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Don’t let anything stop you, make no excuses and keep working until you reach your goal.
UP!
What do you think about Miss Betty’s dismissal?
ANDREA FARIA FRESHMAN “I think it’s ridiculous and absurd because people nowadays need the work, and she didn’t let him in to eat, just to use the bathroom. It’s a waste to fire someone just because of that.”
TE’QUAN TAYLOR FRESHMAN “I believe it’s bad that they wrongly accused her of letting someone in when they were just going to the restroom. I think that’s morally wrong and something should be done about it.”
To Chartwells, Betty Asbury was just a worker. But to University of Miami students, she is more than that. Known to most as “Miss Betty,” Asbury spent two years swiping Cane Cards at the Hecht/Stanford Dining Hall. Students respected her. Students cared for her. Chartwells fired her. On Oct. 9, Miss Betty was working as usual when a man walked into the dining hall without paying. He didn’t eat. He just needed to use the restroom. On a normal day, this wouldn’t have been such an issue. But this time, a manager witnessed the incident, and Miss Betty didn’t stop the man from walking through. Because of this slip up, she was terminated the next day. Although letting any individual into the dining hall without paying is not allowed, it was an honest mistake – and Miss
Betty’s first misstep on the job. In August, Chartwells gave Miss Betty a raise for her superior evaluation results and work ethic, but that wasn’t on Chartwells’ mind when the company fired her. It wasn’t even considered when Miss Betty tried to appeal the decision. The Chartwells resident district manager gave her a definitive “no.” When students heard Miss Betty would no longer be greeting them before each meal, many were enraged. One student started a petition and, as of now, it has more than 1,000 signatures. Chartwells was technically allowed to fire Miss Betty because their workers are “at-will employees.” This means they can be fired at any time, without any notice. However, in 2007, former Vice President for Business Services Alan Fish set a precedent: Chartwells employees must be given three warnings before be-
ALE FONTE FRESHMAN “[Chartwells] said it was a matter of principal. You’re going against your own word by not hiring her back. That’s the whole point. I think she was a great worker, I am very upset, and they should rethink their decision.” Speak Up answers are edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy. Check out video Speak Ups at themiamihurricane.com.
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OPINION
ing terminated. In Miss Betty’s case, she didn’t even receive one. Though this precedent wasn’t set in stone, UM’s core values should reflect it. The university prides itself on treating everyone justly, but Miss Betty was an exception to this moral standard. Being fired for such a dismal reason may be justified to Chartwells, but that doesn’t make it fair. Miss Betty needs our support and we’re here to give it to her. Students, you can too. Even if Chartwells doesn’t reinstate her, although they have done so for other employees in the past, organizing for Miss Betty is an action that is worth more than words. Chartwells can fire her, but students will continue to stand behind her.
STEPHANIE PARRA NEWS EDITOR
by fear. Felix Baumgartner, the Austrian who took the jump, can take the leap from the stratosphere and break the sound barrier without knowing what health risks he’d face, or if he’d even land on the planet with his brain intact. If he can do that, then you can get up and face the future, fully equipped with your dreams and a plan to reach them.
THE MIAMI HURRICANE
Oct. 18 - Oct. 21, 2012
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Allison Goodman MANAGING EDITOR Demi Rafuls ART DIRECTOR Mariah Price PHOTO EDITOR Cayla Nimmo ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Monica Herndon NEWS EDITOR Stephanie Parra
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Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.
Don’t make excuses, reach for the stars ast week, a man jumped from a capsule in the stratosphere, landed on his feet and then knelt on the ground after taking the risk of a lifetime. Even though the sky hasn’t been the limit since Yuri Gagarin was the first man to enter space in 1961, the vast amount of opportunities available for everyone seem to be shrouded
HURRICANE
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Students must help eradicate unjust policies
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Daniel Cepero
Stephanie Parra, News editor
STAFF EDITORIAL
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The Miami
And, if a man jumping from the stratosphere doesn’t motivate you, then pinch yourself because you’re probably dead. Baumgartner’s jump from space demonstrates the numerous abilities and opportunities humans have at their disposal, some of which they have yet to discover. Today, companies are sponsoring people to reach their dreams and unearth unknowns, in the same fashion countries sponsored explorers in the 15th century. So, if you’re lacking financial support for your dreams, make like Christopher Columbus and find yourself a king and queen of Spain – or, walk to Toppel Career Center. Apply for a prestigious scholarship. Don’t let anything stop you, make no excuses and keep working until you reach your goal. Baumgartner reached for the stars. You should, too. Stephanie Parra is a junior majoring in journalism and political science.
The Miami Hurricane is published semi-weekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami. The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Hurricane’s Editorial Board. Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business office of The Hurricane are located in the Norman A. Whitten University Center, Room 221. LETTER POLICY The Miami Hurricane encourages all readers to voice their opinions on issues related to the university or in response to any report published in The Hurricane. Letters to the editor may be submitted typed or handwritten (please make your handwriting legible) to the Whitten University Center, Room 221, or mailed to P.O. Box 248132, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-6922. Letters, with a suggested length of 300 words, must be signed and include a copy of your student ID card, phone number and year in school. ADVERTISING POLICY The Miami Hurricane’s business office is located at 1306 Stanford Drive, Norman A. Whitten University Center, Room 221B, Coral Gables, FL 33124-6922. The Miami Hurricane is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the university’s fall and spring academic terms. Newspapers are distributed free of charge on the Coral Gables campus, the School of Medicine and at several off-campus locations. DEADLINES All ads must be received, cash with copy, in The Miami Hurricane business office, Whitten University Center, Room 221B, by noon Tuesday for Thursday’s issue and by noon Friday for the Monday issue. SUBSCRIPTIONS The Miami Hurricane is available for subscription at the rate of $50 per year. AFFILIATIONS The Miami Hurricane is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Assoc. and Florida College Press Assoc.