After Miami’s 80-52 loss at Villanova last Tuesday, Hurricanes head coach Ferne Labati’s top priority was to make sure that result didn’t carry over to the rest of Miami’s games.
On Saturday, Labati accomplished that goal, as Miami defeated Pittsburgh 77-61 at the Knight Sports Complex. The win boosted the Hurricanes’ record to 14-7 (7-4 in the Big East), while the Panthers fell to 6-14 (1-8).
“We had to redeem ourselves after Villanova,” Labati said. “Today was a great win because we are trying to claw back up towards third place in the conference, and now we are one step closer.”
Sophomore Chanivia Broussard had one of her strongest games shooting the ball, converting 10-of-18 from the field for a team-high 22 points. She also added five rebounds, three assists and a pair of blocked shots.
“I felt more in the zone today,” Broussard said. “I was able to shoot in my area and was able to get down low and play offense from there.”
Fellow sophomore Shaquana Wikinis rebounded from an off night at Villanova, scoring 19 points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Labati said that the sophomore’s high point totals were a result of the whole team’s play.
“I think the whole team stepped up,” Labati said. “They got the ball to the people who had the best opportunities, which where Shaquana and (Chanivia), and both of them finished.”
Senior point guard Shelia James also had a strong all-around performance, scoring 12 points while recording three rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Coming in, James knew the magnitude of this game, and she wanted to give 100 percent out on the court.
“I was playing as hard as I could for the team today,” James said. “Last year, we blew a big lead against Pitt so the emphasis was making sure we held the lead, and everyone had to play hard.”
Despite an attempt by Pittsburgh to dramatically increase the tempo of the game, the Hurricanes had control for most of the contest. Miami shot 43 percent from the floor in the first half, which helped them get out to a 40-27 lead before intermission.
The Hurricanes also dominated on the glass, outrebounding the Panthers 62-43. In addition to Wilkins, two other Miami players posted double-digit rebound totals, as juniors Meghan Saake and Alicia Hartlaub each grabbed 10.
Tonight, the Hurricanes are in Blacksburg, Va., as they take on Virginia Tech. Including tonight’s contest with the Hokies, Miami has six games left before the Big East tournament, and Labati says it is very important for the Hurricanes to be at the top of their game.
“We need to play well, because right now it’s a war in the Big East and every game is a battle,” Labati said. “We’re trying to look for an opportunity to try and advance to the NCAA Tournament.”
Labati is not the only one thinking about a possible invitation to the NCAA Tournament. According to Broussard, the NCAA’s are a major goal for the entire team.
“We think about the NCAA’s night and day,” Broussard said. “We know that every team is coming out to play, so we really have to step our game up in these last six games.
Women take ‘one step closer’
Baseball wins first series
The Hurricanes baseball team took it’s first step in defending its national title this weekend at Mark Light Stadium by rallying to defeat the Tennessee Volunteers in a three game series with a 9-4 comeback victory on Sunday afternoon.
UM junior third baseman Kevin Howard was the hero of the game as his two run double helped to put the ‘Canes up for good in the bottom of the 8th inning.
In the top of the 6th inning, Howard flashed some leather by becoming the first player in 20 years to turn a triple play for UM.
With the bases loaded and no outs, Volunteers right fielder Ryan Moffett, hit a ball that appeared to be a double down the third base line, but after further discussion, it was ruled a foul ball. On the next pitch, Moffett ripped another ball down the third base line, only this time to have it snared by Howard. Howard completed the triple play by stepping on third and then throwing on to Matt Dryer at first to triple up the Volunteers.
“I have never been involved in any situation involving a triple play,” Howard said. “It’s just one of those things in baseball that can happen at any time.”
The play proved to be a momentum booster for the Hurricanes. Down 4-1 in the seventh, right fielder Kevin Mannix hit the first UM home run of the season by launching a bomb off of the clock of the newly renovated scoreboard at Mark Light Stadium.
On the following pitch, senior first baseman Matt Dryer followed with a blast of his own as the ‘Canes went back to back.
“The triple play certainly turned things around for us,” said shortstop Javy Rodriguez. “We thought that getting out of that inning by only giving up one run would be great, and two runs would still be good. It gave us the momentum we needed to realize that we could still win the game.”
The win was capped off by Hurricane freshman catcher Greg Dini, who got his first hit as a Hurricane by nailing a single that cleared the bases in the bottom of the 8th.
“This win is great for us,” said UM head coach Jim Morris. “With all the freshmen players we have, it is hard enough to get them all experience, but to get them experience and confidence in the same shot is great.”
Morris cited the win as a building block for the season.
“The season is all about winning series against great ball clubs,” said Morris. “These are the kind of wins we need to achieve a No. 1 ranking, and to get us back to where we need to be.”
After the 8th inning rally, the winning pitcher for Miami ended up being closer George Huguet, who was appearing in his first game of the season.
Sunday was a much needed win for the ‘Canes after an atrocious defensive performance in a 7-4 loss on Saturday afternoon.
The ‘Canes gave up four errors which all proved very costly and the key to the Volunteers’ victory.
“Defense is definitely something we can always work on,” said Rodriguez. “With the offense, it takes a while to get the timing of pitches down and you see a different pitcher every day, but defense is always the same. We can always take infield practice.”
In the Saturday loss, All-American starting pitcher Kiki Bengochea was roughed up and taken out in the 3rd inning and the ‘Canes never seemed to recover.
On Friday night, Miami started the season off on the right foot by beating the Volunteers 5-4 in front of over 4,000 fans at the “Light.” It was the largest opening night crowd in 10 years. The win also stopped a Tennessee winning streak on opening day that dated back to 1984.
In the game, freshman centerfielder Danny Figueroa lashed his first hit of his UM career with an RBI single in the 4th inning.
Troy Roberson went 4 1/3 innings to earn the win, before a nice relief effort from the bullpen sealed it.
The game ended with reliever Vince Vazquez striking out two of three Tennessee hitters to close the door for the ‘Canes.
Miami will be in action on Wednesday Night when they travel to cross town rival FIU.
UM wins conference thriller
In the latest installment of what has become one of the great rivalries in the Big East, the Hurricanes men’s basketball team knocked off its enemy from the north in dramatic fashion.
On Saturday night, less than a month after UConn snuck out a one-point victory in Connecticut, the ‘Canes retaliated with a 68-66 win at the Miami Arena. A two handed slam by Elton Tyler, assisted by John Salmons, was the difference at the end, sealing the win with only 12 seconds remaining in the game.
An announced crowd of 10,135 fans, the ninth largest in UM basketball history, saw a classic battle between two of the best teams in the Big East. The game featured 18 lead changes, 11 ties, and a block by 6-1 guard Michael Simmons in the closing seconds that had Connecticut head coach Jim Calhoun questioning the officials.
After the Tyler dunk, Calhoun called for a three-point play for reserve guard Ben Gordon. Gordon, seemingly wide open for the game-winning shot was rejected by the shorter Simmons. Time expired in a frenzy of blue and white jerseys diving for the final rebound. It was only Simmons’ second blocked shot this season, something Calhoun contested vehemently after the game.
“His shot traveled 10 feet,” Calhoun said, referring to Gordon’s shot. “I don’t see how, if there was no contact on the play. I see (the final statistics) calls it a blocked shot. I saw something else. But if it says here it is a block, then we’ll call it a block, won’t we?”
Calhoun may have been especially angry because the loss gave the Huskies their first losing streak of the season. UConn fell to 14-5 (6-2 in the Big East), just a half game ahead of Miami (19-3, 6-2) for the conference lead.
The back and forth action saw the game tied at 61 with 1:07 to play and Tyler at the foul line. The senior made both free throws with the help of a Johnnie Selvie lane violation that gave Tyler another chance to extend UM’s lead to two. Tyler finished 6-for-12 from the floor for 16 points.
With the crowd at its feet, Caron Butler stepped out beyond the 3-point arc and hit his first and only three pointer of the game to put UConn ahead 64-63 with 53 seconds to play. While many Hurricane fans saw visions of Troy Bell’s three-point dagger in the Boston College loss, Miami was able to battle back.
After a time-out, the Hurricanes looked for any type of open look and found one with Salmons, who used the backboard to convert on a long range three-pointer.
“It was a bad shot,” said Salmons, who finished 6-of-15 for 20 points. “I think if I missed that shot, I would have been benched.”
The three gave Miami a 66-64 lead with 33 seconds left. The Huskies benefited from a confused Hurricane defense and Taliek Brown coasted in for an easy lay-up to tie the score at 66-66. That set up the Salmons bounce pass to Tyler for the game-winning dunk.
“They doubled-teamed him, and no one rotated down with me,” Tyler said. “John made the easy pass to me, and I was able to throw it down. It was a great pass, John deserves the credit for making the play.”
Calhoun thought the entire Hurricane squad deserved the credit, as opposed to assigning blame to his players.
“Did it ever occur to you that Miami played better?” Calhoun asked reporters. “That it wasn’t something we did wrong as much as perhaps Miami’s guys did something right? Try to give [Miami] a little credit.”
Miami will try to stay close to the top of the Big East when they travel to Villanova to take on the Wildcats on Tuesday night.
Letters To the Editor
Re: Patrick Berkely’s Jan. 25 article “Worst of the supposed best:”
Before I delve into the topic of my discontent, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Patrick Berkley who has already lost his free will by subscribing to the same philosophy of superiority and cynicism that governs the lives of many professional critics.
That being said, I am sadly driven to state my frustration with this fledgling critic who, blinded by some personal sense of duty to his superfluous art, condemned The Family Guy as a Simpsons rip-off intended only for “stupid kids.” Unfortunately, Mr. Berkley is seriously mistaken. As a member of our beloved critic’s hoi polloi, I am a fan of The Family Guy.
While I will agree with Mr. Berkley on the fact that The Simpsons is a show without equal, I believe that his assessment of the situation is more than slightly myopic. Calling The Family Guy a copy of The Simpsons is a telltale sign of a person who judges without true knowledge – at least Mr. Berkley will be a credit to his profession. In fact, the only similarities between the two shows are that they are both comedic primetime cartoons intended for older audiences.
Beneath the superficial veneer with which Mr. Berkley concerned himself, the true intent for each show becomes apparent. The Simpsons is based on a humor that derives its force from social commentary and literary allusions – both of which combine into a comic vision honed over the past decade. In contrast, The Family Guy relies on a crass satire of today’s society, groundless stereotypes and pure erraticism. The resulting melange of these elements forms a completely different style of humor than that of The Simpsons. In a manner of speaking, one can compare the humor of The Family Guy to that found in Voltaire’s Candide and Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. Both works contain a crude form of satire which, when they were written, was extremely scandalous. Such I believe is the nature of the controversy regarding this harmless cartoon whose primary purpose is simply to force us to laugh at ourselves in an extreme light.
I find the landscape of today’s entertainment particularly distressing. Many people are lulled into the fallacy of believing that critics know more than just their own opinions. This situation is especially problematic as most critics’ beliefs, such as those of Mr. Berkley, are based largely on their own sense of inadequacy: or in this instance, one critic’s inability to find the humor in sometimes-humorless situations. My advice to Mr. Berkley is to learn to laugh at yourself; life will be much more fun.
Matthew Weiss
Freshman
Re: Patrick Berkely’s Jan. 18 article “The Best of the Best: 2001’s greatest entertainment achievements”
I was saddened to see that the movie Moulin Rouge was not included in Patrick Berkely’s article “The Best of the Best: 2001’s greatest entertainment achievements. The film was a creative risk in its efforts to revitalize the genre of musicals in today’s action based cinema. Director Baz Luhrmann took a standard love story and infused it with comedy, tragedy, drama, and very interesting covers of songs such as Sting’s Roxanne and Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit.
The set for this movie cannot go unmentioned either. The visually stunning spectacle of colors and lights provide the perfect atmosphere for the viewer to completely consume himself in the story of Satine and Christian, brilliantly played by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The intensity that they brought to the tale of the forbidden lovers pleasantly surprised me. The acting by supporting cast members, such as John Leguizamo, Richard Roxburgh, and Jim Broadbent, complemented Kidman and McGregor’s performances, thus making Moulin Rouge a pleasure to watch. It is my hope that this film is rewarded greatly for the risks that it dared to take. If wins at the Golden Globes for Kidman (best performance by an actress in a motion picture-musical or comedy) and the film (best motion picture-musical or comedy) are any indication, Moulin Rouge has nothing to worry about when the Oscars are awarded in March.
Shani K. Simpson
Junior
Thieves strike again; Security guards nowhere
to be found
This is war. I tolerated it the first time to the best extent that I could. I tried to go on with my life, and slowly things went back to normal.
But now, this is just ridiculous. Pathetic. I can’t even express the frustration I have for this school right now.
Our apartment got burglarized again this past Thursday. And while we were there asleep no less. Somebody apparently has confiscated a key to our apartment, walked in and took two of my roommates’ wallets that were lying on the coffee table.
This is the second time we’ve been violated in two months.
Where do I even begin?
How about this for starters: What the hell happened to the security that the school had placed around our apartment building the last time events of this nature happened? True, there was all of one police officer walking around our building maybe a few times after Thanksgiving and during finals. Not much, granted, but I get back this semester and nothing.
How in the world are we supposed to feel safe anymore? We’ve already been locking our door 24/7, practically whenever we take a step outside, and lock all the windows. But now that’s not even good enough if the perpetrator really does have a key to our place now, which it seems that they do. We’ve been told that the University will not even change the locks to our door or allow us to do so without receiving a fine.
It gets worse. I walked into my apartment a couple of weeks ago to find a maintenance worker already in there repairing a window that I didn’t even know was broken in the first place. Nobody else was there and our door was wide open. Now, I know that these people have jobs to do, but there’s a fine line to be crossed when it comes to our rights to privacy. These are NOT the dorms. These are legitimate apartments with a lot of money put into them by students. The University has no right whatsoever to blatantly disregard this fact and have someone enter my apartment while no one is there to fix a damn window. It’s just not right.
And worst of all, I feel like nothing ever gets done and will not be done by our school to remedy this huge problem. Even the statistics as reported to the University of Miami Departments of Public Safety and Security show the trend. There were 66 burglaries on the Coral Gables campus alone in 1998, 48 in 1999, and 34 in 2000. Besides these numbers, you would think the fact that burglaries are the number one crime committed on campus is reason enough to make some kind of change.
I do know that I am to the point where I no longer want to reside in this apartment or on this campus. I officially do not feel safe living here anymore. I can’t leave my apartment anymore without worrying if my belongings will be secure or go to sleep feeling totally sound.
My message is this to my fellow students and apartment residents: If you’re smart, get the hell out while you still can. To those who have already been robbed, then you know it’s a horrible thing. To know that it’s happening again makes me want to leave so quickly my head will spin. I am a victim here and am sick and tired of trying to change what can’t be changed.
It always seems to boil down to money. I know goddamn well that I don’t pay $32,000 a year to stay here and have my stuff get stolen every other week. That is just way too much money for this school to remain inactive about this pressing issue. How far is the nonsense supposed to go before something is done about this?
Derek Bramble is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism and theater
Speech reflects U.S. double standard
Is it I, or did the State of the Union address look like an aerobics class for old white people? Think about it. For an hour the president said things we all know are either false or exaggerated, and every three words or so, the whole room stands, claps, and then sits down. Most of them probably haven’t had that much exercise since they blew out the candles on their eightieth birthday.
President Bush delivered a decent speech, and he pronounced most of the words correctly. To his credit, he created powerful moments, the most sincere of which was the story of a boy who at a memorial in New York put a football at his father’s grave, saying, “Dear Daddy, please take this to Heaven. I don’t want to play football until I can play with you again.” If that doesn’t make you cry, nothing will.
But there were moments when I was angered and offended. In his first sentence, Bush claimed the “civilized world faces unprecedented dangers,” a sentiment that prevailed throughout his speech. This implies that we are civilized and those we oppose are not, and I am insulted at such a pompous remark.
Did we forget that “civilization” has been used to justify our enslavement of Africans and our obliteration of Native Americans? Presently, it seems to justify keeping prisoners of war under inhumane conditions in Guantanamo Bay.
What does this say about America to the world? Not that we are compassionate. Not that we are dignified. It says that we will be more brutal, nasty, and underhanded than our enemies. USA Today rightly said that as it wages its war on terrorism, the United States “must match its values with its tactics. That means treating prisoners, no matter how loathsome, as individuals.”
Secondly, when Bush said, “We have no intention of imposing our culture, but America will always stand for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity,” I laughed. Isn’t everything we have done in this war an imposition of our culture? Granted, there have been positive steps for Afghani women, but let’s at least call it what it is. And I wonder what those prisoners living in their own filth might say about our firm stance on human dignity. Oh wait, but they are “uncivilized.”
Does this mean I sympathize with terrorists? Absolutely not. But I don’t sympathize with a government that arbitrarily calls and has called people uncivilized in order to appear morally and socially superior when in actuality it is committing similar atrocities. Anyone who disagrees with me can take an American history course.
You might wonder why I seem so angry. After all, America is a wonderful place. However, we can be blatant hypocrites and outright liars. The events of Sept. 11th were heinous, and we must prevent them from happening again. But how can we act like innocent bearers of peace and justice? The violence of our past is both brutal and appalling, and I get a bit peeved when we will not apologize to the billions we have massacred, but demand apologies with ruthless vengeance from those who threaten our “righteous nation.”
Bush concluded by saying, “Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism.” There is tremendous honor in our people. But before it becomes stronger than my cynicism, America must get off its pedestal as the last bastion of justice in an uncivilized world. We make mistakes as bad as anyone else, no matter how “civilized” we think we are.
Travis Atria is a sophomore majoring in English literature.
News Briefs and Campus Calendar
Digital Media Lab Now Open
Due to the high demand and increase in using digital media content in the classroom and at the University, the Otto G. Richter library has provided a startup facility. The Digital Media Lab is a unique collaboration between the University and Digital Media staff at the Otto G. Richter Library that want to provide students, faculty, and staff with a location for enhancing instruction and research through digitized audio and video.
The Digital Media Lab provides media equipment, software, computers, and user assistance for the creation of media-enhanced instructional products in a centralized facility for digital and video content. Services are available to all students, faculty, and staff of the University of Miami by appointment only. The types of digital media projects that can be done through the media lab range from website design, DVD production, animation, photo design, and video editing.
One of the many advantages of this facility will be the ability for faculty and staff to request assistance with a digital media content project that is being worked on at the University of Miami. It will also allow students the ability to utilize computers and software with the power to edit/create digital media content for classroom projects.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Digital Media Lab, please feel free to visit the website at http://digital.library.miami.edu/medialab or contact the Digital Media Projects Manager, Fabian Rodriguez, via e-mail at frodriguez@miami.edu . The lab is available by appointment only so please visit the website and fill out a form or contact Rodriguez for a tour.
UMTV adds a new television network to its line up
The College Television Network (CTN) is a nationally distributed entertainment and information television network produced specifically for the college audience and is currently being carried by over 800 affiliated campuses nationwide. In addition to the latest music videos, artist interviews and lifestyle features, CTN produces customized news and sports segments with CNN that are geared toward students. CTN replaces the Classic Arts Showcase and can be seen on Channel 24 on campus and Channel 96 in the Gables.
Student Government Spring Elections
Spring 2002 Student Government Elections are approaching soon. If you would like to be a candidate in this election, you must stop by UC 209 and pick up your Candidate’s Packet. Some of the available positions include: Student Government President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Academic and Commuter Senators. The last day to turn in your Candidate’s Packet is Friday, Feb. 8 at 5:00 p.m.
It’s your choice, your voice, your VOTE-Make It Count!
For more information contact the Student Government Elections Commission at x6399 or stop by University Center room 209.
Today
Asian Music Students Concert (various artists) today at 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m. at Victor E. Clarke Recital Hall in the L. Austin Weeks Center. Admission is free.
CAC sneak peek at the Cosford Cinema from 9-11p.m.: Collateral Damage.
Senior orientation from 12-1pm at Toppel Career Center library.
Women’s Resource Center open house at 4:30-5:30p.m at UC room 224.
Wednesday 6 February
Open mic/ poetry night with BAM at the Rathskeller from 7-9p.m.
Workshop: Getting the most from reading your textbooks at 1p.m.
Jomills H. Braddock II, Director of the Center for Research on Sport in Society (CRSS) and a professor of sociology, will present an informal lecture titled School Sports and Race Relations as part of the “CRSS Brown Bag Series” at 12:15 p.m. today at the Pearson Residential College. The lecture is free and open to all students and faculty.
Tibetan Monks perform “Sacred Music and Sacred Dance for World Healing” tonight at 8pm in the Gusman Concert Hall. Doors open at 7:30p.m., event is free to UM students while $5 for other students/seniors and $8 for general admission. VIP passes available in UC 206 (preferred seating). For more information contact Breana Burkett at 305-284-4606.
Karaoke Kraziness. A fun musical event in the Allen Hall courtyard from 12-1p.m. We’re looking for all IEP students to participate. Talk to Maria in the IEP office for more information and lyrics to Karaoke songs. (This event is open to IEP students only.)
Join the Wellness Center today between 5-7p.m. in its Atrium for Healthy Heart Day, an event providing information to protect both aspects of your heart-physical and emotional. Information will be available on nutrition, healthy relationships, and preventing sexual transmitted infections and sexual assault. For more information call 305-284-6524.
BFA Film Series: “The Last Dragon” at 9p.m.
OJU Food Sale in UC
Thursday 7 February
Workshop: Getting the most from reading your textbooks at 12:30p.m..
Einstein’s Biggest Blunder? The Case for Cosmic ‘Antigravity’ is a public lecture co-sponsored by Phi Beta Kappa and the Department of Physics and will be held at 8 p.m., tonight at the Wilder Auditorium. The speaker is Alexei V. Filippenko, professor of astronomy at University of California, Berkeley. Just prior to the lecture there will be an award presentation to the winners of the 2001 High School Physics Competition held last spring.
B.O.N.D. Brain Bowl at the Rathskeller at 8p.m..
Friday 8 February
Friday Grove on UC Patio from 11:30am-1pm.
Senior orientation from 2-3pm at Toppel Career Center library.
Applications for Orientation and Commuter Affairs are due today at 5pm.
Happy Hour at the Rathskeller from 4:30-8pm- Erica Summers.
Today is the last day to apply for graduation for Spring 2002
Deadline to order your cap and gown through the Toppel Career Center is today.
Saturday 9 February
The National Association of Latino Arts and Culture is having its first regional meeting in Florida beginning at 9 a.m. today at the University Center. The regional meetings convene throughout the nation to assist in strengthening local networks of Latino arts and cultural organizations and provide an opportunity for Latino arts and cultural organizations to come together for a one-day meeting to share information, develop strategies and develop working collaborations. The registration form is available at http://www.nalac.org/home.html.
Tuesday 12 February
CAC film at the Cosford Cinema.
Wednesday 13th February
Karaoke Night at Rathskeller
Workshop: Managing midterms, term papers, and projects at 1pm.
Faculty Club on the move
Starting in the fall semester of 2002, the faculty of the University of Miami will have a new, more centralized club for their exclusive use.
For some time, the faculty has been voicing their opinion, “requesting to have a more centralized club that they can get to easier” said Faculty Club manager Tom Dalgan. While their requests went unanswered by former university president Edward T. Foote, current president Donna Shalala has taken the initiative to help faculty members.
In a meeting this past September, President Shalala made the decision to design a new Faculty Club in the south end of the existing patio food court.
“A wall will be constructed near the Panda Express on the far end of the food court,” said Dalgan. “There will be hardwood floors and a first class catering service.”
Once a popular hangout, in the past few years faculty members have not been able to fully utilize their club at its current location.
Near the corner of Brescia Ave. and Red Rd., down the street from the fraternity houses, the less-than-ideal-location for the current Faculty Club is difficult for faculty members to get to.
Without giving up their coveted parking spaces, UM faculty members can either walk or take the shuttle to reach the clubhouse. Since most faculty members are not thrilled about the idea of walking across campus in midday Miami heat, the club is rarely used to its maximum potential.
Founded in 1966, the club still operates to its original intention, serving as the faculty’s dining hall during the day, but also is privately contracted as a banquet hall in the evening and on weekends for parties, weddings, and conferences.
Construction will begin in May and will run all summer, the new club will be open in late August, Dalgan said.
Since the club will be remodeled in the far end of the food court-which goes unused most of the time-few students will be affected by the change, Dalgan said.
All of the operating vendors like Starbucks and Burger King will remain at their current locations.
As for the present Faculty Club, it is to become a full time banquet hall, serving interested parties with their well-trained staff and first class food service.
Elections for SG in 3 weeks
A new year, a new administration. Student Government elections for a new president and various senate positions begins in less than a month on Feb. 25.
Filing for the elections began Jan. 31st and the deadline to turn in an application for an SG position is this Friday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. in the SG office in UC 209
The elections for the Executive Board include the positions of President, Vice-President, and Treasurer.
Names of candidates and tickets will not be released until Friday, according to the SG Elections Commission Committee, after which graphic campaigning begins.
The Elections Commission is a subsidiary branch of Student Government that works independently to oversee the undergraduate Student Government Elections process.
The organization is responsible for publicizing the elections, creating candidates’ election packets, coordinating all meetings regarding the election’s process, and managing all polling sites.
In addition, the Commission investigates all election code violations and forwards them to the Student Government
Elections last for three days, Feb. 25-27 and the results will be announced on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. at the Rathskeller, said elections commission committee members.
The student senate includes over 40 senators, two-thirds of whom are elected by their school, residential area, or academic class.
The other third is appointed by student organizations.
Students get say in school affairs
The University of Miami Board of Trustees voted in favor of adding a student representative to the board on Jan. 18th.
Student Government President JosE Diaz had the idea that a student representative was needed.
Possibilities for change presented by having a student representative include a solution to parking situations, fund management, and generally empowering students, Diaz said.
“I found it strange that the students had no real vote in executive decisions. In fact, students were asked to leave during voting,” Diaz said.
JosE ‘Pepi’ Diaz attended the Magnolia Conference-a meeting of leaders from the top schools in the U.S.-and asked every single student government president in attendance about their Board of Trustees, he told the Hurricane.
Diaz found, without exception, that every other school’s governing body had at least one student representative.
“Even local schools like FIU have a student representative.” he said.
When the floor was opened for comments at the board meeting on Nov. 1, 2001, Diaz raised his hand assertively.
“Everyone’s head turned to look at me,” he said. “It took a lot of guts because nobody there speaks to the point and I did.”
The Board, made up of an assortment of community leaders, educational personnel, and alumni, is the governing body of the university.
The members make decisions as to what changes will be made around the campus, what buildings to tear down and erect, and the adding or changing of university policies.
They meet three times a year to consider proposals for changes and to assess growth.
After Diaz proposed the idea of a student representative, board member Mike Abrams-a UM alum and a former SG president himself-lobbied for Diaz’s proposal and saw that it was carried through to Provost Louis Glaser and, ultimately, President Donna Shalala.
Diaz and Vice President for student affairs Dr. Pat Whitely both named Abrams as a powerful influence and deserving of many thanks.
“I was afraid I would meet some resistance, because the board is very conservative.” Diaz said.
With Abrams’ help, the proposal met with little to no opposition.
“Nearly everyone on the board was excited by the proposal and is anxious to work with our new student representative,” Whitely said.
“We are always happy to be involved in student life. We hope this proves to be a profitable experience for the board and the student body,” Whitely said.
The representative will be chosen in March.
“Only heads of major student organizations are eligible.” Whitely said.
“Candidates have to be recommended to the selection committee by me, then they are allowed to apply for the position,” Whitely said.
“This is a permanent change.” Diaz said, “And in my opinion, we are just catching up to where a university of this caliber should be.”
The new student representative will begin working with the Board of Trustees in the fall of 2002.
Students qualifying as leaders of major student organizations, who would like to be recommended for the position, can contact Dr. Pat Whitely at 305-284-5582.
‘Funday in the U.S.A’ coming to campus
For the 21st time in the University of Miami’s history, students will buddy up with special needs citizens for Funday.
Student volunteers from the university are paired up with people who have special needs.
The theme this year is “Funday in the U.S.A.”
“The special citizens look forward to this event all year. They are the ones who benefit from this program,” said Brooke Etzel, Funday co-chair.
This not-for-profit event starts with the opening ceremonies, and then continues with a carnival, arts and crafts, mystery theatre and a barbecue.
The buddies are given similar colored shirts and then enjoy a day filled with food, music and activities playing games, bouncing around in the jumping castle, and getting their faces painted.
There will be a DJ on the Rock and a band on the UC patio.
President Donna Shalala will address the crowd and participate in a cake cutting ceremony celebrating Funday’s 21st anniversary.
Miss UM, Erin Fowler, will be singing the national anthem and the ROTC band will be playing.
There will be some 350 special citizens participating in the event this year.
But more student volunteers are needed, Etzel said.
If anyone would like to sign up they can do so by calling 284-GIVE and speaking to a representative. Funday will take place on Saturday Feb. 16 from noon to 5 p.m.
Black Awareness Month unites all
NEXUS- “a connection, tie or link between individuals of a group, members of a series etc.”
Nexus is the theme of this year’s University of Miami’s festivities for Black Awareness Month [BAM] 2002.
United Black Students [UBS]-the student organization in charge of the month-long of events coinciding with National Black History Month-decided they wanted to include other non-African cultural institutions on campus. Their object is to involve as many people as possible in the celebrations, organizers said.
“We’re trying to bring everyone together,” said Ian Adams, UBS Vice President.
UBS asked a number of other student organizations, such as the Organization for Jamaican Unity, Caribbean Students Association, Multicultural Student Affairs and the Council of International Student Organizations on campus to help with the preparations for BAM.
They made a conscious effort to involve black students from Caribbean countries, Adams said.
“They felt they were not being represented,” Adams said.
“We want BAM to be about more than just African-Americans. We want to include all black people.”
Caribbean Day is planned for Feb. 19.
“This is the most packed calendar for Black HIstory Month-there are only five days without events,” Adams said.
Every Saturday during the month there is a party planned, culminating in Black Homecoming Weekend, where black UM alumni get together with current students.
The recognition of this cultural month has been a long-standing tradition here at UM since 1967.
In recognition of Black History Month, Baswell and Shekina Donaldson-a couple dedicated to educating people about African history-installed an exhibition, titled The Liberators, portraying a timeline of African history in the UC lounge.They have used the exhibition as an educating tool all over the country.
It included pictures, photos and information concerning various prominent African leaders and dignitaries such as Jesse L. Jackson, Thurgood Marshall, Nelson Mandella and Martin Luther King Jr. who have all made invaluable contributions to the African culture.
Mr. Donaldson announced at the BAM opening ceremony that Black Awareness Month does not have to stop in February but that the African culture should be experienced all year round.
The BAM opening ceremony, held on Friday, Feb. 1, attracted a large number of people from all backgrounds and was attended by various UM cultural organizations. Friday’s unannounced rainfall brought the event into the UC Lounge.
UM President Shalala and members of the faculty and alumni as well as interested students were present to admire the traditional African clothes and enjoying the music.
The guest speaker for the occasion was Mr. Kai Oginga, a full time performance artist and student who is working towards a Ph.D. in African Studies.
Oginga enthralled the audience with his speech on the importance and reasons for Black History Month.
“We are black and we are proud,” was the message Oginga delivered.
He talked of the slavery and the historical segregation and discrimination of Africans world-wide.
“Until every American history book is re-written to reflect the true contribution of Africans and African-Americans to this country and until colleges and universities implement multicultural approaches to educating their students, there will always be a need for Black History Month,” he said.
“It was a great to see how far we have come and how our predecessors fought for what they believed in. It was an eye opener and I had an amazing time,” said freshman Cherrer Ancenor.
However, the highlight of the opening ceremonies was the traditional African dances performed by Mr. Oginga and his dance troupe, on-lookers said. Colorful costumes, beaded jewelry and traditional African drumbeats made it a spectacular show.
It was a truly rewarding experience and was interesting to learn about a culture and history so different from mine. And the dances were brilliant!” freshman Dana Suryakanth.
“The best thing about it was that a lot of people actually came. We put a lot of hard work into it,” Adams said.
Plaques were presented to the Chair of the Opening Ceremonies, Hanan Hamed, and to President Shalala by the exhibitors Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson, in honor of their contribution towards this year’s celebrations.
Students can pick up a flyer listing all the BAM events for the month at the front desk in the University Center.
For more information contact UBS at 305-284-2583.
“Get ready! It’s going to be bigger and better this year,” said Kerrol Nelson, UBS President.