Interior Design License Guarantees Public Health, Welfare and Safety
November 3, 2009Discussing the Licensure of Interior Design
with a Michigan Senator
On October 27, 2009, I sat down with Senator Jason Allen at his office, located on the State Capitol compound in Lansing, Michigan, to see if I could personally assist in achieving mandatory licensure for all interior designers in Michigan to guarantee the public’s heath, welfare and safety.
In an effort not to expand or focus on how the Senate’s Committee on Commerce and Tourism, chaired by the Senator, had so far thwarted all efforts regarding licensure from local interior designers in Traverse City as well as statewide from the CIDR (Coalition for Interior Design Registration), I stood on a professional platform for the greater good of all mankind. I approached him as one businessman speaking to another, and the Senator graciously listened to my plight with a very relaxed demeanor as I broached the topic of the necessity of licensing all interior designers in Michigan, in light of their responsibility toward the general public with regard to health, welfare and safety.
Unfortunately, my arguments were not accepted, and this complex and controversial issue remains unresolved. The Senator once again declared his position against mandatory licensure by saying that after his diligence with interior designers from Traverse City, Michigan, who tried to help the Senator understand our vital role in both commercial and residential interior design, he saw no direct correlation between interior design and health, welfare and safety.
I asked the Senator to consider the fact that inadequate fabrics, upholstery, wallcovering and carpeting, which might be selected by uneducated or inexperienced individuals who were allowed to call themselves interior designers, could be directly related to the potential loss of lives in a commercial building in the event of a fire. Those inadequate materials could produce excessive amounts of smoke and dangerous fumes, which would be inhaled by the building’s occupants during a fire. This has actually happened in many cases in the past. I stated that this wouldn’t be the case if the individual selecting the materials was required to be educated, tested by examination, experienced and licensed to know the difference between what must or must not be specified within certain interior environments. The Senator stated that this was already covered under the builder’s/contractor’s obligation and again, he saw no direct correlation between interior design and health, welfare and safety.
It can be very easy to become discouraged about those who have the power to help fight for others but choose not to. We will never know why some individuals like Senator Jason Allen choose to do nothing about important issues like this one that are so well documented and clear cut. I guess that’s the nature of the beast; it all boils down to politics and who is getting what for doing what. All I know is that we must keep fighting for what we believe in and know that there will come a time when everyone eventually can be heard.
Comments
This is such a shame. As a recent graduate from Michigan State University and with being so close to the Lansing capitol, I was able to witness this political situation first hand as an interior design student. As students, we would host events for other design students to collaborate and write letters to senators all over Michigan in attempts to sway the vote of this bill; this was just one way we remained active. It's more than obvious that the Michigan design industry, professionals and up-coming professionals, have come together to help represent our profession. It's just too bad that all of that hard work is being considered unsuccessful although it is important to remain positive. Special thanks to Shane for your continuous efforts and attempts. Brooke A. Arciniega, ASID Allied Member Interior Designer B|A Designs
Shane, Should you get another chance re this health, welfare and safety (you've got a typo on the blog), you could use me as your example -- a chemically-sensitive, allergic individual who has had serious health problems because of the EARLIER work with a staff that knew -- or cared -- little about such issues, Of course, people in the Midwest and especially smaller communities need to be educated about such health issues , but one might have thought a legislator would be knowledgable! Karla
Hi Shane, Well put and I have felt your frustration in some of my dealings with Lansing (both sides of the isle) during a 30+ year career in the energy biz. It's extremely frustrating to be rebuffed for no apparent reason, when you feel that logic and facts are on your side. Stick to your beliefs and keep up the fight, because people and timing change. Cheers, Alan
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