Former Philadelphia University of the Arts student begins new academic career at Moore College of Art and Design

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Former students at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia are starting the semester at a new school after the university abruptly closed in June.

At Moore College of Art and Design in Center City on Saturday, former UArts students were settling in just fine.

Action News spoke with one student who is looking forward to the next chapter after such a devastating blow.

Trevor Farrell is a freshman who was planning on attending UArts.

But three weeks ago, she found out she’d be studying film at Moore College.

“It was really stressful at first and I was like, ‘What am I going to do for the next four years?’ It felt like everything was on the line. But then I feel like I found a better sense of community, I feel like I really put down roots here in Philadelphia and I feel like I found a passion that really drove me beyond that heartbreak,” Farrell said.

Kali Bauer is also a freshman playing the same position as Farrell.

“It was really crazy. I felt so sad, heartbroken and confused. Then I looked at Moore and they were so open and so supportive of bringing back kids that had been kicked out of the UArts situation,” she told Action News.

The parents say they are just as grateful for the new opportunities as their children are.

“It was like a scramble at the end and it was heartbreaking at first, but then Moore stood up and it was great, I was so happy,” parent Jim Farrell said.

Moore College admitted 265 new students this year, including many from the now-closed Uarts, Delaware College of Art and Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

UArts students, faculty and staff learned of the sudden closure at the end of May, and some students say they are still waiting for refunds from UArts.

University officials said the closure was due to a variety of issues, including financial difficulties and a lack of applicants.

Some students and staff have since sued, with one lawsuit filed in June alleging the university did not provide enough notice about the closure.

Federal law requires employers to give workers 60 days’ written notice of planned layoffs. The university gave one week’s notice.

The House Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on the lawsuit the same month it was filed.

While many are heartbroken over UArts’ closure, Moore College officials say they welcome students wholeheartedly.

“Like everyone in Philadelphia, we are saddened by the closing of the College of Art. With this closure, we become Philadelphia’s only freestanding art and design college, and we take that role seriously. Our job is to educate the creators and innovators of the future who will shape the world,” said Cathy Young, dean of Moore College of Art and Design.

Young said that in addition to students, former UArts faculty members are also employed by Moore.

“For me, it’s like welcoming family home. I’m so happy everyone can come,” she said.

Temple University and Drexel University also accepted transfer former UArts students for the upcoming semester.

The next semester begins on August 22nd at Moore College.