Northern Kentucky University

Date: Mar 28 2012
Major: Music - Performance (This Major's Salary over time)
My experience at NKU (especially in the music department) was an unpleasant one.

Many of the core classes are taught by some of the absolute worst professors, who somehow end up keeping there job for another year or two after you barely complete the course.

Currently, some of the worst classes/sections are music theory, aural skills and history. Recent changes in the curriculum have caused problems with students. Based on information from both students and faculty (the good ones) is that the changes and requirements are a bit absurd. Most of the core classes seem to rely on a single project or exam to determine your fate as to whether you move on, regardless if you are passing the class. Basically, if you have passed everything up until the final exam or project and end up not doing so good on it, you fail. Does that seem logical? Also, the professors that teach the courses seem to be less than helpful and some days come in complaining and whining like hormonal teenagers. Some have been known to call out students in front of class, embarrassing them in front of their peers. Faculty members have even gone as far as to make false accusations towards students. And they wonder why they end up leaving?

There are only a few faculty members (few and far between - I can think of 3 right now) that seem proactive towards the student's well being and I want to thank them for doing so. They are Samaritans in my book. Most students seem very disheartened in this department and I think it mostly has to do with the sourpuss faculty members either not giving two craps about their work or just being self-absorbed with their own well being. No one seems to want to help anyone succeed in the department. It appears they want to do the opposite - drive students away, which is exactly what they are doing.

The past few years, an insurmountable number of students have transferred to other universities to pursue a music degree - AND SUCCEEDING! The department wonders why enrollment for admission has dropped 50% compared to previous years. It is because students are poorly treated.

Unfortunately, the good faculty members seem to be aware of these deficiencies and actually end up either retiring or leaving for another school.

Poor, hastily made decisions by the higher ups have caused the department to currently have NO FULL TIME PIANO ACCOMPANISTS! Currently, students have to use outside resources (include accompanists who used to work in the department but left because of the state it is in) costing students extra money.

One of the most obvious eyesores is the actual facilities itself. The Fine Arts center is literally sinking into the ground. Apparently, they are planning to renovate Greaves Concert Hall over the summer, but that is just the start of the decomposition of structural integrity of the building as a whole. Many rainy days, you will find the third floor leaking in numerous places, even causing the ceiling titles to collapse. A faculty member ended up with a lung infection which is believed to have started with a mold buildup in the ceilings. Other notable mentions are he computer lab which has a printer but rarely ever works. Good luck to those who need to print out homework there!

While this isn't the Department of Music's fault, it certainly says a lot about NKU in general. It seems they are more focused on spending money towards new buildings such as Griffin Hall (which was leaking shortly after it's inception) and moving athletics to Division I (which has cost millions). Other buildings are in poor shape as well. NKU should focus on repairing their current structures rather than poorly putting together new buildings which leak.

In short, if a prospective student was considering NKU for Music, I would tell them to look at other colleges. This is certainly not the place to go. If they were doing something else or maybe even just wanting to get general education courses complete, I may recommend it. I know not all the departments on campus aren't as corrupt as the music department is, but it certainly does paint a pretty picture for NKU overall.

Some massive overhauling needs to be done to this department if hey plan to compete with the likes of CCM, UK and Louisville - schools which most NKU music students end up transferring to and succeeding.