The Spectrum Volume 63 Issue 8 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

A message from SA President Nick Johns UB students, faculty from Syria weigh in on conflict THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

ubspectrum.com

Bulls look for first win, host Stony Brook

Friday, september 13, 2013

Page

Volume 63 No. 8

Associated press

A$AP Rocky, A$AP Ferg to headline Fall Fest MAX CRINNIN

Senior Arts Editor

After much speculation and anticipation from UB students, the Student Association announced the Fall Fest 2013 lineup Thursday afternoon. If weather permits, Super Mash Bros will open for Ace Hood, A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky at Baird Point on UB’s North Campus on Sunday, Oct. 13. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and the concert will begin at 6 p.m. SA Vice President Lyle Selsky said he and other SA members are very excited for the show. “Everybody can wake up in a new Bugatti,” Selsky said, drawing inspiration from his favorite Ace Hood song, “Bugatti.”

The price for the show was under budget, according to SA. The organization spent approximately $159,000 of its $390,000 annual concert budget. At the time of reporting, they had no set figures on the cost of production, which is paid for by a separate budget. In the weeks leading up to the announcement, rumors that A$AP Rocky would perform were circulating around campus, but many students grew restless with anticipation for an official announcement. A fake Fall Fest poster – promoting Drake, A$AP Rocky and Big Sean as headliners – prompted more rumors and discussion, pressuring SA to release an impressive lineup quickly. “I’m an A$AP fan, so I’m excited for that,” said freshman

business major Ike Shammah. “I’m bummed out that Drake and Big Sean won’t be there, but we’ll make the best of it.” In the past, SA has been criticized for bringing rap-heavy shows like this one to UB. It has made efforts to please a wider audience in recent years with extra shows, other than the two main festivals, which appeal to alternative styles of music. Already this fall, SA brought Reel Big Fish to UB to please fans of ska music. “We might be looking to do another small concert in the future,” Selsky said. “We think we got a great show under budget and we’re very excited for that.” Selsky went on to say that not everyone will be satisfied with every SA concert. He added

that SA does its best to bring diverse acts with multiple concerts throughout the year. Selsky encouraged students to go to the show regardless of their musical taste for the hype and atmosphere of these particular acts. “It’s not better than the lineups we’ve had in the last two years,” said sophomore intended exercise science major Youl Lee. “I like A$AP Rocky, but Ace Hood, A$AP Ferg and Super Mash Bros aren’t that big. We’ve had big names in the past and these guys are just rising stars.” SA added that its shows, including this one, often get scheduled on Sundays to afford student workers a weekend day to prepare. SA also encourages students to arrive early to avoid being locked out of the show if it

You are not alone

UB community unites to encourage students during National Suicide Awareness Week KEREN BARUCH

Senior Features Editor

Alfonso Valdivieso woke up

abruptly in the middle of the night on May 8 to the sound of his mother’s footsteps rushing through the hall on the first floor of their home in Coram, N.Y. She was on her way to find out who was knocking so intensely on the front door so late at night. But Valdivieso rushed out of bed and beat her to the door. When he did, he found two officers standing before him.

“Do you know Larry?” the officers asked. “Yes, he’s my brother,” Valdivieso responded. Valdivieso hoped his brother had not been arrested; the look on the officers’ faces and the tone of their voices told him

that something much worse had happened. The officers asked if they could enter the house and Valdivieso felt his body go numb. Valdivieso’s brother, Larry, then a junior communication major at UB, had hung himself in the basement of his University Heights home. Between the years of 2004 and 2010, 11 UB students completed suicide, according to Carissa Uschold, a licensed clinical social worker and suicide prevention coordinator at UB. This week is National Suicide Awareness Week and a variety of groups on campus, such as UB’s Student Wellness Team and Active Minds, are attempting to promote awareness and help get rid of the stigma associated with mental health problems and depression on college campuses. See Suicide Awareness, page 2

Courtesy of Alfonso Valdivieso

Larry Valdivieso (right), then a junior communication major, completed suicide May 8. Larry’s brother, Alfonso Valdivieso (left), encourages students who feel depressed to seek help and speak to a professional as soon as possible. Several organizations on campus are attempting to decrease the stigma associated with depression and poor mental health in order to lower the suicide rate on college campuses, in honor of National Suicide Awareness Week.

is held indoors and capacity is reached. SA has secured two other potential locations for the show if bad weather puts a damper on a Baird Point production. Baird Point is an ideal outdoor location with a capacity of 14,000, according to SA. The Lake LaSalle parking lot, with a capacity of 9,000, is reserved if rain prevents stage construction on Baird Point in the days leading up to the show. If the forecast for the day of the show calls for rain or stormy weather, the show will be held in UB’s largest indoor event venue, Alumni Arena, which houses up to 6,500 people for a show. Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

SA members closer to impeaching president Student Association members have reported collecting about 2,000 signatures in their effort to impeach SA President Nick Johns. SA Entertainment Director Erin Lachaal is hoping to collect the necessary 2,541 signatures needed for impeachment by Friday, but she said a more realistic day would be Monday. If Student Life and the Student-Wide Judiciary approve the motion, Johns will be removed from office immediately, and SA Vice President Lyle Selsky will be named interim president – while also being vice president – until a “special election” takes place. Students seeking to run for president will need 200 signatures and person numbers from students. Email: news@ubspectrum.com

ubspectrum.com

Getting dirty for a cause that’s worthy

Continued from page 1: Suicide Awareness No one had expected Larry to complete suicide. His father had been with him a few days before his death, and Larry had told him that everything in his life was going well. Uschold said suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst college students. It is also the most treatable, so it is the most preventable, she said. For the past seven years, UB has taken steps toward removing the stigma that is associated with depression. During National Suicide Awareness week, a variety of activities relating to mental health were set up on tables around the Student Union. From “mindful yoga,” to stress-relieving coloring, to Active Minds’ presentations, students were able to involve themselves in promoting awareness and educating themselves on suicide prevention. There was a “Missing from the Pack” display, which is a project UB students completed in 2008. The goal was to have the student body create 83 backpacks to honor the lives and highlight the unfortunate deaths of 83 New York State college students who died from suicide that year. The backpacks were displayed in the Union on Tuesday.

Dirty Girl attracts females to run and raise money for cancer awareness and research SHARON KAHN

Senior Features Editor

Madison Darling, a junior health and human services major, was covered in mud from head to toe and she loved every second of it. Approximately 10,000 females covered in pink and brown climbed, crawled and challenged themselves to complete the Dirty Girl Mud Run in support of cancer awareness in Buffalo suburb Lancaster on Saturday and Sunday. The participants organized in teams to take on various woman-themed obstacles at the non-competitive 5K race. Events such as H2OMG (muddy-water aerobics) and PMS (pretty muddy stuff) had women from all over the Buffalo area getting down and dirty. Dirty Girl, a for-profit company, believes in educating women about health and finding a cure to breast cancer as well as supporting cancer victims and survivors, according to its website. Bright Pink, the official charity partner, joined together with Dirty Girl to share their mission by educating women to understand the signs, symptoms and risk factors of breast and ovarian cancers. Darling chose to participate when her coworker told her she was putting a team together for the event. Their team of 13, “Ka-Boob,” all dressed in coordinated purple and pink “Ka-Boob” shirts and enjoyed the mud and water tossed into almost every event. Darling, who had never participated in a Dirty Girl event before, can’t wait to return next year. “I was filthy head to toe,” Darling said. “It was fantastic.” The 12 obstacles from start to finish were completely covered in mud. The events and obstacles were relatively easy and were appropriate for all ages, according to Darling. Jessica Givoino, a junior theatre major, enjoys an active lifestyle and trying new things; Dirty Girl Mud Run was exactly what she was looking for. Givoino, who was joined by her friends and coworkers, recommends every woman tries Dirty Girl at least once. “It’s a lot of fun; you contribute to a great cause,” Givoino said. “And when else would you willingly get covered head to toe in mud?”

Friday, September 13, 2013

Courtesy of Madison Darling

Madison Darling, a junior health and human servicehis major, joined approximately 10,000 women and participated in the Dirty Girl Mud Run. Proceeds from the non-competitive 5K go toward cancer education and research related to women’s health issues.

“The goal is to really let students know that there is hope and help available,” Uschold said. “Personally, I’ve been in social work and mental health for years and certainly there’s some personal experience with family members … This has always been a passion of mine, and I do believe that if people get help, they can avoid suicidal crisis.” Uschold said that after the wellness team hosts these types of events, more people come to counseling services to receive help. Four years ago, Active Minds was founded on UB’s campus. The club has been internationally recognized for 10 years and its president at UB, Greer Hamilton, a junior health and human services major, said its goal is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health on college campuses. In high school, two of Hamilton’s friends struggled with depression. “As a friend, it was really sad and hard,” Hamilton said. “You want to be able to help them, but you don’t know how to effectively do that. [Their struggles] made me more interested in mental health and how to teach other people about it.” Her friends would withdraw from her, as well as other close friends and family members that they usually communicated with. They had a loss of appetite and always wanted to stay in bed, Hamilton said. It was when their parents confronted their situations that her friends realized they had an issue and needed help.

Givoino climbed over walls and army crawled through mud pits – the free beer was an added bonus, she said. Between the high-climbing rope events, mazes and mud pits, participants had the opportunity to have a great time while raising money for a cause. If an obstacle was challenging, there was an alternative at every station. Buffalo was one of the first cities the Dirty Girl Run was held when it began three years ago, according to Tia Mattson, chief marketing officer for Dirty Girl. The obstacle run was created without the timed portion so everyone could take part and still feel the competitiveness of the event, Mattson said. The event is to promote teamwork and provide participants with a way to raise money for a good cause and still have fun. Spectators have the opportunity to join in on the fun as well, by cheering on their friends all throughout the course. Paul Mitchell, the renowned hair care product company, is Dirty Girl’s national sponsor and provided free samples at the event along with Larabar, a gluten-free energy bar. Participants can expect safety throughout the route and to leave with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, according to Dirty Girl’s website. Email: features@ubspectrum.com

“People suffering from the kind of mental anguish that can lead to suicide may avoid speaking about their pain,” ac-

cording to the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP).

The IASP said the stigma and fear of being judged associated with these types of thoughts is what prevents people from seeking help. Not all college students are lucky enough to have supportive friends and family members, Hamilton said. Active Minds hopes to diminish the fear of seeking help and to lead students in the right direction. Hamilton said the club does not deal directly with student counseling, because the members are not certified to do so. The club serves as a peer group that discusses how to decrease the stigma and as a support group for those who want to know where they can find help. Active Minds usually directs students to UB’s Counseling Services, located in Michael Hall, Richmond Quad and the Student Union. Larry did not receive help in time; he let his struggles get the best of him and gave up, Valdivieso said. “[Larry completing suicide] put a huge hole in a lot of people’s lives,” Valdivieso said. “I know a part of me died. Nothing is the same and it never will be. Every day I get up and I just have to keep moving because I know I’ll see him one day again, and it’s going to be awesome … But I can’t judge him for taking his life because that’s how he wanted to solve his problems. If I judge him for it, I’ll drive myself crazy.” Valdivieso remembers Larry by his happiness and his humor. He said everyone who met Larry says the same thing about him: that he was an incredible person. Valdivieso constantly reminds himself that life goes on and that Larry will always be by his side, watching over him and protecting him. He wishes Larry had said something so he could have received help. Valdivieso encourages students who are in a similar situation to Larry to speak up and not to let negative emotions or problems bring them down. “There is always someone willing to listen and willing to help,” Valdivieso said. Organizations on campus, like Active Minds, the Student Wellness Team and Counseling Services, are there for any students who want help. Hamilton said the most important thing is for students to seek help early and to find someone to talk to. Email: features@ubspectrum.com

New, FREE Application for your iphone!

‫בס“ד‬

Download from the App store

Order & track your cab without calling, waiting or being put on hold!

TONIGHT!

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14

5:30 PM ‐ Pre‐Fast Dinner

10:30 AM ‐ Morning Services

7:00 PM ‐ Kol Nidrei

12:00 PM ‐ Yizkor

7:00 PM ‐ Neilah 8:15 PM ‐ Break the Fast (Bagels & Lox)

Traditional services in a welcoming atmosphere. No membership fees. No experience needed. Prayer books in English and Hebrew.

EASY AND CONVIENENT Thank you for using our transportation services 3093 Sheridan Drive

716-877-5600 $10.00 OFF

Amherst NY 14226

ENTIRE ENTRÉE

837-0460

Lunch 11:30-2:30 Dinner: 4:30-10:00 Tuesday Night Dinner Buffet Come and enjoy the authentic tastes of India. Famous for our clay oven delights; a variety of meats and seafoods grilled to perfection and served atop a sizzling platter of sauteed onions and green peppers. Delicate vegetarian dishes, mouth-watering sauces, homemade Indian breads and flavorful Basmati Rice.

With this coupon when you spend $25 or more. Not valid of buffet.

2450 North Forest Road (Just over the Ellicott Creek Footbridge)

For more info: 688-1642 or chabad@buffalo.edu

$7.95 $5.95 LUNCH SPECIALS 1116 Elmwood Avenue

886-4000

1264 Hertel Avenue

Buffalo NY 14216 Jewel

837-0460

Lunch 11:30-2:30 Dinner: 4:30-10:00 Monday Night Dinner Buffet

Buffalo NY 14222 Wednesday Dinner Buffet

Open on Holidays!

Look for monthly specials and coupons on our homepage: www.tasteofindia.com

Buy 1 buffet get the 2nd buffet at 1/2 price!

Friday, September 13, 2013 ubspectrum.com

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Aaron Mansfield MANAGING EDITORS Lisa Khoury Sara DiNatale EDITORIAL EDITOR Eric Cortellessa NEWS EDITORS Sam Fernando, Senior Joe Konze Jr. LIFE EDITORS Keren Baruch, Senior Sharon Kahn, Senior Alyssa McClure, Asst. ARTS EDITORS Max Crinnin, Senior Rachel Kramer, Asst. Felicia Hunt, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS Jon Gagnon, Senior Ben Tarhan, Senior Owen O’Brien PHOTO EDITORS Aline Kobayashi, Senior Juan David Pinzon, Asst. Daniele Gershon, Asst. CARTOONIST Jeanette Chwan CREATIVE DIRECTORS Brian Keschinger Haider Alidina, Asst. PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER Emma Callinan Drew Gaczewski, Asst. Chris Mirandi, Asst. ADVERTISING DESIGNER Haley Sunkes Haley Chapman, Asst. Ashlee Foster, Asst.

September 13, 2013 Volume 63 Number 8 Circulation 7,000

The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Feedback, Opinion, and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address. The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee. The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at (716) 645-2452. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100

OPINION

A message from SA President Nick Johns Editor’s note: This letter has not been altered in any way. Dear UB Undergraduate Students, First, I would like to express my deepest apologies for the excessive pride that has clouded my judgment and leadership. I ask you for your forgiveness. I would also like to express my apologies to Jen Merckel. Our once great relationship has turned into a situation of mistrust and miscommunication, and downright bitterness. I hope we can restore our work relationship. The Student Association as a whole should not be held responsible for my youthful ways. Please keep this in mind before you judge the Student Association. On the face of the Student Association, we have been doing a concrete job of improving student life on campus. In fact, over the summer we have made great progress in securing the future of the SA. 1. We have drafted Bylaws for our new corporation and with administration’s approval; these bylaws will better protect our organization from lawsuits for years to come. 2. Our internal audit has strengthened internal controls by improving our financial insurance and human resource provisions. 3. We are in the final steps of approving the blueprints to construct a heated bus shelter at the Flint Bus Loop. 4. We have worked alongside SubBoard Inc., to make alterations to their website to better inform students of the landlord and housing problems within the Buffalo area, by using a feedback system.

5. We are improving the Student Association website to include more resources, provide easily accessible information, as well as consolidate all club and event information to UBLinked. 6. We have established a new relationship with UB Athletics to establish a greater sense of school pride and tradition. 7. We have reinstated the music genre surveys for SA events to get the voice and opinions from the student body, to better represent their interests. 8. We are in the process of creating a new survey system to better represent the interests and opinions of the study body to gather feedback on campus life and activities. 9. We secured a two-year contract guaranteeing clubs free access to audio visual equipment. 10. Our small concert series with Reel Big Fish was a great success, despite the lousy weather conditions. I am very happy to see my involvement as SA President has made a direct impact on these successes for the UB community. In the past I would have addressed these successes as being my own. However, I lost sight of the fact that I would not have been able to accomplish all of this without the support, dedication, and hard work from the SA staff. I am the youngest and first AsianAmerican Student Association President to sit in this chair. I thought, in

A plea for caution from The Spectrum Students should question Putin’s motives It is not bad that most of the UB students we have spoken to are concerned about and confused by the current conflict in Syria. It means they are aware of the many implications of the many possible outcomes that may arise from any of the possible courses of action. But history may have something to do with it, too. UB’s history, that is. In the late 1960s and early ’70s, as the Vietnam conflict was occurring, student protest was unavoidable at the university. There were riots happening frequently and police occupied the campus. Students were engaged, but it was induced by more than just ruminations and theory. They were thinking about their friends and peers, brothers and cousins. President Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry have insured us that the proposed plan of military intervention does not include putting American troops on the ground. But Americans are weary, as they should be following the last conflict we became embroiled in, wondering what happens after we launch these missile strikes. What happens if the situation does escalate? Though any draft is highly unlikely, college students should be concerned over the prospect of any military action – as it would be our contemporaries who would be involved. Like UB students 40-plus years ago, this could potentially affect the person sitting next to you in class. Last week, our paper endorsed the president’s proposal to launch punitive strikes against Syria for the alleged use of chemical weapons on its own civilians. The basis of our opinion is that the act of

releasing sarin gas on people is a moral monstrosity and cannot be tolerated; action needs to be taken to deter the future use of chemical weapons and degrade Syria’s military capability. On Tuesday, however, we saw a bizarre turn of events. Russia inserted itself in a new way: President Vladimir Putin made an offer to facilitate Syria’s turning over their stockpiles of poison gas to international control. The prospect of a diplomatic solution is most appealing and we prefer to see conflicts resolved nonviolently. We think there is reason to be extremely skeptical of Putin’s proposal; it is certainly possible that this is to delay the plan of action President Obama presented to Congress and that it is all just a ruse. As many have tried to downplay the potency of a series of punitive strikes, it is worth noting that just the threat of force has caused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to admit he has these weapons and to agree to surrender them. It must be made clear that the use of chemical weapons will not go unpunished. It changes any perpetrator’s calculus before using them. Unlike previous foreign calamities, like genocide in Rwanda or Kosovo, the incident has ended. The United States’ proposed intervention is not to stop an ongoing crisis; it is to punish something that has already happened and prevent it from happening again. Even with all the uncertainty surrounding this most recent proposal from the Russian government, there is no reason President Obama and Congress should not seek it out. See caution, page 6

my youth, that I could reinvent the wheel. Now, I realize that the time is not right for the SA to be completely remade. I have made a mistake and that is allowing such arrogance to take over the person I used to be. I made multiple SA employees angry because I pushed for too much progress and change, too soon. Due to my excitement these members have pushed back with drastic actions against myself and the Student Association. I believe the fundamental issue of this internal SA conflict is the lack of communication efforts between a fraction of SA employees and me. SA insiders have thrown around terrible claims and these disgruntled staffers are unhappy with my management style. It hurts me to see this conflict between myself and those I once considered my friends. At the same time, I cannot be held fully responsible for the fragmentation of the organization. This negative public relations problem could have been avoided had these individuals come and addressed me first. This deeply saddens me, but at the same time this has made me aware my opinion is not greater than that of my staff. I have not committed any crimes against the Student Association, nor have I misused the public trust for personal gain. These allegations are politically motivated, and the bulk of the evidence against me is circumstantial at best. I can provide a vigorous rebuttal to all of these allegations. In the future, I hope as a group, they will directly address me about their concerns, where we would have been able to make adjustments internally, rather than going to the Spectrum. If anyone has any questions regarding any claims

against the Student Association or myself, I encourage you to please stop by my office in 350C Student Union. I apologize that these allegations have strained the trust on this campus, which resulted in a negative public image. Again, I apologize to Jen Merckel for not respecting her opinions and appreciating her dedication and hard work. I am deeply sorry that our close relationship has turned so negative. I hope we can restore our work relationship and friendship to what it was in the past. That being said, my deepest apologies are reserved for the students and staff who I’ve alienated with the results of a prideful attitude. I hope that you, the students, are willing to forgive me. Until such time, I will continue working hard to the best of my ability for the betterment of campus life. If you forgive me, in order to restore the faith of the Undergraduate Student Body: I promise to work 9-6 everyday, with the exception of class, to bring our organization to new heights. I promise to collaborate with each and every member of the SA Staff to understand their concerns and unique points of view. I promise to humble myself and to understand what it means to be a public servant. I promise to forgive those who have conspired against me, and to partner with them despite our differences. I promise to change my management style to better suit the needs of the Student Association. Finally I promise to deliver a successful year, Fall Fest, and Spring Fest. Sincerely, Nick Johns SA President

Students can thank the masters of the prank The benefit of the fake Fall Fest flyer The Student Association seemed to have forgotten that “more is lost by indecision than wrong decision.” As students waited for SA’s announcement of who will perform this year’s event of the semester, Fall Fest, they got antsy. With righteous indignation, many wondered, “What is the hold up?” But on Monday morning, as students trudged along the hallways of UB’s North Campus, they saw a sign. It was a sign for Fall Fest 2013, replete with a star-studded lineup: A$AP Rocky, Drake and Big Sean. But it was merely a hoax. Some have expressed outrage at the culprits who dispersed this rumor, and we understand that. Their hopes were elevated, and then they plummeted. They now feel that any lineup will be a disappointment. But they should stop and realize it’s not that big of a deal. Christopher Riddick and Winger Ruiz are not conventional heroes by any means, and their college-life mentality is in plain sight, but their prank was more than just a prank. They called attention to a problem and influenced SA to take action. As days and weeks were passing by without an announcement, students began to grow dubious. SA was putting more pressure on itself as the tension was accumulating. The meaning of the prank seems to have been a valid point – that the process of delay was leaving students in dismay. The majority of UB undergrads care about Fall Fest and Spring Fest more than any other school event. It is also their only (or primary) interaction with SA during their time here. And SA knows the students want a good concert. Vice President Lyle Selsky expressed outrage at the prank, saying it would damage students’ expectations. He said it almost ruined the show. But Riddick made a very valid point in our interview with him. “If I almost ruined it, does that mean they know it isn’t going to be that

good?” he said. If SA really was confident in the show, this would have been irrelevant. But they panicked; it perhaps said more about them than it did the prank. Selsky cited the Fall Fest two years ago, when it took even longer to announce the lineup, as evidence that they were in good shape. But what he did not mention is that Fall Fest two years ago was disastrous. The Fray put on an uninspired performance, to put it nicely. No student walked out of the gates screaming the lyrics to the band’s popular hit, “You Found Me.” They were still wondering if the band ever found Buffalo. SA, however, didn’t remember that this year. And, as Edmund Burke once said, “those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it.” Those planning these events should know that transparency is key. SA announced on Thursday the show would include: Super Mash Bros, Ace Hood, A$AP Ferg and A$AP Rocky. For those disappointed that Drake won’t be in attendance, they can see him Oct. 16 when he comes to Buffalo. A problem SA has had is that its line of communication has only been through The Spectrum. The higher-ups should use their Facebook group more astutely and perhaps post an apology for how long this announcement took. In the meantime, we can wait for Oct. 13 and hope it will be a good show. It is one of the biggest communal events of the semester and much of the student body will be in attendance. And perhaps we should thank Riddick and Ruiz. They encouraged SA to realize it was finally time to let us know who will be there. Email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

Friday, September 13, 2013 ubspectrum.com

LIFE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Devilishly addicting JORDAN OSCAR

Staff Writer

Game: Diablo III Platform: Xbox 360 and PS3 Released: Sept. 3 Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment Grade: B+ Smashing hordes of hell-spawn to bloody bits is a blast. Diablo III has been providing this gaming pleasure to PC gamers for well over a year now and has quickly become the fastest-selling PC title of all-time after its release in May 2012. Left in the dark since the original game’s release in 1998 for Playstation, console gamers looked on enviously as the Diablo franchise exploded over the next 15 years for the PC. Finally, the prayers to the lords of hell were answered. The newly retooled version of Diablo III makes it possible to play the game with a controller, delivering a great experience for newcomers and franchise veterans alike. Diablo III’s story begins 20 years from where Diablo II ended with a star falling into Tristram – the setting of Diablo that has reanimated the dead and bears the foreboding beginning to the prophecy “The End of Days.” Diablo III may pack a solid story, but it never derails the combat and role-playing as the game’s main focus and greatest achievement. In the past, Diablo was a series that helped define the burgeoning Action RPG genre into what it is today, and its third chapter is out to prove it. While it does little to improve these tried-and-true mechanics, the execution is impeccable

and works remarkably well on a controller. With spells and skills mapped to the triggers, shoulder and face buttons, the chaotic and gruesome combat of Diablo III works smoothly on a controller. The only exception to this is that unlike with a mouse, you can’t simply click on the enemy you want to target.

Whether playing as the brutish barbarian, lethal-ranged demon hunter, spellbound wizard, fast-striking monk or voodoo-loving witch doctor, slaying hell’s minions has never been more fun. Playing with each different character might start off feeling repetitive, but they rapidly diverge into their own unique

Courtesy of blizzard entertainment

Instead, your character must face adversaries directly, which becomes especially troublesome when playing as ranged characters like the demon hunter or wizard. When multiple enemies face in the same direction, the game doesn’t always target the closest or most dangerous enemy coming at you. The addition of a dodge/roll quickly becomes a necessary change between the PC and console version, but it doesn’t always relieve the problem.

killing machines. Quickly leveling up and unlocking new skill types or runes to improve previously unlocked skills provides plenty of room to experiment. The ability to constantly create new configurations allows for variety with how you might build any given class. Leveling up to gain the next powerful skill, or trying to find the next legendary item, quickly becomes an addictive experience that is vastly improved when playing with other people. Co-op becomes

essential at higher difficulties, but it keeps the game refreshing and fun. As the game progresses, the skill and inventory system quickly become both your best friend and worst enemy. Unlike the well-developed controls that make the chaotic game play possible, the inventory and skill system have problems. The inventory system accumulates into a mass listing of items, causing some of the better “loot” you find to get lost in the mess. Comparing loot can often cause the wrong item to be selected. Similarly, at higher levels, it can be difficult to tell which skill or rune gets unlocked. Although you will already have unlocked all the runes for some skills, others can be lost in the search. The controls and certain aspects of the interface can be frustrating and take some time to master, but the makers of the game do an excellent job of retooling the game to work with a controller. That being said, keeping the game’s quality consistent doesn’t come without sacrifices, particularly when it comes to visuals. While the sound design remains top-notch, character models and environments simply lack the finesse of their PC counterparts. Despite its flaws, Diablo III remains an absolute blast to play and creates a smashing success for Blizzard’s first venture onto a console platform in well over a decade. It may not be perfect, but with a group of friends, the imperfections rarely get in the way. Some players may wait for the PS4 and Xbox One versions, but this is one dungeon crawler you won’t want to miss. Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

UPCOMING EVENTS!

Happy 100th Photo Contest—win gift cards!

The College’s 100th Birthday Celebration

Take a photo wishing The College a Happy 100th for a chance to win cash! Wear UB gear, blue & white clothing, take a photo with classmates, Victor E. Bull or make a sign to wish the College a happy birthday. Be creative in your photo! It just might pay off.

Join us for cake, ice cream and more! September 25th 1-3 p.m. 215 Student Union Flag Room

Centennial Archival Exhibit

9/21/13 – 1/1/14 Anderson Art Gallery, 1 Martha Jackson Place Re-live our past by experiencing photos, stories and more.

The Cowper Lecture

featuring speaker Edward W. Kolb October 18th 5 p.m. Center for Tomorrow, North Campus

BE A PART OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING! - Email your photo to Happy100th@buffalo.edu - Tweet us using #UBHappy100 - Follow the photos via Twitter and Facebook.

A $100 gift card will be given for each category below: - Most Artistic Photo - Most UB Spirit Photo - Most Scientific Photo Please include your name and class year with your photo submission. Individuals can submit more than one photo.

ubspectrum.com

Friday, September 13, 2013

UB students, faculty from Syria weigh in on conflict MOHAMMED SHARIFF Staff Writer

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama addressed the nation about the conflict in Syria. Though he mentioned “encouraging signs” of a diplomatic solution, Obama stressed the importance of keeping pressure on the Syrian government. As Congressional approval for the initial resolution seemed unlikely, the United States began working with Russian, French and United Nations (U.N.) officials on a diplomatic solution that would have Bashar al-Assad and his regime hand over or destroy their chemical weapons stockpile. Not all Syrian students, however, are happy with the seemingly peaceful resolution. “This is the world letting [Assad] know he can do whatever he wants,” said Lemma AlGhanem, a sophomore architecture major. “It’s disgraceful … we’ve just told an entire population that they don’t matter at all.” Al-Ghanem, a student from Syria, is a staunch supporter of the proposed U.S. cruise missile strikes. She believes the United States is “flaking” on its responsibilities by meeting with Russia and the U.N. Allowing Assad to go unpunished, she feels, would be a failure to take action in preventing the future slaughter of innocent people. Akram Shibly, a junior media studies major and son of Syrian immigrants, agreed with Al-Ghanem. He expressed his doubts over the French-backed resolution. “I think it’s an odd solution to the problem,” Shibly said. “It raises some important questions about modern-day politics that people need to start asking.” Shibly was originally against the proposed intervention, saying the United States was acting only on its own interests. He said that select “elite” nations shouldn’t be the only nations allowed to own chemical weapons. Russia has held on to nearly 76 percent of its chemical weapons stockpile, almost 30,000 tons, since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, according to Itar-Tass, a Russian news agency. The Pentagon reported the United States currently has a stockpile of more than 3,000 tons of chemical weapons – including illegal mustard gas, napalm and nerve agents – in various facilities around the nation.

Aline Kobayashi, The Spectrum

Akram Shibly, a junior media studies major and a son of Syrian immigrants, gives different insight into the Syrian conflict. He believes the United States is acting on its own interests and feels the power has become more about politics than the people who are suffering.

U.S. foreign policy experts expressed doubt Tuesday, to The Jerusalem Post, that Syria could effectively disarm its estimated 1,000-ton stockpile by the end of the week. Shibly warned against the potential double standard. He believes that forcing some countries to give up their chemical weapons stockpile over others would cause a “dangerous” tip in the balance of world power. “This further proves that this is about power and politics, not about the people,” Shibly said. He said Assad is doing whatever he can to appease the United States so he can continue to hold on to power and commit genocide unimpeded by a Western intervention. Shibly added that the diplomatic approach was a “step higher” than the proposed cruise missile strikes. Al-Ghanem said, however, Assad’s actions have made a diplomatic solution to the crisis no longer viable. “There is one way this will end: [the Assad regime] either steps down and gets tried at a criminal court ... or he kills every single [Syrian],” she said. “End of story.”

She thinks the new resolution will empower the Assad regime by giving it a diplomatic “victory” over the West. Al-Ghanem believes people have lost sight in what is important. She believes protecting the Syrian people should be the chief concern. “I could write a novel about how my family has been affected by the war,” Al-Ghanem said. Shells from government tanks hit her uncle’s farm, destroying portions of it and nearly killing his family. She said her aunt came home one day to find the Shabiha – armed groups of pro-government vigilantes – had broken into her family’s home and stolen everything. Shibly also expressed concern for his family overseas. He said his mother’s cousin was killed and his own cousin was caught in the crossfire. His family has the news on television at all hours of the day. Akram Shibly’s father, Dr. Othman Shibly, an associate professor in the UB Dental School’s Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, believes if the United States does not punish Assad, the country would be

sending the wrong message to other dictator regimes – that international norms can be violated with no consequences. “We can give diplomacy a chance,” Othman said to BBC reporters on Wednesday. “But it has been close to three years now, with Assad breaking his promise time after time … Assad should be brought to justice.” His son agrees. Shibly said because Syria is handing over its chemical weapons, Assad would no longer be held accountable by the West for his actions. Al-Ghanem believes that the lack of a U.S. intervention will motivate the rebels even more. Ahmad AlSaadeh is a senior international business major and the president of the Organization of Arab Students (OAS) on campus. AlSaadeh opposed the previously proposed missile strikes and believes the United States is trying to evaluate all of its options. He is not certain the Assad regime would keep its word on handing over its chemical weapons. OAS is planning a fundraiser for Syria later this semester. AlSaadeh said all the money collected will be donated to humanitarian groups working directly in the country. He also plans to work with Al-Ghanem to create an awareness booth in the Student Union to inform students about the conflict. With the UB-based production company he co-founded, True Intent Productions, Shibly has already begun raising awareness. His short film, “Heal the World,” juxtaposes the life of two children playing with building blocks. The film deals with the real-life tragedy – the boy playing is Syrian and he describes the aftermath of a rocket attack on his village. The film has been selected as a finalist in Fordham’s Law, Culture & Society film competition and will be screened in New York City in October. Othman has already held two fundraisers and, with additional donations from the UB Dental School, has established two dental clinics for Syrian refugees. “Those are people like us,” Othman told The Buffalo News in November 2012. “They should not be deprived of regular treatment like I and my children get. It’s the world’s responsibility to protect civilians.” Email: news@ubspectrum.com

‘Reach Out’

SAM FERNANDO

Senior News Editor

To learn more about Army Reserve opportunities, visit us at goarmy.com/v738

‘Rock bottom’ is just an abstract concept until you find yourself looking up and realizing that concept is now your tangible reality. And whoever said, “When you hit rock bottom, the only way is up” clearly forgot to mention the fine print – how difficult getting out really is. In February 2010, I hit rock bottom. And in many ways I’m still trying to climb my way out. My journey to the lowest of lows revolves around something a lot of people experience in some way, but often times don’t like to talk about: suicide. On Feb. 23 of that year, I got a phone call telling me that my friend Giac’s little brother had completed suicide – a distinction his family makes from the term “committed suicide.” Joe was 17 years old, just two years younger than me. His birthday was the week before. He had just gone on a ski trip with his family. He was working on his essays for his college applications. What happened? That phone call was one I could never have prepared for. The idea that Joe actually passed away was so far-fetched I just didn’t believe it. I had just lost a close family friend the month before and, selfishly, I didn’t want to deal with another death so soon. I had been friends with Giac for about seven months. We played music together and in that short time, we had become pretty close. I didn’t know his brother that well. I mean, I knew him and he knew me, but the extent of our conversations – which only happened three or four times – was a few sentences at the most. How could the death of this kid who I barely knew have such a profound effect on me? I still don’t know the answer, but the whole situation had me thinking a lot about suicide. See ‘reach out’, page 6

ubspectrum.com

This weekend in UB sports

Women’s soccer The Bulls (2-1-1) have allowed just one goal in their previous three games and have gone 2-01 since losing their season opener to Michigan State. The squad hopes to continue its defensive dominance as Buffalo welcomes Duquesne (1-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on Austin Peay (4-0-1) Sunday at 11:15 a.m. Both games will be played at UB Stadium.

Men’s soccer Buffalo (0-3-2) travels to Binghamton (1-2-1) for a Friday night showdown. The young Bulls’ offense has scored only two goals all season and looks to snap a three-game scoreless streak. Start time is set for 7 p.m.

Make sure to follow @ubspecsports

on Twitter

Continued from page 5: ‘Reach Out’ After the funeral, I struggled a bit with my classes, but I didn’t think anything of it. I just chalked it up to the hardships every second-year engineering student had. I fell behind in some of my classes but told myself, “You’ll catch up next week.” I never did. I’d spend my nights playing my guitar by myself instead of studying. My family could tell something was wrong, but I never wanted to talk about it. The truth is, I didn’t know what exactly was wrong. For some reason, I had become fascinated with suicide. Not that I was glorifying it or I even was suicidal; I would just constantly be thinking about it. It pushed me into a dark place and I knew something needed to change. After withdrawing from the semester and confronting my depression, I started seeing a therapist who told me it wasn’t strange for someone my age to be having these thoughts after what I had experienced. In fact, she said it was normal.

Police Blotter

All information according to University Police Department 9/3 2:08 p.m. – An ambulance was requested for a mental health evaluation of a student in Richmond Quad. Twin City Ambulance transported the student to ECMC. 2:13 p.m. – A complainant reported that a bee stung a student in the left eye. The student refused an ambulance but wanted an officer to check out the eye. 4:19 p.m. – An unknown student reported three males were throwing candy at people when he was walking to Harriman Hall. The three suspects left the area toward Diefendorf at 4:12 p.m.

Patrol checked the area, and the subjects were gone on arrival. 9/6 3:09 a.m. – A cleaner filed a complaint stating an unwelcome male guest was sleeping in a janitorial closet of Diefendorf Annex. UPD identified the male subject as Franky Bazile, 21, who was involved in an April incident. 9/7 2:02 am – UPD went to Foster Hall to check on the welfare of a person, who reportedly overdosed on alcohol. Rural Metro Medical Services transported the subject to E.C.M.C. Hospital.

Friday, September 13, 2013

11:34 p.m. – A Greiner Hall resident advisor found a switchblade in one of the lounges following a meeting. 9/9 6:33 p.m. – Amherst Police reported a male professor was having a seizure on the tenth floor of Clemens Hall. The professor refused to go in the ambulance after the paramedics stabilized his blood sugar level. The victim’s wife was contacted, and she picked him up outside of Clemens Hall to take him home.

I know a lot of people think about the darkness of suicide, and my experience has taught me that it is important to verbalize your fears. I’ve learned that I should start talking to the people around me a lot more than I do because you could never guess what’s going on in their heads. It is important to know the phrases “I’m fine” or “I’m good” are just words; there is usually something more behind them. I am inspired by the way Joe’s parents handled everything. They showed such poise and understanding. They knew the importance of bouncing back from this tragedy and how it could influence others. “No matter what we do, I can’t bring Joe back,” Joe’s father said last September. “The only way we could give back in some way is to share our experience and hopefully save another life.” I understand there are a lot of things out of my control. But that is exactly why it is so important to make that extra effort to change the things you can, like finding out what your best friend

is actually thinking, or why your little sister is locking herself in her room all the time. Joe’s death was unexpected. And I think that’s what hurt the most. Every day, I wear a green wristband with the words “Reach Out” etched in yellow writing in honor of Joe. It is a constant reminder to go that extra mile to reach out to the people around me. Although I had a hard time climbing out of that pit, I learned a lot about myself. And in a way, my struggle has come to define who I am now. This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, and anyone who takes part in the cause will tell you an important part of preventing suicide is communication. So, I encourage you to take that extra step and “Reach Out.” Who knows – you might just save a life. Email: sam.fernando@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 3: Caution There are potential ramifications, however. We don’t want Russia’s presence in the Middle East to expand – it is already somewhat a factor through political and economic support of Syria. More involvement may risk the country becoming a major factor. Putin has been a tyrant. The antigay laws he has passed are unacceptable and he has been no advocate of human rights. He has not acted as an ally to the United States, which is one reason his motives here must be subject to questioning. But that is exactly what it is time to do. We should sit back for a moment and really think this through. Email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Before you choose to attend a party in the University Heights, there are a few things you should know:

There have been a significant number of assaults, robberies, and sexual assaults in the neighborhood. For more information on crime stats go to crimereports.com. Fire code regulations limit the number of people who can safely be in any structure given the number of means of egress. Most house parties exceed these limits by dangerous amounts. A significant number of students have been hospitalized for alcohol poisoning and several have been treated for food borne illnesses after attending house parties in the heights. If you are engaged in an assault under the influence of alcohol you will be subject to criminal and civil liability. In addition you will face suspension from UB. Most of the houses in the heights are roughly 100 years old and most of the houses recently inspected were issued citations for not

IF YOU ARE IN TROUBLE OFF-CAMPUS, CALL 911!

Friday, September 13, 2013 ubspectrum.com

A U AUTOMOTIVE T O M O T I V E SUBARU LEGACY, 2001. Single owner, excellent, no rust/ accidents, 106k miles. New tires, battery, rotors, luxury model with leather interior. $5300. 716-2285567.

WANTED HELPHELP WANTED DOMINO’S PIZZA 3563 SHERIDAN. LOOKING FOR FULL OR PART-TIME DRIVERS. Must have reliable vehicle & valid drivers license. Evening shift available from 5pm-1am. Apply in person. TWO POSITIONS WOMEN ONLY: Job 1: Pizza money job: $10/hr, 3hrs/ wk- Speak (from your home) with an elderly woman early mornings (30 minute calls before 8am/6 days per week). Job 2: Tech. assistant/home health aide: $15/hr, 9hrs/wk. - visit 3x/wk. with elderly lady. Duties include giving a shower, taking the client for a walk and helping client with the internet. Employee will also receive $30/wk for travel expenses. Please contact Linda at 347-4139695 and also email me at leahsara222@ yahoo.com to ensure I get your message. MORNING PANTRY CHEF. The Eagle House Williamsville. Full time, great pay, family owned independent restaurant. Apply in person or email resume to Tricia.eaglehouse@roadrunner.com.

CLASSIFIEDS SALES AND MARKETING POSTIONS AVAILABLE. Lasertron Inc. is hiring for a part-time position in Marketing and Group Sales. Candidate should be energetic, friendly, have reliable transportation and be ready to sell fun! Submit your resume or questions to Lawrence LacClair, General Manager via email at: llaclair@lasertron.us. To learn more about us, visit www.lasertron.us. MAJOR & METOR: To be a Mentor, you don't need any special skills- just an ability to listen, to offer friendship, guidance, & encouragement today to a kid or an adult experiencing loneliness. You'll be amazed by how much you'll get out of the experience! Share what you know. Call Compeer: 716-883-3331, ask for Karen or Stephanie & get started! Making friends and changing lives since 1985. DO YOU WANT TO GET A HEAD START on repaying your student loan? Working only part time? I can help! call Scot @ 240-7710.

APARTMENT FOR RENT APARTMENT

FOR

RENT

1,2 &3 BEDROOMM APARTMENTS. Walking distance UB South Campus. Tom 716-570-4776. tombridon@aol.com.

HOUSE FOR RENT HOUSE FOR

RENT

4 RENT FANTASTIC 3-BDRM RANCH with private yard, 1st floor laundry and off- street parking for 2 cars. Appliances are included. $1500.00 monthly rent & $1500.00 security deposit, no smoking. 580-3739. 241 LISBON AVE. Newly renovated 2 three bdrm apts. Walking Distance to UB South. Available now! $875 apt 1 /$1075 apt 2. Call for more info and for pics, Jessica hipdevelop@gmail.com. 917-5792859 facebook.com/hipdevelopment.

SERVICES

BUFFALODRIVINGSCHOOLS . COM Learn to drive with our warranteed driving instruction package. NYS 5hr course, points& insurance reduction class in our classroom or on-line. Call for free shuttle service to our classroom from north& south campus. 716-834-4300. CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662.

DOWNLAOD THE

LIBERTY YELLOW

APP

Proud Sponsor of the Buffalo Bills

716.877.7111

www.LibertyCab.com

Daily Delights SUDOKU