On May 6th, 2024, St. Cloud State University administrators, Provost Abbey Zink and Acting President Larry Lee, announced significant budget cuts to academic programs and faculty across campus. Unfortunately, the Department of Music was hit with massive and disproportionate cuts compared to other programs within the university. The proposed changes would mean the end of the St. Cloud State University Music Department and all of its programs: BA in Music, BM in Music Performance, BS in K-12 Music Education, BS in Music Therapy (set to launch Fall 2025), and minor in Music. It is assumed that ensemble musical groups such as choirs, bands, and orchestras would also not survive.

The Music Department at SCSU has positively impacted the lives of so many, not only current students and alumni that have participated in their offered ensembles or coursework, but also their students who have learned from these individuals and audience members who have attended performance and supported the arts. Newly appointed administration at SCSU has no idea how much Music @ SCSU has shaped the arts and culture in Central Minnesota and beyond.

It's go time, folks. We have a short turn around time to act and ensure that the currently-proposed cuts do not become finalized, thus leading to the end of the St. Cloud State University Music Department. Please utilize this platform to share your story. 

In addition to this petition, we have also been encouraged to email administrators to share our stories. I will be including the link to the petition in my email. Here is the contact information:

Provost Abbey Zink: abbey.zink@stcloudstate.edu
Acting President Larry Lee: larry.lee@stcloudstate.edu
MN State Chancellor Scott Olson: chancellor@minnstate.edu