Largest Public University in US Requires Ethnic Studies
2020-08-03
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1California State University has approved a vote requiring all students to take an ethnic and social justice studies class in order to graduate.
2The decision came in late July from the largest public university system in the United States, commonly known as Cal State.
3The change is set to take effect in three years.
4The decision comes in the middle of a national reckoning over systemic racism and police abuse.
5It represents the first change to the school's general education program in more than 40 years.
6The state Legislature is also considering a bill to require ethnic studies.
7However, it would not include social justice classes.
8If passed and signed by California's governor, the measure would overrule the action by California State University.
9School leaders have denounced this possibility, saying it would interfere with university decision-making.
10State lawmakers still have to examine small changes to the bill before it could be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom.
11The plan approved by California State University lets students choose from different ethnic studies subjects to meet the requirement.
12Cal State's selection is wider than the state bill.
13Students at Cal State, for example, can take social justice courses that explore such issues as the criminal justice system and public health inequities.
14Chancellor Timothy White is among the leadership at Cal State.
15Before voting in favor of the class requirement, he said, "It's grounded in ethnic studies, but it is broader, more inclusive, gives students choice."
16Lawmaker Shirley Weber is a San Diego Democrat and former professor.
17She wrote the Legislature's bill.
18The university's trustees and state lawmakers agree on the need for more ethnic studies.
19But Weber and supporters of her proposal say permitting social justice classes makes the university's plan weaker.
20"This is not a requirement for ethnic studies," trustee Silas Abrego said before the vote.
21He was one of the few members to vote against the Cal State plan. Instead, he favors Weber's bill.
22He said the ethnic studies professors were not included in discussions about the proposal.
23Weber's bill would take effect in the 2021-2022 school year.
24It would require students to take a class centered on Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans or Latina and Latino Americans.
25The university's proposal would take effect in the 2023-2024 school year.
26The university's plan would cost $3 million to $4 million, while the state bill is estimated to need $16 million.
27Tony Thurmond a top official for public education in the state.
28He is also on the Cal State University board. He voted against the university's proposal.
29He spoke in favor of the state bill's method that centered on the four ethnic studies subjects.
30Weber, who leads the Legislative Black Caucus, has written that her bill was needed because the university was too slow to act.
31It announced ethnic studies plans almost five years ago.
32Weber noted that the California Faculty Association, a labor union, supports her bill.
33The group represents 29,000 professors at California State University.
34It has said the aim should be teaching students about the experiences of minorities and people of color in the United States.
35Trustee Lateefah Simon called the school's proposal thoughtful and detailed, but she voted against it.
36She said its "social justice umbrella" plan might cause students to miss out on ethnic studies education.
37I'm Alice Bryant.
1California State University has approved a vote requiring all students to take an ethnic and social justice studies class in order to graduate. 2The decision came in late July from the largest public university system in the United States, commonly known as Cal State. 3The change is set to take effect in three years. The decision comes in the middle of a national reckoning over systemic racism and police abuse. It represents the first change to the school's general education program in more than 40 years. 4The state Legislature is also considering a bill to require ethnic studies. However, it would not include social justice classes. If passed and signed by California's governor, the measure would overrule the action by California State University. School leaders have denounced this possibility, saying it would interfere with university decision-making. 5State lawmakers still have to examine small changes to the bill before it could be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom. 6The plan approved by California State University lets students choose from different ethnic studies subjects to meet the requirement. Cal State's selection is wider than the state bill. 7Students at Cal State, for example, can take social justice courses that explore such issues as the criminal justice system and public health inequities. 8Chancellor Timothy White is among the leadership at Cal State. Before voting in favor of the class requirement, he said, "It's grounded in ethnic studies, but it is broader, more inclusive, gives students choice." 9Lawmaker Shirley Weber is a San Diego Democrat and former professor. She wrote the Legislature's bill. The university's trustees and state lawmakers agree on the need for more ethnic studies. But Weber and supporters of her proposal say permitting social justice classes makes the university's plan weaker. 10"This is not a requirement for ethnic studies," trustee Silas Abrego said before the vote. He was one of the few members to vote against the Cal State plan. Instead, he favors Weber's bill. 11He said the ethnic studies professors were not included in discussions about the proposal. 12Weber's bill would take effect in the 2021-2022 school year. It would require students to take a class centered on Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans or Latina and Latino Americans. 13The university's proposal would take effect in the 2023-2024 school year. The university's plan would cost $3 million to $4 million, while the state bill is estimated to need $16 million. 14Tony Thurmond a top official for public education in the state. He is also on the Cal State University board. He voted against the university's proposal. He spoke in favor of the state bill's method that centered on the four ethnic studies subjects. 15Weber, who leads the Legislative Black Caucus, has written that her bill was needed because the university was too slow to act. It announced ethnic studies plans almost five years ago. 16Weber noted that the California Faculty Association, a labor union, supports her bill. The group represents 29,000 professors at California State University. It has said the aim should be teaching students about the experiences of minorities and people of color in the United States. 17Trustee Lateefah Simon called the school's proposal thoughtful and detailed, but she voted against it. She said its "social justice umbrella" plan might cause students to miss out on ethnic studies education. 18I'm Alice Bryant. 19The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 20_______________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22graduate - v. to earn a degree or diploma from a school, college or university 23reckoning - n. the time when your actions are judged as good or bad and you are rewarded or punished 24chancellor - n. the head of some U.S. universities 25broad - adj. including or involving many things or people 26trustee - n. a member of a group that manages the money of an organization 27board - n. a group of people who manage or direct a company or organization 28caucus - n. a group of people who meet to discuss a particular issue or to work together for a shared, usually political goal 29umbrella - n. something that includes several or many different things