Educating, or Catering to, Students?
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I am responding to the editorial “A Good Choice to Fill Some Big Shoes” (Jan. 16) suggesting that new UC Irvine Chancellor Laurel L. Wilkening has the opportunity to account for the “needs, interests and talents” of the increasing numbers of Latino and Asian heritage students.
In what way are these students’ needs, interests and talents different from those of all the other students?
Do you suggest that the university have separate curricula for Latino and Asian students based on their country of origin? Do you suggest that these students came a great distance to be taught their own culture at a Western university?
What special needs do these students have? It seems to me we already have increased people’s awareness by adding programs in women’s and black studies. Do you mean to suggest that basic subjects such as languages, sciences and arts be changed to accommodate the needs and talents of Asians and Latinos? Is there not some danger in having students dictate what and how they should be taught?
Throughout the history of this country, American universities have taught students with a variety of different backgrounds, and many of these talented people have contributed greatly to our society.
It does not seem that curricula were changed to meet anyone’s special needs or talents in the past.
ANNETTE J. ROSENFIELD
Costa Mesa
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