Keep The ASL and DFST Program in the WLLC Department and Hire a Tenure Track Professor
Keep The ASL and DFST Program in the WLLC Department and Hire a Tenure Track Professor
The Issue
On July 1, the Deaf Studies and Sign Languages (DFST) program at the College of the Holy Cross was moved from the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (WLLC) to the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) by administration. This decision was made without consulting Professors Stephanie Clark and Ying Li, co-directors of the program, which has left many students and faculty members feeling disregarded and concerned about the future of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies education at our institution.
The move has and will continue to undermine the students' learning experience. Holy Cross' Spire explains the high regard of the program and the demand for ASL courses through the fact that there are over 100 students on Professor Li’s wait list to take DFST 101 – Elementary ASL. A third tenure track professor should be hired to teach more introductory courses and also to have a tenured faculty member representative.
Spire also includes 'The co-directors also expressed concern that moving DFST out of WLLC could weaken the program’s recognition as a language program alongside those focused on spoken and written languages. Recently, other colleges and universities have begun to transition their sign language courses and programs into their WLLC program. The sign language community has worked hard to educate others about the importance of housing sign language programs under a language, literature, and culture department. The department believes that moving the DFST minor into CIS is a huge step backward.
Currently, the DFST does not have a departmental affiliation under CIS. They believe that “losing colleagues and department meetings to discuss World Language, Literature, and Culture is detrimental to Deaf Faculty members. WLLC was the right department to have that dialogue about the DFST programs, as all WLLC programs share common themes. DFST faculty are more isolated now.”'
By signing this petition, you are supporting the reinstatement of the DFST program in the WLLC and advocating for the hiring of an additional tenure-track professor. Let's stand together to ensure our institution supports ASL as a vital language and field of study, preserving both its integrity and cultural importance. Please sign this petition to make your voice heard and to help protect the future of our ASL and Deaf Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross.
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The Issue
On July 1, the Deaf Studies and Sign Languages (DFST) program at the College of the Holy Cross was moved from the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures (WLLC) to the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies (CIS) by administration. This decision was made without consulting Professors Stephanie Clark and Ying Li, co-directors of the program, which has left many students and faculty members feeling disregarded and concerned about the future of American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf Studies education at our institution.
The move has and will continue to undermine the students' learning experience. Holy Cross' Spire explains the high regard of the program and the demand for ASL courses through the fact that there are over 100 students on Professor Li’s wait list to take DFST 101 – Elementary ASL. A third tenure track professor should be hired to teach more introductory courses and also to have a tenured faculty member representative.
Spire also includes 'The co-directors also expressed concern that moving DFST out of WLLC could weaken the program’s recognition as a language program alongside those focused on spoken and written languages. Recently, other colleges and universities have begun to transition their sign language courses and programs into their WLLC program. The sign language community has worked hard to educate others about the importance of housing sign language programs under a language, literature, and culture department. The department believes that moving the DFST minor into CIS is a huge step backward.
Currently, the DFST does not have a departmental affiliation under CIS. They believe that “losing colleagues and department meetings to discuss World Language, Literature, and Culture is detrimental to Deaf Faculty members. WLLC was the right department to have that dialogue about the DFST programs, as all WLLC programs share common themes. DFST faculty are more isolated now.”'
By signing this petition, you are supporting the reinstatement of the DFST program in the WLLC and advocating for the hiring of an additional tenure-track professor. Let's stand together to ensure our institution supports ASL as a vital language and field of study, preserving both its integrity and cultural importance. Please sign this petition to make your voice heard and to help protect the future of our ASL and Deaf Studies Program at the College of the Holy Cross.
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Petition created on October 26, 2026