Miami Hurricane, October 21, 1986

              ‘M*A*S*H’ bash
As part of a national discussion, actor Alan Alda spoke via satellite at the Lowe Art Museum about his television success
Entertainment — page 6
Let the games begin!
The first Caribbean games got under way Saturday featuring competition between students representing the various Caribbean nations.
Sports — page 8
Volume 64, Number 13	_________________________________________University of Miami_____________________ Tuesday, Oct. 21, 1986
ROBERT DUYOS/Hunriccme Staff
Bonnert and Butler, standing left to right, address the Greeks about the possible extinction of fraternity row.
Grads get new grading system
Freshmen test scores increase
By MICHELLE MILLWOOD
Hurricane Staff Writer
The University of Miami Office of Admissions has reported an increase in Scholastic Aptitude Test scores for entering freshmen, despite the fact that average scores of college freshmen nationwide were about the same as last year.
The average SAT score of UM freshmen has increased from 1080 last year to 1106 this year. The average combined score of college-bound seniors nationwide was 906. according to the College Board.
This is the first year since 1980 that scores have not increased nationwide.
Various college officials across the nation, said, though, that the lack of an increase in scores probably does not mean much in the way of students' academic skills.
"We have continually stressed each year that students must prepare themselves better," said Deborah Berry, director of admissions at UM. "The scores prove that our advice is being taken."
The College Board and Educational Testing Services, which administers the tests for the board, score the SAT on a scale of 200 to 800, with 1,600 being the perfect combined score.
Dr. Alfred Rapf, testing director in the state of Washington, said that average SAT scores fell 10 points this year because the number of students taking the test increased by 13 percent.
Perry said the University is actively seeking students with solid academic backgrounds who will be able to cope with the challenging programs provided here.
She added that each year, the University becomes more selective. However, the number of entering freshmen was greater this year than last year.
"This simply means that the students arc better prepared,” Perry said
This article was supplemented by the College Press Sendee.
Greeks’
By MARIOLGA FERNANDEZ
Hurricane Stuff Writer
In front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house Thursday night, administrators explained the University of Miami's master plan to the Greeks.
Dr. William Butler, vice president for student affairs, approached William Sandler, dean of student personnel, a few weeks ago with the suggestion for this meeting between representatives from the administration, the Greek system and the alumni of the Greek organizations.
The meeting was called in order to discuss the master plan and its effect on the Greek system at UM
Butler asked the Greeks for their support for the new regeneration that is taking place on the UM campus because "the Greeks are a vital and important aspect of campus life at our University."
worries
He said that the area surrounding the fraternity houses is needed by the University but insisted that the land to which the fraternities hold deeds would remain fraternity land until the chapter ceases to be in existence.
Causing worry among some Greeks is the proposal of the master plan to continue building
residential colleges.
Butler addressed that problem saying. "I think residential colleges can exist side by side with Greeks."
Butler and Sandler were joined by Oliver Bonnert, vice president for business affairs. They all said they have no plans to rid the University of Greeks.
Some Greeks, however, have taken a stance, refusing to believe the administration.
Butler, Sandler and Bonnert were barraged with questions from Greeks about the “true intent" of the master plan.
remain
Angie Vasquez, Phi Sigma Sigma sorority alumna, expressedcon-ccrn with the future of the Panhellenic Building — a building intended for use by sororities and which now provides suites for sororities and fraternities, as well offices for the psychology depart-ment.
In response to her questions
about the future of this building, she was told the administration had no specific plan for the Panhellenic Building.
“Don't tell me you have no idea," Vasquez said “You have to know."
After some discussion. Bonnert agreed to set up a meeting with representatives of the fraternities and sororities in the Panhellenic Building to discuss the future of that building. This meeting is to be held Oct. 28.
As for those on fraternity row, the Greeks' questions were an-Plcasc see page 3/GREEKS
By MARA DONAHOE
Hurricane Assistant Mens iditnr
The Graduate School has adopted the use of the plus/minus grading system for graduate students this fall, thus standardizing the grading system for both graduate and undergraduate students.
The objective of the plus/minus system is to provide greater flexibility in grading for those faculty members who wish to take advantage of the system.
"We want to provide as comprehensive and simple a policy as we can," said Sidney Besvinick, associate provost and dean for research and graduate studies.
The notice of the new system was circulated this fall, but the system "is not known as widely as it should," Besvinick said.
Xavier Cortada. a graduate student. said that the new system may be unnecessary.
"A grade difference of a plus or minus isn't that important," Cortada said. “It's overkill.”
Cortada said the system works well on the undergraduate level because it provides the benefit of the doubt if there is a question about a grade.
According to Cortada, graduate students have other things to worry about, like research, and the system “might be detrimental."
Frank Jimenez, another graduate student who helped institute the plus/minus system, said that it
is a "better. more calibrated Instrument for measuring grades, and a wave of the future."
One problem with the system is that a student can be hurt as well as helped in each grade urea, he said.
He said the system is discriminatory toward the A student because
‘We want to provide as comprehensive and simple a policy as we can.’
Sidney Besvinick, associate provost and dean for research and graduate studies
of the difference in point value of the A minus, which is worth 3.7 quality points, and the A grade, which is worth 4.0 points.
This could considerably lower the grade point average of the A student, Jimenez said.
Arthur I al’erriere. a graduate student, said the new system will cause students to put more emphasis on grades when they should be concentrating on "skills and research "
I aPerriere said that prospective employers look at the skills, licenses and publications of the graduate, rather than the grades Clea Sucoff, a graduate student, said the new system is good because “it reflects how well you did ."
Ambler Moss, dean of the Graduate School of International Studies, said the new system provides a better indicator tor students ot
where they stand
Muss said I he systern will nut increase ct*mpftitlnn het	stu-
dents because “the enmpetitiitn is there anyway
According to Moss, most graduate students fall somewhere within the H range, and the system is useful for differentiation between the B plus and the It minus.
Just a reminder
Today is the last day to drop a class and receive a "W" on your grade report. Unless a student officially drops a class, a final grade for the class will be assigned.
Students must go to their individual college or school to receive official approval to drop from an advisor.
Student spirit to be rewarded at Homecoming
By BARBRA SPALTEN
Hurricane Staff Writer
The success of the Homecoming activities to be held Nov. 7-15 may rely on the spirit of everyone at the University of Miami, but some students will show their spirit in a school-wide competition.
Members of UM student organizations, fraternities and sororities will compete for a spirit award. They will be judged on their participation, effectiveness, originality and organization.
Homecoming Chairperson Erica Arkin said the purpose of Homecoming is to promote school spirit.
“A lot of Homecoming is spirit, so it's worth as many points as all the events," Arkin said
There is an award just for spirit, and placing in the
spirit competition is worth points toward the overall award, Arkin said.
Participation points will be based on the percentage of members Involved in the various events. Points are also awarded to the organizations which place first, second and third in the competitions.
"Everybody is cooperating well this year," Arkin said. "They realize what an important year this is for UM. Besides it being the 60th anniversary of the University, we are also the No. 1 football team in the nation. Spirit is very beneficial to the school.”
Associate Homecoming Chairperson Eric Robinson said that student cooperation makes his job of organizing the activities easier.
"I've been on the Homecoming Committee for three years now, and this is the strongest committee
we've had. We're in very good shape, and a lot of things are shaping up faster than we expected," Robinson said.
This year's Homecoming theme is "Brilliant Memories of U.”
Opening ceremonies for Homecoming will be held Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. by the fountain. Students are requested to wear green and orange to the ceremonies, where they will sing the alma mater
"Usually the groups get to sing a song, and the choice is left to their discretion," Arkin said. "But this year we want everybody to learn the alma mater."
The words to the alma mater are printed on a plaque in the University Center Breezeway
Also on Nov. 7, the Hurricane Howl will feature a concert by Berlin on the University Center Patio at
8:30 p.m. Students can attend for free with their UM
identification.
The spirit competition begins Nov. 8 with a Swim-a-thon for United Cerebral Palsy. Members of organizations earn points by raising money and by swimming. All proceeds go to UCP.
Arkin said UCP gives its own award for the group that raises the most money. Zeta Beta Tau fraternity won it last year.
"We get a lot of response for this each year. In the past three years we've raised at least $30,000 for UCP," Robinson said.
A Homecoming Hall of Fame, "Living History of UM", will feature alumni from each of UM's 60 years
Please see page 3/WEEK
Alcohol Awareness Week kicks off
By ADRIENNE CONDELL
Hurricane Staff Writer
The University of Miami student organization called Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students is not against drinking alcoholic beverages. The group members just want students to be aware of the effects of drinking.
"We're not prohibitionists," said Joy Piotrowski, president of BACHHUS.
To promote responsible drinking habits and offer valid information
on alcohol consumption, BACCHUS will participate in the third National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, which began yesterday.
BACCHUS, which was founded at the University of Florida, has its own philosophy, which consists of four main points:
•	Drinking should not be the focus of activities
•	Everyone of age has the right to drink
•	Efforts should be made to promote responsible drinking
•	Everyone has to respect the
laws that society has recognized concerning drinking
Piotrowski said the UM chapter of BACCHUS was started a few years ago by Christian Slader. Despite the group's difficulty in recruiting members, the UM chapter, like chapters on “almost every college campus," has devoted this week to informing students about alcohol.
BACCHUS has arranged for a car that was in a drunk-driving accident to be filled with beer cans at the Rock outside the Whitten
University Center. A contest to
guess the number of cans continues through tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded tomorrow night at the Rathskeller.
The BATmoblle, a breath analysis and testing vehicle used by the Florida Highway Patrol, will also be set up by the Rock today and tomorrow.
Frank I.avecchia, a UM graduate who now runs his own drug treatment center, will speak about alcohol, marijuana and crack at 7 p.m. in the master's apartment in the Eaton Residential College Non-alcoholic refreshments will follow.
A “Party with Professionals" will be held tomorrow from 9 p.m. to midnight at the Rathskeller There will be both an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic bar set up
The aim of the party is to show that "there are non-alcoholic drinks that taste great," said Anne Blocker, a member of BACCHUS.
"Since BACCHUS is the campus organization that promotes alcoholic awareness, National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week is the best thing for us to be involved in," Blocker said
Piotrowski said BACCHUS is also working with some of the fraternities that are proclaiming this week as "Drug Awareness Week."
Several fraternities have started agreements between members not to allow each other to drive drunk. Piotrowski said.
Gripeline to handle complaints
By AMY FINEGOLD
Humcane Staff Writer
Do you have a gripe about parking, problems with a roommate, trouble with a professor or a hassle with financial aid?
The Undergraduate Student Body Government has started a gripeline this week to respond to student complaints and suggestions about anything related to the University of Miami.
Students should place their complaints or suggestions in one of 10 orange boxes located around campus.
Students must include their names and local addresses in order to receive responses. All complaints will be kept confidential, and there is no limit to the number of complaints a student can submit.
"If the students don't use the gripeline, it won’t help them," said Eric Nelson, student ombudsman
Nelson, a junior, is responsible for responding to
student complaints.
The gripeline has been unsuccessful in the past years because there was only one box in the USBG office and not enough publicity, according to Tracy Bonday, USBG vice president.
"It wasn't being brought out to the students," Bonday said
Within two weeks of submission of the gripe, Nelson will refer the student to the appropriate office or person and will offer to accompany that student to make the complaint.
Gripeline boxes are located in the vending machine areas across from the Learning Center and by the Ashe Building.
They are also located in the University Center Breezeway, the 960 Cafeteria, the 730 Cafeteria, the School of Music's Filmore Building, the ground floor of the School of Business, the Eaton Residential College and on the marble wall outside the Richter Library
Charles Kingery serves beer at the Rathskeller's tailgate party before the game on Saturday. Later in the day, the Hurricanes beat Cincinnati 45-13. For more on the story, please see page 10.
Just one for the Canes
HFTH hi ISHi/Hurruanc Staff