History of Ethnic Studies

In the late 1960’s through early 1970’s the African American Program and the Mexican American Program were established.

Black Studies became a degree-granting major in the late 1970’s.

In 1988, the Center for Studies of Race and Ethnicity in America (CSERA) was constituted, incorporating the Black Studies and Chicano Studies programs, and adding American Indian and Asian American programs as areas of interest.

In August of 1993, CSERA submitted to A&S a “Proposal for the Creation of an Ethnic Studies Major and a Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Boulder.”

On March 31, 1994, the Student Coalition for the Advancement of Ethnic Plurality

( SCAEP ) issued their demands for the creation of an Ethnic Studies major and minor, as well as Masters and PhD programs in Ethnic Studies. 

UMAS, MECHA and SCAEP formed an alliance to address these and other diversity issues, and held a student rally, mass student protest, and a hunger strike that lasted six days. These actions resulted in the signing of the “Declaration of Diversity” on April 25, 1994 by the President of the C.U. system.

In May, 1994, the faculty of Arts and Sciences approved the Ethnic Studies major, which was converted from the old Black Studies (Afro-American studies) major. In October, 1994, CCHE approved the Ethnic Studies major.

In January 1995, following a unanimous vote by the A&S Committee of Courses, the faculty of Arts and Sciences recommended creation of a Department of Ethnic Studies by the overwhelming vote of 156 to 0, with 4 abstentions.

During most of 1995, discussions ensued between the faculty and the campus administration regarding the status of CSERA and its relationship to the proposed Department of Ethnic Studies. An agreement was finally reached in October,1995, and the proposal for the creation of a Department of Ethnic Studies was submitted to the Board of Regents for its approval.

On January 1, 1996, the Department of Ethnic Studies came into being at the University of Colorado at Boulder. 

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