The University of the Arts, where I graduated (BFA Film 2004), abruptly shut down on May 31st. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education FORCED THEM to push it to June 7th, so staff and students could gather their belongings at least.
UArts board decided to bill students and receive tuition literally during the shutdown, without refunding them. The Board cited a $40 million dollar unexpected expense as the cause, without citing what said expense is or why it was unexpected. The UArts community is trying to save the school, but more importantly, trying to get a trial or investigation, as this is not a normal school closure, while the media will chalk this up as "yet another small art school shuts down".
No other school shut down literally overnight, WHILE TAKING TUITION SIMULTANEOUS to announcing the shutdown, collecting funds AFTERWARDS, with no refund or explanation.
I'm currently making a documentary on this, but in the meantime, I'm also interviewing Alumni and making short vignettes as well.
This is episode 4 - Jenna, Class of 2016 Painting. She co-owns MoonRose Vintage, featured in the video, located in the Antique Row neighborhood of Philadelphia, just a few blocks away from University of the Arts. Check it out if next time you're in Center City.
Camera/Editor:
Gary Hanna
2004 UArts BFA Film and Video
Psynema Philadelphia Video Production
