With the return from break and change in season, a new roster of intramural sports has graced the UM campus.
Open to all, IM sports has taken off in recent months, with favorites like intramural flag football, pickleball, and volleyball becoming familiar to those around campus.
Yet, there’s even more the IMLeagues have to offer. Here’s a quick overview of each sport offered within the IMLeagues early in the semester:
7-on-7 Soccer: Running through January and February, the intramural soccer teams will meet on the IM fields for scrimmages and league play.
Signups end Wednesday, and the first game is to be played on Thursday.
College Football 25 Tournament (PS5): Compete against fellow ’Canes in a one-day tournament as the EA Sports-recreation of your favorite college football teams. The only difficulty will be deciding who gets to play as Miami.
Pickleball: Head over to the courts with a partner and rackets to compete in doubles matches from the end of January to the middle of February.
The last day to sign up is Thursday, but the first games will commence on the 28th.
Singles Tennis: From the end of January to the middle of February, face off in solo matches in tournament play.
On a similar schedule as the pickleball tournament, tennis calls for all signups by Thursday, and will have its first games starting on the 27th.
Parsons Golf Tourney: Bring your clubs for the 8th Annual Norman C. Parsons, Jr. Golf Tournament at the Palmetto Golf Course. This one-day tournament asks all non-varsity golfers to bring their competitive nature with awards for stats such as “longest drive,” “closest to the pin,” and “longest putt” in addition to those for the winners.
This event will take place on April 11th, with the last day to sign up being April 4th.
Basketball: Featuring multiple leagues and a culminating game, “All-Star Sunday,” the intramural basketball league, will begin at the end of February and continue through March.
Signups will take place from February 10th to the 19th, and the preseason tournament will kickoff the league play on the 20th.
2-v-2 Sand Volleyball: Leagues will play twice a week on either Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday, from February 25 to March 26.
4-on-4 Flag Football: Flag football is the competitive, non-contact sibling to our beloved Hurricanes playing in Hard Rock. Head out to the IM Fields to play in the 4-on-4 matchups.
The first game will be played March 30th, with signups closing March 27th.
Sportsfest: Likely the most unique event in this season’s roster, Sportsfest brings together approximately 2,000 ‘Canes for a weekend-long competition incorporating multiple recreational sports. It’s designed to build new connections for students, as well as provide fun competition.
With a mix of games and competitions taking place February 14-15, Sportsfest has become a UM favorite over time.
Whether you’re a former high school athlete, lifelong sports fan, or simply want to get involved in a new campus community, UM’s intramurals are a great way to exercise a passion for whatever sport. Fostering a community simply for the enjoyment of each sport, all the IM teams are searching for are athletes who share the same appreciation.
For more information on signups and availability, go to the IMLeagues website or their X/Twitter.
For his sixth studio album, “DEBí TiRAR MáS FOToS,” Bad Bunny embraced his roots to create an album for Puerto Ricans around the globe. A mix of traditional rhythms and modern notes, the album is both a celebration of the island he grew up in and a cautionary tale.
The album is accompanied by a 12-minute short film written and directed by Bad Bunny, which stars Puerto Rican entertainment legend Jacobo Morales and co-stars Puerto Rican artist and humorist Boricua Drips, as Concho, an endangered crested toad from Puerto Rico. It takes the music a step further, illustrating the gentrification, colonization and abusive leadership in Puerto Rico.
The album has evoked a sensitive emotional response from Latinos and cultures around the world. It has been described as “a project that unifies generations” by the artist REYE$ and “album of the decade’” by producer Zmoll.
Rising, hispanic talent can agree. Omar ‘DREILU’ Ruiz, music industry graduate student and ‘Cane Records artist calls it, “the most genuine album I’ve seen.”
Bad Bunny is known for his creative and methodical marketing schemes. Prior to the album’s release, the tracklist was rolled out through geographical coordinates in Puerto Rico where fans could find the name of the respective song on Google map’s street view, inspiring fans around the world to digitally visit the island.
The album features Bad Bunny’s reggaeton, but we also hear him on other typical Puerto Rican rhythms that he hadn’t done until now. That’s where the soul and magic of the album lie.
As a Puerto Rican born and raised on the island, this album struck me emotionally, serving as both a celebration and a warning. Each song feels like a familiar conversation with family or a cherished memory from growing up there, making it clear that this is more than just music — it’s our story being told to the world.
The first track “NUEVAYoL,” is a salsa inspired by “Un Verano en Nueva York,” by El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico and Andy Montañez, a Puerto Rican salsa hit from the 1970s. It then transforms into a dembow, giving it a more urban touch. This mixture of salsa and dembow helps me appreciate both my Puerto Rican heritage and Dominican Heritage.
In the popular track “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” Benito sings to a past lover, highlighting her as the most important of all his love stories. I think I speak for everyone when I say Bad Bunny on a salsa beat is something we didn’t know we needed.
In his interview with Apple Music, Bad Bunny regarded this song as his favorite in the album and one of songs he has most enjoyed creating in his career. The instrumentation was provided by students of the Ernesto Ramos Antonini Libre de Música school in San Juan, Puerto Rico and composed mainly by people between 17 and 20 years old.
Bad Bunny continues to spotlight young Puerto Rican talent, giving space for emerging artists across tracks. “PERFuMITO NUEVO” features Rainao’s unique style, which blends seamlessly with Bad Bunny’s flow, creating a fusion of reggaetón and R&B, while “WELTiTa” brings playful rhythms and catchy hooks to create a beachy, danceable vibe that brings out Chuwi’s charm.
“VeLDÁ” highlights the rising stars Omar Courtz and Dei V in a high-energy reggaetón track marked by strong beats and loose lyricism.
The next few tracks, “EL CLúB,” “BOKeTE” and “KLOuFRENS,” all have a common theme of heartbreak, melancholy and sadness.
Additionally, in “TURiSTA,” Benito tells the story of a relationship with a person who was in his life for a short while and didn’t get to really know him. Benito said in an interview on the podcast “El Búho Loco” that the love story and title of the song allude to a double meaning.
It compares that brief relationship to tourists who visit Puerto Rico for a good time but do not delve deeper into the island’s suffering, leaving all the problems behind when they return home.
Bad Bunny continues to showcase traditional Puerto Rican rhythms by blending them with modern sounds to appeal to younger generations. In “CAFé CON RON,” with the help of Los Pleneros de la Cresta and producers Tainy and La Paciencia, Benito creates a vibrant track that captures the spirit of traditional Puerto Rican parties.
Similarly, “PIToRRO DE COCO” draws from traditional jíbaro music, using instruments like guitars, cuatros and tambourines, while keeping its festive theme of partying, drinking and heartbreak alive. These songs reflect Bad Bunny’s commitment to preserving and reinterpreting Puerto Rican musical heritage for today’s audience.
“LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” stands as a powerful protest anthem that resonates deeply with Puerto Ricans fighting to preserve our identity and culture. Bad Bunny reflects on the loss of identity experienced by Hawaiians due to American colonization, where their native language and cultural practices were marginalized.
He draws a parallel between Hawaii and Puerto Rico, both colonized by the U.S., with Puerto Ricans also facing cultural diminishment, a history of displacement and decades of corrupt government. For example, a private chat with former Puerto Rican governor Ricardo Roselló in 2019 revealed a chilling statement from government contractor Edwin Miranda, “I saw the future and it was wonderful: there were no Puerto Ricans.”
Bad Bunny highlights the fight for natural resources and access to beaches, as wealthy foreigners with tax incentives try to buy and privatize the land, further displacing locals. He stresses the need to protect Puerto Rico’s identity and culture, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditions like “le-lo-lai” to safeguard the island from external forces that threaten its essence, like what happened in Hawaii.
“EoO” is a classic reggaetón track written by Bad Bunny and produced by Tainy, capturing the raw, unapologetic vibes of 2000s reggaetón. As Bad Bunny emphasizes perreo as a quintessential Puerto Rican rhythm, and part of the island’s musical legacy – Tainy’s production captures the soul of an era when reggaetón was our voice, our rebellion, our joy.
Meanwhile, “DtMF” reflects on the passage of time and the regret of not capturing more memories with special people. Its soft, nostalgic melody has sparked a trend of revisiting old photos, uniting generations with its message to preserve stories, connections, and essence as a people.
The last track on the album, “LA MuDANZA”, is dedicated to Benito’s parents and Puerto Rico. He then mentions Eugenio María de Hostos, a deceased advocate of Puerto Rican independence, referring to his dying wish of his remains being moved to Puerto Rico when the island is freed.
As I reflect on “DEBí TiRAR MáS FOToS,” I find myself overwhelmed by the way Bad Bunny has captured the bittersweet reality of being Puerto Rican these days. Each track feels like a snapshot of our collective experience — the joy of our traditions, the pain of watching our island change and the complicated emotions of those who’ve had to leave.
The album has become a mirror for my own experiences and those of countless other young Puerto Ricans who grapple with the decision to stay or go, who feel the weight of preserving our culture while facing modern challenges.
As Bad Bunny sells out his historic 30-show residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot from July to September 2025, it feels like a powerful statement of commitment – a reminder that no matter how far we may roam, our roots remain in Puerto Rico.
Through this album and these upcoming shows, Bad Bunny has given us more than music – he’s given us a document of who we are, a battle cry for what we need to protect, and most importantly, a reminder to capture and cherish every moment of our Puerto Rican story.
TikTok is used by thousands of University of Miami students daily to keep up with the latest trends and events. But, for the handful of UM influencers, it’s more than just a platform. It’s a livelihood.
The TikTok ban scare in the United States has raised pressing concerns about financial instability and freedom of expression among student influencers and everyday users. It has sparked a broader discussion about the societal impact of removing such an influential platform.
For creators like Lauren Barnwell, a 19-year-old student at the University of Miami with 473.6k TikTok followers, the app is unparalleled in its ability to foster creativity and reach wide audiences.
“There’s no other platform where you can reach as wide of an audience as quickly and effectively as TikTok,” she said.
She credits TikTok’s unique algorithm for her success in spontaneous, short-form content.
“Everything you post is like a lottery ticket,” she said, emphasizing the platform’s ability to amplify voices overnight.
Emeline Smith, a 21-year-old UM student micro-influencer with 15.4k followers, echoed this sentiment.
“TikTok has the easiest algorithm to receive engagement and to reach a wide variety of audiences,” she said.
The planned ban on TikTok left influencers facing the discouraging prospect of losing their primary source of income. For Barnwell, the platform has been a lifeline, offering financial independence through the TikTok Creator Fund and brand partnerships.
“I was able to help my mom with bills and other little things,” she said.
TikTok has not only supported her but also eased her family’s burdens. This financial stability has brought reassurance to her parents as well.
“My parents and family knowing that I have that security means they don’t have to worry about me as much,” she said.
However, her success is deeply tied to TikTok’s unique ability to drive massive engagement.
“Most of my revenue and partnerships depend on the amount of followers I have,” she said, noting that transitioning to platforms like Instagram or YouTube, where her following is smaller, would significantly cut her earnings.
TikTok’s unmatched potential for rapid views and viral reach has made it an essential foundation for her financial and personal independence.
“There is nowhere else you can get views like that in that short amount of time other than TikTok,” she emphasized.
Smith, while optimistic about finding alternatives, acknowledged the challenges of rebuilding her audience.
“The percentage of people who are actually going to put in the effort to click a link and follow you on other platforms isn’t gonna be that high,” she admitted.
Beyond its role as a platform for influencers like Barnwell and Smith, TikTok has proven to be a powerful tool for small businesses, transforming the way they reach and engage with customers.
The app’s algorithm not only amplifies individual voices but boosts visibility for entrepreneurs, with 52% of users reporting they’ve made purchases after discovering small businesses on TikTok.
This dynamic has created a unique space where businesses of all sizes can thrive, leveraging the platform’s blend of entertainment and commerce to drive sales and foster meaningful connections with their audience.
Beyond individual creators, the potential ban raises broader societal questions. For many users, TikTok has become a critical source of news and information.
Barnwell emphasized her opinion on TikTok’s unique role in modern media, stating, “TikTok is the only unbiased and unfiltered news source that we have in the world,” and highlighted its ability to draw attention to events and stories often overlooked by traditional outlets.
The platform’s ability to amplify voices from diverse backgrounds and provide real-time updates has made it a powerful tool for uncovering and sharing stories that might otherwise remain hidden.
“It has the capability of getting the public involved with the news instead of it just coming from one central broadcast,” Chase Gerber, 20, a UM student and former TikTok influencer who had 80,000 followers back in 2020, said. “You get way more details in a story and see things central news won’t show.”
Photo of Lauren Barnwell. Photo Courtesy of Lauren Barnwell.
However, critics of TikTok cite national security concerns stemming from its Chinese ownership. U.S. lawmakers have scrutinized the app, questioning whether it poses a risk to data privacy.
Gerber countered this perspective, saying, “almost every single platform has some form of data privacy issue, not just the ones that are owned by China. I think there’s a lot more industry and production that China has its fingers in.”
If the ban went into effect, it could have fundamentally altered the landscape of social media and content creation. Both Barnwell and Smith anticipate that creators will adapt, but not without significant effort.
“I think there will be another app that will come up real quick that’s like a duplicate of TikTok,” Barnwell said, though she admitted that no platform currently matches TikTok’s ease and efficiency.
The uncertainty has prompted many creators to consider diversifying their content across multiple platforms, though the process is neither quick nor straightforward.
Smith is already preparing to shift her focus to YouTube and Instagram.
“Now is the time to act,” Smith said. “There’s going to be so many people moving to new platforms, and you don’t want to get buried under everyone else.”
Despite the challenges, she remains hopeful. “Everything happens for a reason, and if you look at it as a new start, you’re gonna be successful no matter what you do.”
While policymakers weigh the risks and benefits of the ban, creators like Barnwell and Smith are urging them to consider the broader implications.
“If they support this ban, then the whole reason they’re in office is a lie,” Barnwell said.
Barnwell feels lawmakers will be going against their oath to the Constitution to preserve American rights, like free speech. Smith struck a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging the government’s efforts to ensure safety but cautioning against the unintended consequences.
For creators, the debate over TikTok’s future is about more than just an app, it’s about the intersection of technology, security and free expression in an increasingly digital world. The potential ban represents a seismic shift in how they connect with audiences and sustain their livelihoods.
In an article written by NPR, TikToker Emily Senn tearfully shared, “It feels like I am losing a really good friend, and that sucks.”
Beyond personal loss, the ban raises concerns about what Eric Dahan, CEO of Mighty Joy, called TikTok’s unique ability to “generate and spark a unique community,” allowing creators to organically become influencers and build careers.
In a future without TikTok, effects would ripple far beyond the app itself, shaping the future of content creation as a career and digital engagement for years to come.
Wildfires that erupted in the Los Angeles area during the final week of winter break have significantly disrupted the lives of University of Miami students from Southern California.
In response to the natural disaster, UM extended support to its students, many of whom were directly and indirectly affected by the crisis.
Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement Patricia A. Whitely reached out to students who are residents of Los Angeles and Orange County in response to the ongoing wildfires in those areas.
In her message, Whitely acknowledged the severity of the fires and reassured students of the University’s availability to assist those affected.
“As we watch the devastation caused by the wildfires in Los Angeles, I want to ensure you know that we are here for you,” Whitely said in the statement. “Our experiences with extreme weather make it all too familiar how destructive impacts and the aftermath can affect a community.”
Jake Baum, a junior studying broadcast journalism at UM, shared his experience as one of the university’s students who was evacuated due to the ongoing fires.
“My family had to evacuate our apartment in Calabasas. I wish I could say that was the first time we had to do so. Back when I was in high school, we had to evacuate twice within a month at one point, due to the Woolsey Fires,” he said.
The Pacific Palisades Fire, which ignited on Jan. 7 in the coastal area of northwestern Los Angeles approximately 20 minutes out of Calabases, quickly grew out of control due to powerful Santa Ana winds, scorching over 23,700 acres in less than 48 hours.
“My brother, who was home at the time of this fire, when the power shut off and evacuation orders were given, grabbed our dogs and valuables and went to where it was safe,” Baum said. “We were lucky he had a place to go, and know that not everyone is as fortunate as we were.”
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, which spread throughout Pasadena and Altadena, and other fires in Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley led to additional evacuations in the later hours of Jan. 7.
Jensen Ring, a junior from Manhattan Beach, Calif. studying organizational leadership at UM, described the overwhelming sight of the fires as he left Los Angeles to return to Miami for the spring semester.
“It’s very devastating to see what Los Angeles has been going through,” Ring said. “As I was taking off from LAX, you couldn’t even see anything on one side of the plane due to all the smoke in the air.”
The fires have caused widespread destruction, burning over 15,000 structures, forcing thousands of people to evacuate and leaving many residents without homes.
For students like Ring who were not directly affected, witnessing the aftermath of the disaster and seeing their city in ruins remains devastating.
“I want to thank all the brave men and women who have been combating the fires across the city,” Ring said. “This is something that we can’t get numb to, and I hope that we can all continue to keep the families who have lost their lives and homes in our prayers.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on the first day of the Palisades Fire ignition, deploying over 15,000 firefighting personnel within a week.
Victor Jaimes, a sophomore from Miami majoring in mathematics, shared that he initially did not realize the scale of the disaster, since he was witnessing it second-hand through multiple news platforms.
“When I heard about the fires, I thought they were just like the regular fires California gets a lot of, so I didn’t think too much of it,” Jaimes said. “But then I started seeing pictures in New York Times notifications and social media, and it was just insane how close to LA the fires were.”
According to NBC News, there were close to 200,000 people under evacuation orders as firefighting crews continued to battle the fires and increase containment percentages.
Jaimes expressed that he was particularly struck by the fires’ proximity to iconic landmarks like the Hollywood sign and the speed at which they had spread.
“It was really sad seeing all the burnt houses, and then seeing videos of people returning to where their houses used to be and seeing nothing,” Jaimes said.
In response to the crisis, Whitely reassured students that the University is ready to assist anyone whose family has been seriously impacted by the fires.
“With the ongoing impacts of a natural disaster, it is impossible to know how your life may have been interrupted or impacted,” she said in her email. “Please know we will do our best to assist students whose families have been significantly impacted.”
Family and friends of Daniel Bishop said justice was not served on sentencing day for the woman convicted in the crash that killed the University of Miami student on March 4, 2024.
“The courtroom was packed full of people. Most were direct family and family friends,” a UM student and close friend of Daniel’s who attended the sentencing and requested to stay anonymous, said. “There were a few UM students; however, I know many felt that it would be too emotional to attend.”
Daniel was a senior mathematics and psychology major at UM set to graduate in 2024 who was struck and killed while riding his scooter near Lejeune Road and Altara Avenue. Following his death, there was an outpouring of support from students and faculty who were impacted by Daniel.
“Danny was the kind of person who was so genuine and kind; without a doubt, Danny would have gone above and beyond for anyone he cared about, and I wanted to do the same for him.” Julia Margalit, a senior music industry student, said. “It felt important for me to be there, not only to stand by his family but also to show my respect and support for the person Danny was.”
During the hearing on Jan. 9, Veronica Bilbao de la Vega was found guilty and received probation instead of the maximum sentence of 60 days in jail. The 38-year-old was also given a traffic ticket for having a license that expired in 2020.
“My son had everything to live for,” Susan Bishop told the local media outside the courtroom. “He had the brightest future. He was a teacher and a mentor and a leader, and he had everything to live for. He had his whole life in front of him.”
Bilbao de la Vega pleaded no contest to the charges. During the hearing, she appeared visibly upset as an officer testified about the crash, recounting that both wheels of the truck she was driving struck Daniel, who was crossing the street at the time. The walk signal was on, and she was driving at 17 mph through a green light when the accident happened. Bilbao de la Vega remained at the scene.
BikeSafe and WalkSafe, two groups associated with the University of Miami health system, identified the site of Bishop’s crash as having a commonplace but hazardous design that endangers pedestrians crossing the street.
The design is a common setup whereby drivers can turn left on a solid green light while yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. At the Le Jeune Road crossing and similar intersections that use the “left-turn-yield-on-green” light cycle, pedestrians get the “walk” signal while drivers are turning into their path. “There’s no warning you can get T-boned,” according to WalkSafe.
The Coral Gables City Commission approved assigning traffic safety officers to Coral Gables High School. Police Chief Edward Hudak recommended using officers with citation authority instead of crossing guards.
Bilbao de la Vega is a public defender and the wife of the president of a prominent realty company. Before her sentencing, her husband asked a judge to consider her character.
“I want the court to know this accident has deeply affected Veronica,” he said. “The moment I arrived at the scene, Veronica was inconsolable. She was shaking uncontrollably. From that day forward, your honor, she has not been the same person. She prays with a rosary every night seeking solace for not only herself but her family.”
Bishop’s family hoped to see Bilbao de la Vega serve jail time, but she was instead sentenced to six months probation and 500 hours of community service in tutoring or mentoring underprivileged kids.
“I don’t think anyone is really satisfied with the outcome of the sentencing. Regardless of intention, someone died,” the student said. “Obviously, nothing is going to bring Daniel back, but I think the outcome was a little lenient.”
“Danny’s life was worth more than the sentence which was given to the person who not only caused his death, but also changed the lives of his family and friends forever,” Margalit said.
Bishop’s mother spoke in court during the sentencing.
“How can a lawyer, a mother, a community member drive knowingly with an expired license, not be careful when watching the road in front of her, and kill an innocent pedestrian on a crosswalk?” she said. “There’s no way to enact any real justice, and the punishment will never fit the crime.”
Attorney Robert Boyers, who is representing the Bishop family, said they will soon file a civil lawsuit against Bilbao de la Vega.
“Criminal law has limitations in terms of holding negligent parties accountable, even when that negligence resulted in catastrophic loss,” he said to WSVN. “The prosecutors’ hands were tied, but ours are not, and we intend to hold the defendant fully accountable in the civil justice system.”
President Donald Trump’s inauguration has brought mixed emotions to the University of Miami’s campus, as the 47th U.S. President clinched his second win since his term in 2016. Before Trump, the last Republican to win the presidency was George W. Bush, who secured reelection in 2004.
The UM College Republicans hosted a watch party at the Titanic Brewery to witness the inauguration and many students were spotted wearing MAGA hats around the Coral Gables campus on Jan. 20.
With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, many Miami-Dade residents and UM students are monitoring the effects of his proposed policies on their everyday lives.
Trump expressed his promise to commence the “golden age of America” in his inaugural address, which took place indoors in the U.S. Capitol. He addressed topics such as border protection, economic measures like implementing tariffs on imported products and repealed environmental initiatives like the Green New Deal.
“Trump spoke about his wishes to make America great but he fails to acknowledge how his doubling down on fossil fuels is a disaster for the planet and future generations,” said Kayla Williams, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering.
Shortly after the speech, the president declared his intention to sign executive orders that would affect inclusion initiatives by recognizing only two genders in the U.S., revoking federal electric vehicle regulations and declaring a national emergency at the southern border to crack down on immigration and unauthorized crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“As a person of color and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have great concerns about the future of democracy,” said Daniel Mair, a freshman majoring in political science at UM. “Trump has intentions of getting rid of checks and balances, encouraging monopolistic practices and the concentration of wealth. I’m also concerned about the inclusive community we as people worked so hard to build and whether marginalized groups will ever be heard again.”
Some students view Trump’s victory as a chance to bring traditional values and economic revitalization back to the U.S. However, others continue to question whether political institutions will remain intact.
Lazaro Chavez, a political science student and PR Chair for the UM College Republicans, traveled to D.C. for the inauguration with The Leadership Institute.
“Despite the inauguration being pushed inside, I believe President Donald Trump was able to make it a memorable ceremony with a great address that outlined his priorities,” said Khristian Parrish, a Florida native and member of the institute, who was also present in D.C. during the presidential inauguration.
“My main reason for supporting Donald Trump has always been his economic and foreign policy stances. I want to see President Trump help alleviate inflation first and foremost,” Parrish said.
In Florida, Trump obtained support from a number of demographics, including Black voters, Cuban communities and U.S. immigrants.
Trump gained 15% of the vote among Black voters in 2024, a five-point increase since 2020.
Regardless, many Black voters remain discontent with his victory. Aliyah Heaven, a freshman studying political science, expressed her feelings about Inauguration Day falling on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the third time in recent history.
“It is very unfortunate that the holiday honoring the man who lost his life for Black civil rights and the inauguration of a president who has made derogatory remarks about immigrants and Black people coincide,” she said.
The red wave inMiami-Dade during this election has been observed and has sparked controversies on campus about which political issues matter most to Floridians.
The 2024 FIU Cuba Poll, the longest-running survey of Cuban Americans in the country, found that 68% of Cubans in Miami-Dade County prefer Trump as their leader.
“A big part of [Trump’s win] has to be the Cuban community in Miami and the desire to not revert back into ways of socialism, which have been associated with the Democratic party,” said Osei Allen, a junior at UM studying political science and psychology..
Advocacy groups, like the Florida Immigrant Coalition, have noted a sharp rise in fear and uncertainty among undocumented residents, which is approximately 5% of Floridians.
Student opinions on the implications of the new administration have clashed since Trump’s reelection in November 2024.
“It’s going to cause a lot of problems in the country, but we should still respect the president,” said Nadiya Baig, a sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship.
President Donald Trump’s inauguration has brought mixed emotions to the University of Miami’s campus, as the 47th U.S. President clinched his second win since his term in 2016. Before Trump, the last Republican to win the presidency was George W. Bush, who secured reelection in 2004.
The UM College Republicans hosted a watch party at the Titanic Brewery to witness the inauguration and many students were spotted wearing MAGA hats around the Coral Gables campus on Jan. 20.
With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, many Miami-Dade residents and UM students are monitoring the effects of his proposed policies on their everyday lives.
Trump expressed his promise to commence the “golden age of America” in his inaugural address, which took place indoors in the U.S. Capitol. He addressed topics such as border protection, economic measures like implementing tariffs on imported products and repealed environmental initiatives like the Green New Deal.
“Trump spoke about his wishes to make America great but he fails to acknowledge how his doubling down on fossil fuels is a disaster for the planet and future generations,” said Kayla Williams, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering.
Shortly after the speech, the president declared his intention to sign executive orders that would affect inclusion initiatives by recognizing only two genders in the U.S., revoking federal electric vehicle regulations and declaring a national emergency at the southern border to crack down on immigration and unauthorized crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border.
“As a person of color and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have great concerns about the future of democracy,” said Daniel Mair, a freshman majoring in political science at UM. “Trump has intentions of getting rid of checks and balances, encouraging monopolistic practices and the concentration of wealth. I’m also concerned about the inclusive community we as people worked so hard to build and whether marginalized groups will ever be heard again.”
Some students view Trump’s victory as a chance to bring traditional values and economic revitalization back to the U.S. However, others continue to question whether political institutions will remain intact.
Lazaro Chavez, a political science student and PR Chair for the UM College Republicans, traveled to D.C. for the inauguration with The Leadership Institute.
“Despite the inauguration being pushed inside, I believe President Donald Trump was able to make it a memorable ceremony with a great address that outlined his priorities,” said Khristian Parrish, a Florida native and member of the institute, who was also present in D.C. during the presidential inauguration.
“My main reason for supporting Donald Trump has always been his economic and foreign policy stances. I want to see President Trump help alleviate inflation first and foremost,” Parrish said.
In Florida, Trump obtained support from a number of demographics, including Black voters, Cuban communities and U.S. immigrants.
Trump gained 15% of the vote among Black voters in 2024, a five-point increase since 2020.
Regardless, many Black voters remain discontent with his victory. Aliyah Heaven, a freshman studying political science, expressed her feelings about Inauguration Day falling on Martin Luther King Jr. Day for the third time in recent history.
“It is very unfortunate that the holiday honoring the man who lost his life for Black civil rights and the inauguration of a president who has made derogatory remarks about immigrants and Black people coincide,” she said.
The red wave inMiami-Dade during this election has been observed and has sparked controversies on campus about which political issues matter most to Floridians.
The 2024 FIU Cuba Poll, the longest-running survey of Cuban Americans in the country, found that 68% of Cubans in Miami-Dade County prefer Trump as their leader.
“A big part of [Trump’s win] has to be the Cuban community in Miami and the desire to not revert back into ways of socialism, which have been associated with the Democratic party,” said Osei Allen, a junior at UM studying political science and psychology..
Advocacy groups, like the Florida Immigrant Coalition, have noted a sharp rise in fear and uncertainty among undocumented residents, which is approximately 5% of Floridians.
Student opinions on the implications of the new administration have clashed since Trump’s reelection in November 2024.
“It’s going to cause a lot of problems in the country, but we should still respect the president,” said Nadiya Baig, a sophomore majoring in entrepreneurship.
TikTok, a Chinese-owned video-sharing app, was placed under review in November of 2019 by the U.S. government for concerns of censorship and data collection. Photo credit: Shutterstock
TikTok was removed from U.S. app stores and went temporarily non-functional on the night of Saturday, Jan. 18, only to restore service 15 hours later, following an announcement by President Donald Trump to sign an executive order delaying the ban.
“I’m asking companies not to let TikTok stay dark!” Trump said on Truth Social. “I will issue an executive order on Monday to extend the period of time before the law’s prohibitions take effect, so that we can make a deal to protect our national security.”
While TikTok went dark, a message on the app read, “We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on the solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office.” The quick return left many wondering if the platform’s removal was part of a broader political strategy, given the president’s past efforts to ban the app.
“I’m glad TikTok is back but I’m not going to praise Trump for being the one to do it,” said Corinne Kelly, a senior studying entrepreneurship at the University of Miami, in response to the TikTok message crediting “President Trump’s efforts” once the app restored service.
The short-video sharing app has been at the center of U.S. national security concerns due to its parent company’s (Byte Dance) connections to the Chinese Communist Party. It was first flagged as a potential threat by Trump in July 2020, as retaliation for China’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since then, a number of lawmakers have expressed skepticism about TikTok’s efforts to safeguard U.S. user data, regardless of TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew’s testimony before a Congressional committee in March 2023.
Before the app’s brief removal, Trump remarked that he had a “warm spot” for TikTok in his heart, falsely claiming that “[he] won youth by 36 points and there are those that say that [the platform] had something to do with that.”
According to exit poll data published by NBC News, former Vice President Kamala Harris beat Trump 54% to 43% among voters ages 18-29.
“Frankly, we have no choice. We have to save it,” Trump said at a rally on Sunday, Jan. 19, adding that the United States will seek a joint venture to restore the app used by over 170 million Americans.
User speculation suggested that those who downloaded TikTok before the ban would still have access but be unable to update the app, eventually making it nonfunctional. When the ban was enforced, users were greeted with an unexpected message stating that content was restricted in the U.S.
With the app functioning again, it remains unclear if the content creation platform will be here to stay in the future.
“It doesn’t make any sense. How can it be saved by someone who wasn’t in office yet,” said Claire Bitner, a senior studying communications and sociology at UM.
While the specifics of the negotiations between Trump and TikTok remain unclear, the situation highlights the influence that Trump continues to have over tech companies including Meta, X and TikTok.
This year, Trump’s inaugural guest list included some of the nation’s most powerful tech leaders, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, X owner and DOGE co-chair Elon Musk, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and TikTok CEO Chew.
On Jan. 7, Meta replaced its traditional fact-checkers with a community notes feature, similar to the one on X. Meanwhile, X’s owner and CTO Musk has built a strong relationship with Trump on the campaign trail, backing the president with more than a quarter of a billion dollars.
Now, Trump has created a connection with the CEO and the millions of TikTok users in the U.S., giving himself a seat at the table for discussions regarding the future of the platform.
“To me it sounds like there was so much more at play than just issues with data,” Bitner said. “[Trump’s team] hoped this would gain the TikTok generation’s favor but most of us just don’t understand the point of it all.”
According to the TikTok Policy X account, TikTok “will work with President Trump on a long-term solution that keeps [the platform] in the United States,” during the 75-day extension granted by the president’s executive order on Monday evening.
Miami was run off the court by SMU on Saturday to the tune of a 43-point blowout, losing 117 to 74.
SMU came out of the gate firing. A quality three-point shooting team averaging 37% from behind the arc, the Mustangs showed it early. They started 4-of-5 from three and 8-of-10 from the field to lead 20-7 before the halfway mark of the first half.
Former Miami forward Matt Cross and senior guard Chuck Harris led the scoring barrage, and the team moved the ball well through guards B.J. Edwards and Boopie Miller.
Miami, on the other hand, struggled offensively. The ’Canes had multiple stretches where they went minutes without a basket and had nothing going for them.
The difference in the ball movement was seen in both teams’ assist totals. Through the first half, the Mustangs had 18 assists on 26 made shots. Miami, in comparison, had just five opening-half assists and finished with 10 on the day.
“We’ve yet to really play like we do in practice, where we’re sharing the ball and everyone is involved,” interim head coach Bill Courtney said.
This lack of playmaking and facilitation on the team has been one of Miami’s biggest issues with lead guard Nijel Pack out of the lineup. This has left freshman Divine Ugochukwu as the Hurricanes’ only true point guard, but coming off an injury, he played just four minutes in the first half.
With no real facilitator to dissect the defense and open up the floor for the rest of the team, Miami’s offense was sluggish and stagnant. SMU’s offense ran much more effortlessly, as Miller and Edwards were able to draw in the defense and make the lob to the big man or hit the open teammate in the corner.
“We’re playing guys at point guard who are not point guards, and Boopie Miller is terrorizing those guys,” Courtney said.
Miller led SMU with 18 points and 10 assists, tying Miami’s team total. He also recorded two steals. All game long, he was disruptive and showed the massive difference in the two teams’ backcourts.
Never in a rhythm, the Hurricanes shot just 42% from the field in the first half, compared to SMU’s 76%. These multiple stretches of stagnant offense let the Mustangs get out and run multiple times, leading to 11 fastbreak points for SMU.
The first half ended well for Miami on offense, as it made its last four shots, including its first fastbreak basket of the game with a Matthew Cleveland dunk off a steal from Brandon Johnson.
But it meant very little, as the Hurricanes’ awful start put them in a massive 34-point hole with the Mustangs ahead 60-26 at halftime.
“It was embarrassing at halftime, 60 points, so the only thing you can do is go out and have some type of pride,” Cleveland said.
Senior guard Matthew Cleveland makes a break for the basket during the second half of Miami’s game against SMU at the Watsco Center on Jan. 18, 2025. Photo Credit: Alexandra Fisher Photo Editor
Cleveland led Miami to open the second half, scoring 14 points in just six minutes. He was aggressive, attacking the paint, drawing fouls and giving Miami a spark on offense, slightly chipping into SMU’s lead.
Miami’s offense slowed down again, and SMU got back to rolling. A Kario Oquendo fastbreak windmill dunk was part of a 14-2 run by the Mustangs, and just like that, Miami was down 44 points.
Cleveland, Miami’s lone player with over 10 points, ended the game with two free throws to give him a career-high 31 points on the day.
“At the end of the day it doesn’t matter when you lose by about 40,” Cleveland said.
SMU’s 117-point total was a program record and the most Miami has given up all year. The Mustangs shooting splits of 69% from the field and 56% from three were also Miami’s worst allowed this season. Seven Mustangs were in the double digits, led by Miller, who, along with his 18 points, tied Miami’s team assist total with 10.
Up next, Miami hits the road and heads to the West Coast for a two-game trip. The first will be at Stanford on Wednesday, Jan. 22. Tip-off is at 11 p.m.
The Hurricanes 2025 season kicked off January 13th against Troy and Buffalo, with both matches being played at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
The first match was played against Troy in the morning, in which the Miami Hurricanes were victorious 4-1 marking head coach Alex Santos’ first win.
The match began with doubles play, with the ‘Canes securing the doubles point through victories from the duos of Martin Katz/Antonio Prat and Nacho Serra Sanchez/Leonardo Dal Boni, 6-2 and 6-4 respectively.
With Miami only fielding five eligible players, the ‘Canes went into the singles matches tied 1-1. Despite the disadvantage, the ‘Canes rallied to clinch the match with three games being dominated in straight sets.
Serra Sanchez, Dal Boni, and Prat clinched the match win before Katz and freshman Maximo Oberto could finish their games.
With a win under their belt, the ‘Canes remained hot in their evening match versus Buffalo.
Again, Miami took the doubles point with the Katz/Prat and Serra Sanchez/Dal Boni duos winning 6-1 and 6-4 respectively.
The match was secured after Prat, Serra Sanchez, and Katz all won in straight sets against their Buffalo counterparts.
The ‘Canes moved to 2-0 and headed to Boca Raton to face FAU later in the week.
January 16: Win vs. Florida Atlantic University
Thursday afternoon rolled around at the Kimberly V. Strauss Tennis Center, and the ‘Canes continued to roll.
Experience proved pivotal as the FAU Owls line-up comprised mainly of freshmen, with the ‘Canes snatching the doubles point after back-to-back wins.
But the Owls did not lie down without a fight, tying the match 1-1 after the first round of singles play. Even with a win from Prat, FAU nearly clinched the match, winning the next two singles games.
Wins from Serra Sanchez and freshman Medhi Sadaoui proved pivotal as they clinched the win for Miami 4-3.
All signs are pointing up for the squad as they head to the ITA Kickoff Weekend and will face a tough challenge in the form of No.8 Columbia Jan. 25.
In one of college basketball’s premier venues, Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University set the stage for a showdown between the ACC’s best Duke Blue Devils (15-2, 7-0 ACC) and the ACC’s worst Miami Hurricanes (4-13, 0-6 ACC).
When you play at Duke you have to deal with one of the rowdiest student sections in the country, the Cameron Crazies. The noise of the crowd and the talent of the third-best team of the country led them to beat down Miami all night. The Blue Devils won in blowout fashion, 89-54.
Matching their season-worst losing streak, the Hurricanes have now dropped six consecutive games. In an all-around ugly performance, there aren’t many ‘Canes to highlight. However, the struggling Lynn Kidd had himself an evening, scoring 20 points and starting the game off scoring 10 of Miami’s first 12 points. The only other ‘Cane in double-digit scoring was Austin Swartz. He scored 11, shooting 3-5 from long-range in 27 minutes of play.
Matthew Cleveland has lit up the box score in the previous six games, averaging 20.5 points per game. His success fared differently in North Carolina. Cleveland only scored two points, shooting 0-3 from the field in his 28 minutes of action. Duke’s stifling perimeter defense gave Cleveland and the whole team trouble all night, as seen from the margin of victory.
Miami’s Lynn Kidd secured the opening tip for his team, and 14 seconds later Five-Star Freshman Cooper Flagg stole the ball and dished it to Kon Knueppel for a quick layup. Miami competed for the first few minutes of the game and at the 16:11 mark of the first half, the score was 9-8 in favor of the Blue Devils. Throughout the season Miami has competed early and then collapsed. History once again repeats itself for the orange and green.
Duke would quickly extend its lead, going on a 13-0 run in roughly a three minute span thanks to Mason Gillis and Knueppel. He continued to be unguardable and dominated all night, finishing the game with a career high 25 points on a near perfect 9-11 shooting.
As the clock kept winding down in the first , the margin kept getting bigger as at one point Duke had a massive 28 point lead. Miami would go on a late 7-0 run to close the half. The score was 50-26 with one half down and one to go.
The second half was similar to the first, Duke dominated throughout the whole entire game. Duke shot 53.1 % from three point range alone. Flagg would contribute with 13 points.
Miami could not sustain any momentum for a vast majority of the game resulting in their biggest loss of the season. The Hurricanes will return to Coral Gables to play the SMU Mustangs, for their very first ACC basketball matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Miami Hurricanes defense struggled heavily last season, and as a result, coordinator Lance Guidry was let go in December. In his place, Minnesota defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman will step in to try and fix the defense.
Hetherman only led the Minnesota defense for one year, but in that lone season, their defense was excellent. The Golden Gophers had one of the nation’s top defenses, ranking in the top 10 in several major defensive categories. Allowing only 285.7 yards per game, they ranked fifth; their 176.1 yards air yards allowed ranked ninth, and 16.9 points per game ranked ninth as well. This was a massive leap from the prior year, where those numbers were dramatically worse than all 56th or worse in the nation. This all while only taking the ball away a modest 21 times, a similar number to Miami’s 18 total takeaways.
This isn’t the only time he flipped a defensive culture around. From 2015-2018, Hetherman was in the FCS with Maine, and by his last year there, the Black Bears led the FCS in several categories. Along with the leading rushing defense at 79.2 yards per game, Maine posted 47 sacks as a team, good for second nationally, and forced 31 turnovers, most in their division.
Looking at the schematic differences between Hetherman and Guidry, their systems both start at the 4-2-5 format. Matt Shoddel of On3 broke it down and to him, “Hetherman keeps it a bit more simple…He isn’t as worried about trying to confuse the QB as he is about playing good, sound defense.” As he puts it there Guidry’s system tried a lot more disguising and movement of guys post snap. Though these aspects can confuse an offense, it can also at times confuse a defense and, as a result, lead to coverage busts and the frequent explosive plays Miami let up all year. Minnesota conversely was excellent in preventing explosive plays. The Golden Gophers let up the nation’s fourth fewest plays of 20 yards with just 36; the Canes’ ranked 96th with 61 allowed.
Going into the Minnesota job, Hetherman said it best on how he wants this defense to be run, “Really for us it’s who are our best 11 and how we get them on the field, and we’ll tweak our scheme and make it fit to get our best 11 guys on the field to make sure we’re flying around playing fast.” At the end of the day, it’s simply what Hetherman is going to try and instill into this defense: good, solid, physical football that is disciplined but aggressive.
Though it was inconsistent, Miami will have talent for Hetherman to work with, including defensive lineman Rueben Bain, cornerback OJ Frederique, and Wesley Bissainthe, to name a few along the defense. Outside of them, though, Miami brought in several big-name defensive transfers and will also have some promising players expected to step into bigger roles and return from injury that could round out a solid defense that looked pretty good in Guidry’s first year at defensive coordinator.
Miami’s offense, with a ton of changes, is likely to struggle early in the year. If Hetherman can push this defense to improve and get back to where it should be, Miami might be able to weather any early season woes and come out stronger to challenge for the ACC.
