The Spectrum Volume 64 Issue 64

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T TSHTEU D NETP E PN UD BE LN I CTA S TT IO NA I VTEI R Y FA T T HBEU U FF E T1 B 9U 50 I NED UN D EO NFT TPH UEB LUI C OSNI T O NA I VLEOR,S S I TI N Y CA FFALO, SINCE 1950

ubspectrum.com

Wednesday april 1, 2015

Volume 64 No. 64

A ‘new, outdated confusing site’ Some students question cost, design, hiring process of SA’s new website TOM DINKI SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

The Student Association launched a new, roughly $9,000, website and some students aren’t too impressed, saying the design and aesthetic doesn’t match the price tag.

Students who spoke with The Spectrum had concerns with the website’s cost and design – which some called “outdated” – the hiring process of SA Entertainment Coordinator Marc Rosenblitt as the site creator and a lack of consultation with students from the computer science department. There have also been negative critiques of the site on social media, including a post on the UB Reddit page entitled “UB SA launches new outdated, confusing site after years of outdated, confusing site” that currently has 24 comments.

The website was funded by SA’s budget, which is made up from the $94.75 mandatory student activity fee each undergraduate pays every semester.

“It makes me wonder how much I can trust the SA to make decisions regarding technology,” said Nick DiRienzo, a senior computer science major and a member of SA club the Association for Computing Machinery. “To know [the money] went to someone internally, do we know that that was a fair market price? Did we search hard enough, because there are web developers in Buffalo, at UB, who I know were qualified. … It’s kind of sad that we didn’t have the chance to provide input there.”

In an interview with The Spectrum on Thursday, SA President James Ingram said the website would cost around $9,000. In an interview Tuesday, Ingram said the price of SA’s site is still being finalized and could be anywhere from $7,500-9,500. Of the total cost, $800 will pay for software add-ons and for having content rewritten. The rest will go to Rosenblitt for labor costs.

Ingram said students should understand that it was the first release of the site, that other candidates beside Rosenblitt were

Bobby Hurley’s ‘heart still in Buffalo’ Basketball coach has yet to sign a new deal with Buffalo OWEN O’BRIEN INVESTIGATIVE SPORTS REPORTER

considered and that SA is willing to work with students on improving the website in the future.

“I had wanted to start out with something that would be really simple and easy to navigate,” Ingram said. “Are there ways to improve it? I’m sure there are and I’m sure people have good input on what would look better. That’s something I’m totally willing to work on.”

Ingram said although students may not think the site is perfect, it does everything the SA needs it to do, like posting events

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY HARUMO SATO

and budget information and allowing clubs to update their contact information. The site uses Joomla, a free template that has been downloaded 50 million times and is the template for Harvard and Citibank’s websites.

“In my opinion, the website has everything that SA needs as an organization in a website,” he said. “There will always be room for improvements.”

Men’s basketball head coach Bobby Hurley told ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd that his “heart is still in Buffalo” on “The Herd,” Tuesday morning.

Hurley, who hasn’t addressed the media since rumors emerged last week about interest from programs such as DePaul, Arizona State and St. John’s, gave Bulls fans some confidence in his conversation with Cowherd. UB Athletics has not commented on Hurley’s ESPN Radio statements.

UB Athletics had a contract in place to make Hurley the highest paid basketball coach in the Mid-American Conference Wednesday March 25. Hurley didn’t sign the offer immediately and decided to explore other coaching options. Ohio’s Saul Phillips currently leads the MAC with a $550,000 base salary.

“My heart is here in Buffalo with this group of kids I’m coaching and that’s what I plan on doing moving forward,” Hurley told Cowherd Tuesday morning.

Hurley signed a contract extension with Buffalo in September through the 2018-19 season. The details of that contract was unknown, but Hurley earned a base salary of $250,000 in his original contract – signed March 26, 2013 – and received $50,000 in additional compensati. He was also awarded bonuses based on championships, an Academic Performance Rate in the top 10 percent of the conference or nation and 25 percent of all ticket sales after the school’s sold more than $300,000 worth of tickets.

SEE HURLEY, PAGE 5

SEE SITE , ON PAGE 4

English department changes up degree requirements UB aims to ‘attract’ more students to major despite national trend MARLEE TUSKES

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After her first year at UB, Emily Kicinski switched her major from biological sciences to English to relieve the “unbearable stress” that she said came with studying the sciences.

But Kicinski, now a junior English major with political science and Spanish minors, found taking five 300-level English electives was almost as straining as taking cell biology and anatomy courses.

The five 300-level English electives requirement – among others – is now eliminated, as UB is trying to make obtaining an English degree less difficult in hope of getting more students to join the major.

The English department announced changes in its degree requirements, which include allowing more 200-level courses and the elimination of the foreign language requirement, in an email sent on March 13. The changes will go into effect this fall. Students already enrolled in the English major have the option to keep the current requirements.

“I hope the changes to the curriculum make the major a more attractive option for students,” said Dr. Bruce Pitman, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, in an email.

The new degree requirements require P A G E

3

ANGELA BARCA, THE SPECTRUM

English students sit in critical race theory, a 400-level English class. Starting in the fall, the requirements to complete the English major are decreasing in difficulty in order to encourage more students to become English majors.

three 200-level English courses, with the option of a fourth 200-level course as an elective. The current requirements state students can only use two 200-level courses for their degree and must take five 300- or 400-level electives, at least one of which must be a 400-level class. In the new requirements, students must still take at least one 400-level course. The total number of major courses

Check out The Spectrum editorial board’s take on the new SA website

P A G E

8

will remain at 13, which equals 39 credits.

There are currently about 200 undergraduate students enrolled as English majors at UB, which is roughly a 50-student increase from this time last year, according to Dr. Graham Hammill, the English department chair. But that total number was a bit heftier back in 2007, when there were 271 declared English majors.

Campus to offer free rapid HIV testing in Michael Hall on South Campus

P A G E

Pitman said although the number of English majors has increased in the last year at UB, the number of English majors at universities across the country has fallen.

Each department in the College of Arts and Sciences is required to revisit its curriculum, which includes the courses and require-

10

SEE ENGLISH, PAGE 5

Cancer survivor Kelsey Barbour to run across country as fundraiser

ubspectrum.com

2

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

We Believe

He is Risen

Easter is the celebration of the death and the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.

We believe Jesus died and rose again, offering us forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life.

Bruce Acker, Associate Director Confucius Institute Edwin Anand, Fellow in Nephrology Department of Medicine

James Felske, Professor Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Kevin Lamb, Campus Staff Member CRU Buffalo

Wayne A. Anderson, Professor Emeritus Electrical Engineering

Dale R Fish, PT, MS, PHD Adjunct Associate Professor Sr. Associate Dean, Emeritus School of Public Health and Health Professions

Merced M Leiker, Research Technician Division of Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Dalene M. Aylward, Senior Academic Advisor Student Advising Services

Geoff Gerow, Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Family Medicine

Kemper Lewis, Professor and Chair Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Trish McDonnell Baker, Campus Staff Member InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Gary Giovino, Professor and Chair Department of Community Health and Health Behavior School of Public Health and Health Professions

Donna Linenfelser, Administrative Assistant School of Engineering

Edward M Bednarczyk, PharmD, FCCP Clinical Associate Professor & Chairman Department of Pharmacy Practice Steve Biegner, Campus Pastor Lutheran Campus Ministry Raheal Boadi-Yeboah, Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Rashidi K. Greene, Assistant Athletic Director for Academic Services Division of Athletics Renee Greene, Event and Visitor Parking Manager Parking & Transportation Services

Aries Y. Liu-helm, Volunteer Assistant Professor Department of Dermatology Carl Lund, SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering

John Reitz, Director The Prayer Furnace Anglican Campus Ministry Luther K Robinson, Professor Dept. of Pediatrics Associate Pastor, Spirit of Truth Urban Ministries Diane Rodgers, (Retired) Dept. of Gynecology-Obstetrics Bruce Rodgers, Professor Dept. of Gynecology-Obstetrics Thomas & Amanda Ryan, College Advisers BASIC Danielle Shaffer, Campus Staff Ratio Christi Nancy Schimenti, Assistant to the Director Career Services Nathan Schutt, Campus Staff Member InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Susan Hamlen, Associate Professor School of Management

David W. Lytle, Occupational Safety & Health Training Officer University Facilities

Debbie Brown, Pastoral Associate Newman Center

William Hamlen, Associate Professor Emeritus School of Management

John Mansfield, Adjunct Professor Religious Studies The EPIC Movement

Stuart C. Buisch, Campus Minister Campus Church ConneXion

John M Hannon, PhD Professor Emeritus School of Management

Don Manta, City Director International Students, Inc. The EPIC Movement

Darryle S. Hardy, Elder & UB Campus Pastor Pentecostal Temple COGIC

James Mauck, Director of Athletic Bands Office of Student Life

Kenneth J. Swanekamp, Adjunct Faculty Architecture and Planning

Michelle Hartley-McAndrew, MD Clinical Assistant Professor Child Neurology, Medical School

Bethany Mazur, Director, Development School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Jeffrey J. Thompson, MD Clinical Assistant Professor Associate Residency Director Department of Emergency Medicine

Stephen McAndrew, JD Chapter Director Ratio Christi

Phil Wade, Director Christian Medical & Dental Association of WNY

William Menasco, Professor Dept. of Mathematics

A. Ben Wagner, Sciences Librarian University Libraries

Dale Meredith, Emeritus Professor Dept. of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering Pastor, University Baptist Church

Shirley Walker, Director, Student Accounts Vice Provost for Enrollment

Patrick Burns, Campus Minister UB Catholic Ministry Darren Caparaso, MD Clinical Associate Professor Department of Family Medicine Marlene Carr, Accounting Associate UB Foundation Linda M. Catanzaro, PharmD Clinical Assistant Professor School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Frank Cerny, Professor Emeritus Pediatrics & Exercise & Nutrition Sciences School of Public Health & Health Professions Stuart S. Chen, Associate Professor Emeritus Dept. of Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering Dianna Cichocki, Adjunct Assistant Professor School of Management Deborah D.L. Chung, National Grid Endowed Chair Professor Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering William Cliff, Visiting Professor Physiology and Biophysics John K. Crane, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases Paul Decker, Campus Staff Campus Ambassadors Sheryl Deneke, Administrative Assistant Office of the Chief Information Officer

Joseph Harvey, MD, MPG & TM Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Family Medicine Jon Hasselbeck, Campus Pastor NorthGateBuffalo Thomas N. Helm, MD Volunteer Clinical Professor Dermatology and Pathology Carl Hempel, Campus Staff Minister CRU Buffalo Amy Hendricks, Senior IT Specialist Science and Engineering Node Services David Holmes, MD, Clinical Associate Professor Department of Family Medicine Barbara Inzina, Network Engineering Resource Manager CIT, Network and Classroom Services

Jeanne Mest, Asst. Purchasing Agent Procurement Services David Murray, Clinical Associate Professor School of Management Hyun Namkung, Campus Pastor Tabernacle Campus Church Yungki Park, Assistant Professor Dept. of Biochemistry

Christopher Jhu, Campus Pastor Kairos / New Hope Church

Stephen Parker, Pastor The Sanctuary Church

Jae-Hun Jung, Associate Professor Department of Mathematics

Gina M. Prescott, Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacy Practice School of Pharmacy

Jeff Keefe, Campus Minister Lutheran Campus Ministry on the Niagara Frontier Fr. Pat Keleher, Director Catholic Campus Ministry The Newman Centers @ UB

William A. Prescott, Clinical Associate Professor and Vice-Chair Department of Pharmacy Practice School of Pharmacy

Lee Dryden, Director Emeritus Interdisciplinary Degree Programs

Lee Kox, Campus Staff Member Ratio Christi

Kenneth W. Regan, Associate Professor Computer Science & Engineering

James Drzymala, Senior Programmer Analyst Enterprise Application Services

Lisa Kragbe, Campus Minister International Students Inc.

Alfred T. Reiman, R.Ph. Clinical Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacy

Julie Smith, Secretary, Student Life Intercultural & Diversity Center Tim Stewart, Campus Director Campus Ambassadors Fred Stoss, Associate Librarian University Libraries

Paul Wietig, Assistant Vice President Interprofessional Education School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Linda Wilson, UB Staff Student Medical Insurance Amy Wlosinski, Assistant Director Residential Operations, Campus Living Troy Wood, Associate Professor Department of Chemistry Nick Yates, MD, MA Professor of Clinical Pediatrics School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Rebeccah Young, Research Scientist Cardiovascular Research Jun Zhuang, Associate Professor Industrial and Systems Engineering

In association with Faculty Commons Fellowship, EPIC Asian-American Movement, Campus Ambassadors, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Ratio Christi, BASIC, Baptist Campus Fellowship, The Prayer Furnace/Anglican Campus Ministry, Christian Medical Dental Assoc., Lutheran Campus Ministry, CRU Buffalo, Newman Center Catholic Campus Ministry, Evangel Assembly of God Ministry, Tabernacle Campus Church, , International Students Inc., NorthGateBuffalo Community, Pentecostal Temple COGIC, Kairos, Sanctuary Church, International Students Inc. & Campus Church ConneXion.

For information about the Faculty Commons Fellowship, contact OCM-FacultyCommons@buffalo.edu

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 ubspectrum.com

Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF

Sara DiNatale

MANAGING EDITORS

Rachel Kramer Emma Janicki

OPINION Erie County’s industrial redevelopment deserves government support Development program’s promise in local areas is threatened by downstate greed

OPINION EDITOR

Tress Klassen COPY EDITORS

Alyssa McClure, Copy Chief Anne Fortman Emma Fusco Natalie Humphrey NEWS EDITORS

Tom Dinki, Senior Ashley Inkumsah, Asst.

Charles W Schaab, Asst.

FEATURES EDITORS

Gabriela Julia, Senior Dan McKeon, Asst.

James Battle, Asst.

ARTS EDITORS

Tori Roseman, Senior Brian Windschitl Jordan Oscar, Asst.

SPORTS EDITORS

Jordan Grossman, Senior Quentin Haynes Bobby McIntosh Asst.

PHOTO EDITORS

Yusong Shi, Senior Kainan Guo, Asst.

Angela Barca, Asst .

CARTOONISTS

Harumo Sato Joshua Bodah

CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Jenna Bower Kenneth Cruz, Asst.

Professional Staff OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER

Kevin Xaisanasy Alex Buttler, Asst.

Melina Panitsidis, Asst.

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Tyler Harder Derek Hosken, Asst.

THE SPECTRUM Wednesday, April 1, 2015 Volume 64 Number 64 Circulation 7,000 The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Feedback, Opinion and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length.

If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address.

In an all-too familiar course of events, a promising government program’s survival is endangered by corporate greed and abuse of loopholes.

The program in question, the Brownfields Program, incentivizes redevelopment of former industrial properties by offering tax credits to companies that build there. The concept is promising and encourages clean up of sites that would otherwise go to waste and remain as eyesores.

Unfortunately, the program’s goals have been undermined.

Developers, largely in Manhattan, have taken advantage of the tax credits offered by the program even though their development projects don’t meet the criteria.

These high-value projects are occurring in competitive areas and would have been completed without the program’s assistance.

Meanwhile, more necessary projects in North Country and the Southern tier, which actually need the tax breaks, aren’t receiving aid. As a result, the Brownfields Program has had a limited effect on the state.

The abuse of the program and the clear lack of oversight by those running it have deeply mitigated its effectiveness.

But that’s not the case in Erie County.

The work done in this area demonstrates the project’s potential – and offers compelling reasons to keep the program running.

Developers in the areas have efficiently used the program’s benefits to complete 17 projects since 2010.

The multiple projects have totaled approximately $15.5 million in Brownsfield credits, a stark contrast to the six Manhattan projects that cost $186.6 million.

And critically, the projects in Erie County have actually fit the criteria the Brownsfield

program originally laid out.

Developers in Erie County have used the tax breaks correctly, working on a variety of older, polluted industrial properties and transforming them into usable commercial, retail and residential sites.

Sites like the HarborCenter and downtown offices are among the projects that benefited from the program, with more construction in the works.

The proposed “Project Hello,” a $102 million project by a steel company, is another potential beneficiary of Brownsfield and would create more than 170 jobs for South Buffalo.

The effectiveness of the program in Erie County makes the abuse of the incentives in Manhattan even more blatant – and problematic.

The Brownsfield program clearly holds great potential and can help needy areas transform their environmental and economic landscape.

Programs like these are precisely what the state needs, and it’s a shame that the greed of developers like those in Manhattan have threatened this.

The program is currently set to expire at the end of the year, but Cuomo and the State plan to extend it. But while the Assembly and the Senate plan to extend the program essentially as it is, Cuomo wants to impose more restrictive eligibility guidelines and ensure that tax credits go only to cleanup costs, not development.

Clearly, Cuomo’s plan responds to the problems that are currently undermining the program. With greater supervision over the projects involved, the Brownsfield program will be able to reach its potential and help New York do the same. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

SA’s new website is costly, lacked student input, but at least it works Revamped website is an improvement from the past, but SA could have been more transparent For years, the Student Association’s website has been a dysfunctional, rarely updated eyesore.

Now, after a costly redesign, the site is still an eyesore, but at least it’s functional and up to date.

The new site is certainly an improvement over its predecessor.

It offers the information that it should, including an events calendar and updated club information.

SA staff now have the capability to update the site on a regular basis, so issues with inaccurate, old information remaining online will likely be avoided.

But to put it simply, the site is ugly. Its design is extremely simplistic and childish, with overly sized fonts and large blocks of color. Photos and graphics compete for attention and the layout is embarrassingly remedial.

The appearance of a website certainly is secondary to its usability, but this site does little to encourage students to view the SA as a professional organization deserving of respect and support.

And in terms of function, the site is flawed, too. Despite the simplistic layout, the website isn’t easy to navigate, as information that students want most – like details about upcoming events – aren’t immediately apparent.

With such an imperfect final project, the high cost of this redesign is especially questionable – the price tag on this new site was around $9,000.

Paying thousands of dollars for a website could be justified – an organization’s web presence is incredibly important – but that website better be impressive, and the SA’s page clearly is not.

It’s a good start and SA President James Ingram should be commended for taking initiative on this project, especially since previous presidents have promised to update the site, but failed to follow through.

But it’s a starting point, and a starting point shouldn’t cost almost $10,000.

Less impressive, however, are the details of the redesign process – especially the hiring choices that the SA made.

English isn’t for everyone

The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by MediaMate.

For information on adverstising with The Spectrum, visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at (716) 645-2452.

The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 142602100

EMMA JANICKI MANAGING EDITOR UB English department – I love you, but let’s be honest.

These new requirements?

Not cool.

The English department sent out an email over spring break that the requirements to be an English major were changing, something that is perhaps unsurprising.

The amount of English majors nationwide is decreasing and fewer and fewer people see the value in reading the world’s literature.

What’s UB’s answer?

Make it easier to get a degree in English.

Full disclosure: I’m an overachiever. I always have been and I always will be. If I would stop writing angry columns for The Spectrum, maybe I could get my Honors College/English Honors thesis done.

Although I’m graduating this semester from UB, I began my college career at SUNY Bing-

hamton, where I took my first Comparative Literature course.

After a semester I transferred to SUNY Geneseo. I took my first three English courses during the year I was there before leaving for UB. I’ve completed most of my English major at UB and honestly, I wish it was harder. One of the few props I’ll give to Geneseo is how challenging the English courses were. To put it in context, ENG 170 Practice of Criticism at Geneseo transferred as ENG 301 Criticism at UB. I still refer to lectures from my first English professor – Dr. Rob Doggett – when I write my papers.

I understand that the English department wants to attract more students to the major and I applaud that. It breaks my heart when students don’t read the assigned texts – and still do decently on papers – and when I hear people say that an English degree is useless.

Hello! You’re learning about how the world works! By reading, you learn how to be a citizen of the world and how to think critically about the world’s many systems. Being an English major teaches you what it means to be human in ways no biology course can.

But simplifying the degree is no way to attract quality majors – it’s a way to attract people who don’t know what else to do.

“Oh, majoring in science means I have to take math classes? That’s hard. Let me be an

3

SA Entertainment Coordinator Marc Rosenblitt designed the new site. Rosenblitt has created several websites and has maintained the SA information technology systems for 15 years.

Although the appeal of staying in house and working with someone SA knows and trusts is understandable, it’s clear that this project required someone whose full-time responsibility is website design – not someone who is juggling the project in between organizing SA events.

The intentions behind hiring Rosenblitt are somewhat defensible, but the SA should have cast a wider net.

On campus alone, there are numerous individuals and clubs with experience in layout and graphic design who could have created a site that looks less elementary for substantially less money.

Some students in the SA club Association for Computing Machinery told The Spectrum they and other clubs would have made a comparable site for an increase in their budget.

There were more – and better – options to pursue in this redesign, and it’s unfortunate that they were overlooked. Ingram said that SA is open to students’ input in improving the site for the future and the current template is designed for improvements and additions.

But his lack of initial communication with UB’s student body about the website is concerning.

SA should be transparent in its transactions as it spends student money. If this website is for the students and paid for by students, why were they not asked for input or even told of its creation?

While we commend Ingram for updating the confusing, outdated site, he shouldn’t have kept the plan for the new site entirely within SA – especially when the site is meant to attract UB students who may not know that much about the organization that takes $94.75 of their tuition every semester. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

UB’s new English requirements do a disservice to the field

English major!”

No, no, no. That’s not what we want.

Instead of attracting more students, we should be more concerned with attracting better students. A true English major will embrace challenging courses that, at times, make them frustrated, stressed out and confused.

Despite my frustration with having students take fewer upper-level courses, the total elimination of the foreign language requirement is even more upsetting. But it’s not only English that is doing away with it. In the new General Education requirements passed by the Faculty Senate in December, taking a foreign language is not necessarily required. You can complete the “global cluster,” by studying abroad instead, for example. The Steering Committee argued that because nearly 75 percent of students were exempt from the requirement – due to their high school achievements or which major they’re in – it’s better to make it optional for all than a requirement for just a few.

Well, that’s dumb. We live in a global world and knowing a second language is invaluable. Think of an employer – “I have one candidate who speaks German and one who doesn’t. What if we ever do business in Germany?” It doesn’t take a business degree to know who to hire.

Currently English majors take just one year of a language past

the Gen Ed requirement – as in two extra courses, as in not that bad. Languages are tough, but so are math and science and we don’t go around eliminating them. They’re all important skills and shouldn’t be done away with because they’re intimidating.

Life is intimidating.

English majors should know a second language. It opens up an entirely new world of literature, literary criticism and theory. And professors, how often in class do you ask, “Does anyone speak French? Can you tell me what this word means?” It happens all the time because authors speak multiple languages and texts are intertextual and international.

UB isn’t going around simplifying engineering requirements because too many people find it intimidating, so why should we assume English can be simplified?

English – contrary to popular belief – is hard. It requires time, a lot of thought and a lot of discussion. The papers are long and the books are complex. It does a disservice to the field to assume we can get more people involved by making it easier.

English is equally as valuable to the world as engineering and we need to stand in solidarity and show that.

Not perpetuate the notion that anyone can get a useless English degree. email: emma.janicki@ubspectrum.

ubspectrum.com

4

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Contined site, from page 1 Students have issues with the design, cost and Rosenblitt’s hiring, but some have called for a more transparent process and communication between the SA and student body when dealing with matters such as a new website.

“It’s a hard problem and I commend them for trying but I would like more transparency,” DiReinzo said. “I think that’s been a general theme the past few years in SA. A lot of platforms have voiced for more transparency.”

Issues with design The SA was unable to update its old website because it was managed though a local company with proprietary software the company had stopped supporting. SA members had to go through the company every time they wanted to update the site. The current website now features up-to-date club contact information and an events calendar.

While students who spoke with The Spectrum commended Ingram and the SA for these improvements, they also criticized the design and reported issues with certain links, the SA ledger and the search tool.

Daniel Gilies, a SA Senate member, said the Senate was unable to access some figures on the ledger during Sunday’s meeting.

Ingram said “kinks” in the site happen when new software is released and that SA won’t know all the problems until users are actively using the site and reporting issues.

He said SA will make the site more functional as problems arise and can be addressed.

“It was a really good that the president actually took the initiative to update the website so we have all the updated information; however based on the design, I’m not really that impressed,” said Rohan Shah, a senior computer science major. “I was totally taken aback by the design. It was really ’90s and early 2000s.”

DiRienzo said when he first viewed the site, he thought a student who was just learning HTML had designed it. Geoffrey Challen, an assistant computer science and engineering professor, emailed The Spectrum a critique of the SA website broken down into the categories “ugly, slow and broken.”

Challen said in his email that the SA site features “a variety of unnecessary and visually confusing elements, including large

icons with small text, a bright and rapidly changing backdrop which partially pokes through even elements that should be solid, and unnecessary animations.” He also said the site makes no attempt to establish a color scheme, which Challen said is common to provide “visual cues” and “some sense of coherence.”

“This makes the site hard and unpleasant to use,” he said.

The Google Developers’ Pagespeed Insights tool rated the SA website’s speed as 54 out of 100 and stated the site should leverage browser caching, optimize images, enable compression and eliminate renderblocking JavaScript in above-the-fold content.

“Google’s Page Speed results show that there are obvious and fairly simple opportunities for performance improvements, including things that would have been done by default by a professional developer,” Challen said.

Hiring process of site creator Students have voiced concerns that an SA employee, Rosenblitt, was hired to create the site, that Rosenblitt was not experienced enough and that other professional web developers were potentially not considered.

“What seems odd here is that the SA decided to hire an inexperienced developer who charged a professional price for the opportunity to learn how to do something new while delivering a very inferior product,” Challen said.

Rosenblitt got his undergraduate degree in information technology integrations and has maintained SA’s information technology systems for the past 15 years. He said he has created websites for several different local law firms and usually makes one website per year.

Ingram said he hired Rosenblitt for the site because of Rosenblitt’s experience with SA’s information technology, accessibility if something came up with the site and “intimate knowledge of what a good SA website should contain.” He also said Rosenblitt would have time to work on site because the SA office is not open as much during winter break, when the idea for the new site was proposed.

Ingram said he looked at Rosenblitt’s

Student Association President James Ingram shows off SA’s new website, which launched March 18.

SA spent $9,000 to create a new website that would include more up-to-date information and would be easier to navigate.

YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM

past work and compared his asking price to other local web developers.

“It’s a valid concern and all I can say to [students] is when I weighed all of my options for the website, I really thought the best decision I had in front of me was having Marc do it,” Ingram said. “It was never just a blind thing like, ‘Yes, it’s going to be Marc because I know him because he works for SA.’ The first thing I said when Marc was considered was, ‘Well how much are other companies charging in the area?’

And that’s what we looked into.”

Ingram said most companies and web designers charge hourly. He said Rosenblitt started his offer at $75 an hour, which was “really competitive” with the other companies being considered.

Isaac Reath, a junior computer science major and president of Association for Computing Machinery, said that SA could have created the new website with a content management system like Squarespace that charges monthly and provides costumer support. Although, he said he can understand SA’s decision to not go that route because of its difficulties with its old company.

“They did work with a third party in the past, and got burned. I can sort of see where they’re coming from,” Reath said.

Ingram said SA wanted to avoid going through a third party website because in the past SA members could not update the

site themselves. He said going through the Joomla template designed by Rosenblitt will more easily allow SA members to control the site in the future.

Challen said content management systems like Joomla “aim to make it easy for non-tech-savvy people to help update a website,” which he admits is probably important for SA. “I know we went with Marc to design the website, but I think it sets us up well in the future to have students run the website,” Ingram said “Which I like better than having to go through a third party.”

Ingram said SA’s ability to update the site allows it to more easily post events and for clubs to more easily update contact information for students interested in joining.

Cost and cheaper alternatives Students and professors who spoke with The Spectrum said that $9,000 was a typical price for a professional freelancer to build a website, but that the quality of the site does not appear to match the cost.

“You would get quoted $9,000 from any really good freelancer,” Reath said. “[SA] spent $9,000 but it doesn’t really appear like [it] spent $9,000 … If it took 100 hours, it would be $90 an hour. A $90-an-hour developer would give you a better product.”

SEE SITE, PAGE 7

Wheels for everyone BikeShare at UB

Zipcar Carsharing

An innovative bikeshare program for faculty, staff and students Now just $15 a year for an annual membership!

You can have access to a vehicle 24/7, without the expense of owning

Full access to fleet of 75 bicycles around UB’s North, South, and Downtown Campuses

Sign up today! buffalo.socialbicycles.com ub-parking.buffalo.edu/bike

Parking & Transportation Services

Gas, insurance, maintenance and roadside assistance are all included in membership Sign up at zipcar.com/ub

ubspectrum.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Continued Hurley, from page 1 When Hurley was asked “Are you ready to say that you will certainly be the head coach of the Buffalo Bulls next season?” by Maggie Gray on “SI Now Live,” Hurley said “I feel that I will be and there’s nothing really of anything substantial that has my interest at this point.”

Texas and Tennessee University were two other high-profile schools with vacant head coaching positions but it’s unclear if the

schools were interested in pursuing Hurley as a head coach. ESPN reported Tuesday morning that Tennessee hired former Texas coach Rick Barnes as head coach.

As of Tuesday evening, UB Athletics didn’t release an official statement about Hurley and Buffalo signing a new contract for the upcoming season, however, it is expected Hurley will take the pay raise that will make him the highest paid coach in the YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM

Men’s basketball coach Bobby Hurley addresses the media the day before Buffalo’s 68-62 loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

5

conference.

Buffalo donors rallied to raise money during the final two weeks of the season to raise Hurley’s salary. UB Athletics hasn’t announced how much of Hurley’s raise will come from donor money and how much will come from the Athletic Department.

Hurley’s base salary was $255,770 last season. Hurley’s base salary was $250,000 in his first year as head coach, but he earned $336,667 after including bonuses and perks, according to the 2013-14 athletics budget.

Hurley told Gray on Tuesday that he was “going into the office today” and preparing for the 2014-15 season.

“The players on my team realize the journey we were on and we are going to set our sights on doing it again next season,” Hurley told Gray.

Deputy Director of Athletics Allen Greene told The Spectrum a week ago that UB Athletics looks to hire coaches that will gain the attention of other programs.

“We want that,” Greene said about their coaches gaining national interest. “If someone else isn’t attracted to the coaches we

Continued from English, page 1 ments for majors and minors, periodically “to be sure the programs offered are current and appropriate,” according to Pitman.

This process is why three English professors from Rice University, Penn State and the University of California, Irvine, visited and reviewed UB’s English department.

Hammill said although the professors were impressed by the quality and enthusiasm of English majors at UB, they felt the curriculum was “not as welcoming as it could be.”

“We do want to make our major as welcoming as possible,” Pitman said. “But the deciding factor was student learning. We want to have the best possible major for students here at UB.” Victoria Iacchetta, a senior English and history major who is set to graduate in May, said the new set of requirements give students a greater opportunity to succeed, but some items in the previous requirements that were removed improved her education.

The current English degree requirements mandate students take four total semesters of a foreign language, including one year of a foreign language in sequence above the general education requirement. The new general education requirements passed by the Faculty Senate in December make it possible for students to avoid taking a for-

eign language under the “global cluster” by studying abroad, for example.

Iacchetta, who took four semesters of French to fulfill the previous English degree requirements, said taking away the foreign language requirement is disadvantageous for the students entering the major.

“I cannot even begin to explain how important it is for students in the humanities to take time to expand their language pallet,” Iacchetta said. “Sure, being forced to take four semesters of a language sounds a bit terrifying to an incoming freshman, but language classes offer so much to students at a college level, especially English majors.”

Although Kicinski is not in support of eliminating the foreign language requirement, she said taking more 200-level courses would make getting the English degree “less daunting” and “more manageable to students.”

Dr. Robert Daly, an English professor, said the new, lighter requirements are a great opportunity for students just entering the major because many jobs now require employees to have writing skills. Daly said allowing more 200-level courses, in addition to the other changes, would benefit the English majors in the long run.

“It enables them to diversify their educational investments, rather than requiring

them to focus too early and too narrowly,” Daly said. “Such choices will prepare them well for graduate and professional school and even, I dare say, for life.”

Iacchetta, who plans on applying to UB’s School of Management upon graduation, thinks that the current English requirements are fun and interesting, but the changes bring UB students the opportunity to expand their knowledge.

“I believe that students will have an extensively larger pool of options to choose from, ultimately enriching and challenging the undergraduate English majors at UB,” Iacchetta said.

Evan Murphy, a freshman intended cognitive science and English major, said no matter what changes are made, students who have an appreciation of the English major will stick with it.

“A good majority of the people in the department are there because they feel passionate about English in some deep sense, so that they don’t need the extra encouragement to take up its study,” Murphy said. “I don’t think that ‘Oh, the coursework is too hard,’ is what’s keeping people from majoring in English.”

hire, then we aren’t hiring the right coaches.

If you hire good people, the country is going to notice.”

Hurley called the interest from other schools “a testament to what our kids accomplished.” He specifically spoke with Cowherd about the emergence of players like junior forward Justin Moss, sophomore guard Shannon Evans and freshman guard Lamonte Bearden last season.

“These guys really delivered and put Buffalo on the map – for the first time in school history playing in the NCAA Tournament and that’s why this stuff is going on,” Hurley said.

Hurley led Buffalo to a 23-10 record this season and its first MAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. Hurley is the fastest men’s basketball coach to 40 wins in school history and has a 42-20 record in two seasons at UB. Hurley was named one of 16 finalists for the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year award, given to the nation’s best MidMajor coach. email: owen.obrien@ubspectrum.com

Continued from GoT, page 8

I made my way to a great hall filled with tomes of knowledge in order to see if there were any texts written about my ordeal; locals call this place “Lockwood.” I found nothing of the sort.

It’s been two days, and I haven’t found any way to subdue my withdrawal symptoms. I fear there may be no cure, and I must deal with this hex for the next two weeks until I can see the second episode of the season. I only have to wait 12 days, five hours, seven minutes and 20 seconds from when I have written this sentence.

But hey, who’s counting? email: james.battle@ubspectrum.com

email: news@ubspectrum.com

Congregation Brith Hadoshah A Messianic Synagogue SHALOMBUFFALO.ORG

Come worship Messiah Yeshua with us!

Passover Seder April 4 @ 5: 00 p.m!

See our website for more info!

50 ALBERTA DR., AMHERST LOCATED BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH CAMPUS

A CAREER PATH WORTH INVESTIGATING

M.S. IN FORENSIC ACCOUNTING

Let Canisius College prepare you for a career in the exciting field of Forensic Accounting. With the rise of white-collar crime and increased government scrutiny, the skills to detect and prevent financial fraud are in high demand in public accounting, industry, government and law enforcement organizations. Our 30-hour program prepares you for this cutting-edge career and meets the requirements for CPA licensure in New York State. Plus, the Canisius network gives you access to employers in these organizations, including many of our own alumni.

To learn more, visit canisius.edu/forensic or contact program coordinator Prof. Patricia Johnson at 716-888-5947 or johnsonp@canisius.edu.

A B.S. in Accounting or equivalent is required for admission

Now accepting enrollment applications for the North and South campus centers for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, 6 weeks to 5 years.

Enrolling now for Summer Camp 2015 at South Campus School Age children 5- 9 years old

LIBERTY YELLOW

Download the Liberty Cab App from your app store!

Airport, Bus, and Train Transfers

716.877.7111

www.LibertyCab.com Campus Cash Accepted

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 ubspectrum.com

6

LIFE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Zipping around campus

Zipcar at UB provides students with cheaper alternative to owning a car DANI GUGLIELMO

STAFF WRITER

Sasha Unger, a freshman undecided major, doesn’t have a car of her own, but she can still drive to the doctor or the grocery store with Zipcar.

Zipcar is a car-sharing company that provides automobiles to its members. The members pay an initial fee of $25 and $7 to $9 an hour or $60 for the entire day. At UB, students use Zipcar to drive around the Buffalo area and are guaranteed a parking spot on campus.

“This is an easy and cheap way for me to drive on and off campus,” Unger said.

After students sign up on the website, they must be approved in order to drive a Zipcar. Students then reserve a Zipcar online or via the mobile app. Students pay a $25 membership fee upon sign up. Once approved, they are mailed a “zipcard” that can take anywhere from three to seven days to receive. This card unlocks the Zipcars located all around UB. Students can find parking for Zipcar in the Student Union Lot and Fargo Lot on North Campus and Townsend Lot and Goodyear Hall Lot on South Campus.

Some car brands available at UB are Ford Focus Sedan, Ford Focus Hatchback, Volkswagon Jetta, Mazda 2, Toyota Prius, Nissan Sentra and Ford Escape 4WD. All Zipcars are provided with a gas card to fill up the tank and insurance is covered.

Unger first used Zipcar in the middle of her first semester at UB. Since Unger doesn’t have a car, her only other option would be to call a cab, which costs can rack up depending on the distance.

“I like that Zipcar is available for me whenever I need it,” Unger said. “I don’t have a car on campus so it’s very handy to have access to one.”

Although Unger is a fan of Zipcar, other students weren’t satisfied with the service.

Christian McCartney, a sophomore political science major, had multiple problems with Zipcar.

“I signed up for Zipcar in the beginning of the semester,” McCartney said. “I originally planned to use it to drive to Notre Dame, where my girlfriend goes, but they charge you for going over a certain number of miles, so it would’ve cost me over $1,200.”

McCartney said Zipcar is only good for running smaller errands, like picking up dry cleaning or going to the store. Still, McCartney had troubles even when using the service for smaller trips.

McCartney once reserved a car from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. but didn’t receive the car until 12:20 p.m. from the previous driver, giving him 40 minutes to get to the store and back. If he returned one minute after 1 p.m., they would’ve charged him for an extra hour, he said.

“It’s total horse**** that they would charge me for going over an hour when the car was returned late,” McCartney said.

Although the numbers of students using Zipcar is confidential, the service is still used by many students, according to Sam Ackerman, a junior accounting major and student promoter representative of Zipcar.

Ackerman and Paul Kalmus, a junior fi-

Lee, a Geography graduate student, at the Statler Commissary.

STAY LONGER ADVANCE FURTHER Did you know that graduate programs across UB’s College of Arts and Sciences are nationally ranked as best choices given their academic reputation? The depth and breadth of the College provide an environment that strongly encourages interdisciplinary study and research. Earning a master’s degree in the arts and sciences from UB can help you achieve your career goals and increase your earning potential. WHEN YOU LEARN MORE, YOU EARN MORE. The College offers high quality programs at an exceptional value given our affordable tuition and one of the lowest costs of living in the country! Pursue your master’s degree at UB and experience the full momentum of Buffalo.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.cas.buffalo.edu/learnmore

THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

nance major, another Zipcar promoter, set up an table in the Student Union to inform students about Zipcar every other Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. where they promote the Zipcar brand and services.

“We are given special deals and promotional items to advertise and reach out to the students around campus,” Ackerman said.

One of the deals they promote is the promo code, “FLUENT2015A,” that works until the end of the semester. Students join on Zipcar’s university website and later receive $50 in driving credit after paying the $25 annual membership fee with the promo code.

Ackerman explained that a standard Zipcar membership requires the driver to be from the United States and be 21 years or older. Zipcar U, the version of Zipcar used on campuses, requires the members to be 18 years or older and is also available to international students.

Ackerman and Kalmus also participate in campus-wide events such as football tailgates, “educating students about the benefits of renting one of the cars,” Ackerman said.

YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM

Zipcar is a car-sharing company that provides automobiles to students on campus. Members are given free reserved parking spaces and the cars include gas, mileage and insurance.

Ackerman and Kalmus said Zipcar reduces the demand for parking on campus.

“One great thing about Zipcar is that it has free reserved parking spaces for all their cars,” Kalmus said. “This is where you will find your car when you pick it up and where you drop it off after you’re done using it.”

Zipcar equips students with a cheaper way to get around without using their own car and taking up parking spots, Ackerman said.

Kalmus said allowing students to take their friends in the cars with them makes them feel less of a need to have a car on campus.

Zipcar can help reduce the expenses of students owning their own cars.

email: features@ubspectrum.com

ubspectrum.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Burning Bieber

Comedy Central’s Justin Bieber roast proves to be hilarious, though vulgar

COURTESY OF CITYWEEKLY.NET

TORI ROSEMAN

SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

Justin Bieber – the pop star who is just as well known for his antics as for his music – asked to be roasted on Comedy Central.

He likely didn’t realize the events that ensued would include a choir of faithful Beliebers, Snoop Dogg smoking on stage and an appearance by character Ron Burgundy from the film Anchorman.

The Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber aired Monday. The special featured 10 guests varying from comedian Jeff Ross – a staple in Comedy Central roasts – to Snoop Dogg and Shaquille O’Neil. The diverse cast provided laughs for viewers, but also had a level of shock value and vulgarity that was surprising to some.

“Some of the jokes, like the one about how [Bieber] had to avoid a coat hanger, took it too far,” said Mia Angeli, a junior biochemistry major. “But the rest of them were funny – it was all in good fun.”

Kevin Hart hosted the roast. His fiery energy kept the show moving forward effortlessly. His bits were on point no matter to whom they were directed and his ability to improvise came in handy as the show progressed. Hart is a longtime friend of the singer, like many of the people on stage.

The show began with an introduction to Bieber – how he was discovered at age 12 and experienced a whirlwind of popularity, fortune and media attention. In the last couple years, Bieber has been in the news not for his

music but for his adolescent rebellion including public indecency and egging his neighbor’s home.

His recent reckless behavior provided the perfect material for the night’s guests, who didn’t hesitate to hit Bieber where it hurt.

The group made references to his former relationship with Selena Gomez, his sometimes-erratic fan base, his “gangster” persona and his absent father.

Bieber took the insults well, only shaking his head at a few personal blows given by those on stage who weren’t close to him, like comedian Natasha Leggero.

Bieber wasn’t the only one under fire. Everyone on stage was fair game, and some heavy mud slinging went down. Hart’s height was constantly called out, with a line from Leggero: “Kevin, you are everywhere. He is going to be in the next season of Game of Thrones. He is going to play Peter Dinklage’s shadow.”

Hannibal Buress took shots at long-time roast attendee Jeff Ross when he said, “Jeff Ross, you’re the only person on this dais making 95 percent of your yearly income tonight.”

Though most of the fire was harmless, Snoop Dogg and Hart did not agree with each other on stage. Snoop Dogg opened his Bieber bit talking about how much fun he had backstage. His jokes were vulgar, even going as far as to say to Bieber, “You have released so many horrible and unwatchable videos that you should change your name to Vanilla ISIS.” This line clearly bothered Hart, but it wasn’t until Snoop Dogg dropped the nword a few too many times that Hart exploded. The two went back and forth for a while but Hart let the rapper finish, only to degrade him once his time at the podium was over.

Bieber himself had a shot at redemption, perhaps having the best line of the night: “What do you get when you give a teenager $200 million? A bunch of has-beens calling you a lesbian for two hours.”

While it was mostly good-spirited fun and comedy, the artist took the opportunity to speak about his behavior over the last few years. He publically apologized and hoped his fans and music community at large could forgive him for his actions. His speech seemed sincere and took a moment away from all the jokes to focus on the fact that Bieber acknowledges he’s messed up in the past.

But his level of sincerity is up to viewers to decide.

“I don’t think he meant it. I don’t trust anything on reality TV,” said Devashish Agarwal, a freshman computer science major. “I think it was all PR to make him look good.”

Regardless of whether Bieber learned his lesson through the roast, celebrities had fun slinging playful insults at the successful 21-year-old who isn’t likely to leave the limelight anytime soon. email: tori.roseman@ubspectrum.com

7

Making the least of life What doesn’t kill you, you should probably take for granted and ignore

BRIAN WINDSCHITL ARTS EDITOR

A sad fact of life is most people do not know how to prioritize their time.

Nowadays, most people are so concerned with the direction and quality of their existence. Insignificant worries about time, money, school, success, relationships, appearance, work, friends, family and personal health often take priorities over the finer features of life.

As a self-proclaimed guru of time management, I will be breaking down a daily schedule that does not take any of these tragically overemphasized priorities into account.

This schedule will try to help you find inner peace by removing all of these glib goals and dreams that dominate most people lives. Instead of caring about things, I want to show how to choose to not care about things and live a life stress-free.

Morning Wake up. Lay in bed for however long it takes for you to accept the fact that you are, indeed, awake. Motivate yourself by telling yourself you don’t really want to spend all day in bed anyway. Get up only after updating your Twitter status about how you don’t want to get up. Eat breakfast after a half-hearted attempt to make an omelet. Eat your runny, raw eggs in silence, with a cup of black coffee. Black coffee is appropriate to match the black emptiness of life.

You don’t have to worry about your personal health or appearance – the unwashed look pays no heed to social norms of personal hy-

giene. Be sure to tell as many people as you can that you did not shower that morning.

Mid-Day Drive to school in your car that has three parking tickets hidden in the glove box.

Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. Sit in the back of every class and take mindless Buzzfeed quizzes and play paper football with the kid in the back-left corner of the room who also isn’t paying attention. Be sure to ignore everything your professor is saying.

This way, you can waste time, money and academic ambition all in one go.

Once you have ascertained what ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s celebrity you are on Buzzfeed, there is no longer any need for you to be in class. Leave 15 minutes after the professor begins lecturing.

Afternoon Read a couple texts from an acquaintance who wants to meet up for lunch. Friendship is way too much work, so choose to ignore this request in lieu of going to your car to take a nap in the backseat, where you can stretch out your legs. Enjoy the rest of the day’s sunshine by singing along to corny ’00s pop songs in the back of your car and maybe reading a book – but only if the book does not inspire you very much. I suggest reading the scene in Of Mice and Men where (spoiler alert) Lenny dies, and only that scene, multiple times.

Evening Drive home in silence. Allow the calming tranquility from the setting sun to bring good vibes into your overall aura. Arrive home feeling good from the increased amount of vitamin D in your system. Ask your roommates how their days went, but purposely mess up their names, so they know how little you care about them. Think of this as keeping a healthy distance from having any potential friendships. Having friends is a great and terrible responsibility.

Night Start your night by lying on the floor in your room. Think about doing homework briefly, but then remember you left your backpack in the car. Forget about it, and continue lying on the floor. Eventually, after the floor gets too uncomfortable, decide to move. Think about all the places where you could have tried harder during the day but didn’t, and use all of the leftover energy to drag yourself into bed. End your night the way you started your day, in bed, complaining about insignificant things on Twitter. Fall asleep and dream about nothing. *Note: This daily schedule is not formatted based on time because time is a social construct that only limits our perception of reality.

This was a satire piece and should taken as such.

Happy April Fool’s Day. email: brian.windschitl@ubspectrum.com

Continued site, from page 4 Some students like Shah said a cheaper option would have been asking students in the computer science department or in SA computer engineering clubs to build the site.

“If you’re not really into that business, people are going to say $10,000 and you’re not going to do much about it. A little bit more digging would have solved the problem,” Shah said.

Reath and DiReinzo said that there are computer science students who would have wanted to create the site for their professional portfolios. And although they admit they could not guarantee a student would have done a better job than Rosenblitt, it would have been done at a cheaper cost.

DiReinzo said SA clubs like the Association for Computing Machinery would have created the site for an increase in its budget, which would have been less than the cost of paying a freelancer.

“The communication just needs to exist because I know clubs that are capable of this kind of work and I think they would do it for much less, like, ‘Hey, now we can buy pizza for the rest of the year,’” DiReinzo said.

Ingram said he originally considered contacting students to create the site in the beginning of the year, but ultimately decided to go the route of hiring a professional developer. He said the reason SA did not reach out to students for feedback in creating the website was because of feedback they had gotten about what was wrong with the old website.

“I really felt we had so much buildup with feedback about the old website that we could design a new website that would really meet the needs of students that they would

be happy with,” Ingram said.

DiReinzo said he understands not everything can to go to a vote, but that it would have been “a nice gesture [for SA] to say, ‘We’re redoing our site. We want you as a student body to be a part of this change.’”

Ingram encourages students to apply for the position of maintaining the website next year. He said applications would be coming out shortly after the new e-board is elected April 16. He said the new e-board will want “to hire someone who can make changes with the website.”

He also encourages students to contact him about their ideas for the website and how it can be improved.

“I still certainly would appreciate any feedback whether it’s on functionality or looks,” Ingram said “I understand we didn’t ask students for the design but that doesn’t mean there’s no opportunity for them to be involved with it in the future and take it and really run with it in the future.”

Ingram said he wouldn’t be surprised if the website looks completely different year after year as new e-boards come. He said the current template allows SA to do so.

DiRieinzo said instead of debating the steps taken to create the current website, the focus now should be focused on now is improving it.

“We’ve already spent the funding, so what do we do now?” he said. “At the end of the day, we’ve already spent the money. What we can do is be open-minded for the future.

I think if that’s all that comes of this, that can be helpful.” email: news@ubspectrum.com

ubspectrum.com

8

More than a game Why watching the Game of Thrones prescreening was the best mistake ever

LORD JAMES BATTLE ASST. FEATURES EDITOR On Sunday, I made one of best mistakes of my life.

I decided to attend the advanced screening of the season five premier of Game of Thrones hosted at UB, and now that’s all I can think about. I can’t get this fantasy world out of my head.

My experience began waiting in line to enter the theater. Promoters came by and handed out crowns to those of us waiting. My paper crown fit my head quite well, I must say.

Waiting outside was an experience within itself.

It was a picturesque evening on campus. The damp air and cold wind bombarded my face. It made me feel like a member of the Night’s Watch, surveying the Wall for interlopers- wildlings and such.

When I finally entered the Center for The Arts, there was a separate line to take a picture on the Iron Throne. I fastened my crown and posed on the throne with a prop sword (but in my mind, it was Valyrian steel). When my photo op was over, I rose and entered the main theater.

Another patron of the screening quickly usurped my throne but I was too excited to care.

Viewers had to wait a while for the screening to begin and they became restless. The hour-long wait felt like an eternity. When the lights were dimmed and UB’s marching band played the theme song of the show, the crowd cheered uncontrollably. From then on,

I was fully immersed.

When the episode finally began, my eyes locked in on the screen. I’m not sure if I even blinked for the whole hour of glorious television programming. It was as if I was there.

Because the show was an advanced screening and I am a merciful king, I will not disclose what happened in the episode. Just know it sets the scene and pace for the upcoming season quite well. This season will be crazy, to say the least.

It wasn’t until Monday morning I realized I was afflicted with a deadly plague known as “Game of Thrones withdrawal.” I can no longer distinguish the fantasy world of Westeros from the very real, very dreary land known as Buffalo – which is most definitely North of the Wall.

I began to notice symptoms of the affliction when I got up Monday morning. Instead of putting on my hat when I walked out of the door, I reached for my crown. I reached down to put my wallet in my pocket and expected to feel the hilt of my sword around my waist. I was losing it.

I left my apartment and saw my trusty mount, a well-groomed black Hyundai Elantra. She awaited me in the parking lot, but my trip to the library was to be completed on foot. My steed could rest.

SEE Game of Thrones, PAGE 5

Crimal Justice Administration Public Administration MPA: Health Administration •Challenging small classes •Individual research mentor •Neither the GMAT nor GRE required

NOW ENROLLING FOR AUGUST 2015 hilbert.edu/Grad 716-926-8949

BE CREATIVE. CHANGE YOUR LIFE. ENROLL NOW.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Rapid testing New York State Department of Health conducts free HIV testing on campus SAMANTHA BRENNER STAFF WRITER An estimated one out of every seven people who are HIV positive don’t know they carry the virus, according to the U.S. Department of Health.

All UB students can walk into Michael Hall rooms 208 and 209 on Thursday, April 2 between 1 and 4 p.m. to receive a confidential HIV test to see if they’re part of that statistic.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks a person’s immune system, making it difficult to get rid of other viruses such as the flu or a common cold. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the final stage of HIV. Not everyone who has HIV progresses to AIDS, but once someone has HIV or AIDS, they have it for life.

For the past three years on a limited basis, the New York State Department of Health has partnered with Michael Hall on South Campus once a semester to provide students with free rapid HIV testing.

“We really want students to have multiple options and more opportunities to get tested,” said Susan Snyder, director of Student Health Services. “What we perceive as a barrier to get tested would be that students don’t want it a part of their medical record.”

Any appointment or clinical interaction between a patient and a provider is documented in the patient’s medical records. These medical records cannot be released, even to parents, without the consent of the patient, Snyder said.

“For some people it’s a nice thing to not have it on your record,” Snyder said.

“As a medical provider team, we are certainly dedicated to the privacy and confidentiality of a student.”

When Michael Hall is not holding free testing and a student is on his or her parents’ insurance, the rapid HIV test would not be billed to that insurance. The student becomes responsible for paying a $10 charge that is placed on his or her

student account.

If a student is covered by the schoolsponsored plan, then Student Health will bill the $10 charge to his or her insurance and no correspondence is generated. If a student needs more extensive lab testing, then his or her insurance coverage would not be utilized, Snyder said.

The bill on the account says “Medical Treatment Charge.” What the charge represents is not disclosed to anyone but the patient.

In previous years when the New York State Department of Health came to UB, typically fewer than 20 students showed up for testing, Snyder said.

“There are some barriers for students to get tested, and we are trying to eliminate those barriers and help people get tested,” she said.

Sam Ackerman, a junior accounting major, thinks it’s great the school is giving students the opportunity to get tested for free.

“It really gives good awareness to the UB community,” Ackerman said.

According to Snyder, individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 make up a quarter of the newly diagnosed HIV individuals. She said it’s a “quiet concern” because there are lower rates of testing in that age population.

Geena Hobika, a junior psychology major said she’s indifferent about UB offering the free HIV testing.

“I think it’s a personal decision, if you think you have been exposed to it then yeah, students should get tested,” Hobika said.

Snyder said there are lots of things that can be done to treat HIV and other illnesses. She wants students to understand that if they are unsure whether they have it or not, the delay of care has a great impact.

Students getting tested and knowing their results also reduces the risk of spreading HIV to others, she said. email: features@ubspectrum.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 ubspectrum.com

CLASSIFIEDS

HELP WANTED

HOUSE FOR RENT HOUSE FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

LINE COOK, WILLIAMSVILLE family owned restaurant. Fast pace, experience a must.

Apply in person, Eagle House, 5578 Main Street.

PART-TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE. Lasertron Family Entertainment Center is currently hiring for general customer service. Working at a fast, detail-oriented pace and having excellent customer service skills is a must. Starting at $11/hr, must be available nights and weekends. Stop in and complete an application at Lasertron, 5101 North Bailey Avenue, Amherst. NY APARTMENT FOR RENT APARTMENT FOR

RENT

2 & 3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS. Walking distance UB South Campus. Tom 716-570-4776. tombridon@aol.com 2 UNIVERSITY MSC; June; large 1 BDRM; Furnished all utilities, parking, appliances ron1812@gmail.com $900+ MSC 4-BDRM Apartment 3 minute walk. Appliances, redecorated immediate occupancy! $300/pp 716-691-5710, 9 to 5.

4,5,6 & 8 BEDROOM Remodeled apartment houses. 34 Apartments available located at University Buffalo Main Street Campus, off Englewood. Beginning June 2015: UB South Campus for @ $300/ bedroom plus utilities. Washers & dryers included. Contact bradengel37@gmail. com or Shawn at 716-984-7813 Check out our web-site: www.bufapt.com SPACIOUS 3-BDRM MERRIMAC. Well maintained. Washer/dryer, dishwasher. Off street parking. $735.00 716-998-2957

UB NORTH - 41 Millbrook Dr. Semi furnished 3-BDRM ranch, appliances, washer/dryer, new kitchen, bathroom, 2 car garage, AC florida room & large basement. $1600.00+ May 1st, 716-6342950

9

UNCLASSIFIED (MISC.)

UNCLASSIFIED (MISC.)

IN THE BEGINNING - ICR.ORG

4-BDRM 2-BATH. 325 Lamont Dr. Amherst (near Eggert & Bailey). Available June 1st. Ken 716-982-9928 EVERYTHING YOU NEED for the 2015 academic year. Great 1 to 8 bedroom houses & apartments. Near South Campus.

Off-Street parking, laundry, dishwashers & much more! Please call: Andy to schedule a showing 716-308-4881 ELMWOOD VILLAGE 6-BDRM, 2.5 bath; Parking; Appliances ron1812@ gmail.com $2100+ 4-BDRM HOUSE. 1 1/2 Baths close to MSC. $350/pp, 716-691-5710 9 to 5.

SOUTH CAMPUS. 5 & 6 Master Bedrooms. 2-Full baths, stove, fridge, washer / dryer / dishwasher & off-street parking. Available June 1st. Call 716-5706062.

3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available Now! Go to daveburnette.net to view all properties or call Dave at

716-445-2514.

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

Total Car Care $30 off $20 off $10 off Services Services Services over $200 over $300 over $100 (excludes tax) (excludes tax) (excludes tax)

Excludes tires, batteries and oil changes Coupon has no cash value

The Adult Galaxy 2113 Niagara Falls Blvd Amherst NY

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

11 7 1 N i a g a r a F a l l s B l v d Amherst, NY

837-4000

(716) 691-SEXY

18 & Older ID/Rush Toys / Lubes Lingerie / Condoms

DVD’s-$8.99 & up Whips / Mags / Pipes / Gold Scales Male Enhancement Pills/Rings Rabbit/Vibes

Monday 10% OFF COUPON

www.premiercarcarewny.com

DAILY DELIGHTS sponsored by Collegiate Village Apartments Crossword of the Day

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 FROM UNIVERSAL UCLICK

HOROSCOPES

Edited by Timothy E. Parker April 1, 2015 GOURMET KITCHEN By Gia Kilroy

B I N E A I V E N I T

1 Maternity ward frequenters 6 Rice University athletes 10 North Atlantic food fish 14 Without company 15 He and she 16 Porter or Younger 17 Indian yogurt dish 18 Blue hue 19 Way back when 20 Fancy server 23 “And now, without further ___ ...”

25 Choler 26 Makes different 27 Electronic device 30 ___-Wan Kenobi 31 “A Lesson From ___” 32 Type of personality or citizenship 34 “Cut it out!”

38 Have surgery 41 Formerly, an attachment to “while” 42 In ___ of (replacing) 43 Some wedding guests 44 Dancing maneuver 45 Young swan 46 On the water’s surface 50 Former French coin 52 Stand-___ (replacements) 53 One who had momentary success 57 “The Bridges of

Hoş geldin

Benvenuto

Madison County” state 58 Blood fluids 59 Make vertical 62 Ladder crosspiece 63 Nicholas I or II 64 Examine again, as a patient 65 It’s heard in the Highlands 66 Eyelid inflammation 67 German industrial city

DOWN 1 Augusta score 2 Cookbook phrase 3 Like some mushrooms 4 One who hasn’t turned pro?

5 Document authenticator 6 Aquatic mammal 7 Invitation heading 8 Emulate a leopard 9 One of an iamb’s two 10 Patton portrayer 11 Adventurous tale 12 Product of stress 13 One’s equals 21 Toss one’s hat in the ring 22 Ring legend 23 Often-quoted saying 24 Extreme sorrow 28 Courteous chap 29 It’s taken for trips 30 Diamond Head island

32 A washer might stop it 33 One for the off-road 34 Like a bug in a rug 35 Metallic flimsiness 36 More than occasionally 37 Bothersome people or animals 39 High-hatters 40 Arthurian knight 44 “Zip-A-DeeDoo-___” 45 Implement with which to break 46 Going up in smoke 47 Baking ingredient 48 Grassy yards 49 River in Missouri 50 Pound resident 51 Major airport 54 Branch structure 55 “As ___ as the driven snow” 56 Hairy primates 60 Separator of family names 61 ___ of thieves

歡迎

ようこそ Collegiate Village Apartments Welcomes You!

Добро пожаловатьь

Willkommen

환영합니다

www.CVBuffalo.com

Witam Cię

Aloha

歡迎光臨 Bienvenue

Bienvenido

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Keep life simple and you can reach your goals. A new job or an opportunity to make extra money is within reach.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Keep a low profile.

Don’t be too vocal about the changes you want to make.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take care of unfinished business before beginning something new. Stick to what you do best, and the rest will fall into place.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Don’t let what others are doing distract you. Do your own thing and let your imagination and originality take over, and you will come up with a unique contribution.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Go about your business and make changes that suit you and promise greater success or happiness.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Put your time and effort into self-improvements, learning and enhancing your skills.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): You can make things happen. Join forces with people trying to make the same improvements or changes that you are, and you will make new friends and accomplish your goals.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Someone will get in your way or cause problems if you neglect your responsibilities. Use unusual methods to get around a situation that has the potential to be costly.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Look over contracts or personal documents and you will find a way to save some cash.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Don’t rely on anyone for anything. Stick close to home and avoid getting involved in disputes with friends, relatives or neighbors.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Look around, size up your situation and take action. Making a move will ensure that you stay ahead of the competition.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Question what you are being told. Don’t make any plans without doing your homework. anxiety.

ACROSS

Wednesday, April 1, 2015 ubspectrum.com

10

SPORTS

THE EXTRA MILE After surviving cancer, Kelsey Barbour to run across United States to raise money QUENTIN HAYNES SPORTS EDITOR Kelsey Barbour never planned to take up running.

Even her mother, Cheryl, never thought she could be a runner. Barbour had always been a swimmer. But a thyroid cancer diagnosis in the summer of 2011 changed that.

While stricken with cancer, Barbour wasn’t physically able to get back to the one place she missed the most – the swimming pool. Barbour, a member of the women’s swimming team from 2010-14 and getting a dual masters degree in public health and business administration, was on the mend while dealing with her diagnosis in between her freshman and sophomore year.

She discovered running as a mechanism to cope with her cancer during the time she wasn’t allowed in the pool. Barbour missed one meet and five practices in her sophomore season. Running helped her fill the void she lost by not being able to swim.

“Originally, I never used to run,” Barbour said. “I used to swim 24/7, so I just never had time to run. When I couldn’t get into the pool, I began to run more and more day-by-day. When I stopped swimming, it became an outlet for me.”

After being cancer-free since 2012, Barbour is set to compete in the “4K for Cancer” – a cross-country relay-style event that spans more than 4,000 miles from June 14 to Aug. 1 – to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Kids. Runners will run around eight miles per day with a rest period built in every 3-5 days.

Barbour will be one of 28 college students running from San Francisco, California to Baltimore, Maryland over 49 days. At night, the runners will be sleeping at host sites, such as churches and gyms that donate space to the runners, Barbour said.

Cheryl was hesitant about the idea of

Barbour running across the country.

“Running across the country was one thing, but in order to do this, Kelsey had to give up her summer job,” Cheryl said. “As a college student, that money is important.

Also, she had to raise $4,500 to even participate in the event. We didn’t squash this for her, but we just made sure she knew the sacrifices she had to make.”

Despite the finances, Barbour didn’t think about the money she had to earn, or the money she was giving up in doing the run.

Barbour called the run “a great opportunity” to continue helping people who have been affected by cancer because she experienced the pain that many others are going through.

Cheryl said her daughter originally didn’t enjoy running before her diagnosis, but when she began, she noticed a change in Barbour’s character.

“Oh no, my daughter was not a runner,” Cheryl said, laughing. “When she started, I just saw the change in her. She originally went alone, then she found people to run with her and it was something that kept her spirits positive as she went through a tough situation.”

Barbour found another outlet through running to help those dealing with cancer.

In 2012, Barbour ran her first half marathon, the Buffalo half marathon, with her two sisters, Lynlee and Amanda. The money for the race went toward cancer research.

Barbour said her first half marathon was a memorable experience.

“I think most runners would tell you that running is hard,” Barbour said. “There were moments where one of us wanted to quit, but when we made it to the finish line, that rush of giving back and feeling good just takes over you and you want to run another.

Everything that happened that year, it was a nice end to it.”

In 2014, Barbour completed the Rochester half marathon.

COURTESY OF UB ATHLETIC COMMUNICATION

Quick hits: Baseball, softball, tennis teams begin conference play BOBBY MCINTOSH ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Baseball (6-14, 2-4 Mid-American Conference) The Bulls lost two of three games against Ball State (18-8, 5-1 MAC), one of the best team’s in the conference, this weekend at Ball Diamond in Muncie, Indiana. Buffalo split

the doubleheader on Saturday, when it lost the first game, 6-4, and won, 14-1, later in the day. Buffalo ended Saturday with a 10-run ninth inning.

Junior outfielder Nick Sinay went 4 for 7 with two stolen bases in the two games.

He currently leads the MAC with a .500 onbase percentage and 15 stolen bases. Sophomore outfielder Vinny Mallaro hit a two-run

KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM

After competing in two half marathons, Kelsey Barbour, a cancer survivor and former UB swimmer, plans to run cross country from San Francisco, California to Baltimore, Maryland with 28 college students from various colleges across the country to raise money for cancer awareness.

After her second race, her mother said she was surprised to see Barbour elect to run a full marathon.

“I was happy to see her do this because this was something she really wanted to do,” Cheryl said. “ I was happy to see her running marathons, but then she told me about the 4K for Cancer and I was a bit surprised that she wanted to do that.”

The motivation for the 4K for Cancer – as well as the decision to give back to those in need – began when Barbour’s life hit a standstill.

Barbour noticed a sizable lump on the base of her neck between her freshman and sophomore seasons. When she returned home to Albany, New York for the summer, she went to the doctor with her mother.

Neither Barbour, Cheryl nor the doctor thought the lump was anything serious.

“The doctors continued to mention cancer as a possibility,” Barbour said. “But they would always call it a ‘worse cast scenario.’

They told us that enough to where my mom and me were concerned, but not for cancer.”

The worst-case scenario became a reality.

“I just remember picking up the phone,” Cheryl said. “The surgeon spoke to me very slowly and said ‘Could I speak to the both of you at the same time?’ and my initial thought was ‘uh-oh.’ We were just shocked, to say the least.”

Instead of normal chemotherapy treatment, Barbour was administered a radioactive iodine pill. The thyroid cells would absorb the iodine cells, killing any of the remaining cancer cells in her body.

The pill left Barbour in her bedroom alone. The doctors suggested Barbour have minimal contact with family members. Her younger brother, Logan, couldn’t even stay in the same house.

Cheryl said Barbour’s moments alone helped her psyche.

“I remember worrying about her but

something clicked for her in that time alone,” Cheryl said. “Having that time to think was valuable for her. It got her mind cleared and she refocused. She changed her major, she had a focus for grad school and she came up with Hope Floats.”

After missing just one meet and five practices, Barbour returned to the swim team and started a fundraiser called “Hope Floats.” The fundraiser raised more than $10,000 for the American Cancer Society over two events in 2012 and 2013. Barbour and two of her friends on the swim team ran the events.

Barbour said the event was “just the beginning.”

“I knew that if we got that event off the ground, it would be just the start,” Barbour said. “I wanted to give back and once I saw how much that helped people, I wanted to continue helping people and helping those in need.”

Barbour’s determination to return to the pool touched her teammates – especially junior swimmer Paula Stoddard, who called Barbour “her big sister.”

“I was only a freshman when Kelsey was a junior,” Stoddard said. “She was a great role model. She took care of me like a big sister would. Always supporting me in and out of the pool. This year, I had to redshirt because of my knee and Kelsey was right there giving me support.”

After participating in the 4K for Cancer, Barbour said she wants to continue to help those in need.

“I just want to continue to help others. I plan to serve in the medical community and even in a non-profit. I’m actively looking for an internship in the American Cancer Society and after I finish graduate school, I want to continue to give back to those in need.”

Senior pitcher Hayley Barrow (pictured) throws a pitch as part of her 5.1 innings of work on Sunday as the softball team lost it’s sixth consecutive game - its longest losing streak of the season.

Saturday at the Murr Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Junior Pablo Alvarez had the only victory of the day for Buffalo, defeating Harvard’s Sebastian Beltrame in two sets. Buffalo begins conference play this week when it travels to Binghamton (2-14, 0-2 MAC) Wednesday.

Women’s tennis (6-8, 2-2 MAC) Buffalo hosted Bowling Green (0-13, 0-4 MAC) Sunday at the Miller Tennis Center and won 7-0. It was the team’s second shutout of the season and first in MAC competition.

Freshman Tanja Stojanovska won both matches she participated in. In her first match on Sunday, she won, 6-1, in a doubles match with freshman Christine Haraldson. Later in the day, Stojanovska defeated Bowling Green’s Megan Miller 7-5, 6-2 in first singles.

The Bulls travel to Ball State (10-4, 0-2 MAC) Friday to take on the Cardinals at 1 p.m.

Men’s basketball The Associated Press announced junior forward Justin Moss as an All-America honorable mention on Monday. Moss is the fourth Bull since 2005 to secure All-America honors, joining alumni Turner Battle (2005), Mitchell Watt (2012), and Javon McCrea (2014). All four players won the MAC Player of the Year in the same season as their selection.

home run in the win.

On Sunday, the Bulls fell 16-8 to end the series. Buffalo travels to St. Bonaventure (10-5-1, 0-3 A10) Wednesday to play a doubleheader against its Big-Four rival at 2 p.m. Buffalo’s weekend home doubleheader against Ohio (14-11, 2-4 MAC) will be moved to Kelly Automotive Park in Butler, Pennsylvania. First pitch is set for Saturday at 4 p.m., followed by a doubleheader Sunday starting at noon.

Softball (7-22, 0-2 MAC) Buffalo dropped its first two conference games at Kent State (21-6, 2-0 MAC) Sunday in Kent, Ohio. Senior catcher/infielder Alexis Curtiss went 3 for 4 in the second game with two doubles but failed to record a hit in the first game. The team struck out 22 times over the two games, including 14 times in the first game.

Buffalo’s scheduled doubleheader against Binghamton (9-9) Wednesday has been canceled. The Bulls travel to Miami Ohio (1811, 2-0 MAC) and Ball State (14-16, 2-0 MAC) this weekend. Friday’s doubleheader against Miami Ohio is set for 1 p.m. Buffalo plays Ball State at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

Men’s tennis (8-7) The Bulls fell to No. 33 Harvard (13-5)

email: quentin.haynes@upsectrum.com

email: sports@ubspectrum.com