In the days following the announcement of Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp)’s removal from campus, most students, relevant organizations and the University of Miami have remained silent. Despite news coverage across many networks including Fox News and CBS, UM has yet to issue a public statement to students beyond the short comments provided to The Miami Hurricane. No UM Greek life organization has commented on the matter as well.
While some students have expressed strong opinions, virtually none were willing to go on the record with The Miami Hurricane. This has contributed to an atmosphere of silence and uncertainty. No information has been shared on the future status of the fraternity, whether the police or university will investigate claims of laced drinks, nor whether UM will further punish those involved in the video.
The Miami Hurricane frst received word of SigEp’s removal Friday afternoon and quickly requested a comment from Patricia Whitely, UM Senior Vice President for Student Affairs. Whitely returned a statement on Sunday, Oct. 9, that was echoed in news stories across the country.
On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Jacqueline R. Menendez, Vice President of Communications, issued another statement.
“The University of Miami was appalled by the behaviors in the video, and immediately upon receiving a copy we ordered the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity to cease operations. We also fully support the national offce’s decision to close
the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter.
University staff members have met with student groups throughout the week to address their concerns, and are encouraging students to report any additional information regarding this event, as we continue our investigation.
If we receive reports of any behavior that violates our code of conduct, we would take immediate action in accordance with published policies and procedures. We strive to provide an educational and professional environment where every member of our community feels respected and safe.”
Some students expressed disapproval of the university’s response.
“I don’t think the university is going to do s–t. I really don’t. I don’t think the university cares honestly,” one Greek-life member, who preferred to remain anonymous, said. “These kids would not continuously get away with something like this if they actually did care.”
This student says she had a serious previous problem with SigEp. During her freshman year in 2020, she and several friends attended a SigEp party and believed they were drugged. She claims that after having only a single drink, they lost all memory and mobility.
“We were throwing up profusely, projectile even,” she said of the alleged-drugging during her freshman year. “I was on the foor. I could not get up. I had no control over my body whatsoever. I had to be picked up and carried to a couch outside and be taken care of. I had no idea what was going on. I was completely incoherent.”
However, like many of the girls who accused SigEp of drugging at the “Adult Swim” party she and her friends never got tested, and furthermore did not share their experience with administration.
“Of course we were like, ‘this is a problem.this is really bad,’ but when it comes to a top social frat like this on campus you feel this pressure that if you say anything you will be blacklisted and people will hate you,” she said. “As a freshman with rush upcoming, that is just not a position you want to be in.”
In a meeting with the Panhellenic Association on Oct. 11, Senior Associate Dean of Students Steven Priepke - who oversees Greek life - discussed the sexual assault reporting process and touched on the details of the SigEp case with representatives from each sorority.
One idea brought forward to reduce potential future druggings of party-goers is to only allow fraternities to serve close contained drinks like seltzers or beers.
“I think it would help, but I feel like the whole issue is something bigger than only serving closed drinks,” Lauren, a Panhellenic representative who wished to only have her frst name used, said. “I feel like they should have addressed it more, on how that made other girls feel because that message was horrible to hear.”
Lauren further discussed Priepke’s statements during the meeting about potential charges that could be brought against SigEp brothers. According to her, Priepke explained that because there was no girl present during the chanting of the song captured on video no charges can be brought against those
members present. Furthermore, affected students must fle specifc cases against brothers in regards to sexual assault or drugging in order for charges to be fled.
“A lot of girls were not very happy with his response to that,” Lauren said. “They were glad they were given the resources to see how they can submit a case and knowing that they’re there to help us and hear our voice, but not very happy with the response to the chant video since they’re pretty much not going to do anything about it.”
Beyond the administration’s response, Greek-life itself has been quiet within their own organizations and to the public. Despite our requests, no sorority has been
willing to speak out publicly.
“It has not been addressed in any capacity,” a member of Chi Omega, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “I fnd it really odd they haven’t addressed it or just made sure that everyone is okay.”
The Miami Hurricane has further reached out to several other organizations on campus who have so far declined to comment, including the Inter Fraternity Council, the Panhellenic Association, Priepke himself, the Coral Gables Police Department, the UM Police Department, the presidents of Zeta Tau Alpha, Alpha Delta Pi, Tri Delta, Pi Phi and SigEp.
Many people remember the 2020 U.S. presidential election as one of the most controversial elections in U.S. history, a tight race between former vice president Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Tensions were at an all-time-high as millions of Americans spent hours in front of the television, waiting to see who would take offce for the upcoming term. Now, just two years later, Brazil faces an election with an eerie resemblance.
After the frst round of elections on Oct. 2, left-wing candidate and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will face right-wing candidate and current president Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff on Oct. 30.
Lula da Silva came out of the election securing 48.43% of the votes, a mere 5% ahead of Bolsonaro, who accrued 43.20% of the votes. Despite early predictions of a landslide victory for Lula da Silva, the polls on Sunday, Oct. 2 revealed that perhaps Bolsonaro could be here to stay.
Liberal party candidate Bolsonaro has already claimed election fraud and casted several doubts about the country’s electronic voting system, earning him the nickname “Trump of the Tropics”, referring to Trump and his claims that the 2020 U.S. presidential election had been “stolen”.
“Trump is an inspiration and a role model to Bolsonaro and he has shown that multiple times,” said a Brazilian student at UM, who has asked to remain anonymous.
“Bolsonaro only started questioning the effciency of Brazil’s electronic voting system — which had never been put into question before — once Trump began saying that there was fraud in the 2020 elections in the U.S.”
Many also compare Bolsonaro’s COVID-19 pandemic response to that of Trump’s, with over 680,000 COVID-related deaths likely stemming from delays in vaccine distribution, disseminating false information about the COVID-19 vaccine and pushing for the use of unproven drugs like hydroxychloroquine.
Other criticisms of Bolsonaro’s government are tied to his failures in the environmental sector and environmental protection, a key component of Brazil’s identity that is linked to the health of the Amazon rainforest.
“Like other government leaders worldwide, Bolsonaro is to some extent victim of the pandemic in the way that it compounded Brazil’s economic, public health and social problems. He didn’t help with his cavalier attitude toward the pandemic and those pandemic impacts on society may be what ultimately loses him the second round of the election,” said Latin American studies professor John Twichell.
Workers’ party candidate Lula da Silva served as president during a very favorable period of Brazil’s history. Between 2003 and 2010, the rate of deforestation plummeted as Lula da Silva implemented a policy that halted logging in the Amazon during his term. The Brazilian stock market skyrocketed into an economic boom and Brazil’s gross domestic product quintupled from $500 billion to $2.6 trillion during the same period.
“If we are putting it in terms of perceptions of the direction that the country is headed in, I think that if Lula da Silva wins in the second round there will be optimism among the majority of the people including those who did not vote for Lula,” said Twichell. “There will be a sense that Brazil will be better positioned to return more towards the growth and normalcy of the frst decade of the 2000s overseen by Lula.”
The majority of criticism for Lula da Silva’s campaign is linked to corruption and his involvement in Operation Car Wash (PT: Operação Lava Jato), a money laundering scheme that eventually led to his imprisonment in 2018. However, claims of improper jurisdiction lead to a retrial and all convictions against Lula da Silva were annulled in April 2021, allowing him to re-run for president in 2022.
While Lula da Silva’s campaign, for some, symbolizes a nostalgia for Brazil’s golden age, it is no question that the beginning of his third term will be more diffcult than
his second. As of September 2022, Brazil’s public debt stands at 78% of the GDP while poorer communities of Brazil are facing intense infation.
People have also expressed concerns that Lula will run into a spending-spree in order to fuel the motor of economic growth, a habit that led to one of the worst recessions in Brazil’s history from 2014 to 2016.
“If Lula is elected president of Brazil, there will be a lot of negative repercussions in our economy and society,” said sophomore economics major Carlos Eduardo Camisão, who was born and raised in Brazil. “His government was responsible for the biggest corruption scandal in Brazil’s history and if elected again, the same mistakes committed during his time as president will unfortunately happen again.”
Despite the severe economic and social consequences of the pandemic, many shine a light on Bolsonaro’s efforts to stimulate economic growth during his term, including a recent spending package and a policy allowing employees to withdraw cash from a redundancy fund.
Since February 2022, Bolsonaro has consistently been climbing in the polls, his votes increasing by just over 10% in a six-month period. Lula da Silva’s numbers have remained rather steady, fuctuating between 41% and 43% over the same period. However, now that the frst round of polling has concluded, the race appears closer than ever before.
The outcomes of this election remain rather uncertain. If the polls see no adjustments between now and Oct. 30, it appears that Lula da Silva will secure the victory.
“Lula received six million more votes than Bolsonaro and I believe a number of people who voted for other center/leftist candidates in the frst round of elections will vote for him in the run-off, because they understand the threat that Bolsonaro poses,” the anonymous student said, “I don’t think it has ever happened in Brazil that a candidate who own the frst rounds did not win the run-off, so I don’t think the chances of that happening are likely.”
On the other hand, if the polls take another drastic turn in favor of a Bolsonaro victory, there is no telling
of what could follow.
“If Bolsonaro does win, I think that it will be polarizing in the shortterm. It will be a result that instills polarization between the right and the left. There won’t be any honeymoon period for Bolsonaro, indicative of an incumbent, whereas if Lula da Silva wins the second round he will have a relatively longer honeymoon period than that of Bolsonaro because Brazilians are fed up with the status quo,” Twichell said.
There are concerns about what Bolsonaro will do in the event of a
defeat, given his close relationship with the military. And while some are confdent enough that Bolsonaro will cooperate with the results, others believe that Brazil’s law and order may not be enough to fght against claims of election fraud.
“I would not be surprised if something like January 6th happened in Brazil–with the difference that we don’t have such a strong rule of law as the U.S., so it could have different consequences,” the anonymous student said.
The Plus One Scholarship Program, which allowed students at the University of Miami to add up to one additional, fully-funded year to their undergraduate careers, has been discontinued by the Office of Academic Enhancement (OAE).
Plus One granted students the gift of an additional, tuition-free semester or year, conditional upon their course of study being both strictly planned and unrelated to their original majors. Any kind of professional development, as students were intended to learn out of pure curiosity.
Students that participated in Plus One graduated with an enriched degree and increased knowledge of subject matter that piqued their curiosity, according to Director for Academic Initiatives & Academic Ombudsperson Michael Stokes, who serves as the program director for Plus One. The scholarship supported a select number of students — only about six or seven per year.
One of the last students that will benefit from the program, Madeline Wagner, is a marine affairs and ecosystem science and policy major and is also completing a minor in sustainable business. Her new course of study, which deals with philosophy, religion
and classics, is an expansion upon her arts and humanities cognate — religion, myth and interpretation.
“I was just feeling like I had unfinished business at school,” Wagner said. “I wasn’t ready to graduate, just mentally. I felt like I missed out on so much because of Covid. I was a sophomore when it started and then things were sort of back to normal by the time I was a senior. Basically, I had one real year of college. It wasn’t enough.”
Originally, Wagner’s schedule was too packed to include classes she simply enjoyed. She said she felt incredible pressure to avoid deviating from those classes necessary for her majors.
“I couldn’t take an art class, I couldn’t take a dance class, or just something that I thought was interesting, just because I thought it was interesting,” Wagner said. “I had to squeeze everything into these four years.”
Thanks to her new courses, Wagner said that she feels she’s developing a different part of her brain.
“I do a lot more thinking in these courses rather than just learning how to complete a set of problems,” Wagner said. “Even in the couple weeks that I’ve been taking these courses, I find that I have better communication skills, because everything is verbal. I would also say that it’s had a much bigger impact on my personal outlook on life — don’t take everything so seriously, there’s a bigger picture, stuff like that.”
Though the coming classes of UM students won’t be able to take advantage of the Plus One Program specifically, Wagner advises that they participate in similar opportunities, should they arise.
“If you’re given the opportunity to do something different that might seem like it’s uprooting the path you’ve had for so long, just do it,” Wagner said. “You’ve got so much time in your life to make silly choices and try new things. Do it while you’re young, while you have nothing to lose.”
Wagner voiced a bit of sadness as the program comes to its close.
“It’s been so influential in my career at UM and I found it right at the tail end,” Wagner said. ‘It makes me a little sad because I feel like it’s something that everybody could stand to gain from. I stumbled upon it and it’s literally changed my life. It makes me feel very lucky
that I get the opportunity and hopefully I can use what I’ve learned from this experience.”
Stokes, who’s been involved with the program for two years, has similarly mixed feelings. Having attended UM as an undergraduate and changed his major three times during that tenure, he said he remembers well the intense stress of completing requirements.
“I was excited to work with the program because I honestly wish it was around when I was a student,” Stokes said. “It’s really an opportunity to just study.”
Stokes said that, while the program has greatly benefited those that it’s supported in the past, the priority is helping a greater number of students with their financial aid packages.
“There’s a sense of reality in that the cost of higher education is rising. At the end of the day, this program has been providing support for maybe six or seven students a year and we could be doing more for more students with some of our financial aid packages,” Stokes said. “We hope to be able to reallocate it back into the financial aid pool, so that students will have more benefits for completing their existing undergraduate degree requirements, rather than taking out an extra semester or year that gets funded as full tuition.”
Ultimately, Stokes said, this decision is about reallocating funds to help the greater university community.
“It’s definitely bittersweet on all of our parts,” Stokes said. “We really just want to be able to help a larger quantity of students with their aid packages, so that’s ultimately where it’s going to go back into.”
What started as a passion project for senior fnance major Brendan Cummins during his sophomore year, is now a recognizable business on the University of Miami’s campus. Cummins owns and runs PmProtein, which sells protein bars and pre-workout “cracked candies.”
When he was in sixth grade, Cummins was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Ever since then, a passion for nutrition has been instilled into his day-to-day life. From reading countless nutrition and supplement labels, to cooking more of his own meals, Cummins gained a greater understanding of the things he was putting into his body. However, despite his newfound interest in nutrition, he had immense trouble falling asleep every night.
“I would lift or exercise late at night and take maybe 300 to
400 milligrams of caffeine, and I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep until about three in the morning,” Cummins said.
Cummins’ challenge with falling asleep, combined with his passion for nutrition, sparked an entrepreneurial idea that would end up being the foundation for his business.
His protein bar, which is sold in over 24 gyms in South Florida, is the only one of its kind on the market. The bar has melatonin in it and is designed to help consumers fall asleep on a full stomach.
“He’s been very determined to get [PmProtein] off the ground and running,” said junior business administration major at the University of Richmond and brother Chase Cummins. “He’s hardworking, determined, and does a lot of research. It’s defnitely a topic that he’s very passionate about and that defnitely shows.”
Cummins started researching protein bars his sophomore year and set up the legal entity for his company during his junior year. He did most of the work entirely on his own.
“It’s extremely stressful,” Cummins said. “Almost every single day it’s guaranteed that there’s some fre that needs to be put out.”
A notable challenge for Cummins arose one week before the launch of his bars. The manufacturer that he had been working with ended up not being able to legally produce the protein bars and Cummins had to fnd a new manufacturer.
Despite the struggles Cummins faces with PmProtein, the bars and candy have been gaining more success, specifcally at UM. Both products are sold at The Market, which Cummins said is one of the most popular locations for sales.
“I go to the market and buy his sour
candy,” said roommate and senior biology major Aravind Meyyappan. “I personally don’t lift, but I like to start my day with it.”
Whether it be through social media, cold selling or tabling events, Cummins is dedicated to increasing PmProtein’s popularity. While he loses money on each sale right now, he can see the potential to make profts in the future.
“It’s a big gamble,” he said. “But I’ve learned signifcantly more than I think I’ve ever learned in my life and I’m learning so much every single day just because there’s a lot at stake to where I can’t afford to fail.”
Cummins’ is also a big motivator for students like Meyyappan at UM.
“A lot of times, you’ll see people going out, having fun around the UMiami campus,” Meyyappan said.
“There are a lot of days when a lot of people are doing different things and he’s just sitting there and he’s
gonna work. That’s really inspiring to me because you don’t see a lot of people that have the drive, have the motivation to come up with an idea and then produce results.”
Upon graduation, Cummins hopes to dedicate more time into building PmProtein. He is also considering a career in investment banking or venture capitalism, as he has gained a lot of experience in those felds through running his own company. What he will put the most focus into depends on how his business picks up.
“My objective is to get my input cost to about $1.20,” Cummins said. “Once I hit that mark, I’ll be more attractive to consumers, and that’s when food and beverage products really begin to explode.”
Students can purchase PmProtein bars and cracked candy at pmprotein.com and The Market on campus.
A heart-felt message from president Julio Frenk announced the resignation of Dean John A. Quelch who has been the dean of Miami Herbert Business School and vice provost for executive education for the University of Miami since July 2017. The expert on international business education will step down at the end of the year, on Dec. 31.
On Oct. 3, Frenk informed the University community of the end of Dean Quelch’s fve-year term as dean of the business school. In his announcement, he honored Quelch’s achievements and endeavors providing examples for his hard work.
“What I value most about Dean Quelch is his involvement and the many initiatives he has taken. He is undoubtedly experienced and l admire the results from his hard work,” sophomore international
student majoring in human resource management and entrepreneurship Elisa Della Mea said.
During his time at Miami Herbert, Dean Quelch has renewed the AACSB accreditation, Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, and secured both, EQUIS, European Quality and Improvement System, and AMBA, Association of MBA´s, ones. Miami Herbert is only the third business school in the United States to receive all three distinctions.
“During his tenure as dean of Miami Herbert and vice provost for executive education, Dean Quelch has left an indelible mark on the school, implementing numerous initiatives to raise its profle and reputation, and overseeing the transformational gift from Patti and Allan Herbert that resulted in the renaming of the school in their honor,” President Frenk said in his email to the university community.
Before becoming dean at Miami Herbert, Quelch has proven his expertise at prestigious institutions around the globe. He served as dean of the London Business School and of the China Europe International Business School, taught at Harvard Business School and at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Besides the impressive positions he has held in the past, Quelch authored and co-authored 25 books and numerous case studies which have sold over four million copies.
Regarding the successor of Dean Quelch, Frenk said that he will use the coming weeks to consult with faculty and other key stakeholders on plans for a new dean.
Mathilde Tourniaire,a sophomore studying management and legal studies in the business school, discussed her expectations for the new dean.
“I am hoping for a dean that has the students’ best interest in mind
and continues Dean Quelch’s efforts of raising the reputation of Miami Herbert,” Tourniaire said.
Dean Quelch will start a sabbatical year in 2023. His plans for after the
year remain unknown.
President Julio Frenk called students and faculty to wish him the best and thank him for his service to the University.
Founded 1929
An Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame Newspaper
NEWSROOM: 305-284-4401 editor@themiamihurricane.com
BUSINESS OFFICE: 305-284-4401 FAX: 305-284-4404
For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404.
Rachel Apodaca
MANAGING EDITOR Jenny Jacoby
CO-NEWS EDITOR
Emma Dominguez
OPINION EDITOR Pari Walter
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
EDITOR
Layomi Adeojo
SPORTS EDITOR
Luke Chaney
PHOTO EDITOR Alexandra Carnochan
COPY CHIEF Hanna Ebrahimi
To reach a member of the staf visit themiamihurricane.com’s contact page.
The Miami Hurricane is published biweekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami. The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Miami Hurricane’s Editorial Board. Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business ofce of The Miami Hurricane are located in the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200.
The Miami Hurricane encourages all readers to voice their opinions on issues related to the university or in response to any report published in The Miami Hurricane. Letters to the editor may be submitted typed or handwritten to the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200, or mailed to P.O. Box 248132, Coral Gables, Fla., 33124-6922. Letters must be signed with a copy of your Cane Card.
The Miami Hurricane’s business ofce is located at 1330 Miller Drive, Student Activities Center Student Media Suite 200. The Miami Hurricane is published every other Wednesday during the university’s fall and spring academic terms. Newspapers are distributed for free on the Coral Gables campus, the School of Medicine and of-campus locations.
The conditions of agreement for advertisers are outlined on the ad contract form. Please direct any and all questions related to advertising to the Business Manager, Jared Lennon. Questions can be emailed to jaredlennon@ themiamihurricane.com.
The Miami Hurricane is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Florida College Press Association.
If you Googled “University of Miami” over the last week, you wouldn’t have seen football recaps or news on academic research. Instead, “ugly,” “disturbing,” “drugging allegations” and “misogynistic chanting” would have dominated your search results. Despite the national headlines, extensive local television and newspaper coverage and the buzz across campus, there seems to be an unspoken understanding throughout the UM community to not formally discuss or share opinions on the drugging allegations against Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) or the leaked video of the fraternity’s brothers chanting about sexually assaulting a dead woman. Students who have spoken with The Miami Hurricane and other news sources have almost always requested anonymity, fearing retribution if they are identifed. Students worry about being harassed or ostracized socially if they comment publicly on the matter. We have repeatedly been turned away by individuals and campus organizations upon request for a comment.
Students at other universities deliberate, petition and protest when they are not satisfed with the conditions on campus. At UM, we can’t even publicly agree to condemn a song about assaulting a dead woman, something that is obviously not part of a campus culture we want.
students of the resources available to them.
What makes the video even more shocking and outrageous is how dozens of fraternity members giddily celebrated as they chanted even though they knew they were being recorded on video. This hubris is evidence of a larger problem: The participants apparently were unconcerned to the point of feeling that if the video ended up leaked to the UM community, not much would come of it. So far, they’re right.
The most deafening silence comes from the university itself. For the frst fve days following news on the fraternity’s closure breaking, the only public comment made was a short statement to The Miami Hurricane by Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Whitely. It was quoted in most news articles covering the Sig Ep controversy. Since then, The Hurricane has received an additional statement from Jacqueline R. Menendez, Vice President of Communications at UM, which said that “The University of Miami is appalled by the behaviors in the video,” and that “University staff members have met with student groups throughout the week to address their concerns and are encouraging students to report any additional information regarding this event.”
fostered. Behaviors similar to those exposed at Sig Ep have been alleged at other fraternities. Sig Ep just happened to be the one currently and publicly scrutinized. This does not appear to be an isolated case of bad behavior but an indicator of a much broader normalization of destructive behavior toward women in our own community.
The disturbing video displays more than what Whitely describes as a frat that “violated university policy and participated in behavior that is inconsistent with the values and expectations of the university community.” It’s a glorifcation of violence against women. And the silence that has followed is a blatant display of a sad trade-off, where students choose social acceptance over actions that could lead to improvements in our campus culture.
Yes, Sig Ep’s national board of directors revoked the charter of its UM chapter. But we are left to wonder whether UM would have severely punished the fraternity had the fraternity’s national headquarters not acted frst. Even if UM did, would it have simply been a hushed suspension, as has happened with fraternities on our campus countless times over the years?
relevant resources.
The Student Health Service at UM refers rape examinations to the Roxcy Bolton Rape Treatment Center, a 25-minute car ride from campus. The school also doesn’t make any options for nonconsensual drug testing accessible to students. Without practical access to these resources, possible victims are often discredited and allegations remain as nothing but allegations.
Students should be able to take comfort in the notion that, if a violation like this were to take place, their university would support them. The aftermath of the Sig Ep party has shown anything but. Vague reassurances made only upon request for comment are rarely indicators of a movement to promote comprehensive benefcial change.
Visit themiamihurricane.com/apply or email editor@ themiamihurricane.com.
There has been little, if any, tangible response from students regarding the allegations. Few are publicly condemning the video and the university’s muted response, students are not protesting or fling complaints with the administration and not even the UM chapter of It’s On Us, a “student- led organization working toward changing campus culture on sexual misconduct”, has addressed the situation or reminded
Not so much as an email from student affairs has been sent to the general UM community denouncing the video. The university hasn’t even provided information on relevant resources for students who become victims of sexual violence or non-consensual drugging, as if doing so would confrm Sig Ep as guilty of the allegations it faces.
Beyond the video and the drugging accusations, we must be concerned about the culture of apathy being
Even though no evidence has emerged of sexual assaults at Sig Ep, we must highlight that sexual violence is a major issue for college students. According to RAINN, 26% of female undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. Only 20% of those assaults are reported to law enforcement, according to RAINN’s estimate. Those numbers decrease even more when victims fear shaming or disbelief from their community, or when they don’t have knowledge of or access to
As UM students, we also bear a responsibility in creating the culture that we want on campus. If there’s to be any hope of improvement, those involved in Greek life must want to change their practices, as these behaviors will continue as long as those involved perpetuate them. Even severe penalties and suspensions aren’t likely to change that. However, if we, as a community, stop normalizing and making excuses for harmful behaviors, Greek organizations might be less inclined to accept and encourage them.
We need to ask ourselves what we want going forward. The university and we, as its students, should be embarrassed by the incident and the headlines it’s received. We must also think past this one party and understand that if bad behavior remains normalized, we can sadly expect to see cases that are worse than a video or allegations of drugging. And we won’t have the support system or resources in place to help those who need them.
Silence is deafening, in response to SigEP allegations we must do better
Florida dodging Ian’s wrath, many were disappointed that the hype here amounted to nothing.
In the days following Hurricane Ian’s landfall, a glance at any news channel showed the southwest coast of Florida in peril. There were fooded cities, reports of missing individuals and a climbing death toll. With Florida’s housing market in a steady decline and less than 20% of properties in evacuation areas covered under the National Flood Insurance Program, there are countless Floridians now forced to live in damaged homes or on the streets.
realizing that I would never come back to normalcy again. My hometown is erased.”
In hindsight, it’s easy to see how fortunate southeast Florida was to evade Hurricane Ian, but is that enough? Perhaps we should seek gratitude when anticipating these kinds of events.
people are suffering? We cannot let detachment prevent us from recognizing the gravity of a serious situation. The chaos occurring upstate easily could have occurred here. We would certainly want help and sympathy if we were in their shoes.
BY SABRINA WILSON STAFF WRITER
Did I buy enough water? Are classes going to be canceled? What happens if the wind knocks my dorm window out?
Late September was flled with great uncertainty as Hurricane Ian approached south Florida. Many UM students stocked up on food and water in preparation for the worst. But as I spoke to my classmates, I noticed a shared excitement among us. Students wanted the hurricane to pass over Miami. Who wouldn’t want a few days of virtual or canceled classes? There was talk of hurricane parties and endless nights of hanging out in the dorms. Suddenly, a natural disaster sounded like a retreat.
As a non-Floridian who is unfamiliar with this type of weather, the stress of potentially having to make evacuation arrangements weighed heavily on me. Traveling home would be costly, not to mention, a hassle. It was this that caused me to stop and think - if plane tickets and packing are my biggest concerns in the face of a hurricane, I am beyond blessed.
When Tuesday, Sept. 27 arrived and classes were not canceled, students were dismayed. It became clear that Hurricane Ian would have little effect on Miami. Even as photos showed devastating destruction in Cuba, people continued to hope that the storm would impact us. I could not help but think of the phrase, “One man’s loss is another man’s gain.” While I celebrated southeast
The more vulnerable populations Those already without a home are even further displaced. For instance, Sarasota County, which took a direct hit from Ian as a category 4 storm, had roughly 1135 homeless persons in 2019 and only 5 shelters. It is hard to imagine they could handle any additional overfow from this disaster.
Hurricane Ian is a perfect example of natural disasters exposing inequity in society. To be excited by the prospect of a hurricane means we are incredibly privileged. To an extent, the university residence halls can withstand a powerful storm. And, in the event that a hurricane is a category 3 or higher, most of us have the ability to fy home at the last minute to avoid it. Even if the thought of buying plane tickets is stressful, that stress is a privilege because it indicates we have the means to leave.
Even the location of your hometown can be a privilege. For instance, living in a non coastal state means having somewhere to evacuate out of harm’s way. For many students who are Florida natives, visiting home after the hurricane now looks a lot different. One such student is freshman Joel Thame from North Port, Fla. Due to cellular services temporarily going down, he could not get through to his twin sister to wish her a happy birthday.
“It was heartbreaking to see the media reporting on how bad the storm was, and I could not tell how it was directly impacting my friends and family. I felt helpless,” Thame said.
After visiting North Port to see the aftermath, he said, “I left my home not
The next time a disaster presents itself, even if it might beneft us with virtual classes and extra dorm party time, we should consider how it will impact everyone. An event is only a cause for celebration if everyone avoids the negative impacts. Imagine someone being injured right beside you while you remain unharmed. You would never celebrate in front of them because you did not get hurt while they are struggling. Why should we allow ourselves to celebrate from a distance when we know
Recognizing the privilege we have to be excited instead of frightened by natural disasters, or any serious challenge life throws at us, is the frst step to making change. We even have to consider that now, most of us have pushed the consequences of Hurricane Ian to the back of our minds or forgotten about it altogether while those impacted are still in the throes of dealing with their new reality. With this awareness, we can plan ways to help prior to an event rather than reacting once it is over.
For the last 20 years, Burmese pythons have been infamous in South Florida. Brought to Florida in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this invasive species has become so destructive to the Everglades that some people have made a career out of hunting them for the state.
Among these hunters is Elle Barbeito’s father, Mark Yon, who joined the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination Program in 2017. Taking inspiration from her father’s profession, the 26-year-old Barbeito built her own business creating accessories ranging from wallets to gun holsters using python skin caught in the Everglades.
While her dad hunted pythons, Barbeito studied fashion design in New York. Barbeito says working in fashion design was “the dream” since her childhood. She was in the process of moving back to her hometown of Miami and fguring out what her next venture would be.
By the time she settled back in
Miami, her father and his long-time best friend, Brian Hargrove, had been learning how to skin the pythons they caught and preserve the leather. Seeing the collection of snakeskin Yon had accumulated and having her time in the New York fashion scene fresh in her mind, Barbeito saw an opportunity to repurpose some of the skins.
After her dad gave her some skin to work with, Barbeito’s next mission was to learn how to work with the python skin. Having never worked with leather before, she found herself doing what most do when they want to learn something new — she watched video tutorials online.
“I started learning how to work with leather with the python skin,” Barbeito said. “I just taught myself, watched a lot of YouTube on how to work with leather.”
She also began to assist Yon and Hargrove on their daily hunts and learned how to process and preserve the leather herself.
“I spend a lot of time outside besides just the hunting stuff,” Barbeito said. “I go camping a lot. I do a lot of trails.
I just go to the Everglades a lot now.” Barbeito fully immersed herself into the process of hunting the pythons and spent more of her time exploring the swamp herself. She was still trying to fgure out what her very own fashion business would look like. Going from the hustle and bustle of New York to the marshes of the Everglades gradually shifted her creative vision. To her, it felt right to preserve the connection between the pythons and the environment they lived in even as she crafted them into something new.
“Seeing the type of equipment people are using like knives, fashlights, it just inspired the type of stuff I wanted to make,” Barbeito said. “It made sense to make pieces that were going to accommodate that kind of lifestyle.”
Once she found her footing in working with leather, Barbeito built her own website and began to take commissions. Finding herself back in unfamiliar territory, she launched and promoted her business all on her own.
“It was scary, especially since I’ve never really had a business before. I’m still fguring out what I’m doing,” Barbeito said.
Even at only 26, she says trying to navigate an ever-changing social media landscape to promote her work is “a lot to keep up with.”
“It’s hard, I’m learning every day,” Barbeito said, “But I still feel so lucky that I get to do this and that I get to do it with my dad too.”
When it comes to commissions, Barbeito says many times it consists of clients coming to her with their own ideas and giving her the freedom to add her own spin. She recalls times where clients have asked her to recreate beloved wallets and other accessories that have aged past their prime.
“It’s really collaborative, that’s where I get a lot of my ideas from,” Barbeito said.
Another source of inspiration comes from her workspace, which — before January of this year — was her house. She had been fully operating from home, processing the snakeskin in jars in her backyard and working on leather pieces in her room.
Her younger sister, Daphney Hanono, 20, looks back at that time fondly.
“It’s nice to see her working from home doing what she loves,” Hanono said. “It was tough when she was living in New York, but it’s nice to see her process and things coming to fruition at the house and in her studio.”
Barbeito is just glad that she now has a separation between work and her home life. Since she began to lease her own warehouse space, she’s been able to create a setup that has helped her become more productive.
“Having my own space has been like a breath of fresh air considering I’ve been working out of my house since I’ve started doing this,” Barbeito said.
Barbeito clarifes that the space she does her work in is not completely hers. She shares the frst foor of the warehouse with three painters. She describes it as a communal space that sparks even more inspiration for what she’s creating.
“They’re always very encouraging. They always have a lot of kind things to say about my work as well. So, it’s always very inspiring to have that kind of support in a place where you’re creating,” Barbeito said.
Besides a more productive workspace, support seems to be one of the most prominent things the studio has brought her. Barbeito has also been able to invite more people
to join her team, including Scarlett Herdoiza, 20, who aspires to follow in Barbeito’s footsteps.
Herdoiza’s role involves assembling Barbeito’s creations after the snakeskin has already been processed. This involves hours of gluing, sewing and drilling. However, she says it doesn’t feel like work at all, which has made her start to dream of a career in fashion design herself.
The supportive nature of the studio has also touched Herdoiza, who says that the older men who work there offer not only their afternoon cafecito and encouragement, but a sense of genuine enthusiasm and passion towards the art they themselves are making.
“Everyone is doing something that they love,” Herdoiza said. “They make time to think about themselves and things that they enjoy doing.”
Such a positive work environment fuels Barbeito as she makes truly sustainable art. Aside from commissions, Barbeito has worked on a few projects for herself, including a rocking chair that she upholstered earlier this year. Venturing into furniture is just her latest step forward in her creative journey. She hopes to continue to evolve as a designer and artist while also protecting the Everglades from being further damaged by invasive pythons.
“At the end of the day, we’re making use of something that could be discarded,” Barbeito said. “I’m sure there’s other python hunters that don’t go as far as skinning all the snakes and putting all the work into it because it’s easier to throw it out — which is crazy to me. So, it feels really good to be able to make something meaningful that’s sourced from something that has to be removed from the Everglades.”
In Miami, there are numerous dining options no matter where you are in the city, but it can be diffcult to fnd a restaurant with amazing food and great ambiance.
Luckily, The Miami Hurricane has compiled seven spots that meet both criteria.
Why limit your bookstore experience to just books? This is where the saying, ‘Have your cake and eat it too’ comes to life. The selection at Books & Books satisfes at the drop of a hat. You can purchase books and enjoy a treat at the end of your shopping spree. Picture buying your desired book, then cracking it open while devouring the café’s bacon cheddar quesadilla.
While you can eat inside, the outdoor patio will give you a chance to welcome sweater weather. In addition to the vast supply of books and dining, it’s a great place to study with friends. The patio allows for the Miami sunshine to enlighten you and your study group.
Price range: $$
Café at Books & Books is located at 265 Aragon Ave #5008, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
Healthy, fast and delicious are the perfect words to describe Diced. At this health food restaurant, you can order wraps, bowls, salads and smoothies — it’s defnitely a cut above a salad bar. The aesthetic of Diced compliments their food, with a green color scheme and wooden tables that make you feel like you are having food the way it is intended to be eaten.
While they serve ready-to-order bowls, you can maximize your creativity by building your own. The forbidden rice and spicy guava sauce are as exciting to sample as their name suggests. For the vegans and vegetarians, Diced has options for both dietary lifestyles to ensure you eat well.
Price range: $$
Diced is located at 9050 S Dixie Hwy, Pinecrest, FL 33156.
The minimalist decor at Chicken Kitchen allows you to feel at ease while you dine. This spot is a great place to have near campus as their bowls make for the perfect lunch. The Deluxe Chop Chop packs in many favors and is always prepared so quickly, you’ll be astonished. The sauces that accompany these bowls are also amazing. A personal favorite is the Mustard and Curry, as the favorful
provide customers with the feeling that they are eating a home-cooked meal. Their menu has a plethora of options and all the food is prepared well, making it diffcult to order just one dish. The chicken vaca frita is well-seasoned and the mojo sauce compliments this dish well. After enjoying a good meal, you shouldn’t skip out on dessert. The key lime pie is refreshing and will have you feeling a zest for life!
Price range: $$ Havana Harry’s is located at 4612 S Le Jeune Rd, Coral Gables, FL 33146.
similar to risotto and includes shrimp, fsh, clams, squid and mussels. At Old Lisbon, you will experience the best that Portuguese cuisine has to offer.
Price range: $$ Old Lisbon is located at 5837 Sunset Dr, South Miami, FL 33143.
As we continue our fascination with tiny homes, it’s important to note that this obsession does not have to stop with houses. If you’d like to experience a Spanish taverna, go to 100 Montaditos and the colors and cuisine will transport you there.
The tiny sandwiches at 100 Montaditos make it easy to eat that many since they’re so delicious. The grilled chicken, crispy onion & aioli is not your average lunch sandwich and will have you ordering a second. To those interested in fusion, the Philly steak and cheddar cheese is also a viable option. Who says sandwiches are just limited to lunch? The Sweet Montaditos are worth ordering, especially the addictive dulce de leche and almonds montadito.
Price range: $
100 Montaditos is located at 3252 Buena Vista Blvd #104, Miami, FL 33137.
To those who like restaurants with a variety of delicious options, Pincho Factory is perfect for you. The chicken kebab with chipotle aioli is a great choice along with the sweet potato tots. If you are an adventurous eater, try the Toston Burger, where the toston replaces the bun in a regular burger.
curry pairs well with the chicken.
Price range: $
Chicken Kitchen is located at 1565 Sunset Dr, Coral Gables, FL 33143.
Close to campus and some of the best Cuban food Miami has to offer, Havana Harry’s is a favorite for many reasons. The warm lighting, Cuban tiles and aromas
The relaxing atmosphere at Old Lisbon will provide you with a wonderful dining experience. Eating outdoors here will feel as if you’re actually dining in Lisbon. This Portuguese restaurant specializes in seafood and it shows. The Paelha Marinheira is an excellent dish to share with friends. The rice in this paella is
The innovative food this restaurant features in its menu makes it suitable for everyone — it’s diffcult not to fnd something you’ll like. As their food and rustic chic decor demonstrate, Pincho Factory is like the healthy version of your favorite fast food as a kid, but it grew up, too. Pincho Factory lives up to its “keep it real” light-up quote, as their food is very original to Miami favors.
Price range: $$
Pincho Factory is located at 30 Giralda Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
“I’m going to sacrifce a chicken on the way out,” director David Williams jokingly said during his curtain speech in hopes that the third show of “A New Brain” would be the offcial opening night.
While the show’s original opening night stopped midway after an injury and its Saturday matinee was canceled, the remaining performances of “A New Brain” went smoothly, sans chicken sacrifce.
From Sept. 30 to Oct. 8, the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre presented the musical based on the book by Finn and James Lapine and music and lyrics written by William Finn.
“A New Brain” tells the story of Gordon Schwinn (played by sophomore musical theatre major Owen Trawick), a frustrated composer who is diagnosed with a rare, terminal illness known as arteriovenous malformation. While dealing with the illness, Schwinn
must also compose a piece about spring for a children’s television show.
Throughout the show, Schwinn fnds that his love for music helps heal him, ultimately allowing him to make a full recovery. The attentiongrabbing show took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster.
Although the fnal performances were fawless, the cast and crew faced several setbacks. Between Hurricane Ian, faulty microphones and an injured lead, each member persevered to ensure the show could go on.
Williams was particularly impressed with this year’s students. The show’s production team made a tough decision to cancel the 2 p.m. performance on Oct.1 to re-block the entire show, accommodating the needs of a performer who suffered an accident the previous night.
“I think it was tough for about one second,” Williams said about the cancelation of the Saturday
performance. “These students of ours… they mean more to me than any performance ever could mean. They need to be safe.”
After Hurricane Ian hit during tech week, they only had one dress rehearsal to run through the entire show before opening night.
“Honestly, I was very stressed about this,” senior theatre arts major Tobi Baisburd said, who played Gordon’s mother Mimi Schwinn.
“I dwelled on every little thing that wasn’t going right and how we had no time to fx it,” Baisburd said.
Despite the setbacks, the cast and crew members’ determination and positive attitude helped them through it. Everyone wanted the best show possible.
“There are simply too many moving parts in any musical to get yourself worked up about changes,” Trawick said. “It can really eat at a person to be stressing constantly over every little thing
and it’s a lot more fun to just trust the people around you to lift you up and do the same for them. We had so many things go wrong and no one let it change their commitment to the show.”
The lessons the cast learned performing the show mirror those told through the plot of “A New Brain.”
Gordon, haunted by hallucinations about Mr. Bungee, a children’s TV host for whom he must write a song about frogs — suffers from writer’s block. When he learns of his diagnosis, he tends to only see the negative in his own situation and those he encounters. His personal ordeal brings the other characters together and Gordon emerges with a new outlook and is able to fnish his song.
“It speaks to the human condition, and the ability to have failure, the ability to be sick, the ability to forgive and the ability of humans to help people get back on track, which I think really is a great
thing right now,” Williams said. “We gotta allow people to make mistakes and to forgive them and I think that is a lesson for the world and that’s exactly what this show is about.”
A central theme of the show is humans’ ability to empathize and instinctively understand how others, even those unlike ourselves, are feeling and to embrace our similarities.
“It’s just interesting that the mother has the same instincts as the nurse, as the frog, as the best friend and they all sound completely different,” Williams said. “But when it comes down to it, they’re all expressing the same sort of stuff.”
“A New Brain’’ was the frst show of the new school year, so if you weren’t able to make it, don’t worry — students are already working on “The Three Musketeers,” which opens on Nov. 10 and runs through Nov. 19.
The quarterback of a football team is widely considered to be the most impactful position in the sport. They are the drivers of the offense and hold the most responsibility. Without a quarterback, the game cannot go on.
That’s what many Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fans likely thought in 2020, when actor Chadwick Boseman passed away at the age of 44 from colorectal cancer. How could there be a “Black Panther” sequel without the Black Panther? Boseman embodied the character so well that any fan or celebrity meeting him would salute him with the Wakandan X across the chest.
2018’s “Black Panther” saw
Boseman’s T’Challa take on the mantles of King of Wakanda and the Black Panther, mirroring the Marvel Comics. Following challenges from foes from both outside and inside Wakanda, the character also appeared in MCU flms like “Captain America: Civil War,” “Avengers: Infnity War” and “Avengers: End Game.”
Following his passing, the character T’Challa was confrmed to pass away in the cinematic universe as well.
Some thought it would be best to recast the character; however, MCU showrunner Kevin Feige put an end to that train of thought by confrming T’Challa would not be recast. So the question remained — how could “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” survive the absence of its hero and provide
Marvel fans across the globe a suitable successor to the hit flm?
Though we still have doubts on who the next Black Panther will be, the flm’s trailer reassured fans that even without T’Challa, it will hold strong.
Nathan Steinman, a sophomore fnance major, expressed his excitement about the upcoming movie Wakanda Forever.
“I’m actually really excited about this movie. I’ve been needing a good Marvel movie [because] they’ve been pretty bad recently,” Steinman said.
The trailer, similar to the teaser released in late July, opens with Wakandan characters mourning their fallen king and shows glimpses of confict between the nation of Wakanda and K’uk’ulkan, called Namor. Namor
in the Marvel Comics is from the legendary city of Atlantis, while the MCU’s Namor is a king of a fctional, underwater Mayan civilization called Talocan.
While many doubted the change, the underwater civilization and Namor himself look amazing, with Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta already delivering a great performance as Namor in the trailer.
The action, cinematography and direction look superb, all spearheaded by young and brilliant director Ryan Coogler.
The music is sensational with powerful dialogues by Huerta and Angela Bassett, who plays T’Challa’s mother and Queen of Wakanda, Romonda. Actors Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright
all reprise their roles in the trailer, with special attention to Wright’s character Shuri, sister of T’Challa.
Supported by the glimpse of a female Black Panther in the fnal seconds of the trailer, most fans believe Shuri will follow her late brother and become the new Black Panther, similar to a storyline in the Marvel Comics.
Noah Brody, a sophomore sports administration major, was doubtful in the beginning, but found the trailer to be perfect.
“Black Panther was my favorite character and I was wondering how they were gonna fll his part, but this trailer blew me away. Shuri and Ramonda look bada–,” Brody said.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” releases in theaters on Nov. 11.
Senior Julian “Jules” Crosby has had quite the college career. After living in places like Virginia, Connecticut and Jacksonville due to his dad’s military job, he is now breaking ground in the entertainment and journalism industry.
From founding Gravity Magazine to studying abroad in Prague and attending the 2022 Emmy Awards, Crosby discussed his experiences and shared advice for navigating the entertainment industry and the grand scheme of life.
You founded Gravity Magazine in 2020 — the frst Black publication on campus — in collaboration with the National Association of Black Journalists and the Black Creatives Collective. What gave you the idea for Gravity?
“I wanted a space for Black students to feel like they were the subject of the material versus a special edition issue or a Black history issue,” Crosby said. “Black culture, artists, etc. are at the forefront of every month, week and issue.”
Did you run into any issues with its creation?
“I’m unemployed baby,” Crosby said, laughing. “Photoshoots and websites are expensive, so we were very inventive, very crafty and did what we could with what we had. We have taken some of the best quality photos on campus with very little resources. Envisioning what we could do if we actually got more resources to take off is honestly scary since we have so much potential in this magazine. It took a community. It took a village and I am so grateful.”
You also participated in a study abroad program. Why did you choose to study in Prague?
“I love the idea of going somewhere by myself and having that space to exist and not having the context of everyone else’s opinions of me or what I thought I should act like,” Crosby he said. “It was very important for me to grow in a space I felt uncomfortable in because this precipitates tremendous personal growth. I dived into my faith and grew in ways I never would have if I stayed where I already was.”
What was your experience like?
“[I got to experience] a culture very foreign to American culture, which led to fondness for America, but also a new understanding that the country has its faults. Something in the way America operates is not inherently healthy. Life is so much slower everywhere else besides America. In Spain they eat for hours and they sit at the table for hours. They don’t have plastic cups so you have to sit down and drink your coffee, not like drinking your starbucks while you are driving. I came back [realising] I have to take life slower. It will be okay. Let’s fnd a cute cafe to sit at.”
Jules also travelled through Europe thanks to UPrague, where he visited Germany, Austria and Greece with around 10 other UMiami kids. He also did some personal travel to Spain, Italy
and Croatia.
“It was so beautiful. I really grew by thirty years. I came back different. My values were different, my priorities were different. I really explored the grammar and the fabric of the city of Prague and I want to do that here [ in Miami].”
How did you land your position interning at the Television Academy Foundation?
“I have always been obsessed with the Emmy Awards, I love watching black people get awards. One day, I literally googled if they had any internships and they did. They have a very selective program, and I have gotten my fair share of rejections but I was like why not — so, I sent in an application, got two wonderful recommendations, and had to write an original comedy TV episode and sent all of that in a package and made it to the fnal round which was a fnal interview.”
Crosby ended up having to do a pre-recorded interview, which made it a lot harder and he remembers thinking “This is not good, I was so awkward”. After a while he got back home from his study program and put in his American SIM card.
“I realised I had gotten all these phone calls, one from Nancy Robinson from the TV Academy. She asked me to work on my favourite show [“The Boys”] as a writer. I Immediately called her back and said ‘Oh my God, YES!’”
“Sitting in the writers’ room, really connecting with the producers on staff. It was a great time for me to visualise myself in a career after college in a writers’ room and feeling confdent that I could see myself there. It also ended up with a trip to the Emmys and it was really cool to be in that space. It was really fun. I got to work and met so many people I admire like Jojo T. Gibbs and Colman Domingo who told me, “The best piece of advice I can give you is to stay present.’”
“I would really love to see a print copy of Gravity Magazine in peoples’ hands — that is defnitely number one in the agenda. I hope Gravity expands beyond Miami. Since we are not an offcial UM publication, [it] gives us the freedom to expand beyond UM. Four of us studied abroad in the magazine, so Gravity Brazil and Gravity Prague are out there; they are stepping stones that can be something one day, which is obviously something very ambitious. In the future, I hope Gravity mirrors Vogue Italy and Vogue Japan in that regard and bBlack people are able to connect through art, joy, happiness and all dimensions of emotions for us, by us.”
“I also hope to produce and fnish writing my scripts which are very dear to me and would love to also act on them myself, and I also want to flm a short flm before I graduate so the sky is the limit. I want to have so much fun this year, trying out new places, exploring Miami. I hope to eat at tons of restaurants because I think food is the most consistent love of my life, it’s my serotonin.”
Julian Crosby// Contributing Photographer“There is nothing better than a meal from Popeyes.”
What would be your biggest advice to anyone wanting to break into the media entertainment feld?
“Swallow your pride. You need to be grateful for those smaller scale experiences to give you the skill sets you will need to excel at the bigger companies. Understand that experience is experience. My frst job was at a flm company called FilmGate Miami and I remember coming down from an A24 rejection and I was not thrilled, but FilmGate Miami gave me the best, most formative work experience. The community you create is so fateful and that position was so destined for me. In the long run, it was the most benefcial position for me at the time, so stay humble and take any position that offers experience. Rejection is part of the process: it makes the wins that much more satisfying, [so]don’t let it deter you from anything.”
“What is for you will not pass you.”
“Recently, I was involved with the UTrailblazer Legacy Memorial Project, which is a permanent tribute site on the Coral Gables campus to honour and recognize UM Alumni of the Black Diaspora. Getting ‘passed the torch’ really made me see the signifcance Gravity is starting to have,” Crosby said.
“I have to go abroad again. I have so much of the world left to see. I would love to work abroad and have a temporary residence in Europe. I feel like there is still such growth to be had, so much life to see and so much to explore and dive outside of the bubble that is America.”
“I am also applying to a lot of writing programs with a bunch of networks like NBC and Universal and if those happen to land, I will be off to Los Angeles. If not, I will travel a little bit — all vibes and very little money — but life is so much more than the material. You gotta live for what sets your soul on fre.”
Last season was one of the most successful seasons in Miami men’s basketball program history. After going 26-11 in the regular season and 14-6 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play, the team advanced the farthest it ever had in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament by making it to the Elite Eight.
“It didn’t end the way we wanted to, but it adds fuel to the fre,” senior forward Jordan Miller said to the ACC Network at ACC Tipoff.
A big reason for the success was the veteran players on the squad, including Miller. Point guard Charlie Moore, small forward Kameron McGusty and center Sam Waardenburg were three of the team’s fve starters, and each player was critical to Miami’s success. Moore led the team in assists, McGusty led in points and Waardenburg led in blocks.
Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the trio is no longer a part of the team. “We’re going to miss the leadership that we got from [those players]. They were terrifc pieces to a very complicated puzzle, which is basketball,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said to reports at a recent media availability. “You got to fnd the right players to do the right things.”
Larrañaga and Miami’s coaching staff have been trying to “fnd the right players” by adding highly rated transfers and a plethora of freshmen with potential to the squad for the upcoming season. Here is a further look into the six new additions to the team:
As one of the most coveted transfer players in the nation, point guard Nijel Pack chose Miami. The
Indianapolis native is an offensive threat after averaging 17.4 points per game at Kansas State last season. The sophomore made 45.5% of his shots and 43.6% of his three-point attempts, proving himself as one of the most effcient shooters in the nation.
He needs to prove himself more as a playmaker after posting only 2.2 assists per game last season, given that he is expected to replace Moore as Miami’s starting point guard. Pack will space the foor by commanding a lot of defensive attention and freeing other teammates on the foor. He is a legitimate All-ACC candidate after being named to the All-Big 12 First Team last season.
Another transfer from this past offseason, sophomore forward Norchad Omier will immediately impact the squad. Omier is an explosive athlete and will provide some highlights for fans throughout the season.
The Nicaraguan is only 6-foot-7, but it never seems to matter when he is on the court. Omier dominated his opponents when he played for Arkansas State, scoring 17.9 points per game while grabbing more than 12 boards per game. His 63.2% feld goal percentage was eighth-best in the country last season, and he was the second-shortest among the top 10 in that category.
The pick-and-roll possibilities with Omier’s strength and bounce can be challenging for defenders to deal with.
At 6-foot-9 and 213 pounds, AJ Casey is profcient in every aspect of the game. The freshman forward averaged 19 points, ten rebounds, fve assists and three blocks per game for Whitney M. Young Magnet High
School in Chicago last season.
Casey’s defensive paint presence and strong post-game are immediately among the best on the team, and under the mentorship of the veteran Miller, will only improve.
As a true three-level scorer, freshman Christian Watson fts into Larrañaga’s fve-out offense like a glove. The Washington D.C. native was a four-star recruit and was ranked as the No. 92 national recruit by ESPN.
Watson shows strength around the rim, the ability to create his own space for a shot and high-level playmaking for someone listed at 6-foot-7. He averaged 17 points and four assists per game in his fnal season for St. John’s College High School.
Favour AireFreshman Favour Aire arrives as the tallest player on the Hurricanes. The 6-foot-11 Nigerian attended Bishop McNamara High School in Maryland, where he established himself as the fourth-best recruit in the state, according to ESPN.
Aire is a blocking and rebounding machine, averaging 13.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game in his senior season. His defensive potential is off the charts, which is heavily needed for Miami after losing Waardenburg.
After redshirting last season, freshman guard Jakai Robinson will be making his debut this season.
In his Rock Creek Christian Academy career, the Ossining, N.Y. native was known for his sweet lefty three-point touch, shooting 44 percent from three. The threepointers he shoots aren’t just catch-
and-shoot. He is not afraid to pull up from anywhere on the foor and uses the pick-and-roll a lot to free up space for his shot.
The freshman forward comes from Whitnall High School, which was the school that Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro attended. Jovanovich even played with Herro’s brother.
Jovanovich is an effective and effcient shooter. He shot an astounding 70% from the feld in his fnal year at Whitnall, scoring 28.7 points per game. At 6-foot8, Jovanovich can develop into a premier wing player in the ACC.
The frst opportunity to showcase the new talent will come on Oct. 30, when Miami opens its season against the IUP in an exhibition game at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Fla. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
In their frst win in over a month, the Hurricanes football team defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies, 20-14, on Saturday at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. There were many things to be proud of, but it was not a dream game for Miami, which nearly squandered a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, a win is a win and the ‘Canes are now back to a .500 record.
Here are some takeaways from the game.
The start we’ve all been waiting for Miami has consistently gotten out to slow starts this year, but Saturday was different. On the opening drive, cornerback DJ Ivey forced a fumble that was recovered by safety Avantae Williams. Four plays later, a fve-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to Frank Ladson Jr. gave the ‘Canes a lead for the frst time since they played Southern Miss on Sept. 10.
“We started very strong. We came out with purpose, we came out with conviction and we really executed at a high level,”
head coach Mario Cristobal said.
In the frst quarter, Miami had 161 yards compared to Virginia Tech’s 70, while having the ball for 9:14 compared to Virginia Tech’s 5:46.
Colbie Young is that guy
Bringing Colbie Young to the team this past offseason might have been one of the best moves made by Miami. Earlier in the week, the coaching staff said Young would get an increased role in the offense against Virginia Tech and he made exceptional use of it.
Young got involved early, making an acrobatic 37-yard catch that set up Ladson’s touchdown. He was one of the most prolifc receivers of the day with 110 yards on nine catches, including a 17-yard touchdown in the second quarter to put Miami up 17-0.
Going into the game against Virginia Tech, Miami was the least penalized school in the entire Atlantic Coast Conference, with 27 on the season. On
Saturday, they had 17.
The penalties yielded over 150 yards total and hurt both sides of the ball. It allowed Virginia Tech to get back into the game, as it outscored Miami 14-3 in the second half.
Going into the game, the Miami defense was among
the top defenses in the nation when it came to pressuring the quarterback and it continued on Saturday. The ‘Canes got to Virginia Tech quarterback Grant Wells six times in the game, with star defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor recording a career-high 3.5 of them.
The pressure was a big reason Virginia Tech was held scoreless through the frst three quarters
and it is key to Miami’s success defensively.
Mesidor was another key transfer addition for Miami, along with lineman Darrell Jackson Jr. The two have established the trenches emphatically.
The Canes look to keep the winning up against Duke on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff will take place at 12:30 p.m.
Miami soccer traveled to Raleigh, N.C. for their final road matchup of the season versus NC State. The ladies ended the match versus the Wolfpack in a 3-3 draw.
“We never quit competing on both sides of the ball. We got forward and created some of the better opportunities we’ve had all year. At the same time, we worked really hard to mitigate some of the danger against a team that is one of the more effective in transition in the [Atlantic Coast Conference],” Miami head coach Sarah Barnes said to Miami Athletics.
The ‘Canes went up 3-0 very quickly, netting three goals within the first 20 minutes.
Sophomore midfielder Lauren Meeks gave Miami a 1-0 lead in the twelfth minute.
“It was good to get the first one in our direction and spark our attack. It was super important for us to take the early momentum and run with it,” Meeks said.
Just four minutes later, striker Chloe O’Neill extended Miami’s lead to two. As a veteran of the team, this was O’Neill’s 75th career match.
The graduate student knocked in her second goal of the game on an assist
from senior defender Tayolor Shell, and the ‘Canes grabbed a 3-0 lead before the 20th minute mark.
“She’s aggressive and tenacious,” Barnes said of O’Neill. “Anytime the ball gets put in the box and she’s within the vicinity, you feel like she has a chance to put it in. She did a great job of getting on the end of two crosses and digging out a couple of goals.”
Miami was able to get off ten shots, eight of which were on target.
Unfortunately for the Hurricanes, the three goal lead was not enough.
N.C. State defender Lulu Guttenberger cut the deficit to one. In the 49th minute,
Wolfpack forward Jameese Joseph tied the match at three apiece.
The Hurricanes (4-6-3, 1-5-1 ACC) will return to Cobb Stadium this week for a three-match homestand. They host Boston College on Thursday at 6 p.m. Miami wouldn’t give Virginia Tech an opportunity to take the lead, though, as it converted twice on third down on its next drive. Van Dyke got the last conversion with his nine-yard rush on third-and-6 to put the game away.
Next up, the ‘Canes return to Hard Rock Stadium to face the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 12:30 p.m.
The University of Miami volleyball team fell to conference rival Pittsburgh, 3-0, on Friday night at Fitzgerald Field House.
UM entered the match coming off a dominant 3-0 win against Duke last Sunday but was unable to continue its winning streak against the eighth-ranked Panthers.
The opening set went back and forth, featuring 16 ties and six lead changes. The ‘Canes (10-8, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) held the lead for much of the set and even forced the Panthers to use a timeout at 11-9.
However, with Miami leading 18-17 later in the set, Pittsburgh
went on a 5-0 run to take a 2218 lead. UM would respond by scoring three straight points, but Pittsburgh would take the next three to eventually win set one, 25-22.
The Panthers then took a 2-0 advantage by defeating the Hurricanes, 25-18, in the second set.
In set three, Miami found themselves down 16-10 but came back to tie it at 22 all. The
Panthers responded once again, though, by scoring the next three points to win the set, 2522, and the match, 3-0.
“I am proud of the way we competed and battled tonight,” Miami head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara said in a Miami Athletics release. “We
were good in some areas but obviously didn’t do enough to win. Give credit to Pitt, they’re a good team. We’ll learn what we can from tonight and be ready for Virginia on Sunday.”
Outside hitter Angela Grieve registered a match-high 13 kills for Miami, senior setter Savannah Vach recorded a match-high 28 assists and sophomore setter Alanys Viera led the ‘Canes with 12 digs. Middle blockers Abby Casiano and Janice Leao were also key contributors for the Hurricanes as they put up six and eight kills, respectively.
On the Pittsburgh side, graduate student Courtney Buzzerio totaled 12 kills, three blocks and two aces to lead her
team to victory. Meanwhile, redshirt junior Valeria Vasquez Gomez tallied 11 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Rachel Fairbanks led the Panthers with 21 assists.
The ‘Canes look to bounce back against Virginia at Memorial Gymnasium in Charlottesville, Virginia, at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
The Miami Hurricanes are back on track.
After a three-game losing streak, which included a shocking upset by Middle Tennessee State, the ‘Canes pulled out a 20-14 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium for their frst Atlantic Coast Conference win this season.
But it wasn’t without drama.
Leading 20-0 heading into the fourth quarter, Miami (3-3) allowed 14 unanswered points to make it a one-possession game. However, it was too little too late for the Hokies (2-5), as the Hurricanes’ offense did enough to run out the clock after Virginia Tech’s last touchdown.
“Proud of the way we came out,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “Tremendous credit to the players for fghting hard and doing what they did to fnd a
way to win a football game on the road.”
Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, fresh off a 496-yard, threetouchdown performance against North Carolina that earned him ACC Quarterback of the Week honors, had another stellar outing, completing 29 of his 46 passes for 351 yards and two touchdowns.
“[Tyler’s] preparation has really gone up another level and he’s also affecting the guys around him,” Cristobal said.
“Talented guy.”
Colbie Young led all receivers with 110 yards in his frst career start as a Hurricane, which he earned after recording 43 yards and a touchdown reception on Miami’s last scoring drive against North Carolina last week.
Miami’s defense held the Hokies scoreless through three quarters, forcing seven punts in that span, and immediately made its presence felt on the game’s opening drive, when cornerback
DJ Ivey forced a fumble from a Hokie receiver that safety Avantae Williams recovered.
The Hurricanes’ offense then took over and Van Dyke quickly got to work with a 30-yard strike to sophomore receiver Brashard Smith. A spectacular one-handed grab by Young followed and brought Miami into the red zone.
On the next play, Van Dyke found Frank Ladson Jr. in the back of the end zone for a fveyard touchdown. The ‘Canes extended their lead with a 28yard feld goal towards the end of the frst quarter.
On its next scoring drive, Miami needed only 2:29 to move 80 yards down the feld and go up 17-0. Van Dyke dropped a perfect pass right over a Virginia Tech defender and into Young’s hands for a 17-yard touchdown.
The ‘Canes led 17-0 at halftime, outgaining the Hokies by 196 yards.
Miami’s offense stalled in the second half, though, with its
only points coming from a 38yard feld goal.
For the third week in a row, the run game was underwhelming, as the Hurricanes’ rushing attack accumulated just 107 yards, even though they averaged 3.8 yards a carry. Freshman quarterback Jacurri Brown was the only bright spot, showcasing his mobility by rushing for 22 yards on two carries.
The lack of offensive
production was offset by Miami’s stout defense, which recorded six sacks – 3.5 of them by defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor.
But then Virginia Tech broke through in the fourth quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Grant Wells, who later made it a one-possession game by rushing for a three-yard touchdown with 3:20 left in the fourth quarter.
V’s Take is The Hurricane’s most controversial and longest-running column. It is a satirical work published bi-weekly by students and for students. Using our generaton’s colorful language to address all things sex, love and gossip on campus, V is not for the polittically correct or easily offended.
In case you weren’t made aware by the pumpkin-spicedeverything accompanied by the return of the superior Jacko-Lantern Resses, it is in fact that horrifically wonderful time of year. Halloween, my favorite day of the year for obvious reasons, is soon upon
us! So, grab your fishnets and whatever other minimal clothing we’re deeming a costume and let’s get spooky. For those of you who still have yet to pick a childhood fictional character or first responders to ‘slut-ify,’ I, out of the goodness of my ghoulish
heart, have come up with a little game to help you decide. Happy Halloween and may your weekend be filled with a little tricking and a lot of treating.
“What’s a ghoul to wear? V’s guide to sending shivers down the spooky scary skelton’s spine?”
Have a question for V? Email
dearv@themiamihurricane.com.
This costume is purrrfect for students who find themselves lingering around campus at all hours and catching a nap in a glider aloof to everything around them. Simple and sexy you can’t go wrong.
Now hear me out, people have slut-ified every lovable character from Buzz-Lightyear to Minnie Mouse in the name of Halloween. Why can’t we do the same with everyone’s favorite bird?
My last suggestion may be my best. Imagine the infamous Clark Kent Superman suit under the button-down look, but with a “U” logo instead.
Yours Always, V
The Miami Hurricane is looking for hardworking individuals to join our sales team for the 2022-23 academic year. for more information, contact: jaredlennon@themiamihurricane.com
“Spooky,