March 23, 2000

Dear Dean H. Randolph Swearer,

Save the Print Department! Save the Print Studio!

I am not an educator but an artist. I have been a student of Mohamed Khalil's for the past three and a half years; I also attend the open studio twice a week. There is a community of other artists, students, and teachers as well who use this time to work on prints and ideas. The atmosphere in the room is stimulating; a lot of give and take of ideas, help and support, lots of talk about art and making of art; in a sense it is like a classroom unto itself

I am in a state of complete shock, sadness, and horror to learn of the plan to close down the Parsons/New School Print Department and Print Studio. The rational to enlarge the cafeteria and the student lounge at the expense of an existing and thriving Department is not logical. Maybe there is a need on your part to understand the importance of the Print Department.

Many of the teachers have been teaching at Parsons/New School for over twenty years They have a large and loyal following. Has there been any consideration on your part about the consequences to this fine faculty once you cut them out? Has there been any consideration to a severance package? Any consideration of their feelings? Any consideration about them at all?? At all????

There must be a solution to saving the Print Studio and Print Department. Maybe one way would be for you to rethink renovating the cafeteria and student lounge at this time. Turn down the Bond! The cafeteria is a place of convenience; it is not a necessity. On the other hand the Print Department

IS A NECESSITY!

SAVE THE PRINT DEPARTMENT! SAVE THE PRINT STUDIO!

Sincerely,

Mary S. Grossman