Charlotte Pence, Asst. Professor, English
Catherine Polydore, Assoc. Professor, Counseling and Student Development
Deb Reid, Professor Emerita, History
Sally Renaud, Professor and Interim Chair, Journalism
Kristin Routt, Professor, Foreign Languages
Jad Smith, Professor, English
Jamila Smith, Asst. Professor, English and Womens Studies
Carol Stevens, Professor Emerita, English and Womens Studies
Jennifer Stringfellow, Assoc. Professor, Special Education
CC Wharram, Professor, English and Director, Center for the Humanities
Jean Wolski, Professor, Theater Arts and Womens Studies
Marjorie Worthington, Professor, English and Womens Studies