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The Spectrum h t t p : / / w w w . u b s p e c t r u m . c o m
Friday, October 2, 2009
An independent student publication of the University at Buffalo
Volume 59 Issue 12
DiNapoli pushes for out-of-state tuition hike By STEPHEN MARTH Editor in Chief Many out-of-state students think that they pay enough for tuition at the University at Buffalo. State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli thinks it’s nowhere near enough. On Tuesday, DiNapoli announced that the State University of New York should charge out-of-state students nearly $8,500 more per semester so state taxpayers are not paying for these students to attend their public universities. “SUNY schools are a great
2009-10 Undergraduate Out-of-State Tuition by Competitiveness SUNY vs. Average of Out-of-State Schools
Admission Qualification SUNY Schools Competitive Competitive + Very Competitive Very Competitive + Highly Competitive Highly Competitive +
Overall Average
$12,870 $12,870 $12,870 $12,870 $12,870 $12,870 $12,870
Outside State Avg. Difference $19,832 $6,962 $19,074 $6,204 $23,094 $10,224 $21,086 $8,216 $23,111 $10,241 $21,918 $9,048 $21,333 $8,463
Source: Office of the State Comptroller “+” designates school which accepts students with higher SAT or ACT scores
way for students to get a quality education, but New York taxpayers shouldn’t be subsidizing out-of-state students,” DiNapoli said. “Why should New York taxpayers foot the bill for a bargain education for students from New Jersey
or California?” DiNapoli’s report is based on statistics from a variety of schools across the country. He said that 29 public colleges in 19 different states, see TUITION page 4
Flu vaccination shortage at UB By SHANE FALLON Asst. Life Editor In a surprising turn of events that made a bad situation seem even worse, UB students looking to receive free flu shots discovered that the proverbial wells had run dry on South Campus on Wednesday. High demand for the flu shot across the country – coupled with the university’s small supply – led to the shortage, according to Susan Snyder, director of Health Services. “Health Services traditionally gives just over 3,000 flu shots, which are pre-booked in January of the previous year,” said Snyder. “This year we had reserved 4,000 shots, but have received 2,500. Due to an overbooking of dosages from across the country, only 115 of 150 million have become available.” When Heath Services realized there would be a
Courtesy of Sgt. Chris Irwin
Sgt. Chris Irwin, a UB student helped improve the lives of many Iraqis during his tour with the U.S. Army Reserve
The bright side of a war zone Katie Carlett / The Spectrum
The flu shot demand has resulted in a nation-wide shortage.
problem, Snyder and her staff contacted several resources that had previously promised secure backorders. None were successful. Presently, 250 flu shot doses remain in Michael Hall. “We are currently waiting for an opportunity to receive more shots, enough to at least run a clinic,” Snyder said.
The dosages that remain are reserved for two specific student groups: students stricken with an underlying chronic illness such as asthma, and students studying a health related profession. New York State Health Commissioner Richard Daines, see SHORTAGE page 4
One student’s mission to rebuild Iraq By MATT MOSHER Life Editor When Sgt. Chris Irwin joined the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion out of Mattydale, N.Y., he didn’t know what he would be getting into. After a year of school at Tompkins Cortland Community Col-
lege, he decided he needed more adventure and something more challenging – something he figured the U.S. Army Reserve would deliver. For many young Americans, the decision to join the military isn’t always the first choice. With the U.S. involved in two wars and daily suicide and roadside bombings around the world, the potential for harm is as high as ever. But within a war-torn country lies a much more peaceful mission, one void of
terrorist hunts, destruction and violence. This mission involves spending billions of U.S. dollars on rebuilding villages, supplying them with basic needs and providing a helping hand to the Iraqi people. Sgt. Irwin spent the last 10 months deployed in Iraq, providing water purification systems to villages, rebuilding schools and giving the Iraqi people a chance to turn their lives around. see IRAQ page 2
Buffalonians to protest Blair By CAITLIN TREMBLAY News Editor Prepare to face angry members of the Western New York community when you walk by Alumni Arena within the next two weeks. A handful of frustrated people who are displeased with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s inclusion in this year’s Distinguished Speaker Series plan to protest prior to his speech on Oct. 7. Jim Holstun, a professor in the Department of English,
Inside: Arts and Life ........... 5 Classifieds ............ 11 Opinion .................. 3 Sports ................. 12 This Weekend ........ 5
organized the protest with his friends and colleagues at the Peace, Justice and Antiwar Coalition of Western New York. The protest will be peaceful, but Holstun is encouraging people to bring signs to voice their opinions. “We’re expecting over 100 people,” Holstun said. “[Tony Blair] is guilty of leveling murderous sanctions and leading a war of aggression on Iraq, both of [which are] war crimes. It started well before the Bush presidency in 1993 when he led a campaign in Iraq, which killed mostly
Courtesy of the World Economic Forum
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s part in the UB Distinguished Speakers Series is being protested by UB professor Jim Holstun.
SPIKING OFF Bulls split matches over the weekend. See Page 12
women and children through water contamination. Blair has killed over a million Iraqis with his campaigns.” Blair was the Graduate Student Association’s choice this year. According to Blair’s agent, the former prime minister will receive $150,000 for his speech, as well as travel expenses and accommodations for four. “We’ve been trying to get Tony Blair for years,” GSA President Nicole Jowsey said. “When he was first elected he was very much an excitement for Britain and
LOVE IS GRAND Before you head to the show, get to know Matt and Kim. See Page 5
the Labor Party. He was like Britain’s Barack Obama. His election was a big deal for the British.” However, Holstun believes that the university should choose distinguished speakers who represent real distinction and character, which he feels Blair lacks. Holstun would also like to see a real question and answer session, as opposed to one with preselected answers. “Blair is just one of a series of war criminals to come to see BLAIR page 2
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