The Spectrum Vol.69 No.10

THE SPECTRUM VOL. 69 NO. 10 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

UBSPECTRUM

Directing dreams

UB community doesn’t think presidential impeachment is likely

> SEE PAGE 2

Women’s basketball prepares for 2019-20 season with roster of young talent

> SEE PAGE 4

> SEE PAGE 8

Nine fraternities leave UB to form Puzzling PathIndependent Interfraternity Council ways: Nine former UB fraternities leave because of ‘unfair treatment,’ national headquarters support decision BRITTANY GORNY SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Nine formerly recognized UB fraternities announced on Wednesday they had separated from UB and formed the Buffalo Independent Interfraternity Council, supported by each organization’s national headquarters.

William Conklin, IIFC president, sent a letter to The Spectrum announcing the fraternities –– Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma, Tau Epsilon Phi and Theta Chi –– are no longer affiliated with UB and have formed the IIFC, an entity of fraternities which will function separately from UB. As an IIFC, the fraternities are expected to follow all values and policies

26-page report and announced social fraternities were no longer suspended, but were to remain on probation until adoption of 14 recommendations.

Some of the recommendations included suspending recruitment this semester, prohibiting freshmen from joining social

Students concerned

of their national headquarters. The nine organizations are recognized and supported by their national organizations and the North American Interfraternity Conference.

Fraternity members say they left because of fees and restrictions brought on after the August Greek life review findings.

UB President Satish Tripathi suspended all social Greek life activities following freshman Sebastian Serafin-Bazan’s death from a possible hazing on April 17. Tripathi charged a Greek Life Review Committee’s, headed

by Vice President for Student Life A. Scott Weber, to review Greek life at the university. On Aug. 21, Weber held a press conference to discuss the committees’ Vindhya burugupalli | the sPeCtrum

ALEXANDRA MOYEN ASST. NEWS EDITOR

UB Sustainability hosted Campus Garden Workday on Friday as part of Climate Week, giving the UB Campus Garden a new home outside the Statler Food Commissary.

The event was a part of several Climate Week events from Sept. 23-27, such as the

> SEE FRAT | PAGE 2

greek life mural in the stuDent union.

UB Sustainability moves campus garden to Statler Commissary Climate Week events help environment, educate students

Greek organizations during their first semester and requiring each student involved in Greek life pay a $25 per semester program fee. According to the Greek Life Review Committee’s report, the program fee is going toward chapter grants, general Greek marketing, retreats, conferences, workshops and awards and recognition.

“The fraternal organizations affiliating with this new council are voluntarily

Environmental Network Free Clothing Pop-Up and How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate. The Campus Garden Build Day closed off the week, as five students helped move the campus garden from the lawn between Greiner Hall and the Student Union to the Statler Commissary, a “more environmentally friendly” area.

Derek Nichols, UB Sustainability engagement coordinator, said the garden will be “better maintained” at the new location.

“Right now, it’s in the middle of no man’s land. It was hard to water, it was in direct sun, it took a lot of [maintenance],”

andrew palMer | the sPeCtrum ub StudentS Volunteer to moVe the campuS garden near ub beeS and biZer creeK.

Nichols said. “By the time spring comes, the beds will be ready and we’ll plant in them, so we’re not planting anything this season, but we’re getting set up and ready to go.”

Nichols plans to collaborate with students from UB Sustainability’s fellowship program to decide the garden’s layout. He said it will most likely be a “plot-based model” where UB clubs and organizations can own a spot and take care of it.

“A student club could have a little bit of raised beds space, an office on campus has a little bit of bed space,” Nichols said. “That way, there’s a direct ownership into that space and that organization is required to take care of it.”

Students helped build two beds and fill > SEE SUSTAINABILITY | PAGE 2

College of Arts and Sciences faculty discuss funded Ph. D. recruitment pause with Dean Schulze gives resolution to Interim Provost A. Scott Weber asking for more funding, expecting to hear back Monday BRITTANY GORNY SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Robin Schulze, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, held a meeting with CAS faculty on Friday to discuss the decision to halt 2020-21 funded Ph.D. recruitment.

She began by apologizing for making the decision “too quickly” and “in all the wrong ways” without faculty input, because of a “financial exigency.”

Schulze met with CAS chairs prior to the faculty meeting and said they came up with a “resolution,” which included asking Interim Provost A. Scott Weber for more funding.

Weber said he would “get back to” the dean on Monday.

CAS faculty members also proposed a resolution to Schulze, asking her to send a letter declaring Associate Dean of Graduate Education David Johnson’s Sept. 19 letter null and void and task the CAS Policy Committee and the CAS department chairs to recommend ways to implement the Ph.D. Excellence Initiative. The resolution also requested Schulze commits to no reduction in Ph.D. students while the policy committee does its work. Those three aspects of the resolution passed, despite there being no quorum ar the meeting. > SEE PH. D. | PAGE 2

2 | Monday, September 30, 2019

FROM PAGE 1

FRAT

disaffiliat[ed] from UB,” Barbara Ricotta, senior associate vice president for student life, wrote in an email. “These IIFC organizations are now officially unrecognized by the university. The University at Buffalo does not advise nor control the actions of these off-campus groups.”

President and CEO for Alpha Sigma Phi Gordy Heminger said Alpha Sigma Phi has never been investigated for violating the UB Code of Student Conduct. He said he didn’t think it was fair the chapter wasn’t able to recruit new members, attend a summer leadership conference, receive the national headquarters’ health and safety training and education or allow staff to meet with members.

“In addition, the university decided to impose a fee on all fraternity members, without providing a budget for how that money would be spent, and this fee makes FROM PAGE 1

SUSTAINABILITY

them with soil. Nichols said this is phase one of a bigger plan, and UB Sustainability may host another day where students can come out and fill the beds with more soil.

Michael McDonald, a senior at the School of Management and student assisFROM PAGE 1

PH. D.

Schulze said the current size of CAS is “unsustainable,” and she is “working to grow it.”

“I’m working in the most resourceconstrained environment I’ve ever seen,” Schulze said. “This is why I roll into the provost and president’s office every day of the freakin’ week and say, ‘Give us more students, increase the size of the undergraduate class, make us look like more [of Association of American Universities] look.’”

UB commnity doesn’t think presidential impeachment is likely Students, professors react after Nancy Pelosi’s formal impeachment announcement Tuesday DONOVAN NEWKIRK STAFF WRITER

Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, announced on Tuesday the House began a formal impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.

The inquiry came after Trump allegedly asked a foreign nation to provide information on a political opponent. Trump is accused of “pressuring” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to investigate and release information on Democratic presidential frontrunner and former Vice President Joe Biden.

“The House’s impeachment inquiry is the first step in the complex process of impeachment — the set of formal charges against a public official is to be voted on.”

“An impeachment inquiry gives the committees of jurisdiction more power to investigate the matters at hand,” said political science professor Shawn Donahue. “One of the purposes of starting an inquiry is that it would give the committee more power to gather evidence. These may lead to formal articles of impeachment later, which would be reported out of the House Judiciary Committee.”

On Thursday, an anonymous whistle-

NEWS

ubspectrum.com

fraternity membership more exclusive, versus inclusive,” Heminger wrote.

Ronald Ransom, interim executive director of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, said it’s important to the national organization that their local chapters stay recognized by the university “whenever possible.”

“Only under circumstances where we believe the rights of both our individual members and the organization are not being respected, do we support other forms of affiliation,” Ransom wrote in a statement.

Heminger wrote Alpha Sigma Phi would have preferred to remain recognized by the university but decided to leave following UB’s restrictions.

“If the university changes their position on when students can join, eliminates the [$25 per semester program fee] and creates meaningful incentives or benefits to being a recognized fraternity, Alpha Sigma Phi will be interested in re-affiliating,”

Heminger wrote in an email.

Conklin said he wanted to stay recognized by the university but doesn’t appreciate how the university disciplined organizations. “We are all deeply saddened by the situation that occurred in April. However, the Greek community is committed to having a positive experience,” Conklin wrote in an email. “We believe the university suspension of recruitment activities is unjust as the entire Greek Community is being punished still, months later, for the actions of a few students.”

Victor Tran, Assistant Executive Director of Communication for Pi Kappa Phi, said the fraternity hopes to build a “new and stronger” partnership with Buffalo in the future.

“Pi Kappa Phi does not agree with, nor can we support, limitations that restrict a student’s right to freedom of association and due process, particularly at a statefunded, public institution,” Tran wrote in

a statement.

Tran said all IIFC members must comply with community standards and health and safety guidelines or they will be held “fully accountable.”

Conklin said the IIFC is excited to resume all normal activities, including fundraising events, community service, chapter meetings, officer elections and recruitment.

“The IIFC hopes to rebuild a partnership with the university in the future,” Conkin wrote. “But until our student rights are respected and our organizations are treated equally, we will operate our fraternal community on our own with integrity, fairness and independence.”

tant at UB Sustainability, said it was exciting to see students come together and be involved in creating a sustainable environment.

McDonald said the garden’s location is important because it creates an ecosystem for bees on campus.

“If we lost bees, that’d be devastating for the planet. So it’s kind of nice to have

this realm of sustainability over here,” McDonald said. “Now we have our office that overlooks the solar strand … We have the bees and the new community garden.

So it’s a good way to tie it all into one area on campus.”

Kenneth Creaser, an environmental studies major, said he feels events like Campus Garden Build Day help spread

awareness for sustainability.

“I think adding cool s--t around here is going to help bring people more into it,” Creaser said. “I’m literally involved in every environmental group on campus and the numbers should be bigger. People need to be more worried about this.”

Schulze said she initially made the decision to increae stipends despite CAS’ budget situation, because stipend levels are “terrible.” “[The stipends] are the worst I’ve ever seen. I was appalled, I’m still appalled and I honestly believe from the bottom of my heart that we need to do better by our students,” Schulze said. “And this was all about that, because we’re on the brink of becoming irrelevant. We can’t stand that anymore. And I won’t stand that anymore.

That’s why I signed this.”

Some faculty agree with the temporary pause in funded Ph.D. student recruitment, saying there are fewer jobs available for them after graduation.

“It does not seem to me that reducing the number of Ph.D. students that we have at this university is a terrible measure in any form,” English professor Rachel Ablow said.

Others said decreasing the number of Ph.D. students should be up to the departments, and many faculty members voiced concern with the way CAS made the deci-

sion.

“I’m truly wondering, did Johnson just sit down at his desk one day and say, ‘Let’s do this?’” Elizabeth Mazzolini, English professor, asked.

Schulze said she takes “full ownership” for the way CAS handled the decision.

Some faculty said they want more transparency in the decision-making process and for faculty to be involved in any decisions on Ph.D. students in the future.

blower complaint from Aug. 12. The of Biden’s name and potential impeachwhistleblower said they received informa- ment proceedings may have a “latent eftion that Trump was “pressuring a foreign fect” on his presidential campaign.

Neiheisel thinks much more investigacountry to investigate one of the Presition and evidence is required to make an dent’s main domestic political rivals.”

Donahue said the process in the next educated political assessment, however, few weeks is dependent on if the commit- he said he doesn’t believe impeachment is tee has the required evidence to impeach likely.

Neiheisel said he doesn’t think the Senthe president or if the Trump administration will attempt to “stonewall the inves- ate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will hold a trial if Articles of Impeachment are tigation.”

“If the Trump administration stone- brought against Trump.

Neiheisel compared this to when Mcwalls the investigation, that could be an article of impeachment in itself,” Donahue Connell refused to hold a Senate confirsaid. “An important thing to watch is to mation hearing when former President see if any Republicans start to peel off and Barack Obama tried to appoint Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court in March back an impeachment inquiry.”

Alexander Smith, a junior communica- of 2016.

As a result of McConnell’s inaction, the tion major, doesn’t think Trump’s actions Supreme Court vacancy was left open unwarrant impeachment.

“Personally, I don’t believe he will be til Trump assumed office, enabling him to impeached,” Smith said. “Albeit, I don’t appoint, and confirm, Justice Brett Kavathink he is doing amazing things in office, naugh. but he is not causing enough issues to face impeachment.”

Political science professor Jacob Neiheisel says there is little in the constitution regarding impeachment, so there is a lot of uncertainty with what may happen.

“So much of the rules for impeachment, or the process for impeachment, is based on tradition and the few instances before that we have had of this,” Neiheisel said.

Neiheisel said he believes media cov- Photo Courtesy of Michael Vadon erage, the mention Donald Trump speaking at LACONIA Rally.

Judymae Jolibois, a sophomore marketing major, said she thinks the impeachment inquiry is “about time” and “long overdue.”

“It shouldn’t have taken this long because as president you should represent the people,” Jolibois said. “But he’s representing a certain demographic that’s not the entire population of America.”

According to Neiheisel, public opinion is an essential component in impeachment and, currently, the majority of Americans “do not have the stomach” to endure the impeachment process.

“I am guessing that any matter of impeachment will take us very close to the 2020 election anyways, and [McConnell] will likely say, ‘Well, this is a matter for the people to decide, and if they feel that [Trump] should not return to office, then we have a mechanism for that, and that is the election,’” Neiheisel said.

Email: brittany.gorny@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @BrittanyGorny

Email: alexandra.moyen@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @AlexandraMoyen

Email: brittany.gorny@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @BrittanyGorny

Email: news@ubspectrum.com

OPINION

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‘Build me up, buttercup, baby,’ post less pictures of buildings UB loves its buildings, but it’s what’s inside that counts

BENJAMIN BLANCHET ENGAGEMENT EDITOR

Ahh … Buffalo. Where downtown smells like Cheerios.

Where football fans piledrive their bodies into tables thirty minutes before watching players roll the dice with their health just to entertain us.

Where the zombie apocalypse is documented in great detail. Wait, what?

Yeah you heard me.

Buffalo has no living residents, at least that’s what you would assume browsing anything related to UB. Think the “Quiet Place 2” except there’s no John Krasinksi, in fact, there’s nobody at all.

But who needs ‘em, right? At least we have white columns, bricks from the 1980s and decades-old infrastructure.

Want an up close view? You’re going to have to park 30 minutes away to set your eyes on this “brick” cold campus, that gets dozens of upvotes on /r/UBReddit every day. Since Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg came to campus, UB has been entirely absent of people, at least according to its social media channels. No students, no professors, no staff. Just buildings.

I jumped in on the Buffalo building wave myself, to see what all the hype was about. I posted a picture on Instagram (Bell Hall illuminated by a sunset, classic building bait) and sprinkled in some social seasoning (#UBuffalo, #Buffalo).

Voilà! I got 40 likes, including one by UB itself. Buffalo real estate company Cedarland Development Group even got in on the mix, commenting with a ‘clapping hands together’ emoji. Some of my friends, who have been absent from my DMs for months, came out of obscurity to tap like on my photo.

Clearly, UB buildings are more important than my Mother’s Day post and a heartfelt message to my brother. If that means distancing myself from loved ones, sign me up!

When faced with a difficult decision, fraternity has taught us to live with integrity, stand up for our beliefs, and respect everyone’s rights. It has also shown us why the University at Buffalo needs strong student leadership.

We are all deeply saddened by the situation that occurred in April. However, the Greek Community is committed to having a positive experience. We believe the university suspension of recruitment activities is unjust as the entire Greek Community is being punished still, months later, for the actions of a few students.

Today, we announce the establishment

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.

I continued on my search for answers and decided the best way to find out if UB people loved buildings was through a world-class investigation.

After a five-minute-long study, I spotted just five people-oriented photos of 50 overall on UB’s Instagram location tag. On Reddit, the top photos included “Clemens stairwell,” water sinking into a drain outside Capen, a leaf bug on a Student Union pole and two pictures of sunsets by Davis Hall.

One user called it a “brutalist paradise.”

Another called it “beautiful.” I don’t care what you call it. The people on this campus are much more interesting than a skinny insect.

The Spectrum recently launched a “Humans of UB” Instagram. This was an initiative started by a former Spectrum editor, Jordan Oscar. Today, you might find him freelancing for The Buffalo News, taking pictures at events.

Guess who he takes pictures of ? People!

Because, like it or not, we’re not going to be here forever. I, like 30,000 other students, am also not here forever. I’d love more pictures of students doing things across the board.

The Student Association seems to be spending $4.5 million wisely by actually engaging with students. But the university, which currently has an over $7 million contract with a consulting firm for a marketing strategy, has got to move the camera over a bit and ask a student “You look like you’re enjoying this debt-causing higher education experience, want a picture on campus?” It’s that easy.

As of late, /r/UBReddit seems to be getting the message. As the weeks have trailed on this semester, students have been posting all about Barefoot Longboard Guy, Boombox Guy and even Professor Dietrich Kuhlmann (honestly, guys, read your emails).

I love buildings but, at the end of the day, UB community members can highlight the stories of our peers, just as The Spectrum does, all with a simple snapshot.

That’s what I hope to do in my life. I want to amplify our community’s voices, which is fairly hard to do with a brick.

Email: benjamin.blanchet@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @BenCBlanchet

of the Independent Interfraternity Council (IIFC) of Buffalo, New York – a coalition of fraternities previously affiliated with the University at Buffalo with the aim of positively developing fraternity culture within the community. The IIFC is currently made up of the Buffalo chapters of Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Sigma Phi, Phi Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Phi, Pi Lambda Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Tau Gamma, Tau Epsilon Phi, and Theta Chi. These organizations are recognized and supported by their respective national organizations and the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC).

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

Do we need to highlight students? No. We need more building pictures on UB’s Instagram

ALEXANDER POLAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a satirical column

I have been to many gorgeous places throughout my life: Saguaro National Park, the National Seashore in Cape Cod, the National Buffalo Wing Festival, but nothing is prettier to me than UB’s North Campus.

Looking at the architecture here is like looking at a graceful peacock. So many different shades of black, gray and even darker gray can be seen throughout the university.

When walking to my basket weaving class at the NSC, I always make sure to appreciate the Alcatraz-inspired architecture here.

People need to appreciate North Campus’ look more. We need 20 more angles of Baird Point to view. We need to showcase the beautiful Ellicott dormitories that make students feel like they are in boot camp.

Things have really been going downhill lately though. A new rainbow walkway was painted between the Commons and Student Union and I don’t appreciate the colors.

If they made the rainbow different shades of beige I think I would appreciate it more. I like a campus that makes me feel like I’m in a 1920s silent film, not Avatar.

I don’t understand what people have against pictures of buildings. I’ve personally never seen a sunset and the dull ‘80s architecture of the campus really brings out the best of the sunset.

My colleague Benjamin Blanchet does not understand the true beauty of our campus. He doesn’t really appreciate the look of a good, concrete-filled, bland building. He doesn’t appreciate the serene green and brown waters of Lake Lasalle, filled with specks of geese feces.

As student leaders committed to the Buffalo community, we have a vision that is dedicated to safety, integrity, and a commitment to service. The IIFC will allow us to fully resume all normal activities, such as philanthropy and fundraising events, community service, regular chapter meetings, officer elections, and recruitment. We are excited to provide UB students and Buffalo residents an organized group of young gentlemen they can rely on.

All students and member organizations in the IIFC will be expected to follow the law, their national organizations’ policies, and the university Code of Student Conduct, except in cases where the Code may infringe on a student’s constitutional rights. Student and local alumni leadership

Monday, September 30, 2019 | 3

Who really cares about the students at UB? What special things have they ever done for me lately?

I think The Spectrum should create a new “Buildings of UB” Instagram page instead of one for students. On this page, we could ask the buildings important questions like, ‘How are you feeling?’ ‘What major are you?’ and most importantly ‘Is a hot dog a sandwich?’

Do people really care about Boombox Boy? Or the Barefoot Longboarding Guy? I personally hear more discussion about the beauty of Bell Hall or how great three random pillars look from the (nontoxic) Lake Lasalle.

There are much more important components to this campus than the students.

What about the staff ? What about the geese and the turkeys who control Flint Road? Why are they never highlighted?

Buffalo is known as one of the most aesthetically pleasing places in the entire world. Our university should be showing off its true beauty. Who can resist looking at massive strip malls, piles and piles of snow everywhere and angry Bills and Sabres fans? That’s what makes Buffalo so special.

Without buildings, where would students learn?

What would be the point of all ten of these parking spots here on North Campus?

Where would fraternities meet to talk about their pledges doing chores for them?

Imagine how a building feels when it doesn’t get the recognition that it deserves.

Can a student really empathize with a building and their feelings? No, they can’t.

Nothing means more to me than the architecture here.

Eiffel Tower? Tacky.

The Statue of Liberty? Overrated.

Knox Hall covered in snow and bird droppings? Now that’s architecture.

Email: opinion@ubspectrum.com

are being established, and our top priority will be the health and safety of all fraternity members and guests.

The IIFC hopes to rebuild a partnership with the university in the future. But until our student rights are respected and our organizations are treated equally, we will operate our fraternal community on our own with integrity, fairness, and independence. We believe all students, current and future, have the right to a fraternal experience if they so choose. We hope this new collaboration will elevate safety, responsibility, and engagement within our community.

Thank you.

William Conklin IIFC President

FEATURES

4 | Monday, September 30, 2019

most freedom,” Kim said. “It gives me a blank canvas that I can fill with anything.”

Kim says his films always begin with a “small idea” –– like mysterious technology making people invisible –– and then he starts to “branch out.”

“RE-REHAB” went from a small idea to a selection at the March 2019 TSIFF. The festival, founded in 2014, presents over 100 short films from around the world throughout the week, running from March 1-4. The Buffalo International Film Festival, one of the largest film fests in New York, runs from Oct. 10-14.

“I am very happy to reach these film festivals now,” Kim said. “It doesn’t go without saying that I had experienced rejection plenty of time with my films in the past. … I believe I learned that if I keep making my stories, [they] will be watched at some point.”

Kim recently created his own production company, Xylograph Films, which allows him to pursue his small ideas without the constraint of working under studios.

Melanie Sudyn, Kim’s wife and cofounder of Xylograph Films, looks forward to watching Kim continue to grow and evolve in his work.

“I have not only seen Daeil behind the camera, I have seen the countless hours he spends on the computer editing, writing and researching,”

Directing dreams UB filmmaker reflects on success, science fiction and finding inspiration in the U.S. SAMANTHA VARGAS SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR

Daeil Kim wrote sci-fi and fantasy stories for friends and family when he was younger. He loved creating his “own world” as a kid.

That love quickly turned into visual storytelling and filmmaking after he graduated high school, until his stories weren’t just gifts to loved ones.

This year, his film “RE-REHAB” was selected for screening at the Toronto Shorts International Film Festival and the Buffalo International Film Festival.

“I received a phone call from the festival to inform us of our acceptance,” Kim, a junior media studies major, said. “I was blown away.”

Kim, who moved from South Korea to the U.S. after studying film history at a South Korean specialized film academy, wanted to pursue production to share his stories. With his production background, Kim is able to control every element of his films and has made six short films, each of which he wrote, directed, shot and edited by himself.

“RE-REHAB” explores drug addiction through visual metaphors. It introduces the audience to a world where a corporation has invented a pharmaceutical technology that turns people invisible. The film follows a male protagonist who recently lost his wife to drugs and pursues drug-use to find her.

“I don’t want my films to be defined as the fantasy genre, but at the same time, I think writing about fantasy gives me the

Sudyn said. “Daeil is the most dedicated individual I have ever seen.”

As a student filmmaker, Kim finds himself constrained by the limitations of the university’s technology and local talent, but that doesn’t stop him from producing as much as he can.

He says half of his cast is professional, while the other half are his fellow students.

And whether he’s studio-funded or not, he said his focus is always on his own script.

John Spaschak, Kim’s agent and occasional producer, knew that Kim’s skillset was special after seeing his early work.

“He’s able to capture emotion in such a way that it doesn’t matter if his actors aren’t professionals or even experienced,” Spaschak said. “He’s able to combine the angles and lighting and sound so effectively that the performances are secondary.

That’s the makings of a great storyteller.”

Kim isn’t only inspired by renowned directors like David Lynch –– who similarly does “everything himself ” –– he also credits his move to the U.S. as inspiration for

JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA, SOFIE ROBINSON ASST. FEATURES EDITOR, STAFF WRITER

Buffalo is known for its snow. It is not, however, known for its skiing.

But that doesn’t stop Schussmeisters Ski Club –– a student-run club at UB founded in 1960 –– from making the best of the nearby slopes.

Schussmeisters, which provides ski-pass deals to the UB and local communities, was named after the word “schuss” ––which means to go straight down a hill on skis

his films. He says he never was exposed to things like “drug use and gun violence” so moving to the U.S. allowed him to pursue such topics.

“I think as a creator, when I’m writing things, having a different perspective is really important,” Kim said.

Kim’s next project, a feature-length film called “White Demise,” explores the culture around gun violence through the science-fiction concept of “life-saving bullets.” Kim took two years off school, from 2017 to 2019, to shoot his film, and plans to begin hosting screenings for criticism before submitting it to festivals in December.

“I have [another] year left [in school] and I’d like to continue going to school for production and just continue making films,” Kim said. “I want it to be my best work.”

Email: Samantha.Vargas@UBSpectrum.com Twitter: @SamMarieVargas

Vindhya Burugupalli | The Spectrum Portrait of Daeil Kim sitting outside the student union.

Get to snow Schussmeisters UB’s ski club pushes beginner recruitment, hopes to attract more students with new bussing days

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–– and the german word “meister,” which means master. The 160-member club’s mission statement is “to create affordable skiing for college students” and with a “pass price” currently at $279 for students, and $309 for anyone else, students say the club is doing just that. Although prices will rise as the season approaches, the club’s passes will still offer access to four different slopes: Holiday Valley, Kissing Bridge, Peek’n Peak and Swain, with a free Friday bus to Holiday Valley.

While the club reduced the number of days it offers free bussing from three to one this year, members are still able to use their pass to go skiing up to four times per week and the club can now offer cheaper passes.

The club hopes more members will be able to use the bus and go skiing now that the bus runs on Fridays, according to club president Carly Connor. The buses on

Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays were unpopular because some members had class the next day and were unable to go.

“The bussing is now more accessible to students because we run it Friday at 4:30 rather than during the week,” Connor said.

“This allows more students to go because it is the weekend and they do not have class the following day.”

The club decided to change the busing after conducting an online poll which indicated members would prefer to pay less for a pass and only have one bus that runs on Fridays, according to Maxwell Morrill, a sophomore mechanical engineering major and Vice Chairperson of the club.

To compensate for less busing, the club also organized a “carpool group chat.”

The group allows members to find others who can provide rides to those who can’t drive.

Schussmeisters is open to skiers of all experience levels.

Connor believes inexperienced skiers have hestitated to join the club because of a common presupposition that skiing is too dangerous.

“A misconception some people have about our club, and skiing in general, is that it is a dangerous sport,” Connor said. “ Many people believe that they are too uncoordinated to join.”

Morrill agrees.

“A lot of people do seem scared,” Morrill said. “When I was talking to people that may want to be new members of the club I got so many [people saying], ‘I would break my leg’ or ‘I’d get a concussion.’”

But club members believe there is room for beginners at Schussmeisters, as the slopes the club has access to all have runs that are easy enough for beginners.

Schussmeisters’ passes also include two ski or snowboard lessons at Kissing Bridge to help beginners learn.

Roni Berger, a senior finance major and former club member, emphasized that skiing is learnable and anyone can become a “meister” with practice.

“It’s all about starting at your own pace.

[Skiing] could be scary to think about if you’ve never done it, but if you have a good instructor or friend teaching you the basics, it’s easy to face,” said Berger. “It is very easy to control your speed and [direction], so it’s a lot simpler than you might think.”

In order to promote recruitment, Schussmeisters held the annual Rail Jam on Sept. 27 in the field north of Lee Road and west of the University Bookstore.

The event featured a variety of “park equipment” and artificial snow that club leaders used to perform snowboard tricks and ski tricks. The event also featured a Slip ‘N Slide.

“The rail jam yesterday went well,” Connor said. “There were more people than we expected who were able to get in some skiing and snowboarding before the season officially starts.”

Email: julian.grmela@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @GrmelaJulian

Photo Courtesy of Schussmeister Ski Club Schussmeisters Ski Club hopes to recruit new members with their annual “Rail Jam” event.

ubspectrum.com

Your October collection of Buffalo’s sonic selections

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT night” among others during his Buffalo performance of his “Not Dead Yet Tour.”

The tour is based on his 2016 autobiography of the same name and, of course, the fact that he’s still alive.

JULIANNA TRACEY SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

The transition to fall means a lot of things for students in Buffalo. The weather is getting colder, classes are getting harder and students are getting understandably stressed.

But the cooler weather doesn’t mean the Buffalo music scene is cooling down any time soon.

With venues like Babeville, the KeyBank Center and Town Ballroom, Buffalo is full of opportunities for students to be entertained while spending the rest of their days waiting for pumpkin spice lattes.

We’ve compiled a list of music acts coming to Buffalo this month for students to enjoy in between classes.

Students itching for rock music can look forward to Big Wreck’s performance at the Town Ballroom in October.

The Canadian-American rock band formed in Boston in 1994 and is known for albums “In Loving Memory Of…,” “Albatross,” “Ghosts,” and its most recent album, “But For the Sun.” The band’s 1997 single “The Oaf (My Luck Is Wasted)” earned a spot in the top ten on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart in 1998.

The band will embark on the “But For the Sun Tour” in Canada later in October, after the Buffalo performance.

It is almost impossible to listen to the radio and not hear Post Malone in 2019.

The Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist rose to stardom with his 2015 hit “White Iverson.” Now, Post Malone is known for his hits “Rockstar” and “Psycho.” In 2016, Malone toured with Justin Bieber as an opener for Bieber’s “Purpose World Tour” and the platform saw him take off commercially soon after. Malone has since headlined his own tours, the “Stoney Tour” and the “Beerbongs & Bentleys Tour.”

Now, Malone is embarking on his 2019 tour, “Runaway” and hitting arenas without help from the Biebs. The tour will reach cities across the U.S., like Houston, Detroit, Boston, and Buffalo.

The EDM pop-duo The Chainsmokers formed in 2012, and rose to fame with their 2014 single, “#Selfie,” which reached Platinum status in the U.S. The group has since won several awards, including a Grammy for Best Dance Recording for their song “Don’t Let Me Down.” Their single “Closer,” featuring Halsey, was the group’s first single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and still holds a special. or non-special, place in the hearts of any-

Monday, September 30, 2019 | 5 one who owned a radio a few years back.

The group is now embarking on the “World War Joy Tour.” They will be accompanied by the pop-rock band 5 Seconds of Summer and up-and-coming artist, Lennon Stella, who The Spectrum previously interviewed in the spring.

Haley Reinhart may have become famous for winning third place in the tenth season of “American Idol,” but the singer/songwriter has grown far beyond the franchise.

The soul singer has gained more recognition through performing and touring with Postmodern Jukebox in 2015, and her covers of Radiohead’s “Creep” and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.”

The latter of the two songs was featured in a commercial for Extra Gum. Reinhart released her most recent album “Lo-Fi Soul” in March. The album channels the sounds and styles of the ‘60s. Reinhart’s Buffalo concert, a part of her “LoFi Soul Tour,” will also channel this energy, with discounted tickets for students.

Email: julianna.tracey@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @JTraceySpec

Fans of the movie “Tarzan” or the band Genesis can look forward to singer, songwriter, and drummer Phil Collins’ return to the stage.

Collins is known for his massive success in the music industry, having more U.S. Top 40 singles than any artist in the ‘80s and his Oscar win for Best Original Song for “You’ll Be in My Heart” from the wildly successful 1999 Disney movie.

He is known for his distinct sound, using gated-reverb drums in his recordings.

Collins will be performing hit songs “Against All Odds” and “In the Air To“Post Malone” by

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CC BY-ND 2.0

Siddharth Bandhu | The Spectrum Dr. Seuss characters Sally, Conrad, Thing 1, Thing 2 and The Cat in the Hat smile on stage.

Dr. Seuss’ ‘The Cat in the Hat’ performed as part of the Department of Theatre and Dance’s annual Student Directed Series ANASTASIA WILDS ASST. ARTS EDITOR

Coloring pages and Dr. Seuss books covered tables outside of the Katharine Cornell Theatre Friday, as children and families waited in line to see the first UBled performance from an iconic cat.

UB students performed a theater production of Dr. Seuss’s “The Cat in the Hat” at the theater on Sept. 27-28 as part of the Department of Theatre and Dance’s annual Student Directed Series.

The series gives students the opportunity to produce and direct a show on their own and this production was the first-ever children’s theater production at UB, based on the 1957 children’s book of the same name by Dr. Seuss.

Jill Anderson, a senior music theatre major, directed the production and said it is her first major directing experience, which was difficult but “totally worth it.”

“I think that directing [this production] has been incredibly challenging yet fun,”

Anderson said. “The cast has been so incredible, and they are constantly giving me ideas [while] I’m giving them ideas.

It’s been great in that sense but incredibly hard [with] all the work and time I’ve put into it, but totally worth it after seeing the show tonight.”

Anderson is also an education minor, which gave her the idea to do a children’s production last summer.

“I have an extreme interest in how theater can affect children’s lives,” Anderson said. “[While] I was watching [the show on Friday], I sat in front of two young boys who laughed through the entire show. …

For a lot of them, this was probably the first live theater performance they’ve ever seen and I think seeing their reactions tonight has by far been my favorite aspect.”

Steven Zehler, a senior theatre design and technology major, also noted the significance of the young crowd, as it expands the theatre’s audience past its typical boundaries.

“Chainsmokers” by

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“The fact that [the show] starts at [6 p.m.], the fact that we’re allowing kids to come and the fact that we got so much marketing for it was a huge deal,” Zehler said.

For this show, Zehler held many roles, including lighting designer, projection designer and sound designer. But one of the most noticeable things he worked on was his video work, projected on the new projection screen at the back of the stage. The videos incorporated the art style from the

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original book and brought the images to life through animation.

While Zehler brought the story to life on the projection screen, sophomore biomedical engineering major Madeline Podaras helped bring it to life on stage. She played the role of a kitten and helped the Cat in the Hat cause chaos. “[The kittens] are like the stage crew on steroids,” Podaras said. “We add the things that are balanced on the Cat, we throw stuffed animals on stage and we help [Thing 1 and Thing 2] make more of a mess. We are a catalyst for chaos.”

Podaras said cast members could go as “over the top” as they wanted, and she had more freedom as an actor in this show than most productions.

But like Anderson and Zehler, Podaras considered the child-filled crowd to be the most unique and rewarding part of the show.

“When you expose children to theater early on, it opens up their mind. And you can see that this form of media connects with them on a deeper level than like with a book, TV or phone because it’s real,” Podaras said. “It’s so much more rewarding when, after the show, you see the kids and they are so happy.”

Email: anastasia.wilds@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @AnastasiaWilds

Siddharth Bandhu | The Spectrum Dr. Seuss characters The Cat in the Hat, Sally, Conrad and the famlyfish on stage.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

6 | Monday, September 30, 2019

Rapper and former UB student Dom Brown talks about his music and family JULIANNA TRACEY SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

Dom Brown was nervous the week leading up to his Canalside performance.

The rapper was preparing to perform in front of 8-10,000 people at his biggest concert yet.

But he recalls his nerves melting away as soon as he stepped foot on stage. He knew he had to be confident to open for Nelly.

Brown, a former UB student and rapper, performed songs from his recent album, “No Genre” during the Aug. 10 concert. The album defies conventional music genres, according to Brown, combining aspects of hip-hop, rap, R&B and Afroinspired beats. The former Bull, who left school to pursue music when his daughter was born, looks back on his time at UB as a developmental stage and hopes his mu-

sic can resonate with his daughter.

Brown says music has been ingrained in him since he was a child, recalling his first rap in third grade. The Rochester native was supposed to write a poem for his class, but instead, with the help of his mother, wrote a rap.

After that moment, Brown would do anything he could to write music. He recalls writing his own lyrics to other artists’ music.

Brown arrived at UB in 2011 as a sociology and legal studies major. During his time at UB, Brown made music on a cheap microphone in his dorm room.

Tonye Kay, Brown’s friend and frequent music collaborator of 12 years, says he has seen progression in Brown’s music and style since his UB days.

“He’s definitely grown. He’s gotten more confident, more confident in himself.” Kay said. “Definitely his songwriting has grown. He’s put together a lot of better songs. I think he’s trending up.”

Brown’s current music is influenced by various genres and artists like Drake and Childish Gambino, who inspire him with their “versatile sound.” Brown grew up listening to rap and R&B and says that those styles are “ingrained” in him.

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Brown was almost finished with his degrees when his daughter, DiMaya, was born. Brown decided to take a break from school to take care of her.

He hasn’t gone back and says the dynamic of being a father and a musician has caused a shift in focus in his musical process.

He says what was once a “worry-free” process, has now become difficult as he takes care of his daughter.

“Being a dad gave me more responsibility.” Brown said. “I think right now, I’m just more mature. I have more adult responsibilities. Music is more difficult to manage because of the things I have right now.”

Despite this difficulty, Brown sees his music influencing his daughter’s love of music.

Brown recalls music being a large part of his childhood since his father was a DJ. Now, he can see the

same thing happening with his daughter, who knows the words to Brown’s music and inspires him to keep making new songs.

In the future, Brown hopes to remain relatable while expanding his following.

He hopes that talking about his life, his daughter and his experiences in songs can help listeners in similar situations.

“I want them to connect with the music and listen to it when they’re going through something, or to make their day better.”

Brown said.

Email: Julianna.Tracey@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @JTraceySpec

Courtesy of chaSSity Monice raPPer anD songwriter Dom brown oPens for nelly During his aug. 10 PerformanCe at CanalsiDe.

PHOTOS BY WAYNE PENALES | THE SPECTRUM

Meg Kirchoff “I just started here from Minneapolis.

I’m working on my Dance MFA, so I’m new to Buffalo and the whole getting back to school thing. It’s been fun because I feel like when I was an undergrad, I didn’t

appreciate all the opportunities I had at school and I didn’t go out as much. So, I’m excited where this gets to be my focus.”

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Nicholas Percello “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

you were to just be yourself with someone you like. In today’s society, guys are usually the ones to ask out girls. I got into a relationship [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.”

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SPORTS

8 | Monday, September 30, 2019

ubspectrum.com

Women’s basketball prepares for 2019-20 season UB football team loses to Miami (OH) 34-20

Bulls held first practice Thursday with roster of young talent

ALEXANDER POLAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER

The Bulls (2-3, 0-1 MAC) lost a rough game and benched their quarterback Matt Myers against Miami (OH) (2-3, 1-0 MAC).

The Bulls had a strong first half but fell apart in the second, losing the game 34-20.

Neither quarterback played exceptionally well in the first half, but Myers made a great 20-yard throw to Antonio Nunn for the opening touchdown.

While the Bulls started the game off well, UB made a game-changing mistake in the second quarter. Myers fumbled the ball late in the quarter off a third-down play, deep in UB territory. Luckily for the Bulls, their defense came up huge, stopping the Redhawks three straight times and holding them to a field goal to make the score 1413 Bulls at halftime.

The lead didn’t last long for the Bulls in the second half, as a defender hit Myers, causing him to throw an interception and leading to a Miami touchdown. After a Buffalo punt, the RedHawks drove down the field, scoring another touchdown off a 13-yard pass.

Myers was later benched in the third quarter after an uninspired performance, completing 4 of 16 passes for 59 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease, who filled in for Myers, didn’t throw many passes in the loss, with only four in a quarter and a half of play.

The UB offense’s main issue was keeping possession. Four turnovers off two fumbles and two interceptions sunk the Bulls’ chances to score any more points.

Running back Jaret Patterson was impressive with 22 carries for 183 yards. He also had a powerful 82-yard touchdown run, breaking two tackles on his way to the long score. Patterson was the most consistent performer for the Bulls, averaging 8.3 yards a carry.

Patterson’s teammate in the backfield Kevin Marks was excellent as well, rushing for 101 yards on 17 attempts. Both backs were the main reason why the Bulls could keep the game close, but it wasn’t enough as their offense struggled in the pass game.

SARA HOLLAND STAFF WRITER

The 2019-20 women’s basketball season has officially begun, so it’s time to take a look at what this Bulls team has to offer.

The defending conference champions held their first official practice Thursday.

With their first regular season game just over a month away, the Bulls are looking to carry over their success from last season with a new roster of freshmen recruits from across the globe and their head coach entering her eighth season.

The Bulls welcome freshman forward Loren Christie from Hertfordshire, England, this season. Christie played in high school at Barking Abbey School, where she averaged 16.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals and 2.2 blocks per game during her senior year. The Bulls also found a place for freshman guard Dyaisha Fair from Rochester, NY. Fair played high school ball at Edison Tech, averaging 33.5 points per game. She set the program record for most points in a game (51).

Freshman center Elea Gaba comes from Dresden, Germany and played high school basketball at Sportgymnasium Chemnitz, where she helped her team reach first in the German Championship. Gaba had the opportunity to represent Germany at the 2019 U18 Women’s European Championship where she averaged 7.3 points and 5.2

WHERE: UB Stadium WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 5 3:30 p.m.

Sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum. com.

rebounds per game.

Freshman gaurd Jessika Schiffer of Iserlohn, Germany also joined the roster.

Schiffer played her high school season at Deutschhaus Gymnasium and represented Germany at the 2019 U19 Women’s European Championship where she averaged 7.1 points and 2.1 assists per game.

Schiffer also represented Germany at the 2019 U20 Women’s European Championship, averaging 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds per game.

The team is young, with only three upperclassmen –– including one senior –– on the roster. With the addition of four new faces to the program, the team is looking to add more energy to the lineup.

Chris Yang | The Spectrum Sophomore Oceane Kounkou dribbling the ball during a practice session.

Bulls overpower Rockets in five-set matchup MYAH GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER

Head coach Lance Leipold will have a tough decision to make ahead of the Bulls’ home game against the Ohio Bobcats.

Both quarterbacks Myers and Vantrease struggled throughout the game and neither looked like a solid starter for the next UB game.

The Bulls will host the Ohio Bobcats (13) for their first home conference game of the season. This will be an exciting game, and both teams will look to get past their slow starts to the season.

Alexander Brown | The Spectrum Sophomore Adebola Adeyeye making a pass to a teammate down the court.

In Saturday night’s thrilling five-set matchup, the Bulls (5-9) earned their first conference win of the season.

The match kept both UB and Toledo fans on the edge of their seats, as the volleyball teams traded sets back and forth, with the Bulls finally overpowering the Rockets (7-7) in the fifth set, leaving the match 16-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-23 and 1512.

UB struggled to put the ball down against a solid Toledo defensive and offensive game early on, dropping the first set as the Rockets came out strong. Toledo put down 16 kills compared to just eight for the Bulls.

The Bulls cranked it up in the second set, starting with a quick 5-0 lead. The Rockets pushed to close the gap throughout the set and even pulled ahead of the Bulls at one point. UB still finished strong, ending with 13 kills on the set, compared to only nine kills for Toledo.

Senior middle Kristina Nieves came in swinging in the set with a couple solid kills to help UB regain the lead. She finished the night with 9 kills on a near-perfect hitting percentage.

The third set came with more pressure from the Rockets, with the score bouncing

back and forth. The teams tied 17 times throughout the set but Toledo ultimately pulled ahead at the very end.

Head coach Scott Smith kept his team motivated despite Toledo pulling ahead.

“Their best is good enough,” Smith said. “When they play a little more consistently and a little more steady and don’t step too far out of their comfort zone, we do pretty well.”

The Bulls fought through to win the final two sets, making a winning comeback.

After a tough conference loss to Akron Thursday, this win was much needed and comes as their first in the conference this season.

Some key players for UB were senior Polina Prokudina, who led the team with

Alexander Brown| The Spectrum Rachel Sanks hitting the ball over two Toledo players.

“Young people have energy and we’re the type of team that would make a mistake but go, ‘We’re not dwelling on the past,’” said sophomore forward Adebola Adeyeye.

Senior forward Summer Hemphill will play a big role for the Bulls this season.

Coming off an extremely successful junior season, Hemphill is expected to produce big numbers. Last season, Hemphill set a career high in points (14.5), rebounds (10.3) and minutes (36.6).

Hemphill will also be taking on a leadership role from departing player and former team leader Cierra Dillard this season. Hemphill’s teammates say they look up to her and her coaching staff is excited for her to set an example.

“She’s our backbone,” Adeyeye said.

Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack is excited to work with the young team, saying their youth only makes them more energetic.

Coming off a successful season coaching reigning MAC champions and making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament after getting knocked out by the second-seed Connecticut, Jack has high expectations for this season.

“There’s always a big expectation, always win better than we did last year and we always want to do better than we’ve ever done.”

Sports desk can be reached at sports@ubspectrum. com

18 kills, followed closely by senior Rachel Sanks, who earned 11 kills for the night.

Senior setter Scout McLerran orchestrated the offense, finishing with 46 assists and only one error. On the defensive side, sophomore defensive specialist Paige Beck was solid in the back row putting up 29 digs.

In preparation for their next game, Smith really wants to focus on his team’s offensive play.

“We need to make sure we’re taking good, smart swings and really taking advantage of the opportunities we have.”

The Bulls will move on to face Miami (OH) (6-7) on the road this Friday.

Email: sports@ubspectrum.com