Features - The Spectrum

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Around town: Winter activities

By DAN MCKEON and BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Feb. 6, 2018

As usual, the weather is becoming unbearable. If you’re looking to warm up your spirits and get in fully frigid winter mode, check out some of what Buffalo has to offer this month. WEDI Winterfest The Atrium @ Rich’s, 1 Robert Rich Way Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The West Side will be walking in a winter wonderland this weekend. This 10th annual edition of Winterfest is equipped with food from Rich Products alongside offerings from the West Side Bazaar.

UB's Office of Engagement offers alternative breaks for students to participate in. Gunnar Haberl, on his trip to the Dominican Republic, taught local students English as a second language.

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Helping hands in Buffalo

By WANLY CHEN | Feb. 5, 2018

Different from a tropical spring break destination, alternative breaks give students opportunities to provide domestic or international outreach to communities with social issues. These breaks emphasize the important role volunteers play in communities.

Ayla Abiad spoke about her experiences as a Syrian-born person living in America during the seventh annual TEDx conference in Buffalo this past fall.

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Building bridges

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Feb. 5, 2018

After the ongoing Syrian civil war began earlier this decade, UB alum Ayla Abiad wasn’t sure how to help. Born in Syria, she had no control in going back home. She felt handcuffed. Abiad began volunteering at Buffalo’s International Institute and began seeing Syrian families coming into the resettlement agency. She began introducing herself to families and not long after started receiving messages asking for help.

In 2018 alone, 134 cases of intentional exposure to laundry pods have been reported in the 13-19 age group. The spike comes in the wake of the "Tide Pod Challenge," a recent trend looking for participants to consume the dangerous substances.

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'Tide Pod Challenge' causes concerns for poison centers nationwide

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Feb. 1, 2018

The “Tide Pod Challenge,” a recent trend where participants consume laundry detergent pods, gained significant traction after tweets from @littlestwayne and @fastjellyfish alluding to eating the pods were liked by over 10,000 users in December 2017.

The harsh winters in Buffalo can be strenuous for those who live on campus, but for some commuter students, the drive to campus and searching for a parking spot during hazardous weather can be a difficult journey.

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Commuting during winter

By ERIK TINGUE | Feb. 1, 2018

As the spring semester begins, a number of commuters are already concerned about the weather being a burden to their education at UB. Sixty-two percent of undergraduate students commute to UB, according to the Office of Institutional Analysis from Fall 2016.

"Tony Conrad @ Hallwalls," a new exhibit downtown, honors the late and legendary former UB professor. Pieces of Conrad's past, including his "Music and the Mind of the World" composition, are highlighted throughout the Queen City gallery's space.

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Hallwalls honors late artist, UB professor Tony Conrad

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Feb. 1, 2018

On Jan. 23, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center brought a number of Conrad’s archived works to over 100 attendees at their opening honoring the late artist. “Tony Conrad @ Hallwalls” –– a selection of footage dating back to 1977 –– is full of interview clips, compositions and stills from the artist.

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Shortage of tickets for Winter Gala

By WANLY CHEN | Dec. 4, 2017

Student Association’s Winter Gala has been an eagerly anticipated event for UB students since the tradition began in 2001, but many students will be unable to attend this year after the 800 tickets to the event sold out within two days. Students shared their frustration about the sold out event, citing conflicting work and class schedules as reasons for their inability to purchase tickets in time, while SA representatives –– who are able to reserve and purchase tickets at a discouned rate –– believe nothing can be done to improve the system. The Gala, reminiscent of a high school prom and hosted at Samuel's Grande Manor on the Saturday after the last day of classes, invites hundreds of students to dress up in their best formal wear for a classy night of entertainment. Tickets are sold for $30 at the SBI office on North Campus and at Harriman Hall on South Campus.

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Around Town: Breakfast eats

By DAN MCKEON | Nov. 30, 2017

Breakfast is not just for breakfast anymore. The brilliant roster of pancakes, breakfast sandwiches, omelets and coffee put breakfast at the top of the food chain.

Stressbusters, a group of student volunteers trained to alleviate students’ stress, travel between campuses every Monday. They offer massages, advice and information about destressing.

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‘Who you gonna call?’ Stressbusters

By SENOCHI KANG | Nov. 20, 2017

With finals just around the corner, overwhelmed students are finding peaceful ways to unwind through stress relieving workshops on campus. Every week, UB’s Wellness Education Services hold “Stressbusters” an event that provides students with a five-minute back rub and stress reduction techniques. Wellness Education Services holds 26 stress relief events throughout the course of the semester that take place across UB’s North and South Campuses.

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A dietary dilemma: The struggles of a vegan lifestyle on campus

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Nov. 20, 2017

Cesar Ramirez went four years without consuming dairy. He believes the industry is destroying the planet and abusing cows. But after one week at UB, the freshman was eating cheese pizza.

SA Attorney Joshua Korman addresses members of SA Senate on Friday evening. At that meeting a motion to derecognize the Women’s Lacrosse team failed 7-5-4, the club is now recognized but still on probation pending evaluation from SA’s Executive Board.

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Women’s Lacrosse team retains recognition

By MAX KALNITZ | Nov. 20, 2017

After a motion to derecognize the Women’s Lacrosse team failed 7-5-4, the SA Senate decided to recognize the team at a meeting Friday night, but deferred the team’s probation status to SA’s Executive Board.

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Call it a 'Daly'

By DANA CASULLO | Nov. 16, 2017

Robert Daly has worked at an amusement park, a chemical factory, farms, loading docks and a limestone mine. For Daly, none of these jobs compare to the feeling of teaching. But after 44 years at UB, Daly is retiring.

Main Street near South Campus Photographer: Douglas Levere

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Students in favor of possible University Heights restaurant

By MAX KALNITZ | Nov. 9, 2017

University Heights residents are concerned about the possible opening of a new restaurant on Main Street called Main Place that will serve alcohol and host 18 and over events.

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Spectrum editors win national collegiate journalism awards

By MAX KALNITZ | Nov. 2, 2017

Two stories from The Spectrum received national awards from distinguished collegiate journalism organizations. The College Media Association (CMA) awarded former managing editor Tori Roseman and former senior sports editor Michael Akelson with Pinnacle Awards, each for a story they published during the spring 2017 semester.

Founding member Laura Kerrigan, a second-year graduate student in American studies, leads the first meeting of the new YDSA chapter. The group's arrival to campus is indicative of a growing interest in socialism nationwide.

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YDSA cuts first meeting short after large opposition turnout

By DAN MCKEON | Nov. 2, 2017

The UB branch of the YDSA formed this semester amid a growing nationwide interest in socialism, especially in the wake of the presidential election and the Bernie Sanders campaign.

Three weeks after a water main break in Clemens shut down the building, the estimated damage can still not be provided. During the flooding, classes were canceled and professors lost valuable materials that are irreplaceable.

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Floody hell: Three weeks on from the flood in UB's Clemens Hall

By MAX KALNITZ | Nov. 2, 2017

Repairs throughout the first four floors of the building are wrapping up, but some damage cannot be repaired with new drywall and ceiling panels. UB spokesperson John Della Contrada could not confirm the cost or extent of the damage done to the building. He is hopeful to have an accurate dollar figure in the coming days.

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Around town: Bookstores of Buffalo

By LINDSAY GILDER | Oct. 26, 2017

With Kindles, Nooks, e-readers and digitized articles, many people have moved on from reading hard copies. For those who still appreciate the feeling of paper between your fingers or the smell of a good old book, these stores offer a selection perfect for a relaxing day of reading.

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Beyond the art of cosplay

By WANLY CHEN | Oct. 26, 2017

Dressing up as someone else can be the best way for some to feel like themselves and escape the stresses of daily life. The UB Cosplay Club embraces this, giving members a place to gather with people who share their passions for constructing and wearing costumes based on their favorite characters from video games and anime.

After making its 2,500 mile journey from Irvine, California, UB's award winning GRoW Home is being reconstructed on South Campus, adjacent from Haynes Hall.

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Building an experience

By MAX KALNITZ | Oct. 26, 2017

UB’s GRoW (Garden, Relax or Work) Home has temporarily returned to South Campus after receiving national recognition at the U.S. The home was one of 14 finalists in the biennial competition and took second place overall. The GRoW Home placed in the top-five in each of the competition’s 10 categories. It finished in first place in three of the contests. The house was disassembled and shipped 2,500 miles back to Buffalo after the competition. It is being temporarily housed adjacent to Hayes Hall on South Campus before its permanent move to North Campus. The date for the relocation has not yet been set.

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A spooky guide to Western New York

By BRANDON BORZILLIRE | Oct. 23, 2017

Halloweekend is notoriously one of the best weekends for going out, but don’t miss out on the scary action because of that. Break out the flashlights and experience the unsettling history of Western New York this Halloween.