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Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez visits UM in fireside chat with ALPFA 

Lazaro Chavez
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Alex ‘A-Rod’ Rodriguez visits UM in fireside chat with ALPFA 

The Association of Latino Professionals for America hosted former MLB player and successful entrepreneur Alex Rodríguez for a fireside chat with Damien Riviera, ALPFA CEO on Oct. 2 in the Shalala Student Center. They discussed baseball and business with an emphasis on discipline and success.

Riviera noted that everyone has a brand, pointing out Rodriguez’s brand as a baseball player and a successful businessman. He asked Rodriguez how students can build their own brand, given that students are just beginning to get their foot in the door of their respective fields. He noted that a person’s brand is a “byproduct” of who they are, emphasizing the importance of a good reputation. 

“What sets you apart is your reputation—how you treat people, how you conduct yourself, and whether people can trust you to get the job done,” Rodriguez said to eager students.

Another important piece of advice he gave students was to “be present.” Rodriguez gave the audience an example from his own life, a meeting he had with fellow entrepreneur and NBA megastar Earvin “Magic” Johnson. 

Recounting the meeting, he said he “walked into the room… made sure I was on time, I made eye contact, and I took notes.” 

“Afterward, Magic told me he’d never seen an athlete do that. That’s how I set myself apart,” Rodriguez said.

 Rodriguez then turned to students for questions during the event. A notable question that was asked was about how to manage one’s time. He gave the audience an example of what his schedule tends to look at this time of year; being in and out of meetings in addition to his vast media appearances due to the MLB playoffs. 

He emphasized how he has to be specific in what he prioritizes and surround himself with the right people to balance this schedule. 

“My schedule is all about focus,” said Rodriguez, “I spend 50% of my time with our players, our president and our development staff… I make sure my direct reports have the direction they need to succeed.” 

Rodriguez continued with the theme of students surrounding themselves with like minded individuals. He noted that students should try to be around “A-level” talent, because it usually attracts the same “kind of player.” 

“At the end of the day, you’ll do business with two types of people– those you like and those you respect,” Rodriguez said. “Your reputation is everything, so make sure it’s people you can trust.” 

Rising Puerto Rican star Bodine set to ignite III Points festival

Gabriel Mena
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Rising Puerto Rican star Bodine set to ignite III Points festival

Miami’s music scene is about to heat up with Puerto Rican artist Bodine making her festival debut at III Points on Oct. 18. Bodine, known for fusing genres like amapiano and reggaeton, has been making waves with her sultry singles “Tu Mujer” and “X n la espalda X n el cuello” released this summer. 

Her latest track “Titerita,” dropping on Oct. 25, is described as a fiery perreo hit that pays homage to reggaeton icon Ivy Queen. The song, accompanied by a vibrant neon yellow-themed music video directed by Joaquin Castillo, embodies Bodine’s rebellious side and showcases her signature blend of sensuality and empowerment.

Fans attending III Points can expect Bodine to bring her full “reggaeton era” to the stage. Her set will likely feature tracks from her latest album,”Quemo Lento,” which includes standout unique songs like “Nalgaje” and “Lo Nuestro.” Bodine’s music spans a range of moods, from the beach-ready reggae vibes of “Rayos de Sol” to the acoustic heartbreak ballad “Bambi.”

In preparation for her festival debut, Bodine has been dedicating two hours daily to choreography practice. She views this performance as a crucial step in defining her stage presence and connecting with her audience. 

“I understand who I am on stage,” Bodine said, hinting at the powerful and seductive persona she embodies as an entertainer.

Bodine’s artistic journey has been one of growth and self-discovery. She describes her current musical phase as effortless, with songs flowing naturally from her experiences. Her goal is to create, mix and release music consistently, taking advantage of her independence as an artist.

Drawing inspiration from icons like Britney Spears and Ivy Queen, Bodine sees herself as part of a larger movement in Latin music. She expresses gratitude for being included in this wave of female artists pushing boundaries and redefining genres.

Looking ahead, Bodine plans to continue releasing singles and building her presence in the industry. As she prepares to take the III Points stage, Bodine remains grounded in her creative process.

She finds inspiration in her day-to-day life while bathing, smoking, meditating or sleeping. This down-to-earth approach contrasts with her bold stage presence, creating a compelling dichotomy that fans are sure to witness at her performance.

With her unique blend of genres, empowering lyrics and magnetic stage presence, Bodine’s III Points debut promises to be a highlight of the festival. This performance could mark the beginning of a new chapter in her rising career.

Four takeaways from Cambridge professor’s guest lecture on “Imagining the Museum of Slavery”

Melody Royaee
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Four takeaways from Cambridge professor’s guest lecture on “Imagining the Museum of Slavery”

“These are dark, contested histories, and yet they need to be told in multiple ways, on multiple levels,” said Charles Forsdick, Drapers Professor of French at the University of Cambridge, at his guest lecture at the University of Miami on Sept. 26.

Forsdick has been on the curatorial committee at the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, England, since its founding in 2007. He is a key contributor to the acquisition of artifacts and artworks and exhibition planning at the Museum.

The ISM opened its doors as the first museum in the world to focus exclusively on past and modern slavery. It remains the only robust and publicly funded slavery museum in the world today.

Forsdick spoke about the curatorial decisions made in the pursuit of most effectively portraying this history, the reactions of academia and the public at large and the tribulations of covering a topic as broad as the global history of slavery while working with finite square footage.

This event was part of the Henry King Stanford Distinguished Professors Lecture Series, organized by UM’s Center for the Humanities.

Here are four takeaways from the lecture:

Liverpool 

Liverpool imported the most enslaved Africans out of any European city during the slave trade from 1526 to 1867, making it the ideal location for the ISM. 

According to Forsdick, Liverpool was founded as an industrial manufacturing city as a result of slave agriculture in the British Caribbean and South American colonies. 

One exhibit features the legacy of slavery pertaining to the city’s topography – Bold, Tarleton and Cunliffe Streets in downtown Liverpool are all named after prominent slave merchants.

A whitewashed history of abolition 

Forsdick emphasizes the importance of interrogating and disrupting state-endorsed celebrations of abolition  and the widely-held belief that the British Parliament’s Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 was a heroic deed.

“Remembering abolition is a philanthropic, legislative process discredits the brazen resistance of the enslaved,” said Forsdick. “We must dispel the myth of abolition as a gift of freedom.”

The ISM shares the courage of enslaved leaders like Toussaint Louverture of the Haitian Revolution and Nigerian-British writer, Olaudah Equiano, while shedding light on the British government’s three centuries of complicity in the trafficking and sale of enslaved Africans.

Black history at large

Although Forsdick and his colleagues discuss slavery, they do not reduce black history to the history of slavery through their curatorial choices. 

For example, one ISM exhibit displays the artistic effects of the African diaspora, while another celebrates the achievements of Black individuals through figures like Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. 

However, modern-day “Afrophobia” in Britain is also part of the conversation, with educational areas also being open to the public in ISM. The International Slavery Museum’s Centre for Youth Education is named after Anthony Walker, a Black teenager tragically murdered in Liverpool in 2005.

Across the pond: a study in contrast

Forsdick left his American audience with the question of why the U.S. cannot. 

If Britain can undertake such a comprehensive feat in commemoration, funded by taxpayer dollars, and curated by scholars who are evidently extremely passionate about their work, why can’t the U.S. do the same? 

Especially when our history of slavery is arguably even more shameful in scope and enduring in legacy? 

The Smithsonian Museum of African-American History, while educational, does not comprehensively grapple with the difficult and contested history that is American Chattel slavery. 

Perhaps the most memorable takeaway from Forsdick’s lecture: it is due time to put discomfort aside and tell the critically important stories of our past through the establishment of an American Museum of Slavery.

Miami volleyball falls at home to No. 4 Louisville

Max Diaz
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Miami volleyball falls at home to No. 4 Louisville

The start of the ACC section of the season has not gotten off to a good start for the Hurricanes’ volleyball team. Even though Miami pulled it out against Notre Dame on Friday, winning 3-2, this loss against No. 4 Louisville on Sunday, puts it at 2-4 in conference play. 

The final scores of the match were 23-25, 17-25, 25-18 and 20-25, with the ’Canes losing the match 3-1. Despite losing the match, the star sophomore Grace Lopez had an incredible performance, tallying 25 kills, five digs and four blocks. Her 25 kills were more than half the 47 kills the Hurricanes had as a whole. 

The first set was close the entire way through, with the largest lead being only four points. The first five points of the set for the ’Canes came off kills, two by Lopez, one by junior Flormarie Heredia Colon, one by senior Ashley Carr and one by sophomore Ava Carney. After those kills, the ’Canes were leading 5-2 early in the set. They held that lead until Cardinals senior Charitie Luper scored a kill to tie the set up at 8-8. 

Defensive Specialist Yaidaliz Rosado gets ball against Louisville at Knight Sports Complex on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. Photo Credit: @loreleis_lens, Contributing Photographer

Both teams then went back and forth, scoring and not letting either hold a lead for much more than a point. The set remained close the rest of the way through, but the Cardinals came up on top in the end, winning the set 25-23 after a kill by graduate student Anna DeBeer.

The second set started off decently for Miami, with the score all tied up at seven a piece after a kill by Louisville graduate student Phekran Kong. Louisville went on a 5-0 run right after that to make the score 12-7. The Hurricanes were never able to close the gap for the rest of the set. and the Cardinals ended up winning the set 25-17 to give them a 2-0 lead in the match.

Setter Alanys Viera sets the ball to her teammate against Louisville at Knight Sports Complex on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. Photo Credit: @loreleis_lens, Contributing Photographer

Things were finally looking up for the ’Canes in the third set. It was tied late in the set, with the score tied at 17 after a kill by Carney. Miami went on a 7-0 right after getting the tie to make the score 24-17. Not long after, it closed out the set with a kill by junior Dalia Wilson to give the Hurricanes the 25-18 set win. 

The fourth and final set did not end up being the next part of a UM comeback. It started off with the score tied at four after a kill by Heredia Colon. The Cardinals held a small lead for the rest of the set. Even though Lopez tallied a kill late to make the score 24-19, the outcome remained as expected, with the Cardinals winning the set 25-20 to give them the 3-1 match victory.

After the loss, the Hurricanes now sit at 11-6 on the season, and the Cardinals improve to 14-2. For their next match, the Hurricanes will travel up to Syracuse, N.Y. to face the Syracuse Orange (12-6, 0-6 ACC) on Friday. This will be the Hurricanes’ first of four consecutive road matches in a row that will last them through the rest of October. Miami will not have a match back in Coral Gables until Friday, Nov. 1, when it plays the Stanford Cardinal (13-2, 5-1).

Miami soccer falls short to Clemson in road match

Mary Grace Cardelle
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Miami soccer falls short to Clemson in road match

The Miami Hurricanes’ soccer team fell short on the road to Clemson, with the ’Canes conceding a late goal that led to their 2-1 defeat.

With Clemson’s first shot on goal just eight minutes into the match, freshman Anna Castenfelt scored.

While this rattled Miami’s momentum, it quickly gained it back, securing numerous shots on goal while Clemson struggled to find the ball.

The Hurricanes’ momentum paid off, with Dieynaba “JJ” Ndaw finishing a beautiful header into the back of the net. The assist came from a corner kick in the 31st minute; it also marked the first goal for the Duke transfer, who is in her inaugural season with the Hurricanes.

The battle continued as the half neared its ending, with both teams keeping possession. Miami recorded two more shots on goal, while Clemson had none.

The second half started aggressively, with both teams aiming for the back of the net; however, it wasn’t until the 80th minute that Clemson broke the tie to put it up 2-1. This was the third game Miami had conceded a last-minute goal, following similar losses to California and Virginia.

The ’Canes struggled to respond and came up short to the Tigers as the final whistle was blown 10 minutes later.

While this heartbreaking loss is all but unfamiliar to Miami now, it will return to Cobb Stadium on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m., where it’s slated to host Pittsburgh and celebrate Senior Night.

Hurricanes volleyball secures win over Notre Dame in cancer awareness game

Sarah Landau
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Hurricanes volleyball secures win over Notre Dame in cancer awareness game

Fans packed the Knight Sports Complex on Friday night to witness the Hurricanes’ remarkable five-set comeback win against Notre Dame in Coral Gables, Florida. Miami wore special white and pink uniforms to honor breast cancer survivors and spread awareness about the disease. 

After a strong first set from Miami, the Fighting Irish began to rally and took two sets of their own. While the Hurricanes’ composure and skill allowed them to secure the win, Notre Dame took advantage of any and every chance it got to climb back into the match.

Despite Miami’s coaching staff calling multiple timeouts at key points in the second and third sets, their attempts to refocus the players were to no avail, and the Hurricanes lost two straight sets to their opponents.

Once the Hurricanes were able to regain the upper hand, though, they had an easy fourth set and finished off the win swiftly in the fifth.

Throughout the match, the ’Canes put on their season-best blocking performance of 18 blocks. Each attack from Notre Dame was deflected by the strong forces of senior Ashley Carr and junior Dalia Wilson, who had 10 and eight blocks, respectively. 

Senior Yaidaliz Rosado controlled the leaderboard for both teams with a total of 16 digs, and junior Flormarie Heredia Colon led the Hurricanes with 13 kills of her own.

The ’Canes will play the Louisville Cardinals next at home on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Capitalizing on catastrophe: The ethics missing from airlines 

Madeline Darby
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Capitalizing on catastrophe: The ethics missing from airlines 

Between Sunday and Monday morning, Hurricane Milton grew from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane. In just a mere 24 hours, Florida residents living in the hurricane’s path were urged to evacuate immediately, but evacuation isn’t easy and can come at a steep cost. 

Living in Coral Gables, I remain outside of Milton’s path of destruction but when UM canceled classes I figured I would head home early. That was until I saw the flight costs. On Monday, one-way flights to Boston out of MIA cost between $800-1200, when I usually pay, at most, $200 per round trip. 

My roommate, who decided the price was worth the early flight home, paid $400 for a one-way ticket back to Pittsburgh. 

Fortunately, I will be safe staying in Miami, but for those living in Tampa and along Florida’s Gulf Coast, staying is not a safe option. But what if they can’t afford to escape?

In times of catastrophe, airlines serve as a crucial lifeline for civilians. During evacuations, when lives hinge on securing a flight, airlines have a moral duty to prioritize the safety of people over profit. This includes an ethical obligation to keep fares affordable. 

A grave moral injustice arises when only the wealthy can afford safety, leaving the less affluent to fend for themselves and face potentially life-threatening risks. Safety should be a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few. 

However, by midafternoon Tuesday, airlines had canceled more than 700 U.S. flights, about half of these originating from Tampa International Airport. 

Parents attempting to secure seats on one of the last available flights to get their students out of Florida are struggling with skyrocketing prices. Cerina McQuillan, a concerned mother trying to bring her 17-year-old daughter home to New York, said the website crashed during her booking attempt. 

“All of a sudden it went back on again, and the flights quadrupled in price. It went up to like $750 within a matter of seconds,” she said. “There were prices even as high as $1,000 for one leg. So wrong! So wrong!” said McQuillan.

My own mother shared similar frustrations over FaceTime as she browsed multiple airline sites, struggling to find one-way flights under $800. 

The issue escalated to the point where President Biden issued a statement during a hurricane briefing urging airlines not to exploit Florida residents by overcharging them as they try to flee the storm’s path.

“I am calling on the airlines and other companies to provide as much service as possible to accommodate evacuations, and to not engage in price gouging, to just do it on the level,” Biden said. 

But how do we ensure that airlines follow these orders? Delta claims that it capped fairs, although it gave no figures. American said it added 2,000 seats leaving from Orlando on Tuesday night after adding 2,000 in Tampa and Sarasota on Monday.

That said, these tickets can often exceed people’s budgets, especially for those still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Tackling expensive home renovations to being trapped by flooded vehicles, many find these available seats out of reach. 

This is no new problem. Yet, as hurricanes are projected to become more frequent, the need to cap fares at a reasonable price is more urgent than ever. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued a report in May of 2024 predicting above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic this year.

Airlines now face a choice: to make a profit or to help people. 

If anything, airlines have a moral obligation not just to cap fares, but to actually decrease flight costs to ensure that everyone who needs to can escape life-threatening weather events. 

William McGee, a travel expert and advocate for the American Liberties Project, which opposes large corporations, acknowledged the surge in social media comments regarding airlines, especially Delta, United, and American, raising their prices as hurricane Milton approaches. He urged consumers to file complaints with (Transportation Department) and perhaps share details on social media. But it shouldn’t be up to the citizens to monitor and report airline activity. 

The Transportation Department stated that it has been in contact with airlines to gather information about flight prices, but it’s too little too late. As we brace for more frequent hurricanes, it’s essential to establish and enforce fare caps as soon as weather reports signal potential natural disasters. 

A potential solution could involve universal fare caps during catastrophes—a fixed price limit implemented during natural disasters.

It’s crucial that government agencies become more proactive when regulating airlines. They can’t start to evaluate pricing days before the hurricane is set to strike, after prices have already skyrocketed. 

Hurricane Milton should serve as a stark warning of the consequences when airlines are left unchecked. 

Those who prioritize public safety must begin holding airlines responsible for exploiting citizens in times of disaster, and begin planning what guidelines and rules can be implemented to ensure safety equity.

Why one Georgia county continues to support Donald Trump for president

Maggie Loggins
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Why one Georgia county continues to support Donald Trump for president

Over the past two decades, Georgia’s political landscape has shifted significantly, and it is now firmly a battleground state. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris are campaigning hard there  – whoever captures the 16 electoral votes will have an easier path to the White House.  

The shift in Georgia’s voting record is remarkable, considering it’s been solidly Republican for nearly three decades, until 2020, when President Joe Biden narrowly won, the first Democrat to carry the Peach State since Bill Clinton in 1992. 

However, heading into November, one Georgia county has become more solidly Republican, and its residents appear unlikely to change that trend in the 2024 election between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Floyd County, with a population of just under 100,000, is located about 70 miles northwest of Atlanta. It is predominantly comprised of white residents, roughly 70% of the population. In 2020, voters there cast 28,906 for President Trump and 11,917 for President Joe Biden. The county has become more steadily Republican since 1992 – it’s gone for the Republican candidate by wider margins since then. 

The County’s demographics are much different from the rest of the state – where overall, 49.6% of Georgia’s population is non-Hispanic white, and nearly a third of the population is Black or African-American. In comparison, 11.1% is Hispanic, and 4.9% is Asian, according to USA Today. 

Both candidates have been heavily courting the state’s Black and Hispanic voters, who were crucial to Biden’s 2020 victory. 

In 2020, a recount found 2,600 ballots in Floyd County that hadn’t originally been tallied. Now, Georgia plays another central role in the nation’s political world: it’s where Trump is facing an election interference trial.

Trump had been facing a 41-count indictment, alleging he and several others conspired to overturn the 2020 election results. The case had been delayed due to an attempt to disqualify the lead prosecutor, a decision currently under appeal. Earlier this month, a judge dismissed three charges from the indictment, including two against the former president.

While Floyd County most likely will not be the deciding county in the Georgia vote, it represents a snapshot of how deeply rural parts of a pivotal swing state view some of the issues this election.  

For some Floyd County residents, the choice goes beyond Republican vs. Democrat – this election is about the identity of America: preserving free-market capitalism, securing borders and ensuring a stronger America for future generations. They also feel that Trump shouldn’t be the only one held accountable for the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riots. 

Here’s why they are voting for Trump in November. 

A local lawyer and former chairman of the Floyd County Republican Party, 67, who was a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 2016. He asked for anonymity to protect his privacy:

On Jan. 6, 2021: 

Trump urged supporters to “march peacefully” and the viewpoint that Jan. 6 is Trump’s fault is “overly simplistic.” 

On who won the debate: 

Harris’s responses during the September debate lacked specificity and Trump was addressing issues more head-on, he said. But he believes Harris “exceeded expectations.” While neither side won, Trump “perhaps very slightly edged her” despite being “not as prepared” and often going off-topic. 

On why he’s choosing Trump over Harris: 

Voters know what to expect from another Trump presidency: policies focused on free-market capitalism and economic growth. He worries that under Harris, the Democratic Party may shift toward greater government control. “They’re a party that clearly believes not an equal opportunity, but equal outcome,” which he fears could lead to wealth redistribution and a reduction in personal freedoms.

“I don’t view this as an election between Trump and Harris. I view this as an election about what kind of country we want to have in the future. What kind of government do we want to have with Trump?” 

Kacey Carpenter, 46, a small business owner, who has held local office since 2017: 

On Jan. 6, 2021

While Trump didn’t act quickly enough to de-escalate the riots, Carpenter said the media overdramatized the day. 

On the debate:

Carpenter found the debate frustrating and turned it off early, he said, because he wanted Trump to spend more time, “preparing for the debate, staying focused on what the real issue is, which to me is the economy and government spending”, rather than getting sidetracked by unsubstantiated remarks about migrants eating pets.

On why he’s picking Trump over Harris: Carpenter emphasized the practical impact of Trump’s policies on small businesses. “It’s pure economics for me,” he said. He’s also staunchly against more regulation from the federal government. As a small business owner, he believes that regulations are what’s hurting the country, not just environmental ones but across the board. He says that small businesses are “put in a position where they can’t compete with big businesses” that can afford the staff needed to comply with the rules, while small businesses struggle to keep up with the costs and requirements.  

He thinks sensible immigration reform is essential for economic stability. We need a “robust immigration workforce to do the jobs that Americans don’t wanna do”, particularly areas like agriculture and manufacturing.

Diane Miller, 69, a 50-year resident of Floyd County:

On Jan. 6, 2021:

Miller pointed to conflicting narratives and believes others need to be held accountable for the Jan 6. Riots – not just Republicans – and that the situation is “more complex.” 

On the debate: 

She found the recent debate tough to watch, calling Harris “over-rehearsed” and Trump’s claims “off the wall.”  Miller still believes Trump is the stronger leader, particularly on immigration because “Kamala Harris cannot stand up to his immigration policy”, which aligns with her values and family background. Her perspective helps explain why, despite controversies, Trump retains strong support in this solidly Republican county, where voters prioritize policies they believe secure America’s future.

On why she’s picking Trump over Harris: 

Miller, a second-generation immigrant, supports Trump’s focus on secure borders and legal immigration, saying, “It was much better in the Trump administration,” she said. “It’s wonderful to open our borders, but come in the proper way.”

She criticized the current system for allowing unvetted individuals into the country, causing issues like drug and sex trafficking. 

Takeaways from the vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance

Sophia Ibanez
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Takeaways from the vice presidential debate between Walz and Vance

Ohio Sen. JD Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz took the stage for the vice presidential debate on Tuesday, Oct. 1 to discuss topics ranging from economic policy and climate change to abortion and immigration. 

The debate hosted by CBS News and moderated by Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan gave voters a glimpse into the key policies of both the vice presidential candidates and their running mates. 

As the debate began, Walz opened the discussion, emphasizing the success of the current administration with his running mate, Kamala Harris as Vice President. 

“What we’ve seen out of Vice President Harris is we’ve seen steady leadership,” Walz said. “We’ve seen a calmness that is able to be able to draw on the coalitions, to bring them together, understanding that our allies matter. And as the Vice President said today, we will protect our forces and our allied forces, and there will be consequences.”

Walz proceeded to comment about presidential candidate Donald Trump, regarding his age and leadership strategies. 

“A nearly 80-year-old Donald Trump talking about crowd sizes is not what we need in this moment,” said Walz.

To this, Vance replied with a statement against Kamala Harris’s political and economic achievements throughout her three years in office. 

“Governor Walz, you blame Donald Trump. Who has been the vice president for the last three and a half years? And the answer is your running mate, not mine.” said Vance. “When was the last time that an American President didn’t have a major conflict, breakout? The only answer is during the four years that Donald Trump was President.”

Walz and Vance drew sharp contrasts from the past and present conditions of the nation, in regards to the general policies that their running mates have implemented during their time in office. 

Ultimately, the focus of the discussion turned to climate change, a particularly critical issue for Floridians in light of the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Milton. 

Vance opened his statement with a message of unity, speaking on behalf of both himself and Governor Walz.

“I’m sure Governor Walz joins me in saying our hearts go out to those innocent people, our prayers go out to them. And we want as robust and aggressive as a federal response as we can get to save as many lives as possible,” Vance said, in regards to the effects of Hurricane Helene.

Similar to Vance, Walz expressed his condolences for those affected by Hurricane Helene. He emphasized the collaborative efforts of governors and emergency responders in managing the crisis in northwest Florida.

Walz acknowledged the urgency of addressing climate change and how the Biden-Harris administration’s record investments in clean energy have positioned the U.S. as an energy producer. 

“Donald Trump called it a hoax and then joked that these things would make more beachfront property to be able to invest in,” said Walz. 

 Referring to the Biden-Harris Administration’s strategies, he continued his statement, “We are producing more natural gas and more oil at any time than we ever have. We’re also producing more clean energy. So the solution for us is to continue to move forward, that climate change is real. Reducing our impact is absolutely critical.”

When Norah O’Donnell asked for Vance’s stance on climate change, he took a different approach towards the topic. 

“What have Kamala Harris’ policies actually led to? More energy production in China, more manufacturing overseas, more doing business in some of the dirtiest parts of the entire world,” said Vance. “So if we actually care about getting cleaner air and cleaner water, the best thing to do is to double down and invest in American workers and the American people.”

While the debate featured some disagreements on specific policies, University of Miami students expressed their perspectives on the unconventionally calm appearance of vice presidential candidates on national television.

“Overall, I thought the debate was a refreshing look for the current political climate. It was relieving to see two politicians disagree without completely slandering each other on national television,” said Sasha Blanchard, a sophomore majoring in health science. 

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, abortion has become a point of contention in the U.S. and emerged as a key topic in this vice presidential debate. 

When moderator Nora O’Donnell asked Governor Walz about his view on abortion restrictions, he said, “This is basic human right. We have seen maternal mortality skyrocket in Texas, outpacing many other countries in the world.”

Specifically regarding the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act that Walz signed in Minnesota, which made the state the least restrictive on abortion rights, he said, “This is about health care. In Minnesota, we are ranked first in health care for a reason. We trust women. We trust doctors.”

As seen in the past, Walz’s stance on this specific topic has remained generally steady. Whereas Vance took another approach to resonate with citizens’ personal experiences and challenges.

“I want us, as a Republican Party, to be pro-family in the fullest sense of the word. I want us to support fertility treatments. I want us to make it easier for moms to afford to have babies,” said Vance, after voicing a story about an individual dear to him who had an abortion in the case of an abusive relationship.

Vance acknowledged the country’s diverse interests, while expressing Donald Trump’s views on the importance of bringing the choice of abortion to the voter level. 

“And the proper way to handle this, as messy as democracy sometimes is, is to let voters make these decisions, let the individual states make their abortion policy,” Vance said. “I think that’s what makes the most sense in a very big, a very diverse, and let’s be honest, sometimes a very, very messy and divided country.”

Following the extensive topic of abortion, the conversation led to the discussion of immigration. 

Vance opened with a statement by criticizing how the Biden-Harris administration has handled the current border policy, while including its effects on the country as a whole. 

“The only thing that she did when she became the Vice President, when she became the appointed border czar, was to undo 94 Donald Trump executive actions that opened the border,” Vance said. “This problem is leading to massive problems in the United States of America. Parents who can’t afford health care, schools that are overwhelmed.”

He asserted that these issues have “got to stop, and will when Donald Trump is President again.”

Instead of referring to the question at hand, Walz examined the nature of the Trump-Vance partnership.

 “I believe Senator Vance wants to solve this, but by standing with Donald Trump and not working together to find a solution, it becomes a talking point,” he said.

While this debate featured anticipated critiques from both candidates, University of Miami students found that its overall essence was surprisingly different than seen in the past four years.

“I think my biggest takeaway was that there’s still hope for respect in understanding politics,” said Ashley Jennings, a junior studying political science. “I think with a lot of recent displays of our current political situation, including the presidential debate, there is a sense of doom and dread as we watch people display immaturity and a lack of regard for others just based on party lines. However, the VP debate kind of brought us back to a time of mutual respect for the other candidates and their respective opinions for the country. ”   

In their closing statements, both candidates reinforced their contrasting platforms, while displaying a sense of unity to the nation.

Walz ended on a note of stability and progress, urging voters to trust in the steady leadership of the Richardson administration. 

“Kamala Harris is bringing us a new way forward. She’s bringing us a politics of joy. She’s bringing real solutions for the middle class. And she’s centering you at the heart of that,” said Walz. “I humbly ask for your vote on November 5 for Kamala Harris.”

Vance, on the other hand, made a passionate appeal for change, stating.

“We need change. We need a new direction. We need a President who has already done this once before and did it well,” said Vance. “Please vote for Donald Trump. And whether you vote for me or vote for Tim Walz, I just want to say I’m so proud to be doing this, and I’m rooting for you.”

UM students start first new business frat in 50 years

Maya Gensheer
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UM students start first new business frat in 50 years

For the first time in 50 years, the University of Miami has a new business fraternity. Phi Chi Theta is UM’s  newest professional co-ed business fraternity with a new take on what professional frats can offer business students. 

Fraternity President Connor Hirsch and Vice President Alekhya Kotha have highlighted their focus on mentorship for the fraternity and its members, including collaboration with partner companies, resume help and local connections. 

Hirsch, Kotha and third founding father Elisa Ferrerira want to emphasize the importance of a lower-stress rush process, going with a Miami Vice theme to bring the fun into rush. 

Any business or economics major or minor can join, a requirement unique to Phi Chi Theta. 

The idea to bring Phi Chi Theta to campus began last Spring. Hirsch’s initial hurdles were getting enough school support and getting enough people. 

With the support of Danay Morales, the executive director of the Herbert Business School, Phi Chi Theta was initiated in early September, with about 23 active members. 

Hirsch and Kotha used their critiques of the other on-campus business frats to frame the basis of the Zeta Alpha Chapter. 

Ferrerira was approached by her two other founding fathers about joining on the project and was all in. 

“I have something to call my own,” Ferreria says, wanting to really focus on teambuilding and creating a community within the Herbert Business School. 

Kotha, an international student from India, had no prior exposure to the business world from high school like many American students might have. This made an already competitive and stressful rush process even harder, with no real guidance. 

“This should prepare you, not close you off,” Alekhya said. 

Now, as the vice president of Phi Chi Theta, she wants to focus on helping people learn, no matter their prior experience. 

“If someone is rejected, please keep in touch. We want to help you!” she says. 

Follow Pi Chi Theta on Instagram @pctumiami to learn more about the fraternity and how to get involved.

“They Had Us in the First Half”: A look into Hurricanes Football Second Half Dominance

Andrew Schwartz
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“They Had Us in the First Half”: A look into Hurricanes Football Second Half Dominance

Through 6 weeks of college football, the Canes’ find themselves ranked number six in the AP Top 25 Poll after a historic come from behind victory against the Cal Berkeley Bears. Although they came away with a win, the Hurricane’s first half offensive struggles compare night and day to that of their second half dominance. Able to escape back-to-back weeks coming from behind late in games, the Canes have to figure out why the  start of their games are not as hot as they finish. 

After the game last Saturday, quarterback Cam Ward told ESPN, “we have to stop coming from behind, we have to start faster”. Through the past three weeks, Miami has scored 61 percent of their points in the second half, a stat that has them leading the country in second half points scored. They also have not been able to carry a lead into halftime against both of their ACC opponents.

While Cam Ward has been a Heisman candidate all year throwing the ball, the problem with the Canes’ slow start offensively stems from their run game, or lack thereof. Miami has tried to avoid being one dimensional through the air, and have attempted to lean on their runshing attack early on in games. The result has been a clear inability to run the ball early on downs putting the passing game in long distance, predictable passing situations throughout the opening half.

In the last three games, and including Ward’s rushing stats, the Canes’ have averaged 2.5 yards a carry and are still running the ball close to half of Miami’s offensive snaps in first halves. After the Cal game on Saturday, Coach Cristobal told members of the media, “as the game goes on, the other side is getting worn out too… early on we’ve had a tough time seeing the field”. Although true, this kind of offensive deficiency early in games is not sustainable for the Hurricanes if they’re looking to make serious noise come late December. 

The struggle to run the ball, matched with the persistence to establish a ground game, has also hurt the Canes’ passing offense in the process. Looking at just the last two games, Ward has thrown 36 percent of his total passes in just the first half. The yards gained out of these attempts makes out to be only 200 of the 780 total yards he’s thrown in these games.  Immediately following the game during his on field interview, Ward calmly stated, “This is how Tom Brady made his money in the league, I’m trying to be like that”. The outcomes and stats tell that story of his late game heroics, but why wait until the fourth quarter to let the best player in college football be himself. 

The answer to the problem of falling behind in games seems to be simple for the Hurricanes. While a traditional offense lets the run game lead the way for the passing game, the Canes’ offense works the exact opposite. Miami ranks first in passing offense through the first 6 weeks in all of college football. If Miami allows their offense to work backwards, and let the pass game get ahead in games early, then rely on Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher to put games away on the ground, both the team and their personal stats will develop. Coach Cristobal speaking on Ward says, “I have complete and utter faith in that guy and everything he represents and stands for.” Give that kind of faith in him in first halves, and the Canes can become a serious threat towards a late season push in the College Football Playoff.

EnvisionU: A springboard for undergraduate research, designed by undergraduates

Diana Moschetti
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EnvisionU: A springboard for undergraduate research, designed by undergraduates

The first undergraduate research symposium organized for students by students, EnvisionU, was hosted by UConnect on Oct. 4. The event, which highlighted research in STEM and humanities, provided a vital platform for undergraduates to present their work in a peer environment. 

The vision behind the event originated from a collaboration between former UConnect President Erica Lin and student Dylan Amiri. Last year, Amiri approached Lin with the idea to create a research symposium, supported by his father’s neurology clinic, Mecklenburg Neurology. 

As MacElhinney stepped into her role as president, she inherited the concept, and with generous funding from the clinic, was able to launch EnvisionU. 

With undergraduates leading the symposium, EnvisionU aimed to create a space for fellow students to present their findings free from the pressure of inexperience.

 “They are not afraid to ask for help because we are equals in every sense of the word,” said MacElhinney 

Often working alongside older, more accomplished individuals, it isn’t abnormal for young researchers to feel steamrolled. 

“This is such a common feeling since we are at the bottom of the research totem pole in many situations,” said UConnect President Kayla MacElhinney. 

“The emails I have received from students asking for guidance on how to make their posters, how to tweak their abstracts, how to present to judges has made me feel like the environment I set out to create has truly come to life,” said MacElhinney.  

Featuring an open-floor layout, the symposium allowed guests to browse and ask questions. 

Each poster also had its own assigned judges to provide feedback for future presentations. The event concluded with an awards ceremony to recognize the top three contenders in the STEM and humanities categories.

EnvisionU “creates a more comfortable environment than a symposium with seasoned researchers,” said Leo Levine, a junior neuroscience major who presented at the event. 

Levine has been conducting research on traumatic brain injury for over a year, but EnvisionU was the first time he presented his work. 

“EnvisionU symposium is an ideal time for me to practice for future symposiums like the upcoming RCIF [Research, Creativity and Innovation Forum],” he said. 

EnvisionU welcomed students from all disciplines, whether that be STEM or humanities.

“I wanted to make it clear that EnvisionU is inclusive for all students to gain recognition for their exploration into any area,” said MacElhinney. 

This variation in disciplines not only established an inclusive environment, but also prompted young researchers to explore fields they may otherwise not be familiar with. 

“As a neuroscience major, I am naturally very interested in other STEM research but I am perhaps most interested to see the humanities research presented at the symposium,” said Levine before the event. 

For President MacElhinney, understanding one’s value as a student researcher is vital. Through organizing an event centered on recognition and peer support, she strived for EnvisionU to amplify that message. 

“Young researchers should know their worth and understand that if they are truly passionate and putting in the work then they deserve credit for it,” she asserted. “Hopefully, our awards, judge feedback and sense of community will make them feel that way.” 

For questions regarding EnvisionU, email EnvisionUSymposium@gmail.com. For more information about UConnect, visit its Instagram @umiamiuconnect. 

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