Features - The Spectrum

UB Student Association President Gunnar Haberl looks out at campus from the Student Union balcony. Haberl reflected on his year as SA president and discussed his plans for the future in an interview with The Spectrum.

FEATURES

Student Association president reflects on year in office

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | May 9, 2019

Gunnar Haberl remembers putting a sword through someone’s neck in front of at least 50 different crowds. The outgoing Student Association president isn’t a murderer, though. He was a child magician showcasing his favorite trick with a tape-measure sword. Haberl didn’t have to pull any tricks on anyone this academic year, but he admits he did his best to mend SA’s relationships with departments, not disclosing whether or not he used magic in the process.

Sarah Bienstock, UB psychology major, photographed with two of her tattoos. The columns represent the lives of Jewish children cut short in the Holocaust and underneath is the Hebrew word “Zachor” or “remember.”

FEATURES

UB Ink: A student's tattoo story

By JORDANA CHAZAN | May 5, 2019

Sarah Bienstock represents her vulnerable side in the artwork on her arms, back, legs and ribs. Every drawing has a secret meaning that reminds her of the chapters of her life.

FEATURES

Listen the stress away

By LEAH HIGGINS | May 5, 2019

Exam season is here and students across campus are pulling all-nighters in Capen, begging for extensions and experiencing the stress of finals.

Representatives from Brailsford & Dunlavey allowed students to voice their opinions on the future of the Student Union with stickers. They held an event early Wednesday to get feedback on ideas for the future renovations of the SU.

FEATURES

Contractors ask for student input on future Student Union

By CIAN GONZALEZ | May 2, 2019

The Student Union is undergoing a transformation that may include new lounge spaces and outdoor areas after this semester. The building’s future design was up for debate Wednesday in the SU lobby, as students gave feedback to an outside development advisory firm. Representatives from Brailsford & Dunlavey, who are tasked with the Student Union Master Plan, stood by the main entrance with posters set up to showcase their ideas. The master plan will dictate students’ future use of SU and South Campus’ Harriman Hall.

Steven Browne and Gary Sheedy play a show at Mohawk Place. Sheedy and Browne are members of UB band Previous Love.

FEATURES

Previous Love: UB band makes it big in Buffalo

By TANVEEN VOHRA | May 2, 2019

Moody lyrics, angsty rhythms and transcendent vocals engulf the members of Previous Love as they practice in a soundproof basement in their own world.

Speakers doing one-on-one sessions as part of UB’s Human Library event. The idea of the event is to have people share first-hand experiences.

FEATURES

The library of human perseverance

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 29, 2019

Logan Smith-Carlos, a Hamburg native and high school sophomore, recalled a time in middle school when he ran away from home and found himself sitting on a bridge watching a “beautiful” sunset.

UB students march on the Academic Spine of North Campus for UB’s LGBTQ Pride Parade on Wednesday. Students ended the march at the SU, where they continued with a pride festival.

FEATURES

A celebration of sexuality

By CIAN GONZALEZ | Apr. 29, 2019

A University Police car decorated in rainbow colors drove proudly around North Campus Wednesday afternoon. It marked UB’s first ever LGBTQ Pride Parade.

Deputy Chief Joshua Sticht shows the fakes confiscated from students over the years. UPD keeps a set in the department to train new officers in deciphering fraudulent forms of identity.

FEATURES

UB students are spending big on fake IDs

By Isabella Nurt | Apr. 29, 2019

UB students want fake IDs and they pay hundreds to get them. Joseph Clay* knows. He used to sell them.

FEATURES

Infamous alumni

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 25, 2019

UB has a very solid alumni record. From graduates like Wolf Blitzer, Khalil Mack and Terry Gross to dropouts like Ronnie James Dio, the school has plenty to be proud of when it comes to past students.

The Sign-A-Bull program would have been 8 years old this year under Student Engagement. Bulls appear across campus and feature hundreds of signatures from graduating seniors.

FEATURES

Student Association picks up Sign-A-Bull program after Student Engagement's discontinuation

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Apr. 25, 2019

Seniors will still be able to continue UB’s tradition of signing a painted buffalo before graduating in May. The Student Association committed to host the Sign-A-Bull program last week after a student questioned Student Engagement’s choice to discontinue it.

The Notre Dame Cathedral caught fire Monday night. The fire destroyed the roof and middle spire.

FEATURES

UB community upset but hopeful after Notre Dame fire

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Apr. 17, 2019

Many UB students were shocked to hear about the fire that devastated the historic Notre Dame Cathedral on Monday. The fire destroyed most of the Paris cathedral’s roof and middle spire after burning for over nine hours.

Fiona O'Loughlin talks about the benefits of thrifting for spring trends.

FEATURES

UB students share spring fashion trends

By JOHN MADSEN | Apr. 17, 2019

Fiona O’Loughlin is guilty of one fashion crime. “I steal stuff from my mom’s closet,” O'Loughlin, a sophomore English major, said while wearing a strapless top, army pants and leather Dr. Martens boots.

Campus Dining & Shops introduced Mountain Dew Baja Blast in early March and says the product is "flying off" shelves

FEATURES

The Blast comes to Buffalo

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Apr. 14, 2019

The pinnacle of Taco Bell is now right outside of your lecture hall. Mountain Dew Baja Blast arrived in campus vending machines and at The Elli convenience store in early March according to Raymond Kohl, Campus Dining & Shops marketing manager. Kohl wrote in an email that the popular soft drink, which Taco Bell introduced as an exclusive to the fast food chain in 2004, is already “flying off” The Elli’s shelves and requiring Vending Manager Dave Marotta to “constantly” fill vending machine slots.

Tattoo artist Marc Lavey admires his flash tattoo on UB alumni Rachel Robert at CowPok Piercing and Tattoos’ annual fundraiser.

FEATURES

Paws and pin-ups

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | Apr. 14, 2019

Tattoo culture has gone to the dogs. Literally. CowPok Piercing and Tattoo hosted its third-annual fundraiser for the City of Buffalo Animal Shelter on Saturday.

FEATURES

The Spectrum named finalist for Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper

By Features Desk | Apr. 11, 2019

The Society of Professional Journalists announced The Spectrum as the finalist for the Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper award in the Region 1 Mark of Excellence contest.

The Bar Bill stands as a local favorite when it comes to wings. It’s one of Buffalo’s most characteristic restaurants.

FEATURES

Around town: Buffalonian food favorites

By Isabella Nurt | Apr. 11, 2019

Buffalo is known around the world for beef on weck and wings, but Buffalonians have so much more to say about local cuisine. Where do Buffalonians like to eat? Not Anchor Bar. Buffalo is forever tied to the resturaunt for those spicy hot wings, but Buffalo offers more than the sauce. The Spectrum compiled five Queen City staples Buffalonians love.

The Center for the Arts hall is filled with natural light and lots of seating, making this campus location one of the best places to have some healthy alone time during lunch.

FEATURES

Eating in peace

By JORDANA CHAZAN | Apr. 11, 2019

If your lunch break is necessary “me time,” then you probably have searched campus for the perfect place to relax and eat your lunch uninterrupted.It doesn’t mean you’re unhappy and it doesn’t mean you don’t like people –– you just like your alone time in the midst of a busy work day. Luckily, The Spectrumcompiled a list of the six best places for some peaceful alone time on campus.

Director of Career Services Arlene Kaukus sits at a table in Capen 259. Kaukus said she wants to make changes to make Career Services more prominent among students.

FEATURES

Students unsure of Career Services' role

By THOMAS ZAFONTE | Apr. 11, 2019

Students say getting a job is a top priority after graduation but less than 8% made an appointment at Career Services last year. Roughly 52% of students, according to a Spectrum survey, don’t even know UB has a career office.

Ousman Kaba, a sophomore computer science major, is a Diversity Advocate at the International Diversity Center and attends the LGBTQ Dinner Crew every month. The dinners offer LGBTQ and ally students the chance to meet and enjoy a meal together.

FEATURES

Students come together at monthly Dinner Crew events

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN | Apr. 11, 2019

For some LGBTQ students, Dinner Crew is where they feel “open.” LGBTQ and Dinner Crew is a Student Life program for LGBTQ students to come together in a comfortable space. The program holds dinners monthly, usually in the Student Union, and are open to all students.

UB professor David Schirm enjoys a cheese and peanut butter cracker in his office. Schirm, a celebrated artist and tenured professor, is set to retire in 2020.

FEATURES

Art professor paints life story

By CIAN GONZALEZ | Apr. 7, 2019

The image of a fractured iceberg in a sea of blood leans on an office wall in the Center for the Arts. The piece,“End of Days,” symbolizes the ice caps melting under man-made forces causing environmental destruction.