The AIAS believes that the recent decisions taken by the Supreme Court regarding affirmative action in higher education are not only harmful to the future of architecture and design, but thoroughly misaligned with the reality of life in America. Affirmative action was never a perfect solution in college admissions, but it was important in creating a place for many students from diverse backgrounds to have access to spaces and opportunities from which they have been excluded for so long. Even with affirmative action in place, enrollment rates of minority students in university-level architecture programs were not as high as we believe they need to be, nor accurately reflective of current demographic data. Based on demographic data from enrollment of architecture education* and architect population**, the majority of students and licensed architects are white. While trends are slightly toward greater inclusion, there is still a long way to go. We encourage you to familiarise yourself with the information linked below.
Diversity within the student population and the lived experiences of the students themselves enrich the world through the design of the built environment. Tomorrow’s architects and designers will be responsible for the way that society addresses the future of our physical and digital worlds, and the importance of including everyone in that process cannot be overstated. The AIAS believes that all students of architecture and design deserve a guaranteed space and a quality, equitable education. For more information on the positions of the AIAS, please visit our Public Policy Document.
The AIAS supports the statement made by the American Institute of Architects and the Alliance Organizations
