The Dean Page EVDS's 25th ANNIVERSARY Reassessment & Renewal

by Bob Page

This Spring marks an exciting time for the Faculty with our quarter century celebrations. It is a time to look forward, as well as to look back. Recently, I had an opportunity to reread some of the founding documents prepared by Bill Perks and the other founders of the Faculty. I was struck by the relevance of the vision for the challenges of today. Environmental Design is a unique Canadian statement about the nature of design and interventions, more necessary today than in 1971. In 1996 we must rekindle those creative juices, and recapture that sense of excitement and purpose which motivated our founders. This period is a most appropriate time for us to take stock of our current situation and give shape to our future. It is very easy to become totally absorbed in the crisis management of fiscal restraint, staff cuts, and salary erosion, and in so doing lose a sense of perspective. We must focus on what we are, and even more important, what we can be. Any current pruning must be on the assumption that this is merely a precondition to allow for new growth. I firmly believe that the Faculty will soon be entering a period of growth. We expect to be announcing soon a new fifth Master of Environmental Design degree programme, which will provide greater interdisciplinary flexibility for those not seeking certification. In addition, we are exploring a new PhD programme, new cooperative arrangements with other Faculties, and some undergraduate responsibilities, all financed with new support from the Province. Within the Faculty, we are reassessing our curriculum in the light of the emerging professional needs of our graduates. We are working to finance essential new computer equipment. We are not prepared to sit back and let events dictate our future. "Any current pruning must be on the assumption that this is merely a precondition to allow for new growth" This spring we will be launching a comprehensive planning process to chart the new course for the Faculty. We must build on the vision of the founders and the experience of our faculty, students, alumni, and professions over the last 25 years. Above all, we must assess carefully the forces of change at work in our world and design accordingly. Our own efforts at the Programme and the Faculty level must be part of a wider redesign of the University of Calgary to meet more closely societal needs. As we celebrate this Spring the proud achievements of 25 years, we must look ahead to the next 25 years so that in 2021 there will be an even bigger and better celebration of the achievements of EVDS.

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