Provost Kent Fuchs issued the following statement June 2:

In the past six months, I have received many communications about the administrative unit to which the Africana Studies and Research Center should report. Some recommended that Africana continue to report directly to the Provost, while others endorse the view that it should report to the College of Arts and Sciences.

After a careful review of these communications, and the suggestions made in meetings I have had with faculty and students, I have decided to affirm and implement as of July 1, 2011, the decisions that I announced in December 2010: 1) to provide significant increased funding to recruit additional Africana faculty, 2) to provide resources for an Africana Ph.D. program, and 3) to have Africana administratively be part of the College of Arts and Sciences.

I remain convinced that the College of Arts and Sciences can and will provide important and necessary academic and administrative support to the Africana Studies and Research Center. Eager to work closely and collaboratively with faculty, students and staff in ASRC, the deans of the College of Arts and Sciences share my commitment to strengthen Africana so that it is a top nationally ranked program.