To Whom it May Concern, 

SUNY Fredonia has chosen to not replace Amy Schmitt’s secretarial position located in the School of Music.  Although this has been appealed and petitioned, due to budget challenges that the university is facing, there is currently no plan to replace the position.  The duties of the secretary in the school of music office is an integral part of recruitment, retention, and the well-being of students and faculty on a daily basis. The School of Music consists of five-hundred and fifty music students.  We are the largest department at SUNY Fredonia.  If Amy Schmitt did not leave, the position would still be filled for the foreseeable future and would continue to provide tours for prospective students, handle recital/concert programs, overrides, enter rehearsal/ensemble spaces, and piano tuning, in addition to other secretarial duties.  Currently, students have limited access to the EMS calendar which holds all class, club, rehearsal and ensemble rooms and times.  The School of Music is already struggling due to the decision to not replace the position formerly held by Amy Schmitt.  This cripples our ability to recruit prospective students, our morale, and the way the music school functions normally.  Without this position how will we retain, recruit, and assist our students without the proper support behind us.  This decision does not only affect the School of Music, but Fredonia as a whole.