Re: AIAS dilema

Forwarded . . .H. . .
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Are they?

  - - The original note follows - -

From: joevance@xxxxxxx (JoeVance)
Newsgroups: alt.architecture
Subject: Re: AIAS dilema
Date: 14 Apr 1996 19:24:24 -0400
Sender: root@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

>>The question still stands:  How do you justify the national dues?<<

Of course, at the national level, the AIAS is going to tend to be tarred
with the same brush as the national level of the AIA...  But there is a
serious difference.  The national officers of teh AIAS are students, with
hopefully a "fire in their belly" to make a difference on behalf of
students.  Many of those at the national level of the AIA are a bit too
similar to their Washington political counterparts... too long on politics
and bogged down by an inefficient bureaucracy.  These happen to be times
of extremely serious change in the profession that will have a great
impact on all those currently in school.  The growth of computers in the
architectural office, and the increase in the use of integrated 2D/3D
software, mean that projects are being produced with fewer staff than ever
before.  Not only that, but many of the tasks given to entry level staff,
(tasks we all hated but were an integral part of getting into an office
and working your way up), are no longer there.  The use of computers has
seriously cut into the need for study models, we no longer need people to
press-type and ink title blocks, trace plans, etc...   As these changes
come about, it is imperative that students have representation in the
discussions that go on in the AIA, and between the AIA and NCARB and the
accreditation board.  There needs to be money for those officers to live
in DC, get paid enough to live on, etc...  There needs to be meetings on a
national level with other students and student representatives, etc. to
discuss all of this and get their feedback.  Another role of the national
level is to try and prod schools along that have failing or non-existant
local chapters.  I know when I was a regional director, I found schools
where the local chapter had been dead so long, no one even knew there was
such a thing as a nationwide student organization.  THE DUES ARE WORTH
IT!!!

Joe Vance