Journal Rates FIU Tops in Students/Student
Services
MIAMI, Fla. (Aug. 22, 2002) –
A new study in a leading academic journal ranks the Florida
International University School of Hospitality Management No.
1 in the nation in one of the most important areas upon which
such programs are judged.
Conducted by researchers from the University of Maryland and
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, the study
is published in the new issue of The Journal of Hospitality
and Tourism Education. Researchers queried 121 leaders of the
nation’s four-year hospitality management programs that
are members of the Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional
Education and had results tabulated by accounting students at
the University of Maryland College of Business to eliminate
possible bias.
Among the findings: FIU scored higher than any other university
in Student ratings, which included average SAT/ACT scores, average
class size, scholarships and sponsorships, student organizations,
career fairs, student recognition, overall retention/attrition
rate and others. The highest possible score was 50, and FIU’s
40 was the only score above 39.
Florida State, by way of comparison, earned a 37, while Johnson
& Wales University earned a 31 and the University of Central
Florida scored a 27.
“We’re very proud that FIU scored so well in this
study, especially in the category that means perhaps more to
us than any other – students,” said Joseph J. West,
dean of the School of Hospitality Management. “In a state
that calls tourism its leading industry, it’s gratifying
that we lead all educational institutions that produce the highly
skilled workforce that makes Florida such a wonderful place
to visit.”
In the study’s overall rankings, FIU ranked sixth, with
an overall score of 183 out of a possible 245. Purdue took top
honors, with a total score of 200, followed by Cal Poly Ponoma
(197), the University of Houston (195), Penn State and Michigan
State (tied at 185), and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas
(184). No other Florida institution scored higher than 176.
In addition to Students, the study focused on four other areas:
Curriculum, Faculty, Resources and Alumni. FIU scored particularly
well in two of those, ranking third in Curriculum (tied with
Penn State and four others) and Faculty and fourth in Faculty
(tied with Robert Morris University and Kansas State).
“We’ve long believed that the quality of our School
stacks up very well in comparison to just about any other program
in the nation,” said West. “I’m enormously
flattered that so many of my colleagues agree and am pleased
that we’re in such strong company alongside so many older,
more established schools throughout these ratings.”
The FIU School of Hospitality Management co-presents the South
Beach Wine & Food Festival, set for Feb. 28 – March
3, 2003. The event attracts some of the world’s top chefs,
wine experts and restaurants, as well as wine and food aficionados
from near and far.
Media Contact:
Aileen Izquierdo
305-348-6999
izquierd@fiu.edu