In the 1950s the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Institute of Architects began
campaigning for the creation of a school of architecture. At the same time, a UW System
committee was formed to consider the establishment of an architectural school at the
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The UWM School of Architecture (SAR) was established effective July 1, 1966. The program
included a four-year bachelor's degree and a two-year master's degree. The Board of Regents
appointed John W. Wade as the first dean of SAR, effective July 1, 1968. In April 1969, the
Board of Regents gave final approval to the curriculum and that fall, classes began at the
Extension Civic Center Campus.
In late 1968, the students formed a chapter of the American Institute of Architecture, and
in 1969, they published a formal newsletter called The
Perspective. Name changes include The Helvetica
Medium, and The Third Coast Review. In May 1970,
campus disruptions caused the closing of the SAR for several days.
The curriculum for the master's program was established in 1971, and in May 1971 the school
began admitting students. In May of 1972, SAR moved from the Civic Center Campus to Holton
Hall on the Kenwood campus. In spring 1973, SAR moved into Engelmann Hall. In June 1974, the
Board of Regents approved the establishment of a School of Urban Planning. Later that year,
the name of the school was changed to the School of Architecture & Urban Planning
(SARUP). Earlier that summer, SAR received initial accreditation from the National
Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB).
By the Fall of 1982, a doctoral program had been established for SARUP. The master's
program in SAR was approved for continuation by the Board of Regents in July 1983. As of the
1985-1986 school year, SARUP offered a bachelor's degree in architectural studies, a
master's degree in urban planning, a joint master's degree in architectural & urban
planning, and a doctoral degree in architecture. In 2013, the Department of Architecture
received approval for a second master's degree, an M.S. in Architecture.
School of Architecture & Urban Planning Deans
| 1968-1975 |
John W. Wade
|
| 1975-1982 |
Anthony J. Cantanese
|
| 1982-1983 |
Robert M. Beckley, acting
|
| 1983-1989 |
Carl V. Patton
|
| 1989-1990 |
G. William Page, acting
|
| 1990- |
Robert C. Greenstreet
|
