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The Hurricanes
Your guide to the 2020 Student Government Election Your guide to the 2020 Student Government Election
Meet the Candidates Meet the Candidates
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ALL IN (from left): Jason Perez, Abigail Adeleke, Amanda Rodriguez
LEVEL UP: (from left): Shirley Gelman, Randy Fitzgerald, Louis Shaw
ANDRES ESCANDON ASHER WALKER BY ANNA TIMMONS Managing Editor
The student government elections for executive officer and senator positions at the University of Miami began Monday, Feb. 17 at midnight and will run through Thursday, Feb. 20. This year, there are three candidates running for president. Abigail Adeleke and Randy Fitzgerald, the speaker and speaker pro tempore of the student senate respectively, are running on opposing campaigns, competing to make their visions of campus a reality. Andrés Escandón is running an independent campaign for president while Asher Walker is running as an independent candidate for vice president. The candidates each announced their campaigns on Wednesday, Feb. 5 and have since then been palm-carding around campus and engaging with students at events such as Meet the Candidates hosted at the Rock Plaza on Feb. 6 and Feb. 11 and the student government debate on Thursday, Feb. 13.
Adeleke, a junior majoring in journalism and psychology, is joined by her running mates, prospective vice president Jason Perez and treasurer Amanda Rodriguez, on the “All In” ticket.
“My team and I are running on a platform of inclusivity, creating spaces for SG to interact with the rest of the student body, and to increase the intellectual and ethnic diversity of SG,” Adeleke said. In doing so, she organized a diverse ticket and group of supporters. Perez, a junior majoring in political science and communication studies, said that as vice president he hopes to help improve the culture of student government. “I’m looking forward to a great year of getting stuff done and improving the life of UM students in any way that I can. That’s why I’m ALL IN,” Perez said.
Both Adeleke and Perez have been involved in student government for three years, while Rodriguez, a junior majoring in business legal studies and finance, and the third member of the “All In” ticket, is involved in several other organizations on campus, including Federación de Estudiantes Cubanos and Camp Kesem.
With an outsider’s perspective, Rodriguez stated at the recent debate that she has been able to experience a divide between student government and the student body first-hand, and because of this hopes to prioritize all students’ voices.
Joining Fitzgerald in the “Level Up” campaign are vice president and treasurer candidates Shirley Gelman and Louis Shaw. The goal of their campaign is to take student government to the next level, Fitzgerald said. With over 50 initiatives to do just that, the team hopes to provide changes that will benefit students from all backgrounds and from every part of campus.
“Different students have different experiences and different students have different needs. And so we wanted our platform to reflect that there are multiple Miami experiences,” said Fitzgerald, a junior majoring in political science, international studies, economics and history.
Both Perez of the “All in” ticket and Gelman from “Level Up” were members of the Freshman Leadership Council their freshman year. If elected to be the next vice president for the 2020-2021 calendar year, one of them will be responsible for leading FLC, a body of 20 freshman student leaders who work on projects during the school year under the mentorship of experienced members of student government.
Perez said he is qualified for this role due to his experience in project management as an administrative liaison for the past two years. Gelman, however, is excited to build relationships with the incoming freshman team.
“I had such incredible mentors when I was on the Freshman Leadership Council and I look forward to mentoring freshmen as well,” said Gelman, a junior majoring in international finance and marketing and management.
Similar to the “All In” ticket, “Level Up” features two veteran members of student government, Fitzgerald and Gelman, and one outsider, Shaw who has spent his time at UM involved in greek life as a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, treasurer of the intrafraternity council and as a member of the club soccer team. Shaw, a junior majoring in finance, said he is in this race to make sure that underrepresented portions of campus are given a voice. “What Level Up really means is representing every single student that is a part of this campus. I think traditionally speaking, I know that there are various communities on campus that don’t partake in student government and that might not be involved in the kind of decisions that are being made by student government and the university in general,” Shaw said. Two groups he said he is particularly interested in reaching are the greek and international student communities.
Escandón, a sophomore and the only independent candidate running for president, said he hopes to improve government austerity, increase student involvement in student government and encourage freedom of speech on campus.
“Students should vote for me because I have experience working with young people, I will make sure that the student government is important for the students and because I am mature,” said Escandón, an international student from Chiapas, Mexico studying marketing.
The other independent candidate, Walker, said in his election bio that as vice president he will aim to make easing student anxiety his top priority. Some of his ideas include improving class scheduling, the advising system and creating defined midterm periods for each semester.
The InitiativesThe Initiatives
-All In ACADEMICS: • Create a life skills cognate that will feature courses covering topics such as financial literacy, multicultural competence and public speaking • Require teachers to use Blackboard • Mock graduate exams on campus for the LSAT, GRE, MCAT, etc. • Increase study abroad opportunities
STUDENT LIFE: DINING:CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS: • Wellness Wednesdays at the farmers market: Incorporate a wellness tent at the farmers market with activities to help students de-stress • Start an internship fair for international students • Advertise UM events in the shuttles • Create a mural wall on campus in partnership with the UM art program • Start a hammock rental system • Add lighting around campus to improve safety • Place a crossing guard in between Red Road and the University Village • Expand meal swipes options outside the dining hall • Open the dining halls for Late Night during finals week • Offer smoothies at the dining hall • Coordinate a student discount for a grocery delivery service
-Level Up
ACADEMICS:
• Extend library hours year-round, initially to 3 a.m. at Richter • Make English 105 more accessible year-round for students learning English as a second language • Promote diversity among the faculty
STUDENT LIFE: • Offer jump-start money for new student organizations • Create new canes spirit traditions • Increase student input in administrative decisions involving greek life • Proactively address food insecurity, for example by implementing graband-go options
CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS: • Add more study spaces and gliders to campus • Upgrade laundry facilities in the dorms • Add printers in the Whitten Learning Center and the Greek Suites • Place traction tape in Dooly to prevent slipping
-Andrés Escandón
GOVERNMENT AUSTERITY:
• Decrease waste in the student government suite by removing amenities that aren’t used and aren’t necessary
INCREASE STUDENT INVOLVEMENT:
• Encourage an open-door policy in the student government suite so that students can come and voice their opinions
FREEDOM OF SPEECH:
• Celebrate different ideas by creating on-campus debates
DINING: • Bring Chipotle to campus • Extend dining hall hours • Increase vegan and vegetarian options • Expand meal swipe options beyond the dining hall
Senate Elections Senate Elections
BY ANNA TIMMONS Managing Editor
There are eight senate seats up for election this spring and only seven candidates running. Write-in candidates will also be accepted for each race.
For the two seats representing the College of Arts and Sciences, Sen. Tuana Yazici is running for re-election alongside newcomer Reginald Aikins. One of Yazici’s current projects is the establishment of midsemester survey for professors. According to this election bio, Aikins hopes to improve the overall wellbeing of students.
One seat is open to represent the Miami Herbert Business School and there are currently no confirmed candidates running. Write-in candidates will determine the race for this seat.
Cheerleader Brandi Stevens is the sole candidate running for the open seat representing the School of Communication. In her bio she stated that she will serve her constituents by addressing their concerns. this is an image Only two candidates are currently running to fill three open commuter seats in this election. Sen. Monica Muñiz is running for re-election to work on her current ongoing projects including creating a transfer student lounge. Avani Choudhary is also running for a commuter seat, and if elected she is going to work to get better priority for commuter students in purchasing parking passes. In the only competitive senate race this semester, incumbent Sen. Lara Hopkins and candidate Valentina Neira-Diez are running to fill a single open seat representing the transfer student population. Hopkins is currently working on initiatives including a petition to create an online portal for transfer credits and the creation of a transfer student guide. Neira-Diez is proposing a Pancakes with Pat for commuting transfer students.
2020
SENATE CANDIDATES (FROM TOP LEFT): TUANA YAZICI, REGINALD AIKINS, BRANDI STEVENS, MONICA MUNIZ, AVANI CHOUDHARY, LARA HOPKINS, VALENTINA NEIRA-DIEZ
How to voteHow to vote
Students will be able to vote electroni cally until Thursday, Feb. 20 at 11:59 p.m. on Engage either by ticket or separately for individual candidates for president, vice president and trea surer. There will also be in-person vot ing throughout the week from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Feb. 17, 18 and 20 and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Feb. 19. Students voting on Wednesday Feb. 19 will be able to receive a free Mojo donut in the University Center Breeze way. Election results will be announced at 12 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21 at the Lake side Patio. If runoff elections are nec essary, they will take place from Feb. 24-25 and those results will be an nounced Feb. 27 at 12. p.m. BY ANNA TIMMONS Managing Editor
SCAN HERE TO VOTE NOW!
CASTING BALLOTS: Elections commissioner Kruti Patel monitors students as they vote for executive officers and senators in the breezeway Photo Credit// Anna Timmons
Canes baseball ranked No. 1 after opening weekend sweep
BY ISABELLA DIDIO & AUSTIN PERT Sports Editor & Senior Sports Writer
The Miami Hurricanes received some big news Monday morning, a day after completing their seasonopening sweep of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights: They are now the No. 1 team in the nation. The Hurricanes (3- 0) topped the D1 Baseball rankings after entering the opening series at the No. 3 spot, behind only defending national champions Vanderbilt and Atlantic Coast Conference foe Louisville. But a 4-3 opening night loss by the No. 2 Commodores at the hands of Michigan in a rematch of last year’s National Championship, along with a pair of losses by No. 1 Louisville at No. 25 Ole Miss this weekend propelled Miami into the top spot.
Just one spot behind UM are the No. 2 Florida Gators, who are off a weekend sweep of their own against Marshall. The in-state rivals will square off at Mark Light Field this weekend for a three-game series in one of the most anticipated early season series for either side in years.
Miami tops the rankings for the first time since April 2016, in a season where they advanced to the College World Series and finished with a 51- 15 overall record.
D1 Baseball rankings are used by the NCAA for official statistical purposes. The Canes also made the Top 10 in other outlets’ rankings, including Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and USA Today. Miami went 3-0 this weekend against Rutgers in a dominant display of both pitching and hitting despite multiple disruptions due to inclement weather. The starting rotation, comprised of redshirt senior Brian Van Belle, junior Chris McMahon and sophomore Slade Cecconi pitched a combined 18 innings and surrendered a total of 11 hits and three runs while striking out a combined 27 batters.
Van Belle set a personal best with 10 strikeouts in his Friday night debut, where the Canes won 2-1. McMahon started Saturday night and allowed just two runs on five hits over six innings, while striking out nine batters. Cecconi completed the sweep with an eight strikeout outing on Sunday. The sophomore had a no-hitter going through five and a third innings before he gave up two hits and one run.
“I don’t recall a weekend ever in my career where we had weather that was just all over the place, but we handled it,” Miami head coach Gino DiMare said. “Thats regional baseball right there, that’s NCAA tournament baseball because a lot of time you get whether in June and you have to make adjustments on the fly.”
After a slow hitting night on Friday that featured only a two-run RBI from sophomore catcher Adrian Del Castillo, the Hurricanes flipped a switch on Saturday and exploded offensively. Del Castillo hit two home runs POWERFUL PITCHING: Redshirt senior pitcher Brian Van Belle threw six shutout innings and led Miami pitchers with 10 strikeouts during Miami’s game against Rutgers on Feb. 14. Josh Halper// Senior Staff Photographer
on a messy Saturday night game that was suspended in the seventh inning due to rain. Prior to the suspension, junior outfielder Gabe Rivera smashed a grand slam in the seventh inning to give Miami a 7-2 lead that was increased to 8-2 after JP Gates hit a solo home run when the game resumed on Sunday. On Sunday’s regular scheduled game, Miami tallied 13 runs, highlighted by two hits from junior Tony Jenkins, Rivera and sophomore Anthony Vilar. The Hurricanes will be next in action at home on Wednesday at 6 p.m. when they take on Kent State in a single game before turning their attention to the pivotal weekend series against the Gators.
DiMare emphasized the importance of not overlooking this year’s midweek games despite the highly anticipated weekend matchup.
“You can’t think that ahead,” DiMare said. “That was a big problem for us in ‘17 and ‘18, we did not play well in mid week games and from my point of view we weren’t ready to play in those game and those games count too. We know the other series of the weekend, how big that is, but we cannot think ahead. So we better be ready to play and I’m sure we will be.”
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12 NEWS February 18, 2020 - February 24, 2020 THE MIAMI HURRICANE Perez-Somarriba falls to Coco Gauff in exhibition match TENNIS
BY ISABELLA DIDIO Sports Editor
Estela Perez-Somarriba has played a lot of tennis matches in her life, but Saturday night, the senior played in front of the largest crowd of her career in a unique match against a young tennis star.
A little over 24 hours after competing for the University of Miami women’s tennis team at Georgia Tech, PerezSomarriba, the reigning NCAA singles champion, faced off against rising star Coco Gauff in an exhibition match in Gauff’s hometown of Delray Beach.
In the first ever match between two female participants at the Delray Beach Open, Perez-Somarriba fell to the 15-year old Gauff 6-3, 6-3 in a match that lasted one hour and 15 minutes.
“She’s such an inspiration for every tennis player in what she’s done,” Perez-Somarriba said about Gauff after the match. “She’s shown that you can do it. That you can go on the professional tour and give your best and actually do amazing.”
Perez-Somarriba, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the NCAA singles rankings, had just played both a singles and doubles match at Georgia Tech the day before.
For Gauff, the match was the first she’s played in her hometown of Delray Beach since she became a tennis sensation after competing in Wimbledon and the Australian Open. Gauff most recently defeated Naomi Osaka in the Australian Open before falling to Sofia Kenin in the fourth round.
“I don’t put much pressure on myself, I just try to go out and have fun,” Gauff said. “Today was relaxed, it was pretty cool.”
As a Florida native, Gauff grew up a Miami Hurricanes fan, and the two players were able to chat before the match about the school.
“She’s a Canes fan,” PerezSomarriba said. “She’s been to Hard Rock Stadium for some football games, so she was telling me how cool that was and how much she likes the University of Miami.”
“I’ve been a UM fan for a long time, so when I found out I was going to play her, it was pretty cool,” Gauff said.
While the match was a homecoming for Gauff, Perez
EYES ON THE PRIZE: Senior Estela Perez-Somarriba stretches to hit a forehand during her exhibition match at the Delray Beach Open on Saturday, Feb. 15. Josh Halper// Senior Staff Photographer
Somarriba was just glad to get the experience of playing in front of such a large crowd.
“I think every competitive tennis player that goes out there always goes out there and tries to give their best and I think that’s what we did today, both of us,” PerezSomarriba said. “Obviously we were having fun, there is nothing important on the line, this was just the experience.” The two players chatted periodically throughout the match, and were heard making fun of their missteps with each other.
“I don’t think I’ve ever smiled that much on a tennis court, honestly,” PerezSomarriba said.
The Madrid native emphasized how much the support of her team and coaches in the crowd meant to her, and made it clear that they have played a big part in her success at the University of Miami.
“My team was there supporting me. I could feel them in every single point, my teammates, my coaches, the whole department,” PerezSomarriba said. “They have been my family for the last years, and if I’m standing here today it’s because of them and I’m just really happy that they were able to see me out there smiling, having fun.”
As a senior who will likely be turning pro after leaving Miami, this may not be the last time Perez-Somarriba and Gauff face each other.
“She’s going pro, so I’m sure I’m going to see her and probably play her in a nonexhibition match when we’re both a little bit more serious,” Gauff said.
SPORTS February 18, 2020 - February 24, 2020 THE MIAMI HURRICANE Hurricanes collect multiple wins over weekend BASKETBALL
DRIBBLE & DRIVE: Freshman Guard Isaiah Wong drives to the basket during Miami’s game versus Wake Forest on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Josh Halper// Senior Staff Photographer
BY ISABELLA DIDIO Sports Editor
MEN’S BASKETBALL
For the first time since Jan. 4, the men’s basketball team had a full, healthy roster, and it showed, as the Hurricanes rolled past Wake Forest 71-54 at the Watsco Center Saturday afternoon.
The win marks the second straight victory for Miami after defeating Boston College by almost thirty points last Wednesday.
“That allows the player himself to play really hard and when you play really hard, you play really well,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said on having a full roster. “When everybody is sharing that responsibility, it makes a huge difference. Hopefully we can stay healthy now.”
With nine guys in the rotation, no Miami player played more than 30 minutes. Having rested legs gave Miami the opportunity to dominate the defensive end of the floor.
“When we have these nine guys, its huge,” junior Sam Waardenburg said. “We are able to play good defense with the rotation.”
“Big kudos to us for playing well on the defensive end,” center Rodney Miller said. “That team can really score the basketball, so we did well on the defensive end.”
Miami (13-12, 5-10) was able to take the Deacons (11- 14, 4-11) out of the game early on. Behind a 14-2 scoring run over a four minute period in the closing minutes of the first half, the Canes took a 37-25 lead into halftime.
Wake Forest committed 14 total turnovers, while Miami collected six steals and was able to score 16 points off those turnovers.
Freshman guard Isaiah Wong and junior guard Chris Lykes both led Miami with 13 points and three assists each. Lykes, who has been dealing with a groin injury, made just his second start since Jan. 21 at Duke.
Wong, meanwhile, became the first freshman since 2001 to have back to back 20-point games after Miami’s win over Boston College. Wong scored a career high 23 points against Florida State and had 21 points against Boston College and was named ACC Freshman of the Week.
“Isaiah early in the year had so much to learn and now his defense is as good as any veteran,” Larrañaga said. “Early in the year he had too many thoughts running through his head and when you are thinking too much, your feet slow down.”
Miami also had a healthy Keith Stone, Sam Waardenburg and Kameron McGusty. Stone missed four games in early January with an injury and Waardenburg was held out of the Boston College game with a neck injury. McGusty was dealing with back spasms at the same time that Lykes was injured. Miami will next travel to Virginia Tech on Feb. 19. and the team hopes that they can take the winning momentum into their next few games.
“I feel like we just take the momentum we have right now into Virginia Tech and go game by game,” Miller said. “There is still a lot of basketball to play. Win or lose, we just gotta get better and I think we will be just fine.”
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
The women’s team completed a season sweep of Clemson Sunday afternoon after defeating the Tigers 63- 48 in South Carolina.
Mykea Gray led Miami with 17 points, followed closely behind by Kelsey Marshall, who contributed 13 points. Miami used a 26-point second quarter to give themselves a 38-27 halftime lead.
Miami (13-12, 5-9) held Clemson (7-19, 3-12) to just five points in the fourth quarter.
The win was Miami’s first win in three games. The Hurricanes are still struggling with the loss of star forward Beatrice Mompremier, who injured her foot in early January and has yet to play since then. The senior is listed as day-to-day and there is no timetable for her return. The Hurricanes have only four regular season games left and will host North Carolina State at the Watsco Center Thursday, Feb. 20.
Fun and Games
Across:
3. Current SG president 6. Ranked No. 1 7. New South Miami mayor 8. Last year’s winning ticket 9. Upcoming baseball opponent 10. SG executive ticket
Down:
1. SG executive ticket 2. Famous UM email sign-off 4. Who to listen to this week 5. Green Day album 8. Number of senate seats open
Find the answers to this weeks crossword here
Crossword by Anna Timmons
Read, Watch, Listen:
Read: “We Should All Be Feminists” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Adichie’s sensational TEDx Talk reaches print in this essay adaptation of her speech. Her elegantly presented argument focuses on attaining societal contentment through equality and respect. With humor and levity, Adichie will inspire you to adjust your approach to understanding the social tendency to dampen female success and aspiration. I would highly recommend both reading and watching this presentation. The essay version is great energy to keep on your bedside table, but Adichie’s stage presence at her 30 minute TEDx Talk is empowering and definitely worth watching.
Looking for new content? In honor of Black History Month, check out these recommendations from Hurricane staff member Ines Eisenhour .
Watch: “Dear White People,” Netflix Original
This show follows a group of students of color at a predominantly white Ivy League university. Black students and administrators are very present in this environment, but nearly overwhelmed by the white history of the institution. While the humor and jokes were more relevant in the world of 2017 than they are today, please forgive that and give this show a proper chance. Most interesting to me is how multiple approaches to race-relations can play out in a university setting. The show is current, culturally in-tune and has one of the best TV soundtracks. If anything, just watch the show for the music.
Listen: “Beautiful Little Fools” by Jorja Smith
In her 2016 single, released for International Women’s Day, Jorja Smith explores the hidden grace and strength of femininity. This feminist anthem explores the importance of recognizing and exalting the qualities that differentiate women and make them beautiful. The song references “The Great Gatsby” and its thematic quest for societal goals. Smith denounces expectations with her crooning lyrics illustrating toxic beauty standards and the strength of women who “pick up their flaws.”
dearv@themiamihurricane.com. Have a question for V? Email
Never been kissed
Since she looks like your usual college bombshell, you would have no idea that a blonde, sorority sister in fact has a lot in common with that extra virgin olive oil in your cupboard. If virginity in college seems worse than harboring the coronavirus, imagine how people react when learning this perfectly normal sophomore has never even been kissed.
It seems reflective of our society that this student has asked to remain anonymous. Even after reassuring me that she was unbothered by her status, I could tell that there was underlying embarrassment.
“If I ever started seeing someone, I would never tell them,” she shared.
Curious as to what she’s looking for, she unfolded a wish list of qualities. Her standards included physical attributes, (6’4” tall and curly hair), personality traits, (sweet, caring and funny) and even dietary preferences (enjoys Dr. Pepper and eats Chick-fil-A). Even if this man was attainable, it seems that her dat - ing pool would be more of a dating puddle.
Refusing to participate in dating apps or set ups, she wants her first kiss to happen naturally. Attempts from past suitors have left her unimpressed and uninterested. “I’ve had guys ap proach me. However, I’ve never been attracted to them, so nothing ever happened,” she confessed. Entertaining the efforts of someone who might prefer Sprite doesn’t seem unreasonable, considering she has nothing to lose. Actually, she does have something to lose, but it will never be lost with such tunnel vision. Adjusting standards does not necessarily mean lowering them.
When someone opens up about their experience or lack thereof, it is not an invitation for judgement, ridicule or unsolicited advice. My interviewee said it best, “It’s not the end of the world. People make the mistake of validating their self love off of other people. I’m okay with not having my first kiss because I’m happy.” Looking back at my own first kiss, I remember feeling an excruciating pressure to just get it over with. Maybe if I held out a little longer, I wouldn’t have experienced the trauma of a middle school boy’s tongue in my mouth. Just maybe, I’d still be straight.
Best,
V
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