Florida International University

Date: Dec 09 2004
Major: Business - Management and Administration (This Major's Salary over time)
Where shall I begin? Good things first, cause there are not too many. I made some really good friends at FIU, and the library was a great place for a "between classes" nap. Most of the faculty are really good teachers and very dedicated in their particular fields. Unfortunately I think the good parts end here. Now for the nitty gritty of my comments.

I am sorry to say that FIU is not the top notch school the current FIU President feels it is. FIU lives on sound bytes, like "We have a new Law School" or "We are planning a new Medical School", unfortunately all the while letting their core programs fall apart from lack of funding, even though tuition costs, especially for out-of-state students are through the roof!.

I would love for my Alma Mater to prosper because it would definitely benefit me as well. However, the university's administration has gone off on their own special tangent, moving away from what should be the core of a university, i.e. education and research, and instead just trying to copy what the University of Miami took over 75 years to create.

FIU's new multi-million dollar Panthersoft system is one big dud, and has caused endless problems for both students and FIU employees alike. Customer service at all levels of student interaction has alot to be desired, is it any wonder that FIU is losing students to Miami Dade College, Nova Southeastern and Carlos Albizu University? Even FIU employee moral is at an all time low. Dedicated Faculty are leaving because of they are not truly appreciated and the administration doesn't seem to care one bit, as long as they get their highly exorbitant (for a state institution) salaries, everything in their world is A"" ok.

In closing I think FIU could be a great University, if only they concentrated on their core programs and assets (i.e. students, faculty and staff) instead of spreading their resources in too many areas at once.