AU will soon announce the termination of the master's dance program from the Department of Performing Arts roster, in order to further focus on the undergraduate dance program. Though the natural reaction among students tends to be indignation toward the administration for cutting something, we feel the University's decision makes sense. The master's dance program is not an impressive one and doesn't do much for the University. It makes more sense to build up the undergraduate program, with an eye toward reinstating the graduate program down the line when AU's dance program is more impressive overall.
While the cut harkens back somewhat to the sports team cuts earlier this month, it's important to note that our anger toward AU Athletics was not for the cuts themselves but for the poor communication AU employed in making the decision.
Three years ago, AU Athletics nearly cut the wrestling team. It was only after alumni stepped in and raised funds that the team was allowed to remain. So there is a precedent for a team raising enough money to keep going, which should offer hope to the tennis and golf teams.
However, the wrestling team was a different situation in that it was able to streamline and become a national powerhouse program. Tennis and golf will not be able to do so, because they are so prevalent throughout universities nationwide. Wrestling - along with field hockey, arguably AU's only other national powerhouse team - are not huge nationwide sports, so AU is able to be a big fish in a small pond, so to speak.
It's interesting and almost inspiring to see the administration actually taking steps to follow the policies it set forth. AU has long spoke of the goal of getting smaller and more elite, and it's easy to be cynical about its ability to achieve that. The cutting of the sports teams and master's dance program, as well as the success of the wrestling program, are moves that actually fit the planned course of AU's future.
By the way, congratulations to AU wrestler Daniel Waters on becoming AU's first wrestling All-American in team history, and congratulations to coach Mark Cody and the entire team for one of the most successful seasons in AU wrestling history.
