Sign the Petition for an MFA-V Mission Statement

To:     Gary Moore, Academic Dean     Vermont College of Fine Arts
           Tom Greene, President               Vermont College of Fine Arts


Like you, as members of the MFA in Visual Art community, we are invested in the continued success of the program.

However, the recent staffing change of the program director, along with your subsequent insistence that proof of VCFA commitment to pedagogy resides in newly created marketing materials, has resulted in our lack of confidence over your understanding of the program’s founding pedagogy of student-centered learning.

Therefore, we are respectfully requesting that you incorporate the founding pedagogy into a mission statement for the MFA in Visual Art program, written in collaboration with faculty, and published by the first day of the next residency, July 30th, 2010.


#1       Craig Snyder, class of winter 2001. Alumni, Artist-Teacher, Critter, former Exhibitions Coordinator, Alumni Assistant.
  
#2      Lori Wahl, Class of February 2008. Alumna.
  
#3      Patricia Denys, Class of February 2003, Alumna
  
#4      Jonathan Marrs, Class of August 2009, Alumni
  
#5      Lynn Imperatore, Class of August 1999, Alumna, former Alumni Assistant & Artist-Teacher.
 
#6      Michelle Salnaitis, Class of February 2010, Alumna
  
#7      Bob Mataranglo, Class of February 2002, Alumni.
         "When do we get to hear the Truth?"
  
#8      MaryJo Rosania-Harvie, Class of February 2005, Alumna
         “We just want to see your committed to the VCFA mission in writing!”

#9      Michelle Hagewood, Class of February 2009, Alumna
  
#10     Brad Birchett, Class of August 2005, Alumna
“Having a clear and definitive mission statement is just good practice for all institutions but especially progressive arts institutions such as VCFA

#11     Olaitan Callender-Scott, Class of February 2009, Alumna
  
#12     Claire Olson, Class of February 2005, Alumna
  
#13     Blair Vaughn-Gruler, Class of February 2010, Alumna
  
#14     Charles Accardi, Class of 2001, Alumna, Former Alumni Assistant
         “This pedagogy exsists only because we believe in it.
         "Dean" and "President" are empty titles without vision.”

#15      Linda M. Smith   Class of August 2008
  
#16     Claire Pentecost, faculty 1997-2005
  
#17     Barb Martin-Goldsand, Class of August 2009
  
#18     Charmaine Felix-Meyer, MFA Feb 09

#19     Amanda Dillingham, Class of August 2008, Alumna

#20     damali abrams, class of August 2008

#21     Jaime Gustavson, class of August 2007
           La Grande, OR

#22     Suzanne Fellows, Class of August 2009, Alumna

#23     Betsy Walsh Class of August 2009, Alumna

#24     Tony Dattilo, August 2005
“While a written mission statement would have some effect on the situation..... It still seems odd that a program that was dedicated to intimacy as pedagogy would choose to just sweep this up in such a way.”

#25     Matt Page, August 2006
         Lexington KY

#26     JOËL GERARD LeVASSEUR, February 2004
“The founding pedagogy must be incorporated into an artist statement. I could never live without a credo that is true to my beliefs.”

#27     Kathy Couch, class of August 2010

#28     Sarah Phinnean Gaudette Class of 201
“As a current student at VCFA I want to be assured that this student-centered program I have come to love and trust will remain unchanged. Please write a formal mission statement that shows your intentions for the program.”


#29     Ned (John E.) Gray, MFA Vermont College of the Union Institute.
"In times of transition I believe it is imperative that those in control answer those who have concerns and an ongoing investment in the program. Jessica's apparently sudden departure with an accompanying lack of information about this change increases concern about this transition. For the health and future of the program it does not seem too much to ask that these questions be answered even if the concern has no basis." ngraycolor1@msn.com

#30    Michael Conway, MFA-VA Class of Winter, 2001.

#31    Gustavo Godoy, Class of August 2005, Alumna

#32    Denise Karabinus Telang, 2009
"The silence around Jessica's departure is unsettling and destructive to the morale and loyalty of the alumni who loved her and the program. I am committed to seeing VCFA thrive and believe that having a clear mission, objectives and quality leadership that is closely aligned with these principles is imperative to the ongoing success and quality of the program. Marketing materials can(and often do) advertise anything— I am curious about what VCFA programming will deliver in the future? I believe that alumni must stand up, remain proactively involved to support and guide the program into it's future incarnation with the founding principles and the model of leadership that Jessica embodied in mind. "

#33    Yvette Dede
"I agree with most of the comments posted. I have always felt that Jessica embodied the heart of the VC program."

#34    Alexandra Broches, Class of August 99, Alumna

#35    Daren Young, Class of August 2008, Alumni
Salt Lake City UT

#36    David French class of 2010
"I purchaced a specific educational product! That product now has been altered without any notice. If I was an 1st or 2nd. sem. student I might consider a change in school. Who knows what way/style or direction the school will take? I wanted to be associated with a perticular direction. Why do people go to one school or another? This is a contractual break that i find reckless and insensitive to students."

#37    Linda Ganus class of 2008
"Transparency is a good thing."

#38    Alexandra Ryckman, Class of August 2010.

#39    Alane Brodrick, Class of August 2002

#40    Judy Haselhoef
"Dear Gary and Tom, I certainly appreciate your immediate, apparently level-headed responses to so many concerned alumni.
Perhaps, however, it would be best if you would take those many moments required to respond to these letters, and use them to draft that mission statement we're all so concerned about.  Seems it might save us all time, energy, and flying fingers.... and it would certainly ensure that we're all on the same page."
Sincerest regards,
Judy Haselhoef
MFA VA, 2000
Williams Bay, WI
artmaker@haselhoef.org

#41     Krisanne Baker Summer Class of 2008 Alumna
"The concurrent re-writing of VCFA's mission statement (or as-of-yet unrevealed lack thereof) with the disappearance of Jessica Lutz at the helm is greatly alarming to myself, and many, many other VCFA alumni. If we can't have an upfront explanation of exactly what's going on, you might at least consider pre-posting the new statement. After all, it is we alumni who will be recommending future VCFA students to the program - how can we wholeheartedly do so when turmoil and non-disclosure are our only current perception of the program? With hopes that you will post the mission statement and open it to the craftsmanship of so many who have benefited from such excellent and open-minded educations."

#42    Barbara Yontz, class of 2002   Associate Professor St. Thomas Aquinas College
"I have been trying to follow the postings related to the recent events at Vermont College. It seems a little confusing, mostly because of the silence. To me, any time people are not willing to speak openly, there's a reason. I am very concerned as an alumni of Vermont College who holds my degree in high esteem. The education I was guided to based on the education philosophy of the college is rare and solidly grounded. I am very concerned about how and why Jessica is no longer part of the college but more importantly the silence surrounding her disappearance. At the same time, we all know a mission statement is only as good as the intention and performance of that mission. The actual enactment of the mission statement is now of great concern as well."

#43    Leah Zwart Hackett, alum Feb 08
"Being far away from the campus of VCFA has always been my situation. Without the structure and consistent idealogy that founded and flowed through the MFA-VA program, I would not have made it through. I would not have had the life changing experiences that fuel my teaching and creating. It is imperative that the college, which may have to go in new directions, maintain the pedagogy that inspires us all. Please be true to the vision of all those that founded this program and all of us that have managed to maneuver through the process to come out as better artists and creators."

#44    Kristi Ryba, Winter Class of 2006
"As a graduate of the VCFA program I want to stress the importance of how my life and work has been changed forever by its methods and direction. I too am confused and alarmed by the silence concerning Jessica’s departure, someone whose clear direction and professionalism was a signature of the program. While many things change over time, some things need to be carefully protected from this inevitable shifting of sand, and one of these things is the mission of the VCFA program. I too want to add my voice to the request to have the founding pedagogy incorporated into a governing mission statement for the MFA-V program, in collaboration with the faculty, to be published by the first day of the next residency.

#45    MD McMahon
" One can only speculate as to what caused the severance of co-founder and director from this program. The motivation in these situations is usually money. Raising money in this program would probably mean raising enrollment. One can only hope that raising enrollment will not mean changing pedagogy or philosophy underlying the student-centered mission statement. Relaxing of standards would be another way to raise enrollment, but this would degrade, not only the college, but the degrees of all who have graduated from this fine and respected institution. This would be shortsighted and lead, ultimately, to its downfall.

I really hope that the people who are ultimately making these decisions regarding the future of the program understand the contemporary VISUAL ART world and have the VISUAL ARTS as their priority."

#46    xtine burrough, MFA-V, Class of August, 2001

#47    Sherri Lisota MFA-VA Feb 2003
"Art is a business, but it is also more in being one of the forces that defines our culture, which affects all of us. Or, though art may not change the world, it does contribute to social change... I therefore believe that it is my obligation as an artist to at least address these issues rather than succumb - at least not completely - to the desire that all of us have for success."  - G. Roy Levin      Founder, MFA -Visual Art

#48    Kristin Humbargar, MFAV Aug 1999
"silence speaks louder than words: 'unable to comment'."

#49    Tania Kupczak, mfa-v, feb 2002

#50    Lisa Ulik, MFA-VA Aug 2010
"As the VCFA in Visual Arts program transforms, it is my dearest hope that VCFA staff will strive to continue the profound pedagogy of social action which Roy and Jessica practiced and worked so hard to establish."

#51    Shaw Osha class of February '09

#52    Molly Heron, class of 2011
"This is an intimate program and the relationship of students, faculty, and the administration is key. I am very concerned that Jessica is no longer the director. The lack of transparency in how and why this all occurred leaves a vacuum of uncertainty. A mission statement could help remedy this."

#53    Timothy Gaewsky, class of February '06

#54    Kate Renner, MFA-VA August 2010

#55    Samantha Cofiño, MFA-VA 2005, alumna

#56    Robert O'Connor, MFA-V August 2006

#57   Polly Gaillard, August 2010
"This transition is still upsetting especially before our graduation this summer. I don't think we have the same confidence that all will be okay without Jessica. Her confidence, support, loyalty, and passion for the students and program will be difficult to replace."

#58   Heather Park, MFA-V August 2009
"While I wish that VCFA would remain always the same with Jessica leading the way, I want to have hope and faith that this next generation will foster just as many positive relationships and encouragement for the future of the VCFA"

#59  Michael Hanson
"clearly the administration is less than forthcoming with its intentions and misrepresents themselves accordingly. my guess is the these same administrators will never understand the depth of our program or the idea of the faculty-driven program. the buzz word of student-driven education is a big buzzword is higher education. as someone now in his 17th year of full-time college education i can tell you student have no idea how to educate themselves or what is good for them and i'm not surprised to see weak minded deans defending their under-understood decision making. we should be calling for the dean and president's dismissal from the program not trying to defend the program."