Armenian Language Classes Face the Possibility of Termination

By Garo Chirishian
Chirishian88@ucla.edu

Language courses are important avenues for UCLA students to remain competitive in an increasingly global economy. However, due to our economy’s severe financial crisis, the University of California has suffered many budget cuts, validating speculation about the possibility of completely terminating the Armenian language classes taught at UCLA. This is a subject that should not be taken lightly, and students must take immediate action.

Armenian language classes contribute to a practical curriculum at UCLA – when taking into account that the second highest concentration of Armenians (outside of Armenia) resides in the greater Los Angeles area. Anahid Keshishian, Professor of Eastern Armenian Language Studies at UCLA, believes that a city like Los Angeles, which carries a vast population of diverse cultures, should not even think about eliminating language classes. “These classes bring cultures and people together in a cosmopolitan society such as ours,” Keshishian states.

Many firmly believe that it is important to preserve one’s native language and having instructional courses and classes at UCLA which help facilitate this process is a resource that should not be endangered because of budget cuts. Cinthia Flores, President of the Undergraduate Student Association, says, “Retaining these types of language courses are important to the communities that speak them, especially since these kinds of courses enrich the academic experience at UCLA. I believe that eliminating these courses from the UCLA curriculum will negatively affect the diversity of courses at UCLA and lower the standard of education of UCLA.”

Hagop Kouloujian, Professor of Western Armenian Language Studies at UCLA, states, “The Armenian language is the second minority language spoken in Los Angeles, it would be unreasonable for UCLA to throw away a robust Armenian Studies program. From the students’ viewpoint, it is a major opportunity to learn or improve their skills in their heritage language or to learn about significant thinkers and works in Armenian.”

These faculty members are pursuing academic opportunities that are advantageous to both the faculty and the students. USAC President Cinthia Flores has been working with the Academic Affairs Commissioner to help minimize the number of courses that have been eliminated due to budget cuts. Additionally, both Professor Keshishian and Professor Kouloujian have had meetings with their department and also the Dean of Humanities to voice their opinions.

A report by the Humanities Task Force has been comprised, concerning a possible reorganization of the Humanities department which could possibly save many classes and activities through the reengineering of processes. However, this proposal is still premature.

Richard Hovannisian, Professor of Armenian and Near Eastern History at UCLA and current holder of the Armenian Educational Foundation Chair in Modern Armenian History, is optimistic that these courses are going to continue. He states, “In any case, we have to presume as an Armenian student organization that talk about termination is serious and that commensurate action is required. This means making our sentiments known to the Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures as well as to the University administration.”

Despite all of this, Peter Cowe, Professor of Armenian Language and Culture at UCLA, remains hopeful. He states, “My conviction is that classes will go ahead as normal. Even if the usual funding source is unable to continue its support next year, there are other reserve funds that can be tapped into, and a spring fundraising that will hopefully help tide us over the next academic session.”

Nonetheless, students should take an active role in inquiring as to what is occurring and make their views known to the relevant deans and departments. In the words of Professor Hovannisian, “Learning the Armenian language is important not only for connecting with one’s culture and traditions, but it also serves as the basis for any serious research in Armenian studies. If such cuts do take place, this would be a crippling blow to our program.”

Editor's Note: Just recently, thanks to funding and major support from many, UCLA's Armenian language studies and classes will no longer be cut! Thank you to all who helped and fought for this cause.