Alex McCrossen /// The Spectrum ALEX MCCROSSEN /// THE SPECTRUM
Due to limited seating in classrooms such as this one in Jacobs Hall, some students don’t have much to smile about.
The Independent Student Publication of the University at Buffalo WEDNESDAY EDITION v January 26, 2011 Vol. 60 No. 44 v ubspectrum.com
Limited Course Seating Leaves Seniors Unable to Graduate School of Management tries to rectify situation LAUREN NOSTROSenior News Editor Some seniors in the School of Management face the possibility of not graduating on time this spring due to limited seating in MGO403, Fundamentals of Strategic Management, a course required for completion of their degree.
The Student Choice Speaker has a long list of accomplishments.
Thursday evening at 8 p.m., Schwarzenegger will speak as the Undergraduate Student Choice Speaker in the UB Distinguished Speaker Series in Alumni Arena. While the topic of the lecture is still unknown, his achievements are sure to provide plenty of material for an interesting speech. At the age of 20, Schwarzenegger became the youngest Mr. Universe, a title he went on to win four more times. The “Austrian Oak” then sought to expand his repertoire to acting, and, as such, debuted in his first film as “Arnold Strong” in Hercules in New York (1969). He won the Golden Globe Award for “Best Acting in a Debut Picture” for his second film, Stay Hungry (1976). In 1979, he earned his B.A. in business from the University of Wiscon-
Hoops for Hearts Strives to Save a Child’s Heart JENNIFER HARBSenior Life Editor Fraternities Zeta Beta Tau and Alpha Epsilon Pi are hosting UB Hoops for Hearts, a fundraiser for the humanitarian organization Save a Child’s Heart (SACH). The event will consist of a three-on-three bas-
INSIDE NEWS :: 2 OPINION :: 3 ARTS & LIFE :: 4–6 DAILY DELIGHTS :: 8 CLASSIFIEDS :: 9 SPORTS :: 12–11
The sequel, Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), has been called the epitome of his acting career. He was voted “International Star of the Decade” by the National Association of Theatre Owners. The actor decided to run for office in 2003, announcing his goal to become Governor of California on Jay Leno’s The Tonight Show on Aug. 3. Later that year, he was sworn in as governor after Gray Davis was recalled. Schwarzenegger is currently known as a famous actor, political figure, philanthropist, and humanitarian. He has won the Simon Wiesenthal Center “Humanity Prize” twice for his efforts to increase Holocaust awareness, and in 2002, he won the esteemed Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award. The Alumni Arena box office will be distributing tickets from 7-8 p.m. on Thursday night for those students with a valid UB ID. First come first serve.
E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
ketball tournament, held on Feb. 5 from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Clark Gym on South Campus. ZBT is an on-campus fraternity that was created last semester. Currently, there are 25 members, and the organization hopes to add 10 to 15 more members this semester. Joining together for this charitable effort, ZBT and AEPi are changing the culture of inter-fraternity relationships from rivalry to collaboration. “Originally ZBT wanted to do something to get involved in the commu-
WEATHER WED
Few could have predicted that a penniless immigrant with a thick accent from Thal, Austria would become an international bodybuilding triumph, a widely famous Hollywood actor, and, eventually, governor of California. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger has accomplished this eclectic group of accomplishments, among many others.
Schwarzenegger continued acting, gaining worldwide recognition for his performance in The Terminator (1984), a role for which he actually wasn’t originally cast. The Terminator became one of the most profitable film franchises in history. His line, “I’ll be back,” crossed borders and became part of popular culture for years to come.
THURS
JENNIFER HARBSenior Life Editor
sin. Five years later, in 1984, he became a U.S. citizen.
FRI
Schwarzenegger Set to Speak on Thursday
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According to Maldorado, advisors in the school told her that there were plenty of students in the same predicament.
“Typically, there are a few students who cannot get into a course and try to take it the following semester but the only thing is that with [MGO403] you need it to graduate,” said Tony Roman, SA Treasurer and a senior in the School of Management.
“I personally just feel like UB is leaving us out to dry,” Maldorado said. “How can they just assume that all of these students could make these accommodations? What about all of the students that don’t have cars or that live check to check? How do you expect them to do either one of these plans, and if there are so many students left out of the class, why can’t they either expand the classes they currently have or add additional sessions?”
Roman said the course was full by the time his class registration window opened, but the School of Management office instructed him to fill out a form to be forceregistered. Roman received an email a week later that instructed him that there were no available seats in the course and that he would be able to take a similar course at another school.
There are a total of nine sections for MGO403 that are now closed for the spring 2011 semester. According to the UB Academic Schedule website, eight of these course sections seat 50 students, for a total of 400 seats that were available for the course this semester. One of the course sections lists that there were no seats available at any time.
“This was discouraging because I wanted to graduate in May without having to take a course from another school or taking the course in the summer,” Roman said. “If I would have known how difficult it would have been to get into the course, I would have tried to take the course in the fall, but I didn’t know how limited the seating would be.”
The prerequisites for the course include senior standing and the completion of at least three of six listed management courses (including MGB302, MGS301, MGM301, MGO302, and MGE302) and concurrent registration in the other three.
Luckily for Roman, he received an e-mail a few days later stating that he had been force-registered in the course. Only a handful of students are allowed to be force registered in courses with limited seating during the first week of registration. “I suppose that with any 400-level course there is a chance of not getting in but if there is a large number of students who need to take the course to graduate in May, then there should be some type of assistance to help them achieve that goal,” Roman said. Other students were not as lucky. Nikita Maldorado, a senior business administration major with a concentration in human resources and supply chain operations, was unable to be force-registered in the course and was left with two options: taking an equivalent course at a nearby college or taking a class over the summer that would postpone receiving her diploma. nity… we first went to AEPi because they are already established on campus and we figured they’d be able to help us and bring us toward being [more established],” said Justin Neuwirt, a sophomore accounting major, vice president of ZBT, and the event organizer. “They had already been working with Save a Child’s Heart, so that was the first organization they targeted.” SACH, founded by Dr. Amram Cohen in 1995, has repaired the hearts of more than 2,400 children world-
OPINION STATE OF THE UNION PAGE 4
There were only five sections for MGO403 available in the Fall 2010 semester, seating fewer than 300 students total. “The issue was seen as forthcoming, and notification was given to students before registration,” said Rachael Lowe, president of the undergraduate management association. “With the problem only keeping, from my understanding, less than 0.5 percent of graduating seniors in a difficult situation, the best I can personally do now is work with the School of Management to help sophomores and juniors avoid the problem in the future.” According to Katherine Ferguson, associate dean of academic programs in the School of Management, the department was aware as they were putting together the 2010-11 academic course schedule that because of the current budget situation, there would not be a sufficient number of sections for MGO403 throughout the academic year to accommodate the number of students anticipated to graduate. wide since its conception. The organization does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, religion or financial situation; each patient is treated with the finest medical care at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, Israel. Additionally, SACH provides an outreach training program for the medical personnel in Israel. The organization works to form partnerships in developing countries as well as create pre- and post-operative care facilities in Israel and elsewhere.
ARTS LITTLE BIG PLANET 2 PAGE 5
“As you know, it is difficult for us to determine, with the present student system, how many students are actually graduating,” Ferguson said. “We don’t know if [students] are officially graduating until they turn in their card [to Student Services]. We thought there would be 70 to 80 students who were planning on graduating in June or prior to that, who would not be able to be accommodated in MGO403.” The School of Management began a process before the academic year to figure out how to provide services to students that would not be accommodated. According to Ferguson, no one in the School of Management felt comfortable with the situation of students not being accommodated from the beginning of this process. The School began by sending out a mass e-mail before last summer to students they believed to be graduating in the upcoming year to warn them of the limited seating and to register for the course during the summer. “There were going to be as many seats in the summer as possible; if one section fills, we’ll add another, if that section fills, we’ll add another,” Ferguson said. “We had a marginal growth in the number of students who took the course over the summer and we understand that there are complications with students taking summer courses. We’re not assuming that [taking summer courses] is naturally an easy thing.” By fall 2010, the School of Management was aware that there were around 60 to 70 students that would not be accommodated, according to Ferguson. The department came up with another solution to the problem by utilizing other institutions in Western New York. Ferguson said that the department chair was notified of the issue and was asked to find equivalent courses at other institutions in Buffalo where students would be able to cross-register, meaning that UB students are able to register for courses at other institutions in the area without formal admission or additional tuition charges. According to Ferguson, about 1520 students found seats in other classes at institutions in the area
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The community has also pooled its resources to make this effort a success. Local businesses provided gift cards and merchandise, Alumni Arena donated hats and T-shirts, and Pam Jackson, the Greek liaison in the Student Life office, provided water bottles.
Additionally, UB Hoops for Hearts welcomes sponsors. Three sponsorship levels have been designated:
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ARTS A WEEK IN INK PAGE 6
News Briefs 1/26
NEWS
Moscow Airport Blast: Suicide Bomb Kills 35
Police Blotter
MOSCOW—The suicide bombing Monday at Domodedovo Airport marked one of the most damaging attacks here in years, striking at a crucial link between Russia and the rest of the world.
Today in UB History: January 21, 1967 For the first time, back in 1967, UB Students had the opportunity to spend the summer in Barcelona, Spain. Not a bad way to spend the Summer of Love.
full story online at ubspectrum.com
Seniors Unable to Graduate Continued from Page 1 including Buffalo State College and Canisius College. “We do not think this is a solution, we do not think students should be taking Capstone courses at other institutions, but we wanted to accommodate students as best as we could and this was a solution,” Ferguson said. By the time registration windows opened, there were a number of students in the department who registered on time, had no check-stops, and had a GPA of over 2.5 and were still unable to register for the course, according to Ferguson. The School of Management then spoke to Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education Scott Weber, who helped the school to add another section to accommodate an additional 55 students. The staff of School of Management advisement center went to the “ends of the Earth” to find spots for people and offered three accommodations to students including adding another section, offering cross-registration, and offering as many seats during summer
registration as possible, according to Ferguson. “In the end, there were a handful of students who were not accommodated and I can say with confidence that they were students who did not register when their windows opened,” Ferguson said. “There are many legitimate reasons why these things happen – but they didn’t come forward as having a problem until the first week of class.” The options for students unable to fulfill this requirement are identifying a course at another institution if they’re not from Buffalo and asking for it to be reviewed for waiver credit to be able to graduate in September or to take the course over the summer and walk at graduation in May, according to Ferguson. “It’s a small number of students,” Ferguson said. “The people who were not accommodated – and this sounds pejorative – and I don’t mean it to be, are probably people who weren’t on track anyway and who didn’t plan their schedule properly, or they dropped it because they didn’t like the time and wanted to add it at a later time.” E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
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There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which killed 35 people and injured 86, 40 of them critically. Russian authorities said they were investigating leads late Monday. Russia has experienced nearly 15 years of terrorist acts, virtually all of them attributed to Chechens or other Islamic separatists from the North Caucasus, where a low-level civil war continues to smolder. The bomber attacked at the airport’s most vulnerable point, the unsecured reception area outside customs. Authorities here and elsewhere promised new measures to tighten security at airports worldwide. Domodedovo handles 600 flights a day from all points of the globe, including major U.S. airports. It is a more potent symbol than the Moscow subway system, bombed in March in an attack that killed 40, or the Moscow-St. Petersburg rail line, disrupted by a bombing 14 months ago that killed 27. Authorities did not point to separatists from the North Caucasus as the likely culprits, as they often do. It is probable, though, that official suspicion will fall on the Islamist separatists whom Russia has been fighting in Chechnya and neighboring regions for more than a decade. Moscow fought two wars against the Chechens, with huge casualties. Officials said the bombing was a terrorist attack carried out by a male bomber using about 15 pounds of explosives. They declared a “high terror alert” at Moscow’s two other major airports and the subway system. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev went on national TV Monday evening and criticized the lapses that had allowed the bombing to occur. Late into the evening, the floor at the airport was littered with bodies and body parts. Many of the flights arriving at Domodedovo on Monday happened to be delayed, which may have saved lives. Witnesses said the reception area where the explosion took place was less crowded than it might have been.
Domodedovo continued to operate, although most flights were diverted to one of Moscow’s other airports or returned to their starting point. The explosion brought expressions of solidarity from around the world.
Samuel F. Yette, Journalist and Educator Who Spoke Out for Civil Rights, Dies Samuel F. Yette, a journalist, author and educator who became an influential and sometimes incendiary voice on civil rights, died Jan. 21 at an assistedliving facility in Laurel, Md. He was 81 and had Alzheimer’s disease. In a career spanning six decades, Yette (pronounced “Yet”) worked for many news organizations and government agencies and held positions in academia, including as a journalism professor at Howard University. As a young reporter, he covered the civil rights movement for black publications including The Afro-American Newspaper and Ebony magazine. In the mid-1960s, he served as executive secretary of the Peace Corps and special assistant for civil rights to the director of the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, which administered anti-poverty programs. In 1968, Yette became the first black Washington correspondent for Newsweek. He said his three years at the magazine were rocky and blamed his firing in 1971 on the publication of his book “The Choice: The Issue of Black Survival in America.” In the book, Yette used contemporary accounts from newspapers and government documents to back up his statements. He referred to a study that indicated an overwhelming majority of white Americans would do nothing if the government instituted the mass imprisonment of blacks. A few months after his book was published, Yette was dismissed from Newsweek. He sued his former employer and claimed that he was fired because of “incipient racism” among leaders at Newsweek, which then was owned by The Washington Post. Yette won an initial court ruling, but the decision was reversed years later in a federal appeals court. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
Yette turned the rest of his career to education as a professor at Howard.
Samuel Frederick Yette, born July 2, 1929 in Harriman, Tenn., was the grandson of a slave. Yette was a 1951 English graduate of Tennessee State University and received a master’s degree in journalism from Indiana University in 1959. His career in journalism took off in the mid-1950s after he accompanied Life Magazine photographer Gordon Parks on a tour of the South.
Parks was assigned to document segregation; Yette told the Tennessee Tribune in 1996 that he served “as a reporter, researcher, pack-horse, camera-loader . . . frontman and chauffeur” for the established photographer. In 1956, he became a reporter for The Afro-American Newspaper. He covered several major civil rights events, including the 1957 march on Washington and numerous events organized by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Council. During his career at Howard, Yette passed on his belief in the power of education to generations of students.
Hassan Beheading Case Moves Forward
Muzzammil “Mo” Hassan, an Orchard Park resident and founder of Bridges TV, is now acting as his own attorney during his murder trial. Hassan is accused of beheading his wife, Aasiya Hassan, 37, in February 2009 at the Bridges TV studio.
Hassan turned himself in to the Orchard Park police headquarters about an hour after his wife was slain on Feb. 12.
Nearly two years later, Hassan’s trial began last week as postponements including financial negotiations for defense, custody issues, firing and hiring new defense lawyers delayed the trial. Hassan, now acting as his own attorney, intends to demonstrate at the murder trial that his wife was the “abuser” and listed Judge Thomas Franczyk, prosecutor Curtin Gable, Erie County District Attorney Frank A. Sedita III and Buffalo News reporter Sandra Tan as possible witnesses in his claims.
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NEWS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
OPINION EDITORIAL BOARD
LIFE AFTER FACEBOOK
EDITOR IN CHIEF
CLINTON HODNETT Senior Photo Editor
Andrew Wiktor
MANAGING EDITORS
Luke Hammill, senior Amanda Woods
A week ago today, I did the unthinkable: I deactivated my Facebook.
EDITORIAL EDITOR
I know what you’re thinking, and the answer is yes, I’m still breathing.
NEWS EDITORS
The fact of the matter is, Facebook, while useful for some purposes, was quickly becoming a serious drain on my life. I spent hour after hour on the social networking site, keeping tabs on what my friends had been up to, trying to stalk that guy in my American Writers class who I swear I’ve seen before, and generally zoning out as status after wall post after photo album would scroll across my screen.
John Hugar
Lauren Nostro, senior David Weidenborner Dannielle O’Toole, asst. INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER
Amanda Jonas ARTS EDITORS
James Twigg, senior Jameson Butler Vanessa Frith, asst. LIFE EDITORS
Jennifer Harb, senior Mike Tyson, asst. SPORTS EDITORS
Matt Parrino, senior Carey Beyer Brian Josephs, asst. PHOTO EDITORS
Clinton Hodnett, senior Megan Kinsley Alex McCrossen Renne Fok, asst. Sam Zakalik, asst. WEB EDITOR
Adam Cole
PROFESSIONAL STAFF BUSINESS MANAGER
Debbie Smith
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Helene Polley
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Marissa Giarraputo
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Boarding School Proposal is Wasteful Schools should be fixed from within Anyone who pays attention to the Buffalo Public Schools knows what rough condition they are in. While the schools for gifted students (City Honors, Hutch-Tech) are run very well, just about every other school in the area is suffering hardships right now. And it’s been that way for a long time. That was why last week, a meeting was held to discuss the struggling school system and to look for solutions to improve the slumping district. The most talked-about suggestion came from one of Buffalo’s most outspoken residents, Carl Paladino. In his first newsworthy appearance since his unsuccessful gubernatorial bid, Paladino suggested a plan that would in-
volve creating boarding schools, funded by city money, to send students to. His argument seemed to be that with the district so far in the gutter, and Superintendent James Williams failing to make things any better, the best way to fix things is to simply start fresh with a new set of schools. We strongly disagree with this sentiment. While the shoddy condition of the school system is undeniable, creating a new set of schools would simply be wasteful. It would cost insane amounts of money, and it would be difficult to get the parents of young children in close-knit communities to agree to the idea of sending their children away to go to school.
Reactions to the President’s Address
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 26 , 2011 VOLUME 60 NUMBER 41 CIRCULATION: 7,000
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ANDREW WIKTOR and LUKE HAMMILL Editor in Chief and Senior Managing Editor
Here are some thoughts we had as we finished putting together the newspaper and reflected on the State of the Union Address. AW: A much older looking President Obama walked into the House of Chambers, greeted by a standing ovation from Democrats and Republicans alike. I found it interesting that blues and reds were intertwined throughout the chamber, but shortly after his speech began, the seemingly unavoidable divide that has plagued our country became evident. LH: “Winning the future” and 5-step plans aside, I thought that President Obama’s main theme throughout the speech was party politics. It’s apparent how frustrated he has become over the past year; he’s sick of the con-
The best way to fix the school system is from the inside. This could be executed by hiring teachers who care about students’ future and firing those who don’t. Additionally, it would be essential to create extracurricular activities that students would be passionate about. Even if kids don’t care about school, if they are offered appealing extracurriculars, they will be far less likely to drop out. The fact is, many students in impoverished parts of Buffalo drop out because they don’t see a future in the education system. They see the people who they grew up with turning to crime, and become skeptical that there is a way out of the ghetto. This is why they need to be
stant bickering in Washington. Whether you agree with the ideas he proposed or not, I’m sure you agree with him on that one. AW: Obama mentioned that those in attendance “sit together tonight” but must “work together tomorrow.” Although divides in partisanship have slowed our government’s progress as of late, the president’s speech sought to unite our lawmakers by referencing the Tucson incident. It was an admirable approach, however, a split in ideologies quickly grew evident when only half the room stood to applaud some of Obama’s leftist views.
reached at younger ages. If the school district hires dedicated teachers who truly care about students futures, they can convince them that school is important at an early age, and make them less likely to drop out once they reach 16. A set of new boarding schools won’t amount to more than a new coat of paint on a terrible system. If Buffalo wants to fix its school district, the change should come from the inside.
LH: I was especially intrigued by two of the president’s ideas. The first was his “race to the top” policy. As education differs so greatly by state, it would be foolish to legislate on the federal level. Obama is wisely rewarding the states that pass the best legislation. The other was his proposal for better infrastructure – specifically, high-speed rail. How sweet would it be to get from here to Chicago in a couple hours without the hassle of the airport?
LH: Leading off with the Tuscon tragedy was a typical move, but a smart move nonetheless. Events like the shooting are horrific, but we always seem to come together as a nation during times like these, and he used our united feelings about the matter to springboard into his theme of working together.
AW: There must have been a hidden teleprompter somewhere in the chamber, but Obama gracefully avoided making awkward eye contact with it. Say what you will about his policies, the man can certainly speak. It’s great to see our leader exuberate such charisma and poise while addressing our nation, but it’s a given that politicians love to talk. I’d like to see the education achievement gap closed, clean energy used more efficiently, and our deficit decreased, but only time will tell.
AW: The approaches that America must take to “win the future” were interestingly ordered. From American innovation to eliminating the deficit, it seemed that the reality of success decreased as his speech went on. As healthcare and the repeal of “don’t ask don’t tell” were mentioned, it grew obvious that partisanship was not checked at the door with the Congressmen and Congresswomen’s coats.
LH: President Obama told us that the troops in Afghanistan would begin to come home in July. Like everyone else, I’m skeptical, but let’s also be hopeful that this actually happens. On another military note, Obama rejoiced that “don’t ask, don’t tell” is finally gone, as stone-faced men in military gear glared straight ahead. I would try to read into it, but I’m pretty sure that those guys always look like that.
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All I’m saying here is that, after a week of living in the isolation of a world without Facebook, I’ve survived. I may not know whose birthday is coming up, or have seen the crazy pictures of what my friends did downtown last Friday. But honestly, I don’t really need to know just how many guys Lindsey danced with, and if someone is a good enough friend to me that I should know his birthday, I’ll know his birthday. Over the past week, I’ve been spending more and more time with my friends, instead of on Facebook chat, complaining about how we never see each other. Somehow, I’ve found that I’ve had the time to actually get my work done, with a reasonable amount of sleep to boot. I’m paying better attention in my classes than I have for the past two semesters, and I’m actually meeting new people in real life, people who I never would have met if I’d been too glued to my computer screen to walk outside. Ok, so maybe I lied. I just made the “turn off your computers and look around at the world in front of you” argument. But you know what? I’m not about to apologize. When it comes down to it, conveniences like Facebook do allow us to streamline our lives, but at a price. There’s only so much an “About Me” section can express, and no one ever looks like they do in their profile pictures. Facebook may allow us to meet people from around the world, but so long as we limit ourselves to chats, messages, and pokes, we will never really get to know them.
So it’s so long for now Facebook, because real life is a whole lot more fun, and because if I get one more poke notification, I swear to God I’ll throw my computer out the window.
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I’m not going to make the tired old “turn off your computers and look around at the world in front of you” argument here. I’m just as sick of hearing it, as I’m sure you are, and I won’t subject you to it yet again, let alone from someone under the age of 40.
I’ll turn my Facebook back on eventually, but not before I take some time to really get to know the people in my life. I have some amazing friends, and I plan to appreciate them more than just stalking them on a Saturday night, curled up in my computer chair with a pint of Edy’s. I owe my friends better than that.
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I had several conversations with friends about the decision. In one particular instance, a friend and I discussed how “fake” and “one-dimensional” many of our relationships had become. We halfjoked, half-mourned the fact that many interactions with a “friend” only involved the five seconds it took to post an “OMG I MISS YOU LET’S MAKE PLANSSSSSSSSSS!!!1!!” on his or her wall.
Enter a [confidential] personal online at ubspectrum.com
E-mail: clinton.hodnett@ubspectrum.com CLARIFICATIONS: The bar Purple Monkey features live music and DJs on Wednesday nights. PURE night offers special discounts throughout the month of January for various reasons (holiday hangover, bills, weather, etc.). On Saturday nights in the month of January PURE features no cover before 1:00 a.m. as a goodwill gesture toward its customers. It also offers 2-4-1 bottle service (when booked in advance) for the month. 1/24: The photo on the front page was taken by Angelica Ogiba. OPINION WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
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ARTS & LIFE A Fate Sewn into Destiny NICOLAS PINOVideo Game Correspondent Grade: AIn 2007, when Media Molecule introduced the world to the future of the platforming genre, no one would have expected the future to be made of burlap. Yet in 2011, the company that sought to change the way content creation worked has done it again and created a game that is more of a revolution than Fable 3 ever was: LittleBigPlanet 2. Sackboy, Sony’s beloved family friendly mascot, stormed PS3s and has almost single-handedly moved more consoles than almost any other game on the system. When Media Molecule went back to work in 2009, it found that topping a system that let players create almost anything imaginable would be nearly impossible to develop. Yet persevere they did, and LittleBigPlanet 2 looks to be the most intelligent platformer ever created. This highly acclaimed PS3 exclusive follows the adventures of a young Sack person, who exists in the Craftworld, a physical embodiment of human dreams. Exploring the LittleBigPlanet universe by oneself is a rewarding
adventure as players join on with The Alliance, a resistance group led by Larry Da Vinci, to stop the Negativitron from destroying their home. Developers at Media Molecule added in a few new tricks to Sackboy’s arsenal, with the grappling hook, water gun, and Robobun, among many others. What makes LBP2 such an impressive game is that developers didn’t haphazardly add this equipment; in every level, developers found a way to bring new uses to a seemingly mundane object. This same philosophy has been applied to the level creation and is now better than ever before. Developers not only made tools to create more platformer levels but also other genres such as role-playing-games, shooters, and racing games that all utilize the same creation system. This remarkable achievement is made even greater as players can now customize the LBP HUD to match their own game’s specific niche. The game, while incredibly innovative, still has a few flaws that can make online play put a frown on Sackboy’s face, but they aren’t enough to put a tear in the gameplay experience.
Online Cooperative play can be the most frustrating experience in all of LBP2. Player matching is spotty, sporadically choosing party leaders that have the possibility of denying the player entrance into their game. When a player can find a group to enjoy the game with, a problem arises with a shared life system, as one inexperienced player makes the game more challenging for everyone involved.
The gripes about this phenomenal franchise are few and far between. The simplistic fun of the original has paved the way for hardcore and casual gamers alike to partake in LBP2 without feeling out of place. A fantastic score provides the ideal background music for the Craftworld. Levels each have their own distinct feel to them. As Sackboy traverses lush jungles and futuristic wastelands, the soundtrack to the game elegantly conveys the mood without getting in the way of the action. Players of the original game will be able to load all of the stickers, costumes, and COURTESY OF SONY downloads from the original game into the sequel, a very gratifying addition to any game. As of now, that’s an available two million levels right out of the box, and more are being created every day. The future of the LittleBigPlanet series is bright, as Media Molecule will surely include another PSP release, hopefully around the speculative release date of Sony’s next handheld system.
Your future’s timeline, fed.
While it’s still early on in the year, LittleBigPlanet 2 will be a serious “Game of The Year” contender for 2011.
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
COURTESY OF WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
“Ground Zero Mosque” Leader to Speak at UB JENNIFER HARB Senior Life Editor
Although the name Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf may not automatically ring a bell, there is no doubt you’ll remember the Park51 project, more commonly known as the Cordoba House or the “Ground Zero Mosque” controversy. Rauf and his wife, Daisy Khan, are the couple heading this operation. On Saturday, the UB Muslim Student Association (MSA) will welcome Rauf to the Center for Tomorrow at 6 p.m. He will be launching the new MSA magazine, “The Message,” as well as discussing the “Cordoba House: A Peaceful Vision of Multi-faith Collaboration.”
2006 2007
Introduced to PwC at a
Wayne Rowe, PwC Associate. PwC sensed
scholarship reception
Wayne’s passion for numbers before he started
Selected for PwC’s Semester
college. An internship where his mentor introduced
of Discovery Internship program 2009
Earns MSA and CPA certification, starts full-time position at PwC
2010
Mentors at-risk kids in community
him to senior partners followed, then a full-time position with opportunities ranging from accounting to community outreach—all of which feeds Wayne’s life and his future. To see Wayne’s full timeline and how you can feed your future, visit www.pwc.tv
Although the Cordoba House, the planned 13-story community center and mosque located two blocks from Ground Zero, created quite a stir, Islam’s presence in the area by Ground Zero is actually not a new development. In the late 19th century, a vast amount of Arab immigrants lived in the area where the Twin Towers would eventually stand. This portion of Lower Manhattan was known as “Little Syria,” and as such, served as the roots of Islam in New York City. Rauf and Khan are known as “peaceful Muslims.” They openly condemn Al-Qaeda and those that follow its teachings.
Born in Kuwait, Rauf has written extensively on Islam and its place in today’s world. He is currently the Imam of Masjid al-Farah, a New York City mosque. He hopes the Park51 mosque will not only reflect the diversity of New York City, but also heal Muslim-West relations within the next decade, fostering increased respect and decreased tension.
In 1997, he established the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), which is a not-for-profit organization meant to “counter extremism on both sides of the issue” and to “remember that freedom of religion applies to everyone, not just a select few,” according to the ASMA’s website. The installation of MSA’s new magazine and Rauf’s lecture is open to the UB community. The Spectrum will be interviewing Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf on Friday, so please forward any questions you may have to michael.tyson@ubspectrum.com.
© 2011 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. In this document, “PwC” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership), which is a member firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each member firm of which is a separate legal entity. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.
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E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
M
A Week in Ink: Issue No. 13 NICOLAS PINOComic Book Correspondent
Green Lantern Corps No. 56
The Amazing Spider-Man No. 652 Since becoming the sole writer in issue No. 648, Dan Slott has produced a spectacular comic week after week. “The Amazing Spider-Man” is humorous in nature, yet thrilling enough to keep every reader’s Spider Sense tingling the entire issue, and this week is no exception. As Spidey confronts a cohort of insect-related villains, his nearperfect life generally goes from good to bad at the end of every issue. Besides the run-of-the-mill superhero acts found in every other comic, Slott writes about the web-slinger’s home life in a beautiful way. Covering everything in Peter Parker’s life from his new job to his new love interest and Aunt May’s recent marriage, Slott writes a comic that is impossible to put down. This issue, while a little too J. Jonah Jameson-heavy for most, plots a fantastic vision for the next few comics in the series. This comic’s conclusion is an absolute cliffhanger, as both Colonel John Jameson’s and Spidey’s lives are put on the line as a recent Horizon Labs astronautical venture goes asunder. This series is in great hands, as all iterations of this extraordinary comic should be on every comic book reader’s pull list.
Jurassic Park No. 1 As 2010 fades into the sunset, publisher IDW kicks off a new year of ink-endowed goodness with what should have been a triumphant return to a ‘90s staple with Jurassic Park. Sadly, IDW forgot about the two driving factors that made the series a fantastic prehistoric adventure: Steven Spielberg and some sort of actual plot. Without one of these, the series would fail, and without both, this issue is just an abominable excuse for a comic book. This issue, subtitled “The Devils in the Desert,” is more reminiscent of a parody of Spielberg’s classic work than an additional story arc. Writer John Byrne has a repertoire of comic book writing worthy of pantheon status, yet the dialogue in this issue borders on idiotic. The suspenseful tone that Byrne sets in its opening pages morphs into a sad attempt at a Western thriller, as dinosaurs don’t even make a substantial appearance until the issue’s closing pages.
The Corps are in a rough position, trapped in the clutches of Qwardians, as Earth’s mightiest lanterns, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner, can only watch helplessly as their comrades are quickly becoming prisoners of war.
This comic is an absolute catastrophe. A prolific writer, plus the greatest dinosaur movie of all time, should equate to a memorable comic experience, yet “Jurassic Park No. 1” disappoints on all accounts.
The Weaponer, their enslaver, is a villain of the most epic proportions. With an arsenal full of the universe’s most dangerous weapons, he alone has the power to hold the Emerald Warriors in his malevolent grasp. However, The Weaponer has made a fatal mistake: he has upset the master of fear, and Sinestro isn’t one to take offenses like these laying down. This issue’s brawl between the Qwardians and their obnoxiously yellow opponents is a graphical phenomena. Tyler Kirkham and pro-inker Batt produce a stunning battle that drips off the page, as the rings of Oa paint the skyline in a haunting amber and emerald mix. Stewart’s stalwart performance in this issue radically changes the outcome of the fight, and, with the arrival of Sinestro to the battlefield, the Qwardians need it. For those looking to study up on the current lives of the lanterns before the movie hits theaters later this year, this story arc is a great place to start.
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
OBAMA STATE OF THE UNION PLAYLIST
|1| “State of the Union” – Rise Against |2| “American Idiot” – Green Day |3| “March of the Dogs” – Sum 41 |4| “The Times They are a-Changin” – online now at UBspectrum.com/arts Bob Dylan |5| “The Politics of Starving” – Against Me! |6| “President” – Big D and the Kids Table |7| “Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival |8| “Perfect Government” – NOFX |9| “Testify” – Rage Against the Machine |10| “God Bless the U.S.A.” – Lee Greenwood GREEN LANTERN /// COURTESY OF DC COMICS, SPIDERMAN /// COURTESY OF MARVEL, JURASSIC PARK /// COURTESY OF IDW PUBLISHING
Student Health 101 Be well.
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ARTS & LIFE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
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Get Out Kids ZACHARY BOURQUEStaff Writer COURTESY OF THE ARCHITECTS
Architects rock out with their latest release The Here and Now.
Architects Design A GenreRejuvenating Album JAMES TWIGGSenior Arts Editor Artist: Architects Album: The Here and Now Label: Century Media Records Release Date: Jan. 25 Grade: AHailing all the way from Brighton, UK, Architects have returned with The Here and Now; an album that’s as heavy as it is beautiful. This is Architects’ fifth studio album and they’ve yet to show any sign of slowing down. In a fading genre, The Here and Now breathes new life into the band’s music. Less than 20 seconds into the album it becomes abundantly clear that Architects is driven by a burning passion for the melodic hardcore tunes that the quintet so lovingly crafts. From the intensity of drummer Dan Searle’s performance to the blood-pumping screams of frontman Sam Carter, every aspect of The Here and Now is guaranteed to make longstanding fans of the genre stand up and take notice. The album opens up with the song “Day In Day Out” and manages to set the tone for the rest of the record. By blending heavy basslines and guttural belts with near pitch perfect vocals, the band manages to switch back and forth between the heavy and melodic in an impressive and aweinspiring fashion. The album pushes onward through the next three songs, each radiating more energy through your headphones than the last. By the end of the fourth track, “BTN,” The Here and Now begins to flirt with the danger of becoming redundant but manages to save itself at the last possible second. The fifth track on the album, “An Open Letter To Myself,” marks the halfway point on The Here and Now and grants listeners a brief respite. Soft guitar chords and heartfelt vocals characterize the majority of this number, but don’t make up its entirety. Just when you find yourself drawn into the tranquility of “An Open Letter To Myself,” Carter lets out a bellowing shout and the instrumentals pick up in unison, prepping you for the latter half of the album. With the exception of “Heartburn,” the rest of the album leads an onslaught of expertly crafted metalcore capable of impressing even the most jaded in the scene. The Here and Now is a wake-up call for those declaring the death of the genre. Not since Comeback Kid’s Wake the Dead has an album exemplified melodic hardcore so expertly.
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
Artist: The Get Up Kids Album: There Are Rules Label: Quality Hill Records Release Date: Jan. 25 Grade: C It’s very interesting to hear the new product of a band that is sorry for the scene it helped create. For the rockers The Get Up Kids, that scene was emo, and you can hear the remorse throughout their fifth studio album, There Are Rules. The Get Up Kids do not ditch the fusion of emo and punk on their new album, but they certainly seem to be striving for a new way for those two elements to sound together. They succeed in recovering a punk snarl in a musical category that largely gave it up for emotional vulnerability on the rocking opener “Tithe.” Another highlight is “Shatter Your Lung,” which again demonstrates a fun, unmistakable punk sound, but stands out from most modern examples of the genre. It is pleasing and feels effortless, giving a real glimpse into the possible future of the band’s direction.
Several of these attempts, however, are not quite as successful. “Automatic” is a very simple and generic-sounding song that only gets points for not being entirely bad. Other songs on the album try to attain a dystopian bleakness, completely at odds with the more happily energetic tunes. Pulsing synths and electronics are featured everywhere, but in these darker moments, they are used in a way slightly evocative of Radiohead. Sadly, these moments don’t ever sound like anything more than an attempt, but they do remain a point of interest. “Rally Round the Fool” and “The Widow Paris” represent this
Hoops for Hearts Strives to Save a Child’s Heart Continued from Page 1 $1,000 will garner a “NBA” sponsor designation, $500 for a “NCAA” sponsor designation, and $150 for a “Varsity” sponsorship. Each sponsorship designation provides differing levels of name and logo inclusion on materials and event signs.
COURTESY OF ELI DUKE
The Get Up kids perform a song of their latest album There Are Rules.
dark and uncomfortable Get Up Kids.
Being dynamic, and in the case of the Get Up Kids, apologetic, is no bad point for any band. Though the album’s general blandness prevents most of the songs from being truly successful re-imaginings of a playedout genre, the spirit of their creators is remarkable. Consider it still a point of interest that 15-plus years into their career, The Get Up Kids still don’t know what they want to sound like.
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
The Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement (CSLCE), currently the largest sponsor of the event, donated $500 to UB Hoops for Hearts. “[The CSLCE] has been a tremendous help in getting this event off the ground,” said Scott Resnick, a sophomore communication major and president of ZBT. Ultimately, the fraternities hope to raise $10,000 for SACH from the proceeds of the event.
and all proceeds will go toward SACH. Raffle tickets to win the donated gift cards and merchandise will also be available at this time. Final prizes at the event are to be announced.
For more information about the event, e-mail UBhoops4hearts@ gmail.com or visit one of the tables in the SU during the week. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Registration will take place in the Student Union on Thursday and Friday. The cost is $10 per person
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ARTS & LIFE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
MO MOVIE VIE
On campus. Convenient. The only choice.
Living at UB Apply on-line: ubapts.urh.buffalo.edu
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ADVERTISEMENT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
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DAILY
DELIGHTS
SPONSORED BY The Undergraduate Student Association
Visit ubspectrum.com/games for our online game of the day - Bloons Also see the completed crossword and sudoku from last issue
Sudoku – Difficulty 4 of 5
Crossword
ACROSS 1 Prayer-wheel turner 5 “Star Wars” crime lord 10 Tankards 14 Comanche neighbors 15 Immature raptor 16 Premed course 17 Sushi ingredient 18 Brag 19 Risk it 20 Got through 22 Allure 24 Robins’ beaks 27 College subj. 28 More elegant
32 Ford rival 35 Warm welcome 36 Youngest son 38 Some Celts 40 Lepton locale 42 “Cosmos” host 44 Wild plum 45 Hazard 47 Vetoes 49 This, to Caesar 50 Less rash 52 Make easier 54 Blow it 56 Kind of mate 57 Gunslinger’s wear 60 Fast-moving snake 64 Popular hemline
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65 Sky hunter 68 Family member 69 Heavy metal 70 Tattered 71 Desert st. 72 Broken-off glacier 73 Metamorphic rock 74 Cloy DOWN 1 “Cool Hand —” 2 Nefertiti’s god 3 Lay down cards 4 Rocky Mountain grove 5 Slow pace 6 Cobbler’s tool
7 Online journal 8 Blues street in Memphis 9 Fasten 10 Shrine statues 11 Two-toed sloth 12 “Mr. Mom” actress 13 Sault — Marie 21 Kind of brake 23 Synthesizer inventor 25 One-sidedness 26 Family car 28 Guy 29 Stringed instruments 30 Mall for Plato
31 Host — Philbin 33 Raj headquarters 34 Standoffish 37 Urban cruisers 39 Office asst. 41 Socializing 43 Verne captain 46 Tolstoy et al. 48 San Antonio cager 51 Machine parts 53 Pack animals 55 Savage 57 Bring on board 58 Gas leak giveaway 59 Meter maid of song 61 Irene of “Fame”
62 Send forth 63 Demolish 64 Playing marble 66 New York Giants hero 67 Actress Carrie
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CLASSIFIED ads may be placed at The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union, Amherst Campus. Office hours are from 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Deadlines are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 for display and 2:00 p.m. for classifieds for the next edition. Weekly rates are $10.00 for the first ten words and 75¢ for each additional word. All ads must be paid in advance. The ad must be placed in person or send a legible copy of the ad with a check or money order for full payment. No ads will be taken over the phone. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit any copy. No refunds will be given on classified ads. Please make sure copy is legible. The Spectrum does not assume responsibility for any errors except to reproduce any ad (or equivalent), free of charge, that is rendered valueless due to typographical errors. Please call 645-2152 for any additional information.
HELP WANTED DELIVERY PERSON, $12-15 per hour. Flexible hours. Must know the Buffalo area near Campus. Students/ teacher’s welcome. 585-721-7530. Available immediately! PART-TIME AND full time help needed for expanding full service paint store. No experience needed, will train. Flexible hours, summer employment available. Send resumes to schuelehr@yahoo.com or call 716-884-3374. RETAIL SALES position. $10-14 hour. Flexible hours. Near campus. Student/ teacher’s welcome. Available immediately! 585-721-7530. STUDENT LAB WORK to help with simple laboratory tasks. About 10 hours per week. $7.50 hour starting immediately. Contact Judy Bauer, 829-5483. LASERTRON INTERACTIVE Entertainment Center has immediate part-time openings. Candidates should be able to work at a fast; detail oriented pace and have excellent customer service skills. Starting at approximately $10.25/ hr., must be available weekends. Stop in and complete at application at LASERTRON, 5101 North Bailey Avenue, Amherst, NY. APARTMENT FOR RENT 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. 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. IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY 3 & 4 bedroom semi-furnished apts. at reduced rentals. June 1st rentals available, 691-5710. Free DVD Rentals! www.luxuryaptswny.com/UB. 3-BDRM MAIN ST. South Campus. Appliances, carpet $575 month + utilities & security deposit. Call 884-7900.
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. $385/ person + util. Available June 1st, 634-0710, www.ubstudentrentals.com. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS. 3-4 bedroom apartments available. $645 - $800 a month. Call 716-884-8213 Today! 4,5,6 & 8 BEDROOM REMODELED apartments to choose from. Located at University at Buffalo Main Street Campus off Englewood. Beginning June 2011. 32 apts. to choose from $275/ bed plus utilities. Washers & dryers included. Contact Bradengel37@ gmail.com 301-785-3773, or Shawn 716-984-7813. Check out our web-site: www.bufapt.com. 2-BDRM NEWLY remodeled minutes from UB/ North. Includes: Heat, water, appliances, balcony, new carpet, off-street parking, dumpster pick-up. Laundry in basement, $795, 716-691-7600. 3-BDRM APARTMENT w/d, d/w, off-street parking, Merrimac, $600.00, 716-877-0097. MERRIMAC 3 & 4 BEDROOM updated kitchen, bath, dishwasher, laundry & off-street parking, $275 per person. Available June 1st, 716-308-5215. AVAILABLE IMMEDIATELY, magnificent 2+ bedroom upper on Main Street near south campus, $950.00 including all utilities for 2 people $1,100.00 for 3 people, lease through June 1, 2011 or June 1, 2012. This apartment has it all; large rooms, 2 modern bathrooms, modern kitchen with dishwasher, large porch, garage parking at additional cost. Call Al 716-861-8102.
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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. ENGLEWOOD, MERRIMAC, Heath, Winspear 5,6,7 & 8 bedrooms, $325.00/ per person, utilities included, 870-8100. “OUR NICEST HOMES rent now! Newly remodeled 3-8 person homes on W. Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S parking, whirlpool Jacuzzi bathtubs. W/W carpeting, new SS appliances, free laundry. Live the Sweethome life on south! Visit www.ubrents.com or call 716-208-4308.”
ROOM FOR RENT FANTASTIC LOCATION across the street from UB south at Main & NF Blvd. Rent for completely furnished room starts at $325.00/ mo including all utilities and Internet. 630-300-4228. Immediate occupancy. 2 ROOMS AVAILABLE right across from UB south campus entrance at 257 Winspear. Half furnished, male roommates preferred. Prices start at $210/ room/ month. Call Kamal at 716-863-9990.
Main. Quiet Junior Architect students looking for serious male roommate. Excellent condition, private bedrooms, big closets, laundry, parking & dishwasher. Available now & May. 5 minute walk to Crosby Hall. $295.00+ share of utilities. 716-400-9663.
SERVICES CITY A1 drivingschool.com. Beginners & brushup driving lessons. 5 hr. class $30.00, 716-875-4662. UB WRITING INSTRUCTOR, editor & tutor: Dissertations, research, theses, esl – free consultation – instructorks@yahoo.com.
UNCLASSIFIED (misc.) MALE EXOTIC DANCER available for ladies. Low rates. Call Mr. Brodie @ 716-445-6852.
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HOUSE FOR RENT 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. 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!
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Interested in studying abroad? Come to a general info session!
Group Advising Session with
Olga Crombie, Study Abroad Advisor
Wednesday, February 2nd 212 Talbert Hall 3:00-4:00pm UB Study Abroad 210 Talbert Hall 645-3912 studyabroad@buffalo.edu www.buffalo.edu/studyabroad
SPECIAL EVENT PARKING NOTICE Arnold Schwarzenegger
DSS Lecture Thursday January 27th, 2011 Beginning at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday January 27th, 2011 the following North Campus parking lots will be closed and reserved (through 8 P.M.) for patrons of the DSS lecture:
Slee A & B, Baird B, Arena, Lake LaSalle, Stadium and Special Event At 8:00 P.M. these parking lots will reopen for the university community. These arrangements conform with the Special Events Parking Plan approved by the Offices of the President, Provost, Vice Presidents, and the campus negotiating units.
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ADVERTISEMENT WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
Is James Starks an NFL Star? Is Starks Truly Iron Man?
Green Bay’s Green-Horned Bull
BRIAN JOSEPHS Asst. Sports Editor
CAREY BEYER Sports Editor
It’s been a season full of gridiron failure for the city of Buffalo, but former Buffalo Bulls running back James Starks has finally given Western New York football fans something to cheer about. In his playoff run, Starks has rushed for 263 yards against elite NFC competition. He ran for 123 yards against the Eagles and scored his first career NFL touchdown on Sunday against the Bears. As of now, Starks and the Packers are slight favorites to win the Super Bowl over the six-time champion Pittsburgh Steelers. So is Starks Buffalo’s superhero? I wouldn’t say so just yet. If you’re familiar with the comic, Tony Stark did not immediately assume his role as a superhero just because he donned a super-powered suit. It took some time for him to realize his full capabilities. The same thing applies for the talented running back. I give him credit for getting his name out there, but three games simply aren’t enough for him to be considered a serious threat. For now, Starks is simply a Bulls standout rather than someone you have to change your whole NFL gameplan for. Once you delve further into his statistics, you’ll see why. Consider this: it has taken 70 carries for him to reach 263 yards. That’s only an average of 3.76 yards per carry, with just one touchdown to show for it. While these stats are OK, it’s nothing to gawk over. Then you have to think about when he got those yards. Starks’ performances in each contest were by no means gamechanging. Yes, Starks ran for his careerhigh against the Eagles, but the Packers
could easily have survived without those yards because of the solid play of their defense and efficient passing game. Starks’ performance against the 10thranked Falcons rush defense didn’t mean much either. The Packers were already up by a huge margin going into the third quarter, and it was because of Rodgers’ elite performance. Starks’ performance was secondary in that game. However, the one game I will give him credit for is his performance against the Bears. For any rookie to gain 74 yards and score a touchdown against the tough Chicago defense is something that should be taken seriously. I think Starks’ true test will come at the Super Bowl. I believe the feared Steel Curtain will be at its most impenetrable on football’s biggest stage. In addition, the Steelers have been battle tested in playoff scenarios. I expect Starks’ rookie flaws to be fully exposed come showtime. If, by some slim chance, he does break 75 yards on Super Sunday, I will gladly eat my words. But if my predictions are right, I’ll still be with UB next season cheering him on. Starks’ stint in the playoffs could be considered a blessing because rarely do you get a chance to start off your career against elite teams at their best. Failure or not, Starks should be able to come out strong next season. There is no way I can doubt him if he’s consistent for 16 games instead of three. With a strong showing, he will truly become the heroic Iron Man that UB will be able to brag about.
E-mail: brian.josephs@ubspectrum.com
When was the last time you heard of a NFL rookie who was drafted in the sixth round, began the season as his team’s third-string running back, and was injured for the first nine weeks of the regular season; and still is starting in the Super Bowl that same year?
The Packers finished the regular season ranked in the bottom half of the league in both rushing attempts and rushing yards. After the team’s incumbent starter Ryan Grant went down for the season in Week One, the team struggled to find production from its backfield.
Probably the last time you turned on SportsCenter.
The thing about football is that, unless your name is Bill Belichick, it is nearly impossible to have a dominant offense without a running game. Luckily for the Packers, they have one of the league’s best quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers and the Green Bay receiving corps were able to get the Packers into the playoffs even with defenses focusing entirely on them.
James Starks is the Buffalo alumnus who is lighting up the football world with his spectacular play in the NFL playoffs. He may not have seen much playing time in the regular season, but you would never be able to tell after watching his playoff performances. The Niagara Falls native burst onto the national stage with a breakout performance in the Green Bay Packers’ Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. His 123 rushing yards set a franchise record; he was the first rookie to run for over 100 yards in a playoff game. Starks took over as the Packers’ number one running back for the team’s games against Atlanta and Chicago, scoring his first career touchdown against the second-ranked rushing defense of the Bears. Despite his success, there are still people out there that will not give Starks the respect that he deserves. They mean to make little of his accomplishments and undermine the contributions that he has made to the Packers’ success. Yes, Starks’ yards-per-carry sits at 3.76, which is not particularly amazing. Many would point to this as a red flag. He may have impressive yards, but that is only because he has had an immense amount of carries. These critics fail to realize that this is the first instance all season that the Packers have had the opportunity to run the ball consistently.
As the sixth seed in the playoffs, the Packers were not given much of a chance of running the gauntlet that they would have to face to get to the Super Bowl. It was never said that the team was bad, but after the regular season showing that they put forth, the odds were stacked against them. Opposing defenses are no longer able to focus all of their energy on stopping Rodgers, because Green Bay is now able to punish them with the run. This makes the entire offense better. People love to judge players on stats alone, but the truth is that it takes a team to win a championship. Without the contributions of Starks, both from his production and added depth, the Packers would never have made it as far as they have. I look for Starks to be a crucial part of Green Bay’s game plan when they travel to Texas, and I wish him the best of luck.
E-mail: carey.beyer@ubspectrum.com
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SPORTS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
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SPORTS SIDELINES – 1/26
Mulkey Magic Earns MAC Award
Bulls Burn Broncos To Extend Win Streak
Senior point guard Byron Mulkey was awarded Mid-American Conference East Player of the Week honors for his performance in the Bulls’ victories over Kent State and Ohio. He had a career-high in points (27) against the Golden Flashes as he led the Bulls to the program’s largest victory ever over Kent State.
MATTHEW PARRINOSenior Sports Editor
The team captain took charge in the Bulls come-from-behind victory over Ohio. With Mulkey at the helm, the Bulls were able to pull off the largest comeback since the school entered the MAC after trailing their opponent by 18 points at halftime.
The Bulls (12-6, 4-2 Mid-American Conference) went into Kalamazoo, Mi. and ambushed the Broncos (10-9, 3-3 MAC) in a 79-68 win at University Arena. The win was the Bulls’ fourth straight overall and second straight on the road.
Men’s Tennis Kicks Off New Year This past Saturday, the men’s tennis team had its spring season opener at Brown University. The Bulls couldn’t shake off the winter rust, as they fell 5-2 to the Bears. Buffalo only had two wins in singles competition during the day. Junior Wojciech Starakiewicz continues to rack up victories for the Bulls with a 6-4, 7-6 win over Brown’s Brandon Burke. Sophomore George Tibil won his match in straight sets against Tom Deighton, 6-3, 7-6. Tibil got his next win in doubles competition. He joined forces with sophomore Vusa Hove to beat Brown’s combination of Charlie Posner and Sam Fife. Then, the team of senior Marcelo Mazzetto and senior Mitch Zenaty had a tough 9-8 loss to Burke and Brown’s Soufiane Azargoui. The Bulls’ next match is at Bryant University. The first serve is scheduled at 8:30 p.m.
Split at Eastern Michigan
On Tuesday night, Western Michigan found out firsthand what Ohio learned over the weekend; the men’s basketball team is a different squad in the second half.
For the second consecutive game, the Bulls shot over 70 percent (71) in the second half. The 42-30 advantage helped the Bulls erase a one-point deficit before the break. Bulls head coach Reggie Witherspoon liked the improved effort after intermission. “I think our guys were locked in better to start the second half,” Witherspoon said. “We still have some areas we have to improve on; the turnovers are growing us old in a hurry.” Junior guard Zach Filzen displayed why he is the most dangerous 3-point threat in the MAC this season with five more 3-pointers to add to his conference-leading total (62). He led the Bulls in scoring with 19 points in 37 minutes of action. After the break, both teams attempted to create some separation after eight ties in the first half and nine lead changes. Both teams traded some baskets and the game was tied at 42 with 17:45 remaining. The Bulls went on a 6-0 run and took the lead, which they would hold on to for the duration of the contest. Junior forward Dave Barnett turned in another outstanding performance. He scored a career-high 16 points and grabbed five boards while continuing his never-stop attitude that helps energize the Bulls, especially on the road.
COURTESY OF JONATHON GRUENKE /// THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE
“This has been coming for a while,” Witherspoon said. “Dave has been playing really hard. When he does that it’s another guy teams have to account for and that can be a struggle.” The Bulls outrebounded the Broncos, 3129 and are now 10-1 this season when winning an advantage on the glass. Witherspoon felt the effort by the Bulls was even more impressive considering the strain the road puts on players and teams in general. “[The game] did go back and forth and that’s what makes it emotionally draining,” Witherspoon said. “[These road trips] take a lot out of you. It’s difficult to stay hydrated and in a routine.” Freshman forward Javon McCrea scored 12 points and led the Bulls with four assists in the game. He has quickly proven to be one of the most dangerous passing big men in the MAC, and his scoring off
Bulls Best Get Rest
The men and women’s swimming and diving team went up against Eastern Michigan this past weekend in another Mid-American Conference clash. The women’s team (4-2, 1-1 MAC) left Michigan with a resounding 161-137 win over its rivals. The men’s team (5-1, 1-1 MAC) didn’t fare as well, falling to the Eagles, 136-164.
the bench has been crucial in the Bulls’ conference turnaround after their 0-2 start. McCrea currently leads the team in scoring in MAC play with 15.2 points per outing and leads the team in rebounds this season at around seven boards a game. The loss snapped a seven-game home winning streak for the Broncos. They had a trio of players score 21 points in the game but it wasn’t enough. The Bulls will travel back home for the first of two straight at Alumni Arena when they take on Northern Illinois (6-11, 2-3 MAC). Tip-off is scheduled for noon as the first part of double-header. The women’s team tips at 2:30 p.m.
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lumbia’s Kyle Gilchrist in a convincing 4-0 victory to take the title. Beichner was pleased with Smith’s showing in the competition. “I thought Smith wrestled very well,” Beichner said. “He wrestled really smart… [his performance] should give him a little extra confidence going into the MAC dual meets.”
The women’s team won eight events. Sophomore Caroline Simmons came out on top in two individual races. She won the 50-yard freestyle and posted her seasonbest time of 51.85 in the 100-yard freestyle. Additionally, Simmons was on two of the Bulls’ four winning relays.
Senior Jimmy Hamel was also very successful in the 184-pound bracket. After losing his first match on Sunday, Hamel dominated NYU’s Sabino Galassi in an 8-0 major decision. He capped off his weekend by defeating Binghamton’s John Paris 8-2 to come in third place.
On the men’s side, sophomore Matt Hogan won two individual events with season-best times. He took the 200-yard freestyle with a 1:40.94 and then grabbed a victory in the 100yard freestyle with a 45.66. Buffalo also swept the men’s relay races.
The Bulls weren’t able to completely avoid the injury bug in the tournament. Sophomore Andrew Schutt had to win three of his 141-pound matches on his first day just to make it to the semifinals.
The women’s swimming team will host Akron and Ball State this weekend, while the men’s team will compete at Penn State on Feb. 4.
Sign On The Dotted Line National Signing Day is scheduled to take place on Feb. 2. Bulls fans are waiting anxiously to see who head coach Jeff Quinn will bring to UB in his second recruiting class. The ceremony will take place at the Center For The Arts Theatre. The free event will feature Buffalo’s 2011 recruiting class, as well as a Q&A session with Quinn. The Spectrum will have full coverage next week.
BRANDON FREELAND /// THE SPECTRUM
The wrestling team rested its top athletes when the Bulls traveled to Binghamton.
BRIAN JOSEPHSAsst. Sports Editor The end of non-conference play is usually a time for preparation, but the wrestling team just hoped to avoid injury before kicking things off in the Mid-American Conference. After a busy month, the Bulls (7-5) took a bit of a breather this past weekend at the New York State Intercollegiate Championships in Binghamton. Head coach Jim Beichner rested Buffalo’s top wrestlers in order to be fully prepared for MAC action, which starts next
week. The wrestlers that participated finished eighth out of the 19 schools that competed. Junior Kevin Smith was the only wrestler that came away from the weekend with a title. The victory marked Smith’s second tournament win in the 133-pound weight class after placing first in the Oklahoma Gold Classic back in November. Smith’s weekend started with a 6-2 decision win over Nassau County’s John Miller on Saturday. After dispatching of Seth Ecker of Ithaca in the semifinals, Smith defeated Co-
JAMES STARKS
Point /// Counterpoint Opinions PAGE 11
In his semifinals match against Cornell’s Mike Nevinger, Schutt injured his shoulder on an awkward hold. Beichner, after some deliberation, decided to end the match to prevent further injury. “We [took him out] of the match because it definitely wasn’t the most important match [of the season],” Beichner said. “We thought it was better that we stopped [because of upcoming conference competition].” Sophomore Ron Majerus also
fell to injury. Majerus suffered a facial laceration in the 174-pound consolation brackets and was forced to take an eighth-place finish. Buffalo’s newcomers managed to do well despite seeing their teammates’ injuries. Heavyweight freshman James Donner and 125-pound freshman Sean Walton rounded out the Bulls who placed in the competition. Both freshmen finished in seventh.
Beichner was optimistic following the tournament results. He believes that the team would have taken home a plaque if the main wrestlers had competed. “The [weekend’s] goal was to remain 100 percent and healthy,” Beichner said. “If it wasn’t for that goal, we would’ve gone out there and probably have won the championship.” This Saturday, the Bulls will make the journey to Ohio to begin MAC competition. Ohio walked away with a 22-17 victory in the teams’ last meeting a season ago. Beichner understands the task that lies ahead of the team, but he is sure that the Bulls will be ready to compete. “We think this is going to be a hard-fought match,” Beichner said. “I feel like our guys are ready and well-prepared.” The dual meet is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
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