Miami Hurricane, April 16, 2002

              Seminóles sweep past Hurricanes
SPORTS page
5
42nd St comes to ttie Ring Theater
ACCENT page 7
Chavez is the best choice for now
OPINION page 11
Coral Gables, Florida
Volume 79, Number 46	WWW.THEHURRICANEONLINE.COM
Since 1927 Tuesday, April 16,2002
Venezuela’s crisis hits home for students
Political upheaval, civil unrest cause anticipation, worries, fear
Danielle Scott
News Editor
By Sunday, the people of Venezuela had Seen though four political upheavals-the overthrow of President Hugo Chavez from power, the instatement of Pedro Carmona, head of the country's largest business association as president, Carmona's resignation and Chavez’ reinstatement into power.
Back to square one and all in the space of three days.
With all of the realized and potential unrest going on in their home country, the
sizeable Venezuelan student population at the University of Miami is on tenterhooks, waiting in anticipation to see what's going to happen next.
Cristina Vanessa Vila is a freshman who has lived in Anzoatequi, Venezuela tor most of her life. Her parents and little sister still reside there They say the situation is just getting worse.
“People are locked up in their houses and
they’re afraid. There are riots and civil war and they’re just killing people. It’s affecting the people in every possible way,” Vila said.
"All my family is there. It’s not good,” said freshman engineering Student. Silvana Mateo, who is from Caracas.
“There is no safe place right now,” said freshman engineering student and Valencia resident Irene Rojas.
Chavez, a vowed proponent of the poor,
managed to incite his non-supporters to strikes, protests and demonstrations ending with his removal from office by military leaders last Friday, because of what they called his authoritarian regime, according to a CNN.com article posted on April I4, and his replacement of top officials at the state oil company in February.
“There is not a soul in the streets. My brother said that CNN shows only about 20
percent of what is going on,” Rojas said. “Nobody knows. There are no channels [of information]; only the government channel and they are not allowing expression of any kind.”
“He pretended to be anti-corruption, antipoverty. Then he started to show his communist ways, passing laws that made no sense. Things began to deteriorate slowly," she added.
“From the day he was elected everyone knew that this was going to happen. The poor
See Venezuela • Page 2
Homecoming announces 2002 theme
By Jorge Arauz
Hurricane Staff Writer
After much anticipation, the Homecoming executive committee, comprised of co-chairs Julio Rarroso and Lucy Evans, and 32 Committee members, has released the theme for Homecoming 2002 as “The Road Home.”
“This year Homecoming is going to be huge," said Roger Alvarez, homecoming committee member working with participation and recruitment “It’s much more imaginative than ever.”
Homecoming will take place earlier this year due to the home football schedule. Opening ceremonies will be held on Friday, Sept. 27 and closing ceremonies will be on Sunday, Oct. 13.
“We have the added obstacle of trying to ensure and increase involvement while making sure that everyone is aware that Homecoming will take place much earlier in the semester than they have been accustomed to in the past,” said committee mem her Julio Rarroso. “Through the hard work of our committee members, we are overcoming this problem and are way ahead of schedule with the planning of all events."
“We’re trying to get students, organizations, fraternities, and sororities involved this year that haven’t participated in the past because they were not aware of all the things going on,” said Alvarez. “The more
See HOMECOMING • Page4
Dancing, learning, fun on UC Patio
Hawaiian Luau boastedy excitement, entertainment
By Theresa McDonald
Hurricane Staff Writet
“Aloha!”
Friday night UM students, family, and friends, took a journey through the South Pacific as the islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, and Aolearoa. New Zealand were brought to the Coral Gables campus.
“Its so much fun,every year attendance gets bigger and bigger,” said senior Nalani Arnold, who has performed at this event for the past three yean.
Entertainment was provided by the much acclaimed Drums of Polynesia, who livened up the crowd with their traditional songs and dances.
One of the evening's highlights was New Zealand's “War Dance," which was once used during battle to intimidate the enemy.
With feet stomping and boisterous chanting, the men from Drums of Polynesia adorned with ornate costumes, captivated onlookers.
Ever heard of a “Fire Dance?"
The audience at this Hawaiian Luau experienced firsthand the astounding and very-dangerous dance.
Using two batons lighted on fire at both ends, a Samoan performer threw the “knives"
high in the air catching them just seconds before hitting the ground. He held the burning “knives” between his legs, and also executed many other hazardous stunts.
As the night progressed, members from the crowd were chosen to take center stage with the male and female dancers from Drums of Polynesia and show off their dancing skills Hips jetted from side-to-side, feet rhythmically tapped the floor, and legs vigorously maneuvered these dancers into a Polynesian state of mind.
The university’s very own hula dancers also enhanced the evening with their bright blue floral skirts and enchanting moves they had been practicing twice a week, they said.
Attendees’ hunger was satisfied with authentic Polynesian cuisine, and souvenirs such as T-shirts, picture frames, and other arts and crafts.
A raffle was held and tickets could be acquired tor $1.
The winners walked away with boxes of
chocolates, flower arrangements, and gift certificates to The Rusty Pelican for a romantic dinner for two.
As the adventure through the South Seas came to an end, audience members walked away feeling euphoric, for they had experienced customs from another part of the world- the main goal of International month, organizers said.
To learn more about the Hawaiian performers Drums of Polynesia, visit them at their website at www.drumsofpolynesia.com.
DAVID EPPOUTO/ Murrs in. taff
DANCING WITH DANGER: A Samoan fire dancer performed various hazardous stunts with lighted knives ’
DAVID EPPOUTO /
Hurricane Staff
HULA, BABY:
Members of Drums of Polynesia enchanted viewers at Friday’s Luau in the UC patio
Jose Diaz wins Florida Student of the Year
Diaz first hispanicy UM student to win Florida award
By Andrea Alegria
Hurricane Staff Writer
On Saturday, 7:30 P.M Jose Diaz returned victorious from Tallahassee.
As he walked into his grandmother's house, he was greeted by his close friends and relatives with balloons, lasagna, cake, and music.
They were not just celebrating another of Diaz’s many awards-this one gave Diaz the title of the greatest student leader in the
state of Florida
It was not until Friday, at 3 p m. that the Florida College Student Leader of the Year was announced in a ceremony that took place in the 22nd floor of the Capitol Building in Tallahassee.
The award, founded by Florida Leader Magazine, is the only one of its kind that recognizes outstanding campus leaders statewide who excel academically, support themselves financially, and volunteer in the community and on campus.
Diaz is the first student representing the University of Miami,and the first Hispanic to be chosen for the award.	i
Dignitaries including the Lt. Governor
and the Education Commissioner were present as well as all 20 honorées, their parents, friends, administrators, judges, sponsors, and members of the media. Accompanying Diaz in this moment of honor was also Director of the University Center and Student Life, Richard Walker.as a represen tafive of the University of Miami on behalf of Dr. Patricia Whitely, Vice President for Student Affairs.
ii
lose Diaz
“When 1 knew I had won I was
overwhelmed,"
Diaz said. ‘This was a very cool experience although I didn’t know it was going to be this big."
Diaz said that he has received a lot of media attention, and that placed on UM.
*1 think this will give the publicity,” he said.
hool a lot of 1
During his stay in Tallahassee. Diaz'said
he had a chance to meet all the other finalists and interact with people from all over the state.
“I met people from all over the world, and from all different walks of life," he said “This made me appreciate everything I have, and I felt very honored to be recognized as one of the best.”
The celebration that started Saturday night upon his return from Tallahassee carried on throughout the weekend.
On Sunday a barbecue was held in his honor. The fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, of which Diaz is a member, and the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha, of which his sister is a member, joined in an afternoon of fun to
_________________________ honor Diaz.
“I feel so honored to be his sister," said 19-year-old sophomore Angie Diaz. "My grand mother was crying, my parents and everyone was so proud,” she said.
Student Body
President Mike Johnston, Diaz’ successor, said he was sitting in Dr. Whitely's office when he found out that Diaz had won. He said he immediately tried calling him ort* his cellular phone.
7 met people from all over the world, and from all different walks of life. This made me appreciate everything I have, and I felt honored to be recognized as one of the best."
Jose Diaz,
Florida College Student of the Year
a lot of emphasis is
“1 was very excited even though I was already expecting it. I am very familiar with the Student of the Year award and I know that his accomplishments are amazing,” (ohnston said.
lohnston said that student government is very proud of Diaz, since this is an honor that has never happened before. He said that he feels very privileged to hold the position that Diaz last held
“Speaking as his successor I hope I can live up to his standards," lohnston said. “He’s been my good friend and mentor and I am very proud of him ’’
Diaz has been an honors student and scholarship recipient during his four years at the University of Miami.
He has held important government offices including Speaker of the Senate and student government president.
“Pepi Diaz is the best student government president I have ever worked with," said UM President Donna E.Shalala.
“This was a well deserved award," said Walker.
Diaz will enjoy his share of S60, 000 as the winner of this prestigious award.
“I also got some free plane tickets,” Diaz said. “I think I might go to the Bahamas and enjoy everything that I received."
“I’m going to have a good time, that’s for sure," he added.
JENNIFER BURKE / Humcane Staff
SHOWING Off: Students displayed their work at the Psychology Far.
Psychology Fair shared diverse topics
By Sam Lockhart
Humcane Staff Writer
What is the connection between social play and cocaine? What exactly causes adolescent dating anxiety?
Over thirty graduates and half a dozen undergraduates from the department of psy-c ho logy displayed their recent work on such projects at the second Annual Psychology Research fair last Saturday.
These research protects were supervised by mentors within the psychology department.
“It’s a chance for undergraduate students to get hooked up with a research protect, with a prepared, informed knowledge ^se," said
SefT PYSCHOLOGY • Paae 3