Andy Hooper

Andy Hooper is a junior majoring in human resource management and marketing.
Hooper has held the positions of Chair for the Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee; Ombudsperson for the Committee on Student Organizations; training coordinator for the University of Miami American Red Cross; team captain for the UM Roller Hockey Club; and Parade co-chair for the Homecoming Executive committee.
Listed are several major goals within Hooper’s platform:
1. Change the dynamic of student leadership.
2. Emphasize communication between student organizations, students, and student leaders.
3. Increase library and cafeteria hours.
4. Increase the amount of information available to resident students
5. Post monthly calendars of all student activities on channel 13, the residence halls channel.
6. Create a balance in school spirit, safety, and awareness
Hooper is running for the office of Vice President because he wants to make cabinet more fun and not a chore for its members.
His platform along with running-mates, Stephanie Hernandez for President and Martinique Busino for Treasurer, is “Bridging the Gap.”

JUSTIN LEVINE

Justin Levine is a junior who is majoring in marketing and law.
Listed are several major goals within Levine’s platform:
1. Increase lighting on campus at nighttime to increase safety
2. Regulate the number of times a professor will use a book for a certain class in order for students to save money
3. Improve the quality of cable stations in the residence halls.
4. Increase student life on campus during the weekends.
Levine, an active party promoter, is running for the office of Vice President because he feels that there are a lot of things that need to be changed at UM.
He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and has served on the Greek judicial board.
His platform is “A Change in U…’Cause it’s Time.”
His running mates are Michael Johnston for President, and Mahala Dar for Treasurer.
“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 resum

Kirk Hunter
Kirk Hunter is a junior majoring in broadcasting and political science

His platform includes the following:

1. Faster and more productive student government
2. Libraries and computer labs stay open 24 hours during finals.
3. Professors are required to post their syllabus prior to registration
4. More concessions in student government for minority and international students
5. Cap on tuition
6. ATM’s, HBO, Comedy Central, and Cartoon Network in all of the dorms.

Although Hunter has not had previous experience with Student Government, he has experience in the world of politics-Hunter worked with Councilwoman Goosby of New York the summer of 2001.

“All the other candidates come from the same system; a system that does not represent the students. The four candidates I’m running against are essentially the same candidate; if elected they will all continue the same process. This is really a two candidate race,” Hunter said. “I’m working for the majority.”

Mike Johnston
Mike Johnston is a junior majoring in industrial engineering.
He presently holds the positions of Speaker of the Senate and Student representative on the Board of Trustees
Listed are several major goals within Johnston’s platform:
1. Increase lighting on pathways on campus
2. Regulate the amount of edition changes in textbooks
3. Increase in cable channels on campus
4. Install ice machines in the dorm
5. Create a new senate seat for the Volunteer Service Center
6. Become more tuned in and active in WVUM
7. Expand IBISride shuttle service to Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
“I’m the most experienced in Student Government,” Johnston said.
He has been active in SG since his freshman year, having held positions as freshman senator and Chief of Staff. During his SG career, Johnston has implemented 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 begin in May.
Johnston is running under the ticket, “A Change in U…’Cause it’s time,” with Justin Levine for vice president and Mahala Dar as treasurer.
“Our platform ideas are concrete ideas that can actually happen,” Johnston said. “We don’t want to beat around the bush, we want to get things done. We don’t to waste time talking; we’re going to have our ideas become a reality.”

Steve Priepke
Steve Priepke is a junior majoring in Political Science. His Student Government experience includes Chief of Staff (2001-present); Chairman of the academic affairs committee (Spring 2001); Mahoney Residential College Senator (2000-2001). He has also held positions as Golden Key international honor society treasurer; Undergraduate representative to the board of trustees; President Shalala’s Inaguration committee member; Honors student association member and as a Resident Assistant.
Listed are the major ideas in Priepke’s Platform:
1. Student Government unity and involvement
2. Better availability of information: “What student government is doing for U”
3. Improved campus programming
4. Promotion of UM heritage: This includes replacing the paintings in the residence halls with UM history/culture.
5. Increased apartment area security
Priepke plans on, “Putting the U back into Student Government”.
“Our ticket as a whole,” according to Priepke, “has more student government experience than any other ticket.”
He also states that only an average of 10 percent of students are active voters in the student government elections.
“Unlike the US presidential elections,” Priepke says, “your vote does count.”
“Is experience important? Is spirit important? Is integrity important?” Priepke asked. “You have to vote all about ‘U'”

Presidential candidates:

JD Barbosa JD
Barbosa is a senior majoring in finance and economics. He presently holds the positions of Category 5 co-chair (2000-present); Student Government Senator (1999-present); and President of the Association of Commuter Students (2000-present).
Listed are several major goals within Barbosa’s platform:
1. A “Resident’s Bill of Rights”
2. Thanksgiving break extension
3. Lower prices for textbooks
4. Academic Fairness: This series of issues include longer library hours; sample syllabi available online for students to review before they commit to specific classes; no examinations during homecoming; an increase in honors classes; extra points for A+ grades; no more than two exams a day; mandatory use of courses.miami.edu; and the incorporation of ACE’S on EASY.
5. Wellness center improvements: These include increasing the quantity of EFX 540 machines, flat benches, free-weight room, and a separate cardio room.
6. Communication between students and parking and transportation
“I feel like I am the only candidate that wants to work for the students and not for the administration,” Barbosa said.
“With my experience in Category 5, I’ve had a chance to work with those students who are interested in student government but not in the legislative aspect.”
In fact, Barbosa was instrumental in the creation of Category 5 two years ago and has seen it through to its present form today.

Zehev Benzaken
Zehev Benzaken is a sophomore majoring in biology.

Benzaken is a native of Manaus, Brazil, and was involved in student government in high school.

Listed are several major goals within Benzaken’s platform:

1. Create the President’s Thursday-where the SG president and/or vice president table in the breezeway to find out what students need and promote SG.
2. Promote SG among international students and other groups and give them representation in the SG senate.
3. Install other ATM’s-for example: First Union-and install more ATM’s all over the campus.
4. Install ice machines in the dorms.

Benzaken said that most of the SG presidential candidates have the same basic ideas.

“I am going to try to talk to all these people,” Benzaken said. “I want to listen to everybody and what they have to say.”

Stephanie Hernandez
Stephanie Hernandez is a junior majoring in political science and psychology with a minor in leadership.
She presently holds the positions of SG Speaker Pro Tempore; President’s 100; and Vice president of Phi Alpha Delta
Listed are several major goals within Hernandez’s platform:
1. Increase campus safety
2. Create an international students senate seat
3. Promote parking awareness
4. Increase in library hours
5. Increase participation of students in campus activities
6. Share resources between student organizations
7. Reduce overlapping of on-campus events
8. Continue student reach out week
9. Create a SG monthly forum, where all student leaders will be invited to discuss campus concerns
10. Create a calendar of events to be displayed in various locations
11. Televise a list of daily events in the UC
“When looking for a president it needs to be someone who has balance of getting things accomplished and getting along with people, knowing how to work with people,” Hernandez said.
“Not only do I have the experience but I have the best combination of effectiveness and people skills.”
“And I’m the only female,” she added.

Corrections:
In the Feb. 19 issue of the Hurricane, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Pat Whitely was misquoted as saying, “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.” In fact, the quote should have been attributed to President Donna Shalala. The Hurricane apologizes for the error.

Quotes attributed to Dr. Pat Whitely in the Feb. 8 2002 issue of the Miami Hurricane were in accurate. The HUrricane apologies for the error.

 NEW COMMENCEMENT EVENTS TO PROVIDE
PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS
Students graduating from the University of Miami this Spring will experience a new Commencement ceremony format. In place of the annual university-wide ceremony held in mid-May for all graduating students, this year, the University of Miami will hold several ceremonies providing students the opportunity to be recognized individually and walk across stage for the conferral of degrees.
“Commencement is one of the most important days in the lives of our graduates,” said President Donna E. Shalala. “The smaller ceremonies are designed to be more personalized, and to allow us to announce the graduates individually and personally hand them their diploma. These will not be ticketed events graduates are encouraged to invite family and friends as they wish.”
The ceremonies will be divided into three undergraduate ceremonies to be held throughout the day on Friday, May 10, and one graduate ceremony to be held on Saturday, May 11. The schools of Medicine and Law will hold their own ceremonies on May 11 and 19, respectively. All undergraduate and graduate ceremonies will be held on the University Green, the lawn between the Otto G. Richter Library and the University Center, on the UM Coral Gables campus. There will also be a University-wide, mid-year commencement, tentatively set for December 18, 2002, at the Knight Sports Complex. Many commencement activities – the academic procession, the commencement address and the musical accompaniment – will remain. The new format, however, will allow students the opportunity to have their pictures taken with the president and their dean as they cross the stage.

 FEDERAL GRANT AWARDED TO UM FOR CUBA
TRANSITION PROJECT
The University of Miami’s Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies (ICCAS) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) held a joint press conference to announce a first-of-its-kind, $1 million dollar grant for the Cuba Transition Project (CTP) 11:00a.m. on Thursday, February 21 at the ICCAS courtyard. The University’ s Cuba Transition Project is a pioneer academic program that examines the multiple issues affecting Cuba’s transition to democracy.

 BASCOM PALMER CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF
RESEARCH
UM’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute is turning 40. Anniversary events concluded this weekend as hundreds of alumni returned to Miami for the 40th Anniversary Scientific Meeting at The Biltmore Hotel on February 21-23. Ranked among the nation’s top two hospitals for ophthalmology by U.S. News & World Report for the past 12 years, the Institute has trained more than 500 clinicians and researchers now practicing throughout the U.S. and in 30 nations. Anniversary celebrations planned in the coming months include the Evening of Vision Gala in Palm Beach on Saturday, March 16, the Broward Friends of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Dinner on Thursday, April 11 and the Miami Friends’ Dinner on Thursday, April 25. For more information on these events contact Cynthia Birch at 305-326-6190.
 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

 Communication Week

today
CAC film, “Pulp Fiction”

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. is having their Brother’s Appreciation Day tonight at 7:55p.m. at the Rat. The winner of the Man of the Year essay contest will be announced. The first place prize is dinner for two at CheeseCake Factory. (Applications for SGRho’s Man of the Year contest are available in the Ibis Office UC 215.)

Interfraternity Council is having their “Greek lunch on the Patio” today between 11a.m.-2p.m. There will be a special reserved area for Greek’s with entertainment and food specials! Wear your letters and come hang out with other members of the Greek community!

Wed 27th Feb
The 2002 Estelle & Emil Gould Humanities Lecture featuring “Churchill’s First 25 Years,” a lecture by The Honorable Celia Sandys (The granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill) is today at 4p.m. in the Learning Center, room 110. For additional information call 305-284-5735. Light refreshments will be served.

Organized Cheer at 7p.m. on the UC Patio.

Games Night at RAT from 7-9p.m.

Thrus 28th Feb
The Graduate School will host an Open House from 4 – 7 p.m. today in celebration of its new home at Albert Pick Hall. RSVP to Vivian Miller at 305-284-2875 or mailto:vmiller@miami.edu.

BAM closing ceremonies at 12p.m. at the Rat.

Fri 1st March
Friday Groove “Julie Patchouli,” 11:30a.m.-1p.m. on UC Patio

Happy Hour at the RAT from 4:30-1p.m., band/dj
Mystery Event from 6:30p.m. on the UC patio.

Toppel Center Overview of Resources for the School of Business students is today from 3-4p.m. at the Toppel Center Library.

Sat 2nd March
Dance-a-thon at the Rathskeller.

Three point shootout. All UM students and faculty may enter free. The preliminary rounds will be Feb26-28 from 8-10p.m. in the Wellness Center. The Finals will be today at the Miami Arena during Half-time of the men’s basketball game against Virginia Tech.

Solutions Interdisciplinary Forum presents 2nd Annual Interdisciplinary Symposium: “Science: The Double-Edged Sword” today at Noon-4pm Room 148, Eaton Residential College.

Mon 4th March
Graduate School Info session: Everything you need to know about applying to graduate School (Master of Business Administration and Law School) is today from 3:30-4:30p.m. at 217 Jenkins, School of Business.

UM’s Panhellenic Association is hosting a Pancake Breakfast today on the UC Patio from 9a.m.-12p.m. The event is to celebrate International Badge and the 100th anniversary of the National Panhellenic Conference. There will also be a raffle held at the event. The breakfast tickets are $10; raffle tickets $1. All proceeds from the event will be divided among the six sororities’ philanthropy.

Canes Night Live. Movies on the Commencement Green tonight at 8p.m. “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Nightmare on Elm Street” are being shown. Free refreshments will be served.

Tues 5th March
CAC film “Harry Potter”

University of Miami researchers recently developed a molecular process that blocks HIV from spreading and infecting new cells.

It is a breakthrough that virologists Dr. Gunter Kraus and Dr. James Hnatatyszyn call the “scissors effect,” a term that describes a process inhibiting the virus’s ability to infect and replicate.

There is no known cure for HIV or AIDS, the later stages of the infection.

“HIV’s most well-known trait is its high mutation rate which generates new variants of the virus that are resistant to current drug therapies,” said Dr. Kraus, who has been working on this project for 20 years.

This newly-developed technology has the “ability to target and stop certain molecular functions, [making] a future application for this process clearly a vaccine development on the cellular level,” Kraus said.

This new vaccine is not a cure for AIDS, Kraus said, but it is a major breakthrough in potentially stopping the spread of the virus through new infection.

“Our discovery presents a major victory in the war against HIV,” Kraus said. His team’s recently-published findings in the January 2002 issue of Gene Therapy support Kraus’s claim.

The promise of their new research will likely take several more years to develop into anything like a vaccine for public consumption, and it is likely to be a sort of therapy treatment that must be administered over a course of time, Kraus said.

But there is hope.

One crucial step for this new technology to progress further is for UM to take action to secure the patents on the research so that Kraus and his associates can effectively seek out sources of funding from large pharmaceutical companies.

Private sector investors must first have a patent to secure financial interests before they will commit funding and researchers to a project.

Kraus also said that “a biochemist needs to make a stable, synthetic form of the EGS 560” -before this can become a viable form of treatment – which, “fortunately, [the EGS 560 molecule] is small, and should therefore be easily replicated.”

If a patent were to be secured quickly, then pharmaceutical companies could begin work on making this a readily available preventative mechanism, Kraus said.

This entire predicament takes on a real seriousness when one considers the statistic that over 14,000 people daily are infected by the HIV virus.

If UM does not pursue the patents within the next year, the patent rights will fall to the researchers, who hopefully will privately pursue them, bringing this new valuable medical breakthrough to as many people as possible, as soon as possible.

While the research team waits for their patents to clear, they are continuing research that tests EGS 560 against different, more complicated clades, or types of the HIV virus. Their results are very promising, but more research and funding is needed to advance the process further.

Funding is crucial for widespread testing and development, as expensive technologies are needed to store and utilize samples, and pure concentrated forms of the HIV virus are used – therefore, the team has to use a Bio-Safety Level 3 laboratory.

The basic premise behind the research is simple.

Within a cell is RNA, the message component that makes cells act and form uniquely-essentially providing the information to manufacture proteins.

RNA is also the first place that the HIV virus infects the body.

After infecting the body’s RNA, the virus then proceeds to invade the DNA, the very cellular code that maps out the creation of further cells.

Once the DNA gets infected by HIV, then all of the newly-formed cells are infected too, spreading the virus throughout the body-a viral attack that the body cannot fight because the HIV virus attacks the CD4 T cells that are the source of the human immune response.

Human CD4 T cells are the cells that allow the body to fight disease, and the destruction of the body’s CD4 T cells by HIV is what cripples the immune system.

Once AIDS sets in, a patient’s ruined immune system is unable to fight any sort of disease or infection.

Kraus and Hnatyszyn used a natural cellular mechanism, called RNase P, that cleaves RNA, preventing HIV transmission to the DNA.

RNase P has an interesting external guide sequence (EGS), which can be targeted to recognize and interfere with almost any cellular process.

The researchers designed a specific type of RNase P – EGS 560 – which targets the body’s CD4 T cells.

The cells treated with EGS 560 block HIV infection by blocking the virus’ admission into the RNA.

If that process is interrupted, HIV will not progress to AIDS.

In their research tests, “the CD4 T cells treated with the EGS 560 were unable to be infected and remained healthy for more than 30 days,” Kraus said, and “after years of development we are optimistic that our discovery will provide a potent weapon in the fight against HIV.”

RNase P’s special cleavage properties were first discovered in 1989 by Drs. Sidney Altman and Thomas Cech, who were awarded the 1989 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Dr. Kraus points out that not only does RNase P hold promise for HIV prevention in high-risk populations, but “in addition, since it is a relatively simple molecular process, it may also have the potential to eradicate cancer cells, and perhaps produce vaccines to combat pathogenic viruses other than HIV.”

This news suggests that the creation of EGS 560 may just be the tip of the iceberg in an exciting new realm of medical technology in disease prevention.

“We hope this research will have a snowball effect on research in this area,” Kraus said.

Sobs echoed around the Gusman Hall as Chris Campbell’s smiling face faded out at the end of a short video shown at his memorial service last Thursday.

Campbell, a University of Miami linebacker, died last Saturday morning in a car accident. He was 21.

UM students, ‘Canes fans, and Campbell’s friends, teammates, and family, more than filled the auditorium to its 600 capacity at the morning memorial.

The memorial had a distinctly Christian theme as Campbell’s teammates read Psalms 27, and a passage from Thessalonians. They referred to themselves as Campbell’s fellow brothers in Christ.

“We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him,” they quoted from 1 Thessalonians.

Notable members of the college and professional football community who knew Campbell, including former UM coach Butch Davis and former UM teammates playing in the NFL, were present to show their respect.

The stage was decorated with Campbell’s No. 48 football jersey, floral arrangements and his photograph on an easel. Most of the speeches made in memory of Campbell came from members of the UM football community, such as former coach Davis; fullback, Najeh Davenport; safety, James Lewis; linebacker, Howard Clark; and linebackers’ coach, Vernon Hargreaves.

Speeches from Campbell’s brother, Jacob, and his fiancee, Tombi Bell, also honored Campbell as a gentle giant with an unforgettable handshake.

“If you had the opportunity to shake hands with him, no good. He had a crushing handshake. Don’t do it,” Coker said.

“It came to a point, you didn’t shake Chris’ hand no more,” Davenport said.

“To know him was to love him,” Belle said. “I will be okay, because you taught me to be strong,” she said, as if speaking directly to Campbell.

Coker announced that Campbell, who was to graduate from UM in May, will be awarded post-humously a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, much to the appreciation of the audience.

“Chris wouldn’t have expected this much outpouring of love from the community,” Bell said. “He used to say I was his only friend.”

Campbell’s life touched the people he met, not only because of his athletic talent but because of the way he lived his life, his friends said.

“If you’re doing something wrong, stop doing it because you have a guardian angel called Chris Campbell looking after you,” one mourner said.

“No matter how much you did to him, he did what he wanted to do for you,” his roommate said.

The audience laughed and cried in earnest as Campbell’s friends related their personal experiences with him.

“He even came into my mom’s life,” Davenport said, referring to when his mother phoned him, crying uncontrollably over Campbell’s death.

“The college experience. What happens in these four years. You’re supposed to grow. Well, he [Campbell] grew,” Hargreaves said, as he rubbed his temples, struggling to maintain his composure.

The lack of organization for Greek Week 2002 inhibited the fun that could have been had, said members of the Greek community.

“It’s pitifully organized. It was a Greek headache. I will never be a chair again if I can help it. Some parts of Greek Week are really not aces,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon member and chair of Greek Week Jay Wetzel.

Each member was required to sign in and out of the opening ceremonies-which took place last Friday afternoon at the Rathskeller-to get maximum points for their team.

However, no one was monitoring the list and students forged signatures of members not present, making the competition unfair from day one.

Several participants complained about the lack of organization and the fact that only two events of Greek Week were philanthropic-the blood drive and the dance-a-thon, in which participants are required to pay $25 to dance.

About 90 percent of the proceeds go to United Cerebral Palsy [UCP].

Last year, the Greek community raised about $5,000 – about the price of the two 21-day trips to Europe given to the winners of the Greek god and goddess competition.

When asked about the philanthropic aspects of Greek Week at opening ceremonies, a Delta Gamma replied, “I really don’t know much about it. I think there’s a dance-a-thon or something.”

Her sisters came to her rescue and explained that they are supporting the UCP.

“Greek Week develops leadership and helps us to become well rounded individuals. It also promotes unity within the Greek community,” said Kate Devlin, a Delta Gamma.

“It does promote brotherhood. We come together by trying to win,” Wetzel said.

Last Friday, the noise of over 300 sorority and fraternity members packed into the Rathskeller could be heard as far as Eaton Residential College.

The theme was a 1960’s/Austin Powers idea, and the Rat was decorated with beaded curtains, huge psychedelic flower cutouts, and posters claiming quotes like “Zeta is shag-a-delic” and “Do we make you horny, baby?”

The event, scheduled to start at 4 p.m., did not begin until 4:30 p.m., and kicked off with a slide show of pictures of members of the organizations throughout the past year.

Following the slide show, President of Panhellenic Jorge Lima, dressed as Austin Powers, took the microphone and yelled the name of each organization.

Each group, in turn, replied with a cheer, or a loud roar.

As the noise subsided, Lima stated that this year would be the most exciting Greek Week ever because “every Greek organization is participating,” to which the crowd responded with yet another loud cheer.

Each sorority and fraternity was represented at the opening ceremonies- something that has not happened in about 15 years.

“I’m really glad every organization is participating,” said Kappa Kappa Gamma chair Krista Nelson. “It really shows how the Greek community comes together.”

But comes together for what?

Vice-president of Panhellenic Mary Clark, dressed as Austin Powers’s sidekick in a silver and hot pink mini dress, was quoted in the Feb. 22 issue of The Miami Hurricane as saying, “The philanthropic events are worth the most, because that’s what Greek Week is all about.”

However, when a candidate for Greek god was asked what he would change about philanthropic events in Greek life, he answered, “I’d make it more fun and easier.”

The ceremony also consisted of a competition between students for Greek god and goddess.

Each candidate was required to perform a song of their choice, then were awarded points for correctly answering questions on Greek life, philosophy, and humorous topics, like “Who would you rather shag…?”

Music included everything from “Baby Got Back,” with guys dressed as women with large posteriors, to the winning song, the Star Spangled Banner performed in sign language by a Sigma Delta Tau.

The Lambda Chi Alpha representative won the title of Greek god.

The winners of the competition were awarded a 21-day trip to Europe, paid for by the Greek Week committee.

Greek Week continues through Friday, March 1.

Toxicology results released by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office indicated that UM linebacker Chris Campbell was legally drunk when he crashed into a tree at a quiet Coral Gables intersection during the early hours of Saturday, Feb. 16.

The 21-year-old had a blood-alcohol level of 0.13, well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.

Alcohol is one of four factors that police are investigating in order to determine the cause of the one-vehicle accident, said Coral Gables police spokesman Raul Pedroso, who cited fatigue, excess speed, and unbuckled seatbelts as other possible catalysts in the fatal crash.

No stains of drugs were found in Campbell’s body, said Pedroso.

Joel Rodriguez, 23, the only passenger in the car, was released from Jackson Memorial Hospital last Thursday and is recovering from a punctured lung and broken ribs.

A fastened seatbelt would probably have made little difference in preventing the accident due to the severity of the impact on the driver’s side of Campbell’s Toyota Camry, police said.

However, police said that buckling up would probably have significantly reduced Rodriguez’s injuries that were caused when his body jerked forward upon impact.

News of Campbell’s death struck a sour nerve on Susan Isenberg, president of the Miami chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Isenberg lost her 17-year-old son in 1986 when an intoxicated driver slammed into a tree in Coconut Grove.

“His name was also Chris,” she told The Hurricane. “As soon as I heard the time of the crash and the circumstances, I was pretty certain alcohol was involved.”

Isenberg said the toxicology results showed the amount Campbell drank prior to getting behind the wheel was “pretty high, even for someone his size.”

“He probably had between six or seven drinks during a very short period of time,” she said.

During a phone interview from his hospital room the day after the accident, Rodriguez told The Hurricane that although his recollection of that night was foggy, he believed Campbell had not been drinking, and described his late friend as a responsible driver.

Edwin Mims, Campbell’s uncle, told the Associated Press last week that “nobody in our family drinks. If it came out that way, it’s a big surprise to us.”

Alcohol-related accidents in Florida increased every year between 1996 and 2000, according to data compiled by MADD and based on information from law enforcement sources.

In 2000, 16,653 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving alcohol.

The same year, 1,191 fatal accidents involving alcohol happened in Florida, making up about 40 percent of the total cases.

Every year, college students spend about 5.5 billion on alcohol, mostly beer – more than they spend on books, soda, coffee, juice, and milk combined, according to a study published on the BACCHUS (an alcohol awareness organization) Web site that cited information from a study conducted by a major university.

Another national study published by BACCHUS on binge drinking-defined as five or more drinks in a row for men and four or more for women within two weeks-found that athletes have significantly higher rates of binge drinking than non-athletes.

Isenberg told The Hurricane she intends to schedule an appointment with President Donna Shalala to explore the possibility of starting a college chapter of MADD.

Juan Pablo Constain,22, a freshman at Miami-Dade Community College, told The Hurricane he has refrained from driving after heavily drinking since he crashed while driving under the influence two years ago.

“I still do it more than I should,” he confessed.

The message Isenberg wants to get across to Shalala: “Students shouldn’t let alcohol be their last taste of life.”