CUNY Dominican Studies Institute

The CUNY Dominican Studies Institute (CUNY DSI) is an interdisciplinary research unit of the City University of New York devoted to the study of Dominicans in the United States and other parts of the world, including the Dominican Republic. The Institute is housed at The City College of New York in Upper Manhattan, a campus bordered by the City's historic Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods, which are home to the largest concentration of Dominicans in the country.^{[citation needed]}

Mission and goals

The missions of the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute are, generally, (1) To gather, produce, and disseminate academic knowledge, from interdisciplinary and comparative perspectives, on the experiences of people in the United States who trace their ancestry to the Dominican Republic; and (2) To advance research and teaching at the City University of New York, focusing on the Dominican population.^[1]

The Institute sponsors academic research projects in the areas of education, migration, language, literature, history, economics, women's issues, politics, youth, cultural identity, sports, performance and visual arts.^[1]

History

The CUNY Dominican Studies Institute was founded in 1992 by the Council of Dominican Educators, community activists, and other academics from CUNY, to address the lack of reputable information on Dominicans available to students, scholars, and the community at large in the United States. It is the only university-based research institution in the United States focusing on the study of Dominican life outside of the Dominican Republic.^{[citation needed]} CUNY DSI began as a pilot project in August 1992, with a development grant made available by CUNY’s Chancellor. It was officially approved by the Board of Trustees at its February 22, 1994 meeting, and soon became an integral component of the City University of New York.^[1]

Since its inception, the Institute has sponsored more than 80 conferences and symposia on diverse topics in various disciplines, bringing scholars at different stages of their careers to exchange knowledge and ideas on various aspects of the Dominican experience. The events are attended by audiences of students, faculty, and community residents. The Institute promotes a linkage between the academy and the community, and has encouraged the participation of members of the community in all its public events, allowing the latter to have the opportunity to participate in a dialogue that is usually reserved for academics.^[1]

Through its original research published in monographs, and its Archives and Library, the Institute also works to increase the visibility of CUNY.^[1]

In 1997, Dr. Ramona Hernandez, speaking at Columbia University, pointed out the continuing demographic changes of the Dominican Americans, especially its increasing population and poverty.^[2] In 2007, for its 15th Anniversary, the Institute honored Oscar de la Renta.^[3][4]

Founders of CUNY DSI

Council of Dominican Educators

The founding members of the Council of Dominican Educators established the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute in 1992.

Luis Álvarez-López, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Puerto Rican and Latin American Studies Department John Jay College of Criminal Justice The City University of New York

Ana García Reyes, M.A.
Special Assistant to the President for Community Relations Director of International Programs Eugenio María de Hostos Community College The City University of New York

Franklin Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Professor of Spanish Language and Latin American Literature Coordinator of the Spanish Program, Department of Foreign Languages York College The City University of New York

Ramona Hernández, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology The City College of New York Director CUNY Dominican Studies Institute The City University of New York

Fausto de la Rosa
Assistant Principal Walton High School The Bronx, New York City

Nelson Reynoso, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Student Development Bronx Community College The City University of New York

Anthony Stevens-Acevedo
Assistant Director CUNY Dominican Studies Institute The City College of New York

Silvio Torres-Saillant, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of English Director, Latino-Latin American Studies Program Syracuse University

See also

• African American studies
• Black studies
• Chicano studies
• Latino studies
• List of academic disciplines
• Native American studies

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} About the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute. Accessed April 14, 2008.
2. ^ Anne canty, "Population Soars, Income Drops for City Dominicans", Colmbia University Record November 14, 1997, found at the Columbia University web site. Columbia University Press Release. Accessed April 14, 2008.
3. ^ CUNY Dominican Studies Institute honors Oscar de la Renta, found at Hispanic Tips web site. Accessed April 14, 2008.
4. ^ Uptown Falva web site. Accessed April 14, 2008.

External links

• Official web site
• Dominican American National Roundtable literature web site