We've never done this before, but at the beginning of the new school year, it seems appropriate to update students and alumni on the "State of the Programs."
The state of the Planning and GIS programs seems quite good at this time. The university community should benefit from a new president, a new provost and a new dean. We also have Yichun Xie, a GIS/Planning faculty, as our permanent department head, so he understands well the program needs.
The number of students is up significantly, especially in the grad programs. We have a new faculty, Bill Welsh, teaching the techniques and environmental courses, and he brings in his experience working in the south, in Thailand and in Ecuador.
The student club, PLACE, was very active last year and looks to be quite active again this year. President Lauren Horton led a successful golf outing, and has a number of activites already planned for the Fall. The faculty have been traveling this summer--Hugh Semple to Jamaica, Yichun Xie to China, Bill Welsh to Ecuador, and Norm Tyler presented in Nashville.
A number of grad students have completed their "Paper of Publishable Quality, on a variety of topics. See the Curriculums link on the left to review the list.
Alumni have remained an important part of the program, and their involvement through email contacts, suggestions, class visits and general support provides an important link between students and practitioners.
Ted Ligibel, director of the Historic Preservation Program, is announcing a new graduate degree specialization. Beginning this Fall semester, students will be able to take a M.S. degree in Preservation Planning with a specialization in Downtown Revitalization. The curriculum will include two new courses, a Seminar in Downtown Revitalization taught by Bob Donohue, preservation specialist, and Downtown Planning Studio, taught by Russ Lewis, a planner for Oakland County. Talk with Ted or Norm for more details.
