The Miami Hurricane: Feb. 5, 2025

Cost of attendance jumps over $3,000, students will pay $97,774 next year

By Mel Tenkoff Assistant News Editor

The University of Miami will cost students living on campus $97,774 for the 2025-2026 school year, a more than 4% increase from the year prior.

The cost of attendance for 20242025 on-campus students was $93,892, according to the University’s online cost of attendance page, reflecting a $3,882 uptick.

Those living off campus are expected to spend another $1,000 in living expenses.

The cost of attendance has increased across nearly all categories, including tuition, fees, on campus meal plans and housing, books and personal expenses. The only category that equals last year’s amount, is loan fees with an estimated cost of $38.

Tuition, totalling $63,452, is the sharpest increase by category, climbing over $2,500, or 4.5%, from last year. This price is approximately $1,500 more than MIT’s, which is ranked second in the nation according to the annual U.S. News and

World Report, while UM is ranked 63rd.

UM’s tuition falls within the range of other private universities, including Boston University with an annual tuition of $66,670 and Syracuse University at $63,710.

“The cost of attendance currently posted on the website for the 202526 academic year is an estimate to assist incoming students as part of their admissions process,” University of Miami Communications said in a statement to The Miami Hurricane. “The University’s tuition will not be finalized until later this year.”

Most universities implement incremental rises in tuition or living expenses to reflect inflation, though a 4% increase falls on the high side of this.

From the 2020-2021 academic year to the 2025-2026 academic year, the cost of attendance jumped 30%, from $75,240 to $97,774. Had the 2020-2021 cost of attendance increased only due to inflation, the total cost would have been approximately $89,714 by January 2025 according to calculations made by The Hurricane using the most recent measures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Even though the recent rise of 4% in cost of attendance coincides with expected annual increases that universities implement, some students are still concerned about the price they have to pay.

Gabriella Cowly, a sophomore studying philosophy, added her

perspective about the approximated raise in tuition.

“It’s definitely debatable,” Cowly said. “While I think the education is great, especially with my own experiences with my professors and classes, I do think that there should be a limit to how much education should be.”

The next highest price hike is in the food and housing category, with nearly $1,000 increased for both on and off campus students. Undergraduate on campus residents will pay an estimated $24,742, while off campus students will pay $25,636.

A likely contribution to the rise of housing prices is the construction of the second phase of Centennial Village and current costs of the Ibis and Coral Residential Colleges.

The older Mahoney-Pearson Residential Colleges, built in the 1950s and 60s, currently costs $10,540 per academic year for a double occupancy room and $16,390 for a single room. Meanwhile, the newer residential colleges cost $13,500 for a standard double room and $18,000 for a single room.

“Yes, 100% living in Miami makes this school more expensive compared to others,” Cowly said. “I think it’s definitely a factor of why people choose to come to UM or not.”

Patrick McCaslin Contributing Designer

What goes into funding student organizations ? How SAFAC functions

By Ashley Sewall News Editor

The Student Activity Fee Allocation Committee (SAFAC), is responsible for setting the guidelines of what will be funded to student organizations and how money will be distributed among them.

For most students, the innerworkings of SAFAC are a mystery. How much money do they have to offer and who makes the tough decisions on finalizing a budget?

Every academic year, all fulltime undergraduate students pay the Student Activity Fee, a one time $174 payment that supports the more than 300 registered undergraduate student organizations. Some of

this money goes directly to large organizations, like Hurricane Productions and Student Government, but most of the fee goes to SAFAC to be re-distributed.

This year, SAFAC is operating with a budget of $1.4 million, that can be allocated across various categories to organizations, including travel, food, t-shirts, speaker fees, decorations and more. Within each category a limit is imposed, for example a $5,000 maximum can be requested to cover speaker costs and student organizations can spend up to $10 per member on food.

Regardless of the number of members or role on campus, all student organizations have the opportunity to earn the same amount of funding. However, academic or-

ganizations, like honor societies, are often the highest requesters.

“SAFAC’s purpose is to be equitable … We try to make sure that you both have the opportunities to spend the student activity fee,” said SAFAC Chair Doménica Núñez del Arco Abad, a senior studying business analytics and computer science.

SAFAC is composed of 18 undergraduate students – 12 delegates and 6 executive board members –and two faculty advisors who meet weekly to review budgets.

SAFAC will not fund legal fees, tailgate items, live animals, taxes, motorized vehicles, alcohol and more. The full guidelines are available at saso.studentaffairs.miami.edu.

These guidelines are subject to change every year, reflecting high -

er prices of goods and services or what was requested most frequently by organizations. In previous years, the cost allotted to flights and food has increased as a reflection of transportation.

“[Creating the guidelines is] a very rigorous process, it takes a couple of months,” said Núñez del Arco Abad. “We take input from the committee, from the SAFAC e-board, from SAFAC advisers and from the community.”

This year the organization also hosted a town hall to hear feedback from student leaders.

To date this year, $2 million have been requested by student organizations on campus, and $1.5 million has been approved. Not all of these funds end up getting used, when or-

ganizations cancel events or never get around to ordering merchandise items. What they do not use goes back to SAFAC.

“A lot of student organizations use every cent that we give them,” said Núñez del Arco. “But on the flip side of the coin, there is a big number of student organizations that are not as large in member size and not as influential on campus.”

All student organizations have up until May 9, 2025 to spend their current budget funds.

“At the end of the day the purpose is to try to help students and try to give them the most of the student experience,” Nuñez del Arco Abad said. “Because the student activity fee is paid by students.”

Full-time faculty receive base salary raises to match market adjustments

By Ashley Sewall News Editor

All full-time University of Miami faculty members on the Coral Gables and Rosenstiel campuses received an increase to their base salary to match institutions in the same market effective Dec. 1, 2024, following a faculty Senate initiative.

Faculty members, who make up the teaching and research staff at UM, had their salaries compared to large research academic institutions of similar size as the University of Miami like Boston University, Tulane University and Vanderbilt University.

University President and CEO Joe Echevarria ensured that the salary increases, which amount to $16 million, will not come out of individual schools’ or colleges’ budgets.

“Let me worry about that,” Echevarria said.

The percentage increase of the

salaries was determined by two factors: seniority in current rank and Association of American Universities peer market percentile. Senior

leadership were not included in this initial market base salary adjustment.

Based on numbers obtained by The Hurricane, the minimum base

pay adjustment was 4% and maximum was 12%.

This adjustment is the first step toward improving faculty compensa-

tion, according to Echevarria. Future initiatives will include retirement incentives, cost-of-living salary increase and teaching and research incentives.

Greek life gives back: Miami sororities raise thousands of dollars for charity

By Ava Thomas Contributing Writer

Sororities at the University of Miami are making waves beyond campus, raising tens of thousands of dollars each year for various causes.

From raising funds for the Ronald McDonald House to supporting pediatric cancer research, the seven chapters under the Panhellenic Association are turning their sisterhood into service.

Alpha Delta Pi

Supporting two philanthropies, The Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation, Alpha Delta Pi hosts a variety of events throughout the academic year, including their annual “Red Dress Gala.”

“In 2024, our chapter raised over $70,000 for the Ronald McDonald House charities,” Sadie Jarboe, vice president of philanthropy for ADPi,

said. “Enough to help fund the construction of a brand new house for the South Florida region,” said Sadie Jarboe, vice president of philanthropy for ADPi.”

ADPi approaches their philanthropy efforts in a unique way, through a hands-on approach and volunteer work. Through visiting the Ronald McDonald House each month and providing meals for the families staying there, the chapter’s members see the real-world impact of their fundraising efforts.

The chapter is looking forward to its spring philanthropy week, which is set to take place from March 3-9 and will include tabling events by the Foote Green, donation boards posted on the sister’s social media and a sports tournament open to all students interested.

“Our events all have a common theme of representing our chapter and supporting RMHC and usually draw in a lot of attention,” Jarboe said.

Learn more about ADPi and their

philanthropy on their Instagram, @ miamiadpi.

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Delta Delta’s philanthropy partnership is with St. Jude and the surrounding research hospitals. Their focus is working year-round to raise funds for children and families suffering from pediatric illnesses.

“In the fall, we raised $13,000 in a span of one single week,” said Jessic Sachs, Tri Delt director of philanthropy. “We raised these funds through events like coin wars, ‘Pie a Tri’ as well as collabs with companies including Jacqui’s Pearls and Chill’N Nitrogen Ice Cream. On top of these smaller events, we held two larger events in the fall including St. Jude Soldier, a frat relay race and Frats at Bat, a frat wiffle ball tournament.”

The sisterhood is currently in the process of planning spring philanthropy week from March 17-23.

In addition to hosting events that

promote sisterhood, Tri Delt continuously strives to be involved with the community. Two of their main events, Cheers for Charity and Delta House of Pizza, promote a connection with their community.

Currently, Tri Delt is doing a collaboration with Kendra Scott in Dadeland where 20% of all store purchases will go toward St. Jude. Learn more about Tri Delt and how to support their philanthropy by following their Instagram, @ umiamitridelta.

Sigma Delta Tau

The sisterhood of Sigma Delta Tau supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Prevent Child Abuse America. Sisters help raise money for these life-saving organizations and allow their communities to continue receiving support.

“The money we raise helps expand these life-saving initiatives and provides hope to those affected,” said Sophia DiFusco, SDT vice

president of philanthropy. “PCAA works to prevent child abuse before it happens by supporting families with essential resources like parenting programs, home visits and community outreach programs.”

Some upcoming events include a fraternity basketball competition, a breezeway bake sale and an annual PCAA Brunch. These fundraisers will take place in April, National Child Abuse Prevenment Month.

“I’m proud to share that we recently held a virtual fundraising initiative in support of the Los Angeles Fire Department,” said DiFusco. “In less than 24 hours, our chapter came together to raise over $1,700, demonstrating our commitment to giving back to those who serve our community. We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our members and supporters who made this possible!”

Learn more about SDT and their philanthropy on their Instagram, @ miamisdt.

Egg costs spike amid bird flu and inflation, raising food costs for students

By Melody Royaee Staff Writer

A dozen eggs cost $5.61 at the Publix on Monza Avenue across from campus as of Sunday, Feb. 2.

That same carton of eggs would have cost just $1.96 five years ago according to the latest Consumer Price Index. The average price of eggs in the US is up 186% since February 2020.

“A dollar just doesn’t go as far as it used to. It’s sad. It’s disheartening,” said Brayan Alvarez, a Coral Gables resident of twelve years. “I can’t imagine what this does to people who can barely make ends meet.”

“It’s ridiculous. Miami is an expensive city, everyone knew that coming to school here. We shouldn’t have to pay so much for groceries on top of everything else,” said Jordan Katz, a sophomore majoring in biology.

The main culprit of egg price increases is that the U.S. is still reeling from a catastrophic outbreak of

bird flu. The virus, known as H5N1, has infected or killed about 136 million birds since first reported in January 2022.

Under USDA policy, if a bird tests positive for the virus, the farmer has to kill the entire flock as a precaution. Given the prolonged duration of this outbreak, some farmers have reportedly had to cull their flocks multiple times.

As a result, major cities including Miami, Denver, Chicago and Los Angeles are experiencing egg shortages.

“We are currently experiencing difficulty sourcing eggs that meet our strict animal welfare standards. For now, we’re limiting purchases to 3 cartons per customer,” says a sign affixed to the egg refrigerator at the Whole Foods on Red Rd.

The USDA reports that prices will likely increase another 20% by year’s end, as no viable solution to the bird flu crisis has been presented. The issue then is simply one of supply and demand.

Still, high prices of eggs and other everyday essentials became a

Republican rallying cry during the 2024 election cycle.

“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one,” Trump pledged on the campaign trail repeatedly.

According to an AP study of more than 120,000 voters last fall, 7 in 10 reported being “very con -

cerned” about the price of food and groceries. Sticker shock at the supermarket evidently contributed to Trump’s victory.

President Trump and the new GOP-led Congress have not yet issued or passed any specific policy to reduce food prices. “Prices are going to come down, but it’s go -

ing to take a little bit of time,” Vice President JD Vance said in a Jan. 26 interview on CBS’s “Face the Nation.” He gave no further details.

In fact, economists and food industry executives say that Trump’s tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, implemented on Feb. 1, will cause an immediate spike in meat, fruit and vegetable prices. Trump argues that such levies will protect American companies from foreign competition and incentivize consumers to buy U.S. products.

“Any increase in expenses in the form of a tariff subsequently serves as a ‘food tax’ on consumers for imported products and is not a workable solution,” said National Grocers Association spokesman David Cutler in an interview with Reuters. Democratic lawmakers and media critics disapprove of Trump’s still unfulfilled campaign promise of a hasty return to cheap eggs.

“Perhaps if we were dealing with undocumented Guatemalan chickens, President Trump would find time to address the bird flu issue,” one USA Today commentator wrote.

More than 50 student organizations demand the University protect DEI

By Jenny Jacoby Editor-in-Chief

More than 50 student organizations have signed onto a petition demanding the University of Miami protect diversity, equity and inclusion programs amid changes brought about by the Trump Administration.

Several organizations have directly emailed top University officials including President Joe Echevarria, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Alison Mincey, interim provost Willy Prado and Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Alumni Engagement Patricia Whitely. Others have posted personal organization statements on Instagram, drawing students to a Change.org petition. The petition demands the administration publicly acknowledge the removal of DEI resources, physically reinstate DEI resources on campus if they can-

not be made available online and engage with students and faculty in an open forum.

The unusual collaboration among student organizations, from cultural, to academic, to athletic, is a result of an executive order passed by President Donald Trump requiring all federally funded education institutions to eliminate any race or gender-based programs.

“Institutions of higher education have adopted and actively use dangerous, demeaning, and immoral race- and sex-based preferences under the guise of so-called ‘diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) or “diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility” (DEIA),” Trump wrote in the order.

The order also instructed federal agencies to identify up to nine organizations for a possible civil rights compliance investigation, this includes schools with endowments of more than

$1 billion. This is part of a “strategic enforcement plan” implemented by the Trump Administration to identify and go after diversity programs.

UM is one of 131 institutions that could be subject to investigation, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Following the announcement, all websites related to DEI programs or resources at UM were taken down, showing nothing more than a “Web Site Under Construction” alert.

In a statement to the student body Monday afternoon, top University officials emphasized their support for all students without clarity on how diversity services and programs would continue in the wake of a potential investigation.

“External circumstances may shift, but our focus has long been on delivering results and having a positive impact on each other and on those around

us,” the statement said.

The letter ensured the “reorientation” of websites was part of a response to adjust the University’s diversity framework years in the making. In 2018, UM began the process of adjusting the DEI framing to “culture of belonging,” in hopes of deepening their commitment to DEI.

The statement fell far short of what student leaders had expected to hear.

“The University’s message leaves important questions unanswered, particularly regarding the reorientation of DEI resources and the specific rationale behind this shift,” several student organizations associated with the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Sciences announced in a public statement.

At the opening ceremony of Black Awareness Month on Monday, Feb. 3, Whitely addressed the audience by reassuring all services are maintaining

administrative support. These services seemingly include the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, LGBTQ+ Student Center and Office of Disability Services, among others.

“We are going to continue to support you, and all of our services. We are obviously monitoring the direction of the federal government, but it is our top priority – and I want everyone to know this – to maintain our services, our programs and our facilities that help celebrate all students,” she said.

Several other higher-education institutions have also preemptively begun backing away from DEI wording. Northeastern University similarly removed DEI websites, prompting concern from students.

Academic institutions are hoping to be spared an investigation and potential loss of federal funding if found in the wrong, though the exact consequences of non-compliance are not yet clear.

Emily Rice // Senior Staff Photographer

A dozen eggs is priced at $5.61 at Publix on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.

UM must honor Title IX policies adopted under Trump’s first administration

By Keira Faddis Contributing Writer

Higher education institutions will be required to revert back to or maintain the Title IX policies established under President Donald Trump’s first presidency, following a mandate from the U.S. Department of Education.

In a “Dear Colleague” letter, the Department of Education announced the government would be enforcing the 2020 Title IX rule that limits the definition of “sex” to male and female, as opposed to the 2024 changes Joe Biden had attempted to adopt that expanded the policy to be more inclusive to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Biden’s adjustment to the policy would have expanded the definition of discrimination to include exclusion or harassment due to one’s gender identity and sexual orientation.

As a private institution receiving federal funding, the University of Miami is required to comply with Title IX regulations. But because Florida joined in an initial lawsuit against Biden’s rewrite, the policy was on hold for the state and never adopted at the University of Miami. The Education Department’s announcement guarantees Biden’s policy will not be enacted at UM.

“This puts transgender and LGBTQIA+ individuals at more of a risk and makes them far more vulnerable,” said Nicole Kujas, the membership cocoordinator of It’s on Us, a student ambassador program at UM bringing educating students on sexual misconduct. “They’re already more vulnerable to sexual assault and sexual harassment, and it lessens their protection.”

The Trump administration revision, written by former Education Secretary Betsey DeVos in 2018 and enacted in 2020, will once again limit schools’ li-

ability in sexual misconduct cases and require live hearings where accusers and the accused of misconduct would be allowed to cross-examine one another through an advisor or lawyer. It will provide more protections for individuals accused of sexual assault, providing a presumption of innocence for those students.

Kujas said the reverted Title IX policies “can potentially discourage students from reporting their sexual harassment, as it may cause them to be fearful of having to encounter their assaulter in a live setting.”

It’s on Us believes that changes to Title IX demonstrate the need to continually bring attention to and educate students on sexual misconduct topics on college campuses.

Title IX, which was enacted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding.

In the more than 50 years since

its enactment, Title IX’s enforcement has evolved in regards to how schools handle cases of sexual harassment and assault.

Prior to the announcement from the DOE, a federal judge in Kentucky blocked Biden’s rule from taking effect. The judge determined that the increased transgender students’ protections were unconstitutional, which stopped the enforcement of the revisions.

In response, the Department of Education, under the Trump administration, mandated that all federally funded educational institutions return to the Title IX policies implemented during Trump’s first presidency.

The revision on Jan. 31 also narrows the definition of sexual harassment to mean conduct that is “subjectively and objectively offensive and is so severe or pervasive that it limits or denies a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from the recipient’s education program or activity.”

It’s a problematic approach, Kujas explained.

“One of the most concerning parts is that sexual harassment and assault look differently on different people, and it shouldn’t have to be ‘so severe and pervasive’ to be considered sexual harassment.”

The letter also states that the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights answers to President Trump, because “he alone controls and supervises subordinate officers who exercise discretionary executive power on his behalf.”

Ongoing sexual misconduct investigations will be “immediately reoriented to comport fully with the requirements of the 2020 Title IX Rule,” according to the “Dear Colleague” Letter. This would require investigations to potentially obtain a higher standard of proof, known as “clear and convincing evidence” of sexual misconduct, as outlined in DeVos’s rules.

Elon Musk’s brain-chip tests come to Miami at UM’s Miller School of Medicine

By Melody Royaee Senior Staff Writer

The University of Miami Miller School of Medicine announced that its Department of Neurological Surgery in partnership with the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis will be the second U.S. site to test Elon Musk’s Neuralink’s PRIME Study.

The PRIME Study tests whether the brain chip implant can give paralyzed people the ability to use their mind to wirelessly control electronic devices, including computers and smartphones.

According to Musk, the goal of the Neuralink is to help the disabled restore their independence and improve their overall quality of life by having the option to merge with artificial intelligence.

As of right now, the study is targeting volunteer patients ages 22 to 75 years old who have suffered from cervical spinal cord injuries or ALS and who have limited or no ability to use both hands. The clinical di -

rector of the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Dr. Allen Levi, expressed how the University of Miami was the perfect fit for this study.

“I think it has a lot to do with the reputation of the Miami project to cure paralysis our lengthy history of doing clinical research with spinal cord injury and other types of neurological diseases,” Levi said.

How does it work?

A surgeon implants the wireless, rechargeable coin-size brain chip in the frontal lobe, the part of the brain that handles thoughts and body movements. A Neuralink surgical robot with a needle thinner than human hair will use the needle to implant more than 60 flexible ultrathin “threads.” According to Neuralink, these threads are too small to be implanted with a human hand.

The chip records electrical signals sent between brain cells and transmits them to Neuralink software, which would be running on another device. The software then decodes the neural data into actions,

like moving a cursor or playing a video game.

Neuralink

Founded by Musk in 2016, Neuralink is the entrepreneur’s entrance into the health industry. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration green lit Neuralink’s human clinical trials for its brain chip in May 2023.

In 2024, the company launched a similar trial in Canada and is also working on “Blindsight” , a brain chip that aims to restore vision to people who have lost sight.

According to Statista, “The company has raised a total of 363 million U.S. dollars, starting from its first funding round in 2017.”

There is not much information surrounding the financials relating to the trial, but the Neurolink will cost an estimated $10,500 per device, according to The Economic Times. This price includes exams, parts and labor. However, Bloomberg estimates insurance companies would be charged a total of $40,000 per device.

“We are very excited about working with the Neuralink team,” Dr. Dalton Dietrich, scientific director of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, co-director of the University of Miami Neural Engineering Institute and professor of neurological sur-

gery at the Miller School of Medicine, said.

“This announcement is a testament to our multidisciplinary approach for advancing the latest research in neural interfaces and neurorehabilitation,” he said.

Patrick McCaslin // Contributing Photographer

The University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine in downtown Miami.

How to make your dollar go further as a freshman

By Paulina Barnjak Staf Writer

For many freshmen, the college experience is overwhelmingly exciting. From late-night study sessions to exploring new places in Miami, this newfound freedom gives students the chance to make their own choices without their parents haunting their every move. But what happens when a little freedom causes fnancial irresponsibility?

Managing your fnances can pose a huge challenge for college students, and freshmen quickly fnd out that they can’t just act on their food cravings or impulse. Despite living on campus and having the 7-day all-access meal plan, freshmen seem to spend boatloads of money when they should be saving their hard-earned summer paychecks. Saving money isn’t diffcult; you just need to understand how to spend it.

Use the dining hall

One of the most underrated food sources on campus is the dining hall. I get it, it’s easy to grow tired of the same old options, which leads students to apps like Uber Eats and Doordash for their favorite meals. But have you really tried everything the chefs have to offer?

The dining halls at Mahoney and Pearson and Centennial Village offer a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Designed to meet every student’s unique diet, there are many nutritional options available, such as a salad bar, vegetarian stations and plant-based options. And if you don’t like what’s on the menu, the dining hall offers “build your own” stations such as “FLAME” with grilled options like chicken and burgers and “CREATE” station for students to create their own sandwiches and wraps like a deli.

Market Wednesdays also offer a wide

assortment of food, but at a price. I personally love their acai bowls and New York bagels, but I always leave $20 closer to broke after just one meal. Maybe it’s time to start visiting once a month instead of once a week.

Schedule your meals

As someone new to the college schedule, it can be diffcult to time your meals. Sometimes the dining halls are closed right when you need a snack, especially during late-night study sessions or after sports practices. It’s important to schedule meals between classes and activities so you don’t have to resort to Uber Eats or DoorDash. Not only is the food itself expensive, but these apps usually add on a service and delivery fee, not to mention tipping the driver. DoorDash spent $835 million on sales and marketing in the frst fscal half of 2022, a $75 million increase from 2021. If you want to save your money, make sure to keep your schedule organized so you don’t order a McDonald’s delivery at 10pm.

Students can download the “Dine on Campus” app to stay updated on all dining halls, food court stations and campus eateries, complete with menus and hours of operation. For those planning around the dining hall, the app provides details on when breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served, the dining hall’s closing times and

the menu for each meal. If you miss the designated hours, another option is to use the $6 reusable OZZI containers to take food from the dining hall and enjoy it later when it’s closed.

Don’t be so high maintenance

Keep in mind that the lifestyle at UM is atypical for the average college student. It’s rare that students have access to upscale restaurants and club-table service. For most, college towns offer local options to eat out for cheap. While Miami’s beautiful beaches and inviting nightlife may tempt youto fall into the habit of spending money on Ubers, expensive food and activities, remember, you’re just a college student, with a college student bank account.You don’t need to go to the waterfront fvestar restaurant in Brickell every weekend, when there are plenty of cheaper, younger places. Save the Michelin star restaurants for special occasions.

When you do decide to go out, spending money is unavoidable, but maybe try an alternative: taking the metro instead of Ubering or fnding student discounts. To avoid the transportation costs all together, campus is always offering free events and socials, such as CAS Wednesdays at the College of Arts and Sciences with free coffee, food and activities. Hurricane Productions also offer entertainment on campus, being the largest student organi-

zation. Many on-campus housing buildings offer foor events run by the RAs with free food, like Chick Fi La and local vendors like The Big Cheese. It doesn’t hurt to look at an events calendar for your specifc college and major to see where you can spend your time and have a free meal while you’re at it.

Many college kids can attest, you don’t have to always go out to have a good weekend at UM. Worst comes to worst, you could always study for that upcoming test! Being selective about when and where you spend can make a huge difference in your overall fnancial picture.

Keep track of your spending

The key to saving money is keeping track of where your money is going. That way, you can decide if you’re spending too much at specifc places or in certain categories, and you can fnd an alternative option. Are you spending $50 at Starbucks per month, or $100 in Ubers? You can use budgeting and fnance tracking apps sor just your regular notes app to log your spendings, like I do, and count out how much you spent by the end of each week. No parent wants to see their child spending money irresponsibly as soon as they leave the house. Don’t be the student begging your parents for money on the phone, be the one saving it.

Mass deportations will send prices soaring in Miami and elsewhere

By Kiera Faddis Staf Writer

ICE raids are sweeping the nation and targeting major cities, including Miami, following President Donald Trump taking offce. After his inauguration, he immediately began working towards mass deportation plans, including shutting down the CBP One app, which helped migrants get appointments to enter the country legally.

While Trump’s plan to deport all undocumented immigrants will negatively affect wide sections of the American economy, it will deal a devastating blow to the agricultural industry and lead to skyrocketing produce prices due to labor shortages.

Undocumented immigrants make up roughly half of all hired farm crop work-

ers in the United States, according to the USDA. In the state of Florida specifcally, it is estimated that undocumented immigrants make up up to 47% of all agricultural workers.

These undocumented workers are the backbone of the industry, spending long hours picking crops. Even in years when South Florida faces record high temperatures, workers continue to show up to provide food for people all over the United States.

Florida’s government estimates that agriculture has an economic impact on the state of more than 100 billion dollars.

Florida’s agricultural products also have a large impact across the country, with 54% of all fresh market tomatoes and 33-42% of all oranges, sweet corn, watermelons, bell peppers and grapefruits sold in the United States in 2023 coming from the

Sunshine State, which exported more than 6.6 billion dollars worth of agriculture and related products that year.

Not only will deporting immigrants cost billions of dollars, but losing half of the agricultural labor in Florida and in the country could cause a 10% rise in produce prices, according to the Peterson Institute for International Economics. As a result, mass deportations also undermine one of Trump’s foundational campaign priorities: lowering the cost of goods, including groceries. In an interview with NBC News, Trump said that he won the election based on two things: the border and groceries. While he is cracking down on his border policies, his promises of lowering the cost of goods, including fresh produce, have gone nowhere so far. During his campaign, Trump outlined plans to reduce prices by increasing do-

mestic energy production and improving supply chain effciency. Since his election, Trump admitted during his Time Magazine’s Person of the Year interview that he was uncertain about his ability to reduce costs, saying, “it’s hard to bring things down once they’re up.” Amid Trump’s uncertainty, prices are expected to continue rising due to the impact of tariffs on imported goods, compounded by the decline in the U.S. farm workforce. Although I recognize the need for a legal process to enter any country, I’ve witnessed people on social media and in my personal life using dehumanizing language towards immigrants, calling them terms like “illegal aliens” and labeling them as lazy and job stealers. These negative stereotypes ignore the reality that undocumented workers play an essential role in an industry that people rely on ev-

ery day. Their agricultural contributions not only help keep the country’s economy running but provide essential goods to millions of Americans.

Our country is supposed to be the land of opportunity, but for the hundreds of thousands of undocumented feld workers in the United States who feed millions, pay taxes and positively contribute to the economy, their efforts are still not recognized as enough.

Instead of deporting these essential members of our society, politicians should show empathy for those who lack their privilege. They should support pathways to citizenship, including granting more green cards and work visas, allowing immigrants to continue contributing to our country instead of deporting all immigrants who just want a better life.

Sovannreach Po // Graphics Editor

Financial literacy education is a must for high schools

By Katie Karlson Opinion Editor

College marks the frst time that most young adults have total control over their living situations, food, time and money.

Personally, I was lucky. My dad’s job revolves around the stock market, and my parents were transparent when it came to my questions about fnances. After blowing out the candles on my 18th birthday cake, I flled out a credit card application and opened a brokerage account.

Because my dad has experience with money and investing, I learned money-management skills from him. However, not everyone’s parents have a fnance-centric job, nor do many high schools require fnancial literacy classes. I know mine didn’t. If not for my dad, I wouldn’t have known where to start.

To set students up for success in college and the real world, high schools should mandate that all students enroll in a fnancial literacy course. Credit, budgeting and investing are three fundamental topics that everyone should understand before entering college or the job market.

Not only is credit the basic principle behind the credit cards most of us have in our wallets and purses, but it’s integral to student loans. According to Forbes, “More than half of students leave school with debt.” Understanding the implications of taking on that debt and knowing how to calculate interest (the percentage you owe the lender for borrowing money)

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An

are both important parts of money management. Repayment terms and how much money you are eligible to receive should also factor into your budget.

A study published by the Federal Reserve tracked young adults’ default rates and credit scores in three states with recently established mandatory personal fnance classes and 25 control states without this requirement. In the three states with fnancial class es, young adults showed improved credit scores and reduced default rates, how often lenders had to write off outstanding loans. The surround ing states without the course re quirement experienced no change.

By requiring high schoolers to learn about fnances, students can take advan tage of this knowledge early on in life by dipping their toes into the world of investing and watching their money grow. The World Economic Fo rum highlighted that only 33% of adults globally are considered fnancially literate, and many claimed that “confusion and un familiarity with the stock market” were their main reasons for not investing.

According to U.S. News & World Report, “The stock market is kindest to those who stay faithful to it longest.” Investing from a young age sets people up for success by leading to compounding. Essentially, even if you are only investing a small amount of money in the stock market, chances are that money will grow exponentially over time. Besides stock growth, some companies even pay their shareholders dividends, which

number of shares owned. Financial literacy is also important for students entering the workforce. Many companies give its employees a 401(k) account, a special type of account where employees can save a set percentage of their pre-tax salaries for retirement and other needs, with the potential for an employer to match their savings up to a certain amount. Having the skills to read the fnancial jargon and understand the benefts your employer is offering is crucial in evaluating one job over

Of course, you could watch YouTube videos explaining

these concepts. However, that means you need to know what questions to ask, which you may not know because nobody educated you on the topic. If no one ever discussed money and fnances with you, what are the chances you actually think about its long-term implications?

“No one in my life until college talked about the stock market, budgeting or even how to pay my taxes,” sophomore health science major Addie Murphy said. “I was never taught about why getting a credit card was important, so I still don’t have one. If my high school mandated personal fnance classes, I would’ve likely understood its value, and I probably would have a credit card today.”

My dad always emphasizes the importance of money, savings and fnancial planning, and how understanding the world of Wall Street gives me options which include saving for a house, traveling to new places, buying myself nice things, paying for an emergency and even quitting a job I don’t like. Learning fnancial literacy at a young age benefts individuals and the economy as a whole, and our education system should support this improvement.

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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 offce of The Miami Hurricane are located in the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200.

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While the thought of another required class might make some high schoolers grumble, the potential to grow money exponentially, save enough for a rewarding retirement and be fnancially independent should be more than enough motivation to get them to class. A fnancial literacy class is meant to teach skills about money, but its true impact is priceless.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Get your money’s worth with these campus resources and discounts

By Keira Faddis Contributing Writer

The University of Miami is far from a budget school. Costing an estimated $62,616 in tuition and fees for the 20242025 school year, students may not know all the perks the cost covers.

Besides traditional classes, there are several resources University of Miami students can take advantage of to get the most bang for their buck. Whether you’re looking to stay fit, boost your resume or gain extra academic support, there is something for everybody.

Check out some of the best resources available on campus and online:

LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning is a service offered by LinkedIn that provides over 22,000 courses to help users master new skills. These courses, led by experts, cover a wide range of topics, including business, technology and creative skills. While it usually costs $239.88 for an annual membership, it’s free for UM students.

Log in with your UM email address to access easy-to-follow videos that can be downloaded and viewed offline. You can customize your own learning path catered to your skills and interests.

After completing courses, you can add certificates you’ve earned to your personal LinkedIn account. These certificates help narrow down job applications to help you find job postings where you are a top applicant.

Free gym classes and excursions

At the Herbert Wellness Center, students can take part in group fitness classes, including yoga, pilates, Zumba and kickboxing. You can view the full fitness class schedule on the UM Wellness mobile app or on the Student Affairs Wellness & Recreation website. There are many discount-

ed rates for students, including discounted guest passes.Daily lockers at the wellness center are also free for students to use.

Workout equipment at the wellness center includes weights and weight benches, treadmills, ellipticals, rowers and stationary bikes. There are also indoor basketball courts and an indoor pool and track. Be sure to bring a sweat towel — they are required at the gym.

Outdoor Adventures is part of the wellness center membership. Students have access to the outdoor climbing wall and benefit from discounted gear and equipment rental prices with their membership.

One-on-one tutoring

For such an academically rigorous school, every student can use extra support. Luckily, UM offers free academic support services.

At the Camner Center, located on the second floor of the Student Services building, one-on-one and small-group peer tutoring sessions are available weekly. These tutors can help students learn study skills, time management, textbook reading and test-taking strategies.

If you need any help with writing, The Writing Center in the Richter Library offers one-on-one assistance for any writing concerns you may have, including presentations, articles and posters.

For math help, visit the Math Lab in the Richter Library, where both graduate and undergraduate math majors offer peer tutoring for students enrolled in undergraduate math courses.

Resume reviews and practice interviews

The Toppel Career Center aims to help students achieve career success. At Toppel, career coaches are available to discuss everything there is to know about starting your career, including applying for graduate school, networking, job searching and answering interview questions. Coaches are available Monday through Friday, on-

line and in-person, from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. Enjoy a free professional headshot at the Headshot Photo Booth or get your resume and cover letter perfected with Toppel’s guides.

Research help and library resources

If you need help with research, the Richter Library is the place to start. The library offers an online ask-a-librarian service and online research guides covering math, chemistry, English, music and more.

Laptops and computers are available inside the library and are equipped with the Adobe suite, which typically costs $699.88 annually but is free for students. Students can use Adobe suite on any device as long as they log in with their UM credentials, however the devices inside the library are more likely to support the software.

You can also stay caught up with the news thanks to the free online subscriptions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, The Economist and more. These subscriptions can cost anywhere from $75 a year to $38.99 a month.

These are just a few ways to stretch your tuition dollars. Keep an eye out for more free ’Cane-exclusive resources.

Over-budget and low-ratings: What’s happening to movie magic?

By Alice Reich Contributing Writer

The magic of the movies is fading as the only options at the box office seem to be endless remakes or sequels. With the live-action Snow White or a third Sonic the Hedgehog hitting the theatres, film fans are left wondering why original stories are left on the back burner while familiar stories take the spotlight.

In 2024, movie theaters decreased in 18 percentage points of revenue compared to 2023’s U.S. box office total.

It is no surprise that during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, films, specifically those released in theaters, were put at risk. Many movies were canceled or postponed, resulting in a significant loss of profit.

The disruption caused a change making streaming more popular, as most were confined to their homes. As COVID became less of a threat, they maintained their popularity, placing theaters at a disadvantage. However, the revenue made from streaming has not fully compensated for what’s typically made in theaters. To understand what’s going on, it’s important to know how the movie world works.

Hollywood’s major studios are Disney, Warner Brothers, Universal, 20th Century Fox and Sony. From 1995-2009, they released about 112 movies per year in theaters, in total. From 2010-2023, the number of theater releases dropped to 83.

Before COVID, the worldwide box office generated approximately $40 billion in revenue a year. In 2022 and 2023, that number was slashed in half.

In addition, increased prices may be lowering demand for tickets. The amount of tickets purchased have decreased by 38% while ticket prices have gone up by 33% over the past 10 years.

The film industry has done what it can to adapt to the changes. So what does that look like?

Less new titles and original, outsideof-the-box movie ideas. It is more reliable for companies to put out already known and loved major titles that they know will bring attention back to the theater.

The Marvel universe is a great example of this. They continue to crank out film after film, knowing that their fans will see them in theaters, because they’re part of a long-beloved franchise.

Yet, over the past few years, critics and audiences have condemned recently

released Marvel-associated superhero films with low reviews because of poor quality and effects, like “The Marvels” and “Madame Web.”

2024’s “Deadpool and Wolverine” was an exception. The combination of the seriousness and intense action that Hugh Jackman brings to his films with the comedy that Ryan Reynolds has acquired as Deadpool made for a masterful movie with glowing reviews.

Another popular form of recreating popular stories is through remakes or adaptations. An example that got a lot of attention but failed to meet expectations was 2024’s “Mean Girls.”

While combining the best of the original movie and the Broadway musical was all in good faith, it produced a rather poor result, with top critics such as Stephanie

Zacharek from TIME magazine saying, “Everything that made the original picture so sly, funny and affecting is gone.”

In trying to get 2000s movie fans and theater kids to flock to theaters, the result was a film that audiences consider a disservice to both.

The movie industry looks to adapt to the new age of media while attempting to reach its past glory. As artists recover in a post-Palisades fire and writer’s strike era, they aim to stay resilient in promoting smaller projects they feel are the start to a new golden age.

“This is a risk averse industry, $200 million dollar movies are also a risk, and it doesn’t always work out but you take the risk anyway,” Oscar-winning writer of “American Fiction” Cord Jefferson said. “Instead of making one $200 million dollar movie, try making 20 ten million dollar movies.”

Emily Rice // Senior Staff Photographer

Senior Cecelia Runner uses the free computers in Richter Library on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025.

Meal prepping 101: Save time and money with easy, budget-friendly recipes

By Emily Anderson Contributing Writer

New year, new habits. Whether you’re trying to exercise more, take up some new hobbies or better manage your spending, we’re all trying to better acclimate to the new tasks that top our to-do lists. However, if resolutions were easy to commit to, we wouldn’t continue to make them year after year.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Americans spend on average 37 minutes a day preparing and serving food. If you apply these numbers to a five-day work week, that’s over 160 hours every year.

Sure, preparing food can be easy in the initial weeks of committing to a meal prep plan, but once you’re stressed, overwhelmed and tired from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, suddenly those 37 minutes feel like a lifetime.

Meal prepping notoriously requires a lot of work. And, if you’re not closely monitoring your spending, it could start to get pretty expensive. However, it doesn’t have to be so complicated. With proper planning, preparing your meals ahead of time could seamlessly fit into your life with just a few easy steps.

Assess what you already have

Before you begin planning, take stock of what you already own. This includes any canned goods, frozen fruits or vegetables, grains, spices and condiments you may have forgotten about. Using what you already own reduces the amount of new products you have to buy and lowers the cost of prepping. Also, consider the shelf life of perishable items like produce, dairy, and meats–– this will help you prioritize using them first, while pantry staples like frozen items can be used later in the week.

Stick to budget-friendly ingredients

Focusing on a few affordable and versatile ingredients can be a blueprint for most meals. When shopping for these ingredients, try looking at grains like rice or pasta, legumes like beans or chickpeas, proteins like chicken or tofu and frozen vegetables as opposed to fresh. Look for ingredients that can serve multiple purposes across multiple meals.

For example, rice can be used in grain bowls but can also be used in stir fries and salads.

Be strict with the grocery list

Now that you’ve accounted for what you currently own and adjusted your meal plan to your budget, it’s time to make a grocery list. Once you’re in the store, it can be tempting to stray away from the list when you see other items, but sticking to the plan will help you stay within your budget.

Some grocery store apps, like AnyList and Out of Milk, have a list feature, allowing you to document what you need ahead of time and apply certain discounts or coupons at checkout.

Shop seasonal and sale items

Out-of-season produce items can be pricey. Consider shopping for what is in

season or look for items on sale. Plus, you can freeze your current seasonal fruits and vegetables and enjoy them later.

Here are five simple meals to get you started:

Pasta with tomato sauce and veggies

This simple pasta dish is a great go-to for busy weeknights. Start by cooking the pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a pan and sauté garlic until fragrant. Next, add your choice of frozen vegetables — spinach, peas, or whatever you have on hand — and cook until heated through. Stir in canned tomato sauce and season with your preferred blend (a pinch of basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning works perfectly). Let everything simmer for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the flavors

to meld together. Once the pasta is ready, toss it in the sauce and veggie mix. For extra flavor, top with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.

Taco bowls

Taco bowls are a quick, customizable meal that’s both satisfying and budgetfriendly. Start by cooking your protein — ground beef, chicken, or beans — in a skillet with taco seasoning until fully cooked. Meanwhile, cook your rice and heat up black beans and corn. You can use fresh, frozen, or canned corn depending on what’s available. Once everything is ready, assemble the bowls by layering rice, beans, corn and your seasoned protein. Add a scoop of salsa and a sprinkle of cheese if you’d like. These bowls are perfect for meal prep, and you can even switch up the ingredients based on what you have in your pantry.

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Lentil soup

This hearty lentil soup is a cozy meal, perfect for chilly days. Begin by sautéing onions, garlic, and carrots in olive oil until they’re soft and fragrant. Once the vegetables are ready, add in dried lentils, canned tomatoes, and your choice of broth (vegetable or chicken works well). Season well with your favorite spices — garlic, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and cooked through. This soup makes great leftovers and freezes well for future meals.

Sweet potato and black bean bowls

These bowls are a healthy and colorful meal perfect for making in a pinch. Begin by chopping your sweet potatoes into small cubes, drizzling them with some olive oil and seasoning with spices of your choice. Then, roast them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 to 30 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and crispy around the edges. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, sauté your black beans and corn in a pan, making sure to season well. Once everything is cooked, assemble the bowls by layering the sweet potatoes and your black bean corn mixture into your containers. Add lime or cheese as a topping if you’d like.

Chili

One-pot, hearty meals like this chili recipe are great not only because they are filling but also because they reduce the amount of cleanup you have to do afterwards. Start by sautéing chopped onions, garlic and bell peppers in a pot until softened. If you’re using ground meat, brown it in the pot and break it up as it cooks. Then, add canned tomatoes, your choice of beans, chili powder, paprika, and other seasonings of your choosing. Let everything simmer for about twenty to thirty minutes and allow the flavors to meld together. Once it’s ready, you can top the chili with cheese or sour cream.

Meal prepping doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating. With strategic planning involving conscious shopping, using what you already own and keeping it simple, you can create a recipe rotation that is satisfying for both you and your bank account.

The ultimate guide to budget-friendly Miami experiences

No matter your interests, these activities prove that you don’t have to spend a fortune to experience the best of what Miami has to offer.

By Bri Pearson Assistant A&E Editor

Miami is often associated with luxury and high-end entertainment, but there are countless ways to experience the city without overspending. From stunning outdoor attractions to rich cultural experiences, visitors and locals can enjoy various activities that won’t hurt their pockets.

Whether you’re interested in wildlife, history, art or simply soaking up the sun, here are some of the best budget-friendly things to do in Miami.

Zoo

Miami

As Florida’s largest and oldest zoo, Zoo Miami offers a unique open-air experience with over 2,000 animals worldwide. Tickets start at just $22.95 for adults, making it a relatively inexpensive way to spend a day getting up close with wildlife.

Visitors generally praise Zoo Mi-

ami for its spacious enclosures, which allow animals to exhibit more natural behaviors. The zoo is home to many species, including Cuban crocodiles, orangutans, giraffes and various reptiles. Many reviewers highlight the zoo’s cleanliness, well-maintained facilities and interactive exhibits such as bird feeding, which is particularly popular with kids.

Bayside Ferris Wheel + Bayside Marketplace

Located at Bayside Marketplace, the Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel gives visitors a stunning aerial view of Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami. While it’s not free, the ticket price, around $20, offers a budget-friendly way to take in breathtaking sights.

There are no student discounts, but you can enjoy the entire Bayside Marketplace for free. Walk through and explore restaurants, stores, gift shops and more. It’s like strolling along Ocean Drive, but, instead, you’re right at the heart of Biscayne Bay.

Walking Tours in Little Havana

Little Havana walking tours range from $34.99 to $169, depending on the length, group size and whether the tour is private. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with visitors praising the knowledgeable guides, delicious food tastings and immersive cultural experience.

Many consider it a must-do when visiting Miami, as it offers a fun and informative way to learn about the neighborhood’s Cuban heritage while

enjoying authentic cuisine.

Frost Science Museum

Located in Downtown Miami, the Frost Science Museum features interactive exhibits, a planetarium and an aquarium. Tickets cost $29.95 for adults and the museum does not offer student, senior or military discounts.

However, the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami offers rush tickets to UM students who present a valid Cane ID. It’s recommended to arrive early and set aside several hours to fully explore the museum’s many attractions.

Wynwood Walls

Wynwood is Miami’s artistic heart and its outdoor museum. Wynwood Walls showcases world-renowned street art. While the official gallery has an admission fee, walking around the neighborhood and seeing the murals is completely free. The walls are located in the Wynwood art district, about a 30-minute drive from campus.

Students with valid ID can enter the Wynwood Walls exhibit for $5, while general admission is $12.

The experience includes interactive displays showing how the art is created, a guided 50-minute tour and accessibility features such as wheelchairaccessible entrances and parking.

Public Beaches

If you live in Miami, a beach day is a must every now and then. Public beaches, including South Beach, Hobie Island Beach and South Pointe Park, are free to access. However, you might have to spend some money on renting beach chairs, umbrellas or dining at nearby restaurants.

Other potential expenses include parking fees and transportation. Despite these costs, Miami’s beaches remain one of the best free activities for visitors looking to relax by the ocean.

Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) PAMM is a must-visit for contemporary art lovers. General admission is $18, but students with valid ID can enter for $14.

The museum features rotating and permanent exhibits focused on Latin

America, the Caribbean and the Af rican diaspora. Educational programs such as lectures, workshops and art talks are also available.

Visitors can enjoy the museum’s sculpture garden, gift shop and the Verde restaurant, which offers contem porary cuisine with views of Biscayne Bay. The museum is fully wheelchair accessible, with elevators, ramps, as sistive listening devices and audio tours available.

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a breathtaking estate that offers visi tors a glimpse into Miami’s Gilded Age. The museum, once the private residence of a wealthy businessman, features luxurious European-inspired architecture, antique furnishings and lush formal gardens.

dent Government or Hurricane Productions, which often provide students with complimentary passes to major events.

General admission is $25 with no student discounts. However, visitors can enjoy free virtual tours and audio guides.

The expansive gardens are a definite highlight, featuring stunning fountains, sculptures and waterfront views. Guests can explore all open areas, including the museum, gardens and café/ shop. The estate provides a serene escape from the bustling city, making it one of Miami’s most picturesque and historically rich experiences.

The Watsco Center

Located on the University of Miami’s campus, the Watsco Center is a multipurpose arena that hosts concerts,

If you are living on campus, this might be the cheapest transportation option yet. Watsco is less than a fiveminute walk from Lakeside Village, Centennial Village and Eaton Residential College and about a 10-minute walk from Pearson/Mahoney Residential Colleges.

Miami offers an abundance of affordable experiences, from art and history to nature and culture. Whether you’re discovering street murals in Wynwood, strolling through the Vizcaya Gardens, or simply enjoying the ocean breeze at one of the city’s free public beaches, there are plenty of ways to explore Miami on a budget.

No matter your interests, these activities prove that you don’t have to spend a fortune to experience the best of what Miami has to offer.

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Where to vamp up your wardrobe on a budget

By Grace Andruzzi Contributing Writer

Ready to pop some tags but only have $20 in your pocket? Miami’s electrifying fashion scene is a dream for trendsetters, but for college students on a tight budget, keeping up with style can feel like a luxury.

Luckily, Miami is home to several affordable clothing stores where students can find trendy, stylish pieces without breaking the bank. Here are the best budget-friendly clothing stores for students in Miami:

Thrift stores

Thrift stores sell used clothes at low prices. Some of the most popular thrift stores in Miami include Magic City Flea, Peachtree Revival, Buffalo Exchange, Goodwill, Salvation Army and Crossroads Trading. These thrift stores are all known for offering trendy secondhand clothes, including high-end brands, at

budget-friendly prices. Each place offers items you can’t find anywhere else.

Buffalo Exchange is a great place to score vintage and designer pieces for a fraction of their original cost. Goodwill and Salvation Army stores are great for finding affordable, vintage fashion. With patience, you can uncover hidden gems at low prices.

At Crossroads Trading, you can trade in your old clothes for store credit. Thrift stores are a great place for Miami students to find clothes that aren’t too expensive and are super trendy.

Flea markets

Miami flea markets have much to offer, with a mix of cultures, vibrant colors, and low prices items, all within walking distance to each other. Each stand has something new and unique to offer, which makes flea markets so different. Some stands also offer vintage second hand clothing, like little thrift pop ups. There

are many flea markets in Miami, such as Magic City Flea, Tropicana Flea Market, and Redland Market Village.

Located in the heart of Miami, Tropicana Flea Market is a go-to spot for affordable fashion. You can find a mix of new and secondhand clothing, including designer knockoffs, urban streetwear, and vintage pieces. Many vendors sell trendy jeans, graphic tees, and stylish sneakers at a fraction of retail prices.

Redland Market Village is known for its Latin American influence, offering a mix of traditional and contemporary fashion. You’ll find embroidered dresses, handmade jewelry, and vibrant, patterned fabrics perfect for beachwear or casual outings.

Miami’s flea markets offer a glimpse into the city’s diverse fashion scene. Whether you’re on the hunt for a vintage statement piece or looking to revamp your wardrobe on a budget, these markets have something for every style.

Dolphin Mall

The Dolphin Mall, located in Sweetwater, just a short drive from downtown Miami and the University of Miami, is an outlet mall with many popular stores for students to find affordable clothing.

It is also a convenient shopping outlet for travelers, as you can take a direct shuttle from the airport to the Dolphin Mall. The stores in the Dolphin Mall tend to have high-end warehouse deals, which make it an affordable option. Dolphin Mall is Miami’s largest outlet and value shopping center, making it a top destination for students looking to shop affordably. It features outlet stores for brands like H&M, Forever 21, Levi’s Outlet, Nike Factory Store, and Old Navy Outlet. Stores like H&M and Forever 21 are known for being clothing stores that keep up with the frequent trends while being at an affordable price. They also offer higher-end clothing at higher prices, but for the most part, they sell high quality clothes at a lower, affordable price.

Being an outlet store mall means the stores will sell their items for less money

than their regular locations. The mall features over 240 stores, offering discounts on top brands in fashion, accessories and footwear.

Ross, Marshalls & TJ Maxx Ross Dress for Less, Marshalls and TJ Maxx each have multiple locations across Miami and carry brand name clothing, shoes and accessories. They offer huge discounts on most items, including clothing from top brands like Nike, Adidas, Free People, Levi’s, Steve Madden and Calvin Klein at unbeatable prices. Marshalls and TJ Maxx also offer home decor, beauty products, and dorm essentials at budget-friendly prices.

No matter your style or budget, Miami has countless options to help you elevate your wardrobe without emptying your wallet. Why settle for paying full price when you can score trendy, high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost? Grab your friends, hit up these budget-friendly spots, and revamp your wardrobe with unique, stylish finds that won’t break the bank.

The pop girls dominate and country comes back at the 2025 Grammy Awards

By Marissa Levinson Contributing Writer

“Good evening, and welcome to the 67th Annual Grammy Awards,” comedian and host Trevor Noah said opening 2025’s biggest night in music. Just hours later, the industry’s biggest names walked away with gold awards in hand – some no stranger to the Grammys, like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, and some new to the game, like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter.

A performance by Doors, including John Legend, Sheryl Crow, Brad Paisley, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent set the show in motion, as “We heart LA” reads on the screen in the background, alongside clips of the city’s firefighters. The sympathetic tone remained throughout the night, in many acceptance speeches, performances and tributes.

Noah continued his speech with mentions of nominees like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan, sparking anticipation for the night ahead. He carried into Billie Eilish’s performance of song of the year nominee, “Birds of a Feather.” In her usual fashion, her brother Finneas was by her side, strumming an acoustic guitar.

One of the most talked about names of the year, whether for her music and tour or trendsetting blowout and curtain bangs, Sabrina Carpenter then took the stage. She stunned in a hemmed black suit, which she ripped off midperformance to reveal an also dazzling blue bodysuit. Her performance, a theatrical one with scripted malfunctions and a showgirl dance routine, featured a medley of her 2024 hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.”

The first award of the televised show, best rap album, was awarded to Floridanative Doechii, making history as the third woman to ever win in this category.

While tearing up, she told her fans, “anything is possible.” She was also nominated for best new artist, and later delivered an exciting performance of “Catfish” and “Denial is a River.”

“Espresso” was the song of the summer. It’s only natural that “Short n’ Sweet” became the pop vocal album of the year. As Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth studio album and her first Grammywinning release, the record is a skipless piece of pop-perfection.

This award could have just as easily been granted to Chappell Roan for “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess,”

which has accumulated over 1 billion streams on Spotify. Chappell did go on to receive credit from The Recording Academy, however. She made her debut to the Grammys stage with a circus-themed “Pink Pony Club” performance, brimming with high-energy, accompanied by her iconic hair and vocal flips.

She received the award for best new artist, an earned feat. In her victory speech, she brought attention to a matter racking the music industry.

She demands that record labels should “offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists.” Roan said. “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”

This category was a nail-biter, as every artist nominated made significant impacts on the radio and across streaming platforms in the past year. The list included Benson Boone, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims– who all performed nearly backto-back earlier, familiarizing the audience with their artistry before the big reveal.

Kendrick Lamar was another notable name of the night, beating out songs like “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “Good Luck, Babe!” for both song and record of the year, two voting-based categories. This stunned many, including University of Miami freshman Daniella Vega who

thought, “either Bruno Mars and Gaga or Chappell [were] going to win.”

Prior to this year’s show, Beyoncé had 32 Grammy awards to her name, setting the record for the most wins. On Feb. 2, she added to the record, taking the trophies home for best country album and album of the year, for “Cowboy Carter.”

This prestigious win doesn’t come without controversy, however, with many believing the honor should have gone to someone else. UMi student Pearl Amromin believes, “Beyoncé did not need that many wins.” She felt artists like Billie Eilish were “snubbed,” as Eilish’s new album, “Hit Me Hard and Soft” was a chart-topping, record-breaking success. Timeless hitmakers Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga were among the catalog of performers — but they didn’t perform their Grammy-winning “Die with a Smile” as many may have thought. Instead, they serenaded the arena with a cover of “California Dreamin’” by The Mamas and The Papas. Their voices reunited in support of the California wildfire relief effort.

Other performances included a goldendressed, best Latin pop album-winning Shakira with “Ojos Asi” and “Bzrp Music

Sessions, Vol. 53” and Charlie XCX with “Von dutch” and “Guess” off of her best electronic album winner, “brat.”

New songs were even promoted, such as The Weeknd with a flickering-redlit live performance of “Cry for Me” and “Timeless.” His surprise performance marked his return to the Grammys for the first time in four years, following his boycott. Lady Gaga, meanwhile, premiered “Abracadabra” with its music video, an electro-pop song that draws similarity to her early work like “Bad Romance” and “Poker Face.”

Towards the end of the night, artists who recently passed away were acknowledged. Will Smith led the honor for Quincy Jones, as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Cynthia Ervivio, Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier contributed their musical talents to the memorial. In honor of Liam Payne, former One Direction member, Chris Martin of Coldplay crooned a heartfelt rendition of “All My Love.”

Before nominees were even announced, everyone knew the 2025 Grammys would be high-staked, with every category riddled with big names and collective talent. Though not everyone could win on Feb. 2, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards was a night to remember.

Miami lands Carson Beck, but is he worth the hefty price tag?

By Wrigley Kordt Senior Staf Writer

The Miami Hurricanes found their starting quarterback for 2025 before the 2024 season even fnished, bringing in Carson Beck over a week before the national championship game.

Beck comes to Miami after two seasons as Georgia’s starter. In 2023, he completed 72% of his passes to the tune of 24 touchdowns, only six interceptions and an SEC-leading 3,941 yards as the Bulldogs narrowly missed the then-four-team College Football Playoff.

Hopes were sky-high for Beck at the start of 2024, but he ended up having an up-and-down season. During a diffcult mid-season stretch, he threw for only fve touchdowns and nine interceptions across four games.

As the year went on, however, he returned to form, including a fve-touchdown performance against a Georgia Tech team that held Miami’s juggernaut offense to 23 points earlier in the season. But Beck’s year came to an early end when he suffered an elbow injury

in the SEC Championship game. Ultimately, he fnished the year with 28 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.

The tumultuous season may have caused Beck to leave Athens, but Miami scooped him up just 24 hours after he offcially entered the transfer portal. The Hurricanes paid him handsomely to take his talents to South Beach; according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, Beck received a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal worth over $3 million.

In light of his latest season, it’s easy to question whether Beck was worth such a hefty paycheck. That question only becomes more pertinent when factoring in some other quarterback salaries. Cam Ward made $1.6 million during his lone season in Coral Gables.

In addition, even if it is estimated that Beck is making “only” $3 million this season, that’s more than NFL starters Russell Wilson and Brock Purdy made combined this past year — the former led his team to the playoffs this season, and the latter is a year removed from a Super Bowl appearance.

But the NIL is a rapidly changing Wild West, full of speculative numbers

and increasingly lucrative offers for college football’s top players. It’s unfair to compare Beck’s deal to Ward’s when the market has shifted so drastically in the past year. That being said, plenty of college players have received (or at least been offered) NIL deals in the past few months. Using those deals as a guide, let’s dive into whether Miami got good value for its prized offseason acquisition.

John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma When assessing the value of Cam Ward’s replacement at Miami, it only makes sense to start with his replacement at Washington State. In his frst season as the Cougars’ starter, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for another 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. Following the season, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma, and although his exact NIL number isn’t as public as that of, say, Darian Mensah (more on him later), On3.com estimates his value at $2.7 million.

Verdict: Similar value to Beck - Mateer proved himself to be a dangerous dual-threat quarterback last season, and Cam Ward’s seamless transition to Miami proved that a Washington State quarterback can make it in a power conference. But there’s no guarantee that Mateer performs well right out of the gate, and if there’s one thing Hurricanes fans learned this past season, it’s that teams vying for a college football playoff appearance have very little margin for error. Mateer could end up being a very good quarterback for the Sooners, but for what could amount to as little as a $300,000 difference, Miami’s probably happy with the more experienced signal-caller.

Darian Mensah, QB, Duke Mensah shined in his frst season as a starter, throwing for 22 touchdowns and over 2,700 yards as he took Tulane to the AAC title game. The California native parlayed that success into a groundbreaking NIL deal with Duke. CBS Sports reported that Mensah received a two-year, $8 million deal from the Blue Devils.

Verdict: Worse value than BeckMensah had a strong debut season, but he struggled when facing tougher com-

petition, going 0-3 in ranked matchups against Kansas State, Oklahoma and Army, not to mention a late-season loss to Memphis. In those four losses, Mensah threw four interceptions and only seven touchdowns, a much worse ratio than his 22:6 mark for the season. Mensah could end up developing into a strong starter for the Blue Devils, but Carson Beck is a more proven commodity, better fts Miami’s timeline as a team vying for a national championship and comes at a signifcantly lower price tag.

Note: Although Miami and Duke are ACC rivals, the two aren’t slated to face off this season, meaning fans won’t get to see a transfer portal battle between Beck and Mensah.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas

After spending two seasons as Quinn Ewers’ backup, Manning will fnally get his chance to lead the Longhorns in the 2025 season. The former fvestar recruit has never come close to the transfer portal, so his exact NIL number is hard to come by, but On3.com estimates his value at $6.5 million, the sport’s highest mark on a per-year basis. Verdict: Better value than BeckSure, there’s an argument that Beck’s experience is valuable. And yes, Manning has only thrown 95 passes at the college level. But, come on. He’s Arch Manning. He has an uncle in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, another who will likely be a Hall of Famer in the next few years and a grandfather in the College Football Hall of Fame. Plus, he’s 247’s eighth-highest rated quarterback recruit since 2000 (a few spots behind Ewers, ironically enough), and he’s shown fashes of tantalizing talent in his limited playing time. He has three years of eligibility left, and his unwavering commitment to the Texas program is a rare commodity in the NIL era.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State Smith is widely regarded as the sport’s most valuable non-quarterback, and it’s not hard to see why. He dazzled the college football world this past year, racking up 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman. Although the freshman phenom isn’t currently in the portal, On3.com’s Pete Nakos reported that

Smith received an offer north of $4.5 million to leave the Buckeyes.

Verdict: Better value than BeckSmith is arguably the best player in the sport, and he still has three years of eligibility remaining (though he’ll almost certainly enter the NFL Draft after his junior year). $4.5 million is a hefty price tag, but Smith is the type of oncein-a-generation talent who deserves to be paid whatever he asks for.

Quinn Ewers, QB, NFL Draft Ewers is an interesting case, as he’s probably the closest comparison to Beck on this list. He started three seasons at Texas, leading the Longhorns to two College Football Playoff appearances. He entered 2024 third in Heisman odds before struggling with injuries. After Texas’ season came to an end with a second-round loss to Ohio State, 247Sports’ Chip Brown reported that Ewers received a jaw-dropping $8 million offer to leave the Longhorns. However, Ewers turned down the money and instead opted to enter the NFL Draft.

Verdict: Worse value than BeckEwers is a good college quarterback, and his combination of starting experience and playoff success surely would have enticed teams had he not entered the draft. But is Ewers even better than Beck? Beck’s 2023 season was better statistically than any of Ewers’ three years as a starter. That’s certainly not worth more than double what Beck is making.

Side note: According to Spotrac’s 2025 NFL rookie scale estimates, the frst pick in the draft will make $7.715 million in year one. That’s shy of the offer Quinn Ewers received, and he’s not even expected to be drafted in the frst round. Maybe Ewers ends up carving out a great NFL career, but right now, turning down that $8 million offer feels like a tough pill to swallow.

Although Carson Beck’s deal feels lucrative at frst, it falls in line with the skyrocketing NIL market. Other options may have offered more upside, but Beck’s combination of talent and experience playing in college football’s toughest conference makes him a nearperfect ft for a Miami team with championship aspirations in 2025.

Jason Hill // Co-Photo Editor

Miami players celebrate while walking into the tunnel after their win against Virginia Tech at Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 21, 2024.

Sims: You should be buying what Miami football is selling

By Luke Sims Co-Sports Editor

This past season of Miami Hurricanes football did not end in the way that players or fans had hoped, but year three of the Mario Cristobal era was a step in the right direction nonetheless. Now, entering year four, with another highly ranked recruiting and transfer class fueled by NIL, in addition to new coaches and talent already in the building, the Hurricanes are once again proving that they are serious about contending for a national championship next season.

Getting this team to 10 wins was a huge victory for Cristobal and his staff. The fnal two weeks of the season were less than ideal with back-to-back losses and the conceding of a playoff spot. This late-season stumble could largely be attributed to Miami’s defense and, more specifcally, its secondary.

Routinely, the Miami defense was torched through the air, and players were often put in confusing positions. While the offense was able to rack up points, the defense couldn’t play complementary football.

Seeing these weaknesses, the ’Canes have wasted no time in getting the defensive side of the ball right. It started at the top with defensive coordinator Lance Guidrey being dismissed. In his place, Miami brought in former Minnesota defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who led Minnesota’s defense to a top-fve fnish. To address the secondary, Miami nabbed Zac Ethridge, who led a top-three passing defense in the Big 12 for Houston.

On the feld for the defense, things will look much different. Three of the four starters from last season are gone either to graduation, the draft or the transfer portal and that opened the door for fresh faces to enter the fold.

Miami brought in stud cornerbacks from all over the country to join its true freshman star OJ Frederique Jr. A trio of corners in Wisconsin’s Xavier Lucas, Michigan State’s Charles Brantley and Arizona’s Emmanuel Karnley are all now Hurricanes. Not to mention they acquired Ethan O’Conner from Washington State, who was a playmaker for the Cougar defense last season.

At the safety spot, Zechariah Poyser — one of the top safeties at the Group of Five conference level last season —will fll in for Mishael Powell. Rising sophomore Zaquon Patterson looks to grow in his fulltime role next season by Poyser’s side.

Miami’s defense went from a liability to a potential strong point with a new coaching staff and a revitalized group of players. While time will tell how all of these players perform, fans can have hope that the Miami secondary will be a lot tougher in 2025.

On the offensive side of the ball, Miami will lose a ton of talent from this past season’s team: star quarterback Cam Ward, starting running back Damien Martinez, top three receivers Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and Sam Brown Jr., uberathletic tight end Elijah Arroyo and two starters on the interior of the offensive line in Jalen Rivers and Zach Carpenter.

The ’Canes already have wideout Joshisa Trader, who showed what he

could do with an impressive performance in the bowl game against Iowa State. While he alone won’t be enough to supplement what was lost, tight end Elija Lofton is a player that the coaches are incredibly excited about, and they fashed his upside this past fall.

In the transfer portal, Miami was able to add wideout CJ Daniels from LSU, who two years ago had over 1,000 yards at Liberty. The ’Canes were also able to fll the spot left by Carpenter with James Brockermeyer from TCU.

The crown jewel to this transfer class is former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck.

Originally at the conclusion of the season, Beck had declared for the NFL draft but was convinced to come back for one more season and lead the Hurricanes’ offense under coordinator Shannon Dawson, who helped Ward develop into a Heisman contender and a potential frst overall pick. Beck has experience leading a championship team, as shown during his time at Georgia where no other quarterback collected more wins than he did.

Miami’s 2025 recruiting class was ranked frst in the ACC and featured 13 total blue chip players and was rated 14th in the nation by 247Sports. Miami was able to sign six more bluechippers than any other ACC team.

Wideout Joshua Moore and running back Girard Pringle Jr. have an abundance of talent and playmaking ability and could see the feld early like Jordan Lyle this past season.

Seuseu Alofaituli is a top-rated interior lineman in this 2025 class and noted of-

fensive line guru Alex Mirabel, Miami’s offensive line coach, will be eager to mold him into an impactful player.

Miami’s only fve-star in this class, edge rusher Hayden Lowe, joins talented youngsters in Justin Scott, Armondo Blount, Marquise Lightfoot and Booker Pickett Jr. that make up a young and skilled defensive front. Add in transfer David Blay from Louisiana Tech as another piece to this line and it’s as talented as any fan or coach could hope for.

While the ’Canes still have a bit of a weakness at wide receiver and linebacker, the spring transfer window is still available. Last season, the ’Canes were able to get impact defenders in Tyler Baron and Simeon Barrow Jr. there last year. The Hurricanes will look to fnd any talent they can come springtime.

Want more evidence that Miami is ready to be a contender? Open the calendar and look at the opening game for the Hurricanes. August 31, Hard Rock Stadium, 7:30 P.M. in front of a national audience versus last season’s runner up for the National Championship in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Cristobal is looking to send a message to the entire country with this game and if Miami can come away with a win, it will go a long way in setting Miami on the track to accomplish their goal of winning in the playoffs.

Miami may have missed out on the fun at the end of this past postseason, but it’s made moves to make sure they won’t be the ones on the sidelines come next January.

ESPN extends television rights deal with ACC sports to 2036

By Sebastian Font Staf Writer

ESPN announced it has extended its long-standing television rights deal with the ACC to 2036 on Jan. 30. The previous deal with the ACC began in 2016 and was set to expire in 2027, according to Sports Business Journal, but ESPN elected to pick up the option to extend the rights to 2036. When the PAC-12 dissolved last year with several of the major schools like Oregon and Washington making a move to

the Big 10, it began to set the “doomsday clock” for the ACC to follow a similar pattern of disbanding. For many schools, staying within the conference comes down to revenue, much of which comes from television rights.

The renewal of this deal acts as a stabilizer for the restlessness of certain ACC teams, namely Clemson and FSU. The ACC appears committed to keeping its schools, all part of their “success initiative” that rewards schools that perform best in football and basketball.

This differs from the success model

used in the Big 10. For example, despite Indiana receiving a $4 million reward for making the CFP, it only received $220,000, while the rest was divided up amongst its conference members. Rewarding the schools that perform the best at their respective sports will appease the top schools in the ACC.

Alongside this new revenue-sharing model, the ACC has brought in numerous sponsors such as Geico in hopes to match the SEC and Big 10 revenue. Revenue from television rights and sponsorships seem to be the deciding factor in how these

schools will align moving forward.

“We are pleased to extend our media rights agreement with the ACC through 2036, continuing our longstanding relationship,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.

ACC commissioner Jim Phillips echoed a similar pleasure with the negotiations. “We’re in a good place,” Phillips said. “ We continue to talk about ways we can garner and create more value for both of us.”

According to ESPN, the new revenue model would have top ACC teams only a

few million behind their SEC counterparts. This marks a signifcant increase compared to the previous model. It looks like both sides are excited about this deal, but it’s unclear whether it can hold the conference together. With the ever-changing landscape of name, image and likeness (NIL) turning college football into a true business, revenue sharing and TV rights will likely continue to be a topic of contention within conferences and the industry as a whole.

Emily Rice // Senior Staf Photographer Freshman wide receiver Joshisa Trader scores his frst collegiate touchdown in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024.

Hurricanes fnish strong in the second half, get frst ACC win

By Zach Cohen Staf Writer

Miami’s men’s basketball team won its first game in almost two months on Saturday night against Notre Dame. The 63-57 win marks its first ACC victory of the season and first in just under a year.

“We won the game because we deserved it. We fought through all this adversity. We showed up every day to work,” Miami interim head coach Bill Courtney said.

This victory was no easy feat, as the Hurricanes had to climb uphill to seal the deal.

From the opening tip, senior guard Matthew Cleveland was productive. An early two-hand jam led to two consecutive pull-up jumpers from opposite corners of the court.

At the 12-minute mark of the first half, Miami was down two, looking to keep it close down the stretch. However, the Fighting Irish had other plans, as they went on a quick 6-0 scoring run.

Miami had trouble defending the three-point shot in the first half, allowing Notre Dame to shoot 6-of13 from deep. Sophomore guard

Braeden Shrewsberry sank three of the six made three-pointers, ending the first half with 11 points.

Even with a highlight-reel alleyoop from Cleveland off a perfect pass from freshman guard Austin Swartz, Miami still trailed 36-25 at halftime.

Down 11, with 20 minutes to spare, the Hurricanes remained confident that they could get the job done.

“We were pretty confident going into halftime, even though we were down a little bit,” center Lynn Kidd said.

Kidd, the 6-foot-10 center, made key contributions in the paint. Posting up defenders, he had a 15-point performance, shooting 7-of-9 from the field.

Offensively, the second half started the same as the first for Miami. Cleveland scored down low, this time making a second-chance layup.

“[Cleveland is] playing the best basketball of his career,” Courtney said. “He’s doing exactly what we’re asking, and most importantly he’s showing great leadership.”

The Hurricanes continued to chip away, as five-star freshman Jalil Bethea sank two free throws, and Kidd made a secondchance dunk. Miami went on to make a total of seven second-

chance points in the second half, compared to zero made by Notre Dame. Miami also turned the ball over six times to Notre Dame’s 12.

Notre Dame’s Markus Burton gave Miami challenges defensively, finishing the night with 17 points and two made three-point shots.

Inserted into the starting lineup, freshman guard Divine Ugochukwu was a difference-maker on the court, using his speed and awareness to steal the ball and run down the court to make a breakaway slam with just under 13 minutes to go in the game. He had a similar play earlier in the game and went on to make a coast-to-coast fast-break layup to cut the deficit to three points with nine minutes remaining.

“[Ugochukwu] was absolutely terrific,” Courtney said.

A made pull-up jumper by Cleveland gave Miami a 55-53 lead with just over six minutes remaining, sending the Watsco Center crowd into a frenzy. From here on out, Miami kept the lead, something they have struggled to do all season.

Notre Dame kept it close, tying the game late. With Miami up four and just 11 seconds left, Swartz fouled senior guard Matt Allocco on a three-point attempt.

Allocco missed all three free throw at tempts, letting Mi ami come away with a victory.

The Hurricanes will look to build off their victory and make it two in a row as they will travel to Kentucky to play Louis ville on Satur day at 2 p.m.

Freshman Divine Ugochukwu shoots his free throw balls to help secure a lead for Miami on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

Gerkin: Miami MBB takeaways with a month left in the season

By Ben Gerkin Staf Writer

Coming into the 2024-25 season, the Miami Hurricanes were selected to fnish sixth in the ACC.

As of Feb. 3, the ’Canes sit at the bottom of the conference and were just able to obtain their frst conference win of the year over Notre Dame. Since Miami’s astounding Final Four run in 2023, the program has failed to continue its success despite landing some big-time prospects out of the transfer portal and returning experienced veterans like Matthew Cleveland and Nijel Pack. With 10 games remaining, here are a few takeaways from Miami’s second

straight disappointing season.

Lack of defense

The Hurricanes rank No. 345 out of 364 in adjusted defensive effciency, one of the worst marks in the nation. UM’s worst defensive performance came against SMU, when it gave up 117 points, the 10th-highest individual team scoring performance this season.

Bethea struggling to hit his stride

Five-star freshman Jalil Bethea was named Miami’s most highly touted recruit in the program’s history before the start of the season, but his impact when on the foor has been minimal. His minutes have increased since Bill Courtney took over as UM’s head coach, but Bethea has

yet to fnd his rhythm. Bethea averages 6.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 16.4 minutes per game. On the foor, Bethea’s shot selection has been questionable, and he’s proven to be a defensive liability. He’s still young and holds a bright future ahead of him.

Emergence of Matthew Cleveland Cleveland’s always been a solid college player, but his last four games have been particularly special. Cleveland is averaging 26.4 points in his last fve contests, with his top performance coming against California, where he dropped 30 points and eight rebounds in an overtime loss. With the absence of Pack, Cleveland has been the main focal point of Miami’s offense and has truly emerged as a leader.

Makena Wong Staf Photographer

Makena Wong // Staf Photographer Miami and its fans erupt into cheers after the Canes take a win over Notre Dame in the last half of their game on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.

Unapologetic. Bold. Unfiltered.

V’s Take is The Miami Hurricane’s most controversial and longest running column.

V’s Take is a satirical work published biweekly by students and for students using our generation’s “colorful” language. V addresses all things love, sex and gossip on campus. V is not for the politically correct or easily ofended.

Dear V, I accidently introduced my parents to my talking stage. Help.

Dear V, my job application was rejected. What’s next?

On-V Fans

To all the brave college students trying to find a job, God bless you. The job market was already a mess, but with executive orders being sent out like SHEIN sale updates it’s looking more tumultuous than ever. If you are still tirelessly updating your LinkedIn and resume, I hope you land something that keeps the lights on. But to those who have had enough with the job search and are ready to give up, I have two words for you: post hole. No, seriously. In the words of the generational inspiration Fisher, “TAKE IT OFF.” Everyone at some point has joked about selling feet pics to make some quick cash. With the price of eggs and even Eaton’s rent rising, it might not be that bad of an idea.

The art of OnlyFans isn’t new. Many smaller influencers have capitalized on their horny TikTok comments and made a page. A few months later, they’re rocking designer and traveling the world every other weekend. Who wouldn’t want to live that life?

Shame has seemingly been eradicated. People post whatever they want with the wildest takes and don’t seem to be bothered by the backlash. Why should I care if some people see my ass, at least I’m getting some cash for it.

For those who are still students for the foreseeable future, Miami isn’t cheap, and we’re all

sick and tired of dropping $100 dollars for a “chill night out.” Instead of waiting for some influencer to post about the next “hot and cheap happy hour,” it’s time to get our money up. Instead of getting a promoter. Be the promoter. Being hot at a table in a club is great. But being at a club, at a table, because of your hotness is even better.

Getting started can’t be that hard. Make an account, get an iPhone tripod and put on your sexiest pair of unmentionables. It might look a little rough at first, but that’s okay! There’s an “amateur porn” category for a reason, it’s part of the homemade charm. Just make sure your dorm decor is up to par. You don’t want the “prison” tag to get added to your posts. If you’re worried about not being able to score an office job if your OnlyFans flops, there’s a silver lining. Think of the skills you could add to your resume from it! Self-managed, great at hitting things from different angles and will bend over backwards to complete a task.

Subscribe and help me pay for my next round of filler.

Love, V

Makena Wong // Staf Photographer