As sequester hits, FIU on the scene in D.C.

With sequestration of the entire federal budget hitting today, FIU and its advocates were advocating in full force to protect investments in research and financial aid.

Pres. Rosenberg and Florida’s own U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.

President Mark B. Rosenberg, in town to present the university’s 2013 federal priorities to the Florida Delegation, also raised the great stakes in play with Pell grants and research and development in South Florida.

Vice President of Research Andres Gil was quoted in a Miami Herald article that examined how South Florida is being impacted by the federal crunch. Said Gil, “We have already been impacted by it [the tightening of research dollars]. That’s what the public doesn’t realize.”

On Wednesday, Feb. 27, Rosenberg and the FIU in D.C. Alumni Chapter saluted the 113^th Congress. U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, U.S. Rep. Joe Garcia and U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart joined more than 80 alumni and friends who gathered to celebrate FIU alumni working on the Hill.

“It’s just wonderful to see so many FIU alumni involved in the process in Washington. I can remember when no one had ever heard of FIU. We’re now known throughout the government,” said Steve Sauls, vice president of Governmental Relations.

“If there’s one thing the entire Miami-Dade delegation can all agree on, it’s FIU,” said Congressman Diaz-Balart.

FIU alumnus Steven Cruz ’12 said, “The FIU in D.C. community is such a vibrant group that is truly dedicated in advancing the mission of the university and making a difference here in D.C.”

Also this week, Evelyn Gaiser, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, participated in a meeting of the National Science Foundation’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER)  Network. The artwork of FIU’s own Xavier Cortada was featured prominently at the NSF headquarters.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) selected Xavier Cortada’s “Reclamation Project” for this year’s Ecological Reflections exhibit featuring 11 of NSF’s Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites. The exhibit is on display at NSF headquarters from Feb. 28 to June 15. Cortada’s work includes an installation of mangrove propagules, shown above.

Earlier this week, FIU was also represented at the Winter meeting of the Business Higher Education Forum where the university’s strengths in STEM education were relevant to the discussion of developing workplace skills and competencies needed in today’s job force.

For more information of the impact of Sequestration on FIU and its student programs click here.

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