From controversial athletes to viral influencers, the University of Miami is getting attention now like never before. As a result, applications have skyrocketed. However, with this increased attention, it’s even more common to uncover misinformation about the school. Even before social media, myths about UM spread like wildfire. So what are some of UM’s myths and misconceptions? Read more to see if you’ve fallen into the web of lies.

Chomp, Chomp

The Myth: There are no alligators in Miami, only in mid and North Florida.

The Truth: While gators may be the mascot for the University of Florida up north in Gainesville, they are not exclusive to one area, Miami included. Most Miami alligators can be found in the Everglades, which spread from Florida’s Miami-Dade to Monroe and Collier counties. Although creatures like iguanas or manatees are spotted more often on UM’s campus than alligators, they’ve shown up enough over the past 100 years of UM’s history for the school to put up a warning sign by Lake Osceola.

Not All Sunshine and Rainbows

The Myth: It’s always sunny and you’ll be sweating all day from the heat.

The Truth: Anyone who’s ever said it’s beautiful and sunny every day here, especially from July to September, should not be trusted. We’re the “Miami Hurricanes” for a reason. Rain here comes in 2 forms: random downpour for about 10 minutes, then back to beautiful and sunny, or beautiful and sunny for hours, and then a tropical storm that goes into the night.

If you’re still wondering, “How do the girls look so tan if it rains all the time?” Spray tans, babe. Spray tans.

While walking outside in peak morning sunlight from class to class may get you a little toasty, students are often shocked to hear the advice of always bringing a sweatshirt to their classes. That’s because, as a result of the heat, the classrooms at UM are often set close to igloo level. No need to worry about your makeup sweating off for long, your Biology 101 lab will freeze it right back into place.

Social Suicide?

The Myth: You will never have a social life if you’re not in a sorority or fraternity.

The Truth: About 25% of undergraduate students participate in social Greek life, and that number goes up to about 35% if you include professional fraternities such as those in business, medical or engineering. While to some, these numbers seem high, they are comparatively low to the average southern school. A few states north of UM, at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, more than half of the students are in Greek life. At the University of Alabama — “Rush Tok” headquarters — participation is close to 40%.

Numbers aside, UM gives you practically endless options when it comes to socializing opportunities. Considering its location, students have numerous opportunities to access a social life year-round in the greater city. Especially once you turn 21, you often end up attending frat parties less and find yourself at some of the most famous bars and clubs in the entire world. But frat parties are not as exclusive as they may seem.

While sometimes UM’s fraternities and sororities will have private one-on-one mixers, most registered frat parties on campus — better known as RPs — are open to all girls regardless of whether they’re in a sorority, as are some of their off-campus parties. For the guys, not being in a fraternity doesn’t give you as much freedom as girls, but if you’re close with some fraternity brothers and get permission in advance — or perhaps pay a small cover fee — you’ll get to party like a frat bro without paying an absurd amount of money in dues.

The Girls Aren’t Home

The Myth: UM doesn’t have sorority houses because they’re considered brothels according to Florida laws.

The Truth: This is one of those myths that’s so crazy you want to believe it. In fact, in almost four years as a student here, I’ve had to bite my tongue about 3,802,178 times when I see a tour guide tell prospective families this to save them from embarrassment, because it’s simply not true.

The theory is that in the city of Coral Gables, a residence populated by seven or more women, who are not related, is considered a brothel. According to the city’s municipal codes, that law doesn’t exist. In reality, sororities were established on campus years after fraternities were. UM’s frat row houses are technically off campus, but still in close proximity, and by the time sororities began to establish, there were no empty plots of land close enough to build enough houses on.

As a result, UM built the Merritt Panhellenic building, where today each sorority has its own suite, as well as some fraternities and the National Pan-Hellenic Council for the Divine Nine sororities and fraternities. Not only has this saved the school millions of dollars by eliminating the need for additional residences, but many sorority members have also agreed that not being forced to live in a sorority house has ultimately strengthened their sisterly bonds.

No matter what University you go to, there are always going to be rumors or myths that are spread throughout the years. It isn’t just students that hear and pass these down, as professors and faculty members have heard their fair share as well. When asked what myths Dean Steven Priepke has heard over the years, he said, “A funny one I do not know the real answer to but there used to be a myth that if a palm tree branch fell on your head, tuition was free that year — not true.”

Next time you overhear something about UM that almost sounds too crazy to be true, it likely is. So fellow students: stay curious, but stay skeptical.

words_amanda mohamad. 

This article was published in Distraction’s Spring 2026 print issue.

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