en vogue: Students parade in the latest fashions during a fashion show to celebrate Black Awareness Month last week. The event was organized by United Black Students.

President Donna Shalala’s meeting with students from the School of International Studies [SIS] last Friday did little to convince them that dissolving SIS and transferring the school’s departments to the College of Arts and Sciences would strengthen the programs.

Early last week, university officials announced the five-year-old school, which has been running on a deficit since its inception, would be disintegrated to save on administrative costs and make more resources available to students and faculty.

The news has outraged students, who have complained that the move will diminish the prestige of their degree.

Many said they applied to UM because it had a school of international studies.

Many also feel they will lose the personalized service of the small school, which currently has about 500 students and 22 faculty members.

With over 3,000 students, the College of Arts and Sciences is the largest of UM’s 14 schools and colleges.

At the meeting on Friday, held two days after students were notified of the change, Shalala assured students the move would improve the quality of their programs because it will give them access to more resources, such as scholarships and research grants, and increase the interaction among faculty members.

“We saw this as eliminating an administrative structure to strengthen international studies,” Shalala told a crowd of about 80 students, staff members and faculty who gathered at the Bill Cosford Cinema Friday afternoon.

Also addressing students at the meeting were provost Luis Glaser, Dr. Patricia Whitely, vice president for student affairs, UM Faculty Senate president Steven Green, and SIS interim dean Andy Gomez.

The change, Shalala said, would not affect their course requirements nor affect the value of their degree.

“We are well aware many of you signed up to the program because [it was a] free-standing school,” she said. “I hope you stay.”

Shalala promised students she would “make every effort” to improve student services within the college, and vowed to “push for funds” for interdisciplinary programs when the university launches an aggressive fundraising effort next semester.

But students were not swayed by Shalala’s promises.

“What we are concerned about is reputation,” said senior Natalie Palugyai.

Palugyai and other students also argued that folding the school would do little to improve the relationship between the faculty, as most of the general education requirements, such as art history, history, biology, are within the College of Arts and Sciences.

SIS faculty members have said they are disappointed.

Several professors said they worry about being able to attract new faculty members, graduate students and future funding of their programs, which had increased when they were incorporated into the school.

They are also concerned about the leverage they will have in determining the course requirements in the SIS undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Some have also questioned how the merger will improve the coordination between the SIS professors and faculty members of the college’s social science departments.

“I’m not sure I understand the logic behind it,” said a professor, who requested anonymity. “But it’s possible, and I’m willing to support it.”

The faculty senate is scheduled to vote on the transfer tomorrow afternoon.

THE #1 METHOD TO SECURE A GREAT JOB: NETWORKING!
The University of Miami SPRING CAREER & INTERNSHIP EXPO 2002 is scheduled to take place in the Smathers Student Wellness Center on February 21, 11AM – 4PM. Representatives from a wide variety of companies and organizations will be on campus to share employment and internship opportunities to UM students and alumni. In order to prepare for the event, students are urged to visit the Toppel Career Center to have their resume critiqued and to attend a “MAXIMIZING YOUR EXPO EXPERIENCE” workshop. Please visit http://www.miami.edu/careerexpo/

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING CELEBRATES NATIONAL ENGINEERS WEEK
The College of Engineering, in conjunction with the National Society of Professional Engineers, kicks off National Engineers Week. Also known as E-Week, the annual event is celebrated by thousands of engineers, engineering students, teachers, and government and business leaders committed to increasing the public awareness and appreciation of the engineering profession. The College of Engineering and the Engineering Advisory Board have planned various activities to get the university community involved, including the M. Lewis Temares Entrepreneurship Forum which is tomorrow. For more information on the forum, contact Andria Hanley at 305-284-2404 or mailto:ahanley@miami.edu or visit:
http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/1,1770,10254-1;12171-3,00.html.

Parking and Transportation
With an important enhancement of the easy system, Parking & Transportation Services announces that as of Friday March 1,2002, Commuter and Residential students may apply for current standard spring term parking permits via EASY. For more information contact David Voorhees at 305-689-5021.

Black Awareness Month

today
Caribbean Day

ISUM Forum at 6p.m. :Hip-Hop & Islam”.

CAC film, “Monster’s Inc”.

Candlelight Vigil, today at 7pm at the Rock-join us for a quiet moment of reflection upon the lives of those living with aids, those we have lost to aids, and to renew a sense of advocacy and activism.

The Department of Psychology is hosting its second annual Community Lecture Series: Psychology in Film. The next film and discussion will be Tuesday’s with Morrie at the Storer Auditorium in the Business School. For more information call Undergraduate Academic Services for Psychology at 305-284-3303 or visit www.psy.miami.edu.

The deadline for the Edward T. Foote II Award for Excellence in Student Involvement has been extended until today. The award recognizes one outstanding senior at UM who has best demonstrated exemplary involvement, leadership and achievement in her or his college experience. For award criteria information or to submit a nomination, contact Renee Dickens Callan at 305-284-6399.

Greek Week: Blood Drive in UC Flamingo Ballrooms from noon to 8p.m..

Wed 20th Feb
Comedian at the Rathskeller at 9pm.

A week for Life will host Jeanne White, the mother of Ryan White who became the face of AIDS in the 1980’s as one of the earliest reported child cases of the disease. Students, faculty and staff are invited to come and hear her speak today at the Wesley Foundation at 8pm.

The 1st Annual MBA & Law Day will be held today from 11a.m.-3p.m at UC 1st floor. All students interested in an MBA program or Law School should make plans to attend.

Greek Week: Blood Drive in UC Flamingo Ballrooms from noon to 8p.m..

BAM: Miss Black & Gold at 7p.m. at Clarke recital Hall.

Thurs 21st Feb
African Students Union (ASU); Come learn about African culture, dances, and songs. Open to all UM students. Meetings are every other Friday in UC classrooms. Next meeting will be today in UC233. For more information contact Alta Louissaint at 305-689-9699.

Coffee House. The Wesley Foundation is the place to be every Thursday night. Come and enjoy live bands, free coffee, and a relaxing atmosphere. Tonight the Coffee House will be welcoming the wonderful jazz combo, “Apple Juice” to the stage. So take a study-break from 9-11p.m. on Thursday nights at the Coffee House.

Amnesty International: Interested in Civil Rights and Human Rights? Join Amnesty International today and make a difference. Our next general meeting will be today in UC room 233. Looking forward to seeing you there! For more information call Alta L at 305-689-9699.

Delta Sigma Pi; One of the Nations Largest Professional Business Fraternity is sponsoring a T-Spot (Thursday night party) at the Rathskeller tonight from 9p.m.-12a.m..

Toppel Career and Internship Expo from 11a.m.-4p.m. at the Wellness Center.

Greek Week: Blood Drive in UC Flamingo Ballrooms from noon to 8p.m..

Communication Week & Greek Week

Fri 22nd Feb
Opening ceremonies for Greek Week at the Rathskeller from 4-8p.m.

Friday Groove from 11:30a.m.-1p.m.; “Tower of Power Ensemble”

Happy Hour at the Rat with a DJ from 4:30-8p.m.

African Students Association will have their General Meetings every other Friday for all students interested in being apart of their organization. Come learn about African Culture. Next meeting is today at 5p.m. in the UC room 241.

BAM’s “Hot on the Block” at Eaton Residential College from 3-5p.m.. Alumni and students are invited to participate in this stimulating, interactive discussion on the current issues affecting Black students, past and present.

BAM; Keynote Address: “Constructing Race: Unity in the ‘Black’ Community” featuring Dr. Oscar Dathorne, MBA/MPA ’83 at the Storer Auditorium. A Jazz reception will follow.

BAM; Comedy Jam. After keynote speaker, and jazz reception, kick back and relax at the Rathskeller with an evening of entertainment and laughs from 10p.m.-12a.m. .

Life Party tonight at 10p.m. at the Rathskeller-come party! They are celebrating Life! There will be music,
food, and fun

Miami Hot: Glass Studio Workshop and Public Lecture Series. You are invited to attend a lecture by Karen Willenbrink a prominent American Glass Artist from Mt. Vernon, Washington tonight at 7p.m. at the Lowe Art Museum. RSVP by Feb 15 at 305-284-2542.

Sat 23rd Feb
Athletic Department and Intramurals; Papa John is sponsoring a Celebrity two-ball competition at the Miami Arena today during the men’s basketball game against Notre Dame. Participation is free to all UM students and faculty. Three contestants will be paired with a local celebrity. For more information call Derek Stocker at 305-284-2943.

“It’s all about showtime and I can’t wait until it’s on,” said Carole Steinhauser, amateur female boxer and student at UM.

Steinhauser, 22, recently entered the sphere of female boxing, after a quest for “something more intense and challenging.”

She began her sports career as a talented young tennis star from Luxembourg, but at 16, retreated from the strenuous effort of contests and practices.

“Many people tell me I have a great future in female boxing because of my skills, my looks, and my charisma,” Steinhauser said.

What Steinhauser forgot to mention, was her drive.

Because of the complexity of the sport, extreme and proper conditioning is imperative, Steinhauser said. She trains for four hours a day.

“I run a lot,” she said. “I run about 10 miles a week, in the sand.”

“You need strength, so I do light weight training and push ups, sit-ups and exercises where I use my own body weight to build up my strength,” Steinhauser said.

“You also need speed, that is why I jump rope, sprint. And then of course, I box. My trainer holds the mix, I use heavy bags, crazy balls, speed balls and have at least one sparring a week, 90 percent of the time with men.”

In addition to her mental and physical commitments to a rigid practice strategy, Steinhauser is a full-time UM student, majoring in advertising and French.

She also presides as a vice-president of a beach condo association, which she acknowledged as “actually pretty outstanding for such a young age.”

“Usually old and retired people do these kinds of honorary volunteer jobs,” she said.

Steinhauser has been a sportswoman since the age of 3, specializing in swimming and tennis.

Her parents, wary of all the chauffeuring, forced Steinhauser to choose between the two and she decided on tennis.

“I hated swimming and getting into that water,” she said.

Steinhauser traveled for her country to play tennis.

“By the age of 14, I had seen all of Europe, the Caribbean and some of the U.S. I was real good for my age,” she said.

The small size of her nation led to sponsorship difficulties. That, combined with wrist and knee injuries and steady parental pressures, led Steinhauser to make some weighty decisions.

“There was not enough money for me to leave my country, give up school entirely and take a major risk. So I decided to get my education first.”

Steinhauser retired from sports at 16, for an extended rest. But only two years later she began practicing karate at the Dojo to get fit.

Karate, however, “did not motivate me all the way,” she said.

After moving to Miami, and visiting a boxing gym, Steinhauser, under the instruction of trainer Jorge Manzanarez, began her training in boxing.

She said she pledged to give much hard work and patience to practice the “very complete sport.”

Steinhauser anticipates becoming a professional female boxer, but will wait until she graduates.

Her trainer is currently organizing an amateur match for the end of March. Steinhauser, who turns 23 in March, will minor in Marketing, and speaks “Luxembourgish, German, French, Italian, English, Spanish, and a little Portuguese and little Dutch.”

The advertising major is interested in the latest trends in advertising and consumer behavior but right now, she said, it’s all about “sports, especially fight sports.”

Was Lisa Gier King-a stripper and former prostitute-raped by a Delta Chi pledge at the University of Florida frat house, or did the sex simply get a little rough?

Billy Corbin and Alfred Spellman, both 23, will once more raise that question to a college audience on Thursday at 8 p.m. at Cosford Cinema when they showcase ‘Raw Deal. A Question of Consent,’ a documentary about the story the filmmakers claim police and the State Attorneys office didn’t thoroughly investigate.

A couple of weeks into the 2000 spring semester, the UM film majors packed their bags and headed to Gainesville with their trunk loaded with camera equipment and their mind set on getting the facts straight.

“Quite simply, it’s a great story,” Corben said, explaining why he and his best friend from high school decided to take a leave of absence from UM in order to make the 99-minute digital documentary.

On the morning of Feb. 27, 1999, an otherwise mundane Saturday morning at Florida’s largest college town was rocked by allegations of a distraught woman who told police she had been raped by Delta Chi pledge Michael Yahraus after a fraternity house party.

When cops questioned fraternity members, they were handed a piece of evidence that seemed to counter King’s accusations: raw footage of King and Yahraus having sex and footage of the events that followed, which were shot by a pledge member during the ill-fated party.

After viewing the tape, officers arrested King for filing a false police report, claiming the sex looked consensual.

King disagreed, as did the campus chapter of the National Organization for Women, sparking a dispute over the gray line between consensual sex and rape.

The argument shifted to the courts, and the infamous tape became public record – a move welcomed by media outlets and blasted the case to a national audience.

Tabloid TV-shows took on the story superficially because the images were too incendiary to air uncensored, and none of the parties involved wanted to comment at the time.

Getting sources to talk was not easy for the young filmmakers, who tackled the case after the initial layer of fog had lifted.

Although Corbin and Spellman were able to speak to King, Yahraus declined to comment, as did Rod Smith, the State Attorney at the time of the case.

However, Anthony Marzullo, the fraternity’s pledge master -also caught naked on tape- provided his recollection of the evening’s events.

In a matter of four months, the documentary was ready for its first screening at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was torn apart by a handful of outraged critics that deemed it pornographic, and praised by others who saw it as a groundbreaking piece of reporting.

“People enter the film with a lot of personal baggage,” said Spellman. “It really polarizes audiences,” he added , alluding to the dozens of Q&A sessions after each viewing – many of which run longer than the documentary itself.

One interesting response came from King herself, who told a New York Post reporter at Sundance: “They did a better job of investigating this than the police.”

Another peculiar reaction that caught the film’s creators by surprise was laughter from an audience member at the most graphic point of the film during the first screening of Raw Deal at the Miami Film Festival earlier this year.

“Nothing surprises me anymore,” Corbin said. “Pretty much all responses have been visceral.”

That factor makes Corbin wish he could hold a Q&A session after every screening, an impossibility considering Raw Deal will go mainstream this summer.

In light of their success, reporters often ask the pair if they plan to move their base to bigger film hubs, like Los Angeles or New York.

Their answer is no. Newly established Spellman and Corbin Productions will stay in their Biscayne Bay offices, where the producers will split their time between five new projects -including a pilot for a television series titled Stiltsville- and home-work.

Corbin is nine credits shy of earning a triple-major undergraduate degree in film, theater and political science at UM.

Spellman has one semester left before he becomes a college grad.

So, how does Corbin feel about returning to school after such a hectic leave of absence?

“Mom’s happy, that’s for sure.”

Hugs flowed freely and poignant moments were abundant, as students opened their hearts and their minds to 400 special citizens from the local area for FUNDAY in the U.S.A.

Each special citizen was paired up with a student buddy to participate in a slew of activities that embraced this year’s theme of patriotism and unity.

Some swayed to melodies during music therapy, proudly belting out unifying lyrics like “this land is your land, this land is my land” and “we all need somebody to lean on.”

Others created dazzling red, white, and blue magnet hats with pictures of themselves and their buddies in the middle during arts and crafts.

“Today is about empowering them because they’re a very important part of our community,” said Sigma Alpha Iota member Andrea Floyd. “It’s so overwhelming to see how our common love for music allows us to all have fun on the same level together.”

As genuine smiles adorned the faces of students and special citizens alike, both groups appeared equally elated and humbled by their companions.

“This day is not only helping me learn about them, but it’s helping me to learn about myself,” said freshmen William Dezama. “It’s something everyone should experience.”

The mellow lounge atmosphere of the UC was transformed into a high-energy disco where the pairs danced and hula-hooped to funky oldies music. Students entering the party in the UC could not help but succumb to the almost euphoric enthusiasm pervading the room.

“It’s just an incredible time,” said junior Catlin Rivera. “They have so much love and they all have such distinct personalities.”

Indeed, there were extraordinary personalities galore, lighting up the UM campus on what would have otherwise been a dismal rainy day.

Special citizens like Howard, who is gearing up to swim in this summer’s Special Olympics; Edith, a sassy lady juggling two jobs to fulfill her dream of having her own home; and Jeffrey, an amazing citizen wearing a FDNY [New York Fire Department] hat and a University of Miami Class of 84′ ring on his finger, all proved that nothing could stand in the way of fervent ambition.

Wondrous displays of goodwill could be seen in every corner, like the fraternity brother who carefully balanced a plate of food on his head so that he could use both hands to help his special citizen down the stairs en route to the Rathskeller. When he almost lost balance of the plate, she quickly reached both arms out widely, signifying her readiness to catch her buddy’s lunch.

“My faith in humanity is restored,” said Marc Kaufman, a junior on the executive FUNDAY board. “Seeing kids that I see everyday in class and at bars walking around holding hands with their new friends. It’s just amazing what happens when people come together.”

“I’m on such an emotional high right now,” said senior Julie McCoy, another of the 32-member FUNDAY executive board.

FUNDAY Chair, Natasha Bae, spent the day running from place to place, making sure everything was going smoothly, but always taking time to stop and hug the special citizens and to invite them back next year.

“The love and warmth they have is contagious, as you can see from the smiles on everyone’s faces,” Bae said. “We are so lucky to have this chance to bond with them.”

At the end of the day, hundreds of special citizens stood hugging their buddies and each other, some refusing to let go of their warm embrace.

Their hands could be seen waving good-bye to their new buddies from nearly every window of the bus.

Those still waiting to board their buses were already talking about coming back next year.

Four students from the soon-to-be defunct School of International Studies showed up at President Shalala’s surprise party-but not to wish her a happy birthday.

The four girls confronted the president at her party, demanding to speak with her about her decision to integrate SIS into the College of Arts and Sciences.

“We found out yesterday that the school was closing and we thought, well, she didn’t have the decency to come to us to tell us, so we decided to go to her party,” said Nuri Haltiwanger, a senior in SIS, referring to Shalala’s absence at the meeting the day before to announce the school’s imminent closure.

Alhough the students apologized to Shalala at a meeting the next day for confronting her at the birthday bash, they said they felt justified at that moment.

“What I think was inappropriate was that she didn’t come to us to tell us herself that she made this decision, without consulting the faculty of SIS or consulting the students,” Haltiwanger said.

Haltiwanger and the other girls confronted Shalala with reasons why the school should not be closed down.

“This decision shows that you have no consideration for the students,” they told Shalala.

The president repeatedly told the students that the decision was made for their benefit and then left the party, looking somewhat angered herself.

“We’re having a rally at the faculty senate meeting on Wednesday,” Haltiwanger said.

At that meeting, the final decision-to close down SIS or not-will be made.

“We needed to let her know how upset we were before that,” Haltiwanger said.

Haltiwanger and friends came with flyers to distribute to students in support of their cause to keep SIS open.

The first half hour of Shalala’s surprise party, however, went off without a hitch.

“I think it went really well despite the weather. Everbody’s still here,” said Category Five co-chair, JD Barbosa, ten minutes into the midday party.

The slight drizzle at noon had forced the party to relocate from the Rock to under the shelter of the UC walkway.

Bunches of orange and green helium-filled balloons decorated the walkway, and students lined up for a piece of the matching birthday cake.

“This Shalala really knows how to party,” said junior Robby Villanueva.

The president, dressed in a bright red suit to match her smile and a large heart-shaped gold brooch, greeted the students enthusiastically.

“Come have some of my birthday cake,” Shalala called out to the numerous students passing by the UC to see what was going on.

“It’s a sweet cake, just like Shalala is,” Villanueva said.

“That’s the reason why we had this. We wanted to give the students a chance to say Happy Birthday,” Barbosa said, as he passed around a pen and a two-square foot ‘birthday card’ for students to sign.

Although Barbosa was worried the party may not be a total surprise to Shalala, the president said it was a big shock.

“President Shalala has a way of figuring things out. We should have done it on Feb. 12 instead,” Barbosa joked.

“I was stunned,” Shalala said. “Vice President Whitely, she was the culprit! She said I had to come and meet with the student leaders.”

“I didn’t know she meant all the students,” Shalala said.

“I’ve been at a lot of universities and the students never had a birthday party for me,” Shalala said.

“We knew it was Valentine’s day and President Shalala’s first birthday on campus. Everyone should have a first birthday celebration so we decided to do something nice,” Whitely said.

Whitely had been working with Category 5 since the beginning of the semester to plan the surprise party.

“It just goes to show that the University of Miami deep down is a good party school too. Not only are we an excellent academic institution but also a world-class party school,” Whitely said.

Even the uncharacteristic gloomy weather could not keep Shalala’s spirits down.

“Well, you have to understand that I’m from the North. This is warm to me,” Shalala said. “I haven’t been bothered by the weather yet.”

The UM Student Government approved a bill last week to place a referendum sponsored by Hurricane Productions [HP] on the spring ballot to increase the student activity fee by $7.50.

This increased budget of about $108,000 will enable HP to raise the quality level of on-campus entertainment.

“We have to meet student expectations and provide good quality programs,” said Max Alvarez, secretary of HP.

HP said they are trying to provide the best entertainment possible but that it is very costly.

“We are doing our best, but the cost keeps rising and it’s hard to keep up with it on such a low budget,” Alvarez said.

“Other schools nationwide have budgets of several hundred thousand dollars, whereas UM has a $50,000 budget,” said Michael Johnston, the Speaker of the Senate.

HP says that $7.50 would normally buy you a movie ticket, whereas the budget increase will enable the organization to provide you with on-campus concerts (usually costing above $40), sneak previews, the latest movies, live music from local bands, and distinguished lecturers.

“We are trying to cater to everyone’s tastes. This campus is so diverse that it is very difficult to entertain everyone,” Alvarez said.

“Some people view it as a lot of money, but considering how much you would normally spend on a night out, it’s not much,” Johnston said.

The bill passed with a majority vote in the Senate.

“We are asking students to go out and vote for it, as it will enable us to provide them with first-class entertainment,” said Graham Micone, the HP representative who authored the bill.

“We hope that students realize that the future of on-campus entertainment depends on this,” Micone added.

Once the students vote, the referendum must be approved by Dr. Whitely, Vice-President for Students Affairs.

Voting will be held on Feb. 26, 27, and 28.

HP has many events lined up for this semester, including “Battle of the Bands” and a Source Fashion Nation Tour.

“It’s going to be one of the biggest things on campus,” said Maria Gomez, HP Chair.

The Fashion tour will be held on March 29th at 11 a.m. on the UC Patio. Corporate sponsors include Pepe Jeans, Adidas, 555, T&B Nation, and Sean John, and they will pick 25 male and 25 female models from UM.

From the nationwide finalists, two models will be chosen for a layout in Source magazine and one model will win a contract with Ford Modeling Agency.

At night there will be a hip-hop street gathering called “99 Jams,” a musical event with DJ Thaliks playing live.

HP is also hoping to bring the MTV Campus Invasion Tour featuring NickelBack to UM this April.

“We are still talking to MTV and nothing has been confirmed. It’s not a sure thing yet,” Micone said.

HP has received $1000 from the Student Government for this project and they have also approached Category 5, AGLO, and SAFAC.

The tour will cost them several thousand dollars and they are looking for funding.

“We don’t want a single bored student on campus. We want everyone to have a good time,” Alvarez said.

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