EDITORIAL – Decision to cut TRU’s Fine Arts program is a blow to city’s vision
(Image: change.org petition)
An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.
ALL WORK AND NO PLAY makes for a pretty dull life. That’s a modern interpretation of the “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” proverb that’s been around since the 1600s.
It means, basically, if we focus too much on work and the day-to-day necessities, we become both bored and boring.
The remedy is work-life balance, and one way of achieving that is to seek enjoyment in leisure pursuits, to take time to stop and smell the roses.
All of which brings me to the news that Thompson Rivers University intends to phase out its Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program. That program includes theatre and visual arts, though the university will continue to offer a theatre major.
Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Maybe TRU tries to do too many things. A Fine Arts degree from TRU may not have enough prestige in an already difficult and competitive job market.
If enrolment is low how can the program be successful?
It will be a real shame if they close it down. My understanding is that there are currently too few BFA graduates. TRU needs to ramp up their scholarship program. There is an excellent BFA dept. at TRU, and scholarship money would help to attract good students to keep the program running.