To the editors:
In the article about the Music Industry Program, published in the Dec. 3 issue of The Maroon, there are several inaccuracies that I would like to bring to your attention. First, neither Jerry Goolsby or George Howard were “dismissed” by the College of Business. Goolsby is the Hilton Baldridge Professor of Music Industry Studies and will continue in that position and will continue his role and relationship with the Music Industry program. George Howard was also not “dismissed.” His contract expires in May of 2011 and it was not renewed for next year. For more information on his situation, I would suggest you contact his Dean, Bill Locander.
The discontinuation of the “major” in the College of Business does not mean that the College of Business is no longer involved with the Music Industry program at Loyola, which continues to thrive and grow. The major in the College of Business was converted to a minor, with the very same courses that were in the minor. This change in name only was made necessary because of the confusion of having two “majors” in the same field and accreditation issues in the College of Business that are unrelated to the Music Industry Studies program. Also, all Music Industry students receive a minor in business. We believe strongly that the relationship between the two colleges is what differentiates our Music Industry program nationally and we are determined to maintain and enhance it.
The changes in Music Industry are an attempt to consolidate and focus and are not as dramatic as the article portrayed. I apologize if I gave the wrong impression to your reporter, but please assure your readers that the deans, the provost and the Music Industry faculty have the same goal—making the Music Industry program a paragon of excellence and professionalism and pre-eminence in the field.
Thank you very much for your consideration.
John Snyder
Music Industry Studies professor and
Coordinator of Music Industry Studies
