There was a lot of change at UB last week. Students attended classes on Rosh Hashanah for the first time in 37 years. Law school Dean Makau Matua resigned after holding the position for seven years. UB is looking to create a new and improved general education requirements program and the Student Association held a vote to increase the mandatory student activity fee. The Spectrum also talked to senior safety, Adam Redden, about his horrific car accident in 2007.
1. Makau Matua resigned Monday after serving as the dean of the Law school for seven years. Matua currently faces allegations for lying in federal court. Jeffrey Malkan, a former law school professor, filed a lawsuit against Matua for wrongfully terminating his contract in 2011. Matua will continue teaching at UB.
2. Thursday was the first time in 37 years that UB held classes on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish high holiday that represents the Jewish new year. Students with special permission were allowed to miss class, but were still responsible for the work. This decision sparked controversy among students and faculty about whether it was the right thing to do. Some students and teachers believed it was unfair to hold class on the holiday, but others felt it was better to have a “non-religious” calendar. The university said there were “no negative consequences” and “that no members of the university community are compelled to work, teach or attend classes in a way that impacts their ability to practice their faith,” according to UB’s Academic Calendar and the Jewish Holidays frequently asked questions.
3. Senior Adam Redden, an All-Mid American Conference safety, has goals beyond the football field. In 2007, Redden and his father were driving home from his high school football game when they were t-boned by a drunk driver. Redden had to learn to walk again and recover mentally. His outlook on life dramatically changed after the accident and he decided to take advantage other opportunities. During his recovery, Redden realized that his purpose was to give back. Now, Redden is known for more than his skills on the football field – he is also a licensed barber and a pharmacy student. Redden is no longer crippled by the past and is moving toward his ultimate goal of being a “Renaissance man.”
4. This week, The Spectrum broke down UB’s revamped general education requirements that some students and teachers felt needed to be changed. More than 60 percent of UB students were unhappy with the current general education program, according to a UB survey. The new program requires completion of fewer credits and gives students more class options. The new program hopes it will offer classes that are related to students’ fields. The Faculty Senate will vote on the new proposal and the new curriculum could be in place fall 2016.
5. The Student Association (SA) held a vote to increase UB’s mandatory student activity fee by $10. Before this year’s vote, the fee was $94.75. SA wanted to raise the fee to accommodate the rising costs of the events SA puts together. The student activity fee helps pay for big events like Fall and Spring Fest and the Distinguished Speaker Series. Voting took place last week from Wednesday to Friday. The undergraduate student body voted to pass this raise and the mandatory student activity fee will be $104.75 starting next year.
email: news@ubspectrum.com
