UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE HPP PROGRAM

(As of June 2026)

Background

In August 2025, Sophie Oldfield, as chair of the Department of City and Regional Planning (CRP), proposed to the faculty that the Historic Preservation Planning (HPP) program suspend admission beginning in Fall 2026. [See HPP August 6 Presentation] She indicated that this was intended to cut departmental costs, given the university-wide cost cutting goal [For further information, see “Resilient Cornell”] Additional meetings were held and, in September 2025, Dr. Oldfield sent a letter to Tom Campanella, the newly appointed HPP coordinator, outlining the “Way Forward” as a fait accompli. Oldfield wrote that “it has been determined that . . .the historic preservation MA degree should be paused for the time being, with no new offers of admission made in the coming year.” [See HPP Sophie Oldfield Letter Sept 2025]

Community Response

This decision came as a surprise to the current HPP students and others who were enrolled in preservation classes. Alumni and students wrote letters to Dr. Oldfield and Dean J. Meejin Yoon. The executive committee of Historic Preservation Planning Alumni, Inc. (HPPA) prepared a clear statement against pausing the MA degree program. [See Statement from Exec Comm of HPPA] The Preservation Studies Student Organization also published a written response, and a letter of solidarity was created for distribution. [See Letter of Solidarity with HPP Oct 2025] In response, a Steering Committee of HPP faculty, students and alumni was established on October 14 to “chart the future” of the program. A meeting between students, faculty and college administrators was held on October 20, 2025, and the idea of a positive outcome was given some latitude. [See HPP Program 10_20_25] Follow-up letters were circulated regarding the completeness of information shared with faculty and students, as well as the timeline for proposing a “roadmap” to avert the admissions pause. [See Notes about HPP program by J. Minner Oct 2025, which refers to HPP Budget 2025-27, and HPP Tom C Memo of Oct 21 2025] The CRP faculty voted on November 14, 2025, with 63% of voting faculty rejecting the suspension of HPP admissions.

University Response

On November 20, 2025, the Dean of the Graduate School, Thomas A. Lewis, decided that admissions to the HPP MA program will remain closed for the 2026-27 year. [See HPP Tom C with Dean letter Nov 2025]

Current Status

In January 2026 Tom Campanella resigned as HPP coordinator, suggesting that Michael Tomlan continue in that role. Despite Dr. Oldfield’s frequent mention of staffing cuts, Nathaniel Guest has since been hired to teach one course each semester for the next three years. Michael Tomlan has noted that the MA degree is still available because it is a Graduate School degree, so with adequate funding students can enter the HPP program and receive an MA. Dr. Tomlan has been working on securing grants to make this possible. In an effort to increase class size, HPP courses are being cross-listed with the College of Arts & Sciences’ Archaeology program.

Proposed Steps

Although the Steering Committee never materialized, HPPA has continued to advocate for the MA program and is working on activities to assist with recruitment, enrollment and course enrichment.

Alumni are encouraged to:

a) Get involved in this effort in any way you can—fundraising, mentoring, attending events,

serving on HPPA committees, posting information on social media, etc.

b) Give of your time by providing a guest lecture (in person or by Zoom) for specialized courses

being developed as HPP reaches out to its allied disciplines

c) Help us to promote Cornell’s Historic Preservation Planning program in every possible venue.

We invite alumni and other concerned partners to join us in advocating for the future of the program. Please reach out to admin@hppalumni.org or to any member of the HPPA Board to share your support and to stay engaged in our coordinated response.