After the University announced in the fall that the individual majors of theater, film and dance will be consolidated into a single performing arts major next year, some students have expressed dissatisfaction with the imminent elimination of  the distinct degrees.

Individual majors in theatre, film and dance will be consolidated into a single Performing and Media Arts major for undergraduates beginning in fall 2012, the Department of Theatre, Film and Dance announced Monday.

The Department of Theater, Film and Dance will no longer offer a major solely in dance, and the fate of majors in film and theater are in question, according to department chair Amy Villarejo.

The University announced Monday a $1 million donation from Carol Epstein ’61 to support the department’s professional artists-in-residence program.

Students rallied to save the productoin of The Pillowman, which was performed this weekend.

After cuts to its budget, the Theatre, FIlm and Dance department may move in a more theoretical direction.

To the outrage of many professors within the creative arts, funding for grants awarded by the Cornell Council for the Arts will be eliminated over the next two years and redirected to a single annual arts event, Provost Kent Fuchs will announce Wednesday. 

The Theatre, Film, and Dance department should not lose sight of the importance of performances.