PHILADELPHIA - The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Fine Arts is changing its name to The School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania.  

The new name will more accurately describe the School's multidisciplinary programs in architecture, city planning, fine arts, historic preservation and landscape architecture.  The name change takes effect Sept. 2.

"The name of the School has been a constant source of confusion, requiring an explanation more often than not," Dean Gary Hack said. "The School of Design is a name that has relevance to each of our diverse programs, which are a blend of scientific and technical expertise, as well as creativity."

Fine arts is the smallest of the School professional programs, while architecture, city and regional planning, landscape architecture and even historic preservation are considerably larger.  Also, the School is no longer exclusively a graduate school, with one-third of the teaching at the undergraduate level.

Additional information on The School of Design is available at www.design.upenn.edu.