Department bounces back from near demise

The Near Eastern Languages and Cultures Department, a subdivision of the College of Arts and Sciences, is quickly recovering from one of the most challenging obstacles it has ever faced -- possible termination.\nIn 1998, then-COAS Dean Mort Lowengrub told then-NELC Chair, and current professor of NELC Suzanne Stetkevych he wished to shut down the program because he said there was dissention in the department.\nNELC professor John Walbridge said he was suspicious of Lowengrub's goal.\n"The reason he gave us was that there was dissention in the department," Walbridge said. "But that is not, by (COAS') own rules, a legitimate reason to close a department."\nNevertheless, after facing opposition from faculty, alumni and students, Lowengrub recanted his original intent and instead said he wanted to transform NELC into an Islamic or Near Eastern languages institute. Former Chair of NELC, Jamsheed Choksy, who succeeded Stetkevych, agreed to work toward Lowengrub's vision.\nIn the summer of 1999, Lowengrub resigned to take a job with Yeshiva University. Russ Hanson, took over as acting dean and continued Lowengrub's efforts. Hanson submitted his proposals in writing to the College Policy Committee, but its members refused to vote on, let alone pass, the issue.\nKumble Subbaswamy began his term as COAS dean June 30 and one month later, the College Policy Committee ruled that NELC could rebuild itself and solve its dilemmas under a new chairperson. Subbaswamy appointed Folklore Institute professor Henry Glassie as the new NELC Acting Chair, much to the delight of faculty.\n"He has involved the faculty in every aspect of the administration of the department, rather than trying to run the department himself," Walbridge said. "And, because the department is small and interdisciplinary, he has tried to involve other people interested in Middle East studies by inviting them to become active members of the department. This is the right way to run a department, so it is not particularly surprising that things are going much better."\nNELC Director of Undergraduate Studies Stephen Katz echoed Walbridge's sentiments.\n"It looks very promising. There are good signs that the department will be coming out of its earlier falling apart stage."\nJeff Schulte, the program's temporary executive assistant, also attested to the progress NELC has made.\n"The department has gotten back on its feet," Schulte said. "Professor Glassie has been doing a great job as acting chair. We've been having weekly meetings, and we're co-sponsoring some lectures this later this fall."\nMore information about the department is available on the department's Web site, www.indiana.edu/~nelcmesp.