Indian studies are added

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Apr 24, 2006 by Laura Hancock Deseret Morning News

OREM -- Students at Utah Valley State College can soon earn a minor in American Indian studies, one of the school's attempts to attract and keep ethnic minority students.

UVSC's Board of Trustees approved the minor last week. Students, who can sign up for the minor this fall, can satisfy the requirements for the minor by taking courses in such disciplines as history, anthropology, English, political science and health.

David Wilson, a UVSC history professor who teaches American Indian studies, said the program can be done without any extra cost to the school.

"We already have the courses. (Professors are) already employed here," he said. "It was just a matter of getting it approved."

"It's one of those areas we think we can help in terms of retention" of American Indian students, said Brad Cook, UVSC academic vice president.

UVSC administrators, who struggled with a drop in enrollment last year, have been pondering how to attract women and minorities -- and keep them from dropping out.

Fewer students means less tuition money to operate the school.

President William Sederburg said during a trustee meeting last week that he wants to know how other schools retain women and minority students. Retention of such groups could affect the college's chances to become a university -- one of the stated goals of the Sederburg administration.

The UVSC American Indian studies minor, which will require students to focus on American Indian culture and history, may be the first among Utah's 10 public colleges and universities

Utah State University in Logan has an endorsement in bilingual education for educators working with students who speak Navajo as a first language. It began July 1994, said Amanda Covington, spokeswoman for Utah's System of Higher Education.

According to UVSC's Office of Institutional Research, there were 243 American Indian/Alaskan Native students in 2005. Enrollment last fall was about 24,500 students.

The number of American Indian/Alaskan Native students at UVSC has increased each year since 2001, when they were at 135.

And the numbers will continue to increase, said Ken Sekaquaptewa, an American Indian specialist at UVSC's Multicultural Center, not only among American Indian students but other minority groups, too.

Minority student advisers hope the new minor will spark a trend of more academic programs about ethnic minorities, their histories and contributions to society.

Although some academic departments offer multicultural courses, the school does not have a diversity course required for graduation. Sekaquaptewa hopes that will change.

"I think (the minor) is part of the college's effort to bring together a diversity component . . . although the minor was specifically put together for (American Indian studies)," he said. "Other people in other areas on campus are planning to expand opportunities to students."

American Indian students at UVSC are a diverse mix, from cities and reservations. They had told Sekaquaptewa they are interested in classes in language and tribal cultures.

E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com