Schools Out . . . But only for the Summer . . .

By George Schmok

We have an interesting news item in this edition of LASN (https://www.landscapearchitect.com/research/article/13264).

It appears that the University of Nevada is considering dropping the Landscape Architectural degree program there, apparently due to state-wide budget cuts and a loss of confidence in the Nevada marketplace.

While the need for landscape architects in Nevada, which is experiencing one of the worse construction slumps in the nation, seems like a natural by-product of the poor economy, it may also be a signal that the profession needs another refocusing of it?EUR??,,????'?????<

Over the past decade or so, the LA profession has been steadily gaining recognition as a leader in the construction industry and a frontrunner in the green revolution. Boasted in national consumer news as a profession on the rise, and touting a Heisman trophy winner as a member, landscape architecture has become one of those career paths that make the grandmothers of the nation proud of their brood . . .

But, with popularity also comes competition and in a struggling market other professions are not going to let your grandmothers influence their ability to put shoes on the feet of their own kids.

With great software packages of 3-D landscape development and artistic designers who want to show that they can be as green as the greenest of them all, now is a good time for the ASLA to re-double their efforts at school recruitment.

Now, I want to say that ASLA has done a great job with their licensure and practice act efforts and has done well at putting the profession on the career maps of many a student and counselor. But, just because today we have a drop in demand for the services of landscape architects, that doesn?EUR??,,????'?????<

If graduating numbers begin to drop or, worse yet, if enrollment numbers drop, then when things begin to turn around . . . and things are already beginning to be built again . . . architects and landscape designers will be there to fill the void and could set the profession back.

We all know it?EUR??,,????'?????<

Keep up the good work ASLA, but don?EUR??,,????'?????<

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George Schmok, Publisher