THE SPECTRUM VOL. 69 NO. 19 | OCTOBER 31, 2019
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950
Campus critters: Spooky edition
> SEE PAGE 4
UBSPECTRUM
‘Jesus is King’ finds Kanye West at his most unfinished
Get to know an opponent: Eastern Michigan
> SEE PAGE 6
> SEE PAGE 8
MENSTRUAL PRODUCT DRIVE OPEN THROUGH
NOV. 8
Some worried about closure’s impact, others optimistic
Student Association collects menstrual products, plans to donate to local food pantry
JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA FEATURES EDITOR
The Albright-Knox Art Gallery will close its doors to the public for the next two years on Monday. The closure will allow workers to construct a new building on the art museum’s north end. This is the Albright-Knox’s third major expansion in 114 years since it has had a permanent location and the gallery expects the various additions to add 30,000 square feet of museum space. The Albright-Knox intends to open a satellite branch in Buffalo’s east side in January. Professors and community members have contrasting opinions on how the museum’s absence will affect Buffalo’s art scene. The expansion plans include an underground parking space, a new entrance to the museum on the east wing of the 1962 building, an “Indoor Town Square” (a cover over the “open-air Sculpture Garden”), a new education wing and a bridge
FORMER UB WRESTLER PLACES FIFTH AT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
ALEXANDRA MOYEN NEWS EDITOR
the sPectrum ArchiVes The alBriGhT-Knox Will cloSe on monDay for a TWo-year conSTrucTion proJecT Which Will aDD 30,000 SQuare feeT of muSeum Space.
connecting the new building to the 1905 building. The Albright-Knox’s board members said the expansion is necessary to “properly house the museum’s growing collection, mount rotating special exhibitions and present a dynamic range of comple-
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
UB volunteer assistant wrestling coach Muhamed McBryde placed fifth at the 2019 Under 23 World Championships in Hungary. McBryde competed in the freestyle 79 kilograms bracket and earned the highest finish ever for a UB alum at the World Championships. McBryde wrestled at UB from 2013-17 and was named an Academic All-MAC selection twice. He earned a fourth-place finish at the 2017 MAC Championships and finished his UB career with a 44-46 record. McBryde was the freestyle 79 kilograms bracket champion at the U23 World Team Trials this summer. While representing the United States at the Under 23 World Championships in Budapest from Oct. 3-28, McBryde defeated wrestlers from Estonia and Egypt and dropped matches to competitors from Georgia and Turkey. He lost the bronze medal match to Turkey’s Ramazan Sari, 8-3. In 2018, UB wrestler Alex Smythe represented the U.S. at the U23 World Championships in Romania, after defeating NCAA third-place finisher Evan Wick in a best-of-three series at qualifiers. Smythe and McBryde were both recruited to the UB program by head coach John Stutzman. Email: justin.weiss@ubspectrum.com
mentary educational programs,” according to a press release. On Jan. 17, the Albright-Knox expects to open its satellite location –– AlbrightKnox Northland –– on 612 Northland Avenue. The new location will not display
The Student Association collected 386 menstrual products, as of Wednesday afternoon, since starting a menstrual product drive on Oct. 21. The drive, which will last until Nov. 8, is part of a SUNY SA initiative to encourage all SUNY schools to participate, according
> SEE ALBRIGHT-KNOX | PAGE 4
> SEE MENSTRUAL DRIVE | PAGE 2
UB community members voice concerns to state legislators
Wrestling coach Muhamed McBryde earns Students, faculty ask for highest finish ever for UB more funding, support for SUNY transparency bill alum JUSTIN WEISS
AleXAnder Brown / The SpecTrum menSTrual proDucTS DonaTeD To The STuDenT aSSociaTion’S Drive, Which Will laST unTil nov. 8.
BRITTANY GORNY SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
their maintenance needs and advocated for an increase in funding for UB’s master plans. Student Association President Yousouf Amolegbe and SA Vice President Georgia Hulbert asked legislators for the Excelsior Scholarship to cover more tuition and to give Disability Services more funding. Philip Glick, chapter president for health sciences and former faculty senate chair, said budgets have been “flat” for six years and the TAP gap –– the difference between TAP funding and annual tuition –– is now at $70 million and rising. Glick asked legislators to support the campus foundation transparency bill, which would require the UB Foundation and other SUNY and CUNY foundations to submit annual reports and be “com-
pletely transparent” with their budgets. Stavisky said foundations have “gotten better” with transparency but are “nowhere near where they should be.” Glick said he had “several conversations” about transparency with UBF’s chair. “He told me UBF is sufficiently transparent, hung up the phone and refused to meet with me again,” Glick said. Gaelle Jean-Baptiste, Buffalo State College’s United Students Government president, said she sees students’ financial struggles and has noticed students leaving the school because they can’t afford tuition. As a Buffalo State student, JeanBaptiste works four jobs and is “living
United University Professions held a public hearing with state legislators and the chair of the higher education committee to discuss accessibility and college tuition Wednesday. Roughly 40 people attended the event where New York State Senator Timothy Kennedy, Assemblymember Karen McMahon and Chair of the Higher Education Senate Committee Toby Ann Stavisky > SEE STATE LEGISLATORS | PAGE 2 listened to SUNY administrators’ and students’ concerns. Stavisky said the hearing was more “communitybased” than legislative and is the third in a series of hearings they are holding across the state featuring members of the higher education union. Beth Del Genio, UB President Satish Tripathi’s chief of staff, advocated for the state’s five-year capital program, which ensures SUNY facilities Andrew PAlmer / The SpecTrum neW yorK STaTe SenaTor TimoThy KenneDy, aSSemBlymemBer Karen mcmahon anD chair of The hiGher eDucaTion SenaTe commiTTee receive enough ToBy ann STaviSKy DiScuSS hiGher eDucaTion anD TuiTion aT The Suny TranSparency Bill DiScuSSion aT The cenTer for TomorroW on funding to meet WeDneSDay.
NEWS
2 | Thursday,October 31 2019 FROM PAGE 1
MENSTRUAL DRIVE
to SA Chief of Staff Eric Rooney. Now, through a collective effort by Rooney, SA Vice President Georgia Hulbert and SA Assistant Director of Health and Wellness Matthew Taboni, SA brought the drive to UB and is collecting menstrual products from students and SA clubs in hopes of stocking UB’s food pantry. “So with food pantries, people don’t really know that they also have menstrual products for people and they don’t get enough menstrual product [donations],” Rooney said. “Putting on a menstrual hygiene drive, by itself, is probably the best way to go.” Rooney, Hulbert and Taboni have reached out to local food pantries, including UB’s Blue Table, and hope to donate the products before Thanksgiving, ac-
cording to Taboni. They will not place the products in UB bathrooms, since there are already free tampons and pads in bathrooms across campus. “We’re still trying to determine where exactly [the donations] might be going, there is talk about possibly linking it with Blue Table and trying to have a time for Blue Table to donate [them] to the UB students,” Taboni said. “But if Blue Table isn’t willing to take [the products], we’re going to reach out to more organizations, council relations or pantries that need more hygiene products.” Although the coordinators didn’t set a specific goal, Taboni said they have received more donations than he expected and have already filled two shelves in the last week. SA will also be hosting a thrift-store-style coat drive toward the end of the semester, along with a Student Life Committee
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Drive in partnership with Faculty Student Senate toward the end of November. UB community members who want to contribute can bring donations to SU 350.
one. “We are in need [of] adequate funding for all of our institutions because funds are constantly being moved to things that don’t necessarily benefit us as students,” Jean-Baptiste said.
Del Genio asked legislators for more capital funding for the master plans because UB wants a new building for the from check to check” hoping the ExcelsiSEAS department, which has seen a 62% or Scholarship will cover increased tuition. increase in undergraduates and 55% inAnd Jean-Baptiste said she isn’t the only crease in graduates over the past seven years, according to Del Genio. Del Genio said they need the current fiveyear capital plan to “support critical maintenance for physical infrastructure,” and “build new academic buildings in high demand areas.” Glick said UB needs support for the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, which is in debt. He is asking for “construction bond forgiveness,” because JSBMS pays $1 million a month, which equates to $12 million a year for the next 28 years. Glick said this Andrew Palmer / The Spectrum is “severely impairing” Beth Del Genio (third from left), UB President’s Chief of Staff, advocates for more funding for UB’s master plans. FROM PAGE 1
STATE LEGISLATORS
Email: alexandra.moyen@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @AlexandraMoyen
plans at the medical center, which is the “backbone of healthcare in WNY.” “It’s very important we don’t take a flat budget again, because then we put the operating costs of universities on the back of student tuition and fees or we cut programs,” Glick said. “That’s what’s been going on around here for the past four to five years.” Amolegbe asked the state to invest more money into SUNY programs, including those for mental health, EOP, food pantries and academic advisement to make tuition “more affordable.” He said the tuition-assistance program isn’t funded by the state which “severely diminished” schools’ ability to provide a quality education. “With an increase in funding and the expansion of programs, campuses across the state will be equipped to provide greater quality education and student services that address the backgrounds and needs of our students,” Amolegbe said. Alexandra Moyen contributed reporting to this article Email: brittany.gorny@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @BrittanyGorny
Sarra Souissi Senior computer science major Costume: David S. Pumpkin’s
Students’ costume plans
skeleton
TEACHER RESIDENCY PROGRAM
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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 November 1st. Play a role in achieving equity in the education afforded to students in the City of Buffalo.
Alexa Federice Senior political Costume: Cher
science and
Italian
Cesar Ramirez, Junior biomedical major Costume:
To be eligible, applicants must have an undergraduate degree in one of the following areas by June 2020: • • • • •
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“My
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Zoë Ferraro Sophomore anthropology Costume: White Claw
major
Social Sciences
(Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, Psychology, Philosophy, or Sociology)
Learn more and apply online: ed.buffalo.edu/residency Zachary Tenembaum Senior computer science Costume: A wine bag
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Sana”
OPINION
ubspectrum.com
The university is not funding defense contractors, these companies help students
ALEXANDER POLAND CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As a senior civil engineering major, I disagree with the purpose of this YDSA protest and the way the group criticized SEAS. These contractors give UB money which helps fund our engineering programs and directly benefits the students, providing internships, jobs and other in-school opportunities. If I were offered a job at one of these defense contractors would I take it? No, I wouldn’t. I don’t agree with what these defense contractors do or stand for, but that’s my personal choice and relates to my moral compass. But my moral compass doesn’t give me the right to stop other people from taking advantage of these opportunities. If you want to make the argument that these contractors are morally corrupt and
are committing atrocities, that is understandable and is an important conversation to have. The problem with the YDSA’s argument is that it implies the university funds these companies. It does not. The university does not “kill babies” nor are SEAS employees “war criminals” for partnering with these companies. This partnership may benefit the companies by giving them the chance to work with accomplished students, but it does not benefit them monetarily. If SEAS ended these partnerships, many engineering students would suffer, as their clubs and activities would lose a significant amount of funding. It would also strip students of the opportunity to work for these large companies, where they can advance their careers and become professionals in
But one of the worst parts of live games is being surrounded by obnoxious fans. Buffalo fans are known to be some of the worst. While there is no harm in the typical drunken, idiotic fan behavior, lately this has crossed the line and become more toxic than ever before. The behavior of a few makes the rest look bad. As a Bills fan I’m used to the stereotype that all Bills fans are drunken idiots, but as sports fans we need to act better and more respectable for everyone in the stands. Need I remind you about the dildo that was thrown on the field against the Patriots? That makes an interesting family talk for parents whose kids ask what’s on the field. Sporting events are family affairs. I remember my parents taking me to Toronto for Yankees games as a kid. But in all of my time at games –– in Toronto, Baltimore and Cleveland –– I’ve never seen behavior like that in New York.
Yankees fans are already considered the worst sports fans because they are annoying. But throwing beer and popcorn at Astros fans crosses the line. Lets not add “bullies” to the list of Yankee-fan complaints. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve thrown around a few f-bombs in frustration –– like at last season’s MAC Championship in Detroit –– but never anything that crossed the line. And the fighting in the stands needs to come to a stop. Do you realize how stupid you look fist fighting in the stands? I don’t know what looks worse, the way that the fights are filmed or the people trying to fight. Sports fans also need to stop being keyboard warriors. Going onto an athlete’s social media and calling them dark names, is ineffective and inappropriate. People dislike Megan Rapinoe for her life off-the-field (believe me, I am not too fond of her myself anymore). But calling her names and making homophobic re-
Thursday,October 31 2019 | 3 their field. If YDSA members really want to see how this partnership works, they should talk to the people who are truly impacted by it, and hear their side. Many engineering students understand how these partnerships enhance their extracurriculars and life outside of the classroom, as well as help them in their future job prospects. I agree that raising awareness is important, especially when it relates to defense contractors and their involvement in military conflicts around the world. I also agree that people need to consider who they want to work for and whether a company aligns with their beliefs. But students should make an effort to inform themselves on others’ situations before speaking on their behalf. Because blaming the university and attacking a partnership which directly benefits students and does not actually fund these defense companies is unfair and frankly, misinformed.
With any job or career, ethics matter, whether it be a minimum wage job or running a Fortune-500 company. Email: opinion@ubspectrum.com The Young Democratic Socialists of America’s Friday protest of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences touched on these ethical issues, arguing that SEAS’ partnership with defense companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman is morally wrong. They believe that by helping fund these companies, UB is supporting the military and its actions, primarily in the Middle East. When considering a job opportunity, each person should understand what the job entails and if it conflicts with their personal moral code. Everyone has different thoughts on what morality means to them, especially at their place of employment. Employees need to know the ethics of their employer, but just because someone doesn’t agree with a company’s ethics doesn’t mean they can take that job opportunity away VindhyA BuruguPAlli / The SpecTrum from someone else. uB’S younG DemocraTic SocialiSTS of america proTeSTeD The uB School of enGineerinG’S parTnerShip WiTh DefenSe conTracTorS friDay.
Toxic fandom Sports fans have become increasingly harmful to each other
ZACH MCADOO STAFF WRITER
As a sports fan, I love going to the games and watching my favorite teams play. No matter the sport, be it football, baseball, NASCAR, they are all great to watch in person.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 31, 2019 VOLUME 69 NUMBER 19 CIRCULATION: 4,000
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.
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.
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marks because she’s a lesbian is wrong. Where does that get us? Do you feel better being a keyboard warrior while she won the FIFA Women’s World Cup? She is probably laughing at every single comment that comes her way, knowing that she is the top women’s player in the world. This can get darker than that, too, as some athletes have even received death threats for their work. The athletes are doing their job to get paid and people send them death threats for it. “You can’t be that stupid!” I am not saying that fans should only cheer for the good of their team, I think heckling their team’s opponents is great. But all fans should be able to enjoy themselves at a game and not have to worry about being in danger. So be loud and rowdy, but also be somewhat civil. Email: sports@ubspectrum.com
FEATURES
4 | Thursday,October 31 2019 FROM PAGE 1
ALBRIGHT-KNOX
much of the museum’s permanent collection due to the lack of proper heating, humidity and HVAC conditions necessary to keep delicate artwork intact, according to Andrew Mayer, Albright-Knox’s communications coordinator. “We’ll be showing the work of artists that don’t need such museum-grade conditions,” Mayer said. Jake Barkan, a senior architecture major, wishes he’d taken advantage of the Albright-Knox earlier in his college career. Barkan had trouble familiarizing himself with downtown Buffalo without a car so he didn’t know about the museum until later on, once it already began plans to close down. “It took me till last spring to finally visit the Albright-Knox, I wish I had known about it sooner,” Barkan said. “It’d be nice if UB kept a stronger relationship with it; a problem is it’s a bit inaccessible for those without cars. Reinhard Reitzenstein, director of UB’s undergraduate art program and head of the sculpture program, is worried the Albright-Knox’s absence will hurt the department and the larger Buffalo art scene.
The department takes field trips to the museum regularly, so students “are exposed firsthand to some of the most exciting and relevant national and international works,” Reitzenstein said. Additionally, Reitzenstein worries that Buffalo will no longer be able to attract the visitors who come to Buffalo for the Albright-Knox. “Many people travel to Buffalo in order to experience the [gallery] and this will diminish over the two-year period,” Reitzenstein said. “Other art events will feel the reduction in attendance as well, I would think.” Others are more optimistic about the closure. Shasti O’Leary Soudant, a graphic design professor, thinks the museum’s absence could inspire new artists and innovators in the community to take action. “When something of that stature goes to ground there is a little bit of a vacuum left in its wake. It could possibly galvanize people into making more things happen locally,” O’Leary Soudant said. “I think the confluence between how artists react in the city, and [the way] the Albright is still going to work really hard to remain an active part of the community, will make the two years go by really fast.”
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Vindhya Burugupalli / The Spectrum “This is not a fountain” installation by Subodh Gupta at the Albright-Knox art
During construction, Albright-Knox employees will work at the Albright-Knox Northland, the Art Truck and an expanded Public Art Initiative, according to Mayer. On Friday, the Albright-Knox will offer free admission to museum goers, as it does for each first Friday of the month. The museum has already started relocating some of its permanent collection into storage, but 57 pieces from the permanent collection remain on display. The museum’s temporary exhibition –– “Dark Rooms, Solid Light” by Anthony McCall
–– will remain on display through the closing weekend. O’Leary Soudant is impressed by the exhibit and says it is “indescribable” and that students should experience it firsthand. “He’s one of those artists who truly succeeds in making ineffable work, which means you can’t describe it, you have to experience it,” O’Leary Soudant said. “There is something about it that just reduces you to a child again. You have to see it if you haven’t already.”
Email: julian.grmela@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @GrmelaJulian
Simon Samantha Vargas | The Spectrum
Nova Up for adoption
Marley @Marley_TheCorgi Sprinkles Angela Zheng
Cheeno Jessica Sutton |The Spectrum
Hazel Matt Koons |The Spectrum
Marshall & Cheeno Jessica Sutton |The Spectrum
Shadow Sydney Patraw
Shadow Jessica Sutton |The Spectrum
gallery.
Peanut Alexander Brown | The Spectrum
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Thursday,October 31 2019 | 5
Is ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ a Halloween or Christmas movie? Students weigh in on the 1993 Tim Burton movie JULIANNA TRACEY SENIOR ARTS EDITOR
Halloween is a time for traditions –– trick or treating, costume parties and most importantly, the decades-old argument if “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a Halloween or Christmas movie. Since its 1993 release, the holiday-bending movie has sparked the question of which holiday the movie truly belongs to. Directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” tells the story of Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of “Halloween Town,” who becomes bored of his typical Halloween routine. He comes across a portal to “Christmas Town” and is inspired to celebrate the holiday. Because of its dual Halloween and Christmas themes, fans are divided on the film’s place in the holiday lineup. After polling 155 UB communty members on Twitter and in person, 65% of them feel the movie is a Halloween film, 30% think “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a Christmas movie and 5% believe the film applies to both holidays. Laila Muriesh, a senior communication major, believes fans should watch the film during Halloween because of its inclusion of skeletons and other monsters. “When I was a kid, I was scared of the movie because it’s so creepy.” Muriesh said. “I don’t think of it as a family-friendly Christmas movie.” Other students agree with Muriesh’s statement, claiming that since the movie’s
focus is on Halloween characters, it belongs in the Halloween genre. The movie focuses on creepy yet colorful characters, like Skellington, Sally and arguably one of the scariest villains of all time, the soulful, gambling Oogie Boogie. The majority of the songs in the movie also feature Halloween themes, with titles like “This is Halloween” and “Kidnap the Sandy Claws.” Gabrielle Bayconich, an undecided freshman, believes including Christmas shows Skellington’s attempts to expand Halloween’s message to be “a joyous celebration.” Muriesh and Bayconich have the movie’s director on their side. In a 2015 interview at The Telluride Horror Show, Selick claimed the film is a Halloween movie. Selick said despite the film’s many Christmas themes, the movie is ultimately about Halloween characters reacting to the concept of Christmas. But this hasn’t stopped students from supporting the film’s Christmas potential. Kristen Bartolomeo, a junior music theatre student, believes the film falls within the Christmas genre due to Christmas Town’s existence and its “wholesome Christmas themes” of kindness and selfacceptance. “I understand it is about skeletons and spooky times and all those fun things,” Bartolomeo said. “But Jack Skellington is so wanting to be Santa Claus and wants all things Christmas, so it has to be a Christmas movie.” The movie features prominent Christmas traditions and figures, like carols, making presents and snowmen. Santa Claus also plays a main role in the film, being kidnapped by the citizens of Hal-
Costume calamity Last-minute Halloween costumes for last-minute students CHLOE FERNEY STAFF WRITER
With spooky season in full swing and Halloween under way, many students have been planning their costumes for weeks, if not months. If you aren’t one of these well-prepared, ahead-of-the-game people, don’t fret. You won’t have to be a devil, cat or witch for the third year in a row. Here are some last minute, cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas that you can throw together from simple, thrift shop finds.
The Brawny Man $2 A plaid, red shirt. That’s it. That’s all you need to be the Brawny Man this Halloween. What makes this costume great is how recognizable it is on first glance. If you’re feeling inspired, pick up a pack of Brawny paper towels on your way to the party and you have perfected the totally unsponsored look.
Men in Black $10
Wednesday Addams
“Risky Business”
$5 This one is really simple, iconic and you probably have everything you need on hand. Put on a long sleeve black shirt, a black skirt and black tights. (You can substitute it for a black dress if you want.) Add a collared, white long-sleeve shirt under if you have one for that iconic Wednesday Addams look. Finally, add in two braids with some black eyeshadow and black lipstick. This costume might be on the boy’s minds, but the only thing on yours will be homicide.
5%
Halloween
$7
“Mean
grapHic By: mAtt koons
Christmas, making it one of the most versatile films in history,” Pieffer said. “So I believe that not only would it be good for Halloween and Christmas, but a good summer flick, Easter time, I mean all of the holidays are referenced in some way.” The debate about this over-25-year-old movie doesn’t seem to be dying down anytime soon. But, no matter where students’ opinions lie, viewers can take comfort in the fact that this film transcends any particular holiday and can be enjoyed yearround.
Somebody wise once said, “In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In girl world, Halloween is the one day a year when a girl can dress up like a total s––t and no other girls can say anything else about it.” But rather than opt for the classic recreation of the Plastics, we’re focusing on an underrated “Mean Girls” character: Damien. Find a blue hoodie and some black sunglasses for this one. Put your hood up and pull the strings tight so only your sunglasses show. Bonus points if you spend all night screaming “She doesn’t even go here!”
Cards Against Humanity
For all the “Juno” fans who still remain out there, this costume is the one for you. For Juno, you’ll need an orange striped shirt, a black zip-up sweatshirt, a pair of jeans and a flare skirt. Throw a pillow under your shirt and you’re set. As for Paulie, you’ll need a maroon athletic shirt (track shirt if possible), short yellow shorts and a yellow sweatband. Throw in a ukelele or a jug of orange juice and this iconic duo will have everyone laughing and secretly panicking over the thought of teen pregnancy.
All you need to emulate Tom Cruise in “Risky Business” is three items: A white collared dress shirt, a pair of sunglasses and some socks. Not only is this probably your easiest option, it’s likely the cheapest, too. You’ll be gliding across The Steer’s sticky floor all night long.
from
Both
loween Town in order to take over the holiday. Songs like “What’s This?” directly celebrate the joys and traditions of the winter holiday. A small, but passionate group of students feel the movie is meant for both holidays. Some even argue that because the movie features multiple holidays, it can be viewed any time of the year. Daniel Pieffer, a junior music theatre major, watches the film on a “regular basis” and said he doesn’t limit himself to watching it for one specific holiday. “I believe it’s the greatest movie of all time. So I say it’s for all seasons. But it does feature both Halloween themes as well as
$4
Damien Girls”
Christmas
$15
Any Bob’s Burgers fans out there? Dressing up as Tina for Halloween is pretty straightforward. You’ll need a blue t-shirt, a navy blue skirt, some white tube socks, a pair of converse, a yellow clip and glasses. Throw in some awkward quips about boys, butts and being in middle school, and the look is complete.
$9 (if you already own converse)
30%
Juno and Paulie from “Juno”
Who isn’t a fan of Will Smith in “Men in Black,” or Will Smith in general? You can look just like him by putting together a black suit with a thin black tie, a pair of sunglasses and holding up a silver pen. Thrift shops usually carry an array of blazers and dress pants, which should be paired with a white dress shirt. They might not fit perfectly, but it’ll get the point across in proper late ‘90s manner. While this costume might be a bit more elaborate than the rest, it will definitely make up for you violating all of those intergalactic treaties.
Tina Belcher from Bob’s Burgers
65%
courtesy of mAndAte Pictures
Email: Julianna.Tracey@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @JTraceySpec
$5 This iconic game took the world by storm and you’ll do the same to any crowded bar. One person writes the line you’ve chosen from the game on a black sheet of paper and dresses up in all black. The other writes down the answer or fills in the blank on a white sheet of paper and dresses in all white. It may be effortless, but it’ll leave everyone around you wishing they did the same.
Tourists $3 Grab your friend group because you’re going on a trip this Halloween, or at least you’ll look like you are. Everyone will need a Hawaiian shirt or an “I Love NY” shirt to complete the tourist look. From there, you can mix it up. Add a bucket hat, camera, binoculars, map or fanny pack. You’ll look like you’re fresh off the bus on the way to the Big Apple. Be careful though, you will also look super easy to rob.
Cast of “Holes” $6 For this one, you will need an orange jumpsuit (or orange pants if you don’t have one on hand) and a white t-shirt or tank top. Tie the arms of the jumpsuit around your waist or let them hang down by your sides. Then get a jug of water and put it on a string. Write your character’s name or nickname on the front of it and wear it like a necklace. Add a bandana or a hat to spice it up. Now you’re ready to start digging holes in the desert like Shia LaBeouf and you may end up running from yellow-spotted lizards all night. But it’s worth the commitment. Email: features@ubspectrum.com
6 | Thursday,October 31 2019
Kanye’s long-anticipated debut into Christian hip-hop is packed with flaws ALEX WHETHAM ASST. ARTS EDITOR
Album: “Jesus is King” Artist: Kanye West Label: Def Jam Release Date: Oct. 25 Rating: 5/10 Kanye West’s album release hype-cycles are frequently the most frustrating musical moments of the years they happen. Despite this, Mr. West never fails to draw a crowd. His recent tweet promising his latest albums release that day was a lie, to many people’s surprise, “Jesus is King” came out around noon. West’s sixth album from the 2010s is his first overtly Christian release after he r e d i s c o ve r e d his faith in late 2018. He has dabbled in Christian themes before and has sampled gospel, but his string of Sunday Service perfor mances showcased him experimenting with the gospel stylings in an overtly religious light. But “Jesus is King” is unlike those concerts and any album he’s ever made. This is the worst album West has ever released. West is no stranger to releasing borderline unfinished records as “The Life of Pablo” set that precedent and some reported that West re-recorded his last record, “Ye,” in the span of days prior to its release. However, those albums are rife with strokes of genius, as tracks like “Ultralight Beam,” “Famous,” “Ghost Town,” and many others are some of the best tracks he’s ever released. On “Jesus is King,” however, nothing comes close to even the decent cuts from
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
his looser work. The only song that truly stands out is “Follow God,” a rough-butlean piece of sample-based Christian hiphop that shows Kanye flowing at his usual calibre. The smooth funk sample, his vocals, the crisp drums and the admittedly hilarious spoken freak-out at the end show what the rest of this album should have been like. Even at his worst, Kanye has the ability to come up with intriguing song ideas that, if developed, could become something great. “On God” is smothered in layers of minimal synthesizer loops that float around Kanye’s simple delivery. “Water,” has soft textures and great
Unfortunately, much of this album is ruined by the production and its completely rushed feeling. The album audibly crackles in a way that is typical of unmixed and unmastered rough drafts. Many of these songs could have been developed more and the fact that they aren’t leaves moments feeling as if unfinished sketches. It’s like we’re peering into an album in the middle of development, but unlike “Pablo,” the atmosphere does not benefit from the feeling. Opener “Every Hour,” which includes the only credited appearance from the Sunday Service Choir, is digitally sped-up in a cheap way that
vocals by Ant Clemons that make the song sound like a sensual combination of Gospel, R&B and Synthpop. Tracks like these at a base level show the religious direction of the album could have worked well.
leaves it feeling manic and insufficient as a tone-setter. The actual vocal melody the choir sings is nice, but not a standout for gospel music. “Closed on Sunday” features one of the worst lyrical couplets West has ever laid sy courte
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on record with “Closed on Sunday, you my Chick-fil-A.” From an instrumental standpoint, it sounds like it was picked up from the cutting-room floor of “808s & Heartbreak,” making this maybe the worst Kanye track to date. Even when tracks seem promising, Kanye finds a way to make it sound like there should have been either another take or a trip back to the drawing board. “God Is” is lush, but Kanye goes hoarse about halfway through the track and ruins it. It seems to be coming from a place of religious passion, but it just comes across as rushed and low effort. Another vocal take would have done this song justice. It’s nice to hear a Clipse reunion on “Use This Gospel,” but minus the admittedly nice chorus, the rest of the song is a snooze-fest. Lyrically, songs like “Hands On” are interesting, as Kanye makes a point about his newfound faith and struggle for acceptance. “What have you been hearin’ from the Christians? They’ll be the first one to judge me, make it feel like nobody love me,” he raps on the track. It’s a legitimately intriguing line, but for every bar like that, there’s a damning line like “The IRS want they fifty plus our tithe, man, that’s over half of the pie, I felt dry, that’s on God, that’s why I charge the prices that I charge” from “On God.” It’s disappointing to see an artist who opened the decade with the highlight of his career close with the lowlight of it. Contrasted with “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy’s” glamourous excess and obsessively lush production, “Jesus is King,” is stark, minimalist and sounds frankly unfinished. Maybe if he spent more time with the album, this would better project. With West presented here though, “Jesus is King” shows a former master of his genre struggling to keep up with even the mediocre artists in it. Email: alex.whetham@ubspectrum.com
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SPORTS
8 | Thursday,October 31 2019
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Get to know an opponent: Eastern Michigan The Bulls travel to Ypsilanti to take on the Eagles JUSTIN WEISS ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Coming off a 43-20 victory over Central Michigan, the Bulls will travel to Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, MI to take on Eastern Michigan University Saturday. The Eagles are 4-4 following a 37-34 overtime loss to Toledo. Sixth-year head coach Chris Creighton has been credited with turning things around at Eastern Michigan. In 2014, he inherited a 2-10 team and a recruiting class ranked No. 113 in the country. Over his first two seasons at EMU, the Eagles went just 3-21. But with four games remaining, the Eagles need only two wins to qualify for their third bowl game under Creighton. Eastern Michigan went 3-1 in non-conference play, with wins over Coastal Carolina, Illinois and Central Connecticut State, and a loss to Kentucky. The Eagles were projected to be fourth in the MAC West, according to the 2019 Mid-American Conference Football Media Preseason Poll. Buffalo is 4-4 entering the Eastern Michigan game. The Bulls defeated Robert Morris, Temple, Akron and Central Michigan, and lost to Penn State, Liberty, Miami (OH) and Ohio so far this season. Here’s what to expect when the Bulls take on the Eagles Saturday afternoon:
Courtesy of Zach Sturgill / The Eastern Echo Eastern Michigan quarterback Mike Glass III motions toward a wide receiver.
COACH: Chris Creighton, 26-43, sixth season at Eastern Michigan
LOOKING BACK
The 2018 Eagles went 7-5 and came one win away from the MAC Championship game. Senior quarterback Tyler Wiegers completed 64.5% of his passes for 1887 yards, 11 touchdowns and three interceptions. He split playing time with Mike Glass III, especially in September and early October. Glass finished the season with 1024 yards, nine touchdowns and one interception on 61.5% passing. Wiegers and Glass developed a rapport with senior wideout Blake Banham, who caught 60 passes for 758 yards and five touchdowns. The Eagles averaged 226.7 pass yards per game, ranking No. 71 in Division 1-A. Eastern Michigan finished second in the MAC West with 10 All-MAC selections, including offensive linemen Jimmy Leatiota and Steve Nielsen, who were both named to the third team. The Eagles were mediocre on offense, ranking No. 93 in college football. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Maxx Crosby was named first-team All-MAC after recording 70 total tackles, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and already has two sacks and 14 solo tackles. Linebacker Kyle Rachwal was named second-team All-MAC after recording 127 total tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble. He finished his EMU career with 347 tackles, the ninth-highest total in program history. Cornerback Kevin McGill, who had three interceptions and a forced fumble last season, joined him on the second team. On Sept. 15, 2018, the Bulls defeated the Eagles, 35-28, at UB Stadium. Buffalo Quarterback Tyree Jackson finished with 325 yards and three touchdowns on 80.8% passing. He connected on all three scores with wide receiver K.J. Osborn, who transferred to Miami (FL) this offseason. The Eagles played against Georgia Southern in the 2018 Camellia Bowl. As time expired in regulation, GS kicker Tyler Bass hit a 40-yard field goal to give Southern a 23-21 victory. After the contest, Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports called it the eighthbest bowl game of the 2018-19 season.
Courtesy of Zach Sturgill / The Eastern Echo Eastern Michigan wide receiver Line Latu sneaks into the open field.
LOOKING FORWARD
The Eagles made a habit of upsetting Power Five teams, shocking Rutgers and Purdue the last two seasons. On Sept. 14, they entered Memorial Stadium in Champaign and stunned Illinois. Since then, they’ve been like the Bulls: Good one game, bad the next. The Eagles have defeated Central Connecticut State and Western Michigan just to lose to Ball State and Toledo, and get blown out by Central Michigan. Quarterback Mike Glass III has completed 64.3% of his passes for 1896 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He connected with a number of receivers on touchdown passes, including Arthur Jackson III, who has a team-leading 456 yards and four scores. Eastern Michigan had seven players named to the Athlon Sports MAC Football 2019 All-Conference Team, including cornerback Kevin McGill, who has 18 total tackles and an interception. The Eagles are 1-3 against MAC opponents, and currently trail MAC West leader Ball State by two games, with just four games left to play.
Dontay Caruthers signs with Grand Rapids Drive Former Bulls basketball player signs contract with G-League team RICHARD LOUIS STAFF WRITER
Former UB men’s basketball player Dontay Caruthers signed with the Grand Rapids Drive, the G-League affiliate of the Detroit Pistons, on Sunday. Caruthers became the second former Bull to sign a professional contract in the last few weeks, after C.J. Massinburg signed with the Long Island Nets on Oct. 15.
BOTTOM LINE
With four games remaining for both teams, it’s hard to overstate the importance of Saturday’s contest. Both teams have impressive resumes (Eastern Michigan defeated Illinois and Buffalo defeated Temple), so the magic number to qualify for a bowl game is likely six wins. The Bulls have been particularly inconsistent on the road, so they will have to come out of the gate strong to have any chance against the Eagles.
Email: justin.weiss@ubspectrum.com
Jack Li / The Spectrum Former UB guard Dontay Caruthers during a game.
He was named to the 2019 Mid-American Conference All-Defensive Team and is a two-time recipient of the Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, winning the award in 2017 and 2019. Caruthers became the third player in league history to win the award twice. Caruthers averaged 8.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game during the 2018-19 season. He also scored 20 or more points four times, including a 28-point performance against Bowling Green. Training camp started on Monday, with the season starting on Nov. 8.
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