In a recent turn of events, dismay has spread among Yale-NUS College (YNC) alumni and students following the destruction of classic film DVDs by library staff. This incident transpired just weeks before the closure of the university, set for June 2024, and it has left many questioning the handling of valuable cultural assets.
The Scratching Incident
According to reports from student associates, library staff instructed them to scratch DVDs to render them unusable in April 2024. One student, a member of the final cohort, recounted using a penknife to make four cuts on each disc, suggesting that up to 100 DVDs were targeted. Many of these titles were notable films from The Criterion Collection.
- DVDs destroyed included various languages and critically acclaimed works.
- Students felt uncomfortable with the destruction, as many films were still in good condition.
- The DVDs were disposed of in large trash bags without prior consultation.
Community Reactions
The community response has been largely negative, with alumni taking to social media to express their disappointment. Adam, a recent graduate, described the experience as a “gut punch” and remarked on the lack of transparency in the process. His sentiments reflect a broader concern among alumni that the university has not adequately considered the implications of such actions.
Another alumni, Chloe, stated that the college had ample time to strategise for a smoother transition following its closure announcement in 2021. She expressed frustration that effort went into destroying DVDs instead of finding alternative solutions for the library’s collection.
Cultural Significance of Physical Media
Filmmaker and YNC alumni Dave Lim emphasised the unique value of curated physical media in an academic context. He noted that while streaming platforms have their merits, they often miss out on the depth and context provided by physical DVDs, particularly those from The Criterion Collection, which includes added scholarly materials.
Official Response
In response to the backlash, Associate Professor Natalie Pang, University Librarian at NUS, explained that the destruction of these DVDs was influenced by copyright and licensing regulations. She stated that the DVDs that could not be rehomed were those that could not be redistributed.
Interestingly, this incident follows another controversy where approximately 9,000 Yale-NUS library books were initially earmarked for disposal, which led to a public outcry and an eventual apology from NUS regarding the handling of library materials.
Notably, Associate Professor Andrew Hui, a founding faculty member, described the destruction of the DVDs as a “quiet but significant loss to cultural memory.” He articulated concerns about the disposability of such resources in an age where traditional media is rapidly being replaced by digital alternatives.
The conversation surrounding the treatment of Yale-NUS resources highlights the complexities of preserving cultural assets within academic institutions and raises questions on responsibility towards maintaining historical and artistic integrity.