AIAS ADVOCACY

There are many issues of importance to architecture students that the AIAS works diligently to bring to the attention of both students and professionals. Below are some of the issues and resources that the AIAS has developed to help chapters begin conversations at their own institutions. It is the efforts and dialogues happening around the country that influence, drive and determines the advocacy efforts of the AIAS.

Public policies are the official organizational positions on issues of broad and lasting significance that relate to individuals and groups within and outside the membership of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). These policies define the position of the AIAS on recurrent issues and establish the manner in which the AIAS conducts its relationships within the organization, with members and chapters, and with others—including members, chapters, schools, affiliated organizations, and the public.

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As the perennial “next” generation of interns, AIAS members care deeply about issues that affect interns. Below are some resources related to architectural internship issues and concerns.

AIAS Policy on Unpaid Internships (PDF) – This position paper outlines the AIAS’s policies on unpaid internships. AIAS efforts to ensure that all architectural interns are adequately compensated for their time has resulted in identical policies being adopted by other organizations, such as the AIA.

Intern Development Program – If you are a student of architecture, intern, or firm owner, this information will be helpful to you in learning more about the Intern Development Program (IDP) and professional development of architectural interns.

Emerging Professionals Companion – Free to all AIAS members, the Emerging Professional's Companion supports the intern in the IDP process, particularly in gaining credit.

Architectural education depends heavily on the ‘studio’ model. As such, this very intense and unique model of education is the topic of much of AIAS’s advocacy and research efforts. The AIAS is spearheading programs intended to develop and support a national trend in architectural education anchored by healthy, collaborative and innovative studio models, while respecting the diverse nature of the many schools of architecture. Use the resources listed below as background material for learning more about the issues faced by architecture students in studio education and about what the AIAS has done to address some of those issues.

AIAS Studio Culture Summit Report (external link) - The report drafted by Studio Culture Summit facilitator, Clark Kellogg summarizing the proceedings and outcomes of the 2004 Summit.

AIAS Studio Culture Summit Web Site (external link)- A site of resources related to the October 2004 Summit hosted by the AIAS at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN.

Studio Culture PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) - A tool to be used to help facilitate the National Conversation.

Architectural Ethics Articles (PDF) - A series of articles written by Victoria Beach for the Boston Society of Architects Chapter Letter about the role ethics should play within the architectural profession.

Building Community Excerpts (PDF) - Selections from Building Community: A New Future for Architecture Education and Practice (commonly called the "Boyer Report") written by Ernest L. Boyer and Lee D. Mitgang.

Leadership By Design (PDF) - An article written by former Ambassador Richard Swett, FAIA, regarding the role of leadership in the architectural profession.

Patterns of Exploitation (PDF) - An article written by Dean Tom Fisher (College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, University of Minnesota) regarding treatment of interns and students in the academy and the profession.

The Redesign of Studio Culture (PDF) - A report by the SCTF that documents the state of architectural education today. It promotes five values that need to be more successfully incorporated into the culture surrounding architectural institutions: Optimism, Respect, Sharing, Engagement, and Innovation.

White Paper Written for the NAAB Validation Conference (PDF) - In preparation for the NAAB Validation Conference taking place in September 2003, the SCTF produced

True diversity in the profession is an important goal for both students and professionals alike. Naturally, diversity of race, gender, sexual preference and religion as well as diversity of interests and thought must begin in students, as the future of the architectural profession. This resource is intended to support positive discussion in your school about diversity issues.

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