Posted on 01/11/2026 4:40:20 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
In an undated post regarding admissions to graduate arts and sciences programs for the 2026–27 academic year, Boston University indicated that the history of art and architecture program was not admitting candidates, along with American studies, anthropology, religion, and romance studies programs. In November 2024, meanwhile, the school had already indicated that its department of the history of art and architecture would not accept Ph.D. students for the next academic year, according to a report from Inside Higher Education. In an email obtained by the publication, the heads of the College of Arts and Sciences, which includes the art history department, “pointed to increased costs associated with the union contract that graduate student workers won after their historic, nearly seven-month strike ended in October.”
But Inside Higher Education noted that there was an effort already underway before the union contract, as noted in an email obtained from deans, to “right-size” doctoral cohorts, “considering such factors as selectivity in admissions, student success, job prospects and placements, standing and reputation of the program, etc.” ...
The Harvard Crimson reported in October that the Faculty of Arts and Sciences would cut the number of Ph.D. student admissions in the arts and humanities division, which includes the department of the history of art and architecture, by about 60 percent for the next two years.
(Excerpt) Read more at artnews.com ...
Whatever works to get a girl.
:)
https://www.shortform.com/blog/colleges-shutting-down/
Why Small Colleges Are Closing
A combination of demographic shifts, financial pressures, and changing attitudes toward higher education is driving the trend:
Demographic decline. Private liberal arts institutions have seen enrollment steadily decreasing since its peak in the early 2000s, as fewer college-age students enter the pipeline.
Tuition dependence. Smaller schools depend heavily on tuition income, making them vulnerable to enrollment fluctuations.
Financial barriers. Annual expenses at private colleges now approach $56,000, while technical problems with federal financial aid applications have further limited students’ ability to afford college. This has pushed many toward less expensive public schools or alternative paths.
Value questions. While most Americans believe college is valuable, just 49% think the economic benefits justify the costs. As a result, many potential students are postponing attendance or seeking immediate employment.
Covid aftermath. Pandemic disruptions initially reduced college enrollment, while the end of federal Covid relief funding has increased challenges for financially stressed institutions.
The common factor seems to be money is getting tight.
......................
The shift away from college degree workplace requirements is gaining traction across the US:
– Eight states no longer require a college degree for many state government jobs.
– Apple, Google, Tesla, and IBM don’t require a four-year bachelor’s degree.
...........................
the above from the article is also interesting.
That movie was indeed a classic!
They can dip into their endowments.
L
One of those moments is among the most vivid memories of my years in the Zertifizierungslager. I came out of the session rather nicely - a few offhand critiques of my flyover hick appearance/demeanor notwithstanding - but it was public humiliation for much of the class. It was the first (and last) time I saw another student quietly weep in anguish over a professor's assessment.
After class, another guy came up and told me that if he were me he'd knock the prof on his ass for his smart remarks about my lack of sophistication. I replied that those observations about me were actually spot-on, and that the right thing for me to do would be to knock the prof on his ass for treating that girl like s**t. Looking back, I should have gone over to her after class and tried to lighten things up for her as best as I could... but as usual, I was too shy and diffident to do so.
“Hey Hey Ho Ho Western Civ has got to go!”
It was about preparing for the clergy or else law or medicine.
It's amazing to me that private universities with endowments larger than the GDP's of most countries get state funding at all.
From computer science and STEM majors who think that a degree in those fields will lead to a high-paying job. But in reality, those jobs are going to Indians, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, etc.
A lot of liberal arts colleges and universities are very close to closing. If you are thinking about buying their bonds, it's risky.
Yes by (Princess) Catherine, I meant Kate. :)
A course in Classical Music should be an option to fulfill a General Ed requirement, as a basic foundation class in Western Civilization.
It wouldn’t be about playing the music: but understanding it through the cultural context, the history, the spiritual themes, the lives of the composers, etc...
This is only way for Western Civilization to be preserved.
I took an art history course at NYU (decades ago before the wokeism was so off the charts). We’d study a set of paintings in the classroom, then go look at them in the museum.
Gave me some great insights to appreciating art, museums, old churches, etc.
Things like color, empty space, depth, light v. shadow, etc. historical milieu (clothing, furnishings,etc.) , physical aspects such as style, techniques and materials.
Yes, sounds like a good course
typo
Amex = tickets
Don’t know how that happened!
The idea that 50% of our students should be in college is absurd. Ten or more years ago at highly regarded universities many didn’t even understand decimals, much less algebra. Today many are not able to read. An article this week in Fortune magazine found that some students in college can’t even read.
“It wouldn’t be about playing the music: but understanding it through the cultural context, the history, the spiritual themes, the lives of the composers, etc...”
Maybe some of that. But to help you in life the most important facet is to understand (not necessarily play or sing) the theory, structure, form, math of the music. Write it. Read it. The other stuff is interesting, and could be studied on the side as elective, but secondary fluff.
Romance Studies?? What is that? How to write a romance novel?? Go to some of the websites dealing with romantic stories and you can learn how to write them.
Boy meet girl, girl plays hard to get, boy tries to impress her, they fall in love, get married have a family.Why you need a course on it... ??
Romance Studies have to do with Romance languages!
Romance studies or Romance philology is an academic discipline that covers the study of the languages, literatures, and cultures of areas that speak Romance languages. Romance studies departments usually include the study of Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. Additional areas of study include Romanian and Catalan, on one hand, and culture, history, and politics on the other hand. (Wiki)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.