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(From left) Andy Phillips, Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich, Andy Soll, and David Sprick discuss several issues with students, from the music therapy program to Garfield Avenue, in the President's Room in Davies Center Wednesday evening.

Chancellor holds first roundtable

Levin-Stankevich hears concerns from music therapy majors

By: Nick Halter

Posted: 10/12/06

In his first Chancellor's Roundtable, Chancellor Brian Levin-Stankevich addressed more than 45 music therapy majors concerned about the future of their program.

Due to a reorganization of colleges two years ago, the music therapy program was left without a department. Levin-Stankevich and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Andrew Phillips discussed the possible relocation of the music therapy program to the music and theater art department.

Many of the music therapy students expressed their discontent with the current situation, not knowing if it is in jeopardy.

"We just feel like we've been misrepresented in some ways," senior Jenny Morvak said.
Senior Erin Spellacy also spoke up about the issue.

"I do believe we are one the most involved programs on this campus," she said, noting the program's involvement at jails, public schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

The students and the chancellor agreed to meet outside of the roundtable to discuss the situation in more detail before the Oct. 30 response that the university will send to the National Association of Schools of Music for accreditation of the department.

Vice Chancellor Andy Soll spoke about the university's plans for Garfield Avenue. Last year, the university discussed making the area more pedestrian oriented.

Soll said there is not enough money on the current budget for a renovation at this time, and the university won't be able to go through with some previously discussed ideas until the new biennium begins in July 2007.

"I think we need to continue to work at getting money to make that happen," Levin-Stankevich said. "And we need do it right."

The group discussed redeveloping the stairs on the south end of the footbridge, specifically to make them more convenient for bikers and pedestrians to cross.

Levin-Stankevich addressed censorship in college media, as well, saying he doesn't believe he can censor UW-Eau Claire's student publications, such as The Flip Side and The Spectator.

"What I've discovered was the Board of Regents system already has a policy on this that fundamentally prohibits universities from censoring student papers," he said.

For his first roundtable discussion, Levin-Stankevich said he was pleased with the turnout, which was nearly 60 people.

"I hope (roundtable discussions) can be interactive sessions," he said. "(I am) as new as any of you who are freshmen might be to the university. I still have a lot to learn … the whole idea is that we can interact on some issues through the course of the year."