In Tough Economic Times, UWM Music Department Tries to Grow

In its last meeting of the semester, the Music Department of UWM discussed the future of the department and how to maintain a welcoming environment and expand student opportunities, despite the hard times the university is facing with budget cuts. Department leaders say they want the department to grow.

Jon Welstead, chairman for the Music Department, said he would like to see more students who are not majoring in music enroll in music classes.

“Let’s find a way to get people who are interested in music to fill in seats for the classes,” said Welstead.

Two notable things were discussed in the meeting. First, what was brought to the table, was a call for a minor in the Music Department.

“We are working to open up a Music Minor of around 20 to 24 credits to provide students a music degree program that they can more easily customize to their musical pursuits,” said Welstead.

Almost every department has spots for majors and minors for its classes. The Music Department wants to create a minors program in the department that would provide basic classes such as private lessons, history and other courses.

“We intend to offer the minor so a student can more easily participate in a music experience without having to move at a pace or the level of the BFA Music Major,” said Welstead.

Not only does the Music Department want to add a minors program, they want to make it more welcoming. Welstead suggested that they take part in the Title IX meetings occurring this month. Title IX states that: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance…”

Title IX also is a way for UWM employees to promote a more equal and welcoming environment for students based on their sexual orientation. Welstead states that in these meetings, the UWM S-47 Discriminatory Conduct Policy (Including Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence) is discussed to let people know what is appropriate and what is not appropriate to do in regards of these situations.

There have been cases where students felt discriminated against or denied opportunities because of their sexual orientation. Welstead believes that Title IX is a way to shed light for people who want to provide more help and a welcoming environment for those people. He would like to see some of the professors represent the Music Department in these meetings. The meetings will be occurring for the rest of this month on May 11 and again on May 26.

“It is very important that all faculty, staff, or graduate students who are involved with teaching, meetings, private music lessons, classroom conduct, or any dealings with students are aware of what is included in the S-47 and Title IX policies,” said Welstead.

Members of the Music Department agree that all members of the UWM family (faculty, staff and students) should go to the meetings. That way, they can discuss how to make the university more welcoming and providing help (educational and financially) to everyone regardless of their sexual orientation.

“Those who are in contact with students should also realize they may be subject to such discriminatory, sexual, or ‘power differential’ meetings with students,” said Welstead.

Welstead believes that adding a minor to the program and being made aware of the Title IX meetings will help the Music Department grow in the long run. He wants every student in the university to believe that they can still take music classes (if they are not a major) and still feel welcomed in the classrooms or lecture halls.

“Every student can have a master class,” said Welstead.

While the university is focusing on the budget cuts and the future of the school, the Music Department is focusing on finding ways to grow despite the constrictions.

“It is actually a two-way street,” said Welstead, indicating that the Music Department’s strength helps the university as a whole.