Stanford will create African-American studies department

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Stanford University says it will transform its 52-year-old African and African-American studies program into a full-fledged department.

The new designation means it can hire specific faculty for department classes.

The change comes after students began circulating a petition for the creation of a department in the wake of the George Floyd protests. 

A committee has been formed to look at developing the department.