The School of Architecture and Interior Design has been experiencing controversy, both within the department and with the University administration. Our information of what is happening is far from complete, but due to the importance of the story we believe we owe it to our readers to share available information, with the expectation that as more information becomes available we will continue to update the story. There are several concerns that are being discussed, including these:
1. It is alleged that the job search for the head of the department was not fairly done.
2. It is alleged that the department’s governance has been severely hampered since it became part of the College of Health and Human Services..
3. Professors Andrew Von Maur and Rhonda Root did not have their contracts renewed, meaning that their positions will end at the end of the current academic year.
At this point, the University is unable to provide a direct response to the question of why the two professors’ contracts were not renewed, due to legal constraints.
A “Letter of Concern” about University actions regarding the Architecture program and personnel has been written to University administration by former AU Architecture professors Llewellyn Seibold, Carey Carscallen, Paula Dronen, and Ariel Solis. The letter and other materials from the same group are posted here.
The same former professors have written a letter with a five-point proposition for “restoring” the department, as follows:
1. Reinstate Professor Andrew von Maur to his teaching position at the earliest possible date. Restore him to teaching, scholarship, and tour leadership in the area of his proven expertise.
2. Reinstate Professor Rhonda Root to her teaching and advising position at the earliest possible date. Restore her to the teaching, advising, scholarship, and leadership in the areas of her proven expertise.
3. Restore the program to its autonomous governance structure so that leadership and budget expenditure is determined at the level it is most understood, the School of Architecture and Interior Design. This governance should recognize the natural way in which design professionals organize themselves—horizontally and with minimal hierarchy.
4. Redo the search process for a Program Head that follows University Working Policy for constituting a committee and conducting the process. Head of program should have demonstrated leadership skills, commitment to missions, and have a broad knowledge of the profession.
5. Recover the search for new full-time faculty to fill the positions vacated over the past few years by attrition, retirement or lack of continuing identity with the core mission of the school. Cover each of the primary content areas such as construction, structures, environmental systems, history, theory, graphics/CAD and mission with competent SDA individuals in accord with university policy.
The propositions are contained in a letter cited here.
This is an ongoing story and we plan to provide additional information as it becomes available. In the meantime, we suggest that readers who are interested educate themselves about the issue and consider carefully various sources of information and their potential biases.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.