For news at UB, it's been one hell of a year.
We've been blasted by a freakishly early snowstorm and graced by the presence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Alleged Bike Path Rapist Altemio Sanchez was arrested and we passed the 30th anniversary of the Blizzard of '77. And then, of course, former Vice President of the United States turned environmental ambassador Al Gore was just here this last weekend.
All big events for the UB community, and all extensively covered by the local media, including The Spectrum. But not all stories are created equal.
More often than not, the stories that matter most to the student body are the easiest ones to miss. They start with one student raising a red flag or one person abusing their on-campus power - things the average outsider would never notice. It's at these times that it is our collective job to blow the whistle and The Spectrum's job as our newspaper to make as much information as possible available.
It's been a hell of a year for these kinds of stories too.
Nov. 29 2006, The Spectrum's front page was overrun with a story on the School of Informatics, or rather, what used to be the School of Informatics. Satish Tripathi, UB's Provost, decided to dissolve the school last summer, seemingly without consulting anyone at all. In fact, he announced his plans in mid-June, when most faculty aren't on campus - he waited until he could have his way with as little to stop him as possible.
Many considered it an abuse of power by Tripathi. It wasn't a story covered in-depth by The Buffalo News. Whether or not dissolving the school was a good decision, the actual decision-making process was left in the dark.
Just a few issues later on Dec. 8, GSA President Aubrey Balcom resigned after being accused of misappropriating funds - thanks to some concerned students, The Spectrum obtained copies of the numbers and receipts in question. Balcom spent more than four times what he was allotted, and his fellow executive board members signed off on it.
His colleagues were impeached and removed from office shortly after winter break.
Just two stories that we were able to bring to the forefront against the will of those in power. But this isn't meant to be a pat on the back, it's a call to action: don't stop digging now.
For example, just one of the stories that we've wanted to do this year and haven't been able to get far enough into: what's with all of the offices in the Student Union? Isn't it supposed to be for students?
Year after year, Student Life and other services take over space in our Union. Just recently one of the commuter lounges was taken over for another department, leaving off-campus residents just one small room left to retreat to between classes. Most groups and Student Association clubs can't even book rooms in the Student Union for their meetings without putting in a reservation months in advance - UB's administrative departments put a hold on them before anyone else gets a chance.
Can't officials use the rest of their massive North Campus and leave those rooms for us? UB2020 calls for spaces that we'll cherish more as students, places we want to spend time. Far a start, maybe we just need better access to the space we've already got.
And all of that's just one angle. Next year, the Sub-Board I, Inc. Programming grant expires. A program created with student money may no longer help fund student initiatives. Be ready for a fight in the fall as the struggle to keep those funds in our hands grows.
What this all comes down to is a simple concept: The Spectrum is done for the semester, but that doesn't mean we have to stop being investigative and aware of our surroundings. For the next few months, keep your eyes and ears open and keep tabs on what happens. In the fall, tell us if there's anything we should be looking into in case we missed it.
Last summer an entire school was dismantled behind our backs, so be prepared for anything.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
