Miami steamrolls NC State 41-7 on senior night
schemes and disguises. Miami must remain in this groove going into its final two games to keep playoff hopes alive.
way with 96 yards on seven catches and has quietly established himself as one of the top options in this Hurricane offense.
In the final home game of the regular season, Miami
the NC
head coach Mario
the team’s most “complete game.” Miami quarterback Carson Beck and the offense dominated in every aspect with freshman running back Girard Pringle Jr. making the most of his first start. On the defensive side, the ’Canes had Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey under pressure all night, with impressive pass rush
Senior night spectacle
Beck threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns in 27 attempts, one of his stronger performances so far this season.
10 different Hurricanes caught passes which totaled to 367 yards of pass offense — a positive performance for a team that was struggling to find explosiveness just a few weeks ago.
Senior Keelan Marion led the
And while a quarterback can elevate a wide receiver room, it also works vice-versa., and that’s exactly what happened Saturday afternoon.
True freshman receiver Malachi Toney had two touchdowns on five receptions, but that wasn’t the most notable thing he did tonight.
He also got the chance to flex his muscles as a quarterback.
During the second quarter, Toney threw an absolute bullet to JoJo Trader to put the ’Canes within scoring
distance. UM capped off that drive with a Marty Brown touchdown run.
Toney’s pass marked back-to-back weeks in which Miami has opened the playbook to include “trick plays” which has taken the offense to new heights. With veteran wideout C.J Daniels looking to make his return next week, things could get even more interesting for this Miami offense.
Pringle pops off Despite being a freshman, Pringle executed a brilliant game in his first start as the lead back for the ’Canes.
The Tampa native tallied 32 yards receiving and ran for 116 yards, lead-
ing all players in rushing. Pringle’s performance may not have found the endzone, but he didn’t need to. He ripped off runs of 12, 15, 17 and a game-long 23 yards, repeatedly breaking through the Wolfpack front which set up short-yardage situations for Beck and the passing game. Despite only growing into the role with the season nearing a close, Pringle had no shortage of confidence heading into the game.
“I got a great team around me,” Pringle said. “I knew when I got the chance I’d take it.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
UM’s caffeine culture is cause for concern
Consumption at the University of Miami
Student caffeine consumption at the University of Miami
By Hannah Valdivia Staff Writer
It’s not unusual to see students walking around campus with an iced latte or a Red Bull, especially during finals season. A Google Survey shared with students via The Miami Hurricane’s Instagram found that almost 90% of students consume caffeine, with more than 50% drinking it at least once a day.
Researchers say caffeine is the most commonly used drug in the world. The World Health Organization states that the stimulant leaves you with symptoms similar to withdrawal when you do not regularly consume it. This leads coffee drinkers to continue to consume it, even if they know the effects it may have.
This feeling of needing to consume caffeine can also be known as “caffeine dependency,” characterized by a persistent, compulsive need to consume caffeine even
when you know it can harm you or lead to negative consequences.
An article published in 2025 by the Journal of Health found that almost half of the college-aged participants they studied exceeded safe levels of caffeine consumption. These levels were also associated with greater anxiety, depression and stress scores.
“I would have two cans of Celsius a day, sometimes three, because I was so exhausted with school and practice,” said sophomore and former dancer Neil Fernandez. “I had really bad crashes, I couldn’t perform without it because I would get jittery and shaky. It wasn’t a good practice if I didn’t have my usual amount of caffeine.”
The Hurricane’s survey results also found that 31.7% of students get their caffeine from energy drinks such as Celsius, Alani Nu and RedBull. While different brands advertise a “healthier formula” or “more natural ingredients,” the brands
have all received criticism from medical professionals.
Researchers at UT Austin found that energy consumption is directly linked with unhealthy dietary behaviors among college students. Those who consumed greater amounts of energy drinks were more likely to eat frozen meals, sodas and sugary snacks that lack proper nutrients.
“While energy drinks may be effective in providing a quick jolt of energy and alertness, the excessive added sugar can be a problem,” stated an article by University Hospitals. “Consuming too much added sugar is linked to diabetes, heart disease, weight gain and a number of other health problems.”
The dangers of consuming too much caffeine is not a foreign concept to many students. Having one or more caffeinated drinks throughout the day, especially during stressful or long weeks, has become a part of the “college culture.”
The Hurricane’s survey found that 50.7% of students drink more coffee during exam season, a busy homework week and the night before studying for an exam or project presentation.
One student even stated that they “drink an obscene amount [of caffeine] during finals week.”
Another student said they “need it to focus and get work done.” While caffeine might help students stay awake, it can disrupt sleep patterns in the long-term, causing fatigue.
“I probably drink about 100mg of caffeine a day, maybe 200 if I’m super busy,” said freshman Riley Kai Richards. “Since I’m so used to drinking it, I get really bad brain fog or migraines whenever I don’t.”
A study from the Nature Communications Biology journal found that when an individual consumes more coffee, their brain is still more active during sleep, leading to a less restorative and effective sleep than those
who do not consume caffeine. This is because caffeine increases beta brain waves, which affects mental engagement and wakefulness.
This same study also found that the effects were worse in individuals aged 20 to 27. Younger adults have more adenosine receptors, a chemical in your brain that builds up throughout the day to make you feel sleepy, meaning the stimulant has a more pronounced effect.
“I really didn’t start having coffee until this semester. Most of my days start at 5 a.m. and go until 8 or 9 p.m. I don’t take naps, so coffee helps me stay awake,” said senior Madison Lundy Hawkins. “I’m very sensitive to coffee, so I can’t have it after 1 p.m. or I’ll be up until like 3 am.” So, before you pick up your next Red Bull from The Market or order that Sugar Cookie Iced Latte from Starbucks, take a second to consider the long-term effects it may have on your health.
David Lebowitz // Staff Photographer
Maggie Pan // Staff Designer
Sixth-year redshirt senior quarterback Carson Beck leads the Hurricanes onto the field against NC State at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 15, 2025.
By Lazaro J. Chavez Jr. Contributing Writer
demolished
State Wolfpack 41-7 in what UM
Cristobal called
Former UM neurologist explains post that led to resignation
By Samantha Rodriguez A&E Editor
Dr. Michelle Bravo, a doctor who resigned from the University of Miami’s Miller Center, sees what other neurologists might miss. That’s how she saved a 21-year-old’s life during her first years as an adjunct professor.
When a young man was about to be sent home after the primary medical team found nothing wrong with him, Bravo and her student resident asked for more tests. One CT scan later, they discovered he actually had lymphoma, a cancer that attacks brain nerves.
Bravo thought she’d have more moments like this at UM. Then, on Sept. 11, 2025, while she was in Brazil for the 22nd International Headache Congress, she was informed that an Instagram repost concerning Charlie Kirk that she had made on her public account had gone viral. She resigned from UM two days later.
“My whole life was turned upside down after that post,” Bravo said in an interview with The Hurricane. Yet, the post also introduced her to a world of supporters, whose kind messages helped her get a new job.
Her Sept. 11 repost showed an X tweet from @zei_squirrel made on Sept. 10, the day Kirk died after being shot while addressing an audience at Utah Valley University.
It read, “What was done to Charlie Kirk has been done to countless Palestinian babies, children, girls, boys, women and men not just over the past two years of the ongoing genocide, but decades. And whenever it happened, and it’s on camera and we all saw it, Charlie Kirk came out to say: I love this, I want more of this. The people who did this are great and I love them and they should keep doing it forever.
As Malcolm said, the chickens have come home to roost.”
But then, Stop Antisemitism, a nonprofit group, found her story. The organization advocates for people they claim are antisemitic to be fired from their jobs, including YouTuber and preschool teacher Ms. Rachel and New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mandami.
Stop Antisemitism condemned the post to its 593,000 followers on its social media pages with a picture
of Bravo, her Instagram account and the caption, “How can this woman be entrusted with patients?”
As of the time of this reporting, its Instagram post has 10,700 likes and X tweet has more than a million views. The posts have a combined total of more than four thousand comments.
“@flgovrondesantis please make sure @umiamimedicine doesn’t allow Dr. Michelle Bravo to practice medicine,” Instagram user @ mamalaz33 said under Stop Antisemitism’s post. “She promotes political assassination. No patient should be left in her “care”.”
Most commenters asked for Bravo to be fired and say they’re waiting to see how the University will respond.
“Hey @UMiamiHealth and @ umiamimedicine,” X user @geraldpostner said under Stop Antisemitism’s tweet. “for those of us who live in South Florida, you are going to lose the trust of a LOT of patients if you make us feel unsafe because one of your physicians hates Israelis, Jews, Zionists, and admirers of Charlie Kirk. Take some action!”
Bravo and her husband dealt with death threats, doxing and cruel messages the next day. When they returned from Brazil, they decided to move away from South Florida for their safety.
“Michelle was blindsided, and it was clear she felt an enormous weight of fear, loss and confusion,” Bravo’s husband, who wished to remain unnamed, said.
Bravo doesn’t regret reposting the X tweet, she only regrets seeing how it was misunderstood.
“I’m apologetic that people interpreted it negatively,” Bravo said. “It was never my intent to endorse or condone violence.”
Despite the fallout, Bravo still sympathizes with the tweet. She sees her advocacy as another part of being a physician.
“I took a hippocratic oath to never do harm, to take care of people’s lives. That’s my role as a physician,” Bravo said. “But as physicians, we still have to stand up for social inequities and injustices that happen.”
Bravo is a vocal supporter of Palestinians as bombings in Gaza continue to take more than 69,000 lives according to Gaza health officials.
She knew Kirk had claimed “Palestine doesn’t exist” when discussing its independence from Israel.
In memory of Cam Moore, forever in the physical
By Elena Fallow Co-News Editor
It is with great sadness that we share about the passing of UM graduate student, Cameron “Cam” Moore. Moore first graduated from UM in 2019 with a degree in Geological Science and Ecosystem Science and Policy. He then returned for his Masters in of Business Administration in 2024 and also served as vice president of the Graduate Student Business Association. During his time as a ’Cane, Moore shared his love for the physical world, while living in a digital age. As an undergraduate, he helped to map out the arboretum and enjoyed spending time in nature. His love for the physical world influenced others. Moore and his best friend, Ronald Manning, collected editions of The Miami Hurricane with eye-catching and “frame-worthy” covers.
Still, wanting to be well-informed across politics, Bravo would tune into his debates.
“The idea of having discourse that he promoted is actually a good thing,” Bravo said.
Bravo was shocked and upset when the news about his death broke. But another headline also grabbed her attention.
On Sept. 10 in Colorado around the same time Kirk was shot, a 16-yearold armed with a revolver walked into Evergreen High School during lunchtime and shot and killed two students. Bravo found it harder to find updates about the Evergreen shooting as the Kirk situation kept developing.
“Why aren’t we also talking about other people that have also died because of gun violence recently?” Bravo said. “I started to see the selective empathy in people.”
Bravo wanted to be part of a change that connects Kirk’s assassination to a bigger picture about the overall growth of gun violence in the world, from Israel to Colorado. @ zei_squirrel’s X tweet gave her that opportunity.
“[The tweet] made me think about the kids in Colorado,” Bravo said. “It made me think about all these horrific images that I’ve seen of Palestinian children being shot and burned alive.”
Bravo shared it with her Instagram followers, which were mostly family and friends, to “promote more humanity” and “open people’s eyes.” Her post reached far more eyes than expected.
“Other people found out about [the viral repost] before I found out about it,” Bravo said. “I was horrified to learn that what was intended to be a private story was just shared among the masses.”
She feared for her reputation, livelihood and career as she talked through her anxiety with her husband and therapists while she was still in Brazil.
Bravo went to sleep that night not knowing what would come next. There was nothing to do but wait to see how the University would respond. To protect her career, Bravo ultimately chose to resign.
@zei_squirrel never thought their words could be the reason someone gets harassed or fear for their life.
“I feel terrible that my words were used against Mrs. Bravo,”
@zei_squirrel said. “I hope she will challenge this act of blatant censorship that violates core freespeech principles.”
Bravo left Brazil on Saturday night wondering if she was part of a database filled with people who criticized Kirk after his death.
“I don’t know if my address was online and someone’s going to be waiting to kill me,” Bravo said. “Those were all the thoughts I had, I was terrified.”
Bravo and her husband came home just to leave. They said goodbye to their time in South Florida, a time that’s now marked by fear, trauma and tears.
“This was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life,” Bravo said. “And for people to have those thoughts of me as being a violent person or antisemetic, it’s just not true.”
An outpouring of love from friends, patients and strangers she got hours later helped her remember she’s the same exceptional physician her husband tells her she is.
“There was a grieving process,” Bravo’s husband said. “But with time, support, and distance from the online hostility, she began to reconnect with her confidence, joy and sense of self.”
Jewish patients, like Teresa Liberatore, left supportive comments on the same platform many used to leave hateful words for Bravo.
“My initial assessment with an ER doctor was insufficient and laughably mediocre, and he deemed my medical episode evidence of Bell’s Palsy,” Liberatore said. “After Dr. Bravo’s medical examination, she accurately pre-diagnosed me with an MS pseudo exacerbation. Her sharp and exemplary talent and patient care during my experience cannot be understated.”
Bravo’s sharp instincts and care for her patients was noticed by a large medical institution when she was applying for a new job. When she was interviewed, she explained what had happened and left feeling uncertain. Days later, she was hired for the clinic’s headache division.
“There’s a renewed sense of purpose and excitement to return to doing what she loves most: taking care of patients,” Bravo’s husband said. “She’s stronger, more centered and ready to move forward without letting this experience define her.” Bravo wanted to open her followers’ eyes to humanity with her repost. In the end, she saw some of the best and worst of humanity.
“What [some people online] wanted didn’t happen, I got another job, I’m successful, I’m happy,” Bravo said. “We have to continue to be successful. We need to continue to advocate for the things that we know are right.”
“He inspired this in me, dealing with more physical things, so wanting to read a physical newspaper rather than an article online or something like that,” Manning said. “We were both trying to get each other off Instagram and trying to get in touch with nature.”
One of Moore’s favorite editions featured Cam Ward after his season opening victory over the gators on the cover.
“A year later, he brought it to this year’s game against UF so that he could show it off and was taking a bunch of pictures with it,” Manning said. In a letter shared to the GBSA, Manning wrote, “Go outside. Take your shoes off and scrunch your toes in the grass. Lean in and smell the roses … Hug your friend instead of shaking their hand. Embrace any weirdness you have inside you and let it out. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. And never forget to put as much good out into the world as you can, Cam would love you to do so.”
Photo Courtesy of Ronald Manning
Late University of Miami graduate student Cam Moore holds up a copy of The Miami Hurricane newspaper alongside his friend Ronald Manning.
Portrait Courtesy of Michelle Bravo
Seasonal depression struggles to exist at UM
By Casey Servatius Senior Staff Writer
The University of Miami’s tropical climate and top-tier student life is proving successful in keeping “seasonal depression” at bay for many students.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, commonly known as seasonal depression, disproportionally affects those aged 18 to 30. Common symptoms include feelings of sadness and low energy, a loss of interest in activities, oversleeping, trouble concentrating and anxiety. Seasonal depression is diagnosed in 5% of U.S. adults and there are several treatments available, including light therapy and antidepressants.
Scientific research has attributed the disorder to changes in a person’s biological clock, a brain chemical imbalance and a vitamin D deficiency. Less sunlight during the winter months decreases the amount of vitamin D produced in the body, creating lower serotonin levels that can negatively impact one’s mood.
Sophomore Anya Beniwal, a Boston native, experienced downturns in her mood during the winter months before coming to UM.
“Boston in January is pretty bad because you wake up early for school, it’s so dark, and just sitting inside all day didn’t help,” Beniwal said. “The darkness is the worst part.”
As the winter months approach, college students across the country may begin to feel sad, tired or experience a decrease in their energy levels. But the year-round warm temperatures and sunny days in Miami tend to uplift students’ moods at UM.
Weather appears to be a driving factor in students choosing UM considering that the school draws a large crowd from the northeast regions of the country.
“Aside from my scholarship, the weather is definitely part of why I chose this school,” Beniwal said.
In addition to Miami weather, UM’s inviting campus and exceptional campus life, ranked at #8 in America by Niche, make students less of a target for seasonal depression.
“I genuinely love the University of Miami.
From the moment I first visited, I felt at home,” a sophomore said in a UM review on Niche.
“The campus in Coral Gables is beautiful with palm trees, Lake Osceola, and constant Miami sunshine that creates a perfect mix of peaceful and energetic.”
Many students have described UM as an exemplary college environment.
“The campus is the best. I love studying at different spots, and because of the nice weather, this is possible year round,” a freshman said in a UM review on Niche.
On the other hand, Miami’s weather is not a magical fix for all students. Ananya Uttamchandani, a sophomore from Nigeria, still experiences slight symptoms of seasonal depression during the winter months.
“I get tired earlier just because the sun sets so early and I’m not used to that,” Uttamchandani said. “So I try to go to bed earlier which helps, and I wake up earlier since the sun is up.”
A study supported by the National Library of Medicine used surveys to evaluate students’ moods in the fall and the winter months. The study found that students from non-seasonal hometowns are more likely to develop symptoms of seasonal depression than students from seasonal hometowns.
Because Nigeria is closer to the equator than Miami, its climate is less seasonal than Miami’s. Therefore, Uttamchandani’s tiredness during winter months corresponds to the results of the study.
The study also determined that seasonal depression has a stronger correlation with climatic variables than with latitudinal position. It found that seasonal depression accounts for 9.7% of recurring depressive symptoms in New Hampshire, but only 1.4% of recurring symptoms in Florida.
With daily temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit approximately 130 times a year in Miami, a lack of warm weather is certainly not a problem for UM students.
“The biggest reason for my improved mood in Miami is the weather,” Beniwal said.
UM students like Beniwal have found comfort in Miami’s never-ending warm temperatures and sunshine.
What happens to all the food waste in UM’s dining halls?
By Talia Gorelick Contributing Writer
Large amounts of uneaten food are cleared from the University of Miami’s dining halls each day including student leftovers, trays of food that were never served and ingredients that expire before they can be used.
According to Micheal Ross, resident district manager for Chartwells, UM dining hall staff follow food-safety rules set by Chartwells Higher Education, the university’s dining provider.
Once food has been on the service line beyond approved time or temperature limits, it must be discarded. Items that remain within safe ranges can be stored for later use, but cannot be donated because of handling and storage restrictions.
“UM Dining takes a proactive approach to minimizing food waste,” Ross said. “We focus on limited overproduction through batch cooking, and we donate safe, unused food when possible through our partnership with Miami Rescue Mission.”
Ross said the dining program has donated more than 184,000 pounds of food through the partnership over the past 14 years.
Mahoney-Pearson and Centennial Village, UM’s two main dining halls, serve thousands of students daily. Both are open to all students with meal plans, though most of the regular traffic comes from first-year students, who are required to have unlimited meal plans.
“There’s always trays with half-eaten meals rolling through that dishwashing machine,” freshman Cawthra Burns said. “It’s kind of gross, and it makes you wonder what happens to all that food.” Food waste on college campuses is a national issue. Colleges and universities across the United States discard an estimated 22 million pounds of food each year, according to data from ReFED and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
At UM, most waste reduction efforts focus on recycling and composting materials from campus kitchens. Cardboard, cans and bottles are sent for single stream recycling, and used cooking oil is
Smoking air conditioner in Mahoney dorm causes safety concerns
By Skyla Thomas Contributing Writer
On Oct. 18, a freshman who would like to remain unnamed and her roommate began smelling smoke before they went to sleep in their Mahoney dorm room. The next morning, they woke up in a smoke-filled room.
The girls said that the smoke was pouring out of the HVAC system, the vents for the air conditioner.
collected by a vendor for processing.
Vegetable scraps and other organic material are diverted through Compost for Life, a University program that converts food waste into compost used in landscaping, according to data provided by UM Sustainability Director Teddy Lhoutellier. The program has diverted more than 243,000 pounds of organic matter from landfills.
“We track the waste that comes out of dining, Ross said. “We get reports from Compost for Life on how much we’re pulling out of the waste stream.”
The compost program has expanded as the vendor’s capacity has grown.
“We started with just the scraps as the chefs were putting meals together,” said Ana Alvarez, assistant vice president of Auxiliary Services. “Now they’re able to take proteins too. As they expand what they can accept, what we compost will expand.”
Alvarez said Centennial Village was designed to support composting from the start.
“At Centennial Village we designed the dining hall so the compost bins stay refrigerated and cold,” she said. “When we design the next dining hall, the goal is to build that in from the start and do more of that.”
UM’s Green U office also oversees a Food Recovery Program that donates safe, unused food from certain campus locations to local partners. Lhoutellier said the University is evaluating whether the dining halls could join in the future.
Sophomore Peter Coleman, a frequent dining hall user, said the amount of food waste is noticeable even if students are focused on reducing waste.
“You don’t really think about it while you’re eating,” Coleman said. “But when you see how much food they toss, it sticks with you.”
Chartwells and UM officials said dining operations are regularly reviewed for potential sustainability improvements. They said any future changes will depend on operational and regulatory factors, but no concrete plans have been finalized.
“We thought [the HVAC] was going to fully catch our room on fire. So we freaked out, called maintenance, and then they weren’t answering,” she said.
After maintenance came to repair the vent, they resolved the issue and left the doors open to allow smoke to dissipate out of the room. Housing suggested that they move back into their dorm room that night.
After declining to move back into their room that still had smoke, she and her roommate were offered emergency housing in Centennial Village. They said they stayed in a hotel for two nights before moving into a room in Centennial for another two nights.
“The motor was replaced and the air conditioning unit was thoroughly cleaned and tested,” the University of Miami said in a statement to The Hurricane. “The smoke detector was also tested by maintenance staff and found to be in working condition. The students in the room were temporarily relocated to another room at their request.”
She said that when the HVAC was smoking all night the smoke detector never went off.
“People’s [smoke] alarms have gone off for burning popcorn and blow-drying their hair. Our parents were contacting [housing] about [the smoke], and they were saying there just wasn’t enough smoke. We were [thinking], ‘we have videos of the room full of smoke,’” she said.
Prior to the incident, she noticed that the smoke detector’s light was not turned on. After the incident she alerted maintenance that she thought the battery was dead but they said that it was functioning properly. When the girls returned on Monday to grab their belongings for the hotel, the light on the detector was suddenly on.
“We think they changed the battery without us knowing,” she said.
She says that since it was a Sunday, and University Housing office is not available on the weekends, the responses were slow. But
the Director of Housing Operations and Facilities, James Johnson, handled the situation once he was alerted.
Once housing had figured out what was going on, they worked with the student and her roommate to mitigate the situation. They did so using fans, cleaning the smoky laundry and room, fixing the HVAC and offering them alternate housing for the time being.
This isn’t the first time that Mahoney has had smoke issues. There have been multiple fires in the laundry rooms because students don’t remove the lint from the dryers. There have been no reported incidents of fires in student rooms.
Students have reported repeated mold exposure in Mahoney-Pearson dorms in the past, and now other safety concerns like smoking air conditioners are increasing.
After many complaints from freshmen, housing authorities have made no major call to action regarding the housing situation for freshmen.
Makena Wong // Co-Photo Editor
Lakeside Patio at 1:28 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Photo Courtesy of Skyla Thomas Three mold samples taken from a Mahoney dorm room grow in petri dishes.
There’s too much plastic in the food court
By Peter Kellogg Staff Writer
For many, a busy day on campus includes stopping by the food court for a quick bite. Yet whether it’s just for lunch or a coffee between classes, nearly every option comes packaged with single-use plastic.
There are tons of lids, cups, straws, utensils and containers thrown away on campus every single day. Multiply that by an entire school year with 19,000 students, and the waste quickly becomes staggering — far more than a university committed to sustainability should feel comfortable producing.
UM has a real opportunity to lead in reducing plastics, just as other universities already have. Tulane, Stony Brook and UC Berkeley, ranked the top three universities in the AASHE Sustainable Campus Index for sustainable dining, have proven that plastic-free dining is possible. They’ve replaced disposables with reusable or compostable alternatives, and use sophisticated software to monitor their waste stream, which generates insights that reduce more waste. Notably, UC Berkeley adopted a campus-wide policy to eliminate all non-essential single-use plastics by 2025 and UM should take similar steps.
With all these advancements, plastic persists in our food court. The UM
Roadmap to Plastic-Free ’Canes, composed and managed by ECO Agency, provides part of the explanation.
National retail chains like Panda Express and Subway operate under franchise requirements, making it difficult for UM to require plastic-free standards without the state passing legislation. The city can play a critical role — Coral Gables has already passed bans on plastic bags and styrofoam, catalyzing the removal of these items on campus. But the state of Florida has pre-empted these laws in both cases. This means that if we want limitations that stick, they need to come from the state.
The roadmap also highlights a critical challenge: Miami-Dade does not have an industrial composting facility. Many compostable alternatives require high heat to break down, so even if UM switched to compostable plastics for packaging and utensils, much of it still will not break down.
When it comes to promoting sustainability in the food court, UM’s long-time contracted dining partner Chartwells works together with the auxiliary department and the office of Green U. They want to be green, but they are also pragmatic.
“My goal is not to save money, it’s to be cost neutral when implementing a new program that is a green initiative,” said Ana Alvarez, assistant vice president of UM Auxiliary Services. “Over the years, we have taken initiative to re-
duce single use plastics substantially, but there will continue to be barriers for it all to be completely abolished.”
Ana Alvarez has been working for the Auxiliary department for 23 years, and she has been part of the effort to remove styrofoam and plastic bags on campus. When it comes to plastic utensils in the food court, she emphasizes that UM dining is open-minded.
“We have worked with students over the years on plastic utensil alternatives. The issue is students don’t follow through or they graduate without educating or informing a successor to finish out the project,” Alvarez said. “Currently, we are planning on introducing a hybrid model of metal reusable utensils for dining in and plastics for take-out because we have the ability to properly clean reusable utensils in the food court.”
This issue is compounded by a county-wide waste crisis. Since Miami-Dade’s waste-to-energy incinerator burned down in 2023, local landfills have rapidly reached capacity. As a temporary fix, the county is now shipping trash to landfills in Central Florida at significant financial and environmental cost.
Reducing plastic waste on campus isn’t just about the university image, it directly affects the region UM calls home.
“I think with more restaurants making initiatives to cut down on plastic use the university should follow these
progressive steps and implement sustainable alternatives, especially because we have such proximity to a natural resource, like the lake and river system” said Arianna Helmer, orientation leader and waste diversion chair of student government ECO Agency. “I largely observe plastic lids and straws discarded on the walkway and ending up near the grassy steps by the lake.”
Still, a zero-waste food court remains within reach. The UM is not starting from zero; in fact, it’s already a leader, holding an impressive Gold rating from the AASHE — the second-highest rating after Platinum.
Data from Green U’s FY25 waste diversion efforts shows that 31,134 pounds of used cooking oil have been recycled into biodiesel and beauty products, 17,831 pounds of food have been donated to the Miami Rescue Mission, and over 23,000 bottles and cans have been recycled at the food court’s reverse vending machine (RVM).
According to Teddy Lhoutellier, sustainability director of Green U, the campus-wide food waste program — a partnership with composting company Compost for Life—has diverted 243,907 pounds of food waste. According to statistics from Compost for Life’s tracking system, this is equivalent to 241,514 miles offset, 6.4 million smartphones charged, and 10,955 gallons of gasoline offset.
Student leadership is stepping up as
well. UM’s Student Government
Agency encourages students to carry reusable utensils and frequently hosts food sustainability events.
This October’s Fair Food Fair featured organizations focused on composting, food recovery and sustainable consumption, helping students understand both the problem and their role in its solution.
“We are hoping to mainstream the mobile reusable utensils and help student organizations fund alternatives to single use plastics,” said Margaret Todd, president of ECO Agency. “It’s such an easy alternative to take on and we want to assist in any way we can.”
But despite progress, single-use plastic remains a constant presence in the food court waste stream for now.
This persistence of waste, despite student efforts, is exactly why the University’s institutional leadership is so critical. As the second-largest employer in Miami-Dade County, UM has both the responsibility and the capacity to take steps in waste reduction as other universities are pioneering sustainable dining on campus. With the University’s centennial anniversary, this is an opportunity to define the next hundred years that will benefit both the campus and the community.
A zero-waste food court is not only possible, but it is the kind of bold, forward-looking step that a University of Miami’s stature should be leading.
You couldn’t pay me to go through sorority recruitment again
By Tori Lopes Contributing Writer
About three years ago while I was an undergraduate student, I participated in formal recruitment as a sophomore. Joining a sorority was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I made lifelong friends, participated in philanthropy and gained skills that I will carry for a lifetime. But going through rush? You couldn’t pay me to do it again.
“The
freshmen going into rush literally have no idea what they’re getting into. It is the fakest, most overwhelming procedure I have been through in college.”
Unnamed UM Sorority Member
This upcoming recruitment is scheduled to begin on Jan. 5, 2026. The current formal sorority recruitment model does not set up Potential New Members, commonly referred to as PNMs, for success. It is not realistic for creating true connections throughout the week, leaving many PNMs stressed and unhappy. For the purposes of this article, all three women quoted wish to remain
unnamed. The first two do not wish to disclose their current sorority affiliations. Unnamed member No. 3 is a current member of Zeta Tau Alpha.
“The freshmen going into rush literally have no idea what they’re getting into,” says unnamed member #1. “It is the fakest, most overwhelming procedure I have been through in college.”
Unnamed member No.1 felt that clarification about the recruitment process was not given when asked, leaving her with feelings of anxiety and confusion.
“You legit can’t make genuine connections, especially in the first few rounds,” she said. “You’re in an insanely loud sorority suite in heels and your hair curled, and you’re struggling to speak to the member you’re paired with, questioning if she even remembered your name. Nobody can get to know you in two and three minute rounds. By 6 p.m., the members recruiting you are absolutely exhausted and look like they want to be there as much as they want to get their oil changed.”
A study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania suggests that the recruitment process has negative effects on a PNM’s mood and social support with “all participants reporting an increase in anxiety during recruitment.”
Current sorority members have also expressed their dislike of the recruitment process and the toll the recruitment process takes on their bodies and minds. Unnamed member No.3 recalls her experience recruiting PNMs and how she wished the process looked different.
“PNMs have zero clue how much sororities put into rush until they recruit themselves. Work week kicks off with 10 to 12 hour days, with social media content and recruitment practice, right into 14-hour recruiting days for seven days straight,” she explained.
The same University of Pennsylvania study found that social media has a significant influence on modern sorority recruitment. Researchers concluded that the process often benefits women who already possess
strong social networks and higher levels of well-being, rather than those who might gain the most from joining a sorority.
This connection between social media presence and recruitment outcomes raises questions about how fair and equitable the process truly is for all PNMs.
In sorority language, this form of social media searching can be known as “dirty rushing,” which is highly against the rules.
“I’ve definitely heard multiple times here at UM of other sororities looking girls up on Instagram before recruitment begins, a friend from another sorority even confirmed it,” says Unnamed member No.2. “We even hear it from PNMs right before recruitment, that they get an influx of followers from different sorority members then unfollows, obviously trying to see their Instagrams.”
Unnamed member No. 2 went on to explain that her little was exposed to this treatment during the most recent formal recruitment.
“She told me it was painfully obvious that certain sororities had no interest in talking to her in the
first two rounds while other sororities were over the moon for her to be there, the same ones she got Instagram requests from,” she said.
“Like, what’s the point of formally rushing after knowing that? Knowing some sororities pre-pick their members before rush even starts?”
While formal recruitment is the mainstream way to join a sorority, Continuous Open Bidding, commonly referred to as COB, is an alternative that many sorority members love due to the ease of the process.
“Of course, some sororities have COB, but I would still love a different version of formal recruitment. One where we can still have a single week of recruiting, but way less intense,” said Unnamed member No. 2.
I have to agree with her. Personally, I can’t get to know someone in an uncomfortable dress, in a room I can’t hear them in, with the thought of having been pre-judged already.
Sorority PNMs are currently required to rush all eight of the houses. In my perfect world, rush would be exactly like the fraternities: one event per day, more casual attire and the power of choice! Currently, if you
rush a fraternity, you can choose the number of frats you’d like to rush. This would lead to a more equitable and tranquil process for both PNMs and current members.
“I remember girls losing their voices left and right, having absolutely no break in between parties. It’s lowkey an organized dumpster fire every year. We’re exhausted. Frats get the luxury of seeing fresh PNMs for one event a day. We don’t,” agreed Unnamed member No.3. Rush week shouldn’t leave women questioning their worth, but instead should remind them of it. The laughter that comes from late-night bid day talks, the comfort of having friends who feel like family, that’s what sorority life should be. I still believe in what sororities can offer, but I also believe we deserve a better way to begin. Because no woman should have to earn belonging.
“Go look up ‘Why I dropped UM rush’ on TikTok. You could probably scroll through all of the dirty rushing stories for a good 20 minutes. And that should speak volumes,” says an alumna of Chi Omega.
Makena Wong // Co-Photo Editor
Sovannreach Po// Graphics Editor
Students and faculty eat lunch on the left side of the food court next to Subway on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
’Cane dad serves sushi and school spirit at Miyako
By Vanessa Velasquez Contributing Writer
Everyone is always talking about new restaurants in town, but what about the classic spots that have been Miami staples for decades?
Miyako Japanese Restaurant is one of those timeless favorites.
By Valerie Wainer Contributing Writer
With the holiday season approaching, UM En Pointe, the University’s emerging and vibrant ballet club, performs “The Nutcracker” after weeks of rehearsals and practice. The club’s executive board and members reimagined this beautiful classic inspired by George
Miyako is a restaurant that treats its customers like family. Just 10 minutes away from the University of Miami campus, Miyako has been an established spot in South Miami for 30 years and its loyal customers cannot rave enough about it.
Ivo Perez is a sophomore student at UM and a frequent customer of Miyako.
“I’ve stayed a little over a week in Japan before, and I can confidently say that Miyako is the most authentic Japanese restaurant I have been to in South Miami,” said
Perez. “The food is delicious, and the experience is genuine. Would 100% recommend.”
Sung Kim, the proud owner of the family-owned restaurant and ’Cane dad, prides himself on “making every customer feel like family.”
His son, Matthew Kim, is a junior at the University of Miami.
Matthew shared that he grew up in the restaurant and always loved sitting at the traditional floor seats next to the window watching how people would come together and bond over his family’s food.
He says that UM students should make the effort to go because “the atmosphere is welcoming making it a perfect place to eat during special occasions and casual eating as well … it’s definitely worth it.”
Regulars know Sung for his comedic personality as he entertains the table and loads up plates with delicious “hockey puck” sized sushi rolls.
Miyako is famous for its large portions and delicious food. It offers a wide variety of food, with a lengthy menu of 10 pages. Its wide selection is nut-free and the restaurant also serves vegan and vegetarian dishes.
Kim recommends ordering the “Diana Tower” and the “Miami Hurricane Roll,” which is topped with orange salmon, showing off his UM pride.
His son shared that his favorite dish is the “volcano roll” a spicy baked roll with imitation crab covered with spicy mayo.
Although Miyako isn’t a flashy new restaurant, its reputation alone draws in notable guests. Miami Heat’s President Pat Riley, former NBA star Ray Allen, current Heat players and UM faculty who’ve made it their go-to spot, are known to stop by. Kim has a somewhat unorthodox approach to advertising, he
simply doesn’t spend money on it. He and his team rely on word-ofmouth marketing and a commitment to quality to keep bringing customers into the restaurant. Despite the consistent attention, the restaurant has recently faced struggles since the closing of Sunset Place mall, which would bring customers to Miyako after a busy day of shopping.
Yet, Kim’s focus on flavor, great prices and family has made Miyako a UM favorite. Customers can take pictures of the colorful, delicious sashimi dishes and leave knowing they got their money’s worth. Miyako is a perfect place to add to your list of local restaurants to try, and could be a refreshing change from dining hall food. Don’t forget to bring your ’Cane card when you pass by for a “‘Canes Family” discount before you pay. One thing’s for sure: you won’t leave Miyako hungry.
UMiami En Pointe Ballet Club presents ‘The Nutcracker’
Balanchine’s choreography and Tchaikovsky’s timeless soundtrack.
They took the stage at Gusman Concert Hall on Friday, Nov. 14 to blend the classical charm of music and choreography with the energy of a fully student-formed cast.
Founded in 2025 by alumna Sophie Stokes-Wong, current President Molly Radice and current Vice President Ava Byrne, UM En Pointe is an on campus ballet club open to dancers of all levels.
With years of training behind them, Radice, Byrne and fellow executive board members Maya Armster and Emily Huffman inspire seasoned dancers and beginners to
master ballet while building a creative and supportive community.
“It’s been so great to bring together this group of girls. We are getting together because we all love to dance, and to love dance again, and have so much fun with it” said Huffman, the club’s public relations chair.
The club meets Sundays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. with classes taught by Radice and Armster who are both ballet instructors at the Herbert Wellness Center.
After class, cast members rehearse for their upcoming shows with the four executive board members. The Wellness Center offers
“It’s been so great to bring together this group of girls. We are getting together because we all love to dance, and to love dance again, and have so much fun with it.”
additional ballet clauses taught by Radice and Armster to club members on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Last semester, UM En Pointe presented its inaugural production, “Sleeping Beauty,” with only 12 cast members and was performed in a Wellness Center dance studio.
Since then, the club has grown to more than 150 members, with 22 performing in “The Nutcracker” this semester. Beyond choreography, the executive board also handles costumes, props, sets, budgeting and internal bonding events.
In October, members attended a field trip to the Miami City Ballet
to see “Peck: Miami in Motion,” to continue bonding through their shared appreciation for the art form.
This fall’s production of the holiday classic tells the story of Clara, whose Christmas Eve gift — a magical nutcracker — transports her into an enchanting world of swirling snowflakes, dancing sweets and the graceful Sugar Plum Fairy.
Tickets were free for students, faculty and the public.
There was no better way to welcome the holiday season on campus than by experiencing this enchanting performance and supporting UM’s newest ballet club, En Pointe.
PBC
Vincent. Whether you’re already on the diet or curious or just hungry, all are welcome. No Cane Card swipe is necessary to enter the dining hall, just tell the door staff you’re there for the Plant Based Canes weekly club meet-up. Izaguirre hopes
focuses on building a more mindful campus culture around sustainability and wellness.
After their executive board dissolved last semester as most leaders graduated, Izaguirre and secretary Linley Loew found themselves holding the organization together.
“We’ve slowly built up since then,” he said. Now, with a full board again, PBC has been expanding with events like teaching kitchens and campus tablings.
Izaguirre, Loew and Michelina Witte, PBC’s faculty advisor, met with Mike Ross, the head of UM Dining, and Chef Vincent over the summer. According to Witte, this meeting “enabled us to retain continuity with our partnership w/ UM Dining.”
Plant-Based Canes is proving that plant-based living can be flexible, flavorful and judgment-free. No “vegan police” required.
Emily Huffman // UM En Pointe PR Chair
Photo Courtesy of Vanessa Velasquez
UM student Vanessa Velasquez and Miyako owner Sung Kim hold up the U in front of Miyako Japanese Restaurant.
Elise Hatschbach // Contributed Photo
meal prepared by members of Plant-Based Canes, who aim to build community among UM’s
Photo Courtesy of Emily Huffman
Ava Byrne gather with
Photo Courtesy of Vanessa Velasquez
sushi
Miyako Japanese Restaurant.
The Green Haven Project gives back to Miami
By Vanessa Rodriguez Contributing Writer
Students at the University of Miami are taking time to give back to their community with The Green Haven Project. Founded in 2019, The Green Haven Project is a nonprofit organization aiming to help those located in food deserts around the Miami area.
Volunteers are in the Florida heat six days a week working on the gardens and inside the cafete
ria, preparing free meals to hand out to those in need.
Just outside the New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Model City Miami, a line of families, homeless, and those simply in need of a hot meal are patiently waiting for their turn for a free platter. “I used to be outside
come out.” Sheva Dhalia, a Green Haven volunteer, said. “I did such a good job, they wanted me to come back and I’ve been here ever since.”
Dhalia is a fraction of all the dedicated people who come together to make sure the neighborhood is fed.
But the volunteers don’t just pick apples and make deli sandwiches. They harvest crops, like papaya, cucumber, eggplant, carrots and pineapple, each week.
The fresh ingredients ensure the quality of food prepared is just as good as it is at home. Green Haven welcomes volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to get their hands dirty inside and outside the lab, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
“Before we began working in the garden, one of the garden keepers gave the group I was in a brief intro-
duction and history lesson about what the entire company was about,” Laliah Richelle, a Green Haven volunteer and UM student, said. “After that, my group, and I transferred mulch that they had made on site to place throughout the garden.”
This flexibility and hospitality is why many students at the University are so willing to lend a hand or even a rock. As a symbol of gratitude, students who are part of the homecoming committee decorated stones and donated them to Green Haven to help make the community garden even more beautiful.
Students were encouraged to let their creative juices flow as they paint rocks with vibrant colors, patterns, and even messages of hope and appreciation. A small gesture for an organization with a truly big impact.
Midweek magic at Market Wednesday
and
By Jenna Simone Assistant A&E Editor
Every Wednesday, the roundabout next to the Richter Library transforms
into a hub of flavor and community. The Wednesday Farmers Market — often called “Market Wednesday” — comes alive. Students and faculty can smell the amazing aromas from anywhere on campus.
From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., tents line the pathways by the library ready to serve tropical smoothies, BBQ, tacos, pizza, bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches and ceviche. Students on their way to class pause to grab lunch and socialize. The usual rush of campus life slows into something calmer.
Market Wednesday began in October of 2010 through a collaboration between the Student Government and the University’s Benefits and Human Resources departments. Its mission was simple: bring fresh, local food options to campus while promoting health, sustainability and connection.
Fifteen years later, the Market Wednesday has evolved into one of UM’s most cherished traditions. What started as a handful of produce stands has grown into a bustling open-air market offering a mix of vendors — many of whom have built loyal student followings.
The lineup of vendors changes slightly each semester, but students
SPORTS
can expect a large mix of foods: fresh produce and tropical fruits; interna-
“It’s honestly my favorite part of Wednesdays.”
Ava Ferrara UM Sophomore
tional cuisine, including Greek gyros, Indian samosas and poke bowls. There are also several vegan and vegetarian options like açai bowls, smoothies and falafel wraps.
“It’s honestly my favorite part of Wednesdays,” Ava Ferrara, sopho-
more advertising major said. “It’s a time during the week when I actually slow down and enjoy being outside. Plus, the food is so much better than the dining hall.”
Barnyard Bagels, a student-run business at UM, brings authentic New York-style bagels to campus each week. Its bagels are shipped straight from New York, giving some students a taste of home.
“The one thing I’ve noticed from working at Barnyard Bagels as a student is the huge sense of community UM has. The customers are all hungry but they’re all sharing an experience of eating your food and being a part of that is really cool,” Andy Schwartz, sophomore sports administration major and Barnyard worker said. “Everybody’s there, the same people come with the same people, and they all say hi to each other.” Read the full article online at themiamihurricane.com
Hard Rock stadium food: what’s worth it and what’s not
By Omar Pinto Contributing Writer
There is one only thing that I love more than food: football. Pair those two together, and you have the perfect combination.
The only problem? Hard Rock Stadium prices its food like you’re at a Michelin Star restaurant when it usually tastes like something you could buy from the frozen aisle at Publix. For years, I’ve missed out on the experience of eating good food during a ball game, and I’m sure many others feel the same way.
But ’Canes fans, fear no more.
I took it upon myself to test some of the most popular foods at Hard Rock to determine what eats will satiate your game-day appetite and won’t leave your wallet with a dent in it.
Cuban sandwich
I grabbed a Cuban sandwich at a self-service storefront that flows smoothly, allowing you to scan your card at the entrance, grab an entree, fries, drinks and other snacks before walking out and having your card charged automatically.
I didn’t have high hopes for the
Hard Rock Stadium offers a wide variety of food options, including these more upscale options of a pulled pork sandwich, burnt ends mac and cheese and a prime rib sandwich. Photo taken on Nov. 15, 2025.
Cuban sandwich. After looking at 20 of them sitting on the shelves, they did not scream freshly made to me. Luckily, I was wrong. It tasted surprisingly good, and when paired with the fries, it made for a solid meal. This storefront is an efficient way to grab yourself a sandwich, fries and a drink before
getting back to the action.
Considering the $10 price tag, it didn’t break the bank either.
Lobster roll and mac and cheese
I then moved on to the $35 lobster roll along with a $10 side of mac and cheese.
For almost $50, I thought this would be some of the best mac and cheese and lobster I’ve ever tasted, so I was prepared for a good meal.
Boy was I wrong.
Do NOT get the Lobster roll. It was cold, flavorless, and started to taste worse the more I thought about the price. The cooks tossed in a lemon on the side as if it would save the meal, but the little slice was nowhere near enough.
The mac and cheese was good, but it tasted like any other mac and cheese my mom used to microwave for me at night when she didn’t want to cook.
Overall, if this food was $10, maybe I would let it slide, but for $45, this was a disgrace.
Chicken shawarma
My last hope to save my palate from the monstrosity I had previously encountered was the chicken shawarma. For $25, it felt a little pricey, but nowhere near as outrageous as the lobster and mac and cheese.
Once I saw the food, I got excited. My wrap was built in front of me so it was nice and hot when I got it in my hands.
From the first bite, it was delicious. It may have benefited from
following r the disappointing lobster roll, but it was genuinely delicious. It was flavorful, hot and hit the spot at the game.
If you’re ever at Hard Rock and you’re hungry, the chicken shawarma wrap is definitely the way to go.
While my dream of enjoying truly good food while watching my ’Canes once felt out of reach, this mission proved that Hard Rock isn’t completely hopeless. Sure, there are still some overpriced disasters lurking around the concourse, but there are also bright spots that can actually elevate your game-day experience.
The Cuban sandwich and fries offer a quick, reliable option if you’re trying to refuel without missing a single play, and the chicken shawarma is a standout that reminded me it is possible to eat something flavorful, hot and satisfying inside a stadium. It gave me a glimpse of what stadium food should be: convenient, tasty and worth the money you shell out.
My advice? Skip the hype items, stick to the winners and don’t be afraid to explore a little. Somewhere among the overpriced options, there actually are a few gems.
Miami struggled to find the bottom of the basket in Jacksonville against the reigning national champions, marking the team’s first loss of the 2025 season. In addition to shooting an abysmal 33.8 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from three, the team also had issues at the free throw line, hitting just 15 of their 27 attempted free throws. Even with these inefficiencies, Miami still found themselves in striking distance midway through the second
half down three, but a Florida 23-9 run flipped the momentum of the game and the Gators never looked back.
Forward Malik Reneau led the Hurricanes in rebounding and scoring with 11 boards and 22 points respectively, but was not absolved from the team’s shooting deficiencies with a field goal percent of under 35 percent for the game.
Miami guard Tre Donaldson only hit four out of sixteen shots but racked up six assists, while his backcourt partner Tru Washington had a relatively efficient six for fourteen shooting performance on a day where it seemed like the Hurricanes
couldn’t get anything to fall.
The game opened up tightly contested, tied at 19 a piece at the nine minute mark of the half.
However, sparked by an Alex Condon three pointer from the top of the key, the Gators scored a late flurry of buckets while locking up defensively to finish the half with a 39-29 lead.
The Hurricanes started the second half strong by riding the offensive efforts of Donaldson, who had 12 points in the first eight minutes of the second half to narrow the gap between the two Florida squads. However, the Gators began to
slowly extend their lead in the later stages of the second half, regaining control of the game flow while stifling the Miami offense.
Florida put the ’Canes to bed off of a deep Urban Klavzar step back three, extending their lead to 16 with just 2:04 left in the game to set up a 82-68 victory. Miami never led in the second half of the game. The Hurricanes’ poor shooting has been an issue throughout the first four games of their season, shooting over 35 percent from three just once this year. It will be up to new Miami head
coach Jai Lucas and the rest of his staff to figure out how to get their team’s shooting from behind the arc on track, especially in a modern era of basketball where the three ball has become imperative to offenses. Aside from shooting the ball poorly, UM was also outrebounded on the glass, with the Gators recording 42 rebounds in comparison to Miami’s 34. The Hurricanes will look to resolve these issues prior to their next matchup back at home against Elon (3-1) with the game slated to start at 7:00 p.m. this Nov. 20 Thursday and will air on ESPN.
Anirudh Kannan Contributing Writer
David Lebowitz // Staff Photographer
Makena Wong // Photo Editor
Students wait in line
meet up with friends at the weekly Wednesday Market for lunch on Nov. 12, 2025.
Sheva Dahlia // Contributed Photo Students at the University of Miami volunteer with The Green Haven Project to harvest fresh crops for the community.
Takeaways as Miami steamrolls NC State 41-7 in senior night game
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
With lead back Mark Fletcher Jr. sidelined for the foreseeable future with an injury, expect Pringle to continue to carry the workload for this Hurricane run game.
Syracuse which wiped out the ’Canes postseason hopes. In the months of November and December, Cristobal is 6-11 at UM. That needs to change if the Hurricanes have any chance to make the College Football Playoffs. Miami cannot afford to continue that pattern this year, and as both the staff and “1-0 every week.” The Hurricanes will head north as they get set to face their rival Virginia Tech Hokies (3-7, 2-4 ACC) in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The state of athletics at UM following the NCAA House Settlement
By
Just like every other school with an NCAA athletic program, UM must sometimes make difficult decisions when choosing which sports to fund becomes increasingly more complex. One of the most recent and signifi-
cant developments to college athletics is the July 2025 House Settlement, which allows schools to pay their athletes directly under a salary cap of 20.5 million dollars across their sponsored sports as they see fit. This money will be paid out in addition to that already earned by athletes from NIL (name, image, and likeness).
Traditionally, football has warrant-
ed the most funding from schools due to its ability to bring in large amounts of revenue, suggesting that many schools may allocate a significant portion of the 20.5 million dollars to the gridiron pastime.
However, success in football doesn’t necessarily correlate with a lack of funding in other sports.
“It needs to start from football because that’s how the system is structured,” said former UM women’s basketball coach Katie Meier.
Meier led the Hurricanes for 19 years, which included an AP National Coach of the year in 2011 as well as 13 postseason appearances. Following her retirement in 2024, Meier is currently a special advisor to Dan Radakovich, UM’s athletic director.
“Bigger investments can get bigger returns and then the returns can trickle down. It’s been a very supportive situation,” said Meier.
Traditionally, the “revenue sports” apply to football, men’s basketball and baseball, with women’s basketball joining the mix across the last decade.
Women’s basketball in particular has expanded massively in recent years with the emergence of superstars like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.
Teams competing in Women’s March Madness can now earn units for victories from the First Four
V’S
TAKE
through the Elite Eight, with the funds coming from a collective pot of $15 million that will increase to $25 million in the next three years.
Clark herself is estimated to have generated $82.5 million in consumer spending in the state of Iowa, where she competed for the Hawkeyes from 2020 to 2024.
Aside from those revenue sports, Miami’s non-revenue sports have been historically accomplished.
“There is a certain culture in Miami where you gotta earn your respect, and I think it’s been earned by our women’s sports,” said Meier.
Unfortunately, not all schools have been as equally invested in their non-revenue sports as UM.
For example, following the House Settlement, Grand Canyon University cut its successful men’s volleyball program despite the program only having a budget of $300,000.
Many believe that schools like GCU are using the House Settlement as a scapegoat for getting rid of certain athletic programs, especially considering that many of these cuts have little to no impact on the relatively large value of $20.5 million that schools have in revenue share.
Regardless of what may be happening at other schools, Miami’s non-revenue sports have been
flourishing in 2025.
Women’s volleyball in particular has been impressive this season, jumping out to a 21-4 start under head coach Jose Gandara.
“You’re on the edge of your seat the entire match,” said Meier in regards to Miami volleyball.
Another Hurricanes non-revenue sport that has made major headlines as of late is the men’s track and field team, which finished a program record 10th at the NCAA championships in 2024.
Some Olympic sports that have traditionally been labeled as “non-revenue” also have the potential to bring in significant amounts of money for their respective colleges.
Besides the potential of some Olympic sports to make their schools money, they are also an integral part of the culture of both college athletics and student life.
“It’s a part of your collegiate experience. What an awesome way to make friends and to have a social event- it’s just incredible,” said Meier in regards to the value of college sports.
Despite all of these changes, there is no doubt that Radakovich, president Joe Echevarria, and the rest of the athletic department staff will guide the university towards a fair and equitable path for all student athletes.
Dear V, have you heard about the recent UM Tik Tok drama?
We accidentally started a Tik Tok influencer war
I think it’s time to address the elephant in the newsroom. We want to formally apologize for starting tik-toker World War III.
What started as a few innocent interviews with a few of UM’s influencers somehow snowballed into a school-sanctioned “No Contact Order,” a deleted account and a move across campus. To break it down, the newsroom can be a pretty serious place — apart from my take, obviously — and articles and interviews get cut all the time. It was never personal.
This fight quickly became influencer-on-influencer crime as they capitalized off of other people’s embarrassment, as many people do on social media. We might’ve started the fire, but they threw gasoline on it. On a non-professional level, we enjoyed the backlash. The Hurricane got to watch these influencers make cash from a few TikToks “not directed at anyone specifically” and we finally got the publicity we deserve.
Of course we ran with it.
Follow-ups, podcasts, social media posts — we gave all of it to you guys. And you loved it. We got more views on our podcast than ever before and hit an all-time record number of views on Instagram.
What the conflict all boiled down to after multiple visits with the dean of students, deleted accounts and a certain someone making the migration to Centennial was … well, nothing.
But we enjoyed talking to all the influencers on campus nonetheless!
What we learned:
1) Never, ever make a microinfluencer mad.
2) Nothing is ever really that serious.
3) Be careful what you wish for … you asked for more features and The Hurricane delivered. Just maybe not in the way you expected.
Anirudh Kannan Contributing Writer
David Lebowitz // Staff Photographer
Sophomore tight end Elija Lofton makes a mid air catch for a touchdown against NC State on Nov. 15, 2025.
Sovannreach Po // Graphics Editor
David Lebowitz // Staff Photographer
Freshman receiver Malachi Toney runs the ball toward the endzone after a redzone catch on Nov. 15, 2025.
