The Miami Hurricane: Aug. 23, 2023

Dear Class of 2027: Welcome to the University of Miami

BY SYDNEY BILLINGS NEWS EDITOR

It’s move-in day. You’ve just made your bed, hung up decorations and hugged your parents goodbye.

Just last year, it was the “last first day” of high school. All of a sudden, it’s the very first day of what may seem like the rest of your life.

There’s no doubt that the first few weeks, or even months, of freshman year can be overwhelming. The college transition is by no means an easy process. You will make mistakes, learn from experiences of all kinds and grow into the person you were always meant to be.

It’s plain and simple: The person you were on the first day won’t be the person you’ll be on the last.

To those incoming students having any doubts, there are many ‘Canes that were once in your shoes.

For recent alumnus Brooklyn Stafford, who entered UM as a sophomore transfer student, she emphasizes that change during your college career can actually be a very valuable thing.

“In the beginning it might feel like you’re behind, confused, not knowing exactly what direction to take. That’s where you trust the process. Be open to change and have many experiences that will shape not only your career path, but you as an individual,” Stafford said.

“It won’t always be easy, but focus on surrounding yourself with people who can guide and support you. Some days will be good, some bad but focus on making an overall trend of progress. Your attitude and drive are one of your biggest assets – use them.”

During CaneFest and beyond, you will also be introduced to the hundreds of clubs and organizations offered here at UM.

Izzy Sowells, a senior majoring in political science and biology, stresses the importance of finding time outside of academic life to pursue social activities.

“When someone asks you to hang out, take them up on it,” said Sowells. “Everyone is feeling lonely in their first year. Some just hide it better than others. This is totally okay and perfectly normal. Therefore my advice would be, get super involved on campus and be social!”

Joining different clubs and organizations on campus is just one of many ways to get involved during your undergraduate ex-

perience. Throughout your college career, you will find that plenty of horizons can even open up for you in the greater Miami community.

But while it may be tempting to join as many clubs as possible, know that balance is key in maintaining a healthy, successful college lifestyle.

Sarah Van Roekel, a student majoring in marine biology and ecology, emphasizes

Amidst all of the information that is thrown at students over the course of the semester, it may feel difficult to stay organized at times while balancing a full course load, participating in extracurricular activities and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Lindsey Faucher, a senior triple majoring in international studies, psychology and French, is an example of someone who has had a lot on her plate throughout the years.

As you begin to find your niche on campus, you will encounter people from all different walks of life. With this in mind, it’s important to know that it is completely fine if you aren’t best friends with your current roommate or the first person you meet on campus.

If you find yourself hesitant to reach out to random people on your floor, know that there are endless opportunities both on and off campus to meet new faces.

For instance, Gianna Sesto, a senior double majoring in chemistry and Spanish, is known for her impressive attendance at UM giveaways. You can always find Sesto waiting at the front of the line chatting with her fellow ‘Canes and making new friends.

“One day, I ended up having to go to an event alone, and I ended up meeting one of my friends that I still have today,” said Sesto. “Going to these events on campus was so easy because I was able to meet many students frequently and build relationships.”

Whether you’re waiting in the middle of the UPS line or sitting in the gliders at a Hurricane Productions concert, there’s always an opportunity to meet someone new.

“Going to the events really helped me to love the atmosphere and community feeling at the school. These events most likely helped me to get super acclimated to the school very quickly because I was able to gain relationships while also focusing on my academics,” said Sesto.

Junior Kayla Goodman, an active member of the Frost Band of the Hour (FBOTH) and an intern at the United Wesley Foundation on campus, also emphasizes the importance of the UM “work hard play hard” attitude.

to incoming students that a crucial part of freshman year is creating a balance between academics, social activities and outside commitments.

“Freshman year is the most critical habit-forming year of college, if not life, so establishing balance is huge,” said Van Roekel. “But it’s also probably the time you’ll have the least amount of commitments, making it the ideal time to try as many things as possible before you pick up a ton of obligations. Try everything.”

Her secret to tackling this busy schedule? Making a four-year plan during her first semester.

“In an Excel sheet, I mapped out the classes I knew I wanted to take as well as the student organizations I wanted to join,” said Faucher. “Creating this plan allowed my goals to seem less overwhelming and more attainable. But it’s important to remember that this plan is not set in stone and will likely change as you progress through college!”

“My biggest piece of advice: enjoy it,” said Goodman. “Go to random events on campus, walk around and get to know the beautiful place we get to call school. Meet tons of new people and some of them you’ll eventually call friends. Work hard, then play hard. Make the most of these next few years by doing things that are good for you and that you enjoy.”

As full-time students working to manage our academic lives, social lives and careers, understand that you are never alone at the U.

If you ever feel lost, abandoned or just plain confused, know that you have a community that is ready to support you through these next four years.

Welcome, Class of 2027! Enjoy the ride.

Alexandra Carnochan// Contributed Photographer

Sebastian the Ibis teaches the crowd how to do the ‘Canes spellout ahead of Miami’s first home game on Sept. 3.

CAMPUS

UM joins prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU)

BY CAROLINE VAL STAFF WRITER

The University of Miami has worked diligently for its reputation as a top academic institution in both the state and the nation under the wing of former University President Edward T. Foote. This summer, ‘Canes everywhere can say that mission was finally achieved.

As of June 2023, the university has officially been inducted as one of the newest members of the esteemed Association of American Universities (AAU). This recognition is a testament to the university’s commitment to excellence in research and education, with only 71 universities in the country being extended an invitation to join the prestigious community.

“There are special moments in the life of a university that not only reward our hard work but, more importantly, reaffirm our strategic vision and time-honored mission,” said University President Julio Frenk in a video message to the UM community announcing the highranking achievement.

“Whether we are looking at innovation and discovery, the dissemination of knowledge and promotion of understanding, the celebration of our diverse and unique experiences, the guiding and implementation of evidence-based public policies and best practices—each of these worthy endeavors share the prime directive to promote, protect and preserve our people and our planet.”

Being a part of this association is a mark of distinction, signifying that the University meets the high standards set by the AAU in terms of research output, academic excellence and contributions to society.

Having received over $413 million in grants and funding in the 2022 fiscal year, the University has been a leader in various types of

research, including stem cell research, cancer research, climate prediction, humanities, psychology and more.

The Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine and UHealth alone received over $175 million in federal grants last year, with the school ranking second in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded programs and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center earning National Cancer Institute designation, according to News@theU. Both the School of Nursing and Health Studies and the psychology department in the College of Arts & Sciences also routinely secure top NIH funding opportunities.

The Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science received over $7.5 million in federal funding in order to aid the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s Reefense program in coastal reef protection. Additionally, the Climate Resilience Academy, launched just last year, is made up of 16 researchers who are members of the prestigious National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine.

President Frenk expressed his pride and gratitude for this recognition, emphasizing the university’s dedication to research excellence and its role as a leading research institution.

“Today is a great day for all of us who love and support the University of Miami and who have invested our efforts and hearts in its continuous quest for excellence,” Frenk continued in the video announcement. “As we approach our Centennial in 2025, we do so with this defining moment firmly realized.”

The AAU’s recent announcement also included the induction of other significant academic institutions, such as UC Riverside, George Washington University and the University of South Florida. This broadens UM’s network, expanding the list of experts, profes-

sionals and resources which can lead to more significant discoveries.

Carol L. Folt, the AAU board chair and University of Southern California president, expressed her excitement about inviting these diverse institutions to the AAU, highlighting the association’s commitment to promoting academic excellence.

“Congratulations to the faculty, staff and students for this recognition of their hard work and their leadership in research and education. We look forward to our joint efforts to continue to transform lives through higher education,”

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL

Folt said during the induction.

As a member of this association, the University is now in a position to further its mission of stimulating knowledge, fostering innovation and contributing to our society in even greater circumstances. It is a recognition of the hard work, dedication and commitment of its faculty, staff and students.

Continuing this journey of academic and research excellence well beyond this distinct honor, the University’s membership in the AAU will undoubtedly open new doors of opportunities for generations of ‘Canes to come.

retorno a nuestros raíces: Exhibición nueva abre en la colección de herencia cubana

BY SYDNEY BILLINGS NEWS EDITOR

La Universidad ha celebrado sus conexiones con la comunidad cubana en Miami por muchos años y ha introducido una variedad de artefactos culturales en la Colección de Herencia Cubana.

En colaboración con la Fundación CINTAS, la colección está llevando los productos culturales de la diáspora cubana del siglo XX para compartirlos con la comunidad, aquí en la Universidad de Miami. Estos archivos fueron donados a la Colección en 2019 y han permanecido

una contribución muy importante.

Esta colección incluye una variedad de libros, manuscritos originales, anotaciones administrativas, videos, fotos, dibujos y otros productos culturales.

El jueves, 24 de agosto a las 6:00 p.m., una recepción y conversación acontecerá en Roberto C. Goizueta Pavillon donde representantes de CINTAS hablarán sobre la importancia de compartir la historia cubana desde un lente artístico.

La Fundación CINTAS fue establecida en 1957 con el objetivo de apoyar a la diáspora cubana y asegurarse de que su trabajo llegue a un público más am -

plio, especialmente la comunidad de las afueras de Miami. También esta organización les ha asignado varias becas a artistas cubanos en los campos de escritura, música y arquitectura.

Kayla Goodman, un estudiante con especializaciones en tecnología empresarial e industria musical, creció en Homestead y tiene herencia mexicana de su madre.

Ella cree que esta colección es un importante recordatorio para la comunidad universitaria de que Miami es una ciudad construida en torno a la cultura cubana.

“Viviendo en Miami, estoy rodeada de

cubanos la mayoría del tiempo. Y ahora, estoy feliz de saber qué hay personas tratando de enseñar la historia de Cuba y validar todas las historias de pruebas y triunfos que tenemos aquí en UM. Todos nosotros tenemos algo de aprender de esas historias,” dijo Goodman. Se anima a los estudiantes a visitar la Colección de Herencia Cubana e incluso utilizar partes de la colección para sus propias investigaciones académicas. Los estudiantes pueden pedir una cita en el sitio de Richter Library o pueden visitar este enlace aquí.

Cecilia Runner // Contributed Photographer President Julio Frenk speaks on the importance integrity at the State of the U address on Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Shalala Student Center.

How do Florida’s GOP Presidential Candidates Compare?

BY CAROLINE VAL STAFF WRITER

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, decisions made in the state of Florida hold an impactful role in the fate of the nation. Three of the most prominent GOP contenders hail from Florida, including former President Donald Trump, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. Each candidate has contributed to Florida’s ever-evolving political landscape, making the state a microcosmic representation of how polarizing politics have spread through the country.

To understand each of these candidates, here is a comprehensive analysis of how they differ on a variety of issues.

Donald Trump

Trump remains an influential figure within the Republican Party, as seen with his high approval ratings across various polls and surveys. His presidency, marked by unconventional policy choices and unapologetic communication, continues to shape conservative thought, despite recent federal lawsuits filed against him.

Trump’s economic policies often leaned towards deregulation and tax cuts, resulting in significant economic growth prior to the pandemic. His “America First” agenda focused on protecting domestic industries and renegotiating international trade deals.He advocated for stricter border controls, including the travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries

and the push for a border wall with Mexico. In regards to education, Trump supported school choice and has been a critic of the Common Core State Standards. He has also self-identified as being pro-life, supporting restrictions on abortion and nominating Supreme Court justices with similar viewpoints. However, he has been less vocal than other prominent Republican leaders on several of these conservative stances, choosing to focus on financial policies instead.

“Despite how heinous some of his actions have been, it’s clear that a lot of Republicans are much more willing to support him,” Steven Delgado, a senior from Miami studying political science, said. “[Trump] was all over the place and inconsistent between his words and actions during his term. But also, given that he served a term already, a lot more people are probably willing to go with someone they know than someone they don’t.”

Francis Suarez

Suarez has gained attention for his blend of conservative values within an urban context as the mayor of Miami.

The mayor has actively promoted the city as a profitable hub for tech and finance, particularly in cryptocurrency. He aimed to fund the city through a blockchain token called MiamiCoin and supported paying and receiving salaries in Bitcoin, but faced challenges like MiamiCoin’s value decline and termination of a cryptocurrency deal with FTX exchanges.

Suarez has sought to make Miami a leader

in sustainability efforts, given the city’s interaction with climate and environmental changes. His advocacy for green initiatives and infrastructure has positioned him as a different breed of the conservative leader addressing environmental issues.

“He tends to naturally take a more moderate stance given the overall political mindset of his jurisdiction,” said Delgado. “Miami is constantly dealing with issues related to the environment and immigration, which is probably why he tends to focus on those policies.”

In the past, Suarez has emphasized the importance of DACA and opposed family separations. While his specific stances on abortion are not readily known, Suarez has shown support for LGBTQ+ rights and has been vocal about racial justice issues.

However, Suarez came under scrutiny in May 2023 after failing to respond to allegations that he was paid thousands of dollars as a consultant on a development project within city limits.

Suarez has also faced public backlash for his investments in various businesses and the rapid growth of his personal income while holding office, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the ethical implications of his financial activities.

Ron DeSantis

DeSantis’ handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his recent legislation in Florida has made him a widely discussed figure in national politics.

“It’s hard to ignore a lot of what’s going on

here politically because of DeSantis,” said Monica Gupta, a senior from Jacksonville. “I feel like he’s in the news cycle everyday.”

His policies advocate for tax cuts, Second Amendment rights and education reform. However, his views tend to go beyond traditional Republican values, as seen with the passing of state legislation like permitless carry and the restructuring of Florida’s education system to limit teachings of critical race theory and gender and sexuality studies.

He has most notably been involved in enacting the Parental Rights in Education Act in Florida, which grants parents the power to sue school districts and gain insight into private information their child chooses to share with a school counselor.

“He’s always been controversial in the state, but it’s interesting to see where his party supports him and doesn’t,” Gupta continued. “It seems like he’s probably one of the most active politicians out there in a way, but I’m not sure if his policies are what most Floridians believe in.”

As the Republican Party continues to evolve, leaders like Donald Trump, Francis Suarez and Ron DeSantis represent diverse interpretations of the conservative view in today’s political landscape.

“We’ll really see the stark differences in the first debate,” said Delgado. “Being students, we each have a responsibility to be as informed as possible about every candidate. All I know is that debate is going to be a night no one wants to miss.”

Ron DeSantis signs strict anti-illegal immigration bill

BY LAUREN WHITESELL STAFF WRITER

The Florida government, notorious for having some of the nation’s most conservative legislation, has implemented a series of strict illegal immigration laws this summer.

Senate Bill (SB) 1718, signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, went into effect on July 1 of this year and has been dubbed one of “the most ambitious anti-illegal immigration laws in the country”.

The main goals of this legislation are “Fighting back against reckless federal government policies and ensuring the Florida taxpayers are not footing the bill for illegal immigration,” said DeSantis on May 10, the day he signed SB 1718.

For employers of 25 or more em-

ployees, the federal E-Verify system must be utilized in order to ensure that a potential employee is authorized to work in America. Employers that fail to use E-Verify are fined and may have their employer licenses suspended or taken away.

Under this bill, any Florida hospital that accepts Medicaid is required to ask patients about their legality of being in the United States and must report this data to the Agency for Healthcare Administration.

SB 1718 imposes a third-degree felony on illegal immigrants who use false identification cards (IDs) or other false documents in an attempt to gain employment and forbids municipalities from using funds to supply documents to illegal immigrants.

In addition, illegal immigrants

will not be allowed to use their outof-state IDs to drive a vehicle, and anyone with a license from one of the sixteen states that issue IDs to illegal immigrants will not be allowed to use it to drive a vehicle in Florida.

Several lawsuits have been brought against SB 1718, including a joint lawsuit of legal organizations American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans for Immigrant Justice, ACLU of Florida, the American Immigration Council and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The lawsuit is focused on Section 10 of SB 1718, which includes an increased penalty for smuggling illegal immigrants of up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

“This legislation is not the solution to any problem. It is an attempt to scapegoat and terrorize vulnerable

families and workers already burdened by the difficulty of the federal immigration process, and to pick a fight with the federal government

in order to serve the ambitions of a few politicians,” said Amine Kacou, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida.

Alexandra Fisher// Photo Editor

When identity clashes with aspirations; trying to teach in Florida

BY PATRICK MCCASLIN BUSINESS MANAGER

Some young students have never seen a man dressed like John Castro in their classroom. One of his casual outfits might include clip-on nails, pearl and hoop earrings, a tank top and some makeup.

“Nothing I’m wearing is really that revolutionary,” Castro said. “I definitely think it’s just the ‘wow’ factor of a guy who’s wearing these women’s clothing.”

An elementary education major and aspiring teacher at the University of Miami, Castro works in spaces with young children often. This past year he volunteered at the nearby Gibson and Bethel Community Center.

While volunteering, Castro would hear questions along the lines of “Why do you have nails?” or “Why do you wear that?” For children, with their vague preconceived notion of how men are supposed to look, the questions flowed without a filter.

Their boldness sometimes put Castro on edge, especially being in Florida where sexuality and gender have become such charged topics in schools. He rarely had to justify his appearance through his high school and college career, but he recognizes the kids’ questions come from a place of curiosity rather than prejudice.

He believes they are more so pointing out a difference than questioning an aspect of his identity.

“When kids see someone of my outwardly gayness, they don’t have these preconceived notions about it,” Castro said. “But it’s the parents of these kids, the people I might be working with, the principals of

the school. Where am I even going to get hired, especially with all these laws being passed? And all these people in full support of them?”

Castro wants to provide an answer to the kids’ questions that’s consistent with his own identity, but will not terminate his career. For him, that doesn’t necessarily entail speaking to his own sexuality or gender. Instead, he wants his students to understand the many different ways one can express oneself.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily my job to show them these different people, but to be prepared for when these different types of people come into their lives,” Castro said. “It’s ridiculous how if I were to have a picture of my husband on my desk, and a kid asked me about it, it makes no sense why I can’t say anything about it.”

There is no law that bans Castro from having a picture of his hypothetical husband on his desk, but the vagueness of the new laws sparks confusion. It is unclear whether Castro could speak openly about his relationship.

The Parental Rights in Education law, infamously dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill while it was in the legislature, mandates that K-3 teachers do not instruct “in a manner that is not ageappropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.”

A Florida elementary school in Orange County made national news after some teachers were told they could not display pictures of their same-sex spouse in a K-3 classroom. The district later told teachers they were allowed to show pictures of their spouse regardless of their sexuality.

However, according to the Orange County Public Schools’

district spokesperson, “in K-3, it was cautioned against specific discussions in the event those discussions could be deemed classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

The episode left Orange County teachers confused.

“I think these laws and all that stuff has definitely pushed me further away. There’s zero chance of me staying here after college and teaching here,” Castro said.

Instead, he feels more comfortable returning home to Long Island and hopefully teaching at his former elementary school. Castro’s style of dress only came up once in his high school, a Catholic school that required a uniform, and he has never been bullied about his appearance in Miami. It’s only the laws and the people supporting them that gives him pause.

“What a loss if the legislative threats that are coming down prevent John and similar students from being a teacher in a Florida classroom,” said Jenny Krawec, Castro’s former professor in the School of Education and Human Development. “He would be an awesome teacher and how sad if my daughter never gets to learn from John.”

The state’s new role in Florida classrooms and a parent’s power to discipline teachers makes Castro uneasy about teaching in Florida. The issue doesn’t stem from specific prohibitions in the classroom, but rather the confusion and chilling effect of the new laws.

“It places an extreme caution around the general topic, more so even than the letter of the law would imply,” Krawec said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ media team wrote in one press release that the laws will protect children’s innocence. Manny

Diaz, Jr., DeSantis’ Commissioner of Education, echoed the governor, saying that these laws will protect children from “inappropriate topics.”

Krawec notes that conversations about these topics, such as sexuality and gender, do not have to be inherently inappropriate. She described an environment where children in the classroom can share that they have two dads, only have a mom or are raised by their grandparents, allowing them to see other ways of living perhaps different from their own.

“I think it’s in building community,” Krawec said. She added that books can offer a similar opportunity.

“We often exist in communities that are similar to ourselves, and books provide that door to another world or another experience,” Krawec said. “I do think that’s how it starts and that’s what we’re not allowed to do right now.”

Krawec noted that the stakes are high in these situations. In October, 2022, the state quietly added a rule to HB 1557 specifying that the Commissioner of

Florida “may pursue disciplinary action against the license of an educator who violates the principles.”

The specification follows another amendment to the bill that mandates non-compliant school districts to pay damages and court fees if they are sued.

Florida is already facing a teacher shortage, as is much of the country. Each year, the state highlights “critical teacher shortage areas” as stipulated by law. In schools described as “High-Density, Low-Economic Urban Schools,” 10.5% of courses were taught by teachers without a certification in that field. In “Low-Density, LowEconomic Rural Schools,” the number was 8%.

According to the Learning Policy Institute, Florida ranks last in the “teaching attractiveness rating” based on teacher compensation, working conditions, school resources, turnover and hiring, and qualifications.

“All of us, I think, benefit from diverse perspectives and differences and I think we’re at risk of losing some awesome teachers because of it,” Krawec said.

Cecilia Runner// Photo Editor

John Castro posing at the University of Miami, in front of Lake Osceola

The strengths of using virtual reality to teach ethics

BY MATHEW WATTS

tongue.

Our strategies for teaching eth ics should take a page from lan guage immersive techniques. We need to entirely engage students in situations that challenge them with moral issues, compelling them to learn by confronting problems, rather than just learn ing theory.

We give teenagers permits to

students of ethics should face

as volunteers where they learn

ronment can lead to sustained reduction in bias as a result of an increase in the participants’ em-

The key to helping students to become more ethical is using VR’s ability to cultivate empa-

Let’s imagine that students are learning about the ethics of homelessness. Using Stanford’s “Becoming Homeless: A Human Experience,” VR can place students in the shoes of someone “who can no longer afford a home,” as they sell their possessions in an attempt to avoid being evicted, but end up sleeping in their car.

Another VR app called “We Live Here” allows students to spend time with Rocky, a homeless woman living in a tent in a park, as she explains how she ended up homeless. Being there and experiencing the lives of others, albeit virtually, are important steps to these issues becoming real to students and building em-

books that teach us about the language. Another approach is full immersion, where we learn a language in a fully authentic way, traveling to an area where the language is spoken and surrounding ourselves with it. This approach has proven to be a more effective way to learn a new

drive before they are old enough to get a license because we know that the experience of driving is more important than being told how to operate a car or passing a multiple-choice test. Likewise,

to make real-time and realistic decisions.

This technique is somewhat reminiscent of service-learning approaches in education. In service-learning, students work

behavior. This has been proven many times across a series of topics. In one example, a study found that having a White person inhabit the body of sa Black person in a virtual reality envi-

Virtual reality’s potential for teaching ethics is in its infancy. With better technology will come the ability to create more elaborate immersive experiences that will confront students with increasingly complex moral situations. The possibilities of using virtual reality for teaching ethics will only be limited by our ability to create new applications to address ethical issues.

Matthew Watts is a doctoral candidate in philosophy at the University of Miami, where he works on memory, cognitive science and technology.

Kali Ryder// Staff Graphic Designer

Balancing socializing and academics as a UM student

should use their first months at UM as an opportunity to figure out how to strike a balance between the two.

Settling into life on a college campus is a whirlwind no matter what school you’re attending and UM’s lively and fast-paced atmosphere only exacerbates this experience. With this chaos comes the opportunity to try new things, meet new people, and see what works for you.

you begin living away from home, but there’s no reason to be hard on yourself when you’re beginning to figure those things out.

nightlife scene are flashy, exciting and worth exploring, there are a lot of valuable social opportunities on campus too.

BY PARI WALTER OPINION EDITOR

Many students come into the University of Miami privy to the well-known stereotypes about the school. With an admission rate of 19% and a No. 55 U.S. News ranking, UM has garnered a reputation as a selective and demanding university.

Students still make time to socialize, with endless opportunities both on campus and in the city itself, but there is no doubt students come to UM to build toward a career. With that comes the everpresent struggle of balancing a social life and fostering new relationships with the increased weight of a college workload.

“There’s the two sides where the school has a reputation for being around the clock fun but at the same time, we’re a top 100 school and there is a lot of academic responsibility and it can blindside you,” senior architecture major Maggie Barrow said.

Both socializing and academics are important to enjoying college, and students

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“Being a freshman in Miami is exciting and difficult at the same time,” senior creative advertising major Asha Shah said. “You’re in this crazy new world that’s not like your traditional college campus and it can be a little overwhelming, but it also has so much to offer.”

A piece of often-dispensed college advice is to “say yes to everything,” and this holds true for beginning your career at UM. Especially in the first few months spent on campus, there’s no way of knowing when you’ll meet “your people” or encounter something that will change the course of your college experience. The first year of college should be trial by fire as a means to find out what’s for you and reaffirm yourself and your choices.

“Freshman year definitely is the best time to explore every opportunity that Miami offers you, both academically and socially,” Shah said. “It’s probably the only year that you can really just relax without worrying about how you’re setting yourself up for the future in terms of internships and networking and such. Having fun and meeting your people can be just as important as those things.”

It is important to work on being responsible and getting into routines as

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“It’s tough at first, but at some point things click and you realize what’s important and what’s not. It’s a process, but you figure out what your process is, and it’s different for everybody, but I think it’s really important to stay true to what you know is right for you,” said senior nursing major Emily Murtha.

While things like Miami’s beaches and

The Department of Student Activities and Student Organizations recognizes over 300 student organizations spanning almost any niche you can think of. Clubs are a great way to build your resume, figure out what you’re interested in and build a community with like minded individuals. figure out what you’re interested in and build a community with like minded individuals.

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UM senior enhances HR, business education through Nascar

BY LAYOMI ADEOJO A&E EDITOR

Travel up the Atlantic coast of Florida and you’ll hit Daytona Beach, home to NASCAR Headquarters and the annual Daytona 500 NASCAR race. NASCAR is a household name, but maybe you’ve never heard of the Nascar Diversity Internship Program (NDIP), a 10-week program for college students that offers hands-on experience across various roles in the motorsports industry.

Chandler Love, a UM senior studying human resource management and psychology, is wrapping up her time in the NDIP as an intern in NASCAR’s Human Resources (HR) department.

One of 37 students in the program, Love makes up a class of diverse students with interests in business, engineering, broadcasting and communications, all gaining practical job experience

as they work alongside NASCAR professionals.

“I’ve honestly gotten a chance to dip into a little bit of everything with HR,” Love said.

One of her long-term projects has been revamping the NASCAR University website.

“Before it was a very antiquated, hard-to-navigate site, so I’ve tried to make it easy to navigate, visually appealing and then have relevant course content in there,” Love said.

No two days working at NASCAR look the same. In addition to revamping the company’s learning tools, she also helped with employee engagement and wellness initiatives, kept HR postings on par with state and federal requirements and held informational interviews among other tasks.

“I have a lot of access to how NASCAR is trying to improve the employee experience,” Love said. “And I would love to keep making an impact on that — you

know, standardizing processes and just making everyone’s job as easy as possible.”

The program introduces students to real-life work in the field. One case study project allowed Love to devise a marketing brand plan to promote the auto racing sport to younger and more diverse audiences.

“I definitely had to learn how to work with different and big and bold personalities and really collaborate to make sure that we had a good end product,” Love said. “We presented that to executives, so that was a great opportunity to practice my presentation skills as well.”

Her overall internship experience has helped Love expand her network and taught her how to turn feedback into the desired end product.

“Being able to come into a really well-recognized company — into a bigger corporate environment — has made me definitely realize that that’s an envi -

ronment that I do really well in,” Love said.

Despite her current accomplishments, a career in HR has not always been the goal for Love.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do, honestly,” Love said. “All of the typical jobs you hear like lawyer, doctor — I just knew that wasn’t for me.”

After attending a career event in high school and hearing a woman from the Weather Channel’s HR team speak about her job, Love decided to pursue a career in the field. Since then, she’s solidified her conviction to work in HR through networking and an internship last summer.

UM has played a vital role in building the budding professional’s experience within the HR industry, specifically through the Human Resource Management (MGT 302) course. Love credits this class with giving her the foundation to navigate the HR world at NASCAR.

Love was initially drawn to the Miami Herbert Business School’s front-loaded curriculum where students take business classes in their first year. This initiative sets Miami Herbert apart from schools that encourage freshmen to complete general education requirements first.

“It was honestly amazing to do an accounting class, a marketing class, a business law class and really get to narrow down more of what I wanted to do,” Love said. “Seeing all those other sides of the business has given me a much greater perspective on what it takes to run a business outside of the HR piece.”

Connecting with business school professors has been an influential part of her undergraduate experience.

“They’ve really made a point to develop me professionally as well as in the classroom,” Love said.

Outside of the classroom, the UM senior works as an office assistant in the School of Education, Office of Graduate Studies.

“It was honestly great practice on how to conduct myself in an office environment, how to handle dealing with superiors and how to handle my customer service skills,” Love said.

After graduating from UM next May, the rising senior hopes to get her HR certification and find a job where she combines both her love of sports and HR work.

“I definitely wanna make a big impact on company culture and make wherever I work the best place to work than it possibly can be,” Love said.

Students interested in the NDIP can learn more about the internship on their website and stay informed when next year’s program dates and application timeline are announced.

The Nascar Diversity Internship Program recruits a cohort of talented college students from all over the U.S.

Nascar // Contributed Photograph

UM senior Chandler Love recently completed the Nascar internship.

Nascar // Contributed Photograph

Miami Spice 2023: A foodie’s guide to the best deals

BY MORGAN FRY ASSISTANT A&E EDITOR

UM is surrounded by some of the most renowned restaurants in the country, but the astronomical prices can prevent college students from enjoying exquisite dishes.

Miami Spice is a fabulous opportunity to try these highly sought-out meals at a better value. Currently in its 22nd year, Miami Spice continues to offer a three-course prix fixe menu for $35 during brunch/lunch and $45/$60 for dinner.

Every participating establishment offers Miami Spice menus on varying days and times. Below are some of the deals you won’t want to miss now through Sept. 30.

Fiola

This Italian bistro has earned its status as a go-to restaurant for Miami Spice lovers. There’s a reason why people keep coming back to this sophisticated dining room for their innovative Miami Spice menus.

For an appetizer start off with their fresh Georgia peach gazpacho. For your main course, try the tender spanish octopus with heirloom tomatoes. Dessert is a hard choice, but you can’t go wrong with two scoops of creamy Italian gelato — choose between chocolate, fior di latte, pistachio and mango.

Miami Spice dinner is served Sunday through Thursday, lunch is Tuesday through Friday and brunch is served on Sundays. Fiola is located at 1500 San Ignacio Ave, Coral Gables.

Orno

If you live close to campus, you won’t even have to tap into the Uber budget for this location.

This American gem lies right below the THesis hotel across South Dixie highway. Head over to THesis seven days a week for their dinner deal.

Enjoy the creamy mozzarella with tangy buffalo sauce as an appetizer, and try the hearty braised short rib for dinner. Finish off with an elevated American classic — S’Mores with dark chocolate, marshmallow and mezcal.

There is also a $35 brunch on Sundays if you are looking for a cheaper option.

Orno is located at 1350 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables.

Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar

Steak dinner traditionally breaks the bank big time. Flemings has an amazing deal for Miami Spice every night, so foodies can enjoy a fancy meal at a fraction of the price.

Start off with a creamy lobster bisque cup with spiced sherry cream. For the best bang for your buck, order the petite filet mignon cooked to your liking. If you’re not already stuffed, finish off your luxurious meal with a thick slice of three layer carrot cake topped with rich cream cheese frosting and a caramel drizzle.

Flemings is located at 600 Brickell Ave Suite 150, Miami.

Sushi Garage

Going out to sushi with friends is a top-tier experience often met with top-tier prices. Miami Spice is the best time to enjoy a delicious, affordable sushi dinner on any night in September. Sushi Garage is a trendy location that invites restaurant goers to a night of fantastic eats.

For an appetizer, definitely order the avocado crispy rice for

a crunchy, fresh bite. The sushi combo (chef’s choice) is the perfect choice for those looking to try a little bit of everything. You can also opt for the tenderloin teriyaki or maple miso sea bass, if you’re looking to switch it up. For dessert you can order a rich, gooey chocolate lava cake or the lychee rice pudding for a different texture.

Sushi Garage is located at 3015 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove.

Joe’s Stone Crab

Everyone and their mom knows about the coveted Joe’s Stone Crab. Prices are steep for this iconic seafood restaurant, so foodies should take advantage of their discounted offerings. For a lighter option, try their colorful chopped salad topped with cucumbers, carrots, black olives, tomatoes, eggs, beets, feta cheese and honey-roasted peanuts for some crunch. Their shrimp grilled or fried to perfection is an awesome option for seafood lovers. Finally, you can’t go wrong with their sweet and tangy key lime pie served over a buttery, flakey crust.

Miami Spice lunch is served Friday throughout Sunday and dinner is served Wednesday through Sunday.

Joe’s Stone Crab is located at 11 Washington Ave, Miami Beach.

North Italia

This beloved Italian chain is so good that many locations have opened throughout the country. The food quality is fantastic and its bright, open dining rooms keep people coming back.

On the lineup for dinner seven days a week is creamy burrata served alongside crispy ciabatta. The spicy rigatoni vodka with smoky italian sausage and crispy

pancetta is the perfect comfort dish that will leave your heart and stomach full. Finish off your meal with the chocolate torta caprese that combines dark chocolate, almond, vanilla mascarpone and cherry for a gorgeous sweet treat.

A lunch menu is available Monday through Friday and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday.

North Italia is located at 7535 N Kendall Dr Ste 5010, Miami.

Seasons 52

This upscale restaurant serves mouth-watering American fare with fresh ingredients. Seasons 52 is located right on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables, and has Miami Spice lunch and dinner menus available every day.

For an appetizer, try out the watermelon and tomato salad tossed in a lime vinaigrette. The sesame-grilled salmon salad includes unique ingredients like jicama and lemongrass sauce, which is a promising way for ad-

venturous eaters to expand their palettes.

Dessert at Seasons 52 is the ideal set up for indecisive eaters as you get an assortment of classic desserts served in shot glasses.

Seasons 52 is located at 321 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables.

Two Chefs Restaurant

If you are looking for delicious simplicity, Two Chefs is the place for you. This prix fixe menu features classic menu items that are sure to hit the spot.

A sweet french onion soup is a great way to start your meal off. Then go for the pork tenderloin with summer peas and sweet corn for your main course. Finish it off with your choice between a fruit or chocolate souffle.

Miami Spice lunch menus are available Monday through Friday and dinner is served Monday through Saturday.

Two Chefs is located at 8287 S Dixie Hwy, Miami.

Photo by Celcelia Runner // Photo Editor

Havana Harry’s, a popular Cuban restaurant lcoated on S Le Jeune Rd, made it onto this years Miami Spice list.

UM students reopen Challah for Hunger on campus

BY SHELLY GOTTLIEB STAFF WRITER

Miami has developed a reputation for being vibrant, diverse and innovative, and UM students are constantly coming up with ways to better our world.

Junior neuroscience major Allie Rodman and sophomore political science major Samantha Weissman restarted Challah for Hunger last spring. The nationwide organization bakes challah, a traditional Jewish braided bread served on Shabbat, and donates proceeds to select charities.

“Through their different events and initiatives, they hope to raise awareness and funds for different organizations that help people facing food insecurity,” Rodman said.

Weissman and Rodman are both from South Florida and grew up baking challah, which Rodman recalls as her favorite part of the week.

“Challah for Hunger is a great way for people to come together

and de-stress, and do something so comforting,” Rodman said. Rodman first heard about Challah for Hunger from her close friend, a student at the University of Michigan.

“My initial reaction was that it sounded like so much fun,” Rodman said. “I didn’t really know the deeper meaning behind Challah for Hunger. My friend started telling me about Challah for Hunger’s mission and how they operate on a daily basis and I thought it sounded like a cool idea.”

Shortly after Rodman learned about the organization, Weissman asked Rodman if she wanted to reboot UM’s Challah for Hunger chapter. Their test bake last semester raised about $135 in total and completely sold out. The bake featured four flavors and several students showed up to support the UM chapter.

Challah for Hunger is owned by Nazun, a non-profit organization that donates proceeds from the bake to a local food bank

or an organization of choice. A percentage goes to students who cannot afford a meal plan, dining dollars or meal swipes at different universities.

“It combines a lot of different things together, which is really nice, like food insecurity and raising awareness about Judaism has been nice, too,” Rodman said.

This semester, Weissman and Rodman hope to work with Greek life and other cultural/religious organizations so they can take part in challah bakes.

“We want to do more challah bakes, do it bi-weekly [and switch up] what organization we give our money to, whether it’s the Kosher Food Bank in Aventura or our local Coral Gables Food Bank,” Weissman said. “We don’t just want to give back to one organization — we want to split it up so that we can continue to work towards our mission.”

The cousins hope to expand the organization with new members

and involve more students in the braiding and baking process, along with having members choose which organizations they send the proceeds to.

“Not all the money goes back to Nazun, so we can pick a local organization… it will make it more meaningful to the people who come to the bakes,” Rodman said.

If you would like to get involved, or learn more about Challah for Hunger, follow them on Instagram @umiamichallahforhunger for updates on their challah bakes and sales.

“Anyone who wants to come is welcome to come,” Rodman said. “We want to spread the word [that] it’s open to anyone,” Rodman said.

From ‘Canes to Cannes: Miami’s 48-Hour Film Project

BY XIMENA HIDALGO CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Are you an aspiring filmmaker or actor? Do you have a few friends and 48 hours to spare? Grab your camera and gather your crew because Arts Accel-

erator is partnering with the 48Hour Film Project to hold a film contest from Sept. 8-10 in Miami. The contest challenges participants to create a film within 48 hours. On Sept. 8, teams will select a random genre out of a hat and receive additional instructions for their film.

Once submitted, a panel of judges will decide the local awards, and all participants are then invited to attend a screening of the films. The “Best Film” award winner will be entered in the Filmapalooza Festival in March of 2024 and be eligible for a screening at the Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner.

Arts Accelerator is collaborating with the project in an effort to uplift local talent. Dana DellaCamera, the city producer for Miami, notes that Arts Accelerator hopes to unite local filmmakers through events like this.

“The intention is to bring the community together and hopefully strengthen it to create a sustainable film industry in South Florida,” DellaCamera said.

A global initiative, this challenge takes place in 100 cities worldwide, reaching the United States, Africa, Europe and more. It is a prime opportunity for students to gain real-world exposure to the industry and networking

with fellow creatives.

“It’s like a point of entry for anyone that’s ever been interested in breaking into the industry, and it’s a great exercise in solving problems on set and being creative,” DellaCamera said.

Amateurs and experts alike learn from each other throughout the challenge. DellaCamera encourages filmmakers to focus on the quality of sound in their work.

“The one thing you cannot compromise on is sound,” DellaCamera said. “They’re more likely to watch something that has a lower production quality but a better story and sound.”

With strong storytelling and commitment to your craft, this opportunity could be a worthwhile investment in a student’s career and future in the film industry.

Interested students can register online for the 48 Hour Film Project.

Arts Accelerator is also accepting submissions for the Arts Accelerator Film Festival in Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 23. This event will include workshops to build professional creative skills, networking opportunities with fellow filmmakers and inclusion in the South Florida emerging filmmakers talent showcase.

The UM Challah for Hunger chapter reopened in the Spring of 2023.

Allie Rodman // Contributed Photograph

Vatsal Lahoti // Staff Graphic Designer

CAMPUS LIFE

Cosford Cinema and CAC to show 11 free films this semester

BY LAYOMI ADEOJO A&E EDITOR

The Cinematic Arts Commission (CAC) has outdone themselves this fall. Ten out of the eleven films showing this semester came out in 2023, and the line-up features an even mix of comedy, horror, action and animated films.

Head down to the Cosford Cinema every Wednesday and Saturday at 9 p.m. to catch one of these free CAC screenings. Located on the second floor of Dooley Memorial, Cosford gives students an authentic movie theater experience right here on campus.

Make sure to follow the organization on Instagram @hpmiami_cac to stay updated on special screenings and giveaways throughout the semester.

Check out the full list of films showing this semester:

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Aug. 23 & 26

This adventure-comedy film based on the Nintendo “Mario” game franchise features the origin story of titular characters Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day). The ensemble voice cast also features stars like Seth Rogen, Keegan Michal-Kay, Fred Armisen and more in supporting roles.

Seen as failures in their family, the two brothers are separated from one another while being transported from Brooklyn to the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario teams up with Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) to rescue his brother from Bowser (Jack Black) — who is intent on marrying Princess Peach — no matter what it takes.

Guardians of the Galaxy 3

Aug. 30 & Sept. 2

Marvel Studios’ third and final

installment of the Guardians of the Galaxy series sees the famed squad return for one last life-ordeath mission. Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) must navigate life after the death of Gamora, and now he must team up with the other Guardians to rescue Rocket (Bradley Cooper) from an enemy that holds him captive.

This rag-tag team of space defenders has fought difficult villains in the past, but alien scientist High Evolutionary (Chukwudi Iwuji) proves to be different — and the fate of the entire universe is at risk.

No Hard Feelings

Sept. 6 & 9

Starring budding actor Andrew Barth Feldman and movie veteran Jennifer Lawrence, R-rated comedy “No Hard Feelings” tells the story of 32-year-old Uber driver Maddie and 19-year-old Percy. Facing bankruptcy and the eventual loss of her home, Maddie accepts a Craigslist ad posted by Percy’s parents to date their son in exchange for a premium car.

The Little Mermaid

Sept. 13 & 16

Walt Disney Pictures brings another of its classic Disney princess films in this live-action adaptation. Singer-songwriter Halle Bailey plays Mermaid princess Ariel, who is fascinated with the human world. Her longing for adventure — and growing love for Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King) — leads her to strike a deal with sea witch Ursula (Melissa McCarthy) and trade her voice for human legs.

Asteroid City

Sept. 20 & 23

Set around 1955, the film features a group of space cadets and a family who get trapped in a small town due to unforeseen circum-

stances. Taking the play-within-aplay approach, a play called “Asteroid City” is shown within the movie that tells this story.

Jason Schwartzman and Scarlett Johansson star alongside a starstudded cast that boasts acting legends like Tom Hanks and younger stars like Margot Robbie.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Sept. 27 & 30

Set in 1969, this film follows archaeologist Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) and his estranged goddaughter Helena (Phoebe WallerBridge), who are trying to locate a legendary dial before Jürgen Voller (Mads Mikkelsen), a former Nazi who now works as a scientist for NASA. The duo must retrieve the ancient artifact before Voller, who plans to alter the outcome of World War II with it.

Spiderman: Across the SpiderVerse

Oct. 4 & 7

Brooklyn’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man (Shameik Moore) reunites with Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) for a trip across the Multiverse where he encounters a team of Spider-People known as the Spider City. Faced with a new threat, Miles finds himself clashing with the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero. Who knows — seeing this at Cosford just might be your canon event.

Mission Impossible: Dead

Reckoning Part One

Oct. 18 & 21

Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in the film series’ seventh installment. Ethan and the Impossible Mission Force team face off against “the Entity,” a mysterious rogue AI that threatens humanity. Facing this all-powerful foe, Ethan must prevent it from falling into the wrong hands while prioritizing the mission above all else — even the lives of his loved ones.

The Blackening

Oct. 25 & 28

“The Blackening” follows seven friends staying at a cabin in the woods, who find themselves trapped with a masked killer seeking revenge. To stay alive, the group must put their street smarts and horror movie knowledge together to outsmart the murderer. A dark comedy, this movie satirizes racial stereotypes and horror film tropes, showing that both people and cinema can exist outside of societal bounds.

Oppenheimer

Nov. 8 & 11

Is there more to “Oppenheimer” than bombs? Find out at the Cosford Cinema if you haven’t already seen it in theaters. Based on true events that occurred during WWII, the film documents the work that led to the world’s first-ever nuclear explosion on July 16, 1945. Follow Lt. Gen. Leslie Groves Jr. (Matt Damon), physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy) and a team of scientists as they create an atomic bomb for the top-secret Manhattan Project.

Barbie

Nov. 29 & Dec. 2

Already the second highestgrossing film of 2023 in just a month after its release — and soon to beat “Super Mario Bros.” for the top spot — “Barbie” will close the free film season at Cosford. Barbie (Margot Robbie) and Ken (Ryan Gosling) are enjoying highly-saturated, seeminglyperfect lives in Barbie Land when a trip to the real world turns their lives upside down. Watch as the pair embark on a journey of selfdiscovery complete with musical numbers, a stacked ensemble cast and an abundance of hot pink.

Cinematic Arts Commission // Contributed Graphic

Miami football 2023: TMH sports staff record predictions

WRITTEN BY A COLLECTION OF STAFF WRITERS

After a busy offseason that featured a hoard of coaching staff and roster personnel changes, Miami enters its 2023 slate looking to improve from a disappointing first season under head coach Mario Cristobal.

With UM’s season debut on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against Miami (Ohio) approaching, the sports section staff of The Miami Hurricane gave their respective winloss record projections.

Luke Chaney: 7-5

To replace the 26 departing transfers, as well as the graduates and NFL draft entrees, Mi -

ami added an impactful transfer class and a highly touted group of recruits, ranked by the 247 Sports Composite as the seventh-best in the country.

A few of these newcomers have been impactful in their short time at UM. Nebraska transfer running back Ajay Allen rushed for over 100 yards during Miami’s open scrimmage on Aug. 12, and freshman defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. totaled three sacks during the spring game in April.

Still, with the Hurricanes coming off a five-win season, a massive improvement with so many new players might be unrealistic.

Zachary Macer: 7-5

With the most notable Hurricanes football changes between last year’s 5-7 season and this season being the hirings of offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, there shouldn’t be a massive leap in quality as the team adjusts to the new schemes.

In Week 2, these schemes will be tested early on in the season against AP Poll-ranked, No. 23 Texas A&M. It’s one of the five losses I’ve predicted since the inner workings of both sides of the ball are still being perfected. Miami should breeze through the rest of its non-conference opponents in Miami (Ohio), Bethune-Cookman and Temple.

In addition to Texas A&M, the ‘Canes will play against three other AP Poll top-25 opponents during their ACC campaign. Miami will visit No. 21 UNC and No. 8 Florida State, both of which have stellar quarterbacks in Drake Maye and Jordan Travis. No. 9 Clemson will play at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami has lost to Clemson by a combined score of 82-27 in the last two matchups against the Tigers. All of these games should be expected losses.

The rest of Miami’s ACC schedule should be under its control, as it features teams that Miami has beaten in the past, and even though there will most likely be a hiccup, the Hurricanes could find themselves on top against all of them.

Elliot Farr: 8-4

We should expect Hurricanes football to make a significant jump with so many new and highly-touted recruits now coming to Coral Gables. While there are still some tough games on the schedule this year, Miami can certainly make a significant improvement on its win total if

everything goes according to plan.

There are plenty of teams that Miami should come away from with a win, such as Miami (Ohio), Bethune-Cookman, Temple and Boston College. The real challenge is when the major ACC football powers face Miami, such as Clemson, Florida State, and even North Carolina. Those will be the real tests to gauge where the football team is in 2023.

Carter Lutz: 9-3

I am truly impressed with the way head coach Mario Cristobal has turned things around with his staff and personnel heading into the 2023 season. Josh Gattis is out as offensive coordinator and in comes former Houston offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, who will be implementing an air-raid style offense which should be a major step up from last year.

Miami’s roster improved drastically by adding plenty of playmakers on both sides of the ball through the transfer portal and the high school recruiting ranks. The offensive line features newcomers like Matt Lee, a threeyear starter from Central Florida, Javion Cohen from Alabama and five-star freshman Francis Mauigoa.

On the other side of the trenches, the defensive line brings back NFL draft prospect Leonard Taylor III, last year’s sack leader in Akheem Mesidor and sophomore Nylajik Kelly, who impressed last season. Dominating the line of scrimmage will be a major key to success in 2023.

I have Miami starting off hot, winning its first five games of the season. The ‘Canes have a tough ACC road schedule down the stretch, which will eventually lead them to an impressive and much improved 9-3 record.

Luke Sims: 7-5

This is a pivotal year for the ‘Canes. They have the chance to bounce back and build momentum this season that can carry them on for years to come. It starts with winning the games they should. They have to be at least 4-1 through the first five because they have a gauntlet at the end of the season. Texas A&M would be a marquee win, and that victory is not all that expected.

From there, Miami’s season becomes more difficult. The Hurricanes will face North Carolina, North Carolina State and Florida State on the road, all in the span of five weeks. Those games will determine how the year goes for Miami. The ‘Canes end with Louisville and Boston College, and if they can get a split with those two teams, they should be content.

Miami has to do what they couldn’t do last year, which is win the easy ones. There cannot be a repeat of the Middle Tennessee State game from last year. That would derail the season and kill any momentum that this program has built.

Mario Cristobal will need to lean on his leaders on the defense to make up for the inexperience on the offense. Stud safety duo Kamren Kinchens and James Williams will need to be consistently excellent while ascending pass-rushers Leanord Taylor III and Rueben Bain Jr. Transfers Matt Lee and Javion Cohen from will help stabilize the interior offensive line and give quarterback Tyler Van Dyke the platform to have a bounceback year.

The pieces are in place for Cristobal in his second year, and the momentum is building in Coral Gables. Miami has the veterans in the right places and young players ready to make an impact.

Head coach Mario Cristobal leaves the field after Miami’s 16-42 loss to the University of Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 26, 2022.

Jared Lennon // Staff Photographer

Position preview: defensive tackles & defensive ends

BY LUKE SIMS STAFF WRITER

Much of the public’s attention is on the wide receivers and quarterbacks for Miami football, but a position group that has established itself as a dominant force this fall has been the defensive line, which features some studs. Former consensus-rated fivestar recruit Leonard Taylor III, Canadian native Akheem Mesidor, and sixth-year senior transfer Branson Deen lead this position group.

Taylor has not only been given high expectations this year from the media but has also been predicted by several analysts to be selected very early in next year’s NFL draft. Taylor’s numbers surely back it up, with 10.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in his sophomore season.

Additionally, the South Florida native added weight over the offseason. Taylor played at around 275-295 pounds last year and mentioned to reporters this fall that he now weighs in at around

310 pounds.

With this extra muscle, Taylor’s looking to make even more of an impact this season.

“I’m going just to take it snap by snap and do what I do,” Taylor said to reporters. “I feel a lot stronger, and I feel a lot faster.”

Taylor said that the defensive lineman will move around more in defensive coordinator Lance Guidry’s scheme, not as much filling gaps but stunting and taking different techniques to try and give the defense an edge.

Taylor also believes in the defensive line as a whole.

“I feel like we are taking it day by day, taking reps and getting better,” Taylor said.

The ‘Canes will also look to their sack leader from last season in Mesidor to play a significant role. Although Mesidor was used more on the edge than inside last year, the activity on the defensive line (d-line) will have him playing at different positions.

“There’s a whole bunch of movement on the d-line,”

Mesidor said. “I like it because guards and centers are typically slower and struggle with speed, so I think that’s a huge advantage for us.”

Deen was an All-Big Ten honorable mention last season at Purdue and will now continue his collegiate career in Coral Gables.

Deen played a lot on the interior for his first collegiate team with the Boilermakers and showed that he is an intelligent player who is a good leader and a very effective run-stopper. Miami also returns two critical pieces from last year in Jahfari Harvey and Nyjalik Kelly. They had five-and-a-half and four sacks, respectively.

Freshman Rueben Bain Jr. has also been making noise this fall. The consensus-rated four-star recruit was ranked third in Miami’s 2023 class and has been disruptive in fall camp. Deen spoke highly of Bain and his performance so far.

“Rueben’s going to be really

key for us this season,” Deen said. “Reuben is like a vet. It’s hard to find a dude that can sustain that level of energy and aggression.”

Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry had positive things to say about Bain as well.

“Bain is consistent. He was consistent against the run and the pass, but he still has much

to learn,” Guidry said. “I expect him to play a lot.”

Guidry’s praise was not just for Bain, noting that “there have been a bunch of guys [along the d-line] who have stood out up front. A bunch of guys who have been getting to the quarterback.”

This unit’s first test will be on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. against Miami (Ohio).

Miami Hurricanes football’s best-kept secret: Ajay Allen

BY CARTER LUTZ STAFF WRITER

In a running back room filled with big-time recruits and startingquality players, a newcomer has emerged for the ‘Canes this fall.

Nebraska transfer Ajay Allen has already burst onto the scene in Coral Gables. The 5-foot-11, 182-pound speedster looks to bring a different style of running to a new offense at UM.

“I want to come here, compete every day and better myself and better the players around me,” Allen said to reporters.

Originally from Louisiana, Allen calls Miami a “dream school” and has shown he wants to make an immediate impact.

“I call myself a game-changer … When I get in space I do what I do best,” Allen said while also comparing himself to three-time All-American Jonathon Taylor.

The newest Miami tailback was known for his explosiveness at Nebraska. While a broken collarbone derailed most of his 2022 season, Allen averaged 5.8 yards per carry and had seven carries for 10 or more yards in the four games that he played

The Hurricanes will likely utilize that explosiveness in an offense that struggled to generate chunk plays last season. New Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson was hired to increase the pace of the offense and open up the field

more.

While Dawson was known for his air-raid style of offense at Houston, Allen has already shown flashes at running back with Dawson calling the shots. During Miami’s first fall scrimmage at CanesFest, Allen had a 44-yard run on the first play of the scrimmage and carried the ball four times for 10 or more yards, according to David Lake of Inside the U.

“I really love coach Dawson, he’s an upfront guy. I think I can excel in this offense and do great things,” Allen said.

Allen also noted that he ran a similar style of offense in high school.

As the 2023 Miami offense

looks to develop a new identity, it has an improved roster from last season while also returning some familiar faces. Fourth-year junior Tyler Van Dyke is returning as the starting quarterback, returning receivers Colbie Young and Xavier Restrepo are primed for breakout seasons and the new-look offensive line projects to be one of the strongest units on the team.

With an improved offensive line, the passing and running games should benefit. If Van Dyke has more time to throw, the passing attack may be able to create more opportunities for the running backs.

“I want to come here, compete every day and better myself and better the players around me,” Al-

len said.

Allen’s mindset is something to keep note of. Even after a seasonending injury, Allen made sure to find the positive in his situation.

“It’s a minor setback for me. Just sit back and learn, learn from older guys and come back better than ever,” Allen said regarding his injury last season. “I just took that as a motivation and came back and competed.”

Allen possesses the ability, as well as the mentality to take his game to the next level. Top-end speed, high acceleration and receiving ability prime Allen to become an important player for the Hurricanes’ offense in 2023.

Then-sophomore defensive lineman Leonard Taylor III waits for the snap during the first quarter of Miami’s game versus Bethune-Cookman University at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 3, 2022.

Jared Lennon // Staff Photographer

Miami soccer draws Florida Atlantic in home opener

BY QUINN SHEEHAN STAFF WRITER

The University of Miami women’s soccer team played its first home match of the year against the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls, which ended in a 1-1 tie.

Both teams’ singular goals were within eight minutes of each other right before halftime. This result puts the Hurricanes’ record at 1-0-1 two games into the young season.

Sophomore forward Tusca Mahmoudpour put the ‘Canes on the board 37 minutes into the match with the first goal of her career. Miami head coach Sarah Barnes has put faith in Mahmoudpour, starting her in both games this season after

not starting her at all in 2022. Mahmoudpour received the setup pass from graduate student Emma Tucker, who now has five seasons under her belt for Miami, as well as two assists so far this year.

The Owls quickly answered back, as junior midfielder Michelle Horan found sophomore forward Noa Olivia Ganthier for the game-tying score in the 45th minute.

Miami was outshot 7-4 by the Owls in that first half. FAU had three corner kicks to Miami’s none.

In the second half, Miami created quality scoring opportunities multiple times, but could

not find the back of the net to break the stalemate. The Hurricanes attempted four corner kicks and took three shots on net but could not score that crucial second goal to push them over the top.

Meanwhile, graduate student goalkeeper Melissa Dagenais shut out FAU in the second half to keep the game tied at one. Her four saves throughout the entire match were critical for Miami to come away with a point. The Hurricanes will now play in-state rival Florida at home this Thursday. Kickoff at Cobb Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Miami fall sports preview: newcomers to watch out for

BY ELLIOT FARR STAFF WRITER

As the summer winds down and another fall semester full of Miami Hurricanes sports approaches, there is a lot to be excited for, as newcomers have arrived on campus and are ready to make their mark on UM athletics.

Here are some of the newest faces in Coral Gables that Hurricanes fans can watch out for to make some noise this fall.

Javion Cohen, Football, Interior offensive lineman

With the 2023 football season just around the corner, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and his team have been hard at work preparing to make a significant jump this fall after a lackluster 2022 campaign. His improvements to the team included landing the highly-coveted Cohen from the transfer portal, who previously played three seasons at Alabama under legendary head coach Nick Saban. The fourth-year junior earned

All-SEC honors in 2022, starting 10 games for the Crimson Tide last year and 14 in the 2021 season for an offense that ranked in the top ten nationally in multiple categories, including scoring (sixth, 39.9 points per game), third down conversions (third, 52 percent), and red zone offense (fifth, 92.6 percent).

Grace Lopez, Volleyball, Outside hitter

The true freshman and Puerto Rico native is one of the newest additions to Head coach Jose

“Keno” Gandara’s volleyball team. Lopez brings a strong resume coming out of high school, previously making a name for herself in the under-19 PanAmerican Cup in 2023, earning honors for the best spiker and best opposite hitter of that tournament, as well as earning best scorer honors in the under-21 division of the same competition.

Davonte Brown, Football, Defensive back

Another significant addition

for Miami that can make an immediate impact is fourth-year junior Davonte Brown, who transferred from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in December.

During his three years at UCF, Brown was a mainstay in the Knights’ secondary. His 2022 season was particularly stellar, logging 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four passes defended and a forced fumble. Hurricanes fans can expect Brown to see significant playing time under new defensive coordinator Lance Guidry. Caroline Hood, Soccer, Forward

The Needham, Massachusetts native has already impacted head coach Sarah Barnes’ soccer squad as autumn rolls around. In Miami’s opening game of the season on Aug. 17, the team faced Stetson and came away with a 3-0 victory. Hood featured as part of the starting lineup for the Hurricanes and found the back of the net for Miami’s second goal of the match, scoring on a header off of a per-

fect pass from teammate Reese Wheeler.

After starting and significantly impacting the opening fixture, fans can expect Hood to be a mainstay in the starting 11 for Miami.

Francis Mauigoa, Football, Offensive tackle

Mauigoa was Miami’s most

significant commitment in the 2023 recruiting season, being ranked as the second-best offensive tackle and sixth-best player in the entire nation, according to 247 Sports. Coming to Miami from high school football powerhouse IMG Academy, a player of Mauigoa’s caliber has the potential to start for the Hurricanes right out of the season’s gates.

Freshman offensive lineman Samson Okunlola and fourth-year junior Javion Cohen attempt to contain a defensive lineman during a Miami fall practice at the Greentree practice fields.

Miami Athletics // Contributed Photograph

Senior midfielder Julia Edwards dribbles the ball away from defenders during the first half of Miami’s match versus FAU at Cobb Stadium on Aug. 20, 2023.

Cecelia Runner // Photo Editor

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V’s take is The Hurricane’s most controversial and longest-running column. It is a satirical work published biweekly by students and for students. Using our generation’s “colorful” language to address all things sex, love and gossip on campus, V is not for the politically correct or easily offended.

A Catalog of Characters at UM

As you stumble through the first week of classes, I thought it only fitting to discuss the types of people that I have had the pleasure — or if we are being real — the displeasure of interacting with on campus.

The Greek Lifer

Whether male or female, those involved in campus Greek Life have a certain aura — or stench, depending on who you ask — surrounding them. Decked out in designer merch, smelling like daddy’s money and Costco-brand White Claws, this small but mighty portion of the student body is one to look out for. Many cannot help but announce their affiliation within the first few sentences of meeting you. Sorry buddy, Sigma Ligma means nothing to me, and even if it did, what am I supposed to do… kiss your feet?

The In-Class Friend

The in-class friend is one known vaguely. For me, they have

ranged from my roommate’s friend from high school, an Instagram mutual or just someone who looked just nice enough. We have inside jokes about the professor and cover for each other when the other is too hungover to go to class. But with these friendships there are no plans outside of the classroom or even as much of a head nod while passing each other on campus. The rare exception is drunkenly bumping into each other at a party where you insist upon taking a selfie to show your professor on Monday.

The Academic Weapon

A rare breed at the University of Miami is the academic weapon. From all angles, it seems that this student came to college with one goal in mind: to study. I swear there are just some kids on campus that I’ve never seen outside of an academic setting. While I applaud their tenacity and drive, I have to ask if they ever have time to breathe, much less take a dip in a frat pool. These characters stand out due to

their scarcity on our campus and typically emerge into positions of power like Student Government or Orientation — making them easy to keep tabs on if you are curious like me.

The Freshman Friend

Everyone will collect the most random friends during freshman year. People you meet in the dining hall, riding in the elevator or scrolling through Instagram become background characters in your portfolio of people on campus. Oftentimes it doesn’t progress past a few momentary interactions, yet they remain present on campus leaving us all in a weird limbo of awkward acknowledgment.

There are enough characters on this campus to fill a book, but these are just a few of the most prominent that leave a lasting impact on me and maybe will on you too.