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Purveyors and supporters of the arts in higher education, we urgently need to hear from you. As many of you are aware, the State of California has been hit hard by the current recession. Budget cuts in the University of California system have reached crisis proportions. In light of these budget cuts, the University of California, Berkeley administration is now deciding the fate of its Department of Dramatic Art. The members of the Department have enthusiastically supported a task force report suggesting the restructuring of our Department as a Center for Theatre Arts, a plan we believe will allow us to maintain excellence in the face of adversity. Acceptance of this proposal is not assured; there is the very real possibility that Berkeley's Academic Planning Board may elect to eliminate the Department altogether. In addition to meaning our extinction, such a move would provide an ominous precedent for Theatre in higher education. We urge you to make your voices heard. Please send letters and/or e-mail messages expressing your support for Theatre in higher education to the three members of Berkeley's Academic Planning Board listed below. Time is of the essence. Review will occur next week. Thanks very much to all. Bruce Bolt Academic Senate 320 Stephens Hall University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720 [e-mail, care of: [log in to unmask]] Provost Carol Christ 200 California Hall University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720 [e-mail: [log in to unmask]] Vice-Chancellor John Heilbron 200 California Hall University of California, Berkeley Berkeley, CA 94720 [e-mail: [log in to unmask]]