New recruits spark competition among current players

By: Luis Estrada / Contributing Writer Fresh off a season in which the Golden Panthers set a record for most wins in program history with 28, the volleyball team is ready to welcome in five freshmen to help them set a new mark. For the first time under head coach Danijela Tomic, the recruiting class is composed of all freshmen players as opposed to incoming transfers from other universities. Junior libero Nina Colon says the most important part of having an all freshmen class is the challenge it brings to the girls on the current roster. “It gives us a run for our money,” she said. “These girls are good, and they want to learn…

Marching Band officially eliminated due to budget cuts

By: Jorge Valens / Assistant News Director The Golden Panther Band has officially been eliminated from the University’s program. The marching band’s future became uncertain after then College of Architecture and the Arts dean, Juan Bueno, said in an open forum in March that the College’s budget could not accommodate the band. CARTA funded 65 percent of the program, while Student Government Council at Modesto Maidique Campus and the Athletics Department each funded 21 percent and 14 percent respectively, according to former band director, Carla Geiger. “We don’t have that in the budget,” Bueno, who resigned in March 2009, said at the forum. He explained that the College just didn’t have the $237,000 in the…

Degree program cuts postponed

By: Julio Menache / Staff Writer The Board of Trustees has agreed to postpone cutting four popular degree programs. During a June 12 meeting, the trustees unanimously voted to allow the administration, until the next Board meeting, to present an alternative budget that would allow the programs to survive, as well as give outgoing President Modesto Maidique and his successor Mark Rosenberg, time to look for donors for the programs. The move to save the programs was met with applause by audience members, many of whom were students and faculty hoping that their degree programs would not be cut. “This was a very rational decision,” said Senior Jeremy Paulovkin, who addressed the Board on behalf…

What You Missed: Summer A Recap

By: News Team ## Golden Panther Band fails to get funding Due to the University’s massive budget cuts, the Golden Panther Band has been eliminated. The marching band’s future was unsure after two of it’s largest sources of support, the College of Architecture and the Arts and the University’s athletic department, were forced to cut its funding of the program due to steep cuts that needed to be made within the college. The band turned to the Student Government Association for full funding. SGA had committed to funding the program if all other parties were involved. However, that not being the case, SGA did not commit funding to the band at a University Wide Budget…

Herbert Wertheim’s financial contribution to Medical School matched by state, funds create paramount facility

By: Diana Jordan / Staff Writer The Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine has taken anything but a hiatus over the recent summer months, ensuring it is ready to welcome its inaugural class come August during the 2009-2010 Fall semester. The college was the recipient of a $20 million donation from well-known University benefactor Dr. Herbert Wertheim. The donation, which is eligible for the State of Florida’s Major Gifts Challenge Grant Program, could become a total sum of $40 million with a state match and is the largest cash donation in the University’s history. As a result, the college was named the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine to recognize the contributions the Dr. Herbert and Nicole…

FIU Baseball: Four players go pro, coach Thomas’ plans on keeping team strong

By: Chris Towers / Asst. Sports Director Congratulations, coach Thomas. You improved your team by 14 wins and led them to a top 4 seed in the conference tournament after not making a postseason appearance since 2006. Your team featured an offensive barrage led by All-American outfielder Tyler Townsend and two-time, first team All Sun Belt pick, Ryan Mollica. Greg Waddell, one of your top recruits, led the team in batting and finished second in On Base Percentage (OBP). Another recruit, big right-handed pitcher Tom Ebert, was amongst the Sun Belt leaders in many pitching categories. So coach, once again congrats. Guess what your prize is for one of the more remarkable turnarounds in FIU…