Campus Affairs

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Violence Drives Students Out of University Heights

Naming competition calls on UB Students

There's a new addition coming to myUB, and all it needs is a name. That's where the UB student population comes in. Starting Wednesday, students have the opportunity to name a tab that will lead users to a new feature that makes it easier to access academic, financial and personal information tools. Those who submit a suggestion or vote for their favorite idea will be entered into a random drawing to win gift certificates for movie theatres, Campus Cash, Tim Hortons and UB branded merchandise. The five ideas that receive the most votes will be put into a random drawing to win an iPad or one of two iPods. The contest, sponsored by Student Services Transformation (SST), is a way to get students involved and come up with a clever name for a new tab that will make many frustrating aspects of myUB easier to use. "Students can learn more about the system, contribute ideas for names that build UB spirit and win prizes," said Kara Saunders, assistant vice provost for undergraduate education. The new additions will help students stay on top of important information that may have been confusing in the past. The online center will allow students to set a course "wish list" that will automatically enroll students in their desired classes as soon as their registration window opens up.

"Easy ""A"""

Party hard.

Vote4US Party dominates senate

Students speak out about financial struggles

College is typically the first time money becomes a concern for young adults. From selecting a college to balancing class and work to deciding whether or not to go to graduate school, students face constant financial uncertainty. According to the CIRP Freshman Survey, UCLA's annual survey of entering students at four-year U.S.

A problem to solve a problem

A political discussion

Thursday night, Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post, and Mary Matalin, Republican political strategist and CNN contributor, graced Alumni Arena's stage for UB's first Distinguished Speaker Series event of the 2010-11 school year. Huffington, who graduated from Cambridge University with an M.A.

Simpson speaks; retirement and appointment explained

"Go to class, stay for dinner. "

Food, second maybe to sex, is one of the most important things that enters a student's mind on a daily basis.

The blue and white gets down and dirty

Combine 200,000 gallons of water from Lake LaSalle, a dirt-filled field and 128 teams of volleyball players, and the muddy mayhem of Oozfest is created.

Solar array to be installed on UB North Campus

UB is stepping up on its green efforts and will soon have a solar power source on campus. Renowned artist and landscape artist Walter Hood won a public art competition to develop a 1.1-megawatt solar array for the Flint Road entrance of North Campus.

A donation of life

Eighteen people will die today waiting for an organ transplant. University at Buffalo students enrolled in the COM 441 Advanced Public Relations course are hosting a special carnival-themed event in the Student Union Wednesday, in hopes of changing this number. "The goal is twofold," said Karen Swierski, the course professor and executive director of the Western New York Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. "The first is to create more awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation, and the second is to sign people up for the NYS Organ and Tissue Donation Registry." The students from the COM 441 class will be partnering with Upstate New York Transplant Services today in hosting the carnival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Swierski, who has taught COM 441 for the past seven years, believes that having her students organize a real public relations campaign, where they have an actual budget, deadlines and a clearly defined goal, teaches them in a way that supersedes what they could learn in the classroom. "[The students] get to experience what working in public relations in ‘the real world' is like," Swierski said. "It helps them define their career objectives more clearly." Danielle Keller, a Donate Life Education Coordinator for UNYTS, discussed with the students the importance of their assistance to her organization. "I would like to encourage them to think about the waiting list that has over 106,000 people who need an organ," Keller said. "And on the blood side, knowing that one out three people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their life reminds us all that blood donation is crucial." Keller also introduced the class to her daughter, Lexi, a young lady who was given a second chance at life because of an organ donation. Lexi was born with a congenital heart defect and has struggled with this life threatening condition since she was born. Lexi was in a medically induced coma when her family finally got the news that they had been praying for – the doctors had found her a heart. She received the heart transplant in 2004, and woke up from her coma less than two weeks before her fifth birthday. Now in fifth grade at St. Peter's Lutheran School in Sanborn, Lexi is a happy, healthy and vibrant example of the power of organ donation. Inspired by stories about the thousands of people who are waiting for a transplant, Swierski's students used their promotional skills learned in class to increase awareness about a worthwhile cause, and they have found that the experience has been truly rewarding. Rebecca Hoy, a member of the campaign's special events team, encourages all students to stop by the carnival. "It's a fun day we have planned for everyone," Hoy said. "But while you're having fun, you can also help a good cause. Who doesn't love a bouncy castle? The COM 441 course will try to persuade students to commit to organ donation through their slogan, "If I Only Had a Heart," which Keller believes is an appropriate name for the campaign. "I am so inspired by the work and dedication from Karen and her students," Keller said. "It is so moving to see young people embracing our mission and helping to raise awareness. As a mom of a transplant recipient, I am personally touched by these campaigns." E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

UB Student receives Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship

Jasmine May's father died from brain cancer but his passing did not hinder her studies; instead, it was an inspiration for her to research better treatments for the disease.May, a sophomore medicinal chemistry major, won the Barry M.

"UB Council Election, take two"

Democratic America preaches that every vote counts. Last week's UB Council Student Representative election, however, pointed to the contrary.

"UB Council Election, take two"

Democratic America preaches that every vote counts. Last week's UB Council Student Representative election, however, pointed to the contrary.

Simpson shares concerns about UB2020

Although the UB 2020 plan is still in the works, its future looks bleak due to the New York State budget cuts, President Simpson told UB Council members on Monday. UB 2020 offers hope to the Buffalo region and will bring about an increase in jobs in all sectors, Simpson explained, but it is not guaranteed. "UB 2020 is further away today than it has been before," Simpson said. "If we maintain the status quo, [that's] a recipe for disaster." Simpson said that UB 2020 will require funding from the state and from money to be earned by the university – both of which are currently limited. He added that the state has cut UB's funding and constantly pursues outdated policies that prevent the university from improving its revenues. Simpson explained that much of the debate in Albany centers on the issue of tuition and who gets to govern it. He added that public education should be affordable. "We have to ensure that we are able to apply as a public university that is of the highest quality," Simpson said. Although the magnitude of the cuts at UB have been subtle and not as catastrophic as expected, Simpson pointed out that UB may not be able to handle the more severe cuts that it will have in the future. Student representative John Martin shares Simpson's concerns. "Students are really starting to feel the cuts," Martin said. The UB Council also approved the Public Higher Education Empowerment and Innovation Act, a plan intended to strengthen public higher education in New York State and provide a much-needed boost to the state's struggling economy. Through the act, investments in SUNY public research universities like UB will help renew the economies of various New York regions. Simpson is confident that Western New York residents will continue to support and invest in UB, calling them a "beacon of hope" for the university. E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com

Jackson killer pleads guilty

Last May, in the celebratory hours after the University at Buffalo commencement ceremonies, new graduate Javon Jackson was shot and killed as he crossed Main Street near South Campus.

Gone with the gossip

Whenever I enter a room and everyone falls silent, I immediately know I was a victim of the gossip bug.

Remembering Greiner's legacy

Words of remembrance filled the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theater on Tuesday as family, friends and colleagues of former University President William R. Greiner gathered for his memorial service.

UB medical students raise funds for Haitian relief

In only three days, the medical school club, Hands Across Borders, and the UB chapter of the Student National Medical Association (SNMA) raised almost $600 from first and second year classes to support Haitian earthquake relief, and their fundraising efforts aren't stopping there. Hands Across Borders expanded on this effort on Saturday night when they sponsored a fundraising effort called Trivia for Haiti at Mister Goodbar. Bridget Buyea, a second-year medical student and president of Hands Across Borders, believes that efforts like these are the least she and her classmates can do to aid the ravaged country. 'We work really hard to be successful and learn the material that is presented to us everyday while in medical school. But it is also very important to make a difference,' Buyea said. 'At this moment, that means providing some monetary assistance to organizations that are better suited to help the people of Haiti while we continue our education.' Buyea acknowledges that although Hands Across Borders lacks the resources to make a hands-on impact in Haiti, they have the potential to make a difference. 'We all want to do something for the people of Haiti, but it is really difficult to do anything tangible while in Buffalo,' Buyea said. 'The best that we can do is listen to what the people who are down there need and do our best to assist them.' Nkem Nweze, co-president of the UB SNMA, agrees. 'I'm limited in the sense that I can't travel,' Nweze said. 'If I can help fund the trip for doctors, that would be making a big impact.' According to Nweze, the SNMA plans to partner with local organizations and hold medical supplies, clothing and food drives sometime next month. Nweze also hopes to organize events to motivate students to give to the relief effort. 'We want to have a lunch lecture and bring someone from the Department of Health to talk about the after effects of disaster in developing countries,' Nweze said. The SNMA members also intend to volunteer at Vive la Casa, a Buffalo-based organization that houses Haitian refugees. The volunteers hope to spend mornings and afternoons with the children housed at the center. The SNMA tentatively plans to travel to Haiti on a mission trip with the Christian Medical and Dental Association during the summer months. Both Nweze and Buyea encouraged their clubs to contribute online to Partners In Health, a worldwide health organization originally established in Haiti in 1987. Today, the organization is working to provide relief to the earthquake victims. Although SNMA doesn't have the means to travel to Haiti and directly help Partners In Health, Nweze is glad they have the opportunity to financially contribute to an organization that is so invested in bringing aid to Haiti. 'Partners In Health is closely, more intimately tied with the Haitian people,' Nweze said. 'We are helping them more indirectly, letting people know that they exist.' Buyea shares the same sentiment. 'We have all heard of Partners In Health from before we even entered medical school because of the amazing things they were doing in Haiti and elsewhere,' Buyea said. 'We were confident that they would use the money we donated to them well.' Buyea feels a strong responsibility to help the Haitian people who face natural disasters that are unlikely to occur here in Buffalo. 'We are so lucky to live where we do, even if it is kind of cold, and I believe we have an obligation to help those like the Haitians who have been unbelievably unlucky mainly because of geography,' Buyea said. Nweze is thrilled that so many students are eager to aid the desperate Haitian population, and is looking forward to the upcoming fundraising events. 'I'm happy to see so many people stepping up and helping,' Nweze said. 'These are people's lives we're talking about.' E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com