The Spectrum. Volume 59 Issue 00

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The Spectrum h t t p : / / s p e c t r u m . b u f f a l o . e d u

Summer 2009 OCTOBER 22, 2004 FRIDAY,

A student of the University at Buffalo A publication student publication of the University at Buffalo

By JENNIFER GOOD News Editor

Residents in UB’s apartment complexes will be hoping for some sunny days in the near future. On May 7, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the University at Buffalo unveiled what officials said would be the largest solar energy project in the state. At a news conference in the Center for Tomorrow, NYPA President Richard Kessel and UB President John B. Simpson announced a $7.5 million award to the uni-

By REN LaFORME Managing Editor

E-mail: spectrum-news@buffalo.edu

UB smoking ban begins Aug. 1 By STEPHEN MARTH Editor In Chief

Smokers at the University at Buffalo only have a few more weeks to enjoy a cigarette on campus. On August 1, UB’s 100-percent smoke-free policy, known as UBreathe Free, will take effect. The policy prohibits smoking anywhere on campus, including in buildings and on the grounds. All parking lots and green spaces are included in the ban. The UBreathe Free initiative is part of a nationwide program involving over 160 colleges that are implementing smoking bans on campus. UB is the first SUNYcampus to implement a ban. “Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States and there is no safe level of secondhand smoke,” said David Dunn, vice president for health sciences. “If you can smell smoke,

you are breathing in cancer-causing chemicals.” Since the announcement, many students— both smokers and nonsmokers—have expressed their displeasure with the policy. Danielle Cervantes, a senior occupational therapy major and a non-smoker, doesn’t agree with the path that UB is taking. “I’m not a smoker, but I don’t think the policy is fair,” Cervantes said. “Mind you, I don’t approve of smoking at all.” Kinsey Davidson, a senior political science and economics double major, shares the same sentiment. “I totally support the ban near the residence halls, apartments and on the whole entire spine, but people who want to smoke should be able to do so in parking lots and such,” Davidson said. “There has to be spaces to accommodate smokers where they won’t bother non-smokers.” While many students feel that it is an example

versity for the construction of a collection of solar panels in an attempt to encourage renewable energy technologies across New York. The solar panels will produce 1.1 megawatts of solar energy for the campus and are set for installation near the beginning of the fall semester in 2010. “It’s part of an ongoing initiative to meet more of the university’s energy needs through renewable sources,” Simpson said. The project, paid for by a NYPA grant, see SOLAR page 4

of the university infringing on personal rights, Helen Cappuccino, assistant professor and surgeon at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, disagrees. “The main focus of the program is to give students the tools they need to quit and make the environment as healthy as possible,” Cappuccino said in a previous interview with The Spectrum. “By de-normalizing smoking on campus, we will be able to take steps in helping students never start.” Cervantes thinks that if people want to smoke a cigarette, they will find a way, squashing UB’s hopes of turning most of its campus into non-smokers. “I think that the amount of smokers will reduce on campus, but not in general,” Cervantes said. “It is too addictive of a substance. The ban is not that easy of a solution.” The university is providing a variety of services to help students and faculty quit smoking. Free nicotine gum and patches are available to UB stu-

dents and faculty that are at least 18 years old at Wellness Education Services, the office of Wellness and Work/Life Balance and through the Employee Assistance Program on South Campus. Sean Curry, a senior anthropology major, believes that the smoking ban will backfire on university officials in the long run. “I truly think that within a year, [President John see SMOKING page 4

Put it out: Smoking will not be allowed anywhere on campus, including parking lots and green areas as part of the UBreathe Free policy. Photo courtesy of Dan Barak

Bringing hope to a Tanzanian village News Editor

Inside:

Volume5460 ISSUE Issue220 VOLUME

Kicking the habit

By CAITLIN TREMBLAY

E-mail: spectrum-eic@buffalo.edu

See page 16

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The Bulls hope to repeat as MAC Champions in 2009.

Solar energy coming to UB

University prepares for swine flu As confirmed H1N1 cases swell to over 60,000 globally, UB is taking steps to protect itself. UB’s Emergency Preparedness team recommends that students, faculty, and staff take a variety of preventative measures to avoid infection. These measures include frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with the eyes, nose and mouth, using a tissue or elbow instead of hands to block a sneeze, refraining from sharing utensils, drinks or cigarettes with others and avoiding contact with sick people. The team also recommends avoiding travel to Mexico at this time. Symptoms of H1N1, also known as swine flu, include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion and severe or persistent vomiting. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care as soon as possible. On June 21, 15-year-old Matthew Davis, a resident of Erie County, died due to complications from the H1N1 virus. His passing marked the first swine flurelated death in the county. Students, faculty, and staff can visit http://www. emergency.buffalo.edu/ to receive alerts about H1N1 in the UB community.

Returning to glory?

Mara Huber spent some time during Christmas in 2006 chatting with the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa while they were visiting her mother-in-law. Huber, director of UB’s Center for Educational Research, learned a lot during this conservation. She learned of the desperate plight of women and young girls in Africa, specifically in Tanzania, who are denied education and subjected to violence on an almost daily basis. In Tanzania, violence against women and girls, including domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation and sex trafficking, is a considerable

Arts and Life ........... 5 News ...................... 1 Classifieds .............. 14

Opinion .................... 3 Sports ................... 16

problem. Females are harshly limited in what they can do day-to-day. School and social life ultimately do not exist for females in Tanzania. Rather than a school, girls are taught in a log in the middle of a field. Upon learning of the conditions that they were living in, Huber knew that she had to take action. “I shared their vision for starting a school for the girls,” she said. “I became very engaged and interested so I began informal meetings with community members.” Huber decided to help by building a school for Tanzanian girls, many of which are desperate to learn. She began to gather a group of colleagues to brainstorm ways see AFRICA page 12

Courtesy of Katie Biggie

Officials at UB look to bring hope to children in Tanzania.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is our special orientation issue. All information is accurate as of July 1, 2009. Our regular publishing will commence on September 2, 2009. Issues come out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.


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