Future of Florida International University

[Meph]

Originally Posted by MIAballinboi

rendering of the med building
http://media.collegepublisher.com/me...s/3exau4bt.jpg

Really nice.

Though parking will become an even bigger problem.

[Hia-leah JDM]

It actually looks perfect for an american soccer team, and does look like it'll be a great football stadium, the seats are real close to the field.

Just wondering, when will the stadium be complete, and when does the second phase which I guess would add a second tier start.

[DGM]

It is college football... having seats close to the field is a good thing. It gives the home team a home field advantage, and FIU could really use a home field advantage.

[spellbound]

Why would they add a second tier? Even the Hurricanes struggle to draw a decent crowd for all but the biggest games and I can't see where FIU would have any reason to justify the expense involved. A smaller, more intimate venue would seem to fill their needs very well.

[Aceventura]

Seats can't be too close or the soccer field will not be wide enough. Many college stadiums can't host soccer games because of this.

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by Aceventura

Seats can't be too close or the soccer field will not be wide enough. Many college stadiums can't host soccer games because of this.

The stadium is being built to accommodate MLS standards. They're doing it that way just in case they get the MLS team. Personally, I think FIU Stadium is a perfect venue for MLS, seeing as the Marlins stadium is going to be expensive enough, I think we should FIU Stadium for more than one use.

[PeterSmith]

There was a ceremonial groundbreaking for FIU's new medical school building held last Thursday. I have no idea when actual construction will begin or where the exact location of the building is going to be, but at least this is one step forward.

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by PeterSmith

There was a ceremonial groundbreaking for FIU's new medical school building held last Thursday. I have no idea when actual construction will begin or where the exact location of the building is going to be, but at least this is one step forward.

Nice, I was wondering what that white tent was. Nice to know construction is set to begin on the Med School. Thanks for the info.

[PeterSmith]

No problem. Here is some more interesting information - not about FIU, but I picked up the info at an event during FIU's EarthWeek, so I'll share it here:

"Designing Green Competition
Saturday April 26, 11am-3pm
Gwen Cherry Park
2591 NW 71st St.

The Partnership for New Hope, a project of the Miami Workers Center, and the United States Green Building Council are joining forces to host a design competition. Green designers from across Florida will be re-designing the demolished Scott Carver Homes; bringing back 850 homes with community and environmental health as a priority. Come be a aprt of the excitement as we kick off the competition with a walk-through of the Scott Carver site. We will have a picnic and there will be a space for residents to give feedback to the designers about what you want to see developed at Scott Carver."

Should be cool if anybody wants to check it out...

[PeterSmith]

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miam...ry/497301.html

FIU planning layoffs to save money
FIU laid out a detailed plan of how it will cope with deep budget cuts from the state Legislature. It involved layoffs and program cuts.
Posted on Wed, Apr. 16, 2008
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BY OSCAR CORRAL
ocorral@MiamiHerald.com

Florida International University is planning to lay off up to 200 people, shut down several academic centers and eliminate degree programs in a sweeping shake-up triggered by severe budget cuts from the state.

For the first time in recent memory, next year's freshman class at FIU will be smaller than the previous year, even as the number of graduating high school seniors swells. FIU's academic centers are being told that if they don't raise their own money they'll have to shut down.

''There has been nothing like this before,'' said FIU President Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique, who has been president for 22 years. ``This is the worst budget year in our history.''

Public universities across the state are coming to terms with the squeeze in funding from Tallahassee, which FIU officials believe could continue through the 2010-11 academic year.

The cutbacks mean fewer qualified high school students will have access to Miami-Dade's only public university; research projects will be eliminated or drastically reduced, and students will pay higher tuition.

Also, FIU will likely eliminate or outsource services such as construction management, real estate development and e-mail support. Provost Ronald Berkman said layoffs will likely affect mostly support and administrative staff, but even tenured professors could lose their jobs if the university decides to eliminate entire programs.

The final decision on the cuts will be made by the school's Board of Trustees in June, but the university laid out its working plan at a meeting Monday, angering several professors who say the moves will trigger a brain drain and leave the school in worse shape.

''By cutting the higher education budget this way, the Legislature is eating the seed corn for tomorrow's industry and tomorrow's business in Florida,'' said Grover Larkins Jr., director of the Future Aerospace Science and Technology Center for Space Cryoelectronics, which may be eliminated.

``I don't know why this is going on. We don't cost the university anything. The only thing we cost them is the telephone in every office.''

Other centers and institutes proposed for immediate closure include Economic Research and Education, Health Research and Policy and the Institute for Children and Families at Risk.

Additional centers that may be phased out over the next two years include the Center for Labor Research and Studies, the Institute for Public Opinion Research and the Eugenio Pino & Family Global Entrepreneurship Center. The Cuban Research Institute faces a 20 to 25 percent budget cut.

''It's a major disappointment and a real surprise because we receive no funding from the university,'' said Brad Bennett, director of FIU's Center for Ethnobiology and Neutral Products, which faces immediate elimination.

``It really befuddles me that the university would do that. I certainly will start eyeing the job market. I spent six years working on this; now it's for nothing, apparently.''

The center specializes in researching the medicinal qualities of plants used by indigenous people worldwide. Bennett, who is a tenured professor and won't be laid off, said his center survives completely on grants and would save almost nothing for the school if shut down.

The schools of law, business, engineering, architecture and the arts all face budget cuts of between 12 and 15 percent, according to a preparation given by FIU's administration Monday.

There may be fewer slots and majors available for students in journalism, engineering and architecture.

There is one likely growth sector: campus police. Maidique said national tragedies like last year's Virginia Tech massacre have influenced schools across the country to beef up on security.

FIU Provost Berkman said the school was beefing up security even as crime rates on campus are declining because of a fear factor.

[AddictedToSpace]

We need to shrink are over grown education system. These centers of education are draining our precious war funding. Please I beg you to contact your congressman and ask them to please stop funding silly things like schools, police and roads.

[Desiderata]

It's sad. My brother was affected by the budget cuts, and was asked to start in the summer as opposed to the Fall.

War > Education

Definitely signs that our civilization is or has crumbled.

[AddictedToSpace]

This is how it all makes me feel.

[kevinkagy]

It's really, really sad that across the country education and public services are being cut for this stupid war that no one wants to be in anyways. Education is the foundation of our country's future and the stupid Bush administration can't see that. We won't always be able to attract foreigners to take our jobs, it's all going to come bite us back in the ass ten times worse.

[dave8721]

Actually this one falls more in the lap of "Rubio wants to be a famous politician". These are due to Rubio's tax cuts. The herald reported the Road Rangers program is being done away with as well. Not to mention the massive education cuts from the state.

[spellbound]

We can support all these worthwhile things like schools, parks, transit, and urban infrastructure without any of those silly "taxes."

All it takes is a magic wand, some pixie dust, and a complete detachment from reality. Hasn't this administration proven that yet?

[PeterSmith]

I went to my girlfriend's graduation from graduate school this morning at FIU's arena. In one of his speeches, President Maidique mentioned that the Florida Department of Labor is moving its operations to FIU and will be housed on two floors of a brand new $27.5 million building.

[kevinkagy]

Green Library


The Cube



School of Architecture (designed by Bernard Tschumi)


Chemisty & Physics


Health & Life Sciences/ College of Medicine


Owa Ehan


Engineering & Computing Sciences


Graham Center



Primera Casa



Deuxieme Maison and University Park Towers (dorms)


Pharmed Arena


Rec Center


Everglades Hall (dorms)


University Park Towers (dorms)


Lakeview Hall (freshmen dorms)


Frost Art Museum


Main entrance


Deuxieme Maison

[Aceventura]

Kevin, they are not dorms, they are residence halls. (Sorry, the ex-RA is coming out).

[kevinkagy]

Originally Posted by Aceventura

Kevin, they are not dorms, they are residence halls. (Sorry, the ex-RA is coming out).

Haha, true! You were an RA at FIU?!