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Intramural Scores

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Family 5K Fun Run
The winner of the 5K Run on Saturday, October 5 was Scott Sadowski of Sigma Phi Epsilon with a time of 12 minutes and 12 seconds. The route wasn’t a true 5K, it was a little more than 2 miles, although Scott beat the Sigma Alpha Mu representative by just a few seconds.

Flag Football

Gomez’s Girls – 16
Smaller Unit – 0
Biohazard – 39
College Republicans – 6
Gomez’s Girls – 28
Come On Wit It – 0

Smaller Unit – 28
College Republicans – 0

Biohazard – 31
AK Psi – 0

Funky Bunch – 13
The Midwest Kids – 0

Punters From the Red Zone – 27
Frosh Sensations – 0

Whooping Cough – 12
The Agency – 0

The Midwest Kids – 27
Punters From the Red Zone – 0

The Agency – 12
Funky Bunch – 6

Whooping Cough – 29
Frosh Sensations – 18

Miami Law – 21
Spider 6 – 13

Southside All-Stars – 12
RT 9’ers – 0

Cream Team – 6
Southside All-Stars – 0

Miami Law – 18
RT 9’ers – 6

Animosity – 20
RT 12 – 0

Justices – 28
Gusman Grace – 8

Jerry’s Kidz – 18
Alpha Q – 9

Attack of the Negros – 50
CoCanes – 7

Mrs. Furze – 14
ROTC Raptors – 7

Wahine – 20
Scrubs – 0

Scalpels – 20
WT Eight – 13

Aces – 24
The Dudes – 0

UMSM 4 – 20
They Stole Our Floor – 13

Alpha Sigma Phi – 41
Phi Delta Theta – 0

Lambda Chi Alpha – 14 (OT)
Sigma Phi Epsilon – 13

Sigma Chi – 7
Zeta Beta Tau – 6

Pi Kappa Alpha – 27
Kappa Sigma – 0

The Phenoms – 33
Rugby Club – 0

Dem Cats – 24
Donkey Punch – 0

Enucleators – 18
D.O.Z.’s – 0

AP Deuce – 26
Jerry’s Kids – 0

Soo Tough – 35
The Catzzos – 0

UMSM 2 – 31
UMSM 3 – 7

Miami Hurrigangstarz – 27
S.O.B.’s – 7

Foozball 4 Devil – 13
2L Scrubs – 7

Lex Offenders – 12
ESSA DEE – 0

Men’s IM Top 10
1. Outkast
2. Soo Tough
3. Pi Kappa Alpha
4. Cream Team
5. Alpha Sigma Phi
6. Mrs. Furze
7. Animosity
8. AP Deuce
9. The Phenoms
10. Miami Hurrigangstarz

Women’s IM Top 5
1. Wahine
2. Tight Ends
3. Scrubs
4. Delta Phi Epsilon
5. Surgeons

Enough about Christopher Columbus already!

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I love American history. I spent practically the whole 13 years of my public school education learning about the American Revolution over and over again and learning about designated “prominent” figures over and over again. Repetition is so enriching,especially continually taught from the same perspective so that American ideologies are not threatened.

My intellectual life was spared when I took International Baccalaureate history courses versus the traditional public school curriculum. It wasn’t until my eleventh grade year in high school that I learned Christopher Columbus was a murderer. It only took twelve years. For once in my life I learned about Mao in China, the Russian Revolution, and Communist Cuba and so many more events not covered by the traditional U.S. curriculum.

I had high expectations that college would continue to broaden my knowledge about the world. Yet I arrived at college and I am faced with the same bias – American history in collegiate form: Introduction to American government, the History of Journalism in the United States and the Freedom of Speech in the United States.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe everyone should know a great deal about their country’s government and history, but learning about it my whole academic life is not informing, it is just plain ignorant. How many of us can say we know the history of Nigeria or India or Venezuela? And even worse, how many of us can name at least ten people who attended the Second Continental Congress? It wouldn’t be so bad if American history discussed all aspects-the big, the bad and the ugly. We don’t hear much about the Civil Rights Movement, Native American genocide, or Vietnam…instead we are spoon fed that Lincoln was a good president. Despite curriculum efforts to inform us of American history, how many of us can name twenty other presidents aside from the most famous, infamous, or contemporary ones?

There is always the argument, “Why learn anything that is irrelevant to the U.S. government or relations?” Two years ago we could have said, “Why learn about the nation of Islam?” Yet September 11th sent educators scrambling just to make sure their curriculum covered aspects of the Middle East.

Is it America’s isolation form the rest of the world and our supremacy ideologies that keep us enriched in our ignorance? Or is it the fact that we don’t require our citizens to be bilingual in something other then pop culture?

Until we make a move to be more informed we will forever be isolated in our “wonderful” democratic ideologies, ignorant to reality.

Marquita K. Bell is a sophomore majoring in print journalism and politcal science

Carpe diem: live each day like it’s your last

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“I’m 28 years old. I’m HIV positive. And no one is going to remember me when I die.” This isn’t the ending of a dramatic Lifetime movie or the newest Meg Ryan flick, it’s part of a conversation I had Friday night. This conversation affected me profoundly. And throughout the course of the night, my views and opinions on life dramatically changed.

It all began when my friends and I decided to go out. The important detail about the evening is a man named Blue. His eyes captivated me. After talking for about an hour, we danced. I was amazed at his genuine beauty.

We went back to the bar and the experience began. Blue’s eyes filled up as he spoke. Blue is a 28-year-old gay man. His lover found out that he gave him HIV and consequently shot himself, leaving Blue terminally ill and alone.

“Anything goes.” This is the motto Blue lives by, and the words are written on the only ring on his hand. He uses it to remind himself to live life to the fullest. Since being diagnosed, Blue realized that mortality is closer than we think. Blue then slipped the ring on my finger, and told me to live by these words. He also told me that no one will remember him when he’s gone, and asked me to just think of him every time I look at the ring. That way, he said, he’ll know that someone in the world will remember him. He said he chose me for this because I have “beauty and self-confidence” in my eyes.

“Never compromise your opinions for anyone.” This is the next piece of advice Blue gave me, and I assured him that I will always remember his words, wherever I go.

The night ended, and I reluctantly left Blue with a hug and a smile that I hope he carries with him until his last breath. I’ve never had an experience as intense and reflective as I did with this stranger, which fuels my new belief that everyone is worth talking to, even if just for a few moments.

I will always remember Blue, when I look at the ring or when a new opportunity arises. “Anything goes” will resonate through my brain and convince me to live my life like each day is my last. Because you never know, someday it will be.

Dara Solomon is a freshman majoring in print journalism.

Is courtesy dead? Hold on, my cell phone is ringing

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Sadly, it seems, being courteous is a dying art. I’m sure there isn’t one person on this campus that hasn’t witnessed at least one act per day that qualifies as either rude or inconsiderate. Perhaps you can relate to the following:

Last Wednesday I’m in the library studying, when low and behold someone’s cell phone goes off. There would be nothing to write about here if that was the end of it, but you can probably guess that it wasn’t. Within 5 to 10 minutes another lovely digitally reproduced musical tone went off, followed by another and another, and so on. I decided to conduct a quick field research study and to my dismay I heard no less than 37 phones ring in the following 3 hours. Now on its face 12 calls an hour is not any sort of Earth-shattering statistic, but in a place that has a clearly posted sign at the entrance that says “Turn your cell phone off,” it’s a little outrageous, not to mention inconsiderate.

I have experienced in both the library and Stubblefield building’s study room acts of inexcusable inconsideration. There I am, studiously reading my Anthropology textbook, already having been interrupted by a cell phone, when two guys walked in to meet with a friend of theirs. By the way they carried on, one might have thought they hadn’t seen each other in years, with behavior that continued even after someone “shushed” them. In the library, a group of students enter and speak so loudly that they can be heard from the other end of the hallway. And unfortunately, this type of conduct is not limited to students alone. Last week I’m in the computer lab – in all fairness, not a completely quiet environment – and one of the faculty came in to converse with a student. This PHD talked so loud I thought maybe he had hearing problem (or perhaps he just liked the sound of his own voice).

Surely it can’t be that difficult to put your phone on vibrate or leave the room if the call is that important. And if you need to converse, please go outside where this august institution has, at considerable expense, created many areas where you can sit and catch up on all the important items of your day with your cell-phone wielding friends. And furthermore… hold on a minute… I’ve got to take this call.

Scott Wacholtz is a junior majoring in computer science and political science who is a former Marine Corps Sergeant.

Letter to the Editor

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The attacks that were made by the editor against the Orange Bowl staff and, more importantly, student fans trouble me. I understand that safety is of utmost importance to you, as it should be. However, attempting to curb student enthusiasm, generalizing the student section as drunken college kids, and claiming vendors show utter disregard when checking identification is hardly a way to address the situation. Why not rethink criticisms seemingly spawned by an incident that was not even covered by The Hurricane.

Football is an exciting sport. Hurricane football is an electrifying event. Students will stand and support their team. Asking them not to defeats their spirit and enthusiasm. UM does not have 50,000 students like Ohio State to pack into a stadium and create havoc for opposing teams by cheering their hearts out. We have our student section, and for the first time in a while, it has been full. Not just full for FSU, but full for UCONN! Let students be enthused, let them make noise, and for Sebastian’s sake, let them stand!

As for the drunken college kids comment, please step down from the

soapbox. Sure, some students drink, but don’t classify an entire section as one inebriated mass. If anything, standing would be the last thing drunken college kids would be capable of, especially for a prolonged period of time, like, say, a football game. Any time I’ve gone to purchase a brew in the OB, which certainly isn’t often (you can buy a six-pack for what they charge for a flat, watered-down domestic) the staff serving the beer checks my ID bracelet. Once, when buying a beer with a friend who, though older than me, looks much younger than me, even though he had a bracelet, the person serving the beers asked to see his ID. I would say that the OB staff is doing their job. What people imbibe or inhale before entering the OB, however, is not under OB staff control. I highly doubt mass quantities of underage students are getting drunk from over-priced beers in the OB.

Not all students are tactful

EDITORIAL

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Although Florida is considered to be the “sunshine state,” we are among the worst and most outdated states when it comes to our energy sources. Florida is in fact the home to one of the largest concentrations of nuclear power plants in the nation. So we’re thrilled that so many students are getting involved with the University of Miami’s chapter of Greenpeace. Students from every political persuasion, ethnic background, and academic field attended the “Clean Energy Now” kickoff meeting last week. The point of all the activity is to get clean energy (which largely means solar energy in Florida) on the platforms of both gubernatorial candidates. And it is not just an idealistic, whimsical effort. The leaders and organizers of Greenpeace have a many-pronged plan in order to awaken the candidates to the fact that this issue is a critical one, especially for their hopes of election.

First, on Thursday Greenpeace held a “call-in” campaign. This involved getting anyone and everyone who could spare a minute to call the headquarters of Jeb Bush and Bill McBride in an effort to inundate them with concerns about clean energy. If you missed a chance to call, don’t worry; there are plenty of other opportunities.

Among them is a large media campaign. Anyone who feels strongly about the issue is urged to write an editorial or opinion column to any major newspaper in Florida concerning your particular views on why clean energy is so important. Also, Greenpeace will follow Bush and McBride on the campaign trail to Orlando to hold a demonstration at the actual debate.

Of course, the point of the movement is not to immediately shut down every nuclear plant in the state. Instead, Greenpeace seeks to get our government moving along the lines of environmentally safe energy sources. In an era of global warming, dangerously low levels of clean drinking water, and the rapacious depletion of the resources we consider necessary for life, it is high time to start turning the tides. What’s more, we’re in the middle of the war on terrorism. Maybe it would help if we cut some of our ties to the Middle East as far as oil consumption is concerned.

Many people may be scared away by the reputation and traditional political leaning of Greenpeace. However, this fight is exclusively for clean energy. No particular candidate is endorsed. No one will be asked to step in between a harpoon and a whale, or chain themselves to a tree, or any of the other clichEs that some people have perhaps unfairly used to stigmatize Greenpeace. This is an issue that liberals, conservatives, and even those who are apolitical can be involved in because it concerns universal issues.

So all of you students who claim that there is no activism on our campus, breathe a sigh of relief. We finally have something to stand for and work towards. But this puts the burden on us to actually get motivated

For the skeptics, a similar program was attempted in California and was successful, proving that it is very possible for students to influence policy. Although changing these policies on the federal level may still be years away, the nation will not change until the states do. And just maybe we can get Jeb to tell his brother that there are a significant number of Americans who realize that in order for the human race to continue, we might just need a planet to continue upon. To get involved, just look in the breezeway for the Greenpeace table or write to greenpeacefl@yahoo.com.

Through Greenpeace, the University of Miami students can help to change the entire state of Florida.

Hollywood Squares seeks talent from UM

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Staff of the celebrity game show Hollywood Squares auditioned over 75 UM students on Monday for the chance to compete on the show.

The Criteria?

Personality and trivia responses.

“We’re looking for very vivacious people,” said Hollywood Squares tour coordinator Lauri Janover. “The schools we audition at are chosen because of their size, diversity, and regional location.”

The auditioning staff will choose one representative from UM to play against students from 13 other schools, including NYU, Emerson, Northwestern, and UCLA.

Last year, Hollywood Squares selected UM student Alex Osuna to play on the show.

The auditionees were ushered into the UC ballroom and asked to fill out a form with their contact information and anything interesting about themselves.

“We once had a boy on the show who everyone called ‘Chewy’, even his parents,” Janover said. “That was interesting. And memorable.”

After the information form, each student was handed a test.

The test consisted of 25 statements to which the student had to mark “Agree” or “Disagree”, just like on the show.

Statements included trivia like, “The Statue of Liberty stands on Ellis Island” and “Alicia Silverstone appeared in three videos with Aerosmith”.

The students also had to have their picture taken while giving their best smile.

The tests were graded quickly while those who were auditioning watched a short tape of a previous Hollywood Squares College Tournament.

After the tests were graded, a staff member called out the names of students who made a high enough score to go on the next stage of auditioning.

According to organizers, about half passed.

“50 percent is an average amount for most of the schools we go to,” said assistant tour director Gary Light, who graduated from UM with a degree in communications.

Janover tells participants that they will have to “listen, watch and concentrate” if they want to do well on the show.

After the test, those who proceeded to the next round got to play a mock round of the game, while displaying as much enthusiasm and energy as possible.

“It would be a fun opportunity,” Becky Buran said. “You get prizes no matter what you do. Plus, I’m in communications, so I’d get to see the making of a television game show.”

Even if you answer every question wrong, every participant on the show gets an all expense paid trip to L.A. for the taping, and a $500 stipend.

Once on the show, they get to compete for cash and prizes.

“You win no matter what,” said Light.

“I was nervous at first,” Tiffany Yelden said. “But once I passed the written test, I got to be silly and have fun.”

The series of tournament style games will all be taped on Jan. 18. The shows will then be aired throughout the second week of February.

Janover promises that if students who wanted to participate missed the opportunity, they will be back next year for more auditions.

SG smoking resolution still pending final approval

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The student government senate passed a quiet meeting on Wednesday, the second meeting following the recent student elections.

The bill to place a non-smoking buffer around the residence halls, passed by the Senate on Sept.18th, is still pending.

The bill states that a 25-foot non-smoking buffer will be placed around the five University of Miami residence halls, and also provides for covered seating areas around the buffers, which will be designed by a special committee to be created by Dr. Whitely, vice president for student affairs, who will decide the fate of the bill.

“I can either say yes, no, or send it back to the Senate with my suggestions,” Whitely commented, suggesting that the third alternative is the most likely.

Although President Donna Shalala believes that “second hand smoke is dangerous,” she ultimately thinks the issue is “up to the students.”

She doesn’t feel, however, that it is the right of students to endanger the health of other students. “It’s unhealthy,” Shalala asserted.

“I walked by someone at a Harvard Commencement and told him it was unhealthy, and a year later he wrote me telling me that he quit, that what I said was what he needed to get the motivation,” Shalala said.

A bill to incorporate free disposable ponchos at food kiosks surrounding major University buildings was also laid on the table pending further discussion and approval.

Senators felt that the issue should be brought to Dr. Pat Whitely, vice president for student affairs, before funding is allocated.

Also, questions about whether such ponchos could be recycled or collected properly were addressed.

A bill to implement an additional drainage system around the Rock and UC was laid on the table pending further revisions, and two students missed ratification as Supreme Court Justices because they failed to show up.

Bills authored by Senators Gutierrez, Jr., and Wilson, to allocate $250 each to the College Republicans and Young Democrats, were overwhelmingly passed with little dissent.

The funding will sponsor a bipartisan event, “Week On Politics,” from Oct. 20 through Oct. 30, a series of debates and open forums on current events such as the War on Iraq.

Although money questions were raised, the senators defended their bills on grounds of lack of other sources of funding.

They petitioned local and state politicians for their funds, but, as they are in the middle of elections season, were strapped for cash, they said.

Organizational fundraising was unsuccessful as well:

“Car washes don’t accumulate $800,” Senator Gutierrez, Jr. said.

Mike Johnston, SG President, who did not attend the Senate session on Wednesday, is developing a bill to create a UM parking decal specifically for the University Village, a group of on-campus apartments to be located between San Amaro Drive and Red Road.

“I don’t think it’s feasible for people to get in their cars and drive around campus just to go to class,” Johnston said.

He suggested that, instead, University Village students should be encouraged to ride the free and highly accessible Hurry ‘Canes shuttles to classroom buildings.

Campus Calendar and News Briefs

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TODAY
The UM Alumni Association invites you to this year’s Audrey R. Finkelstein UM Experience, an interactive educational series featuring UM faculty, alumni and lecture topics. This year’s topics include “Public Health is Everyone’s Concern,” “Music’s Therapeutic Power,” “Diversity and Teaching,” “Surviving Times of Crisis,” “Business is a Contact Sport” and “Questions of Bioethics.” For more information contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 305-284-2872.

Attend a Non-Profit Career Fair from 10 a.m.-3p.m. at Miami-Dade Community College, on 300 N.E. 2nd Ave, Wolfson Campus, Bldg. 3, Room 3210 (1/2 Block from Bayside). Meet with approximately 50 state, national, and international nonprofit agencies working with the Environment, Youth, International relief, Homelessness, Public Policy and more. For more call the Volunteer Services Center at 305-284-GIVE, UC room 240 or email volunteerservice@miami.edu.

OCTOBER 12

THE UM Alumni Association will be hosting a Homecoming Pre-Game Celebration from 12 p.m. at the Orange Bowl. Contact Leslie Monreal, BSC 96, in the Office of Alumni Relations at 305-284-2872 or lmonreal@miami.edu.

OCTOBER 13
The Asian American Students Association will present the fourth annual Run and Gun Football Tournament on the IM fields. Register during the Asian American Students Association general meetings before Oct. 10. Contact Darrel Cabias at aasaum@yahoo.com for more information.
Find out the winners of Homecoming 2002 at the closing ceremonies at 12 p.m. at the UC Patio.

OCTOBER 14 – OCTOBER 26
Prevent the flu from sidelining you by receiving a vaccination, free of charge, available at several sites on campus. Flu vaccine is especially important for those at high risk for complications from chronic diseases such as asthma, or those continually in contact with immuno-compromised people. Visit the Student Health Service website at www.miami.edu/student-health for more information.

OCTOBER 15
CAC presents Minority Report at Cosford Cinema at 8 and 10:30 p.m.

Laser Tag at the Wellness Center at 5 p.m. Call Kevin at Hurricane Productions, 305-284-4606, for more details.

OCTOBER 16
The Counseling Center and the Academic Development Center invite you to attend a program by Dr. Malcolm Kahn, Director of the Counseling Center, on “Psychological Tips for Academic Success”, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Academic Development Center – Room N201 (located on the 2nd floor of the Whitten University Center). For questions call (305) 284-5511.
“Healthy Haunted House” is the theme of this year’s Wellness Expo, an evening of fun, food, and fitness from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m, in the Wellness Center Atrium. See exhibitions ranging from South Beach Smoothies to flu shots from the Health Center. The evening will also feature instructional classes, demonstrations, a pumpkin decorating contest, and a prize for the best costume.

OCTOBER 23
The Women’s Resource Center presents the annual Clothesline Project, at the Rock from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., in honor of Domestic Violence Month. The project facilitates the healing process for people who have lost a loved one or are survivors of violence.

OCTOBER 26
The Department of Multicultural Student Affairs will offer a free practice test for the MCAT, LSAT, GRE or GMAT. RSVP by calling 800-2Review.

OCTOBER 26 – NOVEMBER 2
QuantUM Entertainment will present the Rocky Horror Show at the Hillel Center. Call 786-262-3779 or visit www.gotoquantum.com for ticket information.

It’s almost time for academic advising for the Spring semester. Undergraduates should make appointments to see their faculty advisors November 4 through November 15. Even if you use the EASY system, you should consult an academic advisor. Registration for the Spring semester will begin on November 11. Courses for Spring 2003 are already listed on the EASY system, so you don’t have to wait for the printed books to come out.

Copies of the novel Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse are now available at a discount of 30% off at the University Bookstore. This discount is a promotion for the discussion of the novel that is to be held on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. in Pearson 137. Hosted by Solutions Interdisciplinary Forum and cosponsored by the Honors Program, the discussion features Dr. Benjiman D. Webb, Professor of German and Director of the Honors Program.

Are you free on Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.? Be a mentor. Let at risk 4th graders know that they have an opportunity for a college education. Contact the Volunteer Services center at 305-284-GIVE or visit UC 240 for more information.

On Saturday, the Miami Hurricanes will play one of their biggest games of the year against the Florida State Seminoles at the Orange Bowl. The game is sold out; over 80,000 fans are expected. It will be televised on ABC at noon. UM administration encourages all students to come to the Orange Bowl. However, please keep several things in mind. Student gates will open at 10 a.m. and parking lots will be available at 8 a.m. Metrorail begins at 6 a.m. and the shuttle will be available at 10 a.m. Your Cane Card serves as your ticket to the game and you must be financially registered and have paid the Athletic Fee to attend the game. Use the Southeast Plaza Student Entrance. All students with a valid ID will receive a wristband at the student gate, which will allow you a seat in the student section. You will not be allowed to save seats for those arriving late. Students and fans will be denied admission into the stadium if they are intoxicated.

UM’s annual homecoming parade kicks off the evening festivities at 7 p.m. today. Serving as co-Grand Marshals are Jackie Nespral and Dr. James Wyche, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The City of Coral Gables Police and Fire Departments, Palmetto High School

Gilbertson Cuffy wins Mr. UM in third try

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The Mr. UM crown went to senior Gilbertson Cuffy after he danced for the audience and impressed the judges with his personality and experience in giving younger kids campus tours and learning the valuable position we are in as college students.

He said that he is glad to win after his third time making it to the pageant.

“I just want to represent the school in the fullest way any ‘Cane would.”

On Tuesday at the RAT, contestants for Mr. UM represented Greek life and many other student organizations and clubs throughout campus.

According to Trysta Malm, who organized the event, the pageant encourages school spirit.

“[Mr. UM] gives students the opportunity to show their experience and enthusiasm in a different way,” Malm said. “It helps students express spirit through talents and interviews versus the traditional cheering at a football game.”

The homecoming committee, consisting of 30 students, narrowed the original 26 Mr. UM applicants to nine through a preliminary round where students showed a portion of their talents and answered questions similar to those asked during the pageant.

The judges for the competition were UM staff members Daniel DiResta, Lewis Ocasio, Jennifer Brack, and Erin Moyer.

“I liked the diversity in the contestants- I thought they had a wide range of talents,” Moyer said. “The hardest thing about deciding was judging…I didn’t know what the other judges were thinking.”

“The entire event was rowdiness- complete utter chaos,” Alex Cardenas said. “It was by far one of the most entertaining homecoming events ever.”

Enthusiasm, poise, stage presence, originality, response to questions, confidence and an entertaining talent were the focus of the committee when making their final decision.

Comedian Alonzo Bodden hosted the event. He has appeared at the Apollo and on Comedy Central.

“I would definitely do it again,” Bodden said.

The show was divided into three parts: introduction, talent, and interview.

During the talent round, contestants chose a performance included dancing, singing, a karate presentation, sharing animal balloon memories, and dressing in drag.

For the interview round contestants had to dress formally and answer a question that was pulled from a hat.

Among the questions asked were: “If you could be one of the seven dwarfs, who would you be?” and “Do you think UM is a typical American university, why or why not?

Students and contestants enjoyed the opportunity to show their spirit and support for the school through the pageant.

Dimitri Augustin, second runner-up saw the experience as an opportunity to meet new people.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “I want to congratulate everyone because they did a great job.”

Most audience members enjoyed the event.

“I really enjoyed the talent part of the show because it was not all serious like in the Miss UM contest,” senior Jodel Jerome said. .

“It was very fun and interesting to watch- I liked the talent,” freshman Soraya Farrell said. “I have to give it up for Gilbertson, he deserved it.”

Sponsors for the event included Books and Books, Big Cheese, Starbucks, Book Horizons, Miami’s Best Pizza, the UM bookstore and TGI Fridays.

Cuffy won two domestic round trip tickets as well as book certificates. First runner-up Chad Newman and Augustin, received gift certificates to the UM bookstore and to Book Horizons.

Coming Out Week seeks to inform and educate

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The Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Community [GLBC] held several events this week to break down the misconceptions some may have about homosexuals.

“We are trying to find a comfort zone among gay and straight people,” Cate Dundon, co-organizer of Coming Out Week said. “We want to bridge the gap between the two groups.”

“I like what they are doing,” junior Sam Robinson said, “I think that they have done a great job involving all students in the activities.”

“I hope that they do more activities throughout the year,” he said.

On Monday, GLBC invited Sophia of MTV’s Road Rules 10 to speak during a session entitled Sophia Speaks. Sophia was the first person to come out to the entire nation on the show.

Approximately 40 students and members of GLBC were in attendance.

“It’s important to focus on the person within,” Sophia said. “If you are comfortable with who you are then you’re all set.”

“I told the producers that if I got cast because I was gay then I didn’t want to be on the show,” Sophia said, “I wanted to be cast for being me.”

Sophia stressed and discussed a lot of the issues people face when coming out. She told a poignant story about her struggle with coming out to her family and to the nation.

“For the first time in my life I felt free,” Sophia said. “I didn’t care what anybody else thought.”

“There a two emotions in the world, love and fear,” Sophia said. “Everything in the world revolves around them.”

“You have to learn to make choices out of love, not fear,” Sophia said.

Sophia stressed the importance of finding common ground between homosexuals and heterosexuals.

“Why put myself through hell to give someone else heaven,” Sophia said. “I love being gay, but I don’t let it run my life.”

“I’m going to do what makes me happy until the day that it doesn’t make me happy,” Sophia said.

Gay 101, which took place in all five residence halls on Monday and Tuesday nights, provided students with a chance to discuss topics of homosexuality such as stereotypes, pornography, and anal sex.

While in Hecht, 20-30 participants in Gay 101 sat in the lobby area on the couches with signs reading: “I like women a lot ask me why” or “I love men”.

As residents walked by, they were welcome to ask questions.

Questions ranged from why gay people were attracted to members of the same sex to asking if homosexuals believed that bisexuals were greedy.

Members of GLBC shared personal stories and experiences as well as discussing the idea of being “gay by association”.

“I feel like we live in a straight world,” Joanna Pluhowski said.

“I’m a person before I’m gay,” Dundon said. “I want everyone to see us as normal people instead of seeing us as the gay kids.”

“I only heard a little of GAY 101 but I really liked it,” senior Melissa Jones said. “They were very frank with their answers, doing a good job dispelling stereotypes.”

“They were willing to answer any question at all,” freshman Toby Young said. “They helped people understand homosexuality so much better.”

An anti-hate crime candlelight vigil in honor of Matthew Shepard, the college student who was murdered in 1998 for being gay, was held last Wednesday.

President Donna E. Shalala and Chris Vasquez, the president of GLBC were among the speakers.

Today is “Same Sex Hand Holding Day” and members of GLBC encourage everyone to hold hands with their friends in order to spread the message of unity between all of humanity.

“The goal of same-sex hand holding day is to foster an environment where it isn’t surprising to see members of the same sex holding hands,” Dundon said. “It also allows students, who have yet to come out, to hold hands without being judged.”

“If everyone, not just gays, is holding hands then it makes it more accepting,” Dundon said.

“I’m going to hold hands with my friends on Friday,” freshman Emily Ross said. “It’s a great way to support the GLBC, whether you’re gay or straight.”

“I think that everyone should hold hands as a way to stand behind the GLBC,” Ross said.

“You should participate in the event if you are an ally of the cause and are supportive of what we want to accomplish,” said David Abramson, executive director of Gatekeeper, a confidential counseling program founded by GLBC.

“Coming Out Week has done a great job getting out the message of the GLBC,” sophomore Joanna Witherall said. “It really raises awareness about the issues that affect them.”

Get ROWDY, but not too rowdy…

The Miami Hurricane
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This weekend marks a monumental event in the University of Miami’s history.

“The homecoming game [against FSU] is so historic because we have rarely had one of our greatest rivals be our opponent for the Homecoming game,” Homecoming chair Julio Barroso said. “Not only has this helped elevate the excitement of this year’s Homecoming festivities, but it has also attracted more alumni to the Homecoming festivities that might not have previously attended.”

Last year the ‘Canes won out over our arch rivals the Florida State University Seminoles going on later in the season to become the National Champions.

Following last week’s accident at the Orange Bowl, when an unnamed person was injured after falling from the balcony at the UM vs. UConn game, security for the UM v. FSU game has been considerably tightened, according to Dr. Pat Whitely, Vice President for Student Affairs.

“It is the sincere wish of the entire Homecoming Executive Committee that all students have a great time at all of the homecoming events, including the highly anticipated homecoming game versus FSU,” Barroso said. “We just ask that everyone act responsibly and use common sense to ensure a safe and fun time for all.”

Students will be required to wear a wristband so that they can be identified as belonging in the student section of the arena.

“Students should be the only ones allowed in the student section of the arena,” freshman Pamela Schiess said. “We pay good money to come to this school and one of the privileges we get is to enjoy the game with our fellow students and friends.”

Whitely suggests students arrive early and emphasizes the fact that section loading will not be permitted.

“If students are asked to leave by security for any type of unruly behavior, they will not be permitted to attend any more games for the remainder of the season,” Whitely said.

Neither the Orange Bowl Security Staff nor the Event Planning Committee could be reached for comment.

Whitely encourages fans to come out and cheer the ‘Canes on in its quest for its second consecutive national championship.

“Everyone should get ready for a great time,” Whitely said.

Homecoming officially ends with the Saturday game against FSU.

“This is going to be my first UM game,” freshman Ricardo Rodriguez said. “I’m sure it’s going to be crazy. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“I’m going to face-paint everything green and orange!” Cardenas said.

“I’m going to burn a little Seminole scarecrow to prepare for the game,” freshman Johnny Eskander said.

“The night before the Homecoming game is traditionally the most spirited of all of Homecoming,” Barroso said. “It is important for students to attend all of the events because it will help them to truly experience what Homecoming is all about: the love of our alma mater.”

Storm Watch, conclusion of homecoming festivities on campus includes a parade at 7 p.m. on Stanford Drive, a pep rally in the StormSurge Cafe’ at 8 p.m., a traditional boat burning competition, a fireworks display, a Homecoming after party, and Alumni Night at the Rat.

Closing ceremonies, where they announce the winners of Homecoming, will take place on Sunday in the UC Patio at 12 p.m.

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