The Spectrum Vol. 65 No. 11

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ubspectrum.com

Friday, September 25, 2015

MARLEE TUSKES NEWS EDITOR

Since the semester started three weeks ago, Campus Living has four confirmed cases of bed bugs in residence halls and apartments on North Campus.

Two cases occurred in Flint Village, the others in Hadley Village and Governors Hall.

Students have also reported seeing extermination vehicles in front of Wilkeson Quad in the Ellicott Complex during the past few weeks, but according to UB Director of News Content Charlotte Hsu, the only complaints out of Wilkeson have been about spiders and one call was for a mouse.

Brian Haggerty, senior associate director of Campus Living, said in an email that because there are approximately 7,500 students living in on-campus residence halls and apartments, it’s not uncommon for Campus Living to receive requests for pest control.

Volume 65 No. 11

Don’t let the bed bugs bite Four confirmed cases of bed bugs on campus so far this semester Bed bugs are parasites that feed on human blood and are typically found in beds and under mattresses, couches and carpets.

Dan McIntosh, the service manager for special services at Buffalo Exterminating, said bed bugs have a hooked appendage that allows them to hook into crevices where they live.

The UB buildings infected with bed bugs were unoccupied over the summer due to capital projects, Haggerty said. He said the probable explanation for the bed bugs is that the students brought them with their belongings.

McIntosh said while it is possible for a bed bug to attach onto a person’s clothing, they typically do not move from place to

place.

Haggerty said that in all four bed bug cases this semester, UB’s contracted exterminator was able to treat the bugs either the first day or the next business day.

One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, had bed bugs in her Flint Village apartment last week. She walked into her room last Friday around 3 a.m., turned on a light and noticed something crawling out of her pillowcase.

After several attempts to kill the bug, she picked it up and “squeezed it” in a napkin.

She looked up bed bugs on Google and had a feeling that’s what was crawling on her bed.

“I couldn’t sleep,” the student said. “Ev-

Students demand change SA and BSU hold open forum to discuss recent controversial art project

ery time I closed my eyes all I saw were the pictures I Googled.”

The student’s father, who has an exterminator license, told her to contact Campus Living immediately after she described the bug to him. The student went to the Flint Community Center at 8:30 a.m. once it had opened and Campus Living put in a work order for the bed bugs.

Whenever a work order is put in for bed bugs, Campus Living contacts Buffalo Exterminating, its contracted vendor, who responds within the next business day to assess the potential issue. According to Haggerty, “in most cases, it’s not bed bugs.”

“We have had 80 calls for an exterminator since the halls and apartments opened in August,” Haggerty said. “Of those 80, only four were confirmed cases of bed bugs.

Other pests identified were ants, spiders, wasps, and the most common, bees.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Shuttle your way to downtown Buffalo Buffalo’s first entertainment shuttle takes students through eight districts

GABRIELA JULIA

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

The controversial “White Only” and “Black Only” art project displayed on campus last week caused an emotional and at times intense open forum discussion for students, faculty and UB officials Wednesday night.

The Student Association and the Black Student Union (BSU) organized the forum.

The forum aimed to give students an opportunity to voice opinions on the “White Only” and “Black Only” signs UB graduate fine arts student Ashley Powell posted around campus last week as part of a class art project.

More than 300 people attended, including a panel of UB faculty and officials. The forum’s main focus was allowing students to speak. Students applauded and snapped when one of them made a point they all agreed with and one student began to cry while speaking to the audience.

Before the forum began, BSU made it clear that the discussion was not intended to focus on the signs or Powell, but about those affected and to make sure it never happened again. The forum used the signs as the first of many discussions about potential change on campus.

Students, faculty and officials discussed a wide range of topics, but the main points were: • The historical context of the signs • Students’ personal experiences with racism on campus • Issues with how UB and University Police handled the situation • What UB can do to have more racial and social inclusion on campus • The legality of Powell’s project • President Satish Tripathi’s absence from the forum and student disappointment that he had at that time yet to release a statement about the controversy Kenny Berrouet, a junior business major, said some students of color currently don’t want to apply to UB because of the situa-

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DANI GUGLIELMO FEATURES EDITOR

tion. He said the only way to change that is to make sure the university does not let the problem slowly dissolve without a solution.

“We are a campus under fire and a business,” he said. “We don’t want the reputation of the university on the line.”

Student reactions to the signs Discomfort, anger, fear and disgust were just a few of the emotions students mentioned when asked how they felt when they first saw the signs.

Jason Young, a history professor, gave the historical context of the signs by displaying images of “White” and “Colored” water fountains from the mid-19th century.

He also said why he believes students had the reaction they did toward them.

“The angst that emerged from these signs came from students wondering where they are allowed versus where they are welcomed,” Young said.

When Deidree Golbourne, BSU vice president and junior African American studies major, asked who felt unwelcomed when they saw the signs, almost every hand in the audience went up.

One student said because he grew up in a mainly white community in Westchester, New York, he has trained himself to tolerate favor, biases and prejudice.

Another student said when he first saw the signs, he was defensive and had to control himself because he knew that if he proceeded in a violent manner, it could have resulted in a bigger problem.

Susan Green, clinical associate professor and co-director of the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care, said being defensive is an appropriate reaction to this traumatic experience.

Green said one theory for this trauma is called Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, which is based on history and experience of past generations. African Americans to-

Letter to the editor from President Satish Tripathi

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PHOTOS BY KAINAN GUO

BSU President Micah Oliver (far left) and other students speak at Wednesday night’s open forum for students to discuss the “White Only” and “Black Only” signs posted on campus.

day may not have an exact memory of slavery, but they have a feel for it in their memory that is coded in their DNA, Green said.

Students’ experiences with racism on campus Golbourne, who served as forum moderator, also asked the audience if anyone had ever experienced other forms of overt racism.

Isaiah Davis, a senior philosophy and English major, talked about his experience as a black resident adviser (RA) on campus and his affiliation in an Afro-Latino fraternity.

“One time I was wearing a hoodie and sweats and someone behind me asked, ‘Isaiah, why are you dressed like a hoodlum,’” he said. “There was a white RA standing right next to me in the same exact outfit.”

Rashaad Holley, a senior business major, said he didn’t feel very welcomed once he got to campus.

During his first week at UB, Holley said he got off the Stampede bus on South Campus and asked a UPD police officer where the library was. He said the officer responded with, “Are you even a student?”

“Some people might not think it was that big of a deal, but it was my first interaction with an officer on campus and I felt unwelcomed,” he said. “All I wanted was to be looked at as a student when I came here and nothing else.”

Latin American Student Association holds weekly dance socials

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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University Heights residents have complained for years about UB’s Stampede bus service that transports party-seeking and at times rowdy students into the area.

Now there’s a new shuttle service giving students a different alterative to crowded house parties and a chance to explore a night out in downtown Buffalo.

Buffalo Wings Service launched last weekend, making the shuttle service Buffalo’s first hop-on-and-off entertainment shuttle. The service provides rides with 26 total stops – 13 stops each northbound and southbound – and takes riders to Buffalo’s eight entertainment districts: the University Heights, Hertel Avenue, Elmwood Village, Allentown, Chippewa Street, Pearl Street, Canalside and Buffalo Creek Casino.

The route starts up at Main Circle in the Heights and ends down at Buffalo Creek Casino.

“You hear on the news of kids just walking around up in the Heights,” said Buffalo Wings co-owner Jacob Hager. “We’re trying to get them all downtown to the districts for the entertainment – there are bars, restaurants, sporting events and theaters down there so it gets people to all the main hot spots in Buffalo.”

Hager created the service and purchased the shuttle with his friend Riley McFarland. The idea for the business came after McFarland called Hager complaining about how he spent more than $60 on cabs during a night out in Buffalo.

The idea’s inception took place about a year ago and stemmed from the two’s frustration with transportation in Buffalo nightlife.

The root of their shuttle service idea stemmed from SUNY Brockport’s Eagle Run Shuttle – the two graduated from Brockport in 2012. The bus is similar to UB’s Stampede except it takes students into Brockport’s nightlife districts. Hager said that he and McFarlane wanted something like the Eagle Shuttle for students, locals and tourists in Buffalo.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 Meet the UB student behind the artwork at CFA’s Seasons

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NEWS

Friday, September 25, 2015

The Spectrum

Shuttle your way to downtown Buffalo CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Last weekend, they launched the Buffalo Wing Service on a trial run by providing rounds of free rides on Friday and Saturday night.

The launch wasn’t as big as they had hoped.

Hager said they pulled up to students to let them know they were giving free rides but students walked away because they weren’t aware of the service.

The shuttle sits 18 people but could fit 26 with the standing rails on board. The shuttle has leather seats, Bluetooth radio and a 32inch flat screen TV. Caroline Black, a senior economics major, said she would try the shuttle for a night out with her friends. If she liked the service better than taking a cab, Black would consider using the shuttle more often.

“I am questionable about this service but I think it has potential,” Black said. “I don’t think 26 people is enough to fit the demand and I think the business would do better if there were more shuttles running at once to make it more available.”

Before starting up this service, McFarland and Hager attended the same grade school and college and studied abroad together in Ireland.

After graduating from SUNY Brockport, McFarland worked as a regional sales manager for an insurance company and Hager had a job as an American landman, performing various tasks for oil and gas companies.

The close friendship between them led to their co-ownership.

“Naturally we were close and understood

each other’s goals and motivations,” McFarland said. “I knew the operations side of the business and he knew the tourism and marketing aspect – a good fit for business.”

The Buffalo Wing Service cost about $38,000 to get one shuttle running, Hager said. They plan to launch another bus to make the travel process more efficient.

McFarlane and Hager worked to reach people in Buffalo to raise money for their business but ultimately ended up relying on parents and some close friends for funds.

In addition to being co-owners, they operate the shuttle as well. One of them drives while the other manages the passengers when it gets rowdy and to retain a good image.

Hager said they are partnering with Step Out Buffalo, which makes list of things to do in the city.

“We are going to play it on the TV so people know where to go, what bars and specials to check out and what plays and games are going on,” he said.

Buffalo Wings Service shuttle can be tracked through GPS on its mobile app to present users with access of the shuttles location.

The service is available from Thursday to Sunday with hours ranging from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Round-trip tickets can be purchased online or on the app and prices vary from $5 to $10.

“I think Buffalo has been waiting for a service like this,” McFarland said. “Mainly because the options out there are subpar to say the least, but secondly – and more importantly – our service brings Buffalo into the 21st century with its easy to use mobile technology.” email: features@ubspectrum.com COURTESY OF BUFFALO WING SERVICE

Buffalo Wing Service provides safe transportation for students looking to go downtown on the weekends.

Don’t let the bed bugs bite CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Once the exterminator has confirmed bed bugs are present in the dorm or apartment, the student must place excess clutter in trash bags, provided by UB, and refrain from entering the room during treatment and four hours afterward.

Students are told not to remove any linens present in the affected area as well.

Campus Living advises students whose dorms or apartments are infested with bed bugs to pick out clean clothes prior to the exterminator arriving and wash them in hot water before sealing them in a bag. McIntosh said heat kills bed bugs, which is why people are encouraged to wash their clothes with water at a temperature of more than 130 degrees.

Campus Living also advises students to relocate before the exterminator arrives in order to prevent further contamination. If students choose to stay in a hotel, UB does not reimburse them.

Campus Living advised the UB student who spoke with The Spectrum to stay in her apartment until the exterminators came to treat the room Monday –

three days from when she first reported the issue – to prevent the bed bugs from spreading.

McIntosh said there are several ways to treat bed bugs, but the most common ways are to use heat treatment and physical removal. Price of treatment depends on how big of an infestation is found, how much “man power” is used and the size of the surface area.

McIntosh also said that there is no cause for health concerns involving bed bugs. While bed bugs bite humans and feed off of their blood, the bites do not hurt and the bed bugs do not transmit diseases.

McIntosh said that while bed bugs do not cause major physical issues, they may cause a person psychological issues.

“They see themselves as dirty, but anyone can get these. It does not mean you’re a dirty person,” McIntosh said.

“I’ve treated anything from a shack to a mansion – bed bugs do not care about socioeconomic standings.” email: news@ubspectrum.com

Bed Bugs Facts -Bed bugs are flat, ovalshaped bugs that are reddish-brown in color -Infestations do not come from the outdoors; they transfer from infested areas like houses, hotel rooms, or dorms -Bed bugs are often found under mattresses, in couches and under carpets

-To kill infestation, wash clothes and linens with water that is 130 degrees or hotter -Bed bugs do not transmit diseases -Bed bugs feed off of human blood, but their bites are not harmful

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OPINION LETTER TO THE EDITOR Friday, September 25, 2015

The Spectrum

Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF

Tom Dinki

MANAGING EDITOR

Alyssa McClure OPINION EDITOR

Ricky Nolan

Greetings President Satish K. Tripathi and University at Buffalo Administration, Attention: Charles F. Zukoski, Dennis R. Black, and Chair to the Department of Art

COPY EDITORS

Kayla Menes Renée Staples NEWS EDITORS

Gabriela Julia, Senior Ashley Inkumsah Marlee Tuskes FEATURES EDITORS

Tori Roseman, Senior Dani Guglielmo ARTS EDITORS

Brian Windschitl, Senior Kenneth Kashif Thomas Alexandra Saleh, Asst.

SPORTS EDITORS

Jordan Grossman, Co-senior Quentin Haynes, Co-senior PHOTO EDITORS

Yusong Shi, Co-senior Kainan Guo, Co-senior Angela Barca .

CARTOONISTS

Joshua Bodah Michael Perlman CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Kenneth Cruz Pierce Strudler, Asst.

Professional Staff OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER

Nicole Dominguez Lee Stoeckel, Asst.

Zach Hilderbrandt, Asst.

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Derek Hosken

From its inception in 1967, The Black Student Union has carried the goal of preserving and perpetuating African American culture, dignity and self-awareness. As the first minority organization on the University at Buffalo’s campus, we seek advancements in affiliating and uplifting individuals through means of education and community involvement. To align with the execution of these goal, the Black Student Union submits this letter to you on September 25, 2015.

The Black Student Union would like to thank you for extending the invitation to gather student leaders to discuss last week’s events at length.

On Wednesday, September 17th 2015, The Black Student Union convened for its weekly general body meeting where students addressed the “White Only” and “Black Only” signs displayed on campus. At this general body meeting, students expressed feelings of, shock, grief, and trepidation.

As students shared their responses to the signs, it was evident that these discoveries took an emotional and psychological toll on the student body of this campus. One student professed to feeling threatened by the signs and fearing for her life. Another student proclaimed that her friends,

who are also UB students, did not know where to sit at a restaurant at the UB commons after seeing a “WHITE ONLY” sign in the vicinity.

There has always been an interply between artistic expression and crime, and this case is no different.

While graffiti is considered a style of art that has dated back as far as ancient Rome, it has also been seen as an illegal action. These signs evoked such a mass of negative emotions from students, and regardless of the intentions, people still suffered.

The Black Student Union stands by its position that this is not art.

This project is likened to human subject experimentation in which all of the general population of our university was involuntarily exposed to these discriminatory signs.

Ashley Powell voluntarily admitted [in the Black Student Union’s general body meeting Wednesday, September 17th, 2015] that she is solely responsible for displaying the signs for the UB art course, Installations in Urban Spaces. The Black Student Union believes the student body’s right to move freely about the campus appeared to have been impeded on by the very plain discriminatory message on the signs.

In no way did Powell’s presence in Wednesday’s general body meeting inflate or increase the meeting’s attendance. The Black Student Union’s general body has been historically supportive and regularly active in all BSU programs and events. In fact, many other Stu-

dent Association organizations were represented in Wednesday’s general body meeting. As the premier student organization for minority individuals at the University at Buffalo, it is not uncommon for weekly general body meetings to be widely supported and well-attended. The attendance to Wednesday’s meeting will not be reduced to Powell’s veiled attempt to incite racial tension. The minority community at the University at Buffalo stands in solidarity with the Black Student Union.

After Powell’s confession and self identification as a graduate student, the general body members and other students present in the meeting immediately questioned how said “art project” was approved and how it could in any way fulfill a legitimate academic purpose.

While others have dismissed the displays offensiveness because it was supported by a sociocultural theory, the Black Student Union does not excuse the insensitivity of this display. Moreover, the nationality or ethnicity of Powell does not impact the Black Student Union’s stance against her work.

However, Powell is not the only person responsible for these displays. The Black Student Union believes adjunct professor, Warren K. Quigley is also at fault. As students, we expect for faculty to be knowledgeable on the current academic standards set forth by the university for the array of respective schools and programs.

As students, we also expect faculty’s guidance and sound judgment

as it relates to achieving academic goals. Many students begged the question,” Did anyone consider the implications that this ‘art project’ would have on the people at the University at Buffalo?” Professor Quigley failed to provide the appropriate guidance in this matter. As a result, the project was carried out and people of all races and creeds remain profoundly distressed.

If this project is in fact in accordance with any university standard for academic work, a complete overhaul of these standards must be performed immediately. Failure to reexamine University policies and procedures that protect the freedoms of students’ academic prowess and foster a healthy living-learning environment sends a single substandard message... that the University at Buffalo does not value its minority students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and affiliates.

Although Ashley Powell and adjunct professor Warren K. Quigley are the cause of this heinous act, The Black Student Union also finds the University at Buffalo’s Police Department at fault.

The Black Student Union executive board noted a common theme in students’ expressions at Wednesday’s general body meeting. Students felt: angry, traumatized, unwelcomed, divided, discriminated against, belittled, dehumanized, fearful, unsure, and unsafe.

Multiple students contacted the University Police Department to report the findings. Later at the general body meeting Wednesday, CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

THE SPECTRUM Friday, September 24, 2015 Volume 65 Number 11 Circulation 7,000

Letter to the editor: President Satish Tripathi’s open letter to The Spectrum

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.

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

September 24, 2015 Dear Students, Starting last week, our campus community has been deeply affected by the controversial student art project that has sparked considerable response and dialogue across our university.

From my personal conversations with many of you, I know that our students continue to feel deeply hurt, saddened, confused, and angered by the events of the past week. While I continue to have daily conversations with our students, faculty, and university leadership about this issue and its campus impact, I’ve asked the Spectrum to print this open letter so that I can have the opportunity to share my thoughts with the student body at large.

I feel strongly that continuing to discuss this issue is critical for our entire university community.

As an academic community, we are always seeking to understand the boundaries around academic freedom and freedom of expression.

Exploring difficult, even painful topics from diverse points of view is part of what we do as an academic community. At the same time, it is absolutely critical that we do so in a safe, inclusive, and wel-

coming environment in which all our members feel respected, valued, and heard.

This student art project has propelled us into what is evolving into a productive campus dialogue about how to balance freedom of expression with the need to foster the welcoming and inclusive educational environment that is necessary to learning. This is an important conversation, and by no means an easy one.

Throughout this ongoing dialogue, I have been deeply impressed by the leadership role that many of our student groups are taking in moving this campus conversation forward in a constructive way.

This Monday, as part of this ongoing dialogue, I met with a group of student leaders and other concerned students, including Student Association President Minahil Khan and Vice President Sean Kaczmarek, Black Student Union President Micah Oliver and Vice President Deidree Golbourne, African Student Association President Charles D’Onigbinde, Caribbean Student Association Vice President Shawn Gibson, PODER: Latinos Unidos President Azalea Rosario, and People of Color Council Coordinator Jessica Calderon.

This meeting was a valuable opportunity for me to hear further from our student leadership about our students’ strong concerns over how this project has impacted the campus climate. It also advanced a very positive dialogue about how, going forward, we can work together to foster the open exchange of ideas while ensuring that this discourse takes place in a campus culture characterized by mutual respect, understanding, and a genuine appreciation for diverse back-

grounds and points of view.

Last night’s forum, hosted by the Black Student Union, continued that effort in a very positive way by providing a platform for many voices to be heard and perspectives to be exchanged.

Regrettably, I was not able to attend the forum, as I was en route to Albany for the Chancellor’s fall meeting of the SUNY presidents.

However, I have had extensive discussions about the forum and its outcomes with members of the university administration who were in attendance. They have shared with me the many concerns our students and faculty raised at the forum.

The questions we are grappling with are big ones—from the scope of First Amendment rights and the nature of protected speech to questions about campus safety, inequity, and what it means to foster a truly diverse and inclusive academic community.

These questions won’t be answered overnight. It will take time, effort, and careful consideration on each of our parts to address them. But doing so is of critical importance for all of us, and will have lasting value.

Toward this end, let me briefly outline a few of the steps our university administration is taking to address these larger issues.

As announced at last night’s forum, Dean of Students Barb Ricotta will be convening a students of color advisory committee to the University Police Department that will meet monthly to sustain a dialogue with campus officers and students about ensuring a safe and welcoming campus environment for all students.

Similarly, I have asked Provost

Zukoski to work with our faculty across the disciplines to engage in an ongoing conversation about negotiating the boundaries around academic freedom and freedom of expression.

We continue to explore the policy implications of this event, including the enforcement of our Environment, Health & Safety policy which states that “experimental apparatus, demonstration or art projects…” placed in common areas must be reviewed in advance for safety and security purposes.

As we continue this dialogue across our campus community, our Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion Teri Miller, in her role as UB’s chief diversity officer, will continue to provide guidance for our ongoing university-wide efforts to ensure that our UB practices and programs are characterized by the fair, inclusive, and equitable treatment of our diverse campus population.

I am also reaching out to the student leadership groups I met with earlier this week to continue our dialogue in the months ahead, with the hope of meeting with this group on a regular basis so we can continue to assess our ongoing efforts to foster a welcoming and inclusive campus culture.

I urge us all, as a campus community, to continue this dialogue over the coming days, weeks, and months. And as president, I am committed to ensuring our university community remains a safe, welcoming, inclusive, intellectually open space in which to have this dialogue.

Sincerely, Satish K. Tripathi President

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FEATURES

Friday, Septmber 25, 2015

The Spectrum

Latin socials with LASA The Latin American Student Association holds weekly dance socials to expose students to Latin culture TY ADAMS

STAFF WRITER

To Michelle Otero, the Latin American Student Association’s (LASA) dances are more than just choreographed routines to music – they also tell a story.

“A story of what many of ours parents went through coming to America,” Otero, secretary of LASA and a senior psychology and sociology major, said.

The LASA holds Latin socials, which consist of performances and educating participants of traditional Latin dances, every Tuesday night. The choreographers usually give a brief history of the dance and where it comes from, and shortly after, teach the dance to everyone who comes.

There isn’t a set list of dances taught at the socials, but students can expect to learn things like merengue, Bachata and reggaeton dancing. LASA members say the socials are a way to make the UB community feel connected through knowing different cultures and their dances.

“Dance is really big in Latin America,” said Mitchel Castellon, the president of LASA and a junior business major. “Bringing it to UB allows students to feel like they can somehow be apart of another culture.”

Castellon said that expressing cultural dance in the UB community gives students a learning experience and also helps bring students together. He said although UB is a diverse campus, that means nothing if people

can’t come together.

“Dancing at our socials is also huge way to relieve stress,” said Castellon.

Dancing is a proven stress reliever – dancing with friends on a Tuesday night might make a load of homework sitting back in your room seem less daunting.

Sabrina Alvarado, one of the dance choreographers and a sophomore biology major, said LASA teaches a New York City style version of salsa. Salsa, which originated in Columbia, is a partnered dance with a quick seven-step pace.

“The key aspect of salsa is to lead and follow,” said Kanishka Wanninayaka, another dance choreographer and a sophomore business and psychology major. Wa n n i nayaka makes sure to teach everything thoroughly.

Wanninayaka said that there are certain elements to the salsa that must remain constant: the man should start out leading on the left foot and the woman should follow.

After choreographers show a specific element of the dance, the students partner up with friends or strangers and then practice the moves. As they improved their footwork, the choreographers add new moves.

According to Otero, dancing gives people another way to talk about culture, since there are different dances within each country. She said dancing is a learning experience for everyone, not just non-Latin Americans.

“I wasn’t the best dancer, but when I started getting involved with LASA I learned the

basics,” Otero said.

Much of the dancing influence, and choreography for the Latin socials derives from LASA’s dance team “Alma Nanichi” which means “from the soul” in the Taíno language.

Alma Nanichi actually won UB’s International Fiesta competition last year.

“It was a lot of hard work,” Otero said.

“A lot of 4 a.m. practices in Diefendorf [Hall].”

People can get a taste of what Alma Nanichi is like when they come to the Latin Socials and might even have the urge to join the group. The dance team performs for things like LASA’s banquet and International Fiesta. They’ve also performed for the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York.

Castellon and Otero said one of LASA’s biggest turnouts for their Latin Socials had more than 100 individuals. The club hopes to have that happen again.

“The beautiful thing about LASA is that the club has so many opportunities to bring in new dancers. Anyone can dance. People start off unsure of how to dance and become amazing dancers,” Alvarado said.

Alvarado recalls transferring to UB from SUNY Buffalo State and looking for ways to get involved. She said she immediately felt welcome after familiarizing herself with LASA. “Our club is about family, dance, cul-

TY ADAMS, THE SPECTRUM

The Latin American Student Association hosts socials every Tuesday night to teach members and new participants about dances from all different countries.

ture, and education,” said Giselle Santiago, member of LASA, and also junior communication and marketing major.

“Well the general term is club, but for me it’s a family.”

According to Santiago, LASA is trying to expand into the Buffalo community and increase its impact.

“I really enjoyed the Latin social,” said Ashley Toledo, a junior business major. “I love the fact that I got the opportunity to meet new people, and I really got to work on my salsa. The thing I really like about these Latin socials are that they give non-Latin Americans the opportunity to see what other cultures are like. It’s very diverse.”

LASA has turned an organization into a family affair, with regular gatherings, educational opportunities and the ability to strut their stuff onstage. email: features@ubspectrum.com

Students demand change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

BSU President Micah Oliver, a senior social sciences major, said he had a professor rap lyrics from a 1979 song “Rock n Roll N*gger.”

“He tried to make it OK by putting it in some academic context but it just shows how desensitized some professors are,” Oliver said.

Issues with University Police’s response One of the biggest issues students said they had was UPD’s response.

Christina Dunn, a junior communication and sociology major, said her mother called UPD to get more information on the signs since Dunn was off campus at the time. She said UPD told her mother, “there are black [only] signs too.”

“That shouldn’t have been the response,” Dunn said. “Why assume the caller was of any race?”

Davis said a UPD officer told students that calls about the signs kept officers from handling a situation on South Campus.

“He blamed the black community for not addressing an assault on South Campus,” Davis said. “It just shows those people are incompetent with their jobs.”

Barbara Ricotta, associate vice president for Student Affairs, told students every call that comes into the dispatch unit is recorded and UB is currently listening back to every call and examining how dispatchers handled them. She also said every complaint against an officer is taken seriously and she advised students file a complaint if they are concerned with how a situation was handled.

Issues with UB’s response At least three students brought up Tripathi’s absence and his lack of a statement on the issue Wednesday night. One student even said Tripathi was failing students.

They all thanked the panelists for being there, but commented that the university president should be there.

“I love that you’re all here, but you’re not him,” one female student said to the panel.

Tripathi released a statement Thursday about the project and explaining he was traveling to Albany for a SUNY presidents meeting Wednesday night.

Students also took issue that the university did not send out an alert about the situation, as the students felt their safety was in danger when they first saw the signs. UB re-

KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM

(LEFT) A student speaks at Wednesday’s forum.

(TOP) History professor Jason Young speaks as a panelist Wednesday night.

leased a statement about the signs later in the evening once it had been revealed the signs were a part of an art project.

Ricotta admitted that UB should have sent out message to alert students more quickly and the situation could have been handled better.

One student was angered by the student representation at the forum, as she commented that the entire university was invited but the vast majority of student attendees were black.

Legality of art project Students said they will not be at ease until

UB’s administration makes a decision on the art project.

Jim Jarvis, associate counsel for general accounts, said there is tension between the right of freedom of expression and discrimination. The art project was not pervasive or severe enough to be unlawful discrimination, he said.

He did admit, however, that rules were broken.

Jarvis said UB requires projects and items placed in common areas are submitted for approval of health, safety and welfare before inCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

October 2130 and September & 22 October 1 • 9am-3pm October223 and 24 October • 9am-3pm

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The Spectrum

5

Friday, September 25, 2015

The artist behind the board Hannah Perno’s calligraphy displayed on Seasons’ menu

ment in environmental sustainability. One way the campus is working to ASST. ARTS EDITOR create better conditions for its students and surrounding community is by craftHannah Perno grew up on a farm. ing a healthier food culture. Campus She ate organic and wholesome foods Dining and Shops (CDS) is partnering that eventually became integral to her with UB Sustainability to celebrate lodaily eating habits. cally sourced produce.

It is fitting that the senior environAdam Nebenzahl, a junior environmental studies major is the artist bemental studies major and blogger for hind Seasons’ vibrant blackboard menu UB Sustainability, said CDS is a UB in the Center for the Arts. Although Green partner. she is not affiliated with the university’s arts program, she occasionally susAlong with professors and active stupends coursework to explore more of dents, Nebenzahl said he plans to disher creative talents. cuss the concepts of compost, food waste and ecosystem preservation.

Seasons, the renovated café and organic juice bar, is inspiring a tradition Seasons is one of its initial measures of healthy food and drink products in generating a greener campus. with eye-catching artwork behind the After Seasons grand opening, many counter. students took to Twitter to express their Perno is a student manager at Bert’s excitement of having an organic eatery dining center. Over the summer, her on campus. boss asked if she wanted to help design Alex Bahgat, a junior exercise science its associated café in the CFA. major, tweeted that she and her friend Perno said the inspiration behind the were the first official customers and then, mural sprouted from her passion for “Even the spoon is made out of recycled promoting a natural lifestyle, free from materials. I am too excited about having artificial agents. an organic place on campus!”

“It was so much fun and so inspiraHowever, there are those who hold a tional to wake up each day for those different opinion. couple of weeks and know that what Chelsea Carnahan, a UB junior who I had planned for the day involved ustransferred from Canisius College, reing the creative side of brain,” she said. ferred to Seasons as “cute,” but feels it is The blank canvas came with com“overly hipster-y.” plete creative freedom, as did the sum“It doesn’t have a wide selection of mer. Without the distraction of coursejuices, and certainly nothing I was interwork, Perno put the chalk to the board ested in,” Carnahan said. and drew.

She added that she while she does “I would draw or design something think it needs more options, the iced tea and not really know where I got the she ordered was “well-made.” idea from,” Perno said. “It was just me, The former Fine Art Café was hardsome chalk markers, and 107.7 Buffalo ly inviting – it was barely anything more blasting on the radio.” than a hole in the wall, seldom receiving She constantly sought her managers’ attention. and coworkers’ approvals to make sure But now, the newly renovated café is that her creation was good enough to much more timely, sparking real action publicly display. in the global environmental initiative.

BRIAN WINDSCHITL, THE SPECTRUM “My passion for this [mural] and how Maggie LeClair, a senior environmenimportant I thought this would be for Hannah Perno, a senior environmental science major, was commissioned to create the vibrant tal geosciences major and advocate of UB really fueled creativity for me,” she blackboard menu in the new Center for the Arts café, Seasons. The organic café and juice bar is part organic and wholesome foods, said she of UB Campus Dining and Shops and UB Sustainability’s initial plan for a greener campus. said. believes that CDS is “tak[ing] initiative She also acknowledged her interest in toward something that’s revolutionary environmental conservation as another for a college campus.”

Sitting on the hip strip of Elmwood Ave- no said. major influence for her art.

Perno is proud of her work with or withnue, Ashker’s resembles UB’s Seasons, pos“I feel like most UB students don’t actuWorking on Seasons gave Perno a chance out public praise. She displayed a positive sibly the next trendy spot on campus. ally know anything about Buffalo. They’re to connect with her artistic side again. message to UB and its community while foThe mural at Seasons portrays a connec- very constrained to Amherst and forget cusing on a once-abandoned hobby.

“I did a lot of art in high school,” Perno tion between nature and man. that they are actually apart of this awesome said, “but it was honestly something that fell Now, she realizes her passion for healthy Trees hover atop buildings, resembling city,” Perno said. by the wayside once I got to college.” eating nurtures her art and she wishes to inBuffalo’s skyline. The glowing leaves and Although she was hesitant to add buildtertwine them.

For most of her life, Perno has lived a blooming flowers scattered throughout the ings to the rest of her drawing, she said she healthy lifestyle. She has also worked at AshOne day, she plans to own her own café. board appear to symbolize the benefits of decided that they would remind students ker’s Juice Bar, a healthy alternative serving organic foods and materials and imply the that Buffalo is their home, at least for four email: arts@ubspectrum.com fresh juices and nutritious dishes within the importance of healthy diets. On the other years. confines of an unvarnished art gallery. hand, the skyline signifies “Buffalove,” PerUB is increasing its efforts and involve-

ALEXANDRA SALEH

LETTER TO THE EDITOR CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

students described their interaction with University Police as disheartening. Students expected for the officers to inquire about other display sightings, possible sightings of individuals posting the displays, and references to UB Counseling services. However, University Police officers merely disposed of the “White Only” and “Black Only” signs in trash receptacles. University Police dispatchers responding via telephone dismissed the students’ feelings of fear by making insensitive statements like: “Why are you so upset over a sign?” Which does not reflect UB’s official statement: “UB is a safe place that values diversity.

Review is under way.” (Twitter, @UBnow Thursday September 17, 2015; 4:24pm) Not only were responses such as this grossly inappropriate coming from public officials who are sworn to protect and serve the student body, their passivity to the historical context of these signs is equally disheartening and disturbing.

The Black Student Union and the minority community fully expect that the administration of the University at Buffalo ad-

dress each of the following questions publically, candidly, and with urgency: • What is art at UB? • What is academic freedom?

• Does academic freedom justify or create room for racially charged art forms?

• Does academic freedom endorse unconscionable recreations of historically divisive work?

• Is our welcome, as people of color, at UB only as extensive as the next art project?

• Where does the University draw the line between freedom of expression and overt demonstrations of cultural trauma?

In conclusion, the Black Student Union fully expects that: • President Satish K. Tripathi immediately address the aforementioned five questions and insist that this work is not art.

• President Satish K. Tripathi articulate University at Buffalo’s vision for inclusion that encompasses matters like this during his Annual State of the University Address.

• The Chair of the Art Department

actively re-evaluate policies and procedures currently in place concerning art installations.

• University administration review, revise and train the University Police officers and dispatchers to respond to harmful acts more sufficiently • Address why University Police officers merely disposed of displays in trash receptacles as opposed to inquiring about other display sightings, possible sightings of individuals posting the displays, and references to UB counseling services • Address University Police dispatchers insensitive responses to concerned students The Black Student Union will not stand idly by as new developments of racially charged interactions continuously take place in the UB community. The Black Student Union will not be silent and will remain steadfast in upholding the principles our organization was established upon in 1967.

This letter serves as a means to convey the message that the student body’s con-

cerns will not be minimized. The Black Student Union will not rest until the above expectations are actively and effectively pursued.

In solidarity, Black Student Union Executive Board Micah Oliver, President Deidree Golbourne, Vice President Jalyssa Gordon, Treasurer Tiffany Vera, Secretary Samirra Felix, Activities Coordinator Leslie Veloz, Activities Coordinator Rashaad Holley, Publicity Coordinator Jason Hamlet, Publicity Coordinator Kevin Appiah Kubi, Historian Victoria Kehinde, Black Women United Co-Chair Alex Louigarde, Black Women United Co-Chair James Battle, Black Men United CoChair Randy Ollivierre, Black Men United CoChair Terem Adi, Community Service Chair

6 A football

FEATURES

Friday, September 25, 2015

reunion CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

East Meadow and King understood what it took to win. Everyone yearned for that next level. For the high school players, it was a Nassau County Championship. For King, it was a shot at professional football.

At the beginning of the 2011-12 season, Lynch, Pantofel and the rest of the team created a special contract for King: If East Meadow won the county title, King would be forced to try out for a professional team.

“They did their job, so I had to hold my bargain,” King said. “I then tried out for the arena football league.”

It was that team that helped King realize his true potential, not only as a player, but as a coach as well. The four years he coached at East Meadow High School will always be important to King. The lessons learned on Long Island helped catapult him to coaching jobs at Nassau Community College, Wagner College and now Nevada.

“If you can build a relationship where you’re fully invested in them, you’ll understand they’ll be fully invested in you,” King said. “It was always about having fun during the season.”

Lynch, Pantofel and King still keep up with each other via social media and phone calls, but this will be the first time they will see each other in Buffalo. It will be the first time King will see what his former players accomplished off the football field. It gives him “great joy and excitement” to see his former players do well. His excitement branches from their dedication to get him to the next level.

And he’s excited to see what his players accomplished at the next level: college.

Editor’s note: Evan Pantofel works on The Spectrum advertisement staff. email: sports@ubspectrum.com.

The Spectrum

Students demand change CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

stallment. Powell’s signs were not.

If the project had been approved, the display would have been labeled as such so people had a clear understanding of what it was.

When Golbourne asked the audience who considered the signs art, no one raised their hand.

Franchesca Lara, a senior health and human services major, said she didn’t look at it as art because of Powell’s intent.

“All she did was print out a sign and post it to get a reaction out of people – that was a social experiment,” Lara said.

One student said that rules are meaningless without enforcement. Since the university has agreed that the student broke the rules, there must be a consequence. The audience applauded in agreement.

How to move forward Although UB is one of the more diverse universities in the nation, many students said they feel a division among eth-

nic groups.

“It’s like oil and water – we’re a diverse campus but people don’t mix,” said Rogelio Garnes, a sophomore business major. “You can put in as many students as you want, but not everyone understands or cares to understand where each other come from.”

UB has taken some steps to change this.

Starting next fall, all incoming UB students are required to take a diversity and learning course for the first time ever, said Teresa Miller, law school professor and vice provost for Equity and Inclusion. It will not only discuss racial oppression, but how gender, sexuality and religion overlap each other as well. The room applauded the announcement.

So far, 44 courses have been approved and more than 200 seats have been filled.

But students made it clear that this isn’t enough. Students suggested faculty go through diversity training as well.

One student commented on the lack of minority professors at UB. According to

College Factual, 83 percent of UB faculty is white and 5.9 percent is black.

Another student noted the absence of many black UPD officers.

Ricotta said she and other faculty want to create an advisory colored committee for UPD starting in October. She wants students to talk to officers about their past experiences and how officers can do a better job at making students feel safe on campus.

Berrouet has taken it upon himself and his peers to reinstate a NAACP chapter at UB. He said BSU can’t be the only ones to evoke necessary changes.

“If I were student of color applying for college, I wouldn’t come here,” Berrouet said. “I’ll go to [SUNY] Buff[alo] State or another SUNY school.”

Oliver and SA President Minahil Khan both gave closing statements that the conversation about change must continue and cannot end with Wednesday’s forum. email: news@ubspectrum.com

PHOTOS BY KAINAN GUO (LEFT TO RIGHT) Kenny Berrouet, a junior buisness major, Vice Provost for Equity and Inclusion Teresa Miller,

Associate Counsel for General Accounts Jim Jarvis, Institute of Trauma Co-Director Susan Green, and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Barbara Ricotta all spoke at Wednesday’s forum.

7

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8

SPORTS

Friday, September 25, 2015

The Spectrum

Hungry like the wolf Bulls look to defeat Nevada, move to 3-1 before conference play REUBEN WOLF STAFF WRITER

1996.

That’s the last time the Buffalo football team achieved a 3-1 start to begin the regular season. That predates its arrival to the Mid-American Conference. It even predates the program’s return to Division I football.

And if Buffalo could repeat its outlandish defensive performance from last week, where it scored three defensive touchdowns, forced three fumbles and came up with enough interceptions to satisfy it’s total amount during the 2014 season, history could rewrite itself.

On Saturday, the Bulls (2-1) return home to UB Stadium Saturday with a chance to move to 3-1 under new head coach Lance Leipold and to take on Nevada (1-2). It will be the last non-conference game of the season for the Bulls, as they move to MAC play.

The Bulls are coming off an impressive, albeit mainly defensive, 33-15 victory over Florida Atlantic (0-3) this past weekend, as they scored 23 of their 33 points off of defensive scores. They also set a program record with the most takeaways in a game.

Despite the sizeable victory, Leipold said the team has great lengths to improve upon, especially on the offensive side of the ball as Buffalo threw for a mere 105 yards, while the Owls amassed 385 yards passing.

“There are some things there, we just have to get more consistent,” Leipold said.

“We have to be able to click a little bit better and hopefully being back home will do that for us.”

Nevada is coming off back-to-back losses against No. 16 Arizona (3-0) and No. 14 Texas A&M (3-0). In both contests, the Wolf Pack has given up 44 points while scoring 20 and 27 points, respectively.

Leipold said even though these scores seem quite lopsided, the Bulls wouldn’t take Nevada lightly before conference play.

“You have to look at the teams they’ve played. Those are pretty impressive football teams that they’ve played,” Leipold said. “[Nevada] uses the zone-read game.

They’re creative offensively. It’s going to be a big test for us, defensively.”

Although the Bulls are coming off a dominant, defensive victory, the unit is nowhere near perfect. During the past three games, UB has allowed nearly as many yards rushing per game (148.7) as they have gained themselves (155.3). Through the air, the Bulls have given up more yards passing (641) than they’ve gained this season (565).

Nevada’s rushing attack averages 4.9 yards per rush and 200 yards per game. The Wolf Pack’s passing game is where the team lacks offensively, as they’ve amassed only 528 yards.

Leipold still holds exuberant optimism for his defense, though, as he pointed out the play of junior linebacker Brandon Berry as someone who “matured and taken his game up a notch” and senior Nick Gilbo for being a leader in a solid defensive performance.

COURTESY OF NEVADA ATHLETICS

The Wolf Pack’s Ian Seau will be one of the challenges Buffalo will face on Saturday against Nevada.

If the Bulls want to win Saturday’s game, Leipold said everything “is going to need to come together.”

“You’re always waiting for that perfect game and for all things to come together if we’re going to take that next step,” Leipold said.

There’s will be a few former UB football affiliates on the Nevada sideline Saturday. Wolf Pack head coach Brian Polian was part of the Buffalo coaching staff in 1998 and from 2001-2003. Jim Hofher, Nevada’s wide receiver’s coach, was a former Buffalo head coach from 2001-2005. Steven King, a graduate assistant on Nevada’s coaching staff, held down the running back position

PREDICTIONS: NEVADA

for Buffalo before current Green Bay Packers running back James Starks assumed the role.

Heading into Saturday’s game, there could be extra motivation from Nevada to get a win against Buffalo.

“I don’t think it paints a target on our back,” Leipold said, “but there’s going to be some extra emotion from them. At the end of the day it’s still going to be what’s done between the lines.”

Kickoff is set for Saturday at 3:30 pm. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

VS. BUFFALO(-1)

Tom Dinki

Jordan Grossman

Quentin Haynes

@tomdinki

@jordanmgrossman

@Haynes_Spectrum

Nevada: Buffalo plays well at home, but hasn’t started a season 3-1 since 1996. If Leipold can pull this off, the Bulls may very well be a dark horse in the Mid-American Conference.

Nevada: That Buffalo defense was special last week, but don’t expect to see it again. Nevada’s coming off two losses and is hungry for a win.

Buffalo: The Bulls should be able to pull this game out, but I worry that we may be taking this Nevada team lightly. Big games for Taylor and Johnson.

7:12 AM - 23 Sep 2015

2:35 PM - 23 Sep 2015

10:02 AM - 23 Sep 2015

A football reunion Saturday’s game will reunite former UB running back Steven King with his former players JORDAN GROSSMAN

SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

COURTESY OF EVAN PANTOFEL

Steven King (middle) poses with Andrew Lynch (left) and Evan Pantofel (right) while donning East Meadow lettermen jackets.

There are three Nevada coaches that will make a return to UB this weekend, but none of them probably expect a grand welcome at UB Stadium.

Nevada head coach Brian Polian, assistant coach Jim Hofher and graduate assistant Steven King all either coached or played for the Buffalo football team during the early to mid-2000’s, but they’ve never coached this current group of Bulls players.

Not even one coach or trainer from their UB tenure will be present.

But King isn’t going into Buffalo without knowing anyone. In fact, there are two regular UB students that King is ecstatic to see.

After all, they helped King realize his potential for bigger and better opportunities

when they were just 18 years old.

“It was a tremendous opportunity to be around those kids,” King said. “I just tried to pass on the knowledge that I was able to gather from the coaches that I played for.

And they did a great job in practice, preparing and building great team camaraderie.

They earned the success that they got.”

Saturday’s game will give King the chance to be reunited with Andrew Lynch, a senior exercise science major, and Evan Pantofel, a senior business major, both of whom played under King on the East Meadow High School football team.

After King tore up Mid-American Conference defenses as a UB running back from 2003-06, he accepted a job as East Meadow High School’s special teams coordinator and running backs coach. It was at that school, which is located on Long Is-

land, where he first met the two future UB students.

And to say King had an effect on their lives would be an understatement.

When Lynch wanted extra practice in the summer heading into his senior season, he would call King with no hesitation. From Monday to Friday, King would work with Lynch separately from the rest of the team to get him ready for the season. King wasn’t paid for the extra service. He did it to make sure his players were ready.

In 2011, East Meadow was challenging for a Long Island Championship. The teams it played were poised with topnotch running backs that were nationally acclaimed at the time. Rather than do a run-through, King would revert back to his Buffalo days, throw on some pads and show the team what to expect rather than tell them. “[King] would act as the best running back of the opposing team,” Pantofel said.

“He was so fast, he would simply impersonate the other player and he would go full throttle. There was no other way to get us ready … He would run through holes and we’d have to catch him.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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