Dear Editor,

Prior to the 2008-2009 school year, I was a devout advocate for Radford University and its programs. I had the opportunity to be taught by some of the best faculty in not only the Commonwealth of Virginia, but nationwide as well. I encouraged high school students to attend Radford University and to let the faculty expand their minds and offer them a first-class education. I truly fear that after this week of deliberations and justifications, I, as an alumna may no longer be able to make the recommendation of Radford University with confidence.

I received my undergraduate degree and my graduate degree from Radford University. As a student with interdisciplinary majors and minor, I had the wonderful privilege of being taught and molded by the faculty in the Philosophy and Religion, Geology, Geography, Women’s Studies, Sociology and especially the Appalachian Studies department. My parents watched with pride as I excelled in college, gained wonderful, practical experience in academics and became an overall scholar. These professors helped push me to exceed my limitations and thanks to them, I am now planning to continue my education even further.

When I do make that step to higher education, I may have the unique opportunity to explain to the admissions office why my programs—the very ones I spent six years of my life immersed in—no longer exist. They will not be able to look at Radford University and see the outstanding quality of the interdisciplinary programs available—programs that, although they have few students as majors or minors, they have hundreds of students benefit from each year. Admissions offices will not see this—they will see my degrees as historical references to what once was.

I was told that the possible elimination of my programs would not affect my future chances of continuing my education; however, I firmly believe that the histories of these majors and minors will be reduced to no more than manila folders hidden in a corner cabinet in someone’s office. No admissions office will be able to comprehend the quality of the programs that exist at Radford if they are eliminated and the focus of the school is shifted.

Such a focus is being put on community service and place-based learning in the higher education arena. That being said, why would you want to eliminate or alter Appalachian Studies? We are the place, we are the community and we need the service. When I travel to conferences, present papers and make contacts across the nation, I am reminded by many that I attended Radford University. I am reminded by strangers that I have had the benefit of being taught by the foremost scholars in Appalachian Studies. This university needs all the resources it can get—why would it eliminate its most precious and valuable assets?

I came to Radford University so I would not become a number and I wasn’t. For six years, I was Shai Cullop, a student as well as friend and colleague to many faculty and staff. Now, I am sorry to say that my experience has been reduced to being a number. I have been reduced to a six digit student number. I am the 23 programs that the university is considering eliminating. I am the 43-point loss last week between Penelope Kyle and her new focus of being an athletic institution. Monday night it became much more personal to me. I became the incorrect numbers touted at the Academic Review Committee Meeting. In turn, I also became the result of a misinformed vote. Students need to look at what matters to them. It’s time to stand up and be counted. They weren’t on Monday night and won’t be on Friday if something doesn’t change soon.

Sincerely,

Shai Cullop
Radford, VA