The Beacon, December 4, 2006 Florida International University
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Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 12-4-2006 The Beacon, December 4, 2006 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, December 4, 2006" (2006). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 33. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/33 This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University Vol. 19, Issue 34 www.beaconnewspaper.com December 4, 2006 College of Law accredited in record time BEN F. BADGER JR. staff. Staff Writer Dean Leonard Strickman, associate deans Ediberto Román, Associate Dean of the College of Law Ediberto Román and Michelle Mason, Maid- FIU’s College of Law, a program which has ique and Madlyn Downs, program assistant “Today was a great moment and a bit of a ‘phew’ factor for been around for only four years, received full and law professor, appeared before the Council me. This is the fi rst milestone of many great achievements accreditation Dec. a, the quickest accreditation of the Section on Legal Education and Admis- granted in recent history. sion to the Bar of the A.B.A. There they were that FIU will make in the near future. “This was the fastest time possible in which subject to a series of questions. we could achieve accreditation under [the A half hour after their appearance, Strick- ‘phew’ factor for me,” Román said, relieved to granted. American Bar Association’s] rules,” Univer- man was informed that the College of Law hear about the accreditation. “This is the fi rst The program started in 2002 and sity President Modesto A. Maidique said in was approved for full accreditation by a 24- milestone of many great achievements that received provisional accreditation, one of a press release. “This accomplishment is a member panel consisting of state supreme FIU will make in the near future.” the necessary steps needed to full accredi- testament to the quality of the administration, court justices, practicing attorneys and law Now that the program is accredited, all the tation, in 2004. faculty and students of our College of Law.” school deans and professors from around the college’s graduates are qualifi ed to take the In order to be fully accredited, a col- The morning of the announcement was nation. bar exam and practice law, including those a tense one for the college’s administrative “Today was a great moment and a bit of a who graduated before the accreditation was LAW, page 2 M/W/F schedule confl icts discussed MARIA CHERCOLES Asst. News Director Although members of the committee in charge of implement- ing the new three-day schedule have more than eight months to work on the changes, the process may be more complex than it seems. The fi rst Classroom Utilization Implementation Committee meeting took place Dec. 1, a week after the new schedule was approved. was opened by Interim Provost Ronald Berkman, who underlined the diffi culty of the situation and the short time frame to fully implement the changes. “I want to emphasize the rationale of this decision,” Berkman said. “Even if we don’t know whether state funds will be taken away, there is still a threat. At the end of the day students will begin to realize this was the best for them.” He went on to say that this transition is the second-highest priority for FIU after the College of Medicine. The decision to change to a Monday/Wednesday/Friday class schedule was passed by the Faculty Senate Nov. 24 after the State Legislature proposed a bill that would reduce funds for universities ineffi ciently using classroom space. Berkman explained he noticed “student anxiety” about the decision, and wanted to make sure students understand why the CHRIS CUTRO/THE BEACON decision was made. He also pointed out he wants students who have been at FIU the longest to feel the IN PRINT: John Virtue, director of the International Media Center, looks at a freedom of the press poster in his offi ce changes the least. at the Biscayne Bay Campus. He has helped journalists in Cuba publish several hundered articles abroad. “We’ve made a contract with them,” Berk- man said. “My goal is to add regularity and predictability to scheduling.” Cuban reporters published abroad Berkman assigned a team of administration representatives to the committee, which include members from Enrollment Ser- “The Internet can only send e-mails acknowledges that some corre- vices, Academic Space, Student Gov- NAIHOBE GONZALEZ within Cuba, it is tightly controlled,” spondence sent by journalists may ernment and Student Affairs. Although Staff Writer Dalmau said. “The only way is to go have been intercepted, resulting in this meeting, like most FIU meetings, Jorge Dalmau has learned to to a hotel, ease your way in, dress and potential participants never hearing is open to the public under Sunshine outwit the Cuban government. Yet, appear to be a foreigner, and then pay $5 back from the center. Laws, no students attended, with the Dalmau is not a spy or a U.S. offi cial an hour for dial-up service — which is In a Nov. 16 article, The Miami exception of SGC-UP President Alfonso — he is an editor for FIU’s Interna- asking you to spend half of your monthly Herald picked up on this and other tional Media Center. salary.” shortcomings in the program, and M/W/F, page 3 In his position, Dalmau edits E-mail communication is seldom expanded them into an article called, over 150 articles a month written by used, so program coordinators and par- “Cuba thwarts U.S. efforts to help independent journalists in Cuba. As ticipants also use mail correspondence to dissidents.” According to the article, many as 214 Cuban journalists have exchange articles, educational materials FIU’s program has “fallen short of its participated in the program: Profes- and feedback. mark” in its efforts to train indepen- sional Support for Cuba’s Indepen- John Virtue, director of the center, dent journalists in Cuba. dent Journalists. explained a complicated routing process The catch is that FIU has received Because of obstacles imposed used in the early stages of the program. $1.6 million from the U.S. Agency by Cuba’s communist government, “I’d have friends in Canada send for International Development to the International Media Center and mail to Cuba, but if back in Cuba they train independent journalists in the Cuban journalists employed unique put mail in an envelope and addressed it island since 1999. tactics to surpass what Dalmau calls to FIU in Miami, I’m sure it was taken USAID is a federal agency whose “a basic problem of communica- out of the mail,” Virtue said. tion.” As a result of these barriers, Virtue CUBA, page 2 2 The Beacon – December 4, 2006 NEWS www.beaconnewspaper.com THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS College receives full accreditation MONDAY • DECEMBER 4 LAW, page 1 February of next year at a ceremony in our arriving at this result.” Celebrating Kwanzaa: 12 p.m., Fresh Food with special guest, U.S. Supreme Court The college currently has more than Company Cafeteria lege must have graduated its fi rst class Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, according 400 students enrolled with the number Chamber Winds: 8 p.m., Wertheim Concert Hall and successfully completed several to the press release. expected to exceed 600. reviews. In an e-mail sent to the college’s fac- According to the A.B.A’s website, TUESDAY • DECEMBER 5 The fi rst class graduated this May. ulty, Strickman expressed his gratitude there are 194 institutions approved as Factors that were considered for full for those who helped expedite accredita- of June 2006. SPC Cultural Celebrations presents accreditation included the quality of the tion of the law school. When freshman Arielle Capuano Israeli Culture: 12 p.m., GC Forum program, the curriculum’s rigor, their “I am grateful to the Florida Legis- found out about the news, she took a step RESPECT Movie and Discussion “Bad fi nancial resources and bar exam passing lature, the Governor, and the University back, covered her mouth and gasped. Santa”: 7 p.m., GC 140 rates, according to Strickman. administration for their support of our “We are on better grounds now to CES Workshop “Stress Management”: The fi nal step for accreditation was law school,” Strickman said. “And I compete with other Florida schools,” 12 p.m., GC 305 the completion of the college’s building, congratulate our faculty, law school Capuano said. “I know Dean Strickman CES Workshop “Introduction to Career the Rafael Diaz-Balart Hall at University administrators, staff, alumni and current had been working hard to get us fully Services”: 2 p.m., WUC 255 Park. The building will be dedicated students who all played important roles accredited fast.” New Music Ensemble: 8 p.m., Wertheim Concert Hall WEDNESDAY • DECEMBER 6 GATOR GLIMPSE SPC Hawaiian Culture: 12 p.m., GC Forum THURSDAY • DECEMBER 7 SPC Indian Culture: 12 p.m., GC Forum GSA Gradskeller: 6 p.m., Gracie’s Grill FRIDAY • DECEMBER 8 SOC Winterfest: 6 p.m., GC 243 SPC Films “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: 7 p.m., and 10 p.m., GC 140 Prims Concert – FIU Golden Panther CORRECTIONS In the issue dated Nov.