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ubspectrum.com
MONday, DECember 7, 2015
Volume 65 No. 39 KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
ALBRIGHT-KNOX ADAPTING IN A DIGITAL-FIRST WORLD Renowned gallery museum’s campaigning for increased accessibility to general public KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS ARTS EDITOR
With more aspects of the world becoming digital, traditional art galleries are finding themselves needing to adapt. Some galleries are even hurting, with many across the nation closing their doors. Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Art Gallery (AKAG) is trying to keep up with the changing landscape, with new technology, apps, an active Instagram account, even stroller tours – all to expand and bring the museum experience to phones and tablets. The world-renowned museum, located near Buffalo’s Elmwood Village, has been bolstering its virtual presence and pushing educational initiatives. The museum is trying to make itself relevant in a digitally-connected world. Leading the initiative is AKAG Director Dr. Janne Sirén, whose expertise is connecting the general public with the arts via technology and education. Utilizing new technology and collaborating with technology firms has created new avenues of redefini-
tion for the gallery. “The Albright-Knox Art Gallery has made significant strides over the past few years,” said Kelly Carpenter, AlbrightKnox’s digital media manager. “In using various web and mobile platforms to make the museum’s Fine Art, Digital Assets, Library, and Archives Collections more accessible to our on-site, both inside and outside the museum, and online audiences.” Since Sirén took the helm of AlbrightKnox in 2013, there have been several programs putting the museum on digital platforms and increasing youth interest. The AKAG Innovation Lab would spur on many of these programs, a move the museum says “expands the notion of what a twenty-first century museum can be.” Initially, the lab was to start work in two “pods,” the first of which was the creation of the interactive mobile game app ArtGames 2.0. The second pod, called the Education Discovery Initiative, worked to come up with an overview of the present state of visual art education in the region, then become involved in revitalizing it.
Most notable of the youth programs is the Future Curators Program, which gives high school students an opportunity to be involved in the curatorial process. By exposing high school juniors and seniors to the museum field, AKAG hopes to spark young people’s interest beyond just observing and understanding art. The creation of cohesive exhibitions is at the heart of this program. “We’ve had some incredible young artists in this program over the years,” said Maria Scully-Morreale, Albright-Knox’s director of communications. “We work closely with teachers, making sure they have the information they need to talk about the program in the classroom and encourage students to participate.” Being mentored throughout the program by AKAG staff and organizing their own exhibits, students are taught the concepts of artwork selection and exhibition layout design as well as creating effective wall text, ingallery labels and press releases. While these projects inherently have appeal to their audience, in a world where ev-
eryone is bombarded with information, one has to set one’s social media presence apart. “We use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as our main social channels and each one has its own strengths and weaknesses,” said Pamela Martin, digital content manager. “We regularly promote a variety of new exhibitions, events, and programs, each one targeted to a different segment of our audience.” Martin says she has recognized the success that the Instagram account has seen compared to the other platforms, seeing both higher engagement rates and faster growth in followers. “As a visual platform, it is particularly well suited to an organization that focuses on visual arts,” Martin said. Andrew Mayer, AKAG communications coordinator, said the gallery’s social media presence has increased significantly over the last few years and allows it to speak directly to a younger audience. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
UB PROGRAM SUPPORTS KIDS WHO AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE SYSTEM GABRIELA JULIA SENIOR NEWS EDITOR Alena Haskins got tired of house-hopping her freshmen year of college. She felt that she was a burden to her friends, but didn’t have many options when it came to where she would sleep at night. Haskins, a psychology major, grew up as a foster child under the care of her great aunt. When she graduated from high school, she no longer received support from her aunt and became homeless. She started school at SUNY Delhi and graduated with her associates before coming to UB, a much larger school with just as many financial burdens. But UB had a support group for students like Haskins. As foster children age out of the foster care system, they are sometimes unsure of whether or not higher education is an option because of the financial obligations that come along with it. According to the National Center for Child Welfare Excellence, less than 10 percent of foster youth go to college and an even smaller number graduate. UB has created a former foster youth program to help transition these youth through college. The program was initiated about a year ago and is through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and Student Support Services (SSS) and works with the UB School of Social Work. “I feel that I now have people I can talk to and I know I’m not going through what I’ve been going through by myself,” Haskins said. “I didn’t grow up with family or my real parents so it was a struggle.” UB gives an emancipated foster student program fund to students who are currently or were in foster care. Students must be a ward of the court or must have received foster care on or after their 16th birthday while living in the United States. The program aims to connect these former
COURTESY OF CORNATO VELLA
Cornato Vella standing on the Gozo Channel ferry in Malta four years ago. While his family stayed in Europe, Vella lived on his own in the United States, homeless and having difficulties keeping up with school work.
foster youth with each other and provide conversation, activities and food during meetings. The program is currently servicing about 21 students on campus, according to Lani Jendrowski, the senior counselor for EOP. “Usually these students age out, so when they’re 18 or 21 they don’t have a support network,” said Beth Ebert, a graduate intern in a UB social work program. “A lot of them don’t have families that can help them move in or financial support so they’re really on their own trying to navigate through the university and because of that there is a significant dropout rate.” A few years ago, Tyler Harding, the director of the Office of Development, was in California when he met the Harmon family, who was interested in helping former foster youth at UB. At that time, there wasn’t an existing program. Harding came back to UB and said there needed to be a formal program to help these students. Jendrowski was unable to provide an exact amount for the grant but said the Har-
UBSPECTRUM. Women’s basketball falls to Duquesne COM
mon family, who is funding the program, has made a five-year commitment. This funding helps with the former foster youth’s number one problem: finances. Ebert said a few students have had trouble waiving the health insurance fee and as a result a hold was put on their student accounts and they were unable to register for classes the following semester. She also said a lot of college students don’t understand how the Free Application of Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, works, but they normally have their families to help with the process of filling out the information. Ebert helps students keep track of the financial details. “Things like that can literally stop them in their tracks when trying to move forward with their education and it’s unfortunate because they’re here working so hard so its frustrating that financial issues can keep them from continuing,” Ebert said. Although the grants go specifically to students who are receiving or have received foster care, Jendrowski wants students to know that
UBSPECTRUM. SA senate meeting rundown COM
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even if they were never registered as a foster child, the program will not turn them away. Cornato Vella, a senior mechanical engineering major, said his learning disability and homeless past made it difficult for him to pursue a college education compared to other students. He said he knew he wanted to be a mechanical engineer when he was 13 years old. He is originally from Malta, located in southern Europe, and when he was 17, his parents moved back overseas because his father was sick and couldn’t afford healthcare in the United States. Vella had no choice but to finish high school on his own in New York City. He worked a part-time job to pay for rent, but there was a point when he couldn’t afford it anymore and became homeless. When Vella was in high school, he secretly lived with a friend. He would leave early in the morning and come back late at night to avoid his friend’s parents. He knew getting caught was a huge risk and he could be put out on the streets at any moment. He worked a part-time job to save up for college and took a gap year after he graduated from high school. But the transition into college wasn’t easy. Vella had a difficult time grasping the curriculum. He said he has problems learning directly from a professor and has to find new ways to teach himself the information. “Between being homeless and struggling with school, I was putting myself under a lot of stress,” Vella said. “But I tried to continue to stay focused.” Vella is currently in the EOP program at UB and said it has helped him sufficiently. “I can’t afford to live on campus so this [EOP] funding has made it possible for me to come here and stay clear of a big debt,” Vella said. “If it weren’t for this, I would CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
COLUMN: ‘I stand with Planned Parenthood’
2
NEWS
Monday, December 7, 2015
THE SPECTRUM
News Briefs:
What you should know locally, nationally and internationally
Locally
Nationally
Buffalo to host 2018 U.S. Hockey World Junior Championship
Wife in San Bernardino shooting pledged loyalty ISIS
Three people stabbed in a London tube station
It was announced Friday that Buffalo will be the 2018 host of the U.S. Hockey World Junior Championship (WJC). This is the second time the tournament will be hosted in Buffalo and the sixth time held in the United States, according to Nhl.com. USA Hockey also announced there will be an outdoor hockey game held in Ralph Wilson Stadium during the tournament. This is the first outdoor hockey game held by WJC.
A shooting at a social service center on Wednesday in San Bernardino, California left 14 dead and 21 wounded. The FBI is now treating the incident as a terrorism case, according to The New York Times. Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik opened fire at the center where Farook was employed around 11 a.m. Central Time. Malik reportedly pledged allegiance to ISIS on Facebook around the time of the shooting, however the FBI states the couple’s exact motives are still unknown at this time. During a search of Farook and Malik’s home, 12 pipe bombs along with several guns and rounds of ammunition were found. Officials believe that due to the high amount of weaponry the couple was planning another attack.
Police are investigating a stabbing that occurred Saturday evening in a London tube station. A man was taken to a London police station after stabbing three individuals shortly after 7 p.m. While one victim sustained serious injuries, the two others suffered only minor injuries, according to CNN. All victims are expected to fully recover. London police subdued the attacker after officers fired a stun gun at him. After the Paris attacks last month, ISIS announced the United Kingdom was a targeted place to carry out another attack. Because of this, European officials are treating this as a terrorist attack.
Fatal crash causes nearly six hours of traffic A fatal car crash on the Buffalo Thruway caused almost six hours worth of traffic jam on Thursday. The accident occurred after one vehicle – which was cut off while merging onto the I-90 – lost control and struck a vehicle, according to WIVB. Louis Martin, the driver of the vehicle that was struck, then struck a tractor trailer and both vehicles ended in the median of the roadway. According to New York State Police, Martin was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash closed the left lanes in both directions, resulting in the major traffic jam. The crash occurred around 3 p.m. and the lanes weren’t re-opened until shortly after 9 p.m.
U.S. military combat positions open to women In a historic ruling, all U.S. combat positions – including infantry, some special operations units and reconnaissance – are now open to women, according to CNN. This allows women to fill over 200,000 jobs that were previously limited to men. Although there was public push-back from the general public and organizations like the Marine Corps, Defense Secretary Ash Carter came forward to say that the military is a “joint force” and went through with the decision. The women must qualify and meet the standards of each position prior to joining. The policy will take full effect after 30 days.
Internationally
Suicide bombers attack a market in Chad In a series of coordinated attacks, three suicide bombers targeted a market in Chad Saturday. The attacks killed 27 people and injured about 80 others. According to CNN, the bombers attacked three different parts of the marketplace. No group has currently claimed responsibility for the attacks, however officials believe Boko Haram – a militant Islamic group from Northern Nigeria – carried them out, as they share similarities to previous attacks they have done in the past.
email: news@ubspectrum.com
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3 I stand with Planned Parenthood
OPINION THE SPECTRUM
Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF
Monday, December 7, 2015
How the Colorado Springs shooting made me an even bigger supporter
Tom Dinki
MANAGING EDITOR
Alyssa McClure 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 Tomas Olivier, 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
MARLEE TUSKES NEWS EDITOR
When I first saw Planned Parenthood was one of Twitter’s trending topics on Nov. 27, I rolled my eyes. What now? I was used to seeing the muchtalked-about organization frequent the top-20 trending list, especially since it has been a common topic among the presidential candidate hopefuls. But I quickly went from nonchalantly scrolling through the tweets to reading in horror as I realized the enormity of the situation: a gunman was terrorizing a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs. That wasn’t the first time a Planned Parenthood has been targeted. In 1994, a man went to two separate Planned Parenthood locations in Massachusetts and killed two people and wounded five. In
2012, a small bomb was planted outside of a Wisconsin Planned Parenthood and went off, causing a small fire and damage to the building. Not only was I horrified by the action itself, I was also horrified at the reactions I saw. Twitter is a platform that allows anyone to tweet their stream of consciousness – as long as it’s confined within 140 characters. I don’t always agree with how people choose to spend those 140 characters. Rather than seeing a pattern of people condemning the attacks – attacks in which three people were murdered – I saw many individuals tweeting about how the individuals at the Planned Parenthood that day got what they deserved. Yes, a woman can go to Planned Parenthood to terminate a pregnancy. However, compared to all of the other services offered by Planned Parenthood, like cancer screening or STD testing, abortions are a very small part of what Planned Parenthood does. In fact, abortions only count for 3 percent of what Planned Parenthood does.
On Thursday, the Senate voted to defund Planned Parenthood. A week after a shooting occurs at a Planned Parenthood location, the Senate’s main goal is to take away the company’s government funding. According to NPR, the organization receives $500 million per year from government funding, but none of that funding is actually allowed to go toward abortions. But forget about the fact that Planned Parenthood performs abortions. When we think of the organization, our first thought should be that it is one of the few low-cost healthcare facilities that makes it easy for those who may be struggling to make ends meet to have access to treatment they may not normally be able to afford. According to Planned Parenthood’s website, the organization “provides nearly 400,000 Pap tests and nearly 500,000 breast exams each year.” It also provides treatment for STDs, including HIV testing. While these facts are accessible to the general public, there are
so many people who either aren’t aware of them or choose not to believe them. And unfortunately, those in a position of power – such as some who are running for a presidential nomination – give false information about Planned Parenthood to the trusting public. For anyone to justify the heinous act of a gunman killing an Iraq war veteran, a police officer and a mother of two because abortions are part of the services offered at Planned Parenthood organizations is disgusting. What that sentiment truly means is that “pro-life” only extends so far. Rather than supporting a murderer by tweeting how he was a “brave hero” who tried to put a stop to the killing of “a million babies” each year by Planned Parenthood – something a person actually tweeted – we should support any organization, including Planned Parenthood, that allows anyone, no matter their gender, affordable healthcare. email: marlee.tuskes@ubspectrum.com
Helene Polley
Consistency is key
ADVERTISING MANAGER
Nicole Dominguez Lee Stoeckel, Asst. Zach Hilderbrandt, Asst. ADVERTISING DESIGNER
Why performers are choosing residency
Derek Hosken
THE SPECTRUM Monday, December 7, 2015 Volume 65 Number 39 Circulation 7,000 The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Feedback, Opinion and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address. 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
TORI ROSEMAN SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR
Jerry Seinfeld announced last week that he will officially begin his residency at Manhattan’s Beacon Theatre in 2016, where once a month he will perform a series of shows titled “Jerry Seinfeld: The Homeland.” The actor-comedian isn’t the first to do this. Billy Joel has residency at Madison Square Garden, where he performs once a month until his shows stop selling out – which has yet to happen. But why choose residency in one venue over touring across the country or even around the world? The idea of performing in the same place seems dull to an outsider, but for performers, the consistency is nice. Touring can be dif-
ficult and strenuous, especially for older performers. It also makes their show more accessible to those who want to see them. This trend extends across the country – other performers, such as Britney Spears, have residency at venues in Las Vegas. I grew up with Seinfeld – watching his self-titled show – Cosmo Kramer is one of my favorite characters ever – reading his book and seeing his stand-up. My parents love him – why wouldn’t they? A Jewish New-Yorker couldn’t be more relatable for them, and in turn, for me. I like the idea of residency because it allows older performers who aren’t consistently producing new material to continue to have shows. When someone’s music or comedy dies down, they often fall out of the limelight. They’re often dwindled down to pictures in magazines or even worse – throwback music. Residency allows for these performers to showcase material that people love.
At the same time, the shows become routine, which can be boring for an artist. Artists who like to put out new material can get sick of the doing the same thing over and over, especially if it’s like Spears, who performs almost every night. Residency is more for performers that are past the peak of their careers. Comedians, like Seinfeld, also gain some creative freedom. Though he will be performing essentially the same show, he can experiment with his material more because he’s comfortable in the space. Singers have freedom to choose which songs they perform, but if the entire show is crafted around lights, dancing and other elements, this switch can be difficult. Instead, they can choose to talk about more topical things with the audience during their breaks from singing. Seinfeld’s decision to have residency at the Beacon comes at an appropriate time in his career. His touring days are essentially over –
though he’ll be at Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Jan. 22 – and his television and film work has waned significantly. His comedy is particularly New York centered and is still just as funny. It’s a logical step for him to go somewhere he’s comfortable and continue to do what he loves. I haven’t seen Seinfeld live and now I finally have an opportunity to. It’s not just that he’s close to home for me, but the fact he’ll be in the same place for a while makes him more accessible. I think all performers should try residency, even if just for a year. It’s a different method of performing – it’s the same show over and over, but it’s the best of what that performer has. It’s your best songs or your best skits put altogether into one place – a place that feels like home. email: tori.roseman@ubspectrum.com
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Friday afternoon I became aware of a poorly researched and racist letter addressed to BSU’s president, Micah Oliver, which included the comment “Black Student Assn isn’t racist? How many whites belong?”, among other comments and slurs. Upon reading this, I felt very strongly that I needed to address. I am not going to discuss whether or not groups like “Black Student Union” are racist, because it’s not even a discussion – they’re simply not. And as a white student, it can be difficult and extremely uncomfortable to voice your opinions about race issues on campus. However, only by breaking through one’s comfort zone can we properly address and begin to fix these prevalent issues. I found myself at my first Black Student Union meeting the same day as the controversial “Whites Only” sign incident in September.
Sitting in a room where tensions and emotions obviously ran high, I will admit, it was overwhelmingly uncomfortable being one of the couple white students present. However, I knew that I needed to be there, I needed to be involved in the race discussion on campus. You see, as a white student, you see “the other side” of race issues on campus. You see what your white counterparts talk about when there are no black students around. It can be a difficult thing to deal with when you realize some of the people you consider your friends are participating in conversations that are offensive, ignorant, and simply racist in nature. So, I learned that even as a white student, I do have the ability and power to play an important part in the race discussion on campus. Through educating myself on these issues, whether on my own, by sitting in on Black Student Union discussions,
or by taking classes that deepen my understanding on such plaguing issues, I have been able to arm myself with knowledge to combat both these offhanded comments, and overtly racist remarks said in the absence of my black peers. This is why I personally take offense to the comment made by the sender of the previously mentioned letter. Since the first day I got involved with BSU, their e-board members have both welcomed and valued my presence and opinions. They have also encouraged me to bring other students to the meetings. Not once has my presence ever been questioned or have I felt excluded from a meeting or event. I have even spoke to members of their e-board angry and upset about racist incidents that I had witnessed on campus to which they responded only with the utmost dignity and respect, truly better than I could
have responded to those incidents. I sincerely admire the perseverance of both the leaders of BSU and its members through all the criticism and backlash they have faced, especially recently. The Black Student Union has played a critical role on this campus by opening the dialogue of race and serving as a role model for how all other clubs and organizations should be maintained, and it should not be viewed as anything less. Often times us white students do not feel that we should be part of this dialogue for fear that it is not our place or that we may unintentionally say something offensive. Personally, I have found that by first listening, I can acquire a strong voice in this conversation. I stand with University at Buffalo’s Black Student Union. Brittany Herbert Legal Studies, 2017
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FEATURES
Monday, December 7, 2015
THE SPECTRUM
Surrender becoming more popular amidst house party breakups in Heights DANI GUGLIELMO FEATURES EDITOR
With increased police breakups of student house parties in the University Heights, some UB students are abandoning keg parties in basements to throw legal parties at local bar Surrender. Surrender, the only 18-and-up club on Main Street in the Heights, has seen an increase in student traffic this semester after Buffalo Police cracked down on parties and UB disciplined more than 50 students during the first few weeks of the school year. Instead of hosting house parties, which receive complaints from nonstudent residents and are susceptible to being broken up by police, some students have been switching it up to renting out open bars at Surrender, feeling it’s a safer option without fear of police crackdowns. “Surrender is fun because any college student can get in and not have to worry about getting arrested,” said Carly Fromm, a sophomore business major. Tim Walton, promoter and marketer of Surrender, said police crackdowns on house parties this semester have pushed students to look for a safe and legal environment to party in. “There’s a lot more people out walking the streets looking for a safe yet fun atmosphere to party,” Walton said. “They are making Surrender a destination spot be-
cause they know that they can have a good time legally.” Due to the student increase at Surrender this semester, Walton said the bar has had to do less advertising to get students to come through its doors. Tyler Merron, a sophomore communication major, believes that Surrender, which opened in 2014, has become popular this semester because it’s allows entrée for people 18 and over. The Steer, located across the street, only allows those 21 and over to enter. “I like how Surrender is 18 and up and how it gives open bar nights unlike The Steer, where you have to be 21 and many people get denied,” Merron said. “If Surrender wasn’t 18 and older, it would bring the same student crowd as The Steer, which is only seniors and some juniors.” The open bars at Surrender include a $10 cover charge and patrons 21 and over receive a plastic cup upon entering. The plastic cup then has unlimited refills during the open bar. The student increase at bars helps limits the presence of students roaming the streets in the Heights looking for house parties. Instead students crowd outside the bars waiting in line. “Instead of people walking by to go to a house party, they are walking looking for bars or places to have fun and many choose
The grapevine BRIAN WINDSCHITL SENIOR ARTS EDITOR
This week, Buffalo has a slew of surprising acts coming in to perform. From feminism icons, former American Idol stars and the genius behind 2011’s hit song “Friday,” there are too many concert choices this week to pick just one. Do yourself a favor this finals week and get out of your dorm room or apartment, de-stress and catch a concert.
Monday, Dec. 7 The Security Project – Tralf Music Hall The Security Project is a unique tribute project centered on recreating the works of Peter Gabriel. Featuring a few of the former members of the Peter Gabriel Band, the band will be playing from Peter Gabriel’s first five solo albums. The Security Project will be performing at the Tralf on Monday – if you are a fan of Peter Gabriel’s aesthetic, this is a must see.
Tuesday, Dec. 8 Andrew W.K. – Broadway Joe’s Thirty-six-year-old Andrew Wilker-Krier, a singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, entertainer and producer, will be performing his brand of punk rock at Broadway Joe’s on Tuesday. Andrew W.K., who hasn’t released any new music in awhile, has been switching between touring for music and touring for his self-help, motivational speaking gig. W.K. was also a host of the television series Destroy Build Destroy, but is best known for his singles “Party Hard” and “We Want Fun.”
Wednesday, Dec. 9 Caskey – Waiting Room Touted as one of raps promising up-andcomers, Caskey is a rapper from Orlando, Flordia who is currently signed to Cash Money Records. Caskey has had a relatively slow-rise to fame, first starting with four mixtapes from 2010 to 2012, which helped him get onto Cash Money’s radar. Since then, the rapper has released four more mixtapes – The Transient Classics, The Lost Files, Black Sheep and Black Sheep 2. He is working on his debut album in The Hit Factory recording studio in Miami, to be released soon.
Thursday, Dec. 10 Sleater-Kinney – Asbury Hall Riot grrrl pioneers Sleater-Kinney will be
JAMES CORRA, THE SPECTRUM
Patrons wait in line at Surrender, the only 18-and-up club on Main Street in the University Heights. Surrender has become popular with students this semester after the police crackdown on house parties.
Surrender,” Walton said. Fromm said that one negative aspect of Surrender becoming popular is that the line can get long and slow, increasing wait times. She said she’s also overheard students who are 21 complain that it takes a long time to order drinks from the bar when it becomes packed. Other than that, she believes it is a good spot for UB students who usually have
house parties in the Heights to go to for a fun and safe night out. “I think a lot of students are going to Surrender because … people are tired from doing the same thing over and over again,” said Spencer Cloth, a freshman accounting major. “Surrender is something new to do and that’s why there’s such a student crowd.” email: features@ubspectrum.com
UB PROGRAM SUPPORTS KIDS WHO AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE SYSTEM
making an appearance in Buffalo on their reunion tour for No Cities to Love. The band was an integral part of the feminist riot grrl movement in the ’90s, releasing eight critically acclaimed punk-rock albums between 1994 and 2005, before announcing it would be taking a hiatus in 2006. Just this past year, the band announced its reunion with a new album after a 10-year break. No longer the edgy, heavily-politicized punk rockers they were before, Sleater-Kinney, with No Cities to Love, reinvented themselves as pure rockers on their new album. The band is a must see for any music lovers, one of the most iconic rock bands to come out of the riot grrrl movement.
Friday, Dec. 11 Arkells – Town Ballroom From Ontario, the Arkells is a Canadian rock band currently signed with the Canadian branch of Universal Records. The band has steadily climbed through the ranks of the music industry with a series of consistently good albums. In 2012, the band won a Juno Award for Group of the Year, for its album Michigan Left. Most recently, the band released High Noon, a hugely successful alt-rock album that won Juno Awards in 2015 for Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year.
Saturday, Dec. 12 Rebecca Black – Town Ballroom The famous, or infamous, bubblegum pop artist Rebecca Black, whose music video for “Friday” went viral in 2011 (dubbed “the worst song ever” by BBC’s Dan Whitworth), will be coming to Buffalo on Saturday to perform. Despite the questionable quality of her music, she has had her own measure of success, best evidenced with her 1.2 million subscribers on YouTube. She is currently working on making more original music and is set to release a studio album sometime this year.
Sunday, Dec. 13 Kissmas Bash – First Niagara Center Kissmas Bash, the annual Christmas concert hosted by local radio station KISS98.5, will take place this Sunday and include acts Shawn Mendes, Robin Thicke, Silento, Charlie Puth, Nathan Sykes, Jocelyn Alice, Omi, Becky G and Alessia Cara. This concert, geared mainly toward a younger audience, is a great place to see several up-and-coming pop artists all at once. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
have a much harder time financially.” Vella said his EOP mentors made a big difference in his life, often giving him “tough love” and motivating him to pursue a higher education. He cannot receive the large funding from the former foster youth program because he was never registered as a foster child. In order to qualify for the program, Vella would’ve had to go through the court system. He avoided the courts when he was in high school because there was a possibility his school would not have let him continue. “I basically had to do it all under the table,” Vella said. But Vella is still involved in the program. He attends the meetings and meets with Ebert and Jendrowski. Vella is graduating from UB this winter and the first thing he’ll do is visit his family in Europe that he hasn’t seen in five years. He wants to get a job in aerospace or aeronautical engineering and also has an interest in renewable energy. Haskins, like Vella, has taken advantages of the opportunities this program has given her to pursue her career. She plans on graduating this upcoming May and has many aspirations, including owning a daycare, joining the air force, becoming a social worker and more. “I have a pretty long list, but I’m sure I’ll achieve them all before I die,” Haskins said. The program has also given insight to those who did not battle with the foster care system but instead help those who’ve had. Ebert chose to work with the former foster youth program for her field placement. She is the “go-between” between these students and the university. She said one common burden these students might have is the insurance waiver and students
COURTESY OF ALENA HASKINS
Alena Haskins (middle) accepts a scholarship at an award reception that took place in October. Haskins is a member of the former foster youth program that has helped her fund school and housing.
go to her for help. “It’s been great working with people who are really disenfranchised in the system,” Ebert said. “The best part about it is it’s a great group of people to work with. They don’t quit and they’re so inspired and that’s helped me a lot in my professional development.” The feeling of gratitude is mutual. Haskins said her relationship with the mentors and administration in the program has motivated her to continue pursuing what she came to UB for in the first place. She wants other students to join and benefit from it as well. Since the program is new, the administrators are still trying to find new ways to reach out to former foster youth. “Our hardest obstacle is actually having the students come forward,” Jendrowski said. Administration currently tries to find former foster youth through their FAFSA applications. But Jendrowski said for those who may not be listed, there is a place on campus for them to receive help and funding. Jendrowski said there are lots of resources out there but students aren’t aware of them. Some of which include $7,000 grants a year. “This program has made me realize not to let my past determine my future and talking with other members, I see there are other people who share the same things I do,” Haskins said. “It makes me see how much I’ve accomplished.” email: news@ubspectrum.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE SPECTRUM
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Monday, December 7, 2015
ALL PHOTOS FOR ALBRIGHT-KNOX BY KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
ALBRIGHT-KNOX ADAPTING IN A DIGITAL-FIRST WORLD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Carpnter said social media platforms like Historypin, Tumblr and Instagram offered AKAG a “unique way to showcase the marrying of digital and physical materials.” “It has given our audiences – who may not be able to visit the interior of our museum – the ability to interact with our Collections for free using a computer, smartphone, or tablet, wherever they are,” Carpenter said. In terms of programming, AKAG’s relaunching of their 2001 Art Games app in the way of ArtGames 2.0 brings digital aspects into the art environment. The app serves as an educational experience in arts, comprised of eight different video games that are based on various works and artists in the museum collection. The connection would be made when Dr. Laura Sommer, the Chair of Daemen College’s Visual & Performing Arts Program and overseer of the International Center for Excellence in Animation (ICEA), reached out to former AKAG board member Peggy Pierce Elfvin, who passed away in 2012. “Our internal team on the Innovation Lab had already been toying with the idea of updating Art Games. That was a program available on the Internet that the AKAG developed internally over 10 years ago,” said Russell Davidson, innovation lab and special projects manager. “It had not been updated and was now so outdated, in terms of programming, most systems could not access it anymore. This invitation from the ICEA seemed like a perfect opportunity to develop something new and cutting-edge and that’s how the idea for ArtGames2.0 came about.” As a partnership program with ICEA, Empire Visuals Effects and All Things Media, it is one of AKAG’s more technologically-forward programs. The AKAG team, comprised of Davidson, Deputy Director Dr. Joe Lin-Hill, Curator of Education and Community Engagement Jessica DiPalma, Director of Publications Pam Hatley made up the core of the project. In addition to Sommer, managing partner of Empire Visuals Ben Porcari would also be brought on to offer insight in programming and design, as well as his industry knowledge and contacts. “Very early on, we realized we would need to contract with an outside developer in order to realize the scale of the project we wanted to undertake,” Davidson said. “Together, the team worked on putting togethOne of the pieces featured in ArtGames 2.0, players would guide their avatar through the roots of the tree collecting glowing orbs.
(TOP) The 1905 building side of Albright-Knox, this building held a bulk of the gallery’s art, until its latest addition was built in 1962. (CENTER) Two groups of families take in the Monet exhibit during a stroller tour at the Albright-Knox. (BOTTOM) Nancy Rybins’ sculpture is one of the main fixtures of the Albright-Knox’s lawn.
er a plan which developed into a mobile application that included a suite of eight different games, with an additional four to be added later.” The art pieces used for the project include Vincent van Gogh’s La Maison de la Crau (The Old Mill), Piet Mondrian’s Composition No. 11 and Do Ho Suh’s Karma, among others. The three collaborators would begin drafting a request for proposals, which would be sent all over the world. Four firms would respond with proposals, but ultimately, All Things Media would be chosen. It would be launched alongside the special exhibition Screen Play: Life in an Animated World. An exhibition that would feature the works of over 23 artists from around the world, which, when presented next to the newly created app, made for an event that connected attendees with a centuries worth of art. The first step of this connection was made through the relatable medium of technology. “Their firm had the necessary infrastructure and organization it would take to properly execute this project in the tight timeline we were working on,” Davidson said. “The
app needed to be ready to launch right around the same time as the opening of an art in animation exhibition we had opening in June, called Screen Play: Life in an Animated World.” The project would been seen as groundbreaking in the field, surpassing the previous ArtGames. “Playing the games, kids were generally far more adept than their parents, and they were excited to see the real works of art here at the museum afterward,” Mayer said. ArtGames2.0 would be followed up with a digitization project that AKAG undertook with the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Launched in November of 2013, it initially was an interactive tour in which AKAG’s outdoor sculpture collection and the historic downtown Buffalo streetscapes were reanimated. The free app also included interactive time lines that explored the history of AKAG and Burchfield Penney. Designed by Carpenter, it quelled fears that too much online content would be a deterrent to the public museum attendance. In actuality, the project increased the attendance of the general public interested in seeing the works that they saw on the dig-
ital platform. “The main goal of all institutional activities is to enhance the understanding and appreciation of contemporary and modern art, and reach as many people as we can,” Carpenter said. “Yes, of course I would love everyone to come and see the Collection first hand, however, I recognize that this is not always possible.” To make the gallery even more accessible, AKAG, with sponsorship from M&T Bank, has made the first Friday of every month free to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Since 2011, the program has offered free admission for the twelve-hour period, with guided tours available for a fee. The museum also offers various tours geared toward specific groups, such as veterans, the visually impaired and those with disabilities, even offering stroller tours. “A lot of our visitors base is female, so we also offer stroller tours to mothers who might have kids,” Mayer said. “It’s a good way get kids here at a young age so they can appreciate art, it’s also a great to enjoy art as a family.” Also, while the museum tends to be closed on Mondays, it keeps its doors open for school groups. “It got to the point where there would be hundreds of kids and it was a way to the alleviate some of the traffic,” Mayer said. Enriching the art experience, AKAG offers yoga sessions every Saturday morning in their galleries. Usually done in small groups, the sessions see groups of 10 to 15. With industries quickly realizing that societal trends are pushing commerce and attention to digital platforms, it’s not only important how quickly companies make the transition, but also with what level of tact. Connecting with the general public, and more specifically the youth, is no small task, one that will continue to be facilitated by AKAG’s Future Curators Program, but has shown to be able to pique and nurture interest. Albright-Knox is trying to become a leading presence in the move to a digitally-connected art community. email: kenneth.thomas@ubspectrum.com
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ARTS | SPORTS
Monday, December 7, 2015
THE SPECTRUM
The Spectrum ’s scouting report: Iowa State Cyclones CONTINUED FORM PAGE 8
COURTESY OF IOWA STATE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION Cyclones forward Georges Niang, one of the most prolific players in the country, is drives against two Chattanooga defenders. Niang is one of many elite talents that are waiting for Buffalo on Monday.
He is a freakish athlete with a substantial basketball IQ – very similar to Mid-American Conference Player of the Year candidate Chris Fowler of Central Michigan. He is tied for second on the team with 15.3 points per game, with all of those points coming in many different facets. He can turn a corner on a dime and drive to the hoop for an easy basket and he’ll have no problem stopping in his tracks to hit a jumper or three-pointer. But he’s not only a shooter. Morris ranked No. 1 in the nation last season in assist to turnover ratio. What’s lacking about his game is explosiveness. He is projected to go in the second round of the 2016 NBA Draft, but can be considered a first-rounder if his breakaway speed picks up. Nonetheless, he’ll have no problem handling the Buffalo’s defense. Jameel McKay, senior center McKay will be the first player to make Buffalo realize that it needs a lot of help for post play.
McKay is a natural center whose main job is to dominate the post – and he’s done just that this season. He averages a double-double – 14 points and 11.8 rebounds per game – and primarily scores all of his points in the paint. He’s a matchup nightmare, even if he isn’t the biggest player on the court. He is one of the most aggressive players on the ball and has intelligent court awareness, especially down in the paint. He can work a player 1-on-1 in the low key and use one of his trademark baby hooks or drop-step layups toward the basket. If he’s left uncovered in the paint, it’s usually an automatic basket for the Cyclones. This season, Buffalo has had problem defending the post with its inexperienced lineup of freshmen Ikenna Smart and Nick Perkins. Buffalo’s best hope to defend McKay will be to get him to the free throw line, where the senior is shooting just 30 percent. Monday’s tipoff is set for 9 p.m. email: jordan.grossman@ubspectrum.com
Emerging Choreographers Showcase wows UB dance caps the semester off with artistic flare GIOVANNI GAGLIANESE
STAFF WRITER
The Emerging Choreographers Showcase filled up Katharine Cornell Theater in downtown Buffalo with applause and admiration this past weekend. On Saturday, the Emerging Choreographers Showcase held a various performances in order to highlight student choreographers, who created the original pieces using various forms of dance. The show traversed through hip-hop, modern, contemporary and even into the swing genre. “The show was good, so many different flairs to every piece, makes me want to dance,” said Mike Spina, a senior business major. The crowd response was nothing less than impressed, as audience members enthusiastically clapped and cheered the second lights turned off, which signaled the end of a piece. From the audience’s reactions, the favorites included the 8 of Clubs, Vanguard, Cirrus, Clyde and Louise and Unveiling Consciousness dance pieces. Captivating and humorous, with an early 1900s grove, 8 of Clubs opened the show with a boisterous atmosphere – entertaining and sassy. Empower was a conceptual grounded piece depicting the transformation from helplessness to self-empowered. This was executed
through hard-hitting isolations and through the manipulation of dancers’ movements through forceful direction from another dancer. Movement would progress into an uplifting hip-hop style. Vanguard embarked on an adventurous world of acrobatic flight. It was an exciting representation of a gruesome fight. The dancers were tough and disciplined, displaying pure athleticism through the countless acrobatic feats that constantly wooed the audience. The crowd applauded insistently after this piece. Cirrus felt like it had some distant tribal influence when the dancers started out imitating each other movement. Performing the same set of gestures they went in and out of sync lighting up at certain movements like fireflies. Luxate quickly grabbed the audience’s attention with dancers’ costumes and its ability to seemingly capture the light. This performance had a supernatural and mythological ambience to it. Assemblage was a piece that is exactly what it sounds like. It is a grouped movement accompanied by live musicians directed by associate professor Thomas Kolor. “I really enjoyed the part in the piece when the dancers made a visual out of each new pose in unison or combination with each other, really interesting visually speak-
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ing,” said Christopher Coulter, a senior business major. Common Ground was a sassy and intriguing movement that focused on lower bodylines like leg sweeps. The dancers were smooth and nimble throughout the set. Enter the Infinite was a very aesthetically pleasing piece. With beautiful lines made from the dancers’ movement this truly made the audience think about time and space and the suspension of it. Incorporating ideas that are rather abstract, like time and space, this piece beautifully articulated this through its choreography. Clyde and Louise was a choreographic ode to choreographer Allyson Buttram’s grandparents. It was sad and beautiful as the two dancers, Cody Holland and Kayla Jowski, started out in isolation from each other but gradually moved into more unison movement. At times the two seemed so happy they appeared they might cry. This piece had a few moments without much movement but this worked well in creating thought for the audience. This piece was emotional and would transform into a mid-1900s style swing piece. Unveiling consciousness was by far the
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COURTESY OF SAMMI PFEIFFER
Dancers at the Emerging Choreographers Showcase displayed their talent in on Saturday in front of an impressed crowd.
most conceptually powerful piece in the show. As mentioned in the booklet, Evan Mathew Stewart and Johanna Taylor dance with their eyes closed the entire duration of the piece. “That was beyond me,” said Phil Spezio, a senior business major. “I think I enjoyed how disorienting it felt to me the most.” Initially, the two dancers were depicted as victims to the other dancers around them who were manipulated due to their lack of sight – but eventually they began to use each other to utilize a variety of disorienting movement. This show caps off the semester for dancers with an exciting showcase from advanced choreographers and dancers alike in the UB dance program. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
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SPORTS
Monday, December 7, 2015
THE SPECTRUM
Bulls fall to reigning champs Duke Shooting woes hurt Buffalo in loss to No. 7 team in country
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Freshman CJ Massinburg drives past a Pittsburgh at Bradford defender during Buffalo’s first game. Massinburg dropped a team-high 17 points in an 82-59 loss to No. 7 Duke on Saturday night.
JORDAN GROSSMAN SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
The score stayed relatively close between the reigning national champions and the Buffalo men’s basketball team Saturday, but Duke’s elite roster held off a potential Buffalo run. And it was Duke freshman Brandon Ingram that sparked the Blue Devils’122nd
straight non-conference victory at home. “I’m not an NBA scout, but I’ve seen a lot of basketball players in my day,” said first-year head coach Nate Oats. “And he looks like an NBA player to me … I don’t want to say Kevin Durant, but he’s a prototypical 6-foot-9 guy who can do a little bit of everything.” Fueled by a 23-point outburst by Ingram, No. 7 Duke (8-1) defeated Buffalo (4-4) 82-
59 on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Buffalo shot less than 23 percent from beyond the arc in its second consecutive loss first-ever trip to Durham, North Carolina. All afternoon, the elusive Buffalo guards set up its three-point shooters with open shots, but Buffalo rarely made the most of its opportunities. The Bulls shot 23 times from beyond the arc, but also made five. In its last game against St. Bonaventure, Buffalo shot 1 of 13 from three-point range. It was Duke’s underclassmen that led the way. The backcourt duo of Grayson Allen and Ingram combined for 45 points and 19 rebounds. Ingram, a hybrid guard/forward, dominated the paint and took advantage of Buffalo’s lack of size in the paint. Allen grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and his first double-double of the year. Ingram’s trademark shot all afternoon was a fake-right, pivot-left floater off the glass, which accounted for nearly half of his total points. Ingram is a true freshman that worked himself into the starting lineup this season and is one of many standout young players for Duke. Ingram wasn’t the only standout freshman on the court. Buffalo freshman guard CJ Massinburg was one of the most complete players for the Bulls, as he had a team-high 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting with four rebounds and a blocked shot in 21 minutes off the bench. Massinburg, a first-year player from Texas, scored 13 of his points in the second half as Buffalo attempted to comeback from a 3424 halftime deficit. He played with poise and confidence, as he drove to the rim with ease. He executed multiple fast breaks and took smart shots with little defense around him. “He’s a kid that I’ve talked about since he got here in June,” Oats said. “He comes in and does a lot of extra stuff and he plays hard in practice. I’ve coached him pretty hard for a freshman. He responds great to it. I told our guys if you plays as hard as this kid, we’re going to get you minutes.” A three-pointer from senior guard Jarryn Skeete with 15:07 remaining in the game cut the deficit to single digits, but the relentless
Blue Devils would spurn an 11-0 run over the next 2:40 to take a 20-point lead and end Buffalo’s comeback attempt. Skeete went 2-of-7 from the perimeter Saturday after he was held without a point against St. Bonaventure. He is now shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc this season. Senior forward/guard Rodell Wigginton came out hot, scoring Buffalo’s first two baskets of the game. It was foul trouble that kept him out of most of the first half and a large point differential in the second half that caused him to play only 18 minutes. Duke’s clear-cut advantage entering the game was rebounding and post play, but Buffalo nearly edged out the Blue Devils in both of those categories. The Bulls grabbed 42 rebounds and scored 34 points in the paint, compared to 43 Duke rebounds and 36 points in the paint. Freshmen forwards Ikenna Smart and Nick Perkins led the way for Buffalo with a combined 15 rebounds. Smart, who has had trouble staying out of foul trouble as of late, was never in danger of leaving the game despite his three personals. He controlled the rim and forced bad shots in the paint or Duke to kick the ball out to begin the play over again. He also added six points. Perkins went 2-of-4 from the perimeter. Junior guard Blake Hamilton had perhaps his worse game with Buffalo. He shot 1-of11 from the field and missed all four of his deep shots with three turnovers in 26 minutes played. “We learned some stuff today,” Oats said. “I do think we got better in the game. We knew it was going to be hard. We came here for the environment to see what we can accomplish, see what we can do better.” Buffalo continues its road trip when it enters Ames, Iowa to take on No. 5 Iowa State (6-0) on Monday. It is the first time a MidAmerican Conference team will play consecutive games against teams ranked top-10 in the country since Eastern Michigan did so in 2012. Monday’s tipoff is set for 9 p.m. email: jordan.grossman@ubspectrum.com
The Spectrum’s scouting report: Iowa State Cyclones Buffalo takes on No. 5 team in the country Iowa State JORDAN GROSSMAN SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
Things aren’t going to get any easier for the men’s basketball team. On Saturday, the Bulls (4-4) lost to the reigning national champions, No. 7 Duke, 82-59 in Cameron Indoor Stadium and it won’t be the last time this week Buffalo faces elite talent. On Monday night, the Bulls continue their road trip with a stop at No. 5 Iowa State (6-0) at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames, Iowa. The Cyclones play a veteran lineup chock full of juniors and seniors who have had experience in the postseason and atop the nation’s rankings. Iowa State was a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament last season before being shocked by No. 14 University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in the second round of the tournament. Iowa State’s roster and championship hopes have carried through to this season. It returned most of last season’s and it’s debatable that they’re even better this season. The Spectrum broke down which players you need to know about. Georges Niang, senior forward The 6-foot-8 power forward will likely be the biggest matchup nightmare for Buffalo. Niang, a touted prospect coming out of high school, lived up to his hype as a Cy-
clone. In his senior year, he’s averaging 16.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game while leading his squad to a top-5 ranking. He’s a type of player that can do it all. His size and natural athleticism allows him to stay aggressive in the post for rebounds and will have no problem taking the ball down the lane and driving in for a quick lay up. He has a devastating spin move when he’s 1-on1 in the paint and is able to pull back and hit the jumper if needed. And he can shoot the three.
COURTESY OF IOWA STATE ATHLETICS COMMUNICATION
Iowa State junior guard Monte Morris is one of the challenges the Cyclones’ lineup will present to the Bulls on Monday. The Spectrum scouted the Iowa State players to watch.
Niang can shoot from anywhere on the court, including from both corners and the top of the key. He is a natural shooter with a smooth stroke who shoots the ball high to prevent any of his shots to be blocked. He will most likely be matched up against 6-foot-6 Buffalo senior forward/guard Ro-
dell Wigginton. Monte Morris, junior guard The Bulls have played talented guards in the past week, from St. Bonaventure’s Marcus Posley to Duke’s Grayson Allen. But Morris may be the best guard Buffalo will face this season. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6