The University of Memphis' dance program, the only oneaccredited in the state, has been shut down, the program's directorsaid Thursday.
The dance concentration, part of the Theatre and Dance major atThe University, will be phased out starting next semester. It willcontinue to operate on a minimum basis for the next two yearsbefore closing completely, said Holly C. Lau, associate professorand director of the dance program.
"We heard from the Provost (Ralph Faudree) Monday that theprogram is being eliminated," she said. "They're looking at aminimal operation to graduate rising juniors and seniors over thenext two years, but we won't be fully operational."
The dance program at The U of M is the only one in the immediatetri-state area. The closest accredited dance program is inHattiesburg, Miss. Although The U of M's program is small, with 35majors and two full-time faculty members, it pulls students fromacross the Mid-South.
"The fact that we're the only dance program in the state reallyhas an impact," Lau said. "Nobody asked about it."
The program's end leaves students and part-time faculty membersout of luck. Lau said rising sophomores would have to find newmajors, and adjunct faculty would have to find new jobs.
"Starting in May, I have no job," said Natalie Ragland, anadjunct introduction to dance instructor. "I don't think it'sfair."
Senior dance major Shellie Gravitt said she is disappointed byThe University's decision to shut down the program.
"I only have one semester left, and it's just bad that it has tobe like this," she said. "I can't even register for my classesbecause I don't know which ones will be around."
Lau said she first began to consider the possibility of thedance program's termination after the department held interviews tofill a faculty dance position that had been empty for a year.
"We knew that cuts were happening, and we worried about notbeing able to fill the position," she said.
The department held interviews regardless and found a person tofill the position when they were told that they would not be ableto hire someone, Lau said.
"It was a warning that there was a problem," she said. "But Ithought if there was a tuition hike, we wouldn't get it. I justkept thinking that it's just a concern, but I was wrong. It was acomplete surprise that they decided to axe the whole program."
Faculty members and students said they are disappointed by thefact that the administration did not seem to be concerned with allthe positive aspects the dance program brings to the city.
"Nobody asked questions about the important work we do in thecommunity," Lau said. "They made their decision based on numbers,not on doing research in our work."
Eliminating the dance program at The U of M will eliminate manyof the dance efforts in the community as well, Gravitt said.
"We have so many alumni who work in the community to start otherdance programs," she said. "I don't think the state valuesdance."
The dance program is facing removal, but Lau said her departmentwon't give in without a fight. Faculty members have been writingletters, and next week, they are planning several protests in whichthey dress in all black and "park themselves in (Faudree's)office," Lau said. "Sometimes it's easy for (administration) todrop these bombs on a face-less program."
Lau added that she is not going to give up easily on a projectin which she has invested so much.
"I have tenure, and there are other things I can teach," shesaid. "But I'm losing the thing that I'm passionate about and thatI love and have invested 12 years of my life in."
