FIU Will Continue to Repopulate Campuses, Stated By President Rosenberg

Amanda Gray / Contributing Writer

Members of the FIU community can now eat at the dining halls, visit stores, and utilize campus facilities.

FIU President Mark B Rosenberg discussed the university’s repopulation plan in a statement to the FIU community. Rosenberg explained all university centers, departments, and units should be engaging in on-campus repopulation efforts.

Members of the university can now eat at dining locations such as Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Crepe King, and 8th Street Campus Kitchen. Stores of service such as Barnes and Noble at FIU, Golden Touch, Wayki’s Salon, Ricoh, and College Optical are also open.

The FIU Student Health Clinics are administering free COVID-19 tests to students with appointments on the Modesto Maidique and Biscayne Bay Campus.

Certain FIU facilities modified their hours due to COVID-19. The Green Library’s current hours for the second floor are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Starting Nov. 16 into finals week, the library will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hubert Library at the Biscayne Bay Campus will remain with its normal operating hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

In addition, all access to the libraries for students is by reservation only.

The full list of everything open on campus and their business hours can be found at shopFIU.

Rosenberg said that FIU will continue to monitor COVID-19 case numbers and modify its reopening plan accordingly.

“As we increase our physical presence on our campuses, we will do so in the same manner we have done things since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Rosenberg’s statement. “Carefully and informed by data.”

According to Rosenberg’s official statement, flexibility will be required of all Panthers to ensure that safety is FIU’s top priority.

Rosenberg wrote to university supervisors have been asked to aid in accommodating faculty and staff members with caregiving responsibilities for family members, or with children who are attending school remotely, as well as anyone who identifies as high-risk. 

FIU has a COVID-19 Emergency Policy that will offer different options to address people’s unique circumstances.

These options include lifting the maximum vacation leave wage increase given to employees who are unable to take advantage of their leave due to COVID-19, expanding the opportunity for staff to voluntarily give their sick days to a COVID-19 emergency pool, and finding work for employees who do not have compensable work in their current roles, as detailed in FIU’s COVID-19 Emergency Policy 

In his statement, Rosenberg also stressed the importance of abiding by protocols.

“We should aim for at least 50 percent occupancy in each of the divisions and units, where possible while observing all mitigation measures in place through our Panthers Protecting Panthers COVID-19 protocols,” said Rosenberg.

The Panthers Protecting Panthers protocol  (P3) are measures to ensure the health and safety of Panthers on all campuses.

It includes wearing facial coverings whenever on campus, constantly washing your hands, maintaining physical distances, and completing the P3 app’s safety screening questionnaire before stepping on to campus daily.

With the holiday season approaching, Rosenberg explained that FIU will not permit gatherings of any kind on the campuses this year.

Rosenberg recommended virtual holiday celebrations for those wishing to celebrate with peers or colleagues.

He said stopping the spread of COVID-19 is the university’s number one priority and thanked FIU members for their support in the repopulation process. 

“Thank you for your cooperation,” said Rosenberg.  “You are valued, appreciated and needed to make our community prosper. Please stay safe and healthy!”