300 Signatures Passed | Columbia's Values Not Being Followed by Administration

We have passed 300 signatures and are well on our way to having our voice heard. Let us all continue to share. Keep using social media as a megaphone for our voices. Continue to be loud. 

In the attached photo (taken from https://about.colum.edu/mission ) Columbia lists what their "purpose." Although, with the recent action taken at Columbia College Chicago they have shown that these "purposes" carry little weight.  

• "To educate students for creative occupations in diverse fields of the arts and media and to encourage awareness of their aesthetic relationship and the opportunity of professional choice among them"
  
  
  • "Diverse Fields" 
    • The Film and Television industry is full of hardworking individuals working in a variety of different positions. Progressing as one unit to create a piece of art. Although Columbia once did offer diverse education they have begun to penalize students in those diverse areas. This begs the question of why Columbia would claim to have these missions and values but then not uphold them later.
• "To extend educational opportunity by admitting unreservedly (at the undergraduate level) a student population with creative ability in, or inclination to, the subjects of Columbia's interest
  
  
  • This is perhaps the only purpose they follow through on. Columbia College Chicago does admit a fury of talented artists, although as their tenure continues the administration serves to alienate and diminish their education
• To provide a college climate that offers students an opportunity to try themselves out, to explore, and to discover what they can and want to do.
  
  • Columbia, has altogether removed this ability. Striking down their "climate" and limiting students classes thereby preventing them from not only finding their path but continuing down it. This is merely another example of how Columbia is not maintaining their promises to students, faculty, and staff
    
    
• To give educational emphasis to the work of a subject by providing a practical setting, professional facilities, and the example and guidance of an inventive faculty who work professionally at the subjects they teach;"
  
  • Columbia's "Emphasis" on practical setting has been slowly diminishing. Their once leadership in practical training has become whittled to the bare minimum. Further evidence that not even the Administration can maintain their own standards.
    
    
• "To teach students to do expertly the work they like, to master the crafts of their intended occupations, and to discover alternative opportunities to employ their talents in settings other than customary marketplaces;"
  
  • "Mastering their crafts" was once true at Columbia College Chicago, although this has sadly changed. The administration has formed a program that formed leaders in their fields. Now; however, the administration has decided to foment followers instead.
• "To help students to find out who they are and to discover their own voices,"
  
  • Columbia's effort to help students "discover their own voices" lacks in one key area, their professional voice. Columbia's failure to promote and provide key education in specific areas means that students are left without education in key areas leaving them with a weak or sometimes non existent professional voice.
    
    
• "To offer specialized graduate programs which combine a strong conceptual emphasis with practical professional education, preparing students with mature interests to be both competent artists and successful professionals."
  
  
  • Columbia College Chicago and their damaging restructuring have worked to create professionals that will not only be followers but struggle in their position. Columbia's decision to create disparity between fields means that students are prepared for professionalism but will now be left short missing key courses, and programs.