2008 Woodie Awards
History course's enrollment requirements to change
Changes designed to 'counter the perception' of racial difference in course's admit policy
By: Zac Farber, News Editor
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: News
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The enrollment policy for History professor Peter Rachleff's 300-level history course, "Advanced Studies: Historians and Critical Race Theory," has been changed for the spring 2008 semester in order to "counter the perception of a difference" in eligibility standards between white students and students of color, Provost Diane Michelfelder said Wednesday.
Up until this semester, Rachleff's signature was required of students who wanted to register for the course. Now, Michelfelder said, prospective students will undergo review by the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program screening committee, of which Rachleff is a member.
The initial decision to review the course's admissions policy came after a senior complained to Michelfelder, saying Rachleff denied her entrance to the class because she is not a student of color.
"I was in essence told [by Rachleff] that the course was to be kept a 'safe place for students of color,'" the senior wrote in an October e-mail to Michelfelder and History Department Chair Peter Weisensel.
As The Mac Weekly reported on Oct. 19, Rachleff said that his course is not limited to students of color, but to students who have a strong background in critical race theory.
Rachleff could not be reached for comment before this edition went to press on Wednesday.
The MMUF, a national fellowship whose mission is to mentor students of color and encourage them to seek Ph.D.s and join college faculties, is a central component of the class. Macalester has partnered with the fellowship since 2000, each year providing five juniors and five seniors the opportunity to pursue individual projects. In 2003, the fellowship revised its mission and began allowing white students.
All Macalester Mellon fellows are required to enroll in the course, but, in recent years, the majority of the students enrolled in the course have not been Mellon fellows. This semester, 16 of the course's 26 students are not Mellon fellows.
Up until this semester, Rachleff's signature was required of students who wanted to register for the course. Now, Michelfelder said, prospective students will undergo review by the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program screening committee, of which Rachleff is a member.
The initial decision to review the course's admissions policy came after a senior complained to Michelfelder, saying Rachleff denied her entrance to the class because she is not a student of color.
"I was in essence told [by Rachleff] that the course was to be kept a 'safe place for students of color,'" the senior wrote in an October e-mail to Michelfelder and History Department Chair Peter Weisensel.
As The Mac Weekly reported on Oct. 19, Rachleff said that his course is not limited to students of color, but to students who have a strong background in critical race theory.
Rachleff could not be reached for comment before this edition went to press on Wednesday.
The MMUF, a national fellowship whose mission is to mentor students of color and encourage them to seek Ph.D.s and join college faculties, is a central component of the class. Macalester has partnered with the fellowship since 2000, each year providing five juniors and five seniors the opportunity to pursue individual projects. In 2003, the fellowship revised its mission and began allowing white students.
All Macalester Mellon fellows are required to enroll in the course, but, in recent years, the majority of the students enrolled in the course have not been Mellon fellows. This semester, 16 of the course's 26 students are not Mellon fellows.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
John C.
posted 12/07/07 @ 6:21 AM CST
Am I right that this is actually a worse policy for white students interested in studying critical race theory? Before, Rachleff claimed that a white student could demonstrate substantial background in race theory. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 12/07/07 @ 7:53 AM CST
Dear John C.,
In the spring 2008 semester, the American Studies department is offering 26 courses that treat subjects related to race, ethnicity, national identity, gender, sexuality, and culture. (Continued…)
Matthew Won
posted 12/07/07 @ 1:04 PM CST
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship admits students of all races (note the second clause):
"The fundamental objective of MMUF is to increase the number of minority students, and others with a demonstrated commitment to eradicating racial disparities, who will pursue PhDs in core fields in the arts and sciences. (Continued…)
John C.
posted 12/08/07 @ 10:02 AM CST
Thank you Matt and Zac for the clarification. I missed the sentence that said the MMUF has been revised to allow white students to participate. The new policy should clear up the concerns. (Continued…)
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