1. Proposal.

Religious Studies and ARC propose to develop a fund in support of teaching, research, and event programming in Chinese religions at Stanford. Development would be pursued in two phases: (1) an initial campaign, to acquire expendable funds for a senior lectureship appointment in the department and costs of ARC progamming activities; (2) a second, more ambitious phase to raise endowment funds for a professorship and the arc/china program.

2. Background.

Religious Studies. Since 1984, the Department of Religious Studies has maintained a faculty position in Chinese religions, occupied first by Evans-Wentz Professor David Nivison and then by Philip Ivanhoe. Beginning in 1998, this position was reduced from a permanent professorship to an annual visiting post. Current university funding for this post will expire in 2007.

Phase 1 of the present initiative seeks to develop funding to extend the term of the position, in order to ensure continued coverage of the field. Phase 2 seeks an endowment to restore the original professorship.

ARC. Since its inception in 1999, the Asian Religions & Cultures (ARC) Initiative has been providing academic and public programs on Chinese religions and cultures, hosting over twenty research fellows, sponsoring two multi-year research projects, mounting conferences and public symposia, and presenting some forty lectures on topics ranging from ancient calendrical studies to contemporary Islam. In 2004, ARC moved to consolidate and expand these activities under a new program known as arc/china, which will focus especially on research and programming in Chinese religions.

Phase 1 of the present initiative seeks to establish the new program. Phase 2 seeks to ensure its continuation and expansion through an endowment.

3. Funding.

The first phase of development will seek $750,000 in expendable funds for a five-year program, at $150,000 annually, to cover the senior lectureship salary and benefits (approximately $100,000) and the arc/china program costs, staffing, and overhead ($50,000).

The second phase will seek a $7,000,000 endowment, to cover the above plus the professorship. Development will target both private gifts and foundation grants.

4. Contact. Individuals or groups interested in participation in this initiative, should contact ARC Associate Director Wendy Abraham, at 650-725-6025; email: wabraham@stanford.edu.

5. Appendix.

A) A history of the Chinese religions position in Religious Studies.
B) A summary ARC programming on China.