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CALENDAR

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TODAY – Feb 15
The University of Miami Purchasing Department’s Cellular Vendor Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the University Breezeway at the UC. Representatives from various vendors such as Nextel, Sprint and Cingular will have informational booths.

“Preserving the Past”-Traditional African tales will be retold and reenacted by UM students for children of the community in the New Gallery at 4 p.m.

The tailgate party for men’s basketball vs. Wake Forest starts 5 p.m. outside the students’ entrance to the Convocation Center.

WEDNESDAY – Feb 16
The Commuter Student Luncheon will be from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the Lewis Room at the Rathskeller. President Shalala will be joining the lunch and is interested in meeting with students to hear about their experiences.

The School of Law’s Center for Ethics and Public Service and the athletic department present “Winning with Integrity: Ethics, Academics and College Athletics” from 5 to 6:30 p.m in the lobby of the Whitten University Center.

THURSDAY – Feb 17
The tailgate party for women’s basketball vs. Maryland starts 5 p.m. outside the students’ entrance to the Convocation Center.

Career Expo will take place in the Wellness Center from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Representatives from a wide variety of companies & organizations will be on campus to share employment and internship opportunities with students. Professional dress is required.

Porn: a new angle

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Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the question was posed: Has porn become the norm? On Thursday night, Michael Leahy, a recovering sex addict, addressed approximately 200 UM students at the Gusman Concert Hall about the effects of an ever-growing sex-saturated society.

“We are totally saturated with sexuality in our culture and yet nobody is talking about it,” Leahy said, introducing the scope of the discussion. “We are going to take a very close and personal look at the effects of the sexualization of our culture; not just pornography, but the pornographic attitudes, behaviors, and content that comes at us day to day.”

The format for the 90-minute multimedia presentation entitled “Porn Nation-The Naked Truth” included a series of seven- to 10-minute video conversations with advertisers, former sex addicts, counselors, psychologists and even an ex-Playboy Playmate, concerning how the media uses sex to sell and the unfortunate repercussions such actions have on those who watch. From its role in influencing the incidence of rape and eating disorders, porn, Leahy claims, affects women differently than men-for men it’s a means of arousal but for women it becomes an expectation.

“I learned through pornography basically that the value of a woman is based on the sum of her body parts, that women wanted to have sex all the time, and they were their to serve my purposes as a sex object and pleasure toll,” Leahy said, describing the perception he got from porn when he was addicted.

The problem Leahy finds today is that the message being sent and received hasn’t changed from when his addiction began 20 years ago. As a result, Leahy considers the impact technology is making on the availability of porn and the aim of the $12 billion-a-year porn industry in targeting women and couples, as the modern cause for the rise of “sex syndrome,” or as he defined it, “the increased compulsivity for pornographic material as a result of increased exposure.”

Following each video segment Leahy candidly revealed more and more about his personal struggle with sex addiction. He went from having married “the love of his life” and having children and a successful career in the information technology field to nearly committing suicide because he lost it all.

What saved Leahy? He described to those who remained after a four-minute intermission how he was able to build and solidify a spiritual relationship with Christ.

“I don’t know any way that I could possibly be where I am at today without giving my life over to God,” Leahy said.

Austin Gehm, freshman, who considers himself a “half sex addict,” attended the lecture and thought the overall message was positive, although he did not relate to the spiritual aspect of Leahy’s story. He said he would change the way he used porn and was not worried about the effects of porn use later in life.

“Heck no. I love watching porn and I’m pretty good at controlling stuff like that,” he said.

Others like senior Brady Bradshaw, a member of the Campus Crusade for Christ, the organization who sponsored the event, agreed strongly with the message.

“I don’t appreciate the media sexualizing me and making me feel like I have to look a certain way,” Bradshaw said.

For more information on the issues discussed, visit www.bravehearts.net, the website for the organization Leahy founded to help students build lives of sexual integrity. To participate in a sex survey to see if you exhibit behaviors related to sex addiction, visit www.mysexsurvey.com.

Paul Fajardo can be contacted at p.fajardo@umiami.edu.

AmeriCorps gives students a chance to better the nation

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So you’re finally graduating college. But what now? While the traditional path finds most students moving on to graduate school or a 9-to-5 job, many discover that neither of these options is right for them. Some diverge from this path to pursue other endeavors. The Next Step series will run every Tuesday to explore some of the alternative options that students have as they leave college and enter the “real” world.

It’s not necessary to travel across the world to make a difference. More than 50,000 AmeriCorps volunteers dedicate their time to meet critical needs in health, education, public safety and the environment-right here in the U.S.

Since 1993, the AmeriCorps program has given students an opportunity to make a difference in the world by choosing one of many causes to dedicate their time to in their community. Among the programs are youth outreach, economic development, disaster relief, business, hunger, neighborhood revitalization, public safety and technology.

Michelle Boyd, a 2004 UM graduate, decided to get involved with AmeriCorps as a senior.

“I thought it would be a good transition between undergraduate and graduate education,” Boyd said.

At first, Boyd contemplated joining the Peace Corps, an organization that serves the worldwide community. She eventually decided that AmeriCorps, which often refers to itself as the “domestic Peace Corps,” would be a better fit since it is less time consuming and based closer to home.

Before starting the program, all members receive training in their specified project. The program helps develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills that can be an asset when entering the job market.

One of Boyd’s early projects involved tracking resources in a neighborhood in Philadelphia for “The Unmet Human Needs Project.”

“We [got a chance to] empower the people within the community to achieve self-sufficiency,” she said.

Boyd is now working with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps in Chicago with low-income families.

Through AmeriCorps, students are given a choice on where to serve in the country alongside members located all over the nation. There are more than 1,000 national and local groups that make up AmeriCorps. Some familiar organizations include Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club. Many community centers and local places of worships are also involved in this nation-wide effort.

When a volunteer enrolled in the National Service Trust fulfills a year of full-time service and, he or she is eligible for an award of $4,725 for payment of student loans or other educational costs. Even those who decide to take a part-time or reduced service position can qualify for corresponding awards.

“Everyday is a benefit,” Boyd said. “Take a risk and do the program-it will show you a part of this country that is in the shadows.”

For more information about the Americorps, contact the Butler Volunteer Services Center at 305-284-GIVE or visit www.americorps.org.

Rahila Odhwani can be contacted at r.odhwani@umiami.edu.

Spike in crime linked to campus rapes

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The Jan. 13 to 19 edition of the Coral Gables Gazzette revealed a startling statistic: Violent crimes were up in Coral Gables in 2004 from 2003, resulting from a spike in aggravated assault and especially rapes. Even more disquieting was the response given to the Gazzette by Coral Gables Police Public Information Officer Sgt. Michael Frevola, calling the statistics skewed because almost half of the rapes were in the form of date rapes, and that seven of the 12 rapes that were reported in 2004 occurred at UM.

According to the UM Public Safety crime statistics, the seven rapes are a significant jump from previous years, where there have been from zero to three reported sex offenses. In comparison to the nine reported rapes at the University of Florida, with a student body of undergraduate and graduate students near 50,000-compared to UM’s enrollment of around 15,000-the statistic is also revealing of the severity of the situation.

There are many resources available on campus for those victimized by sexual offenses. The Sexual Assault Response Team [SART] at UM consists of both an advocacy team and the prevention and awareness team.

“The goal of the SART advocacy team is to provide information and emotional support to students regarding matters of sexual assault,” Dr. Carolyn Eberhardt, Counseling Center psychologist, said. “It’s a 24-hour hotline manned by volunteers who have been trained to provide this for UM students.”

SART is especially beneficial for those who wish to remain anonymous, or those who need guidance in deciding how to move forward with responding to the offense.

“SART is an excellent resource to know about because it is 24-7 and because students remain anonymous. There may be a student who wants to talk about this but is not ready to talk face to face,” Dr. Eberhardt said. “They are not asked for any identifying information when they call. A SART advocate can just make the student feel comfortable enough to go in for counseling.”

Where to go for help

– Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)-If you have been sexually battered, assaulted or molested, you can talk to a trained SART volunteer about it, anonymously and from the privacy of your telephone.
305-798-6666

– Counseling Center-Students may come and receive counseling regarding matters of sexual assault. While the Counseling Center is confidential, it is not anonymous.
305-284-5511

– The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)-RAINN is the largest anti-sexual assault organization in the nation. RAINN carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims and even helps in the legal aspect of sexual assault cases.
1-800-656-HOPE/www.rainn.org

– UM Public Safety-Students who feel immediate danger should call UM Public Safety for assistance. 305-284-6666

A Justice Department report on sexual assaults in college campuses states that most of the sexually assaulted women knew the person who victimized them. It stated that nearly 90 percent of the victims knew the offender, who was usually a classmate, friend, ex-boyfriend or acquaintance.

According to a 1993 national survey done by Carol Bohmer and Andrea Parrot for their study “Sexual Assault on Campus,” nine in 10 acquaintance rapes are not reported. With such a disparity in reported and unreported assaults, it is important for concerned students to know what to do and to be aware of the problem that is sexual assault and rape. Because there is such a prevalent silence that occurs in association with rape, even when it is reported, the community at large isn’t even aware of what had just occurred most of the time.

Regardless of the situation, Dr. Eberhardt emphasized that a variety of resources are available for rape victims and those who simply want further information on sexual assault.

Christian Martinez can be contacted at c.martinez7@umiami.edu.

How to pursue a romance with that cute guy in class

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Dear V,

Valentine’s Day blows! This is probably like the 20th year in a row that I have failed to get a single Valentine from anyone, let alone a guy! It kind of depresses me to know that I’ve become such a failure in that area of my life, especially when I see all of my friends out with their own, special Valentines.

– I Hate Hearts.

Dear Reader,

Hallmark sucks. What more can I say to you? Blah, blah, blah-I know that there was a Saint Valentine, naked Cupids are symbolic of greater things, and that chocolate is really delish, but so what? Do I care? No. Should you care? No. Should you care when you have a real Valentine? No. It’s really just an excuse to go out for dinner, pop open a bottle of bubbly, and have great sex, and when you explain it like that, any day can and could be Feb. 14. I personally have no intentions on wasting my money on a box of fatty chocolates and rotting flowers. I’d rather have a new pair of shoes, thank you very much.

Why do you feel like a failure? I’m sure that you’re pretty stinkin’ fabulous when it comes down to it-All that? and a bag of chips?-Yes, I do think so. So what, you don’t have a boyfriend. Does that mean that you’re not loved? Nope, I’m sure that you’ve got some parents or siblings, and hopefully a few unshady friends who love you a hell of a lot! OK, so I know that romantic love and parental love are on two totally different planes, but the point I’m trying to make is that at least there are people who love you! So, get on with your life and stop dwelling on everything that you don’t have, and oh yeah-screw Valentine’s Day! You’re worth more than some chintzy red box of candy. But, maybe not more than those tasty Conversational Hearts…

Best of Luck,

V.

Dear V,

There is this guy in my class. I don’t know him too well, but we chat. I really don’t want to overanalyze anything because I’ve done that before only to be disappointed, but how do I read his signals to know if he’s really interested or if we’re only in-class buddies. If there is anything more, how do I pursue it?

– Ready to be Disappointed Again

Dear Reader,

OK. Stop. You are already overanalyzing. And, I have no doubt that you’ve already planned the rest of your lives together-the picket fence, the kids, the Golden Retriever. Just stop! If I were really lame, I would suggest that you take a peek into a book on body language and decipher him down to the way that his left toe tingles, but I’m not that awful. Gross.

So, I think that you ought to learn how to make a study buddy to try and see what kind of chemistry you might have next semester. Yes, it’s probably not going to happen this semester, and if it does and things don’t go according to plan-ha!-have fun, Captain Awkward. I’m not going to lie. I’m really not a big advocate of randomly hooking up with people that you see every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I think that it leaves a lot, a lot of room for mortification, red faces and a plain old dose of “Eww, I can’t believe I did that!” Yeah, just don’t. But, I would suggest getting his number at least, and doing a little late night cramming in Richter. And, if it turns out that you don’t really like him platonically, then, phew, way to save face romantically.

Best of Luck,

V.

Fact O’ The Day…Almost half of all adults (males and females) urinate a weeee bit during sex…yum.

Please submit all questions, comments or concerns to DearV@hotmail.com or to the Dear V box in the offices of the Hurricane. All submissions are strictly confidential. Dear V. is published on Tuesdays and Fridays, and yes, V will respond to almost (don’t push it) anything.

Jimmy eat world’s Futures is bright

For all Jimmy Eat World fans patiently awaiting the band’s follow-up to 2001’s Bleed American, the stagnant years were well worth it. Futures, which the band calls “a sequel to Clarity,” its 1999 album, is comprised of 11 listen-worthy emo tracks that drip with the band’s angst-y charm.

The first single, “Pain,” races with a fast tempo courtesy of bassist Rick Burch and drummer Zach Lind’s staccato beats, much like their wildly popular Bleed American hit, “The Middle.” The subject matter, though, is darker than the band’s happy-go-lucky hit of yesteryear; lead singer Jim Adkins wails as if plagued by turmoil, “Anyone can see my every flaw / It isn’t hard / Anyone can say they’re above this all / It takes my pain away.”

“Work,” Jimmy Eat World’s latest single, includes the subtle cooing of Liz Phair, whose vocals perfectly complement Adkins’s desperate chorus. The lines “Can we take a ride? / Get out of this place while we still have time” make any listener yearn to escape the ho-hum frustration of everyday life.

Futures possesses depth beyond its crowd-pleasing singles; other outstanding tracks include the heart-wrenching “Kill,” which alludes to the emo-core Heatmiser song, “Half Right;” the upbeat “The World You Love,” as well as the optimistic disc-opener and namesake of the album, “Futures.”

The disc’s energy slows down at track eight with the depressed ballad “Drugs or Me,” which could use a little more subtlety in its title and lyrics. Nevertheless, the song’s gorgeous instrumental backing redeems its few shaky lines.

Futures is a testament to Jimmy Eat World’s emo-rock genius that has led it through a decade of quality music making. As the album’s title hints, if the band continues to follow its upward trend, Jimmy Eat World has quite a future ahead.

Hannah Bae can be contacted at h.bae@umiami.edu.

EXTRA

Deaths

Arthur Miller, the playwright who is known to have penned Death of a Salesman and The Crucible died Thursday night at age 89.

How dare they…

Red carpet wonder Steven Cojocaru has officially been dropped from NBC. Cojocaru, who recently under went a recent kidney transplant, is scheduled to appear on Oprah, the rumored reason for NBC and Cojocaru’s separation of ways. So sad. At least Cojocaru will not be parting from the red carpet; he will be broadcasted from his house on Oscar night.

Pawn Shop

So we mentioned it before, but the wave has caught on and Pawn Shop has officially become a UM hotspot. Just don’t tire it out, people.

Live Music

Change it up for once! Come watch UM’s own Catapillar Silk and its mix of Funk/Soul/Hip Hop with special guest One Drop and their coined sound of organic fusionistic muzik. Support good local music! Thursday, Feb. 17 @ Flavour, Coconut Grove. Doors at 10, Show at 11. www.myspace.com/catapillarsilk & www.myspace.com/onedrop

Naked Karaoke takes off

It is unlikely we will ever see Pavarotti perform in the buff, so it is fitting that today’s nearly-naked pop songbirds will continue to rely on vocal backing tracks. You have vocalists, you have nudists, but seldom do you find individuals who distinguish themselves at both. In fact, if Americans were surveyed I’m sure public nudity and singing in front of a crowd would top the list of “Most Humbling Experiences”, one and two respectively.

Though public nudity remains taboo, karaoke has been embraced across the nation. What makes karaoke such an intriguing phenomenon is, despite the inherently self-deprecating nature of the task, participants line up in droves to observe and be observed. Recently, a bar owner in the state of Connecticut upped the stakes on moxy and stirred up small town complacency in the process. Is the world ready for “Naked Karaoke?”

This past Saturday, Feb. 12, was Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. It was on this symbolic day of freedom that the first public exhibition (no pun intended) of naked karaoke took place. The “unveiling” of this hedonistic event was at a bar in Berlin, Conn. The Naked Karaoke phenomenon started on a slow day in September 2003. Marty St. Pierre, owner of The Berlin Station Caf

My Chemical Romance is very OK, OK?

They’re from New Jersey, they like comics, they’ve done drugs, they’ve fought and now they’re everywhere. For My Chemical Romance the climb to the top of the charts has not been easy, but its success is super sweet. Prompted by the release of its new album Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge, the band has gathered a fanatical following and garnered worldwide attention.

Part goth, part punk, part emo and definitely rock, Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge is like a mini horror story with tracks laced with tough lyrics and experiences taken from the band. On tour for more than two years now, with the latest tour co-billed with rockers The Used, Taking Back Sunday and Story of the Year, the band explodes on stage. For guitarist Ray Toro it’s all about the chemistry. “We play with passion and energy and we love what we do; we wouldn’t want to be doing anything else,” he says.

On tour Ray says the boys get through the schedule with constant video games, movies and music. “Every time we stop at a Wal-Mart or something we try to raid the $10-and-under bin. For me, being on the phone is the way to keep in contact. For the guys, whenever we come home from a tour their suitcases are no longer packed with clothes, filled with DVDs or CDs. Those kinds of things help you when you’re away for awhile.”

Despite a heavy touring schedule the boys play hard and try to get their audience really involved in the music. “One of the most fun songs is the first song off of the new record, “Helena;” it’s just a really somber but uplifting song and it hits home because it’s about Mikey’s grandmother who really helped us get started. It has a very personal meaning and we feel it every time we play it,” Ray says.

While the records both have a rock sound, Ray says there were changes in the band that really affected the recording of the second album. “We actually were more of a band when we recorded this second album,” he says. “Frank came and that week we started recording. We tried not to be self-indulgent; we really tried to get down to the bare bones of what makes a good song.” Tackling some tough issues lyrically, the music of My Chemical Romance is intense. “We wanted to make music that really moves you emotionally,” Ray says.

While being constantly promoted on MTV and playing on shows such as Letterman, Ray and the band seem to stay grounded. “All the people we’ve met are just really normal, they have normal things to talk about,” he says. “We do ordinary things, people we met are just chill, its hard to believe.”

From starting in a garage in New Jersey to definite success, Ray says the band is still in awe of the fame and the hype that surrounds it. “We’re all taken aback by the success and we don’t understand why it’s happened, we work hard but we consider ourselves really lucky. We haven’t really had the chance to look back at what we’ve accomplished because we’re always trying to look ahead,” he says. With the success and dedication of the quintet, expect big things in the future.

Joanna Davila can be contacted at j.davila1@umiami.edu.

POLICE BEAT

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Pick up the paper every Friday to read the Public Safety call log and learn ways to protect yourself and your belongings.

Safety Tip of the Week: Here are some safety tips from Director Christensen of Public Safety.

There is never a need to be paranoid, but being cautious in this day and age should be second nature.

Be alert when out and about:

* If possible, go out with friends or family, not alone.

* Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.

* Put your wallet in your front pants pocket.

* Don’t carry credit cards you don’t need or large amounts of cash.

* Whether you are a passenger or driver, keep car doors locked.

* Be particularly alert in parking lots and garages. Park near an entrance.

* Sit close to the driver or near the exit while riding the bus or train.

* If someone or something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave.

If you are a victim of a crime, call the Department of Public Safety at 305-284-6666 or if calling from a campus phone dial 8-6666.

WEDNESAY FEBRUARY 2

3:00 a.m. 1500 Black Liguria Ave.

Vandalism

11:03 a.m. 1231 Dickinson Dr.

Harassing Phone Calls

FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4

11:03 a.m. 1300 Memorial Dr. Theft

2:50 p.m. 1223 Dickinson Dr. Theft

7:14 p.m. 5665 Ponce De Leon Burglary/Vehicle

MONDAY FEBRUARY 7

2:15 p.m. 1251 Memorial Dr. Burglary

4:15 p.m. 1239 Dickinson Dr. Theft

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 8

11:09 a.m. 1231 Dickinson Dr. Theft

12:09 p.m. 1241 Dickinson Dr.

Grand Theft Auto

4:52 p.m. 5185 Ponce De Leon

Burglary/Theft

5:28 p.m. 1223 Dickinson Dr. Theft

8:51 p.m. 5100 Pisano Ave. Theft

9:00 p.m. 5200 University Dr. Theft

Self-control is the key for a shopaholic

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Dear V,

I am feeling overwhelmed! I know that we’re only a month into this semester, but I already feel the burnout coming. I’m always invited to an abundance of school and social events, but then I don’t have time to hang out with my friends or do my homework. I don’t know how to manage it all! Help!

Burned out

Dear Reader,

I feel your pain, but you’ve got to keep going somehow! If anything, the stressful life you lead today will only get more hectic down the road. This is merely practice for the big times! Two words for you: time management. Whoa. Nothing new-V’s not that smart! If you sit down with your schedule and a shiny new agenda, you will have the ability to visualize your week, your day and your life. Organizing your time to a “T” may help unburden your stressed-out self.

Likewise, maybe it’s not such a bad idea to cut down on the amount of activities that you’ve managed to involve yourself in. Learn how to say no to the invitations that you really have little interest in, and remember that you are at school to study-really, your parents pay 30 grand a year for a reason.

If you find yourself getting really stressed out, and the black hole in front of you just gets bigger, I recommend taking a visit to the Counseling Center. Furthermore, The Toppel Career Center on campus offers several “brown bag” time-management seminars, as well as other helpful hints for learning how to keep your life in check.

Sincerely,

V.

Dear V,

I’m broke, and I don’t know where any of my money went! I seem to spend money like water, and I constantly find myself in a mall or in a store paying for a purchase with money that I don’t really have. I’m starting to freak out because my parents are getting kind of mad at me, but I can’t seem to stop!

$Bling$

Dear Reader,

Oh my God, textbook example of the college spendthrift. How much do you have in credit card debt? Do you know your credit rating? Have you established a credit rating? Do you have any idea just what the hell I’m talking about?

OK, put the catalogue down and shut off your computer. It’s time for you to start budgeting your money Mr./Ms. Bling (we all know that it’s not real anyway). Go through your closet and determine what you have, what you need, and what you have way freakin’ much of. Take this newly created list and purchase what you need…periodically. Just like Rome, a great wardrobe is not built in a day! Take this list-building activity and apply it to other “necessities” that you find yourself consuming: electronics, jewelry, books, knick-knacks, and food. Yes, you’ve got the hang of it. It’s pretty easy.

Have you ever bothered to ask yourself why you purchase so much junk? Is there some kind of icky relationship in your life that creates a void, or maybe unresolved issues with your own self-image? Maybe if you struggle through figuring out just what makes you tick, you might find yourself saving the dough. In the meantime, destroy all but one credit card-I’m assuming that you have several-put it away for emergencies, and treat it like it’s cash when you actually do have to use it.

Best of luck,

V.

Fact O’ the Day…Approximately 90 percent of men were happy with their first sexual experience as opposed to only 66 percent of women…practice makes purrrfect.

Please submit all questions, comments or concerns to DearV@hotmail.com or to the Dear V box in the offices of the Hurricane. All submissions are strictly confidential. Dear V. is published on Tuesdays and Fridays, and yes, V will respond to almost (don’t push it) anything.