Thoughts on the University of Miami's changing reputation
By: Colleen Dourney and Justin Lichtenstaedter // Contributing News Writers
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: News
Matt Hall
Matt Hall visited UM when he was a senior in high school. After his tour, he knew he had to come here. "There were so many hot girls in my tour group." Now, as Matt is ready to graduate this spring, he does not see the same school he came to. "With our rising standards and Shalala trying to make it a good school, we're getting smarter and less attractive, and it's so disappointing." Matt is graduating with one question: "Donna, what are you doing to our school?"
Rachel Spangenthal
Rachel Spangenthal, a junior, is excited for UM to move from its current spot at 52 and break the top 50 in the U.S. News and World Report college rankings. "It used to be when you thought of UM, you thought of sports like our football team, but now our academics are so good," Spangenthal said, hoping people recognize this in the future. "We're actually about academics and doing well for our community," she said. "There are great things happening, it's not just about partying."
Ron Zelhof
Ron Zelhof, an '84 alum, recalls his time at UM as the "era of the streakers." Zelhof remembers looking out his dorm window and seeing people run by naked. "Someone would always shout 'streaker!' and we would see some naked bodies running by," he said. He remembers the streakers always being very tan. "Maybe that's a reason UM is still referred to as 'Suntan U.'"
Donna E. Shalala
President Shalala says she has seen the university change tremendously as the rankings indicate. It has moved from 66 to 52 since she has been president. "We don't admit thugs anymore. We do admit people that like to suntan, but those students are usually in the sun with a book in hand, and I think that's a difference people overlook," Shalala said. Right now UM is ranked at 52 and the University of Florida is ranked at 50, according to U.S. News & World Report. One of Shalala's goals is to not only get into the top 50, but to do so before the football game in fall, so "UM can beat UF twice."
Matt Hall visited UM when he was a senior in high school. After his tour, he knew he had to come here. "There were so many hot girls in my tour group." Now, as Matt is ready to graduate this spring, he does not see the same school he came to. "With our rising standards and Shalala trying to make it a good school, we're getting smarter and less attractive, and it's so disappointing." Matt is graduating with one question: "Donna, what are you doing to our school?"
Rachel Spangenthal
Rachel Spangenthal, a junior, is excited for UM to move from its current spot at 52 and break the top 50 in the U.S. News and World Report college rankings. "It used to be when you thought of UM, you thought of sports like our football team, but now our academics are so good," Spangenthal said, hoping people recognize this in the future. "We're actually about academics and doing well for our community," she said. "There are great things happening, it's not just about partying."
Ron Zelhof
Ron Zelhof, an '84 alum, recalls his time at UM as the "era of the streakers." Zelhof remembers looking out his dorm window and seeing people run by naked. "Someone would always shout 'streaker!' and we would see some naked bodies running by," he said. He remembers the streakers always being very tan. "Maybe that's a reason UM is still referred to as 'Suntan U.'"
Donna E. Shalala
President Shalala says she has seen the university change tremendously as the rankings indicate. It has moved from 66 to 52 since she has been president. "We don't admit thugs anymore. We do admit people that like to suntan, but those students are usually in the sun with a book in hand, and I think that's a difference people overlook," Shalala said. Right now UM is ranked at 52 and the University of Florida is ranked at 50, according to U.S. News & World Report. One of Shalala's goals is to not only get into the top 50, but to do so before the football game in fall, so "UM can beat UF twice."
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 6
A
posted 4/28/08 @ 12:44 PM EST
Hmmm. Matt Hall is an idiot.
Ross Yader
posted 4/28/08 @ 5:28 PM EST
Great, now lets get the law school following suit already. we need a jump in those rankings as well.
- RMY
JD 2007
Mike - BBA '79 MBA '81
posted 4/28/08 @ 10:01 PM EST
Rankings are nice but graduates today will still face hurdles similar to those I faced when I graduated with an MBA in 1981 - one being that the school will continue to be more respected within the state of Florida. (Continued…)
over 9000
posted 4/29/08 @ 8:05 PM EST
still a bunch of thugs
still going to get an ass-whooping in the Swamp
Catherine Fox
posted 5/05/08 @ 9:45 AM EST
When I entered UM in 1982, Tad Foote was talking about becoming the "Stanford of the South." I am very impressed with the strides the University of Miami has made toward that goal, and my 20 year old degree is more valuable because of it! I spent some time on campus in February, and so much is the same, but so much is better. (Continued…)
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