The Miami Hurricane: Oct. 11, 2023

Vol. 94, Issue 5 | Oct. 11 - Oct. 24

“I made the wrong call” Cristobal admits to coaching error that ended Miami’s undefeated season Sports // Page 12

2023 Latin Billboards take on Miami: the run-down A&E // Page 8

War in Israel sends shockwaves across UM News // Page 2

Junior safety Kamren Kinchens falls short of Georgia Tech wide receiver Christian Leary as he slides into the endzone in the fourth quarter of the Miami-GT game at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.

Alexandra Fisher // Co-Photo Editor

October 11, 2023

NEWS

2

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

War erupts in Israel and Palestine, sending shockwaves across UM

BY RACHEL PETROVICH STAFF WRITER

The Israeli government officially declared war on Hamas, the Palestinian-Islamist militant group, on Sunday Oct. 8 in response to Saturday’s deadly assault on Israel.

The attack has left over 700 Israelis dead and 2,500 wounded as of Monday, Oct. 9, the majority of whom are civilians.

According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the attack resulted in the largest number of deaths in the Jewish community in a 24-hour period since the Holocaust.

Many political analysts have referred to the attack as “Israel’s 9/11,” and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the war will fundamentally “change the Middle East” for good.

In the days since, the University of Miami community has reacted to the ongoing violence taking place in the region. In response to the conflict, UM President Julio Frenk issued a statement in solidarity with Israel on Monday afternoon.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Israel, with all those impacted by the violence, and with all who seek peace.” Frenk said. “Our hearts break for Israelis and for the Jewish state, as well as for the innocent Palestinians, Druze, Bedouins, and others who live within its borders and the region.”

He then went on to discuss the University’s “deep ties to Israel” through alumni, students and faculty, along with his personal connection to the country. Frenk traveled to Israel in July 2023 as part of a sponsored trip through Project Interchange with UM Hillel.

The conflict began in an unprecedented attack from Hamas that launched an estimated 2,200 missiles into Israeli territory and took over 22 Israeli towns and military bases.

“In prior years, we had seen Is-

rael and Hamas put as some sort of moral equivalency, as if there is any comparison between a civilized democratic government army acting in defense of its people and a violent terrorist organization,” said an anonymous member of UM’s Students Supporting Israel (SSI) executive board. “What we saw was a complete disruption of this false narrative - there is no equivalency.”

The member also has family in Israel and has shared what they’re experiencing.

“They haven’t experienced war, they’ve experienced genocide.

Every day new friends and colleagues’ names are on a list of the dead. There is no anguish like this is now. But it will only fuel them to come back better and stronger than ever before.”

Israel retaliated by launching airstrikes on Saturday, Oct. 7, targeting the Gaza territory that Hamas controls. These include the bombing of Watan Towers, as well as striking Jaibalia, a refugee camp north of Gaza City.

One student, who has chosen to remain anonymous, has called the Palestine region home for over 10 years. For them, the past few days have been spent watching the destruction from afar, concerned for their family members in Gaza.

“The situation that is happening is extremely terrifying for me and for every Palestinian. This situation is not ideal, we are all scared.

I’m abroad while attacks are taking place in my home, Palestine,” they said.

Israel’s airstrikes to the Gaza Strip have killed more than 687 Palestinians and left 2,900 wounded as of Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Israel’s response reflects Netanyahu’s preparation for an extensive war ahead, stating that the terrorist group will pay an “unprecedented price” for the bloodshed it has caused.

Hamas infiltrated Israel through

air, land and sea, making it the deadliest assault in decades for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

“In the past few days, our worst fears have been realized. Six hundred plus Israelis have been murdered in cold blood,” said Abigail Schcolnik, co-president of UM Hillel and a cabinet member for Hillel International. “Hundreds have been taken hostage. Thousands are injured. I pray for peace, but what does that mean?”

Videos surfacing from the Supernova music festival, an event held in southern Israel to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, shows civilians running as they dodge bullets from armed Hamas fighters.

Over 250 festival goers were killed at the event, including children and soldiers.

The number of hostages taken by Hamas is unknown, yet over 100 are believed to have been captured and are scattered throughout locations in Gaza.

South Florida has reacted strongly to the conflict, with protests breaking out among opposing groups in Fort Lauderdale Sunday afternoon.

A pro-Palestine rally stood adjacent to a gathering of Floridians in solidarity for Israel, leading to a hostile clash that was broken up by police.

Contentious discussion on the conflict has also been prominent on social media and on college campuses like UM. “Recently, during moments like this, Zionist students have had to mask their identity, mute their opinions, hide from their professors…” Schcolnik said. “It’s different this time though. We will not be bystanders in the face of justice.

We will stand together and fight for the people of Israel.”

UM Hillel is providing community gatherings during this time that show support for Israel, with the first gathering having taken place this past Monday.

“We speak on behalf of UM’s Jewish community when we ex-

press appreciation for the administration at Miami and their support at a time that has been unbelievably traumatic for us.” said the SSI executive board member.

U.S. foreign and military officials suspect the reasoning behind Hamas’ attack against Israel on Oct. 7 was to drive a wedge between critical peace agreement negotiations that are happening between Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

However, some Palestinians claim that the longstanding violence from Israeli forces is the reason behind Hamas’ attack. This past July, Israel forces air-raided a refugee camp in the city of Jenin, killing and injuring dozens in the occupied West Bank controlled by Palestinian National Authority.

“It already is hard enough being far from my family and friends during these times, seeing what’s happening to my country from far, let alone being surrounded by entitled Westerners who think they have the understanding of our struggle with colonialism for the past 75 years,” the Palestinian student said.

“The events of the past 75 plus years have profoundly affected an entire nation, resulting in our oppression, subjugation and exile.

It’s important to comprehend the nuanced history and context of the situation,” they added.

The leader of Hamas’ military, Muhammad Deif, stated that the group launched the “operation” so that Israel will “understand that the time of their rampaging without accountability has ended.”

Hamas’“accountability,” though, has included brutal attacks on civilian Israelis. In one instance, an Israeli woman found out her grandmother was killed through a video posted by Hamas on her grandmother’s facebook. The video was filmed by militants on the woman’s phone, and showed her deceased body.

The leader has also cited recent

police raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem during Ramadan, the third holiest site for Muslims, as contributing to the attack.

Jana Faour, a sophomore psychology and criminology doublemajor on the pre-med track, is the daughter of Lebanese parents who have witnessed the targeting of holy sites in Palestinian territories including Gaza and the West Bank.

“Mosques, the Muslim place of worship, are infiltrated and people praying peacefully are attacked.

The loss of innocent lives is a tragedy, and it is one that has been happening for years.” Faour said.

The Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, and control over the territory has been a contentious issue in the Middle East between Israelis and Palestinians, contributing to the longstanding conflict within the region.

Tensions first arose in the early 20th century. The 1948 departure of British rule in the area of Gaza was a significant catalyst for the conflict, especially as Israel gained official statehood the same year.

“What people fail to realize is that this is an issue of colonization,” Faour said. “The conversation of violence and lives lost is now coming up as if it is the first time it has happened due to the occupation, [yet] this has been the reality of Palestinian lives for over 50 years.”

Despite conflict between the two states, they share a limited number of resources such as food, fuel and electricity. On Monday, Oct. 9, the Israeli Defense Minister declared a “full siege” of the Gaza enclave, cutting off any supply of these resources.

“I don’t see any scenario out of this where there isn’t a tremendous loss of life, which is a true, true shame and disgusting thing for both sides. It’s a pity for everybody involved, not just one side or the other.” said the SSI executive board member.

NEWS

October 11, 2023

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

3

“A complete nightmare”: gas leak, mold and delayed repairs at Cloisters

BY LAUREN FERRER & JENNY JACOBY MANAGING EDITOR & EDITOR IN CHIEF

Two months since The Cloisters Miami was set to open, parents gathered outside their children’s incomplete units to voice complaints about the growing list of problems and inhospitable conditions on the property.

Ongoing problems at the Cloisters including a gas leak and alleged mold sightings continue to fuel families’ and residents’ concerns about the habitability of the complex.

The residents of the four previously vacated units at the Cloisters were notified on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m. to extend their Airbnb or hotel accommodations to Oct. 10 because of the ongoing repairs to the first-floor vacated units.

Two parents, who requested to remain anonymous, expressed frustration as they have consistently been emailed with little notice or time to plan for the inconveniences. This notification was sent the night prior to their scheduled move-in.

On that morning, Gianna Rettew, a Cloisters resident in one of the vacated units, correctly anticipated a

delay and began searching for a new Airbnb. Rettew is currently paying for a second Airbnb out-of-pocket in addition to her rent, as she is yet to receive reimbursement from the Cloisters.

Darby Steineger, another resident from a vacated unit, has opted to move into a new apartment complex, instead of extending her Airbnb stay. Her family has hired a lawyer to write a lease termination letter, but expect the Cloisters to reject the request considering the circumstances.

After parents visited the site on Oct. 7, torn up floors and broken windows have made them question when the true completion date will be. One parent specified that a member of the construction staff said that the expected completion date was set for Oct. 18.

On the evening of Oct. 4, a gas leak in a unit in building one of the Cloisters drew law enforcement to the property and required gas to be shut off until further notice.

“The fire department knocked on my door around 10:30 p.m. I saw two men not suited up in firefighter uniforms and they kept knocking so I only opened the door slightly,” Amanda Mohamed, a sophomore

studying broadcast journalism and media management, said.

“They then explained what happened and I saw that their shirts said Miami FD. But to have two strange men knock on your door late at night is extremely scary.”

Out of caution, the Cloisters shut off the gas in Building one, alerting residents the following day that it will remain off for two to three business days. As of the evening of Oct. 9, the gas remains shut off. Residents have expressed frustration over having been unable to use their gas stove and oven.

On the same day, an anonymous member in the Facebook group posted a photo of what looked like mold on their unit’s ceiling. The photo raised concern, causing parents to continue to question the habitability of the complex.

“I have not found any mold in our unit. I did have someone come out but won’t have those results until tomorrow,” Dina Russel, a resident’s parent, said. “I was taking precautions and wanted peace of mind with everything else going on in the complex, but everything else has been a complete nightmare.”

Jacqueline Salcines, a local at-

Anonymous Contributed Photo

Unit that previously experienced sewage leaks under substantial construction

torney, advised those with mold to write an 83.51 7-day letter to address the issue in writing.

Section 6a of the lease, the “mold disclosure,” signed by residents states that the Cloisters will not be held liable for mold damages.

During Family Weekend, parents gathered at the Cloisters on Saturday morning to see the state of their children’s living facility for themselves.

The parents of the Facebook group spoke to local media in hopes of

bringing attention to the inconveniences and frustrating living conditions they have faced for the past few months.

“Every day it’s something else here and their excuses can only get them so far,” the parent of one resident said. “They shouldn’t be surprised and upset that families are taking legal action.”

Follow TMH’s ongoing coverage of the Cloisters online.

School of Nursing and Health Studies dean steps down

BY ISABELLA MARTINEZ STAFF WRITER

After six years as the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies, Cindy Munro has decided to step down.

During her time in the role, Dean Munro has spent her years at the University focusing on funding for medical research as well as boosting the ranking of the school. To her, the school is meant to be a place for both academic excellence and community, and she often calls the nursing school a home for both students and staff.

Cynthia Foronda, professor and Assistant Dean for Innovation, Clinical Research and Scholarship for the School of Nursing and Health Studies, has formed a close mentorship with Dean Munro.

“Dean Munro has positively impacted my career in many ways,” said Foronda. “Her support played a critical part in my ability to receive the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Faculty Scholar Award.”

The Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation Award was created to foster the career of educators in medicine and nursing. Scholars receive financial support to execute a project in their institution, which Foronda credits Munro in helping her secure.

“She offered her time as a mentor and she assured that I was fully prepared to succeed in the high-stakes interview that was part of the process. Even now, long after the project has been completed, she offers her time to continue this mentorship,” Foronda said.

Reflecting on her time with Munro, Foronda states how this mentor-

ship has allowed her to flourish as a professional, leading her to chase after opportunities that she otherwise would have been hesitant to go after.

“Dean Munro has demonstrated a consistent focus on mission-centered leadership. She firmly believes in the system of faculty governance and has involved faculty to help develop, shape and carry out the mission of the School. With the mantra of Novel, Optimistic and World-Changing (NOW) she has personally expressed how her decisions and actions center around trying to make the world a better place,” said Foronda.

Munro’s impact goes further than her relationship with her staff. She leaves behind a flourishing School of Nursing and Health Studies, and many of her colleagues accredit this to her hard work and leadership.

Willy Prado, interim executive

vice president for academic affairs and provost professor of nursing and health studies, was the chair of the search committee that assisted in hiring her. After years of working together Prado describes Dean Munro as thoughtful, humble and a leader.

“Dean Munro has been a great member of the leadership team at UM. She has worked to elevate both the School of Nursing and Health Studies and the University, she has worked diligently on elevating the research portfolio of the school. The SONHS should be among the top 20 nursing schools in NIH funding,” Prado said.

With a long list of accomplishments trailing after her name, Munro has left a positive impact on her colleagues and her students. She is seen as a brilliant researcher and a hard worker, as she continues to inspire

other women in her field.

“Dean Munro will leave behind the legacy of mission-driven leadership.

She formulated goals and would assure communication of these goals with faculty, so that together, we could achieve them,” said Foronda.

“During her tenure, she was able to recruit and hire faculty to increase the amount of research dollars brought in through competitive federal funding. At this point in time, the school is flourishing in research and scholarship like never before.”

Dean Munro plans to take a year of sabbatical after stepping down from her role in May of 2024, at the end of the academic year. With her future retirement in view, this next phase of her life is to focus on her and her family after all she has given to the field of nursing and UM, according to Prado.

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October 11, 2023

NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

CITY

New trolley line connects UM with downtown Coral Gables

BY LAUREN WHITSELL STAFF WRITER

Want to explore the city but can’t stand driving in Miami traffic? The City of Coral Gables has the answer — the Downtown Express. The newest Coral Gables trolley route runs to and from destinations near the University of Miami to Downtown Coral Gables.

The Downtown Express ran for the first time on Oct. 1. This free route runs on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes northbound and southbound routes that run roughly every 20 minutes.

The northbound route begins at Kerdyk Park and continues to The Standard, Red Road Commons, the University Metrorail stop and Life Time before arriving at the Downtown Coral Gables locations of Miracle Mile and Giralda. The southbound route makes all of these stops, except for The Standard stop, in reverse order.

UM sits on the border of Coral Gables, making it convenient for many students and other southern Coral Gables residents to visit locations outside the city rather than going downtown, which the Downtown Express attempts to mitigate.

“You tend to go to places like South Miami or the Grove just because it’s closer, so we wanted to provide a convienent transportation to Downtown Coral Gables where you don’t have to worry about parking, driving or sitting in traffic,” Solanch Lopez, the Marketing Manager of the City of Coral Gables Economic Development, said.

According to Lopez, the Economic Development Department found that 78% of Coral Gables customers were not residents,

with most of the credit card data history being tracked back to residents of the greater Miami area.

“We’re missing a big chunk of our own residents that we want to be able to enjoy the dining, shopping and activties that our downtown has to offer,” Lopez said.

Transportation is responsible

city more efficiently,” said Matthew Anderson, Assistant Director of Mobility & Sustainability of the City of Coral Gables Parking & Mobility Services Department.

The City of Coral Gables runs two other trolley routes from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through

Miami Trolley cruises down Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.

for 46% of the greenhouse gas emissions in Coral Gables, which was another reason the Downtown Express was implemented.

“We wanted to provide more alternative transportation options to our residents, visitors and students and get them around the

goal of our Economic Development office and bringing people downtown, and we thought the afternoon into evening time on Saturday would be the best time to bring in more people from the southern part of the city,” Anderson said.

In its first weekend, the Down-

Phillip Pessar//Wikimedia Commons

Saturday, utilizing seven trolleys during the week, but only had five trolleys running on Saturday, which made the implementation of the Downtown Express possible.

“We had more resources to be able to add and also support the

town Express saw great success with 70 passengers and a positive reception from the community.

“Some of our elected officials have already received emails complimenting the route,” Anderson said.

There was a launch party for the

route on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. with the Coral Gables Economic Development and Operation teams as well as Mayor Vince Lago, Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson, commissioner Ariel Fernandez, UM Sustainability Manager Teddy L’Houtellier and UM Student Government President Niles Niseem.

“This new trolley route is being created for a younger audience so that there’s engagement in Downtown Coral Gables and so that people can go and enjoy what the city has to offer,” said Niseem, a senior majoring in broadcast journalism and electronic media. “It’s a great opporunity for students to get plugged in with the city and all it has to offer.”

As an incentive for people to ride Downtown Express, Lopez is working with Coral Gables businesses to offer promotions only available to Downtown Express riders.

“We’re going to have the information on the trolley itself, so you have to be riding the trolley to unlock and access those promotions,” Lopez said.

Current promotions include discounts on products at Stem Boutique and Häagen-Dazs, both located on Miracle Mile, with discounts at more stores being confirmed.

The Downtown Express, along with all Coral Gables Trolleys, can be tracked on the ETA SPOT website and app.

“We have a lot of technology in place so people are able to plan their trip effectively and not be waiting at a stop for any extended period of time,” Anderson said.

Free WiFi is also available on the trolley.

Visit the Coral Gables Website for more information on the Downtown Express.

October 11, 2023

NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

5

NOTICIAS EN ESPAÑOL

Abriendo el sector privado en Cuba: Un sueño o una realidad?

BY CAROLINE VAL CO NEWS EDITOR

Con las dificultades económicas que han afectado a Cuba durante mucho tiempo, hasta la dramática disminución en el desarrollo económico provocada por la pandemia global, el gobierno cubano lucha por la necesidad de revitalizar su economía. Otra vez, ha surgido una visión audaz que busca desbloquear el potencial del sector privado en la isla.

Un aspecto clave de la transformación económica de Cuba es la creciente prominencia de las pymes, un acrónimo que significa “empresas pequeñas o medianas.” Estos tipos de negocios, propiedad de cubanos, han surgido como una fuerza vital en la nueva economía que se está desarrollando en Cuba.

“Las pymes han llenado, en cierto sentido, la necesidad productiva en la economía de Cuba”, dijo John Twichell, director de estudios Latinoamericanos de la Universidad de Miami. “La creciente influencia de las pymes en Cuba coincide con los esfuerzos intermitentes del país para alejarse de una economía dominada por el estado hacia una economía más orientada al mercado, ocurriendo gradualmente desde el final de la Guerra Fría.”

Según Twichell, empresas estatales tomaron control casi absoluto del mercado cubano después de la revolución de 1959, y ahora están subsidiadas por el Partido Comunista de China (CCP).

Sin embargo, la implementación de una resolución legal en 2010 por el presidente anterior Raúl Castro, ha habido un alejamiento lento pero claro del modelo económico comunista en la isla.

Según Michael Bustamante, director de estudios cubanos en la Universidad de Miami, el fracaso de los esfuerzos para compensar las deficiencias económicas en la isla han sido especialmente prominentes en los últimos años, como lo demuestran algunas de las olas de migración más grandes desde la Revolución Cubana.

“Hemos visto números de migración absolutamente históricos en el último año y medio, 350,000 desde finales de 2021 hasta principios de 2022, y personas del departamento de estado me

dicen que los números podrían llegar a 500,000 en total,” dijo Bustamante.

“Esta es una migración absolutamente histórica que nunca habíamos visto.

Pero si estamos hablando de la migración abordando las políticas fundamentales, cómo podemos ignorar que la economía es parte de la causa fundamental de que los cubanos se vayan?”

Aunque los líderes de Cuba y los empresarios incipientes han empezado a trabajar con diplomáticos y líderes empresariales internacionales, como se vio en el reciente viaje del Presidente

la embajada cubana en Washington D.C. poco después de que el líder abandonara suelo americano.

“Hay quienes piensan que nosotros, como estadounidenses, no deberíamos viajar [a Cuba], no deberíamos enviar dinero, que deberíamos cortar todo contacto con ellos”, dijo Bustamante. “Mi respuesta a eso sería que hemos tenido cinco o seis décadas con ese tipo de política en vigor bajo varias administraciones, y no creo que haya resultados.”

Un punto importante de controversia en el camino de Cuba para expan-

Roberta Macedo // Graphic Design Editor

Miguel Díaz-Canel a las Naciones Unidas (ONU) y en un panel celebrado con empresarios cubanoamericanos el pasado viernes en Miami, existe escepticismo sobre las motivaciones del gobierno cubano debido a sus alianzas con Rusia y China.

En adición a estas conversaciones ha habido numerosas disensiones públicas en las interacciones del líder cubano con los Estados Unidos, como se vio con las protestas frente a la sede de la ONU en Nueva York durante la visita de Díaz-Canel y el ataque terrorista a

dir su sector privado es el debate sobre permitir que los empresarios cubanos abran cuentas bancarias en los Estados Unidos. Según el Miami Herald, la administración Biden ha avanzado en permitir que los cubanos “establezcan y accedan de forma remota a cuentas bancarias estadounidenses para realizar transacciones autorizadas.”

Históricamente, bajo el embargo, se permitía a los cubanos abrir cuentas en los Estados Unidos, pero no se les permitía acceder a esas cuentas una vez que regresaban a la isla.

“Una de las formas en que el sector privado en Cuba ha podido crecer es que algunos de estos empresarios ya tienen una cuenta bancaria fuera del país, ya sea en Estados Unidos, España o México,” dijo Bustamante. “Lo que no tengo claro es qué sistema tendrán los bancos para saber quién es la persona que intenta acceder a esta cuenta desde Cuba y desde una dirección IP determinada. Cómo saben si es un empresario o no?”

Según Bustamante y Twichell, reformar y abrir los caminos por los cuales los empresarios cubanos puedan trabajar con bancos internacionales, especialmente en los Estados Unidos, es la clave para cambiar la conversación de un teatro político a una meta realista.

“La cooperación informal entre empresarios de los Estados Unidos y Cuba ya está ocurriendo, en forma de intercambio de información y asesoramiento,” dijo Twichell. “Sin embargo, la cooperación formal tendrá que esperar a que se eliminen los obstáculos relacionados con el embargo, junto con una mayor apertura y capitalización de la economía cubana.”

A medida que las discusiones persisten sobre si este sueño de libertad empresarial se convertirá en una realidad en la isla, está cada vez más claro que se necesitarán reformas con el embargo americano para comenzar a ayudar a Cuba en este esfuerzo.

En relación con los Estados Unidos, Bustamante también señala que reformar estos caminos económicos y ayudar al crecimiento de un sector privado saludable en Cuba puede eliminar otros problemas polémicos en este país, como la inmigración y el control fronterizo.

“Creo que se puede argumentar que, de hecho, es la ausencia de presencia e involucramiento estadounidense en Cuba lo que deja al gobierno cubano con pocas opciones,” dijo Bustamante.

“El punto más importante aquí es que, si nos preocupa tanto que la frontera esté fuera de control y que los Estados Unidos realmente quiera abordar las causas fundamentales de la migración en países como Cuba, ¿cómo se justifica una política de sanciones que pone el pie en el cuello de la economía de ese país?”

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OPINION

October 11, 2023 THE MIAMI HURRICANE

OOCs: The devices that could replace animal testing

BY MARIANA VISO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FDA regulations currently require that companies prove that their drug is safe to use in non-human primates, such as monkeys, before beginning human testing for drug approval.

So, what happens when these animals become scarce? An emerging technology called organs-on-chips (OOCs) may provide an answer that could revolutionize the way drugs are tested worldwide.

OOCs are small devices, about the size of a USB flash drive, that mimic human organs and their functions. These chips can be used to test how different drugs will interact with an organ, and how that organ’s functions will change as a result.

The chips are filled with different cells and solutions to replicate a variety of organs in different conditions. For example, we can create a “mimic” of a normal pancreas and change aspects of the chip to mimic a pancreas with cancer.

Primates used in animal testing have mainly been sourced from China. However, since the COVID-19 pandemic, China has banned their export, leaving the U.S. scrambling to get primates for drug testing. This high demand and limited supply have also led to skyrocketing prices for these primates (to as much as $60,000 each), making an already long and expensive drug-approval process almost impossible to fund.

Even though the U.S. government has boosted funding for American non-human primate facilities, the problem can’t be solved

overnight. It will take years before newly-bred monkeys are ready to be used in drug testing.

Because of the scarcity of primates, the focus has shifted to finding substitutes that are cheap and easy to manufacture. That’s where OOCs come in. They can be used to replicate complex conditions and find the best way to treat them.

For example, pancreatic cancer is thought of as a “death sentence” be-

cause the tumors often develop a resistance to chemotherapy. This resistance occurs, in part, due to the stiffening of the surrounding tumor environment.

We are currently working on a chip that will mimic these pancreatic cancer shields. Our goal is to better understand how this stiffening forms and the best way to penetrate

this environment to reach the tumor and destroy it.

If a drug for this were to be tested today, a company would likely need to request a set of non-human primates, get approval to induce cancer in these primates, wait for the cancer to fully develop, test the drug, wait for the drug to take effect and, finally, analyze the results. This extensive analysis will then determine whether the company has wasted lots of money and time or

Roberta Macedo// Graphics Design Editor

whether they should spend even more money and time to move on to human trials.

OOCs can dramatically expedite this process. Samples for the chips can be extracted from patients who already have pancreatic cancer, thus eliminating the wait time for the cancer to

develop in the testing animals. Because they use human samples that are easy to extract from a patient, they pose little to no risk to humans, thus decreasing the need for extensive paperwork for drug testing approval.

Additionally, even though non-human primates are currently the standard for drug approval,as they most closely resemble the physiology of humans, they are not perfect testing subjects. In some instances, drugs that were deemed safe in primates ended up harming humans, like the disastrous TGN1412. Intended to treat leukemia and found safe in animals, the drug caused catastrophic organ failure in humans.

Because OOCs use human cells, they may offer a more accurate representation of how these drugs will interact with the human body and filter out more potentially harmful drugs. This, along with the fact that they are easy and cheap to manufacture, opens the possibility for OOCs to act as an excellent substitute for animal testing.

Future applications include connecting multiple OOCs, each representing a different organ, to create a “body-onchip.” This will provide us with a better understanding and more detailed analysis of how a drug might interact with multiple organs in the body.

OOCs are the technology of the future and have the potential to replace a prolonged and expensive drug approval process. By making the process shorter and cheaper, they have the possibility of launching life-saving drugs faster into the market, providing a better guarantee of their safety in humans and making drugs less expensive for those who desperately need them.

Mariana Viso is a graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Miami

October 11, 2023 THE MIAMI HURRICANE

OPINION

7

EDITORIAL

UMPD should do their job so that we can do ours

BY TMH EDITORIAL BOARD

The University of Miami Police Department’s mission is “to maximize the safety and security of the Coral Gables campus.” Recent events have led The Miami Hurricane’s editorial staff to ask how UMPD plans to do that without effectively and promptly responding to questions from the community it is sworn to protect.

Over the past nine months, UM’s Coral Gables campus saw a sudden increase in dead and injured cats. The possible crimes didn’t even become public knowledge until UPurr, a campus organization that aims to “care for and help the cat population in Miami-Dade,” posted on Instagram about its ongoing frustration with UMPD and the lack of communication regarding the issue.

Taylor Greenspan, UPurr’s treasurer, was repeatedly told that someone would follow up with her when she asked for updates on the investigation, but her calls were never returned.

Hoping to get anyone’s attention, she went to the UMPD office in person. That attempt also went nowhere. She left her contact information, and still, no one followed up.

Our reporters requested a comment on potential leads in the investigation and threats to campus from UMPD on Tuesday, Sept. 26. They did not hear back until Monday, Oct. 2, nearly a full week later. This response came after our faculty advisor, Professor Antonio Mora, Dean Steven Priepke and Dean Ryan Holmes were included in the email thread.

Even then, UMPD said it had no information to share yet, despite opening the investigation in April, 2023. Their full statement can be online at themiamihurricane.com.

In contrast, when TMH reached out to Chief Assistant State Attorney Kathleen Hoague, who opened an investigation after UPurr reached out

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the fall in crime rates due to improved security measures and UMPD’s communication and outreach efforts. Through open communication with UMPD, we published articles addressing the pressing problems related to crime, campus safety and UMPD policy. These details reassured the community about their safety.

This is not to say that TMH has shied away from criticizing the actions of UMPD in the past. Even with that level of collaboration, we used our platform to critique the department when appropriate.

Unfortunately, we now seem to be facing a new reality of silence. TMH finds it next to impossible to get any response from our police department, let alone specific answers to the questions we deem important for our community.

More broadly, TMH believes the UM com-

Trevor Castleman// Staff Photographer

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munity deserves more transparency and communication from authorities throughout the University.

We’ve shared this concern before when covering the silence that surrounded the SigEp drugging allegations, and we’re tired of seeing little change and concern from anyone. When UM authorities remain silent or dodge our questions, it allows for gossip and rumors to take the place of clear and valuable information.

We ask that UMPD expeditiously and seriously value every case of alleged crimes or misbehavior on UM’s property and any threat to the UM community. Our aim is not to bash the police department. It is simply a plea for more communication and transparency so that UMPD does its job in a way that allows us to do ours.

UMPD officer flashes a peace sign while parked on Ponce De Leon Boulevard on Oct. 4, 2023

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to the Office of the State Attorney animal cruelty unit, a response was provided the next day with details on the invesitgation’s prosecutorial process.

UPurr made requests to review campus security footage immediately after UPurr members or ABM employees, the janitorial service providers hired by UM, reported a cat injury or death to UPurr, dating back to Jan. 22, 2022. UMPD failed to respond to these requests until several weeks later. By the time they did, it was too late.

Brooke Harrison, UPurr president, was told at an in-person meeting that UMPD’s security cameras automatically delete footage after 28 days, meaning all footage had been erased.

The lack of response to inquiries regarding the cat injuries and deaths constitutes only the latest instance where UMPD has been unclear and cryptic in its response to community dissatisfaction and TMH’s efforts to report on events.

This semester, students have faced problems with police response to repeated hit-and-runs that have damaged cars on campus, and have been frustrated by the lack of security footage in parking lots. These sentiments echo student frustrations that we originally reported on in 2015.

Last semester, one of our reporters covered a car accident outside of the University Village that hospitalized two pedestrians and involved a UM football player. TMH tried to speak to UMPD officers on the scene but were shut down and directed to UM Communications.

When TMH called UMPD and the Coral Gables Police Department the next day, we were sent back and forth between the two police departments as we unsuccessfully tried to verify details about the accident.

TMH and UMPD have traditionally collaborated effectively. In 2015 we wrote about

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 11, 2023

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

FEATURE

Billboard Latin Music Week 2023 takes on Miami: The run-down

BY OSVALDO ESPINO

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

LARALYN JACKSON

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

RACHELL SOLER

SENIOR STAFF WRITER

Miami Beach’s Faena Forum set the stage for Billboard Latin Music Week, an annual fiesta celebrating Latin music and culture. From Oct. 2-6, panel discussions illuminated the artists’ professional trajectories, strengthening bonds with supporters and media.

In the exciting ambiance of Miami Beach, attendees created a runway of self-expression through their creative fashion statements. From reggaetoninspired streetwear to loyal fans of RBD repping their red ties, the fashi o n -

forward crowd created a buzz of excitement in anticipation of the upcoming performances and conversations.

Latin Music Week was a celebration of cultural identity, diversity and unity in the Latin music community.

“Queen of Latin Music” Shakira breaks her silence The long-awaited “Hits Don’t Lie: The Superstar Q&A” panel with Shakira gave longtime fans insight into the artist’s creative process, growth, whereabouts and career plans following her break from the studio.

During the panel, Shakira recounted the support she received from friends, family and her fans after her divorce from Spanish soccer player Gerad Pique in 2022. “[The fans

were] by my side, holding my hand,” Shakira said. “That’s how I have felt them — embracing me, comforting me, motivating me, inspiring me. I did not feel alone because I have an audience that has been with me for as long as I can remember — well, in the world of music, since I was 14 years old.”

After the divorce, the fiery singer returned to the music scene with her single “Out of Your League” released in January 2023 with Argentenian producer Bizarrap.

The song served as a diss-track to Pique.

“I’m no United Nations diplomat. I am an artist. I’m a woman. I’m a wounded wolf, so leave me alone everybody. Leave me alone and let me be,” Shakira told her team when they advised against her putting out the song.

When asked if she was worried about backlash, she said, “After everything that has happened to me, you start to lose your fear of things.”

Despite the divorce, the proud, single mom f two makes sure to incorporate her kids into her work. Milan, Shakira and Pique’s eldest son introduced his mom to producer Bizarrap, which led to their hit session.

“I listen to them a

Top row: GALE and Nathy Peluso. Bottom row: Kany García, Maria Becerra, Nicki Nicole and Young Miko at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on Oct. 3 in Miami Beach.

lot,” Shakira said. “Every time I’m going to put something out, I tell them, ‘What do you think of this song?’ to see what they imagine. With ‘Te Felicito,’ for example, the idea of the robot in the video was Sasha’s, and the idea of the fire was Milan’s.”

While the reigning monarch of Latin melodies hasn’t put out an album in six years and hasn’t been on tour in seven, her support system has supported her return to the recording studio. With the promise of new songs on the way, Shakira is gearing up to create music that will undoubtedly thrill and captivate her ever-loyal fan base.

Women in Latin music take center stage Throughout the week, Latin Music Week highlighted the contributions of women in the Latin music industry.

Female artists Kany Garc i a , Young Miko, Nicki N i -

Shakira speaks onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on Oct. 4 in Miami Beach.

October 11, 2023

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THE MIAMI HURRICANE

cole, Nathy Peluso, Maria Becerra and Gale were all featured in a “Women on the Rise” panel called “Boys Club No More!”

The Latin stars discussed their experiences as women in the music industry and gave advice to rising stars looking to break into the booming Latin music market. Towards the end of the chat, each woman gave a word of encouragement to the audience.

Argentinian superstar Maria Becerra advised aspiring artists to follow their love of music rather than the money or fame.

“No pierdas el enfoque de lo que realmente importa,” Becerra said, which translates to, “Do not lose focus of what really matters.”

Reggaeton pioneer and Latin Billboard Icon award holder Ivy Queen was featured in “The Rockstar Show,” a conversation hosted by Puerto Rican artist Nicky Jam. In this special interview, Ivy Queen was honored with flowers in recognition of her leadership as the first woman in reggaeton history. Queen talked about her humble beginnings and how hard work and dedication earned her a spot in the industry.

“I normally don’t get nervous when I interview people, but I’m a little nervous because I respect you a lot,” Jam said.

The pair d i s cussed the challenges Q u e e n

faced early on as the only female rapper in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. The “queen of reggaeton” started off battling male rappers and beating them with her clever punchlines. Her never-before-seen talent spoke for itself, but she still dealt with insults.

“I used to get judged a lot by my appearance, especially for my nails,” Queen said.

She recounted that it wasn’t easy being surrounded by men, but she persevered because of her expert lyricism.

“I earned the respect. I fought for my spot,” Queen said. “Work hard because nothing will be handed to you.”

Peso Pluma speaks onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on Oct. 3 in Miami Beach.

Griselda Flores with Maite Perroni, Christian Chávez and Christopher von Uckermann of RBD and Guillermo Rosas onstage at Billboard Latin Music Week held at Faena Forum on Oct. 4 in Miami Beach.

A Mexican music revolution In the past, the Faena Forum lounge was filled with the sounds of Puerto Rican artists like Anuel AA, Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro. Now, Mexican songs like Natanael Cano’s 2019 underground hit “Amor Tumbado” have made their way to Latin Music Week.

This genre of Mexican music, called corridos tumbados — fuses regional Mexico’s corrido genre with hip-hop and trap. The “New Mexican Music Revolution Panel” — which featured artists Adelaido “Payo” Solis and Juan Javier Cantu of Grup o Fron-

tera, Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma — gave insight into the rapidly-growing genres and its modern pioneers.

“We’re now taking this music global, which we were able to do because of unity, [and it] has others looking at us now. What we’re doing now will be in the history books of Latin music,” Pluma said.

“The Rise of Mexican Touring” panel, which featured Fuerza Regida frontman Jesús Ortiz Paz, also touched on the evolution of Mexican music.

“Back in the day, when we were doing music, if you had a million listeners on Spotify, you were doing it because no Mexican artist had that,” Paz said. “And now, you drop a song [and] boom — six million. That’s how you know how the audience got big, you get me?”

Representing the legacy of Mexican music, legendary Mexican pop rock band RBD — who reunited this year after their 2008 split — also graced the Faena Forum with their presence. Their first-ever appearance at Latin Music Week, Maite Perroni, Christian Chavez and Christopher von Uckermann showed up to the “Reviving Rebelde” panel with the same energ y they had prebreakup.

The

9

room was filled with people screaming out, “I love you, Maite!” and “RBD por vida!” One of the most heartfelt moments of the panel came when Chavez discussed how fans embraced him after he came out as gay in 2009, the first high-profile Latin artist to publicly come out.

“I want to be me and I want to celebrate myself and all those people who, maybe, of my generation could not be them,” Chavez said. “I have realized that by going out and being me on stage, people have taken it in a wonderful way that makes me feel deeply happy.”

What was previously known as “uncool tio music” or “corny pop rock” is now mainstream. Today, Mexican artists sit atop the Latin music charts alongside their Puerto Rican, Dominican and Colombian counterparts.

Between the resurgence of Mexican music, the recurring theme of female empowerment and the presence of legends like Shakira and RBD, Latin Music Week demonstrated the global impact of Latin music and culture, one that transcends borders and generations.

Billboard Latin Music Week // Contributed Photographs Thalia speaks onstage at the Thalia Premiere Party held at Faena Forum as part of Billboard Latin Music Week on October 3, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

October 11, 2023

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

FEATURE

Experience matters: In conversation with Orange Umbrella

BY VIVICA DUNLAP STAFF WRITER

Finding jobs as a college student can be difficult when companies often prefer candidates with years of experience in their field. However, at Orange Umbrella at the University of Miami (UM) students run their own business right here on campus.

Orange Umbrella is a studentled consultancy firm based in the UM School of Communication offering services in the areas of public relations (PR), social media, advertising and graphic design.

The Miami Hurricane spoke with three Orange Umbrella members: senior PR major Isabella Sosa, senior PR major Sophia Carter and managing director Melissa Jane (MJ) Barnes, to speak about the company and its impact on the UM and larger Miami community.

Where did the name Orange Umbrella come from?

BARNES: Our first semester in spring of 2017, we had no name. We were just a bunch of ragtag students and our first project was to brand ourselves.

Our creative students worked on a bunch of concepts presented to the dean, but it’s a derivative of the beautiful umbrellas that are dotted around campus. They also are representative of the fact that we offer many different services to our clients.

What has changed since Orange Umbrella started?

CARTER: We have double the number of people now than we used to have and the variety of work that we do has grown.

BARNES: We are much more confident in our abilities and

competent in how we operate and we have gotten a lot more high profile clients like working with Soho House and our project for the Super Bowl. We’re about to start our seventh year and the amount of requests have changed and grown along with seeing more repeat clients as well as referrals.

services we offer. And based on that, they’ll tell us exactly what they want and we go from there.

How has Orange Umbrella helped you professionally?

SOSA: It’s been really cool being able to see how the stuff we learn in class gets translated into the real world. I feel like the

meet with them. A lot of times that leads to internships.

How does the company face difficulties?

SOSA: We’re very on top of everything and we’re usually thinking about things like weeks or months ahead. So, if there is some kind of issue, we are al-

top of every project. She’s really just there to guide people, which is really cool because of course she’ll help you, but she’s very much like, trying to make you figure it out on your own too.

What do you think makes Orange Umbrella special?

SOSA: I think coming to class here every day, it’s a very welcoming environment, and everyone is super nice. Everyone’s really driven and working towards the same goal. [We all] want to be better, and that’s really inspiring. And everyone lifts each other up too. It’s really unique as well.

With the rise of AI, how will Orange Umbrella stand out?

SOSA: I think there’ll always be a difference between something that AI does versus humans. There’s no way for an AI to get those kinds of human connections and humanity that I think we pride ourselves on, especially in terms of design and PR to make relationships.

I don’t know what the future AI looks like, but to have that, there are certain elements of humanity that you can’t really get an AI. And I feel like that’s what really connects people.

Orange Umbrella // Contributed Photograph

The students in Orange Umbrella gather outside of The School of Communicaton in the fall of 2023.

What does your work process look like?

SOSA: It basically depends on what the client wants. They’ll come [into] the first meeting, tell us what they’re looking for from us [and] we give them a debrief of everything, all the

way that we work is very much like a mirror of how a real consultancy would work. Orange Umbrella has this really cool, big, extensive network of alumni and we have a lot of internal programs that set us up and match us up with certain alumni based on our interest. so we can

ways ahead of it.

Who do you go to when you, as students, need advice?

SOSA: MJ. She supervises everything. Any help you need, you can reach out to her. She usually will make sure to edit and revise everything. She’s on

What does the future of Orange Umbrella look like?

BARNES: There are great expectations ahead in the future of creating pipelines for people to connect in terms of talent and creating a larger network of students and alumni that support each other.

For interested students, applications open on Oct. 24. and they plan to post on social media platforms like Instagram leading up to the application release date.

October 11, 2023

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11

CAMPUS LIFE

One take with Double Take: a look into the Frost rock band

BY SAMANTHA RODRIGUEZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Saxophones and smooth jazz fill the air at Celebration Park in Naples.

Eyes closed, you sway along to the soothing music when suddenly, rapid drum hits, an electrifying guitar line, deep bass and a booming voice pierce the atmosphere.

Open your eyes to Alexys Dowling, lead singer of the student band Double Take, commanding the microphone. Her powerful voice is supported by Benji Dienstfrey and Jason Fielder on lead and bass guitar. Sameer Kumar strums along on a third guitar and Tucker Motyka gracefully plays the keys. Drummer Max Levy ties the band together and pours his passion into every beat with calculated dexterity.

The group of six — all UM sophomores studying contemporary music performance — unite for a sound reminiscent of classic rock.

Their inspirations include solo artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix to bands like Steely

Dan, Greta Van Fleet and The Beatles. With covers of “Long Train Runnin’” by the Doobie Brothers and “War Pigs” by Black Sabbath, they make the classic sound contemporary.

Double Take represents a new age of rock music. They believe every moment of ecstasy, anger and sadness can be told and healed through music.

“We didn’t know each other at first and it brought us together,” Dowling said. “It brings a sense of peace.”

Kumar reminisced on how playing with Double Take brings him back to childhood.

“When I was growing up, I was the happiest when I was playing and creating music with my friends,” Kumar said.

A source of tranquility through thick and thin, Double Take turns their passion for music into a performance. The band mainly plays rock and blues, genres that give the band more room for experimentation.

“It gives us a lot of room to feel

whatever we want to feel,” Fielder said. “During rehearsal, we can feel all our emotions and that gives us a lot of opportunities to be more active with our instruments.”

They felt an immediate connection at practices in the Frost School of Music during their first semester of freshman year.

“When performing, you can tell when you vibe with someone,” Levy said.

The band members met in the skills lab, a Frost course that lets students explore their musical interests. After becoming familiar with various musical genres, they were eager to gain more experiences and improve their performance.

“I really had not played much classic rock before coming to Frost,” Dienstfyre said. “What’s great about contemporary is that every contemporary student just has a general love of music.”

Double Take debuted at Patio Jams in February. Starting with an instrumental session, Double Take quick-

ly made their rock prowess known.

“Patio Jams drew a lot of people,” Levy said. “We got a lot of compliments on our set. It was the first time I realized we have something going on here.”

Dowling first introduced her strong vocals to the campus community at Patio Jams, drawing inspiration from Susan Tedschi and Holland Wolf. The climax of their Patio Jams performance featured her voice on Tedeschi’s song “It Hurt So Bad.” Dowling belted with all her heart as Levy and Motyka jammed alongside her. In true rockstar fashion, Fielder and Dienstfyre laid on the ground, playing with enthusiasm as Dowling danced around them.

“With a big stage, I’m gonna run around and do my thing,” Dowling said. “We all jump and dance and bring energy. Having people dance while we play is amazing.”

Following their on-campus debut, Double Take started booking offcampus shows. As they rehearsed during the day and late into the eve-

ning, Double Take played without a care in the world, leading to some musical mishaps.

“Last night, we were playing loudly during practice,” Motyke said. “In a moment of silence, we hear knocking at the door. Someone opens the door and says, ‘We’ve been trying to record upstairs and we’ve been knocking for a while.’ We just lose track of time and get so lost with the music.”

Landing gigs at venues like the local Titanic Brewery, Double Take’s growth led to a victory at the Phi Mu Alpha Amplifi 2023 “Battle of the Bands” contest.

“We put a lot of emphasis on having fun while playing. As much as we care about the notes, we make sure to have the most fun,” Fielder said. “Though we mess up sometimes, we still have fun and our audience enjoys it.”

Check out Double Take’s show on Oct. 23 for the Homecoming week Patio Jams.

HP announces Quavo as Homecoming concert headliner

BY LUCIA MOGLIA

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Quavo, an award-winning American rapper, is coming to the Watsco Center on Oct. 26. HP Concerts, a committee of the student organization Hurricane Productions (HP), announced the Homecoming concert headliner during this weekend’s UM vs. Georgia Tech football game halftime.

“We are really excited about this year’s artist,” said Taryn Ezekiel, the HP Concerts Co-Chair. “We selected Quavo in June and have been working back and forth with contracts and marketing since then.”

Quavious Keyate Marshall, famously known as Quavo, is an American rapper best known for his participation in the hip-hop group

Migos. Some of his top hits include “Congratulations” in collaboration with Post Malone and “HOTEL LOBBY,” which has nearly 300 million streams on Spotify.

His selection came as a result of a student survey conducted last year by HP, in which the majority of student respondents voted for a hip-hop performance.

“Homecoming is all about school pride,” Ezekiel said. “So, we selected an artist who we thought would make people want to come out, dance and show their love for UM.” In 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented HP from delivering the annual homecoming concert to its full capacity. However, this year, similar to last year’s Flo Rida performance, the plan is for a return

to regular programming.

“We are back in full swing,” Ezekiel said. “The floor will be open where the hope is people will dance, have fun and even make a new friend or two.”

HP Concerts holds a special place in Ezekiel’s heart. A dedicated member, being a part of the student organization has opened up doors to experiences she never would have expected.

“Last year, I got to dance on stage with Flo Rida and the rest of my team,” Ezekiel said. “I was so nervous, but once I was up there dancing and having fun, I knew I was going to be fine.”

Talk of past Homecoming concerts has first-year students excited for their first Homecoming week as of-

ficial ‘Canes.

“I’ve heard a lot about this concert,” first-year biology major Emma Tews said. “People have told me it’s one of the best nights of the year which makes me so excited to experience it for the first time.”

Like Emma, students are looking forward to everything in store for this year’s Homecoming and what HP has planned for the rest of the year.

“We are going to be very active on campus this school year,” Ezekiel said. “We believe this show is going to encourage more people to join HP and show their school pride.”

In the coming weeks, HP will begin tabling for ticket sales. Students can stop by throughout the day and receive their free ticket. Students can also pick up tickets at the box office

the day of the concert.

“My team and I are working hard to put together a great show,” Ezekiel said. “I’m sure it’s going to be great.”

For more information follow @ hp_concerts on Instagram.

Marialejandra Gonzalez // Staff Graphic Designer

SPORTS

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0ctober 11, 2023 October

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

FOOTBALL

Hurricanes stunned after last-second Georgia Tech touchdown

BY CHRIS DAMOND STAFF WRITER

The stage was set. The Hurricanes would debut their new “Miami Nights” jerseys, roll past a seemingly inferior opponent and move to 5-0 for the first time since 2017 in front of a raucous home crowd and several blue-chip recruits — including five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

At least that’s what was supposed to happen.

Instead, No. 17 Miami allowed a last-second touchdown and lost 23-20 to Georgia Tech in its ACC opener on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium as 19-point favorites.

The Hurricanes only had to kneel out the clock for the win but elected to run the ball with 33 seconds remaining. Running back Don Chaney, who finished with 103 rushing yards, fumbled and the Yellow Jackets had a chance — and they capitalized.

Quarterback Haynes King hurled a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Christian Leary for the game-winning touchdown with one second left. The four-play, 75-yard drive lasted 26 seconds.

“We should have taken the timeout right there at the end.

Thought [Chaney] could get the first down,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “We talk about two hands on the ball, but that’s not good enough. We should have told him to take a knee.”

Miami had five turnovers in the game, including quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s three interceptions. Van Dyke, who passed for 288 yards and a touchdown, shouldered much of the blame after the loss.

“From my viewpoint, I can’t put us in those situations. Three interceptions, giving them those close fields, and they were able

to capitalize on it,” he said. “I put us in those situations; I have to be better. I can’t force the ball and make dumb decisions. I just got to be better.”

game the first four games.

But Miami’s defense allowed just 14 yards in the first quarter and shut out Georgia Tech in the first half. Linebacker Francisco

colby George.

A few plays later, Van Dyke threw his first interception in the end zone and the game remained scoreless. The Yellow

Jared Lennon // Senior Staff Photographer

‘Canes fans watch in disbelief in the final moments of the fourth quarter of Miami’s loss to Georgia Tech at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.

Something was noticeably different about the Hurricanes (41) from the start, as they failed to score on their first four drives after averaging 43.8 points per

Mauigoa picked off King midway through the second, and the Hurricanes found the red zone thanks to a 25-yard pass from Van Dyke to wide receiver Ja-

Jackets had just elevated Kevin Sherrer to defensive coordinator after their loss to Bowling Green the previous week, but Cristobal insisted the coaching

change wasn’t responsible for Miami’s offensive issues.

“Both teams played hard, but we weren’t in sync,” he said.

“That was obvious. The defense was playing lights out for the majority of that game, and they gave us great field position, and we ended up kicking field goals and not scoring touchdowns.”

Neither team scored until kicker Andy Borregales drilled a 30yard field goal as the first half expired to give Miami a 3-0 lead at the break. The Hurricanes scored their first touchdown and went up 10-0 in the third quarter, when freshman tight end Riley Williams broke tackles and lunged for the 22-yard score — his first as a Hurricane.

But Georgia Tech (3-3) scored touchdowns on its next two drives while Miami threw two interceptions. The Yellow Jackets added a field goal to take a 17-10 lead in the fourth, before the ‘Canes used a five-play drive — highlighted by a 57-yard pass from Van Dyke to wide receiver Colbie Young — that ended with running back Henry Parrish’s three-yard touchdown to tie the game.

On Georgia Tech’s next drive, safety James Williams intercepted King and bolted down the sideline for a 44-yard return.

The ‘Canes took a 20-17 lead off a field goal and forced a Yellow Jacket punt on their next possession, but Chaney’s fumble led to the last-second touchdown.

“We just have to keep our heads up,” Mauigoa said. “We just have to move forward. We have to erase this fast, and we have to move on. We can’t be stuck on one game.”

Miami has a week to recover before facing No. 14 North Carolina in Chapel Hill on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

0ctober October11, 11,2023 2023

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THE MIAMI HURRICANE

VOLLEYBALL

Miami volleyball triumphs in five-set match against NC State

BY LUKE SIMS STAFF WRITER

Looking to bounce back from a tough defeat against Florida State, the Hurricanes put it all on the floor Friday night to survive a near-crushing comeback from North Carolina (NC) State.

Despite blowing a 24-21 and a 14-8 lead in back-to-back sets, the ‘Canes bested the Wolfpack, 3-2, in a thrilling match at the Knights Sports Complex.

The first set was neck-and-neck between the two teams, a common theme that would continue throughout the rest of the match.

With the set tied at 18, fifth-year setter Savannah Vach set up sophomore Flormarie Heredia Colon to take the lead. Miami never looked back and took the set 2521. Heredia Colon was the central piece of the Hurricanes’ offense, where she finished the opening set with a game-high eight kills to set the tone early for Miami.

The second set was a backand-forth battle, with 11 ties and six lead changes throughout the game. Vach took control for the ‘Canes, making her presence felt by being involved with 13 of Miami’s first 17 points.

After a kill by Vach, Miami looked to be in control of the

game, taking a 23-20 lead. However, with some sloppy attack errors and poor defense, NC State went on a 5-0 run to win 25-23.

Miami started the third the same way it ended the second, as the Wolfpack won 10 of the first 15 points to start the game, led by sophomores Ava Brizard and Courtney Bryant. After the slow start, the ‘Canes finally gained some traction, winning four straight serves and igniting the home crowd with a vicious kill from Heredia-Colon, cutting the deficit to two and forcing Wolfpack coach Luke Slabe to call a timeout.

That timeout didn’t slow down the Hurricanes’ momentum, with key blocks from Cianna Tejada and Peyman Yardimci taking an 18-17 lead. After winning six of the next 13 serves, Heredia-Colon closed it out, tallying her 18th kill to give Miami a 2-1 lead.

NC State held its own in the fourth set, keeping itself at a distance from UM for as long as possible. Miami looked fatigued, struggling to defend any spikes from a relentless Wolfpack offense and making unforced errors in untimely spots.

After calling a timeout down 18-

12, the Hurricanes clawed back.

And after kills from Vach, Heredia Colon, Janice Leao and Grace Lopez, the score was tied up at 19.

Following an ace by Vach, Miami kept up its pace and eventually led the game 24-21. After an NC State player smacked the ball out of play on the next serve, the Hurricanes believed they had won until the officials called Lopez for a net violation. UM spiraled after this, allowing the Wolfpack to force a final set, winning the set 27-25.

In the final set, Miami (11-5, 4-2 ACC) held on to the lead and never looked back until NC State (13-3, 3-2 ACC) threatened the Hurricanes again with another comeback, up 14-8. This was the third time that the Hurricanes struggled to finish the Wolfpack.

NC State climbed back from the jaws of defeat and went on a 6-0 run to tie it back to 14. However, the Hurricanes never backed down and killed off the away side’s last hope, as junior Alanys Viera sealed the deal, winning the match 16-14.

Heredia Colon was a nightmare for NC State all night, finishing the game with a career-high 25 kills and 11 digs, placing herself eighth in Miami history for most

Reese Putnam // Staff Photographer The team celebrates after winning the third set against FSU at the Knight Sports Complex on October 4.

kills in a five-set match. It is only her sophomore season.

Lopez and Leao provided their offensive attack, tallying 14 and 13 kills, respectively. Libero Naylani Feliciano was all over the place for the ‘Canes, tying the game-high in digs with 15 of her

own.

Miami looks to continue its momentum from this victory with two games on the road against Clemson on Thursday, Oct. 13 and Georgia Tech on Saturday, October 15.

Miami’s swimmer post historic times at SMU Classic

BY SHEA MCDONALD STAFF WRITER

Following last week’s dominant home opener against Florida International University (FIU), the University of Miami had a great weekend in Texas for the SMU Classic. Several of the eight swimmers in attendance for the Canes had great performances and impressive times. This included four NCAA “B” cut times and five individual marks that cracked the pro-

gram’s top-10 leaderboard.

“The weekend was very productive,” head swimming coach Andy Kershaw said. “A lot of good things to come out of this meet. Everyone had some really good moments, and everyone had some moments of challenge and moments where we can identify some things to improve on moving forward, which is also great.”

Talia Bates posted two NCAA “B” Cut times in the 100-yard freestyle, where she notched

the third-best time in program history. She also completed the 200-yard freestyle in 49.11 seconds, good for the second-best time in school history.

Bates also managed to record Miami’s seventh-best time in the 50’-yard freestyle. Spending her final year in Miami after transferring from Florida and a great career there, Bates has continued to impress as a member of the ‘Canes.

Alongside Bates, junior Giulia Carvalho and senior Emma

Shuppert recorded “B”-cut times. Carvalho’s came in the 100-yard butterfly, and Shuppert’s came in the 100-yard backstroke and ranked as the third-best time in school history.

Some other notable performances included junior Mary Kate Kelly’s 200-yard backstroke, which ranked eighth in the program’s history, as well as the 800-yard freestyle team’s 7:14:20 performance.

“I think we took a major step

forward being able to do that work at the beginning of the week and follow it up with a meet like we had … our team was feeling some of the work we’ve been putting in in the weight room, and to go as fast as they did was great,” Kershaw said. “We should be very confident about what’s to come.”

UM will attempt to carry this momentum to Illinois in a couple of weeks, where they will race against Northwestern and Southern Illinois on Oct. 21.

SPORTS

14

October 11, 2023

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

FEATURE

Sims: Takeaways from Miami’s loss to Georgia Tech

BY LUKE SIMS STAFF WRITER

99.9% That was Miami’s winning probability on ESPN with 1:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. A dumbfounded crowd at Hard Rock Stadium saw what happened afterward in the plays that followed. Whether Donald Chaney Jr. fumbled or not, that was the call. Kamren Kinchens then bit on a double move by Georgia Tech wide receiver Christian Leary that allowed Leary to haul in his only reception of the game, which proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

Miami should have never even been in that position. Taking a knee and the game ends with Miami remaining unbeaten. This was a catastrophic ending to a game that played out on national television.

All that aside, there was still almost a full four-quarters of football played

before that infamous sequence of events. Let’s jump into some takeaways from the other 58 minutes of the game.

Miami’s defense is not to blame; this one’s on the offense The offense had been averaging 43.8 points per game through the first four games of the season. But against Georgia Tech, Miami was only able to record 20 points. 20 points to a team that let up 38 to a much weaker opponent in Bowling Green the week before.

Miami’s three turnovers in this game were the most it’s had this season in a single game.

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King came into the night averaging nearly 300 yards through the air, but Miami held him to just 151 yards. King was not efficient either.

He completed 12 of 25 passes, along with two interceptions.

The Yellow Jackets’ leading rusher and receiver were held to less than 50 yards on the night. Georgia Tech converted only five of its 13 thirddown attempts. The ‘Canes defense only let up 250 yards of total offense.

Miami’s defense allowed just 14 yards in the first quarter and shut out Georgia Tech in the first half.

While the blunders by the defense late in the game were detrimental, it should have never been in that position. The offense kept putting the defense in unfavorable situations, and eventually, the whole team paid the price.

Tyler Van Dyke came back down to Earth Van Dyke quadrupled his interception total on the season with a trio of picks against Georgia Tech. All three of his turnovers came when Miami was knocking on the door or when Georgia Tech would have great field

position. The Yellow Jackets were able to score ten points off of those turnovers.

Van Dyke had been one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC, and while he put up an okay stat line, his turnovers kept halting Miami’s momentum. He’ll have to show out next week against one of the top NFL draft prospects in North Carolina’s Drake Maye.

Xavier Restrepo stayed hot There were a few bright spots for the ‘Canes offensively. Van Dyke’s connection with Restrepo remains elite. Restrepo was able to haul in 12 passes and rack up 123 yards. This was his third time going over 100 yards this season.

The bye week is a problem, no matter who is at the helm The games after a bye remain a massive problem for Miami. The

‘Canes are now 2-7 since 2017 in regular-season contests following a week off. The Hurricanes have a week-by-week mindset and for whatever reason, the bye week throws a wrench in their flow. Luckily for Cristobal and the ‘Canes, Miami does not have a bye week the rest of the year. Miami to reset and shift its focus to next week like it’s done all year.

Even after everything – the interceptions, the slow start on offense, and the three points in the first half – the ‘Canes were in a position to win the game. The game was over.

All they had to do was kneel down and the game would’ve ended with a UM victory.

The ‘Canes will try and flush this embarrassing loss with a tough test next week in Chapel Hill against the 12th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels. Kick-off for that primetime matchup is set for 7:30 p.m.

TMH staff score predictions: North Carolina Tar Heels

BY ZACH MACER, CHRIS DAMOND & ELLIOT FARR

CO SPORTS EDITOR & STAFF WRITERS

Coming off a disappointing lastsecond loss last weekend to Georgia Tech, Miami has an opportunity to notch its first conference win of the season against undefeated North Carolina.

Here’s what four members of The Miami Hurricane’s sports section are predicting for Saturday’s ACC battle.

Zach Macer Inexcusable. That’s what Miami’s loss to Georgia Tech was on Saturday.

However, what the loss brings is a turning point. Either the ‘Canes can use last week as motivation to the point where every player on the field is the best version of themselves, or the loss brings a lack of confidence that will be apparent against the University of North Carolina (UNC) Tar Heels next weekend.

Even at its best, Miami will experience a tough match against this North Carolina team - especially with its offense.

It is no secret that UNC quarterback Drake Maye is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and will indeed be heading to the NFL in the next draft. But what is a secret are the weapons that surround Maye.

In the running game, running back Omarion Hampton averages 5.2 yards per rush, and running back British Brooks averages 4.1 yards per rush. These two allow the playaction pass to be a real threat for the Tar Heels.

The pass-catchers that surround Maye constantly threaten to make a big play. Five UNC pass catchers have posted plays of 40-plus yards, and receiver Gavin Blackwell is just short with a 38-yard play.

With Miami allowing 250 yards through the air against Georgia Tech, the UNC offense will have easy success on offense, especially at home.

Prediction: North Carolina 42,

Miami 24

Chris Damond Though less intriguing after Miami’s last-second collapse against Georgia Tech, this game still features two top-10 offenses. North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye is a legitimate Heisman candidate, and he’s one week removed from his best game of the season — 442 passing yards and three touchdowns in a 40-7 win over Syracuse.

But while the Tar Heels are rolling, Miami is reeling after Van Dyke threw three interceptions on Saturday in his worst game this year. It doesn’t help that the ‘Canes are on the road. Miami has played an away game this season — a 41-7 beatdown of Temple — but that was hardly a hostile environment.

How the Hurricanes deal with crowd noise and, more importantly, how they respond to last week’s blunder is what I’ll be watching on Saturday. If the ‘Canes come out with a vengeance and stun North

Carolina at home, last week’s loss will be (somewhat) forgotten. If Miami lays an egg in Chapel Hill, head coach Mario Cristobal’s ill-advised decision to run the ball instead of take a knee against the Yellow Jackets will likely become the story of another disappointing season.

Unfortunately for the ‘Canes, I’m going with the latter.

Prediction: North Carolina 34, Miami 20

Elliot Farr Saturday’s game vs. Georgia Tech was an extremely rough loss for a Hurricanes squad that was showing great promise as a rising ACC contender. Such a defeat, especially in the opener of conference play, is a massive blow to both Miami’s rankings and playoff chances, and it will need to respond with an inspired performance against North Carolina to prove itself and restore its confidence.

The Tar Heels currently sit at No. 12 in the AP Top 25 rankings, and

they are no pushover with quarterback Drake Maye under center, widely seen as a frontrunner for this year’s Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes’ offensive struggles and game management were the main sticking points that cost them a five-game win streak to start the year, which will need to change quickly in order to keep pace with Maye and the Tar Heels’ offense. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and head coach Mario Cristobal will need major adjustments to compete with UNC after a lackluster showing against Georgia Tech, uncharacteristic of their season so far.

With that being said, I believe that the Tar Heels will ultimately come away with the win on home turf on Saturday. Miami’s outing against Georgia Tech raised serious concerns over the team’s capability in conference play, and North Carolina is a massively tough step up after Georgia Tech.

Prediction: North Carolina 34, Miami 27

October 11, 2023

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

V’S TAKE

15

Whatever Happened to Respect Your Elders??

Ah, parents weekend.

A time-honored tradition at Universities around the country where parents catch a glimpse of life at the school they pay for while students supposedly clean up their acts for three short days. While this may be true elsewhere it’s not UM without your out of the ordinary parents’ weekend. It’s no secret that our tailgates already look a little different (thank you 45-minute bus ride) but add in your young-at-heart moms, dads and younger siblings and you get a weekend like no other.

While making my weekly journey from frat to frat I saw a few too many friends engaged in activities no one wants to see, much less the people who gave birth to

you. There is a big difference between sipping on a room-temperature Kirkland seltzer with your mom versus swapping spit with your sneaky link in the frat pool while your father watches on. I’m sorry but where is the decorum? I don’t care how chill your parents are or if they bought you condoms in high school and let your boyfriend sleep over, you can hold off on making poor decisions with a frat boy for one weekend.

I know what you’re gonna say. Were the parents not getting it on too? The answer is yes. I’m sure we all saw the videos of former frat boy fathers shotgunning on elevated surfaces or hot moms throwing it back on the dance floor. But while these

actions may seem out of line for your average 50-something working professional, for most of them this is their weekend to let loose. Personally, I feel that covering their child’s 80k tuition a year plus sky-high bikini shopping sprees and Uber rides home from the club allows them the ability to go a little crazy on campus.

Nonetheless, trust me when I say your parents have no interest in meeting their little girl’s roster to the soundtrack of sicko mode and dry ice cannons. Talk about poor timing for ‘Canes to forget the all-important sneaky aspect of a sneaky link.

After this weekend truly only one question remains: what ever happened to respecting your elders?

16

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