Spring Break
The Daily OrangeStudents dismayed, angry at VPA administration over program cut
By Bethany Bump
Posted: 3/5/09, 3:25 AM EST Section: News
Students continuously peppered Clarke and Havenhand with questions of why the program was being cut.
"You've made a decision that doesn't help the problem," said Zoe Nemetz, a senior SPD major. "We're wanting an answer as to why we're being cut and none of you have given us a reason, you're just putzing around."
Clarke responded by saying creating an interactive design program is not putzing around.
"I can see by your faces, you're just not going to receive this information," she said.
Clarke said there had been conversations about classes and curriculum with Marion Dorfer and Eileen Gosson, associate professors in the SPD program.
"We wanted to determine how to configure programs and restructure the curriculum because having programs that have one or two faculty members are problematic, in terms of load and in terms of money," Clarke said.
Students attempted to start a club last year to raise money and recognition for the program, said Amy Turoff, a senior SPD major. When they approached the school to recognize the club as a campus group, they were told it would be taken care of and nothing happened, she said.
Turoff wanted to know what it costs the university to keep SPD as a major. Clarke said thinking about cost per program is not how budgets are done.
"It's virtually impossible to determine what costs this much and what costs that much," Clarke said.
Five minutes before the meeting ended, Havenhand asked if students wanted her to ask "higher-ups" to see if the freshman class could finish out the major. Students yelled, "yes," and clapped in response to the suggestion.
Havenhand said she plans to have an answer for students when they come back for Spring Break - the week freshmen have to declare their major - but that she couldn't guarantee anything, and that the major would still be cut.
Students were also upset that their classes would be integrated with the fashion and interior design programs. Some felt that if the major had to be cut and integration had to occur, their curriculum should shift to the school's textile program.
"You've made a decision that doesn't help the problem," said Zoe Nemetz, a senior SPD major. "We're wanting an answer as to why we're being cut and none of you have given us a reason, you're just putzing around."
Clarke responded by saying creating an interactive design program is not putzing around.
"I can see by your faces, you're just not going to receive this information," she said.
Clarke said there had been conversations about classes and curriculum with Marion Dorfer and Eileen Gosson, associate professors in the SPD program.
"We wanted to determine how to configure programs and restructure the curriculum because having programs that have one or two faculty members are problematic, in terms of load and in terms of money," Clarke said.
Students attempted to start a club last year to raise money and recognition for the program, said Amy Turoff, a senior SPD major. When they approached the school to recognize the club as a campus group, they were told it would be taken care of and nothing happened, she said.
Turoff wanted to know what it costs the university to keep SPD as a major. Clarke said thinking about cost per program is not how budgets are done.
"It's virtually impossible to determine what costs this much and what costs that much," Clarke said.
Five minutes before the meeting ended, Havenhand asked if students wanted her to ask "higher-ups" to see if the freshman class could finish out the major. Students yelled, "yes," and clapped in response to the suggestion.
Havenhand said she plans to have an answer for students when they come back for Spring Break - the week freshmen have to declare their major - but that she couldn't guarantee anything, and that the major would still be cut.
Students were also upset that their classes would be integrated with the fashion and interior design programs. Some felt that if the major had to be cut and integration had to occur, their curriculum should shift to the school's textile program.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 3/05/09 @ 7:51 AM EST
Oh the outrage! Surface pattern design?! My god we are really denying these kids a future, whatever will they study now?!
How the hell can you study "surface patterns" for FOUR YEARS? No wonder modern education isn't teaching anything. (Continued…)
Art Director in Real Life
posted 3/05/09 @ 9:24 AM EST
Kaylen, you plainly demonstrate your ignorance. Every object you come in contact with in your daily life has been designed by someone, and every one of those objects has a surface design. (Continued…)
fight the power
anonymous
posted 3/05/09 @ 10:39 AM EST
I agree. It's really sad that Arts and Sciences produces such an ignorant student and is about to hand them a diploma.
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 3/05/09 @ 1:06 PM EST
What kind of major produces such ignorant students who are "experts" in one area and know absolutely nothing about any other. Pattern design should be taught as part of any proper fashion or textile design study - and doesn't take FOUR YEARS of study to accomplish. (Continued…)
spd alum
posted 3/05/09 @ 2:38 PM EST
These type of comments are nothing that us SPD-ers haven't heard and defended before, so you need to save your breath because you aren't on the fore front of anything with these arrogant and closed minded assumptions. (Continued…)
anonymous
posted 3/05/09 @ 2:59 PM EST
True. That ignorant comment above makes me embarrassed of my school. It sounds like someone who has nothing better to do but whine about something they don't understand in a college they are not even a part of. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 3/05/09 @ 4:13 PM EST
Kaylen, clearly your superior intellect of your political science major has made you able to judge every other major offered at Syracuse University.
Thank you for not only insulting a program that has been around for more than 70 years, but for also showing the caliber of students coming out of other majors. (Continued…)
Kaylen Thorpe
posted 3/05/09 @ 4:15 PM EST
INTERNET ARGUMENT!!! :-)
Yep I am bored because I've wasted 4 years of my life at this place when I could have been off making money in one of a half dozen business ventures I have lined up. (Continued…)
Jill Morgenweck
posted 3/05/09 @ 4:45 PM EST
sad in so many ways.
Theodora Lopez
posted 3/05/09 @ 5:32 PM EST
So much ignorance and arrogance in one comment thread. It just makes me sad.
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