Since September 1998, Robert A. M. Stern '65 MArch has been dean of the School of Architecture. Though highly regarded, the School of Architecture is not without its flaws, according to Stern. He considers the alumni involvement in the current affairs of the school limited, which he deems a shame considering the benefits students can derive from the expertise and experience of Yale's distinguished alumni. Fortunately Stern has already acted to remedy the situation. He has implemented several initiatives to reach out to alumni and keep them informed of the architecture school's activities and plans.
Constructs is perhaps the most conspicuous innovation.
A new bi-annual publication put out by the dean's office, Constructs features interviews, book reviews, and pertinent news updates concerning the School of Architecture and related topics of interest. Available to current students, alumni, and the general public in bookstores, Constructs is edited by Nina Rappaport and designed by Michael Bierut of Pentagram, a top international design firm. The publication aims to engage its readers in the activities of the school and provide a discourse on architectural issues based in the school. The current issue contains conversations with several visiting lecturers, including Hank Koning and Julie Eizenberg of Koning Eizenberg Architecture in Santa Monica, who are teaching a spring studio at Yale. There is a review of the new book by Cecil Balmond, and an interview with the author, who taught at Yale in the fall.