The Studio Culture Policy invites students, teachers and administrators to have a positive attitude, act with transparency, enthusiasm, ethics, respect, commitment, and work for their personal enrichment, creativity and innovation.
Transparency: The studio transparency policy has been put in place to enable students to evolve in an open atmosphere and at the same time to be aware of the available options on one hand and know their responsibilities and rights on the other.
Enthusiasm and positive attitude: USEK community members are all expected to collaborate in creating an optimistic atmosphere. The power of positive thinking being fundamental to entrepreneurial cravings, USEK insists on maintaining a constructive environment.
Respect and ethics: USEK members are all expected to respect both outside and inside environments. We are keen on treating USEK community members equally and courteously and we encourage the respect of dignities, of diversity, ideas, philosophies and feelings. This concept discards all aspects of discrimination including religious, political affiliation, gender, race, etc.
Creativity and innovation: USEK promotes research because it believes it widens horizons and enables more creativity. Diversity and interdisciplinary projects through which students augment the acquired skills are robustly encouraged and supported by USEK members.
Personal enrichment: Personal enrichment is a combination of open and active dialogue within the studio. This practice enhances clear and coherent thinking. By openly sharing opinions and critical thought, students develop rational judgment and will be easily able to lead a constructive discussion based on rationality, knowledge and respect.
Communication: Developing communication skills is helpful on different levels. It develops an aptitude for public speaking, which is crucial for conveying ideas; it also helps enhance dialogue through healthy discussions, critical thought and coherent interactive speeches.
Self-reliance: USEK helps students to develop their independence, and to develop constructive discipline; once it becomes a habit the quality of their work will undoubtedly improve considerably.
Time management: Students are coached to manage their time through learning to respect deadlines, and organize their tight schedule.
Leadership: Teaching the qualities needed for leadership is part of USEK’s culture. Architecture students are taught to be able to recognize values and priorities, to estimate the expectations and work accordingly, and to be able to provide a productive and less stressful atmosphere in their working place, and finally to build the trust and confidence between themselves and their work team.
Commitment towards the community: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2: 4
Developing this commitment towards the community is one of USEK’s major concerns as it is part of its mission. Hence, the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts provides the opportunity to work with neighborhood groups, with NGOs, and to get involved with community services and take humanitarian action in many forms.
Healthy lifestyles: Health and wellbeing is strongly valued at USEK. Good eating habits, regular sleep and physical activity, as well as reasonable and properly organized breaks are all promoted. Students are encouraged to acquire a balanced lifestyle, such as avoiding smoking and learning how to control their stress levels.
Studio: The studio does not only refer to some courses, but also to the physical space where students in architecture spend a lot of time. This is why this space should be as comfortable and inspiring as possible. USEK architecture students should feel a sense of belonging and preserve it, and have memorable times with classmates with common interests.
Security: Students are all accountable in contributing in the safety of their classmates. Thus, they shouldn’t bring arms or use toxic or flame-heating devices. They should also be cautious in using electrical extension cords. Students are expected to participate in making their studio safe from all kind of threats, intimidating or hostile material or manners, on both physical and psychological levels.
Students are required to respect the furniture and equipment. They should also help keep the space clean, and avoid all kind of graffiti, souvenir engravings, spraying, painting, gluing and writing on equipment, furniture, chairs, doors, walls and floors, or any other kind of vandalism. They are also expected to protect the tabletops, when needed, with cutting mats, and to always think of other students who will use the same material when they are done.