University of Miami

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This is an article about the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. For the article on Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, see Miami University. Template:Infobox University The University of Miami (also commonly referred to as UM or simply "The U") is a private university, founded in 1925, with its main campus in the city of Coral Gables in metropolitan Miami, Florida, in the United States.

The university is typically ranked as one of the top academic institutions in the United States. Most recently, U.S. News & World Report's annual academic ranking of U.S. colleges and universities for 2006 ranked the University 55th overall nationally. The University of Miami is particularly well known for its programs in business, communications, engineering, marine biology, medicine and music, which rank among the very best in the nation. In 2005, the average weighted grade point average for students granted admission to the university was 4.0 and the median SAT score was 1316. Sixty-three percent of University of Miami students ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

The current president of the university is former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Donna Shalala.

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Overview

Image:UMiamiLakeOsceola.jpg The University of Miami has a student body of close to 14,000, and its campus spans 240 acres (1 km²) in Coral Gables. Several university satellite campuses are located in South Florida, most notably the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on Virginia Key, and the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, which is located at Jackson Memorial Hospital in the city of Miami. The University of Miami is the second largest private employer in South Florida.

The school colors are orange, green and white, which represent the different parts of the orange tree.

The university is also home to the Iron Arrow Honor Society, one of the most selective and prestigious student honors organizations of any major U.S. university or college.

In 2004, the University of Miami's Convocation Center was the site of the first nationally televised U.S. presidential debate of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election, featuring President George W. Bush and his unsuccessful challenger, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry.

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Organization

The university is organized into eight colleges:

  • School of Architecture
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • School of Business Administration
  • School of Communication
  • School of Education
  • College of Engineering
  • Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music
  • School of Nursing and Health Studies

The university also has three graduate-level schools:

In addition, there is a Department of Continuing and International Education.

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Athletics

Image:UMiamiLogo.gif

For a more in-depth article on the university's football program, see: Miami Hurricanes Football.

The University of Miami (affectionately nicknamed "The U" by its alumni and fans alike) has one of the most successful athletic programs in major collegiate sports. The university's sports teams are called the 'Miami Hurricanes' and compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Its traditional athletic rivals include the Florida State University Seminoles and the University of Florida Gators. Team colors are green, orange, and white, and the school mascot is 'Sebastian the Ibis'. The ibis was selected as the school's mascot because, according to legend, it is the last animal to flee an approaching hurricane and the first to reappear after the storm, making it a symbol of leadership and courage. Many refer to Miami simply as "The U," as the school's logo is a simple green and orange letter "U". The logo is among the most recognizable in college athletics. Nike is the official supplier of uniforms, apparel, and various athletic equipment to all University of Miami sports teams. Because of the football team's very high profile, Nike frequently uses the team to showcase innovative new uniform designs.

Miami has been particularly dominant in football, where the Hurricanes have won five Division I national championships (1983, 1987, 1989, 1991, and 2001). With four of Miami's five national championships coming in an eight year span from 1983 to 1991, that period in college football is sometimes dubbed "The Decade of Dominance." All five of Miami's national championships have come since 1983, making it the most successful college football program of the past 25 years (Nebraska is second during that time span with three national championships). Miami has also produced two Heisman Trophy winners, Vinny Testaverde in 1986 and Gino Torretta in 1992. The current head coach of the football team is Larry Coker. The team plays its home games at the historic Miami Orange Bowl, located off-campus, in the city of Miami.

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Miami is also the preeminent college football program in terms of producing NFL talent: Miami holds the record for most players selected in the first round of the NFL Draft (six in 2004), as well as most first round draft picks in a two-year period (11 in 2003 and 2004) and most first round draft picks in a three-year period (15 from 2002 to 2004). Since the 2002 draft, an astounding 33 Hurricanes have been selected in the NFL Draft.

In addition to its success on the gridiron, Miami has one of the top baseball programs in the nation. Hurricane baseball teams have won four national championships (1982, 1985, 1999 and 2001) and are a mainstay at the College World Series, having reached the event 21 times, all coming since 1974.

Image:UMiamiLogo alternate.jpg Because of Title IX restrictions, as well as the fact that it is a private school, the university only fields a total of 15 athletic teams. In addition to football and baseball, men's teams compete in basketball, cross-country, tennis, track and field, and diving. Women's teams compete in basketball, cross-country, golf, rowing, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

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2006 custodial workers' strike

Image:Current event marker.png This article documents a current event.
Information may change rapidly as the event progresses.
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Vote to strike

On February 26, 2006, UM's custodial workers, who are contracted to the university by a Boston, Massachusetts-based company, UNICCO, voted to strike until their wage and benefit demands are met. Prior to the strike, a 2001 census of 195 colleges conducted by The Chronicle of Higher Education found UM's custodial workers to be the second lowest in pay and UM to be one of only 12 universities among the 195 whose custodial workers' wages did not exceed the federal poverty line.

Also at issue in the strike is whether the custodial workers may unionize simply by signing pledge cards, as advocated by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the striking workers, or whether, as UNICCO supports, such a vote should be held secretly and run by the National Labor Relations Board. Both voting methods are allowed under U.S. law.

The strike began on the evening of February 28, 2006 and is still ongoing. The workers have a Virtual Picketline.

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Demonstration, sit-in and hunger strike

On March 3, 2006, a demonstration supportive of the striking workers drew approximately 600 students, faculty, workers, and other supporters. The demonstration began on campus and then crossed U.S. Route 1 to Sunset Place, causing some traffic disruptions.

In an effort to further increase pressure on UNICCO and the university to meet the striking workers' demands, a group of approximately 19 UM students and clergy held a sit-in in the Ashe Administrative Building on March 28, 2006. The sit-in lasted 13 hours and was called to an end by its organizers after the university issued a statement reiterating its position that its contracted workers have a right to unionize. Participants in the sit-in criticized the university for turning off the electricity to the building at 5 p.m. and denying them access to water and restrooms. Seven clergy members were arrested earlier in the day when a supportive rally briefly interfered with traffic on Route 1, adjacent to the university.

On April 5, 2006, a small group of custodial workers and UM students began a hunger strike in support of the striking workers. The group is camped under the Coral Gables/University of Miami stop of Miami's Metrorail across from the main gate of the UM campus. The hunger strike participants have vowed to continue the hunger strike until the striking workers' demands are met.

Currently, a small group of students are camped out in front of the Ashe administration building. Lawn sprinklers there have been on for 24 hours/day.

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University administration responses

Since the dispute emerged, the university has agreed to increase the wages of its contract service employees by 25 percent and to provide them with health coverage. The university also has stated that it has no objection to the UNICCO workers unionizing. But the university has maintained neutrality on the issue of how such a vote should be taken, contending that this is an issue that should be worked out between the UNICCO workers and UNICCO. The striking workers and their supporters believe the university should assert more pressure on UNICCO to permit unionization via card check.

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University of Miami Student Government condemns SEIU

On April 19, 2006, a resolution was passed by the University of Miami Student Government condemning SEIU'S recent actions including the student harassment, class disruption, trespassing on private property, and vandalism. [1]

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Points of interest

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Notable alumni

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Arts & Entertainment

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Athletics

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Business

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Law

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Politics

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Television

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External links

Template:Atlantic Coast Conferenceja:マイアミ大学_(フロリダ州)

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