Message from the Dean

We have made it through another academic year, one with plenty of challenges. I have been in this role for less than a year and a half and am delighted at the opportunity provided by Cal Poly Humboldt and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences to work with all of you. I appreciate the level of dedication to students on the part of faculty and staff as well as the cutting-edge scholarship and creativity generated by our colleagues. 

Dean Jeff Crane with Shadow

We live in troubling times. As a historian, I should hesitate to open a paragraph with such a sentence. How many times has that phrase been used throughout the centuries? But there are issues and struggles in our nation and universities that would have been difficult to comprehend a few years ago, at least for some of us. Higher education is under concentrated and brutal attack in many states across the nation. The liberal arts, humanities, and social sciences especially are targeted because of their focus on analytical thinking, critical race theory, and teaching about and supporting fluid gender and sexual identities. Of course, the major reason for these attacks is the knowledge that critical analysis is the lifeblood of democracy, at least our version of democracy, and like our disciplines, democracy is under siege.

The work we do is crucial.  In the mix of discussions about course caps, program reviews, assessments, annual reviews etc., it is easy to forget that we are tasked with labor and craft that is integral to human and societal growth. The fact that our disciplines and tenure are under attack in half of the states in this country speaks volumes about the importance of our labor.

One great joy of service in being a dean is attending the numerous events showcasing our students. Attending the Toyon Launch Party, the Hip Hop Conference, the El Lenador 10 Year Anniversary, the Anthropology Symposium, the Courageous Cuentos Launch Party, the History Conference, and the International Film Festival, among others, I was struck repeatedly by how joyously our students engage with and tackle the most difficult and important of issues. And I am proud to be part of an academic culture that celebrates and supports their creativity, growth,and scholarship. I have also been impressed by the deep respect and generosity they show each other. This is at least partially a function of your teaching and the cultures of dialogue and thoughtfulness created in your classroom spaces.

This brings me great hope. It is this very culture that is so feared by too many people in this country. As you head off to your summer work, and, hopefully, some fun and recreation, remember the importance of your scholarship, teaching, creative endeavors, and engagement to the growth of our students and society and return refreshed and recharged.