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Friday, December 05, 2025
The independent student publication of The University at Buffalo, since 1950

Features

FEATURES

Something to smile at: Wholesome things happening around the world

By REILLY MULLEN | Apr. 24, 2020

This year began with catastrophe after catastrophe. Headlines describing the massive impacts of the coronavirus litter our screens. TikToks of college students longing for their friends with moody indie songs playing in the background have flooded the “For You” page. Oil prices dipped into the negatives for the first time in history on Tuesday. The new normal is filled with plenty to be sad about.

FEATURES

Corona-can I take you on a date?

By REILLY MULLEN | Apr. 9, 2020

Quarantine came at an inconvenient time for all of us. Whether it was for seniors who aren’t quite ready to say goodbye to their college days or for those who no longer have close friends at home like they do at school, saying goodbye this early is hard.  But a less serious, yet still disappointing, result of vacating campus midway through the semester is the toll it can take on students’ love lives. Relationships become exponentially more difficult for couples who aren’t ready for the challenge of distance or are stuck inside a tiny apartment together all day (and it doesn’t look like the New York State self-quarantining guidelines are ending anytime soon).

FEATURES

Fighting off the quarantine 15

By CHLOE FERNEY | Mar. 29, 2020

With most of New York, and the U.S., under quarantine, all gyms are closed and leaving many without a place to work out. For some, the lack of exercise increases anxiety and depression, which is likely already heightened from the COVID-19 outbreak. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to stay fit while staying at home and helping flatten the curve. Be sure to shake up your self-isolation with one of these convenient at-home workouts.

Student modeling a jumpsuit from Aquamaia's line during BSU's Black Explosion.
FEATURES

Black Explosion ‘Rebirth’ educates and entertains

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN | Mar. 8, 2020

Flute Fingers, a performer at Saturday’s Black Explosion fashion show, approached the stage on a hoverboard, playing Drake and Future’s “Life is Good” on his flute. Soon after, the performer wound up serenading an audience member with a flute rendition of Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up.”  

The Latin American Student Association performed at the International Fiesta on Saturday. Their performance was about domestic violence and they won first place out of all the performances.
FEATURES

LASA wins International Fiesta

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN | Mar. 2, 2020

At the end of its International Fiesta performance Saturday, the Latin American Student Association stormed the Center for the Arts stage, holding signs to protest domestic violence.  The display was the final emotional moment in the club’s first-place victory at SA’s annual dance competition. It marked LASA’s fourth win since 2011, with a performance that illuminated domestic violence within the Latin American community.

Two mooncakes on a plate.
FEATURES

Around the world in four plates

By LIA SITRIN | Mar. 1, 2020

The Student Union may be one of the most popular places for UB students to grab their grub, but some students say the impersonal feeling of campus food leaves them craving something a little closer to home.

Criminal justice advocate and member of Central Park Five, Yusef Salaam speaks to Spectrum editors.
FEATURES

The Spectrum’s exclusive interview with Yusef Salaam of the ‘Exonerated 5’

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN and JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA | Feb. 26, 2020

Yusef Salaam and the four other members of the ‘Exonerated 5’ did not receive compensation until 12 years after the Daily News declared ‘We got the wrong kids’ on Oct. 11, 2002.  Over a decade earlier, the ‘Exonerated 5’ were wrongfully accused of raping ‘The Central Park Jogger.’ Salaam was imprisoned for nearly seven years for a crime he did not commit. 

The stage where student performers read poetry and rapped.
FEATURES

Students show love for black culture through art

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN | Feb. 23, 2020

Iaisha Johnson was “nervous” approaching the stage Friday night in Goodyear Hall. But once she finally stood in front of her 45 peers, she became more confident. For three minutes, Johnson shared her pride for her culture and was a force on stage. Whenever she said, “I’m black, y’all,” her audience responded, “how black?” in unity.

The Campus Tees store in the Student Union.
FEATURES

Campus Dining and Shops reward points to expire ahead of new reward program launch

By ELIZABETH NAPOLITANO | Feb. 19, 2020

Students have until March 13 to redeem campus reward points at UB Campus Tees. After that, points awarded through dining dollar purchases, campus cash purchases and meal swipes will expire.  Under the current program, students can use points at any time during their UB career, but participants forfeit all accumulated points if they have not reactivated their dining plan within 12 consecutive months. Many students, unaware of the program’s rules and restrictions, unknowingly forfeited their points by failing to redeem them before the end of the 12-month period. Now, students hope others will take advantage of the program before the March 13 deadline to avoid forfeiting their points, too.

Vaughn Law, sophomore communication major
FEATURES

Intersecting identities

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN | Feb. 16, 2020

Vaughn Law says they struggled to be open with their bisexuality while embracing their Hong Kong-Vietnamese culture.  Since their intersecting cultures have “similar values,” including a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach to sexuality, they feared coming out. And today, only some family members know of their sexuality.

Condoms at CVS.
FEATURES

Protect yourself

By REILLY MULLEN | Feb. 9, 2020

With STD rates on the rise, students may need a refresher on their middle school “sex-ed” classes. Students are having unprotected sex –– according to The Spectrum sex survey, 23.3% of students who are sexually active say they do not use any form of contraception –– leaving them vulnerable to sexually-transmitted disease diagnoses and unwanted pregnancies. UB offers several types of contraceptives to students for free. All you have to do is schedule an appointment at Michael Hall –– which offers free STD and pregnancy testing –– to find out what best fits your needs. Emergency contraceptives, like Plan B, are available on North and South Campus, but they aren’t cheap.

Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an organization that focuses on changing public views on drug use and abuse.
FEATURES

Discussing Drugs

By ELIZABETH NAPOLITANO | Feb. 5, 2020

Avishai Afek said he knows students are doing drugs but felt those who struggle with drug use don’t know where to turn. So he created a place for students to freely talk about drug use and drug policy.

FEATURES

Broke b---h gift guide

By REILLY MULLEN and BELINDA THONGSAVANH | Dec. 4, 2019

Students often struggle to find cute and creative gifts that won’t break the bank. But don’t fret, we compiled a holiday gift guide with cost-efficient, thoughtful and non-denominational gifts that show loved ones how much they are appreciated and won’t ‘sleigh’ your bank account.

FEATURES

The Disney+ takeover

By ASHLEY GUGLIELMO | Dec. 4, 2019

Many UB students have invited a mouse into their homes. But they aren’t putting out traps, they’re making popcorn and getting ready for a nostalgia-binge.

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