News
NEWS
Suspects identified in credit card scandal
By JENNIFER GOOD | Feb. 17, 2010New but limited information has been released in the ongoing investigation regarding two UB students who stole credit card information with the help of local businesses. Police have released the names of the two male suspects accused of using a skimming device to obtain credit card information and then buy various items. Donlet O. McCalla, a senior psychology major, and Theron J. Harris, an undergraduate student in the School of Management, are the two UB students facing charges. According to Tracy Gast, special agent in charge of Buffalo's Secret Service office, there really hasn't been much new information since the charges were filed, aside from the release of their names. 'Because it is still an ongoing investigation, we have to be careful what we release,' Gast said. McCalla is the former health chair of UB's chapter of NAACP, which was derecognized on Jan. 31 for breaking SA club regulations regarding proper money handling. No correlations of the two incidents have currently been made. McCalla and Harris could not be reached for statements. SA President Ernesto Alvarado was aware of the allegations against the two UB students, but was shocked to learn of McCalla's involvement due to his previous position in the NAACP. 'We're obviously deeply disappointed in his actions. We don't stand for anything like that,' Alvarado said. 'They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.' E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
NEWS
Lack of oversight
By Editorial | Feb. 17, 2010Binghamton University was enjoying its recent basketball success with its first berth in the NCAA men's tournament last March, but the dream ended last week. SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher ordered the investigation into Binghamton's athletic program. The probe's findings were published in a nearly 100-page report about how the University's administration, mainly the school's president and athletic director, allowed the basketball program to go haywire. The repercussions from the fallout could be detrimental for all SUNY schools. Some might argue that what occurs at one school has no bearing on another. They would be incorrect. More eyes will be on athletic programs, looking for misconduct. The fact remains unchanged that these student-athletes are, in fact, students first. The litany of misconduct that occurred at Binghamton is amazing. The report states that players and assistant coaches discussed cash payments and help with homework and papers. Even the head coach lobbied on behalf of players to get failing grades changed. In fact, one athletic official asked an admissions officer, 'What do you care if we have six guys who don't go to class?' The coaches seemed to care more about covering up these infractions than punishing players. Another example of this is the assistant coach who helped a player pay a fine after the player stole condoms from Wal-mart. Many of the infractions have been in the sphere of academics. Binghamton has built its academic reputation as the crown jewel of the State University of New York system. It's all been wiped away in one shot. President of Binghamton University Lois DeFleur will work hard to implement the changes the probe suggests until her retirement in July. Athletic Director Joel Thirer already has resigned as news of the scandal broke. Head men's basketball coach Kevin Broadus has been placed on administrative leave and, in all likelihood, will not be asked to return. This is a very big blow. The situation isn't easy for Zimpher to clean up. The school's president is leaving, its athletic director is gone and it will be hiring a new head coach. The probe will be turned over to the NCAA, which will decide if any penalties are warranted for the university's actions. It may be naive to think that college athletics is completely clean, but surely winning football and basketball games cannot be more important than giving young Americans an education. Athletics provides a great deal to the university setting, such as school spirit and common gatherings for students to visit and cheer on classmates. It is deeply troubling when schools tend not to care. It leaves a bad taste for anyone who loves college basketball and fans of Binghamton athletics. Maybe this incident is just another warning sign of what American society values — winning at all costs. It doesn't matter how it's achieved. In its hunt for athletic supremacy, Binghamton admitted several transfer players with academic and legal problems. One even left the country on bail. Every college in the United States should have an oversight officer to make sure that priorities on programs are to make sure student-athletes get an education and that coaches are role models who follow the rules. The ones who aren't are snake oil salesmen and hurt the integrity of their school, their sports and, most importantly, their players.
NEWS
A Manning's worth
By Christy Suhr | Feb. 15, 2010Last Sunday, a record 106.5 million people tuned into Super Bowl XLIV to see the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints battle it out. Most people I know are neither Colts nor Saints fans, so the game held little personal significance for them. Still, they watched because they expected it to be a great game.
NEWS
A walk to remember
By Lauren Nostro AND Jessica DiGennaro | Feb. 15, 2010With pictures of their loved ones' faces pinned to their red parkas, around 150 close friends and family members of the victims of Flight 3407 symbolically reached the destination that their relatives could not one year ago.
NEWS
NFTA missed the mark
By STEPHEN MARTH | Feb. 15, 2010The moment that Continental Connection Flight 3407 crashed in Clarence Center, Western New Yorkers united as they always have, showing America how strong our community really is.
NEWS
UB students accused of credit card fraud
By JENNIFER GOOD | Feb. 15, 2010E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
NEWS
"Sneakers, Newports and pomegranates"
By Lauren Nostro | Feb. 15, 2010On America's favorite Hallmark holiday, where saying you hate it sounds just as a cliché as partaking in it, I'm not alone.
NEWS
Used to the pressure
By JAMESON BUTLER | Feb. 15, 2010Tuesday night, the Rapids Theater in Niagara Falls will house one of the best hard rock showcases of the upcoming semester.
NEWS
UB bites into Apple
By Steve Nielans | Feb. 15, 2010iTunes has come out with a new feature over the past year called iTunes U, which is similar to the podcasts that most students are already familiar with.
NEWS
Can it work?
By Editorial | Feb. 15, 2010The debate about how to properly educate the youth of America about sexual intercourse has been turned on its ear. A study done recently has shown that teaching abstinence can delay the start of sexual activity among inner-city youth.
NEWS
China and Tibet relations
By Editorial | Feb. 15, 2010For 58 years, the Dalai Lama has been a citizen of the world. Exiled from his native Tibet, he seeks its independence from Chinese control.
NEWS
Update: Lockwood Library Cleared
By Matt Mosher | Feb. 15, 2010University Police have completed a search through Lockwood Library and have found nothing, according to UPD. Amherst Police left the scene around 6:45 p.m. after a preliminary sweep through the building. University police cleared the building an hour later and it will remain closed for the remainder of the night.
NEWS
Boyer helps Bulls top MAC's best
By Joe Paterno | Feb. 15, 2010There hasn't been much to love about the play of the men's basketball team this season. But on the eve of St. Valentine's Day, Buffalo gave fans a sweet treat to salivate over at Alumni Arena when Mid-American Conference leader Kent State came to town for a matinee matchup.
NEWS
Family drama
By Vanessa Frith | Feb. 15, 2010Extended families have always displayed aspects of drama and comedy, hate and love. The upcoming television series, Parenthood, showcases these tendencies.
NEWS
Bulls bounced by miracle shot
By Andrew Bellaflores AND Matt Parrino | Feb. 15, 2010Alumni Arena turned into the Pink Zone on Saturday afternoon when the women's basketball team hosted Akron. The team hoped to avenge a 16-point loss to the Zips that came over a month ago at Rhodes Arena.
