There is a problem that I am sure is around all college campuses. That problem is addictions. I am not going to go into the clich
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Registration woes
I understand that registration at any university is a challenging and often obstacle-filled time for the majority of students. Yet, the way I was treated recently by some of this University’s most revered staff makes me question the values of this institution
Let me explain. I am an Honors student in my second year with 81 credits. With my standing, I am eligible to register online without an access code. Being so, there is no need for me, or at least no need expressed to me, to see an advisor and have them fill out a registration form.
This was not, in fact, my experience. I went to register online and when I attempted to add one of my honors courses, it said I was ineligible for that type of course.
I went to the registrar where I was informed that there was no reason why I shouldn’t have been other than a glitch in the EASY system. So I asked if she could just add it to my schedule and I could be on my way. Apparently it is University policy that you cannot register without a paper form, signed by an advisor.
Since arriving at UM, I have had three different advisors. I felt my best choice was to go see my most recent one. I was then told I would need to make an appointment and the first available was tomorrow afternoon. First off, I did not need an advising appointment. I did not need to be advised. I had already registered for five out of my six courses, and just needed a simple signature that I shouldn’t have needed in the first place.
Once I had explained my situation, my “advisor” told me that he could not help me without looking at my curriculum and course load
Eventually, he took out a registration form, wrote “self-advised” on the line and signed the bottom. At which point I was informed that I am “now self-advised, and if anything goes wrong for me, it’s not on [him].” He then suggested again that next time, I make an appointment. Somehow I don’t think I’ll be doing that.
With much frustration,
Bethany Milliron
Re: “Your hobby sucks,” 4/15
I was appalled by Jovanni Bello’s attack article, “Your hobby sucks, let me tell you why,” and its inherent disregard for the newspaper’s readers. Bello assumes that all UM students-except, of course, himself-engage only in pointless and mind-numbing activities like binge drinking, tanning and shopping. After bashing sorority girls as “animal abusers” and other students as “drunkards” and “wife beaters,” he concludes smugly that we should respect each other’s hobbies. His point of view makes him an illogical hypocrite, because he spent 90 percent of his article dissing his very own readers. The people who opt to read The Hurricane are probably not the same people who are “blitzed” every night, so he should not accuse them of being so shallow. Bello also singles out sororities, a group often preyed upon by the media because they are easy to stereotype; as a member of Delta Delta Delta, I am insulted that Bello continues the trend of generalizing sororities. Despite his claims, I have never seen a Tridelta carrying a Chihuahua in a purse, Paris Hilton-style. Bello obviously doesn’t understand that, in order to be an effective writer or communicator, he will never get his views accepted by offending his audience. If you are going to criticize your readers, do not hide a positive message at the end, because most people will not bother read a ranting attack all the way through.
Sincerely,
Andrea DiFonte
Sophomore
With this ring pop
On Thursday, more than 130 students and a couple of administrators protested the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment by participating in OUTspoken’s mock marriages. The couples were heterosexual and homosexual, composed of friends, lovers, boyfriends, girlfriends, roommates-and in the case of Student Government President Pete Maki, who married former President Vance Aloupis-predecessors, all showing their protest of the amendment. In their vows, the couples took their partner “to be my symbolically wedded spouse to protest writing discrimination into the constitution and to demand marriage equality in the United States of America.”
This is the second year that OUTspoken invited everyone, regardless of gender, religious persuasion or sexual orientation, to come out and participate in the mock wedding ceremony, complete with marriage certificates, a faux reverend and traditional wedding cake.
Last year 40 couples took part-this year more than 65 did. While the number of couples is impressive, what is truly astounding was the crowd that watched the marriages on the UC Rock. People cheered and congratulated the newlyweds, just like in any other wedding.
Fortunately, there were no protests-the only exception being a passerby hollering “Shut up, Satan.” This helps to show that while we may not be the most politically active campus (though we are slowly improving), we do understand the importance of tolerance of different views. While the campus may not all agree on the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment and homosexual marriage in general, Thursday demonstrated that we can all support each other in our goals, regardless of our own personal beliefs.
Beyond that, all day students were talking about when they would have time to get married, and whom they would marry. It didn’t matter if you were gay or straight, Greek or non-Greek; it seemed like there was a line to get married during the entire two hours. The marriages also spawned conversation regarding religious and political beliefs and issues related not only to homosexual marriage, but also to things like adoption rights.
The goal of spectrUM’s Spring Awareness Week was to bring the issues facing GLBTQ individuals to light. They by far succeeded. After all, when was the last time you saw two future male Republican politicians exchanging vows?
ETC.
Student Government is now accepting applications for Supreme Court Chief Justice. Applicants must schedule an interview when turning in their applications, which are due by noon Friday, April 22, in the SG office, UC 214.
Elsewhere – Profs across country protest new textbook editions
(U-WIRE) LA JOLLA, Calif.- Seven hundred math and physics professors from 150 universities nationwide have called on Thompson Learning to take steps to reduce the costs of textbooks for college students, the California Public Interest Research Group has announced.
As a result of the Affordable Textbook Campaign launched last year, 180 physics professors and more than 500 mathematics professors signed two letters to the CEO of the textbook publisher, Ronald Schlosser, stating that many of the company’s policies unfairly increase the price of textbooks for American students.
Specifically, the professors called on Thompson Learning to decrease the frequency of its updates for two books, Serway’s “Physics for Scientists and Engineers” (Sixth Edition) and Stewart’s “Calculus: Early Transcendentals” (Fifth Edition).
“Congress is doing an investigation right now,” Hsu stated in an email. “We are doing our own research that will come out next September. In the meantime, we are still discussing this issue with academic senates across the UC system and trying to convince them to adopt our resolutions.”
UMNEWS – Sculpture garden: UM campus will feature works of art
Twelve sculptures, ranging from a five-foot Fletcher-Benton work to a 60-foot Mark di Suvero creation, will soon find permanent homes at the University of Miami. The sculptures will be placed outside at various locations around campus as part of a program to bring public art to campus.
“This represents a real departure because we’ve been a campus of nice trees and great lawns,” William Carlson, chair of the Department of Art and Art History, said. “This is a chance to put things that are really artistic opportunities in the path of the environment.”
Members of UM’s Building and Grounds Committee took a walking tour of the Coral Gables campus last semester to scout possible locations for the sculptures, and they identified 53 potential sites that could be improved with the presence of sculptures.
A George Sugarman sculpture will be placed near the quadrangle behind the Merrick Building. A William King work will go up near the Wellness Center. And the massive di Suvero piece, at more than 60 feet high, will be placed on the University Green in front of the Richter Library. The sculptures are gifts from UM donors, and more could follow.
“Our hope is that these sculptures will engage students and visitors,” said Brian Dursum, director of the Lowe Art Museum, who is playing a key role in the project. “I think people will look at them, they’ll wonder about them, perhaps even scratch their heads. They might walk up and look at them. It’s going to be engaging on a whole different level than trees, plants and flowers.”
Kids and Culture gives a taste of UM college life
Ah, the glory days of being a kid, when trading sandwiches at lunch was a top priority and homework meant using scissors, glue sticks and brightly colored construction paper. Many UM students had the opportunity to be kids again last Friday, spending the day painting, dancing and cheering with an excited group of kids.
These UM students volunteered their time with third graders from Little River Elementary School for UM’s annual Kids and Culture event. The kids came to UM as a field trip for a fun-filled day on a college campus.
The approximately 150 elementary school students at UM were divided into four groups, led by UM volunteers throughout campus. Among the activities were a “magic” chemistry show, cultural dance presentations and a lunch buffet at UM’s own Chartwell’s cafeterias.
“It’s all you can eat?” the kids marveled as they stacked their plates high with pizza, burgers and brownies.
The kids were very enthusiastic to participate in the activities along with their friends. It was hard to miss them walking around the lake chanting UM cheers as if the University was their home. They were interested to know what college looks and feels like.
“Do you have a baseball team?” said participant Jason Vaughn when he saw UM students playing baseball on the intramural fields. He also liked to watch fish frequently visible in the lake.
Vaughn and his fellow students are underprivileged children from Little River Elementary in the Little Haiti neighborhood of Miami. The school has been designated as an “F” school by the state through the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. The students have been part of a mentoring program performed by college students to help socio-economically disadvantaged kids realize the benefits of going to college.
“The day is a field trip for an eight-week mentoring program in which we taught them about the benefits of higher education,” Paco Castallon, former chair of Kids and Culture, said.
While the day was aimed at mentoring elementary school kids, the UM volunteers found the day just as fun and fulfilling.
“I wish I were a kid again,” said Jason Fraser, a Kids and Culture volunteer for the day. “It’s good to be with the kids. They get a tour of UM at an early age and hopefully they’ll be ‘Canes soon.”
>> For more information about Kids and Culture, contact the Butler Volunteer Services Center at 305-284-GIVE.
Bryce Pham can be reached at b.pham1@umiami.edu.
Extreme Makeover, UC-style
At 16, you get your driver’s license. At 18, you’re legal. At 21, you can throw out the fake ID. At 30, you start to feel old. And at 40, you get a facelift-that is, if you’re talking about the Whitten University Center.
The UC, as the building is called by the UM community, celebrates its 40th anniversary since the ribbon was first cut on April 22, 1965. The edifice was constructed to be the hub of all student activity at the UM. It is home to lounges for students, an outdoor pool for recreational use and athletic teams, a patio where speakers and musical performances can be enjoyed and offices to a number of student organizations.
“The UC is geographically the center of the campus and a crossroads for students,” Dan Westbrook, director of the UC, said. “Everyone uses the UC at some point, whether it is the swim team, or for SalsaCraze practice, or where the football players relax and watch TV.”
The UC is ready for a makeover that would involve updates and expansions to better meet the needs of the growing University community. With more than 200 student organizations, there is a need for more space and meeting facilities to accommodate them and allow for groups to be as productive as possible.
Among the ideas include a four-story building with meeting space, a new student media center, new spaces for student organizations, lots of lounge space and retail space overlooking Lake Osceola.
According to Dr. Pat Whitely, vice president of Student Affairs, the new UC will be funded in a two-part process. The first part is a fundraising campaign led by President Shalala.
“The second part is looking at a Student Activities Center referendum, very much like the Wellness Center referendum in 1992,” Dr. Whitely said.
Students will be asked to vote on whether or not they want to raise their Student Activity Fee to fund the renovations. A 16-member referendum committee, made up of undergraduate, graduate and law students, will meet with the administration on May 2 to look at the planning process.
Ideally, at the start of the Fall 2005 semester, there will be several architectural models for students to view and give feedback on. The goal will be to gather student opinions and decide what students want to see and what is feasible within the structural limitations of the current building.
“Some of the ideas that we are considering include an area for dance performance groups to practice, changes to the patio that would integrate more of the pool, an expanded convenience store and outside entrances for a student media center and the pool so that students can access these areas later than the normal operating hours,” Westbrook said.
Students will have the opportunity to celebrate the UC as is this Thursday in the UC Lower Lounge. It will be open to students who wish to look at old photos and articles of the UC through the years.
As far as costs are concerned for the intended renovations, the plan is still in the estimates stage.
“It will not be cheap,” Dr. Whitely said. “It’s a great vision and a great goal to have and we are excited about the possibilities.”
Stacey Arnold can be contacted at s.arnold@umiami.edu.
Provost candidates visiting campus
Three candidates are being interviewed for provost of the University, with the position expected to be announced next week.
The new provost will replace Dr. Luis Glaser, who announced last Fall that he would step down from his post as head of students’ academic affairs and chief budget officer after 18 years.
Two of the candidates have already visited campus, meeting with various administrators and student representatives. The third is scheduled to visit today and meet with students this afternoon.
Dr. Mark Thiemens, currently dean of the division of physical sciences at the University of California, San Diego, visited earlier this month, said Dr. Rene Sacasas, professor and chairman of the Department of Business Law. Dr. Margaret Crosbie-Burnett, chairperson for educational and psychological studies at the School of Education, confirmed the candidate. Both are members of the provost selection committee. Dr. Martin Moskovits, dean of the division of mathematical and physical sciences at the College of Letters and Sciences at the University of California, Santa Barbara, was on campus last week, Dr. Crosbie-Burnett said.
The third candidate’s name was not released to The Hurricane by press time Sunday. According to Dr. Crosbie-Burnett, his name would be released when he was in-flight to the University on Monday night.
Dr. Thiemens received his B.S. degree from UM in 1972 and his Ph.D. in chemical oceanography from Florida State University in 1977. He has been at his current post since Fall 2000.
Dr. Moskovits received his B.S. in physics and chemistry degree from the University of Toronto in 1965 and his Ph.D. in chemistry from the same institution in 1971. He has also been at his current post since Fall 2000.
According to Dr. Crosbie-Burnett, the University hired Korn/Ferry International headhunters before Winter Break to find candidates for the position. The provost selection committee, which comprises 16 deans and professors and one student representative, then sifted through r
UM community celebrates life of Ashley Kelly in vigil
In a gathering of communal grief Thursday night, family and friends of freshman Ashley Kelly and members of the UM community assembled for a candlelight vigil on the UC Rock to remember and celebrate her life.
Kelly passed away last Tuesday after she and her roommate, Andrea Cinque, also a freshman, were hit by a car while crossing a U.S. 1 intersection. She was 19.
“She was really smart and intelligent,” said Christina Hajj, freshman and close friend of Kelly. “The thing about her is that she was so driven to get what she wanted, and she had a great mind, and she was going places.”
Marcus Zilman, chair of the chaplain’s association, began the night with remarks about her life and announced counseling for those needing to talk. There was a short prayer and a moment of silence. Zilman then offered the microphone to anybody who wanted to share stories, thoughts and memories of Kelly.
Hajj read a poem about Kelly and the accident, written by Doug Honegan, freshman, who was also good friends with Kelly. She then went on to describe how they became close friends.
“She came over and asked me if I wanted to walk to the C-Store and get ice cream. She and I became friends instantly, and from then on I was the third roommate,” Hajj said. “We were all like a family. Ashley was like our older sister. Andrea and I would goof around and she would try to keep us in line.”
Cinque remembered how fun it was just to be with her, like playing a game of “20 Questions” to get to know each other at the beginning of the year.
People that knew Kelly remember her as a loyal, honest, caring and respectful person who lived her life with no regrets and appreciated every day. Hardworking and ambitious, she was a journalism and political science major with straight As and a bright future ahead of her.
“That’s what’s so sad about this whole thing. Given five more years, she would have changed the world,” Hajj said.
Kelly also loved music-especially Dave Matthews Band. Described by friends as a child of nature, she loved the sunset and had pictures of them hanging all around her room and even painted on her backpack.
The wake and viewing was held on Saturday, and students, family and even some of Kelly’s teachers from Naples High School attended the ceremony to pay their last respects.
“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Hajj said. “It was what Ashley would have wanted.”
| NEWS UPDATE |
| The Miami Herald reported on Sunday that Kristin Arbuckle, the driver who hit and killed UM freshman Ashley Kelly and injured freshman Andrea Cinque last week, was given a ticket for running a red light. The Coral Gables Police Department said the investigation on the incident is over; it found that it was an accident. Running a red light is a non-criminal offense. The ticket means four points against Arbuckle’s license and a $115.50 fine “for a moving violation that results in an accident.” The Herald also reported that Arbuckle, 24, is the niece of Dean Colson, a member of the UM Board of Trustees. |
Teressa Dalpe can be contacted at t.dalpe@umiami.edu.
CALENDAR
TODAY
The Pre-Veterinary Society hosts Two Days of Paws and Claws, with Animal Outreach on the UC Patio from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Non-profit organizations such as the Humane Society, South Florida SPCA, Rabbit Rescue and Animal Rights Foundation will be in attendance along with animals who need a home. For more information, email UM_PreVet@hotmail.com
Kaylin Goldstein of the George Feldenkreis Program in Judaic Studies, Pete Moore, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, and Ranen Omer-Sherman, assistant professor of English and Jewish Studies in the Department of English, will participate in “A Campus Discussion on the Israel-Palestine Peace Process” from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in LC 170. For more information, contact Omer-Sherman at 305-284-4072.
WEDNESDAY
The 2005 SOAR Awards, sponsored by the Committee on Student Organizations, will be held at 7 p.m. at the Miami Dadeland Marriott. The theme is a Night in Paradise Under the Stars. For more information, call 305-284-6399.
The Pre-Veterinary Society is putting on UM’s first dog show, “UM’s Best In Show” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the UC Patio. The judges are President Shalala, Sebastian the Ibis and Dr. Blas
Boyfriend jealous over dancing at birthday party should get over it
Dear V,
Recently it was my girlfriend’s birthday and for a celebration, her friends decided to have a male stripper “perform” at her party. I’m not a jealous person by nature, but this still doesn’t stop me from becoming slightly green when I think about what might have happened at this shin-dig. She insists that it was nothing, but I still get the impression that when she and I are together intimately, she is thinking about him instead of me. What should I do?
Jealous
Dear Reader,
Oy vey, have you ever seen a male stripper live and in person, not in the movies or on television? Not to not give credit where credit is due, but it’s really not all Chippendale glory, greasy pecs and spectacular feats of gyration. Actually, nix that last part, because they’re pretty decent with the one-two thrust, but then again, I’m sure that you’re not too terrible either considering that you’ve managed to snag yourself a girlfriend. Anyway, the most wonderful part of seeing a stripper perform is just that; it’s a performance. Any way you put it, he’s a dollar-bill pounding, oversexed illusion clad in his man g-string. That’s really all there is to him. And word to the wise, they’re not all hairless, perfect bodies either. An unfortunate personal experience-I witnessed a nasty case of butt-ne on Fireman Fred, a.k.a. acne on the cheeks, people! Gross! Who wants to pay for that, especially if they can find such spectacular feats of nature on their own boyfriends? Just kidding!
But seriously, no respectable and sane girl would ever substitute Rico “the Sex Slave” Suave for the comforts of her boyfriend. You see, Rico rips off his Velcro pants several times a night for many, many, many ladies who are just looking for some disease free fun. If Rico only tears off his wifebeater for one girl because she wants to take him home, Rico loses the big bucks, and Rico can’t pay his rent. You have absolutely no reason to be jealous of Rico. He is not a threat to your manliness or your relationship. If we were talking about the newly single Brad Pitt here, you might have a little more reason to be concerned. But, we’re not. So, get over it.
Oh yeah, and props to your girlfriend for having a life! Isn’t it great to know that you’ve decided to dedicate a portion of yourself to an independent someone who knows how to have a good, clean, “I’m not cheatin’ on you” time? Really, how not cool would that be if she decided to forgo her stripper experience because she was concerned about what her boyfriend might think of it? Yeah, exactly, she’d be headed straight to Loserville, where all of her fun and former friends would decidedly burn her at the stake for being so damn lame. Be thankful, and learn how to control your pesky insecurities. I would hate to see the kind of state that you’re in when the Bachelorette Party rolls around.
Best,
V.
Dear V,
I consider myself to be a calm and level-headed person, but I’ve stumbled upon a problem that has me at wit’s end! Last week, my boyfriend invited me over to his apartment, where he said he had a “surprise” waiting for me. When I arrived at his place, I found him wearing nothing but a lacy bra and panties. Talk about a surprise! I was so stunned that I couldn’t do anything but excuse myself and leave. Now that I’ve thought things through, I feel terrible about running out when he revealed such a personal thing about himself. I’ve tried to apologize to my boyfriend, but he won’t return my phone calls. What can I do to show him that I’m truly sorry and that I accept whatever kinky fetishes he may have?
Confused about Cross-dressing
Dear Reader,
No shit you were scared. I think that anyone would be a little freaked out, especially since it seems as if his little fetish came straight out of the blue. I just hope that he didn’t steal a lacy set from you! Then, we might have bigger problems on our hands. A klepto cross dresser? Hmm.
OK, just to give you a little briefer on what exactly the cross-dressing fetish entails: basically, “transvestic fetishism” as the scientists say, involves a man becoming sexually aroused when he wears women’s clothing. Transvestic fetishism only occurs in heterosexual men, but in some cases, the man actually becomes more attracted to the clothes than to his partner. Likewise, it is a fairly common fetish, and most cross-dressers will marry, have children and hold jobs typically stereotyped as being masculine. Unfortunately, transvestic fetishism is likely to become a big problem in a lot of relationships, as it already seems to have in yours.
What’s really cool though is that you’re willing to give his freakyness a second chance. I’m not so sure that most young girls, ahem, young women would be so accepting and ready to incorporate his fetish into the relationship. I think the best way to win him back is to pretty much march over to his house and confront him face to face. He’s not picking up your phone calls and sending a love letter might be a tad passive at this point. The best way to show that you care is to try to put things back together. As much as you want to believe that you’ve done all you can do, the ball is still in your court considering the sensitive nature of the issue. His ego is undoubtedly still insanely bruised, and it’s your responsibility to kind of nurture him back to regular boyfriend state. Be aggressive, apologize, bake him cupcakes, even take him to Vicky’s Secret -your treat! As long as you show him that you’re ready to approach his fetish on his terms, you’ll be back to golden status. Enough said.
Best,
V.
Fact O’ The Day…Watch out E-Harmony lovers, As many as 30 percent of people who list their profiles on online dating sites are either married or in relationships…
Please submit all questions, comments or concerns to DearV@hotmail.com or to the Dear V box in the offices of The Hurricane. All submissions are strictly confidential. Dear V. is published on Tuesdays and Fridays, and yes, V will respond to almost anything.