tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post8449427362047620878..comments2022-09-13T01:32:53.128-07:00Comments on future of art center: First priorities for the Interim PresidentUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-16577910009979509262008-11-13T18:14:00.000-08:002008-11-13T18:14:00.000-08:00to 11/13/08 1:01 PMhow do you know that Nate Young...to 11/13/08 1:01 PM<BR/><BR/>how do you know that Nate Young is being paid? and if you do, what about the people who left in the last 3 months?Ophelia Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595698342238398366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-88256639639040994852008-11-13T13:01:00.000-08:002008-11-13T13:01:00.000-08:00Why is Nate Young being paid a year-long severance...Why is Nate Young being paid a year-long severance when he was the one to resign?<BR/><BR/>What kind of value does that provide to the students?<BR/><BR/>P.S. I'm not bitter, just want to know the facts. It's not the Interim President's question, but one for the Trustees. Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-70752073465686184632008-11-13T09:58:00.000-08:002008-11-13T09:58:00.000-08:00http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D93V4...http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D93V4D1O0.htmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-29401293538536828472008-11-07T15:14:00.000-08:002008-11-07T15:14:00.000-08:00Tuesday Nov. 4th. The country elected a freshman s...Tuesday Nov. 4th. The country elected a freshman senator from Illinois. Red states became blue, the "Bradley Effect" is history, we have our first African American President and the world's economy is in a crisis. Change is here.<BR/><BR/>As a community of students, faculty, administration and alumni, we can work together to create a true learning environment at Art Center. We have to stop sniping at each other, and we have to put away our own agendas. Our common ground is Art Center, and if we don't work together, there will be nothing. We are in a new age of where once thought giants are now gone. Goldman Sachs, Lehman Brothers, the car industry, Washington Mutual, Wachovia, and it's not over yet. Art Center should not think that it will be untouched by the outside world. <BR/><BR/>Some of you may think it was myself and the students who are to blame for what is happening at ACCD, we are not. If ACCD had continued on it's path, the college would be bankrupt. <BR/><BR/>We have to be a collaborative community now, not just for Art Center but for our future in all aspects of our lives.Ophelia Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595698342238398366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-51167783904706492412008-11-06T08:47:00.000-08:002008-11-06T08:47:00.000-08:00"How can the school charge premium prices for..."How can the school charge premium prices for a less than cutting edge experience?"<BR/><BR/>I dunno. How is it that Arm & Hammer still finds all of these ways to convince America that sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is this "wonder" do-all product? Great marketing and PR. <BR/><BR/>Notice that before they eliminated a position that directly benefits education (the CTO), they decided not to eliminate any architecture or communications positions (and those departments have a lot of headcount between them). Right now, they've got a very tough sell convincing kids to come spend $45K in tuition per calendar year (plus expenses). I imagine they'll be pumping more of that "saved" money into the PR machine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-90637789058324094362008-11-06T08:36:00.000-08:002008-11-06T08:36:00.000-08:00Yes, things have to change, for change to actually...Yes, things have to change, for change to actually take place. It would seem that we would want for things to change for the positive.<BR/><BR/>Dr. Berman's work had only begun. Technologically ACCD is on par with other schools for now. What about tomorrow, next year, ten years from now? Where will AC's technology be? It took several years for the ACCD website to be updated, and it is only a marginal update—the IT Dept only supports the site, they don't design it—the local community colleges have more useful websites than ACCD. <BR/><BR/>A leading edge school should provide a cutting edge experience on bleeding edge equipment. Who manages this stuff, who anticipates what's next?<BR/><BR/>There should be ACCD grads at key locations in the administration, but not at the top positions, they should high quality, experienced, professionals trained for those positions. It's like the difference between Logic Express and Logic Studio Pro. The professionals are going have a more refined clarity and resonance.<BR/><BR/> <BR/>Additionally, the ACCD propaganda machine would have us believe that in order to be competent well paid designers we need a design education, yet ACCD refuses to pay decent salaries to people whom have degrees—this problem is system wide.<BR/><BR/>How can the school charge premium prices for a less than cutting edge experience?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-9269363016068129332008-11-05T14:48:00.000-08:002008-11-05T14:48:00.000-08:00Michael,From what I've heard, you are from the rea...Michael,<BR/><BR/>From what I've heard, you are from the real world, and in the case of Art Center's current leadership culture (and I mean the board too), they are just far too dysfunctional to be able to work with someone of your caliber. Truly capable people are considered to be incredibly dangerous to have around in such problematic cultures. <BR/><BR/>I find it sad that they chose to eliminate the CTO position as Art Center has been historically lacking in technological vision. I remember Art Center's first "Internet Strategy", and it involved asking (hoping for) Cal-Tech to provide internet access to the school. This was at a time when every other non-profit educational institution already had internet services. Most of the people with that "vision" are still at the school today. <BR/><BR/>From afar, I can say that you obviously had a big impact on the place.<BR/><BR/>I also find it sad that they chose to start with the CTO position instead of cleaning the houses of the architecture office and the communications department. Seriously, it is a crime that Pat Oliver has any kind of job in a non-profit academic institution of this size. Art Center can't afford that kind of excess.<BR/><BR/>So Mr Ellsworth: I give you a 2 (out of 10) on your first major hatchet job at Art Center. And you only get the two points because you saved some money.<BR/><BR/>Good luck Mr Berman. Trust me, they did you a favor. I hope they at least gave you a package.<BR/><BR/>BTW, Are you able to speak about the inner workings of the bridge, or did they force you to sign a NDA before they allowed you to get severance?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-77612509782142035502008-11-05T10:57:00.000-08:002008-11-05T10:57:00.000-08:00the task forces were put together by the last admi...the task forces were put together by the last administration. it was always odd on their choices.<BR/><BR/>Thank you Michael for your work at ACCD. It's a new day, a wonderful new day forward for all of us, and it is this multi-generational multi-ethnic community that has brought us to this new day. As you take that last drive out and onto Lida Street, look forward not back, your future is in front of you.<BR/><BR/>:O) opheliaOphelia Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595698342238398366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-14171322483481363192008-11-05T10:24:00.000-08:002008-11-05T10:24:00.000-08:00Hi,Obviously, I'm not an objective judge as to whe...Hi,<BR/><BR/>Obviously, I'm not an objective judge as to whether I'm compensated fairly. I can tell you I worked in a similar job at two "serious educational institutions" before I came to Art Center, most recently at Cal Poly Pomona, and I got a moderate raise when I came to Art Center. <BR/><BR/>I was told that the CTO position was eliminated and therefore I was being let go. If my salary is actually used to, for example, fix the inequities in faculty pay, or to improve the embarrassing state of the classrooms and studios, then that would be a good thing. I wish I could be confident that this was the case.<BR/><BR/>I will miss Art Center, especially the faculty and the students and their work, and the incredible hard-working people in Technology and the Library, and many of the other staff. I won't miss being on "The Bridge".<BR/><BR/>My future is bright, but I'm not so sure about Art Center. I believe that Art Center benefited from my contribution and leadership, and I think it's a mistake to have a 21st century leadership "team" with no technology vision. But it's not for me to say, I am done and on to other things, and I wish nothing but the best for the institution.<BR/><BR/>Michael Bermanambermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18425276052810373738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-43058565019384049122008-11-05T10:18:00.000-08:002008-11-05T10:18:00.000-08:00Is it really shocking that Berman was asked to lea...Is it really shocking that Berman was asked to leave? Back in July they appointed the CFO to head the "tech" taskforce, not the Tech VP. Wasn't that obvious?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-76527760213317778072008-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00I do not know Mr Berman personally, but I do know ...I do not know Mr Berman personally, but I do know this:<BR/><BR/>Art Center is filled with people who hold certain job titles that would not be able to work in that same capacity at any other serious educational institution. I am not sure if this is true in the case of this specific person.<BR/><BR/>I'd like to hear more about why he was asked to leave. For instance, how much money was he making versus what his contemporaries earn at other schools? What were his actual responsibilities? Were his duties ambiguous? Right now, we have a president that is going to be looking for "value added" contributors. The budget is tight and the needs are high.<BR/><BR/>Art Center does a lot of comparing itself to the tuition levels of competitor schools. But if we were to take some of the "key" positions and start making some comparisons to American academia, I think people would be shocked to discover just how overcompensated certain individuals really are. And I again must emphasize that I have no idea what the situation is with the CTO.<BR/><BR/>One of the sadder elements of this change process is: Certain things will ACTUALLY HAVE TO CHANGE.<BR/><BR/>I imagine that most of you folks went and voted for Obama yesterday. You wanted "Change". Well, this is what change looks like, and this is how change feels.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-80285172171041315132008-11-05T08:04:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:04:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11520318803567054646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-61606808248364831192008-11-05T07:49:00.000-08:002008-11-05T07:49:00.000-08:00There is a troubling development. Michael Berman ...There is a troubling development. Michael Berman has been asked to leave. Given the nature of technology, it's dynamic, relentless forward moment, it may be a serious mistake to let him go. Too many of the faculty are Technophobes to trust. Humans / Americans are notoriously bad at looking forward and prognosticating what the future will bring. Who could conceive of the iPhone five years ago. I am fairly tech savy and I wouldn't want the job. Just as the school deserves and needs a Professional College President, it like wise deserves a Professional CTO.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-83148715036233433412008-10-27T08:28:00.000-07:002008-10-27T08:28:00.000-07:00To 10/26/08 9:39 PMMy only guess (and it's a guess...To 10/26/08 9:39 PM<BR/><BR/>My only guess (and it's a guess) is that all projects are on hold. It was on hold before the economy tanked, and now it the past three weeks, it is probably completely shelved. Financing is almost impossible for some of the larger projects in Los Angeles (ie Grand Avenue project), so I am assuming a housing project for ACCD is even further back in the line for a bank loan.<BR/><BR/>I would put all hopes in getting that question answered. And now with Dr.Ellsworth in, we can expect all projects to be reviewed. <BR/><BR/>:O) OpheliaOphelia Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595698342238398366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-81949004023709350542008-10-26T21:39:00.000-07:002008-10-26T21:39:00.000-07:00Ophelia... Thank you I appreciate as well as many ...Ophelia... Thank you I appreciate as well as many other students the work you have done.<BR/><BR/>I hate to detract from this juicy subject but given the new interim leadership appointment and the recent board meeting I thing that we deserve a bit better communication about the direction of the school.<BR/><BR/>The questions listed below have been deleted twice from the ACCD official blog. Any guesses why they are so hard to answer?<BR/><BR/>7. <BR/>Your comment is awaiting moderation. July 16th, 2008 at 10:13 pm<BR/>If the developer is to construct this building and then will be giving it to ACCD in the distant future, how do they secure their investment?<BR/>Will entering students be required to rent these lofts?<BR/>How much will the rent be?<BR/>In the meeting Richard stated there is a 9 million dollar mortgage on the South Campus. How much debt in bonds are there taken out for the South Campus?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-31713335125730118502008-10-26T21:31:00.000-07:002008-10-26T21:31:00.000-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18125481169889885624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-20372730709349772552008-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:002008-10-21T07:30:00.000-07:00There was a time when ACCD was just as small as th...There was a time when ACCD was just as small as those above schools.<BR/><BR/>You can get too high and mighty with your own rhetoric after awhile. <BR/><BR/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIlF5PeDZD8<BR/><BR/>But those schools are do'n exactly what Kevin Mack was preach'n.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-89404761918158413952008-10-21T07:20:00.000-07:002008-10-21T07:20:00.000-07:00OK dude, get back to your atelier studio classes a...OK dude, get back to your atelier studio classes and leave us ACCD people alone.<BR/><BR/>I don't know why you guys put down Ateliers? Alot of your ACCD alumnis are teaching here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.laafa.org<BR/>http://3kickstudio.com/aboutus.aspx<BR/>http://www.conceptdesignacad.com<BR/><BR/>Hey, you guys have gotta work somewhere when you graduate. ACCD only has about a 100 instructors. <BR/><BR/>So, not all of you can teach at ACCD. Oh, and alot of you ACCD graduates teach at community colleges and even Art Institute.<BR/><BR/>I'm just stating a matter of fact.<BR/>Maybe the center of the universe is not totally at ACCD?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-66688008535137495912008-10-17T10:02:00.000-07:002008-10-17T10:02:00.000-07:00There is change in the air everywhere. And I am op...There is change in the air everywhere. And I am optimistic that we can all pull together to create an environment at ACCD that fosters creativity. But most of all, we should collaborate as a community.<BR/><BR/>It's time to turn the page.Ophelia Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595698342238398366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-75458331273996396332008-10-16T12:04:00.000-07:002008-10-16T12:04:00.000-07:00Thanks for the comments. Regarding support from th...Thanks for the comments. Regarding support from the administration, perhaps surprisingly, our research direction was encouraged by the Board, Richard and Nate. They each probably had their own idea of what research is, but they all seemed to realize that the school needs to evolve and that research in the grad programs should be an important part of this.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18436451776797229125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-15411067341207602312008-10-15T22:22:00.000-07:002008-10-15T22:22:00.000-07:00Phil,Sounds like your department is doing some adm...Phil,<BR/>Sounds like your department is doing some admirable work and valuable research. Good to note that this comes from the educational core (as opposed to a PR-based approach). I don't know if I'm expressing this well, but anyway...kudos to you and your dept! It's encouraging to hear about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-81664080828004753952008-10-15T16:12:00.000-07:002008-10-15T16:12:00.000-07:0010/15/08 10:49 AM That's wonderful Phil. Had the p...10/15/08 10:49 AM <BR/><BR/>That's wonderful Phil. Had the past administration offer any help? Were you involved in the past conferences?<BR/><BR/>:O)Ophelia Chonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00595698342238398366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-44113475229258472212008-10-15T11:33:00.000-07:002008-10-15T11:33:00.000-07:00Great. Now if only the Art Center administration ...Great. Now if only the Art Center administration would administer itself responsibly. Actually, I figured I'd get a rise out of the media design guys. I perhaps should have said "with perhaps the exception of media design". But Art Center is a small enough place that it will never be known mainly for its great research. It's a college.<BR/><BR/>Now, cozy yourselves up to a Cal Tech or a USC, and you'll be getting somewhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-74174019282851012532008-10-15T10:49:00.000-07:002008-10-15T10:49:00.000-07:00Guess I have to speak up here. In the Grad Media D...Guess I have to speak up here. In the Grad Media Design Program where I teach, we are already doing research, and talking about at conferences and in publications. It is early, and we are still developing our agendas, but I think our work demonstrates that it can happen in the context of ACCD. I'd be happy to discuss this more with anyone who would like to understand what we're up to. The definition and practice of research in the world of art and design is an emerging thing, and there are many different approaches and controversies surrounding it. But we believe that pursuing it is an essential part of any leading art & design college.<BR/><BR/>.philUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18436451776797229125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4265318885816623719.post-32646402202134169652008-10-15T09:15:00.000-07:002008-10-15T09:15:00.000-07:00OK dude, get back to your atelier studio classes a...OK dude, get back to your atelier studio classes and leave us ACCD people alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com