I was just notified by a classmate that they took down the Interior Architecture sign on our floor.

Yeah, I go to Columbia and am a freshman in the program. It's a shame. I really love it here.
But I'm in the process of looking to transfer. It's too late to transfer for Fall 09, correct?
What do you think of the SAIC Interior Architecture program? I want to stay in Chicago, and that's the only place I can think of!

What's the plan down there? Are they planning an Architecture program instead?

I don't think so.
Nearly all of the majors at Columbia, excluding IA, are very conceptual. So apparently Columbia feels that the IA program should be shut down and put that extra money towards other majors, more popular majors. We're not a huge, well known program. But it's a great one. So I don't know what to think I love everyone there! And now I don't even know if I should register for Fall 09.
Please, Rodeo Queen, do you have any more information?

Columbia is homogenizing the A+D programs so they can cram in more bodies. If you need more than a 30" work station and a Mac then screw you. CB, I would definitely transfer. I was not present at the meeting where the school announced its intentions of restructuring the program. (Because they didn't announce it.) I don't think anyone knows what the real plan is. If I were you I would write the dean, explain that you have been hearing that the program you signed up for is going to be changed and that you want to know what you can expect. Your concern is probably that you enrolled in a CIDA accredited program, and you expect to graduate from one so that you will qualify for the NCIDQ exams. Apparently there has been a long standing lack of understanding between the program and the school about the importance of accreditation.
I have a friend that graduated for SAIC in architectural design. I don't know if they are accredited and they are definitely more on the conceptual side. I don't think they learn how to do construction documents. He did like it quite a bit though. They offer more of a studio experience and better technology exposure (CNC lazer cutters, rapid prototyping, etc. Also, your pedigree will be better should you choose to go on to get your MArch.
You know what Columbia is putting its money towards? Fancy branded environments. I had to visit an administrative office space the other day and it was tricked out to the nines. Everyone had a $900 task chair. There was thousands and thousands of dollars in new contract furniture in there! Meanwhile the Interior Arch program does not have a single printer on the floor.

Grr it's so frustrating!
Yes, I will start writing a letter to the dean and I'll let you know what comes out of it.

Thank you so much. It's nice to have all of this information written down instead of someone saying in an unorganized form!