The Spectrum Volume 63 Issue 32 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

Chris Cornell performs solo act at CFA Popular app Lulu begins to catch on at UB THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

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Women’s hoops begins new campaign

Friday, November 8, 2013

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Volume 63 No. 32

FACULTY SENATOR PUSHES TO MAKE

UB FOUNDATION BUDGET PUBLIC

Low attendance at Senate meeting hinders voting on UBF-related motion SARA DINATALE MANAGING EDITOR

Faculty Senator Kenneth Dauber wants the University at Buffalo Foundation (UBF), a private organization that manages the millions of dollars donated to the university, to make its budget public – and he’s looking to the Faculty Senate for support. But he is going to have to wait to find out if he has it; the motion Dauber made was deferred to the next meeting. A trend of low attendance has followed the Faculty Senate for years, leaving the body unable to have quorum and vote on motions. Tuesday afternoon’s meeting in the Center for Tomorrow was no different. Dauber, an English professor, made a motion requesting the Faculty Senate ask UB President Satish Tripathi and UB administration to make UBF and its associated foundations’ budget public. Dauber stood in front of the crowd, which included 37 senators – 14 short of what’s required for the body to vote – and read from his motion statement. He said, according to the Senate’s bylaws, it is the group’s responsibility to have oversight on the university’s budget and make

Aline Kobayashi, The Spectrum At Tuesday’s Senate meeting, Faculty Senator Kenneth Dauber (left) discused his motion, which requests the Faculty Senate asks the UB administration to make UB Foundation’s budget available.

recommendations on “funding priorities.” UBF holds a “significant” portion of the university’s funds, Dauber added. Last Senate meeting, UBF director Edward Schneider held a Q&A regarding the Foundation and said its “size” is about $1 billion. “[UBF], because it has been constituted as a ‘private’ corporation, is not subject to the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and about which, accordingly, we

are blind,” Dauber read aloud. Unlike state institutions – which must provide requested information to the public – UBF’s records and meetings are private. Foundations like UB’s are also present at other SUNY universities. Some faculty and community members have voiced concern with a private organization handling money for a public university.

Dauber said, within his motion statement, that the Senate should – “in the spirit of collegiality” and transparency – fulfill its responsibilities and request UB make the private organization’s budget available “as if it were subject to FOIL.” Artvoice, a Buffalo newsweekly, once took the Foundation to court in an attempt to get financial data and make the private organization subject to FOIL. The publication lost the case, as it re-

ported in an investigative piece in March 2011. With the inability to vote on the motion, present senators participated in an open discussion about why some members of the Senate were pushing for the measure. Martha McCluskey, faculty senator and law professor, expressed how important she felt it was that faculty be able to look at what UBF money is being spent on. “Many of us in our departments are faced with dramatic cutbacks in programs, services, hiring, resources – a lot of trouble that’s affecting students, affecting our work,” McCluskey said. “It is an issue.” She explained it isn’t so much important where money came from, but where money is being spent. She also noted concern over which procedures are followed to determine the hundreds of university employees who receive supplemental salaries – in addition to their state salaries – from UBF, which, in some cases, are over $100,000. Some senators questioned what the opposition had to say about the motion, but no senator readily spoke against the motion. SEE SENATE, PAGE 2

UB community to Hurley Era begins Friday night celebrate International Men’s basketball set to Education Week open season at Texas A&M JON GAGNON

Senior Sports Editor

Courtesy of the Office of International Students and Scholar Services The Korean Folk Art Club (above) has performed in recent years for International Education Week. The year’s week, which will take place Nov. 11-15, is dedicated to women’s human rights while highlighting the diverse cultures at UB.

TRESS KLASSEN

Contributing Writer

As UB commences its annual celebration of International Education Week this Monday, the Student Union will transform into a hub of international activity, as student groups perform traditional dances, host fashion shows and demonstrate martial arts. The event, which is being held Nov. 11-15, will feature student performances, cultural workshops, academic presentations and a keynote speaker and film, which will address the week’s theme of women’s human rights. Ellen Dussourd, assistant vice provost and director of the Office of International Student and Scholars Services, noted the relevance of this year’s theme.

“In the past year or so, we have seen coverage of the prevalence of sexual assault in the U.S. military, the gang rape of [an] Indian medical student and resulting protests, attempted assassination of Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan and other acts of violence against women,” Dussourd said. “Accordingly, we felt that the theme of women’s human rights would be timely.” Liesl Gerntholtz, executive director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, will address this topic in her keynote presentation, “Women’s Human Rights: The Unfinished Revolution.” The event will take place at 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 in Slee Hall. SEE INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION WEEK, PAGE 2

The men’s basketball team won’t ease into its schedule with a cupcake. It will face one of its toughest opponents all year on Friday night. The Bulls have traveled over 1,400 miles to College Station, Texas, to take on the Texas A&M Aggies of the Southeastern Conference. It’s hard to judge the Aggies right now. Last season, they had impressive wins over Kentucky and No. 21 Missouri, but they aren’t returning last year’s leading scorer, Elston Turner (17.5 points per game). “It’s a bit of a mystery,” said first-year head coach Bobby Hurley. “I’d like to know more about them and be more familiar with what they’re going to do, but they’re probably in the same boat.” In fact, the Aggies may be more mystified as to what to expect from the Bulls, who will play their first game in 14 years without former coach Reggie Witherspoon. Hurley has implemented an entirely new gameplan that focuses on lockdown defensive intensity and pushing the ball up the court for transition buckets. The plan may be tested more in Game One than in any other game this year. “They’re pretty athletic,” Hurley said. “Their roster has changed significantly, but they’re an SEC power conference team.” Athletic ability is typically what distinguishes the cali-

Courtesy of Texas A&M Athletics Texas A&M’s returning scoring leader is point guard Fabyon Harris (12 points per game), who will direct the Aggies’ offense in UB head coach Bobby Hurley’s first game Friday night.

ber of player between mid-major conferences and power conferences. Nonetheless, Hurley still wants his team to play in the open court. The Bulls do appear to have some advantages on paper, though. The Aggies’ leading rebounder, 6-foot-9 forward Kourtney Roberson, left practice a few weeks ago with a rapid heart rate and the Bulls don’t know if he’ll be in action Friday.

If Roberson can’t go, the Aggies will lean on inexperienced forwards – which should play in the Bulls’ favor, as All-MAC forwards Javon McCrea and Will Regan are the strength of their offense. In the backcourt, the Aggies’ returning scoring leader is point guard Fabyon Harris (12 points per game), who stands at a mere 5-foot-11. SEE BASKETBALL, PAGE 2

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Continued from page 1: Senate “As Chair, I’m not going to say what my own position is,” Senate Chair Ezra Zubrow said in response. “But I do think I have heard that at least one of the con positions is, simply, that it is a private foundation and operates under the laws of a private foundation. What we are asking it to do is become more transparent than the rules of a private foundation would be.” Amidst the discussion, it was decided a document with “pro” and “con” viewpoints regarding Duaber’s motion would be given to senators before their next meeting, where it may or may not be voted upon – depending on attendance. If there is still no quorum at that meeting, the motion could either go to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee or be held again until the next meeting. There are about 100 senators – 50 percent plus one is necessary to have a vote. But the number of senators could change, as those with two unexcused absences may be dismissed and their vacancy would not be part of the quorum count. Tuesday marked the second Senate meeting of the academic year. The next meeting will be on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Center for Tomorrow. email: news@ubspectrum.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

Continued from page 1: International Education Week Gerntholtz will discuss the efforts of the Women’s Rights Division, which seeks to prevent abuses against women on an international scale and supports their efforts to gain marital, reproductive and economic rights. The screening of the film Salma will continue the discussion of the fight for women’s rights worldwide. Christopher Lee, a professor at Canisius College who specializes in the anthropology of religion and religion in South Asia, will offer commentary on the film, which tells the story of Salma, a young Muslim girl in a south Indian village. Denied an education and forced into seclusion and early marriage by her family, Salma managed to defy the odds and become a famous Tamil poet. The film traces her unlikely journey to success and follows her on an eye-opening trip back to her village. The screening will be held in the Student Union Theater Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. Throughout the week, UB professors will participate in a series of internationally oriented presentations, representing a diverse selection of disciplines from nursing, architecture, engineering and law, to name a few.

Dr. Davina Porock, associate dean for research and scholarship and a professor in the School of Nursing, will discuss her study of dementia and caregiving on a global scale. “The nature of the disease means that it can and does affect people of any culture no matter what their status, wealth, family circumstance,” Porock said. “The driving force behind my research is the desire to ensure that no one has a miserable end to their life. Across the world, the work of caring for people who are ill or infirm traditionally falls to women. Caregiving is often hidden work which goes unacknowledged and unrewarded.” Professor Sebastiano Andreana, who will present on behalf of the UB School of Dentistry, also described the need for greater awareness of underserved populations’ access to health care. He hopes to encourage students to consider the international potential of a profession like dentistry. “Every year, faculty members and students go abroad to deliver dental procedures and spread the word on oral care in different countries,” Andreana said. “Our work opens new horizons to people that maybe want to consider dentistry as a profession and as a humanitarian mis-

sion.” More than a dozen international student groups are slated to take the stage in the Union next week as part of the week’s festivities. Many will perform dances representing styles from Russia, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia and the Middle East. Various styles of martial arts, including Kendo and Tae Kwon Do, will be featured, as well as a Korean percussion performance and an international fashion show. Tazrin Hossain, president of the Bangladeshi Student Association (BSA), expressed excitement about her club’s involvement. The group will be performing a dance that meshes traditional Bengali folk dance with American hip-hop. “This performance is meant to express the duality of the students living the States – the potentially clashing aspects of their culture and the influence of their surroundings,” Hossain said. “This is BSA’s first ever performance as a club. International Education Week is always a great week and we are very happy to be a part of it.” For a full schedule of events, visit the ISSS website. All events are open and free to the public. email: news@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 1: Basketball “One of our strengths on our team is the pressure we’re able to exert on the opposing point guard and hopefully that will be consistent throughout the year,” Hurley said. “Jarod [Oldham] is an elite defender and Shannon Evans is not too far off. I have a lot of confidence in both those guys defensively.” Hints of the true freshman guard Evans cracking the Bulls’ rotation have surfaced all offseason and this may pose as a good matchup for the newcomer. Hurley won’t reveal his full starting lineup for Friday. He confirmed that senior guard Oldham, McCrea and Regan will be in the lineup, and he knows who the other two starters will be, but doesn’t want to give Texas A&M an advantage in releasing the lineup. The Aggies haven’t announced their starters either. Many expect the Bulls’ other two starters to be sophomore guard Jarryn Skeete and senior guard/forward Josh Freelove, though senior Corey Raley-Ross is also in the mix at the 3 spot. The game will not be televised. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Friday, November 8, 2013 ubspectrum.com

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Aaron Mansfield MANAGING EDITORS Lisa Khoury Sara DiNatale

OPINION

We ‘hear America singing’ Recent elections show public’s desire for pragmatism in politics

OPINION EDITOR Eric Cortellessa NEWS EDITORS Sam Fernando, Senior Joe Konze Jr. Amanda Low, Asst. 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 Ashlee Foster, Asst. Tyler Harder, Asst.

November 8, 2013 Volume 63 Number 32 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.

Everything that was expected to happen on Tuesday did. Chris Christie won for reelection handily in New Jersey; Terry McAuliffe edged off Kenneth Cuccinelli II narrowly in Virginia; and, for the first time in 20 years, a Democrat will be the mayor of New York City with Bill de Blasio’s landslide electoral victory. So what does this all mean? Regardless of how premature it is for commentators and strategists to speculate on the 2016 presidential elections this early, we all do it. What everyone wants to know now is what Christie’s victory and Cuccinelli’s loss mean for the Republican Party, which has been struggling to define its identity and shape its image. “If we become ideological, then we’re blind to evidence,” explained former President Bill Clinton to a crowd of McAuliffe supporters last week. Coming from Clinton, who, in recent years, has become something of a professor in political science, this message resonates. The brand of Tea Party politics that caused the federal government shutdown has exasperated the American public. With 49 percent of Americans holding a negative viewpoint of the Tea Party, according to the Pew Research Center, it is fair to say that its leverage in American politics is diminishing. Cuccinelli, a Tea Party hero, lost despite the president’s health care law being largely unpopular in his state. Fifty-three percent of Virginians opposed the law, according to Politico. But with no financial backing from the Republican establishment (he was outspent by nearly $15 million) and with outdated views on contraception and his equating immigration policy to pest control, he failed to capture the electorate. Not to mention, Democrats highlighted his opposition to abortion rights throughout the race. After seeing the danger in Texas of electing a rigidly anti-abortion governor, Virginians didn’t want to risk seeing that happen in their state.

ART BY JEANETTE CHWAN

Twenty-five percent of Virginia voters said abortion was their top priority in the election, according to Fox News, and, with them, McAullife had a large advantage. What hurt Cuccinelli even more was that almost half of the state was affected by the shutdown – nearly 45 percent, according to The New York Times. And, of course, the blame for that impasse falls on Republican extremists like Cuccinelli. While Virginia is widely noted for being emblematic of the national political landscape, signs of Tea Party disintegration were evident elsewhere – in red states like Alabama where moderate Republican Bradley Byrne defeated Tea Party-backed Dean Young in a primary congressional election. Voters are fed up with the extreme right – they want politics of pragmatism over gridlock and unity over division. Christie’s victory in New Jersey and talk of him as the Republican Party

frontrunner for 2016 symbolizes the need for a new direction. A common notion that has been emerging from conservatives is the need to nominate a “true conservative” – they feel they sold out going with moderates in 2008 and 2012, and that in order to win back the independent vote they need to fully embrace their political ideology. It is well established politically that through a presidential election candidates must appeal to their base in the primary before moving to the center in the general election to win the independent vote. But for Republicans this trend has not been working. As much as the base wants to blame their candidates’ centrism, it is hardly why Republicans have failed to gain the presidency. In 2008, it was hard to have any presidential candidate win when, after an economic collapse, John McCain admitted the economy

was not “his forte.” And in 2012, they had a candidate who failed to resonate with voters; Mitt Romney appeared phony and artificial. People elect presidents as individuals – who they are and what they represent. Christie’s being the Republican frontrunner at this point hints at something the party needs to desperately realize: that the American people are tired of Tea Party Republicans alienating voters. Americans want cohesion – a sense of community that comes from our diversity. And with that, we want Democratic and Republican lawmakers who can come together and compromise on issues and solve problems. What the rest of the country realizes that the Tea Party ironically doesn’t is that the framers of the Constitution were deliberate in making the first word of that document: We. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

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

A winning strategy Athletics must recruit well to maintain strong student support On Tuesday night, the UB football team faced one of its biggest games in years. With a national audience watching on ESPN2 and expectations as high as they’ve ever been, the Bulls came through – they won by 27 points. As Buffalo football continues to labor toward its ultimate goal, a MAC Championship, what has been a constant this season, more so than in the past, is the sustained and spirited support of its fans. There were 22,918 people in attendance for the Bulls’ home finale Tuesday. And what has been especially discernible during each game this year is the role that the student fans have played in the energy inside the stadium. School spirit and showing support at athletic events is an important part of the college experience. It gives students a chance to come together and rally behind our peers, to have shared experiences in the stands, to form memories and to build community. When students have a sports team to be excited about, it elevates their college experience insurmountably. And one of the reasons student support has increased this fall is precisely that: We have had a team we can be excited about.

There is no doubt that the heightening of the tailgating experience with the athletic department’s organized concerts has drawn more spectators to the stadium, and this year’s football team is arguably the best in UB history. With Tuesday’s win marking the team’s seventh straight victory – the first time UB has won that many in a row since 1897 – the fan base has recognized a sense of possibility embedded in this season. They could really go all the way. Fans want to come out and support the Bulls when they win. They also love supporting interesting characters and sensational players. Having a packed stadium filled with exhilarated people screaming in support adds to the vitality that makes sporting events worthwhile – for both the players and the fans. Having Khalil Mack as a player to watch this season has provided the Buffalo fan base with excitement that renders them anxiously anticipating what sort of egregious play he will make each week; Branden Oliver leaves fans guessing how many yards he will add to his total and what record he will break each week; and Alex Neutz keeps all on their toes to

see how his adept catching ability will add to Oliver’s ground attack. One thing about all those superlative players, however, is that they will be gone next year. And with 2013’s recruiting class being ranked the second worst in college football, according to Rivals. com, the prospects of the future are looking potentially grim. Without many of these exciting players – who are NFL prospects – the fan base is, sadly, likely to diminish. What Athletic Director Danny White needs to recognize is that the increased fan turnout this season has had nothing to do with the rebranding campaign that has been at the center of his mission. It has had to do with the quality of the team. Something that can’t be ignored is that White or head coach Jeff Quinn did not assemble this year’s team, which is stacked with talent; these players all came from former coach Turner Gill. And, as Rivals.com has indicated, Quinn has not been particularly successful at attracting talent. But what makes this year special, what gives it so much potential, is that in addition to the possibility of winning a MAC Championship and attending a bowl

game, this season could be the impetus for the football program to attract more high-level recruits. With national coverage and with players like Mack projected to go first round in the NFL Draft, the team is getting a lot of attention. High school players are beginning to see that UB is a good place to play football. So what matters now is that the athletic program uses this momentum to continue developing a winning program. Having the pieces in place to recruit is not enough – they have to actually go out and do it. With the success of the athletic department riding on winning and the ability to bring in revenue to the university, it is important to note that more fans spending more money on the team has come from us having a good team with good players. White and Quinn should remember what they are experiencing now come the offseason if they want to continue bringing fans into the stadium. They need to work hard to recruit well – it is a winning strategy. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

LIFE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

CHARLIE BROWN

GOES GRUNGE Chris Cornell performs solo act at Center For the Arts

Friday, November 8, 2013 ubspectrum.com

Best alternative albums of October

Three fall albums that prove mainstream isn’t always in the spotlight MEGAN WEAL

Contributing Writer

October was a good month for music. The twerk queen, Miley Cyrus, kicked off the month by storming through the charts and placing her musically matured album Bangerz at the No. 1 spot. Our ears were treated to the sounds of HAIM, who kept the summer festival spirit alive just a little bit longer. And Pusha T broke new limits in the hip-hop scene with My Name Is My Name. Those are all worthy contenders for this list, but none made the cut. There are three other albums from October that you need to check out. It would be a musical crime not to.

Courtesy of Flickr user Thebrewerpatriot

On Tuesday night, Chris Cornell performed a solo act at UB’s Center For the Arts to a sold-out audience, playing acoustic versions of fan favorites from his many former bands. ERIC CULVER

Staff Writer

Anxious fans clad in grungy Pearl Jam, Audioslave, Soundgarden and Temple of the Dog t-shirts from yesteryear skipped out on the big UB football game on Tuesday night to see a music legend perform at UB’s Center For the Arts. Chris Cornell, an icon of the ’90s Seattle grunge scene, played a solo performance to a soldout audience. It was his first time back in the Queen City in 14 years. Cornell’s history as front man makes him one of the most re-

spected and well-known musicians of his generation, and, now, he is travelling the country performing a solo act with familiar success. His current tour is the first time in 16 years U.S. fans have heard acoustic arrangements of the songs he has from his whole career with several bands. For every ticket sold on the tour, a dollar will be donated to The Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation, which provides aid to vulnerable children. A portion of the profits will also go to Childhaven’s Creative Music Therapy Program Expansion.

Fans were itching to see the rock legend perform from the moment they filed into the CFA. “I want to see his sweat,” said Brad Romans, of Detroit, Mich. The 27-year-old was happy to be seated so close to the stage because he has been a fan of Cornell for over a decade. When Romans was a freshman in college, “Outshined” by Soundgarden was his anthem when he drove to school every day. “I love his voice and he has some of the best rock pipes I have ever heard,” Romans said. SEE CORNELL, PAGE 6

Arcade Fire, Reflektor This is the top album of the month. Arcade Fire has killed it with their fourth album release, Reflektor. But prepare to be confused. There’s an odd balance between celebration and confined desperation, but somehow it works. The 75-minute-long, double-sided album keeps itself on point. There aren’t tangential tracks or experimental melodies – the album knows what it is and it’s tuned to near perfection. The outside influences that inspire Reflektor make it something beautifully different. Most notable is the Haitian influence that Arcade Fire has intelligently entwined into the tracks. “Here Comes The Night Time” is the epitomizing track of the whole album – an eclectic, exciting juxtaposition of Haitian-celebration and dreary-disco that melts together seamlessly.

Courtesy of Wichita Recordings Arcade Fire’s Reflektor stands out as the best album in a collection of stellar releases for the month of October.

The album does have flaws, though. It’s unarguable that Volume one (Disc one) is considerably better than Volume two. Though epic in its entirety, Volume two is left to go a bit limp in comparison to the outstanding clarity and energy of Volume one. Nevertheless, Reflektor is sharp, creative and quite frankly the best album out of a competitive bunch. Don’t just listen to this album through your headphones. Listen to it in a big room where it can be turned up loud and fill all the space around you – it is the art rock epic of our generation, after all. Los Campesinos!, No Blues Los Campesinos! have officially grown up. And at this point, everyone holds their breath – is grown up a good thing? Are they one of those bands to comfortably slip into musical bleakness? Are they bad now? Well, the answer is officially no. SEE BEST OF OCTOBER, PAGE 6

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Friday, November 8, 2013

LULU CATCHES ON AT UB App allows females to anonymously rate males on campus SHARON KAHN

Senior Features Editor

Last month, Shelby Lebo, a junior communication major, won $250. The competition, she said, was far from ordinary. She was asked to rate and review her male friends using an iPhone app called Lulu. The contest was made up of 11 agents, all competing to rate the most males. With a goal of a minimum of 300 reviews, Lebo quickly began rating all of the males she knew on Facebook. As she made her way through all of her Facebook friends, she began rating males at random that had been selected for her through her school network and location. The rating process consisted of selecting answers to multiple-choice questions related to the male’s appearance, humor, manners, sex, first kiss, ambition and commitment. Then, users assigned hashtags to each male, all predetermined by Lulu. The first set of hashtags were the male’s “best” characteristics, such as, “#CanTalkToMyDad,” and “#SexualPanther.” The second set of hashtags consisted of the male’s “worst” characteristics, such as, “#GoneByMorning,” “#OwnsCrocs,” “#BeerFirstClassSecond,” “#BurnsCornflakes” and more. “It took me less than a minute to complete a rating,” Lebo said. “The more I did, the quicker the next one came. Before I knew it, I had completed hundreds of ratings.” Lulu, a girls-only app created to rate exes and crushes anonymously, launched in February 2013 and now has over 1 million users. Reviews allow girls to note whether they are a crush, an ex, a friend, hooked up, are currently in a relationship or a relative. The questions are then formulated based on the reviewer’s selection, and the reviewer is directed through several pages of multiplechoice questions. At UB, approximately 65 percent of the men on campus have been reviewed, according to Deborah Singer, head of marketing for Lulu. Lebo believes she and her fellow competitors played a big role in its popularity at UB.

Photo Illustration by Daniele Gerhson Lulu, a girls-only app created to rate exes and crushes anonymously, launched in February 2013 and now has over 1 million users.

Lebo completed over 1,000 reviews for the competition, winning the prize money. Although she was announced as the winner, the competition didn’t stop there. The second stage of the competition had the agents become “buzz builders,” where they earned points by spreading the word about Lulu. Sharing Lulu videos through Facebook and Twitter, getting friends to download the app and reviewing even more males was each worth a specific number of points. The first to reach 300 points completed the second stage, but whoever got the most points by the end of the week was announced the winner. Taylor Wolf, a sophomore communication major, won the $300 grand prize. “I couldn’t believe I won,” Wolf said. “At first, I was just playing around with the app, rating boys and laughing with my friends about it. Before I knew it, I was rating and sharing left and right and suddenly I was announced the winner.” Lulu ranks 53rd out of 400 free iPhone apps in the social networking category, according to Appdata.com. Lulu co-founder and CEO Alexandra Chong said the app’s mission is to “tap into the power of girl talk.” While eating lunch with some friends on Valentine’s Day three years ago, Chong realized the importance of creating a safe environment where girls can help each other make smarter dating decisions – and that’s where the idea for the app began.

Chong and co-founder Allison Schwartz run Lulu out of their New York and London offices. Though the app is completely anonymous and is only accessible for females, males have been starting to catch onto it. “Walking through the library, you can hear boys asking girls, ‘Can you give me a good rating on Lulu?’” Lebo said. “I thought guys would hate the app because they have absolutely no say in what girls rate them, but they actually like it.” Wolf agreed that many of her male friends, too, think the app is fun. “At first, my guy friends were nervous that girls would start trash-talking them,” Wolf said. “But once they realized how it works and what it’s for, they started to really get into it.” Half a million men have sent requests to have themselves reviewed by girls on Lulu, according to Chong and Schwartz. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Chong said the founders make sure to be mindful and cautious that the app can be slightly hurtful to males. “It’s more of a positive place than a negative place,” Chong said. “Once guys understand it better, they see it as a secret weapon to engage and use to their advantage.” She said that although people who don’t understand how Lulu works might find the app to be sexist, they ensure that they are using technology to harness a real-world experience.

Guys are also able to remove themselves from Lulu if they want to. “[Lulu] is weird,” said Joey Wilner, a junior communication major. “But I understand why girls would take part in something like that. I mean, it benefits me. I have an 8.2, so these girls are promoting me to everyone they know and I don’t even have to do a thing.” The app was meticulously designed to keep females from being too mean toward the males they are reviewing. At every step along the reviewing process, Lulu leaves no room for girls to provide their own words or bash a past relationship. Each question is predesigned by Lulu, as are the answer choices. The Huffington Post refers to Lulu as an app that “lets women review men like restaurants.” Lulu’s FAQ section explains why the founders believe the app is useful. “If you meet a guy at a party and hit it off, admit it: you’re going to Facebook and Google him when you get home. Lulu is the place to do your research. Except we’re not going to bore you with whether he’s registered to vote. No way. Lulu tells you the stuff you want to know: is he a heartbreaker or your future husband? Lulu is the fastest way you can find out if he has a good track record with the ladies.” The company holds marketing competitions, like the one Lebo and Wolf took part in, on college campuses to help build buzz among students. Though the winners of each stage go home with some prize money, Lulu makes sure the other participants get something out of it as well – internship experience. Those who rated at least 300 males in the first stage and gained at least 300 points in the second stage were rewarded with the opportunity to write that they interned for Lulu on their resumes. “It was easy money, easy internship credit and it was fun,” Lebo said. After participating in the competition, Lebo and Wolf said they both noticed a lot more students using the app on campus. email: features@ubspectrum.com

“If you meet a guy at a party and hit it off, admit it: you’re going to Facebook and Google him when you get home. Lulu is the place to do your research. Except we’re not going to bore you with whether he’s registered to vote. No way. Lulu tells you the stuff you want to know: is he a heartbreaker or your future husband? Lulu is the fastest way you can find out if he has a good track record with the ladies.”

I’m meant

What I want to be. Graduate Open House November 24 @ 1 p.m. hofstra.edu/grad-day

You want to make an impact. An impact on your family, your community, even your world. You want more than a career, you want advancement, a purpose. At Hofstra University, we understand what pride and purpose is all about. It’s about finding an academic area that excites you, challenges you, and fulfills you. It’s about small class sizes, flexible schedules, exciting and challenging programs and dedicated faculty that help you receive a graduate education grounded in reality with a foundation in exceptional scholarship. And, it’s about experiences and campus opportunities that give you an edge when it comes to your career. Find a program that’s meant for you: choose from Hofstra’s 150 programs in areas such as business, communications, the health professions, science, and education.

ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 4: Cornell Before Cornell took the stage, fans sat through on opening set from American folk-rock artist Bhi Bhiman. Bhiman played for an hour, getting the crowd warmed up with his rhythmic acoustic skills. “I need everyone now to whistle this tune so I can play this song,” Bhiman said, asking the crowd for help. He started to whistle the keyboard tune from “Walk of Life” by Dire Straits. Soon enough, the audience joined in. Although Bhiman did a good job getting the audience excited, the applause he got was nothing compared to the energy buzzing in the crowd from fans waiting to see Cornell. Then, the lights went out in the theater. Middle-aged men with scraggly beards and leather jackets started to scream and holler for Cornell like teenage girls squealing for Justin Bieber to come out on stage. Cornell slowly walked onto the stage, waving to all of his fans whose excitement finally burst into a massive applause. “Buffalo, New York,” Cornell yelled to the crowd. Another burst of screaming and excitement erupted from the audience.

Cornell joked with the crowd, telling them he felt like Charlie Brown after his wife dressed him up in a puffy jacket to prepare him for the “traitorous weather of Buffalo.” “Isn’t there a football game here tonight?” Cornell asked his fans. “I’d rather be here,” yelled a fan from the dark abyss of the audience. Cornell smiled and thanked him, grabbing his guitar to start the show. He asked everyone to close his or her eyes and imagine a peaceful place. With the simple and smooth strum of his acoustic guitar, Cornell started to play “Scar On the Sky” from the album Carry On. He continued to perform a slew of songs from his former bands’ albums, including gems like “You Know My Name,” “Like a Stone” and “Doesn’t Remind Me.” He also played a cover of “A Day in the Life” by The Beatles. After a two-hour-and-15 minute performance, Cornell ran off behind the curtain. Audience members got on their feet clapping and shouting for his return, which brought a full five-minute ovation. Cornell reappeared riding a red bicycle with streamers com-

ing out of the handlebars. The crowd erupted with laughter. “I figured I’d bring this and ride up to Toronto for the night,” Cornell shouted. The bike became an important piece for his next song as Cornell began to play “I am the Highway.” Cornell closed out the show with “Black Hole Sun,” which is perhaps Audioslave’s most wellknown song. “That was fantastic,” said Jesse Bower, 19, of Armonk, N.Y. This was Bower’s first time going to one of Cornell’s performances and he loved it; he couldn’t think of anything that could have made the show any better than what it was. “I’ve seen him play with all those bands like Audioslave and Soundgarden, and I’m actually almost speechless about it – completely blown away,” said Anthony Botting, 27, of Niagara Falls. Cornell continues his tour in Europe on Nov. 10 in Switzerland. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Friday, November 8, 2013

Continued from page 4: Best of October In fact, growing up might have just been the best thing that this indie-pop group could have ever done. No longer are they a worried, self-conscious teenager who peers round a corner before turning it, but a suave, confident man in the peak of his life. The tracks are much more lyric heavy. And as is always the case with indie-pop, a little bit of darkness and emotional deterioration never hurt – “What Death Leaves Behind” is an ever-shining emblem of this. Unlike so many bands before, Los Campesinos! have matured while not neglecting their musical integrity and excitement. There’s still a sense of vulnerability that indie-pop strives for and flourishes with. Overall, No Blues is refreshingly true and inescapably musically developed. Tim Hecker, Virgins Virgins is an album more confrontational, more savage and more brilliant than anything that Hecker has produced before. Don’t let the abrasive and dark sounds put you off, though. They are beautifully contrasted with delicate woodwind instrumentals that are given their own space to flourish in. Pile on top of that the

rawness of live performance that features so heavily throughout the album and Hecker has produced his very own monster of beauty and space. The space of the album coincides with a more rhythmic impact. “Virginal I” and “Virginal II” offer rhythm through the piano and clarinet that dominate the tracks. It’s a fairly new expression for Hecker. The idea of space and rhythm take you far, far away from the claustrophobic sounds of Ravedeath, 1972 (which is a very good thing). In the spirit of October, Virgins could easily be cast as the soundtrack to an eerily brutal horror movie – a movie that wholly captures every sense in your body whilst simultaneously terrifying you with its brilliant intricate details. Like any great horror movie, the importance is in the timing and the contrast. For, nothing’s as scary if it’s constant – horror is aroused by suspense and impact. Virgins is an album that demands concentration in order for the thrills to be reaped. It is serious and complex, but utterly and indescribably excellent. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 8: Franklin Quinn was impressed with his grades but, because coaches can’t lead practices during the summer, he wasn’t sure how that would translate onto the field. Once practice started, Quinn realized Franklin could be a solid contributor as a true freshman. Franklin is a key member of three of the Bulls’ four core special teams formations, but he didn’t see many defensive snaps until injuries began to wear down the linebacking core. On Oct. 26 at Kent State, ju-

nior linebacker Adam Redden went down with a knee injury and Franklin started to see more playing time. On Tuesday, Franklin was rotated in regularly – and he proved he was ready. “It’s important that guys like [Franklin] demonstrate to the other freshmen that if you do all these things the right way and you’re a good player and they have a need for you to be in there, then obviously you’re going to have an opportunity to an-

swer the call,” Quinn said. When Buffalo called last year, Franklin did an internet search of the program and discovered Mack. He saw Mack’s skills and it only made him more excited about attending UB. “I was ecstatic to be able to play on the same defense as he was,” Franklin said. Both Mack and defensive coordinator Lou Tepper have helped mentor Franklin during his transition from defensive end to linebacker. Franklin says

they’ve helped improve his form the most. Franklin has been impressed with the way the veteran players have welcomed the freshmen and made them feel at home. He sees an enthusiasm that the senior leadership has passed on to the younger athletes. “I think our young guys have a lot of enthusiasm,” Franklin said. “Even on the sidelines during the game when they’re getting ready for kickoff, it’s amazing. It seriously brings energy to

the field and I still think we are going to have that next year.” With Redden not expected to return until Nov. 29 against Bowling Green, Franklin figures to be a key contributor on defense the rest of the season. The Bulls’ next game is on Tuesday, Oct. 12, when they travel to Toledo. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

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