"The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth." Frederick Law Olmstead
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Hyo Youn Kwon
11 years ago
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David Gonzalez
11 years ago
Tyler, your idea for demonstrating passion needs to be re-evaluated. I think that a disregard for what the UD program has been all about should be applauded as the most passionate approach in a long time to recapturing the role that architects and designers should have in the development of cities. The real world achievements of Director Orff and Dean Andraos speak volumes regarding their direction and are a clear indication that their leadership decisions should be trusted to bring future students into the field with the proper tools to U-TURN our currently diminishing influence on urban development. I see no value in this petition. Your statements and tone in this letter, such as "as you learned" and "We ask that you lead...with authentic discourse and deliberation" make you (and anyone who signs) look like an arrogant student riding on a horse made out of legos. You might as well put together a powerpoint presentation illustrating how much more she can learn.
I disagree that this letter will close any void for those alumni that are no longer involved with the program. On the contrary, both times I received news of the director changes I was immediately inspired and when I saw this petition the reality of our weakness as a group capable of creating relevant influence settled back in.
A better time to do this would be after we let the professionals do their job for a couple of years, and then we can judge if the work on msaudcolumbia.org has risen to a much higher standard all across the board. If you're looking for answers you need to let go of what has not been working and give justice back to the future.
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Austin Sakong, MSAUD '11
11 years ago
Hi David
It's been a while and I wish we were having a beer instead of talking through a text box, but here goes.
To answer your question:
I was one of the primary writers of the letter (there were a few others, all from different years). But assuming that we're all smart enough to understand what we sign (and not be 'fooled' into it, as you suggest), I hope that the 100+ signatures gathered so far means that the letter speaks for more than just its writers.
To answer your accusation:
Speaking for myself, I'm neither hurt nor bitter, and have no ulterior objective; my thoughts are plainly represented in the letter. If you understand it to promote stagnation, I guess we should have done a better job writing it.
But if you're simply assuming personal vendettas, well, that seems like a pretty nasty note to me. No one questions your passion and point of view; why should you question anyone else's?
You clearly care about the future of Urban Design. Should the Dean care about what you think? If she should, should that only be when you happen to agree? Alternatively, if she shouldn't, then I guess neither should we.
But we do.
best,
--Austin Sakong, MSAUD '11
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Tyler Cukar
· petition starter
11 years ago
David,
Your comments are valid. I believe many of us here are open to change and the purpose of this petition does not appear to be to fight change, reinstate an old regime,or "propagate stagnation". This letter is simply to make Dean Andraos aware of how passionate the alumni are and for her to answer simple questions IE: what is her vision for our program. Had you been able to attend the meeting with dean Andraos you would have had very similar questions and concerns due to comments that showed a disregard for the alumni and a lack of knowledge as to what the UD program is all about. I feel the letter was written in a way to help fill the void for those alum who are no longer closely tied to the program and couldn't attend the meeting, thus could not hear her explanation.
I am interested as to what is a better way and time to do this? This is a simple petition to get answers and a more proper explanation, not asking for some ones job back.
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David Gonzalez
11 years ago
Featured
My previous comment was deleted.
Of course we're all about transparency, but don't be fooled into signing this petition under that illusion. It's clear that someone was hurt and is bitter (who is the author?) and using your signatures to propagate stagnation and leave a nasty note at the beginning of what promises to be a great move for the future of Urban Design education. If you want to be involved in leadership decisions, take a minute to think if there are better ways and times to do it than this.
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Henry Martes
11 years ago
Featured
I have incredible respect and admiration for Richard equally so for Kate. I think this discussion is the correct one to have and that transition should have been more transparent.
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Beat Aeberhard
11 years ago
This process seems not appropriate to a university like Columbia
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kimberlae saul
11 years ago
wow. due diligence needs to be done...process and decision making should be more transparent.
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Kelsey Harrison
11 years ago
Featured
wow. due diligence needs to be done...process and decision making should be more transparent.
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ned davidson cherry, r.a. '71
11 years ago
Featured
as a member of one of the first classes as a member of one of the earlier classes in the msud program i must say that i have not really been in contact with the ongoing process. however i do agree with the premise of the petition and would like to know the reasons for the new dean's recent decision. i'm sure she has her own agenda but it would be in the best interest of all involved if she would share these with all parties. i would like to add in closing that this petition format is not a very good one. it would be nice if one could see one he/she has written in its entirety.
[email protected]
"The possession of arbitrary power has always, the world over, tended irresistibly to destroy humane sensibility, magnanimity, and truth." Frederick Law Olmstead
-
Tyler, your idea for demonstrating passion needs to be re-evaluated. I think that a disregard for what the UD program has been all about should be applauded as the most passionate approach in a long time to recapturing the role that architects and designers should have in the development of cities. The real world achievements of Director Orff and Dean Andraos speak volumes regarding their direction and are a clear indication that their leadership decisions should be trusted to bring future students into the field with the proper tools to U-TURN our currently diminishing influence on urban development. I see no value in this petition. Your statements and tone in this letter, such as "as you learned" and "We ask that you lead...with authentic discourse and deliberation" make you (and anyone who signs) look like an arrogant student riding on a horse made out of legos. You might as well put together a powerpoint presentation illustrating how much more she can learn. I disagree that this letter will close any void for those alumni that are no longer involved with the program. On the contrary, both times I received news of the director changes I was immediately inspired and when I saw this petition the reality of our weakness as a group capable of creating relevant influence settled back in. A better time to do this would be after we let the professionals do their job for a couple of years, and then we can judge if the work on msaudcolumbia.org has risen to a much higher standard all across the board. If you're looking for answers you need to let go of what has not been working and give justice back to the future.
Hi David It's been a while and I wish we were having a beer instead of talking through a text box, but here goes. To answer your question: I was one of the primary writers of the letter (there were a few others, all from different years). But assuming that we're all smart enough to understand what we sign (and not be 'fooled' into it, as you suggest), I hope that the 100+ signatures gathered so far means that the letter speaks for more than just its writers. To answer your accusation: Speaking for myself, I'm neither hurt nor bitter, and have no ulterior objective; my thoughts are plainly represented in the letter. If you understand it to promote stagnation, I guess we should have done a better job writing it. But if you're simply assuming personal vendettas, well, that seems like a pretty nasty note to me. No one questions your passion and point of view; why should you question anyone else's? You clearly care about the future of Urban Design. Should the Dean care about what you think? If she should, should that only be when you happen to agree? Alternatively, if she shouldn't, then I guess neither should we. But we do. best, --Austin Sakong, MSAUD '11
David, Your comments are valid. I believe many of us here are open to change and the purpose of this petition does not appear to be to fight change, reinstate an old regime,or "propagate stagnation". This letter is simply to make Dean Andraos aware of how passionate the alumni are and for her to answer simple questions IE: what is her vision for our program. Had you been able to attend the meeting with dean Andraos you would have had very similar questions and concerns due to comments that showed a disregard for the alumni and a lack of knowledge as to what the UD program is all about. I feel the letter was written in a way to help fill the void for those alum who are no longer closely tied to the program and couldn't attend the meeting, thus could not hear her explanation. I am interested as to what is a better way and time to do this? This is a simple petition to get answers and a more proper explanation, not asking for some ones job back.
My previous comment was deleted. Of course we're all about transparency, but don't be fooled into signing this petition under that illusion. It's clear that someone was hurt and is bitter (who is the author?) and using your signatures to propagate stagnation and leave a nasty note at the beginning of what promises to be a great move for the future of Urban Design education. If you want to be involved in leadership decisions, take a minute to think if there are better ways and times to do it than this.
I have incredible respect and admiration for Richard equally so for Kate. I think this discussion is the correct one to have and that transition should have been more transparent.
This process seems not appropriate to a university like Columbia
wow. due diligence needs to be done...process and decision making should be more transparent.
wow. due diligence needs to be done...process and decision making should be more transparent.
as a member of one of the first classes as a member of one of the earlier classes in the msud program i must say that i have not really been in contact with the ongoing process. however i do agree with the premise of the petition and would like to know the reasons for the new dean's recent decision. i'm sure she has her own agenda but it would be in the best interest of all involved if she would share these with all parties. i would like to add in closing that this petition format is not a very good one. it would be nice if one could see one he/she has written in its entirety.
WHO
I stand by this petition
[email protected]
The decision looked ridiculous to me when the email arrived my mailbox.
You have my support!
MSAUD 2003
MSAUD 2010
MDAUD'14