Students React to SB120

interviews and photos by Doyle Moeller

SB120, a bill designed to take the money out of special funds that UH Manoa and the arts need to survive, is drawing reactions from students and faculty involved in the arts.

doyle moeller / KA LAMAKUA

Dr. Louis Bouquet, Lecturer in the French Department

I read the e-mail this morning. “A very bad bill,” they called it. Slashing budgets across the board seems to be detrimental to the studies of whatever department they are. It’s an efficient service.

For the French... I’ve heard they have cut a lot of programs. I know that the trend in the university right now is to basically cut all the arts programs and the language/humanities programs in favor of the more “efficient” programs with direct results or direct applications.

My personal take on it is they are trying to apply the rules of the market, of “real life” to studies in the humanities, to art, to all kinds of endeavors, and in doing so, they are missing the point.
Studying language and studying literature and culture has no direct application but it allows the students to develop a bigger understanding and a bigger perspective. 

doyle moeller / KA LAMAKUA

Junior Crystal Yoo, Secondary Education with a focus on math, with a minor in art

We already have to pay a lab reimbursement, so there’s that money, and then I’m pretty sure they’re going to increase that fee if this bill passes. 

On top of the fee, we also have to pay for the majority of our supplies. We’re looking at $100 a semester just to pay for it out of my own money. If this bill goes through, then we’re probably going to be paying at least $200 extra just for that one class.

And that’s just an introductory class. Imagine what the higher classes would probably have to pay. 

doyle moeller / KA LAMAKUA

Emi Nakamura, Art major with a focus on drawing and painting

I think budget cuts are very detrimental to the Art department.

There’s already a lack of classes being offered, which makes it very hard for students to even register for the classes they need.

Furthering the budget cuts would worsen that problem even further.

Over the last year or so, I noticed that a lot of the professors who used to work here are no longer here. 

I’m just really worried. What’s going to happen to the arts?