Last week, students in the School of Fine Arts sent a letter to administrators calling comments made by Stephen Keto, UMD’s Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations, in a Nov. 6 Duluth News Tribune (DNT) article into question. 

In response to his comments in the article, Keto stated that he didn’t mention any of the arts in his conversation with The Duluth News Tribune. Keto also believes the interpretation of the DNT article is unfortunate.

“That writer was writing whatever he wanted to write,” Keto stated. “I, long ago, learned you can’t fight with the press. You’ll lose.”

According to Keto, he did not read the DNT article which he claims to be misquoted in. 

“I’m not going to be getting into a spitting match with the Duluth News Tribune,” Keto said. “They’ll say what they want to say. More power to them.” 

In the article, Keto is quoted as saying, “Kids of today are looking at it like they don’t want $36,000 debt without being able to pay for it afterwards.”

“I can’t tell you what it did say and didn’t say,” Keto responded. “I did not say anything negative about arts programs, and if I was referring to the arts in any way, it would be all arts.”

According to Keto, the majors at UMD experiencing an enrollment increase include science, business, and “a little bit” in education and psychology. 

The University of Minnesota’s official enrollment statistics combats this, showing each school mentioned has experienced a significant dip this fall semester. It also proves that UMD’s College of Liberal Arts has been experiencing a steady increase. 

“You take your pick in what you want to major in,” Keto said. “You’ve got a debt to cover.”

Keto said he believes all disciplines at UMD are equally valuable.

“The [DNT] question was why students are shifting into enrolling in the sciences, business and engineering,” Keto said. “I don't know. I know that you got a $36,000 debt you’ve got to pay for and if I'm making $20,000 a year, it's going to take me forever.”

According to Keto, 96 percent of UMD graduates find a job. 

“That's a phenomenal percentage, and that's in every discipline,” Keto said. “So they’re getting jobs, [but] are some of them thinking that maybe these other disciplines will get them a better paying job?”

Keto called himself a “proponent of the arts.” 

“The world’s changed,” Keto said. “It’s a lot different than when I was in school. I can’t even project what someone makes their decision based on.”

When questioned whether he believes graduates of the School of Fine Arts would make money after graduation, Keto said “Some will.”

“It depends on what their job is and what career they go after, I imagine,” Keto said. “Hell, one might get an Emmy Award and make a fortune. Fine Arts is going to be successful just like Liberal Arts will be.” 

Keto believes all “disciplines” at UMD play a vital role for the future.

“Some are going to make more money than others,” Keto said. “That's a fact.”

The letter, dated Nov. 19, asked for administrators to “publicly reaffirm” their commitment for students. 

Christian Moreno Cova, UMD’s Senator for the School of Fine Arts, and one of the students who signed the letter stated they wanted to make a change.

“One of the things that came to mind when we first approached this idea was what we wanted to do in response to this,” Moreno Cova said. “This isn't a one time thing. It's kind of been a pattern of disrespect and behavior that has not benefited the School of Fine Arts.”

Historically, UMD’s allocation of funds during budget cuts has always directly damaged the arts when compared to other schools, according to Moreno Cova.

“We're taking nine percent in budget cuts, most schools are taking five percent and Swenson is negotiating 1.5,” Moreno Cova said. “That already concerns us and that's already a situation we have to deal with, regardless of anything else.”

Cova said that its upsetting when an article comes out with the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations states “publicly disparaging” comments towards the School of Fine Arts.

“[The comments] are not only ill advised, but inaccurate towards the reality that we're facing,” Moreno Cova said. “It's incredibly important that we get out in front of it and make sure it's clear that what is highlighted in those comments is untrue.”

Moreno Cova pointed out that the School of Fine Arts is a substantial player for both UMD and the city of Duluth. 

“We contribute to not just the university, but the culture of Duluth in the state of Minnesota in a very tangible way,” Moreno Cova said. “There are many graduates of the School of Fine Arts who are contributing to their communities, not only here within the Twin Ports, but in the state, in the country nationwide.” 

The School of Fine Arts has seen increased enrollment over the last two years, yet Moreno Cova feels that comments, like the ones made by Vice Chancellor Keto, could negate this.

“What other way can you interpret [the article]?” Grant Goulson, another student involved with the letter to administrators, questioned. “I mean, I went back and reread it a couple of times to see if I miss something or there's like a sentence before that.”

According to Moreno Cova, Keto’s statements weren’t only targeting students of the School of Fine Arts, but all students at UMD.

“If you are a prospective student, what goes through your mind if you're thinking ‘oh, well, I saw comments made by an administrator about students of the school and how they make decisions?’” Moreno Cova questioned “That's not something that will help students make the proper decisions that we need to survive at the School of Fine Arts and the UMD as a whole.” 

The letter to administrators has received encouragement and support from numerous people, including all three department heads within the School of Fine Arts. However, students have yet to receive an official response from administrators. 

“I think the fact that we haven't gotten any sort of response from the people who our letter was directed at is disheartening,” Kathryn Keller, one of the students who helped compose the letter, said. “We just wanted an acknowledgement of, ‘Yeah, we hear you. We see you. You are a valuable part of this school.’” 

Keller stated that there should be an apology for Keto’s remarks in the DNT article. Keller also said students would appreciate a more thorough explanation regarding the numbers for budget cuts.

Director for UMD’s Marketing and Public Relations, Lynne Williams, stated that budget cuts are happening all across campus, to all colleges, including non-academic units.

“UMD does and will continue to value the arts,” Williams said. “It is an important part of our education and student experience and it is core to our mission of providing a liberal education.”

According to Williams, leadership did not make cuts across the board because it’s not strategic. 

“I want to stress that the cuts are not focused exclusively on [the School of Fine Arts] or intended to devalue the arts,” Williams concluded. 

“If you can’t view one part of your college as meaningful, what does that say about the rest of your colleges?” Emma Kari, whose signature was also on the letter, asked. 

“I'm used to having to explain to people in the community why I'm studying art and why it's useful, but I didn't think I'd have to explain that to a school administrator,” student Alison Wieber, who also signed the letter to administrators, said. “I just didn't think I'd ever have to explain to someone, in charge of the university, why my degree is useful and why I chose to do it.”

Contributors to this article include Heidi Stang, Suenary Philavanh and Abigael Smith