WEST MIAMI-DADE | FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

Not just a commuter school, more students are moving in on campus at FIU

With the largest student body in its history, Florida International University is trying to find more space to accommodate those who want to live on campus.

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BY DAIANA KUCAWCA

DKUCAWCA@MIAMIHERALD.COM

Melanie Goldsobel had to wear sunglasses to hide her tears from her daughter, Genna, who moved into her dorm at Florida International University last weekend.

Genna, 18, moved into Everglades Hall at FIU, where she is a sophomore honor student majoring in forensic science. Her twin sister Brianna moved into a dorm at Florida Atlantic University.

``I've been crying all day,'' said Melanie Goldsobel, from Jupiter. ``They are my babies. I got two babies leaving at the same time.''

When people think of dorms and residential life, FIU usually doesn't come to mind. But that's changing.

FIU enrolled approximately 42,000 students this fall, the largest student body in its 45-year history. About 7 percent will live in university-affiliated housing for the 2010-11 school year. By contrast, the University of Florida has about 20 percent of its students living in campus housing.

A growing number of students are seeking to live on campus at FIU. Last year, there were 200 vacant beds; this year there is a waiting list reaching 300-plus.

``At this time we have a lot of students who commute, but our housing and residential life is strong; we are thriving and we will continue to grow over the next few years,'' said Marc Ebelhar, residence life coordinator. To meet the demands of the larger student body, Ebelhar said the university has added 2,000 parking spaces, and added more times to the Golden Panther Express shuttle, which transports students and faculty between the university's north and south campuses.

In addition, FIU will add from 1,000 to 1,600 beds over the next two to four years, said Jim Wassenar, executive director of student affairs operations and auxiliary services.

Students also get help from the school to move on campus, as about two-thirds of students receive financial aid to pay for housing.

Wassenar said the benefit of living on campus is the student life, with over 400 student groups and organizations to choose from.

``It wouldn't be fair to label FIU a commuter school,'' Wassenar said.

Sara Rasekhi, 21, a resident assistant and civil engineering major from Kendall, said students who live on campus tend to do better in school.

``People do better in academics because they have people to study with,'' said Rasekhi, a senior. ``You kind of feel more connected to the university besides the fact that you are five minutes walking distance from class.''

For Ana Mendez, 20, an international relations major from Coral Gables, nightly LSAT classes are the reason she chose to live on campus. ``I don't want to go back and forth,'' said Mendez, a junior.

Biology junior Amanda Mirabal, 20, moved in with the help of her parents and siblings. For her, commuting from Pembroke Pines was not an option.

``I wanted to beat the rush-hour traffic, be closer to school,'' Mirabal said.

But some students, like Genna, wanted to move away from home to grow up.

``I love it. I'm definitely more independent now,'' she said. ``I don't have to call mommy when I need help.''

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Wednesday, November 3, 2010