We, the students of Columbia College Chicago, are writing to express our deep concern and disappointment regarding the recent cuts in the Art | Design Department that threaten the quality of education and the future of our beloved art school. It is unacceptable to raise tuition higher every year, while cutting essential resources for students during the academic year. We demand change, or financial compensation for the heightened tuition due to the extreme cuts and suffering of the student body.

Here are some of our major concerns:

Impact on Education: The budget cuts have already begun to affect our
educational experience. Reductions in resources and availability mean less open studio time to work on projects and assignments for class, hindering our ability to develop our artistic skills to their fullest potential.

Limited Resources: A decrease in funding for classes, available staff, studio space, and equipment will limit our ability to explore various mediums and techniques, ultimately stunting our artistic growth.

Loss of Programs: The discontinuation of certain programs and courses due to budget cuts deprives us of the opportunity to broaden our artistic horizons and explore new artistic avenues.

Impact on Reputation: The prestige of Columbia College Chicago is at risk if budget cuts lead to a decline in the quality of education and the school's ability to attract talented students and faculty- Especially when cutting classes that are offered and respected at other institutions.

This semester, without any warning, further cuts were made to the Fabrication Facility (due to budget) which forced a reduction in their hours and availability to students. In the past, the facilities were open from 8:00am-10:00pm Monday - Thursdays, 8:00am -5:30pm Fridays, and 9:00am-5:00pm Saturdays. This schedule allowed students many opportunities to use the space to work on their assignments and projects. For many students, the afternoons are the only available time they have to work on assignments as many classes take place in the mornings and afternoons before 5pm.  

Many students commute to school, often from suburbs more than an hour away. We have families, jobs, and lives outside of school. By reducing the hours of essential facilities and making cuts to our department you are giving us fewer opportunities to learn, grow and succeed. We would like to note that student worker hours (and budget) have also suffered due to the recent cuts. 

Additionally, we would like to express our concern over the discussion of possibly phasing out many Art | Design classes including Ceramics, Letterpress, Papermaking, Light Metals, and the reduction of Printmaking sections. Printmaking 1 and Ceramics are both classes that have continuously had long wait lists. It simply does not make sense to further reduce or completely eliminate such a popular and common class in many art schools. Papermaking is a practice that has long been becoming extinct in the art community, with very few papermaking studios being present in Chicago- and the rest of the United States. Without offering these kinds of historically important classes, Columbia is further progressing the vanishing of this sacred and celebrated craft.

It is well known that Columbia College Chicago has struggled with its retention rate throughout the years, and with these cuts it is no doubt that the drop-out rate will increase. According to collegefactual.com, “Approximately 2,006 students or 51% of the cohort did not complete their degree within eight years.” and “First-time / full-time students at Columbia College Chicago represent 57% of the students in the class of 2015, and 50.74% of Columbia bachelor's degree graduations. With a four-year graduation rate of 32%, first-time students in the Columbia class of 2015 who attended classes full-time were less likely than average to graduate on time.” This is lower than the national average. 

Students do not feel heard, supported, or protected. This letter is a representation of our frustration and disappointment towards these decisions. We mourn for the incoming classes, as they will not have the same opportunities as upcoming graduates but will be paying a much higher price. Our question to you is- Why should incoming Art | Design students even consider Columbia?

We understand the financial challenges faced by educational institutions, especially in difficult economic times. However, we urge you to explore alternative solutions to address these challenges without compromising the quality of education at Columbia College Chicago. We are willing to work collaboratively with the administration to find creative ways to counter this problem. We believe that by working together, we can find a way to protect the integrity of our school and ensure that future generations of artists can benefit from the exceptional education that Columbia has offered for many years. We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to a constructive dialogue that prioritizes the best interests of our school and its dedicated students.