Cal State-LA students, faculty argue for Ethnic Studies requirement
Students and faculty at Cal State-LA argued for an Ethnic Studies course graduation requirement before its Academic Senate Tuesday.
This effort comes a month after the Senate voted against making taking one course in the discipline a requirement.
General education courses are required for graduation, and are intended to provide broad skills and knowledge outside of a major. The campus is overhauling many of its programs as it prepares to convert from a quarter system to a semester academic calendar.
The 55-member Academic Senate, which includes students and college deans, rejected a similar ethnic studies requirement last month by a vote of 29 to 20. While the senate’s voice is important, it acts only as an advisory panel for President William Covino, who can accept or reject its policy decisions.
Members of faculty argued against the ethnic studies requirement, citing it as a hindrance to students’ freedom to choose.
The senate will not make a decision until next week.
Should college students be required to take an Ethnic Studies course in order to graduate?
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