University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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At 4:20 a.m., a cresting wave of sound physically staggered the tightly-packed rec- ord stacks of radio station WVUM-FM t90.5l, the Voice of University of Miami. Some people called it progressive, some called it new wave and even punk. But if you tuned in to 90.5 on the FM dial, you heard for yourself. The non-profit station is sponsored by UM and run by undergraduate students. Create din 1968, the station started with just 10 watts of power and it played strictly alternative, non-commercial music. Today WVUM has grown into a 365-watt station. Up until now, the station has been finan- cially dependent on the UM. This year, however, WVUM began its search for out- side financial backing and autonomy in order that they may gain more control of its re- sources. Goals included expanding the power output. The station accepted no advertising, but received money from underwriting - mentioning sponsorsi names during shows. Underwriting Director Rob McMahon said, llWe try to emulate a professional and commercial radio station without losing sight of the fact that we are here to serve the students? WVUM was one of the few stations in South Florida whose format consisted of various shows appealing to all musical tastes: reggae, religious, local music, heavy metal, rap, hard-core and import all had their time slots on the air. Sunday l 3 programming included aChris- tian music show, S unday S imcha tan Israeli show, a reggae show, a local music show and a showcase of jazz. On Tuesdays, the Voice took over the backdoor of Club Nu and broadcasted from the Miami Beach bar. For headbangers, a Metal Mania show was broadcast on Wednes- days. And those who enj oyed rap could listen Thursdays at 10 pm. for the three-hour Rapa- thon. Fridayls shows included the Tidal Wave and an all-request show at night. ill think the radio station is overlooked by a great number of students, said Program Director Marc Hochman, who also hosted the Rapathon as disc jockey Doc Hoch. ttAl- though alternative music is not for everyone, the specialty programs offered by the station are unique compared to other South Florida stations? WVUM provided music for everyone within a 30-mile radius of frequency from the transmitters located atop Hecht Residential Collegeis Pentland Tower. The station,s staff estimated 70 percent of its listeners were commuters, many from Kendall and Brow- ard. General Manager Adam Abramson said he thought one of the stationis most promis- ing programs was the promotion of local bands through the local music show. ltAs important as it is to break nation bands, the Voice also places an emphasis on local bands waiting for a big break? Abram- son said. liThere are many quality local rock bands playing the Miami circuit that deserve a chance to be heard since commercial radio will not play anything without major label backing. Itl 3 up to college radio like WVUM to give these bands a shot? A success-story example of these local bands was Nuclear Valdez, which first re- ceived air play on WVUM and has now signed a seven-record deal with Epic Rec- ords. Many of these bands needed radio atten- tion and air play to help them get out of the local circuit, and the staff of WVUM helped open the doors to their success. An enormous promotional program by the station also had the disc jockeys continu- ally givin g away tickets to concerts and clubs, and coupons for free products and services, such as haircuts. WVUM also connected UM students with UM students with Miami Hurricane sporting events. The station broadcasted home and away baseball games as well as home football and basketball games. Dr. Lemuel B. Schofield, the station,s faculty advisor, said he believed the station had done an incredible job in its sports cover- age and claimed the college station had the most sports coverage of any college radio. ltWVUM has a fine executive board and an excellent showcase for the University of Miami providing outstanding opportunities for the students who run the station working at a highly professional level? Schofield said. MUSI From progressive to rap, and new wave a punk, WVUM-FM provides students w the alternative in m BY JACK VARELA 29 Student Life

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WVUM WAS ONE OF THE FE W stations in South Florida whose format consisted of various shows appealing to all musical tastes. In the vast WVUM record library, Debbie Beaton looks among thousands of albums for a particular title. tphoto by Tracy Mackt MUCH MORE GOES into preparing a radio show than most students realized. General Manager Adam Abramson is responsible for keeping the student-run, non-profit station in working order. tphoto by Tracy Mackt Wm wmwwm Q Student Life

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H A L L o w E E N tudents decide that it is time to give some hing back by hosting 83 fortunate children on H alloween BY MELISSA LLOYD 30 Student Life While the majority of the students on campus were busy dressing in their various costumes and preparing for the Halloween party at the Rathskeller, Volunteer Services, with the aid of Mahoney Residential College, Stanford Residential College and the Apart- ment Area, succeeded in throwing a party of their own. However, this party was quite unlike the traditional college campus Hal- loween party. It was given for children. Approximately sixty children, ranging between the ages of six and twelve, were brought to UM. These were not just any ordinary youth, but the kids from Centro TRICK OR TREAT Campesinos and Canterbury Child Care. Centro Campesinos consists of the unfortu- nate children of migrant farm workers in Homestead. They were often subject to moving among different farms and rarely had the opportunity to interact with the world outside of their home. The children from Canterbury Child Care, the on-campus Child Care, also joined the fun. Instead of trick-or- treating in the neighborhood, they were free from danger in the residential colleges and apartment area. Ali Koshy, coordinator of Volunteer Services, comments, ltI feel this program gives us the opportunity to work with a segment of the pop 'ation that we donit usually see and gives the university a chance to show the community that we care? Bubbling with excitement, crowds of little feet were led through the dreaded horror of the Mahoney and Stanford Haunted Houses. Screams echoed through the buildings as they encountered a multitude of creatures grab- bing for them. The brave children left with looks of terror upon their wide-eyed faces but, smiles soon appeared when they discov- ered it was time to trick-or treat. Groups were then escorted through Mahoney Residential College and the apartment area in order to visit decorated rooms and costumed residents who filled their bags with assorted sweets. Afterwards, painted faces ran about as the children took part in activities such as color- ing contests, pumpkin bowling, and bobbing for apples. Ali Koshy was responsible for the idea and hoped it would become an annual tradi- tion. The opportunity was not only beneficial for the children as a learning experience, but also for the college students who rarely got a chance to interact with such young children. Approximately one hundred students volun- teered to help the program become a success. When asked what it meant to him, Mark Buenafe responded, ttI believe that volunteer- ing is a very rewarding opportunity that all university students do not get a chance to ex- perience. Now, thanks to Link, the new student volunteer services organization, stu- dents have that chance to help? Volunteer Services and Link were re- sponsible for a variety of events, including Outreach, a day devoted to community serv- ice, and Volunteer Awareness Week. These organizations enabled students to volunteer within the community, whatever their inter- est may have been. Buenafe simply stated, ttitls worth all the work just to see that smile on a childis face and to know that you helped put it there? ON HALLOWEEN, Volunteer Services brought sixty unfortunate children to campus to trick or treat. Albert Bruni, a resident of the apartment area, gives candy to the migrant farm worker children. tphoto by Tracy Mackl