The following are stories that various students have willingly shared. There are similar threads, unique perspectives and obvious difficulties.
Nothing was said about the current racial issues...
"I am a current student at the School of Architecture. For the past week, I have been checking their Instagram for a message that addresses human rights issues, specifically what is happening in the Black community. I was disappointed to see that they were active on their social media, but nothing said about the current racial issues. I've tried not to come up with reasons why and that's why I want to hear directly from them. I know the School of Architecture has avoided difficult conversations like NOMA and has labeled them divisive without even giving them a chance. These difficult conversations need to be had. I often say and believe I have wonderful professors and administration, and I want them to be a part of this conversation that acknowledges the need for better education around race, systemic racism, injustice, and diversity of thinking."
- Current Student
I’m sorry to hear it but not surprised...
“I was in the Architecture program back in the '80s. I was one of a handful of Black students and a female. The racism was prevalent then and seems/sounds like it's still going. I'm sorry to hear it but not surprised. As a Black female who spent thousands of dollars in a school only to not get licensed, I can attest that it is MUCH harder for women in the field. I'm sure it's gotten a tad better since I graduated almost 30 years ago, but I'm sure I speak for a lot of Black women who went through the AU Architecture program ( at least in the ‘80s) when I say, don't forget to speak up for them. Back in the 80's we weren't as fortunate. In fact, there are no Black females from my class practicing Architecture. At most, they are/were in urban planning/city worker positions. After graduating, it was extremely difficult to find work; in the meantime, I still had to support myself. Long story short, I ended up in Human Resources. I was the Director of HR for an organization for about 20 years in Chicago. I recently relocated to Huntsville, and I'm now the HR Director for the South Central Conference. I think of my dream to Design often and wonder what my life would be like if I'd had more encouragement and support back in the day.”
- Alumni, 1980’s
The silence was truly deafening ...
“August of 2009, I was on Andrew's campus, and, as a graduate of the Architecture program, I decided to visit the School of Architecture. I shared with the acting Dean about the great organization called NOMA. I had been president of the Philadelphia chapter at the turn of the century and NOMA's annual conference is one of the AEC industry’s leading events for students and professionals alike. Upon sharing this with the Dean, in less than three sentences, I was told that Andrews needed no contact with any such organization – their minority students were doing just fine without such an organization. I didn't question or argue; I just walked away because I didn't know what else to say.
Fast forward a few years. I was chosen to be chair of the National Organization of Minority Architects conference for 2014. My job was to organize and bring their annual conference to Philadelphia.
In 2012 I began attempting to get the Architecture department at Andrews to participate. I had this vision of my alma mater finally coming to the conference and participating like more than thirty other schools around the country have over the years. Harvard, Yale, University of Maryland, Howard, University of Oklahoma – all had participated in the conference, so why not Andrews? I recommended to my committee the theme: “For the LOVE of It”. Love for communities, love for people, and love for design results in better architecture and a better world. With the various mission projects that Andrews had begun to champion over the past decade, I planned to highlight the benefits not just of those served but also of the students.
My repeated emails to the Dean were ignored. I began copying the assistant, and she responded they had been received, and someone would get back to me when they had time. My phone calls never got further than the Dean's voice mail. No one ever got back to me. Ever.
That year, over six-hundred architects and students attended from around the country. Not a single one was from Andrews University. Fifteen schools participated in various ways, mostly in the student competition. The AIA president-elect and several AIA VP's were there. World-renowned architects were present and provided seminars and activities for three days. It was one of the best, most innovative ever.
As far as the school, where I spent tens of thousands of dollars attending, it was as if it never happened. I've seen them highlight alumni projects previously. Wonderful projects. The silence was truly deafening.”
- Alumni, 1990’s
Additional Stories
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