The Beacon, January 12, 2015 Florida International University

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This work is brought to you for free and open access by the Special Collections and University Archives at FIU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The aP nther Press (formerly The Beacon) by an authorized administrator of FIU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University One copy per person. Additional copies are 25 cents. Vol. 26 Issue 49 fiusm.com Monday, January 12, 2015 FIU alumni celebrate in matrimony ruling for legal same-sex marriage

AMANDA RABINES difficult to do otherwise.” Multicultural Programs and to LGBTQA initiatives, such sign that read: “IT’S TIME FOR Staff Writer In 2008, Florida passed a Services at FIU. “We [LGBTQA] as promptly supporting and MARRIAGE IN FLORIDA.” [email protected] constitutional gay marriage ban knew it was a matter of time preparing for the ruling on Jan. 5. To be involved with FIU with the support of 62 percent before the Florida ban was It was that afternoon, Pareto LGBTQA visit their “Welcome FIU alumni and former student of voters. Nearly seven years overturned.” and Arguello became the first Reception,” in MMC Jan. 14, in editor for The Beacon, Andrea later, same-sex couples are Two FIU alums from the same-sex couple married in GC 243, from 4-6 p.m., or Jan. Vigil and her partner Rebekah able to marry in 36 states and LGBTQA community, Cathy Florida. 15, at BBC, WUC 157, from 12-2 Monson always considered Washington D.C., now including Pareto and Karla Arguello, agree. Miami-Dade Circuit Judge, p.m. Florida to be their home. Florida. Last fall, the couple of 14 Sarah Zabel, wedded the couple It was where they met almost “It’s a wonderful experience years were guest speakers during and after the ceremony they nine years ago at the Sun Sentinel to finally be able to have my National Coming Out Day at stood outside in their cream and it is where they knew they relationship with this person be FIU, and have been committed colored dresses and held a green wanted to get married. recognized by everyone,” Vigil “We’ve never wanted to go said. “We thought it was going somewhere else to do it, we to take many more years for it to wanted to wait until it was legal happen.” in Florida,” said Vigil, who For years, South Florida gay graduated in 2013 with a degree rights advocates groups like in Liberal Studies after taking a SAVE, have been fighting for hiatus from school to focus on equal rights, including rights to work. “This is our town; it doesn’t the same marriage benefits given make sense to go elsewhere.” to hetero-sexual couples. After same-sex marriage Now, since the ruling in became legal in Florida on Jan. Florida, LGBT couples may 6, the couple joined other eager- qualify for state’s coverage for to-marry lesbian, gay, bi-sexual health insurance and retirement and transgendered couples benefits. in a marriage license bureau Last week, FIU‘s Division downtown, at midnight, to tie the of Human Resources notified knot. FIU employees that the Division The couple flew in Monson’s of State Group Insurance mother from Alabama, filled out (DSGI) will recognize any legal marriage license forms and were marriages as of Jan 6, and will married by an efficient, an hour open a chance to apply for state’s and a half later. benefits programs and family “It’s nice to have it be plans through Friday, March 6, recognized legally,” Vigil 2015. said. “You know, if god forbid “I’m glad to see FIU’s HR Photo Courtesy of Bruce Pinchbeck. something happened to Rebekah, moving forward,” said Gisela FIU alum Andrea Vigil(left) and partner Rebekah Monson(right) celebrate in matrimony Florida I want to be by her bedside in a P. Vega, Associate Director overturning gay marriage ban. hospital, which would have been for LGBTQA Initiatives and “Argosy” sculpture to be returned after renovations

REBECA PICCARDO Marty’s Cube, however, had been donated Staff Writer to the school around 2009 and the [email protected] University chose to return it after housing it for 16 years. The traffic circle at the 16th Street In May, President Mark B. Rosenberg entrance of the made the decision University was to return the cube to blocked off Martin Margulies as Saturday, Dec. a safety measure. 20 by a crane Hinds said back that lifted the red Universities make budgetary in May that over towering sculpture decisions. a period of time that is placed Katherine Hinds outdoor sculptures there, similar to Curator tend to have how Marty’s Cube Margulies Collection maintenance needs. was lifted from “Universities its spot in front of make budgetary Deuxieme Maison decisions,” said in May. Hinds, who was glad The sculpture, that the University owned by the same collector that retrieved gave her the opportunity to take back the the 15-foot spinning cube, was returned once cube to renovate it and bring it back to the base of the sculpture was renovated. top-notch conditions. The Margulies Collection curator, After receiving renovations, the cube Katherine Hinds, said the University will not return to FIU. informed her that “Argosy,” a sculpture “We will then decide where to re-donate by Alexander Liberman, would undergo the work,” said Hinds. renovations in December. Hinds said the cube will be donated to The sculpture is part of the Margulies and maintained by another educational

Collection and on loan to the University. institution in Florida. Maria Soledad Lorenzino/The Beacon a sculpture by Alexander Liberman, is lifted and removed to allow renovations “Argosy,” of the base. The sculpture will returnto the University once renovations have been completed. 2 The Beacon – Monday, January 12, 2015 NEWS fiusm.com NATION & WORLD Women are at forefront of BRIEFS

2 hostage dramas unfolding as China’s anti-smoking crusade French police close on terror suspects TNS STAFF researcher Cheng Li said frowning on women who smoking-related diseases French security forces were locked in standoffs Yang “has played a crucial smoked. According to and other preventable Friday with two sets of hostage takers who appear Nearly every day in role in China’s anti-smoking Carol Benedict’s book illnesses while attending to be part of a single terror cell responsible for the China, women go to work campaign,” particularly by “Golden-Silk Smoke: medical school in Chengdu murders of 12 people at the offices of a satirical Paris newspaper. in smoke-filled offices, co-authoring an influential A History of Tobacco in the early 1980s. Early in The first case was unfolding at what was described exposed to the fumes of 2011 report that documented in China, 1550-2010,” her career, she studied at as the offices of a business not far from Paris’ Charles cigarettes smoked mainly the health effects. society started to describe Harvard School of Public de Gaulle Airport, where the men, believed to be Said by male colleagues. After Other top anti-smoking female smokers as “modern Health and worked on and Cherif Kouachi, had taken a hostage and had told work is over, many go home advocates include Wu women,” a label also given health projects for the World authorities they were “willing to dies as martyrs.” to breathe secondhand Yiqun, the founder of the to the promiscuous and Bank and the World Health As police surrounded that site, a third and possibly smoke created by husbands ThinkTank Research Center unpatriotic. Organization. Because of a fourth suspect – believed to have killed a police or other family members. for Health Development, As a result, women her WHO experience, she woman Thursday morning in a Paris suburb – appar- China is known as the and Xu Guihua, vice chair quit smoking, even as became part of the Chinese ently took five hostages at a Kosher grocery store on Smoking Dragon, but its and secretary-general of Chinese leaders such Mao delegation that worked on the eastern side of the city. addiction to tobacco isn’t the Chinese Association on Zedong and Deng Xiaoping the Framework Convention Television reports showed anti-terror police franti- cally moving into position at both standoffs. shared between the sexes. Tobacco Control. smoked openly in public, on Tobacco Control, which Police had initially said that the Wednesday attack According to the most Angela Pratt, who encouraging the habit China ratified in 2005. on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper was carried out recent national survey, leads the World Health among men. China’s signing of by three people. But authorities had focused on the 288 million men smoked Organization’s anti- Today, China is the that treaty was a triumph Kouachi brothers alone after an 18-year-old initially regularly in China in 2010, smoking efforts in China, world’s biggest consumer of for the global tobacco- identified as a suspect was found to have been in compared with 13 million said Yang, Wu and Xu tobacco. It’s also the largest control movement, but school during the Wednesday shootings. women. had played crucial roles in manufacturer, producing expectations quickly But on Friday, authorities said the Charlie Hebdo Lately, the women are elevating the issue. more than 2.3 trillion diminished. Smoking has killings were linked to Thursday’s shooting of the striking back. Last fall, “These people have been cigarettes yearly, nearly half remained common in public police woman in Montrouge in southern Paris and China’s State Council the driving force of tobacco the world’s total. Unlike in places across the country, asked the public for information on the whereabouts proposed the nation’s control for a long time,” she the United States, private particularly in rural areas, of two people – a man and a woman – suspected in the case. The man was reported to have been dressed toughest restrictions yet said. companies such as Philip where half of the population similarly to the assailants at the newspaper office. on indoor smoking and the As Pratt noted, the battle Morris do not dominate the lives. Large numbers of A few hours later, Paris authorities said the male marketing of tobacco. The is far from won. Although market. Instead, the China doctors in China smoke. It suspect in the Montrouge case had taken hostages announcement was a major smoking rates have declined National Tobacco Corp. _ wasn’t until 2010 that the at the grocery, which is located in Paris’s 12th victory for China’s tobacco- in recent years, more an arm of the State Tobacco Health Ministry banned Arrondissement. The French Interior Ministry later control movement, which than half of Chinese men Monopoly Administration smoking in its own building. identified the Montrouge shooter as the likely third includes several women smoke regularly, according _ controls nearly all the In recent years, attitudes gunman in the Charlie Hebdo killings. who’ve been on the front to the WHO. Some 700 cigarette brands sold. toward smoking have French news reports said the suspect at the lines for decades. million Chinese _ twice the That puts the Chinese started to shift. Top leaders grocery store had told police “You know who I am, “This is a very important population of the United government in an unusual of China’s Communist I won’t release these hostages until you end the siege step,” said Yang Gonghuan, States _ are routinely dual role: One arm of the Party are either nonsmokers up north,” apparently referring to the standoff with the Kouachi brothers. an epidemiologist who’s exposed to secondhand government, the Health or are careful not to be Authorities identified the suspect as Amedy Couli- been documenting tobacco’s smoke, which kills an Ministry, tries to restrict spotted lighting up in baly, who was born in 1982, and said he was an asso- toll on Chinese public estimated 100,000 people tobacco use and warn of public. Late in 2013, the ciate of the Kouachi brothers. health since the 1980s. “It annually. its dangers, while other party banned government is very difficult to push for It isn’t entirely clear why government agencies benefit officials from smoking in TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE these kinds of changes on so many women are driving from tobacco’s profits public or giving cigarettes “flower-10082807” by Alexander, via Creative Commons a national level. ... It has China’s tobacco-control and tax revenues, which as gifts. Individual cities taken many, many years.” movement, but cloud-filled totaled nearly $120 billion have enacted their own Although China is rooms may be a factor. in 2012, about 6 percent of restrictions on tobacco. CLASSIFIEDS known for its smog “The issue of secondhand government revenues. The draft regulations and other environment exposure is a big issue for “This is why tobacco unveiled in November, ROOM FOR RENT problems, no public health women,” Pratt said. Many control in China happens if enacted and enforced, SW 19 St./97 Ave. 5 minutes from FIU MMC campus. Full private issue poses more of a threat are increasingly aware of so slowly,” said Yang, would take China into bathroom, microwave, refrigerator, private entrance and parking, than tobacco. An estimated the potential health impacts a professor of medicine another realm. The proposed cable/internet/utilities. Rent negotiable. 1 million Chinese die each on children. who directs the Burden rules would ban indoor For more information call 786-879-4004. year from lung cancer and Chinese have smoked of Disease Research and smoking and make private other smoking-related tobacco for centuries, Dissemination Center in businesses responsible for diseases. and up until the early Beijing. “The tobacco enforcing the ban, subject to China’s anti-smoking 1900s women regularly industry is very powerful.” fines if they don’t. It would movement includes many could be seen with men Yang, who formerly further limit the marketing prominent men. Former puffing on pipes. But with worked in China’s version of of tobacco in China and NBA center Yao Ming and the advent of cigarettes, the U.S. Centers for Disease require larger warning other celebrities have lent Chinese intellectuals and Control and Prevention, labels on cigarette packs. their names to the cause. foreign missionaries started became interested in EDITORIAL BOARD CONTACT INFORMATION An activist named Li Enze Editor in Chief Modesto Maidique Campus: filed a lawsuit in 2013 GC 210, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:30 PM Junette Reyes against China’s tobacco (305) 348-2709 monopoly, alleging that it [email protected] BBC Managing Editor had fraudulently marketed Camila Fernandez Biscayne Bay Campus a low-tar cigarette brand WUC 124, Mon-Fri 9:00 AM-4:30 PM Production Manager/ (305) 919-4722 called Black Tiger. Copy Chief [email protected] Yet in government and Rhys Williams among tobacco-control Editor-in-Chief: groups, women are leading News Director (305) 348-1580 [email protected] the charge. China’s health Sofia Galiano commissioner, Li Bin, has Advertising: been outspoken in seeking Entertainment Director (305) 348-6994 [email protected] a national indoor-smoking Amanda Rabines ban. Li sits on the State The Beacon is published on Mondays, Council, a top-level panel Sports Director Wednesdays and Fridays during the Fall that drafted the restrictions Jorge Corrales and Spring semesters and once a week during Summer B. One copy per person. unveiled in November. Opinion Director Additional copies are 25 cents. The Beacon Two of her key deputies are is not responsible for the content of ads. tephanie iedrahita women. S P Ad content is the sole responsibility of the company or vendor. The Beacon is an Among academics, Yang Photo Editor editorially independent newspaper partially is known for her extensive

Maria Lorenzino funded by student and services fees that are research into tobacco appropriated by Student Government. use and disease trends. Brookings Institution Contact Us Stephanie Piedrahita Opinion Director [email protected] OPINION The Beacon – 3 fiusm.com Monday, January 12, 2015 Human development Think gun disturbing natural adaption reform not BRYAN PALACIOS like the rest of the plants are. Contributing Writer If plants were to move at the necessary rate and the [email protected] treeline moved up with them, there could be a 20% increase control in their numbers. But that isn’t happening. Instead, the I attended an extremely interesting seminar last semester treeline hasn’t moved in 40 years. ALAN DI DIEGO covering the effects of climate change (formally known as Why? Simply put, humans. Contributing Writer global warming) on the rainforest in South America. It was As we love to do in our existence we are manipulating [email protected] by one of our biology professors Dr. Ken Feeley who also our environment for our needs. And although I am not runs a program that takes students to the rainforest to do going to say the plight of the locals is less important, it is 3 years ago, Jared Bretherick was cruising in a car with field research. having a dramatic effect on the local plant species. his family close to Orlando when another vehicle, steered According to Dr. Feeley, the Earth is heating quickly, At the current rate, if the treeline doesn’t move and by Derek Dunning, nearly sideswiped their car. even quicker than originally expected. By 2100 the average upward migration continues at its current rate, we will see A brief confrontation ensued, during which Bretherick’s global temperature may be as much as three degrees hotter. a loss of 42% of the plant species in the rainforest. With father dialed 911 and unveiled a holstered weapon. Dunning Three degrees is the difference between the average global there being about 2,500 species accounted for, that would got back inside his car and began backing it up toward the temperature now and the last ice age. Six degrees would be a significant loss. And that’s not taking into account Brethericks. When officers arrived at the scene, Bretherick wipe out humans completely. deforestation which sees thousands of trees being cut was aiming his father’s gun at Dunning’s vehicle. He was How is the rainforest reacting? Not quickly enough. down every day. detained, arrested and charged with aggravated assault. The majority of species are not able to deal with the hotter What can we do? Generally, not much. Manual migra- In Bretherick’s first court hearing, he pursued legal climate and there’s not enough time to change their genetic tion would be too difficult and slightly unethical. Our best immunity under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. makeup, so options are slim. plan would be to stop getting in nature’s way and allow it The statute, which attracted national attention following With temperatures rising, plant species are migrating up to do what it does best. the Trayvon Martin case, protects individuals who use in elevation, called upward species migration, in attempt to We must understand we are seeing a global shift at a rate weapons in self-defense. save themselves. But the rate just isn’t fast enough. that has never been seen. But just as the Earth has done for Bretherick’s request for immunity was turned down, Plants (mainly trees) are climbing at a rate less than half millions of years, it will develop a new look. Temperatures but several protests and many months later, he was able to of what is necessary. And that’s not the only problem. will fluctuate throughout the world and weather patterns appeal his case all the way to the Florida Supreme Court. Although space on the Andes Mountain is more plen- will change. Animals and plants will become extinct and If the Court ruling is in Bretherick’s favor, those who tiful at higher elevations than lower, due to the shape more adaptive and better-suited species will take their own guns would no longer be required to prove that they encompassing more plateaus and less peaks, the treeline place. were acting in self-defense when using their weapons in (cutoff where trees don’t grow higher) is not moving up The real question is, will humans be one of them? rough confrontations. Rather, prosecutors would have to prove that the person did not act in self-defense, an incredibly difficult burden of proof. There are no signs that Bretherick’s life was in jeopardy, in spite of the fact that he claimed Dunning said he had a Free love comes at a price gun, the sole weapon found at the scene was the one in Bretherick’s hand. Luckily, he never fired his firearm, although it is very AMID BENNAIM through the hoops for a woman. A cynic a good woman can easily fall short. On top likely that he could have if it weren’t that officers arrived Staff Writer might believe this to be a sort of folly of of this, a man can take his time to look for when they did. [email protected] men, but in reality it is the new field that the the right partner because he can reproduce The plain fact that this case has standing in a court of game is being played in. If one is stranded and have a family until a much later age. law shows how far off track our state’s gun policy has It used to be that a man had to pick up on a deserted island, slowly dehydrating, Not only can he look for longer, but he developed. At any opportunity, judges and NRA lobbyists his date at her parents house, get to meet he would likely go for the lowest hanging can look for younger women that have the support and urge loosening Florida’s gun restrictions the family and probably go through some coconut, the one that is easiest to acquire. qualities that he wants in a wife. While an which can clearly lead to an increase in unneeded violent sort of awkward experience. The woman The problem is that women are at a disad- older woman can also look for a younger confrontations. would usually wait for marriage before vantage in this game. man, she still has to marry at a relatively Of course, as citizens and as students, we should have sex, except for the lucky guys who got When it comes down to it, very few young age if she wants to bear more than the right to adequately protect ourselves and our families some action after becoming committed to men want to marry the lowest hanging one child. and friends when their lives are in danger. However, firing a relationship with her. Then came birth fruit. The men that do are likely low While this is the current state of a firearm is a serious matter. Those who participate in such control and free love. Once millions of hanging fruits themselves. Perhaps, as a affairs, it is not something that is written an act should have to justify their actions if there is doubt women began having casual sex, every- throwback to how things used to be, men in stone. Looking further into the past, about whether they were warranted or not. thing changed and eventually free love value women that are not easily acces- men arranged marriages for women, so All this spawns a million questions, like whether or became a tool for women to emancipate sible. This means that men wouldn’t likely the situation of a man having the power to not guns should be allowed on college campuses, or if we themselves from the chains of old customs marry a girl who has had many partners in chose his wife as opposed to the vice versa should reconsider the 2nd amendment altogether. Many and to help raise their status to men’s the past. While many women hate to hear is more old than new (which is ironic). believe the 55 percent of students who carry a weapon equal. this, women also have a shorter biolog- That being said, it is sad. As a man, I feel have no bad intentions; they simply need their gun for Ironically, this tool of emancipation ical clock than men. What that means is great sorrow for the loss of chivalry. It protection against the occasional parking spot savage. But has taken something very important away that women have less of a time to exper- has now become common for men not to the other 45 percent is what should worry all students of from women. iment with free love than men, and once behave like a gentleman and to be disre- FIU as well as our elected politicians. Besides the obvious problems of STDs they are ready to settle down they have spectful to women. Just 2 months ago an FIU officer lost his temper and and teenage mothers, there was a change a shorter time to find a partner to raise a The future is still a mystery. Perhaps fired his gun inside a police facility on Biscayne Bay in the dynamic of the relationship between family with. one day, society will not look down upon Campus. Many students may not grasp the severity of this men and women. Before the era of free What the big picture shows is that now women who have had active sexual lives. kind of topic, but when we wake up and news headlines love, men courted women. They were it’s the men who have the power when it There could also be further advances in read “High School Shooting in Ohio” or “3 Killed, 2 willing to go through the awkward family comes to choosing a partner. While it might medicine that would allow women to Injured At Local College”, we have to realize that this is visit, to wait for sex, to be gentlemanly, be unfair, society puts a higher value on have children at a later age and destroy the happening and it’s terrifying. and to do anything that they needed to win women’s prudeness than that of men. As biological clock. In the short term, both Luckily, our campus’ police department is always over the heart of the woman that he liked, long as men are not hurt by sexual expe- men and women should be more selective, working to ensure our overall safety, but as students we but no more. rience, they get to judge women using a because one-night-stands and friends with should push for gun reform not just for our state and for Now that sex is free, it has become different system than women use on them. benefits are a sign of short-sightedness the safety of our friends and family, but for our country very rare to find a man that is willing to go Since the society values prudeness greatly, and do little to help us develop as people. and for all Americans.

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Have something on your mind? Send your thoughts (400 words maximum) to The opinions presented within this page do not represent the views of The Editorials are the unified voice of the editorial board, which is composed [email protected] or drop by our offices at either GC 210 or WUC 124. With Beacon Editorial Board. These views are separate from of the editor in chief, management, and the editors of each of the five your letter, be sure to include your name, major, year, and copy of your editorials and reflect individual perspectives of contributing sections. The Beacon welcomes any letters regarding or in response to its student ID. The Beacon will only run one letter a month from any individual. writers and/or members of the University community. editorials. Send them to [email protected]. Contact Us Amanda Rabines Entertainment Director [email protected] LIFE! The Beacon – 4 fiusm.com Monday, January 12, 2015 Recapping the biggest trends of 2014 CHRISTIAN PORTILLA someone else to do it within 24 hours. If the Ferguson and police brutality were hot ulously handsome frown and satirical grumpy Contributing Writer person declined, they had to make a donation to button topics in 2014. Protests and riots blazed jokes. [email protected] the site. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that in the streets of Missouri with people fired up Pretty sure almost every crazy cat-lady out affects that neurons by destroying their structure against police officers use of excessive force there did a happy dance when they saw how Some of us have already taken down and/or function. It is because of this challenge against civilians; predominantly African-Amer- popular cats became. It’s a “boo-yah” and “told- the Christmas lights, unassembled the fake that 18.5 million dollars were raised and will be ican men. Beginning with the death of Trayvon you-so” to anyone that once opposed and just Christmas tree, freaked out about our credit card allocated directly toward the advancement of Martin which sparked controversy against the goes to show that these crazy ladies are light- statements and gained a few pounds from the ALS research, according the ALS association. Florida “stand-your-ground” law. years ahead of all of us. Christmas dinner leftovers. Hipsters - Either you love them or you The deaths of other black men such as EBOLA is a rare and deadly disease caused The nostalgia is slowly wearing off and hate them, or you’re in denial that you are Michael Brown and Eric Garner and Hispanic by infection with a strain of Ebola virus. The the new years resolutions are in full effect. one - hipsters are here to stay. An easy way to Israel Hernandez who died after being tasered 2014 Ebola epidemic affected multiple coun- However, before we close the chapter on 2014, spot most hipster guys are by their handlebar by Miami Beach Police, have brought forward tries in West Africa and spread to the United below are a few trends and happenings that mustaches or beards, a pompadour haircut and talks about the use of body cameras on police States via travel from people who had returned made it memorable. tattoos. Most hipster girls wear a black hat that officers for the protection of everyone involved. from visiting countries where the disease had Although Brazil left the World Cup early make them look like cute pilgrims and they Cats have slowly made their epic comeback spread. like Cinderella at midnight, they made it far can usually be spotted in their natural habitat but it had been a while since we had seen the Thomas Eric Duncan was the first to be enough to give the locals something to talk - Wynwood. furry felines become popularized like the Hello diagnosed in America after touring Liberia. about. The fever was enough to make LeBron One thing is for sure - they mostly have great Kitty frenzy back in the 90s. Anywhere from According to the Centers for Disease Control James tweet about his favorite Colombian taste in music and their Spotify playlists consist t-shirts, socks, gifs and sweaters, they had cats and Prevention over 8000 people have died player James Rodriguez (pronounced Ha-mez) of artists with less than 400 followers. What’s all over them. There is even a trendy character from the disease, but first trials of an Ebola and make everyone jump on the soccer band more hipster than that? by the name of Grumpy Cat - who has a ridic- vaccine have began. wagon. People who never cared about the sport were decked out in jerseys of their favorite team and filling up local bars as if it was the Heat play-offs. The Ice Bucket Challenge- raised about 115 million dollars for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease,” and raised many more goosebumps. The challenge required anyone being “challenged” to drop a bucket of ice cold water over themselves while being recorded. The catch - challenging

Maria Soledad Lorenzino /The Beacon Margarita Rentis /The Beacon LEFT: Brazilian soccer star Neymar Jr. smiles with teammates during a practice at the FIU soccer stadium. Neymar Jr.’s spine was fractured during Brazil’s game against Colombia and Brazil was eliminated from the World Cup after a 0-7 loss to Germany. RIGHT: Oliver Garcia (right) a freshman studying mechanical engineering and Brian Garcia (left) a freshman, studying Biology, participate in the ALS ice bucket challenge in September 2014 with pre-med and pre-health club members. Humor, action make ‘Commando’ ‘enjoyable’

CULT CLASSICS A macho action film, with its tongue A big part of what makes “Commando” so enjoyable as the music is concerned. It all comes together real well firmly in cheek, “Commando” is a cult is the humor, which sometimes comes off as bordering on to give off a pretty serious vibe, which never goes against classic starring Arnold Schwarzenegger parody. Still, the action is excellent and reaches ridicu- the film’s sense of fun. as John Matrix, a man who must rescue lous upon ridiculous extremes during the climax. It’s a thoroughly enjoyable film overall, never having his daughter by any means necessary. The acting by the supporting cast is good too, even dull moments and being entertaining throughout. The After a group of men kill men from though this is clearly Arnold’s show. My only complaint script includes fun lines and memorable characters, and his former unit, they go after him and with this whole movie is the casting of Rae Dawn Chong over the top action that seems to be aware that it’s over take his daughter hostage and threaten as Cindy, a woman who gets involved with Matrix on his the top. RAFAEL ABREU to kill her unless he does what they ask. quest. She just comes off as annoying, but becomes less Fans of Arnold Schwarzenegger have no doubt already Needless to say, they messed with the so near the end of the film, where she actually proves to seen this film, but anyone who’s a fan of these types of wrong muscular tough guy. be useful. films should check it out if they haven’t already. Arnold At the forefront is the action, which there is more than The film’s plot is kept at a bare minimum, and this is alone would be the main reason to recommend this film, plenty of. There’s explosions, car chases and more explo- pretty good, since the movie’s only goal is to be nothing since it’s a prime example of him at his best. It’s also sions, featuring excellent one liners from Arnold himself. but action. wickedly funny. The film has a sense of humor, and it’s never lacking The film’s score, by James Horner, is notable for not in the character of Matrix, a man who only has one goal only selling out during its release, but for combining steel [email protected] in sight and will absolutely achieve it. drums, giving the film an interesting atmosphere, as far fiusm.com LIFE! The Beacon – Monday, January 12, 2015 5 Christmas is the new April Fools as rapper Hopsin pranks fans, announces album COLUMNIST Hip-hop artist Hopsin As his exit from Ruthless became inev- his own listeners to take responsibility All this brings us back to the publicity announced on all his itable in 2009, he co-founded an indepen- for and change their destructive habits? stunt Hopsin pulled off this Christmas. social media accounts dent label (Funk Volume) and got to work. Check, yet again. Due to his personality and especially that he was disillusioned Slowly, he began to generate a buzz By the end of 2012, it was clear that because he bailed on a show, this hoax he with the rap industry, nationally. He released an album (Raw) Hopsin had both established a dedicated pulled was very believable. permanently ending his in 2010, but rather predictably this effort and sizable fanbase and cemented a place This will be taken by many as another career, and moving to was ignored. for himself in hip-hop. sign of his childishness. Others will simply ANGELO Australia on Wednesday, It was the success of his singles released However, his track record as an artist be relieved that Hopsin will continue to LOPEZ Dec. 17 of this past year. on YouTube that carved him a permanent contains too many flaws for a talent of his work on his craft. Eight days later, on place on the independent hip-hop scene. caliber. No album he has ever released has In the end, Hopsin’s antics are just a Christmas Day, he posted a video on The singles, “Sag My Pants” and the been anywhere north of mediocre in terms distraction to what’s important -- the YouTube revealing that it was all hoax Ill Mind series (“Ill Mind of Hopsin” 3, of quality. On his most recent release, music. and that he was releasing an album, Pound 4, and 5), have amassed a combined tens Knock Madness, he spends an insuffer- Should he continue to churn out subpar Syndrome, sometime this upcoming year. of millions of views with the formula able amount of time complaining about albums, there’s a very real danger that the Hopsin, a native of Los Angeles, of excellent rhyming quality, comical the issues in his life. sizable fanbase he has built will begin to started his career in hip-hop as a signee of one-liners, and a keenness for exploring Then there are the antics. He skipped dissipate. Make the albums he’s capable of Ruthless Records back in 2007. His career subject matters that are taboo to main- out on a show in Fort Collins, Colorado, in making, and establish he leaves no doubt stalled there, a fact he mentions in many stream hip-hop. which he was slated to perform in January as to his credibility as an artist. of his songs, while flaunting his rabid Bragging about being broke with no of last year. hatred for his old record label. girlfriend? Check. Mocking the biggest Many can’t get past the fact that he [email protected] This setback, painful as it must have names in the industry (e.g. Drake, Lil’ wears white contacts in his videos, and been, was the catalyst for the bigger and Wayne, Tyler the Creator, and many many others complain that he appeals too better things he has achieved in his career. others)? Check. Calling out and imploring heavily to skateboarders. CALENDAR OF EVENTS MONDAY, JAN. 12 TUESDAY, JAN. 13 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 FRIDAY, JAN. 16 SATURDAY, JAN. 17

CLASSES BEGIN SGA DECLASSIFIED: FIU LGBTQA WELCOME WELCOME BACK BLOCK MLK DAY OF SERVICE- WHAT I WISH I KNEW- RECEPTION PARTY WHEN: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. WHEN: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. WHEN: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. WHEN: 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. WHERE: MLK Park WHERE: GC 243 WHERE: GC 243 WHERE: Housing Quad Contact Us Jorge Corrales Sports Director [email protected] SPORTS The Beacon – 6 fiusm.com Monday, January 12, 2015

FOOTBALL University to host Youth Football Championship for next six years DAVID DRUCKER Contributing Writer “The Orange Bowl has made a significant [email protected] impact on youth sports across the South Florida community over the past 15 years,” FIU Via a press release, The University has Executive Director of Sports and Entertainment announced a six-year partnership with the Pete Garcia said. “It’s great to be a part of that Orange Bowl Committee for the use of impact as the host site for the youth football Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium for the championships over the next six years. Having Orange Bowl Youth Football Championships hosted the event in the past, Ocean Bank Field presented by Sports Authority. at FIU Stadium is a perfect venue to showcase “We are very pleased to continue some of the area’s top young talent.” playing the Orange Bowl Youth Football The Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance League Championships presented by Sports (Orange Bowl YFA) includes over four Authority at FIU,” Orange Bowl Committee competitive leagues and six recreational Chief Executive Officer Eric Poms said. “It’s leagues. In the recreational leagues, all children exciting for the youth of South Florida to have are given the opportunity to play football the experience of playing in an FBS Stadium as long as they live in South Florida. The such as Ocean Bank Field at FIU Stadium.” competitive leagues give young athletes a The partnership began with this season’s chance to compete at a high level and network. two-day championships on Saturday, Dec. Some of these players go on to have successful 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14. The competition careers in football, such as New York Jets invites the champions of the organization’s quarterback and former Orange Bowl YFA

Krono Lescano/The Beacon different football leagues from around South participant Geno Smith. Now, rising athletes A WCFL All-Stars running back breaks through the Key West All Stars defense at the Florida to play against one another and crown from Lake Okeechobee to Key West will have Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance Championships on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. an ultimate winner in eight different weight the opportunity to play in a Division I facility classes. before they enroll at a university. ATHLETICS Panthers agree to new deal with Adidas DAVID DRUCKER Contributing Writer athletic department,” Director of Team Sports will be awarded if a coach wins “Conference a new contract from Adidas in 2015; the [email protected] for Adidas America Mark Daniels said. “At Coach of the Year” in any of the five sports. University of Miami also agreed to a long- Adidas, we’re all about helping athletes “We are pleased to announce that the FIU term deal with the Oregon-based company. perform better. We’re looking forward to Athletic Department will be outfitted in Adidas The Hurricanes’ agreement is good for 12 FIU’s athletic department has agreed to driving this mission through our partnership for the next five years,” Executive Director years and an undisclosed amount of money, a five-year, 2.6 million dollar contract with with the Panthers over the next five years.” of Sports & Entertainment Pete Garcia said. although the Associated Press reports that it Adidas for the outfitting of its 18 sports Every Division I program at the university “Adidas is a brand that is recognized globally. will be worth “multiple” times as much as the teams. The deal is worth twice as much as will continue to be exclusively outfitted by We want to thank Adidas for stepping up its university’s last contract with Nike. the previous agreement with the company Adidas. The company has been sponsoring efforts as this deal doubles the value of the Now that Adidas is also working with the and will extend into 2019 with two one-year athletic wear for the Panthers since July 1, previous one. Their commitment and level Hurricanes, who had been partnered with Nike extension options. 2005. investment in the FIU Athletic Department for the past 27 years, the company will outfit “We’re excited to continue delivering our The new contract also includes bonuses for has been tremendous and we look forward to both Division I Miami-Dade football teams best and most innovative footwear, apparel and achievement in football, men’s and women’s many more years of success with them.” for the first time in company history. uniforms to Florida International University’s basketball, baseball and softball. A bonus FIU was not the only school to receive FOOTBALL Conference USA has strong showing in bowl games

JORGE CORRALES University and University of Illinois University. The Although C-USA is not Sports Director Texas at El Paso combined C-USA champs thrashed listed as one of the “power [email protected] for a 4-1 record in their the Huskies with a score five” conferences, C-USA bowl games. This included of 52-23. For much of the teams have fared well The Panthers did not go two wins against the regular season, Marshall recently. Over the last “bowling” this year, but that Mid-American Conference, was regarded as one of the four years, C-USA is 15-6 did not stop their conference a win against the Big Ten top 25 teams in the nation. in bowl games. In this mates from putting on a Conference and a split The Thundering Herd day and age, conference show. Of the twelve teams in against the Mountain West started the year 11-0, their strength is a huge factor Conference USA, five were Conference. The only slip first and only loss coming in in determining strength selected to represent the came in a 21-6 UTEP loss to a 67-66 overtime shootout of schedule. C-USA’s conference in post-season Utah State University. against Western Kentucky. exceptional post-season bowl games. Marshall The biggest win for Marshall defeated FIU performance gives University, Rice University, the conference was 45-13 at Ocean Bank Field hope for the rise of the Western Kentucky Marshall’s domination of at FIU Stadium on Monday, conference. University, Louisiana Tech MAC champion Northern Oct. 13.

love to write? enjoy taking photos? grammar enthusiast? design savvy? Join The Beacon! Pick up an application at MMC, GC 210 or BBC, WUC 124 or online at fiusm.com. fiusm.com ADVERTISEMENT The Beacon – Monday, January 12, 2015 7 Contact Us Camila Fernandez BBC Managing Editor [email protected] THE The Beacon – 8 t ay Monday, January 12, 2015 A fiusm.com B BBC students bring FIU Panther spirit

COLUMNIST As we wave goodbye Rather than walking through MMC’s rigorous and exciting academic experience. I to last year’s memories, Graham Center, the heart of the campus, I look forward to meeting the youngsters who we welcome in 2015 with choose to lay underneath a palm tree and are undoubtedly benefiting from university excitement and pride to read whatever my next assignment may be. professors and activities. be FIU Panthers. There As a journalism student, I’ve been given the Along with the MAST @ FIU students, is a lot to look forward to opportunity to broaden my horizons and meet University students, faculty and staff have been this year as FIU embraces different professors who aspire to help me grow persistent in bringing awareness about South CAMILA its 50th anniversary as in my field. Florida’s frightening consequences of sea level FERNANDEZ the only student centered Looking across the bay, I see myself rise. Professors like Peter Harlem, coordinator public research university in interviewing a future President of the of library’s Graphic Information System Center, South Florida. Despite BBC’s smaller student United States and perhaps as a global CNN has developed a system of maps that depict the population, there’s just as much student life here correspondent. I don’t mean to sound pompous, severity of sea level rise within 100 years. than at MMC, the University’s main campus. but I do have high hopes for myself. On the other hand, 15 of the high school With a breathtaking scenery of nature and At BBC, hospitality, environmental, students and five School of Journalism and Mass the waters of our bay, certainly we carry an business and journalism major students lurk Communication students have participated in advantage over MMC. At last year’s newly these halls with passion in their eyes. Personally, an “eye on the rise” project with journalism opened Panther Plaza stands a fierce panther I’m anxious to try the next all-time food and professor Robert Gutsche. The project aims to that represents the University’s strive and vigor wine dish at the Chaplin School of Hospitality raise awareness in South Florida communities to help us be truly World’s Ahead. and Tourism Management’s South Beach Wine about the challenges that come with sea level With a welcoming space at the plaza and and Food Festival -- a highly-esteemed festival rise and its possible solutions. grassy areas throughout the campus, students of its kind. I probably sound like a ranting cheerleader,

Maria Soledad Lorenzino/The Beacon have to come agree that BBC’s quiet and more Not only are University students setting but with the growth of our University, many A statue of José Martí has been planted peaceful environment than at the main campus, their hearts on their goals at the Bay, but so positive and challenging experiences are sure to on a patio at the south-west corner of the has its perks. Walking outside near the bay area, are the younger generations of BBC’s high come by. At BBC, we look forward to another Academic 2 Building. The statue will be the fresh, warm breeze of the waters help me schoolers. These students from the MAST @ year as the close-knit community of FIU. officially presented at the 15th Annual Jose feel at ease with the stress of a life as a busy FIU Academy, a public magnet secondary Marti Breakfast on Jan. 28. college student. school on campus, also look forward to a [email protected] Bike By the Bay, students to rent bikes on campus

SOFIA GALIANO student’s ID to open the electronic key box holding all bike Staff Writer keys. [email protected] Students are then to follow the staff to the shed and pick out the ride of their choice. Staff members will make sure Students looking to cycle across campus on a fully- bikes are safe to ride and then students are free to ride. equipped beach cruiser are in for a treat this semester. The program is funded by students’ activity and service FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus Recreation Center will fees paid each semester, unlike other recreational activities launch Bike by the Bay, a bicycle-sharing program that allows offered at the center like kayaking and paddleboarding that students to rent bikes and gear needed for a fun and safe ride. charge additional fees. “[Students] will be able to come to our department, rent a Torrey said students can ride along the 3-mile bike path bike, use that bike to either leisurely ride around campus… around campus or can ride off campus to local restaurants and or have fun with other riders,” said Jonathan “JT” Torrey, shopping centers. recreation administrator at BBC. However, students are discouraged to take the bikes The program has been in the works for over a year now far from campus. In the event a bike or other equipment and was originally scheduled to launch last fall. However, the malfunctions, the center will be not be able to assist riders in purchasing of helmets and reflective vests, and training rec those situations. center staff led to a delay. To ensure a safe ride, Torrey said it is planned to host Torrey said Bike by the Bay was a culmination of wanting safety seminars for prospective cyclists. to provide students with a recreational activity that also serves Rentals will be between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through as a mode of transportation. Friday throughout the term, excluding semester breaks. On Eight Townie Electra Original 7D cruiser bicycles are Saturdays, students can rent bikes between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., currently housed in the Aquatic Center shed, in addition to all and between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays. cycling accessories needed for a safe ride. The program will only be launching at BBC, however, All bikes are equipped with a bike lock, cargo rack, bell, Torrey said the program may provide opportunities for water bottle cage and a self-powered bike light and students students to ride at the Modesto Maidique Campus. can choose between a riding a red, green or grey Townie The REC Center is considering to allow students to check cruiser. out bikes at BBC, take them on the shuttle to MMC and “What I like is, we provide you with everything,” Torrey commute to class. said. The program will run for a few terms and then issue a To rent a bike, students are to visit the BBC REC Center, survey for participants to complete, assessing the program’s swipe their FIU OneCard, and ask the staff member to rent a success. bike. After evaluating the program, the REC Center will consider After completing all required paperwork, such as liability re-fencing the Aquatic Center shed to house more bicycles. forms, waivers and road rules, REC Center staff will use the Sofia Galiano/The Beacon BISCAYNE BAY CAMPUS WEEK OF WELCOME MONDAY, JAN. 12 WEDNESDAY, JAN. 14 THURSDAY. JAN 15 FRIDAY, JAN. 16 WOW BBQ WOW COUNCIL AND WOW NEW YEARS WOW PANTHER REC CENTER - YOGA BY WHEN: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. COCOA BRUNCH POWER - FIU’S 50TH THE BAY WHERE: Panther Square WHEN: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. WHEN: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. ANNIVERSARY WHEN: 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. WHERE: Panther Square WHERE: Panther Square CELEBRATION WHERE: In front of the bay, grassy FREE T-SHIRTS WHEN: 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. area behind the BBC pool. FREE COFFEE AND FREE FOOD AND WHERE: Panther Plaza TUESDAY, JAN. 13 MUGS BLANKETS WOW INVOLVEMENT WEAR FIU SPIRIT GEAR AND VOLUNTEER FAIR WHEN: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. GIVEAWAYS! WHERE: Panther Square WOW