The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, in a meeting Friday, denied the proposal for an African-American studies major, although students already are allowed to minor in the subject. The decision for over 20,000 students was done in less than five minutes. The meeting was not an open forum, and students and faculty members did not have a chance to speak. Council's reasoning was they felt having the major wouldn't prepare students for a career after college, Pierce said. Council members cited two historically black colleges, Norfolk University and Virginia State University, as examples of colleges that also don't have the African American studies as a major.
Students are very angry.
We have our own ambition and should be allowed to follow our own dreams. L. Victor Collins, Office of Minority Affairs director, said he shares students' concern. Up until now it was up to the school. By allowing the state council to decide, it changes their role and changes the school's own agenda. VCU Student Council members held a meeting yesterday to decide what to do, Pierce said.