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University of Florida Troubles

thefox54

I read a disturbing forum on facebook that was posted about a year ago. The discussion centered around administrative issues, directors changing positions and the struggle to find a dean. I see that there is still only an interim dean. Has the mood changed since then? Or is this still a sensitive subject?

More disturbing was the complaint that UFL was at a disadvantage due to limited utilities and a stagnant approach to the way architecture is evolving.

Can all this be true for such a great school?

Having been accepted to several other schools for masters of arch programs, this subject would surely weigh heavily on my decision.

 
Mar 29, 09 10:11 pm
ufcmp09

I am currently a Grad student at Florida and the biggest cause for concern in that facebook group was replacing the undergraduate coordinator. The interim dean Martin gold has made excellent steps toward improving the school in the short time in the position. I also attended UF for my undergraduate degree and I know how poor the previous dean was. Martin Gold has done more in the one year as director than his predecessor did in 5. As for the graduate school all i can say is that It is on the rise, as the talent level of the undergraduates has steadily been increasing it has been reflected in the graduate school, since many students return to UF for graduate degrees for its low cost compared to all the Ivy's they get into.

Mar 30, 09 8:05 am  · 
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ufcmp09

I am currently a Grad student at Florida and the biggest cause for concern in that facebook group was replacing the undergraduate coordinator. The interim dean Martin gold has made excellent steps toward improving the school in the short time in the position. I also attended UF for my undergraduate degree and I know how poor the previous dean was. Martin Gold has done more in the one year as director than his predecessor did in 5. As for the graduate school all i can say is that It is on the rise, as the talent level of the undergraduates has steadily been increasing it has been reflected in the graduate school, since many students return to UF for graduate degrees for its low cost compared to all the Ivy's they get into.

Mar 30, 09 8:05 am  · 
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thefox54

thats great news. i was hoping that would be the case.
now, having been in UF's program for so long, let me ask your opinion on this: so far ive been accepted into UF, Utenn, SCAD, and Boston Architectural College CORE Masters programs. I'm waiting on a response from Georgia Tech this week. Given the current talk amongst students which one would you pick?

Mar 30, 09 7:56 pm  · 
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n400

I'm excited to attend UF next year.

Mar 31, 09 9:16 am  · 
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thefox54, i'm a graduate of both UF (B.Des '00) and GaTech (M.Arch '03)... so it has been a little while since i've been at either school... but given your list of schools i'd probably rank them in this order:

GaTech
UF
SCAD
UTenn
BAC

i think that gatech's grad program was very good while i was there and it has only gotten better in the 5-6 years since i left... i'm out of the loop in terms of the supposed problems in gainesville, but the reputation of UF has always been that its undergrad was great, while the grad was still very good but a little bit weaker...

Mar 31, 09 9:27 am  · 
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thefox54

interesting! thank you!

Mar 31, 09 11:52 am  · 
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ufcmp09

Honestly i could not tell you which one to pick. I do not no to much about the GT program. I am not sure if you have seen this but it is UF's graduate school website its kinda tricky to find. I would say look at the student work for both schools. Also check out some of the visiting professors we have recently had and study abroad options if you are into those things. Those are some things that sometimes are overlooked when looking at schools. I personally did both the Hong Kong program and the Italy program which are both great. If you have any other questions about UF id be glad to answer them. there is always football

Apr 2, 09 7:22 am  · 
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HOT OFF THE PRESSES!

perhaps this is indicative of what is going on in gainesville... two long time UF professors are leaving to go teach at USF in tampa... robert mccleod (who has been at USF since the 80's) is going to be the new director of the department at USF... and nancy sanders is going to USF as well...

just speaking from afar, it seems as though the program has been a bit rudderless since robert mccarter left for WUStL and bernie voichysonk retired...

if anyone has the inside story of what is going on, i'd love to hear more...

Apr 2, 09 1:51 pm  · 
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ufcmp09

Professor Macleod was the chair for my thesis and professor sanders s his wife so I would only assume they would make the move together. They are great professors and will be missed at UF and they accepted a great opportunity for themselves which i think has nothing to do with the situation here at florida

Apr 2, 09 4:09 pm  · 
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