Review report commends and cites concerns for art department

The art department needs to review its grading policies, especially final grades for studio and art history classes, said the Faculty Senate Program Review Committee.

Faculty workload may be uneven and unequal, and some professors are not available to advise students, the committee said, also recommending the department take attendance at meetings.

Last month the committee sent a lengthy review of the Art to William J. Sullivan, dean of the College of Arts and Letters. John Driesbach, art department chair, received 44 recommendations from the committee.

First and foremost, the committee is requiring the department to develop a formal academic plan, and recommended hiring an outside facilitator for this task.

While the committee commended the department for initiating improvements to the advising program, the report made it clear that the Art department hasn’t gone far enough, and asked it to call Town Hall meetings and revamp the student evaluation process.

And, while the General Education Committee is reviewing every department for compliance, the Art department will be required to submit its art courses for GE approval. The committee also requested class content be checked against syllabi every semester.

The committee identified a need for a credential program that would take only four and a half years to complete, and an option for a bachelor’s degree in art history.

Many recommendations concerned updating department facilities — a new art building, renovations to the studios, including climate control, a new computer lab designed for art studies, updating the slide library and more and better-equipped faculty offices.

“It should come as no surprise to the administration that fitting artists into an administrative structure is somewhat like herding cats,” Driesbach said.

He cited a report from the National Association of Art and Design Schools, an accreditation company which stated that the process, especially in art, is far more important than the outcome. But, did admit some things need to be improved.

“The PRC was appalled by the studio,” an old Fish and Game warehouse, Driesbach said, because there is no climate control and it is rather dirty. “But for artists, it’s a desirable facility.”

Dr. Cecilia Gray, associated vice president of academic affairs, said she will work with the department to help make the changes requested. She expects to receive a progress report in two years.

Although Driesbach seemed unworried about the review, Gray insisted the department “can’t blow off the process.”

The department chair is held accountable to see that the recommended changes are carried out

Gray also said that the dean gets to see the report both before and after it is reviewed by President Donald Gerth. “It’s their opportunity to respond,” she said.