The WTAMU dance program has been granted a two-year temporary exemption of termination by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
According to Dr. James Hallmark, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the exemption was granted before the University was to appear before the Coordinating Board to defend itself.
“We were operating under the assumption that the president, Dr. O’Brien, or [I] would have to appear before the Coordinating Board and argue our case,” Hallmark said. “I received the memo giving us the instructions to appear Oct. 12, but the attachment revealed that dance had been granted a two-year temporary exemption.”Dr. Robert Hansen, department head of Art, Theatre, and Dance, feels that the University was able to successfully convince the THECB that the dance program’s low producing status was a “temporary glitch” and when the Coordinating Board reviews the program again in two years, the program will be “off the radar.”
One of the major defenses that helped the dance program’s argument was its recent successful recruitment, its strong upward trajectory and the high retention rates in the program.
“Because of the success in new recruits, we were able to project that we will be in compliance with the minimum number of graduates,” Hansen said.
Despite the projected number of graduates, successful recruitment must continue in order to meet the requirements of the Coordinating Board in the next two years.
“During this time, the program needs to continue its successful recruiting program,” said Dr. Jessica Mallard, interim dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities. “As long as the program continues to recruit, retain and graduate majors, things should work out.”
Perhaps the strongest defense of the dance program is its ties to the community.
“The impact of dance in cultural life in the panhandle was very convincing to the committee,” Hansen said. “The TEXAS Musical Drama and Lone Star Ballet would be severely impacted if the dance program didn’t exist.”
Hansen feels that the dance program’s connection to TEXAS had the strongest impact to the Coordinating Board because the musical is recognized statewide as a significant part of Texas culture.
“The fine and performing arts are central to our history, to our region, and are essential to the cultural health of our community and University,” Hallmark said.
He said he supports the Board’s efforts to eliminate some programs, but there are some programs that should be kept regardless of producing the minimum number of graduates. He believes dance is one of those programs.
Hallmark feels that the strong efforts of the dance program “[warranted] giving them a chance to turn things around” and the Coordinating Board made the right decision.
“It is great to see that such a valuable and important program to the region will be given the chance to flourish,” Mallard said.
