MEMORANDUM
To:
FIU Community
From:
Ronald Berkman, Acting Executive Vice President & Provost
Date:
September 19, 2006
Subject:
Interim Vice Provost for Biscayne Bay
In June I appointed a task force composed of deans, faculty, and students to consider options for the future of
the Biscayne Bay Campus as Vice Provost Moncarz prepared for retirement. The task force, led by Rosa Jones
and Damian Fernandez, proposed a new direction for BBC that has garnered strong support from University
leadership. The task force report is posted on the Office of the Provost web page.
I am pleased to announce that Damian Fernandez will be leading the BBC redevelopment initiative as interim
Vice Provost for Biscayne Bay. The entire FIU community will benefit from a vibrant Biscayne Bay Campus,
and we are looking forward to the collaboration of faculty, staff, and students from across the University as we
make the new BBC a reality.
Dr. Fernandez, Director of the Cuban Research Institute and Professor of International Relations, has served as
Director of University Long Range Planning since 2005. In that capacity he explored various possibilities for
future university expansion and redevelopment. Dr. Fernandez came to FIU in 1988 with degrees from
Princeton, University of Florida, and University of Miami. He has amassed a distinguished record of teaching,
research, administration, and service during his nearly two decades at the University, including positions as
Chair of the International Relations Department and Director of the Graduate Program in International Studies.
Widely regarded as an expert in the field of Cuban studies, Dr. Fernandez has published numerous books,
articles, and chapters on Cuban politics. In 2003, he was named Director of the Cuban Research Institute
following a national search. As director he has instituted a plethora of highly successful programs and raised
over $1.2 million from foundations, private donors, and government agencies. While assuming his new
responsibilities at BBC, Dr. Fernandez will continue to oversee the activities of the Cuban Research Institute.
I would like to recognize the hard work of the task force members who developed a vision and a model for the
Biscayne Bay Campus. This is an exciting time for FIU-BBC and we are counting on your support.
Our Biscayne Bay Campus is home to several nationally recognized programs including Journalism and Mass
Communications, Creative Writing, and Hospitality and Tourism Management, as well as world class facilities
such as the Kovens Conference Center and the new Marine Science building. In recent years northern MiamiDade County has experienced rapid development and steady population growth. The influx of additional
residents into the surrounding areas offers an exciting opportunity and challenge to revitalize FIU-Biscayne
Bay, building on existing strengths and location advantages of the campus. As a University community, we are
ready to respond to the challenge. Please join me in welcoming Professor Fernandez to this very important
leadership position.
Office of the Provost
University Park .Miami, FL 33199 . Tel 305-348-2151 . Fax 305-348-2994 . www.fiu.edu
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