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
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Volume 65 No. 46
Heights community concerned after weekend shooting Shooting at Jim’s Steakout leaves man in critical condition, residents fearful
geted in the shooting. Jim’s Steakout management declined to comment pending the investigation. Both Lipsky and Goldberger, a senior health and human services major, said they are concerned for their safety, as they could have been walking into their apartment during the time of the shooting. Mickey Vertino, University Heights Collaborative president, is spearheading efforts to end the constant string of crime in the area. The University Heights Collaborative is a grassroots group that is focused on reducing crime in the area. “We need residents in this community to work together to end these crimes,” Vertino said. “Students need to communicate with us their problems and concerns so we can work on them with patrols and detectives.”
EVAN SCHNEIDER ASST. NEWS EDITOR
Amy Lipsky and Marisa Goldberger thought their apartment above the commercial buildings on Main Street would be a safe location to live in the University Heights. Lipsky said she thought businesses on the street like Jim’s Steakout, which can stay busy and lively with customers until 5 a.m., would be helpful in detracting violent crime. “I realize now that I was wrong and I need to stay even more alert now,” Lipsky, a senior communication major, said. University Heights residents are on alert this week following a shooting on Main Street outside the entrance of Jim’s Steakout that left a 31-year-old male in critical condition this weekend. Buffalo Police, who responded to the shooting around 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning, believe the man was tar-
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Customers head into Jim’s Steakout on Main Street Tuesday night. Some University Heights residents are worried for their safety following a shooting at Jim’s Steakout on Saturday morning.
Oliver speaks on decision to step down as BSU president Oliver says e-board unanimously voted he had not fulfilled his duties
Erie County legislators vote down 2 a.m. bar closing time Vote comes after residents voice opinions in public hearing
GABRIELA JULIA MANAGING EDITOR
Last semester, Micah Oliver got the sense that people thought his name and the Black Student Union (BSU) were synonymous. At that point, he knew a distinction needed to be made. Oliver, a senior business and international studies major, resigned as BSU president on Dec. 9, just five days after BSU’s executive board unanimously voted that he had not carried out the duties and responsibilities as president, according to Oliver. Oliver spoke to The Spectrum about his resignation after delaying comment originally. Although the vote did not mean Oliver had to resign, he felt it was best. “A part of the resignation was that there were differences in strategies and approaches in how the org[anization] would pursue its goals,” he said. “But that’s the essence of student organizations. We’re all growing and learning. Unfortunately, I just don’t think my leadership in particular is what the executive board wanted.” In his letter of resignation, Oliver wrote, “I am not able to fathom this unfavorable evaluation, nor am I able to recollect a time when I was given adequate feedback, constructive criticism or an opportunity to improve upon any areas of concern.” The BSU e-board denied comment regarding Oliver’s comments, but new President Deidree Golbuorne told The Spectrum last week that Oliver stepping down was an “internal change” that wouldn’t affect future club events. Golbuorne has stepped into the role of president and Samirra Felix was elected vice president on Feb. 1. Oliver emphasized that although his resignation is unfortunate, it is not the first time a student has decided to step down from an organization. Tiffany Vera, former BSU secretary, re-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
KORI HUGHES STAFF WRITER
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Micah Oliver, former Black Student Union president, stands in Jacobs Management Center. Oliver resigned from BSU on Dec. 9 after the executive board voted he did not carry out his duties as president.
signed two days after Oliver. In Vera’s letter of resignation, she wrote, “I am not confident that the organization will follow through with the progress and the level of professionalism that the former president [Oliver] personified.” Vera said she opened herself to direct criticism with the e-board regarding her duties as secretary. Two out of the 13 e-board members directly contacted her, but other than that, she said all she received was either “passive aggressive feedback or indirect contact.” Kevin Appiah-Kubi, BSU’s former historian who resigned on Oct. 14 due to circumstances outside of BSU, said he was shocked when he heard news of Oliver and Vera’s resignations. “Micah was a respectable president and made the club have more visibility,” he said. Unlike Vera, Appiah-Kubi said he believes the new e-board has “everything under control” and he has no hard feelings toward any of the members. Oliver said he did not know the vice president election would be held on Feb. 1. Although he does not expect to be a part of the rearranging of the e-board, he said he wished he could have used the election as an opportunity to address his resignation to the general body. But Oliver is not completely done with
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BSU. He still plans on attending events and meetings as any other undergraduate student. “I’m a student like anyone else is a student and this is a decision that I made for my academic career and I just ask that it be respected,” he said. BSU president hasn’t been the only job Oliver has taken on. He is also a community assistant in Campus Living, a UB 101 peer mentor and an undergraduate research assistant in the communication department. He is also the StudentWide Judiciary chief justice and formerly part of UB’s Division 1 track and field program. Oliver is also actively involved in the Office of the President and the Office of Equity, Diversion and Inclusion. “But my busy schedule has no effect on my resignation,” he said. “It didn’t deter me and it didn’t play a role in my final decision.” Beth Del Genio, chief of staff to the president, worked closely with Oliver in creating educational-based programs around equity, inclusion and diversity for the new general education requirements along with a College of Arts and Sciences policy regarding campus art installations. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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Erie County is one of few counties in the country where bars serve patrons alcohol until 4 a.m. And despite a proposal for a countywide 2 a.m. closing time and months of discussion and debate, it will remain that way. On Thursday, Erie County legislators voted down the proposal for Erie County bars to close by 2 a.m. Three voted in favor and seven voted against. Lawmakers like Legislator Ted Morton, R-Cheektowaga, and Erie County Clerk Chris Jacobs have been vocal the past few months for a 2 a.m. closing time by arguing that rolling back the last call time to 2 a.m. would decrease alcohol related incidents such as drunk driving. Two days before the vote, on Feb. 2, Erie County residents gathered for a public hearing at the Erie County Clerk’s Office in downtown Buffalo to voice their opinions on the proposal. A majority of the speakers at the hearing were in support of the 2 a.m. closing, saying it would improve the quality of life of residents and give Buffalo a better reputation. Orchard Park Chief of Police Mark Pacholec said very few good things happen after 2 a.m., especially since the majority of DWIs in the county occur between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Pacholec was backed by other speakers, who agreed that the extra two hours only increase the incidences of DWIs, noise complaints, arrests, destruction of property and blood alcohol content (BAC) levels. John Violanti, a research professor in the School of Public Health and Health Professions, was among those who spoke at the hearing. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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NEWS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
Oliver speaks on decision to step down as BSU president CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
time as president. E-board members, UB faculty and staff have played a large role in handling last semester’s incidents – such as the “White Only” and “Black Only” signs, the open forum and the protest at President Satish Tripathi’s annual address. Vera said that despite her experience on the e-board, she has “immense amount of love and respect” for BSU. Oliver said he would challenge members to pursue the principle goals of the organization. “I hope that one day, black students across the country will choose to go to UB because they see how active BSU has been on this campus,” he said. “That would make me proud.”
“As a student leader, he was always well-prepared for discussion and encouraged open-dialogue among university leadership and student leadership,” Del Genio said in an email. Oliver said he has always emphasized the importance of the members’ education in every e-board meeting. He also said some people might not realize how important his family is to him. “I pride myself in being a good brother and son, and last semester I lost myself in all of that,” he said. “I look forward to having more time to enjoy my family and friends beyond college and boardroom meetings.” Oliver said he’s appreciative of the relationships he’s developed throughout his
There were approximately 30 incidents in the Heights reported to Buffalo Police during the month of January alone, according to Crime Reports, a website that works with local police departments and tracks criminal activity reported to authorities. Since the weekend before classes started for the spring semester, approximately 12 incidents, mainly thefts, break-ins, robberies and assaults, have been reported. In spite of Saturday morning’s shooting, crimes are down around 30 percent in the last year and a half for the University Heights area, according to Vertino. “It is still hard to feel safe when things like this happen so close to home,” Lipsky said. The University Heights Collaborative are now setting their sights on the area near Lisbon Avenue, located a block from Jim’s.
Oliver said he’s appreciative of the relationships he’s made during his time as president and plans to attend BSU meetings and events as any other undergraduate student.
email: gabriela.julia@ubspectrum.com
Heights community concerned after weekend shooting CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
“We are aware of somewhat of a ‘hotspot’ in the area of Lisbon Avenue and Cordova Avenue,” Vertino said. About four months ago, the collaborative set up at the Lisbon Cordova block club to get residents more involved and communicating with each other. “I believe the block club can make a big difference in that area,” Vertino said. Lisbon Ave is home to several abandoned homes as well as an abandoned school on the southeast corner of Lisbon Avenue and Cordova Avenue. Vertino said he would also like to keep an open line of communication of students in the area. “I hope that our efforts will have more people looking out for each other,” Vertino said. “We want safety.” email: news@ubspectrum.com
THE DONALD L. DAVIS LECTURESHIP FUND & UNIVERSITY LIFE AND SERVICES PRESENTS
Erie County legislators vote down 2 a.m. bar closing time CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Violanti said according to his research on fatigue and alcohol use, the longer one stays awake, the worse their reaction time is. His research suggests that a person awake for 16 hours in a day has the equivalent reaction time to a person with a BAC of 0.05. Violanti recommended closing bars earlier, due to the adverse effects of combining fatigue with excess alcohol consumption. Still, other residents said bar patrons who do not drink and drive should not be punished for those that do. They argued that instead of closing bars earlier, there should be harsher DWI laws and punishments. Other speakers at the hearing included those who work second or third shift jobs at bars. Many of them said it would be unfair for bars to close early because it favors those who work first shifts and do not take into account the social lives of those who work late. Among the speakers was a UB law stu-
dent who bartends on the side in downtown Buffalo. “We are busiest from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. and during this time is when my rent and tuition get paid,” the student said. He said many students, like him, make their living off of part-time hospitality jobs while at school and closing the bars early could have a major effect on their ability to pay for school and living and grocery expenses. Other UB students also have an opinion about the closing times. Marah Watson, a senior psychology major, said she agrees that bars should keep their 4 a.m. closing times. If bars close two hours earlier every night a week, Watson said, a lot of business will be lost in drink, food and transportation sales. Mark Croce, the owner of SkyBar, located downtown, said at the hearing that if the bars close early, it will just drive patrons to Seneca Niagara Casino and no one will go home early. email: news@ubspectrum.com
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OPINION Uncertainty of Zika virus intensifies threat Wednesday, February 10, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF
Tom Dinki
MANAGING EDITORS
Alyssa McClure Gabriela Julia COPY EDITORS
Renée Staples Saqib Hossain NEWS EDITORS
Marlee Tuskes, Senior Ashley Inkumsah Evan Schneider, Asst. FEATURES EDITORS
Tori Roseman, Senior Tomas Olivier John Jacobs, Asst. ARTS EDITORS
Brian Windschitl, Senior Kenneth Kashif Thomas Luke Hueskin, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS
Jordan Grossman, Co-senior Quentin Haynes, Co-senior PHOTO EDITORS
Yusong Shi, Co-senior Kainan Guo, Co-senior Angela Barca . CARTOONISTS
Joshua Bodah Michael Perlman CREATIVE DIRECTORS
Kenneth Cruz Pierce Strudler
Professional Staff
The Zika virus, the latest epidemic plaguing countries in South America, gained national attention when Obama asked for 1.8 billion dollars in emergency funding. Researchers know very little about the effects of the disease, including how it is transmitted or how quickly it’s spreading. This emergency funding may help to address the crisis as it has already spread across multiple countries, including the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Zika virus an international public health emergency last week and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) command center declared a Level 1 alert, which has only happened three other times in history – once over the Ebola virus in 2014, once for H1N1 in 2009 and once after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. That the CDC has raised to a Level 1 alert over the virus is in itself concerning. Additionally, it’s alarming to think how little we know about a virus is causing international concern. While it is thought mosquitos transmit the virus, which primarily affects pregnant women and children, the long-term effects of the virus are still unclear. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, conjunctivitis and a rash, though the most re-
cent studies have implied the virus could cause neurological damage and birth defects in children, including microcephaly. The Zika virus has been stirring for a while, though the media has just begun reporting on the virus more seriously and frequently. This may have been because the virus has not been highly prevalent in the United States, but health officials in Indiana and Ohio announced the first human cases in those states, according to USA Today. In certain locations where the virus is particularly prevalent, including El Salvador, the government is advising women to not get pregnant for the next couple of years, or at least until a viable solution is found. This measure may
ILLUSTRATION BY JOSHUA BODAH
seem extreme, but the lack of information about the disease is what’s causing panic among the areas affected. Additionally, smaller, low-income countries do not have the money or resources to pay for healthcare, including birth control like condoms or the pill, or access to services like abortion. This could excel the spread of the disease unless a cure is discovered. While the virus seems to be transferred mainly through mosquitos, it has been recently discovered that the virus can be spread through contact with infected blood or through sexual contact. This intensifies concern over the disease, as it can be spread even in
countries where mosquitos as not as prevalent. It is possible, as temperatures around the world surge upward, that the mosquito population will experience an explosion. This would not only increase the prevalence of the disease in countries that already are infected, but could lead to infection of other countries. There is also cause for concern regarding the Olympics this upcoming year, as the event is scheduled to take place in Brazil. Soccer player Hope Solo has already publicly stated that she may not attend out of fear of infection, according to The Washington Post. Kenya as a country and competitor may even withdraw from the Olympics if the virus becomes an epidemic, according to the Daily Mail. The virus has caused waves in the international community, as there is no clear cure, symptoms, or idea of how far it’s already spread. Concerns only rise as more and more people leave on vacations and work-related trips, increasing the possibility of spread of the virus across countries. President Obama’s initiative will hopefully dedicate much-needed funds to coming closer to a cure or vaccine and averting an international pandemic. email: eic@ubspectrum.com
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The money enigma How we lost understanding of money
THE SPECTRUM Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Volume 65 Number 46 Circulation 4,000
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KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS ARTS EDITOR
When civilization first started, the idea of money, or currency, was relatively easy to understand. It was rudimentary, similar to most things in early civilization – basic. Although recently, the form in which money has taken became more complex, which has brought some economists to ask: What exactly is money? The concept of money has grown more complex as large amounts of it became quantified electronically, even more so than physical quantities. The problem is complicated further when stocks and other financial assets are added to the equation. The form in which money has now taken no longer meets some of the most basic requisites to be a “good” medium of exchange. Before we can even begin to question what money is, we need to understand what makes a currency a medium of exchange. The requisites for a currency to meet to be held as a medium of exchange are: 1) The currency must be widely accepted; 2) The currency must be exist in large quantities; 3) It must be durable, meaning it won’t deteriorate or decay; 4) It must be easily recognized; 5) It must be easily divisible into smaller amounts; 6) All parts of the currency must have uniform value; and 7) The currency must have stability.
whenever you wanted. Now, the biggest problem we have with the understanding of electronic currency is the question of stability. In 1951, Diner’s Club introduced the first first credit card and issued 20,000 in total. Since, card payments have steadily become more commonplace, with 1 million cards used under American Express alone in the 1990s. Money has been transitioning into an electronic format for a long while now. As we see in the behavior of the economy today, even as far back as the 1980s, our system of money is by no definition stable. We experience bubbles more frequently, it’s hard to say what policies should be implemented to correct the economy – as nothing has shown definitive results – and it’s near impossible to speculate on the economy, even in the short-term. The stock market has been on a steady decline since the beginning of 2016, with no end in sight. For the United States, things might seem pretty bad, but our economy is performing much better than those of other countries, who are still recovering from the 2008 recession. Part of why we don’t know what the best policies are to implement is that we don’t fully know what we’re dealing with. To correct a system, you must first understand what the system is – then how it works. This isn’t to say that we should abandon the transition to electronically-based currency; the march of time and innovation is one that cannot be stopped. Hindsight is 20-20, but the wisdom to patiently study a system such as the one we’re moving into is worth so much more. email: kenneth.thomas@ubspectrumcom
MONEY TALK
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.
An electronic currency meets three of these criteria – it’s widely accepted, it exists in large quantities and it’s easily divisible into smaller quantities. Electronic currency is any currency that isn’t physical – including money transferred between accounts or services like PayPal or Venmo. The first issue with electronic money is that, while it is divisible into small amounts, these denominations are not uniform. As electronic money is not physical, it cannot be uniform as a set of zeros and ones. Also, almost all financial assets, such as stocks, are electronic. Stocks, which were initially bought in full share purchases, or an entire share of stock, can now be sold, transferred and bought in fractional shares, further muddying the denomination process of said currency. Even today our fiat paper money is by no means durable – maybe our coins, but those won’t last long. Even the penny already costs more to make than it’s worth. But is money in an electronic format susceptible to decay or deterioration? Software and code can deteriorate over time, but how or if this affects money in the financial system has yet to be seen. When put to the cognizability test, it also fails. Electronic funds have no color, form, weight or any other quality of distinction. While it might not be a huge problem, one only has to look to Bitcoin for certain concerns to be raised. Bitcoin, which is not widely acceptable, is constructed of an algorithm. However complex and protected that code is, there is always the possibility of it being compromised. Any amount of time, outside of a full lifetime, would be worth the risk of breaking an electronic currency. It’s the equivalent of taking over the U.S. Treasury and printing as much money as you wanted,
4From popular club to Mexican grub
FEATURES
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
Papi Grande’s opens after transitioning from former hotspot The U JOHN JACOBS ASST. FEATURES EDITOR
For the four years it was open, The U was one of more popular clubs for UB students. Its proximity to North Campus and students’ ability to catch a ride directly on the Stampede bus made it an appealing place for students to go out for the night. The club was popular enough that some students were confused when The U closed its doors during the summer and remained closed for renovations last semester. On Jan. 5, The U officially reopened as Papi Grande’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, an authentic Mexican restaurant complete with a bar that has 16 beers on tap, a private party room with a TV and booths or tables for the casual diner. Unlike The U, which was only open to those 18 and older, Papi Grande’s is open to customers of all ages. Its authentic Mexican menu items range from spicy soups to salads and the restaurant’s most popular item: the chimichanga. Despite some students’ confusion and disappointment about The U closing, Jimmy Spano, owner of the property, believes that closing the club was a good move. Spano said his decision to turn The U into an authentic Mexican restaurant wasn’t the result of bad business – he said the club was doing well right up until it. But he did admit his decision didn’t come solely from his desire to open a restaurant. “The decision to close The U was partially AMC-driven,” Spano said. AMC is the cinema complex next door. About a year ago, the management from AMC Theatres informed him that the theater would be undergoing some serious renovations and those changes were drastic and expensive, Spano said. According to Spano, the renovations to the theater totaled more than $5 million. Since AMC’s renovations would soon draw more traffic to the area, Spano decided
to close The U’s doors and chase his dream of opening a family restaurant. In order bring in students to the new restaurant, which is located on Maple Road, Papi Grannde’s is offering a discount to UB students and faculty during the month of February. Students and staff can get 15 percent off of their food bill by presenting their UB ID card. Although the 15 percent off doesn’t apply to drinks, the bar portion of the restaurant will offer $3.99 margaritas for the entirety of February as well. The restaurant offers daily specials too, which include $2 Taco Tuesdays and halfpriced appetizers on Sundays.
YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM
Some patrons eat their dinner at Papi Grande’s Mexican Restaurant & Cantina, formerly The U. The restaurant opened its doors about a month ago to patrons looking for Mexican cuisine.
Because Papi Grande’s has only been open for a month, some students are unaware that it even existed, let alone offers specials for them as students. “I’ve never been there and didn’t know the restaurant was even there,” said Peter Sanders, a freshman mechanical engineering major. But Kristina Felber, who graduated from UB last spring with a degree in communication, has been to the restaurant with her family three times already and has enjoyed it.
“I really like the food. I think it’s super good,” Felber said. Although Felber likes Papi Grande’s food, she was not supportive of all aspects of the restaurant. “I think they need to work on the music,” Felber said. “I mean, you’re going to a Mexican restaurant and so like obviously they want to have Spanish music on, but it gets kind of annoying. They haven’t found the right mix yet.” email: features@ubspectrum.com
Games for days Math professor Moore-Russo utilizes a unique teaching style TORI ROSEMAN SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR
Professor Deborah Moore-Russo loves to play dominoes. Her favorite version is 42, a game that she grew up playing with her family. Her ability to incorporate her love of games into her teaching methodology won her the 2014 UB Teaching Innovation Award. “I try to make things novel and fun,” Moore-Russo said. “I use many gamebased learning elements. I play a lot of online games, like Clash of Clans and Boom Beach, so I implement those ideas into my teaching.” The professor’s knack for mathematics stems from this early exposure to games and puzzles. She spent a lot of time with her family playing them and playing with toys that would allow her to develop spatial building, such as Legos. “[Math] always came easy,” Moore-Russo said. “It was a logical pattern. There’s a lot of space for creativity in math, like finding the best path to the right answer.” Moore-Russo utilizes strategy, like that seen in Clash of Clans, to explain her math problems to students. In Clash of Clans, it is up to the user to collect supplies, build an army and then strategically attack the enemy. These concepts are mirrored in her math by explaining how first data must be collected, methodology must be picked, and then actually attacking the problem (or solving) can often take many steps that must be the right sequence.
Moore-Russo has moved around frequently in her life because she was part of a military family. She spent her early life in Canada, but moved to different islands as a child, like the Bahamas. She settled in Oklahoma for high school and then attended the University of Oklahoma where she studied for her undergraduate years. The professor returned to her island roots in Puerto Rico, where she stayed for 10 years and received her Ph.D. She ended up in Buffalo to be with her husband, who was in Canada. Moore-Russo’s teaching style is derived from both her love of games and her experiences in so many different places. “I would say I’m more culturally aware,” Moore-Russo said. “Moving to different schools every couple of years really made me want to blend in, so I started becoming more aware of the students around me, and the sub-cultures that each place came with.” Moore-Russo began teaching at UB in 2003. Her research focuses on spatial visualization, communication and reasoning. She’s taught 21 different mathematics courses, ranging from basic algebra to non-Euclidean geometry. She is a faculty member of the UB Gifted Math Program and has revolutionized the way technology is used for math. Moore-Russo utilizes “blended” classes, which meet both face-to-face and require posting and work online through Blackboard. “I’m always trying to find new ways to get students excited about what I’m teaching,” Moore-Russo said. “I maintain a good balance between online and in-person teaching.
COURTESY OF DEBORAH MOORE-RUSSO
Professor Deborah Moore-Russo won the 2014 UB Teaching Innovation Award for her work using strategy and logic to teach students mathematics.
What really matters is seeing students improve.” Jeri Diletti, an adjunct professor at UB, was taught under Moore-Russo. Diletti said Moore-Russo influenced her to pursue her passions and eventually teach math. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without her help,” Diletti said. “She went above and beyond to make sure I not only understood the material she was teaching in class but to make sure I was okay.” Diletti said she was going through a difficult time when Moore-Russo took her under her advisement. The student-professor relationship blossomed into a mentor-mentee relationship in which Diletti looked to Moore-Russo for more than just help with concepts and math. While everyone felt they could learn from Moore-Russo, Diletti felt a special connection to her professor. “She would take time out of her personal schedule to speak or work with me,” Diletti said.
While Moore-Russo works hard to involve her students and engage them in math, she’s naturally shy. Though Moore-Russo is not teaching class this semester, Molly Hamill, a senior mathematics major, expressed that she’s only heard positive things about the instructor in her department. “I’ve never had her personally, but everyone who has just raves about what a great teacher she is,” Hamill said. “The way she teaches her material is really clear and turns complex math into simplistic formulas or ideas.” Moore-Russo is an example of someone who is right-brained; someone who can understand numbers and analyze patterns to a degree that she can explain it with simplicity. Her ability to turn otherwise difficult and complex math problems into a fun, effortless game is a skill unmatched by many other professors in her field.
email: features@ubspectrum.com
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE SPECTRUM
UB graduate student premieres work in downtown gallery
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Wednesday, February, 10 2016
Max Collins uses his simplistic art style to land art show MAX KALNITZ STAFF WRITER
Just says after his girlfriend completed suicide, Max Collins found some inspiration to use his new art technique and pay tribute to the loved one he lost. Last May, Collins used “wheat-pasting” to create a mural of his late girlfriend’s eyes on the side of Ró, a furniture store that she co-owned. It was his first local project using the technique. “I woke up a few mornings [after her death] and thought to myself, ‘I have to do this and that’s the perfect place,’” he said. “That was where I met her so it made sense to use that spot.” Max Collins is a traditional photojournalist who broke away from the one-dimensional aspects of photography to turn to a new passion, which combines his love for nature and his photographic trade into a different abstract art form using, of all things: white office paper. Collins, a Buffalo native who grew up in East Aurora, graduated from the University of Michigan with his bachelor of arts and returned to Buffalo, where he is now a Master of Fine Arts candidate at UB. “My sister’s boyfriend at the time was a painter, and since I grew up in the countryside I knew almost nothing about the city’s art scene. He would always talk about how much he loved the city, and I think he’s right,” Collins said. “If you are outgoing and make work for yourself, there’s tons of possibility in Buffalo.” Collins worked as a photographer for Michigan’s student newspaper and decided to step away for a more hands-on art form in wheat-pasting, a gel or liquid adhesive created by mixing wheat flower or starch and water. Collins has put his own twist on the style, by using white office paper and construction glue instead. “I love the purity of it and how minimalist it is,” he said. Collins by using white paper, it’s “an inexpensive self funded project” that expresses Collins’ love for nature and the forgotten architecture of Buffalo’s past.
“Max’s style is unique in a sense that he is very original coming from photography. But now, reacting to the digitization of modern art, he wants to reconnect to image making in a more hands on method with wheatpasting,” said Millie Chen, one of three professors on Collins’ thesis committee. From a critical standpoint, Chen said that Collins’ personal artistic style has elements that combine the abstract nature of photography with the tangible, tactile elements of nature. “Max likes to take pictures of nature – rocks, boulders and trees – and give them a new paper skin that essentially transforms them into phantom, ghostlike presences,” she said. “His use of white is related to reproductive technology. He photographs these interventions and gives them lots of layers to explore.” Anna Kaplan, owner of the Body of Trade and Commerce Gallery, said that she chose Collins’ work for the gallery because of the potential she saw in the young artist. “I’ve been paying attention to Max for a while now,” she said. “He’s made an incredible impression on the local scene in a short amount of time. I’m confident this is just the beginning of great things to come from him.” All of Collins’ pieces featured in the gallery are untitled, but work together as a part of a larger series of works. One piece in particular from his series rien ne de crée – a French saying meaning “Nothing is born” – is a photo mural of tree branches wheat-pasted together with a light shining from the center, pasted onto recycled planks of wood. “Nothing is original, something is always borrowed from something else,” Collins said. This idea is constant throughout his work. For another piece, he wheat-pasted tree branches on display along with his mural at the gallery. Collins picked the branches from trees behind the Niagara Street train tracks – the branches had fallen from the trees and littered the tracks. “I find it so amazing that in what has been left behind, there are roots and trees
COURTESY OF ANNA KAPLAN
Max Collins, a Buffalo native studying as a Master of Fine Arts candidate for the University at Buffalo’s art department, is currently being featured in the BT&C gallery as a part of the Fresh: Series 1 installation downtown. The series is centered around young, promising Buffalo artists and will be available to view until Feb. 27.
still growing up out of the buildings,” Collins said. “I was at Silo City the other day and on the roof, a tree was starting to grow, that just makes me happy.” Collins describes his artwork as ephemeral – only lasting a short time. “I know my work won’t last forever. That’s the beauty in it. Over time the pieces develop their own texture, wrinkles in the paper, holes in the wood. Someone thought I actually burned the imperfections into this wood, but that’s just how it was,” he said. Collins’ simplistic combinations of everyday white paper and recycled materials give his pieces an abstract nature, which leaves the interpretation up to each viewer. Collins’ thesis project will take place in Niagara Falls this spring, where he plans to wheat-paste an entire house – a large project that will certainly attract lots of attention. He is currently talking with real estate agents to find the perfect neighborhood to work in. “If you make yourself look like you’re supposed to be there, nobody ever ques-
tions you,” Collins said. Chen is very proud of her student and said she has nothing but praise for his vision. “He’s ambitious. He’s hard working, but a project of this proportion doesn’t daunt him. It’s a good challenge for him,” Chen said. Collins’ post-grad plans are still up in the air. “I just bought a cabin 25 miles out from Boston, me and two buddies are going to fix it up and live up on the north shore,” Collins said. “Or I might chase a girl out to Portland – who knows what will happen.” Collins’ works are currently on display at the BT&C Gallery downtown. The works are a part of the Fresh: Series 1, a showcase of young Buffalo artists. This is the first cycle of a series that will be running yearly, featuring artists from around Western New York. The show opened on Jan. 28 and will run until Feb. 27. Gallery hours are 12-5 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, or by appointment. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude has something to prove King Push, kingpin, overlord delivers the monsters under the floorboards ALEXANDER BLUM STAFF WRITER
Album: Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude Artist: Pusha T Label: G.O.O.D. Music Release Date: Dec. 18 Grade: AGod help us. Clocking in at a slim 33-minutes, Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude is legendary cocaine rapper Pusha T’s second solo album. The president of G.O.O.D. Music, Pusha T built his legacy in the rap duo Clipse throughout the 2000s with his brother No Malice. Their standout album, Hell Hath No Fury, is a classic. At 38 years old, Pusha T is an aging rapper with something to prove. And like Hov, he is one of the few dope rappers who have actually lived the life they rap about. He is comparable to Killer Mike as both are skilled lyricists with multiple projects and unsatisfied with their current level of commercial recognition. With 2013’s My Name is My Name, Pusha T proved himself with songs like “King Push,” “Numbers on the Board” and “Nosetalgia.” Pusha T differentiates himself from other ‘hard’ dope rappers by effortless stoicism,
COURTESY OF GOOD MUSIC
Pusha T’s newest album Darkest Before Dawn: The Prelude made a splash in the heavily saturated rap market last month.
walking the walk and bringing frightening beats to back him up. Describing himself as ruthless and powerful, his craft comes with a slow, low-pitched flow that is extremely consistent through all of his solo work. In this album, a prelude to 2016’s forthcoming King Push, Pusha T is at the top of his game.
“Intro” is a banger, with lines like, “They take samples of ’em / I make examples of ’em / It’s the thrill of the hunt I keep my mantle covered.” A grandiose opening carries the song; a soul voice wailing into the dark over bars sets the mood and makes an impact at first listen. The next song “Untouchable” samples
Notorious B.I.G. over a wobbly, paranoid keyboard beat. Pusha T’s confidence flows throughout the song, portraying his isolation and experience. “M.F.T.R.” continues the great production, declaring himself, “Kim Jong of the crack song / Gil Scott-Heron to the black poem.” This was a standout single of the album before its release, approaching commercialism while retaining his style. “Crutches, Crosses, Caskets” seems strained to keep the hook in line with the beat, but the fading, twisted horn in the background makes for another unique beat. Finding another hilarious way to rhyme about his drug money, Pusha declares, “I’m the L. Ron Hubbard of the cupboard.” A more relaxed track, “M.P.A.” wouldn’t sound out of place on a Kendrick Lamar album, a self-reflective hymn on the emptiness of a superficial rap lifestyle. Pusha T reminds us of his intellect. Then, it transitions into the insane “Got ’em Covered.” Pusha T has a history of rapping over beats that are off-the-wall. Every year he has one song that breaks expectations. Last year it was “Lunch Money”; in 2013 it was “Numbers on the Board.” Pusha T’s versatility comes out in spades over beats like this. His flow carries over the track effortlessly. The final track “Sunshine” is packed with conscious lyrics – and a Don Lemon diss is always a plus. This is a strong prelude to King Push, dropping this April. Pusha T, alongside Hov, sees himself as one of the true dope boys. His ambition hits the mark, so motivation is not needed. If King Push eclipses this album it will be sensational. email: arts@ubspectrum.com
6
FEATURES
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
times the device is temperamental and won’t “cast” your content onto the television.
TORI ROSEMAN SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR
In a world of instant access to entertainment, it can be difficult to figure out which system will best serve your personal viewing needs. Netflix was the catalyst for this movement, the first streaming service that everyone needed to have in order to binge-watch, reminisce over old favorites and discover new “Netflix-exclusive” series. It seems the days of cable TV are numbered as these services are providing a more user-specific experience. After Netflix, Amazon and Hulu began to compete with the service, viewers had far more options. The services cost so little a month, it seems silly to not buy in – until now. The latest in streaming technology includes Apple TV, Chromecast and the Amazon Fire Stick – game changers in their own right. But which one would serve best for your needs? Here’s some information about all of the available technology, so you can make the right investment.
Apple TV This device is considered a digital media player and a microconsole (think mini PlayStation 4 or Xbox) that streams from multiple sources to play onto a TV set. It’s HDMI compatible so connecting is easy. A remote is provided and used to control the set. It includes streaming from a variety of services including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vevo and TV Everywhere, which have channels from normal cable television. The device is compatible in particular with
Amazon Fire TV Stick
TV Talk The latest technology in streaming any other Apple device, which is helpful in particular for using iTunes and AirPlay. This most recent version of the device, the fourth generation, averages between $175 and $200 depending on where you buy it. An older version costs much less, starting as low as $55. The streaming service is great for having a huge variety of sports, music and TV shows, though it’s on the most expensive side. It’s the type of investment to split with roommates in order to buy they best version you can afford.
Chromecast This device, made by Google, plugs right into the HDMI port on your TV like a USB. It’s been around for a couple years now, which has given Google time to per-
ALL INFORMATION ACCORDING TO UNIVERSITY POLICE dentally cut off his “left little finger” with a 2/2 4:48 a.m. – A student reported a suspi- knife. The student said he thought he needed cious vehicle in the Diefendorf Lot. The stitches but did not want an ambulance. 8:25 p.m. – Dispatch received a call from student reported the vehicle was a UB van and the driver was pulling up next to cars a student who reported his roommate was having suicidal thoughts. and looking inside them. 9:08 p.m. – A student reported an un2/3 known person was stalking her. She said the 4:05 p.m. – A student reported someone had gone through his mail over break alleged stalker had been standing outside of and stole a prescription. The student said he her door but left when she called UPD. had not checked his mail before leaving for 2/8 8:23 a.m. – A UB hall director reportbreak and when he checked it, the envelope ed a turkey was in the Main and Bailey Lot. where the prescription had been was ripped Patrol reported the turkey was no longer in open and empty. the lot but on the golf course. 4:15 p.m. – A student said he felt like he 12:31 p.m. – A student employee reportwas being followed. The student said he has not seen anyone following him but he had ed a patron of the Governor’s Dining Hall a feeling someone was. He reported he had slapped her while at work. 4:09 p.m. – A student reported her small been receiving strange calls and texts from purse was taken after she left it unattended an unknown number. in Alumni Arena. The purse contained a set 2/4 6:42 p.m. – UPD received a report re- of keys and Chapstick. 4:37 p.m. – A caller reported a student garding a student who was allegedly taking pictures of keys from a residence hall and from the UB Gifted Math Program noticed using them to make copies. The student someone smoking a marijuana cigarette in has also reportedly gained access to a dorm the first floor bathroom of Clemens Hall. room with one of the keys he had made. 7:13 p.m. – A student reported he acci- email: news@ubspectrum.com
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fect its product. It only had 256K of memory, which isn’t a lot in terms of storage but ideal for the purpose of the plug-in – a gateway. Connect the device to your WiFi and use your phone – any type, including iPhone and Android – as a remote control to control what content you want to watch. The key is to have apps like Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go and Crackle on your device. The price is a standard $35 but this depends upon where you order it from or whichever store you pick it up from. Positive aspects include easy access to your shows and movies via connecting your phone to the TV, easy set-up and music, sports and exercise apps. On the other side, you are paying the cost of having all these services – a little under $10 for each – on your phone and some-
The Amazon Fire TV Stick is another HDMI-compatible device used for streaming services. It has more storage than Chromecast and was made by Amazon to compete with similar services being offered. It exclusively streams Amazon Video on top of Netflix and HBO Go like other services. Specifically, it is geared toward those looking to stop paying for cable and streams channels from AMC to HGTV to CNN. You can even upload photos and videos onto the device On Amazon, the Fire TV Stick costs $40, which isn’t too steep – especially compared to the other streaming devices. Like Chromecast, it can turn your phone into a remote control, which is perfect for convenient streaming capabilities. On the plus side, the Fire TV Stick is unique in the sense it allows Amazon Prime members special access to certain television shows or other services. It has a wide variety of choices as far as streaming and is relatively simple to use. The Fire TV Stick isn’t anything outstanding compared to other devices though – it essentially does the same thing as the other two, with just slightly different selections. No matter what device you end up picking, this is the technology of the future. The modernization of television watching to make the experience more user-specific is exemplified in these sorts of devices. email: features@ubspectrum.com
The life and death of ‘Johnny Football’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
This is just the latest, and potentially final, development in a story that hasn’t changed at all in four full years, although it continues to darken due to its inexplicable monotonousness. It is the story of “Johnny Football,” a character who conned America into thinking he was a better player, and person, than he actually is. When Manziel had his trademark persona revelation, bursting onto the scene in 2012 at Texas A&M with the greatest freshman season in the history of college football, both on and off the field, he split America. He was the hard-partying and unapologetic legend that could get hammered Friday night and still dominate on Saturday. College football had never seen a player like this on the field – the only Heisman Trophy winning freshman in history at the time – but he was also unique off the field. Many college athletes partied, but none did it to as much publicity and openness as Manziel. He once attempted to attend a frat party at rival school University of Texas and was thrown out on camera. He once attempted to use a fake ID, which is pretty hard when you’re on national television every Saturday. And it never ended. The stories of Johnny Football’s off-thefield antics split fans. To some people he was an annoying, entitled, punk of a kid. To other people he was an annoying, punk kid, but he was just trying to have fun and do what all college kids do. He had plenty of time to mature. I saw him as a transcendent, amazing talent. The fact that he did all this while still living the crazy lifestyle on the side made him all the more likable. It’s easy to say in hindsight, but the legend of Johnny Football was always more hollow than we wanted to acknowledge. Anyone can get behind what’s cool and root for it, but it’s now more obvious than ever that Manziel peaked in college, and as those who always doubted him will tell you, that’s probably how it was always going to be. Manziel’s career is now in serious doubt not because of a lack of playing ability or
confidence, but due to what is now an obvious lack of self-control and some clear mental deficiency. There’s nothing cool about that. I defended Manziel to the end of the Earth as a fun-loving, work hard-play hard future franchise quarterback and therefore I was part of the problem. He seemed fun and loving, but he was really just sick. He quit on his team, he quit on his family and he quit on his friends no matter how many chances he was given. Manziel never showed any indication that there is a reliable bone in his body in four full years in the spotlight and somehow he still fooled us. This is a troubled guy and we all enabled him all along because we thought it was cool and harmless. Johnny Football was cool. Johnny Manziel isn’t cool at all, and now at the age of 23, that’s all that is left. He may already be out of chances in the NFL. There’s no football left for Manziel. Most fans loved “Johnny Football,” and now it’s time for the Manziel defenders, myself among them, to own up to what we’ve done. We are the enablers who played a part in Manziel’s demise, and now we all owe our thoughts and prayers to the hope he can turn his life into something worthwhile, even if he never plays another football game. This is a 23-year-old kid who brought himself down with the world watching and cheering him on, and now we must accept responsibility. It’s a shame, because he could have been something. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the nation and had a special skill set of speed and precision. Fans, family and friends gave him hope and a chance. All he did was give everyone the finger. The world created Johnny Football, and now his supporters can’t look away as the last pieces of that façade go up in smoke. email: makelson@buffalo.edu
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Wednesday, February 10, 2016
THE SPECTRUM HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
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8
SPORTS
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
THE SPECTRUM
6-foot-9 forward Perkins learning threepoint shot under NBA vet Marshall
Learning from the
best
QUENTIN HAYNES SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
Men’s basketball assistant coach Donyell Marshall knows what it takes to be a successful three-point shooting big man. He was a 6-foot-9 power forward in the NBA for 14 seasons known for his three-ball. He even shares the record for most three-pointers in a game (12) with Kobe Bryant. In order to be successful, a person of that height must use it to their full advantage, he said during the Bulls’ practice in Alumni Arena Monday. As he spoke, 6-foot-8 freshman forward Nick Perkins continued his everyday practice drills. One shot attempt saw Perkins come up the floor with the ball, stop and shoot. The second had him coming from out of the low post, behind a screen and receiving the ball from one of the coaches and firing a three from the corner. Marshall gazed on in awe. It was that drive, Marshall said, that makes him believe Perkins will eventually become a better, more accurate shooter as his college career continues. “I think he has to know your personnel, who’s guarding you,” Marshall said. “When a big man is guarding you, then you want to have that shot in your arsenal. Keep them off balanced. When you have a smaller player on you, Nick will want to take him down to the post more. It’s having the shot, but it’s also balance. He’s working on that.” Perkins has been a steady contributor to the Bulls record (14-10, 7-4 Mid-American Conference) throughout his freshman season. Injuries to forwards David Kadiri and Raheem Johnson have resulted in Perkins getting more playing time than projected. He’s averaging 7.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in more than 18 minutes off the bench per night. Not bad for a guy who was playing amongst high school kids eight months prior. But where Perkins really provides added versatility into the lineup is his three-point
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Freshman forward Nick Perkins attempts a free throw in Buffalo’s 80-70 victory over Eastern Michigan on Feb. 6. Perkins has provided Buffalo with a versatile big man who can shoot the three this season.
and mid-range game. Nearly 40 percent of his shot attempts have come from beyond the arc, and he’s made the fifth most three points on the team this season (20). Perkins wants more and didn’t shy away in saying so. He rated himself “C” this season, citing he wants “to be more aggressive as the
season continues” and he sees himself “working from a slow start earlier into the year.” If he’s looking for advice on shooting the three as a big man, he doesn’t have to look further than the Bulls’ bench. Marshall stared at the University of Connecticut from 1991-1994 and shot 24 per-
Bearden suspended indefinitely Point guard sat out Buffalo’s last-second loss to Toledo Tuesday night
cent from three-point range as a freshman. He steadily improved his shot, as he finished with 30 percent shooting before heading to the NBA. Marshall took another step forward as a professional. He was a 35 percent shooter from beyond the arc during his career in the NBA. But Marshall knows it takes more than just putting time in on court, but in the film room and playbook as well. “As a freshman, or any young person, you just have days,” Marshall said. “Some days, you’re up. You want to come into the gym and work hard. You want to be the main man in the gym. Some days, the energy isn’t there, you want to go home, you just want to get through the practice. He stays hard and works after every practice, and he has to continue that. There will be days … I’ve been there before, but he’ll continue to grow.” Head coach Nate Oats said Perkins has the skills to shoot the three and a big body to abuse people inside the paint and he’s learning when to use those two different skills. But he too said the major task for Perkins to apply that same progression when preparing. “With him, it’s learning to focus every day,” Oast said. “Studying scouting reports, where teams want to guard him, he’s coming though. Bigs take time to come along, but him and [Ikenna Smart] are figuring it out.” As a part of figuring out his game, Perkins spends hours at a time in the gym to prep for his next challenge by working on rotations on defense, his body and taking shots on various parts of the floor – all apart of his everyday work in practice. With just seven games left before the MAC Tournament, Perkins wants to continue to work on his game, continue to develop into one of the better players on the team. More specifically, he wants to get back to the same “balance” he had in high school. “That’s one of the things I had trouble with early in college,” Perkins said, “learning how to balance because in high school, you can do what you do at will, so I kind of did what I wanted. It’s mostly about finding my balance on both sides of the ball. I’m getting there, the coaches have been great and I still want to work on my shot. I’m going to keep getting into the gym and working on it more.” email: sports@ubspectrum.com
The life and death of ‘Johnny Football’
JORDAN GROSSMAN SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR
The men’s basketball team has suspended sophomore guard Lamonte Bearden indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team, UB Athletics confirmed Tuesday. Shawn Stepner of WKBW reported Bearden tested positive for marijuana. Bearden sat out the Bulls’ (14-10, 7-4 MidAmerican Conference) 71-69 loss to Toledo (15-9, 6-5 MAC) at Alumni Arena Tuesday night. He was, however, on the bench. After the game, head coach Nate Oats would not say how long the suspension would be or the reasoning beyond that it was a violation of team rules. Bearden leads the Bulls with 13.5 points and 3.5 assists per game while playing an average of nearly 29 minutes a night. He also leads the team in steals with 35. This isn’t the first time a Bulls player has been suspended this season. Senior forward Raheem Johnson and sophomore guard Mory Diane were both suspended for Buffalo’s first game due to their involvement in the dorm theft that left former MAC Player of the Year Justin Moss expelled from UB. Johnson has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a foot injury and Diane left the program in December to transfer. Buffalo hosts Ohio (14-8, 5-5 MAC) Friday at Alumni Arena to end a three-game home stand. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. Quentin Haynes contributed reporting email: sports@ubspectrum.com
Those who defended Johnny Manziel’s drunken actions must now face a sobering reality MICHAEL AKELSON STAFF WRITER
KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM
Lamonte Bearden checks his watch during the Bulls’ 71-69 loss to toledo tuesday night. bearden was suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team.”
The star quarterback from Texas A&M that dazzled defenses and fans around the country will be nothing more than a footnote in football history. Forget the accolades. Forget that he was the first freshman Heisman winner in college football history. Forget the name “Johnny Football.” He doesn’t exist anymore. The long tumble of the soon-to-be former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel into oblivion and universal animosity received its final blow last Friday, officially leaving his family in shambles and his actions indefensible. Police are investigating an incident in which Manziel allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, Colleen Crowley, and threatened to kill her and himself. Manziel’s father also told the Dallas Morning News that he believes if his son doesn’t get help soon he won’t live to see his 24th birthday. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6