FIU delegation heads to Tallahassee to bring attention to legislative issues that affect the university

As the Florida House and Senate mark the start of the 2011 legislative session this week, Florida International University will host FIU Day in Tallahassee on Wednesday, March 9, to bring attention to issues that impact the university.

Florida International University President Mark B. Rosenberg, FIU trustees, student leaders and faculty members will travel to the State Capitol to meet with legislators and advocate for the university’s legislative priorities. FIU Day, a  decade-old tradition, began as a way for students and the university community to engage with lawmakers and voice their concerns about the issues that affect FIU.

The FIU delegation is scheduled to meet with Cabinet members, House and Senate leaders, and lawmakers from South Florida and Broward.

“FIU and our state universities are research and innovation engines that hold the key to Florida’s economic recovery and growth,” Rosenberg said. “We are asking our state legislators and Governor Scott to maintain current levels of funding, which would be an investment in Florida’s future.”

FIU’s top legislative priorities for the 2011 session include:

Sustain state investment in FIU to support economic recovery and produce an educated workforce

• Maintain current funding levels for university programs to support more than 44,000 FIU students (state universities have seen a 23 percent reduction in state funds to base budgets since Fiscal Year 2007-08).
• Minimize impact on faculty and staff salary and benefits reduction (state employees are facing the fifth year in a row without a state-funded pay raise). 

Secure Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds

• Maintain FIU’s infrastructure funding at $2.6 million.
• Continue development of a Student Academic Support Center at $7 million.

Keep Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine on track

• Fund fifth year of 10-year implementation plan with $2 million in recurring state dollars.
• Continue enrollment growth with 80 new medical students in the fall.

Support for New Florida Initiative

• Support Board of Governors’ initiative to build and expand a knowledge and innovation economy by providing $150 million.
• Fund FIU’s share at $14.8 million for the Wertheim College of Medicine, Knowledge & Innovation in Health & Environment, Access through Growth, Integrated Student Services, Community Engagement.

Media Contact: Maydel Santana-Bravo at 305-348-1555.