The Miami Hurricane - Feb. 11, 2016 by The Miami Hurricane

E WITHOU V T LO

FOR CENTURIES, INTERCULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS HAVE CARRIED A CERTAIN STIGMA. NOW MILLENNIALS VIEW RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES AS ENRICHING, NOT ISOLATING. PAGE 6 Hallee Meltzer // Photo Editor

BLURRING BARRIERS: Sophomores Alex Michell and Emma Freeman, who have been dating for more than a year, embrace on the Fate Bridge Sunday afternoon.

NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

February 11 - February 14, 2016

EMPOWER U

“The purpose of leadership is not necessarily just to accomplish goals, it is to help other people accomplish their goals. Because when that happens not only do they succeed but you succeed, so it becomes this mutually beneficial experience for all parties.” – Jacob Rudolph, presidential candidate

PLATFORM INITIATIVES

President: Jacob Rudolph Year: junior Major: political science Minor: music, LGBTQ studies, communication Experience: College of Arts and Sciences senator in Student Government, P100 tour guide, student director of the LGBTQ Alumni Association

Vice president: Austin Eng Year: sophomore Major: psychology Minor: management science, philosophy Experience: crime prevention assistant (UMPD), student liaison for Healthy ‘Cane Network

Environmental Protection

Campus Life

Create a plan to make the university carbon neutral as soon as possible, stop UM from investing in the oil industry and use leftover food from dining halls to feed the homeless

Create a Rathskeller phone application, offer a 24/7 food option, get better-quality toilet paper and require Otto G. Richter Library to have copies of every mandatory textbook

Health and Wellness

Transparency

Establish “Task Force to Address Mental Health,” offer free, highquality tampons in residential housing and improve facilities for the Federation of Club Sports

Bridge gap between administration and students, look into financial distribution of tuition and fees and condense all wellness resources into one easy-to-read web page

Voter Turnout

Academics

Make “A+” grade weighted as 4.3 GPA, create “leadership” minor, increase veteran students’ resources and design a course on “life skills”

Diversity Create and integrate a “diversity” cognate into university curriculum, reopen the Women’s Center and hire more black faculty

Bystander Intervention Expand ‘Canes Care for Canes and address sexual assault and drug abuse

“We’ve all held different leadership positions and the main thing we’ve learned from those is ‘You’re not the person who’s going to come up with every single idea. You’re not the person who is going to mastermind everything. You need to be able to work with committees, work with people and find what all those different opinions are so you can properly lead and you can properly direct the student body.’” – Jason Goldenberg, presidential candidate

ONE TEAM, ONE U

PLATFORM INITIATIVES President: Jason Goldenberg Year: junior Major: biology Experience: associate chief justice of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), former judicial chair of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, teaching assistant, peer mentor in the Advanced Program for Integrated Science and Math (PRISM)

Vice president: Emmy Savidge Year: junior Major: public health, history Minor: chemistry Experience: junior class senator, vice chair for Public Relations Committee on Student Government Senate

Treasurer: Andrew Weinstock Year: sophomore Major: finance Experience: Freshman Leadership Council, treasurer of Hillel

Open-forum Town Hall meetings at the Rock:

Safe Ride Expansion

Hold forums once or twice a month at 7 p.m. so anyone walking by can voice concerns to members of SG and administrators. The meetings would be heavily publicized and are a major point of their overall platform

Expand Safe Ride, a ride program available to students to get around campus safely at night, until 5 a.m.

Reusable takeout boxes Students would be able to purchase reusable takeout boxes at dining halls on campus

Shelters at Hurry ‘Cane stops

Rental Umbrellas Rent out umbrellas to students at the front desks of campus buildings

Hydration Tents Set up hydration tents at tailgating areas of Sun Life Stadium to prevent heat exhaustion

Add weather shelters at the Hecht Athletic Center and Frost School of Music shuttle stops

Express Hurry ‘Cane Shuttles Implement express shuttles along the route between Flipse Building and the Cox Science Building DESIGN BY EMMA DEARDORFF

February 11 - February 14, 2016

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

NEWS

“We want every student to know we’re here for them individually.” – Vikesh Patel, presidential candidate

TRUE TO YOU

PLATFORM INITIATIVES

President: Vikesh Patel Year: junior Major: biomedical engineering Minor: business law Experience: Freshman Leadership Council, UOutreach Committee, Campus Liaison Council Facilities and Security, former treasurer and president of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, co-founder and vice president of Transfer Students Association, Homecoming Executive Committee, Greek Week treasurer, Association of Greek Letter Organizations vice chair, Tunnel of Oppression Build Committee

Vice president: Ashley Pittaluga Year: junior Major: marketing, psychology Experience: project coordinator of Freshman Leadership Council, undergraduate academic affairs representative on UM Board of Trustees, former vice chair and current chair of Homecoming Executive Committee

Treasurer: Morgan Owens Year: junior Major: political science, women’s and gender studies Minor: LGBTQ studies Experience: former freshperson and current treasurer of SpectrUM, SAFAC, former president and current treasurer of Delta Lambda Phi (international fraternity for gay, bisexual, transgender and progressive men), treasurer for Association of Greek Letter Organizations

SG Gives Back

Flood Control

Make care packages available to students in the student government offices during finals week. Create a program with the Butler Center that would create SG volunteer service days in the community. Improve the approachability of SG for students

Lessen the flooding that occurs on pathways due to rain and new construction around campus

Rat Order Board Add a screen that shows which orders are available to be picked up at the Rathskeller, rather than just announcements over the speakers

Early Syllabi Access Make past class syllabi available for students during registration so that students are not surprised by requirements after enrolling in a course. Faculty would not need to have their syllabi available, but past syllabi for the course would be

Eliminate Miami Shuffle Increase the frequency of Hurry ’Cane Shuttles and creat more stops, potentially by creating new routes

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

2016 candidates clash in debate By Marcus Lim Staff Writer

he candidates running for Student Government debated the merits of recent SG actions and inactions as part of the election’s sole debate Wednesday night on the Lakeside Patio Stage. The “Empower U” and “One Team, One U” platforms criticized the current Student Government, citing lack of transparency and detachment from students. Presidential candidate Jacob Rudolph and vice presidential candidate Austin Eng of “Empower U” used nap pods as an example of the university spending money without letting students know. “Eighteen thousand dollars was spent on nap pods. There is a difference in spending money for decoration

and for [initiatives] that will help,” Rudolph said. “We could have focused our financial resource on improving our bystander intervention [or] on ‘Canes Care for ‘Canes. There is so much untapped potential.” “One Team, One U,” consisting of Jason Goldenberg, Emeline Savidge and Andrew Weinstock who are running for president, vice president and treasurer respectively, echoed that sentiment. They mentioned that less than 30 percent of the student body voted for last year’s 2015 elections, saying that Student Government has not done enough to reach more students. “We need to end the Student Government political machine that uses tactics that are misleading. It says that our initiatives are great, such as nap pods. Why don’t we use $18,000 for safety?” Weinstock said. “Let’s put money where it is useful. Student Government has been lying to 10,000 students for years now. Seventy percent of students are disconnected. It’s time for change.” Ishtpreet Singh, the current vice president of Student Government who

campaigned for the nap pods, said that funds from the student activities fee were not used to purchase the nap pods. The debate was moderated by Patrick Quinlan, president of the Pen and Sword Society (a non-competitive debating student organization) and Jackie Yang, the opinion editor for The Miami Hurricane. They asked questions and candidates from “Empower U, One Team,” “One U” and “True to You” had three minutes to answer. The “True to You” candidates, consisting of Vikesh Patel, Ashley Pittaluga and Morgan Owens running for president, vice president and treasurer respectively, have plenty of Student Government experience. Patel and Pittaluga have been involved with Student Government since their freshman year. Through their experience, they identified additional academic needs. “Student Government knows what needs to be done. We are not running because we want to be on executive; we run because want to help students,” Owens said. “Our initiatives, such as early class syllabi, will make a

difference. Students can get their syllabi earlier, making it easier.” Pittaluga, who has been involved in the Freshman Leadership Council (FLC) since her freshman year and is now the council’s project coordinator, mentioned how her experience can benefit the vice president position, which tries to make freshmen students better leaders. “We want to prepare our own Canes here for the outside world. We need to focus on the students now,” Pittaluga said. “We have a comprehensive plan to bring all students of campus together. We want to bring an unforgettable four years for the students in UM.” “One Team, One U” also mentioned that their lack of involvement in Student Government, which they call a broken system, works to their advantage. “I have not been a part of Student Government before. I have not been a part of the broken system that is currently in place,” Goldenberg said. “I am part of an outside group that sees change that needs to be made and I

know how to get it done … We will be fully transparent. We have brought 13 new ideas that have never been brought before.” Some of their ideas include changing the takeout system, expanding the operating times of the Safe Ride program and creating a town hall open forum on the Rock, where the campus community can voice whatever concern they have. “Empower U” hopes to improve activism on the campus, modify the grading system to make an A+ equate to a 4.3 G.P.A., improve diversity and create a minor in leadership. “Our work with administration is to foster an open dialogue. If they say no, then the student body must decide if these issues are worth fighting for,” Rudolph said. “When the Black Lives Matter movement hit us, student leaders galvanized those who are not black to join in the marches. These are issues worth fighting for. Frenk wants to get 100 more faculty members ... Only 4 percent of our faculty is black, so why not recruit more that are black?”

NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

February 11 - February 14, 2016

CAMPUS LIFE

Rathskeller celebrates 43rd birthday By Justin Lei Contributing News Writer

riginally opened in 1976, the Rathskeller, or the “Rat,” serves as a student gathering place and a popular spot for the legal consumption of beer and wines. The birthday celebration featured a band, “Roaster and Toaster’s Mocktails,” a slider-eating contest and giveaways with tank tops and f lip-f lops. It marked another milestone in the Rathskeller’s journey from its old home in Gautier Hall to its current location in the Shalala Student Center (SSC). Originally established

in Gautier Hall, the Rathskeller was taken apart and relocated to the University Center when the SSC was being built and settled in its current location once construction finished. During its construction, the Rathskeller was intended to be a place where students exchanged ideas in an open and fun environment, according to Everett Price, director of the Rathskeller. Today, the Rat prides itself on allowing students to play a major part in its operation. “[The Rathskeller] is financed by the students, designed with the help of students and ultimately [is] operated largely by the students of the university community,” Price said. Price summed up what makes the Rathskeller at Miami special in a few concise words. “It’s the students who make the Rathskeller special.” Victoria McKaba // Assistant Photo Editor

CELEBRATING A CAMPUS LANDMARK: Students compete in a slider-eating contest during the Rathskeller’s 43rd birthday celebration Wednesday afternoon.

February 11 - February 14, 2016

Fashions for any

VALENTINE’SOccassion DAY By Haley Walker Staff Writer

hether you’ve spent ages planning the perfect date or you’ve got a V-Day vendetta, there’s a pinkand-red look that’s perfect for

you no matter what you plan to do this Valentine’s Day – even if you just want to lounge around in your pajamas.

DAY DATE This look is perfect for a picnic or shopping spree. Edge up a girly skirt with black boots and a denim jacket, then finish it off with a matching skinny scarf and heart-shaped clutch.

LUXE BRUNCH Perfect for a date with your best friend or beau, this ‘60s inspired shift is perfect for a bayside brunch. A vintage blazer and peachy lips keep things classic. For some extra f lair, pair the outfit with pink patent boots and a faux fur bag.

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

Watch flicks with friends this Feb.14 By Esther Ponce De Leon Staff Writer

alentine’s Day might be the day for couples to go out and express their devotion to each other, but for those who are single, it can be a great day to spend with friends and avoid those sappy romantic movies, if possible. Fortunately, there’s a diverse array of movie choices this February. Here are five movies to watch with your friends if you’re single this Valentine’s Day.

“How to Be Single” Rebel Wilson and Dakota Johnson’s new flick will certainly leave you laughing and smiling. When Alice (Johnson) breaks up with her boyfriend, her co-worker Robin (Wilson) decides to demonstrate the perks of being single. Some of the humor is sure to be irreverent, but the film promises to be a satire of modern relationships or the lack thereof. Friends can laugh together while living vicariously through the characters as they travel through a world of hookups and breakups.

“Zoolander 2”

NIGHT OUT Dazzle the town in a black bodycon and red pumps. Nude accessories keep this look simple, so all the attention is on you. Single or taken, this attire will make you a Valentine’s Day vixen.

Keeping with the theme of laughing on Valentine’s Day, the sequel to the 2001 classic reunites Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller) and Hansel (Owen Wilson). It will be hard for the movie to top the beauty of watching Zoolander purse his lips and defy the laws of gravity, but the comedic duo of Stiller and Wilson rarely disappoints. Will Ferrell will also reprise his role as the nefarious Mugatu and add-ons like Justin Bieber and Benedict Cumberbatch will keep the sequel fresh for returning fans. Guys can laugh at the humor and girls can watch male models strut across the screen. This movie will be a win-win for any friend group dynamic.

EDGE

“Hail, Caesar!” “Hail, Caesar!” transports viewers back to the 1950s. The movie follows Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin), a producer who needs to keep celebrity divas in check. A star-studded cast comes together to make Mannix’s life miserable. George Clooney plays a disconnected but talented and coveted actor who is kidnapped in the middle of filming the titular movie, “Hail, Caesar!” This original movie should brighten anyone’s day. At the very least, Channing Tatum returns as a dancer sporting a sailor’s suit and Scarlett Johansson brings her usual pluck and charisma to the screen.

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” Many people love the book “Pride and Prejudice” and many people love zombie-apocalypse stories. Here is a movie that combines the two into something you never knew you needed in your life until now. The film takes place in the same setting as its predecessor, only now an illness has stricken the country, causing many people to become brain-eating zombies. Combining romance, action and humor, this movie reintroduces beloved characters. Get to know Elizabeth Bennet (Lily James), a martial arts expert who rocks a corset, and Mr. Darcy (Sam Riley), a professional zombie killer, all over again.

“Deadpool” “Deadpool,” is an irreverent, action-packed superhero movie that has exploded onto the scene. Starring Ryan Reynolds as the “mercenary with a mouth,” the movie tells the story of a man in love who is fighting for his life until he becomes a super-powered, constantly talking rogue agent who seems to be aware that he’s a comic book character. Grab some friends and watch the Marvel hero in action during opening weekend. Marvel movies rarely disappoint, and Reynolds – a longtime fan of Deadpool – will deliver with gusto and tacos.

February 11 - February 14, 2016

Religion

Modern dating crosses

CULTURAL DIVIDES By Emily Dabau and S. Molly Dominick Edge Editor and Multimedia Editor

lthough supportive, junior Bernie Degnan’s parents question their son’s relationship with his girlfriend, sophomore Ambar Jivraj, since he is Jewish and she is an actively practicing Muslim. “When I tell my mom that Ambar goes to her place of worship almost every day, my mom is like, ‘Oh, if they’re really religious, why are they okay with you being Jewish?’” Degnan said. But Degnan and Jivraj don’t see their different backgrounds as hurdles in their relationship. In fact, having grown up in diverse environments, they don’t consider it out of the ordinary. “We don’t think dating interculturally is a big deal at all,” Jivraj said. According to a Pew Research Center (Pew) study of the four generations spanning from 1920 to 2014, millennials are the most diverse, with 57 percent identifying as white, 21 percent Hispanic, 13 percent black, 6 percent Asian and 3 percent listed as other. In another study, Pew found that millennials are also the most accepting of interracial dating. The Miami Hurricane conducted an online survey to explore intercultural dating on campus and received 50 responses. Forty-eight percent of respondents in a relationship were dating someone of a different race. Among those not in a relationship, 66 percent of respondents said they are likely or very likely to date someone of a different race, religion or culture.

Family

While Degnan and Jivraj see their relationship as normal, their parents are still becoming comfortable with it. “This is probably more of an awakening for my mom,” Degnan said. “It’s probably more educational for our families than for each other,” Jivrai agreed. “I guess the older generations have more stereotypes. I feel like our generation is more open to things.” Neither the parents of Jivraj nor Degnan have actively encouraged their children to date within their religion, but Jivraj said they might have an underlying preference for it. “My parents are religious and Bernie’s mom is religious,” Jivraj said. “So like with any family, if you’re dating someone outside your religion, it’s like they’d want you to date someone in the religion … whether you’re Christian or Muslim or Jewish.” Unlike Jivraj and Degnan’s families, the parents of African-American sophomore Alex Michell have suggested that he date girls of the same race. However, they never pressured him, and he has now been dating sophomore Emma Freeman, who is white and Jewish, for over a year. “I remember if I was ever talking to my parents about being interested in any white girls, they would be like, ‘Why don’t you find any of the black girls at your school pretty?’” Michell said. “So nothing big, but they were curious.”

Meet the couples

Hallee Meltzer // Photo Editor

LOVE ME TENDER: Sophomore Mackenzie Smyth and junior Christian Guevara continue to bond over their faith despite cultural differences. Similarly, Afro-Cuban freshman Alana Requejo said her mother has expressed an interest in her dating African Americans, although she has always been open to dating anyone. “My mother is African American, so she always wanted me to be with someone that’s African American. She’s always wanted me to have a black husband,” she said. “But I find everyone cute.”

Emma Freeman (white, Jewish) & Alex Michell (African American, Christian)

Ambar Jivraj (Muslim) & Bernie Degnan (Jewish)

Isabel Thomas (Australian) & Nick Punales (Cuban)

Alana Requejo (Afro-Cuban, Santarian) & Ian Ortiz (Dominican, Christian)

Mackenzie Smyth (Irish, Scottish and English) & Christian Guevara (Peruvian)

In TMH’s survey, 64 percent of respondents said they were dating someone of a different religion, and 73 percent of single respondents said they would consider dating someone of a different religion. While Requejo practices Santeria, a religion involving belief in spirits and the worship of saints, her Dominican boyfriend, Ian Ortiz, practices Christianity. At the beginning of the relationship, Requejo said she was nervous about their religious differences. “Initially, I was kind of afraid to tell him about the Santeria, because usually when people hear that, they’re like, ‘What are you talking about? That’s weird, isn’t that Voodoo?’” she said. But according to Requejo, Ortiz was “very open-minded about it,” helping her become more candid about her religion in general. “He’ll … want to know more about it and actually ask me questions, so I’m not afraid to talk to him about it. And because of that, it has made me more open to talk about it,” she said. Now when they share stories about their backgrounds with each other, those religious differences keep things interesting, according to Requejo. “He’ll tell me things he learned when he was little going to church and I’ll tell him all about spirits and the African powers … I like seeing the contrasts between us,” she said. For sophomore Mackenzie Smyth and junior Christian Guevara, common religion brought them together. Guevara saw a post from Smyth on the Class of 2018 Facebook page that mentioned her faith, which encouraged him to reach out to her. “It really caught my eye first because we shared a common ground there, because we were both Christian,” Guevara said. Although they share the same religion, Guevara is from a Peruvian family, while Smyth is Irish, Scottish and English. Their different backgrounds have lead them to express their faith in different ways. “I found it really interesting when I first visited Christian’s church, which is very charismatic, that they express themselves a lot more than we do. So that was interesting for me,” Smyth said. “And they’re louder, much louder,” she added. “I really appreciate seeing the differences.”

February 11 - February 14, 2016 All in all, sharing a religion with her boyfriend is important to Smyth, who values dating someone with similar morals. “I think it is important to share your faith with the person you’re dating, because what it really comes down to is shared values. I like that I have someone I can share my values with, like caring for other people,” she said. While Guevara agrees, he says he wouldn’t let religious differences get in the way of a relationship. “It is very nice to have someone with the same faith, but even if I had met a girl with the same faith or not, it really doesn’t matter,” he said. “All that matters is if you love the person just the way they are. That’s my point of view.”

Campus diversity

According to 2015 enrollment statistics, UM’s undergraduate student population is 44 percent white, 25 percent Hispanic, 11 percent Asian and 8 percent black. Coming from a town in Maine with little diversity, Smyth said that these demographics made her excited to get to know people who are different than her. “I’ve always been interested in travel and learning about different people, so I was really excited that at UM there’s only like 50 percent white people and then 50 percent else,” Smyth said. “[My town is] 99 percent white and that’s not even an exaggeration.” Requejo agreed that, although she was surrounded by diversity while growing up, UM offers more opportunities to learn about new cultures. “There has been a change because I’ve seen more international students, more nationalities than I saw in my hometown,” Requejo said. “UM has definitely opened me up to new cultures and seeing the beauty of different countries.” This campus diversity may influence the likelihood of students sparking intercultural relationships. Twenty-eight percent of UM students who responded to TMH’s survey said that greater cultural exposure has affected their dating decisions. Thirty-eight percent of respondents said that the diversity of the campus population has affected their dating decisions. Degnan said that, beyond the university, Miami itself is a prime location to meet culturally diverse people. “Miami is one of the most diverse places because you have a combination of so many groups,” he said. “It really is a huge melting pot. If you look outside, it’s your best chance for mingling with those of other cultures.”

Hallee Meltzer // Photo Editor

PERFECT PAIR: As students of the theater program, sophomores Alex Michell and Emma Freeman spend time together both inside and outside of the classroom. Degnan and his girlfriend Jivraj met at their high school, which they said was also very diverse. However, the couple says UM feels more segregated than their high school. Many students tend to hang out with those culturally similar to them because of divisions formed by student organizations, they said. “We’re friends with people of dif-

”

All that matters is if you love the person just the way they are. – Guevara

ferent races, but I think since there are so many organizations on campus that bring your race specifically together, that’s where your main friend group is,” Jivraj said. “I think you have to go outside the normal organizations you’d want to join.” But overall, Degnan said that Miami serves as a welcoming environment for continuing his relationship with Jivraj.

“Living in South Florida had a positive effect on the relationship because there are so many cultures, and so it seems so less out of the ordinary,” he said.

Better together

Guevara has enjoyed sharing Peruvian customs, like dance, with Smyth. “Since I’m Hispanic, I have Hispanic blood in me to dance,” he said. “She says she can’t dance, but there are days I dance with her.” Smyth also listens to Hispanic music and is beginning to learn Spanish, but she said her relationship with Guevara has given her a bigger takeaway. “More than what you look like, it’s what your cultural background is and what your beliefs are. I found that really interesting,” Smyth said. Michell and Freeman agree with this sentiment. Michell may be black and Freeman white, but they both grew up in the eastern United States and had similar life experiences. But the contrast between cultures is much higher between Degnan and Jivraj. According to Jivraj, there is a “stronger sense” of culture because her parents are both immigrants. So Degnan has had a lot more to learn from her culture, from Bollywood, to the language Urdu, to Islam.

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

“I’ve probably learned the most from dating Ambar,” Degnan said. “I think one of the most least-understood religions is Islam and understanding that it’s a huge, diverse group of subsects.” Nicholas Punales, a junior from a “very, very Cuban” family, has been engaged to Australian fiancée Isabel Thomas for nearly one year. Since moving from Australia to Miami for their relationship, Thomas has experienced some culture shock while adapting to the local lifestyle, including Cuban cuisine. “His family, as Cubans, has every meal as meat, rice and beans,” she said. “Whereas me growing up, we never really had rice and I never ate black beans in my life.” “That’s my main culinary thing,” Punales agreed. “I don’t want to say it’s blander, but a lot of things in Australia are more plain compared to our spices … We kind of have had to adjust diets for each other.” But one food may never cross the cultural divide for Punales. “Vegemite is pure salt ... It looks like roofing tar,” he joked. Punales also said that Thomas’s quieter, yet bluntly honest demeanor, common in Australia, has caused him to rethink his outspoken Cuban nature. “[I’ve learned] to be a little quieter,” he said. “Volume of voice is number one, probably. America is a melting pot, so you have all these different cultures and you’re accepting of them, but you’re also sometimes fighting to get your way, to get your word in. And so I think I’ve learned to maybe fight a little less. I don’t have to be right; I just have to understand.” According to Thomas, an intercultural relationship encourages self-reflection. “It’s normal however you grow up,” Thomas said. “But when you’re with someone different, it does make you think, ‘Huh, maybe it is weird that I do something a certain way.’” Punales said that although there are inevitable challenges, dating interculturally leads to valuable personal growth. “It’s not always easy,” he said. “But I definitely feel like I’m a lot better person because of it, because I’ve learned so much from it. I feel like it’s a lot better than being bored. The fun is in learning, it’s always in learning. That’s why there are always so many people that have great relationships in the beginning and they sort of peter off, because you get sort of stuck in a rut. Whereas I feel like every day I learn something new … Six years in and I’m still learning.”

OF STUDENTS IN A RELATIONSHIP

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

OF STUDENTS NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP

INTERCULTURAL DATING

”

INTERCULTURAL DATING

36%

are of the same religion

64%

are of different religions

52%

are the same race

48% are of a different race

85%

would date someone of a different race

15%

would not

72%

would date someone of a different religion

28%

would not DESIGN BY AMY MELTZER & EMMA DEARDORFF

OPINION

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

February 11 - February 14, 2016

Opinion EDITORIAL

‘One Team, One U’ promises effective solutions, increased voter participation Come Monday, polls will open for next year’s Student Government (SG) officers. This year, well-qualified candidates from three strong tickets are competing for the highest executive positions of president, vice president and treasurer. Out of these impressive platforms, The Miami Hurricane endorses the “One Team, One U” ticket as the middle ground between the passion and the practicality of the other two tickets. “One Team, One U” includes candidates with leadership experience in many campus organizations, including SG and Greek life. However, Jason Goldenberg, the presidential candidate, has never been involved with SG, and this “outsider” status can provide a refreshing perspective.

The ticket heavily prioritizes SG outreach, engagement and voter participation with disaffected students. The ticket’s hallmark initiative is bringing back a student town hall on the Rock, where SG will receive input from all members of the community. The candidates express concerns that administration is not receiving enough student input, and they have a serious intention of listening to more voices and implementing necessary changes. As for their competitors, “Empower U” has by far the most impactful goals; their platform touches on important issues skirted by the other tickets, such as mental health and climate change. While their ideas enrich this year’s race, many of their initiatives cannot be practically implemented with the limited time and manpower of a single SG term, and future continuity is hard to guarantee. Both candidates can still make an impact by using their thorough expertise of social justice and mental health issues in focused leadership positions rather than general executive positions.

It is clear that “True to You” has the most experienced team and the most polished campaign. All three candidates have been leaders in SG, Greek life and other large student organizations. However, their initiatives fall short of their qualifications. Aside from flood control and lighting, their proposals are significantly less substantial than those of the other tickets. For candidates so involved on campus, their platform seems to be out of touch with student needs. “One Team, One U” may not have the most revolutionary platform or the most wellknown faces, but it seeks to represent the everyman. Under their passionate and thoughtful leadership, these candidates may be able to incorporate the best elements of each ticket this year: a hope for both big-picture and dayto-day improvements in student life at the U. Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.

The Miami

HURRICANE Founded 1929 An Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame Newspaper BUSINESS OFFICE: 305-284-4401 FAX: 305-284-4404 For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nick Gangemi

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COPY CHIEF Alyssa Bolt

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Isabella Cueto OPINION EDITOR Jackie Yang EDGE EDITOR Emily Dabau SPORTS EDITOR Mark Singer

COPY EDITORS Huixin Deng Annie Louk PR MANAGER Katie Edgar BUSINESS MANAGER Christopher Dalton

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SALES REPRESENTATIVES Grayson Tishko Juan Jaramillo Kyle Stewart Roark Tishko

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AD DESIGNER Cynthia Pacheco

DESIGNERS Madeleine Trtan Savanah DeBrosse Amy Meltzer Megan McCrink

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PHOTO EDITOR Hallee Meltzer

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR S. Molly Dominick

FACULTY ADVISER Ileana Oroza FINANCIAL ADVISER Steve Priepke

SWIPE RIGHT

Singles shouldn’t despair on Valentine’s Day

hen I was younger, I considered Valentine’s Day a fun day in class when we decorated coffee cans and filled them with boxes of candy hearts and SpongeBob-themed cards from our peers. It was an excuse to wear red and pink together (even though everyone knows they clash), to eat endless sugar cookies and to have a party instead of science classes. By Nayna Shah Just a few short and cynical years later, Valentine’s Senior Columnist Day became the day for single girls to dress in black, drink too much wine and mourn over their state of singlehood. Ladies, if you do one or a combination of the aforementioned activities on Feb. 14, this year is the year to cut it out. Valentine’s Day is infamous for being a “Hallmark holiday” according to bitter, single people … and lazy non-single people who don’t want to go the extra mile for their partners. The romantics of the world are criticized for attaching meaning to a random date and filling store shelves with chocolates, teddy bears and roses. I say, let the romantics have their day. Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day and Christmas are all extremely commercialized holidays and no one complains about them. They are merely excuses to eat candy, drink and just be happy, respectively. So don’t get pissed at people who attach meaning to Feb. 14. Technically, your birthday was just a random date until you happened to be born and all anniversaries are just dates until people decide to get married. Let Valentine’s Day be a special day too. Let it be the date in the calendar for you to think about what or whom you love.

As a single person, I still enjoy Valentine’s Day because I use it to show the important people in my life that I appreciate them. It’s almost selfish to think that just because you don’t have anyone to love romantically, that means you don’t have anyone you love or anyone who loves you. This year, spend time with your siblings, send mom a card or give grandma a call. Treat yourself to a shopping spree, a spa day, or better yet, share that day with friends. Even drunk “I just love you guys so much” moments are better than drunk, cranky “I hate love and happy people” moments. Get over it. You don’t hate love. Love is beautiful thing and you’ve got more of it in you than you think. Especially because when you’re finally in a relationship on Valentine’s Day, I know you won’t be bashing romance any longer. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, do something really out of the ordinary for Valentine’s Day. If we all kept the mentality of “Meh, Valentine’s Day is just any other day of the calendar year,” we wouldn’t have the excuse to do crazy things in the name of a holiday. People fly all the way around the world to get home for Christmas and pull all kinds of crazy stunts just because it’s their birthday, so let Valentine’s Day be your excuse. Go skydiving, shark diving or scuba diving … anything, as long as you’re not woefully diving to the bottom of your bottle of wine. If you were looking for a f*** Valentine’s Day rant, you came to the wrong place. Instead of hitting up one of your moody, single friends for such a discussion, snap them out of their funk with some flowers, food or FIFA – whatever floats their boat. As you pick out your clashing red and pink outfit for Valentine’s Day this year, just remember that no matter what the 14th means to you, love is all you need. Nayna Shah is a junior majoring in biology. Her new column, Swipe Right, runs every second Thursday of each month.

The Miami Hurricane is published semi-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 Mondays and 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 noon Tuesday for Thursday’s issue and noon Friday for Monday’s issue. 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.

February 11 - February 14, 2016

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

OPINION

UPON FURTHER REVIEW

Sequels need more creativity, less nostalgia

ast year was the year of the long-prophesied sequel. Many long-anticipated revivals of iconic films brought in box-office booms. Between “Creed,” “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Hollywood studio executives By Andrew Allen got the message loud and clear: audiencSenior Columnist es love a classic franchise. On the creative side, however, the results are mixed. Though I never got to see “Creed,” I did see “Star Wars,” “Mad Max” and “Jurassic World” at least twice each and I can’t help but feel these films represent a striking dichotomy between great sequel-making and poor sequel-making. In the future, they may prove to be textbook examples and counterexamples of how to properly utilize the storytelling potential in a franchise. It’s fair to say that none of these three films are truly bad. They’re all competently made and at least passably entertaining. However, there is a huge chasm sitting between “entertain-

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ing” and “great,” and of these three, “Mad Max” is the only film leaning toward the latter. “Fury Road” is a masterpiece, or at the very least, a unique and striking creative endeavor. “Jurassic World” and “The Force Awakens,” by contrast, are trivial, nostalgia-baiting pictures largely devoid of any self-possessed creative vision – content to trade on their family name rather than to earn due credit unto themselves. The key difference between “Fury Road” and the other two is their fundamental conception. How does one handle a franchise with a legacy spanning more than 20 years and fans inundated with preconceived notions and high expectations? Director George Miller, who has helmed every “Mad Max” film to date, takes the challenging route. What makes “Fury Road” exceptional is its staunch unwillingness to sit in the shadow of the previous “Mad Max” films by carving out its own path and careening forward with the same sense of boldness and vision that characterized the original trilogy’s most iconic entry: “The Road Warrior.” Miller clearly understands that the way to properly honor a longstanding franchise is not by meticulously imitating its structure or aesthetic but by emulating its ingenuity and vision – the very factors that led to the franchise’s decade-long success. “Fury Road” is a vital, powerful creative force that can make a significant impact on the future of action cinema. “The Force Awakens” and “Jurassic World” take the safer route, with maximum box office results and minimal (nearing nonexistent) creative impact. Both of these films fail to grasp

that what made their original installments so magnificent was novelty, not nostalgia. Both directors justified their unwillingness to stray from the beaten path with a rhetoric that suggested audiences needed to “reconnect” with “the basics” of their respective franchises, while completely missing that what made the original “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park” so memorable was the element of surprise – these were films unlike anything the world had ever seen before. Instead, the reboots eschew forward thinking and artistic vision in favor of cowardly imitation that ironically dishonors the spirit of the very films they’re supposedly seeking to emulate. Great art demands risk. This is perhaps even truer of sequels than it is any other kind of film. From “Aliens” to “The Empire Strikes Back” to “The Dark Knight” to “Fast Five,” no great sequel has ever come about by chaining itself to the formula of its predecessors. A word to the filmmaking wise: sequels are only worth making if they are true continuations, not footnotes. To stand beside masterpieces of blockbuster cinema, you need to bring something to the table that is as fresh and vital as what those films originally brought to audiences around the world. Andrew Allen is a junior majoring in communications. His new column, Upon Further Review, runs alternate Thursdays.

SPORTS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

February 11 - February 14, 2016

Sports

1.4

Seconds left on the clock when Angel Rodriguez scored the game-winner against Pittsburgh on Tuesday night.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

GOLF

Last-second shot secures win against Pittsburgh

Hurricanes open spring schedule with 11th-place tie By Tej Joshi Staff Writer

By Tej Joshi Staff Writer

he No. 12 Hurricanes’ 65-63 win over ACC foe Pittsburgh on Tuesday came down to a tip-in from redshirt senior guard Angel Rodriguez in the final seconds. The Canes’ victory was full of drama and excitement down to the final stretch. Here’s a look back at the final minute of the game. With 55 seconds left and the Canes up 63-60, senior center Tonye Jekiri made his way to the charity stripe after being fouled by the Panthers. The game likely would not have come down to the wire if Jekiri sank the free throws, but he missed both shots. “I felt like he really saved us because of the two free throws I missed,” Jekiri said of Rodriguez. With the Canes (19-4, 8-3) up three points, the Panthers marched down the court and guard James Robinson drilled a three to tie the game. The Canes now only had 31 seconds to win the game in regulation or have it settled in overtime. Miami had one foul to give and one timeout remaining at this stage. Conventional basketball thinking would dictate that Head Coach Jim Larrañaga should use that timeout. “I had one timeout and I could have called it, and maybe I should have, but they would have switched their defense,” Larrañaga said. Rodriguez was happy about his coach’s decision not to do so.

Kawan Amelung // Staff Photographer

UP AND AWAY: Redshirt senior guard Angel Rodriguez goes for a layup during Wednesday’s 65-63 win over Pittsburgh at the BankUnited Center. Rodriguez later tipped the ball in with 1.4 seconds left to win the game.

“At first, once they made the three … I was hoping coach didn’t call a timeout. The game was tied and I was giving him the hand like, ‘Please, just let us play it.’ He did. He trusted us,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez brought the ball up the court as the Panthers’ defense was switching from man-to-man to a 3-2 zone. The veteran ball handler found redshirt senior guard Sheldon McClellan open in the right corner for three. Sheldon, a 40-percent three-point shooter, surprisingly missed the shot. Thankfully for the Canes, the team crashed the boards. After junior guard Davon Reed’s put-back did not fall, Rodriguez slipped past Michael Young and tipped in the game-winner. The 6,609 fans at the BankUnited Center erupted when the ball fell through the net. Rodriguez pumped his chest and stomped his feet after scoring. The moment was so surreal that he questioned if it had actually happened. “At first, in the game it seemed like a couple of seconds, but it took me a bit to sink in: ‘Did I actually tip

that in?’ Even though I knew I did it, it was just shocking. I told myself, ‘Yes you did…celebrate.’ I started going crazy,” Rodriguez said. The Canes were up two, but there were still 1.4 seconds left for Pitt to attempt a final cross-court heave. The Canes played a prevent defense to prevent the Panthers from getting the ball into the frontcourt. “Our objective was to not let them throw the ball the length of the court,” Larrañaga said. The Panthers were able to get off a half-court shot, which fell short as time expired and the buzzer rang. After the game, Pittsburgh Head Coach Jamie Dixon felt he was robbed of a deserved victory. “We felt like we should have won the game and we didn’t,” Dixon said. In the end, the Canes’ victory may be rooted in dumb luck, but the ACC victory is still just as sweet. “We needed a little bit of luck at the end and Angel Rodriguez provided it,” Larrañaga said. The Canes next play Florida State at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday in Tallahassee, Fla.

he No. 29 Hurricanes finished tied for 11th place in the UCF Challenge held in Orlando from Feb. 7-9. The Canes competed with 17 other teams at the par 72, 6,349-yard Eagle Creek Golf Club in the team’s first event of the spring. Miami finished the first round in 13th place with a team score of 310. Freshman Dewi Weber and senior Kailey Walsh led the Canes, both players birdying twice and recording a 77. Weber posted both of her birdies on the back nine while Walsh had one birdie on both the front and the back nine. In her first tournament for the Canes, freshman Luiza Altmann played well, posting a score of 78 in the

first round. Altmann did not play for the Canes in the fall, but she won six amateur tournaments before coming to Miami. The Canes scored an impressive 296 in the second round, 14 shots better than their first round. The Canes’ tworound total of 606 placed them 13th heading into the third and final round of play. Miami posted a team score of 303 in the third round to finish the tournament with a total of 909, 24 strokes behind first-place Houston. Weber led the team, moving up from 19th place when the final day started to a season-best fifth. She had a team-high seven birdies throughout the tournament. Junior Delfina Acosta also played well, posting three birdies in the third round. Head Coach Patti Rizzo believes that the Canes will have a successful spring season with this group of golfers. “I think we have a very strong team right now. It’s probably one of the strongest teams we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Rizzo said to HurricaneSports.com before the tournament. “I think we have a great chance to move up in the rankings throughout the spring.” The Canes will be back in action on Feb. 21 at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate in New Orleans.

Photo courtesy Thomas Symonds

FULL SWING: Freshman Dewi Weber practices her swing at the Biltmore Golf Club. Weber finished with a season-best, fifth-place spot in the UCF Challenge in Orlando Tuesday.

February 11 - February 14, 2016

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

SPORTS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

February 11 - February 14, 2016

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Canes Calendar miami.edu/calendar CaneStage Presents: UProv

Thursday, February 11 HP Patio Jams ft. Zach Zebley and Paola Marrero QN t -BLFTJEF 1BUJP Enjoy the weather and a great musical performance on the patio by Zach Zebley and Paola Marrero! Plus while you are there, grab a free SnoCone, and awesome socks!

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Know Justice Know Peace 2 QN t 4$ #BMMSPPN &BTU This event will feature guest lectures by Dr. Paula Ioanide from Ithaca College, Dr. Rashawn Ray from the University of Maryland, College Park and Dr. Eduardo Bonilla-Silva from Duke University

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Friday, February 12 Know Justice Know Peace 2 QN t -FBSOJOH $FOUFS This event will feature guest lecturer by Dr. Rashawn Ray from the University of Maryland, College Park on the topic of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Racism without Racistsâ&#x20AC;?

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Saturday, February 13 Ibis Ride Shuttle to WYnwood 1. t Stanford Circle Free shuttle service to Wynwood for UM Students with cane card. Shuttle picks up and drops off from Stanford Circle at UM and 23rd St. & /& OE "WF BU 8ZOXPPE -BTU CVT leaves Wynwood at 12:30 pm.

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University of Miami SportsFest!

UM Baseball Alumni Game QN t .BSL -JHIU 4UBEJVN The University of Miami baseball program will host its annual Fan Fest & Alumni Game on Saturday, Feb. 13 at Alex Rodriguez Park at .BSL -JHIU 'JFME 'FTUJWJUJFT BSF TFU UP CFHJO BU Q N BOE BENJTTJPO to the event is free. The team BVUPHSBQI TFTTJPO JT TFU GPS Q N The concession stands, including UIF GBNPVT .BSL -JHIU 4IBLF TUBOE will be open, while representatives from the bookstore will be on hand selling the newest baseball apparel!

Sunday, February February y M â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Basketball Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s B k b ll at Fl Florida id State QN t 5BMMBIBTTFF '- ESPNU Miami defeated Pittsburgh 6563 to give the Hurricanes their third straight win. The Hurricanes are now 8-3 in ACC play and PWFSBMM 5IF )VSSJDBOFT consecutive weeks in the rankings ties the school record set in 200102. Miami is at Florida State on Sunday.

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Please submit your information at least two weeks in advance to STUDENT-ACTIVITIES@MIAMI.EDU.

Next week...

Black Awareness Month: House of Black Culture