UBSPECTRUM.COM
MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2017
LIFE WITH FIBROMYALGIA P.3
BRAINGO! ENERGY BOOST P.4
1 CAPEN
VOLUME 66 NO. 39
3-PEAT DREAMS COME TO AN END P.8
‘Heart of the Campus’ PROJECT OPENING IN JULY One-stop hub to transform student experience HANNAH STEIN SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
Students will no longer have to truck around campus in search for offices to answer their questions about financial aid, advising and parking. Starting July, students will have one place on North and South Campus that will meet their needs: 1 Capen and 1 Diefendorf, respectively. The 1 Capen initiative will transform Capen, Norton and Talbert Hall. It will be a onestop hub where all essential offices on campus are located. Offices include: Financial Aid, Campus Dining & Shops, UB card office, Parking and Transportation, Health Insurance, Registrar, Student Recruiting Unit, Student Advising, etc. 1 Diefendorf will transform Abbott Hall and Whisper’s Café and be a smaller-scale version of 1 Capen. The Spectrum sat down with Dr. Scott Weber, vice president of Student Life, along with the UB steering committee to discuss the project and the committee’s hopes. The 1 Capen project spans 17,000 square feet and has a combined $12.9 million budget with the Silverman Library. The budget is funded by SUNY’s capital funds. This project is part of UB’s Heart of the Campus Project, which aligns with UB’s
2020 master plan. “The goal is if you come here, we are going to meet your needs to the maximum extent possible and we will not direct you to another office who will direct you to another office,” Weber said. The committee said this project is student-centric and intended to enhance the university experience. “The first week of school I can’t tell you how many parents and students I try to direct around campus,” said Ron Van Splunder, manager of architectural support. “We used to pass out maps and say ‘you have to go here, then you have to go here.’ Now I can just point to one place, which will be great. To me that is huge.” Andy Stott, vice provost and dean of undergraduate education, says it’s important to have a “central hearth” and a sense of a “front door” to campus. He said many students have questioned what the construction is about. Stott hopes the project will “seamlessly” integrate into UB student life. “I think it will really help tell students that they belong,” said Kelly Hayes McAlonie, director of Capital Planning. “Everybody is coming together. With a campus this large, I imagine it’s easy to feel that you’re one of many. I think when everyone comes together, there’s a sense of community.” This project also includes the “Buffalo Room,” a new space for special university events, such as addresses from President Satish Tripathi or Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Weber said this room will be a “high-end space.” A Global Market – an estimated two-year design and construction process – is also on
HANNAH STEIN, THE SPECTRUM (TOP) Right to left: Ron Van Splunder, manager of architectural support and Dr. Scott Weber,
vice president of Student Life discuss the mapping of the 1 Capen project to be finished in July. | (MIDDLE) Construction of the 1 Capen project space. | COURTESY OF RON VAN SPLUNDER
(BOTTOM) A rendering of what 1 Capen will look like.
its way to replace Bert’s food court. This space will be modeled after Crossroads Culinary Center with food stations, variety of choices, rotating daily menus and longer service hours. “We’re a global university, we want to serve our global population,” Weber said. Weber is hoping an entrance on the North
Campus Promenade will be available. Weber said the entrance to the Silverman Library will also become more accessible and “obvious.” The entrance will be moved to the second floor where the Student Response Center is. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
Miko Peled, son of Israeli general, speaks out for Palestine KATIE KOSTELNY STAFF WRITER
When Miko Peled was growing up, he used to wonder why Palestinian towns were brown and thick with dust. Palestinians are allotted 3 percent of the water supply while Jewish settlements, just across the street, have unlimited access, Peled said. “If you’re going to kill someone, other than shoot them, or choke them, you deny them water,” he said. Peled, an Israeli-American human rights activist and author, spoke to students in the Student Union (SU) Theater about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for the Palestinian cause, which he said the U.S. media tends to overlook. UB-Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) hosted the event on March 10. But many UB pro-Israel members are opposed to Peled’s views. Some students called
the university to have this event shut down and voiced their opposition on social media. “As for UB for Israel, we will continue to be a proactive pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian organization seeking to facilitate constructive dialogue on campus,” said Joel Finkelstein, UB for Israel vice president. Finkelstein said Peled has been known to “demonize and condone terrorism” against Israel. “While there is fair and constructive criticisms of every country, including Israel, Mike Peled makes baseless accusations in attempt to demonize, delegitimize, and hold Israel to a double standard,” Finkelstein said. “Nothing constructive can come from conversations on the Israel-Palestinian conflict if you dismiss the other party as illegitimate and hold them at fault.” The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a decades-long land dispute with century-old origins. After facing anti-Semitism in Eu-
ubspectrum.com
rope, Jewish immigrants looked to create their own homeland as part of the Zionism movement. This search for a homeland led to immigrants taking control of the area formerly known as Palestine. In 1949, Israel was officially recognized as a country. The two territories formally considered Palestine, the West Bank and Gaza, are currently Israeli-occupied with increasing numbers of “resettlement housing” for Jewish citizens. The extremist Islamic group, Hamas, has intensified the conflict and currently controls the Palestinian area of Gaza. “If you look at the [United Nation’s] description of the crime of genocide and you compare it to the list of policies and actions by the state of Israel over the last seven decades, it’s not identical but it’s almost identical,” Peled said. Surya Rajan, a second year graduate student of chemical and biological engineering, said he is a supporter of peace and came to the talk because he didn’t have a lot of knowl-
fb.com/ubspectrum
edge about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “From the question I asked him, I can safely come to a conclusion that racism is behind such a big issue,” Rajan said. “I thought that there should be some kind of political motive as well, but the deep cause seemed to be the racism.” Peled said he thinks the U.S. has been complicit in the act of genocide over the last several decades by supporting and selling arms to the state of Israel. He said that over the next decade, Israel will be getting close to $4 billion a year from its allies. “So if people are never warned about the severity of their actions, if people are never told about the severity of Israel’s actions, they’re not going to know,” Peled said. “Because they don’t see it on CNN and they don’t see it in the mainstream media and it doesn’t show up on popular culture. We need to tell them. Those of us who know; CONTINUED ON PAGE 6
@ubspectrum
2
NEWS
Monday, March 13, 2017
THE SPECTRUM
Learning to lead SA Vice President Gina Nasca discusses how her past has prepared her for new position
VICTORIA HARTWELL STAFF WRITER
Gina Nasca fell in love with engineering when she made paper airplanes in her high school introductory engineering class. Nasca, the former Engineering Council coordinator, became vice president of the Student Association (SA) after Megan Glander stepped down from the position. Nasca, a senior mechanical engineering major, said the transition from Engineering Council coordinator to SA vice president has been “pretty seamless.” Whether she’s pursuing her passion of engineering or advocating for the student body as vice president, Nasca believes passion is the key to succeeding in a leadership role. Nasca joined the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) during her freshman year and became vice president of SWE her junior year. She wanted to get more involved in the engineering community and later decided to run for Engineering Council coordinator. Nasca’s fascination with engineering began at an early age. She grew up in Williamsville, New York with her mother, father and older sister. Her grandfather was an aerospace engineer, which fueled her passion. She also enjoyed bowling as a child and played for a travel league. She joined Project Lead the Way, an engineering program at her school, which piqued her interest in engineering even more.
KAITLYN FILIPPI, THE SPECTRUM
Gina Nasca became SA vice president on Jan. 31. Nasca believes passion is the key to success.
Nasca said it is “empowering” being a woman in the primarily male-dominated field of engineering, but she also faces a lot of pressure. “I always feel I need to go above and beyond to always prove to make a point,” she said. “But the female and male faculty and students here are accepting and encouraging.” But Nasca still fears companies may want to hire her because she is a woman and not because of what she can bring to the table. Nasca said that although she loves engineering, leadership is one of her “strong suits.” She looks to combine her love for engineering and leadership skills to be the boss of her own engineering company one day and hopes to receive her MBA next year. Nasca also hopes to get involved with the Graduate Student Association next year. She said her work as Engineering Council Coordinator helped prepare her for her role
as vice president. She was already familiar with the professional staff and kept in contact with Glander. “Engineering coordinator takes a lot of organization and a lot of working with different clubs and handling situations and that’s what a lot of being vice president entails too,” Nasca said. “It’s a lot about time allocating, making sure there is enough time for not only classes but as well as the job that you’re hired for and all these different meetings, and that is something I definitely got a taste of when I was the coordinator.” Nasca said the transition from Engineering Council Coordinator to SA vice president has been seamless because of the help from Glander and the SA professional and executive staff. The vice president position has broadened the way Nasca thinks. “[Engineers] just kind of think one-two-
three, and that’s what it is,” she said. “Everyone else likes to get a lot of background and history on everything.” Joshua Abraham, Nasca’s boyfriend and senior mechanical engineering major, said Nasca did not “miss a step” when transitioning from Engineering Council Coordinator to vice president. “Even when she became SA VP she still fulfilled her role as Engineering Council coordinator,” Abraham said. “She also gave [Engineering Week] the attention that is deserved. Even though she was VP, she still ensured that E-week was successful.” Nasca said as vice president, she always has something to do. She is currently reviewing spring break trip proposal packets, banquets and ticket forms. She has also had meetings with Student Life Vice President Scott Weber and has been working on a proposal for the Academic Excellence Fee. Nasca also works closely with SA Senate and Assembly as a form of “checks and balances” when allocating money to clubs and approving money adjustments. “[Nasca] was the perfect person for that position and has proven this during these first months,” said Nasca’s friend Valerie Quebral, a senior exercise science major. Quebral said Nasca is stressed like every other college student, but she is not one to complain about her busy schedule. Nasca also has two part time jobs outside of school. She has been a soccer referee and coordinator for Middle School Nights in Amherst for the last eight years. She said her jobs have very minimal pay, but she does them out of “passion.” Nasca said she is handling her busy schedule better than she expected. The classes she is taking her last semester as an undergraduate are not as intense as previous semesters, so she has more time to focus on being vice president. email: news@ubspectrum.com
OPINION THE SPECTRUM
Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF
Gabriela Julia
MANAGING EDITOR
Tori Roseman
Life with fibromyalgia My experience battling a chronic illness as a full-time student
COPY EDITORS
Saqib Hossain Emma Medina Margaret Wilhelm Grace Trimper NEWS EDITORS
Hannah Stein, Senior Ashley Inkumsah, Senior Maddy Fowler, Asst. FEATURES EDITORS
Sarah Crowley, Senior Lindsay Gilder, Asst. ARTS EDITORS
Max Kaltnitz, Senior David Tunis-Garcia Benjamin Blanchet, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS
Michael Akelson, Senior Daniel Petruccelli, Asst. Thomas Zafonte, Asst. PHOTO EDITORS
Kainan Guo, Senior Angela Barca Troy Wachala, Asst. CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Pierce Strudler Martina LaVallo, Asst.
Professional Staff OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Helene Polley
ADVERTISING MANAGERS
Priyanshi Soni ADVERTISING DESIGNERS
Alexa Capozzi Casey Ridings
THE SPECTRUM Monday, March 13, 2017 Volume 66 Number 39 Circulation 4,000 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.
3
Monday, March 13, 2017
MADDY FOWLER ASST. NEWS EDITOR
On any given day, I experience widespread, chronic pain that ranges from mild to debilitating. I have fibromyalgia: a medical condition characterized by chronic widespread muscle pain, heightened pain response to pressure, extreme fatigue, altered sleep, poor memory and impaired concentration. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about two years ago. It started with a backache that would not go away. I thought I pulled a muscle or something, but as weeks turned to months, I began to wonder if there was something else going on. Soon after I started experiencing the back pain, the fatigue set in. I found myself falling asleep in classes and even taking naps in the hallway in the middle of the school day. I thought I had mono, so I scheduled a doctor’s appointment. The mono test was negative and my blood work was normal. My doctor told me I probably had some type of virus and that with rest and fluids, I would be back to myself in no time. However, the pain and fatigue only grew worse.
I was stiff from head to toe every morning and even sitting up and getting out of bed became a painful, arduous process. I would sit down on my bed after taking a shower and end up falling back asleep due to the fatigue, and I would wake up disoriented in the middle of the afternoon. Soon, I was sleeping well into the afternoon on a regular basis and even walking to the bathroom was a struggle due to the pain and stiffness. So I made another doctor’s appointment. Once again, all of the tests and lab work indicated I was the picture of health. The doctor dismissed my symptoms as another virus and perhaps a muscle strain in my back and sent me on my way. Frustrated and overwhelmed, I grew depressed. I was unable to attend classes or hang out with my friends. I barely managed to get through four-hour shifts at my part-time job and relied on prescription strength ibuprofen and quad shot large lattes to keep me afloat. My allergist was actually the first to mention the possibility of fibromyalgia. I had a routine appointment to check on the status of my allergies and asthma, and he asked how my general health was. I explained how exhausted and in pain I was all the time, and how my general practitioner was unable to find anything wrong with me. “That sounds exactly like fibromyalgia,” he said. I remember feeling baffled by this suggestion. I thought fibromyalgia was an old person prob-
lem. However, he assured me that fibromyalgia effects people of all ages, even young children. While the thought that I might have a chronic, incurable illness was terrifying, it also provided a strange comfort. I was beginning to think I was crazy because all of my lab work said I was perfectly healthy, yet I was experiencing so much pain and exhaustion that I struggled to function. If I did in fact have fibromyalgia, that would mean my suffering was not all in my head after all, and perhaps I could finally get some treatment and start feeling better. I went back to my general practitioner and asked her to evaluate me for fibromyalgia and finally, I got an answer. My doctor prescribed pain medicine and a muscle relaxer, as well as a stimulant medication to aid with the fatigue. Slowly, my symptoms began to improve. While the medication helped take some of the edge off, lifestyle changes and remedies that are more natural proved to be the most helpful treatments. I started taking yoga and going for walks. I drank herbal teas with pain relieving and calming properties. I started drinking more water and eating more fruits, vegetables and lean proteins. I was also diagnosed with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) and lactose intolerant, both of which commonly co-occur with fibromyalgia. It is still rare for me to have a day that is completely pain and fatigue free, but I am doing so much better than I was two years ago. Whenever my symptoms begin to
What I need to do How a talking raccoon kept me out of jail and made me follow my dreams
For information on adverstising with The Spectrum, visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at 716-645-2152 The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 142602100
DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA ARTS EDITOR
I should be in jail right now. Surrounded by bars, shorn of my Bachelor-contestant hair and signature scruff, two years deep into a 40-year sentence where I would have plenty of time to contemplate how the salutatorian of his graduating class ended up in this spot. During the summer of 2014, I was nearing the end of the hiring process to work in the Erie County Sheriff ’s Department where I would work in a jail or holding center guarding inmates. Essentially, my work would involve going to jail every day for a good chunk of the rest of my life. I always assumed I would work in law enforcement more than I aspired to the field. It’s a solid career that pays well with good benefits that required very little prereq-
uisites as far as schooling. I had passed the written and physical exams with relative ease. I interviewed with a panel of three officers, one of which was a very small Latino gentleman who did not speak and just stared me down while I answered their hypothetical questions including what I would do if a friend tried to drive home drunk from a clam bake I was hosting. I paid to have my fingerprints taken and answered the questions that would be used in my future lie detector test, mostly going down a list of slang terms for drugs and saying whether or not I had partaken in them. By August, I was just waiting for the call to tell me when academy would start and life as I knew it would end. But I received a much more important call – an invitation from my friend Saeed to see “Guardians of the Galaxy,” starring the schlub from “Parks and Recreation” and Bradley Cooper as a talking raccoon. James Gunn, the writer and director of the film, made me care more about characters that – even as a lifelong comic book fan – I knew nothing about more than I care about some people in my actual life. Five minutes into the film, I was in tears. Five minutes later I was
in stitches. I had never seen such a well-done, tightly scripted movie on that scale. I left thinking, “Man, I wish I could do something like that.” That quickly changed into, “Why can’t I do something like that?” Which became, “I need to do something like that.” I called the Sheriff ’s Department to turn down my position and enrolled in UB to major in film in the department of media study. I gave up a life of guaranteed stability to gamble on what is, to be fair, a bit of a pipe dream. And I’m sure I am not the only one. Maybe my fellow DMS students weren’t about to strap a gun to their hip and vow to protect and to serve, but they are risking a lot here, forgoing the “guaranteed” path because this is what they need to do. This is our lives and we treat it very seriously. And that is why I get so angry when the department doesn’t treat us the same way when we voice our concerns about not being properly prepared to enter the industry. The department will tell you simultaneously that they are preparing students adequately but also that this is not the focus of the department which is very much steeped in experimental film. They
flare up, I immediately work on incorporating more nutritious food into my diet, engaging in gentle exercise, drinking more water, brewing plenty of my special teas and practicing pain-relieving meditations. Because fibromyalgia is categorized as a disability, I considered leaving school and my job and going on social security disability. There is no shame on going on disability if that is what is best for your personal self-care and my doctor even suggested that I should. I chose to return to school fulltime and continued working at my part-time job. After battling depression, anxiety and an eating disorder and coming out stronger and healthier than ever, I was confident I could lead a successful life even with a chronic pain disorder. My previous struggles made me incredibly strong, and comparatively, fibromyalgia did not seem like the end of the world. I knew I could face it. There are still days when I struggle to get out of bed. There are still days where I cry my eyes out because it feels so unfair to be in so much pain for no reason. But no matter how strong the pain and exhaustion can be sometimes, I know I am stronger. So I keep going. I keep taking care of myself. I keep believing in my dreams. And I refuse to let having a chronic illness define me. email: maddy.fowler@ubspectrum.com
put down the traditional “Hollywood” techniques. The same techniques that affected me so much and brought me here in the first place. The techniques that will actually get you a job after you graduate. Granted, I know personally I could have done better research before coming here regarding exactly what the department is about. But when most of your students are dissatisfied with the curriculum, maybe it’s time to start making changes. I also know that outside of UB, I did not have many choices if I wanted an affordable education in the area. And so like many DMS students, I am left to do a lot on my own. Getting equipment and working on projects outside of school because I do not believe that writing essays about how Sartre can relate to a French film from the ‘70s will make me a better filmmaker. That’s what James Gunn would have done. That’s what Star-Lord would do. That’s what I’ll do. Because this is what I need to do. email: david.garcia@ubspectrum.com
4
FEATURES
Monday, March 13, 2017
THE SPECTRUM
BrainGo! offers students a natural energy boost
Student develops an alternative natural energy supplement LINDSAY GILDER
ASST. FEATURES EDITOR
Jeffrey Davidson doesn’t like feeling “shaky” when he drinks coffee. Instead, he uses Braingo! to help him focus. BrainGo! is an alternative energy product that comes in .25-ounce flavored packets. The product is an all-natural dietary supplement, aimed at improving memory, mental support and physical energy. Mikael Holcombe-Scali brought BrainGo! to UB last fall when he distributed over 500 samples in the Student Union. Scali, a senior business management major, is the brand manager for BrainGo!, his godfather’s company. Apart from the product’s bitter taste, students who have used it so far report feeling energized and more focused. BrainGo!’s goal is to revolutionize and improve energy products like coffee and energy drinks. They created an edible powder that dissolves in the mouth and goes directly into the bloodstream instead of being digested. “[Other energy products] have to pass through the digestive tract, so it takes longer to start working and some of the product is wasted,” Scali said. “So scientifically, the most efficient way for a product like this is to work is to let it dissolve in your mouth and go directly into your bloodstream.” Scali’s godfather asked him to become brand manager after seeing his successful work with his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi. Scali founded the Pi Kappa Phi chapter, now
UB’s largest on-campus fraternity. Scali now works to bring BrainGo! to the people. He markets and manages the product and works with major retailers on placement. Scali and his godfather worked with experts in nutrition and psychology to make this product a reality. Their team of PhDs worked alongside the company to perfect an energy supplement with no caffeine and minimal calories and sugar. “The whole idea is we’re challenging the norm of energy products with science and
a passion for health,” Scali said. “We want the product to do absolutely no harm to the human body. Most energy products have some sort of additive or caffeine; it’s basically jam-packed with all the vitamins, minerals and amino acids your body needs.” Erick Quintanilla, a freshman exercise science major, said he was skeptical of BrainGo!’s effectiveness, but now loves the product for when he works out. “As someone who loves to workout, I’ve taken plenty of pre-workouts who are packed with tons of supplements to aid your workout,” Quintanilla said. “I can easily say a single packet of BrainGo! will not just give you the energy but the laser sharp focus for every workout.” Apart from its energizing effects, the product also aims to suppress appetite and elevate mood. “We’re gonna market it to niche groups,” Scali said. “It has so many benefits, but if we throw a bunch of benefits at people it won’t do everything that it can do. Once we raise some more funds, we can target the advertisements to smaller groups.”
Jeffrey Davidson, a freshman business major, uses Braingo! as an alternative to caffeine to help him focus. “I’ve found that it gives me energy without making me shaky like coffee,” Davidson said. “It’s not the best tasting thing ever, I think if BrainGo! were to focus on improving its taste, it would be a very good product.” Most students who use the product list taste as their only complaint. “About 40 percent of people on the first try are a little shocked by the taste and that’s because there’s no product like it, it’s allnatural and organic and it dissolves in your mouth, so it’s kind of weird,” Scali said. Scali said users usually adjust to the unique taste and texture of the product after the third use. “The flavor could be made better but all in all a very solid product that will definitely deliver what it promises,” Quintanilla said. The company is also taking its customers’ feedback and is working toward developing additional and possibly better-tasting flavors. “We can do some flavors. We’re talking about a lot of that right now. It’s only 20 calories, but if you add sugar it raises the calories and makes it more unhealthy and we’re trying to attract a more-natural crowd,” Scali said. The company’s experts supervise product feedback closely, according to Scali, in order to make sure it maintains its initial goals of natural, healthy energy. It is manufactured entirely in the U.S. It is available for purchase online and is available in various nutrition storefronts in New Jersey. email: lindsay.gilder@ubspectrum.com
KAITLYN FILIPPI, THE SPECTRUM
Mikael Holcombe-Scali, a senior business management major, holds BrainGo! Scali is the brand manager for the product.
Meet landlords, community leaders, city officials and offices that can assist you if you choose to live off campus.
Living off Campus Fair Wednesday, March 15 11:00 AM—1:00 PM
Student Union Lobby
5
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Monday, March 13, 2017
THE SPECTRUM
Nintendo switches it up Student gamers take on a new console BRENTON J. BLANCHET STAFF WRITER
Nintendo has dominated handheld gaming since they released the Game Boy in 1989, but in recent years has struggled to achieve that level of success in the home console market. The company has switched that around with the release of its new console, which combines the two areas of gaming. The Nintendo Switch, released on March 3, lets gamers take their favorite home console games on car rides, planes, to their jobs and classes. The hybrid console features a 6.2-inch screen, which allows portability and can be docked to hook up to a television. Students are already flocking to stores for a console so conducive to their busy lifestyles. “My favorite part of it is the portability,” said Tanner Miller, a freshman English major who waited in line for the system on launch day. “I can bring it to class and play during my break instead of doing homework or studying. Who wants to do that at 6 p.m.,” Miller said. The two big launch titles for the Switch are notable for their dichotomy. “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild” is a massive adventure that will take players dozens of hours of investment to complete. “1-2-Switch” is a collection of minigames, some seconds long, which are sure to be a hit at parties – similarly to “Wii Sports” on the original Wii console. Some gamers who are otherwise interested in the Switch are displeased with the meager selection of titles currently available to play.
COURTESY OF FLICKR USER TOPHER MCCULLOCH
The Nintendo Switch, released on March 3, lets gamers take their favorite home console games on car rides, planes, to their jobs and classes.
“I’m on the fence about purchasing the Nintendo Switch because the amount of games for it on launch seem really limited,” said Brendan Loos, a junior business administration major. “Its main selling point is the new ‘Legend of Zelda’ game. However, beyond that there isn’t really too much to offer.” “Zelda” is also available on Nintendo’s previous console, the Wii U, giving owners of that system little incentive to rush out and purchase a Switch. Another prohibiting factor has been the price. The Switch currently retails for $299, a relatively small sum for a new system. Comparatively, Sony’s PlayStation 4 launched at $399 and Microsoft’s Xbox One launched at
$499. But the Switch has become notorious for its hidden costs. There are no games included with the console and must be purchased separately. “Zelda” and “1-2-Switch” both retail for $59. A second Joy-Con controller for the Switch will also cost $80, whereas a typical PlayStation or Xbox controller costs $60. “We’d all like to see it get cheaper, but honestly, that’s what the holiday season is for,” Loos said. “I think the price is fair. I won’t buy it unless it’s cheaper but I wouldn’t fault anybody for buying it at that price point.” Though expensive, the Joy-Con is unique in the variety of ways it can be used. There are left and right components that can be held in
each hand separately or stuck together to resemble more of a standard gaming controller. For portable gaming, the controller can be attached on either side of the Switch screen to form a single unit. And with games like “1-2-Switch” or the digital release “Snipperclips,” they can act independently, being used as two controllers by two players. “The controller layout looks fine,” said Nicole Stern, a junior psychology major and president of the Strategists and Role-Players Association who plans on buying the Switch eventually. “I like the whole thing where you can split the controller in half and have two people using the same controller. It’s interesting and unique.” Those who have purchased a Switch are getting their money’s worth. Miller has only played “Zelda” on the Switch, but so far the game has exceeded her expectations. “I was a little skeptical at first because ‘Zelda’ is a TV game and you need a big screen for it,” Miller said. “I went over to my brother’s house because he got the game for Wii U, so I brought over my Switch to play handheld. I played it for three hours. It’s weird playing such a big game on a small screen.” Despite the variety of controller options available, gamers are finding alternative user-friendly methods. “I don’t really love it when the controllers are on the portable screen. I found it’s a little off sometimes and I think it’s because the Joy-Cons are further apart,” Miller said. “I spent a half hour trying to do this one puzzle in ‘Zelda,’ and then when I went back home and put it on the small controller, I got it immediately.” For those interested in picking up a console, finding a Switch is a challenge. Stores only receive a limited number of consoles to sell and the Switch’s high demand has left stores with empty shelves. “The issue is that they’ve been out of stock everywhere. I couldn’t find a single one within a 40-mile radius,” Stern said. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Bennie D. Williams MS ’13 Director of Multicultural Affairs Le Moyne College
MAKE COLLEGE YOUR CAREER
If you loved college, consider making it your career. A Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration prepares you for a wide range of careers in higher education administration—from residence life and career counseling to multicultural affairs. > Open to students with any major > Earn tuition waivers through graduate assistantships > Participate in internships at local and national universities > 93% average job placement rate
INFO SESSION
SAT APR 1 > 11:00 AM > Register at canisius.edu/GradEvents
Learn more at canisius.edu/cspa.
6
NEWS
Monday, March 13, 2017
THE SPECTRUM
where the Irish originally settled. The event drew a large crowd despite cold winds and temperatures as low as four degrees. The United Irish American Association will hold a St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 19.
NEWS DESK Campus: UB School of Law hold conference on legal challenges posed by climate change
The Baldy Center for Law and Buffalo Environmental Law Journal held a conference from March 10-11 in the Celino and Barnes Conference Center in 509 O’Brian Hall on North Campus. The event featured presentations by environmental law experts from the Western New York Area such as Sam Magavern, an adjunct professor in the UB School of Law and co-director of the Partnership for the Public Good, David Kowalski founder of Re-ENERGIZE Buffalo and Robert Ciesielski, energy committee chair for the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. Speakers addressed how law and public policy can be used to tackle the changing climate. Nine UB students selected as semifinalists for Fulbright Scholarships
The Fulbright U.S. National Screening Committee chose six undergraduates and three graduate students as semifinalists for Fulbright Scholarships. The pool of semifinalists is the largest in UB history. The host countries where the students hope to study are reviewing the applications. This record number of semifinalists comes after UB established its Office of Fellowships and Scholarships last fall. Megan Stewart, an adviser in the Office of Fellowships and
Scholarships, said the office’s goal is to have UB become a top producer of Fulbright scholars, according to UB’s website.
Locally: Apartment fire displaces dozens, causes $2 million in damages
Ninety residents of the Lafayette-Barton apartments fled the building when a fire broke out at 1:04 a.m. Saturday morning, according to The Buffalo News. Firefighters spent over 12 hours trying to get the blaze under control. “We had a lot of people we had to account for, so not only [did] we want to fight the fire, but we [had] to make sure we got all the people out of the structure,” Battalion Chief Peter F. Kertsie told The Buffalo News. The fire started in a third floor apartment and was trapped between the roof and the ceiling, according to Kerstie. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. Three firefighters were treated for non life-threatening injuries. No residents were injured. Damage to the building is estimated at $1.5 million and $450,000 for its contents. Buffalo to celebrate St. Patrick’s day in 24th annual parade
Buffalo residents celebrated their Irish heritage at the Old Neighborhood St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday. The parade took place in the Valley and Old First Ward, neighborhoods near downtown Buffalo
provision of the ACA allowing children to stay on parents’ insurance until age 26 It will also put one-year freeze on funding to states that provide abortions in instances other than rape, incest or danger to the life of the mother.
Nationally: President Trump issues revised travel ban
Trump signed a revised executive order on Monday blocking citizens from six predominantly Muslim countries to from entering the U.S. The new ban now permits immigrants from Iraq, which was among the banned countries in the original executive order. The order excludes Iraq due to fears it would complicate coordination to defeat the ISIS, according to The New York Times. The order also exempts permanent residents and visa holders, reversed an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria and no longer grants preferential status to certain religious minorities over Muslims. Republicans introduce healthcare plan to replace Obamacare
GOP lawmakers introduced a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act and implement significant changes to the health care system on March 6. “The new bill eliminates tax penalties that the ACA imposes on nonexempt individuals for not having health insurance for not having health insurance as well as employers with 50 or more full-time workers who do not offer health insurance to their employees,” according to USA Today. The GOP plan will stop new enrollment under the ACA’s Medicaid expansion after Dec. 31, 2019. The bill does not affect the
Globally Protests break out in The Netherlands after Turkish official’s plane is barred from landing
Protesters in Rotterdam and in Turkey when the Netherlands banned a plane containing Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu from landing in order to stop him from addressing a political rally in the city, according to CNN. The Dutch government stated that Cavusoglu flight permit was revoked due to concerns that his address to Turkish expatriates will draw a large crowd. “[The Dutch government is] timid and cowardly. They are Nazi remnants and fascists,” Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdoga said in response to Dutch efforts to block Cavusoglu entry. Yemen market airstrike kills 16 people
A Saudi Arabian military coalition-led airstrike on an open market in Yemen killed at least 16 people on Friday, according to The New York Times. The attack struck a market selling khat, a mild stimulant, which set off a fire scattering the dead and wounded. Stephen O’Brien, the United Nations’ under secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, said the strike draws attention to the situation in Yemen, which he called the “largest humanitarian crisis in the world.” email: news@ubspectrum.com
1 Capen ‘Heart of the Campus’project opening in July CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Administration has not yet made a decision on whether or not Capen Cafe will continue to operate. Daniel Matthew, a senior communication major, thinks the project is a great idea but is sad he will be graduating and can’t experience the changes as a student. He plans on coming back to UB to see the finished product. The Heart of Campus project started with the Silverman Library and continues with this next phase.
The 1 Diefendorf project construction will begin over spring break and will open over the summer. “I think all of us on the steering committee have this vision: there’s somewhere along that corridor where we tell the story of our university,” Weber said. “You know, we really share that pride in the university. We want to provide a superior experience for students and we are committed to that.” email: hannah.stein@ubspectrum.com
Miko Peled, son of Israeli general, speaks out for Palestine CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
those of us who care.” Rawan Allawh, a senior aerospace and mechanical engineering major, said he was losing hope for the Free Palestine movement based on what he’d seen in the news. The Free Palestine movement is a global movement to defy Israeli borders and the oppression of Palestinians. “I like that [Peled] gave us more hope because I’m Palestinian, myself, but I was born and raised in America, so I’ve never even been there, never really seen anything,” Allawh said. Peled wore a button that read, “BDS,” which stands for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions, a nonviolent resistance looking to raise awareness in the fight for Palestine. Israel considers BDS terrorism and U.S. state legislatures are looking to criminalize BDS involvement, according to Peled.
Phone: (716)834-1400 www.dosaplaceny.com
Book your next ride with
Use Curb in Buffalo and beyond! Curb connects to taxis in 65 US cities, including NYC!
driven by
@LibertyYellow
LibertyYellowCab
@LibertyCab
716-877-7111
Code can only be redeemed on rides that are booked and paid for through the Curb app.
“That’s what Apartheid is,” Peled said. “Apartheid is when you have different people live under different sets of laws, governed by the same government.” Peled said that the work done by SJP on campuses across the country has dramatically changed the conversation about Palestine and has become part of the general Palestinian resistance. He said more people need to start campaigns and more Israeli academics need to stand up and ask why Palestinians aren’t getting enough water. Other students, who voiced their concerns regarding Peled’s speech, said they understand UB’s Freedom of Expression policy. “While I disagree with almost everything [Peled] says, I respect the right of free speech as long as he doesn’t incite hatred or violence,” Finkelstein staid. email: features@ubspectrum.com
Monday-Friday 10% OFF WITH STUDENT ID Open during Thanksgiving Break!
CLASSIFIEDS
7
Monday, March 13, 2017
THE SPECTRUM
HELPHELP WANTED WANTED
OUR NICEST APARTMENTS RENT NOW!! Newly remodeled 1-4 person APARTMENTS on W. Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S parking, whirlpool baths new ss appliances & free laundry. Live the Sweethome life on south!! Visit www. ubrents.com or call/text 716-775-7057 to schedule an appointment now!
Part-Time Positions Available. Lasertron Family Entertainment Center is currently hiring for general customer service. Working at a fast, deter;-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.
HOUSE FOR RENT 3, 4, 5 & 6 BEDROOM HOUSES AVAILABLE JUNE 1ST. Stainless steel appliances, dishwasher & washer/dryer. www.UBHouses.com 646-208-8574.
APARTMENT FOR RENT Amherst 1&2 Bedroom appliances, dishwasher, laundry, water, heat, & garage available. $795.00 & $865.00 716-691-7600.
SERVICES CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662.
AMHERST BOULEVARD MALL AREA. All new 2-BDRM 1.5-BATH townhouse within 1 mile of the North & South Campuses. Icludes oak kitchen cabinets, appliances, washer & dryer, private basement, fenced yard with patio. From $1,150.00+ 716691-7600.
1-3 BEDROOM APARTMENTS AVAILABLE JUNE 1ST. Stainless steel appliances. www.UBHouses. com 646-208-8574 10 MINUTE WALK TO SOUTH. 4-BDRM’s $325 to $325/room. Includes utilities. New bathrooms/ kitchen appliances, free laundry & off-street parking. One year lease. Available June 1st. Call/text Kevin 716-480-7352.
3,4,5,6,7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available now! Go to universityheightshousing.com to view all properties or call Lauren at 716400-4111.
LISBON/BAILEY: 2, 3 & 4 BEDROOMS furnished, parking, carpeting & appliances 716-440-5133 3,4,5,6,7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available now! Go to universityheightshousing.com to view all properties or call Lauren at 716400-4111. 4,5,6&8 BEDROOM REMODELED APARTMENT HOUSES. 37 Apartments available located at at University Buffalo Main Street Campus off Englewood. Beginning June 2017: UB South Campus for@ $275-$375/ bedroom plus utilities. Washers &dryers included. Contact bradengel37@gmail.com or Shawn at 716-984-7813 check out our website: www.bufapt.com
OUR NICEST HOMES RENT NOW!! Newly remodeled 3-8 person homes on W. Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include jacuzzi bathtubs, new ss appliances, free laundry, parking, snow removal & valet garbage! Live the Sweethome life on South!! Visit www.ubrents.com or call/text 716775-7057 to schedule an appointment now!
Heath & Minnesota. 5 & 6 Master Bedrooms. 2-Full baths, stove, fridge, washer/dryer & off-street parking. Available June 1st. Call 716-570-6062. 4,5,6,&8 Bedroom REMODELED APARTMENT HOUSES. 37 Apartments available located at University Buffalo Main Street Campus off Englewood. Beginning June 2017: UB South Campus for@ $275-$375/ bedroom plus utilities. Washers &dryers included. Contact bradengel37@gmail.com or Shawn at 716-984-7813 check out our website: www.bufapt.com
To or From North Campus & Buffalo Airport $28 Flat Rate
To or From South Campus & Buffalo Airport $21 Flat Rate
Students Split the Fare! Gladly taking up to 5 people in one cab.
24 Hour Availability (800) 551-9369
DAILY DELIGHTS sponsored by Collegiate Village Apartments
Leasing for Fall 2017! Call for specials and details 716-833-3700 Buffalo’s Best Al ternative to Living on Campus
8 UB MEN’S BASKETBALL RUNS Monday, March 13, 2017
OUT OF MAGIC IN CLEVELAND Buffalo’s MAC Tournament three-peat dream ends in quarterfinals
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Blake Hamilton goes up for a shot against Kent State Thursday. The Bulls’ loss in the MAC quarterfinals eliminated them from the tournament.
MICHAEL AKELSON SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
CLEVELAND, OHIO – As the clock ticked under two seconds in the MAC tournament quarterfinal Thursday night, UB sophomore guard CJ Massinburg hoisted up a prayer of a three-point attempt with a defender in his face to try and tie the game. As the shot floated through the air, Quicken Loans Arena went silent. The Kent State-tilted crowd of 3,352 held their breath, as they all wondered the same thing: Did two-time defending MAC Cham-
pion Buffalo have one more magic moment in them? But the shot fell short, and with it, so did Buffalo’s chance at history. Massinburg walked off holding his head. Senior guard Blake Hamilton sobbed as his college basketball career came to an end. One of Buffalo’s student managers sat motionless on the bench for nearly 10 minutes as both teams headed back to the locker room. “It’s hard to live with,” said head coach Nate Oats after the game. “We won it here two years in a row, [the players] fully expected to win this thing again.”
The Bulls were hoping to become the first team to ever win the MAC tournament three years in a row. But that ended abruptly when eventual champion Kent State defeated Buffalo 68-65 in the first game of the weekend. There’s a reason why no team has ever won the MAC tournament three times in a row. College basketball is a game of desperation in March. No team wins a conference tournament without overcoming moments of anguish as their season hangs on the brink. In recent years, Buffalo has navigated those moments of anguish with expert precision. This year, it proved to be too much to overcome.
SPORTS THE SPECTRUM
Three of their starters, including Hamilton and sophomore forward Nick Perkins, fouled out of the game in regulation. UB trailed for the entire second half. At one point, the team was down by 13 points. When they inbounded the ball after cutting the lead to 68-65 with seven seconds left, they had a chance at another defining March moment. “I should have created more separation on the three instead of initial pass, trying to get it back, but you can’t really blame the game or put fault on the last play,” Massinburg said. “We missed a couple free throws. It could be a tied up game… You make free throws and you’re not even in that position.” Despite nearly pulling off a desperate comeback, Buffalo played poorly for much of the game. As a team, they turned the ball over 13 times compared to just seven assists. They shot just 35.3 percent from the field. Some of the sloppy play can be attributed to the fact that Hamilton was in foul trouble all night long, limiting Buffalo’s top playmaker. The referees were active with their whistles all game long and Hamilton fouled out despite only picking up two defensive fouls. He was called for two charging fouls and saw his career end on an over-the-back foul with just under five minutes left. He struggled to put it into context after the game. “I had been in foul trouble the whole game, that takes away from some of my aggressiveness,” Hamilton said. “For me to foul out that early, that’s, I don’t know. I don’t really got much to say on that.” The blessing and curse of the MAC tournament is that almost always, only one team will move on to the NCAA Tournament. Regular season output is just a formality. Buffalo knows that better than anyone. Anyone can walk into Cleveland and get hot at the right time, as No. 6 seeded Kent State proved this year. Winning it all in March is about more than just being good – it’s about having a perfect marriage of luck and talent. This year, Buffalo’s luck came up the same as their final shot of the season – just a little bit short. email: michael.akelson@ubspectrum.com
NCAA Wrestling Championship preview Bulls prepare themselves for nation’s top wrestlers THOMAS ZAFONTE
ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
For sophomore wrestler Bryan Lantry, the NCAA tournament is not just a possible championship win. It’s his chance to make history. He wants to make history for himself, his program and his family – the kind of history that would permanently etch a wrestler’s name into UB history. The Bulls will be competing at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships in St. Louis, Missouri from March 16 to 18. Fellow sophomore wrestlers Kyle Akins and Jake Gunning are joining Lantry. The three qualified earlier this month at the MAC tournament and now have their sights set on March 16. “I don’t care what I did in the past, everything is focused on this national tournament,” Lantry said. “I want to make my coaches proud and my family proud. I don’t want to see this season as a failure in my eyes.” This national championship appearance represents a career’s worth of work for all of the wrestlers involved. This competition marks Lantry’s second trip to the NCAA tournament and after coming up short last year, believes he will find success. “I have never doubted myself or my hard work. I know I have never taken a shortcut when I have stepped in the wrestling room and I am confident in what I can do,” Lantry said. Lantry is heading into the tournament after losing in the MAC finals. Even though he already successfully qualified for the NCAA championship, he still considers the MAC tournament a failure.
“The MAC tournament is definitely a sour taste in my mouth right now,” Lantry said. “I wasn’t trying to make it to the national tournament, that wasn’t my goal. My goal was to win the MAC tournament.” With the NCAA tournament around the corner, Lantry will have an opportunity to not just wipe away the loss at MAC tournament, but become a national champion. Akins feels the same way. Akins’ season was almost in jeopardy when he suffered from nagging injuries during the season. But he was still able to “play it smart” and wrestled in a qualifier match during the MAC tournament, where he successfully punched his ticket.
“It’s a career milestone but also a small milestone… It was great when it happened but now it is time to move on,” Akins said Akins doesn’t have the time to reminisce over past accomplishments. This next event is the biggest of Akins’ career and he knows staying healthy is key. “I feel great right now, I feel ready to roll. I just keep those injuries in the back of my head because I just have so much adrenaline pumping when I am out there,” Akins said. “I want to go out there and beat guys people don’t think I should beat.” Gunning recently won the MAC tournament against favored opposition. Now, Gunning wants to take his MAC
COURTESY OF UB ATHLETIC
Jake Gunning competes in spring 2016 match. Gunning is one of three wrestlers heading to the NCAA tournament this year.
Championship and turn it into a national one. “Coming off good wins like that makes you feel like you can go out there and become an All-American,” Gunning said. “I was happy for like 15 minutes and then all I could think was ‘let’s go win ourselves a national tournament.’” Gunning is continuing his training with his teammates and coaches, looking to keep “business as usual.” He hopes to stay consistent with his workouts and listen to his coaches. “No one deserves anything, you have to go out there and earn it,” Gunning said. “I’m going there to win. Whether that’s four matches to be in the finals or in the AllAmerican rounds, I believe coach Stutzman has prepared us for this tournament.” Head coach John Stuzman embraces his team’s high expectations. He knows his wrestlers want to make the most of the competition. Stuzman has seen their highs and lows, and he knows that the lows motivate them more. “If you never want to feel that way, you better remember the way you felt,” Stuzman said. “It’s those experiences that help motivate them to reach their expectations.” Last year, Gunning and Akins both failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament and instead of “sitting aside” during the tournament, they made the drive to watch it in person. No longer spectators, all three men have the opportunity to make history. “We are going there to try and win… this year we got three guys who are going to do the work and be committed to the sport of wrestling,” Stuzman said. “All three guys want to get on the podium and as a coach that is very exciting.” email: thomas.zafonte@ubspectrum.com