Activities and Organizations related to Architecture
AIAS (American Institite of Architectural Students)
This is an entirely student run organization from the individual chapters to the national staff persons working in the Washington, D.C. headquarters. AIAS is one of the five cooperating organizations that set policies and guidelines affecting the profession. The five organizations are:
- AIA - American Institute of Architects
- NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
- NAAB - National Architectural Accreditation Board
- ACSA - Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
- AIAS - American Institute of Architectural Students
Several members of each organization serve as directors on the Boards of the other organizations, giving students an active voice in each component unit.
The local chapter of AIAS is an authorized student organization that receives some funds from the University and the balance from collected dues and event charges. AIAS sponsors guest lectures, operates competitions and generally serves as an advocate for architectural student concerns. The leadership is generally vested with third year students, since fourth year students spend a semester abroad and fifth year students are involved with thesis projects.
The Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity is a national professional and social fraternal organization that focuses specifically on architecture and its allied arts. This fraternity is found at many schools and universities across the nation with accredited architecture programs, currently has 11 active chapters along with 15 alumni organizations. Originally founded specifically for architecture students, APX accepts members regardless of their majors or future career goals. One of very few co-ed fraternities involved in Penn State's Inter Fraternal Council (IFC), the chapter holds athletic, social, and professional events throughout the year for the personal, professional, and social growth of each member. Through involvement in Alpha Rho Chi, members learn leadership skills for their future professional careers, and in the process, develop strong friendships with other students that make their experience at Penn State more fulfulling.
Alpha Rho Chi is among the smaller fraternity organizations on campus, this may be an advantage, especially at an institution as large as Penn State. While not for everyone, those who become brothers enjoy the professional advantages that APX offers through a large network of practicing professionals throughout the world.
" Years ago I joined the chapter of Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity at the University of Illinois. As a new student I was looking for friends, but was also looking for a group of people who would help me discover what architecture was all about. I had known for quite some time that I wanted to be in the design profession and the opportunity to live and work with other people who shared my interests was exciting. Since then I have learned that architecture is many things: a profession, a business, a common interest, a way of life. In a fraternity I found friendship, support, assistance, a community, a common bond. Alpha Rho Chi has been the bridge between the professional and social worlds. It expanded my education, introduced me to people across the country, and gave me a firm foundation to begin my career. Not all Alpha Rho Chi members become architects-our life paths diverge. Yet, it is Alpha Rho Chi that continues to link architecture and non-architects, students and professionals, friends" (William D. Bradford, Anthemios Chapter, Class of 1976
Volunteering and Community Service
There are many opportunities in State College and Centre County to volunteer for non-profit groups that are active in housing and home repair. Among them are the following groups:
Rural Development
414 Holmes Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823
(814) 355-1553
Provide loan and/or grant assistance to eligible families or individuals for repairs needed to their homes. Repairs include, but are not limited to: water systems, roofs, wiring, ramps for handicapped, insulaton, window, heating systems and removal of health and safety hazards.
State
College Community Landtrust
245 S. Allen Street, Suite 5
State College, PA 16801
(814) 867-0656
The State College Community Landtrust is a non-profit housing assistance organization. The Trust helps income-qualified individuals and families purchase a home in the Borough of State College. Community Land Trusts help to reduce the cost of buying a home by "splitting" the ownership of the property. In effect, the Landtrust purchases the land beneath a home and the homebuyer must then only purchase the building itself. By splitting the cost in this way, the Trust reduces the cost of buying a home by as much as 30%.
Tri-County Habitat for Humanity of Central PA
Albright Bethune Central Methodist Church
P.O. Box 313
State College, PA 16804-0313
(814) 238-3113
Habitat is focused on helping low-income families obtain home ownership by using donated capital and volunteer labor. Habitat volunteers build simple, energy-efficient affordable homes in partnership with families. Because Habitat charges no interest, makes no profit and has low labor cost, the mortgage primarily pays for the cost of the property and materials needed to build the home.
Architecture Library Hours: 7:45 a.m.-11:00 p.m. (MTWR) Staff: Stephanie Movahedi-Lankarani Darla Baker Tim Auman
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Available Resources: Books on architecture & landscape architecture Books authored by architects, designers, etc. Journals Current architecture and landscape architecture periodicals Reserve books and articles for architecture and landscape architecture Architectural reference manuals |
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Pattee Library Building, at end of Mall Hours: 7:45 a.m.- 12 midnight (MTWR)
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Available Resources: Just about everything else not housed at the Architecture library (e.g. old architecture journals, books and related publications) |
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Architecture Administration 128 Stuckeman Family Building Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Administrator: Dan Willis, Head Staff: Karen Bair Robert Fedorchak 865-9535 Lynda Schreffler
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Available Resources: Administrative Staff for Department of Architecture Office of the Department Head Information on Academic Files |
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Stuckeman Center for Design Computing 151 Stuckeman Family Building Hours: All times, by authorized card access only (Access limited to 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th year and graduate students; 1st year students must request permission to use)
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Staff: Yadin Flammer Available Resources: 20+ computer workstations
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13 Stuckeman Family Building Hours: To be posted Staff: Allan Sutley Randall Hall
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Available Resources: Woodshop tools, handtools, tape measure, etc. Saws, sanders, lathes, planars, etc. |
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Hamer Center for Community Design Assistance 105 Stuckeman Family Building Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Staff: Michael Rios,
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Available Resources: Library |
University Counseling Services
The Center for Counseling and Psychological Services on the Penn State campus provides group and individual counseling, crisis intervention and psychological and psychiatric evaluations for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as prevention and consultation services for the University Community.
The center's services can help students resolve personal concerns that may interfere with their academic progress, social development and satisfaction at Penn State. Some of the more common concerns include difficulty with friends, roommates and family members; depression and anxiety; sexual identity; lack of motivation or difficulty relaxing, concentrating or studying; eating disorders; sexual assault and sexual abuse recovery; and uncertainties about personal values and beliefs.
The center is located at 221 (second floor) Ritenour Building at the corner of Pollock and Shortlidge Roads, next to the Boucke Building. An appointment for an initial interview can be made by calling 863-0395 or by visiting the receptionist at the Ritenour Building.
The professional staff includes psychologists, psychiatric providers, social workers, and graduate trainees. In addition, the center employs counselors with specialties in the treatment of sexual assault victims and addictions.
Center for
Counseling and Psychological Services
221 Ritenour 863-0395
Hours: 8:00 a.m.-5:00p.m. (M-F)
Community Affairs
Crisis Intervention
Phone: 234-3337 or 1-800-643-3432
Hours: 24 hours
Emergencies: 911
Non-Emergencies:
Campus 863-1111; Off-campus 234-7150 (M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00p.m.); and
800-479-0050 weekends and evenings
AIDS Abortion Alcohol/Drugs Consumer Protection Crime Tap Internal Revenue Services Nutrition
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Rape/Abuse/Domestic Violence Sexually Transmissible Disease Suicide Escort Service
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1st-2nd Year Studio 4th Year Studio 5th Year Studio Graduate Studio
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Architecture Office Architecture Library Stuckman Lab |