FIU Day to emphasize university’s impact on South Florida


MIAMI (March 10, 2009) – Dozens of FIU students and alumni, as well as several members of the university’s leadership and Board of Trustees, will descend on Tallahassee tomorrow as part of FIU Day in an effort to convince legislators that Miami’s only public research university should be spared drastic budget cuts.

“We must make it clear to our legislators that FIU is a critical institution in our community and a vital economic engine that must be protected from even deeper cuts,” said FIU President Modesto A. Maidique, who will lead the delegation.

Among the delegation’s priorities will be an emphasis on the continued support of FIU’s nascent College of Medicine, which will welcome its first class in August. The university is seeking approval for an $11 million request to keep the College of Medicine on track.

“This new college will bring thousands of new jobs and much-needed medical services to our community,” Maidique said. “Its health is critical to this city’s health.”

The delegation will meet with leaders from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

“The students of FIU will be deeply affected by any drastic cut to our university,” said A.J. Meyer, president of Student Government – University Park. “Our mission during this trip is to make legislators realize how important it is that FIU remain strong and vibrant, from its world class College of Business to its brand new College of Medicine.”

Media contact: Jean-Paul Renaud at 305-348-2716.

 

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About FIU:
Florida International University was founded in 1965 and is Miami’s only public research university. With a student body of more than 38,000, FIU graduates more Hispanics than any other university in the country. Its 17 colleges and schools offer more than 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in fields such as engineering, international relations and law. FIU has been classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a “High Research Activity University.” In 2006 FIU was authorized to establish a medical school, which will welcome its first class in 2009. FIU’s College of Law recently received accreditation in the fastest time allowed by the American Bar Association.

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