On behalf of the entire Buffalo basketball team we want to sincerely thank our fellow UB students for your incredible support during our game against Kent State. We fed off your energy all night and you truly were the “6th man.” With your support behind us, we promise to play our hardest and to do our absolute best to bring home a MAC Championship. We look forward to seeing more True Blue madness at our next home game against Northern Illinois on January 29. Sincerely, Head Coach Reggie Witherspoon and Captains Byron Mulkey and Jawaan Alston
The Independent Student Publication of the University at Buffalo WEDNESDAY EDITION v January 21, 2011 Vol. 60 No. 42 v ubspectrum.com
PHOTO: CLINTON HODNETT /// THE SPECTRUM
An Unexpected Phone Call From President Simpson ANDREW WIKTOR and LUKE HAMMILL Editor in Chief and Senior Managing Editor By now, everybody knows that President John B. Simpson is leaving – it’s just that nobody knows when yet. He’s been in the news this week after announcing that he will stay on as president until the search for his replacement is over. We’ve been trying to get a hold of his office all week, and in the middle of production on Thursday, President Simpson called us back himself, from out of town. Here’s the whole interview: The Spectrum: How did you feel last semester went after announcing your retirement, as you had thought that it would be your last semester at UB? John B. Simpson: I think things ran fine. I let everybody know that I was going to be the president until I left, and I think that I was in charge and that things went very well. I don’t have any of the kinds of feelings that one might have had if [I was a] lame duck. I think things went very well. TS: Have you had any involvement in the presidential search up to this point? JBS: No, I don’t have any hand in that. But that is by design and is certainly something that I am personally in favor of. I don’t think I should have a hand in selecting my successor.
TS: News reports have mentioned that you were asked to stay on past your initial retirement date of Jan. 15. How did that happen? Who, specifically, asked you to stay? JBS: I had a conversation with SUNY officials and Mr. Jacobs, who is the chair of the UB Council. The search that was being conducted by the search committee, of which Mr. Jacobs was the chair, assured me that they were close to identifying a successor and asked me if I would stay on until that successor was identified. And I thought about it, and given the awkwardness of trying to put an interim in without having the search in place of identifying a successor, I agreed to stay on until that happened, knowing that it would happen very soon. TS: How soon will that be? Is there a timetable on when the search will conclude? JBS: No, I don’t have a timetable, but my suspicion is very soon, which I would say is a matter of weeks. TS: Do you have any plans for the university during your extended time here? JBS: The most important thing is making sure the university is running smoothly, and I think having a president in place assures that. There is a good deal of work that is going on with this year’s legislative session and coordination with SUNY, and I guess that those are the things that I would be most interested in seeing take place until completion. TS: As the newly elected legislators in Albany have recently started their jobs, what is your outlook on how UB 2020 will play out with new lawmakers?
JBS: There are a couple of things I’d point out. Governor Cuomo has expressed interest in the place of SUNY, and it really means its research universities because they are the ones that have the impact far and away, in the largest sense. He is very interested in the role that SUNY can play in the areas of economic development and redevelopment of New York. I think in Buffalo, that I have made that case for a number of years. The community and the university understand it and support it. So that’s also the good. It’s also the case that Mr. Cuomo has mentioned UB 2020 specifically on a number of occasions when he has been asked about economic development and higher education. So I think that is simply as good as we might hope for. The governor is aware of what we are doing. I think he understands it, I think he is supportive of it. So that’s good for the university and for UB 2020. TS: When the presidential search ends and the new candidate is selected, will you have any words for him? Do you train him/her at all? How does the transition take place? JBS: I think that, always with a new president, there is a substantial learning curve, simply because the job of being of a president is so different from any job than anyone has probably done in their career. And moreover, there are idiosyncrasies that pertain to any university, and UB and New York certainly have their share.
Continued on Page 2
COURTESY OF DOUGLAS LEVERE
PHOTO of CLINTON HODNETT /// THE SPECTRUM OVER 1,100 BULLS FANS showed their pride in Alumni Arena on Wednesday night as the largest student crowd of the season cheered the men’s basketball team to a 79-54 victory.
CLINTON HODNETT /// THE SPECTRUM
Thursday night, members of the Greek community met with Buffalo policeman David Stabler, captain of the E district, and Gerald W. Schoenle, chief of the UB police department, to discuss ways to make the University Heights a safer place to reside. The policemen encouraged Greeks to register their parties with Dan Ryan, director of off-campus student services, who would notify the police as a courtesy for the neighborhood and its patrols. Additionally, students were encouraged to further their involvement with their respective block clubs and continue building relationships with their neighbors. UB-affiliated Greek organizations sought to be distinguished from those that are not affiliated with the university, as many students felt that those groups’ actions reflected badly on their own organizations. The Greek community hopes to have many more meetings with the police to ensure progress. g
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NEWS An Unexpected Phone Call From President Simpson Continued from Page 1
Today in UB History: January 21, 1976 On this day in UB History, psychology professors announced their plan to conduct an experiment on how music volume and lighting intensity affect drinking levels. They planned to observe student drinking behaviors at Wilkeson Pub, a bar that was located in the Ellicott Complex, a proposal that drew controversy within the student body.
full story online at ubspectrum.com
Academic Standards Policy Receives Overhaul
Faculty Senate Grading Committee Clarifies Many Areas DAVID WEIDENBORNERNews Editor
News Briefs 1/21
Engineering Building Named In honor of Barbara and Jack Davis, a Western New York couple that has given $5 million toward the construction and enhancement of the new School of Engineering and Applied Sciences facility, the building will be named Barbara and Jack Davis Hall. Davis, a 1955 graduate of the engineering school and a well-known industrialist, intends to donate a portion of his estate to the school upon his death as well. His donations are inspired by his education at UB, which he believes prepared him for a successful career. g
Distinguished Speaker Arnold Schwarzenegger, California’s 38th governor and Hollywood icon, will join UB’s Distinguished Speaker Series lineup at 8 p.m. on Thursday as the Undergraduate Student Choice speaker. Schwarzenegger’s lecture will take place in Alumni Arena on North Campus. Schwarzenegger, a politician, businessman, athlete, and actor, has spearheaded the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the Million Solar Roofs Plan and the California Hydrogen Highway. His political and personal interests include other environmental initiatives, education, and humanitarian work. The Distinguished Speakers series is sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Association and the lecture will be exclusively sponsored by Hodgson Russ. g
School was the last thing on many students’ minds after their last exam finished. But while they enjoyed a month with no homework and sleeping in, President John Simpson approved proposed revisions to UB’s Academic Standards Policy. The proposed revisions were made by the Faculty Senate Grading Committee last October and were then passed by the Faculty Senate. President Simpson approved the revisions as official university policy on Jan. 6. The current policy will still be in effect for the rest of the spring semester, with the revisions being implemented in the fall of 2011. The main concern for the Faculty Senate Grading Committee was to clarify areas that were confusing to students. “The policy needed to be straightened up and clarified,” said William H. Baumer, philosophy professor and chair of the Faculty Senate Grading Committee. “Students will have a better understanding of exactly what the academic requirements are.”
My view is largely that I would do anything that the new president asked me to be helpful, but, having said that, it is not my job to push myself, or my views, on the president. Rather, my job is to be helpful in the transition while recognizing that I am not the president; the new president is, and my job is to help him or her succeed in this administration. TS: How will the transition to the new president affect students on a day-to-day basis? JBS: I think the more that your president succeeds in making the case for the value of the university – and therefore assuring that the kinds of resources that are needed
Among the significant additions will be academic warnings issued if the student’s most recent semester GPA was less than a 2.0, even if his cumulative GPA is greater than a 2.0. In previous years, the only criteria for receiving an academic warning was first-year students with a semester GPA of less than 2.0. Academic warnings and probation will still not be included on a student’s official transcript, but an addition to the Academic Standards Policy is a guideline requiring that warnings and probation will be noted on the student’s record. “The biggest impact of this policy will be for those students who are in trouble academically and either need the assistance that the university offers or need to take a break from their studies,” said Kara Saunders, interim university registrar and assistant vice provost of undergraduate education as well as a member of the Faculty Senate Grading Committee. The definition for good academic standing still requires a cumulative GPA greater than 2.0. However, the policy was significantly altered from the past, when students only had to obtain only one semester of a 2.0 GPA or greater out of the two most recent semesters. Now, students must earn a 2.0 GPA or greater in their most recent semester. “In the new policy, it clearly delineates whether these students are in good standing, on academic warning, or on academic probation,” Saunders said.
to deliver the very best education that can be delivered – these are things that a good president can do, can be helpful with, and in that sense, they very much do affect what the students sees day-to-day.
TS: What’s the first thing you’re going to do once you’re officially retired?
JBS: There are two things I really want to do. The first is, I have some work I want to do on my house – carpentry and woodwork. … I look forward to doing that, and the second thing is that I want to really get back to writing an article I started writing 12 years ago. It is a fairly significant piece of writing and thinking, and I’m looking forward to having time to get back to it, which I simply haven’t had, despite my best intentions over the past dozen or so years. g
email: news@ubspectrum.com
Removed from the policy are several qualifications of how a student would be placed on academic probation or dismissed from the university. These qualifications have been simplified to ensure a student’s academic future is as straightforward as possible. “There was confusion about what previously warranted academic warnings, probation or dismissal,” Baumer said.
Now, a continuing student may be dismissed from the university for simply having a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 and a quality point deficit greater than 20. A quality point deficit is basically the number of ‘B’ grades a student would need to bring a GPA up to 2.0.
The dismissal process will now require academic advisement on top of the appeal allowed through the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Education. The changes will now provide students with a more comprehensive idea of their academic standing and allow them ample time to meet with an advisor to see what requirements they need to meet.
“Early notification of poor performance and its potential ramifications encourages students to become more engaged in their studies, take advantage of university services, and get headed in the right direction academically,” Saunders said. The current Academic Standards Policy was implemented in 2003 on the basis that its guidelines are subject to change depending on observed outcomes. g
email: news@ubspectrum.com
UB 2020 Reforms Western New York delegation has called on New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo to include reforms in his budget proposal that will be released on Feb. 1. The UB 2020 plan accomplished a great deal in 2010 to raise awareness across the state and in Albany, and implemented public policy reforms to empower SUNY campuses, including UB. The reforms included a significant public higher education amendment in the former governor’s 2010-11 budget, the creation of a coalition of businesses, unions, and faith-based and civic institutions, and a statewide advocacy campaign that transformed public and legislative opinion across the state. g
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING NOTICE Arnold Schwarzenegger
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Obama Op-ed Intriguing, but Vague Bipartisanship necessary for administration President Obama has taken a lot of heat from the left over the past year. Many liberals were dissatisfied with the health care bill, which looked a public option, and many argued that it compromised too much. Equally frustrating for the left was his compromise with the right on tax cuts for the top one percent of Americans. Many interpreted this move as a sellout of the liberal ideals he promoted during his campaign. If Obama’s latest move is any indication, he doesn’t intend on appealing to the left anytime in the near future. This week, Obama wrote an oped piece which appeared in the Wall Street Journal in which he discussed an executive order he recently signed, which instructed his cabinet to look into previous government regulations that have been levied and determine which ones can be considered frivolous and unnecessary. Naturally, the left is frustrated by this move, because it makes Obama appear to be an advocate of big business. The people who wish he would crack down and enforce stricter FDA regulations feel they are being left in the dark.
when the Democrats controlled both houses, their ability to block legislation will only strengthen now that they control the House. As a result, it was a natural move for Obama to support the conservative stance of deregulation. In addition, there is fair chance that many FDA regulations are unnecessary, and this would simply be an opportunity to introduce a system that is more easily understandable.
the lack of clarity gives the left no reason to believe it won’t be. We consider this a good move for the Obama administration, one that will go far in creating bipartisanship. With that said, we hope in the future, as this order moves forward, Obama will give the public a more clear impression of what he is doing. That way, he will do a better job of earning our trust. g
The one flaw we found with Obama’s op-ed was that it was too vague. Other than a brief mention of conflicting regulations regarding saccharine, Obama doesn’t go into much detail about which specific regulations he would look to revamp. Unfortunately, this leaves the order open to interpretation, which justifies some of the anger and frustration we’ve seen on the left. While we don’t expect this bill to be a blatant cavein to right-wing demands,
Jeannette Wiley
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The views expressed — both written and graphic — in the Feedback, Opinion, and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or spectrum-editorial@buffalo.edu. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style or length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it clearly as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number and e-mail address. The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee
JANUARY 21 , 2011 VOLUME 60 NUMBER 42 CIRCULATION: 7,000
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COURTESY OF THE WHITE HOUSE
The Stupidity Of Society Is A Shore Thing JAMES TWIGG Senior Arts Editor
As I’m sure many of you out there are aware, there’s a particularly revolting rumor circulating around the Internet. One so heinous and dumbfounding that it literally made my jaw drop when I heard it. I am, of course, referring to Nicole ‘Snooki’ Polizzi declaring herself as a New York Times best-selling author on her Twitter account.
tention. This, however, should not be one of them. But don’t take my word for it; just take a look at this quality writing for yourself: “Meanwhile, like 10 guys grabbed her boobies. If she weren’t about to paint the room brown, she would have loved it. A few grabbed at her butt, too. ‘Not the ass!’ A too tight squeeze and she might explode.” I’m fairly certain Ernest Hemingway, William Shakespeare, George Orwell and dozens of others just simultaneously rolled over in their graves. If you want to watch the show, fine, that I can at least semiunderstand. It’s only an hour out of your day to laugh at some steroid-loaded morons. But to honestly go out and buy A Shore Thing over some actual quality literature is something I will never be able to fully wrap my head around.
Thankfully, no one has managed to find her book, A Shore Thing, on the list yet. So, for the moment at least, this looks to just be a terrible practical joke, much like Snooki herself. But whether this is a joke, publicity stunt, or, God forbid, the truth, the fact that so many people don’t find this as being completely unreasonable is a testament to the current state of our society. What happened to the days when we idolized people for their hard work, knowledge and commitment? It seems as if fake tans, an overabundance of hair products, and an inability to keep one’s legs closed have scrubbed them out for good. Snooki being able to publish a book in the first place is bad enough, but her actually being able to make a best-selling author list is a downright disgrace. There are thousands, if not millions, of books out there that are worthy of everyone’s at-
I honestly believe that Snooki should be classified as a poison for the damage she has inflected upon the minds of the American public. Our country is already scrutinized enough by other nations around the world for our apathetic ways. Please people, let’s not give them any more ammunition. I’m not sure my faith in humanity can even be resurrected at this point. To everyone who has read A Shore Thing and has helped put the idea in Snooki’s head that she is a legitimate author, you disgust me, because you are the embodiment of everything wrong with our society. g
COURTESY OF POSH24.COM
email: james.twigg@ubspectrum.com
Colin Knoer got an arrow splitting bull’s eye (Marijuana Legalization: The NORML Perspective, Jan. 7, 2011) [online version – printed in Wednesday’s paper], citizens have contempt for government’s message about drugs and the plant cannabis (marijuana) due to their lies, half-truths and propaganda. How many citizens try cannabis and realize it’s not nearly as harmful as claimed by government and believe other substances must not be so bad either only to become addicted to hard drugs? Government even classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance alongside heroin, while meth and cocaine are only Schedule II substances.
They don’t just give away money for nothing – everyone knows that. But maybe Newton didn’t know. In addition to disrespecting his coaches, athletic department administrators, university officials, stadium workers, ticket scalpers, and anyone else who monetarily benefits from his football prowess, Newton also risked letting down his teammates. Think of it: if the NCAA had disqualified Newton, his teammates wouldn’t be playing for the championship. They’d have to have settled for the Capital One Bowl, the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Champs Sports Bowl, or the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl. Finally, what about the fans who gave Auburn and sportswear companies all that money just to support Newton by wearing his jersey? The lack of respect in our youths these days is appalling. Here’s the thing, though: I don’t blame the NCAA for declaring Newton eligible and allowing him to continue playing after an investigation earlier this season. They had to protect all of those coaches, athletic directors, and others that I was talking about. Those people would have suffered from losing Newton. You wouldn’t want to destroy the righteous with the wicked. g
email: luke.hammill@ ubspectrum.com
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Further, cannabis was never meant to be prohibited to begin with; that’s why God, the Ecologician indicates He created all the seed bearing plants saying they are all good, on literally the very first page of the Bible (see Genesis 1:11-12 and 29-30).
Letters to the Editor are not edited by The Spectrum.
I wonder how Newton can live with himself. He is surrounded by so many people who are only trying to help him become a better player and a better person, and all he can think of is money. Those people must spend a lot of time helping the players; think of how they must feel. Newton’s coach, Gene Chizik, made $3.2 million over the course of the season, so you know he must have been working hard.
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Dear Editor of the Spectrum,
Stan White
Newton’s insatiable urge for money also put yet another damper on the time-honored Heisman Trophy, which was presented by Nissan. (Nissan: SHIFT_the way you move.)
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Truthfully,
Even so, with all the hype surrounding the BCS National Championship Game between No. 1 Auburn and No. 2 Oregon earlier this month, I couldn’t help but tune in. Besides being incredulous that what I was watching was supposedly the best two college football teams in America, I remember thinking one main thing:
Who needs money when you’re guaranteed a degree? Well, guarantee might be a strong word, because many NCAA teams struggle to graduate even half of their players. Still, though, that’s half a chance at a free education!
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Though I’m a huge sports fan, I’ve never been into college football. It’s just a thing I have; I only like the ones with playoff systems.
I’m serious – college athletics is all about playing for the love of the game, representing your school, and getting a quality education.
Debbie Smith
Marissa Giarraputo
LUKE HAMMILL Senior Managing Editor
How unfortunate that I had to witness Auburn’s kicker win the game for the covetous Newton, as ESPN’s Brent Musberger narrated, “This is for all the Tostitos.”
Considering how much the Republicans were able to prevent the Democrats from getting done
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What a shame it was that I had to watch Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton, who was engulfed in controversy all season after being accused of demanding money in return for playing at Auburn. What a shame that Newton’s greediness overshadowed the biggest game of the year, the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. (Tostitos®, surprisingly simple.)
While we at The Spectrum understand their frustration, we feel Obama is making the right move by adopting a conservative stance on this issue (no pun intended). The fact is, the Republicans have a lot more now than they did during the first half of Obama’s term.
Helene Polley
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ARTS & LIFE Semester Album Preview JAMESON BUTLER Arts Editor It’s tough going to school in the frozen tundra of Buffalo. One good way to warm up is tossing on a new record and dancing. Here are 10 albums that should get your rear in gear and get you to boogie.
COURTESY OF PAUL KOLNIK
Artist: Rise Against Album: Endgame Release Date: March 15
Hi-Five Soup! For The Soul JAMES TWIGGSenior Arts Editor
Artist: The Aquabats Album: Hi-Five Soup! Label: Fearless Records Grade: B
Calling all Aquacadets! The Aquabats are at it again with their fifth studio album, Hi-Five Soup!, and they’re just as over-the-top and ridiculous as ever. For those unaware, the Aquabats are superhero, newwave-ska pop-punkers who aren’t afraid to be more than just a little absurd with their music. Just a few of their previous hits include “Fashion Zombies!,” “Super Rad!,” and, of course, the ever-popular “Pizza Day!” They’re pretty big exclamation-point enthusiasts too. Since breaking onto the scene with Return of the Aquabats! in 1996, the band has garnered a devoted fan following and has been through several lineup changes. Over the years, the band has both gained and lost a number of impressive musicians, including a pre-Blink 182 Travis Barker. Hi-Five Soup! opens up with “The Shark Fighter!” and it’s exactly what anyone would expect after hearing the title. Frontman MC Bat Commander’s lyrics tell the tale of a man who fights sharks after they took away his girlfriend. Mixed with a catchy riff and a bouncy synth line, this song is Aquabats through and through. The second track on the album, titled “B.F.F.!,” indicates a slight shift in the band’s sound. The song comes off more as a children’s song than anything, complete with a collection of kids lending their voices to the chorus and auto-tuning. Sadly, the album sticks with this theme for the majority of Hi-Five Soup! This is more than likely due to the recent success of MC Bat Commander’s children’s show, Yo Gabba Gabba. However, this doesn’t ruin the album, as they still manage to squeeze in some true-to-heart Aquabats numbers like “The Legend is True!” and “Just Can’t Lose!”
Punk veterans Rise Against return with their sixth studio album chock full of foreshadowing. It should come as no shock to fans of the band that Endgame will contain a very strong political undertow. Endgame will take the listener on a journey into the future where human life as we know it is obsolete.
Artist: Taking Back Sunday Album: TBA Release Date: March While most people have written Taking Back Sunday off as a hollow shell of what they once were, this album should restore the faith. For the first time since the legendary Tell All Your Friends, the original lineup is recording together. From the demo that frontman Adam Lazzara leaked to the handful of songs the band performed for a lucky few this summer on their reunion tour, Taking Back Sunday has returned to the sound that once molded an entire scene.
Artist: Kanye West and Jay-Z Album: Watch the Throne Release Date: March 1 Despite having one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2010, Kanye West is already putting the finishing touches on his next endeavor; a massive collaboration al-
bum with fellow hip-hop heavyweight, JayZ. Granted that Jay’s verse on Kanye’s song “Monster” is laughable at best, this album should be one of the best hip-hop albums of the year.
Artist: Cold War Kids Album: Mine Is Yours Release Date: Jan. 24 These bluesy Indie rockers have somehow flown under the radar for years. After the success of Brothers by The Black Keys, Cold War Kids are poised to take over the airwaves. Their soulful guitar work and heartwrenching lyrics are sure to captivate the inner hipster in millions.
Artist: Yellowcard Album: When You’re Through Thinking, Say Yes Release Date: March 21 The gods of pop punk have parted the clouds and have bestowed a gift upon the world. Yellowcard went on an almost threeyear hiatus after releasing their critically acclaimed album, Paper Walls. Hopefully, the band can pick up where it left off and can produce an album that will return the luster to the pop punk scene.
Artist: Drive-By Truckers Album: Go-Go Boots Release Date: Feb. 15 While writing 2010’s The Big To-Do, Drive-By Truckers wrote an abundance of songs. GoGo Boots is a continuation of the story that The Big To-Do started. The band deviates from its standard Southern rock sound and dives into a more inspired R&B vibe. With DBT’s instrumental skills and frontman Patterson Hood’s songwriting ability, Go-Go Boots could redefine Drive-By Truckers.
The UB Music Department presents compelling and persuasive pianist…
Jeremy Denk
Artist: All Time Low Album: Dirty Work Release Date: March
Friday, January 21, 2011 7:30pm Lippes Concert Hall in Slee Hall
5. Impossible Snowboard Trick Move over, Shaun White.
After the demise of Fall Out Boy, the pop punk crown was left on the ground. That was until All Time Low released Nothing Personal. The band quickly became the kings of pop punk and soared to the top. Now they are back to release their fourth studio album, but their first on a major label. Hopefully All Time Low doesn’t have a Pete Wentz in their midst.
Artist: Red City Radio Album: The Dangers of Standing Still Release Date: Feb. 22 Red City Radio has a small itinerary as they have only released two EPs, but the buzz surrounding the band is monumental. Without even releasing a full-length album, RCR has shown that they are one of the best up-and-coming punk groups. Continuing the Americana trend in punk music, RCR will begin their takeover with their debut album.
Artist: Sum 41 Album: Screaming Bloody Murder Release Date: March 29 After countless delays, Sum 41 is finally releasing their fifth studio album. Many people were disappointed with Underclass Hero, but the band has stated that they are going make an album that returns to the band’s heavier beginnings. Fingers crossed that there is another anthem like “Fat Lip” on Screaming Bloody Murder.
Artist: Jessie J Album: Who You Are Release Date: March 28 Going unnoticed by much of the mass population, Jessie J is prime to become the biggest thing to hit pop music in years. She penned Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” and has worked with B.O.B. What separates her from every other pop act is the fact that she has the talent to back up the fame she is acquiring.
email: arts@ubspectrum.com
in Ligeti's Etudes, Books I & II and Bach's Goldberg Variations
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After a five-year effort to bring halaal food to campus, the Muslim Student Association succeeds.
Halaal at Last! MICHAEL TYSONAsst. Life Editor It was once very difficult for Muslim students to follow a strict Muslim diet because of the limited choice of places to eat on campus. Now, however, there is a halaal option at Putnam’s. The Muslim Student Association (MSA) has been working hard for five years to get Campus Dining & Shops (CDS) to offer a halaal option, which refers to the food allowed in a devout Muslim’s diet, on campus. It is a common misunderstanding that halaal refers to what is not allowed; this word is actually haraam. Haraam foods tend to be pork, seafood, alcohol, parts of certain animals, blood or blood products, and animals that were not slaughtered in the proper way or not slaughtered in the name of Allah. Halaal allows for many dining options and is still able to satisfy almost any palate. The proper way of slaughtering an animal for halaal consumption
is considered the most humane. One simply makes a swift, clean cut along the neck to sever the arteries and windpipe, allowing the animal to die quickly and with minimal pain.
“The sales have been great,” said Putnam’s manager Mary Butler. “It has created a lot of awareness amongst non-Muslim students about the Muslim culture.”
“Being one of the most diverse institutes in the country, UB is obliged to cater to the needs of its diverse student body,” said MSA president Sikander Mohammed Khan. “Steps such as these will make UB one of the most encompassing and pioneer[ing] campus[es] by 2020.”
Other ways that the MSA is trying to make Muslim students more comfortable on campus include workshops, community service events, gender and race relation panels, and many lectures from prominent Muslims from around the world.
Now students interested in dining on halaal food can walk into Putnam’s in the Student Union and help themselves to refrigerated meals that are heated in microwaves. The meals themselves are provided by Salam-At Market, which delivers the pre-made carry-out to CDS for students, faculty and staff of any race or creed. “I eat it almost every day,” Khan said. “So does every other Muslim student, and many non-Muslims, too.” Although there is only a small selection right now, CDS and MSA are working together to have more choices for next year, as well as choices in the dining halls and other places on campus. There is even talk of a halaal-friendly restaurant, space permitting.
American Idiot Stars on Broadway VANESSA FRITHAsst. Arts Editor
Photo by Dennis Callahan
ALEX MCCROSSEN /// THE SPECTRUM
The most notable event coming up is a talk given by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, otherwise known as the spiritual leader for the Park51 project that was nicknamed the “Victory Mosque.” The talk will take place at the Center for Tomorrow on North Campus Jan. 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. Whether students are trying to adhere to their religious beliefs, are curious about what different foods are like, or are simply interested in foods that are prepared in the halaal fashion, the new option helps to expand both the dining experience at UB, as well as the cultural experience.
1. Mitchell Watt Block-Dunk Boom Shaka-Laka!
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Broadway has become less conventional in recent years. A deviation from the iconic, plain, button-down musicals with quaint showtune lyrics began with Rent, segued with Spring Awakening, and found its latest example in Green Day’s American Idiot.
As Will (Michael Esper, A Man For All Seasons) is forced to stay behind in Jingletown to play the role of an outcast, misunderstood accidental father, Johnny (John Gallagher Jr., Spring Awakening) and Tunny (Stark Sands, Journey’s End) head for the city.
Despite a few too many songs being geared toward children, the Aquabats have managed to pump out another ludicrous and super-rad album with Hi-Five Soup!
Tunny finds himself even more lost and disillusioned in the skyscraper-dotted metropolis and is sucked into the glorified image of the U.S. Army that his television presents for him. Left to his own devices, Johnny falls down the rabbit hole of heroin and alcohol offered by St. Jimmy (Billie Joe Armstrong).
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Caught in a downward spiral, Johnny doesn’t wake from his drug-induced contentment until he loses everything he loves. Caught between his efforts to escape his home and his inability to conform to a 9-to-5 life, Johnny must come to terms with reality. Unlike other band-influenced musicals, American Idiot doesn’t try to fit a plot around randomly selected songs like the Elvis-based musical All Shook Up, or chronicle the ups and downs of musicians’ lives, a la Jersey Boys. Instead, it follows the plot dynamic of Movin’ Out, drawing characters from the lyrics themselves. However, what makes American Idiot so unique is the dearth of spoken lines. Other than the occasional comment from Johnny, the story is told entirely through music and action. Like an elaborate music video, attention is placed on the lyrics, allowing the plot to be conveyed through them. It comes as very little surprise that Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) is the directing mastermind behind the production. His signature small yet highly versatile set hosts not only the actors, but the band as well. Thrown into the mix is a plethora of multimedia, a prominent identifier of our time and a driving force behind the confusion and frustration of the characters. With multiple TVs mounted to the walls of the industrial setting, the props help the audience visualize the world in which the musical takes place. Gallagher Jr. showcases his vocal abilities through a blend of intensity and energy, keeping himself, as well as the audience, teetering on the edge for the entire show. Meanwhile, Heather (Jeanna de Waal, We Will Rock You), Whatsername (Rebecca Naomi Jones, Passing Strange), and the Extraordinary Girl (Christina Sajous) come to provide the voice of reason, becoming all three boys’ saviors. For diehard Green Day fans, the new year brings a limited opportunity to see Billie Joe Armstrong, the lead singer of Green Day, perform the role of St. Jimmy. Armstrong is currently in the middle of his 50 scheduled performances, which began on New Year’s Day. He will still be appearing Jan. 18-30 and Feb. 10-27, providing ample time for a weekend excursion to New York City to see him perform. As American Idiot treads on the borders of unconventionality, it is a bold new step for Broadway musicals. Enticing a younger generation to take the seats of the St. James Theater, American Idiot fills a need in the musical market. However, the only question that remains is whether or not American Idiot will exhaust its young fan base and leave 246 W. 44th St. dark once more.
email: arts@ubspectrum.com Green Day’s 2004 album American Idiot is not your typical broadway musical. ARTS & LIFE FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 ❖ THE SPECTRUM
2. Tajizzle Dub Finally, a product that lives up to its price.
Based on the 2004 album of the same name, American Idiot expands upon the built-in plot of the concept album, entwining the lives of Johnny, Will, and Tunny, three disaffected post-9/11 suburban youths.
For tickets and info: (716) 645-2921 or www.slee.buffalo.edu
In addition to the colorful, tight-clad musicians, the album also features the likes of hip-hop star Biz Markie on the song “Radio Down!” and e-mail guru Strongbad on “Pink Pants!”
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3. Natalie Portman Dorky Giggle And the award for dumbest laugh goes to…
COURTESY OF PAUL KOLNIK
ALEX MCCROSSEN /// THE SPECTRUM
Hourani Lecture Series Hosts Velleman JENNIFER HARBSenior Life Editor Wednesday marked the beginning of the three-day Hourani Lecture Series hosted by the UB Department of Philosophy. J. David Velleman, a professor of philosophy and bioethics at New York University, will be presenting all three lectures. The Hourani Lectures are in commemoration of George Hourani, one of the preeminent scholars of Islamic philosophy and Near Eastern history. After studying at both Oxford and Princeton University, he began teaching at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. In 1967, Hourani came to UB to teach, where he served as the Chair of the philosophy department from 1976 until 1980. In 1980, he was one of the Near Eastern scholars called by President Jimmy Carter to discuss U.S. relations with the Muslim world, two years before his retirement in 1982. Wednesday’s lecture, entitled “Regarding Doing Being Ordinary,” focused on how one’s actions are constrained by preexisting socially constructed action-types. Much of this social repertoire remains in the background of our thought, according to David Hershenov, chair of the philosophy department, in his description of the lecture. “We have a taxonomy of actionconcepts by which we interpret one another and make ourselves interpretable,” Velleman said. “This is a shared taxonomy of action-concepts to make it possible for us to do these things, to have shared intentions, and to participate in a social scenario.” To further illustrate this point, Velleman included numerous examples where a shared actionconcept is clearly implicated. There is an expected behavior set that allows one to be understood. This language did not necessarily have to consist of the spoken
word, but of a series of interpretable actions.
“If you want to ride the subway in New York, you better know how to make yourself understood,” Velleman said. “The crowding in, brushing past, reaching around, stepping aside, sprinting as opposed to chasing, nudging as opposed to jostling. When you come to New York, speak the local language of action.”
The lecture was followed by a question-and-answer period, where Velleman’s ideas were further considered and questioned. According to Hershenov, it is rare for a philosopher to focus so much on social sciences such as anthropology, linguistics and sociology.
“The audience appreciated Velleman’s open-mindedness and willingness to revise his positions or admit they needed more development in light of their questions and criticism,” Hershenov said when considering Velleman’s first lecture.
On Thursday, Velleman lectured about reasonable relativism, which is considered to be the most controversial of the topics. Velleman contends that there aren’t moral disagreements between cultures because their norms are only relevant in their own respective cultures. However, Velleman believes there is still a way to compare and judge cultures despite these varying norms. Friday’s lecture is on personhood, which Velleman argues is natural and is essentially the ability to reflect on one’s own thought. It can transcend cultural bounds, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that valuing will take place in the same way. Mutual interpretation and coordination can only occur if one recognizes that others view themselves as self-reflective creatures.
Friday’s lecture is free and open to the public. It is set for 4 p.m. in the Main Ballroom in the Center for Tomorrow, with a reception to follow.
email: features@ubspectrum.com ARTS & LIFE FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 ❖ THE SPECTRUM
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HOUSE FOR RENT 308 HIGHGATE 6 bdrm, 2.5 bath, $1,500, view RonYoung.com, Inquiries Ron1812@aol.com. 2 TO 8 BEDROOM APARTMENTS and houses now showing for next academic year. Northrup, Winspear, Merrimac, Englewood, Tyler, Highgate and more! Hardwood floors, laundry, off-street parking, so much more! Call, Text, or email Jeremy Dunn to take a tour. (585) 261-6609, jgdunn2@msn.com. UB NORTH CAMPUS across from the Villas. Beautiful 5 BR house. 2 full baths. Updated kitchen w/ new appliances. Large bedrooms. Great closet space. Plenty of off-street parking. $375/ person + util. Available June 1st, 634-0710, www.ubstudentrentals.com. EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2011 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near south campus. Off-street parking, laundry, dishwashers & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing. 716-308-4881. SOUTH CAMPUS housing 14 properties to choose from. 1,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 bedroom homes. Available June 1st 2011. Call Dave 716-445-2514 or go to daveburnette.net to view all properties.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 Yonder 6 Hold off for 11 Laptops 14 Second showing 15 Hobby shop wood 16 Zhou En- — 17 Mind’s picture 18 John Quincy — 19 Comic-strip prince 20 Gum 22 Amiable look 24 Slip past customs 28 Grassy area 29 Sweethearts 30 Grown-up 32 Could hear — — drop 33 Throbbed 35 Mies van der — 39 Ration out 40 Donne’s “done” 41 Terrible czar 42 USA rival, once 43 Toyota model 45 Mr. Dithers’ wife 46 Leaves unmentioned 48 Shoelace hole 50 Came next 53 Beyond rad 54 Rent 55 Light refractor 57 Kilmer of films 58 Prepare dough 60 Samantha of films 6
CLASSIFIEDS FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
65 66 67 68 69 70
Yvette’s summer Spine-tingling Weeper of myth Brillo rival Drinks for all Suggestions
36 Convex molding 37 Sultan’s menage 38 Related to mom 43 England’s FBI 44 Somber evergreens 47 More submissive 49 Saudi neighbor 50 Brownies 51 Marvy 52 Red-tag events 53 Lent a hand 55 Bolivia neighbor 56 Deluge 59 Recent (pref.) 61 Card-game cry 62 Elephant party 63 — Dhabi 64 Part of AARP
DOWN 1 Part of TNT 2 Finish a dress 3 Historical period 4 Toupee, slangily 5 What fuel provides 6 Cheapen 7 Arroyo 8 Former Fed head Greenspan 9 Dogma 10 Cornstalk tip 11 Kilt pattern 12 Monte — 13 Tendon 21 Lanchester of “Bride of Frankenstein” 23 Arrays 24 Famed orca 25 Broods 26 Apartments 27 Ready to share 28 Wet, soft earth 30 Throat-clearing sounds 31 Earl — Biggers 34 Apply paint
Sudoku – Difficulty 3/5
SPORTS FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
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SPORTS
Bulls Defense Snuffs Golden Flashes CAREY BEYERSports Editor If you were walking along the spine on Wednesday night and you thought you felt an earthquake, don’t be alarmed. It was just Alumni Arena. On Wednesday night, the Bulls (10-6, 2-2 Mid-American Conference) crushed Kent State (11-7, 2-2 MAC) in Alumni Arena by a score of 79-54. The event was witnessed by the largest student crowd of the season, with over 1,100 members of the university community in attendance. Head coach Reggie Witherspoon attributed a big part of the victory to the student body that came out to support the team. “Our students were a huge part of this win,” Witherspoon said. “It was good to bounce off of that energy and plug into it.” The meeting between the two teams was expected to be much more competitive than what was witnessed. Kent State entered the night considered one of the better teams in the MAC East division, having recorded victories over conference rivals Bowling Green and Ohio. There was no way that the Golden Flashes could have seen what they were in store for. Kent State lost its only lead of the game less than two minutes into the first half and never even came close to regaining it. “There was not much of a game,” said Golden Flashes head coach Geno Ford. “It was just one of those games where we were fighting uphill the whole time.” Kent State could never get into
any sort of rhythm on the court, with the Bulls constantly disrupting everything that their opponent tried. The Bulls defense held its opponent to a season low 33 percent shooting from the field, while forcing 19 turnovers and recording 10 blocks. Junior forward Mitchell Watt led the effort on the defensive end for the Bulls. He finished the night with 13 points and eight blocks, the third most by any Bulls player in history. “We pride ourselves on defense,” Watt said. “We do show it in spurts, but tonight we really sustained it. [Kent State was] able to score but I don’t think [they could have beaten] our will and determination.” Watt’s night was best exemplified by a six second stretch in the beginning of the second half in which he blocked a shot by Kent State guard Sherman Rodriguez then charged down the court to dunk over Kent State forward Mark Henniger. As good as Watt was, the best performance of the night belonged to senior guard Byron Mulkey. He turned in a stellar effort by recording a Bulls season-best and personal careerhigh of 27 points. He finished the night having hit 5-of-7 from 3-point range and was flawless when he was sent to the line. The team captain could not be stopped in the first 20 minutes, where he recorded his first 21 points. “[In the] first half, he was great,” Ford said. “Every time he got it, he just buried one on us.”
CAREY’S CORNER CAREY BEYER Sports Editor
Although Mulkey didn’t match his point total in the second half, he never lost any intensity on the court and was crucial in setting up his teammates with scoring opportunities of their own. When asked about his career performance after the game, Mulkey emphasized the contributions of the team as a whole in making it possible. “[My performance] had a lot to do with my teammates,” Mulkey said. “We did a great job of attacking the paint and knowing when to pass and when to shoot. I was able to contribute by knocking down the shots when I had them.” Throughout the entire contest, Alumni Arena was practically shaking from the noise that was coming from the student section. All of the action on the court was amplified by the reaction coming from the baseline bleachers. The blue-clad horde made life a living nightmare for the Kent State squad and the help that they provided was not lost on the home team or its coach. “That was one of the liveliest student sections [in years],” Witherspoon said. “I think we have the potential to have one of the best home courts around if the students keep coming out.” The Bulls are looking to take this momentum on the road with them this weekend. They will next see the court on Saturday at Ohio’s (8-10, 1-3 MAC) Convocation Center. The team will meet the Bobcats on ESPNU at 3 p.m. g
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Let’s kick this thing off right with a sport that many UB students are unfamiliar with: ice hockey. As some of you know, UB does not have a Division I hockey team. Instead, those students who love the cold and hate their teeth come together to play on the University’s club team. The Buffalo Bulls play in the American Collegiate Hockey Association and, more specifically, the Eastern Collegiate Hockey League. This league may not be Division I, but that does not mean that the competition is not intense. The team had been on hiatus through the break but started the second half of the season off by splitting their weekend matches at home. The Bulls defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles, 5-1, but fell to Mercyhurst College, 4-3.
Welcome, one and all, to a new semester of Buffalo sports. The weather outside is still frightful, but we no longer have the thought of the holidays to keep our spirits up. To make the long trek to summer easier, we at The Spectrum are introducing you to a new feature: Carey’s Corner. Yes, it’s named after me – be jealous. In this section, we will bring you the news that’s just barely fit to print. The content will change from issue to issue, but this will be the place to look for news about the University’s lesserknown sports, such as club and intramural sports. It will also be the home of predictions, profiles, and anything else we feel like writing about.
SWEET TWEET your tweet here if you correctly predict a game outcome Follow us @UBSpecSports
The Bulls are in good position moving forward, as they currently sit atop the ECHL standings with a 17-6-1 record. The Bulls will next hit the ice with a pair of games against SUNY Canton. The team will come back to the Northtown Center at Amherst (formerly known as the Pepsi Center) on Jan. 28. g Want more of Carey’s Corner? Check ubspectrum.com/sports for Carey’s NFL predictions for the weekend.
email: carey.beyer@ubspectrum.com
CLINTON HODNETT /// THE SPECTRUM
Zach Filzen and the men’s basketball team were too much for Kent State to handle on Wednesday.
GET RICH OR DIE TRYING CAREY BEYER Sports Editor Not that anyone has been paying attention, but the football team is currently in the hunt for a new offensive coordinator. As I am sure you are aware, the Bulls finished their 2010 campaign in poor fashion, posting a 2-10 record in the Mid-American Conference and finishing last in the conference in points per game. This finish came as a big disappointment to first-year head coach Jeff Quinn, who was considered an offensive specialist before he took his current position. This prompted Quinn to fire former offensive coordinator Greg Forest as well as former receivers coach Juan Taylor. As of yet, there has not been much public talk about prospective candidates to fill the opening. The Athletic Department had decided to wait until after the college bowl season to start its search for a replacement. Well, seeing as it’s supposedly early in the search, I know of a man who is currently looking for a job and would be perfect for the position. He has plenty of experience with the spread offense, he is more than prepared for the level of competition that the Bulls face, and best of all, after his last job, we might be the only school that would hire him. I’m talking about Rich Rodriguez. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Why in the world would our great university spend its hard-earned money on someone like Rodriguez? Well, hold on to your hats, because this well-thoughtout and totally serious line of reasoning is going to blow you away. Rodriguez left Michigan last month after three years of disappointment both on and off the field. He could never seem to get the Wolverines to get to where he wanted them, even when he went so far as to schedule supersecret extra practices (cough) allegedly (cough).
like “Workouts aren’t mandatory, but neither is playing time”? If you were to ask any student-athlete around campus, they are most likely to tell you that the greatest aspect of Buffalo is the family atmosphere that is upheld by the entire community. The fact is that Buffalo loves its children and will stay loyal to them forever. There is no one more loyal than Rich Rodriguez – just ask any West Virginia fan. Rodriguez’s time in Michigan may have ended rather abruptly, but if it were up to him, he would never have left the student-athletes that he brought into the program. He would never, say, build a struggling program into a conference powerhouse, bring in a group of young guys who were specifically chosen to fit his style of play, help them reach the biggest game of their careers, and then, hypothetically, bail on them less than a month before kick-off for a bigger program and a bigger paycheck. That’s just not the kind of guy that Rodriguez is. The biggest reason Rodriguez is the right choice for the Bulls is the fact that he might be able to bring Denard Robinson with him. After Rodriguez was relieved of his coaching duties, Robinson announced that he would look into transfer options. New Michigan coach Brady Hoke has reportedly convinced Robinson to stay with the Wolverines, but I can’t help but wonder if he wouldn’t follow Rodriguez if he were to take another job before next season. Can you imagine Robinson lighting up the MAC on Saturdays sporting the Buffalo blue? You should try it, because the image is amazing. I’m sure this advice will go unheeded in the athletic department, as it probably should, but hey, football season is still 225 days away, so we need something to talk about. g
email: carey.beyer@ubspectrum.com
I also can’t help but admire Rodriguez’s motivational techniques. How can a team not produce results with mottos
Mitchell Watt put UB on the map Wednesday night, when his block/dunk sequence made it all the way to No. 2 on SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays. His eight blocks in the game was a career-high, and it now ranks as the third-best performance in UB basketball history. “It was awesome to see Buffalo recognized nationally on SportsCenter,” Watt said. “A lot of the guys were excited to be in the play. It was a great transition play by the team, and I was just lucky enough to be the one to finish it.”