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

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n August 21, 1999, the campus dormitories opened their doors to many new and returning students. Parents and students hustled and bustled, pushing carts and Climbing into elevators, in an effort to get settled into their new home away from home. For some students the move was not difficult. They just brought the essentials: clothing, music and maybe a few appliances. For others, however, the task of moving into the dorms was a bit more formidable. Students brought with them an array of items from computers and musical instruments to DJ turntables and lofts. This was also a day to get Moving into his dorm room in Eaton, sophomore Dino Antonuccio carries his television to his new home away from home. The week of August 21, 1999 was a hectic one for students moving on campus especially if they had many possessions to transport. acquainted with new roomates, neighbors and people in the residential colleges. The first few days of the new year proved to be an ideal time to make new friends and, of course, get better acquainted with members of the opposite sex. The real dorm experience began once parents left and the students had to fend for themselves. For some, the dorm indeed proved to be an excellent place to live. You meet people easily, said sophomoreJustyn Stahl. In the elevator, in the dining hall, in the laundry room. Most people are comfortable with meeting new people. Roomates Scott Karp and Bruce Perry both said convenience was the reason they came back to Hecht for their sophomore year. .Indeed, living on campus took away the need to commute, which for many students was a definite plus since traffic in Miami can be, uh, less than perfect. Students didn't have to worry about having to cook either. When the time for food arose, a quick stride to the dining hall was sufficient for a meal. In addition, living on campus put the students right in the middle of things, close to university facilities and student activities. For Kevin Murphy, a foreign exchange student from Scotland, the dorms provided a Chance to Trying to find a rug that will fit in their room, sophomores Amanda Turner and Mariika VanderPol climb into the truck during the rug sale in the fall. Students tried their best to make dorms as comfortable as possible.

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As part of orientation, new students participated in a luncheon at President Foote's house. Freshmen were able to meet some of the administration and socialize with the new people they had met over their first few days on campus. ,jf Welcoming g,' e Students to m s e their home, President and Mrs. F00. e Shake hands with inCOMing freshman Jow Diamiond a, the President's Picnic. O.A. Tasha Bae, Vicki O.A. Jonathon Hew, . Lori Buccinna and Kara Kosakowskl chard, .Iamie Crawford, nu rolsinite- m 3' 3 Richardson. Sellier, Carly Bervaldi, Jessica Gribbon, Taarek became good friends during Welcome e . imam

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wzwxwwmww, interact with people from different cultures. I have met people from different nationalities that have helped me remove some of the stereotypes I had grown up with. Living in the dorms definitely opened my outlook of the world. My roomate is from Japan. I learned a great deal from him, as he did from me. For other students, however, the dorm life was less than ideal--it was close to a nightmare. Sophomore Katie Slagon did not feel comfortable in her dorm room. There is little privacy, she commented. Your roomate is less than a few feet from your side, so it is inevitable that there will be a compromise in personal space. Freshman Jair Clarke felt constricted in his dorm room as well. I feel like a mouse in a cage, and there is little I can do to decorate my room, since space is so scarce, he said. Still others felt that eating at the dining hall was a definite problem. Chartwells can become boring, the same grilled chicken platter everyday, kinda gets a bit revolting. I am vegan so there is little I can eat there anyways. For those students that did not particularly like the dorms, there was the alternative of living in an off-campus apartment. Sophomore Justyn Stahl said he liked the kitchen in his apartment. I can cook my own dinner, where I pick out the ingredients and use the groceries that I buy without the fear of wondering 'humm . what is in this rice, did they cook it right?' It's just more convenient, he said. He explained that even though he had a roomate he never worried about privacy. I have my own space and if I want to bring people over I don't worry about bothering my roomates because there is the living room. Justin was also quick to point out that his apartments were not without its shortcomings. The dorms are safer, my apartment does not have the ethernet and I practically don't know my neighbors, but I would Choose my apartment over the dorms anyday, he commented. When asked if he would ever move off campus, freshman Kevin Murphy answered no and said he enjoyed the camaraderie on his floor. I don't think I would get that anywhere else, Kevin said. Still, there were those students who felt that they would not come back to the dorms. Katie Slagen will try to get an off- Campus apartment next year. I need my space, and I want to have my own little corner here in Ivliami.'l Jair Clarke thought he would stay in the dorms. It's just easier to live here. I have everything I need right here on campus. photos by daniel colcher home Sweet home i BY JUAN PENA mom m 23