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Bradley ready to march women’s tennis towards NCAAs

The Miami Hurricane
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The women’s tennis team has a star ready to explode onto the national scene.

Junior Megan Bradley is back for her second year with the ‘Canes and hopes to push the team even further than their second round exit in the NCAA Regionals a year ago.

“I’m looking at this year as a redemption year,” Bradley said. “Last year I didn’t play as well as I wanted to.”

Although she claims that she didn’t play too well, Bradley is ranked No. 34 in the country in the preseason polls and was named the MVP of the Big East Tournament.

Bradley is also part of the No. 10 doubles team in the country with sophomore Melissa Applebaum.

“It’s great to be ranked where we are,” Bradley said. “Especially since we only started playing together last year. To be this high already is really amazing.”

Growing up in Columbia, Missouri, Bradley was considered the top recruit in the country and chose to attend UCLA. She finished her freshman season at the No. 1 singles position for the Bruins and posted a 30-9 record.

Bradley then chose to transfer to Miami for her sophomore year, earning a 17-9 overall record, including an 11-6 mark in No. 1 singles play.

“I knew [Head Coach] Paige [Yaroshuk],” Bradley said. “I knew she works hard at what she does.”

Like many of her teammates, Bradley’s favorite tennis player is none other than the legendary Pete Sampras.

“I just love how he is such a competitor when he’s out on the court,” Bradley said.

Although thoughts of turning pro have crossed her mind, Bradley has her priorities straight.

“It crosses my mind every now and then especially after a good match,” Bradley said. “But I’m going to finish school before I seriously think about it.”

The women’s tennis team has a very long season, which could be draining to a player who isn’t both mentally and physically prepared.

“Physically, I am always fit for the season because we work out so much and keep in shape,” Bradley said. “Mentally it’s a little tougher because it is such a long season between the fall and the spring.”

As for superstitions, Bradley sticks to the same routines when she’s out on the court.

“When I win a point serving, I like to use the same ball,” Bradley said.

Yaroshuk has not named a captain for this season because she feels everyone contributes equally to the team. However, Bradley hopes that she is looked at as one of the leaders of this experienced team.

This year’s team is ready to compete, as they didn’t lose any singles players from last year. As for overall team goals, Bradley thinks that they’ll be able to improve on last year’s finish.

“We’d like to start where we left off last year,” she said. “Hopefully we can continue building on what we did last year.”

Bradley will begin her fall season at the All-American Tournament in Los Angeles this week.

Santaella Sante a crucial addition to Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricane
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Senior outside hitter Leyre Santaella Sante became a Hurricane because she wanted more out of her volleyball career. A standout player in her home country of Puerto Rico and her previous university, she came to Miami hungry for competition. At this point in her UM experience, she seems to be satiated.

Santaella Sante was born in Condado and raised in San Juan. Although she feels that San Juan shares a lot in common with Miami, her hometown still holds a special place in her heart.

“It’s big, there’s a lot of traffic, I just love it,” she said. “My family is there…it’s just everything I know.”

Santaella Sante is very close to her family, which includes three brothers. Athletics runs in the family, as her older brothers played basketball, swam, and ran, and her younger brother is looking to play collegiate volleyball in the U.S. when he graduates high school next year.

Santaella Sante had an early start in sports as well.

“I started playing volleyball when I was ten. My mom decided to put me in sports because she thought I was a little hyper,” Santaella Sante said. “She tried ballet and then that didn’t work out.”

In addition to lettering in all four years at Academia Maria Reina and playing on the Puerto Rican Youth National Team when she was 14, Santaella Sante was also member of the Borinquen Coqui club team from the ages of 10 to 15, subsequently joining the Puerto Rican National Team. She traveled to places like the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the United States for matches. Her trip to the Dominican was among her most memorable.

“You got to see a lot of a different environments, like the poor side of things,” she said. “When you go there, you get to appreciate everything you have and everything you’ve done.”

After graduating high school, Santaella Sante began her career at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. She enjoyed her first two years there, but decided as a junior that she didn’t feel in her element anymore.

“I felt I deserved to play against higher-quality teams, teams that would make me get better,” she said. “I totally feel volleyball is about fun. If you’re doing something that you’re not having fun in, it’s pointless.”

From there, Santaella Sante set out to find the perfect blend of competitive volleyball, a caring team, and a nice location. She is certainly content with the decision.

“[UM] is a different environment. I like it because I get to prove myself,” she said. “I get to show everyone that didn’t believe in me that I can do it…I’m just going to give my best all the time.”

The coaching staff, as well as the players, were instrumental in Santaella Sante’s transition into life as a Hurricane. She is the team’s first senior transfer since the resurrection of the program in 2001.

“[The coaches] helped me a lot,” she said. “I thought it was going to be really hard to prove myself to them, but since I got here they trusted me and believed that I could do the job…and just be part of their team.”

The addition of Santaella Sante should give the ‘Canes a chance to advance deep in the NCAA Tournament. She was awarded the Atlantic Sun Conference’s Player of the Year while at UCF in 2002 and was tournament MVP of the Atlantic Sun Championship two years in a row.

Santaella Sante now faces the challenge of proving herself in the Big East. But this time, she is going to make sure she enjoys herself no matter what happens.

“Here, I know that all my teammates are good,” Santaella Sante said. “I know that they’re going to do their job and I know that they’re going to be there for me. That is one of the reasons that makes it fun.”

Melissa Teich can be reached at melissateich@hotmail.com

BRIEFS

The Miami Hurricane
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Rowing

The University of Miami women’s rowing team launches the 2003 fall racing season at the 11th annual Head of the Indian Creek Regatta on Sunday, October 12 at the Ronald Shane Watersports Center in Miami Beach, Florida. Racing starts at 8:00 a.m. and is free to the public.

The Hurricanes lost only two letter winners from last seasons’ squad and return eight of nine first varsity members.

The squad will be led by co-captains Jordanna Heywood and Rachel Sander and Canadian Under 23 National Team member Jenny Krawec. In addition, those returning from the 2002-03 varsity eight are Ananda Chou, Jacqui Julien, Caroline Stuart, and Bridget Gallagher. Yennisha Pino and Anna Cohen from last year’s second varsity eight are also expected to be strong contributor.

The first varsity eight will be pressed to keep their seats by last year’s freshman class that captured the Gold Medal at the Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships (FIRA), as well as this year’s group of talented freshman.

The event which takes place on a 2.8 mile course on the scenic Indian Creek in Miami Beach, will feature over a 1000 rowers competing in several race categories from recreation singles to championship eights.

“The Head of the Creek Regatta is an excellent warm-up for the Head of the Charles next weekend,” said head coach Debra Morgan. “We have a lot more depth this year. In practice race pieces, all three varsity eights are beating the times of last year’s top varsity eight. That’s encouraging to say the least.”

Hurricane Rowing travels to Boston-Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 18-19, for the XXXIX Head of the Charles Regatta.

Women’s Golf

The 19th-ranked University of Miami women’s golf team shot a final-round score of 321 to finish in a tie for fifth at the Wildcat Fall Invitational in Lexington, KY.

Senior Camilla Hilland, who finished tied for sixth with a three-round total of 233 led Miami. Junior Tina Miller ranked 14th in the nation, finished tied for 19th with a score of 238.

Louisville’s Meghan Little took home medallist honors with a three-round total of 227. Vanderbilt won the team championship with a score of 926.

Miami returns to action this weekend at the Beacon Woods Invitational in Bayonet Point, FL.

Bush-Bashing: The new great American pastime

The Miami Hurricane
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Following the attacks on the World Trade Center, President George Bush made a speech that we all remember as the day we knew exactly what we had elected the previous year. Bush made it clear that we were in fact fighting an “Axis of Evil” as opposed to terrorists. Bush called a lot of other things evil too. In fact, I just accepted that there wasn’t a country out there besides America that wasn’t evil.

Now we are learning why Bush knew who all the evil people were. Apparently, he is evil too, or at least that’s what the Democrats say. While I am not certain the Democratic candidates have called the President “evil” yet, it is possibly the next step in what seems to be a contest of who can point out the most Bush flaws in sixty seconds. I want to support a candidate who can lead America in fixing some of the problems we currently have, but I don’t think the Democrats’ current strategy is helping them reach that goal. I would also like everyone to notice how I wrote that whole sentence without using the words “evil,” “Bush,” or “special interests.” It’s not terribly difficult, so why do we continue to hear sentences that begin “Bush hasn’t” as opposed to “I will?”

Part of the reason Bush-bashing has become the new great American pastime is many of the candidates think they can ride Bush’s dropping approval rating straight into the White House. Unfortunately, this only shows that we should elect someone, but that someone could just as easily be Madonna as it could be the current candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. At one point, none of the candidates were really criticizing the Bush administration, so it was a good idea to make the issues known. Now we know, so I guess the only thing the Democratic candidates have left to do is tell us some of their original ideas even though it isn’t nearly as much fun as calling people evil.

Elaine Ayo can be contacted at eayo@umsis.miami.edu.

Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt is qualified for EPA post

The Miami Hurricane
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Last week Democrats boycotted a Senate committee meeting to prevent Utah’s governor from being approved as the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. Their actions are ridiculous, and the reasons why Democrats say they did this are insulting to Governor Michael Leavitt. The committee was planning to vote on Governor Leavitt’s nomination but was unable to because none of the Democrats showed. A minimum of two democrats is required to be present for the vote.

Why are the Democrats doing this? To criticize President Bush of course. The reason they give for their absence: Gov. Leavitt has not completed the hundreds of written questions they have for him. The Democrats sent Vermont Sen. James Jeffords (Ind.) to voice concerns about the Bush administration’s weak environmental standards.

Gov. Leavitt has a long history of working to help the environment and is more than qualified for the job. Many of his endeavors have often found him collaborating with several groups, including Democrats, in order to make his environmental solutions work. An accomplishment by Gov. Leavitt that demonstrates his fine ability is what he did in 2002 when Utah hosted the Olympic Winter Games. The Salt Lake Organizing Committee set four environmental goals: A) Net zero air emissions B) Zero Waste C) Complete compliance with all environmental standards set by the government and D) The planting of 100,000 trees. All of these goals were met.

Gov. Leavitt came up with a philosophy, “Enlibra,” for approaching the achievement of environmental protection with the help of Former Governor John Kitzhaber of Oregon. “Enlibra” is derived from Latin, meaning to “move toward balance.” Tell me that is not qualified. Gov. Leavitt has demonstrated over the years that he is prepared to work with others in order to help the environment. This is a man dedicated to making the world we live in safer for generations to come.

Gov. Leavitt is the nation’s longest-serving governor. Why? Because he has improved air quality, land quality, and preserved priceless lands in the Western United States. So the Democrats should do their job and let him work his magic on the rest of our beautiful country.

Ernesto Zaldivar is a freshman majoring in political science. If you will not be attending the next Senate meeting email him at e.zaldivar@umiami.edu

Ordering housekeeping for dorms- you’re that lazy?

The Miami Hurricane
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One day while walking in my ideal world, I saw an advertisement for dorm room cleaning. I was appalled by the company that posted the sign, but even more appalled by the thought that some students might actually consider paying for this service.

It is one thing to have housekeeping for your two-floor, three-bedroom house, but house keeping (or room keeping in this instance) for your dorm room that is about the size of a walk-in closet seems questionable.

I can understand hiring someone to do your laundry-after all, how many of us really want to do laundry? But hiring someone to clean your dorm room is simply unacceptable (although I have seen some rooms that have looked as though a hurricane hit them-twice). Unless you have a tower-sized landfill in your room, why bother. At that point, anyway, someone should call the health department.

However, when I step outside my ideal world, I step into the real world of laziness and more laziness. Some students have trouble putting their trays on the conveyor belt at the cafeteria, or some students miss the garbage can by two inches, and others pile up garbage in the outside ash trays-so what would make me think they’d want to clean their own room?

The blame should not be placed entirely on this generation. It seems that each day something new is invented just so we can become more helpless, especially when it comes to cleaning. There is even a new machine that you can place on the floor and it will find and clean up dirt for you. I am further appalled when I see that cooking has evolved into a microwave art that promises quick results and bad taste. We thrive on the convenience these new products bring without thinking twice about our growing reliance on technology.

Our growing need to make ourselves lazier only causes businesses to capitalize on our growing pathetic nature. I guess next time I should be more clever in the future and capitalize from other people’s laziness.

Marquita Bell is a junior majoring in print journalism and creative writing. She can be reached at m_bell01@hotmail.com.

I just threw up my taco

The Miami Hurricane
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We had just finished a deliciously healthy Sunday Brunch at Taco Rico when my friend commented on the crowd across the street. This crowd held signs along the side of the road that delivered traditional, clichE anti-abortion slogans such as “Life: the first inalienable right” and “El Aborto Mata Ni

HURRICANE HEALTHWATCH

The Miami Hurricane
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Dear Hurricane,
My friends and I have seen posters on campus for free flu shots. I also have a professor encouraging my entire class to get flu shots. I thought only grandmothers got flu shots. I’m a young, good-looking and healthy college student. I didn’t think I was old enough to get a flu shot or that I should even worry about the flu. Also, don’t flu shots made you sick?

Signed,
Healthy in Hecht

Dear Healthy,
According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, anyone older than six months is eligible to receive a flu shot. However, you will find many grandmothers waiting in lines for the vaccination. Senior citizens, as well as people with diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or immune system disorders are at high risk for influenza-related complications and strongly advised by their physician to receive a flu shot.
As for college students, it is just good sense to get a shot; hence, your professors encouragement. Once exposed to the flu virus, whether in class, a student organization meeting, residence halls/apartment or walking through the UC, a student becomes susceptible to becoming sick.
One to two weeks of fever, aches, chills, headaches, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, etc. is enough to potentially throw off anyone’s grades by making one miss classes and possibly miss exams. Sometimes the flu can develop into something more serious, such as pneumonia. Therefore, flu shots provide peace of mind, as well as protection against flu.
Years ago, flu shots were made of flu serum. Providers gave a small amount of the virus, causing a mild form of the flu and resulting in immunity. Those sensitive to the virus may have experienced some symptoms of the flu. The modern, injectable vaccination does not contain any live flu virus. The vaccination is cultivated inside of eggs; therefore, individuals with allergies to eggs or chicken may have a serious reaction from a flu shot. Sometimes individuals experience arm soreness or even a little swelling, but it should not interfere with normal activities.
The Student Health Center’s Annual Flu Shot Road Show is free for students ($1 United Way donation is suggested) and accessible throughout campus. The Student Health Center organized clinics in various locations on campus. Students are welcomed at any clinic, regardless of the location. Thus, a clinic held in the Mahoney/Pearson classrooms is actually open to any student, not just residents of Mahoney or Pearson Residential Colleges.
Flu shots also are available in the Student Health Center throughout the semester. The remaining dates of the road show are as follows, and additional dates may be added if requested:

Monday, Oct. 13
UC-Breezeway
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15
UC-Breezeway
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 16
Wellness Center-Atrium
5 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 29
Wellness Expo/Wellness Atrium
5 to 7 p.m.

For more information on flu shots, visit the Student Health Center’s flu shot web page at www.miami.edu/student-health and click on the “Flu Season” link.

Sincerely,
Sisy Noal

Sisy Noal is a sophomore majoring in biology. She works part-time in the Student Health Center.

To submit a question or concern that you would like Hurricane Health Watch to solve, please email um_newspaper@yahoo.com.

POLICE BEAT

The Miami Hurricane
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Pick up the paper every Friday to read the Public Safety call log and learn ways to protect yourself and your belongings.

Safety Tip of the Week: Public Safety encourages anybody who has witnessed, or has information regarding, a crime to come forward. Many people fear repercussions or ridicule. For this reason, Public Safety has the Silent Witness program. If you have information about a crime that has occurred or is occurring on campus but would like to remain anonymous, visit www.miami.edu/publicsafety and click on Silent Witness to fill out a brief report.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1

5:20 p.m. 5615 Pavia St. Theft

THURSDAY OCTOBER 2

3:29 a.m. 1252 Memorial Dr. Criminal Mischief
12:12 p.m. 5100 Brunson Dr. Grand Theft

FRIDAY OCTOBER 3

1:58 a.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Criminal Mischief
4:06 p.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Criminal Mischief
4:34 p.m. 1311 Miller Dr. Theft
6:32 p.m. 1306 Stanford Dr. Petit Theft
7:17 p.m. 1251 Miller Dr. Grand Theft

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4

12:49 a.m. 1213 Walsh Ave. Burglary
2:32 a.m. 1241 Dickinson Dr. Criminal Mischief
3:09 a.m. 1231 Dickinson Dr. Burglary
5:19 p.m. 1101 Stanford Dr. Grand Theft

SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

7:18 p.m. 1231 Dickinson Dr. Burglary
7:51 p.m. 1223 Dickinson Dr. Theft

MONDAY OCTOBER 6

4:00 p.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Petit Theft
4:48 p.m. 1350 Miller Dr. Petit Theft

TUESDAY OCTOBER 7

12:45 p.m. 1252 Memorial Dr. Burglary
4:56 p.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Burglary

The Hurricane is currently working to improve Police Beat by working with Coral Gables Police Department.
For more information on crimes and crime prevention, contact Public Safety at 284-6666.

NEWS BRIEFS

The Miami Hurricane
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Alan Fish promoted to Business VP
UM has promoted Alan Fish to Vice President for Business Services. As the University’s chief business operations officer, Fish is responsible for 18 business and auxiliary operations, with budgets in excess of $40 million and revenues in excess of $20 million. In addition to reviewing contracts from all parts of the institution, Fish has successfully negotiated contracts, developed standard form agreements and improved the contracting discipline of the University. His duties include leading the University in Disaster Planning and Business Continuity and co-chairing the University Contracts and Compliance Committee. Fish also serves on the Patent and Copyright Committee, Campus Climate and numerous Continuous Improvement teams. He received his MBA from the University of Miami and his bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition, Fish completed the management development program at Harvard in 1986.

‘Connected’ organic art on display at Lowe Friends of Art Gallery
A Ceramic Continuum: Fifty Years of the Archie Bray Influence, is currently on exhibition at the Lowe Art Museum through Nov. 9. It highlights Connected, a commissioned, site-specific installation by Rebecca Hutchinson. The former Archie Bray fellow will transform the Lowe’s Friends of Art Gallery with one of her signature works, which makes use of organic materials and addresses interest in the totality of ecosystem function and diverse components within ecosystems that provide collaborative, parasitic and symbiotic relationships.

Men’s crew team to clean their way to national championships
The men’s crew team is raising money by doing your chores! For $15 per person per hour on a Saturday or Sunday of your choice, a rower will do any house or yard work. Money raised goes toward travel expenses so the team can compete in national regattas such as the South Eastern Championships and the Dad Vail National Championships. For more information, contact Wes Geyer at 305-761-6343 or 305-689-3838.

Collaboration challenges Florida teams to create best short film
The Entertainment Industry Incubator, a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of Florida-based entertainment, has announced the launch of its sixth annual guerrilla filmmaking challenge, Collaboration: A Short Film Contest. Filmmakers from around the state will assemble in teams of six to script, shoot and edit a film based on an assigned theme. On Nov. 7, all team members will receive the theme and have 30 days to complete the five-minute film. Participants must be Florida residents and may register individually or as a team. The entry fee is $85 per person and includes admission to the black-tie Premiere Gala on Jan. 31 in Miami. At this event, the top 20 films will be shown to an audience of more than 500 industry professionals and their supporters. Senior-level executives from production companies including Universal Studios, Miramax, and HBO will judge the finalists. First place winners of the novice and professional categories will share more than $50,000 worth of production services from the Universal Studios Florida Production Group, as well as a host of other prizes donated by entertainment industry leaders. For more information visit www.eincubator.org or contact Meagan Pava at 305-672-9297.

‘African Sanctus’ plays at festival
Festival Miami 2003 presents the performance of African Sanctus on Oct. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. in the Gusman Concert Hall. This special engagement is part of the University of Miami’s Festival Miami 20th Anniversary Celebration. African Sanctus is a fascinating blend of the Latin Mass with authentic traditional African music, collected by composer and ethnomusicologist David Fanshawe on his legendary journey up the Nile. This performance is a feast for the ears and eyes and includes stunning visuals and the accompaniment of Ghanaian master drummer Sowah Mensah, heralded soprano Marvis Martin, the Miami Children’s Chorus and the UM Chorale. This special, two-night engagement has been made possible with the support of AT&T. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available from Ticketmaster or by calling 305-284-4940.

Titanic goes hip hop on Tuesdays
Are your Tuesday nights a little dull? If so, stop by Titanic for Hip Hop night featuring DJ Boe 63rd and guest DJ Kurt J. Random spinning from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with open mic from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

CALENDAR

The Miami Hurricane
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TODAY

The Marine Science Graduate Student Organization (MSGSO) of the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science is hosting their annual student auction beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the Rosenstiel School campus. Admission is $5, and money raised goes toward the student travel fund for conferences and events. For more information, call Deanna Donahue at 305-361-4750.

SATURDAY OCTOBER 11

Join the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee and friends in a night of live music by Tito Puente Jr. and his 15-piece orchestra at Omni Colonnade Hotel from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. Dinner will be provided. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 8 p.m. For more information, contact MSA at 305-284-2855.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 12

Hurricane Productions invites you to cheer on your Hurricanes at the football tailgate as they take on the FSU Seminoles. Tailgate starts one hour before kick-off at the Rat. Enjoy free food and drink specials as you watch the game on the big screen.

Sujantra McKeever will present a two-part seminar, “Journey to Self-Discovery.” McKeever will present the “ABCs of Meditation” from 12 to 2 p.m., “Finding your Path” from 3 to 5 p.m. and personal interviews at 5 p.m. For more information, contact 305-284-LIFE.

MONDAY OCTOBER 13

Hispanic Heritage Month continues with a presentation from Dr. Jessica Damian tiled “Hispanic Community, Making a Difference” in the UC Ballrooms from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The Public Relations Student Society of America will hold its general meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the UC ballroom D. All are invited to attend.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 14

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity is hosting a scholarship pageant for a $500 scholarship and sponsorship in the Miss UM pageant. KAOS, EGAMI and various vocalists will also be performing. The event will take place at 8 p.m.

Gay issues discussed openly during Coming Out Week

The Miami Hurricane
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Learning and acceptance is in the air at UM as SpectrUM, an organization that promotes awareness and unity between the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered [GLBT] and straight communities throughout campus, gets ready to celebrate National Coming Out Day tomorrow, following a week of activities that have been dedicated to sexual orientation and gender issues. The theme this year: “Celebrating the Colors of Diversity.”

“[Coming Out Week] is not necessarily about coming out – it is designed to help foster a more conducive learning environment,” Luis Aguilar, the co-director of Coming Out Week, said.

Aguilar said he was encouraged to see a lot of input from the first SpectrUM meeting, though there sometimes is a fear of appearing “gay by association,” but this mentality is less frequent at UM because of the large gay community.

“It is not uncommon to know someone who’s gay,” Aguilar said.

However, Cate Dundon, secretary for SpectrUM, says many of her straight friends won’t attend SpectrUM meetings so as to avoid association with the “gay stigma,” but she was pleasantly surprised by the large amount of freshmen involvement.

“I don’t consider myself a lesbian. I consider myself a person who happens to be attracted to women,” Dundon said. “Just being a part of the GLBT community does not mean that we do not want our straight allies to come to our meetings.”

“We are all people – we do normal things,” Dundon said.

For this year’s Coming Out Week, Gay 101 sessions were held at the residential colleges.

According to those present, GLBT issues were openly discussed in an environment that was conducive to learning.

“[SpectrUM] avoids judging questions because some people are just not aware, and their questions are very valid to them,” Dundon said.

The initial issues that came up revolved around coming out, a realization and openness with one’s sexual identity.

At the session, seven out of the 12 homosexual individuals present had already come out to their parents. Most of those who haven’t come out to their parents said that doing so would jeopardize the existing relationship.

Another reason brought up for not coming out was the issue of a student’s financial dependence on a parent and the practicality of coming out following the achievement of financial independence.

A very common question asked by students was, “What makes you gay?”

“That question is as difficult to answer as, ‘What makes you straight?'” Aguilar said.

Questions about bisexuality also came up.

“I don’t love somebody for which bathroom they go into,” Kim*, a music performance student who is bisexual, said. “I love the person because it’s not about if they are a guy or a girl.”

“Sometimes bisexuality is used as a mask for gayness [by some people], in belief that people will not judge them as much,” Jake, a UM School of Music student, said.

Jake admitted to faking his own bisexuality at one point.

“Self-realization can be crippling,” he said. “Living a normal life, being gay, is almost impossible.”

Sarah, a journalism student, said that the common correlation made between masculinity and lesbians or between femininity and gay men is weak.

“Just because you are a lesbian doesn’t mean that you’re masculine,” she said.

According to SpectrUM and to students, generally, UM is a safe environment for the GLBT community.

Nicole Welch, the treasurer of SpectrUM, attends school here with her girlfriend. She says that they are “pretty open” about their relationship and have not experienced any serious problems.

Also as part of UM’s Coming Out Week, Rachel Robinson, a cast member of MTV’s Road Rules 11: The Campus Crawl, returned to her hometown of Miami when she visited the campus to talk about gay issues.

When she first realized that she was attracted to girls, Robinson would try to deny her feelings. However, after being with her partner, she felt differently.

“It was the most beautiful thing,” Robinson said. “Sexuality isn’t going to define me.”

Robinson also put her own spin on Coming Out Week.

“It’s not Coming Out Week anymore,” Robinson said. “It’s BUSTIN’ Out Week. Straight people can’t just accept homosexuality – they need to celebrate it.”

Also as part of Coming Out Week, SpectrUM held an anti-hate candlelight vigil on the Rock on Wednesday night. Students gathered to spread a message of peace and understanding.

For more information, contact SpectrUM at 305-284-5520, or stop by the office at UC 209. SpectrUM meetings are held every Thursday at 8 p.m. in the UC Flamingo Ballrooms.

*The last names of the students interviewed during the Gay 101 sessions were not included to protect their anonymity.

Fizaa Dosani can be contacted at f.dosani@umiami.edu.

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ABOUT US

The Miami Hurricane is the student newspaper of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The newspaper is edited and produced by undergraduate students at UM and is published in print every Tuesday and online everyday during the academic year.

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