Editorial: Program should strive to increase enrollment

This year, as Black History Month comes to a close, the African
American studies program celebrates its 30th anniversary. The
program’s director calls it a “triumphant
moment.” Hopefully, the program will continue to prosper
““ and grow.

UCLA’s African American studies program currently offers
about 12 classes a quarter and has 67 students enrolled in its
major program. It is ranked among the top 10 such programs in the
nation.

But not everything is perfect ““ the program still does not
have a doctoral program, and its enrollment numbers are not as high
as they once were.

After Proposition 209 banned affirmative action in the
mid-1990s, UCLA has seen the number of black students admitted each
year drop to under 200.

Such a drop ““ along with a string of tight budgets ““
has undoubtably harmed the program.

The program should be proud of its accomplishments, and it
should expect the support of the university as it strives to
achieve new levels of growth.