Notes from Roudtable Discussion with Joe Vincent and Stan Bowman

There are 3 paths to architectural licensing:
1)Accredited degree (which can now begin ARE testing before completing IDP)
2) Non accredited degree
3) Non degree path

The State of Washington will continue the process as it stands today for those following path 2 and 3. In addition to managing IDP hours, soon NCARB will also manage ARE test results for path 1 stated above.

This will simplify the process for the applicant, facilitate more timely score reporting, and remove processes handled by the State.

NCARB has proven to the state they can handle the added resonsibility. NCARB has recently undergone a complete overhaul/house cleaning where they have had a change in staffing, added new technology, and have changed the process in which they worked. There will be a trial period for this new process and the State has emphasized they have the authority to pull out, if it isn't working. This process is already occurring in many other states.

Beginning in 2009, electronic IDP submittals will be available. This process will be imperative to instating the "6 month rule". The new electronic submittal process will now notify mentors/bosses and applicants. The hope is to add interactions between the applicant and NCARB, and increase the involvement of mentors.

The Licensing Board in the State of Washington is very aware of the problems many of us have had with NCARB. Joe Vincent would like to hear from you about specific issues you have experienced (including dates and names). You can contact him at JVINCENT@DOL.WA.GOV

The AIA at the state level is looking to update their website. Stan Bowman is asking for imput as to what we'd like to see, whether it is links, documents, etc. You can contact Stan at bowman@aiawa.org

More to the Sound Transit Dome train then we thought

Randy Cook asked me to pass on some info to you all in regards to the Sound Transit extension through the dome district. It seems that this issue is not as complete as it seems. As we used to understand it (at least how I had worked it out...). Sound transit was stopped by the city and the local AIA SWW office for the time being and some of the AIA SWW proposals were being considered into the design.

Turns out there are a few more twists and turns to the story that may be provide a good opening for us to get involved with. It seems that the Dome District Association is not happy with the city proposals and is also upset with what it sees as the city trying to hurry the process along with out giving a voice to the Dome district. The dome district would like the city and sound transit to revise their outlook for the dome's master planning. The dome district is also not happy with the proposed solutions on the table for the transit extension, and the master planning that the city has done in the area.

In a letter campaign to the city, the dome district has been invited to sit at the table with the city and sound transit to try to work out the transit extention and master planning of the area. It is the dome associations intentions to get the city to slow the process and allow for time to get the dome area to get a working plan together for itself and propose its own alternatives to the city and sound transit. Their is a meeting at the city on August 5th Tuesday to accomplish this.

Why we should be involved...
Once the dome district association has gotten the city to hold back, they will need to put together some proposals to ammend the city's and sound transit's master plan. This process has just begun, and a workshop has been held to address some issues. The Dome District Association also has regular meetings on Thursday mornings on these topics, and they have asked for AIA support in defining a vision for what the Dome district could become.

Anyone up for it?

Round Table Meeting

So I just wanted to send out a thank you to all those whom attended Wednesday's meeting. The meeting went great, and it was nice to see that it is not just interns that are getting the short end of the stick when it comes to dealing with NCARB.

I think that we have gained some good allies in both Joe and Stan. They have offered to take any difficulties and complaints that we have and take them to the next levels via the NCARB and AIA levels. The one caviot that they gave was that any complaint be written down with as many names and dates as possible.

Overall we were assured that NCARB has been in a process of flux over the last year in a half in the purpose of fixing itself. Joe was able to give us some examples of staffing changes, and has said that the atmosphere in the D.C. office has changed. This was the reason he stated in the 49-1 vote of confidence for NCARB. It will be interesting to see the results in the future as they trickle down to our level. (Trickle down.....wasnt that a Reagon era policy?)

Anyways Joe and Stan have made themselves avalible to us for all of our gripes and are ready and willing to do something about it.