Post by FIUFanatic on Oct 10, 2005 14:11:48 GMT -5
Pretty interesting to get some insights into the University's President and his views of what needs to be accomplished. Obviously paramount to FIU's immediate future is the establishment of a full fledged Medical School.....He is also quoted in the Beacon paper as saying a renovation and expansion of the football stadium as one other priority!!! Also, the College of Law success was evident as 74% passed the bar exam on their first try...one of the highest in the state in FIU's first ever try!!!
Also, the fact of a record number in terms of donations to FIU: $39 million, of which $20 came from an anonymous person!!!!! I have a feeling this has to do with the Medical School or the Football Stadium
Also, we have more than 37,000 students now officially, as he is quoted!!!! Talk about growth!!
Here's the link:
www.beaconnewspaper.com/media/paper540/news/2005/10/10/News/Maidique.Delivers.State.Of.University.Address-1015427.shtml?page=1
Also, the fact of a record number in terms of donations to FIU: $39 million, of which $20 came from an anonymous person!!!!! I have a feeling this has to do with the Medical School or the Football Stadium
Also, we have more than 37,000 students now officially, as he is quoted!!!! Talk about growth!!
Here's the link:
www.beaconnewspaper.com/media/paper540/news/2005/10/10/News/Maidique.Delivers.State.Of.University.Address-1015427.shtml?page=1
Home > News
Maidique delivers state of university address
President discusses hurricane relief efforts, medical school proposal
By Ian Nathaniel Cohen / Staff Writer
Published: Monday, October 10, 2005
A medical school proposal and the progress of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts were just two of the issues raised at university President Modesto A. Maidique's annual State Of The University Address, delivered October 6.
"We're getting better every day, and I'm very proud of what we have accomplished," Maidique said in his speech at the Graham Center auditorium, which was also broadcast live to the Biscayne Bay Campus.
Maidique cited the expansion of the Honors College, the establishment of the new College of Law and its rapid ascension to the ranks of the state's best law schools.
Other signs of growth: The opening of a new national resource center for National Studies through the Center of Transnational and Comparative Studies as evidence of growth.
Most importantly, the Board of Governors will hold a vote Nov. 17 on approving the establishment of a School of Medicine - a day Maidique described as "fateful, second only to the founding of the university" in its importance and prospective impact.
If the Board approves, the School of Medicine is scheduled to open in 2008.
Maidique expressed cautious optimism that the vote would succeed and stressed the need for success, citing the importance not only to the university, but also to South Florida.
"The South Florida region is underserved in the medical area," Maidique said. "Eighty-five percent of our doctors are out of state or international."
Other projects in the works include renovating and expanding the football stadium and the construction of a new social sciences building as well as a molecular biology building to serve as cornerstones for the new medical school.
Maidique also acknowledged the challenges facing the university.
"We've much to be proud of, but we've also experienced difficulties in the past year," he said, citing difficulties with PantherSoft implementation and "woefully inadequate" state funding.
According to Maidique, the state legislature funded only 55 percent of what the Board of Governors requested for FIU enrollment.
The university expected to add almost $13 million to its base budget, but got only $7 million.
Maidique decried the fact that the money had to come from increased tuition costs.
"Raising tuition is not the way to make ends meet. Let's face the means to make a commitment and not continue to balance the budget on the backs of the students," he said.
Yet Maidique also praised the record number of donations to FIU: $39 million in cash gifts, cash pledges and commitments, including $20 million from an anonymous donor, the president said.
Regarding the 2005-2006 academic year, Maidique cited the implementation of new academic programs as well as problems caused by the largest freshman class in FIU's history, such as overcrowded classes.
"Our total enrollment now exceeds 37,000, of which we have more than 5,000 graduate students," Maidique said. "We're offering 5,750 different courses this Fall, and have hired almost 60 full-time faculty members. Unfortunately, they're all new faculty. We really need 60 new faculty members, not just replacements for ones who have left."
Maidique cited FIU's efforts in aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina: The university has raised approximately $16,600 to date for hurricane relief; the number was expected to rise.
The money will be donated to the University of New Orleans.
Concluding on an elegiac note, the president called upon the university wide community to help FIU fulfill its destiny.
"We are imbedded in a community that is clearly rising, and we must continue to rise with it. I am confident that we have the talent amongst our students, faculty and staff to make it happen," Maidique said.
Reactions to the address were overwhelmingly positive from students and staff alike.
"He certainly addressed an area that we are always concerned about, and that is raising money and making sure that we are continually able to increase those numbers," said Sumner Hutcheson, associate vice president for development in the University Advancement Division.
"It was what I'd hoped it would be in terms of its comprehensive nature," said junior Randy Mora. "It spoke to all the interested parties."
Maidique delivers state of university address
President discusses hurricane relief efforts, medical school proposal
By Ian Nathaniel Cohen / Staff Writer
Published: Monday, October 10, 2005
A medical school proposal and the progress of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts were just two of the issues raised at university President Modesto A. Maidique's annual State Of The University Address, delivered October 6.
"We're getting better every day, and I'm very proud of what we have accomplished," Maidique said in his speech at the Graham Center auditorium, which was also broadcast live to the Biscayne Bay Campus.
Maidique cited the expansion of the Honors College, the establishment of the new College of Law and its rapid ascension to the ranks of the state's best law schools.
Other signs of growth: The opening of a new national resource center for National Studies through the Center of Transnational and Comparative Studies as evidence of growth.
Most importantly, the Board of Governors will hold a vote Nov. 17 on approving the establishment of a School of Medicine - a day Maidique described as "fateful, second only to the founding of the university" in its importance and prospective impact.
If the Board approves, the School of Medicine is scheduled to open in 2008.
Maidique expressed cautious optimism that the vote would succeed and stressed the need for success, citing the importance not only to the university, but also to South Florida.
"The South Florida region is underserved in the medical area," Maidique said. "Eighty-five percent of our doctors are out of state or international."
Other projects in the works include renovating and expanding the football stadium and the construction of a new social sciences building as well as a molecular biology building to serve as cornerstones for the new medical school.
Maidique also acknowledged the challenges facing the university.
"We've much to be proud of, but we've also experienced difficulties in the past year," he said, citing difficulties with PantherSoft implementation and "woefully inadequate" state funding.
According to Maidique, the state legislature funded only 55 percent of what the Board of Governors requested for FIU enrollment.
The university expected to add almost $13 million to its base budget, but got only $7 million.
Maidique decried the fact that the money had to come from increased tuition costs.
"Raising tuition is not the way to make ends meet. Let's face the means to make a commitment and not continue to balance the budget on the backs of the students," he said.
Yet Maidique also praised the record number of donations to FIU: $39 million in cash gifts, cash pledges and commitments, including $20 million from an anonymous donor, the president said.
Regarding the 2005-2006 academic year, Maidique cited the implementation of new academic programs as well as problems caused by the largest freshman class in FIU's history, such as overcrowded classes.
"Our total enrollment now exceeds 37,000, of which we have more than 5,000 graduate students," Maidique said. "We're offering 5,750 different courses this Fall, and have hired almost 60 full-time faculty members. Unfortunately, they're all new faculty. We really need 60 new faculty members, not just replacements for ones who have left."
Maidique cited FIU's efforts in aiding the victims of Hurricane Katrina: The university has raised approximately $16,600 to date for hurricane relief; the number was expected to rise.
The money will be donated to the University of New Orleans.
Concluding on an elegiac note, the president called upon the university wide community to help FIU fulfill its destiny.
"We are imbedded in a community that is clearly rising, and we must continue to rise with it. I am confident that we have the talent amongst our students, faculty and staff to make it happen," Maidique said.
Reactions to the address were overwhelmingly positive from students and staff alike.
"He certainly addressed an area that we are always concerned about, and that is raising money and making sure that we are continually able to increase those numbers," said Sumner Hutcheson, associate vice president for development in the University Advancement Division.
"It was what I'd hoped it would be in terms of its comprehensive nature," said junior Randy Mora. "It spoke to all the interested parties."
