LITTLETON, CO LITTLETON RED LAKE, MN VIRGINIA TECH BIRMINGHAM, NY FORT HOOD, TX AURORA THEATER, CO NEWTOWN, CONN. WASHINGTON NAVY YARD, D.C. CHARLESTON, SC UMPQUA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ROSEBURG, OR SAN BERNARDINO, CA KALAMAZOO, MI PULSE NIGHTCLUB, ORLANDO, FL DALLAS, TX FORT LAUDERDALE, FL
October 3 - October 9, 2017 Vol. 96 | Issue 3
LAS VEGAS, NV There have been at least 72 mass shootings in the U.S. since 1995
NEWS // Page 2
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NEWS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017
COVER
Vegas experiences worst mass shooting in recent history By Isabella Cueto and Amanda Herrera Editor-in-Chief and News Editor news@themiamihurricane.com
At least 58 people were killed and 515 injured in the deadliest mass shooting in recent U.S. history Oct. 1 in Las Vegas. At 10 p.m. PST, a lone gunman shot at a crowd of up to 22,000 people from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas strip. Those in the crowd were attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival, a three-day country music concert at the Las Vegas Village and Festival Grounds. During a performance by singer Jason Aldean, the last act of the festival, a nonstop shower of bullets erupted. After a few seconds, crowd members realized what was happening, and Aldean ran off stage. Panicked confusion ensued, and thousands of people rushed from the concert venue into sheltered locations and onto the tarmac of nearby McCarran
International Airport. Miller Silbey, a freshman majoring in sports administration, has lived in Las Vegas since he was two years old. He said four of his friends were at the festival, and they confused the sound of gunshots for pyrotechnics until they saw Aldean flea the stage. “I’ve been thinking about it all day,” Silbey said. “It’s crazy how it hit so close to home.” Silbey said he called his friends to make sure they were OK when he saw the news the following morning. Physically, they were fine, but said they are scarred after watching people get shot and family members shield each other from bullets. One friend was part of the mob of people desperately trying to get away. “He just ran and ran until he was as far away as possible,” Silbey said. “He said it was like a war zone.” Freshman Sophia Constantino lived in Las Vegas during her sixth and seventh grade years. Her parents live in upstate New York
now, but Constantino said her dad still works in Las Vegas one week out of the year. Constantino’s father flew into Las Vegas Oct. 1, and Constantino didn’t know anything was wrong until she received a breaking news update from the BBC on her cellphone while at the gym the morning after the massacre. She texted her dad and heard from him after three hours. He’s fine. Jaye Straus was born and raised in Las Vegas, and she lives about 15 minutes from the strip where the shooting took place. She said people don’t realize “how tiny Vegas is,” and how scary it is to recognize the setting of this tragedy. “It doesn’t seem real,” said Straus, a sophomore in the business school. “That’s what is crazy – when you see the same buildings that you see in person.” The gruesome massacre marks the seventh recorded mass shooting in the United States in 2017. The Islamic State terrorist group claimed
responsibility for the attack, but authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the gunman, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock from Mesquite, Nevada, had any ties to an international terrorist organization. Paddock had no significant prior criminal history, local officials said. The gunman had 20 rifles in his hotel room, including two on tripods at the windows, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to the New York Times. Constantino said she was scared and stressed before she heard from her dad. However, she went to class like normal. But as she sat in the dining hall during lunch, the gravity of the tragedy struck her. “I started crying and was shaking at my table because there are 50 or more people who will text their dads or loved one and aren’t going to hear back,” Constantino said. “I was lucky to hear back from mine.”
FINANCE
Airlines waive certain fees post-Irma, hundreds apply for financial assistance By Paulina Kanburiyan Contributing News Writer
Nearly a month ago, thousands of University of Miami students evacuated campus, some spending thousands of dollars on one-way flights, as the university prepared to face Hurricane Irma’s impact. Now, the school’s Office of Student Financial Assistance and Employment (OSFAE) and select U.S. airlines are offering assistance to students with financial burdens. For senior Grace Gordon, the extension of the fall academic calendar until Dec. 20 frustrated her, since she planned ahead and booked a flight home for winter break. Gordon, an advertising and French double major, estimated she spent $1,000 because of Hurricane Irma. Today, the university announced that American Airlines and JetBlue will be waiving certain fees for students with prebooked flights. Students traveling on American Airlines from Miami (MIA), Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International
Airport (FLL) or West Palm Beach (PBI) with original travel dates from Dec. 11 through Dec. 16 are eligible for fee waivers. The new travel dates must be from Dec. 18 through Dec. 23. Fees will be waived for one change per ticket. A fare difference may apply. Students traveling on JetBlue in and out of FLL or PBI with original travel dates from Dec. 5 through Dec. 15 can get date change or cancelation fees waived. Travel must have been booked by Sept. 5 to qualify, and any difference in airfare will apply. At an institutional level, students who spent on necessities such as “transportation, lodging and meal-related expenses” qualify for assistance. The OSFAE will pull money from wherever possible to provide emergency assistance to students as quickly as possible, OSFAE Executive Director Raymond Nault-Hix said. For freshman Isabella Altilio, a Venezuelan native, a $1,350 ticket home has strained her financially. Altilio said because of her country’s corrupt government, financial strain exists for many. In Venezuela, money has become “extremely devalued.” Altilio said the
amount she spent on the ticket converts into 27,000,000 Venezuelan Bolivars. Altilio, who has applied for the extra financial assistance, said she’s thankful for the chance to replenish what she spent. “It is a good opportunity that the university is giving me to recover the money that for my parents is a lot of hard work,” said Altilio, whose father owns a plastic factory in Venezuela. The OSFAE requires students to complete a 2017-2018 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, provide documentation of proof regarding incurred expenses during the time of Irma and “have remaining eligibility for federal assistance.” Nault-Hix said UM is allowed to distribute the funds because of an emergency declaration made by the Department of Education. These expenses, however, do not include personal damage that may have occurred during the hurricane, such as damage to one’s car or family home. Altilio, a double major in biochemistry and nutrition, said she hasn’t completed her FAFSA application because, being an international student, she does not have a social security number. However, she said she has sent the university a letter and
proof of ticket payment. John Haller, vice president of enrollment management, said the OSFAE has received paperwork for hurricane relief from a total of 262 graduate and undergraduate students. The deadline to apply for aid is Oct. 6. The university is aiming to reply to each request for aid within 10 business days; however, it depends on whether the student’s financial aid information is completed and correct. Haller said the university will be providing financial aid to students on a case-by-case basis depending on their financial need. To find out more about the fee waivers, students should call American Airlines at 1-800-446-7834 or JetBlue at 1-800538-2583 and say they are a University of Miami student impacted by Hurricane Irma. Students with questions regarding the university’s post-Irma financial assistance should call 305-284-6000 (option 2 for undergraduate students, option 3 for law or graduate students; medical students should call 305-284-6211).
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
NEWS
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INTERNATIONAL
Recovery efforts led by UM community continue as Puerto Rican students stuck on island return Hurricane Maria barreled through Puerto Rico nearly two weeks ago, leaving millions without power and basic necessities such as clean water. Some University of Miami students witnessed the disaster first-hand after fleeing from Hurricane Irma, only to become stuck on the island. Sophomore Natalia Cañellas, a Puerto Rican native, returned to her country when Hurricane Irma was predicted to hit Miami directly. The damage sustained in Puerto Rico from Hurricane Irma was minimal compared to what it would suffer from Hurricane Maria the following week. With classes canceled until Sept. 20, Cañellas said she decided to stay in Puerto Rico. When Maria became a major threat to the island, Cañellas said all flights out were canceled. She went from hurricane evacuee to survivor. “After the hurricane, Puerto Rico isn’t really Puerto Rico anymore – it’s devastated,” said Cañellas, a nursing student. “There are trees everywhere, there’s no power, there’s barely any phone signal or any clean water to drink.” Hurricane Maria plowed through the island Sept. 20 with wind speeds of 155 mph. More than 95 percent of the island lost power. Cañellas’ house had a generator, but she and her family still had no form of communication. For Cañellas, being stuck in her country without phone service was better than being away from the disaster. “I am kind of happy that I spent the hurricane there because I was with my family,” she said. “I didn’t have the problem of not being able to call them.” With hundreds of flights to and from San Juan Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport canceled in the aftermath of the hurricane, Puerto Ricans, including Cañellas, were desperate to find a way out. On Sept. 26, more than a week after classes resumed, Cañellas returned to Miami with the help of her father’s friend and his private airplane. Though Cañellas is safe in Miami with food, clean water and electricity, she said her return has been difficult.
“I feel horrible,” she said. “I don’t want to be back in Miami. I just want to be in Puerto Rico with my friends, my people. But I can’t really do much back there. I won’t want to take the little resources that are left.” There are a total of 71 students from Puerto Rico including undergraduate, graduate, law and medical students, said Jennifer Rau, UM’s director of divisional initiatives and university ombudsperson. During the aftermath of the storm, the university worked with 18 students stuck in Puerto Rico to try to find them a way out. Felicia Knaul, director of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine, initially reached out to Vice
colleges and universities across the nation. Since its creation Sept. 20, the page has raised more than $160,000, surpassing its current $150,000 goal. Though his family back in Puerto Rico has sent positive updates, such as power restorations and the restocking of supermarket shelves, Méndez said there is still more that could be done. President Donald Trump and his administration have come under recent scrutiny for delayed recovery responses by San Juan’s Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz. Trump responded with a series of tweets attacking the mayor’s “leadership” for the island’s lack of improvement in the storm’s aftermath. For Méndez, the recovery responses
“After the hurricane, Puerto Rico isn’t really Puerto Rico anymore. It’s devastated.” Natalia Cañellas President of Student Affairs Patricia Whitely about bringing remaining UM students back on a Caribbean cruise ship delivering supplies to those in affected areas. The university was able to contact two students and add them to the passenger list. The ship is expected to arrive at Port Everglades Oct. 3 with both students and one student’s siblings onboard. Other students who remained on the island were able to find their own way back to the United States, including senior Christian Lausell. He returned to Miami on a commercial airplane. Lausell declined to comment on his experience in Puerto Rico. Since news of the hurricane hit the airwaves in the United States, Puerto Ricans across the country have started initiatives and recovery efforts to aid those affected. Rafael Méndez, a junior majoring in marketing, is involved with “Students with Puerto Rico,” a collective GoFundMe initiative put together by students from
made by the U.S. government have done little to improve the situation that has become a humanitarian crisis. “I don’t think he understands how serious the situation is,” Méndez said. “Puerto Ricans all over the country are doing what they can to help while the government has been stagnant. It has caused the whole crisis.” Students aren’t the only ones taking matters into their own hands when it comes to helping those affected in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. A letter and petition has been circulating among faculty and staff asking the university to accommodate displaced Caribbean students and faculty. The letter, addressed to President Julio Frenk and members of the UM Board of Trustees, asks the administration to accommodate students from the region in the university’s classrooms and housing for the duration of the semester or academic calendar year at no cost to the students. The petition also asks for displaced faculty
Maria Esquinca// Esquinca// Contributing Photographer
By Amanda Herrera News Editor news@themiamihurricane.com @_amandaherrera
Natalia Cañellas
to be “provided with office and laboratory space, and library access.” The petition has over 200 electronic signatures from members of the university’s faculty and staff. Florida Gov. Rick Scott asked colleges and universities to offer in-state tuition for Puerto Ricans affected by Hurricane Maria. Some Florida schools, including Miami Dade College and Broward College, already offer Puerto Rican students significant discounts. Whitely said UM is looking into providing similar opportunities and will be meeting this week with the Faculty Senate to discuss possibilities. William Pestle, associate professor in the department of anthology, created the petition. After conducting research in Puerto Rico for 15 years, Pestle said he has grown to love the island and felt a duty to help “our Puerto Rican students, colleagues and fellow American citizens.” He said he drafted the letter after realizing that he can’t restore power to the country or produce clean water for them to drink, but he can teach students. “That’s what we’re good at,” said Pestle, who is married to a Puerto Rican. Pestle will be flying to Puerto Rico Oct. 5 “with as many supplies as the airline will let me” to aid those in need. However, before he leaves to assist in recovery effort, he said he will present the letter to the administration Oct. 4. He said he trusts the administration will come up with the right solutions to provide displaced students with opportunities to overcome the hurdles the hurricane placed in their lives. “I am hopeful the administration will see fit to match that commitment,” he said. “While the faculty can teach students ... there needs to be leadership at the top propelling that forward – the faculty can’t do that by themselves.”
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NEWS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017
CONSTRUCTION
DILATION SIMULATION: SIMULATION: A simulation birth is performed at the School of Nursing and Health Studies’ new Simulation Hospital. The facility is one of the largest and most advanced simulation hospitals of its kind in the world.
Kayla Haley Haley// // Contributing News Writer
Simulation hospital opens, allows hands-on instruction for nursing students By Kayla Haley Contributing News Writer @KaylaOHaley
The orange carpet rolled out, and the ribbon was cut. After two years of construction, the School of Nursing and Health Studies’ Simulation Hospital officially opened its doors. At five stories and 41,000 square feet, the state-of-the-art building is one of the largest and most advanced simulation hospitals of its kind in the world. University President Julio Frenk and new SONHS Dean Cindy Munro welcomed more than 250 special guests and the media to highlight the features and benefits of the new facility. Research shows clinical simulation is the key to improving patient safety outcomes, Munro said, but the facility is more than just a classroom. “The simulation hospital will be a living laboratory,” Munro said. “This space is about more than our education; it will also advance our mission to create new knowledge for practice.” During the ceremony, guests and media took self-guided tours of the building. Graduate
students presented emergency simulation demonstrations with reactive healthcare mannequins in eight different rooms. The presentations included a birth, resuscitation and fire. On the first-floor care providers illustrated the high stakes of emergency medical scenarios. A “patient” with life-threatening injuries arrives in the emergency department and the students scramble to save him. The simulation patient in question is an electronic mannequin with vinyl skin controlled by a technician behind a computer screen who decides how the scene should play out. The monitor showed vital signs deteriorating as the “patient” went into cardiac arrest. Students acted quickly and collaboratively to revive him. They rushed to deliver CPR and defibrillation shocks. The new hospital illustrates that the future of healthcare is both dramatic and dynamic, Frenk said. “We need a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, and all that is what this groundbreaking facility is going to allow,” he said. The simulation hospital is open to students
and serves as an environment where they will test and master skills. First-year nursing student Kacie Robinson said the hospital was worth the wait. “The simulation hospital will actually give us more of an idea of what to expect in the real world,” Robinson said, “like when we go out there and are hands-on with patients.” Hurricane Irma interrupted the last phase of construction preparations and threatened to delay the dedication ceremony. Frenk related the hospital’s importance to the recent natural disasters in the United States, the Caribbean and Mexico. “This hospital really launches a new vision for health, professional education, and also for disaster preparedness, which we have seen recently is really imperative,” he said. The hospital serves as a center where students and professionals will test and master life-saving skills to revolutionize medical care and technology, including emergency preparation. Former SONHS, Dean Nilda (Nena) Peragallo Montano, attended the ceremony and was credited with providing the vision for the hospital’s construction.
In August 2016, Montano announced her resignation and became the dean of the School of Nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The simulation hospital is also hosting its Inaugural Symposium 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sept. 29 in the hospital’s second-floor auditorium. The session, “A Response to the Call for Radical Transformation,” will be a dialogue on real-world challenges and innovative solutions for improved disaster response and patient-care experiences. “We not only open the doors to a new facility but also to new possibilities,” said Edward Erickson, the chief fire officer for Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and current Ph.D. student at SONHS.
read more at themiamihurricane.com With the new simulation hospital officially open, the new Dean of the Nursing and Health Science School, Cindy Munro, is collaborating with faculty to create more opportunities for students to learn and practice skill sets she was not able to when she was a nursing student.
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
NEWS
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CRIME AND SAFETY
Alumna sues UM for Title IX violations By Isabella Cueto Editor-in-Chief editor@themiamihurricane.com @isabellacueto
A University of Miami alumna is suing the university for its “deliberate indifference” toward her being raped, stalked and physically assaulted during the first three weeks of her junior year. The student, identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, said the administration failed to protect her from her assailant when he harassed and stalked her nine to 10 times between September and December 2013. Furthermore, the plaintiff said former Dean William “Tony” Lake told her she should drop the rape allegations and “feel bad” for her assailant because “he did not have many friends,” and that perhaps he had penetrated her with his fingers and not his penis and that “this was not rape.” These and other claims fill the 21-page lawsuit filed against UM on Sept. 15 for mishandling complaints of sexual assault and harassment and for allegedly violating the plaintiff’s rights under Title IX, the amendment prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender. The student filing the complaint graduated from UM with a degree in microbiology and immunology in 2015 and is now a law student at the University of Houston. The alleged perpetrator is not named in the lawsuit, but the complaint states that the assailant was a Resident Assistant at Mahoney Residential College and that the two met on the Hindu Student Council and dated for a brief time before the assault. The complaint, filed at the United States District Court in the Southern District of Florida, details how the student said she pleaded with the university to accommodate her situation and allow her to withdraw for a semester without a “W” on her transcript. UM denied. In an official statement to The Miami Hurricane, the university said it was aware of the lawsuit but had not been formally served as of Sept. 29. “The university has very strong policies concerning student conduct and safety and considers such matters to be of the highest priority,” the statement read. The university has come under fire twice before in recent years for Title IX-related cases. In October 2015, former student Monica Morrison sued UM, saying the school mishandled sexual harassment allegations she made against philosophy professor Colin McGinn in 2012. In April 2015, former student Angela Cameron
created a petition to demand her alleged rapist, David Jia, be expelled. Jia was found responsible for several allegations, including sexual assault. He was suspended for one semester. Jia sued UM in January 2017 for mishandling the case. The latest suit against UM alleges that the university – including Lake, who was in charge of Title IX cases at the time and was gone from UM at the start of the 2016 academic year – did not take the appropriate steps to ensure Jane Doe’s safety on campus. The lawsuit also states that Lake told the plaintiff to “avoid those situations” where her aggressor may come in contact with her. Lake could not be reached for comment. On Dec. 10, 2013, a panel of three people found the assailant responsible for sexual assault and battery, intimate partner/dating violence, physical assault and sexual harassment. Jane Doe, even after the hearing, saw her assailant on campus, so on Dec. 12 she obtained an emergency protective order in Miami-Dade County. On Dec. 16, her assailant was expelled. The complaint alleges that the university was dismissive with the student’s concerns and, as a result, the student failed two of her courses. Until fall 2013, she had maintained a 3.8 GPA. The grades were especially harmful for the plaintiff, who said she needed high marks to achieve her goal of getting into medical school. After months of back-and-forth with the university administration, “unable to cope with the university’s indifference and suffering from depression,” the student attempted suicide Jan. 25, 2014. Only then did UM allow her to withdraw without markings on her transcript, the lawsuit states. That spring, while recovering at Menninger Clinic in Texas, the student was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Police arrested and interrogated the assailant Dec. 17, 2013, and he admitted to stalking the plaintiff, according to the lawsuit. In spring of 2014, he pled guilty to stalking and was required to complete a sex offender program and perform community service and was placed on probation for three years and permanently placed on the sex offender registry. He must also stay away from Jane Doe. The victim was eventually able to return to school and graduate from UM in May 2015, and she is now a law student at the University of Houston, according to the lawsuit. However, the student has still not been able to remedy what appear as failing grades from the fall 2013 semester on her transcript. Lawyers representing the student did not wish to comment at the time of publication.
2016-2017 Crime Report Changes OFFENSE
YEAR ON CAMPUS
ON CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING
NON-CAMPUS PROPERTY
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS: ARRESTS
2015 2016
0 0
0 0
38 49
LIQUOR LAW VIOLATIONS: DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS
2015 2016
401 191
401 191
1 4
DRUG ABUSE VIOLATIONS: DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS
2015 2016
120 134
118 133
0 6
RAPES
2015 2016
3 1
3 1
1 2
FONDLING
2015 2016
6 1
0 2
2 0
BURGLARY
2015 2016
16 9
5 5
8 0
2015 2016
8 9
4 5
0 0
STALKING
6
OPINION
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
The Miami
HURRICANE 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
October 3 - October 9, 2017
Opinion EDITORIAL
For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Isabella Cueto
DIGITAL PRODUCER Tommy Fletcher
MANAGING EDITOR Annie Cappetta
ONLINE EDITOR Jackie Yang
SENIOR EDITOR Elizabeth Gelbaugh
COPY CHIEF Nathaniel Derrenbacher
NEWS EDITOR Amanda Herrera ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Nathalie Mairena OPINION EDITOR Israel Aragon Bravo EDGE EDITOR Shellie Frai
BUSINESS MANAGER Ryan Yde SALES REPRESENTATIVES Carleigh Romano Joseph Landing Diego Torres
SPORTS EDITOR Isaiah Kim-Martinez
AD DESIGNER Daniela Calderon
VISUALS EDITOR Hunter Crenian
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Isabel Vichot
PHOTO EDITOR Amanda Prats ART DIRECTOR Emily Dulohery
FACULTY ADVISER Tsitsi Wakhisi FINANCIAL ADVISER Steve Priepke
DESIGNERS Beverly Chesser Caitlin Costa Lauren Flaumenhaft Claire Geho To reach a member of the staff visit themiamihurricane.com’s contact page.
The Miami Hurricane is published weekly 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 office of The Miami Hurricane are located in the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200. LETTER POLICY 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. ADVERTISING POLICY The Miami Hurricane’s business office is located at 1330 Miller Drive, Student Activities Center Student Media Suite 200. The Miami Hurricane is published on Thursdays during the university’s fall and spring academic terms. Newspapers are distributed for free on the Coral Gables campus, the School of Medicine and off-campus locations. DEADLINES All ads must be received, cash with copy, in The Miami Hurricane business office, Student Activities Center Student Media Suite 200, by end of the business day Friday for Tuesday print. SUBSCRIPTIONS The Miami Hurricane is available for subscription at the rate of $50 per year. AFFILIATIONS The Miami Hurricane is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Florida College Press Association.
Trump’s Puerto Rico response wholly unacceptable The Trump administration’s lack of an immediate response in a hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, coupled with jabs at San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, demonstrate a lack of sensitivity following one of the worst natural disasters in recent memory. To be clear, Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, which means that in the event of any terrible crisis, the U.S. federal government is expected to reach out in the same way it did in New Orleans following Katrina or the Florida Keys following Irma. Anyone born in Puerto Rico is as much of a U.S. citizen as someone born in the suburbs of Houston. And in the days following Hurricane Maria, the Trump administration did indeed respond. The Jones Act was waived for ten days, allowing international ships to reach the island with supplies and manpower, which should be useful in the short-term. However, of course, this means that once these ten days are up, the Jones Act will continue to alienate Puerto Rico in the effort of long-term recovery. Aid has been painstakingly slow in a
time when Puerto Rico needs it most, and Trump’s response to demands for increased aid couldn’t have been more inappropriate. By insinuating that Puerto Rico was asking for too much and by calling Mayor Cruz a poor leader, Trump has somehow managed to interpret a plea for help as a personal slight. As the president continues to attack “fake news” for candidly reporting on the embattled island’s dire situation, he continues to embarrass himself and the presidency. As frustrating as the federal government’s response may be, it’s incredibly inspiring to see how other people have grouped together to raise awareness and create their own humanitarian aid packages. Celebrities have contributed in this cause by donating their own money. Miami Dade College offered tuition aid to displaced Puerto Rican students by waiving out of state fees. Miami-Dade police set up a collection site at its Kendall district station. Former presidents created a fundraising campaign. Actions like these are the only
HOW TO HELP PUERTO RICO A GoFundMe page, “Students with Puerto Rico” was made by college students across the U.S., including at UM, to aid those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria. gofundme.com/studentswithpr
appropriate responses following catastrophic disasters, rather than the contrived political rancor the president dished out last week. Ordinary people with a desire to help those who have been displaced should not follow in his example. Instead, they should set their own example by rising up and contributing to local efforts. We here in South Florida know natural disasters all too well. We have a responsibility to step up where the federal government and parts of the population do not want to step up to. As residents of an extremely multicultural city with a large Puerto Rican population that is majority Spanish-speaking, we need to step up and care for our Puerto Rican neighbors who don’t share the same benefits of living in the mainland like us. Hopefully, the actions of ordinary people can create a dialogue in the federal government that helps the Puerto Rican people get the aid they need and deserve. Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
OPINION
7
O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming Whose broad stripes bright the strip pes and brigh ht stars tars through tthe he perilous fight O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And th rockets’ ro ocke s’ red gla glare, are the he bombs b bursting ur ting in air G Gave ave proof through h the night that our flag was still there O say does that banner wave off the the brave? dimly sstar-spangled ta s a e ed db a ne yet ett wa ave O’er ’er tthe e land do he ffree ee and th he home ome of the bra ave On the shore di im seen through the mists of tthe foe’s haughty reposes o’er he deep Where e tthe e foe h ugh ht host ost in dread d silence sile e re es What Wha is i that th hat which hich the breeze, bree e, o ’ r the towering steep As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses? morning’s beam lly b once o ea , h isclosse ? Now it catches atche es the gleam off the m i first b am IIn full glory reflected now shines in the stream banner, long may itt wave O’er free am ‘Tis the star-spangled rr-spa -span le ba e O lo o ma ave O ’e er the land of the e fre and the home of the brave // And where is that band who off war battle’s ho so vauntingly ti ly swo sswore wor That the e havoc avoc o a and tthe b ttle’ confusion // A home and a country, should leave us no more? Their blood washed out thei their pol-ld has has w ir ffoul ull footsteps’ ootstep ’ p lution. // No refuge could save the hireling and slave // From the terror of flight, or the gloom om of the grave And nd the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave // O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave. // O thus b ever, be e iitt e ev when freemen shall stand // Between their loved homes and d the war’s desolation. // Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land // Praise the Power that hath made and preThe NFL supports hatred toward
Defiant NFL athletes demonstrate true patriotism
U n i t y has been rare in America recently. Politics has divided the nation in half, By Ryan Steinberg and both sides Staff Columnist are at each other’s throats. However, we have seen a rare sign of unity in the past two weeks, as every team in the NFL came together to protest President Trump’s comments on Colin Kaepernick’s protest during the national anthem. There is a plethora of reasons that Trump’s comments were so horrific. Trump argued that protesting during the national anthem goes against fundamental American values, and in doing so demonstrated how little he understands American values. Those who protest represent the spirit that makes this country so unique. Trump showed that he has no idea what free speech means. Brave people, such as Kaepernick, exemplify the necessity of the First Amendment. It exists to protect people with dissenting opinions from the government. The idea that the head of government would call to fire a private citizen based upon their political beliefs contradicts that purpose. Likewise, the idea that every citizen should unquestioningly honor the national anthem is antithetical to everything that it represents. At
its heart, the national anthem is a song about freedom. It doesn’t make sense that someone should have no freedom in deciding whether or not to stand for that very song. In addition, these protesting players are not doing so out of hate for this country but out of love – not unconditional but tough love. They use their public visibility to shed light on issues because they yearn for a better, more egalitarian America that would fulfill everything for which the anthem and the flag supposedly stand. Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of Trump’s argument was his attack on the athletes’ wealth, stating that they have no reason to complain. That is exactly what makes their protest so special. Yes, these players have been extremely successful, but they still feel the need to bring attention to the issues plaguing our nation. So many people in this country struggle and face discrimination on a daily basis. These privileged athletes feel it is their responsibility to help less fortunate citizens. That is what America is about – citizens looking beyond themselves and seeing what can be done to help everyone in society escape oppression. These protesting players embody true patriotism. Ryan Steinberg is a sophomore majoring in political science.
America by kneeling during anthem Wa t c h i n g NFL games on Sunday evenings in the living room is a relaxing way to mentally prepare for the work week. Football is a way By Joseph Krupar to decompress Staff Columnist and forget about our troubles. However, what we’ve seen recently is the NFL perpetuating a narrative that loving America is bad, especially with Trump as president. The players and owners of the NFL decided to alienate patriotic Americans by supporting those who disrespect the national anthem to protest the country’s racial divides. Athletes, such as Colin Kaepernick, believe kneeling during the anthem is a way to show resistance toward a country that “oppresses black people.” Players have the right to protest racism but should understand that doing so during the anthem will cause many viewers to turn off their televisions. The NFL has fallen into the trap of blaming Trump instead of the corrupt government that fuels the organization. Instead of advocating for real change, players and owners
are defying fans by not participating in one of the core traditions during sporting events. Kneeling during the national anthem disregards the military and every other patriot in this great country. Soldiers who fought for our country are being disrespected by athletes who protest during our anthem that represents Americans’ great sacrifices and bravery in the name of freedom and democracy. I do not think that anybody outside of the entertainment and sports industries would protest in this way, other than liberal activists. If I can’t sing a song or fly the stars and stripes without being called a racist, what kind of society is this? One where people who can’t stand Trump kneel during the anthem to disrupt society? If this behavior continues, our country will be destroyed, decimated from the inside out by hate. Ronald Reagan once called America “the shining city on a hill,” and we must make sure that light never goes out. With Donald Trump and others fighting for our future, that light is not going out but getting stronger, no matter what the media or NFL want you to think. Joseph Krupar is a sophomore majoring in political science.
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OPINION
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017
POLITICS
Hillary Clinton hurts the Democratic Party I voted for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election and would have greatly preferred her over Trump. However, the election is over, and Clinton lost. She By Austin Pert seems to have not Contributing Columnist been able to accept that, as indicated by her latest book “What Happened.” I’ll tell you what happened – she got beat, and has no one but herself to blame. Not Russia, not Bernie Bros, not Gary Johnson, not anyone but herself. Yes, there was heightened drama surrounding potential foreign involvement in election results. Yes, alternative candidates enjoyed unusually high levels of support, mainly because many would not vote for either major candidate. But Hillary was never going to win by being the “lesser of two evils.” To win, she had to make people believe that she could represent them and fight for their needs.
Simply put, the people did not see that in her. She was never going to get crossover support, because getting votes from the opposite political side is very hard no matter who you are. That didn’t stop her from abandoning progressive values in an attempt to pander to the other side. Make no mistake, I am all for compromise and bipartisan solutions. It is how government is supposed to work, and the political gridlock happening now is because of a lack of it. But Hillary has formed and changed her political beliefs for the sole purpose of winning elections, and that’s what the American people are sick of. Bernie Sanders exposed Clinton’s centrist corporatism during the primary season. While Hillary continued to flip-flop on a public option health system, Bernie pushed for a single-payer, Medicare-for-all that polling showed the American people overwhelmingly support. Bernie showed that he would #FightFor15 while Clinton flipflopped between a $15 and $12 minimum wage. Clinton has unfortunately been a target of criticism from the right. I do not agree
with the criticisms about Benghazi or her handling of State Department emails, but they had an effect on Clinton’s image. She was very unpopular during the campaign. As the face of the Democratic ticket, she hurt Democrats in ballot races. Clinton’s job was to prove to Americans that she was the one for the job. The country’s other option was somebody who bragged about sexual assault and threatened to ban an entire religious group. And somehow, she still managed to lose. In a critical time in our country, independent voters were willing to take a reckless gamble on a reality TV star who took politics up as a hobby. Why not? They only wanted to change the status quo that has been hurting the middle class for so many years now. Hillary’s opponent campaigned on an anti-establishment platform, one that would protect the social safety net while cutting classical red tape from policy-making. “Drain the Swamp,” he said. The voters had no idea that Trump would expand wars, gut the EPA, try to take healthcare from millions and set race
relations back a generation. This didn’t have to be. With virtually any other candidate, the Democrats would’ve kept control of the Oval Office, and likely the Senate as well. The Charlottesville riots would’ve never happened. The EPA would’ve ran as normal. The Affordable Care Act wouldn’t be in peril and any patriotic American, regardless of gender identity, would’ve been able to serve in the military. Hillary Clinton wants to be heard and seen again in public, but she deeply hurts the Democratic Party. Her presence lowers the chance that real, progressive change can happen, and that Donald Trump and the GOP’s hold on power ends as quickly as possible. I would take her in office now any day of the week over what we have, but it does not take away from the fact that as she considers getting back into the limelight, she ran the worst major presidential campaign in modern American history. Austin Pert is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism.
POLITICS
Trump’s wavering state on DACA hurts young Dreamers Last month, the Trump administration made a critical decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, deciding to rescind By Kay-Ann Henry Contributing Columnist it altogether while giving Congress a deadline to act on the futures of more than 800,000 immigrants. For many, America was and still is the land of opportunity. It seems, however, that our reputation is once again threatened by the current administration, leaving many up in arms. Social media erupted in support for DACA recipients. Even former President Barack Obama joined in the outcry with a poignant Facebook post, in which he called the decision to end DACA “cruel.”
When the news broke, I couldn’t help but think of my friend and DACA recipient, Juan Trujillo, a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. I’ve heard him talk about his immigration story, and how he arrived to the United States with his parents from Mexico. We discussed earlier in the year what might happen to him and other undocumented immigrants under Trump’s rule. He voiced his frustrations in a video for OU Daily, his university’s newspaper. “I feel like I’ve been a good person,” Trujillo said. “Just because I was brought here when I was three doesn’t mean I’m a criminal.” Yet Trump and other conservatives paint undocumented immigrants as criminals trying to take American jobs and money. Trujillo’s words echo the sentiments of the 800,000 young Americans who had no choice in uprooting their lives to come to the United States and who will now
become eligible for deportation if Trump’s policy is approved. The president seems to forget that many of our dreamers consider themselves American. They treat our families. They create jobs. They serve in the military. They attend college. And they all actively participate in our society. Wouldn’t you think Trump would recognize, appreciate and consider this as he rescinds DACA and programs like it? Interestingly enough, President Trump appears to have second thoughts about his decision. About a week after his announcement, in his seemingly preferred mode of communication with the American public, Trump sent out a tweet calling on Congress to “legalize DACA.” He has also called DACA recipients “incredible kids” and states “he has a love for these people.” His wavering state on this issue is upsetting and concerning. How does one focus in school or work if their lives, well-
being and families are being threatened? Still, there’s some hope. Dreamers have support from politicians, corporations and institutions across the country. Many colleges are committed to protecting and providing aid to their undocumented students. The University of Miami is one of those schools. The school’s U Dreamers program provides financial aid to DACA recipients who aren’t eligible for any federal aid. This program is necessary proof that our school is committed to diversity and equality. Still, this has been a tough year for DACA recipients. Despite these troubles, I know they will continue their lives and protest this effortlessly and gracefully. They and their families have weathered worse storms, and hopefully, with our support and Congress’s help, they can also weather this one. Kay-Ann Henry is a freshman majoring in journalism.
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
OPINION
9
POLITICS
Trump’s North Korea rhetoric might be what America needs For years, North Korea has provoked the United States with threats of nuclear annihilation. In North Korea, children are brainwashed to By Alexandra Aiello Contributing Columnist worship Kim Jong Un and led to believe that the United States is an enemy that must be destroyed. In North Korea, there is no disagreeing with Kim’s regime. There is no free thought in North Korea. There is no free will. There is no free speech or expression. Instead, there is extreme sexism, poverty, manipulation, lack of freedom and blatant disregard of the value of human existence. Given the uncommon circumstances in such a disoriented country, it is crucial that we deal with North Korea differently.
It is a given that Donald Trump’s approach to the North Korean crisis is drastically different from any other method used by past presidents. Trump has been unpredictable, blunt and fearless. When news broke that North Korea had successfully created a nuclear warhead that fits inside their missiles, Trump, referring to Kim Jong Un as “Rocket Man,” responded by declaring that nuclear threats from North Korea would force the United States to retaliate. North Korea subsequently dubbed Trump a “dotard” (an old person who has become senile) and threatened the use of “absolute force.” It is apparent that Trump does not want to mediate because of past failures with North Korea. In recent tweets, the president said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was wasting his time trying to negotiate with “Little Rocket Man.” Are name calling and back and forth altercations with the North Korean dictator really going to get the United
States what it wants? It might. Naturally, people are shocked, repulsed, intrigued and frightened by the way Trump is handling things. Politicians have called Trump “reckless,” “bombastic” and “unhinged.” Despite the criticism and disapproval many Americans feel toward Trump’s tactics, heightened by the fear that we are uncomfortably close to nuclear conflict with North Korea, I believe that strong, explicit talk is exactly what North Korea needs to hear. Trump is the fourth U.S. president to promise to abrogate North Korea’s nuclear program for the safety of our country and allies. In 1989, following the end of the Cold War, North Korea began developing nuclear power to build their strength after losing the Soviet Union’s support. Republicans and Democratic presidents have since been unsuccessful in ceasing the regime’s nuclear development. Clinton failed to stifle North Korea’s
nuclear efforts by offering oil in exchange. Bush created an appeasement agreement with North Korea that floundered in the first term of his presidency. Obama’s tactic of “strategic patience” failed to impede North Korea’s nuclear expansion. Trump knows all of this. He does not want to be passive and fail to prevent the nuclear expansion of an extremely dangerous, unpredictable country. A change in strategy, although very controversial, might be what the United States needs. North Korea will not denuclearize. Normal, understandable, nonviolent approaches do not seem to appeal to Kim Jong Un. We need to change our approach and halt North Korea’s weapons program by communicating with Kim Jong Un in a manner he understands. It is time for the United States to stop trying to please the perpetrator and stand up to the bully. Alexandra Aiello is a freshman at the University of Miami.
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EDGE
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017
Hunter Crenian // Visuals Editor ATTENTION GRABBER: Actor and comedian, Marlon Wayans, performs his stand-up routine for students at the University of Miami’s Rathskellar pub Thursday Sept. 28. Wayans is promoting his new TV show, “Marlon”, which was recently renewed for a second season by NBC and is expected to air in the summer of 2018.
Marlon Wayans’ standup routine shocks crowd By Alexandra Rothman Staff Edge Writer
On Sept. 28, comedian and actor Marlon Wayans, known for “White Chicks” and “Scary Movie,” hosted a standup comedy show at the Rathskeller, a student hotspot on campus. From Saturday Night Live to The Tonight Show, comedy has remained one of the purest, feel-good forms of entertainment, For Hurricane Productions (HP), bringing Wayans to campus seemed like an obvious choice. Excited for a night of laughs, many pushed through the crowded restaurant to get good seats. However, after just twenty minutes, Wayans’ performance did more to divide than unite the crowd. Not everyone would consider Wayans’ edgy and disruptive stand-up routine comedy. Many in the 500-seat crowd laughed, but others
did not. The jokes and ideas he included were, to some, offensive and even racist, while others found it relevant and humorous. From jokes about the n-word to Trump riffs and comments about Kim Kardashian’s “zika-filled pussy,” his routine was filled with sexually-charged and politically-geared jokes. “I’m a big fan of plenty of his movies, from ‘White Chicks’ to ‘Little Man,’” senior Chantel Batista said. “I did think he is funnier in movies than in person.” A few minutes into his set, Wayans sat on his stool onstage, spread his legs and joked about a girl licking his “gooch,” the area of skin between the butt and genitals. Senior John Ghannam said it made audience members uncomfortable. “It started off a little bit uncomfortable with the joke about the cotton picking,”
Ghannam said. “I like that kind of humor, I just didn’t think it was that appropriate in the setting. I thought the Donald Trump jokes were funny, but I could feel a part of the audience getting uncomfortable, whether they support that or not.” However, Kyle Gordon, who is on the board for HP, expressed delight at the set. This uncensored form of comedy is a popular part of today’s culture. “Honestly, I think that is what today’s comedians aim to do,” Gordon said. “When you go to a comic show, the boundaries we are trained to not cross are going to be crossed, and that’s what people find humor in nowadays.” Fellow HP member and executive chair, Hunter Carpenter, said he would invite Wayans back to campus. “Those of us in HP thought that Marlon Wayans did an excellent job combining both
social issues and comedy, and thus starting a necessary conversation,” Carpenter said. “Overall, it was an event we would like to replicate again in the near future.” After the blunt sex remarks and politicalgeared jokes, Wayans discussed how nothing in life comes easily and we have to work for success. “If you want greatness and to be great you have to work harder than anyone else to attain that,” Wayans said. To many in the audience, the change in direction from jokes to inspirational comments made for an easy and relatable transition. “I like how in addition to telling jokes, he talked about real life issues and tried to inspire and motivate us,” junior Christian Brown said. Wayans’ performance was one for the books. Only time will tell what rabbit Wayans will pull out his hat for his next show.
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
EDGE
11
Farmers market returns after nearly a month delay By Sharon Moy Contributing Edge Writer
On Sept. 27, nearly a month after school began, maze-like lines and familiar white tents sprung up in front of Richter Library as the farmers market returned in full swing. The farmer’s market is a university staple, something that many students and faculty look forward to every Wednesday. Not only does the market have fresh fruits, but it offers food from numerous cultures, such as Korean barbecue,
Argentinian choripan and French crêpes. There are also trendy options, including açai bowls, coconut water and green juices. While its return elated the UM community, it was an even bigger relief for the vendors. The delay in opening the market, as well as the monster hurricane endured by the entire state, majorly impacted vendors’ sales – especially for those who rely on various farmers markets for income. Given their reliance on local consumers to sustain their businesses, vendors speculated that sales would be hurt by the damaging effects of Hurricane
Irma. Kim Jin, farmers market vendor and owner of Korean Kitchen, said they are glad to have recovered and returned to campus. “There is such a strong demand and interest in all the fresh and exotic products, Jin said. “There is no doubt that the community will help to boost and restore sales.” Freshman Nicole Perez said the market was a nice break from the dining hall and great exposure to a diverse array of foods from the Miami area, especially for students without cars. “It is really cool and convenient to be
able to experience all these different foods right on campus,” Perez said. Experiencing the scale of the farmer’s market for the first time, freshman Leala Solomon expressed her surprise at the extent of all the market has to offer. The farmer’s market gives students the opportunity to taste sustainably sourced, local foods from all different cultures, and it reinforces the idea that healthy eating is available and accessible. The market comes to UM 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Wednesday while classes are in session.
Car sharing app set to ride its way into UM in spring By Morgan Threatt Contributing Edge Writer
LulaRides, a mobile app created by Miami-born 21-year-olds Matthew Vega-Sanz and his twin brother Michael, officially launches this week. The app allows college students to rent their own cars to each other on campus. Both Vega-Sanz brothers are business administration majors at Babson College. However, Matthew explains that, being born and raised in Miami, UM was the school he aspired to attend, which makes bringing the app to our campus that much more important. “UM was always my dream school, so being able to take any project that I was working on to this school, in my home city, is amazing to me,” Matthew Vega-Sanz said. The two brothers created the app to help college students who do not have cars get around easier, without having to pay for an Uber or rely on a Zipcar rental. Other apps, such as Turo, established this peer-to-peer car sharing concept and have been operating for years. What sets LulaRides apart is its focus on college campuses. “If you need a car to go do groceries, and a classmate has a car that is just sitting around, you can just rent it out,” Matthew Vega-Sanz said. “It works because you get to get around easily, and I get to collect money instead of just having my car sitting doing nothing.” With no membership fee to join, students 18-years and older, will soon have access to hundreds of vehicles on their campuses. “I would use the app because it seems convenient. As a college student there is always somewhere you want to go, it’s just a matter of how you get there,” said UM student Ulitmate Peatross. Right now, car owners and renters will need to meet up to receive the car keys. However, by 2018, Vega-Sanz hopes to develop an easier vehicle entry system.
“The Vehicle Entry Device will allow users to access vehicles via smartphone once they’ve been approved by the owner. Basically, car owners can approve drivers while they’re in class and the car will be accessible via smartphone for the duration of the rental,” said Matthew Vega-Sanz. Matthew Vega-Sanz said in a few months the app will be launched on the UM campus, which will help reduce the necessity of pricey Ubers and unreliable public transit. “I have a couple friends on the UM campus, and they always tell me it’s such a hassle getting around when the Ubers are so expensive, or being on the same time schedule as the train,” said Matthew Vega-Sanz. “I would use Lula because I feel like it would be more cost efficient than how I usually get around,” UM student Ashli Cleveland said. “As a college student, I don’t have a lot of money. I cannot always spend $15 on a Uber ride to Walmart.” In addition to the monetary reason, security is one of the main focuses for the creation of Lula Rides. The safety aspect sets it apart from other transportation apps. Students will not have to ride with a stranger alone or at night. Lula has about 50 schools on the east coast interested in the app. The Vega-Sanz brothers have also been approached by multiple south Florida schools, including UM. Lula’s main goal isn’t just to share cars on college campuses, Matthew Vega-Sanz proclaims that this is just the beginning. “We eventually see Lula going as far as people being able to rent any vehicle,” Matthew Vega-Sanz said. “Whether it be a boat, scooter, plane, motorcycle, RV, whatever, we want to be able to share anything that can be accessed by key.” Currently on Babson College campus Lula Rides has about 300 projected users and 150 rental cars. The Vega-Sanz brothers are planning on bringing LulaRides to The University of Miami in 2018.
Courtesy Matthew Vega-Sanz CONVENIENT CARPOOLS: CARPOOLS: Matthew Vega-Sanz presents for the app he and his brother Michael developed while studying at Babson College. The Vega-Sanz brothers were born and raised in Miami and are aiming to launch the app at the University of Miami in the spring.
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SPORTS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017
Sports
BASKETBALL
University of Miami basketball program under investigation for involvement in NCAA bribery scandal By Isaiah Kim-Martinez (@isaiah_km) and Josh White (@_JoshRWhite) Sports Editor and Senior Sports Writer sports@themiamihurricane.com
University of Miami President Julio Frenk confirmed that the school is officially under investigation for potential corruption under the NCAA laws. In a message sent out Sept. 27, Frenk said the U.S. Department of Justice is currently probing Miami for possible involvement of one member of the coaching staff in the bribery of a high school basketball recruit. “While we are alarmed and disappointed, we are steadfast in our belief that we must also act with the highest level of integrity and commitment to the pursuit of truth,” Frenk said. “To that end, we have pledged our full and complete cooperation with the Department of Justice probe as well as to the NCAA, with whom we will jointly review any relevant matters. The legal process and any NCAA joint review will likely take some time, so I urge patience for all who love our university.” UM athletics finds itself in the midst of another scandal almost one year after sanctions were lifted from the 2011 Nevin Shapiro case involving impermissible benefits. Miami’s basketball program is linked to one of 10 people arrested Sept.
26 on federal charges for bribing high school players. James Gatto, the director of global sports marketing at Adidas, was arrested on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. According to court documents, Gatto reportedly paid $150,000 to one high school player, “Player-12,” to sway him to commit to play Division I basketball at one Florida university, “University-7.” At the time, this unnamed university was described as “a private research university in Florida. With approximately 16,000 students and over 2,600 faculty members, it is one of the state’s largest universities. University-7 fields approximately 15 varsity sports teams in NCAA Division I competition, including men’s basketball.” It was fairly obvious Miami was the school, and now it’s confirmed. According to the FBI, an anonymous coach at Miami, “Coach 3,” was involved in the transfer of money. Gatto and the coach reportedly spoke twice on Aug. 6, 2017. The FBI said the coach organized and requested the payment to the player. Now, investigators are looking to find the coach’s identity. UM’s head men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga’s personal lawyer, Stuart Grossman, told the Palm Beach Post in an email that these charges “do not apply” to Larrañaga, who is entering his seventh year in the position. “Please be assured that our beloved
STICKY SITUATION: SITUATION : Head coach Jim Larrañaga speaks at Miami basketball’s media day in November of 2016. Larrañaga’s lawyer says the seventh-year coach has no knowledge of the bribery. Josh White // Staff Photographer
coach is unaware of any impropriety on the part of UM basketball and does not know the identity of the unnamed, unidentified ‘Coach-3,’” Grossman said. “He looks forward to leading the Hurricanes to continued success.” No UM staffers or coaches have been charged. “Player-12,” who the FBI is also looking to pinpoint, is supposedly a recruit in the 2018 class. Consensus fivestar, top-15 recruit and potential Miami commit Nassir Little has been rumored to be “Player-12.” Little has been linked to Jonathan Brad Augustine, one of the names specifically mentioned in the allegations. Augustine is the program director for the Adidas-sponsored “1 Family” AAU team, for which Little plays. It was reported that Gatto discussed funneling payments to “Player-12” to persuade the athlete away from “University-4,” a school sponsored by Nike. The idea was that if “Player-12” committed to an Adidas sponsored school, he would then sign with that company once he goes professional. Although the player has not been confirmed, Little appears to match the description. On Sept. 28, 1 Family released a statement on Twitter that Little and his family were not involved in any kind of bribery and have no knowledge of the situation. Little’s final five choices for schools
included Miami, along with Arizona, Duke, Georgia Tech and North Carolina. After the scandal surfaced, Little announced on his Twitter page that he had reopened his commitment – meaning he will consider all offers outside his previous five – but took down the post moments later. Adidas’ sponsorship of Miami’s athletic department began when the two agreed to a 12-year, $90-million deal two years ago, following the end of a 27-year partnership with Nike. Miami Director of Athletics Blake James commented on the federal investigation as a whole on Sept. 26, but has yet to speak since the announcement that UM would be probed. “The University of Miami is aware of the indictments handed down today by the Department of Justice involving several men’s college basketball programs, coaches, financial advisors, agents and apparel executives,” James said. “As we are just learning the details, we cannot comment on the actions taken today by federal authorities. However, if requested, we will cooperate in any legal or NCAA review of the matter.” Four of the 10 people arrested in the federal charge were assistant coaches for Division I basketball schools, including Chuck Person of Auburn University, Emanuel Richardson of the University of Arizona, Tony Bland of the University of Southern California and Lamont Evans of Oklahoma State University.
This situation is already impacting UM’s 2018 recruiting class and could cause implications for future classes as well. A source close to four-star recruit Jalen Carey told The Miami Hurricane he is no longer considering the University of Miami. UM was originally in Carey’s top-three choices along with Syracuse and Connecticut. Four-star recruit Jules Bernard told a source close to The Miami Hurricane that his visit to the University of Miami has been postponed. It still remains unclear if he will reschedule. Fellow ACC powerhouse Louisville was already under investigation on Sept. 26 and has since put both its head coach, Rick Pitino, and director of athletics, Tom Jurich, under administrative leave. Jurich will be paid; Pitino will not. The FBI began investigating this issue of the criminal use of money to influence athletes and coaches in the NCAA in 2015. “For the 10 charged men, the madness of college basketball went well beyond the Big Dance in March,” acting Manhattan U.S. Attorney Joon H. Kim said at a news conference on Sept. 26. “Month after month, the defendants exploited the hoop dreams of student-athletes around the country, allegedly treating them as little more than opportunities to enrich themselves through bribery and fraud schemes.”
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
SPORTS
FOOTBALL
Florida State columnist predicts Seminoles win in close contest By Isaiah Kim-Martinez (@isaiah_km) ( Sports Editor sports@themiamihurricane.com
It’s that time of year again for the No. 13 Miami Hurricanes football team: Florida State week. To preview the annual matchup between the two rivals, The Miami Hurricane sat down with FSView and Florida Flambeau columnist Michael Hudak to get his insight on the big game. TMH: Clearly the Seminoles’ season took a turn when redshirt sophomore quarterback Deondre Francois got hurt in week one. What was the reaction like on campus? How did the students feel? MH: Losing a starting quarterback never goes over well. Like Miami, FSU fans were not only eagerly waiting for the season to begin but also thrown off by Hurricane Irma’s effect on the entire state of Florida. These fans just want to see their team play, regardless of who’s under center.
Michael Hudack
TMH: Freshman quarterback James Blackman has gotten a taste of ACC football, and, as expected, has had some ups and downs, completing just 56 percent of his passes. How do you predict he fares against his first ranked opponent? MH: This game will be tough for the true freshman. Miami’s defense is the best that he will have faced so far, besides his very limited reps in the season opener against Alabama. Not unexpectedly, Blackman hasn’t been efficient throwing down the middle of the field. However, he has proven that he can bounce back from inadequate drives and handle a pass rush. The key to his and the offense’s success is to start this game well. FSU has not been efficient to begin games this season on offense, and if the trend continues, Miami could smell blood in the water if it doesn’t already. TMH: Florida State’s defense came into the 2017 season with high expectations. Most believe the Noles haven’t lived up to them, as they are ranked 39th in the country in yards-per-play allowed and 88th in opponent passer rating. They also have only recorded one interception. Is this the game where the FSU defense finally gets it together? MH: No defense had held Alabama’s offense to under five yards per play and under 300 yards of offense since 2014. FSU’s defense accomplished both of these, while single-handedly keeping the Seminoles in that season opener until late in the game. Their performance against
North Carolina State’s offense was near unacceptable, and it should’ve been much better against Wake Forest, too. At home, against a rival that they haven’t lost to in seven years, I think Florida State’s defense rectifies some of their early-season inefficiencies. TMH: For the first time since 1983, Miami will be the only ranked team in the UM-FSU annual matchup. What are your thoughts on this? And how does this change the attitude, if at all, fans in Tallahassee have for the game? MH: Doak will still be rocking. Fans will still show up and show out. Players will come to play. Miami is still a team that hasn’t won in Tallahassee since 2009, and both Nole and Hurricane fans know that. Nothing has changed. TMH: Game prediction ... and why? MH: Miami is the better team coming into this matchup. They have the better offense, a more productive defense and more momentum in that stupid gold chain they wear on the sidelines than Florida State has in its entire football program. It doesn’t matter. Miami will lose this game the same way they lost last year’s meeting. Get ahead early, slow down, fall behind and then catch up – only to lose on a late blunder. Score: FSU 23 - Miami 20 Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. Oct. 6, at Doak Campbell Stadium.
vs. xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx AP POLL
No. 13 Unranked TOTAL OFFENSE
11th 118th TOTAL DEFENSE
T-63rd 33rd OPPONENT YARDS per PLAY ALLOWED
17th 34th OFFENSIVE TEAM YARDS PER PLAY
3rd 111th
13
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SPORTS
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017
EQUESTRIAN
Hurricanes saddle up to add to winning pedigree By Michael Leyva Contributing Sports Writer
The University of Miami loves to compete. You can find UM athletes in the pool, on the turf and, if you look close enough, even on horseback. The University of Miami Equestrian Team (UMET), founded in 1997, is a small organization on campus that many don’t even know exists. UMET is sanctioned under the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA), the sport’s governing body. More than 400 universities are under the umbrella of IHSA. Schools are divided into eight zones, containing 37 regions across the United States and Canada. UMET belongs to zone five–region five, where it has been a top 10 team for the past decade. UMET has sent riders to national competitions, finishing in the top five
as recently as 2015. Club members are passionate about what they do and encourage the UM community to be just as enthusiastic. The focus for competitors isn’t speed or a goal line but how they move on the horse. Riders and their horses should look like one entity making fluid motions, a concept known as equitation. Judges look at body position, posture and pace to score a rider’s equitation. “The number one misconception about the club is that we race,” said sophomore Emily Dollard, treasurer for UMET. “The ball in this game is a live animal with a mind of its own.” There are two types of competitions, or classes, in an equestrian show: flat and over fence. A flat class has no jumps – contestants are judged on the execution of various riding styles in a closed course. An over fence class features jumps over hurdles of about three feet.
Horses are provided at every show and randomly assigned to riders. There is no warm up or time to practice with the new horses. Dollard said this is all a part of the fun. “It’s always different every day and it’s a challenge,” Dollard said. “According to the judges, if you can ride a horse you have never seen before well, that is the mark of a good rider.” The sport is a good source of cardio and strength training for athletes and also enhances personal growth and mental toughness. Club president and UM senior Madisen Liebl noticed the profound effect of the sport. “I’m the most impatient person, but when I’m on the horse, I’m the most patient,” Liebl said. UMET Secretary Joanna Niworowski said the sport puts her in a different element. “When I’m in the arena on the
horse, you don’t hear the audience or anything else – you’re in your own bubble,” Niworowski said. UMET members practice with their horses once or twice a week off campus at Tally Ho Farm with trainer Karen Flynn. There are eight to 10 shows a year, and about 18 members from each team are sent to compete. While all riders compete individually, one rider is chosen to receive points for the team. The three major shows every season are regionals, zones and nationals. After placing sixth in the region last year, Miami’s goals for this season include finishing top five in the region and sending riders to nationals. Not all members of UMET are required to go to shows. Students interested in taking lessons as a hobby can also join. The club encourages members to participate at their own pace and level, and members can travel with the team to watch competitions. UMET is also dedicated
to volunteering. It volunteers at Whispering Manes, a therapeutic riding center to help children with mental and physical disabilities. Vice president Jessica Brady is thankful for her involvement with the club. “The University of Miami Equestrian Team has provided me with opportunities and friendships that I would never have achieved otherwise,” Brady said. “It has provided me with some of my best memories but also supported my growth as a rider. Joining the team was one of my best decisions, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” UMET is seeking to expand membership this year. Those interested in joining can email the club at Umiamiequestrian@gmail. com. Fans can keep up on the club’s Facebook page, University of Miami Equestrian Team, and Instagram page, umequestrian.
October 3 - October 9, 2017
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
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blame him. I actually respect him. In the words of our savior, Missy Elliott, “Get that cash, if it’s nine to five or shakin’ ya ass.” I think it’s important to respect his privacy, too. Even if I were close with him I would never ask him about the video. I’d never tell other people about it, and I’d never show it to anyone. He made a decision to put himself out there to strangers, but that shouldn’t affect his relationships and friendships here at UM, and this decision shouldn’t affect his future, either. It definitely will affect my imaginary future with this boy, though. After seeing what I lusted after for so long right in front of me, I’m not interested anymore. Have a question for V? Email dearv@themiamihurricane.com.
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someone who has been naked on camera for money. Good for him. No shame. This raised several questions – How much did he get paid? Why did he do it? Did he have fun? How many people were in the room when he did it? Was he provided a f luffer or did he have to act as his own? Was he cold? He looked cold. One question, though, stood out from the rest – Has anyone else I know done porn? It’s not unlikely. Everyone who goes to UM is pretty hot, and Miami is expensive. Why not go (or cum) on camera without clothes to make a quick buck? I’d definitely do it. I was surprised to see this kid showing off his stuff, but I don’t
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Picture this – it was a Friday night, and I was having a nice night to myself. I was feeling kind of lonely, so I pulled up some “adult entertainment” to keep me company. As I scrolled through some provocative webpages, a gorgeous guy caught my eye. He was sexy. He was cute. He was … in three of my classes freshman year? I had been mentally undressing this boy since our first day of classes, so it was nice to have nothing left to the imagination. Granted, this scene didn’t involve any hardcore humping or grinding. It was just a sensual solo scene. Nonetheless I came to a realization – I actually kind of know and have interacted with
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My Pal Was In Porn, Now What?
V’S TAKE
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THE MIAMI HURRICANE
October 3 - October 9, 2017