Message About the Wang Center

February 28, 2013

A message to the individuals who signed a recent online petition entitled “Stony Brook University Administration: Save Asian and Asian American Programs…” and who may be considering adding their signature to this petition:

Stony Brook University is an all-inclusive campus community, where diversity is not only valued but also celebrated. The University’s academic department of Asian and Asian American Studies within the College of Arts and Sciences offers a vast interdisciplinary curriculum for the study of Asian languages, cultures and societies, literature and the arts, philosophies and religions, histories and politics and more.

All Centers and Academic programs in the University’s Department of Asian and Asian American Studies are vibrant, supported and fully funded. In fact, the University recently cultivated two major philanthropic donations. One will fund the “Dr. Gujavarty Family Seminar Fund in India Studies” in the Center for India Studies at Stony Brook University which will underwrite an annual seminar hosted by the Center on developing Asian Indian leaders. The other is a multimillion dollar gift to establish the “Bishembar Nath and Sheela Mattoo Professorship in India Studies” to strengthen the India Studies program in the Department of Asian and Asian American Studies at Stony Brook University and raise the profile of the University’s Center for India Studies.

Based on growing interest and opportunity, it has been determined that the job of leading Asian American programming at the Charles B. Wang Center requires the attention and detail of a full-time administrative employee. A national search for the full-time position of Associate Director will soon be underway. The incumbent will devote 100 percent of his or her time to ensuring the best possible programming is delivered. All qualified candidates will be reviewed and considered on merit.

Additionally, to ensure that the needs of the Asian and Asian American community are met, the University created an Advisory Council consisting of faculty members, staff, representatives from the University Asian community and students. This Advisory Council’s main function is to ensure that the Wang Center’s programming matches the needs of the Asian community. The new Associate Director will work closely with this Advisory Council.

Stony Brook University looks forward to working with the future Associate Director, the Asian and Asian American Advisory Council, students and staff to ensure that the best possible programming is presented at the Charles B. Wang Center for many years to come.

Tonjanita Johnson
Chief Deputy to the President
Stony Brook University                                

Nancy Squires
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
Stony Brook University