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Press Release: FIU Golden Panthers football team are Sun Belt Champs!!
Press Release
The Student Government Council at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus (SGC-MMC) at Florida International University (FIU) congratulates the FIU Golden Panthers Football team on winning the Sun Belt Conference Championship.
Miami, Florida (27 November 2010)—Today was a historic day for our university. As many of you know, our football team defeated Arkansas State to win the Sun Belt Conference Championship title at FIU Stadium. The Golden Panthers were victorious in a 31-24 win against Arkansas State. As the conference champions, the Golden Panthers will be in line for a bid to a bowl game.
FIU students should feel proud today; it is because of the hard work of our team and the support of our students, we are able to celebrate this victory. Let’s continue to show that Panther Pride for our other athletes. Let’s look forward to the spring semester and let’s take that Panther Pride we have for our football team and give our full support towards our many student athletes.
The FIU Student Government Council would like to congratulate our Golden Panthers Football team on winning the Sun Belt Championship and wish them continue success in their pursuit of a bowl championship. Let’s go Golden Panthers!
As indicated by President Mark Rosenburg, December 4th will be the Golden Panthers final game of the regular season against Middle Tennessee here at FIU. Come on out and support our champions: the Golden Panthers!
Additional Information
For additional Information, visit our websites at fiu.edu/~sga and fiusga.wordpress.com. You may follow us on Facebook; keyword “FIU Student Government Association.” You may also contact Andrew Vaz, SGC-MMC Press Secretary at avaz001@fiu.edu.
About Florida International University
Florida International University is Miami’s 1st and only public research institution of higher learning. Serving nearly 40,000 students, FIU is amongst the 25th largest Universities in the nation, boasting 12 Colleges and Schools that offer in excess of 200 Bachelors, Masters, Doctoral and Professional degrees. With over 100,000 Alumni living and working in South Florida, the impact that FIU has had on the local community is incalculable.
About the Student Government Association at FIU
The Student Government Association at FIU affords students the opportunity to cultivate their leadership skills by serving as liaisons of the student body to the University Administration, hence gaining valuable experience in governance and stewardship. With over 40 senators, 60 cabinet members, 20 committees and 40 interns, SGA provides a challenging yet sustainable environment in which students can contribute to student life and in turn, the university community.
September Executive Report
The Executive Branch of Student Government has been hard at work over the course of the last month to improve the quality of student life here are the Modesto A. Maidique Campus. Detailed below is a record of the executive branch’s activties since the publication of the last newsletter.
Your SGC-MMC President Helena Ramirez has assembled a “Special Projects Committee,” a team of student government officials and student leaders campus wide who will be facilitating an event sometime during the spring 2010 semester. The unveiling of this event will place during the week of Homecoming, from the 1st to the 6th of November. For more details, stay tuned to the October newsletter! President Ramirez will also be facilitating a “Student Engagement Series,” an opportunity for students to discuss their issues and concerns with their elected student officials and members of the student body. Make sure to check out our events calendar for more details!
Director of Campus Life Alex Lastra will be working with Press Secretary Williams to facilitate involvement.fiu.edu, a resource that will centralize everything student involvement related at FIU. Director Lastra is currently in the process of facilitating the logistics of this project with Technology Coordinator Luis Masieri and Assistant Director of Campus Life and SGC-MMC Faculty Advisor Jose Toscano. The program is scheduled to launch during the first week of the spring 2011 semester. Stay abreast of Director Lastra’s progress on involvement.fiu.edu in the October newsletter!
Technology Coordinator Luis Masieri and Marketing Coordinator Miriam Blasco have been working diligently to streamline SGC-MMC’s marketing strategy. Coordinator Masieri has been making a series of improvements to our website and our Facebook. In the coming weeks, our Facebook, which you can find by typing in the keywords “FIU Student Government Association,” will soon feature a welcome page that highlights Student Government and the University in general. Check out our Facebook for this update! Coordinator Blasco has been working with members of Cabinet, Senate and Campus Publications to ensure that our overall marketing strategy is consistent. As part of SGC-MMC’s marketing strategy, stay tuned to the October issue of the Newsletter for changes and improvements!
It is crucially important that FIU students have an active voice in our local community. Some of our most crucial political issues often directly affect the youth of this country. Yet, young voters are highly underestimated by major politicians and political analysts. SGC-MMC’s Student Lobbying Coordinator Sara Conklin is proud to announce this year’s Panther Vote: 2010. The objective of Panther Vote: 2010 is to encourage students who are not registered to vote to do so via lectures by guest speakers and peer dialogue. The event will also feature free food, music and entertainment. For more information, stay connected! http://fiu.edu/~sga!
SGC-MMC’s Intern Coordinators Monique Rodriguez and Laura Farinas have extended the application deadline for the intern program to today, the 27th of September 2010 at or before 5pm. The second round of interviews will take place on the 1st of October in GC 243 from 3pm-5pm. The SGA Intern Program provides students the opportunity to not only get involved in campus life, but to prepare for student leadership. For more information, visit http://fiu.edu/~sga!
Chief Information Officer Julio Yanes will be facilitating a Student Services Survey, a project designed to assess the quality of student services campus wide. The results will enable student government to provide various departments with feedback as to what types of experiences students are having at their respective offices and what they can do to improve the student experience.
Coordinator of International Student Affairs Darren Shillingford has been hard at work on behalf of International Students, facilitating their issues and concerns to the respective departments (this needs to be revised, as I know that Darren has worked on more than simply this). Additionally, Coordinator Shillingford will be working closely with President Ramirez to coordinate the special project during the spring 2010 semester. For more details, stay connected! http://fiu.edu/~sga!
Press Secretary Dean Williams will be facilitating the Fall 2010 Press Conference, a series of information sessions designed to inform the student body of Student Government’s progress. For more information, please visit the events calendar section of this newsletter! Beginning in October, Press Secretary Williams will be facilitating a “Faculty, Staff and Administration Appreciation Initiative,” honoring members of the university community for their service and contribution to the development and advancement of Florida International University. Postings of the initiative will right here at http://fiu.edu/~sga! Additionally, Press Secretary Williams, in conjunction with the Graham Center, the Student Programming Council and the Student Alumni Association will facilitate “Back to the Future in Blue and Gold.” More details on this event will become available during month of October, so stay connected! http://fiu.edu/~sga!
September Letter from the President
Fellow Golden Panthers,
On the 11th of September, we celebrate the life of FIU student and athlete Kendall Berry, honored those who lost their lives as a result of the 11th of September attacks and witnessed the swearing in of officers to the United States Army. With record attendance at FIU’s first home football game, we cheered on our football team with passion and enthusiasm. Despite an impressive performance, our beloved football team was unable to secure a win against Rutgers. In light of the un-presentenced level of school pride and spirit displayed by the university community, our football team is prepared to approach the remainder of the 2010 football season with a sense of purpose and a desire to win, all of which would not have been possible without your support.
At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, I voted in opposition to the smoking ban. I am of the opinion that if such a policy is to be impressed upon the university community, significant investments, whether financial or otherwise, be made in the implementation of the smoking ban policy. It is my hope that the implementation of the smoking ban includes an effective strategy to educate the university community on the objective of the policy.
Since the publication of the August Newsletter, SGC-MMC has been hard at work pursuing the best interests of you, the student body, all of which are outlined below.
Should you have any questions, comments and concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me us e-mail at sga@fiu.edu, stop by our office in Graham Center, Room 211, or contact us via telephone at 305.348.2121. On behalf of all of us at SGC-MMC, we wish you the best of luck as you navigate the fall 2010 semester!
Press Release: New Cheers and Songs/Pep Rally
Press Release
The Student Government Council at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus (SGC-MMC) at Florida International University (FIU) is co-sponsoring a “New Cheers and Songs Event.’
Miami, Florida (30 August 2010)—SGC-MMC’s Panther Rage Committee, in conjunction with FIU’s Department of Athletics, FIU’s Marching Band, FIU’s Dazzlers and the Residence Hall Association is facilitating a ‘New Cheers and Songs Event’ on the 9th of September in the Residential Housing Quadrangle from 6pm to 7pm.
This event will provide students the opportunity to learn the new cheers and songs for the first football game scheduled to take place on the 11th of September at 8pm in the FIU Football Stadium against Rutgers University, and for the rest of the 2010 Football season. Students will have the opportunity to see FIU’s marching band and dazzlers perform live. Additionally, there will be numerous giveaways as well as free food and drinks!
“When I was confirmed as Panther Rage Coordinator during the summer 2010 term” notes Panther Rage Coordinator Alessa Torres, “one of my short term objectives was to form partnerships with Departments, Governing Councils and Organizations campus that will provide Panther Rage with the tools necessary achieve its objective of impressing the importance of school spirit and pride upon the student body.”
“The collaboration,” continues Coordinator Torres, “between SGC-MMC’s Panther Rage, FIU’s Department of Athletics, FIU’s Marching Band, FIU’s Dazzlers and the Residence Hall Association, in facilitating this event marks a continuation of a very exciting start to the academic school year, and is an indicator that the formation of partnerships will greatly assist SGC-MMC’s Panther Rage Committee in achieving success.”
“SGC-MMC’s Panther Rage Committee” mentions Panther Rage Public Relations Coordinator Krizia Baltodano, “is fresh off the heels of the success of the Heat Stroke Pool Party. The members of the Committee and myself will take with us that initial enthusiasm and success and utilize it to create events to engage the student body, sparking increased interest in university athletics.”
When questioned about Panther Rage’s transition from Governing Council to Committee within SGC-MMC, Panther Rage Coordinator Daniel Fernandez notes, “As a member of Panther Rage for over two years, I am excited about the successes and all of the wonderful opportunities that the now Panther Rage Committee is experiencing. The ‘New Cheers and Songs Event’ is one in a series of events that SGC-MMC’s Panther Rage Committee will facilitate throughout the academic year in efforts to get students pumped and excited about athletics.”
“As the now Spirit Coordinator of SGC-MMC’s Panther Rage Committee,” notes Joshimar Garcia, “I will most certainly be present to invigorate students, getting them prepared for the excitement and success that will be the 2010 Football season.”
For more information on the ‘New Cheers and Songs Event,’ please contact Panther Rage Coordinator Alessa Torres at alessa.torres@fiu.edu, or Panther Rage Coordinator Daniel Fernandez at dfern040@fiu.edu. We hope to see all of you at the event!
Fall 2010 Press Conference Series
Subject: Fall 2010 Press Conference Series
In keeping with President Ramirez’s objectives of transparency and accountability, SGC-MMC will facilitate the fall 2010 press conference series. The Press Conferences will be held in Graham Center 150 from 3pm to 5pm, on the following dates; the 24th of September, the 22nd of October, the 12th of November and the 3rd of December.
The first portion of the press conference will be a summary of SGC-MMC’s progress in addition to a brief overview of the objectives for the following month. Additionally, there will be a brief overview of the progress and objectives of governing councils at MMC, as well as a short summary of SGC-BBC’s progress and objectives. The first portion of the press conference will last no more than fifteen (15) minutes, and will facilitated by SGC-MMC Press Secretary Dean G. Williams.
The second half will be a question an answer segment, providing members of student media and the student body present an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns and desires, which members of student government present will address. This segment of the press conference will last no longer than forty-five (45) minutes.
For more information on the fall 2010 Press Conference series, please contact SGC-MMC Press Secretary Dean Gabriel Williams at dwill039@fiu.edu, or stop by SGC-MMC’s office in Graham Center, Room 211. See you at the Press Conferences!
Fall 2010 Student Engagement Series
Press Release
The Student Government Council at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus (SGC-MMC) at Florida International University (FIU) will facilitate a student engagement series in the fall of 2010
Miami, Florida (30 August 2010)—SGC-MMC President and University Trustee Helena Ramirez announced today that SGC-MMC will facilitate a student engagement series in the fall of 2010. The objective of the engagement series is to provide students with a mechanism through which to voice their desires and concerns. President Ramirez will then institute a series of executive orders specifically designed to address issues that arise during the engagement series.
“During my campaign and transition period as SGC-President Elect towards the end of the Spring 2010 term,” mentions SGC-MMC President and University Trustee Ramirez, “my central focus was—and still is—student engagement. As the liaison of the student body to the university administration, it is the responsibility of SGC-MMC to facilitate mechanisms for the student body to voice their concerns as it pertains to all aspects of campus life.”
President Ramirez continues, noting “the student engagement series will provide a safe, friendly environment in which students will discuss issues of most concern to them, which is the element that I am excited about; the personal interaction with members of the student body,” and further mentions “as an integral aspect of the engagement series, SGC-MMC is doing what it can to ensure that the respective university administrators are in attendance at the relative engagement town hall meetings. The attendance of university administrators at the engagement town hall meetings will re-enforce the university’s commitment to further developing and enhancing student services here at FIU.”
The first installment of the series will focus on issues related to Academics and is set to take place on the 30th of September 2010 in GC 140 from 4pm-6pm. The second installment of the series will focus on issue related to campus safety and is set to take place on the 21st of October 2010 in GC 150 from 3pm-5pm. The third and final installment in the fall 2010 student engagement series will focus on Student Services and is set to take place on the 9th of November 2010 in GC 243 from 4pm-6pm.
Overall, the student engagement series will provide a means through which SGC-MMC will tackle the issues as it pertains to the student body. For more information about the fall 2010 student engagement series, please send e-mail to sga@fiu.edu, or visit SGC-MMC’s office in Graham Center, Room 211. See you at the engagement series!
August Letter from the President
Fellow Golden Panther;
From the Baseball Team becoming Sun Belt Champions and making it to the College semi-finals, to the state legislature approving $17.6 million dollars in funding for the Student Academic Support Complex, the future 100,000 square foot complex that will centralize many of the service-oriented offices on campus, and the additional 2,000 students that will begin classes in the fall as part of President Rosenberg’s vision for the growth, development and advancement of the university, the 2010-11 academic school year will prove to be a wonderful, exciting and amazing time to be an FIU Golden Panther!
The primary objective of the 2010-11 Student Government Council of the Modesto A. Maidique Campus is to engage the student body. We hope to facilitate events and programs that will encourage students to get involved in both campus life and university-wide issues. Because we are cognizant of the fact that many students rely heavily on financial assistance—grants, loans, and scholarships—in their pursuit of a higher education, SGC-MMC has made it a priority to build upon the First Generation Scholarship fundraiser facilitated in March of 2010.
As you navigate campus life at FIU during the course of this academic school year, it is my hope that this e-newsletter will serve as a companion; a resource that you can and should utilize to stay abreast of what’s happening at the university.
The 2010-11 SGC-MMC will do its very best to serve you, the student, in a most timely, respectable, efficient manner. Should you have any questions, comments, and/or concerns pertaining to any issue, please do not hesitate to stop by our office located in Graham Center of the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Room 211. You may also contact SGC-MMC via telephone at 305.348.2121, or via e-mail at sga@fiu.edu. On behalf of the Cabinet Members and Senators of SGC-MMC, we wish you nothing but success in your academic and extra-curricular pursuits, and look forward to serving you in the ensuing academic school year!
August 2010 Press Conference
Press Secretary Williams facilitated a slide show presentation, which detailed the accomplishments of the council during the 2010 summer term. If you would like to receive the slide show presentation for further review, please submit a request to dwill039@fiu.edu at your convenience.
Graduate Senator Emas addressed issues as it pertains to graduate funding and advocacy. Press Secretary Williams is in the process of organizing a Graduate Constituency Press Conference, tentatively scheduled to take place in the coming week. Once this special press conference takes place, a memorandum, detailing the issues addressed, will be sent out in a timely manner. For more information on the Graduate Constituency Press Conference, send requests to dwill039@fiu.edu.
Coordinator Torres made general comments about Panther Rage’s agenda for the ensuing academic school year, citing programs and incentives geared towards increasing attendance at athletic events as the primary objective of the committee.
Coordinator Masieri spoke in detail about revisions to the existing website, citing a marketing strategy aimed at streamlining many aspects of SGC-BBC and SGC-MMC’s websites. Coordinator Masieri mentioned that the transition to the new website should take place sometime during the fall semester, pending workload in publications.
Issues as it pertains to public safety were addressed. President Ramirez mentioned that SGC-MMC will be facilitating a Public Safety Forum sometime during the fall semester, at which members of the student body will have an opportunity to voice their concerns to FIU Police Chief Bill King. President Ramirez also informed those present of her new role within the Florida Student Association as Vice Chairwoman of Internal Affairs and Finance.
Questions were raised about issues pertaining to International Student Affairs and Sustainability that, unfortunately, could not be answered at the Press Conference. Coordinators Shillingford and Waters, respectively, have been notified and will be submitting statements that will address the questions/issues raised. Once Coordinators Shillingford and Waters complete the previously aforementioned statements, they will be remitted to student media in a timely fashion.
Other issues addressed include revisions to the student handbook, student accountability, incentivizing student surveys, the launch of a meeting/event panning resource on SGC-MMC’s website, the completion of a student lounge at the Engineering Center, and issues pertaining to the planned Student Support Complex. Should you require additional information on any of the aforesaid issues, please, send a formal request to dwill039@fiu.edu.
August 2010 Newsletter-Executive
From The Desk of SGC-MMC Chief of Staff Alina Gonzalez
During the summer 2010 term, the members of the SGC-MMC Cabinet have been hard at work devising ways in which to engage the student body and the faculty, staff and administration of FIU. Detailed below are just some of the new and interesting ways in which the SGC-MMC Cabinet will contribute to the quality of campus life during the 2010-11 academic school year.
Led by SGC-MMC Director of External Relations Andrea Alhadari, the SGC-MMC Department of External Relations will now facilitate the SGC-MMC Monthly E-Newsletter! If registered, you will receive an e-blast, which neatly summarizes and links to the e-newsletter at fiu.edu/~sga. This resource will provide an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and administration to stay abreast of SGC-MMC’s progress and campus events. Additionally, monthly e-newsletters will feature a Student of the Moment, an individual selected by SGC-MMC who personifies student leadership and plays a positive role in campus life at the university. The newsletter will be published on the last Monday of every month, so keep your eye out for it! For more information on how to submit nominations for the Student of the Moment or to make recommendations for the Events Calendar, e-mail SGC-MMC Publications Coordinator Nicole Buchely at nbuch002@fiu.edu, or SGC-MMC Director of External Relations Andrea Alhadari at aalha002@fiu.edu. To submit a request to be added to the monthly e-blast list, send e-mail to SGC-MMC Technology Coordinator Luis Masieri at lmasi002@fiu.edu.
SGC-MMC Director of Campus Life Alex Lastra will unveil a series of e-resources whose objective is to enhance the quality of student life. Coming soon to fiu.edu/~sga will be a meeting/event planning resource, a tool that students will be able to use to research other venues available on campus to facilitate meetings and events. Additionally, Director Lastra will be working diligently to create an involvement database, a resource that will centralize activities and opportunities for students to increase their level of participation in student life at the university. For more information on and to make suggestions as to how we can cater these upcoming and exciting projects to best cater to the student body, send e-mail SGC-MMC Director of Campus Life Alex Lastra at alast003@fiu.edu.
SGC-MMC Press Secretary Dean Williams and Assistant Director of Campus Life and SGC-MMC Faculty Advisor Jose Toscano will be facilitating a faculty, staff and administration appreciation and recognition initiative throughout the academic school year. The initiative will feature members of the university’s faculty, staff and administration who have served the university for twenty years or longer in either an academic or administrative capacity. For more information on the faculty, staff and administration appreciation and recognition initiative, please contact Assistant Director of Campus Life and SGC-MMC Faculty Advisor Jose Toscano at toscanoj@fiu.edu.
SGC-MMC Student Lobbying Coordinator, in conjunction with the SGC-MMC Department of External Relations, will host FIU’s 45th Birthday Celebration! The celebration is set to take place on the 10th of September. The day’s events will begin with giveaways and spirit themed contests in the Graham Center from 11am to 12pm, then move outdoors at the fountain, the crossroads of Deuixieme Maison, Green Library, Graham Center and the Charles Perry Building, from 12pm to 2pm. These activities will serve as affinity and engagement pieces, affording SGC-MMC the opportunity to impress upon the student body school spirit and pride for FIU. For more information on the festivities set to take place on the 10th of September, contact myself, SGC-MMC Chief of Staff Alina Gonzalez at alina.gonzalez3@fiu.edu.
SGC-MMC will be facilitating a fall press conference series, will serve as a platform upon which SGC-MMC will promote transparency of its activities and afford members of the student body an opportunity to interact with and communicate their desires and concerns to student leaders. The first portion of the press conference will be a summary of SGC-MMC’s progress during the previous month and a general outlook of the events to take place during the upcoming month. The second half will be a question and answer segment, providing members of student media and the student body an opportunity to ask questions and voice concerns and desires, which members of student government present will address. The dates for the fall press conference series are the 24th of September, the 22nd of October, the 12th of November and the 3rd of December. All of the press conferences in the series will be held in GC 150 from 3-5pm. For more information on the fall press conference series, please contact SGC-MMC Press Secretary Dean Williams at dwill039@fiu.edu.
Stay in touch with SGC-MMC! Visit us at fiu.edu/~sga, fiusga.wordpress.com, and on Facebook at keyword “FIU Student Government Association!”
Board of Trustees Meeting
The Board of Trustees of Florida International University will be holding a meeting tomorrow Friday , February 5th, 2010. The meeting will be conducted via Conference Call.
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