News

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Where did all the polygons go?

"Spider-Man 2" reversed all the negative stereotypes associated with movie-based videogames. Just as quickly, "Constantine" has brought them all back in a spectacular, flaming pile of disappointment.The game, published by THQ and recently released for Playstation 2 and Xbox, gives new meanings to the phrase "Hell on Earth."The first major problem gamers will notice is the extremely sparse polygon count, which results in low-grade graphics.

Metro Pass system a deal for students

In regards to a recent article on the proposed NFTA-Metro-Unlimited Access Program at UB ("Talks on free Metro passes move slowly," Feb.

'Where the wave finally broke'

Last week, Hunter S. Thompson, best known for writing "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream," took his own life with a shotgun.Two years ago, I was watching late-night television, normally an unlikely activity for me.

Old department finds new groove

As one of the oldest American Studies programs in the country, UB's Center for the Americas fought to stay alive for over 40 years.Now, with an old name, new faculty and skyrocketing enrollment, the program is here to stay."The American Studies program is one of the oldest and most recognizable programs in the country, and I think that is what attracts students to it," said Donald Grinde, chair of the department.After being called the Center for the Americas for the last few years, the department was given back its original name, American Studies, this fall."All of a sudden the department was back, and as soon as it was back, students noticed it," said Bruce Jackson, professor of English and American studies.

Rose-colored glasses

The message of "cautious hope" that Israeli consul Ido Aharoni brought presented a rosy nuance of his choice ("Israeli consul brings message of hope," Feb.

Dancing on impulse

Twirl, stomp, kick, and shuffle to the sounds of ballet, jazz, hip-hop and tap. It might sound like the program for a dance revue at the CFA, but students looking to move their feet to a few of these styles themselves don't have to look further than a new club at UB: the Impulse Dance Force.A non-competitive club open to everyone, Impulse Dance Force might be the new kid on the block, but it has seen its membership quickly jump to over 100 members who participate in both beginner and advanced sessions.

Faculty Senate considers new building for unused books

As early as this spring, UB could break ground on a new storage facility for the millions of low-use books, journals and magazines sitting untouched in UB libraries.Two UB officials introduced the storage proposal at a Faculty Senate meeting Wednesday in Capen Hall.According to Karen Senglaup, director of access services for arts and sciences libraries, UB's libraries are currently over capacity.

Scoreboard

M. BasketballWednesday:Buffalo68Marshall55W. BasketballWednesday:Miami (OH)68Buffalo50

Loads of turnovers limit Bulls' success in loss

Despite Heather Turner's 24 points, the UB women's basketball team lost its sixth game in a row on Wednesday night on the road at Miami (Ohio), 68-50, failing to turn the page on a season that has been nothing short of a struggle.The Bulls' 21 turnovers, 14 in the first half, proved fatal for a UB team that had previously defeated the RedHawks in Buffalo just over a month ago.

Schedule

W. BasketballSaturday: vs. Northern Illinois, 2 p.m.M. SwimmingSaturday: at ECAC Championships, all dayW.

Shedding light on Buffalo's night

Arranged neatly in two rows at eye level are the black and white photographs of Ed Healy, a 2004 Exhibition Award winner.

Real-life campaign

For three years now, students taking COM 453 have been getting a hands-on experience few classes can offer.The 400-level communication class, taught by assistant professor Deborah Silverman, teaches students how to plan and conduct a public relations campaign throughout the course of the semester.According to Silverman, who has run the class since its inception, each new batch of students that takes the class is better than the last."The students always come up with great ideas," Silverman said.

A scary future

Everyone always says the children are the future leaders of America. This sounds like a good thing, especially given the current leaders of America.

How little people topple giants

It's tucked away just a bit north of I-290 on Niagara Falls Boulevard, hidden behind a thick layer of trees like it's trying to keep a secret, marked only with a single, plain sign.

Angular rock inside the 'circle'

It is uncommon for contemporary music to be considered "high art." Most popular musicians are constrained to the boundaries of thought provided by their respective genre.Two bands, Circle Takes the Square and Fear Before the March of Flames, performing at The Buffalo Icon on Saturday night, aim to change that.Both Circle Takes the Square and Fear Before the March of Flames deliver a brand of cutting-edge hardcore every bit as artful as it is gut-wrenchingly brutal.Circle Takes the Square is a thrash act formed in Savannah, Georgia.

Sidelines

More love for BattleThe National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) released its Division I All-District teams, and Turner Battle has been named to the All-District 2 Second Team.Battle is one of just 150 college basketball players, from a total of 15 districts, who are now eligible for the NABC Division I All-American Team, which will be announced at the end of the college basketball season.This is the second time Battle has received the honors, as he was also given the same recognition last season.The Mid-American Conference received a fair amount of recognition by the selectors, as Battle was one of five players from the MAC to be selected.

Spectrum sports challenge: 'Fro finesse

For this installment of the Spectrum Sportswriters' challenge, Jackie O'Brien and her sidekick Daniel Gvertz were going to debate the reasonableness of the claims by Gary Bettman and Bob Goodenow and which one of them is to blame for the National Hockey League canceling the season for good.Then we realized, nearly 50 percent of this country does not care.

Shredding to Stravinsky

UB's Spring and Fall Fests customarily fill venues with both campus crowds and local youngsters. Recent efforts have shown that trying to satisfy both groups can result in lackluster concerts.

Ben Sargent Cartoon: 2.25.05

"In star wrestler's absence, UB's king cobra snakes his way to the top"

To be given a moniker by UB's wrestling announcer and former coach, Ed Michaels, is quite an honor.