AAS center discussed, West makes decision

As part of an effort to attract African-American studies professors from Harvard University — especially Henry Louis Gates Jr., chair of Harvard's Afro-American studies department — Princeton has discussed the creation of an African-American studies research institute in conversations with Gates, a top Harvard professor with knowledge of the situation said yesterday.

Robert Durkee '69, vice president for public affairs, said yesterday that the University has not offered an African-American studies research center in return for Gates leaving Harvard for Princeton. He said, however, that he does not know the details of what is discussed in individual conversations between Princeton and Harvard faculty members.

Gates could not be reached for comment yesterday.

The University currently has no plans to create an institute for African-American studies, Durkee said. But the University is "aggressively improving" its African-American studies program, he said, and the possibility of a research center in the future is not out of the question.

This information came as Harvard Afro-American studies professor Cornel West GS '80 said yesterday that he has made a final decision about whether he would accept the University's offer to join the faculty. He said he would make an announcement this week.

The University Board of Trustees has a regularly scheduled meeting Saturday, when they will consider faculty appointments and promotions.

"Well . . . I have certainly reached a decision — there is no doubt about that," West said on "The Tavis Smiley Show" on National Public Radio. "Indeed, an announcement will be made later on this week, and we'll see how the cookie crumbles in this regard."

Last Tuesday, the University's African-American studies program inadvertently released a statement congratulating West on accepting a position on the faculty. University administrators later said the statement was a mistake and that it had been prepared in advance in case West were to return after leaving in 1994.

West also said he would do an exclusive interview with Smiley on Monday's edition of the show.

Harvard Law School professor Charles Olgetree, who is representing West while he is on medical leave, could not be reached for comment.

The Harvard professor with knowledge of the situation said yesterday that it seems like West will leave Harvard, based on what West said today and on what has been discussed among Harvard faculty.

Last week, a list of candidates for upcoming appointments and promotions did not include West's name, University spokeswoman Marilyn Marks said.

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Durkee also said yesterday that West's name is not on the appointment agenda.

However, though West's name is not now on the agenda, this does not rule out his appointment this weekend or at a later time, University officials said.

The University has a policy against discussing faculty appointments before the board makes an official decision, Durkee said.

Harvard hopes all members of the faculty, including West, remain at the institution, said Joe Wrinn, Harvard's director of news and public affairs.

Wrinn said he did not know West's current plans.

West initially suggested he might leave Harvard because of discontent with recently appointed Harvard president Lawrence Summers.

Earlier this year, Summers criticized West's production of a rap music album and called into question West's contributions to academia. West questioned Summers' commitment to diversity.

Wrinn said Summers has made efforts to keep West on the faculty, but Wrinn said he did not know the details of their conversations.

Student organizations at Harvard have also delivered petitions urging West to stay.

The African-American studies program at Princeton has been encouraging the administration to develop a research institute for several years, said Noliwe Rooks, associate director of the program.

The University's recruitment of top Harvard African-American studies professors has generated questions about whether Princeton's African-American studies program will be granted departmental status.

Princeton is the only Ivy League school that does not have an African-American studies department.

In addition to having a full department for African-American studies, Harvard has the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for Afro-American Research. Founded in 1975, the institute is the nation's oldest research center dedicated to the study of the history, culture and social institutions of African Americans.