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FIU Trustees make Maidique President Emeritus
MIAMI (June 12, 2009) – The Florida International University Board of Trustees voted unanimously Friday to rename the institution’s southwest Miami-Dade County campus Maidique Campus in honor of Modesto A. Maidique’s 23 years of service as president of FIU.
Trustees also were unanimous in their decision to confer upon him the title of President Emeritus, citing his “dynamic and dedicated leadership”.
“For more than two decades, President Maidique has demonstrated his strong, passionate and unyielding commitment to FIU, leading this university’s historic transformation,” said Board of Trustees Chairman David Parker. “The board’s actions are an expression of our gratitude for his tremendous contributions to FIU and the community at large.”
FIU opened its doors in 1972 in the shadows of an old airport control tower in what eventually became known as University Park.
In renaming the campus, trustees highlighted Maidique’s contributions in transforming that abandoned airfield into a premier urban public research university. In more than two decades as president, FIU has tripled in physical size, from just a few structures to 109 buildings; doubled enrollment to almost 40,000 students; added 22 new doctoral programs and 18 undergraduate programs; and seen its endowment surpass $100 million and its research expenditures grow from about $6 million to nearly $110 million.
“Two decades ago, my dream was to transform FIU into a major urban public university,” Maidique said. “This university now has all the major components in place to join the ranks of the nation’s top universities. This honor is the pinnacle of this incredible journey.”
Under his leadership, the university also has established accredited the Colleges of Law, Engineering, Architecture and Public Health, all headquartered at the 344-acre Maidique Campus. In August 2009, the FIU College of Medicine, also housed at the newly named Maidique Campus, will welcome its first class of 43 students from a pool of more than 3,000 applicants.
“As a student, there will be no greater pleasure than to attend classes at the Modesto Maidique Campus,” said Student Government Association-Maidique Campus President Anthony Rionda.
Maidique will step down as president on Aug. 3 and will continue his service as a Professor of Management in the FIU College of Business Administration as well as Executive Director of the Center for Leadership.
A renaming ceremony will be scheduled in the fall.
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This is horrible news! How could they do this?!
While I do agree that Dr. Maidique is perhaps the best president FIU has ever had, I think renaming the campus will be a bit awkward. Couldn't they have names a building after him or something? I will continue to say "main campus" or "University Park" campus because saying "Modesto Maidique campus" is just too long and awkward for me
wow. i think this university needs to start choosing some neutral names for things. tired of seeing reagan, diaz balart, etc
Not that Maidique hasn't brought great things to this University, but I love the name "University Park" and its history. For God's sake, keep UP. This is a terrible name for our campus.
Oh no! Don't rename my campus! Roary weeps…
renaming the campus in honor of him ? after he converted FIU into little Dolphin mall ? they are dead right, FIU has now the major components : starbucks , Burger King, Subway, Pollo tropical, Salsa classes, ,etc etc. Good job Maidique, FIU now can compete with Dolphin Mall, International mall.
Why in gods name is changing such an important part of the university left to only the few. This should have been a decision based on a student vote. Again another reason FIU will never change. Cronism, nepotisim, and corruption.
This is absurd. No one is denying that he's done wonderful work for our school, but how is it that such a big decision could be made without even making students aware that this was up for vote? Judging by the comments made here, along with the rants and raves I'm reading on Facebook, it's clear that students are not happy with this decision. I'm finishing my time at FIU very soon and to me, it will always be UP.
HORRIBLE DECISION!!
HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE! You can't just change the name of the campus like that, NO WAY!
Bad decision!
Don't any of you understand a thing? If it wasn't for Maidique there wouldn't be FIU. It would still be a rinky dink litte school that noones ever heard of, which is exactly how the other universities in Florda wanted it. Maidique had the guts to stand up to the university community and to the legislature to grow this insitution to what it is today. As for student's getting to pick, um, what? Only the BOT has statutory authority under Florida state law to do that. That's how universities work. Also, there is no 'history' to University Park Campus. It was Main Campus, Tamiami Campus and South Campus before it was University Park. And to whoever is screaming about Reagan and Diaz Balart, the Graham center is named after a democrat, so stop complaning.
This is horrible, horrible, horrible! I could see naming a building after him, but not University Park! This is terrible. If you are on Facebook, please join this group "Do NOT rename FIU's University Park campus"
Our trustees cannot be trusted
Why do we keep changing everything about FIU that makes it a tradition. From the Golden Panthers to now the Panthers. From our mascot change and now Univeristy Park. Why can't we keep our Tradition? Seriously, this is the worse idea ever. Yes he has done great things, but naming a campus after him makes no sense. Why didn't we name it the Charles E. Perry Campus instead? Students are never included in these important changes. Students should have a say! Let's continue on and destroy the tradition and history of FIU. GO Board of Directors!!!
This is stupid..why would they change it..University Park Campus is more professional than Maidique Campus
This is ridiculous! How come they never told the student body about this change? President Maidique may have been the best President FIU has ever had yet, but c'mon! UP will always be UP in my heart! I'd rather read FIU-UP than FIU-Maidique campus.
Wasn't it his JOB to transform FIU? He was paid to do what he did. And with all of these budget cuts and threats to program closures, the Board of Trustees can justify the expenses that will be incurred to make the name change, such as new signage and printing of materials? This is absolutely ridiculous! Now we know what some of the tuition hike is going to be used for.
Although I greatly respect president Maidique and his vision, I don't think the name suits a university campus. I suggest naming the medical school building or even the business school building after him, not the entire main campus. With all due respect to every one involved in this decision, it's not the best sounding name.
The fact that we used to bad mouth our own school along with the surrounding nieghborhood and maybe the entire state of FL did indeed spark the nerve of President Maidique. So much that he worked very hard to bend the school to what it is today, working with students so that they may have pride in their educational pursuits(while trying to turn a profit that would supply ample funds for expasion and paychecks). In the prosess the school has become a more popular place. That being said his name on the school really does not bother me, I'm here to get my degree and move on to way bigger and better things. Till then just bask in the shadow of the monster that in now FIU. The nightmare begins…
is there any particular reason why this shouldn't be done? he is singularly the most important person in FIU history and will be for a very very very long time.
what a joke of a name…horrible knee jerk decision…
Any they wonder why alot of students are lacking school spirit… It should be atleast University Park / Madiqiue Campus. We should have some say
Everyone will keep calling it University Park Campus anyway.
People still refer to me as Panther Arena!
Take that, U.S. Century Bank (and Pharmed)!
While this may not please everyone, the reality is that the president and the people that surround him (faculty, admin, students, etc) made FIU what it is today. It was his VISION and LEADERSHIP that has allowed FIU to becoming a well respected university. Without this VISION, there would be NO FIU. Besides – look at other universities across the country and you will see that the naming of buildings/campuses is a normal thing. I bet YOU would want your name left behind as a legacy for others to be inspired and work hard to achieve the things that he did.
C'Mon guys! the campus name can be changed again in a near future! Plus, the name FIU M&M campus doest sound that bad.
Please, Mr. Maidique: Be Modest!!! Do not accept this brainless decision. University Park cannot be called Maidique Campus. It is not serious.
To everyone that is complaining about this name change, in particular the people who made negative comments about the name change, obviously dont know anything about the university and need to focus on their frustrations on making the university better, not bashing it.
So what if the name changed, the name university park has been around for less than 10 years, so when it comes to tradition, it is a bigger and better tradition to name the campus after the longest standing university president in the US let alone the state than sticking to a name that has no historical value
Whoever mentioned reagan and diaz balart having names havent you ever stopped to wonder why, i promise its not because someone was bored one day…read FIU history and you will realize that that honor came because of generous donations from Reagan and because diaz is a proud alumni and also a great donator to our university.
as for what the money alway goes to in FIU….it is by far the stupidest question of all….if you would know anything about budgets and allocations you would know that government funds plus other funds are all allocated to different parts of the budget, if someone donated millions to make a stadium yet programs are being cut, that money has to still be used for the stadium, the money allocated to programs in FIU comes from the governement, so if you are [upset] that your program was cut, talk to the state governer and the board of education….maidque has no control over that….if you are really concerned about where your money goes, you can see for yourself the university financial records, its public info and it is all there, audited and all…..so that assumption made that the BOT uses the money as they please to make new signs for the newly names campus is absurd
On that note, what is the deal with Maidque anyways, are you all not aware of what he did for this institution. FIU is recognized because of him…and now its up to you to continue his legacy, so instead of complaining and talking bad about the universtiy that gave you your title, start proudly representing, go to athletic games, participate in campus life, and become a proud panther!!!!!!! If you really care about your school you will support it and make it proud!!!
GO PANTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This President has brought FIU from obscurity and mediocrity to the cusp of greatness. He has almost single-handedly transformed a piece of alligator infested swamp-land into a viable, research institution that still serves the community. STOP HATIN on the PREZ!!!!!!!
I have a problem with the name change. Seriously, nobody – no legitimate school with thinking people at the helm name an entire campus after great figures. Just buildings arenas, scholarships and such. This worries me that there is this lack of judgement in the upper echelons of FIU. Mindless, Senseless, a setback for the school and the students.
Is anybody listening to the students? Did anyone think of asking them or the faculty? Evidently not. I agree with the students points: the name change undermines our attempts to establish traditions here – something the president has been big on for some time.
We all remember when the arena went from Golden Panthers Arena to the Pharmed Arena (though there was no attention given to the "un-naming" of it when the owners of Pharmed were indicted…..) I guess when it comes to tradition and it is your name being honored, all bet's are off… I think we could have named a building or center after Pres. Maidique and left the name of the campus alone.
Please don't change the name of the campus. There are plenty of other ways to honor Maidique.
Dear fellow students, honorably faculty, and sacrified staff of FIU:
We were dissapointed with the attitude of the present leadership. However, we know how hard you have worked to reach goals, and achievements. In exchange, we have received: tuition substantiate raise,not consistent with the actual economic situation; closing of several courses and the threat of future additional closing; raise in books and school materials; but not salary raise in faculty workers; no raise in benefits to them; dismissal of staff, surcharge of work to those which remain in place, and lack of salary and additional benefits. But more important, is the lack of recognition for the job well done for faculty and staff members. This situation could not be worse. But we have a hope. In a term of a couple of months, a new President with a new spirit, experience and willingness to work hard for our institution will arrive. Let him work, be patient with him, because he can't do everything at once. He needs more than patience, he will need our best efforts to help him do the best for our university. I mean, knowing his character, integrity, and viewpoints, I am plenty confident that a new era of progress and advancement is reserved to FIU. Then, and only then, we can make comparisons, and much better, give honor to whom honor deserves. Be patience, and enhance your spirits. Be positive and united like we were years ago, when all FIU's were considered to be a closed family.
JJMP
Colleague who mentioned Diaz-Balart. To my knowledge (I know a lot of Cuba History because I was born in 1939) Diaz Balart family were a hightly patriotic family who never did something wrong against the people, particularly the poors in their country. Years after the republic era, the youngers Diaz Balart followed up their family tradition in USA. They are the best examples of integrity, hard work, and humanitarian feelings like their predecesors. I can't accept without comment a probably mistaken opinion against them, because I witnessed from Lincoln particular gestures and actions in favor of great causes which I personally had to take part. I always remember Mario (who is an FIU graduated) being one of the most enthusiastic FIU students, displaying highest standards of conduct consistent with an FIU student. I think, we should not be confused. Diaz Balart never asked, nor enjoyed his name be given to any building, street, etc. Rafael was a courageous student leader in Cuba, an exceptional defensor of the people best causes, and a good father who knew educate his sons to the right way.Therefore, my colleague, it hurts me to disagree with your opinion. It could be a personality rejection due to a political reason, but otherwise, we can not misjudge them. Or accusse them of something inmoral or criminal. Than you,
Mercury 2009
Madique did MANY great things for this University and I doubt anyone responding to this article can dispute that (and those responding must really care about whats happening at FIU if they are reading the FIU News this closely). Like people have said before, there are many other ways we can honor President Madique, naming portions of the campus, i.e. streets or buildings after the great President, but naming the entire campus does hamper the traditions that are starting to form on the University Park Campus.
I agree with the vast majority of the FIU students, alumni, and faculty who have responded… please reconsider the change in the University Park campus name. Thanks.
This is wrong! They should not let University Park be renamed without asking the students!
Maidique has accomplished many, great things for FIU, indeed, but as a public institution, I'm not sure that is fair to name the entire campus after him. A particular building or program would have been a more appropriate way to remember him and his legacy.
Modesto A. Maidique got paid for his services, he got paid way too much many say. F.I.U. will become the laugh of the nation if nothing is done about this issue. F.I.U. faculty and students were not informed about this change, we will have a voice as this issue futher develops and escalates. F.I.U. South Campus is still knpwn as University Park Campus. All we owe Modesto A. Maidique is a Thank You and a Goodbye, no more and no less.
That Modesto Maidique has done much for the University there is no doubt. Nonetheless, it is quite lacking in taste to rename the main campus of a Public University after anybody including the soon to be President Emeritus. I hope President Maidique does what any person of integrity would do and reject the foolish decision of the trustees. It seems to me that the Board of the University does not care about what its esteemed faculty and students think. Will this be another negative blow for Miami?
Dear all students, faculty and staff:
I think the biggest issue here is the fact that there are people actually complaining about this. With every decision made comes a plethora of ignorant fools battling against it, this is no exception. If you have an issue with the name, keep on calling it UP, and move on with your life. Someone mentioned that no other university has campus names after people and that we will look like fools….that someone need to do some research, I can think of 5 universities off the top of my head that have campuses named after people, most of which are ivy league schools. More over, I think the biggest thing we have in our university that makes us look like fools is the fact that there is no school pride….instead of complaining about the university so much, join a club or an organization and do something about it, instead of wearing other school gear, start wearing blue and gold.
I find offense to those select idiots that think its cool to wear UM gear, when you obviously dont go there, or whats worse Harvard gear, or any university for that matter. Instead of writing and complaining about all these apperent horrible decisions made, take a step back and see how accomplished FIU has become and then reconsider your outfit selection in the morning.
Let me quickly address the budget cuts and program cut remarks. Please tell me you dont honestly think Maidique sat down one day and said…well i want to build this and that so lets cut all these programs to fund it….because then you are more [ill informed] than I thought. Here is a lesson in budgets….the state government along with private donors give money to the university, some of it is given to specific programs others are given to the university as a whole, in the beginning of the financial year, the money is distributed….by law, percents go to certain things to technically little to none of the money is left of whatever the president desires….not only that, but the president isnt the only one making that kind of decision, you have his cabinet along with the BOD and a whole bunch of other people
In conclusion, in good and bad, you are still associated to the university, i personally think this is a good change, but for all those who think its bad, regardless, its your university, and you should wear your blue and gold with pride, because ultimatly thats those are the colors that are written in your resume and diploma and what will get you to that job or grad program or anything in life for that matter.
RESPECT, LOVE, AND BE PROUD!!!!!!
TO FIU GUY:
I would like to comment on your "quite lacking in taste to rename the main campus of a Public University" statement……
lacking in taste? what i think is lacking in taste are the students of FIU that wear UM gear and find it funny to talk bad about the university every chance they get. What i think is lacking in taste are those students and sit there and say things like "well everyone gets into FIU, it was my third choice so whatever…." As put by Alumni in good or bad you should be pro FIU because thats what your degree and resume says and that in turn is what will get you to that job you want or grad program you want.
let me continue with your next comment and i qoute "It seems to me that the Board of the University does not care about what its esteemed faculty and students think." That is the biggest load of you know what i have read thus far….and there have been some big ones…..how can you sit there and type the board DOES NOT CARE, you are very mistaken, the person who doesnt care is you. I am almost 100% positive you are a commuter student that goes to class, complains about parking, complains some more, and then goes home. If you were to honestly take the time to see what a beautiful campus we have, what wonderful facilities we offer, and how many people would die to be a panther rather than you ungrateful person, you would realize that the board has nothing but love for their students and work countless days and nights to provide excellence. If that does not suit you, then consider transfering.
now for your last comment and i qoute "Will this be another negative blow for Miami?" key word here is another…..as in FIU has done something else to bring down miami's name. In fact, I would love for you to inlighten me with what those other things are…..the only thing i could possibly think of that could possibly go through your mind is the UM FIU game….and if this is what you are refering to I need you to read ever article that came out about it and come back to me with your comments, because FIU obviously did not start it and was the only team to dismiss the players that were involved (in self defense might i add) and penalize the team as a whole for the lack of sportmanship (again a lack that they were forced into)
I am currently a alumni of FIU and I have spent a good 20 minutes of my life I will never get back trying to explain to you along with the other non-rational students how beyond rediculous all these comments are. I am glad students are more aware of what goes on in FIU, and I cannot take your right to an opinion, but what i can do is offer so knowledge so the next time an opinion is fostered it can be backed up with something a little more than anger or whatever you have aganist FIU
Thank you
This was in the Miami Herlad's article concerning the name change (link to article at the bottom). Suspiciously it was left out of the News @ FIU article.
"David Parker, the outgoing chair of the FIU board of trustees, introduced the campus renaming idea Friday, while praising Maidique for “a remarkable job.''
''I know it may be controversial,'' Parker said. “But I really don't care.''
Not one trustee protested, though Parker was correct in predicting that others might react unfavorably to the news."
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/education/story/1095118.html
With people like that "leading" us its no wonder we are the laughing stock of the nation.
Pres. Maidique did do a lot of great things for FIU, but changing the name of the campus should not be changed for this. Naming a street or building or something else would be better. University Park is such a strong name as it it, why would anyone want to change it. I think that they should ask the students, alumni, and FIU community before renaming the campus.
To all those who posted comments and opinions… I like the healthy debate about the rennaming of the campus.
I think Maidique has done so much for the University. I'm a second year student in Engineering and there is a picture that reminds us
of what the University was when Maidique came in. In the ECS building is a aerial photo of FIU circa 1986. Literally there were like
8 buildings on campus with the ECS building and the CP building under construction. Look at how far we have come since 1986.
We have a college of Engineering, Architecture, Law, Medicine, on top of new departments and a more centralized focus. President
Maidique can be criticized for expanding too much too quickly for the University to sustain, but that can be debated another time.
I highly agree though with the trend of students wearing other schools gear. Seriously…stop being conceited [people] and start showing
some pride. Its really sad when more people wear UM/UF gear than actual FIU gear. Nothing against those Universities, but I do not attend those Universities and I like FIU. If you hate FIU so much, then apply to UM/UF and go where you gear represents. If you can't make it in or afford it then well tough luck. When my Father came to this country, when you graduated High school in Miami and you did not go to UM or UF, you did something called "getting a job". Stop being so ungrateful and stop complaining.
F.I.U. is corrupt, the business done here at F.I.U. is all corrupt. We are so deep in this corrution there is really nothing we can do. The rich gets richer, the poor get poorer. The issue at hand is not a lack of F.I.U. pride , its not renanming a campus….the issue here is corruption!
Traditions are things that don't start overnight. It's something that is done with repetitive acts over time. When things are changed around every other year (or whatever) it's hard to build any kind of a tradition. And without tradition, you also don't build the type of community spirit that many of the other Florida Universities have, like FSU & UF. Spend any time at any of those two campus' and you'll see a type of spirit, pride, and tradition that is lacking at this University. Granted, this University is a quarter of the age of the other two, but how can a community like FIU build any kind of spirit or pride when things are changed around like this?
I happen to like the University Park name. I love what Maidique has done for this campus, and I love that I was able to walk my graduation with him as speaker, but I don't think that it is in the best interest of our community to change the name of this campus.
Dear friends: Take this seriously: You could be a student now or an alumnae tomorrow. Both status will make you happy and proud of yourself. Our mother institution is FIU, and you will be proud of it. You can not experience these feelings, and be satisfied with yorself if you don't appreciate the role that FIU represented in your achievement. Think about your co-students, peers, professors, staff, and why not, the lower scale of employees. Think how beauty is our campus, buildings, and the fields. Think in what you earned here with sacrifice and effort, FIU has validated and recognized. You have to be proud of it. Don't ever feel defeated by any imperfections which could occur. Fight, raise your voice, complain, try to correct the mistake in the house, but never go further, I mean, outside, because above all this is our home. Our efforts must be constantly devoted to enhance the prestige of our institution. FIU belongs to us, and we belong to FIU. Again, remember your peers, professors, staff, and administrator faces. Thin in how many good times you have experienced, rise yourself, be a golden panther. Good Luck!
This is in such poor taste. Really. [comment edited] Do we REALLY want to rename the campus [comment edited]??
Dear friends: Take this seriously: You could be a student now or an alumnae tomorrow. Both status will make you happy and proud of yourself. Our mother institution is FIU, and you will be proud of it. You can not experience these feelings, and be satisfied with yorself if you don't appreciate the role that FIU represented in your achievement. Think about your co-students, peers, professors, staff, and why not, the lower scale of employees. Think how beauty is our campus, buildings, and the fields. Think in what you earned here with sacrifice and effort, FIU has validated and recognized. You have to be proud of it. Don't ever feel defeated by any imperfections which could occur. Fight, raise your voice, complain, try to correct the mistake in the house, but never go further, I mean, outside, because above all this is our home. Our efforts must be constantly devoted to enhance the prestige of our institution. FIU belongs to us, and we belong to FIU. Again, remember your peers, professors, staff, and administrator faces. Thin in how many good times you have experienced, rise yourself, be a golden panther. Good Luck!
JJMP
All I want to know where the voice of the students and/ or the alumni were in making this major decision. This whole fiasco, if you will, reveals three of the most outstanding legacies of the Maidique era: firstly, very few things are permanent around campus; secondly, FIU is not a democracy, but an autocracy, and students don't have much of a voice about changes like these; and lastly, no matter what you think about the man, Mitch "Modesto" Maidique's nickname definitely deserves a place among the highest ranks of oxymora.
I've read quite a lot if not all of the comments posted here. Firstly, I would like to point out that I'm definitely not a commuter student or one of those who wear gear that represents other schools (I could have barely afforded the one FIU hoodie that I do own). I also agree that President Mandique has done lots for FIU, evident by the drastic changes from the time he came in until now. I am a third year student here and frankly, they could have changed the name to the "Justice League Campus of FIU", I would still referred to it as "UP Campus". The only thing that bothers me is that they changed the name of the entire campus not just a building without informing the student body of the idea. And if David Parker, the outgoing chair of the FIU board of trustees really did say that he didn't care what we thought of it, I find that to be a little offensive on my part. All I'm saying, is without a student body (not to disregard all the other sectors that are equally as vital) a University is nothing so we should be given some sort of a heads up if nothing else!
But as a side note, if the incoming president does great things for the University, will FIU be changing the name of this campus or the BBC campus (which hopefully won't be left out of the limelight) to his name in the next 20 years?
Well that is all I have to say….See you all in Fall 2009 at University Park…I mean….the Modesto A. Madique Campus!
The campus should not be named after President Maidique. He may have accomplished several amazing goals for our FIU, but the campus should not be named after it. He didn't make so many wonderful things happen on his own, so are we going to add everyone else's names in renaming our campus? I don't think so. Leave it as University Park. It sounds better and is more respectable.
NO TO MAIDIQUE'S CAMPUS!
Why haven't the students been asked? This isn't a decisions that should have been made solely by the board of trustees. Name the new SIPA building after him! Or any other building after him.
Naming the entire campus after him is ridiculous and quite frankly very selfish.
I've read so many comments regarding this issue that it has become somewhat ridiculous.
We do have a voice on the Board of Trustees. That would be our SGA President. If he had some reservations or concerns, then he should have brought it to the Boards attention.
Other than that, I agree you can change the name as much as you want; it is still FIU – and I applaud Dr. Maidique's contributions over the years. Best of luck to him and best wishes to Dr. Rosenberg as he begins this new venture.
This is totally ridiculous. Students did not vote on this. This University is getting real corrupt. We all know the whole hiring process with a sham. And of course, our wonderful student government will not SAY A WORD. DO you know why? They won't say a word because ALL OF THEM are little brown-nosers. All they want to do is brown-nose and brown-nose the elites so they can have nice plush jobs when they graduate. They are all striving to lead this stupid ineffective self-serving and non-productive capitalist sytem.
I think that changing the name is utter nonsense. It should be left as is. We need to keep it simple because that name is way too long. I want to remember the campus for how it was when I was a student there.
This is a disgrace. This is reminiscent of a totalitarian regime like that in North Korea where all the buildings are named after KIM JONG IL.
It is inappropriate to name anything for a person that is still alive.
That being said, it shows how business in Miami is still done and how cuban americans ride roughshod over the
diverse communities in this city!
I do not dispute Mr. Maidique's leadership, but it is nonsensical to rename the campus just because he recently retired.
the fact that Rosenberg allowed this, shows gross lack of leadership!
Just rename the campus Fascist Campus. We already have a building after a corrupt Balart and Ronald Reagan. Reagan was a killer of indegenous people in Central America and Balart was tied to Batista and his minions. Maidique is just another one in the line of third world exploiters.
HEY ALL
I think this stupid little dispute should end once and for all, with that said, let me answer some doubts and concerns that fill these comments:
1. Students do have a voice, its called student government. If you have an issue, disuss it with them they will be able to help, or even better get involved and do something about it
2. Maidique being corrupt…whoever wrote that needs to go read a book because that man is far from it…if you have a problem with Regan or Balart…whatever, those are your political opinions, why do they have buildings named after them…well because they donated to the university….whether it be time or money they did, and so did Maidique and thats why he is getting this honor.
3. FIU the laughing stock of Miami? I dont know where you got that from….FIU has ranked and recognized programs, departments, students, alumni, and athletics…so if you for one second think that FIU is being laughed at..you need to go do some FIU research and come back with some solid proof of what exactly is being laughed at…from what i can see, the only thing worth laughing about, as to cry, is the student body that lives to complain and wear other universtiy gear.
4. FIU being the only university with a campus named after a person….now that is something to laugh at…once again, if you all are going to complain, you need a little more information than what she told him who told her who told me nonsense…..There are hundreds of universities, world wide, that have campuses named after leaders.
i would like to stress to students that college is the best years of your life, instead of finding something wrong and complaining all the time, make the most out of your years at FIU, you will regret it later if you dont. Go make friends, join a club, and do more than just sit home go to class and go back home. FIU has a lot to offer, and judging from all this creativeness, you have alot to offer to, so be productive and do something. I can promise you that if it is not the campus renaming something else is bound to tick you off and make you mad about FIU…like registars or financial aid….let me just say all schools are the same, no university is perfect, so instead of picking at it, help mend it….you may ask me why, well because at the end of the day, your diploma will say FIU on it, and your next employer wont care what the name of the campus is, they will care what you have done in your years there, what grades you got, and how you grew as a person….with that said, let yourself grow, help FIU help you and you will be successful.
That is all for me folks….I hope one day you will all see how bright us panthers are!!!!
In true FIU spirit,
Me
To James Baker, ethnicity is not the issue here.
To READ:
1. You say that student government is the voice of the student. I tried voicing my opinion on this matter with SGA, but their website doesn't even have the feature. Of course, I could visit the office in GC, but not everyone can visit them in their office anyway. So no, SGA isn't the voice of the students because it hasn't provided the proper channels to do so. FIU used to be a commuter school, but now it is run by Greek Life and students who live on campus, so it is that group of students who are getting their voices heard by SGA. you're advising us to do something about it? We are. Several students have written to the trustee members, we've created internet groups, and in case you didn't read the FIU News, there are almost 2,000 students rallying against this name change compared to the 200 siding with it (that we are aware of). As for our president, he is PERSONALLY supporting this issue, despite the fact that so many students are against, and he is aware of them. I don't want to call him out for being a typical politician, but it seems to be the case.
2. I agree that there are several individuals who have posted nonsensical information on this bulletin. I don't think Maidique is corrupt, I don't even know the man. You mentioned that he donated a lot of his time to our University, and this is the reason he is going to be honored with the campus-wide name change. To this I would like to say that he did not donate his time because he was paid for it, it was his job. I haven't read up on all of his accomplishments for FIU, but I guarantee you he didn't do them single-handedly. So my question is, if we change UP to MMC, will it also include the names of all of the individuals who helped him in changing our university? I don't think so. Not only is he still alive, he is still in office. Changing UP to MMC will put FIU in a bad light – it will show that those in upper management can do what they want, when they want. If we are naming the campus after him for all of his wonderful work, why didn't we change the campus' name after the first president who got UP started? Or after any other president who made great changes?
3. Again, FIU will be ridiculed for naming it's main campus after the current president, as mentioned in #2. As for the students who wear other college gear to school, I also find it very disrespectful to our school, but did you think maybe they attend undergraduate school there prior to coming to FIU? Or maybe a family member attended and gifted them the gear? Or perhaps it's laundry day, and they didn't have anything else to wear? There are so many possibilities that for you to bring it up is a little ignorant.
4. There may be other university campuses named after a person, but are those persons still the president of the university? Even so, just because one university did it, does it mean FIU has to?
5. Please don't disregard our comments, concerns, and beliefs and pass them off as "complaints". We are voicing our opinions, that is what we are supposed to do. the only complaint that most of us MMC-opponents have expressed is about not involving all of the students regarding this matter. We simply don't want UP to be MMC, not only for the reasons I posted today but because University Park sounds much better than Modesto Maidique's Campus. It is not HIS campus, he may have contributed a great deal to it, but so have others – they just didn't fight to brand UP with their names.
I look forward to your response.
To lisa Cardoso:
Thank you for your response…I am really glad you did so and I would be more than glad to answer back to all your comments.
1. Regarding student government. I understand you think you dont have a voice, that the campus is run by greek life, and that nothing can be done about management overruling students. I would like to take the time to point out that i am not greek, i was very much involved on campus, and if you wish to change this imaginary greeks rule it all thing going on in FIU, get your friends to join something and be that change. I am not sure why SGA has no link to refer students to when they are concerned or in need of some answers, that is one heck of a preposition you could propose to the current SGA president, Anthony. I assure you he is good people and he will be able to respond to your questions and take some action towards this link idea. You say there is no proper channels…but there are, just because they are not electronic doesnt mean they dont exsist. You could very well go to their office, there is always someone there in working office hours, and if it is directly to the president you wish to speak to, you can set up a meeting with him. There is also comment boxes throughout campus where you can leave comments and suggestions regarding FIU…SGA collects these comments daily and answers to them accordingly. I am glad you are doing something about it, creating groups and writing letters, however please note that 2,000 students that have showed their disapproval is a meer 5% of the entire student population (which is currently at around 40,000). There is no way you can sit there and say that management and SGA and FIU as a whole doesnt care for their students just because 5% of the student body cant change a trustee course of action. Now if 40% or more of the student population were against this….ok….I would agree with you and be upset at management….but 5%…come on! I know this might be going through your head, so i will address it now….regardless of if the other 95% are pro or indifferent, they are not against it…so even if you know for a fact only 200 agree…which is one heck of an assumption, the other 37,800 students dont care, making indifference the majority, which means, why is this even an issue when the student majority couldnt care less.
2. I am glad you agree with me and the "nonsensical information on this bulletin". As for Maidique and the donation of his time. I understand he was paid, and that this was his job. However no where in his job discription did it mention half of the stuff he has accomplished. I am glad you admitted to the fact that you dont know all that he has done, I need you to google him and find out that way you understand where i am coming from. Let me give you a great example, Mother Theresa was honored with a Nobel Peace Prize for her work in India, yes it was her job, she did get paid (nothing compared to Maidique but still, she was in a mission as a nun and that was her job). She did not win this prize because she did her job, she won because she went above and beyond. She took her job to the next level, she did not just work, she formed a way of life, and because of that she is honored, respected, and is one of my role models and to many of us, our hero. Now dont go saying how can this writing compare Maidique to Mother Theresa, I am not, I am just saying there is a difference between what one does between the hours of 9-5 and gets paid, and what one does additionally for the love of their work. There is no argument that Maidique loved FIU and still/forever will!
Now as for the single handedly thing you mentioned…you are right, he might not have been alone in all his accomplishments, I am sure he wasnt, however that has nothing to do with the campus getting a name change. All great leaders have a right hand man/right hand team beside them, yet for good and bad it is the leader who will get the recognition or the blame. If you are angry about that…well that is a whole other bag of issues….take for example any one of our past presidents….Bush will do, Bush didnt sit in his room one day and decide everything he has decided for the past 8 years, he has, like all leaders, a group of people who tell him and advise him. The final decision is said and made by the president, that is why you see all the bush jokes and bush bashing on the news, because he opened his mouth and declared war, not bob smith in the back. For the rest of American history, people wont know or study or remember 15 or so names of bushes closest team and advisories, they will remember just one name BUSH. Here in FIU it is the same, I am not going to remeber our board of trustees, I am going to remember Maidique.
Along with googling Maidique, I need you to also google FIU history. You will find answers to all your questions regarding names of buildings and honors bestoyed upon people and why. To specifically answer your question of the first president and why he is not the campus name…i will tell you why, by the time Charles E. Perry left office, the biggest honor that could of been bestoyed, and was, was naming the first building in FIU, where all offices where located, along with all graduation ceremonies because it was the only big enough space, Primera Casa, Charles E. Perry Building. Note that everyone still calls it PC….just like i assume everyone will still call the campus UP, however that name is there, it is in the front of the building for all to see.
3. I need further information as to why FIU will be ridiculed…where are you getting this information from. I can only guess you are saying this because you are upset about the name change, because there is no reason, correct me if i am wrong, from any newspaper, magazine or anything state or nation wide saying how nuts FIU is for this name change….I mean seriously, do you honestly thing that in the news something like "In recent news more troops have been sent to Iraq, steady progress is said to be made, more on this after the break, also local public university, FIU renamed their campus to the recently retired Modesto Maidique, Miami is at a state of shock, more on how this will affect the state of Florida and their credibility as a university. Lets check in with the weather, Stacy "…"Thank you Bill, that is some alarming news, FIU who would have ever though, ok well we will be seeing some showers……"
Going on with my apperently ignorant comment about other university gear, you know what you are right, maybe just maybe its laudry day, or a gift, or from their previous university they attended. However I think the ignorant one here is you for even thinking that! I mean come on, do you think it was a coincidence the day UM beat FIU that people were rocking UM gear. Or whenever UM has a game on Saturday, come Monday people are rocking the UM gear. Tell me something, because I am sure you have not been to other universities or else you would have not made this comment, universities like UF who pride themselves with their university and their accomplishments, something i wish FIU would do more of, if you step into that campus with anything but UF gear or normal everyday gear they will seriously give you dirty looks and more than one will approach you. I was in a conference up there, rocking the FIU, FIU isnt even a direct competitor in any way shape or form, and i was getting all sorts of looks, two people approached me, and it wasnt until i arrived at the conference location and saw other people that i felt safe…..at the end of the day i wasnt pissed off at them, i was jealous, i wish FIU would do that….I wish someonw would dare walk into GC with some other gear for everyone to pounce on them ….I WISH!!!!! that day will soon come though, it will be that day, when people give dirty looks to other gear that FIU will finally be seen state and nation wide as the top university I always known it has been
4. I like this comment, and to it i say, your right, just because other universities do stuff doesnt mean FIU has to too. I dont think the board changed names because other universities did so, I think they did it because they wanted to honor the man that made FIU what you see today….and what better way to honor him than to name the campus that he made after him. I mentioned the fact that other universities do it to is because some other person made a comment regarding the fact that FIU will be seen as fools because no one does that kind of thing….little do they know, other universities actually do
5. I dont even know where to begin with this last one…..let me start by apologizing for calling your concerns complaints…you have all the right to voice concern and i am glad you have done so, we need more students like you and the other 1999 that care enough about the university to discuss it. There is no arguement there. I just wish to point out that along with your concerns, you should also be able to listen to the responses that have been made regarding your concerns to find a proper solution or answer to the problem. With that said i hope that my answers have helped you better understand this campus name change situation. I would be more than glad to hear your response to the matter. Let me just comment on that last thing you wrote….that the other people that helped make FIU what it is didnt work so hard to brand their name on the campus…..I think you wrote that out of God knows what and didnt think that one through…..because you and I both know that this was not Maidiques idea, he was given this honor by the board of trustees, the current president approved of it, so did our SGA president and that is that.
Please take into consideration all that i have mentioned, please let me know if something was left unsaid….
Thank you and I too look forward to your response
To READ:
"this was not Maidiques idea, he was given this honor by the board of trustees, the current president approved of it, so did our SGA president and that is that".
Of course the current president would approve of the name change. Maidique is the current president. Until August 3rd Maidique is the president of FIU. Instead of telling everyone to google FIU and its history maybe you should use google to verify who the current president is before submitting your comment (or you can actually read the article at the top of this page).
I would like to point out that the displeasure that is being voiced over the name change should be directed at the Board of Trustees since they introduced and unanimously approved the measure of renaming the campus. The SGA president is on the Board of Trustees so if you're a student against this name change I would suggest sending your message of disapproval when the SGA elections are held.
I agree that it is questionable whether a whole campus should be named after a living person. We are still too close to all that Maidique accomplished to be objective. That being said, I have some other points to bring up,
Firstly, why should the students be consulted? They should have a voice in matters that concern their education, but not in what amounts to the legacy of the University. If current students would be able to weigh in, there would also have to be provisions made for all alumni and then also for each incoming class that might want to make a change. That is what the Trustees are there for.
If a corporation wants to change its name, it does not poll its workers (past and present), the Board votes on the change. Even the stock holders are not consulted.
My second point – how many times has the name of the North Miami Campus been changed? It has been Interama (the name when I attended) , Biscayne Bay and too many others to remember. To myself, and to many other older alumni, the two campuses will always be known as FIU North and FIU South.
One other point. To people other than the FIU family- do any of them know the names of the campuses? To the world at large, we are known only as FIU.
Doesn't it cost money to change the name of an ENTIRE CAMPUS??? (new signs, catalogs, posters, stationary, etc)
And clearly, money is something that FIU does not have!
An Afterthought…….. Do you know what really stinks? That the BOT is honoring Maidique's accomplishments and he spent so much time building up FIU and here we are downsizing it. We already cut about 20 programs last year, 11 this year, along with cheerleaders, etc etc. Times are rough, Our Prez worked hard for FIU and a lot of that work seems to be going down the drain. Well, except for the medical school, they seem to be doing fine…… So many problems, so little solutions!
I wonder how many students are applying to FIU compared to the last years? Cuz with decisions like these I know that high school students on not impressed!
I am really frustrated at the people responsible for making our comments oficial on this website…I have posted up my comments in respond to Mr, Miss or Mrs. READ comments made on "-June 29th, 2009 at 5:49 am " . My comments were DELETED on FIVE seperate occasions!! To READ or any other individual who wish to read my comments please go to the following webpage http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/wall.php?id=117… , scroll down to July 8, 2009 11:11pm-11:12pm.
I just approved your last comment. The reason that your comments would not make it up before is because they contained obscene or profane language and some of them constituted a personal attack on an individual.
To EDUARDO MERILLE (Author),
I appreciate you "approving" my last comment. I cleaned up my comments a lot I think but it still wasn't good enough for you, I was not aware you had to approve our comments…if I had known this then I would not have posted any comments at all! no hard feelings ;). I did not attact Mr. READ, I simply gave him a reality check. What I said about SGA is all true and as far as Modesto Maidique, everything I said about is not far from the truth…not far at all! This will be the last comment I will ever put up on this website…..cheers
Departing FIU President Modesto 'Mitch' Maidique might get $100,000 bonus
FIU President Modesto 'Mitch' Maidique, who is leaving Aug. 3, might see his final bonus jump from $50,000 to $100,000.
By LUISA YANEZ
lyanez@MiamiHerald.com
A money crunch has state schools facing program cuts and enrollment caps, but on Thursday, some Florida International University trustees recommended doubling a bonus to its departing president.
In his final job evaluation, Modesto ''Mitch'' Maidique received a ''superior rating'' from the board's compensation subcommittee, which then moved to recommend that his bonus be upped from $50,000 to $100,000.
During his 22 years as president, Maidique, 69, raised money, grew programs and oversaw the creation of both a law and a medical school.
He made $478,000 a year.
Under his current contract, Maidique, whose last day on the job will be Aug. 3, was to receive a bonus of “at least $50,000.''
The wording gives the board the option of increasing that amount.
To honor Maidique, the trustees have also decided to rename FIU's University Park Campus after him, a move that angered some students who launched a campaign against it on Facebook.
Maidique's entire bonus would not come from FIU's $630 million operating budget, but from the FIU Foundation.
''The committee has recommended that Dr. Maidique get a $100,000 bonus,'' said Maydel Santana-Bravo, spokeswoman for the school.
“But the measure still needs the approval of two boards — the full board of trustees and the foundation's board.''
Both are scheduled to meet in September and a final decision will be made then on whether to increase Maidique's bonus, which could be paid out over two years.
FIU, like other universities, took a 15 percent reduction in recurring general revenue from the state, representing more than $20 million.
Austere times have impacted FIU.
The school's cheerleading squad, recently cut, was just rescued.
Also on the chopping block was the religious studies program, which is being resurrected with the help of the Dalai Lama, who donated $100,000 to the effort.
1) We hope to see you on Monday, August 3 between 3pm and 6pm at the 16th Street /107th Ave. FIU entrance.
2) We also hope that you will encourage all your friends that are/were/or will be FIU students to join Say No to Maidique's Campus at http://www.notomaidiquescampus.com/
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Take Three Concrete Actions Online:
Encourage friends to become members of "Say No to Maidique's Campus"
at http://www.notomaidiquescampus.com/
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION! THANKS!
http://www.petitiononline.com/FIUUP01/petition.ht…
Vote UP on The Beacon's UP vs. Maidique's Campus poll. The poll is on the bottom left on The Beacon's homepage.
http://fiusm.com/