Special Thanks to the Intellectual Diversity Association!

For facilitating a great and much needed discussion.  We look forward to more open dialogue with students in the weeks to come.  


Let us know if you want us to come and speak with your student group!: 

The Intellectual Diversity Association Presents: The Future of the Africana Center: Separating Myth from Reality

Friday February 25th at 3pm 

in Willard Straight Hall

In the wake of the last minute announcement by the Cornell Administration of its intention to reorganize the Africana Studies and Research Center, there has been much misinformation of students about what this really means for the center's staff and faculty, and ultimately its students.


IDA is giving you the opportunity to:

• Come discover the implications of the move from an informed student and faculty base
• Engage in discussion
• Express your feelings about the matter

Brief lecture will be given by the Save the Africana Center (SAC) Campaign Group


Time and Venue: 
3:00pm, Friday February 25th (tomorrow!)
Art Gallery in Willard Straight Hall

The Struggle to Save the Africana Studies and Research Center makes the Ithaca Times! In other news, still no word from the Cornell Daily Sun...

Many thanks to Managing Editor Rob Montana for the article he ran today in the Ithaca Times, titled, "Africana Assault: Cornell Center's faculty, students, alumni fighting to retain identity in face of proposed changes."


You can read Montana's article in its entirety here.


Thanks for the support, Ithaca!  You're gorges!!!

The Intent, History and Legacy of Activism and Scholarship in Africana Studies: A Conversation with Dr. James Turner

The following is an excerpt from Voxunion.com, posted on February 17, 2011:

"Dr. James Turner is the founding director of the Africana Studies and Research Center established in 1969 at Cornell University.  Having himself been part of and impacted by burgeoning political and cultural movements from around the world he would become and has been among the most stalwart participants in what is often described as the intellectual arm of a continuing African world liberation struggle.  Among his many contributions academically and otherwise he has helped established and define the field now known as “Africana Studies.”  This field, as summarized by Dr. John Henrik Clarke, is meant to incorporate the experiences and histories of African people, collectively, studied as a whole, in an interdisciplinary fashion and disregarding the false literal and cognitive boundaries inspired by European imperialism."

Dr. James Turner, founding director of the Africana Studies and Research Center, walks across campus in the 1960s.
(Photo Provided by the Africana Studies and Research Center)

You can listen to the full conversation recorded and posted here.

University Decisionmakers Strike Again: Proposed Move to American Indian Program Enrages Students and Faculty

"The following summary is borrowed from Lawrence Lan's February 11, 2011 Cornell Daily Sun article, titled "Proposed Move to American Indian Program Enrages Students and Faculty."  Read the full text here.

To the dismay of students and faculty, administrators of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are proposing to move the American Indian Program from the fourth floor of Caldwell Hall — where it has been housed since the 1980s — to several separate offices in Kennedy Hall. Students and faculty first received notification of the proposal Feb. 1 and will meet with CALS administrators Friday.

“The [proposal for the move] has been made by Cornell, without consulting with the people most directly affected,” Scott Perez, grad, said. “The University is basically saying, ‘This is what we’re going to do, and now we can discuss tweaking it.’”

CALS administrators proposed relocating to minimize space limitations they fear will arise during the renovation projects in Stocking Hall, Fernow Hall, Rice Hall and Warren Hall, according to Senior Associate Dean of CALS Max Pfeffer.  

“[The notification] came down in e-mail — we had no prior word — as an order to move, and AIP reacted quickly to that,” said Prof. Eric Cheyfitz, director of the American Indian Program. "

Sign the Petition to Support the Autonomy of the Africana Studies and Research Center at Cornell!

Students stand in support of the Willard Straight Hall Takeover in 1969

Hi Everyone--

Thanks for visiting our website.  This site is currently under construction-- please check back next week for more information about organizing events, news and media updates, and much more!

In the meantime, please consider signing the Petition to Save the Africana Studies and Research Center!

You don't need to be a Cornell student (or even be affiliated with the university) to make a statement to President Skorton and Provost Fuchs that their unilateral decision-making is unacceptable, particularly considering the university was recently awarded the designation of an "Institution of Community Engagement" by the Carnegie Foundation!

We now have well over 1,000 signatures on the petition, but we need your support, as well!  Please read and sign our statement to the university administration today!

Please also consider checking out our blog and joining us on Facebook!  The Facebook site contains video footage, event announcements, and more!