University of the Arts Closure
Policy Committee June 17, 2024
PHILADELPHIA, June 17 – Students, faculty and alumni detailed the heartbreak and fallout in the wake of the haphazard announcement and sudden closure of the University of the Arts at a House Majority Policy Committee. The UArts announced it would close on Friday, May 31, and it closed its doors – ending almost a 150-year history in Philadelphia – a week later on June 7. Students and faculty at the University detailed a “brutal, awful” time and how their lives have been thrown into “catastrophe.” 
- Host: Rep. Ben Waxman, D-Philadelphia
- Testifiers:
- Alex McFadden- Student, University of the Arts
- Joey Miller- Student, University of the Arts
- Gehia Davenport- Staff Member, Alumna, University of the Arts
- Kevin Mercer- Illustration Faculty Member, University of the Arts
- Frank Machos- Alumnus, University of the Arts
- Laurin Talese- Alumna, University of the Arts
- Erin Elman- Dean of Graduate and Professional Studies, University of the Arts
Agenda + Testimony
Media Release + News Coverage
- Students, faculty, alumni detail UArts closure, June 17, 2024
- CBS 3 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania House lawmakers host hearing on University of the Arts closure, June 17, 2024
- Philadelphia Inquirer, The latest UArts hearing discusses red flags before closure, a failed move to save the school, and an accusation of ‘cowards’ on the board, June 17, 2024
- Fox 29 Philadelphia, UArts abrupt closure: Students, faculty speak with lawmakers during hearing, June 17, 2024
- KYW Newsradio, Former UArts dean says she, other deans had ‘no idea’ of closure until minutes before public, June 17, 2024
- WTAJ, New PA bill proposed to warn of university problems following UArts closure, June 17, 2024
- PHL 17, University of the Arts hearing held to discuss closure, June 18, 2024
Video + Photos