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

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STORY BY DELIA AREVALO H IBIS STAFF PHOTOS BY VERONICA SHARON W IBIS STAFF nitely ,made us feel welcome, , freshmm KICK OFF C-A-N-E-S: The Class of 2011 learns traditional Cheers and Chants lead by Sebastien. WELCOME FRESHMEN: Vice President Molly Jones and Presi- dent Danny Carvaj a1 lead Student Government in passing out shirts to incoming freshman.

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w AND NOW A FEW WORDS A 3 part of the UM Orientation tradition, President Shalala welcomes the new freshman at the BankUnited Center. rientation: A whirlwind of seminars teaching new students about Toppel and other on-campus services, time spent taking departmental exams and, of course, icebreaker upon icebreaker meant to crack the shy freshman shell. But there's one event of UM Orientation thafs meant to do more than just inform and test. Cane Kick-Off, the opening event for Orientation, is the time when UM strives to make new students feel like a part of the Hurricane family before classes even begin. Some might think that listening to speeches and cheers while the Band of the Hour plays in the background does not sound like the greatest time, but apparently, it works. ltlt definitely made us feel welcome. They talked to us like we werenlt freshmen but like we were already part of UM life, freshman Carissa DeMello said. Speeches by important members of the UM family such as President Shalala, Student Government President Danny Carvajal and new head coach of the football tean Randy Shannon introduced students to the UM way of life. Sebastian pumped up the crowc as did the cheerleaders and band. But for all tr. ebells and whistles, how memorable is this expl rience really? Memorable enough to remember fou years down the road? Some students disagree. ll thought it was a little weird just going into the Convocation Center and sittink . with a bunch of people I didnt know. It was ki. 1d of boring and uncomfortablef senior Melissa Don said. Speeches, strangers, a huge aren a The fact is there are those who agree and considert d the event just another activity on the list, but t wr many, Cane Kick-Off was about tradition and will always be remembered as the first event that made tnern feel like a lCane? uI quickly felt like a part of the school and not like so much of an outsider, senior Lindsay DeCollibus said. I remember going in and doing the tC-A-N-E-Sl'l cheer and listening to people talk and it made me feel really good to be here and be a part of something with so much pride. TRANSITIONS One of the first things freshmen learn upon coming to school is UMs alma mater.

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MIN - STORY BY ASHLEY DAVIDSON H IBIS STAFF PHOTOS BY MARISSA GUTHERZ AND SIMONE BERGER H IBIS STAFF NO LINES, NO HASSLE From the comfort of a Resident Mastefs apartment in the dorms, students watch the candidates battle it out. PHOTO OP The faces of the Democratic Party, Senator Barrack Obama, Senator Hilary Clinton, Former Senator Mike Gravel, Former Senator John Edwards, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Senator Chris Dodd and Governor Bill Richards.