Architecture denied; SUNO move

 
Southern University Baton Rouge’s school of architecture has been slated for termination along with the architecture program.
The SU school is one of seven national architecture programs and among Historically Black Colleges Universities, the only HBCU architecture program in the state.  
James Llorens, SUBR chancellor spoke on the termination of program.
“We are going to move forward to terminate Architecture program,” Llorens said.
He said they deterred the proposal of the moving of the program to Southern University New Orleans campus because of feasibility issues with transfer of accreditation.
“If there is an opportunity over the period that we will be phasing out the program then I will think of the New Orleans campus, but there is no avenue for us to transfer the students or program to the New Orleans campus,” Llorens said.
He said our only option is to move forward is the termination of the degree.
“We did an academic review on the school of architecture in terms of low completion and it’s also an expensive program,” Llorens said.
He said one of the things they do when balancing the budget is look at programs that are no longer feasible.
Lonnie Wilkinson, dean of architecture discussed his reaction to the chancellor’s decision.
“It’s a sad state of affair that the School of Architecture will meet its demise in the fashion this Chancellor has laid it out to be,” Wilkinson said.
He said he may have more interest in this program, process, and whole effort at this university because he has seen so much invested in this program, its disheartening.
“Doesn’t mean I have given up on the life of the school,” Wilkinson said.
Archie Tiner Jr., associate professor and faculty senator for the school said they would not be giving up on the proposal.
“A committed faculty that will work continuously to have the  program relocated to New Orleans, which is an unanimous effort from the dean and entire faculty,” Tiner said.
Kim Ross, assistant professor in architecture said this decision will really hurt the minorities in the architecture field.
“In closing down the school of architecture the minority students who may not have astuteness to get into other schools won’t be able to seek an architectural degree,” Ross said.
He said that there will be a large loss of potential architects because of students who may not be able to attend other colleges in terms of resources and academics.
“Although they may think they are rational, and may generate profit short term it won’t do any thing in short term,” Ross said.
He said they have a frequent presence in community.
“We represent Southern to community four years,” Ross said.
Jim Lee, assistant professor in architecture said their program is one of the few in the United States.
“We are the only HBCU in Louisiana providing an Architectural degree, and only one of out of seven HBCUs in the United States,” Lee said.
He said they are ranked fourth in the seven in the United States in producing architects.
Jason Lockhart, assistant professor in architecture was not in favor of the administrations decision.
“Really in terms of the Baton rouge campus, I’m not happy because we’ve done more than just about any department has in helping with community service,” Lockhart said.
Ephraim Franklin, junior architecture major from Baton Rouge said he hopes the University might be able to re-open the program after some years.
“I hope eventually after Southern recovers from money issues it can be recovered and salvaged at Southern University or SUNO,” Franklin said.
He said the phasing out process won’t affect him in graduating.
“It will be extremely costly for architecture to move to New Orleans because of the required purchase of millions of dollars of equipment in which money is lacking,” Franklin said.
Tear Walker, freshman architecture major from Baton Rouge said she didn’t appreciate not being informed of the programs status before beginning.
“I believe that the decision to phase us out is frustrating as underwhelming because growing up I couldn’t wait to come to Southern,” Walker said. 
She said it was her life’s dream and now that she is not even a full semester in and she has to go.