The Spectrum Vol. 68 No.32 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

THE SPECTRUM VOL. 68 NO. 32 | FEBRUARY 21, 2019

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

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UB ofﬁcials unveil plans, design for One World Café COURTESY OF CANONDESIGN A rendering of the One World Café’s front entrance between Capen and Norton Halls.

Police reports show an increase in local sexual offenses last year, but numbers have remained close to average at UB, data shows EDITORIAL STAFF

CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Construction for the One World Café is set to start this summer and finish in August 2021. The 50,000-square-foot café is the result of the Heart of the Campus initiative, and will include a dining section, seating for over 500 students and offering five different cuisines. The brick and glass café will be between Capen and Norton Halls. The exterior of the café is “pretty much set,” according to Graham Hammill, Vice Provost for Educational Affairs and Dean of the Graduate School. Hammill said the architects for the café “spent a lot of time” on the design of the café, which he hopes will be a “front door

to the North Campus,” as he said it is currently difficult to “know where to go” between buildings. The café will be structured as a “market” rather than a food court and will have five separate food stations offering Mediterranean, Indian, Asian, Japanese and American food, according to Jeff Brady, executive director of Campus Dining & Shops. Brady said the Roth Consulting Group was working on the design of the “servery.” Input from over 1,300 students who participated in an event last year helped the decision of what food to serve, Hammill said. CDS served various types of food at the event, and students voted on the top-10 cuisines they liked, according to Hammill. Brady said the Indian station will have a tandoor oven, the Asian station will have > SEE ONE

WORLD CAFÉ| PAGE 6

Ofﬁce of International Education awards roughly $15,000 to programs Office grants funds between $1,000-6,000 to programs aimed at the inclusion of international students TANVEEN VOHRA CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

The Office of International Education awarded roughly $15,000 to programs for international students this spring. The Office of the Provost provided funding for the programs, and OIE acted as “stewards for the money,” which will be used to help international students “transition into a new U.S. academic and social culture,” according to Caitlin Rioux, the International Student Inclusion and Engagement program coordinator. OIE requested proposals from departments in late November and selected four of the 20 proposals for funding, Rioux said. I think the thing for me that was most exciting

was that I had different stakeholders on campus coming forward, and saying, ‘Thank you for this, because it’s forced us to think about better ways to include and engage international students and what we’re doing in our unit,’” Rioux said. The four proposals that OIE funded were from the Asian Studies Program, Counseling Services, the Community for Global Health Equity and Student Engagement. The funding was a result of UB’s international inclusion and engagement task force, which made recommendations to improve UB’s international community involvement in 2016, according to Rioux. She said her own position was a result of the task force’s recommendations. Rioux said the process of sending in proposals challenged UB programs and departments to consider the struggles international students face with finance and travel. Counseling Services proposed a support group for international students at UB whose romantic partners may also be international or

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Sexual offense reports increased at UB and surrounding areas in 2018

BENJAMIN BLANCHET, JACKLYN WALTERS

TANVEEN VOHRA

Running through the past: Track athlete Leon Atkins’ unusual path to success

Saving for a community: Wegmans offers deals on food following the government shutdown

FEB. 21, 1975 - The Community Action Corps found multiple architectural barriers for students with disabilities on North and South Campus. The CAC cited stairs, narrow hallways, poor parking accommodation and “other inconveniences” as barriers found throughout both campuses. The CAC reported that buildings with elevators were not accommodating for all students. The CAC used the report to suggest changes to the university to make it more accessible. > SEE PAGE

International food market to come in 2021

UBSPECTRUM

Reported sexual offenses in the South Campus area reached a five-year high in 2018, but data doesn’t tell the complete story, according to UB officials.

The Spectrum analyzed roughly 2,800 sexual offense reports from Jan. 1, 2011 to Feb. 7, 2019 in the Buffalo/ Amherst/UB area and found increases in reports since January 2018. Reported offenses near South Campus increased from 18 in 2017 to 28 in 2018. These numbers are alarming to students at first but UB officials said the numbers may suggest an increased willingness to report, rather than an increase in the number of sexual offenses. Data shows most people report offenses at UB from the residence halls, according to University Police. Thirty-six reports since 2011 came from on-campus residence halls, whereas the rest of the reports

(11) came from places such as the Student Union and Lockwood Library. UPD received 10 overall reports last year –– the most since 2012. There was a slight increase in reports since 2016, but the numbers don’t stray from the average number of reports per year. “While each and every incident is a serious matter, statistically speaking, these numbers are too small to determine a significant trend in the crime rate,” said Chris Bartolomei, UPD’s chief of police. “I do believe that we have seen some increase in reporting over the years, which is a positive trend.” Police reported 23 sexual offenses between the Main Street/Lasalle Avenue and Main Street/Winspear Avenue intersections. Most offenses in the South Campus area between 2011 and Feb. 7 were on Custer Street, Winspear Avenue, Rounds Avenue (off Bailey Avenue) and Lisbon Avenue, according to Buffalo Police reports. The first block of Custer Street near South Campus is one of the most reported-from locations since 2011. Citywide data shows eight different reports at the location. This is the same amount of oncampus reports that UPD received in 2015. Bartolomei said the location is out of UPD’s legal scope, but the department > SEE SEXUAL

OFFENSE | PAGE 5

How does the Student Association spend its $4.2 million?

> SEE ISSS | PAGE 4 GRAPHIC BY SABRI HAFIZ UDDIN

LEONARDO ROMERO | THE SPECTRUM Staff at the ISSS office. The Office of International Education awarded over $15,000 to programs that sent in proposals to increase engagement for international students in UB.

An overview of SA fund allocation JACKLYN WALTERS CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Your $104.75 student activity fee isn’t just funding Spring Fest. The Spectrum broke down the Student Association’s budget –– using SA’s General Ledger –– to determine how the organization disperses its $4.2 million. Club budgets are a large portion of the SA budget, and range from $50 to $58,000. Eric Weinman, SA senate chair, said clubs present proposals to SA’s finance committee to receive funding. He said sena-

tors then vote on the proposals and make “objective” funding decisions based on a checklist of club features. While SA provides budgets to clubs, the clubs also earn money from outside sources, such as fundraising and donations.

Top five club budgets Men’s Ice Hockey has the highest club budget with roughly $58,000. The club’s initial budget for the year was $18,000, but the club received a roughly $40,000 revenue adjustment in early October. SA Treasurer Tanahiry Escamilla said the revenue adjustment accounts for money fundraised by the club. The Society of Automotive Engineers > SEE SA

SPENDING| PAGE 4

NEWS

2 | Thursday, February 21, 2019

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Saving for a community Wegmans offers deals on food following the government shutdown THOMAS ZAFONTE SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR

A long-standing Western New York company is looking to make shopping easier following the government shutdown. Wegmans Food Markets cut prices on store-brand food to help those affected financially by the recent government shutdown. The deal lasts until Mar. 2, with 16 different

items on sale in 11 Wegmans locations in the Buffalo area and over 40 in New York State. This news came shortly after the shutdown, which lasted from Dec. 22 to Jan. 25. “Making a difference in every community we serve is one of our core values to ensure a healthy and vibrant place for our employees and customers to live and work,” wrote Wegmans Chairman Danny Wegman in a statement. Wegman wrote that once his company was informed about people still being affected by the government shutdown, his company wanted to offer discounted items for every-

one, which started on Feb. 16. The discounted items include pasta, canned soup, chicken cutlets, egg cartons and more. Jack and Cozette Devirgilio, a married couple from Buffalo, said they are avid Wegmans shoppers and were happy to see the discounts. “I’m very proud honestly that Wegmans did that,” Cozette Devirgilio said. “I’ve seen families in there who have been very happy to have [discounted food] out there for them.” Cozette said she takes pride in having Wegmans as her local grocery store and brings her family to Wegmans when they visit from Texas.

Jack Devirgilio, a lifelong Buffalo native, said he has always known Wegmans to care about the community and its customers. He said it is the main reason that the Buffalo community supports Wegmans and will keep it in business for years to come. “[Wegmans] is amazing,” Jack Devirgilio said. “I don’t care if it’s Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, these guys are always one step ahead. I think it’s because they got their fingers on the pulse of the community, they know how to give back.” Rebecca Izzo, a junior political science major, said she shops at Wegmans and was not surprised by the news of the discounts. Izzo, a Hamburg native, said she has never heard anyone speak poorly about Wegmans and feels this decision could help the company’s relations with the Buffalo community. Izzo said that Wegmans already has a great reputation in Buffalo and that the new discounts only make them look better. Arun Mavumka, a senior computer science major, thinks the discounts were a good decision. “It’s nice that a big company would take interest in ordinary people like that,” Mavumka said. “I don’t understand the incentive for it, but I think they are able to connect with the community better.” Wegmans officials did not disclose whether the discounts would continue in the event of another shutdown.

email: thomas.zafonte@ubspectrum.com twitter: @Thomas_Spectrum

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OPINION

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THE SPECTRUM

I deleted my social media

Thursday, February 21, 2019 Volume 68 Number 32 Circulation: 4,000

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Hannah Stein MANAGING EDITOR Brenton J. Blanchet Sarah Crowley, Asst. CREATIVE DIRECTORS Sabri Hafiz Uddin Grace Klak COPY EDITORS Savanna Caldwell Cassi Enderle Lauryn King Cherie Jacobs, Asst. NEWS EDITORS Jacklyn Walters, Co-senior Tanveen Vohra, Co-senior FEATURES EDITORS Thomas Zafonte, Senior Isabella Nurt, Asst ARTS EDITORS Brian Evans, Senior Samantha Vargas, Asst. Julianna Tracey, Asst. SPORTS EDITOR Nathaniel Mendelson, Senior EDITORIAL EDITOR Benjamin Blanchet MULTIMEDIA EDITORS Shubh Jain, Senior Davila Tarakinikini, Asst.

LEAH HIGGINS STAFF WRITER

After months of deleting the apps on my phone only to re-download them in moments of boredom, I finally deleted my accounts on all but one social media platform. This seemingly inconsequential act has had a profound impact on my life so far. I’ve been active on social media for about eight years. That is a little less than half of my existence. I tried to refute that I was spending too much time on it. I would use empty excuses like, “Well, how else will I know what that one friend who moved away is up to?” Eventually, I couldn’t justify it anymore. I was losing sleep by scrolling, and hated myself every time I clicked “download.” This entire process led

Misgivings at the movies Woke internet culture versus the Ted Bundy biopic

CARTOONIST Ardi Digap

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ABOUT THE SPECTRUM The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Opinion section of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address.

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me to ask a lot of important questions about the current state of social media, and why it’s seemingly so hard to live without it. As social media progresses, it becomes synonymous with existence itself. Simple phrases like “If you don’t post it, did it happen?” can make it difficult to want to leave. I found it humbling to begin this whole process by simply posting less. I began asking myself, ‘Do people actually care about that vanity license plate I saw at a stop light?’ Possibly. Does everyone need to know that I’m eating a taco with my friends? Obviously not. Distancing myself from obsessing over who would look at a picture I posted was a simple first step. What I didn’t know was that the most difficult part was still to come. Since I posted less, my one-sided relationship with these apps began to feel strange. I started to feel like the anonymous creep your middle school teacher warned you about, silently lurking in on other people’s lives. But I couldn’t stay away. I thought my attachment to the apps was rooted in some self-obsession. I realized that it was time to admit that I had a problem when I found myself checking the apps more

SAMANTHA VARGAS ASST. ARTS EDITOR

Convicted serial killer Ted Bundy returned to public consciousness in light of the 30th anniversary of his death and the controversial biopic premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. John Wayne Gacy, Aileen Wuornos, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy have all previously been the topic of Hollywood biopics. Their atrocious crimes have all made their way to the silver screen, yet Joe Berlinger’s “Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” received a ﬂood of hate following the trailer’s release. The film’s trailer was met with a misplaced animosity toward the en-

tire production. People took to Twitter calling for a boycott of the film over the casting of Zac Efron and the general tone of the trailer. But there isn’t a profound reason for this online mass hysteria that is backed by fact. The true-crime genre has been gaining traction in Hollywood for years. Filmmakers and documentarians have retold the infamous stories of prolific serial killers. There rarely seems to be this level of controversy around the portrayal of serial killers in film. Many claim that Efron is too attractive to portray the serial killer. Others feel that the film will romanticize Bundy’s heinous crimes. All of these arguments are only based off of the minute-long trailer. Granted, movie trailers are supposed to give the general public an idea of what to expect with a film. But how many movie trailers accurately depict the entirety of a film’s tone and characterization? M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village” comes to mind as a misleading trailer. The trailer presented itself as a horror film, when in reality it was a drama with a love story subplot. This type of marketing is far more common than expected and used to draw in a wide audience. There’s a disconnect between the intention of the trailer’s tone and

Thursday, February 21, 2019 | 3 than when I did post regularly. This is not a glamorous thing to admit. I wanted so badly to convince myself that I could continue using the apps without any negative mental effects, just like everybody else. I was freshly recovering from a rather devastating summer. I wanted, more than anything, to convince myself and everyone else that I was OK, and I thought deleting social media would be a clear sign that I wasn’t. Sound familiar? I’ve come to know this as the “duck syndrome.” In the same way that a duck seemingly glides across water while feverishly kicking their legs below the surface, users on Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and Twitter can simply glide through life’s hardships with a quick smiling selfie and an uplifting caption. But I don’t believe that social media is the root of all evil. It can be a beautiful medium for connecting people, a powerful tool for political organizers, a news source, a new way to get your ideas across and a near necessity for small businesses and local musicians to get publicized. I still have a Snapchat account that I use to message with the international friends I met while studying abroad. Social media can be good. Still, I believe that people don’t speak enough about their personal experiences with the ugly side of sothe audience’s interpretation as well. Interpretation is subjective, but the overwhelming number of claims that “the movie will romanticize Bundy and serial killers in general” seems to be based purely on a theoretical projection. The reworking of a character of this nature, especially a violent one and storyline within a biopic, into a misunderstood heartthrob is obviously, inherently bad. Yet the trailer does not seem to convey this kind of message, at least not in a straightforward or intentional way. I don’t believe Efron is the strongest actor. His casting might be questionable in comparison to his previous roles in teenage comedies, but his casting based solely on aesthetic is spot on. Whether or not people want to sexualize Bundy, it’s undeniable that he didn’t appear to be capable of such a crime. Women would approach his lawyer following trials with notes of support for him. His lawyer went on to say he was “basically, a really good version of a used car salesman,” and Efron fits the role with his Disney charisma. The film comes from the perspective of Liz Kloepfer, Bundy’s girlfriend, who stood by Bundy through his trial. While this directorial choice is unexpected to say the least, I believe it contributes to the tragedy of the situation. The trailer embodies this idea, but the minute-long run-

This column only applies to a select few men Why “not all men” is a dangerous statement

Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s editorial staff can email Hannah Stein at: eic@ubspectrum.com. Anyone interested in joining The Spectrum’s professional staff or advertising team can email Helene Polley at: hapolley@buffalo.edu.

JACKLYN WALTERS CO-SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

Note: This column contains sensitive content regarding assault that may be triggering. We’ve all seen it before: someone tweets “men are trash.” Women respond in solidarity, sharing their own –– often chill-

ing and life-threatening –– experiences. Then, it happens. An alarm goes off on a man’s phone. He sees the thread and is immediately fueled with rage. The anonymous man crawls out of his sewer to respond. “Not all men.” Men who feel they do not fit the “male-predator” stereotype often repeat this statement. It is for those who believe they should be knighted for holding open a door for the woman behind them. For men like Drake, who is applauded for never physically trying to sleep with Nicki Minaj, despite repeatedly and publicly stating he wants to f––k her. (Chivalry is not dead, ladies!) Or even Chris Brown, whose fans will still defend him on Twitter despite his physical assault of

two — very famous— women. The problem with the statement is it disregards the predominantly-male population which engages in such acts, and invalidates the experiences of women who have been preyed on by men who are otherwise socially deemed as “safe.” In defense of the sewer rat, he’s not wrong. “Not all men” will feel it’s appropriate to verbally sexualize their female boss. “Not all men” will follow a woman halfway home and wait until she’s secluded to ask for her Snapchat. “Not all men” will seek out a female journalist, angry with her story, banging on office walls and shouting until they find them. But some men will. And when other men say

cial media. It doubles as a medium for harassing people, a powerful tool for disillusionment, a fake news source, a new way to heighten your insecurities and a near necessity for teenagers in the search for social acceptance. Ultimately, I decided that the negatives outweigh the positives. After deleting my accounts, I began a more fulfilling relationship with myself. I found that my relationships with other people have become more meaningful, I almost completely stopped worrying about what other people think, and I have found more free time to explore hobbies that I love. I don’t know if this is going to last forever, but right now it’s exactly what I need. We will go through some of the most difficult experiences on our way to self-understanding as college students. We face pressures from ourselves, our families and our friends, so the last thing we need is to see just how much “better” everyone else in the world seems to be doing. The journey of deleting my social media accounts began as a way to detox myself from my own vanity, but it developed into a new and exciting journey of self-reﬂection and selfacceptance. email: features@ubspectrum.com.

time isn’t able to develop the emotional investment necessary to feel sorry for Kloepfer’s character. The film is going to contain framing and dialogue that don’t condemn Bundy’s character. His girlfriend did not believe he was guilty. It doesn’t translate into a love story; it’s a framing technique used to further amplify the betrayal she must have felt. At no point do I believe the focus should be taken off of the victims of this case, however, I believe Kloepfer is also a victim. Kloepfer was lucky to escape with her life, but she will still live with the guilt of putting herself and her children in constant danger. The only valid criticism I’ve seen is the condemning of the production of films based on real tragedies. I acknowledge that the film might walk the same line as “American Psycho” or “The Silence of the Lambs,” but fiction films will never carry the same cultural or emotional weight as biopic and documentary films. The reality is that western cinema is based solely around capitalism. As long as people continue to financially support filmic endeavors based on tragedies, they will continue to be made. It is important to wait until the film has been released to cast judgment on any other factor. email: samantha.vargas@ubspectrum.com twitter: @SamVargasArts.

“not all men,” that invalidates the experiences women have with “some men” every single week. Maybe not all men will engage in this type of hostile behavior, but that doesn’t eliminate the large majority of men who regularly do. The fixation on specifics does not take priority over the lived experiences of women. In the last week, I have experienced each of these instances. They are not all sexual and they were not all experienced in solitude. They don’t fit the assault prototype. A friend of mine was physically assaulted in the workplace. A male coworker grabbed her, prohibited her from leaving the room and wouldn’t let go despite her physical resistance. She fears mentioning the instance will alter > SEE FEW

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NEWS

4 | Thursday, February 21, 2019 FROM PAGE 1

ISSS

domestic. OIE awarded the program $2,260. Stephanie Chong, a psychologist from Counseling Services said she was interested in international student issues because of her own international background, having grown up in Singapore and Malaysia. Chong said the program is one of the first of its kind, as not many institutions provide support for the partners of international students. “[The partners] might have been more independent in the past, but then here, because of not being able to work or even study, their responsibilities shift,” Chong said. “Who they see themselves as shifts as well. This may contribute to their self esteem or impact their cross-cultural adjustment.” The support group for international students

or their partners will take place every Monday from 1-2 p.m. in 228 Student Union. Chong said the support group will be in the Student Union instead of Counseling Services at Richmond Quadrangle. She said this reduces the stigma around counseling and makes the group more accessible and more of an “outreach program in a community building.” OIE granted CGHE $5,383 to fully fund four international fellows for the Global Innovation Challenge — a week-long workshop in May. The GIC requires students to engage in critical thinking and problem solving for global health problems. CGHE aims to fully fund the participation of four Local-International Global Health Talent fellows. The four fellows will be UB international students, two of whom will be graduate students and the other two, undergraduate students, according to the program coordinator FROM PAGE 1

SA SPENDING has the second-highest budget, with $36,000. SAE’s largest expenses thus far include $2,100 for event lodging, $1,700 for two snowmobile wraps, $1,300 for event registration and $966 for uniforms. Olivia Gustafson, SAE’s coordinator, said the budget “is definitely a necessity” for the club. “[The club] works on large-scale projects that go to regional and national competitions,” Gustafson said. “Equipment like motors and trailers are expensive, so the large budget is justified.” The Black Student Union is spending most of its $33,000 budget on its upcoming Black Explosion fashion show on March 2. Crew Rowing Team has the next-highest budget with $26,000. The highest expenses this year include roughly $8,300 for lodging as well as a roughly $1,600 boat house GRAPHIC BY SABRI HAFIZ UDDIN

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Lisa Vahapoglu. The application for LIGHT fellows closed on Feb. 16, and the fellows will be announced in the coming weeks according to Vahapoglu. Vahapoglu said she wrote the program with the “intention of institutionalizing” UB’s diversity. Vahapoglu said she hopes the program will help “cultivate a sense of belonging” through “mentored relationships” with professors in the CGHE. Vahapoglu said the department will award the fellowships to international students who haven’t yet “put down roots” in the U.S. and were more prone to feelings of “alienation, and feeling adrift.” Walter Hakala from the Asian Studies program said, although the program hasn’t yet run any of the activities it outlined in the proposal, it plans on hosting events such as scavenger hunts,

“language luncheons” and other events that “will bring international and domestic students together in meaningful ways.” Hakala also said the department is “uniquely situated” in engaging with international students from Asian countries in particular, as the faculty is “actively interested in internationalizing their studies.” The Student Engagement office’s proposal will be part of a conference in April, where undergraduates can pitch their ideas for inclusive programs for international and domestic students. The winners of the pitch competition will then be awarded funding for the implementation of a program, according to Rioux. Representatives from the Office of Student Engagement did not respond in time for publication.

usage fee and $1,300 for equipment. The American Society of Civil Engineers has a $20,500 budget. The largest expenditures are for ﬂights at roughly $4,700. Other smaller expenses include costs for parts and projects.

next-highest budget for a religious club, bringing in a total of $5,600 this year. The club’s largest expense was $1,600 on BASICcon. Sikh SA put a dent in its roughly $2,450 budget to fund its Punjabi Night in November, but quickly earned the funds back in the event’s admission cost. Jewish Student Union has used its $2,000 budget to host events such as “bubble tea and talk” and a Hanukkah bake.

Clubs with political differences The College Republicans spent roughly $65 of their $4,000 budget this year so far. The cost covered last semester’s end-ofthe-year pizza party. The College Democrats haven’t touched their $1,000 budget yet. Maura Sutherland, president of College Democrats, said the club has been saving the funds for upcoming events, including College Democrats of New York’s annual convention at Syracuse University in April and a joint debate with College Republicans. Students for Justice in Palestine’s total budget of roughly $1,500 has covered food costs for meetings and cooking classes, as well as a $380 one-way plane ticket to bring guest speaker Benjamin Ladraa to Buffalo. Young Americans for Freedom has roughly $570, including SA funding, fundraised money and rollover from last year. The club’s highest expenditure this year was $80 for a rose fundraiser, while they spent $50 to host Ben Shapiro. Religious/ spiritual clubs Muslim SA’s total funds are roughly $14,000 including granted and fundraised money — most of which the club spends on food at meetings and fundraisers. Brothers and Sisters in Christ have the

email Tanveen.vohra@ubspectrum.com twitter @TanveenUBSpec.

Student stipends/pro-staff SA has 44 paid student positions, who manage everything from clubs to media marketing and student affairs. SA grants the three executive board members each $15,000 stipends yearly. Chief of Staff earns $6,500 to $9,600 per year to “act as a point of contact between the e-board and all SA employees or other stakeholders.” They are required to assist in office management and handle all staff concerns. The Transportation Coordinator earns $3,700 to $4,500 per year to coordinate club van scheduling and reservations. The Elections and Credentials chair oversees SA elections and forms the elections and credentials committee to earn $2,600 to 3,200 yearly. Assembly Speaker and Senate Chair each earn a $1,000 stipend, the lowest stipends of all SA staff. The seven club coordinators receive stipends as well, ranging from $2,306.85 to $4,613.70. email jacklyn.walters@ubspectrum.com twitter @JacklynUBSpec.

ANGELA DAVIS Legendary Human Rights Activist & Author

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FEATURES

Thursday, February 21, 2019 | 5 you’re trying to cop my style, but you’ll never find this at Forever 21. It may take you a while to ﬂip through racks until you find that perfect ‘90s ﬂannel, but you have something no one else can buy. Give it a shot with five of the best places to thrift clothing and other items in Buffalo. SECOND CHIC 810 ELMWOOD AVE, BUFFALO 5454 MAIN ST, WILLIAMSVILLE 140 PINE ST, HAMBURG

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Skip the mall and reduce your carbon footprint ISABELLA NURT

ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

Thrifting: it’s like getting hand-medowns, only they come from strangers and you pay for them. But thrifting is really the best way to update your closet while on the college budget.

FROM PAGE 1

SEXUAL OFFENSE would assist with any Buffalo Police investigations if they led to Title IX/student conduct proceedings. UB has one active Title IX investigation regarding a sexual assault in 2016, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. UPD filed 10 reports in 2018, whereas Buffalo Police filed roughly 300 reports every year since 2011. Overall, local police mostly filed reports from area hospitals (with 34 reports at Erie County Medical Center), police departments (10 at Amherst Police Station) and popular city and nightlife areas since 2011. Twenty-seven reports came from the 1 block of Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo, data shows. Fourteen reports came from the 600 block of Main Street near Shea’s Performing Arts Center since 2011. Bartolomei said interpreting police dispatch reports “can be tricky.” “Often, you need to read through the entire report to determine time/locationrelated information,” Bartolomei said. “Almost every police report begins with a phone call to the dispatch center. Those recorded as being taken at the police station [are] sometimes because the person reporting the incident is more comfortable coming to the station than having the

There are so many reasons to skip the mall and thrift. Buying used clothing is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Is it really necessary for you to buy those mass-produced faded mom jeans from Urban Outfitters when there is a perfectly good pair at your local thrift store? Is there anything more satisfying than when someone asks you where you got your cool new leather jacket and you can say you found it at a thrift store? Take that, Sharon, I know

police come to their location.” Anna Sotelo-Peryea, UB Health Promotion’s assistant director and violence prevention coordinator, said students have become more willing to report sexual offenses. “We really can’t rely on police reports to give us the whole picture, given that sexual assaults have long been considered the most underreported crime,” Sotelo-Peryea said. “If you look back, you’ll see reports to police are on an upward trend. … [But] balanced against sexual assaults reported through anonymous surveys, we see an increase in police reports alongside decreasing or relatively unchanging rates of sexual violence.” She said sexual assault victims typically know their abuser, “especially” in assaults among college students. “It’s less about dark alleys and stranger danger, and more about casual patterns of disrespect,” Sotelo-Peryea said. “[It’s shown by people] not caring if their actions are making someone uncomfortable, trespassing on someone’s body in a crowded party or dance ﬂoor [or] pushing someone to drink more.” Bartolomei said anonymous and thirdparty reports often provide UPD with incomplete information. “What I would very much like for students to know is that our sex offense re-

Second Chic has not one, but three locations for some of the best vintage clothing you will find. If you’re looking for vintage Dior, Calvin Klein or Louis Vuitton, then any of the three locations are your best bet. The great thing about this chain is that it’s well-curated. Charity thrift stores like Goodwill can be hit or miss, but Second Chic has pre-selected those trendy ‘90s overalls you desire. They also do a great job of cleaning the clothes, so you won’t smell like your grandma’s basement. You can follow their Instagram for daily posts about new items coming in. If you see something you like, you can call and ask them to hold it for you. They have both a men’s and a larger women’s section. Be aware that it is a pricier store, with prices ranging from about $12 to $300, depending on the item and brand. They frequently have half-off sales, so be sure to check their colored tag promotions. SCOOP SHOP 648 AUBURN AVE, BUF-

FALO

This hidden consignment-store gem is just a two-minute walk from Second Chic’s Buffalo location. Scoop Shop is another great place to buy vintage clothing, jewelry, hats and bags. It’s a smaller boutique, so you won’t be spending hours scouring the racks. It still has a great selection though, with brands like Calvin Klein and Michael

porting procedures are centered on the needs and desires of the person reporting the incident,” Bartolomei said. “They choose what options will be considered: whether it leads to a criminal investigation (if applicable), student conduct or Title IX hearing, or none of those options. People can speak directly to an officer while still remaining anonymous, and if they choose to identify themselves, we will do everything possible to maintain confidentiality.” Bartolomei said the department hopes to remove “any apprehension people may have about speaking to the police” and sex offense investigators will inform students of “all the options and resources available to them.” Sotelo-Peryea compiled data from the 2016 National College Health Assessment and found the impacts of sexual violence go beyond physical trauma, she said. Students who said they experienced sexual violence reported at least 30 percent higher rates of feelings of hopelessness, loneliness, sadness and overwhelming anxiety and anger than those who said they have not experienced sexual violence, according to the assessment. Eight percent of students who said they experienced sexual violence reported attempted suicide and 23 percent experienced suicidal thoughts, according to

Kors. This store is all for reducing your carbon footprint with complimentary recycled bags made from old t-shirts. If you bring the same bag the next time, they will give you a discount on your purchases. NIAGARA EMPORIUM 4545 TRANSIT RD., BUFFALO

This is one of the largest antique markets in Western New York. It’s located next to the movie theater at the mall. Antiques are not always cheap, but Emporium is one of the most savvy locations to buy used vinyl records. Most vinyl outlets sell records for about $20 per album, while Niagara Emporium has popular choices like Bowie and the B-52’s for less than $10. They also sell vintage band t-shirts like The Who and Prince. If you want to spruce up your “crib,” this is a great place to find decorations for your apartment or dorm. They have a variety of colorful neon signs to hang up on your wall and vintage movie posters. MY CUZIN VINTAGE 168 ELMWOOD AVE., BUFFALO

My Cuzin Vintage is just five minutes down Elmwood Avenue from Second Chic and Scoop Shop. It has a great selection of vintage and barely-used urban fashion. This is the place to go if you’re looking for kicks. Popular carried brands include Supreme, Nike, Jordans and Yeezy. It also has the best selection of vintage Bills and Sabres jackets, sweatshirts and snapbacks in Buffalo. This is the priciest of the clothing stores listed here. But if you’re looking to cop these exclusive brands, it’s a cheaper alternative to buying them new. SAVERS 2309 EGGERT RD., TONAWANDA

This is one of the closest thrift stores near UB’s North Campus and the most friendly to the college budget. Clothing items here will usually fall under $10. It’s a large store, so be prepared to spend a long time searching through the aisles. Most of the store is occupied by racks of used clothing, but it’s also a great place to shop for popular books, if anyone still reads those. You can also find household items — like pans, crock pots, lamps and curtains — for a third of the price of whatever you can buy at Target. The only downside is the amount of used items makes it harder to find those ideal clothes. Savers does half-off sales every week, so make sure to check the color of the tag if you plan to shop. email: isabella.nurt@ubspectrum.com twitter: @Nurt_Spectrum.

NCHA. Sotelo-Peryea said sexual assault can leave victims feeling vulnerable and alone, despite affecting nearly everyone. “It’s still such an isolating experience, and I think trying to move beyond that is really where we need to be,” Sotelo-Peryea said. “Understanding that you’re not in this alone, you’re not the only person that’s experienced [this and] there’s not something uniquely vulnerable or ﬂawed or faulty that’s caused this to happen.” If you or someone you know fear or have experienced sexual assault, there are a number of local resources. Students can make an anonymous report on UB’s website, through the Ofﬁce of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (716-645-2266), Crisis Services of Erie County (716-834-3131) and UPD (716645-2222). For off-campus emergencies call 911, Amherst PD (716-6891311), Buffalo PD (716-851-4444) or the New York State police 24/7 seual assault hotline for college campuses (1844-845-7269). email: news@ubspectrum.com twitter: @BenjaminUBSpec @JacklynUBSpec.

NEWS

6 | Thursday, February 21, 2019 FROM PAGE 1

ONE WORLD CAFÉ eight woks and there will be a 60-foot wall of herbs, which chefs will be able to pluck from. The American station is largely in place due to Bert’s shutting down in preparation for the café’s construction. The café will be twice the size of Bert’s, which is a result of the growing population that has “maxed out” the current dining operations, according to Brady. The café is committed to having “authentic” international cuisines, something Brady observed wasn’t the case in other universities that attempted to create similar international cafés. “A few of the other universities have international cafés, and some of the issues they have is they Americanize it,” Brady said. “We’ve talked about this and we’re committed to make sure it’s authentic” Brady said there would be a “grab and go” station featuring delicacies from the five stations as well as Kosher food, which the committee is currently looking for a vendor.

Brady said the “neatest thing” about the café is that it will be “very automated” in terms of selecting and paying for meals. Seaboard Inc. will handle the automation process. The café will also have seven “self-checkout” registers. Brady said the café has a “plug and play” design, which means if any of the concepts don’t go over well with the student body, they can be switched out within the semester or during the summer break. Hammill said the architecture firm considered foot traffic and congestion in the walkways connecting Knox and Capen Hall. It was planning the space in ways that would prevent “congestion points” so that students “aren’t just running through tables,” he said. Since the construction of the project will take over 18 months, walkways involved with the construction will be sectioned off. “We’re really working on making sure that there are clear pathways that are covered so that students don’t have to walk outside or in the rain,” Hammill said.

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“There are also fire code issues to make sure that people can leave buildings in case of emergency, so we’re working on that too.” The cafe will be a mixture of brick and glass. Architects working on the design are making an effort to “make the building stand out” instead of blending into Capen Hall, according to Hammill. “If you look at the way that Capen is designed, the windows are sort of sectioned and have a very rigorous geometric design. The new building imitates that, but also innovates on that in some pretty interesting ways,” Hammill said. Hammill confirmed that the committee has currently decided the building will be white, however, he also said he was “hesitant” as a white building on North Campus may stand out too much. Since the material for the building has not yet been bought, the color of the building is subject to change. Hammill and Brady said the input of various committees, in addition to beautification committees, will be considered before the com-

mencement of the construction. “We try to be, throughout the whole process, as consultative with the campus as possible,” Hammill said. Elise Helou, the Student Association’s international coordinator, and Jennifer Schechter, Sub-Board I president, are participating in discussions about the café to speak on behalf of students. “This is one of several committees that students sit on,” Schechter said. “We are offered a seat at the table on a lot of these things, which is really nice.” Schechter said the café is something that students were “actively involved in” rather than “this mysterious thing that the administration is working on.” As a representative of graduate students, Schechter also works to deliver information and get feedback from other students through Graduate Student Senate meetings, newsletters and emails. email: Tanveen.vohra@ubspectrum.com twitter: @TanveenUBSpec.

OPINION FROM PAGE 1

FEW MEN the workplace dynamic. She is worried she will be considered a burden. People who say “not all men” to defend themselves or their friends discount situational characteristics. While no one wants to believe their friends would harass someone, it is important to remember that people change depending on who they are interacting with. Of course your bro would never slap your ass, he’s your bro. But when he’s with a Tinder date behind closed doors, or left alone with a female colleague, he might. It is also crucial to note that no one presents themselves as a predator. And sometimes predators are “nice guys.” They’re misunderstood. They’re just in-

secure. They’re really “teddy bears.” In reality, people who catcall, harass or assault women in any way are typically those who routinely make demeaning and disrespectful comments that are brushed off by their peers as jokes. Male aggression is seen as normal, and is routinely rationalized as a result of emotional turbulence. It is seen as something to sympathize with and forgive. Why? Why don’t we hold men accountable for their emotions in the same ways that women are? If a woman cries in the workplace she’s seen as unstable and incompetent. If a man walks around the office yelling, he’s just “going through s––t.” But when people handle these situations dismissively, it perpetuates the norm of the assault prototype. There is no out-

line for how assault happens and there are many ways that women face harassment. So please know, when a woman tweets “men are trash,” we understand that “not all men” are, but nearly all women experience harassment on a regular basis. And until we change this norm, men are just going to have to silently scroll past these tweets, understanding the daily tribulations women face.

1311), Buffalo PD (716-851-4444) or the New York State police 24/7 sexual assault hotline for college campuses (1844-845-7269). email: jacklyn.walters@ubspectrum.com twitter @JacklynUBSpec.

If you or someone you know fear or have experienced assault, there are a number of local resources. Students can make an anonymous report on UB’s website, through the Ofﬁce of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (716-645-2266), Crisis Services of Erie County (716-834-3131) and UPD (716645-2222). For off-campus emergencies call 911, Amherst PD (716-689-

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8 | Thursday, February 21, 2019

SPORTS

Make a statement Bulls show out against Ohio NATHANIEL MENDELSON SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

The Bulls could have scored six points in the first half and won. Instead, they scored 52. Buffalo comfortably defeated Ohio 11467 on Tuesday night. It was the highestscoring output they’ve had all season and the most points against a Division-I opponent ever. The 1.43 points per possession is a season high and highest in Nate Oats’ head coaching tenure. It was exactly the type of win Buffalo needed. “That’s what we’ve been looking for,” Oats said. “We talked about getting a solid 40 minutes on both sides of the ball and last time we think we had it was against Toledo here. We were looking to make a point. It’s time. We have two-and-a-half weeks to go in the regular season and want to make a run in March.” The Bulls will likely be making a run in March, but they currently sit in second place in the conference standings, losing the tie-breaker with Bowling Green. Buffalo will most likely not have to win the Mid-American Conference tournament to make it into the NCAA tournament this year. They increased their argument for a higher seed with Tuesday’s win.

The Bulls haven’t been as efficient as they would like to be in the month of February. The new-to-this-season NET rankings have made Oats emphasize efficiency and led to his team running up the score on occasion. Buffalo currently sits at 21 in the NET rankings, or a six-seed in the NCAA tournament. The Bulls were as efficient as they’ve been all season in the first half. UB forced Ohio into nine turnovers as they made quick work of the Bobcats. Sophomore guard Jayvon Graves was unconscious from three, breaking his career high for makes in only 14 minutes. Graves, who grew up in Ohio, gave a treat to his fans back home as he finished 6-6 from three for 19 points in the first. “My teammates found me at the right spots,” Graves said. “I was struggling the past few games and I was confident today. Once I made the third one, I knew it was going to be a good night.” But you can’t win by 47 with just one player making shots. The Bulls had four players finish in double figures for scoring and three more with nine points. Senior forward Montell McRae hit 4-6 for 11 points, freshman forward Jeenathan Williams had his best offensive performance of the season with 13 points and senior guard CJ Massinburg was his usual self with another 23-point performance. It was a rare night where Buffalo fin-

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ished shooting the ball better from three than they did overall. The Bulls hit a program-record 19 three-point shots as eight players recorded at least one made. Still, as Buffalo broke records, there was more emphasis on the impact it would have in the polls. That ultimately determines the Bulls’ postseason position. College basketball insider and AP voter Jon Rothstein has tweeted “Buffalo basketball. Seek and destroy” after each of the Bulls’ wins. Rothstein has left the Bulls off of his ballot the past three weeks. “Last week we were ranked No. 23 [in the Associated Press Top 25 poll]. We win a couple games and we fell to 25,” Massinburg said. “But people are noticing our wins and what’s supposed to be a dominating win, and we’re escaping by six or four points. The committee is looking at

Track athlete Leon Atkins’ unusual path to success NATHANIEL MENDELSON SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

SLOW START Atkins started running to beat his friends and cousins. He admits they were faster than him, but he wanted to be better than anyone else in the neighborhood. In seventh grade he had his first opportunity to join track where he began as a sprinter. Atkins worked his way through middle school and high school eventually becoming The Citizen’s 2015 boys outdoor track athlete of the year. Atkins held five school records when he graduated, three in indoor track and two in outdoor. Atkins would qualify to compete at the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Championships. “I’m running a really good time for college

COURTESY OF UB ATHLETICS Atkins stands with coach Todd Witzleben after a race. Witzleben tried to recruit Atkins for three years despite him not having the grades to compete at UB.

COURTESY OF PETER DRAUGALIS Leon Atkins competes at the Wolverine Invite, hosted by the University of Michigan. Atkins broke the school record for the 600m event with a 1:18.86 time.

right now,” Atkins told The Citizen in 2015. “But if I want to compete against the best, I need to bring my time down. I’m willing to put the time and effort into that.” Atkins ran into trouble afterward and found out that his academics would prevent him from going to a large university despite his athletic ability. “I just took a road less travelled from high school,” Atkins said. “I didn’t know I was going to get back into running when I went to community college. I actually got more into power lifting.” Atkins struggled to find his home, whether it was on or off the track. He moved away from his mom and stepdad to live with his dad in Medina. His father had his “downfalls” and it forced him to move back to Auburn with his aunt and uncle before finally returning home to his mom in Syracuse. Atkins knew as a child that athletics would push him to get out of his situation. He grew up impoverished in an area where many didn’t finish high school. He would go on runs by himself around the block and do crunches and sit ups until his mom got mad at him for listening to the same playlist of 50 Cent and Lil Wayne over and over again. Atkins was never pushed into being an athlete, but his parents wanted him to be better

email: nathaniel.mendelson@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @NateMendelson

THOMAS ATEHORTUA | THE SPECTRUM Freshman forward Jeenathan Williams drives into the paint. Williams finished with his best offensive performance of the season with 13 points on 6-10 shooting.

Running through the past Leon Atkins remembers getting accepted to UB as one of the greatest moments of his life. The junior track athlete is the first person in his family to get accepted to college, but he never set his sights on continuing his education or his running career. Atkins grew up in Auburn, New York with parents who never finished high school. His parents never pushed him toward college and his mom, Tanya Daniels, thought her son would get his associate’s degree and then find a job. Atkins said this was typical for most Auburn residents. But Atkins, who was working at Planet Fitness to pay his bills, wasn’t satisfied. He was a star high school runner who stunned UB associate track and field coach Todd Witzleben at his meets. Witzleben said Atkins ran one of the best 400 meters he has seen at the New York State Championships, as he led the pack by around four or five seconds. The only problem: it was a 600-meter race. Atkins was gassed during the last 200 meters and ended up losing the race, and his breakfast in the process. Witzleben was impressed, but Atkins didn’t have the grades to enroll in Buffalo. So he stopped running. Now, Atkins will compete at the MidAmerican Conference indoor championships this weekend. He rediscovered his passion for the sport and leads a competitive group of middle-distance runners as he looks to take home the gold.

that type of stuff. So we’re trying to take it possession by possession, and give a max effort. We can show the world we can get a very convincing win.” Oats agreed. “If we’re going to get back into those conversations, we’re going to have to have multiple wins like this. Not just one.” The Bulls are in the midst of a threegame homestand after playing five of the previous eight games on the road. Buffalo plays Kent State at 7 p.m. on Friday. UB won the previous matchup 88-79 on the road with Massinburg and senior forward Nick Perkins each scoring 20.

off than they were. His stepdad ingrained in him that nothing in life was unachievable. “My stepdad and grandfather played a big role in motivating me to push myself because I was never the smartest kid in the classroom,” Atkins said. “I was always a standout athlete.” “It’s like nothing else matters when you’re racing,” Atkins said. “The only thing on your mind is racing, and how you want to take on that race. When the gun is shot, I forget everything else about my background and how I grew up” TAKING THE LEAD “I didn’t want to be in the situation I was in,” Atkins said. Atkins, in community college, was finishing classes at 3 p.m. and starting work at Planet Fitness immediately after. He wasn’t running and just trying to earn money to pay the bills. Al Wilson, his high school coach called him at work one day. Atkins called him back thinking it was a university and was about to get his big break. But it was only the start. Wilson promised Atkins he would get him into a university, but he had to make a promise to be determined and motivated. Atkins thought he was still talking to a college coach. Wilson told Atkins that he would be running for a club team--- his first running action since high school. The team was made up of kids ranging from 8-14. Atkins was 19. Atkins went to a few practices before Sunday –– the traditional distance day for all runners. Wilson drove into the country, dropped

the track kids off and had them all run back to a house. Keegan Brady, an 11 year old, beat Atkins. Atkins developed a relationship with the entire Brady family. Karen Brady was a former runner for Penn State. Karen started the race a mile back from Atkins and beat him by a mile. Atkins considers the Brady family as part of his own. They supported him and always provided someone that he could go and talk to. Between them and Wilson, they turned Atkins’ life around. “Without them I definitely wouldn’t be running today,” Atkins said. “I don’t even know if I would have graduated from community college. They came into my life when I was at a real low and I didn’t know what to do at that point. I was just failing at life in general.” FINISHING STRONG Atkins received the support and grades he needed to get accepted into UB. Once Witzleben saw he would be able to succeed at the collegiate level, the athlete he recruited for three years would finally join the team. Atkins leads the middle-distance runners, a group that the Bulls have had success with in the past, including Brian Crimmins and Tyler Scheving who are training for the Olympic Trials, a goal for Atkins. Atkins will have tough competition this weekend like Owen Day from Eastern Michigan who has run a 1:51 in the 800m. Atkins will be competing against other UB runners as he tries to attain his goal of making the Bulls a powerhouse for track. “I don’t see jerseys,” Atkins said. “I don’t see what school they’re coming from. I just see somebody that’s out there and that’s lining up that wants to beat me. I want to beat them. I don’t care what school they’re coming from, I don’t care what school they go to, I don’t care how much scholarship they’re on or whether they’re from overseas or not. My main focus is on getting to that line before they do.” Atkins wants to leave a legacy before he graduates. He wants to have his name in the record books and leave an impact. Atkins said he feels that he is in a position where he can make a long-term change within the program. “I’m just going to give the university as much as I can because they gave me a lot in return,” Atkins said. “When I’m through here, I know that I will still have those records and be a part of it in some way.” email: nathaniel.mendelson@ubspectrum.com twitter: @NateMendelson.