The Spectrum VOL 59 ISS 42

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The Spectrum h t t p : / / w w w . u b s p e c t r u m . c o m

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Volume 59 Issue 42

An independent student publication of the University at Buffalo

Helping Haiti

By JESSICA BRANT Asst. Life Editor

The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that recently hit Haiti was felt well beyond the Caribbean country’s borders, shaking the hearts of those who wanted to help in any way they could.

When the members of Caribbean Student Association heard the news, they knew they needed to jump into action by holding a clothing drive.

“My reaction [to the

earthquake] was shocking, just because it was two countries,” said Jay Stevens, a senior management major and president of the Caribbean Student Association. “Haiti is already a poor country, and for this to happen to them, it’s just devastating… words can’t explain it.”

The Caribbean SA is accepting anything and everything that will aid the quakestricken country.

Water, food, clothing and blankets will all be collected Wednesday in the Student

Union lobby from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m., or they can be dropped off at the Caribbean SA office, located in 307 Student Union.

Stevens said that they’re giving all the donated items to the Red Cross of WNY, but also wanted to donate to see HAITI page 6 Carol Guzy / The Washington Post

Right: A couple walks through a debris-strewn streets in Port-auPrince, Haiti, on Monday. There was almost no law enforcement presence on the streets of the nation’s capital.

Paterson calls for tuition control

By CHELSIE HINCKLEY Asst. City Editor

On Jan. 15, Governor David Paterson announced that he plans to give SUNY schools authority to raise and lower tuition at their discretion. This plan, referred to as the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, grants SUNY more autonomy from the state.

Governor Paterson calls these reforms “the most significant reforms to the state’s system of public higher education in a generation” and said under this proposal, the tuition process would be taken out of the state budget process and turned over to SUNY. As of now, SUNY tuition for in-state students is $4,970, a 2 percent increase from last year to this year. In the past, tuition had been state-controlled, leaving tuition hikes up to Albany. They could occur with little to no notice, making paying for college an ongoing struggle for students and parents. This new plan, many believe, will help regulate tuition and keep it affordable.

“The innovation proposal provides students and their families with the ability to budget and plan for their investment,” said John Della Contrada, senior director of Media Relations, “all while increasing excellence and maintaining access and diversity.”

President John B. Simpson, who has been

Courtesy of the NYS Office of the Governor

Governor David Paterson is pushing for SUNY schools to have the right to raise or lower their tuition without regulation from above.

working toward this in the form of his UB2020 project, is excited for this development and considers it a big leap forward.

“This is a manifestation of what UB has been talking about for three years – tuition is not an educational device but a political one

Tarantula venom jumpstarts new pharmaceutical company

By BRENDON BOCHACKI and JESSICA TUFTE

controlled by the legislature,” said Simpson.

“I think the act, if it should become law, will allow SUNY institutions to increase their quality and do business in the community.”

The plan addresses the problem of university autonomy and allows the individual college to

Fred Sachs, Ph.D., distinguished professor of physiology and biophysics, has decided to take things into his own hands to revolutionize the world of medicine. Sachs and his colleagues have teamed up to start their own pharmaceutical company, Rose Pharmaceutical, to advance the clinical testing of a certain protein that they believe has the potential to treat a slew of diseases.

Sachs discovered a protein in the venom of a tarantula known as GsMTx4, a place he admits would seem unlikely to hold such a see VENOM page 2

E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

No indication of foul play in Orrange death

By MATT MOSHER Asst. Managing Editor

Ea rly la st Thu rsday morning, Nicholas Orrange was tragically killed in a one-car accident. Orrange was a very active and busy senior, involved in the Student Association as the Special Interest Service and Hobbies Coordinator and former president of the College Democrats.

Orrange lost his life after his ’98 Pontiac crashed into a retaining wall located at the intersection of Sheridan Drive and Harlem Road, only half a mile from where his family resides.

Although his destination is still unknown, he had been

Asst. Campus Editor and Staff Writer

dictate where money is invested and needed and where it isn’t. Under current regulation, money is distributed based on a governmental process and isn’t necessarily being distributed based on the individual needs of the university inside the SUNY system.

Those against the plan cite that this is simply the first step toward privatization of public colleges. A statement addressing these issues, released by John Della Contrada, states that this plan is a reform of the old, out-of-date process. Its goal is to provide SUNY schools with the tools they need and should not be viewed as privatization, but as a realistic response to unprecedented economic times.

This statement provides evidence that the new legislation will create over 10,000 new direct jobs and over 30,000 construction jobs at SUNY’s public research universities over the next ten years. Supporters believe it will jumpstart jobs in New York and help aid in the end of the recession.

“Our current system is not as effective as it could be,” said Della Contrada. “These reforms will enable SUNY to realize its full potential to serve the state and avoid being hampered by unnecessary pre-approval processes that add time, complexity and cost to the taxpayer.”

running errands that night, according to his mother, Cheryl Beamer.

“We know that he went to Mighty Taco that night,” Beamer said. “He also had the habit of stopping for gas and cigarettes at a station down the road.”

Beamer added there is no indication of foul play as the investigation into the accident continues.

“Police have told us that he was definitely not using his cell phone and that initial results indicate no drugs or alcohol where involved,” Beamer said. “If it was something extreme, it would have showed up immediately.”

Official toxicology results

are expected within the next two weeks, according to officials at the Amherst Police Department, but no evidence of drugs or alcohol were present on Orrange’s person or in the car.

“They really don’t know what happened,” Beamer said.

“It could have been black ice, he could have been cut off, or he could have been reaching for something. There were no witnesses to the crash and it sounds like it could just be a tragedy.”

Beamer added that Nick was always one to wear his seatbelt, although reports indicate that he was not see ORRANGE page 11

Courtesy of Matt Reinbold

Inside: Arts and Life ........... 5 Classifieds ........... 14 Opinion .................... 3 Sports .................. 16 Police Blotter ........ 10

JACK IS BACK... CHAN THE MAN? …and he’s running out of time.

See Page 5

Weather:

Chan Gailey is expected to heat up the Bills’ offense as their new head coach.

Wed: 27o high / 19o low

See Page 16

Fri: 31o high / 26o low

Thur: 32o high / 27o low

The Spectrum

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January 20, 2010

FDA approval is next step VENOM from page 1 therapeutic substance.

The mechanism by which the protein works is completely unheard of in the realm of drug therapies.

Where most medical drugs act on various chemical receptors found on the different cells of the body, GsMTx4 acts on a type of sensor on cell membranes sensitive to mechanical stress. The researchers at Sachs’s lab were the first to discover, accidently, about 20 years ago, that such structures even existed on cells.

According to Sachs, these sensors are still at such an early stage of research that their actual function is still the subject of much debate.

“Exactly what they do for a living remains to be determined,” Sachs said. “The current model we have is that you could look at them as pain receptors at a cellular level. What they’re looking for is weak spots on the reinforcement to the membrane.”

Sachs’s lab discovered – through an act of serendipity – that GsMTx4 acted on these stress-sensitive structures to produce a number of extremely positive effects in the bodies of test mice. These included an increase in muscle strength, pain inhibition and a correction of cardiac arrhythmia. Sachs was quick to try to market the protein.

With the experimental research to prove it, Sachs attempted to advance the protein as a treatment for muscular dystrophy, sickle-cell anemia, cardiac arrhythmia, and peripheral neuropathic pain. Sachs gave seminars to all the large pharmaceutical companies.

Unfortunately, they were uninterested or not capable of accepting the discovery he had made.

Sachs said the companies’ hesitation to advance the drug was due almost entirely to its complete

novelty and the unconventional way in which it functioned.

“Big pharmaceutical companies didn’t pick up on this,” Sachs said.

“I tried. I gave them a lot of seminars, but the idea of working with biomechanics and drugs was so [unorthodox] that no one wanted anything to do with it.”

According to Sachs, he gave up completely and decided to do the science and let someone else pick up on his research in the future. The next step found him.

A local stockbroker with a 2-yearold grandson diagnosed with muscular dystrophy found Sachs’ work on the Internet, and the two discussed his work over lunch. This encounter and their subsequent correspondence eventually led to the formation of Rose Pharmaceuticals this past July. The company is affectionately named after the lab’s pet tarantula, “Rose.”

Although they are hopeful about the progress they will make, the company is still in its infancy and facing one major problem.

“Like all start-ups we don’t have the money,” Sachs said. “We have the idea, but we don’t have the money, so we’ll keep working on it.”

The next step is to get FDA approval.

“There’s no obvious reason this wouldn’t work at this point,” Sachs said. “So we’re going after four of these diseases because we have data that it can be active on these four diseases, and anything you learn from any one of them can be applied to the other. So there is really only one set of toxicity tests that need to be done with this.”

E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

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The Spectrum

January 20, 2010

O P I N I ON

Editorial Board Editor in Chief Stephen Marth Managing Editors David Sanchirico Jennifer Lombardo Matt Mosher, asst.

Editorial Editor Jacob Shillman Campus Editors Caitlin Tremblay Brendon Bochacki, asst.

Amanda Woods, asst.

City Editors Jennifer Good Chelsie Hinckley, asst.

Lauren Nostro, asst.

Arts Editors Christopher DiMatteo, senior Eric Hilliker Jameson Butler, asst.

Vanessa Frith, asst.

James Twigg, asst.

Life Editors Adrian Finch, senior Shane Fallon Rachel Lamb Jessica Brant, asst.

Jessica DiGennaro, asst.

Sports Editors Andrew Wiktor, senior Matt Parrino Joe Paterno Luke Hammill, asst.

Christy Suhr, asst.

Photo Editors Katie Carlett, senior Samantha Hicks Clinton Hodnett Copy Editor Meghan Farrell Graphics Designer Rafael Kobayashi

Professional Staff Business Manager Debbie Smith Administrative Assistant Helene Polley Advertising Manager David Vogt Advertising Designer Christopher Lonzi Web Editor Andrew Muraco Creative Directors Christopher Caporlingua Daniel Tcharnyi, asst.

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 spectrum-editorial@buffalo.edu.

The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style or length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it clearly as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number and e-mail address.

The Spectrum is provided free by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee

JANUARY 20, 2010 VOLUME 59 NUMBER 42 CIRCULATION: 10,000

Budget roulette

Paterson unveils new plan to combat budget crisis Nobody enjoys Tuesdays – they’re the ultimate Jan Brady day. To make it worse, New Yorkers got a gift from Governor David Paterson when he announced yet another plan to fight New York’s pressing deficit issue.

Honestly, residents statewide are just tired of hearing about the problems with the budget. Yes, it’s bad, but the situation has been talked to death.

Try doing something that will actually work for once.

New York is looking at a deficit of $7.4 billion for the next fiscal year, so the governor has taken out the treasure map and begun searching for new revenue streams.

Here’s what the “geniuses” in Albany have come up with: legalize Ultimate Fighting, allow the sale of wine in grocery stores and tax cigarette sales on Indian Reservations.

It would be even worse if it came from the income taxes of the hardworking citizens of New York, because the earlier plans involving utility taxes were just uncalled for. But there is a part of this budget that’ll come as a bit of a shock.

Paterson is going after school aid. Yes, that’s right – school aid. The plan calls for a cut of 5 percent in a state that spends the most on funding education. New York ranks sixth in overall spending and third in elementary and secondary spending.

Under the plan, wealthier school districts would bear the larger portion of the cuts – a strategy that has long been fought by the state Senate, especially by senators from Long Island.

Now, before the state gets up in arms over this, there needs to be more examination. For example, Eric Hanushek, a Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford with a Ph.D. from

MIT in economics and an expert in educational policy, has found that there’s no correlation between improved scores on standardized tests and increased funding for schools.

So maybe, just maybe, the governor isn’t mortgaging the children’s futures with the tax plan. No one actually condones cutting education expenses, but if the debt crisis is that bad for New York, then the residents need to give it a shot.

The plan in its entirety banks on the premise that a strapping economic recovery will take place in the state tax revenues and that a host of other proposals that haven’t passed before will pass, such as a soda tax which charges $1.28 per gallon of bottled soft drinks.

There are some cuts planned, such as slowing the growth of spending on Medicaid, reducing $1 billion from spending on state agencies and eliminating $300 million in annual aid to New York City.

The governor’s budget would also introduce fees to a state program that provides early intervention services for about 74,000 specialneeds children. Families would be charged on a moveable scale, with fees starting at $180 a year for those with a household income of at least $55,126 and topping out at $2,160 a year for those earning at least $198,451 annually.

At least 11 other states already charge such fees, including New Jersey and Connecticut.

The exact numbers and where the money is coming from are almost irrelevant at this point. New York lacks a governor and legislature that can actually deal with problems in a swift, concise manner.

If the plan is logical and effective, it shouldn’t have come this late.

Evaluating the commander in chief Reflecting on the president’s year

It feels like ages since the United States saw two million people fight the bitter cold and witness the swearing in of America’s 44th President.

Abroad, Barack Obama is still loved.

But at home, his star is tarnished.

His approval rating has fallen from almost 70 percent at the time of his inauguration a year ago to 50 percent currently, according to the latest NBC polls. The proportion of Americans who disapprove of the job he is doing has quadrupled, from 12 percent to 44 percent.

More than half of voters think the country is on the wrong track. Americans are evenly divided as to which of the two political parties would do a better job of correcting that.

The president promised to do a lot during his campaign, such as ending the war in Iraq, giving health insurance to all Americans, curtailing global warming and cleaning America’s stained reputation by closing the prison at Guantánamo Bay. There have been some speed bumps in the road.

None of this should be surprising.

Governing is hard at the best of times, but it is even more difficult during an economic crisis. The American political system is loaded with checks and balances: a president cannot simply tell Congress what to do. Everything takes time and requires ugly compromises.

Nonetheless, many of Obama’s fans feel let down and some have even jumped ship.

Sorry, but did America miss something?

If anything, Obama has run a very disciplined and competent administration that is extremely centered on the political spectrum.

Have there been some missteps? Of course.

This isn’t an easy job – does anyone remember how bad things were when he took office?

The public only sees the steps he has taken, but how about the roads not taken?

The president resisted the lure of the

populists in the Democratic Party to saddle Wall Street with regulations that would strangle it in order to allow for an economic recovery. He sidestepped a tax on entrepreneurs who help jump-start the economy.

He put into motion a very large job creation bill, from which a majority of the funds will begin to be dispersed this year. None of these problems are quick fixes; this isn’t second grade math.

Let’s be really honest for a minute here. The responsibility of fixing a lot of the problems that face America doesn’t lie on the president – it’s the Republicans and Democrats in the United States Congress that are holding things up. The country is even more divided than ever. Neither side will cross the line and actually find common ground anymore.

If there is any criticism of the president, it is certainly that Obama has to get tougher. He often refrained from throwing his hat into the tussle and, in acts to gain favor, was too ready to do the popular thing now and leave the awkward stuff for later. The health care fight is a prime example.

The language of his inaugural speech promised a fierce fighter. He hasn’t lived up to that promise yet.

The dip in poll numbers doesn’t suggest that Americans have fallen in love with the Republicans, who seem much keener to obstruct the president than offer a coherent alternative plan. In fact, Americans seem to be fed up with the whole lot and because Obama is the president, he gets the blame.

Americans have spent the last year worrying about two wars, the possibility of losing their jobs, and how to pay for health care. If the president makes good choices, things can and will turn around.

After all, 12 months is too short to say the man has failed. It’s more realistic to say that his success is, “to be determined.”

The clock is ticking!

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Go on MyUB, or call BIRD. We don’t care. Just register. SELL YOUR SOUL TO US. We promise, it will be worth it. You have until Friday. So just DO IT NOW.

Don’t be silly!

Or, if you want to be complicated, e-mail stephen.marth@ubspectrum.com if you have any questions.

But why bother? JUST SIGN UP. YOU’LL BE SORRY IF YOU DON’T!

If it ain’t broke …

At last, the cure for homosexuality is here!

At least, that’s what therapist Richard Cohen is claiming.

Supposedly, Cohen is an ex-gay who has been living on the straight and narrow – complete with wife and kids – for 20 years. He has a Web site called the International Healing Foundation, where he sells materials that promise to help anyone get rid of their “unwanted Same Sex Attraction (SSA).”

Got that, everyone? Just buy his products and you can be cured.

What’s most baffling to me is this mentality that homosexuality is a disease. I’ve never understood how that can even be possible. Think about schizophrenia, agoraphobia or anorexia – all Jennifer Lombardo of them are debilitating in Managing Editor some way. Liking the same sex is not debilitating in and of itself.

Oh, did I mention that he’s not actually a licensed therapist and has been kicked out of numerous psychiatric associations?

The worst part, however, is that people are taking him seriously. In an interview with Rachel Maddow, she pointed out that Uganda is using his material as justification to execute gays. When she read out parts of his book that upheld Uganda’s view, he didn’t know what she was talking about, and eventually admitted that the things she was reading – such as race being a factor in turning someone gay – were false.

He literally didn’t know what was in his own book.

Rather than helping gays become accepted in society, Cohen is using his status as an “ex-gay” to promote the idea that being gay is wrong, bad and should be fixed. In the interview, he told Maddow that he supports gays who want to continue living a homosexual lifestyle, but everything he sells on his Web site promotes the opposite view.

We’ve all learned about the prejudice of the past, when blacks were treated as less than human and people thought that allowing interracial marriage would cause the destruction of society. Today, it’s unthinkable for most people to treat a black person that way. You’re considered – rightly so – to be a bad see LOMBARDO page 11

It’s always 4:20 in New Jersey “You may have Princeton, but that doesn’t make you classy.”

“So… did you go to high school with Pauly D?” “Is fist pumping the only way you know how to dance?”

Etc., etc., etc.

Going to school in Buffalo can be aggravating when people find out that I’m from New Jersey.

In addition to getting asked the less-than-clever questions above, I’m also frequently talked to in a horrific “New Joisey” accent (even though I’ve been told that I don’t have one) and then harangued about all the things that my state Rachel Lamb doesn’t have to offer.

Life Editor

Well guess what, New York? The grass is finally greener on the power plantpolluted other side.

Jerseyans suffering from serious diseases like AIDS, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma and cancer now have a new, smoky way to alleviate their pain. Patients can now buy up to two ounces of marijuana, without any retribution, as long as they have a card given to them by their primary physician.

According to www.nj.com, the “dirty Jerz” joined 14 other states on Monday when it signed legislation granting chronically ill patients legal access to marijuana. This will go into effect in six months.

Doctors can provide recommendations that make it legal for chronically ill patients to use marijuana as therapy. According to the Web site, there will be new pharmacies called alternate treatment centers that will produce and distribute marijuana.

Before my fellow Garden State reps pull back the drapes to show off the halogen lights growing their basement bud, I should tell you that it’s still illegal for the public to grow and sell marijuana. It’s also still illegal to drive while high.

According to Assembly Sponsor Reed Gusciora, New Jersey’s medical marijuana law is the strictest see LAMB page 11

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January 20, 2010

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January 20, 2010

5

AR T S & LI F E James Twigg Asst. Arts Editor

Where do I go from here?

As I pop off the cap to what may very well be my thousandth beer and promptly begin to pour its contents down my throat, I can’t help but notice a change. Maybe it’s the nine percent alcohol-byvolume, but it’s more than likely the fact that I celebrat my 21st birthday this week.

There’s nothing like turning 21 years old and buying alcohol for your first time. You stop to take a look back at where you came from, but also to the future and where you’re headed.

Five years ago, I had just turned 16 years old and was a sophomore at Ballston Spa High School. At the time, I couldn’t wait to get out of town and go on to live my life. Looking back now, though, I realize that I was lucky to have grown up in that town.

It’s not the town itself that I often find myself longing to see, but the people I left behind who still live there. My closest friends growing up are still there and spend almost every day together.

I told myself that when I left for Buffalo, things wouldn’t change between us. They would forever be the people I could always count on. While my core group of friends still falls under that category, I can’t help but think of all the people that I used to see every week and who I now haven’t communicated with in years.

As much as I hate growing apart from the people who made growing up so much fun for me, I know that part of my life is over and I have to move on.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

I was alone when I came to Buffalo for my freshman year. Since I was born, I had lived in Ballston Spa and had spent every day with the same people for 18 years. This put me at a disadvantage; I realized that until that moment, I never had to go out and make new friends.

Fortunately for me, though, I was placed on the third floor of Goodyear Hall. No other spot on campus means as much to me as that floor. It was there, during a rather intense session of hallway dodgeball, that I met the people I’m happy to call my housemates and best friends.

They, along with everyone else I have become friends with over the past two years, are responsible for making UB more fun then I could’ve ever imagined, and for that I am forever in their debt.

It’s with them that the next year-and-a-half of my life will be spent, and I can hardly wait to see what trouble we can get ourselves into. But once

Returning with a capital H

By JAMESON BUTLER Asst. Arts Editor

For all those people who didn’t commit it to memory, Motion City Soundtrack returns to ravage the airwaves like a velociraptor tearing into Samuel L. Jackson.

Motion City Soundtrack makes their major label debut as My Dinosaur Life begins its inevitable climb to the top of the charts.

After MCS released Even If It Kills Me, a lot of critics and fans feared that the band would soon fizzle out to a hollow shell of what used to be one of the most promising bands in pop punk.

Well, MCS extinguishes all of those thoughts as My Dinosaur Life returns the band to the dark, but extremely catchy, end of the genre that garnered them fame for their first two albums.

This comes as no shock, since MCS brought Blink-182 bassist

Motion City Soundtrack My Dinosaur Life

Columbia Jan. 19

A

Mark Hoppus in to produce the album – the same man that produced their 2005 breakthrough album, Commit This to Memory.

The first track, “Worker Bee,” begins the album with a slow intro that gets replaced quickly with an upbeat melody. The lyrics from this song alone show

Editor in Chief Grade: B

Jack is back.

Many fans of Fox’s hit show 24 questioned whether bringing Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland, The Sentinel) back for one more season was worth it. Following a nuclear bomb exploding in Los Angeles on Day 6 and terrorists infiltrating the White House on Day 7, it’s safe to say that Day 8 had some big shoes to fill.

Let’s just say its toes had some wiggle room.

The show has moved from Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. to New York, and with the move comes some new faces.

Agent Cole Ortiz (Freddie Prinze Jr., I Know What You Did Last Summer) is a hotshot in the agency, showing it fully after disregarding orders from CTUhead Brian Hastings (Mykelti

Kelsey McNeal/ FOX

Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) returns to an upgraded CTU to meet with new CTU Commander Brian Hastings (Mykelti Williamson) in New York City.

We all know you want to live an adventure-filled life with state secrets and martinis, so to help you vicariously live out your spy fantasies, here are a few 007 inspired songs.

2. You Know My Name Chris Cornell

3. Live and Let Die Paul McCartney

4. Take a Look Around Limp Bizkit

5. Another Way to Die Alicia Keys and Jack White

6. Secret Agent x-9 Modest Mouse

7. Spy Hard Weird Al Yankovich

8. Undercover Agent for the Blues Tina Turner

9. Double Agent Rush

little worker bee/ I deserve a gold star,” Justin Pierre bellows.

As the record continues to unfold, MCS show that they truly see MCS page 6 Williamson, The Final Destination) as Ortiz follows a hunch that Bauer knows his stuff.

Alongside the annoying Chloe O’Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub, Road Trip) is newcomer Dana Walsh (Katee Sackoff, Halloween: Resurrection), CTU’s lead analyst.

The character is forgettable, even after a good portion of the season’s first four hours was wasted on the return of an old flame from her mysterious past. In true 24 fashion, expect him to play a key role in something completely obscure, yet vital to the main plot of the first half of the season.

The first four hours revolve around Bauer trying to move back to Los Angeles with his daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert, The Girl Next Door), allowing him to finally settle down, once and for all. But why would that happen when President Allison Taylor (Cherry Jones, Ocean’s Twelve) see BAUER page 6

An author to watch for

SPECTRUM PLAYLIST

Johnny Rivers

the vast changes that MCS has undergone.

“It’s been a good year, a good new beginning/ I’m through with the old school so let’s commence the winning/ I’ve been a good

TICK, TOCK

By STEPHEN MARTH

see TWIGG page 6

1. Secret Agent Man

Courtesy of Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack returns with one of their best efforts to date, My Dinosaur Life.

By SHANE FALLON Life Editor Courtesy of Warner Brothers

There’s not much to believe in with The Book Of Eli.

The world according to Eli

By JOSH Q. NEWMAN Staff Reporter

The Book of Eli, Hollywood’s latest post-apocalyptic movie, is a pulpy, barely recognizable Christian allegory that mixes Biblical storytelling with a Steven Seagal movie.

Even its star, the great Denzel Washington (Eli, The Taking of Pelham 123), can’t redeem the movie from its gratuitous nature and hypocritical goals.

The Book of Eli

D

His character may be able to save the world, but his acting can’t save this.

For a movie that tries to establish a traditional good versus evil morality, it’s dampened by the fact that nothing but evil occurs right up to the very end. The directors, the Hughes brothers, seem to believe that slamming someone’s head on a table or chopping off someone’s arm is justifiable as long as it’s done for “good.” If it’s done with stunning special effects, even better. see ELI page 7

Blackberries, computers and television can make life such a drag. In a time when technology controls so much of people’s lives, many seem to forget the value of a good book on a cold winter’s night.

British novelist Anita Brookner has quietly become one of the world’s most prodigious writers.

Brookner’s slim novels depict lonely, isolated individuals trying their best to adapt to the harsh and often cruel world around them. Her characters are usually quiet bookworms, secure in their finances, but little else.

It is in these modest corners of society where Ms. Brookner creates entire worlds that define the universal human psyche.

Brookner’s first novel, “A Start in Life,” was published in 1981.

She has published 24 novels since, with her most recent being “Strangers” from 2009.

Her most famous work is arguably her fourth novel, “Hotel du

Anita Brookner Lac.” Chronicling the solitary adventures of a romance novelist at an out of season ski resort, the novel won the Man Booker Prize in 1984.

As a stylist, Brookner has been called an heir to Henry James.

Her drawing room scenes and profound inner monologue allow a merging to occur between the reader and the character, resulting in a beautiful marriage of intellect and artistry.

In addition to her distinguished literary career, she is internationally renowned as an art historian and in 1967, she see BROOKNER page 6

The Spectrum

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No regrets TWIGG from page 5 those 18 months are up, it’s over.

From that point, the path becomes blurred.

My college career is more than halfway over and my aspirations for life are still shrouded in mystery even from myself. I know I would like to work in journalism for the rest of my life, but that’s the extent of it.

Maybe I will head to Cleveland where my favorite magazine is based.

Or maybe even farther, to the West Coast. I’m not sure.

All I know is that I’m going to make the absolute best of my remaining time here and make sure I have no regrets.

E-mail: james.twigg@ubspectrum.com

January 20, 2010

‘I’ll definitely donate’ HAITI from page 1 an organization in the Dominican Rebublic as well.

Like many people in the U.S., Jonathan Joseph, a senior legal studies major, has family connections to Haiti and is concerned with the status of the country and its citizens.

“A lot of homes were lost and ruined… I know my uncle owned personal property there and it was destroyed,” Joseph said. “When I first heard about [the earthquake], I thought it was tragic. My family is devastated too. That is where they were born and raised… They have relatives out there that they could not reach.”

The unexpected natural disaster has deeply impacted Joseph and his

family, and the uncertainty he sees in their eyes is a haunting image that has stayed with him since news of the earthquake.

“My father has a really good friend that recently just went over there, and he hasn’t heard from him yet.

He’s been trying to get into contact with him,” Joseph said.

In addition to a clothing drive, the Caribbean SA is working to set up a larger fundraiser, like an ice-skating event, to help the victims of the earthquake. They encourage other clubs and campus organizations to join in on their effort.

While some, like Joseph, were grieving, others had no idea what had happened in the Caribbean country.

Some students did not know about the earthquake in Haiti until it was

discussed in one of their classes, like Carla Schory, a freshman business major.

“I didn’t really know where Haiti was or what happened there until my teacher talked about it,” Schory said. “And my English teacher mentioned it too. He told us we needed to go online and research [the earthquake], so I did.”

After hearing around campus that more and more organizations are getting involved with helping Haiti, Schory feels like she needs to do her part as well.

“I can’t even fit all my clothes in my bins in my dorms, so I have stuff to get rid of,” Schory said. “I’ll definitely donate. I really want to help.”

E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

Poised to take over the pop-punk world MCS from page 5 have been good little worker bees.

“Her Words Destroyed My Planet” is one of the catchiest songs on the whole album. It’s impossible for the lyrics to not become trapped in one’s head and the beat can cause spontaneous dancing.

Motion City begins to plunge My Dinosaur Life into darker material as “Disappear” and “Delirium” propels the listener through a gloomy look at addiction and the immorality that comes along with it.

MCS brings the mood back up with “Stand Too Close.” The acoustic guitar the band sports during the song perfectly accents Pierre’s soothing voice as he reflects on a past love.

The track “Pulp Fiction” first draws the listener in with a

synth-heavy intro, but soon introduces the listener to the lyrics, which are arguably the best on the album.

The song is littered with the geeky references and nerdy innuendos that first got them into the spotlight.

“It’s like a bad dream, something from the back of a magazine/ Black and white and cheaply put together/ Like a slasher film/ I’m torn in opposite directions/ The plot sucks but the killings are gorgeous,” Pierre chants.

MCS continues the dorkiness as they start to make it a little personal with “@!#?@!.” The band decides to chew out the people that hate on them and their friends.

“My friends get wicked s*** from all the foul-mouth fools you roll with/ Just push your luck, there will be blood/ Most likely your own carnage/ We all just wanna do our thing/ Without the misery you bring/ Go f*** yourselves/ Leave us alone,” Pierre sings.

Motion City explores the unknown in the song “Skin and Bones,” questioning life and what it truly means.

The song is the perfect way to segue into the end of the album as it starts to slow back down.

As My Dinosaur Life draws to a close, “The Weakends” ends the album perfectly. The verses are slower and dark, but the chorus and bridge are more upbeat with more uplifting lyrics. The dynamic song ends as the band recites the chorus till the album finally fades out.

Motion City Soundtrack is poised to take over the pop punk world with their latest release, which happens to also be their best.

My Dinosaur Life will remind ever yone why Mot ion Cit y Soundtrack got so much attention and proves that they are not going extinct any time soon.

E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com

New plot elements BAUER from page 5 is in town to sign a disarmament deal with President Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor, Slumdog Millionaire) of the Islamic Republic of Kamistan?

You know that he’s going to get involved somehow.

And he does. But his involvement gets even more exciting with the return of the sexy, yet cold Renee Walker (Annie Wersching, Bruce Almighty). Walker never returned to the FBI and is required to suit up yet again for another investigation. This time, it’s a sale of nuclear materials with Russian terrorists.

Don’t let her pretty face fool you.

She isn’t the agent you once knew.

Ask the Russian informant whose hand she chops off with an angle grinder. He’ll tell you that she isn’t playing around anymore.

Fans of the series will get excited for the blood and explosions that happen throughout the first four hours, but as the clock ticks in the final seconds of the fourth hour, they’ll wonder if the show’s writers can make this season’s plot evolve

into a terrorist that fans haven’t seen in the past seven seasons.

The final hour of the four-hour premiere doesn’t give fans that bone-chilling event that makes them freeze and wonder what would happen if the show was real life – but it is giving way to a tangent that will work its way into the main plot. Will it work nicely? Only time will tell.

Until then, fans can be shockingly pleased with Ortiz. Many followers of the show shuddered when they heard that Prinze Jr. was signed on for a main character, but he truly does the show justice. In addition, Walker’s change to a cold demeanor from the by-the-books agent she once was adds another surprising element to the show.

Will Day 8, which Sutherland has hinted to be the final day in the underrated series, explode off the charts? Or will the show’s writers run out of ideas as much as Bauer runs out of time?

Only time will tell.

The clock is ticking.

E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com

Never too late to learn BROOKNER from page 5 became the first woman to hold the Slade Professorship at Cambridge University.

Her other notable novels include “Look at Me,” “Family and Friends,” “A Misalliance,” “A Friend From England,” “Dolly,” “Incidents in the Rue Laugier,” “The Bay of Angels,”

“Making Things Better” and “Leaving Home.”

Brookner’s novels prove that it’s never too late to learn life’s lessons, and that retired eighty-something art history professors can still be the best teachers.

E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

The Spectrum

January 20, 2010

7

Would make heads spin ELI from page 5

Courtesy of FX

The man with the underwear gun

By JAMES TWIGG

Teen Hunger Force.

Jessica Walter (Arrested Development) does a fantastic job as the Guns, car chases, hookers and a manipulative Malory Archer, Archer’s complete lack of respect for anyone mother and boss. Walter shows her or anything: welcome to the life of willingness to push the envelope in international spy Sterling Archer. this role with scenes including RusFX’s new comedy series Archer sian phone sex and an unrelenting takes the viewer inside the dysfunc- stream of offensive quips. tional and eccentric world of the In addition to both Benjamin and espionage agency ISIS’s employees. Walter is the quirky Chris Parnell From the unapologetic protagonist (30 Rock). Parnell is the voice of ISIS Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin, comptroller Cyril Figgis, the nerdy Family Guy) to his insane ex-girlfriend anti-Archer who becomes the boyLana Kane (Aisha Tyler, Bedtime friend of Archer’s ex.

Stories), Archer is one comedy that The series premiered its first two isn’t afraid to insult. sidesplitting episodes on FX Thursday With only two episodes under its night. Both episodes were equally belt, Archer is quickly showing that hilarious and the plots were similarly there is no topic too offensive. Dead ridiculous. If the show is able to keep hookers, immigrants and Dane Cook’s up the pace that it has set, Archer is lack of talent have all become the brunt likely to become an instant classic. of hilariously over-the-top jokes. Of The first episode, “Training Day,” course, with Adam Reed, the creator doesn’t ease you into the show, but of Sealab 2021, Frisky Dingo and Space rather tosses you into the deep end Ghost Coast to Coast, penning the headfirst. The episode centers around script, nothing less is to be expected.

Archer attempting to turn bookworm As incredibly hilarious and absurd Cyril into a deadly field agent just as the situations that arise in this like himself, while Kane attempts to show are, it’s the characters that truly unfold what, exactly, is going on. bring the show to life.

Archer goes about this in his own Archer is a series brimming with unique way. The accomplished spy an all-star comedic cast, including loads up the ill-equipped Cyril with a Benjamin, an actor who is no stranger poison pen and underwear gun before to crude animated humor. giving him any proper instruction.

UB Ad_Layout 1 1/13/2010From 2:27 there, PM Page HisSpectrum various acting roles include Cyril1 is trained in spots on both Family Guy and Aqua Archer’s ways by shooting at his Asst. Arts Editor

butler and dancing with a call girl, whose occupational title is switched to hooker after a tragic accident.

The second episode, “Mole Hunt,” continues to delve deep into the outrageous lifestyle of the extravagant Archer, this time focusing in on his financial expenses.

After Malory explains to Archer that he is spending far too much and that “ISIS doesn’t just exist so that you can jet off to whore island,” Archer places the blame on a fictional mole and sets out to change his financial records.

Employing fat jokes and outlandish statements, the episode is guaranteed to have viewers laughing throughout while simultaneously feeling slightly ashamed of themselves – and that’s exactly what makes it great.

Despite only having aired two episodes, Archer has already shown a large amount of potential and raised the bar for today’s animated comedies. The show is raunchy, obnoxious and every bit as funny as anything else currently on air.

Archer is a must-see original that does anything but disappoint. The series takes shots at anyone and anything and refuses to make excuses for it. Don’t be surprised to see Archer in it for the long haul and making a name for itself up there with the likes of Family Guy and South Park.

E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com

Eli is a mysterious loner who wanders across an America that was totally destroyed 30 years earlier. He carries with him a bag full of basic supplies, a sawed-off shotgun that everyone assumes isn’t loaded, and a specially designed machete. He also carries a book that he believes will save the world.

He encounters a small town ruled by a heinous warlord, Carnegie (Gary Oldman, Planet 51), and his considerably larger henchmen.

Carnegie confronts Eli and tries to take the book. However, thanks to Eli’s lethal Bruce Lee-like skills, he evades Carnegie and spends the bulk of the movie trying to safeguard the book.

The book, it is revealed, is the King James Bible. According to Eli, every copy of the Bible was destroyed after the apocalypse because it apparently caused the war. Eli has the only known copy and will do anything to guard it.

Behind the special effects and the horrific violence, the movie wants us to think that it has a powerful message. It tells viewers of the triumph of good over evil, the importance of the written word, and the power of faith. Yet ironically, the audience would need blind faith to accept any of these morals as presented by the movie. It would make the UB Freethinkers’ heads spin.

The problem with The Book of Eli is that it uses religion improperly.

It assumes that it’s okay to kill and

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maim in the name of God. Eli doesn’t hesitate in brutally murdering a local thug or amputating a limb or two. Although he eventually says he feels sorry for it, he does so in the end in one sentence, almost as a passing thought.

When Eli talks about the love and redemption of the Bible – a book he allows no one to read, by the way – his words fall on deaf ears. What’s the use of saying a kind word or being polite when Eli spends most of the movie behaving like Goliath?

The Biblical figure of Elijah is evoked in name, but nothing else. He was a prophet who ascended into heaven in chariots of fire. He is supposed to be the harbinger of the Second Coming and was a major figure in the Transfiguration of Jesus.

If the movie were to be taken more seriously, then it should be considered tragic that no one would care to actually read the Bible – and find that out – after seeing this movie. It holds the book high, but makes no effort to explain why it’s important.

The film mistakes action for substance, and although it isn’t exactly sacrilegious, it seems to use the Bible, as well as everything else, as a special effect and not as part of the story.

The Book of Eli, unfortunately, is a violent and wacked-out love song for the Bible. It’s painful to say, but it’s the greatest story ever butchered.

The Spectrum

8

January 20, 2010

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The Spectrum

January 20, 2010

Missed target

9

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By ERIC HILLIKER Arts Editor

You have until FRIDAY to register for ENG 394

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The beginning of Fox’s Human Target opens with a speech about losing your identity and becoming something you’re not.

Sounds like an interesting topic for a show to tackle. The show quickly disappoints, however, dashing away any notion of intelligence or originality. Instead, it opts to be a banal, run-of-the-mill action series.

Based on the DC Comic series of the same name, Human Target tells the story of Christopher Chance (Mark Valley, Fringe) and his unusual work. Chance is a sort of bodyguard/ private investigator who flushes out would-be assassins in order to protect his clients.

Chance’s first mission on the show is to find and protect the designer of a bullet train from an unknown hired gun. The episode quickly turns into a simple cat-and-mouse chase and a formulaic routine riddled with clichés. It is apparent that Human Target will not deviate from this boring procedure.

Although Christopher Chance was created in the 1972 comic series Human Target, he is much more famous for the later Vertigo comic series by Peter Milligan. The show makes radical changes for the worst, leaving behind a poor imitation.

The comic explored the human condition in terms of identity loss and insanity. It also presented a much deeper Christopher Chance; Chance from the comics was gungho and cocky like the one in the show, but there was something underneath that made him an uneasy character.

He possessed a subtle creepiness that didn’t make him the shining knight. He has some unoriginal problems in the show’s version.

e-mail stephen.marth@ubspectrum.com

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Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) is the human target, a unique private contractor hired to protect his clients from dangerous and imminent threats in the new action thriller Human Target.

It might not be fair to compare the show, in its short life, to the comic that has been around for decades.

The show, though, seems like it will never touch the more mature themes presented by the comic book.

Instead, it sacrifices these deeper issues in exchange for mediocre action.

The cast of Human Target is strong, but its potential is lost in the lousy writing and poorly constructed premise.

Valley is able to capture the heroic side of Chance, but only to a certain extent. His performance as Chance leaves much to be desired and leaves much of the potential of the character untapped. Valley and the writers have ditched any depth that was found in the comic version of the character for an unoriginal action hero with superfluous, melodramatic psychological problems.

Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies) joins Valley as Chance’s business partner Winston, who provides support to Chance while he is on his missions. McBride is good as the straight man to Valley’s off-the-wall Chance.

While the two characters’ backand-fourth is fun to watch, McBride is given little to do in the episode.

He is left mostly behind a computer

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without much action. Hopefully, the character will be expanded as the show continues.

The highlight of the cast and the show is, without doubt, Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen) as Guerrero, another one of Chance’s associates. The difference between him and Winston is that Guerrero is not afraid to get his hands dirty.

Guerrero is dripping with creepiness and Haley is perfect for the role. Haley seems to excel at playing deranged characters, from Watchmen’s Rorschach to the upcoming Shutter Island and Nightmare on Elm Street remakes.

The show shines whenever Haley is on the screen, especially when the unhinged Guerrero meets up with the straight-laced Winston.

The best scene of the episode is when the small Guerrero meets up with a pair of intimidating legbreakers. When he turns the tables around on them, it is disturbing, but very entertaining.

Human Target is a show filled with more misses than hits. It showcases some potential that hopefully outgrows its current incarnation.

Right now, though, Human Target is a mediocre, unoriginal action show.

E-mail: arts@ubspectrum.com

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By JESSICA DIGENNARO Asst. Life Editor

As students return to school and are greeted by the harsh Buffalo winter, those without wheels are made slaves to the university bus system. But luckily for them, an alternative mode of transportation is now available that allows access to not only the UB community, but the entire Queen City.

It’s based on a concept imposed since kindergarten: sharing.

The idea started in 2007 when visionaries in the School of Urban Planning entered an entrepreneurial competition with a for-profit car-sharing model. Although they advanced to the finals, the group did not win because the New York State insurance market had not yet embraced the concept of car sharing.

When the students switched to a non-profit service, they were awarded insurance backing. With the help of a grant provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Agency and the Department of Transportation, Buffalo CarShare opened for business in June.

Eight months, seven Toyotas and 175 members later, BCS has provided Buffalonians with an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative to private vehicle ownership.

Adam Blair, a senior environmental design major and founding research associate for BCS, explains how it works.

“You can sign up for as little as $5 a month. As long as you have two years’ driving experience [without] any major infractions, we’ll pass you through,” Blair said. “To reserve a car, you can go online or call. We

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Buffalo CarShare’s fleet of Toyotas provides members access to all the Queen City has to offer.

issue you your own key fob [to access the car], and then you return it to the same spot where you picked it up.”

Car sharing is ideal for those who don’t own a vehicle, but need one for the occasional errand or doctor’s appointment - the reason why Creighton Randall, an urban planning graduate student and BCS’s founding director, considers Buffalo a perfect market for it.

“Over 31 percent of households in Buffalo do not own a car. That is higher than almost every other medium-sized city in the country,” Randall said. “Despite popular opinion, we have a decent transit system and people living near downtown can generally get around on the bus or train, so we have the conditions that pair well with car sharing.”

Since a number of UB students are without vehicles, BCS has recently begun reaching out to the university.

One of its newest additions is a 2009 Toyota Yaris parked near South Campus’s Townsend Lot. Emily Bauer, a senior ecology and evolutionary biology major, has been a BCS member for two months and finds the South Campus hub particularly handy.

“Since I live of f ca mpus, BSC allows me [the chance] to g rab g rocer ies a nd r un other errands at my convenience, instead of relying solely on public transportation and other rides,” Bauer said. “BCS is affordable and allows students

without a car to have access to the Buf fa lo communit y a nd a ll it s shops, ser v ices a nd entertainment opportunities.”

Bauer, who has utilized similar car sharing programs in other cities, is happy that Buffalo is following suit.

“More car share programs in more cities mean people will have less of a reliance on their vehicles, which is good for the environment, the community and their wallet,” she said.

Bauer’s point is valid, according to AAA. They found that car-sharing members typically drive 20 to 40 percent less.

“When you buy a car, you’re already paying for it, so you drive it [frequently] to get your money’s worth,” Blair said. “If you flip that [model] and pay for your car by the hour, you’re going to try to do more things all in one trip.”

As more people come to realize its environmental and money-saving benefits, BCS continues to grow. A fifth of its current membership is affiliated with the university, and BCS seeks to expand on this number in the future.

For more information, visit www.buffalocarshare.com.

“We hope to reach out to Amherst and work with the university to put hubs on North Campus,” Blair said.

E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

POLICE BLOTTER 1/10 — A person tampered with a security camera at the Center for the Arts.

1/10 — A vehicle mirror was damaged at the Richmond B parking lot.

1/11 — An unattended backpack with items was stolen from an office in Squire Hall.

1/11 — An unattended suitcase with a laptop was stolen from Goodyear Hall.

1/12 — A vehicle license plate was stolen from a car at the Jarvis A parking lot.

1/12 — A diabetic person was sent to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital from Putnam Way for low blood sugar.

1/13 — Unattended cash was stolen from a coat in the Burger King in the Commons.

1/13 — A person tampered with the emergency shower activation in Fronczak Hall.

1/14 — Unattended cash was stolen from a coat in the Burger King in the Commons.

1/14 — An unattended laptop was stolen from the Capen Science and Engineering Library.

1/14 — A person fainted in the bookstore and was sent to Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital.

1/14 — Unattended cash was stolen from a purse in the Burger King in the Commons.

1/14 — A GPS was stolen from a vehicle that entered the Fronczak Lot. 1/14 — Glass was broken at the Red Jacket dining hall.

1/14 — A person was sent to the Erie County Medical Center from Lehman Hall for an evaluation.

1/15 — A person damaged a car mirror in the Richmond B parking lot.

1/15 — A person broke a door window at the Spaulding laundry room.

1/15 — A vehicle mirror was damaged at the Richmond B parking lot.

1/15 — A vehicle hit another vehicle in a hitand-run accident in the Sherman Lot. 1/15 — An unattended backpack was stolen from the Capen Undergraduate Library.

1/15 — A person was sent to Buffalo General Hospital from McDonald Hall for an ankle injury.

1/16 — A person broke a lock in order to access room 30 in the Alumni Arena.

1/16 — A person pushed an RA at Spaulding Quadrangle.

1/16 — A person was sent to the StudentWide Judiciary for an alcohol overdose and refused ambulance transportation.

1/16 — A person damaged an exit sign in Goodyear Lobby.

1/17 — A person was sent to the StudentWide Judiciary for possession of marijuana at Spaulding Quadrangle.

1/17 — Two people were sent to the StudentWide Judiciary for horseplay in the Tower Lot. 1/17 — An unattended IBM laptop was stolen from Capen Undergraduate Library.

1/17 — A person pulled a false fire alarm at the South Lake Apartments.

1/18 — A person damaged a vending machine and stole a product at the Millard Fillmore Academic Center.

The Spectrum

January 20, 2010

UPD spent winter break in training

By JEFF PELZEK Staff Writer

While the empty UB campus continued to sleep during its final week of winter holiday, the University at Buffalo Police Department conducted in-service training drills on the vacant grounds.

The exercises were specifically “active shooter” drills, in which a mock assailant with a simulated weapon is disarmed and brought into custody. The officers involved in the drills were required to attend brief lectures, and then participated in physical instruction.

“It is good policy, in general, to conduct these drills several times a year to maintain tactical skills,” said UPD Chief Gerald Schoenle.

“These drills are important to help prevent against, and to deal with, incidents like the recent armed attack in Brockport.”

Still in the shadow of the attempt on Northwest flight 253 this past Christmas day, and taking into account the university’s recent history with violent crime, UB students have mixed feelings in regards to the drills and their practicality.

The exercises are done regularly, several times a year, “but things are still happening,” said Brittany Sliter, a junior nursing major.

“I suppose the police can’t be everywhere all the time, but it’s frustrating knowing that people are getting away with armed robbery” says Sliter, as she recounted a story of a student who was assaulted with the butt of a pistol and robbed. “It is comforting to know that the police are taking measures to remedy the campus security problem, but working nights, even on North Campus, is still pretty scary.”

According to UB Crime Statistics, a majority of the violent crimes, namely aggravated assault and robbery offenses, occur on public property.

“We have the most trouble off campus, but I hardly ever see a University Police car on North Campus; it tends to be on South Campus that I see the majority of the cops,” Anthony Parrella, a sophomore business student and South Campus resident, said.

But despite student worries,

in the country, as stated in an article

by The Buffalo News.

There has been a constant struggle for the legalization of marijuana ever since it was banned by the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937, and like many college-aged young adults, I don’t quite understand why the government still makes such a big deal over the seemingly harmless plant.

Marijuana is much safer than alcohol, which is available to any person at least 21 years old (or younger if you have “alternate identification”). In fact, in a recent study done by the University of California, San Diego, it was proven that marijuana blocks damage to your brain caused by binge drinking.

According to an article written

by David F. Musto in The Child Study Center, School of Medicine,

Personal thing LOMBARDO from page 3 person if you do, because being black is something that can’t be chosen and has no bearing on personality.

Yet when these same arguments are used to justify the equal treatment of gays, people don’t want to listen. Gradually society is coming to terms with the idea that there’s nothing wrong with being gay, but people like Cohen are setting us back at every turn. Not only that, they are providing other societies, like Uganda, with justification for their anti-gay views.

Being gay is a personal thing.

Gay people are not dangerous to others, and allowing them to marry and adopt will not cause society to degenerate. A person’s gayness has absolutely no effect on anyone but that person and his or her partner.

There will always be people who persist in holding prejudiced views, but we can at least work toward a majority consensus. Years from now, our children and grandchildren will hopefully be saying that we were ridiculous for ever trying to stop gays from marrying, just as we now think that banning interracial marriage was an absurd idea.

E-mail: jennifer.lombardo@ubspectrum.com

‘We may never know’ ORRANGE from page 1 wearing it during the crash. Orrange also had a clean driving record, with no prior tickets or history of bad driving and had taken a driver education course as well.

“We may never know [what happened],” Beamer said. “I talked with him not too long before [the accident] and he had made plans with me the next day; he talked to my father shortly after and was going to do a couple of things for him over the weekend.”

The Student Association and president Ernesto Alvarado have wasted no time in helping Orrange’s family. Rubber bracelets, similar to

the yellow LIVESTRONG bracelets have been ordered and will be on sale sometime next week. All proceeds will go toward a scholarship in Orrange’s name at his alma mater, St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute.

Although times are tough in 350 Student Union after the loss of a close friend and colleague, Alvarado says Orrange would not want to see people moping around and being depressed.

“The wake helped out a lot – we got to meet his family and other friends, but it was rough,” Alvarado said.

“The weekend was really rough for us. There isn’t a time when we don’t think about Nick or that he isn’t in the back of our minds.”

A memorial service is being put together in honor of Orrange and his name will appear on a brick outside the Student Union through the Name a Brick program.

SA Vice President Greg Robbins has temporally assumed Orrange’s duties until an election can be held to fill the position, according to Alvarado.

“We’re trying to move on, but not forget … we’re focusing on the good times and the great things Nick did,” Alvarado said.

E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Interested in studying abroad?

see POLICE page 13

Smoke up LAMB from page 3

11

and the Department of History, at Yale University, the Act was put in place because the government was pressured by enforcement agencies and other groups who feared that marijuana was produced and spread

by Mexicans.

Racist much?

That being said, there was really no valid reason for marijuana to be banned in the U.S., and hopefully other states will follow through in their pursuit to legalize medical marijuana.

Until then, smoke up, oh ye injured of New Jersey. You deserve it. And for New York? Stick to alcohol and painkillers – as if you had a choice, anyway.

E-mail: rachel.lamb@ubspectrum.com

Come to a general info session!

Group Advising Session with

Olga Crombie, Study Abroad Advisor

Wednesday, January 27th 212 Talbert Hall 3:00-4:00pm UB Study Abroad 210 Talbert Hall • 645-3912 • studyabroad@buffalo.edu www.buffalo.edu/studyabroad

The Spectrum

12

Brown hit 1,000-point plateau WBBALL from page 16 season-high record set in the opening half of the Youngstown State game. Overall, the Bulls shot 56.3 percent from the field, 63.6 percent from the 3-point range, and were perfect from the free-throw line.

The team continued to build on its lead and went on a 20-8 run in the

first 10 minutes of the second half.

Buffalo held a 67-37 lead, its largest of the game, with 9:44 left on the clock.

But the Bulls relaxed as the Bobcats tried to claw their way out of a rut. Though Ohio finished the game on a 23-8 run, it was not enough to overcome Buffalo’s substantial lead.

Buffalo finished the game with

The UB Music Department presents the first three concerts of the Slee/Beethoven String Quartet Cycle

Brentano String Quartet Friday, Jan 22nd

Daedalus Quartet Monday, Jan 25th

Borromeo String Quartet Tuesday, Jan 26TH all concerts: 7:30pm in lippes concert hall in slee hall on UB’S Amherst Campus tickets/info: (716)645-2921, www.slee.buffalo.edu

four players in double digits for the first time this season. Hedderson led the team, going 7-of-12 from the floor and 3-of-4 from 3-point range for 17 points in just 21 minutes.

Hedderson, who is still fairly fresh off of a stress fracture that put her out of action for nearly six weeks, was glad to be back on the court.

“It was hard being out for that long,” Hedderson said. “But it just made me try to fight through every day and have even more of a fire now that I’m back.”

Brown added 16 points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. She earned her seventh-straight doubledouble of the season. Before the game, Brown was honored, as she became the newest member of the 1,000-point club at Buffalo.

Fortman put up 13 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

She went 6-for-6 from the foul line.

Dowd recorded 11 points, three boards, three assists, two steals and a block. Cooper and freshman forward Nytor Longar rounded out the team with eight points apiece.

Hill-MacDonald said that it was nice to get a MAC win.

“I think a game like today helps build confidence and restore confidence,” Hill-MacDonald said. “We have a tough one coming up… so we’ve got to be able to carry the emotion from this game down to Kent.”

The Bulls travel to Kent State to face the Golden Flashes on Tuesday night. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. at M.A.C. Center.

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January 20, 2010

Will call offensive plays GAILEY from page 16 coordinator. He also briefly worked as a defensive coordinator and special teams coach early in his career.

“I wanted to have a head coach that’s been successful in this league.

I didn’t want to go through having to have a guy learn the NFL and the workings of the NFL… I wanted an offensive-minded coach,” Nix said in a press conference. “We also wanted to find a guy that had character and wasn’t going to embarrass this organization. He’s going to lead by doing things right. He’s a good teacher and has good leadership skills… I want a guy that will help us win games and we found that guy.”

Gailey was the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys from 1998-99. He took over a 6-10 team and led Dallas to a 10-6 record and a division title.

The following year Dallas finished 8-8 and earned a wild-card berth.

After being abruptly fired after two successful seasons, Gailey failed to get an opportunity at another NFL head coaching job and admitted that he was unsure if he’d ever get another chance.

“If you sit there and say you lose confidence in yourself, no you don’t,” Gailey said. “But then you see opportunities go by. And you hope that your body of work will speak for itself. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn’t, that’s just the way it is.”

Gailey moved to the collegiate level and became head coach at Georgia Tech from 2002 through 2007. He compiled a 44-33 record and led the Yellow Jackets to bowl appearances in each of his six seasons, including the Humanitarian and Champs Sports Bowl victories in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

During his 38-year coaching career, Gailey has spent 15 seasons in the NFL and had various stints as an offensive coordinator with Denver, Pittsburgh, Miami and Kansas City.

During his career, Gailey has worked with some of the most talented quarterbacks in NFL history, including John Elway and Troy Aikman. He has also gotten rave reviews for getting production out of lesser talents such as Kordell Stewart in Pittsburgh, Jay Fielder in Miami and Tyler Thigpen with Kansas City.

For a team with so many question marks surrounding the quarterback position, Nix recognized that his

new coach had to have previous success with signal-callers.

“We wanted somebody that had developed quarterbacks,” Nix said.

“Those with good quarterbacks are winning and those with bad quarterbacks are losing. It’s not that hard to get.”

Gailey will need to bring stability to the position in Buffalo. With two inconsistent quarterbacks and an unproven rookie on the current roster, he acknowledged that it will take time to assess the position.

“Until I get in there, watch film and evaluate, it’s unfair for me to sit here and say what’s going to happen,” Gailey said. “I want to make sure we do a thorough evaluation, thorough study and do a great job at deciding.

Then we’ll talk about what needs to go on in the future.”

The Bills’ offense was stagnant this season. Buffalo finished 30th in the NFL in both total offense (4,382) and passing yards (2,515) and converted an NFL worst 51 percent on 3rd down.

As he did in Dallas, Gailey will also assume the role of offensive coordinator. The run-first oriented coach will implement an offensive system that he can have control over and be familiar with.

“I’m going to run the offense to start with,” Gailey said. “If you want to get it the way you believe it needs to be done from the start, then you need to do it. You have to get it the way you want it and what you believe in. Even if over time I distance myself a little from it, I’ll still have the basis and know exactly what’s going on.”

Gailey inherits a team that has not been to the playoffs in 10 years and has finished sub .500 the past five seasons. While there is much work to be done until the team can get back to a winning tradition, Gailey is up for the challenge in his second stint as a head coach.

“I understand the challenge that’s ahead of us. The challenge to get the Buffalo Bills back to a winning franchise on a consistent basis and that is the plan.” Gailey said. “I know it’s going to be a tough task and will take a lot of hard work. It’s not going to be something that’s done easily and the only way to get it done is for everyone to be on the same page.”

E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com

Seems fit for a king WIKTOR from page 16 finally tipped off. Kobe and crew look eager to repeat and the East actually has some strong contenders.

Say, what team do you root for?

KNICKS FAN: (Notice the awkward preface to explain their loyalty) We’ll, I’m from New York, so I’m a die-hard Knicks fan.

RANDOM NBA FAN: (Cringes and hides an embarrassed smile) Oh, I see. I’m sorry to hear that. (Scrambles through brain to find something positive to say.) Maybe you’ll get LeBron in 2010.

It was as if saying “I’m a Knicks fan” had become a stigma that immediately transmitted a sexual disease to anyone who heard the words muttered.

Well, I’m from New York, and I’m a damn proud Knicks fan, especially this season. (And with that statement, I hope I’ve inflicted countless New England area sports fans with horrible rashes and chronic discomfort.)

I’ve watched nearly every Knicks game this season, and in short, I’ve been nothing but impressed with the team’s talent, effort, and results.

Center Dav id L ee i s a n

outstanding star that has thrived playing a position he isn’t naturally suited for. His outside jump shot has improved, he can finish with both hands, grabs 11.2 rebounds per game (sixth best in the NBA) and should be voted into the All-Star Game.

Coach Mike D’Antoni has done an excellent job inspiring players and has gotten the most out of average guys such as Jared Jeffries and Wilson Chandler. Al Harrington is one of the most dominant six-men in the league (18.2 points per game) and Danilo Gallinari has proved he can both shoot and slash.

And they’re winning games.

With $60 million clearing from cap space at the end of the season and a huge free agent market, it hasn’t felt this good to be a Knicks fan in a while. My boys may currently be on the outskirts of the playoffs, but their chemistry is on point and they will make a run this postseason.

Any superstar in this league who has watched the Knicks move the ball and hustle back on defense this year would love to play in D’Antoni’s run-and-gun system. New York seems fit for a king.

E-mail: andrew.wiktor@ubspectrum.com

The Spectrum

January 20, 2010

13

A whole new world

By ADRIAN FINCH Senior Life Editor

As students trudge through the snow and stand in the ever-expanding lines at the bookstore, some are looking for more exciting places to get their education through the study abroad program.

Over 500 UB students travel abroad each year, choosing programs during the semester, the entire academic year, or even summer and winter break.

“I [studied abroad] for about four months …

I went to Rome and all over Italy, Paris, Monte Carlo, Munich and Spain for spring break,” said Leah Doctor, a senior communication major.

Study abroad provides students with academically enriching experiences that are an essential part to their education and academic program, said Melissa Rybarczyk, director of UB’s study abroad programs.

While students travel abroad, they will also receive credit for the classes they take that will ultimately go towards their graduation requirements.

Rybarczyk recommends that students decide as early as possible that they want to go abroad to have time to search for a program that suits them and their academic goals.

“For semester or year programs, you should begin program research a year in advance to allow time to find the best program for you, and talk with your academic advisor about potential courses,” Rybarczyk said.

Typically, students interested in study

abroad attend a program during their junior year, but there are also summer programs offered for new freshman and even graduating seniors.

UB offers over 60 unique programs for students interested in traveling and experiencing different cultures in countries across the globe.

However, if students have difficulty finding their desired program through UB, they can also attend one of the 450 programs offered by other SUNY campuses.

“The abroad program I was on was through the SUNY system,” Doctor said. “We had classes Monday through Thursday and they gave us Friday off.”

From Brazil to Australia, the possibilities are endless for those who wish to gain a new perspective on the world from an academic standpoint.

“We had tests and papers and work and we needed to be there … it was a lot more intense than most people think of when they pick abroad classes,” Doctor said.

Although many students choose to study abroad for the academic experience, there are also other benefits to living and traveling in a new country for weeks at a time.

“You’re immersing yourself in a new culture and a new lifestyle ... it’s so different,” Doctor said.

When a student is accepted into a program, he or she will remain registered with UB, continue to pay regular tuition rates, and will still be eligible to receive financial aid, according to Rybarczyk.

Home crowd instrumental in Bulls victory ROO from page 16 between this year and last is that he can make a mistake and then go to the next play,” Witherspoon said.

“If he makes a mistake you still have to deal with him. You have to be careful. You can’t leave him open.

He moves well without the ball, he sees the floor and he defends with enthusiasm. That has to provide a lot of stress for our opponents.”

Both teams went back-and-forth for most of the first half, trying to gain the upper hand. It wasn’t until there was 2:41 remaining in the half that the Bulls would gain the clear advantage.

With the game tied at 27, Pierce converted on a 3-pointer that ignited a 13-0 run for the Bulls. Dambrot was hit with a technical foul with 54 seconds left on the clock, and Smiley capitalized on a steal for a fastbreak lay-up to end the half.

Before Akron knew what hit it, Buffalo jumped out to a 40-27 lead before heading to the locker room.

The Bulls shot the lights out in the first half, going 5-for-8 from 3-point range, and shooting 52 percent from the field.

Pierce continued where he left off in the first half and scored seven of his team’s first nine points in the second half.

The Zips pushed to within eight points at 49-41, but Smiley answered Akron’s charge by draining a 3-pointer from the left wing.

Dambrot pinpointed the Smiley’s play as the difference in the game.

“You can’t give Sean Smiley 21 points and expect to win,” Dambrot said. “I mean, he gets 21 and they’re

going to win. I don’t know if he’s scored 21 points in all the games we have played [against them]. He has been playing well so it’s not to discredit him, but we did a poor job [of defending him].”

The Bulls stretched the lead to 14 with 9:01 left in regulation. Akron made a final comeback attempt and pulled within six points with 6:02 left, but was unable to get any closer.

Witherspoon thinks the defensive effort should be recognized. Pierce and Smiley combined for nine steals in the game.

“I think everybody will remember what we did offensively, but I think those guys did a terrific job defensively,” Witherspoon said.

Senior forward Max Boudreau added 10 points off the bench and went 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Akron forward Jimmy Conyers scored 17 in the loss and guard Steve McNees added 16 points.

An announced home crowd of 3,240 was instrumental in the Bulls’ victory, and Witherspoon was quick to give the fans praise after the game.

“It always helps to get your students out because they are loud and make it tough on the opponent,” Witherspoon said. “No doubt about it, the crowd really helped us and I’m sure [coach Dambrot] would agree with that.”

The Bulls don’t have much time to celebrate the win as they must turn around and hit the road for a twogame road trip. Buffalo will look to start 4-0 in the MAC on Wednesday against Kent State with tip-off set for 7 p.m.

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Knowledge of drill public POLICE from page 11 Schoenle still sounds confident in his plans for the future regarding campus security and its subsequent effects on student life. The drills took place on North Campus, and were fitting, yet unspecific, to the campus geography.

“They were standard drills, but impor ta nt nonet heless,” Schoenle said.

Aware of the concerns for North Campus, Schoenle made knowledge of the drills public “to prevent any cause for alarm, given the drastic increase in police presence on campus. But also, perhaps just knowing that we’re making efforts to improve and maintain the integrity of our policing will put some people’s minds to rest,” he s aid.

E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Clinton Hodnett / The Spectrum

Students interested in expanding their worldview and taking classes in a different country need to look no further than the Study Abroad Office.

After tuition costs, students will need to pay for their f light, meals, housing, personal expenses, books and any other unforeseen costs. Luckily, students can use their financial aid rewards toward the cost and can apply for scholarships found on the study abroad program’s Web site, www.buffalo.edu/studyabroad.

“I got scholarships through the school in Rome because it’s a lot of money,” Doctor said.

“The base tuition was a little bit below $10,000 and then you have your flight, housing and all your personal expenses. It probably came to [about] $20,000.”

To begin the application process, Rybarczyk

recommends students reference the study abroad program’s Web site, attend a group advising session held monthly, and talk with study abroad peer advisors, professors and academic advisors.

For more information, students can check the Web site or visit the study abroad office in 210 Talbert Hall.

“It was 100 percent worth every penny,” Doctor said. “I came home and I was totally broke, but it was so worth it … I would give my right arm to go back.”

E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

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CLASSIFIED ads may be placed at The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union, Amherst Campus. Office hours are from 9:00 - 4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Deadlines are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 for display and 2:00 p.m. for classifieds for the next edition. Weekly rates are $10.00 for the first ten words and 75¢ for each additional word. All ads must be paid in advance. The ad must be placed in person or send a legible copy of the ad with a check or money order for full payment. No ads will be taken over the phone. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit any copy. No refunds will be given on classified ads. Please make sure copy is legible.

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16

January 20, 2010

SP O R T S Hedderson’s return lifts Bulls to first MAC win Andrew Wiktor Senior Sports Editor

New New York Knicks

By ANDREW WIKTOR Senior Sports Editor

For my first column of the semester, I wanted to write about something that I feel extremely passionate about. I wanted to write about a story that means more to me than a distant major headline, such as the Tiger Woods scandal or Brett Farve’s return to the postseason spotlight.

Rather than discussing a bowl game that my school didn’t compete in, or detailing the upset of the No. 1 nationally-ranked college basketball team, I felt obliged to tell about something that hit closer to home — something important in my life.

Of course, under these conditions, you can easily imagine how I would be tempted to write about the season finale of Jersey Shore.

But then I realized that this was a sports column.

Next best topic: The New York Knicks.

Yes, I concede that the Knicks remain a team struggling for wins in a crumbling conference filled with secondtier teams. By the numbers, they don’t exactly impress, standing at 17-24, the same exact record they held just one year ago.

But I argue that there is more to this team than the records, stats, and stigmas imply.

By t he beg inning of December, the blue and orange had dug themselves a deep hole, getting off to a dismal 3-14 start. Yes, they lost a few overtime bouts, including a crushing defeat to Boston capped by a Kevin Garnett buzzer-beater, but their play was lackluster and inexcusable.

In the past nine seasons, the Knicks have missed the postseason seven times and lost in the first round to subpar teams twice (Toronto in 2000-01 and New Jersey in 2003-04). In all of those years, the Knicks finished above .500 just once.

My Knicks had done what I feared most; they had become a team synonymous with pity and loss. After a dreadful decade, they began being mentioned in the same breath as (gasp) the Mets and the Jets. (Yes, I know the latter team is in the AFC Championship, but this entire season has been a fluke and the Giants remain the superior New York football team, always. That does include the Bills, sorry.)

Just imagine this typical NBA conversation involving a New York fan: RANDOM NBA FAN: I’m so glad that the NBA season see WIKTOR page 12

By CHRISTY SUHR Asst. Sports Editor

The women’s basketball team entered Saturday’s M id-A mer ica n Conference matchup with Ohio in search of its first MAC victory. Strong shooting proved to be the surge that Buffalo needed to crack into the inconference win column.

The Bulls (5-12, 1-3 MAC) put on a show from 3-point range to end the losing streak and dispose of the Bobcats (4-13, 0-4 MAC), 76-62. Buffalo went 9-for-14 for 3-point range, their best shooting performance from the perimeter since the 2007-08 season.

“We sure hit some 3-point shots in the first half,” said Bulls head coach Linda HillMacDonald. “I think that was creating a dilemma for

Ohio because they wanted to jam on our inside game.

Knocking down some threes really opened up [the floor for us]. [Ohio] had to spread out and then we were able to penetrate. I thought we penetrated the gaps really, really well today.”

Using a 7-0 run to start the game, the Bulls immediately put the Ohio on its heels. The Bobcats got off to a rough start, as shot after shot bounced off the glass and rim.

The Bobcats finally made their first layup and cut the Bulls’ lead down to five with 17:40 remaining in the first half. This was the closest Ohio came in the contest. Less than a minute later, a trey by junior forward Jessica Fortman and a jumper by freshman guard Chrissy Cooper increased the Bulls’ lead to ten.

Ohio gained some moment um af ter ma king t wo consecutive buckets to pull within six, but a trey from Cooper put an end to that run. Sophomore guard Brittany Hedderson sank the next three buckets for the Bulls, including a 3-point shot, putting the Bulls up 22-10 with just over 10 minutes left in the opening half.

The efforts of Cooper, Hedderson, and junior forward Kourtney Brown allowed the Bulls to dominate the Bobcats for the next five minutes.

Freshman guard Abby Dowd knocked down a 3-pointer to cap off a 17-6 run. This gave the Bulls a 23-point lead, the largest of the half, at 39-16.

Buffalo ended the first half with 47 points to tie a

Spectrum File Photo

Sophomore guard Brittany Hedderson drove the Bulls to their first MAC win of the season as Buffalo defeated the Ohio Bobcats, 76-62.

see WBBALL page 12

Bulls remain unbeaten in MAC

By MATTHEW PARRINO Sports Editor

Akron had it coming.

After shutting down the men’s basketball team in last year’s MidAmerican Conference Championship game, Zips head coach Keith Dambrot was fully prepared for the potential payback coming his team’s way.

“You have to give [Buffalo] a lot of credit,” Dambrot said. “We knew they were going to come in and play because of the MAC Championship game [last year]… They made baskets and they played better than we did today - there’s no doubt about that.”

These comments came shortly after the Bulls (10-4, 3-0 MAC) beat the Zips (12-5, 2-1 MAC), 78-65, at Alumni Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Senior guard Rodney Pierce became the first Bulls player ever to score 20 points or more in eight consecutive games. Pierce also tied his career high, recorded earlier this season, scoring 31 points in the win.

“I’m just playing within the flow of the game,” Pierce said. “[I’m] staying

Spectrum File Photo

Senior guard Rodney Pierce continues his record-breaking season as the Bulls take down the Zips, 78-65.

Bills find their man in Gailey

By JOE PATERNO

aggressive the whole time that I’m out there and when I get my chance, if I’m open, I’ll usually knock [the shot] down. My teammates do a really good job of finding me too and that makes me even better.”

Senior guard Sean Smiley was lethal for the Bulls, netting 21 points in 25 minutes of action. His play helped the Bulls win the battle of the benches as Buffalo’s reserves outscored Akron’s reserves, 33-13.

Smiley has made a consistent effort to play with energy all season long while having a little fun in the process.

“I always just try and have fun out there,” Smiley said. “As long as I come out and can provide some energy and I’m going hard, that’s all I can ask of myself…If I’m knocking down shots, that’s nice, too. Especially this season, I have just been trying to bring a lot of energy and have as much fun as I can.”

Bulls head coach Reggie Witherspoon has noticed the evolution of Smiley this season.

“The biggest difference in Sean

concerned, it was a Sports Editor near certainty that Buffalo would be The search for a welcoming aboard a head coach in Orchard multi-million dollar Park is finally over. head coach.

After two months A s t he i nterof rabid rumors and a view process began, whirlwind of speculahowever, rumored tion, the Buffalo Bills candidates quickly have found their man. declined interest in Though Chan Gailey’s the position. Whether Chan Gailey name may not widen it is the team’s lack eyes nor jump off the of a franchise quarpaper, he is exactly what the Bills have terback, its 91-year-old owner, or been looking for. its questionable future in the city New general manager Buddy Nix of Buffalo, candidates declined the introduced Gailey as the franchise’s opportunity for an interview.

15th head coach on Tuesday afternoon When it looked like the Bills would at One Bills Drive. be in for the long haul to find their next Immediately after the firing of leader, Gailey’s name appeared out of Dick Jauron on Nov. 17, media outlets the woodwork. in Western New York and across the While he isn’t the “A-list” head country began to speculate on big coach that Bills fans were hoping for, name coaches as candidates for the Gailey met the criteria that Nix sought. position. While the Bills remained The 58-year-old Gailey has experias silent as possible in their search, ence both as an NFL and collegiate names such as Bill Cowher, Mike head coach, as well as an offensive Shanahan and Marty Schottenheimer began to appear. As far as fans were see GAILEY page 12

THE BOTTOM LINE UB Swimming & Diving

Bulls sink Eagle, then drown Bearcats Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams earned double wins on the road over the long weekend. On Saturday, the men’s team topped Niagara, 120-105. The women yielded similar results, defeating the Purple Eagles, 129-105.

The Bulls took down the Binghamton Bearcats on Monday with 137-103 and 134-105 decisions for the men’s and women’s teams, respectively.

Wrestling UB taken down by Edinboro The wrestling team came up short in a close contest against 23rd nationally ranked Edinboro. After losing the 125 bout, the Bulls won their next four match-ups to take an early 17-3 lead.

Seventeenth nationally ranked sophomore Desi Green (149-pound) captured the 30th dual victory of his career. Buffalo (7-4-1), however, was overtaken by a late Edinboro rally, ending in favor the Fighting Scots, 19-17.

Achievements Brown and Pierce earn MAC East Honors Junior forward Kourtney Brown earned MAC East Player of the Week for the third time this season. She recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds in the Bulls’ first MAC win of the season.

Brown was also honored with a commemorative basketball as the newest Bull to reach the 1,000-point mark.

Senior guard Rodney Pierce was named MAC East Divison Player of the Week following two stellar performances against Bowling Green and Akron.

Pierce scored 21 points and tied a career-high six assists in the game against Bowling Green. Against Akron,

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Pierce equaled a career-high 31 points and four steals. In the Bulls’ last eight games, Pierce has tallied 20 or more points, becoming the first player to do so in UB’s Division I era.

Upcoming Events WEDNESDAY Men’s Basketball at Kent State, 7 p.m.

NATIONAL NFL The New Orleans Saints routed the Arizona Cardinals 45-14 and will take on the Minnesota Vikings – who bested the Dallas Cowboys 34-3 – for the NFC Championship.

The AFC Championship will be played between the Indianapolis Colts – who defeated the Baltimore Ravens 20-3 – and the New York Jets – who topped the San Diego Chargers 17-14.

College Basketball (9) Kansas State defeated (1) Texas by the score of 71-62, handing the Longhorns their first loss of the season.