University of the Arts abruptly cancels afternoon town hall intended to address closure
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — University of the Arts student organizers continued to fight for answers Tuesday after the school canceled a town hall intended to provide answers following Friday's announcement of its sudden closure.
Students demonstrated on the steps of Hamilton Hall on Tuesday. After a colorful, musical protest Monday, students said they're left feeling empty.
"[I feel] numb right now," said Michael Pacio Ximil, a film major who was expecting to continue their studies next year. "I don't know what the future is going to look like, so it's like, 'What can I feel? Can I feel sadness?' Because I still want hope for the school."
Rayne Smith, a 2023 graduate of UArts, said they want University administrators to meet with them, in person.
"Our number one demand at the moment is that the university meets with us, that they agree to a town hall to answer our questions," Smith said. "It was disgraceful to cancel the virtual town hall. It was disgraceful for it to be virtual as someone whose entire freshman year of college was online.
On Monday afternoon, the school canceled a town hall, sending an email to students and staff reading, in part:
"University of the Arts regrets to inform you that we must cancel our virtual information session scheduled for 4 p.m. We know you are heartbroken and frustrated about our impending closure on Friday, June 7. As the situation continues to unfold rapidly, we cannot adequately answer your questions today."
United Academics of Philadelphia, the union representing faculty and staff, provided a statement addressing the cancellation of the town hall.
"We are profoundly disappointed by the continued lack of integrity and transparency from University of the Arts President Kerry Walk, Board Chair Judson Aaron, and the UArts Board of Trustees. Our union will begin impact bargaining with the University this Tuesday, June 4 to compel President Walk and senior university administrators to meet their contractual and moral obligations to all faculty and staff union members. We expect UArts management to share detailed accounts of the financial circumstances that led to the imminent closure of such a historic and valuable institution."
The cancellation of the town hall came on the heels of a large demonstration on South Broad Street Monday afternoon, where students and alumni gathered to process their emotions about their sudden loss. Jilian Sander, who was going to be a senior at UArts, said she doesn't have any plans for the coming fall.
"I just want to graduate with the people I've worked with for three years. We're trying to stay together, but it's probably not possible," Sander said.
Sander, who majored in 3D animation with a minor in sculpture, said she showed up to the demonstration to find solidarity among fellow students.
"We're not here for hate," she said. "We're here to advocate for ourselves and tell everyone that we're worth saving and be together for possibly the last time."
"This protest is more than just a protest, but us being here for each other because if we don't have anyone, we have each other," student Aaliyah Fisher said.
Some staff, students and parents said they found out the school was closing through news reports.
"I don't want us as a community to give up and take whatever is being shared with us, which is little at face value. Support our kids and fight for them," parent Leah Young said.
Associate Professor and Program Director for Animation Chris McDonnell said the university holds a special place in the heart of the city.
"The fact that this … almost 150-year-old institution is shuttering with no warning at all — it's unthinkable and irreplaceable," McDonnell said. "You can't build a new institution like this."
CBS News Philadelphia has contacted the University of the Arts for comment and is waiting to hear back.
Alex McFadden, who just graduated with a degree in screenwriting, said he didn't see it coming. He said he couldn't believe he was part of the last graduating class.
"I feel like I escaped from a burning building that I didn't even know was burning," he said.
