January 24, 1996 Contact: Jennifer McNulty (408) 459-2495; mcnulty@ua.ucsc.edu

HEWLETT FOUNDATION GRANT FUNDS NEW INTERCULTURAL STUDIES PROGRAM AT UC SANTA CRUZ

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SANTA CRUZ, CA--The University of California, Santa Cruz, has received a $100,000 grant from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to develop an innovative college program in U.S. Intercultural Studies designed to promote cultural understanding and unity. UC Santa Cruz was chosen in part because its eight residential colleges provide a unique opportunity to integrate academic and co- curricular approaches to learning.

The UCSC effort, which was funded by the foundation's Pluralism and Unity Program, will offer courses that compare at least two cultural groups in the United States and complementary nonclass activities at each of the colleges, such as public lectures, dances, movies, and conferences.

As American society becomes increasingly diverse, the challenge for educators is to help mold a unified democratic society. The goal of the U.S. Intercultural Studies Program is to "find unity within diversity," says John Isbister, provost of UCSC's Merrill College and coordinator of the program.

The program reflects UCSC's commitment to diversity and to fostering a deeper understanding among ethnic groups, says UCSC Chancellor Karl S. Pister. "This program will help our students understand and value the rich array of perspectives that a diverse populace contributes to American culture," says Pister. "Through historical analysis and firsthand experience, they will gain respect for how diversity strengthens society and the democratic process."

Each of the eight participating faculty members will develop a course based at one of the colleges that will be offered once each year during the initial two-year pilot phase of the program. There will be no restrictions on the disciplinary nature of the classes, which could focus on history, literature, economics, art, biology, politics, religion, or any other field or combination of fields. Co- curricular activities will be available to all students, not just those enrolled in the courses.

Planning will begin this summer, and the first courses will likely be offered next winter, says Isbister. The program includes an assessment component to evaluate the success of the courses and activities and to determine whether the program has affected cultural attitudes. One of the goals of the program is to increase empathy for and interest in other cultures, and faculty members will develop tools with which to measure attitude changes, says Isbister.

"American culture is obviously very diverse," says Isbister. "But there's also something unique about being an American. Sometimes there is tension between diversity and pluralism. This program is geared toward exploring how people who are different figure out what they have in common with each other and how to live constructively together."

Since 1985, the college "core courses" required for first-year students have addressed issues of diversity, so the U.S. Intercultural Studies Program builds on a well-developed theme, says Isbister. The new courses will be aimed at sophomores and junior transfers and will build on the core courses, he noted. They will range in size from lecture courses to seminar classes.

The program will also enhance UCSC's college system, which was envisioned by the campus's founders as a way to create small lively communities that would help break down the boundaries between academic disciplines, says Isbister. The founders also hoped the colleges would provide a common basis of understanding among students with different academic interests. Today, each of the eight colleges has a membership of 1,000 to 1,300 undergraduate students, about 50 faculty fellows, and about 12 staff people, and all of the colleges share a commitment to providing a living environment that honors diversity.

"This campus has a commitment to diversity and is looking for effective ways to develop the curriculum in those directions," says Isbister.

UCSC alumni are supportive of the residential college system, and the UCSC Alumni Association has contributed $28,000 toward the U.S. Intercultural Studies Program. Other campus funds bring the total for the initial phase of the program to $153,000. Coordinators anticipate that a successful program will lead to a reallocation of campus funds to ensure the program's continuance.

The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation was established in 1966 by Palo Alto industrialist William R. Hewlett, his late wife Flora, and their son, Walter, to promote the well-being of mankind by supporting select activities. The national foundation has focused on supporting activities in education, performing arts, population, environment, conflict resolution, and family and community development. In the past, the foundation has supported UCSC's Institute of Marine Sciences, Environmental Studies Field and Internship Program, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. It also provided major support for fellowships to South African students.

This release is also available on the World Wide Web at UCSC's "Services for Journalists" site (http://www.ucsc.edu/news/journalist.html) or via modem from UC NewsWire (209-244-6971).

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