UCSC language programs in jeopardy

In this time of budgetary crisis, decimating the Language Program, which as former Dean Godzich so rightly comments, “serves the entire campus community,” appears to be a desperate attempt at solving a long-standing problem. Still a “program” after all the years that outside review committees have repeatedly recommended that Languages become a full-fledged department, those who have served increasing numbers of students (despite the lack of a language requirement) remain vulnerable to financial crises. As Bill Nickell observes, solid planning for departmental status had finally reached a state of serious possibility. To now deprive students, who do not “need” a language other than English for their major, is to keep them from experiencing other modes of thinking, of seeing the world, of communicating, and learning about culture, history, societal norms, political views, art forms, and the myriad of other rich details, career possibilities and rewards which language study involves. Despite its “program” status, the L/P has contributed much enrichment to UCSC over the years, e.g., lectures by internationally renowned writers; programs of music and dance; the International Playhouse (now in its tenth year of theater performances for campus and community); “Speaking in Tongues,” a journal of original writing and art by language students; a series of interdisciplinary upper-division courses which gained national acclaim for UCSC; Russian cultural evenings; and a countless number of alumni whose language preparation has been crucial in their graduate study and/or professional pursuits. Please help preserve the L/P, an important campus asset, as a cohesive entity, by expressing your thoughts to the Dean of Humanities before February 15.