Letters to the Editor | June 7, 2024

Finding out the University of the Arts was closing was a real shock to the system. I am left heartbroken. I won’t be able to complete my senior thesis, which I have been planning for the past six months, and the completion of which feels impossible without the resources the university provided me. Starting in a new school environment halfway through my senior year sounds like a nightmare — but it’s not the first time I’ve gone through something like this.

During my senior year at Science Leadership Academy, they found asbestos in the building, and we were shuffled off haphazardly. These experiences make one thing clear to me: Institutions do not care for our students. Administrations do not care for our students. The fact that UArts announced the closure on a Friday night with little warning is appalling. It has left us in a pool of unanswered questions. Faculty was unaware of the situation. I’ve heard from my teachers that they may not even be given severance. I love to learn, and UArts has made me better at my craft, only for the rug to be ripped from under me. This has left me with a deep mistrust. I felt it had let me down as a student.

It’s hard to believe it couldn’t have given us any warning. I feel so sad letting go of the UArts community. I was looking forward to graduating with so many of my peers beside me. What breaks my heart the most is that I will no longer be able to learn from the faculty that has truly brought me such growth in my creativity and musicianship. Thank you to Michael Johnson, Matthew Manhire, Paul Schuette, Micah Jones, Gloria Quinn, Kevin Hanson, and so many more.

Jade “Xemi” Gilliam, Philadelphia

I am the parent of a dance major who just completed freshman year at the University of the Arts. I am dismayed by the news of the university’s closure. I’m confused as to how this proceeded without any warning for students, faculty, and parents. If we had some indication in January, then students could have prepared, as performing artists need to audition for admission into a program. It’s not a simple transfer to another college, and even if colleges are reaching out to support UArts students, finding the right fit requires more inquiry than your typical major.

I had the opportunity to attend multiple dance performances, watching not only my child but all of the talented dancers in what has been a truly extraordinary first year. It is heartbreaking to witness the abrupt end to the amazing experience. I am very frustrated with the lack of transparency. The school was more than happy to communicate when it was taking my hard-earned money.

I have worked in higher education and know fiscal problems do not happen overnight. The ethical thing to have done would be to have given some indication to the students of the financial struggles so they could properly plan. On Tuesday, I changed my work schedule so I could attend the virtual meeting that was then canceled at the last minute. I know officials may not have all the answers, but it is cowardly and unethical to avoid facing the students, faculty, staff, and parents to at least dialogue.

Cheryl Panosian, Danbury, Conn.

It is unfortunate that UArts could not find a way to live within its means. Being heavily tuition-dependent, with modest enrollment numbers and a small endowment, it was likely an uphill struggle for many years. Downsizing might have been its first option. This likely would have involved shrinking its footprint, selling off some of its prime real estate, and putting the proceeds into its endowment. It could also have explored merger opportunities with other local universities. As a last resort, it could have borrowed a page from the Cabrini playbook and sold all its real estate, unwound the operation, and implemented a yearlong transition plan to help relocate its students, faculty, and staff. Any of these options would have permitted a more orderly game plan than immediate closure.

It is commendable that Temple University has stepped forward to explore a possible merger opportunity with UArts. Hopefully, this option can become a reality. It seems like a natural fit for Temple to extend its physical presence from North Broad to South Broad, and expand its existing fine arts and performing arts programs to incorporate the companion UArts programs. Ironically, very preliminary discussions between UArts and Temple occurred back in the early 1990s, when a prospective UArts donor thought there were too many art schools in Philadelphia and that UArts should consider a merger. Unfortunately, organizational logistics and leadership issues could not be resolved, and the donor deal fell through. What a difference it might have made if UArts had combined with Temple some 30 years ago.

Today, it is incumbent on the UArts board of trustees and leadership team to disclose their “unspecified urgent financial crisis” along with the underlying facts and circumstances, and why they didn’t know about it far sooner than one week prior to its closure. They owe it to their students, faculty, staff, donors, supporters, and all those who worked tirelessly over many years to preserve and enhance the quality, reputation, and legacy of this once-great university.

Louis J. Mayer, chief financial officer, University of the Arts (1985-1995), West Chester

I am the father of two daughters, both of whom are recent alumni of the University of the Arts, and my first thought when I learned of the school’s abrupt closure was, “Thank goodness my daughters both already graduated with degrees.” But then reality set in. I realized that the current student body and faculty were going through absolute turmoil, blindly trying to figure out what was going on and what they were going to do next — all while getting zero communication from school administrators.

My youngest daughter is devastated by this news, and she cannot hold back the tears and frustration. She knows so many students who are scrambling to figure out the next steps with their education — an education they can no longer pursue on South Broad Street. So, as a father who paid $320,000 (both received scholarships, or it would have been more) to this university for my two daughters’ degrees, I ask: How could an institution I trusted, one that taught my children with compassion and purpose, let this happen?

It’s more than just bad financial decisions, or the administration being unaware of unanticipated expenses. It is an unthinkable event, and the University of the Arts owes everyone an explanation — the students who need to find other universities to attend, the 700 faculty and staff members who are now jobless, the parents of students who feel abandoned, and the donors who generously gave huge amounts of money. And to further underline the complete incompetence of the situation, how could the board of trustees and a cowardly president who resigned rather than explaining herself handle the closure of the university with so much carelessness and heartlessness? These are questions that must be addressed now.

David Markstein, West Chester

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 200 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.