COLUMN: Talent should not be overlooked
This whole budget situation is pretty sad.
We are constantly being reminded that there is not enough money to go around. Every now and then someone comes up with a few extra dollars, but for the most part all of campus is suffering from budget cuts.
I have to say I didn’t care too much because it didn’t affect me, personally. Let’s be honest with each other, the journalism department is pretty small to begin with. How could they possibly make it any smaller?
So I sat back and watched as changes were made. We heard about there not being enough money for a new library. Then the College of Family Life was dissolved. Did it make much difference to me? No.
Friday night I finally realized the effect all of these cuts are going to make.
To begin with, I wasn’t all that excited about attending the Fashion Show; I usually only like looking at clothes when I have money in my pocket and something specific in mind to buy. I thought it might be culturally enriching, though.
I also can’t stand doing anything without my fiancée, and since she was planning on going, I obviously planned on tagging along as well.
Let me simply say I was impressed.
From what I have heard, the former Family Life people are getting rid of the apparel and textiles program. Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems like that will affect a lot of students.
I also find it ironic that now that the College of Family Life has been dissolved, a lot of the classes have been distributed to the College of Agriculture. And even though this fine school of ours used to be the Utah Agricultural College, they seem to be doing away with some programs that resemble agriculture.
It is sad that it has come to this.
It was fun to see the students of the Fashion Association show off their talents. There was some real talent displayed Saturday evening. From Asian fashions to some outfits that looked like they were straight from a Jane Austin novel, there were some pretty impressive styles. Not only did the designers conjure up their own designs, but they also sewed each fashion on their own time.
It’s too awful these students won’t have this outlet to show everyone what they can do.
Some freshmen have been told to change their majors because their program won’t be offered anymore. It is pathetic that nothing else can be done. Utah State deserves to have this talent on campus, and considering it is the last program of its kind in Utah, the students deserve to not have to leave the state.
Is there something that can be done about all of this? I’m not too sure.
Is USU going to miss the apparel and textiles program? Definitely, yes.
If you have a chance, voice your opinion. There is no reason student talents should be stifled because of money.
Jacob Moon is the features editor for the Statesman. Comments can be sent to jacobomoon@cc.usu.edu.
USU students model the designs of Julie Domm in the set “Mystical Elegance” during the Friday afternoon presentation of Fashion Out Loud 2003. (Photos by Angelie Christensen)