PCC plans to cut Music and Sonic Arts program despite community support

Yahoo

02-05-2025

PORTLAND, Ore. () — Portland Community College faculty plan to appeal the administration's decision to axe a program that prepares students for careers in the modern music industry.
Director of Public Relations James Hill confirmed that PCC will cut its Music & Sonic Arts program, along with Gerontology, within the next two years — after 'teach-out plans' are developed for the impacted students.
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But employees told KOIN 6 they are challenging the decision, noting the program has high enrollment and high retention with each cohort reaching its full capacity. They also noted that it entices students who potentially wouldn't pursue higher education if it weren't for the program.
'As an advisor for the program, I get to work with parents, too, who just would love to have their kids out of the basement and in a learning environment,' Arts Pathway Advisor Darcy Demers said. 'And this attracts many students and professionals out there in the community, which makes for rich classroom discussions and such. But we open doors more than for students who otherwise would not be attracted to school and academia.'
Last month, KOIN 6 reported that the college was as part of a 'fiscal sustainability initiative.' Part-time Music & Sonic Arts instructor Rachel Brashear previously revealed faculty members from each program were asked to conduct 'self-studies' to help administrators make their decision.
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The music program's study showed a 'lack of data to clearly demonstrate that an associate degree or credit certificate/credit credential is necessary to become employed in the field,' Hill wrote in an email.
However, Music & Sonic Arts Co-chair Jesse Mejia said the study received positive feedback before faculty members learned the program would be cut. They now have until May 12 to write a three-page appeal in an effort to preserve the courses.
'My feeling is that our administrators have a fairly narrow view of what a music career looks like, and we know that the city is full of music and music tech workers, but suddenly the burden of proof to show that has fallen on us,' Mejia said.
According to , Oregon's commercial music industry generated almost $3.8 billion in economic output and nearly 23,000 jobs in 2021. PCC faculty plan to further highlight this in their appeal, which will include statements from students and advisors advocating for the program.
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'This community — it's bigger than these few administrators with their decisions,' Music & Sonic Arts Instructor Mary Kadderly, who's taught at PCC for more than 35 years, said.
Music Portland has also joined the effort by that asks industry professionals to identify the variety of jobs offered to those with education in contemporary music and technology.
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