FIU and UM enter student exchange agreement

FIU and the University of Miami have entered into a student exchange agreement that will allow doctoral students from each institution to attend classes at either university and obtain credit for their original programs of study.

“This agreement magnifies the effectiveness of the curricula at both universities by building on each other’s strengths,” said FIU Provost and Executive Vice President Ronald Berkman.

Guest students will pay tuition and fees at their home institutions, but will abide by the standards of the host institution, Berkman says. The agreement will become effective this fall and will offer a wider selection of classes that will complement the students’ areas of academic interest.

“This agreement gives additional breadth to doctoral programs at both universities,” Berkman added. “It also strengthens cooperation in research, which is the core of most doctoral programs.”

FIU signs onto Climate Commitment

With the signing of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, FIU recently joined a select group of colleges and universities from around the country committed to working toward achieving environmental sustainability.

“The signing of this commitment further solidifies our focus on the environment and our efforts to become a leading research university,” FIU President Modesto A. Maidique said. “As a university, we have a social responsibility that we intend to uphold. Our institution can have an impact, not only by achieving sustainability on campus, but by addressing significant environmental issues through research and the education of our students.”

FIU, Maidique says, has taken steps toward eco-friendly practices with a campus-wide paper recycling program. It also is using motion detectors on the lights in about half of the buildings and classrooms to help cut back the consumption of electricity, as well as using on-site retention ponds and reclaimed water in its irrigation system.

To fulfill the requirements of the commitment, Maidique has established a universitywide taskforce that will conduct an in-depth inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions and then develop and oversee an institutional plan of action for climate neutrality and sustainability. This will include a plan to incorporate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design's silver standards or an equivalent in new construction approved for 2008-‘09 as required by the commitment.

For more information, visit www.presidentsclimatecommittment.org.