News - The Spectrum

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UB partners to create $47.4 million Empire Discovery Institute

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | May 29, 2018

UB, University of Rochester and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center are partnering with a new institute to identify and support early-stage drug candidates. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is seeking re-election, announced the creation of the Empire Discovery Institute on Thursday. The institute will assist UB, University of Rochester and Roswell Park in drug research discoveries. The institute will receive $35.4 million over five years from Empire State Development and $12 million from partner institutes.

NEWS

UB Director of Financial Aid John Gottardy verbally abused employees, according to UUP statement

By DAN MCKEON | May 29, 2018

Ten employees from the financial aid office have made “specific complaints” against Director of Financial Aid John Gottardy since his hiring in November 2013, according to a statement from the United University Professions, Buffalo Center Chapter sent to employees last week.

NEWS

Two thousand, six hundred and ninety UB logins stolen in data breach

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | May 19, 2018

Thousands of UB community members’ account information have been hacked. On Friday, UB confirmed that J. Brice Bible, vice president and chief information officer, is investigating and responding to a breach of 2,690 UBITName accounts. The breach affects 1,800 student accounts, 862 alumni accounts and 28 faculty and staff accounts, according to UB spokesperson John Della Contrada.

NEWS

UB workers discard Spectrum newspapers from stands in Student Union

By HANNAH STEIN | May 16, 2018

A UB facilities employee removed and discarded stacks of Spectrum newspapers from stands in the Student Union at 11:53 p.m. Tuesday. A Campus Life worker threw away the remaining stacks on the first floor near the Putnams staircase at 2:16 p.m. Wednesday, according to University Police surveillance reports. UPD Deputy Chief of Police Joshua Sticht said the surveillance reports look like two people carrying out the same act as a potential order or miscommunication. UPD is investigating the incident.

NEWS

University police investigating public indecency

By News Desk | May 16, 2018

University police are investigating an incident involving an unidentified male exposing himself to a female student in the Parker parking lot early Tuesday morning, according to a UB alert sent Wednesday morning.

University police are looking to identify a white college-aged male linked to a theft in the Student Union.

NEWS

Police looking for rug thief

By News Desk | May 10, 2018

University police are trying to identify an unknown white male connected with a theft from Campus Dining & Shops in the Student Union on April 30. The suspect stole a custom carpet valued at $500 from Putnam’s, according to UB spokesperson John Della Contrada.

NEWS

After a year of protests, little resolution on stipend level issues

By ANNA SAVCHENKO | May 10, 2018

Graduate students still insist they are not being paid a living wage, yet the university says it spends more than the national average to support its graduate students.

NEWS

Sub-Board I asks the Faculty- Student Association to transfer $1.5 million back to students

By SARAH CROWLEY | May 10, 2018

Sub-board I, the nonprofit auxiliary organization responsible for managing student fees on behalf of student governments is asking the Faculty-Student Association to release a $1.5 million asset back into the hands of students. The FSA, which does business as Campus Dining & Shops, is an auxiliary organization comprised of students, faculty, administrators and community business members that oversees dining services and shops on campus.

NEWS

UB senior adviser resigns after relationship with student

By HANNAH STEIN | May 10, 2018

When a UB student began an affair with a senior UB staffer in June of last year, she thought it would just be a fun story to tell at her bachelorette party one day.

Lauren Mojeski, a senior history major, sits in front of Lake LaSalle.

NEWS

Transfer student with 3.7 GPA will not receive Latin honors from UB

By SARAH CROWLEY | May 10, 2018

When Lauren Mojeski graduates this spring, she will not be able to wear the gold cords given to students with grade-point averages of at least 3.2, a symbol of academic achievement.

Firefighters pumped 250,000 gallons of water from Lake La Salle to prepare for the annual Oozefest, which took place Saturday morning.

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Firefighters pump 250,000 gallons of Lake LaSalle water for UB’s annual Oozefest

By HANNAH STEIN | May 7, 2018

Firefighters pumped a total of 250,000 gallons of Lake LaSalle water — around 1,500 gallons per minute — into the mud pit on St.

The 2018-2019 Black Student Union E-board after the election. The E-board (left to right) Jermaine Hinckson, Daniel Edwards, Ayenoumou Barry, Kendra Harris and Lucas Furlow.

NEWS

Black Student Union elects 2018-2019 e-board

By HARUKA KOSUGI | May 7, 2018

UB’s largest student body club, the Black Student Union, held its election for the upcoming year’s e-board last Wednesday in front of a packed crowd.

NEWS

Student newspaper Villa Vibe launches in The Public

By DAN MCKEON | May 7, 2018

Buffalo’s largest print alternative weekly newspaper, The Public, usually features an art print — paintings, drawings, photography, etc.

NEWS

Two students report separate incidents of ‘forcible touching’ over the weekend

By News Desk | May 7, 2018

On Sunday, University Police received reports of two separate and unrelated incidents of forcible touching, according to an email alert sent at 1:54 p.m.

Announcement of the newly named 'One World Cafe', the world market eatery to come on North Campus. Photographer: Douglas Levere

NEWS

UB’s new dining hall named ‘One World Cafe’

By MADDY FOWLER | May 3, 2018

Sayre Stowell, a junior aerospace and mechanical engineering major, won a naming contest for a new international-inspired dining hall set to open in 2020.

Actor, director, screenwriter and science communicator Alan Alda spoke at Alumni Arena Wednesday night as part of UB’s 31st annual Distinguished Speakers Series. Alda discussed the value of clear and empathetic scientific communication.

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Alan Alda speaks at 31st annual Distinguished Speakers Series

By MADDY FOWLER | May 3, 2018

Alan Alda believes science is the “greatest detective story in the world” and has made it his mission in life to educate the public about it. Alda, an actor, director, screenwriter, author and science communicator, spoke about the importance of effective science communication Wednesday night in Alumni Arena, as part of UB’s 31st annual Distinguished Speaker Series. Alda was the final speaker in this year’s lineup.

Members of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee met Wednesday afternoon in Capen Hall. The committee passed a resolution last week in response to faculty concerns about evaluation policies.

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UB officials address concern about faculty evaluation policy, say nothing has changed

By SARAH CROWLEY | May 3, 2018

Some faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences were upset and confused last month when they received an unexpected email from their dean outlining procedures to submit annual reports for evaluation. The professors read the email as a shift in how instructors, including those with tenure, will be evaluated.

NEWS

UB Facilities Interim Director Scott Ludtka on paid leave; Joseph Raab fills role

By HANNAH STEIN | May 3, 2018

Joseph Raab took over as UB Facilities Interim Director on April 9 after Scott Ludtka was demoted from the position and put on paid leave. The university would not confirm when Ludtka left his duties, his terms of employment or whether or not he is suspended indefinitely. Ludtka had been in the position for three years.

NEWS

UB reacts to 'Boldly Buffalo' fundraising campaign

By MAX KALNITZ | May 3, 2018

UB announced its “Boldly Buffalo” campaign Monday, which has collected over $451 million dollars since 2013.

NEWS

SA Senate passes next year’s budget

By HARUKA KOSUGI | May 3, 2018

The Student Association Senate passed its $4.3 million budget for the upcoming school year, during the last meeting of the semester on Monday, a roughly $56,000 increase from last year’s $4.2 million budget.