STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Through active participation in student organizations, both at the A-School and across Grounds, our students are at the forefront of leading positive change to create more just, sustainable, and healthy futures. Presidents from each of the School of Architecture's student organizations serve on the Council of Presidents which oversees the operations of all A-School student organizations. Anyone with questions about A-School student organizations should contact Associate Dean of Student Affairs Cindy Kiefer for assistance.
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENT COUNCIL (A-SCHOOL STUDCO)
The School of Architecture Student Council's (A-School StudCo) goal is to be the bridge between students, staff, faculty, and administration, and they are committed to voicing the concerns and issues of students to create a better Architecture School for all. StudCo is a member of the School of Architecture's Council of Presidents.
Contact: sarc-studco@virginia.edu
The following Contracted Independent Organizations (CIOs)* are student organizations who are members of the School of Architecture’s Council of Presidents.
*Non-Affiliation Statement: Although these organizations have members who are UVA students and may have University employees associated or engaged in their activities and affairs, the organizations are not a part of or an agency of the University. They are separate and independent organizations that are responsible for and manage their own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organizations and is not responsible for the organizations’ contracts, acts, or omissions.
ALPHA RHO CHI (APX)
Alpha Rho Chi is a student-led organization that aims to create relationships among students of all years and disciplines, relating to the School of Architecture, through philanthropic, educational, and social events within the school and local community. Members are provided opportunities to further their leadership involvement, career development, and connections with other students through consistent programming that is centered around the three main pillars of philanthropy, professional development, and relationship-building.
Contact: apx@virginia.edu
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS - UVA CHAPTER (AIAS)
AIAS is a national, student-run organization that diversifies architectural education through professional, social, and leadership opportunities. The UVA AIAS chapter creates supplementary educational opportunities through networking, skill workshops, and community engagement to demystify the profession and critically equip our members for practice. The group's mission is to provide a more sustainable, healthy, and equitable future by empowering student voices, ideas, and actions.
Contact: uva@aias.org
CE+ (PHD STUDENT ORGANIZATION)
CE+ is the official Contracted Independent Organization (CIO) representing all students and candidates in the Doctoral Program in the Constructed Environment at the University of Virginia School of Architecture. The group's mission is to represent the program’s students and candidates, advocating for their well-being and needs. The group works to enrich and expand educational and professional development opportunities for all members, provides financial support, and encourages dialogue and stimulating interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
Contact: uva.cephd@gmail.com
MANIFESTA: EQUITY IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AT UVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE
manifestA is a collectively-led organization, facilitated by students, that aims to foster meaningful conversations and educational programming in order to strengthen the A-School community's ability to address issues of justice and equity in academic, professional, and community work.
Contact: manifestauva@gmail.com
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MINORITY ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS - UVA CHAPTER (NOMAS)
NOMAS seeks to foster communication, cooperation, solidarity, and fellowship among minority students of architecture. Historically, "minority" status has included but has not been limited to persons of underrepresented racial or ethnic groups as well as women and LGBTQ+ students. Whereas the activities are geared towards these minority groups, NOMAS at UVA is non-discriminatory and openly welcomes and encourages students of any background to join.
Contact: nomas-uva@virginia.edu
SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIANS (UVASAH)
UVASAH is the oldest student-run chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians. It serves as a social and scholastic link between the faculty and students of UVA's Department of Architectural History, which is the oldest such department in the nation. In this capacity, UVASAH hosts lectures by distinguished scholars, coordinates guided trips to historic sites, arranges social events for students and faculty, engages with the community, and provides leadership and feedback on the changing discourse of our discipline.
Contact: UVASAH1826@gmail.com
STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATE ARCHITECTS (SAGA)
The Student Association of Graduate Architects (SAGA) at the University of Virginia is dedicated to representing and supporting graduate architecture students within the School of Architecture. The group's mission is to foster a vibrant, inclusive community, empowering members through professional development, collaboration and advocacy, while promoting architectural excellence, social responsibility, and the exchange of critical information. All graduate students pursuing a Master of Architecture degree within the School of Architecture are active, voting members of SAGA.
Contact: saga@virginia.edu
STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN (SALAD)
The Student Association of Landscape Architects is an organization centered on highlighting roles that landscape architects have in stewarding and designing for ecological systems across multiple scales. SALAD seeks to strengthen connections between design disciplines and to our community at large. To achieve these aims, SALAD brings lecturers, organizes career and social events, and coordinates volunteer opportunities for Landscape Architecture students throughout the year. In addition to bringing outside resources into the school, SALAD sponsors open studios with local partners, internship and portfolio discussions, and other activities to promote interaction and learning. Finally, SALAD collaborates with other student organizations to identify overlapping interests and organize events to bring student groups together.
To contact use SALAD's Hoos Involved Contact Form.
STUDENT PLANNERS’ ASSOCIATION (SPA)
The Student Planners Association (SPA) promotes the general understanding of urban planning practice at UVA and the School of Architecture and supports the professional and academic development of its members. SPA is a Planning Student Organization (PSO) as defined by the American Planning Association (APA).
Contact: spaleaders@virginia.edu
CLASS OF 2025 TRUSTEES:
The Trustee promotes the 4th year Trustees’ Giving Campaign and coordinates Trustees-sponsored 4th year career-related, student/alumni networking, and social/wellness events.
School of Architecture Representative: Sean Thiel, BS Arch ‘25
UVA HONOR COMMITTEE
The Committee is comprised of students from each school within the University and is responsible for conducting honor trials, investigations, and educational sessions. The School of Architecture Student Council selects two student representatives to serve.
School of Architecture Representative: Meredith DeLong-Maxey, BS Arch '25
School of Architecture Representative: Vacant
UVA JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
The University Judiciary Committee is the student-run judiciary body of the University of Virginia and is authorized to investigate and adjudicate alleged violations of the University's Standards of Conduct. The School of Architecture Student Council selects two student representatives to serve.
School of Architecture Representative: Karsten Brown, BS Arch ‘25
School of Architecture Representative: Heather Byrum, BS Arch ‘25
UVA STUDENT COUNCIL
The student governing body of the University of Virginia. Elections are run by the Student Council and occur at the beginning of November. The School of Architecture Student Council selects one student representative to serve.
School of Architecture Representative: Isabella Koch, BS Arch ‘26
LUNCH
lunch is the design research journal of the UVA School of Architecture. Each issue is developed by an editorial team of A-School students.
Contact: info@lunch-journal.com
UVA SAWMILLING
UVA Sawmilling seeks to redirect the current material pathway for downed trees on University of Virginia Grounds. There are many beautiful and memorialized trees, as well as unique species, that come down every year and will live on if turned into lumber. Rather than dumping these logs at nearby log yards, leaving them for contract arborists to deal with, or chipping them, UVA Sawmilling proposes that potentially valuable logs be milled and made available to interested parties at the University.
Contact: uvasawmilling@gmail.com
Q: What is the governing body for A-School student organizations?
A: The Council of Presidents (CoP) oversees the operations of all School of Architecture student organizations. Membership consists of the A-School Student Council President and one president from each School of Architecture student organization. The School of Architecture Student Council Vice President and the Associate Dean of Student Affairs serve as ex-officio members and all CoP meetings are facilitated by the School of Architecture Student Council Vice President.
Q: How do I join a student organization?
A: At the beginning of each fall semester, the Council of Presidents hosts a Student Organizations Fair. The Fair is a great way to meet student leaders and learn more about student groups in the A-School. The 2024 Fair will be held on September 4, 2024 at 5pm at Campbell Hall’s North Terrace.
Hundreds of student groups exist at UVA. Find those that interest you on Hoos Involved.
Q: How do I start a student organization?
A: All student organizations must be approved by the UVA Student Council to obtain CIO status.
Q: I am the leader of a CIO and would like to join the School of Architecture’s Council of Presidents. Who should I contact?
A: Email the School of Architecture Student Council Vice President to discuss your interest. The 2024-2025 contact is Alan Watts (knv5uz@virginia.edu).