Con Faculty discuss programs

In 1995, the Conservatory Faculty voted to develop a Discrete Master's program. This week, they reviewed guidelines for developing programs.

"We do not move fast around here," Dean of the Conservatory Karen Wolff said when introducing the guidelines to the Conservatory Faculty. "What we are considering today is not the programs themselves, but how the programs will be considered."

Faculty discussion centered on transferring from the Master's program to the Artist Diploma program. Conservatory Faculty members also questioned a clause requiring a minimum score of 560 on the GRE music test.

"There was a great deal of back and forth about these issues," Professor of Viola Jeffrey Irvine said. "Members of the performance departments were concerned the GRE and diagnostic tests might discourage people from applying and members of the musicology departments were concerned the minimums weren't high enough."

Associate Dean Kathryn Stuart said the number was based on an average derived from past Oberlin students' scores.

Professor of Piano Philip Highfill said, "Inevitably, a situation will arise where a student with a 559 might be an excellent musician."

"That person might have had a bad day," Irvine said.

The Faculty rejected a motion to change the clause.

In order to accommodate Master's program students who find themselves overwhelmed by academics, the proposal allows students to transfer to the Artist Diploma program.

"This is for the student who realize they don't know parallel fifths from contrary motion ninths," said one faculty member. A highly appreciative audience responded with a storm of laughter.

"I'm ambivalent about allowing students to change programs after two-and-one-half months," Professor of Violin Marilyn McDonald said.

"It sounds like a backdoor to me," another faculty member said.

The Faculty decided to send the clause back to the committee for revision.

Assistant Dean of the Conservatory Michael Lynn said the Conservatory pond should be filled by fall.

"It entails putting the water back in the pond. Even our friends in TIMARA don't seem too worried," Lynn said. "We're also going to be looking at ways of taking care of the gardens in Robertson that look like they were hit with napalm."