The Student Planning Association (SPA) is for students pursuing a Master of Community Planning (M.C.P.) in the Urban Studies and Planning Program at UMD. It promotes student involvement in the planning program and profession, fostering social and intellectual interactions among students, faculty, staff and alumni.
SPA Activities:
- Acts as a liaison between faculty and students, attending monthly faculty meetings.
- Represents the URSP student population.
- Organizes social activities, educational events, and lectures on campus and regionally.
- Strengthens connections between current students and alumni.
- Coordinates with the university's Graduate Student Government.
- Plans URSP student trips to the American Planning Association's annual and regional conferences.
- Appoints student representatives to act as liaisons between URSP and the APA National Capital Area and Maryland APA Chapters, including attending chapter meetings.
Leadership: Officers are elected annually in the spring. Interested students should contact the advisor for more information.
- Advisor:
Ariel Bierbaum, Associate Professor
bierbaum@umd.edu - Social Media:
Facebook
Instagram
Other Organizations
American Planning Association (APA):
A non-profit organization representing 30,000 planners, officials, and citizens in urban and rural planning. It has 46 regional chapters and 17 specialized divisions. The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certifies planners meeting specific criteria. First-year students receive free APA membership; full-time students can join at a reduced cost. The New Planner newsletter offers insights from planning students nationwide. Membership includes joining local chapters like the National Capital Area or Maryland Chapter.
Graduate Student Government (GSG):
Represents UMD graduate students' concerns, focusing on university policies and services, departmental growth, and community building. GSG organizes social events each semester.
University Senate:
Engages faculty, staff, students, and administrators in campus governance, advising the president on education, budget, personnel, and other policy matters within legal constraints.