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Southern Oregon University: Focus On Expansion

Southern Oregon University is expanding horizons and growing in leaps and bounds. Three students were given the mission throughout this past term to investigate and explore issues contributing to and preventing growth as a whole. Retention, retrenchment, and enrollment were all looked at. Each student focused on a certain area, and they have now collaboratively formed a website designed to inform, educate, and enlighten. Articles, pictures, and videos all showcase the work we have done. Come expand your horizons with us at : http://souexpandinghorizons.tumblr.com

Center for the Arts has big plans for SOU and beyond

The Center for the Arts at Southern Oregon University has many plans that will be put into action in the near future, including increasing partnerships locally and statewide, creating a Shakespeare Institute, and further developing the organization of the center. Visual arts, emerging media and digital arts, creative writing, theatre, music, and dance have all been made a cohesive unit.

The short term goals for the center are focused on organization. Leadership has been identified in the creative and performing arts departments, and they meet weekly with faculty to discuss present and long range goals. This summer has been set aside as a planning period. The Shakespeare Institute, a partnership between Southern Oregon University and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, will be focused on the American perspective of Shakespeare. Those involved have been meeting for over a year and have begun to plan a national symposium for the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare, which will draw scholars, artists, and directors from around the world to share their different perspectives.

Other plans include increasing utilization of the partnership with OSF, planning next year's creative writing workshop, developing the theatre festival for the first week of the upcoming fall term, and establishing the center's position as a whole. Organization regarding how the center works together internally and what collaboration among faculty looks like is a main focus.

The center is working on officially establishing itself as the Oregon Center for the Arts to attract a broader range of students, professionals, and partnerships, and also with the hopes to draw in more resources to aid in it's expansion. The high amount of talent at SOU can assist the arts organizations in the community, and in turn the organizations assist the students. The center is looking to connect with organizations across the state and draw on the wide variety of cultural resources available across Oregon.

“Our goal is to nurture, train, educate, celebrate, and honor Oregon artists. We do that by our academic areas, presenting areas, producing areas, and partnerships,” said Center for the Arts Director David Humphrey.

Courses will be evaluated to determine which are most helpful and how the different disciplines can work together to create a new experience for students. Many students come into college with one area of discipline. The center gives them the opportunity to explore various interests and talents that they would otherwise not have. Another exciting plan in the works is combining a music degree with business. The business and music departments are working together to create the opportunity to earn a BA in music, and with an additional year have an MBA, which is critical when looking to get hired out of college.

The center has aspirations for students to pursue arts well outside of SOU and even Oregon. Connecting with organizations and corporations nation and even worldwide, such as Pixar, could provide amazing opportunities. The process has begun right here in Ashland, Oregon.

Enrollment, Tuition, and Funding: Southern Oregon University's Story

While there has been a consistent trend toward student enrollment growth and higher tuition payments, Southern Oregon University's financial situation has remained a cause for concern for many years. The difficult financial state has prevailed due to a lack of state funding.

Since the 2008-2009 school year, funds have been steadily cut by almost $5 million. The year prior, SOU went through retrenchment and was given over $2 million less. Eight years later, the university is enduring another retrenchment in response to the slashing of funds. Student enrollment has been slowly declining since 2012. In an effort to maintain the budget, tuition has continued to increase. With the general funding declining, it is not possible to maintain the budget with the current enrollment and tuition. The result was a re-organization of departments, program cuts, and faculty dismissals.

I spoke to a few students about concerns over tuition and enrollment. Many were surprised to learn that enrollment has been rising for the most part over the past eight years, and that despite that, tuition is still increasing.

Junior accounting major Donna Freeman was under the impression that retrenchment occurred because of decreased student enrollment.

“I thought programs were being cut and faculty let go because there is a lack of students, thus a lack of money coming into the university. Its interesting to hear that despite our tuition going up and enrollment staying mostly the same, we are still having a lot of issues,” Freeman said.

It may not be clear to all students where the money comes from. Tuition is only a part of the school's funding. The majority comes from the state, which is declining at an alarming pace. Without adequate funding, the university will not be able to sustain the current student enrollment, and who knows what will happen if tuition skyrockets even more.

While some majors and minors were cut, other departments have come together in order bring diversity and growth to SOU. There can be positive sides to the dreaded term retrenchment. The Center for the Arts is the combining of visual arts, creative writing, theatre arts, music, and emerging and digital media. The center is a way to bring various students and faculty of these departments together in collaboration of creative developments. While the restructuring of SOU is a painful transition for some, coming together for a greater good of the university can be a positive outcome.

The financial state of SOU is something that cannot be ignored. A few short months ago, students traveled to Salem and participated in campaigning for more funds. While the $500,00 was hard-earned and helpful, it was a mere dent in the big picture. Students and faculty alike can continue to rally together in the cause for funding. It may be a long road, but it's not impossible.

Retrenchment was examined through data as art in Eden Redmond's capstone project that she presented as part of the 7th annual SOAR at Southern Oregon University on Thursday, May 15. SOAR, Southern Oregon Arts and Research, is a week-long celebration of faculty and student research and artistic activity. A wide array of activities and presentations included over 800 student and faculty presenters this year. Events included dance and music performances, panel discussions, art exhibits, and live demonstrations.

Redmond evaluated the value differences between students and administrators at SOU by using the Critical Discourse Analysis method and art as her medium. She put together a visual arts show that was exhibited last month in the Retzlaff Gallery. Her focus was the social practice of art making, which was demonstrated by providing a context where people could share dialogue and where the dialogue itself was art. The notion that students and faculty seemed to have little information on what retrenchment meant, that information was coming from rumors, and the general disconnect on the topic prompted Redmond to provide an environment of reciprocal listening.

She set up three separate pieces in the gallery, each with a specific focus. Four ballot boxes were categorized according to the SOU commitments, and asked participants to say whether or not their values lined up with those of the commitments designated in the particular box. There was also an unedited one hour video presentation of an interview with SOU President Mary Cullinan. The final piece asked participants to write down what their personal mission statement was while at SOU, with the SOU mission statement present and as a reference point. To Redmond's surprise, the results of this exercise were casual in tone. At this point, she collaborated with Professor Jody Waters, Department Chair of Communications Studies, and engaged in critical discourse analysis.

Waters explained critical discourse analysis in laymens terms. Pulling apart the written responses to the mission statement question in search of depth and meaning was the sole purpose. Redmond's exhibit was a bold form of activism at it's finest, and showed that words and images create us. It is quite impossible to isolate text from the context it is being written or spoken in. Text was created by participants within a confined set space. That space was created with a specific purpose in mind, which left the participant no choice but to succumb to the structure of the exhibit. They looked at how space, writing style, margins, and how the space was used overall as analysis.

This project brought incredible insight into the disconnect and misunderstandings of what retrenchment means and how it affects both students and faculty. Redmond is certainly applauded for her courage, determination, and insight into a controversial topic.

Southern Oregon University Tuition and Enrollment

Despite Southern Oregon University's gradual raise in tuition over the last five years, enrollment has not gone down as drastically. In fact, the enrollment was steadily increasing from 2008 to 2012, then saw a drop in the incoming class of 2012. Some students may have the misconception that the retrenchment process of the university was due to drop in enrollment, yet that is not necessarily the case.

In the 2008-2009 school year, the resident undergraduate tuition for 15 credits was $1,442. With a steady increase over the following years, it reached $2,061 but the 2012-2013 year. SOU, despite what some may believe, has been growing the past few years. In 2008-2009, the total enrollment was 5,082 students, which increased over the next four years to 6,744. Going into 2012-2013, there was a drop to 6,481, but hardly enough to make a dent.

I spoke to a few students about concerns over tuition and enrollment. Many were surprised to learn that enrollment has been rising for the most part over the past five years, and that despite that, tuition is still increasing.

Junior accounting major Donna Freeman was under the impression that retrenchment occurred because of decreased student enrollment.

Those issues seem to be more related to how the universities money is spent. The restructuring of departments does not have to be viewed as a negative thing. While some majors and minors were cut, other departments have come together in order bring diversity and growth to SOU. The Center for the Arts is the combining of visual arts, creative writing, theatre arts, music, and emerging and digital media. The center is a way to bring various students and faculty of these departments together in collaboration of creative developments. While the restructuring of SOU is a painful transition for some, coming together for a greater good of the university can be a positive outcome.

Dr. Alissa Arp, Biology professor and former Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Oregon University, was an integral part of the formation of the Center for the Arts. As dean, Arp took note that there many talented individuals in separate areas that were unaware of others with equal talent. The integration of these specialties, for both student and faculty, would provide an opportunity for growth and learning.

"It became clear that there was a desire to have a greater integration across the campus, in particular for students. Students were looking for ways to connect their experience and have it be more meaningful", said Arp.

The Center for the Arts combines visual arts, emerging media and digital arts, creative arts, theatre, and music.

Junior Southern Oregon University student Faisal Alotaibi comments on President Mary Cullinan's interview with Youngstown State University and potential departure from SOU.

Center for the Arts: Focus on Theatre

The Theatre Arts department at Southern Oregon University is now a part of the Center for the Arts, which includes music, visual arts, creative writing, and emerging media and digital arts (EMDA). The collaboration of these departments in to one division will likely bring diversity and growth to the university as a whole. The theatre arts department is the longest standing Oregon University System institution to offer the pre-professional Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre.

A process of growth and change is happening in the department in several ways. They were prepared to lose an entire faculty line due to retrenchment, but were able to evade that problem. They are in the middle of re-organizing the core performance production program, which kept faculty loss to a minimum. One half-time permanent position was lost who taught and supervised theatre. The main issue now is having enough staff to support all the programs offered. The department's funds come from combination of self-support that support the staff and general funds. As of now, the details of the self-support funds are still being worked out.

Eric Levine, Coordinator of Theatre Arts and Director of Theatre Education, is excited about the programs coming together.

“One of the things about retrenchment, regardless of how horrible it is, it brings different departments together to try and solve problems. The center, over the years, is gonna grow in terms of not just students, but in terms of what our interests are,” Levine said.

The students are learning how their skills can interact and what they need to know to be 21st century artists. The theatre department will soon begin displaying visual art in their lobby. This will enable audiences who come to see a production to be exposed to art they may not otherwise see, and perhaps spark their interests. The student and audience crossing of the arts is a way to broaden the center's overall interest and support for all forms of art.

Retrenchment has also allowed for an additional 10 students in the program. The department was limited to 65 last year. While there is room this year for 85, they will probably keep it to 75. Size limits have to do with the ablity to adequately help the students, not necessarily talent. Levine believes there is value in all different talent levels and the goal is to introduce theatre as a whole to students. They would take all applicants if they could, but that isn't possible. Students not accepted have the opportunity to begin general education requirements and apply the following year, which many do.

The department has a one-on-one post BFA internship program with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). Typically, 10 to 15 students are accepted each year, and some go on to work for the company after. Along with OSF staff teaching courses, this is a great avenue for students to get recognized in the professional theatre realm.

The next big step for the department will come with a remodel in 2015, which will house not only more space but an entire new floor. They are growing in scope as a department and positive things are on the horizon.

Performing Arts Help Raise Student Enrollment

Southern Oregon University is looking for any means possible to help raise student enrollment numbers. The process of retrenchment has led to program and faculty cuts that have impacted the university as a whole. Ashland is nationally known for it's colorful array of theater art productions and brings in countless tourists every year for that very reason. The theater arts in the community and at SOU are significant attractions to the university and can help increase student enrollment.

SOU is the longest standing Oregon University System institution to offer the preprofessional Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre. The program is unique to the West coast in that it focuses entirely on undergraduate students, and gives them the opportunity to work directly with professionals involved with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

The Performing Arts Department at SOU now includes both music and theatre arts. This change provides a broader range of opportunities for students and helps create a larger platform to the community. Theatre student Tashina Stillmaker said that since she has been at SOU, the procedures for getting into the department have become more selective because of the growing interest in the program.

“It helps by gaining recognition for being a destination school for theatre being close to OSF and having a good, working relationship with them. It is a highly selective program that brings in audiences for high caliber productions”, Stillmaker said.

With the music and theatre departments working together, it is likely to attract students with interests in both to the University. Stillmaker said she loves being in the department that is full of talented and driven people. Those gifted people have the ability to certainly catch the eye of local professional theatres, such as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Oregon Cabaret.

The OSF is a non-profit professional theatre company that was founded in 1935. The Tony Award-winning theatre attracts people from across the nation. Students pursuing a degree in theatre at SOU get the unique experience of working closely with this organization. The Oregon Cabaret is another attraction to the Ashland area that puts on high quality productions and has a nationwide reputation for excellence.

Southern Oregon University student Kyle Crebbin enjoys some hot soup on a rainy April day. He thinks that retrenchment is definitely the most pressing issue at SOU right now. In order to attempt to raise student enrollment, emphasis needs to be put on the University's unique programs and strengths. Identifying what those strengths are is the first step in attracting incoming students. Kyle didn't personally have any comments as to what sets SOU apart. Perhaps the next step is research into what exactly makes this institution desireable and worth looking into.

SOU Enrollment Services Center (ESC) is located in Britt Hall on campus and is a one-stop resources for many things, including academic services, financial aid, and student accounts. If you are a transfer student, like Helena (seen above) who transferred from College of the Siskiyous, the ESC can help with smoothly transferring schools. SOU has a large population of transfer students. According to "The Chronicle of Higher Education", a report done in 2012 showed that one-third of students transfer before graduating. There will be more in the upcoming weeks on the growth, or lack thereof, of SOU enrollment and what is being done, if anything, to raise that number.

kristintoussaint

Finally, stories are our soul; so write and edit and tell yours with your whole selves. Tell them as if they are all that matters, for if that is what you do—tell our collective stories—it matters that you do it as if that is all there is. I’ve told many stories in my life. I’ve told my own as a reporter and I’ve midwifed several more and more beautiful ones as an editor, and I feel I’m only just beginning to understand their power and purpose and how to do them justice.

Jacqui Banaszynski on Why We Need Stories (via kristintoussaint)

marymhuber

What I have learned about writing as a journalist: Simplicity is best. Write it how you would write it and then cut out half the words.

The Everygirl Career profiles: Seventeen Magazine Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket

For the young women out there with a passion for journalism and a desire to pursue a career in it, what advice can you give them?

Ann Shoket: I give young women two pieces of advice from my own experience: work at a start-up (like I did at CosmoGIRL! and my site Tagmag.com)! You get a chance to do a little bit of everything, and there's nothing more fulfilling than building a business from the ground up. Then work at a legendary brand (like Seventeen). It's an amazing feeling to work for such an icon with such tremendous history and that legacy opens a lot of doors and allows you to make your biggest ideas happen.

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