While the future of The Spectrum is still hazy due to a lack of funding, yesterday, in a surprising turn of events, Student Association President Christian Oliver pledged his tuition waiver to The Spectrum in an effort to keep them afloat for a few more weeks.
One hour later SA Vice President Jennifer Brace called Spectrum Editor in Chief Sara Paulson - who plans to run for SA president in 2005 - to pledge her tuition waiver as well.
"I really wanted to give back to the student community after they have given me so much of their student activity fees," said Brace.
Brace said she was so generous with her tuition waiver because she was inspired by her party's political platform.
"We want results!" she said.
According to Paulson, The Spectrum staff was overjoyed by the enormous generosity of the Student Association.
"I'm, like, so totally surprised, Chris (Oliver) is my buddy now!" said Paulson.
Some students were not as excited, however.
"I hate The Spectrum," said Sean Hickson, a junior English major. "Visions has superior reporting, better stories, and I love reading about the stupid things my elected Student Association officials do in 'UB Embarrassed.'"
Tamara Flynn agreed. She said she often finds glaring errors in The Spectrum's articles.
"The editors at The Spectrum really don't know what they're doing," Flynn said. "I am constantly finding mistakes in there. I don't know why they waste their time."
According to Oliver, the SA e-board decided they were wrong not to give The Spectrum "a ton of money, just for fun."
"The Spectrum is an invaluable resource to the student body here at UB," Oliver said.
The student government president proceeded to quote former U.S. president Thomas Jefferson, saying, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
Paulson thanked Oliver repeatedly throughout the day, even inviting Oliver to go out to The Steer with her.
Oliver politely declined, saying, "You don't have to thank me, you're already paying for it."
Oliver and Brace made their announcement shortly after incoming Editor in Chief Erin Shultz announced that she was flying to Mexico with money she embezzled from the paper's coffers.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
