The American Institute of Architecture Students: A Comprehensive Overview

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) stands as a vital independent, nonprofit, and student-run organization. AIAS is dedicated to enriching communities, fostering architectural appreciation, and advancing the art and science of architecture through the collaboration and organized efforts of students. Representing architecture students across the United States, AIAS provides essential programs, information, and resources crucial to architectural education, training, and practice.

Mission and Objectives

The core mission of the AIAS revolves around several key objectives:

Promoting Excellence: Dedicated to promoting excellence in architecture education, training, and practice.
Fostering Appreciation: Encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of architecture and related disciplines.
Enriching Communities: Engaging in collaborative efforts to enhance communities.
Advancing Architecture: Uniting students to advance the art and science of architecture.

Organizational Structure and Governance

AIAS operates at both national and local levels, ensuring comprehensive support and representation for architecture students.

National Level

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is a national student-run and student-led non-profit organization that represents the 27,000 architecture students across the country. The AIAS represents one of five collateral organizations that govern the discipline of architecture in the United States, including allied organizations: the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Board of Directors: Elected at FORUM, the Board of Directors plays a crucial role in serving, advocating, and shaping the future of AIAS.
Council of Presidents (COP): Chapter leaders form the Council of Presidents (COP), the organization's governing body. The COP meets twice a year to address AIAS business, including the election of the board of directors. These meetings occur at the Grassroots Leadership Conference in the summer and FORUM, the annual meeting during New Years break.

Local Chapters

AIAS has chapters in various universities and colleges. These chapters organize events, lectures, and discussions to enrich education and connect students with professional practices. For example, the Iowa State University chapter represents over 350 graduate and undergraduate architecture students, hosting events and lectures to enrich their education and connect them to professional practice.

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Key Programs and Initiatives

AIAS offers a range of programs and initiatives designed to support architecture students in their academic and professional development.

Crit: Journal of the AIAS

AIAS publishes Crit, Journal of the AIAS (short for critique) which serves as a platform for architectural discourse and showcases student work.

FORUM

FORUM is the annual membership meeting of the AIAS, gathering 600-1,000 architecture students in one city early within the new year. FORUM provides opportunities for networking, attending lectures, and visiting cities.

Grassroots Leadership Conference

The Grassroots Leadership Conference is another significant event organized by AIAS. At the 1995 Grassroots conference, the Council of Presidents was offered three options for membership dues: $12 (the fee at the time), $24 or $36, with the COP voting to triple the dues to $36/school year.

Quad Conferences

Quad Conferences are held to provide additional opportunities for students and professionals to connect and collaborate.

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Freedom by Design

Freedom by Design is the community-service portfolio of the AIAS. A significant amount of support for Freedom by Design is provided by NCARB. The AIAS celebrated 15 years of Freedom By Design at FORUM 2019 in Toronto, Ontario.

Chapter-Specific Events

Local AIAS chapters host a variety of events tailored to their members' needs and interests. Examples include:

PechaKucha Night: An annual kickoff event where firms give brief presentations in a fast-paced format.
AIA Iowa Fall Conference: An opportunity for students to connect with professionals and learn about the architecture profession.
Portfolio Reviews: Local architects and professors critique student portfolios, providing guidance for career fairs and internships.
Lunch and Learn: Architects are invited to campus for lunch, allowing for casual discussions about the profession.
Firm Crawls: Students experience several firms in Iowa, particularly in Des Moines, gaining insights into different work environments.

A Historical Perspective

The AIAS has a rich history, evolving from its origins as the National Architectural Student Association (NASA) in 1956.

Early Years

In 1956, architecture students established the National Architectural Student Association (NASA). Jim Barry served as a part-time volunteer from his school with funding provided by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Washington-area architectural programs. During his term, NASA published the first issue of LINE magazine, had representatives involved on AIA committees and hosted programs at the Octagon.

Transformation and Growth

In 1958 the student organization was renamed the Association of Student Chapters, AIA (ASC/AIA), with the goal of bridging members to the AIA upon graduation. However, staff and leaders of the AIA were concerned about a separate student organization, believing it would conflict with the objective of encouraging students to maintain their memberships with both organizations. At the 1960 student convention at the University of California at Berkeley, the AIA board of directors proposed to abolish the ASC/AIA. Students leaders lobbied to convince the AIA board of directors that the ASC/AIA chapter system was the foundation for the AIA and for the promotion of future generations entering architecture. Student president Charles Jones (University of Arizona) gave a speech to the General Session of the AIA on April 22, 1960, stating, "The students have no desire to make this organization so large that it becomes completely out of hand." However, the organization did grow. At the 1970 AIA Convention, student president Taylor Culver (Howard University) led a student revolt. In 1972, two-term student president Fay D'Avignon (Boston Architectural Center) was elected the first female president of the organization, becoming the first ASC/AIA officer to take full-time responsibilities in Washington, DC. With increasing membership, the vice president was also found to be needed on a full-time basis in Washington, DC. In 1975 president Ella Hall (North Carolina State University) and vice president Steve Biegel (Syracuse University) became the first ASC/AIA national officers to work full-time in the National Office in Washington, D.C. The Cover of Crit021976-1977 team Jerry Compton (SCI-ARC) and Robert Rosenfeld (University of California, Berkeley) solidified the ASC/AIA growing operations budget, held the first design competition, published the magazine Telesis, and established student representation on the IDP Coordinating Committee. The following year, Rosenfeld continued on as vice president, with Charles Guerin (University of Houston) as president. In 1978 John Jeronimo (University of Miami) and Mary Beth Permar (Clemson University and the University of Illinois) collaborated on the continuation and improvement of Crit from a magazine format to a true architectural journal. Additionally, they increased the size of the board of directors to include the FORUM Chair and Crit Editor. The overall operating budget of the ASC/AIA passed the $100,000 mark for the first time. The growth of the organization began to outweigh the abilities and skills of the national officers alone.

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Independence and Renaming

In 1982, under the leadership of president William Plimpton (University of California, Berkeley) and Vice president Nora Klebow (Kent State University), the ASC/AIA formally separated from the AIA and incorporated as an independent not-for-profit corporation. In 1984, after a thorough self-examination, president Tom Fowler (New York Institute of Technology-Old Westbury) accepted the recommendations of the Special Task Force to review the structure of the organization. This report further suggested renaming the organization "The American Institute of Architecture Students" (AIAS). The organization hired the first full-time Executive Director, Carl D. Costello.

Expanding Horizons

1985 president Scott Norberg (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) and vice president Whitney Powers (Mississippi State University) examined issues critical to the architectural scene. During the Kent State Memorial Competition, Ian Taberner's award-winning proposal is rejected by the University "because he was not a citizen of the United States, as required by the design competition". The first meeting of AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference was organized during the summer of 1985. The same year, the AIAS held three national design competitions. In Norberg's second term, alongside vice president Lee W. Waldrep, Ph.D. In 1988-1989, the AIAS accepted its first chapter outside the United States when the Council of Presidents voted to accept Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto, Ontario. AIAS further worked on housing for the homeless with active participation in the Habitat for Humanity program. In 1989-1990 the AIAS moved into new office space, increased the full-time national office positions to five, and made a major investment in desktop publishing software, which was very expensive at the time. The dues structure for local chapters was also revised to reflect a commitment to the organization by individual member dues, rather that a lump-sum from the entire school. The 1990-1991 term saw the AIAS experience grow with the addition of thirteen chapters, which pushed membership to a then record 156 chapters. An additional full-time staff person is hired to coordinate AIAS competitions. The 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. The 1991-1992 officers, president Lynn N. Simon (University of Washington) and vice president Kevin P. McGillycuddy (Washington-Alexandria Center), 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. At the beginning of the 1992-1993 the term, the office produced a new handbook for each chapter to use on the local level, while the 1992-1993 national directors produced informational documents on career options and environmentally safe resources for the studio, as well as a video on women in architecture. In 1993-1994, 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. The Council of Presidents (COP) voted to double individual dues with a goal to maintain a high membership level. The AIAS started to use the internet with involvement on the AIAOnline network and development of an all-electronic design competition. The COP approved a historic policy of the AIAS, requiring all speakers invited to AIAS events to verify that they pay their interns legally-mandated wages. At the 1995 Grassroots conference, the Council of Presidents was offered three options for membership dues: $12 (the fee at the time), $24 or $36, with the COP voting to triple the dues to $36/school year. The next year, 1997-1998 president Robert L. Morgan (Clemson University) and vice president Rachel Livingston Ahalt (University of Colorado Denver) focused on the financial viability of the National Office and organized AIAS Legacy members (former officers and directors) to defeat a proposal by the AIA board of directors to investigate the creation of a student category of membership within the AIA.

21st Century Adaptations

2002 saw the addition of two days to the Grassroots conference to focus on leadership education in collaboration with professionals from Georgetown University. The AIAS also reached its healthiest financial position at the time with a strong organizational reserve, new investment policies, and professional management. In early 2003, Pam Kortan Day resigned as the executive director and the board of directors hires Michael V. Geary, CAE. Efforts then increased to better market the organization, increase membership, expand fundraising efforts, and prepare for the 50th anniversary. The new logo included an "A" in the middle representing a design compass and the "A"s in the organization's acronym. By December 2007, the Great Recession caused significant damage within the construction industry. Many practicing designers in the field of architecture lost their jobs between 2007-2012, and the residual effects caused severe impact on architecture graduates trying to enter the field, with many leaving architecture entirely during 2007-2014. This increased interest in alternative careers in architecture. In 2008, president Andrew C. Caruso (Carnegie Mellon University) and vice president Tony P. Vanky (Tulane University) released the AIAS Issue Brief on Architectural Education. With rapid changes in technology, this anticipatory document highlighted issues relevant to the future education and practice of the profession. 2009 president JW Blanchard (Southern Polytechnic State University) focused on ensuring the legacy of Crit to continue as a valuable asset to the membership. At the end of 2009, Michael V. Geary, CAE resigned as executive director, launching an Executive Search for the organization. Association Strategies was hired to assist in finding a qualified replacement. Joshua Caulfield, IOM was hired in spring of 2010. Strategic planning exercises started in 2006 were carried through to realize long discussed programs, policies, committees, and member benefits to support growing professional needs of the membership. Under president Nick Mancusi (Taliesin, The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture) and vice president Laura Meador (Louisiana State University), the AIAS underwent a rebranding effort. Advocacy also shifted forward as a strategic priority of the organization with the introduction of the Federal Student Loans (National Design Services Act). A four-year financial plan to double revenue was created, with the goal to achieve decade record high membership. New program tracks were introduced at the Grassroots Leadership Conference, and membership services were expanded. In 2012, the AIAS was met with the resignation of Executive Director Joshua Caulfield, IOM. 2016 marked the 60th anniversary of the organization. President Sarah Wahlgren (Auburn University) and vice president Rachel Law (Ryerson University) led the celebrations and added an NCARB liaison to the Board of Directors. In 2018, the AIAS hosted its first international conference for students of architecture in the Middle East at the American University in Dubai - president Keshika de Saram (University of Minnesota) and vice president Elizabeth Seidel (University of Montana) attended the event. The AIAS celebrated 15 years of Freedom By Design at FORUM 2019 in Toronto, Ontario. Executive director Nick Serfass, CAE left the AIAS and was replaced by Karma Israelsen, MA. The AIAS continued to expand overseas, seeing particular growth among students in Latin America and the Middle East. In 2020, new board positions were established for Latin America and the Middle East.

Navigating the Pandemic Era

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the AIAS to cease all in-person activities at the beginning of 2020. President Erin Conti (Illinois Institute of Technology) and vice president Sara Taketatsu (University of Colorado - Boulder) led the board in efforts to adapt programs and events to a virtual environment. Membership numbers and engagement dropped significantly during the pandemic as universities implemented online classes and global lockdowns are put in place. Despite the difficulties, the AIAS successfully hosted its first virtual conference for Grassroots 2020 in July. The year ended with Ashley Ash taking over as interim executive director. A new board liaison position was created for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA), and the AIAS began to promote alternative career paths for graduates of architecture schools. 2021-2022 officers Scott Cornelius (Oklahoma State University) and Shannon DeFranza (Roger Williams University) continued pandemic recovery efforts for the organization and worked to strengthen relationships with allied organizations. President Cornelius passed a new, short-term strategic plan aimed at stabilizing the organization. All events remained completely virtual through the year, with the exception of one in-person Quad Conference hosted by Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. Larry H. Grassroots 2022 was held in-person in Washington, D.C. for the first time in three years. Over 450 attendees participated in the event, an all-time high for the organization.

Recent Developments

A group of organizations that govern the profession of architecture, including the AIAS, came together as the 'alliance organizations' - president Cooper Moore (Kent State University) hosted the leadership of these organizations for the first meeting of the alliance a few months later.

Advocacy and Representation

As a national student organization, AIAS serves as the official voice of architecture students, advocating for their interests in both educational and professional realms.

Current Initiatives

The public comment period is open on the Department of Education’s proposal that could cap federal loans for graduate architecture students at $20,500 per year starting in Fall 2026.

Membership

The organization is made up of members from various chapters across the United States and abroad. Currently at 6,000 members, the AIAS represents the nearly 25,000 architecture students enrolled in NAAB accredited programs.

A Student-Run Cooperative

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, 501c3 non-profit and student-run organization that is more than just a club. This grassroots association is a cooperative between thousands of students in North America (of all ages and academic degrees) committed to helping each other. It provides a sense of community and a forum to share differing views.

The Future of AIAS

AIAS is actively mapping out its future, prioritizing programs, creating opportunities, and supporting students. Student voices are crucial in shaping this direction.

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