The Spectrum Volume 60 Issue 76

Source: threecupsoftea.com

Greg Mortenson has helped thousands of young children around the world, or has he?

Dishonesty Strikes UB: Part 1

The Independent Student Publication of the University at Buffalo WEDNESDAY EDITION v April 20, 2011 Vol. 60 No. 76 v ubspectrum.com

UB Distinguished Speaker Accused of Fraud and Theft MATTHEW PARRINO and JAMES TWIGG Editor in Chief and Senior Managing Editor Members of the UB community may have unassumingly tuned in to 60 Minutes on Sunday night only to witness the school’s name sullied by connections to fraud, embezzlement and deceit.

In the 60 Minutes feature, it was alleged that Central Asia Institute (CAI) Executive Director Greg Mortenson lied in his book of memoirs, Three Cups of Tea, on several accounts, and has been accused of using the not-for-profit organization as his own personal money tree.

Alex McCrossen /// The Spectrum

Satish K. Tripathi starts journey as UB president to continue UB2020 vision.

Tripathi is President MADELEINE BURNSSenior News Editor On Monday, Satish K. Tripathi was confirmed as UB’s 15th president at a public meeting of the State University of New York Board of Trustees.

Tripathi served as UB provost and executive vice president for academic affairs for six years and will succeed John B. Simpson to head the university.

The appointment concludes a sevenmonth international search during which 68 candidates of broad academic disciplines and profession experiences were considered.

“Ultimately the board was convinced, as was I, that Dr. Tripathi possesses the vision, the management skills, and commitment to excellence that will ensure that UB continues to excel as both a source of affordable, quality education and as a global leader in research, that transforms lives in the U.S. and around the world,” said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.

The Board of Trustees unanimously voted to appoint Tripathi Monday after Zimpher submitted a letter of recommendation on April 18th.

opportunity to lead this remarkable university,” Tripathi said in a prepared statement.

“It is with immense pleasure, pride, and great optimism that we are here today to celebrate the end of the search journey and the beginning of a new era,” said Jeremy M. Jacobs, chairman of the UB Council. “I know Satish will build upon the positive and fruitful relationships with members of the local community, leaders across New York State and the vast network of university alumni and donors.”

Prior to Tripathi’s appointment, it had been considered that the Board of Trustees would be hesitant to appoint a proponent of UB 2020 to the office of president; the university’s strategic growth plan has strained relations between SUNY and UB. Tripathi, who worked closely with Simpson in developing the UB 2020 bill, remains committed to the plan; he aspires to maintain and further the university’s mission for excellence, to engage and work with the City of Buffalo to promote economic development, and to improve the UB’s efficiency.

“I am privileged and humbled by the Continued on Page 11

UB provided The Spectrum with a spreadsheet containing the salaries and additional compensation of presidents of AAU Institutions Public and Private.

The top five salaries for presidents of public universities in the AAU are as follows: $1,818,911 for E. Gordon Gee, president of Ohio State $905,004 for Mark E. Emmert, president of the Univ. of Washington $800,592 for Graham B. Spanier, president of Pennsylvania State Univ. $783,850 for Mary Sue Coleman, president of Univ. of Michigan Ann Arbor ($ 737,315 for Satish K. Tripathi, president of Univ. at Buffalo) $703,648 for John T. Casteen III, president of Univ. of Virginia

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In Three Cups of Tea, Mortenson claimed to make his way to Korphe, Pakistan after failing to climb K2.

There the locals nursed him back to health, according to his book.

He also explained how the Taliban kidnapped him and how all of his experiences transformed him into a man with the sole desirs to return to the Middle East to help better the educational situation.

Krakaeur and, most recently, 60 Minutes have found discrepancies with his tales.

[Mortenson’s] message,” Ricotta said. “But we don’t do extensive background checks. We do Google searches just like anyone else on our speakers. There was a lot of interest in him, but nothing in our research on him raised a red flag.”

On Nov. 10, 2010, Mortenson came to UB as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series and was presented with a check for $15,208.62. The funds came from the Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement as part of Stay-Up UB’s Dance Party, which annually picks a charity to raise funds for philanthropically.

Initial concerns raised by members of the UB Community asked whether or not UB officials should have looked into Mortenson’s background. The message that he conveys in his speeches and through CAI and his work is one of hope and prosperity, and Ricotta suggests that people should embrace what he has done and the help he has given.

In a statement released by UB on Tuesday, the university explained that it is aware of the allegations regarding Mortenson and is monitoring the story as it unfolds. The statement also claimed that the university is taking steps to make students who donated to “Pennies for Peace” aware of what resources will be available should the allegations be true. The university also stated that since Mortenson fulfilled his obligations, it will not seek a refund for services rendered. As of press time, The Spectrum had not yet been informed of the figure.

Elayne Rapping is a professor emerita of American studies and media studies at UB, and has written several books on media and social issues, as well as published hundreds of articles and interviews. She is concerned about the aftermath that will follow considering the gravity of the allegations.

“This has a terrible effect on fundraising for non-profits like Mortensen’s and any in the world,” Rapping said. “It is egregious of him to have done what he apparently has done. These fraudulent memoirs are a sign of the times these days. You can say anything you want it seems and get attention and money – but at what cost for the credibility of serious charitable organizations?”

H: 46 L: 35 H: 48 L: 42

“There’s virtually no way that UB could have known about [the allegations],” Vasant said. “It actually was a good event. The speech itself and what he talked about was a good cause and exciting news as far as building schools in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Vasant also mentioned how it’s hard to comment on the situation because the facts haven’t been fully unearthed.

John Della Contrada, assistant vice president for media relations, explained that the Distinguished Speaker Series isn’t a process entirely controlled by UB decision makers.

“We work with the speaker’s booking agency that books these speakers for us,” Della Contrada said. “There’s a roster of speakers that we work with and [the booking agency does] the background checks. We bring speakers in each year as you know to discuss timely topics and to encourage healthy debate about issues that might be in the news.”

Representatives from the Leadership office were unavailable for comment at press time.

“There’s

Email: news@ubspectrum.com

nothing

wrong

with

Stick with The Spectrum for full coverage of this story as Part 2 runs in Friday’s issue. g

UB Alumni Association Honors Achievement

al and personal achievement, loyal service to UB, and exemplary service to their communities,” according to the association’s website. Thirteen awards are presented to alumni of the university, as well as to university volunteers.

REBECCA BRATEKAsst. News Editor

Awardees are nominated by the college they have graduated from via an online ballot that is available year-round on the Alumni Association’s website. The nominees are then referred to an association committee that makes the final selection.

Wolf Blitzer, CNN reporter and journalist, graduated with the class of 1970. Barry Glick, co-founder of MapQuest, earned both his bachelor’s and Ph.D. while he walked UB halls. The career of James Starks, the Green Bay running back whose team won Super Bowl XLV, kicked off when he was a UB Bull.

On April 8th, the UB Alumni Association hosted its annual Alumni Achievement Awards to honor distinguished alumni and their accomplishments.

“It’s a great opportunity for the award winners to be recognized by their alma mater, their institution, that they’ve done a great job and they’ve accomplished wonderful things throughout their career,” said Jay Friedman, associate vice president of alumni relations.

“It does a lot for the alumni population when they see their colleagues [and other students] going on and accomplishing great things.”

Each spring, the association hosts theses awards to “recognize individuals who bring distinction to themselves and to UB through their outstanding profession-

President Satish K. Tripathi and Larry Zielinski, president of the Alumni Association, presented the Samuel P. Capen Award and Distinguished Alumni Award, along with 10 additional achievement awards.

“The University at Buffalo is very, very fortunate to have such a tremendous group of alumni who are committed to bettering their communities and dedicated to further enhancing UB’s excellence and national reputation,” Tripathi said. “I am confident in saying that our entire UB community is extremely grateful for everything our alumni do to help us achieve the fullness of our mission.”

This year, the association’s highest award, the Samuel P. Capen Award, was awarded to Dr. John Kapoor. Kapoor, a native of Amritsar, India, graduated from the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in 1972 and

Continued on Page 11

1 H: 52 L: 34

Student Association President Nischal Vasant attended the event last year and hopes people still take away the message Mortenson delivered, even if the allegations end up to being true.

Bringing Mortenson to UB to speak was something that Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Barbara Ricotta and Student Affairs wasn’t hesitant in doing. Mortenson came highly recommended by colleagues and students alike.

It’s no secret that the list of UB alumni is impressive.

UB is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a quality-based association of 63 leading public and private research universities in the United States and Canada.

INSIDE

Mortenson, founder of the “Pennies for Peace” charity that uses its donations in order to build schools and improve educational systems in Pakistan and Afghanistan, allegedly embellished numerous accounts in his memoirs. He has claimed to build schools that famed American author Jon Krakauer claims to be non-existent. A lawyer recently warned Mortenson that the Internal Revenue Service could potentially be coming for the $7 million that he owes to CAI, according to an article from Nationalpost. com.

“It’s a compelling creation myth, one that he has repeated in thousands of public appearances and media interviews,” Krakauer said in his investigative essay, Three Cups of Deceit. “The problem is, it’s precisely that: a myth.”

NEWS buildING smarter windows PAGE 2

ARTS DEL MCCOURY PAGE 7 ARTS RETRO ALBUM REVIEW PAGE 7

NEWS

tally conscious UB students, Mother Nature turned a cold shoulder and gave wet and miserable weather in return.

The Dumpster Dive, an event organized by six environmental interns, was designed to remind the UB community that recycling on campus needs to be improved. Thirty-three volunteers signed on to aid the cause.

“The purpose of the whole thing was to improve recycling on campus,” said intern Rob Nash.

Along with volunteers, the interns and their supervisor, UB Energy Officer Walter Simpson pawned through approximately four tons of garbage, separating the recyclable from the unusable. “Virtually everyone worked in the pouring rain, which is pretty remarkable,” Simpson said.

While recycling at UB has made strides in recent years, the university is still quite a distance from its ultimate goal.

“People need to know that the recycling policy isn’t working here at UB,” said intern Meghan Fay. “This policy states that the university should be recycling 50 percent of its trash. We have improved this policy in the past few years. It is up to 35 percent and we need to fill the gap,” Simpson said.

Today in UB History: April 20, 1998

Interns Teach Old Trash New Tricks TERRA THOMASStaff Writer Mother Nature played Benedict Arnold last Thursday. Offered help by motivated and environmen-

Developing Smarter Windows STEVEN WROBEL Asst. News Editor

The dismal weather could have washed away the participants’ good spirits, but organizers went out of their way to keep the mood from sinking. Music played in the background and free refreshments reenergized the tired workers.

“Besides the weather, we had a good turn-out,” Fay said.

The student internship is for people who are concerned with improving the environment.

“Recycling isn’t a big concern at UB and people need to be more aware,” Fay said.

Simpson said that some parts of the community are pulling their own weight while others are lagging behind.

“Recycling is strong in the offices, so-so in the dorms, and weak in the public,” Simpson said.

Next on the agenda is the incorporation of a “kiosk” with numerous compartments for materials. Simpson said he believes the kiosk will encourage a greater recycling effort from the public.

Students will take what they learned from the Dumpster Dive and attempt to craft solutions to the many problems that hinder environmental cleanup efforts at UB.

The garbage had been collected from all over campus. About 96 gallons of paper and cardboard were stuffed into big, blue recycling bins.

“I can’t wait to get the results (from the proposals) so something happens, policies are enforced, and recycling improves,” said intern Erin Cala.

“If we didn’t do this, all of this would have gone to the landfill,” Nash said.

The Dumpster Dive was the benefactor of ample media coverage, including local television news.

No stone was left unturned by the student interns in planning this event. Two nurses from the Office of Student Health Services attended for first aid purposes, but fortunately their help was not needed.

“We were concerned about injuries and we feel good that there were none,” Simpson said.

“I’m happy that people off campus will know also, I’m hoping it will motivate other campuses to try to improve their recycling policies,” Simpson said. g

ment of physics, and several of their graduate students. The team explored the effects of “doping” vanadium oxide to lower the temperature at which it takes on its properties of reflecting infrared light.

Keeping the house cool on a warm day requires either the use of window coverings or expensive air conditioning. However, new technology may allow for both a cooler house and a clear view of the outdoors.

The chemical reflects infrared light when temperatures are higher and it keeps rooms cool. On the other hand, at lower temperatures, the vanadium oxide coating allows the infrared waves to penetrate and heat the room naturally.

A recent study published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters explores the use of the chemical vanadium oxide as a means to produce a window coating that would allow for temperature-dependant absorption of infrared light into a room.

“[Doping] vanadium oxide has been known as a strategy to depress the temperature [at which vanadium oxide] goes from one phase to another,” Banerjee said.

“What we found is that including [chemicals] in the right ratio has a much amplified effect.”

The study was conducted

by Sabajir Banerjee, Ph.D., an associate professor in the department of chemistry, Sambandamurthy Ganapathy, Ph.D., an associate professor in the depart-

Banerjee and his students are interested in “solidstate chemistry.” When combined with oxygen, vanadium takes on a temperature-dependant property of being able to change

how it absorbs infrared light. The compound does not change from a solid to a liquid, but rather from a solid with one set of physical properties to a solid with a different set of properties, according to Banerjee.

Vanadium, which is a naturally abundant substance, has a transition temperature of 153 degrees Fahrenheit. By doping the vanadium oxide with chemicals such as tungsten and working on a nanomaterialsized level, the scientists were able to lower the transition temperature to below 10 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below room temperature.

“Since we’ve been able to control the size [of the vanadium oxides]…they reveal these new properties,” said Christopher Patridge, a Ph.D. candidate in the department of chemistry who worked on the study.

“When you make [the samples] really small, you can make them perfectly. [Any impurities] vacate the mate-

4/14 – An arrest was made in Diefendorf Loop 4/12 – Larceny was reported in Clemens Hall 4/12 – A burglary was reported on Core Road 4/12 – A subject exposed himself on Frontier Road 4/12 – An animal complaint was made on Service Center Road 4/13 – A person was charged with driving while intoxicated on Maple Road 4/13 – A suspicious person was reported in Capen Hall

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rial.”

By controlling the size of the compound and using it as a coating on wires, the technology can extend beyond the use of window coatings, and can be used in computer circuits, according to Patridge.

The technology is not yet industry-ready.

“We are interested in moving on to the discovery of other and better materials that may show enhanced effects,” Banerjee said.

“The vanadium oxide showed massive change of the properties that are on four or five orders of magnitude [of difference]. But some of [Patridge’s newer experiments] show a 1 million-fold change of properties.”

Banerjee and his team have been working on this project for over four years. In January, Banerjee received funding for the project when he awarded the Cottrell Scholar Award from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

The $75,000 award was given to only 11 scholars in the U.S., and recognized work both in research and in the classroom. He also received a National Science Foundation CAREER award, the foundation’s most prestigious award for junior investigators.

Beyond the realm of window coatings and computers, Banerjee believes that vanadium oxide can be used in night-vision instruments as well as missile guidance systems, although the technology is not expected to be ready for common industrial use for another few years. “[Vanadium oxide coatings] could help reduce heating costs and fuel prices in winter and air conditioning electric costs in the summer,” said Danielle Turner, a junior biology major.

This new technology in “smart windows” will help make more energy efficient housing a possibility. g

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4/13 – Aggravated harassment was reported in Bissell Hall 4/13 – Aggravated harassment was reported in Squire Hall 4/13 – A subject was arrested in Red Jacket Quad 4/14 – A noxious odor was reported in Red Jacket Quad 4/14 – Graffiti was seen in Dewey Hall 4/14 – A suspicious person was reported in Goodyear Hall 4/14 – Aggravated harassment was reported on Main Street 4/14 – Grand larceny was reported in Alumni Arena

4/15 – An accident was reported on Augspurger Road 4/15 – Marijuana use and possession was reported in Goodyear Hall 4/15 – Graffiti was reported on John Jakes Audubon Parkway 4/15 – Disorderly conduct was reported on Rotary Road 4/15 – Larceny was reported in Alumni Arena 4/16 – A fire was reported on Skinnersville Road 4/16 – An accident was reported on Webster Road 4/16 – A subject was arrested in Bissell Hall 4/16 – Marijuana use and possession were reported in Porter Quad 4/17 – Harassment was reported in O’Brian Hall 4/18 – Larceny was reported on Service Center Road 4/18 – Larceny was reported on Core Road 4/18 – Marijuana use and possession were reported in Porter Quad g

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2

NEWS WEDNESday, APRIL 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

OPINION Editorial Board

Hyperbolic Hyperbole

Editor in Chief

MICHAEL TYSON Managing Editor

Matthew Parrino Managing Editors

I’ve seen evidence of this problem over a trillion times and I know that each time someone does it a billion babies die and a bunch of rednecks marry their trucks.

James Twigg, senior Michael Tyson Editorial Editors

James Bowe

The problem I am addressing is the over-use of hyperbole. Hyperbole is, simply put, exaggeration.

Ideally, it is used in order to make a point or evoke strong feelings, but it is not meant to be taken literally. This becomes a serious problem when someone adds the word “literally” before an example of hyperbole and that is also what I wish to address.

News Editors

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CREATIVE DIRECTOr

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Advertising Designer

Aline Kobayashi

Courtesy of Khyber mortenson

Greg Mortenson’s Pants Catch Fire Not so distinguished speaker accused of fraud With cynicism about human greed at an all-time high after huge bonuses on Wall Street, it’s wonderful to see philanthropists grab headlines for great acts of charity.

Such was the case with Greg Mortenson, until allegations that he mismanaged funds for the organization. A report by 60 Minutes shows that Mortensen was obviously lying in many of his interviews about his books and experiences building schools in war-torn Central Asia.

These aren’t just little white lies.

He has generated major fabrications about his organization’s accomplishments and the stories that he uses to encourage people to donate to his not-for-profit organization, the Central Asia Institute (CAI), were at best, an exaggeration.

This is not to say he has not done any good. Mortenson and the CAI have built schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, but he’s padded the numbers to show more schools created and more money given than actually was the case. In one particular region he claims to have put up 11 schools when in reality only

three have been contructed.

Unfortunately, this is not just a simple discrepancy in numbers. Maybe if Mortenson was simply confused it would be considered an honest mistake. The money doesn’t lie, however, and the money all leads back to Mortenson. A great deal of the money taken in by the not-forprofit is spent, not on schools and schooling for children, but for traveling expenses, advertising for his book, and other expenses related to his book.

All this money is going directly toward what amounts to a free book tour for Mortenson, and he is greedily reaping the benefits. None of the royalties from his book go toward the organization, nor do any of his hefty speaking fees.

This disgusting behavior will not only damage his reputation and that of his organization, but people will be more skeptical about donating to not-for-profits for fear of fraud. They’ll be distrustful of the wonderful people who do work very hard for other groups, thinking that they too are out to make a buck.

His elaborate con has even reached UB, as he was a part of the Distinguished Speaker series last semester. Concerns about Mortenson’s management of the organization have been raised for some time, and simple research about him should have uncovered some concerns. Is it enough to simply claim great things?

It’s difficult to blame UB for being won over by Mortenson. With two successful books and a very successful public speaking tour, he seemed unblemished. Many wellrespected people and institutions hired him to speak, and until the recent report, the concerns have not been alarming.

This must serve as a cautionary tale for not only UB, but for all who got caught up in Mortenson’s web. Just a little scrutiny unraveled the lies, but it took over a decade. It’s easy to get blinded by a big name and a big personality, but it’s always a good idea to look deeper into the claims that people and organizations make. g

Adam Cole

The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee

APRIL 20, 2011 VOLUME 60 NUMBER 76 CIRCULATION: 7,000

S&P Lowers U.S. Credit Outlook It underscores need for action and compromise This isn’t exactly something that a free credit report can fix.

even more to do so, and the debt would only accelerate in its growth.

Monday turned out to be a historic day, as Standard & Poor’s changed its outlook on the U.S. credit rating from “stable” to “negative,” an outlook that the U.S. has never received since the S&P started assigning them.

The announcement caused a small panic in the financial markets that sent all of the major market indicators dropping by over 1 percent.

Second, it would cause many foreign economies to suffer immensely, as many nations and individuals have U.S. bonds, which are at this point considered as safe as cash. This massive loss of money would butcher trade relations with many nations that would get burned by the massive default.

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S&P adds no new information to the issue, however.

After giving “A” ratings to the mortgage-backed securities that all but shattered the US economy, it’s difficult to take its rating seriously. Credit is based on ability to pay, and regardless of debt levels, the U.S. debt is based in U.S. dollars. Since we print the currency, it’s all but impossible for us to actually default. This obviously opens up issues about inflation but our ability to pay is a separate issue.

The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100

This act painfully underscores our need to arrive at a workable compromise over the national debt soon.

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Most pressing is the issue of the debt ceiling, a kind of limit on the amount of debt that the U.S. can have.

Currently the debt ceiling sits at $14.3 trillion and will be used up by March 16, at which point the Treasury would have to resort to extraordinary measures to stay afloat, buying a mere eight weeks.

While it’s obvious that a deal on the 2012 budget will be all but impossible to reach by that date, it would be unacceptable for our government to fail in raising the debt ceiling by the March deadline.

Allowing the U.S. to default on its loans would ram three spikes into the heart of the economy. First, it would increase the cost of further borrowing. Not only would we still need to borrow money, it would cost

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Many news organizations can use it as well. Often a headline will read that thousands could die if such-and-such does not happen. In reality not a single person dies from a lack of suchand-such, but it makes for more readers/viewers.

This use of hyperbole in news is truly sickening to me, since I like to think that my medium is possibly more pure than it really is.

Another form of hyperbole is to offer up wild comparisons that really have nothing to do with the original subject. Comparing Obama to Hitler, for example, is off the mark because the only things these two people have in common is that they are both elected leaders of their respective countries. One wanted to repair the healthcare industry of America, the other wanted to use minorities as slave labor and scapegoats for his country’s problems. This is not quite a fair comparison.

Why am I giving this grammar lesson? Why should you, reader, care about the high amount of hyperbole in modern culture?

Why are you bombarding me with questions? Well I’ll answer a few of these questions.

WEB DESIGNER

The views expressed — both written and graphic — in the Feedback, Opinion, and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or spectrum-editorial@buffalo.edu.

The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style or length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it clearly as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number and e-mail address.

Politics, especially, has seen the abundant usage of this device.

The slippery-slope argument is a form of hyperbole. This is used to state that if we do X then the extreme case of Y will certainly happen. If we allow same-sex marriage then people will be marrying their dogs. I personally don’t even see a problem in human-canine wedlock, but I digress.

Republicans have tried to place the blame for the massive debt on the Democrats, and in return for their vote, Republicans want major concessions. While a commitment to reigning in the national debt is obviously important, using the debt ceiling as blackmail to get party policies passed is more than arrogant and completely irresponsible.

The plan that Republicans have proposed to reign in the debt is a plan to cut $4.4 trillion from the national deficit by cutting into Social Security and Medicare.

What is absent from their plan, however, are any tax increases. President Obama’s plan cuts $4 trillion from the deficit and is a mix of budget cuts and tax increases, mainly through the rolling back of the Bush tax cuts, which he extended last year.

The idea that we can go on just slashing our way through the national budget without any tax increases is a fantasy. In order to balance the budget, 40 percent of it would need to be cut, which amounts to all discretionary spending, including defense.

The grammar lesson is not to limit the hyperbole out there.

Rather I would just like to see it properly applied. The examples I gave above are actually close to the proper usage and, logicdefying as they may be, are correct in my humble estimation.

What I have a problem with is in everyday conversation where people don’t even realize what they are saying. The statement that a girl makes about waiting for years in a line for coffee comes off as annoyingly untrue.

The constant usage of hyperbole also serves to make your future statements, however realistic, seem exaggerated. If that same girl comes back and says she was waiting for hours in a line, I am unlikely to believe her, even though it could be true.

So mind your hyperbole usage, reader. If you don’t you could wind up cold, alone, unloved and dead. g

Email: michael.tyson@ ubspectrum.com

What’s most apparent is that the U.S. government must find a way to come together on a plan to control the national debt. Whether or not the S&P ‘s credit outlook for the U.S. is justified or not, it is an indication that the partisan deadlock is bound to cause damage if its current path is kept. g

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor: After feeling disgusted all day, I felt that I had to write to this paper in order to express my opinion. As I sat in my first class this morning (4/18/11), I heard a student behind me make a comment on how much newly elected President Tripathi would be making once he takes office.

You could have knocked me over with a feather. I honestly thought I had heard her wrong. In order to make sure my hearing was intact, I quickly opened my copy of The Spectrum only to see that the figure she stated was right: President Tripathi would be making a grand total of $737,315, an additional $85,000 than what President Simpson had previously

earned. What?!? I find it ridiculous not to mention disgusting that while the state budget has been drastically cut as well as the fact that tuition for UB has gone up for the next academic year, this man will be making a completely unnecessary amount.

Why is it that he will be making almost $100,000 more than the current President?

I would love an explanation

in a future issue of The Spectrum as I’m sure would many other students who read your paper. The fact that students (such as myself) as struggling to pay their tuition while this man will be making almost $738,000 is just sickening and I’m sure I am not the only one who thinks so.

Daniel Whitney (716) 338-7718 dwwhitne@buffalo.edu Letters to the Editor are not edited by The Spectrum.

OPINION WEDNESday, April 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

3

We Believe

He is Risen Easter is the celebration of the death and the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

We believe Jesus died and rose again, offering us forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life.

Bruce Acker, Assistant Director

John Hannon, Ph.D. Associate Professor

Asian Studies Program University at Buffalo

Entrepeneurship Program Director School of Management

Galen M. Purpura, Jr., Campus Pastor Lutheran Campus Ministries

Edwin Anand MD Assistant Professor in Medicine Department of Internal Medicine

Jon Hasselbeck, Campus Pastor

Kenneth W. Regan, Associate Professor

Wayne A. Anderson, Professor Electrical Engineering

Amy Hendricks, Senior IT Specialist Science and Engineering Node Services

Alfred T. Reiman, R.Ph. Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacy

Dalene M. Aylward, Senior Academic Advisor Student Advising Services Campus Minister, Living Water Campus Ministry

Connie Holoman, Assistant Vice President for University Relations Division of External Affairs

John Reitz, Director The Prayer Furnace Anglican Campus Ministry

Edward M Bednarczyk, PharmD

Thomas N. Helm, MD Clinical Professor Dermatology and Pathology

Sharon Roberts, Assistant Dean

Clinical Associate Professor & Chairman Department of Pharmacy Practice

Christina L. Bloebaum, Professor Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

NorthGateBuffalo

David Holmes, MD, Clinical Associate Professor Department of Family Medicine

Barbara Inzina, Resource Manager

Lani J. Burkman, Associate Professor

Network & Classroom Services

Dept. Gynecology, Obstetrics & Urology Founder and CSO, LifeCell Dx

Jae-Hun Jung, Assistant Professor

Linda M. Catanzaro, PharmD Clinical Assistant Professor School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Department of Mathematics

Fr. Pat Keleher, Director

Computer Science & Engineering

Resource Management School of Public Health and Health Professions

Bruce Rodgers, M.D., Professor Dept. of Gynecology-Obstetrics

Diane Rodgers, RNC, Clinical Instructor Dept. of Gynecology-Obstetrics

Nancy Schimenti, Secretary Career Services

Catholic Campus Ministry The Newman Centers @ UB

Debbie Smith, Business Manager

Frank Cerny, Professor Emeritus Pediatrics & Exercise & Nutrition Sciences School of Public Health & Health Professions

Eon-Suk Ko, Research Assistant Professor Department of Linguistics

Julie Smith, Secretary, Student Life Center for Student Leadership & Community Engagement

Stuart S. Chen, Associate Professor

Lisa Kragbe, Campus Minister

Dawn Starke, APA/Office Manager

The SPECTRUM

Dept. of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering

International Students Inc.

Kevin Cheng, Campus Staff Member

Merced M Leiker, Research Technician III Cardiovascular Medicine School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Tim Stewart, Campus Director

The EPIC Movement

Deborah D.L. Chung, National Grid Endowed Chair Professor Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Kemper Lewis, Professor

Mary Kate Duff, Campus Staff

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases

Donna Linenfelser, Administrative Assistant for Development Department of Engineering

Lee Dryden, Director

Judah R . Lopez, Manager

John K. Crane, MD, PhD

Interdisciplinary Degree Programs

James Drzymala, Application Development Analyst Enterprise Application Services

Academic Information and Enrollment School of Social Work

Carl Lund, Professor

Procurement & Travel Services

Paul Decker, Campus Staff Campus Ambassadors

Kenneth J. Swanekamp, Adjunct Faculty Architecture and Planning

Nathan Schutt, Campus Staff Member InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Dawn Townsend, Secretary Chemical and Biological Engineering

Dept. of Chemical Engineering

Phil Wade, Area Director

Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

John Mansfield, Adjunct Professor

Kathleen Szymanski, RN BSN

Dale R Fish, Associate Dean, Academic & Student Affairs School of Public Health and Health Professions

Religious Studies The EPIC Movement Campus Crusade for Christ

David W. Frasier, Assistant Dean & Director

James Mauck, Director of Athletic Bands

James Felske, Professor

Christian Medical & Dental Association of Western New York

A. Ben Wagner, Sciences Librarian Arts and Sciences Libraries

FT Grad Programs School of Management

Office of Student Life

Allison R. Garvey, Project Director, Accreditation

Dept. of Mathematics

MPH Program Assistant School of Public Health and Health Professions

Dale Meredith, Professor Emeritus

Joanna Garvey

Dept. of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering Pastor, University Baptist Church

Monica (Moshenko) Wharton

Jeanne Mest, Assistant Buyer

Senior Staff Assistant (formerly) Great Lakes Program

DC Clinical Instructor Department of Family Medicine

Donna George, Assistant to the Chair (Ret) Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Geoff Gerow, DABCO Clinical Instructor Department of Family Medicine

William Menasco, Professor

Asst. VP Procurement Services

David Murray, Adjunct Associate Professor School of Management

Mary O’Connor, Campus Minister

Gary Giovino, Professor and Chair

Evangel Assembly of God Ministry

Department of Health Behavior School of Public Health and Health Professions

Hyun NamKung, Director Kairos Campus Worship

Renee Greene, Staff Assistant Parking & Transportation Services

Susan Hamlen, Associate Professor

Gina M. Prescott, PharmD, Clinical Assistant Professor Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

School of Management

William Hamlen, Associate Professor School of Management

William A. Prescott, Pharm.D. Clinical Assistant

Jacqueline J. White, Administrative Assistant Office of Academic Planning & Budget Paul Wietig, Core Curriculum Coordinator School of Public Health and Health Professions

Linda Wilson, Assistant Director Student Medical Insurance

Troy Wood, Associate Professor Departments of Chemistry & Structural Biology

Nick Yates, MD MA (Bioethics) Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics Department of Pediatrics Rebeccah Young, Research Scientist Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine Jun Zhuang, Assistant Professor Industrial and Systems Engineering

Professor Pharmacy Practice School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

In association with Faculty Commons Fellowship, EPIC Asian-American Movement, Campus Crusade for Christ, Campus Ambassadors, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Living Water Campus Ministry, Baptist Campus Fellowship, The Prayer Furnace/Anglican Campus Ministry, Christian Medical Dental Assoc., Lutheran Campus Ministry, Evangel Assembly of God Ministry, Kairos Campus Worship, International Students Inc., NorthGateBuffalo Community & Newman Center.

For information about the Faculty Commons Fellowship, contact OCM-FacultyCommons@buffalo.edu 4

ARTS & LIFE WEDNESday, APRIL 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

ARTS & LIFE

Courtesy of Alex Indigo

People all over the globe plant trees for Earth Day.

There’s No Place Like Earth Reduce, reuse, recycle – it’s been said many times, but who’s listening?

nizations have been founded that benefit the earth and focus on environmental initiatives such as the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

Friday is Earth Day, and the environmental organization at UB has a lot in store for a campus-wide festival.

The significance of Earth Day is not only for celebrating the environment but also for focusing on the issues at hand.

In 1970, Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson founded Earth Day, because of his concerns with the lack of political attention to environmental problems. He created a grassroots demonstration that 20 million people attended.

“No matter who you are, your wellbeing depends on the Earth’s wellbeing,” said Emily Gibson, a junior communication and economics major and student representative for the environmental stewardship committee. “Thus, learning about environmental issues and practical ways to combat them are in the best interest of all individuals and communities. Earth Day is a time to focus on doing just those things.”

BRIDGETT GIRDLESTONEStaff Writer

It attracted crowds from local schools and organizations, and the demonstration’s success was marked with a new awareness of the issues society faces.

Not only did Nelson begin a green revolution, he also demonstrated the power of the grassroots movement. The ability of a society to come together as one for something they believe in has led to many more advances around the world.

The theme for Earth Day this year is “A Billion Acts of Green.” The goal is to get 1 billion individuals or organizations to register their actions and ideas that influence a better environment. Nearly 96,490,837 acts have been recorded according to the Earth Day Network website.

Dennis Hayes, the coordinator of the first Earth Day in 1970, helped promote it internationally, and by 1990 it was observed in 141 countries. Since then many more orga-

UB’s environmental group also has many activities planned for Earth Week and for Earth Day. One of the events includes a speaker series

Green Corner Welcome to the Green Corner! UB has made some strides toward becoming a more ecofriendly university. This corner will celebrate those accomplishments.

Elimination of PVC Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a common plastic used to produce office supplies, electronics,

Alexa Strudler /// The Spectrum

featuring leaders in sustainability projects from around the area, talking about their projects and careers.

On Thursday, UB Improv will host an environmentally themed sketch at noon in the Student Union Flag Room.

For Earth Day, the environmental department has planned an entire day of celebrations and events.

From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Special Events Field, there will be many exciting activities to participate in.

Some events include Blow your Horn for the Environment, Eco-pot making, Mount Trashmore, Earth Pong, Solar Smoothie Cart, and a picnic with True Blue.

“The point is to raise awareness of the sweet environmental locations right on North Campus,” Gibson said. “[Earth Day is] a day on which we can discuss problems with our environment, our role in these problems, and most importantly, feasible solutions to these problems.”

The increase in Earth Day festivities across the country, and even internationally, has given rise to the many problems society needs to focus on. g

Email: features@ubspectrum.com

and building materials. It is responsible for the harmful release of toxic chemicals such as phthalates, organotins, lead, cadmium, and dioxins that contribute to the spawning of health hazards.

SUNY schools, including UB, have enacted policies to reduce the purchase of products containing PVC; creating a more environmentally conscious atmosphere and promoting a healthier way of life.

Email: features@ubspectrum.com

Muslim Student Association raises awareness against violence.

Purple Hijabs Instead of Black Eyes

outlet for women who are being abused,” said Anem Shariff, a senior anthropology major and the community service coordinator for the Muslim Student Association.

Shariff says that Islam certainly does not advocate for honor killings or domestic violence and that Muslim women are held in much higher status than popular culture realizes.

Domestic violence is not okay for any reason and Purple Hijab Day is a way to get that message out there.

MICHAEL TYSONManaging Editor Cookies, cupcakes and brownies are much more appealing to most people, than broken bones, bruises and death.

On Tuesday, the Muslim Student Association held Purple Hijab Day to help bring awareness and an end to domestic violence. The day included a bake sale in the Student Union followed by a guest speaker in the SU Theater. The proceeds of the bake sale will go to Resources And Help Against Marital Abuse (RAHAMA).

The date was originally set to coincide with the anniversary of the brutal death of Aasiya Zubair Hassan at the hands of her husband on Feb. 12, 2009. Hassan was beheaded in an alleged “honor killing” that stemmed from a history of domestic violence. “[The founders of RAHAMA] were friends of Aasiya Zubair before she was killed – it just hit our Muslim community really hard, and since then they’ve been working as an

April Arman, the speaker at the event, works for Catholic Charities of Buffalo as well as being a founding member of RAHAMA. Purple Hijab Day is not just about ending domestic violence in Muslim homes, though that is the focus. MSA and other advocates also wish to combat misperceptions and bias in the media and elsewhere that people may have toward the Islamic faith.

“What you see in the media about how Islam treats its women, especially with the French ban on the veil, it’s like a lot of it is misunderstanding and people are blaming an institution, a religion, for what a small number of its people do,” Shariff said. g

Email: features@ubspectrum.com

This Earth Day Be Green AND Revitalize Your Wardrobe!

Participate in the

UB Green Clothing SWAP! Earth Day, April 22

11:30am to 3:30pm Bring your unwanted clothing Student Union Lobby to swap for new clothes.

No money is exchanged!

Items Allowed:

Shirts/tops, pants, skirts, dresses, suits, ties, tank tops, and bags/purses.

Bring as many items as you’d like!* - Bring 1 item, Swap 1 item - Bring 2 items, Swap 2 items, etc.

Items NOT allowed:

No stained or damaged clothes.

No socks, undergarments, or jewelry accessories.

Leftover clothing will be donated to City Mission.

*Maximum exchange is 5 new items.

Questions/More Info: emoscati@buffalo.edu 829-3535

ARTS & LIFE WEDNESday, April 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

5

Mary Jane’s Making Moves

Troi Williams /// The Spectrum

AKARI IBURI and VERONICA RITTER Senior Life Editor and Asst.

Life Editor

On a campus as big as UB, there’s bound to be some marijuana use. UB NORML rallies supporters to clear the air on this hazy topic.

Students may not know that sometimes, marijuana is actually being used for medicinal purposes not just recreational. UB NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is a club here at UB that recognizes the benefits of marijuana and wants to raise awareness about it.

UB NORML is a group of students who support the legalization of marijuana because of the social and economic benefits that it would provide.

Matt Kopalek, UB NORML founder and president, discovered the power of the plant after extensive lumbar spinal surgery left him in persistent pain during

his years in high school. Kopalek relied on pharmaceutical pills to ease his suffering but found that they did not offer much relief.

“If it weren’t for my physician being really open to discussing all solutions I probably wouldn’t have found [marijuana] as a medicine,” Kopalek said. “It’s tough in this society because I don’t think that all physicians will be open to talking about marijuana because it’s illegal, even if they do think it’s a better solution.”

Kopalek created the club to raise discussion and awareness of the medicinal power behind the taboo plant.

Marijuana helped Kopalek kick a three-year addiction to painkillers and encouraged him to find alternative sources for healing. UB NORML works to fight the stigma marijuana provokes and wishes to reduce the joking undertones to promote a serious discussion on the topic.

While there is a negative stereotype attached with marijuana usage, Kopalek credits the plant for essentially giving him his life back. Marijuana has given him a positive outlook on life, influencing him to participate in tai chi, breathing exercises, and acupuncture.

“Once I realized it’s an amazing medicine, I couldn’t not talk about it,” Kopalek said.

“The more I thought about it, the more it upset me how society is geared toward marijuana…I channeled my frustration…[turning] negative energy into some sort of social awareness and open discussion of marijuana at UB. I think the most important thing is that society feels free to talk about mari-

juana in a serious light.”

show drops the audience into a world of guesswork.

Kopalek’s vision has turned into UB NORML, which meets most Fridays in 250 Student Union.

The group argues for a change in the laws pertaining to marijuana. One argument is against the amount of money spent toward arrests, jailing, and other related charges.

“I advocate for full legalization,” Kopalek said. “[If I’m] not advocating for full legalization, I’m advocating to keep a billion-dollar black market of criminals, thugs and cartels who are making money that our government should be making and using.”

This waste of money inflicts a negative impact on the economy, because it means that less tax dollars are available to be spent on problems such as job creation, loans, and other issues that the U.S. is dealing with.

UB NORML will be celebrating its Second Annual Medicinal Marijuana and Hemp Awareness Day on April 20. Through this event, it hopes to educate students on the various benefits of legalizing marijuana.

The club will provide information on medical research and facts about the plant itself. There will also be local speakers who have been affected by prohibition that will share their stories. g

Email: features@ ubspectrum.com

Courtesy of Jim Bush

50 Ways to Bury the Plot VANESSA FRITHArts Editor Sometimes the fault of a show doesn’t lie with its actors and musicians in the actual performance, but rather with the writers and directors who try to hard to give their story a complex meaning.

The brainchild of Randall Kramer, Jon Lehrer, Jason Bravo and John Fredo, Something So Right made its world premier last Saturday at the Center for the Arts.

Based on the songs of Paul Simon and billed as a music, dance, and theater collaboration between LehrerDance, MusicalFare Theater, and UB Center for the Arts, the show revolved around a loose conceptual plot line.

Opening with a cryptic spoken word passage by The Guide (Jason Bravo), the show quickly segued into a funeral scene.

However, it’s not until later one finds out if the funeral is for the main character, Frank (John Fredo), or his wife, Lorraine (Terrie George). In the presence of the casket, Fredo sings “Late in the Evening,” as all around him dancers couple up, portraying moments in the life of a relationship. Creating a confused mix of song and dance sans any real plot direction, the

With scarce actual acting, barely managing to fulfill the promised theater aspect, the first act is a highly confusing conglomeration of 12 songs that apparently tried to unsuccessfully chronicle Frank and Lorraine’s relationship. With conflicting timelines and a muddled portrayal of events through dance, the convoluted plot line seemed to only be apparent to the actors and dancers. The creators either didn’t want, or didn’t have the ability, to let the audience in on the secret.

Four songs into the production, the show finally managed to elicit applause from the audience with “The Sound of Silence.” Granted, this enthusiasm can mainly be attributed to the fact that it was the first real Paul Simon hits performed.

As the first act drew to a close, the plot slowly began to take on some semblance of coherence. Starting with “Slip Slidin’ Away,” the audience can clearly see that Frank and Lorraine are married and suffering the emotional ups and downs that come after the honeymoon ends. Set to a backdrop of giant dinnerware, the couple realizes that domestic life isn’t as easy as it looks.

By time the audience rose for intermission, it was quite obvious who was in the casket, which is wheeled back on stage for “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover.” As the curtain rises for Act II, Lorraine is lost in the mists of death, and Frank’s life has come to resemble the torn black and red hangings of the scenery.

Act II has more coherence then its predecessor, swiftly moving Frank through his deep depression, culminating with “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and

segueing into a last uplifting refrain of “Look at That.” As the final lyrics finished echoing through the theater, the actors, if not the plot, somehow managed to receive a standing ovation from the viewers.

According to Kramer and Lehrer, the show is “all about love… [it] presents a relationship as it transitions from giddiness to isolation, from loss to discovery, from reality to fantasy.”

That is all the show manages to convey; these bare bone ideas without any real content to back them up.

However, the musical talents of John Fredo manage to serve as the high point of the show.

Singing for almost the entire duration of the show, his vocals brought a new life to the timeless lyrics of Simon.

Complimenting the efforts of Fredo was the choreography of Jon Lehrer, most notably during “The Sound of Silence.”

With dancing taking up the entirety of the show, the eight dancers from LehrerDance where pushed to the full extent of their skills.

For some, the plot wasn’t of the upmost concern: just seeing a fresh take on the old tunes sufficed.

“It was very interesting recombination of works seen in a way I haven’t seen before,” said Martha Bohm, 34 of Buffalo.

If a tribute to the memory of Paul Simon’s hay day was all that viewers were seeking, then Something So Right satisfied. If, however, one was looking to actually experience a deeper scheme behind the music and choreography, then they left the theater sorely disappointed. g

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

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ARTS & LIFE WEDNESday, APRIL 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

RETRO ALBUM REVIEW

Taking a walk on the innocent side JAMESON BUTLERSenior Arts Editor Artist: Britney Spears Album: …Baby One More Time Label: Jive Records Release Date: January 12, 1999 Grade: B+ Combine infectious beats, catchy chorus’ and an underage blonde that has moderate singing talent and what you get is one of the best pop albums of all time.

When Britney Spears released her debut album ...Baby One More Time, no one was prepared for the pop sensation that was about to be unleashed. Now 12 years later, Miss Spears’ debut still holds its own.

The first track, which happens to be the title track, introduces the listener to sultry voice of Spears. As the contagious rhythm of the track gives way to the innocent vocals, the listener is taken back to a simpler time, middle school.

The second track is the song every person thinks of when it comes to Spears. It might have something to do with the provocative video, but more than likely, it’s because every pop song for the past ten years has tried to recreate the feel this pop cornerstone generated.

As the album progresses, more light hearted pop songs start to mix with bubblegum ballads. Songs like “Sometimes,” “Born to Make You Happy,” and “From the Bottom of My Broken Heart” are insightful and try to explain how a teenage girl feels about boys and relationships.

The rest of the album is chalk full of feel good dance pop that is sure to get even the most stagnant hater tapping along. Even as Spears uses the latest technology to relay her message on “E-mail my Heart,” her gorgeous immature voice radiates through the speakers showing the raw talent she possess.

When Spears goes to close out the album with “The Beats go On,” she introduces her dynamic skill and it foreshadows what her next album will sound like.

What makes …Baby One More Time such a classic is the fact that Spears started a trend in pop music that still dominates the airwaves.

For the past decade, almost every female pop star has tried to paint a picture of innocence before divulging into a promiscuous persona later in their career.

Whether you still crank the stereo when you hear the latest Britney song or cringe at the thought, it is undeniable that …Baby One More Time, is one of the most influential pop albums of the past 15 years. g

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Courtesy of the Strike Production

Atlas Bored Edward BenoitAsst. Arts Editor Grade: CWho is John Galt? By the end of Atlas Shrugged: Part I, audiences will neither know nor particularly care to find out.

Atlas Shrugged: Part I, as its title neatly conveys, is the first in a planned trilogy of films based on Ayn Rand’s polarizing and very long novel of the same title. Unfortunately — or perhaps fortunately, depending on your political inclinations — Part I doesn’t exactly bode well for the next two parts.

The film is set in 2016, in a world where insanely high oil prices and a freefalling economy have rendered rail transportation as the only affordable option. The political situation — which, as Rand apologists won’t hesitate to tell you, is a lot like our own — seems to be totally free of business lobbyists, Republicans, and Tea Partiers, as the avowed purpose of the federal government is to make things as difficult as possible for businesses, especially successful ones.

Thrust into this world of economic chaos and heavy-handed free market parables are Henry Rearden (Grant Bowler, True Blood) and Dagny Taggart (Taylor Schilling, Mercy), two intrepid business executives that try desperately to defend their companies from the incompetence, altruism and government interference that beset them.

Rearden’s company has developed a new type of metal that’s stronger, lighter, cheaper, prettier, shinier, and generally better than regular steel in every conceivable way. Naturally, almost every other character and organization in the film tries to undermine him and his new metal for reasons that are best left unexplained. Taggart, who boasts perhaps the worst name of any character in the history of fiction, is an executive of a railroad company, and seeks to use Rearden’s new metal on her rail lines.

Drawn together by business necessity and a mutual disdain for people who disagree with them, the two eventually find themselves in

the midst of a nationwide conspiracy that they take upon themselves to investigate between their bouts of self-righteousness and singlehandedly save the economy.

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MARY JANE PLAYLIST online now at ubspectrum.com/arts

Wednesday marks the celebration of the world’s favorite plant. Whether you are an enthusiast or just a casual toker, here is the best ten songs to pay respect to the great Mary Jane.

In order to emphasize the individual importance of the film’s two leads, the companies they control bear their names. The two executives play a surprising and frankly unrealistic personal role in their massive corporations, and conduct all of their business in person. The trope culminates in a ridiculous subplot that has the two drive across the country to “Wisconsin” (which looks suspiciously like New Mexico) to play detective and discover world-changing technological advancements that have been left lying around on shelves.

Just in case it wasn’t clear from that plot summary who the heroes of the film are supposed to be, every other character who isn’t a laissezfaire capitalist, from Rearden’s entitled family to the film’s numerous smarmy government officials, are characterized negatively. Frequent Objectivist reveries from the lips of the two or three characters portrayed positively destroy any residual ambiguity or subtlety.

Rand fans will undoubtedly defend the film’s one-dimensional and heavy-handed plot, but even the staunchest Objectivist will have trouble excusing the movie’s acting, which is objectively awful.

There’s a scene early in the film where Taggart’s brother criticizes her for being unemotional, a criticism that can be levied on the entire film’s cast. Not a single line of dialog is emotive in the slightest, and Bowler’s acting is surprisingly wooden for a steel executive.

On top of being redundant and poorly acted, the film is boring.

Even the most gratuitous of the movie’s train cinematography can’t penetrate the glaze created by discussion after discussion regarding stocks, Objectivism, and pieces of legislation with absurd names.

Atlas Shrugged: Part I does have its merits. The film’s small budget went a long way, and the movie is for the most part presentable despite its bland direction. The film is also mercifully short, and clocks in at less than two hours — just long enough to convince the audience not to see the next two films. g

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Courtesy of Mccoury Music

Dixieland Jambalaya Edward BenoitAsst. Arts Editor Artist: Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band Album: American Legacies Label: McCoury Music and Preservation Hall Recordings Release Date: April 12 Grade: B+ There’s something strangely refreshing about hearing New Orleans jazz and southern bluegrass being played earnestly in this day and age.

Even more refreshing is hearing the two American musical traditions being played and explored together, on the same album.

The refreshing album in question is American Legacies, the combined effort of New Orleans’ own Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the Del McCoury Band. Though the former is a group dedicated to the preservation of traditional jazz and the latter is the personal project of a bluegrass legend with a career spanning four decades, the two have come together to record an album that feels remarkably original and new.

Kicking things off is “The Band’s in Town,” a lively song that earns its name by amply demonstrating the abilities of every member of both ensembles. Right away, the song firmly

establishes many of the album’s precedents: the spirited interplay between country twang and Dixie jazz, the snappy instrumentation, and the buoyant tone characterize the rest of the album perfectly.

Following up this strong opening is “One Has My Name,” an upbeat cover of a Jimmy Wakely country single from 1948. The cover’s cheerful counterpoints and honest fiddle part mark it as an improvement over the original.

Strange though it may seem, more than half the songs on this refreshing, original album are covers. The two bands, however, do a remarkable job breathing new life into the tired old songs they play, paying homage and exercising creative license at the same time. “Shoeshine Blues,” for instance, puts a new spin on the song’s lyrics and is a lot more jazzy than bluesy, while “Jambalaya” is a flavorful reimagining of the bland Hank Williams original.

The two gems of the album, though, are the original instrumentals “Banjo Frisco” and “Mullenburg Joys,” the latter in particular boasting a great balance between the jazz and bluegrass halves of the ensemble.

With the exception of two or three songs that air slightly on the boring side, American Legacies is a unique record that breathes new life into old legacies. g

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

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ARTS & LIFE WEDNESday, April 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

7

DAILY

DELIGHTS

Crossword

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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

ACROSS 1 Spring beer 5 Prayer-wheel turners 10 Port side 14 Well-known auth.

15 Storm warning 16 Wheel rod 17 Meditation guide 18 Dingbat 19 Faculty honcho 20 Withdrew formally 22 Oil-lamp cords 23 Actress Madeline 24 Heavy metal 26 Cannon boom 28 Good friends 32 Sandbags, maybe 33 Latches onto 34 Fabric meas.

35 Classical poet 36 Immigration factor 37 Dart about 38 Util. bill 39 Business attire 40 Idles away time 41 Apt to bite 43 Like a cheap piano 44 Unhurried gait 45 Cash, in Pretoria 46 Parking attendant 49 Amused 52 Draft animals 53 Taken — (startled) 55 John, in Siberia 57 Had a turn 58 Silly comedy 59 “Nautilus” skipper 60 Dispatch, as a dragon 61 Very quick 62 Ballooned

DOWN 1 Tote 2 Burden of proof 3 Meltdown site 4 — under (gave in) 5 Crow’s-nest cry (2 wds.)

6 Unfamiliar 7 Repair 8 Prince Val’s son 9 Messy place 10 Hoity-toity (hyph.)

11 Board mem.

12 Harsh criticism 13 Playing cards 21 Icicle locale 22 All-out battles 24 Plunders 25 Austen heroine 26 Pleiades count 27 Walled Spanish city 28 Silk or linen 29 Poet Thomas 30 Illuminate 31 JFK landers, once 32 Zillions 33 Semblance

36 Wisecrack 37 Caressing 39 Fido’s cousinl 40 Join 42 More than enough 43 Added (on) 45 Perfumer Nina 46 Swears solemnly 47 Eddie’s cop character 48 “One For My Baby”

singer 49 Field cover 50 Happily — after 51 Woman of rank 53 Olduvai loc.

54 Ewe’s plaint 56 Without delay

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SUMMER 2011 COURSES

Session J (May 23-July 1, 2011) GEO 101 EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE I M – F 9:40 AM - 10:55 AM

GEO 211 UNIVARIATE STATISTICS M – F 11:20 AM - 12:35 PM (Lecture) LAB – GEO 211 T R 12:40 – 1:40 PM Both components (lecture and lab) must be taken in the same semester GEO 330 DYNAMICS OF INTL BUSINESS M W 6:30 PM - 9:40 PM

Spend a bright summer in Buffalo.

Get ahead in your studies by choosing from a huge schedule of credit-bearing courses, lectures and workshops at UBThisSummer. Register today.

Find a course or two that’s right for you at www.ubthissummer.buffalo.edu.

Session M (July 5-August 12, 2011) 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 231 U.S. CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS M – F 11:20 AM - 12:35 PM GEO 333 BASES OF WORLD COMMERCE M W 6:30 PM - 9:40 PM

GEO 334 INTL ENV & COMM PROBLEMS T R 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] For further details, please check the department LAB – GEO 481 Lab [Undergrad] website: http://www.geog.buffalo.edu, T R 5:00 PM - 6:20 PM http://www.geog.buffalo.edu/academic_programs/underg LAB – GEO 506 Lab [Graduate] raduate/courses.shtml.

T R 5:00 PM - 6:20 PM Or contact Betsy Abraham. Office: 105 Wilkeson Quad, Both components (lecture and lab) must Tel: 716-645-2722, Email: babraham@buffalo.edu. be taken in the same semester

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8

DAILY DELIGHTS WEDNESday, APRIL 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

CLASSIFIED ads may be placed at The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union, Amherst Campus. Office hours are from 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Deadlines are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 for display and 2:00 p.m. for classifieds for the next edition.

Weekly rates are $15.00 for the first ten words and 75¢ for each additional word. All ads must be paid in advance. The ad must be placed in person or send a legible copy of the ad with a check or money order for full payment. No ads will be taken over the phone. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit any copy. No refunds will be given on classified ads. Please make sure copy is legible. The Spectrum does not assume responsibility for any errors except to reproduce any ad (or equivalent), free of charge, that is rendered valueless due to typographical errors. Please call 645-2152 for any additional information.

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2, 3 & 4BR APTS. Five min. walk to south campus. Washer/ dryer available June 1st, off-street parking, 698-9979 utilities included, HaynesApts@yahoo.com.

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CLASSIFIEDS WEDNESday, April 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

9

Bulls’ Early Struggles Lead to Sweep

make a pitching change.

The adjustment proved to be a good move, as Ball State went scoreless for the remainder of the game. Junior pitcher Kevin Hughes relieved senior pitcher Josh Edwards and recorded two quick outs to keep the Bulls in the game.

SCOTT RESNICKStaff Writer The baseball team has limped through the 2011 season. A slow start to conference play has doomed the team to the basement of the Mid-American Conference standings.

On Friday, the Bulls (7-25, 0-11 MAC) continued to stumble and surrendered a combined nine runs in the first three innings of a doubleheader against the visiting Ball State Cardinals (10-23, 7-4 MAC).

Buffalo dropped both games, 7-4 and 8-3.

The Bulls’ extended their losing streak to 14 games.

Buffalo fell behind 4-0 in game one, and it didn’t respond until the third inning.

Sophomore catcher Tom Murphy hit a two-run single to cut the Cardinals’ lead in half. However, the Bulls failed to capitalize on the momentum.

“[The bullpen’s strong performance] was great to see,” Torgalski said. “Ginader and McWilliams both gave us a chance to stay in it. If they can continue to progress, we’ll be a pretty good team down the stretch.”

Their bats were silent for the majority of the game. The Bulls batted only .125 from the fourth to eighth inning.

Edwards was hit with the loss and he fell to 1-6 this season.

The Bulls couldn’t take advantage of the situation. Sophomore infielder River McWilliams grounded out to shortstop to end the game.

Junior pitcher Kevin Crumb took the loss and fell to 2-6 on the season.

The Bulls extend season long-losing streak to fourteen games.

ANDREIUS COLEMANAsst. Sports Editor Last weekend, the rowing team had to fight off the weather and its opponents to prove it can repeat last year’s success after the previous meet’s disappointment.

The defending Colonial Athletic Association champions traveled to Michigan and came out victorious in two

The Varsity 8 looked very impressive in Saturday’s contest as they competed under unusual circumstances.

With senior Lindsay DiCosimo out due to an injury, head coach Rudy Wieler put his faith in freshman Brittany Davidson. It proved to be a good decision as Buffalo ousted Grand Valley by almost eight seconds in the first race with a finishing time of 7:15.34.

The team had faith in Davidson and

Superman Needs to Leave Smallville BRIAN JOSEPHS Asst. Sports Editor The first thing I looked at when I was watching Saturday’s Magic-Hawks box score was Dwight Howard’s performance.

Howard had a monster game, as I expected.

His 46 points tied the franchise record for most in a postseason game. Howard also had the most rebounds (19) in Game 1 over the weekend.

If you are a Magic fan, you’re happy to see those stats.

Then, I looked at the final score: Hawks 103-Orlando 93.

Buffalo had four errors in the doubleheader, while the Cardinals only had one. The Bulls committed five errors in their last game before facing Ball State.

The finale of the series, scheduled for Sunday, was canceled due to inclement weather.

Next up for the Bulls is a home doubleheader against local rival Niagara (6-27, 3-9, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) on Wednesday. Game one is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. g

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

The Bulls faced a tougher situation in the second game, trailing 8-0 by the fourth inning. Ball State’s offensive assault prompted head coach Ron Torgalski to

Courtesy of Paul Hokanson

races against Grand Valley State University. The Lakers defeated the Bulls the previous weekend to claim the Knecht Cup.

Given the effort of his bullpen, Torgalski was optimistic when discussing his team’s future.

Despite the encouraging performances out of the bullpen, the Bulls couldn’t find a way to get back into the game. The offense only mustered six hits. Burke and junior infielder Andrew Smietana accounted for four of those hits.

Buffalo finally got back on the scoreboard when sophomore outfielder Matt Pollock’s base hit drove in freshman shortstop Michael Burke and sophomore infielder Alex Baldock. Junior outfielder Daniel Scahill walked, loading the bases for the Bulls.

Bad Conditions Can’t Slow the Row

Freshman pitcher Daniel Ginader and McWilliams built off of Hughes performance. Ginader threw 1 2/3 innings and surrendered just a hit and a walk. McWilliams added a solid inning of work.

she made them proud.

MIT finished in the middle at 7:12.96.

Championships.

“The young lady that we brought in was from the second Varsity 8 and she is a good physical athlete and had good testing,” Wieler said. “The athletes were confident that she would do a good job and she did.”

Weather conditions in Boston were not much better and it looked like the event was going to be canceled. However, the Bulls were able to compete with satisfying results.

“We were all pleased that we got a chance to race and the fact that the kids reversed the results from the week before is encouraging,” Wieler said. “We are the defending champions but we are not the favorites this year, so we’re just going to go and see what we can do.”

The second Varsity 8 continued the Bulls’ success. Buffalo finished with a time of 7:19.45, besting the Lakers’ time of 7:27.17.

The Bulls were less successful the following day when they faced Radcliffe in the Lightweights. Radcliffe scored a one-two finish to beat Buffalo’s third place 8:45.9 finish.

The Bulls Lightweight team came in third place in a race against MIT and Simmons College in Boston, Mass. with a time of 7:19.77. Simmons won the race with a time of 7:07.73, while

Overall, the Bulls weekend was considered a success. Wieler feels that the team’s performance last weekend will benefit them as they prepare for competition this weekend at the CAA

I got even more upset when I looked closer at the stat sheet. With the exception of Jameer Nelson, no one on the Magic scored in double digits.

It’s inexcusable to come away with a loss after your team’s best player has arguably his best performance of the season. It’s supposed to be an exaggeration when someone says a player scored half the team’s points, not a fact.

As a center, there’s only so much Howard can do. He needs the perimeter players to step up, and they haven’t been doing that.

Unfortunately, I doubt that Howard’s surrounding cast will ever step up to the level needed to win an NBA title. Nelson shows flashes of brilliance, which we saw in his 20-point third quarter against the Hawks, but he is only a good guard at best. The Magic needs consistent greatness at that position to

win the title.

Consistent scoring was expected to come from Gilbert Arenas, Hedo Turkoglu or Jason Richardson. However, none of them have stepped up, and it has led to inconsistent play for Orlando.

Howard is a great leader on and off the court. He is the best player the Magic has had since the departure of Tracy McGrady. There are better opportunities for the star center outside of Florida.

To justify this statement, check out McGrady’s career. It’s no secret he is one of the most skilled guards to ever play the game. Despite his statistical achievements, he’s always going to have to carry the stigma of never winning an NBA title.

Critics aren’t the only ones judgmental of his inability to get a ring. McGrady also knows he’s always going to be carrying that chip on his shoulder. I will always remember the press conference where he cried after los-

The Bulls will head to Virginia this weekend for the championship event.

It will be hosted by George Mason University at Sandy Run Regional Park and is scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m. g

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

ing in the 2007 playoffs. Though he’s been a warrior throughout his career, McGrady has never received the validation that comes with being a champion. And if you look at his current situation, you’ll see it’s quite possible he never will.

I don’t want that same heartbreak to happen to Howard.

Yes, Howard means a lot to the Magic and there will be some backlash if he decides to leave after next season, but he gave 100 percent for his team and deserves to do what’s best for him.

I’d say the best move for Howard is signing with either the Nets or the Bulls. Howard would be a great complement for Brook Lopez in the post if he chooses the Nets. He would also have firepower in the form of Deron Williams in the backcourt. I think the three would make a good enough nucleus for the Nets to make it back to the top.

Howard to the Bulls would also be a great decision because he’d be teaming up with an elite player in Derrick Rose. If they are both on one team, the duo may very well return Chicago to the NBA dominance it saw in the ’90s.

If Orlando doesn’t win a championship within the next two seasons, Howard should seriously consider switching teams. If he doesn’t, Superman will have a huge burden to carry. g

Email: brian.josephs@ubspectrum.com

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SPORTS WEDNESday, APRIL 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

Media Marketing and Distribution

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Seiter&Miller 000520 Pub. SUNY Buffalo Size 7.94x7 Issue 4/20/11

UB Alumni Association Honors Achievement Continued from Page 1 earned his doctorate in medicinal chemistry. UB gave him the education that he dreamed of while growing up in India, according to Kapoor.

“I come from a very modest family back in India and the only way I could come to this country for higher education [was] is if I received financial assistance, which was very rare at that time,” Kapoor said. “I was fortunate to get [financial assistance] from UB and if it wasn’t for that, God knows what would have happened.“ Kapoor is a leading force in the pharmaceutical industry and a strong advocate for UB. He has funded research projects, a stateof-the-art instrumentation core, and a number of graduate fellowships. Most recently, Kapoor gifted $5 million for the construction of a building that will house the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences on South Campus that will also be named after the alumnus.

John Alm received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the association’s second-highest honor, given in “recognition of exceptional career accomplishments, community or university service, or research and scholarly activity,” according to

the association.

taken into consideration throughout the process, referencing the roles of Joshua Boston, student representative on the UB Council and Nischal Vasant, president of the UB Student Association, in the decision.

Tripathi is President

Alm graduated from the School of Management in 1973. As a certified public accountant, Alm has been employed by Price Waterhouse and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation and served as senior vice president and chief financial officer at Coca Cola Bottling Group. In 2000, Alm and his wife, Carolyn, founded the Paintock Canyon Program as an effort to help underprivileged children achieve their dreams.

Continued from Page 1 “Throughout the last decade, we have built steadily upon our university’s tradition of excellence,” Tripathi said in a prepared statement. “I am confident that UB’s national prominence can, and will, rise – bringing our university into the upper echelon of public research universities.”

SUNY will look to UB and other institutions to be innovation hubs as the system advances with the implementation of “The Power of SUNY,” a strategic plan to be a key proponent of the state of New York’s economic recovery.

The awards were held in Slee Hall. Following the distribution of awards, guests were invited to a reception in the Center for the Arts atrium, featuring dinner and an open bar, with performances by the Buffalo Chips and a student jazz group.

“The University at Buffalo’s prominence as a center for cutting edge research made this an especially critical leadership appointment,” Zimpher said.

“[The awards are] a great opportunity to bring these people back to the campus, because it’s the first time they’ve been back in a number of years,” Friedman said. “It’s opportunity for other alums and students and many people who we invite to this program to get a chance to interact with these people and network and an opportunity for us to showcase student talent to the alums and the people of the community.”

Tripathi stressed that his “ambitious agenda” to strengthen UB will allow it to function as a nationally competitive and relevant instituation. Tripathi has been involved in strategic planning for UB’s international programs, which has led to the university’s increased globalization.

“I want to put [our growth plans] in a national context, not just UB’s context,” Tripathi said.

Throughout the search for Simpson’s successor, students raised concerns that the process was not transparent; The Spectrum confirmed that UB bypassed SUNY guidelines for conducting a presidential search.

For more information on the UB Alumni Association and awardees, visit http://alumni.buffalo.edu/. g

Email: news@ubspectrum.com

“This is a democracy and we have representative membership throughout the search process,” Zimpher said.

Similarly, members of the community have raised concerns that the university reached inward to select a new president rather than selecting a qualified candidate who was not affiliated with UB. “Whenever an internal candidate ends up being the winner in a contest as rigorous as this one is, it always sets off a buzz,” said Carl T. Hayden, SUNY Board Chairman. “People want to know what it means. What it means in this case, because of the international character of the search and because of the rigor in which Jeremy [Jacobs] and his colleagues approached the process, it means that Satish Tripathi becomes the president at the University at Buffalo because he succeeded in surmounting an even higher bar than is typically the case in a presidential search.”

Tripathi believes that the university’s ambitious and accomplished faculty, students, and staff will help advance his vision for UB. “We recognize that challenges lie ahead, and it will take the entire UB community and our dedicated partners working together to overcome these difficulties.

But I speak confidently when I say that we will overcome these challenges, and UB will be recognized as a ‘leader among leaders,’” Tripathi said. g

Email: news@ubspectrum.com

After the announcement, Zimpher assured members of the press that the student perspective has been

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4/7/11 3:28 AM NEWS WEDNESday, April 20, 2011 v THE SPECTRUM

11

SPORTS The Greatest Team No One’s Talking About

The UB rugby team looks to finish off its season with a championship.

AARON MANSFIELDSenior Sports Editor There is a team on campus that has a realistic shot of bringing a national championship home to Buffalo. However, they don’t receive any scholarships and most students wouldn’t recognize any members of this squad. This mysterious powerhouse is none other than the UB men’s rugby team.

Out of the over 100 Division 1 clubs in the country, the Bulls are one of the last 16. The team has made an unprecedented run to the final tournament, and it isn’t expecting to be stopped. The news gets better – the first rounds of this national competition are being played at UB. The Bulls won their state tournament in the fall and, as a result, they were admitted to the national finals.

Courtesy of Brandon Wood

“We aren’t searching for the same amount of recognition as [the football and basketball teams], but we have accomplished a lot this year and we’d like people at school to know about it,” said senior wing player John Geoghan. “We want to get as many people out to these games to support us as possible.”

The tournament is single elimination. One loss means the dream ends for the Bulls. A loss would end the squad’s season, but it wouldn’t separate the team. Almost the entire team lives together in several houses in the University Heights.

“Our cheer before the games has always been ‘family,’” said senior team second row player James Dietterich. “The term holds true for us.”

Hodgins has been blown away by the team’s cohesion.

The tournament will take place the weekend of April 29. Buffalo will play its first match that Friday at 4 p.m. against Southern Connecticut.

“When we go into a practice or a game, they’re very positive,” Hodgins said. “They’re very supportive of each other. They’re focused.”

Buffalo’s sports teams are traditionally underdogs, but the Bulls expect to be one of the best in this tournament. Head coach Mike Hodgins said he thinks the team has an extremely good chance of advancing through the rounds of 16 and eight.

Sophomore outside center Tyler Norris explained that team chemistry is more essential in rugby than in other sports. He said one or two star players can carry a team in basketball and football, but in order to succeed in rugby, fifteen players must play together.

The Bulls remain modest despite their recent success.

An important bench mark for Buffalo came two weeks ago against Bowling Green, the No. 1 ranked team in the country. The Bulls narrowly dropped the match, but they put a serious scare in the Falcons.

“We put up a pretty good show against [Bowling Green],” Dietterich said. “It showed us that we have a really good shot at winning the national championship. It’s not just a pipe dream; it’s something we can do.”

Dietterich, Geoghan, and wing player Brandon Wood are seniors who have played together for four years. The trio has gelled and as a result, so has the rest of the team.

“Usually when people see rugby, they don’t see teams that play together,” Geoghan said. “They see a lot of [unorganized chaos]. But in this tournament, you’ll see teams that play together.

They’re very well coached. We’ve thrown thousands of passes between each other.”

Rugby isn’t a predictable sport. The scores of games range from 130-120 to 3-0. When viewers watch the team play, there’s no telling what surprises could be in store.

In the fall, the Bulls were the top-ranked team in the U.S. for six weeks. As teams on the West Coast started conference play, Buffalo suffered several detrimental injuries to key players. The squad has rebuilt and reloaded since, and it’s

hoping that its peak comes at just the right time.

Hodgins encourages UB students to go to the tournament and support the team.

[Students should] come out and support the guys,” Hodgins said. “It’s a lot of fun and we’d like having UB supporters out there showing their colors. We’re a very grassroots organization. Anybody can join the team; anybody can show up. It’s a student organization, so it’d be good to have student support.”

Dietterich supported his coach’s plea. He said though the football and basketball seasons are over, the tournament gives students, including those who aren’t familiar with rugby, the chance to come out and root for a UB team.

The match preceding Buffalo’s features Harvard and Northeastern. The consolation game will be played Sunday, May 1 at 11 a.m., and the winners of Friday’s matches will follow at 1 p.m.

The winner of the final match earns a spot in the final four. All matches will be played at the football practice field (behind the football stadium). g

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Bulls Struggle With Weather Conditions JOSH RUBINStaff Writer On a cold and windy day, the softball team was out on the field trying to record their tenth win of the season at the Demske Sports Complex.

They took on Canisius (16-17, 3-5 Mid American Conference) on Tuesday in game one of a two game series. The Bulls (9-26, 4-4 MAC) came up short and lost their third consecutive game, 6-2.

The Bulls were first to strike on the scoreboard in the second inning. Freshman third basemen Tori Pettine led off the inning with a single. Then sophomore second baseman Andi Saucier singled as well. With one out, the Bulls had runners on second and third and Pettine scored on a throwing error by the Canisius catcher. The Bulls were unable to score any other runs in the inning after senior left fielder Alex Bejarano and designated pitcher Kelli Gleiser both struck out.

Getting big hits was a problem for the Bulls all day and head coach Jen Teague addressed it after the game.

“We just came out flat today. I’m not sure if it was because of the weather but Canisius was playing in the same conditions as us,” Teague said. “We just didn’t get timely hits and make the proper adjustments at the plate. We didn’t make great contact with the ball, and that hurt us a lot today.”

Junior pitcher Molly Johnson started the game for the Bulls. She only pitched two innings, and gave up both runs in the second inning. She had problems finding the zone, and walked four batters as a result.

Canisius took advantage of Johnson’s lack of command of the plate and stole four bases in the inning.

Softball team dropped game one of its two game series against Canisius.

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Courtesy of Brandon Wood

Sophomore leftfielder Ashley Bertot drove Luciano home with an RBI single to tie the game 2-2.

The Bulls went to freshman pitcher Tori Speckman in the third inning for some help. She pitched the rest of the game for the Bulls throwing four innings and gave up four runs as well.

“Our pitchers really weren’t at their best today. We put batters on base early in innings and didn’t get big outs when we needed it,” Teague said. “It also didn’t help that the meat of our order didn’t show up today. We need to come out with more energy then we showed today.”

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Canisius added two runs on a call that the umps missed. With a runner on first and one out, Freiberger stepped up to the plate. She hit a shot to right field bounced to the ground and one hopped over the fence. Bertot, the Bulls right fielder put her hands up after is bounced over the fence. The umpire then threw off everyone and ruled it a homerun.

Bulls coach Teague came out to argue, but the ump said he saw it go over the fence.

“My right fielder put her hands up to show the umps that it bounced over the fence and the ball went out of play. It should have been a ground rule double but the ump was convinced that he saw it go over the fence,” Teague said. “No other ump got a good look at it, so it was just one of those unfortunate things.”

The Bulls look to bounce back as they host Canisius to complete the two-game series Wednesday at 4 p.m. g

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

The Bulls recorded one more run in the third inning. Freshman center fielder Holly Luciano reached base on a fielding error.

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