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Flint Village

It's a common sentiment that the university apartments aren't worth as much as they cost. However, many students feel that their convenient location is worth shelling out a bit more. Flint Village, located directly across from Park Hall, is only a three-minute walk from the Spine. Although it doesn't have a gym like Hadley, it's also only a 10-15 minute walk from Alumni Arena. The apartments themselves are passable – certainly not luxurious, but not decrepit either. One of the best things about living on campus is that if anything breaks, there are maintenance workers who can fix it. However, the wait for these services in Flint can vary from several hours to several weeks. Another problem students can run into is the issue of noise control. 'The first floor gets kind of noisy; there are no restraints on that, so I find myself going to Capen to get work done,' said Katie Pecora, a senior dance major. '[But] it's clean and convenient.' Like Hadley, the apartments are somewhat small for four people, but the only real issue is with the kitchen. Flint Village has the smallest of the three kitchens, leaving tenants with only enough room for two people to cook at a time. There are not enough cabinets to store everyone's food and utensils, and there is only one drawer for everyone to share. Many students have to purchase extra shelving or store non-perishables on top of the fridge, on counters or even in the living room. Overall, the Flint apartments are fine for the two or three years students will be living in them. The convenience of living on campus is the real draw and is often enough to tip the scales in the apartments' favor. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

Tehran's absurdity

Iran is very good at the chess game that is international politics. Tehran has shown no change in course while trying to resolve the dispute over its nuclear program. Even after months of engagement by the United States, Iran still has no rebuttal for the United States overtures about its nuclear program. President Obama needs to start being proactive about the situation. Years after the United Nations Security Council first demanded that Iran stop its pursuit of enriching uranium, which can be used for nuclear fuel or weapons, Iran's response is to keep the centrifuges spinning. In turn, Washington plans to circulate a new round of sanctions to the rest of the international community. This would be the fourth set of sanctions in as many years. Many would argue that the UN Security Council has no right to try to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons. The five permanent members – the United States, England, France, China and Russia – are all nuclear powers. Many nations in the international community share the United States's concern. But Russia and China have strong economic ties to Iran, so each has tried to water down sanctions previously. Because of this, the Security Council has been rendered ineffective, allowing Iran to pursue its nuclear interests. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton issued a very public warning to China to accept the most recent sanctions or face diplomatic isolation from the United States. Let's not forget that it was only last fall that Iran was discovered to have a secret enrichment facility plant. The world powers proposed a deal with Tehran: open all nuclear facilities to international inspectors and send its stock of uranium abroad to be turned into nuclear reactor fuel. That wouldn't have solved any problems, but at least it would have bought more time for a long-term solution to be worked out. However, the political elite of Iran rejected that deal. This is where the international community has been for months. The situation is complex and it's a very sensitive time within Iran as well. Fallout from last June's presidential election is still being contested. The government has cracked down on any political protests and there have been accusations of political executions. The proposed sanctions must inflict maximum damage to a regime that is so repressive. But it will be tough to accomplish without hurting the average Iranian citizen, and negotiations must be continuous. Many Middle East experts have theorized that the government is in a weakened condition and that the United States is trying to improve relations and focus on regime change. The United States has a long history of regime change, going all the way back to overthrowing the queen of Hawaii in 1893. This country even played a major role in staging a coup d'état in Iran once already, in 1953. The world watched as the United States fell flat on its face with regime change in Iraq. Not shocking either is Iran's claim that the opposition is a tool of the West. The United States and its allies must be very conscious of the fact that the Iranian people are extremely prideful and independent. A solution must be found as soon as possible; after all, the centrifuges keep spinning.

The other side of town

Both Elmwood Village and downtown Buffalo offer wonderful living options for University at Buffalo students. Nationally ranked as one of the top 10 neighborhoods to live in, Elmwood and the surrounding Allen and downtown area offer pleasures both artistic and aesthetic. Home to the best bars, clubs, restaurants, and art galleries in Buffalo and Western New York, students longing to break away from the North Campus minutiae can find hipster bliss when they make their home downtown. Shanice Cherry, a senior English major, has lived on Elmwood for over a year. 'The night life is fabulous. I live a few blocks from Allen Street, and there [are] always a lot of live shows, bands, art shows, and more,' said Cherry. Since most places don't advertise the way University Residence Halls & Apartments do, students wishing to move must rely on word of mouth, or do their own research, to find their perfect downtown house or apartment. However, Sub-Board, Inc, provides resources for UB students to find off-campus housing, most notably its Web site, offcampushousing.buffalo.edu. Craigslist and local networking venues are also available for students to use to find housing on Elmwood and downtown. Living so far away from both North and South Campuses can present a fair amount of issues for students. Fortunately some transportation options, although largely inconvenient, are available. '[The Downtown Campus] has a shuttle to South, and that's how I get to school,' Cherry said. Unfortunately, the Downtown Campus's shuttle, the Blue Line, only arrives and departs twice an hour. Colin Morrissey, a senior nursing major, has lived in the Elmwood area all his life. 'Everything in Buffalo is here – food, bars, the works. There's always something to do and it's very welcoming,' said Morrissey. Morrissey was sure to endorse Elmwood and downtown's relatively close proximity to South Campus, something often misunderstood by UB students. 'It's maybe a 15 minute trip if you ride your bike, especially in the summer,' Morrissey said. According to Sub-Board's Web site, rent in Elmwood averages $500 per person. 'The blocks running off of Elmwood Avenue are lined with fine examples of residential Victorian architecture and are more expensive properties,' the site states. Morrissey mentioned the growing popularity of the Elmwood area and the increasing difficulty students may have in finding an affordable place to live there. '[The Elmwood neighborhood] is on the rise and living there can get expensive,' Morrissey said. Living in the downtown area is somewhat more varied, in the range of $400 to $2,000 per month. 'The rent depends on the location of the apartment and the amenities and luxuries included,' Sub Board's Web site said. Living in the downtown and Elmwood areas also presents problems for students with cars. 'Most of the houses [in the area] have really small parking lots, and finding places to park can get really difficult. It can become a disadvantage, especially if you live on a street where you have to move [your car] at certain times,' Morrissey said. A less desirable aspect to take into consideration when moving downtown is the close proximity to the less than reputable side of urban Buffalo. 'Elmwood runs parallel to some really bad areas, especially past Richmond Avenue. If you're planning to move down there, I'd suggest becoming familiar with the area first,' Morrissey said. For students wanting to live either farther downtown or in the Elmwood area, the question of how to go about getting to class is pertinent. Students without cars usually make use of the Metro Rail system, which runs in and outbound all day, and ends at University Station on South Campus. The negative aspect of this mode of transportation is the often tedious and tiring task of boarding it, especially if students have class early. Students should make sure to leave at least an hour earlier in order to make it to class on time. 'The distance [and having to take public transportation] is the only bad thing about living this far downtown,' Cherry said. Intimidation and inconvenience aside, the option of moving downtown is one UB students should consider. When weighing living selections, if students like intellect, artistic independence and a cultural hub, there's no other option. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

Home is where the heart is

Every fall semester, an incoming class of freshmen embarks on a journey called 'college,' although not every path is the same. Some students decide to live on campus, while others decide to commute to school. As a senior in high school trying to figure out where she would go, Samantha Kovler, now a sophomore communication major, always had the desire to dorm and looked forward to having a home away from home. 'I wasn't sure where exactly I wanted to go [to school]. I didn't feel like I should stay at home and commute to school, although my mom suggested me staying on Long Island,' said Kovler. 'I wanted that going away experience, where I would live on my own in a dorm, meeting tons of different people.' Kovler's curiosity and desire for independence led her to the University at Buffalo, where she was placed in Governors's Lehman Hall her freshman year, despite the fact that it is not a freshman dorm. Nevertheless, Kovler was satisfied with her new living quarters. 'I liked the setup of Governors. Each suite had its own lounge, which was useful for gatherings with people and especially for studying,' Kovler said. Kovler now lives in Ellicott, which she likes just as much. While Kovler was packing her suitcases and beginning her journey to Buffalo, Jessica Conboy, a sophomore French major, was doing the same. After going away to school for a semester, Conboy had a change of heart. 'I switched and just decided to stay at home,' said Conboy. 'I think dorming is fine if you're far from home, but I chose to commute because it's not far from my house and it saves me a lot of money.' Conboy believes that commuting is an attractive option for those who do not mind living with their parents. She enjoys the perks like free laundry service, home cooked meals, privacy and little distraction. However, Conboy considers parking to be a hassle, as do many other UB commuters. 'Parking is ridiculous. You have to get here early and fight for parking spots unless you have a really early or really late class,' Conboy said. Conboy does not feel like she is missing out on any college experiences by commuting. She believes if a student truly wants to get involved on campus and meet people, they will, regardless of living quarters. One of the most important factors in determining whether she would dorm or commute, Conboy says, was money. 'I've talked to my parents about this before and I'm pretty sure that I save about $10,000 a year by living at home, which is completely insane and makes me really glad that I'm at home … since I pay for my schooling, that's less loans to pay back,' Conboy said. Conboy and her parents are correct in their approximations. According to the UB Web site, room and board averages around $10,092 a year. Mark Johnson, a junior business major, also commutes because he thinks it is the smarter financial decision. However, he believes finding and making friends is a difficult task. 'As a commuter, you miss out on a lot of girls and miss out on meeting people on your floor. I'd have more friends if I lived on campus. It's easier to meet people when you dorm,' said Johnson. For some students, the hefty price of freedom is difficult to afford. Jessica Orchard, a sophomore communication major, became a residence hall advisor to help relieve the cost of room and board. 'I'm paying for school on my own and have taken out the maximum amount of loans possible because I cannot fund my schooling out of pocket right now,' said Orchard. 'Dorming is nice, but now that I think back, if I could have the choice, I'd still be living at home and saving my money.' The decision of whether to room on campus or remain at home is an important one. At UB, both options have their share of merit, and in the end, it is up to the individual student to choose the environment most suitable for him or her. E-mail: features@ubspectrum.com

I shore don't like this

Let's be honest – MTV has always been better than VH1. I think it's safe to say that MTV has consistently managed to cause more hype, therefore earning more popularity points. With shows like For the Love of Ray Jay and Real Chance of Love, VH1 has epically failed at being a good channel. Yet, over the last 10 years or so, MTV has been chasing at the heels of VH1 and done a straight nose-dive into Patheticville, USA. One of their newest addition to its plethora of bogus ‘reality' TV shows has taken the cake. Yes, I mean Jersey Shore. Don't get me wrong; I enjoy laughing at Snooki doing naked back flips in a bar just as much as the next guy. Heck, I confess. I seriously considered hitting up PURE nightclub on Friday to try and catch a peek of her ‘poof' while she was there. My concern is simply that this is the best MTV can do nowadays. With the exception of Teen Mom and ABDC, which I have grown unhealthy obsessions for, I find myself now shaking my head at nearly every single show I come across on my once beloved channel. Silent Library, Is She Really going Out with Him, My Life As Liz…really what in the world are the producers of these shows thinking? I guess it's not so fair to blame it all on the makers of these mindless shows, though people in our society are the ones guilty of actually watching it. I simply can't wrap my head around the idea that watching this nonsense – fist pumping, quirky fake high school tales, d-bag boyfriend turmoil and awkward dares among a room of giggling men – is now considered good television entertainment. Sure, virtually all entertainment channels have gone downhill in recent years. Pushing the envelope seems to be the new thing, but at what cost? At the rate stations like MTV are going in completely brainwashing society into thinking blowouts, cursing and utter stupidity are cool, I'm going to have to build an underground world in order to raise and shelter my future children from media's corruption. I know MTV has every right to melt my brain with these lame shows. If we are all going to give them the ratings, why would they cancel the current shows? I also know that I'm capable of getting my lazy butt up to get the remote and change the channel, but it's the principle. If I overhear one more dead serious conversation among a group of friends about the personal lives of Pauly D and J-Wow, I might jump off the nearest bridge. At first, I fed into the excitement over Jersey Shore because the ridiculous personalities its characters possessed made me feel as though I had an IQ equivalent to Einstein's. I got a kick out of making fun of the bronzed bimbos. But recently, I swear that the people around me are no longer laughing at the antics of the show, but instead are admiring them. Jersey Shore is taking over the world and frankly, it's scaring me a bit. I mean, look at me. I've devoted an entire column to depict the show. I'm not praising it, but the fact that I'm putting energy into thinking about it just confirms the haunting hypnotizing power these shows have on us all. It saddens me a bit to realize that a good chunk of my peers don't share the same sentiment and will excitedly continue to pay $25 cover to see attention-whore Tila Tequila and 30-year-old Robin from The Real World do Jagerbombs then dance on top of the bar. Call me crazy but I'll save my $25 for a rainy day. Give me Animal Planet, give me TLC, shoot even give me a little Lifetime, but I refuse to be a MTV zombie any longer. E-mail: jennifer.good@ubspectrum.com

Hadley Village

For students looking for a moderately sized apartment close to campus, Hadley Village on UB's North Campus is the place for you. Located across from Cooke Hall and Hochstetter Hall, Hadley is a good place to live if you don't like fighting for parking spaces on campus and like a good amount of amenities at your fingertips. Rent is currently set at $585 a month for a 12-month lease and $664 a month for a 10-month lease. Though as with everything at UB, rent goes up yearly, the deal is in the convenience. The yellow line takes residents to and from campus every 20-minutes and on the weekends the UB Stampede bus to South Campus drives through Hadley. Most students, especially those who aren't Buffalo natives, choose Hadley for convenience. With a gym and basketball court, Hadley sets itself apart from South Lake and Flint Villages, which don't offer these amenities. Also, many Hadley residents received new furniture this year to replace ripped and heavily used furniture, some of which had been in apartments since the complex opened. Many students share qualms about the lack of snow removal. Hadley's sidewalks and parking lots are some of the last on-campus spaces to be plowed. When they do get plowed, it's usually around 3 a.m. — waking residents up with the noise. The size of the apartments is also an issue for many students. 'The location was convenient because I was on campus, but living space for four people was a bit small,' said Kristina Murray, a senior undecided major. Students also complain about the noise of their neighbors. Walls are thin and just like in the dorms noise carries. However, many have discovered that by calling a community assistant, noise complaints are handled swiftly and don't cause much of a disturbance. Despite these issues, which residents admit can happen in any apartment on campus or off, many feel that for its proximity to campus and its convenience Hadley is worth the rent money, which tends to be a bit higher than most off campus residences.

Bulls break Broncos after sub-par first half

In the first half, the women's basketball team scored 15 points and shot just 15.6 percent from the field. But a poor start didn't result in Buffalo's fourth-straight loss. The Bulls (6-15, 2-6 Mid-American Conference) turned things around in the second and beat the Broncos (5-16, 0-8 MAC), 50-46. The win marked Buffalo's first-ever win at Western Michigan after going 0-for-6 in previous attempts. It was Buffalo's first road conference victory of the season for the Bulls. During the first half, the team seemed well on its way to another road loss at University Arena. Luckily for the Bulls, the Broncos didn't shoot the ball well in the first stanza. WMU went 7-for-24 from the field and held an 18-15 lead heading into the locker room. Head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald wasn't happy with the offensive production in the first half, but made key adjustments at halftime. 'We are a very capable scoring team and we just weren't scoring in the first half,' Hill-MacDonald said. 'With every shot we missed we seemed to get tighter and more tentative and that is what we talked about at halftime.' Buffalo stayed close in the first half by going 5-for-6 from the free throw line and played solid defense against the Broncos. After a 5-0 run by WMU to start the second half, the Bulls came alive and started their charge. With 16:28 left in the game, freshman guard Abby Dowd converted on a layup and started a string of nine-straight made baskets that gave Buffalo a 34-31 lead. The two teams battled back and forth for position until junior forward Jessica Fortman converted on a three-point play that gave the Bulls a 45-40 lead. She delivered the final blow to the Broncos on a free throw that gave Buffalo its largest lead of the day at 48-41 with 28 seconds remaining. Fortman was the high scorer for the Bulls in the game, finishing with 20 points to go along with six rebounds. Sophomore guard Brittany Hedderson contributed 10 points off the bench as well as two blocked shots. Bulls' standout junior forward Kourtney Brown was quiet offensively, scoring only eight points, but she grabbed 10 rebounds in the game. Hill-MacDonald was confident her team would break out of its first-half slump. 'We knew we were lucky to be down three with the way we shot [in the first half],' Hill McDonald said. 'We knew that if we ran that same offense and got those same shots that we would knock them down and be in good shape.' The Bulls outscored the Broncos 35-28 in the second half to secure the win. They also dominated in the paint, outscoring Western Michigan 22-12 in the game. Western Michigan got a solid contribution off the bench from forward Kemmy Dominique. She was the team's high scorer with 11 points. Broncos forward Ebony Cleary was a monster on the glass, bringing in 14 rebounds while chipping in seven points. For the Broncos, the loss completed an 0-8 January. The team has lost its last nine games. The Bulls hope to build on the win when they return home on Wednesday, Feb. 3 to battle the Eastern Michigan Eagles at 7 p.m. E-mail: sports@ubspectrum.com

Orlando Jones in da House

A psychopath, an evil dictator, the smartest man in the world and House himself were all patients this season on Fox's hit show House. However, this week's episode will have a special guest appearance, not in the role of the patient, but as the brother of one of the team members.

South Lake Village

If you like to waste money on mediocrity like Ralph Wilson, then South Lake Village is calling your name. South Lake, which many students consider to be the nicer apartment complex on North Campus, have one nice feature about them – a view. That's about it. The complex is hidden behind UB Stadium, between beautiful bodies of water, which are home to most of Canada's goose population. Arielle Cole, a junior dance major, agrees that the location is less than desirable for most students. 'I like it because the classes for my major are all in the CFA … but it's in an awkward spot on campus, out of the way of everything,' Cole said. The apartments, which cost at least $652 per month for each student in a four-person living space under a 12-month lease, is beyond a rip-off. The buildings, which were put together quickly and carelessly, are cracking in many spaces as the foundations begin to settle. While it is nice to be close to campus, in addition to having all of your utilities paid for, charging students over $2,600 per month for these apartments is a slap in the face. Like the dorms, you're lucky to get a washer or dryer that's available – or one that even works. Obviously, the apartments are far better than living in the dorms, but is it justifiable to charge four students over $30,000 a year to live in apartments that are barely fixed up? Yes, you get furniture (which, for some apartments, is in disgusting condition), but you're better off getting an apartment that costs that much for four people together and purchase your own furniture. Case in point? You're better off staying off campus.

Escape from reality

Life has been pretty easy lately. I spent the first week of classes – more formally known as syllabus week – sitting through 10-minute lectures and going back to my apartment to take a nap, and the second week reading Texts From Last Night on my laptop during lectures and falling asleep on my notebooks. But now that we're into the third week of classes, things are starting to get slightly harder. Lectures are getting longer, I have more assignments written into my weekly planner and I actually have reading to do from textbooks that are so heavy that I'm sure could stop gunfire – or break a window at the very least. However, I still have time to occasionally flip through the channels of the UB movie network – a way of passing some time that I've found quite effective, especially now that Jersey Shore is over. And a few days ago, I stumbled upon the movie Julie and Julia. After watching Meryl Streep and Amy Adams grace my TV screen for about the fifth or sixth time, I started to realize why I kept watching this movie instead of the other movies, like Hustle and Flow – but I think it's obvious why no one would want to subject themselves to a movie about a pimp from Memphis. I love love stories, and I love romantic comedies. When I flip on the evening news or glance at the front page of the New York Times, it makes me so sad to see the horrible things that happen outside of my Buffalo bubble. Working for a newspaper especially, I'm forced to come to the realization that bad things happen everyday. I'm not sure if it makes me naïve that I'd like to forget about it and pretend that peace exists and the world is a place of love by channeling my inner John Lennon, but sometimes, I just need a break from reality. When I watch a movie, it's a time to relax my mind and to stop thinking about the awful things. It's a time to take a break from actuality and watch two people find friendship or to watch Amy Adams learn to fall in love with cooking and Julia Child. I guess you could simply say that I like the feel good movies. I like a movie that makes me feel happy, that can give me positive things to think about and can make me smile. Why people would want to subject themselves to horror movies or twisted thrillers about murderers and rapists, I just don't understand. I think that there are already enough negative things to think about on a daily basis – I don't need to pay money to watch it in the theaters. Give me When Harry Met Sally, You've Got Mail or Beaches any day. I'll pass on the horribleness that was The Strangers. Am I just a scared and pathetic loser when it comes to stepping away from the latest Saw installment? Maybe. Or maybe I just know that sometimes it's nice to watch people be happy and have everything work out for the better – at least for a few hours until I turn on the news again. E-mail: adrian.finch@ubspectrum.com

Library disarray

College libraries – the thought evokes images of cathedral-like buildings housing row upon row of books and dimly lit tables full of students diligently studying.

Sign up and show up

With the stressful task of managing school, work and a social life, many students can't find the time to stay involved in the community and campus life. Luckily, UB's Center for Student Leadership and Community Engagement has done all the work for them by creating Saturdays of Service to help students find volunteer work.

The return of an icon

Rating: C+

Absorbing the State of the Union

Missing student at Buffalo State College

New York State University Police are asking for your help with the search for a missing Buffalo State College student. According to officials, Devindra Persaud (also known as David) was last seen Thursday night at PURE Nightclub in Buffalo at roughly 11 p.m. He is described as a 5'10" male with a medium build. At the time, he was wearing blue jeans, an orange flannel and a white T-shirt.

Apple reveals future of technology

The design of the iPad may cause many people to brush it off as an overpriced iPod Touch, but it is much more than that.

The future is here...maybe

'[The Ultimate Fighting Championship] will be the biggest sport in the world by 2020,' said UFC President Dana White in a press conference late in 2009.

Petition formed against Centrie's course cuts

Students and professors alike have united in their support for Craig Centrie, professor of American Studies. Due to the far-reaching budget cuts proposed for SUNY and UB, several of Centrie's Latino Studies course offerings, popular among his students, are in danger of being cut.

Missing Buffalo State student found

Officials from Buffalo State College announced on Saturday that Devindra Persuad (also known as David) has been found. On Friday, officials pleaded for the public's help after Persuad was not seen following a visit to PURE Nighclub in Buffalo late Thursday evening.

Show your Buffalove

When most people think of talented musicians, they forget to look right in their own backyards – which is exactly where you will find the up and coming pop-punksters of The Mixtape.