Petition to Senate Concerning Admission Freezes and Closures

Arts '09

BScHonours 1978

Please reconsider.

Queen's Bachelor of Fine Art, Honours, 2009

Creativity is what changes the world

Liaison librarian for Fine Art, Art History, Art Conservation and Music, Queen's University

I am a former student from the BFAH Class of 2011. I do not agree with the University suspending admissions to the Fine Arts program, and believe it will cause further harm to the program's existence in the future.

Another example of mean spirited and wrong-headed decison making. Is Queen's taking a page out of the prime minister's handbook? Shame...

University of Regina B.Fa, Regina, Saskatchewan Professor: Robert Truszkowski, Queen B.Fa, 2000. Very unfair for the Faculty to decide without consultation or debate regarding the matter. I cannot imagine what I would do if the University of Regina did this. This is extremely disturbing to hear about.

This closure is of concern to anyone teaching in the fine arts at the university level. I am an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Regina, and I urge you to reconsider this drastic step.

BFAH 2010 As a Queen's University alumni from this program, and a current Graduate Student Chair member on OCAD University's Senate, I find the recent actions undertaken by Queen's to be unjust. Legislation regarding these academic matters should have formally passed through Senate, instead of allowing the creation of a pseudo-policy suspending admission. As a member of Senate, please ensure your actions—and those committed ‘above’ you by others—conform to your responsibilities by restricting this policy. In doing so, you will continue the cultural importance of Fine Arts within the Queen’s University education system and larger academic community. This move would allow Queen’s University to stand out nationally and regain respect as a school that acknowledges the rigor of skill, intellect, and viability fine artists maintain. If income is the only issue the University has with this program, they should be working on ways to gain research-funding initiatives. This solution seems obvious when compared to current actions: simply dismissing ‘problems’ the University has not taken the time to solve. I appreciate your time and efforts to resolve the issues at hand. Best, Kimberly Anne Armstrong

The Fine Arts courses I took as an undergraduate student in Biology have served me well. I can not imagine becoming half as successful in my science career without the experience learnt in non-science courses. Please reconsider this decision.

This is an alarming action which has concerned every artist who is and has gone to to a university to receive a BFA or MFA. It is shocking and saddening to see a high merit university acting in a way manner which is hostile to their coleagues and disrespectful of proper conduct and procedures. Historically, Fine Art is the first area of attack in times of financial stress and uncertainty...The actions and Queen's suggests an atmosphere of fear and knee jerk reactions rather than colleagial, informed and cooperative problem solving.

The suspension of this program will leave a void in the Queen's University community and in the larger creative community. This program is a unique gem among fine art programs and should be preserved as a testament to the successful blending of academia and studio instruction. The faculty and staff that make up this program are invaluable -- to lose them would be a loss to the academic community and a detriment to the reputation of Queen's University.

Do I think we should “suspend” the BFA ? No, but that is neither here nor there. There is a process, an administrative process, which is not being followed. While not wanting to argue for greater bureaucratic hurdles, I do believe we develop these mechanisms for a purpose. A purpose that allows for input, insight, creativity and careful consideration. A purpose, which in turn, helps to foster a forum of collegiality, cooperation, and inclusion. By circumventing the process, I believe that the policy on Academic Integrity to which Queen’s University adheres is being compromised. The policy states that “academic integrity is a commitment, even in the face of adversity, to five fundamental values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility. From these values flow principles of behavior that enable academic communities to translate ideals into action.” I would like the Administration to follow the appropriate process with regard to academic programs at Queen’s in order to uphold these values to which we subscribe.

A program should not be terminated without consultation

Programmes such as fine arts are crucial for critical thinking and intellectual rigour in University.

I am a member of the alumni - this is an ill-considered move and reflects terribly on one of Canada's oldest Visual Arts program. It impacts us all negatively. I will be withdrawing my support.

The Queen's BFA program has produced some of the top-rated artists in Canada. To freeze this program is a tragedy to the arts and culture sector.

I graduated from a program like this a few years ago. I think it should be available to all students every year. Not everyone is meant to be a doctor or a scientist. Please keep the program for first year students and for every year after.