The Spectrum Volume 61 Issue 49

Vol. 61 NO. 49

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 3, 2012

Tattoo Column Goes Viral The Day I Met the Internet LISA KHOURY Asst. News Editor I woke up today and had 938 hate mails, 646 nasty Facebook comments, and dozens of mean-spirited tweets.

I’m a 19-year-old college sophomore, I help run my family’s restaurant, I’m a writer and editor at my school’s newspaper, and a woman from Australia says I’m “sexist.” A professor from the University of Illinois wonders about my mental stability. A man double my age is calling me “ugly.”

In the past 48 hours, authors, war veterans, mothers of small children have told me I’m ignorant, worthless, brainwashed, classless, disgusting, hypocritical, and judgmental.

A man from New Zealand called me bigoted, self-righteous, conservative rubbish. Twenty-one emails within the last 24 hours addressed me as a cunt.

My inbox was flooded with dozens of men and women who called me a dumb bitch, and one man only sent me two words: “stupid cow.”

UB students show off their tattoos and stories behind them.

REBECCA BRATEK and SARA DINATALE

News Editor and Asst. News Editor Fifty-nine thousand people visited The Spectrum website in the past two days.

Almost 23,000 people clicked on Lisa Khoury’s column against tattoos.

Six hundred forty-four comments came from readers around the globe – in nations like Australia, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand – and that’s on the website alone.

Countless blogs have shared her column, and she’s received 827 response emails before press time.

The Spectrum has gone viral.

On Monday, the newspaper published two columns – one in defense of tattoos and the other, a counterpoint, against body art. Counterpoints are a common practice at The Spectrum; it gives editors the chance to have a dialogue about controversial issues.

published in Monday’s edition. The Spectrum’s writers and editors didn’t expect such an intense response.

These people I have never met attacked my family and how I was raised. They accused me of trying to play God, and one woman even told me I reminded her of Hitler during the Holocaust.

The “tattoo community” has been the main source of criticism.

My crime?

Lisa Khoury and Rebecca Bratek did just that, but the response to Khoury’s column has been monumental and largely negative.

“We kind of form a little family,” Kost said. “ If you have a tattoo, you kind of have a bond with [members of the community], like, ‘Oh, you went through that.’”

Meg Kinsley /// The Spectrum

“My friend sent it to me from a blog that wasn’t [from] UB, but a national tattoo blog,” said Sarah Kost, a junior theater design major who has six tattoos. “That’s a big deal. We have to make sure we realize that on the Internet, everything is everywhere now.”

Most of the responses – that’s thousands at the time of press – have been direct attacks on Khoury’s personality, looks, upbringing, position on gender roles, and morals. For every positive response, hundreds more were negative.

Khoury’s piece has been popping up across Facebook news feeds, tattoo blogs, Tumblr, Reddit, and Twitter since being

On Thursday, The Spectrum sent reporters across campus to find members of UB’s tattoo community in attempt to under-

Continued on Page 2

I wrote an opinion piece about tattoos for Monday’s Spectrum. As a female, I took the woman’s stance and said I’m beautiful without a tattoo.

My piece served as a counterpoint to my colleague’s column about why she loves tattoos. My piece went viral online.

Blogs devoted to tattoos featured it, tweeted it, posted it and decried it as sexist and everything that is closedminded about America today.

In 48 hours, my article got 25,000 hits, which is a new Spectrum record. It made it on over 200 Facebook statuses and was all over the Internet, including on tumblr, reddit.com and beawarriorqueen.com.

My journalist friends told me not to worry. All readers are good readers, they said. Bad news is good news.

I’m not so sure.

“Lisa Khoury, you’re what’s wrong with the world,” one site read. And “News editor says tattoos are classless and worthless.”

All this hate has shaken me.

I never meant to be vindictive toward an entire subculture. That’s why its response was so unexpected to me.

Its words were different; it wanted to eviscerate me.

I am sorry to anyone who took my words as a personal attack. I am sorry to anyone who felt disrespected in any way. This column was meant to express my opinion and explain how I live, not to tell you that my way of life is in any way superior to yours.

Meg Kinsley /// The Spectrum

I was misinterpreted. These strangers have slowly and in the most painful way possible ripped me to shreds within the past 48 hours.

Their hate will be tattooed in me for a long time, but only as a learning lesson.

I’m still learning about journalism, and this was my first-ever opinion column.

I wrote the column, entitled, “Why Put a Bumper Sticker on a Ferrari?” because my colleague asked if I wanted to counter her column.

Our articles ran side by side. Some of the people who hate me so much attacked me for not showing the other side of the argument about tattoos.

That wasn’t my job.

Many points, especially about feminism, were taken out of context and turned into something demeaning. My point about my body having “the ability to turn heads” stemmed from the fact that I wasn’t the healthiest teenager, so when I learned more about health and fitness after high school, I found meaning in that. Not because I was becoming skinnier (for the record, I in no way find myself slim), but I found that I was setting goals for myself, and, for once, achieving them. I felt happier because I felt healthier. Each day I felt like I would live a longer life, and my future kids wouldn’t have to worry about their mom dying from smoking cigarettes or not exercising regularly, the way I worry about my parents.

The whole clothes thing? Well, when I lost weight, yeah, I was actually interested in dressing myself for once.

Do I wear tight fitted clothes every day to school for the aesthetic, sexual pleasure of the men around me? Eww. I wore the same jeans for about 17 years and recently discovered there are other styles out there for me to try out, I guess what I was getting at was perceived as something much more shallow to my readers.

My tattoo column, along with its counter point, was supposed to generate a discussion about tattoos. That’s what journalism does. It continues the conversation people are having among themselves – at least that is what my instructors say.

But no one was conversing about my points. Instead, they were taking certain lines out of context, and it was no longer a conversation, but an appalling backlash.

Continued on Page 2

Occupy Buffalo Comes to UB Chiddy Bang Takes the Torch SUSHMITA SIRCAR

Staff Writer On Thursday, members of the Occupy Buffalo movement came to UB to speak to interested students and faculty members – right after they got evicted from Niagara Square and were arrested.

The talk was held at the Francis M. Letro Courtroom at O’Brian Hall between 12 and 2 p.m. Graduate students Adam Drury and adjunct instructor Cayden Mak, undergraduate student Logan Noonan, and social worker Linda Abrams led the talk. Students ranging from undergraduate freshmen to graduate students, as well as a number of faculty members, attended the event.

The event came right after the eviction of Occupy Buffalo protestors from Niagara Square early Thursday morning. Twelve protestors were arrested after the group’s permit with the city expired and the two sides failed to come to an agreement to extend the permit, according to the group. The student supporters of the movement explained the events leading up to the arrests, the goals of the movement, and the need for students to get more actively involved in the movement.

Noonan, a graduate student of philosophy and an active supporter of the movement, called it “nonviolent” and “peaceful.”

“We met all the requirements and were told our agreement would be renewed,” Noonan said of the attempts to renew the permit to stay at Niagara Square.

Later, the city “completely ignored previous agreements” when it took action to evict the protestors.

Noonan was one of the 12 people who were arrested by police.

The conversation then turned to the goals of the Occupy movement. Linda Abrams, a social worker affiliated with the group’s School of Everything workgroup, described the protest as “holding space for direct democracy, for citizens to come together.”

While she felt that it was necessary for people to come together throughout America, the eventual aim is to focus on local issues, such as the recent NFTA budget cuts and the increasing economic disparity in the region.

Abrams captured the movement’s aims in the phrase, “Inform, Reform, Transform.” This involves educating people through talks and “teach-ins,” petitioning for changes to address problems of social inequality, and finally bringing about change in society according to the needs of citizens.

Adam Drury, graduate student in English, talked about New York Students Rising (NYSR), the organization responsible for the walk-out against tuition hikes last semester. The group is a “statewide network of students and campus-organizations dedicated to defending public higher education and empowering students,” according to its website.

The coalition, formed last summer, is interested in repealing UB 2020 and what it sees as the plan’s consequent “increasing influence of private interest” and “irrational tuition raises.”

The students also spoke about their desire to get students on campus more involved in the Occupy and NYSR movements. Drury said that there was an atmosphere of “inertia on campus” among students who were afraid to speak up about the issues,

Friday: Mostly Cloudy- H: 38, L: 27 Saturday: Sunny- H: 35, L: 28 Sunday: Partly Cloudy- H: 35, L: 28

Courtesy of Chiddy Bang

VILONA TRACHTENBERG Asst. Arts Editor

Support Act section. The duo was also considered as a headlining act.

New friendships in college are a normal occurrence, but when producer Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin and rapper Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege met each other in 2008 at Drexel University, they didn’t know just how far that friendship would take them.

Out of the 4,531 respondents who voted via paper or online with Survey Monkey, Chiddy Bang received a whopping 1,102 votes, according to SA Entertainment Director Monique Mattes.

This Saturday, the 21-year-olds – who now perform under the moniker Chiddy Bang – will find themselves back in the college scene as they performs at the SA Small Concert.

“We are the most excited [to perform at UB],” Beresin said. “We have not played a college show in a while. Those are where we get to really relax, have fun, and do whatever we want. So we’re very excited.”

According to SA President JoAnna Datz, when students filled out the Spring Fest survey to choose which acts they would like to see at this year’s concert, Chiddy Bang received a large response in the

UB will serve as the latest of almost 400 colleges at which the pair has performed. Beresin, producer of Chiddy Bang, stated that the duo enjoyed perform-

I N S I D E

Continued on Page 2

Weather for the Weekend:

Chiddy Bang comes to UB this Saturday for the SA Small Concert.

Continued on Page 2

Opinion * 3 Arts & Life * 5 Classifieds / Daily Delights * 7 Sports * 8

ubspectrum.com

Page 2 Continued From Page 1: Tattoo Column Goes Viral stand the overwhelming responses. Is the criticism meant to attack Khoury or the anti-tattoo mindset?

“I don’t agree with anything she said,” said Courtney Alwais, a junior theater design major who has two tattoos. “I don’t think my body is a temple, I think my body is an empty canvas for art. She has her right to her opinion, and I have the right to mine.”

A room full of theater majors exploded in commentary, passing around copies of The Spectrum, and voiced their opinions on Khoury’s column. Many even shed their inhibitions and ripped off various items of clothing to share their tattoos and the stories behind them.

Gabrielle Gorman, a sophomore musical theater major, rolled up her shorts to reveal her tattoos – memories of a dear friend who passed away from brain cancer.

Alwais lifted up her skirt to show off a piece she got to commemorate her first theatrical performance – One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

Kost, who has six tattoos, peeled back her sleeve to present a phoenix on her upper arm – it represents her renewal and rise from the “ashes of her old self.”

She also enjoys mythology and Harry Potter. Despite disagreeing with Khoury’s opinion, she can understand some of her perspective.

“I get her point [that] if you want to feel better about yourself, don’t spend $200 on something that is never going away,” Kost said.

While the hatred was apparent in the website’s comments and the hundreds of emails Khoury received, there are those who thought the column was simply an opinion piece and should not have sparked such a venomous response.

“I thought that for an opinion piece, people totally over-reacted,” said Hannah, a junior biomedical sciences major who didn’t want her last name published for fear of receiving attacks similar to the ones Khoury received. “Her opinion is just that – an opinion. Her ideas backing her opinion rubbed a lot of girls the wrong way…oops. She messed up a bit. Big deal.

It's an opinion piece; take it or leave it.”

Hannah went on to add that she is heading into a profession that doesn’t allow visible tattoos, and she has found other ways to value her self-worth without body ink. She said this doesn’t motivate her to judge other people with tattoos, and thought that this was the intention of Khoury’s piece, as well.

“She’s a writer who will take this as a learning experience,” Hannah said.

One of a newspaper’s purposes is to create a conversation – whether it is through unbiased articles that inform readers of the day’s news or columns and editorials that express opinion. The Spectrum runs almost all of its editorials and columns on “page three,” and labels them as opinion. Editorials are considered the view of the entire editorial staff, while columns are regarded as solely the opinion of the writer.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Continued From Page 1: Chiddy bang takes the torch This disclaimer is clearly stated on the masthead: “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.”

Any student or member of the community is welcomed to submit opinion pieces of their own for publication.

“I wish she had stressed that these were personal opinions and that she was only explaining her own personal reasons for not getting a tattoo,” said Pauline Konarski, a senior communication major. “It seems like she was painting all women to be materialistic, and it seemed like [she was] saying women should only be concerned with stereotypically ‘girly’ things, like shopping and their bodies.”

Kost commended Khoury for her courage to say what she thinks; in her opinion, it is a topic that can be compared to the gay rights movement and both topics would warrant similar responses.

This is the first time The Spectrum has ever received such a significant amount of responses.

Getting a tattoo is a big commitment, and those who have them are passionate about their ink.

“It’s a very personal thing,” Alwais said. “She has every right to feel that way, and I have the right to want to deck myself out in tattoos.”

ing for the college demographic.

Chiddy Bang’s signature style is a blend of the club and urban dance music that Beresin grew up around and conventional hip-hop.

Beresin infuses energy into his songs, merging two or more scenes in the process.

Several tracks used to produce the duo’s songs were samples from alternative artists like MGMT, Passion Pit, and Radiohead, giving Chiddy Bang’s music a feeling that Beresin calls “future, alternative, rap from space.”

Although Chiddy Bang has gained national recognition with its multiple mixtapes, radio hits, and performances all over the country, the duo never expected the act to take off so spectacularly.

“People are so obsessed about getting noticed,” Beresin said.

“But, me and Chiddy never ever stressed about getting noticed. We literally just gave our music away for free.”

Using only word of mouth and an Internet connection to spread its work, there was no definitive “breakout” moment for young group. “[It is important to] be very content with not being successful in music and still doing it 24 hours a day,” Beresin said. “Once you’re okay with the fact that you may not be successful and you’re still going to do it 24 hours a day, then it’ll just happen for you.”

The duo still enjoys the feeling of reaching a new summit or tackling a new experience in its musical career. Things like peer recognition or new

fans learning to lyrics to Chiddy Bang songs are still humbling experiences for the up-and-comers.

With positive reception from friends, Chiddy Bang went on to release three mixtapes since 2009 – all of them produced by a laptop and a microphone.

Chiddy Bang’s latest musical endeavor, Breakfast – which debuts Feb. 28 – the group appears to evolve from its previous work. The latest radio single, “Ray Charles,” marks the group’s foray into the use of piano and strings.

“We have a lot deeper layers and a lot more textures,” Beresin said. “It sounds like a more updated, kind of mature version of us. As a producer, I get to be a lot more of a nerd and spend more time with the track.”

SERVING LATE NIGHT

Faculty members who were present encouraged their students to get involved more actively.

English Professor Barbara Bono, director of the civic engagement program in the Undergraduate Academies, cited “fear” and “shame of debt” as prevalent reasons for students not speaking up. Drury said that he tried to inform his freshman class about current issues.

The overall consensus of the conversation seemed to be that the Occupy movement was not simply about going out and protesting.

There are further plans to get students involved in the movement. Members of the Occupy Wall Street movement will be speaking on Feb. 13 at Harriman Hall on South Campus, and on March 5, transportation will be provided for students to go to Albany to voice their

“To me, the movement is very little about tents and squares,” Noonan said.

Instead, the aim is to “change the conversations” that people are having.

“My goal,” Abrams said, “is to eventually have an Occupy in every university, neighborhood and coffee shop.”

Email: news @ubspectrum.com

Continued From Page 1: the day i met the internet This horror of a week has taught me life-long lessons.

First, I said hello to the power of the Internet. My column – ripped from its context next to my colleague’s – became something entirely different online. And I – a reserved, thoughtful college student – became faceless. That made me an easy target for people’s rage.

“Once you put out an album, you kind of have a torch raised in the air,” Beresin said. “It’s on fire, and you kind of have to run with the torches as quickly, as fast as you can go all over the country and the world before the torch goes out and people are bored with your album,” Beresin said.

For the record, not a single mean comment came from readers of the paper. No one wrote hateful messages to The Spectrum. It all came from outside. And it all came directly at me.

The SA Small Concert featuring Chiddy Bang and UB’s own Bagginz will take place Saturday night at Alumni Arena, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m.

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

That leads me to the second thing this week has taught me, a lesson about the power of words. If my words hurt people enough to generate an entire subculture to attack me personally, then how did I make them feel?

If I had the column to write over again, would I do it differently? Sure. I’d keep my argument, but I’d be more careful about phrasing. I’d try not to sound judgmental or sound as though I’m sitting on my high horse. I know now how effective words can be and how artfully they should be chosen.

I also know how much pain words can cause. People often say journalists are callous. Not me. Never me. Not after this.

It’s a life lesson in what words can do, what the Internet can do, and – most of all – a lesson for me to never do what other people did to me. As a writer, I have jump-started my career with a valuable lesson: think about what you write before you write it – on paper, online, and in cyberspace.

You never know what tattoo blog might pick it up one day…

U

“I got to the parking lot at 11:30,” said Matt Fox, a junior communication major. “I had class at 12 and I couldn’t find a spot. I was there literally looking for a spot until 11:57 and I just told myself I was going to park in one of the Student Association truck spots.

After leaving my class, I came back to find a parking ticket waiting for me. I took the chance because I didn’t want to risk my grade.”

UNIVERSITY HOTS

WE ACCEPT CAMPUS CASH!

FREE DELIVERY WITH THIS COUPON . 3/31/12

concerns to lawmakers, according to the speakers.

To Drive or Not to Drive

HOTS

NOW DELIVERING TO NORTH & SOUTH CAMPUSES

such as student debt, that they are facing.

The pair is eager for the album’s release. Beresin hints that the show may contain some newer material that no one has heard before.

Email: news@ubspectrum.

WWW.UNIVERSITYHOTS.COM

Continued From Page 1: Occupy Buffalo Comes to UB

Hanul Ryou /// The Spectrum Despite a mild winter, students struggle with the choice between driving to campus and taking the UB Stampede.

WESTON SHAPIRO

Staff Writer Gas is expensive, and shoveling out a car at 7 a.m. is bothersome. The bus is inconvenient and at times the rank smell is so overwhelming that walking to campus seems like a better alternative.

It’s one of those questions that students ask themselves every morning: drive to campus or ride the bus? There are pros and cons to both options.

On one hand, there is a convenience factor. It takes much less time to roll

out of bed, get ready, hop in a car, and drive to campus.

There’s no worry about walking through the winter chill to the bus stop or missing a bus and being late for class, and there’s no need to stand during the ride and receive dirty looks for bumping into strangers.

On the other hand, gas prices are on the rise and taking the bus to class saves a chunk of change. While driving saves students some time outdoors, they face the risk of waking up to a snowstorm, forcing them to shovel out their cars and making them late for class.

SHARPEN YOUR PROFESSIONAL FOCUS Apply NOW for Fall 2012 MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MASTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION

But the looming question still remains: which one is the better option?

With a car, there’s the ability to get to campus on one’s own schedule and no need to rely on the operating bus times, though finding a parking spot is not so effortless.

After 9 a.m., the battle for a good parking spotgets heated. Every day, in many of the parking lots across campus, cars can be seen weaving up and down the rows of filled parking spaces.

While driving students might have been able to sleep a bit longer than their bus-riding peers, they now have the problem of finding a parking spot before their class starts.

Some of the most convenient parking spots on campus can be found in Park lot; however, they’re not available to students during the day unless the student possesses a special permit.

Another decent option are the Jacob lots located in the middle of North Campus with easy access to both Capen and Lockwood libraries. There is a catch with these parking lots as well. Only lots B and C are available to students, not A, which is reserved exclusively for faculty and staff. While students are not given the privilege to park in these lots, TA’s are.

Coming from the other side of North Campus, the best parking can be found at Ketter lot, which is adjacent to Hamilton loop. Also located in the middle of North Campus, Ketter lot provides the least amount of exercise.

Now the question becomes more specific: to sleep and live more conveniently, or to be environmentally and economically friendly?

The latter involves a bus ride.

The advantage is having a free ride with a drop-off location right on campus. There’s no stress or fighting over parking spots, or worrying about getting snowed in.

The disadvantage lies in the undeniable fact that bus drivers are human.

Accidents happen and sometimes there are environmental factors that

mess up the bus schedule.

For those who have weighed the options and chose to use a car, the next problem is finding the best possible parking spot without getting a ticket.

And yes, the handicap and carpool parking spaces are tempting but not a viable option.

When driving becomes the most practicable option, students must remember a few things. Breaking the rules – parking in faculty lots, parking in handicapped spots – can lead to tickets. It’s possible that students could get away scot free, but it’s equally as probable that they won’t.

“I’ve gotten about 15 tickets since I’ve been at UB,” said Danielle, a senior philosophy major. “It’s probably totaled up to over 500 dollars.”

Danielle is certainly not alone. Other horror stories of students receiving parking violation tickets can be found occasionally littering the news feeds of Facebook and Twitter as students try to blow off some steam.

“The amount of people at UB has been increasing rapidly so it’s become harder to get close spots,” Danielle said. “Some days I think it’s almost easier to take the bus.”

Tips for a less stressful driving experience: get to campus before 10 a.m., that way there’s a better chance of getting a good spot. After that time, spots fill up fast and more time will be spent finding a spot than actual travel time.

For late classes, it’s best to just save the migraine medicine and take the bus.

“There’s not enough spots for everyone,” Fox said. “It’s impossible, like it’s just not going to work.”

Above all, commuters agree that the most important issue is getting to class.

Email: features@ubspectrum.com

Call us with Confidence and Low Low Rates!

HILBERTCOLLEGE

www.hilbert.edu/grad 5200 South Park Avenue, Hamburg NY, 14075 716-926-8949

★CITY A1 DRIVING SCHOOL, INC.★

6 Hrs. POINTS / INSURANCE REDUCTION Beginners & Brush Up Driving Lessons Register By Phone For All Locations

Tel: 570-7230 or 875-4662

www.citya1drivingschool.com 5 Hrs. N.Y.S. REQUIRED COURSE $30 HELD @ LOCATIONS:

* 271 KENMORE (NEAR UB SOUTH CAMPUS)

Mon 4:30pm WALK IN, Wed 4:30pm WALK IN, Sat 10:00am WALK IN

* 7 MAIN ST. (1 LIGHT FROM TRANSIT, 2ND FL) LOCKPORT — Tue: 4:30pm WALK IN * 809 ABBOTT RD (SOUTH BUFFALO) - By APPT.

FF 10% O THIS WITH COUPON

IF WE CAN’T TEACH YOU, NO ONE CAN!

Serving all Buffalo, Niagara & Suburbs

INDOOR MINI GOLF & RANGE!!

TUESDAYS

ALL-U-CAN-EAT SPAGHETTI $3.99

WEDNESDAYS

$5.99 MEATLOAF DINNER

175 Brompton Rd.- Ph. 504-GRIL(4745) Located in the Paddock Golf Dome www.TheGrillAtTheDome.com

LIVE MUSIC EVERY SATURDAY NIGHT!!!

GREAT SABRES GAME SPECIALS!!!!

THURSDAYS

12” PIZZ A (1 TOPPING) & 10 WINGS $12.99 EVERYDAY DRINK SPECIALS!

NYS Required 5 hr class

18 month program Classes meet two days per week Program designed for working professionals Challenging small classes Individual attention and research mentor Easy admissions/registration process Neither the GMAT nor GRE required

www.citya1drivingschool.com

• • • • • • •

Opinion

Friday, February 3, 2012

Friday, February 3, 2012

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR IN CHIEF Matthew Parrino SENIOR MANAGING EDITOR James Twigg MANAGING EDITOR Edward Benoit EDITORIAL EDITOR James Bowe NEWS EDITORS Luke Hammill, senior Rebecca Bratek Sara DiNatale, asst.

Lisa Khoury, asst.

ARTS EDITORS Nick Pino, senior Vanessa Frith, senior Brian Josephs Elva Aguilar, asst.

Vilona Trachtenberg, asst.

LIFE EDITORS Aaron Mansfield, senior Keren Baruch Lyzi White Rachel Kramer, asst.

SPORTS EDITORS Tyler Cady, senior Bryan Feiler Nathaniel Smith PHOTO EDITORS Meg Kinsley, senior Alexa Strudler Satsuki Aoi WEB EDITOR Matthew Parrino James Twigg GRAPHICS DESIGNER Haider Alidina Cartoonist Pat Boyle

PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER Mark Kurtz CREATIVE DESIGNERS Nicole Manzo Aline Kobayashi ADVERTISING DESIGNER Aline Kobayashi

Liam Gangloff, 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 news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address.

The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee. February 3, 2012 VOLUME 61 NUMBER 49 CIRCULATION: 7,000

ubspectrum.com

A More Place to Call Home must be done to ensure animal welfare Every eight seconds there is a preventable death in the U.S. After being imprisoned for a while because they were wandering the streets, they’re killed because there is nowhere to put them.

According to the Humane Society, 4 million animals are euthanized each year in U.S. animal shelters. It’s a horrible side effect of not getting cherished family pets spayed or neutered, and it could be prevented.

We still, however, hope to see these animals treated humanely. There’s a trust we give to the people that take care of unwanted cats and dogs that they care about the creatures enough to treat them with kindness.

What’s worse, part of the 116-page report by the Erie County SPCA confirms that the Niagara shelter was using a horribly inhumane method of euthanasia called heart sticking.

In the best case, the method involves sticking a needle filled with sodium pentobarbital directly through the chest of a dog or cat into the heart.

It’s not uncommon, however for the procedure to go awry. If the kennel tech doesn’t hit perfectly they might hit very sensitive nerves around the heart or puncture the lung of the animal, causing it to essentially drown.

With these accusations confirmed, executive director of the Niagara County SPCA John Faso was quickly removed from his position.

Not so in the case of the Niagara County SPCA which was found to be treating animals inhumanely at their shelter (ironically formerly named the Rainbow Animal Shelter).

After an investigation, it was found that not only was the SPCA euthanizing healthy animals unnecessarily, they had terrible record keeping, no employee to oversee volunteers, and hadn’t updated their bylaws since Top Gun was the number one movie at the box office.

A problem like this isn’t the responsibility of just one man, however. Faso represents only half of the failure of leadership that caused these defenseless animals to be tortured before they died.

The Niagara County Board of Directors ensured that this happens by not having a single person to check on the SPCA at all. There was literally no oversight of a shelter that was euthanizing 2500 animals in a year until it was too late for many of the creatures.

For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum. com/ads or call us directly.

The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100 Telephone: (716) 645-2468 Fax: (716) 645-2766 Copyright 2011 Buffalo, N.Y. The Spectrum is printed by The Buffalo News 1 News Plaza Buffalo, N.Y. 14240 email any submissions to info@ubspectrum.com

It’s understandable that the region doesn’t exactly have money to be throwing around, but it wouldn’t have required but one person to see the glaring problems.

In a way, however, we all have a small part of the blame. So many cats and dogs are strays in this nation because people forget or don’t think they have the money to get their pets spayed or neutered.

We all, in a way, put these animals in the situation to be hurt like this.

Each of us can help, too. That beautiful purebred Pomeranian might look like those dogs you see in the AKC dog shows, but there are wonderful dogs and cats lying alone in cages right now just waiting for you to take them to a loving home.

You can do your part to bring one of those 4 million animals slated to die back from their own personal hell.

Your FACE isn’t the Nicest in the World, Tom Ignore the haters, Buffalo.

Sometimes, even though the Bills didn’t make it, the NFL postseason comes as a bit of a relief to Buffalo football fans. Sure, they don’t get the excitement of seeing their team make a run at the Lombardi trophy, but at least they don’t have to feel the continuing sting and ridicule of defeat.

On Wednesday, we had to feel kicked again by none other than the league’s perennial pretty boy Tom Brady.

Obviously, with an invitation like that, people had to immediately report it.

Almost as soon as he said it, the flaming ensued. The story spread all over Facebook and Twitter, and some big names got in on the Brady-hate bandwagon. Ed Healy, Vice President of Visit Buffalo Niagara mentioned some of the finer Buffalo hotels, including the Mansion on Delaware Avenue.

Sports columnist Jerry Sullivan was in Indianapolis covering the circus of insanity that precedes the Super Bowl when he heard a juicy little tidbit from Brady. The Hall-of-Famebound quarterback was remarking on how his dad comes to see him play all the time, even in wintry Buffalo.

Even Senator Chuck Schumer threw his two cents in, telling Brady to ask Rob Gronkowski how great Buffalo is.

In short, people were pissed.

Then he said something he’ll regret until he remembers the fact that he is filthy stinking rich and married to a Brazilian supermodel: he insulted Buffalo’s hotels.

Firstly, we should be used to this.

Many other times, professional athletes have used Buffalo as a working punch line to a joke or just felt like ripping on our city. The image they see of Buffalo, albeit a small slice, is not a pretty one. A trip down Kensington past vacant buildings covered in spray paint greets them, and a very generic hotel ends up being their destination.

But here’s a thought: Who really cares?

The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by both Alloy Media and Marketing, and MediaMate.

Every county, not just Niagara, should have at least a single person to check up on shelters and clinics to prevent this from happening in our backyard again.

“I don't know if you guys have ever been to the hotels in Buffalo,” Brady said to the waiting media barracuda, “but they’re not the nicest places in the world.”

Brady then jokingly told the audience not to write that, as it would “get him in trouble.”

That’s right, we said it. The hotel they stay at is not at the level that NFL players are used to. Sure, there are nice hotels like the Mansion, but

they can’t hold enough people to even be considered for a massive team.

On that note, why do we give a rat’s ass what pretty boy Brady has to say about our hotels? We aren’t Las Vegas or New York City. We’re a small city, and we don’t need to build a massive five star hotel to pamper whiny athletes. There are better things to focus our resources on. Maybe it will remind them what it is to live like a normal human being for a little while.

Buffalo fans are some of the most devoted in the world. We know our team, we know our sports, and even though we might not win we stick with our guys. That’s probably why we get so sensitive when someone makes a crack about our city or our team. We feel like an attack on our city is an attack on us.

Don’t take it personally. Times are hard, and it’s been a long time since we’ve seen the NFL postseason promised land, but we will continue to do what we do best: keep on working and help each other up when we’re down even when it’s tough.

That’s something Boston and Brady can’t take from us.

College Journalism Is a Learning Experience want to apologize. I want to say I’m personally sorry to the thousands of people MATTHEW PARRINO who were offended by Khoury’s stance on tattoos. I ultimately take responsibilEditor in Chief ity for the piece because I made the decision to run it.

So in case you’ve been busy studying or haven’t been able to get to a computer, The Spectrum had an article “go viral” this week. The vitriolic response to that article and the questions that have followed are the reasons I am writing this column.

Now before I get too far along, I want to make perfectly clear that not only is the piece I’m writing now a column (opinion), but so was the piece in question, “Why Put a Bumper Sticker on a Ferrari,” in which Assistant News Editor Lisa Khoury said she despised tattoos.

Many readers took Khoury’s article personally and upbraided me, my staff even the university (which operates separately from The Spectrum) for allowing such an opinionated piece in the paper.

Yes, it was biased. Yes, it was her opinion. That’s why it was placed on the opinion page and clearly marked opinion on the URL. Now that we have that all cleared up, I

I stand by the decision.

Khoury has as much a right to her opinion as anyone else on my staff or anyone who chooses to write in or comment. I do wish I could go back and have her re-read the piece, re-consider some of her wording and phrasing. But she is only a first-year editor.

She – like all of us college journalists – is learning. We make mistakes along the way. Some are bigger than others. Hopefully, our mistakes teach us to be better.

The reaction to this article is a lesson to all of us at The Spectrum and especially to Khoury.

Beware of what you write. It can destroy you.

Readers’ comments have nearly destroyed her and it’s awful. She’s my staff member and I can’t do much to help her.

She’s kind and hard-working and always willing to attack a story or take on a tough assignment. She wrote the tattoo piece as a counterpoint to another staff writer’s piece on why she gets tattoos. In

her zeal to win the argument, perhaps she got carried away.

that the public cares about issues that extend beyond themselves.

The “disgusting” part of this whole situation, however, is the way in which a majority of people chose to fire back.

Another important fact to understand in all this is that The Spectrum is the independent student publication at the University at Buffalo. The university itself doesn’t control the content of the paper. UB didn’t “approve” the article.

It is even printed on Page 3 of the paper that the views expressed on the opinion page are not those of The Spectrum, but those of the writer.

The hate speech that has commenced since Khoury’s article hit the Net has been deplorable. Everyone is entitled to be upset about the message of her article, but nobody has the right to say some of the vile things that have been slung at her the past few days.

As an editor, I couldn’t even print half the comments she received.

But online, there are few limits on what can be said and therefore what gets said.

What has baffled me more than anything is how much people care about this issue. Last month, we reported that this university gave money illegally to (then) County Executive Chris Collins’ political campaign and that UB President Satish K. Tripathi broke SUNY regulations. We got almost no response.

I respect people’s attachment to their tattoos and the personal and emotional value they hold for many. But as a student hoping to make my career as a journalist, I would also like to believe

Khoury is entitled to that opinion whether you agree with it or not. The point of an opinion piece is to spark conversation and this piece did just that.

Crammed within the bundle of worthless, hurtful comments she received were a few very intellectual and enlightening responses to Khoury’s views in the piece that forced even the writer to think about her position. That’s great. That’s the kind of dialogue we want to have with our readers and the general public.

I don’t agree with the arguments and ideals presented in Khoury’s article, but I never want to live in a world where she isn’t entitled to write about what she thinks and be able to present it in a public forum.

Email: matthew.parrino@ubspectrum.com

Page 3

Tattoo This, Haters

EDWARD BENOIT Managing Editor

It’s hard to believe that in 2012, issues like feminism, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and the inherent rights people have over their own bodies are…well, even issues in the first place. I mean, these are the sorts of things that should probably be self-evident to everyone by this point, right? Does anyone really want to not be able to express him- or herself? Or – unless you’re a pro-life woman – really want to be told what to do to his or her body?

And yet, in 2012, these are still almost disturbingly contentious things. In just the last few days, Komen ceased its funding for Planned Parenthood, journalist and documentarian Josh Fox was detained at the order of House Republicans for trying to cover a Congressional hearing on hydrofracking, and Lisa Khoury, an assistant news editor for a middle-tier public university, wrote a column expressing her distaste for tattoos.

This last thing must be an especially big deal, because (as of me last looking, at 10:13 p.m. EST) 631 Facebook comments, upwards of 700 emails, and most of the 70,000 plus page views our humble website has received in the past two days say as much.

At this point, I feel it’s necessary to clarify my own standing on tattoos, because it’s apparently an insanely contentious issue.

I fall into the category I think many people do, in that 1) I don’t want a tattoo, and probably never will, yet 2) would never stop or try to dissuade anyone from getting a tattoo, because telling other people what they can and can’t do isn’t my prerogative.

To each his or her own, right?

Right now, your heads and the multitude of piercings in them are probably bobbing up and down in agreement. So then why all the hate? I shouldn’t have to point out the inherent hypocrisy here: the position of the plethora of Facebook comments seems to be something along the lines of “to each his or her own, unless said person happens to dislike tattoos, in which case f*** him or her.”

And another thing: why is an anti-tattoo opinion totally unpardonable, but personal attacks, threats, and nasty invectives against those who express this opinion totally fine?

For the love of Odin, folks, these are just tattoos we’re talking about.

OK, scratch that, tattoos are never just tattoos, and I get that. Those angel wings represent your mother, who died of cancer; that nude lady is an ironic comment on pro-sex feminism; that flaming skull with vipers leaping out of the eyes represents your profound love of flaming skulls with vipers leaping out of the eyes.

And, obviously, the tattoo issue has, inherent to it, questions of gender roles, free speech/expression, and the rights of individuals over their bodies. (And, for the record, tattooed people, I agree with you on these things.)

But – and here’s the point at which I’ve laboriously tried to arrive – all those negative comments on Lisa Khoury’s column aren’t about free expression, or body rights, are they? Because if your qualms really were fundamentally about these things, you’d be burning down Komen headquarters, or clamoring about the injustice done to journalist Josh Fox. But you’re not. Instead, you’ve invested countless hours writing nasty responses to an opinion piece in a college newspaper, which, given the infinitely worse s*** going down in the country and in the world right now, seems sort of silly, doesn’t it?

Fundamentally, tattooed people, your responses were those of a group reveling in its own perceived victimization. I know this for three reasons: 1) I’ve attacked groups who revel in their own perceived victimization all the time (see: everything I’ve written on Evangelical Christians), and know the telltale symptoms; 2) the fact you’re currently not burning down Komen headquarters etc. (see previous paragraph); and 3) the fact that, like, 65 percent of the Facebook comments say something along the lines of “I hate this column. I’ve got n tattoos myself, and [insert lots of mean stuff here].”

Now, I don’t have tattoos myself, so I can’t say I’ve experienced any of the judgment having one might unfairly get you. And, ideally, you wouldn’t be judged for those things in a world that had its f***ing priorities in order. But isn’t doing what you’ve been doing the ultimate case of misplaced priorities?

Value free speech? Then speak out against what happened to Josh Fox. Feminist?

Then write to Komen, or, better yet, punch Rick Santorum in his stupid face. Want to change the negative perception of tattoo culture? Then stop harassing a young woman you don’t know and probably never will and grow up.

Email: eabenot@buffalo.edu

ubspectrum.com

Page 4

Friday, February 3, 2012

you don’t have to live in Jersey to GTL

G T L

now offering FInancial aid deferment payment plans

3,000 SQ FT fitness center GYM

FREE TANNING BEDS TAN

WASHER & DRYER INCLUDED shuttle to campus

LAUNDRY

get your GTL on this spring SPRING & FALL SPACES AVAILABLE

UVSWEETHOME.COM | 716.689.5800 | 283 AMERICAN CAMPUS DR < scan & like rates, fees, deadlines and utilities included are subject to change.

Arts & Life

Friday, February 3, 2012

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 3, 2012

Chances with Wolves

Spectrum Preview: Academy Awards 2012 JAKE KNOTT

Demián Bichir – A Better Life

It’s that time of year again – the award show of all award shows. The 84th Academy Awards show has been prepared with nominees, and yet another year full of harsh competition, odd upsets, and marvelous performances. Here is a list of the 2012 Oscar nominations, and the favorites in each category.

George Clooney – The Descendants Jean Dujardin – The Artist Gary Oldman – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Brad Pitt – Moneyball Each lead actor performance is striking in varying genres, but the two favorites appear to be Jean Dujardin as the silent movie star and George Clooney’s compassionate Hawaiian dad. The Oscar will probably go to Dujardin, because the Academy can’t get over that someone can still pull off a silent film so effortlessly. But don’t be surprised by an upset by Gary Oldman, who remains well under the radar.

Best Supporting Actress: Bérénice Bejo – The Artist Jessica Chastain –

The Help

Melissa McCarthy – Bridesmaids Janet McTeer – Albert Nobbs Octavia Spencer – The Help The winner for Best Actress has, more or less, already been chosen. This is a shame, because all five actresses are perfect examples of worthy nominees. But Octavia Spencer is pretty much a lock for her show-stopping performance as the volatile Minny Jackson in The Help.

Best Supporting Actor:

Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist Alexander Payne – The Descendants Martin Scorsese – Hugo Woody Allen – Midnight In Paris Terrence Malick – The Tree of Life All arrows appear to be pointing to Martin Scorsese’s enriching direction of Hugo.

However, Woody Allen has received his usual amount of appraise for Midnight In Paris, and Hazanavicius stunned Hollywood with his ability to time travel in The Artist. But, it’s not over until the last credit has rolled.

Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn Jonah Hill – Moneyball Nick Nolte – Warrior Christopher Plummer – Beginners Max von Sydow – Extremely Loud & Incredibly

Best Picture:

Close

Most of the nominations in this category are gargantuan head-scratchers. Most of all is the silent performance given by Sydow in Extremely Close, whose character is limited to miming his conversations. Again, one nominee rose far above the rest, with Christopher Plummer’s playful performance as a gay man who comes out at the age of 75 in Beginners.

The Artist The Descendants Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close The Help Hugo Midnight In Paris

Best Lead Actress:

Moneyball

Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs

The Tree of Life

Viola Davis – The Help

War Horse

Rooney Mara – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

It seems that the Academy went for a more nostalgic genre this year. Eight out of nine of the Best Picture nominees travel back in time to shed light on a previous era. Such instances include the devastating 9/11 attacks, the catastrophic trenches of World War One, the artistic time of silent films in the 1920’s, and the exquisite literary scene of 1920 Paris.

The three-headed monster to defeat consists of The Artist, The Descendants, and Hugo.

After all of the hype, the most likely winner will be The Artist, but the rest of the contestants should not be discounted.

Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn Here’s where things get interesting. Several lead actresses have been rumored to be the sure winner, so choosing a real sure winner is difficult. The final showdown will probably come down to Meryl Streep’s impressive Margaret Thatcher impression and Viola Davis’s heart-warming nanny.

JAKE KNOTT Staff Writer Film: The Grey

Best Lead Actor:

Staff Writer

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Release Date: Jan. 27 Studio: Open Road Films Grade: A No one deserves this punishment.

Nearly every minute of this film will force viewers to worry in bursting fear for its doomed protagonists who are never entirely safe throughout their journey. After watching this excellent two-hour horror exhibition, audience members will exit theaters with a gloomy, cloud of dysphoria loitering over their heads.

The advertisements of The Grey suggest a more action-based premise – with some moviegoers claiming the film is “Taken with wolves” – because they make the wrongful impression that Liam Neeson kills armies of bad guys in all of his movies.

But this film is certainly no Taken sequel; The Grey actually provides heart-pounding content. Hidden deep within this survival thriller lurks an insufferable struggle between the mortality of man and the supremacy of nature.

Narrated and led by the grim Ottway (Neeson, Unknown), the film opens to an Alaskan oil drill plant. He serves to defend the plant from stray wolves, who see the humans merely as trespassers that reside within the snowy perimeter.

Amidst shooting at wolves, Ottway’s conscious subtly lingers on flashbacks of his emotionally corrupted past that drive him to the brink of suicide.

He sees himself without a purpose, emotionally stranded from the rest of the world.

The following day, Ottway boards a doomed plane with the rest of the factory workers, soon finding himself among the several crash survivors stranded in the Alaskan wilderness.

Stuck in the cold and surrounded by

Courtesy of Open Road Productions Neeson fights the Alaskan wilderness and his inner demons as Ottway in The Grey.

wolves, it is up to Ottway to lead – and hopefully save – the group.

As the film progresses, the background characters eventually hold substance instead of playing out as nameless fill-ins. These believable characters convey the story with humanistic traits. True lives are at risk.

Children might turn into orphans, and wives into widows if the men do not fight for themselves.

The brutality is well exemplified by director Joe Carnahan (The Devil’s Dosh), who also composed the screenplay.

After making nothing but slapdash action pictures with Smokin’ Aces and The A-Team, Carnahan has officially proved he can play in the big leagues.

This is essentially his personal masterpiece.

Ottway is the main attraction, having a depth that forces a suicidal man to ultimately fight for his life. He serves as the Alpha-Male for the humans to demonstrate survival at its most crucial point. This is the most enthralling Neeson character since his portrayal of a Nazi-turned-hero in Schindler’s List.

Carnahan devoted his efforts to show scenes with one precise transition, as opposed to trying to harpoon each scene with quick, unfocused shots.

Hopefully Carnahan can remain on top with more films of this caliber.

Glimpses of his talent have been shown before, but never like this. He should choose a new penname and leave the past well behind.

The cruel danger in the film was given Carnahan’s due attention, and he wanted everyone watching to share the fear of his cursed characters. His wishes have been granted, as his film’s dreadful tone pierces into the souls of

Speak Up!

Make a difference!

1st Prize

$100 2nd Prize

$50

Email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Worst. Super Bowl. Ever.

AARON MANSFIELD

Senior Life Editor Hey Super Bowl 2012, you suck To quote The Little Rascals: “I hate your stinkin’ guts. You make me vomit. You’re the scum between my toes.

See, I’m conflicted.

Writing Contest

its viewers.

While the wolves serve as physical antagonists, The Grey equally expresses the severity of nature. The arctic snow covers the screen, and is a good catchall visual representation of nature’s power. With windy, snowy terrain surrounding them, the scales are largely tilted against the humans’ favor.

I am a Buffalo Bills fan. Indeed, I am a die-hard, watch-every-gameeven-though-they-suck, bleedblue-and-red Buffalo Bills fan. As a Bills fan, this game makes me want to curl up in a ball and die.

$250

Page 5

Should I root for the Patriots? I hate that team more than any other in the league, and – with the exception of Rex Ryan – Tom Brady is my least-favorite character in the NFL. He’s terrified of getting hit and he’s the face of male UGGs – what’s to like about that unless you’re a preteen girl?

But the Pats have hometown hero Rob Gronkowski, and just like everyone else who grew up in Western New York, he’s a friend of a friend and I love seeing Buffalonians succeed.

Should I root for the Giants?

Super Bowl XXV – Bills vs. Giants – took place nine months before I was born, but the game will forever be burned into my head. Scott Norwood, Wide Right, the rest is history. That’s the closest the Bills have ever come to winning a Super Bowl, and that’s enough for me to hate the Giants.

I also can’t stand Giants fans. Everyone knows kids from New York City and Long Island make up a huge portion of UB, and a big portion of those kids are Giants fans.

My problem with them? They

trash Buffalo. Just like pretty boy Tom Brady ripped into WNY yesterday, kids from the big city-area enjoy laying into Buffalo.

If you really hate the city of Buffalo and think it’s such a dead zone, don’t come here. It’s as simple as that. I’m not saying all city kids hate Buffalo and they’re all Giants fans, because I know that’s not true. I’m just saying that the ones who fall into both categories: yeah, they’re a big reason I can’t stand the Giants.

This might be a biased call, but I consider many Giants fans to be like Yankees fans. They like the team, but don’t know why.

Earlier this year, Arts Editor Brian Josephs was bragging about how good his team was, and how much better the Giants were than the Bills. I asked him to name three wide receivers on the team. Couldn’t do it. I asked him to name the Giants’ back-up QB. Couldn’t do it.

I know a lot of you are dedicated, but there are also a lot of phony Giants fans that come out of the woodwork when they start winning games. Us Bills fans, man, we have to be dedicated.

As soon as the G-Men beat the Bills earlier this year, my phone rang. Who was it? Former Asst.

Sports Editor Scott Resnick. He’s a Long Island kid who loves the Giants. He just had to rub it in.

But stick with me for a minute: let’s go back to that Oct. 16, 2011 game between the Bills and Giants. First of all, the Giants won just 27-24 and the game was played in the Meadowlands. They were the better team, but just barely. Though the Bills started off strong, we all know how bad

they were this year. They went 1-7 on the road.

Now let’s think back to the two times the Bills played the Pats.

The teams split the season series, but the Bills should have very easily won the last game, which they led 21-0 at one point.

Remember the game when Stevie Johnson pulled out his “Happy New Year!” touchdown celebration? Yep, that game.

I’m not trying to say the Bills are as good as the Patriots or the Giants, because we all know that’s not true. I’m just saying that the Bills were God-awful this year, and they were extremely competitive with both the teams that will grace football’s holy grail. Maybe that just means there’s a ton of parity in football, maybe the Bills were better than their record indicated, or maybe I’m right in this bold statement:

Neither team in the Super Bowl this year is all that good.

Let’s look at the level of competition: the Giants lost to the Redskins (twice) (who the Bills absolutely manhandled), Seahawks, and Eagles. The Patriots lost to the Bills and narrowly escaped the horrid Dolphins in Week 16.

I just don’t think either of these teams deserves to win the Super Bowl, and Lord knows I don’t like either of ‘em.

I hate the Patriots more, but they have Gronk. At the same time, I never want Giants fans to be able to celebrate a Super Bowl again.

Can’t they both lose?

Email: aaron.mansfield @ubspectrum.com

3rd Prize

The Student Wellness Team is inviting students to submit a 1-2 page essay on the topic of speaking out against harassment, discrimination, and bullying. Prizes will be awarded for the essays that address this topic in the most evocative and thought-provoking manner.

Submit an entry form online at

wellness.buffalo.edu/essay Submission Deadline: February 27, 2012 | Winners’ Announcement: April 16, 2012

*We now accept campus cash!*

Page 6

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 3, 2012

n e w s t u d e n t h o u s i n g c o m i n g fa l l 2 012

tour today model & clubhouse now open 100 Villas Drive East scan >watch

great location to campus + 4 bed & 4 bath townhomes + granite countertops leather-style sectional sofa + stainless steel appliances + hardwood-style floors

apply online @ villasonrensch.com l e as i n g cen ter: u b co m m o n s, s te. 116 | 716.6 89.96 0 0 amenities subject to change | renderings subject to change

Classifieds

Friday, February 3, 2012

ubspectrum.com

Friday, February 3, 2012

Page 7

HELP WANTED

ments. Near South Campus. Off-street parking, laundry, dishwashers, & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing 716-308-4881.

HOUSE FOR RENT

ROOMMATE WANTED

LASERTRON Interactive Entertainment Center has immediate Part-time openings. Ideal candidates should be self motivated, enjoy a fast paced work environment and the reward of a job well done. Starting at approximately $10.50/hr, must be available nights and weekends. Stop in and complete an application at LASERTRON, 5101 North Bailey Avenue, Amherst, NY.

4, 5, 6, & 8 BEDROOM Remodeled Apartments to choose from: located at University at Buffalo Main Street Campus-Off Englewood. Beginning June 2012: 32 Apartments $275/ to $300/ bed plus utilities. Washers & Dryers included. Contact BRADENGEL37@gmail.com 301-785-3773 or Shawn 716-984-7813 check out our web-site www.BUFAPT.com.

RONYOUNG.COM For pictures & Room Sizes: showings ron1812@aol.com.

AMHERST SOUTH CAMPUS/ University Plaza side of Main. Quiet Architect students looking for serious male roommate. Excellent condition, private bedroom, big closet, laundry, dishwasher & parking. Available. 5 minute walk to Crosby Hall. $300.00+ share of utilities. 716-400-9663.

MR/MS FIX-IT needed to measure success, trim negative thoughts, and build self-esteem in role as mentor to high-risk youth. HYPERLINK "http://www.compeerbuffalo.org" www.compeerbuffalo.org or 716-883-3331 to apply.

1+2 BEDROOM MAIN ST. South Campus. Appliances, carpet $370-$500. month + utilities & security deposit. Call 884-7900.

APARTMENT FOR RENT 1,3,4,5,6,7&8 BEDROOM homes and apartments available June 1, 2012. To view go to www. daveburnette.net or call Dave at 716-445-2514.

1,2&3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. Walking distance UB South campus. Tom-716-570-4776.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2012 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apart-

1,3,4,5,6,7&8 BEDROOM HOMES and apartments available June 1, 2012. To view go to www. daveburnette.net or call Dave at 716-445-2514.

3-BDRM TOWNHOUSE recently decorated. All appliances including washer & dryer. 2.5 baths, family room with fireplace & central A.C. Lease, security, & last months rent. Available now. Call: 716-691-5710 9-5pm.

MERRIMAC 3&4 BEDROOM updated kitchen, bath, dishwasher, laundry, and off-street parking. $285 per person. Available June 1st. 716-3085215.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2012 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near South Campus. Off-street parking, laundry, dishwashers, & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing 716-308-4881.

EXCELLENT SOUTH CAMPUS 3-BDRM. Each room $400+ utilities & deposit. Professional, grad students call Zeb 444-2331. zebsyed@ yahoo.com.

3,4,5,6,7,+8 BEDROOMS Englewood, Merrimac, Heath, + Winspear. Excellent Houses $275.00 p/p 716-870-8100.

LISBON/ BAILEY: 2-3 bedroom upper & lower.

Newer carpeting, living room, dining room, kitchen, appliances, laundry, off-street parking, furnished, $180+, 440-5133 or 636-1656. Available June 1st.

ALL UNIT TYPES: Now leasing for the fall semester. www.CVBuffalo.com. 716-833-3700 2 to 8 BEDROOM HOUSES AND APARTMENTS at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Englewood, Merrimac, Highgate, and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, offstreet parking, laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff.

Call, text, or email Jeremy Dunn, (585) 261-6609.

CANISIUS UB APARTMENTS available now.

1-Bdrm $500 + electric includes other utilities.

Please call Frank at 716-374-0464.

SPACIOUS WEST WINSPEAR 3-BDRM. Each room $395 + Utilities & deposit. Appliances & furnished. Call Zeb @ 444-2331. zebsyed@ yahoo.com 4-BDRM, 2 BATH house. W/D, D/W, off-street parking. Heath St. $1060.00 716-877-0097.

ENGLEWOOD 4-BDRM off-street parking. New appliances, insulated windows & doors. New furnace, new carpeting, security system & great front porch. June 1st. 716-799-9605.

UPDATED 4-BDRM hardwood floors, laundry, & parking. $235 + utilities & security. 585-4094750.

SERVICES CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662.

BUFFALO DRIVING SCHOOLS 716-834-4300.

Warranted driving instruction package. www.buffalodrivingschools.com

139 HEATH, 3-BDRM HOUSE. $725 www. uboffcampus.com or 716-200-1700 ext. 701 Olya.

GREAT HOUSE 15 HEATH ST. 5 bedrooms, reasonable utilities, private parking, Available 6/1/12. Call to see: 716-432-7125.

2 to 8 BEDROOM HOUSES AND APARTMENTS at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Englewood, Merrimac, Highgate, and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, offstreet parking, laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff.

Call, text, or email Jeremy Dunn, (585) 261-6609.

ENGLEWOOD 5-BDRM off-street parking.

Updated kitchen/w dishwasher. 1 1/2 baths.

Washer/dryer. insulated windows & doors.

Great front porch. June 1st. 716-799-9605.

5,6,7,&8 BEDROOMS Englewood, Merrimac, All utilities included! $300.00 p/p & up. 716-8708100.

SPACIOUS 6-BDRM HOUSE. 2-Kitchens, 2-Baths, laundry& no pets. $285 per room+ utilities & security 585-409-4750.

UPDATED 5-BDRM HOUSE. Laundry, 2-Baths, no pets. $295 per room + utilities and security 585-409-4750.

CLEAN 3-BDRM HOUSE. Laundry, off-street parking & no pets. $325 per room + utilities & security. 585-409-4750.

What are you thinking?

Tweet it! @UBSpectrum

Daily Delights

SPONSORED BY Villas on Rensch

HOROSCOPES

Visit ubspectrum.com/games for our online game of the week Also see the crossword and Sudoku answers from last issue

Crossword of the Day Life Editor It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a…weather balloon.

While many students spend their weekends partying, studying, and hanging out with their friends, one club at UB spent its weekend studying the outer realms of Earth’s atmosphere.

UB Students for the Exploration and Development Space (UB-SEDS) is a club that sets its ambitions skyward to generate interest and activism in the community for any and all space-related topics, according to Sean Lyons, a senior aerospace engineering major.

18 Turned chicken 19 The largest asteroid in most chal“This project is one of the the solar system

lenging yet rewarding 20 Oceanic operator? feats of my undergraduate Lyons said.

23 Prepared to career,” play piano

“The lessons I have learned [the] 24 Computer-sharing setup and

success of in this project have given me 25 Stern appearance

an27inspiration course offered at this Strength of no an electrical current

university ever provide.”

32 Slant orcould prejudice 33 Hawaiian garland

34 Not at all serious

The launching of the balloon last 36 Buddhist in Nirvana

Saturday, Oct. 22, was the culmina39 Distiller's grain The tion of many hours of planning.

41 Partner of "ranted" group had to not only raise the funds 43 Fictional story

to take on this project, but it also had 44 Sleeping noise

to develop the means by which to perform all the desirable functions.

UB-SEDS procured $1,100 in funding from sponsorships from local companies and from Sub Board I Inc.

“The idea for this came about in either October or November of last year, when we saw a video of a father-andson team that sent an iPhone aboard a balloon and recovered it, becom-

58 "Instrumental" underwater creature?

64 Animal with a striped rear

66 Mispickel or cinnabar

67 Cream of society

68 Give a false impression of

69 Dog with a wrinkly face

70 Edible lily bulbs

71 Look of disdain 72 "It was 20 years ___ today ..."

73 Sandy places on the golf course

DOWN 1 Yard sale labels 2 Unflashy color 3 Panther sound

FROM UNIVERSAL UCLICK

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- Others are waiting eagerly to hear what you have to say about a certain topic -- but you may not feel as though you're truly qualified.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) -- You mustn't be so quick to reply to question that you get the details all wrong. Be sure to digest what you hear before offering information.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -- You'll want to approach even the most unusual problem in the most pragmatic manner today. Don't give anything undue power over you!

CANCER (June 21-July 22) -- Your own expertise may be put to the test as you strive to accomplish something that is not in your sweet spot.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) -- You may want to hide certain behavior from someone today for the simple reason that you're not ready to reveal just everything -- yet!

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Any success you enjoy today will very likely carry over to tomorrow. You're riding a wave of positive activity that others envy.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You can be both down-to-earth and quite inspirational at the same time. Indeed, it's your realistic perspective that really has people talking.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -What you do for yourself today is likely to have more of a lasting effect than anything another person can provide.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- It's a good day for some creative thinking -- especially where otherwise routine endeavors are concerned. Try doing things out of order.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- You may have a few things to tell a loved one about his or her recent behavior -- but you also recognize that today may not be the right time.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You may not realize just how dangerous a current situation may be, but when you flirt you may, indeed, be flirting with disaster.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You're exploring all that a new relationship has to offer, and today you'll stumble upon the answer to a sensitive question.

STEVEN WROBEL

Lyons was the project manager of the Edited by Timothy E. Parker February 3, 2012 club’s High-Altitude Weather Balloon PROFESSIONAL CRITTERS By Daniel Wayman Project (HAWB).

The project’s goal ACROSS was to send a weather balloon into 46 Departments with slicers 1 Not verbose the6 sky temperature and 48 "Cocoon" director Howard Kindto ofmeasure rap atmospheric pressure. In addition, the 49 Oceanmotion

9 Small songbird team wanted to capture pictures 14 Flip ____ (see who goes first) and 51 Bicycle part video footage to document the trip and 53 Timber processing site 15 Comparison phrase measure atmospheric boundary 16 Lobethe at the middle of the soft palate 56 "My ___" (Mary Wells classic)

57 Bethesda, Md. health org. layers.

17 A thousand bucks

FRIDay, FEBRUARY 3

4 Census form check box 5 Makes precious 6 Owl's haunt, perhaps 7 Thunderbirds' org.

8 Psychiatric disorder 9 Dark purple-red 10 "Now ___ seen everything!"

35 Fox-hunt cry 37 Ingredient in hand cream 38 Camp shelter 40 In fighting shape 42 Funeral song

45 One who strengthens by moral instruction 47 Mostill-tempered 50 Whitney who invented the cotton gin 52 Tour de France competitor 53 Hoity-toity sorts 54 "American Idol" success Clay 55 Parkinsonism treatment 59 Pharmaceutical 60 Toy building-block brand 61 Baltic state capital 62 At the high point of 63 A Truman 65 Lemon meringue, for one

11 Shallow-water predator that

provides TLC?

12 Cloudless

13 Proverbial waste maker

21 Studio warning

22 Voyager to the bottom of the sea

26 Fruity pastry 27 Funds for the less fortunate

28 Villainous 29 Flying underwater creature?

30 Pleased as Punch

31 Santa's little helpers

Sudoku

student

townhomes opening fall 2012

l e a s i n g c e n t e r n o w o p e n • u b c o m m o n s s u i t e 11 6

apply online today @ villasonrensch.com

Sports ubspectrum.com

Page 8

Friday, February 3, 2012

Red-hot Buffalo Clips Cards Balanced Bulls win fifth straight

AARON MANSFIELD Senior Life Editor The first half of Wednesday night’s game was a grind-it-out, sloppy affair that ended with hometown Buffalo leading just 29-24. In the final 20 minutes, however, the scintillating Bulls sent a message: they’re far more than five points better than the Ball State Cardinals.

Buffalo (13-6, 6-2 Mid-American Conference) avoided the proverbial “trap game” and won its fifth straight in MAC play, posting a dominant 73-57 victory over Ball State (12-8, 4-4 MAC) at Alumni Arena. The victory was highlighted by a fascinating big-man battle, balanced scoring, unconscious shooting from downtown, and a couple electrifying dunks.

Ball State entered with one star, and center Cardinals Jarrod Jones lived up to the hype. He put up monster numbers, finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds. But Buffalo’s star center came to play, too. Senior forward Mitchell Watt posted a notable game yet again, flourishing under the spotlight with 20 points, seven boards, four assists, and five blocks. The two bigs went blow-for-blow.

Alexa Strudler /// The Spectrum Mitchell Watt goes up for two of his team-high 20 points, as the men’s basketball team took care of business against Ball State 73-57 at Alumni Arena for their fifth straight victory.

Asked if the matchup was personal, Watt simply said: “Yeah. It was.” He went on to explain that he wasn’t so inspired because he was going head-to-head with Jones specifically, but because his team hadn’t beaten Ball State in the regular season once throughout his whole career.

There was one evident difference between the two players, though: Watt had support. The rest of Jones’ team only mustered 36 points, while Watt’s squad added 53.

Buffalo’s scoring came from top to bottom, as senior guard Zach Filzen scored 14 on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc; sophomore forward Javon McCrea (the team’s leading scorer, coming in averaging 16.4 points per game) put up 10; senior forward Titus Robinson scored nine; and guards Tony Watson and Aurum Nuiriankh each scored eight.

“Sometimes we need to cool our guys’ adrenaline down so they understand that there’s going to be open shots for a lot of people,” said head coach Reggie Witherspoon. “In the second half, we had a lot of guys open, but it was because we moved the ball and made easy passes, and we fought the adrenaline rush.”

Filzen wasn’t the only one knocking down long-range jumpers. The Bulls finished 10-of-19 from beyond the 3-point line – good for 52.6 percent.

Ball State shot just 20 percent from beyond the arc. The Bulls have made nine or more 3-pointers in each of their past five games.

The Arena was poorly filled, but those who came out to support were rewarded in two major ways, two times the players said: “dunk you very much.”

On the first occasion, with just eight minutes left in the game, Watt flipped up a short jumper. It bounced off the rim and McCrea flew out of nowhere

for a gigantic flush, as the crowd’s collective jaw dropped to the ground.

Just a few minutes later, Watson came away with a steal on the defensive end. A few transition passes later, Robinson posterized Ball State forward Aaron Adeoye. The senior threw it down emphatically with two hands, and his legs wound up right on top of Adeoye.

“Those two [dunks] really were nails in the coffin for Ball State tonight,” Watt said.

Though he didn’t get on the scoreboard, sophomore guard Jarod Oldham had a spectacular game. He finished with six assists, two steals, and two blocks, and really controlled the tempo, never forcing the action and running the point like a veteran.

He only attempted one shot.

Watt played with two leg braces as he continues to be limited by knee ailments. However, onlookers wouldn’t have known he was injured at all from Wednesday night’s performance. Watt played 37 outstanding minutes.

“I feel pretty good,” Watt said. “I’m battling some [injuries] right now, but the rest of the guys are keeping me in good spirit. It’s late in my career and late in the season, so things are going to happen.”

Witherspoon said his team’s main concern entering this game was Ball State’s rebounding prowess. The

Bulls must’ve game planned well, as Witherspoon’s squad won the battle of the boards, 36-24. Coming in, Buffalo ranked fourth in the nation in rebounding, averaging 41.4 boards per game.

The first half was a back-and-forth defensive battle. Neither team could get in rhythm, as Nuiriankh and Watt provided almost all of Buffalo’s offense. The two combined for 18 of the team’s 29 first-half points. Nuiriankh hit both 3-pointers he attempted, and his timely shooting gave his team a huge boost.

The Bulls finished with 16 turnovers to the Cardinals’ seven, but a handful of those came late in the game as Witherspoon went deep into his bench and the game got sloppy.

This was the Bulls’ first regular season win against Ball State in their past seven attempts. Ball State now leads the all-time series, 13-8, and the Cardinals won 72-71 in Muncie last year. Ball State lost 59-55 to Ohio earlier this week.

Though the Bulls won, so did Akron and Ohio, so Buffalo remains tied with Ohio (18-4, 6-2 MAC) for second in the MAC East behind Akron (15-7, 7-1 MAC). Akron’s one conference loss came at Buffalo on Jan. 18, 82-70.

Next up for the Bulls is a trip to Toledo (10-12, 2-6 MAC) on Saturday.

Action will get underway at 7 p.m.

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

This Weekend Football Team Signs 19 on Scouting Toledo National Signing Day in Sports Current Record: 10-12 (2-6 Mid-American Conference) All-Time Record: 11-5 Toledo

BRYAN FEILER

BRYAN FEILER

Sports Editor

Sports Editor

Last Meeting: 81-58 Buffalo (Feb. 3, 2011 Alumni Arena) Two Cardinals to Watch:

G-Rian Pearson: Pearson is the team’s leading scorer dropping 17 points per game. The 6-foot-4 sophomore can also crash the glass, as he pulled down 12 boards in the Rockets’ most recent contest against Akron. Pearson – a transfer from Wisconsin-Green Bay, playing his first season with the Rockets – has taken almost 70 shot attempts, more than any other player on the roster, and has made a very efficient 49.7 percent of them.

Hard work, leadership, and education.

NFL Super Bowl

These are some of the words associated with the type of player that head coach Jeff Quinn wants in his program.

New York Giants vs. New England Patriots Sunday 6:20 p.m. in Indianapolis, Indiana

“We talk about great competitors,” Quinn said. “We talk about young men that value their education. We talk about young men that understand how important it is to do the little things the right way.”

Rematch of Super Bowl XLII Hoops for Hearts Charity Basketball Tournament Hosted by Multiple Greek Houses Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Triple Gym Charity basketball tournament to support “Save a Child’s Heart” Men’s Basketball Buffalo vs. Toledo Saturday at 8 p.m. in Toledo, Ohio Buffalo goes on the road looking for their sixth straight victory in the Mid-American Conference.

Men’s Club Ice Hockey Buffalo vs. U of Rochester Saturday 8:20 p.m. at the Northtown Center across from North Campus Buffalo is hosting its annual senior night.

NHL Hockey Sabres at Islanders Saturday 7 p.m. in Uniondale, New York The Sabres look to bounce back against a struggling Islanders team.

The football team announced 19 recruits in its National Signing Day on Wednesday. In his tenure Quinn has been adamant about recruiting players at every position. He continued that trend this year by signing nine defensive players, nine offensive players, and a punter.

The Bulls have started six true freshmen over each of the last two years. Part of Quinn’s recruiting strategy is to show the players that they have an opportunity to play for a starting spot in their first season. Quinn wanted to get players that could have an immediate impact on the team.

“The key for us is to look at how this group is going to help us win next year,” Quinn said.

“We’re gonna play every single good football player that comes out and really proves [his] ability to play for us.”

The highlight of the recruiting class is Collin Michael, who was ranked the No. 41 quarterback in the nation by scout.com. Despite having five returning quarterbacks, Quinn wanted another quarterback to create a balance on the roster. Also, he felt Michael was someone he could not pass over.

“Collin [Michael] really jumped out at us as somebody that we knew that if we’re going to take a quarterback that this would be the guy that we wanted to take,” Quinn said. “That was the kind of guy we were looking for; a big, tall, 6-foot-5, 215, 220-pound kid…he’s got an accurate arm, a strong arm, you just don’t pass up on those guys.”

Quinn has focused his recruitment greatly in Ohio, Michigan, and New York because he has coached solely in those areas for much of his career. He also wanted to start his recruitment in Western New York by signing the best players in the area. He hopes to build a tradition of having WNY players being strongly represented on the team.

CHECK OUT OUR PODCAST The biggest game in the world will take place this Sunday. For those of you who somehow don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m referring to the Super Bowl. We took to the Student Union to see what some students think will happen this weekend...

“We make sure we are staying, first and foremost, in the Western New York area and the state of New York and then we branch out,”

G-Curtis Dennis: Dennis is another player in his first season with the Rockets. As a mid-season transfer he has only been able to play in the last 13 games, but he’s made his mark. The 6-foot-5 junior is second on the team in scoring with 12.2 points per game. He’s also very efficient at almost 44 percent from the field.

Meg Kinsley /// The Spectrum Head Coach Jeff Quinn addresses the media at the National Signing Day press conference this past Wednesday.

The Bulls announced the signing of 19 HS players at the event.

Quinn said. “It was a big part of our focus and it’s not necessarily to say we won’t move out of that zone to Georgia and all those southern states.”

The Bulls will win if...They are able to exploit the advantage in the paint. The Rockets’ scoring comes predominantly from undersized wing players. Senior forward Mitchell Watt and sophomore forward Javon McCrea should have no problems making their presence felt down on the block.

The Rockets will win if... They are able to stop the Bulls’ 3-point shooters. Buffalo has made at least nine shots from behind the arc in each game of their five game winning-streak, and it’s been a major key to their success.

TYLER CADY

Senior Sports Editor Quinn also focused on signing players from high schools that current players attended.

Quinn was able to use current players to help recruit others from the same high schools.

The player involvement in recruitment is something Quinn has started since coming to Buffalo, which has resulted in getting players the Bulls may have not in the past.

The Bulls signed two interior linemen and two defensive ends this year. Quinn wanted to have players that could play with the existing core that is already here. The surplus of talent on the defensive line will allow Quinn to have flexibility with either three or four down linemen and give the Bulls a more versatile defensive front.

Buffalo is one of the hottest teams in the MAC right now, and going 6-0 against the dilapidated West division is not out of the realm of possibility, and is perhaps necessary to get themselves a bye in the conference tournament. I fully expect the squad to continue rolling through the other side of the league.

Buffalo-73 Toledo-67 BRYAN FEILER

Sports Editor The Bulls’ size advantage will make the Rockets play more in the paint, which will open up the three-ball. This is how the Bulls will win. But, I expect the Bulls to play a hightempo game against a team that can put up points. Expect a high scoring affair.

Buffalo has also brought in former LSU defensive coordinator Lou Tepper to run the defensive side of the ball for the Bulls.

The Bulls have 17 returning starters on offense and defense coming back. This is Quinn’s third year and he is building a team he feels will bring its leadership and championships from high school to the next level.

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Buffalo-83 Toledo-78 Nathaniel Smith

Sports Editor The Bulls will face its toughest MAC west assignmentplaying Toledo on the road. Road games are never easy, but this Bulls team has proven that they can beat any team, home or away. Look for size to be a huge factor, as McCrea, Watt, and senior forward Titus Robinson will have a field day against the Rockets.

Buffalo-79 Toledo-73

State of the Union John Kummer – Sophomore – Biomedical Sciences major

Alex Gilmore – Freshman – Biomedical Sciences major

“I think New England’s got it because they’re pretty strong this year. Their offense is just strong. I don’t want them to; I’d like the Giants to win, but I think the Patriots will win.”

“I think the Patriots will win because I’m a Patriots fan. They’ve got a stronger offense, their defense might be a little weaker, but I think the Patriots have it.”

Dan Hunsberger – Sophomore – Business Administration “Patriots, because I’m an Eagles fan so I hate the Giants.”

There you have it; the people we found, seem to think that the New England Patriots will top the New York Giants in the big one this Sunday.