The Daily Orange

Media Credit: David Miller

A new decision by officials in the College of Visual and Performing Arts will now allow freshmen to declare a major in surface pattern design.

Originally, the college planned to let only sophomores, juniors and seniors finish the degree. The change came after students vented their frustrations to VPA administration at a controversial March 4 meeting, according to an e-mail obtained by The Daily Orange March 6 that VPA Dean Ann Clarke sent to SPD students, faculty and alumni.

The program will still be cut after current students finish their degree, the e-mail said, and administration will "reassess circumstances as they evolve." The deadline for freshmen to declare a major in VPA is Thursday.

Lucinda Havenhand, Department of Design chair, and Clarke did not return multiple calls and e-mails for comment.

Arthur Jensen, associate dean of VPA, did not return calls for comment, but gave an official statement from Clarke via e-mail on the program cut and the direction the Department of Design will be taking.

The decision to not accept additional students into the SPD program was driven by several factors, the statement said, including breaking down barriers among design disciplines, integrating curricula and linking classes and projects to VPA's Collaboration Laboratory.

A 2004 National Association of Schools of Art and Design review of several smaller programs within the department also propelled the program cut, the statement said. Chairs and faculty across VPA proposed possible mergers of smaller programs, aimed at creating shared curricula across these programs. SPD's curriculum will be integrated into the school's interior design and fashion design programs.

"Our students are passionate about their work and the existing program, and it is understandable that many of them see what is happening as a loss rather than a venture into new directions," Clarke said in the statement. "We feel that in time these and future students will recognize the new vision emerging among the design disciplines as not only cutting edge but as ultimately enabling our students to present themselves as even more marketable to a greater variety of design industries."

The decision to allow freshmen to major in SPD will benefit Ethan Lunkenheimer, a freshman in VPA and one of the first males entering the program in nearly a decade. He said he plans to declare his major as surface pattern design this week.

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