Find out everything you need to know to navigate the new academic year, whether you’re an incoming freshman or a returning Panther.
FIU’s faculty and staff are poised to welcome an anticipated 46,000 students to the university Monday, Aug. 22, for the first day of Fall 2011 classes. Among this record-high enrollment are 2,337 students who comprise the fall Class of 2015 – freshmen Panthers.
University leaders planned for this historic growth by hiring a total of 133 new faculty and advisors this summer. FIU’s physical infrastructure grew as well, with the announcement of off-campus sites on Brickell Avenue and South Beach to better serve students. The new sites expand FIU’s reach in the community and complement the university’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC), Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC), the Engineering Center, Broward Pines Center and The Wolfsonian-FIU museum.
Here some important dates to keep in mind:
- Fri.-Sat., Aug. 19-21: Official housing move-in
- Sun., Aug. 21: Last day to add courses without incurring a late registration fee
- Mon., Aug. 29: Last day to add/drop courses
- Mon., Sept. 5: Labor Day (FIU will be closed)
- Fri., Sept. 16: Last day to withdraw from the university with a 25 percent refund of tuition
WOW time
Fall 2011 actually will begin for FIU’s freshmen on Sunday, Aug. 21, when they are officially welcomed into the blue-and-gold family during the traditional Freshman Convocation ceremony at the U.S. Century Bank Arena at MMC. FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg will host a welcome barbecue at his home on campus after the ceremony.
Freshman Convocation is a highlight of the university’s Week of Welcome (WOW), eight days of events (Aug. 19-26) that officially mark the beginning of the semester. Activities range from a Student Government Association Field Day and Panther Rage Fall Sports Kickoff at MMC to a Freshman Luau at BBC.
Panthers with questions may find answers at various campus locations at both MMC and BBC, where volunteers will man Ask Me tables set up Aug. 22-23, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., in the Graham Center and AC I, respectively.
Here are some of the Welcome Week events happening at both campuses:
- Mon. Aug. 22, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., GC Lawns, MMC: SGA Field Day
- Tues. Aug. 23, 9 a.m.-11 a.m., Panther Square, BBC: Blue & Gold Breakfast
- Tues. Aug. 23, 7 p.m., GC Lawns, MMC: Greek Welcome BBQ
- Wed., Aug. 24, 6 p.m., GC Ballrooms, MMC: Student Programming Council Comedy Show
- Thurs., Aug. 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Panther Square, BBC: Freshman Luau
- Thurs., Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Housing Quad, MMC: Trail of the Torch
- Fri., Aug. 26, 3 p.m.-5 p.m., Blue/Gold garages, MMC: Panther Rage Fall Sports Kickoff
- Fri., Aug. 26, 5 & 8 p.m., GC 140, MMC: SPC Movie Night: Fast Five
For a complete schedule, call 305-348-2138 or click here.
What’s new?
There’s an app for that – and by that we mean FIU.
The FIU Mobile app is now live for iPhone, giving students and faculty/staff access to a wide array of university services from anywhere.
The Android and BlackBerry apps will be coming soon as well.
Among the other new services available to both students and faculty/staff is the FIU One Card.
This new card is the official FIU on-campus ID card, which also doubles as an ATM/debit card for on- and off-campus purchases.
All students must carry a new FIU One Card. To switch out for the new card, bring your old PantherCARD to the new FIU One Card office in PG 100 at MMC or WUC 143 at BBC (the old PantherCARDs will be recycled).
Also noteworthy is the recent Golden Panther Express Shuttle fare increase, which will impact those students who use the service to travel between MMC and BBC for class. Beginning Aug. 22, the new one-way trip fare will be $2.50, up from $2 (this increase is the first since 2006). Services, though, are also being upped: Passengers will able to use Wi-Fi en route, and security cameras will be installed on the shuttles to enhance the safety of students and faculty/staff.
Coming up on (and off) campus
As the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the community is invited to come to campus and participate in the week-long series of events FIU will host to commemorate the date.
The university, through the Office of Global Learning, has organized a program called “Unity/Diversity: Reflecting on the Meaning of 9/11.” Highlights of the events scheduled for that week include an art exhibit by Italian-born artist Arianna Caroli at the Frost Art Museum and select locations at MMC Sept. 5-11, a commemoration on Sept. 9 in the GC Pit, and an evening of Sufi music, poetry and the dancing of the whirling dervishes at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center on Sept. 11. Click here to view the entire schedule of events.
The Frost Art Museum’s Target Wednesday After Hours will be back on Sept. 7 to mark the opening of this fall’s faculty shows. The Sept. 21 event will be part of the Meet & Mingle Series and feature chats with FIU Art & Art History professors Mette Tommerup and Bill Burke of the “Tipping Points” exhibition.
For more information on these and other upcoming events at the Frost, call 305-348-2890.
Meanwhile, at The Wolfsonian-FIU in Miami Beach, there will be book club meets (Sept. 9 it’s all about Twilight at the End of the World: Genius, Madness, Murder, and the 1939 World’s Fair on the Brink of War by James Mauro).
The museum also will host a screening of the 75-minute 1989 Harun Farocki film Images of the World and the Inscription of War on Sept. 11.
The Wolfsonian will close out September with a talk by former Sen. Bob Graham. A two-term Florida governor and a senator for 18 years, Graham also is an author and will discuss his suspense novel The Keys to the Kingdom at the museum on Sept. 24.
For more information on these and other upcoming events at the Wolfsonian, call 305-535-2644 or email programs@thewolf.fiu.edu.
There’s no place like Home(coming)
Of course, the most fun is always had at home, and this fall FIU promises to go all out for Homecoming 2011 Sept. 25-Oct. 1.
Ever wondered what it would be like “If Roary Ran the Circus”? Well, guess what – you can find out if you join in on the fun as that’s the theme of 2011’s festivities.
Among the highlights? A Homecoming concert featuring Grammy Award winner Lupe Fiasco and Tinie Tempah at FIU Stadium Sept. 25. Click here for tickets.
The traditional voting for Homecoming King and Queen Sept. 29.
And, on the big day Saturday, Oct. 1, the 2 p.m. Homecoming Parade at MMC, followed at 6 p.m. by the FIU-Duke game on Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium.
Up for a show?
FIU Theatre and FIU Music will kick off their fall seasons in September. The former will start with a production of Swimming in the Shallows (Sept. 23-Oct. 2), while the latter will hold its first event, a Faculty Recital Series featuring songs and chamber music by Brahms, Oct. 8. Performances will be held in the Herbert & Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center at MMC.
Later in the fall, FIU Theatre will stage The House of the Spirit, based on the novel by Isabel Allende. That production will run Nov. 11-Nov. 20.
Roar with FIU
On an athletic note, the Panthers are back.
Following their best season yet in 2010 and their Little Caesars Bowl win, the FIU football team will hit Alfonso Field at FIU Stadium more pumped than ever and looking to defend its Sun Belt championship this fall.
The first home game, which happens to be the season opener, is set for Sept. 1 against the Mean Green of North Texas (students get in free by showing their FIU One Card) and the game will air on ESPN3. FIU will have seven of its first eight games on national television – so Panthers across the country will be able to watch all the excitement, too.
Students who attend all six home games will be eligible to receive a free replica of FIU’s SBC Championship/Bowl ring.
The women’s soccer schedule includes 11 games now that a match-up against Florida Tech has been added to the team’s calendar. The girls open at home Aug. 21 against the University of Florida, while their male counterparts will play 11 games at home starting Aug. 26 against Nova Southeastern.
After a sixth-consecutive winning season and third-straight 20-win campaign a season ago, the FIU volleyball team is poised for more success in 2011. The team will open at home on Sept. 9 and Sept. 11 against Tulane and Florida A&M, respectively.
The swimming & diving team will hit the pool for 12 of 13 regular season meets in their home state, and host at BBC’s Bay Vista Aquatic Center on six occasions.
Remember, FIU students may attend any home games free of charge with a valid FIU One Card. Friends and family may call 1-866-FIU-GAME or click here for tickets and information on fall sports.
And just like last year, students attending FIU Athletic events throughout the year will have a chance to win prizes by building up Panther Points. Prizes up for grabs in 2011 include HDTVs, iPad 2s, iPods and laptops. The fall raffle will be conducted later this semester, at the men’s basketball game Dec. 3, so don’t miss a single one of FIU’s games!
Important Links:
Office of the Registrar: MMC – 305-348-2320; BBC – 305-919-5750; Broward Pines Center – 954-438-8600
Cashier’s Office: MMC – 305-348-2126; BBC – 305-919-5540
Parking and Transportation: MMC – 305-348-3615; BBC – 305-919-5558
Students may now order their parking decal and pay/appeal student tickets online.
Decal enforcement will begin on the first day of the 2011 Fall Semester.
GreenRide Carpool Program: FIU’s GreenRide Carpool Program encourages students to reduce the number of times they drive alone to campus each week.
Public Safety: Police dispatchers are available to take your emergency phone call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
MMC: 305-348-5911
BBC: 305-919-5911
MMC Public Safety
Offices located in PG5; 305-348-2626
BBC Public Safety
Offices located in the SO II; 305-919-5559
“FIU Alerts!”
“FIU Alerts!” is an emergency notification system that will notify registered users of emergencies occurring on or near FIU campuses using text messages sent to the user’s cell phone.
The system, formerly known as Panther Alerts, no longer supports a portal page that allows users to register themselves. Registration to the system for students will now be done during online class registration.
Faculty and staff must notify their human resources liaison if they wish to register with the system or contact the Department of Emergency Management directly at 305-348-0670 or by emailing ryang@fiu.edu.
MMC Bookstore: 305-348-2691 (also for information on the bookstore at the Broward Pines Center)
BBC Bookstore: 305-919-5580
Libraries: Green Library at MMC – 305-348-2451; Glenn Hubert Library – 305-919-5718; Broward Pines Center Library Liaison – 954-438-8608.
Rec Centers: MMC – 305-348-2575; BBC – 305-919-5678
Campus Shuttles: There are two shuttles that travel between campuses: the Golden Panther Express, which travels between MMC and BBC, as well as the CATS shuttle, which travels between MMC and the Engineering Center.
Golden Panther Express tickets are $5 per round trip. Tickets must be purchased in advance. The CATS shuttle is a free shuttle. Click here for more details for schedules of operations.
Finally, as a student at FIU there is a lot you can do to become involved.
There are many extracurricular university activities to help you enrich your time at FIU, including more than 100 student clubs, an intramural sports program and an ever-growing Greek presence, just to name a few. Here are some useful telephone numbers to keep in mind:
- Campus Life Information Hotline: 305-348-2137
- MMC Campus Life Office: GC 2240 at MMC, 305-348-2139
- BBC Campus Life Office: WUC 141 at BBC, 305-919-5804
- Broward Pines Center Campus Life Office: 954-438-8633
- University Health Sciences: UHSC at MMC, 305-348-2401
- University Health Sciences: Student Health Center (next to the Glenn Hubert Library) or WUC 307 at BBC, 305-919-5620
- FIU Alumni Association: MARC 510 at MMC, 305-348-3334
- Greek Affairs: GC 2240 at MMC, 305-348-2138
- Hertz on Demand
- Intramural Sports, 305-348-1054
- Kayak on the Bay at BBC, 305-919-4701
- Panther Safety Tram: 305-348-6173
Students may subscribe to the SPC Text Message System and receive updates, announcements and special offers from the Student Programming Council. Just text “FIUSPC” to 41411 (standard text-message fees from your carrier apply.)
The phone number for information on Intramural Sports is (305) 348-1054. Information is also online at recreation.fiu.edu/IMSports.