Welcome to Florida International University Governmental
Relations.
This website serves as a resource to provide information
about issues, opportunities, and events that impact FIU. It
provides information regarding critical legislative activity
both on the state and national level that could have an impact
on programs and opportunities available to FIU students.
To see the current state and federal issues of priority to
FIU, click here for more on FIU
Issues.
Given the state’s current budget crisis, you may find
our budget updates of particular interest.
These pages are
designed to inform the University’s 38,000 students,
1,000 full-time faculty and 117,500 alumni. The
Governmental relations team works closely with faculty, University
leaders, the
Board of Trustees, the FIU Foundation, the Alumni Association,
and the Student
Government Association to reinforce on-going relationships
with elected officials executive branch leaders, other
universities, and corporate partners. Welcome
to our team.
The website not only provides information on
FIU issues, but contains numerous links to other governmental
relations websites and sources of public information.
If you are looking for more depth, check out our Governmental
Relations newsletters.
Lastly, we’re always trying
to improve. We welcome your comments
and feedback.
Steve Sauls
Vice President Governmental Relations
Legislature Adjourns May 2nd
Continuing state revenue shortfalls forced another cut to the University’s recurring base budget The Legislature adjourned May 2, after passing a bare bones budget reflecting the estimated $5 billion state revenue shortfall. The budget, which funds state government including public universities, cuts FIU's recurring 2008-2009 General Revenue Budget an additional $12 million.
Early in the Legislative Session in Tallahassee., the Legislature finalized a second round of General Revenue cuts to FIU’s 2007-2008 state budget due to the state revenue shortfalls. The total recurring General Revenue cut for FIU for the current academic year (2007-2008) amounted to 4.5 percent or $10.4 million. This cut is recurring as it reduces the University's base budget.
With a base budget already down 4.5 percent, and a new 2008-2009 cut, the General Revenue (GR) available to the University at the beginning of the academic year July 1 will be below our starting point last July 1.
The Legislature is also approved other issues which affect state revenue available to the University: 6 % tuition increase for undergraduates; some additional Lottery funds; tuition increase authority for out of state graduates and professional schools; and caps to on-line course fees, limiting the fees to the recovery of cost. Based on their level of sponsored research and subject to the Governor's approval, the Legislature also granted FIU and UCF authority to charge differential tuition to certain new undergraduates. UF, FSU and USF received tuition differential authority in 2007.
The University is appreciative of the many Legislators, including the Speaker, who have advocated FIU's cause in this very difficult economic climate. |
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When contacting public officials, please
remember to advocate using only your:
- Personal time
- Personal email address
- Personal
phone/cell phone
- Personal computer
- Personal stationery
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