The Beacon, February 27, 2012

A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University Vol. 23, Issue 70 www.fiusm.com Monday, February 27, 2012

Life! 380 students work with industry’s best at WFF event

esra Erdogan involved at every turn, from on line can be very stressful. Life! Editor registration to culinary. Students are assigned to a task, [email protected] “It’s hard work, so I give like flipping burgers or adding props to the people who make it cheese. Among the thousands happen. You have to be a people “We had a great assembly of guests who chomped on person, be there for the people line going. I focused on getting burgers, drank cold beers and and stay organized,” said soph- the sauce and pickles on as fast mingled with celebrity chefs at omore Rosanna Perez, a hospi- as possible. I felt prepared but this year’s Burger Bash were tality major. Perez’s responsi- I knew I was in for a long day 380 stressed out and sweaty bility was to guide the crowd since I was at Rachael Ray’s students. of 3,500 people in and out of burger station. People love The Amstel Light Burger the event. her,” said junior Amanda Joffe. Bash is hosted by Food Once guests were inside, The culinary team backing Network celebrity chef Rachael they were treated to 32 Bobby Flay has consistently Ray and a signature event part completely unique burgers impressed the Food Network of the South Beach Wine and ranging from bizarre to devil- celebrity chef. “I’ve done this Food Festival. ishly unhealthy. event for six years and I always The event is enormous “[The students] are doing ask ‘how many FIU students both by reputation and man great. They’re really committed, do we have?’ because they power. Thirty two different very dedicated,” said Top Chef work so hard. I’ve hired many hamburgers were prepared by All Star Richard Blais of Flip of them over the years,” said notable chefs, from local to Burger Boutique. Flay. national celebrities, to compete Students on the culinary There was a little friendly for the People’s Choice Award. teams put in 350 hours of rivalry amongst the culinary Esra Erdogan/The Beacon Students of the Chaplin kitchen prep time in order to teams. Chefs Rachael Ray (left), Michael Symon (center) and Bobby Flay (right) announce the winner of School of Hospitality and get ready for the guests. People’s Choice Awards at this year’s Burger Bash at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Tourism Management were Once the event starts, being SEE BASH, PAGE 5 A&S Fee Environment SGC to deliberate on Panther Dining offering new student activity fees sustainable To-Go containers Melissa Caceres and fund programs for them.” News Director The A&S fee, one of three Melhor Leonor return. eventually you come down [to Pollo [email protected] fees that students pay for along Asst. News Director Izaguirre also explained that the Tropical and] we swap it for a clean with their tuition, is used to [email protected] restaurants take care of the sanitation, one,” Izaquirre said. Students’ Activity & Service fund around 60 student organi- taking used To-Go Boxes at the time According to Josefina Salazar, Fees may see an increase pending zations and facilities on campus. Eating at Pollo Tropical has now on deliberations. The committee that will decide become the newest way to go green The University Activity & at FIU, as food sustainability takes the Service Fee committee held next step with the implementation of two public hearings on both the To-Go Boxes. Modesto Maidique and Biscayne Previously exclusive to Fresh Bay Campuses to listen to I came here, not to Foods, To-Go Boxes are re-usable the concerns and opinions of gain any sort of status plastic containers designed to reduce students and faculty regarding and to say I met Lupe the use of disposable styrofoam the proposed increase in the Fiasco at a concert. I containers. A&S fee this year. “We are trying to get more sustain- At the Feb. 23 hearing at came here because I able dining option out to the students,” MMC, several organization wanted to learn. said Celia Izaguirre, Aramark sustain- leaders pushed for the increase Angie Luna, ability coordinator at FIU. “We wanted in order to expand their programs junior to offer more options to students who while a few students were hesi- biology major don’t want to use styrofoam and [want tant to show their support if the to] reduce waste.” money didn’t go to areas that While ordering from Pollo Trop- Kristi Camara/The Beacon they preferred. ical, a one-time refundable deposit Plastic containers (above) to off-set non-biodegradable Styrofoam waste “If we do not get the A&S of $4 entitles customers to unlimited as part of new environmentally friendly initiatives on campus. increase, we’ll continue to the increase is comprised of four use of the boxes at both Pollo Tropical operate,” said Larry Lunsford, faculty members and the presi- at the Modesto Maidique Campus, of purchase and serving food in fresh manager of Pollo Tropical, the restau- associate vice president of dents and comptrollers from the and the Grille Works at the Biscayne clean ones at every purchase. rant goes through 150 non-biode- Student Affairs. “But as we gain Student Government Council Bay Campus. According to Izaguirre, “We do the sanitizing so that it’s gradable styrofoam containers every 2,000 more students each year, customers can return To-Go Boxes at more convenient for students. You can we can’t continue to serve them SEE HEARING, PAGE 2 any time and receive their deposit in leave it in the car or on your desk and SEE GREEN, PAGE 2

COMING UP Life! ONLINE www.fiusm.com RADIO Radiate FM Check out Wednesday’s issue for Follow us on: Tune in to Radiate FM on Mon., Wed. and Fri. Esra Erdogan’s glance at fashion highs Twitter - @FIUSM for our Opinion, Sports and News shows or and lows in her weekly column, Facebook - FIU Student Media: News, check out them out on FIUSM.com. Haute Topic. FIU Student Media: Sports The Radioactive Underground: 88.1 - 95.3 - 96.9 2 The Beacon – Monday, February 27, 2012 NEWS www.fiusm.com

News Flash Individuals divided over increase LOCAL HEARING, PAGE 1 like Homecoming, the inner workings in biology, asked a number of ques- of many structures and departments at tions to the committee and urged the Lawmaker resigns over texts to prosecutor at Modesto Maidique Campus and the University, and the programs that members of the hearing to stop trying A Democrat lawmaker resigned Friday over sugges- Student Government Council at develop leadership among students. to use its funds to try to measure up tive and harassing text messages he sent to a married Biscayne Bay Campus. Ruth Hamilton, executive director to other institutions by getting the federal prosecutor using a hidden identity. The increase percentage could be as of the Graham Center, told the audi- biggest speakers and building expen- Rep. Richard Steinberg of Miami Beach said his res- low as 1 percent; each students’ A&S ence that the fee helps the student sive facilities. ignation is effective immediately and asked for privacy fee would raise by 50 cents per credit centers continue to provide services “We have to realize that we’re not while he deals with his personal affairs. He left the Capitol hour which would equal to $958,000 and job experience for students. UM and we shouldn’t want to be like after The Miami Herald reported the story Wednesday in more funds. The highest level would “[The] fee has very intentional UM,” said Luna. “I came here not to and issued an apology. be 5 percent; each student’s fee would purposes and provides direct services gain any sort of status and to say I met “The events of the past week have been difficult for increase by $1.81 per credit hour to to the students,” said Hamilton, who Lupe Fiasco at a concert. I came here my family, for me and for everyone involved,” Steinberg make around $2.4 million. added that the facilities get their main because I wanted to learn.” said in a written statement. “As I did earlier this week, I “We should push for a five percent funding from A&S fees. O’Keefe was another among the want to once again, very directly and sincerely, apologize increase as much as possible because Others felt that events on campus individuals at the hearing who said to everyone I have hurt.” every year in Campus Life, we’re are less of a priority than other areas he is opposed to any kind of fee pushing the envelope by doing as best of funding. increase. NATIONAL as we can with the budget that we’re “How can we make it so that the “I don’t think that now is the time,” given,” said Natalia Lopez, SGC- money doesn’t go to campus involve- said O’Keefe. “Right now, I think we NYPD’s monitoring of Muslims was legal MMC public relations coordinator. ment activities?” said sophomore can suffice with what we have.” “If it increases, that can bring bigger information technology and commu- Others didn’t feel the same way. New York’s mayor offered a robust defense Friday of events and bigger names [to perform nications major, Christopher Knowles. “If we feel like we’re okay now with a secret police department effort to monitor mosques and on campus].” “I know they’re supposed to be good the budget, what’s going to happen in Muslim businesses and student groups in several states, The Center for Leadership and for recruitment, but as a student, I three years when we grow to around following a week of criticism from college administrators Service, Multicultural Programs & don’t see their worth.” 60,000 students?” said Robert Jaross, and politicians who said the intelligence-gathering pried Services and Homecoming would In response, Bill Beesting, A&S director of Student Media. too deeply into the lives of law-abiding people. be the University-wide organiza- fee committee chair and associate This week, the budgets for campus- “We just cannot let our guard down again,” Mayor tions first considered to receive addi- dean of undergraduate education, said specific organizations will be deliber- Michael Bloomberg said. tional funding, according to Patrick that student government representa- ated and considered for the additional Speaking on his weekly radio show on WOR-AM, O’Keefe, SGC-MMC president. tives would be the ones to pressure for A&S funds. Also, the committee will Bloomberg declined to discuss details of the anti-ter- Several directors of campus orga- moves like that because “that’s how come to a decision this week as to rorism programs, detailed in a series of stories by The nizations emphasized that the increase the democratic process works.” whether the A&S fee will increase and Associated Press. would benefit entertainment events Angie Luna, a junior majoring if so, by what percentage. WORLD

Red Cross holds talks with Syrians over wounded Boxes to reduce Styrofoam waste Red Cross aid workers entered a besieged neighbor- GREEN, PAGE 1 “We are composting our According to Salazar, in hood in the Syrian city of Homs Friday and are negotiat- coffee grounds and they the past few weeks since the ing with authorities and rebels to evacuate all wounded, week and the initiative is to We wanted to end up using them at the containers were made avail- including two Western journalists, a spokesman said. reduce this amount. organic garden. Aside from able, Pollo Tropical has distrib- The effort to evacuate the reporters — who were “Styrofoam is not biode- offer more options composting we are also uted between 40 and 50 To-Go injured in a government attack that killed American war gradable and we can’t recycle to students who training our employees on Boxes. correspondent Marie Colvin and French photographer it at FIU or in Miami,” Izagu- [want to] reduce energy and water conserva- “The program is currently Remi Ochlik — is part of a wider international push irre said. “Currently styrofoam tion,” Izaguirre said. in its early stages. It has to bring aid to people in the areas hardest hit by Syria’s occupies 30 percent of our waste. Panther Dining has also received a lot of interest efforts to quash the uprising against President Bashar landfill space.” Celia Izaguirre, put in place reusable “Drink from students and we hope it Assad’s rule. Aside from the use of To- Sustainability Coordinator to the Earth” mugs, which continues to grow,” Salazar Hicham Hassan of the International Committee of the Go Boxes, FIU has also put Aramark upon purchase, give customers said. “FIU is taking a lot of Red Cross said Friday that the ICRC and its local Syrian in place many other initiatives discounts on coffee and great steps towards sustain- branch have been working in the Baba Amr neighbor- to make Panther Dining more fountain drinks throughout ability and Panther Dining is hood of Homs since Friday afternoon. sustainable. campus. excited to join them.” The team is “negotiating with both Syrian authorities and opposition in an attempt to evacuate all persons in need of assistance with no exception,” he said, meaning local residents and foreign journalists. – Compiled by Melhor Leonor

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Editor in Chief Modesto Maidique Campus: Alexandra Camejo GC 210, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (305) 348-2709 [email protected] BBC Managing Editor Biscayne Bay Campus Jonathan Szydlo WUC 124, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (305) 919-4722 Production Manager/Copy Chief [email protected] Laura Alonso Editor-in-Chief: (305) 348-1580 News Director [email protected] Melissa Caceres Advertising: (305) 348-6994 Life! Editor [email protected] Esra Erdogan The Beacon is published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the Fall Sports Director and Spring semesters and once a week Igor Mello during Summer B. One copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents. The Beacon Opinion Editor is not responsible for the content of ads. Ad content is the sole responsibility of the Neda Ghomeshi company or vendor. The Beacon is an edi- torially independent newspaper partially Photo Editor funded by student and services fees that

Kristi Camara are appropriated by student government.

men’s basketball Seniors start fresh against Jaguars SBC tournament Rico Albarracin Asst. Sports Director [email protected] seeding format is On the night that DeJuan Wright and Jeremy Allen played their final home game in a Panther uniform, both went out with a bang. very impractical Wright had career highs in both he Sun Belt Confer- Ohio Valley conference, points and rebounds, 34 points and ence may want to which with SIU-Edwards- 13 rebounds, and Allen chipped in growT trees out of their ville ineligible because of with 21 points, to lead the Panthers to seeds, but NCAA transition, they have a 81-74 win over the South Alabama COMMENTARY the roots are 10. Jaguars on senior night. so gnarled Instead of taking all 10, “I was really happy for DeJuan it’s difficult they take eight, with the [Wright] and Jeremy [Allen]. They’ve to tell them top two seeds automatically given us everything in practice and apart. making it into the semifi- play,” said Head Coach Isiah Thomas. Instead of nals, the three and four seed “We’re gonna miss them, but they defi- having all 12 going straight to the quarter- nitely made their mark here at FIU.” Jackson Wolek SBC teams finals and five through eight With the win, the Panthers will go make it this playing in the first round. into the Sun Belt Conference tourna- year, there will be only 11, Thanks to this setup, the ment as the 10th seed and will play because last place Louisiana Panthers would not make the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first Monroe failed to meet the the tournament. That may round. NCAA’s Academic Progress be just what FIU would need “You know what type of game Rate. With 11 teams, the as motivation to do better that’s gonna be. It’s gonna be close Sun Belt decided to take all during the season. and it’s probably gonna come down to of them, regardless of how Since FIU is going to the wire again,” said Thomas. difficult the task of seeding make the SBC tournament After the game, Allen revealed the teams has become. every year regardless if they what the goal was for the team at the The seeding goes like win a single-game, the only prior to the match-up. this: The number eight seed real reason to do well is to “Everyone collectively tried to will face the number nine get a better seed. If there was start out fresh. We tried to come out seed, six vs. 11, and seven a possibility of not making as a team and go into the tournament Kristi Camara/The Beacon vs. 10 on the first day of the the tournament all together, with a win.” tournament. regular season games would South Alabama began the game The Panthers won their first and last home games of this season. On the second day, the hold a greater significance. on a 8-2 run, including a Mychal number four seed will play Not every team deserves Ammons alley-oop to Javier Carter. During the run, Thomas used a at 8:30 p.m. in Hot Springs, Arkansas. the number five seed, and a shot to go to the SBC tour- FIU climbed back to regain the lead smaller lineup, with Deric Hill, Phil Thomas was happy that the team can depending on which team nament. For example, if from an Allen drive to the basket with Taylor, Allen, Wright and Brandon go into the tournament on a winning wins the eight vs. nine game, ULM had been eligible, they 8:06 left in the half. Moore during the run and it seemed note. they will face either the would have made the post The play sparked a 23-12 run, to work. “It’s better going in with a win East or West regular season season with two wins in the including an emphatic dunk by Wright “I like when Phil [Taylor] plays than a loss,” said Thomas. “That’s the champion (game six). season. to end the first half with FIU leading the two, he doesn’t have to dribble thing about momentum, you win one The same goes for the A team like that should 41-30. Wright was able to score 16 of as much and it makes us faster.” said game, you feel great. You lose, you winner of the seven vs. 10 not be rewarded with a his 34 in the first half. Allen. feel terrible.” game (game seven), and chance to win the SBC tour- “He’s just really, really good,” said The Jaguars would not go away Thomas used the win as tool for the the winner of the six vs. 11 nament and get an auto- Thomas. “He was able to put it on quietly, scoring in small spurts. An upcoming SBC tournament. game will face the number matic bid to the NCAA the floor and drive it. His offensive Austine Rubit dunk and free throw cut “Coach put on the board ‘1-0’. three overall seed (game tournament, no matter how rebounding was great.” the lead down to three, 72-69. It would We’re starting the tournament today eight). unlikely it would happen. South Alabama was able to bring be the closest that the Jaguars would and we can build on it,” said Allen. In the semifinals, the Also, the SBC can’t go the halftime deficit to five, trailing 53- get, as FIU finished the game at the When asked about the first-round winner of game five plays the to the extreme of the Ivy 48 with 14:01 left in the game. Allen free-throw line and with the win. match-up against FAU, Wright was winner of game six, and the League and not have a tour- then got the hot hand and hit three Now the focus shifts towards the simple about it. winner of game seven plays nament at all, and just take three-pointers to extend the Panthers conference tournament, where the “They’re our rivals. It’s definitely the winner of game eight. the team with the best record lead back up to 64-50. Panthers will be playing on March 3 going to be a war,” said Wright. The finals take the winners in the regular season. women’s basketball of those two games. A six-team tournament, If this is at all confusing with the top two teams to you, don’t worry, it’s getting a first round bye, just perplexing me too. like how the NFL playoffs Panthers tame Jaguars in overtime The Sun Belt can learn are run, is the best option for a thing or two from the Big the SBC to go. brandon wise go in regulation. South, which has 11 teams That way every confer- Asst. Sports Director After South Alabama failed to score and win the game in their league, but can take ence game would have much [email protected] at the end of regulation, the game headed to overtime. Both only 10 because Presbyte- greater implications than teams traded two foul shots but then the biggest play of the rian has not completed their it does right now and you Down by as much as 16 to South Alabama, the Panthers game came in the form of a Hutlassa three pointer to give Division One transition yet. would get better competi- looked outmatched in every sense of the word. Nothing was the Panthers the lead. Therefore, the top six tion and hopefully better fan going right. Every shot they took was clanking off of the rim They never relinquished the lead en route to their 58-55 teams automatically make support. and every shot the Jaguars took was going straight in. They win over the Jaguars. it to the second round, and So, while ULM may have looked tired and slow. Head coach Cindy Russo says it’s the Jerica Coley led all scorers with 25 points, 12 of which the last four play each other messed up a perfectly good change of defense that got the Panthers going. coming from the charity stripe. She also had seven rebounds, in the first round to see who 12 team tournament system, “We went into a zone,” Russo said. “We just couldn’t three assists and three blocks. makes it to the quarterfinals. the SBC didn’t do a well keep up. There was too much motion. When we ran our “At the beginning, we started off a little slow,” Coley said. If the SBC took 10 teams, enough job in making an zone on defense, it worked out well and we stopped that. It “ But at halftime, we went into the locker room, huddled up Troy would not make the 11 team conference have a stopped the bleeding. There was a lot of bleeding out there and talked about it. We just really wanted to win.” tournament. better tournament bracket. in the first half.” As to the physical nature of the game tonight where both If leaving one team out By being too kind, they made However, the Panthers battled back and found a way to teams were called for a total of 40 fouls, Coley knew that it wasn’t cruel enough, SBC things far more complicated get back into the game and tied it up at 51 when redshirt could be like the 11-team than they should be. senior Fanni Hutlassa hit two free throws with a minute to SEE WOMEN’S, PAGE 4 4 The Beacon –Monday, February 27, 2012 SPORTS www.fiusm.com

baseball Panthers and Seminoles split first two games eduardo almaguer fooled twice, taking advantage of Staff Writer the second straight day FIU issued [email protected] nine walks, beating the team 3-1. Redshirt junior Mason McVay The last time the Panthers beat struck out a career-high nine batters Florida State University in a base- in just four innings, but issued five ball game, FIU’s winning pitcher walks. had not been born yet. The combination of both In the first of a three-game series, resulted in 100 pitches for the left- FIU snapped its 22-year losing hander, prompting pitching coach streak against the Seminoles after Drew French to remove him from 13 hits led the Panthers to an 8-5 the game early. win on the road in Tallahassee, Fla. FIU (1-4) managed to out hit FSU was last ranked No. 8 in FSU (4-1) again, but could not the country by National Collegiate string together any hits. Baseball Writers Association of Senior Iosmel “Bala” Leon hit a America. solo homerun in the eighth inning for On Saturday, however, FSU FIU, but they could not overcome managed to silence the bats that FSU’s Mike Compton, who pitched dominated them the night before, six innings, allowed only two hits beating them 3-1 despite multiple and struck out four Panthers. chances by FIU to score. McVay walked the bases loaded in the first inning, but escaped the FIU 8, FSU 5 eacon ile hoto B F P jam by striking out the side. He was R.J. Fondon was not as sharp as Pablo Bermudez led the way for FIU with three hits in the opening game against the Seminoles. not so lucky in the second inning. his season debut, but he managed After loading the bases again, to limit the damage, striking out run of the game on a wild pitch in Both teams exchanged a second shut the Seminoles’ offense down. FSU’s James Ramsey hit a single to two batters, allowing eight hits, and the first inning. Kirsch followed set of two-run innings, leaving the Gomez struck out three batters in drive in two Seminoles and give his walking four in 5 1/3 innings. with an RBI single to drive in senior score at 6-5 as the sixth inning 2 1/3 innings to earn his first career team a 2-0 lead. Senior outfielder Pablo Mike Martinez. opened. save and give FIU its first win of the FIU’s pitching staff managed to Bermudez and junior Adam Kirsch After an FIU error set up an RBI The Panthers rallied with two season. hold FSU hitless until the seventh had their best game at the plate for single for FSU in the same inning, outs in the sixth, with sophomore FIU had not won against a top- until Ramsey struck again, this time FIU (1-3) this season after each had junior T.J. Shantz belted a two-run David Vazquez hitting an RBI 10 team since 2008. hitting a solo homerun off redshirt three hits in the game, combining double to give FIU a 4-1 lead. single to score Kirsch. sophomore Albert Cardenas. FSU 3, FIU 1 for two RBIs and four runs. Sloppy defense in the third FIU tacked on a final run in the Leon homered in the eighth After stealing third base, inning allowed FSU (3-1) to get eighth inning with a Kirsch double, Though the Panthers escaped inning to cut the deficit to two runs, Bermudez, the reigning Sun Belt back into the game with a two-run and then called upon their left- the danger of issuing nine walks but the Panthers were not able to Player of the Year, scored the first double to make it 4-3. handed closer, Michael Gomez, to on Friday, FSU was not going to be mount a comeback. FIU erases double-digit deficit to win in overtime

Kristi Camara/The Beacon Jerica Coley [right] led all scorers with 25 points against the Jaguars on Feb. 25.

WOMEN’S, PAGE 3 Idom finished the game with they will face Louisiana Lafay- eight rebounds and five points ette on March 5 at 12:00 p.m. was going to happen. in 33 minutes of action. Coley feels that this team “We expected it to be a This marks the first 20- is on the right track to get physical game,” Coley said. win season for the team since to where they want to go: a “There a physical team and the 2001-2002 season where conference title. it was an important game for they went 13-1 in the Sun Belt, “This is a good momentum both us. We knew it coming becoming champions of the booster and we’ll be ready in.” conference. to take every game one at a Not only did Coley have With the win, the Panthers time,” Coley said. “Every a great performance but her are the three seed from the game will be like this one. cousin, Kamika Idom, came East division in the Sun Belt Hopefully we’ll get to the off the bench for solid minutes. Conference tournament where championship.” Contact Us Esra Erdogan Life! Editor [email protected] LIFE! The Beacon – 5 www.fiusm.com Monday, February 27, 2012 wine and dine Third time is the charm for hospitality student

esra erdogan This role allows for a lot of the opportunity to work with Life! Editor observation, which is perfect industry people, from celeb- [email protected] for a festival newbie. rity chefs to event plan- Her second year, she was ners, and given a chance to Although Gipsy Velez involved in culinary. “I loved demonstrate their exper- would not share every name culinary. It’s a lot of work tise, hopefully to receive a she has had the opportunity though,” said Velez. recommendation towards a to network with through her More attuned to her inter- future job. experiences at the South ests is the role she played “It’s hands on. Where else Beach Wine and Food at this year’s festival as a can you work with industry Festival, you can tell that student coordinator. people like we do? Some of they are names she’s proud Student coordinators are the people I’ve worked with to be associated with. responsible for recruitment, have offered career advice Velez, who is a senior hiring and training for the and told me they’d recom- hospitality major with a festival. mend me to other people,” minor in beverage manage- There were 16 student said Velez. ment, feels lucky to be coordinators overall, and The festival isn’t the only involved with an event at each is in charge of a group time of year that students the level of grandeur of the of students assigned to are being offered volunteer Esra Erdogan/The Beacon South Beach Wine and Food different events throughout positions. Gipsy Velez [left] worked the V.I.P. happy hour event at the Betsy Hotel on Feb. 24. Festival. the festival weekend. Throughout the year, “You have the opportu- At the V.I.P. happy hour events like fundraisers and Wen Zheng Guo [right] was one of the student volunteers that Velez directed. nity to work with the people event on the roof of The expositions send requests to who are in the industry, Betsy hotel, Velez was the school of hospitality for Tweet Beat! which you may not get if you consulting with festival student volunteers. weren’t involved in events representatives, monitoring “Because so many people like this one,” said Velez. the guest list and directing [hear about the University’s This year was Velez’s student volunteers. hospitality students] they’re @rachael_ray: Congrats to best @chefsymon: third festival, where she’s The festival allows constantly offering events dressed burger @GuyFieri, 3peat peoples threepeat!!!!.... played a variety of roles. Her students of the Chaplin for FIU students,” said Velez, choice @chefsymon. Runner up @bflay w unreal!!!...#sobe first year, Velez was involved School of Hospitality and who has had the chance to crunchified buffalo burger- so close. burgerbash in registration. Tourism Management hands work for events like Pink Often forgotten about, on experience that would Petals and Grovetoberfest. the students who work in be difficult to get otherwise “I love special events, registration direct the flow during their undergraduate so what I’d like to be doing of traffic at events, answer career. is exactly what I’m doing guests’ questions and more. Students are also allowed now,” said Velez. “Three-peat” for Chef Symon Burger Bash event draws $15 million BASH, PAGE 1 is everything. You don’t know who the person next to you “Guy Fieri brought a is going to be in the future,” restaurant,” said Blais. “I said junior Alfredo Diaz who think he bought out an acre of was working at the little owl’s land on the beach.” burger station. Fieri’s team had an enor- Chef Michael Symon of B mous line, both for the burgers Spot won the People’s Choice and to meet the Food Network Award for the third time with celebrity chef. Fieri took home his Porky Burger, a pork and the Heinz Best Dressed Award bacon burger topped with for his “Straight-Up with a Pig pulled pork and slaw. Patty” burger. Before saying goodnight, For many students working Ray and event manager Randy in the hospitality industry, Fischer said their thank yous networking is key. An event to the chefs and students. like Burger Bash allows Fischer reminded the students to work directly with crowd that all proceeds from successful and influential the South Beach Wine and chefs, restaurateurs, distribu- Food Festival, which reached $15 million, go to the Chaplin Photos by Esra Erdogan/The Beacon tors, event planners and more. “I got to meet really School of Hospitality and Top left: The Meatball Shop’s chili cheese burger, talented well-known chefs and Tourism Management. a chili flavored patty topped with cheddar cheese was able to ask them questions “This event definitely and a side of chips. Top right: Maria Iragorri, about their business. It was assured me that I made the a student of the Chaplin School of Hospitality and actually very surprising how right decision by majoring in Tourism Management works at one of the burger sta- down to earth the majority hospitality. I loved watching tions. Bottom left: Chef Michael Symon (center) of them are. I was also able guests enjoy themselves and accepts his award for People’s Choice Award from to make new contacts within the food we helped prepare, Rachael Ray (left). The prize money will be donated [the school of Hospitality] and that’s what I think hospi- to his choice of charity. and in hospitality, networking tality is all about,” said Joffe. 6 The Beacon – Monday, February 27, 2012 LIFE! www.fiusm.com

girl talk edible info Restaurant caters to nightowls Conference aims nother late studio After I asked her about session drove me the hours of operation, I real- to connect women pastA my hunger threshold at ized this is a great place to 1 a.m. Where to eat? Some brush up on my Spanish. Do people would say there are not expect perfect English, with role models not many options in Miami but that is the norm for most as far as late night eateries. places in Miami. carolina souto I say these After so much ranting Contributing Writer columnist people are and raving from my Colom- [email protected] l i c k i n g bian friends, I had to order the wrong the burger despite not being Almost 100 years have passed since women were spoon. much of a red meat eater. given the right to vote, and though we have risen above I did Everything on it is the the anchoring images of a housewife and stay-at-home not want only way to go; taking mother, the glass ceiling hovering above the workplace to seem stuff off is doing yourself a has yet to disappear. rene gonzalez like a total disservice. Luckily, cracks are beginning to appear, and the Women fatty, so I My friend ordered the Who Lead conference is back at the University, ready to called up a friend and asked chicken fingers, and I had to hammer away old notions of success. The purpose of the

if she wanted to join me. get an order of wings. The Rene Gonzalez/The Beacon conference is to enhance the development of leadership She was not exactly up for wings were only $7.49 for The Colombian burger mixes both sweet and savory for women and to connect students with women who are it until I said these magic 10, and both of our entrees flavors. leaders. words: “My treat.” were under $10, too. Events are being held at the Biscayne Bay Campus on Our hunt took us down Before we got our food, with enough cheese to choke Maidique Campus. March 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in WUC 221, and at the Flagler Street where I I decided to test for Wi-Fi. a cartoon orange cheetah, the In fact, they can deliver Modesto Maidique Campus on March 29 from 8 a.m. to 4 thought we would have a Score! The restaurant has meat was almost secondary your food on campus. p.m. in the GC ballrooms. few more viable options. free Wi-Fi. You have to as far as the flavor palette. Almost every item on the “One of our goals for this conference is to show We ended up at Los create a free account to use The wings were nothing menu is under $10, and they women—and men—that women have so many choices in Perros, a quasi-trendy it, though, which is a tad spectacular—rather small— have some appealing exotic the way they create their career path and leadership path,” Colombian place that makes annoying, but I see the busi- but the breading was items. said Bronwen Bares, associate director of the Universi- some interesting burgers and ness sense in this. interesting. Play it safe with wings, ty’s Women’s Center. hot dogs. Since you have to confirm It was a similar granule try a Colombian burger or Miss Holly, two-time winner of Food Network’s It is a bit hidden, so if you the account from your email, texture to the one on the hot dog, or go crazy and know where the Blockbuster they now have a working chicken fingers, as opposed get quail eggs and marran- is on 84th Avenue, you will email address for you. As to the heavier coated feeling itas (four plantain cups filled find it in the same plaza. a business owner, I would usually associated with with pulled chicken, pulled Upon entering, we use this information to learn wings. beef, pork bites and Colom- were greeted and told to sit about my clientele as well This burger was bomb! bian sausage). I’ve been in the shoes of our students who are anywhere; we got lucky it as send out special offers to I devoured the entire thing Either way, it is a good trying to navigate between who they are, what was kind of empty. It is a promote the business. with blatant disregard for my experience that pleases they want to become, and how to get there, rather good after-club spot By the time I was fully stomach, (I am not a habitual your tummy and does not to the point it sometimes logged in, our food had red meat eater, so it messes mug your wallet. Check out Monique Catoggio, looks like a club. arrived. Our order took up me up every time) and then their website: http://www. Director of Advancement Alumni and Corporate Relations for the If you are not into not-so- the entire table. The burger continued to lick my fingers losperros.com. College of Business Admin. great Top 40 house music, was an interesting juxtaposi- clean. Who needs a napkin? you better order your stuff tion of flavors. Not this guy. Edible Info is a biweekly to go. Our waitress was The semi-tart sauce at the There are several loca- food review column. Rene “Cupcake Wars,” will be a keynote speaker. attentive and brought us the bottom mixed with a hint of tions around town, but this Gonzalez is on the hunt for “We really try to use this event to connect our female menus. pineapple glazed up top, and is the closet to the Modesto late night bites. students with role models,” said Bares. Conference participants will have the opportunity to mingle with women who are leaders in networking events, followed by guest speakers Dionne Stephens and Paige Telan. Registration is required, but it is free for students and UPCOMING eVENTS available throughout February. “I’ve been in the shoes of our students who are trying to navigate between who they are, what they want to become, and how to get there,” said Monique Catoggio, MONDAY TUESDAY director of Advancement, Alumni and Corporate Rela- 27 28 tions for the College of Business Administration. “Being a student and young professional today can be SPC PIT EVENT BSU IMPERSONATOR Funding Universi- “Yoga and Ayurve- both exhilarating and overwhelming. As such, I hope to WHEN: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. WHEN: 7 p.m. ty and Community da” impart upon all present my personal philosophy on lead- HOW MUCH: Free to WHERE: BBC WUC Partnerships to WHEN: 11 a.m.-12:30 ership—defining what it is, defining who we are as individuals, women, and leaders in our own right, and share a students Theatre Improve Popula- p.m. holistic leadership model that I feel speaks to everyone,” WHERE: MMC GC Pit tion Health HOW MUCH: Free and said Catoggio, also a keynote speaker. Graduate Student WHEN: 10:30 a.m.-12 open to the public While the conference is centered on women and lead- Graduate Student Scholarly Forum p.m. WHERE: MMC PC 428 ership, there is also much to be gained in practical areas. Resource Fair WHEN: 12-6 p.m. HOW MUCH: Free At the MMC event, there will be two concurrent panel WHEN: 12-2 p.m. WHERE: MMC GC 150 The Role of Sha- discussions both women and men can learn from by HOW MUCH: Free attending. HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: MMC GC riah in Middle WHERE: MMC GC President’s Coun- One will focus on competing in a tough economy, Ballrooms Eastern Coun- which will be hosted by Shawna McNair, associate Ballrooms cil New Member tries Post-Arab director for University Career Services. Orientation Spring “Women and the Radiohead Another, hosted by Heidi Von Harscher, director of WHEN: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. WHEN: 12-2 p.m. the College of Medicine, will focus on creating balance. Eternal Feminine” WHEN: 7:30 p.m. HOW MUCH: $45.00 to WHERE: MMC WHERE: Large Court- A third panel discussion will focus on how to diversify and “Offerings” Throughout Campus room investments, which will be hosted by Carolyn Runowicz, WHEN: Daily $69.00 executive associate dean for Academic Affairs at the HOW MUCH: Free WHERE: American College of Medicine. WHERE: Frost Art Airlines Arena to have your event “I was inspired by many testimonies, and felt moti- Museum vated to continue pursuing my dreams without giving featured email: up,” said Cinthya Salazar, a graduate assistant at the Women’s Center who attended the conference for the [email protected] first time last year. “I also realized that I may have more things in common with other women than I ever thought of, and that support is always available.” Contact Us Neda Ghomeshi Opinion Editor [email protected] OPINION The Beacon - 7 www.fiusm.com Monday, February 27, 2012 Santorum a viable candidate despite criticism joel delgado Middleton failed to mention that while Staff Writer Santorum does privately oppose the use of [email protected] birth control (I disagree with the senator on that point), he has said publicly time The merry-go-round of Republican It is this kind of dialogue, and time again that he will not try and ban candidates taking hold of the spotlight which takes place all across the political birth control if he were elected president. has been dizzying with nearly a dozen “Just because I’m talking about it different people holding front-runner spectrum, that stunts intelligent discussion doesn’t mean I want a government program status and nearly all of them falling from and debate on a number of topics that to fix it,” Santorum said in a primary that distinction nearly as quickly as they debate in Arizona on Feb. 22. have risen. our nation faces today. It is also unfortunate that Ms. Middleton Even so, the erratic ride may soon be would resort to name-calling in order to coming to a stop, and weary Republican make a point. voters may have found their man. It is this kind of dialogue, which takes Rick Santorum is the latest Repub- the womb in going out of his way to fight polls, both released on Feb. 22, show Pres- place all across the political spectrum, that lican to emerge as the “anybody-but-Mitt for funding to battle AIDs in Africa and ident Obama holding just a three percent stunts intelligent discussion and debate on Romney” candidate, and the timing of the leading the way in finding solutions to advantage (46-43 percent and 47-44 a number of topics that our nation faces “Santorum Surge” may just work to his poverty in this country, boldly walking out percent, respectively) over Santorum. today. advantage. his compassionate conservatism. All the trends are all pointing upward How do we go about getting the With the field rapidly thinning, conser- More intriguing is that Santorum’s for the former senator from Pennsyl- economy back on its feet? How do we vatives have very few others to look to, favorable rating among Republicans is vania, who has thus far ran a mostly begin to build strong families in America but they may not need to look any further. higher than the other candidates. positive campaign, steering clear of the again? How do we handle the threats that Santorum is possibly the best-equipped A recent ABC News poll showed mudslinging that has unfortunately marred face this country and its allies? These are potential nominee of the four remaining strong favoritism among conservatives the Republican primary. discussions that need to take place, with GOP candidates to unite the three key and Republicans and rising marks among OUT OF LINE civility, among all Americans. sectors of the Republican Party: Social a key bloc of voters in a general election: So maybe Ms. Middleton can take a conservatives, fiscal conservatives and Independents. The opinion piece written by Brooklyn page out of Santorum’s playbook and focus foreign policy conservatives. In a head-to-head matchup with Presi- Middleton that was published on Feb. 24, on the issues with conviction and respect He has the strongest record on dent Barack Obama, the latest polls show ripping the personal character of Santorum, instead of slapping labels on others. preserving the lives of the unborn, that it is almost a virtual dead-heat with was an unfortunate rant that exposed her Our political system would be better including constructing and advocating the Santorum. Momentum is on the senator’s own intolerance and disrespect for those for it. Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. side. who do not share her views. To read Brooklyn Middleton’s article, His “pro-life” label also extends beyond The latest Rasmussen and Quinnipiac In her hate-filled diatribe, Ms. please visit www.fiusm.com. Select sports teams losing points in student attendance eduardo almaguer Football came in second overall in the Sun Belt Conference up to a field that holds 3,000. That averages to about 18 percent Staff Writer when comparing percentages of home stadiums. FIU averaged attendance compared to a 24 percent conference average. [email protected] 18,700 fans in a stadium with a capacity of 23,000. Out of every The women’s basketball team this season has been even five seats, only one would be empty. worse. Late last year, FIU hosted the Sun Belt Volleyball Tournament Let us not forget that this is the team that showcases Jerica for the first time in a decade. Coley, the athlete that is number two in the nation in points per At the time, I was the team’s beat writer. The University had game, and a lock to be the SBC Player of the Year. just advanced to the semi-final round of the tournament for the The fact that not a How many fans occupy that 5,000-seat arena on average for third consecutive year, and its match against Western Kentucky their games? 423. For every 100 seats, only eight had a butt occu- was minutes away from starting. single other program can eclipse pying them. I gazed out onto the crowd and was shocked. The U.S. Century I’m neither blind nor disoriented. I know we live in Miami. I Bank Arena was barren. the 30 percent mark in attendance know that there are a lot of attractions that capture a college student’s The box score showed that 335 people attended that game, but is absolutely outrageous. attention instead of a women’s basketball game on a Saturday that number had to be skewed, unless they counted actual volley- evening. I know that the Sun Belt Conference isn’t something we balls as people. can go pounding our chest about when it comes to competitiveness. Here was one of the more successful programs in FIU about to I know that FIU, a commuter school, is less than 40 years old, still a take on the best team in the conference, and the arena wasn’t even ways away from being considered anything close to a dynasty. a tenth full. Now it’s time for the ugly stuff. But, I look at it from the athlete’s eyes. A showing of 335 people meant that for every six people, there FIU Baseball, the team that won 40 games in 2011, led the I’ve covered a few of them and not once have they complained were 94 empty seats. conference in almost every offensive category, made it to the about it, but I know deep down that it can’t be fun playing in front This attendance issue isn’t something relegated to the volleyball championship game in the SBC tournament, and returned to the of more plastic than flesh. team. It’s something that plagues just about every single FIU team, regionals, ranked seventh in the conference in home attendance. When you win a game, only a handful of people are there to see and it’s an absolute shame. Arguably the best team in the conference had a turn out rate of it, and when you lose the game, it scares off those that showed up I analyzed the home attendance records of the volleyball, foot- 29 percent. to begin with. ball, baseball, women’s soccer and women’s basketball team. Though the average attendance in the SBC for baseball was 39 It’s fantastic that the football program has seen such a boon to its Only football showed favorable attendance from FIU fans. The percent per home stadium, ULM, the worst team in baseball last attendance, but the fact that not a single other program can eclipse rest of the group had appalling numbers. season ranked third overall. the 30 percent mark in attendance is absolutely outrageous. Before I lambast the University’s student body, let me begin by The women’s soccer team, the squad that won the Sun Belt The FIU spirit is trapped in the Cage and it’s not getting out any applauding them. Conference Tournament had an average of less than 300 fans show time soon.

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Contact Us Jonathan Szydlo BBC Managing Editor [email protected] THE The Beacon – 8 t ay Monday, February 27, 2012 A www.fiusm.com B south beach food & wine festival Students get a taste of the industry at the Village Barbara corbellini duarte Sunny Anderson, Guy Fieri, Rachael Staff Writer Ray, and Geoffrey Zakarian among [email protected] others. Andrew Zimmern made the audi- As the palm leaves gently swayed ence laugh by even giving a piece against the sky, the Feb. 25 morning of his grilled octopus to one of the sun set upon the Whole Foods Market cameramen on the stage. Grand Tasting Village on what would “It must be horrible to be doing be a day filled with international sights close ups of food all day and not get a and tastes. bite,” Zimmern said. The tasting village was one of The dark cloud that loomed over the the premier events at this year’s afternoon shores of Miami propelled South Beach Wine and Food Festival attendees to try the specialties of the presented by FOOD & WINE and North and South Grand Tasting tents, host-sponsored by FIU. which were covered. Attendees walked along Ocean Wine tasting tents offered over 150 Drive towards the white sands of South wines from different parts of the world, Beach where tents were lined up. Barbara Corbellini Duarte/The Beacon including Spain, Austria, Germany, As entrance lines shrank, masses Pearl South Beach Restaurant and Champagne Lounge offered Peruvian dish, Pupoal Olivo to at- France, New Zealand, California, of people entered the village to try the tendants at the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village on Feb. 25. Chile, Argentine and Italy. festival’s selection of diverse options of Chef Gabriele Ferron, owner of a dishes and drinks, and one could hear between 150 and 200 FIU students sandwiches in the front of the tent. event planning,” Sandino said. rice company in Verone, Italy, worked excited exclamations such as, “This is were working on this event from a “We are loving it. We are loving the Tanya Srivinas, senior hospi- at the Tiramisu Restaurant tent. like Disney for adults.” variety of majors. crowd as well,” said Goncalves. tality major, working in the Fiji tent, Rickeeta Wax, hospitality grad- Attendants went through three The Chaplin School of Hospi- According to Nydia Sandino, senior is an opportunity to meet the industry uate student, who worked as a supply different pavilions that presented more tality and Management held a tent in hospitality major, working as restaurant greats. associate, reinforced the chance that than 30 options from different restau- the main pavilion of the event; their exhibitor assistant, over 3,000 people “You never get to meet the famous students have to make contacts at the rants offering food tastings, and over students were serving flanke stake and were expected to have walked through people,” she said. “I was at the airport. festival. 30 choices from wineries and wine coleslaw sandwiches. the village. I passed every single one of them, […] “I think this festival is important for makers from all around the globe. “It’s a lot of work but it’s fun,” “We assist every restaurant, every all the celebrities that you see on TV.” hospitality students of any type of busi- According to Manuel Cedeno, said Julie Goncalves, junior student of exhibitor. This is what I want to do A dozen chefs gave live culinary ness so they can know who is out there senior student of public relations, hospitality major, while placing some when I graduate. I want to work on demonstrations on site, including and network very easily.” Environment Joint conservation programs with Cuba to be discussed Eugenia Nikitina cate for the conservation The discussion will shed light on the significance dation, is a part of the Eat, several projects, which include: Contributing Writer of our ocean’s resources, is focus on the importance of of the resources shared by the Think, Be Merry Science Café Project of the Northwestern [email protected] scheduled to speak on Feb. 28 the decade long collabora- two countries. Lecture Series hosted by the Coast, Project: Garden of the at the Luna Star Café in North tion between the American The event, sponsored in School of Environment, Arts Queens, Sea Turtle Research Fernando Bretos, a marine Miami. The event begins at 7 and Cuban marine science part by a grant received from and Society. and Conservation Projects biologist and a strong advo- p.m. communities and how it has the National Science Foun- “The idea behind the and Trinational Initiative for ETBM Science Café is to Marine Research and Conser- create an informal dialogue vation in the Gulf of Mexico between scientists and the and Western Caribbean. community to encourage All aim to gain a better conversation and debate,” understanding of ocean said Elaine Pritzker, coor- resources, help conserve the dinator for SEAS. “Rather marine environment, and than the traditional academic establish long-term collabor- lecture, ETBM Science Café ative relationships between is a casual, interactive forum marine science communities. in which scientists share and Bretos has worked in discuss cutting-edge research Cuba for 14 years. According with members of the commu- to Breto, the biological, nity.” geographical, and cultural Bretos is a research asso- links between the US and ciate at The Ocean Foundation, Cuba unite the two countries which aims to build scientific more than they divide. collaboration between Cuba Bretos aims to engage and and the United States. inform the community about Most of the work is his work in hopes that they conducted in partnership with will understand the impor- the University of Havana’s tance of the marine resources, Center for Marine Research. which seem to be an under- “[The program] establishes valued resource in the eyes of enduring, locally-supported the public. marine research and conserva- “The embargo prevents a tion programs, contributes to lot of information exchange major advances in the scien- between the two countries,” tific understanding of Cuba’s said Breto. “While Science is natural resources, achieves an avenue of exchange that meaningful, long-lasting is permitted by the US and conservation for Cuba’s Cuba, we need to expand our marine ecosystems, and in the contact with Cuba in order to process, helps build capacity share important conservation for Cuba’s marine scientists,” tools and lessons and more Bretos said. effectively manage our shared The Ocean Foundation has marine resources.”