https://www.change.org/p/rider-university-rider-university-president-greg-dell-omo-rescind-cuts-to-piano-major-grad-degrees-at-westminster-choir-college
Short link: http://chn.ge/1NdvF6G
I am a piano major that is directly affected by the cut to
the piano major. Though a senior, the
elimination of graduate Pedagogy and Performance opportunities undermines my options
and the elimination of the major dismantles infrastructure I was counting on to
support my career path development.
I have launched a new piano petition due to issues that have
arisen with the one that was started last Thursday. Unfortunately - the student
that drafted the original one, well meaning, met with administration and then
after over 1100 signers totally changed the language of the petition.
It no longer is a clear statement against the cuts, it
appeals for funds to donate to Rider (which won't even go toward WCC let alone
piano), includes confusing quotes of the dean like 'this is not the first time WCC cut a major' and other confusing -
and not clearly opposing - text. The original petition was on point but it is
unethical and irresponsible to change the petition after over 1100 signers. This means that I will be asking people to
sign the new one. We are not against
people still signing the other one but we need a clearer statement of
opposition to the piano cut.
And I vow to all new signers –
that the text will remain as is and that I will not be pressured by
administration into any alterations or weakening of the statement.
I still give all props to Mr.
Roper for having launched the original petition and the signers of that
petition have still expressed clear opposition to the cut to the piano major
even thought the language was changed after most of the signers were
accumulated. He helped launch the
sentiment and opposition o the cuts.
While the changing of the language was a mistake – it is a minor issue
in the bigger scheme of things and it says more about the lengths the
administration will go to try to stifle open expression and open opposition to
their policies on the Rider and Westminster campuses. However such administration attempts will
prove to be ineffective.
The signers of the original
petition still “count” toward the total of petition signers in opposition to
the cuts. This business of taking a
stand does not come natural and is not generally reinforced in the school systems
and at many colleges. There are many
discouragements on the Rider campuses from fully participating in the struggles
for a better campus, community and world.
There is an idea promoted that students must remain neutral to
administration actions – an idea that is peeling away with this latest action
by the administration. The student body
is waking up and learning how to walk and talk and stand and if need be – fight
back!
They say cut back . . .
WE SAY FIGHT BACK!
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