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Youngstown State rebutting claims about the demise of the Dana School of Music

By Chris Pugh

Updated January 8, 2024 11:22 AM

Youngstown State University Dana School of Music Photo provided

A move by Youngstown State University to end four majors in the Dana School of Music has a group fearful that the school will eventually close, a claim that the school rebutted in a Sunday statement.

These four majors are:

Bachelor of Arts in Music
Bachelor of Music in Composition
Master of Music in Composition
Master of Music in Jazz Studies.

A complete list of music majors offered by the school can be found here.

The move to end four majors led to a change.org petition set up Friday, which already has nearly 7,500 signatures.

“In the coming weeks, the Administration plans to end Dana’s undergraduate Music Performance and Music Composition programs, shut down its Graduate music program, and fire a large portion of the music faculty,” the change.org petition claimed. “Dana will not be able to survive those cuts, and in a short amount of time the entire school with its storied history will be lost.”

The petition also picked up support from Youngstown-based rock band The VIndys.

A protest is planned 4 p.m. Jan. 10 at an Academic Senate meeting with administration officials in Tod Hall.

University spokesman Rebecca Rose said in a Monday phone call that the school is also looking at sunsetting majors in arts education and geography.

She added the school is looking at eliminating a total of 13 staff positions from the music school, arts education and geography programs starting with a voluntary separation/severance program.

Rose said the Dana School of Music will remain open without the four majors and existing students in those four majors will be able to finish their existing studies.

Here is the complete statement from Youngstown State

“Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music is NOT closing, contrary to social media posts.

“Four consistently low-enrolled majors, which have had approximately 12 graduates in the past five years, will be sunset this academic year. These majors include Bachelor of Arts in Music, Bachelor of Music in Composition, Master of Music in Composition and Master of Music in Jazz Studies. Students currently enrolled in these four majors will be able to graduate from their designated major. This step in Taking Charge of Our Future aligns with the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s review of duplicative and low-enrolled programs.

“The Dana School of Music will undergo an immediate reorganization to enhance and rejuvenate the school to better serve students and improve the marketability of graduates. This reorganization allows the university to re-envision and differentiate the undergraduate and graduate programs in Music Education and Music Performance as well as continue to support Music Recording and community initiatives, including the YSU Youth Orchestra.

“YSU continues to value the Dana School of Music and the impact it has on the university and the surrounding community.”