After a year of work by a committee of students, faculty and staff, Cornell has established an interim space on South Avenue for an Asian/Asian American center. The administration also has named Patricia Nguyen, currently at the University of Vermont, associate dean and center director, starting April 20.

President David Skorton, Vice President for Student and Academic Services Susan Murphy '73 and Dean of Students Kent Hubbell '67 made the announcements at a March 2 forum.

The temporary center will be at 14 South Ave. in university-owned student housing off Stewart Avenue, near the Center for Jewish Living. It was originally the Kappa Alpha Society's house. The 1,100-square-foot space includes a multipurpose conference room, two offices and a bathroom.

A3C had initially requested space in Willard Straight Hall, but Murphy said that would cost almost $2 million. "Until we know where those dollars are coming from, we can't progress," Murphy said. "The interim space allowed us to get started while we continue to work toward what is more desired." Some members of the Asian/Asian American Center (A3C) Committee voiced dissatisfaction with the interim facility's location, size and staffing.

Nguyen, a diversity and equity adviser at the University of Vermont, will have an office in Willard Straight Hall's Office of Student Support and Diversity Education."We're delighted that Patricia has accepted the position, and we look forward to having her join our staff," Murphy said. "Also I'm pleased with the interest of our alumni in the efforts evidenced by their activity at the Pan-Asian banquet." The Cornell Asian Alumni Association sponsored the fundraiser Feb. 21 in New York City.

Cornell's decision to fund the center and associate dean/director puts it in the vanguard in American higher education, Nguyen said. "This has created something of a buzz in diversity circles," she said. "This community of students doesn't get a lot of attention in higher education in general, due to stereotypes and achievement records. There are very few Asian-identity affiliated centers across the nation, especially on the East Coast."

Nonetheless, some A3C committee members said that although they're "thrilled" that the center's establishment is moving forward, the location, space and staffing are insufficient.

"Student representation on the committee has been largely used as a rubber stamp on administrative actions, and there has been little we can do about the issues that frustrate us and leave the community underserved even now," said A3C committee co-chair Caroline Hugh '10 and Bhavna Devani '05, an A3C committee member, in a joint statement. They noted that nearly 20 percent of Cornell's undergraduate population is Asian and Asian American. "[They] deserve a centrally located center that is larger than the size of a living room," they wrote, adding that the initial committee assessments also suggested at least two full-time staff.

Yet A3C committee co-chair Hubbell stressed that the new space and director represent a significant step forward. "It will be galvanizing," he said of the center. "It will become a focal point of the Asian and Asian American community and the whole campus community when it comes to matters related to Asian and Asian American culture. It will be a real nexus of activity."

At the forum, Skorton said he will continue to seek resources for a permanent home in Willard Straight for A3C and will report on developments in the fall.

"We're determined to create the center in its final form," Hubbell said. "We're not going to settle for what we've accomplished this year, although we have accomplished a lot."