The Spectrum Volume 62 Issue 59 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

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

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Monday, March 4, 2013

Bulls defeat first-ever ranked opponent

Volume 62 No. 59

Law school dean Mutua serves on international tribunal Story on page 2

Story on page 8

‘SEAS’ of new hope

New engineering dean works to bring more women to her field SAM FERNANDO Asst. News Editor

n 1984, Australia held its first science summer program for high school students. Liesl Folks was there. When the 16-year-old laid her sights on a nuclear accelerator, she knew she wanted to be a scientist. Now Folks is one of seven female deans of any engineering school in the United States. That summer 29 years ago, the self-proclaimed “prototypical geek” had the opportunity to visit the Australian National University, where she saw the nuclear accelerator – a device that speeds particles up to create high energies allowing scientists to do various experiments. She was astounded by the sheer magnitude and power of the piece of equipment. Folks, the new dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), has worked over 15 years in the private sector for IBM and Hitachi. The Australia native plans to take her experiences and passion for science and apply them to her new role at UB to recruit more women to the engineering field and enhance the university’s rank and reputation. One of Folks’ biggest concerns is women’s disinterest in engineering. She plans to strengthen programs for college students, local high schools and grade schools to increase engineering appeal not only for women but underrepresented minorities. “For UB as an institution, I think it is terrific for UB to have a woman in a position of leadership in what is a traditionally male-dominated field,” said Bruce Pitman, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in an email. “She is a great role

Courtesy of Douglas Levere / University at Buffalo

Liesl Folks has high ambitions as the new dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). One of her goals is to draw more women and minorities into the field of engineering.

model for young women considering a career in [science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)] fields.” Folks went to Penrhos Ladies College, an all-girls high school in Perth, Western Australia. She said the stigma of a girl pursuing a career in the sciences was nonexistent there because the school pushed girls to excel in those fields, to which she partially attributes her passion. She went on to major in physics at the University of Western Australia and became an academic at the same school until she left to work in the private sector.

Pitman, who was on the search committee that interviewed Folks for the dean position, said Folks’ hiring will strengthen UB’s engineering and industry collaborations. He agrees UB has to make an effort to bring more women into SEAS. He said in addition to Folks’ credentials and industry experience, she is the person who will pique the interest of women. “For me, the most critical thing is for when you get women and underrepresented minorities into engineering, nurture them as best you can to make sure they get out the other end, that we don’t lose them along the way, that they don’t become disenchanted for whatever

Daly life lessons, one English class at a time Beloved professor Robert Daly explains how literature has helped guide his life CARRIE LOMBARDI Staff Writer On Robert Daly’s first day of teaching, a student asked him if he was a professor. He was 22 at the time and he didn’t look much different from the students themselves. To ease the tension, he replied, “No, actually, I’m a janitor in this building. But as you know, there is a teacher shortage, so they gave me this tie and just told me to come in here and wing it.” Nobody laughed. At that moment, Daly realized teaching was not going to be easy, but it was something that would continue to excite him. Dr. Robert Daly, a SUNY Distinguished Professor of English, has been teaching for 40 years, all of which has been spent at UB. He did not intend on majoring in English but does not regret his decision to change majors. Now, as a professor, Daly strives to teach his students to interpret and synthesize not just literature but life, as well.

reason and drop out of the program,” Folks said. Folks compared this “problem” to the issue in the field of medicine. She said a few years ago, medicine was a male-dominated field, but now, there are more women pursuing a career in the field than men. However, that same trend isn’t happening in the engineering field. Folks said her experience in industry is very different from academia, but she is excited to tackle the task of enhancing SEAS. “In business, you pretty much have a single focus, which is to push your product out the door and to make money,” Folks said. “Here,

Local felon targets students in the Heights RACHEL RAIMONDI Asst. News Editor

Alec Frazier /// The Spectrum

Professor Robert Daly aims to inspire and educate his students by teaching them more than just lessons in literature, but lessons in life.

Daly didn’t always have his life figured out. To him, there is nothing wrong with that. He believes the earlier a person has things “figured out,” the less exciting and meaningful his or her life will be. In the sticks of Ohio, with the help of his grandfather, he learned to love mathematics from a young

Inside

age. He could calculate simple equations, performing what his grandfather deemed “lightning mathematics,” before he could recite the alphabet. It wasn’t until college, during the second semester of his junior year, that English became a priority. Continued on page 7

we have many missions – education may be the prime among them, but also engagement with the broader community, with industry and with [lower-level] education. It’s a much more interesting ecosystem.” Folks replaced Harvey G. Stenger Jr., who stepped down in April 2011; she has held the position since January. She was selected as one of four finalists in October. “She has a great experience with industry, and she has a lot of connections,” said President Satish Tripathi on Feb. 6. “She is a leader in the field and she has a great connection with academia. At the end of the day, [we hired her] because of the fit and how the rest of the university felt.” She said there is a perception that UB doesn’t do enough with industry. But she found UB does an enormous amount of interaction with industry, but not many people outside the university know about its “breadth and depth.” “We need to be proactive about communicating our successes in research with the broader community, not just with the funding agencies but also with the business community and industry,” Folks said. UB is currently ranked the 54thbest engineering school in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report. Folks said she is going to work to move UB further up the list. Venu Govindaraju is a distinguished professor in computer science and engineering who served on the search committee that interviewed Folks. He said her leadership as the president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Magnetics Society – also being the first woman to hold this prestigious position – will propel UB’s rank and reputation. Continued on page 2

Antoine Matthews pleaded guilty on Friday to trying to rob five UB students in November. Matthews pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted robbery in the second degree. He was released from Attica Prison in November and two weeks later attempted to rob five students in the Heights in two separate incidents, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Matthews was in prison from 2007 to 2012 for burglary and attempted assault. On Nov. 17, Matthews displayed what appeared to be a silver revolver to three students on Winspear Avenue and demanded money. After they gave him their money, Matthews fled the scene. The students ran to South Campus and called University Police (UPD). UPD Officers Eric Radder, Scott McMillan and Theodore Kopacz

gathered enough information from the three witnesses to canvass the area and locate Matthews, said UPD Chief Gerald Schoenle. Matthews tossed the gun, which turned out to be a silver toy revolver, before the officers approached him near the intersection of Bailey and Shirley Avenues. The officers recovered the toy gun and other property on the suspect that connected him to a different robbery on Winspear about 30 minutes prior, according to Schoenle. Matthews robbed two female students who identified him in a lineup. He faces a maximum prison sentence of seven years for each robbery and will be sentenced on May 1. He also faces additional time for a parole violation as a result of these crimes, according to the Erie County District Attorney’s Office. Email: news@ubspectrum.com

Opinion 3 Life, Arts & Entertainment 4,5 Classifieds & Daily Delights 7

Sports 8

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Continued from page 1: ‘SEAS’ of new hope “Liesl’s industry leadership experience coupled with her understanding of true excellence in scholarship are already making a positive impact on the faculty and students of the school,” Govindaraju said in an email. “Her dynamic vision and passionate commitment to higher education are strong assets in steering us toward fulfilling the mission of establishing UB engineering as a world-class program.” Last year, the number of students in the engineering department increased 50 percent, according to Provost Charles Zukoski. Folks is excited about the new challenge. She said the heightened interest is a good thing and means more students and parents are realizing the importance of engineering in the future of the country. However, she said dealing with the sudden increase of students can be problematic, and she would have to come up with creative solutions to cater to their needs. “The challenge for us is that you can’t ramp a university’s capacity to take on students very quickly,” Folks said. “We can’t build our classrooms fast enough to meet the demand, for

example. So we are going to have to get much more cunning on how we deliver education to make sure that quality isn’t compromised, but we can deal with these variables.” Folks’ experience at Hitachi and IBM – in the data storage industry, in which she focused on finding ways to make hard-disk drives more efficient at low costs – has taught her how to apply her experience in the private sector to academia. “The most important thing working in industry [is it] trains you for is the importance of setting goals and milestones toward those goals and trying to keep people moving in the same direction,” Folks said. “Some of that is a leadership issue, some of it is a question of how to keep people motivated and some of it is operational in making sure you are setting the right goals.” Folks is excited to lead SEAS forward in the engineering world; she hopes more women will join her in the workforce along the way. Email: news@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 5: Coffee and cookies for a cause Members of Pi Lambda Phi decided to come together and raise money for Breezy Point because they think it’s the area that was hit the worst. “None of us [here] live in Breezy Point, where the money is going, but we all live in Long Island,” Warenycia said. “We went back home and saw the destruction it caused. We know the magnitude of it.” Although Burdish isn’t raising money for his hometown, he is happy his fraternity is trying to make a difference. “It’s really nice to know there are still good people in this world,” he said. Pi Lambda Phi thought of the idea to fundraise last semester, but put the plan into effect this semester and worked with MORE House, UB’s sophomore learning community. Hayley Ross, a sophomore international studies and history major, and Jenny Goracke, a junior psychology and communication major, were surprised by the success of Pi Lambda Phi’s fundraiser. Ross and Goracke are members of the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. They were supportive of the drive and dedication seen in the fraternity members at the table. Like their brother fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi, sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta were also greatly impacted by the destruction of the hurricane. Goracke was stuck in the Bronx with her boyfriend for a week while the storm raged through New York State because none of the airlines were flying. She said they weren’t hit tragically; they only experienced the bad weather.

Ross wasn’t personally affected either, but she jumped at the opportunity to help her friends. “A lot of my friends’ houses and families within my sorority were affected because they live there,” Ross said. “It hit home, just hearing everyone talking about it, and [I enjoyed] being there to support my sisters.” About 20-30 percent of people walking through the Student Union donated to the cause and the majority were UB faculty, staff and former students, according to Ross. She thinks the boys picked a great place to set up their fundraising because so many people walk through that area everyday. This is the first natural disaster fundraiser Pi Lambda Phi has done, but they hope to continue to raise money for various charities. The fraternity raised $280 over the two days, exceeding its goal of $200. They were glad they were able to make a difference. Burdish is feels the donations will leave a big impact on his community. “Friends of mine and neighbors had lost their entire houses to the storm. The houses next door, across the street and diagonal have all been abandoned since the storm hit,” Burdish said. “Everything is slowly returning back to the way it was, at least for us, but I know there are families that are still in shambles, and my heart really goes out to them and their loved ones.” Email: features@ubspectrum.com

Department of Geography

SUMMER 2013 COURSES

Session J (May 20-June 28, 2013) GEO 101 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE I M – F 9:40 AM - 10:55 AM

* Sequence satisfies General Education’s Natural Sciences requirement

GEO 103 GEOG OF ECONOMIC SYSTEMS ONLINE GEO 281 WEB BASED GIS ONLINE *Both components (lecture and recitation) must be taken in the same semester

GEO 330 DYNAMICS OF INTL BUSINESS M W 6:30 PM - 9:40 PM GEO 334 INTL ENV & COMM PROBLEMS ONLINE For further details, please check the department website: http://www.geog.buffalo.edu

Session M (July 1-August 9, 2013) GEO 106 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE II M – F 9:40 AM - 10:55 AM (Lecture) LAB – GEO 106 Lab T R 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Both components (lecture and lab) must be taken in the same semester

**GEO 211 UNIVARIATE STATISTICS M- F 12:35 PM -1:50 PM (Lecture) LAB- GEO 211 T R 2:00 PM- 3:00 PM

Both components (lecture and lab) must be taken in the same semester * Sequence satisfies General Education’s MathematicalSciences requirement

GEO 333 BASES OF WORLD COMMERCE M W 6:30 PM - 9:40 PM GEOGRAPHICAL INFO SYSTEMS T R 6:30 PM - 9:40 PM (Lecture) GEO 481 [Undergrad] or GEO 506 [Graduate] LAB – GEO 481 T R 5:00 - 6:20 PM Both components (lecture and lab) must be taken in the same semester

Monday, March 4, 2013

Mutua serves on international tribunal ERIC CORTELLESSA Staff Writer Makau Mutua, dean of SUNY Buffalo Law School, served as one of the six judges on the international tribunal that heard testimony in October in The Hague, Netherlands. The tribunal has finally issued a verdict against the Iranian government for crimes against humanity and gross violations of human rights. During the ’80s, the Islamic Republic of Iran arrested, imprisoned, tortured and killed thousands of Iranian citizens whom the government claimed were opponents of the state of Islam. Only recently has their government even acknowledged these mass executions occurred. “The Islamic Republic of Iran carried out systematic executions, torture, detention and rapes of suspected or imagined government opponents from 1981-88,” Mutua said in an email. It has been estimated in that time over 20,000 political prisoners, men and women – as well as underage detainees – were sentenced to death by execution, according to The Guardian, a newspaper in the United Kingdom. The peak of this mass slaughter took place in the summer of 1988 when more than 5,000 people were killed in a short span of time throughout prisons all over Iran. “Iranian prisons, especially the notorious Evin Prison, were the sites of summary trials and executions of ‘non-believers’ and ‘enemies of the state,’” Mutua said. “Women were routinely raped in these prisons. Men were killed and buried in mass graves, which is not permitted in Islam.” The tribunal heard distressing testimonies of such atrocities from 19 witnesses during the three-day proceedings. They also heard from the victims themselves. “Hearing the testimonies of the victims was gut-wrenching,” Mutua said. “It’s probably one of the toughest things I have had to do. To hear the stories of brutal torture, rape and executions was chilling.” The tribunal considered a 419-page report formulated by the Truth Commission that encapsulated the entire investigation; it included almost 75 witnesses who told stories of torture, rape and murder. “The Truth Commission was a truth-telling device,” Mutua said. “Its purpose is to create a moral account and record of what happened – who were the victims and their victimizers, why the violations took place and by whom. This account is the basis of future investigations and hopefully prosecutions of those culpable.” The Iranian tribunal consisted of international jurists who have expertise in human rights and international law. Aside from being the dean of the law school and a SUNY distinguished professor, Mutua is a vice president of the American Society of International Law and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Courtesy of Douglas Levere

Makau Mutua, dean of the SUNY Buffalo Law School, was a judge on an international tribunal. The tribunal issued a verdict against the Iranian government for crimes against humanity and gross violations of human rights.

It because of his background as a prominent figure on the international human rights scene that Mutua was asked to serve as one of the judges to look into these charges against Iran’s Islamic leaders. Mutua hopes this verdict will lead to prosecution of those responsible and begin a process of trying to compensate the victims. “Thousands of Iranians of all backgrounds were victimized by the state. These abuses were not secret, but the state never acknowledged them, or prosecuted officials who carried them out,” Mutua said. “We are pressing the international community, including the United Nations and other regional organizations, to put pressure on Iran to bring the perpetrators to justice.” Mutua and the rest of the judges on the tribunal stated in their verdict released on Feb. 5 that it now falls on the Iranian government to proceed forward in taking responsibility for “substantial and widespread violations of human rights.” The verdict holds what took place in Iranian prisons during an entire decade was without question in violation of established international law and the Islamic Republic of Iran should be held fully accountable for what they characterized as “systematic and widespread commission of crimes against humanity.” “One wonders why human beings can be so cruel and evil to one another,” Mutua said. “It boggles the mind and shocks the human conscience.” Email: news@ubspectrum.com

To or From North Campus & Buffalo Airport $28 Flat Rate

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2012-2013 Sr. Jeanne File Memorial Art History Lecture Series

Frances Gage

Buffalo State College Assistant Professor of Art History

The Use of Similar Delights: Collecting and Health in Early Modern Rome

March 7, 2013 | 7 P.M. Free & Open to the public Haberman Gacioch Center for Visual & Performing Arts Daemen College | 4380 Main Street, Amherst Sponsored by Joan Stovroff, President and Stovroff & Taylor Realtors and Stovroff & Taylor Travel Daemen Alumni Relations 716.839.8255

Opinion

Monday, March 4, 2013 ubspectrum.com

EDITORIAL BOARD Editor in Chief Aaron Mansfield Senior Managing Editor Brian Josephs Managing Editor Rebecca Bratek Editorial Editor Ashley Steves News EDItors Sara DiNatale, Co-Senior Lisa Khoury, Co-Senior Sam Fernando, Asst. Rachel Raimondi, Asst. LIFE EDITORS Rachel Kramer, Senior Lyzi White Lisa Epstein, Asst. ARTS EDITORS Elva Aguilar, Senior Lisa de la Torre, Asst. Max Crinnin, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS Joseph Konze Jr., Senior Jon Gagnon Ben Tarhan Markus McCaine, Asst. PHOTO EDITORS Alexa Strudler, Senior Adrien D’Angelo Nick Fischetti Satsuki Aoi, Asst. Aminata Diallo, Asst. CARTOONIST Jeanette Chwan PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark Kurtz CREATIVE DIRECTOR Brian Keschinger Haider Alidina, Asst. ADVERTISING DESIGNER Joseph Ramaglia Ryan Christopher, Asst. Haley Sunkes, Asst.

The c-word

Reaction to The Onion’s offensive tweet reveals the boundaries of comedy While actors and actresses were waltzing down the Red Carpet Sunday, Feb. 24, The Onion was learning an important lesson: pick on someone your own size. The faux news organization’s Twitter account sent the ever-watchful World Wide Web into a rage on Oscar Sunday when Oscar-nominated actress Quvenzhané Wallis became a target. A now-deleted tweet read, “Everyone else seems afraid to say it, but that Quvenzhané Wallis is kind of a c**t, right? #Oscars2013.” Oh, by the way: Quvenzhané Wallis is 9 years old. As a generation and as a society, we don’t often reach our boundaries and deny we even have them, arrogantly claiming there is nothing you can’t joke about. We like shock value, and we defend everything as falling under free speech. There’s a famous saying by George Carlin about comedy: “I believe you can joke about anything. It all depends on how you construct the joke.” Like Carlin, many people believe that as long as the joke has an exaggeration, it doesn’t matter what the subject matter is. Sexuality, rape, murder, etc. – it’s fine to joke about. Or is it? Because public reaction to the tweet says otherwise. The Onion’s mission is to make people laugh while testing the limits of what offends people. From Armageddon to starving children, it toes the line but rarely crosses it. This is one of those rare exceptions. Many want to make the argument that this falls under that category of exaggeration because no matter how many people found her posing to be overdramatic, nobody’s annoyance is that strong to warrant that kind of response. Those who are on The Onion’s side aren’t necessarily on The Onion’s side, though; they’re on the

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 both Alloy Media and Marketing, and MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum.com/ads or call us directly. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100

Art by jeanette chwan

side of the joke. What the joke’s author meant but failed to properly execute was a critique of the ridiculousness of media coverage and the mainstream gossip bloggers, the people who explicitly tear down a celebrity and in his or her place leave scathing, discriminatory commentary. The joke meant to emulate the style of those like Perez Hilton, who has become a celebrity based on nothing more than undeserved and immature attacks. The people standing up for the organization are the ones saying everyone else didn’t get the joke or people are too sensitive.

But the joke also has to be funny, and whether you like The Onion or not or understand what the joke was trying to do or not, there is nothing funny about calling a 9-year-old a c**t. It’s a strong word that packs a punch, and despite the fact it is seemingly becoming more prevalent and slightly less taboo, it still holds all the same connotations. That does not change how very powerful and insulting it is. That is the point of using it: it’s not to satirize the work of the already offensive but to insult somebody in the most misogynistic and sexualized way – to refer to that person as weak. Even if that is not the intention, who is going to know the difference? Certainly not a 9-year-old girl smiling for the cameras and showing off her puppy-dog purse. Are children the only people off limits? Comedian Daniel Tosh lit a fire under many over the summer when controversial jokes about rape got out of hand at Los Angeles’ Laugh Factory. After a female audience member heckled him that rape is never funny, Tosh reportedly said, “Wouldn’t it be funny if that girl got raped by, like, five guys right now?” Comedians and fans stuck up for him, but most people did not. But like the present situation, it brought up whether or not comedy should have limits. The Onion even apologized for the tweet via an official Facebook post (albeit awkward and very out of character for the organization), which perhaps speaks more than the actual public reaction. If anything, this should set a precedent and other organizations – satirical or not – gauge exactly the kind of reaction this caused. We are more sensitive of a society than we’d like to believe, and that’s probably a good thing. Email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

Letter to the Editor The Heights of Paranoia MARIO AYOUB

March 4, 2013 Volume 62 Number 59 Circulation 7,000

I have to say that I’m very pleased to see the University Heights finally in the spotlight. This neighborhood hasn’t lived up to its potential in years past, and I feel confident that we are approaching a transitional period. I want to believe that the attention the Heights is receiving will generate a positive response. However, as of right now, this isn’t going to happen. The main problem I see is press coverage. While I appreciate the Spectrum’s call for action, I cannot help but think Khoury’s article, “The Heights of Fear,” has done more harm then good. Before I explain myself further, I wish to express that I do not discredit any of the issues facing the University Heights. I do not wish to downplay the violence, thefts and the deteriorating housing stock. These are real problems, that if continue to go unaddressed, will have a negative impact on the school, as well as the city as a whole. The issue I had with “The Heights of Fear” is fairly straightforward: it did not examine the Heights from both sides of the story. If you are a newcomer to the area, or you are simply not familiar with the neighborhood, the article will not accurately portray the situation. None of the points presented by Khoury are wrong on their own. But the article fails to mention the positive strides this neighborhood is taking. To me, this reduces these points down to partial truths. And I’m not so sure partial truths mean a whole lot. When a piece of journalism is fear-driven, a few things are bound to happen. First off, an accurate portrayal of any subject will not be possible. I firmly believe this is the case with the University Heights. Based on this article, you are likely to get shot just driving down Main Street. Second, you are going to scare people away. Of course reader approval should not be of much concern when trying to get the facts out there. However, this article reads like a call to action. Right now I feel like the article is intimidating much of the student body. Thirdly, because of this fear, the Heights won’t be a talking point for much longer. Students will see it as an issue they cannot address on their own, and put it out of their minds. Let me elaborate a little on this last point. To me, “The Heights of Fear” is trying to expose the lack of effort the school has put into the neighborhood. The whole article is appealing to the administration. The sad reality is, that none of the problems highlighted by the piece (burglaries, landlord issues, violence) is news to the administration. They are well aware of the problems facing the Heights. It is redundant to direct an entire investigative piece to just the institution. What I would like to know is where do we come in? Where do the students of this university play a role in any of this? That is what is lacking from this article. Wouldn’t it have been more effective to direct “The Heights of Fear” at the students, so we in turn could put pressure on the administration? It seems like a more efficient idea, to rile the students up rather than the administration.

Take for example the last sentence of the Khoury’s article: “So long as the university continues to insist living in the Heights is a choice, students may have to choose a life of fear.” From a student’s perspective – from my perspective – this article doesn’t leave us many options. Basically, if UB does not step in, the helpless and naïve students will be haplessly victimized. I am so happy to report this is not the case. Leaving the students out of the conversation creates a bit of a dilemma. I strongly believe that “The Heights of Fear” is a great piece on the grounds that it exposed the neighborhood to a lot of newcomers. Some of my friends have been discussing the Heights, a place they never knew existed just a few short days ago. But the detrimental error of not involving the students, forces the article to take two steps back. Portraying the typical UB student as a defenseless victim doesn’t empower anyone. It doesn’t inspire hope and it doesn’t inspire action. Yes, everything mentioned in the article did happen. Crimes are committed against students on a regular basis, but we don’t have to stand around. And we don’t have to wait for the administration to throw us a life preserver. I know the point of the article was to reveal that the University Heights is major issue, but not providing a positive talking piece takes power away from the student body. So how do we the students, get that power back? I will now attempt to include some information I believe that “The Heights of Fear” should have added. Most importantly, the University Heights has many active residents that genuinely care about the safety and integrity of their community. This isn’t the toxic wasteland crawling with crime lords that thrives in Khoury’s article. This is a Buffalo community, separate from the university. Like all promising neighborhoods that have fallen on hard times, there is a core group of residents that want to change things. Great examples of these people are the members of the University Heights Collaborative. I encourage you to check out their site for more information: www.ourheights.org. The vision posted on their website reads, “A University Heights neighborhood that is safe and has a vibrant business district utilizing and revitalizing walkability, diversity, affordable housing stock, and green space where people desire to live.” Yes, there are people out there who care. No, it is not a forsaken underworld that only the UB police force can save. Another great group is the University Heights Tool Library. This is an excellent resource to students and permanent residents alike. For a low yearly fee, a member can check out almost every kind of tool required for a home improvement job. Students with tight budgets are incredibly lucky to have this organization. It can empower them to work past difficult landlords and complete some home repairs on their own. Neighborhood events such as farmers markets and garden walks can provide invaluable relaxation time for students on the weekends. The sterile, North Campus apartment complexes can never replicate this type of community feel. Building a strong community is the first step toward improved safety.

The University at Buffalo is involved in the Heights in a variety of ways. I take a Civic Engagement course through the Academies that allows me to work in the Heights. I have witnessed firsthand the dedication that residents have for their community. My class is working in conjunction with the Tool Library and UHC to apply for a grant to improve the deteriorating commercial corridors. Main Street and Bailey Avenue will be directly impacted by this grant, which will in turn have an affect on student life. The Tool Library is also working with the UB Undergraduate Consulting Club on a project called PULL. PULL stands for Popup Living Laboratories. What PULL does is provide a storefront for local entrepreneurs to set up shop for two to three months. In this stable environment, Heights residents will get the opportunity to start a small business and test different models. After their time is up in the temporary environment, PULL will assist that business in finding a permanent home in the Heights. These incredible community programs can only mean one thing. The University Heights is alive and kicking. Dedicated minds are here for the long haul. Instead of scaring students away with dramatic front-page headlines, let’s talk a little about what we can do to help. As for UB’s involvement in the Heights, I do not disagree with Khoury. Everyone would like to see the university invest some big dollars in neighborhood. However it is unfair to ask them to bear the entire responsibility. It just doesn’t make sense for them to manage a whole neighborhood way out of their jurisdiction. In order for them to loosen their purse strings, they need to know that there are students out there who aren’t running away from the Heights. I urge The Spectrum and its staff to continue its coverage on the University Heights. However, we need to draw attention to some key players in the community. It’s a tough time for the South Campus neighborhood and we aren’t going to get anywhere by beating the same facts into the ground. It’s time to focus on the progress being made so that the students can join in. It’s time to become a community and look out for one another in the streets. The safest neighborhoods aren’t the ones heavily policed. It’s the ones that know each other. It’s the neighborhoods that work together, the neighborhoods that have vigilant eyes. This is how we decrease violence and crime in the Heights. This is how we hold landlords accountable. This is how we rid the neighborhood of that negative façade. The students have to participate collectively. Join some of the movements happening already, attend a UHC meeting, care about where you live. Because if the situation is as bad as “The Heights of Fear” suggest, we don’t have much time to lose.

Mario Ayoub Freshman media study major

Monday, March 4, 2013 ubspectrum.com

Life, Arts & Entertainment

Snapshots of kindness

Road to the Sphinx: the Buffalo breakdown

CARRIE LOMBARDI Staff Writer

FELICIA HUNT Contributing Writer Eight local bands, sweaty palms, deep breaths and anxiety are at an all-time high. The next 15 minutes will help determine the future and these are regular conditions for competition time. Last Wednesday night, After Dark Entertainment hosted its Road to the Sphinx competition at Xtreme Wheels Skate Park. The 55-city showcase arrived in Buffalo with representatives from Sumerian Records in an effort to potentially add to its roster as well as to award an opening slot for the closest Summer Slaughter Tour or All Stars Tour date. “We’re interested in making Sumerian more diverse,” said Vincent Nguyen of Sumerian Records. “We’re looking for a band with talent and I’m definitely seeing a ton of talent here in Buffalo tonight.” Much to Pennsylvania band Skylime’s joy, its individuality and element of diversity caught the attention of the Sumerian Records representatives. The Bradford, Pa., group earned the title of Buffalo “Road to the Sphinx” finalist and will compete for the regional championship in hopes of advancing to the national round in Hollywood. With eccentrically titled tracks such as “Geppetto Rape Boogie” and “A Redneck’s Rebuttal,” the Pennsylvania rockers brought something new to the Buffalo music scene. The elements of ska and dance in their music mixed with vocalist Rich Bisker’s passionate screams were surprising. “It’s absolutely amazing that we had this opportunity,” Bisker said. “We didn’t know what to expect coming into this, but I’m glad we decided to take a shot.” Regardless of how nervous the bands seemed they all put on performances that exceeded expectations. Deathcore band A Future Corrupt’s vocalist Ethan Fingold commanded the stage during the band’s 15-minute set with his demonlike gutturals. Fan favorite “Captain America” brought brutal bass drops and crushing riffs into the competition and kept the crowd head banging.

Courtesy of Skylime

Last Wednesday night, Bradford, Pa., band Skylime won the title of “Road to the Sphinx” finalist in Buffalo and beat out seven bands for the opportunity to be signed to Sumerian Records.

Currents, a djent/metalcore band, brought the mosh pit on stage for its encore. The well-known group had the opportunity to play last, and vocalist Darren Silver brought excitement by jumping into the crowd while bassist Joe Mosey kept the energy flowing on stage by pounding his feet during the breakdowns. Even fairly newer groups The Creator, The Architect and A Breath Alive delivered energetic performances that kept the crowd moving and begging for more songs. “We were obviously nervous but extremely excited that we had this chance to play for Sumerian,” said Tony Avino, vocalist for The Creator, The Architect screamer. “Seeing the crowd so into our performance made every minute worth the nerves.”

Rochester favorites Vanity Strikes along with Gretta Moire and Led By The Blind of Buffalo also used their time wisely. While the crowd reaction was not as strong, these bands put all of their talent on the line for the chance to live their dream. The local bands needed their audience to be present and the skate park was definitely filled with a supportive one. The music scene has a well-conencted atmosphere where everyone knows and supports one another. That atmosphere consistently allows the local bands in Buffalo to survive. “Bradford has a smaller metal scene with heart,” Bisker said. “I can see the same qualities in Buffalo every time we play here.” Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

It’s time to keep eyes and hearts open for the warmth and kindness students display toward each other. The Wellness team at UB is inviting students, from now until March 20, to seek out and record these daily acts of kindness in a photograph to be entered for a contest called “Snapshots of Service: Caught in the Act of Kindness.” Every spring, the Mental Health Awareness Committee, part of the Student Wellness Team, holds an annual contest, which in the past, has been a writing contest focusing on different themes. This year, the committee brainstormed a new and creative contest idea that encourages students to not only think and write about helping others but motivates students to go out within the UB community and interact with each other to realize, appreciate and celebrate the good within everyone. Acts of kindness include volunteerism, kind gestures, helping another person and something a student witnessed in certain activities such as during alternative break programs or a picture taken years ago. The photo submissions must be accompanied by a brief description explaining the act of kindness. “[Snapshots of service will] force students to think about what effects certain acts of kindness or contributions have had on them because they have either been the recipient or have witnessed the acts themselves,” said Dr. Amanda Tyson-Ryba, a psychologist at the counseling center at UB and member of the Mental Health Awareness Committee. “This will boost mental health and lead one to living a healthier lifestyle.” Tyson-Ryba believes this program will show students the impacts their behavior has on others and will help students be aware that students are all very connected individuals and it does make a difference when they contribute to one another. A set of judges of about eight to 10 people, all from different offices on campus including but not limited to CounselContinued on page 7

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Monday, March 4, 2013

Coffee and cookies for a cause

Pi Lambda Phi raises money to help victims of Hurricane Sandy BETHANY WALTON Staff Writer

Rich Burdish, a senior environmental design major, did not know what to expect when he returned home to Lindenhurst, N.Y., for Thanksgiving Break. In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, he was floored by what his hometown had become. He had been at school when the storm hit and only saw pictures of the disaster awaiting him – but it didn’t seem real. It wasn’t until he went home a month later that he witnessed the enormity of the situation. “The area was still in ruins, Red Cross trucks and representatives were still on every corner, a curfew was still in full effect, Humvees for the U.S. National Guard were patrolling the area and stationed at all major intersections,” Burdish said. “I felt as if I were in a war zone; it was honestly something I never thought I’d witness.” Entire sides of houses were ripped off. Boats lay inside living rooms. Houses lay in shambles completely destroyed, he said.

The first floor of Burdish’s house was flooded with 5 feet of water and one of the walls was burnt. Anything left on the first floor was destroyed and items were found strewn on the lawn and shredded. For several weeks, his parents sifted through the rubble trying to salvage anything that held meaning. Burdish is one of many UB students who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Last Monday and Thursday, his fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi, held a Hurricane Sandy Relief drive four months after the storm for those who are still affected. The fraternity brothers set up a table in the Student Union to accept donations for Hurricane Sandy Victims. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., students who stopped by the table learned about victims in Breezy Point, N.Y., and donated money to help the cause. Students contributed whatever amount they wanted and were given cookies and coffee as a thank you gesture, said Kasian Warenycia, a sophomore civil engineering major and philanthropy chairman of the fraternity. Continued on page 2

Courtesy of rich burdish

Pi Lambda Phi raised money by selling coffee and cookies in the Student Union to give to victims of Hurricane Sandy, like Rich Burdish, whose home in Lindenhurst, N.Y., flooded during the storm.

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Monday, March 4, 2013

Continued from page 8: Upset city

Continued from page 1: Daly life lessons, one English class at a time Daly began his undergraduate degree at the University of Akron studying engineering but changed to physics at the end of his second year. He had always read a great deal of literature and it occurred to him that although he may not be as good in English as he was in math and science, English seemed more important. His senior year, he made the decision to become a lumberjack for a while after graduation. Daly had worked in factories, farms and loading docks for financial support through college, and he planned to continue that work instead of going to graduate school. Until he met Sharon, a girl in his American Literature Class who changed his life. Sharon, now his wife of 47 years, intrigued him enough to stay at Akron for graduate school. When Daly told the head of the English department what caused his change of heart to accept the offer to attend graduate school, the department head replied with a smirk, “I admire your scholarly enthusiasm.” Daly does not regret his decision. While making his switch to studying English, it occurred to him the classes taught the skills of analysis, interpretation and synthesis, all of which people utilize in everyday life. “When we are making sense of literature, we’re making sense of the ways in which we try to make sense of our lives,” Daly said. “Literature gives a strategic preview of life and we still have to make decisions ourselves, but the more a person reads, the better equipped they are to make life decisions.” Daly imposes this belief on his students and encourages them to strive for new opportunities, no matter how much they may doubt themselves. Daly remembers the words of 20th century German poet Rainer Maria Rilke: “There are no classes in life for beginners. You simply have to make the most important decisions almost immediately.” Daly believes people formulate life plans too early and cling to them too tightly. “Think about it: If you live your life the way you planned to when you were 12, you are basing your life on the judgment of a 12-year-old,” Daly said. Daly remembered a graduate student who took his seminar and did not do very well. The same student overheard Daly giving advice to a classmate about how to prepare an essay for publication. He went to Daly’s office to ask about his own essay, and Daly’s honest answer was that it was not ready. Daly sat with the student and told him step by step how to prepare an essay for publication.

Years later, Daly presented a paper at the Wyoming Conference at the University of Wyoming, and after he was done, the student popped up and came over to thank Daly for getting him started. His former student is now a tenured professor at a midwestern university and continues to publish his work. Daly recognized a quality in this student that he encourages all his students to develop: metanoia, the idea that the mind should go beyond itself, beyond what it knew before. “No matter how bright or knowledgeable you are, all your life, you’re going to need that ability to make midcourse corrections,” Daly said. Beyond connecting and influencing people who he believes possess unique and unusual qualities, Daly loves teaching because of the realization that any class working together is smarter and more knowledgeable than any one person in the class, including the teacher. By getting the class to work together, the students can teach each other a tremendous amount, he said. Caroline Nickel, a senior English major, signed up for Daly’s class because of classmates who said she couldn’t graduate without the experience. “He approaches the works he teaches both humorously and philosophically, and he wants us not just to learn about them, but learn from them,” Nickel said. “I can say for certain that I am a better student for having him as a professor, even after just seven weeks.” Before accepting a teaching job at UB, Daly spent a total of two years in England working on research fellowships. The second year Daly spent in England on the Guggenheim Fellowship, he remembers walking across the beautiful campus of Cambridge when something occurred to him. “This campus was built during a time when there were no business schools, when there were no law schools; there were only the humanities and it was built because people believed in the power of ideas, in the power of knowledge and it was very inspirational for me,” Daly said. “I thought that is what I, in a humble way, [and] what everyone who works in this area is carrying forward.” He teaches courses across the English spectrum – from a class on the Puritans to Nathaniel Hawthorne and from the modern novel in the United States to a class on the definitions of America. He wants to explore how American literature and culture influence each other. Kerri Pickard-DePriest, a senior English major, is now taking her second class with Daly. She is amazed by his deep understand-

ing of American literature and how it’s related to history. “His professional demeanor is balanced by a grandfatherly presence, making his class a safe space that challenges students to think more deeply about literature and their place within it,” Pickard-DePriest said. “He reminds us that the works of great writers are important. Without these works, we would be left without a comprehensive foundation of understanding of where we came from and how we came to be where we are as a nation and a people.” At the end of Daly’s second fellowship in England, he received offers from Florida State, Buffalo and other schools. UB had a fantastic reputation for theory and criticism, which were his areas of interest. When he received the offer from UB, he had no trouble making a decision. Daly recalls walking into a classroom to begin instructing when a student in the front row looked up and said, “Are you always this cheerful?’” Daly replied, “Only when I’m with you. At all other times, I’m sullen and morose.” He has taught many generations and has seen how technology has changed the work ethic of the average student. He thinks the current generation is technology focused but respectful at the same time. “They’re very sweet; they turn the cell phones off at the start of class,” Daly said. “The instant the class is over, the phones are back on and they’re texting away like mad. A lot of professors bemoan this [behavior], but I don’t at all. They’re a generations of writers.” Outside of the classroom, Daly often spends his time chasing his four grandchildren around the Finger Lakes, the Adirondacks, North Carolina and Cape Cod. He grew up in horse country and looks forward to when his grandchildren are old enough to share his love of horses. To students concerned about their future, Daly’s advice is to work on their skills and knowledge and “follow the things that really interest you, but don’t worry if you haven’t figured out your entire life yet. I would say worry more if you have figured out your entire life because the moment will come when you say, ‘OK, this is what I should be doing. This is it.’”

Instead, the squad relied on its big men and capitalized on mismatches in the paint. With 12:23 left in the second half, the Bulls took a 48-46 lead on a jumper from McCrea, which ignited a 14-4 run. Buffalo did not lose the lead for the rest of the game. “We wanted to keep attacking them inside,” Witherspoon said. “I think these guys did a really good job understanding where the opportunities were. Last time we played at Akron, we had a double-digit lead. We were a little hesitant. We’ve grown our ability to play against the zone.” The win places the Bulls tied for fifth overall in the MAC, tied with Kent State (17-12, 7-7 MAC) and Eastern Michigan (14-14, 7-7 MAC). However, due to losses to both squads – Kent State twice and Eastern Michigan once – the Bulls currently sit in seventh. Although defeating Akron is impressive, the Bulls still have work to complete as Ohio comes to town this week. “Going into this game, we had a little bit of a chip on our shoulder,” Watson said. “We knew we had to prove something not only to ourselves, but to the rest of the conference.” Tip-off is slated for Tuesday at 7 p.m. Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 4: Snapshots of kindness ing Services, Wellness Education Services, Health Services, Nursing, Visual Studies and Counseling, School and Educational Psychology (CSEP) will judge the submissions. The photos will be posted on the Student Wellness Team website to allow students to vote for a people’s choice winner. The winner will be awarded $250. Second place receives $100 and third place receives $50. Email: features@ubspectrum.com

Email: features@ubspectrum.com

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