We are Fine Arts students at Kean University. We have come to Kean for "world class education" provided by renowned Fine Arts and Art History faculty who are recognized on a global scale. Despite efforts of the faculty, we have all noticed deteriorating conditions of the facilities and equipment. We and our peers persevere and go on to participate in community projects, public art installations, notable exhibitions, competitive internships, and world recognized graduate programs. We came to Kean for smaller class sizes and involved faculty. The campus has facilities such as dark room, print shop, ceramic shop, metal shop and sculpture shop not available at other universities. They are now slowly falling into disrepair due to negligence from the university. 

There are five art galleries at Kean and two are in Vaughn Eames- the Fine Arts building. The students are allowed to use only one of the galleries, which is also the smallest, while the remaining four are for 'real artists'. This makes many students feel restricted as to what we can show and that Kean does not consider us real artists. We are part of Kean legacy and we deserve the respect and attention- we want the university, not just the Fine Arts, to recognize our work and come support our shows.

A few of us decided to start an art club two years ago that would strengthen peer support and build an art community on campus. This club combines artists and art appreciates in hope of creating a safe haven for everyone to express themselves, or sit back and relax. In the club we like to help each other out by pushing one another whether it's through homework, personal projects, or things outside of the arts. For art majors and minors, the club has served as additional support beyond the classroom and Kean itself. During meetings the poor conditions of the studios, as previously mentioned, come up in conversation frequently. 

Over the winter break, we have learned of retrenchment of Art History Faculty and cancellation of multiple sections of Art History classes- after the courses were already paid for. The program brings in money for the school and serves thousands of students. We are appalled that the caps for class sizes were nearly doubled, making them harder to fill and forces them to be cancelled. We feel marginalized by the university with disregard for our needs and achievements. We ask for support and respect for us as students of the fine arts and history, and recognition of the cultural importance of these areas of study. After all, how can art be taught without knowing the history that came before?