Comments (8)

8 COMMENTS

Comments

5:50 AM
November 10, 2009
Duke Duke and M...

It's big news that two employees have been dismissed!!!

(The Herald-Sun reported some weeks back that two low-level employees of the Duke Lemur Center were also let go)

What a shame!

As for the statement by Hillel president Scott Gorlick that students were not consulted, I say "Scott, welcome to Richard Brodhead's Duke!!"

4:51 PM
November 10, 2009
theophilus

The Multicultural Center has been a huge part of my Duke experience. I am unhappy with the changes, and as a student who utilizes these spaces, I think it's ridiculous that we were not consulted. The MCC and the International House serve completely different functions and each have their own purposes on campus. I am very annoyed that the administration feels that they can merge such different programs. I think students should have a say in what stays and what goes. As for the dismissal of the AMAZING staff of the Multicultural Center, it really is such a shame and has put quite a damper on my day.

6:23 PM
November 10, 2009
ejm14

I am very upset that the Multicultural Center is closing and this change took place without the consultation of the students. The Multicultural Center is a very unique space for students be real and open with one another on campus. Duke will suffer in its absence.

Administration needs to make decisions that take into account not just the volume of students that use services but the VALUE of the services provided. The Multicultural Center provides the MOST IMPORTANT service available on Duke's Campus right now. Without the MCC, the progression that Duke has made since the Lacrosse case will be lost.

8:15 PM
November 10, 2009
av26

The Global Cultures Center? Is this a JOKE? What do racial problems on Duke's campus have to do with global cultures? The Multicultural Center addresses issues that are very specific to our campus culture and the United States, and cannot be lumped with the international student services under the heading of Global Cultures.

The Multicultural Center funds and supports the Center for Race Relations and its biannual diversity retreat Common Ground, both of which play a vital role in opening spaces on campus for extensive dialogue on issues of race, gender, and sexuality. To delegate these issues to a Global Cultures Center, tentatively or not, is incredibly derogatory.

Wow Duke, what a way to put all non-white American students into one ambiguous “other” category with international students. What a way to save money.

I am appalled that the administration made such a rash decision, without involving any students or staff. That Julian Sanchez, the director of the Multicultural Center was not at all contacted or involved in this decision, and merely fired on the day the decision was made public, strongly suggests the administration's disrespect and ignorance of the function of the Multicultural Center. How is Duke supposed to promote substantive diversity among our students when even the administration lacks any grasp of this problem?

9:26 PM
November 10, 2009
vdi

Why is it that every time I give money to Duke I end up regretting it two days later?

This makes as much sense as merging the English and History departments. The importance of the International House as an institution at Duke cannot possibly be understated. It was bad enough to split the International office a few years back and now folding the International House under the umbrella of "multiculturalism" simply demonstrates the self-absorbed and shortsighted nature of Duke's administration.

I am so tired of this.

8:29 PM
November 11, 2009
doubledukie

I am really sorry that two loyal and outstanding Duke employees have lost their jobs. Mr. Harris provided valuable service and advice to me when I was an undergrad and a professional student at Duke.

8:33 PM
November 11, 2009
doubledukie

Duke's DOMESTIC minority students (Asian-Americans, Hispanic Americans and African Americans) share a little in common with international students. I cannot understand how the new center can serve these two different constituencies at the same time. It looks like the administration has decided to keep the International House staff intact. The ultimate result is that domestic minority students (people who are United States citizens) suffer at the expense of international students.

8:34 PM
November 11, 2009
doubledukie

correction: I was referring to Mr. Sanchez in my first comment.