By Lev D. Zilbermints
SOUTH ORANGE – Seton Hall University administration is apparently honoring the deal they made with students who occupied President’s Hall back in May. In return for leaving President’s Hall, the student protesters received commitments from the administration.
This has been the case even though Joseph Nyre resigned as Seton Hall University President on July 24. Katia Passerini has been appointed Interim President, the Setonian reported in its July 26 online edition.
According to the Setonian, the protest in President’s Hall ended on May 8, after 11 Protect AFAM representatives met with the administration multiple times.
The protest began on May 3 on the Green, before dozens of students came into President’s Hall for a sit-in that lasted the rest of the semester, the Setonian reported in its June 20 online edition. The sit-in lasted five days, until May 8, when Protect AFAM and SHU administration held a meeting.
According to the June 20 issue of the Setonian, the student newspaper, students and their allies were given major concessions by the administration. These included securing multiple seats on the hiring committee for new AFAM professors, and that administration will continue to work with the Council of Africana Scholars, Protect AFAM representatives and SGA “to grow the program in the coming weeks and especially during the Fall 2023 semester.”
According to the June 20 Setonian, in an email announcement on May 9, then – Seton Hall University President Joseph Nyre said there is no plan to close or underfund Africana Studies. He added that the meeting held on May 8 “focused on how best to strengthen enrollments and grow the program.”
Details of what was discussed at the meeting were hard to find. Even the Setonian did not have comments from Protect AFAM or SHU administration. Plausibly, both sides decided that for their agreement to work, no leaks could be permitted.
little over two weeks later, on May 24, Protect AFAM released a statement on Instagram. The following day, according to the Setonian, Protect AFAM announced the official end of the protest. As reported by the Setonian, according to their post, representatives met with University President Joseph Nyre, Provost Katia Passerini, Vice President of Student Services Monica Burnette, interim Director of Africana Studies Forest Pritchett, Student Government Association President Kai Hansen and others on May 8 and May 15.
“Protect AFAM representatives has, and will continue to meet with Monica Burnette, President Nyre, Provost Passerini, SGA and other Seton Hall representatives to grow our Africana Studies Program,” the post said.
Another post on Instagram by Protect AFAM gave more details into what was discussed at the secretive meetings of May 8 and 15.
“On May 24, 2023 we announced a number of commitments on behalf of the University. The University has promised to remain committed to the growth of the Africana Studies Program at Seton Hall University despite the recent shift in administrative roles.
“Part of the list of initiatives was to work to increase enrollment for AFAM courses.
This summer students from the incoming CO’27 were given the opportunity to take Introduction to AFAM (AFAM 1111) with Interim Director, Dr. Forrest Pritchett during the 5-week EOP (Education Opportunity Fund Program) Summer Institute Program.
“The students have done a phenomenal job in the course and majority intend to continue to take AFAM courses throughout their undergraduate years.
“We are also pleased to announce that three new full-time faculty members will be joining the Africana Studies program this fall!
“If you are a Seton Hall student and want to help grow the program or participate in the movement, register for an AFAM course today! There are still approximately 20 seats available amongst the three sections of Intro to AFAM (AFAM 1111) this fall.
“As always, we appreciate your continued support.” “We All We Got!” – MLK Jr… Protect AFAM and the Council of Africana Scholars.
Judging from all the information covered so far, it looks like African American courses are here to stay at Seton Hall University. The hiring of three new full-time faculty members apparently signals a strong commitment by the private Roman Catholic university that it is committed to the program. As reported previously by “Local Talk” back in May, this is the first time since the 1970s that African American Program had multiple faculty.
“Local Talk” will keep its readers updated on the progress of AFAM at Seton Hall University.
