Venezuela university leases land
www.sun-sentinel.com By Joe Kollin Staff Writer Posted March 14 2003
PEMBROKE PINES · The owners of a 5,500-student private university in Venezuela have leased space for a campus off University Drive that will offer classes in education, computers and business graphics.
The new university, however, won't be affiliated with the Venezuelan operation, Universidad Jose Maria Vargas, and will seek all students rather than targeting those from the South American country. It will use the same name.
The owners of the new college are awaiting approval from three state agencies before opening in the 24,530 square feet of space leased from the city of Pembroke Pines. The space is in the Senator Howard C. Forman Human Services Campus -- the old South Florida State Hospital.
Alicia Parra de Ortiz, the university's vice president for administration, declined to discuss the plans for the new college until the state approves her application.
But Bill Edmonds, spokesman for the state Education Department, said his information shows the college will be independent rather than a branch of the Venezuelan operation and that it won't appeal strictly to Venezuelans.
According to the 2000 census, 8,807 Venezuelans live in Broward County, and 21,593 live in Miami-Dade.
The college, in its application to the state, said it plans to apply to the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools in Atlanta for accreditation, but it must graduate its first class first.
The state permit will have no limit on the number of students it enrolls.
The state Commission for Independent Education on March 21 will consider the owners' application for a license. The commission licenses independent schools, colleges and universities.
The Universidad Jose Maria Vargas was started in 1983 and has two campuses in Caracas. It offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in law, political science, architecture, business, education and engineering, according to its spokeswoman, Mercedes Montilla in Caracas.
Sandra M. Hernandez contributed to this report. Joe Kollin can be reached at jkollin@sun-sentinel.com or 954-385-7913.