Architecture students suffer

As a student in the Architectural Technology program at Spokane Community College, I’m writing to express my extreme dislike of Washington House Bill 1634 and Senate Bill 5529. These two bills would seriously disadvantage me and students like me who are enrolled in associate degree programs by doubling the amount of time it would take for me to become licensed as an architect from eight to 15 years!

This bill would affect students in community colleges and in private schools like ITT Tech by limiting opportunities for advancement and by diminishing our ability to make a decent living. Community college enrollment could seriously suffer, and these programs that benefit low-income, minority and adults with work/family obligations could disappear altogether.

In addition, these bills would allow someone with an unrelated bachelor’s degree – in other words someone with no architectural experience – to get licensed within eight years, seven years less than someone who has spent two years studying nothing but architecture.

These bills, designed by those with money and interest, are meant to do one thing: Reward those with money and influence. The good old boys network is alive and well in Olympia. Please write your legislators and Gov. Gregoire today.

Levi Hanson

Spokane