Project Proposal
To complete this collaborative project, we have divided research responsibilities in the following manner:
Morgan Seelinger Garland- I will be working on collecting data and information on integration and activism that took place on ASU's campus in the past fifty years.
Aimie Michelle Taylor - Aimie Michelle will focus on the controversy surrounding ASU's "Indian" mascots, and the changes both on and off campus as AState adopted the Red Wolves as the official mascot in 2008. Looking at the use of the university mascot as part of Jonesboro's spatial identity, this study will seek to understand how the changes in the university's mascot reflected larger, and national, issues surrounding stereotyping and inclusion, and created friction with the region's sense of place and ownership.
My plan so far is to create a page that discusses it from several angles, showing how the controversy not only reflects change at ASU but was about far more than just a mascot.
These are not in a hard order yet, but have a general flow:
1) Timeline & history of the ASU Mascot (would use images showing the changes in the mascot or its presentation on the field)
2) Introduction to the actual Native American presence in NE Arkansas (brief information and images of the historical settlements in this region, information about the removals, ASU Native American student & area population demographics, heritage sites today)
3) The controversy era: unpacking the University's and community response to the pressure to change the mascot, discussing themes of identity, power, locality, indigenous rights, etc (using newspaper articles and editorials, primarily)
4) How the change affected the landscape of the campus and town: the treatment of the mascot in university displays, name changes to streets and businesses in Jonesboro (In particular, I am looking for maps or directories that can help me compile an overview of the things that had been named for the old mascot that have changed or been removed...or not)
Edward Harthorn - Edward will work on the changing role of transportation and accessibility on ASU's campus in the past fifty years. A core focus will be the tension between the university's quest to create a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly campus on the one hand, and the expanded car infrastructure required to support a dramatic rise in enrollment growth on the other. Questions of handicapped and ADA access will also be a prominent focus, as changes to everything from inclines to restrooms to elevators and beyond have dramatically altered the campus's built environment. Key research materials will include elements of campus master plans from not only ASU, but also the city of Jonesboro and ASU's sister schools in the state. Other key materials include building renovation blueprints; information on accessibility priorities, policies, and costs over time; information on large projects such as the Marion Berry Parkway construction; records of shifting student opinions on these issues; and whatever else comes up.
Dominique Hallett - I am working on demographic data. This will include ASU quickstats brochures, ASU Factbooks, and census data. I am open to other sources as well if anyone has suggestions.
Pushpita Eshika - I am working on the information about international student. their demographic data, their activities on the campus, mostly the changes they are bringing in the physical and social environment of the university as well as the surrounding area and the city.