Miami Hurricane, September 24, 1993

              VOLUME 71, ISSUE 5
®j)e Jliamt $umc<we
RF P 2 3 1QQ3
■ HOT SPOT: Breaking into the Miami scene, the Hard Rock Cate opened Wednesday in Miami. See Accent, page 6.
■	Are wc here to learn or earn credits? See Opinion, page 5
■	Anti-P.C. is actually more correct. See Opinion, page 4
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, CORAL GABLES, FLA.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24,1993
North-South Center funding in jeopardy
By JESSICA MAGNANI
Hurricane Staff Writer
Federal funding for the UM North-South Center is still uncertain as Congress begins to wrap up negotiations for a 1994 budget.
The University could lose $8 million in federal funds for the North-South Center, located at 1500 Monza Ave. The Center is designed to promote better relations among the US, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean through research and public outreach programs.
In the past U.S.
Rep. Dante Fascell, a UM alumnus and former chairman of the ■ Foote House Foreign Affairs Committee, secured more than $10 million in funds for the center each year. Fascell, however, retired last January and the Clinton administration recommended phasing out fund-
ing over the next five years.
Representative Carrie Meek was granted $8 million in the House of Representatives bill that finances the Commerce, State and Justice departments.
"It’s a credit to the University of Miami that we fought back from zero to $8 million on the House budget,” said Robin Rosenberg, director of Research and Studies at the North-South Center.
The Senate Appropriations Committee, however, left the center out of its budget completely. Despite the uncertainty of funding, UM President Edward T. Foote II said he was "cautiously optimistic that wisdom will prevail.”
Congressional hearings in the House Foreign Affairs Committee have been favorable, said Cyrus Jollivette, vice president for Government Relations and secretary of the University.
Dean Ambler Moss, director of the North-South Center and former U.S. ambassador to Panama, as well as other University representatives have testified at some of these hearings, Jollivette said.
"The line of questioning and comments
have been favorable,” Jollivette said.
Moss could not be contacted.
"The center is not only a very important part of the University, but also of the international intellectual community and it deserves a great deal of support,” Foote said.
The center, modeled after a similar East-West center in Hawaii, receives the majority of its funds from the federal government, said Foote.
“There is a good chance that we’ll receive substantial support. The question is how much,” Foote said. He said he thinks the odds are favorable because of the importance of current events in the Caribbean and the strong support of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
The North-South Center began operation without federal funds, receiving them only in the last six years to develop “the full international capacity of the center,” said Foote. "If there were a cut, we would restructure and go back to work.”
Although the North-South Center would be affected by the loss of funds, the
University would not abandon the center, Foote said.
The center has continued its programs and research throughout the seven months of these negotiations, hosting such conferences as the Conference of the Caribbean and an International Banking Conference.
"Programs have continued undaunted in the face of this funding uncertainty,” Rosenberg said.
Foote and other UM officials have been concentrating the majority of their efforts on the Senate and Dem. Ernest Hollings, chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Commerce, State and Justice Departments.
Florida’s senators, Democrat Bob Graham and Republican Connie Mack have reportedly been trying to convince the White House and the State Department to signal support for the center.
A decision is expected early next week, Foote said.
Mandatory graduation examinations under debate
By LESLEY ABRAVANEL
Hurricane Staff Writer
Recent discussions between officials at the U.S. National Education Goals Panel may lead to a mandatory test for graduating college seniors, according to a report in The Independent Alligator, a student newspaper at the University of Florida.
The panel, composed of state education officials and governors, has recommended a nationwide assessment test administered to students prior to receiving their respective college degrees. The test would measure students' critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills.
While officials at the University of Florida have been aware of such a test, it seems that UM has not yet received any confirmation or word.
William Butler, UM’s vice president for Student Affairs, said he hasn't heard anything about this test or if it will affect UM.
"It would be too early to make an intelligent response about such a test,” Butler said.
According to Samuel Yarger, dean of the School of Education, the test probably hasn’t yet been created. When it is formulated, the panel will probably give a contract to an institution such as the Educational Testing Service to develop and validate it, Yarger said.
Despite the fact that the panel’s recommendations haven’t yet become widespread to universities across the country, the idea is not a new one.
According to Ed Gillis, UM’s director of Admissions, there have been frequent proposals to administer and enforce such a test.
"This is not an unusual concept,” Gillis said. "People usually want to test to see a certain body of knowledge."
Although the panel has recommended the test be administered nationwide, some officials believe that it would be more practical at state schools.
'it would be easier to do something like this at state schools, because the state could mandate such a test,” Gillis said.
Many students do not seem receptive to such a test. After completing entrance exams such as the S.A.T., students usually spend four years taking exams, and then may take exams such as the L.S.A.T., M.C.A.T., and G.R.E., respectively, for law school, medical school and graduate school.
“You’d think that mid-terms and finals would be enough to measure our critical thinking,” said Sarni Green, senior. “Plus, on top of all that pressure, we need to worry about getting a job or studying for other impossible tests like the GRE or LSAT."
Some people, however, view this test in a somewhat positive light, as a way to prove academic success.
“There is nothing wrong with tests, but we tend to kill the messenger when we don’t like what a test tells us,” Yarger said. “Tests could provide valuable information, but often, people tend to over interpret their meanings.”
Yarger said such a test can do much good and provide the student with a lot of valuable information as long as the results are not looked upon merely as a report card on the university for ranking pur-
, benefits of plans
Sin taxes may provide funds for health care
Students share in costs
LYNETTE MALINGER/Speclal to the Hurricane
■ PROMISES FULFILLED: President Clinton signed the National and Community Service Act into law Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Clinton: National Service may solve America’s troubles
By LYNETTE MALINGER
Editor In chiet
Americorp, the new service corps for the United States, is now a reality.
President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 into law on Tuesday at a ceremony at the White House.
Starting this fall, 20,000 U.S. citizens can begin serving their country, while earning $4,725 a year for college. Volunteers can serve a maximum of two years, and get over $7,000 in living expenses while participating. Students can learn technical skills, leadership skills and vocational training while serving.
“Few goals are more important than finding new ways to encourage this country to help others,” Mass. Sen. Edward Kennedy said. “(Thisl is the most significant step we have taken thus far to return to our roots.”
The bill establishes a company,
the Corporation for National and Community Service, which will coordinate state and national service programs.
Clinton said he hopesnational service can repair the United States.
“1 saw the...insanity, the loss of human potential,” Clinton said Tuesday. ‘‘Yet I saw the light in the eyes of so many of our young people. National service, I hope and pray, will help us strengthen our national chords...help us rebuild our wonderful, yet troubled land.”
What will Americorp mean for UM and its students?
UM students will have more opportunities to volunteer as community service organizations will be growing.
“It’s conceivable that our size will increase,” Kevin McPeak, of Habitat for Humanity in Dade County, said. “We received a great deal of volunteers from federal services in the past
year.”
UM is in a unique position to contribute to the state program, according to UM Volunteer Services Coordinator Carrie Edmondson. UM is one of just 59 colleges and universities with a federal grant for community service, and may be looked to for leadership.
Each state must establish a commission on national service in order to qualify for federal money. Florida, if it qualifies, will be eligible for atleast $125.000 the first year, and not less than $175,000 in subsequent years.
These funds may allow many groups to expand, but will UM students be willing to participate?
Some students feel that any aid will help.
“A couple of thousand here and there is a pretty big lure, especially concidering they pay living expenses,” Karen Herman, senior, said.
By LISA J. HURIASH
Associate News Editor
In a televised address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, President Bill Clinton said America “is in a time of profound change and opportunity.”
Clinton said the health-care system “is badly broken and we need to fix it. The magic moment has arrived |to fix) the costliest and most wasteful system on earth.”
If passed, the health care plan will affect UM students in several ways. When students graduate, they will have a guaranteed health coverage plan, instead of worrying about finding a job with built-in health insurance. Also, independant students, who are not on their parents’ health care program would not have to worry about paying for health care on top of tuition and living costs.
Another way Clinton’s plan could affect students is through a new tax on tobacco.
Reaction at UM to Clinton’s plan seemed favorable.
Sophomore Danielle Gallant said she supports Clinton’s proposed health plan. “I’m a smoker but |the tax) doesn’t bother me,” Gallant said.
Carlos Amorin, sophomore, said although he is not a Clinton supporter, he thinks the health care plan is valid.
"This is a step in the right direction,” Amorin said “Ever-one has a right to health care and even if [all members of Congress] don’t agree they have the goal to fix health care.”
"His approach was honest and I saw a lot of good points,” said senior Sweta Patel. "It’s about
time someone made a change. At least someone is trying to do something.”
Senior Victoria Francis said she is so angry with Clinton that she plans to stop smoking. "I will quit smoking because I don’t want my money to support that plan.”
Clinton said the new plan would enable every American to have health insurance. A security card, resembling a credit card, will be provided to everyone. The plan will prohibit insurance companies from dropping citizens and will provide services such as mammogram and cholesterol tests, as well as regular checkups and mental health treatment.
The plan will also eliminate the current 1,500 insurers, all of whom have different forms. Clinton called the forms "time-consuming and expensive." He called for one standard insurance form and said paperwork should only be filled out to monitor a person's health.
Savings will be inevitable with the plan, Clinton claims, if the U.S. cracks down on fraud and paperwork. Clinton said the U.S. spends more than 14 percent of the income on health care - more than any other country.
Clinton said patients will have the option of choosing their own doctors and doctors will choose which health-care plan they want to join.
Every American has the responsibility to take charge of his/her health, Clinton said.
“This is not a free system,” Clinton explained. “Everyone will have to pay a portion of their coverage.”
laiMiiiir
There are six main points in President Clinton's health care proposal:
1.	SECURITY: coverage for all Americans
2.	SIMPLICITY: reduce paperwork
3.	SAVINGS: decrease costs caused by fraud and paperwork
4.	CHOICE: freedom to choose a doctor
5.	QUALITY: report cards on health care
6.	RESPONSIBILITY: no free rides
Disabled Canes’ fans sue UM, City of Miami
By DOUG HYDE
Hurricane Statt Writer
Thousands of Hurricane fans flock to the Orange Bowl every home game to cheer the University of Miami to victory. But for physically handicapped Cane fans, the Orange Bowl is an outdated eyesore in need of more than just a facelift, according to two handicapped fans.
Chris Leone and Roberto Perez, both Hurricane season ticket holders, said they were “discriminated against, humiliated and embarrassed while coming to, entering, attending and leaving the football
n.jmp ” Thpv attpnHpH thrpp hnmp
games during the 1992 season.
In October 1992, these two disabled fans sued the City of Miami and the University of Miami, claiming their lack of access to the Orange Bowl was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Last week, officials from the City of Miami, University of Miami and the plaintiffs held a second formal meeting in front of a mediator.
Michael Lanham, an attorney for the plaintiffs in the case, said the purpose of the meeting was to “keep costs down, and keep attor-
see naoe 2/QRANGE BOWL
Gubernatorial campaigning underway
By ANNETTE J. GALLAGHER
Contributing Editor
When eight-year-old Jason Maxwell was helping his father hang political fliers in 25 degree weather in Portage, Ind., he didn’t think he’d be working on a gubernatorial campaign by age 20.
But Maxwell, a junior, is the Youth Project Coordinator for Republican Jeb Bush in his race for Florida governor. The election is Nov. 3, 1994.
"Mostly I get college students to volunteer — painting signs, working phone banks and passing out fliers. They give me a project and I find people to work it,” Maxwell said. He said Bush will officially announce his candidacy Oct. 5 at his Miami headquarters.
'Til be working 80 hours a week as we get closer to the election,” Maxwell said.
Jamie Hilson, UM Young Republicans vice president, is working with Maxwell to promote
Bush’s campaign at UM.
“This is the first gubernatorial campaign I’ve worked on,” Hilson said. “It’s been a good learning experience. It’s a simpler process than I thought.”
Maxwell began his work in politics early, helping his father campaign for Republicans in a largely Democratic district. At UM, he served as chairman of Young Republicans last year and is now the treasurer for the Florida College Republican Federation.
Where is all this leading? Maxwell says hopefully to the United States Senate.
In addition to his primary goal of getting Jeb Bush elected, Maxwell hopes to gain political connections and possibly future employment out of his campaign experience. 'Td really like to work for Jack Kemp’s campaign to be President in 1996," he said.