Last semester, the Student Association held a contest where students competed to design a fiberglass "bull" in an effort to raise school spirit. The contest drew few applicants, something SA officials said might be because the "bull" in the contest was actually a buffalo borrowed from the "Herd About Buffalo" campaign.
"I know a buffalo is a totally different animal than a bull, but I figured what the hay," said SA President George Pape.
So this semester, SA is giving it another shot - but this time, they have chosen an animal even farther from a bull - a West African Giraffe.
"Some people suggested we actually, you know, use a bull for the contest, but I think the giraffe works much better," Pape said.
Students will compete to adorn the giraffe, nicknamed Jeffy, with the blue and white of UB. The fiberglass giraffe will then be prominently displayed outside Diefendorf Hall, according to Pape.
"I hope students really get behind this," Pape said. "If they do, I've got all kinds of plans for the future - students will get a chance to decorate an ostrich, a woodchuck and a pacific salmon. That's what the f**k SA does!"
"I plan on suing the giraffe for libel," said SA advisor and law student Josh Korman, who wandered into Pape's office during the interview.
Seventh-year art student Brodie Bruce said he is eager to come up with a design for the fiberglass giraffe.
"I didn't want to propose a design for the buffalo, because it's a little too close in nature to a bull, and would make a little too much sense for me," said Bruce.
Bruce added his plans for the giraffe involve orange and magenta paint, neon-green cotton balls, fireman's boots, a black lace garter and a fishing hat.
UB Student and avid basketball fan John Amitrano said he is planning a design where he would dress the giraffe up as Yassin Idbihi, complete with oversized jersey and basketball shoes.
"GO BULLS AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" said Amitrano.
Spectrum Editor in Chief Erin Shultz said the giraffe would look "rad" with some spiky red and blonde hair.
"Hey kiddo, don't you think that would look great? The giraffe would be stylin', until, of course, it had to find a job in the real world," said Shultz.
President John Simpson said he is still reviewing the facts of possible giraffe designs, and will make a statement in six to eight months.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
