Miami Hurricane, September 15, 2000

              Senior James Jackson leads RB corps
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Lecturer rewrites Elian saga for CBS
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The Mimi Hi
Coral Gables, Florida	* •	Wr JMvWf UHL ¿4L. WÊ -MÊUÆm SET- 15 2000 ¡ Since 1927 i
Volume 78, Number 6	WWW.HURRICANE.MIAMI.EDU	—librar Friday, September 15, 2000
Future of UM Police yet to be determined
University; Gables vying for control
By Jackie Weisbein
Hurricane Staff Writer This past spring, the City of Coral Gables began toying with the idea of abolishing the University of Miami Police Department and having only Coral Gables Police patrol the campus. Months later, there has yet to be a resolution between the city and the
University.
"On a given day, there are typically 3-5 UM police patrolling the campus with approximately 14 more security guards aiding them in their duties,” said Alan Fish, associate vice president of Business Services. "This number fluxes depending on time of day, day of the week, and the on- or off-campus events happening”
Should the City of Coral Gables be granted jurisdiction over the University of Miami campus, they plan to institute a five-year plan by which they will even-
tually be the ones providing all police services on campus.
With this five-year plan, Coral Gables allow s for the allotment of only six officers to the University of Miami campus, which limits the campus to one officer per shift, which last tor eight hours each.
The city believes policing an area is a public issue, not a private one.
“Public law enforcement officers should not be controlled by a private corporation,” said Coral Gables Police Chief James Skinner in April.
While employed by the University,
officers assigned to patrol the campus are certified by the city.
“This is no different than any other university!’ Fish said. “Emory, FSU, F1U and Duke they all have their own police force. It’s important that the school be monitored and protected by those who are here to enforce the law and monitor the safety of our students and faculty who are familiar with the campus and grounds.”
Coral Gables resident and sophomore John Spain said Rising the school's police would have a negative effect on
the community.
“If it means having less police on campus,” he said, “then I would definitely have to say I’m against the idea. We need our own police who are here to care for us and ensure our safety rather than some random cop who could care less about the students and do nothing if more than one thing happened at once”
“If Coral Gables police come in to our school, we will not be their priorityf said Danny Riley. “Having police and security on campus allows for people to
be outside at all hours of the day and feel safe that they are being protected by a police force that is there for them and their safety only”
The University strongly believes, according to Fish, that it is imperative to have its own police force and security guards to ensure the safety of our students, faculty and staff. In the mean time, there is no formal process to resolve this issue. The University will continue to meet with the city in hopes of developing a plan that can work for both.

MSA celebrates 15th anniversary
Department serves as resource
By Ana-Maria Colmenares and Hal Goldstein
Of the Staff
Multicultural Student Affairs celebrated its 15th birthday Wednesday. Decorations, food and cake were some of the things offered to guests to commemorate the accomplishments and progress this office has achieved in these years of hard work.
MSA is a University department that provides minorities with academic, cultural, social and personal support, said Darlene Rodriguez, assistant director of MSA.
The department was originally called “Minority Student Services” and was set in 1985 to assist socially and academically African-American students to become successful at the university, said Steve Clark, director of MSA.
One of the goals was to offer African-American students a familial environment. “A place where they could feel welcomed," said Rodriguez.
The office has made several transitions over the years. One of these
transitions was the change of the department’s name to “Multicultural Student Affairs”as a way to be inclu sive of other ethnic groups.
“Even though the goal is to help African-American students as well as Asian-American, Hispanics and Native Americans through their transition to the University of Miami, we provide services and help to all students,” said Clark.
The department furnishes services such as advising, advocacy, assistance and academic development. “Our priority is to help students be successful,” said Clark.
Clark said that the wish to help students prosper in what they want to do in their lives has made Multicultural Student Affairs focus seriously on the students’ academic success.
One the most important programs, besides the Golden Drum Scholarship for African-American students, is the Book Loan Program, which lends money for 60 days to students who need to buy their books for the semester without requiring them to pay application fees or interests.
The department sponsors numerous programs on campus throughout the academic year. During Black Awareness Month and Hispanic
Heritage Month, MSA organizes various events in which members volunteer their services tP the UM student population? ~
One of the ways people can notice the progress made by the office in these years to provide more services to students is by observing the expansion of the office.
The department moved to a bigger office in building 21 -P, across from the University Health Center, where more resources are offered to students. Students can utilize the office’s library, computer lab, conference room and kitchen.
Tierini Hodges, a student assistant, describes MSA as one-stop shop. “Students can used the computers to do their school assignments. They can then go the meeting room to hold a study session and if they are hungry they can even have a snack,” said Hodges.
“The very first time I came in, 1 was shown how to use the computers in the lab and Darlene helped me look for scholarships," commented freshman Phillip Matar.
Rodriguez sajd she thinks that MSA has proven to be beneficial to the whole university community.
“Many minority students tell us that they feel their opinions matter and that if they have an issue it
HAL GOLDSTEIN/ Hurricane Staff
SPECIAL CELEBRATION: Prom left, Multicultural Student Affairs Director Steve Clark; Assistant Director Darlene Rodriguez; and Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Patricia Whitely celebrate MSA's 15th birthday Wednesday.
would not be overlooked by the administration. They feel they are part of the University,” she said.
Clark said he thinks that students not only like the services that MSA provides to them, but also they like the type of service they give to students.
“I love to come to MSA because when I come here 1 feel comfortable. People are friendly. I feel at home,”
said Lucia Ruales, president of the Latin Greek Council. Clark stated, “Quality customer service for UM students,” in response to what MSA is all about.
“The staff here are really nice and friendly, I feel welcome here,” said sophomore Jenny Fernandez.
The accomplishments of MSA have been numerous, but Clark said he thinks that the future plan is to
continue to expand the office and reach more students.
“We try to publicize this office and the services we offer. We send e-mail to students and we distribute flyers," Clark said. “But that doesn’t mean that we cannot always do more.”
Office hours for the Multicultural Student Affairs department are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. For more information call 305-284-2855.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
JORGE GALVEZ / Hurricane Staff
FUN FOR ALL: Senior Lindsay Sherman gets her hand painted Tuesday at the fifth anniversary of the opening of UM’s Food Court.
After much delay, Ryder still on hold
UM still awaiting necessary permits for construction
By Brian Poliakoff
Humcane Staff Writer After announcing the plans of building the University of Miami Ryder Center in March 1999, there has been very little progress in getting the project started. The construction has not yet begun for the Ryder Center, which will hold sporting events, commencements, concerts and pep rallies.
The construction cannot begin until the University of Miami and the city of Coral Gables, sign permits which cover everything from overall capacity to the number of events to be held each year. The structural part of the building has already been decided, i The Ryder Center will hold 7,000 seats—which is far less than the Miami Arena’s 2^388—and will be
the home to UM’s men's and women’s basketball teams.
“We are shooting for an October public meeting, where we will decide when the hearings will be held,” said University of Miami Via: President for Real Estate Sergio Rodriguez.“If all goes well, the hearings should be completed by the beginning of the new year”
The project needs the approval of the University of Miami Comprehensive Area Development plan (UMCAD). This is the University's plan for the Center, which must first get passed by the Coral Gables Planning Board. Following that, there will be two hearings to pass the UMCAD.
The city of Coral Gables needs to decide on the amount of events to be held each year. The concurrency issue is also yet to be decided. The University and Coral Gables must agree on the roads capacity that surround the Ryder Center. The sewage, mechanical and electrical issues are also unsettled.
A
Wolfs on soon to be complete
School of Corns new home draws praise
By Danielle Scott
Humcane Staff Writer Construction of the new 57,539-square-foot School of Communication building is on schedule and is slated to come to an end in March, according to Robert Stahr Hosman, associate dean and director of Development in the School of Communication.
The building is financed by a $10 million grant from philanthropist Frances L. Wolfson.
The new, state of-the-art, L-shaped building, which is already 75 percent completed, will be located on 1290 Campo Sano Drive n«ar the Panhellenic building.
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