The spokesperson emphasized that the suspension was temporary, and added that the university will continue to be a "center for culture and musical performance."

Cooper Arts was created in 1999. This fall, concerts included a tribute to poet John Ashbery with the vocal ensemble Speculum Musicae, a performance of Steve Reich's seminal Drumming, and the early music group Pomerium in a program of music by 15th-century composer Johannes Ockeghem.

The university is discussing possible funding for the series with the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation.