Community service projects are an important part of AIA’s academic and extracurricular activities. The University of Oklahoma is a regular sponsor of AIA organized community service projects. Service projects can follow one or more established approaches to service learning.
- Direct Service Learning: in which the students come into direct contact with a target group in the larger community.
- Indirect Service Learning: in which the participants’ efforts benefit the community at large rather than single individuals.
- Advocacy Service Learning: in which the participant’s action and production promote causes, issues or action in the interest of the target population.
- Research Service Learning: in which research, studies, surveys etc. done by participants can be used in the service of the community by other individuals or organizations.
In addition to performing community service, students complete reports on service outcomes and personal growth. AIA regularly teaches students how to write grant proposal in order to prepare them to make community service an integral part of their future professional activities.
Here are some of our community service successes.
Refugee Services – Family Shelter Assistance – 2016
for: Centro Pedro Arrupe
AIA faculty and students helped with facilities and grounds maintenance, sorting clothing donations, cooking and the restoration of recreational equipment for a refugee family center on the outskirts of Rome. The group worked with shelter managers and staff and interacted with refugee youth living in the shelter.
Erosion Control Intervention & Rainwater Harvesting – 2014
for: Giardino dei Cedri Waldorf School
AIA faculty and students planned and executed a landscaping project to combat significant erosion problems undermining the campus of a Waldorf elementary/middle school. The intervention included landscaping, paving, installing downspouts and a rainwater harvesting system to conserve water used to irrigate the school vegetable garden. The group worked directly with the school children on the project, taught them about the importance of water conservation and worked in the classroom tutoring English.
Heritage Research & Documentation – 2017
for: The City of Rome
AIA and University of Oklahoma Faculty and students measured and documented part of Rome’s collection of ancient architectural fragments using laser-scanning and photogrammetry equipment on behalf of the city, it’s Cultural Heritage Administration (Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali). The work was conducted with the assistance of Big Heritage and Akhet S.r.l. heritage management consultants. The digital documentation was presented at the Capitoline Museums in April 2017, to become part of the city’s permeant research data archive.
Refugee Services – Teaching English – 2014
for: Jesuit Refugee Services
AIA students assisted in teaching English as a second language to refugee youth in a refugee service center in Rome.
Accessibility Research & Planning — 2014
for: FIABA
AIA faculty and students completed an urban mobility equity study designed to improve disability access to public space and cultural artifacts in the historical center of Rome. The project, executed for FIABA, the Italian Fund for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers, was first proposed by AIA at Rome’s Chamber of Commerce. The research study was presented at FIABA headquarters by students and at the Seminar on Accessible Tourism sponsored by FIABA in 2014.
Heritage Management Research & Planning – 2015
for: The City of Rome
AIA Faculty and Students completed a planning study and design proposal for the City of Rome, it’s Cultural Heritage Administration (Sovrintendenza Capitolina ai Beni Culturali), and the Capitoline Museums. The study proposed improved access and public services for Rome’s Central Archeological Area, with an emphasis on planning, exhibits and services of an open-air archeological museum on the Caelian Hill overlooking the Colosseum.
