|
Post by FIUFan on Nov 14, 2005 8:41:38 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by FIUFan on Nov 14, 2005 8:44:54 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by FIUFanatic on Nov 14, 2005 13:15:13 GMT -5
You are right about the difference in style between the Orlando newspaper writer (from the Tallahassee Bureu) and The Miami Herald reporter, who in his quest for "objectivity", comes across more negative than positive, pointing out, right out of the bat, the supposed cost of the programs over a 12 year period. Obviously, a point well taken, and, I agree, a point he wanted to make early in his article....(agenda?).
Why don't these writers support more openly, like Orlando-area writers do with UCF, our proposal? It's mind boggling and bothersome, but I know our leadership will keep plugging along until we get that Medical Schools approved and running.
Also, a positive, maybe.....about our low profile in fundraising is not a sign of weakness...Here's some excerpts from The Miami Herald article:
|
|
|
Post by Steve on Nov 14, 2005 14:41:39 GMT -5
For a writer to support more openly, they would have to support the initiative themselves. The consistant message I have gotten from the Herald is that the medical school would cost too much to not only taxpayers, but students as well. It just seems like they are searching for every possible reason for us not to have a medical school rather than actually looking at the benefits. Its almost as if every positive point made is considered a claim.
I know there are some FIU alumni who write for the herald, I would love to see them write something positive about this.
|
|
|
Post by FIUFan on Nov 14, 2005 16:42:02 GMT -5
They said the same thing about the Law School, not to mention the spin they put on us starting up a football team.
So the question then becomes which 'community' are they supporting? Cause they sure as heck are not supporting the local, Public university. Seems pretty hypocritical of them don't you think.
For the most part, the Medical School will train and keep more local students here in the S. Fla community, yet our local paper is against it. Contrast that with the 'private' medical school around here who will basically enroll anybody from anywhere who'll pay their tuition.
I honestly don't understand it. You can't read a negative word about that 'white elephant' (a.k.a. the Performing Arts Center) they're building next to the paper but ohh do they hate the Airport. They editorialized about how important the .005 cent tax was for UM/Jackson and the Public Trust but ripped our Film Festival at every opportunity.
So for them not to support the Medical School really does show the colors of those running that paper. I hope the people of this community are taking notice because it's a real shame what they are doing over there.
|
|
|
Post by PantherGuest on Nov 15, 2005 8:52:51 GMT -5
One word for you....racism.
|
|
|
Post by FIUFan on Nov 15, 2005 10:06:40 GMT -5
More interesting hyperbole from the Herald (from yesterday's article) v. other media outlets: Advocates for new medical schools in Miami and Orlando will take a critical step this week when two public university presidents formally seek approval for new programs that together will cost taxpayers an estimated $500 million over the next 12 years.In other words, they want the kind of money it takes to build a new baseball or football stadium. Now compare that with this statement from the Tallahassee Democrat today: Though both universities have said they would raise most of their construction dollars privately, both would need close to $100 million from the state over 10 years to start up their programs.www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/opinion/13166170.htmAfter awhile you begin to see that there is not only an agenda but there is outright misrepresentation of the facts to embolden there position. I mean you're basically talking about a $300 million overstatement. Why Herald? Why?
|
|
|
Post by Xpedition on Nov 15, 2005 10:24:16 GMT -5
Someone else mentioned racism and it wouldn't be far-fetched. FIU is a mostly hispanic university. Regardless of motivation, there is an undeniable bias.
|
|
|
Post by Steve on Nov 15, 2005 10:59:11 GMT -5
I don't buy the racism excuse in Miami... and I definately won't say the Herald is racist here... in fact, I would presume that the staff of the Herald is predominantly hispanic, much like most of the Miami area. I think it may have more to do with personal biases towards FIU.
|
|
|
Post by FIUFanatic on Nov 15, 2005 11:10:59 GMT -5
I, too believe it's mostly a thing of personal, or editorial bias, more so than anything. I would say that still the majority of people in The Herald, and other so called "Miami establishment" have their personal bias aligned towards the more "established" institutions, thereby relegating and/or minimazing whatever FIU sets out to do.
You don't have to be a cheerleader of your "hometown" university, but at least be prudent with the use of your facts....However, why don't we get writer "cheerleaders" like UCF gets from Orlando area writers and FSU got from Tally area? That irks me....
|
|
|
Post by FIUFan on Nov 15, 2005 11:37:23 GMT -5
Well at least we all agree that there is a problem and we aren't trying to make up some conspiracy out of thin air. I just think the Herald is 'Old'. It has its old friends and its old ways of doing things. Perhaps with the sale of its parent company ( www.nytimes.com/2005/11/15/business/media/15paper.html ) the old guard over there will be broken up and a new, more representative culture will take hold. But don't hold your breath; just remember where they're coming from every time you read one of their articles.
|
|
|
Post by Xpedition on Nov 15, 2005 11:38:33 GMT -5
You don't need to look far for "cheerleaders." The Herald has plenty for UM. Just about any advancement at UM or potential advancement is a big story at the Herald. FIU's are completely minimized, if in the paper at all. Nevermind the enormous amount of positive things FIU does for this community. The latest and greatest Flood Zones in SFla and the building codes were devised at FIU (FIU's Int'l Hurricane Center). Even little things irk me. Ever notice when they announce the hurricane center on tv or in the paper it's always "in West Miami Dade?" When it was across from UM, they'd say, "at UM." I think only 1 tv station uses "at FIU."
And if you don't think there's racism down here just because of the large amount of hispanics you're incredibly ignorant. Miami has always had large racial tension and to this day still does. Look back a few years ago to the Elian fiasco. The town was divided along racial lines. You don't even need to go back to the riots.
FIU is in a low to mid middle class hispanic neighborhood. UM is the rich kid in a very white-centric part of town. So don't kid yourselves.
Shoot, even FAU gets some decent press in the Herald. They're in Boca - a mostly white and upper class town.
Now, is the race and class card justified at the Herald? I have no idea but I stand by the fact that it's not far-feteched. Even if not a conscious thought: more often than not people do prejudiced things without even realizing it. Just because it's subtle, doesn't mean it's not true.
Anyway, it could be as simple as many of the folks at the paper having UM degrees and realizing how quickly FIU is dwarfing their precious school. We all know UM will accept anyone willing to shell out 20+k a year. At least we were smart enough not to kill ourselves in loans and get a better education anyway.
Regardless, the fact is they don't acknowledge the good the university is doing and focus solely on the negative aspects. This is alarming, it borders on hate.
|
|
|
Post by FIUFan on Nov 15, 2005 11:50:25 GMT -5
I, too believe it's mostly a thing of personal, or editorial bias, more so than anything. I would say that still the majority of people in The Herald, and other so called "Miami establishment" have their personal bias aligned towards the more "established" institutions, thereby relegating and/or minimazing whatever FIU sets out to do. You don't have to be a cheerleader of your "hometown" university, but at least be prudent with the use of your facts....However, why don't we get writer "cheerleaders" like UCF gets from Orlando area writers and FSU got from Tally area? That irks me.... Fortunately we live in a Democracy and a few egg heads in an ivory tower don't set policy for the entire community. We've taken our lumps over the years (don't even get me started on Elian) but we've managed to come out better and stronger. We have strong (and getting stronger) political leadership in the State, Congress and even U.S. Senate. I think those at the Old Herald see the writing on the wall and they are doing their best to hang on to the past. We just need to keep doing it right and things will take care of themselves.
|
|
|
Post by FIUBlue82 on Nov 15, 2005 13:17:57 GMT -5
I agree that the Herald leans more to the established universities. However, at the risk of sounding as if I am defending them, they DID support FIU's push for a medical school: health.fiu.edu/download/Herald%20Jan%2024%20editorial0004.PDFFIU has it on its medical school website under the archives section: health.fiu.edu/ (See the link that says "A boost for Florida's health and economy") No, I am not defending them completely because I do understand that they give more credence and attention to UM. I know they neglect in covering anything truly positive for FIU. For example, when is the last time they did a story on the growing number of prominent alumni from FIU? Danny Pino stars on CBS' Cold Case every Sunday night. But you would see a UM grad front and center in such a visible role. Also, they ARE mostly graduates from the University of Miami or other institutions and NOT FIU. In the sports section, their two most notable writers are from UM and FAU - Dan Le Batard and (God awful) Greg Cote. The FIU writers have yet, but someday will, gain a level of prominence there. Until then, FIU just has to MAKE THEM TAKE NOTICE. Gaining the approval of a medical school can do that.
|
|
|
Post by Steve on Nov 16, 2005 0:12:52 GMT -5
There are several writers that are fairly prominant that are FIU grads. Included is the recipient of two pulitzer prizes, Liz Balmaseda. She is just a start... there are several other writers for the herald who are FIU grads... this leads me to think the problem may actually be the editorial staff.
|
|