U OF S PROGRAM ON PAUSE
Faculty shortage in art history
Jen Schier says she was “shocked and disappointed” to learn that her former art history program at the University of Saskatchewan had stopped accepting new students because of a shortage of faculty members.
Schier, who recently returned to Saskatoon from British Columbia to finish up her degree, said no one emailed her about the change, and she found out when she started registering for classes.
“I think that it’s just such a shame, because Saskatoon is known as an artistic place and it’s important we have those options here for those students,” Schier said Tuesday afternoon in an interview.
“You want to build up Saskatoon to be known for something, not take away the little bit it does have. I just hope that in the next few years they ’ll be able to bounce back and build up the program again.”
A note on the department’s website states that the program is “under review,” and while no new students will be accepted for the current school year, those already accepted as majors “will be allowed to complete the program.”
Acting department head of art and art history Brent Nelson said the decision to put the program “on pause” was made last year after two faculty members announced their retirements with no guarantees about replacements.
“When two people in a smaller department retire, that’s a big impact. This is mostly about just hitting pause and making sure we can continue to offer the program,” he said.
While it is not clear how many prospective art history majors will be affected by the department’s decision, Nelson said it remains “business as usual” for those already enrolled in the program.
“I hope it’s a one-year thing,” Nelson said, adding that the department plans to continue offering introductory art history classes.
Jayda Jesse, a second-year student who serves as the Arts and Science Students Union’s vicepresident external, said she considered majoring in art history this summer before learning it was no longer an option.
Like Schier, she did not receive any notification from the university, she said.
“It’s not the biggest department on campus; not that many people know about it. But certainly I do and lots of other people that I’m sure are involved in art history and history in general will probably be sad if it’s gone. I’m hoping it doesn’t come to that.”
While the College of Arts & Science — the department’s parent organization on campus — has been “very supportive,” it remains unclear when the hiring of new faculty will be approved, Nelson said.
Schier said she recently withdrew from the program because it didn’t allow her to concentrate on renaissance art, and is considering finishing up at the University of Calgary.
She said the department offered her the option of taking University of Manitoba courses by correspondence while remaining enrolled at the U of S, but moving to a new school is likely preferable.
“It’s such a shame,” she said of the decision to stop admitting students.