The purpose of this petition is to encourage and locate a 5 year BA, BS program in Architectural Design to the greater Orlando area. For most design students the college experience is hard enough, but adding the fact of moving away from family and friends can be devastating to their concentration and growth as future design professionals. I know as a working design professional I would like to continue to contribute to Orlando's growth and assist in getting the central Florida area on the architectural map. With the addition of a brand new Med School and an increased amount of engineering programs being offered at UCF, the communal thought should have been a reduction in the interest for a design school. However, this is just the opposite. The interest in an Architectural School here in Orlando has increased over the years and can be warranted by simple the fact that both the local Community Colleges have programs offering A.S. degrees in Architectural Design. One of these schools has gone as far as to articulate a pre-major program to assist the overwhelming amount of student interest. Orlando is one of the fastest growing areas in the country and has some of the finest architectural firms in the State. In my mind there are no other cities in Florida that can compete with our diverse and knowledgeable culture. This city is a veritable goldmine to a university who would consider placing an architectural school here. For example, the University of Miami recently issued a survey regarding a higher education program for aspiring architects. I know that myself and several of me fellow students returned the survey with such eagerness for this idea to come to fruition many including myself were willing to pay an increase in tuition just for the chance to get into a University that will offer a program in our home town. I am asking you to think about what I have said and join me in my plea for a 5 Year Architectural Program here in Orlando. Thank you for your time and support.