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Vol. 27 Issue 56 fiusm.com Monday, February 1, 2016 FIU awarded for A GUIDING LIGHT Global Learning initiatives education. According to Hilary NICOLE MONTERO Landorf, director of Global Staff Writer Learning Initiatives and associate [email protected] professor of international and intercultural education, this is The University was recently the broadest award. recognized for its efforts “There are two awards that in its Global Learning for are given in the United States for Global Citizenship initiative, internationalizing campuses: the a curricular and co-curricular Paul Simon Award and this one,” program that provides students she said. “IIE is international and with multiple opportunities has a very wide reach. They run for active, team-based and the Fulbright program and are interdisciplinary exploration of known internationally, with over real-world problems, according 1,400 institutions that belong to to their website. them and reaching over 10,000 Megan Tait/The Beacon The Institute of International people worldwide. It’s a big deal Leandra Alonso (right), senior in international relations and part of Shalom FIU and Regina Del Education, a not-for-profit and quite an honor for us.” Castillo (left), a freshman in communications and part of Hillel at FIU, light candles the Holocaust organization whose mission The award validates their Day of Remembrance event, Wednesday, Jan. 27. Photo by Megan Tait. is to advance international work in internationalizing the education and access to campus through their Global education worldwide, awarded Learning for Global Citizenship In summer, 2008, the cultivated and used in the In order to close this the University the 2016 Andrew initiative, said Landorf. University engaged in a classroom. internationalization “gap,” the Heiskell Award for Innovation in “One of the goals of our University-wide effort to “A survey went out to over Global Learning for Global International Education. founding president, Charles reinvigorate the “I” in FIU. 3,500 stakeholders and the Citizenship initiative was “The award distinguishes Perry, was for FIU to be at Research conducted by the most important finding was that implemented in 2010, said our Global Learning for Global the forefront of international Office of Global Learning diversity at FIU was perceived as Landorf. Citizenship initiative as a best education,” she said. “In many Initiatives and the Office our top strength,” said Landorf. The initiative, still in use practice for successful campus of his speeches, he talked about of Research revealed an “However, the survey also today, includes a two-course internationalization,” wrote internationalization of the “internationalization gap,” revealed that the University global learning graduation University Provost and Executive curriculum and how important it which, according to Landorf, was not taking advantage of requirement for all undergraduate Vice President Kenneth Furton in is for FIU to be an international was a discrepancy between the diverse perspectives of our students, among other things. a University-wide memorandum. university. This award brings us the University stakeholders’ students in the classroom. In “We now have over 160 IIE awards a few universities full circle back to the goals of valuation of University diversity other words, the diversity of the courses that have these each year for different areas of our founding president and gives and the extent in which diverse classroom was not being used in innovation and international substance to them.” perspectives were being the classroom.” SEE AWARDS, PAGE 2 Housing policy accommodates comfort pets to me he’s the best medicine be centered on the consultant manager, between the student and potentially pose as a barrier MORGAN BENOIT I’ve ever received,” Alberto medical conditions of the says “The DRC works therapist. The task of in terms of discerning who Contributing Writer said. animal owner’s potential with various entities on Housing and the DRC can needs a comfort animal who [email protected] FIU’s strict housing roommates. Housing’s goal campus to implement become complicated due is trying to cheat the system. policy regarding is to assure that medical to what Naylor mentioned Emotional support Sofia Alberto, a freshman animals in the residence arrangements are made as the latest alternative, an animals aid patients of majoring in recreational halls has undergone pertaining to particular online therapist. various conditions and are therapy, attends FIU with some adjustments to situations such as allergies. Websites such as utilized for therapeutic her 6-month-old dog named accommodate students like There is also the question thedogtoronline.com, methods and counseling. Charlie. Charlie serves as Alberto who are in need of of how an individual can be claiming to be America’s This especially applies to Alberto’s emotional support emotional support animals. approved for an emotional number one online emotional cases like Alberto’s that animal, or comfort animal, According to Andrew support animal. support animal approval require a pet in order to and lives with Alberto in Naylor, associate director “I think the first thing site, make it possible for prevent the occurrence her dorm at Lakeview Hall of housing, approximately is making sure that the anyone to obtain the proper of emotional turmoil that South. 15 students have emotional student that has identified documentation to acquire an could disrupt her ability Alberto is a survivor of support or service animals that they have a need for an emotional support or service to successfully navigate Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of residing in on-campus emotional support animal, animal -whether they need college. Morgan Benoit/The Beacon cancer, and has recently housing. that all their documentation the animal or not. Charlie is currently Sofia Alberto, freshman been diagnosed “If the is legitimate,” said Naylor. These websites require undergoing the process of recreational therapy with post-traumatic student has Naylor reassured that an online medical exam training to become a certified major, poses with her stress disorder. All of a need for FIU strives to hold higher and provide the option of service dog to further ensure comfort pet Charlie. this, combined with her an emotional standards pertaining to the selecting between three Alberto’s safety. Once hesitation in taking a support legitimacy of the student’s different payment plans, one training has been completed, medicated route for her animal and emotional need. accommodations. As for of which does not require he will have the ability to condition, revealed her has roommates, “We make sure that it is a authenticating letters, we re-evaluation. open doors, contact help in vital need for Charlie as there are some legit therapy or mental health typically call the therapist or Once the exam is case of an emergency and her comfort animal. negotiations situation,” said Andrew. The doctor’s office that wrote the reviewed and approved by serve as protection. He brings Alberto that have to housing department works letter.” medical professionals, it will “If it weren’t for him I relief and is trained to calm go on,” said in partnership with the The goal is to investigate take approximately 48 hours wouldn’t be able to control her anxiety attacks. Naylor. Disability Resource Center each emotional disability until the patient receives my attacks and I would’ve “He seems like a The course of in the process of verification. case, seeking evidence of a the prescription letter via failed out of the semester,” normal dog, but action would Stephen Loynaz, access sound and solid relationship email. These alternative can explained Sofia. Morgan Benoit/The Beacon 2 The Beacon – Monday, February 1, 2016 NEWS fiusm.com NATION & WORLD Meditation sessions at BRIEFS College of Law begin NICOLE MONTERO of us start the day with the applying the various tools and Venezuela’s crisis remakes its tourism industry Staff Writer stress of driving to work and philosophical principles.” [email protected] classes, academic load and For her, yoga is not a In Caracas, the capital, tourism growing market for domestic also with personal issues,” religion but a “spiritual businesses have shifted their tourism, said Marjorie Leal, who Sofia Galiano meditates she said. “A few minutes of science.” attention from foreigners to what works for a company that sells at least three times a week. meditation classes during the “[It’s] a science of life, so is known here as “full day” tours full day trips. That market also According to her, it can day at the University helps to one can learn great lessons in - one-day trips, mostly for people is benefiting from Venezuelans’ prevent heart disease, reduce calm us down.” how to live a life of integrity, who live in or near Caracas, to inability to get permission or stress and significantly lessen Workshop attendees will responsibility and dedication places such as Choroni, a tourist enough American dollars to travel ADHD. learn the different techniques to higher principles that destination tucked into a national to the United States, Leal said. “It’s a place that allows of Preksha Meditation, the serve humanity,” said park about 40 miles due west of With foreign travel out, they take me to examine myself in practice of purifying the Seidel. “Yoga is a tool that Caracas that was once a hive for trips in their own country. a nonjudgmental way,” emotions and conscious and helps to integrate the mind, foreigners and their money. said Galiano, sophomore realizing the own self. body, spirit and emotions. These trips are creating a education major. “As a According to If furthers the invaluable Military appeals courts confront sexual activity by HIV- college student and a full- Veeramachaneni, it is a process of “knowing thyself” time employee, I get really combination of spirituality and it fosters great moral positive troops stressed throughout the and science that helps values.” semester. This is just a way develop “attitudinal and Though the workshop Gavin B. Atchak’s oral and anal sex with fellow for me to relax and reflect on behavioral change.” series initially started for law commanding officer at Seymour airmen. At a subsequent court- certain situations in my life.” Andrea Seidel, associate students, it is open to anyone Johnson Air Force Base in North martial, he pleaded guilty to To meet the needs of professor in the Department in the University community. Carolina ordered him to avoid aggravated assault. Now Atchak University students and staff, of Religious Studies, thinks “Not only [does] it benefit unprotected sex after Atchak and others, including a former the University’s College that meditation is a “strategy” law students, it benefits all of tested positive for HIV in 2011. South Carolina-based airman, of Law Library has started for calming the mind and us,” said Veeramachaneni. The officer also directed are caught amid changing times, offering a series of workshops developing self-awareness “Meditation helps in Atchak, an enlisted man in the as military prosecutors and called Guided Meditation for of negative conditions, in developing insight and Air Force security forces, to defense lawyers sort through Relaxation. particular. wisdom through which a inform future sex partners that the evolving legal guidelines Last spring, Pushyamitra “In a culture where student becomes better able he carried the virus that can applicable to sexual activity Veeramachaneni, head nearly everyone is externally to release stress, improve cause AIDS. Atchak disobeyed among HIV-positive troops. of Access Services and focused and multi-tasking on communication skills, and and engaged in unprotected Outreach at the University’s IPads, IPhones, computers to have content mind which Possible public health emergency over Zika College of Law Library, and other media, meditation helps them to stay positive.” attended a meditation session provides a tool for observing The workshops will conducted by the Religious the mind and its often chaotic be held in the Modesto A. Nine months after the Zika organization to declare a public Studies Department. nature,” she said. “Success Maidique Campus’ Law virus was first discovered in health emergency before the She loved it and the in life and career is largely Library Seminar Room, South America, international mosquito-borne virus becomes project soon took off. rooted in the behavior and RDB 2080, from 12:30 p.m. health organizations are still an “explosive pandemic.” “I mentioned it to the psyche of an individual. If to 1:30 p.m. struggling with how to confront Officials from the World Health library director and she said one is not well-balanced, it To sign up and view the what appears to be the largest Organization acknowledged that she would be happy will affect every aspect of specific workshop dates, go global public health crisis Thursday that the Zika virus was to have sessions here,” life.” to law.fiu.edu/library. since Ebola decimated eastern “spreading explosively” in the she said. “Meditation is Seidel teaches Yoga at They are free and open to Africa in 2014. U.S. researchers Americas and set an emergency a path to well-being and the University and, over the the public. have blasted the World Health meeting for Monday to decide inner transformation. It course of a semester, sees “[Meditation] is better Organization for what they say whether to declare a public health is important for balanced many changes in students than sleeping,” said Galiano. has been a slow response, and emergency.” management of sensory who apply themselves to the “When you’re sleeping, some pressed the international perception and it helps in class. you’re not reflecting on your developing concentration “I tell my students: if life. There’s no illumination power, decision power and your life doesn’t change or grand realization. When TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE memory.” somewhat for the better, then you’re meditating, it’s a Veeramachaneni thinks you have probably done very whole different experience. these classes could be little in the class,” she said. You dig deep and find things useful for the University “The rewards are reaped out about yourself. You’re community. according to the amount more relaxed and attuned “We need these classes at of effort, dedication, and to your body and feelings. the University because most commitment to learning and There’s nothing better.” E-BOARD AND PRODUCTION STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION

Modesto Maidique Campus: Editor in Chief Asst. Entertainment Institute of International GC 210, Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Sam Smith Directors (305) 348-2709 Guethshina Altena Production Manager [email protected] Leslie Ovalle arah edina Education recognizes FIU S M Biscayne Bay Campus: Opinion Director Design Coordinator WUC 124, Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m.-5 p.m. Nicole Stone (305) 919-4722 Cayla Bush AWARDS, PAGE 1 “I mean, it’s great for them, but I [email protected] don’t think this really affects me all that Asst. Opinion Director News Director Fax: elements,” said Landorf. “It’s by far the much,” he said. “It’s not like they’re Michelle Marchante Erica Santiago (305) 348-2712 largest initiative in the United States, getting money to support the initiatives Editor-in-Chief: particularly the largest initiative where we already have. It’s just an award and Photo Editor Asst. News Director (305) 348-1580 the University has global learning as a I’m not sure how they can use that to Jasmine Romero Adrian Salgado [email protected] requirement.” make things better.” Eshrat Nikrooye-Asli Amanda Daniels, freshman business For Landorf, the award means Recruitment Director Advertising: Aliana Zamorano major, is glad that the University got fundraising opportunities. Eneida Bermudez (305) 348-6994 Sports Director [email protected] recognized internationally. “We hope that the award will engender Director of Student Alejandro Aguirre “I knew I picked the right school to more collaboration in terms of research Media The Beacon is published on Mondays, Wednesdays come to,” she said. “A lot of my friends and partnerships,” she said. “We know and Thursdays during the Fall and Spring semesters Robert Jaross told me to go to an Ivy League school from feedback when we go to conferences Asst. Sports Directors and once a week during Summer B. One copy per and not to stay in Miami, but I knew from that many universities use our website to Laura Gonzalez Asst. Director of person. Additional copies are 25 cents. The Beacon Jacob Spiwak is not responsible for the content of ads. Ad content the very beginning that FIU was special get ideas of how they can globalize and Student Media is the sole responsibility of the company or vendor. and that, even if it wasn’t Ivy League, there are a few universities that require Alfred Soto The Beacon is an editorially independent newspaper it would go far. I’m just glad I wasn’t the global learning for their students, but Entertainment partially funded by student and services fees that are wrong. I don’t see anyone else winning we are, by far, the largest, deepest and Director appropriated by student government. international awards.” most robust initiative in the United States Cindy Rays But Eric Jacobs, junior philosophy and we are so honored to be recognized.” major, is skeptical about what this means for the University. 4 The Beacon – Monday, February 1 , 2016 LIFE!

Cook and Brew FIU Master Chef meets Brew Miami, a culinary mashup

DANILO SANTOS “exhausting.” Each round, every competitor “I thought it was awesome, I hope they Contributing Writer was required to use three mystery objects, do it again next year,” she said. [email protected] straining their creativity and forcing each of Following Master Chef was Brew Miami, them to cook unique dishes. an outdoor event held between the Blue and Friday, Jan. 22, marked the very first FIU Bardawil gave FIUSM a brief interview Gold parking garages. Master Chef competition. The event kicked describing his experience, “If I could defend Local breweries and restaurants were off with 13 amateur chefs composed of FIU [my title] I would defend. I’d go back again.” invited to promote their brands of food and students, staff, faculty and alumni. The He has words of advice for future chefs beer. Guest were treated to unlimited drinks winner was decided by a panel of judges and culinary enthusiasts alike. and food through the night. from four local restaurants and one guest “In life, just believe and it’ll come true J. Wakefield Brewing and Miami Brewing judge. ... Never stop cooking in anything you do: Company were among the breweries The panel included Eileen Andrade, in the kitchen, in the classroom, in your providing guests with beer. J. Wakefield owner of Finka Table & Tap; Gus Montes, professional career. Always put your best teamed up with El Mago de las Fritas to chef at Panther Premier; Benjamin Murray, foot forward [and] everything good will bring a new “Pan con Beersteak Frita,” chef at Azul; and Albert Diaz, chef at Zuma. happen after that.” cooked with J. Wakefield’s amber ale. Three rounds comprised the competition. Following his own advice, Bardawil does All proceeds raised by the events went to In the first, seven contestants were not plan to stop cooking anytime soon. He the United Way Miami campaign. eliminated, three in the second - those looks forward to another competition next “This is awesome. The turnout was winners competed in the final round for the year in hopes of defending his title. mostly friends and family, but for the first title. FIU’s Master Chef also garnered support year of Master Chef and Brew Miami it was The final round was close, almost ending from the local community. Miami foodie great,” said Vince Rivas, a junior majoring in a tie, but due to scoring in the previous staples El Mago de las Fritas and Misha’s in advertising and a FIUSM photographer. Chef Ramon, an FIU Master Chef contestant, prepares a meal that will be round Elias Bardawil, director of wellness Cupcakes provided food for the audience. “If FIU had only marketed the event better critiqued by a panel of judges. and recreation, was announced champion Judge Andrande, head chef and owner of we would’ve seen more students, because and Master Chef. Finka Table & Tap, had nothing but praise who doesn’t want free food?” He described the whole competition as for the event. The importance and strength of neglected back muscles

MOTIVATION The back is one of the V-shaped fitness model look lower back, any regular ab workouts such Our spine holds our entire body together MONDAY most important parts of the from the rear view. Often, we as sit ups, planks and many more cannot and upright and it is completely surrounded human anatomy. It is also are concerned how our muscles be performed properly. The back gives by the back muscles. Maintaining a strong one of the most neglected. and body look from the front, the body the power and support to do all back will help us stay strong and healthy. Back muscles give power as that is the only side we see those ab crunches. Similarly, for strong Why wait until later and get back pain? to the body, they play a in the mirror. Whether for men chest muscles, working out our upper Remember the old adage: “an ounce of major role in all functions. wearing suits or for women back muscles is indispensable. To have the prevention is worth a pound of cure.” NIHAT STRIDER They connect the hips, butt, wearing dress, a perfect back perfect upper body look, working out our chest, shoulder and neck. It gives the perfect look for a back part of the body is just as important. Motivation Monday is a weekly column is a conjunction between the major body night out on at Miami Beach. If we consider our daily lives, we find covering fitness and health. Strider is a muscles of human body parts. Strengthening Scientifically, every we are either standing or sitting every certified personal trainer, for comments or our back muscles should not be treated as muscle in our body is single moment of the day, therefore good questions email [email protected] a luxury, but rather an obligation. These directly correlated with its posture is important and it requires strong muscles do not only serve us in spotting counterpart. For example, back muscles. Sitting down for hours activities and power workouts, they serve biceps with triceps, chest with on end will cause back pain. This pain is us in our daily lives. upper back and abdominals extremely common in American adults

Aesthetically, working out the back will with lower back. to achieve Nihat Strider/The Beacon due to every single day activity of sitting give a slimmer waistline and help to create strong chiseled abs, then Valerie Bello, FIU Golden Dazzler and junior psychology down for long periods and with untrained the hourglass body. Working out the upper working out our lower back major, performs an excercise to engage her back. posture. Strong back muscles are essential back will make us stronger and create the is essential. Without a strong and directly correlated to good posture. LIFE! fiusm.com 5 South Florida’s spring music lineup

MUSIC NOTES The year at Ft. Lauderdale’s Culture Room. viewing and access to a private bar. Punch, Issues, Anthrax, Sixx A.M., 2016 has already Following immediately Also in Orlando, Ice Nine Kills GHOST, Bring Me the Horizon, 3 promised after him are , and Like Moths to Flames are Doors Down and Bullet for My bountiful headlining their own tour with stopping by to rock the night on Valentine are only a few of the entertainment for AWOLNATION and March 21 at the BackBooth Bar musicians playing. South Florida, for accompanying them. Although and Venue. Tickets are on sale, and Playing a show less than two NADINE just the second there are still tickets left for their at an extremely affordable $15. weeks later is The 1975. They’ll RODRIGUEZ month of the year Feb. 26 date at Hard Rock Live in Since neither band tends not to be playing Miami’s Bayfront Park more than 13 Hollywood, FL, they are leaning tour so far south, definitely take Amphitheater May 11. Tickets are musicians have announced tours on the pricey side, the cheapest this opportunity to experience leaning on the pricier side, but their spring tours. starting at $99. them live. vary depending on the website This lineup ranges from hit Once March rolls around, a The heavier August Burns Red used since many are on resale. pop artists such as Fall Out Boy different crowd of musicians is and Between the Buried and Me Finishing May off is Florence + to head-bangers such as Ice Nine stopping by. are taking over Ft. Lauderdale’s The Machine, accompanied by Of Kills. First off, hard rockers Revolution Live on March 7, with Monsters and Men, playing at the The earliest dates are set in Buckcherry, famous for their 2006 plenty of tickets still available at American Airlines Arena May 31. February, while the latest come single, “Sorry,” are stopping by the prices starting at $40. Tickets are on sale now, but prices in during May. And once May Ft. Lauderdale Culture Room on A few music festivals are also vary depending on the website due is over, plenty of summertime March 4. Tickets just went on sale, coming to Florida this spring. to the fact that they are mainly entertainment comes into play. so expect plenty at an affordable The Fort Rock Festival is taking resale tickets. The first musician to stop by price. over Ft. Myers for the weekend With such a talented list, not is indie electronic artist Robert A few days later are the popular of April 30. There are numerous including local concerts, spring Delong. Delong’s single “Don’t pop-punk kids, , ticket packages available at 2016 will undoubtedly have Wait Up” has gathered massive and State Champs. various prices - a single ticket for a source of entertainment for air time on South Florida’s very They will be playing Orlando’s both dates is currently $99.50. everyone. own Alternative radio station, The Venue 578 March 6, with tickets This price is well worth the money Music Notes is a column that Shark. Despite this, tickets are still still available at $17 for general when one considers that big timers covers South Florida bands. For available at an affordable price - admission and $30 for VIP. VIP such as Rob Zombie, A Day to suggestions or commentary email $15 - for Delong’s Feb. 25 concert includes express entry, elevated Remember, Five Finger Death [email protected] Cook and Brew Surviving the winter blues FIU Master Chef meets Brew Miami, a culinary mashup CRYSTAL FERNANDEZ Change your diet Staff Writer If you’re suddenly feeling depressed because of the weather, there [email protected] may be some foods that can boost your mood. Your diet has more of an effect on your mood than you think. It is important to keep your blood Winter has arrived in South Florida - sort of. As Panthers kick off sugar steady, which means eating fewer refined sugars and starches that spring semester, it’s clear that the warm sunshine has been replaced by a can spike it up. An ideal food to keep a positive mindset this winter is crisp breeze, flip flops by boots and iced coffee by warm lattes - which are oatmeal. Try it warm with blueberries for an enriched and flavorful meal. It a hit for these cooler mornings when it is harder to wake up. contains whole grains and fiber, which help stabilize blood sugar. The best This weather is a nice break from the heat; however, it’s only natural part? It’s often fortified with an element called selenium, which may help that the days get shorter and the nights get colder. This can bring even the ease anxiety and depression and make you less tired. Foods that contain best of us down. vitamin D are also ideal. Most people get a lot of this vitamin during the The “cold weather blues” are not a myth. They’re absolutely real. The summer from the sun, because there are more outdoor activities to do. term used by experts is Seasonal Affective Disorder, in extreme cases. But when the weather gets cold, we tend to stay inside. Bike riding is According to Clevelandclinic.org, a non-profit academic center, four to six something you can do at any time and the Biscayne Bay Campus Wellness percent of the population of Florida may suffer from SAD, and 10 to 20 & Recreation Center’s Bike Sharing Program facilitates, which allows percent might have a milder version - dubbed the winter blues. students to use the bicycles at no charge. Go for a bike ride and embrace The disorder is characterized by mild depression, lack of motivation and the lower temperatures, it’s not nearly as refreshing once summer comes low energy - sound familiar? These symptoms are common experiences in around. Other great sources of vitamin D are fish, eggs and milk. people during the cooler months. For some, it could be traumatic to detach Embrace the Season themselves from sunny summer days. Luckily, there’s a lot that can be Instead of always avoiding the colder temperatures, look for the best done to prevent the blues. that it has to offer. Host a bonfire and make s’mores, go for a walk outdoors Do a little home improvement or attend one of monthly drum circles held in Miami Beach. Photos by Vincent Rives/The Beacon If you’re home most of the time, you might as well paint that room Don’t quit your exercising routine Chef Ramon, an FIU Master Chef contestant, prepares a meal that will be you’ve been putting off all summer. Practice a little Feng-Shui, a Chinese When it’s cold out it can be difficult to find motivation to work out, but critiqued by a panel of judges. philosophical method for rearranging the area around you to help soothe staying active will boost your energy. According to WebMD, our bodies and increase the flow of energy in your living or work environment. release chemicals called endorphins during a workout. These chemicals If you’re in a dorm, rearrange your furniture or get some new dorm interact with brain receptors that reduce pain and trigger positive feelings. accessories. You can also clean out that closet that’s been begging for some The temperature drop can be tough to deal with for South Floridians. assistance. Make your time indoors as productive as possible. The rest to the country may consider this a winter paradise but we would like our warm Miami sunshine. In the meantime, stay warm and stay happy. The importance and strength of neglected back muscles

Our spine holds our entire body together and upright and it is completely surrounded by the back muscles. Maintaining a strong back will help us stay strong and healthy. Why wait until later and get back pain? Remember the old adage: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Motivation Monday is a weekly column covering fitness and health. Strider is a certified personal trainer, for comments or questions email [email protected] Contact Us Alejandro Aguirre Sports Director [email protected] SPORTS The Beacon – 6 fiusm.com Monday, February 1, 2016 MEN’S BASKETBALL FIU drops 71-69 decision to rising 49ers DAVID DRUCKER Coach Anthony Evans. Staff Writer FIU entered the game [email protected] as the winners of seven of their last nine games. Just when Florida In Charlotte’s last time International University’s out, the 49ers scored 51 men’s basketball team points in the second half thought their consistency of their win over Western struggles were behind Kentucky University. A them, old business core of young players had resurfaced in ugly fashion been developing nicely Thursday night as the for this year’s Charlotte Panthers (11-10, 5-3 in team heading into the Conference USA) fell to contest, leading them the University of North to a two-game winning Carolina at Charlotte 49ers streak. Freshman guard in a frustrating 72-69 John Davis highlighted his loss. A lack of energy team’s growth, as shown and careless turnovers by his 22.0 points per - issues that FIU hoped game average in the week were corrected during its heading into Thursday’s successful Texas road trip game. - came back to haunt the The Panthers stumbled Panthers as the wheels out of the gate; two came off late in the second careless turnovers on Michael Sloan/The Beacon half. offense led to an early 11-6 Sophomore guard Eric Nottage drives in for a layup against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte “It’s a learning process. Charlotte lead. Daviyon 49ers. The Panthers’ next game is Thursday, Feb. 4, at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. We need to learn to play Draper scored the first with the same energy points of the game for FIU SOCCER we’ve had all year and on a baseline jumper. The have to stay focused. I senior would go on to fill don’t think we played with out the stat box, notching energy tonight. I think we came out flat,” said Head SEE CLOSE , PAGE 7 BASEBALL Pat Lopez: From the outhouse to the penthouse Panthers ALEJANDRO SOLANA The senior defender describes new head coach of the team. Camere Staff Writer winning the championship as the best and Nylen, this year’s Glenn “Mooch” [email protected] moment of his career, calling it the Myernick Assistant Coach of the Year for projected to “best day of my life.” Of course things the Southeast region, saw the potential The walk-on athlete has long been didn’t always look so bright for Lopez, in Lopez after bringing him in and the unheralded mainstay of collegiate whose collegiate soccer career did not Calabrese approved, keeping him on the finish fourth athletics, and that was never more necessarily start off as he planned. squad for the 2014 season. evident than this season for the FIU The 6-foot, sports and fitness studies Lopez’s first year with the team JACOB SPIWAK for the 2016 Panthers don’t men’s soccer team. major, played high school soccer at was definitely not what anyone would Asst. Sports Director come as a surprise, as many The unwritten code of walk-ons Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High describe as a breakout year. Finding the [email protected] of the players who were suggests that most players who walk-on School in Miami, Florida, where he pitch only six times on the season, the key in orchestrating FIU’s to college sports teams are the less shined on the pitch for the Bulldogs. Miami native struggled to find minutes With the FIU baseball C-USA Championship run talented players of the squad, the players Lopez started all four years at ACC and with the squad, notching only 476 total season set to kick off in have moved on from FIU. who weren’t good enough to get noticed lead his team in goals and assists both minutes on the season. just under three weeks, The Panthers will have before college, roster fillers. his junior and senior season, earning him “I don’t think there was ever a low it’s about that time for to find a way to replace But we’ve all heard of Rudy, right? team MVP honors in back-to-back years. point for me, but being a competitor, I’d publications and college their top slugger Edwin The undersized and unskilled kid from Despite his impressive high school be lying if I said it doesn’t get frustrating coaches to make their 2016 Rios and 2015 batting Illinois, who stopped at nothing to wear campaign, Lopez was not offered any being on the bench.” predictions. average leader Brian those blue and gold uniforms. Or what Division I scholarships after graduating. Lopez admitted to being frustrated, Just like last season, Portelli, among quite a few about Scottie Pippen? Pippen, only “I was playing in different adult but also made it very clear that he had both Division I Baseball other holes that have been 6-foot-1 when he graduated high school, leagues around Miami, staying in form nothing but respect and trust for the and the Conference USA created in the lineup. couldn’t find a single team who wanted and waiting until I got my chance,” said coaching staff who had brought him in head coaches agree on In addition to being him. Lopez. and given him his chance. where they expect the dropped to fourth in this FIU men’s soccer player Patrick Just as he hoped, the opportunity “The one thing I really enjoyed about Panthers to finish in the year’s predictions, the Lopez’s story is no different. No, Lopez came knocking when FIU assistant our coaching staff was the open dialect conference standings. C-USA coaches also did will definitely never win six NBA titles coaches Jean Camere and Kevin Nylen between us players and the coaches. Both have the defending not pick a single FIU player like Michael Jordan; however, he did provided Lopez a chance to try out for When I felt those lows, or thought to C-USA champion Panthers to be on the preseason help win one title. the FIU men’s soccer team as a walk-on myself ‘why am I doing all of these things finishing fourth place in All-Conference team. Last The Panthers were the Conference in 2013. and I’m not even getting on the field?’ I the conference this season, year there were two FIU USA Men’s Champions this year, and “I was presented the chance to have a could just easily go to Scott, Kevin or to behind Rice University, players on the list - pitcher it was Lopez who scored the lone goal spring season trial and it was up to me to Jean and express my concerns and they University of Southern Chris Mourelle, who will of the championship game. In the 75th show if I was capable of playing at this would immediately give me feedback.” Mississippi and Florida be returning for his junior minute of a nil-nil draw, senior Daniel level or not.” Lopez continued, “I knew Lopez said. Atlantic University. Last season after leading FIU in Gonzalez played a ball into the box and coming in, it would be a huge learning Just one year later, things went a little year’s predictions from innings pitched last year, Lopez got his head on it, sending the ball curve for me trying to catch up with the differently for Lopez than his first season each of the polls had FIU and third baseman Josh into the near post past the keeper. The rest of the guys who had already had a with the team. After only getting to start finishing in second place Anderson, who played goal was good enough to secure a 1-0 chance to play at this level.” in five games and make a total of six before they went on their his final season for the win over Marshall University sending As Lopez started his career at FIU, appearances his first year, Lopez played miraculous postseason run Panthers in 2015. FIU to its first NCAA tournament win the program underwent a huge change in all but one game for the Panthers in to win C-USA, with Rice Despite these since 2004. when Scott Calabrese was named the being the lone team ahead predictions not being PENTHOUSE , PAGE 7 of FIU in each poll. The lower expectations SEE PLAYERS, PAGE 7 fiusm.com SPORTS The Beacon – Monday, February 1, 2016 7

MEN’S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Transitional period leads to ‘disaster’ T-TIME O K She is shooting around 36.6 shooting 37 percent on the why the Panthers are losing, it guys, it’s percent from the three-point season with a hair above four certainly doesn’t help either. been a rough line with 71 attempts on the attempts per game. That is FIU’s tallest player who has season: 2-16 season (around four a game). pretty great company. more than two minutes, Janka overall, That is huge. She is shooting Tianah Alvarado is doing Hegedus, doesn’t average Kiandre’a efficiently from a spot on something similar. She is at 37 over five rebounds per game. Pound the floor that gives you more percent as well with about five Context is also important, GIANCARLO missing points. Because she is shooting attempts per game. as Hegedus plays on the NAVAS the year a lot of threes her overall FG So FIU has two pretty good perimeter a lot. However when and FIU percentage will obviously shooters and yet they sport a your rebound production is so suffering blowout loss after be down (40 percent for the subpar offense. It goes to the poor from someone so big it’s blowout loss. The Panthers season), but that is because she idea that FIU pieces to build difficult to be good in the field. are in a rebuilding phase under is taking more threes which is around, are just not all there FIU is not just having new head coach Marlin Chin a more valuable/more difficult yet. a rough season, it’s a near and it’s going to get worse shot than a two-pointer. Due to Conference disaster. However, as before it gets better. This is basically the USA’s lack of advanced previously mentioned it is a You can’t even say the team concept of effective field stats available, it’s difficult transition year for the program. is close because their point goal percentage. Which is a to evaluate how offense runs There are some positives, some differential is -12.5 and they weighted FG percent that takes from a statistical standpoint are negatives and a lot of time to have only mustered up two into account the difficulty and because all C-USA offers are get it right. wins in an 18 game stretch. value of threes. If you shoot 50 non adjusted counting stats that The don’t have much in place percent on 10 two-point field don’t take things like pace into T-Time is a biweekly column to build off of. They are rarely goals you get 10 points. If you account. about women’s basketball in in games in the second half shoot 40 percent on 10 three- Another alarming thing FIU. To contact Giancarlo and are losing by double digits point field goals you will have about this team is how poor email him at giancarlo. most games. 12 points. See how this works? they rebound. FIU is last in [email protected] Taylor Shade is arguably Shade is shooting the ball C-USA with a -9.5-rebound FIU’s best perimeter player about as well as Chris Bosh margin. That is awful. While and one of the few bright spots. is for the Miami Heat. He is this isn’t the biggest reason SOCCER

Michael Sloan/The Beacon Lopez prepares for the big leagues Center Adrian Diaz preparing to send the ball through PENTHOUSE, PAGE 6 the hoop as part of an alley-oop. The Hialeah Hammer not to mention a conference scored 17 points against the University of North Carolina championship and a place on at Charlotte 49ers Thursday, Jan. 29 2015. 16 games started and 19 the all-conference tournament total appearances adding up to team. 1,613 minutes, over triple the Though some in Lopez’s Panthers keep amount of minutes he played shoes would brag or go after in 2014. the doubters, but the humble “It was a nice relief once defenseman partakes in none I did get to start to play and of that. “I credit all of my game close be on the field. It’s one thing success to my teammates, seeing the game from the coaches and of course my outside, from the bench, but family. They have been with against 49ers it is totally different actually me from the beginning and being there,” said Lopez. it’s big that they were there successful three point Along with his for me, reminding me not to CLOSE, PAGE 6 shot with 1.4 seconds left championship game winner, give up and keep working. to play to close the score Lopez tallied two other goals They helped me enjoy the 24 points on 10-15 to within two points. The earlier in the season, one moment.” shooting, seven rebounds intentional miss on his of which was also a game When asked if the whole and four assists. free throw did not find winner against Old Dominion walk-on experience was worth The Panthers made a a Panther, however, and University. While Lopez was it, Lopez quickly exclaimed, run thanks to three point FIU dropped the game able to find the back of the net “absolutely. The bond I built baskets from Donte 71-69. three times, he also managed with my teammates is a McGill and Eric Nottage Diaz expressed after to set his teammates up and brotherhood and I’ll never and FIU took its first lead the game what he can do record two assists on the forget that.” of the night at 17-16. as a senior leader on the season. As for what’s next for the However, Turnovers team to dial up his team’s The coaching staff taking senior? and second chance energy in the future. a chance on a kid who was “Professional [soccer]. opportunities crippled the “[I can] try to be more playing in recreational That’s the next step. That’s Panthers, and at halftime vocal out on the floor. leagues around the city, tled what I’m working to get to the 49ers led FIU 37-36. Try not to attack personal to finding a player who found and if I’m able to accomplish In the second half players and give them his way consistently to the that, this whole story that has Adrian Diaz led the encouragement and hope lineup helping the team go been a blessing continues and Panthers down-low, that they respond from 12-7-1 on the season, and that is all I can ask for.” Photo courtesy of Pat Lopez scoring 17 points on 7-10 that,” said Diaz. shooting. FIU ended the game Despite FIU’s shooting 49 percent BASEBALL struggles on offense, they from the field - a number did enough on defense to that was inflated by 38 keep the game close late points in the paint. The in the second half. The Panthers held Charlotte Players prepare for C-USA Panthers had a chance to to 40 percent from the PLAYERS, PAGE 6 make a comeback down field, but allowed them prime example of that in 2015. junior college transfer position 71-66 with three minutes 17 second chance points. The Panthers will likely need players work out, the Panthers may to play, but the chance FIU recorded 11 blocks overly optimistic for the new-look to spend the early part of the just make some more noise in C-USA at a late run disappeared compared to Charlotte’s Panthers, they shouldn’t cause season establishing chemistry and this year. when Draper committed one. FIU fans to panic too much. FIU hammering out a solid lineup. The FIU will look to prove the doubters back-to-back turnovers The Panther’s next underperformed throughout most of pitching staff, which will see most wrong this season, and their mission and junior guard Ray game is Thursday, Feb. 4. the 2015 season, but showed up when of their top pitchers from 2015 to repeat as C-USA champs will Rodriguez air-balled it mattered and took home the C-USA returning, seems to be the biggest begin when they kick off their first a three point attempt. crown. strength that FIU can build on during series of 2016 against the University Draper was fouled on a Anything can happen regardless of the season. If they can pitch up to of Mississippi Friday, Feb. 19. expectations, and the Panthers were a their potential and some of these THE The Beacon – 8 t ay Monday, February 1, 2016 A fiusm.com B CARTA and SING TO ME SMJC merger further explained

SUDYEN NAVARRETE to be done and take effect by Staff Writer mid-summer. [email protected] The updates on what Blevens is revising has a purpose. “Students will be able Early December 2015 to get through the program it was announced that the more quickly, graduate on School of Journalism and time and progress through the Mass Communications will be curriculum,” Blevens said. integrating with the College of There’s been problems with Architecture and the Arts. students not being able to get In the fall the provost asked through graduation, according CARTA and SJMC to merge; a to Blevens. committee was assigned for both Some of the updates Jasmine Romero/The Beacon schools and voted in favor of the revolve around the admission merge at Biscayne Bay Campus. Mechanical engineering junior Randy Calhoun and junior journalism major Carolina Estrada requirements as in the credit Many students reacted lip sync at the Blue & Gold Recruitment Week: Councils Unplugged event, held at Panther hours and grade point average. negatively towards the Square, Thursday, Jan. 28. “We eliminated the 60-hour integration. Some believed requirement, which will take it could devalue the school’s effect starting in the fall, and we Another possible change students were being informed administrative teaching and accreditation or that money was lowered the GPA to a 2.85,” said that has been mentioned but not about the integration through research support to the faculty,” in the way of everything. Blevens. approved or discussed is the newsletters, student media and said Schriner. “As a student, I believe it According to Blevens, there barrier exam, Language Skills even the Miami Herald. Incoming freshmen from high won’t affect us in a bad way,” are two important steps into the Test, an entry grammar exam Blevens said the schools will experience the new said Anzela Vanegas, a junior process, “How do you get into that SJMC students must pass to communication was poorly changes between the schools. broadcast journalism major. the program and get accepted.” continue onto their major track. distributed to students, angering “They will have access to “However, now we depend and The school will retain the “Language skills tests have them and leaving them in the additional resources and will operate under a new department limited number of student become something in the past, unknown about the merge graduate with the confidence that can be very different admittance but barriers will be some states are no longer using leading to negative views about they have a skills-set that gives from journalism and mass met through courses. It will be barrier exams anymore but it. them a competitive advantage in communication majors. I think up to the students to meet the instead course work to make “Some of it was generated the 21st century’s information, each school needs their own requirements or not. sure students are competent,” by a misunderstanding from innovation, and technology dean that has relations to the “We will still remain a said Blevens. “I don’t think it’s Miami Herald stories, the economy,” said Schriner. field.” limited program with barriers a good idea to hold students advised report hadn’t had a clear Pinto said that SJMC will However, there’s also for admittance,” said Blevens. hostages in a class for a test.” understanding, students were retain its own entity and students that favored the merge. “Barriers are going to be For now that’s just a misinformed,” said Blevens. accreditation, and the purpose is “I think that this is a great different, competency and possibility. “The reporting didn’t reflect the to grow and expand by reducing opportunity for our school,” said performance based.” “It’s not going to be easier reality of the situation.” inefficiencies and making Jayda Hall, a junior broadcast Students coming from high to get into the program, it’s just Dean Brian Schriner will lead everything better. major. “We need more resources schools will be able to declare different,” Blevens said. SJMC under CARTAs umbrella “What CARTA represents to and our school needs to be their majors and get admitted Overall, Blevens said he was with the help of recently named us is an opportunity to resources exposed.” by their sophomore years, not in favor of the merge, and it’s an interim executive director of such as their 3D printers, their Professor Frederick Blevens, junior as it usually is, as long integration that must have been SJMC, Juliet Pinto, an associate Miami Beach Urban Studios and of the Journalism and Broadcast as admission requirements for done long time ago. professor of the journalism and many more that can help our Department, is working on SJMC are met. Throughout the holiday break, broadcast department. students think creatively,” said updating SJMCs curriculum “I am enjoying getting to Pinto know the SJMC’s students, In SJMC, faculties have been faculty, professional staff, placed in committees to better SWEET LIPS advisory board members and SJMC, such as what Professor alumni,” said Schriner. Blevens is doing. In response to the merger, Pinto said, “most of our according to the Dean, CARTA faculty and staff are on students have favored the committees to work with the change. curriculum, governance, space “My interactions with and staffing to make ourselves students,whether from CARTA better.” or the SJMC, have been very In addition of directing SJMC, positive,” said Schriner. “The Pinto is also communicating students’ initial questions or with sponsors for fundings. concerns have focused on how “I am also out in the the integration might impact community looking for their current major, the name of engagement and partnership to the degree they are pursuing, the help us get resources that we name of their home department, need.” etc.” The faculty-led process will Part of the dean’s personal also create a new name that goals for the integration is “to represents both schools. increase strategic enrollment “The entire point of this at both the undergraduate and integration is to make everything graduate level, increase the stronger and CARTA is the number of full-time faculty – right place for SJMC, we’re all Erica Santiago/The Beacon potentially as cluster hires - looking to help the industries Angelica Walker, junior hospitality major (right), and Catrease Ancion, senior psychology in the areas of digital media, that students wish to go into,” major (left) serve cotton candy to students participating in the SPC’s Lip-Sync Battle hosted at communication, digital arts, said Pinto the Wolfe Center Thursday, Jan. 28 graphic design and public All structures shall be placed relations and to enhance the no later than July 1 of this year.