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Program fights for survival

Abstract:
Although the fencing masters program is the only one in the entire nation and is internationally recognized, its existence is not commonly known among SJSU students.

"It's this well-kept secret at the school that everyone in the fencing community knows about," said David Coblentz, a candidate for the instructor at arms fencing test in May....

  • Displaying 1 - 29 of 29

Tom Smedley

posted 9/17/08 @ 7:07 AM PST

Global recognition is good. Having a globally-recognized, and respected, program on campus is a good thing. Fencing is not nearly as frivolous as the Bulwer-Lytton literary contest, which is SJ State's only other claim to the world's attention.
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Gary Murry

posted 9/17/08 @ 9:07 AM PST

It is amazing that during these financially difficult times, that a University would let die a program that costs little to no money for the University to run. As I understand, most of the students are paying Open University level fees (I.E. more expensive), and requires no financial support from the University (except the paper required to send out an enrollment sheet). If I were a University official, I would be advertising such a unique program as a way to differentiate my school from all the others. I do not believe that SJSU can compete with the likes of Stanford on financial basis, but here is a program that is internationally recognized and NOT available anywhere else in the US. How can a University close a program which brings in money and provides SJSU the ability to claim it offers a program that is not available anywhere else in the US? -Gary Murry
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Steven Reich

posted 9/17/08 @ 4:54 PM PST

So much for a university offering diverse programs and allowing unique opportunities for its students. This is a unique school with a lineage that goes back to the 1800s which can be traced back through some of the greatest fencers of the 19th and 20th century and a unique tie to western culture.
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Eric Myers

posted 9/18/08 @ 1:38 PM PST

The comments regarding the contextual importance of this program are spot on; SJSU appears to be throwing away a gem that can only benefit the University. Furthermore, since SJSU has accepted students into a three year program, it seems reasonable to expect enough advance notice that those in the program can complete it. This would also give the program time to find a new home, and arrange for transfers of existing students.
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David Borland

posted 9/18/08 @ 2:41 PM PST

I'm one of the students that fly in regularly to attend the class, and it will be a great tragedy to me if the program goes away. I'm about halfway through the program, and at great expense, I travel to San Jose, to get the training that this program offers. Training that I can't get any where else.

Graduates of this program are highly respected by members of the fencing community as being excellent teachers, scholars, and fencers.
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Bob

posted 9/18/08 @ 4:38 PM PST

Wow... the student trainee has good form... and she's hot...
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M. Rose Barlow

posted 9/18/08 @ 11:21 PM PST

I agree with previous commenters that the Fencing Masters Program brings nothing but prestige to SJSU (as well as additional income). Not only is it unique in the country, but graduates of the program have taken the pedagogy they learned in the certificate program and applied it to outside areas, teaching various types of classes and subjects in California and beyond. The program maintains a cultural heritage with deep and wide roots and branches.

I too am a student who started the program and am now, apparently, unable to finish. Due to a job I had to move out of state and I was hoping to fly back for classes and possibly to complete a certification in the future. Such an endeavor, as others have mentioned, is not cheap, and yet I gladly pay all tuition and floor fees for this excellent program. Now, this long-standing program is in jeopardy. We are professionals, academics, students, taxpayers, and fencers of all sorts who give up our Saturdays for this unparalleled opportunity to learn from the best. I hope we can get an explanation, at the very least.
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Ralp Curtis

posted 9/19/08 @ 1:44 AM PST

What makes this program special is that it not only teaches fencing, but also the art teaching itself. I have been studying with Maestro Sahm and Maestra Sahm for several years and I can see an enormous difference in my ability to guide students both individually and in groups. Some of the best fencing teachers in the world have graduated from this program. Both the program and Maestro Gaugler himself are recognized in the United States and internationally as an example of excellence. Some students fly in from other states and even the East coast to train at SJSU because it is one of the last places to get a traditional Italian fencing master's education. I realize that the current budget crunch seems to have caused a wave of cuts, but in this case SJSU would be haphazardly cutting a program that makes money and brings an enormous amount of prestige to the college. It was my intention to test as Master at Arms, and count myself as a graduate of the SJSU program, but this may no longer be possible.
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Maria Grundmann

posted 9/19/08 @ 6:41 AM PST

To those who were saving up pennies to fly out from Colorado just to take part in this program, its cancellation comes as a major disappointment. I have benefited greatly from the program by taking excellent classes from its graduates, but I had hoped to, one day, join them.

I hope that some more enlightened institution will provide such an acclaimed program a suitable home.
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Ralph Curtis

posted 9/19/08 @ 7:48 AM PST

Some of the best and most sought after fencing teachers in the world have graduated from this program. To be more precise, Maestro Sahm and Maestra Sahm have a reputation for teaching not just Italian fencing, but the art of teaching itself. During a budget crunch, it would be a terrible loss to haphazardly cut a program that is income positive and brings the university an incredible amount of prestige in the United States and internationally. The program has such a strong reputation that fencers have flown in from the East coast to study in San Jose. I have been participating in this program for several years and drove 4 hours to attend each class. I have counted it well worth the effort and had intended to test as a Master at Arms when my time came.
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Brigit

posted 9/19/08 @ 7:56 AM PST

Who can we send an email to protesting this action? I find it unconscionable that a program such as this would be dropped without even giving a reason.
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Andrew Hamilton

posted 9/19/08 @ 9:37 AM PST

This is unbelievable. I could vaguely understand removing this program if it were a financial drain on the university; after all, these are rather difficult times as academic funding goes. But I can see no way that this program sucks away funding, and the only reason I can think of for this random cancellation is university politics (blech; grad students hate politics). Many of my friends have attended this program and loved every minute of it, and there are lots of committed people who will fight for its survival. Even if SJSU makes this terrible mistake, I think the fencing program will live on in some other incarnation, perhaps elsewhere.
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Jeff Richardson

posted 9/19/08 @ 10:02 AM PST

This is a tragedy for the United States Fencing community. This is the only place in the country you can get your classical master at arms certificate through an accredited university. Most clubs are stuck with coaches certified by the USFA, a title that doesn't hold a candle to a Fencing Masters Degree.

I inquired of the university about this program years ago and no one in the administration offices or anyone who answered the phone seemed to know it even existed on campus. Yet, today I have may friends who go out of their way at great expense to travel across the country regularly to train at this program.

The university apparently spends no administration time on it.... they didn't know it was even there for the most part. And it costs them nothing but a room for them to use. And, it gets the university international fame.

What... are they thinking?

Maybe someone can get the University of Oregon to take over the program! Then I can go train there.
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Judithe Nicolai

posted 9/19/08 @ 2:47 PM PST

What a shame to think that after our recent success at the Olympic games that this horrible injustice is even possible, much less thinkable.

I bet it is the same thinking that made the Susan B. Anthony Dollar to look like a quarter!
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Enrico M

posted 9/20/08 @ 8:07 AM PST

The fencing masters program has taught students at San José State University for almost 30 years. It enriches the university with diversity, attracts out-of-state students and affords international recognition. Did anybody watch fencing at the Beijing Olympic games? I'm sure these students have invested significant amounts of time and money, so as a purely practical matter, I feel the university is obligated to enable current students to graduate. San José State University would be stabbing itself in the foot if it abandons this unique program.

Unfortunately, I witnessed a similar situation with a foreign language program at another university. I liken this to the "big-box" retail business model, which favors quantity, "class numbers," over quantity.

"When you're out of quality, you're out of business." ~ Unknown
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David Cogley

posted 9/22/08 @ 12:36 AM PST

I'm one of the people flying down from out of state to come to the program. In the traditional/classical fencing community, there isn't an individual who doesn't know about the program. Everyone regards it as providing the highest level of training possible in the country. Other fencing masters around the country, not associated with the program refer to it as the best means to recieve a masters certification, if thats what you want. It brings a level of prestige to the school. There are hundreds of people around the country who aspire to be able to attend the program. Some want to move to san jose, and some, like me, travel each weekend to do it. Cutting the program destroys the dreams of many people who want to earn a title. Its cancellation would be the destruction of possibly the most revered center of education for fencing in the country.
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Martin Tali

posted 9/22/08 @ 1:20 PM PST

Though I am not student of the program myself, I have greatly benefited from it by taking fencing lessons from its students and graduates in Santa Clara Adult Education program.
I don't think you can find better fencing education anywhere, and I would be really disappointed, if it got cancelled for trivial reasons. I also feel bad for students who have started a program, invested a lot of time and money to it, and are not given a chance to complete.
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Charles Dobbs

posted 9/22/08 @ 3:28 PM PST

What a catastrophe for the fencing community!

Please come to your senses and do not discard such a wonderful and unique program, SJSU.

To current fencing master students -- my sympathy. This really sucks. Please do let everyone know who to email or call in protest if that would help.
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Matthew Mole

posted 9/22/08 @ 6:30 PM PST

I consider this a tragedy and a short sighted bureaucratic decision. We have a couple of people from down here in Australia and NZ who have been looking at how we could take this program. Such is its reputation.
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James Holczer

posted 9/23/08 @ 6:53 AM PST

The "program is the only one in the entire nation and is internationally recognized"
So what do you do with a program like this? You cancel it???? Couple this with the fact that it cost almost nothing to maintain, one has to wonder where the thought process behind such a boneheaded move comes from. Personally I find it appalling that a unique and prestigious program such as this would even be offered up to the bean counters chopping block like so much other useless garbage floating around in our education system today. Maybe I'm being archaic but I always thought higher education was supposed to enrich and expand the student's experiences and not limit them. Cutting a program like this one is a classic example of how colleges in this country are being effectively turned into assembly line, cookie cutter institutions with little or nothing to offer the individual except a crap load of debt at the end of four years.
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Loretta Gilmartin

posted 9/23/08 @ 9:15 AM PST

Shocked at the illogical budget measures SJSU accounting is taking to shore up their balance sheets when this self sustaining masters program provides another cultural icon for Silicon Valley.
As an alumni, sustaining this quality program adds benefit to SJSU, especially after the 2008 Olympics.
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Courtney Blackburn

posted 9/23/08 @ 10:36 PM PST

I am the fencing maestro (1995), UC Santa Cruz. I have waited 20 years for this opportunity,only to see it vanish over night. I am 'too old in the tooth' to change. I am shocked, I will go on, but I'm very sad. I would be proud to bring the italian fencing methiod to UC Santa Cruz, but now how?
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Daniel Williams

posted 9/26/08 @ 5:22 PM PST

I've studied both as an undergrad and graduate student at SJSU and this program is one of the most unique offerings at the University. SJSU's mission statement calls for "a blend of the old and the new, of the traditional and the innovative". Here is a program based on hundreds of years of history and theory, that is equally respected today by competitive coaches and athletes for it's pedagogical applications.

The program is self-sufficient and attracts students around the world to SJSU. It is terrible that so many people's hard work and dedication could be lost for no reason.
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Albert

posted 9/27/08 @ 12:29 AM PST

I don't get it. The United States just finished probably its most successful Olympics, as far as fencing is concerned -- 6 medals, including a sweep of womens' saber.

It seems to me that this is a golden opportunity for SJSU to solidify its reputation as a premier center of fencing in the United States, at a time when fencing popularity is on the upswing. Wouldn't this bring more recognition, students, and finances to the university? Does it cost money for a department to sponsor the program? Are the departments getting chided for something that is beyond their traditional domain?
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Yi-Hau

posted 9/27/08 @ 9:01 AM PST

Aldo Nadi was one of the greatest professional fencers of his era and this program is in a way, directly handed down from him. It is a pity to see this program be taken down with financial issues as an excuse.

In this day and age, raising funds is not a problem at all with the capabilities of the internet. I think the university simply doesn't want to continue the program.

Why not register it as an organisation or society and award the diploma professionally yourself?
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Veronica Wexler

posted 10/01/08 @ 9:47 AM PST

To the President of SJSU - I am appalled at the ludicrous manner in which you are handling this program. To say you are either financially clueless or irresponsible is an understatement based solely on the fact that you are apparently unilaterally canceling a program which not only pays for itself but contributes to the University's bottom line. Further, as a parent of a student who is considering San Jose State University as a possibility for his undergraduate and post graduate studies, I will do all I can to dissuade my son from this choice and steer him toward some other, possibly state, institution which shows a modicum of financial intelligence.
I fully expect that you will respond to this email defensively because it is indeed a harsh critique of your management; however, I think you need to know that as an older adult who has endured irresponsible government for the last 8 years, I am completely and irrevocably tired of these kinds of shennanigans.
Yours most sincerely,
Veronica Wexler - a taxpayer who votes
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Sydney Thomson M.D.

posted 10/18/08 @ 12:55 PM PST

Here, Here for Veronica's comments. I believe she echos the sentiments of all of us in regard to the abrupt cancellation of the Fencing Master's Program without cause or notice. How incredibly unprofessional for this administration to ignore it's own policy and procedures, let alone common courtesy in summarily ending a three year program with students midway to completion. The President and his underlings have ignored all our letters, emails and attempts at communication. There has been NO RESPONSE whatsoever to even the simplest request for a REASON why this unique and internationally recognized program has been terminated. SJSU administrators have clearly demonstrated their complete lack of respect for their students and their professors. From a business point of view, this class was PROFITABLE!!!! It is my experience that when decisions like this are made behind closed doors, their is no reason other then petty politics. Beware all students of SJSU, you may find yourselves without your program as well. The SJSU President and Administrators should be ashamed of themselves. I vote both with my ballot and my checkbook. I will be sure to vote NO on any ballot measure or request for donations/funding from this university.
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Murray Eiland

posted 10/29/08 @ 3:38 AM PST

I never attended the program, but I owe my introduction to fencing to it. The program has produced excellent teachers known in California and internationally. I never attended SJSU, but I have to admit that the fact that they sponsored the program led me to think well of the school. While I have good reasons for respecting my teachers, I also now have good reasons to change my opinion of the so called university. I hope that the program will find a new home and that it continues in a better environment.
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Jair Cortazar

posted 11/04/08 @ 12:14 PM PST

I just don't understand why the university is closing down the program. I am a Colombian athlete who was hoping to apply for the program. Am I wrong or the university does not take into consideration international attention?

I would like to request the university to consider keeping the program. Maybe the departments hosting the program do not comprehend about the prestige that such program brings to their institution.

The directive of the program should transfer it to one of ivy league universities were it could be better appreciated. Maybe the current educational institution does not know how strong, prestigious, and well known Fencing is in the world. This program could bring first class international students to the institution.
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