Ithaca College Clarifies That AI Major Had No Involvement in Theatre Administration Program Change

Ithaca College has changed its Theatre Administration program for future students. Steve TenEyck, dean of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, announced to current students that the specific program will no longer continue in its current form. Students currently enrolled will still graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre Administration.

“Over the last several years, we have spoken with current students and alumni, reviewed trends in student interest, and considered how best to position our academic offerings for the future,” the email read. “Those conversations reinforced the value of Theatre Administration while also highlighting growing opportunities for students whose interests span the arts, leadership, entrepreneurship, communications, and creative enterprise.”

In a new statement, the college clarified that the program is not being cut. Instead, it is evolving to involve students who are interested in roles "across the creative sector." While students will no longer be able to enroll in the B.S. in Theatre Administration, the core curriculum is being broadened for a wider appeal. 

"Academic programs evolve over time to reflect changes in their fields and the opportunities available to students, and this program is no exception. Theatre Administration has evolved before, including in its shift from Theatre Arts Management to Theatre Administration, while maintaining its focus on preparing students for careers in arts leadership and management. As Ithaca College reviews and updates its academic programs, that work is informed by insights and feedback from alumni and professionals in relevant industries. The development of Creative Industries followed that same approach, drawing on those perspectives to reflect the ways careers and opportunities across the creative sector are evolving."

The Ithacan reports that Angela Branneman, associate professor and co-chair of Creative Industries, Theatre Production and Management, will now take over leadership of Creative Industries, moving on from Theatre Administration. The email states that Creative Industries will lead to “a broader pathway for many future students who may previously have been interested in Theatre Administration.”

Several students received the news while they were in class with fellow Theatre Administration majors, with sophomore Avery MacRae stating that they were “very upset.”

“There was not a single person who was happy about this change in my class. Everyone in the class was holding back tears or very upset.”

The change comes after the college announced that it will be launching an artificial intelligence major. Available for students to declare as their major this fall, the program will explore both the development of AI and the societal implications that come with the new technology.

The college has now published a statement, clarifying that the AI major had no impact on the change in the Theatre Administration program.

"The evolution of Theatre Administration to Creative Industries is unrelated to Ithaca College’s new academic offerings in artificial intelligence. The college is not cutting arts education in favor of AI. These are separate academic initiatives developed independently to create new opportunities for students."

While no students are currently enrolled in the AI program, Dean and Professor Claire Gleitman tells The Ithacan that they “wouldn’t want to create a new program if we have no reason to think a student has an interest in it.”

Ali Erkan, professor and chair of the Department of Computer Science, says that his focus is on separating the use of artificial intelligence from the building of artificial intelligence. Although he maintains reservations about how it is used, Ithaca cannot ignore that it is being built.

“The most substantial concern that I have is that a careless deployment of AI for use could compromise the learning of young people,” Erkan said. “Not comprehending the tool you are using is a very precarious place to be for a human.”