The Chief of Mission for the U.S. Interests Section, James C. Cason, came to UM to speak to the Cuban Transition Project about the struggle for human rights in Cuba.
Cason, a career foreign service officer, has spent the last eight months in Havana, Cuba, seeing first-hand the life of the average Cuban citizen and how it can be improved.
Following Fidel Castro’s recent crackdown on the regime opposition, the U.S. is focusing its policy toward Cuba on bringing back the citizens’ rights and opportunities.
“All of our allies agree that their policy goal in Cuba is, ultimately, the same as ours,” Cason said. “They want rapid and peaceful transition to a democratic government characterized by strong support for human rights and an open market economy.”
According to Cason, it was unclear what type of support the U.S. will offer Cuban citizens in the future, but in the past, the U.S. has interacted with many different members of society by inviting civil society representatives to participate in events. The U.S has also provided citizens with information on democratic ways via books, news clippings and Internet access, not readily available in Cuba.
UM students agree that most Cubans are facing a life of poverty and the U.S. needs to take an active role to get the citizens of Cuba their rights back.
Karen Salazar, junior, mentioned that some citizens ignore the fight for obtaining human rights.
“Some people are sucking up to the government to live a cushioned life,” Salazar said. “The majority are not so fortunate and are forced to live a life of poverty.”
Other students believe that the U.S. should take an active interest in Cuba, especially since it is so close to the U.S.
“Even though the U.S. made a few mistakes in its interactions with Cuba early on by letting Castro continue to gain power, they need to step up and help take Castro out of power now,” Michelle Panting, sophomore, said. “If we can go all the way to Iraq we can certainly help Cuba who is right there.”
Carson ended his speech with the idea that the Cuban people will have to decide how the Cuban government changes.
“Cubans will decide how the Cuba of tomorrow takes shape, and more importantly, the role that each Cuban will have in it,” Carson said.

Erin Wright can be contacted at ewright@umsis.miami.edu.

Dozens of UM students tied red bandannas around their arms and took part in the Day of Silence Project, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [GLBT]people and their allies.
“By going silent for a day, we are helping demonstrate the silence that is forced on the GLBT people every day,” Christopher Vasquez said in a written statement. “We just want to raise awareness of the issues we face.”
Vasquez is the president of SpectrUM, the University association that recognizes and celebrates individual differences in sexual identity, orientation and behavior.
Throughout the week, SpectrUM volunteers passed out the standard red armbands and “silence cards” to interested passersby in the UC breezeway.
The silence cards were intended to be given by a silent volunteer to others as a substitute for conversation.
“My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice, and discrimination,” the cards read. “I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today.”
The cards then propose a challenge: “What are you going to do to end the silence?”
As a result of the day’s events, many participants began to understand the struggles that many people may encounter when faced with discrimination.
“Most gay people are in the closet. In other words, they are silent,” Frank J. Corbishley, the Episcopalian Chaplain at UM, said. “They are silent because they are afraid of how people will react to them.”
Corbishley was one of few adults wearing a red armband and supporting the cause.
“By being silent, I am trying to empathize with them,” Corbishley said.
Corbishley hopes that students benefited from the Day of Silence.
“I’m also hoping that people will get the message that silence in the face of prejudice and hatred is destructive,” he said. “No one should have to be afraid.”

Sam Lockhart can be contacted at hurricane_opinion@hotmail.com.

Q: What does your job as director of the UC and student life entail?

A: It’s kind of a two-prong position. The student life side is more of what I consider to be student life and programming, which includes the student activities and leadership programs, volunteer services, commuter student affairs, orientation and all the student organizations. I advise Student Government and work with the Rathskeller.
The UC side of it deals more with the operations. That is basically what I do, along with other duties assigned by Dr. Whitely, which can be a variety of things ranging from working with athletics to planning trips to the fiesta bowl to working with the Convocation Center on ticket policies for basketball games. Really my job covers anything that is a student-related issue.

Q: How did you get your position?

A: This is going to be my 16th year at UM. I used to be the assistant dean of student personnel, but that position doesn’t exist anymore. Then I crossed over and got a job with the Dean of Students, working with judicial affairs and sororities. I was the only male applicant for the position, and they had never had a male in the position at this university. People were like “How? You’re a guy, how can you work with sororities?” Then in 1989 I became the assistant dean of students. I still dealt with judicial issues, and then added fraternities in addition to sororities. I did that for eight years. Then in 1997, when Dr. Whitely became vice president for Student Affairs, she asked me if I would be interested in coming over here and taking this job.
This is my 21st year in higher education. I worked at two other schools before I came here. I spent two years at Middle Tennessee State University, where I worked with students as well as was the cheerleading coach.

Q: So, how was it being a cheerleading coach?

A: I cheered two years in college and then I coached two years. I had never done it before. During my sophomore year, one of the female cheerleaders said that they really needed guys to try out because they were losing all of their guys to graduation. I was like “Me, cheer? No”- but I did it, and I made it my first time trying out as a junior. I was actually a captain my first year on the squad. It was one of those things that you would never think you would do, but I was like, “Why not?”

Q: I know that you also work with pageants as well. Tell me about that.

A: I’ve been a volunteer with the Miss America Program for 26 years. That’s really my side venture, in my spare time. I started in 1977 as a freshman in college.
My fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon [SAE], sponsored the pageant. My sophomore year I was named the director and I worked it my sophomore, junior and senior year. Then, when I came to UM, after my first year here, they came to me. I began doing Miss UM and did that for about 15 years.
Then, somewhere along the line, the people doing Miss Miami decided they didn’t want to do it anymore, so I began doing that as well. So, for five years I did Miss UM and Miss Miami.
Last summer there was some issues politically and some others with the Miss Florida pageant. The Miss America organization stepped in and asked me and another woman to take over the Miss Florida pageant. So now, my title is the Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Miss Florida pageant.
Miss America is not your typical beauty pageant. Miss America has talent, that’s 30 percent of the score, and the interview is 40 percent, so that means that 70 percent of the score is based on artistic and intellectual ability. Last year, Miss America gave out $48 million in scholarships across the country. That’s amazing.
We’ve had two Miss Floridas here at UM, and they will tell you that they have been able to go to school because of the money they’ve won. One of our former Miss Floridas, a UM graduate, won over $50,000 in cash scholarships.

Q: What else do you do in your spare time?

I enjoy music. I sing. I like to entertain. I like going to the beach. It’s one of the reasons that I moved down here. My family had always come to Florida on vacations, so when I had the chance to move down here, I was like, sure, let’s try doing that for a while. I like hanging out with my friends. I like eating at restaurants. Miami is one of those places where you can do that. I live on South Beach, so I can walk to Lincoln Road or Ocean Drive for the restaurants. I’m finishing up my doctorate in higher education here at Miami. I’ve done my classes and my qualifying exams so I’m working on my dissertation.

Leigha Taber can be contacted at l.taber@umiami.edu

Recently the City/University Community Relations Committee [CRC] met at the Coral Gables Commission Chambers of City Hall to address, among other issues, the latest concerns of the UM neighbors.
UM representatives on the committee highlighted the latest initiatives taken by the University to reach out to the surrounding community.
The biggest initiative launched by UM is College Town, a new quarterly publication aimed at informing the neighbors about campus news and activities.
“We’ve heard from neighbors that they would like to know what activities are being offered on campus,” Sarah Artecona, assistant vice-president for University Relations, said. “Since we don’t have a driving street through campus, we’re trying to think of ways to attract the neighbors to come to campus.”
In a letter to neighbors featured in the inaugural issue of College Town, Pat Whitely, vice-president for Student Affairs, says that UM will continue to work together with the neighbors on opportunities for collaboration and to address concerns from the neighborhood.
The administration hopes that, by better informing the neighbors about the facilities that are available to them on campus, they can build stronger ties with the community.
“We would like the neighbors to enjoy and use the Lowe Art Museum, the Convocation Center, the Ring Theater and the Cosford Cinema, or just come over and walk the campus,” Artecona said.
According to Artecona, this is just the first step in a coordinated plan devised by the University.
“Later this summer we will be fully launching a College Town campaign for the neighbors,” Artecona said.
As part of this program, Artecona says, the University is looking into offering UM Bookstore discounts and discounted rates for athletic programs, as well as a spring concert early next year on the Commencement Green.
During the CRC meeting, Maria Cruz, one of the homeowners in the area, complained about illegal student parking in the green area behind the Sigma Alpha Epsilon [SAE] fraternity house, despite the recently erected “no parking” signs.
“I stopped counting at 20 cars,” Cruz said.
UM authorities told The Miami Hurricane that they are unable to enforce the signs because the area in question is not owned by UM.
“I am currently working with the owner of the property [SAE Fraternity] to solve this situation,” Chuck McConnell, director of Parking and Transportation, said. “Because it is private property, it is not within our jurisdiction to enforce the University’s parking rules and regulations. We are aware of vehicles taking advantage of this situation and hope to have this resolved shortly.”
Later in the meeting, Cruz said that she had witnessed students sitting on a couch drinking beer in front of one of the fraternity houses while she was on her way to church with her young niece.
“They were sitting there with beers and an improvised cooler,” Cruz said.
However, Henry Christensen, director for Public Safety, told The Miami Hurricane that he was unaware of any official record of the incident.
Another concern voiced by the neighbors on the committee was the increased volume of traffic on Ponce de Leon Boulevard due to the Power 96 reggae concert last Saturday.
However, UM administration working with the event said traffic in and out of the event was handled well.
“There were no problems with the parking for the reggae concert on Saturday,” Dave Touhey, general manager of the Convocation Center, said. “In fact, traffic flow into the event went very smooth, and all lots were clear after the event within 40 minutes.”
According to UM administrators, the issue of the University Village was not discussed at the meeting because the matter is currently in mediation between all parties concerned.
The UM community hopes that the issue will be resolved as soon as possible.
CRC meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 5 p.m. at Coral Gables City Hall, 405 Biltmore Way.
All meetings are open to the public.

Arnab Basu can be contacted at basuarnab@hotmail.com

During reading days and final exams the Richter Library will remain open 24 hours a day. The library will open on Saturday, April 26 at 9 a.m. and remain continuously open until Thursday, May 8. The library will close at 11 p.m. on May 8. For a detailed library schedule, visit the library website at www.library.miami.edu/general/hours.html.

Student Government Senate is looking for student leaders with ideas to improve our community. If you want to have a say in matters of great importance to the University or work on projects to improve academics and facilities, please apply for vacant senate seats. Currently they are in need of senators for the following classes, schools or residencies: Commuter Central, Mahoney, Eaton, School of Education, Junior and Sophomore. For more information, contact Student Government at 305-284-3082 or stop by UC 214.

UM announced today that Nilda Peragallo, R.N., Dr.P.H., has been appointed Dean of the School of Nursing.
An internationally recognized researcher on HIV and AIDS among Hispanic populations, Dr. Peragallo, a native of Chile, is an assistant professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Maryland and serves as interim chair of the Department of Behavioral and Community Nursing.
“Professor Peragallo is an accomplished scholar who will strengthen the research activities of the School of Nursing,” said UM President Donna E. Shalala. “Her areas of expertise and leadership make her a great fit for the University of Miami and for our community.”
At the University of Miami, where she will assume her new responsibilities this summer, Dr. Peragallo will also have a faculty appointment at the School of Medicine.
Dr. Peragallo will be on hand when the School of Nursing breaks ground on its new home, the $19 million state-of-the-art M. Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing Education, on April 28.
“I am thrilled to be joining the University of Miami at such an opportune time,” said Dr. Peragallo. “I look forward to working and doing research in a diverse community.”
A 1984 graduate of the University of Texas School of Public Health, where she received her doctorate, Dr. Peragallo previously taught at the nursing schools at University of Illinois, University of Pennsylvania and University of Central Florida. She received her MSN from West Virginia University and her BSN from the University of Chile in Valparaiso, Chile. She is a Fellow American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) member, President of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses and was a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Nurse Scholar while at the University of Pennsylvania from 1989-91.
Dr. Peragallo replaces interim dean Sharon Pontius, who will rejoin the faculty and assist in the transition.

TODAY
International Week continues with Caribbean Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The fun continues with a Pacific Night Luau from 7 to 9 p.m. But that’s not all! Don’t miss the Caribbean Night Concert from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

SATURDAY APRIL 12
International Week comes to an end with a Feast of Nations. Don’t miss the International Week Banquet at Crowne Plaza Hotel from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Women’s tennis takes on Notre Dame at 3 p.m. at the Schiff Tennis Center. This is the last home match where seniors Abby Smith and Igna deVillirs will be honored.

SUNDAY APRIL 13
Men’s tennis plays their last home match against Duke, at noon at Schiff Tennis Center. Senior Andrew Golub will be honored. Sun Juice Smoothies will be giving away free smoothies and coupons.

The Episcopal Church Center is having its Palm Sunday services on campus at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Episcopal Church Center is located at the corner of Stanford Drive and Levante. All are welcome!

MONDAY APRIL 14
Join FEC in celebrating Three Days of Cuban Culture. The days begin with Opening Ceremonies at 11 a.m. on the UC Patio. Come watch a children’s cultural performance. Enjoy Cuban coffee, pictures in traditional costume, music and dancing.

Pulitzer Prize humor columnist Dave Barry and his wife, Miami Herald Sports writer Michelle Kaufman, speak at Stanford Residential College. Come hear their success stories and join them in what promises to be a lively and entertaining discussion at 8 p.m. in the residence of Drs. Alex and Hilit Mechaber at Stanford Residential College.

TUESDAY APRIL 15
Frank W. Abagnale was a master of deception, and he was always one step ahead of FBI agent Carl Hanratty, who made it his prime mission to capture Frank. If you haven’t figured it out by now, this is the movie Catch Me If You Can, with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. CAC will be showing Catch Me if You Can at 8 and 10:30 p.m. at the Cosford Cinema.

FEC for Three Days of Cuban Culture hosts a domino competition at 2 p.m. on the UC Patio. Pay $5 a pair and play against the older generation of domino players from the legendary Calle Ocho park as you sip Cuban coffee. Winners get a prize. Also, pass by and pick up a freshly rolled cigar as you play.

Award-winning novelist N