A less-motivated, less driven group wouldn’t even bother with this. But these students are nothing if not motivated and driven.
In less than seven months, their program at Minnesota State University — interior design — will cease to exist, a casualty of some mission-based pruning.
That doesn’t mean they can’t show off their talents a little, and raise some money to help their careers.
Today and tomorrow at Madison East Center, the Interior Design Student Association hosts Holiday by Design, an event where students put together a holiday-inspired dining space.
“Everything is completely done by students,” said Heather Fisher, president of the Interior Design Student Association.
A $5 admission fee allows one to peruse the design spaces and enter a raffle to win items used in the designs.
Fifteen students have put together nine tables. Their goal is to raise at least as much money as last year’s event: $700.
They have fewer students this year, but they’ve done a better job of getting the word out about the event, and their event is happening the same time as another event in Madison East, the Holiday Expo, so they’re hoping for some spillover traffic.
Most of the money they raise will go to purchase memberships in a professional organization for interior designers.
This academic year is the last for the interior design program at MSU. The university announced a year and a half ago that the program, which has been paired with construction management, would stop accepting new students and be suspended — not officially terminated, but suspended.
“The Interior Design program is being discontinued as part of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology because it doesn’t fit the college’s mission,” said a statement issued by the university Friday. “That was the reason when the decision was made two years ago, and it remains the only reason today.”
Fisher said she and other interior design students have listened to the administration explain its reasons for shutting down the program. And they still don’t understand why a program with robust enrollment and a good reputation in the industry didn’t fit the university’s mission.
MSU’s program is the only one in the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, but it is not the only one in the state.
Students in the program have rallied around its primary instructor, C. Michael Lindstrom, who has been at odds with the university over its decision on the interior design program. In fact, Fisher suggested the tension between Lindstrom and the university factored into its decision to end the program.
For more Free Press news go to www.mankatofreepress.com.
Email this article | Permanent link | Topstories news | Topstories news archives
Minnesota State
University, Mankato
Mankato, MN 56001
1-800-722-0544
© 2005-2013 Minnesota State University, Mankato. Minnesota State University, Mankato is a member of
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities system and an affirmative action/equal opportunity university.
