Miami Hurricane, August 30, 1996

              Friday, August 30, 1996
University of Miami
Volume
Issue 1
Freshmen have many options
Bv EAMMON ASTEY and KELLY RUANE
Of the Staff
Orientation "96 and the Cane Involvement Fair were the first steps in involving new students into University life. Students looking to become active while at the University of Miami have plenty of opportunities available to them.
The greek system offers all students at the University of Miami the chance to get involved in campus events as well as events in the local community. Joining a fraternity or sorority is one of the many ways to meet people who share similar interests.
Students considering joining a fraternity or sorority, or who are just curious about the greek system at UM can get a taste of greek life during the “Come Meet the Greeks" barbecue at 4 p.m. Monday at the Wellness Center Palm Court.
"Even those who don't know anything or may think being part of greek life is
absurd or not lor them we encourage you to at least check it out,” said Jeff Muddell. president of the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the governing body for most of the fraternities on campus.
"Students will be pleasantly surprised at what greek life has to offer. I didn't know anything and ended up being president. It’s been a great experience."
Students are introduced to the different fraternities and sororities on campus through Rush Week. Rush '96 is a week-long schedule of events and parties presented by the greek system to help students decide which fraternity or sorority they would like to join.
Rush begins with an orientation dinner Sept. 6 in the UC Flamingo Ballroom and ends Sept. 12 when fraternities and sororities announce their decisions for (his semester’s pledges - the greek name for new members.
Another opportunity for new students to get involved is through Student Government. Freshmen can file for candidacy to run for a Student Government Senate seat beginning Thursday.
Students interested in representing the freshmen, commuters, residence halls and Apartment Area in the Student Government Senate can pick up applications for candidacy in University Center room 209. Elections are in September.
elcomes n
Photos by SUNE WOODS/Photo Editor Artwork by SHANNON THIER/Artist
(Above) HUMAN KNOT: Marita Lietz, a freshman from Chicago is tangled in a human knot as a part of 'Cane Kick Off, one of Orientation '96's festivities. (Right) SCHOOL SPIRIT: Melanie Spiess, a freshman from New York sways to the musical direction of Mike De la Rosa on the IM field Sunday night during 'Cane Kick Off.
ew students
By MARGARITA MARTIN-HIDALGO
Staff Writer
The University of Miami welcomed new students from all over the world during Orientation ‘96.
Orientation is designed to introduce students to campus life and help them adjust to a new environment. This year’s orientation began Sunday morning when students moved into the residential colleges and apartments. ‘Cane Kick Off, an orientation tradition, offered students a chance to meet others during their first night on campus.
During ‘Cane Kick Off, the Hurricane cheerleaders and the Ibis mascot started rooting and revving-up the crowd with ‘Cane spirit, cheers and pranks. Later, associate Dean of Students Richard Walker, joined by students, sang the Alma Mater and warned the new ‘Canes that their graduation depended on whether or not they knew the Alma Mater.
More than 200 students joined in as Mike de la Rosa. Kick-Off host for the past six years, urged them to run around the field and meet each other. De la Rosa's voice boomed through the field as he ordered students to "shake their booty” and “let it loose.”
The new Hurricanes frolicked, played and ran around the field throughout the night. Games were played, dances like “La Macarena” were performed and songs like "You’ve lost that loving feeling" were played, while new friendships were bonded and lifetime memories made.
“We really go out of our way with this program to welcome the students," said Cynthia Nolan Patey. director of Orientation. Commuter Student Affairs and Leadership Programs.
For new students, such as Robert Kende. Orientation was a chance to learn about University life before the hardships of class and exams begin.
“In a few days you get a good idea of what's going on on campus and where things are. You cannot avoid getting informed," Kende said. "1 got the impression that through those friendly orientation assistants and all those events - like the ’Cane Kick Off
See • ORIENTATION • Page 2
Whitten remains center of University life
By ARMANDO BONICHE
Managing Editor
This is the first of an occassional series of articles The Hurricane will print leading up to UM's 70th Anniversary weeketul.
Thirty-one years ago, the Whitten University Center was opened as the preeminent on-campus facility devoted to the social well-being of UM students. Today, as the tastes and social attitudes of students have radically changed, the UC continues to serve a wide variety of student interests.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
When the first UM students matriculated for classes in October of 1926, the idea of a facility dedicated to student social activities and involvement was a remote idea. In fact, it was unknown whether the University would survive its earliest steps.
It was not until 1948 that a student union was first established to accommodate student needs. Space for the facility was allocated amongst the new student apartments being constructed on the campus.
But the student union was terribly
cramped for its first occupants. Although it provided the University’s student groups with their first true "home," the rapidly growing student body wus quickly limiting the building's usefulness. A suitable replacement was badly needed.
NEW HORIZON
In 1965, a new student union replaced the old facility which had been outgrown by student needs. Funds for the project were raised by a student referenda raising
the student activity fee by $ 10. The project cost the University $3,200,000.
The new structure, which incorporated 14,601 square feet salvaged from the old student union, provided students with over 200.000 square feet of activity space. Rededicated in 1966, the new student union was named after Norman A. Whitten. Whitten, a World War II veteran, had run the old student union for 19 years before his death. William R. Butler, Vice
President for Student Affairs, was just then beginning his term as vice-president of Student Affairs, recalls Whitten.
"I The UC| was named after ‘Chink’ Whitten who came to the University after World War II," said Butler. "He was really a person loved by the students."
The Norman A. Whitten University Center, as it was renamed, offered students a wide variety of activities and services. Food service areas were enlarged, a post office wus opened, a swimming pool and diving facilities were built, and a twelve lane bowling alley and
billiard hall were added. The UC also housed small rooms students could utilize to read or listen to
music.
"When the building opened, it was the hub of activity designed as a recreation center and a student union," said Butler.
DIFFERENT STROKES
Walking through the UC nowadays. does not give you an adequate idea of how things have changed in
30 years.
See UC • Page 3
II
Fashion see page 10 for Club Style
This Issie
Read about the overcrowding in the library on page 12.
Turn to page 4 for the preview of the Memphis vs. Miami game.