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CBAA Announces the James and Janice Turner Scholarship Endowment
Founded in 1976, the Cornell Black Alumni Association
(CBAA) was conceived as an organization devoted to providing a communication network for Black alumni. CBAA's current mission
is to promote the professional development of Black alumni; to provide opportunities for alumni to "give back" to
the Cornell community; to provide support for current Black students at Cornell through the endowment of scholarships and
the development of other resources; and to aid in maintaining the diversity of the student body at Cornell by assisting the
University in its recruitment efforts. CORNELL BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Alumni House 626 Thurston Avenue Ithaca, NY 14850-2490 Website: cbaa1976.com Sharing the vision of our education March 2011 The Way Forward Dear President Skorton, Provost Fuchs and the
Entire University Community Since
2009 the Cornell Black Alumni Association Executive Board has become increasingly concerned regarding initiatives that affect
our constituency. Recently we were made aware of the decision to move the Africana Studies and Research Center (ASRC) under
the authority of the College of Arts and Sciences. We understand that this type of action is under the
purview of the University leadership. While we respect that fact, we would like to present our rationale of why an alternative
process would be beneficial to the University moving forward. Cornell’s history is one that has shown over time that an inclusive and well informed change
strategy has assisted the University in making large scale, effective changes. To that end, the recently announced plans to
adjust the strategic direction of the ASRC has been inconsistent with prior behavior. We view this as an ahistorical action
with adverse implications for underrepresented students, faculty and staff. In addition, we understand that peer institutions
viewed the current structure of the ASRC as a model and respected its position as a separate entity that reported directly
into the Provost’s Office. Our
concerns focus on the process and methodology that was employed in this decision. Therefore, our request
is that the University rescind this action until a more inclusive and informed process can be followed. We request that the University leadership, including
Provost Fuchs, Professor Robert Harris, Dean LaGrange and a facilitator meet to discuss the individual concerns of all involved.
For instance, it appears that important details have yet to be made such as the faculty renewal plans, joint faculty appointments,
budgetary control and allocation, and the tenure review process. We believe that once these issues are
discussed and decided in an inclusive manner, the University can experience less resistance and confidence in the way forward. CBAA is committed to ensuring that the vision
of Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White of “any person…any study” remains a core value to all members
of the Cornell family. As you continue on the road to reimagining Cornell, please remember to count as an asset all perspectives.
With Shared Commitment, Jonelle Bradshaw de Hernandez On Behalf of the Cornell Black Alumni Association
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Historical Fact: By
the 1890s there were several African American Cornellians. The first bachelor's degrees to African American students at
the university were awarded in 1897 and 1898. In 1906, Alpha Phi Alpha, the first national college fraternity for African
Americans, was founded in Ithaca by seven Cornell students.
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