PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

In response to the Watkins College of Art and Belmont University merger announcement made Tuesday, January 28th and in continuation of the Change.org petition initiated on January 29th, the Watkins Community has launched an initiative, Save Watkins.

Today (February 4, 2020 at 10:30am CST), our students and alumni organized a sit-in protest at Watkins within the administrative hallway. Students were quickly asked to leave the administrative hallway and later moved to the interior hallway. As of a few minutes ago, students were told they did not receive approval from the Student Life Director for the protest per a "48-hour advance notice protest policy". Our protest efforts have moved outdoors where our community continues to demand transparency. 

Save Watkins Mission Statement:

Save Watkins is a collective of Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni of the Watkins College of Art. Our mission is to secure a safe and open environment for Watkins Students to express themselves without fear of being censored. This may manifest as securing the funding to keep the Watkins College of Art open in its current form, changing existing policies at Belmont, or working towards a partnership with a different institution. We stand united in the following demands.

1. Deliver the written deal discussed between the Board of Trustees of the Watkins College of Art, and the Board of Trustees at Belmont University in writing. We also demand that the minutes to the meetings where these deals were agreed upon must be delivered to us. We have the right to know what was discussed behind closed doors.

2. Dr. J Kline is to step down as President of Watkins College of Art immediately. Kline's lack of transparency with the Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni regarding the financial situation of the school is grounds for his immediate dismissal. He may also not be offered a role in the transition team if the college is to be absorbed by Belmont. The students shall elect a member of the faculty to represent them throughout this process.

3. The President of Belmont, Dr. Robert Fisher, must make a statement affirming the rights of LGBTQ+ people. Not just at Belmont, but everywhere. Fisher must also put forth a plan of action to ensure the safety of these students at Belmont University.

4. The Board of Trustees must set a time and date for a town hall with the Students, Faculty, Staff, and Alumni of the Watkins College of Art. At this meeting, the Board must answer all questions put forth by those in attendance.

5. If the Watkins College of Art is to be absorbed by Belmont University then Belmont University must keep its promise to honor current Watkins student’s tuition and their scholarships. This promise, along with the many others that were made to the students, must be delivered in writing ASAP.

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#savewatkins #watkinsstrong #watkinscollege 

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