THE SPECTRUM VOL. 68 NO. 09 | SEPTEMBER 26, 2019
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950
Fall-ing in Love with Buffalo
> SEE PAGE 4
UBSPECTRUM
Rising Star Joey Banks discusses Bulls football
Throwing SHAED Band talks Buffalo show
SEEPAGE PAGE5 >>SEE
> SEE PAGE 8
Students and faculty upset about recruitment pause in College of Arts and Sciences departments
Dean Robin Schulze announced on Wednesday she ‘moved too quickly’ with decision, will discuss decision with faculty as pause continues BRITTANY GORNY SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
Students and faculty are upset and confused by the College of Arts and Sciences’ announcement last week that it will halt funded Ph.D. recruitment in 23 of 29 departments for the 2020-21 academic year. On Wednesday, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Robin Schulze responded to concerns the announcement caused by apologizing for “missteps” and seeking faculty input. “The move that I have attempted to get us on secure financial footing is obviously not the right one for the faculty. I apologize for moving too quickly. Please, please help me design a process that works for all in the current budget environment,” she wrote in an email to faculty. The email led some faculty and students to believe she was rescinding the pause.
But, Gina Cali-Misterkiewicz, spokesperson for the dean, told The Spectrum the decision stands for the moment. “Recruitment is paused until further discussion with faculty,” Cali-Misterkiewicz wrote. Faculty and graduate students have expressed outrage since the decision –– delivered via an email from Associate Dean of Graduate Education for CAS David Johnson –– circulated last week. Screenshots of the email surfaced on social media and The Chronicle of Higher Education featured a story on the cuts and on faculty and student uncertainty. Faculty and students say they were surprised by Johnson’s email and say a decision to reduce 50% of funded CAS Ph.D. students for a year should have involved more discussions and campus-wide input. They also insist it should have taken into account the impact a drop from 120 to 55-60 new Ph.D. students would have on UB’s reputation as a research university and on departments’ abilities to attract top talent. The 23 departments would still be allowed to recruit Schomburg and Presidential fellows into their programs as these students receive separate funding. English professor James Holstun called the recruitment pause a “highly destructive” act that has caused the “biggest uproar” he has seen in CAS faculty in the past
Cookie craze catches on at UB Insomnia Cookies opens on Sweet Home Road with late-night delivery options ASHLEY GUGLIELMO STAFF WRITER
sion of the classic chocolate chip cookie. Caitlyn Curley, a junior nursing major, ordered her cookies for pickup after the grand opening. “I never had Insomnia Cookies, and everyone told me I had to try them. I was definitely not disappointed,” Curly said. “Now I have an option to order cookies when I want to go to the library, when I’m studying and want a snack.” The bakery is well known for its additives as well. Customers can pair their latenight snack with milk or ice cream on the side, as a sandwich, side, pint or a whole quart. The location has a roughly -mile delivery radius, encompassing North and South
PAST 2017-2018
2018-2019
GAs and TAs received an average stipend of $17,343 per academic year. Living Stipend movement began petitioning for a “living wage.”
English Ph.D. students’ average stipends increased from $15,000 to $18,000 per academic year.
PRESENT AUGUST 26, 2019
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
UB announced it is raising the funded Ph.D. stipend floor to $20,000 for the 2019-20 academic year. David Johnson, associate dean for graduate education, said the Provost’s office will provide bridge-funding for this academic year, but CAS has to fund the stipend floor increase starting in 2020-21.
The College of Arts and Sciences announced a temporary freeze in funded Ph.D. student recruitment for the 2020-21 academic year. Next year 23 of 29 departments will only recruit Presidential and Schomburg fellowships — who also receive departmental stipends — along with self-funded students.
FUTURE
30 years. Kenneth Dauber, also an English professor, called the plan “the end of the College [of Arts and Sciences] as a serious intellectual institution,” according to an email from the Living Stipend Movement.
Willis McCumber, an English Ph.D. student, said he thinks it’s a “horrible policy” to imply that the only way to realize the Ph.D. Excellence Initiative is to make
2020-2021
2021-2022
CAS hopes to increase Presidential
CAS hopes to recruit roughly 80 students, since number of funded Ph.D.s in the programs will decrease due to students graduating, etc., according to Johnson.
Campus communities. The bakery and Schomburg fellowships from also offers$7,500 a pick-up option at their storefront to $10,000, granting students for on outside fellowships totaldelivery $30,000range. those of athe compensation fees. Cookies can before be delivered every day, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 recruits roughly 120to 3 a.m. a.m.CAS andtypically weekends from 12 p.m. Ph.D. students each year. In the 2020 Zachary Tenenbaum, a senior computer -21 year, the college plans to recruit 55 science major, thinks Insomnia Cookies 60 students –– a 50% decrease in willrecruitment. be remembered a classic college The sixasdepartments that experience and may take business from other are able to recruit funded Ph.D. students late-night food options in the area, includare looking to recruit a combined 25-30 ing students, on campus. and additionally 10 Schomburg 25 Presidential fellows. “Iand think long term, it’s going to be up there with the late-night greats: think Taco Bell and Wendy’s territory,” Tenenbaum said. “It beats Perks 10 times out of 10.”
Teeshan Udayakumar is a night owl. He likes staying up –– and eating –– late. But he didn’t expect to change his eating habits to accommodate UB’s meal hours when he arrived on campus this semester. “Having nothing to eat after 12 [a.m. some days] does not cut it for me,” Udayakumar, a freshman computer science maEmail: features@ubspectrum.com jor, said. Luckily for Udayakumar, a new latenight vendor has arrived right across from North Campus, and students couldn’t be more thrilled. Insomnia Cookies, a chain cookie-delivery service, provides customers with a variety of cookies they can order from its website or app. Those who can’t visit the storefront can have cookies delivered directly to campus and surrounding neighborhoods for a $2.99 delivery fee. Insomnia Cookies originated at the University of Pennsylvania in a student’s dorm room. The first location opened its doors in Syracuse, NY in 2006 and the company has since grown to roughly 100 locations, with its newest addition opening Sept. 13 in the University Place Plaza on Sweet Home Road. Students are drawn to the spot for its “affordable” pricing, with a traditional cookie costing $1.65, and cookie packages starting at $9.50 for a six pack. Patrons can satisfy their cravings with 21 cookie varieties, cookie cakes and brownies. Popular options include classic chocolate chunk, the snickerdoodle and the white chocolate macadamia. It Photo By SaMantha VargaS | the SPectrum also serves a vegan and gluten-free ver- inSomnia cookieS haS opened a new location acroSS from north campuS in the univerSity place plaZa on Sweethome road, and StudentS can’t get enough.
grAPhic By JeSSica Sutton
> SEE PH.D | PAGE 2
UBIT to introduce two-step verification
New method of internet 2022-2023 security to launch in CAS hopes to recruiting roughly 100-110 students again, with roughly 40 on fellowships, according to Johnson.
October
ALEXANDRA MOYEN ASST. NEWS EDITOR
UBIT will launch a two-step verification for HUB in October, as it looks to prevent student account breaches by asking users to verify their identity on another device before logging in. The measure is UBIT’s response to a security breach into student accounts in May 2018, when a hacker attempted to gain access to students’ refund checks. There has also been an increase in attempts to gain access to university accounts around the globe, according to UB Information Security Officer Mark Herron. With the security of the two-step verification, UB hopes to reduce those chances. “Two-step verification reduces the chances of something like this happening again to virtually zero — because, with two-step verification, a stolen password is not enough,” Herron said. “The scammers would also need access to your phone, or other verification device, to log in and do any damage.” Once launched, students will receive an email or can go to the Duo two-step verification website to enroll. UBIT will then ask students to register a second device to protect their UBITName account. If students don’t want to register a phone, they can print backup codes from the website to use for the second step. “The bottom line is that, if a student needs an additional way to log in, we will work with them to find a solution,” Herron said. “We invite students to look at the > SEE TWO STEP | PAGE 2
NEWS
2 | Thursday, September 26, 2019 FROM PAGE 1
PH.D
“sharp reductions” in recruitment. “I’m glad everyone seems to be taking this really seriously,” McCumber said. “And I’m glad it seems CAS administration are showing signs of flexibility within the original announcement.” Schulze will speak about the cuts with faculty at 2 p.m. on Friday. The meeting is the result of a petition circulated by the CAS faculty senators, which garnered 90 signatures and is endorsed by the United University Professions, the union representing faculty. On Aug. 23, UB announced a stipend floor increase to $20,000 as part of the “Ph.D. Excellence Initiative,” a unanimous decision by the deans, to “enhance Ph.D. students’ educations.” UB spokesperson John DellaContrada reiterated that CAS planned for the recruitment freeze to last one year. For 2021-22, CAS will need to find money in its allocated budget from the university to maintain the new stipend floor, since the provost’s office is providing bridge-funding for only the first year. CAS is pausing recruitment because the college “won’t be able to afford the amount of students it normally recruits” after this academic year, Johnson said. Sambandamurthy Ganapathy, chairman of the physics department, and Xuedong Hu, a professor and director of graduate studies in the physics department, wrote in an email that the decrease in recruitment will “significantly affect” their department’s ability to offer the same number of laboratory and recitation sections for large introductory courses as they have in previous semesters. “[The freeze] will impact our pool of graduate students therefore affecting our research program for years to come,” Ganapathy and Hu wrote in a joint statement. “I question the budgetary flexibility of CAS to have to do this in such a way, but I think when they sit down and look at it they know what’s coming,” Michael Montoro, UB Council student representative, said. “If in three years there’s no money for it, it’s unfunded.” The departments of biology, communicative disorders and sciences, communication, chemistry, geology and psychology are exempt from the freeze and can continue to recruit funded Ph.D. students because they have the “highest demand and job outcomes” for students, Johnson said. CAS plans to recruit 25-30 total funded Ph.D. students into the six exempt departments in 2020-21. The provost’s office is providing the funds –– $5,500 per student stipend –– needed this year to “bridge” the gap. However, the office will decrease funding over the next three years and only provide 50% bridge-funding in 2020-21, 25% in 2021-22 and nothing in following years. “The part of the Ph.D. Excellence Initiative no one wants to talk about is how it’s being paid for,” Johnson said. “The only way the college can sustain [the initiative], with all its benefits and not just the raised stipend, and to pay for it, is to reduce, over a three-year period, the number of Ph.D. students we support.” Philip Glick, professor of surgery and management and former Faculty Senate chair, said the graduate students’ argument last year when requesting a “living wage” was to increase the university’s whole budget, not just the stipends. “If you’re going to increase people’s wages, but not increase the amount of money allocated to them, you have to hire less people,” Glick said. “So, I applaud CAS for increasing the living wage, but they didn’t get any increased money.” Glick said UB put the “nail in the coffin” in only providing 100% bridge-funding for one year, because deans now have to budget for years ahead. “You can’t commit to a graduate student for four to five years and know you’re not going to have enough money for them,” Glick said. McCumber said he thinks it’s misleading to say the recruitment cuts are necessary because the Provost’s office can provide 100% bridge-funding for the current year. “No one has made any kind of convincing case that it’s not available for more
years beyond that,” McCumber said. “They’ve argued since the beginning that their central operating budget isn’t sufficient to cover raised stipends. I just think that’s not true.” Of the 2,347 total Ph.D. students at UB, 1,400 receive stipends. Some students say this number is “a mirage.” Roughly 900 of those not receiving stipends are in the graduate school of education or are adjuncts who reached the end of their five-year contract and now work Photo By Brenton Blanchet | The Spectrum for their departments The College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s office on the eighth floor of Clemens Hall or the writing center, dentials.” but aren’t funded by CAS hopes to recruit roughly 10 the university, according to Montoro. “Unfunded Ph.D. students is not how a Schomburg and 25 Presidential fellows No. 1 research university runs, not how it into its departments next year. CAS will ever ran, not how it will run ever in the ask the graduate school to increase these future,” Montoro said. “The discussion fellowships from $7,500 to $10,000 and about unfunded Ph.D. students and these to cover five-year funding for Ph.D. stuweird technicalities is a distraction from dents instead of four. Students on these fellowships receive the $20,000 stipend the overall picture of what’s going on.” Johnson said CAS hopes to recruit 60 along with the fellowship money, meaning funded Ph.D. students, including 35 total they would receive a funding package of fellows across the college for 2020-21, 80 $30,000 per year exclusive of fees, which funded Ph.D. students for 2021-22 and will be paid. Johnson said he believes CAS will ben100-110 funded Ph.D. students for 2022efit overall from the Ph.D. Excellence Ini23, including 40 fellows. tiative, despite the temporary recruitment Schulze announced on Wednesday she is forming two committees: a “broad inter- drawback. The initiative, he said, will remove firstdisciplinary” committee and a committee year funded Ph.D. students from teaching, of faculty from across CAS. The interdisciplinary committee, led by Johnson, will allowing them to integrate into their graddetermine how to distribute resources for uate studies without this “pressure.” “The Ph.D. Excellence Initiative ought teaching assistants and research assistants to recruit the best Ph.D. students with the to position us to recruit the best students best outcomes. The faculty committee, led in the country, there’s a lot of fear [that the by geography professor Sean Bennett, will reduction of Ph.D. student recruitment] work to improve Ph.D. student job place- will threaten programs, but I don’t see how that will happen,” Johnson said. “I think if ment. Holstun said Schulze introduced the you have the opportunity to recruit better “radical” resolution without consulting students into programs with reasonable faculty on the CAS Policies committee, outcomes, you have a great chance to get which “sent the whole college into tur- the very best students and have a thriving Ph.D. program.” moil.” Johnson said he thinks people in CAS “The administration, in other words, are unhappy because they feel the Ph.D. is ignoring its students, its faculty and its Excellence Initiative has been “imposed own governance documents, for inexplion them from above.” Johnson said CAS didn’t have much If you’re going to time to discuss the recruitment pause, but he thinks the college made the right deciincrease people’s sion. “I think it would have been a wrong dewages, but not cision to start the stipend raise next year increase the amount and only for new students,” Johnson said. “So we had to extend it to everyone immeof money allocated diately and that meant we had to begin reto them, you have to ducing the number of students as quickly as possible, because in order for CAS to be hire less people. able to pay for this without the Provost’s So, I applaud CAS for continued help, we will have to catch up increasing the living quickly and reduce the number [of funded Ph.D. students] from 650 to 525 within wage, but they three years.” The English department has roughly didn’t get any 75 doctoral students in its current Ph.D. increased money. program. Of these students, 75% are fully funded and the remainder are largely stu—Philip Glick, professor of dents whose initial funding packages have surgery and management expired who are now teaching adjuncts, according to Damien Keane, director of cable reasons,” Holstun said. “It’s the job graduate studies for the English departof the administration to see to it that their ment. At the end of the 2016-2017 academic funded graduate students are supported at a level that will enable them to focus on year, the department voted to stop actheir teaching and research. They have cepting self-funded students, an option it failed at their job. They should start taking could take because of its size. Currently, the department has 17 students who hold it more seriously, or seek different jobs.” Schulze and Johnson said the choice is Presidential fellowships and three who a “financial necessity” and became im- hold Schomburg fellowships, according to perative last month after the university Keane. Keane said the manner in which the adannounced the increase in Ph.D. stipends missions “hiatus” and the plan behind it to a minimum of $20,000. No current stuwere handled have already had negative dents are losing their jobs or being denied funding, but the college cannot recruit to effects on how prospective students are “directly replace” students who are com- thinking about the program. “In the last few days, staff in the deing off funding, Johnson said. partment’s graduate office and I have re“We had to tell most departments they can’t recruit to directly replace students ceived messages from potential applicants coming off funding on a one-to-one ra- to the Ph.D. program, who are seeking tio,” Johnson said. “Instead they have to clarification of the funding situation and recruit to try to get Schomburgs and Presi- whether they can or should apply,” Keane said. “Such queries gesture toward the real
“
”
ubspectrum.com
problem. One fears that many potential applicants are simply not asking.” Keane called the decision to decrease enrollment “one-way and non-existent” communication. LSM has been protesting for a “living wage” for two and a half years. LSM members say they are concerned and surprised with the “severity” of the decision. They have already put together a petition to request 100% bridge-funding for five years, to bring together the Living Stipend Solutions Committee, which was passed by Faculty Senate last year, and would incorporate students, faculty and administration. LSM also has plans to protest, which members hope faculty will support. “The Provost’s office needs to commit to 100% funding for five years so that in time they can bring together the Living Stipend Solution Committee and have some kind of governed means for how [the Excellence Initiative] is implemented,” Montoro said. “This would create enough time so that it doesn’t force CAS to make such drastic decisions like this.” Macy McDonald, an English Ph.D. student, said she thinks there’s a lot of “panic” and “confusion” right now, because so much of what will happen is unknown. “We’re in a situation where we don’t know exactly what will happen, but what we do know is that this decision was implemented without the consideration of faculty or graduate students,” McDonald said. She said pausing recruitment for a year could “destroy” vulnerable departments. “It’s true that some recruitment is happening with the fellowships, but we’re just now finding out that those students are incredibly difficult to recruit,” McDonald said. “Otherwise we’d already have as many as possible, and it will be even harder to recruit them in smaller cohort sizes.” Montoro agreed, saying this could be “close to the end” for some departments. “For smaller departments like anthropology, sociology or transnational, a recruitment freeze for a year is essentially a final straw in the beginning of the end.” Email: brittany.gorny@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @BrittanyGorny
FROM PAGE 1
TWO STEP
list of options once the open enrollment period begins, then contact the UBIT Help Center if additional solutions are needed.” UBIT said students may be “annoyed” by the extra step to access their accounts, but the measure is to ensure their security. UBIT administered a survey of Master of Business Administration students about the verification, and found that most students feel the measure is worth it. For students who find it inconvenient, Herron says the process is “as simple as protecting your car,” take a “few seconds to click the button or turn the key” and “carry your keys around.” “Students may not be used to this new way of locking their accounts yet,” Herron said. “But our hope is that once the process of using your second step to log in becomes more of a habit, students will appreciate knowing their identities and personal information are safe.” Email: alexandra.moyen@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @AlexandraMoyen
OPINION
ubspectrum.com
University LEED certified buildings not good enough for 2030 campus goal
TONY OLIVETT CONTRIBUTING WRITER
If you hold a carrot on a stick in front of a farm animal, no matter how lethargic, it will go where you want. I’ve seen it in cartoons. Likewise, the UB Sustainability lures us (environmentalists) into complacency with positive press, prodding and propagandizing us with ecological virtues. They expect us to believe that campus will be carbon neutral by 2030 despite that
Reflecting on Nicki’s decision to leave the rap game
LIAM REDMOND STAFF WRITER
“She goes by Queen,” a friend of mine said. “Whatever. Just blast that s--t,” I replied. That was my first exposure to Nicki Minaj’s music, and it was an experience to say the least. I was about 12 years old, walking into town with a friend of mine, when “Super Bass” came on. And instantly, I was allured by the song. My body had started involuntarily jumping around to the music. And after a few verses, I caught on to a few repeated phrases. Soon enough, two preteens were screaming the lyrics, parading down the sidewalk. It’s one of those childhood memories that will stick with me for as long as I’m around. And here we are, nearly seven years later, and I still find myself doing the same thing when her music comes on. However, earlier this month Nicki announced, through a surprising tweet, she would be departing from the music industry.
Do you have an interest in journalism, graphic design, photography, social media, advertising, cartoons or copy editing? The Spectrum is always looking for enthusiastic students who want to be part of our team. Join our 45-time award winning independent student newspaper for hands-on, realworld experience in your field. Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s editorial staff can email Brenton J. Blanchet at: eic@ubspectrum.com. Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s professional staff or advertising team can email Helene Polley at: hapolley@buffalo.edu.
we now rely overwhelmingly on fossil fuels like natural gas and gasoline for energy and transportation. Further, carbon audits are not publicly disclosed, meaning that the pathway to carbon neutrality is not substantiated by any data. This indicates that there is perhaps no plan of action and carbon neutrality is a matter of fantasy. This is the second column of a five-part series on the sustainability problem at UB. The purpose of this edition is to scrutinize the university with respect to its current Climate Action Plan, for lack of action. Achieving carbon net zero in the upcoming decades is the single highest priority in a proactive strategy to mitigate climate change, so it is very important to have appropriate action to go along with good planning. At the very least, carbon audits should be publicly disclosed. A good way to assess progress is by looking at carbon audits. Since they are simply not available, we can only guess what the situation looks like with some help from the first law of thermodynamics. Energy in and energy out. We know where the energy is coming from and we can guess how it is being used. Buildings are the highest consumers where energy
“I’ve decided to retire and have my family. I know you guys are happy now. To my fans, keep reppin me, do it til da death of me, X in the box- cuz ain’t nobody checkin me. Love you for LIFE,” the rapper wrote. While I revered and felt the lyrical quote she included from “Girl On Fire,” this caught many fans, including myself, off guard. Nicki had been posting teasers of an upcoming album, reportedly had studio time booked through October of this year and her most recent album, “Queen,” reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The retirement just didn’t make sense to many people. Fans were taking to Twitter to share how they felt. She owed them a less abrupt and more sincere explanation of her retirement decision than just a tweet. The rapper then deleted her tweet a few hours later and responded to a fan’s comment with, “I’m still right here. Still madly in love with you guys & you know that. In hindsight, this should’ve been a Queen Radio discussion & it will be. I promise u guys will be happy. No guests, just us talking about everything. The tweet was abrupt & insensitive, I apologize babe.” However, nearly three weeks later, Nicki still has yet to address her retirement further, and has remained mostly silent on Twitter, primarily going on to unveil her upcoming Fendi clothing collection. Was the constant feuding between her and Cardi B and the daily backlash from onlookers finally too much for her to put up with? Is she going to stay true to her word, or will she come back to the game, stronger than ever after some downtime, like other
The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Opinion section of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum. com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address.
For information on adverstising with The Spectrum: VISIT: www.ubspectrum.com/advertising CALL US: 716-645-2152 The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 142602100
takes the form of heating, cooling, lighting and the other basics like charging your smartphone. The surest way to eliminate carbon footprint is to eliminate those endpoints of energy usage. Turning off the air conditioning during a Buffalo summer is tolerable, but turning off the heat in a Buffalo winter is unthinkable. A business tracks its profits and losses through a ledger. Likewise net zero buildings are achieved using a sort of energy ledger. Energy-saving features of these buildings include thermal-mass heating and cooling, ducted natural light and natural ventilation. Additionally, any consumed energy can be offset with renewable energy sources, such as rooftop solar panels. The building is allowed to borrow energy from the power grid during parts of the annual cycle as long as the energy ledger balances at the end of the year. This is how net zero buildings are thought of and planned. Net zero communities and campuses are merely a collection of net zero buildings. The university boasts a number of advanced, energy efficient LEED-certified buildings, eight to be exact. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a vague specifica-
Thursday, September 26, 2019 | 3
tion for high-performance buildings. They award different levels of medals for buildings with scoring based on thresholds, some instances being performance, air quality and nearby bike racks. LEED certainly does not certify carbon neutrality. In fact, in 2017 researchers indicated that on average, LEED buildings show 30% energy reductions compared to buildings without the specification. The improvements seem only marginal, which is perhaps because of a relaxed and flexible system for point scoring. Building owners who could invest in energy saving improvements instead install less expensive point scorers like bike racks. Nonetheless, this certification looks great for the owner (UB), even if it is not doing much for the environment. The LEED buildings are incredibly useful to UB Sustainability’s propaganda scheme even though it is highly unlikely that UB’s eight buildings make much more than a superficial dent in the university’s carbon audit. Next edition, we will dive deeper into the topic of propaganda and take a look at the cogs of corporate sustainability. We will see how initiatives at the university’s sustainability office mirror those of public relation branches of fossil fuel corporations. Email: opinion@ubspectrum.com
“nicKi minAJ for XXl” By Julia galDo, Juco Photo iS licenSed under cc By-nc-SA 4.0
rappers have done in the past? As a fan, these are the types of questions that have been passing through my mind, but all I can do is sit around and wait for her to break the silence. No one, including her staff, really knows what’s going on and I have my doubts whether or not she’s made up her mind either. I just hope whatever she decides is the right choice for herself, whether that
means starting a family or putting out more music. She’s been committed to the industry for the past decade and has put out enough music for us to relish in for eternity, so maybe some time off would be for the best. Regardless, I know I’ll continue jamming to “The Pinkprint” and the likes, which helped make the early 2010s a time I’ll always remember and celebrate. Email: opinion@ubspectrum.com.
FEATURES
4 | Thursday, September 26, 2019
Places to scream into a hollowed out pumpkin mid-breakdown SAMANTHA VARGAS SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR
Starbucks employees knew it was coming. They’ve been training for this battle since they were handed their first green apron. They knew what they signed up for, but they were not ready for Aug. 27. They weren’t ready for the return of pumpkin spice, but UB students were. With the first day of fall kicking off this week, it’s spooky time. Before Buffalo is blanketed in 10 feet of snow and the freshmen are scavenging for caribou, the city prepares its annual month of Pinterest-worthy activities. Fall is known to be beautiful in New York State, and Buffalo is no exception. From pumpkin farms and corn mazes to rustic train rides and apple cider, Buffalo has a lot to offer those seeking Instagram-worthy experiences. To alleviate the pressure from Starbucks employees, we compiled a list of upcoming fall activities and events. The Great Pumpkin Farm, Sept. 14 - Oct. 31 11199 Main St, Clarence The Great Pumpkin Farm is a classic addition to the fall-season roster. The annual festival offers great opportunities for
Cas Vecchio
Radhika Jois
photo-ops in front of hundreds of pumpkins along with a petting zoo, corn maze, hayride and multiple food vendors. Patrons can purchase from a pre-picked assortment of gourds, which cost roughly 45 cents per pound. The farm will also sell decorated pumpkins, assorted pies and outdoor decor including corn stalks and hay bales. It also hosts a Halloweenthemed general store selling Halloween crafts and decorations. Spending all your money won’t be difficult when the smell of cinnamon and baked goods causes an inevitable blackout. Ellicottville Fall Festival, Oct. 11-13 Ellicottville Village The annual Ellicottville Fall Festival claims to be the oldest and largest foliage festival in the area, drawing in thousands of people every year. Tucked away in the Enchanted Mountains of ChautauquaAllegheny county, surrounded by thick forests and sparkling lakes, the festival isn’t average. It boats ski chair lifts over the autumnal foliage, a birds of prey show, live music and a 5 mile run. In addition to its unique activities, patrons flock to Ellicottville every year for its food, art and carnival rides. The event hosts multiple vendors specializing in fine art, crafts, clothing and Upstate New York memorabilia. Plus, no one can hear you cry while you’re on a ski lift.
Photo By SaMantha VargaS | the SPectrum the great pumpkin farm in clarence iS a claSSic addition to the fall-SeaSon roSter. the farm haS hundredS of pre-picked gourdS for patronS to chooSe.
Mayer Bros Cider Mill Store 1540 Seneca Creek Rd, Buffalo The Mayer Bros Cider Mill has been pressing apples into sweet, sweet cider since 1852. The Mayer brothers had a dream, a dream that a pretty blonde girl wearing UGGs, Lululemon leggings and an oversized sweater would walk into their shop one day and think, “And I oop. Big mood.” And that dream came true. The cider mill offers fresh-pressed cider, fresh-baked doughnuts and seasonal pies. There is also a pick-your-own pumpkin patch and horse-drawn carriage rides. The scenic location will take visitors back
“I struggled a lot with my identity. I never really felt strongly connected with the concept of being female and how society views that. I started questioning around age 14. That was a very dark point in my life. A lot of self-hatred comes with figuring out why you're not exactly what society thinks you should be. Around 16, I figured out I found the label ‘non-binary’ and decided that's what fit me best. I started using ‘them’ pronouns. But even to this day, three years later, it's still a struggle for me. I have a lot of fear over correcting people because I've had people leave me over-
night –– people I was close with. I'm kind of terrified of that happening more. I find it hard to say 'hey, I use them pronouns instead of she' because there's the fear of ending up being alone because of it. But coming to UB, I found great friends who accepted me for who I am, which I never thought I'd find but and even though I'm still kind of terrified to correct people, it's getting easier and easier. I found a support system here at UB, something I know I never would have had at home and for that I'm grateful.”
“Computer engineering is one of the hardest engineering because it is four years of electrical for the hardware and four years of computer science for the software, all mashed into four years. When you think about it, you consider the easiest of the two is like it's not Computer Engineering. The amount of girls who are majoring in computer engineering here, you can count on one hand, which kind of sucks. The major is very male-dominated. That doesn't mean that girls are bad –– they are just as good. You shouldn't be scared of joining a male-dominated field and end whatever your interest is. You should just go full out and try to be part of it. Eventu-
ally, you're going to make your track in the field. You're not going to be alone. Even now, for me, all my friends mostly in CSE are guys, very few or more girls. I made my own name for myself in that group. There's no discrimination. It's just one of the engineering that girls don't have a big footprint in but we're well on our way to doing that.There's also WISE on campus, which is for Women in Science and Engineering. WISE also helped me connect with a good amount of computer science and engineering people. It connected me with the women [in my field]. WISE also helped me out with internships or other opportunities-wise.”
Kenny Ramon “If you're thinking about getting into a relationship, don't go into a relationship sad and expect the other person to make you happy. They won't. You will be sorely mistaken. Don't go into a relationship if you're unhappy. I would definitely suggest not changing who you are because if you are going to fit a mold of someone who you think you like, you're not going to enjoy that relationship at all because you're not being yourself. And that's going to take a lot more energy out of you than if
The Pumpkin Fiesta at Becker Farms 3724 Quaker Rd., Gasport Becker Farms is another classic Buffalo pumpkin farm for fall activities. The farm hosts an annual family-friendly festival featuring hayrides, a petting zoo, goat races and pony rides. Patrons can buy freshly made jams, seasonal pies, cookies, cakes and wine. Although the Pumpkin Fiesta may be geared more toward families with children, Becker Farms also offers apple and pumpkin picking, a bakery and a brewery. The farm operates its own brewery and winery, offering tours of their vineyards and facilities. And nothing will make you forget about your upcoming exams like watching a goat race.
ubspectrum.com
you were to just be yourself with someone you like. In today's society, guys are usually the ones to ask out girls. The way that I've gotten into a relationship is [because my girlfriend] asked me out. I was always myself and I was always happy. [She] just kind of came and [she was] attracted to that. I would definitely be in support of changing the norm. More girls could ask out guys, and maybe there'd be more happy relationships. Maybe that's a nice theory.”
in time as they oogle the Upstate baked goods. Fall Foliage Train Rides, Medina Railroad Museum 530 West Avenue, Medina The famed Medina Railroad Museum is a fall activity Upstate New Yorkers may overlook. Every season, the railroad offers two-hour trips around Western New York to view the local foliage. The trains travel through wooded areas and alongside the Erie Canal and morning trips offer prepackaged lunches. Email: Samantha.Vargas@UBSpectrum.com Twitter: @SamMarieVargas
Photos By Wayne Penales | The Spectrum
ubspectrum.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday, September 26, 2019 | 5
Throwing SHAED
REILLY MULLEN ASST. WEB EDITOR
SHAED hasn’t quite hit householdname recognition yet, but that may not last much longer. The D.C.-based electropop group’s new single, “Trampoline,” overtook Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend” for the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Alternative Radio chart this summer. With a musical style that BlackBook described as “infectious, magnetic charisma,” the group’s elaborate sound design, whimsical tone and deeply meaningful lyrics leave listeners craving more. The group will perform this Saturday Sept. 28 at Buffalo RiverWorks alongside Dashboard Confessional, I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME and Marquee Grand at Alternative Buffalo’s Birthday Show 2019. We caught up with SHAED to discuss the group’s change in sound, life on the festival circuits and thoughts on tackling the tour headliner position. Our interview with SHAED, lightly edited for length and style, follows below: The Spectrum: Over the course of your career you’ve produced songs that fit in a wide range of genres. How do you feel being categorized as an “electropop” group? Do you think that label adequately describes your group as a whole? SHAED: Yeah, I think more so we’ve been kind of called more alternative pop because [of] “Trampoline.” We’ve been super lucky that “Trampoline” has done this well in alternative radio. I think we think of ourselves as more of an alternative band. You know we lean more toward pop melodies and pop structures
TS: Your music videos often have an ominous and eerie feel. Is this simply to match the mysterious tone of your music, or do you aim to send a message to your listeners through paired visuals? S: “Again, I think it’s more about thinking about each individual song and what fits the tone of the song. Like for “Trampoline,” you know the song has a very floaty, airy, kind of other-worldly sound to it, which is why we went with the more spacious kind of visuals with Chelsea. [With] the floating visuals, and with Chelsea as the statue, we thought like, ‘That’s it.’ So, I don’t know, there’s no conscious decision to have an overall ominous tone to our videos. I don’t think that’s what we’re trying to do. I think [we] kind of just look at each individual song and just think about what kind of visual fits with it. TS: In 2016, you changed the group’s name from The Walking Sticks to SHAED and listeners can hear a distinct stylistic difference in the music you performed under each name. Do you think changing your name allowed you to change your sound as well? S: I think it was the other way around. I think we envisioned SHAED as a whole new project. The Walking Sticks started as more of a folk project with my brother and I, and that name more fit stylistically with the music. So when Chelsea joined, we were kind of evolving and changing and incorporating more electronic, you know ‘80s, synthesizer tones and we saw we were changing stylistically and then that led us to wanting to start a new project with SHAED.
TS: Your group has really blown up on the festival circuit, with performances at Lollapalooza, Governors Ball and Firefly. How do these experiences compare to headlining your own shows?
Courtesy of SHAED SHAED will perform in Buffalo on Sept. 28.
TS: “Trampoline” recently claimed the No. 1 spot on the Alternative Radio chart. How does it feel to have dethroned major artists like Billie Eilish and Catfish and the Bottlemen from their long-held spots?
S: I mean the festival experience is just so different because you’re playing much larger stages and for much larger audiences. I’d say our shows feel a little more intimate. People are there to see us and you definitely feel the love, you know, when you see people singing your songs. The festival is a good opportunity to make a good first impression on a ton of people that have never seen you before and I think we feed off that too. Everybody’s just so happy and excited to be there that everyone just wants to have a good time and we love those types of crowds too.
S: It feels really amazing. Honestly, alternative radio has been so kind to us and now we’re No. 11 on pop radio too so the fact that the song is doing so well on radio is just really, really cool for us. And we’re among some of our favorite artists, which is amazing. TS: You’ve spent the last 32 weeks on Billboard’s Emerging Artists chart and the last two weeks in the No. 1 spot. Has this helped you develop a kind of momentum for the future?
TS: “Trampoline” is probably your most well-known track released right now, but what would you say your favorite song is that you’ve produced over the course of the group’s existence?
S: I mean it’s just cool to know that we’re on people’s radar now. Like with “Trampoline,” we try not to read too much into each individual chart. … You know charting on something is impacting our career but it’s really cool to know that people are paying attention to us right now and we have a platform to keep building.
S: We’ve said this before but it’s sort of like saying what your favorite kid is or something like that. I think each of the songs has a special place in our hearts, you know. So I don’t know if we could choose. I think we’re just going to have to say we can’t choose just one song.
Email: Reilly.Mullen@ubspectrum.com.
55,000 SQUARE
FEET OF FITNESS FOR
Budding group SHAED discusses rise to fame and Buffalo show in exclusive interview
of songs, but I think we’re a little more left of center of that. But we try not to focus too much on the labels and continue to produce all the music here and record everything, so we try to create songs that have their own unique feel and that’s what we try to do.
9.99
$
N o
E n r o l l m e n t
JUST 1/2 MILE
FROM UB NORTH!
6 | Thursday, September 26, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
ubspectrum.com
STUDY IN ENGLISH AT TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY Ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime in a city where ancient history meets cutting-edge innovation?
Join us! INTERNATIONAL.TAU.AC.IL STUDY UNDERGRADUATE ABROAD SCHOOL
GRADUATE SCHOOL
SHORT TERM DOCTORAL PROGRAMS PROGRAMS
CLASSIFIEDS
ubspectrum.com
HELP WANTED
HOUSE FOR RENT
Part-Time Positions Available. Lasertron Family Entertainment Center is currently hiring for general customer service. Working at a fast, detail-oriented pace and having excellent customer service skills is a must. Starting at $12-$14/ hr, must be available nights and weekends. Stop in and complete an application at Lastertron, 5101 North Bailey Avenue, Amherst, NY.
OUR NICEST HOMES/ APARTMENTS RENT NOW!! Newly remodeled 4-8 BDRM homes/apartments on W. Winspear, Englewood, Tyler Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include jacuzzi bathtubs, new ss appliances, free laundry, parking, snow removal & valet garbage! Live the Sweethome life on South!! Visit www. ubrents.com or call/text 716775-7057 to schedule an appointment now!
NOW HIRING!! Historic tavern & restaurant now hiring staff; all position. Apply in person, Eagle House 5578 Main Street Williamsville.
SERVICES City A1 drivingschool.com Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716875-4662
SORRENTINOS RESTAURANT 5460 MAIN ST. WILLIAMSVILLE. Looking for part-time cooks. Willing to train. Salary negotiable. 716633-2150. LOCAL Business SEEKING PART-TIME OFFICE administrative assistant. Professional, self-motivated, computer literate, detail oriented. Duties including filing, organizing, preparing documents and taking dictation. Light housekeeping and errands. Location: downtown Elmwood/ Chippewa area Pay $14/hr, starting at ~8 hours per week. Flexible schedule.
TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
BECOME A TEACHER AND POSITIVELY IMPACT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO.
The UB Teacher Residency Program’s second Urban Teaching Cohort launches in the summer of 2020. EARN AN $18,000 living stipend while working towards initial teacher certification. Apply by the priority deadline of October 1st to be considered for scholarship support! Play a role in achieving equity in the education afforded to students in the City of Buffalo. To be eligible, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in one of the following areas by June 2020: • • • • •
Restaurant NOW HIRING dishwashers/cooks apply at Eagle House, 5578 Main St. 10 mins from both campuses.
APARTMENT FOR RENT AMHERST/ CALLODINE AVENUE. 2BDRM UPPER, cathedral ceiling, skylight, includes heat, $750 per month, 716-308-9396
Thursday, September 26, 2019 | 7
Biology Chemistry Earth Science English French
• • • • •
History Linguistics Mathematics Physics Spanish
•
Social Sciences (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Philosophy, or Sociology)
Learn more and apply online: ed.buffalo.edu/residency
DAILY DELIGHTS * YOUR SPONSORSHIP HERE * - Call us at 716-645-2152
8 | Thursday, September 26, 2019
Rising Star Joey Banks emerges as a defensive playmaker JUSTIN WEISS STAFF WRITER
Six-year-old Joey Banks had a short list of fears. Spiders, contact and football. There was just something about the sport — the ferocity, the bruteness — that gave him pause. “I hated contact,” Banks said. “I didn’t like to get hit. I cried every time I got hit.” Banks’ fears began to fade as his love of the sport grew. Today he takes hits each game as the Bulls’ starting safety. After growing up in Sacramento, CA, he attended Sacramento State University to play football but transferred to the City College of San Francisco after disagreements with Sacramento’s coaching staff.
Photo By Alexander Brown | The Spectrum Senior Safety Joey Banks speaking about UB’s season
SPORTS
In San Francisco, Banks started getting looks from Division-I programs, including UB. Now, UB coaches and teammates are quick to applaud the star defender, who led his team with six solo tackles and an interception in a win against Temple Saturday. Their praise: Banks is one of the toughest and most feared players on the team. “He’s the most physical guy out there right now,” UB Associate Head Coach Rob Ianello said. “He’s one heck of a tackler. He’s really developed in his two years into a real presence back there at safety.” But the seeds of Banks’ love for football were planted long before he stepped onto the field at UB Stadium. Growing up, his father Adam Banks, a former collegiate wrestler at California State University, Chico, challenged Banks to put his athleticism to use on the wrestling mat. He listened and became a dominant wrestler. In his senior year of high school,
so far and the upcoming schedule ahead
Banks won the 195-pound Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championship. A March 2014 SportStars Magazine article lauds him for his brute strength and surprising quickness. And in Sacramento, Banks was surrounded by some of the best youth football talent in the country. He was never one to shy away from a challenge, embracing the opportunity to step beyond the mat. However, Banks had a difficult decision to make when he left high school. Ultimately, he felt his heart was on the turf, not on the mat. But he never expected this decision to bring him all the way to Buffalo. “Something in my head was telling me I was going to end up somewhere I was not expecting,” Banks said. So when the Bulls made Banks an offer, he contacted a fellow City College of San Francisco alum for advice. Khalil Hodge was a starting middle linebacker for Buffalo when Banks reached out, asking him about UB. “[Hodge] told me about how Buffalo was, what to expect and the opportunity that Buffalo presents,” Banks said. “I took full advantage of that and came here.” After coming to UB, Banks experienced a steep learning curve in the city and on the field. Banks attributed the difference to a focus on playing time at CCSF, whereas at UB practices are more structured. Banks caught on pretty quickly. After starting nine games at safety for Buffalo in 2018, Banks has transitioned into his full-time starting role this season. And he feels great about his efforts so far. “It’s night and day from last year to this year,” he said. “I’m
ubspectrum.com so much more locked in and focused this year. I have so much more of an understanding of the way they do things. I’m so much more comfortable and confident in the way I play.” His coaches agree. “From listening to him and seeing him play, Joey has really come a good distance with knowing the defense,” Ianello said. “He understands the defense, what we’re trying to do, and how he can have a great leadership role. He’s a real presence back there.” On Sept. 7, Banks broke out against Penn State in front of 104,000 fans at Beaver Stadium and millions more on television. He had a season-high nine tackles and one sack. He was named the MAC East Division Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts. Banks said he approached the game like any other and was grateful to be instrumental in keeping the game close during the first half. “I told my teammates, ‘you have to treat it as just another game.’ They’re the same age as us, they’re not superheroes,” Banks said. “They may have a bigger stadium and wear different colors, but the field is the same size.” The Bulls have lost two of their last three games, but as Bulls’ defensive leader, Banks remains optimistic. “Honestly, we’re probably the best defense in the conference, the best team in the conference,” Banks said. “I have no question about that. We’re our biggest competition. When we’re not clicking on all cylinders, we’re going to be in trouble.” Once fearful of the field, Banks is now the leader of a defense that has allowed only 322 yards per game, ranking No. 37 in Division I-A. Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Get to Know an Opponent: The Bulls take on the RedHawks in Oxford Saturday JUSTIN WEISS STAFF WRITER
Following an impressive 38-22 victory over Temple, the Bulls will travel to Yager Stadium in Oxford, OH to take on Miami University Saturday. In their final non-conference game, the RedHawks were pummeled by No. 5 Ohio State, 76-5. Miami (OH) enters conference play with a 1-3 record, after dropping contests to No. 14 Iowa, Cincinnati and No. 5
Courtesy of Jugal Jain | The Miami Student The Miami (OH) football team storms the field.
Ohio State. The 2019 Mid-American Conference Football Media Preseason Poll projected the RedHawks to finish second in the East Division, so they are a capable opponent for the Bulls. Over the first four weeks of the season, the Bulls have shown flashes of brilliance and signs of concern. Buffalo is 2-2 entering MAC play following wins over Robert Morris and Temple and losses to Penn State and Liberty. The Bulls will have to figure things out — especially under center, where redshirt freshman Matt Myers has been particularly inconsistent.
“We’re our biggest competition,” said safety Joey Banks, who had a pick-six and six tackles in a surprising victory over Temple last week. “I keep saying it: If we can get as close to perfect as we can, we should win every single game.” Here’s what to expect when the Bulls take on the RedHawks on ESPNU:
COACH: Chuck Martin, 23-42, sixth season at Miami LOOKING BACK
The 2018 RedHawks found themselves
in the same predicament as the 2017 Bulls: bowl eligible, without a bowl invite. The RedHawks went 6-6, with all their wins coming against conference foes. In an October game against Buffalo, they came back from a 14-point third-quarter deficit, before falling late in regulation. Quarterback Gus Ragland was named third-team All-MAC after completing 60.9% of his passes for 2,547 yards and 17 touchdowns. He had a career-high three rushing touchdowns against Buffalo, where he nearly orchestrated an improbable comeback. He found an unlikely spark with Kenny Young, who posted 367 rushing yards and 384 receiving yards on the season. The RedHawks recorded 28.1 points
Courtesy of Jugal Jain | The Miami Student Miami (OH) freshman Quarterback Brett Gabbert looks
per game in 2018, ranking No. 75 in Division I-A. They had trouble on the ground, where running back Alonzo Smith led the team with 746 yards on 141 carries. On a positive note, Danny Godlevske and Jordan Rigg were both named third-team AllMAC in recognition of their strong play on the offensive line. On the other side of the ball, linebacker Brad Koenig was named first-team AllMAC after recording 101 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and four forced fumbles. He was complemented by defensive end Doug Costin, who was named second-team All-MAC after posting 52 tackles and six sacks. The RedHawks defense allowed 25.5 points per game, ranking No. 53 in Division I-A. In October, they allowed Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson to earn six touchdowns — three through the air and three on the ground. Bulls wide receiver Anthony Johnson had a season-high three scores as well. The Bulls won the game, 51-42.
LOOKING FORWARD
The RedHawks’ lone win came against Tennessee Tech in week two. Outside of that, they have struggled to keep any of their games close. Quarterback Brett Gabbert, brother of Tampa Bay Buccaneers signal-caller Blaine Gabbert, has thrown for just 529 yards and two touchdowns in four games. He is only a freshman, so his struggles were expected. But the RedHawks will need to work to have a chance against Buffalo Sat-
toward redshirt senior wide receiver
Luke Mayock.
urday afternoon. The RedHawks have yet to excel at key skill positions. Running backs Tyre Shelton, Maurice Thomas and Davion Johnson have gotten the bulk of the carries, but are all averaging fewer than 4.5 yards per attempt. Leading receivers Jalen Walker and Dominique Robinson have been limited to a combined 219 yards and zero touchdowns. Heading into the season, the RedHawks had nine players named to the Athlon Sports MAC Football 2019 All-Conference Team, including kicker Sam Sloman, punter Kyle Kramer and return specialist Maurice Thomas. If the RedHawks can capitalize on special teams, they should be able to steal a few points and keep the game interesting.
BOTTOM LINE
Coming off a shocking victory over Temple, the Bulls enter conference play with an opportunity to put some distance between themselves and their MAC foes. But Miami (OH) is a formidable challenger, one that struggled due to an onerous non-conference slate but was still projected to finish second in their division. Expect the Bulls to rely on Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks. Taking advantage of the No. 102-ranked RedHawks run defense will be a key to the Bulls’ success. Email: sports@ubspectrum.com