56th National APX Convention

University of Cincinnati, Ohio
City on the Verge
March 27-30, 2003

Download and print the 56th Convention Minutes.

Download and print the 56th APX Convention Official Notice Letter from Grand Council

Download and print the Information Packet for the 56th APX Convention (same information as listed on this website).

Convention is the annual meeting of the membership represented by delegates, during which policies, goals, and direction are established for the Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity. The governing powers of National Conventions are established by Article V of the Constitution and the procedures and duties of the Officers are described under Articles I through VI of the By-Laws.

Alpha Rho Chi in Cincinnati '03

INTRODUCTION

Perched on the banks of the Ohio River, Cincinnati has a rich history and a great architectural heritage. The city is filled with great art deco buildings, from the Hilton Netherland Plaza hotel to the Union Terminal, one of the last great train stations to be built. There are also a number of contemporary buildings worth seeing, such as Ceasar Pelli’s Aronoff Center for the Performing Arts and the under construction cutting-edge Contemporary Art Center designed by Zaha Hadid.

There are also activities for those non-architects in the family. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is only a few blocks from the convention hotel. Drive through beautiful Eden Park with the Krohn Conservatory and the nearby Cincinnati Art Museum. Or check out the Natural History Museum, the Children’s Museum, or the Cincinnati History Museum at Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. This city played a major role in the Underground Railroad and there are many important landmarks including Harriett Beecher Stowe’s residence.

The picturesque Mount Adams area, near the Cincinnati Art Museum, has many shops and restaurants, and provides spectacular views from the hilltop. A prime spot for nightlife is Main Street, with plenty of clubs and bars or you can check out the floating nightclubs and casinos on the river. For the less party-inclined Newport on the Levee, just across the river, has plenty of shops, restaurants, and a multi-screen movie complex, as well as a great view of the city.

The University of Cincinnati is committed to the quality of the built environment. The campus has been revitalized from a central parking lot into a rolling green designed by the award-winning landscape and planning firm of Hargreaves Associates. The University has invested much into a Signature Architecture Program since the implosion of a 1971 high-rise dorm complex in 1991. Since then new buildings have been designed by Peter Eisenman, Frank Gehry, Michael Graves, Henry Cobb (of Pei, Cobb, Freed), and Leers-Weinzapfel. Currently under construction are buildings by Charles Moore’s firm and Gwathmey-Siegel Buildings by Morphosis and Bernard Tschumi are currently in design.

Located in a Peter Eisenman building, the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning is well recognized amongst the professions for the quality of its education and for its co-op program, which ensures that students balance their education with practical work experience. The Rabirius Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi is strongly supported by the faculty and is our host for the 56th Convention.

Any one of the attractions listed above would be enough reason to come to Cincinnati to connect or reconnect with your brothers of Alpha Rho Chi, but all together, how can you resist? This promises to be an APX Convention of great sites and great friendships. You won’t want to miss out. Join us in Cincinnati!

LINKS

Visit the Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau website for further information at www.cincyusa.com. Visit the AIA Cincinnati website for complete timeline, descriptions and photos of Cincinnati architecture at www.aiacincinnati.org/4.htm.

Read about the great design changes to the University of Cincinnati campus at www.uc.edu/ucinfo/buildin.htm.

Visit the College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning website at daap.uc.edu

Check out the Rabirius Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi website here.

HOTEL INFORMATION

• Marriott Kingsgate Conference Hotel, 151 Goodman Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45219. 1-513-487-3800
• Further information about the facility is available at www.marriott.com
• Location: The Marriott Kingsgate is located one block from campus, two blocks from the design college and three blocks from the Rabirius Chapter house.

EVENTS

• Convention Theme:
  “City on the Verge” was selected as the 56th Convention theme to emphasize the efforts that have been made in the city of Cincinnati and on the University of Cincinnati campus to reinvigorate the community. Not only has the planning of the urban fabric been affected, but also the built environment has changed dramatically in recent years. The tours and the keynote speaker are being offered to highlight the historical heritage of Cincinnati and the recent revitalization.
• Group Photograph
• Welcome Party
• Chapter “Boards”
• Workshops
• Friday Roundtable Lunch
• APX Business Meeting
  During the annual convention, the delegates are in control of the Fraternity. Do not miss this opportunity to have a direct voice in the decisions that will shape the future of Alpha Rho Chi. Attendance is strongly suggested for all fraternity members.
• Sale of APX Merchandise
  Chapters and Associations will have the opportunity to sell APX merchandise during the convention. Please coordinate with WGAA Morris to ensure that there will not be an overabundance of the same type of item.
• AIA/CES Learning Units
  All lectures, tours and workshops will be eligible for AIA/CES learning units. APX is now an official Registered AIA/CES Program Provider.
• Grand Council Annual Meeting
  
• Keynote Speaker
  A highlight of this year’s convention will be a charismatic presentation by Jack Rouse. As the chairman of the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, Mr. Rouse will speak to us about the recent efforts to revitalize the Cincinnati Ohio Riverfront, including the construction of the Cincinnati Reds Stadium. Mr. Rouse is also a founding partner of a design and production firm named Jack Rouse Associates. More information about his career and his firm’s design achievements can be found at www.jackrouse.com.
• Awards Banquet
  The convention will conclude with the annual Awards Banquet at the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. Designed by Walter Aeschlager, Delano & Aldrich and built in 1931, the Netherland Plaza is a remarkable example of French Art Deco with Egyptian influences. The evening promises to be quite an experience as we dine and dance amongst the murals, the Brazilian rosewood, and a gold leaf fountain.
  The Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza is located at 35 West 5th St., Cincinnati, OH 45202; (513) 421-9100. The event will be held in the Continental Room.

Hall of Mirrors, Netherland Plaza
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Art Deco landmark is across from Fountain Square in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. The hotel is part of the Carew Tower complex which features Tower Place Mall; a myriad of fine shops, entertainment and restaurants. The city's famous skywalk system connects the hotel to the Dr. Albert Sabin Convention Center and several offices throughout the downtown business core. The hotel is adjacent to Fountain Square and is within walking distance to Cincinnati's Backstage Entertainment District, Paul Brown Stadium, Cinergy Field, US Bank Arena, Music Hall and theaters. The hotel features elaborate frescoes and murals along with original sculptures and fountain from Cincinnati's famous Rookwood Pottery.

OPTIONAL EVENTS

• City on the Verge :: Downtown Building Tour
  This walking tour of downtown Cincinnati will include a hard-hat tour of Zaha Hadid’s Contemporary Arts Center. We will also visit Cesar Pelli’s Aronoff Center of the Performing Arts. Many historical and contemporary projects will be seen including structures designed by Kohn, Pedersen & Fox, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, and Shepley Bullfinch & Associates. Optional Event.
• Campus on the Verge :: Campus Building Tour
  Enjoy a brisk walking tour of the Univeristy of Cincinnati campus including a tour of at least one building currently under construction. We will visit Peter Eisenman’s Aronoff Center of Design, Michael Graves’ Science & Engineering Research Center, and Frank Gehry’s Vontz Center for Molecular Studies among others. During the walk we will experience the landscaping design of Hargreaves Associates. Optional Event.
• City on the Verge :: Cincinnati Overview
  An expert in the urban development of the city will guide this bus tour of Cincinnati. We will learn about the settlement by German immigrants, the city’s role in the Underground Railroad, and the post-Civil War settlement by African-Americans. All this while catching breathtaking views of the river and of the city from the Mt. Adams neighborhood and Eden Park. This tour is offered on Thursday and Sunday. Optional Event.