Curtains Up: Save the Arts at ATU!

Thanks to Debra Hale-Shelton from the Democrat Gazette, we have new information regarding the demotion of Ardith Morris and Kate Brugh.

Tech reassigns theater director

Move follows criticism of program

By Debra Hale-Shelton

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas Tech University announced Thursday that it replaced the director of the school’s theater program, which has come under criticism from the administration.

David Eshelman, an assistant professor of speech since 2006, has been named interim director of the program, Arkansas Tech said in a news release. He succeeds theater professor Ardith Morris.

The university reassigned Morris and Kate Brugh, who previously was production manager for the theater program, to full-time teaching duties in the Department of Speech, Theatre and Journalism. Both have tenure, the release said.

Arkansas Tech said Eshelman will “oversee the clean-up and restoration” of the Techionery, the theater workshop.

Eshelman was making $43,400. He now will make $46,650, with $3,250 of that being a one-semester director’s stipend, Tech spokesman Sam Strasner said.

Morris’ and Brugh’s salaries – $59,513 and $45,362, respectively – will remain unchanged, Strasner said.

Morris said Thursday that she could not comment until she talked with her attorney.

Brugh called the universi-ty’s action “surprising.”

Other than asking for help improving the Techionery facilities, which she said she and Morris had done, “I’m not quite sure what they expected us to do with an old gymnasium that needed repair and renovation.”

Arkansas Tech said it plans a national search for a permanent director of the theater program.

“The decision to change leadership in the theatre program was made in consultation with the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees,” Strasner wrote in an e-mail.

The place and the time of all public university board meetings must be disclosed in advance to individuals, organizations and news media that have requested such notices under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. The requirements include executive sessions and phone conferences.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has requested such notifications.

Under the law, trustees can go into closed session to discuss personnel matters. If they act on those matters, they then must vote publicly on them.

Strasner did not answer a question about when the “consultation” with the board took place. Rather, he wrote, “All personnel matters are subject to approval from the Arkansas Tech University Board of Trustees, and it is the intention of the university for this change in leadership … to appear in the personnel section for the Feb. 16 board meeting.”

Pressed on the issue, Strasner later wrote that Tech President Robert Brown had told him that “the board does not take action outside of board meetings. I regularly seek the counsel of board members. This decision is open to ratification or reversal by the Arkansas Tech Board of Trustees during its next meeting.”

In 2004, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that Fort Smith had violated state law when the city administrator polled city directors individually by phone on whether to bid on land.

Tech spokesman Susie Nicholson said late Thursday that Brown would not have polled trustees, though he does talk with them at times.

“Maybe that was just a poor choice of words,” Nicholson said in reference to Strasner’s comment about the decision being made in “consultation” with the board.

In mid-January, Tech administrators canceled all spring theatrical performances and theater practicum courses on the campus, saying the Techionery was unsafe.

In September, the Russellville fire marshal, who inspected the Techionery at the school’s request, had found several hazards, including substandard wiring, inappropriate storage of combustible materials and an obstructed doorway. The school closed the theater but allowed a museum in the same building to remain open.

Tech’s news release cited four factors in its decision Thursday:

The fire marshal’s report.

A “stagnant” number of students choosing to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech with a theater option, even though the school’s enrollment “has more than doubled over the past decade.”

The school cited 177 current majors in art and 160 current majors in music but said just 18 were in speech with the theater option. The school did not say how many were pursuing only a degree in speech without the theater option, and Strasner could not be reached for further comment Thursday night by school phone or by e-mail.

The number of theater students passing a test to enter the teacher-education program “in recent years” has been about 10 percent, “which is not acceptable to the university.”

An average of about four students have graduated per year with the degree in speech with the theater option over the past decade, “a number which is below the State of Arkansas minimum for degree production.”

On Dec. 7, Russellville High School offered the use of its Center for the Arts for the university’s originally planned production of Twelfth Night. Morris said she forwarded the offer to Tech administrators but never heard back.

The theater department and the administration also tangled in 2008, when Tech postponed production of the Broadway musical Assassins.

Brown said he was worried about how passers-by might react to the sound of fake gunshots or the sight of a fake gun taken outside by an actor during a break, especially after deadly shootings at an Illinois college.

The play eventually went on but under tight security. Student actors used the equivalent of starter pistols like those used at track meets, Morris said.

It looks as if this decision has not been voted on and can be reversed by the board of trustees. The said meeting is 12 days away. Voice your concerns on the matter to the following:

Arkansas Tech’s Board of Trustees:

Mr. Tom Kennedy
425 West Capitol Ave
P.O. Box 551
Little Rock, AR 72203
Term Expires: 1-14-2015

Mr. Charles Blanchard
3103 East Main Street
Russellville, AR 72802
Term Expires: 1-14-2014

Ms. Leigh Whiteside, Secretary
1402 Normandy Circle
Russellville, AR 72802
Term Expires: 1-14-2013

Mr. John E. Chambers III, Vice Chair
P.O. Box 1330
Danville, AR 72833
Term Expires: 1-14-2012

Mr. Eric Burnett
1203 S 41st Cir
Fort Smith, AR 72903-1827
Term Expires: 1-14-2016

I just received word that Dr. Ardith Morris was demoted from Director of the Theatre Program at ATU. Here is the press release and link: http://arkansastechnews.com/index.php/university-news/5846-renovation-new-leadership-for-tech-theatre

Received an email from the Governor’s office:

Governor Beebe has received your recent e-mail sharing your concerns about Arkansas Tech’s Theater Department.  The Governor appreciates knowing your thoughts, and he has asked me to respond to you.

Arkansas Tech University (ATU) is an independent institution, according to Amendment 33 of the Arkansas Constitution. Governor Beebe has no jurisdiction over its decisions.  Any concerns about its practices may be addressed to its governing body, the Board of Trustees.   You may wish to contact them with your concerns.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,

Kim Konecny Mullen

Special Assistant for Agency and Legislative Affairs

I do believe most of us received the same email. So it is time to reach out to the Board of Trustees. You can find their contact information on the Want to Help Tab. Also, do not forget letters and emails to Dr. Brown and Dr. Watson as well.

Looking forward to reading The Arka Tech next week. There will be an interview with Dr. Brown. Donations are being set up. Hopefully it will be in full swing by the end of next week. Keep checking here to see how and when it becomes available.

Student’s had a meeting with someone higher up. No, not Brown.  Poor guy is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He feels for us and wants to help, but his hands are tied.  Nothing is going to be resolved until after the review in April. I highly doubt any “permanent solution” will be reached before then. No one wants to answer questions. This is from the Save ATU Theatre Facebook page:

“A few of the concerns that have gone unanswered:

*Nobody knows what is being done to address the Fire Marshal’s concerns, or the appropriate faculty’s answers to those concerns.
*Nobody has responded to repeated questions asking why the Museum is still allowed to operate in a supposedly unsafe building.
*Nobody has addressed the absence of communication between upper administration and a large, concerned community that keeps asking for answers.

This lack of transparency is being interpreted, whether rightfully or not, as condescension.”

Keep sending letters, emails, and don’t forget to let your newspapers and news stations know that you want an update! We need to keep our names in the news so no one forgets what is going on here.

The ATU Facebook page had this to say:

“Arkansas Tech University
Just a reminder— your posts and comments are welcome on the Arkansas Tech University Facebook page. Per our social media guidelines- please make sure all comments and posts are civil, smart and on-topic. Thanks and welcome to the conversation! ”

Hmm… So our opinions and comments are not welcomed? If you go through the comments posted (if they have not been deleted) you will see they were civil, smart, and on-topic. Sorry the comments were not about football team. Our bad for caring about the arts.

The meeting resulted in damage control. Nothing was resolved. Of course I wasn’t there but it seemed kind of pointless because none of the student’s questions were answered. Unless the upper level administration wants to change or fix anything nothing is going to happen until after the review.

On a happier note the Save ATU Theatre Facebook page reached 1,193 likes!!! Way to go!! Keeping checking here and the Facebook page for the latest news.

I heard that there was an email that was sent out to the Theatre Students asking them to quit spreading rumors that classes have been cancelled and the program is being shut down. Directing class was cancelled. There is no workspace for  stage craft classes or other practicum classes. The university cancelled performances for this semester even though Russellville High School offered their brand new auditorium to Dr. Ardith Morris.  A request was sent in asking if the students could use this space that the high school offered but there, was of course,  no answer. Total lack of communication. I have this question: If a University closes production for shows and cancels a couple of classes, what does it look like to you? Does it look like the program is closing? I do believe so. They put on Candide with no workspace and performed an amazing spectacular show! They have done without resources before and still continue to strive. So why can they not perform Twelfth Night? Because of the review? Really? Wouldn’t it be better to allow the board to see how well the Theatre works by performing a show?

On another note, fellow alumni, students, and possibly concerned citizens had their Facebook accounts almost disabled because we posted questions and comments on Arkansas Tech University’s Facebook page. We had this picture that was apparently a “trademark” and had to change our profile pictures. Wow. What happened to the first amendment? Freedom of speech? Fair use? It was the symbol for tragedy and comedy. It was green and yellow (ATU colors). It said, “Arkansas Tech University 1909,” and, “all the world is a stage except for here.”  I suppose it was the profile pictures that offended them. Not sure. They could have just deleted our comments instead of trying to taking our Facebook accounts away. Its not like we can create a new account. You can’t break us or bring us down. We are going to keep fighting for what we believe in and what is right. You cannot tear us down.

If you are reading this tonight I urge you to send in email to KARK, other news stations, The Courier, Higher Education, Arkansas Times (Max Brantley), Democrat Gazette, Governor Beebe, board of trustees and of course the administration at Tech. Why don’t you try to comment on ATU’s Facebook page and see how you are treated. Don’t forget the Save ATU Theatre Facebook Page. Go click like and support ATU Theatre. We now have over 1,000 likes. Why not make it 2,000?

We encourage you to go to the “want to help” tab and contact the President of the University, Dr. Watson, Governor Beebe, the board of trustees, and your house of representatives to save ATU Theatre before it is too late! If theatre is dear to your heart then help us. Students are paying for an education they are not receiving. Faculty and students were told the day before classes started that the Spring performances and practicum classes had been cancelled. A day before… Some students found out the day that classes started, expecting to attend a class that was on their schedule. Now what are they going to do? Alumni have told people about this school and how wonderful the Theatre program is to their children and students. What happens to the present and future students? If you have seen a play under the direction of Dr. Ardith Morris and Kate Brugh you know just how amazing a show is with the limited resources available. If the program has touched you in anyway please do not hesitate to put up your testimony on our testimony page. You can also like us on Facebook by going here: https://www.facebook.com/saveATUtheatre

Here is a link for the Fire Marshall’s report: http://www.atu.edu/docs/RussellvilleFireDepartmentReport-2011.pdf

Below is a list explaining the Fire Marshall’s report and whose responsibility it is to take care of certain things on the list.

Fire Marshall report issues addressed:

1. The stage construction obstructing the second egress was in the process of being removed when the building was closed down. However to assure that that exit is truly a second exit for the building, particularly in the evenings one should see if the dividing doors leading to the museum are equipped with a crash bar or a safety lock release since they are locked at 4 pm every night.

2. Costume storage was in the process of being relocated to make room for the additional classroom space needed since the theatre program lost the 4 spaces in Tucker and the costume shop area in the Energy Center. Shelving is needed, it is hoped that physical plant will help with this one day. Nothing is stored above 20 feet so I’m not sure what this refers to.

3. Physical plant never provided a means of access to the mezzanine. It is hoped that an OSHA regulation stairway can be purchased in the future.

4. Physical plant is in charge of Emergency lighting.

5. Physical plant is in charge of Exit lights.

6. None of the extension cords in use have any electricity running to them. The grid is not live. The other temporary lighting are attempts at providing enough illumination to build by since repeated request of physical plant did not result in any additional lighting for construction spaces.

7. Where welding supplies are stored is not where welding is conducted. There are no loose ignitable materials stored near there either, unless scraps of metal are considered ignitable. The partitions and shielding for welding are stored. They are only taken out when welding is to be done and then they are set up outside where there is proper ventilation. Since it is not a hot work area then it only makes sense that the Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders would be stored there as well. Not sure what “hot work” he examined but the samples of welded metals laying about in there are student first attempts and do not represent welded finish projects for scenery construction. Physical plant should provide signs.

8. The fire marshal is not qualified to judge the scenic construction used in theatre. Scenic construction is a temporary art installation and all scenic construction is in compliance with the United States Institute of Theatre Technology standards. The scenic construction in question was in the process of being deconstructed. All materials used in sets and scenery do meet NFPA fire propagation performance criteria and all are flame retarded. The stage lighting referred to was being stored and had no means of accessing electricity.

The difference between being the Technical Director for a production and being the Technical Director for a University:

Technical Director for a production can be either faculty or a student supervised by faculty. They plan the build, cost out the show, design the build, manage the shop and all the design team.

Technical Director for a University, only teaches one or two classes, has authority to plan, design and schedule renovations and repairs to facility, writes safety reports for all performance spaces, meets with the fire marshal and safety officers from the state, has their own maintenance budget, hires and trains staff.

We have repeatedly requested that the University hire a Technical Director. Kate was hired thinking she was to be the University Technical Director and she often had to represent this position in a limited capacity since the university is lacking this crucial role, but she was told that that was not my job very early on and not to worry about building safety. She is a certified Technical Director with specialized Technical Director training but is not the Technical Director for the University. To Be the Technical Director for the University a person would have to be given the resources and authority to fully for fill this role. Kate does what she can  with the limited authority and means that we  have as a regular faculty member to ensure the safety of the students and the audience, but without the full support of the administration, physical plant and a budget to work with my means of providing this unpaid service to the university is limited.

Odds and ends:

In the past (15years) if the fire marshal found anything he didn’t like the information somehow got to the Speech Theatre Dept. Head and they  would send  a memo and faculty addressed it or tried to get it repaired by physical plant.

If the building is so unsafe why is the museum still open and why is housekeeping still allowed inside?
Why have the safety light repairs not been addressed? (Physical Plant)
When was the last back-up power and safety lamp inspection of the Techionery? (Physical Plant)
Does physical plant do regular code inspection of the Techionery and other multi-use spaces?
If so then what is that schedule?
If so then how do they charge time to these inspections? (under what budget, can this be tracked this way, can we then find the last “check” date?)
Are Brian Lacy and Doug Walton trained in the specific fire and safety codes that pertain to performance spaces?
Would Brain Lacy and Doug Walton like a specialist like a University Technical Director to collaborate with in order to assure student and audience safety?
When were the last back-up power and safety lamp inspections done for; The Administration Building? Student Services? Witherspoon Auditorium?
Who is responsible for back-up power and safety lamp inspections in the dormitories?
Why, if the building was toured by the Fire Marshal and Dr. Brown on the 9th and found unsafe was it not closed until the 15th?

The multi-uses of the Techionery (22 different uses):

Lecture classroom
Art Studio
Acting Studio
Rehearsal Space
Construction Shop
Paint Lab
Lighting Lab
Sound Lab
Dance Studio
Costume Construction Shop
Laundry and Dye Lab
Properties Construction Shop
Performance Space
Storage for:
Properties, Costumes, Lumber, Stock, Furniture, Make-up Tables, Student Lockers, Stage Curtains, Lighting Equipment, Sound Equipment.

Facilities that the theatre program needs that the Techionery is not used for are:
Drafting Studio
Sound Recording Studio
Welding Area
Green Room