Students Protest Against UMD Cuts to Deaf Studies Minor
DULUTH, Minn. — UMD officials say the goal of removing the Deaf Studies Minor is all about restructuring curriculum with the potential of developing an ASL minor in the future.
The Deaf Studies Minor has offered student the chance to learn ASL while gaining cultural knowledge while gaining cultural knowledge to work with or communicate effectively with deaf or hard of hearing people.
Earlier in the semester, UMD students and faculty were notified via email that the college’s Deaf Studies Minor will be suspended from future enrollment starting this upcoming fall semester.
“Pausing new admission to this program provides us the opportunity to consider its future structure, and that could include creating an ASL minor,” wrote Jill P. Pastrana, the dean at UMD. “While changes to the academic programs occur regularly, UMD’s mission to provide a well-rounded educational experience is not changing.”
Students say that these cuts are a damaging part to their education and the education of the deaf community.
“Halfway through the semester, UMD emailed all of the faculty and staff and students, saying that our Deaf Studies Minor was cut effective immediately,” Christa Joseph, a senior at UMD. “And this came with no warning. Essentially, and so students can no longer fulfill their Deaf Studies Minor. It’s extremely hurtful. It’s Deaf culture. And this whole minor, we learn how Deaf people have been oppressed and we know that things aren’t perfect today. But we’re not supposed to be taking steps backwards.”
UMD typically offers numerous beginner ASL classes, but only offers a single intermediate ASL course.
Students say they rather see investment into Deaf studies and not focus solely focusing on learning the physical language.
“When you’re teaching this as an ASL minor and taking away Deaf culture, you’re essentially saying, ‘Hi, this is just the code language you can learn,'” said Joseph. “You don’t need to worry about the people who actually came up with the language and all the global influences that made ASL. You don’t learn about any of the famous deaf people create inventions they have made for accessibility, all the technology, from using phones to video calls, all of that, you don’t learn any of it.”
Nearly 7,000 people have signed a student-backed petition online calling on UMD to keep that Deaf Studies Minor.
UMD is planning to hold a forum to allow students to ask question and voice their concerns.
