Keene State College Senate’s most recent meeting saw the removal of the German Studies minor and the Black Studies microcredential from the curriculum and the editors of The Equinox would like to reflect on this change.
In the recent Senate meeting, the Black Studies microcredential and the German Studies minor were removed for concerns of false advertising as the college does not currently have the faculty to accommodate those courses. The tenor at the Senate meeting was sympathetic as most people did not want to see the courses go but understood the situation was difficult.
We at the Equinox sympathize with the KSC Senate. We understand that it is unfortunately difficult to make those decisions, especially in an age where diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is a paramount concern on college campuses. We find it understandable that the college would not want to oversell itself to prospective students about programs that cannot be held or maintained. However, there are some issues we have with KSC’s position regarding this course reduction.
We fear it is hypocritical that as the college promotes an ambitious and positive outlook of itself, there is a desire to cut programs such as German Studies and Black Studies. It signals a broader systemic issue with staffing priorities. It is troubling as well that the college would cut courses that would increase the diversity of both the curriculum and the student body. Unfortunately, courses on the chopping block such as these two tend to be courses that were part of departments that had faculty leave during the 2021 staff buyout.
We feel it is a shame that these actions were taken by the college and wish that alternatively, action could be taken to understand why these courses were declining in enrollment. In a world of growing social tensions with the rise of alt-right, online conservative movements, the college should be investing in the classroom to bolster DEI and not just paying lip service to the cause.
Openness and inclusivity should be imperative to a healthy and functioning social ecosystem and cuts such as these seem like meaningless doublespeak doing more damage to the DEI movement than good. It is paramount that if the college views diversity, equity and inclusion as important causes they should be treated as such by receiving the resources needed.
DEI’s harshest critics are going to slander the program as is, there is no need to give them any more rhetorical ammunition by making it appear as a simple policy position; if they want to talk the talk, they need to walk the walk.
