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Department faces problems
Department of theater, film studies and dance talks over problems with college
Over the last few weeks, rumors have been passed from mouth to mouth about the possibility of SCSU losing one of its departments.
Students from the department of theater, film studies and dance have voiced their concern over these rumors. Talk within the department's circles have focused on the chance that the department will be closing down due to a number of reasons.
But while there is some basis to the rumors, they remain just that. With the department facing a number of problems, its members and officials from the college of fine arts and humanities have been brain-storming over what can be done to save the program.
Roland Specht-Jarvis, dean of the college of fine arts and humanities, said talks were underway to see what can be done.
"It is an expensive program," Specht-Jarvis said, "that has seen a decline (in enrollment) the last few years. There are also problems with accreditation."
But while the talks are centered around saving the program, it is understood that some of the department's faculty and staff are ready for the worst. Hints have been dropped to students about the apparent possibility of the department's closure, and some faculty have even quietly advised students to transfer out of SCSU or change their major or minor.
Specht-Jarvis declined to confirm that the department would close, as talks were still underway. However, he said that this was an option that is being discussed.
"We are focussing on (all the) options that exist for the department," Specht-Jarvis said. "There are three elements in the department (theater, film studies and dance) and we need to look at (all three)."
Should the department be cut, however, there are several plans that will ensure that students, faculty and staff do not lose out. Faculty can rest assured that their jobs will be safeguarded.
"We will look at where they can go so that the faculty do not lose their jobs," Specht-Jarvis said. "It would be a shame if they lose their tenure (should the department be cut)."
Students need not worry as well. This especially applies to students who have already been admitted into the department as a major or minor in one of the three elements.
"(If the department does close) there will be a phase-out plan," Specht-Jarvis said. "Students who are currently (enrolled) will get what they need (to complete their majors or minors). However, new students will not be accepted."
Students who have not been admitted need to either transfer out or change their majors or minors. These students, Specht-Jarvis said, could opt for communication studies degrees.
"There are options," Specht-Jarvis said. "They can take speech, which is now communication studies. (The communication studies department) has classes for performances."
The department of theater, film studies and dance, meanwhile, is said to be undergoing a number of changes. One of its faculty, Ronald Perrier, is expected to retire this year, while another is said to be accepting a position at a university in Chicago, Ill.
It is also understood that the department current chair, Andrew Vorder Bruegge, will be transferred to another department next year. However, this could not be confirmed.
Whatever the changes that are forthcoming, however, will not be known for some time. Specht-Jarvis said any decision would only be made this coming fall semester.
Leslie Andres can be reached at: [email protected]
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