The Beacon, February 21, 2005 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 2-21-2005 The Beacon, February 21, 2005 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, February 21, 2005" (2005). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 97. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/97 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]. The Student Newspaper THIS WEEK AT BBC: of Florida Learn about wireless International University access on campus. 3 THE BEACON Vol. 17, Issue 41 WWW.BEACONNEWSPAPER.COM February 21, 2005 FIU EXPECTS BUDGET CUTS, TUITION INCREASES By C. JOEL MARINO The governor’s budget pro- Treasurer Alexander Zyne, the Senior Staff Writer posal makes no mention of revenue from the increased special funds the BOG reserved tuition will provide FIU with an A few weeks after Governor for various developing pro- extra $6.5 - 7 million, raising the Jeb Bush proposed his 2005 grams such as nursing and hur- university’s expected income to - 2006 budget, FIU adminis- ricane research, which they had almost $11 million. trators began to look for ways labeled as important “target “The 7.5 [percent] is a man- to compensate for what might programs.” datory increase,” said Zyne. result in a loss of $13 million in Although the difference “If you ask me honestly, ‘What state funding. between the BOG request and do you think the universities In the governor’s proposal, the governor’s recommenda- would do if they were given higher education funds were cut tions may seem vast, adminis- that option?’ – and I’m not just by eight percent. Although Bush trators claim that the increase talking about FIU – I would say proposed a $61 billion state in tuition will help bring FIU that they would all opt to go to budget, education is expected additional revenue. the 7.5 percent, because resi- to receive only three percent of “Now, there’s a little caveat, dent in-state tuition is very low that total. and that’s tuition,” Sauls said. compared to other universities A highlight of the recommen- “The BOG did not request any outside of the state of Florida.” dation included a 7.5 percent new tuition. President Modesto The governor’s proposal will increase in resident student A. Maidique] has not requested also affect other state universi- tuition and a state employee any new tuition, and that’s ties, because the request will salary increase of 2.5 percent important for students to under- fund only a quarter of what the that does not include university stand that. The governor has BOG said would be needed to employees. ... requested a tuition increase keep up with an increase in stu- A shortage in state funds across the board that’s going dent enrollment. became evident when FIU sub- to yield a certain amount of In his recommendation, for mitted a formal request for $27 money.” example, the governor allotted million of operation money Undergraduate tuition for Florida State University’s medi- through the Florida Board of in-state students increased by cal school $3.5 million. Governors on Jan. 18 and found 8.5 percent in 2003 and again However, the BOG shut GRAPHIC BY LUIS NIN itself curtailed to $4 million in by 7.5 percent in 2004. An down FSU’s long sought-after the governor’s proposal. increase in graduate tuition is chiropractic school proposal on will add weight to what FIU budget cuts. “We have appropriated also expected. Jan. 27, calling it an unnecessary President Modesto A. Maidique “It’s not a secret to anyone,” money, and we go after incre- This year, the governor gave construction during times of called “a modest investment said Carmela Pinto McIntire, mentally more money and try universities unlimited flexibility “scarce state resources.” from the state.” chair of the English Department. to see what we can achieve,” when settling out-of-state and Despite the massive budget Still, some feel that FIU’s “What is happening is that the said Steve Sauls, vice provost for international student fees. slash, administrators feel that positive rhetoric cannot account governmental relations. According to the University monies from private donations for what seem to be reoccurring See BUDGET, page 2 FIU reaches $11.5 million settlement By C. JOEL MARINO 10, changes brought about by Senior Staff Writer the investigation will include the hiring of a new vice president for On Feb. 10, the FIU Board research and a new chief financial of Trustees voted to repay the officer, as well as reorganizations federal government an $11.5 within the Division of Sponsored million settlement to make up Research and Training and the for accounting errors within the university’s financial operations. Hemispheric Center for Environ- The HCET program was mental Technology. founded 10 years ago in conjunc- The Department of Energy tion with the Energy Department has been investigating the center to deal with nuclear waste and and the $50 million in govern- toxic site cleanups. ment grants it received between Seven million dollars in grants 1995 and 2003. to the HCET were delayed during Although President Modesto the investigation, although Maid- A. Maidique stated that the oper- ique has said that government ational budget and donations to funding would once again con- the school will not be touched, tinue. FIU’s plan to pay back the settle- As of press time, FIU admin- ment back through loans has not istrators could not be reached for been elaborated upon. comment regarding the investi- The settlement was issued after gation. investigations found accounting “I deeply regret this situation, irregularities arising from incom- and I appreciate your tolerance plete and improperly maintained and patience as we have worked time and salary records as well as through the various phases of dis- compliance issues dealing with covery and resolution that were CUT THAT RIBBON: At a Feb. 18 ceremony for the new Health and Life Sciences complex equipment and satellite offices. necessary to bring this matter to located on the University Park campus, President Modesto A. Maidique cuts a ribbon to inaugu- According to a press release a close,” said Maidique in a news- rate the new $31 million building. HARRY COLEMAN/THE BEACON issued by the university on Feb. letter the week of Feb. 14. The Che makes a comeback, Pg. 4 Bizarre works of genius, Pg. 6 Asher excels as staff ace, Pg. 21 02-21-05.indd 1 2/19/05 2:05:57 PM 2 The Beacon – February 21, 2005 NEWS www.beaconnewspaper.com THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS Faculty questions budget cuts MONDAY • FEBRUARY 21 BUDGET, from page 1 “This is terrible, and this increase in construction. diverting any money from Women’s Basketball vs. New Orleans: 7 p.m., is pretty recent. The uni- According to Zyne, faculty support or student Pharmed Arena university has tightened versity has done previous money for new buildings support. [The funds] are FIU Wind Ensemble: 8 p.m., Wertheim Perform- up its belt for some reason, cuts, meaning that if we comes from a fund outside there for the purpose of ing Arts Center Concert Hall and it’s been happening want to attend a profes- of the operational budget, building those facilities,” for a couple of years.” sional conference, we has from a source called the Zyne said. THURSDAY • FEBRUARY 24 McIntire claims that to pay travel expenses.” Public Education Capital The state legislature will noticeable cuts have been Though some have also Outlay, which currently meet on March 8 to look FIU University Chorale: 8 p.m., Wertheim Per- made in various depart- questioned whether the holds $176 million for over the BOG’s and gov- forming Arts Center Concert Hall ments, including the expanding construction statewide use by educa- ernor’s budget requests FIU Theatre presents “Marisol”: 8 p.m., College of Arts and Sci- at the University Park tional facilities. for the offi cial allocation of Wertheim Performing Arts Center ences, of which English and Biscayne Bay cam- FIU requested $27 funds for the 2005 – 2006 FIU Russian Club movie night presents “Rus- is a part. puses have taken needed million from that PECO fi scal year. sian Ark”: 9 p.m., GC 140 “Faculty members must money from the opera- fund, and was granted that pay for copies if they want tions budget, Zyne said amount in the governor’s Staff Writer Robert Valen- FRIDAY • FEBRUARY 25 to give copies to our stu- that no departments have proposal. cia contributed to this dents,” McIntire said. suffered because of the “It’s not like we’re story Softball hosts Golden Panther Invitational: 11 a.m., Softball fi eld Baseball hosts St. John’s: 7 p.m., baseball fi eld BOG BUDGET PROPOSAL GOV. BUSH PROPOSAL FIU Theatre presents Marisol: 8 p.m., Wertheim Performing Arts Center SATURDAY • FEBRUARY 26 Softball hosts Golden Panther Invitational: 11 a.m., Softball fi eld Baseball hosts St. John’s: 1 p.m., baseball fi eld Men’s basketball hosts Western Kentucky: 7:30 p.m., Pharmed Arena FIU Theatre presents Marisol: 8 p.m., Wertheim Performing Arts Center FIU REQUESTED: WHAT FIU MIGHT GET $27 MILLION $4 MILLION GRAPHICS BY LUIS NIN EDITORIAL BOARD rock climbing wall, funded ALEJANDRA DIAZ EDITOR IN CHIEF by SGA, will provide enter- 02/16/05 tainment for students at JOHN LOVELL MANAGING EDITOR the marathon and will help FIU SUED? lion.