Florida International University FIU Digital Commons The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) Special Collections and University Archives 9-16-2015 The Beacon, September 16, 2015 Florida International University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper Recommended Citation Florida International University, "The Beacon, September 16, 2015" (2015). The Panther Press (formerly The Beacon). 813. https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/student_newspaper/813 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 One copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents. Vol. 27 Issue 16 fiusm.com Wednesday, September 16, 2015 University opens new Tech Station KRYSTAL PUGH spaces for workshops. It is The station was created Asst. News Director designed by the College of in hopes to expand, provide [email protected] Engineering & Computing further in-depth advanced for majors with the college’s training for students, allow Like in a Google laboratory School of Computing & students to optimize their station, students are engaging Information Sciences. thoughts and leave space for with technology at the The facility was paid active learning, said Luis. University’s new $3 million through different grants by the Luis said the station’s Tech Station. Florida Legislature with the location in the garage was a Located in Parking Garage intention of producing more perfect since it is directly across Six, the station serves as a graduates for careers in the the street from Engineering and technology hub for students state’s highest-need areas, said Computer Science building. to be actively engaged Mark B. Rosenberg, president “We could not have asked with technology learning of the University at the station’s for a better location,” he said. experiences. The 8,000 square- opening ceremony. “It makes the continuity of our foot facility opened Aug. 26. Steven Luis, director of operation so much easier.” It includes high-tech Information Technology; Ram The hardware lab gives students opportunities to physically tear equipment apart and figure out how to put them back together. An advanced training room, which expands RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ/THE BEACON 48 machines, allows students The Software Room, where students can use computers to collaborate on ideas and to work with instructors programs, is one of the features of the Tech Station. and mentors from different companies. Luis said that the University in the open to better identify experience what it is like to up and ask anyone in the room was rewarded with a Targeted student struggles and to help actually develop technology, about coding or breaking down Educational Attainment grant each student reach optimal said Luis. a model and more than likely and an Information Technology performance. Elliot Moncrieff said he everyone in the room can Performance Funding grant to “Interventions take place in has already worked with help me because we all share purchase the facility, build it the study rooms or team rooms other students on homework the same common major and RAFAEL RODRIGUEZ/THE BEACON with equipment and Japanese where students may find study assignments and has received interest,” he said. tatami-inspired furniture. The groups, peer lead discussions help identifying computer Although the technology 3D printers, which are available for use by students, funding is referred to as IT or teacher assistants,” Luis coding on a technical project in station was designed with inside the Hardware Room of the Tech Station. performance funding. said. “This is another way to the station. efforts of program technology The project was approved maximize student learning and “None of my classes enhancement and advance April 2014. academic variation.” have required me to go to the training, it is open to all classrooms, “team rooms” Lyengar, SCIS director and Everything in the Tech The classrooms are technology station yet, but I am students. where students can work Mark Weiss, SCIS associate Station was designed a designed with removable seats anxious to get in there,” said “We would like to see on group projects, advising director, collaborated in certain way for its different and experimental models. The Moncrieff, a junior computer all students get involved in centers, research and computer creating the vision for the features. For example, the station is open to all students engineering major. creating technology,” Luis labs, a hardware lab and open facility about a year ago. advising rooms are integrated who use lab resources and “I like being able to stand said. Board of Trustees Adventure Recreation, update strategic plan getaway trips CAMILA FERNANDEZ Success Initiative, enhancing STEM success and SUDYEN NAVARRETE The program began in a Dolphin’s game against the & PHILIPPE BUTEAU preparing students for the workforce through Staff Writer Spring 2002, back when the Houston Texas and horseback FIUSM Staff internships. These points will help to improve [email protected] wellness center was known as riding in Davie. [email protected] academic quality, operational efficiency and the Student Fitness Center and The prices vary depending return on investments, he said. The Wellness & Recreation was located inside the arena. on the location of the trip. While the University celebrated recent The University’s strategic plan calls to add Center at the Modesto A. According to Frye, the Overall, the whitewater accomplishments at a Board of Trustees meeting more hybrid and online education -- 67 percent Maidique Campus celebrates program works differently than rafting is $300 for University on Thursday, Sept. 10, Provost Kenneth Furton face-to-face with professors, eight percent hybrid its 10-year anniversary. But the at other universities around the students and $325 for the gave an update on student performance funding. and 25 percent online to 30 percent face-to-face, center’s Adventure Recreation country. general public. Horseback The amount of state funding the University 30 percent hybrid and 40 percent online by 2020. program has been active for “We piggy-back on existing riding is $40 for students and receives depends on student success rates on Student internships from 4,637 to more than over 12 years. programs,” he said. “We don’t $55 for the general public and different measures common to all Florida state 6,000 annually will be added. The program offers have a staff of our own people Dolphin tickets are $35 for universities. FIU had the largest summer graduation opportunities for students who actually run the trips. students and $40 for the public. Measures include percent of graduates ceremony this year with over 3,600 graduates, to socialize outdoors and Instead, we negotiate with But after a certain deadline, employed full-time in Florida or continuing their according to Sandra Gonzalez-Levy, External experience getaway trips trip providers and arrange the prices increase. education in the U.S. one year after graduation Relations senior vice president. Furton said the outside the University. transportation and promote the Costs include transportation and their median wages one year after graduation. City of Miami Beach and the City of Doral will According to the program’s trips. Once students make it to and for the out-of-state trips, it Also, average cost per bachelor’s degree; six-year expand paid internships by 30 to 40 additional website, it allows students to their destination, local staff take includes hotel and equipment graduation rate for first-time-in-college students; internships every semester. visit a certain place and enjoy care of them.” rental. academic progress rate; bachelor’s degrees Expanded 133 part-time internship what’s there -- all at a discounted University staff and the The costs for students and awarded within programs of strategic emphasis; opportunities with Florida Power & Light is price. general public are allowed to go other participants help the percent of undergraduates with a Pell grant and included. The University will also continue to Previous trips include on the trips if they pay full price. program defray part of the graduate degrees awarded within programs of further efforts through the Graduation Success airboat riding in the Everglades, “We always have a few of expenses -- according to Frye. strategic emphasis. Initiative to increase 6-year baccalaureate going to shark valley, bike- our own staff just to be there “If anybody wants to go Programs of strategic emphasis includes graduation rate to 60 percent, Furton said. riding, snorkeling, sea-fishing at and help supervise the trip,” somewhere, we’re open to majors within the science, technology, engineering An agreement between the board and the night-time and paddle boarding Frye said. suggestions and we’ll always and mathematics fields. Lieutenants Benevolent Association, a labor at the Biscayne Bay Campus, This year’s upcoming try to look into it,” said Michael Furton said the University will focus on said Robert Frye, WRC director trips include water rafting in three key initiatives, which are the Graduation SEE BOT, PAGE 2 at the main campus. Georgia, football tickets for SEE REC, PAGE 2 2 The Beacon – Wednesday, September 16, 2015 NEWS fiusm.com NATION & WORLD Panel to speak on BRIEFS Haitian issues White House launches new online tool to help families JULIE WALSH ethnic Haitians in the D.R. will Following the death, several make informed decisions on college Contributing Writer have begun summer 2015. Haitians took the body to Haiti [email protected] A court ruling in 2013 took and claimed it was killed by The Obama administration on life. Although the new “College away the citizenship of several a Dominican, which sparked Saturday unveiled a new online Scorecard” will allow consumers The Steven J.