Oregon COVID Restrictions Lifted - AIAO Reopening and Events

As of yesterday, restrictions for meeting in groups and in public places were lifted in Oregon, and we are anticipating our committees and sections getting back to business and meeting in person again. Some of our sections are planning outdoor events and picnics, some are planning continued zoom and hybrid meetings. AIA Oregon staff just want to let everyone know that we are here to answer your questions, help you organize and meet safety protocols, and provide guidance for your path back to face-to-face gatherings. We are eager to see your faces! Here’s what you need to know about how we plan to get back together:

  • Of course, if you are experiencing symptoms before any event, we hope that you will choose to stay at home. This is for everyone’s benefit. We will happily work out any refunds for payment as needed for events.

  • If you have knowingly been in contact with someone with COVID within 14 days or received a positive test result in that time frame, please opt to stay home and join us for a future event.

  • If you have no symptoms, but are in a population susceptible to illness, please wear a mask and social distance, even outdoors.

  • If you have been fully vaccinated, and have none of the issues above, you may choose to mask or not, however, we will keep masks on hand for those who would like to have them. We encourage the use of hand sanitizer and frequent hand washing.

As we being to join each other in person again, we will likely begin with open air / outdoor events. We will follow all state mandates and will require sign in / registration for contact tracing.

Thank you so much for supporting AIA Oregon as we have made a digital pivot during quarantine. We know that many of the benefits of meeting digitally are particularly helpful for those obtaining CE or participating in committee activity from around the state and will continue to offer digital opportunities to join events whenever beneficial and feasible. Thank you so much for all you do for AIA Oregon! Please feel free to contact Heather Wilson, AIA Oregon EVP / CEO with questions: hwilson@aiaoregon.org.

Newly Licensed Architects

Passing the Architectural Registration Examination and becoming a licensed architect is a significant achievement. It signifies that an architect is skilled in and committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public, and is a significant personal milestone for those that become licensed. 

Congratulations to the following Oregon architects newly licensed between April 6 and Jun 30, 2021. 

Michael Ferrari, AIA
A. Ioanide-Culi
Amy McCarthy-Smith
Richard Meakins
Michael Moran
Cherng-Wen Niou
Jenny Ordonez Nieto
Kian Teh
Christopher Walkup, AIA
Gregory Whitney
Robert Wilson, AIA
Emily Wu

We would love to do more to spotlight the newest Oregon licensees! Firms, if one or more of your staff has recently become licensed, we encourage you to share their story on social media and tag AIA Oregon, so we can spread the news! We are active on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

OSBAE Law Review Summary of Proposed Modifications to ORS 671.010 to 671.220

The Oregon Board of Architect Examiners (the “Board”) proposes modifications to ORS 671.010 to 671.220, which govern the practice of architecture in Oregon. The Board intends to submit the proposed modifications to the Governor’s office for approval in January 2022. If the Governor approves, the proposed modifications shall be submitted to the Oregon legislature for adoption in the 2023 legislative session.

The Board welcomes comments from the Oregon architectural community before they are submitted to the Governor and to the legislature for action. Accordingly, the Board has made a draft of the proposed modifications available at the Board’s website here. Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted directly to the Board at the mailing or email address provided at the Board’s website. Furthermore, the Board may take public comment on the proposed changes to ORS 671.010 to 671.220 at its meetings scheduled for August 13, 2021, October 15, 2021 and December 10, 2021.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN OTHERS IN THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS THE CHANGES TO ORS 671.010 to 671.220 PROPOSED BY THE BOARD.

Register for the 6/3 AIA Oregon Thursday Roundtable to join OSBAE Law Review Committee members Curt Wilson, Eric Sandoval, and Mark Jacobsen to review the recommended changes to current statutes and discuss their impacts on the practice of architecture.