A University of Otago student group has called a public meeting today to oppose what it says are university plans to scrap Art History and Visual Culture courses by 2020.
Student Voice says a University of Otago Senate meeting on Wednesday will decide the fate of the Art History and Visual Culture discipline.
The student group says the current proposal is to stop new intakes and "phase out" the programme, so that by 2020 it no longer exists.
Student Voice says failure to plan for and consult with students and staff about the discipline's future has led to a short-sighted decision that undermines the values and purpose of what a university should stand for.
It says Dunedin is a vibrant city with a rich history of culture and arts, and the university plays a major part in driving and supporting this legacy.
The group says at a time when other universities around the country are questioning the future of their Art History programmes, it's crucial that Otago University stands by the importance of art history as an academic discipline and ensures a space is retained in New Zealand for those who wish to study it.
A public meeting in the University of Otago Main Common Room at 12.15pm today will organise to save the programme.
This will be followed by a public support rally outside the clocktower on Wednesday during the Senate meeting itself.
Earlier this year The Auckland University Students' Association protested against the university's proposal to close several specialist libraries and merge their collections into the General Library, affecting architecture, music and dance, and fine arts libraries.
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