The Spectrum Vol. 70 No. 7

VOL. 70 NO. 7 | OCTOBER 13, 2021

President Tripathi delivers his 10th annual State of the University Address

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

University says it will honor Indigenous people through activities, new department

UBSPECTRUM

Mother-son duo look to make the most of their year together at UB

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One World Café may not open next semester Three-story international-themed eatery was expected to open in the spring JULIE FREY ASST. NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

One World Café, the much-anticipated three-story international-themed eatery that was expected to open in the spring, may not be ready to serve students next semester.

In a statement to The Spectrum, director of marketing and communications for Campus Dining and Shops Raymond Kohl says he doesn’t know when the café will open to students.

“The opening date for One World Café is still to be determined,” Kohl said in an email. “We anticipate that the contractors will turn over the space to us sometime during the spring semester. Once Campus Dining and Shops has possession, there is still much work that will need to be completed before an opening date can be determined.”

One World Café, which cost $37.8 million to construct and is situated next to Founders Plaza, was previously supposed to open in spring 2022, according to university officials. The university says the new center will “meet the demand for expanded dining facilities among a growing campus population.”

In October 2017, CDS projected the café would open in spring 2020. The or-

ganization later revised that estimate to were not caused by staffing shortages.

“University Facilities has issued an emerspring 2022. Now, it’s unclear when the gency closure due [to] a collapsed main café will open.

The revised reopening timeline follows pipe in the area surrounding the restrooms long lines and limited hours at many on- in the Ellicott Food Court,” Kohl said.

“This has affected the operations inside campus dining locations this semester.

CDS maintains that the national labor Perks so it was closed starting Oct. 1. The shortage is the culprit behind the many repairs needed in this area will also affect closings and limited hours. Kohl says that Wrap It Up and Sizzles and subsequently, CDS is aggressively recruiting for all open those two locations will be closed beginning on Friday, Oct. 8. University Facilities positions at One World Café.

“We have been and continue to active- is anticipating the project to be completed ly advertise employment opportunities and normal operations to resume Monday, across multiple media platforms along Oct. 18. [Facilities] will be in communicawith participating in virtual and in-person job fairs,” Kohl said.

“As we continue to onboard new employees, we have been able to open additional points of service, increase reservation spots at C3 and expand hours at some locations over the past few weeks.”

Three more dining locations – Perks, Wrap It Up and Sizzles – have temporarily closed since the start of the semester, leaving students with even fewer options.

Kohl says the three affected locations will reopen by Monday, and Sai Krishna-Seethala / The Spectrum

tion with both Campus Living and Campus Dining regarding progress or changes in the scope of the project.”

In lieu of the three locations being closed during repairs, Kohl noted that Hubie’s will be open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and will serve the majority of items found at Sizzles and Wrap it Up. These closures follow weeks of student frustrations over long wait times, limited hours and the lack of dining options on campus.

Email: julie.frey@ubspectrum.com

One World Café may not be ready to serve students next semester.

UB enrolls 32,332 students, just shy of last year’s record enrollment Undergraduate enrollment decreases, largely offset by international and graduate enrollment GRANT ASHLEY SENIOR NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

UB enrolled 32,332 students this fall, 16 fewer than last year’s record total of 32,348 students. That number includes students enrolled in university programs on UB’s North, South and Downtown campuses, as well as its Singapore and India programs.

“We set an enrollment goal to enroll 30,000 [students] by 2020,” Lee Melvin, vice provost for enrollment management, said in a press release announcing the enrollment totals. “We achieved that goal in 2019 and we’re sustaining that enrollment.”

These enrollment numbers, however, are sustained by graduate and international student enrollment, which rose by 824 and 709 students, respectively. Undergraduate enrollment fell by 840 students, from 22,307 in the fall 2020 to 21,467 this fall.

Melvin attributed the increase in international student enrollment to a “majority of international students” deferring their admission until this year due to COVID19-related travel restrictions. The Spectrum could not verify that claim.

The international and graduate student enrollment growth follows a “concerted effort” by UB to “mitigate” declines in these groups’ enrollment totals “and the consequent decrease in tuition revenue,” according to the university’s 2019-20 Annual Operating Budget Report. It takes three in-state undergraduate students to generate the same tuition revenue as a stu-

dent in all other tuition groups, the university wrote.

Freshman enrollment stands at 4,179, according to a university press release, meaning it fell alongside undergraduate enrollment from 4,415 last year and 4,299 during the 2019-20 academic year.

This year’s freshman class is more diverse than that of previous years. Students from underrepresented minority groups comprise approximately 20% of the class, with the number of Black freshmen up by 12% and the number of LatinX students up by 1% compared to the 2020-21 academic year.

The fall 2021 incoming undergraduate class averaged 1280 points on the SAT, with over 30% of students submit-

ting their test scores. That’s more than 50 points higher than the average score for fall 2020 freshman class; more than 73% of students submitted an SAT score that year.

The fall 2021 semester marks the second time — the first time being spring 2021 — where standardized testing requirements were optional, according to the Office of Admissions’ website.

“Our freshman class of over 4,100 students is highly qualified and academically talented,” Provost A. Scott Weber said in the press release. “Our student body is more diverse than previous years with more students of color, women and international students.”

The university’s press release, which was

Alexander Brown / The Spectrum A couple thousand students attended UB’s season opener against Wagner in early September.

distributed on UBNow and to media organizations, contained an inaccuracy regarding international student enrollment. The press release claimed that enrollment of “all international students… rose by 852 from last fall to a total of 4,463.”

Data obtained by The Spectrum shows that enrollment for all international students rose from last fall’s total of 5,203 to 5,912 this year, an increase of 709 students. The number rose by 779 to 4,426 international students when not counting enrollment in UB’s Singapore and India programs.

Justin Weiss and Dan Eastman contributed to the reporting.

Email: grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com

NEWS

2 | Wednesday, October 13 2021

ubspectrum.com

UB observes Indigenous Peoples’ Day, won’t commit to canceling classes University says it will honor Indigenous people through activities, new department JUSTIN WEISS MANAGING EDITOR

UB will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day the second Monday of every October, with events and activities honoring and celebrating Indigenous people. But only the Faculty Senate is empowered to cancel classes that day, according to the university.

“Our scholarly community values Indigenous cultures, histories, traditions, knowledge systems and political entities, and deeply appreciates the important role of Indigenous people in the history, the present and the future of our region, this country and the world,” UB President Satish Tripathi said in a statement announcing the observation of this holiday.

Last January, UB received a $3.174 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in support of a new Department of Indigenous Studies, which is set to launch over the next three years.

The department will “offer new incorporation of Indigenous knowledge across the university and disciplines,” Despina Stratigakos, vice provost for inclusive excellence in UB’s Office of Inclusive Excellence, said in a statement.

“The department will [also] offer new forms of land-based pedagogy, and will foster the incorporation of Indigenous knowledge across the university and disciplines,” Stratigakos said.

Stratigakos says that “more and more”

First 2021-22 Distinguished Speakers Series lecture postponed indefinitely Winston Duke’s Oct. 13 lecture cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances” REILLY MULLEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

UB’s 2021-22 Distinguished Speakers Series was scheduled to begin this Wednesday, but the first lecture has been postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to associate director for national/international media relations Doug Sitler.

The series’ first lecture was set to feature actor and UB alum Winston Duke, made famous by his role as M’Baku in Marvel’s “Black Panther,” “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” He also starred in Jordan Peele’s “Us.” The Trinidad and Tobago native graduated with a bachelors of arts in theatre from UB in 2009, and later received a master of fine arts from the Yale School of Drama.

It remains unclear when exactly the lecture will be rescheduled, but Sitler says it will be “sometime in the 2021-2022 academic year.”

The next lecture will be held on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theater and will feature Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman.

students will have the opportunity to take Columbus’ colonization efforts and treat- off for Labor Day — this year on Sept. classes about Indigenous peoples and their ment of the Indigenous population.

6 — and Thanksgiving weekend — this history, culture and knowledge. UB had UB will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ year from Nov. 24 to 27 — during the fall 15 Native American students in 2020, up Day to “honor the contributions and resi- semester.

Faculty Senate chair Frederick Stoss from 12 in 2018. dency of Indigenous people and cultures, UB operates on land that is the tradi- and to raise awareness about the continu- said the possibility of an off day in future tional territory of the Seneca Nation, a ing impact of settler colonialism on Indig- years has been “added to the agenda” of member of the Haudenosaunee Confed- enous people and cultures,” the university Wednesday’s Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting. eracy, and that is covered by a Greek Lake said in a statement.

“UB is committed to working to ensure compact, The Dish with One Spoon TreaDespite observing Indigenous Peoples’ ty of Peace and Friendship. The region is Day as a holiday, UB held classes Monday Indigenous futures by affirming Indigstill home to the Haudenosaunee people — and will continue to do so, unless the enous ethos, histories, traditions, knowlto this day.

Faculty Senate decides to cancel classes edge systems and political entities as exIn a statement, UB says it “responsibly and adds a class day to the semester, the pressed throughout our tripartite mission of education, research and service,” the acknowledge[s] the continuing impact of university says. settler colonialism on the Haudenosaunee Other SUNY schools, like Stony Brook university said. and their territories.” and UAlbany, suspended classes for fall This year marks the first time a sitting break on Monday and Tuesday. UB gave Email: justin.weiss@ubspectrum.com U.S. president officially recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day, with President Joe Biden issuing a proclamation Friday in recognition of the day.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is held annually on the second Monday of October and honors the histories and cultures of Native Americans.

The holiday began in 1992 as a counter-celebration of Columbus Day, which honors the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus.

Columbus Day has been celebrated in New York since 1792, to commemorate the anniversary of his landing in the New World. But in recent decades, people have expressed their criticism of Justin Woodmancy / The Spectrum the holiday, in reference to UB will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day the second Monday of every October, with events and activities honoring and celebrating Indigenous people.

President Tripathi delivers his 10th annual State of the University Address Address touched on COVID-19, renovations, climate and fundraising goals MATTHEW SZCZEPANIAK STAFF WRITER

UB President Satish Tripathi delivered his 10th annual State of the University Address Friday morning in Slee Hall. .

While much of the address focused on the university’s efforts to research and combat COVID-19, Tripathi also talked about new goals and projects, including the renovation of Lockwood Library and the opening of One World Café.

“As a public space institution, our physical environment must support this idea of scholarly and professional excellence,” Tripathi, sporting a black suit and UBthemed tie, said. “To that end, we are enhancing Lockwood Library on the North Campus and expect to open One World Café this spring.”

The area of Lockwood formerly known as the “Cybrary” is being renovated and

renamed, “UBIT: Level Up.” The new space will still provide printer and computer access but will now feature “softer lighting, touchless-entry doors and an elevator that exits to the corridor,” according to UBNow. The new computers will be used by the UB e-sports team.

One World Café, which has been under construction since fall 2019, is connected to Capen Hall and is expected to “meet the demand for expanded dining facilities among a growing campus population” and ”present authentically prepared foods from around the world,” according to the university.

One World Café isn’t the university’s only physical project.

“At our Downtown Biomedical Campus, we have built a business incubator within our Center of Excellence for Bioinformatics Life Sciences,” Tripathi said.

The business incubator gives aspiring entrepreneurs access to business expertise and affordable spaces for start-ups, Tripathi said.

Tripathi also drew attention to UB’s ongoing fight against climate change.

“With the installation of our solar panel

Email: reilly.mullen@ubspectrum.com

Moaz Elazzazi / The Spectrum President Satish Tripathi gave his annual State of the University address on Friday at Alumni Arena.

arrays nearly complete, we will be producing 2.9 million kilowatt hours in our first year,” Tripathi said. “This is the equivalent to offsetting the energy use of nearly 500 homes a year.”

Tripathi went on to cite The Times World University Rankings, which placed UB No. 1 in the world for impact on climate change. Tripathi noted UB has cut down on its carbon emissions by 33% since 2018 and is seeking to be carbonneutral by 2030.

Tripathi ended his speech by addressing the Boldly Buffalo campaign, a broad fundraising effort started by the university to act as a “roadmap to the future.” UB raised the goal for this campaign from $650 million to $1 billion.

“It is critical that we continue to propel UB forward because now more than ever the public research university is being called upon to solve the most complex issues of our time,” Tripathi said. “And we know with the support of our donors, alumni and friends, we can set our sights even higher still. …$1 billion is a bold goal, but it is an achievable goal,” Tripathi said. “And I am pleased to share that today, nearly $797 million has been donated to our campaign.”

The campaign’s goals include “keeping high-quality UB education accessible to all” and “raising funds for student support, faculty research and innovative programs that benefit the world,” according to the campaign’s website. The Boldly Buffalo campaign says the funds raised have expanded the university’s role as a leader in interdisciplinary education, amplified diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and helped to revitalize the Buffalo art scene.

“It will not be for our own self-interest,” Tripathi said. “It will be [in] the interest of our students. It will be in the interest of improving the quality of life for all people in our community and in our world.”

Email: news@ubspectrum.com

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OPINION

Wednesday, October 13 2021 | 3

The Canada Geese aren’t the problem. We are.

Despite what you may have been taught, the geese are not that bad

JULIE FREY ASST. NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

The geese suck. They poop everywhere.

They’re aggressive. They bring traffic to a standstill. They are public enemy No. 1.

Chances are, you have heard a student make those claims at least once during your UB career.

But here’s the thing: the geese don’t suck.

Our climate-killing tendencies do.

Generations of freshmen have arrived on campus hearing stories of how terrible the geese are, which leads them to try and experience the geese for themselves, up close and personal. These students will get close to the flocks and try to scare and

chase them away.

If you’ve been on campus for any amount of time, you’ve likely seen one of these stand-offs; heck, you might have even participated in one. The geese give you the side-eye and start to flap their wings as you approach. Then, they start to hiss at you, as they continue to flap their wings and run away.

Sometimes, though, they might start to charge.

And if that happens, you’ll have asked for their wrath.

Canada Geese, nearly extirpated in the U.S. in the early 20th century, have rebounded in number — the Department of Environmental Conservation estimates that there are 200,000 geese in NYS — and are now ubiquitous on UB’s campus and many other suburban areas. “Residential” geese are a more recent phenomenon, coinciding with the rise of suburbia. We have made UB the perfect environment for geese: large open grassy spaces, a big lake for their nests and survival. With winters becoming milder — a few major storms per season — many geese have chosen to stay at UB year-round rather than migrating further south. That seems to only be fueling students’ rage at the birds; they

never leave.

But it’s not these birds’ fault that our campus is the ideal habitat, nor is it their fault they want to protect themselves from us.

Geese-haters are hypocrites. Everything that students get mad at the geese for, they do themselves. Students express frustration at the geese for littering campus with their poop, but they ignore the trash they themselves leave around campus. Look into Lake LaSalle and you’ll be able to spot a couple of throwaway coffee cups and maybe a Juul.

You know who didn’t drop those in the lake? A goose.

Students litter everywhere: cigarette butts, plastic bottles, grocery bags and lids line the sidewalks and mark the water sources. Sure, geese poop is an inconvenience, but it pales in comparison to the environmental risks posed by our deleterious form of litter.

Students complain the geese are violent, but 89 to 390 million birds, including the slow-moving geese, die every year in collisions with cars and buses.

There has never been a single documented case — not one — of a goose killing a human in an attack.

Geese are UB’s gravest evil While the university is doing its best with mediary solutions, the situation merits a more aggressive approach

GRANT ASHLEY SENIOR NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

For once, Buffalo’s weather was cooperating. A warm breeze produced faint ripples on the surface of Lake LaSalle. The stars shone brightly, no clouds to conceal them. The first fallen leaves of the year littered the ground.

It was a perfect night. And with nothing better to do during the pandemic-ridden fall semester, I was determined to enjoy it.

I settled a blanket on the grass, laid on my back and watched the stars.

But all was not as it seemed.

As I packed up my things, I noticed a spot the size of my palm on the bottom of my blanket.

It was goose s--t. Green, slimy, festering goose s--t.

Every UB student has a goose story.

Maybe you almost hit a goose driving to class because it wouldn’t get out of the road. Maybe a particularly aggressive goose built its nest outside of your dorm building a few years back. Maybe geese woke you up at unseemly hours with avian

UFC. Maybe a goose dive bombed you while you were running on the bike path, seemingly just for fun. Or, maybe a gaggle of geese lining both sides of the sidewalk hissed at you on your way to Knox.

Simply put, the geese that inhabit UB’s campuses are a--holes. They poop everywhere — and they’ll make eye contact with you while they do it. They don’t care about anything. They hate everyone and everything they lay their beady little black eyes on.

UB students are well acquainted with the problems posed by North Campus’ most prominent waterfowl. The university “routinely receives complaints about” geese, according to its website. UB’s unofficial Reddit page sports a “geese appreciation” tag, where students keep tabs on the geese’s plans “to attack” the university.

Memes about geese are strewn across UBrelated Instagram pages. (The university tried their own hand at this with a “geese appreciation” post on Instagram. The 125 comments were largely negative, and rightfully so.) The Center for the Arts’ most iconic mural features a goose destroying a city with lasers shooting out of its eyes.

To say that students are traumatized would be to put too fine a point on it, but there’s a reason for the obsession: students don’t feel like campus is theirs with so many geese. We can’t use any of the green spaces because they s--t everywhere. We can’t sleep in because they’re too noisy in the morning. We can’t use any of the bike paths in the spring because they get too aggressive and attack us.

Most of UB’s other fauna — groundhogs, ducks, deer, even skunks — are perfectly pleasant, or at least non-con-

frontational. Geese just can’t get a hold of themselves.

And geese aren’t just destroying our will; they’re destroying our campus, too. Each goose produces roughly two pounds of green, slimy poop everyday, according to lohud.com. About 200,000 Canada Geese live in New York State. That means they produce about 200 tons of goose poop everyday, which is approximately the weight of the Statue of Liberty. North Campus doesn’t receive all of that s--t, but it gets more than its fair share.

Furthermore, resident geese, such as those living in Erie County year-round, damage the environment through the “overgrazing of grass, ornamental plants and agricultural crops; accumulation of droppings and feathers in public use areas; ...[and] the fouling of reservoirs and swimming areas,” according to a USDA report.

Geese can further cause “nutrient loading [in] ponds” — which can lead to elevated levels of phosphorus and nitrogen in waterways — and “safety hazards near roads,” according to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Maybe Lake LaSalle wouldn’t be (as) gross if fewer geese called it home.

There’s clearly a problem here. But the federal government has made “regulating” geese even harder by taking drastic but necessary options completely off the table. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, the “killing, capturing, selling, trading and transport of protected migratory bird species,” unfortunately including Canada geese, is illegal.

Consequently, the geese of North Campus seem to have learned that they are federally protected, further emboldening

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 13, 2021 VOLUME 70 NUMBER 7 CIRCULATION: 3,000

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Reilly Mullen

Sure, there are sometimes close calls, especially on this campus. But the overwhelming majority of the time, we are to blame. We invade their homes, encroach on their flocks and challenge them to protect themselves by chasing after us.

The popular sentiment is that the geese are evil, but are we not to blame for changing our climate and landscape so dramatically that they can now inhabit Buffalo year-round?

We share this campus with the geese; you don’t have to like it but they’re not going anywhere. If you respect the geese, they will not attack you. Going forward, remember that every time you have to quickly sidestep goose poop, humanity is equally as bad and your anger is misdirected.

Email: julie.frey@ubspectrum.com

them to harass helpless freshmen.

But despite the futility of its efforts, the university has worked within the confines of the Migratory Bird Treaty to regulate the scourge of geese. The university has erected fencing and hired border collies to scare, but not maim, the foulest of waterfowl. While these efforts have helped, they are by no means a perfect solution, as geese remain “a public nuisance on campus,” to quote the university.

There are exceptions to the act, though.

Limited numbers of geese can still be hunted on designated grounds during hunting season, although North Campus, thankfully, isn’t a permitted hunting site.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services issues permits for actions otherwise prohibited under the act, but these permits are rarely issued.

Thankfully, there are other solutions.

According to the NYS DEC, “any landowner, homeowners’ association or local government (and their employees or agents) [can] take nests or eggs of Canada geese without a Federal permit” as long as they register with the USFWS. NYS DEC recommends “destroy[ing] goose nests or treat[ing] the eggs with corn oil (or puncturing) to prevent hatching” and has no further permit requirements.

UB should take this course of action (to the extent that it removes excess geese and won’t harm the environment). It will prevent environmental degradation, keep students safer, make campus cleaner and won’t involve actively harming geese.

Everyone wins — except for the geese.

But that’s a world I’m more than willing to live in.

Email: grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com

SPORTS EDITORS Anthony DeCicco, Sr. Hunter Skoczylas, Asst.

MANAGING EDITORS Justin Weiss Dan Eastman, Asst.

MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Sabrina Akter-Nabi, Sr. Sai Krishna Seethala, Sr.

NEWS EDITORS ENGAGEMENT EDITOR Grant Ashley, Sr. Jack Porcari, Sr. Natalie Doller, Asst.

Julie Frey, Asst.

ARTS EDITORS Alex Falter, Sr. Kara Anderson, Asst.

Jenna Quinn, Sr. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Paolo Blanchi, Sr. Jiayi Zhang, Asst.

FEATURES

4 | Wednesday, October 13 2021

UB Arts Collaboratory closes ‘The Space Between’ AC plans to secure a new permanent location in spring 2022 ALEX FALTER SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

The UB Arts Collaboratory’s downtown art space, “The Space Between,” closed September 4 after a six-month stint on Ellicott Street. The AC plans to move to a new, permanent location during the spring 2022 semester.

Led by director Bronwyn Keenan, the spot first opened on Feb. 27 with the exhibit, Àdápé, by Victoria-Idongesit Udondian, which centered around firstgeneration American immigrants. The Buffalo-born duo Chango4 and way-

2wavybaby were the final participants in the Collaboratory’s residency program, and presented “C4W2,” which focuses on mental health.

Keenan calls “The Space Between” a “process space;” the one room studio showcased pieces in between the studio and gallery phases of their lifespan, giving art aficionados a rare glimpse into the process of artistic creation.

Gina Cali-Misterkiewicz, assistant dean for marketing and communications for the College of Arts and Sciences, says the space is meant to unite the Buffalo arts community.

“In an effort to bring Buffalo artists together to share ideas and inspiration, The Space Between served as an arts incubator on the border of East and West Buffalo,”

Cali-Misterkiewicz said.

Hosting six “happenings” over its sixmonth lifespan, the space showcased a variety of artwork.

The studio’s $500 rent was funded by an online crowdfunding campaign, which drew from dozens of donors.

The AC had a budget of $79,296 going into 2021, Cali Misterkiewicz said in a previous interview with The Spectrum. The Spectrum was unable to confirm how much of these funds were used , and was unable to obtain the 2022 budget for AC. Although this location was always meant to be temporary, the AC plans to host pop-ups this fall and winter, and hopes to secure a permanent location in spring 2022, according to its website.

Email: alex.falter@ubspectrum.com

Courtesy of UB Arts Collaboratory The Arts Collaboratory is moving from its location at 431 Ellicott Street.

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UB receives $293,000 grant to support neurodivergent students Two-year grant will be used to build microcredential training programs DAN EASTMAN ASST. MANAGING EDITOR

UB has received a $293,000 grant to build micro-credential training courses for computer science department faculty.

The grant, which was awarded by the National Science Foundation and will last two years, aims to support neurodivergent students studying computer science.

Neurodivergent individuals socialize, learn and process things differently from neurotypical individuals. Neurodivergent individuals include people with various disabilities, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), autism and various learning disabilities.

Neurodiversity posits that brain differences are normal, rather than deficits.

Neurodivergent students are “attracted to STEM career paths and possess traits that would make them valuable members of the United States’ computing force,” Sam Abramovich, associate professor of learning and instruction and information science in the Graduate School of Education, said in a statement.

The micro-credential courses will teach computer science faculty how to tailor their practice toward neurodivergent students. Faculty who successfully complete the course can display their micro-credential on their faculty profile, which will indicate they foster a safe space for neurodivergent students.

The research team consists of four UB researchers.

It will be co-designed by that team and the UB Open Education Research Lab. The training will educate faculty and staff on a series of skills and is intended to be a pilot course for faculty and staff across the country to support students with ADHD. The grant began on Oct. 1, according to WBFO. Email: danielson.eastman@ubspectrum.com

Sai Krishna-Seethala / The Spectrum Senior guard Maceo Jack (33) blocks a shot attempt by guard Keishawn Brewton (4) at men’s basketball practice last week.

Sai Krishna-Seethala / The Spectrum Students walk to class outside the Jacobs Management Center.

Moaz Elazzazi / The Spectrum UB President Satish Tripathi delivered his 10th State of the University Address on Friday.

Sabrina Akter-Nabi / The Spectrum Students study in South Campus’ Abbott Library.

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SPORTS

Wednesday, October 13 2021 | 5

Sports medicine director talks new vaccine mandate, Delta variant Brian Bratta answers The Spectrum’s questions about COVID-19’s effect on the athletic community

ANTHONY DECICCO SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

After barring fans from attending sporting and arts events during the 2020-21 school year due to COVID-19, UB welcomed spectators back at full capacity in August for football games.

But after playing the first month of the season in front of a mostly unmasked crowd, the football team played its most recent home game against Western Michigan in front of vaccinated spectators, following a change in university policy. The new rule states that all spectators are required to receive at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by Oct. 1, and be fully vaccinated by Oct. 30.

The university is making the transition to “a new normal,” but there are still many uncertainties in light of the Delta variant and potential booster shots.

The Spectrum spoke with UB Director of Sports Medicine and Wellness Services Brian Bratta to address concerns with the Delta variant, booster shots, unvaccinated athletes and UB’s new vaccine mandate for spectators.

The Spectrum: How was handling the return to football and other sports last season considering the COVID-19 protocols in place? Was that like anything you’ve ever experienced in your career?

Brian Bratta: “Last year was definitely a challenge with all of the protocols in place to keep everyone as healthy as possible. The entire Department of Athletics had to abide by specific guidelines involving testing, masking and participation in sports. This was something that we have never faced before, so we were meticulous with every detail. When we initially brought student-athletes back in the summer, prior to pre-season, we had to take a phased approach to returning to campus as well as returning to participation in their specific sport.”

TS: Has handling COVID-19 prevention in Athletics this year been different from last year in any way?

Bratta: “This summer and fall have been different in the sense that we have a high percentage of vaccinated studentathletes, coaches and support staff. We still have had to take certain precautions for those who either are unvaccinated or in the process of vaccination as well as anyone that presents to us with symptoms.

We still have access to COVID-19 testing, but don’t have to test all student-athletes multiple times per week for practice and competition.”

TS: What are the biggest challenges you and your department have faced since the pandemic began?

Bratta: “The health and well-being of our student-athletes is always priority No. 1. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the entire department has had to pay attention to the little things in order to minimize outbreaks and allow our teams to have competitions. Travel protocols, meal protocols, health and safety protocols, and cleaning protocols have all been adjusted to create as safe an environment as possible. With all of these adjustments, our administration as well as university administration have been very supportive and have helped out with implementing and monitoring adherence to these protocols.”

TS: Fans weren’t in attendance last year. Now they are. Is there any increased risk of spread with fans in attendance?

Bratta: “Any time there is a large gathering of people, there is an increased risk, but with the plans in place to only allow fully vaccinated individuals into the stadium/arena, it is minimized, particularly in an outdoor setting like UB Stadium.

We are following the same protocols Erie County enacted for the Bills’ and Sabres’ competitions, which were developed by public health and medical professionals to allow for attendance while still keeping the fans’ safety in mind.”

TS: What went into UB’s new vaccination requirement for spectators?

Why was this the right decision to make?

Bratta: “Similar to the previous question, working with the Erie County Department of Health and the University Health Guidelines Committee, a plan was developed to maximize the opportunity for fans in attendance while keeping them as safe as possible. Knowing that every fan in the stadium is vaccinated minimizes the risk of bringing the virus in, and if it were to be present, most people would not become infected. In the event that someone was infected, we know that the vaccine significantly reduces the symptoms.”

TS: What protocols must unvaccinated athletes follow that vaccinated athletes don’t have to?

Bratta: “Any student-athlete that receives an exemption from the vaccine must test weekly per the university protocols, in-season and out of season. During their competition season, student-athletes must test within 72 hours of the first competition of the week as well as report any symptoms to the sports medicine staff as soon as they notice them. This will warrant testing and precautionary quarantine until the test results are returned. In the event that an unvaccinated student-athlete is considered an exposure, they are required to quarantine for 10 days, and we will test them at days five and 10 to ensure they remain negative.”

TS: Have there been any talks of booster shots within the athletic/ sports medicine department?

Bratta: “We are in constant communication with our team physicians, university physicians and county medical officials in regard to all protocols and plans around the COVID-19 pandemic. When the initial concept of boosters to the vaccine came out, we had a discussion but wanted to see what the research and CDC recommended. The majority of our population (18-22-year-old student-athletes) have responded well to the initial vaccines and currently, we are not planning to host op-

Courtesy of Boone Enser / UB Athletics UB Director of Sports Medicine and Wellness Services Brian Bratta says the Delta variant has thrown a “wrench” in the reopening process.

portunities for booster vaccines. Should a student-athlete or staff member be immunocompromised, they need to communicate with their personal physician and follow their guidance. We will continue to monitor what the recommendations are and if parameters were to change, we would follow the medical guidance.”

TS: How would you assess the university’s return to campus plan/execution this year?

Bratta: “UB officials have allowed their top medical professionals to collaborate with SUNY officials as well as Erie County and state medical officials to come up with the best plan possible for returning people to campus as well as allowing Athletic events to occur. I think they have done a good job in putting together information and presenting it to everyone coming to campus to ensure safety and reduce any outbreaks on campus. It has taken every department to work together for this to happen, and it is cool to see the community come together to help out.”

TS: Considering COVID-19 is still spreading and breakthrough Delta variant cases are occurring around the country, is another cancellation or postponement of sports still a possibility?

Bratta: “The Delta Variant has definitely thrown a wrench in the process of returning back to ‘normal,’ but I still think we are headed in the right direction. There may/ will be other variants that will continue to be hurdles, but the vaccination process is decreasing the spread as well as decreasing the severity of symptoms. That being said, we don’t know what the future holds.

There is always the possibility of things being put back on hold, but we are always working to stop or slow the infection rate and keep our student-athletes and staff as healthy as possible.”

Email: anthony.decicco@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @DeCicco42

SPORTS

6 | Wednesday, October 13 2021

ubspectrum.com

Four takeaways from UB’s 48-38 loss to Kent State Bulls’ second-half push not enough to secure the victory HUNTER SKOCZYLAS SPORTS EDITOR

After dropping its Mid-American Conference opener to Western Michigan last week, UB football (2-4, 0-2 MAC) fell to the Kent State Golden Flashes (3-3, 2-0 MAC), 48-38, at Dix Stadium in Kent, OH on Saturday night.

The Bulls found themselves down 31-10 at the half, after they were unable to contain Kent’s offense and execute and sustain their own drives, going just 3-of-10 on third-down conversions.

Unlike last weekend against Western Michigan, UB won the time of possession

battle, holding onto the football for 36:22 compared to Kent State’s 23:38. But the Bulls, who are usually a first-half team, struggled out of the gate this weekend in Ohio.

The offense was forced to make adjustments in the locker room at halftime, and they did — but only to an extent. The Bulls cut the lead to seven and even took a three-point lead at the end of the third quarter. But they didn’t do enough to get the victory, and now sit at 0-2 in MAC play.

Head coach Maurice Linguist says he wasn’t thrilled with the early deficit but was proud of his team’s effort to climb back in the third quarter.

“When we came out of that first half, we got [senior quarterback] Kyle [Vantrease] involved a little more in zone-read and we were able to move the chains effectively

and score on the opening drive,” Linguist said. “We came right back out on defense, made them punt it back to us and drove down again and before you knew it, we were down seven and we put ourselves back in the middle of the ballgame.”

Here are four takeaways from the Bulls’ second consecutive conference loss:

UB’s running game looked similar The offense finally showed up in to 2020 the second half It’s no easy feat to replace the produc-

The Bulls’ offense certainly struggled in both games prior to Kent State.

UB’s offense was mostly dormant in the second half against Old Dominion and Western Michigan. The Bulls scored a combined 10 points in the second half against the Monarchs and the Broncos.

The ineffectiveness of the offense allowed ODU to score 27 unanswered second-half points in Week 4 and WMU to score 17 unanswered second-half points the following week.

Coming out of the tunnel in the second half this week, Linguist made the adjustments needed to kickstart a scoring explosion. But most importantly, the adjustments sparked a consistent offensive gameplan. After only managing to score 10 points on five drives in the first half, UB came out of the half firing.

The Bulls scored four touchdowns on four consecutive drives — resulting in 28 unanswered points in the third quarter.

Vantrease threw 45 times, his second-highest pass attempt total of the season behind the Nebraska game in Week 2, when he threw 50 times.

Graduate wide receiver Quian Wil-

Moaz Elazzazi / The Spectrum Safety Marcus Fuqua (10) and linebackers Kadofi Wright (2) and James Patterson (8) get ready during a timeout.

‘It’s the coolest thing ever’ The mother-son duo look to make the most of their year together at UB

liams continues to be Vantrease’s favorite target, as the Oklahoma City native hauled in eight balls for 86 yards.

The Bulls recorded 549 total yards of offense and ran 99 total plays, their most against an FBS opponent so far this season.

tion of a runner like Jaret Patterson, who torched the Golden Flashes with a historic 409-yard, eight touchdown performance last season. But the three-headed backfield of senior Kevin Marks Jr. and juniors Dylan McDuffie and Ron Cook Jr. make do.

McDuffie led the Bulls with 10 carries for 87 yards and one touchdown, while Marks recorded 16 carries for 80 yards and two touchdowns. Cook balanced out the Bulls’ rushing attack with 14 carries for 75 yards. UB’s ground game produced 312 total yards, its highest output of the season.

There is no true lead back in this offense, which could be a reason the rushing attack has yet to be unleashed in the manner it was last season. But in a game of catch-up, the Bulls stuck to the run game and it nearly paid off. Linguist and offensive coordinator Shane Montgomery must focus on developing more of a passing identity if UB wants to compete for a conference championship, but it’s clear the running game has been established and is something the Bulls can lean on when needed.

SEE TAKEAWAYS PAGE 10

Felisha Legette-Jack, Maceo Jack embrace each other’s company

ANTHONY DECICCO SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR Courtesy of Paul Hokanson / UB Athletics Senior guard Maceo Jack is expected to contribute to the Bulls this season after transferring from

Vindhya Burugupalli / The Spectrum Women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack poses after winning the 2019 MAC Championship Game.

George

Washington University.

UB women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack always wanted to see her son play on a regular basis.

So when Maceo Jack received an offer to transfer to the UB’s men’s basketball team in January, mother and son couldn’t believe their good fortune.

“It’s the coolest thing ever,” LegetteJack told The Spectrum Tuesday at Alumni Arena. “I said to him, ‘You go and evolve as a young man,’ and it took him all over the place. It [basketball] took me away from him, for four years I never saw him play on a consistent basis.”

Maceo averaged 24 points and seven rebounds per game at Williamsville North High School in Buffalo, before spending a postgraduate season at St. Thomas More in Connecticut, where he earned All-New England third-team honors.

He then accepted an offer to play basketball at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where he played four seasons and averaged 9.1 points per game.

But during that time, mother and son were separated — something that weighed heavily on both of them.

Which is why the opportunity to return home and play at the same school his mother coaches at was something the Buffalo native couldn’t refuse.

“It’s awesome being home,” Maceo said.

“Being able to drive 5-10 minutes from where I live and have dinner with my mom and dad every now and then, a couple times a week, it’s great. I was only able to see my mom once or twice a year when I was at GW, and my dad would make trips every now and then, but it’s nice to have

the consistent ability to be able to come home.”

During his four years in D.C., Maceo only saw Felisha and his father, David, on a sporadic basis.

Legette-Jack insists her son’s commitment to UB was “all his doing,” and that he spent hours on Zoom calls with coaches across the country trying to find the best fit for himself.

Ultimately, Maceo felt comfortable with the Bulls after regular Zoom calls with the UB coaching staff.

“He did the work,” Legette-Jack said. “[UB men’s basketball head] coach Jim Whitesell and his staff, they did about five to six Zooms, an hour each, just to really articulate what was happening for their program and how they saw him fitting into the process.”

The moment Maceo told his parents he would play for UB, his life changed forever.

The emotions were overwhelming, even for Legette-Jack — who is notorious for her tough, hard-nosed personality and coaching style.

“We went upstairs and dad was all proud and I cried, but I didn’t show him because I’m a tough coach, too,” Legette-Jack said.

“I can’t let him see me cry but it was really a moment where he did it himself and I’m grateful for that.”

Maceo was ineligible for competition last season after committing to UB in the middle of the 2020-21 campaign. He sat out the remainder of the year, where he spent his time learning the Bulls’ play style and personnel.

His time off gave him a new appreciation for the game and a newfound emphasis on the mental aspect of basketball, something he plans to carry with him into the 2021-22 season.

“Sitting out, it took me away from the game,” Maceo said. “I think taking myself away from the game was beneficial for me because it helped me get really cerebral with the game and learning the system and knowing which ways I could improve. I think that was a big part of my game I needed to improve on and I think it’s helped me exponentially as I’m going into this year.”

Maceo finished second in the Atlantic 10 Conference with 83 three-pointers made during the 2019-20 season, so he is expected to be a significant addition for the Bulls.

He also brings an 86% career average from the free-throw line to UB. Jack’s shooting from beyond the arc and at the charity stripe will undoubtedly help a Bulls team that finished 10th in the MAC with a 67.1% average from the line last season.

“Maceo is a great addition to us. [He’s] another big, strong body that we need,” senior point guard Ronaldo Segu said. “[He] can shoot, stretch out the floor, can get downhill, can absorb contact and get to the rim. Maceo is a real good addition.”

While it’s all smiles and warm embraces for the time being, Legette-Jack made her expectations clear to Maceo. She put the pressure on him to perform at UB. Legette-Jack and her husband are right around the corner, and they’ll be blunt with their son if they have to be.

“This is the only year [he’ll be at UB]. I think he can play, so we’ll see if he can put that ball in the hole. Because if he doesn’t, he still has to come home and we will tell him the truth,” Legette-Jack said.

Maceo — who’s used to the tough love from his family — is embracing everything that comes with being the hometown kid.

Even criticism from his mom.

“She’s definitely gonna get on me but it’s great,” Maceo said. “You see the tough side she has on the court but off the court, she’s a great mom. She shows that support, so it’s gonna be great to have that throughout the year.”

Email: anthony.decicco@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @DeCicco42

Alexander Brown / The Spectrum Senior guard Maceo Jack (gray sweatshirt) transferred to UB in January after spending four years at George Washington University.

FEATURES

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Wednesday, October 13 2021 | 7

Food + Drink

Pizza, pancakes, poutine, and other gems from Buffalo’s best eateries and cafes SPECTRUM STAFF

The Queen City may be known to outsiders for its snow and hockey team, but to natives, it’s the site of culinary excellence.

“Experience the basic, delightful duality of the Buffalo experience — cold and harsh outside, warm and hospitable inside,” the late Anthony Bourdain said in 2009.

Buffalo is famous for its wings, but it’s so much more than that: it’s also beef on weck, Buffalo-style pizza, spaghetti parm and so much more. The staff of The Spectrum compiled a list of their favorite joints in the 716:

Big Mood

Located in the heart of Elmwood Village, Big Mood is an all-vegan restaurant with plant-based twists on many comfort dishes. The menu caters to all sorts of tastes, from chicken sandwiches made from seitan to milkshakes made from oat milk to a twist on buffalo wings made from jackfruit. All ingredients are made in-house daily. This place will be sure to please vegans and non-vegans alike.

JASON MONTERROSA

Lake Effect Ice Cream

shouldn’t despair; this joint also features regular breakfast and lunch on weekdays.

Located in Allentown, just off Elmwood Avenue, the yellow walls with red trim give off an eclectic and homey feel that will have students sitting in the dining room sipping coffees and mimosas for hours.

It’s the perfect place for any diet; all the menus have a “Have it Either Way” section that will satisfy the vegans and glutenfree people among us. It’s also perfect for furry friends — Betty’s also has a “For Fido” menu made with special seasonings just for dogs. The classic eggs benedict, featuring the most delicious hollandaise sauce, is a personal favorite, but the weekly specials are a hit as well.

NATALIE DOLLER

Sato Ramen

Sato Ramen is the ideal place to eat and catch up with friends. An intimate scene with a buzz of low-fi music, an open kitchen and friendly hosts, Sato cultivates a homey vibe for students to enjoy a meal and a ton of laughs with friends or a partner. The food itself is varied, well-seasoned and leaves students wanting more — the

smell is second-to-none. Situated on Main Street, this joint will leave students with a full stomach and a smile.

SOPHIE MCNALLY

Kostas Family Restaurant

Since its founding in 1977, Kostas has become a staple of the North Buffalo restaurant scene. Its all-day breakfast and plentiful American fare are sure to delight any hungry college student, but it’s the authentic, fresh Greek cuisine that makes the restaurant stand out. And for what it is, the menu is reasonably priced. Most dishes go for well under $15. Takeout is an option, but students should consider dining in.

The restaurant is recently renovated, features outdoor and indoor seating, sports a bar for of-age students and is only a fiveminute drive from South Campus.

GRANT ASHLEY

Campfire Grill

With two locations — one on Walden Avenue in Depew and another on Main Street in Clarence — the Campfire Grill is a roughly 10-minute drive from South

With two locations, one on Hertel Avenue and the other in Lockport, Lake Effect made its name as one of the tastiest ice cream shops in Western New York.

The joint is renowned for its extensive and inventive menu. Here, patrons can enjoy ice cream flavors ranging from the standard, vanilla, to the less familiar, black sesame. However, no matter what visitors get, they can be sure it’s going to be delicious. Even as the weather gets cold, students will find it difficult to resist Lake Effect’s frosty treats.

Campus. As the name suggests, the restaurant has an entertaining and mouthwatering menu. With breakfast options ranging from the lumberjack to the trailblazer to the fisherman’s favorite, this joint serves up a truly memorable experience. The Campfire Grill offers a variety of pancake flavors including cinnamon roll, Oreo and s’mores. The restaurant also offers a lunch menu featuring burgers, salads and flatbreads.

COURTNEY JACKSON

Original Pancake House

There’s no better place to grab breakfast as a college student than at the Original Pancake House. The food is high in quality, the portion sizes are large and the fare is cheap, making it the perfect place for a 20-something to frequent. Located only four miles away from North Campus, this restaurant boasts the Dutch Baby, a thin pancake filled with butter, powdered sugar and fresh strawberries. Not craving a sweet breakfast? Try one of their omelettes, from original cheddar to seafood; it’s sure to leave students craving more.

Pro Tip: The Original Pancake House does not accept reservations, so prepare to wait 30-45 minutes on weekends.

DAN EASTMAN

JJ’s Cafe

Located on Kenmore Avenue by South Campus, JJ’s is a small breakfast spot run by an eldery Indian couple. The homey restaurant boasts everything from Garbage Plates to Tandoori Chicken sandwiches. Every customer is made to feel like a regular, and owner/chef Jagat has an endless supply of dad jokes that will brighten students’ day.

KARA ANDERSON

MOAZ ELAZZAZI

Kumo Japanese Cuisine

Roma Thai & Burmese Cuisine

Students craving Japanese fare should visit a hidden gem in Kumo Japanese Cuisine. Nestled in a strip mall on Transit Road, Kumo is a 24-minute drive from North Campus. While the trek is long, students will be glad they came — the assortment of sushi rolls, soup, noodle dishes, salads and even a lunchtime bento box are sure to delight. There are a few vegetarian rolls as well — the vegetable tempura is a personal favorite.

Jack Porcari / The Spectrum From the inside, Big Mood on Elmwood looks ‘70s-themed apartment.

less like a restaurant and more like your cool aunt’s

JACK PORCARI

Craft Coffee House

Located in Lockport, Craft Coffee House offers an array of housemade beverages, including lattes, pour-overs, teas, smoothies, beer, wine and cocktails. The veteran-owned shop also offers homemade baked goods and has a menu filled with vegan-friendly items. Craft is only 15 minutes from North Campus, making it an accessible and welcoming place for students to get some studying done away from the library while enjoying delicious coffee and food.

KYLE NGUYEN

Young Chow

Located in the Commons, this is the place to enjoy Asian cuisine. Located next door to Subway and CVS, Young Chow serves a variety of sushi, bento boxes, bubble tea, noodles and rice that will leave visitors craving more. Looking for a quick order to-go for lunch or dinner? This is the place to visit. Who knows? Maybe it’ll become a weekly stop.

KAYLA STERNER

Poutine and Cream

Students craving Canadian cuisine should visit Poutine and Cream, a popular spot on Hertel Avenue featuring poutine, cheese curds and french fries drenched in gravy. Authentic Canadian poutine may be out of reach on this side of the border, but this joint is a student’s dream. Combining poutine with extravagant milkshakes — with vegan options for both — the unlikely duo is a hit. The veggie poutine and vanilla shake is a solid go-to option.

There are also burgers on the menu for the picky-eater, and for those 21+, boozy shakes are also on the menu. Poutine and Cream is the best way to end an especially stressful week.

Vindhya Burugupalli / The Spectrum An intimate scene with a buzz of low-fi music, an open kitchen and friendly hosts, Sato cultivates a homey vibe for students to enjoy a meal and laughs with friends or a partner.

JULIE FREY

Betty’s

Betty’s is the restaurant Instagram-worthy brunches are made for. But students fearing the oversaturated brunch rush

This intimate Thai and Burmese joint is the perfect place to spice up students’ palettes. Tucked away in the Boardwalk Boutiques strip mall on Maple Road, Roma is just a five-minute drive off North Campus. Founded by a two-man team of former Burmese refugees, this establishment prides itself on its personalized services, community bonding and culinary repertoire spanning Pad Thai, sushi rolls and Burmese home-cooked staples. The man up front, San Li, will sometimes even treat guests to a special off-menu haul of Lahpet Thoke, a traditional Burmese tea leaf salad plate. The semester is long, and it just might be the spin on caffeinated food students never knew they needed.

Leah Marie / The Spectrum Students craving Canadian cuisine should visit Poutine and Cream, a popular spot on Hertel Avenue featuring poutine, cheese curds and french fries drenched in gravy.

CHRISTOPHER NG

Taisho Bistro Japanese Restaurant

A 10-minute drive from North Campus, in the Sheridan Center, Taisho Bistro is the ultimate low-key sushi spot. Students can get their fill of fish from a wide assortment of cooked, raw and specialty sushi rolls. Looking for land over sea?

Taisho Bistro also offers classic Japanese dishes like fried rice and udon, as well as meals with a unique modern spin, like the “Taisho Dumpling,” a deep-fried spicy tuna in a wonton, served with guacamole, spicy mayo and eel sauce. The service and food are consistently great, making Taisho Bistro a must-have for students craving Japanese food.

BRENDEN WOLD

8 | Wednesday, October 13 2021

FEATURES

ubspectrum.com

UB Improv offers up more than just laughs The club embodies comedy, community and change KARA ANDERSON ASST. ARTS EDITOR

When Kaylie Brinkman began her freshman year at UB, she considered herself bashful and found it hard to “be the person I wanted to be, to speak out loud.”

Now a senior biological sciences major and vice president of the UB Improv Club, Brinkman is a tour guide on campus, performs on stage with confidence and grace and has the skill set to conquer professional interviews.

She says she couldn’t have done it without UB Improv.

“Improv has pretty much helped every facet of me,” Brinkman said in an interview with The Spectrum. “It’s more than you would think.”

Brinkman isn’t alone in this sentiment.

UB Improv is one of the hundreds of clubs that can be found across campus — clubs focusing on entertainment, politics, religion, communities of color and academics. At the start of each semester, the club holds auditions to select members for its troupes, the groups that perform at the club’s biweekly shows. This year’s troupes are called Lighter Lifestyle, Sigma Males and Tomfoolery.

In addition to its shows, UB Improv hosts weekly workshops, open to all students, on Mondays from 7 to 9 p.m. in SU 330, where participants work on improvrelated skills like projecting one’s voice and physicality.

And UB Improv is more than just shows and practices; it has its foundation in the community it builds.

Current members have referred to the club as not only a space to learn this specific form of comedy, but also as a place to socialize as one’s honest self.

“I get to be dorky in a free environment without judgment,” Juliana D’Orazio, a junior anthropology major and the club’s events coordinator, said about her time in the club.

This freedom of expression is also

shared by Brinkman.

“I came from a small town, so it was a little more conservative around there,” Brinkman said. “And when I’m at Improv, I can just shout out loud and crack jokes and be who I want to be.”

Participants spend time with each other beyond the club’s doors with troupe bonding exercises, like bowling or going out to eat, which members say help foster this familiar and welcoming environment.

But UB Improv isn’t only for its members; the e-board says it’s as open to newcomers and non-members as it is for active participants. The only important thing is that one has an appreciation for the craft and the people involved.

“We want everybody to show up,” Thomas Andrews, a senior history major, Spectrum staff podcaster and president of UB Improv, said. “We want people who have different opinions, people who have different walks of life, and we all just want to get up on stage.”

The organization has allowed engaged students to gain skills learned through the craft, as well as social skills developed through the community, which aid them beyond the boundaries of the stage.

“I’m a media studies major, so I work on film sets a lot,” Thomas Kowalski, a senior, Spectrum staff podcaster and secretary of UB Improv, said. “Sometimes I’ve got to act as a character in this and create scenes. Now, I’ll add a bit to my character here and there.”

Other benefits include enhancing communication in public speech and interviews, which some club members have found particularly beneficial.

“It helps improve confidence,” Kowalski said. “It helps get rid of social anxiety a little bit. It’s nice and helps you think on your feet more.”

For D’Orazio, this meant class presentations became less of a stressor in her life. And it allowed Brinkman to “catapult things out and work with it” when unsure what to say in interviews with research labs.

Many members say UB Improv has changed them, but the club itself has gone through a period of transition this past

Courtesy of UB Improv Students attended UB Improv’s first meeting of the semester in SU 330 on Sept. 5.

year as well.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the club to make some major adjustments.

In particular, mask requirements have been a limiting factor this semester. This is the first semester the club can hold workshops and practices with more than 10 people since the pandemic began, so nonverbal communication is key.

“Improv is a very physical, emotive form of comedy,” Kowalski said. “It’s hard to do that when you have to wear a mask that covers half your face.”

On top of the masks limiting participants from seeing their peers’ faces, they also inhibit members’ abilities to project, an essential skill to ensuring an audience hears what the performers are saying.

As a result, the club’s e-board has made sure to ensure its members are able to project their voices without shouting.

This emphasis on projection came with a slight change of direction for the club, which is now utilizing more practice time to teach improv as a skill set, rather than a social activity.

“The club was stuck in the status quo, especially after a pandemic,” Andrews said.

With these changes, there remains a silver lining.

Because of the pandemic, UB Improv created a YouTube channel where they live

stream their shows.

This has allowed for an expanded audience to view the club’s performances, including parents and friends who are unable to attend in person.

Now, UB Improv will be aiming to make the most of its restrictions. In particular, members look forward to the murder mystery dinner, the group’s annual fundraiser.

This event brings the cast and audience together to solve a murder with a particular theme. In the past, UB Improv has set the mystery against the backdrop of a high school reunion and of the Greek Gods.

This year, the show will be taking a royal theme, centering around the Kingdom of Improvnia.

The show will take place Nov. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tickets will be available in the SU Ticket Office; prices are yet to be determined.

From performances as varied as the murder mystery to the biweekly shows, members cite improv as one of the best parts of their UB experience.

“When you put on a show and you’re hitting all the right beats and everyone’s laughing at your jokes and everyone feels really coordinated, that’s one of the best feelings ever,” Brinkman said.

Email:kara.anderson@ubspectrum.com

UB introduces Chineselanguage cinema lecture series Series kicks off on Oct. 21, is open to the public SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

A virtual lecture series focusing on Chinese-language speaking films will kick off on Oct. 21 at 4 p.m., UB announced last week.

The series is sponsored by the Center for Global Film in the UB Department of English and the Confucius Institute, and was organized by assistant professor of global film studies Tanya Shilina-Conte.

Following in the footsteps of the annual Riverrun Global Film Series held at Buffalo’s Burchfield Penney Art Center, the virtual lecture series will feature films that Shilina-Conte selected from China’s cinematic history, in an attempt to educate attendees on the country’s rich history.

“The selected talks and films chart the chronological development of Chineselanguage cinema, beginning in the late 1930s and ending with contemporary films from the 2000s,” Shilina-Conte said.

“In addition to Mainland China, the series focuses on Taiwan and Hong Kong, features films by women and queer directors, broaches the topic of film censorship as social practice and revisits one of the earlier films in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic.”

This is yet another addition to a variety of seminar series hosted by the Global

Film Series over the years.

English professor and interim department chair William Solomon says this program has far-reaching popularity.

“While introducing UB students and faculty to international cinema, our annual Global Film Series continues to be one of the most vital ways the English department reaches out to the Western New York community,” Solomon said.

This film series will be one of the final projects involving the Confucius Institute, which will close its doors at the end of this year after 11 years of promoting and strengthening Chinese culture on campus.

The series’ first lecture, held over Zoom, will be hosted by Christopher Rea, a professor of modern Chinese literature at the University of British Columbia. The lecture is titled “What Disney (and the Rest of Us) Can Learn from the Earliest Surviving Mulan Film,” and Rea encourages attendees to view the 1939 and 2020 portrayals of the Chinese folk heroine, “Hua Mu Lan” and “Mulan.”

Future seminars will include, “Socialist New Wave: Zhang Nuanxin and 1980s Chinese Women’s Cinema” and “Pandemic Premonitions: Revisiting Tsai Mingliang’s “The Hole.”

The series is free to attend and open to the public. Attendees can register by emailing ubci@buffalo.edu.

Email:alex.falter@ubspectrum.com

Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Christopher Rea encourages students to view both the 1939 and 2020 versions of the classic “Mulan.”

ubspectrum.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, October 13 2021 | 9

5 powerful songs that perfectly describe mental health Tracks for people suffering internally — nobody is alone ALEX FALTER SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

Music has always been one of the purest forms of expression.

While many have utilized the medium to push an ideology or promote a product, the most powerful songs come from larger-than-life stars opening up about their own problems. Instead of listening to their heroes sing of riches and lovers, listeners gain an appreciation for just how similar these artists are to their own fans, which simultaneously raises recognition for these problems while reminding people that sometimes, it’s OK not to be OK. For anyone feeling lonely, weird or out of touch with the world, the songs below tell the truth about this grisly ailment:

Lua

Mac Miller Despite building a career as a rapper, Mac actually covered a lowkey gem of a 2005 song with the same name by the band Bright Eyes. Mac sings about adventures with a lover as he navigates the loneliness plaguing his mind over a beautifully reflective guitar.

Lines like “the mask I polish in the evenings by the morning looks like s--t” are a clear reference to masking, a technique used by people with autism and other social developmental disorders to hide behaviors and mannerisms which they are all-too self-aware of. But despite getting ready to present himself to his peers with the “mask” he has prepared, he can’t even look in the mirror by the time he gets home.

With the voice of a grizzled but loving individual, Mac provides an open and honest portrait of a man whose mind has been tragically dragged through the wringer, giving listeners a genuine peek into a heartbreakingly sad brain: “When everything is lonely I can be my own best friend / I get a coffee and a paper, have my own conversations.”

As the song draws to a close, it becomes clear Mac feels he has little control over his life, finding solitude only in friends and drugs. Of course, this only adds on to that pain, and his final line only confirms that the beloved musician wants to be better, but day-by-day life only pulls him back: “And I’m not sure what the trouble was, that started all of this / The reasons all have run away, but the feeling, never did / It’s not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live / ‘Cause what is simple in the moonlight by the morning never is.”

knows, sometimes one can’t internally justify their feelings, making them feel even worse, which subsequently shuts the individual out from loved ones to an even greater degree: “Mr. Blue / I have to go now, darling / Don’t be angry / I know that you’re tired / Know that you’re sore and sick and sad for some reason / So I leave you with a smile / Kiss you on the cheek / And you will call it treason.”

But, over the course of two short minutes, Feeney offers Blue a beautifully hopeful solution to his problems, reminding listeners that even in their worst moments, there was happiness in their lives before, and there will certainly be more to come in the future: “Mr. Blue, don’t hold your head so low that you can’t see the sky / Mr. Blue, it ain’t so long since you were flyin’ high.”

Even with the song’s limitlessly sad topics, these lyrics can’t help but spark hope, hinting that the best days might not even be behind us, but right around the corner.

tryna rip out my soul / Tryna catch a n---a on sleep, no-no / You can try again and I’ll be ready / Won’t let you kill me in my dream like Freddy Krueger / No, I’m not no loser, I’ll see you in Hell.”

As Cudi emphatically states his mom’s imploration to let no one break his spirit, the song’s chorus rockets from a previously fast-paced rap beat into an epic sound that will make even the most discouraged individuals hold their heads up high and drown out the sounds of their doubters: “My mama told me don’t let no one break me, let no one break me / At the end of the day, day / Nobody, nobody ever could stop me, ever could stop me / At the end of the day, day / You can’t regret it if you were trying, if you were trying / At the end of the day, day / I’m walking with a heart of a lion, yeah.”

This is one of many fascinating songs in the Cleveland rapper’s discography that touches upon the trials of mental health, with other essentials including “Love” and “Soundtrack 2 My Life.”

Heart of a Lion

Paranoid

Kid Cudi While many artists discuss their mental health experiences, “Heart of a Lion” details Kid Cudi’s internal fight to break through an invisible bubble. Serving as an anthem for the fighter in everyone, Cudi reflects on the personal challenges he’s experienced across his life, making some expertly placed references while refusing to let anything get in his way: “But the weed is guaranteed, indeed, just what I need / How I feel, upon a time, so recent in time, made me sad / When I recollect how it used to be like / Like David and Goliath kinda like me / And the Devil

Black Sabbath One of the most iconic metal songs to ever grace the speakers, “Paranoid” is a foray into insanity. Across Tommy Iommi’s legendary riff, Ozzy Osbourne screams his problems for the world to hear, admitting his mental state is aggressively falling apart as he desperately tries to keep it together: “Finished with my woman ‘cause she couldn’t help me with my mind / People think I’m insane because I am frowning all the time / All day long, I think of things but nothing seems to satisfy / Think I’ll lose my mind if I don’t find something to pacify.”

Few other songs have lyrics and production that complement each other so perfectly, as the increasingly frantic lyrics symbolize a mind that becomes more decrepit with each verse, before finally crashing to a point of dark acceptance, where Ozzy can only advise others to not take his path: “And so, as you hear these words telling you now of my state / I tell you to enjoy life, I wish I could, but it’s too late.”

Gasoline

Halsey Halsey’s “Gasoline” is centered around her own experience with bipolar disorder and takes an unflinching look at the unparalleled torture of mental illness that can shake the human mind. Halsey asks the audience if they relate to her struggles at all, highlighting the toll being famous has taken on her with substance abuse and constant judgment from others: “Are you high enough without the Mary Jane like me? / Do you tear yourself apart to entertain like me? / Do the people whisper ‘bout you on the train like me?”

The root of her problems eventually becomes clear in the chorus, with Halsey pouring her heart out into an emotional ballad of revelation. Despite becoming a beloved star, Halsey is no longer seen as one of “them.” They see her as just a celebrity, stripping her of her humanity, which only furthers her own insanity: “And all the people say / You can’t wake up, this is not a dream / You’re part of a machine, you are not a human being / With your face all made up, living on a screen / Low on self-esteem, so you run on gasoline.”

Email: alex.falter@ubspectrum.com

Mr. Blue

Catherine Feeney Few songs capture seemingly unexplainable depression like “Mr. Blue.” Across a playfully chime-filled production, Feeney sings about the titular Mr. Blue and his endless sadness. Even with Feeney giving Blue constant love and affection, there’s nothing she can do to help him. But as anyone who has experienced depression

Nicolas Vӧlcker / Wiki Commons The late Mac Miller performed at the Splash! Festival in 2017.

THE BULL PEN / Wiki Commons Cleveland rapper Kid Cudi performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2014.

Warner Bros. Records / Wiki Commons A trade ad for Black Sabbath’s album “Black Sabbath” in the July 18, 1970 issue of Billboard.

SPORTS

10 | Wednesday, October 13 2021

ubspectrum.com

Women’s Soccer Women’s Volleyball WOMEN’S SOCCER SPLITS WEEKEND MATCHUPS

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL SUFFERS BACK-TO-BACK HOME LOSSES

Women’s soccer (9-3-1, 3-2-1 MAC) beat Eastern Michigan (2-9-2, 1-4-1 MAC), 2-1, on Thursday afternoon at Scicluna Field in Ypsilanti, MI. The Bulls then returned home to host Central Michigan (7-5, 4-2 MAC), losing 1-0 after allowing a goal in the final minute of the game Sunday afternoon at UB Stadium.

The first half against Eastern Michigan was a defense-heavy affair, with neither team scoring thanks to strong goalkeeping performances by Eagles senior Chelsea Abbotts and Bulls senior Emily Kelly.

Despite conceding a goal at the 48-minute mark, goals by junior midfielder Leah Wengender and senior forward Taylor Caridi secured UB’s third-straight victory.

Sunday’s matchup against Central Michigan was a heartbreaker for UB, as CMU sophomore forward Elizabeth Chlystun scored the game-winning goal in the final 53 seconds of play.

While the Bulls lost the game, UB outshot the Chippewas 23-8, with seven shots on target compared to CMU’s six.

Kelly made five saves while CMU goalkeeper Allison LaPoint made seven stops.

The Bulls will host the Western Michigan Broncos (3-10, 1-5 MAC) at UB Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Women’s volleyball (9-9, 2-4 MAC) fell to Toledo (14-4, 5-1 MAC), 0-3, Friday night and Ball State (15-3, 5-1 MAC), 2-3, Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena. The Bulls are currently on a four-game losing streak following the back-to-back losses.

UB struggled to control the Rockets Friday night, as Toledo won 25-21, 2512, 25-15 in three sets.

The Bulls managed to keep the contest close during the first set but Toledo broke an 18-18 deadlock at the end of the match to take an early lead.

The Rockets never looked back and secured the remaining sets comfortably.

On Saturday afternoon, the Bulls returned to Alumni Arena to face the Cardinals. The match was a tense thriller that ended with a 2-3 loss for the Bulls. The Cards were able to take the match in five sets, 25-15, 25-27, 17-25, 25-21, 16-14.

After losing the first set by a wide margin, the Bulls came out fighting in the second set. The Cardinals held a 20-17 lead in the second set before the Bulls scored three points to tie the match. UB defended two set points before junior middle blocker Courtney Okwara delivered a kill to give the Bulls the lead, and a kill from freshman outside hitter Maria Futey gave UB the set.

With the match tied at two, the Cardinals took an 8-5 lead at the beginning of the fifth set. The Bulls responded almost immediately by scoring four straight points, which resulted in a 9-8 lead. UB had the win within reach but the Cardinals scored the final three points to win the set, 16-14, and steal the 3-2 win.

The Bulls will return to Alumni Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 13 to face the Akron Zips (8-10, 2-4 MAC) at 6 p.m.

KAYLA STERNER SOPHIE MCNALLY STAFF WRITERS

TAKEAWAYS FROM PAGE 6

Alex McNulty struggles in crucial moments

Junior kicker Alex McNulty has struggled this season, making only 5-of-11 field goal attempts, including two crucial fourth quarter misses against Kent State — a 24-yarder with less than ten minutes remaining and a 45-yarder the following drive.

Despite making all five extra point attempts, the two missed field goals put a damper on the Bulls’ offensive momentum and put an end to the scoring frenzy.

But Linguist says he isn’t worried about McNulty’s struggles and said he was simply a prisoner of the moment.

“We’ll sit down as a staff and look at what we have to do,” Linguist said. “You know, you say he’s 5-of-11 but some of those are longer field goals we’ve seen Alex make in practices or in previous games.

We have confidence in him and we have to challenge him to play up to his ability.”

There will likely be discussions between the coaching staff about a possible change at the kicker position, but McNulty seems likely to remain the starter. Junior Jackson Balter and sophomore Garrett Selover are apparent candidates to replace McNulty if a change is made.

KEVIN CORTES STAFF WRITER

play. Kent graduate quarterback Dustin Crum dominated through the air and on the ground, recording two rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns — all of which went to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dante Cephas, who caught 13 balls for 186 yards.

UB needs to find some continuity on both sides of the ball if there’s going to be any sort of opportunity for postseason play.

The Bulls are currently tied with Bowling Green at the bottom of the MAC East standings with an 0-2 record. UB will look for its first conference win of the season against the Ohio Bobcats (1-5, 1-1 MAC) at UB Stadium on Saturday at noon. The game will be aired on ESPN+.

Last week in UB Athletics

Women’s Basketball Men’s Basketball WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HUNGRY FOR REDEMPTION

MEN’S BASKETBALL WILL RELY ON EXPERIENCE

Following an 80-67 loss to the Bowling Green Falcons in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament last season, the UB women’s basketball team returned to the court for practice last week with redemption on their mind.

Redshirt fifth-year forward Summer Hemphill, who only appeared in seven games and logged five starts last season due to an injury that sidelined her for over 14 months, has a chance to play her first full season since the 2018-19 campaign.

“I feel great. I feel normal. Everyone that sees me says, ‘Summer you look great,’” Hemphill said. “If you’ve seen me these past two years, you could probably tell me by the way I walked or saw the games I played, you could see I wasn’t necessarily comfortable out there.”

Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack hasn’t forgotten about the leadership Hemphill exhibited on the court in previous seasons and is ready to get her back in the regular rotation.

“There’s no sign of stopping her, so we let her go full time,” LegetteJack said. “If we have to run, she runs.

We’re treating it like she’s 100% and I think she’s receiving it well. I’m a pretty tough coach and a passionate person and not too many people can handle my screaming and yelling but Summer does.”

After making an immediate impact as a freshman with the Bulls in 2019-20, junior guard Dyaisha Fair continued to dominate the game as a sophomore, averaging 24.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game. She was named to the All-MAC First Team and All-Defensive Team as a result.

With Hemphill sidelined for Fair’s entire freshman season and the majority of her sophomore campaign, the Rochester native became a leader on the court.

“It [the leadership] started back home because I’m the oldest of four children, so I didn’t have a choice and had to be a leader,” Fair said. “I’m just looking to lead more and lead by example as much as I can. It’s okay to make mistakes and as a leader, you have to know that and you have to own it.”

The UB men’s basketball team is coming off consecutive losses — one to Ohio in the Mid-American Conference Tournament and the other to Colorado State in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

This year’s Bulls roster will feature multiple returning upperclassmen from last season. Senior forwards Jeenathan Williams and Josh Mballa, senior guard Ronaldo Segu and graduate center Brock Bertram all return to UB after playing significant roles in 2020-21.

Led by Williams (17.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game last season) and Segu (13.3 points and 4.3 assists per game a year ago), UB is replete with veteran leadership.

The leaders have paved the way for a group of promising freshmen consisting of guards Curtis Jones and Kidtrell Blocker and forwards Zaakir Williamson and Kuluel Mading.

Whitesell mentioned the impact former Bulls such as C.J. Massinburg and Nick Perkins had on Segu and Williams during the 2018-19 season.

He now wants Segu, Williams and the other upperclassmen to return the favor to the freshman set to make their UB debuts this season.

“I’m happy with those young guys, but I keep reminding our older guys, it’s what you guys bring to the table in showing them the way,” Whitesell said. “Just like our program’s been in the past, our older guys have helped them get in the right direction.”

After falling in the MAC Championship Game last season, Williams says he sees a different spark in this season’s squad.

The Bulls understand the challenge at hand and say they have the experience necessary to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years.

“We all just want to win, and that’s why I love this team,” Williams said.

“We’ve all bought into what the coaches want us to do and what we want to do, that’s what really matters because we’re the ones on the floor.

So everyone has bought in and as of now we’ve been doing a phenomenal job of just working hard every day, bringing the intensity every day and getting better 1% every day.”

HUNTER SKOCZYLAS

ANTHONY DECICCO

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Email: hunter.skoczylas@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @HunterSkoczylas

UB’s defense needs to gain consistency The defense couldn’t seem to get off the field against Western Michigan last week.

Multiple three-and-out’s by the offense combined with late-game fatigue resulted in crucial mistakes against the Broncos.

Even though it was another loss, the opposite was the case against Kent State.

The Golden Flashes’ offense consists of fast-paced, no-huddle plays intended to catch opposing defenses off-guard, and it did just that against UB. The defense let up a huge 54-yard catch on the first play of the game to fifth-year wide receiver Abram Keshunn which led to an early Kent State touchdown, and it all went downhill from there.

The Bulls allowed 226 yards on the ground and 407 yards through the air.

Overall, UB was gashed for 7.8 yards per

Moaz Elazzazi / The Spectrum UB linebackers Kadofi Wright (2) and James Patterson (8) sit on the sidelines during a recent game. The Bulls lost to Kent State, 48-38,

on

Saturday.