The Spectrum Vol. 70 No. 5

VOL. 70 NO. 5 | SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

Viral ‘Chair Guys’ showcase student street comedy

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

Campus Dining and Shops discontinues weekday breakfast at C3

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UBSPECTRUM

Bulls top ODU, 35-34, on the road to close out nonconference play

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Vaccine mandate goes into effect for UB-affiliated health care workers Unvaccinated employees face immediate suspension and possible termination GRANT ASHLEY SENIOR NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s mandate that all health care workers receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine took effect Monday, potentially affecting hundreds of UB-affiliated health care employees.

SUNY-affiliated health care employees’ “non-compliance will result in their immediate suspension and pending termination on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2021,” reads a memo from SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras to the CEOs of all SUNY hospitals.

While UB doesn’t own its own hospital, unlike other SUNY schools such as Stony Brook University, some students, faculty and staff work for Erie County Medical Clinic, Buffalo General Medical Center, UB Dental and other patient-facing health care practices.

“All students, faculty and staff who work in these clinical settings will [must] comply with the state mandate,” Cory Nealon, a UB spokesperson, said.

It remains unclear exactly how many UB-affiliated health care employees have been suspended for non-compliance since Tuesday. This may be partly because UB faculty who work in clinical settings are considered “employees of the hospitals

for the purposes of the mandate,” according to John DellaContrada, a UB spokesperson.

Approximately 200 UB employees represented by United University Professions’ Buffalo Health Sciences Chapter, which represents faculty from the dental, medical, nursing, pharmacy and public health schools, had not yet submitted verification of their vaccination records as of last Thursday, according to Phil Glick, president of the Buffalo Health Sciences Chapter for UUP. That number has likely dropped, as many UB-affiliated health care employees likely either submitted proof of

vaccination — a process Glick described as “pretty easy” — or were among the thousands of health care workers statewide who received their first dose in the days before the mandate.

Vaccination rates in Erie and Niagara Counties also increased in the days before the mandate took effect, according to The Buffalo News.

As such, Nealon was optimistic about UB employees’ compliance with the mandate.

“The vast majority of UB employees — more than 80% — have provided proof they are fully vaccinated,” Nealon said.

Sai Krishna Seethala / The Spectrum Health care employees are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine at clinics such as South Campus’ Harriman Hall

“The percentage is higher among UB physicians, nurses, dentists and other UB employees who work in health care settings.”

Nealon also predicted “the mandate will have a very limited, if any, effect on students who work in health care fields” because vaccination was already required for UB students.

As of Tuesday evening, Glick did not know how many employees were suspended due to non-compliance.

The mandate went into effect after days of negotiations last week, which Glick described as “a game of chicken,” over how to enforce the mandate between New York State and several labor unions, including UUP, the bargaining unit for SUNY faculty and professional staff members.

“UUP strongly believes that everyone should get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible,” Mike Lisi, UUP’s media and publications director, said. “That said, as a union, UUP must protect its members.

Due process rights are at the foundation of organized labor. So, without those, UUP could not support the governor’s mandate.”

According to Lisi, UUP and the governor reached an agreement Friday, under which non-compliant employees will be suspended for two weeks without pay while they await a disciplinary hearing — non-compliant individuals could previously be fired without due process under SEE HEALTH CARE PAGE 2

UB is the top-ranked public US-Canada border reopens with stricter COVID-19 restrictions university in New York University once again earns high marks in annual WSJ/THE rankings JUSTIN WEISS MANAGING EDITOR

UB has retained its crown as the highest-ranking public university in New York State, according to the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings released last week.

The school ranks No. 31 among public universities and No. 124 among all public and private schools in the U.S., according to the updated list. That practically mirrors its standing in the 2021 rankings and follows a disappointing five spot slide in the U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges ranking.

The Queen City university is once again the top-ranked SUNY school, earning a higher spot than Stony Brook (No. 125), Binghamton (163) and UAlbany (188). UB also ranks higher than local schools like Canisius (362), St. Bonaventure (501-600), Niagara (501-600) and Buffalo State (501600).

“We are proud that UB continues to be

recognized among the top universities in the nation and to positively impact the world through our research, scholarship, creative activities, education, clinical care and engagement activities,” Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs A. Scott Weber said after the release of the U.S. News rankings.

UB is the 12th-ranked school in the state, behind a pair of Ivy Leagues — Cornell and Columbia — and the University of Rochester, among others.

The WSJ/THE rankings evaluated nearly 800 universities on factors ranging from student outcomes (40%) to academic resources (30%) to student engagement (20%) to the learning environment (10%). Schools meet eligibility criteria if they award four-year bachelor’s degrees, are Title IV eligible, have more than 1,000 students and aren’t insolvent.

UB came in at No. 147 in the inaugural WSJ/THE ranking in 2017, before peaking at No. 110 in 2020 and dropping to 124th in 2022. The school scored fairly well on all four criteria, but shined brightest with the learning environment, where it ranks 99th.

Students must submit proof of vaccination, negative COVID-19 test for entry JULIE FREY ASST. NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

Students looking to visit Canada in the near future will face restrictions due to Canadian COVID-19 requirements. Canada requires all visitors be fully vaccinated and present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before entering the country.

Visitors must use the ArriveCAN app to cross the border and document important details of the trip including reason for travel, vaccination status, COVID-19 test results and arrival information. The information is required to be submitted 72 hours before planned travel.

Travelers must also submit a quarantine plan for testing positive or developing symptoms while in Canada. Even with all of the necessary documents, it is at the border agent’s discretion to allow or deny entry. At the border, or upon arrival,

visitors may be subjected to random COVID-19 testing. These restrictions are required for all foreigners looking to travel to Canada but, for those traveling from overseas, additional restrictions, like visa requirements, may apply.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting tested three to five days after returning from international travel to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Those who have layovers in Canada or the U.S. are required to submit to pre-departure testing, regardless of which country is their destination, but requirements can vary by province. U.S. citizens do not have to obtain a test before re-entering the U.S. Toronto, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from North Campus, frequently attracts U.S. college students for its nightlife, museums and concerts. In recent years, Toronto venues have hosted acts like Tyler the Creator and Shawn Mendes. Niagara Falls, ON is another common stop for UB students looking for a better view of the falls.

Email: julie.frey@ubspectrum.com

Email: justin.weiss@ubspectrum.com

Sabrina Akter-Nabi / The Spectrum UB ranked the No. 1 public university in New York in the 2022 Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings released last week.

Hermes Rivera / Unsplash Visitors crossing the U.S.-Canada border are required to use the ArriveCAN app to document their travel information and COVID-19 testing and vaccine records.

2 | Wednesday, September 29 2021 HEALTH CARE FROM PAGE 2

the mandate. Workers are able to use paid vacation or leave credits and will retain their health coverage during their suspension. UUP will also continue to represent suspended workers during their disciplinary hearings.

Unvaccinated UUP members who fall under the requirement, however, shouldn’t expect to keep their jobs.

“The end result of the mandate is that unvaccinated employees who refuse to get vaccinated may — and probably will — be terminated,” Lisi said.

Nevertheless, UUP President Fred Kowal declared the agreement a victory for the union.

“This is an important win for all of us at UUP,” Kowal said in a video on UUP’s YouTube page. “Our negotiations cemented workers’ rights to due process and stopped a substantial overreach by the state. While I firmly believe that every New Yorker should get a COVID-19 vaccination, it is also fundamentally important that we never back down in our fight to protect the rights of our members.”

The governor’s press office did not respond to a request for comment.

Glick, however, remained worried that dozens, if not hundreds, of disciplinary hearings could overwhelm the union.

“We have two lawyers to help members [of UUP’s two Buffalo chapters],” Glick said. “If they do one or two hearings a week, [that’s] usually a lot. So, imagine getting [dozens or hundreds of] meetings scheduled in a short period of time. It’s seemingly impossible that they’ll get them in very quickly. And then, I’ve been told that if we try to appeal the discipline, the process takes nine to 12 months, which will be unpaid leave. There’s a lot at stake for a lot of people.”

Health care workers who were fired for non-compliance with the vaccine mandate “won’t be able to receive unemployment

NEWS insurance without a valid medical accommodation from a doctor,” according to CBS News.

The vaccine mandate led to labor shortages at some — but not all — area hospitals, according to The Buffalo News.

Among those hardest hit is ECMC, UB’s primary teaching hospital, where 176 hospital workers — 5% of the total staff — were put on a 30-day unpaid leave for noncompliance. On the other hand, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, another of UB’s clinical training sites, hasn’t put any workers on leave due to a 97% vaccination rate among their staff.

Despite ECMC’s affiliation with the university, those laid off for non-compliance with the mandate weren’t necessarily employed by, or directly affiliated with, UB. Gov. Hochul signed an emergency order Monday deploying the National Guard and recruiting health care professionals from other states and countries to ease expected staff shortages in the state’s hospitals and nursing homes, according to WBFO. “With potential staff shortages at area hospitals and nursing homes, we anticipate UB employees who work in these facilities will play an even greater role in helping Western New York respond to the pan-

ubspectrum.com demic,” Nealon said.

The governor’s mandate did not allow for religious exemptions, although workers who have submitted their requests will be allowed to work until at least Oct. 12 due to a judge’s order in a federal lawsuit challenging the mandate’s lack of a religious exemption. The order is expected to temper the labor shortage.

Glick, however, has an easy solution to all the chaos surrounding the mandate: “Just get vaccinated, and all this will go away.”

Email: grant.ashley@ubspectrum.com

Sai Krishna Seethala / The Spectrum On Monday, a mandate from Gov. Kathy Hochul’s offfice took effect requiring all health care workers receive at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine from clinics such as Harriman Hall.

Four takeaways from the Bulls’ 35-34 win over Old Dominion The highs were high but the lows were very low in UB’s late-game collapse against the Monarchs HUNTER SKOCZYLAS SPORTS EDITOR

After a tough 28-25 loss to 16th-ranked Coastal Carolina last week, the Bulls (2-2) staved off a furious late-game comeback to defeat the Old Dominion Monarchs (13), 35-34, at S.B. Ballard Stadium Saturday.

Despite carrying a sizable 35-7 lead into halftime, UB’s defense fell apart down the stretch and allowed 27 unanswered points.

The Monarchs needed an extra point to tie the game near the end of regulation, but a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty pushed ODU out of chip-shot territory and contributed to a shanked kick.

While the Bulls nearly let the game spiral out of control, UB head coach Maurice Linguist says he’s proud of his team for getting the job done and coming out with a road victory to end non-conference play.

“I’m proud of the team for finding a way to battle and come away with a onepoint victory on the road,” Linguist said in the post-game press conference. “There’s so many elements involved in these road games that impact the overall outcome of the game but I’m proud of them for finding a way to win. I’ve been a part of these games where a play doesn’t happen here or a play doesn’t happen there and you have these conversations after a loss but we’re having it after a win.”

The Bulls were leading 35-7 at halftime and looked to be walking away with a dominant victory before disaster nearly struck.

A lack of discipline and poise down the stretch almost cost UB the game and — if not for the late 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that led to a missed extra point — the Bulls could very easily be 1-3 rather than an even .500 entering MAC play.

Here are four takeaways from UB’s close win against Old Dominion:

Quian Williams continues to make a serious impact

Following a quiet week against Coastal Carolina where he hauled in just two catches for 23 yards, senior wide receiver Quian Williams had a huge impact through the air against the Monarchs.

Williams caught a game-high nine catches for 134 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter during UB’s scoring frenzy. It was his first score with the Bulls since transferring from Eastern Michigan.

Since transferring to UB, Williams has developed a strong chemistry with senior quarterback Kyle Vantrease and has accumulated 24 receptions for 346 yards and a touchdown through four games.

It seems Williams is adjusting well to the new offensive scheme and is ready to make some serious noise in his senior season.

UB’s defense was suspect yet opportunistic

Despite coming out of the game with the win, UB’s defense struggled to slow down the Monarchs’ offense in the second half.

UB’s offense kept the team on track

with its first-half scoring explosion, leading 35-7 after just two quarters. But the defense’s situational awareness and opportunistic play was the primary factor.

Redshirt fifth-year linebacker Kadofi Wright forced a fumble with two minutes left in the first half, which turned into a 67-yard touchdown return by senior linebacker Tim Terry. The play gave the Bulls a 35-7 lead heading into the half.

UB’s defense was then carved up late in the final three ODU offensive possessions.

After allowing 21 unanswered points

Sai Krishna Seethala / The Spectrum UB celebrates during a recent game against Coastal Carolina at UB Stadium. The Bulls beat Old Dominion, 35-34, on Saturday.

SEE FOOTBALL PAGE 10

ubspectrum.com

OPINION

UB should pounce at the opportunity to join the AAC Buffalo has a compelling case to make the leap to a bigger conference

ANTHONY DECICCO SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Conference realignment is a cycle that always seems to repeat itself.

It doesn’t always have a predictable timetable, nor does it always make sense.

But when conferences shift, everything changes.

Which is why the NCAA was turned on its head when Big 12 behemoths Texas and Oklahoma formally made the move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in July.

The first domino fell, forcing everyone else to respond.

The response from the rest of the NCAA: a survival of the fittest approach.

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Big Ten and Pac-12 formed a vague scheduling alliance that’s nothing more than a desperate attempt to fend off the SEC’s quest for dominance.

After losing its top two programs to the SEC, the Big 12 added American Athletic Conference (AAC) powerhouses Cincinnati, Houston and UCF and independent contender BYU. Now, the AAC must reload in order to survive.

The American has reportedly focused on a group of schools that includes Mountain West powers Air Force, Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State and Conference USA member University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

While the conference has no geographic requirements, the AAC appears to be searching for schools out west to fill its missing spots.

But the American would be remiss not to consider eastern schools, like UB. UB Athletics has been on the rise over the last five years, something that has extended to a majority of its programs.

The football team has won back-to-back bowl games and even notched a spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll last season.

Men’s basketball has qualified for the NCAA Tournament four times since 2015 was a staple in the AP Top 25 in 2018.

Women’s basketball has earned three tournament bids since 2016 and made it to the Sweet Sixteen a couple of years back.

Even programs like women’s soccer, swimming and diving and men’s and wom-

en’s tennis have enjoyed considerable success over the last few years.

UB has proven it is one of the premier schools in the MAC and that it can compete with any school in the American — whether it be those still in the conference or those rumored to join it.

As the largest public university in New York, UB would bring east coast fans to a conference with limited influence in this region. Sure, Buffalo isn’t the country’s largest market, but the school’s sphere of influence in the northeast (and even the midwest considering the school’s MAC ties) would make for a fine addition to the American.

If UB joins a couple of teams from the Mountain West in the American, the conference would have arguably the most wellrounded geographical landscape in collegiate athletics.

From UB’s perspective, joining the American is a no-brainer.

Sure, the competition isn’t much greater than the MAC — but the money and exposure is.

In 2014, the MAC signed a 13-year TV deal with ESPN worth over $100 million for football. Each school earns approximately $670,000 in football TV revenue per season.

The MAC also inked a deal with CBS Sports Network to air football and basketball games through the 2022-23 season, with the network airing a maximum of 12 football and 12 basketball games annually.

Wednesday, September 29 2021 | 3 By contrast, the AAC signed a 12-year, $1 billion contract with ESPN in 2019 to air football and men’s and women’s basketball games. AAC football coverage includes a minimum of 40 regular-season telecasts per season on ESPN’s national networks while men’s basketball includes a minimum of 65 games and women’s basketball includes a minimum of 13 games.

That pays AAC teams about $7 million each in annual TV revenue.

Simply put, the MAC just can’t compete with that level of money and exposure.

When looking at the landscape of Division I’s “Group of Five” conferences — the AAC, Conference USA, Mid-American (MAC), Mountain West (MW) and the Sun Belt — the American reigns supreme as a “super” Group of Five.

College football is growing, but the rich — the SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12 and the Big 12 — are only getting richer.

If each conference continues to lose its top teams, some are bound to be dispanded.

It happened to both the Southwest Conference and Big Eight in 1996.

As the Group of Fives enter an uncertain future, UB should leave the MAC and join the AAC if given the opportunity.

Everyone loves weeknight MACtion, but an offer from the AAC would be too good to pass up.

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

Everyone should work at least one restaurant job An honest experience of an awesome job

ALEX FALTER SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

Screams fill the trenches on a recent Friday night in August.

“All day!” “On the fly!” shouts the manager from across the room, just loud enough for whoever’s on the line to get the message and do their job.

“We can’t be out of oil, we just restocked yesterday!”

“What do you mean, We’re out of rags? It’s only Friday!”

The cries wrestle loudly against the bustle of the teeming dining room. I walk to a corner carrying a sharp knife with a coworker by my side, screaming “CORNER!” just in time to stop my fellow constituent from receiving a bloody end to an otherwise cash-filled night.

But these aren’t the sounds of a battlefield, nor a last-minute doomsday-prepping family.

These are the sounds and interactions of an average dinner rush at “The Parlor.”

When I first walked into The Parlor as a wideeyed high schooler, I never thought I would call a job “home.” But as I received a behind-thescenes look at what makes this award-winning restaurant tick, I quickly learned I would be here every winter and summer break I could.

From busboy to dishwasher to prepper, I find myself excitedly coming back to the nontraditional pizzeria every chance I get, always

being greeted by an over-emphasized “myyyyy boyyyyyy” from the pizza maker.

But I couldn’t get this feeling from just any restaurant. The family that is The Parlor’s staff has largely consisted of the same people since I started three years ago, which is a testament to the fun-filled work environment, but is even more so a prime example of loyalty and brotherhood among these, dare I say it, soldiers.

Whether it be discussing cinema with the manager, the latest Kanye album with waiters, my favorite home cooking methods with our chef, free-styling rap lyrics with the dishwasher or knife-sharpening techniques with the dough roller, I can easily say it’s the supportive, familylike team at this culinary palace that has kept me coming back all these years.

Nowhere is this idea that working in a restaurant is like getting ready for war so evident as it is in the late Anthony Bourdain’s “Kitchen Confidential.” No moment quite exemplifies the quote “calm before the storm” like the quiet hour immediately preceding a dinner rush.

Like the hiding toys from Sunnyside Daycare’s Caterpillar Room in Toy Story 3, an empty restaurant breeds a fearful silence. But the waiters rechecking expo, the dishwasher cleaning every last miniscule smudge in his station and the line cook grabbing extra to-go containers all know one thing. That aforementioned silence? It’s nothing more than a false sense of comfort.

Then the families come in.

“Here it comes,” I think to myself as the first party of five waltzes in. Another comes in two minutes later and then another right after that, lest we forget the reservation for 12 we have 30 minutes later.

On the floor, I’m running around to every party, trying to keep waters full, dirty plates off tables and customers happy. The number of tasks being thrown at the only busboy be-

comes exponentially more daunting for those next few hours, to the point where I’m managing a mental list of tasks ranked on priority, deciding what to push back and what I need to get done at once: “Not important at the moment.”

“F--k, I forgot about that!”

“We gon’ handle that later.” (To the tune of Mac Miller’s “Senior Skip Day”) “Please be 9 by now!”

I find myself strangely comfortable in the dish pit. Like one of Ford’s famous assembly lines, I’m locked in a cycle: blast the food off, throw it in the machine, dry! Except, not all three of these steps are in order. They’re all being done simultaneously, each for a different set of dishes or cooking utensils. But no matter how many dirty dishes fill up my station, I find myself in a Zen-like state, continuously cleaning until caught up, sparing just enough time to take a coveted “break.”

But nothing comes close — for me, at least — to doing prep. Being one of the first two people in the establishment at 7 a.m. gives me a chance to relax. With no annoying customers or scalding hot pans in sight, I can daydream as I cut, dice or portion the dozens of ingredients that make up our menu while happily singing “I can’t keep on losing you!” from Mac Miller’s “Dang!”

It doesn’t matter if I’m dealing with 120 lbs. of mozzarella or gallons upon gallons of sauce; few jobs have given me so much relaxation, even with so much to do.

Of course, what keeps The Parlor exciting is its expansive menu. Owner and chef David DiBari never fails to amaze customers and employees alike with his Da Vinci-esque creativity and originality.

An alumnus of the Culinary Institute of America, DiBari has been pumping out some of the most eye-catching pizza’s on this side of EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 VOLUME 70 NUMBER 5 CIRCULATION: 3,000

Do you have an interest in journalism, graphic design, photography, social media, advertising, cartoons or copy editing? The Spectrum is always looking for enthusiastic students who want to be part of our team. Join our 45-time award winning independent student newspaper for hands-on, realworld experience in your field.

Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s editorial staff can email Reilly Mullen at: eic@ubspectrum.com.

Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s professional staff or advertising team can email Alek Ogadzhanov at: aio@ubspectrum.com.

The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Opinion section 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.

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Reilly Mullen

the Mississippi, with more than a few one-of-akind options.

While Chef makes sure to provide customers with all the mainstays like queen margherita and roni roni roni, the true excitement comes in the lower section of the menu, where options like “the everything bagel” (mozzarella and parmesan cheese topped with everything bagel seasoning and sous-vide egg yolk sauce), “the lemonator” (cured lemons, smoked scamorza cheese and a delicious chili sauce) and “the shrooms pizza” (wild mushrooms, béchamel, truffle cheese etc.) awaken the palettes of adventurous customers with an explosion of exciting flavors.

But The Parlor has plenty for non-pizza lovers as well, with “the parlor pocket” (a softboiled egg wrapped in dough with ricotta and truffle oil) and — without a doubt in my mind — the greatest chicken sandwich of all time (topped with a to-die-for chili honey) ensuring outside-the-box options for everyone.

During a break from a double shift or even a staff meal, items like these always help to remind me of one of the greatest feelings of all: an amazing meal after a hard day’s work.

Even though, with graduation looming, my days at The Parlor are numbered, the people, the memories and the meals I have enjoyed at this culinary laboratory will always hold a special place in my heart.

With that in mind, I cannot recommend working in some form of the culinary service at least once in your life enough. The experiences made do more than just keep one busy.

Rather, they serve as a meditation on the values of hard work and provide memories that will last a lifetime.

Your palette, work ethic, nostrils and wallet will all thank you.

Email: alex.falter@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.

4 | Wednesday, September 29 2021

FEATURES

ubspectrum.com

Viral ‘Chair Guys’ showcase student street comedy The story behind the freshmen who allegedly “stole” the UB Bull JACK PORCARI SENIOR NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

It was Friday night of opening weekend, and freshmen Hudson Alexander and Reilly Kasabri were returning home to their dorms from the welcome weekend carnival.

After both of their phones died, the business majors happened to run into each other by the Ellicott Complex. Neither of them could have imagined what would happen next.

Chairs.

That’s right — two plastic folding chairs found outside Ellicott helped them discover a mutual love for connection and spontaneous comedy. The pair grabbed the chairs, then started recording themselves talking to students on campus.

“Some people enjoy the little surprise that someone’s sitting in chairs in front of them, but then some people don’t like it and they keep walking,” Alexander said.

Dubbed “The Chair Guys” on TikTok, the duo has taken inspiration from their initial meeting to record various chair-centered comedy skits on campus. The pair will set up chairs in the halls of the dorms or across campus at night. One video featured Kasabri opening up every door on his residence hall floor. That clip garnered over 290,000 views.

The duo attributes their success to the power of improv.

“We opened someone’s door and then we thought, wait, what if we just ran around opening everyone’s door?” Alexander said.

Kasabri and Alexander haven’t just used their TikTok to inspire laughs; they have also used it as a unique outlet to socialize.

“It’s like going out and partying,” Kasabri said. “You walk around and do random

stuff, I think it’s more fun.”

When they did go to a party, they debated if the seat was worth the heat.

“It was crowded when we got there and we just thought, ‘Thank God we didn’t bring the chairs,’” Hudson said.

Kasabri and Alexander both say they have reaped rewards from their new hobby.

“Just talking to random people I see on campus that maybe I’m not like best friends with, but I’ll walk around giving a fist bump to — we know each other now,” Kasabri said.

Despite all they managed to pull off, the team has had their fair share of close calls.

The prank that really put The Chair Guys on the map took place when they allegedly “stole” the UB Bull statue. After walking by Sizzles at midnight, Alexander says he saw the bull and felt inspired to “pick it up.” He had watched a couple of Snapchat stories that depicted students riding the bull, so he decided to contribute something himself.

“So we just tried to pick it up. I don’t know why, we just picked it up and it was like styrofoam — it moves so easily,” Alexander said.

With a hind leg in one hand and a horn in another, The Chair Guys paraded their prized bull through the halls in an epic 10-second video. After it went live, the video went viral on the UB subreddit.

It has since been deleted from TikTok. When Barstool Buffalo reposted it to their Instagram page, The Chair Guys posted a comment asking for credit. From here, those in the comments section reported the “suspects” behind the apparent bull burglary to UPD. “We got 15 calls and emails about this incident,” Joshua Sticht, deputy chief of police, said. “Luckily it was actually resolved even before we got the first call due to facilities staff working in the area.”

UPD told The Chair Guys to stay away from doing things that could get them into

Jack Porcari / The Spectrum Dubbed “The Chair Guys” on TikTok, Hudson Alexander and Reilly Kasabri went “viral” after posting a video of themselves performing chair-related skits around campus.

bigger trouble. But the bull prank speaks to a larger, more disruptive trend that is making headlines on campuses across the country: devious licks. These “licks” entail stealing and vandalizing school property for the sake of a funny social media post.

Students have posted a number of “devious licks” videos to UBReddit since the start of the semester.

“There have been several prank incidents like this that have occurred this semester. My only comment on the devious licks trend is that it is a bad idea for

UB students to participate,” Sticht said.

“We have been able to identify almost every student who has been in these videos damaging University property.”

Although the future of The Chair Guys is uncertain, they mentioned they plan on continuing their skits for “the rest of this year at least,” with plans to expand if the traction is there.

“I’d make a YouTube channel like this,” Kasabri said, as he snapped his fingers.

Email: jack.porcari@ubspectrum.com

Dear Evan Hansen is a mental health masterpiece The flick makes viewers laugh, smile and shed a tear DAN EASTMAN ASST. MANAGING EDITOR

Movie: Dear Evan Hansen Director: Stephen Chbosky Starring: Ben Platt, Amy Adams and Julianne Moore Studio: Universal Pictures Rating: 7.5/10 Warning: This story includes spoilers.

“Dear Evan Hansen” is the mental health movie of the year, with an inspiring message: “You Will Be Found.”

Creating a film adaptation of the sixtime Tony award-winning Broadway musical was bound to be a difficult task, but Director Stephen Chbosky was able to execute it with ease.

“Dear Evan Hansen” follows high school student Evan Hansen, an aloof social outcast who longs to find his place, and Connor Murphy, a mentally ill high school student, who, after dying by suicide, has his death exploited by characters, including Evan, for clout.

The musical and movie were inspired by the true story of Benj Pasek, the show’s lyricist, who, after a high school classmate died of a drug overdose, witnessed classmates tell false stories of being part of the deceased student’s life.

The movie begins with Evan as he walks into his senior pep rally to the song, “Waving Through A Window.” The music reaches its climax when Evan reaches the auditorium, where he stands alone as everyone passes around him. Evan’s doc-

tor requires him to write letters to himself about his day: “Dear Evan Hansen, It turns out this wasn’t an amazing day after all. This isn’t going to be an amazing week or an amazing year. Because, why would it be?.....

Sincerely, your best and most dearest friend, Me.” This letter gets into the hands of Connor, a fellow student who also didn’t have any friends and was an outcast at school.

After Connor is found with this letter in his pocket, his parents believe it was addressed by him to Evan — and that the two were secret friends.

Egged on by Connor’s parents, Evan decides to lie to the family and the world about his supposed friendship with Connor. He raises money for Connor’s memorial, delivers a viral speech and makes up stories about their supposed friendship.

Eventually, the lies catch up to him and he is forced to reveal to Connor’s family, and the world, what he has done.

Evan, determined to rewrite his wrongs, dives into searching for someone, anyone, with a connection to Connor.

The film ends with Connor playing an emotional song from when he was in recovery, forcing a tear out of even the most cynical of viewers.

While the movie largely sticks to the musical’s soundtrack, it forgoes one song from the broadway version, “Good For You,” in exchange for a simple argument in the movie. The lyrical interpretation would have created a more emotional tension, but the music still stands out: Chbosky added two new songs that still pull at the heartstrings in “The Anonymous Ones” by Amadla Stenberg, who plays Alana Beck, and “A Little Closer” by Colton Ryan, who plays Connor Murphy.

While the background characters are

Courtesy of Universal Photos The film adaptation of “Dear Evan Hansen” released

predominantly played by teenagers, the entire main cast consists of adults. Ben Platt, who plays Evan Hansen in both the movie and the original Broadway show, has a phenomenal voice and plays the character well but now, at 28, he is a decade older than the average senior in high school.

in theaters on

Friday.

The movie ends with Evan Hansen writing another letter to himself: “Dear Evan Hansen, Today is gonna be a good day because at least you’re you and that’s enough.”

Email: danielson.eastman@ubspectrum.com

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NEWS

UB’s Covid-19 Dashboard 39

Wednesday, September 29 2021 | 5

Data as of September 28, 2021

Quarantine and Isolation

3,334

1.17%

Campus administered Testing

Campus Dining and Shops discontinues weekday breakfast at C3 Students express frustration with shorter hours despite the increased meal exchange rate NATALIE DOLLER ASST. NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

Students’ dining options keep getting thinner.

On Sept. 8, Campus Dining and Shops announced it would close Crossroads Culinary Center (C3) for breakfast on weekdays until further notice, dealing another blow to the thousands of students who live, eat and learn on campus.

“Due to ongoing staffing challenges, it was necessary for us to adjust our services during the breakfast period,” Raymond Kohl, marketing and communications director of CDS, said in a statement to The Spectrum.

The decision comes on the heels of temporary closures to Hubies and The Bowl, two popular Ellicott Complex lunch and dinner eateries. CDS says the restaurants have been closed since the start of the fall semester due to staffing shortages.

The C3 announcement comes despite

CDS’ goals to expand dining options as the year goes on, which Kohl made clear to The Spectrum in early September.

“We appreciate students’ patience and we [are] working on solutions to reduce wait times and reopen dining locations,” he said in a previous interview.

C3 was previously open for weekday breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Now the Ellicott dining hall is only open for dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekends.

Students can still grab weekday breakfast from Ellicott Complex’s Sizzles, Wrap it Up and Au Bon Pain, Perks and the Student Union’s Tim Horton’s. In an effort to increase students’ options, CDS moved up Wrap it Up and ABP’s opening times from 8 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sizzles still opens at 8 a.m.

Jada Gowanlock, a sophomore mechanical engineering major, says the hour change is particularly inconvenient because C3 was the only place students could make breakfast reservations in advance.

Now she has to take a gamble with Sizzles, Wrap it Up or ABP, where lines can number in the double digits.

“It definitely depends on the time of day but C3 was absolutely much quicker than standing in a line for 10 minutes or more,” Gowanlock said.

To help mitigate the added limitations to student meal plans, CDS increased the breakfast exchange rate from $6.50 to $8.50. But Madeline Braun, a freshman linguistics major, says this still doesn’t address the scarcity of dining options.

“I’m glad that they gave us an extra $2 to spend but I just wish that there were more hours for places,” Braun said. “By the time I’m done with showering, and if I miss the bus and need to walk to class, it’s always like, ‘Am I going to get down to the Wrap it Up line and it’s going to be too long to even wait?’”

Kohl says the change in service hours was communicated to meal plan holders with social media postings, signage near the dining locations and an email to all students with a meal plan. But some students still say they feel like they were in the dark about the abrupt service change.

Sophomore occupational therapy major Amy Travers told The Spectrum she didn’t know about the C3 breakfast closure until she saw The Spectrum’s Instagram story asking for student input.

“I didn’t know C3 was closed for [weekday] breakfast until I saw The Spectrum’s [Instagram] story about it,” she said. “I think they need to do a better job of communicating some of these changes be-

Alexis Heng / The Spectrum Campus Dining and Shops has announced it will close the Crossroads Culinary Center (C3) for breakfast amidst continuing “staffing problems.”

cause some people may not know about these changes and go to the dining place to find out it’s closed.”

Junior mechanical engineering major Jungo Miyazaki says limiting dining options flies in the face of the social distancing measures CDS employs at C3 during dinner.

“It’s pretty crowded,” he said. “So, like, what’s the point of spreading people out [during dinner]?”

Reservations at C3 are sorted by sections so that the number of guests doesn’t exceed the dining hall’s social distancing capacity. But UB’s walk-up breakfast areas like Sizzles and Wrap it Up don’t have the same stickers on the floors that helped keep students six-feet apart like they did last year.

The frustration extends beyond the students. Freshman business major Grace Pignato says her parents are just as frustrated as she is.

“My parents are like ‘Why aren’t you using your meal swipes? We paid for it,’” she said. “And I tell them, ‘I never know when things are open and C3’s hard to get a reservation at.’”

Email: natalie.doller@ubspectrum.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

6 | Wednesday, September 29 2021

ubspectrum.com

UB community celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month Clubs and organizations will offer lectures, desserts and musical performances through Oct. 15

inviting participants to Latinx/Hispanic desserts from 4-5 p.m. in SU 240.

NATALIE DOLLER

The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York is hosting a celebration of Latinx/Hispanic arts, food and music from 6-8 p.m. at the Amherst Audubon Senior Center. Entry is free and there will be vendors and artists to purchase from.

ASST. NEWS/FEATURES EDITOR

Sept. 15 marked the start of National Hispanic American Heritage Month. For students looking to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans or learn more about Latinx/ Hispanic culture, UB and the Buffalo community are hosting everything from mixers and movie nights to academic lectures.

Hispanic Heritage month, also referred to as Latinx Heritage month, is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 because many Latin countries celebrate their independence days at the same time. The period is meant to honor the cultures and contributions of people with ties to the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America and Spain.

Many of UB’s on-campus events are being hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and by the Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC), in coordination with the Latin American Student Association (LASA). Beyond UB, the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York is also hosting a variety of events in honor of the celebration.

Here’s a roundup of upcoming events:

Oct. 1

Tough Topics: Colorism in the Brazilian & the Latin Community and Hispanic Heritage Month Dessert Hour

IDC and LASA will host a forum to explore how colorism and international beauty standards impact the Latinx/Hispanic community from 3-4 p.m. in SU 240.

Participants can also join online. Following the Tough Topics conversation, IDC and LASA will present a slideshow of influential Latinx/Hispanic people while

Oct. 1

Amherst Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Oct. 5

Policing, Puerto Rico and Crisis

Professor Marisol LeBrón of the University of California, Santa Cruz will present at 4 p.m. on Zoom as part of the CAS’ Latinx Heritage at the Intersection of Culture and Crisis series. Register for the event ahead of time on the CAS website.

Oct. 8

Tough Topics: Hispanic & Latinx Movements

IDC’s final Tough Topics forum of the month will educate participants on Hispanic and Latinx movements that have been unifying forces in the community.

The discussion will last from 3-4 p.m. in SU 240. Participants can also join online.

Oct. 8

Life After Graduate School At 4 p.m. in NSC 218, CAS will give students the opportunity to listen to the likes of college deans and senior scientists from the Latinx community including Amaris Borges-Muñoz and Jose Cintron talk about their experiences and career options after graduate school.

Oct. 8

LGBTQ+ Movie Night: Mosquita y Mari

IDC and LASA will commemorate LGBTQ+ members of the Latinx community

by screening this coming-of-age film at 6 p.m. in the SU Theatre. The Aurora Guerrero film follows the love story of two Chicana high school students after they are assigned as study partners.

Culture and Crisis series. Register for the event ahead of time on the CAS website.

Oct. 11

The Buffalo Museum of Science has put together an exhibit featuring the contributions of 10 Latinx/Hispanic scientists in honor of the holiday. The exhibit can be seen during normal business hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Student admission is $13.

Latinx Roots with Kahoot (with prizes)

IDC and LASA aim to teach students more about Latinx/Hispanic culture with a trivia Kahoot game complete with prizes for the winners. The event will start at 6 p.m. in SU 240.

Ongoing

Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibit

Ongoing

Oct. 12

Performance by Puerto Rican guitarist Hermelindo Ruíz Mestre

The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York will host a performance by guitarist Hermelindo Ruíz Mestre in Kleinhans Music Hall’s Mary Seaton Room at 7 p.m. Admission is free and face masks are required.

Oct. 13

Conversations in Science: Latinx Lead Environmental Justice

From 6-7 p.m., the Buffalo Science Museum will hold a panel discussion on Zoom focused around the climate justice issues that are impacting Buffalo’s Latinx/ Hispanic communities. The event is free and open to the public; participants must preregister on the museum’s website.

Oct. 14

The Messiness Of Independence: Reflections On The Moment Of Mexican Independence On Its Bicentennial (1821-2021)

Professor Sergio Gutiérrez-Negrón of Oberlin College will offer his expertise on Mexico’s independence in this 4 p.m.

Zoom lecture. This talk is a part of CAS’ Latinx Heritage at the Intersection of

Hispanic music playlist

Enjoy IDC’s selection of Hispanic music with the center’s 300+ song playlist highlighting the talents of Celia Cruz, J Balvin, Shakira, Bad Bunny and others.

Students can stop by the IDC office at SU 240 to hear the music or listen to the playlist on Spotify.

Ongoing

Hispanic Heritage Month literary collection

UB Libraries assembled a collection of 245 literary works about the Latinx/Hispanic experience for patrons to browse.

The collection has something for everyone with documentaries, autobiographies, fiction and children’s books by authors such as Jeanine Cummins, Tatiana de la Tierra and J. Malcolm Garcia. The entire collection can be viewed on the department’s website.

The Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York has a variety of ongoing events happening weekday mornings as well. Students can check these out on the council’s events calendar.

CAS’ Latinx Heritage at the Intersection of Culture and Crisis series runs through Dec. 10. A complete list of the series lectures can be found on the center’s website.

Email: natalie.doller@ubspectrum.com

Learn, Grow, Connect, Thrive, and Share.

Join UB Distinguished Visiting Scholar Mentoring Circles.

Meet someone passionate about supporting students like you!

ALL UB students are eligible, including students studying remotely! ◀ Obtain mentoring in your academic, personal, & professional journey.

◀ Share your aspirations & challenges. Have fun! Learn together. Experience

greater community.

◀ Open to ALL UB undergrad & grad students regardless of major/field of

study & its relationship to your preferred mentor’s field. (You get to choose your mentor!)

◀ Each of the 8 visiting scholars will have two circles: one of 10 undergradu-

ate students & another circle of 10 grad students.

◀ NOT a major time commitment; a few group meetings/semester.

Additional individual mentoring arranged to the extent you and your mentor choose. ◀

Easy to participate; learn more, and sign up: bit.ly/3znhI5b or go to

https://www.buffalo.edu/diversity-innovation/ distinguished-visiting-scholars/mentoringcircles.html or search for “UB” and “mentoring circles” or use this QR code:

Reilly Mullen / The Spectrum Hispanic Heritage month, also referred to as Latinx Heritage month, is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15

"Although the mentorship program's inaugural year concluded, my mentor remains an active member of my growing professional network. He has invested his time and resources into my academic goals with unwavering dedication. For me, the mentorship circle initiated a bond that has outlasted the duration of the program."

-- Naiima Khahaifa, Mentee, 2020-21 Distinguished Visiting Scholar Dr. John Eason

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FEATURES

8 | Wednesday, September 29 2021

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Fall Activities

Hikes, pumpkin patches and football games worth attending SPECTRUM STAFF

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall, or at least that’s what the novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald was quoted as saying.

The crisp weather, striking leaf colors and spooky evenings make for America’s favorite season. In the Queen City, students can treat themselves to a number of beautiful hikes, pumpkin patches and corn mazes — not to mention the various sporting and cultural events that define the region’s autumn season.

Here’s a look at some of the best things to do in the fall, from the staff of The Spectrum:

Smith’s Orchard Cider Mill Lockport

Apple Picking is in full swing in Erie County, especially at Smith’s Orchard in Lockport, home of the cider slushie.

Just a 17-minute drive from North Campus, Smith’s is a family-friendly farm that doesn’t feature the usual gimmicks. The orchard is open Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and currently has the Cortland, Empire and McIntosh apple varieties. It’s free to traverse the grounds and take photos with friends and family.

Better yet, apples are only $1.25/lb. After you’re done picking apples for the day, don’t forget to grab an apple cider donut and freshly pressed apple cider — or have it as a slushie.

DAN EASTMAN

Corn maze at The Great Pumpkin Farm Clarence

Nothing screams fall like deliberately getting lost in vegetation with your friends, or, as it’s otherwise referred to, going to a corn maze. The Queen City’s must-see

NATALIE DOLLER

Hollowed Harvest

Devil’s Hole State Park

Lockport

If you don’t care for the frightening productions that usually define Halloween season, fear not. The Hollowed Harvest, open on select dates through Halloween, features thousands of jack-o’-lanterns arranged on breathtaking landscapes. At night, the Niagara County Fairground transforms into an ornate display you won’t want to miss. If you are looking for a festive daytime trip, the Mayer Bros.

Cider Mill is a great place to stop for fall treats, decorations and more.

Niagara Falls

JACK PORCARI

Chestnut Ridge Park Orchard Park

Chestnut Ridge Park is a hub for all your favorite outdoor activities for the fall and winter seasons. You can bike through the woods and watch the leaves change colors in September, and then head back in December for some cross-country skiing.

There are mapped paths ranked by difficulty, making an afternoon hike accessible for enthusiasts of all ages. You can even visit the Eternal Flame, a natural gas leak causing a near-constant flame to burn in a cave. Chestnut Ridge Park is the perfect place to visit for those who want to enjoy the great outdoors — even in the colder months.

Sabrina Akter-Nabi / The Spectrum Head out to The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence and check out this year’s corn maze!

Transit Drive-In Theatre Lockport

To me, fall means one thing and one thing only: Halloween. The holiday is my favorite of the calendar year, and inspires trips to Transit Theatre to watch horror movies on crisp fall weekends. The drivein is the perfect place to watch your favorite films, especially at night, with the stars overhead. From “Scream” to “Us,” Transit Theatre makes flicks come to life better than any indoor theatre can.

Letchworth State Park

JENNA QUINN

Castile

Julie Frey / The Spectrum Just a 17-minute drive from North Campus, Smith’s Apple Orchard offers apple picking for $1.25/lb.

Shopping for fall clothing

Fall means crisp weather in the Queen City. The shorts and tees that define the summer are quickly replaced by heavier and cozier September clothing. The sudden change in weather encourages natives to go out and buy some new, snug clothes.

Perhaps the best part about shopping for fall clothing is getting to buy all variations of layers — from turtle necks, to oversized sweaters, to scarves and gloves.

And this type of shopping doesn’t need to break the bank — there’s great options for all your autumn needs at thrift stores like Savers and Goodwill, the perfect places to get all your bundling wear without making your wallet cry.

GRANT ASHLEY

Bills games at Highmark Stadium Orchard Park

Take one step into your local Wegmans or the Student Union during the fall, and you’ll be greeted by Bills-themed products and a plethora of people wearing Bills apparel. Cheering on the Bills at Highmark Stadium on a breezy Sunday afternoon is an experience you’ll never forget. From fans jumping through tables to legendary tailgates to hearing the stadium erupt on big fourth-down conversions, there are few venues around the league that can match this atmosphere. Buffalo is known for its unpredictable weather, so if you’re heading to a game in Orchard Park, fall is the best time to do so — avoiding those miserably humid September games and freezing January contests is the way to go.

Roughly a 30 minute drive from North Campus, Devil’s Hole State Park is the best local hike for viewing the fall foliage.

Devil’s Hole runs parallel to the Niagara Gorge and has scenic overlooks and stairs running down to the gorge that brings hikers adjacent to the undulating currents and rapids. The gorge is the political border between the U.S. and Canada, and Canadian hikers can often be seen waving to their American counterparts on the opposite side. Devil’s Hole is located next to Whirlpool State Park and is only a few minutes from Niagara Falls. When hiking Devil’s Hole, be sure to bring lots of water, good shoes and a willingness to tackle lots of stairs — all worthwhile for the quintessential fall views.

JULIE FREY

REILLY MULLEN

While its moniker, “The Grand Canyon of the East,” is a bit of an exaggeration, Letchworth State Park is one of the best places in New York State to enjoy the fall foliage. Students who make the one hour, 15 minute drive from North Campus to Castile can enjoy 66 miles of hiking trails through the hanging leaves, breathtaking views of the park’s three waterfalls, picnic spots and even overnight camping. Visitors can also stop in the neighboring town of Mt. Morris, featuring a Main Street that offers various local shops, mom-and-pop restaurants and small-town fall aesthetics.

labyrinth of kernels is at The Great Pumpkin Farm in Clarence. This year’s five-acre maze fittingly depicts a Buffalo Bills player rushing into the end zone, but past designs have paid homage to Jurassic Park and Batman. Looking for a bigger challenge — or trying to terrify your friends? Check out the maze’s “Zombie Nights,” when actors wander the maze for some added terror. Finally, celebrate completing the maze with a hard cider from The Witch’s Brew, the farm’s bar and baked goods store, before resting your feet on a hayride. Don’t forget to pick out a pumpkin on your way out!

KARA ANDERSON

Writing outside Julie Frey / The Spectrum In the fall, the leaves surrounding the Letchworth State Park gorge begin to change colors.

HUNTER SKOCZYLAS

Few things can affect a writer’s process more than writer’s block. Whether it’s a bad day, or a day you can’t even put the pen to paper, this feeling is the worst. But do not fear — few things can solve writer’s block like a positive change in scenery.

For me, chilling on a friend’s roof or on a grassy field, the warm sunlight beating down on me with a cool fall breeze mixed in, is the perfect antidote to my writing woes — and a great way to get much-need serotonin. Be it for class, a journaling session or a personal project, I implore any self-proclaimed writer to change it up with some natural scenery. You can thank me later.

ALEX FALTER

Julie Frey / The Spectrum Buffalo is home to several parks and hiking trails.

ubspectrum.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Wednesday, September 29 2021 | 9

Student services to take advantage of Your guide to the free (or nearly free) services UB offers REILLY MULLEN EDITOR IN CHIEF

It’s Week 7 of the semester, and you’re a wreck.

Your homework is piling up, you’re stressed and you have some mystery flu that’s been circulating through your dorm or apartment complex.

We’ve all been there. But luckily, where Counseling Services falls short, Health Promotion, Health Services and UB Recreation are here to pick up the slack. While their services are not a replacement for traditional therapy, here are some free (or nearly free) services for UB students to enjoy:

Yoga for Student Well-being Zoom

Health Promotion offers yoga classes on Monday evenings from 5:15-6:30 p.m. with instructor Tara Laurenzi, and Tuesday evenings from 6-7 p.m. with instructor Cory Sampson. Classes are free and available to all students. Due to COVID-19, all classes are being held via Zoom. Class schedules are available on Health Promotion’s yoga and meditation website.

Chiropractic care Michael Hall

New York Chiropractic College offers free chiropractic services to UB students in Michael Hall. Call their number (716-685-9631) and identify yourself as a UB student to make an appointment.

Appointments are offered Mondays and Wednesdays in the morning, and Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon. You must wear a mask and bring your UB Card to your appointment.

Meditation group

Sexual health services

Health Promotion offers weekly group meditation sessions in the SU Landmark Room, although you can tune in via Zoom.

Sessions are led by Health Promotion Program Coordinator Sharlynn Daun-Barnett, and the schedule can be found on Health

UB offers free safe-sex supplies and services to all students. Students can request supplies including: condoms, female condoms, flavored or unflavored lube and dental dams be delivered in discreet packaging to their on-campus residence or made available for pickup from a secure bin on the picnic table outside Michael Hall. Health Services can also prescribe a variety of types of birth control, and provide STI testing, which can be covered by a UB or private insurance plan. You can make an appointment on the Health Services website to discuss what pregnancypreventing measures are right for you.

Student Union

Promotion’s yoga and meditation website.

Monthly dog-walking group Student Union

Lily the Dog visits the SU courtyard one Wednesday each month from 4-5 p.m. to offer stressed-out students some “canine cuddles.” Attendees meet at the table in front of the SU for an hour of unconditional love from the trained therapy dog.

Snack and stress-relief giveaways are provided at each session. The session schedule can be found on the UB calendar.

Health Promotion

UB Rec one-credit classes

Varies

UB Recreation offers a variety of onecredit classes that you can add to your class schedule. Activities from volleyball, to dancing, to swim lessons are offered in the UB Course Catalog each semester.

Tutoring Zoom

Campus Living offers free tutoring for UB students. Students can receive tutoring via Zoom for subjects including accounting, biology, chemistry, economics, English, math and physics. Appointments are available Sundays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Email: reilly.mullen@ubspectrum.com

Group fitness classes Alumni Arena

For $30, students can purchase a permit to a variety of group fitness classes offered through UB Recreation. A permit grants you access to zumba classes (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-6 p.m. in 75 Alumni Arena or via Zoom), yoga classes (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in 144 Alumni Arena or via Zoom), pilates classes (offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in 144 Alumni Arena) or cardio sport sessions (offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 12:45-1:30 p.m. in 75 Alumni Arena). Permits can be purchased on the UB Rec website. You will receive an email when your permit is ready for pickup at 175 Alumni Arena.

Margo Burgio / The Spectrum UB offers free safe-sex supplies and services to all students.

Season 3 of ‘Sex Education’ succeeds in its characters, stumbles in its comedy The newest season proves it can handle serious subjects, despite overly immature humor

which is made especially apparent in the show’s handling of LGBTQ issues and themes.

One of the most eye-catching character arcs is that of Adam Groff, played by KARA ANDERSON Connor Swindells. Groff, who began as a ASST. ARTS EDITOR straight-presenting bully in Season 1, explores and struggles with his own queerWhen fans watched Issac delete Otis’ ness in Season 3 alongside his openly gay voicemail to Maeve professing his undying boyfriend Eric Effiong, played by Ncuti love for her in the final scene of Season Gatwa.

2’s finale of “Sex Education,” they weren’t Raised in a masculine and disciplineexactly expecting Season 3 to feature the focused household, Groff ’s scenes this early and tragic death of a cat, Johnathan season perfectly encapsulate the emotional — whose owners’ night of frisky activity and rewarding journey of dismantling insent a microwave oven flying across the ternalized homophobia while participating room, crushing him to death — or travin gay culture, like when Groff comments el as far as an underground Nigerian gay that he looks “quite pretty” after Eric does club. his makeup.

But the Netflix Original’s latest installIn addition to Groff ’s own self-discovment debuted Sept. 17 with the series’ ery, Season 3 introduces its first genderusual blend of absurdity, sincerity and of queer characters with two non-binary stucourse, sex positivity. dents, Cal and Layla, who use they/them Not one for quiet entrances, the season pronouns.

The introduction of transgender characters proves greatly positive for the series, inspiring conversations about outdated modes of gender binaries, as well as conversations surrounding safe binding techniques (binding is the practice of flattening the chest with constrictive material), as shown in the final episode.

If nothing else, this season creates an even safer space for its audience — specifically its queer audience — than ever before.

Beyond celebrating queer stories, Season 3 of “Sex Education” expertly delves into issues like the healing process after sexual assault, having a Courtesy of Netflix parent in active drug-addiction (Left to Right) Steve (played by Chris Jenks), Aimee (Aimee Lou Wood), and Maeve (Emma Mackey) return in Season 3 of “Sex Education”

opens with an intense 2 ½ minute montage of the show’s characters having sex to the tune of “I Think We’re Alone Now,” by the Rubinoos.

From here, the season picks up in the fall term at Moordale High, now dubbed the “Sex School” after the events of the second season, resulting in sex educator/ therapist Jean Milburn and headteacher Michael Groff, played by Gillian Anderson and Alistair Petrie, respectively, losing their jobs at the institution.

With the headteacher position left unfilled, Season 3 sets up its central conflict around Hope Haddon, the new young headmistress, who despite being a selfdescribed feminist, eventually reveals her true colors through enforcing conformity, heternormativity and abstinence-based sex education.

As the characters navigate new conflicts, Season 3 shines in its humanization and delicate delivery of character growth,

and how families can unite through an unexpected pregnancy.

Focusing greater screen-time on these more serious issues, Season 3 drives “Sex Education” into a more somber direction, straying further from the goofiness of its earlier seasons.

Where Season 3 falters, is, perhaps — and not so surprisingly — in its comedy.

Unlike the care put into its serious side, the comedy of Season 3 of “Sex Education” feels heavy-handed and overly juvenile. With one of the central conflicts in Episode 5 centering around a fecal-related car accident and running fart jokes, the humor provided is starkly immature, compared to the internal and external struggles of its characters.

Beyond a poor taste in jokes, the comedy in Season 3 feels clunky and disjointed.

Rather than interwoven with the more dramatic and serious aspects of the season, as has been done previously, the humor often disrupts heartfelt moments, causing an abrupt and unsatisfactory shift in tone.

After all, it’s hard to laugh at a cheap vending machine joke directly following a character’s grief around his mother being in the hospital.

With that being said, the season still stands out in its adeptness in dealing with the complexities of both adult and teenage explorations and confrontations with sexuality. It skillfully navigates conversations surrounding sex, whether that be about finding joy in sex, reconciling with sexual trauma, or figuring out one’s own sexual identity.

Netflix announced on Saturday “Sex Education” has been renrewed for a fourth season, with the release date to be announced.

Email: kara.anderson@ubspectrum.com

SPORTS

10 | Wednesday, September 29 2021

Cross-Country This week in UB Athletics

Stadium News UB INVITED TO PLAY IN BILLS NEW STADIUM UB has been invited to join the Buffalo Bills’ new stadium project by Pegula Sports and Entertainment, according to Tim Graham of The Athletic.

Despite the tempting offer, UB Athletic Director Mark Alnutt says the Bulls would prefer to remain on campus.

While UB Stadium surely has its own set of problems — a track surrounding the field, out-of-date scoreboard and lack of amenities — an offcampus location could hinder UB’s campus community’s involvement.

“Being able to have student engagement on campus is critical for us,” Alnutt told The Athletic. “When alumni come back to campus, when our students want to attend the games, we want our community to have that connection. That’s very important.”

The Bills submitted a proposal for a $1.4 billion, 60,000-seat stadium in Orchard Park on Aug. 30, but downtown Buffalo and a UB site off Maple Road were also examined.

UB is determined to focus on its own infrastructure but would welcome the idea of building the new Bills stadium on its Amherst campus, according to The Athletic.

Nothing is official yet, and Alnutt says he’s not ruling out the possibility of a partnership with the Bills. But plans for a new Bills stadium must be clear before UB makes any type of major move.

ANTHONY DECICCO SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Women’s Volleyball WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL BEATS MIAMI BACK-TOBACK DAYS TO OPEN MAC PLAY Women’s volleyball (9-5, 2-0 MAC) beat the Miami (OH) RedHawks (210, 0-2 MAC) twice this weekend, 3-2 on Friday and 3-0 on Saturday.

UB took the match 26-24, 25-21, 13-25, 21-25, 15-12 and outhit Miami .167 to .151. The RedHawks led in kills, blocks and assists despite dropping the match.

Sophomore outside hitter Milla Malik and junior middle blocker Courtney Okwara both had double-digit kills, with 20 and 15 respectively. Freshman setter Mandy Leigh led the Bulls with 45 assists and added four blocks and 13 digs.

The following day, UB outplayed Miami in all facets of the game.

The Bulls took the match 25-22, 25-21, 25-16, sweeping the RedHawks and out-hitting them .368 to .204.

Okwara led all players with 14 kills and hit a very impressive .609 for the contest. Malik was right behind her with 12 kills, hitting .300.

Freshman defensive specialist Hannah Jacoby and freshman setter Kyndal Bacon both finished with 10 digs with Malik not far behind with eight.

This is the third time in program history UB has opened MAC play undefeated, sitting 2-0.

The Bulls will look to continue their winning streak when they travel to Bowling Green, OH to face the Bowling Green Falcons (6-6, 2-0 MAC).

The matches will be on Friday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m.

SOPHIE MCNALLY STAFF WRITER

FOOTBALL FROM PAGE 2

and leading 35-28 with less than four minutes remaining, the Bulls defense found themselves within their own 20-yard line.

But a huge forced fumble from senior linebacker James Patterson prevented the Monarchs from potentially tying or leading late in the game.

The Bulls still gave up a touchdown to bring the game within one point but survived with the missed extra point attempt.

UB gave up 433 yards and 34 points but generated turnovers when it mattered most.

Inconsistency with the special teams unit

Just like the defense, the Bulls’ special teams unit was wildly inconsistent against the Monarchs.

UB’s first points came from a blocked field goal by sophomore defensive end C.J. Bazile in the first quarter. Bazile not only blocked the kick but also recovered the ball and took it 90 yards to the house to give UB a 7-0 lead.

While Bazile’s touchdown was a huge moment, the Bulls had special team problems of their own on Saturday night.

Old Dominion was able to block punts on UB’s first two possessions, securing ideal starting field position for the Monarchs on the Bulls’ side of the field.

Two blocked punts is a lot for a game, let alone a quarter.

While the Monarchs were unable to capitalize on their first blocked punt, ODU started its second drive on UB’s 26-yard line, resulting in an easy touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.

On the positive side, Bazile’s touchdown was a huge special teams highlight in a

CROSS COUNTRY FINISHES 11TH AT COAST-TO-COAST BATTLE IN BEANTOWN UB cross country finished in 11th place in the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown in Boston on Friday afternoon.

The Bulls competed against nationally ranked programs and earned a score of 349 points, which placed them 11th out of 20 schools. Sixthranked Arkansas won the competition with a score of 39 points, leading a pack that also included runners from Syracuse, Duke and Harvard.

With an 8k time of 25:26, senior Scott LoForte paved the way for the Bulls, finishing 55th overall. Junior Armani Merlino finished in 59th place just three seconds later (25:29). Senior Ryan Buzby placed 69th with a time of 25:44.

For his first 8k of the season, junior Alex Hislop finished fourth for UB and 97th overall with a time of 26:11.

Graduate student Thomas Flannery closed out the Bulls’ top five with a time of 26:15, which ranked 101st overall out of more than 165 runners.

Graduate students Patrick Hazlitt and Michael Neeson and sophomores William Marchant and Sean O’Brien also hit the trails for UB during Saturday’s meet.

Hazlitt finished at 26:45 (116th overall) while Marchant finished just six seconds behind, at 26:51 (123rd overall). Neeson crossed the finish line a minute later with a 27:57 race time and O’Brien did not finish.

The Bulls will race again Friday at 9:30 a.m. at the Paul Short Invitational hosted by Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. KAYLA STERNER STAFF WRITER

ubspectrum.com

Women’s Soccer WOMEN’S SOCCER DROPS FIRST INCONFERENCE GAME TO OHIO, DRAWS IN DOUBLE OVERTIME AGAINST KENT STATE UB women’s soccer (6-2-1, 0-11 MAC) dropped its Mid-American Conference opener against the Ohio Bobcats (6-3, 2-0 MAC), 2-1, on Thursday evening at Chessa Field in Athens, OH. The Bulls then returned home to face the Kent State Golden Flashes (5-3-1, 1-0-1 MAC) on Sunday afternoon, where they drew 0-0 in a wild double overtime match.

The loss at Ohio snapped a sixgame winning streak for the Bulls and a four-game shutout streak.

UB was able to capitalize on a corner kick by senior defender Abbey Callaghan, who crossed the ball to senior defender Tess Ford to take an early 1-0 lead.

The Bobcats responded with a swift counter attack down the right flank led by Ohio senior forward Abby Townsend. Townsend’s cross inside the box managed to find graduate student forward Madison Clayton to tie the game 1-1.

At the 82-minute mark, Ohio scored the winning goal following a cross from Clayton that senior midfielder Hayley Miller headed in.

The Bulls desperately searched for an equalizer in the closing minutes but the Bobcats’ defense was too much.

On Sunday afternoon, the Bulls attempted to bounce back in a homefield matchup against the Kent State Golden Flashes.

The game was forced to not one but two overtime periods, where the Bulls dominated time on attack and possession. UB outshot Kent State a combined eight shots to two in both overtime periods but were unable to find the back of the net, ending in a draw.

UB will look to bounce back when the Bulls host the Ball State Cardinals at UB Stadium on Thursday, Sep. 30 at 7 p.m.

KEVIN CORTES STAFF WRITER

close affair. But the blocked punts were alarming, and UB must take a harder look at special teams to be in MAC Championship contention.

UB survives without Taylor Riggins

After missing all of the 2020 season due to injury, Taylor Riggins has had a major impact on the Bulls’ defense.

He was able to disrupt plays and apply pressure last week against Coastal Carolina, racking up seven tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and three tackles for loss.

But Riggins didn’t play this week against Old Dominion due to an undisclosed injury. If he had played, he could’ve helped contain ODU quarterback C.J. Mack, who broke contain multiple times and led the Monarchs in passing and rushing yards.

The Bulls recorded four sacks without Riggins and forced crucial turnovers when they needed to, but it’s clear the 2019 firstteam All-MAC selection is one of the best defensive players on the roster. Any time he sits on the bench is an automatic damper on the defensive game plan and scheme.

“Taylor is a big time player for us and we had a number of guys who were out with injuries tonight,” Linguist said. “But Taylor is one of the best players we have on the defense and roster and we’re looking forward to having him back next week for conference play.”

The Bulls will host the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday at 12 p.m. for their homecoming game at UB Stadium.

The game will be aired on the CBS Sports Network.

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

Moaz Elazzazi / The Spectrum UB’s back-to-back victories against the RedHawks mark the third time in program history have opened MAC play undefeated.

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Moaz Elazzazi / The Spectrum UB Athletic Director Mark Alnutt says UB is open to sharing a stadium with the Bills, but only if it were to be on UB’s Amherst campus.