<p>I'm starting to backpedal on my enthusiastic support of FLC's theater department due to a distressing problem we families are facing with regard to the Acting in Italian summer Rome program. The program was sold to our kids as an exciting opportunity to finish Italian 4 in Rome as an acting class under the direction of the Fordham's illustrious acting chair. Kids who went in past years reported it was a great experience. The cost of the program was $2550 plus airfare (which is about $1700.) </p>
<p>But about ten days ago families received a bill for an additional $3300 -- tuition -- that we were not expecting. In previous years there was not an additional tuition charge. During spring semester our kids took Italian 4 as a noncredit class (but with a theater schedule, full academics, and 52 required lab hours, students could not take a 6th course in addition to the 3 hours of Italian and their regular course load.) It was explained to them that the would be awarded credit upon completion of the summer program. </p>
<p>As regards the additional tuition, the Italian professor (who seems to be the sole spokesman and organizer for the program) claims it is "cheaper this way" because credits are more expensive during the school year. That's odd accounting, since all of us paid full tuition during spring semester. </p>
<p>Additionally, new students from the Rose Hill Campus who did not take Acting 4 in spring have suddenly been added to the trip. </p>
<p>Worse, we parents have just discovered that the director of the acting program will not be along this time, as was advertised until this afternoon on their website (someone changed the site, but we have screenshots.) The sub they hired is not Fordham faculty, but rather a recent grad. And the play will be directed by a student. While this may not be intentional, the effect for us is a bait-and-switch.</p>
<p>The international programs office has admitted that the professor alone has sole discretion for organizing the trip. There is no itinerary. Students have been told that meals are not provided, but they will be given bus passes and cell phones. They were told to bring money and credit cards (but not how much money.) There seem not to be any activities planned.</p>
<p>It turns out that there is only one performance of the play and it's not in Rome-- it's in Orvieto (beautiful location, but not Rome.) We have no details for the venue, nothing. We don't know what our kids will be doing, whether they will be safe, and what this will cost our families beyond the $8000 we already know about ($3300 of which is a surprise.) Since meals are not included, or only partially covered, and apparently there are not pre-planned activities, we could face another $1000 or more in unplanned costs.</p>
<p>Here is what an international summer program SHOULD look like: <a href="http://www.sas.upenn.edu/summer/locations/abroad/london">http://www.sas.upenn.edu/summer/locations/abroad/london</a></p>