The Independent Student Publication of the University at Buffalo WEEKEND EDITION v March 11, 2011 Vol. 60 No. 63 v ubspectrum.com
Sources: UB Ignores SUNY Guidelines ANDREW WIKTOR and LAUREN NOSTRO Editor in Chief and Senior News Editor The Presidential Search Committee may not be adhering to SUNY guidelines as it pursues UB’s 15th president. It has been speculated that the final candidates have already been recommended to SUNY; however, if true, UB would have violated step 10 of “The Search Process” section listed in the SUNY Guidelines for Conducting [a] Presidential Search. The step states that once finalists are selected, schools are required to schedule campus visits for each of the remaining candidates and are to publically announce the names of those left in the running. UB has taken neither of those steps. The committee, chaired by Jeremy Jacobs, has been searching for President John B. Simpson’s successor since Simpson announced his retirement on the first day of classes in late August. The current president was set to retire on Jan. 15; however, on Jan. 5, he announced he would “continue to serve as president for a limited period of time beyond Jan. 15th while the search process moves toward a conclusion,” in a stateJohn B. Simpson ment released to UB officials. Now, well into March, the UB community remains uninformed about the progress of the search. Sources have revealed – but officials have not confirmed – that the committee has narrowed its pool to two candidates who may have been recommended to SUNY: Vice Provost Satish Tripathi and another unknown individual from outside of the UB community. The ultimate decision rests with the SUNY Satish Tripathi Board of Trustees. Despite conjecture, the only comment that the university is willing to make is that it has no comment. On March 2, UB officials
released a statement saying, “It would not be appropriate for the university to comment on speculation regarding specific or potential candidates.” “The necessity for anonymity and confidentiality of the process was emphasized at every turn in that if someone is going to be a viable candidate and not be chosen, they will want to keep their position at another university,” said Joshua Boston, student representative of the UB Council. “We’re talking about provosts at other top universities, presidents at other universities, deans; people that have a lot at stake and would be extremely viable candidates, but at the end, would want to go back to their positions without the public knowing.” UB 2020 has put a strain on relations between SUNY and UB. It’s possible that SUNY may be hesitant to appoint a candidate, such as Tripathi, who shares the same vision for UB’s future as Simpson. “The relationship between UB and SUNY, since I’ve been here in 2006, has always been weak,” Boston said. “It’s been a poor relationship so far as [UB] following SUNY guidelines. I don’t think we pay particular attention to [the guidelines] but I’m not familiar with how the committee operated, as I’m on the council [and not on the search committee].” Last Friday, SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher rejected both of the candidates that the Binghamton University Council Search Committee had proposed last December. Following an eight-month selection process, SUNY deliberated over the two recommended candidates for three months before throwing out both choices. Within the eight-month process, BU conducted open sessions for its five candidates over a two-week span in which 150-200 people attended, according to Pipe Dream, Nancy Zimpher Binghamton’s student newspaper. Students at UB would prefer such an open process. Mary Schwartzmyer, a freshman biology major, thinks the closed process is unfair to students who are paying tuition to attend the university. Akinsele Walker, a senior English major, thinks that students
should be involved. “We should be informed in the process of helping to elect or just [able] to give our opinion on who [we think] should be the next president,” Walker said. The last statement made by the Presidential Search Committee, issued on Jan. 20, stated how swiftly the selection process was moving.
Timeline Jan. 13, 2003 - President William R. Greiner announced his resignation as president. Greiner held the position of president since 1991. March 19, 2003* - Members of the
Presidential Search Advisory Committee for UB’s 14th President were announced. Jeremy Jacobs Jr., chairman of the University Council and the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, appointed 17 members on the committee. Greiner’s retirement was tentatively set for June 30.
Jacobs, the only person permitted to speak on behalf of the committee, is currently out of town and has consistently denied comment. Jacobs, however, was far more willing to speak in 2003 when he chaired the search committee that helped choose Simpson as UB’s 14th president. He frequently commented on election processes, but he wouldn’t comment on the candidates (see Timeline to the right).
March 28, 2003* - Speculations arose
The process of electing Simpson in 2003 is similar to the current finding of UB’s 15th president, with the exception of the controversy surrounding Scott Nostaja’s illegitimate appointment as interim president.
July 1, 2003* - Greiner announced he would remain in office past his intended date of June 30, 2003. There was no word of the progress of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee at this time.
On Aug. 30, 2010, Jacobs announced that Scott D. Nostaja, UB’s senior vice president and chief operations officer, would serve as interim president following Simpson’s retirement, in a press release. This appointment also did not follow SUNY guideScott Nostaja lines, which state that Zimpher must recommend an interim president to the SUNY Board of Trustees before he can be appointed. Nostaja later asked that his name not be recommended to the Board of Trustees. “The council recommended, with Jacobs, to elect Nostaja as interim,” Boston said. “SUNY’s reaction and the faculty’s reaction at UB was a poor one; there was no public discourse about it, it was all in one day – Simpson’s retiring, [Nostaja] as interim.” Boston assumes that if UB is following SUNY guidelines, that it must be close to the end of the process since Simpson decided to stay at his post until the end of the search. g
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that Provost Elizabeth Capaldi would be appointed UB’s 14th President. Greiner was unsure of the exact date of his retirement at this time.
Aug. 27, 2003* - The process of accepting applications was nearly culminated, according to Jeremy Jacobs. Information on the candidates was kept confidential at this point. Jacobs said the search committee did not have to follow SUNY guidelines that state finalists’ names are to be announced to the public when finalists are scheduled to visit the campus. Sept. 24, 2003* - Coverage of the search by The Buffalo News stated that the selection had been narrowed to between three and five candidates. The coverage also stated that a new president could be chosen as early as the next meeting of the SUNY Board of Trustees on Oct. 28, 2003. Jacobs could not confirm the rumor but stated that there was an “element of truth in it,” according to The Spectrum.
Oct. 17, 2003* - Dr. John B. Simpson was announced as UB’s 14th President during a press conference. Simpson was expected to take office on Jan. 1, 2004, pending a ‘nearcertain’ approval from the SUNY Board of Trustees. Jan. 1, 2004 takes office.
*These dates are when the story was reported in The Spectrum. Actual dates are not confirmed.
Buffalo Small Press Book Fair Connects Readers of All Ages and Genres LESLIE TUNMOREStaff Writer
Courtesy of Chris Fritton
The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair will showcase local vendors, artists, and writers through a variety of genres.
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While no promises can be made for bikini weather and beach trips for those staying in Buffalo during the break, there will be an opportunity for members of the community who share a common love for books to come together.
LIFE UB Offers Support to Veterans PAGE 4
- President John B. Simpson
ARTS The WONDER YEARS PAGE 5
The Buffalo Small Press Book Fair is a oneday event that brings a variety of people including authors, poets, zine-sters, and bookmakers to the same place and encourages the sharing of creative ideas. The event, which is free to the public, will be held at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum on Porter Avenue in Downtown Buffalo on March 19, from noon to 6 p.m. “The book fair really is an egalitarian space that brings a diverse group of artists and authors together to share their ideas and what they’re making,” said Chris Fritton, the organizer of the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair.
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ARTS A WEEK IN INK PAGE 7
NEWS Buffalo Small Press Book Fair Connects Readers of All Ages and Genres Continued from Page 1 The book fair offers a variety of activities that appeal to people of all ages. A number of free workshops will be given throughout the day. This year, the workshops and presentations will take place upstairs at Karpeles.
Today In UB History: March 11, 2002
Not 21? No Obstacle for Some On this day in UB history, The Spectrum examined how the desire of many underage college students to join the over-21 crowd influenced them to violate the law on a regular basis. The phenomena of virtual instant access to altered identification led an increased number of UB students to seek and receive fake IDs.
Some topics will include Low-Budget Comics: Creation, Publication, and Promotion, where a successful local comic book artist will talk about his work and its creative process as well as how artists can share their work on a tight budget. Zoetropes: Analog Animation is a presented by members of Squeaky Wheel where the audience can view homemade zoetropes and learn how to make their own. A zoetrope is a collection of static images that when put into motion appear to be a moving action reel.
In conjunction with the workshops, the lower level of Karpeles will be filled with vendors that have been accepted by Fritton to display and sell their work. One of the vendors this year will be a group called “We, the notorious pronouns.”
special guest readers from innovative small presses throughout the country will be presenting. This will save space for vendors on the day of the actual book fair. “Last year there were 90 vendors, and now there are 110, and the first year there were only 65,” Fritton said.
This up-and-coming independent poetry group, which is comprised of current and former UB students, was formed in late September of 2010. They have self- published a collection of poems entitled We, the notorious pronouns and embrace the slogan, “This ain’t your gramma’s poetry.”
In addition to the vendors on the first floor, the book fair will also give a historical poetry experience for the people walking around. Karpeles has a number of display cases on its first floor. The Poetry Collection at UB will be presenting a one-day display of historical poetry, according to Fritton. The Poetry Collection is a strong sponsor of this event.
Copies of the group’s latest book will be sold to anyone who inquires and hopes to become associated with small book publishers and writers, according to John Cuittito, a UB graduate and member of the group,
Finally, Copyright, Fair Use, and other Legal Issues gives essential information on touchy subjects like trademarks, unauthorized biographies, and defamation.
“The [Buffalo Small Press Book Fair] will have a whole host of different publications available at very reasonable prices,” Cuittito said. “I know I am personally excited to discover what gems I can pick up there.”
Space upstairs at Karpeles is limited and admittance is available on a first come first serve basis. The workshops are meant to be brief and fun, and questions are always encouraged.
The book fair has been held annually for the past five years and has shown increased popularity each year. A pre-party has been scheduled on March 18 at the Western New York Book Arts Center. Poetry readings and
“The Poetry Collection is an active facet of the realm of the poem, particularly in Buffalo,” said Michael Basinski, curator of the Poetry Collection at UB. “We do all things poetry. Poets are our people. Where the poets are, we are.” For more information on the Buffalo Small Press Book Fair, visit its website at www.buffalosmallpress.org. g
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News Briefs 3/11
Dalai Lama Relinquishes Political Power On Thursday, the Dalia Lama announced that he would give up his political role in the Tibetan exile government. For years, the spiritual leader has spoken about stepping down from a political leadership role. The move is being made to strengthen the democratic structure of the Tibetan movement. Later this month, elections are being held by Tibetan exiles to name a new prime minister. The Dalai Lama is giving up his political standing so that whoever is elected will gain more credibility, and by extension, garner more respect for the Tibetan government. The Dalai Lama will still remain the spiritual leader for Tibetans. Most people still believe he is the overall leader of the Tibetan movement, and his decision will greatly benefit the cause in the long run. Other Tibetans have been reluctant to embrace democracy and follow anyone else but the Dalai Lama as both the political and spiritual leader. g
Stalemate Ended in Wisconsin Standoff
Hassan Receives Life Term
After weeks of heated debate over a measure that would limit collective bargaining for public workers in Wisconsin, Republicans were able to push a bill through the Senate enacting these changes.
Muzzammil Hassan was given the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison after being convicted of second-degree murder for the stabbing and beheading of his wife.
Republicans used a tactic on Wednesday night that allowed the measure to be passed in less than half an hour. After Senate Democrats left the state last month, Republicans adopted a maneuver that cut parts of Governor Scott Walker’s bill related to appropriating state funds. With this aspect of the bill removed, there was no longer a requirement for 20 senators needed for a vote to be taken. The Republicans then approved the collective bargaining measure 18 votes to one.
The announcement was made in an Erie County court on Wednesday in which Hassan was much more subdued and less vocal than during his 14-day trial. In his trial, he attempted to make the case that he was a battered spouse who was acting in selfdefense. Judge Thomas Franczyk has expressed his disgust at Hassan’s indifference and lack of remorse in his wife’s murder. The life sentence means that Hassan must serve 23 years in prison, on top of the two that he has already been incarcerated for, before being eligible for parole.
This issue has gained national attention since Governor Walker started his efforts to diminish collective bargaining rights. Republicans say this will create more than 250,000 new private sector jobs. Democrats contend that this move is an attack on working families and civil rights. g
Hassan stabbed and beheaded his wife, Aasiya, in Feb. 2009 after she had filed for divorce a week earlier. Hassan’s children, Sonia, 20, and Michael, 19, have been granted no-contact orders of protection and want nothing to do with their father whatsoever. g
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NEWS FRIday, MARCH 11, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
OPINION Editorial Board Editor in Chief
Andrew Wiktor
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*SATIRE
Proposal for Florida Teachers Only Works in Theory Too many variables to work in practice There’s been a lot of talk about the American education system lately. From David Guggenheim’s documentary Waiting For “Superman”, which discussed the rough edges of American schools, to the battle of teachers unions vs. Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin, the spotlight has been on educators quite a bit recently. That is now even truer as the result of a bill that was proposed by the Florida State Legislature, which would link teachers’ salaries to the performance of their students. In other words, it would make it so that the teachers receiving the highest ratings would be the ones making the most money. This is a stark contrast from other systems, which to award salaries based on seniority. The proposed measure has met stiff opposition from teachers unions, which argue that it would decrease teacher morale, and that the bill as a whole is deeply flawed. We think the teachers are right.
Admittedly, a bill like this seems like a sound idea at first. After all, no one could deny that some teachers just aren’t very good. Some don’t try very hard, and often times, after receiving tenure tend to coast, not caring whether their students learn or not. Still, a bill like this is far too flawed and vague to work in practice. For one, it would blatantly favor teachers in schools with more resources. A teacher in a poorly funded inner-city school has a much lower chance of reaching students than a teacher in a well-funded school that has more educational tools at its disposal. It would be patently unfair to the teachers in the less-wealthy districts. Additionally, a bill like this would be a great deterrent to new teachers. Remember that when a teacher first enters the education system, he is inexperienced, and may have difficulty effectively reaching students right away. This doesn’t mean that teacher is bad; he is simply still learning. If a teacher with tons of potential
is fired before he has a chance to improve and make an impact, that would deter other potential teachers from entering the field. It would be demotivational, to say the least. While The Spectrum disagrees with the bill as a whole, we do think there are other ways to change the education system and fix the issue of complacency among public school teachers. Many teachers stop trying because they’ve received tenure. Once a teacher gets tenure, it becomes very difficult to fire him. If that could be fixed, and it was easier to terminate teachers who receive tenure, the problem of ineffective teachers would decrease. Fixing public schools is a key priority, and eliminating bad teachers is an important step to take. We simply don’t think this is the right way of doing it. It’s too flawed of a system to work in practice. With a few modifications and revisions, a bill like this might work. At present time, however, it would be best if this legislation were shot down quickly. g
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Defunding NPR is Not Necessary Private remarks do not reflect tone of content James O’Keefe is at it again. After making national headlines last year for a controversial video of the group Acorn (which was later revealed to be heavily edited), he is in the news again with another undercover operation. This time, O’Keefe pulled the hidden-camera trick on Ronald Schiller, who, at the time, was an executive for National Public Radio (NPR). The tape caught him making disparaging comments about conservatives, specifically the Tea Party movement, which Schiller characterized as being racist. Shortly after Schiller made these comments, NPR fired him. According to one of NPR’s representatives, the firing was not because he held these beliefs about conservatives, but because he was speaking about them so openly. In NPR’s view, it was unprofessional. As a result of all this, there has been quite a bit of debate about whether or not Congress should retract the funding it gives NPR. Some argue that if an organization is going to receive funding from the government, it must be impartial. Many believe Schiller’s statements went too far over the line, and therefore NPR should be defunded. The Spectrum, however, does not agree. While Schiller’s statements were certainly partisan, it is important to understand that Schiller’s positions do not reflect what is said in NPR’s content.
more often than not, its news programs simply state what is going on in the news, and do not favor one ideology over another. Just because someone has a given set of beliefs doesn’t mean his reporting (or his organization’s reporting) will reflect those beliefs. Many journalists have strong opinions and ideologies, but do not reflect them in their work. When it comes to giving news to the people, they are able to look past individual opinions. Keep in mind, Schiller had no idea he was being recorded. If he had known people were going to hear his remarks on such a widescale, he likely would have never made them.
tant things to realize. One is that only 2 percent of the NPR’s funding comes from the government, as it makes a lot more money from advertising and from its listeners. Additionally, it’s not as though the views of one executive, who has been fired, reflect the views of everyone at NPR. One liberal in the midst of an organization does not make it a liberal organization. While a journalist speaking so openly about personal biases is problematic, it is not enough for NPR to be defunded. It is, at heart, a news organization that works hard to present facts and not opinion. The hidden-camera video doesn’t disprove that. g
Granted, it was a bit unprofessional to state his views so boldly, but there is a difference between saying these things publicly and being caught saying them privately.
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Correction: Wednesday, March 7 The graphic on the Sports page “Awards Central” should be credited to Aline Kobayashi.
If you take your eyes off the meaningful issue, don’t be surprised when your meaningful rights disappear. I was puzzled by a string of posts that I saw on Facebook on Wednesday. I had grown used to seeing the status updates supporting teachers and unions in general, but suddenly a chain of updates were popping up declaring support for gun rights. This confused me because I do not see how the Second Amendment could possibly come to harm any time soon. Even with a majority of Democrats, the NRA is far too powerful of a lobbying force to allow any meaningful change to gun control.
Republicans in Wisconsin answered my question when they rammed through the legislation that neutered the public unions. The fact that the Senate had to alter the bill so as not to affect the budget in order to not need a quorum tends to prove that the removal of collective bargaining rights was more ideological than it was fiscal. Please don’t write this off as another tin-hat conspiracy, because this is far from the first time that political sleight-of-hand has been used. Just last year, the nation erupted in controversy over Park51, better known as the “Ground Zero Victory Mosque.” People nationwide took sides on this issue, and it consumed the
The Buffalo News reported that Provost Satish K. Tripathi is one of two finalists for the position, but I’m not so sure, especially since the committee refused to affirm or deny the story, in keeping with its strategy of saying (and, apparently, doing) absolutely nothing. Here’s who I think should be considered for the prestigious honor of leading our university:
1. Charlie Sheen The obvious choice. He broke the record for being the fastest person to reach one million Twitter followers, so the guy’s obviously got some influence in the world. Additionally, he has become known of late for his rampant partying and drug use, which would allow him to relate to your average college student. Concerned that he is too irresponsible? Worried about his battles in court with women who say he threatened and beat them? Ease up – Ben Folds says it best: “Ya’ll don’t know what it’s like being male, middle-class, and white.” Lawrence Taylor and Lindsay Lohan are the ones deserving of the criticism. Sheen is only a victim. He’d also bring clarity to the uncertain future of the UB 2020 plan. Sheen would redefine and simplify its goal, which would be to simply survive until 2020.
2. Arnold Schwarzenegger An ambiguous group of people selected him as UB’s “Student Choice Speaker,” so the ambiguous group of people on the committee should have no problem making him our president. He was the governor of California, so he has leadership experience, and he attempted to navigate the Golden State through a budget crisis, which will prove useful as we deal with budget cuts here in New York. This will also strengthen Schwarzenegger’s résumé for the All-Time Most Random Collection of Jobs Held Award – the other nominations are Jesse Ventura and Peter Griffin.
Not gonna lie, this is my personal choice for UB’s next president. (Side note: Did you ever realize that when people say “not gonna lie,” they usually follow with something that would be ridiculous to lie about? Like, “Not gonna lie, I’m really hungry right now.” As if the thought of lying occurred to you, and you righteously shot it down and had to tell everyone.)
Courtesy of Dan Dry /// University of Chicago
MICHAEL TYSON Asst. Life Editor
UB officials are guarding the details of the search to replace President John B. Simpson as if their lives depended on it. Come on, UB! What are you hiding? The recipe for Coca-Cola? Other schools, such as Buffalo State College, typically reveal the finalists for the position before making the conclusive decision.
3. Marv Levy
We understand how some would consider it problematic for an organization receiving funding from the government to have any partisan views. Still, there are a few impor-
So why is this suddenly an issue? Why would people who fall in the middle of the road politically and tend to be working class suddenly be so concerned about their right to bear arms?
LUKE HAMMILL Senior Managing Editor
If you’re doubting Schwarzenegger’s legitimacy as a candidate, do me a favor. Put on your best Arnold voice, and loudly say, “You Bee, Twanty Twanty. De Future Iz Upon Us.” I’m sure that I’ve now convinced you.
While many accuse the organization of being liberal,
Don’t Lose Focus
The Real Presidential Candidates
airways. While this was going on, Congress passed legislation that eliminated health care funding for the first responders who were at Ground Zero on 9/11 and have suffered from heath problems since. After this evil piece of self-serving garbage was finished, the national fervor over the victory mosque dried up like last week’s rain puddle. Distraction is a common tool used in arguments when you do not really feel that your argument holds water or that people will listen to you. People would not be OK if they knew that first responders were getting the short end of the stick, but if people don’t even realize that the issue is up for a vote because they are riled up over
Continued on Page 7
Anyway, who better but the Hallof-Fame former coach of the Buffalo Bills to lead Buffalo’s largest university? He’s basically the only person of all time to find consistent success as the leader of the Bills, so maybe he can bring some of that magic to UB. Like Sheen, he’d have to simply survive until 2020 to make UB 2020 a success. Can’t you see him now, giving his first speech as president of UB, saying, “Where else would you rather be than right here, right now?” We’d all have to awkwardly think to ourselves, “Well, actually Marv… a lot of places.” Of course, this is all pure speculation. I don’t truly know who will be selected as UB’s next president. But I am sure of one thing: no matter who gets selected, the College Republicans will definitely demand to see his or her birth certificate. g E-mail: luke.hammill@ubspectrum.com
OPINION FRIday, MARCH 11, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
3
ARTS & LIFE Kenzo Inoue /// The Spectrum
UB Rocks the House
the Family Stone. The peak of their performance came when they played their rendition of the Grammy-winning song “F*** You” by Cee Lo. Their attitude on stage was laid back, and casual, but upbeat.
JAMES BOWEStaff Writer
“We just try to be chill,” said Josh Tobias, lead guitarist for the band and a junior psychology major. “We don’t try to push an agenda.”
“Rock and Roll” was brought to life again Thursday night, as the Student Association held its seventh-annual Battle of the Bands in the Student Union Theater. Five bands took to the stage in hopes of grabbing a grand prize of $500 and bragging rights for the rest of the year. Over 100 people attended the show, which featured rock bands to satisfy many different tastes. Each band was evaluated in two ways. First, judges seated in the crowd graded the bands. Then, as a second measure, the crowd’s shouts after the groups’ performances were measured with a decibel meter, a device used to measure loudness. Four-piece band Between Us All took the stage first, featuring a hard blend of heavy metal and punk music and utilizing fast guitar solos and screaming loud vocals. Comprised of two sets of brothers, they cited influences such as Bullet For My Valentine and A Day To Remember. The message they wanted to send to their fans was one of hope. “You’re capable of anything you set your mind to,” said Chase Gechoff, lead singer for the band. Next to take the stage was In the Presence of Enemies, another four-piece band that included a keyboardist. As a self-described “prog jam band,” the group had a style similar to the progressive metal band Dream Theater. Having played together for four years, they say they want to make the band into their career. “We value musicianship and skill,” said Bill Wheeler, bassist for the band and a sophomore computer science major. In a radical change of tone for the night, the J Bangin’ Brew took to the stage with a unique combination of acoustic rock, reggae, and funk. The band cited some of their influences as Sublime, P Funk, and Sly and
Then, it was Mayday’s turn to rock out. Lead guitarist Loren Keley walked out on stage with a bright pink guitar, and that over-the-top attitude dominated their performance. Although they ran into a technical problem in their very first song that forced them to play with another band’s guitar, they were able to work through the difficulties. Together for four years, they played classic rock style tunes, including covers like “Freebird.”
Courtesy of UB Military Members Association
UB Offers Support to Veterans JENNIFER HARBSenior Life Editor There are many avenues to support our troops while they’re on duty, working, and fighting for our country, but there seems to be a disconnect once the troops return home.
“We really feed off the excitement of the crowd” said Brian Theobalds, drummer for the band.
According to the 2010 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), “student veterans attending four-year colleges and universities in the United States generally perceive lower levels of campus support than nonveterans, and they also interact less often with faculty members.”
The fifth and final band to play was the largest of all, a ska band named The Steakouts. Complete with a saxophone, trumpet, and trombone, the six-member band fired up the audience and danced with them in front of the stage. Although many members are in college, three were music majors, and they viewed the music as a parallel plan to their college careers.
Although the resources are available, oftentimes veterans are unaware of the options and support available at the University at Buffalo. In fact, there are only a handful of active members this semester in the UB Military Members Association, an organization dedicated to “veteran scholarship, service to the community and camaraderie,” according to the association’s website.
“Whatever you do in life have fun,” said Chris Salmin, trombone player for the band. “Just dance and have a good time.”
“According to the Veterans’ Office, there are over 400 people receiving benefits for the GI bill,” said Melissa Amacher, a senior psychology major, president of the UB Military Members Association, an intern at Wellness Education Services, and a veteran herself. “My goal is partly to raise awareness that UB is doing something for veterans.”
The audience cheered and shouted throughout the show, and each band got a great response after their sets. Even the bands that had technical trouble felt happy with their performances, and were excited to hear the results. TheSteakouts took first place, while Mayday came in second, and J Bangin’ Brew in third. “I had a lot of fun,” said Elise Andre, a senior biological sciences major. “I want to go next year and dance with everyone else.”
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private shuttle spaces going fast for fall 2011
In addition to the aforementioned activities, the group holds social events, regular meetings, and participates in intramural athletics and veteran awareness. According to Amacher, many veterans are non-traditional students who encounter quite a change-of-pace when returning to civilian life and a university. “Everything is very rigid [in the military]. From the time you go to basic training, you know your career progression. Even things like how to take a blood pressure have a
manual,” Amacher said. “You know what to expect; you need to be there on time. It’s very structured. People are looking out for you; you have mentors.” Upon returning to college, the comparative lack of structure can be a difficult change to adjust to. Additionally, sometimes veterans face health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which can make such an adjustment even more difficult. However, such hurdles can be overcome. “What people don’t understand about the military is you just have that bond. It doesn’t really matter that I was there in 2003 and you were there in 2008,” Amacher said. “There are things that veterans wouldn’t feel comfortable talking about with people who haven’t been over there…. You just can’t comprehend certain things.” This club serves not only as a place to meet and work with other veterans, but also as a place to gather information and support. “The VA [Medical Center] has special programs for people who have gone overseas, so for someone who didn’t know how to enroll in that or enroll in their medical care in the VA, I’d like to be able to help,” Amacher said. “You get intimidated to seek out your benefits, and it’s just nice to have someone to call.” UB is a Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) institutional member, which means that the university functions in cooperation with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the military services to help meet the higher education needs of service members, according to the Veterans Affairs website. UB also participates in the Concurrent Admissions Program (ConAP), which is a joint program with the Army Recruiting Command. ConAP hopes to increase the college enrollment of veterans and reservists and help those interested in attending college, but who must postpone enrollment usually due to financial reasons. g
E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
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ARTS & LIFE FRIday, MARCH 11, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
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YOUTUBE Videos of the Week
5. The Fantastic Mr. Star Fox
Courtesy of RCA
Avril- Avril Lavigne might put a few people to sleep with her fourth studio album, Goodbye Lullaby.
Breakup Lullabies
mental trip down memory lane about regrets, miscommunications, and reminiscences.
ERN TECK CHUA Staff Writer
One can only imagine what the studio atmosphere was like with Lavigne’s ex-husband Deryck Whibley, main singer of punk group Sum 41, producing six of the album’s 14 songs. Breaking up is tough business, but turning the experience into an album is a harder endeavor.
Artist: Avril Lavigne Album: Goodbye Lullaby Release: March 8 Label: RCA Records Grade: C+ Avril Lavigne – teenage outcast, turned gloomy rebel, turned punk-princess – is back with her latest incarnation, Goodbye Lullaby, returning as a woman finally ready to leave adolescence behind; at least according to her fourth studio album. However, despite cosmetics’ and nature’s best effort, the 26-yearold Lavigne neither looks nor sounds a day older than the 17-yearold girl that burst onto the music scene almost a decade ago. This time around, after a piano-driven prelude about her fragrance “Black Star,” déjà-vu sets in on the second track, “What the Hell.” This is the album’s lead single, which talks about casual dating and playing the field, replicating the carnivalesque catchiness of her previous album’s first single, “Girlfriend.” Everything after that, aside from the aptly titled up-tempo “Smile,” is an introspective, mushy, and over-senti-
Lavigne’s brand of borderline-screaming poppunk at times echoes the affecting intensity of My Chemical Romance or the emotional anguish of Dashboard Confessional, but mainly it threatens the territory of Simple Plan’s high-pitched whininess. When she is not spouting cliché-laden lyrics on tracks like “Push” or “Alice,” Lavigne works the pop genre best by going acoustic, without slick production makeups. Two of the better tracks on Goodbye Lullaby are “Wish You Were Here” and “Goodbye.” Devoid of the eager sincerity of Let Go, the passionate angst of Under My Skin, and the preppy outrageousness of The Best Damn Thing, Goodbye Lullaby strives for maturity by overstretching everywhere but getting nowhere. g
E-mail: arts@ ubspectrum.com
Courtesy of Dana Beveridge
Because you can’t barrel-roll away from who you are.
The Wonder Years put on an exciting pop-punk show at Xtreme Wheels Tuesday night.
The Upsides of Pop-Punk JAMES TWIGG and VANESSA FRITH Senior Arts Editor & Asst. Arts Editor The only thing missing was Fred Savage. On Tuesday night, the walls of the venue/ skate park hybrid, Xtreme Wheels, pulsed with the energy of some of the best pop-punk around. Even the bitter-cold and drafty warehouse setting couldn’t keep fans from making the trek out to catch a glimpse of Philadelphia natives, The Wonder Years. Leading off with the fast and upbeat “Logan Circle,” Dan “Soupy” Campbell and crew wasted no time getting the crowd up and moving. Like an electric shock to the fans, The Wonder Years’ music revived the audience’s spirit after a long set of openers. The high-energy Campbell took the time between songs to let fans in on the inspiration behind his lyrics. From his social anxiety, to his ex-girlfriend, to the little problems of everyday life, Wonder Years songs provide something everyone can relate to. “Day after day I filled that page [in my notebook] with all the bulls*** that was dragging me down, with all my problems at the time, and the time came to write this song and I opened up my notebook and said, ‘f*** man, if these are my problems, if this is what’s wrong with my life, I got a lot to be thankful for,’” Campbell said as he segued into “It’s Never Sunny in South Philadelphia.” The Wonder Years performed songs from their albums, The Upsides and Get Stoked on It!, as well as their various EPs. Regardless of the origins of the song, the enthusiastic crowd still spit back the lyrics verbatim. The college-age crowd reached the zenith of its excitement as the opening chords of “My Last Semester” reverberated throughout the warehouse. Stage diving, crowd surfing, and moshing burst into action as Campbell sang out his jaded attitude toward the world of binge drinking and date rape. After an hour-long set, the band wrapped up
with “All My Friends Are In Bar Bands.” As they left the stage, chants of “one more song” began to spread through the crowd. Soon, The Wonder Years were back on stage to end the night with their encore, “You’re Not Salinger. Get Over It.” “The energy and feeling of a pop-punk community in Buffalo really came through with the crowd. It was difficult leaving without a smile on your face,” said Jessica Kilbury, a senior American studies major. Before The Wonder Years provided Buffalo natives with some much-needed depression therapy, Man Overboard warmed up listeners with their early 2000s-inspired pop-punk. The band’s half hour set defended the borders of the genre with songs such as “Montrose,” “Fantasy Girl,” and others that would not sound out-of-place with acts like Saves the Day and The Early November. The four-piece outfit from New Jersey not only provided the best music of the openers, but even invited one of the youngest attendees to join them on stage, declaring him the official mascot of the band. Handguns shocked the crowd to attention as they came on stage to Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way.” However, they showed their roots lay closer to the scene by paying homage to one of pop-punk’s founding fathers when covering Taking Back Sunday’s “You’re So Last Summer.” This respectful and surprisingly well-performed number was not lost on the attendees. Several people pushed their way to the front to sing along as others began to jump in time with the beat. This was, hands down, the most excited the crowd got during Handguns’ set. Buffalo natives Pentimento and The Boy and His Machine provided a much-appreciated prelude to the main tour, giving concertgoers a chance to hear newer music. With smiles firmly planted on their sweaty faces, concertgoers spilled out into the Buffalo night, anticipating The Wonder Years’ upcoming Warped Tour set. g
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
4. Iraqi Tron Can you imagine how slow Tron would run on their Windows ’95?
3. Alan Simpson says “Snoopy Snoopy Poop Dog” Even political commentators deserve to act like children every once in a while
2. Best Horse Name Ever Onomatopoeic names are on the rise this year. In this year’s derby my money is on “Rawr.”
1. Charlie Sheen’s Rant v. Darth Vader – SHEEN WARS Mashup That’s what happens when the key ingredient in the Death Star is tiger blood.
at Hofstra, I got resourceful
Joe Ryan ’05, ’08 M.A., Industrial-Organizational Psychology Ph.D., Applied Organizational Psychology A professor helped Joe Ryan secure an internship at Citi Private Bank while he was a graduate student in industrial/organizational psychology. That internship launched his career as a human resources executive and inspired him to earn a doctorate.
A graduate degree gives you a real advantage — in a competitive marketplace and in your chosen career – by providing you with the tools to advance in your field and shape your future. Hofstra’s programs in education, health and human services, business, communication, and the arts and sciences prepare our students for professional careers and are highly ranked in publications such as The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report, among others. Here, you’ll find your edge and succeed in whatever field you choose. Top-ranked programs. Renowned faculty and small classes. A worldwide network. Get ready to succeed.
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3/4/11 4:04 PM ARTS & LIFE FRIday, MARCH 11, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM 5
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716-688-2526, www.wyseproperties.com.
HANDYPERSON – LIVE free and alone on Professor’s farm. For 10 hours work per week, 30 minutes from UB. toddmich@aol.com. $10 TO $20 per hour; part-time May to Sept., lawn care, painting & cleaning for rental properties; job description & application e-mail Ron1812@aol. com. RESTAURANT HELP (phones/ counter). Monday through Friday. Reliable, walking distance South Campus, 716-832-5252, Baba’s Place.
LISBON/ BAILEY: 2-3 bedroom upper. Newer carpeting, living room, dining room, kitchen, appliances, laundry, off-street parking, furnished, $180+, 440-5133 or 636-1656. Available June 1st. CLEAN, SPACIOUS 3/ 4 bedroom duplex. 1 mile from N. Campus. Newer appliances including dishwasher, microwave & washer/ dryer. Plenty of off-street parking. Rent includes cable/ high speed Internet, water & garbage. $1050.00/ month, 1yr. lease begins 6/1/11. Call Tony 716-510-3527. 2 TO 8 BEDROOM APARTMENTS and houses now showing for next academic year. Northrup, Winspear, Merrimac, Englewood, Tyler, Highgate and more! Hardwood floors, laundry, off-street parking, so much more! Call, Text, or email Jeremy Dunn to take a tour. (585) 261-6609, jgdunn2@msn.com.
APARTMENT FOR RENT FREE DVD rentals! www.luxuryaptswny.com/UB. UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS. 3-4 bedroom apartments available. $645 - $800 a month. Call 716-8848213 Today!
2,3,4 BEDROOM apartments. Nice places reasonably priced. June lease, 481-2613.
4,5,6 & 8 BEDROOM REMODELED apartments to choose from. Located at University at Buffalo Main Street Campus off Englewood. Beginning June 2011. 32 apts. to choose from $275/ bed plus utilities. Washers & dryers included. Contact Bradengel37@gmail.com 301-785-3773, or Shawn 716-984-7813. Check out our web-site: www.bufapt.com.
1, 2, 3 & 4 BEDROOM semi-furnished with washer/ dryer. Walking distance to Main St. Campus. Immediate occupancy. 1 yr lease plus security. 716-691-5710. DEVEREAUX (OFF ENGLEWOOD). 2-bdrm, laundry & parking. Quiet street. $480/ month, 716-2603389.
MERRIMAC 3 & 4 BEDROOM updated kitchen, bath, dishwasher, laundry & off-street parking, $275 per person. Available June 1st, 716-308-5215. 5-BDRM, 2 LEVEL upper apartment! Walk to south campus/ bus, appliances, laundry, security, parking. June 1st, (716) 568-1600. 4-BDRM, WALK to south campus/ bus. Large rooms, new carpet, appliances, laundry, security, parking. June 1st, (716) 568-1600. 3-BDRM, WALK to south campus/ bus, appliances, laundry, security, parking. June 1st, (716) 568-1600. 2-BDRM MAIN ST. South campus. Appliances, carpet $500 month + utilities & security deposit. Call 884-7900. SOUTH CAMPUS 4-bdrm apartment updated. Laundry, parking, walking distance. $250+/ person & security deposit. Available June 1st, 716-830-3226.
HOUSE FOR RENT SOUTH CAMPUS housing 14 properties to choose from. 1,3,4,5,6,7 & 8 bedroom homes. Available June 1st 2011. Call Dave 716-445-2514 or go to daveburnette.net to view all properties. HEATH, WINSPEAR 3,4,5,6,8 bedroom houses and apartments $275/ pp, 716-870-8100. 7, 8, 9 BEDROOM houses. Walk to south campus/ bus, appliances, laundry, security, parking. June 1st, (716) 568-1600. 5 BEDROOM HOUSE for rent. Prestigious Highgate. One block from Main Street campus. Nice quiet family neighborhood. Excellent condition. Updated electric and heating. Off-street parking, 2 full baths, living room & family room, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer & dryer. $1500 per month, $300 per tenant, water included. June
6 & 7 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. 2 houses from south campus. 2 baths, kitchen, living room, dining room, new furnaces, dishwasher, laundry facilities & wall-to-wall carpeting. June 1st or Aug. 1st. Call: 688-6497.
DAILY
DELIGHTS
Crossword
UPDATED 6-BEDROOM house, laundry, 2 baths, no pets $300 per room + utilities & security, 830-3226. SPACIOUS 6-BEDROOM house, 2 kitchens, 2 baths, laundry, no pets $285 per room + utilities & security, 830-3226. 4 OR 5 BDRM – Absolutely gorgeous, w/w carpeting, 1 ½ baths, new windows, furnace, security system, stainless steel stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, washer/ dryer, off-street parking 4-cars. Must see! $335 person + utilities. Gino 830-1413.
ROOMMATE WANTED AMHERST – SOUTH Campus/ safe side of Main. Quiet Junior Architect students looking for serious male roommates. Excellent condition, private bedrooms, big closets, laundry, parking & dishwasher. Available now & May. 5 minute walk to Crosby Hall. $295.00+ share of utilities, 716-400-9663. 2-BDRM TONAWANDA NY. $400/ month w/ deposit. Free heat, DSL & cable. email: davidbel@ buffalo.edu, 716-799-9211.
SERVICES CITYA1drivingschool.com – Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5 hr class $30.00, 716-875-4662. PSYCHIC READINGS by Rita. Romance & careers. $30/ 30 min. Parties. 716-626-4335.
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2 TO 8 BEDROOM APARTMENTS and houses now showing for next academic year. Northrup, Winspear, Merrimac, Englewood, Tyler, Highgate and more! Hardwood floors, laundry, off-street parking, so much more! Call, Text, or email Jeremy Dunn to take a tour. (585) 261-6609, jgdunn2@msn.com. NORTH CAMPUS 3-bdrm 2 ½ baths. Appliances including washer/ dryer, central air & family room. Terrace & beautiful backyard. Includes 2-car garage w/ additional parking. $1500.00 w/ 1 yr lease plus security. 716-691-5710, 9am – 5pm.
shuttles to campus
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Visit ubspectrum.com/games for our online game of the week Also see the crossword and Sudoku answers from last issue
Crossword
CLASSIFIEDS + DAILY DELIGHTS FRIday, MARCH 11, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
CLEAN 3-BEDROOM house, laundry, off-street parking, no pets $325 per room + utilities & security, 830-3226.
Catherine and John 1-877-444-6055 HappyHomeForBaby@Gmail.com HappyHomeForBaby.com
4-BDRM 3-BATH @ Alexander & Beckingham Estates. North Campus Available June thru August.
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ENGLEWOOD 5-BDRM, off-street parking, updated kitchen/ w dishwasher, 1 ½ baths, washer/ dryer, insulated windows & doors. Great front porch. June 1st, (716) 799-9605.
Call anytime. Please pass this on to anyone considering an adoption plan for their child.
3 & 4 BEDROOM apartments near south campus. 1 bath, kitchen with dishwasher/ disposal, laundry & carpeting. June 1st or August 1st. Call: 688-6497.
8 Mi. above sea level 9 Toward the back 10 Nabokov novel 11 Geologic divisions 12 Attendance 13 It runs on runners 21 Week da. 23 Face the target 25 Mannerism 26 Dismantle a tent 27 Designer Nina 28 Oscar nominee 30 Paint additive 31 Helped out 32 Shower bars 34 Was a scout 35 Codgers’ queries 38 Rapport 42 Get groceries 43 Barn lofts 45 Exclaiming over 46 To opposite 47 Pizza eighths 50 A word to kitty
SOUTH CAMPUS 4-bdrm house updated. Hardwood floors, new furnace, free laundry, parking, walking distance. $295+/ person & security deposit. Available June 1st, 716-239-5244.
Happily Married Couple Hoping to Adopt a Baby!
AMHERST, 3 BEDROOM apartments. Kitchen, 1 ½ baths, living room, dining room & finished basement. June 1st. Call: 688-6497.
ACROSS 1 The “I” 5 Concrete reinforcer 10 Drumsticks 14 Popular cookie 15 Banish 16 Uttered 17 Mr. Stravinsky 18 Island near Sicily 19 After midnight 20 Got behind (2 wds.) 22 Brought up 24 Speech stumbles 25 Nudnik 26 Gaea’s consort 29 Thatched shelters 33 More simpatico 34 Scorch or burn 36 “Road movie” locale 37 Interest amt. 38 Orchard pest 39 Snake River loc. 40 Kind of system 41 It may be shaken 42 Wool growers 44 Treetop nibbler 47 Pottery fragments 48 Desertlike 49 “The Thin Man” co-star 50 Gas thief’s gizmo 53 Pouched animal 58 E. — bacteria 59 Hayes or Asimov 61 Ken or Lena of film 62 Astronaut Shepard 63 Bridal veil material 64 Opposite of wax 65 Zip 66 Bellows 67 Blizzard maker DOWN 1 Potting material 2 Hence 3 Most August folks 4 Huge sum of money 5 Neglectful 6 Checkup 7 Digestive juice
1st – May 31st lease. Must have references. Call for appointment at 716-491-9105. Showings begin February 27th.
51 Town east of Wichita 52 Course of action 53 Ring up 54 Dining area 55 Mongolia’s Bator 56 El — (ocean current) 57 Had learned 60 Take legal action
Sudoku – Difficulty 4/5
Don’t Lose Focus Continued from Page 3 perceived ideological threat, the stick can be shortened even more and no one will notice.
Batman and Robin #21 – Courtesy of DC Comics, The Incredible Hulks #24 – Courtesy of Marvel, iZombie #11 – Courtesy of DC Comics
The same thing is happening now on Facebook. The uprisings in the Middle East have proven how powerful social networking sites can be in mobilizing a political force for change.
A Week in Ink: Issue No. 19
Facebook status updates supporting teachers, unions, and working people in general seemed to be doing this same thing in solidarity with Wisconsin workers. Then, out of nowhere, and with very little reason, many of these same people became worried about losing their guns.
NICOLAS PINOComic Book Correspondent
Union-busters cannot win the argument that neutering the unions in Wisconsin and other states would really affect the budget, especially after giving tax cuts to the rich, but they can certainly distract people with the mantra of God, guns, and gays. God has been played out a bit much, just last year with Park51. But guns can still get people riled up, even when there is no point in wasting your status update. Guns are also an important issue for the very same people that might oppose union busting. So keep focused, people. Unions are still very necessary, (read my column on unions on this issue published Feb. 21, “Comrades of Another Snowy State Need Our Support”) and if you are liberal, then they are the only force on the left that can even remotely stand up to giant corporations after the Citizens United decision. If we keep our eyes on the real issue, we can still win! g
E-mail: michael.tyson@ubspectrum.com
Fairway Apartments Two bedrooms one bath apartments. 5 miles from UB North campus. Wall to wall carpet, appliances, central air, laundry facilities, and free parking. Free heat, water &Cable TV. One year leases.
Forest Village Two and three bedroom apartments. Wall to wall carpeting, appliance, central air, laundry facilities, and free parking. 1.5 miles from UB NorthCampus. Free heat and water.
Batman and Robin No. 21 While Bruce Wayne tromps around the world recruiting a legion of heroes, Dick Grayson and his young assassin apprentice, Damian, watch over the streets of Gotham as some seriously sick happenings are slowly eliminating citizens of the Dark Knight’s territory. “Issue No. 21” follows the caped duo as a mysterious figure, only identified as “the White Knight,” takes it upon himself to drug and murder Gotham citizens. This vile contradiction of a villain creates angels of death by making victims leap from city rooftops, plummeting to their demises. Peter Tomasi is a mastermind of plot design, and by making the White Knight, one of the most twisted villains that Grayson’s Batman has yet to see, Tomasi creates serious momentum for his writing. The only clue left for the reader is the connection between the victims of the White Knight’s brutal murders, which is that all are related to Arkham Asylum inmates. By targeting the city’s most hated band of henchmen’s families, an emotional chord is struck with the reader, as the series becomes a race against time for Grayson to reach the potential targets before his translucent counterpart.
The Incredible Hulks No. 624
iZombie No. 11
The jolly green giant and his band of cohorts are going to need some insecticides, as Hulk will have to fight for his newly acquired kingdom.
iZombie isn’t the latest trend from the money-exploiting company at Apple, but a comic filled with angst, suspense, and a marvelous cast of characters that feel like the coolest hipsters that have ever been undead.
In this issue, political haggling has put Hulk in some hot water, as he becomes a human sacrifice to appease the bug-lord Miek. Thankfully for Banner, his son Skaar will give everything to protect the mass of pure rage that is his old man. Artists Dean White and Frank Martin bring the ideal palette of dark green to wash over each and every panel in the comic. This distinctive color choice is contrasted perfectly by the team’s spatters of red that highlight both rage and blood, the two foundations of every good Hulk issue. Every few panels, the team finds a way to cross the adult-oriented line, as the creepy critters infest organs and spew from bloated wounds. This horrific imagery adds to the intensity of the issue, but may turn a few readers’ stomachs in the process. All in all, “Planet Savage” is shaping up to be an exciting escapade, and truly illuminates the father-alien-son relationship that Hulk and Skaar share. As Hulk is flown off into the sunset on exoskeleton wings, Skaar will bring the assault of a lifetime as the next issue of the series will involve everything Hulk fans enjoy – smashing, raging, and good ole’ fashioned bug squishing.
Triad Apartments Large two bedroom two bath apartments available. Located directly outside UB Norht Flint entrance. Secure building with appliances, wall to wall carpet, air conditioning, laundry facilities, and free parking. Leases include heat, water, & cable TV.
In only 11 issues, writer Chris Roberson has fleshed out a zombie comic world apart from Kirkman’s famous undead fiction, The Walking Dead. Even though iZombie doesn’t have the loss of characters and personality that Kirkman imbues in every issue, iZombie has a lot to love. It follows the story of a 20-somethingyear-old woman, who, after many years of life, passed away, but not quite permanently. She now rolls with a ghost dead since the days of disco, and a werewolf who looks more like a terrier than anything else. The story is humorous and compelling, but posses deeper questions about anonymity. Michael Allred’s artwork takes time to get into and, at first, distracts one from the plot of the issue, but like a festering wound from the undead, it grows on the reader. While definitely alternative on the broad spectrum of comics, the issue’s lovable characters and witty dialogues will keep one’s brain fresh for the zombie apocalypse. g
E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com
Williamsville Commons 3 bedrooms 1 1/2 bath town houses. Located 3 miles from UB North Campus. Hardwood floors, wall to wall carpeting, appliances, central air, garages and free parking & free water.
University Court One bedroom & studio apartments available. Secure building with Hardwood floors, carpeting, appliances, laundry facilities and free parking. Located directly across from UB South Campus. Free heat, water & electric. One year leases.
ARTS & LIFE FRIday, MARCH 11, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM
7
Retiree Ridiculousness
SPORTS Bulls’ Season Over Despite SecondHalf Comeback McCrea scores 28 in loss to Kent State LUKE HAMMILLSenior Managing Editor CLEVELAND—There’s been two different versions of the men’s basketball team this season – the one that wins in Alumni Arena, and the one that loses away from it. In the Mid-American Conference quarterfinals on Thursday night, the eighth-seeded Bulls (18-13, 8-8 MAC) held true to form, falling 73-62 to top-seeded Kent State (22-10, 12-4 MAC) at Quicken Loans Arena. The Bulls’ loss in the rubber match with the Golden Flashes, who won the season series 2-1, eliminates them from the postseason. Since the start of conference play in January, the Bulls were 8-2 at home and 2-6 on the road, not including Thursday’s game. Kent State ran the Bulls out of the gym at the beginning of the game. In the first half, Buffalo had trouble getting back on transition defense, evidenced by the Golden Flashes’ 8-0 advantage in fast-break points. To make matters worse, Buffalo turned the ball over nine times before halftime, compared to only two giveaways for Kent State. A bright spot for the Bulls was the play of freshman forward Javon McCrea, who finished with 28 points and 13 rebounds. In the first half, the MAC Freshman of the Year was a one-man squad, scoring 17 points (including a trio of huge dunks) in 16 minutes after junior forward Mitchell Watt picked up two immediate fouls to begin the game. “Tonight we had to put a lot of weight on one guy,” said Bulls head coach Reggie Witherspoon. “[McCrea] played terrific.” McCrea was the only Bulls player with more than two points at halftime, which was reflected in Kent State’s commanding 41-25 lead. It wouldn’t last long, however. The Bulls came surging out of the locker room in the second half, ripping off separate runs of 11-5 and 15-4. With 7:51 remaining, Kent State only led 56-52 after a layup from freshman guard Jarod Oldham, who provided important minutes off the bench during that stretch.
A Different Kind of Job Interview Buffalo seniors work out for scouts at UB’s Pro Day CAREY BEYERSports Editor Most people only need one conversation to land a job. For some, potential employment requires a bit more. On Thursday morning, members of the football team worked out for NFL scouts at the program’s annual Pro Day. The event was held in the field house at the Bills’ Ralph Wilson Stadium and was attended by representatives from nearly a dozen NFL teams, including the Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, and New York Jets. For many of the Bulls, the Pro Day is the only chance that they will have to show off their skills to pro scouts. This, along with the uncertainty that comes with the entire draft process, makes for a stressful experience for the athletes. Luckily for the Bulls, there are former teammates and current professional players to help them through the next couple of months. “I talked to a couple of [the players] last night,” said Bills’ wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt. “I told them not to think too much. Just go out there and do what you’ve been doing for the last couple of months. You’re going out there to run, and you’ve been running your whole life, so just go out and do it.” Although the workout was open to all juniors and seniors, the biggest draw was the team’s senior defensive backs. The Bull’s top recruits were cornerback Josh Thomas, and safeties
Brian Josephs Asst. Sports Editor
What I’m not too thrilled about is Tiki Barber’s planned return to the NFL. Barber is one of the most prolific running backs in Giants history, leaving at arguably his peak when he recorded an outstanding 1,662 yards in the 2006 season. As a lifelong Giants fan, I should be excited.
MAC Player of the Year Justin Greene and All-MAC selection Rodriguez Sherman led the way for Kent State. Greene recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Sherman was the Golden Flashes’ leading scorer with 18 points. The Bulls’ leading scorer this season, junior guard Zach Filzen, was largely ineffective, finishing with only seven points (all of which came in the second half) on 3-of-9 shooting.
But then, the Giants announced that they plan to release Barber as soon as a collective bargaining agreement is finalized.
The loss ends a 2010-11 campaign that peaked in January and trailed off ever since. Teams that win in March often enter the postseason with momentum, and the Bulls didn’t have much of it, if any. They were 4-7 from February 5 on, after coming off of a six-game winning streak.
Good move, Big Blue. When I look back on Barber’s career, I don’t see the elusive, record-breaking backfield threat that the records show. I see an obnoxious, snide person who would be detrimental to any team that would take on his aging self.
“We played more home games in the first part of our conference season,” Witherspoon said. “That was the biggest difference in the results. Some of those games that we lost we played well in. One of the issues we had was that teams were playing small and we had to play some zone. We rolled the dice with that.”
Every time I think about Barber, I think about his mediocre qualities as a teammate. He had no problem running his mouth about Michael Strahan’s contract negotiations or Eli Manning’s struggles.
Also finished is the career of senior guard Byron Mulkey, who has been the unquestioned leader of the Bulls this season. In his last game, he had eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He played all but the game’s final seconds. “[Next year, without Mulkey], we’ll have different decision making,” Witherspoon said. “We’ll certainly miss, more than anything, the trust that the players have for Byron and his work ethic and his leadership. That’s something we’ll start to work on right away.” Though they will surely miss Mulkey, Buffalo fans can be comforted by the thought of returning McCrea, Filzen, Watt, Oldham, junior forward Titus Robinson, and a host of other young players next year. Despite Thursday’s loss, the Bulls exceeded their early-season expectations, according to Witherspoon. The second-half comeback was representative of the Bulls’ entire season, in a way.
Davonte Shannon and Dominic Cook. Thomas has been garnering the most attention with his performances at the East-West Shrine game and at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. Thomas put up impressive numbers at the Pro Day, most notably his unofficial 10-foot 8-inch broad jump, which would be better than the combine mark of LSU’s Patrick Peterson, who is regarded as one of the best players in the nation. Many believed that Thomas would relax at the Pro Day after his successful work out at the combine, but to the delight of those in attendance, he worked out in every drill. He does not want to waste any opportunity to show what he can do for an NFL team. “You only get one shot, one opportunity,” Thomas said. “I don’t want to look back and say I could have run faster or jumped higher. I want to win a Super Bowl. That’s the ultimate goal, multiple Super Bowls. I’m going to go in there, crack the starting line up immediately, play on special teams, and be a Pro Bowler within the first two years.” Even though Thomas has gained a high level of exposure, he is not the only Bull who has caught the eye of pro scouts. Shannon has been a dominating force for the Bulls since the day he walked onto campus. Professional teams have taken notice of the safety, but questions about his speed have been present for years. His early day workout was superb. He, along with Cook, put up an unofficial 18 reps on the bench press. This number would put them at the top of the defensive back rankings compared to the NFL Combine results. He also wowed the crowd by jumping above the vertical leap limit. Unfortunately, disaster struck during his 40yard dash. Shannon pulled his lower
Courtesy of DavidMarinoPhotography.com
Freshman forward Javon McCrea (12) carried the Bulls on Thursday night, but even his heroic effort wasn't enough to help them overcome a determined Kent State team in the Mid-American Tournament.
“Tiki Barber, the football player, is a great [athlete] and would be very productive probably in certain situations,” Pierce said. “Tiki Barber, the person in that locker room, is probably not going to do anything for your team. From personal experience, he didn’t really do anything to help the Giants, especially in his last year.”
hamstring during his second run and was forced to sit out the rest of the day’s drills. The injury could not have come at a worse time, as scouts were looking for Shannon to alleviate worry about his speed during the drill. Despite the setback, he will do his best to stay positive.
I’m also extremely skeptical about his reason for coming out of retirement. Returning to play professional sports because of your brother’s success is extremely juvenile, especially after taking four years off.
“Hopefully the scouts liked me so far,” Shannon said. “I’ll just leave it in their hands and leave it in God’s hands. It’s a little disappointing because you train so hard since the football season is over to get to now and really showcase your talents to the scouts. I’ll stay positive and go from there.” The professional game is obviously very different from the college game. Some players must find a way to adapt to that change by giving themselves a deeper understanding of the game and learning new positions. This is exactly what linebacker Justin Winters did.
And, I don’t even think that’s the real reason why. He’s lost relevance as a sports analyst and probably sees making a comeback as a way to get the money and the attention flowing back his way. He’s 35 years old, and I guess he figured returning to the running back position would result in a rise in prominence.
Meg Kinsley /// The Spectrum
Josh Thomas and the football team’s seniors worked out for UB’s Pro Day at the field house at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Winters spent his time with the Bulls playing in the middle of the defense, but he worked out with the defensive backs during the Pro Day to show the scouts that he can be utilized as a safety in the NFL. “I’m opening up my options,” Winters said. “I can play both linebacker and safety. I can run with the receivers and I can hit with the linemen, so I just wanted to show the scouts that I can do both and then let my film talk for me.” Although the NFL is the ultimate goal of all up-and-coming football players, not all of the Bulls’ prospects will be able to sign with an NFL team. There are many ways to get to the NFL, however, as former Bull Drew Willy knows. Willy moved from team to team when he first left school, and last season,
ANDREIUS COLEMANStaff Writer
The Chippewas missed their first six attempts from long range but finished the half 7-for-15. Bulls turnovers accounted for 17 of CMU’s first half points. Buffalo’s inability to convert in the paint against its counterpart’s defense prevented its offense from developing a rhythm. CMU dictated the game and led at halftime by a score of 47-31.
The loss comes shortly after Brown
I think former linebacker Antonio Pierce hit the nail on the head with his analysis of the situation.
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was named MAC Player of the Year. Brown totaled 15 rebounds and also holds the conference record for most in a season with 367.
With the season ending, so too did the careers of four seniors. Forwards Kourtney Brown, Jessica Fortman, and Bridgette Kendricks, and guard Ashley Zuber fought fiercely, but had no answer for CMU’s precision outside shooting.
Yet, he was nowhere to be found when it came time to lead his team. During his nine-year career, the Giants made it past the first round of the playoffs only once. Plus, New York proved it didn’t even need the “star” running back by winning the Super Bowl right after his retirement.
“Our guys fought back and they fought all year,” Witherspoon said. “It’s a group that no one thought would be in a situation where we would amass the win total of last year’s team.”
Bulls Fall Short to Long Ball
Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio was the site where guard Shonda Long of Central Michigan (209,11-5 Mid-American Conference) tied a MAC Tournament single-game record with seven 3-pointers against the Bulls (16-15, 8-8 MAC). Long exploded for 40 points in the Quarterfinals to push the Chippewas past the Bulls by the score of 90-69.
Spectrum File Photo
Three of the most memorable athletes during my childhood years have returned to their respective sports over the past month. I was happy that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin came back to the WWE, but that’s a totally different topic.
With around six minutes remaining, McCrea missed a layup that couldn’t have been any closer to falling through the net. The shot would have cut the Kent State lead to only three points. Instead, the Golden Flashes rebounded the ball and scored, increasing their lead to seven points. They never looked back.
Wednesday afternoon, a very promising season came to an end as the opponent’s 3-point shooting once again subdued the women’s basketball team.
The women’s basketball team saw its season come to an end in a 90-69 loss to Central Michigan University.
I feel that if I were 10 years old, I would be way more enthusiastic about the recent comebacks.
“Jarod Oldham played great,” Witherspoon said. “For a freshman, he went out there and stuck his nose in and I was proud of how hard he played…He shows great promise.”
Brown was faced with multiple defenders as usual and had just nine of her team-high 24 points in the first half. “[CMU] really focused on double and triple-teams in the post,” Brown said. “Even before I caught the ball, they were sagging in and packing in the key. It’s only frustrating when I miss layups, but other than that, you get used to the doubles and triples.” The last time the teams met, Buffalo outlasted CMU in a shootout. In that game, the Chippewas were 46 percent on 3-point attempts and Long
Given Barber’s personality, I doubt he’ll play his role as the veteran running back on whichever team he signs with. This is especially malevolent since he is planning to join his brother on the Buccaneers, a team who is on the verge of being title contenders after their noteworthy 2010 season.
found himself playing for the UFL’s Las Vegas Locomotives. He believes that players who do not get drafted or signed immediately should not worry as long as they keep working. “There are a lot of ways to get to the NFL,” Willy said. “In the UFL, there is definitely a lot of talent and there are guys with a lot of experience. You also have the CFL and the Arena League, so there’s football everywhere and we know a lot of guys in every league, but getting to the NFL is the ultimate goal.”
A young team like that needs Barber to take the back burner and guide its improving stars. He’s going to be looking for some shine but this will end up holding the team back. This would be unfortunate after the strides the Bucs have made in the past year.
The next few months will be crucial for these athletes as they look to make the jump to the next level of the competition. With the NFL draft scheduled for April 28, there is not much time before these athletes will see what colors they will be trading their blue and whites in for. g
I sincerely hope the predictions I’m making do not come into fruition. NFL already has a reputation of having egocentric athletics. The league does not need another one. g
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scored a then-career high 29 points. Long far surpassed her accomplishments in Wednesday’s rematch. Head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald applauded her performance. “We tried to go and deny [Long] the ball and just keep it out of her hands,” Hill-MacDonald said. “She was finding ways to get loose anyway. She played a spectacular game from an offensive standpoint. [CMU] has probably never had a player go off like that with such consistency from half to half, and we didn’t have an answer.” Trailing by 15, the Bulls trimmed the margin to 11 points early in the second half after a layup by Kendricks. She added eight points and pulled down nine rebounds for Buffalo in the contest. Fortman was not far behind in the comeback attempt with eight rebounds to compliment her five points on the day. Unfortunately for the Bulls, the Chippewas were able to thwart the Bulls’ comeback attempt. CMU pushed the lead up to as much as 25 points in the second period and never gave Buffalo another chance to come back.
Zuber finished with 13 points for Buffalo, despite starting on the bench in the opening moments of the second half due to foul trouble. She also recorded seven assists to capture the Bulls’ single-season assists record with 190 in her final campaign. In retrospect, Hill-MacDonald is very grateful for this year’s special group of players, and feels confident about the future of the program in spite of the departure of its best senior class ever. “I’m really proud of this team and the effort that they have given all year long,” Hill-MacDonald said. “Our seniors have been such strong leaders and ambassadors and have set an incredible example for the underclassmen. I’m going to miss [the seniors], especially [Brown and Zuber]. I’m so very proud of all that they have accomplished and how far they have helped bring this program. If I could have them for another 10 years, that would make me very happy, but it’s time for them to move on and for the underclassmen to pick up the reins.” g
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