Letter from the editor: The Spectrum stands with The Capital Gazette

06/29/18 1:37pm | By HANNAH STEIN

On Thursday afternoon, a gunman broke through the glass at Maryland’s Capital Gazette daily newspaper and killed five reporters. This was a targeted attack, an act of distinct hatred -- a tragic attack on our society.

The five staff members went to work for the sole purpose of serving the public and will not return home to their families, will not return to their duty of telling the stories to the public or live to see justice.

Supreme Court refuses to cater to prejudice regarding gay marriage

02/10/15 2:58pm

Illustration by Harumo Sato Subverting the law for the sake of equality is ultimately a worthwhile endeavor. Lora and Julie, the first same-sex couple to marry in Etowah County, Alabama on Monday would certainly agree. So, too, would Olanda and Dianah, Cooper and Jessie and all the same-sex couples in Alabama who finally saw their relationships recognized and legalized after the Supreme Court declined to block a January federal court order that made states begin issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples. Voters in Alabama approved a statewide ban on gay marriage in 2006 by a 4-to-1 margin. But this January, U.S. read more >>

Buffalo Bills' pickup of Incognito far from inconspicuous

02/10/15 2:57pm

Bills Head Coach Rex Ryan made it known that he wants to ?build a bully? with his new team. With the signing of Richie Incognito, it?s clear that Ryan means business. read more >>

Buffalo Common Council aims to protect public from effects of e-cigarettes

02/08/15 2:21pm

Buffalo has taken swift action against electronic cigarettes, becoming the first community in Erie County to impose laws that ban the smoking of e-cigarettes wherever traditional cigarettes are disallowed. The new measure, passed by the Buffalo Common Council last week, aims to protect the public from the potential secondhand effects of e-cigarettes. Vaping has fewer health risks than smoking a tobacco cigarette, but e-cigarettes do contain varying levels of nicotine and the vapors emitted contain other substances as well, including formaldehyde and heavy metals. Clearly regulation is still necessary, although e-cigarettes can help smokers kick their tobacco habit. It?s certainly important to ensure that non-smokers aren?t exposed to cigarette smoke, but e-cigarettes are still new and their potential health risks not fully explored. But e-cigarettes offer potential benefits as well. They?re frequently marketed as a tool that can be used to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. read more >>

Buffalo School District fails to notice administrator's wrongdoing efficiently

02/08/15 2:19pm

The Buffalo Public School District can?t seem to catch a break. Perhaps that?s because they keep hiring ineffective ? and in this case corrupt ? individuals to lead the district and manage its money. Before Debbie Buckley?s firing seven months ago, the high-level administrator for the district was tasked with managing more than $100 million in federal grants the district received for its students living in poverty. Buffalo?s public schools are filled with impoverished children. read more >>

Kenmore bans pawnshops

02/05/15 9:43pm | By Editorial Board , Editorial Board

The Village of Kenmore has decided to ?just say no? ? to pawnshops. After local business owners became suspicious that a loan broker was quietly attempting to open a shop in the area, town officials acted rapidly and severely by placing a six-month ban on the businesses. This temporary ruling culminated in the recent decision to disallow pawnshops and loan brokers entirely. The ban stems from concern that pawnshops could attract criminal activity and allow for the trafficking of stolen goods, though no reports of crime stemming from such shops have surfaced. Instead, the move appears to be preemptive ? and perhaps presumptive. In a copy of the law proposing the original six-month moratorium, the Village Board cited ?several communities across the country? that noticed pawn shops causing ?certain negative effects.? The details justifying Kenmore?s decision are scarce to say the least. There was no uptick in crime in Kenmore due to pawnshops, and even the national examples the Board cites are lacking specificity. This is not to say that Kenmore is entirely wrong in their decision or that there is no detailed evidence supporting the village?s choice. read more >>

Cuomo's attempt at education reform meets hostility

02/05/15 9:41pm | By Editorial Board , Editorial Board

Even with the same endgame ? an improved education system for New York State ? it appears impossible for Gov. read more >>

"In place of cancelation, communication from UB should be no-brainer"

02/03/15 9:03pm

It?s a problem The Spectrum has discussed time and time again ? an issue which students bemoan and commuters fear: UB?s refusal to accommodate its students during inclement weather, or even recognize the challenges being faced by the community. During November?s snowstorm, UB drew enough ire from the public and the media that the administration caved in, canceling classes after refusing to do so during the initial days of the storm. Monday?s snow event certainly wasn?t as dramatic as November?s blizzard. read more >>

Deadline day: International soccer clubs scramble to acquire top-tier players in the last day of eligibility

02/03/15 7:42pm | By JAMES BATTLE , JAMES BATTLE

Spectrum File Photo The transfer window in professional soccer can be one of the most exciting or heart-wrenching times of the year for fans around the world. The joy of one?s favorite team signing the next young superstar can cause pleasure like none other. read more >>

Protect the vulnerable and reject the ignorant: Anti-vaxxers are putting children in danger

02/03/15 7:39pm

Illustration by Harumo Sato In 2000, the United States declared that measles had been eradicated from the country. Now, misinformation and fallacious reasoning have brought it back. Last year, there were 644 confirmed cases of measles across the United States, according to the Center of Disease Control. read more >>

"M?s Que brings food, drinks and the beautiful game"

02/03/15 3:24pm | By Daniel McKeon , Daniel McKeon

Fans gather in M read more >>

Getting a B.S. in dishwashing

02/03/15 3:15pm | By BRIAN WINDSCHITL , BRIAN WINDSCHITL

Spectrum File Photo The following column is a satire piece and should be taken as such. read more >>

"Blame it on the alcohol, Dartmouth says"

02/01/15 11:05am

Harumo Sato, The Spectrum As an Ivy League college, Dartmouth has long maintained a reputation for academic excellence and top-tier students. read more >>

Capen renovations are an exercise in patience

02/01/15 11:04am

?Delayed gratification? will have to serve as the motto for students using North Campus libraries this year, as ?Club Capen? shuts down in order to undergo a dramatic remodel. Longer lines and louder study spaces in Lockwood and Silverman libraries may cause some headaches, but the carefully planned and much-needed improvements to the third floor of the Silverman Library will be worth it ? eventually. As part of UB?s Heart of the Campus project, a UB 2020 initiative involving renovations on all three campuses, the Silverman Library is getting a facelift. Up until its closing in December, Club Capen served as a popular 24-hour study space. read more >>

"Phones down, heads up "

02/01/15 10:38am | By GABRIELA JULIA , GABRIELA JULIA

Spectrum File Photo We?ve all done it: Walked seamlessly down the crowded spine with our eyes glued to our phones. read more >>

"'Big time,' big money, big problems"

01/29/15 7:22pm

With barely recognizable opponents like Wheeling Jesuit and Montana State, it?s no surprise students aren?t turning out in droves to watch UB?s basketball team compete ? even though the Bulls have been winning. Because the excitement factor doesn?t seem sufficient, UB Athletics is upping its own game and offering financial incentives to students, but it won?t work. UB is raffling off not only GoPros and Beats headphones, but also ?tuition for the fall 2015 semester? in its latest attempt to lure students to athletic events ? particularly those broadcast by ESPN. It sounds a little like bribery, but even more so, this promotion reeks of desperation. Athletic director Danny White appears determined ? even desperate ? to revamp UB Athletics? image, to make the program a true ?big time? competitor. And to achieve that, UB needs to keep up with fellow Division-I schools like Ohio State and Duke, whose games are regularly broadcast on ESPN and feature shots of stands packed with screaming fans having the time of their lives. Although UB?s basketball team is doing well this season, boasting a 13-6 record, students just aren?t flocking to the games. That?s a problem, and Athletics is right to address it, but there are simpler ? and cheaper ? solutions than a master plan involving free tuition and expensive tech devices. read more >>

Tossing the coffee cups

01/29/15 2:40pm | By GABRIELA JULIA , GABRIELA JULIA

Spectrum File Photo Syllabus week is just about over, which means the lines at Tim Hortons and Starbucks will only get longer. read more >>

Accepting senioritis

01/29/15 2:36pm | By SHARON KAHN , SHARON KAHN

Spectrum File Photo I think it just goes to show that I?ve now spent the last 10 hours sitting on my couch aimlessly chatting with my roommates, occasionally snacking on something in arm?s reach knowing I had work to do. read more >>

Corruption charges a distraction and a disappointment

01/27/15 5:50pm | By Editorial Board , Editorial Board

Illustration by Harumo Sato Even as the threat of prison looms over Sheldon Silver, the speaker of the New York State Assembly refuses to step down. It?s fair to point out Silver is innocent until proven guilty, but that argument doesn?t justify the politician clinging to political power even as his claims of innocence slowly slip from his tenuous grasp. After the FBI arrested Silver last Thursday, he waited until Sunday to even temporarily step back (he refused to fully ?step down?). He maintained his position even as he went to court to be charged with corruption, including counts of conspiracy and bribery for three days. Silver faces up to 100 years in prison for his alleged crimes. The criminal complaint in his case details that the speaker abused his power and collected approximately $4 million in political payoffs over the last decade. Silver claimed the money as income from his employment as a lawyer outside of his government position. read more >>

A new shift

12/05/14 1:37am | By AMANDA LOW , AMANDA LOW

When I was younger, I wanted to be a scientist, a reporter and a basketball player. And even though I am good at free throws, I knew I would always end up choosing one path. But I never thought one childhood desire would lead me to one of the best decisions I made at UB. Before The Spectrum, I was unmotivated and stagnant. read more >>

A source of pride ' and debt

12/05/14 1:33am

When UB announced that Lance Leipold would be UB football?s new head coach, everyone had plenty to say. read more >>