Students

From first year to post graduates, 392 future professionals are enrolled in the School, preparing for leadership and lifelong learning in architecture, urbanism and related fields. As you can see by all of the student activities in other sections of this website, the School is constantly seeking ways to enhance the student experience. The faculty, the staff, visiting lecturers and critics, and over 2,300 alumni all participate in achieving this goal.

Of the 392 students enrolled, 330 are undergraduate and 62 are graduate. Geographic origins include 50 percent from Florida, and 48 percent from other parts of the United States and foreign countries. Enrollment by gender is 214 men and 178 women, and the average age of undergraduates is 21, and graduates 28.5.

Teaching these students in five different degree programs are 30 full-time and 33 part-time faculty. Visiting lecturers add to this group of professionals.

Students are included in all of the School’s public events, including lectures, exhibitions, receptions, the alumni barbecue and other academic and social events.

In addition, all of the School’s students are encouraged to join one or more of architecture’s student organizations (both national and local). These include the AIAS (American Institute of Architecture Students), the Student Council, and the EMG (Emerging Green Builders).

Each year the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) participate in the Miami AIA (American Institute of Architects) Celebrate Architecture Month (November) with an exhibition of student work. They also hold a popular annual art auction to raise funds for their programs. In 2008, they won the bid to host the National South Quad AIAS Conference. This made way for them to host over 100 students from around the country for a weekend of Miami tours, workshops, lectures and social events.

The Student Council implements programs and events to enhance the students’ on campus comfort. These include a student lounge, monthly bake sales, a gingerbread house design competition, and refreshments for students during late-night study periods. A new Facebook group “School of Architecture” serves the students as a reliable medium between the student body, faculty and administration. The Facebook group allows the Council to post events, hold discussion forums and distribute questionnaires. They also have an email address for students to voice concerns and make inquiries. In addition, the Council holds an annual Black and White Ball, a popular social event for both students and faculty. In the fall, the Council coordinates and hosts a Student Symposium for students, faculty and the public. This event, held in the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center was on “The American Campus of the 21st Century” in 2007 and featured a panel of well known architects including Dhiru Thadani, Peter Karp and Alan Greenberg.

The US Green Building Council’s Emerging Green Builders organization represents a union of students and young professionals who promote the integration of green building techniques and methods. Graduate student Mark Schrieber, with the help of Associate Dean Denis Hector, organized a local chapter. Through the Council’s South Florida Chapter, students have the ability to network and develop opportunities for involvement in green building. An Emerging Green Builders Natural Talent Design Competition was promoted on local college campuses. Participants were asked to design a LEED Platinum high-rise building for an existing urban site. Student organizer Mark Schreiber won the second place 2006 Natural Talent Design Competition and was the AIA Miami Chapter UM Architecture Student of the Year. In 2007, the group hosted “Green Leaders of Tomorrow” at Miami City Hall with over 100 in attendance. The event included speakers from the City of Miami and the U.S. Green Building Council South Florida Chapter. Currently, the EGB is working on renovating a house in Miami Gardens which will be a sustainable home for veterans.