The Miami Hurricane: Oct. 23, 2024

Miami Hurricanes Athletics // Contributed

UM President Joe Echevarria poses with Sebastian the Ibis at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7 2024.

The seventh

Joe

Echevarria named UM president

By Jenny Jacoby Editor-in-Chief

Acting president Joe Echevarria, ’‘78, will be the seventh president of the University of Miami, following a unanimous Board of Trustees vote on Friday morning.

Echevarria, longtime UM supporter and first-ever CEO of the University, will lead UM into its centennial year, transitioning from interim to official president. He is the first UM alumnus to hold the position and second Hispanic president of the University.

“Joe is a ’Cane through and through. He embodies our mission and stands with our teams—in classrooms, clinics, labs, and on fields of competition worldwide,” Board of Trustees Chair Manny Kadre said in a statement to the UM community at 10:30 a.m. on Friday.

“His personal journey has been intertwined with the U since the day he first stepped foot on campus 50 years ago.”

The former Deloitte LLP CEO has been active in UM leadership for over a decade. Echevarria joined the Board of Trustees in 2012 and filled a series of advisory roles to former UM President Julio Frenk before being appointed CEO of UHealth, UM’s sprawling medical arm, in 2020. He was then appointed as CEO of the University in 2020.

The decision comes four months after Frenk’s abrupt departure from the role to serve as Chancellor for UCLA. Frenk served nine years as president and worked closely with Echevarria for most of those years.

“Joe Echevarria, our exemplary CEO and an incomparable leader, has been absolutely essential to navigating every crisis and challenge we have overcome during my tenure as president,” Frenk said in a statement to the UM community after announcing his resignation on June 12, 2024. Unlike previous presidential searches, this has been primarily an internal process that moved at an accelerated pace. No formal search committee was named, as was the case in the 2014 Donna Shalala

“Joe is a ’Cane through and through.”

Manny Kadre Board of Trustees Chair

replacement search that lasted until April 2015. Instead, the University appointed a consultative committee of eleven individuals representing the faculty, deans and the bBoard that worked quietly for four months to confirm Frenk’s successor.

Echevarria stands out from previous presidents. He only holds a bachelor’s degree and spent most of his career in business. Before his involvement with UM as a trustee in 2012, Echevarria had not worked in higher education or academia.

Born in the South Bronx to a single Puerto Rican mother, Echevarria was a

part of a government social program to attend college, where he earned a degree in business administration. He was hired by Deloitte LLP out of college, where he quickly began moving up the ladder, eventually taking on the role of CEO in 2011 until his retirement in 2014.

Deloitte is one of the “Big Four” accounting firms and the largest professional services network in the world by revenue and number of employees.

He has filled a number of other roles, including being an advisor to the Obama Foundation, chair of President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and a Board of Directors member for Pfizer and UNUM, an insurance company.

Echevarria has not detailed any official plans for his presidency, though his past position with UHealth and commitment to the athletics program as a trustee indicate these may be top priorities.

No anticipated timeline for how long he will serve as president was announced, but previous presidents have typically served for 10 to 20 years.

The school has not indicated whether a new candidate will take on his previous role of CEO or if the position will be absorbed entirely under his presidency.

Echevarria’s Impact

1978

Graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in business administration and began working at a firm that would later become Deloitte LLP. At this company, Echevarria served in various leadership roles, including Deputy Managing Partner, Southeast Region, Audit Managing Partner, and U.S. Managing Partner and Chief Operating Officer.

2011

Became CEO of Deloitte LLP, which became a Big 4 accounting firm after merging with Touche Ross in 1989 to form Deloitte & Touch.

2012

Joined the University of Miami Board of Trustees, where he would serve for seven years under two presidents, Donna E. Shalala and Julio Frenk.

2014

Retired from his role at Deloitte LLP CEO.

2015

Former U.S. President Barack Obama created the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance led by Echevarria to expand opportunities to the youth and help economically stabilize communities throughout the country.

2020

After serving in several advisory roles to Frenk, Echevarria was hired as CEO of UHealth, replacing Dr. Edward Abraham after his retirement announcement. In this role, Echevarria oversaw 79% of business operations in the university and helped improve UHealth percentile rankings across several categories including in the Vizient Quality and Accountability rankings.

2022

Echevarria was named the first CEO of the University of Miami, a landmark position that moved him in line with the roles of Frenk and then-Provost Jeffery Duerk. It also brought the remaining 21% of business operations under his control.

June 12, 2024

The Board of Trustees appointed Echevarria as Acting President of the University after former President Julio Frenk stepped down.

Oct. 18, 2024

Following a unanimous Board of Trustees vote, Echevarria was selected to be the seventh president of the University of Miami. In a statement to the student body, Echevarria said, “The opportunity to continue to serve this institution—my school—and the people who make us what we are, is more than an honor and a privilege, it is a full circle moment.”

Photo Courtesy of Joshua Prezant

From left to right: Manny Kadre, Joe Echevarria and Stuart Miller pose for a picture after the Board of Trustees meeting where Echevarria was unanimously appointed as the seventh president of the University of Miami.

Get to know the six amendments on Florida’s ballot

By Martina Pantaleon Staff Writer

This November, Floridians will vote on six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution, including referendums on abortion and marijuana usage after more than a year from their approval and over 900,000 signatures each. All proposed measures need to win 60% support from voters to amend the constitution.

Amendment Four:

Limit Government Interference with Abortion

Reproductive rights have been a point of contention since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022, and 21 states have banned or restricted abortion, including Florida, which has had a 6-week abortion ban in place since May 1, 2024.

“Amendment Four is working to stop the harm that’s been done by Florida’s extreme abortion ban. It’s trying to take the government out of my body,” said Nora Engel, a freshman majoring in English.

“People have been getting different kinds of abortions for the longest time. Back alley abortions are not new. When people are not able to go to a medical professional, they just find other ways. And those ways are more likely to harm than help,” Engel said.

Amendment Four would prohibit the state of Florida from interfering with a woman’s decision to have an abortion up to viability, known as the stage 24 weeks into fetal development where a fetus can survive outside of the womb with standard medical procedures. If the woman and her medical care provider decide that an abortion is needed after viability, then the state would not be able to interfere either.

This amendment would not override the 2004 ruling that requires parental notification for minors seeking an abortion.

“All this amendment is doing is recognizing that a strict law against abortions is just going to lead to more harm. There’s a lot of misinformation about Amendment Four and people need to get educated cause this is about more than just abortions it’s about control,” Engel said.

Associations such as Floridians Protecting Freedom, a group of organizations partnering to ensure that all Floridians are able to choose what is best for them, support Amendment Four.

“We believe that the people of Florida should have the freedom to make their personal health care decisions –including abortion – without interference from politicians,” the Floridians Protecting Florida website says.

Other organizations, such as Florida Family Voice, a Christian organization whose mission is to protect life, marriage, family and liberty through education, oppose it.

On their flier, Florida Family Voice warns about the amendment’s language. “This broad and undefined language would invalidate and repeal almost every commonsense law in Florida regulating abortion, making abortion the only medical service almost completely exaempt from any legal health and safety regulations that could be deemed to ‘delay or restrict abortion.’”

Amendment Three:

Marijuana Legalization Initiative

With over 1 million citizen signatures, Amendment Three seeks to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults over 21, as Florida is already one of 14 states that allow the medical use of it.

If the amendment is passed, personal possession would be legal up to three ounces and medical centers would be able to sell it with added tax value.

Supporters of the amendment, including Smart and Safe Florida, point to the state’s estimated $195.6 million annual tax revenue and income from tourism as reasoning that Florida could benefit from this amendment.

Those who oppose it, such as My Florida Green, an organization that works alongside physicians to help patients obtain their Florida Medical Marijuana Cards, argue that recreational marijuana should not be mixed with medical programs since it will cause confusion.

“It’s not fair for a recreational bill or movement to step on the heads of the people who are sick, who are debilitated, who are funding these dispensaries. Those dispensaries are taking that mon-

ey to foot a bill to create a recreational movement to create a profit,” said Nick Garulay, founder and CEO of My Florida Green, in an interview with Fox 4.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned during a press event in Davie, “This state will start to smell like marijuana in our cities and counties. It will reduce the quality of life.”

Vote No on 3, a coalition formed by parents, teachers and law enforcement officials among others, says that big corporations spent over $75 million to sponsor the bill and ban homegrown marijuana to increase their profit.

“It’s corporate greed, not freedom,” says the Vote No on 3 website.

Amendment One:

Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards

Amendment One would cause school board elections to follow the guidelines of other local office elections by including political party labels on the ticket alongside each candidate and requiring Republican and Democrat primary elections to nominate them.

Only registered voters affiliated with a party would vote during School Board elections, excluding the 40% of Americans who currently identify as having “No Party Affiliation”.

“For me, it’s about transparency, and I simply believe that we have an obligation to give voters as much information about a candidate as possible, and let them make a decision about vetting a candidate,” said Rep. Spencer Roach,

the sponsor of the amendment. Opponents wish for school boards to remain non-partisan and highlight the number of people who would not be able to vote if the amendment passes. Among them is the Florida TaxWatch, a nonprofit research institute that explains the impact of policies on Florida residents and businesses.

According to the League of Women Voters of Florida’s website, “Schools should not be politicized and everyone should be welcome at schools regardless of party affiliation.”

Amendment Two:

Right to Fish and Hunt

Amendment Two would protect the state constitutional right to fish and hunt and categorize both activities and all methods of performing them as a public right and the preferred means to manage fish and wildlife populations. This would not limit the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which focuses on protecting and managing wild animal life.

Humane Wildlife Consulting of South Florida, American Ecosystems Inc. and Animal Wellness Action, among others, state that this amendment would endanger biodiversity and allow hunters to intrude on private property.

However, for organizations such as the American Sportfishing Association, All Florida and Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, maintaining the tradition of fishing and hunting and protecting it from future bans is essential.

Puritz // Graphics Editor

Amendment Five:

Annual Adjustments to the Value of Certain Homestead Exemptions

Amendment Five would base the tax exemption of homesteads valued between $50,000 and $75,000 on the Consumer Price Index instead of giving homeowners a flat $25,000 bonus. CPI stands for the average price change of a basket of goods and services purchased per household. As the CPI changes annually, the amount would be adjusted. School district taxes would not be affected.

The Revenue Estimating Conference predicted that $22.8 million would be deducted from non-school local taxes in 2025-2026 and could go up to $111.8 million in 2027-2028.

The majority of the Florida Legislature supports Amendment Five, saying that it would encourage homeownership and lead to more savings for those applying for homestead exemptions. Opponents to the bill, such as The Florida League of Cities, claim it would take revenue away from local governments and force them to tax elsewhere.

Amendment Six:

Repeal of Public Campaign Financing Requirement

Currently, the Florida Constitution states that candidates for statewide office will receive public financing for their campaign if they adhere to spending restrictions. Under Amendment Six, this would be removed.

Supporters include the majority of the Florida Legislature and State Senator Travis Hutson. They argue that Florida’s general fund would be better spent on projects such as education or infrastructure.

“I think it’s absurd that anybody would be able to use taxpayer dollars for the purposes of campaigning,” Hutson told the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections.

Opponents to the amendment, including Common Cause and the League of Women Voters of Florida, state that it would decrease the diversity of candidates by removing essential funding and encouraging the coercive influence of wealthy corporations.

Ashley

How household politics shape young voter decisions

By Emily Melissinos Contributing Writer

Jet Sendaydiego says the new people he has met at the University of Miami have changed some of his beliefs. Since arriving on campus, he has been exposed to a variety of viewpoints that have prompted him to reconsider his perspectives on social and political issues. But when it comes to voting, the 21-year-old University of Miami student is unsure.

“My parents vote on and off, only in some elections. They do not really have an opinion on voting, which might have influenced my early perception that it is not that important,” Sendaydiego said. “I just don’t feel like my vote matters.”

With the 2024 elections around the corner, a critical age group is in focus — voters between the ages of 18 and 24.

With national youth turnout in 2022 being only 23%, according to Tufts University’s Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, the question of upbringing looms large: Does growing up in a political or apolitical household influence whether young people cast their vote?

For the youth, the answer may depend on more than just their views on issues. It is also about whether their household fostered political awareness or left them disconnected from the civic process altogether.

“The family you grow up in, your parents, are the most important, the most influential site of political socialization,” Matthew Nelsen, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Miami, said.

“If young people develop different political beliefs from their parents, it’s likely to happen at a college or university, where they’re exposed to new ideas, rather than if they stayed home and weren’t introduced to other forms of political socialization.”

In households where politics is a regular topic of conversation, the habit of voting often takes root early. From lively discussions around the dinner table to going with par-

ents to the polls, growing up in a politically engaged environment strongly influences one’s sense of civic responsibility.

As conversations about identity grew more politicized, Alexis Owens, a 21-year-old student at UM and chair of the Student Government Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council, noted the impact of politics is growing for many people.

“Politics played the largest role when it came to the protection of our rights,” Owens said.

She added that her father significantly influenced her awareness of the importance of being informed.

“My sisters and I were reminded of how our race and gender may affect our lives,” Owens said. “He encouraged us to stay informed so that we could use our rights to maintain our safety, stability and security.”

Owens’ experience shows how personal identity is connected to political engagement. As issues of race and gender become more important, understanding politics is essential for protecting rights. Her father’s influence highlights how family conversations can raise awareness and encourage young people to stay informed.

On the flip side, young adults who grow up in homes where politics is rarely, if ever, discussed may find themselves indifferent to the voting process. Without regular exposure to current events, political conversations or encouragement to take part, many may feel apathetic about their civic responsibilities.

“If politics were discussed more in my household, I might be more inclined to vote,” Sendaydiego said. “For me, personal interest and convenience lead to apathy.”

The Pew Research Center recently reported that “roughly eight-inten parents who were Republican or leaned toward the Republican Party (81%) had teens who also identified as Republicans or leaned that way. And about nine in 10 parents who were Democratic or leaned Democratic (89%) had teens who described themselves the same way.”

Nelsen emphasizes that the political beliefs of parents overwhelm -

ingly transfer to young people, highlighting the strong influence of family on political identity.

“If you have a parent who is super far-right conservative, it’s highly likely that a 14-year-old is also going to be equally far-right and conservative,” Nelsen explained.

For many young people, leaving home for college acts as a turning point in their political awareness. Exposed to new ideas and ideologies, they often find their views evolving, whether or not they grew up in a politically engaged household.

“Growing up my family never talked about politics. I feel like they always steered away from political conversations with me,” said Nicole Poltronieri, a 19-year-old student at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. “Since coming to college, I have become more outspoken about what I believe in. I feel like it truly forced me to do more independent research and actively try to learn more.”

“When I left home, I went from very left-leaning to more libertarian. I think I needed the experience of moving out to change my political interests because I needed to understand the world through my own lenses, and not just through my parents’ views,” said Giselle Barrett, a 21-year-old student at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California.

These shifts in these young women’s lives after leaving home for college illustrate how college can give the opportunity for young adults to explore and redefine their political identities, often challenging the beliefs they were raised with.

Whether political awareness stems from upbringing or personal discovery, according to the experiences of the student’s interviewed for this article, how young adults are raised can significantly affect their likelihood to vote.

Despite different upbringings, the decision to vote is personal. As Owens said, voter education is vital in ensuring that young adults, no matter their background, understand the importance of their voice in shaping the future.

News Brief: Liam Payne, abortion and carnival showcase

By Isabella Cely Contributing Writer

Liam Payne dead at 31 after three-story fall

Liam Payne, a former member of the iconic boyband One Direction, died the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina.

According to hotel staff, the English singer was exhibiting aggressive behavior and a new report announced several drugs were found in his system, including pink cocaine a combination of …. The 31-year-old had been staying in Buenos Aires with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who returned home only a few days prior to his death.

Since Payne’s passing, his loved ones, all of his former bandmates and many celebrities have posted statements paying their respects. Large memorials have popped up in his honor in London and Buenos Aires by grieving fans.

Students at UM have joined in the mourning.“Little me would be heartbroken that there will never be a One Direction reunion anymore,” Jordyn Hemmens said. Payne was a father to a 7-year-old with his former girlfriend, Cheryl Cole.

Florida judge sides with abortion rights group

A federal judge issued his ruling on a controversial abortion-rights case in Florida on Thursday, Oct. 17. The lawsuit, presented by campaign group Floridians Protecting Freedom, concerned threats of legal action sent from the Florida state health department towards local TV stations that aired a pro-abortion ad created by the group.

The court granted the group’s request for a restraining order against the health department’s general counsel, John Wilson, and surgeon general, Joseph Ladapo. Wilson resigned shortly before the ruling was released.

The court stated that the health department’s threats, sent in the form of ceaseand-desist letters, were threatening enough to impose on the campaign group’s First Amendment rights to political speech.

Caribbean Students Assoc. presents ‘Wild Origins’

The University of Miami Caribbean Students Association presented its third annual carnival showcase on Friday night.

Held in the Shalala Student Center, the event included a red carpet, a photobooth and vibrant botanical decorations that embodied the showcase’s theme of Wild Origins.

Students participating in the event walked out on stage dressed carnival-style, characterized by flashy jewels and feathers, and danced for the audience. Dances were done solo, in pairs or in groups.

Towards the end of the night, CSA presented its Cultural Ambassador Award to Nailah Blackman, an up-and-coming singer from Trinidad. After accepting the award, the singer gave a live performance of some of her most popular songs, like “Come Home,” which has over three million streams on Spotify.

Economy and reproductive rights dominate UM students’ 2024 election concerns

By Melody Royaee Staff Writer

Young voters at the University of Miami and elsewhere in this election are forced to grapple with a number of issues that will define our generation’s future. But which do we deem most important?

In line with national polling, the economy and reproductive rights were the two issues that UM students overwhelmingly cited as having the most influence on their vote choice.

A 52% majority of students surveyed at the University were most concerned with the state of the economy.

“Realistically, how well the economy does directly correlates to if I get a job out of school,” said Jack Federici, a sophomore majoring in finance and accounting.

As young, ambitious pre-professionals, UM students naturally hope to graduate into a prosperous job market.

Federici expressed criticism for both presidential candidates, stating that Harris’ levying of new taxes on the highest income earners and big corporations would “kill” his future job prospects. “These corporations are going to have to hold money and hold reserves to pay these taxes, meaning they’re going to decrease the number of new hires and new interns that they choose to accept,” Federici said.

“All the dude cares about is increasing his own net worth,” Federici said in disapproval of Trump. “Obviously,

the tariffs is a big issue. He doesn’t understand how tariffs work. And so our global trade is going to suffer.”

Overall, Federici trusts Trump’s prospective handling of the economy over Harris’s, but remains an undecided voter.

Presumably not one for partisan quarreling, Federici said, “I don’t want to get into fights with people. I don’t need the drama, but I want a job.”

Most Americans pay little attention to day-to-day political happenings, with the exception of the few weeks leading up to presidential elections. Thus, they often prioritize the economy over other issues when deciding which candidate to vote for.

When the economy is on the ascent in an election year, the incumbent is rewarded among this demographic of voters, while the opposite is true when the economy is receding or rampant inflation is hurting Americans’ standard of living.

Classifying UM survey responses by gender also provides fascinating insights.

A whopping 68% of male students surveyed cited the economy as their primary concern. 37% of female students too cited the economy, while 42% chose reproductive rights as their top issue.

Quite remarkably, of the nearly 40 men interviewed, none chose reproductive rights as their primary issue of interest.

American women are “at a disadvantage,” said Valentina Mladic, a ju-

nior majoring in psychology. “We have less bodily autonomy than men… a civil right has been stripped from us.”

Indeed, the 2024 election marks the first time in over a century that the American people have lost a right previously afforded to them by the federal government, following the Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade in 2022. The last instance of this was the 1920 election, in which Prohibition had gone into effect the previous year.

26% of respondents chose other issues as their primary concern, from most to least frequently cited being: climate change, gun control, the Israel-Palestine conflict, protecting

democracy, immigration and border security, healthcare and national debt and the budget deficit.

“Looking at Donald Trump’s plan, it’s more economically focused, and that’s usually not good for the environment. He’ll be more lenient with companies, and he’s taking down a lot of past legislation that has helped the environment recover,” said Clay Fallon, a sophomore ecosystem and policy major.

In fact, a New York Times analysis found nearly 100 environmental rules officially reversed, revoked or rolled back during Trump’s first presidency.

“We’d be going in the wrong direction, for our country, and for our

world,” Fallon said, citing the urgency of the climate crisis as a major threat to society at large.

The youngest cohort of voters (1824 year olds) cite environmental issues as highly influential to their vote choice more than any other age group.

Other voters are discouraged by the candidates’ lackluster proposals regarding issues that have been deemed less important by both parties.

“The policies that I actually care about are not things that would influence my voting decision that much because I feel like neither candidate really is going to do anything about it. Gun control, climate change, Israel-Palestine are all pretty important to me, and I feel like neither candidate really has the guts to actually make something change,” said Matthew Scarmuzza, a sophomore majoring in business analytics and data science & AI.

Disappointed by the Biden administration’s inaction on these issues, and presumably without much faith in Trump, Scarmuzza said, “I don’t care much for either major party candidate. I’m deciding between voting third party and not voting.”

As election day approaches, UM students, like Americans at large, remain deeply engaged in weighing their options and deciding which candidates best address their most pressing concerns.

76 students, 38 men and 38 women, who self-identified as likely voters were randomly surveyed in Richter Library on Oct. 20.

Lucille Lefkowitz, at 105, the University of Miami’s oldest living alumnus

By Morgan Mechler Contributing Writer

Thousands of alumni claim the U as their home, and more are added every year. But at 105 years old, Lucille Lefkowitz, also known as Lucille Kline, holds a title unlike any other: the oldest living alum of the University of Miami.

Lefkowitz arrived in Coral Gables and stepped onto campus in 1937 as a young, eager woman ready to fully immerse herself in everything the University of Miami had to offer. For four years

she studied, volunteered and thrived until her graduation in 1941. She double majored in English and Education and Psychology, and was well-known by her professors and peers. Lefkowitz was extremely active on campus as a member of the Spanish club, president of the Panhellenic Council and dean of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority in its Alpha Eta chapter.

Lefkowitz also contributed to both The Miami Hurricane and the Ibis Yearbook by writing articles, delivering news and serving as a voice for the student population. She was selected for

Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, an annual publication that highlights the achievements and biographies of outstanding college students across the country.

After graduation, Lefkowitz volunteered her time and services to children and schools with the Red Cross. She was a passionate advocate for high-quality, early education to ensure that every child received the education they deserved and had the opportunity to succeed.

Lefkowitz also met the love of her life, Sidney Kline, at the U. They shared many interests, but their mutual love

for the University of Miami was their strongest bond.

Kline, a declared “Miami Maniac,” was deeply involved in the football scouting and recruiting processes. He was a contributor to The Hurricane and the Ibis Yearbook and tapped into the Iron Arrow Society. After his passing in 2004, his ashes were spread on the Orange Bowl, now the Marlins’ stadium, Loan Depot Park.

Upon retiring, Lefkowitz and Kline returned to Miami, the place they considered their second home. Lefkowitz continued to pursue her love of educa-

tion and fulfill her dream of opening her own private school in an effort to provide children with the best education possible. In 1960, her dream became a reality when she opened the Village Pines School.

Today, Lefkowitz has stepped down from her position as Principal and Director of Village Pines School. In recognition of her lifelong dedication, the street outside of the school will soon be renamed “Lucille Fraizer Way,” as a tribute to her legacy and the countless lives she has touched through her dedication and work. Read more at themiamihurricane.com

Patrick McCaslin // Contributing Designer

Student stepped up to foster animals during Hurricane Milton

By Lauren Whitesell Staff Writer

Each year, approximately 6.3 million new animals are brought to animal shelters across the U.S. So, what happens to these animals during natural disasters?

Although Miami was not directly impacted by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in Florida on Oct. 9, many individuals assisted shelters in the city during the state of emergency.

Unlike adopting, fostering an animal does not come with the commitment of housing them long-term. Depending on each region’s rules regarding pet fosters, the time period may range from as short as several days to as long as months.

Lindsay Laub, a junior majoring in psychology, decided to foster a dog after viewing a post on the RedCup Miami Instagram, which advocated for people to house an animal during Milton. She fostered Jack, a three- year-old terrier mix.

“I was just going to be alone in my apartment all week, so I thought it might be nice to have a little hurricane buddy and potentially save a dog from getting

caught in a flood,” Laub said.

Laub went through Miami-Dade Animal Services to foster Jack.

“It took a little while, but the process was super easy,” she said.“You pick out your dog, wait to register online, and then they just need some personal information to verify it.”

She expressed enjoying her time with Jack and taking him to the dog park when many others were confined to their homes.

“I totally recommend fostering an animal. I had such a fun week with the dog and would’ve kept him if my apartment didn’t charge for pets.” Laub said.

Another shelter run by Miami-Dade County, the Medley Animal Services, was able to foster out all 160 dogs in their care during Milton.

“We were doing whatever we could. We really tried to promote on our page to rescue, to not shop, to rescue, to foster,” said Stefania Bada, a volunteer for the shelter, in an interview with Good Morning America.

Even during times of mild weather, fostering an animal can bring benefits to all parties involved.

By fostering, shelters provide the

animals they have with more resources, including more individualized attention and a chance to have companionship. These fostered animals also learn how to behave and socialize in a home environment, which makes them up to 14 times more likely to be adopted in the future.

UPurr, an on-campus organization that helps cats in need, also offers the opportunity to foster cats.

“Fostering out animals is a great way to help out the community. It definitely helps get some cats off our hands so we can help more cats on our campus,” said Bianca Cangiano, the Foster Coordinator of UPurr.

Although UPurr did not have many foster cats during Hurricane Milton, the UM community took an interest in fostering cats found by UPurr.

“We’ve had a lot of cat emergencies and have gotten a great response from UM students wanting to foster, which has made fostering so much easier for us,” Cangiano said.

People do not need to have much experience with animals or having a pet to foster one.

“We provide information on how to

take care of a cat, things to have and not have and other tips,” Cangiano said.

Laub encourages everyone with the ability to foster an animal to do so to give animals a chance to live in better conditions, even for just a short period of time.

“The conditions in shelters are not great, and the animals spend most of their time in cages,” Laub said.“If you can foster an animal, you would be

helping out so much, and it is such a great experience.”

For more information on fostering animals in Miami, visit the Miami-Dade County website to learn about their Foster a Pet Program. In addition, visit UPurr’s Instagram @upurr_miami and UPup (UM’s dog service-training organization) for more ways to get involved with animals on campus.

Hurricanes and global warming: separating fact from fiction

By Diana Moschetti Staff Writer

With the Florida peninsula being struck consecutively by Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helener, residents are questioning whether human-driven factors play a role in these types of events.

However, the main issue is not the frequency of these events but rather the way both swiftly escalated in intensity. Both systems underwent rapid intensification (RI) in the Gulf of Mexico, a process that allows hurricanes to strengthen significantly over a short period.

Michael Fischer, an assistant professor at the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science (RSMAES), points out that warming ocean temperatures are crucial to understanding just how powerful hurricanes can get.

“That’s kind of their main energy source, drawing heat from the ocean,” Fischer said.

Higher water temperatures elevate

evaporation rates, which provides storms with additional moisture to their intensification.

“We’re lengthening the window over which we can potentially see tropical cyclones,” Fischer said. “As well as raising the ceiling for how strong these storms can get.”

Sophia Galindo, a senior majoring in ecosystem science, explained that these changes do not symbolize any sort of positive advances in climate change.

“The water isn’t just getting warmer to make beach days more enjoyable — it’s the biggest warning sign that things are going south,” Galindo said.

Th graph provided by Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at RSMAES, depicts a sharp increase in ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico during the later months of most past years. The red line, representing 2024, highlights the biggest temperature spike yet.

Global warming is occurring, but it’s unclear whether it directly accounts for this spike.

In early 2023, the Atlantic Ocean began experiencing a rise in water temperatures, with no definitive explanation yet. While many have been quick to question if this is linked to climate change, there is not enough research to confirm that claim as a fact.

“There’s a very slowly growing change due to global warming, but this is just a big jump up,” said David Nolan, an atmospheric science professor at RSMAES. “Nobody has a documented published reason for that at this time.”

“Very very fast intensifications have happened before,” Nolan said. “I don’t like it when you look at Hurricane Milton and say ‘Wow, that intensified. . . . because of global warming.’ That could’ve happened 50 years ago.”

Rainfall patterns and storm surges are directly influenced by global warming When systems accelerate, they tend to produce more extreme conditions. Specifically, storms that rapidly intensify are more likely to experience elevated rainfall, storm surge and wind speed,

creating a range of safety hazards.

“It is well established that a warmer atmosphere is capable of holding more water vapor that could lead to heavier rainfalls,” said Micahel Fischer. “And so it makes sense that as the atmosphere warms, you potentially see more storms like Helene that produce devastating events.”

In addition to heavy rainfall, rising sea levels due to global warming heighten storm surge risks, leading to more severe flooding and coastal damage. In recent years, sea levels have risen between six inches and a foot — an increase that may seem small but can be crucial.

“If it’s the difference between whether ocean water comes into your house or not, you know that’s a big difference,” said Nolan.

Looking ahead, hurricane intensification is expected to rise due to global warming.

“Knowing how climate change is going to affect us certainly gives me some anxiety,” says junior ecosystem

science major Alexa Smith. “As students at the University of Miami, many of us are fortunate enough to have resources to remove ourselves from these unsafe situations; many people in Florida don’t. I know that students will joke to make light of situations like these, but we also need to remember to have empathy at this time.”

“Based on climate models, there is a general consensus that with climate change, we may experience fewer storms overall, but they may be more intense in the future,” said Samantha Nebylitsa, a Ph.D. student at RSMAES whose research focuses on RI.

With Hurricane Milton demonstrating a record-breaking drop in pressure before landfall, it’s possible that warming waters may contribute to how future systems evolve. “If we’re raising the theoretical ceiling for how strong storms can get, we could maybe see more storms like Milton that are like the top five lowest pressures that we’ve ever measured,” Fischer said.

Claudia Campi // Contributing Photographer Senior Jadyn Thibodeau and her foster dog, Tucker on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.

Why Joe Echevarria will continue to set UM on the right path

By Kyle Bolton Staf Writer

University of Miami students were shocked by the sudden departure of university president Julio Frenk this past summer. As UM approached its centennial year, students were left in a frenzy with no president to lead us through this pivotal period. Despite initial worries over who would take the reins of president, Joe Echevarria stepped in as interim president and has done a superb job. He was appointed full-time president on Friday, and he is more than deserving of his new role as UM’s seventh president.

No one is more suited for the job than Echevarria. As a UM alumni and working under Frenk, Echevarria is equipped with the passion and dedication UM needs to achieve its goals. This opportunity is a special chance for Echevarria to continue the legacy former presidents left behind him.

Being a UM alumni is meaningful to

Echevarria, as he genuinely wants UM to succeed. His care for the school cannot be replicated due to his willingness to offer his time and will to UM during a time when others would typically retire. Instead of focusing on his own time, he wants to continue his legacy at UM and further advance its achievements. Over the last decade, he has already made meaningful changes that have improved student life.

Echevarria’s work serving in various advisory positions to President Frenk and his time on the Board of Trustees since 2012 underscores the substantial impact he has already had on UM. Notably, Echevarria assisted President Frenk during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the most challenging times for higher education institutions across the country. Echevarria observed how UM navigated through diffcult times, which is crucial if the university were to experience another crisis.

“Joe Echevarria, our exemplary CEO and an incomparable leader, has been

absolutely essential to navigating every crisis and challenge we have overcome during my tenure as president,” said President Frenk.

Echevarria enters during a critical time for UM. As the university approaches its centennial year, it has set ambitious goals for improving the university, such as continuing academic excellence and compelling technological innovation.

President Frenk led an exceptional tenure at UM that created an inclusive environment, fostering student growth and productivity. Having an individual who was close to him during important decisions at UM is essential for continuing UM on its path to completing a successful centennial year. Echevarria’s familiarity with the groundwork President Frenk set at UM will allow the university to continue on a stable trajectory, whereas bringing in a brand new face could disrupt UM’s progress.

“In his role as the University’s CEO and acting president, Echevarria has already compiled an impressive list of

achievements—among them, investing in basic science, working with the faculty on enhancements to compensation, advancing the institution’s strategic plan, and developing a fnancial model for the University’s schools and colleges,” said Robert C. Jones Jr., a senior editor at UM.

Echevarria also has an extensive business and professional background. He served as the CEO of Deloitte LLP from 2011 to 2014, dedicating 36 years to the company and holding several senior positions. Deloitte is regarded as one of the top fnancial frms in the world, and Echevarria was tasked with leading the helm of this elite company. Through this experience, Echevarria has gained invaluable skills that will be benefcial as he transitions to a position of such magnitude as president of UM.

His background will serve UM well, providing a repertoire of experience and knowledge in numerous felds that are essential for student development and campus productivity.

“Echevarria’s leadership is undeniable,” said third-year student Donald Siudmak, majoring in biology. “I did my research on him when he was announced as interim president, and I am very happy that he is the seventh president of the university. I hope to see him on campus and listen to him speak.”

Echevarria is tasked with carrying on a great legacy during a crucial year. During times of such dramatic change, it is common for there to be some diffculty involving a smooth switch. These challenges can make some speculate about UM’s ability to accomplish its centennial year goals during an unexpected midsummer presidential switch.

Despite these concerns, Echevarria is undoubtedly the right successor to President Frenk. With his experience and knowledge, he can lead UM to an excellent centennial year and pioneer innovations that will pave the way for future achievements for which UM is bound.

We have a new president and you should care who he is

By Janay Blakely Contributing Writer

In case you missed the announcement on Friday Oct. 18, the University of Miami offcially has a new president – Joe Echevarria.

If the name sounds familiar, that is because it should. Echevarria has been active in UM leadership for over a decade and became interim president after Julio Frenk stepped down in June.

Many are asking questions about his top priorities for the University and if his business background qualifes him for the job. But, why should we as students care who the president is?

While we as students most likely will have few face-to-face interactions with the president, his decisions ultimately still affect us. If you are invested in the general direction and culture of the University, then you should care about who is running things for accountability’s sake. It is impossible to praise, critique, or make requests of leadership when you don’t know who they are.

According to the U.S. News, the

primary responsibilities of a college president involve deciding on and implementing overall leadership strategy, fundraising/budgeting and helping set overall campus structure. — all of which are very important, but don’t necessarily impact the day-to-day life of the average student.

The University of Miami in recent years has worked to distinguish itself from other institutions of higher learning.

On June 1, 2023, our University became one of the newest members of the esteemed Association of American Universities. Additionally, UM continues to aid the local Miami and global communities through medical innovations, receive toptier accolades for our athletics and have resources that help support our multicultural student body.

All of these things are, of course, carried out by the hard-working leaders, faculty, staff and students of our campus but the vision that sets them into motion comes from our president.

Part of the reason why we come to UM, aside from the education, is the plethora of opportunities, such as access to a huge network as well as internship and employment connections, that are

made available because we belong to this community. Many of those doors are accessible because of the actions of UM’s leadership, which is now spearheaded by President Echeverria.

As we approach our 100th year, the

University has lofty goals identifed in the ‘Roadmap To Our New Century’ ushered in by former President Frenk. Items such as new and improved housing, and greater academic resources and support do not happen without the back-

ing of the President.

If you are dedicated to the success and culture of the university and want to hold people accountable for what does and doesn’t get accomplished, then Joe Echevarria matters to you.

Lauren Ferrer // Contributing Photographer

University of Miami President Joe Echevarria and Senior Vice President of Student Afairs and Alumni Engagement greet students during Canefest in the Watsco Arena on Aug. 18, 2024.

Echevarria might not be Frenk academically, but his appointment brings optimism

By Ethan Mannello Co-Opinion Editor

Joe Echevarria’s appointment on Friday morning was unprecedented. The fulltime president position was flled internally and had only been vacant for four months.

Echevarria was unanimously endorsed by the Board of Trustees and has strong support from the rest of the UM community, according to the university, but he still has massive shoes to fll.

Former President Julio Frenk left an irreplaceable mark on the university, with an impressive record of academic achievements.

While Echevarria is no Frenk when it comes to academics, he has an impressive background that sets him up to serve UM well. His leadership and familiarity with the university are also undeniable. While his lack of academic experience is concerning, especially since the university has struggled in academic rankings recently, the community should be optimistic about Echevarria’s appointment.

Frenk’s shining moment was leading the university through the pandemic with a steady hand. The university offered both in-person and remote instruction during the 2020-2021 school year, which only 30% of higher education institutions did. His protocols and precautions also resulted in no recorded cases of “in-classroom transmission of the virus” through that entire academic year, according to News@theU. He raised over $2 billion for his Ever Brighter campaign and earned the university membership into the Association of American Universities (AAU), a prestigious research group composed of only 71 universities.

This raises the reputation and prestige

of this university tremendously, gives UM access to more research funds and grants. The AAU website states that AAU members perform the majority of federal funded academic research and development and were awarded more than $31 million for it in 2021.

While Frenk was succeeding in the background, he had almost no on-campus presence with students. In my three years under Frenk, I never once met or spoke to him and I was unaware of any events he hosted to get to know him.

Both Patricia Whitely, the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Guillermo Prado, the interim provost, hosted multiple events interacting with students during each school year, but Frenk never made these efforts.

Echevarria is already drawing a strong contrast to this as he was in the locker room after the football team’s win over Louisville this weekend, something Frenk would never do. Echevarria may not compare to Frenk in terms of academic accomplishments, but he brings a different skillset to the table.

After graduating from the UM in 1978, Echevarria worked his way up the ranks at Deloitte LLP, one of the largest consulting frms in the world. After over 30 years at the company, he took on the role of CEO in 2011, leading the company for three years until his retirement.

As CEO, Echevarria managed one of the “Big Four” accounting frms, overseeing many of Deloitte’s about 200,000 employees at the time. This alone speaks volumes about his leadership and loyalty qualities, but he also knows the “U.”

Echevarria returned to UM as an alumni to sit on the board of trustees in 2012. He then held multiple advisory roles to Frenk

before being appointed CEO of UHealth in 2020. Two years later, he would become CEO of the whole university, a role Echevarria was the frst to hold.

“Joe Echevarria, our exemplary CEO and an incomparable leader, has been absolutely essential to navigating every crisis and challenge we have overcome during my tenure as president,” Frenk said after stepping down.

This is a ringing endorsement of Echevarria but also shows a reassuring trend. Echevarria worked closely with Frenk, giving him not just familiarity with running the university, but also hands-on experience with the leader who helped bring the university to where it is today.

Echevarria’s business expertise could also be a skill of his that proves invaluable. UM is more of a business than most universities, receiving more than 60% of revenue from UHealth and medical professional practice according to the 2023 president’s report. Echevarria has not only been the CEO of UHealth since 2020, he has expanded UHealth tremendously.

UHealth just recently opened a new medical center in Doral and will open up another medical center in North Miami in 2025. It is also expanding the UHealth tower and UHealth Boca Raton in coming years, among many other growth initiatives. Leaders on the UHealth side of UM have spoken highly of Echevarria throughout the selection process and commended his selection at the recent Board of Trustees meeting.

His expertise doesn’t just help with managing the business aspect of the university, but also making it more effcient. UM is more popular than ever, but while applications are rising and acceptance rates are dropping, the university has

many ineffciencies.

The Miami Hurricane has documented multiple different issues the university has faced over the past couple of years including lack of housing, fnancial aid and communication from the University.

A president who has experience running a large private frm could be exactly what UM needs to make it more effcient and fx these problems.

Besides UHealth, Echevarria garnered broad support from most other faculty and leadership. This support included the General Welfare Committee of the Faculty Senate and the student trustee according to UM professor and frst vice chair of the faculty senate Scotney Evans, but not everyone is onboard.

His biggest drawback is he has never worked in higher education or academia before being appointed to the board of trustees and some are concerned.

The Miami Herald reported that some professors, speaking anonymously, are worried about how his lack of an academic background will affect his leadership. It is not hard to understand why.

The business world is much different than the world of education, a point Benjamin Ginsberg, a political science professor at John Hopkins, argued in a 2016 New York Times op-ed.

“First, most business people believe in a management hierarchy, while universities function best in a state of managerial anarchy.” said Ginsberg, “The purpose of a college or university is to promote new thinking, new ideas and new perspectives. In this way, innovation and hierarchy are incompatible.”

Ginsberg also highlighted the fact that most business leaders have a “pseudopractical orientation,” meaning they are

focused on where an activity can take you, not what it gives you.

For example, when choosing a major, business minded-students are more focused on what jobs the major sets them up for as opposed to the skills it helps them build. They choose majors like accounting and fnance, that can lead to jobs that are directly related, as opposed to a philosophy major, who is learning how to think, but has no set career path.

Still, university presidents who come from outside of academia and higher education are not uncommon. In 2018, Inside Higher Ed reported more than 40% of university presidents had never held a tenured or tenure-track-eligible position in academia.

A 2023 Arkansas State University study found that university presidents with business backgrounds are often more business and turnaround-driven than their academic counterparts.

This means they are often hired to help their institutions fnancially or “try something different.” They also treat the university as a business. The students are the customer and the education is the product. But the study also found these presidents to be driven by the mission of the university when they have ties to it, as Echevarria does. These presidents feel a “love” for their institution’s mission, study body and faculty. They never had a desire to become president, but feel the need to give back.

It isn’t hard to see why some may be hesitant about this appointment, but Echevarria is more than qualifed. As the “U” turns into its second century and is growing more and more, a business-minded president could be exactly what the University needs.

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The Electoral College safeguards democracy

By Lazaro Chavez Contributing Writer

The Electoral College, Originally created as a compromise between the founding fathers, consisting of 538 electors is America’s unique way of selecting its commander in chief.

Though a national popular vote might seem like a natural choice, given how much Americans tout about their freedom, American democracy has been preserved because of the Electoral College. The Electoral College is far from being outdated, despite what some may believe. Instead, the Electoral College ensures that every state, regardless of size and population, has a voice and prevents the loud voices of a few from overpowering the voices of many.

Although the Electoral College has been discussed as fawed by its critics, the founders had their reasons for not installing a more “democratic” system.

It was James Madison, a founding father and the nation’s ffth president, who warned in the Federalist Papers about the dangers of a pure democracy, citing that these have historically been plagued by unrest and confict. He noted that, although pure democracies foster free and open discourse, they have often gone down the path of totalitarianism where the minority of people have little to no protection from being overpowered by the majority.

The results of a popular vote system could be a disaster. Densely populated states like California, Texas, New York, Florida and Pennsylvania hold roughly 50% of the nation’s population. These states alone could decide an election in a national popular vote system, leaving smaller states to virtually have no power in who leads the nation. In the electoral system, however, they make up only 131 of the 538 electors, allowing for more than just these fve highly populated states to have the fnal say.

This issue pushed Nevada and Maine to not join the The National Popular Vote compact in 2019, an agreement between the states to award their electoral votes to the winner of the popular vote nationwide rather than their states.

“Once effective, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact could diminish

the role of smaller states like Nevada in national electoral contests and force Nevada’s electors to side with whoever wins the nationwide popular vote, rather than the candidate Nevadans choose,” said then Democratic Governor of Nevada Steve Sisolak.

The Electoral College forces candidates to direct their policies to more states than just the most densely populated. While Democrats have a hold on states like New York and California, the Electoral College requires them to pay attention to the other states that are not in their secured column. The same applies to Republicans: they hold heavy power in states in the south like Alabama and Arkansas but also focus their attention on battleground states like Wisconsin and Michigan.

The Electoral College gives citizens in some of the more diverse states like Wisconsin and Georgia a chance to be heard, even if the issues most important to them are not being touted nationwide by the candidates.

A counterargument many opponents of this system have pointed to is that it is simply undemocratic. Chris DeRosa, chair of the Department of History and Anthropology at Monmouth University, argues that big states have less value than small states and by value, he means votes.

DeRosa used Washington D.C., which is not a state but is treated like a small one in the Electoral cCollege, as an example. “More people live in D.C. than in Wyoming, the least populous state in the union; but they both get three electoral votes,” DeRosa said.

In addition, fve times in the nation’s history a president has been elected that the majority of Americans did not vote for. The frst time was 1824 with John Q. Adams and was most recently with Donald Trump in 2016.

Proponents claim that these men have been able to win because of this fawed system; therefore it enables people who don’t have a majority of support to become president. But that’s not necessarily the case, after all our system allows us to replace the president every four years.

Adams lost reelection four years later in 1828, as did Trump in 2020. The candidate who lost the popular vote can also do a good enough job during their frst

term, they end up becoming the “people’s choice.” President George W. Bush won the popular vote and a second term in 2004 by roughly 2% over Senator John Kerry after losing the popular vote to Al Gore in 2000 by the same margin. In addition to that, in 54 out of 59 elections; the candidate that has received the most votes nationwide has won the election. In the cases where this didn’t happen, the margins between the candidates were between 2% and 1% or less, with 1824 being the exception with roughly 10 percent between Adams and Jackson.

Others have argued against the Electoral College because of the disaster that can happen when there is a tie. When this happens, congress is tasked with picking the president rather than the people. This has only happened twice, in 1800, and more notably in 1824 when Andrew Jackson won the popular vote and most of the electoral votes, but not the majority required to win. The House of Representatives were forced to choose who would be the next commander in chief, and they chose Adams, who came in second both in the popular vote and the electoral college.

While this was an obvious exception to the people’s will, The Heritage Foundation, a think tank based in Washington D.C., noted that that the Electoral College has done a good job protecting the country from the “tyranny of the majority.” It argues that it has preserved the ideals of federalism that are core to our country, by ensuring that everyone from all walks of life, backgrounds and states get a say in how our nation is run, creating a federal government that people can get behind.

They also warn that a national popular vote election could result in one vote from a single person anywhere in the country could shift the results of an election, which has the same problem that many claim about the electoral college, where someone that the majority of Americans didn’t want ends up with the job.

Imagine if that system were in place for this election. As of Oct. 14, Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Trump are neck and neck in the national polls. With a national popu-

lar vote system, given how divided the nation’s politics are today as Pew Research Center has discussed, a recount of such a race could be a disaster, possibly taking longer than the month-long recount in the 2000 presidential race.

In a national popular vote system, every vote nationwide would be recounted, meaning that the nation could be without a president for an extended period of time. In addition, there could be potential issues that the nation could face during this time, such as national security threats.

The 9/11 Commission had found that part of the reason that the terrorist’s plans had gone unnoticed was because of the 2000 election. Neither Gore nor Bush had the time to plan for their possible national security advisors nor get key positions flled, which is why the attacks were not caught until it was too late.

The Electoral College has ensured that all states have a voice regardless of size. Protecting the nation from the fears of the founding fathers regarding tyranny of the majority, upholding the principles of federalism.

The Electoral College needs to be buried

By Daniel Gregor Contributing Writer

UM students who aren’t from Florida face a tricky decision this voting season: where to register to vote. This conundrum is largely because of the unique system of presidential election in this country, the Electoral College.

The Electoral College is a group of 538 delegates, called electors, who cast their vote for president.

When citizens vote for a candidate, they are technically voting for a candidate’s preferred electors. The candidate who wins the popular vote in each state is awarded all of the electors in that state, except for Maine and Nebraska.

Because of this system, it is possible for a candidate to win the popular vote, which occurs when a majority of citizens across the country vote for said candidate, but lose the Electoral College, thus losing the election.

This has happened 5 times in U.S. history, most recently in the 2016 Presidential Election, where Republican Donald Trump beat Democrat Hillary Clinton with 304 electoral votes to 227, even though Clinton garnered 2.8 million more individual votes. This was largely due to Trump’s success in key swing states, including Michigan, Arizona and Pennsylvania.

The Electoral College undermines a truly fair and competitive election. For example, a republican vote in New York has virtually no impact on most elections, as that state hasn’t been won by a Republican since 1984. Similarly, a state like Kansas has committed all of its electoral votes to Republicans since 1968. However, for the several swing states that emerge in each election, each vote matters more.

In a smaller and simpler America, when the Constitution was created and people lacked resources to educate themselves on politics, the Electoral College was an ingenious compromise. However, nowadays, no matter how educated people choose to be, the idea that low-information voters should not be able to make choices is anti-democratic.

A democracy should always represent the will of the people, otherwise it ceases to serve its purpose. The Founding Fathers also had to appease the Southern states’ reliance on slavery, which is no longer an institution today. An Electoral College (with the Three-fifths Compromise) gave the South more influence than a potential popular vote.

The Electoral College is severely outdated, it is time to bury it and use a new system of the popular vote.

James Wilson, one of the Founding Fathers, believed that a popular election was the ideal voting method. He trusted the average American, claiming that they were naturally good and would selflessly pick the best leader.

The other Founding Fathers had a different idea. They thought that

Americans would not have enough information to intelligently pick the best candidate, so they created the Electoral College, entrusting the final choice of the president to electors.

This is not the case today. We now live in an information age — everything is accessible at our fingertips. Social media and news sources relay breaking news that can even be less than minutes old. Access to information and becoming an informed voter is not a problem in our elections anymore and people make the choice if they want to be informed or not — a luxury many in the era of the Founding Fathers didn’t have.

When the Founding Fathers debated the ideal voting system, the Southerners objected to a popular vote as well, worrying they would have less power. About 40% of the South’s population were slaves who could not vote, and the number of free white men in the South was far less than in the North.

At the time, slave labor was the backbone of the economy in the South. As James Madison famously quoted, “The right of suffrage was much more diffusive in the Northern than the Southern States; and the latter could have no influence in the election on the score of the Negroes.”

This problem resulted in the Three-fifths Compromise, or for purposes of designating representatives and calculating taxes, slaves would count as 3/5 of a person.

We no longer live in a time of slavery. Since the structure of the Electoral College was based on numerous compromises regarding institutions that no longer exist — namely the Three-fifths Compromise — it is flawed and there is no need for it anymore.

On the other hand, a switch to a popular vote would drastically alter the dynamic of presidential campaigning. Candidates generally invest far more time, money, and effort into campaigning in certain swing states than in states that are

solid blue or red. For example, in Pennsylvania, a swing state in the 2024 election, Donald Trump spent $132.1 million in advertisements (March to September 2024), compared to $31.2 million in the rest of the country.

With a popular vote, candidates are likely to visit densely populated areas, such as cities, in order to reach the most people at once. They are less likely to campaign in rural areas where there are fewer people, thus making residents of these areas feel underrepresented, but that is not the case. Rural areas and smaller states are actually overrepresented and switching to the popular vote would move everyone to an equal playing field.

The number of electors each state has is equal to the sum of their seats in the House plus Senate. The number of seats in Congress was decided by the Great Compromise of 1787, which created a bicameral national legislature: one that had an equal number of representatives (as requested by the smaller states) and one that had representatives proportional to its population (as requested by the larger states).

Therefore, the Electoral College gives residents of smaller states significantly more voting power than residents of large states. Due to the partition of electoral college votes, a singular electoral vote represents 195,000 people in Wyoming (the least populated US state), but more than 700,000 people in the most populous states of Texas, Florida, or California. In other words, a vote in Wyoming has 3.6 times more power than a vote in California.

How can all Americans be treated equally if the vote of one holds more significance than the vote of another? They can’t.

The Electoral College was an ingenious idea in the 1700s, however, it was made for a society that is far different than it is today. A better way to elect a president would be with a popular vote, equally valuing every American’s voice.

Ashley Puritz // Graphics Editor

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

How UM Homecoming traditions have changed over the years

By Madyson Carole Carter Contributing Writer

From parades to pageants, Homecoming Week at the University of Miami has seen it all. For close to a century, the UM community has celebrated ’Canes spirit and football with a week of celebrations, competitions and traditions.

While some traditions have remained the same, others have evolved for a new generation or disappeared completely.

Homecoming started in 1931 to celebrate the ’Canes taking on Erskine College football under the lights of Moore Park. Combined with Thanksgiving celebrations, the week included dances, concerts, Greek life competitions and various sports games.

One of the first steps towards inclusivity was in 1985 when The Iron Arrow Honor Society had the first Homecoming tapping ceremony that included women. In 1976, the male-only group was banned from the University when they refused to accept women members.

Three years after returning to UM, Iron Arrow unanimously voted Elizabeth Rodriquez as the first female leader. This was one of the first steps towards making the Homecoming tapping ceremony more inclusive of the growing student body.

Since one of the first Homecomings, there has been a pageant competition to elect students as members of Homecoming Royalty. In 2022, this tradition changed when the winners’ titles changed

The events encouraged alumni to return to campus and reconnect with their classmates while showing off their UM spirit. This is where many of the UM traditions originated, but over the years, they evolved to be bigger and more inclusive.

from Homecoming King and Queen to Homecoming Royalty.

This allows students of all gender identities to be represented. This change has helped the Homecoming pageant remain a huge event that allows students to showcase their talent and school spirit.

In previous decades, the male participants showed their school spirit through The Mr. UM competition, which was the talent portion of the men’s pageant and how Homecoming King was determined.

“It was really the eye opener that I could be myself and still be successful,” Ronnie Khalil, winner of the 1996 Homecoming King and Mr. UM titles, said. “I went there to have fun and ended up winning, which was a surprise to a lot of people.”

For many decades, the Homecoming King and Queen would go on to participate in the Homecoming Parade and Ball, but those traditions have since been retired.

And they all lived ‘Royalty Ever After’

Judges select 2024 homecoming court in pageant show

By Morgan Fry Co-A&E Editor

This year’s homecoming pageant was filled with tiaras, gowns and fairytale music. Twelve students showcased their personalities, talents and involvement at the University of Miami for a chance to participate in this year’s royalty court.

This year’s “Royalty Ever After” fairytale-themed show brought 500 audience members to the Shalala ballrooms on Monday at 8 p.m. where Asia Blocker, Daniela Dechard, Albertie Regalado and Maui Candela were chosen as this year’s Homecoming Royalty.

“I felt blessed and privileged to win among so many talented contestants,” Dechard said. “I am extremely glad I had the opportunity to represent the Association of Commuter Students on the homecoming court. I was also excited that I was able to win in the presence of my family who came to watch and support me, it was fulfilling to make them proud.”

The four royalty court members will represent the University as homecoming festivities continue.

“The royalty court is four people that

represent the University of Miami wholeheartedly,” junior global studies and Royalty Chair Jana Faour said. “The reason we do it on the first day is so that they can be at every single homecoming event for the rest of the week.”

Faour, as well as junior psychology major Kerrigan Wesley and senior political science and sports administration major Sidra Al-Ktaish, began serving as co-chairs for the Royalty Pageant, a subcommittee of the Homecoming Executive Council in the spring.

This fall, 18 contestants applied to be a part of the pageant. These applicants were evaluated by a panel of judges in the preliminary rounds. The 12 finalists then began working with the committee chairs to plan this year’s show.

Weekly rehearsals began on Sept. 23, with additional three-hour dress rehearsals on the Sunday and Monday before the show.

A lot of the rehearsal time was focused on creating the opening dance that all of the contestants participated in together. The music for the dance was a mash-up of Disney fairytale songs to fit the royalty theme.

The first round was the new runway portion of the competition. Contestants introduced themselves with a one-minute bio that the chairs read out loud. They

“The parades were always not super fancy, but I remember loving them as a kid growing up in Coral Gables,” Khalil said. “To me, it was always more for the community than the students.”

Community involvement has continued to be an important part of Homecoming, most notably, through Hurricanes Help the Hometown. This time-honored tradition allows student organizations to show support for their community through various service projects, such as through providing veteran care packages and hurricane relief aid.

“This year we have Hurricanes Help the Hometown with record-breaking attendance,” Aris Montero, Homecoming Executive Committee Vice Chair, said. “There has been a waiting list for organizations to even table at the event.”

Previously a Greek-life only event, HHTH has become one of the most diverse

parts of Homecoming week. In past decades, HHTH was a competition between fraternities and sorority organizations to see who could raise the most money.

“We always try to maximize the diversity within the people and organizations who are competing in these events, because ultimately a homecoming is a collection of competitions that organizations can participate in,” Montero said.

Homecoming traditions have always been about celebrating the spirit of UM, whether that be through the Iron Arrow tapping ceremony or the talent of the Homecoming Royalty. These traditions may look different through the decades, but will continue to unite ’Canes from all generations.

“It is important because it helps rekindle the amazing memories for alumni while forming new ones with the students,” Khalil said. “It’s a way to share a bond through decades of change.”

were also able to wear an outfit to showcase their personality while they walked to a song of their choice.

“They are putting their personality into a runway walk,” Al-Ktaish said. “I think our biggest thing when we chose to do the runway portion is that we wanted to see who they are on and off the runway. We just felt like that was the best way to do it and they got to show their style and how they’re represented.”

The pageant then moved into the talent portion, where contestants got to present a talent of their choice. Participants sang, danced and even presented motivational speeches.

“For my talent portion I chose to play ‘Photograph’ by Ed Sheeran on the piano and play a video of pictures of mine from getting accepted to the school to today,” Dechard said. “I chose this talent because during my freshman year I made a promise to myself to capture every moment and memories with pictures.”

The final round of the competition was the poise round, which is similar to a traditional pageant with formal gowns and suits. The contestants were asked one question pulled randomly from a fishbowl.

“Every contestant got a different question just to make it as fair as possible to

everyone,” Faour said. “They heard their question right before they went, and then they answered it to the best of their ability.”

The three chairs made sure to incorporate the fairytale theme in subtle ways throughout the show. Audience members were all given paper crowns on their seats. The trio also dressed in pink, blue and green gowns during the poise round to mimic the three fairy godmothers from “Sleeping Beauty.”

“I don’t know if anyone really knew, but we knew,” Wesley said.

Trumpet entrances, light-up balloons and regal decor all added to the aesthetic of the show.

The KAOS hip-hop team, LOCKED

K-Pop dance team and BisCaydence acapella group had performances throughout the show to provide additional entertainment to the audience while judges deliberated and contestants changed.

After the judges took the contestants’ pageant performance and UM leadership involvement into consideration, they came up with scores for each of the participants. The top four winners were then announced at the end of the show.

“Being on the court allows me to represent the University during such a special time such as Homecoming,” Dechard said. “It showed me I have contributed to the University enough for it to allow me to be the face of its values.”

Claudia Campi // Contributing Photographer Senior Albertie Regalado, Senior Asia Blocker, Senior Daniela Dechard and Senior Maui Candela, winners of the 2024 Homecoming Pageant on Oct. 21, 2024.

Behind the moves

Hurricanettes gear up for Homecoming

By Jenna Simone Contributing Writer

Homecoming week has officially began at the University of Miami, and The Hurricanette Dance Team is ready to shine. As they prepare to offer a time for ’Canes to celebrate traditions and cheer during the Homecoming game against Florida State University, what’s happening behind the scenes? How are the dancers feeling leading up to Homecoming? Read on to find out!

In preparation for Homecoming week, the Hurricanettes Dance Team has been practicing hard. They are ready to make their mark and provide students, families and alumni an unforgettable experience.

Tess Guidry, current Hurricanettes coach and former Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader, is confident that the team will create an electric atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium. She knows the team is ready to take on the week after immersive performances with other dancers and schools.

“Some highlights include teaming up with the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders to perform at their ‘Crucial Catch’ Halftime for Monday Night Football,” Guidry said. “We also did a combined halftime performance with the University of South Florida marching band.”

Composed of 20 skilled dance members, the Hurricanettes perform at sporting events, campus, alumni, community and special events.

The Hurricanettes will dance in the Alma Mater competition on Thursday, at Friday’s fireworks show and boat burning ceremony and during halftime at the football game on Saturday.

The team has planned some special surprises for this year’s Homecoming. The band will play a song fitting the theme of Homecoming at the boat burning ceremony on Friday night, and the Hurricanettes will reveal a brand new costume at the game on Saturday.

While exciting, some senior Hurricanettes have expressed how bittersweet

Homecoming will be as their last one.

Megan O’Brien, a senior and thirdyear Huricannette majoring in community and applied psychological studies, is excited to perform at her last Homecoming. However, she is also sad to put an end to working with such an amazing team during Homecoming preparation.

“By October, we started to solidify a strong, genuine bond , so dancing with them that night felt so special.”

Maya Bentley

Hurricanettes Captain

Despite its major significance at the school, Homecoming does not cause any major shifts in the team’s schedule.

“The preparation for Homecoming isn’t very different from how we are throughout our whole season. We’re constantly adding new songs and choreography every other week, if not every week,” O’Brien said.

To keep morale and chemistry high during this busy time, the team does lots of bonding activities outside of school, from study sessions to dinners.

O’Brien likes to remind herself that she is representing the University of Mi-

ami when she feels overwhelmed. She thrives on seeing kids and alumni excited about the games and watching the team.

Georgia Macy, a Hurricanettes captain and senior double majoring in media management and advertising, says that being a captain has truly been unforgettable.

After entering as a freshman rookie, she was intimidated. However, as she gained more experience being on the team, she grew inspired to become a role model. She is proud to lead a team she cares so deeply for and strives to help the team prosper as dancers, students and people.

She believes the team is ready to take on Homecoming and bring the energy just as they have in the past.

Similarly, Maya Bentley, a Hurricanettes captain and senior majoring in marketing, feels surrounded by a group of supportive girls who all share the same passion.

“Being captain this season to me means leading by fostering a positive, supportive environment where we can all grow as individuals together, on and off the dance floor,” Bentley said.

Bentley felt that last year’s performance was extremely energetic and memorable.

“Our performance at last year’s boat burning ceremony and firework show is one that was very special to me because of the energy within all the girls on the team. By October, we started to solidify a strong, genuine bond, so dancing with them that night felt so special because we had not only been perfecting our routines all season, but nurturing our bond as well, and it showed that night,” said Bentley.

She aims to create a similar environment and experience this year.

With exciting performances, new choreography, fun songs and surprises planned, the Hurricanettes are ready to make this Homecoming special for students, alumni and fans. Together, they will showcase the pride of the ’Canes, helping make this year’s Homecoming a memorable event for all.

Alexandra Fisher // Photo Editor

The Hurricanettes Dance Team perform during Hurricane Walk before Miami’s game against Georgia Tech at Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 7, 2023.

Alexandra Carnochan // Contributed Photo

A Hurricanette dancer stands with her hand over her heart during the National Anthem prior to Miami’s game against Duke University on Saturday, Oct. 22 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Photo Courtesy of Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement Hurricanettes perform at the Family Weekend Pep Rally in the Shalala Student Center on Friday Sept. 13, 2024.

’Canes care for ’Canes: How Ibis spirit persists in hurricane season

By Samantha Rodriguez Co-A&E Editor

Marissa Zerbo Condello, president of the Orlando ’Canes alumni board, distracted her children with legos as Hurricane Milton beat against their house — until something crashed on the roof.

“We all huddled in the downstairs bedroom when the noise was very scary,” Condello said.

When she found out it was a solar panel that landed in her yard, she knew this hurricane season would be different.

Hurricanes Milton and Helene were some of the most disastrous storms Florida has had to face. Though Condello could not imagine what her neighborhood would look like in the morning, she knew her fellow ’Canes had her back.

Throughout the downpour, ’Canes around Florida rallied together to keep each other safe and prepared for the

troubles that lie ahead. By offering up their supplies and homes after the storm, alumni showed how the ’Cane spirit never leaves after graduation.

Condello and the rest of the Orlando alumni board would check in on each other’s food and water supply during the storm. Even cheesy jokes about how the board was like Sebastian the Ibis flooded chats.

When a board member lost power, everyone made sure she was safe.

“We made sure she was okay and had everything she needed,” Condello said. “There’s such a strong sense of pride in making sure ’Canes care for ’Canes.”

Condello contacted the alumni boards from Tampa and Sarasota to ensure every member was accounted for. Their closeness developed a synergy among the board’s leaders and led Condello to help an alumnus in Tampa.

The alumna was moving to Orlando from Tampa due to the hurricanes and recently contacted Condello to learn about the area. Condello referred the

alumna to other alumni to help her get as much advice as she can.

“We’re all interconnected no matter where we are,” Condello said. “We’re all ’Canes.”

Though the storm ended, the posthurricane troubles were just starting. Condello struggled to find gas a week after the hurricane. She thought her plans with friends in Miami would have to be canceled due to the shortage.

With most hurricane rescue teams still in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, Condello was unsure if help would come in time.

She was not alone. Michael Calamares, president of the Sarasota ’Canes board, did not know if his business would get up and running due to the mass flooding.

“I had to move all of my client meetings three times for every one of those storms,” Calamares said. “Not only is there actual physical destruction, there’s also the intangible destruction of people’s livelihoods.”

The Sarasota ’Canes’ love for the U kept them together in the difficult time. Despite the damages, Sarasota ’Canes gathered at a small business to host a game watch. Being with fellow ’Canes

dulled the pain from the storms.

“The community drives everything,” Calamares said. “The friendships, ability to network and the energy.”

The members’ eagerness to help one another is reminiscent of the classic UM phrase: ’Canes care for ’Canes.

“The Orlando ’Canes community board always thinks of Sebastian the Ibis,” Condello said. “We were checking in, we’re the last to leave, and right when the storm ended, we were the first to check in on each other.”

Condello and Calamares encourage ’Canes to stay involved in campus and make their mark wherever they can.

“Don’t put yourself in a box,” Condello said. “While it may seem scary to take on a leadership position at a club, it’s also equally as rewarding.”

Condello and Calamares look forward to celebrating the U this Homecoming week. While hurricane season will always come around in October, so will the University spirit and ’Canes community.

Will ‘The Apprentice’ change the outcome of the 2024 election?

By Samantha Rodriguez Co A&E Editor

“The Apprentice,” a film based on Donald Trump’s early life, made headlines before its release for its controversial depiction of Trump. It calls the current Republican presidential candidate’s character into question — but is it enough to deter undecided voters from electing him this November?

While the UM College Republicans advisor urges voters to focus on Trump’s present policies, UDems’ communications director can’t help looking at the past as a dark omen.

The drama follows a young Donald Trump, played by Sebastian Stan, in his early conquests in the real estate industry. Notorious attorney Roy Cohn, played by Emmy and Tony Award winner Jeremy Strong, teaches Trump how to win, even if it means playing dirty with blackmail.

The film also explores his relationship with his past wife Ivana, played by Maria Bakalova, and the time Trump allegedly assaulted her. Gabriel Sherman, a journalist who covered Trump’s 2016 presiden-

tial campaign, wrote the screenplay.

To the University’s college republicans organization faculty advisor Wesley Miller, voters should stray from “The Apprentice” when looking for facts.

“Ultimately, people have to use their own judgment and do their own homework,” Miller said, “Media tends to be biased at times.”

Yet, UDems Communications Director Rachel Petrovich says the film tells voters what they already know.

“The content the film is depicting — such as illegal business dealings, harassment against women, and fraudulent activity — has already been associated with Trump in the media and is well known to many,” Petrovich said.

Its road to release had hurdles. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for best film. Its hopes for a national release were halted by a cease-and-desist letter sent by Trump’s attorneys.

His attorneys sought to ban any marketing and distribution for the film, yet producers remained determined to release it.

“The film is a fair and balanced portrait of the former president,” the producers said in a statement. “We want

everyone to see it and then decide.”

Three months after its premiere, a trailer for the film dropped on Sep. 10, the day of Trump and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ first debate. Briarcliff Entertainment sweeped it to buy the American distribution rights and released it on Oct. 11.

Trump has since condemned the movie on his Truth Social account.

“It’s a cheap, defamatory, and politically disgusting hatchet job,” Trump said. “So sad that HUMAN SCUM, like the people involved in this hopefully unsuccessful enterprise, are allowed to say and do whatever they want in order to hurt a Political Movement.”

The film does Trump little favors. Though it attempts to humanize him by exploring his strict homelife, Trump’s actions in “The Apprentice” speak for themself.

It depicts him involved in illegal scandals to earn tax breaks and downing amphetamines. While his father is becoming senile, Trump attempts to usurp his power and control the family business.

Nothing compares to the film’s dark portrayal of Trump and Ivana’s relationship. Near the end, the film shows Trump

raping Ivana. She is on the verge of tears as Trump violates her while whispering taunts into her ear.

The scene is based on Ivana’s real divorce disposition from 1990. In the disposition, she claimed Trump assaulted her and described what followed as rape. In 1993, she retracted her statement, saying she never meant the rape was literal.

“Mr. Trump and I had marital relations in which he behaved very differently towards me than he had during our marriage,” Ivana said in a statement. “As a woman I felt violated.”

Nevertheless, “The Apprentice” depicts Ivana’s words as truth and leaves little nuance.

While the film may not tip the scales in the upcoming election, its portrayal of Trump’s alleged actions to Ivana may convince voters that Trump is not suited to rule on policies affecting women.

“My first introduction to Donald Trump was the 2016 election cycle, and hearing of his demeaning and grotesque discussion of women behind closed doors immediately made me feel uncomfortable with his presence in our government,” Petrovich said. “The film only strengthens this feeling for me.”

Miller feels undecided voters should not focus on Trump’s past, but what he sees in America’s future. Questioning if Biden’s presidency hindered or upgraded their livelihoods is the priority.

Though he discourages voters from using the film to determine their decision, calling it a “propaganda piece,” he says they should see it as food for thought.

“To not watch it is not necessarily right either,” Miller said. “People should look at all sources, take in all the information, and make their own educated choice.”

Miller sees “The Apprentice” as another effort by the media to impact election season and possibly turn the tides while Petrovich sees it as essential.

“I believe every voter should be aware of Trump’s origin story, whether it be going to see this film or reading about it on their own,” Petrovich said. “Would you feel safe and secure in a room with Donald Trump?”

“The Apprentice” seemed to barely change Republican and Democratic notions about Donald Trump. To the undecided voter who stumbles upon it, the feature could play a role in this tight race. Nov. 6 will be the moment of truth.

Photo Courtesy of Marissa Zerbo Condello

A broken solar panel that fell off Marissa Condello’s roof during Hurricane Milton.

Taylor Swift kicks off final leg of the Eras Tour at Hard Rock

By Grace Andruzzi Contributing Writer

After over a year and a half of the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift began the last leg of her most successful production to date at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. What began in March of 2023 has gone all over the world, starting and ending in the United States with international shows in between.

After a couple of months overseas, Swift made her first stop back in the States with three shows in Miami on Oct. 18, 19 and 20. Fans were excited to see Swift perform again and anticipated new surprises for her last hurrah.

in the beginning.

Swift’s opener, Gracie Abrams, was enticing. Abrams mostly stayed near her microphone during her performance, singing soulfully along with her audience. Many fans were singing along, some screaming the words to her songs.

Abrams opened with “Risk,” one of her more popular songs that went viral on TikTok. Then she sang “Blowing Smoke,” followed by “I Love You, I’m Sorry,” another one of her more popular songs on TikTok.

During her performance, she spoke about how Swift is her role model and how she’s so grateful to be opening for her.

She sang a few other songs from her most recently released album,

“Her wearing green and orange together did not go unnoticed. I loved how she dedicated her outfit to my school. It made me so happy.”

Sienna Mesa // University of Miami Freshman

When fans walked into Hard Rock Stadium, most were given a bracelet with a different Taylor Swift lyric and an LED wristband. During the concert, the wristband lit up with colors at different times, representing the era Swift was singing from.

Fans knew they needed to bring their patience with them. The lines to get in went around all three levels of Hard Rock Stadium. Before the show, the merch lines were an hour long minimum.

Nonetheless, fans who weren’t able to wait before the show were in luck. After Swift closed, there was a private merch line in a back room for people who missed out on merch

stage, singing and dancing through each song and interacting with fans along the way.

During her show, Swift stated that the show was sold out, selling over 61,000 tickets to this show.

Throughout the entirety of the Eras Tour, fans who attended wore clothes related to each era. Fans wore black and snakes for “Reputation,” purple for “Midnights,” pink for “Lover” and red for “Red.” Eras Tour outfits are known to be bold and out-there, showing the fans’ dedication to Swift and her music.

Stella Solvibile, a student at the University of Miami, knew the perfect outfit for her Fearless era.

“Swift always wears gold when performing her Fearless era, so I wore a gold sparkly top with a white skirt and white sparkly boots to represent Fearless,” Solvibile said.

During her “Reputation” era, something different happened. Swift has kept the same outfit for every era for each show. But for “Reputation,” she wore a new outfit. This was her first new outfit in 131 shows. Fans went crazy.

She wore a black asymmetrical bodysuit with gold snake designs. Swifties are taking this new outfit as a hint that Swift will soon announce “Taylor’s Version” of “Reputation,” alongside already re-recorded albums “1989,” “Speak Now,” and “Fearless.”

“The Secret of Us,” and closed with “Close to You,” a fan favorite.

Shortly after Abrams ended, the arena roared as Swift emerged from the floor of the stage. The floor shook multiple times during the concert, and Hard Rock was definitely rocking during this entrance.

Swift then approached the mic and said, “Hello, Miami.”

Swift went on at 8 p.m. and played for three and a half consecutive hours. She went through each of her eras, starting with “Lover.”

Her “Lover” era is known for being the color pink. When she began singing, everyone’s wristbands lit up in pink. Swift moved across the

Machine to perform the song they recorded together. She never performed this song with Florence in Florida until now.

Swift sings a different set of acoustic surprise songs each night of the tour. She has recently been performing mashups of older songs paired with newer ones. In Miami, this included a piano version of “loml” from the 2024 “The Tortured Poets Department” paired with “White Horse,” which was originally released on “Fearless” in 2008.

In Swift’s closing statement at the concert before her final song, she talked about how fans will now listen to the songs and remember the

memories created together with her on the Eras Tour.

“I saw her on my seventh birthday, and I felt like I was reliving that experience,” Corinne Kelly, a University of Miami student, said.

Swift closed the show out with a performance of her song, “Karma,” bringing out all of her backup dancers and singers together dressed in colorful sparkle jackets, singing and dancing together for one final bow.

With the Eras Tour coming to an end in December, fans will remember the memories they made at the show forever. The lights, the music, the outfits, the shouting in unison: it all made up the essence of the Eras Tour.

For her “1989” era, Swift wears a different variation of the same outfit depending on what location she’s in. For Miami, she wore a bedazzled green top with a sparkly orange skirt, along with orange and green sparkle boots, repping the U.

The crowd loved the tribute, especially UM students.

“Her wearing green and orange together did not go unnoticed. I loved how she dedicated her outfit to my school. It made me so happy,” Sienna Mesa, a University of Miami student, said.

Swift’s song “Florida!!!” on her new album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” was added to the set list for the shows in Miami, Florida. She brought out Florence and the

Photo Courtesy of Corinne Kelly

From left to right UM students Gabrielle Mize, Corinne Kelly, Kenna Carter and Patrick O’Leary attend the Eras Tour Miami Night 2 at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024.

Miami tops Louisville 52-45 in thrilling back-and-forth clash

By Zach Cohen Contributing Writer

The cardiac ’Canes strike again.

Following a bye week and a thrilling comeback win against the Cal Golden Bears, the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes certainly didn’t disappoint against the Louisville Cardinals. On a sunny day in Louisville, Kentucky, the Hurricanes defeated the Cardinals 58-45 in a shootout to come away with the Schnellenberger Trophy.

After the game, coach Mario Cristobal once again mentioned “One thing that did not hurt us was our effort. We always play hard, we play with resiliency, and made some really key plays when it mattered.”

Midway through the 2nd quarter, Louisville started their drive deep in their territory on the three-yard line. With the score being 17-14 with Miami in the lead, this could have been a crucial drive for the Cardinals. Miami’s defense had other plans. Louisville Quarterback Tyler Shough handed off the ball to freshman running back Issac Brown. Rueben Bain Jr. was able to swoop in and pop the ball out of Brown’s hands which led the ball to roll into the end zone. Linebacker Raul Aguirre Jr divided onto the ball to recover the scoop and score a touchdown.

That play was the best of the day for the defense, as they missed tackles and underperformed through most of the game.

Cristobal said, “The lunging, leaving your feet, not coming to balance, that’s the stuff we got to get cleaned up and get better at.”

Miami allowed multiple 25-yard or more passing and running plays including a 43-yard touchdown run by Brown and a 28-yard reception by wideout Ja’Corey Brooks that led to a four-yard touchdown pass to Brooks.

In the third quarter, the Miami special teams unit allowed a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown run to the house by kick returner and wideout Caullin Lacy.

By the end of the game, Miami’s defense allowed 342 passing yards and 106 rushing yards — the most they have given up all season.

Luckily, the offense had a tremendous showing versus the Cardinals.

As expected, Cam Ward put on a

show, completing 21 of 32 passes for 319 yards and four touchdowns.

Ward said simply enough in his postgame presser, “We got one of the best oline, one of the best-receiving cores…all I got to do is put the ball in play…and they [receivers] make contested catches when they need to.”

Late in the frst quarter, Ward rolled out of the pocket and fung a beautifully executed pass 27- yards to wideout Jacolby George in the back of the endzone.

In the second quarter, wideout Sam Brown Jr. was left wide open in the middle of the feld as Ward tossed a pass to him which Brown took 49 yards for a touchdown. Brown Jr. fnished the game with three receptions for 125 yards, mark-

ing his best game of the season.

When Cristobal was asked about his wideouts after the game he said, “ It’s been someone else’s day you know on each particular game. [Xavier] Restrepo always has a day, so he is kind of like the X factor.”

It certainly is always Xavier Restrepo’s day. He moved up to number two in school history for career receptions and overtook Michael Irvin’s spot on the career receiving yards list, currently ranking third.

Restrepo remarked, “It for sure lights a spark in me. It means everything to represent this university, and, I mean, the guys that I am on top of the list with are selfexplained.”

Late in the third quarter, Restrepo caught a nine-yard touchdown pass in the front of the endzone to make the lead 31-17. Restrepo ended the afternoon with seven receptions for 101 yards.

Miami’s rushing game fnally came to life, which isa big reason they came away with a victory.

Mark Fletcher Jr. was a workhorse in the frst half, having a 23-yard run in the frst quarter and an 11-yard run in the second quarter. Fletcher Jr. fnished the night with 13 carries for 73 yards.

The second half featured an outburst by Damien Martinez, fnishing the game with 12 carries for 89 yards. His performance was topped by a 30-yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter to extend the

lead to 52-38.

After a great performance by Miami’s running back, Martinez said, “The running back room, we feed off each other’s energy big, so you know one person makes a play, we all want to make a play.”

Miami has been playing its best ball in many years, but the team consensus is that they still have more work to do. Restrepo said, “We are so selfess right now, and I feel like that is why we’re playing so well. Again, we haven’t played our best game yet. We’re working towards that.”

The Hurricanes will return to Hard Rock Stadium on Oct. 26th at 7 p.m. to face their longtime rivals, The Florida State Seminoles.

Photo Courtesy Miami Athletics

Senior wide receiver Jacolby George and ffth-year senior wide receiver Xavier Restrepo celebrate at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium against the Louisville Cardinals on Saturday Oct. 29, 2024.

A fresh face on the pitch: A new era for Miami women’s soccer

By Ilkim Sarsilmaz Contributing Writer

Ken Masuhr has kicked off a transformative frst season as head coach for the Hurricanes women’s soccer team, drawing from his past experiences to create a successful program.

Masuhr’s nearly 20 years of coaching experience will bring a new vision to the team, and his transition marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for the University of Miami’s soccer program.

A big factor that drew Masuhr to The U was the quality of life and the high standard of academics.

“It’s in the academic reputation of the school too…It’s a top 50 school in the country in an unbelievably vibrant city, and the soccer culture is fantastic,” he said.

Mashsur is also excited about joining the Atlantic Coast Conference this year to go head-to-head with some of the best teams in the country.

While the name “Atlantic Coast” may seem contradictory with the inclusion of some West Coast schools, Masuhr views it as a positive opportunity for growth.

“I think it’s great … we talk about the

ACC being one of the premier conferences in the country and women’s soccer specifcally, it’s the best soccer conference in the country year in and year out,” he said. “So any time that you were able to play high-level competition, that’s where we want to be.”

Embracing his past experiences at the University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt comes a unique coaching philosophy centered on fostering a positive team environment and continuing to grow and become stronger as a team.

Despite facing challenging opponents such as Virginia and Stanford, Masuhr and his team are determined to use these experiences as learning opportunities.

Playing Stanford and California was one of the highlights of the season for Masuhr on their trip to the West Coast.

While the primary focus was competing against top-ranked opponents, Masuhr also saw the trip as an opportunity to provide his players with unique experiences beyond the game.

“Some girls have never been to the West Coast before, so the ability to provide that was really special and fun to be a part of,” he said.

For Masuhr, creating memorable experiences for the team is just as impor-

tant as seeing success on the feld.

Masuhr noted that Miami’s fastpaced environment is quite different from the West Coast. However, it helped build team unity.

“25 young women, being around each other for fve and a half, six days — it was a good team bonding experience,” Masuhr said.

Beyond these trips, he has allowed connections to be formed by encouraging challenging conversations among players.

“We provide opportunities within our team to have moments of confict that require conversation and deep thought … so when we talk about growing together, it is the ability to have tough conversations with the people that you care about,” he says.

Masuhr ensures the team emphasizes players developing not just as athletes but also as individuals who can communicate with others effectively and navigate diffcult situations.

This is key in fostering strong teammate bonds and building meaningful connections that are formed through honest conversation, leading to a more unifed team.

Masuhr has worked his way up with

many teams to become the head coach at Miami and also coached alongside nowassistant coach for the ’Canes, Kelly Keelan, at Vanderbilt, who can attest to Masuhr’s coaching style after working with him for years.

“He is probably one of the hardestworking coaches I know ... His drive in that sense and willingness to just do whatever it is that we need to do showed me what real work looks like,” she said.

She also spoke on the commitment he makes every day and how it pushes everyone around him to be better as well.

“He sacrifces a lot of his time and honestly his family time too, but it shows because of kind of the work that he does put in, you can see the product at the end, and it’s really rewarding to see all that,” Keelan said. “His drive makes me drive that much harder, so it makes us a good team.”

“I started coaching as a way to make some money and be around the game ... and it turned into something I never imagined,” Masuhr said.

His journey has been characterized by time spent learning from decorated mentors like Krissy Turner at Penn and Darren Ambrose at Vanderbilt, who each provided him with valuable lessons that

have shaped his coaching philosophy.

Transitioning from associate head coach at Vanderbilt to true head coach at Miami and using those lessons has been a rewarding yet challenging experience for Masuhr.

“You talk about a program that underperformed for a few years ... It was really fun and challenging to try to build something of my own,” Masuhr said.

Now, Masuhr is focused on establishing a strong culture within the program, one that prioritizes hard work, team unity and mental toughness.

Though still in the early days of his time at Miami, Masuhr has already made strides with the team.

“We’ve won four games ... Virginia was the only game where it was more than a two-goal lead,” he said.

For Masuhr, the incremental wins are just as important as the fnal score.

As Miami’s players embark on their inaugural season under Masuhr, they are focused on building a strong foundation of teamwork and resilience to elevate the program and compete with the nation’s best.

The Hurricanes will next face off on the pitch at Syracuse on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

Out with the old, in with the new: Miami MBB roster reload for 2024-25 season

By Ben Gerkin Contributing Writer

Following a disappointing 15-17 overall record during the Hurricanes 2023-24 season, head coach Jim Larrañaga sought 10 top recruits and transfers during the off-season in hopes of bringing his squad back to the Final Four.

’Canes fans were relieved to hear Nijel Pack is back for his ffth season of college hoops. Pack averaged 13.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 25 games last season but battled through several knee injuries, resulting in the absence of seven games.

Pack’s presence on the perimeter is lethal, as he shot the three at 35.7% last season, but his overall selfessness drives the Miami offense. Pack led the Hurricanes in assists at 3.6 per game; his overall experience and skill set will be crucial to Miami’s success this season.

Larrañaga also brought back senior guard Matthew Cleveland, who averaged 13.7 points and 6.1 rebounds last season. Cleveland becomes Miami’s only returning starter alongside Pack, and his lengthy frame and IQ for the game make him a talented offensive threat and defensive nightmare. He’s an ideal two-way wing, and his chemistry with Pack this season is something ’Canes fans should look forward to.

Joining Pack and Cleveland in the backcourt is fve-star freshman Jalil Bethea. He is the highest-rated recruit in the history of the Miami basketball program, and his high school accolades prove his effcient skillset.

Bethea was a 2024 McDonald’s AllAmerican, Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year, and a Naismith Second Team All-American. During his senior season, he averaged 22.7 points, six rebounds and fve assists per game and is already pro-

jected to be a frst-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Bethea has the opportunity to be one of the NCAA’s most dominant freshmen, let alone players in the country. Manning the frontcourt are transfers Lynn Kidd and Kiree Huie, whom Larrañaga has spoken highly of.

“They battle each other every day in practice, it’s fun to watch them compete because they both play so hard, run the court so well, and they’re always just so upbeat,” Larrañaga said. “Their personalities are great for me.”

Kidd is a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech and averaged 13.2 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists with the Hokies last season. His touch around the rim is superb, as he ranked fourth in feld goal percentage last season at 66.8%, surpassing NBA talents like Zach Edey and Donovan Clingan.

Huie joins the ’Canes after one season at Idaho State, where he averaged 11.3

points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest. Kidd and Huie will serve as both offensive and defensive anchors, contributing scoring, high-ball screens and rebounding.

Battling out for a guard position is senior Jalen Blackmon. The Stetson transfer has an elite offensive skill set, as he averaged 21.3 points per contest last season with the Hatters, which ranked 10th nationally.

“He’s a very similar player to Nijel, very crafty, very good shooter, and has true skills for the game … They’re really competing for the point guard position, but also the two because both can play either.”

Between Pack, Bethea and Blackmon, there should be no shortage of scoring in the backcourt.

Alongside Kidd and Huie is Brandon Johnson, the 6-foot-8 transfer from East Carolina. The North Carolina native aver-

aged 14 points and 8.6 rebounds during the 2023-24 season with the Pirates.

“In my mind, he’s been our most consistent player, and he is No. 1 in plusminus during practices,” Larrañaga said about Johnson. “Other than Nijel, no one is even close to him as to how well he’s played in practice.”

Whether he starts or not, Johnson is going to be a key component on both ends of the foor with the playing time he’s given.

Roster departures include Norchad Omier (Baylor), Wooga Poplar (Villanova), AJ Casey (St. Louis), Christian Watson (Southern Mississippi), Bensley Joseph (Providence) and Kyshawn George (NBA, Washington Wizards).

Miami was selected sixth in the ACC preseason poll, and it’s just a matter of days until fans see the reloaded ’Canes tip off in the Watsco Center on Oct. 30 with an exhibition game against St. Leo.

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, I just broke up with my boyfriend. How do I move on?

Uncuffing season: Choose your character

Is it just my FYP or is everyone breaking up right now?

There’s ‘spring cleaning,’ but for college students, there’s also the ‘semester split.’ After a breakup, everyone spirals in their own way to deal with the feels.

So, what do we do with all these emotions? Do we drown our sorrows in ice cream and rom-coms, or do we just pretend everything’s fne? Each person has their own coping mechanisms— but what’s the real way to get over an ex?

The “No Contact Rule” is a popular piece of advice for the heartbroken. But how many bodies are acceptable to gain after a breakup?

So let’s dive into all these questions and chat about what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to moving on. Whatever it is you decide, you may relate to one of these descriptions.

The rebounders

Do we fll the void with a parade of randos who, for a feeting moment, make us feel like our ex did? Sometimes in those moments, we lose control — especially after a few green tea shots at Regatta — and make decisions we regret. Like that time you had sex a little too loud while all your friends were in the next room.

And the craziest regret of all, realizing they heard everything.

To my rebounders, I agree the best way to get over someone is to get under someone new, but if you can’t separate the heart and the horny it’s best to indulge in some well deserved wallowing.

The “We can still be friends” crowd

Then there’s the group of us who keep in touch with our exes. We cling to that emotional connection, hoping that something will magically change despite the fact that he called you fat, never

gave you fowers, forgot your birthday and had you crying yourself to sleep next to him more times than you can count.

He says he’ll change. He never will.

From someone with experience, learn to let it go. If it’s not working still, it’s not going to. Move on.

Though it may be hard, no contact is probably best for you.

Friends with benefts? Let’s not

Then we have the ‘I’m over it after a month’ crowd, who thinks they can keep being friends with benefts. Repeat after me, “being fuck buddies with an ex does not work.” It’s like eating at Taco Bell - really good in the moment followed by immediate regret.

Honestly, there’s way better out there. Better guy, better dick, better sex, better orgasms (Unless you’re fucking Ross Lynch). Sometimes, it’s better to have an empty vagina for a while then having an expired dick in there.

So she thinks she’s in love…

Finally, my favorite — the person who thinks they’ve found the love of their life right after breaking up with their high school sweetheart. News fash — he’s probably just a rebound! Just because you can Photoshop him in the pictures on your parents’ mantle and no one will know the difference does not mean it’s the same intimate connection. The math is not mathing babes.

So pick your poison — skank it, never move on, lie to yourself or move the fuck on with your life and choose happiness!

Love, V