Miami Hurricane, April 30, 1999

              Cane Records releases first u alumni CD ^ 0b
NT page 5
Best games and players of the past year
page 7
IAL FORMAT
Coral Gables, Florida
Volume 76, Number s
Since 1927
WWW.HURRICANE.MIAMI.EDU
Friday, April 30,1999
JORQE GALVEZ /
Hurricane Staff Photographer
GRADUATE: Senior Kateri Hilton is quadriplegic.
Senior beats the odds
By MAURICIO VIEIRA
Hurricane Staff Writer
Senior Kateri Hilton will graduate next month with a double degree in psychology and religion, despite the fact that she is quadriplegic, paralyzed from the neck down.
Hilton, 21,commutes every weekday from Homestead to campus with the assistance of a Miami-Dade County program rilled Special Transportation Services.
“it takes me where I need to go," said Hilton.
She navigates the University of Miami campus in a wheelchair she powers by breathing into a tube.
Her routine lor the last four years consists of coming to school, returning home and “studying, studying and studying,” she said.
But, she said she also rinds time to have fun, as »he did last year by attending UM basketball games at the Miami Arena.
She said she rinds that living and studying in Miami is good for people with disabilities, due to the weather and a strong “push for accessibility” from local groups.
Kateri likes campus because students have a very open mentality.
“People don’t stare," Hilton said. “People speak to you.”
Hilton became paralyzed from the neck down after an accident her junior year at South Miami High School. UM was the only college she applied to.
See HILTON • Page 2
Graduates prepare for ‘closure’
Commencement ceremony draws unique speakers’
By DAVID ANESTA
Associate News Editor The University of Miami’s 73rd Annual Commencement Ceremonies take place Friday, May 14, at 8:30 a m. on the University Green Martin Marty, a religious studies scholar at the University of Chicago, will give the commencement speech and also will receive an honorary
degree. In addition, artist Fernando Botero, political columnist David Broder, salsa performer Celia Cruz, author Ernest Gaines, Nobel laureate Alfred Gilman, music producer Quincy jones and social activist Eunice Kennedy Shriver will receive honorary degrees
“This year, particularly, we have some pretty unique speakers,” said Dr. Patricia Whitely, vice president for Student Affairs.
President Edward T. Foote II said, “We are proud to award honorary degrees to such outstanding people. By their exceptional accomplishments, they honor us.”
In addition to the eight honorary degrees, the University will give out 1,289 undergraduate degrees, 499 graduate degrees, 480 law degrees, 148 doctoral degrees and 157 medical degrees. About 10,000 people are expected to attend.
Senior Andrew Paul, who served as Student Government president this year, will become the second student ever to speak at graduation, said Whitely.
“He has the academic achievement and has been an exceptional student leader and has made a difference at the University of Miami,” said Whitely.
Every year, a committee of students
and faculty give an Award for Excellence and Student Leadership, said Paul He said the winner gets to speak at commencement.
“I’m honored to have the opportunity and hopefully everything will go well,” said Paul. “It’s difficult. I’m used to speaking in front of a specific group."
Paul and Whitely said graduation gives students a sense of closure to their college careers.
“It’s a right of passage," said Whitely. “It’s a way for students to celebrate all of their achievements. It’s a vehicle for them to thank all of their family have helped them through school,”
GRADUATION
Who?
Over 2,500 graduates and 10,000 spectators
What?
The University of Miami’s 73rd Annual Commencement Ceremony.
Where?
University Green When?
Friday, May 14,
8:30 a.m.
EMILY NEALE / I lumcane Staff Photographer CRUNCH TIME: Senior Abdi Sanz hits the books this last week of classes with the
knowledge that final exams begin Wednesday.	„
More on FINALS Pg. 2
Dance troupe expects 200 at tonights show
By JOSE F. DIAZ
Hurricane Staff Writer Over 200 visitors are expected at tonight’s performance by the KAOS dance troupe on the University Center Patio at 8 p.m.
“KAOS is a dance group which has been around for five years and we perform once at the end of each semester,” said Benjamin Cheeks,
KAOS president.
KAOS is made up of University of Miami students and is registered as an official campus organization.
Cheeks said he is very excited about the upcoming performance.
“KAOS has been preparing a routine since January, meeting three days a week, at three hours a pop," said Cheeks.
Senior Tiffany Johnson, the group’s choreographer, said she has danced with KAOS for three years.
(ohnson said she feels that this is an ideal time for the show to take place.
“KAOS is giving people something to divert their minds from the monotony of academics after a whole semester of stress,” said (ohnson
The KAOS showcase is free to students.
The group is currently evaluating
its future, Johnson said.
“W'e want to do a lot more off-campus work with exterior entities, music videos, even the local music industry,” said (ohnson. “We want to
See KAOS • Page 2
Education law faces repeal
Financial aid denied
to students convicted
on drug charges
By CARLOS PEREZ-MENDEZ
Hurricane Staff Writer
The Higher Education Act, a federal law passed last fall that denies federal financial aid to students convicted of a drug offense, has faced growing opposition in recent weeks.
US. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass„ recently introduced a bill into the House of Representatives that would repeal the provision.
Students at the University of Miami, as well as college campuses across the country, are becoming aware of the what the provision entails.
Dave McKinney, president of UM’s Hemp Awareness Council, said his organization is petitioning Student Government to get involved in the effort to have the Higher Education Act amended.
The Drug Reform Coordination Network has reported that several student governments have endorsed a repeal of the provision.
Such college student governments now involved include the Rochester Institute of Technology (N.Y.), Hampshire College (Mass.), Western Connecticut State University, Pitzer College (Calif.), Western State College (Colo.), University of Wisconsin at Richland, Illinois State University at Normal and the University of Texas at Dallas.
U.S. Rep. Mark Souder, R-ind., said in the Cavalier Daily University Forum, the provision cuts federal financial aid for one year if the student is convicted for a first offense, two years for the second offense and indefinitely' tor the third offense.
Kris Lotlikar, campus coordinator
tor the DRCN, said the provision is racially biased. He said blacks constitute 12 percent of the population and 13 percent of all drug users, but 55 percent of all convicted drug offenders are black.
“This is going to hurt diversity on campus,” said Lotlikar.
Said Souder, “(Opponents of the provision) cite disparities in drug conviction rates tor blacks and whites as a bases for this position, but statistics from the Department of Justice con tradict their premise. In 1995, among those arrested tor drug abuse violations, nearly 62 percent were white and 37 percent were black.”
Lotlikar said the provision is biased against the poor since they do not have the money to hire an expensive lawyer who can get any drug charges dropped.
Before the bill was signed, judges had leeway in deciding whether a drug offense was serious enough for financial aid to be taken away said Lotlikar
“Most judges realize that denying someone the ability to get an educa tion is not a rational response to the problem of drug abuse!’ said Lotlikar “It will force them to the black market drug trade.”
Dr. Martin Carney director of Financial Assistance Services at UM, said, “The Higher Education Assistance Grant has had a provision regarding drug offenders ineligibility for financial aid since 1992. The statutes addressed in 1998 attempted to clarify policy issues.”
Carney refused comment on whether the provision is biased against black» and the poor, or on whether the provision is fair or not.
“How can you learn if your mind is clouded by drugs? Is the investment in your education ... going to pay divi-
See DRUGS • Page 2
¿5
</>
0)
■ Caps & Gowns
In onw tot graduating seniors to pick up their cap and gown, they must fiN out the 1999 Graduating Student Survey administered by the Toppel Career Center The survey it available online at www mlami.edu/toppel. Students must print out a slip confirming they filled out the sureey and bnng It to the career center between Monday, May 3,
and Thursday, May 13, from 9 am.-5 p m excluding weekends to pick up their cap and gown Students also can fi« out the survey at the career center during the distribution penod
■ Career Seminar
The UM Alumni Association, the School of Business Administration, and Kaplan sponsor a “New York Career Development Seminar," Wednesday. May 19, from 6-9 p.m. at The Cornell Club, 6 East 44th Street Miami. Lectures titled "Career Choices" and “Is Graduate School for You?" will feature speakers from Kaplan
including Trent Anderson, director of pre-grad test preparation programs and services, Craig Dubois, director of MCAT and DAT programs; and Charlene Garrett, director of ISAT and law admissions programs In addition, the event will have an alumni networking reception People interested in attending must RSVP by Friday May 14, to the UM Office of Aiumni Relations. 284-2872.
■ Media Workshop
To provide an m-depth look at the more than 5,000 new chemicals recently discovered from studying marine life, the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmosphenc Science is hosting a media workshop. The workshop features speak ers including researchers at the National Institutes of Health, the National Academy
of Sciences, Woods Hole Oceanographic institute, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and The University of Miami The chemicals show promise of treating diseases from diabetes to cancer and scientists are looking to the sea for new solutions to healthcare In addition, the workshop will look at chemicals possible of creating lethal biological hazards
■ History Seminar
Jamie Suchlicki and Emilio Bacardi of The Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies will moderate a seminar titled “Jose Marti and The Re-Writing of Cuban History Under Castro," Wednesday, May 19. from noon-2;30 p.m. at Victor's Café, 2340 S W 32nd Ave., Miami The event features speakers Luis Aguilar
Leon, senior research scholar for the institute. Graciella Cruz Taura, associate professor of history at Florida Atlantic University; and Marco Antonio Ramos, professor of history at the South Florida Center for Theological Studies The cost is $15 and seating is limited For more information or to make reservations, call 284-2822