The Spectrum Volume 63 Issue 42 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

Entrepreneurial spirit captures UB students New winter session popular among students & faculty

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

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Students react to Macklemore’s performance

WEDNESday, January 29, 2014

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Volume 63 No. 42

RETURNING TO A FROZEN CAMPUS

UB students have braved the beginning of the spring semester in wind-blown snow and frigid temperatures that have plummeted to as low as -4 degrees with a wind chill as harsh as -30 degrees. Many high schools in the area closed Tuesday due to the cold.

The university last canceled classes on Jan. 7, during its first winter session, because of the powerful polar vortex that swept over Buffalo and caused driving bans all over the Western New York area. Prior to that date, the university last canceled classes due to a winter storm on Feb. 2, 2011.

President Satish Tripathi, or the acting officer in charge, decides whether to hold classes based on recommendations from facilities operators and the University Police Department.

“Generally, cold alone is not a reason that UB would alter schedules, unless there was also local emergency status or travel bans of significance or related snow conditions,” according to Vice President for University Life and Services Dennis Black. “Because people are traveling here from so many places, schedule decisions are primarily based on campus conditions and campus ability to open and maintain services.”

UB announces closings through its UB Alert email and text-messaging system and posts the closing on its website.

PHOTOS BY JACKIE SHI, JUAN PINZON & CHAD COOPER OF THE SPECTRUM

Student Association Vice President Selsky resigns Selsky is second executive to leave office in five months SAM FERNANDO

Senior News Editor

Student Association Vice President Lyle Selsky resigned on Wednesday, Jan. 22, making him the second person from the original executive board elected last March to leave office. On Jan. 23, SA President Sam McMahon named Office Manager Judy Mai interim vice president until the SA Senate votes on official approval Feb. 2. If approved, Mai will be the fifth member the SA e-board has had in the past five months. Selsky emailed a statement to The Spectrum. “It is with great difficulty but with necessity that I inform you that I am resigning as Vice President of the Student Association,” he said. “Over the past several months a lot of hardship has befallen upon my family. To continue being Vice President would do the student body a disservice when I know I will not be able to give 110%, which is what you the students expect of your government.” McMahon and SA Treasurer Siddhant Chhabria said the resignation was not office related. Selsky is the second member of the Spirit Party, which swept the SA elections last March, to leave office during the 2013-14 term. On Sept. 18, Nick Johns,

Aline Kobayashi, The Spectrum

Student Association Vice President Lyle Selsky resigned from office Jan. 22. Though it was a surprise to his e-board, SA President Sam McMahon and Treasurer Siddhant Chhabria are confident moving forward.

also of the Spirit Party, resigned from his position as SA president after members of his staff had accused him of a litany of offenses, which included harassment, inappropriately accepting gifts and mishandling funds. Chhabria is the only original executive remaining in office. After Spirit swept the election, the treasurer-elect was elated – stating that he felt it was going to be “much more effective working with people [he] started out with.” Now, he feels things have changed.

“It crumbled,” Chhabria said of his ticket. “I am not going to deny it at all.” Although the e-board this semester looks different from the one in September, McMahon said the changes in personnel haven’t altered the work and efficiency of SA. “To some extent it shows that the process works,” McMahon said. “The way SA is configured, it is meant to be an adaptable organization.” McMahon explained that if an officer is unable to perform his or her duties, that person is able

to step down, and the organization also has the abilities to step in if an officer misbehaves. “I don’t think it is a negative mark on the organization,” he said. “I think it is a positive thing that we are able to change and adapt.” Chhabria echoed the sentiment. “There were cracks in [SA], but the structure never fell,” Chhabria said. “We still have a really good foundation.” One of Chhabria’s talking points during his campaign was restoring faith in SA. He said it

remains a top priority for him. McMahon and Chhabria said they were sorry to see a close friend resign, but they are confident in the new administration. Mai, a senior health and human services major, has worked in SA over the past four years. She has been an SA office manager, senior office manager and clubs services director. She ran for president in 2012. Her experience and relationship with the e-board made her appointment a “no-brainer,” according to McMahon. He said the transition has been seamless, considering her strong rapport with clubs. “I’ve been here,” Mai said. “I am a senior, graduating with my requirements done, so I have a lot of time to dedicate to the job.” Mai said the fact that there have been two e-board resignations this academic year “probably doesn’t look good,” but she noted Selsky’s resignation wasn’t due to wrongdoing but to a personal issue. In his statement, Selsky said he plans to stay involved with SA and intends to help the new vice president acclimate to the position. email: news@ubspectrum.com

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Entrepreneurial spirit captures UB students Business hopefuls embrace new winter session course MADELAINE BRITT Asst. News Editor

For Houghton College graduate Chris Way, the Kenya he studied was not the Kenya he found. On the contrary, the international development student who had devoted his college education to global poverty alleviation and intercultural studies saw great joy in the Kenyan people. Amidst the scarcity of resources, he found an abundance of happiness in the African communities – not only in the streets, but also in the rubber tires that drove on them. Way is the co-founder of the start-up company Atinga, which markets and sells handmade shoes and sandals made by Kenyan artisans from discarded taxi tires. The company plans to reinvent the way global economies work and how Western nations see Africa. With its focus on creating a more self-sustainable market for African nations, Atinga is a proud investor in Kenyan’s businesses and people. “What are their needs? How can they grow? We learn from the people,” Way said. He and business partner Alexander Burgos, a senior business administration major at UB, attribute much of their success to the Entrepreneurship Lab, a three-week winter session course. The class provided an opportunity for business-minded students to be immersed in the field and to make their business plans a reality. Six winning projects were selected by noteworthy business leaders in the area to receive cash prizes of up to $8,000, access to E-Lab facilities and the name recognition vital to a successful business. Though Way and Burgos did not place in the competition, they found the class rewarding.

Juan Pinzon, The Spectrum Ramona Stefanescu, a mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate, won $8,000 for her business, Earth Risks Software, which helps governments, construction companies and insurance agencies better understand the geological and social impact of natural disasters. Stefanescu developed her program as part of a new winter session class, Entrepreneurship Lab.

Dr. Robert Genco, the supervisor of the business “boot camp,” is confident in the program and the impact it has had on its students. In just half a month, students are expected to create, implement and pitch a fully developed business plan. The class, which is an experience-based course, gives young, hopeful business owners of all educational backgrounds an opportunity to grow. An advocate for student involvement and participation, Genco feels that the growing culture of entrepreneurship is having a substantial effect on UB students and the communities being improved by their projects. “I’m very impressed with the creativity and the spirit of the students at UB,” he said. “They have an enthusiasm and passion to make life better for people with businesses that do a social service or satisfy a need for people.”

Vitchel Toussaint, a senior psychology major, is one of those students. One of the two contest winners, Toussaint saw a void in the educational experience and was determined to fill it with his WeStudy app, which allows students to find others with whom to study. The app won one of the two $8,000 prizes. Toussaint, who founded the application for easier and faster student communication, hopes to spread the program to schools across the country and, in the future, around the world. “It was so easy to go to Facebook and Instagram and Twitter and see pictures of parties and such,” Toussaint said. “But there was a hole and I wanted to fill it. [This class] allowed me to step out of the classroom setting.” The E-Lab course allowed Ramona Stefanescu to develop her prize-winning project. She founded Earth Risks, a pro-

gram that helps governments, construction companies and insurance agencies better understand the geological and social impact of natural travesties, such as mudslides and volcanoes. Hoping to use her winnings of $5,000 to help spread the software to nations especially susceptible to damage, she says that the hard work from this class was worthwhile. “I want them to use the program to make decisions if an area is in danger and evaluate the danger,” Stefanescu said. From the Buffalo community to the global market, Genco sees a future in entrepreneurship at this research university. As the college looks forward to the continuation of the boot camp next year, there will be big shoes to fill – shoes that, in the eyes of the Atinga entrepreneurs, should very well be made of rubber. email: news@ubspectrum.com

WINNING STUDENTS

*information from The Buffalo News and UB Reporter Eric Kishel, undecided major: Creator of E-Bridge (information was not disclosed due to fears of theft) – $5,000 April LoTempio, MBA student: Creator of B2Y Education, a program that assists organizations and businesses with connecting with young people in the classroom setting – $5,000 Elena Ramona Stefanescu, mechanical engineering Ph.D. candidate: Creator of Earth Risks Software, a program that illustrates the harm done by natural disasters – $5,000 Michael Sparks, MBA student: Creator of Stickerlight, a sticker that music artists use on their sound systems and computers – $5,000 Hosien Kerdar, civil engineering Ph.D. student: Creator of Emviss (Electromagnetic Vibration Isolation and Stabilization System). Emviss provides medical institutions with electromagnetic technology – $8,000 Vitchel Toussaint, psychology major: Creator of WeStudy, a mobile application that assists students by pairing them with nearby learning groups and academic tutors – $8,000

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EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Aaron Mansfield MANGING EDITORS Lisa Khoury Sara DiNatale OPINION EDITOR Anthony Hilbert

NEWS EDITORS Sam Fernando, Senior Amanda Low Madelaine Britt, Asst. FEATURES EDITORS Keren Baruch, Senior Anne Mulrooney, Asst. Sharon Kahn, Asst. ARTS EDITORS Joe Konze Jr., Senior Jordan Oscar Meg Weal, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS Ben Tarhan, Senior Owen O’Brien Tom Dinki, Asst. PHOTO EDITORS Aline Kobayashi, Senior Chad Cooper Juan David Pinzon, Asst. CARTOONIST Amber Sliter CREATIVE DIRECTORS Brian Keschinger Andres Santandreu, Asst. PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER Emma Callinan Drew Gaczewski, Asst. Chris Mirandi, Asst. ADVERTISING DESIGNER Ashlee Foster Tyler Harder, Asst. Jenna Bower, Asst.

January 29, 2014 Volume 63 Number 42 Circulation 7,000 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 news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address. The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee. The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at (716) 645-2452. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100

Net neutrality ruling yields unsubstantiated arguments on free speech With the expected vitriol and cries that an Orwellian order is upon us, a federal court struck down net neutrality. The Internet now enters a brave new world where the company on the other end of your Ethernet cord has final say over what will appear across your screen. Following the ruling, valuable information, balanced debates and differing viewpoints were immediately choked from the Internet, lost in a wash of arguments that were sensational at best, laughable in their misplaced fury on average. The case creates an interesting situation for users of the Internet (read: all of us) and those that provide the content we freely gorge ourselves on. Power relations are doubtlessly restructured with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) left to decide what happens. The ruling struck down the FCC’s ability to enforce its former “open Internet” policy that disallowed ISPs from limiting access or speeds to certain sites while bolstering others. This is troublesome given the potential power ISPs now have to control or limit our access to what is otherwise free speech available online. This simply sets the conditions of possibility; it does not guarantee them. Claiming we will now enter a far restricted Internet is simply born of a misunderstanding of the facts. ISPs have an interest in maintaining open access, as any changes they make must, legally, be disclosed to customers as must any limitations imposed. This opens them to harsh criticisms and competition from other, more open, Internet providers should they take this route. But this is the market at work, and likely the market will work with all the efficiency Verizon, Comcast and their ilk are known for as the Internet’s content is regulated and parsed into a series of charges, plans, fees and contracts. Potentially, contracts will be made and packages sold by ISPs to cus-

ART BY AMBER SLITER, THE SPECTRUM

COPY EDITORS Tress Klassen, Chief Amanda Jowsey Samaya Abdus-Salaam

OPINION The death of prudent speech

tomers in a way similar to how television is offered, with the fast access to “premium,” or popular, content costing a marginal amount more. We may even need to pay more for Netflix streaming. But this, too, is relatively unlikely given Netflix opining that it would “vigorously protest” the “draconian law” should an ISP indeed limit access, according to a statement the company released. The ISPs will surely not harm the golden calves (Netflix and similar content-heavy sites) as they are what push users to purchase higher bandwidth plans in the first place. The right to freely watch the entire Orange is the New Black second season in a single weekend appears to be safe from Big Brother … for now. Yes, Netflix will defend us. Or, worst-case scenario, innumerable ornery Reddit users will rise up against the injustice of slower download speeds and a surcharge on their video streaming bills.

A real concern is that smaller content providers could face an inability to gain market share by either being unfairly targeted or crowded out by larger content providers that have beneficial contracts with the ISPs speeding up their services. The former is unlikely, given the laborious, not to mention publically unpopular, process involved in finding and targeting any new start-up. The latter, however, could very well occur, though the age of crowding out smaller, more innovative and at times controversial voices has been upon us for some time now. The ruling is important, but far from the end of individual expression and access to information as we know it, even net neutrality is likely going to make it out of this unscathed (though endlessly embedded into our lexicon). The case was on a relatively minor aspect of the FCC’s classification of Internet provision. They will likely either successfully appeal or redraft the regulation to both preserve our open Internet and

meet the requirements of the ruling. This is not to lessen the importance of the Internet and equitable access to its myriad content suppliers, but consider this: What we need is honest, cogent arguments that assess the real issues at play, such as how we are again seeing the further encroachment of the market and monopolistic corporations into our lives for a profit. Perhaps we should take the time to thoughtfully engage with the reality of the ruling and the implications it could actually have, instead of decrying some grave injustice that exists only so long as our ignorance persists. If only there were some way to inform ourselves on this issue, some way to gain from the insights of others, while critically assessing the inaccuracies of others and a forum to display the fruits of our intellectual labors. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

Addressing ‘rape culture’ begins with self-reflection A plea for perceptional change Sexual assaults among UB students are on a slight decline, despite increasing awareness to the issue nationally. Declining, however, is a far cry from gone. “The statistics on sexual violence at UB have fallen slightly over the last six years while charges filed have increased,” stated Anna Sotelo-Peryea, public health planner and violence prevention specialist at UB. “And this is a good thing.” We agree that it is a good thing, but continued change at the level of our perception and personal action is essential. The improvement has followed the initiation of UB’s Violence Prevention Program, an award-winning effort both locally and nationally. The program engages with students and advocates at the campus and community level to prevent and educate, while encouraging policy to deter sexual violence and assisting survivors. Sexual violence across college campuses, though, remains a disgrace among our generation, a plight that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness and determination. President Obama’s speech on sexual assaults and the announcement of a task force to address the issue came with a series of sobering statistics.

“One in five women on college campuses has been sexually assaulted during their time there,” the president decried, going on to reiterate his dedication to correcting this societal and cultural issue through task forces and “agencies across the federal government,” giving passing mention to grass-roots change. But sexual assaults do not occur within the watchful view of the federal government, of Obama or Joe Biden. The president’s comments are welcome, of course, recognition of such an affliction at so high an office will surely bring some attention to the issue. But is attention alone what we need? Or is there something involved in actively correcting an issue beyond simply acknowledging its existence? According to the FBI, 5 percent of instances of sexual violence are reported. But then, only 10 percent of those reported even lead to an arrest, with far fewer ever even prosecuted, according to the National Center for Policy Analysis. UB has had improved reporting over the years – more charges were filed last year than any other – but it is worth considering what the baseline likely was.

A national conversation is beginning following the president’s comments – we look toward the president behind the podium and wonder, what can be done about sexual violence across this nation’s campuses? Or toward our administrators, puzzled, and wonder what they are doing about this. Sexual violence deserves attention at these levels, and we are right to pressure our leaders to do something about such a tragedy, but not all solutions lie so far away. UB, following its ambitious Violence Prevention Project instituted six years ago, has made significant gains, due in no small part to the education of students, empowerment of student advocates and the wealth of services for survivors. UB is above national averages on awareness and below on actual incidents, according to the National College Health Assessment. But the work is not done here, and certainly not nationally. Lest we fall complacent in our own successes, consider this statistic – one incident is far too many. Agencies, task forces, projects and committees are all important to correcting such a multifaceted, endemic problem. But there is something that can

be done that no president or organization can correct alone – our own perception of and action against sexual violence. The student body must take the crucial step of expressing disagreement with questionable actions, intervening when something appears awry, contacting the appropriate authorities when necessary and promoting the multitude of services at our campus for survivors. It remains vitally important to be there for friends, believe them when they confide in you, support survivors and advocate for best practices within police departments and improved policies surrounding sexual violence. But the truly fundamental sea change will take place within ourselves. We as individuals must radically change the way we view the issue itself, becoming cognizant of the manner in which we speak and remain critical of the things we see and hear across the spectrum of media – music, movies, shows. “How we interact with each other, this is where our culture is,” Sotelo-Peryea said. “We are a rape culture. That is something that we can all change.” email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

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To the bayou and back

Courtesy of Jim Simon The UB Winter Alternative Break Program in the Louisiana Wetlands got stuck in Chicago for four days. But News Editor Amanda Low, along with other volunteers, eventually arrived in the bayou for Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP).

AMANDA LOW News Editor

It is a wonder how a week filled with countless unforeseen troubles and disappointments became one of the most rewarding trips I will probably take in my life. Leaving my home the morning of Jan. 9 for UB’s Winter Alternative Break Program, I expected to arrive in Louisiana two days later, where I would spend a week volunteering in the state’s wetlands. In reality, my classmates and I didn’t make it there until Jan 15. That first day left us somewhat dispirited after grappling with one delay and two canceled flights. The situation looked relatively bleak the next day. We made it to Chicago for our connecting flight but could not make it out of the city until the morning. Our group trudged into a hotel led by our advisers, Jim Simon, the sustainability engagement coordinator, and Liz Hladczuk, the reservations coordinator. We remained hopeful, with a flight scheduled for the next morning. Of course, that would not happen. We were officially caught in the midst of the polar vortex. I recalled my father telling me, before we knew just how disastrous the weather would get, that it would be absolutely fine for me to stay home. If the weather got bad, he hoped the flight would be canceled. And our flight did get canceled – more than five times (I stopped counting after the fifth cancelation). But this trip was more than a series of agonizing airport trips. Despite the drama of the polar vortex and the excitement of finally reaching Louisiana, it was the people I met on the trip that made it most memorable. It was my fellow students who shared in the dismay that our trip would not go as planned but accepted that we would make the best of it regardless. It was our patient advisers who gave us a dose of positivity that was sorely needed at times. It was the passionate Louisianans who helped us understand why our trip was meaningful, despite all the trouble it took to get there. The candid relationships our group developed could not be confined by the short breadth of a week. I think we all understood how very familiar our faces would be to each other by the end of the trip. The situation exemplified the idea that disaster – not that we were in any danger – brings people together. We managed to just mesh all the diverse personalities within the group. Rachael Gray, a senior dance and environmental studies major who also went on the trip, said the situation seemed like

a “perfect storm” – how funny that we found our own within the vortex. “Accepting there are some things you cannot change and then deciding how you will react are two important skills to have,” Hladczuk said. “The students clearly made the best of the situation, over and over.” Even though we were stuck in Chicago, our group decided to put our time to good use. We were there to volunteer, so why not do just that? Being at Chicago’s Pacific Garden Mission gave us a resurgence of energy and a taste of what we would’ve done down South. And once we landed in Louisiana, we hungered for everything the state could offer – and what we could offer in return. Once we got started on our work in Louisiana, we were inspired by the passion of the two men, Joe and Matt, who worked with us. They were a part of Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program, one of the organizations preserving and restoring the wetlands of Louisiana. Three days proved enough for us to understand how extensively the people care about the bayou and wetlands of Louisiana. On Thursday, we took on the “Christmas Tree Project,” throwing donated Christmas trees onto cribs – barriers constructed along vulnerable coastlines of the bayou. The dense wall of trees helps lessen erosion of the coast by waves. Though dragging and throwing evergreens to and from a boat was not th highlight of the entire trip, it would not have meant anything if Joe or Matt hadn’t joined us. During quiet moments back on the boat after we had just emptied our load of trees, Joe and Matt would explain the history of Spanish moss (used for pillow stuffing in the past). They shared tidbits of their lives and explained how they ended up on a boat in the bayou. Getting swept up in the vortex was obviously not expected. But being pulled into this whirlwind of relationships was even more of a surprise. Nicole Hunter, a sophomore psychology major, really felt the heart they put into their projects and the way they answered all of our questions. “It made UB feel smaller,” Hunter said. Making all these new friendships gave Hunter the impression that we are now a little less alone here among so many students. I applied for this program because of the lure of New Orleans and lushness of Louisiana, as did most of us, I think. But we all walked away with a UB memory that we can now cherish. email: amanda.low@ubspectrum.com

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

New to UB means a new story

MADELAINE BRITT Asst. News Editor

“Do you want us to come up with you?” The ancient family van idled in front of the dorm. It was my first time setting foot on the UB dorm side, but it felt like this had happened before. The bleaklooking rooms were tightly compacted and highlighted from yellow window to yellow window. The scurrying students dodged in and out of the doors. The long distance from freshman side to academic side was intimidating in the stark temperature, and walking it was as good as a death wish in the Buffalo weather. Yeah, I had seen this all before. I am a second-semester transfer sophomore student from the Rochester Institute of Technology, a school well known for its award-winning programs but hardly known for its journalism major. My time there started to feel more like a dead-end and Buffalo seemed to be that U-turn. It is the second largest city in the state, home of The Buffalo News and the winner of momentous urban planning awards for its architecture school. For an aspiring writer and urban planner, UB couldn’t have been more tempting. Yet, as I stood sweating in the wind chill, I wondered where the bus was, how to use it and, most importantly, where the bus was. I found being home much more likable. It was all something I was sure I had grown out of. But I knew the often-repeated saying. It whirled in my mind and brushed the lips of my parents as they stared at me with angst when I didn’t budge. “Things

take time to get used to – you’ll be fine.” In that moment, though, I found anything more appealing than walking out the door – the back seat, the flickering light, even not going in at all. “Things take time to get used to – you’ll be fine.” I wasn’t sure if the saying was applicable this time. I knew no one, missed my family and friends terribly and couldn’t stand my shower shoes that were now out of retirement. I couldn’t find comfort, something that had taken time to find in Rochester, but, nonetheless, I found. I was still lost with my classes, the lunchroom and even The Spectrum office. I wasn’t allowed to move in before the eve of the first day, and I was at a loss as to where to start. But if I didn’t have UB, then what did I have? At that moment, I had a terrible headache and nervous parents. I had a key in my right hand, and my left hand in my mother’s, as she grasped it and wished me good luck. I had a feeling I might freeze in thin air like thrown water, and that maybe if I ran far enough I might just be able to catch a bus back. But I didn’t know where that bus was either. “Things take time to get used to – you’ll be fine,” I told myself, and now closing in on my third day, I am fine. It might not be the pitch given at the last student orientation, but it’s one I am starting to be happy with. I’m beginning to get a sense of the campus. I found the Starbucks. I have enjoyed the company of my floor so far. I fought for a space on the bus, found the gym and might even try to get a job on campus. I used the Spine and my UB meal card. It’s not a fairytale, but I hope it’s going to be a good story. In the rush of finding my classes the first day, I passed by The Bull covered in signatures of past graduates who went on to take their UB education to the next level and into the real world. I’m hoping to find that for myself – just as soon as I find the South Campus bus. email: madelaine.britt@ubspectrum.com

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FEATURES

A different way to experience winter session Amid debate over UB’s presence in Singapore, student discusses her time abroad KEREN BARUCH

Senior Features Editor

Kelli Leclair had always described herself as “ratchet.” But because of the Cinematic Sociology in Singapore program, that term no longer applies. Over winter break, Leclair, a senior communication major, was one of two UB students who traveled to Singapore. She expected the food to taste like Chinese take-out and thought the dorms would be as luxurious as her own in Greiner Hall. At first, she was shocked when she had to adjust to the unexpected taste of the food, cold showers and a bug-and-lizard-inhabited bathroom. But the trip ended up changing her outlook on life and how she defines herself. While abroad, Leclair took the Cinematic Sociology course for three credits. Debra Street, a professor and chair of the Sociology department, recruited Leclair for the class. For three weeks in January, Leclair explored the culture of Singapore. She said she matured as a student and person along the way. But not everyone on campus supports the presence of UB’s campus in Singapore. Some faculty members, like English professor James Holstun, see the negative sides of UB stationing a campus overseas. Holstun said the administrators of the Yale-National University in Singapore admit that students there do not have freedom of expression. He believes if UB administrators make a similar concession, a campus in Singapore is a “fundamental betrayal of academic freedom” and “the campus should be shut

Courtesy of Kelli Leclair

Kelli Leclair (third from the right), a senior communication major, spent her winter break studying abroad in Singapore through UB’s Cinematic Sociology in Singapore program. She met many local Singaporean students and spent her free time traveling through Singapore with them.

down immediately.” “The good news is that UB faculty and students have worked hard over the years, making ‘UB’ a valuable name,” Holstun said in an email. “The bad news is that when authoritarian states like Singapore buy that name, it loses some of its value. As one of my colleagues has remarked, franchising UB’s name this way is like eating the seed corn.” Although some members of the UB community believe the UB campus should be shut down in the one-party state –

where there are limits on free speech, high rates of capital and corporal punishment for lesser offenses – others disagree. Leclair did not experience an inhibition of free speech. Instead, she said, she found freedom – as well as independence, confidence and a love for Singaporean food. She traveled alone. It was her first trip without a “security blanket,” and that’s what made it even more of an adventure, she said. The most memorable thing she had done in Buffalo was

“press a coin at the zoo.” Street put Leclair in contact with Mohamed Rudy, a student in Singapore. He showed Leclair around the city-state and took her to the zoo, where she rode an elephant. It was more exhilarating than anything she could have done in Buffalo, she said. “Living in Singapore immerses you into a society that’s multiracial and where different cultures coexist in harmony with one another,” Rudy said. “Singapore’s also really westernized in certain aspects, so it’s a nice mesh of east meets west.”

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Street said that in light of Singapore’s involvement with the growth of Asian economies and globalization processes, it’s important that American students “look to the most populous part of the world for opportunities and insights.” “Although winter session occurs over a short period, it does give American students a unique opportunity to see Asia up close and personal, and to take a class that was dominated by Asian (Singaporean) students gets them out of their comfort zone, and helps them make social connections with age peers in Asia that may last for lifetimes,” Street said. The trip gave Leclair more drive to see the world. She recommends that students take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad during winter session, because the programs don’t take away from spending the fall and spring semesters with friends. “I think it really prepared me, not only for my last semester at UB, but also for my future,” Leclair said. “I now know I was able to travel alone and learn so much and because of that, I think I can handle anything.” Although Leclair said she benefitted immensely from the program, UB’s presence in Singapore remains a controversial topic in the campus community. email: features@ubspectrum.com

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

New winter session popular among students and faculty SAM FERNANDO

Senior News Editor

While some students were at home doing what they could to avoid the polar vortex, over 1,000 students were busy participating in UB’s new winter session program. The three-week session, which ran Jan. 6-24, gave students a chance to take up to five credits over the extended winter break or to study abroad. Even with one day of the session being canceled due to whether, A. Scott Weber, the senior vice provost of academic affairs, called the program a big success. “The first year, we are trying to understand what students’ needs are and how our faculty is going to adapt to teach a class in three weeks,” Weber said. “For an inaugural effort, we exceeded our enrollment expectation. It was a complete team effort across campus. I thought it was terrific.” University Registrar Kara Saunders agreed. “We were very pleased with the amount of enrollment that we got and it certainly indicates that there was a demand for something from our students as well as some non-degree seeking students,” Saunders said. “We are definitely doing a lot to try to understand how we can improve – how we can deliver what it is that people are looking for.” According to analysis done by the Office of the Registrar, 1,135 students took part in the winter session. Of that number, 135 studied abroad. A course cost $245 per credit hour for New York State residents and $742 for out-of-state residents. There is an additional $67.39 charge per credit hour for a “Comprehensive Fee” and $9.38 for an “Academic Excellence Fee.” Every student enrolled must also pay a one-time $7.89 “Student Activity Fee.” The eight study abroad programs varied in price. The London program cost about $2,800, not including airfare and personal expenses. Nicole Egan, a senior psychology major, was looking to travel during the extended winter break. She said participating in the London study abroad program was an obvious choice.

“I was looking to go abroad in general, but I am glad I chose [the study abroad program],” Egan said. “I paid more attention to the fact I was in London, but I still learned a lot.” Saunders said of the 23 most popular classes of the winter session, 19 were online courses, three were study abroad programs and one was a class on North Campus. Three online physics courses were the most popular. UB is planning to improve next year’s winter session by giving surveys to students and faculty who participated, Saunders said. She added that UB is also planning to contact students who enrolled in a class but withdrew before the session to see why they chose not to take a course. Weber said many faculty members have told him, “the learning experience in the focused environment was some of the best they ever had.” Nicholas Hoffman, an English professor, taught Screening and Staging Shakespeare over the winter session. He said the three-hour classes five times a week gave him opportunities he wouldn’t have in a traditional course. He said spending that much time with students allowed the class to have a different kind of openness that he hadn’t experienced before. Michael Tonn, a senior economics and international trade

major, entered the winter session slightly worried about the workload of a three-week course. He was pleasantly surprised that his economics class was more experiential than purely work-driven. He found the class, Application of Economic Analysis (ECO 403) Economics, engaging because of its practical applications of economics. “I really enjoyed it,” Tonn said. “It was a small class, but the way the professor set it up was really interactive. It was a great learning experience. It went by a lot quicker than I thought it would.” Though he taught a different course, Hoffman’s experience was similar. “It forced me as an instructor to think about how to use class time differently than you do in a 16-week semester,” Hoffman said. “It forced me to rethink that balance between what I am asking my students to do outside of class and what we can do inside of class.” In a typical semester, Hoffman would cover about eight plays. But in the shortened session, he covered four. He didn’t view it negatively, though. He said the longer classes allowed him to take advantage of different resources, and he said his class cooperated. He added that the winter session class and a regular-length-semester class would include a similar amount of writing.

Courtesy of Cassandra Baubie

This winter break, 20 students from UB and two from Singapore had the opportunity to study abroad in London, taking a course called the Sociology of Food. The trip was part of UB’s new winter session program, which gave 135 students the chance to study in eight different cities over the globe.

Weber pointed out that some courses in particular transcended the classroom and gave students practical, real-life experiences. The Entrepreneurship Lab was a course that gave students a chance to make their business plans more tangible. Some students won seed money to kick start their ideas. “It was a unique experience that may be part of their total as-

pirations in life, but is not part of the normal curriculum,” Weber said. “Those are the types of experiences we hope to expand and enrich the academic experience for our education.” Weber believes the winter session is going to continue to grow. email: news@ubspectrum.com

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 ubspectrum.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Headphones not allowed

Warpaint album review MEGAN WEAL

Assistant Arts Editor Album: Warpaint Artist: Warpaint Label: Rough Trade Records Release: Jan. 17 Grade: B+

Warpaint took three years to release its second album, the self-titled Warpaint, but the four-piece ensemble is here to show listeners that the band is as musically strong as it’s ever been despite rumors of disunity. It’s undeniable that Warpaint is distinctly more understated than the group’s 2010 album, The Fool. But its understated nature doesn’t prevent the album from engaging its audience, especially those who are willing to listen. The album tackles the theme of modern love – a motif often greeted with cynicism thanks its current popularity in the music industry. And with that skepticism, certain images spring to mind: the manufactured boy band representation of love, the Taylor Swift bitterness of soured relationships and the devastatingly sad lyrics born out of unrequited Indie love. But Warpaint succeeds in its new interpretation of an old theme. The tracks aren’t responses to a particular break-up or songs that have been bred from the tears and longing of an unloved band member. Instead, the album features unglamorous musings on the beauty of love’s ambiguity. There’s doubt and confusion as well as a large dollop of romance – it’s right and it’s real. “Love is to Die” and “Keep it Healthy” are tracks that define the cryptic elegance of the album. Both tracks are brooding and darkly sexy, allowing them to lure you into submission. Despite the gloomy tone, there’s a sense of optimism – these tracks are engaging and surprisingly fun. “Teese” embodies the album as a whole. It contradicts itself continuously. The lyrics are urgent and gluttonous in their demands, with an energetic confession of the need for more – “I want more / I need more now / I’m in heaven / I can’t get enough” – yet the vocal

tone remains drowsy and nonchalant. There’s a folk guitar sound that transforms itself into a grumble of bass lines and a delicate keyboard. Nothing goes together, but there’s an irrefutable unity. This is what Warpaint’s new sound is about: an uneasiness and unsteadiness that requires patience and teasing to find the brilliance. It isn’t aesthetic music, the kind of music that is instantaneous and recognizable, but it is brilliant and intriguing in its elegant intelligence. And let’s not forget the importance of the contradicting instruments like a lightly played keyboard and a heavy bass line, which are perfectly matched and balanced. For each standout track that Warpaint offers its listeners, however, there are tracks that can be easily forgotten. These tracks feel like they were thrown onto the album to fill space. “Feeling Alright” and “CC” are unmemorable fragments of the album and act as a confusing padding between the tracks that give the album its real essence. Instead of light relief, they’re hard work for the listener. In addition to these anomalous songs, the complexity of the album poses the risk of losing listeners within its blurred brilliance. It’s an album that only distinguishes itself on second and third listens. On first listen, the tracks seem to blur together into one sound that gets lost. But with repetition, the tracks distinguish themselves from one another in complimentary sounds and undertones. It’s an accumulation of timely music that concludes into its very own atmosphere. Warpaint demands your attention while keeping you at arm’s length. Part of the beauty of the album is that some of its questions remain unanswered. It’s pretentious, but also hip, adding another dimension to the fastpaced music industry that we devour. Give it time – it may be challenging and a little flawed, but it’s worth it. If you break down the barriers of the album, the only way to listen to it is by playing it loud and letting it fill a room like smoke. Headphones are not allowed. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Courtesy of Rough Trade

Arts In Healthcare Initiative receives donation from Roswell Institute JOE KONZE JR

Senior Arts Editor

UB’s Arts in Healthcare Initiative will continue its philanthropic work after receiving a generous donation over the winter break. On Jan. 10, 2014, the University at Buffalo Center For the Arts Healthcare Initiative received an $83,200 grant from the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation Quality of Life Committee, which will fund the program for the next three years. “That came directly from Roswell. They’ve supported our program from the beginning,” said Thomas Burrows, the executive director of the Center For the Arts. “We’re in the sixth year now. [Roswell] has always given sufficient funds to pay professional artists, who work at the bedside in the units at [Roswell].” The program allows 12 Professional Touring Artists from the CFA to assist cancer patients in expressing themselves artistically while also distracting them from the stress that comes with their diagnosis and treatment. Each selected traveling artist strives to create a performance-like atmosphere. Since 2008, the CFA’s Arts in Healthcare Initiative has partnered up with the UB Schools of Social

Work and Nursing to serve the Roswell Cancer Institute and Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. In the beginning stages of the program, CFA officials reached out to professional artists in the Buffalo community. Following interviews and auditions, the officials selected 12 artists, who completed a two-week summer intensive program that prepared them for entertaining and interacting with patients at bedside. Although the donation doesn’t tie into a specific student benefit, there is a plan to create an opportunity for internships. “It would require an academic unit to establish the guidelines for an internship,” Burrows said. “We would provide the time for an internship in the hospital or over the summer period or we could have a winter session program. We’ve been prepared for quite some time to conduct internships for students at UB.” The program has also been funded by The John R. Oishei Foundation, Foundations of Kaleida Health and the Seymour H. Knox Foundation. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Students react to Macklemore’s Grammy performance PHOTOS BY Juan Pinzon, The Spectrum

Hannah McGovern, sophomore French major: “I hope it’s the start of a proper movement for LGBTQ – not just in music, but in society as well. Making it so public and exposed shows everyone that times are changing.”

Jham Valenzuela, senior double-major in biology and general studies: “I would really rather have an actual queer artist representing LGBTQ people. As a gay person, I’m really happy that the message is getting out there, but I would rather see someone in the spotlight who is actually queer.”

Kenneth Cruz, sophomore fine arts major:

Alexa Deuschle, sophomore accounting major:

“I think it was bad that a straight guy was using the song [“Same Love”] to represent so many people in our [LGBTQ] community.”

Lauren Hoyt, senior health and human services major: “I thought it was really cool and inspiring. Everybody that I know on Facebook was talking about it afterward, saying how awesome it was.”

“It was a really eye-opening experience because it shows how open we are becoming to the gay community. It’s really great how accepting we’re becoming about gay marriage.”

Kyle Davis, junior business administration major: “I have nothing against gays; I just don’t like churching it up. But I thought it was a cool performance. It was great to see all that diversity. I definitely liked it.”

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Beats to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;beatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; the day MEGAN WEAL

again. This one will keep you going.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good chance that on Jan. 1 you made a promise to yourself that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d get organized, lose the extra pounds that you put on over the holidays or start saving money. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a good chance that by Jan. 8 all these well wishes lost their fervor â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you misplaced your post-it notes, ate that entire chocolate bar and wasted your money on the newest must-have gadget. But donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t fret; the good news is that the new semester is a chance for you to start over, again. And if you need a little boost to get out from under the comforter, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no greater moodlifter than an inspirational song. This mix of relatable lyrics and beats will make you want to pump your fist into the air and ace your classes this semester. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to succeed in this motivational endeavor, you need to start your day properly. Change your alarm tone from your phoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s standard alarm (the one that makes you want to hit the snooze button seven times) to your favorite hits from the early 2000s.

Mumford and Sons â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Awake My Soulâ&#x20AC;? Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to slow things down. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had your fun, but now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to bring it back to the beginning. When you think of Mumford and Sons, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re normally presented with the idea of romanticized English metaphors with a folky backdrop. This track doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stray from the bandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usual sound. In fact, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aptly slower and more moving. But within the slightly depressing lyrics, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hit with golden lines like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where you invest your love/you invest your life,â&#x20AC;? and Mumford and Sons is here to give us a gentle reminder that in order to achieve something, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have to give it your all.

Assistant Arts Editor

Destinyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Child â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Survivorâ&#x20AC;? With these sassy ladies telling you that you can do it, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to wake up. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proven through music cognition studies that we associate music with emotions. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the nostalgic element of Destinyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Child that is going to make you think back to when you were approaching your teen years, dancing around your bedroom like no one could stop you. So by listening to a song that provokes

photo illustartion by Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

this kind of memory first thing in the morning, your spirits are going to be immediately lifted. Also, BeyoncĂŠ is telling you to get up, so you have to. You are going to make it. And yes, you are a survivor. Although thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing wrong with a secretive slice of Destinyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Child to start the day, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to want it playing on repeat in your head while youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to have a serious conversation with your professor. Nas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The World Is Yoursâ&#x20AC;? While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re getting ready in the morning, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the whole world on your shoulders, so you better get on with your day and make it the best one that you can. The easy hip-hop beat that Nas puts his lyrics to only helps the situation. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too in your face, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing

thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to make you want to crawl back into bed. This trackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the hip-hop version of the call from your mom telling you that you can do it. By this point, you should be ready to go and conquer the semester. The â&#x20AC;&#x2122;90s and early 2000s have gotten you this far, but we need to fast forward to today. Switchfoot â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dare You to Moveâ&#x20AC;? Switchfoot is going to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dare You to Move.â&#x20AC;? Everyone knows that once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re dared to do something, it becomes more appealing. So stop daydreaming about your afternoon naps and get back to the tasks at hand. Switchfoot is here to remind you â&#x20AC;&#x153;everybodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s watching you now.â&#x20AC;? It might have seemed like a good idea to announce your resolutions over the family dinner table, but now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going

to have to see them through. The Strokes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;You Only Live Onceâ&#x20AC;? If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not a fan of Switchfoot, feel free to substitute this accusing track for the feelgood vibes of The Strokesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; You Only Live Once. Yes, YOLO was a thing before it was being hashtagged. Now that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been suitably reminded about the promises you made and subtly accused of not seeing them through, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pick the tone up again. A Fine Frenzy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now Is The Startâ&#x20AC;? The track perfectly balances an upbeat tempo with motivational lyrics to make sure you keep yourself in check. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a gentle reminder that even if you slip away from youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a game, â&#x20AC;&#x153;now is the startâ&#x20AC;? to pick it up

Queen â&#x20AC;&#x201C; â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Are the Championsâ&#x20AC;? Now that your day is over, just take three minutes to listen to Freddie Mercury in the classic anthem of motivation. A rock song that will make you feel like youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just led your country to the Olympics and walked away with eight gold medals around your neck. Whatever you do, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t settle for second best on this one. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the Queen version or nothing â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no modern covers allowed. So, take this semester to do what you need to do and use this playlist as your personal, motivational guide to see you through it. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re welcome. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

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Continued from page 12: What more Let’s not forget that we’re in Buffalo: a city where winning is rare for every team at every level of competition. This is not an athletic program rich with history like places such as Notre Dame, Alabama or even Syracuse. This was not “supposed” to happen. Even we at The Spectrum picked this squad to go 6-6 and play in a bowl game. I remember sitting around a table, wavering between six and seven wins. Nobody said the number eight. Nobody expected a MAC Championship game appearance. We knew it was possible, but it was too far out there to predict. The Bulls had to prove it on the field. Then, all of a sudden, winning eight games, appearing in a bowl and falling one win shy of a MAC title appearance felt like a poor season. There are arguments – many of which I agree with – that this team didn’t go further because of the coaching. I agree that Quinn is not a very good coach. But coaches must be factored in with expectations. For example, if the Knicks fired Mike Woodson and replaced him with Phil Jackson, the expectations rise. With that, so does the definition of success. Having Quinn as the coach diminishes my expectations for UB football. Therefore, championships are far from my mind, and an eight-win season is phenomenal. There are 124 Division I teams in the NCAA. These teams fight all season for one of 70 bowl berths. This season, 79 schools were “bowl eligible” – meaning they recorded at least six regular-season wins. The Bulls’ eight wins left them as one of the lucky 70 teams to receive a postseason invitation. It was the first time since the 2008 season and just the second time ever for the Bulls. Still, some have said, “this team beat nobody.” It is true the teams Buffalo defeated had a combined 23-73 record, including 11-38 in the MAC. It is also true its losses came to teams with a combined record of 48-18, including a 12-4 MAC record. But let’s face it: before this season, we were nobody. Buffalo had six total conference wins in the past three seasons. Excluding Massachusetts, which is only in its sec-

ond season in the MAC, Buffalo’s record from 2010-12 was worse than every school it defeated this season. Eastern Michigan has seven wins over this time and Western Michigan, Kent State, Ohio and Miami Ohio all have doubledigit conference victories. For the first time ever, college football fans could watch Buffalo football often this season. The Bulls’ final five games were all on ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU and they opened the season stealing viewers from Johnny Manziel as the Bulls put a minor scare into national powerhouse Ohio State. The community showed interest and support in the Bulls as well, attending games in record numbers. UB Stadium seated over 110,000 people in its five games in Amherst, giving Buffalo the highest home attendance numbers in the MAC. Now what does this say for the future? Who knows? Most of Buffalo’s record setters were seniors, meaning their college careers are over. But this season was not about the future. What happened this season deserves to be celebrated and remembered. It took five years for this program to return to a bowl game. It may be five years before it plays in another. Or one, or 10. Was this its best chance for a title in years? Yes, but who’s to say it was its only chance? Regardless of the final two losses, 2013 put Buffalo, UB, the State University of New York at Buffalo or however else you wish to refer to this football team on people’s minds. You heard about the Bulls on ESPN. You read about them on blogs. You and the rest of the country read “Buffalo Bulls” when you picked winners in your office “Bowl Mania” tournaments. Buffalo will remain in the spotlight when ESPN discuses Khalil Mack’s NFL draft stock and future as a potential top10 pick. That’s what people should take away from this season: Buffalo’s return to relevance. Celebrate what it was, and don’t waste time considering what it wasn’t. email: owen.obrien@ubspectrum.com

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Continued from page 12: Disappointment Bulls. But there is enough evidence of the Bulls’ failure to capitalize on talent in the past two years that predicting the future isn’t necessary. When Quinn inherited the team from Gill in 2010, the roster was full of unknowns. The Bulls had just graduated Roosevelt and Starks – the two best skill players on the team – and the only standout left was Shannon. 2010 didn’t offer much hope for the future. The Bulls went 2-10 and no one stepped up as a star. Although 2011 included only three wins, the Bulls upset MAC contender Ohio at home and nearly took eventual MAC champion Northern Illinois to overtime. Both Mack and Oliver stepped up as stars and Alex Neutz emerged as an above average wide receiver. Although expectations outside the program in 2012 weren’t very high, with the talent level on that team, they should have at least approached six wins. Instead, they started 1-7 including disheartening losses to Kent State at home and Connecticut, Ohio and Northern Illinois on the road. The team did win three of their final four games that season, making their record look respectable, especially when Kent State finished 11-1, Ohio started 7-0 and Northern Illinois earned an Orange Bowl berth. The subpar performance could have been chalked up to bad luck with scheduling. The loss to Bowling Green in the final week became the telling game of 2012. After looking like a different team against Miami Ohio, Western Michigan and Massachusetts, the Bulls totaled just seven points against the Falcons. That was the last time we saw a conference team outplay and outcoach the Bulls until they played Toledo on Nov. 12. In that game, the Bulls fell behind 38-0 before they mounted a furious comeback attempt against Toledo’s second-team defense. And the biggest loss of them all was the loss in the bowl game. Playing a warm-weather team in cold weather on national television should have been a chance for the Bulls to showcase their stars. Instead they were embarrassed, putting on a lackluster offensive perfor-

mance that allowed the Aztecs to wear down the defense. Both teams had plenty of time to prepare between games. This was clearly a case of the Aztecs’ coaching staff outdueling Jeff Quinn and company. The argument that this season is progress because of the football program’s history of mediocrity is ludicrous. This should have been the season the Bulls broke out of mediocrity. And with the talent on this team, it should have been a national story leading into this season. Imagine if the national media had seen Mack and Oliver play for more than just one season. Their names may have been as well known as Jordan Lynch’s, who finished the season as a Heisman finalist. This season held implications for the future of Buffalo’s football program and the coaching staff failed. The talent on both sides of the ball this season was sufficient for UB to do what Bowling Green did in upsetting nationally ranked Northern Illinois. At the very least, the Bulls should have competed better in their regular-season finale at Ralph Wilson Stadium, where they lost 24-7 to the Falcons. It’s tough to say the Bulls should have won the MAC East title or the MAC Championship – there is too much luck involved when good teams meet – but the talent on this team should have at least yielded a competitive game into the fourth quarter with the Falcons. That did not happen. It doesn’t matter where a team plays its home games, whether it’s Buffalo, Columbus, Ohio, or Ann Arbor, Mich. – a talented team needs to play to the level of which it is capable. This team had the talent to compete with the best teams in the conference, but head-to-head, it didn’t. The Bulls had the potential to be a special MAC team, and they didn’t follow through. Take that as you will, but 2013 wasn’t a step forward for the football program. Whenever you lose this much talent without a conference championship, it is a step back. email: ben.tarhan@ubspectrum.com

Wednesday, January 29, 2014 ubspectrum.com

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CLASSIFIEDS BRADENGEL37@gmail.com or Shawn at 716-984-7813 Check out our website: www.bufapt.com 1-8 BEDROOM HOUSES and Apartments at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Merrimac, Highgate and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, off-street parking & laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff. Call, text or email Jeremy Dunn, (585) 261-6609 or email Jeremy Dunn @ jgdunn2@msn.com. TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE SAME OLD DUMP??? Our nicest apartments rent now! Newly Remodeled 1-4 person apartments on W.Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S parking, whirlpool bathrobes, w/w carpeting, new ss appliances & free laundry. Live the Sweethome life on South! Visit www. ubrents.com or call: 716-775-7057. EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2014 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. HOUSE FOR HOUSE FOR

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4,5,6 & 8 BEDROOM Remodeled apartment houses. 33 apartments to choose from. University Buffalo main street campus – off Englewood. Beginning June 2014: UB South Campus for $275 $325/Bed plus utilities. Washers & Dryers included. Contact BRADENGEL37@ gmail.com or Shawn at 716-984-7813 Check out our website: www.bufapt.com 6-BDRM 181 Woodcrest $2300; 187 Highgate $2100; RonYoung.com SOUTH CAMPUS New On The Market! 4,5 & 6 Master BDRMS, 2-Baths, stove, fridge, washer/dryer/dishwasher & off-street parking. Available June 1st. Call 716-570-6062 UTILITIES INCLUDED 3-8 Bedrooms Englewood, Merrimac, Heath & Winspear 300 & up 716-870-8100

Daily Delights SUDOKU

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RONYOUNG.COM VIEW PICTURES, room sizes, maps, June 2014. 1-8 BEDROOM HOUSES and Apartments at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Merrimac, Highgate and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, off-street parking & laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff. Call, text or email Jeremy Dunn, (585) 261-6609 or email Jeremy Dunn @ jgdunn2@msn.com. TIRED OF LOOKING AT THE SAME OLD DUMP??? Our nicest apartments rent now! Newly Remodeled 1-4 person apartments on W.Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S parking, whirlpool bathrobes, w/w carpeting, new ss appliances & free laundry. Live the Sweethome life on South! Visit www. ubrents.com or call: 716-775-7057.

UB NORTH CAMPUS (across from the villas). Awesome 5,6 & 8 bedroom houses. Large bedrooms with great closet space. Modern bathrooms and kitchens. Large living rooms and/or rec rooms. Off-street parking. Private laundry. Huge yards. Real living not dorm living. Available June 1. $395-$440. w w w. u b s t u d e n t r e n t a l s . c o m 716-634-0710

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CLOSE TO SOUTH CAMPUS. Large BDRMS, Furnished, Internet & utilities included. Available Now! $400.00/pp Call 716-570-6062 S

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BUFFALODRIVINGSCHOOLS . COM Learn to drive with our warranteed driving instruction package. NYS 5hr course, points& insurance reduction class in our classroom or on-line. Call for free shuttle service to our classroom from north& south campus. 716-834-4300. CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662. ADOPTION ADOPTION A MARRIED COUPLE wishing to adopt a baby. We promise to give your child a loving and happy home. Certified adoptive parents. Expenses paid. Please call us anytime 1-888-57-ADOPT norarichadopt@yahoo.com.

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TONAWANDA PREGNANCY INFO CTR 716-694-8623

EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2014 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. EGGERT HOUSE FOR RENT. Furnished, 5 min drive UB N&S $1050. Available now. Call Ming; 716-912-8177. 308 HIGHGATE; 187 Highgate; 181 Woodcrest RonYoung.com. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available June 1st, 2014. Go to daveburnette.net to view all properties or call Dave at 716-445-2514.