The Kansas Board of Regents Thursday morning approved Kansas Universty’s proposed reorganization of fine arts programs.

The university is proposing several shifts, including closing the School of Fine Arts and creating a new School of Music and a separate School of Arts under the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Some regents questioned whether the affected degree programs would still enable graduates to perform well in the job market.

Provost Richard Lariviere said that KU had consulted with alumni and other players in the field before making the proposal, and was confident the degrees would be received well on the open market.

The requirements and course work would not change for the degree programs.

“Any change of this sort at the university causes some level of anxiety,” Lariviere said.

Regent Dan Lykins asked Lariviere if the program shift would result in any cost savings.

Lariviere said that while the program may generate some savings, it would be marginal.

“The good news is that it’s not going to cost the state any more money to be more effective,” he said.