i. institutional support and commitment to continuous improvement

School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects
Master of Architecture
Master of Architecture with emphasis in Interior Architecture
o Ex TV
Ex TV is a student-run, experimental TV station broadcasting via closed circuit throughout
SAIC. It provides a public forum for the SAIC community by airing student artwork,
independent and alternative media, special events, movies and general information.
o F Newsmagazine
Each month 12,000 copies of F Newsmagazine are distributed free at colleges, cafés,
bookstores, record stores, galleries, art supply stores at over 250 locations throughout
Chicago. F has won many prestigious awards, and editorial decisions are made by the
students on the staff, who invite all students, faculty and staff to contribute articles. Ink,
the literary supplement of F Newsmagazine, is published twice a year.
o SAIC Free Radio
Free Radio SAIC is a student-run Internet radio station. It uses an open programming
format to encourage DJs to experiment with the medium of radio.
o Student Union Galleries (SUGs)
SUGs was founded to present work made by current students to the SAIC/AIC community.
SUGs’s two, on-campus exhibiton spaces are operated by and controlled by a paid student
body staff and a volunteer committee with the guidance of a faculty advisor.
3) Departmental student support
a) Advising
Personal and academic advising in the AIADO for students in all graduate programs is
facilitated through the Administrative Office and is delivered through two sources:
o Issues involving departmental facilities, day to day curriculum
support and AIADO/SAIC student procedures:
The AIADO administrative office—available to students from 8:30–4:30, Monday through
Friday—is overseen by a senior administrative director, two full-time administrative
assistants and two to four student workers. This office reports to and works with
three program directors that manage disciplinary and program-level sections of the
department’s educational offering. Currently the three directors are:
- Helen Maria Nugent, Program Director of Designed Objects undergraduate and
graduate programs
- Thomas Kong, Undergraduate Program Director of Architecture and Interior
Architecture
- Douglas Pancoast, Graduate Program Director of Architecture and Interior
Architecture
Administrative staff receive students’ inquiries and direct requests for assistance to
the appropriate entity within the office, via consultation with Senior Administrative
Director Melanie Feerst. Ms. Feerst has nearly two decades of experience at SAIC and
advises students on all matters concerning departmental facilities, day to day curriculum
support, and AIADO/SAIC procedure. All other issues concerning curricula, course
advising, personal and professional advising are referred to the program directors.
o Issues involving AIADO curricula, course advising, personal
advising and career advising:
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