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

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0 Dr. William Butler has dedicated his career to representing students' needs while at UM Bv lYlilETTE MALINGEB andatory freshman beanies which couldnit be removed until the Hurricanes scored a touchdown, 9:30 pm. curfews for freshman girls and the largest freshman class of any private university were the norm when Dr. William Butler came to the University of Miami in 1965. In his 28 years at UM, Butler has developed the Residential College system, increased international student enrollment and photo by Dave Bergman Butler combines two of his favorite hob- bies - spending time with his family and riding his bicycle. developed financial aid programs to recruit more minority students from around the United States. Butler is Vice president for Student Affairs, a title which no other person can claim to have held at the University. Butler was hired by then-President Henry King Stanford. 28 Features Stanford, according to Butler, wanted to bring all student organizations under one roof. Butler, who has his doctorate of education in clinical psychology, left Ohio University, where he was the dean of students, to come to UM. iiWhen I came here, I was given a charge to start a residen- tial campus, and build a sense of community that did not exist that time? Butler said. iiWe did that thorough bricks and mor- tar and through special programs which emphasized people? UM President Edward T. Foote 11 said Butleris commitment has improved UM. iTButlerl spent his whole life working with students. The University is a better place for it? Foote said. iiHe genuinely likes students. He empathizes with them. He also is a real professional and has the highest standards of integri- tyfi Butler is mainly in charge of overseeing policy development and imple- mentation, institutional rep- resentation and general administration for the University. However, his job broadens to encompass any area where students are concerned. Of his many tasks and challenges, the residential college system, is one which Butler is most proud of. tiThe residential college system has impacted so many lives of young people? Butler said. iiNow we have a residen- tial college system that is second to none - were the talk of higher education. I think ithe residential college systemi has had a greater impact on our University than any other one think I can think of?

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So Be Like no ties and libeautifulii people. Eccentric locals mingle with high fashion Europeans, curious tourists and students, comprising an eclectic mix of people perfect to entertain the popular sport of people watching. Ocean Drive is the popular daytime host to this South Beach sport. The outdoor cafes, like the ever-popular News Cafe, are perfectly situated along the thoroughfare of trendiness. Celebrities have taken a great interest in the art deco properties of Ocean Drive this past year as well - Gloria and Emilio Estefan bought the Cardozo Hotel and creat- ed their second restaurant, Allioli, and fashion designer Gianni Versace transformed a dilapidated hotel into his palace away from home. There were even network television series created in and about South Beach. To fully enjoy and appreciate South Beachis unlimit- ed social possibilities, students had to brush up on their social skills in order to pass entrance exams for various bars and clubs. Names had to be learned, for example. The Chili Pepper, a major hangout, required you to know, or at least pretend to know siRiCkfl the assertive and arrogant gatekeeper. If you wanted to get into Union Bar, you had to remember ltMichaelfi and tiSavoiaFi For dance club Velvet, all you needed to know was ttJimmyfi Knowing local celebrities and promoters didnit hurt either. The names Tommy Pooch and John Hood were almost guaranteed passwords. Who ever said going out was easy? Students also learned to endure the heat as sweat beads glistened on beautifully-tanned skin while they waited in line after line. They also learned to strike a pose and give off that South Beach air of confidence. Eventually, most got to know the big shots on a first name basis, so the whole process became easier. Meanwhile, Rick, J immy, Michael and the other doormen got rich thanks to those students who learned that a good tip could often do the trick. However they did it, UM students were out in full force. While the Groveis Dan Marinols served as Thursday nights watering hole, more students this year than ever made the trip over the MacArthur Causeway to the world of South Beach this year. . ltSouth Beach is a very diverse place. There are so many different types of people. It is a Mecca composed of so many different people, and thatis what makes it cool. Itls unbelievable - it has it all? said senior Ron Berkowitz. Features 27

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UM has become a Working with thlobal University? with students is over 2,000 international what BUt'ef says he enjoys students enrolled each most. Here he year from over 100 coun- works with stu- tries. dent volunteers We only had 200 durirfg . . Hurricanes Help international students. I the H om et own initiated a world-wide in 1991. recruitment program that had a great impact on this campus in terms of a world-wide commitment? Butler said he enjoyed the Challenge of the improving the University. llStudents have always been my focus? Butler said. tiSeeing freshmen come in, seeing people grow - the power of education - thatis what its all about. If you believe in education, then you believe there is hope for the future. I consider that live had the best job in the world. IfI had it to do again, I wouldnlt Change any- thing? a . ., . l .V , . V. ,' Student volunteerism is one area file photo where Butler sees a manifestation of his hope for the future. then see about getting involved. Don,t get overly committed. 01 try to encourage and to get our young people involved Begin with the thought of doing well academically? in doing something for its intrinsic value. I want to be a cheer- Student Government President Adam August said Butler leader on that issue, but it goes is always working to ensure deeper-tryingtobegoodciti- llStudents have always been my thatstudems, mi zens of the world. I believe we . . represented. are graduating better citizens fOCUS . . . If I had It to do agal n, I tlHe looks after the best than we ever have? , . ,, interests of students? Butler has spent over 40 WOU Id n 1: Change anYth I ng . August said. years in education and says he With all of this behind has plenty of advice to offer. him, there is still one goal Butler wishes to accomplish before 01 would say that make sure you got off to a great start. retirement, which he says is a few years down the road. Make lgradesl your first priority. If you see you can do more, ttMy No. 1 Istatl objective, before I ride away on my bicy cle, is to develop the best possible Career Planning and Placement Departmentjl Butler said. ttThe number one con- cern of students is employment after graduation. I see so man; things possible? Improving Career Planning and Placement will mean, Butler says, a job well done. 01f I can leave here in a few short years with having accomplished the Residential Colleges, International enroll- ment and a state of the art Career Planning and Placement, I will feel that the w original Charge given to me has been accom- plished? I if; file photos ABOVE: During the fall semester, Butler Gem was reunited with long-time friends Dr. Samuel Adams and former UM President Dr. Henry King Stanford, who were visiting campus. RIGHT: Butler and President Edward T. Foote ll donate blood during Homecoming of 1991. Features 29