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.
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!