News - The Spectrum

NEWS

Women's swim team flounders in weekend meets

By DANIEL GVERTZ | Jan. 31, 2005

UB's women's swimming and diving team had a tough weekend, losing matches on Friday and on Saturday at the Alumni Arena Natatorium.On Friday night, the Bulls (3-6 overall, 0-6 Mid-American Conference) suffered a 155-88 loss to Eastern Michigan University (6-3 overall, 4-2 MAC).Jennefer Brankovsky continued her excellent season, scoring two individual victories and one second place finish for the Bulls, but it was for naught, as the Bulls would claim only one more first place finish for the whole match.Brankovsky won the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:09.38, and her time of 2:06.82 in the 200-yard butterfly earned the senior her other first place finish.

NEWS

"Two Senators resign, Burgio to appoint successors"

By JEREMY G. BURTON | Jan. 31, 2005

Student Association President Anthony Burgio will appoint two new senators next week following the resignations of Mark Jacobs and F.

NEWS

"Bulls battle back, wound Eagles in 80-68 victory"

By DANIEL HONIGMAN | Jan. 31, 2005

It was a homecoming party for Jason Bird in the Wolverine State on Saturday.The Ypsilanti, Mich. native and senior guard for the University at Buffalo Bulls (13-5, 6-4 MAC) torched his local team, the Eastern Michigan Eagles (9-9, 3-6 MAC) for 20 points en route to an 80-68 victory in front of a crowd of 2,893 fans at the Convocation Center.The Bulls jumped out to an early 16-7 lead with 13:52 left in the first half, but this lead did not last, as the Bulls suffered foul trouble early and often in the second half, and found themselves in the double bonus just 10 minutes into the game.

NEWS

Digital generation

By SILAS RADER | Jan. 31, 2005

Digital photography is a blight to the art form. That's what a handful of significant adults in my life have told me, anyway.With the spread of this "digital trend," we as a generation have lost the romanticism and tradition of, for example, the darkroom.Granted, transfer by USB port doesn't require a dark and brooding developing lab filled with mysterious solvents in trays and soothing red lamps.

NEWS

Greek Affairs office takes on illegal frats

By SIOBHAN COUNIHAN | Jan. 31, 2005

The Office of Greek Affairs has started a campaign this semester to educate students and steer them clear from illegitimate organizations operating as off-campus fraternities.Effective as of last fall, it is now a violation of the UB Student Code of Conduct to affiliate with unrecognized groups, including those fraudulently portraying themselves as fraternities.

NEWS

Students go 'all in' at Union poker tournament

By SILAS RADER | Jan. 31, 2005

With the nationwide poker craze having already swept through UB's dorms and apartments, students got to gamble in the heart of North Campus last Thursday as almost 300 students cashed in at UB's first annual Texas Hold 'Em tournament in the Student Union lobby.Over a dozen poker tables set up in the lobby were completely filled throughout the afternoon with eight students and one dealer at each table.

NEWS

Meunier plays through the pain

By JENNIFER GILLAN | Jan. 31, 2005

Many people cry out in pain when they stub their toe, get a paper cut or burn their tongue. Some would just give up and wallow in self-pity until someone gave them a pretty band-aid for the shallow slice or offered pretzels as an appetizer at the pity party.Brooke Meunier doesn't throw pity parties.

NEWS

Simpson speaks out on tuition increases

By GEORGE ZORNICK | Jan. 31, 2005

A $600 tuition increase next year and predictable increases in the future will allow UB and other SUNY schools to plan for the future and achieve a degree of autonomy from state government, according to UB President John B.

NEWS

Cooking with gas

By KENNETH ILGUNAS | Jan. 31, 2005

No performer has ever sold out an event at UB as quickly as Dane Cook. As the lucky 1,783 ticket holders herded into the CFA on Friday, scalpers outside despondently called out for extra tickets, with hobo-like desperation in their eyes.

NEWS

Leveling the uphill tuition climb

By Editorial | Jan. 31, 2005

It's hard to endorse a tuition increase. But there are no alternatives, at least in the short-term future - tuition hikes in New York are as inevitable as death and taxes.

NEWS

"Hypocrisy on tsunami, sweatshops"

By ANDREW TARNOWSKI | Jan. 31, 2005

The Spectrum's editorial last Wednesday criticized the donations from the United States to the tsunami relief effort, saying that since the United States has the economic means it should extend more aid ("Bush's tepid tsunami response," Jan.

NEWS

Which of these does not belong?

By MIKE FLATT | Jan. 31, 2005

It began as a scheme to get free drinks. When you're 20 years old and operating sans good ID, a good scheme to get free alcohol is an enticing proposition.Our original plan for the evening was to see the director's cut of "Donnie Darko" at the Amherst Theatre, but that all-too-important revelation that the show could possibly sell out came too late.

NEWS

Sidelines

Jan. 31, 2005

Eagles splash to winUB's men's swimming and diving team lost a tough match to Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Alumni Arena's Natatorium by a final score of 146-80.

NEWS

Sidelines

Jan. 28, 2005

Putting on a clinicThis spring, the University at Buffalo's baseball team will play host to a pair of baseball clinics for children between the ages of seven and 12.

NEWS

Kus calls it quits

By DANIEL HONIGMAN | Jan. 28, 2005

A legend in Western New York volleyball circles, Sally Kus stepped down from her position as the University at Buffalo head volleyball coach on Jan.

NEWS

Editorial ignored giving

By TIM MINTER | Jan. 28, 2005

Your editorial, "Bush's tepid tsunami response," makes a fatal mistake - it all but ignores the giving on the part of private citizens, and evaluates the generosity of the American people based on the relief given by the government.Consider: how many of us gave privately to tsunami relief?

NEWS

Students mourn lost lives

By SIOBHAN COUNIHAN | Jan. 28, 2005

Members of the UB community gathered for memorial services Wednesday and Thursday in remembrance of the devastating tragedy that struck South Asia just one month ago.Speakers at the services, which were held Wednesday in Harriman Hall and Thursday in the Student Union Theater, encouraged those in attendance to maintain hope while mourning the lives lost."It's a time for reflection, grief and sadness, but also a time for hope," said Mary Clare Fahey, community service coordinator for the Leadership Development Center.

NEWS

Battle of Bands turns platonic

By PAUL MEGNA | Jan. 28, 2005

While Tuesday night's snow made driving treacherous, those who fought the weather to attend the final round of Merlin's Battle of the Bands were rewarded.

NEWS

Schedule

Jan. 28, 2005

M. SwimmingFriday: vs. EMU, 4 p.m.W. SwimmingFriday: vs. EMU, 4 p.m.Track & FieldFriday: at Penn State Nat\'l Meet, 4 p.m.M.

NEWS

FSEC approves review of gen ed classes

By BEN CADY | Jan. 28, 2005

A plan to assess the strengths and weaknesses of UB's general education program was passed by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee at their meeting Wednesday in Capen Hall.The committee also listened to President John Simpson talk about the latest SUNY tuition plan, and its members welcomed Peter Nickerson for another two-year term as chair.The goal of the general education review is to let teachers know whether they are sufficiently addressing educational goals developed by SUNY, said Michael Ryan, UB's new vice provost for undergraduate education."Though (the process) may be tedious, it provides a mechanism for us to have meaningful feedback and to make improvements in the instruction of undergraduates," Ryan said.Next fall, UB's assessment office will begin randomly sampling test results from students in general education classes and comparing those results to the educational goals.Courses in information management, natural sciences, social sciences, and World Civilizations will be evaluated next year, according to the draft plan of the General Education Assessment Review group.The process will not be a burden on teachers, said Carol Tutzauer, assistant director of assessment for undergraduate education.