Save Watkins is at a critical point and we have another hearing soon. Support our continued legal efforts here.

Many want to know, as the semester draws to a close and Watkins commissioners grip tight to the Watkins/Belmont deal, WHAT DO WE WANT? We continue pressing for negotiation. This is what we want... (in addition to the items already outlined in the change.org/savewatkins petition.)

Remaining demands for Watkins at Belmont
TRANSPARENCY
- The deal, submitted and approved by the Attorney General for Watkins to “merge” with Belmont is made a public document.
- 2019 Watkins Consultant Reports are made public.

Undergraduate Students
CURRICULUM
- The curriculum needs to emphasize the same amount of rigor and depth as Watkins current requirements. The coursebook for 2019-2020 available here.
- A curriculum committee needs to be formed (of at least 3 individuals), with a chairperson from Watkins, overseeing course accuracy and equivalence for each active major (undergraduate and graduate) that is offered by Watkins at the time of the merger. This chairperson cannot be a person from Belmont.
- BELLCORE curriculum must not apply to students within the art program, which is Watkins College of Art at Belmont.
-Watkins students must be offered an opportunity to graduate “on track.”  Any additional courses or semesters required to graduate as brought on by the Watkins/Belmont merger shall be fully financially covered by Belmont.
- At least one block of courses should be made available for Watkins students wishing to draw and/or sculpt from the nude figure.

CENSORSHIP, STUDENT RIGHTS
- Watkins at Belmont students shall be held to the censorship policies outlined in the 2019-2020 Watkins Student Handbook.
“Students, faculty, and staff form a very special, friendly, and supportive community at Watkins, all dedicated to excellence in the visual arts. Open and free communication is encouraged. Members of the community respect each other and treat each other with kindness and dignity. Conflict is resolved in a direct, fair, and sensitive manner. Abusive and intimidating communication and behavior are not permitted. Freedom of expression and academic honesty are core values throughout the institution. Diversity is valued; differences in perspective, lifestyle, and philosophy are respected. Watkins College of Art makes no distinction in its employment, contracting, or admissions policies or procedures, including the awarding of scholarships and other forms of financial assistance, on the basis of age, sex, religion, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, or disability. Watkins welcomes students, faculty, and staff of all ages, ethnicities, and cultures. Students come from across the nation and from a small but growing number of international countries. Every effort is made to create a safe and secure learning and living environment for students.”
- The Watkins at Belmont Code of Conduct policy shall be coordinated with the aforementioned committee.

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
- Watkins at Belmont students are permitted to establish a student government. Ensuring that the identity of the student body and history of the institution are maintained within the walls of Belmont.
- Watkins Artist Collective - “a student and artist collective which regularly meets to discuss contemporary art, initiatives for alternative exhibitions, and alternative art-making methods and studio practice. In addition to their meetings, the group invites artists and speakers from the community to present their work and lecture” is financially supported and continued at Belmont.

Graduate Students
- Any MFA program that is offered at Watkins College of Art currently must be transferred to Watkins College of Art at Belmont.
- Watkins students must be offered an opportunity to graduate “on track.” Any additional courses or semesters required to graduate as brought on by the Watkins/Belmont merger shall be fully covered by Belmont.
- Points outlined above regarding curriculum, censorship, student rights, clubs & organizations apply to graduate students as well.

Financial Aid
- Watkins College of Art at Belmont students must be eligible to receive a parallel amount of financial aid (or more) than what they would receive at Watkins (before the merger). Since Belmont is a larger institution, students in the Watkins College of Art at Belmont students should not be penalized pertaining to financial aid eligibility based on the size of the institution.

- Housing costs for Watkins Students who decide to live on campus shall pay the current Watkins housing rate of $6,850 not Belmont’s current rate of $12,890.
 - Tuition rates for Watkins at Belmont students (including Watkins students that are forced to transfer to the Belmont Film School and O’more School) are charged Watkins current rate tuition ($22,800). This rate is subject to no more than a 3% annual increase.
- Watkins College of Art at Belmont will offer a full-tuition scholarship to (2) Nashville School of the Arts graduates.

Faculty & Staff
Severance Packages
- All (full-time and part-time) current faculty and staff at Watkins College of Art shall be offered a severance package for the summer 2020 and fall 2020 semesters. This pay shall be consistent with the current earnings of these individuals on a semester basis.
- A health care plan shall also be made available within the severance package.
- The severance package offer presented to full-time faculty and staff on February 26, 2020, shall be honored regardless of the "deal" outcome between Belmont and Watkins.
- All current faculty at Watkins College of Art are interviewed for positions at Watkins College of Art at Belmont, provided the faculty submits their resume for consideration.
- Watkins at Belmont Faculty & Staff are held to the grading and censorship policies as currently established at Watkins.

Watkins College of Art Legacy
- Watkins College of Art at Belmont will be branded as such and will include the history of Watkins Institute on the website as well as in printed publications for recruitment.
- Watkins College of Art at Belmont will retain the complete archives of Watkins Institute, and they shall be housed in the special collections department of the Belmont Library. These archives will be available to view at the Belmont Library, according to the Special Collection guidelines.
- The Watkins Insitute Art Collection shall be carried over to the Watkins at Belmont facilities intact and not liquidated for Belmont profit.
Artworks within the Watkins Collection shall be given exhibition space.

Alumni
- Alumni of Watkins College of Art before the Belmont acquisition will retain their current benefits
- Alumni who have completed a baccalaureate program at Watkins may take up to two degree-program classes — one per semester — tuition-free, on a space-available basis, within two years of their graduation date. Alumni will be responsible for any fees associated with the classes. - Registration will take place each semester after degree-program, certificate, and regular special-status students have completed the registration process. Alumni may choose either to audit or enroll in courses for college credit.
- Alumni from Watkins will have access to the Belmont Career and Professional Development Office and be able to engage in all of the services offered therein.
- Belmont must communicate these alumni benefits to Watkins alumni through multiple channels, including personal mailings, email, social media, and website presence.

Outreach
- Re-focus Watkins at Belmont on the original mission of Samuel Watkins, “the youth of Nashville”.
- Establish relationships with public and local art high schools for pre-college opportunities exhibition opportunities with Watkins at Belmont college students and faculty.

Watkins Leadership
- The current Watkins Commissioners should be fired by the state and replaced by Commissioners that have higher education backgrounds. The State Senator and Representative for the district should be consulted during this new hire process. The law should be changed to add term limits for the Commissioners.
- The bylaws of the Watkins (at Belmont) nonprofit shall be modified to clarify the roles and the powers of the board members vs. the Commissioners.