Hello again Pres. Miller,

I know you’re probably frustrated again by my critiques but just bare with me; we’ll get through this together. I am writing to you (and the PRW) in response to the proposed curriculum changes for the ’17-’18 school year found in this weeks Oracle issue. Particularly I want to touch on two of the changes that I think will cause the most destruction on our campus. First of all, lowering the required art classes from two to one.

As you know art and the education behind it is very important to me and many people on campus. In an educational context, art gives students an experience that no other discipline can; freedom. You may think that art classes are just for majors, but I would argue the contrary. As an artist, I am going to take art course regardless of what I am required to take here at Hamline. I am making this argument for all of the non-art majors who experience art in this academic context. It gives them an opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone and truly express themselves. I’ve seen hypermasculine athletes break down the meaning behind their parent’s divorce (a very emotional tale). I’ve seen people suffering from severe anxiety flourish with a paintbrush or pencil in their hand. I’ve seen finance majors finally grasp onto something that brings meaning into their lives.

As an institution, Hamline should be making an effort to add a cultural value to art again, not diminish it. Shame on you.

Secondly, I would like to comment on the sunsetting of the Women’s Studies program. As an artist and social scientist, I find it rather odd that a University so “rooted in social justice” would choose to remove a program focused on one of the most marginalized demographics in the world. It is a rather absurd concept to me and the logic made by the PRW and Dean Kostihova does not seem sound in the slightest.

How dare this institution take in upon themselves to change what a liberal arts education is. If you’re going to kill it off, at least make it quick and painless. I suggest looking to the advice of many institutions that are already there; National American University and the University of Pheonix come to mind. After all, one of the most common phrases uttered by your students and faculty is “your paying for a piece of paper”.

With great acrimony,

Jacob Stordahl