Dear Hurricane,

I’m a freshman far away from home for the first time in my whole entire life and nobody really talks to me on campus. In high school, I was a shining star, but here I feel like a broken grain of sand, lost on a deserted island that is filled with palm trees and exotic natives. On top of this, school work is way too complicated and the expectations of my professors are wicked unclear in almost every one of my classes. Can anyone hear me? I’m sending out an S.O.S.

Sincerely,
[Un]shining star

Dear [Un]shining star,
Your description sounds like a dream vacation!
But all joking aside, it’s common for you to feel this way. Most new students may feel anxious, sad, lonely, depressed, scared or nervous when trying to adjust to college life. For many, college is the first time that they are on their own, and separation from familiar faces and places can be difficult.
College is also very different from high school. College courses generally require more time and preparation outside of class. Further, professors are not always available. Students sometimes find it hard to manage the abundance of free time outside of classes.
Fortunately, the confusion does not last forever.
There are many ways of getting through this difficult time. Consider joining a club or intramural sport. The Wellness Center organizes a myriad of intramural and club sports. Recreational sports are popular and a lot of fun. Campus events, lectures, clubs, student organizations or programs held in the residential colleges are also great ways to meet people and get involved.
Do you need a break from campus? The Ibis shuttle will take you to Coconut Grove on Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. There also is a shuttle service that takes students back and forth to the Shops at Sunset Place if you would like to catch a movie or do a little shopping. This shuttle runs on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Most importantly, I want to let you know that many people understand exactly how you feel.
The Counseling Center is just one place that offers students the opportunity to discuss feelings and receive advice on making Miami your home away from home.
The Counseling Center is located in building 21-R [near Eaton Residential College]. The Counseling Center offers a variety of services including individual counseling, group counseling, career counseling, workshops and special programs, and a self-development tape library.
Many of these services are free to UM students.
So, take advantage of the tuition you pay: Get out and make some friends right away!

Sincerely,
Tierini D. Hodges

Tierini D. Hodges is a COPE [Counseling Outreach Peer Education] counselor. She is a senior majoring in psychology with a minor in English. For more information on services offered by the Counseling Center, call 305-284-5511. For more information on Wellness Center programs, call 305-284-5433.

The School of Communication joins schools around the nation with its re-launch of the photography program as a visual communication/photography undergraduate program this fall. The goal of the program is to bring different types of visual communications media together, including the web, video broadcasting, multimedia, photography and design in order to update the program to reflect the overlapping use of media technology today.
Lelen Bourgoignie-Robert, program coordinator, said the program fits the times and will teach students how to be story-tellers using more than one form of visual communication.
“We are offering [students] the opportunity to learn different visual media they will have to deal with as they move from the undergraduate level into the real world,” Bourgoignie-Robert said. “Things are changing so much in the media world that it almost makes it a necessity to [revamp the program].”
Basically, the new major will require students to take five core courses and choose seven classes from 15 to 16 courses that cover both ends of the media spectrum in addition to fulfilling other requirements.
The program will include five core faculty members including Lelen Bourgoignie-Robert, Lupe Langton, Kim Grinfeder and Michelle Seelig, along with other faculty from within the School of Communication.
The core faculty will rotate in teaching courses so that students have a variety of professors.
Professor Seelig, who teaches advertising and public relations, says that the program will be useful.
“It will help students be more aware of what it means to be a visual story-teller, to understand what it means to put a message together and take advantage of what’s out there,” Seelig said.
Lauren Reid, junior, formerly a photojournalism major, says she does not like the new curriculum as much because it is now more difficult for her to obtain her required courses.
“It’s kind of annoying because they don’t make the classes I need anymore,” Reid said.
Despite extra trips to her advisor, she believes the changes will help students in the long run.
John Fahrendorf, graduate student, thinks the idea serves the times.
“Technology these days is a vast encompassing beast – it only furthers students to take different courses,” Fahrendorf said. “Everything is becoming more interconnected into one solid form of consumption.”
Alexandra Zuiderweg, freshman, also says the changes add to the curriculum.
“I think it will help them diversify their talents. I don’t know if it’ll make much of a difference but they will learn more,” Zuiderweg said.

For a more detailed description of the visual communication/photography major, visit www.miami.edu/com/uprograms/photo.htm.

Marquita Bell can be contacted at m_bell01@hotmail.com.

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: Cars get towed. If you park in the wrong place [for whatever reason] or have accrued too many parking tickets or have some other violation, your car may be towed. To get your car back, you’ll need to present a valid driver’s license and proof of ownership of the vehicle to the Dispatcher at the Department of Public Safety, located in the Ponce Parking Garage. The vehicle’s license and registration must be current and valid. When those requirements are met, you’ll be given a release form for the vehicle. Once you have your release papers, you may proceed to the towing company yard to pay for the tow and pick up your vehicle. The current towing contract service provider is Southland Towing, located at 3870 Shipping Ave. For additional information, call Public Safety at 305-284-6666. Remember, the person who answers did not tow your car. He or she is trying to help you get it back. Avoid getting towed unless you want to go through the aforementioned process.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12

2:02 p.m. 1241 Dickinson Dr. Grand Theft
2:05 p.m. 1231 Dickinson Dr. Petit Theft

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13

9:39 a.m. 5630 Merrick Dr. Theft

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 14

6:34 a.m. 1231 Dickinson Dr. Battery

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 15

12:38 a.m. 1306 Stanford Dr. Battery
9:13 a.m. 5615 Pavia St. Burglary/ Vehicle
9:16 a.m. 1223 Dickinson Dr. Burglary
12:36 p.m. 5800 San Amaro Dr. Burglary
12:51 p.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Theft
4:16 p.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Petit Theft

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 16

4:43 p.m. 1251 Memorial Dr. Petit Theft
11:11 p.m. 1241 Dickinson Dr. Grand Theft

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.

UM School of Education doctoral student Frank Thomas Galloway, 30, was arrested Wednesday and charged with the sexual assault that occurred in the Wellness Center last week.
Galloway, who has no prior criminal record, was held on charges of sexual battery and lewd and lascivious behavior on a disabled person.
According to police, the 16-year-old victim, who is learning disabled, was attacked from behind and pushed down while showering in the men’s locker room at the Wellness Center. The victim fell forward, hitting his head on the tile walls of the shower.
It was as at that point that Galloway allegedly assaulted the teenager.
According to authorities, the teen told his parents about the attack a few days after it occurred. The UM campus crime alert was issued on Friday, three days after the incident.
The teen sustained only minor injuries during the attack.
During the investigation, local police and UM Public safety officers distributed fliers throughout campus, resulting in a series of tips that eventually led authorities to Galloway.
Dr. Harry Forgan, professor at the School of Education, said he knows Galloway but has never worked with him.
“I know most of the graduate students,” Forgan said. “I call him by Frank, but I don’t know anything else about him.”
Dr. Jeanne Shay Schumm, head of the doctorate program for the Department of Teaching and Learning at the School of Education, could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Students are outraged.
“It’s disgusting,” Manuel Hoyas, freshman, said. “I don’t even want to think about it.”
“How can somebody do something like that?” Jonathan Bower, sophomore, said. “It makes me sick to think that he had contact with kids on a regular basis through his studies.”
In another ongoing investigation, the simple battery that occurred on Stanford Drive last week is still being looked into by local authorities.
However, students are skeptical as to the seriousness of that incident, in which a male suspect allegedly hugged an unwilling victim after making a sexual advance toward him.
“I think it’s really weird – maybe it’s just a case of someone overreacting,” Megan Janson, freshman, said.
“[The situation] could’ve been taken out of context,” Natalia Medina, sophomore, said. “I think either it’s a practical joke or all out of context.”
Regardless, the Coral Gables Police Dept. and Public Safety officials say they will continue to gather information and follow leads regarding this incident.
Anyone with information regarding the simple battery at Stanford Circle is asked to call the Coral Gables Police Dept. at 305-442-1600, or Crimestoppers at 305-471-TIPS.
Public Safety officials encourage students to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to request a UM campus security escort by calling X8-6666 from a campus phone, by using an emergency blue light telephone located throughout campus, or by calling 305-284-6666 from any cell phone or off-campus phone.
The Miami Hurricane will obtain the official police reports for both of the incidents described in this article once they are made available and will continue to research Galloway and his connection to UM.

Jorge Arauz can be contacted at um_newspaper@yahoo.com

Sept. 20
Caribbean Party at the Rathskeller
9 p.m. – 12 a.m.

Sept. 23
Student/Faculty Breakfast at the James W. McLamore Dining Room, School of Business
8:30 – 10 a.m.
RSVP required; contact MSA at 305-284-2855

Sept. 24
Judaic Studies Program Presents: Professor Ilan Stavans of Amherst College at the Miller Center. Two lectures will be presented: “Are Graduate Programs Failing Latino Students?” and “Jews and Latinos: An Unlikely Partnership?”
First lecture: 12 – 1:30 p.m.; second lecture: 8 – 10 p.m.
Reservations required; contact Judaic Studies at 305-284-2017
Sept. 26
Latin Laughs presented by Belly Bust at the Rathskeller
7 – 9 p.m.

Oct. 1
“Latino 101” student discussion at Eaton Residential College
7 – 9 p.m.

Oct. 7
Movie Night: Chasing Papi at the Bill Cosford Cinema
8 p.m.

Oct. 9
“Dominicanish” theatre performance at the Pearson Residential College
8 p.m.

Oct. 11
Gala with Tito Puentes Jr. and his 10-Piece Orchestra at Omni Colonnade, Coral Gables. Call 305-284-2855 for more information.
8 p.m.- 12 a.m.

Oct. 13
“Hispanic Community: Making a Difference,” where a guest panel will explore topics of education, business and politics in the Hispanic community at the UC Ballrooms.
7:30 – 9 p.m.

Oct. 15
Hispanic Heritage Month Closing Ceremonies at the UC Patio
12 – 2 p.m.

Accented with good food, rhythmic music and fun, Hispanic Heritage Month [HHM] got off to a good start this week during opening ceremonies in the UC patio. The theme this year: “Varias Razas, Una Cultura,” meaning “many races, one culture” in Spanish.
According to Nanette Vega, assistant director of the department of multicultural student affairs, the goal of Hispanic Heritage Month is to foster awareness, understanding and appreciation of Latin Culture.
Vega is also advisor to the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, comprised of 10 students who put together the events for HHM.
“We put a lot of work and love into this whole month-wide event because we should celebrate our culture, who we are,” Patricia Pe

Good Charlotte to play at UM
Punk has a new name: Good Charlotte! This is the show you do not want to miss, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the UM Convocation Center. Influenced by bands such as Green Day, Rancid and the Cure, these guys are guaranteed to rock the Convocation Center. Rolling into the Miami at the height of their careers with their newly released album The Young and the Hopeless and recent viewers’ choice MTV Video Music Award, band members Benji, Joel, Paul and Bill will be onstage with opening acts Goldfinger and Eve 6. Get your tickets FIRST Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10 a.m. for only $26 (plus service fees). For more information, visit www.UMConvocationCenter.com or email convocationcenter@miami.edu.

Chef Pepin holds class at UM
The Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies University of Miami presents “An Evening of Cuban Cuisine with Chef Pepin” as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. Chef Pepin has taken the entertainment and culinary world by storm by magically combining his knowledge of wonderful recipes with his warm sense of humor. In 1988 he made his television debut, and he presently reaches thousands of homes by way of his radio show, Hasta el Fin con Pepin, a syndicated radio segment that airs on over 100 stations nationwide. He can be seen on such television programs as Univision’s Despierta America and M.G.M. Television’s La Cocina del Chef Pepin, both of which are seen in the United States, Latin America and Europe. The class and dinner, on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at Casa Bacardi, will cost $40. For more information, or to RSVP, contact 305-284-CUBA.
Public Safety works 24/7 for U
The Department of Public Safety is committed to providing a safe campus environment for students, faculty and staff. More than 70 emergency telephones are located throughout the Coral Gables campus. These phones, marked by a blue light to aid in nighttime identification, are connected directly to the Department of Public Safety and identify the location of the caller in the event he or she is unable to speak. Phones may be used to request a security escort, report suspicious persons/activities or obtain information. Security escorts are provided to all students, faculty and staff on a 24-hour basis from any point on campus. For more information call Public Safety at 305-284-6666 or visit their website at http://www.miami.edu/publicsafety.

Workshops, prizes at PASS week
What exactly is PASS? Pathway to Achieving Student Success or PASS Week is a weeklong series of fun and interactive workshops held throughout the day on a wide range of topics such as leadership skills, self-defense techniques, and time management. With so many topics, there’s one designed just for you! This year PASS Week will kick off with Jamba Juice Jam. Get FREE Jamba Juice on Friday, Sept. 19 from 12-1 p.m. at the Rock.

Need some more enticement? You could win a gift certificate, a plane ticket to Europe, or one of various admissions passes just for attending 2 workshops! These prizes and many more will be raffled off at PASS Week’s concluding event at the Belly Bust on Friday, Sept. 26. To be eligible for the raffle, attend any two workshops and get your PASS postcard punched. It’s time to get involved and PASS on the word about this great opportunity to all your fellow Canes.

For more information, schedule of events, or to print out your PASS Week postcard for the raffle, please visit: www.miami.edu/passweek.

TODAY
Don’t miss the swimsuit contest at Wet-n-Wild Freaky Friday at the Rathskeller from 4 to 8 p.m.

Come volunteer with LINK as they help out the Miami Community for Feel Good Friday. Sites include Ronald McDonald House, the CHARLEE Program, St. Albens Children Enrichment Center and many more. Meet at the Rock at 3 p.m. if interested.

Saturday September 20
Hurricane Productions presents a Football Tailgate at the Rat for the Boston College game.

Hispanic Heritage Month invites you to relax and enjoy the sounds of the Caribbean at the Rat from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Admission is free to all students.
MONDAY September 22
Don’t miss Mo Rocca at 7 p.m. in Storer Auditorium.

TUESDAY September 23
Hispanic Heritage Month continues with a breakfast to allow students to interact and network with Hispanic faculty, administrators and staff. The event will be in the James W. McLamore Dining Room from 8:30 to 10. a.m. RSVP to 305-284-2855.
WEDNESDAY September 24
Hispanic Heritage Month presents Professor Ilan Stavans of Amherst College. Dr. Stavans will host two lectures:
Are Graduate Students Failing Latino Students? Is from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at Miller Center.
Jews and Latinos: An Unlikely Partnership? Is from 8 to 10 p.m. at Miller Center.

CAC presents Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle at 8 p.m. in Cosford Cinema.
THURSDAY September 25
CAREER EXPO 2003 will take place in the Wellness Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Representatives from a variety of companies and organizations will be on campus to share employment and internship opportunities with you. For a list of the companies attending, visit www.miami.edu/careerexpo.

Patio Jams continues with Emily Easterly on the UC Patio from 12 to 1:30 p.m.

Catch some live music at the Rat from 7 to 10 p.m. as part of Thirsty Thursday.
FRIDAY September 26
Belly Bust presents a night of high-octane laughs fueled by the renowned Mexican-American comedian Juan Villareal from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Rat.

Applications for Homecoming 2003: Hurricanes Help the Hometown Site Leader are due in the Volunteer Services Center (UC 240). Make sure to sign up for an interview time when you turn in your completed application. For more information, call 305-284-GIVE.

Canes Night Live presents Casino Night with tables set up all night a move and a DJ.
Wednesday October 1
Join Hispanic Heritage Month for Latino 101, a discussion on issues pertaining to Latinos, at Eaton Residential College from 7 to 9 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

AEPi Suspended
National fraternity officials in town to investigate UM chapter’s alcohol violations

Effective immediately, the charter of Lambda Deuteron chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity at UM has been suspended due to multiple alcohol violations.
This does not, however, mean that the chapter of the fraternity will be permanently removed from campus. That decision is up to the University.
“I was not pleased with what I have learned occurred within our fraternity community,” Greg Singleton, associate dean of students overseeing the fraternities, said in an email message sent out on Saturday night to all fraternity presidents. “If you have to continue to either sell your organization or constantly celebrate with alcohol. . . your organizations have a problem.”
“Let this be a lesson to all of you,” Singleton said in the message. “You should be educating your membership now so that the same thing does not happen to your organization.”
In a telephone interview with The Miami Hurricane, Singleton said the case is currently under investigation.
“I can’t give out any more information at this time,” Singleton said.
According to Dr. Pat Whitely, vice president for student affairs, officials from the fraternity have been on campus since Monday, auditing AEPi members, both collectively and as individuals.
“Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity takes a strong position against the illegal and improper use of alcohol,” Adam E. Aronin, director of risk management for AEPi, said in a letter to Brian Papir, president of the AEPi chapter on campus. “Our alcohol policy is posted in the Supreme Constitution as well as in our Risk Management Policy.”
Suspension of the charter means that the fraternity cannot hold or participate in any activities such as social events, intramural sports or chapter meetings.
Also, all pledge programs and activities have been discontinued.
According to the letter sent to Papir, the charter is being suspended because the AEPi chapter violated University and International and House Corporation rules and regulations over a two-week period.
There are further reports that the fraternity violated state and local laws.
“The suspension will allow me to investigate the allegations to determine the extent and severity of the violations while ensuring that the chapter takes no actions which may violate additional rules and place people’s well being in jeopardy,” Aronin wrote.
Jacob Burch, the current vice-president of the AEPi fraternity at UM, said he feels his fraternity has served a valuable role in the surrounding community and should be regarded as an asset to the University.
“We continually strive to do the right thing and go out of our way to produce outstanding young men,” Burch said. “None of us know the exact truth about what’s going on, but we’re confident we’ll come out on top because of the type of people we are and the things we strive toward. I think this is very unfortunate- this situation has turned into a rumor-mill.”
Singleton said the University will make a final decision on whether the fraternity will remain on campus once all of the results of the investigation have been reviewed.
The Miami Hurricane will continue to follow this issue as it develops.

Jorge Arauz can be contacted at UM_newspaper@yahoo.com.