Spring 2021 and Beyond
As we embrace the new year and enter the halfway point of the spring semester, the Program in Environmental Design is building on its core values and strong foundation to develop the finest educational experience for students. With several initiatives underway, I want to update you on our main priorities for the remainder of the year.
As we progress, we will undertake initiatives in strategic planning to continue the development of ENVD over the next five years.
We will focus on the cohesive connection between courses and the integration of learning concepts and objectives.
We recognize the need for prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and will work towards immediate and lasting change.
We will work to break down barriers within the design industry and a profession that has long been criticized.
We will continue to adapt and innovate every single day to ensure our students thrive and remain connected.
Strategic Planning
Eight years ago, we embarked on a new era of Environmental Design by repositioning the Program back to our flagship campus to reinvigorate and redefine design education at CU 麻豆影院. As we progress, we will undertake initiatives in strategic planning to continue the development of ENVD over the next five years. By the end of this year, we will answer the following key questions to establish a path for future growth and success:
This process will allow us to identify fundamental program elements that should be kept and built upon and elements that are reasonable to discard or adapt. For this to be a successful initiative, we will need to balance the requirements and expectations for multiple constituencies within a cohesive, long-term agenda. This spring, ENVD will invite students, faculty and professional staff to participate in the long-term strategic planning process.
鈥淭he Program in Environmental Design is a professional program that prepares students to enter the design-based professions of architecture, landscape architecture, planning and product design. ENVD provides a unique design foundation based on interdisciplinary knowledge and underlying respect and understanding for the environment. The interdisciplinary foundation serves to support disciplinary majors that are focused on preparing students for entry into their chosen fields.
The ENVD experience is supported by faculty with extensive industry and research experience focused on the design industry. ENVD education combines studio experiences with advanced technology exposure and hands-on creative assignments. ENVD students integrate their interdisciplinary background with disciplinary expertise to address built environment issues and the societal impacts of design decisions. The completion of an ENVD degree allows students to either directly enter the design and planning profession, or to pursue further education through graduate studies.鈥
Learning Objectives
In our efforts to ensure every student receives an education that prepares them for a career in the design profession, we will focus on the cohesive connection between courses and the integration of learning concepts and objectives.
This year, the ENVD Curriculum Committee will review coursework to seek out the connections between projects, the understanding of key concepts and the path of courses that make up the ENVD undergraduate experience.
- We will revisit the ENVD learning curriculum to identify where gaps might exist so that we can reconnect the link between courses and learning objectives.
- As technology advances, external influences change and societal demands evolve, there is always room for improvement.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
As we have tuned in to different perspectives and faced difficult truths, we recognize the need for prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. In our efforts to align our actions with the overall university DEI initiative, we have established an internal committee to develop preliminary recommendations for ENVD.
This guidance will be coordinated as part of the implementation of the diversity and inclusion plan for the Program, which has introduced the following priorities to help us move forward:
To enhance our faculty and staff hiring practices to be more inclusive and representative of persons of color in our community and better express the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion to all those who consider becoming part of our program.
- Identify areas of needs and growth to support our program diversity and inclusion needs.
- Implement mandatory diversity and inclusion training for faculty and staff.
Expand on ENVD student recruitment and retention efforts and practices:
- Increase female applicants, Colorado residents, first-generation students and students of color.
- Collaborate with CU Admissions to develop applications and admission documents that highlight the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity, as well as communicate CU 麻豆影院 and ENVD鈥檚 expectations that incoming students will support campus and program values.
Introduce additional activities and resources for students outside of Designers Without Boundaries to establish a more welcoming, diverse, equitable and inclusive space for ENVD students, faculty and staff to be and feel heard.
Integrate diversity, equity and inclusion topics into ENVD curriculum.
To communicate Program values and commitments to students, faculty and staff, to establish a safe and inclusive learning environment.
This is a community effort and we look forward to collaborating with and hearing from our students, faculty and staff.
The values of a community define that community. It defines the rules, written and unwritten, by which we all abide. ENVD will be reinforcing its values with the development of an explicit values message. The focus of this message will be that every member of the community is to be respected at all times and in all situations. There are no exceptions.
We will work to break down barriers within the design industry and a profession that has long been criticized for being an unwelcoming culture. While ENVD cannot change an entire profession, it can be a voice for change. We are committed to that voice.
February 5, 2021
Held an ENVD Town Hall for students, faculty and staff to have an open conversation on culture and community.
March 22, 2021
Kicked-off learning objectives discussion.
This past year has been like no other. It鈥檚 challenged us in new ways and we continue to adapt and innovate every single day. It鈥檚 taken all of us, working together, to overcome these uncertain times.
Environmental Design is working diligently to make sure every student feels supported during the remote learning environment. We have new resources to support our students鈥 health and wellness. We are also working closely with student groups to ensure that student-to-student outreach and engagement are occurring wherever possible. While we cannot control the overall restrictions of this pandemic, we can control the support we provide to each other. As members of a unique community, let鈥檚 make sure that all of us can continue to thrive and remain connected.