After a tiring day, walking from class to one’s car, the straw that breaks the camel’s back: the car is dented and scratched, and there is no culprit in sight.

Notorious for the small, cramped spaces, University of Miami parking lots are also known for their propensity for damage.

“The parking spaces are so small. It’s ridiculous,” said Travis Atria, sophomore.

“That’s why I don’t drive to campus,” said Endre Enyedy, a junior.

Junior Chris Paniewski once had his car dented. Paniewski waited until the culprit showed up and confronted him- but all turned out well, he said, since the guy paid for repairs.

“My car was damaged, but the person was nice enough to leave me a note,” said Atria. “I was lucky the guy left it. I made him pay, though.”

However, many students are not that courteous and simply leave the scene.

“A lot of people just get in their cars and drive away after doing the damage,” said Dennis Campbell, security monitor of campus police. “The big problem is that people don’t report the incidents.”

Bystander apathy also plays a role in the problem- although many students witness minor accidents, few will take the time to report them.

“I see people hitting other cars all the time,” said Atria. “I don’t report it, though. It’s not my car.”

One option to prevent possible incidents is to use different lots with larger spaces. Although this solution may require an earlier arrival and a ride on the Hurry ‘Cane shuttle, many people feel it is worth the trouble.

“I always park at the garage- the spaces are bigger there, so it’s not a problem,” said Jennifer Papp, a geography lecturer.

Bad drivers, unfortunately are not the only ones at fault. Thieves also cause a fair share of damage to students’ cars.

“I’ve had my car keyed- it wasn’t very bad, though,” said Nicole Sturzeneger, sophomore. “I’m from out of state, that’s my guess why it happened.”

“My friend’s car was broken into. It was about to be stolen, but someone came by, and the people ran away. They took the stereo and cut a lot of wires. That caused a lot of damage- the car was still screwing up weeks later,” said Lara Traver, a freshman.

The Department of Public Safety is in charge of handling any incidents on campus.

“We have a short form for insurance purposes,” Campbell said. “We call the police if the people want to file a report. If there is no one there, though, there’s not much we can do.”

“I left my car alone for two days, and it got broken into. They broke the window, took the CD player and everything else inside. I called the cops, but they said they couldn’t do anything,” said sophomore Alex Saleeby. “I’ll bet that if it was their car, they would have done something.”

Hard work has paid off for student government spring elections ticket “A Change in You…’Cause it’s time.” After six days of relentless campaigning-three for elections and three for the elections run-offs- Mike Johnston, Justin Levine and Mahala Dar have come out victorious, winning the titles of SG President, Vice President and Treasurer, respectively.

All three candidates were involved in run-offs after last week’s Monday-Wednesday election. They had each gotten the most votes in the first election, but by less than 51 percent of the votes – which by SG Elections Commission rules – is not enough.

Johnston, a junior majoring in industrial engineering, beat competitor JD Barbosa by over 100 votes- 516 – 386.

Levine, a junior in marketing and law, defeated Gina Yacone 491-407, and Dar had 500 votes to Martinique Busino’s 377.

The team’s platform included: increased lighting on pathways on campus; regulating the amount of edition changes in textbooks; creating a new senate seat for the Volunteer Service Center; changing the regulations for on-campus social events; and expanding IBISride shuttle service to Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“Our platform ideas are concrete ideas that can actually happen,” Johnston told the Hurricane. “We don’t want to beat around the bush, we want to get things done. We don’t want to waste time talking; we’re going to have our ideas become a reality.”

Johnston has had over three years experience in student government as freshman senator, Chief of Staff, and Speaker of the Senate. He is also the student representative on the Board of Trustees.

He has been instrumental in implementing a pilot recycling program in Hecht Residential College, the IBISride shuttle service to Coconut Grove, and the renovations to Hecht/Stanford Residential Dining Hall, which will begin in May.

Levine was not previously involved in student government, but he is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and has served on the Greek judicial board.

“The same students are always running for office and there should be more diversity when it comes to those who represent the student body,” Levine said. “I’m not here for a resume, I’m not here for any financial aid, I’m here to make a change.”

Dar, a sophomore majoring in criminology, was SG sophomore senator, prior to her new position as treasurer.

Johnston and Levine were at the Rock all day Monday through Wednesday this week, handing out flyers and encouraging UM students to vote. The only other campaigners around were for Barbosa.

What are your plans for spring break? Chances are, you’ll be spending your time doing nothing at home or hitting the beach and the night scene if you opt to remain in Miami.

Not for some University of Miami students.

These students are taking the initiative to jazz up their spring break by participating in Alternative Spring Break [ASB], a volunteer student organization that assists communities nationwide.

“The students are basically immersed into the local communities where they are working with specific issues,” said Yasmin Bootwala, chair of Alternative Spring Break.

“The issues range from camps for children with cranio-facial disorders; welfare rights issues in the third poorest district in the nation; to working with fine arts in the schools. This year we have about 70 participants,” Bootwala said.

Alternative Spring Break began at the University of Miami about twelve years ago when Hurricane Andrew hit.

Volunteers joined together to help the people who were affected by rebuilding a destroyed community.

Since then, ASB has become a large, well-developed program that plans to send students to eleven sites nationwide, including Orlando where they will tackle a long-held concern about urban poverty by helping the elderly; Arizona, to help victims of domestic violence; and Louisiana, to lend a hand in wetland restoration.

Alternative Spring Break draws students from all majors, as well as professors who are interested in the issues and who hope to have more contact with the students.

Students began preparing for Alternative Spring Break 2002 by filling out an application in the fall, followed by an interview. The first meeting was held last December.

Alternative Spring Break holds several fundraisers to raise money for the trips. “We did a wonderfully successful ASB raffle this year,” Bootwala said.

“We will have our semesterly buffet fundraiser on April 2nd on the UC patio under the canopy at lunch time. We appreciate all support that we can get,” she added.

Students eager to participate in the next ASB might not have to wait until spring break 2003 to get involved.

“We hope to offer a fall break site next year for the long weekend to give more people an alternative break experience even if they cannot go over spring break. Winter trips are also on the horizon of possibilities,” Bootwala said.

Making use of the time students have off from classes is important, not only for having a memorable experience but for promoting personal growth-this is what Alternative Spring Break has to offer to their participants.

“Behind every successful man there is a woman; behind every successful woman there is a man,”- Anonymous.

March 1 commemorated the beginning of Women’s History Month [WHM]. It was first declared by Congress in the late 80’s and has been celebrated ever since.

The Women’s Resource Center [WRC] at UM, in conjunction with other organizations – COISO, Sexual Assault Response Team [S.A.R.T], Women’s Commission, Islamic Society, Yellow Rose Society, Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education, Counseling Center, Wellness Center, the Theatre Department and Multicultural Student Affairs – have planned a host of activities for the entire month.

” We want to create awareness about women’s issues on a campus and national level,” said Tricia Shatley, director of WRC.

“We are trying to bring women together on campus to provide a forum to discuss issues affecting women, such as eating disorders and violence against women,” Shatley said.

One of the highlights of the past week was the Pink Party on the UC Patio, where the WRC and its event co-sponsors- ISIS, COISO and The Islamic Society- handed out pink carnations and provided free food and entertainment.

It helped create greater awareness of WHM, organizers said.

“One of the main obstacles we have faced thus far is getting women to work with the WRC. They are unaware of our projects and are uninformed of the benefits we offer,” Shatley said.

“We need women, and even men, to come in and get involved to create projects that will ultimately benefit themselves,” she said.

An upcoming event during WHM includes a presentation on March 7, given by Dr. Pamela Deroian, assistant director of UM Counseling Center. The lecture is titled “Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History.”

“Women’s Health Issues” presentation is scheduled for March 20 at the Wellness Center.

“We want to get students thinking about how they can take care of themselves,” said Carolyn Eberhardt, a counselor for S.A.R.T.

S.A.R.T., along with the Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education, will sponsor a “Kristen’s Story” presentation on March 20 in the UC Flamingo Ballroom, about a young woman’s acquaintance rape and subsequent suicide as told by her mother, Andrea Cooper.

“It’s going to be powerful! It’s one thing to hear the facts and another to have a real story,” Ebenhardt said. “I expect that Kirsten’s story will give human meaning to the information.”

On March 21 the Women’s Commission will hold an awards breakfast with a keynote address by Arva Moore Parks on ” The Pathway to Greatness.”

“We want to highlight the lives of historical women and the impact women have on society,” Shatley said.

“Women play a very important role in society and they deserve a lot of respect. Women’s History Month is a way of showing them this respect,” said Wendy Cintron, a sophomore in the school of arts and sciences.

Another highlight of the month is a presentation on March 29 by Amy Richards, co-author of “Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and The Future,” a book about third wave feminism.

“The Motherline” presentation on March 31 is sponsored by UM theatre department.

“It’s all about getting women together, to talk about issues that affect them-economic, academic, social, and to highlight their achievements,” Shatley said.

In addition to these, the WRC has numerous other events planned for the rest of the month.

Students can pick up a calendar of events from the WRC office in UC 236.

“There’s something for everyone! This is the month for women to come together,” Shatley said.

“Every seven minutes someone dies because of an alcohol or drug related incident,” was the message at the candlelight vigil organized by Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol [GAMMA] Wednesday night at Lake Osceola.

It was a sad and sobering ceremony. The vigil is an annual event brought to campus by Jennifer Brack, Assistant Dean of Students.

“It provides a nice time to stop and reflect on the people we’ve lost and how that loss will affect our future choices. It shows us what a tragedy death really is,” Brack said.

All the Greek chapters at UM were represented and Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Pat Whitely was also present.

The ceremony began with everyone dedicating a candle to someone they had lost.

“It happens too often and too much and people don’t realize the consequences,” said Lesley Jackson, a sophomore in the School of Business.

Coach Larry Coker, UM head football coach, was one of the guest speakers.

“We were doing great and were on a euphoric high from an exceptional season, and then reality hit home with the death of Chris Campbell. It had a sobering effect on us-as a football team and as a community,” Coker said.

Campbell, linebacker for the UM football team, died in a car accident while driving under the influence of alcohol on Feb. 16. He was 21.

“The use of alcohol is highly glamorized. All I can say is be responsible-Watch your back, son!” Coker advised.

The night was full of teary eyes and the mood was mellow, as peers reflected on the recent tragedies of Campbell and freshman Chad Meredith.

Meredith, drowned on Nov. 5 last year while swimming in Lake Osceola early that morning.

“If it happened to him, it could happen to anyone, anytime. No one is above it,” said Melissa LeFevre, organizer of the event.

Travis Montgomery, a Kappa Sigma brother, who survived the accident involving Meredith, also told his story.

“It was the biggest mistake we ever made. But I got lucky and Chad didn’t,” he said.

Montgomery urged students to stop getting “lucky” and said that everyone could make a difference in this world through their decisions.

“There are two things that kill-natural causes and people’s decisions. You guys all have the power to make your own decisions,” Montgomery said.

Montgomery talked about Chad and what a special person he was, and that his spirit would always be with him.

“At the end of the night, the candles will burn out, but you must keep it burning inside of you,” he said.

Alpha Epsilon Pi presented a check worth $200 to GAMMA, toward their alcohol awareness program.

GAMMA offers numerous other on-campus programs such as the Referral State, where anyone can refer someone with an alcohol or drug problem and GAMMA will try and help them.

They also have the IBIS Shuttle Service and are currently undertaking the Cocaine Awareness Program.

The crowd then proceeded to the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house with their lighted candles.

The walk commemorated those who lost their lives due to alcohol.

In the past year alone, 5600 children have died in traffic accidents and 5000 more are expected to die this year, organizers said.

“No one should have to go through such a loss,” Montgomery said.

There was a meal reception at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, where more information was passed out.

“If tonight we reached out to even one person and made him think before getting behind the wheel drunk, then we were successful,” LeFevre said .

Know any great heroes?
Applications are now out for the Vice President’s Award for Service and the Robert Bates Cole Award for volunteer Leadership. The Vice President’s Award for Service is given out annually to recognize outstanding UM students, faculty and staff for their volunteerism in the Greater Miami community. Nomination forms are located in: Ashe 244, UC240, Ashe 325, 210 Ferre, A-212 Law Building and 2102/2108 RMSB.
The Robert Bates Cole Award for Volunteer Leadership is given to a current sophomore or junior, who exemplifies the characteristics of integrity and dedication through exceptional, committed and unassuming participation in community service activities. Applications are in the Butler Volunteer Services Center, UC240.
Application deadline for both awards is 5p.m. March 22, 2002. For more information, please call the Butler Volunteer Services Center at 305-284-GIVE.

Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP)
A new undergraduate major in Athletic Training is being developed at the University of Miami. This program is housed in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science in the School of Education. Students that matriculate through this program will be awarded a Bachelors of Science Degree and they will be eligible to sit for the national professional exam.
This development major is currently seeking accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Heath Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Athletic Training Education program is currently in the 2nd year of the required two-year candidacy period prior to accreditation. During the 2002-2003 academic year, CAAHEP will visit the University of Miami campus to evaluate the program and determine its accreditation status.
For more information, visit the Athletic Training Education Program website: www.education.miami.edu/athletictraing/index.html

THe soul of a young man in Rome
UM junior, Peter Maneos, has recently published a collection of poetry entitled The Soul of a Young Man in Rome. It has been on sale in the campus bookstore for the past week or so and on March 27th at 3 p.m. at the university bookstore Maneos will be signing books and discussing his literary and artistic influences. Maneos is majoring in English Literature and minoring in classical antiquities. He has graciously invited other writers to read their work at this event. Find more information on Maneos’ book at his website www.pietrosmaneos.com. Pietros Maneos is his pen name.

today
Saturday March 9- Sunday March 17
Spring Break

Mon March 18
Intramural softball begins. All UM students and faculty are welcome to participate

Tues March 19
CAC film, “Ocean’s 11”

Wed March 20
Comedian at the Rat from 9p.m.

Toppel Center Internship Programs for School of Business Undergraduates today from 2-3p.m. at the Toppel Center Library.

Women’s and men’s teams are welcome to sign up for “Hoops for Hunger”. You can sign up in the Breezeway or call 284-GIVE to do so.

Thurs March 21
PRSSA is having their General meeting today at 4:30 PM in Eaton Classroom 145. Come and join us as we have a special speaker from Sports PR tell us what sports publicity is all about. Announcements and upcoming details about the “Professional Mixer” available to all public relations students will also be available.

Fri March 22
Friday Grooves 11:30a.m.-1p.m. on the UC Patio; “Places of Recovery”

Happy hour at the Rat from 4:30-8p.m., DJ/Band

Jamaican Awareness Week

Wed March 23
Students together ending Poverty and the Wellness Center will host a “Hoops for Hunger” basketball tournament today at the Wellness Center basketball courts. For more information contact Sarah McGrail at 305-689-3971 or e-mail at HaJESTERha@aol.com.

Mon March 25
Opening Ceremonies at 12p.m. in the UC Patio.

Tues March 26
Roots, Rhymes, Reggae at the Rat at 7p.m.

CAC film “Not another teen Movie”