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

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The Dennis Ehckson Show came to the University Center Plaza duhng Homecoming. Yamma Yamma, in Iron Arrow wear, gives the coach a hand as they interview a student. tPhoto by Michael Row Former Miss Florida Sandy Frick assists the Homecoming committee as she asks contestant Samantha Stevens questions during the Miss UM competition. tPhoto by Michael Royt Student Life 25

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The brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity demonstrate their choreo- graphic talents in the organized cheer competition. Photo by Dave Bergmam Sunset and Red Roads in South Miami became the stage for ttA Kalei- doscope of Nations and Traditions as parade-goers, students, faculty and alumni lined the streets in anticipa- tion. Suddenly the normally traffic- filled streets hosted floats and stu- dents representing Scotland, Egypt, the Orient, and the good tole US. of A., to name just a few. The score was 45-0. Over fifty thousand fans watched the Pittsburgh Panthers shrivel in this Homecoming shut-out victory for the tCanes. Noth- ing could culminate the events better than a win in the Orange Bowl. The score was not only a display of ath- letic excellence by our football team, but a reflection of the spirit and fun had by the University community during the preceding events. The following morning marked the awaited announcements. Who won what? Delta Phi Epsilon, Hecht Residential College and Tau Beta Sigma band honorary repeated their first place overall Victories from the preceding year in the sorority, resi- dence halls, and independent catego- Student Life 24 HOMECOMING ries,respectively. It came down to one point that upset Pi Kappa Alpha and brought tears to anxious brothers of Zeta Beta Tau as they accepted their first place overall trophy in the frater- nity division. The Home- coming Executive Committee was in full force to present their trophies and to congratulate the or- ganizations 0n mak- ing Homecoming 1990 a Kaleidoscope of FUN for all! From the first donation of blood to the slaugh- tering 0f the Pan- thers, KALEIDO- SCOPE gave memo- ries t0 UM that no one could soon for- get!

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LIVING They are often the first people new students meet, SHAPING they play a key role in the adjustment from high school to eallege--RA'S are the link to creating a community living on campus. The adjustment to college life is different for everyone. Some students take the short road and feel at home Within the first few weeks; others are challenged by the longer road, which winds them through several months of getting used to the tcollege experience? Whichever road students fol- low, there is one very important person who can help ease that adjustment and suggest ways to find the balance neces- sary for a successful college career. That person is the resident assistant, a.k.a. tithe RA? The RAs are part of the UM residential college systemea system which integrates living and learning. The residential colleges provide a set- ting in which students begin to grow and learn from all of the experiences, opportunities and people that surround them on a daily basis. RAs are key people in making this system work. All residents assistants are required to attend a two-week training session at the end of August, before students arrive and classes begin. This training consists of seminars and thands-ont experiences, Which help prepare the RAs for the year ahead. these seminars cover everythingefrom icebreaker activities to crisis control to bulletin board decorations to drug and alcohol confrontations. Training, how- ever, can only provide the background material-a foundationewhich the RAs must apply to the various situ- ations they encounter. Student Life 26 A resident assistant has one of the toughest-and beste jobs a stu- dent can have on a college campus. He or she is responsible for floor programs, building-wide programs, maintaing control, keeping records and commu- nity and staff development. Of course, this is all in addition to the five or six classes that demand the remaining few hours of an RA,s busy schedule. An RAls role is multi-faceted and each part of that role works to- gether to form an excellent resource person. As .a counselor, an RA helps students deal With the many adjust- ments, stresses and crises they face throughout the year. Registration, move-in day, a new roommate, the first day of class: these issues are simple for returning students but can be real problems for the new ones who, at the same time, want to feel accepted and are afraid to ask for help. An RA,s most difficult role is that of mediator in disciplinary situ- ations. The RA is expected to confront residents who Violate university poli- cies and deal With them in a profes- sional, respectful manner. The hard part is that RAs are also students and the people they may confront are their peers. The situation is often uncom- fotable, but RAs find a balance and help students understand they are part of a community. Paperwork and programs. An RA helps keep records and document incidents in an administrative capac- A UNIQUE BY CHRISTINE THOMPSON