“CenterArts will be continuing to serve the campus and community with world-class performing arts events as the organization has been doing for the last four decades,” says Roy Furshpan, CenterArts Director.
“While the pandemic is making any performances very unlikely for the spring or summer at this point, we are hard at work putting together an exciting series of shows for the 2021/2022 season,” Furshpan says. “We look forward to sharing our line up with the public sometime in the spring in anticipation of performances resuming in the Fall, or whenever it is safe to gather again.”
CenterArts emailed patrons in December, sharing that the transition has positive potential for the campus and community. Programming is currently suspended due to the pandemic, but planning is underway for a safe return to performances for the 2021-22 season.
In addition to the performing arts series, CenterArts will be developing strategic partnerships within the Enrollment Management division and across campus to help expand student engagement opportunities and create new campus traditions. They will be initiating programming that will help the campus with recruitment and retention.
Student involvement in the planning will be important, as much of the effort will relate to a renewed focus on events specifically designed for them. There will continue to be events designed with the broader community in mind, including the familiar shows and concerts, and planning is underway to add new types of programming. CenterArts will also be actively involved in implementing plans for the student-led process of re-envisioning the student union.
The changes being considered, and the enhancement to campus life they will bring, are directly in response to requests from student groups over recent years.
For now, with the pandemic preventing the University from hosting events and gatherings, the focus is on a smooth transition and creative planning.
Most management and support staff from the University Center have been offered stateside positions by the University. HSU Human Resources has been in communication with most active UC employees and has extended offers of employment, and continues to work closely with employees to ensure they understand their options. The University will maintain all student jobs in non-dining areas like Center Activities and CenterArts.
CenterArts and oversight of the University-owned student union building will be moved to student services.
Immediate priorities for these areas include:
• Assessing and implementing scheduling platform and protocols
• Long term planning for campus events in conjunction with student leaders, Dean of Students, CenterArts, and others
• Developing strategy for more concerts and events on campus with student-focused recording and entertainment artists
• Offering more student-centered space for gatherings and meetings
• Eliminating burdensome chargebacks and excessive space rental fees for student organizations
• Continuing to offer community programs that also draw student participation
• Fulfilling the Associated Students space prioritization work that began in 2019
• Commitment to student fees supporting existing programs instead of UC executive salaries
• Immediate service continuity and sustained partnership with campus leaders
• Dedicated strategies to enhance and improve sustainability
• Continuity for student employees
For more information, view the UC Transition Fact Sheet.