Just prior to the end of the Fall 2010 semester, Cornell experienced a protest march, an overflowing public forum with the university’s provost and a substantial Facebook buzz that was enough to distract some students from studying for finals. The issue: Cornell’s Africana Center would be moved from the supervision of the Office of the Provost to that of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why such a huge commotion right before finals regarding a seemingly harmless change? According to some, it is an issue of symbolism — the idea that the Africana Center represents the 1969 Willard Straight Hall takeover and institutionalizing it under the College of Arts and Sciences will rupture its symbolic independence. Some even go so far as to say that this is a question of institutional racism, albeit without much explanation as to why. Even Prof. Robert Harris, the director of the Africana Center and the person arguably most affected by this change, is careful to use the term racism when describing the University’s actions.

Perhaps the most reasonable argument I have heard in this entire debate is that the University should have been more transparent about the nature of the changes. While I agree with this to some extent, I think that as students we need to qualify our expectations. Specifically, on some types of issues (e.g., administrative reorganizations) we need to defer to the professionals who have positioned Cornell among the most elite universities in the world. It is also unfair to make hasty generalizations about Provost Fuchs’ actions when we do not know the work that went into deciding this change. Indeed, after talking to one student, I was lead to believe that Fuchs made this decision autonomously, when in actuality he was in contact with Harris throughout the process.

On the issue of symbolism, I think the symbolic value of the Africana Center is attached not to its reporting structure, but to its very existence. To be sure, that Harris is reporting to a dean in Arts and Sciences instead of Provost Fuchs does not detract from the circumstances under which the Africana Center was conceived. Rather, the program’s symbolism lies in the students it attracts, the subjects it teaches and the faculty who hold it all together — not the office that oversees it. What’s more, programs like South Asian Studies adhere to Arts and Sciences rules while still addressing cultural and societal issues about peoples from non-American backgrounds. In a world where such programs operate under the Arts and Sciences administrative structure, it is okay for the Africana Program to as well.

There is also some concern that incorporating Africana into the Arts and Sciences administrative structure would decrease the resources that the program receives; those making this argument cite the experience of other cultural programs. Where these folks miss the mark, however, is that the Africana Center is considered a Top Five prospect in the world rankings and is therefore a development priority for the University. It is thus unlikely that the College of Arts and Sciences would strip the program of the resources it needs.

Finally, on racism — I think this argument is unwarranted. Fuchs’ decision is not some underhanded way for Cornell to alienate the Africana community; it is about ensuring the University’s survival. Indeed, the litmus test for institutional racism at Cornell should not be the Africana Center’s administrative structure, but its very existence. Cornell has historically been a leader in promoting equality of opportunity for those at the University and in the broader United States, which is to say that anyone who labels the University as racist must deal with its rich history of promoting inclusion and diversity.

Moreover, boiling down the Africana debate to a question of racism trivializes the issue. While racism is an important concern in the United States, and one that I have personally faced in the past, I do not think it is operative here. Rather, this debate is about making the best of the University’s current financial resources to ensure that Cornell remains true to its mission, its students and itself. Imagine for a minute that the Africana Center is able to get out of Provost Fuchs’ proposal. What would happen? Other departments would have a precedent through which they can claim that they should not be forced to integrate. If several departments do this, it would derail Cornell’s efforts to streamline its programs to make due with limited financial resources. At the end of the day, current and future Cornell students are the ones who will be harmed.

Indeed, according to one report from the strategic planning committee, Cornell suffers in the popular national rankings due to having smaller departments with fewer resources than those at its peer institutions. Streamlining programs can create synergies that would free up resources for other initiatives, including faculty recruitment, guest speakers and increased student support, which could lead to significant improvements in the University’s rankings. Higher rankings could subsequently benefit Cornell students by improving campus recruiting, graduate school placement and the quality of the Cornell student-body. In fact, according to a study conducted by Prof. Ronald G. Ehrenberg, ILR, rankings are positively correlated with the quality of applications, acceptance rate and success of a university.

All of this is to say that those who are opposed to the Africana Center move are missing the big picture. While these concerns are valid and important, they are nevertheless dwarfed by the need to maintain Cornell as a whole. Instead of doubting the administration and criticizing them for lack of transparency, let’s support them in their decisions. While we can certainly ask to be included on some issues, we should be deferential on others. It is only through this show of solidarity that Cornell can get through this financially trying time and emerge an even greater institution than it already is.

Zain Pasha is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. He may be contacted at zp25@cornell.edu. appears periodically this semester.Guest Room