Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMajor extended to freshmen after complaints
By Bethany Bump
Posted: 3/17/09, 4:01 AM EST Section: News
Lunkenheimer was originally looking into communications design until his Japanese Design History professor asked students if they wanted to explore the SPD studio. When he visited the studio and saw all the designs, he was hooked.
After hearing that SPD would be cut, Lunkenheimer started looking into other schools, like the Fashion Institution of Technology in New York City.
"I seriously considered it," he said. "But I like SU because it's 20 minutes away from home. I didn't want to be in a major that I didn't really like though, or when I got out I wouldn't really be liking what I do."
SPD students at the required meeting were upset that their classes would be integrated with the fashion and interior design programs - part of the integrative curricula the dean discussed in her statement.
But Lunkenheimer said he thinks it's this move that shows that SPD is often misinterpreted. He said in trying to rethink the design department, the university is losing out on a specific major.
"People think it should just be tacked onto this or that, onto fashion design or interior design. But overall, it's a narrow major and really specific," he said. "Yet it has so many opportunities to look into other areas. There's so many other mediums that you can work with."
Administration has largely ignored the concerns of the students over the years, SPD students have said. Dated and neglected studio space and computer labs have contributed to students' frustration. Lunkenheimer said instead of making the program smaller, administration should try to help it flourish.
"I don't think the school is supporting (SPD)," he said. "And they haven't been in years, so I think that's really the downfall of it. If the students put up a fight and we go forward and really show them what surface pattern is and how it affects everyone, they might be able to save it."
Christine Albanese, a senior SPD major who spoke out against the program cut in the March 4 meeting, said freshmen being able to take the major is an accomplishment for current students who fought for it at the meeting.
After hearing that SPD would be cut, Lunkenheimer started looking into other schools, like the Fashion Institution of Technology in New York City.
"I seriously considered it," he said. "But I like SU because it's 20 minutes away from home. I didn't want to be in a major that I didn't really like though, or when I got out I wouldn't really be liking what I do."
SPD students at the required meeting were upset that their classes would be integrated with the fashion and interior design programs - part of the integrative curricula the dean discussed in her statement.
But Lunkenheimer said he thinks it's this move that shows that SPD is often misinterpreted. He said in trying to rethink the design department, the university is losing out on a specific major.
"People think it should just be tacked onto this or that, onto fashion design or interior design. But overall, it's a narrow major and really specific," he said. "Yet it has so many opportunities to look into other areas. There's so many other mediums that you can work with."
Administration has largely ignored the concerns of the students over the years, SPD students have said. Dated and neglected studio space and computer labs have contributed to students' frustration. Lunkenheimer said instead of making the program smaller, administration should try to help it flourish.
"I don't think the school is supporting (SPD)," he said. "And they haven't been in years, so I think that's really the downfall of it. If the students put up a fight and we go forward and really show them what surface pattern is and how it affects everyone, they might be able to save it."
Christine Albanese, a senior SPD major who spoke out against the program cut in the March 4 meeting, said freshmen being able to take the major is an accomplishment for current students who fought for it at the meeting.
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