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	Vol.7, No 6, September 8, 1999
	Art program bigger, better By Daniel Oliveira Daily Forty-Niner Bigger, better and stronger.  This is how the art department at Cal State Long Beach is defined by its student adviser John Snidecor. Among the California State University campuses, the CSULB art department is one of the largest in the number of students, facilities and faculty, Snidecor said. "Weíre blessed geographically," he said. "It's a nice place to be and consequently to get a good number of students." The department has approximately 1,200 students and 80 full and part-time faculty, Snidecor said. The fall schedule lists 183 classes, including those under art, art history and the College of Arts. "My theory has always been the larger, the better," Snidecor said. Despite the departmentís large size, graphic design major Juan Millan said the department should have more classes. "There are few art history classes and itís very hard to get in," he said. Snidecor said he receives positive feedback from students, who think the department is strong academically and its faculty members are friendly. One of the departmentís advantages is that the instructors teach within their specialization. A student who takes an art history class, for example, will have a teacher graduated in art history, Snidecor said. The department's reputation, especially in graphic design and illustration, makes it easier for students to obtain jobs after graduation, Snidecor said. Printmaking major Erin Brady said the department's best quality is the teachers' qualifications. "They have a lot of time to help in personal needs and to strengthen [the students'] weaknesses," he said. Millan said the best quality is the facultyís accessibility. "Whenever we have questions, [the adviser] is there to answer them," he said. "If you need help on something, he is there." Art history major Jude Berandi agrees. "Everything seems very resourceful," she said. "If you need some information, everything is accessible." The department offers courses in art history and art education, in addition to in-studio classes such as ceramics, fiber, graphic design, illustration, printmaking and photography. "It's easy to make a good program better, but itís very difficult to make a mediocre program good," Snidecor said, explaining how other art departments will have difficulty catching up to CSULB's.  The department, which offers bachelorís and masterís degrees, is one of the only schools in the nation offering a certificate in medical illustration, according to its information booklet. A student portfolio is the main requirement for admission, Snidecor said. Freshmen and transfer students should arrange for a review of their portfolio in the departmentís office. In addition, as the program is impacted, students must have a 3.0 GPA in at least 15 prerequisite units of art and design, according to the booklet.		Nursing major Jennie Caguioa works with clay in one of the beginning ceramic classes in the art department. "I wanted to take a class that was fun and interesting," Caguioa said.                                                                                                                         Art program bigger, better Hazing problem down New system helps students, teachers Welcome week wows all Governor signs teaching bill Entrepreneurs given internships with grant North campus library takes on new identity University Police Department makes mark Abortion already legal Parking no picnic Long Beach police have new beat OOSoul soothes audience with sound Friday Night Reggae Club gives good vibes 'Lend Me a Tenor' tantalizes 'Mystery Alaska' moves Cross country team needs seasoning Morgan entering critical time period Back-to-back overtime loses puzzle coach Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.