by Christopher Brinckerhoff | June 5, 2019 12:00 am
The American Institute of Architects (AIA)[1] announced it is launching a comprehensive review of processes by which its honors and award recipients are selected to promote professional working standards throughout the profession, and among its members, to fight harassment and discrimination in the profession. The review is being led by Washington, D.C. based Covington and Burling LLP and Eric Holder Jr., partner at Covington and Burling and former U.S. attorney general.
William Bates, FAIA, president at AIA, said, “Amidst a national movement to address safety, diversity and equity in the workplace, we want to make certain we are recognizing and elevating only the very best from our profession. Working with [Holder] and our AIA member advisory group will help us to identify opportunities to improve our honors and awards processes.”
As part of the review, members of AIA’s board of directors and national ethics council are working with Holder including Bates, Jane Frederick, FAIA, first vice president at AIA, Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, at-large-director at AIA, and Anzilla Gilmore, FAIA, NOMA, national ethics council chair at AIA.
AIA expects Covington and Burling to provide actionable recommendations. AIA is seeking to enhance its vetting process for honors and awards candidates, and members of its College of Fellows to ensure alignment between AIA’s values and ethics and those recognized.
Holder said, “I look forward to working with the American Institute of Architects on this important project. I applaud the AIA for its leadership.”
Robert Ivy, FAIA, executive vice president and chief executive officer at AIA, said, “With [Holder’s] expertise and guidance, we will create an enhanced honors and awards vetting program that will serve as a model for other organizations and professions.”
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