ASAM and admins fix budgeting dispute

Yesterday, School of Arts and Sciences administration and officials in the Asian American Studies program met to discuss revisions to the proposed budget for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The previously proposed ASAM budget would have been lower than those of past years, prompting an outcry by students and faculty alike that resulted in yesterday's talks.

While the details of the agreement have not yet been confirmed - nor will any member of the administration or the ASAM program speak to the changes - College Dean Dennis DeTurck did say that it guarantees a "stable level of funding for the ASAM program for at least three years."

"I'm quite pleased that we've agreed to a budgetary plan that will allow the Asian American Studies Program . to flourish as a resource for all Penn students," he added.

Program director Grace Kao, who had previously threatened resignation were the budget cuts to go through, is pleased with the terms of yesterday's agreement and plans to stay at Penn next year.

"I haven't changed my position in terms of what I thought was fair," said Kao. "I was prepared to resign, and I wouldn't have given into something less than what I thought we deserved."

Benjamin Alisuag, chairman of the Asian Pacific Students Coalition, who started a petition against the previously proposed budget cuts, was also involved in talks with the administration.

"We feel confident that the numbers proposed will ensure that the ASAM program is sustained for multiple years," Alisuag said.

Alisuag and members of the APSC and Asian Student Union previously planned a protest against the budget cuts for today at 12 p.m. on College Green. This protest has now been converted into a celebration rally for the ASAM program, Alisuag said.

"I'm really pleased and proud that Professor Kao and SAS have been able to find a way to continue to support this important program," said Penn President Amy Gutmann.

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