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In June 1999, to help advance FIU's goal of attaining Research I university status, Steve Sauls, vice president of University Relations, and Tom Breslin, vice president of Sponsored Research, organized the University's first federal relations office in Washington, D.C. Securing additional federal funding is critical to achieve Research I, and an ongoing presence in the nation's capital helps make this possible.

To secure federal funding for research, more and more universities across the nation are opening offices in D.C. or using governmental relations firms for their voices to be heard in Congress.

Housed in the offices of the prominent law firm of Long, Aldridge and Norman LLP, the D.C. federal relations team is led by Randy Nuckolls, FIU's Washington counsel and partner in the firm, and Mercy Viana, an FIU alumna. Nuckolls has more than 20 years of experience working with higher education institutions on matters before Congress and federal agencies. Prior to entering private practice, Randy served for six years as chief counsel and legislative director for Georgia's senior Senator Sam Nunn.

"Clearly, I see the potential of FIU as one of the nation's premier research universities," Nuckolls said. Our role is to help FIU to achieve this goal by pursuing additional federal funds and expanding its research portfolio."

Viana received a bachelor's degree in political science from FIU and a master's in public administration from George Washington University. Before accepting her current position, she worked with Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Andersen Consulting.

"I was motivated to work for something I believe in - my alma mater," Viana said. "We have a great university in our own backyard, and we want the world to know who we are. I am fortunate to be working with a fine group of professors, administrators and a supportive congressional delegation."

1999 Achievements

The FIU team serves as a facilitator between the University and the federal government, helping the University's research centers and professors market their technical expertise to federal agencies and Congress.

Last year, with the help of Congresswoman Carrie Meek and Appropriations Chairman C.W. Bill Young, FIU was earmarked $2.5 million in the FY 2000 budget for the Windstorm Simulation and Modeling Program managed by the International Hurricane Center (IHC). FIU also received a commitment from Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson to renew and expand the Department of Energy's partnership with FIU's Hemispheric Center for Environmental Technology (HCET). Because of its accomplishments, the Center will continue to receive $5 million per year for the next five years. The expansion includes an additional $2 million per year to train minority students in the areas of engineering and the sciences. With the support of the South Florida delegation and Senators Bob Graham and Connie Mack, the team also secured a grant for the National Policy Research Center on Nutrition and Aging.

Current legislative priorities

President Maidique summarizes FIU's current federal legislative priorities into three major areas: "brownfields, bluefields, and greenfields." HCET is now pursuing brownfields redevelopment activities. Brownfields are abandoned, idled or underused industrial and commercial facilities where real or perceived environmental contamination complicates expansion or redevelopment. The goal is to create the National Resource Center for Brownfields at FIU and to partner with the Environmental Protection Agency to develop, adapt and certify new technologies in this area. The Brownfields Center would conduct environmental assessments and cleanups of contaminated sites, and provide a community outreach program for low-income neighborhoods.

The IHC embraces the bluefields. In addition to working with the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), the IHC is leveraging its expertise in the area of emergency management and training. IHC seeks federal support to create a Global Emergency Management Institute (GEMI). Since 1995, the IHC has developed a certificate program to train businesses and government officials in emergency management. The proposed international training center would focus on emergency management, mitigation, vulnerability assessment and preparedness.

FIU's Southeastern Environmental Research Center (SERC) constitutes the greenfields. Since 1983, SERC has led efforts to restore and preserve the greater Everglades ecosystem. The goal is to establish the National Everglades Center for Sustainable Ecosystems. The Center would partner with the U.S. Corps of the Engineers and serve as the national coordinator to develop, adapt, export and apply techniques and methods for restoring and/or maintaining sustainable ecosystems around the globe. In the upcoming year, SERC plans to play a critical role in the Corps of Engineers Everglades Restudy, the subject of considerable congressional attention and funding.

Other federal priorities being pursued include FIU's National Policy and Research Center on Nutrition and Aging, which works to reduce malnutrition and promote good nutritional practices among American elders. Funds are also sought to establish a Center for Detector Development and Simulation, which would operate in conjunction with FIU's Experimental Nuclear Physics Group. The center would produce new detectors needed in experiments at the Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility and other national laboratories.