AIAS UC-Denver

(from aias.org)

The AIAS is an independent, 501c(3) 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 AIAS is also a professional organization that is the official voice of architecture students. Members get the very best information, advocacy, education and networking opportunities.

Most student members experience the AIAS through a collegiate or high school chapter. They participate in events like lectures, job fairs, field trips, social events, community service projects and conferences. For everyone else, we offer an Affiliate membership.

All members receive the same benefits and services regardless of the membership type. Below are the premier opportunities offered to our members.

Crit: The Journal of the AIAS

For more than thirty years, Crit, Journal of the AIAS has been the only continuous source of published student work from across the world. The theme of each issue provides a conversation of current issues in architectural education, the profession and design, in general. Student projects are published in an effort to highlight the best of the best in architecture schools. A $30 value, it is free to members.

FORUM: The Largest Annual Gathering of Students of Architecture

FORUM is the annual meeting of the AIAS and the official Global Gathering of Architecture and Design Students. There you can learn about issues facing architectural education and the profession, meet students and professionals with common interests, and interact with today’s leading architects and designers. FORUM is held over the New Year’s Eve holiday (cities vary). Members receive substantially reduced registration rates.

AIASinfo: The eNewsletter of the AIAS

The monthly newsletter keeps members of the AIAS community abreast of events, news and opportunities. AIASinfo serves to disseminate information directly related to and affecting AIAS on the international, regional and local levels. It is forwarded to all members via email only. 

AIAS Student Design Competitions

Show off your creative skills and talents. Competitions present unique opportunities to investigate and utilize building materials and design techniques from different perspectives or those that the student might not be familiar with already. In partnership with our sponsors, students can earn thousands of dollars in prize money to support their educational pursuits. Members receive free registration in all AIAS organized design competitions.

Freedom by Design^TM

Freedom by Design™, the AIAS community service program, utilizes the talents of architecture students to radically impact the lives of people in their community through modest design and construction solutions. Our priority is improving the safety, comfort and dignity of the home’s occupants. Members support the program via their annual dues and helping with projects organized by the numerous participating chapters.

Grassroots Leadership Conference

The Grassroots Leadership Conference is the annual AIAS conference for our elected chapter and emerging leaders. It is held each July in Washington, DC. The conference offers programs on how to be an effective leader, how to run a successful AIAS chapter and how to motivate and organize students. AIAS leaders are also informed on important current issues and ideas relevant to architectural students, education, and the profession. This discourse sets the future course for the organization.

Emerging Professionals Companion

The Emerging Professional’s Companion supports the intern with the Intern Development Program, particularly in gaining credit. The EPC is updated for current practice models and includes the varied career paths that a licensed architect may consider. It is designed to in crease support, involvement, and mentoring of firms, supervisors and mentors. The EPC is free to all AIAS members.

AIAS Honor Awards

Each year, the AIAS confers Honor Awards in the following categories: Chapter Honor Award, Chapter President Honor Award, Community Service Honor Award, Educator Honor Award, Special Accomplishment Honor Award and Student Research Honor Award. The Honor Awards were established to publicly recognize individuals and chapters whose work exhibits an exemplary commitment to the education and development of architecture students and the mission of the AIAS. 

NAAB Accreditation Teams

Each year the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) looks for students to serve on NAAB visiting teams at schools up for accreditation review. Students who participate on NAAB teams provide an important perspective and help establish a good rapport with the respective school’s student body. Students who have participated on NAAB teams attest t that it is one of the most intense and meaningful opportunities for serious discussion about architecture and education issues. This opportunity is only available to AIAS members. Contact the AIAS President for more information. 

Free AIA Associate Membership Upon Graduation

Recognizing that many graduates have limited financial resources, the AIA is pleased to offer graduates with an accredited degree in architecture a complimentary Associate AIA membership. As a member of the AIA, you will have access to the member benefits and services off offered through the local, state and national levels of the organization. 

Reciprocal Membership in the AISC

Students currently enrolled full time in a graduate or undergraduate program at an accredited university receive complimentary membership in the American Institute of Steel Construction. 

Publication Discounts

Design Intelligence
One year subscription for $99 (regularly $365) by calling 800.726.8603.
AIA Online Bookstore
Save at least 10% on online purchases. Visit the site here. Use your member number to access the discount.

ACSA Journal of Architectural Education
The Journal of Architectural Education (JAE) has been the primary venue for research and commentary on architectural education since it was founded in 1947. Subscribe for $28 for print and online, and just $10 for an online-only subscription.
John Wiley & Sons
Save 15% on an extensive library of professional resources in architecture and design. Visit the site here. Enter code "aff15" in the "Promotion Code" field and click the "Apply Discount" button.

Architect Magazine
One year subscription for $29.50 (regularly $49). Click here to subscribe.

Architectural Record
One year subscription for $39.95 (44% Discount). Visit the site here.

Travel and Moving Discounts

StudentUniverse

StudentUniverse offers an online travel service that enables AIAS members to travel for less. Use this link to book your travel.

PODS

Flexible Storage at your site or in our warehouse. Move across town or across the country. AIAS members receive 10% off! Call 1-888-901-4914 or visit pods.com and mention the promo codeJBRELO10.

Hertz

AIAS members can save up to 10% off your car rental with Hertz. Wherever your travel takes you, close to home or around the world, your CDP#1442066 is the key to special savings. Be sure to include it in all of your reservations. Click here for the lowest rates, special offers and information about Hertz locations, vehicles and services. Or call Hertz at 1-800-654-2210.

Bonus AIAS Member Coupons
PC# 107520 – $20 off a weekly rental
PC# 119766 – Up to $15 off a weekend rental
PC# 112991 – 2 Free Days of SIRIUS

Budget Car and Truck Rental

AIAS members can save 10% off your car rental and 15% off your truck rental with Budget. Use the BCD# S192589 get your discount. Be sure to include it in all of your reservations. Rent a car here or rent a truck here.

(from aias.org)

Ever thought of serving on a NAAB accreditation team?  (free travel) Read further.

Applications due: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 (Midnight, EST).
AIAS Leaders Serve on NAAB Accreditation Teams
Every year, student members of the AIAS serve as full voting members on visiting accreditation team for architecture schools accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The opportunity for AIAS student members to serve in this capacity is both unique and important to the process of architectural education.

What is Accreditation?
Accreditation, in general, is a process of external quality review used to scrutinize colleges, universities and educational programs for quality assurance and quality improvement. In the United States, accreditation is carried out by private, nonprofit organizations designed for this specific purpose. Institutions and educational programs seek accredited status as a means of demonstrating their academic quality to students and the public

What is Architectural Accreditation?
Architectural accreditation is the primary means by which programs assure quality to students and the public. Accredited status is a signal to students and the public that an institution or program meets at least minimal standards for its faculty, curriculum, student services and libraries. The accrediting process is intended to verify that each accredited program substantially meets those standards that, as a whole, comprise an appropriate education for an architect. Since most state registration boards in the United States require any applicant for licensure to have graduated from a NAAB-accredited program, obtaining such a degree is an essential aspect of preparing for the professional practice of architecture.

You Are Invited to Participate
Student members on NAAB accreditation teams bring critical perspective to issues of accreditation and facilitate a relationship between the student body of the school and the visiting team. Teams are led by a team chair and are composed of one member from each of the collateral organizations: AIA, ACSA, NCARB, and AIAS. A team visits a school for several days (Saturday-Wednesday) to perform an on-site review of student work, and to meet with faculty, students and administration. At the conclusion of this visit, the team will draft a Visiting Team Report (VTR) and recommended a term of accreditation. This recommendation will be considered by the NAAB Board of Directors for the final decision on the term of accreditation.
Travel costs, accommodations and meals during the on-site team visit are reimbursed, per the guidelines outlined in the NAAB Procedures.

How to Get Involved
Applicants must be an U.S.-based AIAS member in good standing at time of application and during the year of team assignment and must have completed one of the following:

Academic Enrollment

• Three years in a NAAB-accredited professional degree program

• The third year of a four-year pre-professional degree program in architecture accepted for direct entry to a two-year NAAB-accredited professional master’s degree program

• One year in a NAAB-accredited professional master’s degree program following receipt of a non-professional degree.

Furthermore, applicants will be selected based on their academic enrollment and letters of reference. Preference will be given to students with advanced experience in their academic career, such as teaching assistantships and other leadership/academic opportunities. The selection process will also look to represent a diverse collection of geographic locations, backgrounds and characteristics.

The following timeline has been established for this year’s application process:

Summer 2011 — Students submit application materials (due September 7).
September 2011 — AIAS President forwards nominees to the NAAB.
October 2011 — NAAB contacts students for the spring 2012 semester as chosen by the NAAB Accreditation Staff.
Spring 2012 — Team assignments made and visits conducted.

Nominees from fall 2011 will be considered for participation on NAAB teams in spring 2012. Your nomination by the AIAS to the NAAB does not guarantee participation on a team, as final selection of students will be made by the NAAB Board of Directors.

Application Process
Students interested in applying for this opportunity should submit the following materials by the posted deadline. Only electronic submissions will be accepted.
First, complete the Online Application
Second, please prepare a single (multi-page) PDF file under 3MB:

• File name: "LASTNAME_NAABteam11.pdf"

• Submit the file to: president@aias.org .

• Subject line of the message: NAAB Accreditation Team Application

• Addressed to: AIAS President Nick Mancusi

The application should include:

• Letter of Intent addressed to AIAS President Nick Mancusi (stating name, school, contact information, type of degree, year in program, interests in education/accreditation issues, prior experience within program, school, AIAS, and/or NAAB.

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume

In addition to the Application:

• Letters of Reference (1 minimum-2 maximum) should be sent separately and directly by the recommenders as PDF files (LASTNAME_NAAB11_Recommendation.pdf) to the e-mail address listed above

For Further Information
Additional questions can be sent to president@aias.org .
Additional information is also available from the NAAB at www.naab.org.