“Who is Dayani Cristal?” screening begins Humanities Festival Polish Student Association looks to grow THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950
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UB art exhibit examines re-appropriation of waste
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Volume 64 No. 16
The people of McCarley Gardens are now excited after learning UB is no longer planning on buying the low-income housing complex. The neighborhood was worried about the prospect of being relocated if UB bought the area. The neighborhood is located immediately south of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. Residents who have lived at McCarley Gardens for years have developed a strong community, like Patricia Morrison, pictured below, who has lived there for eight years. JORDAN OSCAR, THE SPECTRUM
‘At ease’ for now McMarley Gardens residents weigh in, UB to no longer buy the low-income housing complex Amanda Low SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
Patricia Morrison has been living in McCarley Gardens for the past eight years. She moved to the neighborhood when her autistic son was 5 years old. Her son, now 13, has memorized the route from where the bus drops him off after school at City Honors School to his front door steps. Because of his autism, Morrison said he has to learn these
routes through repetition. Morrison said McCarley Gardens is all her son and most of the younger residents of the complex know. Before last Thursday, many of the residents thought they were on the cusp of losing their community. On Thursday, however, UB officials said the university is no longer planning on purchasing the low-income housing complex. McCarley Gardens residents said they are excited their community
will remain intact and within an area of potential economic growth. “Our fight all along wasn’t to stop UB from buying the property, even though we didn’t want anyone to buy it,” said Lorraine Chambley, the McCarley Gardens tenant association president. “What we wanted was to keep our community. This has been our fight from the beginning.” The property is located right next to the construction of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus. The UB Foundation, which assists the university in property purchases, planned to buy the neighborhood from St. John Baptist Church, the owner of McCarley Gardens, for $15 million. The church built the complex in 1978.
YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM
SEE MCCARLEY. PAGE 5
Running with a purpose Taylor uses motivation from his departed friend and current mentor to lead Bulls Andy Koniuch
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nthone Taylor pointed toward the sky after his game-winning touchdown Saturday. The gesture is more than just a celebration for the junior running back; it’s a commemoration to his lost friend and former teammate – Jason Bitsko. “Whenever I score I always point up, because I want [Jason] to know that I’m not forgetting him,” Taylor said. “I feel like sometimes he gives me that extra push to get into the end zone, or he sets an invisible block nobody sees. I know he’s always with me when I step onto the field.” Bitsko, who was Kent State’s center, passed away in his sleep Aug. 20 due to an undetermined medical issue, according to police reports. Taylor was unable to attend Bitsko’s funeral because of financial issues and football conflicts. The two grew up in Huber Heights, Ohio together and were teammates at Wayne High School. Taylor thought of another way to give back. He wanted to wear No. 54 throughout the season, but was told he wouldn’t be an eligible receiver. So, he decided to wear Bitsko’s number at practice and during postgame press conferences. “I wrote a message on my cleats, ‘R.I.P. No. 54,’ so whenever I go out [on the field], not only do I keep him in my spirit, but also on my feet when I run,” Taylor said. Taylor is Buffalo’s junior running back who emerged Saturday in the Bulls’ 35-27 victory over Miami Ohio. He ran for a career-high 222 yards and
SPORTS EDITOR
three touchdowns. He had a lot on mind entering Saturday’s contest. Taylor was thinking about Bitsko, his mentor Branden Oliver who reached out to him just before the game and getting revenge against the school that revoked his scholarship offer. He’s dedicated the 2014 season to keeping his friend’s memory alive. “He was bigger than himself,” Taylor said. “I don’t know if he realized it, but he touched a lot of peoples’ lives. I admire that and try to model my life after him.” Taylor also draws inspiration from his parents – particularly his mother. Throughout his years at Wayne High School, Taylor’s mother “always made sure [her son] was all right before she took care of herself,” Taylor said. His mother’s work ethic has been a driving force behind Taylor’s upbeat perspective on life. His determination on and off the field stems from the lessons he’s learned from his mother. “I’m ready to come out here every day to work,” Taylor said. “Even if I don’t feel 100 percent, I still give 100 percent. I just want to make sure to make it to the next level and take care of her someday. Even if I don’t make it to the next level, I want to be in the best position to take the burden off of her.” Oliver, Taylor’s former teammate and UB’s all-time rushing leader, has made it to the “next level.” He plays for the San Diego Chargers. Like Bitsko, “Bo” still has an impact on Taylor’s life. “Bo’s like one of my best friends; I can talk to him about anything,” Taylor said. “If I’m having trouble with anything he always gives me clarity of
Junior running back Anthone Taylor emerged for 222 yards last weekend against Miami Ohio. Taylor wears No. 54 in honor of his former high school teammate who ANDY KONIUCH, THE SPECTRUM passed away at Kent State in August.
mind, even when he’s not around me.” Before Saturday’s game against Miami Ohio, Oliver texted Taylor telling the UB running back that he would have a big game. During the contest, Oliver tweeted Taylor that he would run for at least 200 yards. Taylor’s 222-yard performance was the fifth best in Buffalo’s DivisionI era. It was also only 27 yards shy of Oliver’s record of 249 yards. He recorded more rushing yards than any Division-I player in the country last week. “Bo texted me he was watching, so I knew I had to put on a show for him,” Taylor said. “It was a huge relief to live up to his expectations.” Oliver often calls Taylor to discuss what the emerging running back still needs to improve on. Throughout their three years together, Taylor has learned to “read blitzes more effectively and identify threats quicker” under his mentor and former teammate. The two speak at least once a week, according to Taylor.
“It’s huge that I still have my mentor,” Taylor said. “I grew up in college watching and learning a lot from him, looking up to him. He still teaches me things.” Taylor grew up fewer than 60 miles from Miami Ohio’s campus. The RedHawks scouted Taylor at Wayne High School, while he was teammates with Bitsko. Before Taylor could accept Miami Ohio’s offer, the school went through a coaching change. The new staff decided not to offer Taylor a scholarship. “I told myself if I ever got the opportunity to play against [the RedHawks] that I’ll make them regret the decision,” Taylor said. And Taylor delivered on his promise. He exceeded his previous careerhigh of 154 yards – which occurred in last season’s game against Miami Ohio – on Saturday. Taylor has 376 rushing yards and averages 7 yards per carry in two games against the school that gave up on him. SEE TAYLOR. PAGE 2
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Wednesday, Pctober 1, 2014
Lost identity in the Sonora Desert
Continued from Taylor, page 1
“Who is Dayani Cristal?” film starts the Buffalo Humanities Festival SHAROL SHAMSOR STAFF WRITER
On Thursday, the Buffalo Humanities Festival began the “Migration Nation: Moving Stories” with “Who is Dayani Cristal?,” a documentary looking at the journey immigrants make along the United States-Mexico border. DEREK DROCY, THE SPECTRUM
blue-collared immigrants sparked a discussion centered on xenophobia, a dislike or fear of people from other countries. The documentary had shots of a “mass grave” – lockers in a morgue containing ashes – present in the United States. The ashes are of the unidentified illegal immigrants who attempted to cross the United States-Mexico border but died because of the journey across the desert, Conte said. “I don’t want to be associated with a mass grave,” Conte said. “I don’t want the United States to have the mass grave of people on our hands or under our feet.” Conte said if America’s investment toward U.S.-Mexico border wall keeps growing, attempts to cross the wall could lead to more deaths. The screening ended and many of the participants left with plenty to think about – an impact that Shilina-Conte intended. After the discussion ended, Conte said it was a “very spirited discussion of the crisis of immigration” and “we are trying to understand for ourselves what roles we play in that drama as
Americans.” “I think that most of us would prefer to not think about [immigration],” Conte said. “But the crisis and the conditions, that are described by ‘Who is Dayani Cristal?’ are the crisis and the conditions that all of our parents, grandparents and great grandparents, faced at some point in the past. I guess you could say that a film like this, raises the consciousness of us, as Americans, as to the cost of migration and immigration.” Paolo Antypas, a junior communication major, thought the film screening was an important part of the Buffalo Humanities Festival as well as to the world because of refugee problems in Syria and Iraq. “The discussion at the end, not only helped us give our points out but also listen to the other’s points,” Antypas said. “And the most important thing is to get an opinion and conceptualize what you believe is the right way to go about solving something like this.”
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liest stretch of land on the planet,” Shilina-Conte said. The extreme temperatures, however, do not deter people trying to cross the border. “[The] economic needs and desires continue to beckon people to take the ultimate risk,” she said. Joseph Conte, an English professor at UB and Shilina-Conte’s husband, held a one-hour discussion after the film screening ended. Conte began the discussion by reminding viewers of one of the film’s most powerful quotes from a friend of the nameless migrant. The quote questioned the United States’ billion-dollar investment in the United States-Mexico border, claiming it was an inanimate and dead investment and the money could instead be used to help human beings. To hone the issue of immigration back to Buffalo, Conte also spoke of the apples at Wegmans. He said he wondered who would stop to think of the migrant workers who gather the fruits. He asked who would even realize the blue-collar labor face is “brown” in the United States. The audience’s commentary on
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Arizona Border Police found a decomposing, unidentifiable male body deep in the Sonora Desert. Underneath the deceased man’s shirt, officers found the words “Dayani Cristal” tattooed on his chest. On Thursday, the story of immigrants’ journeys crossing the American border made its way from the West Coast to UB’s Center for the Arts. UB screened the documentary “Who is Dayani Cristal?” as part of the preliminary events for the first Buffalo Humanities Festival. The documentary, which won an award for cinematography at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013, followed Humanities Festival theme of “Migration Nations: Moving Stories.” The screening also hosted a discussion to talk about the significance of the documentary. The film, directed by Marc Silver, follows a nameless migrant who tried travel to American from Honduras. In the end, the man perished in the sun-blistered Sonora Desert in the Southwestern United States. The tattoo was the only clue to his identity. Tanya Shilina-Conte, a UB professor with Ph.D. in English, introduced the film and said the United States-Mexico border is the most frequently crossed border in the world. She said attempting to cross is “not worth” risking anyone’s life. The Sonora Desert is located in the western part the United States-Mexico border, connecting Mexico with Southeastern California and Southern Arizona. Within the past decade, the Sonora Desert has been the most traveled route along the United States-Mexico border. “The Sonora desert’s extreme climate, temperatures reach as high as 180 Fahrenheit and then [drop] suddenly to 50 Fahrenheit,” make it “one of the dead-
“[Taylor’s] had a great example over the last four years with [Branden Oliver] and he knows he has to fulfill that role,” said head coach Jeff Quinn. “There’s high expectations here and he’s certainly being more mature and more responsible relative to the outcome of games.” Taylor is one piece of what’s been called the “three-headed beast” at Buffalo. Sophomore running back Jordan Johnson and junior running back Devin Campbell are the other two “monsters” that form the “beast.” Together, the three have accumulated 962 rushing yards, with Taylor contributing 611 yards and six touchdowns. Taylor sees himself as a “combo, one-cut back.” He said Johnson is more “powerful” and Campbell “has his speed.” “You can use either of us at any time, we have a three-headed beast because at any time you get a monster depending on what you want: A monster with speed, a monster with power and a monster with a cut,” Taylor said. Even on game days when he has to wear No. 1, Taylor has No. 54 on his cleats. He is never running on the field alone.
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Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF
Sara DiNatale
MANAGING EDITOR
Owen O’Brien OPINION EDITOR
Tress Klassen COPY EDITORS
Rachel Kramer Alyssa McClure NEWS EDITORS
Amanda Low, Senior Samaya Abdus-Salaam, Asst. Giselle Lam, Asst. FEATURES EDITORS
Emma Janicki, Senior Sharon Kahn Sushmita Gelda, Asst. ARTS EDITORS
Jordan Oscar, Senior Brian Windschitl Tori Roseman, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS
Tom Dinki, Senior Andy Koniuch Jordan Grossman, Asst. PHOTO EDITORS
Chad Cooper, Senior Juan David Pinzon Yusong Shi CARTOONIST
Amber Sliter CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Jenna Bower Gelareh Malekpour, Asst.
Professional Staff OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
OPINION
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Animals deserve protection, but Andre Robinson doesn't deserve jail time Despite admirable intentions, prosecution of animal abuse is unnecessarily aggressive Andre Robinson may go to prison after he kicked a stray cat with enough force to send it flying about 20 feet. He then posted the video online. Though 22-year-old Robinson and similar animal abusers certainly deserve to be penalized for their behavior, their punishment should be proportionate to their crime. But recently, new law enforcement policies and courtroom decisions suggest the increasing influence of animal activists is generating aggressive reactions to animal abuse. This week, the FBI announced it is now tracking animal abuse and reclassified the crime as a “crime against society,” which puts it at the same level as murder, drug trafficking, arson and assault. In a similar move, New York City’s police department created an Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad in January, resulting in a 250 percent increase in arrests for animal abuse. Nationwide, cases of animal abuse are resulting in significant jail time, as the protection of animals becomes an increasingly mainstream issue. The growing concern for animals is admirable, considering
their inherent vulnerability. Animal cruelty is deplorable, and often indicative of greater pathological problems. The FBI is wise to track animal abuse with greater vigilance, because they can use that information to better understand crimes like domestic violence and be alerted to potential future offenders. But with limited resources and an ongoing battle against all sorts of crime – particularly those involving other humans – the use of officers’ time and energy in combatting animal abuse is certainly questionable. And more problematically, though animal abuse certainly merits punishment, but the rising number of jail sentences handed out for animal abuse is excessive and unnecessary. Imprisonment is not only an extreme punishment that exceeds the severity of the crime in question, but sending a person to jail has the potential for long-term consequences – consequences that, in these cases, outweigh the merits of strict penalization. If a person has committed a crime that indicates he or she is already a danger to society – to fel-
ART BY AMBER SLITER
low humans – then jail is a necessary measure. The risks inherent in that decision, like the potential development of gang affiliations and the detrimental effects of being removed from school or employment, are outweighed by the need for discipline and (ideally) rehabilitation. Punishment for animal abuse is necessary, of course. It’s a crime for a reason. Those who commit it should be stuck with a criminal record, face monetary consequences
and eliminate the possibility of leniency if future crimes are committed. That’s the sort of penalization Robinson should face – harsh but not extreme, offering longterm consequences without sending abusers to prison. After all, if Robinson had kicked a human rather than a cat, would he be facing jail time? email: editorial@ubspectrum.com
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THE SPECTRUM Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Volume 64 Number 16 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. The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum, visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at (716) 645-2452. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100
Cultural icon or corporate image – Labatt logo on grain silos a questionable choice Buffalo loves its beer, but not everyone is thrilled by its new position in the city skyline With breweries, bars, wine trails and tailgates, Buffalo is a city with plenty of options for alcoholic indulgence (and considering the recent performances by the Bills and the Sabres, there’s no shortage of reasons to knock back a few beers). Now, with decommissioned grain silos redecorated to look like a giant six pack of Labatt Blue, Buffalo’s relationship with beer has ascended to a whole new level. The bright blue color is certainly an improvement over the previous shades of dirty, industrial grey and the new look will undoubtedly attract the public’s attention, generating greater awareness for the renovations going on in the area. The silos’ redesigned exterior brings new character to an unattractive building and transforms what was once industrial into a
Letter to the Editor Dear Editor, We are writing in response to The Spectrum’s editorial “In Prison for Parenting: Inaccessibility of legal abortion options leads to unnecessary risks and repercussions” published on Sept. 29. This letter will address the reality of the events leading up to the case. It will not address legalities, nor will it perpetuate the deceiving rhetoric employed by publications like The Spectrum and The New York Times. We must first address euphemisms: to “end an unwanted pregnancy” and to “induce a miscarriage” both mean “abortion.” The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “abortion” as “a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy and cause the death of the fetus.” In this instance, we are talking about the death of a human embryo or fetus, a member of the human species. In other words, we are talking about killing a living human being. Now that we’ve established the truth of what’s happening, we can critique the euphemisms. Euphemisms may help us feel better about what we say, but they do so by obscuring the truth. Do you support abortion rights? Then don’t hide behind these euphemisms. If you think abortion is permissible, then you shouldn’t be afraid of calling it what it is.
humorous and iconic tribute to Buffalo’s love of beer. But even though this is a clever use of the silos design, and a relevant image for the city, this iconic image is still undeniably commercial. Turning a 100-foot tall landmark into what is essentially a three-dimensional billboard reeks of commodification and invasive corporate involvement. Advertising is aggressive enough already, and incorporating a brand name into the Buffalo skyline is even more blatant than pop-up ads and halftime sponsorships. Turning the silos into ad space may not be ideal, but capitalizing on the gigantic blank canvas is a wise move, and considering the silos’ setting, the Labatt logo is especially relevant. The silos are part of the ongoing Riverworks project, which
will renovate the Ganson Street Site along the Buffalo River and feature two ice rinks, concert venues, restaurants, bars and a hotel. The area has already hosted the Labatt Pond Hockey tournament, an event organized by Buffalo entrepreneur Earl Ketry. Ketry’s business relationship with Labatt, whose national headquarters are in Buffalo, certainly explains why their logo is now looming over the Buffalo River – as owner of the Pearl Street Grill and the Pan Am Brewery, Ketry is Labatt’s largest restaurant client in the country, according to Buffalo Rising magazine. Riverworks is turning the silos into an in-house brewery, so the choice of decoration is certainly relevant. And Labatt, though not a local brewery, is at least located in Buffalo. Considering that Buffalo’s affection for beer
and sports is well known, it’s not completely out of line to say that this new décor reflects an important part of the city’s culture. But there’s a lot more to Buffalo than its beer. Fortunately, there are a lot more silos left along the Buffalo River – they’re just as public, just as eye-catching and they don’t all have to be six-packs. Though this set of silos now functions as advertisements, other abandoned buildings could serve as a blank canvas for more artistic functions, featuring imagery that is truly personal to Buffalo (because let’s be honest, Buffalo isn’t the only city that consumes copious amounts of alcohol) and that is created by the people of Buffalo, not its corporations.
In short, own your position. Onto another crucial question: how did the human killed by Jennifer Whalen’s abortion pill begin? Every science textbook tells us mammal life begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg. At this moment, a new and unique member of a species comes into existence, exhibiting all traits of life. Jennifer Whalen’s daughter provided the egg, but who provided the sperm? Because he is unmentioned, he is implicitly unimportant in deciding the future of his offspring. Was he not equally important or responsible in the creation process of his now deceased child? Why is his existence ignored? Did he not deserve the right to have a say in his child’s fate? Fathers of children killed in the womb are too often not even told of their children’s existence. This may have been the case here; even if it wasn’t, why is he not part of the story printed? Sexism. Let’s also address this statement: “thanks to her mother’s efforts, she is free to pursue whatever future she desires.” This implies that Jennifer Whalen’s daughter would not have been free to pursue “whatever future she desires” had her child not been killed. Pregnancy, the natural and necessary condition that furthers our species, is here deemed an obstacle to true happiness and achievement. What does this say to
women? What does this say about their bodies, their role as mothers, and their own embryonic origins? This statement assumes pregnancy is a handicap. Again, sexism. No matter what futures Jennifer Whalen or her daughter pursue, their actions have stripped their granddaughter and daughter of all choices and all futures. They are now the grandmother and mother of a dead child. Finally, we must call the very structure of the New York Times’ and The Spectrum’s arguments into question. Anyone who has taken a course in critical thinking knows that arguments that appeal to emotion without correct rationale are fallacies. This fallacy is committed by both publications because they harshly capitalize on fear. The Spectrum dangles Whalen’s desperate actions in front of readers, saying that unless we have nearby access to instant, cheap abortions, this kind of pain is bound to continue and even increase. It faults protective laws like the twenty-four hour waiting period for Whalen’s actions, rather than faulting Whalen herself. The Wahlen family’s situation is not a sound argument for the proliferation of abortion facilities or the abolition of the mandatory 24-hour waiting period. Dangling their misfortune with the intent to
frighten readers into the arms of pro-abortion ideologies is utilitarian, unethical and despicable. The Spectrum’s fear mongering may remind some readers of N.A.R.A.L.’s Roe v. Wade testimony, which stated that unless abortion was federalized, 10,000 backalley abortions would continue to occur per year. Bernard Nathanson, former abortionist and N.A.R.A.L. founder, later confessed that he had fabricated these numbers in an effort to frighten the Supreme Court. We encourage readers to independently research questions raised by this editorial. Information on the origins and development of human life may be found at www.ehd.org; information on the nature of abortion may be found atwww.abortionfacts.com. Thank you, UB Students for Life Board Anne Mulrooney, President Christine Schaefer, Vice President Matt Ramsey, Treasurer Jessica Mershimer, Secretary Cristina Lauria, Marketing Director P.S. To the reader, a note on the term pro-abortion: Earlier we asked you to own your position. Prochoice is a euphemism. As pro-lifers, we are happy to own our position: We are anti-abortion and seek to abolish it. Own yours.
email: editorial@ubspectrum.com
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 ubspectrum.com
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LIFE, ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Reviving roots
Polish Student Association looks forward to rebuilding after period of public disinterest
DEVASHISH AGARWAL STAFF WRITER There were only 10 people at the first general body meeting of the Polish Student Association (PolSA) this year. The eboard members are worried, but hope to engage more students as the semester continues. “The times have changed now,” said Mike Rusin, a member of the PolSA e-board and a senior health and human services major. “People don’t take pride in their heritage anymore. My own cousin doesn’t care about Polish tradition, even though our family is Polish.” Polish influence in Western New York, specifically the Greater Buffalo area, can be traced back to 1860, according to the Polish Genealogical Society of New York State. Between 1873 and 1922, Polish Americans established 34 church parishes in the Greater Buffalo and Western New York area. By 1940, there were 76,465 Western New Yorkers of Polish decent. The PolSA has been functioning since 1907 making it one of the oldest clubs on campus. “We have to make [PolSA] as strong as the Polish community in Buffalo,” said Richard Schavowski, a junior business major and the vice president of PolSA. The club is eager to grow membership and build Polish pride in a community filled with Polish heritage. They hope to reach out to and find students and encourage them to get involved with their roots, said Tom Travers, a senior sociology major and treasurer of PSA. The club hopes to engage students on campus by celebrating commonly Polish traditions
Last year’s president of the Polish Student Association (PSA), Krzysztof Kosz, led a group at Buffalo’s Dyngus Day celebration to represent the PSA. Buffalo’s ties to Poland date back to 1860 and a large number of Polish descendants still live in Buffalo. JOE KONZE, THE SPECTRUM
such as Swieconka, the Polish Easter Sunday dinner, and Wigilia, the Christmas Eve dinner. At these events students have the opportunity to converse with a priest, according to Travers. The PolSA plans to hold two off-campus events to celebrate Swieconka and Wigilia, according to Benjamin Zelinski, a junior psychology major and secretary of PolSA. Off-Campus events allow the club to serve authentic Polish food instead of being restricted to the UB authorized caterers. Rusin thinks much of the community’s disinterest in Polish heritage is because Polish
neighborhoods in Buffalo only publicly celebrate Swieconka and Dyngus Day. Dyngus Day represents the end of Lent and Buffalo has the largest Dyngus Day celebration in the world – even larger than celebration in Poland, according to Dyngus Day’s website. PolSA plans to hold events for other holidays to bring the Polish community together more often. They are currently seeking permission form the university to hold a wine and vodka tasting event in the spring – the club said it last hosted one in 2004. “Campus ministry got the permission to hold wine tasting
on South Campus, so we’re very optimistic,” Rusin said. Their events differ from other organization because Pani Danuta, the faculty adviser of PolSA, brings her Polish friends. Katie Ehlers, a senior speech pathology major and president of PolSA, the club has the support of people from the city. “We can be inactive but can never die,” she said. Ehlers hopes the club’s inclusiveness and diversity will attract more students to the club. She said the activities are open to people of all ethnicities and backgrounds. She said only two of the five e-board members are Polish.
Though club members are a little disappointed with the response of the student community on campus, they are exploring new ways to reach out to students – like flyers, pamphlets and social media. “We’re a jovial community and put having fun over everything else,” Schavowski said. “There’s nothing to be intimidated of.” PolSA will hold its Wigilia celebration Dec. 13 and is confident that the event will reach more students and increase its on-campus presence. email: features@ubspectrum.com
COUNSELING GROUPS Connections Group Wednesdays 3:00-4:30pm A safe environment where you can connect with other students while increasing your self-awareness.
Graduate/Non-Traditional Student Group Thursdays 1:00-2:30pm This group provides a space where you can connect with other graduate or non-traditional students and increase self-awareness.
Coping Skills Group Wednesdays 3:00-4:30pm This structured group will teach skills to live in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conflict.
International Student Support Group Thursdays 3:00-4:30pm This group will provide a safe, supportive, and comfortable place to discuss adjustment and cross cultural experiences in the U.S. The group will also provide a safe and confidential environment for group members to support each other and share information.
Motivated for Change Group Mondays 3:00-4:30pm A semi-structured group for students who want to change a particular habit or behavior and have found it difficult to identify or take the necessary steps to do so. This group will explore factors interfering with students’ abilty to change, assessing their desire, need, confidence, and reasons to change, and identify the steps needed to make and maintain that change. International Tea Time Wednesdays 3:00-4:30pm Intercultural and Diversity Center, 240 Union This is a weekly meeting which brings together American and international students for conversation and fun. Students play games, talk,and enjoy getting to know each other.International tea and snacks are provided. Contact: elenayak@buffalo.edu
Counseling Services
Fall 2014
wellness.buffalo.edu/center Yoga to Manage Moods Thursdays 1:30-2:30pm
Michael Hall Yogo Studio
A yogo-based group that provides a holistic approach to mood and symptom management. Using a combination of gentle physical poses, breathing and relaxation techniques, this group allows ffor participants to feel more connected to and comfortable in their bodies. No previous yogo practice is required.
Finding Life Beyond Trauma Thursdays 3:00-4:30pm This is not a group that will ask its members to disclose the details of traumatic events from their lives. Rather, the group is intended to provide a safe place for members of all genders to learn skills to manage the effects of trauma(s), whether the trauma(s) happened last week or many years ago. The group aims to break the cycle of one’s past haunting the present.Our intention is to accomplish this by utilizing skills that allow group members to live a life dictated by the individual group members’ values rather than dictated by symptoms created by events from the past.This group can be helpful to individuals who have experienced any type of trauma(s),inlcuding (but not limited to)childhood abuse, an accident, domestic / relationship violence,an assault, etc.
Body Image Concerns Group Mondays 1:00-2:30pm A group for female students who want to explore their relationship with their body, food and emotions. It is beneficial for students who are in various stages of preoccupation with food and body size.This group will teach skills to live in the present, deal with stress, manage difficult emotions, and handle interpersonal conlfict.
Unless noted otherwise most groups require an initial assessment. If you would like to schedule an initial assessment, please call Counseling Services at 716.645.2720 or visit wellness.buffalo.edu/center
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Wednesday, Pctober 1, 2014
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From the Cradle to the Grave and back
Continued from McCarley, page 1 UB never revealed what its intentions were for the plot of land, but the sale garnered a lot of controversy. John Della Contrada, UB spokesperson, said UB decided not to purchase the property “after careful consideration of UB’s long-term plan for a Downtown Campus and the plan’s stated goal that UB’s expansion should be in concert with the needs of the community.” He said UB’s goal is for the surrounding community to benefit from the expansion. UB will continue to engage with bordering neighborhoods, like McCarley Gardens and the Fruit Belt neighborhood, he added. UB not buying McCarley Gardens is a “good outcome for everybody involved at this point” due to the complications and disputes involved with the sale, said Robert Silverman, an associate professor in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning. Plans for the 15-acre site were never fully developed, according to Kelly Patterson, an assistant professor in the UB School of Social Work who used to teach in UB’s School of Architecture and Planning. She said the large amount of pushback from the community made it “unpalatable” for the school to continue pursing the sale. “My colleagues and I did not want to see individuals and families ripped from their neighborhood where they have built friendships and support networks,” she said in an email. Silverman said St. John Baptist Church had to receive approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to move people from the property into replacement housing. He does not think the church was able to develop a plan that satisfied the relocation of McCarley Gardens. McCarley Gardens residents were against having the property sold to the university because the neighborhood was in such a “resource-rich area,” according to Silverman. The complex is located next to accessible public transportation as well as health care and social services. Like Morrison’s son, many of the children in McCarley Gardens are able to attend nearby schools with high success rates like City Honors and Futures Academy, Silverman said. When the people of McCarley Gardens heard about potentially having to move out, Morrison said there was a lot of “animosity” between residents and the church. She said younger residents, especially, felt the sale was throwing aside 150 units within the complex. Many of the younger residents responded strongly, displeased with the prospect of being forced out of their homes. Morrison said she and other older members of the community would do “damage control” to try to make those up-
Art exhibit asks people to consider waste and technological re-appropriation
EMILY LI, THE SPECTRUM
The Cradle to Grave II: Re-Appropriation, Obsolescence, and the Arts exhibit opened to the public on Sept. 25. The exhibit looks at the ways outdated technology can be reused long after it has been surpassed by more efficient technologies.
able for pick-up after a surplus or scrap form had been filled out, but this exhibit saved these items from that fate. “We’re constantly trying to improve the technology at the CFA so we always have this excess and I’ve been collecting it,” said Natalie Fleming, the Visual Studies Resource Curator at UB. “We very easily assume items are obsolete and no longer have a purpose … we’re living in a world where we’re rapidly running out of resources. We can’t be so reckless.” This is the second year in a row Fleming has taken charge of a Cradle to the Grave exhibition at UB. There were about 20 participants last year and more than 30 this year, including professor Reinhard Reitzenstein, photography instructor Daniel Calleri, MFA students like Yoo, undergrad students and a few local artists. The exhibit was conceptualized with the intent to draw attention to what people do with their technological leftovers. “We’re looking for ways to minimize the amount of waste we’re creating,” Fleming said. “Really, this exhibit should be called from Grave Back to Cradle. We’re repurposing objects.” The exhibition officially opened Sept. 25 at 5 p.m. in the Lower Gallery at the Center for the Arts. A variety of healthy snacks and wine were offered to the attendees and the crowded room was full of lively conversation. There were many pieces of artwork on display that creatively repurposed their supposedly dated technologies. One such piece was Technology (Or the Space Between Us), by Rosemary Williams, who graduated in the spring with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts. Her piece is made up
MATTHEW POREMBA CONTRIBUTING WRITER A room full of digital projects, televisions, printers and a plastic Christmas tree might look like useless trash to someone walking by. But in a month, participants in the Cradle to Grave II: Re-Appropriation, Obsolescence and the Arts exhibits turned seemingly useless and outdated technologies into works of art. Participants had from Aug. 25 to 29 to pick up one or two objects from the Lower Gallery in the Center for the Arts. Following, the 30 artists who picked up objects had a month to turn them into a multi-dimensional piece of artwork. The exhibit looked at the various ways technologies can be used after they’re replaced by new, more efficient options. It officially opened Sept. 25 and will remain open to the public until Oct. 18. Untitled by Sangjun Yoo, a piece of art on display at Cradle to Grave II: Re-Appropriation, Obsolescence, and the Arts, used an overhead projector, filmstrips and Mylar, a type of plastic, to create a mesmerizing light installation. “Conceptually, I wanted to use the film to trigger memories in each viewer,” said Yoo, a second year Masters of Fine Arts student. “I want people to translate film slides into their own lives. I got the film and the overhead from the department. They were just leftovers.” Yoyo was able to capture the essence of the exhibition by using an overhead projector to create colorful lighting patterns, although it was not the object’s original intended purpose. The university would have removed most of the items avail-
of four long rectangles and the attendees at the exhibition were encouraged to push on one side of the rectangle while someone else pushed on the other side. “I chose to create a piece the viewer can interact with because of the nature of technology itself,” Williams said in email. “I wanted whoever was experiencing the piece to have fun, but also understand that technology not only brings us together … it also creates a strange barrier between the people using the technology.” The rectangles in her piece are made out of dozens of used foam protectors that were sewn together. “Art has a way of appreciating neglected objects, technologies and materials by nature of process,” Williams said. “The more time an artist spends with something, the more we think of cool ways to change it, make it better, make it funny, make it beautiful and have meaning.” Most of the artwork on display proved that just because something may be considered dated, we might not want to dispose of it without entertaining other possible uses for the object. “We very easily assume items are obsolete, used and no longer have a purpose,” Fleming said. “What is great about art and 21st Century artistic practice is we have a new way of looking at objects that have been discarded. We are reconsidering what we label now as garbage.” The Cradle to the Grave II: ReAppropriation, Obsolescence and the Arts exhibit will be open to the public until Oct. 18. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
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set by the prospect understand the sale was meant to “better the city.” “When you separate these people, you separate their family,” she said. Many of the children who live in McCarley Gardens are brought up in an environment that allows them to flourish, unlike other neighborhoods in Buffalo, said Crystal Kay, who has lived in McCarley Gardens for 14 years. “We’re a community here,” she said. “It’s low-income housing but it’s family based.” Marion Brant, a resident of McCarley Gardens for 15 years, said the neighborhood is “at ease” for the time being and is looking to put greater care into the community to build more “pride into the children.” Patterson said she thinks there will be other attempts to purchase McCarley Gardens because of its prime location. “For now, it is a victory for them,” Patterson said. “But in the future, they will have to be vigilant and ready to fight for their neighborhood.” She said McCarley Gardens representatives will have to demand to be involved with any other future negotiations surrounding the neighborhood, especially if there is a possibility of it being sold again. Chambley, currently the sole member of the McCarley Gardens tenant association, wants to reestablish the group, as all of its members have either moved or passed away. She said the reformation of the group would allow the neighborhood to have a stronger voice in situations such as potential sales. Silverman said he believes there won’t be any efforts to sell the property soon because of the original difficulties of UB’s deal. He said UB is potentially looking to expand into Pilgrim Village, a 90unit subsidized housing complex located north of the medical campus’ construction. Chambley said she is happy the complex is not being sold. She acknowledges, however, there is a chance for another party to buy the property. But she said UB would’ve been the “lesser of the two evils.” Morrison said she understands why the university wanted to buy the piece of real estate. “I’m not angry because I understand that things have to go on, things have to grow,” Morrison said. “And sometimes things you don’t want to get rid of, you might have to get rid of to move on, to further everybody.” But for now, her son won’t have to memorize a new route home from the bus stop. Jordan Grossman contributed reporting to this story.
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Wednesday, Pctober 1, 2014
The Laws of the LSAT
SHARON KAHN FEATURES EDITOR
On Saturday, I took the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). Needless to say, my entire life has changed since I’ve taken it. I couldn’t remember what it was like to do absolutely nothing for an entire day until this past Sunday. I couldn’t remember what it was like to not be taking a practice exam, thinking about how I did on my last practice exam and thinking about how any minute I wasn’t studying was a minute wasted. But was it all worth it? There was the stress, the lack of sleep and the complete removal from everything around me that wasn’t related to the exam. I’m not really sure, I guess in a month we’ll see how it went when I receive my score. But after reading dozens of LSAT blogs, I think I may have done it all wrong. Apparently there is a way to go about the exam without dedicating your life to it – an idea that LSAT preparation courses don’t want to tell you. “This is the most important exam you will ever take.” That’s what I heard the first day of my course. “Your entire future will be based around this exam: If you go to law school, where you go to law school, if you’ll be in debt when you graduate and if you’ll land a job after graduation.” They even tried to tell me that this exam was more impor-
tant than the Bar (reason being that the LSAT is score-based and the bar was just a pass or fail exam – as if it’s really as simple as that). After classes – which I took through Kaplan – instill in your head that this is the most important exam and your life depends on it, they try and underestimate the difficulty of the exam. The book constantly drills you on how all of the answers are always right in front of you and how it’s all a matter of “following the rules.” My instructor constantly used words like “simple” and “easy” and by the end of the course I was sure I was going to score a 180, the highest possible score on the exam. But then our final practice exam of the course came along and my score was lower than my diagnostic exam – which I took blindly without ever having been exposed to a question. Most of the class faced the same issue and my instructor reassured us that this was common. We were on the right track to getting a higher score – the Kaplan guarantee. Throughout the duration of the course, the idea about this being the most important test of our lives while simultaneously telling us how easy the exam was clearly boosted everyone’s confidence – in a negative way. I was so sure I was going to do well on the final exam because I was told how prepared I was and how “easy” the exam was. As the weeks flew by and the LSAT seemed closer than ever, I continued studying and practicing the techniques I had learned. My score fluctuated throughout the remaining weeks so I was never truly able to predict how I was going to do. The test is over and now I will patiently wait a month until I receive my score. The best tips I learned – some a little too late – were from LSAT blogs and previ-
ous LSAT takers. While courses can help you with strategies and make you feel more confident, I would highly encourage anyone taking the test to read up about it online as early as you can. Regardless of what my score may be, I know that I would go about my studying completely differently if given the chance to do it all over again. After hearing countless stories about students who drastically increased their score by 1020 points, here are the best tips and tricks I could advise future LSAT takers to follow. You get what you put into it – the more you study, the better you will do. It’s really that simple. Don’t overthink any question – even though the answer is not always in the passage like my instructors taught me, the right answer is always there, you just need to find it. Always attack the longest question first – it’s better to guess on a smaller section if you run out of time. Don’t dwell on past questions – keep focusing on the task at hand. Always read the stimulus first – it will help focus your reading on identifying the correct answer. The hardest logic games always have the easiest questions – so don’t get nervous when you don’t understand what to do. Remember that no matter what, you will get into at least one law school. The test is not a measure of your aptitude or intelligence. Stay calm and don’t panic – even when you are in the middle of a tougher section. If you truly studied your hardest, then there is nothing more you could have done to improve your score. Everything happens for a reason.
email: sharon.kahn@ubspectrum.com
Experience UB This Winter Embrace winter in Buffalo- or anywhere else in the world – and earn UB credit! Study on-campus, online, or overseas during our three-week winter session beginning January 5.
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Find a course or two that are right for you at
ubthiswinter.buffalo.edu. Learn more at the MAJORS AND CAREERS FAIR Tuesday, October 7, 2014 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. • 145 Student Union Join us for UBTHISWINTER SNOW DAY CELEBRATION Tuesday, Oct. 14, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. • Student Union Lobby
A tasty celebration
Intercultural and Diversity Center introduces a tasty way to learn about cultures AVEN SALIH STAFF WRITER
Spanish music blaring in the background, desserts, slideshows and trivia questions marked this month’s Hispanic Heritage cultural awareness celebration. From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 24 in Student Union 240, the Hispanic Heritage Dessert Hour highlighted a variety of Latino cultures. This month’s dessert hour was put on by the Student Association and held at the Intercultural and Diversity Center (IDC). “The desserts provided reminded me of the time I spent in Central America and as well as how much I would like to get involved with learning more Spanish language and culture,” Jesse Moses, a junior international study major, said in an email. The U.S. Hispanic population is now more than 54.1 million, according to the Census Bureau data. Hispanic students make up 6.5 percent of UB’s student body, according to Forbes. “It is important for UB to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to make others aware that the university has serviced and invested in the Hispanic Community [and] vise versa for years,” said Marcelina Rodriguez Rondon, a senior counselor at the Educational Opportunity Program in an email. “The Hispanic community has contributed to the multicultural experience and what the University is today.” President Lyndon Johnson began Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month-long celebration in 1988. It begins on Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15 to coincide with the celebration of the independence of Latin American countries from Spain. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which celebrate their independence on Sept. 15. Other Latin American countries like Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence in September. “By learning more about other cultures in our UB community, we find that we have more in common with our classmates than we previously thought,” said Helia Zand, a senior biomedical major. “I feel that so often Hispanic Heritage refers to a broad idea without acknowledging the individual contributions and uniqueness of each Hispanic country.” Terri Budek, the assistant director of IDC, and Kavitha Muralidhar, a higher education graduate student, agree that Hispanic Heritage Dessert Hour furthers the goal of the IDC, which celebrates the cultures of students on campus. They believe students gain an appreciation for other cultures and eth-
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AVEN SALIH, THE SPECTRUM
On Wednesday, Sept. 24 students got a taste of Hispanic culture at the Intercultural and Diversity Center’s Hispanic Heritage Dessert Hour. The dessert hour celebrated the many diverse Latino cultures in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. nicities when they learn about them in interesting ways. Zand, Budek and Muralidhar said the dessert hour was special because it celebrated multiple Latino cultures, rather than just a generic Hispanic experience. Rondon said she firmly believes in informing people about the contrasting traditions, customs and celebrations within the different Hispanic countries, but she said the desserts at the event did not give a fair representation of different Latino cultures. She hoped to have more homemade desserts other than store-bought wafers, plantain chips and tortilla chips. “The dessert hours did not meet my expectation,” Rondon said in an email. “I wanted to taste desserts from Columbia, Venezuela, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, etc.” Zand felt that the dessert hour was not only a great way to meet new people, but that it provided a tasty way to learn more about the Hispanic population. Anmol Bambrah, a graduate programming major, agreed. She said she thinks that having a dessert hour about a particular culture cultivates a way for students and faculty members to have open discussions. “It's important for me because I get to be in a more open-minded environment, where I can learn about others. The dessert hour is one example that shows what UB is all about,” Bambrah said. Rondon said any occasion that creates awareness concerning other ethnic groups, languages, food and traditions brings the community together. email: features@ubspectrum.com
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DAILY DELIGHTS sponsored by buffalostudenthousing.com Crossword of the Day Wednesday, October 1, 2014 FROM UNIVERSAL UCLICK
HOROSCOPES
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Physical activity will get you heading in the right direction. Whether you dance, go to the gym or do physical labor, you will ease your stress. A change in your daily routine will lead to new acquaintances that will influence your future. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Hold on to your cash. A joint venture will go sour. Lending to or paying for others will lead to loss of friendship and funds. Focus on gaining experience and establishing better relationships with friends, relatives and peers. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take the initiative and make the first move. Open up about how you feel and your plans for the future. Romance will improve your relationship with someone special. A joint effort will allow you to accomplish twice as much. CANCER (June 21-July 22): Get your facts and plans straight before you press forward. Someone who wants to take over will apply unexpected pressure. Preparation and strategy will help you counter any obstacle that gets in your way. Play to win. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You’ve got what it takes to make things happen. Don’t sit back and let life pass you by when you should be calling the shots and experiencing what life is all about. Live, love, laugh and be happy. Romance is highlighted. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Take care of your personal, financial and domestic responsibilities. Neglecting your duties will result in discord and disappointment. A disciplined approach, serious attitude and insightful mindset will ensure that you bypass any interference. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Sign up for a course or book an adventure trip. Don’t sit back and let time tick away. Take advantage of any opportunity to make new friends and pursue your interests. A makeover will give you a boost. Say “yes” to change and new beginnings. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Don’t go overboard. Stay within bounds and stick to the rules. Save the unusual or unorthodox alterations for you and you alone. A chance to make a positive change at work is apparent. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Being eager and enthusiastic will rub off on the people you encounter. Your infectious attitude will draw interest from someone who is in a key position. Love is in the stars, but mixing business with pleasure is not a good idea. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Be careful whom you share your secrets with. Trying to make personal or physical changes will backfire, leaving you in an awkward position. Money can be made, but pursue profits individually rather than as part of a partnership. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You’ll get all the help you need if you turn on the charm. Join a group, participate in a challenging activity or invest in your financial or professional future. Speak from the heart and make a promise to someone you love. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Don’t let someone’s emotional manipulation cause confusion. You are best to look at the big picture, especially if money is involved. A partnership will need some guidelines put in place before you strike a binding deal.
Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 1, 2014 FIVE-ACT PLAY By Peterson Lemon
ACROSS 1 Australian gemstones 6 Wool source 11 Rx abbr., sometimes 14 Open-ceilinged lobbies 15 Brother of Moses 16 Word professors like to hear 17 Searching for the truth 19 Cellblock sojourner 20 Music style 21 “Many years ___ ... “ 22 Potent stick 23 Proposer or salesperson, essentially 27 Some military actions 29 Meadow murmur 30 Chilled with cubes 32 Not of the clergy 33 The last thing in lists? 34 Mentors 36 Piece of celery 39 Appease fully 41 Southwestern stickers 43 Senora’s stewpot 44 Wed without parental consent 46 Ducklike birds 48 Entente interrupter 49 Antarctic sea 51 Dark orange color 52 Compilation of stories 53 Sparkle in the sun 56 Pantomime clown 58 “And ___ the opposite shore will be”
59 Young Darth 60 ___ chi chu’an 61 Something to do for the camera 62 Consideration in dealing with others 68 Inflation meas. 69 Old-time knockout gas 70 Prevent, at the bar 71 Japanese bucks 72 Like a pomegranate 73 “All systems go!”
furnishings 35 Basin for holy water 37 Extensive grassy plain 38 Jeweler’s measure 40 Collection of poetry 42 As originally positioned 45 Large properties 47 Word with “base” or “scene” 50 Hundred on the Hill 53 Walking with a sprained ankle, e.g. 54 Common parasite 55 Recess for a statuette 1 Klutzy sort 57 Hair 2 Education-conscious preparation org. 63 “Excellent adventure” 3 Shape of a curved path dude 4 Brit’s booze quantity 64 Cook in grease 5 Some hunting expedi- 65 Airport tions listing, 6 PC for short connection system 66 Grassy square 7 Male Scottish youngster 67 Watch secretly 8 Some vocal numbers 9 Golden Horde member 10 Certain cats and goats 11 Strategic conflict 12 Glowed 13 One-third of a three-piece suit 18 Purgative syrup 23 Heavy, plus 24 Having momentous consequences 25 Including, as pertinent information 26 Born to the purple 28 Latin jazz great Puente 31 Certain style, as of
DOWN
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SPORTS A trying season
Wednesday, October 1, 2014 ubspectrum.com
Men’s rugby joins top conference in hopes of improving program
JORDAN GROSSMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
The Goff rugby report, a website that covers high school, college and American rugby – predicted UB’s team to finish in last place in its conference. But the UB Rugby Football Club doesn’t mind the ranking because for the first time, they’ll be playing in the best division in the nation. “Division-1A – I’d prefer to lose every game this season, but be able to say I’m playing the best competition in the United States,” said senior prop, a forward position, Alex Butler*. In April, the UB men’s rugby team was accepted to the D-1A Rugby East Conference – one of the most competitive college rugby leagues in the country – after spending the previous three seasons in the D-1AA Empire Rugby Conference. The team caught the attention of D-1A representatives at last spring’s 7-on-7 matchups held at UB. The team hopes playing against some of the best competition in the country will improve the future of the program, even if it means enduring losses in the short term. There are 15 players on the field for each team, whose objective is to get the ball over the opposing ‘try,’ the equivalent of a touchdown. A player can also score by conversion kicks and penalty kicks that are worth two and three points, respectively. The men’s rugby team is a club team, funded by the Student Association. Because of its club status, the decision to move conferences was decided solely by the players. The players met together after a spring tournament last year to discuss the future of the team. UB joined the Rugby East, alongside Iona College and St. Bonaventure University as the three new teams to join the Rugby East. “I was the first person to say,
Sophomore flanker Colton Kells runs with the ball in the men’s rugby team’s 31-8 loss at Iona Sept. 27. The team is currently in its COURTESY OF POTTER PALM PRODUCTIONS first year in the Rugby East Conference.
“Let’s go, let’s do this,” Butler said. “I consider myself as a leader on this team and it would be an honor to say I was part of the foundation for a new era of UB Rugby.” The Rugby East consists of some of the top teams in the country, including No. 3 Kutztown, No. 5 Army, No. 7 Penn State and No. 14 Wheeling Jesuit. Buffalo faces all four schools this season. “Our goals is to win at least two games,” said head coach Mike Hodgins. “It doesn’t sound like a huge goal, but when you’re going against four out of seven teams that are ranked in the top-20 right now, it’s a successful season.” The team got its first Rugby East experience in a 62-0 loss to No. 3 Kutztown Sept. 13. The team may have expected the outcome, but the loss didn’t stop Buffalo’s drive.
“We went into Kutztown fighting them as hard as we could,” said senior inside centre Collin Olander. “Even though we lost, we were standing up against them. We’re trying to show [the competition], ‘Listen, you guys may have been here longer, but we’re here and we came to fight.’” The team suffered the loss of one of its senior leaders as well, when outside centre Bryan Moore suffered a possible season-ending thumb injury in a 36-8 loss at Ohio State Sept. 5. Senior lock, a forward position, Tim Murray has emerged as one of Buffalo’s best players in his second season on the team. Murray has progressed his game substantially and solidified himself as an on-the-field leader, according to his teammates. The team relies on a lot of young talent. Sophomore flanker, a forward position, Colton Kells was third on the team with
35 points last season as a freshman. He is also the only returning Buffalo player who earned a berth on the Rugby East Conference All-Conference team. Sophomore outside center John Grasso is another secondyear starter. He is one of the best backs on the team and began starting as a freshman last season. Grasso’s emerged as a leader in the backline this season. Despite a 0-2 record in conference play, Buffalo defeated Norte Dame 20-19 Aug. 30 for its first and only victory of the season thus far. This isn’t the first time the men’s rugby team has been in the national spotlight. In 2010, the club was ranked No. 1 overall by RugbyMag.com among D-1 rugby. Buffalo finished 7-0 in 2010 and captured a New York State Rugby Conference title.
‘RE2PECT’
A matter of
JORDAN GROSSMAN ASST. SPORTS EDITOR
Derek Jeter has been considered one of the most influential people in New York for 20 years. He’s also the reason I – and my family – was not kicked out of Game 4 of the 2000 Mets-Yankees World Series. My father wouldn’t let my family miss the game. We arrived at the stadium early to watch batting practice and I, at 6 years old, hoped to grab a foul ball. If my brother and I were lucky, then maybe we would get an autograph. While we sat in the stands for the practice, Yankees second baseman Chuck Knoblauch hit a sharp grounder down the third base line – and with some serendipity – the ball stopped directly in front of my father. Without even thinking, he jumped down onto the field. We were surrounded by security within minutes. My family and I were about to be thrown out of the World Series before it even began. But Jeter wasn’t going to let that happen. Even in opposing territory, Jeter proved to have more authority than anybody. Jeter stopped his pregame routine to help me. “Let the guy stay,” Jeter said.
“All he wanted was the ball for his kid.” And just like that, the security was gone. And the ball was in my hand. An hour later, Jeter hit the first pitch over the left field wall for a homerun. The Yankees won the game and eventually their third straight World Series. I received a text from one of my childhood friends last Thursday that took me by surprise. “Come over to watch history,” he said. I knew what he was talking about – Derek Jeter’s final game at Yankee Stadium after an illustrious 20-year career. But even as I was walking over to his apartment to meet up with him and two other avid Yankee fans, I kept pondering the same question in my head: Why do they want me here? I have been – and will always be – a die-hard New York Mets fan. My parents both grew up in Queens, New York. My father was raised five blocks away from Shea Stadium, the home of the Mets until 2008. He and my uncle ran onto the field after the ‘Miracle’ Mets’ 1969 World Series win and stole third base. I didn’t believe him until he walked out of our garage with it to show me. My father introduced me to baseball when he took me to my first Mets games at 3 years old. You could sense the energy of the crowd from nearby LaGuardia Airport. Sometimes it felt like the upstairs bleachers would collapse from the emphatic, cheering fans. But the Mets haven’t been in the postseason since 2006 and
Buffalo is not in that same position now, but it has many freshman and sophomore players who have been playing rugby for up to six years prior to joining the UB men’s rugby team. The team may not be elite right now, but Kells believes it will be soon. “In four to five years, I want us to be one of the best team’s in the country,” Kells said. “I want to be the top of this division. We are playing the top competition in the country and we will be able to play at that level.” The team hosts No. 7 Penn State on Oct. 11. The game will be played on Ellicott Field and is scheduled for 1 p.m. *Alex Butler works on The Spectrum’s advertising staff email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Derek Jeter’s retirement from the perspective of a Mets fan
haven’t won a World Series since 1986. As a Mets fan, you learn how to accept disappointment. I learned that harsh reality when the Mets lost to the Jeter’s New York Yankees in the 2000 “Subway” World Series. There is a big difference between Mets and Yankees baseball, especially in New York City. The Yankees and their fans know what it was like to win. After winning four out of five championships from 1996-2000, the Yankees established a dynasty through a combination of five talented players that were all brought up within the Yankee organization. The Yankees had their most successful run since winning nine of 14 consecutive championships, led by players like Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. Between Jeter’s first full season in 1996 and until 2006, the Yankees averaged nearly 98 wins per season, won the American League East every year and won four of their five trips to the World Series. Slowly, members of the dynasty began to leave. Bernie Williams retired in 2006. Catcher Jorge Posada was next in 2011. Pitchers Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera retired in 2013. And then there was Jeter, left to continue the legacy and magic of what he and his former teammates created. In January, Jeter announced he would retire at the end of the 2014 season. After Jeter retired, every tie to the Yankees’ World Series teams would be gone. Jeter’s retirement marks not only the end of a career, but also the end of a generation that looked to Jeter as a role model. In a time
where performance- enhancing drugs are a trend, Jeter stayed clean. He was never publicized about being late to practice or getting into trouble with the law. Baseball needed a face to look up to, and Jeter answered the call. His statistics will get him to Cooperstown. He ranks in the top-10 all-time in at-bats, hits and runs. He’s the only person to ever record 3,000 hits in a Yankees uniform. He was elected to 13 All-Star games, amassed a career .310 batting average and won five World Series rings. But it’s the intangibles in the game that pushes him over the edge unlike no other player before. In his entire 2,747-game career, Jeter was never ejected. The famed “Mr. November” home run will go down as just a home run. The “dive” will be put down as a pop out in foul territory. The “flip” will be put down as an assist. But the people who saw these Jeter plays will be talking about them for the rest of their lives. He put his body on the line every time he took the field, even if he wasn’t at 100 percent. So why was I, a Mets fan, invited over to my friend’s apartment on the night of Jeter’s last game? Because Jeter’s last game was about more than just the Yankees. Even though my friends and I grew up with different preferences in teams, we were baseball fans first. We know when a good player comes along and Jeter was no exception. And whatever you say about Jeter, he represented the city of New York for 20 years and put on one heck of a show. As much as I would have loved
to see Mike Piazza hit a gamewinning home run to win the World Series or Robin Ventura make an astounding catch at third base that people will still be talking about – they didn’t do it. Jeter did. And even if I don’t like the team he played for, how could I not respect a player of his stature? So, like millions of people around the world, I stood up watching Jeter’s last Yankee Stadium at-bat on Thursday. I was cheering for the Yankees. I was optimistic when my friend said Jeter would walk-off in his last at-bat. I was cheering even harder when Jeter took the first pitch of his final at-bat and, in classic Jeter-style, drove it to right field to drive in the winning run. As the other members of the dynasty embraced Jeter when he walked off the field at Yankee Stadium for the final time, I tipped my cap along with them. And regardless of your favorite team, you should have done the same thing. Although he was the face of a franchise that dominated New York sports, he did it every way he was supposed to. I will always be a die-hard Met fan. But I’ll also remember Jeter as the player who made me love baseball. I’ll always remember him as the guy who saved my family from getting thrown out of the World Series. Farewell, captain. And let’s hope I never have to write another good thing about the Yankees again. email: jordan.grossman@ ubspectrum.com