Facial fandom for the Buffalo ice heroes
Fear the beard.
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Fear the beard.
With Earth Day upcoming, the UB Environmental Network was hard at work this weekend to make a green effort to save a local state park.
Tuesday, UB Green held an event that focused on the way people get around Buffalo. The organization's third and final event of the semester brought in a panel of local transportation experts to give their opinion on how Buffalo is taking steps towards a better transportation system.
Staying healthy isn't a concept that many college students who are used to taking down garbage plates after a night of drinking typically understand. Harmony Expositions Inc. partnered with Human Resources to attempt to change these unhealthy habits. As a result, the community welcomed the first UB Wellfest this past Friday and Saturday. Faculty and administration took over Alumni Arena on the first day of the event, tasting nutritious snacks and learning health and exercise tips. On Saturday, it was the students' turn. Admission for students and faculty was free with a university ID. This Wellfest was the first of a series of three, with the next two festivals scheduled to be held at the Buffalo Bills Field House on May 15 and the Buffalo Convention Center on June 2. "Buffalo Wellfest began four years ago in downtown Buffalo to serve the employee population of the downtown business community," said Randy Murphy, marketing director for Harmony Expositions Inc. "This year is an outgrowth of that effort to reach the larger Western New York community." UB is no stranger to health fairs, but this marks the first year the Professional Staff Senate is not involved. "The UB Wellness event, which [Harmony Expositions] has just taken over responsibility for this year, has been going on for at least ten years for the faculty, staff and administration," Murphy said. "But we thought we'd bring this also to the students because you're never too young to start learning how to live a healthy lifestyle." Murphy estimated around 135 different health-related organizations were represented at the event, offering everything from free massages and health screenings to a healthy-living food court. Janice Cochran, a certified dietitian and nutrition counselor, offered advice toward leading a healthy lifestyle. Cochran noted that college students don't eat breakfast nearly enough or intake an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables. "Get more color in the diet," Cochran said. "[That means] fruits, vegetables [and] whole grains, not gummy bear colors." College students spending money on Hot Pockets instead of other healthier alternatives are putting their well being in jeopardy, according to Cochran. She gave advice to students who may be struggling with their eating habits. "Eat a little of everything regularly. Don't go six hours without eating because then it's going to be anything and everything," Cochran said. Students and faculty were able to collect raffle tickets in hopes of striking a prize, such as a free trip to the spa. Another concept brought to the limelight was being "financially fit." Understandably, most debt-ridden college students may not have the means or time to dedicate to become "financially fit," but designating some health and exercise time early in life can truly be an indispensible part of lifelong well being. "Obviously if you're financially fit, you're probably going to have a bigger smile on your face," Murphy said. Moderation was also heavily emphasized as being one of the most fundamental values in wellness. There is a fine line between indulging once in a while and developing a bad living habit, whether it's eating, drinking, or most any other health-related activity. "Moderation in all things. There's nothing wrong with having a little fun. If you have a lot of fun, it's probably not good for you," Murphy said. Students attend college to learn, so why not learn how to eat healthy? E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Build an event where there is dancing and loud music, and the students will come. Students were able to escape the looming cloud of final projects and exams to celebrate in style at the annual Student Association Spring Gala at Samuel's Grand Manor in Clarence. "Tickets were sold out faster than we all anticipated, which was a pleasant surprise," said SA President Ernesto Alvarado. Approximately 1,000 tickets were sold, with most tickets gone well before the event Friday. "The money made from Gala is used to replenish some of our budget lines and solidify our reserves for the following academic school year," Alvarado said. "This money is imperative because the [ticket sales] are then used for other large events such as Winter Gala or [Fall or Spring] Fests." Students stormed the dance floor as the music began, but the highlight of Gala for some was the open bar and dinner. However, for Alvarado it was something else. "The best part of Gala for me is getting to enjoy a night with staff and friends outside of the office environment," said Alvarado. "Getting to meet students and actually putting a name to a face is always great as well because it's so much easier to show them that you are just another person." With the promotional efforts of Lauren Skompinski, SA's public relations manager, the night was a huge success. "Gala really runs itself," Skompinski said. "The most hectic thing is usually sitting down with a graphic designer and getting the advertisement the way I want it - and of course, picking out a dress." According to Skompinski, Spring Gala holds special significance for certain students. "Spring Gala really belongs to the graduating seniors," Skompinski said. "It's your last time to all be together all dressed up and having a great time. This year was particularly special because I am finally one of those graduates." Sam Burstyn, a senior health and human services major, felt the same way. "My favorite part was being able to have one last major hurrah with all my friends before graduation," Burstyn said. The evening began with a three-course meal, catered by Samuel's before students hit the bar and dance floor. The University Police were on hand making sure things went smoothly and when the dance ended at midnight, shuttle busses provided students with a safe ride home. The night wasn't only a success for college students; SA's professional staff could also be spotted on the dance floor enjoying the evening. Gala was one of the final events that the outgoing Alvarado administration will host for this academic year. It also symbolized the transition into next year's E-board with Alvarado introducing Nischal Vasant, Shervin Stoney, and Antonio Roman as the 2010 - 2011 SA leadership. "For the most part, we try to keep the event as traditional as possible and reach out to as many students as possible with the outgoing and incoming executive boards," Alvarado said. The evening was bittersweet for everyone involved. Gala marked one of the last times for students to get together before summer break, and for other graduating students, their last SA formal. "I thought Gala was very successful this year. There were no major issues and everyone had a good time," Stoney said. "The best part was the sheer volume of people who attended to make the event even better." Email: features@ubspectrum.com
Bill O'Reilly has a heart. And there go 95 percent of the people who would have read this column. On March 3, 2006, a young Marine named Matthew Snyder lost his life in a rollover crash in Al Anbar province, Iraq. A funeral was held shortly after in Maryland to let his family and loved ones mourn together in peace. "In peace" never happened. It was at their son and brother's funeral where the infamous Westboro Baptist Church decided to grace the Snyder family. This is the same group that is convinced America is going to hell because of our association with homosexuality and having an African-American president. These are the same people who were in Buffalo after the Continental Airlines Flight 3407 disaster occurred, claiming it as a "miracle from God." Jerry Falwell is rolling over in his grave thinking, "Wow, these people are extreme." As the funeral began for Matthew, the Westboro Baptist cult members strategically positioned themselves in front of the church. Armed with signs and speakerphones, they proceeded to tell the grieving family how their son was destined to spend an eternity in the scorching flames of hell. Albert Snyder, Matthew's father, was staring at a television inside the church witnessing all of this. He managed to make it through the day without pulling out a shotgun and blasting off heads, but the agony was too much for him. He decided that he would get revenge in his own way. So he filed a federal lawsuit. A jury of Snyder's peers awarded him almost $11 million dollars for invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The story however, goes downhill from here. The U.S. Court of Appeals decided that the lawsuit went against First Amendment rights, and the ruling was null. Additionally, Albert Snyder needed to foot the $16,500 legal fees bill for the WBC. Albert Snyder would now be forced to fund the WBC so they can protest even more. What a world we live in. Enter Bill O' Reilly. In 2007, O' Reilly was introduced to Albert Snyder. O' Reilly had heard about the story involving the Snyders and the WBC, and Snyder was invited on O' Reilly's show. The story must have had a resonating effect on O' Reilly because this past week he offered to pay the legal bills left behind. Stop and re-read that last sentence. Bill O' Reilly actually did something pretty cool. I remember one of my friends telling me about how she met one of the leaders of the WBC, Shirley Phelps-Roper, when President Obama was being inaugurated. She told me how she was completely shocked by the experience. Phelps unequivocally believed every word of hatred spewing from her mouth. That honestly scares me. When Voltaire said something about defending a person's right to say something until his death, I'm sure he wasn't thinking that something was "God hates fags" or "God loves dead soldiers." Perhaps his tone would have changed upon meeting the Phelps family. The story is far from over for the Snyder family or the WBC. Sometime in October, the Supreme Court will be hearing this case. If there is any inch of karmic decency in the world, hopefully the WBC will be shut down forever. If America really is the leader in fighting terrorism, then it is time to put an end to this kind of verbal terrorism. The WBC is yelling "bomb" in a movie theater, and hiding behind the First Amendment to justify their actions. What Would Jesus Do? Anything the WBC doesn't. E-mail: sneilans@buffalo.edu
On Wednesday, Marc Adler, vice president of Client Services for local marketing company Flynn & Friends, Inc. and an adjunct instructor at the University at Buffalo, held a group discussion featuring a panel of alumni. The panel spoke of their paths after graduation on the career track in marketing. Some obtained their start in an already established business, while others began their own. Nick Bowe now manages a Target store in Buffalo and believes that it is essential to work for a company that offers opportunities for advancement through the organization's corporate ladder. "You don't want to look for an organization that's flat [where] there's no upward mobility," Bowe said. Bowe explains that his career at Target gives him a chance for frequent promotion, and provides him the opportunity to learn essential skills for success. However, not all marketing careers offer the opportunity to advance through the organization, Bowe explains. Seth Meyerowitz, founder of UBE-Inc., also advised those in attendance to find a career that offers potential growth, but to remain aware of the pitfalls that accompany corporate work. "I found that my ideas were being pushed down. I had to report to the person above me when the president's office was right next to me," Meyerowitz said. Meyerowitz is now the Chief Executive Officer of his own company, and finds joy in reporting only to himself. Jen VanDeWater, a UB alumna, also has experience in the corporate world and advises future employees to maintain strong personal character. "It's 25 percent what you do, and 75 percent showing up," VanDeWater said. "Even if you may not know all the details of how to do something, coming to the table with that confidence is so important…it's 75 percent of the battle." Professionalism and self-assurance are contagious, and future employers value those qualities, VanDeWater explains. "A leader is a leader, and [companies] can really see that," Bowe said. Companies are gradually changing their focus from an applicant's grade point average to the candidate's leadership qualities. However as a leader, admitting weaknesses can be just as valuable, Meyerowitz explains. "If you know what you're doing, make it known [that you are capable]. If you don't know, don't pretend that you do … unless you can pull it off," Meyerowitz said. Before applying for a job, the candidate needs to update their resume and make their online identity presentable. "When I get a resume and am reviewing a candidate, I will probably spend about three seconds looking at that resume. If the key words that I'm looking for in the job position don't jump out in that person's resume, it gets passed over," VanDeWater said. "It's that fast." Brittany Frey, another panel speaker, stressed the importance of keeping one's Facebook profile G-rated. She explains that even if a candidate has all of the qualifications for the position, their risqué profile may take them out of the running for the job. "For God's sake, make your profile private, if anything," Frey said. Facebook is a good tool for networking, but only if it is used in the correct manner, Frey explains. The candidate's evaluation doesn't end after an interview. Businesses consistently check Facebook pages to see whether or not their future employee will be spending their weekday nights helping the company, or getting crazy at the Steer. "Don't put [things] on Facebook that you don't want people to see. Even 10 years from now … it's going to be up there," Meyerowitz said. Facebook is not the only option for networking. Every encounter and opportunity can be an addition to one's growing network. "Get involved – you can get involved in so many things to build your network," Bowe said. The panel speakers also emphasized the significance of communication skills, like writing and public speaking, as crucial to one's success on the journey to the perfect career. Most notably, the speakers encouraged those seeking a career to use passion as their guide. "If you find something that you enjoy enough, don't worry about how much you get paid," Meyerowitz said. "It's a great thing to find something that you want to do." E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
On Tuesday, Career Services held a workshop explaining some of the advantages and disadvantages of entering the growing field of sports management and administration. "There is probably nothing more exciting [than sports]," said Joe Meyer, a career planning and development assistant. "It's the original reality TV." There are many ways to get into a career in sports. Even though only a select few are blessed with the talents to become professional athletes, Meyer explains that there are jobs everywhere. "On the field, you can be a player or coach, but that's the hardest way to get there," Meyer said. What many students may not know, Meyer explained, is that a majority of jobs are available from behind the scenes. Marketing, promotions, communications and sports reporting are only a few of the potential jobs readily available. "There is a huge business in sports," Meyer said. "However, the more you get into sports, you find out that revenue is very top-heavy." Dream jobs like being a general manager for the Yankees are far and few between, and there are only a handful of such prestigious positions. Like any athlete who endured the rise to the top of his or her sport, baby steps must be taken before the all-out sprint. "The business in sports begins and ends with sales, " Meyer said. According to Meyer, getting a foot in the door is the first step. No matter what profession a person decides to go into, having a previous connection to the job never hurts. "Get experience early – it adds to your resume," Meyer said. "Volunteer and get internships." Having a foot in the door can also help a potential candidate determine whether he or she needs to invest in a master's degree for a job. Many people are already qualified to obtain jobs, but don't realize it. Other degrees, like a master's in sports administration or management, aren't actually required, explains Meyer. Meyer stressed that a job in sports is not a typical 9-to-5 job, and many entry-level jobs aren't well paid, either. "I really don't know anyone who's worked in sports at any level that wasn't there outside of the normal Monday through Friday, nine to five," Meyer said. "The hours can be tough; you get beat down a lot." However, if a student eats, breathes and drinks athletics, a sports career can be thirst quenching. Meyer acknowledges that a sports career may have its advantages and perks, such as working for a professional team and receiving free tickets to events and games, but the monotonous tasks of the job can become dull. "Sometimes when you're in it, you're like, ‘Enough of the games,'" Meyer said. "You get over-flooded with it and you're like, ‘Ok, one game is the next game. Is this really exciting anymore after going to so many?'" Meyer explains that one way to fight the repetitiveness of a career in professional sports is to get into a career in college or amateur sports. While a job working for a school may not carry the same luster that a job with the Sabres offers, the variety of experiences in a more personal career can have its own unique advantages. Meyer's own career started in professional sports with the Bills and eventually moved to college athletics. Once Meyer left professional sports, he never looked back. The enjoyment of seeing students achieve their personal goals and the opportunity to focus on multiple tasks is what keeps him coming back. "I was always a big fan of the smaller schools, because you knew that you were going to be focused on hockey [or] basketball … [there's] variety," Meyer said. "A lot of people don't like the multi-tasking it requires, but it's a lot of fun." E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
You may not have noticed, but there has been something popping up on campus. The giant snow phallus of the University at Buffalo, or Sir Richard Johnson III, Esq. as the Facebook group tells me, has been the largest thing to hit campus since a fake gunman or a girl who replied to the entire financial aid listserv. Now, there are skeptics out there who don't understand why a giant snow penis is so important. Sure, it was funny for a day or two, but college students are surely above childish things like a snow penis, right? I could have possibly believed that explanation – before the second one was erected. Snow phalluses, penis drawings in bathroom stalls, punching people in the testicles – each bring out a certain amount of uneasy humor. Is it just human nature to laugh when we see penis humor in socially unacceptable places? One day I decided I would pay Sir Richard Johnson a visit to find an answer. I knelt in front of him, gave a small offering and waited for a little divine inspiration. I would not sleep until I realized the truth. Why is the snow phallus so … awesome? The first step I took involved me throwing my heterosexuality to the wind and Google searching penises. To my shock, I learned that there is an art behind the madness of the snow phallus. The ancient Egyptians actually told a legend of a godly penis. The story goes that Osiris was once dismembered into 14 parts. 13 of the parts were able to be recovered. The missing piece … well, you could probably guess what part that was. Unfortunately for Osiris, his phallus was eaten by the god Set. Thankfully, another god named Isis crafted him a new soldier, but the legend of the phallus was growing (no pun intended). So, is the snow phallus awesome because it's godly? In Rome, people would wear phallus amulets because it defended them from the evil eye. Romans believed that these kinds of amulets, called "fascinums," would keep them safe. Awkward penis humor has been scaring people for millennia. The English word "fascinating" is based on the Latin word "fascinum." I want to know who the guy is in history that made that decision. He must have been fascinated by phalluses. So is the snow phallus awesome just because it scares away evil people? By the time this will be printed, Sir Richard Johnson III, Esq. will be long gone. Western New York is warm for a change, so the snow penis will definitely be having a hard time avoiding shrinkage. However, that doesn't mean that we need to forget all the great memories that a big penis in the middle of a field caused us to experience. I believe that the snow phallus was awesome because it was universally enjoyed (even by straight guys). Some people like to say that music is the universal language, but giant snow penises must be a close second. No matter what language people speak, everybody knows what's up when there's a penis around. So to the anonymous creators of the snow phallus, I applaud you. You are the reason that UB is awesome, and if you had a snow offering area like Sir Richard Johnson III, Esq., I would tithe for you. Thank you. E-mail: sneilans@buffalo.edu
While America has been shouting about vaginas since 1998 over Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, China has only responded with a muffled groan. A culture of isolationism has paralyzed a country to remain quiet in a room where it seems only the West is yelling. However, the groans seem to be getting louder. On Monday, Sub-Board, Inc.'s V-Day Campaign to end violence against women and girls continued with the "Va-China Monologues." The documentary, The Vagina Monologues: Stories from China, was screened for an audience and tried to show how there are quite a large number of people in China trying to fight for the rights of the abused and abandoned females. In Stories from China by Ai Xiaoming and Sufeng Song, a cast entirely of Chinese women is trying to break the barrier and express themselves in their rendition of The Vagina Monologues. Over the past 10 years, there have been major steps towards gaining equality for women and girls. Kristin Stapleton, director of Asian Studies, partially attributes the change to the growing use of media. "[The] university students who did [The Vagina Monologues] by themselves probably heard about it through some sort of media," Stapleton said. Although the Chinese government tries very hard to limit what information is exposed to the public, not all of the facts remain hidden. "There are huge tugs of war in China over information," said Stapleton. Chinese women are being exposed to new thoughts and ideas that haven't been traditionally discussed for many generations. However, the path of a changing attitude in Chinese culture hasn't been without a few speed bumps. Many of the cast members are comfortable performing what it means to be a woman to them on stage, but a few were unable to tell their family that they were involved for the fear they would be disowned. In addition to being unable to tell family members in some cases, there were also problems in attempting to show their performance to the public. In one instance, the show had to be cancelled at a Chinese gallery because of the content. Regardless of content, anything can be performed in a gallery, according to Chinese law. However, Stapleton says the Chinese government tends to leave laws vague and open to interpretation to allow for some wiggle room. "People with power can get away with a lot," Stapleton said. "But the Internet has helped balance things." "Power" can mean everything from financial success to physical force. One story explained how a businessman walked into a massage parlor and expected something extra from a young girl giving him the massage. She was stabbed when she refused him and was sent to jail while the man walked away. Eventually, she would be set free partly because of a large amount of support from people on the Internet, but these sorts of issues illustrate problems that the country is still having. "The officials [in China] are very conservative," Stapleton said. "They really just want to avoid trouble." However, avoiding trouble comes with a cost, especially because many women live in the fear of abusive relationships that are far too common in China. Whether it is the story of a wife who is now sitting in death row for killing her husband in self-defense or of a baby girl being left to die because she isn't a boy, the price for turning a blind eye is female lives around the country. The final problem that many performers of Stories from China discussed was the stigma associated with sex. To many traditional Chinese people, sex is seen as a dirty act, especially when talked about by women. The Monologues being performed in China are trying to eliminate that negative association and help restore a culture that isn't ashamed of their bodies. "[Throughout] Chinese history, there is actually a ton of talk about sexual pleasure," said Stapleton. SBI is holding its own rendition of The Vagina Monologues this upcoming Sunday and Monday in the Student Union Theater, in addition to many other events and films to promote the V-Day Campaign. The Vagina Monologues will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday and 7 p.m. on both nights. More information can be found at www.subboard.com.
After four or more years in school, it is every college student's goal to find his or her dream job post-graduation. However, students worldwide are finding that the economy is turning their dreams into nightmares.
While Student Association elections are sure to receive publicity over the next few months, an important position outside of the 350 Student Union office is ready to be filled. Feb. 13 marked the first day for students interested in becoming the next student representative on the University Council to begin campaigning. 'The best part about being on the UB Council is having the opportunity to meet with the school's administrators and community leaders,' said John Martin, a senior business major and current UB Council representative. 'And also, [the representative gets to] share the student's concerns and views with [the leaders] on various issues.' Although the position isn't paid, the benefits of the job are significant. As a business major, Martin enjoys learning how a large organization like UB operates. A student wishing to apply for the position must be in good academic standing and obtain 300 signatures of support, which will be verified by the Council of Student Governments Election Committee. 'An important [quality] is that the student should be involved in a wide range of campus avenues,' said Nick Baxter, an SA delegate. 'How can a student represent the student body without first being involved?' Martin agrees that the UB Council representative should be in touch with the student body and their needs as well as being an assertive individual. 'It is very easy to become intimidated by the administrators and community leaders that are looking for your opinion,' Martin said. 'They … need [your outlook], though, because they are unaware of the student perspective.' The committee consists of three student government representatives. Members include Baxter, Cragg Chaffee, president of Sub-Board I, Inc. and Nicole Jowsey, president of the Graduate Student Association. Mike Lewis, student activities associate of Student Life, will also be involved. All nine of the student governments on campus were invited to have a member in the Committee. 'Our committee is in charge of holding, running and making sure all the rules and regulations [of the election] are being followed,' Baxter said. Rules the representative must follow include running as an independent party, spending a maximum of $300 on campaigning, and campaigning in a limited number of areas around campus. Candidates who break these rules could face community service hours, expulsion from the election or further action taken by the Student-Wide Judiciary, according to Baxter. All candidates will be briefed and given a list of rules to follow when they pick up their petitions. Along with a committee ready to enforce the rules and see that a fair election is held, this year's election will bring some new changes. While in the past, elections have been held through a very basic interface on UBlearns, this election will be utilizing new software that will look like a physical polling booth. 'Having the election online is a great way of cutting out the red tape that other elections have,' Baxter said. Baxter also added that utilizing UBlearns is a more secure alternative to using booths. Martin hopes that the new UB Council representative is prepared to undertake the responsibility required by the position and will remain confident in overcoming the upcoming challenges. 'As for advice for my successor, I would tell them that they should not be intimidated by the administrators and community leaders that you may be giving a contradictory view to,' Martin said. 'In fact, the council and administrators are very open and appreciate student views.' Petitions are now available for any student wishing to apply for the position and must be completed by March 19. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com
Becoming the next real-life House or McDreamy might not be as hard as it seems.
The all-night cram session before midterms is a ritual that almost every college student has experienced, or at the very least, considered.
The fridge is empty, an unopened box of noodles lurks in a corner of the kitchen and half a box of stale cereal is all that remains in the cupboards.