(U-WIRE) Baltimore -The appropriations bill passed by Congress last Thursday includes modest increases for some federal student aid programs, a surprise victory for higher education in difficult fiscal times.
Lawmakers agreed to increase the maximum Pell Grant award by $50 to $4,050 against the wishes of the Bush administration, which sought to freeze the program at the $4,000 level through 2004. Colleges fought for the increase because of the weak economy, cuts in state aid and increasing enrollment.
“This is not representative of the most stellar year in terms of numbers, but it is significant given the significant obstacles we had faced this year,” said Cynthia Littlefield, director of federal relations for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. “I feel it’s very significant that Congress felt the need to make a statement of principle of their continued support for the Pell program … against the wishes of the administration.”
Despite Bush’s opposition, he is expected to sign the bill because it also includes an additional $10 billion in defense spending. Both Congress and the administration were eager to reach closure on a spending bill for 2003, which was passed four months later than usual.
The spending bill includes $576 million to help cover the Pell program’s deficit, which has risen in recent years as demand for assistance has increased beyond budget forecasts. In addition, the Secondary Education Opportunity Grant, Gear Up and TRIO programs will receive additional funds, and the Perkins loan and federal work-study programs will be level-funded.
The final bill represents a dramatic change from what was originally expected just one week earlier, when President Bush released his spending plan that included cuts to most student aid programs. The president wanted to ensure that the Pell program’s $1 billion deficit was eliminated before pursuing increases. Lobbyists had expected that the Republican-dominated Congress would defer to the President, but Littlefield said the hard line stance of the Office of Management and Budget irked even some of the President’s supporters in the House.
Vice President Dick Cheney was eventually called into negotiations, at which point the administration and Congress made more progress on a compromise bill.
“There is a consensus among many Democrats and moderate Republicans that this is a good thing to do,” said Tom Powell-Bullock, a spokesman for Rep. David Obey, D-Wis., who argued in favor of the bill.

Julia Morton, a.k.a Poisonous Plant Lady, has been said to haunt the Media Relations building by Frat Row since her death in 1996.
Formerly, Morton worked in the building as a botanist, and she moved into the building after Hurricane Andrew destroyed her house in 1992.
Morton, one of the world’s leading botanical experts, created the Morton Collectanea in Fairchild Tropical Garden, which has been used as a major source of information by poison control centers throughout the country. In the 60s, she was sent by the National Institute of Health to seek the causes of an epidemic of esophageal cancer in South Carolina. Later, during the Vietnam War, the Department of Defense sent her to Southeast Asia to research and write survival instructions for troops.
Michelle Baro, a student at UM from 1990-1994 and an employee at the Media Relations building since 1991, says that she saw Julia Morton before and after she died.
“I don’t remember the date exactly when I was working in my office upstairs and I saw her walking in the courtyard,” Baro said. “She always wore dresses and some sort of ‘turban’ on her head, and this day that I saw her she was walking as she always did from her office across the courtyard to the front office wearing her fuchsia head piece.”
“I remember stating to my boss very matter-of-factly, ‘Oh, there goes Julia again,'” Baro said.
Baro said that she also saw the ghost of Julia Morton in the office that Morton had occupied before the building was remodeled.
“I know this might sound crazy but I guess I do tend to see ghosts – not often, but I do see them,” Baro said.
Keith Bowermaster, on-line communications manager for the Division of Communications at UM, says he saw Julia during his second week working, before he had heard the stories. He says he saw her on one of the staircases in the courtyard area of the building.
“As I walked through the lobby door into the courtyard, I saw something – or someone – on the stairs to my right out of the corner of my eye. When I turned to look nothing was there,” Bowermaster said. “Later that day I jokingly asked co-workers if the building was haunted because I saw a ghost that morning.”
“Turns out it really is haunted and I really did see a ghost,” Bowermaster said.
Bowermaster went on to say that Morton mostly “shows” herself to males, because mostly men report sightings.
“A former employee claims he saw Julia at the copy machine on the second floor, thought it was another co-worker, said ‘good morning’ to her, and then was surprised to see the co-worker he thought he saw 20 minutes earlier walk through the front door, purse and bags in tow,” Bowermaster said.
Bowermaster also says that several employees who work in the area of the building where Morton resided claim strange things happen to their computers, such as desktop themes switching off. Other workers who have been in the building late claim strange sounds and bumps-in-the-night, but nothing that scary.
“If the Media Relations building is haunted by the ghost of Julia Morton, she’s a friendly ghost,” Bowermaster said. “But it makes you wonder: if she’s here, will she occupy University Village, which will be built on this property, and will she be happy that her ‘home’ was torn down?”
The Miami Hurricane will continue to investigate popular urban legends at UM through the month of February.

For suggestions on urban legends to be researched, please contact Jorge Arauz, News Editor, at xxarauzxx@yahoo.com.

UM students from all majors and backgrounds get together for the common good of mentoring and inspiring local youth through Big Brothers, Big Sisters [BBBS], a national mentoring program that has paired up with UM for the past five years.
Earlier this month, UM BBBS held a trip to Super Wheels of Kendall, where 12 “sibling” matches spent the afternoon roller-skating and playing arcade games.
Cristina Hale, a sophomore at UM majoring in accounting and a big sister since November, attended the Super Wheels trip with her 11-year-old “little sister” Veronica.
“Coming to Super Wheels today has taught us both to have patience,” Hale said. “Me with teaching Veronica how to skate, and Veronica with learning how to skate.”
Other outings this pair has gone on together include ice-skating, doing homework together and touring the UM campus.
Greg Barnett, a senior at UM majoring in communication studies and Spanish, was the only big brother to attend Super Wheels, along with his little brother, nine-year-old Alex.
“We had fun at Super Wheels,” Barnett said. “Alex got to laugh at me every time I fell down, but our favorite thing to do is hang out together and go to Boomers.”
Although Barnett is not the only big brother in the UM club, there are many more female mentors than male mentors.
Elizabeth Leon, BBBS social worker and college mentoring coordinator, oversaw the Super Wheels activity.
“I love the Super Wheels trip. The kids have a blast and the ‘bigs’ get to be kids again,” Leon said. “This is our second outing roller-skating and everyone has a lot of fun.”
Leon has worked for BBBS for almost three years, but has been working in the field since 1994. She has experience in family and adolescent therapy and has worked in group-homes for children.
As the college coordinator, Leon is involved in recruiting college students to become mentors at Miami area colleges, including FIU, Barry and Johnson and Wales, along with UM, which boasts the largest community-based program out of all the local colleges.
There are two kinds of mentoring programs in which to get involved. In the community program, the mentors pick up their “little” on weekends or weekday evenings and go on an outing at least twice each month. The school program has mentors meet their little at his or her school or after-school program for one hour each week to work together on a variety of activities.
“They’re there to talk, play, have lunch and become friends,” Leon said.
BBBS has a partnership with Miami-Dade public schools and works with 35 Miami-area elementary schools in their school-based program.
The UM club works with four of these schools: Tucker, West Lab, Coral Park and Coconut Grove.
The monthly activities organized for the UM BBBS Club are only for the community-based pairs.
BBBS is always in need of more volunteers.
For more information on how to get involved, contact the Volunteer Services Center at X8-GIVE.

Abigail Putnam can be contacted at abigailputnam@aol.com

UM Democrats peace protest condemns war against Iraq
Earlier this week, the UM Democrats held an anti-war peace protest that included a procession around the Ashe Building, the Memorial Building, the Learning Center, the Merrick Building, the School of Business, and the UC Patio.
Participants chanted: “What do we want? PEACE! When do we want it? NOW!” and “One-two-three-four, We don’t want George Bush’s War.”
“The UM Democrats are appalled at the lack of tangible and significant evidence provided by the Bush administration in regards to impending war against Iraq,” said an anti-war peace demonstration statement posted on the official website of the UM Democrats. “The proverbial ‘Mount Everest amount of evidence’ Colin Powell was supposed to present to the United Nations ended up being nothing more than sandy pebbles of circumstantial findings.”
“We’re trying to get a procession going to show that UM has some spirit in regards to national events that are going on,” Xavier Jimenez, president of Amnesty International, said.
Some of those participating in the protest said they believe that many UM students seem to be concerned with issues that are immediate to this country and are unaware of events occurring in other parts of the world.
“UM is apathetic,” Katie Brown, sophomore and member of the Anti-War Coalition, said. “If we would just stop and take a look outside of our world, we would see things from a completely different perspective.”
“Peace organizations are going on all over the world,” Brown said.
The organization maintains that as daily events shape the course of a possible attack on Iraq, peaceful demonstrations will be organized in response to any unreasonable actions taken.
“It is our responsibility as citizens to exercise the freedom of expression and virtue that our procedural republic allows,” said the official website of the UM Democrats.
After the procession, an open mic session was held in which students, faculty and others were welcome to voice their opinion concerning the impending conflict. Speakers encouraged open discussions and dialogue between all points of view and asked students to find strength in numbers in order to become effective public speakers.
“We want to raise some sentiments that relate to passionate opinions that are either for the war or against it,” Chris Wilson, president of the UM Young and College Democrats, said.
Students and by-standers who witnessed the demonstration stood behind the anti-war sentiment.
“I think the protest is right on,” Amanda Sullivan, junior, said. “I don’t think the war is going on; I think anti-war is going on – forget class, this is reality.”
“It’s all about free speech,” Monica Rossbach, law student, said.
“I think it’s stupid and sickening that we are threatening a country that has not even directly threatened us,” Veronica Onye, a Spanish major, said. “How would this country feel if another country came to attack us because they didn’t like our president?”
All peaceful demonstrations are open to anyone interested. UM administration cannot fault anyone in attendance because all of the demonstrations are made aware to the Department of Public Safety, and locations have been reserved.
“Ask not what you can do for your country, but rather, ask what you can do for the planet,” Brown said.
For more information on future events and on the UM Democrats, visit www.umdems.com.

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

TODAY
Planning on living on campus next year? Then don’t forget to pay your $250 non-refundable deposit to the cashier in the Ashe building. While you’re there, make sure you’re financially registered for the semester. If everything is all set then you will receive a confirmation letter before March 3.

Hurricane Productions presents Battle of the Bands with UM Physical Therapy at 7 p.m. in the Rat.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council will be having its annual Greek Extravaganza Step Show. The theme will be “Marveled Greeks: United for Battle.” Members of UM’s Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. will participate. The Show will start promptly at 8 p.m. in Gusman Concert Hall. Tickets are currently available from 12 to 2 p.m. at the UC Rock. Tickets can also be purchased from any UM NPHC member. Seats are limited and tickets will not be sold at the door, so make your purchases early!

Don’t miss your chance to see UM’s own Rebecca Buran competing on Hollywood Squares’ College Tournament. The show airs at 7:30 p.m. on CBS 4.

COSO’s council presents Success is in Advertising. This interesting, fun-filled and interactive session will help you learn the tricks of the trade to increasing attendance at your events. The session takes place at 1 p.m. in UC 211.

Communication Week begins at 10 a.m. in the Frances L. Wolfson Building Cable Studio C. A Spotlight Session will be held examining Media Challenges: Covering A Multicultural Society. The event is free and open to the public.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 22
Come watch as the men’s basketball team takes on Georgetown at 12 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

The University of Miami School of Law invites you to attend the Multicultural Admissions Fair from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Law School Campus. For further information or to register for the event visit the School of Law’s web page at www.law.miami.edu or call the Office of Admissions and Recruiting at 305-284-6746.

The women’s basketball team plays Providence at 3 p.m. at the Convocation Center.

Take a practice GRE at 11:30 a.m. in the UC Ballrooms. The Honors Students’ Association will be collecting a five dollar donation for Literacy Volunteers of America. For more information, contact 305-284-0090.

Women’s tennis plays USF at 1 p.m. at the Neil Schiff Tennis Complex.

Take a free practice GMAT with Alpha Kappa Psi (a professional business fraternity) at 11:30 a.m. in the UC Flamingo Ballrooms. To RSVP or for more information, contact 305-284-0090.

Come watch as the baseball team takes on San Diego State at 7 p.m. at the Mark Light Field.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 23
Peter Howe will be signing books at Books & Books, 265 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables at 7 p.m. as part of Communication Week. The noted photographer, former picture editor for The New York Times, director of photography for Life magazine and vice president of photography for Corbis will discuss his latest book, Shooting Under Fire.

The ladies of Zeta Tau Alpha, Gamma Alpha chapter, will be hosting their tenth annual Fashion show to benefit the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Survivors Program. The show will take place at the Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel, 711 NW 73 Ave. from 1 to 4 p.m. A reception and cocktails will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 and include a luncheon and the show. There will also be a raffle, door prizes and a silent auction. For more information or to make a donation, contact Jacqueline at 786-512-6363.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 24
At noon in Learning Center Room 130, Communication Week continues with Alternative Career Opportunities for Communication Students.
The Hurricanes baseball team has just announced that during Friday and Saturday games this season, Hurricanes fans will have the chance to win $10,000. On Friday nights, the Hurricanes will debut the Pollo Tropical $10,000 Dice for Dollars promotion. If the lucky participant spells C-A-N-E-S on their dice roll, he or she will win $10,000. On Saturday nights, the Hurricanes and OleoMed are proud to present the OleoMed $10,000 Super Saturdays promotion. A specific on-field event will be predetermined for the first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth innings. If any one of those events occurs during their respective inning, then one lucky fan will be $10,000 richer. Other promotions and giveaways announced will be the University of Miami Trading Cards sponsored by McArthur Dairy, the Ron Fraser Hurricanes Legend bobble head sponsored by OleoMed, the Hurricanes Not so Newlywed Game and more.

The University of Miami has named Richard F. Candia Assistant Vice President for Government Relations. In his new role, Candia will oversee state and federal government relations for the University, including its Medical Campus and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. Candia most recently served as Director of Governmental Relations at Florida International University (FIU). Previously, he was a legislative assistant to Florida Senator Mario Diaz-Balart and held various positions at the Florida Department of Labor. Candia holds a B.S. from Florida State University and will receive his M.B.A. this spring from FIU. He is a board member of the Florida Foster Care Review, the statewide Trust for Public Lands and a graduate of Leadership Miami. Married to Leandra, Candia resides in West Kendall with his wife and their two children, Alexander and Sara.

The Hurry ‘Cane shuttle stop on Hurricane Drive (San Amaro Ave.) across from the Hecht Athletic Center has been moved to the south side of Corniche Avenue.

The Department of Public Safety presents a 12-hour women’s course R.A.D. (Rape Aggression Defense), from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 25 and 27 and March 4 and 6 at the Wellness Center. R.A.D. is a personal safety/violence prevention course offering basic education from risk reduction and avoidance to basic physical self-defense techniques designed specifically for women of all ages. Pre-registration is necessary as seating is limited. Wear comfortable clothing, sneakers or workout clothes. For information on registering and fees contact the Wellness Center at 305-284-8500.

Candidate: Julie Beltz
Year in school: Junior
Major: Psychology
Leadership experience: Delta Gamma, Director of WellAware, Vice-President: Panhellenic, Orientation Assistant Orientation Coordinator and Program Coordinator, Artemis: Executive Board, Vagina Monologues / V-Force: Co-Chair, A Week for Life: Publicity Co-Chair. Running in conjunction with Robert Castro and Jason Starr (treasurer). “Making UM better for the students who attend through awareness, education, programming, etc. is a process I’ve always been committed to. Anyone intelligent who has ever worked under a great leader before knows that leadership skills are transferable – and I’ve already proved here at UM that I’m a strong leader.”

Candidate: Aimee Dehbozorgi
Year in School: Junior
Major: Biology, Chemistry
Leadership experience: SG Cabinet, Arts and Sciences senator for two years, Academic Affairs committee chair of Senate, Category Five publicity chair. “Based on my experience on SG I know what changes need to be done and how to go about them.”
nCandidate: Chris Clark
Year in school: Sophomore
Major: Political Science, Psychology
Leadership experience: freshmen and sophomore senator in SG, Fun Day group leader, orientation assistant, Honor Council, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity , office assistant at the office of VP of student affairs.”As a sophomore I have 2 years of SG leadership and experience. I am not looking to change the face of UM I am looking to better the already great aspects of the university. My past experiences enable me to keep my goals. I know how to work with the administration.”

Candidate: Andrew Cohn
Year in school: Sophomore
Major: Pre law/ Political Science
Leadership positions: Treasurer of Lambda Chi Alpha LCA Fraternity, member of GAMMA (Greeks advocating the mature management of alcohol)
Platform:
Extend library hours starting the week before midterms and continuing on to the end of the semester.
Provide additional stops for the Hurry ‘Cane shuttle at Mahoney/Pearson, Towers, and Hecht Athletic Center during days when the shuttle goes to the Grove.
Extend the days of the Grove shuttle ride to include Thursdays.
Create a system of grade-based coupons for books at the Bookstore (3.0 GPA- 10% discount, 3.5 GPA- 25% discount, 4.0 GPA 50% discount).
Provide optional Direct TV to students in the dorms.”I’m somebody that’s going to be here and be held accountable, I want to see change and I know I’m dedicated. I’m just one of you.”
Slogan: “I’m just one of you.”

Candidate: Robert Castro
Year in school: Senior
Major: Marketing
Leadership positions: Outstanding Government Chair in Student Government, president of FEC, president of Bacchus, vice president of Honor Council, member of Convocation Center Student Advisory Board, chair of Wellness Center Employee Advisory Board
Platform:
Initiate a commuter assistant peer resource center that would work similarly to the RA system in the dorms, providing support and assistance to commuter students.
Extend dining hall hours after 9 p.m. to allow students attending classes that end at 9:05 an opportunity to obtain a meal.
Ensure that Student Government covers the interests of all its constituencies.
Create a more cohesive SG and increase communication through the creation of a website that serves as a link between all branches of SG and facilitates communication between SG representatives and students.
Establish a general meeting once a month with all branches of SG. “I don’t want to let the students down; I’m a man of my word and I get things done.I want to put my energy into helping the University, and hopefully students will benefit from this.”
Slogan: “We have our eye on you!”

Candidate: Scott Sadowski
Year in school: Junior
Major: Finance and Economics
Leadership positions: Executive Chief of Staff for Student Government, Student Government Senate, Vice President of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Engineering Advisory Board.
Platform:
Extend shuttle route to include the School of Communication; provide free shuttle service to the airport.
Provide a wood chip lined trail around campus for running and jogging purposes.
Keep students on campus by providing better meals. This can be achieved by an increased food selection in the food court to include frozen yogurt and sushi stands.
Expand the Cane Express account use to include independent food stands and neighboring businesses, such as dry-cleaning, McDonalds, Moon, Blockbuster and delivery such as Papa Johns.
Create a three step process of developing the school that includes recruiting the best students by providing the option of an overnight visit with current students at the dorms, freshmen mentoring programs and working to improve the school’s reputation so that as alumni the UM degree has a higher recognized value.
Facilitate leadership retreats to allow organizations to grow together. “Strengthening the storm is all about taking what we have and maximizing our resources, making things work more efficiently. I’m a good listener and with over five years of Student Government experience our ticket will efficiently address the students’ needs in the upcoming school year.”
Slogan: “Strengthening the storm.”

Candidates voice plans at SG presidential debate
Students at Wednesday night’s Student Government [SG] presidential debate at the Rathskeller said that candidates Robert Castro and Scott Sadowski presented strong cases and ideas to the audience, but that candidate Andy Cohn lacked the experience needed to fill the position.
Cohn admits to his lack of preparation and experience; Castro says he brings well-rounded leadership experience to his candidacy; Sadowski says he brings SG experience and a close relationship with administration to his candidacy.
“Leadership is something that helps you get close to campus,” Cohn said. “I’ll get to know the administration once I get elected.”
“Not only am I a leader, but I’m a well-rounded leader,” Castro said.
“I have no problems making Student Government and the University the best in the country,” Sadowski said. “Past performance is an excellent indicator of future potential.”
Students present at the debate reacted to the candidates but said they wish that there would have been more audience involvement.
“I think it would have been nice to have more student involvement,” Katie Wood, sophomore, said. “Students need to be educated before they vote.”
“I think that all of the candidates got their platforms across,” Wood said.
One graduate student, Rodrigo Gasteazoro, gave his perspective on all three candidates.
“Andy would be a good candidate if he had been a little more prepared,” Gasteazoro said. “I was very worried about Robert’s involvement, but I think that he would be able to handle the position. Scott’s ideas are great, but a lot are already in progress. I would like to see what else he would do.”
“It should be interesting to see the results of the elections,” Gasteazoro said.
During the Q & A session at the debate, written questions directed toward all of the candidates were anonymously submitted to a member of the Elections Commission.
“There should have been more audience participation,” Ann Reifel, sophomore, said. “I would have liked to have been able to ask personal questions about each candidate’s goals and platforms.”
At one point, the moderator said that she was going to read the final question. However, after the question was answered, the moderator later decided that the question, referring to how each candidate would handle all of his other leadership positions if elected SG president, would not be the last and decided instead to ask a question handed to her at the last minute by a representative of the Elections Commission that referred to the Honor Council policies at UM.
The Miami Hurricane will continue to investigate the manner in which the debate was conducted to establish whether any rules or regulations were violated by members of the Elections Committee.

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