What would YOU put in an FIU time capsule? The Student Government Association wants to know

In celebration of FIU’s 50th anniversary, student leaders have plans to gather memories and mementos that can be tucked away for the next five decades. The goal: capture what makes the university special and lay the groundwork for a big splash on its 100th anniversary. 

An FIU time capsule is in the works, but first Panther nation needs to weigh in on what goes inside. 

“We want to get the community involved,” says Delano Cicconi, a biology major and student government senator who encourages everyone to come forward with ideas. Already Cicconi knows he wants to include a current map of the campuses because "Our university is always under construction. I think that a map of what FIU looks like today and a map of what FIU looks like when it’s 100 will be significantly different.” 

Also being considered are a 2022 FIU football jersey, posters promoting campus concerts such as this year’s Summer Fest and Panthermonium and even an FIU-issued facemask so that future generations can understand what folks in these pandemic times went through.     

"We want to collect the things that will surprise people when we hit the century mark,” adds Alexander Sutton, a political science major and the SGA senate president. 

The first opportunity to contribute to the time capsule comes at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, when SGA hosts its “Pantherversary” event to mark the day 50 years ago when the university opened for classes. On the second floor of the Green Library, students, alumni, faculty and staff can view an FIU history exhibit, hear from a founding faculty member who was here on day one and even share an anecdote or comment on a notecard that will make its way into the capsule.  

PANTHERVERSARY: 6 PM, MONDAY, SEPT. 19
GREEN LIBRARY AT MMC
FIU HISTORY EXHIBIT * FIU HISTORY DICUSSION * FOOD * GIVEAWAYS

The Green Library already has an extensive university archive that holds important documents, back issues of publications such as the student newspaper and FIU Magazine, commencement programs and more. The time capsule, by contrast, looks to round up artifacts that would have an emotional tug or elicit curiosity 50 years down the road. 

“We’re open to whatever people want to share, so long as it has some connection to FIU,” Sutton says. 

Once SGA acquires a number of items and understands the size needed, either later this year or early next semester, a capsule will be purchased and a location chosen for its safekeeping. The organizers say it could possibly be buried underground, with a plaque marking the site, or, alternatively, be placed in a clear case in a public place, such as in the library or the Graham Center. 

“In 50 years, I'll be 70 years old,” Cicconi says, “so God willing, if I'm still alive and Alex and I are still best friends, we’ll be able to open it together with the rest of the community.” 

Adds Sutton, “I definitely want to be there for FIU's 100th anniversary. I can’t wait to see the looks on people’s faces in 2072.”