Arts Management Program Joins List of Frozen Degrees

By Emma Robinson, Staff Writer

The arts management program was “frozen” as of March 3, adding to the list of various other liberal arts and science programs that recently faced cuts. Professors within the department were notified not by university officials, but by their own students.

David Apichell, an adjunct professor of theatre, was in Kentucky at a theatre conference when distraught students called to give him the news.

“One day there was a program, one day there was not,” he said. “No notice, no warning.”

Freshman arts management major Jillian Sajda was told through word-of-mouth by other students in the program.

“I was just shocked,” Sajda said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Apichell wasn’t certain why the program was cut, but said the program “shouldn’t be too generous in its acceptance rate.” He wished those who decided to freeze the program made a real attempt to observe a class or two, in order to see what the program’s professors and students were working on.

“It saddens me because it seems that someone thinks that the arts don’t need to be managed and they’d be very, very wrong,” Apichell said. “My hope is that [the university] continues the classes, but I’ve also begun to accept disappointment when dealing with these matters.”

The students are allowed to complete their degree at LIU, but some debate on whether transferring to another university will bring them better opportunities.

“In my college search, I really wanted to go to a school that offered art history, so I thought that arts management at Post would work for me,” Evelin Figueroa-Ballester, freshman arts management major, said. “I’ve been looking at grad school requirements, and I’ve noticed that Post does not offer a lot of the courses that I need.”

There are few non-introductory arts history courses, according to Figueroa-Ballester, so she’s strongly considering transferring, especially since the arts management program is in danger.

Some students prefer ensuring a positive outlook for their program, rather than just a fun college experience.

“I love the classes and faculty here,” Figueroa-Ballester said. “But I need to go somewhere that will return on my investment in my education. I need a place that will further my career.”