APA Scholarships

Hey UPRers,

Just to remind you that APA offers a number of scholarships for planning students. Maybe over the break is a good time to think about applying for them if you are eligible. I don't think all of the listings are quite up to date, but I see that links are provided so you may follow those if you are interested.

Also the Orlando Section offers a scholarship here are the link: http://www.floridaplanning.org/Orlando/index.asp

I'm pretty sure the Tampa area chapter does too, but I can't find a link for it.

Good luck and get some $$$!

Missed the Baum Lecture...

Photos from the event are on the SPA FB page. But some highlights...

Rescheduled SPA Meeting...Nov 14th 3 PM ARCH 439

Sorry for the last minute postponement, but it was not possible to hold a meeting last week. This week we will be discussing some issues that will be forthcoming in your time here:

T-shirts (Update)
Budget (For 2008-2009)
Winter Social (Dec. 1)
National Conference
Howell Baum Lecture (Nov 15th)
Curriculum (Critical issues on requirements)
Alumni relations
Dept. Marketing
SPA week (as suggested at faculty meeting this week)
Mentoring program
Spring pre-plan

Howell Baum Lecture...November 15th

Final Call for Tshirts...

Hello All,

SPA has extended its deadline for SPA T-Shirt orders to thisTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1st. Please follow the instructions providedon the sheet that was left in your mailbox regarding how to orderyour T-Shirt.If you have have any questions regarding T-Shirt orders contactMarcus Oberlander at mo@ufl.edu.Don't miss your opportunity to sport a SPA T-shirt!

Next SPA Meeting November 7th...

Next SPA Meeting will be Wednesday November 7th in ARCH 439 at 3:00 PM (Following Growth Management). See you there.

Painting the 34th Street Wall?

Someone suggested that SPA collaborate in a timeless UF tradition and paint the 34th Street Wall in honor of Planners. Any ideas? Is there an interest in engaging in this UF Tradition? It's something on your checklist of things to do before you graduate. Anywho, leave some notes on that.

Transportation Field Trip...October 19

Hosted by American Society of Civil Engineers - UF Chapter...

Attendees will need to be at Weil at 6:00 AM, and we will get back around 9:30 to 10:00 PM.

We will be visiting a wastewater treatment plant currently under construction, the TMC and Sunwatch center at the Turnpike office, the I4-408 construction project, HNTB's office for a design/build presentation (and lunch), a bridge and roadway project on the 408 with OOCEA, and a very nice dinner with Kimley Horn and Associates at Sam Sneads.

From a transportation perspective, we will be visiting two heavy roadway construction projects (I4-408 and OOCEA), the DOT traffic ops center (TMC and Sunwatch), and both HNTB and Kimley Horn are respected transportation consulting engineering firms. A signup sheet is in the ASCE office (Weil 453) and the trip costs $25. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will all be provided.

Let me know if you have any questions about the project.

Regards,

Dan Jordan

ASCE 1st VP

URP Website review

Hey,

As mentioned at the last SPA meeting, UF URP is looking to revamp their website. What is asked of everyone is to provide comments as to:

What is missing?
From other school websites you looked at during your grad school decision making process, what struck you from their website? Was there some information or organization that was impressive?
What is too much on our website?
What kind of information do you feel is important to be on the UF URP website? (For current students, prospective students, alumni, faculty/staff)?

Please leave me comments regarding this. Thanks.

APA Young Planners

National APA would like to seek our comments. Please leave some, so I can forward to National APA.

---------

Young Planners Group
Action Plan

Charge: To identify what Young Planners want from APA, what APA can do for them and to recommend messages, programs and services of interest to young planners.

Work Tasks:
This may involve but is not limited to, the following tasks.

1. To evaluate the issue of young planners and their engagement in the organization by studying the following:
What are the professional needs of young planners?
How is APA currently meeting those needs?
Identify possible gaps between the needs of young planners and the services and products available at APA.
Identify programs or services that may be of interest to young planners.
Identify how young planners are getting active in the organization, nationally and through the various components.
Identify if any barriers exist for young planners in getting involved in the organization.
Identify potential areas of contribution of young planners to the organization.

2. Prepare a report on findings and recommendations to the Board of Directors at their meeting in Las Vegas.

3. Conduct a session on the topic at the national conference.

Update on Anastasia State Park

If you have respiratory problems, you might want to sit this one out.

There is residual red tide bloom being reported this week, but minor.

Just an FYI

For those going to Anastasia State Park for the Beach Cleanup

Its this Saturday, October 13th, 2007. Meeting at the Gift Shop ./ Parking Lot at 10 AM.

If you need a ride, please leave a comment here on this post with name and contact info, and get in touch with those who can give rides.

If you can give rides, please leave a comment here, with your name and contact info, and get in touch with those who need a ride.

If you can give rides or need a ride after trying the blog: meet up at the Reitz at 7:45 AM. We'll figure it out there.

This is open for all SPA members, Faculty, Staff, and your families.

Events include a beach cleanup service project, a short talk on the environmental sensitivities of the park, a small bbq.

For directions...


View Larger Map

The extremes of zoning decisions...

You might have heard of this zoning decision the other day in Tennessee go wrong.

Steve changing his thesis--any input..

This blog thing sure seems like a good idea. If I come off as arrogant and unapproachable it's because I am. Just kidding. Oh yeah, I am currently switching thesis topics "How does implementation of light-rail terminals affect adjacent land values?" I suspect that over time land values, given all toher things being equal would increase--HEY ALL YOU WEIRD GRAD 2 o(or 1) TRANSPORTATION PEEPS!! Let me know if you have any input on where to look, books of reference...
Anything blogged is swell..but

(Interested in Transportation?) Transportation Research Center Picnic

Last year, the Transportation Research Center had its first picnic in the Fall semester. It was a lot of fun and so we have decided to have one every year. This fall, the picnic is to be held on Sunday, October 14th at Lake Wauburg. We hope that all of you can make it. It would be a good opportunity for you to interact with the faculty, staff, students, and family affiliated with the TRC and in general have some good food and fun!

Please do RSVP (TRCadmin@ce.ufl.edu) so that we can plan appropriately.

Best,
Siva Srinivasan.

Interested in Water Resources?

The UF chapter of the American Water Resources Association is sponsoring a trip to New Mexico this

November 12^th – 15^th.

There are many topics with experts sharing information from each field.

Join us! - If you want to learn more and get to know who’s doing cool stuff in your field.

Pay a fraction of the normal cost.

There is a session on Climate Change, its impacts on groundwater recharge, economic opportunities, civil infrastructure, etc

A session on developing countries and drinking water, water quality, and sustainable treatment is on Monday and Tuesday.

There is a session on watershed planning and management, with topics such as integrating hydrology, wildlife biology, and forestry

There are multiple sessions on wetlands from all over the United States and even Africa.

There are also sessions on ecosystem restoration, GIS, and urban ecosystems, too many to name.

If you are interested in attending, please contact rubenk@ufl.edu

Have a look at http://awra.org/meetings/New_Mexico2007/program.html for more information on the sessions themselves.

For more information about our chapter, please visit http://awrauf.org

Thank you,

Ruben Kertesz

AWRA UF Chapter President

FAPA Update

Hey everyone,

This is the link for the mentoring program that I mentioned during class, this is a great opportunity to get to know a professional in the field and network for that post-graduate job. It's never too early to start networking!

http://www.planning.org/students/mentoring.htm

Also something else I found on the site was the APA National conference student poster submittal contest at this link:

http://www.planning.org/2008conference/sessionproposal/poster.htm

This is perfect for any student doing a thesis or research project. All you have to submit by OCTOBER 16, 2007 is a proposal, so you don't even have to have it done (i.e. your thesis). One thing to think about here is that if you are presenting something the graduate school offers travel grants...so you could help fund your trip to nationals!

Finally, I keep forgetting to mention this website, but its a great resource for planners and has an extensive message board. http://www.cyburbia.org/

Don't forget to send me your research projects....

-Lauren

Course Blog Up for Grabs

Last Spring I had created a blog for Admin and Ethics, in order to have a forum to dicuss things further, outside of class and to consolidate notes. Since I am no longer in the class, it is time to pass the torch. If anyone is interested in becoming the new admin for this blog, e-mail me at "bem2ATufl.edu" Otherwise, I shall delete it forever.
http://urp6061.blogspot.com/

Final Reminder for SPA Meeting

Next General Body Meeting is October 3 (TODAY) at 3 PM in URP 439 (After Growth Management).

Issues to discuss include T-shirts (see post before this), Community Service, Visiting Speakers, SPA and URP Website, Upcoming Social events, and Open SPA positions. Please come out. Snack foods to be provided.

Proposed Shirt Ideas

OR





Be at the meeting today at 3 PM in URP 439 to vote on this.

From Dr. Bartley...

URP Graduate Students,

Dr. Bartley sends his thanks to you all for the tee-shirt and attending
the celebration at Lillian's last Friday.

Next SPA Meeting October 3

Reminder

Next SPA Meeting will be in ARCH 439 at 3:00 PM (Following Growth Management). New time and location by popular demand. See you there.

Come to Anastasia State Park

On October 13th, SPA goes to the beach.

This event will be our first service project for the year. We reach out to our environment in this project, noting the fragile nature of our state. We will meet at the Reitz Union Car Circle at 7:45 AM to ride together to St. Augustine for this. I know it's early, but its well worth your time to give a little service to the community, and enjoy the beautiful beach, and a SPA beach BBQ. If you want to meet SPA there, you can follow the attached directions below. We will be starting at 10 AM. Hope to see you there.


View Larger Map

T-Shirt Design Competition

Hey,

A T-Shirt Design Competition has been opened for the 2007-2008 year. Last year, our department developed our Student Planning Association T-shirt. This year, we would like to develop a tradition of developing a new T-shirt for the new year. Please submit designs to myself, in my mailbox, or boperez@dcp.ufl.edu. Submissions are accepted through September 14th, and the winning design is TBD at the SPA General Body meeting on September 18th. More details, send inquires again to my email. Winning Designer will receive a free T-shirt and lots of PRAISE and FAME.

Mellow Mushroom Mondays

Hey DURP'ers


As a opportunity to have fun all semester long, we are having Mellow Mushroom Mondays. This is Trivia Night at Mellow Mushrooms at 1209 W University Ave with telephone of (352) 367-0012.

Come on out for some drinks, kick back, and enjoy some awesome trivia. Put your thinking caps on, for SPA is going to turn tables when it comes to Trivia Madness.

This will be weekly on Mondays, starting September 17th, at 7:30 PM. Come out for some food, drink, or just for Trivia, which kicks off at 9 PM.

Beginning of the Year Social

Hey,

As a kick-off social, we will be having a Happy Hour at Lillian's on Thursday September 13th, at 6 PM. Lillian's is at 112 Se 1st St, Gainesville with Telephone of(352) 372-1010.

Get to meet your peers and faculty in a more relaxed and social setting.

Be there or be square.

SPA Meeting Notes from 4 September

NEXT SPA Meeting on September 18th at 12:30 PM in ARC 339

(Dean's Conf. Room)

SPA Meeting Minutes

September 4, 2007

I. Benito Call’s Meeting to Order:

Meeting was called to order at 12:35pm by the President Benito. Other Officers present were: Lauren, Alexandra, Allison, and Steve. After Benito introduced himself, SPA members and officers introduced themselves.

II. Message from the Treasurer:

Benito read a message from Marcus, the Treasurer stating that SPA funds totaled 611.00 and that he was pursuing SGA reimbursement for SPA members attending the FAPA Conference in Orlando September 5-8^th. He had also placed a request with ACC for partial reimbursement for conference fees and is waiting for approval. Upon reading Marcus’ message, Benito passed around a sheet of those who were on the list to attend the conference and asked for those going or not going to add or scratch out their names from the list as appropriate.

III. Update from the FAPA Representative—Lauren:

Lauren presented her update focusing on the upcoming FAPA conference which will begin on Wednesday Sept. 5^th. She organized the Student Reception on Thursday night which would be held in Town Tavern in Celebration. She encouraged SPA members attending the conference to drive to the reception, utilize the resume building workshop, and attend the Career Fair on Saturday Sept. 8^th. Other conference announcements included the UF Alumni Reception to be held at the Royal Plaza at 7:30 pm on Friday night and any questions regarding the conference should be directed to Benito or Lauren. She also announced that SPA needs a first year student to serve as Associate FAPA Representative.

IV. Update on the ACC:

As the ACC representatives were absent from the meeting, Benito announced the ACC Organization Fair was to be held in the Architecture Building atrium on Thursday, September 6^th from 5-7pm. SPA’s goal regarding involvement with the ACC is to reconnect with the organization and foster interdisciplinary involvement within the college.

V. Update from the GSC Representative—Alexandra:

Alexandra announced that SPA needed a first year student to serve as Alternate GSC Representative in the case that she cannot attend the monthly GSC meetings that are tentatively scheduled for the third Thursday of every month.

VI. Update from the Secretary—Allison

Allison announced that she was/will working in with Benito on SPA Blog and an on-line newsletter. The blog address was given to members as: ufurpspa.blogspot.com. She also announced that SPA will need a first year to serve as Reporting Secretary to record meeting minutes during SPA meetings.

VII. Update from the Social Chair—Steve

Steve and Benito announced that there were currently five SPA social events planned for the Fall Semester including: a Welcome Student Event at Lillian’s downtown on Thursday September 13^th at 6pm, Mellow Mushroom Mondays starting on September 17^th at 7:30 pm where SPA members can come and relax on trivia nights, a Winter Social event scheduled for the first weekend in December, a joint picnic with the local professional FAPA chapter at Lack Wauburg in early-mid November, and a Beach clean-up weekend still in the planning stages. Steve also announced SPA needed a first year student to serve as Associate Social Chair.

VIII. Greeting and Announcement from the Department Head—Dr. Peng:

Dr. Peng introduced himself to the students and encouraged them to attend the monthly faculty meetings the first of which is scheduled for September 14^th from 2-4pm. He stated his commitment to facilitating faculty-student interaction socially and academically and to support students in securing funds from university sources to attend conferences. He welcomed students to come by his office anytime.

IX. Other Announcements—T-Shirt Design/APA Conference

Benito announced that the Design Competition for the new SPA T-shirt deadline was September 14^th by 5pm. The design must include “University of Florida” and “Student Planning Association.” The winning design would receive a free T-shirt. Secondly, Benito announced the dates for the APA Conference in Las Vegas as April 27^th-May 3^rd.

X. SPA Goals/Member Ideas:

Benito stated the goal of SPA this year would be to increase student participation and representation as well as encourage cooperation with URP faculty, ACC/DCP, and the outside community. He opened up ideas for what SPA members not on the executive committee would like to see SPA do. Benito encouraged anyone with specific ideas to contact the appropriate representative on the executive committee or himself. Ideas included the following:

· Field trips to planning firms/planners/job shadowing

· Interdisciplinary Mixers

· Community Service Projects

· Increase communication to incoming students

XI. Website Update:

Benito updated SPA members on the progress of the SPA/URP website. A mock-up of the website was completed in the spring. The current goal is to have the updated website up and running by the end of the semester with a link to the SPA Blog.

XII. Current Open Positions on the Executive Board:

Benito summarized the list of open positions on the SPA Board and encouraged first-year students to express their interest to him or in reply to an email that would be sent out shortly regarding the subject. The open positions were:

· ACC Representative

· FAPA Representative

· Alternate GSC Representative

· Recording Secretary

· Webmaster

· Associate Social Chair

· Historian

XIII. Immediate Upcoming Events:

Benito announced that the ACC was attempting to create an organization “DCP Ambassadors” to increase interdisciplinary interaction within the college. A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, September 5^th in the Architecture Building to create a team to work with the Dean on DCP issues. Benito also announced that there was an opening for a student to attend lunch with the Board of Trustees Thursday, September 6^th at 12pm along with two other student representatives.

XIV. Proposed Agenda for Next SPA Meeting:

The next SPA meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 18^th at

12:30 pm in Rm. 339 of the Architecture Building. The agenda would include the entries and voting of the proposed SPA T-shirt designs and an Executive Board Proposed Budget of SPA funds.

XV. There being no other news to discuss the meeting was adjourned at 1:30 pm.

Dear Students and Prospective Students:

On the behalf of the Student Planning Association, we would like to personally welcome you to the University of Florida, and our Urban and Regional Planning family. The University of Florida is nationally and internationally recognized for its excellence in academics and research, and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning is no exception. The program is staffed with distinguished professors who are recognized as experts in their field, and involve students of a diversity of backgrounds. Your experience with our program promises to be rewarding. As a student here in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, you are automatically a member with all privileges of the Student Planning Association (SPA), an organization that fosters professional, academic, and social interests of its members. It is through this organization where our students gets involved with the community, our professional colleagues in Florida and nationally, and we join together socially. As members of Student Planning Association, you are privy to the work your fellow colleagues are involved in, have the opportunity to listen in on prominent planners and issues relating to the Planning field, be informed of upcoming job and conference opportunities, and engage in socials our organization puts on for you. The planning field is a daunting field that lies ahead of you if you are considering a career in planning. Through organizations such as the Student Planning Association, we strive to help you foster a good social and professional network in which you can turn to. With that, welcome to the Student Planning Association, where Planner’s Do It….Comprehensively. Student Planning Association Executive Board