T H E I N D E P E N D E N T TSHTEU D NETP E PN UD BE LN I CTA S TT IO NA I VTEI R Y FA T T HBEU U FF E T1 B 9U 50 I NED UN D EO NFT TPH UEB LUI C OSNI T O NA I VLEOR,S S I TI N Y CA FFALO, SINCE 1950
UBSPECTRUM.COM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Money Issue
TEASERS:
How not to fall into the credit trap and make credit work for you
0002 0007 0011 0013 THE SPECTRUM
VOLUME 65 NO. 3
A rundown of SA club budgets and how clubs receive funds Budget smart with money-saving plugins and phone apps for online shopping
09/08
3 4 6
Overworked and underpaid Nickerson balances being a teacher, mother and UB student HANNAH STEIN SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
Leslie Nickerson’s world changed during her maternity leave in fall 2015. Nickerson, a sixth year teaching assistant (TA) and English Ph.D candidate at UB, did not only receive zero maternity benefits, but she had to pay out of pocket for her own health insurance. She had to take out student loans and remain enrolled in the university in order to take care of herself. Even now, a daycare program for her oneyear-old daughter is too expensive, which temporarily changed Nickerson’s teaching to a virtual job. According to Nickerson, an adjunct English professor is paid roughly $2,500 per course
and $10,000 a year and TAs make roughly $14,000 a year teaching one class per semester. She said the pay scale is “drastically different.” “I’m looking at that and saying, OK, I’ll be less able to afford childcare then I’m also wondering how my dissertation is going to get done,” she said. Nickerson said she thinks she’ll have to take out more student loans this semester so she can put her daughter in daycare and work on her dissertation. She said her husband makes enough money that they don’t qualify for food stamps. She said they just missed qualifying for WIC, a program designed for pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding women and children who are under five. She said she and her husband made a couple hundred dollars more than the cutoff amount. Nickerson said she may qualify for WIC once she is an adjunct professor. She said she hopes they qualify for a childcare subsidy through Erie County. But expenses weren’t the only struggle in
Nickerson’s life. When she was 18 years old, she had to postpone her dreams of becoming a music teacher due to a developed violin performance related injury called Thoracic outlet syndrome. She said when she got into the conservatory at Baldwin Wallace University it was like a “shark tank.” “It was a whole lot of pressure and it wasn’t a good kind of pressure for me,” Nickerson said. “Some people really thrive in that environment and I did not.” She said she was forced to take some time off orchestra and was starting to feel unhappy. She decided to take general education requirements, which was when she took an English class that transformed her career path entirely. When she received her first paper back from her Western world literature professor, Dr. Dolzani, there was a note on the back asking if she ever thought about majoring in English. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
UB students use crowdfunding websites to pay rent and tuition
Students solicit funds from friends and family on GoFundMe
ASHLEY INKUMSAH SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
Marisela Lugo received an email on Aug. 31 stating her rent for her apartment was due. The email said she had three days to come up with $960. “When I called my mom she was like crying,” Lugo, a senior communication major, said. “She was like ‘I don’t have the money, I don’t know what you’re going to do.’” So Lugo decided to create a GoFundMe page to ask her friends and family to donate money. Lugo and other UB students have created GoFundMe pages in an effort to raise money for rent and tuition. While some may think it is unusual, it is not uncommon. While glancing over the GoFundMe home page, there is an Education tab with thousands of students campaigning for college tuition, rent, textbooks and even food. “From what I understood or maybe I just read wrong, there was $350 [for] the movein fee plus the first months rent,” Lugo said. “And then there was also like a pet fee, a service fee and a gas fee.” Lugo said she was charged roughly $150 for her cat, but she thought it was just a one-time fee. She was later informed that she would also have to pay a monthly $25 pet fee. She later found out there was an erroneous charge applied to her account and
it would be corrected. Lugo said other UB students who live in Twenty 91 North also commented on her GoFundMe page, stating that they had had erroneous charges on their accounts as well. “I was told that they had made this mistake with other residents and I was like ‘so I’m going to be punished [for someone else’s] mistakes?” Lugo said. “If there was a mistake, [they] should have told me the day of the move in, not the day before it was due.” Lugo’s remaining balance was $960 after the mistake was corrected. This balance included her first month’s rent and the pet fee that she didn’t know about. Her friend gave her the idea to create a GoFundMe page to raise money for her rent.
She said she had a friend who had his TAP financial aid taken away and he made a GoFundMe page that his high school teacher shared with others. Her friend ended up raising enough money to pay his entire tuition. “I made the GoFundMe page, but I didn’t tell my mom because my mom is like super prideful and then my cousin saw it and I texted all my friends [telling] them to share my page because I need this money in like two days and I ended up getting $665,” Lugo said. Lugo’s family ended up covering the remaining $295 of rent money. The funds were disbursed into Lugo’s account on Wednesday morning. Lugo said her mother was “super upset” after she told her she created a GoFundMe
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Marisela Lugo started a GoFundMe to raise money to pay for her rent. UB students are using crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe to solicit funds from friends and family.
ubspectrum.com
fb.com/ubspectrum
HANNAH STEIN, THE SPECTRUM
Leslie Nickerson sits with her one-yearold daughter. Nickerson, a TA and English Ph.D candidate at UB, has had to balance her work and motherhood while being financially unstable.
page. Some of Lugo’s friends even discouraged her from starting one in the first place. Lugo said some of her roommates told her to wait until she was able to pay the bill and pay any late fees she accrued, instead of asking friends and family for donations. Lugo isn’t the only student who has used GoFundMe to raise money. Other UB students have started pages to crowdfund for their tuition. Monica Duque, a senior social sciences interdisciplinary major, said her father was never able to pay for tuition since her freshman year. She took out several thousand dollars worth of loans for her first three years of college, but when she applied for the loan for this semester, she was rejected. “I was desperate, so before asking my stepmom, I looked at every other private bank for loans but they said I had to be a citizen of America and it was just ridiculous so I decided to start a GoFundMe three weeks before school started,” Duque, an Ecuador native said. Duque said the founder of GoFundMe sent her a $50 donation as soon as she created her page. She said she felt “very embarrassed” to ask people for money and creating a GoFundMe and it never felt right. She closed her GoFundMe account in less than one week, before she could receive any additional donations and she was eventually approved for her Sally May loan. Duque said if she did not get approved for the loan, she would have kept her GoFundMe open only as a last resort. While some students felt a bit of shame from creating a GoFundMe page, others looked at it as a learning experience. “This experience taught me to be more shameless than I am,” Lugo said. “When you need help, you need help.” email: ashley.inkumsah@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @AshleyInkumsah
@ubspectrum
2 Overworked and underpaid Wednesday, Thursday, September July 1, 2015 8, 2016 The Spectrum
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“That was all the push I needed and so the rest is history,” Nickerson said. Nickerson said she never regrets switching to English. She has taught English classes at private schools such as St. Bonaventure and Baldwin Wallace University, but she said she has found UB to be her most rewarding teaching experience. She said one of her biggest struggles as a sixth-year graduate student is that she is running out of funding. Nickerson said she only has funding this semester because she took a semester off for her maternity leave. “My major obstacle has also been one of my greatest things,” Nickerson said, “It’s being a parent and a student and a teacher all at the same time, which is really hard.” Nickerson opted to take a full semester off and postpone her TA funding instead of losing six weeks of pay by taking six weeks off and having a substitute professor. “I’m really glad that I made that decision now because in retrospect I really wouldn’t have been able to come back after six weeks,” Nickerson said. She said her daughter had reflux and wasn’t able to sleep until she was four months old. “That was a challenge,” Nickerson said. “It was hard enough without any teaching obligations, so I don’t know what we would have done if I had taken the other option.” Nickerson attended the adjunct faculty fair pay rally last May and she said she hasn’t
seen any changes in salary. Nickerson said the new Graduate Student Association (GSA) President Tanja Aho “is working hard on making the university more friendly for parenting graduate students.” She also said Aho is looking into ways to bring back the child care scholarship and make day care more affordable. Nickerson said childcare is “incredibly expensive” and affordable childcare on campus would be “a game changer.” According to Nickerson, the graduate student employees’ union has a “flexible” spending account available for childcare expenses. Nickerson said the state gives $500 toward childcare if a TA is signed up for it. But for Nickerson, this is the last semester she has access to this due to her 10-semester contract. “That’s something that would not just benefit TA’s like myself or grad students but undergraduate students too,” Nickerson said. “A lot of people end up going back to school after they have kids. Having affordable childcare would be really helpful.” Nickerson said she has a parenting undergraduate student in her class this semester and has had parenting students in past semesters. “It is incredibly challenging to go to school if you’re a parent – whether you’re an undergrad or a grad,” Nickerson said. “I think there needs to be a lot more support [at UB]. I think that it’s the kind of thing that would become what they call best practices in a university. If you get some universities to change, I think that would really help to change things
nationally. UB could, as they put it with their new branding campaign, lead the charge. They should lead the charge on that.” Nickerson and her husband have tried a “hand-off ” approach where she takes care of her daughter in the day until her husband comes home from work. She said once he gets home, she tries to focus on her schoolwork. She is teaching an online course this semester so she can be home to watch her daughter all day. According to Nickerson, adjuncts receive health insurance if they teach two courses a semester, which is considered halftime. For a full time professor, two courses a semester is full time. She said professors make a lot more than adjuncts do. Nickerson said she will be under a different union (UUP) for full time faculty. Nickerson’s 10-semester TA contract ends this December, so she is doing an alternative academia job search to see what other jobs offer “a little bit more of a living wage.” Nickerson said she doesn’t have state certification but is looking into working at private high schools, nonprofit organizations and labor organizing. Even her students notice how hard it must be for Nickerson to teach and raise her baby while being a student. Lisa Gagnon, a senior English and linguistics major, had Nickerson as a TA for Early and Late Shakespeare Plays with Professor Barbara Bono in fall 2014 and spring 2015, respectively.
NEWS NEWS THE SPECTRUM
“I definitely look up to all the dedicated and intelligent female professors I’ve had at UB who have successfully juggled academia and family,” Gagnon said. Gagnon said Nickerson was “extremely knowledgeable and competent” while giving recitations a “relaxed” atmosphere. Gagnon said when the professor unexpectedly did not show up for class one day, Nickerson pulled up a slide show and gave a 50-minute lecture with no warning on the significance of clothing in the play they were studying. “It’s unusual to have such a high level TA, and I think that really enhanced my experience of the class as a whole,” Gagnon said. “She definitely could have taught the class herself.” Nickerson said she enjoys teaching students one on one and teaching online this semester has been a little bit of an adjustment, but she will be meeting with her students one-on-one this week to get to know them so it’s “less alienating.” Nickerson was the recipient of the Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award last year and was one of three recipients to receive an Opler-Doubrava Fifth-Year Fellowship from the UB English department for her first chapter of her dissertation. “As a teacher I really strive to do the best for my students that I can,” Nickerson said. “I believe that writing and critical thinking are really important and if I can teach students those skills, then they will go out into the world better placed to be citizens.” email: hannah.stein@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @HannahJStein
DOSA PLACE South Indian Restaurant Pure Vegetarian, Gluten Free & Vegan
3500 Main Street, Amherst NY 14226 (University Plaza) Hours: Everyday (Except Tuesday) Phone: 716-834-1400 www.dosaplaceny.com 11:30AM-9:30PM
This Joint is Legal. Natural, affordable pain relief
Chiropractic can help with back and neck pain,
LIMITED TIME OFFER
migraines, joint discomfort and more. Let our licensed
29
chiropractors relieve your aches and pains in a way that works for everyday life. • No Insurance Needed
Initial Visit
• Flexfit Cards Accepted • Walk-ins Welcome
visit includes consultation, exam and adjustment
• Open Evenings & Weekends
* Offer expires 9/30/16. Offer valued at $39. Valid for new patients only. See clinic for chiropractor(s)’ name and license info. Clinics managed and/or owned by franchisee or Prof. Corps. Restrictions may apply to Medicare eligible patients. Individual results may vary. © 2016 The Joint Corp. All Rights Reserved.
STOP BY A CLINIC TODAY. Ken-Ton 1725 Sheridan Drive Tonawanda, NY 14223
Clarence 8124 Transit Road Amherst, NY 14221
thejoint.com/buffalo
3
OPINION
Wednesday, Thursday, September 8, 2, 2016 2015
The Spectrum
THE SPECTRUM
Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF
Although First Amendment rights come first, trigger warnings serve a purpose on campus
Gabriela Julia
MANAGING EDITORS
Tori Roseman COPY EDITORS
Saqib Hossain Emma Medina Margaret Wilhelm Dan McKeon Grace Trimper NEWS EDITORS
Hannah Stein, Senior Ashley Inkumsah, Senior Sarah Crowley, Asst. FEATURES EDITORS
Kenneth Kashif Thomas, Senior Evan Grisley ARTS EDITORS
Max Kaltnitz, Senior Jamal Allard David Tunis-Garcia, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS
Michael Akelson, Senior PHOTO EDITORS
Kainan Guo, Senior Angela Barca Troy Wachala, Asst. . CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Pierce Strudler Anthony Khoury, Asst.
Professional Staff OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR
Helene Polley
ADVERTISING MANAGERS
Lee Stoeckel ADVERTISING DESIGNER
Derek Hosken
THE SPECTRUM Wednesday, September 8, 2016 Volume 66 Number 3 Circulation 4,000 The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Feedback, Opinion and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication, please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address.
Free speech shouldn’t be hindered, but feelings should be considered Colleges, donors and students across the country are in an uproar about trigger warnings, campus safe spaces and freedom of speech. The latest discussion began with a letter from University of Chicago Dean of Students John Ellison telling incoming freshmen that the university’s “commitment to academic freedom means that we do not support so-called ‘trigger warnings,’ we do not cancel invited speakers because their topics might prove controversial, and we do not condone the creation of intellectual ‘safe spaces’ where individuals can retreat from ideas and perspectives at odds with their own.” We at The Spectrum acknowledge Ellison’s intentions, but we think he doesn’t understand our generation as well as he could. We wholeheartedly embrace the need for freedom of speech and the First Amendment – we implement it perhaps more than most students on campus. It’s vital to our reporting and we regularly use it as a defense against those who might want to muffle us. And, we defiantly defend the right for students, professors and visiting lecturers to come and explore provocative and disturbing topics on our campus. That’s what we’re here for. We want to be tested and challenged and forced to figure out what we believe. Still, we believe trigger warnings serve a purpose and think more UB professors who teach controversial topics should consider implementing them. Twenty-three percent of all female college seniors reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual contact over their four years at a
university, according to a 2015 report by the American Association of Universities. At UB, with a population of about 30,000 students, about half of whom are female, that would be over 3,000 students. That is a lot of trauma. And it doesn’t take into account abuse, other sorts of violent crime, the death of a loved one and the numerous terrifying real-life stories our classmates survive. If you can avoid causing someone pain – physical or mental – why not do it? If a student who tried to commit suicide will suffer a setback by listening to your lecture, is the information you have really worth the cost? Can’t that student quietly exit or just not show up for that lecture and face the consequences. We are the first generation to face a conundrum about safe spaces and trigger warnings. We were also the first generation to have
anti-bullying curriculums in middle and grammar school. Our whole lives we’ve been taught to stand up for others. To care. To help those feeling oppressed. That is what we feel we are doing here. It’s not about being hypersensitive; it’s about being considerate. Trigger warnings don’t hinder freedom of expression or seek to make college campuses cozy dens of political correctness where professors are afraid to broach uncomfortable topics. They are a polite protection. A sensitive way to show respect for students and for professors to acknowledge that the young adults in their classes have had life experiences they can’t imagine. Again, we are not saying the professor shouldn’t give the lecture. We are saying label the content – just like we at The Spectrum might label content we deem difficult, particularly violent or disturb-
ing. That is not a violation of free speech. It’s an act of kindness. At the moment, UB has no trigger warning policy in place. Professors choose their own way. We would like to see UB take a stronger stand, be a national trendsetter. Stand up for students and for options. That, after all, is the epitome of freedom. When the conservative blogger Milo Yiannopoulos – who speaks out against gay rights even though he is gay – was paid to speak UB last May, some students felt threatened by his often racist, sexist and inappropriate remarks. We at The Spectrum supported his right to speak, although we find his rhetoric appalling. Freedom of speech needs protecting. But so does the freedom to protect yourself from speech that will harm you or cause you to harm yourself. email: news@ubspectrum.com
Money Talk: credit cards, the tamable beast
For information on adverstising with The Spectrum, visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at 716-645-2152 The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 142602100
KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR
When it comes to credit cards, they can seem like a mysterious force that can too easily take control of your financial life. While this is definitely true, it’s not as easy to fall into the trap if you know how to shop for credit cards and use them properly. Being enrolled in a college or university, and thus taking out loans out to continue your education, makes you a prime candidate for credit card companies looking for inexperienced clients. Getting all these offers isn’t a bad thing, so don’t just tear them up and throw them out. Look into the finer details. While most offers a college student will receive feature fixed or variable intro APRs, or Annual Percentage Rate – that don’t vary all that much – within the mid-20s and there are those that make offers in the low teens. APR represents the amount charged for borrowing and for those building credit for the first
time, you’re more inclined to receive variable rates based off a 12-month period. While it is easier to look into the offers that you might get in the mail, you’d be doing yourself a favor by comparing various cards available to your credit score limit online. Thankfully, there are a number of websites that allow you to compare cards side-by-side for free. Some credit card companies offer the same service for free. A 12-month period is important for two main reasons, the first is that it allows the credit loaner to see spending habits and gauge what type of risk one presents, which is why some intro APRs vary by as much as 15 points. The second reason those 12 months are important is because within that period, you’re able to learn how to use that card without going over your limit, or worse, not being able to pay your limit. The rule of spending using credit cards with the intent of building or rebuilding credit is utilizing the card for small purchases and then staying within 30 percent of your overall credit limit. Staying within 30 percent of your overall credit limit is important because all of your credit accounts – including the loan you took out for school – are connect-
ed to your credit score, which is accessible to financiers, creditors and you. If you’re spending close to your credit limit, even if you’re paying it off in a timely fashion, it can seem like you’re having some kind of financial problems, which makes you high-risk. Being high-risk lowers your credit score, and having a low credit score leads to a plethora of financial dilemmas. While attempting to stay within the 30 percent range of your credit limit, have consistent payments is vital to get the best APR rate and credit score possible. While it is completely feasible to pay your credit card debt before the initial due date, it is possible to delve into grace periods. If you’re just starting out that can be dangerous territory. Setting up automatic payments for your credit accounts can help take the stress off keeping up with payments, only having to worry about having the money to pay your debt. Credit cards are complex tools, but by going through the fine print, having a plan and goal for your credit spending makes it all the more easier, and rewarding depending on the card you have. Utilizing your card correctly during your first year with one will
MONEY TALK
How to not fall into the credit trap and make credit work for you
leave you in a better position for years. email: kenneth.thomas@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @KenUBspec
4
NEWS
Thursday, September 8, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
UB Student Association club budget breakdown
A rundown of SA club budgets and how each club receives funds ASHLEY INKUMSAH SENIOR NEWS EDITOR
The Student Association has access to roughly $4 million of UB student money. A large sum of that money is allocated for SA clubs to put on various events throughout the semester. SA is made up of over 130 clubs. SA’s $4 million budget is collected through the mandatory student activity fee, which is $104.75 per semester for each UB student. Some clubs receive higher budgets than others based on need and how much money they raise, according to SA Vice President Megan Glander. SA clubs must attend budget hearings with SA Senate’s finance committee prior to receiving funds. SA clubs must also complete a number of requirements before receiving funds. “There’s a bunch of different SA requirements,” Glander said. “One is you have to do two community service [events], two SA participation [events], two meetings, two events and you have to fundraise half of your starting budget that SA gives them to show that they can make the money back that we provide to them.” SA needs a standard that sets all the clubs at the same playing field, according to Glander. She said these requirements are listed in the SUNY policy. Both Black Student Union (BSU) and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) receive the highest SA club budgets of $35,000 each for the 2016-2017 school year. BSU’s annual Black Explosion fashion show is a “huge revenue-generating event,” according to Dan Emmons, SA treasurer. Glander said BSU’s club longevity is an-
$ $ $MONEY $ $ $ $
other reason for its big budget. BSU formed in 1967 and was recognized as a permanent club by SA in 1968. “Obviously we don’t dramatically increase the budget for each club, it goes up slowly, but because [BSU] constantly meets requirements and set a great standard for SA, the revenue that we do give them goes up.” SAE’s big budget is disbursed because of the club’s twofold nature, according to Glander. The club has both a snowmobile team and a rally-car racing division. Men’s Crew, an SA rowing club, currently has a budget of $20,550 for the 2016-2017 school year. SA club coordinators seeking a raise in their budgets can fill out a form requesting money and show that it has met all of the necessary requirements in the spring semester, Glander said. Most clubs received rollovers this semester, according to Emmons. A rollover is a club’s remaining fundraised money at the end of an academic year, according to SA’s club handbook. Emmons said SA is currently going through appeals for clubs who did not receive rollovers. “If you didn’t get rollover, whether it’d be a discrepancy in our revenue tracking or a coordinator’s track sheets, they can appeal that and then we’ll have a meeting, sit down go through past logs to see what happens and if something got messed up along the way they will actually get their rollover back,” Emmons said. Temporary SA clubs are not assigned a budget and instead must complete two fundraising events, according to Glander and Emmons. The amount of money each temporary club raises through fundraising is not counted, therefore “it’s just the effort that counts,” Emmons said. Each temporary club has a “co-sponsorship line” of a couple thousand dollars, according to Glander. Once the temporary club becomes recognized, the budget is dis-
WHO GETS
Everything we do at ALDI is about doing more, offering more and delivering more. Our success comes from asking a lot from our staff, and giving a lot back in return. District Managers start out with a salary of $80K and a 50+ week onboarding program that was named ERE’s Best for 2015. We’re proud that our wages, benefits and training are among the best in the business. ALDI believes in great responsibility leading to generous compensation, and our District Manager position epitomizes this philosophy. Come to our recruiting events, and hear for yourself how ALDI relies on extraordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Find out more at careers.aldi.us/district ®
Welcome to more. University at Buffalo 2016 Management Career Fair
DATE: October 6, 2016 � TIME: 12 pm - 4 pm LOCATION: University at Buffalo, Center for the Arts, Flint Road, Amherst, NY 14260
?
BSU SAE Men’s Crew ASCE PODER AIAA Men’s Rugby Men’s Lacrosse Men’s Ice Hockey Outdoor Adventure Club
bursed at the discretion of the SA Senate. Some SA clubs have bigger budgets than others according to individual needs. Mock Trial is one of the clubs that doesn’t need as much money and therefore would not ask for additional funding. Every SA club has an account line set up to track their budget and expenses. Each club logs into SAFE, SA’s finance software to access funds, according to Emmons. Emmons said SA’s system of checks and balances helps to monitor how clubs are using their money. Each club must place a request into SAFE before funds are disbursed. SA’s professional staff and finance department then review the request. Emmons and Student Life then look at this request to approve or disapprove it. SA’s accounting company then issues a purchase order to place the funds in each clubs’ account. SA president Matt Rivera or Glander are the final people to sign off on the requisition. “So when it comes down to it, there’s nine steps for people to request funds so it’s very hard for something to slip through the cracks,” Emmons said. “It hasn’t happened too much in the past.” Stephen Hagenbuch, head bookkeeper for SA, assists the finance department in making sure each club’s budget goes ex-
More responsibility, more rewards.
Salary Breakdown 1st year: $80,000 2nd year: $85,000 3rd year: $92,000 4th year: $100,000
On-Campus Recruiting Please submit your resume through Handshake - cut-off date is 10/2/16. Interviews 10/13-10/14. Contact Career Services for details.
ALDI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ CLUB
BUDGET ‘16-’17
$35,000.00 $35,000.00 $20,550.00 $19,500.00 $17,000.00 $16,500.00 $16,280.00 $15,743.00 $15,000.00 $14,650.00
GRAPHIC BY ANTHONY KHOURY
clusively toward the club. He said he usually asks the clubs questions to determine if there are any mishandlings with the budget. A club will be derecognized if money is being extremely misused, according to Hagenbuch. Dillon Smith, SA Senate chair, said an important aspect of his job is making sure each SA club’s budget is distributed fairly. When UB Libertarians attempted to bring controversial speaker Milo Yiannopoulos to campus last semester, Smith said it was crucial for him to remind Senate members to not allow their personal beliefs to interfere with distributing money to the club. “I had to remind all the senators to be fair when giving money to a club to do things – even if the purpose of the event isn’t in line with our political, ethical or religious views,” Smith said. “We want to be fair.” Some SA senators abstained from that budget meeting, according to Smith. Students who need additional funding for their clubs can petition before the SA Senate. Glander said there are a lot of opportunities for clubs that don’t budget efficiently to receive additional grants. email: ashley.inkumsah@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @AshleyInkumsah
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE SPECTRUM
Cheap seats A guide to Buffalo’s big screens on a budget
5
Thursday, September 8, 2016
Regal Cinemas Many Locations
ASST. ARTS EDITOR
A trip to the movie theater is the quintessential night out for most. It’s a chance to escape the doldrums of everyday life and sit in an air-conditioned room for a few hours watching beautiful people do amazing things on the big screen. That is, until the high school kid behind the counter asks for $11 for a single ticket. That’s not including the extra $15 you’ll spend on concessions and if you plan on paying for your date, forget about it. You’d have to be one of the actors starring in the movie you planned to see to afford that. Luckily there are a few options around the Buffalo area that will let you catch the latest films without emptying your wallet.
Dipson McKinley 6 McKinley Mall, 3701 McKinley Pkwy, Buffalo, NY 14219 This theater looks pretty beat upon first
eXXXtremelyHOT JUN2016
up which changes almost every day, so check out their website to make sure they’re showing something you’ve been dying to see. Current Recommendation: “The Shallows”
Hamburg Palace 31 Buffalo St., Hamburg, NY 14075
The Palace harkens back to a simpler time in cinema history. This building located in the village of Hamburg was built in 1926 and houses a single screen. This means the theater typically chooses a single feature and plays it for one-week stretches or more depending on the popularity. An adult ticket costs $7 and, though not exactly ’20s prices, it is more manageable than your typical chain theater. Concessions are reasonable when compared to other theaters, so it’s worth it to spend a few dollars at the concession stand to support a locally owned and operated business if that’s your thing. The film selection is usually quite good. The theater plays most of the big blockbusters in the summer and the big Oscar contenders once award season rolls around, so it’s always worth it to check their website every Friday to see what will be playing the coming week. Current Recommendation: “Florence Foster Jenkins” is currently the only option, but that will change to “Jason Bourne” this coming Friday.
11
SMOKIN’ HOT! 25
YELLOW
716.877.7111
LOWEST PRICES IN BUFFALO CIGARS AT WHOLESALE PRICES!
www.LibertyCab.com
COLONIE 716.862.0987
FREE LECTURE TICKETS FOR UB STUDENTS SERIES SPONSOR
CORNER VOORHEES IN BUFFALO
Campus Cash Accepted
ColonieLoungeBuffalo.com
FEB 16
ERIC HOLDER
JOHN CLEESE
SA-represented undergrads may pick up tickets in the SA Office (350 Student Union, North Campus). GSA-represented grads may pick up tickets at the SBI Ticket Office (221 Student Union, North Campus & 350 Harriman Hall, South Campus). AFFILIATE SERIES SPONSORS
Graduate Student Association
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
ROXANE GAY
JAMES FRANCO
DEC 9
RANDI ZUCKERBERG
OCT 26
SEPT 22
MARK & SCOTT KELLY KELLY
1795 HERTEL AVE
APR 5
LOUNGE
Download the Liberty Cab App from your app store!
Airport, Bus, and Train Transfers
SEXY LADIES PLUS YOU CAN SMOKE!
MONDAY-SATURDAY: 5:00 PM-3:00 AM/SUNDAY: 9:00 PM- 3:00 AM
email: david.garcia@ubspectrum.com
LIBERTY
Free Buffet! MONDAYS 7:00PM /GREAT FOOD & HOT GIRLS FOR YOUR ENJOYMENT
& CIGAR BAR
It does not get any more basic when it comes to chain multiplexes then Regal Cinemas. It might as well be wearing a PINK sweater and white Chucks while sipping on some Starbucks – which is actually served at the concession stand. Go figure. The seating is standard stadium seating – not overly comfortable, but won’t hurt your backside. Snacks are pricey, but offer a nice variety. Along with the traditional candy and popcorn, moviegoers can eat a full-fledged meal by ordering hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza, making a pre-movie dinner optional. The main draw, however, is Regal’s Tuesday nights. Many consider the movies a weekend-only activity, but if your classes wrap up early on a Tuesday afternoon change things up a bit and take in a show. Regal Crown Club cardholders pay a meager $6.50 (or $6.10 if you go to the Walden Galleria) for their tickets on Tuesdays as opposed to the standard $11. It’s free and quick to sign up; just ask the ticket seller if they don’t offer one to you, which they generally will. Cardholders also rack up points with each dollar spent, which can be redeemed later on for free snacks or even free tickets if they add up fast. Current Recommendation: “Hell or High Water” – Ben Foster is the man.
APR 29
DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA
look, located at the back of the mall. The ticket booth up front is perpetually closed, meaning moviegoers will have to purchase their ticket at the concession stand in the tacky, wood-paneled lobby. Standard tickets run a measly $2.50 at the Dipson, which is a second run theater, meaning it does not show the very latest releases. Typically, a month or so after a movie premieres at your standard multiplex, it will pop up at the Dipson. The exact length of time it will take between the major theater chain and its Dipson premiere depends on how well that specific movie performed at the box office. But those with a little patience are rewarded with the cheapest movie ticket and most comfortable seats around. Last winter, the theater renovated the all of the screening rooms, removing the standard stadium seating with cozy leather recliners which make it almost impossible to stay awake for an entire film. With those prices, it’s not too big a loss. The discount stops at the ticket unfortunately, as concessions are typically overpriced. If you’re brave enough, stock up on snacks beforehand and sneak them in “Midnight Express”-style. If the McKinley Mall is too far of a commute for you, the Amherst Dipson located across the street from South Campus also offers a student discount with a valid UB ID. Show up on a Tuesday, and you’ll get half-priced popcorn and fountain drinks as well. This location has a strange movie line-
1 ticket per student while supplies last. UB ID required. For ticket and lecture info, please visit: buffalo.edu/ub-speakers or facebook.com/ubdss
LECTURE & CONTRIBUTING SERIES SPONSORS
UB Minority Faculty & Staff Association
UB Centers for Entrepreneurial Leadership & Executive Education
UB School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
6
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS
Thursday, Wednesday,September 4, 2015 September 8, 2016 The Spectrum
THE SPECTRUM
Stay smart and save online
Money-saving plugins and phone apps that actually work BENJAMIN BLANCHET STAFF WRITER
“College student” seems to be synonymous with being broke. If you’re like most students who’ve worked up savings over the summer, your bank account can take a massive hit thanks to pricey textbooks and expensive supplies. Finding ways to save, however, doesn’t require you to start madly clipping away at coupons. Today, everything can be done online and of course, there’s an app for anything. If you’re looking to save a few extra bucks while shopping, there are many ways to save with just a click of a button – online or on your phone.
Honey
One plug-in that’s particularly useful is Honey. Available for Google Chrome and Firefox, Honey searches their extensive database for applicable coupons at the checkouts of big web stores such as Amazon and eBay. After the search is complete, the plug-in finds the most effective coupon codes valid toward your shopping cart. This saves you time and money, as you no longer have to search for the sites that have the cheapest price or for coupons that fit the individual need. There are other ways to save with the plugin as well. With Honey-exclusive cash back offers, you’re able to pocket an extra dollar or two after purchasing anything from Starbucks coffee to Surface Pros from Microsoft. For deals on item-specific sites like Chegg (textbook sales) or Domino’s Pizza, Honey is definitely the right app, with buy-one-getone deals on both pizzas and textbooks at your convenience. Justin Reisdorf, a senior history major, has never tried Honey, but is optimistic about the amount of savings that the plugin could provide him as he’s used other services such as Target’s cartwheel app. “Honey definitely seems interesting,” Reisdorf said. “It’s similar to the Target money saving app. If you have an item on you,
it shows you which deals are available for it. After scanning the items, you can go to the checkout and it gives you a coupon. Any discounts that are available are applied.” Reisdorf considered trying Honey, citing Target’s Cartwheel app as being extremely beneficial to him and his wallet, but is always looking for more opportunities to save extra cash.
Walmart Savings Catcher
Nearly identical to Target’s Cartwheel app, the Walmart Savings Catcher app can also come in handy for any quick trip to the store. Whether you’re getting a haul of groceries or looking to personalize your living space, Walmart compares the prices of items you buy in-store with those of local competitors such as Wegmans and Tops. After scanning your receipt with your smart phone or manually entering receipt numbers online, Walmart validates your receipt and gives you back the money you would otherwise swave by shopping elsewhere. Mohammed Haidar, a sophomore political science major, was enthusiastic about the services that such programs as Honey and Walmart could offer those in a bind for dollars. “I’ll do almost anything to save myself more money,” Haidar said, agreeing that using software like Honey and Walmart is better than doing nothing at all. Luckily, the more you buy at Walmart, the more money added up on your app. The money that you accumulate can be turned into an e-gift card, available for use during your next Walmart trip. There is a catch, though – users must enter their receipts into the Savings Catcher app within 7 days of your purchase or your receipts are invalid, so it’s best to use the app in a timely manner.
Pricescout
If you’re looking for a helpful tool to save you on your next online shopping trip, Pricescout is the way to go. The browser plug-in is a price comparer that looks through stores for better deals on the item
MARK & SCOTT KELLY KELLY Mark: Commander of Two NASA Shuttle Missions Scott: America’s 1st Astronaut to Spend a Year in Space
SEPT 22 UB ALUMNI ARENA LECTURE STARTS AT 8PM Lecture Sponsor:
FREE LECTURE TICKETS FOR UB STUDENTS 1 ticket per student while supplies last. UB ID required. SA-represented undergrads may pick up tickets in the SA Office
(350 Student Union, North Campus). GSA-represented grads may pick up tickets at the SBI Ticket Office (221 Student Union, North Campus & 350 Harriman Hall, South Campus). For ticket and lecture info, please visit: buffalo.edu/ub-speakers or facebook.com/ubdss SERIES SPONSOR
AFFILIATE SERIES SPONSORS
Graduate Student Association CONTRIBUTING SERIES SPONSORS
UB Minority Faculty & Staff Association
UB Centers for Entrepreneurial Leadership & Executive Education
UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE
you’re considering purchasing. Pricescout works quietly as well, popping up at the top of your browser with prices by other sellers online. The plug-in can be used to compare the cost of textbooks, electronics and computers across a variety of platforms. Available on Firefox and Google Chrome, Pricescout’s savings do the talking for the easy to navigate plug-in. Despite Pricescout’s positive features, there are downsides to the plug-in. When a site such as Amazon has the lowest deal on an item, the app notifies you of higher costs on other sites anyway. Pricescout also takes time to load properly, which leads to an inconvenient wait to discover the best bargain. While some students may be intrigued by store-exclusive apps or online shopping plugins, others search for more blanket money savers that can aid all the purchases they make. Parth Bhatia, a junior undecided major, believes cash-back applications from credit card companies are right for him. “Credit card [and] cash-back rewards app would benefit me the most. I use my credit card for a lot of my back to school purchas-
COURTESY OF HONEY
Honey searches their extensive database for applicable coupons at Amazon and eBay checkouts. It is one of the big money-saving plugins and phone apps.
es,” Bhatia said, also expressing his need for a Firefox-specific plug-in for his purchases on the computer. With so many resources that can assist you with your costly purchases for college, it’s not impolite to ask for some money back. There are many opportunities available to save with not much of a commitment. “If there was a money saving app just for Firefox, I would definitely use it,” Bhatia said. “It would probably save me a lot of money since I shop online a lot.” Before you buy anything in person, always check online alternatives to see if there’s a difference in price. Often times, textbooks and other big ticket items will be slightly cheaper online, which adds up in the long run. Discount shopping doesn’t make you a penny pincher – rather, a wiser shopper. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SPORTS
7
Wednesday, SeptemberThursday, 4, 2015 September 8, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
The Spectrum
Travis Scott’s second album has everyone singing Brian McKnight JAMAL C. ALLARD ARTS EDITOR Album: Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight Artist: Travis Scott Label: Grand Hustle Records Release date: Sept. 2 Grade: B+
Travis Scott’s new album has his fans singing and trapping to his infectious sound. His second studio album was released on Sept. 2, almost exactly a year after his first album Rodeo. With Scott headlining Fall Fest on Sept. 10, this album drop was perfect timing for UB students. Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight is Apple Music exclusive, so only those who pay for the service can listen to it for now. The features on this record are heavy, but very diverse. It incorporates legends from the distant past, popular artists from recent years, current big name artists and future stars in the hip-hop scene. Twelve out of Scott’s 14 new tracks include featured artists. While it can be argued that Scott has taken the back seat on his most recent album, his selection of artists does not disappoint. The album’s first song “The Ends” has a verse by hip-hop legend Andre 3000. The second song “Way Back” features one of Scott’s mentors Kid Cudi. However, the third song “Coordinate” features one of the more obscure features on the album by a little-known but buzzing artist Blac Youngsta. Cassie, Swizz Beatz, Nav, 21 Savage, Kendrick Lamar, Young Thug, Quavo (of the group Migos), Bryson Tiller, K. Forest and The Weeknd round out all the features on this 14-track album. Similar to his most influential mentor Kanye West, Scott tends to flex his producer muscles by blending his trademark melodic raps and ominous beats with the
Houston rapper releases his second studio album to the delight of his fans
COURTESY OF GRAND HUSTLE RECORDS
Travis Scott’s second album Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight dropped on Sept. 2, right before he headlines UB’s Fall Fest one week after.
sounds of other artists. This leaves much to be desired for some of Scott’s fans. Some listeners might be happy that all these big names lent a hand to Scott’s second album because it shows how diverse he is in combining sounds with some of the best. To those who want a Travis Scott song
that is high adrenaline and reckless like “Backyard Freestyle” from his second mixtape Days Before Rodeo, his most recent drop may be disappointing. This album highlights Travis Scott’s growth as an artist and is very similar to some of Kanye West’s material on Yeezus, which he helped produce.
His abundance of features also compares to another one of Kanye’s albums, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The two albums compare favorably because both Scott and West invite artists into their sound and their ability to blend different sounds is a major highlight of both projects. Unfortunately, the same highlights of these albums have the same lowlights as Scott and West appear to have supporting roles in their own songs. The use of auto-tune by both artists can be a blessing and a curse. Some songs benefit from the tune-ups, while it sounds awkward or unnecessary on others. “First Take” featuring Bryson Tiller is the best example of Scott being a guest on his own track. The subject matter of love and its slow pace fit Tiller more than Scott. Scott’s contributions to this song seem to completely support Tiller’s verse instead of the other way around. That being said, there are very few low points on the album, so it’s hard to determine which songs stand out more than the others. It’s also difficult to determine which of the songs are suitable for Scott to perform because so many songs off the new album rely heavily on the features of other artists. Because of this, it’s unclear which songs Travis Scott will perform live, especially as the album was released so close to the scheduled performance for Fall Fest. Overall, Travis Scott’s ability to incorporate other artists into his sound is something that only he and Kanye West can do with major success. It is to be applauded. But sometimes he loses the balance between inviting other artists into his sound and letting them completely take over his song. email: jamal.allard@ubspectrum.com Twitter: @jamalubspectrum
10 Mr. Clean Sheet
SPORTS
Thursday, September 8, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
‘Unorthodox’ keeper Joseph Kuta thrives this season while embracing the mental side of playing goalie MICHAEL AKELSON SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
If UB men’s soccer head coach Stu Riddle had to describe junior goalkeeper Joseph Kuta in one word, it would be “unorthodox.” “I don’t think you look at him and say he’s got all the natural quality traits of a goalkeeper,” Riddle said. “But he stops the ball from going into the net every time.” So far this season, Kuta has done just that. Through four games, he has yet to allow a goal for the undefeated Buffalo Bulls. His four shutouts are the most of any goalie in the country so far this year. Kuta may seem to be an untraditional fit for UB between the pipes, but since taking over the starting goalie job from fellow junior goalkeeper Cameron Hogg midway through last season, he has been lights out. Behind his streak of clean sheets, Buffalo received 20 votes in the latest NCAA coaches Top 25 poll, the first time the program has received votes since 2005. “[He’s unorthodox] as in not the textbook goalkeeping style, the sort of standard set procedure,” said assistant coach Matt Brown, a new hire this season tasked with working with Buffalo’s goalies. “The first time I worked with Joseph, I just said that is his style. It’s not your textbook head, hands and feet, it’s a little bit unorthodox but it is effective and it works.” Kuta might also be the brains of the team. He is an economics major and holds a 3.936 GPA. What he lacks in physical prowess and traditional mechanics, he makes up for in preparation and mental fortitude. “His positioning is very good, he does a really good job of narrowing the angle,” Riddle said. “He’s thinking about the positioning of the shape of the foot before the shot comes and he’s always two or three steps ahead of
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Junior goalkeeper Joseph Kuta blocks a Niagara penalty kick in the 2015-16 season. Kuta helped the Bulls win all four games so far this season with four clean sheets.
the game, which allows him to be in the right place to stop the ball from going in.” So much of playing goalie is about being able to anticipate what your opponent is thinking and what their next move might be. Kuta knows that as long as he can stay calm and focused, he can analyze every situation as it comes at him in the game and be in the right place at the right time. “Goalkeeping is not so much physically straining as it is mentally straining,” Kuta said. “And that’s something I work on in practice and for games.” Before every game, Kuta has a bit of a routine. He calls his mom for a pep talk and then he reminds himself that the only way he will be able to think straight is if he can stay calm and keep a clear head. It’s all about continuing to build confidence, something that has been key to Kuta’s development. “Coming in as a freshman I’d go into every game nervous,” Kuta said. “Playing against guys who are three or four years older than
me, it was kinda scary going in there for the first time, but as time went on I started getting confident in my own abilities... and I just think over time I matured and grew and I’ve been better in a game environment.” Kuta played his freshman year at Robert Morris University, but he felt it wasn’t the best environment for him to continue better himself in, so he decided to transfer. He had several friends who were playing at Buffalo at the time who helped convince him to transfer to UB, something he says has been one of the best decisions of his athletic career. Kuta’s four-game shutout streak to open the season is the best in UB’s history. However, he prefers not to think about it at all. His success is all about keeping a clear head. As a goalkeeper, his calmness may be his defining attribute. “The more you think about ‘oh I gotta keep this streak,’ the more you overthink it and that’s when you end up making a mistake,” Kuta said. “I like taking things as they
come... if I keep the streak going great, if not, that’s life.” If he does keep the streak going, it will only add to his growing reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the Mid-American Conference. And with the Bulls knocking on the door of national relevance, the rest of the country is about to be introduced to Buffalo’s secret weapon, something that should work wonders for Kuta’s next goal. Kuta says after college he wants to play professionally, but he has yet to hear from any scouts or professional teams. It makes sense, he doesn’t jump out at you the first time you meet him or watch him play. Right now, he’s not worried about the future. He knows that as long as he continues to stay focused and in the moment, the rest will fall into place. After all, that’s what makes him so dangerous. email: michael.akelson@ubspectrum.com
DOUGALL TAKES THE LEAD Record breaking UB goalkeeper Laura Dougall steps up as a leader for UB women’s soccer DANIEL PETRUCCELLI STAFF WRITER
When the final seconds fell away from the clock at Thursday night’s UB women’s soccer game, junior goalkeeper Laura Dougall cemented her place in the history of UB athletics and she didn’t even know it. “I honestly didn’t know that, it wasn’t on my mind going into the game, that wasn’t something I even thought of because I don’t really focus on the stats,” Dougall said. “I was just kind of in shock for a second because, junior year, coming in here, I wasn’t expecting to break a career shutout record.” With a clean sheet on Thursday, as the UB Bulls (2-2-2) tied the Brown Bears (2-0-1) 0-0 at UB Stadium, Dougall collected the 22nd shutout of her career, breaking UB women’s soccer 15-year old record for career shutouts. As the stats continue to pile up for Dougall, who is also seven games away from breaking UB’s record for wins by a goalie, it’s her experience and leadership that is making all the difference for UB women’s soccer. “I can’t get these records without [my teammates and coaches], my defense has been amazing the past two years that I’ve been here,” Dougall said. Just two years ago, Dougall played a prodigy role as the freshman goaltender on the 2014 MAC Championship winning team. Now, with a very different roster around her, she’s stepping into a new role – team leader. “We’re noticing now as a junior, she has
a little bit more experience and she’s taken more of a vocal leadership role,” said head coach Shawn Burke. “She’s organizing, trying to sort things out before it gets to her, obviously being that last line of defense, it’s nice to see that maturity in her.” Part of being a leader of course is not only being there to praise her teammates when they do something right, but also being there to tell them when they’re doing it wrong. “As a teammate, Laura is extremely helpful and interactive. She is the first person to pull you aside and tell you what you could do better or what you have been doing well,” said senior defender Angel Hart. “Overall she is definitely a leader on our team and keeps the back line and ultimately the team together.” As a freshman two years ago, Dougall played goalie for just the third ever unbeaten season in the MAC going 9-0-2 in conference play. They also finished with the best record in UB women’s soccer history going 16-3-3. Dougall appeared in 21 games that season, starting 20 and allowing only 12 goals all year. She recorded 13 shutouts in that first year, none more important than in the MAC championship game, when the Bulls defeated the Western Michigan Broncos to claim the program’s first MAC title. “Hopefully we can [win a MAC Championship] again this year. These personal stats aren’t things I’m super-worried about,” Dougall said. “Getting these shutouts means the team is doing well so that part of
it is nice, but the MAC championship is the ultimate goal at the end of all this.” With Dougall in goal, the expectation is always a MAC Championship for the Bulls. “Our expectation every single year is to be playing in late November. It’s pretty cut and dry, it’s why the girls decide to come here and the players know that’s what we’re playing for,” Burke said. “We have to take care of all the little details today to give [ourselves] that opportunity, but we fully expect as a program every single year to be playing late in November, competing for that MAC championship.” Even though this is a tremendous personal accomplishment, Dougall is the first to credit the record to the team around her. “The whole team is so proud of her setting the record for most shutouts in a career but also not surprised at all,” Hart said. “She is such a talented goalie and deserves every accolade and achievement that she receives. It is amazing that she is only a junior and still has so much more to give to this program.” Giving to the program seems to be a major theme for the team. Everyone is willing to forget individual accolades in pursuit of team accomplishments, namely the MAC title. “[The MAC title] affected the entire team… it was very exciting, that was very emotional,” Dougall said. “Whenever someone asks me to explain it, it’s so hard for me to put into words because it was just so emotional.” Her commitment to the team has allowed her to grow this season. Her confidence and
SPECTRUM FILE PHOTO
Junior goalkeeper Laura Dougall in a team practice. Dougall played goaltender as a freshman on the 2014 MAC Championship winning team and is looking forward to another championship.
experience has allowed her to take on more of a leadership role. Both teammates and coaches have taken notice. The Bulls next game is Sept. 9 against Canisius. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at UB Stadium. email: sports@ubspectrum.com