The mission of the SOD Architecture program is to provide a comprehensive and uncompromising, balanced and demanding education in the art (poetic expression), craft (technical processes) and practice (professional services) of ethical building through the polytechnic tradition of “hands-on” experiences and empirical learning that prepares an individual to be an architect in the fullest sense of the term.
PROGRAM HISTORY
The State of Louisiana Board of Regents, acting at the request of the University, voted in 2014 to restructure the existing School of Art and Architecture into one entity – the School of Design. This action brought together two major areas of creativity within the general organization of the College of Liberal Arts.
The School of Design at Louisiana Tech University administers three undergraduate degree programs, the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies, the Bachelor of Interior Design, the Bachelor of Fine Arts and two graduate degree programs, the Master of Architecture. and the Master of Fine Arts These degree programs currently are accredited for the maximum terms by their respective accreditation agencies: NAAB, CIDA & NASAD
Enrollment of the School of Design approximates 400 full-time students. The student body is served by a full-time faculty of 30.
STUDIO CULTURE
On Learning Culture at Louisiana Tech University
A college or university is often defined by the traditions, values, and principles established by its leaders over the course of many years, and how effective those leaders were in infusing these concepts into the culture of the institution. Over time, these concepts become the cornerstone of the institution’s identity and the pillars upon which its mission and vision is built. They should also comprise a large part of the students’ personal character as well as serve as a guideline for future generations.
The Division of Student Affairs at Louisiana Tech University has developed twelve guiding principles, or tenets, that exemplify the qualities that Tech students should possess upon graduating from this institution. It is expected that students will conduct themselves according to these tenets during their academic careers at Tech and, after graduating, continue to personify these tenets in their personal and professional lives. In essence, these tenets become more than ideas to be learned; they become a moral and an ethical compass with which to navigate through life.
The Tenets of Tech are as follows:
- Confidence (confisio)
- Excellence (bonitas)
- Commitment (commendo)
- Knowledge (agnitio)
- Integrity (integritas)
- Respect (adsurgo)
- Leadership (ductus)
- Loyalty (fides)
- Enthusiasm (studium)
- Caring (affectus)
- Hope (spes)
- Pride (spiritus)
Using the Tenets of Tech as the context for issues of studio culture, faculty and students have discussed the issues outlined in the AIAS documents on studio culture since the previous accreditation visit. The most recent version of the Program’s evolving document on studio culture occurred during the Spring 2016 quarter in ARCH 434: Contemporary Theory & Criticism, resulting in the production of several documents that analyzed the program’s existing statement while addressing new guiding principles. In the Fall of 2016, a committee consisting of faculty and student representatives was appointed by the Director of the School of Design in order to explore new ideas and techniques for teaching, reviewing, presenting, and debating within the studio format that is central to the education of our students. The current Studio Culture Policy continues to update and build upon that work.
Statement on Studio Culture at Louisiana Tech University
The Architecture Program Studio Culture Policy is dedicated to define and emphasize the valuable things we all believe and share in the design studio environment. At Louisiana Tech, the design studio is not only the heart of the architectural curriculum, but it is also a space that addresses the totality of learning environments at use in architectural education, which include the classroom, the studio, the campus, as well as the local community. Over many years a unique learning environment has grown, much of it is worth preserving and protecting, because each one of us knows that:
Without our students, we have no future as a profession;
Without our classmates, we have no voice;
Without Interior Design, we lack a valued professional ally;
Without our professors, we have no mentors;
Without our colleagues, we lack inspiration and support in teaching, research and service;
Without our administrators, we would lose our leadership and representation;
Without our staff, who would we turn to for administrative assistance and maintenance?
Without our facilities, we lack a place to learn and consider home;
Without our technology, we cannot strive to be cutting edge;
Without our university, we lack support and governance;
Without our community, we lack a reason to act as citizens and serve those in need;
Without our alumni, we offer no legacy to the profession;
Without our people, we are nor a community.
Introduction
At Louisiana Tech University, “studio culture” means more than just studio. We are all dependent on each other. As part of our experience, we must each—as professors, administrators, staff, students, and guests—promote a setting where optimism, respect, sharing, engagement, and innovation come full circle to strengthen us as a community at Louisiana Tech University. Bringing these four habits home, we can see how each fits to form a part of the Tenets of Tech, something that we all share as member of the “Tech Family.”
Optimism includes hope, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Hope – Belief in future experiences and growth opportunities.
Confidence – A sense of self.
Enthusiasm – Excitement for personal characteristics and future opportunities.
Smile, be serious, and have fun. Can’t ever could do. So never say “can’t” – Always think “do!” Never be intimidated by a task— see every task as a challenge you must overcome and always envision a positive outcome to your work. If you can imagine the end result of your work, you can make it happen just by working it through. Maintaining a healthy, balanced life is a critical component of any architecture student; there is no need to be up all night working. Manage your time effectively and efficiently; by remaining focused on your goal, you can achieve more than you might imagine (and in less time).
Respect (a Tenet of Tech) includes caring, pride and acknowledgement of others’ beliefs though personal interactions;
Caring – Affinity for beauty, performing arts, and human culture. Pride – A sense of self-respect.
Respect – Acknowledgment of others’ beliefs through personal interactions.
Treat your fellow classmates with respect and care as individuals. Your professor wants you to achieve your best work; act with an air of dedication to your class and your project! As a class, cooperate with each other and offer everyone the respect they deserve. Compete only against yourself. A strategy for handling minor grievances and concerns will be developed to give students, faculty, and others a chance to be heard and seek respect in a respectful way and though a process of mutual respect.
Sharing includes integrity, knowledge, and loyalty;
Integrity – Ability to defend, evaluate, or question one’s own beliefs.
Knowledge – Understanding of ideas based on actual experiences.
Loyalty – Faithfulness to values, commitments, and responsibilities.
Remember, each of us cares about success—you, your classmates, your professors, and the university administration. Success is the result of the maximum utilization of your given abilities. Do all you can to be positive, respectful to others, helpful when there is difficulty, diligent in your work, and supportive of others in their efforts.
Engagement includes commitment, excellence, and leadership.
Commitment – Accept responsibility as a citizen of the University.
Excellence – Appreciation for first-rate experiences.
Leadership – Guidance through service, involvement, and mentoring.
The Architecture Program is committed to offering leadership to its community and assistance to individuals in our community. We offer architecture to others as both a product and a service. A person’s actions express the quality and character of the service offered. Don’t just consider what you get done, but the effectiveness and attitude with which you do it.
Innovation includes exploration, inventiveness, and creativity.
Exploration – Investigate the unfamiliar.
Inventiveness – Use your imagination.
Creativity –Think, synthesize, and produce.
Learning can be achieved by a variety of ways and tools. Therefore, students are encouraged to establish an investigative processes that aim to inventiveness and creativity. Both students and faculty must realize that they are always in need of development and further learning. This is extremely necessary in order to promote true discovery and innovation.
Academic Integrity
Cheating or plagiarism of any type is not to be tolerated. These offenses are cause for dismissal from and/or failure of course. It is expected that all students in the Architecture Program will abide by the Honor Code at Louisiana Tech University. The Honor Code encompasses basic principles of academic integrity: honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, and excellence. Section Three of The Honor Code specifically addresses cheating. The Honor Code statement reads as such, “Being a student of a higher standard, I pledge to embody the principles of academic integrity.” See the online Student Handbook and open the portable document format file entitled “Honor Code”: Louisiana Tech University Student Judicial Affairs.
Studio Etiquette & Safety
The design studio is an extraordinary learning environment. Since it is a place shared by fellow students and colleagues, it necessitates the careful attention to the needs of everyone. Design studios can be incredibly messy and chaotic; however, students should always keep their space clean, organized, and professional looking. This means that all trash and recyclable material will need to be properly disposed of in the proper receptacle. Security is a necessary component for a studio that is accessible to you and your colleagues 24/7. Please be mindful not to admit any uninvited individual and keep all exterior doors locked after hours. Please, let us know as soon as possible if there are problems that you are unable to resolve your own.
Studio Culture Policy Evaluation, Progress, and Implementation
The Statement on Studio Culture at Louisiana Tech University will serve as an evolving document, and will be annually discussed and amended, as necessary, by the Administration and Curriculum Committee, and by the Studio Culture Task Force, which includes Student Representatives from each year and members of both the AIAS and ASID. Periodically, the Studio Culture Policy will also be reviewed in an open forum that invites the participation of all students and faculty members. The Studio Culture policy is prominently posted in Hale Hall and posted on the School of Design’s website.
LA TECH SOD Studio Culture Statement