Most people probably won't care, but I am super excited that my alma mater is finally recognizing Ethnic Studies as a legitimate secondary concentration (major).

This is the result of over 30 years of activism and fighting the good fight.  I was involved in the push for Ethnic Studies during my college years and I never thought I'd see the day it finally came to pass.  This is awesome news and I'm so excited!
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From: A***** L**
Date: Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Subject: Ethnic Studies Secondary has passed!

Hello everyone,

Harvard's Educational Policy Committee has officially approved the Ethnic Studies Secondary Field! Beginning in Fall 2010, students will receive official recognition from the college for completing coursework in (as the official title calls it) "Studies of Ethnicity, Indigeneity, Migration, and Human Rights." 

THIS IS A HUGE VICTORY FOR ETHNIC STUDIES AT HARVARD!  Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will be able to apply for retroactive secondary credit (meaning - if you are taking "Ethnic Studies"-related courses this year or have in past years) next fall.

Other developments in the Ethnic Studies program at Harvard:
  • First Harvard Ethnic Studies Conference to take place on Apr. 9, 2010. We hope this is the beginning of a yearly or at least biennial event.
  • Active faculty on Standing Committee on Ethnic Studies, which oversees development of courses, course credit, Ethnic Studies events, prizes, etc.
  • Development of several Gen Ed "portal courses" which can double-count for Gen Ed and Ethnic Studies
  • Current development of praxis courses
  • Creation of Ethnic Studies Prize for the best senior thesis/theses in Ethnic Studies
  • Academic advising
  • Office with 1 staff member
Harvard students have had an extensive history fighting for Ethnic Studies (see Crimson archives here), and our success this year could not have been possible without all the efforts of the students, faculty, and alumni who came before us! 

We're honored that we could be here to witness the results of those efforts. Many thanks to the Faculty Committee on ES (which has been VERY open to working with students), the student organizations that have been involved, and individual undergraduate and graduate students alike who have supported and been involved this year and in years past.

Will keep you updated,

The Ethnic Studies Coalition