Some of you may remember the 1970s when we started the Afro American Studies Department and organized to hire Black faculty. Well, times have changed! Today, faculty downsizing is part of a plan designed five years ago to cut 25 faculty positions. Market declines and other factors have spurred Smith College’s faculty declines. All but eight of those positions have been vacated either through attrition or faculty cuts, but the final cuts are expected soon. Recent faculty reductions in American Studies, Afro-American Studies and Latin America and Latino/a Studies Departments, and the departure of the only Native American faculty have set off criticism from students, faculty, staff and alumnae. Go to www.smithsophian.com and search “Faculty Reduction” for further details. BASC encourages members to educate themselves about these issues and then write President Carol Christ cchrist@email.smith.edu with a response.

The Spring 2008 BASC Eblast Includes:  

*Join the Campus Action Committee - respond and develop lasting solutions to the black face incident and other issues on campus.

* Absolute need for Alumnae Volunteers and Board Members

* Find additional info on the Membership Drive

* We’re launchingAuction on vacation homes and services as a fundraiser for BASC. Additional homes/services needed!