M.E. Rinker Sr. School of

Building Construction

 The school had its beginning as a defined
curriculum offered through the architecture
program in 1935 and became a department in
1957. In 1976, the School of Building Construc-
tion was established. The school was named the
M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction
in 1989 and is accredited by the American
Council for Construction Education.
 The school has a normal enrollment of 250.
Graduates receive a Bachelor of Science in
Building Construction and begin work immedi-
ately as assistant project managers, field engi-
neers, schedulers, cost engineers, assistant
superintendents, quality controllers and estima-
tors.

Honorary and Professional Organizations

COLLEGE COUNCIL
 The School of Building Construction College
Council represents building construction stu-
dents and acts as a liaison among students and
the school's faculty and administration, univer-
sity administration, Student Government and
the Gainesville community. The council's pri-
mary responsibility is to support financially the
students' educational activities as well as to
bring student concerns and recommendations to
the school's director.

SIGMA LAMBDA CHI
 Sigma Lambda Chi is the national honorary
society of building construction. Its purpose is
to recognize outstanding students in the school
for scholastic achievements, leadership abilities
and extracurricular activities. Sigma Lambda
Chi provides services to students within the
school while promoting a channel of communi-
cation between students and the construction
industry. The society is a source of required
blueprints for construction course work. The
society also provides a computerized job search
file and tutoring for building construction stu-
dents and performs volunteer work for the
Gainesville community.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF COST
ENGINEERS, INTERNATIONAL
 The American Association of Cost Engineers
(AACE) increases knowledge of the science and
art of cost engineering, promotes fellowship and
professionalism, and serves the school, the uni-
versity and the community. The chapter serves
as a bridge between students and professionals
in the construction industry. Membership is
open to all building construction students.
Activities of AACE include monthly attendance
of the Mid-Florida Section chapter meetings and
field trips throughout the mid-Florida area.


STUDENT CONTRACTORS AND BUILDERS
ASSOCIATION
 The Student Contractors and Builders
Association (SCBA) is the student chapter of the
Associated General Contractors of America
(AGC) and the National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB). The purpose of SCBA is to
increase student knowledge of the construction
industry, to promote fellowship and profession-
alism and to provide service to the school, the
university and the community. Membership is
open to all building construction students. The
activities of SCBA include community service
projects, guest speakers, social gatherings, and
attendance at the AGC and NAHB National
Conventions.

STUDENT CHAPTER, ASSOCIATED
BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS
 The purpose of the student chapter of the
Associated Builders and Contractors (A.B.C.) is
to increase student knowledge of the construc-
tion industry, to promote fellowship and profes-
sionalism and to provide service to the school,
the university and the community. Membership
is open to all construction-related majors.
 Activities include A.B.C. Job Fair, guest
speakers, social gatherings, attendance at state
and national conventions, as well as monthly
chapter meetings with our parent chapter,
A.B.C. Gulf Coast. The national-level A.B.C.
promotes Merit Shop.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY
CONTRACTORS
 The student chapter of the National Associa-
tion of Minority Contractors (NAMC) plays an
active role in the recruitment and retention of
minority and female students, and promotes fel-
lowship, equality and professionalism among
all students. Membership is open to all building
construction students. One of the most impor-
tant goals of the NAMC is academic improve-
ment. To enhance the academic climate, the
NAMC provides tutors and incentives to moti-
vate students to excel in construction education.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
 The Construction Management Association
of America is the only construction association
devoted to promoting professional construction
management. CMAA is open to all students.
The student chapter sponsors guest speakers,
social gatherings, and presentation of papers at
regional and national meetings. CMAA has over
200 corporate members who specialize in con-
struction management and over 1,000 individ-
ual members who are construction managers.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CONSTRUCTORS
 The AIC student chapter is the entry level
into the American Institute of Constructors. AIC
promotes professionalism through education,


communication within the profession and estab-
lishment of ethical codes and rules of profes-
sional conduct. The student chapter promotes
these ideals through service to the school, uni-
versity and the community. Membership is
open to all building construction students. The
chapter takes monthly trips to the Orlando and
Tampa meetings to participate as a full member
in the chapter programs.
CHRISTIANS IN CONSTRUCTION
 Christians in Construction (CIC) was estab-
lished at the School of Building Construction in
1993. The organization sponsors guest speakers
from the construction industry. CIC has no
membership dues and is open to every student
who wants to put their faith into action within
the construction field.
Computer Policy
 Personal computer design, graphic and
operational competence is an essential compo-
nent of the contemporary professional environ-
ment. Appropriate related computer skills are
now required for most entry-level opportunities
in the construction industry. Course content
increasingly relies on student computer skills
and access to computers. While university com-
puter facilities are widespread, the demands on
these facilities are significant. Therefore, it is
strongly recommended that all students pur-
chase, lease or otherwise obtain continuing
access to a personal computer. Information con-
cerning appropriate computer hardware and
software may be obtained from the school.

Program of Study
 This four-year program for the Bachelor of
Science in Building Construction is designed for
students interested in professional careers in
construction management, techniques, opera-
tions and related areas in the construction
industry, which draw upon skills in communi-
cation and interpersonal relations, rather than in
architectural and engineering design.
 The freshman and sophomore programs of
study are designed to provide easy transfer for
junior and community college graduates.
Prospective junior and community college trans-
fer students should consult their advisers or
write to the School of Building Construction for a
pre-building construction program of local study.
 Opportunities for advancement and increas-
ing responsibility exist in all areas of the con-
struction industry, a few of which include land
development; home building; public building;
industrialized building systems; commercial,
industrial, marine and heavy construction;
underwater and space-age facilities; materials
and equipment sales and installations; and con-
struction product research, development, sales
and applications.
MAJOR: Building Construction
DEGREE AWARDED: B.S.B.C.
MINOR: No
TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 126