Issuu

Vol. 105, Issue 16

Aug. 26, 2026 - Sept. 9, 2026

OUR CA MPUS IS CHANGING Coral G ables deal could bring more undergrads and a hospital to U M By Katie Karlson Editor-in-Chief If passed, a new agreement between UM and the city of Coral Gables would allow a hospital to be built on campus, significantly increase the number of undergraduates and provide more square footage for construction. The University of Miami filed a 217-page package with the city of Coral Gables on June 11, requesting amendments to four separate documents: the Development Agreement, the Campus Master Plan, the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code. This proposed Development Agreement is a 30-year agreement between the two parties, with both leveraging key negotiating assets. “The development agreement is designed to look into the future,” the University told The Hurricane in a statement. “It establishes the parameters that will govern future growth and development of the University of Miami’s Coral Gables Campus over the course of the next 30 years.” What would UM gain? The proposed deal would amend the land-use rules to allow UM to build a hospital

on campus. Page 11 of the filing suggests that UM could build a hospital along the “Ponce de Leon corridor with easy access to public transit.” No plans for a hospital have been filed with the city yet, and it is unclear if UM would build a full-service hospital or a specialty center. “The University does not — at present — possess a specific plan to build a hospital on the Coral Gables Campus,” the University said in a statement. “As home to the only university-based academic health system in South Florida, the University is planning for the future needs of its community — both on campus and beyond campus — as it continues to deliver on its mission to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service, while providing high-quality, compassionate patient care and positively impacting the community.” UM is proposing that the area across from the University Metrorail Station along Ponce de Leon Blvd. — essentially the location of the yellow lot — be rezoned to a University Use MultiUse Area, suggesting that this

may be where UM envisions a future hospital. A University Use Multi-Use Area is a specialized land-use zoning area on campus where UM can have a broad range of uses and higher-intensity development. Additionally, the new deal would allow for UM to enroll 17,500 undergraduate students, compared to the 13,000 permitted under the old terms. This would be an approximately 35% increase in the undergraduate population. If the population were to exceed 17,500, UM would need to address traffic, housing and other concerns with the city as per the agreement. Along with the increased population cap, UM’s campus boundaries would expand. UM requested that three properties — 1530 Levante Avenue, 5827 Ponce de Leon Blvd. and 5855 Ponce de Leon Blvd. — located near Titanic Brewery and Restaurant be rezoned from the “Commercial Low-Rise Intensity category to the University Campus category.” Within the land the University already owns, the proposed deal would replace the “fixed development cap” of 6.8 million acres with a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) structure.

Areas with higher FAR values can be more densely built, making the land more efficient. The proposal allows for an FAR of 1.0. For example, if UM owned a 10,000-square-foot lot, the University would be allowed to build a total of 10,000 square feet of floor space. The floor space could be one 10,000-square-foot story, two 5,000-square-foot stories, and so on. The total cannot exceed 10,000 square feet. Stairwells, trash chutes, electrical rooms and other similar spaces have been excluded from the FAR. What would the University give? In return, UM will transfer the 5.52 acres of land known as the Lee Lincoln Site — worth an estimated $50 million — to the city. The site sits between Granada Blvd. and Ponce de Leon, behind the Mahoney-Person parking garage and east of campus. The park will be renamed “Centennial Park” in honor of the city and UM’s 100th year. It will be restricted to “ancillary recreational purposes,” making it the largest green space owned by Coral Gables. UM will also pay the city $1 million annually, with a 4% annual increase, and w i l l

continue its partnership with athletics. Specifically, the University will continue to offer “Coral Gables Day,” where football tickets are “Buy One, Get Two Free” for one agreed-upon home game, and will continue to give out 1,000 free tickets for men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. Many of UM’s existing partnerships with the city would continue as well. The Gables Fellow Program, an internship program for students committed to public service; UM’s lecture series; the UM Concert Series and more will remain in place. The Hurricane reached out to Coral Gables Mayor Vince C. Lago for comment but has not yet scheduled a time to discuss the agreement. What else is UM planning? Also in the filings, the University listed the buildings it plans to demolish. Notably, the list includes Mahoney and Pearson Residential Colleges, the Toppel Career Center, the Whitten Learning Center and Meyer Law Administration (A). The proposed deal also highlights “Future Building,” including a Football Operations Building, a School of Architecture Addition, a theatre and a building titled “STEM B.”

via The Miami Hurricane Staff and Brain Mulvey // Photo Editor Some students worry about how the “freshman experience” will be affected by the demolition of Hecht and Stanford Residential Colleges.

UM Business School drops Herbert name following death

Creator of Taylor Swift class named interim School of Communication dean

Overflow students left without a shuttle to THesis

David Lebowitz // Photo Editor

Courtesy of Juliette Miller

Wes Fleicsher // Contributing Photographer

Formerly the Herbert Business School, University of Miami’s Business School is being renamed after the removal of the Herbert name.

Dr. Alyse Lancaster has been appointed as the interim Dean of the Shcool of Communications.

The shuttle stop in front of the Flipse building. Sunday, Aug. 23rd, 2026.

By Rafaela Ochoa Contributing Writer

By Keira Faddis Co-Opinion Editor

By Hannah Valdivia Co-Managing Editor

One of the most popular schools within the University of Miami has officially changed its name. What was previously known as the Patti and Allan Herbert Business School is now just titled the University of Miami Business School. When it was first built in 1992, the school was called the University of Miami Business School, but was renamed in honor of the Herberts in 2019 for more than $100 million in lifetime donations to the University. In a video announcing the name change, former University of Miami president Julio Frenk said the school will “henceforth and in perpetuity” have the Patti and Allan Herbert name. Now, seven years later, the Herbert name has been removed. Patti Herbert passed away in 2020 at age 84, and Allan Herbert passed away last year at age 89.

Dr. Alyse Lancaster is taking the helm as interim dean of the School of Communication after nearly three decades at UM. Lancaster joined UM in 1999 as an assistant professor after earning her Ph.D. from the University of Florida. Since then, she has held several teaching and administrative positions, including serving as director of the advertising program, chair of the department of strategic communication, and most recently, vice dean of academic affairs. Her decision to come to Miami was shaped, in part, by someone who believed the University had limited potential. While Lancaster was deciding between UM and the University of Tennessee, her then-department chair advised her to choose Tennessee because, in their view, “the University of Miami isn’t going anywhere.” Lancaster disagreed. She chose Miami because she “saw so much potential here.”

Shuttles are not available to transport students to and from the THesis Hotel, where 140 UM students are currently living as part of “overflow” housing. THesis is located across the street from UM’s Coral Gables campus along U.S. 1, housing students as part of a deal UM made in January of 2022 designed to accommodate “overflow” students who applied for on-campus housing but were not placed. Unlike in years past, there is currently no direct shuttle route that stops at the THesis Hotel. “Shuttle service has not been provided directly to THesis and there are no current plans to do so,” said the University of Miami in a statement to the Hurricane.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

INDEX:

NEWS | PAGE 2

OPINION | PAGE 4

A&E | PAGE 5

SPORTS | PAGE 6

V’S TAKE | PAGE 8

NEWS

August 26, 2026

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

A look inside UM’s social media screening during admissions By Skyla Thomas Staff Writer As the University of Miami’s impact on social media only continues to rise, social media is quickly becoming more of a factor in college admissions. A handful of students came to the University already social media stars, and once they arrived began posting beautiful views of campus, discussing the nightlife and others causing political controversy. But did UM know about these students’ platforms before they were admitted? For the fall 2026 cycle, UM received 54,218 applications. While most college admissions officers rarely have time to review every applicant’s social media presence, they will do so if prompted — which could happen through third-party disclosure, the press or publicly-available information. “The University of Miami does not routinely search or review applicants’ social media accounts as part of the undergraduate admissions process,” the University of Miami Admissions said in a statement to The Hurricane. “In rare instances, when specific information relevant to an applicant’s admissions record is brought to the University’s attention, admissions staff may review publicly available information to better understand the matter.” According to Kaplan’s 2023 college admissions survey, 28%

of officers say they have checked applicants’ social media, and 67% say it is “fair game” for an applicant’s social media to be reviewed during the admissions process. UM has been coined as an “Influencer School” by publications like The Washington Post. The University of Miami Admissions states that students may include social media platforms and influencer status as part of their extracurriculars, and many applicants have done so. An educational consultant who specializes in crisis management, Hanna Scotland has encountered many instances of students’ social media being brought to light again, sometimes for the worse, such as through another peer “snitching.” “There’s always been people tattling on each other, rightly and wrongly. That’s not new,” Scotland said. “But this generation has kind of perfected it and I have seen it in my practice going back a long way.” Scotland explains that colleges are sometimes notified to conduct a social media search because another individual has disclosed something to them. “2020 is the year that it completely took off. Everybody was in their parents basement with nothing to do. Three years ago, you said something offensive in the group chat and I’m going to tweet it at your college,” Scotland said. “Don’t assume that things are private because there’s a small group and these are people that you trust. That is a good thing to keep in mind whether you are doing something wrong or not.”

The best practice to follow, according to Scotland, is not to post on social media, or even send to small groups, anything you’re not okay with being on the cover of a major publication. She states that many times, when an officer is prompted to look more into a student, they may search the applicant’s name online to see what comes up. Usually, an individual’s LinkedIn and Instagram profiles appear, along with any press they may be in. UM shared a similar sentiment, stating that any publicly available information may be searched by admissions officers. One notable case that Scotland wrote about in Slate Magazine was the Kyle Kashuv case. He was admitted to Harvard University in 2019, but his acceptance was later revoked when racist comments he had made in a shared document and in text messages two years prior resurfaced. “Some punishments are appropriate, fair, proportional, well considered,” Scotland said. “In his case, he’s using the N-word. There’s not a close call as to whether that’s wrong.” In other cases Scotland has seen, the social media platform will automatically flag something as inappropriate or unsafe. Snapchat, for example, is a major social media platform that many teenagers use to send and take pictures and videos. Scotland reflects on a time when one of her clients, a 15-year-old girl, was chatting with some of her close friends about a

potential snow day at their high school. The girl had said that there better be a snow day or else she would “shoot up” the school. Scotland says the student meant it as a joke to her friends; however, she didn’t know that Snapchat automatically monitors what its users say and do on the app. Consequently, Snapchat notified law enforcement. The girl ended up going to school the next day, where there was a lockdown and she was marched out by law enforcement. Scotland explains that it can be very subjective whether one person considers a post or comment just immature, while another may see it as a reflection of the applicant’s character. “Of course there’s levels of severity, whether someone is just sharing the fact that they drank a beer underage versus something like using the N-word, which, for many readers, we’re going to say that goes to your character,” Scotland said. Scotland says that colleges, especially more selective ones, are looking for well-rounded students who are ready for college and who know how to act right before they step on campus. “Admission is selective and offered to those applicants whose credentials are academically sound and whose interests, aptitudes, and preparation reflect a well-rounded secondary school experience, inside and outside the classroom,” The University of Miami Admissions website states. A 2019 study conducted by Ka-

Mai Vu // Contributing Graphic plan found that “Of the admissions officers who checked applicants’ social media profiles, 38% said what they found had a positive impact on their decision to admit students, while 32% said it had a negative impact.” Many students post things without thinking much about it and don’t expect it to become part of their college admissions. However, students must remember that anything they do online may be uncovered or traced back during their college admissions process.

VibeLink app changing how student AI tool that invents languages created by U M professor organizations stay connected By Hope Mallon Contributing Writer

By Gaby Collazo Staff Writer

What began with one University of Miami student’s struggle to keep up with campus activities has grown into VibeLink, a mobile platform built to connect more than 500 student users with clubs, events and student organizations. VibeLink, created by UM senior Markus Corredor and UM alum Anish Guntreddi, allows students to discover campus organizations and events while providing student leaders with tools and resources to manage their clubs. Since launching last semester, the platform has grown to include around 70 UM student organizations and lists more than 100 events. The idea for the app stemmed from Corredor’s own experience as a leader in the Scholars of Finance club. “Why is there not just one unified app for campus life that makes it easy for students to see what’s going on right from their phone, while simultaneously providing all the tools that club leaders need to manage their organization?” asked Corredor. VibeLink includes tools for discovering organizations and events, as well as features designed specifically for club leaders like QR-code attendance tracking, a photo gallery section and an event calendar. “We built it really just for them,” Corredor said in reference to UM student organization leaders. “All the features that you’ll see in the app are from feedback

Artificial intelligence has become a tool for everyday tasks, from answering questions to generating pictures. At the University of Miami, however, AI is being put to the test in a new way: by creating brand new languages. Morris Alper, an assistant professor of computer science at UM, is a co-creator of ColangCrafter, a tool for inventing languages from scratch. “[With] ColangCrafter, we created a whole framework that would take a large language model, like ChatGPT or [Google] Gemini and use it to create a new language,” said Alper. “[This] means it is creating this kind of summary of language, grammar rules and vocabulary.” Rather than translating existing languages, ColangCrafter allows users to create completely new languages. The website allows users to outline specific parameters for a constructed language, such as requesting that the language contain no consonant sounds. The AI then generates the new language. Since childhood, Alper has had an interest in language. His father, who is fluent in Esperanto — a constructed language, which are languages intentionally created by people for a specific purpose — inspired him to explore the different forms language can take. The tool can also help create fictional languages for video games and movies like those featured in “Game of Thrones” and “Lord of the Rings” that make the imaginary worlds feel more realistic and developed. The website can also be used to better understand poorly documented languages with limited data. By inputting a language that has been lost or forgotten over time — ColangCrafter can help predict words based on existing patterns and grammatical rules, potentially contributing to the revival of a forgotten language.

“Building VibeLink has been an amazing experience because it allowed me to combine my passion for technology, product development, and creating systems that genuinely improve student life.” Anish Guntreddi UM Alumni

points that UM club leaders have given us.” Corredor and Guntreddi spent about eight months talking with organization leaders, collecting feedback and continuously building the platform before putting it

Courtesy of Markus Corredor University of Miami Senior Markus Corredor has launched a new app on campus, VibeLink, to connect students to clubs and student organizations. on the market last January. Guntreddi, who graduated from UM last semester, served as VibeLink’s chief technology officer and helped build the app’s technical foundation, while Corredor focused on the business side of the app. “Building VibeLink has been an amazing experience because it allowed me to combine my passion for technology, product development, and creating systems that genuinely improve student life,” Guntreddi wrote in a LinkedIn post. That focus on improving student life has shaped how the team has approached VibeLink’s early growth. Much of its outreach has involved connecting directly with campus organizations and their leadership teams. The platform includes a range of organizations from academic and professional groups to social and athletic clubs, such as UM Rugby, UShred and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. “I really want them to know that what they’re doing is very valuable,” he said. “The future of higher education and student success is going to be tailored more towards what you are doing outside the classroom.” VibeLink also received support from The Launch Pad, UM’s entrepreneurship resource center. Corredor participated in its nine-week Future Founders Accelerator Program, which provided entrepreneurial guidance. The startup later received ad-

ditional support through the Cane Angel Network after winning a pitch competition. They received a $1,000 stipend that is now being used for the app’s marketing. Although the app is currently focused on UM’s campus, Corredor said the company’s long-term goal is to expand to other colleges once it has established product-market fit at the University. “When you hop on VibeLink, the end result, by the time you hop off it, is that you find what events you care about,” Corredor said. “And then once you hop back on the app, it’s because you went to those events, you had a good time, and you’re here to find more events and clubs that you care about.” However, the app’s mission also holds a more personal connection to Corredor. “The one thing that really kept me from transferring out … was this one organization called Scholars of Finance,” Corredor said. “Not only did joining this club allow me to connect with people that were like-minded, and I enjoyed being around, but it also reemphasized my want to be at UM.” Now, Corredor hopes that VibeLink can help students find the same sense of belonging. More information about VibeLink is available through the company’s official website: https:// try-vibelink.com

“There is a lot of work on systems like Google Translate that aid larger languages with more data, but when it comes to smaller languages like Indigenous American languages, there is not as much,” said Alper. “ColangCrafter works on trying to make better systems for lesser analyzed languages.” The project reflects the interdisciplinary opportunities at UM for Alper. As AI continues to evolve, students can explore how technology can be applied to fields beyond traditional usage. Students studying computer science, linguistics, communication, film or other creative fields can use ColangCrafter in new ways such as exploring how language affects communication, create realistic languages for movies or video games and use AI generated languages for storytelling, demonstrating how AI is becoming increasingly specialized across different industries. But as these capabilities continue to grow, so do concerns about how AI-generated information is created and consumed. As people increasingly absorb media without knowing whether it was made by AI, they can be exposed to inaccurate information. The process raises concerns about the reliability of information when algorithmic responses are repeatedly used to generate new information. By feeding AI-generated responses back into AI instead of using human-created information, inaccuracies can worsen, errors can become harder to detect, less original information enters the system and the human perspective is lost. Projects like ColangCrafter show how technology can be used to explore language and research while also raising questions about the reliability of artificial intelligence. As AI continues to evolve, its growing capabilities are opening new possibilities for innovation across diverse fields. For UM students, this opens the door to opportunities to explore how technology can transform ideas into a real-world impact.

Courtesy of Morris Alper Assistant Professor Morris Alper stands in front Lake Osceola.

August 26, 2026

NEWS

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

Creator of Taylor Swift class named interim School of Communication dean By Keira Faddis Co-Opinion Editor

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 That potential eventually led Lancaster to help reshape the advertising program. After receiving tenure, Lancaster asked then-Dean Sam Grogg if she could serve as program director because she believed the program had greater potential. In her new role, she began hiring new faculty members and eventually helped build what she called “this amazing advertising program.” Students, however, may recognize Lancaster for a course that turned one of the world’s biggest pop stars into the subject of a semester-long class. In fall of 2024, Lancaster created “The Mastermind of the Taylor Swift Brand,” a special topics course examining the strategies behind Taylor Swift’s billion-dollar brand. Students studied topics including branding, audience targeting and social media, while also examining how Swift cultivated her large fanbase. The idea came to her while she was on a walk when she learned that Swift had officially become a billionaire. “By the time I was done with my walk, I had the idea for a 16week class. I literally wrote out the outline while I was walking.” The course attracted national media attention and was featured in Peacock’s four-part docuseries, “The Taylor Swift Effect.” Before Lancaster took over as interim dean, former Dean Karin Wilkins made a significant impact on UM’s School of Communication. During Wilkins’ tenure, the School of Communication made

significant gains in national rankings, with Niche naming it #15 on its Best Colleges for Communications in America list. Wilkins will be joining Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism as dean. Lancaster said that her experience working closely with Wilkins will help her maintain stability while the

“My job is to make sure that students don’t feel anything other than the excellence that we already give you.” Dr. Alyse Lancaster Interim Dean

school searches for a permanent dean. “I see my role as serving as a sort of transitional person,” Lancaster said. “My job is to sort of be the person who provides stability and transition, but also maintains the momentum we have going for the school.” Lancaster said she wants the transition between deans to have little effect on the students. She plans to continue supporting the school’s five departments and to ensure fac-

ulty and students can continue their work without interruption. “I know how great our students are,” Lancaster said. “My job is to make sure that students don’t feel anything other than the excellence that we already give you.” The School of Communication has continued to receive recognition across its programs. Lancaster pointed to the school’s student media organizations — including The Miami Hurricane, the Ibis Yearbook and UMTV — which she said regularly receive awards. Faculty members have also earned recognition at conferences and are published in top journals in their fields. “Our students and faculty are just at the top of their game,” Lancaster said. “So as interim dean, it’s my job to make sure they can continue to do that.” Lancaster has worked closely with students outside of the classroom, serving as a co-adviser to UM’s National Student Advertising Competition Team from 2010 to 2014. In those years, the team won two national competitions in 2011 and 2013, placed second in 2014 and fourth in 2012. Her connection to the School of Communication became even more personal just over a year ago. Lancaster’s daughter is now a sophomore at the school, something she said makes her extremely proud. Outside of her work at the University, Lancaster said she enjoys baking sourdough, listening to Taylor Swift and learning to play the drums. She even has a drumhead under her desk that she plays when she gets stressed. For any students feeling uneasy this school year, Lancaster offers a piece of advice: “Just keep doing what you’re doing, keep trusting the faculty that are here because they are the best faculty in the country.”

Race for the Sunshine State: Key races to watch after primary elections Donalds (R) vs Jolly (D) Governor

Moody (R) vs Nixon (D) U.S. Senate Angie Nixon Jacksonville

David Jolly Dade City Ashley Moody Plant City Byron Donalds Naples

Gloria Romero Roses House District 113

Bruno Barreiro House District 113

Sovannreach Po // Graphics Editor

By Lazaro Chavez & Emil Salgado Vazquez Senior Writer & Copy Chief

In this primary election, candidates across the state were looking to make history, including a progressive seeking to continue a national sweep and an activist endorsed by a former University of Miami president. Following the primaries, there are three key races for Miami-Dade residents to watch: the fight for the governor’s mansion, the U.S. Senate race and the Florida House race for District 113.

Florida Governor’s Race For U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., there wasn’t much of a contest to receive his party’s nomination. Donalds entered the race with President Donald Trump’s endorsement — even before he officially announced his candidacy — and a massive amount of money. Donalds had upwards of $100 million in funding and the backing of major political players in Miami-Dade such as U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart and U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar. With the primary now behind him, Donalds will look to make history in the Sunshine State. With a big voter advantage and strong backing, Donalds could become

the first Black governor in the state’s history. Donalds’ platform includes an education policy plan that would give Florida students a personalized roadmap for their careers. It would also let students stack credits through dual enrollment, certifications, internships or apprenticeship programs that would count toward their graduation. He also proposed lower taxes and supported cutting property taxes. His Democratic opponent is David Jolly, who is seeking to give Democrats a fighting chance in the Sunshine State. No Democrat has won the governor’s mansion in Florida since Lawton Chiles won reelection in 1994.

O ver flow students left without a shuttle to THesis By Hannah Valdivia Co-Managing Editor

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Instead, students “are encouraged to walk to the UM shuttle stop at the metro rail station using the elevated pedestrian overpass bridge to cross U.S. 1 safely,” the University said. “The Hurry Canes shuttle will take students to Stanford Circle.” According to a UM student who was placed in THesis in spring of 2024, the school used a transportation service to shuttle students to and from THesis, with each trip taking about 15 to 30 minutes. “If the timing was poor, walking would sometimes be faster than waiting for the next shuttle,” the student said. According to a statement from the University, there were pilot programs in 2022 and 2024 that offered shuttle service to THesis.

However, “it was determined the need was not there to support continuing the service,” said the University. In place of the transportation service, students can use Freebee this year to get to THesis. FreeBee is a free car service similar to Uber, but it is only available from 4 p.m. to 7 a.m., and routes must start or end on campus, according to the Parking and Transportation website. Since THesis is not technically part of campus, students living there would not be able to take a Freebee from the hotel to campus — although they could use the service to commute from campus to their residence. The Hurry Canes shuttle service, which transports students around the Gables and Rosenstiel campuses, was introduced around 2001-2002 and currently has four routes: Miller Circle, Rosenstiel, Rosenstiel-Vizcaya and Stanford Circle — a combined total of 15 stops.

UM Business School drops Herbert name following death By Rafaela Ochoa Contributing Writer

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “Allan Herbert’s passing created a change in circumstances that led the Herbert family and the University to mutually agree to revisit the Herberts’ philanthropic commitments, redirecting them to student scholarships,” the University said in a statement to The Hurricane. “While their generosity will continue to open doors of opportunity for generations to come, this transition leaves the University of Miami Business School open to further investment.” The Herbert name is a staple

Jolly easily took home the Democratic nomination. The former Republican representative will run as an underdog in a strongly red state, given Florida’s history of favoring Republican candidates. Jolly aims to unite voters across the political spectrum against Rep. Byron Donalds. Jolly has focused his platform on affordability, calling for expanded access to affordable housing, better access to Florida’s higher education for in-state students and measures to reduce healthcare costs. Jolly, however, lacks Donalds’ funding. With the president’s support, Donalds has raised 10 times as much money as Jolly, impacting Jolly’s ability to compete effectively. As a result, Donalds will likely be able to reach more voters across the state and shape the public conversation. U.S. Senate Race State Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville, a democratic socialist and union organizer, scored the upset in the Democratic primary for Florida’s U.S. Senate seat. Nixon is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and a state representative from Jacksonville who pulled off a surprising win amidst a massive spending gap. Her win is seen as another sign of a growing — though hardfought — progressive wave in the U.S. However, she downplayed those divisions immediately after her victory. In November, Nixon will need to attract moderate voters to her progressive platform while overcoming voters’ possible doubts about her “socialist” label. Republicans aim to hold the Class III Senate seat and maintain their majority with incumbent Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla. Moody has held the seat since Jan. 2025, when Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed her to fill the vacancy left by Marco Rubio when he became Secretary of State. Moody has worked on a lot of legislation, including efforts to change the classification of fentanyl and end fraudulent FAFSA applications. Moody won nearly 80% of the vote against three opponents and, unlike Donalds, won every county

across UM’s campus, with the Patti and Allan Herbert Wellness Center, Love Bridge and the business school formerly named in their honor. But the Herberts are more than just names that students pass by every day; they represent a legacy of philanthropy and personal history ingrained within the University. As undergraduates at UM, Allan and Patti Herbert fell in love while earning business degrees. Allan said, “It was love at first sight.” They were married for 62 years, during which they had successful careers in business and real estate, started a family, and gave back to the University that meant so much to them. In total, the Herberts donated more than $100 million to UM, some of which went to the business school.

by significant margins to give her a comfortable primary win, a win she will try to use to carry herself through the general election. Florida House Race - District 113 The battle for Florida House District 113 sets up two candidates to fight over a seat that has been vacant for nearly a year after Vicki Lopez’s appointment to the Miami-Dade Commission. The Republican nomination went to former State Rep. Bruno Barreiro. Barreiro served in the House from 1992 to 1998 before joining the County Commission. Part of his platform includes fighting against overdevelopment, particularly the Live Local Act, which he told Florida Politics was a “knee-jerk response to the housing shortage.” The law allows developers to bypass certain local zoning restrictions if their projects include affordable housing. Barreiro narrowly won his primary with about 42% of the vote, and his Democratic opponent has significant backing from a former congresswoman, which could prove challenging for him. That Democratic candidate is community activist Gloria Romero Roses, who defeated Justin Mendoza Routt for the nomination to Florida House District 113. Romero Roses is a Colombian-born Brickell Key resident who ran an assisted living facility before selling it in 2020. Romero Roses also targets the Live Local Act in her campaign. In Miami neighborhoods, the law has already spurred several new projects to provide more affordable apartments, especially in areas like Edgewater and Little Havana. As part of her platform, she’s running on lowering the law’s workforce housing income cap, providing state financing to affordable housing developers, and boosting the supply of affordable homes. Her endorsement list was plentiful, but a notable one came from former UM President Donna Shalala. She’ll take this endorsement into November to face off against Bruno Barreiro.

OPINION

August 26, 2026

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

UM’s cost of attendance calculation masks tuition jump, risking poor financial aid By Jennifer DeSantis Staff Writer Tuition at the University of Miami increased from $63,456 to $66,312 this year. However, the total cost of attendance for on-campus students increased by just $754, going from $98,118 to $98,872 due to decreases in transportation, personal and book expenses. UM’s cost of attendance is misleading, and the recalculation of expenses hides the real increase in price, risking students’ financial aid. To determine financial need, UM calculates the expected family contribution based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and College Scholarship Service Profile information, then subtracts that amount from the cost of attendance. Therefore, if the cost of attendance rises only slightly, a similar amount of financial aid will be awarded, despite the nearly $3,000 increase in tuition. “When I came here, I basically had a full ride. I’ve definitely had to pay more over the years,” says a UM junior who wishes to remain unnamed. The yearly cost of attendance exceeds $100,000 at 16 colleges and

universities across the country. It’s very possible that UM doesn’t want to be number 17. It’s also possible that there is a method for calculating discretionary expenses that truly yields lower estimates. In any case, UM should be honest when giving an estimated cost of attendance. Transportation costs fell from $2,040 to $800, a decrease of 60.8%. According to UM’s website, “transportation costs are based on an average cost of students getting to and from campus,” noting that the estimate is for “domestic students living in the 48 contiguous states.” With gas prices in the US up 28.95% and airfare costs up 26.5% from last year, it’s hard to fathom how the cost of getting to and from campus would decrease or be cut by more than half from the previous year. These expenses are indirect costs, meaning they are not paid to UM, but still affect students’ total budgets. Personal expenses went from $4,254 to $2,294, a 46.1% decrease. This change also does not seem grounded in reality. A recent New York Times article reported that, for the first time, the cost of living in Miami is higher

than in New York City. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Miami is now the second most expensive U.S. metropolitan area, after San Francisco. Books decreased from $1,326 to $1,040, a 21.6% decrease. Students can enroll in the Canes Course Pack, which provides the required class materials for $445 per semester. The Hurricane previously published an article regarding the change in costs, stating that the University did not respond to The Hurricane’s questions about why these costs are so much lower than last year. The information provided by UM regarding the cost of attendance for the 2026-2027 school year is deceptive. Although the cost of attendance did not increase by much, tuition still jumped 4.5% and not explicitly showing this is misleading. Current and prospective students deserve accurate, transparent information. Unless students are actually paying significantly less this year for transportation, personal expenses and books — as the new cost of attendance suggests — students are absorbing this bulk of the tuition increase.

A guide to going out at the U

Sovannreach Po // Graphics Editor

Florida’s hypocritical laws of life By Paulina Barnjak Co-Opinion Editor

Go-go dancer at Club Space in Miami, Aug. 25, 2013, 4:52:15 a.m.

By Hannah Valdivia Co-Managing Editor

While your style, personality or interests may change over the course of your time at the University of Miami, there is one shared interest among almost all students: a love for party culture. In a bustling city like Coral Gables, which is only 20 minutes from Downtown Miami, there are endless ways to go out and have fun with your friends on any day of the week. Clubbing If you attempted to list every club in a 10-mile radius of campus, the list would be never-ending. However, there are a few that every student should visit at least once. Space is the best-known club around, and not just among students. Influencers and DJs from all over the world have visited Club Space for a night of partying that doesn’t end until well into the next morning. They also offer Saturday morning yoga classes so that you can sweat

out any toxins after a long night out. Bodega, co-founded by University of Miami alum Jared Galbut, is another popular spot in the Grove and has probably been one of the slides of your Instagram semester dump at least once. Both a taco stand and nightclub, Bodega is the perfect place for dinner and dancing. Other well-known clubs in the area include LIV, E11EVEN and Palm Tree Club. There is no shortage of places to go out with friends on any given night. To note as you make your weekend plans: while some of these clubs do allow guests 18 and older, several are limited to those aged 21 and older. Fraternities My favorite way to wear a random costume on a Wednesday night: fraternity-registered parties and tailgates are definitely a highlight of the semester when it comes to going out. The different venues and themes make it a great way to meet people while also having a great time. During football season, the fraternities will open up their houses and backyards for tailgates, and

via Wikimedia Commons it’s become what everyone looks forward to on a Saturday after a long week of classes — besides watching our favorite Canes play at Hard Rock, of course. “I think part of UM’s appeal is that there’s something for everyone. I can go to a bar, a frat or a club all in one week and know I’m going to have fun,” said a UM sophomore who wishes to remain unnamed. Starting in the Grove If you’re just beginning to explore the Grove, then there are two spots you can’t miss: Sandbar and Oasis. These two bars have become a rite of passage for students here at the U, and they are the best way to socialize during your first semester. Sandbar hosts what students call “Thirsty Thursday,” where Canes go to Sandbar in the Grove every Thursday night of the fall semester. On Wednesdays in the Grove, freshmen will attend Oasis and can partake in karaoke all night long.

Democratic socialism advances in Florida primaries By Isabella Cely Contributing Writer

Following the end of Florida’s primary election earlier this month, the one result that seemed to shock the most American voters was the nomination of Angie Nixon, a democratic socialist and state representative from Jacksonville. However, for those who have been following election results across the country, her nomination should come as no surprise. Democratic socialists have been making strides in key states over the past year. The most notable was the election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City. Voters are shifting to support democratic socialists rather than moderate democrats in the primaries to appeal to younger voters, and it looks like it’s working.

Nixon’s nomination is a sign of changing sentiments among the American populace towards socialist ideas, as well as a signifier of a shift within the Democratic Party. Nylisha Noisette, a college student and Miami local, felt satisfied with the result. “I voted for Angie Nixon and I’m glad she won. In regard to the midterm election, I could see Florida going blue. Especially with everything that’s going on now,” Noisette said. “But at the same time I wouldn’t be surprised if they didn’t because we are filled with a large older population with money.” What Noisette is referring to is the tendency of older voters to lean toward conservative politics. Florida is a top retirement destination for its warm weather and beaches, which is a major factor in its consistency as a red state over the past decade. Many Floridians share Noisette’s doubts about Florida swing-

Florida carried out its 13th execution of the year on Tuesday, August 18, putting 61-year-old William Silvia to death by lethal injection. Florida accounts for almost half of all executions carried out nationwide, solidifying its place as a death chamber in the country next to Texas and Oklahoma. But at the same time, Florida also champions “protecting human life” by passing strict anti-abortion laws under the moral banner of sanctity, fundamental human rights and the defense of the vulnerable. These laws are contradictory and hypocritical. How can the state be for death one way and not the other? It doesn’t make sense from a “for life” movement standpoint. When signing the state’s six-week Heartbeat Protection Act — which prohibits abortions once the unborn child has a detectable heartbeat — into law, Governor Ron DeSantis said supporting life is an absolute moral imperative, stating, “We are proud to support life and family in the state of Florida.” Yet in the same breath, DeSantis maintained a strict view in defending Florida’s record-setting pace of capital punishment. The Florida Governor offered a different view of Florida’s power over life, calling the death penalty an “appropriate punishment for the worst offenders.” One cannot claim moral authority on the “sanctity of human life” while operating the nation’s busiest execution site. The state’s stance is fundamentally contradictory. The criminal justice system is in-

herently flawed, capable of irrevocable errors and unfortunate racial bias. In fact, Florida holds the alarming record for the most death row exonerations in the entire nation, with 30 individuals on death row cleared of all charges before death since 1973. This is partly due to Florida’s lenient sentencing requirement, only needing 8 out of 12 jurors to vote for the death penalty while in other states like Alabama only needs 10 jurors. If life is sacred to its full extent — from conception to natural death — then its value cannot be conditional upon crime, convenience or political power. To argue that the government lacks the authority to terminate a pregnancy but holds the absolute authority to kill someone is a severely hypocritical double standard. This political question is not new and has existed in the Republican Party for some time now. After Roe v. Wade was decided in 1976, the Republican Party split on its values on life. The GOP adjusted its anti-abortion platform, explicitly invoking the Declaration of Independence to assert the “inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life.” Therefore, those contradicting GOP values rely on a distinction between innocence and guilt: abortion destroys an “innocent” life, while capital punishment executes a “guilty” life that has no rights through its severe violence. Florida cannot have it both ways. If it truly wants to stand for a culture of life, it must apply that moral standard consistently across the board, which means abolishing the death penalty. Until then, the Sunshine State’s actions remain deeply contradictory. Florida, it’s time we live up to the meaning of the movement for life.

via Wikimedia Commons Turner Guilford Knight Correctional , located at 7000 NW 41st St in Miami, FL, is a secure detention center operated by the Dade County Sheriff’s Office.

ing toward the Democratic Party, as exemplified by the party’s nominee for governor, David Jolly, a former Republican. Kara Warren, a nearby Broward County resident and college student, was actually disappointed in his nomination. “I voted for Dayna Marie Foster, and I was honestly pretty shocked that Ms. Foster didn’t win because I high key didn’t hear about the other candidate,” Warren said. “I liked Ms. Foster because I felt like she was very progressive, and reflected the values of my peers and me.” Florida plays a key role as a big state with a lot of house seats and influential politics. As Florida residents, especially young voters under 30, push for change, they must still grapple with the state’s key role as a potential swing state in both the midterm and presidential elections down the line. Sovannreach Po // Graphics Editor

August 26, 2026

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Beyond the classroom: Campus events you don’t want to miss this fall By Hope Mallon Contributing Writer

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The first few weeks of the semester are not just about finding your classes or struggling to learn Canvas; they are also the best opportunity to find communities, make connections and explore opportunities outside of the classroom. Getting involved and finding your place at UM can be as simple as showing up. Sometimes, going to the event you almost skipped is how you meet your closest friends or find your favorite organization. From student organizations to volunteer opportunities, these events give students a chance to explore and find their passions outside of the classroom. Here are a few events worth adding to your calendar: Green U Tour For those hoping to grow more familiar with campus, you can take part in the Green U Tour on Sept. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. The tour, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, will take students beyond the classrooms to explore some of UM’s environmental initiatives, including its mangrove restoration site, butterfly gardens and sustainability buildings. The tour gives participants a closer look at how these initiatives contribute to UM’s overall sustainability efforts. Meet in the Admission Office lobby at Stanford Circle to explore the greener side of the U.

Business School Coastal Cleanup Students looking to meaningfully spend more time off campus to help the greater Miami community can check out the University of Miami Business School Coastal Cleanup on Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to noon. The event allows students to spend time outdoors and help keep South Florida’s coastline clean. The bus will depart from Cesarano Plaza at the Miami Herbert Business School at 8:15 a.m. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. BreakThru Career Mixer & Fall Job and Internship Expo For students thinking about their long-term goals or future after graduation, the Fall 2026 BreakThru Career Mixer will take place Sept. 22 at the Toppel Career Center. Here, you can network with companies brought in by UM and begin making professional connections. If you cannot make it to the Fall 2026 BreakThru Career Mixer, the Fall 2026 Job & Internship Expo and Graduate School Fair is happening the next day, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Toppel Career Center. While these career events may sound daunting to incoming freshmen, they help boost self-confidence and allow students to become more comfortable introducing themselves, asking questions and getting themselves out there professionally. Family Weekend

The Miami Hurricane is published biweekly 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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Later that week is Family Weekend. From Sept. 24 through Sept. 27, the University offers various events that give students the chance to show their family members around the campus they call home. One of the main events is the Miami vs. Central Michigan football game at 6:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium. Engineering Career Day Engineering Career Day 2026 wraps up the month on Sept. 30, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Lakeside Village Expo Center & Pavilion. Although this event is geared toward students

interested in engineering-related fields, it is another reminder that career exploration can start long before junior or senior year. While the first few weeks of college can feel like a race to get settled, your entire college career does not need to be all figured out right at once. Sometimes finding your place starts with showing up to an event or just introducing yourself to someone new. At a campus with as many clubs and events as UM, the hardest part may not be finding something to do; it may just be deciding what to join first.

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By Keira Faddis Co-Opinion Editor When UM senior Destyn Storm Zarate ran the Madrid Marathon while studying abroad, he initially saw the race as a personal challenge. He spent his semester preparing for what he expected to be the greatest challenge he had faced, working training into his busy class schedule. “I thought to myself, it’s good to run a marathon for yourself. But how good would it be if you did it for other people at the same time?” Zarate said.

Zarate gave himself just seven days to raise $10,000 and reached his goal the day before he was set to run 26.2 miles. “It was the greatest accomplishment in the world, and I didn’t even run the marathon yet,” he said. After completing the race, Zarate began thinking about scaling up his fundraising. He knew about the Miami Marathon, which attracts University of Miami students. He also knew he wanted to raise much more than $10,000 this go-around. And so, Run For The U was created. UM students can join the organization and run the Miami Marathon, half

marathon or 5K while raising enough money to fund a full scholarship to the University. Zarate estimates that the group will need to raise $400,000 to cover four years of tuition and fees. The team plans to raise money by encouraging donations through a GoFundMe link and by securing local community sponsors. With that goal in mind, Zarate began looking for members for his founding team and recruited senior Lauren Margerison as his director of marketing. “He ran the Madrid Marathon and said, ‘Look, a lot of people raise money for the New York Marathon. A lot of people raise money for the Boston Marathon, but nobody raises money for the Miami Marathon to that extent,’” Margerison said. Interest in the organization has grown quickly, with about 200 students already involved. The organization is not limited to experienced runners. Members of the founding team come from different levels of experience, and one of the group’s major goals is to have group training sessions, recovery days and dinners together to cultivate a close community. “We really are just a mixture,” Margerison said. “The point is not just to run. It is to raise money and to have a good time.” Students are also encouraged to participate without running in the official marathon. Margerison said the race’s lottery system created an unexpected challenge for the organization. She said

more than 150 students expressed interest in running the race, but only about 40 have received a spot so far. Run For The U is considering having non-runners volunteer to help with a water station, a table at events, promoting the fundraiser and supporting the team. The founding team already includes students involved in Greek life, student government, ROTC and club sports. Margerison said those connections could help the organization reach students who may not consider themselves runners but still want to be involved. “The more people we have, the more fun and the more energy there is to raise the money,” Margerison said. The scholarship selection process remains a work in progress, but one thing is clear. Both Zarate and Margerison said the group wants the eventual recipient to demonstrate financial need and be passionate about UM. As Run For The U prepares for its first Miami Marathon on January 31, 2027, the organization is continuing to recruit members and build its fundraising network. Whether students run 26.2 miles, participate in a group training session or share the fundraising link, Zarate hopes the effort can eventually help another student attend UM. “When you know you’re a part of an organization whose goal is to fund a UM student’s tuition. [It’s] unheard of. It’s never been done before here,” Zarate said.

The box office bounced back this summer By Marissa Levinson Co-A&E Editor Audiences coming together to the movie theatre is seemingly becoming obsolete. That was, until this summer, when box office releases were so intriguing that no one could resist the trip. Every big release was carefully crafted — visually, with intentional use or absence of CGI; editorially, with meta-metaphorical scripts; and sonically, with unforgettably immersive soundtracks. According to The Washington Times and Reuters, the box office earned $4.2 billion this summer, a 10 to 15% increase from last summer. There was something for everyone, but below are a few fan favorites that you want to see if you haven’t already. For the horror fans Indie films are on the rise — especially in the horror genre. This summer, “Obsession” and “Backrooms” had back-to-back releases and found success. Both directed by young filmmakers, they each possess an originality and newness that horror needs right now. University of Miami junior

Pearl Amromin said the success of Obsession and Backrooms “shows that people are ready to transition away from remakes of things and they’re ready to transition into watching smaller indie films.” She believes “it could encourage indie filmmakers to make more films because that’s what people really want.” Their psychologically grounded elements don’t let you move from your seat even when the credits roll, placing greater emphasis on sustained unease than on shortlived jump scares. IMDb reports that “Obsession” led box office sales between the two movies, earning $400 million. “Backrooms” wasn’t far behind, however, grossing $350 million. For the film buffs Christopher Nolan is a household name for anyone who loves film, and his new movie “The Odyssey” adds itself to his list of box office hits. For those who know and love the original story, the movie is a modernized adaptation that offers new perspectives and themes. For those less familiar with the Greek epic poem, it’s still a captivating story. Through practical shots and an IMAX camera, Matt Damon,

Anne Hathaway and Tom Holland star in the threehour blockbuster. Deadline names “The Odyssey” the “highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, amassing $1.352 billion worldwide.” For the Marvel enthusiasts The Marvel Cinematic Universe hasn’t gripped its audience as it did in the Infinity Saga. The story of Peter Parker and Spider-Man gives you no choice but to tune in. It’s a classic superhero story with the kind of heart everyone craves. Spider-Man has the power to re-captivate an audience that was growing detached. “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” preceded “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” in the MCU’s filmography. Its opening weekend earned $218 million, as opposed to “Brand New Day’s” impressive $360 million cited on Box Office Mojo. “I think people did start to lose interest, but Spider-Man definitely brings back the audience,” said

Sovannreach Po // Graphics Editor UM junior Sajida Simrin. For the nostalgics If you grew up in the past two decades, you know there’s nothing like bright yellow, goggle-eyed, gibberish-speaking minions. Although it’s a children’s movie, the new “Minions & Monsters” movie targets the same audience it always has — even if they’re grown up now. Minions are timeless. “Toy Story 5” also debuted this summer and appealed to the same

audience. The two family-friendly films went head-to-head at the box office, with Rotten Tomatoes reporting earnings of $36 million for the latest “Minions” installment and $31 million for “Toy Story 5” in their opening weekends. Although many of this season’s releases are completing their theatrical runs, they’re all still worth a watch when they make their way to streaming services.

SPORTS

August 26, 2026

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

Miami volleyball seeks sixth straight tournament appearance By Max Diaz Senior Staff Writer UM’s volleyball team dominated the courts last season, playing one of the best seasons in program history, going 27-6 (ACC 16-4) while also winning three ranked matches against Pittsburgh and North Carolina twice in last year’s campaign. Their regular-season success earned them a bid to the NCAA tournament for a fifth consecutive year. In the postseason, UM won their firstround matchup against Tulsa, but fell to Kansas in the next round. Last season will not be forgotten, but the Hurricanes, along with head coach Jose “Keno” Gandara, who is heading into his 14th year at Miami, are ready for this year — seeking a sixth straight NCAA tournament appearance. With the season around the corner, here is how the team is shaping up. Replacing a program legend Perhaps the toughest challenge the Canes had during the offseason was finding a replacement for outside hitter Flormarie Heredia Colon. Heredia Colon was selected No. 10 overall in the 2025 Major League Volleyball (MLV) draft, and the legacy she left behind at the “U” is immense. In her four years as a Hurricane, Heredia Colon littered her name all across

the program record book — holding nearly every program record for kills. To put her historic kill count into perspective, nine of the top-ten performances in program history came from her during the 2025 season. In short, the 2025 All-American and All-ACC First Team recipient was a dominant one-woman scoring machine. Many new faces join The question remains as to who will take Heredia Colon’s role for the 202627 Hurricanes, especially with Miami’s next three kill leaders last season no longer with the program. In total, UM lost nine players, including the majority of their core six. The Hurricanes have filled that void in the roster with five transfers: sophomores Asia Harvey and Jovana Zelenovic, seniors Avery Bain and Lal Akin, junior Adrianna Bridges and four freshmen. All nine will be battling for a spot in the starting lineup that has been left wide open after last season. Who will the starters be? The only guaranteed pick for a spot in the starting six will be setter Ariana Rodriguez. The redshirt junior is returning from a career season in which she tallied the second-most assists in a season for Miami (1265) and was named to the All-ACC First Team.

Besides Rodriguez, the rest of the lineup is seemingly up for grabs. A top pick for one of the two outside hitters is Zelenovic. Standing at a towering 6-foot-7, the Serbian brings power to Coral Gables as she led Kansas last year in both kills and service aces, along with being named First Team All-Big 12 as a freshman. As for the other outside hitter, Bain brings the most experience as a senior, but one of the younger players could still secure the spot. Three players could get significant playing time next to the net in a middle blocker position. Junior Logan Wiley played major minutes last season for Miami, while transfers Akin and Bridges bring both experience and proven success. Finally, sophomore Olivia Durst is the likely pick at libero, as she is the only libero on the roster who played any sets last season. A quick overview of the schedule Miami landed just outside the preseason top 25, receiving the most votes for a team not in the poll. As the Hurricanes hope to prove they not only belong in the rankings but also near the top, they have many tough challenges this season to showcase their skills. In total, seven of Miami’s opponents were listed in the AVCA preseason poll: No. 17 Florida (Sept. 9), No.

Isabella Ochoa // Contributing Photographer Graduate student Outside Hitter Jazmin Vergara going for the kill against Florida State University on Nov. 5,2025 at KNight Sports Complex 14 Minnesota (Sept. 11), No. 11 SMU (Oct. 16), No. 4 Pitt (Oct. 18), No. 7 Louisville (Oct. 25), No. 5 Stanford (Nov. 6) and No. 19 North Carolina (Nov. 20; Nov. 27). With a schedule as tough as theirs, a successful season could po-

tentially bring a tournament regional to Coral Gables. The season officially begins on Friday, Aug. 28, as UM heads up to East Lansing to face the Michigan State Spartans.

Hurricanes stride past Little Rock 3-0 to secure consecutive away victories By Noah Gorfin Staff Writer Miami soccer’s dominant 3-0 victory away at FAU on Aug. 16 demonstrated a performance that was absent in their fall 2025 campaign. Similar goalscoring ability carried over into UM’s away trip to Arkansas on Thursday, Aug. 20, resulting in a 3-0 victory against Little Rock. The Hurricanes displayed an unrelenting intensity going forward, exemplified by Zoie Fontenot continually driving at the Trojans’ defense. Her attacking intent resulted in a goal in the 22nd minute as she dropped her shoulder, left the Little Rock defender on David Lebowitz //Co-Photo Editor the floor and struck back across Freshman Forward Teegan Melenhorst drive toward the goal against Stanford on her body into the bottom left corOctober 19, 2025.

Mario Cristobal agrees to long-term contract extension with Miami football

ner of the net. Miami maintained its control of the game throughout the remainder of the first half, outshooting Little Rock 9-0. The Hurricanes’ momentum did not subside with the halftime whistle. Three minutes into the second half, a lofty corner kick found Crosby Nicholson at the back post, who headed the ball back across the six-yard box for a tap-in for Miami’s No. 7, Caroline Hood. More than seven minutes later, a ball over the top found Kambryl Armstrong, who took a small touch into space, setting herself up nicely for a composed goal into the bottom right corner, giving the Canes a 3-0 lead. The freshman-forward duo of Fontenot and Armstrong netted their second goals of the 2026 campaign, highlighting a newfound

firepower in the Canes frontline. Also considering the technical quality of Teegan Melenhorst in midfield, the Hurricanes appear ready to handle a rapidly-approaching competitive ACC schedule. Strong performances also came from former Brighton and Hove Albion player Dami Atinaro, Nicholson and Ciara Alarcon. Little Rock’s two total shots made it easy for goalies Atlee Olofson and Aubrey Haesche to keep a clean sheet, while Miami’s tally of eight corners to Little Rock’s one illustrates a dominance up the pitch that bodes well for the Hurricanes. The final score makes this game Miami’s second consecutive 3-0 victory of the season, as the team hopes these performances will create momentum as its season rolls on.

Men’s basketball head coach Jai Lucas extends contract with Miami By Sebastian Font Co-Sports Editor

Brian Mulvey // Co-Photo Editor Coach Mario Cristobal eyes up the competition against Notre Dame on Sunday August. 31, 2025.

By Bella Armstrong Senior Staff Writer Miami head football coach Mario Cristobal has agreed to a long-term contract extension with the University after leading a program resurgence that included a spot in the national championship game this past January. The extension comes after Cristobal led Miami to the program’s most successful season in recent history. The Hurricanes finished 10-2 in the regular season in 2025, earning them a College Football Playoff appearance, where the Canes knocked off three top10 teams before falling to the Indiana Hoosiers in the championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Cristobal, 55, is entering the fifth year of his 10-year, $80 million contract he signed in December 2021. The original agreement was set to run through the 2031 season. The Miami native is set to receive a pay raise as part of the extension, and Cristobal is set to “make a substantial donation to the University as part of UM’s on-going commitment to athletic excellence,” according to On3, a digital sports media company. The Hurricane reached out to the

University for comment and information about the contract but has not received a response. Cristobal has steadily improved Miami’s record since taking over the program in 2022. After leading the Hurricanes to a 10-3 campaign in 2024 behind quarterback Cam Ward — who later became the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft — Miami reached new heights last season with its first national championship game appearance in over two decades. In his four seasons as head coach, Cristobal has increased Miami’s win total in each season at the helm — five, seven, ten and most recently 13 — and enters the 2026 campaign with a 35-19 overall record at the University. A former Hurricanes offensive lineman who played on Miami’s 1989 national championship team, Cristobal has consistently emphasized recruiting, player development and restoring the program to national prominence. The Hurricanes are expected to compete again among the nation’s top programs this fall, ranked No. 7 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll. The extension signals the University’s continued commitment to that vision after Miami’s resurgence over the past four seasons.

The Jai Lucas era isn’t coming to an end anytime soon, as the Miami Men’s basketball head coach has agreed to a contract extension with the University. Lucas, who was entering the second year of a five-year contract signed last March, emerged as one of the top coaches in college basketball after leading a 19-win turnaround for the Hurricanes during the 2025-26 season.

“I love being [Miami’s] coach. We’ve got to take the next step as a program this year and go from there.” Jai Lucas Men’s Basketball Coach

A source at the AP reported that his extension includes a pay raise, with the new deal lasting five years — essentially adding a year onto his previous contract. The Hurricane reached out to the University for comment and

David Lebowitz // Co-Photo Editor Head Coach Jai Lucas looks toward the court on March 12, 2026 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. information about the contract but has not received a response. “I love being [Miami’s] coach,” Lucas said on the Dan LeBatard show on Aug. 14. “We’ve got to take the next step as a program this year and go from there.” The Houston native took the Canes from a 7-24 season to an impressive 26-9 record, including a March Madness appearance for the first time since 2023. Other highlights include a thirdplace regular-season finish in the ACC and a top-25 ranking in the end-of-season AP Poll. As one of the youngest and brightest coaches in the country, Lucas was long rumored to take the reins of a traditional “blueblood” program if the opportunity arose. Lucas was a former assistant at Kentucky and Duke before being hired as UM’s 14th MBB head coach in program history. However, this extension signals

Miami’s commitment to building a powerhouse in Coral Gables, especially in an era defined by the transfer portal and NIL. In addition to his recruiting prowess, Lucas’ roster management is his calling card. He inherited zero players ahead of his inaugural season, but made quality veteran transfer additions in Tre Donaldson, Malik Renau and Ernest Udeh Jr. Once again, Lucas reloaded the roster ahead of the season, bringing in a top-10 portal class on top of returning key starters in Shelton Henderson and Dante Allen. With Lucas’ future secured, a fresh injection of talent and a culture established, this Miami Men’s basketball team is not just expected to compete as one of the top programs in the ACC, but as one of the premier programs in the country this upcoming season.

V’S TAKE

dearv@themiamihurricane.com

Unapologet ic . B old . Unflitered .

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

August 26, 2026

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

A love letter to MahoneyPearson It’s impossible to miss the cranes and piles of rubble that trample over where our beloved Mahoney-Pearson residential halls used to stand.

was always playing and people were always around to lend you a going-out top or some snacks. Then there were the gliders.

We may not live there anymore, but we will never forget all the things that really made it feel like home. I mean, seriously, what would we have done without the water dripping from the vents above our heads while we sleep? Or the occasional hospital visit from mold poisoning? And nothing screamed “you look great” quite like the green or fleshy pink bathroom tile. No matter how good you thought you looked before walking in, one glance in that mirror was enough to make you question whether you were coming down with something … again. Maybe MP’s greatest gift of all was the sense of community that came from knowing we were all in it together. Centennial Village may have shiny new rooms and a lack of mold, but we had each other and superiority complexes built entirely around being “more social.”

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 offended.

But it was true. Doors were always open, music

During the day, they were the perfect place to sit outside and pretend to do homework. At night, they became the spot to recap everything that happened while eating Taco Bell you definitely did not need. And, who can forget the time the outdoor ceiling collapsed right where many of those gliders used to be? On the weekends, there was nothing better than making the trek to late-night dining in pajamas and slippers with your friends. It wasn’t glamorous, but neither was MP — and that was kind of the point. Mahoney-Pearson may officially be rubble now, but for everyone who called it home, it will always be the place where some of our best college memories began. So, goodbye MP. You were outdated, questionable and occasionally hazardous to our health, but you were ours.

Love, V

Miami athletics 2-week snapshot Aug. 26-Sept. 9 26

HOME

Soccer Volleyball Volleyball vs. at at Incarnate Michigan Michigan Ward @7 State @6 @6

AWAY 30

3 Soccer vs. App. State @7 State

Golf Boilmaker Classic

Soccer at FIU @6

Golf Cougar Classic

Volleyball at Florida, time TBA

4 Volleyball vs.

UCLA @6:30

Football at Stanford @9

5 Volleyball vs. UCLA @4

Florida International XC Invitational @6:30

Courtesy of Will Skinner Will Skinner, former Sebastian the Ibis for the Miami Hurricanes Athletics Department runs onto the field carrying the American Flag before a football game.