INTRODUCTION
The
Chapter Handbook is a resource and a tool. You may refer to this publication
for ideas and formats when planning for a successful term. It is a repository
of information from your chapter and the national office, and an archive for
chapter leaders to pass down from year to year.
AIAS
is only as strong as its chapters. The Chapter Handbook can help you strengthen
your chapter by improving the quality of your programs. A successful AIAS
chapter is not the one with the most members or the largest bank account, but
one that produces quality programs. When members are a part of good programs,
they will tell others to join and the chapter will grow (and so will your bank
account!).
The
Chapter Handbook is a resource. The
information contained herein is merely suggestion, not rigid guidelines. The
information you will read is a compendium of ideas you can use to improve
certain aspects of your chapter’s functions. The staff of the AIAS and
National Directors can suggest avenues for improvement, and can help in
digesting this information. After reviewing the publication, it is up to you to
evaluate and adjust the Handbook suggestions to fit your AIAS chapter’s
needs. Do not rush out and implement all of the ideas you see in the Handbook.
You will overwork yourself and your chapter. Gradual changes to improve
programs work better than rapid overhauls.
Just
as with our society and our schools and colleges, diversity and uniqueness must
be preserved. So it is, too, with AIAS. The Chapter Handbook is now at your
fingertips—simply decide how best to use it.
The AIAS thanks the
following for their input and assistance in creating the Chapter Handbook:
Kevin McGillycuddy, 1991-1992 National Vice President; Alan Paradis, 1990-1991
National President; Courtney Miller, 1992-1993 National President; Ann Crawford
Reed, Executive Director; Matt Gilbertson, 1988-1989 National President; Susan
Monaco, SCAD 1992-1993 Chapter President; Ken Graham, California State
Polytechnic 1992-1993 Chapter President; and Trae Underwood, AIAS Publications
Director. We also thank each of the collateral organizations: AIA, ACSA, NAAB,
and NCARB, for use of their resources and publications for research.
Editors:
Vol. 1 (August
1992)
Vol. 2 (July 1993)
Vol. 3 (September
1993): Christopher D. Browne, 1992-1993 Director and Leigh Chatham Hubbard,
1992-1993 National Vice President
Vol. 4 (July 1994):
Christine Malecki, 1993-1994 Vice President
Vol. 5 (July 1995):
Elizabeth Koski, 1994-1995 Vice President, and Shannon Kraus, 1995-96 Vice
President
Vol. 6 (July 1996):
Casius Pealer, 1996-1997 Vice President
Vol. 7 (May 1998):
Rachel Livingston Ahalt, 1997-1998 Vice President
Vol. 8 (September
1999): Pamela L. Kortan, Executive Director
Vol. 9 (June
2004): Katherine Bojsza, 2003-2004 Vice President
Vol. 10 (June
2005): Michael V. Geary, CAE, Executive Director
A. SERVICES, BENEFITS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
It is important to distinguish for each
member the difference between “benefits, services and
opportunities.” While AIAS does provide many tangible
“benefits” to all AIAS members, such as a subscription to Crit, Journal of the AIAS; the AIAS is
also committed to “serve” as a national voice for architecture
students and to create “opportunities” for students. While the
benefits are fairly obvious to members, the services and opportunities are not.
Therefore, one of the most important benefits you give to the members at your
school is the awareness of these services and opportunities. If you always keep
this in mind, you will avoid the need to sell the AIAS; the opportunities of
being a member will sell themselves. All you must do is make them aware of
their opportunities through successful communication
Services
AIAS Representation: AIAS is represented on the national
boards of the AIA (The American Institute of Architects), ACSA (Association of
Collegiate Schools of Architecture), NAAB (National Architectural Accrediting
Board), and the IDP Coordinating Committee (Intern Development Program). These
are opportunities to voice student concerns and suggestions. It is also the
opportunity for the AIAS to learn first hand what is going on in these
organizations, which will enable us to tell the membership important
information about the AIA, ACSA, NAAB, IDP, and NCARB. These positions are
somewhat unique to student organizations that demonstrate the commitment that
the Five Collateral Organizations have to students of architecture.
Benefits
Crit, Journal of
the AIAS: Crit is the AIAS publication devoted to
student work and critical thought. The theme of each issue provides for
discussion and evaluation of current issues in architectural education and the
profession. Student projects from across North America are published in an
effort to highlight the best of the best in architectural schools. While the
focus of Crit remains on students,
articles on faculty, schools, professionals, and practice oriented issues are
often highlighted in the journal. Crit
is written, produced, and published entirely by AIAS members. The Crit Editor is selected for a two-year
term in which the majority of his/her time must also be a student. Crit is free to all members. Submissions
are welcome from any individual or group with an interest in architectural
education and the future of the profession. To receive additional information
on Crit or to submit an article,
please email crit@aias.org.
AIASinfo: This is the
bimonthly electronic newsletter of the AIAS devoted to architectural student
news. Issues of AIASinfo contain
announcements of conferences, opportunities, competitions, upcoming events,
scholarships, and AIAS issues. Members are welcome to submit announcements,
articles and feedback to the national office for inclusion in AIASinfo.
Book Reviews: Various publishers offer books to the AIAS
for our “Book Review Program.” Members interested in writing a book
review may request a book to review and keep it after they have submitted their
review to the office. A list of books available for review is available online.
Contact the AIAS office for book requests at mailbox@aias.org
Discounts: AIAS arranges discount agreements for our
members with major architecture and design magazines, such as Architecture, Metropolis and Architectural Record; design supply
companies, such as Charrette; book publishers such as Wiley and Sons; software
companies, such as Graphisoft and Autodesk; and the MBNA MasterCard. All offers
are listed on the AIAS Web site at www.aias.org.
Opportunities
AIAS Grassroots: Grassroots is the annual chapter
leadership conference of the AIAS. It provides training on how to run a
successful AIAS chapter and what it takes to motivate and organize students at
their schools. AIAS leaders are also informed on important current issues in
architectural education and the profession.
Grassroots is held
each summer in Washington, DC, at the AIAS headquarters building, over a
three-day period. Included in the program are workshops, lectures, seminars,
tours, and other group sessions that help promote and encourage interaction
among student leaders from across North America. Grassroots acts as the
catalyst for issues and ideas relevant to architectural students, education,
and the profession. This discourse sets the future course for the organization.
All chapter
presidents should attend Grassroots. If timing is a problem, another chapter
delegate may be sent, but it is important that at least one representative from
each chapter be present. Many universities and colleges have student
organization departments that allocate money for programs such as leadership
training conferences. Of course, your chapter may already budget the cost of
sending a delegate each year. Each delegate pays a registration fee that
includes housing and most on-site costs. To ensure space availability, each
school is limited to sending no more than two delegates to the conference.
The information and
experience of Grassroots is like none other available to chapter presidents.
Grassroots provides chapter delegates with the information, motivation and
preparation required for a successful AIAS chapter.
FORUM: FORUM is the annual meeting of the
American Institute of Architecture Students. FORUM provides students with the
opportunity to learn about the issues facing architectural education and the
profession, to meet students and professionals with common interests, and to
interact with some of today’s leading architects.
Every architecture
school, student, and practitioner has his/her own method of approach to and
definition of architecture. In order to define and further understand
one’s own definition, it becomes necessary to offer and seek out other
options. FORUM becomes the stage where these activities may take place.
Beginning in 1968,
FORUM has grown to become the largest activity sponsored by AIAS. Each FORUM
program is centered on a theme selected by the host school. The meeting
programming includes workshops and seminars led by prominent architects and
other important people in the architectural field. These sessions enable
students and professionals, both in the academic and business worlds, to
discuss the relevant issues facing the architectural profession today.
The FORUM
atmosphere is casual. Events include tours, displays, and social gatherings.
The theme-focused program is coordinated with AIAS national activities and
programs. The Council of Presidents (COP) General Business Sessions are
scheduled throughout the convention. These sessions are where the National
Officer and Director elections are held, the selection is made for the upcoming
FORUM site, and resolutions concerning the national operations and positions of
the AIAS are brought to the floor and discussed by the delegates and
membership.
The program, theme,
and site of FORUM changes each year. The true benefits of attending FORUM
cannot be measured, for each person who attends FORUM leaves with increased
insight into AIAS, the presented topics, the profession, and themselves.
The Council of
Presidents selects the host chapter(s) for the FORUM in two years at sessions
during FORUM. Any AIAS chapter in good standing may bid to host FORUM. Specific
information regarding the bidding procedure may be obtained from the AIAS
office. Though the process of bidding and then organizing FORUM is a tedious
one, FORUM is an excellent way for an AIAS chapter to expose students to their
program, school and city.
Workshops: Occasionally, the AIAS organizes
specially-focused workshops that cater to a particular educational theme.
Workshops are held independently from other AIAS events and aim to provide
members with access to industry leaders and accomplished scholars from a
particular facet of the architecture and design profession and academy.
Workshop focus is determined by the national office and is based on the specific
interests and needs of the membership.
National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
Visiting Team Members: Each year, AIAS has the privilege of nominating
students to NAAB Accreditation Teams.This opportunity is one of the most
incredible experiences AIAS can offer to its members. AIAS students are
completely funded on the four day team visits and are an integral part of the
accreditation process. Both the time commitment and the fact that few, if any,
other disciplines allow student participation during accreditation, stress the
importance of the student team member.
During
accreditation visits, this appointee interacts with the AIAS Chapter and other
students to obtain their view of the curriculum and thus makes an informed
presentation to the rest of the visiting team. Students wishing to make the
commitment and accept the responsibility of participating on a NAAB
accreditation visit must be an AIAS member in the third year or above and must
submit an application to the AIAS office each year (by the announced date).
Applications consist of the following: a letter of intent, a one-page personal
resume, and up to three letters of recommendation. Completed applications are
review by the AIAS President, who then recommends a list of students to NAAB for
appointment. NAAB selects students from this list and places them on teams that
must be approved by the school hosting the visit. Announcement of the team
members occurs in December of the year of submittal. Visits occur in the spring
of the following year.
AIAS Competitions: Some of the most popular and
successful AIAS programs are the student design competitions. Also, AIAS makes
every effort to keep students aware of student design competitions sponsored by
other organizations that may be available throughout the year. Announcements of
these competitions appear in AIASinfo
and online.
AIA Awards Juries: Each year, the AIAS President
appoints members to serve as full participants on AIA Juries.
AIA
National Convention and Design Exposition: Each year, The American Institute of
Architects hosts a national convention attended by architects, students, and
related professionals. Convention focuses on a particular theme each year and
strives to provide a program which addresses issues that are timely, relevant,
and of interest in the total scope of architectural practice today. The
convention involves a week of AIA business sessions, major speakers, seminars,
exhibits, workshops, and special programs aimed specifically at students and
young professionals. The student activities at the AIA Convention are
considered an integral part of the overall meeting. AIAS sponsors a reception
each year and AIAS members are eligible for a special registration rate. There
are usually special arrangements made for student accommodations at a nearby
architecture school.
C. STRUCTURE
The
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is made up of student and
affiliate members, most of whom participate in the organization through the
130-plus AIAS chapters around the United States and Canada. The AIAS is
governed by the Council of Presidents (COP) and the Board of Directors (BOD),
assisted by a full-time staff. Each of these groups is explained in further detail
below.
Membership
in the AIAS is open to anyone interested in the organization and its purposes.
A person can become a member by joining an AIAS chapter at his/her school,
forming a new AIAS chapter at his/her school through the procedures outlined in
the AIAS Bylaws, or applying to be an Affiliate member.
The
AIAS conducts much of its activity within the local chapters where student
concerns and first hand experiences may be addressed most effectively. Student
chapters are chartered at universities and colleges that offer
pre-professional, para-professional, or professional programs in architecture,
or at high schools. The requirements for an AIAS chapter include recognition
from students; payment of an annual membership fee and individual dues to the AIAS;
submission of all membership materials; and the designation of a student
contact (i.e., the chapter president).
The
strength of AIAS as a national organization is dependent upon the collective
strength of the individual chapters. Each AIAS chapter is obligated with the
responsibility to provide standard services to its members.
Council of
Presidents (COP)
The
AIAS National Council of Presidents (COP) is the collective voice of the
chapter presidents and represents the student membership. This body is
responsible for establishing and monitoring the organization’s direction,
as well as making policy statements. The COP meets twice yearly in General
Business Sessions (GBS) at AIAS Grassroots and at FORUM. The COP is also
responsible for selecting the upcoming FORUM site and electing six of the
members of the Board of Directors: the President, Vice President, and four
National Directors.
Board of Directors
(BOD)
The
national Board of Directors is an elected representative board responsible for
acting upon the Council of Presidents’ recommendations. The Board of
Directors is a policy-making and policy-evaluating board, and meets four times
during its elected tenure (in the fall, at FORUM, in the spring, and at
Grassroots). The Board of Directors is comprised of twelve members as follows:
President
and Vice President: The President and Vice President are elected by the
membership via chapter voting at the national elections at FORUM. The officers
take office on the first day of Grassroots and serve a one-year term. Due to
the nature of the commitment to the National Office, the officers serve in a
full-time capacity and thus take a leave of absence from school during their
tenure. They must be AIAS members from a chapter in good standing at the time
of their election. The President and Vice President extend their stay through
the following Grassroots Leadership Conference to ensure a smooth transition
with the new National Officers.
National
Directors: The four National Directors are representatives of the
membership to the BOD. Their duty is to express significant membership
viewpoints and needs to the BOD. Each Director is elected from a quadrant and
is therefore responsible to represent the issues and concerns of the membership
and COP. The Directors are elected by the membership via chapter voting held at
FORUM. The Directors-elect proceed to serve during the following year. During
their term in office and when elected, Directors must be AIAS members from
chapters in good standing, and must maintain full-time student status.
Past
President: The Past President is indirectly elected to the BOD via the
presidency. The Past President serves as an advisor, a full voting member of
the BOD and is the AIAS Elections Chair.
AIA
Liaison:
The AIA Liaison links the AIA National Board of Directors to the AIAS BOD. The
Liaison is appointed to the Board by joint agreement of the AIA National
President and the AIAS National President. The AIA Liaison serves a two-year
term.
ACSA
Liaison:
This position was initiated with the 1998-99 BOD to link the ACSA Board of
Directors to the AIAS BOD. The Liaison is appointed to the BOD by joint
agreement of the ACSA National President and the AIAS National Vice President.
The ACSA Liaison serves a two-year term, serving a staggered term from the AIA
Liaison.
Executive
Director: The Executive Director is a full-time professional charged
with the daily operations of the organization. The Executive Director is
responsible for support staff, maintenance of financial records, fund raising,
and continuity of national programs. The Executive Director is selected by the
Personnel Committee with approval by the BOD, and is an ex officio non-voting
member of the BOD.
AIAS Staff
Directly
under the Executive Director are any staff members including, but not limited
to, the Director of Member Services and Director of Community Services. In
addition, the Crit Editor and FORUM
Chair are paid independent contractors of the AIAS and report to the Executive
Director.
At
the national level, AIAS represents students’ views through active
participation on many related boards and committees by the President and Vice
President as full time employees of the AIAS. The representative positions
filled by the President, Vice President, and Past President include Student
Director on the AIA Board, Student Director on the ACSA Board, AIAS
Representative on the IDP Coordinating Committee, Student Member of the AIA/AAF
Scholarship Committee, and AIAS participation on the Five Presidents’
Council.
D.
AIAS HISTORY
One
of the unique opportunities for you as a leader of architecture students is the
important role you can play in shaping the future of your profession. Since
1956, students from architecture schools across North America have formally
come together with the goal of augmenting their education and influencing the
profession in which they will soon be active participants.
It
is important to realize, however, that this type of activity is atypical for
both professional and student organizations. The AIAS and its predecessors,
NASA and ASC/AIA, have been active for almost five decades, helping to shape
architectural education and the future practice environment.
NASA: Before the Space Age
In 1956, architecture students established a continuing presence with the
formation of the National Architectural Student Association (NASA). Through a
network of local chapters and regional representation, Jim Barry was elected
national president. Having accomplished the task of organizing a disparate
array of local student activities into a collective voice, these ambitious
students of NASA planted the seed for the nationally organized student voice
from which we benefit from today.
Like the presidents of more typical student
organizations, Barry served as a part-time volunteer from his school with
funding provided by the AIA and Washington-area architectural programs. During
his term, NASA published the first issue of LINE magazine, had representatives
involved in AIA committee activities, and hosted many interesting programs at
the Octagon (then the AIA national headquarters). Keynote addresses from
notable architects such as Paul Rudolph initiated professional/student
interaction. The students of NASA also attended the AIA Convention in Los
Angeles, with special programs designed specifically for students.
Laurie Mauer, a former NAAB Director and
practicing architect in New York, remarked that student involvement in all
aspects of the profession has grown by unprecedented proportions since her
years as National Treasurer/Secretary of NASA: "Never would anyone have
believed that there would be the interest by the students or the support by the
professionals... (Student involvement) has come a long way - beyond the expectations
of everyone!"
From NASA to ASC/AIA
With the advent of the National Aeronautics Space Program, our student
organization was coerced to surrender trademark of its acronym and was renamed
the Association of Student Chapters of the AIA (ASC/AIA). In l960, students
elected Ray Gaio from the University of Notre Dame as national president.
Gaio's candid "tell it like it is" approach ignited many issues,
signaling to educators and professionals that the students of the ASC/AIA were
ready to participate.
Over the years, the ASC/AIA continued to
grow in all directions, with the diversity of issues running parallel with the
diversity of its leadership. The positions of president and vice president
continued to be part-time, with various levels of support and funding from the
AIA and other organizations. National Officers were elected to the ASC/AIA from
all parts of the country as the as organization's value disseminated
nationally.
In looking back at these years, John
Maudlin-Jeronimo, former Executive Director of The National Architectural
Accreditation Board (NAAB) and a past ASC/AIA president, cites several key
individuals that stand out above the rest on improving the student position.
After stressing the importance of Gaio's contributions, Jeronimo's next milestone
individual is Taylor Culver, 1969-70 ASC/AIA President, whose claim to fame was
leading a student revolt at the AIA Convention. A towering figure, it is
reported that Culver and his fellow students literally took over the podium
from the AIA President and displayed their strength and solidarity.
As a two-term president, Fay D'Avignon
(1973-75) became the first ASC/AIA president to take up full-time
responsibilities here in Washington D.C., marking a new phase in the ASC/AIA
efforts to become an autonomous voice of architectural students. This was a
significant point when professionals and the AIA relinquished responsibilities
to the ASC/AIA in many affairs that directly affected students.
From here, the ASC/AIA truly developed into
a unified national voice. The number of local chapters increased steadily as
did the general membership. With the extra workload, it was clear that the vice
president was needed on a full time basis as well. In 1975-76, President Ella
Hall (North Carolina State) and Vice President Steve Biegel (Syracuse
University), became the first ASC/AIA dynamic duo in Washington. Also at this
time, the term for National Officers went to the current July-June format to
allow students to remain on their academic schedules.
The next pair of National Officers
exhibited unbridled energy, resulting in a great number of new programs. The
Jerry Compton/Rob Rosenfeld team (SCI-ARC and University of California-Berkeley
respectively), exhibited creativity and clarity of vision. Their most/notable
achievements include solidifying the ASC/AIA growing accounting operations,
holding the first design competition, publishing the magazine which would later
become Crit (originally named
Telesis) and establishing student representation on the IDP Coordinating
Committee.
The following year, Rob Rosenfeld continued
on as vice president, with Charles Guerin (University of Houston) taking the
helm as president. Those two officers started many current traditions:
initiating the first ASC/AIA Chapter Honor Award and publishing the first
issues of Crit, the student
architectural magazine. They also held perhaps the most unusual competition to
date, which ended with the construction of a hot air balloon and its launching
over the Pacific.
In 1978-79 came the team of John Jeronimo
(University of Miami) and Mary Beth Permar (Clemson University and The
University of Illinois). Their major accomplishments include the continuation
and improvement of Crit from a
magazine format to a true architectural journal; increasing the size of the
Board of Directors to include the FORUM Chair and Crit Editor; and taking the overall operating budget of the ASC/AIA
over the $100,000 mark for the first time in our history. Jeronimo and Permar
also set in motion the largest national design competition to date, the first
McDonald's Competition, which drew over 650 entries. Only the Vietnam Memorial
Design Competition has drawn more entries.
A New Autonomy: AIAS, Inc.
After several years of continued prosperity, the ASC/AIA arrived at a critical
phase. The growth of the organization was beginning to outweigh the abilities
and skills of two architecture students. In 1984-85, after a thorough
self-examination, President Tom Fowler accepted the recommendations of the
Special Task Force organized to review the structure of the ASC/AIA. Its
suggestions included renaming the organization the American Institute of
Architecture Students (AIAS), incorporating the organization, and hiring a
full-time Executive Director to assist in the operations of the organization.
In March 1985, the AIAS brought on Carl Costello as the Executive Director of
AIAS, who quickly exhibited his administrative skills and an understanding the
interests and concerns of architecture students.
With a new name and new independence, the
AIAS leadership then took to the task of developing this new organization.
Scott Norberg, President (University of Nebraska) and Whitney Powers, Vice
President (Mississippi State University), dedicated themselves to examining
issues that were critical to the architectural scene. The controversial Kent
State Memorial Competition, with the rejection of Ian Taberner's award-winning
proposal, sparked debate throughout the AIAS and became an issue at each
National meeting. Participation at these meetings was exceptional: over 1,100
students attended the AIAS FORUM in New York in 1985.
AIAS Grassroots Begins
The first meeting of AIAS Grassroots occurred during the summer of 1985, as
chapter leaders from around the country gathered at the AIAS Headquarters in
Washington, D.C. Also that year, the AIAS held three national design
competitions for the first time. In Norberg's second term, alongside Lee
Waldrep, Vice President (Arizona State University), the number of competitions
increased to four; the AIAS initiated the Search for Shelter Program to address
the growing issue of homelessness in America; and the AIAS contributed to the
AIA Education Initiative by establishing the AIAS Outstanding Practitioner in
Education award.
Norberg's successor, President Kent
Davidson, combined forces with Vice President Karen Cordes (University of
Arkansas). During their term, the AIAS developed the Search for Shelter Program
with design charrettes all across the country. The AIAS FORUM in Boston also
was an unqualified success, with participation nearing 1,000 students. AIAS
student participation at the AIA Convention was also impressive, reaching a new
student registration record. The AIAS and Microtecture Corporation also
initiated a computer software grants program providing 56 schools of
architecture with Datacad computer software with an estimated retail value of
$1,000,000.
1988-89 saw President Matthew Gilbertson
(University of Minnesota) and Vice President Irene Dumas Tyson (Mississippi
State University) at the helm, with several new developments taking place. AIAS
accepted its first chapter outside the United States when the Council of
Presidents voted to accept Ryerson Polytechnical Institute as a full member.
AIAS strengthened their commitment to the housing for the homeless issue by
active participation in the Habitat for Humanity program. This administration
also went public with the "Partnership in Education" program, which
allowed interested individuals and corporations the opportunity to support students
of architecture.
President Douglas Bailey (Montana State
University) and Vice President Catherine Miller (University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee) served as officers during the 1989-90 school year. The
AIAS moved into new office space, increased the full time National Office
positions to five, and made major commitments to desktop publishing. The dues
structure for local chapters was revised to reflect a commitment to the
organization by individual members, rather that a lump sum from the entire
school. One substantial outgrowth of this revision was the establishment of an
active database that allowed individual mailings of pertinent information to
each AIAS member. A triumph for students under this administration was the
inclusion of a standardized NAAB four-year degree language in college catalogs.
This mandate was initiated by the AIAS and adopted by the five collateral
architecture organizations the following year.
The 1990-91 term saw Alan D.S. Paradis
(Roger Williams College) and David T. Kunselman (Carnegie Mellon University) in
the driver's seat. The AIAS experienced growth with the addition of thirteen
chapters, which pushed membership to a record 156 chapters. An additional full
time staff person was hired in the National Office to coordinate AIAS
competitions. This year's agenda was largely an affirmation of student
commitment to environmental issues. The Environmental Action Committee (EAC)
was established to gather information pertaining to environmental issues and
their relationship to the design process, and disseminate this information to
fellow students and educators. Two significant position papers on architectural
education deficiencies and degree nomenclature are also presented to the
collateral organizations during this term. These were included in a newly
compiled, comprehensive set of AIAS governing documents.
The 1991-92 National Officers, President
Lynn N. Simon (University of Washington) and Vice President Kevin P.
McGillycuddy (Washington-Alexandria Center), took their places in Washington,
DC. The year emphasized a devotion to the quality of career counseling and the
internship experience. Five National Directors focused their endeavors on
minority programs, affordable housing, women in architecture, community involvement,
and career options. The Five Presidents Declaration, proposing a single
designation for the professional degree in architecture, sparked discussion and
debate among students, educators, and practitioners. In addition, with support
and commitment from the five collateral architecture organizations, initiation
of a major study by the Carnegie Foundation on architectural practice and
education was commissioned.
At the beginning of the 1992-93 term of
President Courtney Miller (University of Maryland) and Vice President Leigh
Hubbard (North Carolina State University), Executive Director Carl Costello
resigned and Ann Crawford Reed came aboard. These three worked to make the
National Office's duties manageable while combating a budget deficit. They produced
a new Chapter Handbook for each chapter to use on the local level, while the
1992-93 National Directors produced informational documents on career options
and environmentally safe resources for the studio, and a video on women in
architecture. A new system of regional coordinators was also set into place,
the AIAS Long Range Plan was developed into a finished document, and the
Sustainability Declaration was developed for adoption by the four other
collateral organizations. The membership was 7520.
After Ann Crawford Reed resigned as
executive director, 1993-94 President Garen D. Miller (Drury College) and Vice
President Christine A. Malecki (Carnegie Mellon University) hired former AIAS
Vice President Irene Dumas Tyson as executive director. After the COP voted to
double individual dues, tasks for the year included maintaining high membership
levels through a membership recruitment package. Indeed, the 1993-94 membership
grew to 8025. The AIAS entered the information highway with an e-mail address,
involvement on the AIAOnline network, and development of an all-electronic
design competition. The COP approved a measure requiring all speakers invited
to AIAS events to verify that they paid their interns legal wages, and the
boards of the ACSA and AIA voted to officially support this measure. Directors
focused on the public awareness of architecture, government affairs,
sustainable design, internship issues, and development of the regional
coordinator network.
The 1994-95 officers were National
President Dee Christy Briggs (City College of New York) and National
Vice-President Elizabeth Koski (Arizona State University). In their terms,
national membership was 7140. Briggs was instrumental in seeing the AIA
resolution on unpaid and under- compensated interns through to fruition. Koski
spearheaded successful efforts to open and continue the excellent relationship
that the AIAS has with the ACSA. In December of their term, they hired on
Lawrence F. Guillemette, Jr., as the new Executive Director. Crit’s format (editor Bob Dillon)
was changed to the oversized 10" x 14". The annual convention in
Lexington, Kentucky, Bluegrass FORUM, was a success with 600 attendees. The
National Directors focused on public awareness, studio culture, environmental
issues, the changing profession, and career options.
1996: Forty Years
The 1995-96 officers were National President Robert Rowan (Washington State
University) and National Vice President Shannon Kraus (Southern Illinois
University). At Grassroots '95, they presented the Council of Presidents three
options for membership dues: the current $12, $24, or $36. The COP voted for
$36 national dues. The ramifications proved to be that membership dropped 42%,
to 3980 members, although over 85% of the AIAS Chapter remained active.
At that same Grassroots, the COP chose to
move FORUM bidding to a two-year cycle and grant the National Office the right
to host FORUM in Washington, D.C., the following year. This was to cap off a
40th anniversary fundraising campaign. The COP also formed a Governance
Committee to identify and address internal organizational issues. FORUM '95 in
Portland, Ore., addressed substantive issues of sustainability and design;
international affiliate and high school affiliate membership categories were
developed; the AIAS awarded over $50,000 in competition prize money to
students; AIAS News was incorporated into Crit; and Charette became a quarterly
newsletter. In Portland, John Czarnecki was selected as Crit editor.
The 1996-97 National Officers were President
Raymond H. Dehn (University of Minnesota) and Vice President Casius Pealer
(Tulane University). The organization's membership rose to 4,400 during their
term. FORUM '96: A Capitol Forum, was an ambitious affair. Attended by
approximately 600 people, keynote speakers included Vincent Scully, Lebbeus
Woods, and Hugh Newell Jacobsen. Two competitions were conducted that year:
Millennia House (with the U.S. Department of Energy) and Altering the Current
(with the Copper Development Association). Crit was published three times. Some
of the issues their administration focused on were international outreach,
continued investigation of unfair labor practices, and the computerized ARE.
1997-98 President Robert L. Morgan (Clemson
University) and Vice President Rachel Livingston Ahalt (University of Colorado
at Denver) spent their term focusing on the financial viability of the National
Office, and organizing AIAS Legacy members to defeat a proposal by the AIA
Board of Directors to investigate the creation of a student category of
membership in the AIA. That proposal sparked more cohesiveness among AIAS
members than had occurred in recent years and debate at the 1998 AIA Convention
appeared to reaffirm AIA members' support for AIAS.
As 1998-99, President Jay M. Palu
(University of Nebraska) and Vice President Amy J. Isenburg (University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) took office, Executive Director Thomas Osina
submitted his resignation. The selection of Pamela L. Kortan, from the AIA's
General Counsel office, as the new Executive Director, occurred after FORUM '98
in Fort Lauderdale. With the student membership question in abeyance, Palu and
Isenburg focused on the finances, web page, redefining Crit, and long-range planning.
The 1999-2000 Board, led by Melissa Mileff
(University of Oklahoma) and John M. Cary, Jr. (University of Minnesota),
focused its efforts on increasing membership and improving communications
between the Board and the chapter presidents. Promoting the community service
aspect of the organization's mission statement took on special significance
with the formation of a new partnership with the Vinyl Institute and Habitat
for Humanity. Regular email communications to all members was instituted, and a
completely revamped web page was posted.
2000-2001 President Scott Baldermann
(University of Nebraska) and Vice President Nicole Kuhar (University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee) spent their term improving member communication and
services through an up-to-the-date National Web site, the development of aiasinfo,
a monthly online newsletter, and the development of membership packets to be
distributed in 2001-2002 to all members. FORUM 2000 was an ambitious
undertaking in terms of the New Year's date and the logistics of Los Angeles.
The event was a tremendous success with almost 800 attendees.
Led in 2001-2002 by President Matthew R.
Herb (University of Maryland) and Vice President Aaron Koch (University of
Minnesota), the AIAS focused on advocacy, membership services, and
organizational improvements. A major report on studio culture in architectural
education and a new set of public policies were released. The Board of
Directors also examined many other critical issues including degree
nomenclature, the changing context of the profession, response to the tragedies
of September 11, and community engagement. FORUM 2001, Going Beyond Green,
brought over 650 architecture students to Pittsburgh to examine issues of
sustainability. Crit, under the leadership of editor Kirin Makker, took on a
more professional and elegant appearance while examining two important issues:
Going Beyond Green and Community Matters. Focus on membership services included
sending packets to all members, regular email communication, a constantly
updated Web site, and a record number of chapter visits. Two entire days were
added to Grassroots 2002 to focus on leadership education in collaboration with
professionals from Georgetown University. The AIAS reached its healthiest
financial position ever with a strong organizational reserve, new investment
policies, implementation of a Finance Committee, and professional investment
consulting. Organizational improvements included a shift in the terms of Board
of Directors to coincide with AIAS Grassroots, the creation of a Personnel
Committee, the initiation of a strategic planning process, and a streamlining
of the elections process.
E. COLLATERAL
ARCHITECTURE ORGANIZATIONS
The American
Institute of Architects (AIA)
The
American Institute of Architects represents more than 70,000 architects in the United
States. The AIA is the voice of the architecture profession dedicated to
serving its members, advancing their value and improving the quality of the
built environment.
The
AIA serves its members through professional development opportunities (continuing
education), information services, and client-oriented resources. The AIA
developed and continues to develop contract documents that are the model for
the design and construction industry. Members participate in volunteer
committees specializing in topics such as design, education, the environment,
housing, regional and urban design, interiors, historic resources, practice
management, and building performance and regulation.
Through
public outreach, education, and governmental affairs initiatives, the AIA works
to serve its members and the public at large. The Institute encourages
well-designed urban environments and communities by forming coalitions of
architects, community leaders, and representatives of other professional
disciplines. Programs that affect and promote architecture to the public
include Accent on Architecture, a
gala where the AIA Gold Medal and Firm Award winners are recognized.
The
AIA is governed by a national board of directors which consists of
representatives from its 14 member regions, two public directors, an associates
director and a student director (AIAS President). Membership is divided into a
national network of more than 300 state and local “components.”
Students can utilize these groups to gain valuable information about and be
involved in the profession. Many AIAS chapters have representatives that attend
local and state AIA Board meetings, and often have voting privileges. All AIAS
chapters should participate in local AIA functions. The presence of the AIAS
National President on the AIA Board of Directors, demonstrates the conviction
of both organizations to strengthen the relationship between students and the
profession.
The AIAS is one of
five collateral organizations in architecture. We enjoy equal status among
these organizations. The AIA is one of the largest proponents of the AIAS as it
makes an annual contribution to the AIAS and provides office space at its
headquarters in Washington, D.C.
As chapter president, you will find that local AIA chapters
are often open to students participating on its committees, volunteering for
its functions and attending its board meetings – giving the student an
introduction to the world of the practitioner. In return, students introduce
AIA members to new ideas – representing students' opinions and concerns.
Working the other way, AIA components often aid AIAS chapters in their efforts
to hold speakers programs and events at your school giving AIA, AIAS, and your
school increased visibility. You may also consider an AIA liaison to your
executive committee who would function much like a faculty advisor.
There are examples all over the country
where our two organizations have worked together. As this Chapter Handbook
grows, it will be supplemented with such examples. Also reference the Bylaws
section of this Handbook for information on how to write in such a position.
Here are some suggestions (not “must-do's) for getting involved with AIA.
·
Contact your local or state AIA components and establish
first contact, don't wait for them to come to you. The first contact might be
made through an alumni or instructor from your school who is active in the AIA
(your dean may sit on a local AIA component board or an instructor might be on
a committee). If there is difficulty in accomplishing this, call the AIAS
National Office for assistance.
·
Discuss what the two groups might accomplish together,
perhaps you could set up a student volunteer network for the AIA. Find out what
committees might be open to students and fill those spots. Put on a co-sponsored
lecture series or other event to announce the new partnership. Above all,
stress to the AIA and your members the mutual benefits of involvement.
·
Determine if representation on each other's governing boards
would be beneficial. Place great emphasis on attending AIA board meetings as an
ex-officio member. Voting is not necessary, just a voice, but many AIAS
chapters already have voting positions. The student representative at AIA board
meetings should be the chapter president or designate. If possible, bring your
entire Executive Committee to their meetings if this will not disrupt
proceedings. As mentioned before, have an AIA member on your Executive
Committee also. A good choice for this job might be the AIA component’s
Executive Director. But these people often remain in the position for many
years. For change of opinion and the opportunity to meet and work with more AIA
folks, choose someone like the chapter’s past president or secretary.
Ultimately, a joint discussion at an AIA board meeting on who would best serve
both groups would be best.
·
Attend each other’s chapter meetings and don’t be
shy about speaking up in discussions. Put on a student panel discussion about
students’ concerns on entering the profession at one of these meetings.
Practitioners are just as concerned about the future as we are.
·
Set up a professional mentor program with the AIA and send
students to offices to learn about what running an architectural office is
really about. Or, just set up monthly office tours for larger numbers of
students.
·
Utilize the Regional Coordinators to help in these matters
and encourage them to work with state AIA chapters. Students can attend state
conferences as visitors or volunteers. Since these are usually regional events,
costs to students can be kept down.
Once any of these ideas or other
cooperative programs is established, more will follow. Do not take this
relationship lightly. Part of the AIAS mission is to provide a link between
students and professionals. Advertise this as huge benefit of AIAS membership
(AIAS dues now may bring a job later).
For
additional information on AIA programs or publications, contact the AIA
directly:
The
American Institute of Architects
1735
New York Avenue, NW
Washington,
DC 20006
Tel:
202.626.7300
www.aia.org
ACSA
maintains a variety of activities that influence, communicate, and record
important architectural issues. These activities include publications,
seminars, and workshops, policy development, liaisons with allied professional
organizations, and various special programs supported by grants and contracts.
While ACSA activities have a direct influence on educational objectives, the
organization does not establish guidelines for the schools, which have always
enjoyed the individual freedoms traditionally associated with and protected by
the cannons of higher education.
Among
ACSA’s programs are:
·
Scholarly gatherings that provide architecture faculty an
opportunity to present papers exchanging ideas on architectural theory,
research, and testing.
·
Workshops and seminars to assist faculty in remaining
up-to-date on the latest developments in architectural practice, industry
research, and teaching techniques.
·
Annual awards programs recognizing outstanding faculty
achievements.
·
Annual student design competitions that emphasize integration
of issues significant to contemporary society with designs of outstanding quality.
·
A variety of publications designed to exchange useful
information among its member schools, the profession, and the public. ACSA
publishes the Guide to Architecture
Schools in North America, a comprehensive listing and description of the
enormous variety of architecture programs available in North America.
The
AIAS National Vice President represents our organization on the ACSA Board of
Directors and reports all-important and appropriate Board actions to the AIAS
BOD, COP, and membership.
For
more information concerning ACSA or to order any of ACSA’s publications,
including the Guide to Architecture
Schools in North America, contact the ACSA directly:
Association
of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
1735
New York Avenue, NW
Washington,
DC 20006
Tel:
202-785-2324
Fax:
202-628-0448
www.acsa-arch.org
National
Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)
The
primary purpose of NAAB is to ensure that professional architecture degree
programs meet established standards of educational achievement. NAAB bases
accreditation on achievement-oriented performance criteria required for
graduates of professional degree programs.
The
mission of NAAB is derived in the aggregate from 1)the combined objectives of
the four co-sponsoring organizations (i.e., AIA, AIAS, ACSA, and NCARB), 2) the
current standards of education’s achievement as are defined periodically
by the officers and members of NAAB through the organization’s Bylaws and Conditions and Procedures publications, and 3) the standards for
accrediting agencies as outlined by the appropriate national organizations.
Through
current performance based educational criteria, and in the context of diverse
educational philosophies and practices, NAAB will evaluate and recognize
educational programs for basic satisfaction of the most current
achievement-oriented performance criteria, as published in NAAB’s Conditions and Procedures.
The NAAB Board of Directors serves as both
a decision-making and policy-generating body. In addition to reviewing and
accrediting architecture programs, it works to improve the accreditation
process through continuous study of its criteria and procedures. NAAB has
thirteen directors. AIA, ACSA, and NCARB each nominate three individuals to
serve three-year terms and AIAS nominates two individuals for staggered
two-year terms. All organizations work together to identify two public members
not engaged in the practice of professional study of architecture to serve
staggered three-year terms. One public member has extensive experience in
higher education the other is a person whose business or professional activity
is other than in the field of higher education.
Each
year, AIAS has the privilege of nominating students to NAAB Accreditation
Teams. This opportunity is one of the most incredible experiences AIAS can
offer to its members. During accreditation visits, this appointee interacts
with the AIAS Chapter and other students to obtain their view of the curriculum
and thus makes an informed presentation to the rest of the visiting team.
Students wishing to make the commitment and accept the responsibility of
participating on a NAAB accreditation visit must be an AIAS member in the third
year or above and must submit an application to the AIAS National Office each
year on a date announced by the National Office.
For
information concerning NAAB visiting teams, accreditation schedules, or for a
copy of NAAB’s Conditions and
Procedures, contact NAAB directly:
National
Architectural Accrediting Board
1735
New York Avenue, NW
Washington,
DC 20006
Tel:
202.783.2007
Fax:
202.626.7421
www.naab.org
National Council of
Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB)
Since
1920, NCARB has been devoted to assisting its member boards in carrying out the
duties of developing a uniform examination, establishing standards for
certification requirements in both the education and intern experiences, and
perfecting its procedures for verifying applicant qualifications and
eligibility for certification.
As
well as and by way of these objectives, NCARB safeguards the health, safety,
and welfare of the public. NCARB works closely with various collateral
organizations to ensure established education, training, and examination
standards.
NCARB
appoints members the NAAB Board of Directors and to accreditation teams to ensure
higher educational standards. The Intern Development Program (IDP) was created
by the AIA and NCARB to structure the transition from student to practitioner.
As AIAS is concerned with this phase of the development of architects and can
be of value in continual improvement of the IDP, the AIAS National Vice
President serves as the AIAS representative to the IDP Coordinating Committee.
NCARB,
jointly with the Committee of Canadian Architectural Councils (CCAC), developed
the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE) to test candidates for their
knowledge, skills, and ability to provide the various services required in the
design and construction of buildings.
For
information concerning NCARB, the maintenance of intern records, the IDP or
NCARB publications, contact NCARB directly:
National
Council of Architectural Registration Boards
1801
K Street, NW
Suite
1100
Washington,
DC 20006
Tel:
202.783.6500
Fax:
202.783.0290
www.ncarb.org
F.
OTHER ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS
Five
Presidents’ Council
The Five Presidents’ Council is
composed of the Presidents and the chief staff executives of the five national
collateral organizations concerned with the profession of architecture in the
United States. The organizations represented are:
• The American Institute of Architects (AIA);
• American Institute of Architecture Students
(AIAS);
• Association of Collegiate Schools of
Architecture (ACSA);
• National Architectural Accrediting Board
(NAAB); and
• National Council of Architectural
Registration Boards (NCARB).
The purpose of the Five Presidents’
Council is to share the knowledge and resources of the respective organizations
and to explore the mix of constituent views and organizational purposes,
policies, and programs. The end goal is to coordinate and direct the programs
and purposes of each organization to increase the capabilities and services
provided by individual architects and the profession as a whole.
The American
Architectural Foundation (AAF)
Since
its founding in 1942, the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) has worked to
promote excellence in architecture by stimulating the public’s awareness
and understanding of it, and by serving as a link between the architectural
profession and those whose lives are affected by architecture.
Headquartered
in the Octagon House in front of the AIA Building in Washington D.C., the AAF
works closely with its founding organization, the AIA, to promote alliances
between architects and the communities in which they live and practice; foster
design awareness, appreciation, and education; nurture the vision and
development of livable communities; and encourage public stewardship of
America's rich architectural heritage.
For
more information concerning the American Architectural Foundation, its programs
and publications, or the historic Octagon house where the Treaty of Ghent was
signed, contact the AAF directly:
American
Architectural Foundation
1735
New York Avenue, NW
Washington,
DC 20006
Tel:
202.626.7500
Fax:
202.626.7420
Council of
Architectural Component Executives (CACE)
The
Council of Architectural Component Executives (CACE) is an organization
administered under the auspices of The American Institute of Architects, and
comprised of the executive staff of AIA state and local components. Its 130
members conduct administrative, communications, and programmatic activities for
their respective components. CACE is organized to allow component staff to
share opinions and information with the Institute and each other, based on
their contact with the grassroots members of the Institute; provide services
which help to accomplish the objectives of the Institute and its components;
and to assist component executives to achieve and maintain a high level of
professional management skills.
CACE
provides input to both the governance and the administration of the AIA. The
CACE National President serves on the AIA Board of Directors, helping to
determine policy and lending insight into its impact on component operations.
The CACE Resource Networks, each comprised of five component executives,
provide input to AIA staff with regard to the development and administration of
AIA programs and services in specific disciplines.
CACE
also provides a number of networking and professional development activities
for AIA component executives. Networking lunches occur at the AIA Grassroots
Annual Leadership Conference and the AIA Convention. Component executives have
an opportunity to develop their professional management skills at both of those
meetings, and at the CACE Annual Meeting, the annual program designed
exclusively for AIA component executives.
For
additional information about CACE, contact:
CACE
Liaison
The
American Institute of Architects
1735
New York Avenue, NW
Washington,
DC 20006
Tel:
800.242.3837