Diversity is a value that I hold high, and I hope it is shared by the Student Body at large. My three semesters of participation in the Korean Undergraduate Student Association, as well as being the founder and president of Students for Peace in Korea, should speak for itself.
Accordingly, it distresses me greatly to see the dire state the Asian Studies and Asian-American organizations have fallen to under the watch of a seemingly uncaring administration and a Student Government unwilling or incompetent to defend it.
When budget cuts disproportionately attacked the Asian Studies, I joined along with Ben Dictor, a founder of the Progress Party, to stand in solidarity with the program.
When the administration increased its own funding and dropped the Korean language department, it became my goal to campaign for the return of the program. In five subsequent elections, the majority party has done nothing to reach this end.
In this year’s first UF Student Government debate, the vice presidential candidate of the majority party claimed his support of the Korean community at the university. I find it somewhat curious, then, that KUSA — the organization committed to promoting Korean culture on campus — had its funding cut under his party’s watch. Actions speak louder than words, Anthony Reynolds.
Let’s be clear: From its inception, Progress Party members have stood behind the Korean language program, and I’m proud to see it on my party’s slate for this election.
Let the records speak for themselves, and join Progress Party members in restoring diversity at UF.
