2008 Woodie Awards
Dance classes in danger of disappearing
Chase Becicka
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: News
When students flip through Kirkwood Community College's course catalog they are barraged by a list of classes that range from automotives to foreign languages. Some classes are more popular than others perhaps because it is a requirement, is taught by a well-liked instructor or the course description seems fun and interesting. However, the dance classes at Kirkwood in recent semesters have been floundering rather than flourishing.
Kirkwood dropped one dance class from its catalog this semester due to low enrollment and was considering dropping a second. "Dance classes at Kirkwood have had low numbers for the last four semesters," said Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Jennifer Bradley.
"I don't think most students know we exist," said Lisa Pettit, Kirkwood dance instructor, about what she thought was the source of the enrollment problem. Pettit said she is worried about dance being dropped from the catalog because it is difficult to get classes returned to the catalog once they are removed.
There are several different ways Kirkwood has been attempting to revive dance classes according to Bradley. One such way includes raising awareness with other instructors especially in music and theatre. Students looking to major in those fields will potentially need to work with dancers and could benefit from taking dance classes. Kirkwood has also been including students from dance classes in campus music events with the hope that making them more visible will help increase interest in the student body.
Kirkwood dropped one dance class from its catalog this semester due to low enrollment and was considering dropping a second. "Dance classes at Kirkwood have had low numbers for the last four semesters," said Arts and Humanities Dean Dr. Jennifer Bradley.
"I don't think most students know we exist," said Lisa Pettit, Kirkwood dance instructor, about what she thought was the source of the enrollment problem. Pettit said she is worried about dance being dropped from the catalog because it is difficult to get classes returned to the catalog once they are removed.
There are several different ways Kirkwood has been attempting to revive dance classes according to Bradley. One such way includes raising awareness with other instructors especially in music and theatre. Students looking to major in those fields will potentially need to work with dancers and could benefit from taking dance classes. Kirkwood has also been including students from dance classes in campus music events with the hope that making them more visible will help increase interest in the student body.
Be the first to comment on this story