the Independent Student Publication of the University at Buffalo, Since 1950
The S pectrum ubspectrum.com
Volume 62 No. 27
Friday, november 2, 2012
Baldy classrooms damaged over weekend
Wrestling season preview
Story on page 2
Story on page 8
A campus remembers Jacob Vogelman UB alum loses his life because of Hurricane Sandy SARA DINATALE Senior News Editor Jacob Vogelman, a UB alum, 24, died on Monday in New York City when a fallen tree crushed him and his best friend, Jessie Streich-Kest. They count for two of the over 70 deaths that have been attributed to Hurricane Sandy. Vogelman graduated cum laude from UB with a degree in theater design in May 2010. He was continuing his studies at Brooklyn College, where he was working on his master’s in lighting design. The UB community remembers the New York City native as a dedicated student – passionate for his craft – who had the ability to make whoever he came in contact with smile. “I can only imagine all the lives he has touched,” said Erin Myree, a UB graduate and college friend of Vogelman’s. “It’s just amazing the overwhelming amount of love on his Facebook wall – everybody has a story with him. He was just one of those people who could have a great time with anyone.” Myree’s story with Vogelman started in her freshman year of college. She said he was her first friend at UB. She credits him for helping her navigate young adulthood and campus life because she was a commuter. She said there wasn’t a day in her freshman and sophomore years that Vogelman didn’t make her smile. Whether he was suggesting going out for pizza, getting their faces painted in the Union or standing on statues – college life with Vogelman was never boring, Myree said. Myree described the friendship as effortless, and while she didn’t stay close with him after college, it was always easy for the two to pick back up where they left off. “You always assume you’ll have time to catch up with everyone you’ve ever met,” Myree said. “It kind of just shows that we’ll never have time to do that again.”
Assembly plans to hold off on Student Life resolution LISA EPSTEIN Asst. News Editor
Courtesy of Facebook
Jacob Vogelmen (left), a UB alum, was killed by a fallen tree during Hurricane Sandy in Brooklyn. His best friend, Jessie Streich-Kest (right) also died in the accident.
UB’s theater department remembers Vogelman as brilliant and dedicated behind the scenes of the Center for the Arts’ performances. “He was always the first and last student you saw when walking into the CFA,” said Nicole Benoit, a UB graduate who was also a part of UB’s theater community. Thomas Ralabate, the chair of the department of theater and dance and artistic director of the Zodiaque Dance Company, worked with Vogelman in 2009. Vogelman was the lighting designer for the company’s 36th season fall concert. Ralabate described Vogelman as having a “wonderful directed energy” and said Vogelman loved the production process. Not even an injury that caused Vogelman to walk with a cane for a while stopped him from working on shows, according to Benoit.
“[The injury] never impeded his agility or spirit – you would still find him in the depths of the jungle of a backstage props/ scene closet or working on the grids high above the stages, joyful as always,” Benoit said. “Jacob was a truly vivacious spirit and will be missed by anyone whose path he cheerfully crossed.” Sara Genco worked under Vogelman as a sophomore when Vogelman was the lighting designer for the Zodiaque Dance Company; she was amazed with his talent. She said his set design of the department of theatre and dance’s production of Chekov’s “The Cherry Orchard,” was the most stunning she saw in her four years at the university. But Vogelman was more than just talented – he cared a lot about people. Genco remembers during Spring Fest 2009 – when all the theatre design and technology students were working with the CFA staff to help run the show – Vogelman was working hospitality. Contniued on page 2
The Student Association Assembly met on Wednesday to discuss a resolution to Student Life’s proposed policy regarding new club policies. The Assembly decided not to pass a resolution until after the Nov. 5 meeting. The proposed Student Life policy would potentially shift much of SA’s power to Student Life, a university-administered organization. After the Assembly’s Oct. 24 meeting, the Assembly decided because there were no new findings on the proposed Student Life policies, members would wait to write a resolution until after the next Student Life forum on Nov. 5. After the short meeting, Assembly Speaker Steven Jackson made a statement to The Spectrum. “The Assembly is waiting until after the Nov. 5 forum to make any further public moves,” Jackson wrote in an email. “We hope that Student Life cooperates with us as a part of the Student Association, as well as all other student government systems to implement policies that are effective and efficient, but are not contrary to the interests of each individual body. We will see how this upcoming Monday goes, and after discussing our options with other leadership officials, we will determine our next course of action.” The next Assembly meeting will be held on Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in 330 Student Union. Email: news@ubspectrum.com
Great Scott Sophomore superstar Liz Scott proves to be the ultimate fighter MARKUS MCCAINE Staff Writer At 6-feet tall, she owns the court, spiking home winners, fighting off blocks and encouraging her teammates. She’s had to scrap for everything in life. It’s been that way since day one. Liz Scott, a sophomore outside hitter for the women’s volleyball team, almost did not survive her birth. She wasn’t breathing when she was born. Her family and the doctors were terrified. Eventually, they fixed her breathing problem. She survived. But everything wasn’t perfect. “Once they got her breathing, the doctors approached me and said, ‘now there is another issue: she doesn’t have five fingers on her right hand,’” said Polly Scott, Liz’s mother. “My response was: ‘she’s fine, she’s breathing, she’s beautiful!’” Scott underwent surgery to have her under-developed hand separated into four fingers. It was a procedure that allowed her
to live a normal life with the use of both hands. It was something she refused to let define her in life. Things that came easy for kids growing up became challenges for Scott – challenges she wasn’t afraid to overcome. “As a child, she was bothered most by the fact that she couldn’t do the parallel bars at the playground,” Polly said. “We told her to keep trying and get stronger and one day she might be able hang on. I remember the day she came home from elementary school and said, ‘I did it!’ I believe that was the beginning of the rest of her life.” Scott went on to live a normal childhood. A multi-sport athlete growing up, she played basketball, lacrosse and soccer. But Scott fell in love with volleyball. The moment she picked it up, she knew it was for her. Her under-developed hand didn’t stop her from thriving in the sport. “When Liz was in elementary school, she came to us and said she wanted to play volleyball,” Polly said. “We found that very interesting as she had never been exposed
to the game. She didn’t know anything about it. We told her to just go and do her best. She had to learn somewhere. After a few weeks of tryouts, they posted who made the team and she didn’t see her name under the 13-age bracket. She didn’t think she made the team. One of the coaches approached her and said she should look under the 14-age bracket.” She went throughout her school years playing above her age bracket, even starting on the varsity volleyball team in the ninth grade at Canandaigua High School. It wasn’t an easy task. In order to be on the varsity team at a young age, the school required the athletes take and pass a state test showing they could handle the physical requirements to play. The coach allowed her to skip the arm-hang portion of the test due to her hand. However, a member on the team who played the same position as Scott made a big deal about Scott not taking that part of the test. “She came home in tears and told us the story,” Polly said. “It became quite embarrassing to Liz while very deeply hurting Contniued on page 2
Inside
Nick Fischetti /// The Spectrum
Liz Scott, highly recruited out of high school, is making a name for herself around campus as a star on the volleyball team.
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