Features - The Spectrum

President Barack Obama spoke at UB's Alumni Arena in August 2013. Students and faculty have mixed feelings about Obama's last eight years in office.

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UB students and faculty discuss Barack Obama’s presidency

By MICHAEL AKELSON | Nov. 3, 2016

Dr. James Battista still remembers the uncertainty he felt watching President Barack Obama give his initial inauguration speech in January 2009. “The first time you’re seeing an African American get sworn in, I think a lot of people were nervous through the whole time,” Battista, a political science associate professor, said. “Is this going to go off without a hitch? Is nobody going to kill him?”

Political science professor Michelle Benson will be voting for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential election on Nov. 8. Benson believes Clinton’s knowledge of foreign policy and the complexity of U.S. and world politics qualifies her for presidency.

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UB political science professors weigh in on who they’re voting for and why

By ASHLEY INKUMSAH AND EVAN GRISLEY | Nov. 3, 2016

The Spectrum interviewed two political science professors to discuss their picks for the presidential election. Political science professor Michelle Benson will be voting for Democratic presidential candidate Hilary Clinton. Political science professor James Campbell will be voting for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

The Bestest app allows users to survey different groups of people on different topics and is available to anyone with a smartphone.

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The Bestest choice: UB startup app makes for easier decision making

By EVAN GRISLEY | Oct. 30, 2016

When Lalit Goel’s wife went shopping for glasses, she tried on dozens of pairs. All she wanted was to poll her friends to see which pair they thought looked best. That’s when Goel came up with the Bestest app.

PodKeeper is an application to help parents manage family schedules and social groups for their kids but can also be used by students to manage their busy lives. It can be accessed online from a computer, tablet, iPhone or Android and syncs with calendars and emails.

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PodKeeper planning: UB alum creates online hub for management

By EVAN GRISLEY | Oct. 26, 2016

When Steve Sacks became a father, his life was in dire need of organization. Sacks, a UB graduate, and his wife Nikki also noticed a gap in the market. That’s when they co-founded the PodKeeper app for busy parents and students. PodKeeper is an application to help parents manage family schedules and social groups for their kids but can also be used by students to manage their busy lives. It is not available in the app store, but can be accessed online from a computer, tablet, iPhone or Android and syncs with calendars and emails.

“If Trump wins I’m worried he’s going to treat our country like a business. So many of his failed,” said Dixon Elegant, a freshman art and psychology major.

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UB students discuss what scares them most about upcoming presidential election

By EVAN GRISLEY | Oct. 20, 2016

This year, many college students will be able to vote for the first time, yet a large number are steering away from the voting booths because of their fears regarding each candidate. Twenty-five percent of Americans have unfavorable views of both Clinton and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, according to a recent study by Gallup, an analytic service. Only 11 percent of Americans had unfavorable views in 2012 when President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney were running.

Mohawk Place, located on Mohawk Street, will feature local bands, such as Stress Dolls, The Naturalists and One Way Terror, on Oct. 29.

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Buffalo Halloween events for the above-average scare

By CARLOS LEYTE AND ANDREW SAFE | Oct. 20, 2016

Halloween in college is far different from the celebration at home, especially the party scene. Trick-or-treating and quiet backyard parties are replaced with big music events and club specials throughout Halloween weekend.

Joel Lim, a senior psychology major from Singapore, said Halloween has spread to his country and has impacted his experience at UB when he saw how it’s celebrated in the U.S.

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Halloweird: UB international students react to Halloween

By CARLOS LEYTE | Oct. 20, 2016

Madelon Brand is an international student from the Netherlands. She finds Halloween to be unique yet “superficial.”

Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton speak at their rallies. UB professors discuss what voters should be paying attention to for the upcoming election.

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UB professors discuss what voters should pay attention to in the presidential election

By EVAN GRISLEY | Oct. 12, 2016

More than 60 million people tuned into the first two presidential debates so far and some may be asking themselves, “What should I be paying attention to?”

Ryan Lynn and Kevin Santa run Niagara Falls Adventure Park. The duo use their experience from UB’s Outdoor Adventures Club to run the facility.

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Adventure time: UB Alumni run Niagara Falls Adventure Park

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Oct. 6, 2016

Zip lining down 350 feet or a daredevil jump off a rooftop might be a good way to blow off some steam as schoolwork starts to pile on. Niagara Falls Adventure Park is the place to go. The park is run by Ryan Lynn, a UB alumnus, and Kevin Santa, a student taking a year off. The park, located at 427 First Street, Niagara Falls, has three attractions for thrill-seekers: zip lining, rope-courses and Daredevil jumping.

Winspear Avenue and Northrup Place are two common streets UB students live on in the University Heights neighborhood. Many students have complained that their Heights landlord, Jeremy Dunn, is not fixing problems in their houses.

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Quality in question: Buffalo landlord is linked to multiple housing code violations in University Heights

By EVAN GRISLEY | Oct. 5, 2016

Four UB students stood in Buffalo Housing Court and called out their University Heights landlord, Jeremy Dunn, for not fixing problems in his houses. Dunn owns close to 50 properties in the area around South Campus and UB students have complained for years that many of his homes violate safety codes. The University Heights Collaborative and Off-Campus Student Services, have each issued warnings about Dunn. Dunn insists he is not a negligent landlord and denies that his homes are unsafe.

The Steer is located on Main Street within a walking distance of South Campus and its surrounding neighborhood. The Steer serves as the local choice for students who wish to go out on Friday and Saturday nights.

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Best nightlife in Buffalo

By Jimmy Corra | Sep. 29, 2016

Dressing up and traveling to one of Buffalo’s vibrant bars or nightclubs can be an occasional occurrence or a weekly staple for some students. There is a wide variety, from outdoor dance clubs to pubs with U.S. history trivia. For students who are at least 21 years old, here are the top four bars in Buffalo:

SPoT Coffee located on Elmwood Avenue is the perfect coffee spot all year around. From the drinks to the mismatched furniture, it’s easy to get comfortable.

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Buffalo’s best coffee shops that aren’t Starbucks

By SARAH CROWLEY | Sep. 29, 2016

Whatever you look for in a coffee shop – be it hot coffee or the right atmosphere – a coffee shop is a cornerstone to the collegial experience. Thankfully, Buffalo has all kinds to offer, below are just a few.

Club Marcella is the oldest and largest gay nightclub in Western New York and has been around for 22 years. The club is located on Pearl Street right off of Chippewa Street in the heart of downtown Buffalo.

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A spotlight on Buffalo’s biggest and oldest gay nightclub

By CARLOS LEYTE | Sep. 28, 2016

Friday and Saturday nights are for sipping drinks while watching drag queens dance under Marcella’s purple lights. Club Marcella is the oldest and largest gay nightclub in Western New York and has served its patrons for 22 years. The club is located on Pearl Street right off of Chippewa Street in the heart of Downtown Buffalo. Doors are open every Friday and Saturday night to everyone 18 and older with proper ID.

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Week three of Outdoor Nations' Campus Challenge

By EVAN GRISLEY | Sep. 25, 2016

This week, Outdoor Nations is challenging students to sleep under the stars. Week three of Outdoor Nations’ “Campus Challenge” has begun, with UB sitting at rank 15 out of the 90 schools participating.

There were 11 competitors in the "Mac Attack" competition, including Mooney’s, The Press Box and Protocol Restaurant. The event was held in CFA seating area, with vendors lining the walls serving small cups of mac and cheese to attendees.

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UB CFA hosts day of mac and cheese

By EVAN GRISLEY | Sep. 21, 2016

Vendors from the area brought their best mac and cheese in hopes of winning first place and leaving with the “golden noodle.” There were 11 competitors in the competition, including Mooney’s, The Press Box and Protocol Restaurant. The event was held in CFA seating area, with vendors lining the walls serving small cups of mac and cheese to attendees. Those who attended the event were given a scorecard with a place to write their overall favorite mac and cheese – along with any vendor they would like to see at the event next year.

Students huddle while camping in the Alaskan mountains. Outdoor Pursuits and the Outdoor Adventure Club are urging students to participate in this year’s Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.

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Outdoor odyssey: UB competes in nationwide outdoor challenge

By EVAN GRISLEY | Sep. 21, 2016

Taking a hike, doing yoga or going for a bike ride will make UB students eligible to win some athletic gear. Outdoor Pursuits and the Outdoor Adventure Club are urging students to participate in this year’s Outdoor Nation Campus Challenge.

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UB Spectrum editors nominated for Pinnacle Awards

By EVAN GRISLEY AND KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Sep. 19, 2016

Two profiles and a photograph from The Spectrum are among the finalists for national college student awards.

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A freshman at 16

Sep. 14, 2016

The child they were leaving behind wasn’t even an adult in the eyes of the state yet – I was only sixteen.

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Money Talk: when aid comes too late

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Sep. 14, 2016

Financial aid clears after the first five weeks into the semester, which means sometimes students have to go without for that length of time, be it with books or living needs.

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Budgeting your health: A freshman’s guide to eating healthy on a budget

By PAUL J. LASHWAY | Sep. 7, 2016

The freshman 15 – the infamous number referring to the 15 pounds college freshmen usually pack on in their first year away from home. The newfound freedom leads to larger responsibilities and oftentimes, more spending. It’s no secret that many students struggle with money between the astronomical book prices and those miscellaneous charges that mysteriously appear on every bill.