Miami Hurricane, October 03, 1989

              Volume 67, Number 10	University of Miami, Coral Gables, Fla.	Tuesday, October 3, 1989
Caller
plagues
campus
By MARY LEA HARDESTY
Staff Writer
A man known only as Brad has been calling women at the University of Miami for several years, badgering them with complaints over the loss of his girlfriend, his depressed state, and his need to talk to someone.
No one knows who he is or why he is calling. It is apparent, however, that the women are bothered by this man and would like to put a stop to these phone calls.
A junior majoring in organizational communication who wished to remain anonymous received a call from Brad last week. He told her he was contemplating suicide.
"When I answered the phone, the voice asked who I was and, when I said my name, he responded by saying that he was depressed and wanted to get a gun and kill himself,” the student said.
After realizing that the person was unfamiliar, she hung the phone up. She then received another call from him 30 seconds later.
"He sounded a little angry and told me that he was in control,” she said. Then she replied, "No, I’m in control,” and took the phone off the hook. “I never heard from him again,” she said.
Taking the phone off the hook is
one method of discouraging this type of call.
When he calls, Brad gives several clues to his identity.
"He sounded young, possibly in his twenties. Also he said that he was a student at Florida International University,” said Alexis, a speech communication and English major.
Despite the fact Brad has called a number of women, Alexis said she believes he is sincere about his depression.
"He did not seem to be the usual obscene or crank caller. I honestly believed that he was very depressed," Alexis said.
Alexis said she only spoke with Brad for a few minutes.
"Perhaps he was using his state
Please see page V/CALLER
MICHELLE LUTM AN / Assistant Photo Edit y
You oughta be in pictures
Ana Martinez, a politics and public affairs major, sits for her senior picture. Sign-ups for senior portraits will be conducted this week in the University Center Breezeway.
Freshman blues common
Counseling Center, Open Door available to help
By TOM HIGGINS
Staff Writer
For many freshmen, the initial thrill that the freedom of college life brings quickly fades into feelings of sadness or dejection.
Dr. Lori Blum, staff psychologist at the University of Miami Counseling Center said, "Freshmen often have a glamorous notion of what college is like. They get here and realize it is a lot of work.”
Other problems that can lead to the freshman blues are old girlfriend or boyfriend problems, homesickness and a lack of identity in this large, new environment, Blum said.
Sheri Langerman, a volunteer at The Open Door, the UM peer counseling and information center, estimates that about 90 percent of the calls involve problems with relationships. The most recurring questions asked by freshmen are
from those who leave someone behind, Langerman said.
"They love their old girlfriend or boyfriend, but become confused when they are attracted to people here. They don’t want to cheat and they don’t know what to do.”
“The Open Door does not give advice. We try to work with the student to see what works for them because everybody is different,” Langerman added.
Expressing her feelings of homesickness, one UM freshman stated, "Sometimes I sit in class with tears running down my face. I think of home, my family, friends and even my dog. I miss them so much.”
Langerman said that most freshmen are homesick at the start of their first semester, but then they really love the University. “For the most part, it (college life) turns out to be a great experience.”
Another UM freshman said, “In high school I was popular and everyone knew me. Here, no one cares what I was in high school. It’s hard starting over.”
Dr. Blum has noticed that, in general, the Counseling Center is busier earlier in the year.
She said statistically women are more likely to seek counseling than men. However, on this campus, the numbers are evenly balanced.
While there is no quick cure for the freshman blues, Blum said that talking to someone is the best way to deal with the problem.
Blum suggests, “Sometimes calling home or old friends to discuss the problem can help. It is important to make a connection with another person and realize you are not abnormal.”
The UM Counseling Center can be reached at 284-5511. Call for appointments weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or stop by Building 21-R.
Group to stage pro-choice rally
Members to send lawmakers message
By TOM B. HIGGINS
Staff Write*
In response to a special session of the Florida legislature next week, members of the University of Miami College Young Democrats will rally tomorrow for the right of a woman to have an abortion.
The rally at the University Center Rock, which will begin at noon and last until 1:30 p.m., was prompted by Florida Gov. Bob Martinez’s decision to call the session to discuss the addition of new restrictions on abortion within the state. The session will be held Oct. 10-13.
"We want to send a message to the special legislative session that UM is pro-choice,” YD President Mike Marcil said.
Several speakers have already volunteered to speak at the rally, including Penny Gardner, from Dade County National Organization for Women; Ben Wesley, president of the Florida Young Democrats; Susan Glickman, from the Florida Democratic Party; Matty Bloom, the executive director of Planned Parenthood; and Ellen Cohn from Emergency Coalition for Choice.
According to Marcil, a statewide poll revealed that 70 percent of Florida’s Democrats and 50 per-
cent of the Republicans are pro-choice.
"We fear they are going to go against what the majority of the people in the state want," Marcil said.
"Whether pro-choice or pro-life, students should be at the rally,” said Frank Biafora, YD vice president for student affairs. "Students should hear both sides. Don’t just take a stand based on your political affiliation. This should not be a partisan issue.”
Biafora said another reason for the rally is to increase political awareness on the campus. He said many students are unaware the Supreme Court is “only one person away from abolishing Roe v. Wade."
Roe v. Wade is the landmark case in which the Supreme Court ruled the Constitution guarantees a woman the right to have an abortion, with certain qualifications.
According to Marcil, press releases will be sent out to many media organizations through the office of Florida state Sen. Gwen Margo-lis, D-North Miami.
“We want this to be a statewide event,” Marcil said.
"This issue is timely,” added Biafora. "We want to see people out there to discuss the issues.’
Clubs promote political activism
By YARA ZAKHARIA
Staff Writer
Two University of Miami organizations are busy promoting political awareness and activity on campus. The College Young Democrats and Students for America represent two distinct sides of the political spectrum.
"College should be more than just going to class and enjoying the social atmosphere,” said Mike Marcil, president of the YDs. “We all have responsibilities to become aware of and participate in our democratic process."
Marcil, a junior, is also a senator in Student Government and says he has always had a keen interest in politics.
“My values and ideals have always fallen in line with those of the Democratic Party,” Marcil said. He says it is important to educate students who are “unaware of political happenings or too apathetic."
Brian Bartley, also a junior, is president of the conservative student group on campus known as Students for America. Bartley, who is also Student Government parliamentarian, says the group is "dedicated to educating students about politics in an effort to end the political apathy which is plaguing our campus."
Young Democrats, a subset of the Democratic Party, was introduced on the UM campus five years ago. Students for America was formed last October, when the UM College Republicans became inac-
tive.
Marcil says the goal of the YDs is to "spread the ideals of the Democratic Party by educating the public.” While the group focuses primarily on student issues, Marcil claims it goes "beyond the campus and addresses the problems of the community.”
According to Bartley, the aim of SFA is to uphold Republican candidates and ideas. With over 7,000 students on 200 campuses, Bartley says it is the fastest-growing national student organization today.
Both groups participate in campaigns to elect candidates they support. Last year, the YDs worked for Presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, U.S. Senate candidate Buddy Mackay and Coral Gables Mayor George Corrigan.
SFA campaigned for President George Bush and were rewarded for their efforts with an invitation to the Inauguration.
Encouraging voter registration, staging protest rallies and debates and sponsoring speakers are other areas of activity for the two clubs.
In addition to sponsoring a pro-choice rally Wednesday, the YDs are inviting George Stuart, Florida bernatorial candidate, to speak in tober.
SFA is inviting Adolfo Calero, a leader of the Nicaraguan resistance, to discuss contra aid and Air Force Captain Scott Loffman to discuss the Star Wars defense program.
Membership in the two clubs is open to all UM students, alumni and faculty.
Environmental department created
By SCOTT C.STANNER
Staff Writer
Office aims to promote awareness
The University of Miami recently created a department aimed at protecting something a lot of people often take for granted — their environment.
The Department of Envi-ronraental Health was created this summer. The director is Charles Gottlieb; he is r joined by staff Garc,a assistants and a program specialist.
Raul Garcia is director of operations.
"UM has seen the need for this program,” Garcia said. “Ten years ago, environmental concerns would be a small issue. Today, not a week goes by without an environmental issue making the headlines."
The mam goal of this department is to make people more aware of their surroundings and what is happening to them. This awareness must be developed and fostered.
"We are creatures of habit,” Garcia said. "It is difficult for us to change our way of doing things.”
Garcia stressed that it is our responsibility to carry environmental
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concern to all areas of our lives. Whether it is carpooling to limit toxins released by automobiles, shopping for environmentally safe products, or just disposing of our trash properly.
Here on campus, the department has many responsibilities. The issue of toxic materials is an important problem in learning institutions across the country. The department will train people in the UM community to deal with toxic materials should the need arise.
They also monitor the use of hazardous chemicals in campus labs and help in the event of an emergency.
“We have a handful of buildings that have asbestos in them,” Garcia said.
Fibers released into the air from asbestos have been proven to be deadly, but the process of removing it is a slow one.
The department also has the duty of looking at future plans for labs and buildings to see if they meet the current regulations.
A constant problem is keeping track of the continual changes in environmental laws; they must know the laws on municipal, state and federal levels.
Garcia claims that people are becoming more aware and sensitive to the environmental problems fac-
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Peace activist to speak at UM V
William Sloan Coffin Jr., a nuclear disarmament advocate, will discuss "Waging Peace: A Positive Agenda for the 1990s” at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Beaumont Cinema as part of the Residential College Lecture Series,.
Sloan is president of SANE/FREEZE, a national peace organization.
During World War II, Sloan served in the U.S. Army as a liaison officer to the French and Russian forces. After his tour of duty, he returned to Yale University and earned his bachelor's degree in government. Sloan then
worked overseas for the fentral Intelligence Agency unttC.1953, when he entered Yale'Divinity School. After receiving his degree, he became chaplain of Phillips Academy and later Williams College.
Sloan spent 18 years as chaplain of Yale before becoming an adviser to the Peace Corps. In 1979, he held Christmas services in Iran for the U.S. hostages imprisoned in the U.S. Embassy.
Sloan has also been involved in the civil rights movement and has lectured throughout the country on the need to end the arms race.
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