Last Friday, the University of the Arts in Philadelphia announced that classes would be suspended starting June 7. this Philadelphia Inquirer Reports say the sharp decline in enrollment has plunged the nearly 150-year-old school into such a financial crisis that the accrediting agency abruptly withdrew its charter.
Many students and teachers pass inquirerreported, only to receive an email from the university an hour later. Lauryn Ruff, a junior in the dance program, said she initially thought it was a fake news article.
“The way it failed was completely shocking,” said Curt Haworth, a longtime modern dance professor and former member of the school’s finance committee. He said most staff knew the school was in “difficult straits,” but they were all blindsided by the extent of the financial crisis.
“We thought we were going to lose $2 million, which is typical — this time of year, a lot of schools are in the red waiting for next year’s tuition to come through,” he said. “But this year it suddenly increased by $12 million.”
Faculty members who have taught at the school for many years are now suddenly unemployed. “I’m a professor in my 60s, and there’s ageism in the field,” Haworth said. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I’m more worried about my students.
School of Dance teacher and dean Donna Faye Burchfield maintains close contact with students. Other dance departments at universities such as Drexel University, Temple University, Point Park University, George Mason University and Muhlenberg College have reopened their 2024 admissions specifically for UArts students. Love said she’s been approached about a few projects, but it’s not a route she’s eager to follow.
“UArts Dance Academy in particular is such a special and safe place for me and so many other students,” she said. “We’re all just trying to hold out hope that something will happen.”
Students and teachers are still trying to keep schools open. Rising senior dance major Catherine Bauermann had an attorney put together an email that people could send to their elected representatives and collect their contact information. New graduate Aleesha Polite had been participating in protests on the campus steps — when she wasn’t helping pack up studio equipment to take to the American Dance Festival because nothing could be left in the School of Arts building.
One possibility: enquirer Temple University is currently exploring a potential merger, according to reports. However, Bowerman said they were told that UArts programmers or staff would likely not be included. They are now considering starting a freelance career rather than completing their degree at another school. “I’m very concerned that going into my senior year, instead of being a warm and wonderful experience, it’s going to be the wrong community for me,” they said.
A perceived lack of messaging from university administrations has fueled fears and frustrations. A town hall that was supposed to provide answers on Monday was canceled 10 minutes before the game, and university president Kerry Walk resigned the next day.
The biggest loss, several people interviewed said, is the community the school has fostered, which has funded several Philadelphia dance companies and served as a creative incubator with deep roots in the city.
“This is our home,” says faculty member, School of Art alumnus and Philadanco artistic director Kim Bears-Bailey. “We love this institution. It’s our family and it deserves to be saved. It’s more than just a building.
