Students, alumni, and faculty of Chatham University’s Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA) program received unexpected and devastating news on Tuesday, June 10th that Chatham President Esther Barazzone intends to close the MLA program by the end of the 2015/2016 school year.
This comes as a great blow to landscape architecture education in the city of Pittsburgh, especially given the fact that Chatham University’s MLA program is one of only 72 accredited programs nationwide. Despite persistent challenges over the years, the MLA program has garnered national recognition including accolades from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) national organization, PA/DE ASLA chapter and the Landscape Architecture Foundation (LAF). But, most importantly, the program has continued to make a positive impact in region through the work and collaboration its students and alumni forge within the Pittsburgh community each and every year.
I am writing to ask for your support during this crucial time since you have been directly involved with the program in the past. Unfortunately the students’ voices have neither been represented nor heard throughout the administration’s decision-making process. However, the Chatham student and alumni community is in the process of reaching out to the administration and partners to urgently request this decision be reconsidered in light of all achievements and contributions made by the Chatham Landscape Architecture program to the professional scenery in Pittsburgh. I urge that you sign our petition in order to highlight the importance of the MLA program to the administration.
It is my hope that the Chatham administration will fully grasp the great potential this program holds and reconsider its stance through your testimony. On behalf of all of the MLA students, past and present, I thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
David Wilson
MLA, Chatham University
Chatham ASLA Chapter Student President
2014 University LAF Olmsted Scholar
