College of Business: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Important Site Links

Office of Real Estate Research

Purpose

The Office of Real Estate Research, which was created in 1980, has three primary functions. First, it encourages research by UIUC faculty on issues related to real estate. Second, it provides copies of previous papers from its paper series and of the Illinois Real Estate Letter through its final issue of the spring/summer 2002. Third, it promotes the ongoing development of real estate education at UIUC.

The Office of Real Estate Research is a part of the Bureau of Economic and Business Research which conducts research and compiles data on economic issues, including real estate, and publishes the Illinois Business Review, the Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, and the Illinois Statistical Abstract. In addition, the Bureau helps UIUC faculty members identify and apply for external research support.

 

Illinois Real Estate Letter

From its first issue in summer 1987 through the farewell issue of spring/summer 2002, the Illinois Real Estate Letter provided thought-provoking commentary, stories on new developments affecting real estate, analysis of Illinois real estate markets, and candid interviews with experts who shared their views on current and sometimes controversial topics. The Illinois Real Estate Letter also carried news of campus events; activities of Rho Epsilon; and announcements of upcoming events of interest to University alumni, members of the real estate community, and professionals in related industries. At its peak, the Illinois Real Estate Letter had an audience of approximately 5,000 readers.

For summaries of representative articles see:

Faculty

The University of Illinois real estate faculty bring to the classroom a variety of backgrounds and viewpoints. Their interests cover the diverse aspects of real estate. Some devote full time to the academic life of teaching and research, while others divide their time between the campus and the professional world. What these outstanding individuals share is a dedication to providing students with excellent learning opportunities in real estate at the University of Illinois.

Career Information & Planning

The College of Business Career Services Office provides placement services for students completing undergraduate or graduate degree programs, and for university alumni as well. Increasing numbers of firms in the real estate industry are making contact with students through the Office. The Office of Real Estate Research maintains a Job Book containing a list of employment opportunities in the real estate industry. The Office of Real Estate Research encourages employers seeking to fill positions in real estate-related areas to submit notices of position openings for publication in the Job Book. Submit such notices directly to professor Cannaday at rcannada@uiuc.edu.

The University of Illinois has a student organization for students interested in real estate careers called the Rho Epsilon Real Estate Student Association. This career-oriented organization provides real estate students with the opportunity to meet with experienced professionals, to discuss job opportunities with representatives of employing organizations, and to network with recent graduates and with others embarking on careers in the real estate field.

Alumni of the university who end up in real estate related positions in the Chicago area are encouraged to join the Illinois Real Estate Alumni Forum which fosters networking among UIUC alumni in the real estate industry and with current UIUC students. Go to www.uire.org for more information.

Current UIUC students interested in careers in real estate are encouraged to participate in the mentorship (job shadowing) program offered by the Eisenberg Foundation. Go to www.eisenbergfoundation.org for more information.

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Financial Assistance (Most application forms are available at Rho Epsilon meetings on the UIUC campus)

The Morgan L. Fitch Scholarship fund was created in 1981 to honor the memory of Mr. Fitch, a Chicagoan who became one of the nation's most prominent real estate industry leaders. Each year at least one scholarship is awarded to a UIUC junior, senior, or graduate student concentrating in the real estate area in Finance. Each award is at least $2,000. Students who apply for the Fitch Scholarship may also apply for two other scholarships on the same application form, the Thomas F Seay Scholarship for $2,000 and Academic Scholarships for $1,000 from the Illinois Real Estate Educational Foundation (IREEF). The application form is available at http://www.ilreef.org/Scholarship%20pdfs/Academic_Scholarship_8-30-07.pdf Deadline is April 1 each year (to have application to IREEF).

The SIOR Scholarship is awarded each year to the most outstanding UIUC undergraduate in Finance with a concentration in real estate. The Chicago chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) provides funding for this scholarship. The amount of the award for 2007-08 is $2,500. The deadline to apply for 2007-08 is November 2, 2007.

The CCIM Scholarship is awarded by the CCIM Education Foundation to a UIUC junior or senior who has a record of high academic achievement and who intends to pursue a career in commercial-investment real estate. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually. Applicants for the CCIM Scholarship will be automatically considered for the First Site Scholarship. Application forms are available, and deadline to submit is, sometime during Fall Semester each year.

The First Site Scholarship is awarded by First Site, Ltd. to a UIUC junior or senior who has a record of high academic achievement and who intends to pursue a career in commercial-investment real estate. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually. Applicants for the CCIM Scholarship will be automatically considered for the First Site Scholarship.

The Eisenberg Foundation Scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior majoring in Finance with a concentration in real estate in the UIUC College of Business. The amount will adjust each year to cover tuition for a Fall and Spring Semester for a senior in the College of Business who is an Illinois resident. For the 2007-08 academic year, the amount is $7,620 and the deadline to apply is September 28, 2007. The Foundation was established in honor of the memory of Harold E. Eisenberg, a UIUC alumnus who was a well-known real estate developer and educator.

Appraisal Institute Scholarships
Any students interested in careers in real estate appraisal are encouraged to consider applying for scholarships from the Appraisal Institute; see http://www.appraisalinstitute.org/education/scolarshp.asp The amount is $2,000 for undergraduate students and $3,000 for graduate students. Application forms should be available at the above site after December 2007; deadline to submit application is March 15 each year.

Scholarships for Female Students Only

Female students interested in careers in real estate should consider applying for the following scholarships:

CREW Chicago Scholarship for $3,000 for female juniors, seniors or graduate students with a major or concentration in real estate or related fields. Applications are available starting in March with a deadline of Sept. 28 for the ensuing academic year; see http://www.crewchicago.org/givingback_scholarship.asp

Real Estate Finance Forum (REFF) Scholarship for $2,500 for female juniors, seniors or graduate students seeking a business degree with an emphasis on real estate related subjects. Applications are available online at: http://www.reffchicago.com/id47.html . The deadline is Nov. 15 each year.

 

World Wide Web Links

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How to Contact Us

Phone: (217) 333-2278
Fax: (217) 244-3102
E-mail: orer@uiuc.edu

Snail mail:
      Office of Real Estate Research
      140A Wohlers Hall
      1206 S. Sixth St.
      Champaign, IL 61820

 

 

 

UIUC College of Business