The Miami Hurricane - Jan. 25, 2016

UNIVERSITY-HIRED

TRAPPERS REMOVE

DUCKS

AT

NIGHT Page 3

Design by Emma Deardorff

Photo by Hallee Meltzer // Photo Editor

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NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

January 25 - January 27, 2016

NATIONAL NEWS

Republican debate to be held at UM before primary

By Brianna Hernandez Contributing News Writer

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Erum Kidwai // Assistant Photo Editor

ive days before Florida residents cast their ballots in the Republican primary on March 15, the presidential hopefuls will be walking across the stage at the BankUnited Center (BUC) in the 12th Republican debate, casting the national spotlight on the University of Miami and the state of Florida.

Professors from the school’s political science department said

Miami was chosen as the location for the debate because of its population as well as UM’s history of hosting debates, including two primary debates in 2007 and a general-election debate.

“Miami is a major metropolitan area with a large media market; the BUC is large enough to hold the event and UM has a long history of engagement with presidential elections, including hosting debates,” professor Casey Klofstad said.

Professor Arthur Simon said it’s no coincidence that MiamiDade College is hosting a Democratic Debate before the Florida primary. That debate will be just a day before the Republican one at UM. “It is the symbolism of being in a large city, in a large state, right before voting takes place,” Simon said. “The primaries are important for setting the tone for the rest of the race as well as determining the likelihood of a candidate doing well in the general election.”

Klofstad added that the state’s population means that the primary carries extra significance.

“The Florida primary is significant because it is one of the most populous states in the country and thus carries a great number of delegates,” he said.

For this election season specifically, it can be argued that Florida has a greater importance than it had in previous years.

Professor Gregory Koger pointed out that the primary, scheduled for March 15, is important because March 15 is the first date in which a state can give all of its delegates to the winner of its primary. Whoever wins the primary will get all 99 delegates from Florida instead of only receiving a share. He added that multiple candidates have personal connections to the state.

“Depending on how you look at it, either two or four of the GOP candidates are from Florida,” Koger said. “Rubio and Bush both built careers here.

Huckabee and Carson both have homes here.”

While Simon seconded these points and believes that the Florida primary will be the determining factor in Rubio’s and Bush’s campaign, he also said the heightened importance of the Florida primary comes down to how the candidates enter the primary.

“It will all depend what happens earlier on in the primaries.

It is quite conceivable that the decisions about nominees will be more or less decided by the earlier primaries. However, if the battle is still close, then failing here will be the finish for a few candidates,” Simon said. “If Rubio and Bush do not place in the top two in their own backyard, it is the end of the road.”

Before the candidates anxiously await vote tallies, they must take the stage in the Republican primary debate.

“The ‘cause de jour’ seems to dominate debates this season, and that part of the challenge

for the candidates and voters is measuring responses to the unpredictable,” Simon said.

While this is definitely the case, patterns have emerged in each of the two main political parties according to Koger, who believes that the focal points of the GOP debate will be electability, immigration and national security. Simon added that the four candidates with connections to Florida could make history because, he said, it is “by far the largest state never to produce a major-party candidate for president or vice president.”

“Four Florida residents are in the running this year,” he said. “So, one would think that this might be the year. Then again, we could be looking at a situation where none of those candidates are even front runners after a few primaries.”

FELLOW MASCOTS CELEBRATE SEBASTIAN

SYMBOLS OF SOUTH FLORIDA: Sebastian the Ibis high fives fellow mascot for the Miami Dolphins, T.D., at the women’s basketball game on Sunday. Sebastian and his mascot friends from other South Florida professional sports teams, such as Burnie, Billy the Marlin and Stanley C. Panther, joined together to celebrate

Sebastian’s birthday during halftime. The mascots went toe to toe in a friendly game of basketball, ending with Sebastian as the victor.

The women’s basketball game and Sebastian’s birthday celebration kicked off a week of special events which lead up to President Frenk’s Inauguration on Friday.

January 25 - January 27, 2016

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

NEWS

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ENVIRONMENT

University removes number of invasive Muscovy ducks

By Tej Joshi and David Ufberg Copy Edior and Senior News Writer

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staple of wildlife on the University of Miami Coral Gables campus, the Muscovy duck has waddled around UM for decades. Recently, however, the school has removed a number of them due to health and safety concerns.

On Jan. 20, David Dyer, weekend and night operations manager of the Student Center Complex, approached two men outside the Mahoney Pearson Dining Hall who appeared to be trapping the birds. One of the men told Dyer that they were licensed trappers with permission from the university to remove the ducks. UM’s Office of Media Relations confirmed in a statement that some of the ducks were being removed from school grounds.

“Facing concerns over health and safety risks caused by a growing population of Muscovy ducks on campus, the university took the appropriate steps to humanely remove 14 of the non-native species in close proximity to the Mahoney Pearson Dining Hall,” university spokesperson Margot Winick said. “In accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rules, a firm was hired to handle the one-time removal. No further action is planned.”

When asked about President Julio Frenk’s upcoming inauguration and the associated beautification happening around campus, Winick said the timing and removal of the ducks was not related to it in any way.

The man Dyer spoke with said that the ducks were going to be released at Baptist Hospital of Miami in Kendall.

Winick did not say where they were taken or what happened to them upon being removed. The hospital did not respond to questions regarding the ducks.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), if Muscovy ducks are on private property, landowners and wildlife management agencies can control the

duck population without federal or state permits. The birds may be humanely euthanized, but it is illegal to capture and release them elsewhere. The exception to the FWC rule comes from a Federal Control Order for Muscovy ducks that states the birds can only be relocated to public museums or institutions for scientific or educational purposes. Otherwise, they must be buried or incinerated.

The Muscovy ducks are an invasive species native to Central America and northern South America. They are sedentary birds, meaning that they do not migrate for different seasons, according to the FWC. They can, however, “be extremely prolific and local populations can increase dramatically in a short time.”

After his encounter, Dyer contacted the University of Miami Police Department, who said that they were aware of a company hired to remove the ducks. UM Police Department Captain William Gerlach declined to comment on the issue.

Although the university’s statement cited health and safety concerns, the Animal Rights Foundation of Florida states, “There is no evidence that Muscovy ducks transmit disease to humans, or otherwise pose a public-health threat.”

The caveat is that there is a possibility of the ducks transmitting diseases to other animals.

“We consider Muscovy ducks to be undesirable in the wild because of their potential to transmit diseases to or interbreed with Florida’s native waterfowl,” according to the FWC. Professor William Searcy, an ornithologist at UM, said their removal would not have a major impact on the campus ecosystem. An ornithologist studies birds and all aspects of bird life.

“The Muscovy ducks are an invasive species and are considered a nuisance.

Their removal would have little effect on the ecology of campus,” Searcy said.

Freshman Jake Bozentka said he wasn’t a fan of the ducks on campus.

“I do not like them. I think they follow you and they are just in the way constantly,” Bozentka said.

Sophomore Alejandro Rojas said the ducks were a staple of the campus.

“I can’t see [University of ] Miami without the ducks, even the people who were here 10 years ago always talk about the ducks,” sophomore Alejandro Rojas said.

Other members of the community consider the ducks and other wildlife on campus a crucial part of what makes UM special.

Hallee Meltzer // Photo Editor

DUCK DYNASTY: Walking on the sidewalk along Stanford Drive, a mother Muscovy duck protects her duckling Sunday afternoon. The ducks are commonly found in this area around the University Center.

“I think removing the ducks from campus really is not the way to go,” Nicholas Rau, associate director of Student Affairs, said. “I think the wildlife is a neat part of campus that makes UM unique.”

Bernie Alfonso, who visits campus to feed the feral cats and Muscovy ducks, is often involved with the wildlife on campus as an animal rights activist. Alfonso

directs the non-profit organization Pet Partners Rescue Home, which is dedicated to housing stray domestic animals. He said that he strongly disapproves of the university’s removal of the ducks.

“In my 53 years of living here, I have never been so angry with the university,” he said.

The school did not comment on the age or sex of the ducks removed.

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NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

January 25 - January 27, 2016

CAMPUS LIFE

INAGURATION WEEK SCHEDULE

MONDAY, JAN. 25 Basketball game • 7 p.m. at the BankUnited Center The Hurricanes take on the Duke University Blue Devils in the men’s basketball game Monday night at the BankUnited Center. The Hurricanes are 15-3 and 4-2 in ACC play.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 27 Firsts at UM • 4 p.m. at the Newman Alumni Center Noteworthy firsts throughout the university’s history will be displayed at the Newman Alumni Center Wednesday afternoon as part of celebrating President Frenk’s roadmap to the university’s centennial. UM Libraries will display an exhibit from its archives and President Frenk will have a conversation with historian-author and trustee Arva Moore Parks.

THURSDAY, JAN. 28 New Century of Medical Education and Innovation • 11:30 a.m. at the Miller School of Medicine

Kawan Amelung // Staff Photographer

SINK OR SWIM: Freshman Nick Hartman throws water at an opposing team during Friday’s Battleship tournament at the Wellness Center pool.

Teams aimed to sink the canoes of opponents using buckets of water.

Battleship tournament celebrates Wellness Center’s 20th anniversary

By David Ufberg Senior News Writer

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tudents canoed around the indoor pool at the Herbert Wellness Center as the center continued its 20th anniversary commemoration Friday night.

More than 30 students from nine teams participated in a tournament of the game Battleship. Teams navigated canoes through the Wellness Center pool with the goal of using buckets to fill the other canoes with enough water to sink them; the last canoe remaining af loat would win the round. Each team had three buckets to fill with pool water and unload into their opponents’ canoes. They also were given a kickboard to def lect incoming water.

“It was a really good turnout,” said Josh Lewis, a graduate intern at the Wellness Center. “At the end of the day, everybody had fun.”

Participants received commemorative 20th anniversary towels and free ice cream.

“This was a great opportunity for people to come out and hang out on a Friday night,” said David Chu, a senior who played in the tournament.

“We didn’t do the best, but we’re still having so much fun out here,” Chu’s teammate, Brandon Jenkins, said. “We’re building teamwork [and] friendship. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Morgan White, also a senior, was just as enthusiastic about the event. “I loved it … it was a blast. I would recommend it to anyone,” White said.

Senior Bryce McConville was on the team that won the tournament.

“My friend invited me last minute, so we just came out here and it was a lot of fun,” McConville said. “It was great to win.”

McConville and his team won a $75 Rathskeller gift card courtesy of the Wellness Center as their first-place prize.

Another Battleship tournament, in which representatives from all club sports will compete, has been planned. Thirtytwo teams are expected to participate.

President Frenk, Board of Trustees Chair Stuart A. Miller and Miller School of Medicine leaders will have a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Center for Medical Education and the naming of the Don Soffer Clinical Research Center. The event will be held in the Schoninger Research Quadrangle and will also include remarks from Frenk and Miller about the future of UM.

FRIDAY, JAN. 29 ʻCane Talks • 9:30 a.m. at the Donna E. Shalala Student Center Ten members of the UM community will give 10-minute talks pondering big questions. Speakers include Dean Shelton Berg from the Frost School of Music, Professor and Knight Chair in Visual Journalism Alberto Cairo, Professor of Law Osamudia James and School of Architecture Dean Rodolphe el-Khoury, among others.

Inauguration Ceremony • 2 p.m. at the BankUnited Center Dr. Julio Frenk will be officially inaugurated as the sixth president of the university.

Community Reception • 4 p.m. on the Student Center Complex Lakeside Patio A celebration of President Frenk’s inauguration will immediately follow the installation ceremony and is open to the entire UM community.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30 Our Global Future: Teaching, Research, and Discovery in Our New Century • 9:30 a.m. at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) President Frenk and RSMAS Dean Roni Avissar will discuss hurdles and plans for the university in its connection to the rest of the world over breakfast. This event is open to RSMAS faculty, staff and students.

January 25 - January 27, 2016

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

OPINION

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HURRICANE

Opinion

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

EDITORIAL

CHAT What do you think of the campus ducks?

ARIELLA BANIN FRESHMAN “They’re aggressive. They waddle everywhere, but they’re great. They really contribute to the campus environment here; it’s like a little piece of nature. They’re there every time I try to walk to class.”

Questions remain about university’s duck control The ducks are some of the first things students notice when they step on campus. Their slow swagger and many traces, to put it delicately, establish the ducks’ dominance on campus walkways.

As students, we have learned to cope with the ducks. We feed them, we take photos of them and we fight with them for sidewalk space – the ducks have become integrated in our daily routines.

However, the university’s recent actions to control the duck population have raised eyebrows.

The issue first came to light when students noticed trappers with nets in the middle of the night near

the Stanford Circle canal last week – coinciding closely with preparations for Inauguration Week.

The university cited health and safety concerns for the duck removal. The Muscovy duck is classified as a non-native nuisance animal in Miami-Dade County.

The ducks can spread E. coli and salmonella bacteria, and their feces can alter the pH of the water. However, if the university is entirely justified in removing the ducks, it is strange that they plan no further action after last week’s trapping.

Even more dubious is the university’s claim that only 14 ducks were removed. That number could hardly make any significant impact on the population. It seems that the university would have removed more, or they do in-

The Miami

deed plan on trapping more ducks throughout the semester.

Either way, there should be more transparency on how the duck population is being handled.

For a school so closely embedded within the local ecosystem, this could be a valuable learning experience for students to understand the importance of maintaining an ecological balance and minimizing human effects, such as feeding the ducks. In the least, it will lessen the alarm of students walking through the area late at night and give the editorial staff more confidence knowing that the ducks are not, in fact, ending up in the dining hall.

Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nick Gangemi

WEBMASTER Georges Duplessy

MANAGING EDITOR Julie Harans

ONLINE EDITOR Sherman Hewitt

NEWS EDITOR William Riggin

COPY CHIEF Alyssa Bolt

ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Isabella Cueto OPINION EDITOR Jackie Yang EDGE EDITOR Emily Dabau SPORTS EDITOR Mark Singer PHOTO EDITOR Hallee Meltzer ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITORS Victoria McKaba Erum Kidwai ART DIRECTOR Emma Deardorff DESIGNERS Madeleine Trtan Savanah DeBrosse Amy Meltzer MULTIMEDIA EDITOR S. Molly Dominick

COPY EDITORS Huixin Deng Tej Joshi Annie Louk PR MANAGER Katie Edgar BUSINESS MANAGER Christopher Dalton SALES REPRESENTATIVES James Hillyer Grayson Tishko Kyle Stewart Chris Daniels Ben Holiday AD DESIGNER Cynthia Pacheco ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Isabel Vichot FACULTY ADVISER Ileana Oroza FINANCIAL ADVISER Steve Priepke

FEROZ SHAHJAHAN JUNIOR “The ducks are really annoying.”

DANIA KELLER FRESHMAN “At first I was a kind of put off by them because I got bitten by one of them at the beginning of the year. I was walking down a path and there were, like, six ducks. It was raining, so I didn’t want to step in the mud, and one of them bit me. But then I kind of started to like them; they’re cute and they’re part of the campus culture. Everybody’s like, yeah, we have our ducks, that’s our thing.”

[]_[] CHATs are edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy.

To reach a member of the staff visit themiamihurricane.com’s contact page. ©2015 University of Miami

ENTERTAINMENT

‘Star Wars’ nostalgia should be about more than appearances

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his December, millions of “Star Wars” super fans geared up to see the newest installment of the series on the big screen. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was a worthy next step to the original films and a fast-paced adventure in

By Grace Wehnianen its own right, complete with humor, Contributing Columnist plot twists and the follies of characters both old and new.

However, the big takeaway for many moviegoers was that actress Carrie Fisher apparently hadn’t aged well.

The criticism is rife with sexism, as much less was said in the way of looks about the franchise’s leading men, and ageism, since it’s been almost 40 years since audiences first met Princess (now General) Leia. But even outside of these “isms” we’ve almost come to expect from Hollywood — which is a problem in and of itself — the complaints over Fisher’s looks speak to how fans’ nostalgia for the series

and the character can distort the merits of the film and, of course, one of its leading actresses.

By complaining about Fisher’s looks, fans trivialize the tremendous efforts that went into rebooting the series.

It only makes sense that “Star Wars” fans want to reexperience the awe and excitement they first felt all those years ago. But when that nostalgia prevents fans from acknowledging that there’s a talented actress and, more importantly, a human being behind Leia, they do their favorite franchise a disservice. They make 2015’s return to “a galaxy far, far away” more about beauty and youth than Fisher’s work and the cast and crew.

New York Post blogger Kyle Smith suggested that Fisher ought to “quit acting” if she “doesn’t like being judged on her looks.”

Fisher, defending herself and the multitude of fellow actresses likely to be chastised for aging, shot back a stream of snappy Tweets, calling her body little more than a “brain bag” that “hauls [her] around to those places and in front of faces where there’s something to say or see.”

We can only hope that the younger generation develops the same infatuation with Leia as its parents did — maybe not for that notorious gold bikini, but for her wit, wisdom and defense of all those who have ever been belittled for their looks or their audacity to age.

Grace Wehniainen is a freshman majoring in journalism.

The Miami Hurricane is published semi-weekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami. The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Miami Hurricane’s Editorial Board.

Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business office of The Miami Hurricane are located in the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200.

LETTER POLICY The Miami Hurricane encourages all readers to voice their opinions on issues related to the university or in response to any report published in The Miami Hurricane. Letters to the editor may be submitted typed or handwritten to the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200, or mailed to P.O. Box 248132, Coral Gables, Fla., 33124-6922. Letters must be signed with a copy of your Cane Card.

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AFFILIATIONS The Miami Hurricane is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Florida College Press Association.

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OPINION

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

January 25 - January 27, 2016

ENTERTAINMENT

Artistsʼ ʻrightʼ to alter creative work shouldnʼt depend on fan approval

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ith “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” storming into theaters last month, fans across the globe collectively rekindled the venerable “Star Wars” franchise, catapulting it back to the top of the box office. While there has been plenty of buzz about “The Force Awakens” itself, off to the sidelines, long-term fans have reignited conversations about the series’s past.

Were the original films really that great? Yes and no. Were the prequels actually good? Yes. Is Jar Jar Binks a Sith Lord? Nope. However, a discussion that sorely needs more attention is that about “Star Wars” creator George Lucas’s infamous “special editions” and what rights an artist has to his work after release.

For years, the conversation has been dominated by reactionary fanboy sentiment, and now would be a great time to reevaluate that conversation.

In the mid-90s, Lucas went about editing the first trilogy of the “Star Wars” films. Scenes were added, modern digital effects were composited into pre-existing shots and edits were made to smooth over continuity issues between movies. Fans were furious and, in many ways, their frustration is understandable.

The added CGI work is an eyesore, worsened by the fact that it’s superimposed on a film that was clearly made in a pre-digital era. It wasn’t too long after these “special editions” completed their theatrical run that they superseded the original versions and became the only versions “Star Wars” fans could purchase for home viewing. The unaltered versions disappeared from the shelves and have become something of a rarity today.

A sentiment rose among fans that has endured to this day: George

THE MATURITY COLUMN Lucas had no right to take the original cuts and replace them with these “specialized”

By Andrew Allen versions.

Staff Columnist Once a piece of art has been released, it is out of the creator’s hands to micromanage and control.

In light of how abysmal some of the alterations were (though there are some necessary changes among them), it’s understandable why this argument developed. That being said, in the grand scheme of art-making, this view makes little sense. This is why we, as fans of the franchise, must reevaluate our stance on this “special editions” matter and the subject of artistic ownership as a whole. How much of a right does

IN VIRTUALLY NO OTHER FIELD WOULD SOMEONE DEMAND WHAT FANS INSIST OF LUCAS.

George Lucas have to replace existing versions of his art with updated ones? The answer, whether fans like it or not, is: every right in the world.

An important distinction to make is that Lucas never actually took anything from anybody. The way fans phrase the events of the “special editioning” would make you believe that Lucas himself sent a squad of stormtroopers into the houses of innocent, well-meaning fans and ripped the original cuts from their fingers. Clearly, this did not happen. In actuality, Lucasfilm simply stopped selling one version of the film and kept on selling another.

Let’s take a step back for a moment and realize how common and reasonable this practice is: in virtually no other field would someone demand what fans insist of Lucas.

Nobody would tell a chef they need to continue selling every previous iteration of their prized dish; nobody would tell an author that they need to continue printing the third, second and first editions of their novel.

In the course of business and art history, creators replacing outdated versions of their work is a commonplace action met with relatively passive response, with the almost-singular exception of “Star Wars.”

Take, for example, J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novel “The Hobbit.” By the second edition of the novel, Tolkien was deep into writing the sequel “The Lord of the Rings.” While writing it he realized that, for storytelling purposes, the way he characterized the role of Gollum in “The Hobbit” wasn’t conducive to the story he needed to tell in the sequel. He went back and rewrote “Riddles in the Dark,” the most famous chapter of “The Hobbit,” fundamentally altering the tone, dynamics of the scene and Gollum’s character. Unlike the overwhelming majority of Lucas’s changes, Tolkien didn’t simply make some poor aesthetic alterations, he fundamentally changed the dramatic content of the novel’s most iconic moments. Nobody complained. This altered version of “The Hobbit” is the only version of the book that has been sold in stores for more than 60 years.

The key differences in the cases of “The Hobbit” and “Star Wars?”

In one case, the changes were appreciated; in the other case, the changes were generally poor. The notion of a creative having “no right” to update their work vaporizes when consumers like the changes. It’s not much of a “conviction,” it’s merely a smokescreen of thin logic designed to validate the possessiveness of fan bases.

Fans must accept that just because they love something doesn’t mean they have ownership over it.

What “right” does George Lucas or Tolkien have? Every right. Or, in any case, more of a right than you or I have to dictate changes to works they created. Artists are free to alter their work by transforming it and repackaging it. Whether or not we like the choices they make has no bearing on whether they are allowed to make those choices.

Andrew Allen is a junior majoring in communications.

Gentle yet Frenk: our sixth president

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fter one semester, we can finally start to paint a picture of President Julio Frenk. A fullyclothed picture, that is.

Our new leader’s face first greeted us last spring from online pictures and magazines featuring his signature crinkly, closed-mouth smile. Like if James Franco had a baby with Principal Skinner from “The Simpsons.”

But now, after President Frenk’s first Homecoming and finals week, we know a few more tidbits about the mysterious, reserved man behind the photos.

First off, he’s adaptable. When he started, he threw up the U like he was playing paper football. Now, after plenty of practice with student selfies, he can finally throw up the letter that is already in his name.

That adaptability is his mostnecessary trait right now, as President Frenk inherited two massive construction projects: the new Health Center and the ten-year housing plan, which should both have enough free condoms to put the CVS across the street out of business. He also stepped up right in the middle of a growing dialogue about race and LGBT issues on campus and is working with those respective task forces in stride.

During President Donna Shalala’s final run, she aggressively pursued how she wanted the campus to change in her absence – almost like her last will for our school. I guess she forgot to include Al Golden.

But President Frenk didn’t come thrashing with scissors through her blueprint, and instead has opted to study it and listen to his advisors ask, “Haaaaave you met Donna?”

At the end of last semester, I interviewed Senior Executive Director of Housing, Jim Smart, about President Frenk’s involvement with the housing plan, which involves knocking down the freshmen dorms. He said President Frenk hadn’t made any drastic changes to the pre-approved process, but will have the opportunity.

Frenk is still moving cautiously, first getting a good feel for the land before making any gamechanging moves, which is probably

By Danny New why he hosted a Humor Columnist Town Hall last semester, during which he demonstrated his softspoken demeanor and kindness.

Fortunately, I had the pleasure of spending some time with the president when he visited the School of Communication’s news studio for the first time (I am a broadcast journalism major with a concentration in attention.)

While we spoke, he blew me away with how many questions he asked. He seemed to really care and want to learn about his students. Actually, now that I think about it, he might have actually been asking, “Do we really need to be spending money on this studio?”

Here, I saw a major difference between President Frenk and his predecessor. With his questions, President Frenk commanded the attention of the room in the opposite way that President Shalala would have.

When I interviewed Shalala on UM’s late-night talk and sketch comedy show “Off the Wire,” she brandished her wit and spunk with stories of losing a bet to Sebastian and kicking out the lake’s alligator once the students named it Donna.

Meanwhile, President Frenk used silence as his weapon. He would stand there and nod to let you know that he was contemplating your answer. Next to Miss Effie in the Mahoney-Pearson Dining Hall, he’s the best listener on campus.

Overall, President Frenk is emerging as a quiet, but effective leader. While he may not have had enough time to make any monumental shifts to our campus, he demonstrates his adaptability and overall genuine nature with the actions that we have seen so far.

And hey, if nothing else, Al Golden is gone, right?

Danny New is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. The Maturity Column runs alternate Mondays.

January 25 - January 27, 2016

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

EDGE

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Spontaneous dramas developed during 24 Hour Plays Festival

By David Ufberg Contributing Edge Writer

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ll bets were off as students performed in UM’s annual 24 Hour Plays Festival on Saturday in the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre. During the event, studnets were given only 24 hours to execute a play.

“There will be chaos, as always,” said Peter Ellenstein, artistic director of the Ring Theatre, in anticipation of the event.

The 24-hour process started around 8 p.m. on Friday, when a group of approximately 50 actors, writers, directors and technicians gathered at the Ring. The participants each brought one completely random costume of choice and one prop with no prior planning or coordination.

The creativity in props and costumes is what brings about the chaotic nature of the plays, Ellenstein said. He reminisced to a past year when one student brought in a lobster suit as his costume and took on the persona of an underground lobster wrestler; one student even brought in his accordion-playing roommate as a prop.

After the actors left, from around 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., the writers composed six 10-minute plays using the various actors, props and costumes to inspire them.

The performances covered a range of topics and genres, including a play about a divorce-bound couple rediscovering their love for each other opening for a puzzling murder-mystery in which a serial killer terminated his victims, locked in a room, one-by-one. Vibrant outfits and creative props only served to bolster the intrigue of the performances. The actresses adorned colorful, wavy dresses, and the scene was set by props such as intricately woven baskets and bottles of poison.

Throughout the process, the writers received invaluable guidance from Tarell McCraney, an acclaimed playwright and professor of theatre and civic engagement, who held a writing workshop for the writers prior to the 24 Hour Plays. “[The students] all said it was really helpful for them,” Ellenstein said.

Once the scripts were written, directors came in at approximately 7 a.m. to read what the writers had created, and each director chose a script to work on.

The actors then returned to the theater at 8 a.m. to learn which play they would be performing in. They broke up into groups and went to various rehearsal rooms around campus, where they spent 12 straight hours preparing the show.

“It’s about being as creative as you can with all kinds of obstacles in your way … seeing what you can do with the imagination and a lot of enthusiasm and endurance,” Ellenstein said.

All six performances entertained the crowds, each play seemingly outdoing its predecessor. Each performance was able to stir roaring laughs from the crowd while exploring themes of love, death and friendship.

IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE: Jim, played by Bennett Leeds, points a gun at Aaron, played by Jacob Garwood, during “The Killer Inside,” the second of six plays performed Saturday evening at the Jerry Herman Ring Theatre for the 24 Hour Plays event.

ONE-DAY DRAMA: The cast of “Do Bikers Live with Their Parents” pose during their performance in the 24 Hour Plays.

“I’ve done [shows like this] all over the country and they never fail to produce a lot of enthusiasm and creativity and fast friendships,” Ellenstein said.

Ellenstein has been working in theater for more than 40 years, showcasing his talent for directing and producing in various cities.

The students at UM have made his experience in Miami momentous.

“The students here are really remarkable … it’s a joy to teach them and it’s a joy to be directing them,” he said.

Photos by Nick Gangemi // Editor-in-Chief

CURTAIN CALL: The entire cast and crew of the 24 Hour Plays Festival takes a final bow at the end of Saturday’s show.

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EDGE

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January 25 - January 27, 2016

Chocolate Festival features samples, cooking demos, educational exhibits

By Esther Ponce de Leon Staff Writer

DISSECTING DESSERT: During a demonstration Saturday at the 10th Annual International Chocolate Festival, a Fairchild Tropical Gardens volunteer breaks open a cacao bean for attendees to view its composition.

T

asty chocolate, scenic gardens and cold weather came together at the 10th Annual International Chocolate Festival at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden this weekend. At the event, students and other visitors enjoyed the beautiful gardens while sampling different variations of chocolates and listening to music.

Every year, Fairchild brings chocolate makers and connoisseurs together. Scholars gave lectures about cacao plants, plant breeding and chocolate production in different countries. The goal of the festival is to educate visitors about the different ways of making chocolate while giving them something sweet to munch on.

“For me, it’s amazing because I’m here to teach about chocolate production,”

Photos by Hallee Meltzer// Photo Editor

SWEET TREATS: Wendy’s Chocolates sells chocolate-covered Oreo cookies and graham crackers during Fairchild Tropical Garden’s International Chocolate Festival.

said William Navas, a visitor experience coordinator. “When you explain that to the people it’s amazing because they don’t know that from the trees – from the seeds – you’re going to have such a nice, delicious product like the chocolate.”

In addition to the lectures, garden visitors were also invited to watch cooking demonstrations and to receive free samples from vendors.

“The people want to taste chocolate,” Navas said.

One demonstration involved making a sculpture out of pure, solid chocolate. It consisted of multi-colored flowers sprouting from a brown stem, all carved out of chocolate.

Ryan Hauslinger, a student from Johnson and Wales University majoring in

BITE-SIZED BLISS: Cacao Art Chocolates displays their assortment of handcrafted chocolates and truffles in the Garden House Saturday.

baking and pastries and a designer of the chocolate sculpture, explained the process of making something out of chocolate.

“We started last night and basically tempered chocolate, which is [when] you take chocolate up to a certain temperature and then bring it back down,” he said.

“Then they had certain molds they could pour the chocolate into and let it set, and that’s what made it harden the right way.

Now, they’re assembling the chocolate into a sculpture. The flowers are white chocolate, too.”

People were eventually able to taste the sculpture since every piece of it was edible.

“People can eat it after, but I’m not sure if they’ll want to eat it,” Hauslinger said.

While the festival began Friday, rain, clouds and cold weather held many visitors back. On Saturday, however, the festival was busier. Navas was impressed with the overall turnout. “[Saturday] was amazing. We had 2,600 people in the butterfly conservatory alone. That means there could be probably around 5,000 people at the festival [Saturday],” he said.

Caroline Blake, a visitor and Miami native, described the blend of chocolate samples and gorgeous garden views that the festival offered.

“It’s a nice, different experience to get a little bit of the chocolate and the food pieced with the beautiful Fairchild Gardens here. You get to see what Miami can offer,” she said.

DESIGN BY AMY MELTZER

January 25 - January 27, 2016

Sports

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

1973

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

ATHLETICS

Hurricanes suffer painful loss to Florida State

Brunch event honors female athletes

By Mark Singer Sports Editor

H

ead Coach Katie Meier’s quiet voice told Erum Kidwai // Assistant Photo Editor the story of the game. After the Hurricanes lost CHIN UP: Junior guard Adrienne Motley takes a free throw during Miami’s 69-58 loss to to the rival Seminoles 69-58 at FSU Sunday afternoon at the BankUnited Center. Motley scored a game-high 20 points. home for the fourth consecutive time on Sunday afternoon, Meier said plenty in her muted senior center scored nine points Seminoles near the basket. The in the first five minutes, just shy Canes scored 12 points in the speech.

“This is my angry voice. of the 12 points Miami scored paint to just four for the Seminoles.

When I’m really angry, it’s low- as a team in the entire period.

“I thought Florida State Hayes, donning her level and [doesn’t have] a lot of emotion to it,” Meier said. “We controlled tempo for almost menacing black mask for the weren’t tough together. Togeth- the entire game. They executed third straight game, powered er, we weren’t tough when the through their offenses way bet- the Canes back in the second ter than we did,” Meier said. quarter. The Georgia native game was on the line.”

The Canes (17-3, 5-2) “Nothing’s easy against Flori- had a season-high 12 points at the half to go with her four found themselves down 60-55 da State.”

The Canes and Seminoles rebounds, two assists and two with 2:23 to go after a huge three-pointer by junior guard ended the first half tied at 31 af- steals. Hayes gave the Canes a Adrienne Motley, but the Sem- ter two wildly different periods two-point lead with 44 seconds inoles pulled away with five to start the game. FSU domi- left when she bulldozed over straight points. Miami commit- nated the opening quarter, FSU’s Ivey Slaughter in the ted three live-ball turnovers in making 60 percent of its shots paint for an easy layup. A late the final two minutes and had compared to 27 percent for Mi- jumper by Seminole Leticia ami. The Seminoles outscored Romero tied the game at the 21 for the game.

“Like coach said, we just the Canes 10-2 in points in the break.

Florida State shot 47 perweren’t tough,” said Motley, paint. FSU led 17-12 after going on a 10-2 run to end the first cent from the field in its sixth who finished with a game-high consecutive win. Miami en20 points. “Live-ball turnovers quarter.

FSU went cold in the tered the day with a four-game killed us at the end.” second period, finishing the winning streak, but 39 percent No. 16 Miami went into the half tied at 31 with No. 14 half with 42 percent shooting shooting from the field – inFlorida State, but the Semi- from the field. The Canes took cluding one of seven shooting noles (15-4, 16-1) led the entire a 19-18 lead on an 8-0 run in on threes in the second half second half due to a hot start the middle of the period after – handed the Canes their first in the third quarter from Adut the Seminoles failed to score a loss in three weeks.

The Canes next play VirBulgak. Not even the 2,313 fans point in just over four minutes of play.

Led by redshirt junior ginia Tech at 7 p.m. on Thursat the BankUnited Center, including a record number of stu- forward Keyona Hayes, it day in Blacksburg, Virginia. dents, could quiet Bulgak. The was the Canes that bullied the

By Mark Singer Sports Editor

The University of Miami hosted its second annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics with a brunch followed by the women’s basketball team’s game against Florida State at the BankUnited Center on Sunday afternoon.

The event kicked off Inauguration Week for new UM President Julio Frenk.

“We very deliberately chose to tip off inauguration week with athletics. And women’s athletics is a subject very dear to my heart,” Frenk said. “Athletics plays an integral role in the development of young women.”

Women’s basketball Head Coach Katie Meier spoke for all of Miami’s coaches about the function athletics plays in building confidence in student-athletes. “With accomplishment comes confidence. With confidence comes belief. And it has to be in that order,” Meier said. “I truly believe this: a confident woman can change the world.”

Miami, which became the first school to offer an athletic scholarship to a female student-athlete in 1973, honored 10 current female student-athletes at the brunch attended by approximately 270 people. Director of Athletics Blake James and Deputy Director

SPORTS

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The year Miami became the first university in the country to offer an athletic scholarship to a female student-athlete

of Athletics Jennifer Strawley introduced the 10 honorees, noting their accomplishments on the field as well as their numerous academic achievements.

“This is something that is truly special and differentiates the University of Miami from the rest of the country,” James said. “It really signifies the important role women’s athletics plays for our university. I’m thrilled with our ability to celebrate the women on campus.”

The 10 honorees were basketball guard Adrienne Motley, diver Kara McCormack, golfer Daniela Darquea, rower Sarah Aschebrock, goalkeeper Catalina Perez, swimmer My Fridell, tennis player Stephanie Wagner, weight thrower Tiffany Okieme, volleyball player Kalysta White and track and field jumper Alexis Wright.

“We want to award our student-athletes who go out in the community and are such fantastic representatives of this university,” said Strawley, who led the planning of the event. “And to celebrate our female studentathletes who don’t get the same spotlight that our men’s student-athletes might get on a regular basis.”

Wright, a senior who plans on attending medical school after graduating, talked about the crucial role her track career has played in her life. “Athletics has given me a platform and a chance to see myself in a new light,” Wright said. “Women’s athletics changed my life and I hope it can do the same for others.”

Evelyn Choi // Staff Photographer

LEADING LADY: Women’s basketball Head Coach Katie Meier discusses how athletics helps build confidence in female student-athletes during the Celebration of Women’s Athletics brunch Sunday in the BankUnited Center.

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SPORTS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

January 25 - January 27, 2016 WOMEN’S TENNIS

Team heading to ITA National Team Indoor Championship

By Tej Joshi Copy Editor

R

Giancarlo Falconi // Staff Photographer

FULL SWING: Senior Stephanie Wagner wins the 115th singles match of her career in straight sets against Middle Tennessee Saturday afternoon at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.

anked No. 13 in the country, the Hurricanes opened the spring season ranked in the Top 25 for the 12th consecutive year. The Canes concluded play in the ITA Kick-Off at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center on Sunday with a 4-2 win over the No. 41 Auburn Tigers to head to the ITA National Team Indoor Championship, also for the 12th straight year. The ITA National Team Indoor Championship will take place from Feb. 5-8.

The Canes were seeded first in their group, which included Auburn, Middle Tennessee and Michigan State. The match began with the Canes duo of freshman Ana

Madcur and sophomore Sinead Lohan losing their set 6-0. The Canes rebounded well, winning the next three singles points to take command of the match.

“We had a good little test, losing the doubles point and then having to f lip the momentum against a very competitive Auburn team,” Miami Head Coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews said to HurricaneSports.com.

Sophomores Wendy Zheng and Silvia Fuentes and freshman Madcur all won their singles matches with ease, taking their matches in straight sets.

No. 9 Stephanie Wagner’s match went unfinished at the end of Sunday’s play with the senior leading 4-1 in the third and deciding set. The tournament was postponed one day after all play was cancelled Friday due to rain.

Prior to playing Auburn in the tournament, the Canes faced Middle Tennessee on Saturday. They won the match in a shutout 4-0. It was the 124th shutout for the Canes under Yaroshuk-Tews. Weather was not an issue for the Canes, despite the powerful winds.

The Hurricanes next face Georgia Tech at 3 p.m. on Friday at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Canes prepare to challenge Blue Devils

By Cody Brown Senior Sports Writer

T

he No. 15 Hurricanes will play one of their most anticipated games of the season at 7 p.m. on Monday night against the No. 20 Duke Blue Devils at the BankUnited Center. The game features two teams jockeying for position in the ACC standings and could provide either with the momentum needed to make a run at a regular-season conference title.

The Canes (13-3, 4-2) enter the game as a rare favorite over the Blue Devils and are hoping to build upon recent wins. After struggling in their first week back from winter break, the Canes rebounded nicely with two convincing wins over Boston College and Wake Forest this past week.

The Canes’ backcourt holds the key to a win on the offensive end. Redshirt senior guards Angel Rodriguez and Sheldon McClellan continue to excel on the ball, scoring 14 points apiece in the victory over Wake Forest on Saturday. Sophomore guard Ja’Quan Newton also looks as if he might garner a

larger role offensively on Monday night. Newton is coming off of one of the best games of his career, an 18-point performance against Wake Forest, and will look to dismantle the Duke guards off the dribble.

However, the Blue Devils (14-4, 4-3) will arrive in Coral Gables with plenty of motivation. They slid in the rankings after losing three out of their last four games against ACC opponents and desperately need a win to stay in contention for a regular-season ACC title.

The Canes will have to focus defensively on sophomore guard Grayson Allen, who is averaging more than 20 points per game and tallied 28 in a winning effort against North Carolina State on Saturday. Freshman forward Brandon Ingram also poses a daunting task for Miami’s defense. Ingram is a seven-footer with guard skills and has been a major matchup issue for almost every team Duke has played. If the Canes can limit his impact on the game, they will put themselves in a nice position to get a second consecutive victory over the Blue Devils.

The Canes look forward to playing in front of a raucous home crowd and could separate themselves from a cluster of teams at the top of the ACC standings with a statement win. Even after losing three out of their last four games, Duke is still Duke. A win over the Blue Devils would provide the Canes with a much-needed marquee victory that their resume currently lacks.

Matthew Trabold // Contributing Photographer

STRAIGHT SHOT: Redshirt senior guard Sheldon McClellan goes up for a dunk in the first half of Saturday’s game against Wake Forest at the BankUnited Center. The Canes won 77-63 and will face Duke Monday evening.

January 25 - January 27, 2016

Dear V, I just got out of a two-year relationship and started a fling with a girl in my class. We’ve only met up once, but have talked about taking things further the next time we hook up.

I’m excited, but there’s one thing she doesn’t know about that I’m afraid might make her change her mind … I’m submissive.

For a guy, that can be weird to say. I’m met with mixed reactions when I tell my close friends and partners. My ex was fine with it because she was dominant in bed, but I’m getting the sense that this new girl expects me to take the lead and be in control.

I want to tell her the truth, but I’m afraid she might not want to see me anymore.

What should I do?

Sincerely, Not the Usual Role Dear Not the Usual Role, Don’t worry too much – your new girl might be into dominating more than you’d expect.

Just like you’re scared to say you’re submissive, she might be

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

afraid to admit she’s dominant.

Unfortunately, girls are expected to hand over the reins to guys both in and out of the bedroom.

Let’s ditch society’s expectations and focus on making sure you two have a good time.

This is something you’ll probably want to mention beforehand.

If she does end up being submissive also, it will make for an awkward night if you’re both laying there waiting for the other person to take over – so make sure she’s cool with it before hitting the sack.

Drop the sub-bomb over a flirty text while your conversation is getting heated. When she asks what kind of stuff you’re into, respond coyly with, “I tend to prefer to let the ladies take the reins ;)” and see what she says.

If she doesn’t get hint, feel free to be blunt.

DEAR V

After all, you’re going to be seeing each other naked. You shouldn’t be afraid of talking about tastes and preferences for bedroom rendezvous.

You might even find your romps in the sack to be more satisfying and exciting after talking about what gets you two going.

So tell her your preferences and see if she’s into it. There’s nothing wrong with being honest.

If it turns out that you’re both submissive, get someone more assertive to help you out. Hit up the internet and chat with your local dominatrix. Maybe she can show you a trick or two.

-V

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THE MIAMI HURRICANE

January 25 - January 27, 2016

FEBRUARY 2,2016 | 4P.M. | HERBERT WELLNESS CENTER MAIN GYM | RSVP @ MIAMI.EDU/HWC20