Observer, Volume 16, Number 18, Thursday May 25 1995

Faculty Meetings


Conservatory divisions may offer master's degrees

For the first time "in at least 20 years," according to Secretary Robert Haslun, the conservatory faculty at its 9 May meeting voted by written ballot. At issue was whether conservatory divisions could propose discrete master's degree programs--programs that could accept graduates of institutions other than Oberlin. In previous discussions members of the music theory and musicology faculty had opposed such programs, noting that some students admitted to them would have to take remedial courses, creating staffing problems (Observer 27 April 1995).

Before the vote at the May meeting, associate professor of music theory William Rothstein proposed establishing a subcommittee of the educational policies committee (EPC). The subcommittee would consider "criteria for admissions; remediation in music history, music theory, and aural skills; and any issues regarding ensembles" in the various programs proposed or established by the divisions. Its membership would include faculty members from the music history (musicology) and music theory divisions as well as "one representative from each division that has proposed or is proposing a discrete Master's program." Stating that he was not speaking for other members of the music theory division, Rothstein said he would vote for the legislation if such a subcommittee were part of it. An amendment to that effect passed by voice vote, and the legislation passed by the written-ballot vote of 35 to 22.

Artist diploma

The master's degree proposal was one of several from the EPC. The faculty also voted to change the requirements and admission procedures for the conservatory's artist-diploma program. Dean of the conservatory Karen Wolff noted that artist-diploma candidates, who enroll only in private study and ensembles, use fewer college resources than other students. The legislation lowers tuition charges for these students and reduces a semester's full-time course load from 12 to six credits. Because they usually receive full-tuition scholarships, artist-diploma students make the conservatory financial-aid budget "balloon," Wolff said. The number of diploma students enrolled each year will be limited to eight, making 16 the maximum number in the two-year program. Wolff said that the executive committee of the board of trustees had no objections to the lower tuition charge, but the issue will need approval of the board before it is implemented.

The faculty also approved revised division-review procedures, some restructuring in the music theory curriculum, a change in the audition calendar for fall honors recitals, and 1995-96 committee memberships. It heard a report from the director of admissions.

Meeting postponed

The general faculty meeting scheduled for 16 May was postponed a week to Tuesday 23 May. The agenda included a memorial minute for former director of libraries William A. Moffett presented by director of libraries Ray English, the graduation vote list, the nominations committee's recommendations for 1995-96 committee memberships, and a motion from the general faculty council concerning conflicts of interest (Observer 2 March 1995).


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