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 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 members
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.
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 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 through
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 through 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 – Always strive to do your personal best.
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 investigative processes that aim to creatively problem solve. Both students
and faculty must realize that they are always in need of development and further learning.
This is extremely necessary 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 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 individuals
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 on 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 on the School of Design’s website.
