Dean of Students Office

Protect Academic Integrity, Encourage Ethical Behavior, and Foster a Climate of Fair Competition

Established in 1986 by the request of Student Government, the Honor Code was created to protect UM’s Academic Integrity, encourage ethical behavior and, foster a climate of fair competition.

The Honor Code was relevant then and is still relevant now, with the 2020 amendment of the Academic Integrity Policy (AIP). As a community, we pride ourselves on upholding Academic Integrity and ensuring each student receives the necessary resources to be successful here at the U through our Undergraduate Honor Council.

Too often we hear students say they were stressed or overwhelmed as mitigating circumstances that led to them violating our AIP. As the proud family member (s) of a Miami Hurricane, 3 practical ways you can support our efforts are by speaking with your student on the importance of time management, emphasizing the need to ask for help when needed and utilizing approved study resources offered here at the U. Those 3 tips coupled with a good night’s rest will allow us to move forward in building a strong academic community through honesty, responsibility, and integrity.

University of Miami Police Department

Your Safety is Our Number One Priority

The University of Miami Police Department is located on our Coral Gables campus. The police department has many resources to help keep our community safe. Some of our resources include Self Defense Programs, Safety Escorts, Rave Guardian Virtual Escort and Blue Light Phones. 

Did you know that it is mandatory to register your bike or scooter with the University police department; and you receive a free U-Lock. Register your bike or scooter today to help keep our campus safe from the number one crime on campus, theft of unattended property. 

Learn more about our resources and how to register your bike or scooter and remember, our non-emergency number is 305-284-6666. For all emergencies, dial 911.

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement

A Note from the VPSA

Family Weekend is right around the corner! I am so excited to welcome many of you back to campus for model classes, interest sessions, a Miami Hurricanes Pep Rally, and a Block Party. Even if you will not be in the Miami area, we hope that you tune in to see the Miami Hurricanes play the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Family Weekend is a great time to check in with your student. Immediately following Family Weekend, our students have Fall Break. I know many choose to go home if they are able. It is important that our students take advantage of this time to reset and rest. 

Many of our students have hit the ground running this semester. They have already completed numerous assignments, tests, and projects. I have observed that some students are more impacted by challenges that come with being in college than in prior years. From homesickness to not performing well on an assignment or test, students are encountering set backs that are critical to build resilience. It appears, for some, that building resilience is its own difficulty.

At the University of Miami, we take a holistic approach to well-being and resilience. We have a variety of resources for students to both actively and passively engage with to support their resilience. As a family member of a college student myself, I have been thinking about one critical aspect of health—sleep. The Washington Post published an article in the spring highlighting that less sleep has been linked to lower grades. As family members, it can be helpful to check in on our students’ habits, especially sleep. Remind them to create a plan to go to sleep that involves putting down technology or even meditating. Students can take meditation classes at the Herbert Wellness Center or make use of the relaxation room in the Counseling Center to help build these skills.

Dr. Patricia A. Whitely began her service as senior vice president for student affairs in 1997 and is an adjunct faculty member in the School of Education and Human Development. Dr. Whitely is responsible for oversight of residential life, leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, service learning, orientation, student organizations, student activities, student facilities, student counseling, Greek life, the Dean of Students Office, the Camner Center for Academic Resources, and alumni engagement.

University of Miami Alumni Association

A Note from the UMAA

We are excited to extend a warm invitation to all families for this year’s Alumni Weekend and Homecoming: October 26-28. 

This special time of year unites all students, alumni, families, and friends to celebrate all that it means to be a Miami Hurricane. It is a chance for you to be part of the journey, as you have supported your students in their lives at the U.

Here’s a peek at what you can look forward to:

• Audrey R. Finkelstein UM Experience: An interactive educational series featuring University faculty. This year’s speakers include Interim Provost Guillermo “Willy” Prado, School of Architecture Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury, and Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship Erin Kobetz.
• ’Canes Lounge: The biggest party for all ’Canes featuring great food, photo ops, games, Sebastian the Ibis, special performances, and much more.
• Boat Burning Ceremony and Fireworks
• Homecoming Pregame Celebration and Game: Virginia vs. Miami

For more information or to register, please visit Alumni Weekend and Homecoming.

Share these traditions with your students. Let your ’Canes pride shine bright at Alumni Weekend and Homecoming!

Go ’Canes!

Maribel Wadsworth, B.S.C. ’93

Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement

Student Note

Hey 'Canes! Fall in Miami is here, and so are many joyful events on and off campus.

We are wrapping up week 7 of the semester, and with that comes midterm exams, papers, and projects. I would like to remind everyone about the academic resources on campus. The Camner Center provides individual course tutoring and the Learning Specialist program for helping students develop healthy study habits, manage their time, and learn effective communication with their professors and other academic skills. Richter Library also offers Math Lab, a math tutoring program, as well as the Writing Center, which helps students structure and begin to write papers for class. I personally utilize many of these resources, particularly the Learning Specialist program. Working with a Learning Specialist, even as a third-year, keeps me accountable on my assignments, problem-solve if I have an issue in a class, and overall creates a feeling of an academic support system. 

Students may interact with their community this month in events related to Hispanic Heritage Month, football games, and participating in Student Government elections. This time in the semester has many initiatives and opportunities to discover different areas of campus, and it definitely eases the stress of exams. 

I hope everyone has leaned into the autumn mood, and as always, Go 'Canes!

Eliza Lee is a junior majoring in Political Science and Religious Studies with a Pre-Law track. She is a commuter student from Miami, FL. On campus she serves as a Commuter Assistant and Copywriter for Student Government. Additionally, she shares her time and talents as a Staff Writer with The Miami Hurricane.

Department of Housing & Residential Life

Now Hiring!

Visit our website, www.miami.edu/housing/employment, to learn more about student staff positions with Housing & Residential Life. Now hiring Security Assistants and recruiting soon for 2024-2025 Resident Assistants and First Year Fellows.