Interior design educators, please educate me on SB 1312

[see comment by DK on my About page a detailed explanation]

This afternoon I sent a letter to Interior Design EDUCATORS on the behalf of interior design students and how SB 1312 can affect them. Thus far, I was accused by one educator as follows:
He wrote: “The bill does not require any of the things you are indicating. Please stop distributing misinformation.”

IF I HAVE POSTED MISINFORMATION, PLEASE, DESIGN EDUCATORS, EDUCATE ME ON SB 1312. SEND COMMENTS, I WILL APPROVE THEM, SO THE INTERIOR DESIGN COMMUNITY CAN LEARN FROM YOU. THANKS.

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I wrote him back and said:

—–Original Message—–
From: brentwill@<snipped for post>
Sent: Sat, 24 May 2008 16:38:12 -0800
To: <snipped for post>@—.edu
Subject: REPLY: SB 1312: Interior Design Program, STUDENTS and Jobs

Dear Mr. __,

I am not distributing “misinformation”. The California Senate page publishes
the proposed legislation, and you can read it here:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1301-1350/sb_1312_bill_20080513_amended_sen_v96.html
and, (as shown below), it indicates the EDUCATION AND WORK requirements.

Now, if you are familiar with the NCIDQ, you would already know their requirement dictates WHO you can work for, before you get to sit for that exam. “This January a new requirement makes that experience only count if the job is supervised by an NCIDQ certificate-holder, or a licensed architect!”

PLEASE POINT OUT WHERE THERE IS MISINFORMATION so I can post it on my blog. Or if you would like
to publicly “comment”, please do so.

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MY LETTER TO EDUCATORS:

Hello,

I was wondering if you are aware of the STRICT EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS for the proposed
“Registered Interior Designer” bill (SB 1312).

Does your interior design program align with the education mandate this legislation sets forth?
Will your graduating students have a difficult time to get internships?
(they would need thousands of hours of work experience under an RID, NCIDQ certif holder or an architect before they can sit for the NCIDQ).

The Community College League of California is OPPOSED to SB 1312, maybe you should be too:
http://www.ccleague.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3645

The League says:
“SB 1312 is a bad and intrusive effort into the curricular standards of colleges. The work experience and education requirements of SB 1312 are onerous and at odds with educational programs…”

Your graduating students are eligible to apply for Certification and take the certification exam WITHOUT work experience. The exam they would take
is relevant to California codes. The NCIDQ does not cover California codes. Think about it. What is the better route for your students?

The Senate will vote on this the week of May 26 – May 30. If you oppose, Fax a letter or call your Senator. Your students will thank you.

Sincerely,
Brent Williams, designer/space planner
See my post: “I pity the design students”
at http://brentwilliams.wordpress.com/

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I pity the design students

[be sure to read comments below!]

SB 1312 is a bad piece of legislation. All you students will not be able to sit for the NCIDQ exam to start the process to become a Registered Interior Designer UNTIL you have  thousands of hours of experience working under an RID or someone who has passed the NCIDQ, or an architect.

IF YOU BELIEVE there are enough of these people *with jobs to offer you*, you are sadly mistaken. In addition, because you will be so desperate for these kinds of jobs you place yourself at the mercy of anyone who will hire you.

Students obviously have not understood this legislation and have been fed a bunch of baloney by ASID.

HERE’S SOME STUDENT FACTS about SB 1312
4. Registration 5730.
The committee shall issue a certificate of registration to a person who meets all of the
following requirements:
(a) Has not committed any of the acts listed in Section 5745 .
(b) Completes an application for a certificate on a form prescribed by the committee .
(c) Pays the registration fee prescribed by the committee pursuant to Section 5755 .
(d) Submits proof satisfactory to the committee of successful completion of one of the
following:
(1) A bachelor’s degree program in interior design and 3,520 hours of interior design experience, including 1,760 hours earned after the degree program is completed.
(2) A bachelor’s degree program in any major, no less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate or degree, and 3,520 hours of interior design experience, including 1,760 hours earned after the degree program and coursework are completed.
(3) No less than 60 semester or 90 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma and 5,280 hours of interior design experience earned after that coursework is completed.
(4) No less than 40 semester or 60 quarter hours of interior design coursework that culminates in a certificate, degree, or diploma and 7,040 hours of interior design experience earned after that coursework is completed.
(e) Submits proof of passage of the examination prepared and administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.