March 26 update: Because of restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19, VIA events are canceled for the remainder of the semester. The Academic Standards Committee in collaboration with the VIA Committee have decided to award each undergraduate student enrolled full-time for the 2020 spring semester nine VIA events. This is how many events were remaining on the schedule for the spring semester.
Values, Ideas and the Arts presentations enhance the Manchester Core program in the liberal arts through cultural exposure, artistic experience and intellectual enrichment. VIA features speakers, musicians and dramatic performers from the University community, across the country and around the globe. Manchester students earn academic credit through attendance. Members of the University community and the public are also invited to attend all VIA events. All events are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
The goals of the VIA program are to:
- broaden students' cultural experiences,
- enrich students intellectually and aesthetically,
- provide opportunities to experience the arts,
- promote dialogue about ideas and values, and
- embody in its programs the values expressed in the University Mission.
Students are required to arrive on time and remain for the entire program to receive VIA credit. Events last approximately one hour unless noted otherwise.