News 12 Long Island has learned students may no longer be able to major in theater at Stony Brook University.

The department chair sent an e-mail to students on Friday saying the university administration plans to suspend admission to its theater program.

Financial reasons are prompting the school to downgrade the department to what is called a "service only" program.

Students say they are angry about the move and say leaders at the university need to know that the arts matter.

A statement from the university reads "No final decisions have been made on any program changes at this time. Students have started a petition that already has over a thousand signatures."