University of Wisconsin KnowledgeBase : ASM clarifies response to ethnic studies requirement

 

ASM clarifies response to ethnic studies requirement

MADISON, WI — Chair Landis Varughese and Vice Chair Ashley Hagen clarified the discussion about possible elimination of the ethnic studies requirement at Wednesday's Student Council meeting in response to new information obtained about the proposal following multiple meetings with students, staff, faculty and administration.

ASM wants to clarify that, under this new proposed policy, general education requirements for all schools have to fall under six buckets. All UW–Madison general education requirements can fall under these six buckets without any changes.

“We have gotten confirmation from (UW–Madison) leadership that the requirement will be housed under the Civics and Perspective general education requirement,” Varughese said in remarks.

The decision to make the post on Oct. 1, 2025 was made following a series of emails from concerned faculty members, which stated concern about the possible elimination of the requirement, sent to ASM leadership. The frequently asked questions section of Act 15 from the Universities of Wisconsin website generated confusion and concern from students, staff, faculty and administration about the possible elimination of the requirement due to the wording.

Contrary to the FAQ, there are currently no systemwide general education requirements, including Ethnic Studies, that are going to be removed.

Following a series of meetings with university leadership on Oct. 8, 2025, the proposal was clarified to ASM leadership.

“Students should not be learning of the future of Ethnic Studies through the grapevine,” Varughese said.