President Rosenberg praises funding for FIU projects in state budget

Florida International University President Mark B. Rosenberg on Friday praised the inclusion of several crucial Florida International University projects in the state budget signed by Gov. Charlie Crist that had earlier been approved by the State Legislature.

The budget included $17.6 million for a Student Support Complex that will consolidate admissions, financial aid, advising and veterans’ services for FIU students. Another $3.5 million in funding also was provided for an FIU Neuroscience Center that would meet critical needs in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, research, and education for chronic diseases such as  Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The budget also included $1.6 million for the Stocker AstroScience Center at FIU, funding that will complement an $800,000 gift to build a four-story astronomy observing platform that will benefit 700 students, expand teaching facilities and allow increased community outreach programs. Despite these successes, some projects related to university infrastructure and the Miami-Dade County Health Department were not approved.

 “We are thrilled that funds for several key FIU projects were included in this year’s state budget,” Rosenberg said. “The Student Support Complex will help us carry out our mission of keeping students at the center of everything we do. The neuroscience center will help us advance medical research and improve the lives of the many people affected by these neurological diseases. We are grateful for the support of our state legislators, who recognized that projects like these are critical to our ability to give students the skills they need compete in the global marketplace and, in the process, help our region play an important role in our state’s economic recovery.”

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Media contact: Madeline Baró, 305-348-2234.