As I'm sure you've probably seen if you follow me on any social media or happen to read the news, UM is facing yet another round of budget cuts, department downsizings, and faculty firings. On Tuesday, April 17, President Seth Bodnar released the "Strategy for Distinction." Dubbed by some as the "Strategy for Extinction," these recommendations could have dire implications for the College of Sciences and Humanities as well as devastating consequences for UM's future as a liberal arts institution and the future of the liberal arts in Montana. Following is the letter I penned to President Bodnar earlier this week. If you have concern for UM's future and the humanities, I strongly urge you to visit this link and submit your own feedback.
Dear President Bodnar:
My name is Dusty Keim. I am originally from Twin Bridges, Montana, where I graduated in 2015, and I am currently a junior here at the University, where I will graduate next spring with major in English Literature and Creative Writing, as well as minors in German, History, and European Studies. After reading the draft of the Strategy for Distinction last week, I’ve spent a lot of time considering the implications of what these recommendations would mean for myself and the future of my programs; I’ve also spent a lot of time in conversation with my peers and colleagues about our concerns regarding these recommendations and the future of the University as a whole.
I write to you today, after many many drafts - because as any writer knows, one never submits their first draft - to urge you to reconsider the recommendations regarding the Modern & Classical Literatures & Languages and the English departments, and, in addition, address some ideas regarding the enrollment issue, which, one could argue, is the root of the budget crisis we are facing today.
The humanities, but particularly MCLL and English, are going to suffer the worst under this proposed plan. These two departments are the cornerstones of the College of Humanities and Sciences. Take away English and the languages, and the entire college will crumble. This is due in part to the interdisciplinary nature of the programs: in order to graduate with an English degree in any option (Literature, Literature & the Environment, Creative Writing, Ecocriticism, Teaching, Linguistics, Film), one is required to take two years of a foreign language. Two years of a foreign language is then half of the required credits to obtain a minor in that language. Many students do then go on to minor in a language because half of the work has already been done, and then upper-division courses in culture and literature count towards required the English degree and enrich the experience and knowledge of the student. This has certainly been the case for me.
A great concern I have with the recommendations is that they do not take into account accurate data. The data this plan is based on stems from majors, but does not take into account the number of students who graduate with language minors, nor the students who have chosen not to pursue the minor, but have nonetheless benefited from instruction in a foreign language.
One may then argue that the language requirement should be removed from the English degree requirements. This is a solution, but not a good one. For one, it puts students who are planning to attend graduate school at a severe disadvantage because many graduate programs require at least minimal instruction in a foreign language. Another issue is that many students who major in languages go on to be teachers of that language.
If MCLL is gutted in the way currently suggested, not only are students losing opportunities to pursue graduate degrees but the state of Montana - whose current primary school foreign language curriculum is lackluster at best - is severely disadvantaged because there will be no more foreign language teachers. This would put Montana’s youth behind nationally and globally in a skill that is absolutely critical in a globalized and technologically connected world. Learning a language at any stage of life quite literally expands that person’s horizons, as well as makes the student more culturally sensitive and empathetic, a trait that is severely lacking in the nation today.
After MCLL, the English department would be taking the greatest blow. As espoused in two recent Missoulian articles (“University of Montana grad wins Pulitzer Prize for fiction” and “University of Montana creative writing program at tipping point as budget cuts loom”), UM has a quality English department, and our alumni and faculty do amazing work in their respective fields. There seems to be a disconnect between the accomplishments of graduates and the treatment of the department. In order to continue perpetuating that success, the department must have faculty and support. I have had the privilege to work with intelligent, caring, and amazing professors in the English department over the past few years - Katie Kane, Ashby Kinch, Erin Saldin, to name a few.
What makes the English department so special is that the faculty are truly invested in our success, and continually push us to reach our full potential by challenging us with the exciting and interesting curriculum that often performs the kind of interdisciplinary work espoused in the Strategy for Distinction. The English department and the work its faculty does are the epitomai of a shining liberal arts education. The department encourages interdisciplinary work, teaches imperative communication and critical thinking skills, and prepares its graduates for any and all of the challenges the future may hold.
Obviously, the University is facing many challenges itself and changes must be made. One major culprit behind these current problems is enrollment. For the past several years, enrollment has been in decline, and I want to offer some solutions to that. My younger sister is currently a junior in high school - the age most teenagers begin thinking about their college options. She is smart, talented, and could attend any school she wants to. As I mentioned earlier, I am a native Montanan. I remember my own college search and receiving multiple postcards and other promotional material each week from MSU, Carroll, Tech. I remember receiving very little promo from UM. Granted, that was a while ago, and my memory could be faulty. However, I get Snapchats from my sister now that show me piles of paper from almost every school in Montana except UM.
At the most basic level, prospective students won’t come to UM, won’t even apply to UM if they don’t even know it’s an option. I suggest an overhaul of our current advertising and recruitment campaigns that focus on the unique programs that UM has to offer: nationally recognized English department, rare language majors, the Forestry program, our wonderful and dedicated faculty, instead of belaboring the sports and outdoors aspect.
The Strategy for Distinction speaks of the need to engage with Montana and its communities. In addition, The Strategy for Distinction stresses the importance of engaging with the wider Missoula community and Montana communities as a whole. The best way to do that is to recruit and retain Montana’s brightest high school students and provide them with a quality liberal arts education so they have the skills and knowledge to face and tackle the challenges presented by living in a rural state in a global world. The humanities teach those necessary skills.
I thank you for your time, and again urge you to reconsider the recommendations regarding MCLL and the English departments.
Sincerely,
Dusty S. Keim
