Newsbriefs

UM News
Rosenstiel School aids Dominican Republic in restoring reefs

The University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science will team up with the Dominican Republic’s PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation to conduct ecological studies of the coastal reefs in the greater Punta Cana area.

Researchers and students will work together to strengthen sustainable tourism, environmental protection and enhancement efforts. The teams will investigate ways to restore the reef system, focusing on improving water quality and reducing excessive commercial fishing.

“This will be one of the most comprehensive efforts in the Caribbean to restore the marine coastal ecosystems and implement programs that ensure the long-term sustainability of the region,” said Jake Kheel, the Foundation’s environmental director, in a press release. “Through the support of PUNTACANA, the Ecological Foundation hopes to motivate local businesses and communities to make significant investments in protecting and restoring one of tourism’s most important assets, its coral reefs.”

Liana Talaue-McManus, the principal UM investigator on the project, said in a press release that students will work with leading investigators using advanced technology to provide a scientific basis for restoring the reefs.

“PUNTACANA Ecological Foundation [is] a visionary organization known for promoting sustainable tourism,” Talaue-McManus said. “[This partnership] is a win-win opportunity for our scientists and students.”

Elsewhere
U. Florida student Tasered at Kerry forum, becomes web celebrity

By Kim Wilmath
Independent Florida Alligator (U. Florida)

(U-WIRE)GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A University of Florida student was shot with a Taser gun, arrested and charged with a felony Monday because police said he started a riot during Sen. John Kerry’s on-campus speech.

Andrew Meyer, a telecommunication senior and former Alligator columnist, was charged with a third-degree felony for resisting arrest with violence, according to a police report.

When Meyer’s microphone was cut off as he asked Kerry a question, Meyer began to scream in protest. Several officers attempted to remove Meyer when he began “acting in a violent manner” and “pushing the officers,” according to the report.
Police said Meyer was told to comply with the officers, but he continued to resist.

“Don’t Tase me, bro!” Meyer screamed as officers attempted to drag him outside the auditorium. “I didn’t do anything!”

Steve Orlando, UF’s spokesman, said police then shot Meyer with a Taser gun.

Meyer was booked into the Alachua County Jail just after 2 p.m., where he remained until at least 9 p.m. Monday.

Matthew Howland, a UF history senior who also attended the speech and videotaped the incident on his cell phone, said police held the Taser gun on Meyer for about seven seconds.

“I don’t want to say it was police brutality because that term should be saved for more obvious events, but it was damn close,” Howland said.

Asia Johnson, a UF advertising senior who was also at the speech, said as police pinned Meyer to the ground she heard him yell, “Just get off of me and I’ll walk out of here.”

“His cries of help were absolutely horrifying,” Johnson said. “It’s going to stick with me for a long time. It’s going to stick with him even longer.”