UNE

Dear LASN,

As a current candidate for a landscape architectural license, I was gratified to hear about the LASN interest in printing a letter on this long neglected subject. I have taken the UNE a total of four times, once in Florida and the remainder in California. Speaking from experience, I can say that it is clearly time for a closer look at the exam, its structure, appeals process and grading procedures.

One doesn’t need to go far to hear stories from disgruntled candidates that have taken the test and left a little disillusioned with the current procedures. Of course, no testing format is going to be without its problems. Some contractors may just be dismayed at having to take the test again. For the many others, the solution will involve writing to CLARB, the ASLA, state boards and the university programs. The current system can only be improved through an open discussion.

The following can be taken to present a more balanced and educational test taking experience:

Testing:

1. Have proctors distribute test materials to each row of tables in order to eliminate lines. This will keep some candidates from having more time to review the materials than others and contribute to a more orderly atmosphere.
2. Assure that a Landscape Architect representing CLARB is on hand at all times to answer relevant questions.
3. Expand the appeals form to allow more room to list notes. The current form is too confining.
4. Improve the graphic quality on the objective portions of the exam. Many questions that involve a graphic representation are hastily drawn, leaving the candidate guessing as to what is being actually represented.

Test Scoring and Review:

1. Shorten the time frame involved in returning exam results. The current grading system is overloaded and severely shortstaffed. Additional qualified graders should be added to alleviate this problem.
2. Allow review of the objective portions of the test. Candidates should learn from all of their mistakes.
   3. Make past questions available for study review. Although this not a current policy, “old” tests are distributed at many of the officially sanctioned review classes, thereby undercutting the system.
3. CLARB should work to provide lower cost comprehensive review classes for all candidates. The $300 review classes offered at UCLA are exorbitant and insulting when added to the $225 exam fee.
4. Prorate a portion of the $225 exam fee toward those portions of the exam that have been passed by the candidate. This is only fair and will lessen the monetary burden on returning candidates.

Sincerely, Alan Burke,
ASLA International Landscaping

(Ed. Note: If you have any opinions or information about the UNE, LASN would be happy to publish them in our letters section. The opinions stated here do not necessarily reflect the position of LASN, but because of the nature of this topic, we would be glad to share other views from our readers. MS)

Dear LASN,

Enclosed is my reader response card.

I just want to congratulate you on an excellent and very helpful publication. Your articles are interesting, to the point, pertinent, and well written. I read them! As you can see, I am interested in the products, too.

Thank you for the good work!
Mary Rose Duffield, LA, ASLA

Irrigation Consultants

Dear LASN,

Your June 1988 feature about Irrigation Consultants was well done, as might be expected having been coordinated by Linda Woods.

One of the questions, asked by a Landscape Architect, stated in part: ?EUR??,,????'??Why can’t irrigation designers get together and standardize their symbols?”

We are pleased to report that the American Society of Irrigation Consultants, like most professional organizations, has developed a complete set of standard symbols. These symbols are included in the Design section of their Minimum Standards for Landscape Irrigation. The third printing of this document was just released.

Of course it remains the choice of the individual practitioner to select his or her own palette of symbols to clearly convey the design intent.

For additional information about obtaining the ASIC publication “Minimum Standards for Landscape Irrigation, write to: ASIC, 602 W. Comobabi Drive, Tucson, Arizona, 85704.

Sincerely,
Jack R. Donis, ASIC
Certified Irrigation Designer

Dear LASN,

Just a note to let you know the layout you placed for us in your June issue, has generated a lot of new business.

The response has been great. We have had calls from all over the country about our new Custom Rock Projects.

Please place another full page ad for Bob Morris and Associates, Inc., in August,: September and December.

Sincerely, Bob Morris
Bob Morris and Associates

Dear LASN,

Just a short note to thank you for the terrific release and reproduction in the January issue of the litter recepticle we sent in. It looks spectacular, and you did a great job with the copy.

It’s great to have the kind of media support you are willing to offer, and all of us here in SITE and at F+S thankyou. Please keep me posted on future needs for releases. I will be happy to comply.

Debbie Roberts
Communications Manager
Forms and Surfaces

Dear LASN,

I really enjoyed your February issue of the Landscape Architect and Specifier News. Keep up the good workl

Teresa Tetter
Fred Buxton and Associates

The Landscape Architect and Specifier News enjoys receiving your letters. From the controversial to the competitive edge, if you want to express your opinions to the profession just drop us a line !!!