Miami Hurricane, April 17, 1998

              CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA	SINCE 1927
VOLUME 75 NUMBER 47
WWW.HURRICANE.MIAMI.EDU
FRIDAY,APRILI7,1998
CLOSE CALL
■ The Hurricane baseball team edged Florida Atlantic 4-2 on a two-run homer by left fielder German Alvarez in the bottom of the ninth.
SPORTS, page 6
SUICIDE KINGS COMETH
The new Tarantino-esque thriller, Suicide Kings, comes out today. Two of it's stars, Johnny Galecki and Jay Mohr, are interviewed inside.
ACCENT, page 8
GAY BASHED
■ Two students speak out against intolerance on campus.
OPINION, page 11
news briefs
DAUGHTERS ON CAMPUS
The University of Miami Women's Commission is sponsoring the sixth annual Take Our Daughters to Work Day. The program enables daughters ages 8-17 to learn about the work place, career opportunities and academic programs at the University.
A lunch will be provided at the Women's Resource Center UC 211 at 12-1 p.m. The Toppel Career Planning and Placement Center will have a program at 1-2 p.m.
Students will tour the Net for career opportunities in the Discovery program and the Ms. Foundation for Young Women's education and career guides. The program will provide valuable resources and helpful academic support. At the conclusion, students will return with their sponsor to the office/work areas.
SENIOR WEEK BEGINS
Seniors can participate in a number of events during the next week. Students need a Senior Week wristband to participate in the events. The seniors are attending the Saturday night baseball game, the Senior Reception at President Foote's house on Wednesday, Senior Night in the Grove on Thursday, and Senior Happy Hour at the Rat on Friday.
Cafeteria closed down
‘Florida Leader’ gives honors to SG members
■ Precautionary measures taken after illnesses
Sy VICTORIA BALLARD
News Editor
Bctweecn 30 and 40 students were treated at the Health Center or Doctors Hospital late Wednesday and Thursday for stomach and gastroin-stential problems after eating in the Hecht-Stanford Cafeteria, said Dan Kaimanson, director of Media Relations.
'Some but not all had eaten there within 24 hours." said Kaimanson. "The University alerted DAKA about the potential problem, and we suspended hot food service."
Wednesday morning three students reported to the Health Center with stomach cramps, nausea, and diahrrea said Kaimanson.
"They were treated at the Health Center." said Kaimanson. "This happens two io three times a day."
When approximately a dozen students reported similar symptoms. Dr. Howard Anapol, driector of the Health Center, informed the University.
"He was concerned that we had a potential problem," said Kaimanson "The campus had been treating stu-
dents all day with similar problems."
As of noon Wednesday, 33 to 40 students complained. As of noon Thursday, students were still reporting gastroinstetinal problems at the Health Center.
The Health Center remained open until midnight on Wednesday to treat students, said Kaimanson.
After midnight, three or four students went to the emergency room at Doctors Hospital.
"Some required an IV drips because they were dehydrated." said Kaimanson. "Most have been released although some had to stay for several hours."
Students who reside in Hecht and Stanford were advised of the problem by posted flyers and announcements from resident assistants.
"We are urging students to go to the Health Center and treat stomach problems seriously." said Kaimanson. "Luckily, most of the students are doing much better; they almost all recovered."
The entire dining room has been shut down. 'We are waiting until the inspector tells us what is going on." said Kaimanson.
Thursday morning the Miami-Dade Health Department shut down the cafeteria for all fotxl service, although a breakfast of cold cereal and milk had been served already, said Kaimanson.
’We still don't know what happened. more students are coming in," said Kaimanson. "It is unknown if it is problem with the food or a stomach vims in the dorms."
DAKA is sending their own microbiologist and inspector, said Kaimanson. "They are doing thier own inspection," he said.
Students who reside in Hecht or Stanford can use their meal plans at the food court and other dining facilities at the Pearson-Mahoney cafeteria until further notice. "It's gotxi in all those places." said Kaimanson.
Some Stanford residents said hearing about the sicknesses was a surprise.
"It was a surprise." said junior Jennifer Dozier. "There had been no problems before this that I knew of."
Others said they felt the University was taking the appropnate steps to alleviate the problems.
A sign at the entrance to the Hecht/Stanford Cafeteria told students that (he cafeteria was closed and lunch was being served at the Mahoney/Pearson Cafeteria and at the Hurricane Food Court.
"There are posters everywhere telling us that students have been reporting gastrointestinal problems." said Stanford resident Delia Espinosa "I don't think it's an inconvenience to have to go to the food court People are freaking out about it, but it's just a walk."
■ ‘Hurricane,’ SG get honorable mentions
By ADRIANA SOTO
Hurricane Staff Writer
Florida Leader, a magazine that annually honors Florida colleges and universities for their achievements during the year, gave UM an honorable mention in the private university category for its student government and two of its newspapers; The Miami Hurricane and the Res Ipsa Loquiter. UM also received the award for the strongest LINK program.
"Student government and newspapers are the two most competitive categories," said Teresa Beard of Florida Leader.
It takes the magazine one year to determine the winners in each category. All Florida schools are sent a survey of eight open-ended questions which must be answered in detail and sent back.
The questions enable the different student organizations to outline their activities and achievements during the year. The school authorities later verify these entries.
The schools are divided into several categories and each compete for every award in their category. The categories are
Community Colleges Private Universities and Colleges, and Public Universities and Colleges.
After the schools have been divided and the surveys have been returned, the magazine's publisher picks the award for best newspapers. The magazine staff picks the winners in the other categories.
Florida Leader also has humorous awards. Beard said the awards are for fun and "not to be taken seriously.” They include “Best Stupid Dope Moves" and "Biggest Generation Gap.”
UM professor Murray Mantel won the "Biggesl Buttehead" award for his plan to create a "600-foot ski slope made of soil."
The magazine said the student government category was a "whirlwind of activity." The UM Student Government was so busy that it received an award for excellence from the National Association for Campus Activities.
The SG installed more blue-light phones, created a fall break starting in fall ‘98, added an undergraduate speaker to the commencement exercises, increased lighting in the IM Field and began 24- hour access to the first floor of the Richter Library.
“Working toward these yearlong projects was something we all worked towards with compromises and propositions beneficial to all," said Jonathan Brill, former SG president.
The new SG plans to include a
residential cable TV system, a Jogging trail and food service improvements "The University of Miami will be on Florida Leader's tracking chart." the magazine said.
Another award was given to the LINK program of the Volunteer Services Center. The magazine staff thought the Feel Good Fridays were "a really neat idea for people who could not commit to service all of the time." said Beard.
The Res Ipsa Loquiter was noted for the chance it gives soon-to-be anomeys to practice doing quality writing in a short amount of time, said Beard.
INTERNATIONAL WEEK DANCE
AMANDA KERR / Hurricane Staff Photographer
GROOVING: Indian Student Association and other COISO members dance during Asia Day.
Order of Merit awarded
■ Cuban-American funds new center for immigrants
By AVIEL PAPO
Hurricane Staff Writer
Luis J. Bntifoll, a prominent Cuban-American community leader and businessman, will receive a Presidential Order of Merit from The University of Miami.
Botifoll. who turns 90 in June, has been instrumental in pooling Miami's Cuban community in fund-raising efforts for the John J. Koubek Memorial Center, part of the Schtxil of Continuing Studies.
“The University of Miami is honoring Botifoll because he has been a tireless leader in helping to improve relations among South Florida’s diverse communities," said President Edward T. Foote II.
Botifoll received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree in 1994 and the Order of Merit. The University will formally dedicate the remodeled Koubek Center, a 180-seat auditorium.
in Botifoll’s honor.
Carol Holden, dean of the School of Continuing Studies and a close friend of Botifoll, said. “Dr Botifoll is an amazing man who knows firsthand the lasting benefits of helping immigrants re-start theii lives in a new country.”
Himself a product of the immigrant experience, and years of hard work within the Castro regime, Botifoll fled Cuba in 19b0. While in Cuba, he worked as a corporate attorney, was editor of one of Cuba's leading newspapers, El Mundo, and served as legal advisor to the Cuban Commerce Department. Chief of Maritime economic affairs at the Cuban Maritime Commission, and (he president of Union Radio
Shortly after his arrival in South Florida, he was named director of Republic National Bank and in 1978, elected chairman of the bank's board of directors. Republic National, which helps many Cuban exiles get a fresh start in America, was Botifoll's first major venture in assisting and impacting the Cuban-American immigrant experience. In 1993 he retired from the bank and was named chairman emeritus. He is one of
the Miami Cuban community's most prominent and respected figures
At the same time Botifoll arrived in South Florida, the Koubek Center began offering thousands of Cuban immigrants English classes and professional job-training designed to ease the cultural transition.
Today, it still offers non-credit English classes and certification programs in many areas ranging from business management to journalism to graphic design.
"The Koubek Cenler is a valuable educational and cultural resource that responds directly to the needs of the growing Hispanic community in which it is located," said Holden.
Pablo Chao, the Center’s director, said the enrollment is about 1,000 students per semester with approximately 50 teachers. Most of the teachers themselves are prominent figures in the Cuban community.
Located in Little Havana, at 2705 SW 3rd St., the Koubek Center is truly an oasis in the desert, safeguarded by many massive palm trees. A Mediterranean style mansion built by John J. Koubek in 1929. everything within the mansion is
carefully being restored by hand if it is not original. The property was donated, along with $1 million to the University in 1942 by Koubek. Shortly after, a small auditorium and a small classroom building was added to the 5,000 square foot mansion.
The spiral staircase with colored tiles and seahorses adorning the railing, refinished wooden floors, red Spanish-style roof tiles imported directly from Cuba and the many flowered bushes surrounding the Koubek Center make it an architectural testament.
In 1995. Holden obtained a $225.000 grant from Florida's Division of Historical Resources to aid in the mansion's restoration. The project is in its final stages. A dedication ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23.
While the auditorium is still being given its finishing touches, the elegant gold lettering hearing the name of the man who has done so much for this Hispanic community already adorns the outside of the building. Chao summed Luis J. Botifoll's legacy best: "Everyone in my community respects him—he is like a father"
Jensen donates new scholarship
■ School of Education receives money for students
By CHRISTY CABRERA
Assistant News Editor
Last week. University of Miami alumnus Jay Jensen decided to help the institution that helped him by donating $500,000 to the School of Education.
"I am what I am because of my University of Miami education," Jensen said. "All of us are where we are because of teachers and education we received. We seem lo forget that."
Jensen, who received a bachelors degree in speech and drama, as well as a masters degree in education from the University, said he wanted the money lo be used for scholarships.
"The scholarships have to go lo students who could not ordinarily afford to attend the University," he said. "Kids with abilities will profit ffom this."
In Jensen's honor, the University held a special reception last Thursday. The School of Education also renamed their administrative offices in his hom*.
See JENSEN • Page 2
■T3T