I am a parent of a current Fiction Writing student and the recent news about what the department stands to lose through the prioritization process has left me unnerved and greatly concerned. My daughter, Emily Schultze, has seen her talents and her ambition blossom at Columbia, and it is all thanks to the fantastic Fiction Writing Department. I truly feel that this department is such a unique place, where students can not only feel at home and comfortable, but have the opportunity to utilize so many resources that are there for them. My daughter is constantly calling to tell me about all the new things she’s become involved with: Hair Trigger, The Story Week Reader, Story Week, etc. She has become passionate about hard work. She has come to believe that she can succeed in this field of work, as a writer. She has been given so many wonderful opportunities through the department. All of these factors lead me to full heartedly believe that every penny we had to spend, and every loan we have had to take out was all worth it. I don’t know Randy Albers, but my daughter has explained to me what an important attribute he is to the department. As a parent, I would be so saddened to think that prioritization would result with the Fiction Department not continuing to be the great thing that it is. It is even sadder to think that future students won’t be entitled to the same experience as my daughter has had. I urge those in charge of these changes to be mindful of what has made Columbia’s Fiction Department so successful.
Warmest regards,
Dixie Tracy