A new Master of Fine Arts degree in Performance that will cost about $500,000 per year while only attracting about eight to 12 students every three years was approved by the University Senate yesterday.
Despite the hefty price tag associated with the new master’s program, few university senators raised questions about the program’s relatively small cohort and financial feasibility.
Engineering professor and faculty senator Arthur Johnson questioned whether the economic climate is conducive to starting such an expensive program.
“This program is going to cost at least $2 million per year,” Johnson said, referring to additional hidden costs that go beyond the estimated half million. “How does the university plan to continue to support it if we continue to face the current economic downturn?”
But university officials said they do not think the economy will have much impact on the program’s viability.
“I am confident that we will be able to secure funding for this program,” said James Harris, dean of the arts and humanities department. “It is highly sustainable.”
The Smith family – one of the university’s biggest donors – has already pledged to donate $6 million over the course of six years, and the university has promised to continue to fund the $2 million in initiatives permanently.
Administrators have said the new program will enable the university to attract a certain caliber of student, which will then stand to benefit the university as a whole.
“This program will prepare [students] for careers in academia as well as performance,” said music professor Carmen Balthrop, who chairs the senate’s Programs, Courses, and Curricula Committee. “And this will enhance the cultural life of the campus.”
