Miami Hurricane, November 09, 2001

              UM takes on BC in first part of four-game test
SPORTS p^0e 5
Ludacris performs for our area code
ACCENT p^ge 7
Volume 79, Number 20	WWW.HURRICANE.MIAMIJEDU
Friday.November 9, 2001
Freshman drowns in Lake Osceola
‘Tragicaccident' result of an early morning swim with friends
By Danielle Scott
News Editor
It was a Monday morning filled with the exhilaration of a school free day and the relief that Hurricane Michelle had bypassed South Florida.
Three University of Miami stu dents celebrated their hurricane day off at 5:30 a.m. with a swim across Lake Osceola, situated in the center of campus.
One of the three, freshman Chad Meredith, drowned and was found dead in the lake by Coral Cables and Miami Dade Search and Rescue learn divers around It) a.m. Monday morn ing.
His swimming companions, Travis Montgomery and Timothy Williamson, alerted Stanford Residential College security at 6:08
a.m. about Meredith, whom they could not find after crossing the lake.
Stanford security alerted the department of Public Safety who promptly called Coral Cables Fire Rescue.
Police divers arrived on the scene almost immediately, said Dr. Pal Whitcly, Vice President for Student Affairs.
Miami-Dade Police Detective Ed Munn arrived at about 11:30 a.m. Monday to investigate the drowning.
All unclassified deaths must be investigated in the homicide department Munn said, but he said that it appeared to be an accidental death.
“It was real simple to classify. It was a tragic accident,” Munn said.
There were many factors that would have contributed to his drown-
ing even though Meredith knew how to swim, Munn said.
“He had a messed up shoulder, he had just had a big meal, the water temperature was chilly and Chad had very little body fat,” Munn said.
In addition, weather conditions were far from ideal. Everywhere in South Florida early Monday morn ing, there were heavy rains and winds. This would have affected Meredith’s ability to swim to safety, and also silenced his cries for help, if there were any.
It is unsure it any alcohol or drugs were involved.
"We won’t know anything until the toxicology reports come in. If he was drinking, it will just be another con tributing factor in the drowning,” Munn said.
Toxicology reports will not he ready for another week, Munn said.
Meredith’s older sister Kelly was the first one in his family to find out that something had happened to him, said family friend, Nikki Con.
Con knew ( had Meredith since he was five years old, she said.
Kelly Meredith, 26, who was very close to her younger brother, called to speak to him Monday morning and was told by his roommate that she should contact her parents to find out what had happened. Con said.
At that point, Meredith’s parents were clueless as to what had happened. They began calling hospitals in the Coral (Sables area and finally began calling the police, according to
See DROWNING • Page 3
RUSSELL W0JTUS1AK / Photo F. MoT DIVER DOWN: A police diver takes off his equipment in front of the Rathskellar after coming out of the lake where Chad Meredith’s body was found
Parade, fireworks raise school spirit
By Jorge Luis Arauz and Leigha Taber
Of tfie Staff
As part of Homecoming ‘01 festivities, Storm Watch took place on Nov.2.
“This was a really important home coming because of the 75th anniversary and President Shalala’s Inauguration,” said Lila l.eckey, co-chair of the Homecoming Committee.
“Everybody had a high level of school spirit, especially the alumni and current students."
The festivities began when President Shalala (.rand Marshaled a parade that included decorated floats, classic cars, and costumes.
The athletic department, fraternities, sororities, residential colleges, UM honor societies, local police and fire departments participated in the procession.
“We included some kids from Miami Children’s Home Society in the parade," said Ilka Medina, member of thetiolden Key Honor Society.
“We used the opportunity to get them excited about going to college".
As Shalala rode in an old Cadillac with Sebastian the Ibis, “Brown-Eyed Girl" was introduced as the official theme song of U.M. because of its cho rus,“sha la-la la-la....”.
“I think the song is very appropriate,” said |avier Neruda, a spectator at the event. “Especially since President Shalala has big brown eyes".
After the parade, spectators proceeded over to the UC Patio tor a brief pep rally that included cheerleaders, the Sunsations, Sebastian the Ibis, and the Band of the Hour.
Snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy were offend.
Some thought the parade and pep rally lacked enthusiasm.
' “I was expecting the whole thing to be a bit more energetic,” said (iuadalupe
Peraza. “There wasn’t much music to get the crowd excited”.
Some in the cnwvd made enough noise to compensate for the lack of music.
“We’re gonna bash lemple right in their temple,” said |osue Gonzalez, a ‘f anes fan who was present at the pep rally.
“I’m not even a student here, and 1 know U.M has the best college football team in the nation,”Gonzalez said.
The alma mater was sung later by lake Osceola in anticipation of the traditional Boat Burning.
According to tradition, if the mast burns off before the boat sinks, U.M. will win the Homecoming football game.
“I don’t know where this tradition started, but the boat never actually has a chance to burn,” said sophomore Lacey llickle. “It just blows up”.
“1 guess we always win because the mast is the first thing to blow offT Hickle said.
The entire night was concluded with an elaborate fireworks display.
“I’m sure the fireworks were beautiful, but I felt as though bombs were going off outside,” said freshman Anm Monde, who woke up to the sound of fireworks exploding. “I think that after the horrors of Sept. 1 l,we should be told when something like this is going to happen. It was so loud that the car alarms in the parking lot went off all at once.”
Alumni gathered at the Rathskeller after the fireworks to continue the celebration.
After all the festivities, the organizers were pleased with the turn out and glad that everything went smoothly.
“All went perfectly," said Kandyce Hernandez, Homecoming Executive Committee Parade Co-Chair. “We got a lot of compliments on the theme and on everyone’s participation.”
RUSSELL WOJTUSIAK / f t. ito Editor
DANCIN THE NIGHT AWAY: Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma ride in the parade on a float with a 50s theme
Inauguration of the fi fth UM President, Donna Shalala
By Jorge Luis Arauz and Leigha Taber
Of the Staff
Iron Arrow tappees were beating the tribal drums. The uni versity green was all dressed up in orange and green. Security was all iwer the place.
It was University of Miami’s fifth president, Donna E. Shalala’s Inauguration.
“Our bright tomorrow is here today,” said Carlos de la Cruz, Sr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees during the formal Inauguration Ceremony of President Donna E. Shalala held Nov. 2.
Among the partic ipants and attendants were the Governor of Florida, |eb Bush, delegates from over 2(X) colleges and universities, members of the Board of Trustees, faculty and student government leaders, current students and alumni, and former University presidents, Edward T. Foote II and Henry King Stanford.
“I’ll have you know that President Shalala and I did not vote for the same person in last year's presidential election,” Bush joked in his opening remarks.
“We’re so delighted to have you as a Miamian, Donna,” Bush continued. He ended with a rousing call to ‘Cane Spirit— “Go ‘Canes! See you at the Rose Bowl!”
Donna Shalala was unanimously voted in by the UM Faculty Senate, some of whom had never voted for a democrat in their life, said Steve Green, faculty senate chairperson.
As Green gave his speech, the dreaded rains began to fall, almost drowning out the P.A. system. The skies were gray and the winds began to howl.
Immediately, members of the Inauguration staff began to bring in boxes of umbrellas anticipating the chaos when the official ceremonies ended.
However, in a moment of pathetic fallacy, the rains stopped and the sun came out just as President Shalala took the mike to give her inaugural add less.
Shalala accepted her new position with poise, a sense of humor, and a warm display of ‘Cane pride that won over the entire crowd.
See SHALALA • Page 3
DAN C0LCHER / Special to the Humean^
POISED TO LEAD: President Donna E Shalala spoke to the crowd about her vision of the future of UM as a more modern and technologically advanced institution.
Mother Shalala on hand for Inauguration
Says it was ‘happiest day of her life ’
By Jorge Luis Arauz
Hurricane Staff Writer
Standing a couple of inches shorter than President Donna E. Shalala is her mother, Edna C. Shalala, who was introduced to the University of Miami family during the
Inauguration Ceremonies held Nov.
2.
President Shalala proudly men tinned her 90-year-old mother during her inaugural speech, forcing the entire audience of several thousand to turn their eyes toward the strong and vibrant woman sitting amongst them.
Edna stood up and waved to the
audience, receiving in return a warm
welcome. The inaugural attendants gave her a standing ovation while media photographers took her picture.
“Shalala’s mom looked very good,” said )uan Medina of the Facilities Administration Unit at RSMAS.
“She must have found the Fountain of Youth”.
President Shalala was quick to mention that her mother was a prac-
t icing attorney m Ohio who charges by the hour.
After the inauguration, Edna was driven off in a golf cart around Stanford Drive, where she enjoyed the festivities, food, and people.
“I’m so excited. I’m out of my mind,” said Edna Shalala. “I’ve never experienced anything like this".
See MOTHER • Page 3
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