News

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Late Show for Snow

It's December in Buffalo, but until today, the ground was still hard, it was still light jacket weather, and the lake was still in liquid form.Love it or hate it, snow is a trademark characteristic of Buffalo, and students around UB have been marveling at the lack of it, until they woke up today to see the ground covered in white.Jeff Brunskill, a graduate student in the geography department, said although Buffalo has a reputation for blizzards by Halloween, a warm early December is nothing out of the ordinary."It's not uncommon to have a warm period in early December," he said.

Scoreboard

Men

Cementing An Image in E. Town

In the film "American Beauty," Wes Bentley's character, Ricky Fitts, films life from the viewpoint that some things are inexplicably charming.E.

"Despite Gaffes, Bulls Hold Off Colgate"

Few teams are able to register a victory in a game in which they record 22 turnovers, shoot under 45 percent in the first half, and have a lower free throw percentage than the opposing team.The Bulls, however, beat the odds on Wednesday night in Alumni Arena as they defeated the Colgate Red Raiders, 74-62.Fresh off of a blowout victory over Indiana State on Saturday, the Bulls (3-1 overall, 0-0 Mid-American Conference) were not able to carry over Saturday night's near-perfect play into Wednesday night's game against Colgate (2-3 overall, 0-0 Patriot League).Although the Bulls notched a win, there was a somber mood after the game as UB head coach Reggie Witherspoon reprimanded his team for not playing up to its full potential."We didn't play well," said Witherspoon.

Depravity Is So Much 'Closer' to Reality

Not since Tom Green's "Freddy Got Fingered" has a film captured the repugnance of human behavior as well as "Closer." No, Julia Roberts wasn't filmed sucking a cow's udder.

"Amid Hype, Bulls' Fan Base Grows"

Four games into the men's basketball season, Bulls fans don't consider it too early to start hungrily eyeing a conference title, especially for a Bulls team that seems to have a little sports magic in its step and a rapidly growing bandwagon."Based on the men's basketball brilliant performance on the court the last couple of games, and not to mention last season's winning streak, I have a gut feeling that they just might win the (Mid-American Conference) title," said Andy Kosut of Lewiston.Thanks to an exciting run into the playoffs last season, an increasing number of Western New York residents like Kosut are lining up at Alumni Arena and paying to see the Bulls, who defeated Colgate Wednesday night 74-62.But having been such a big part of last year's success, the students continue to be the first ones in line at Alumni."It looks like a promising year," said Andrew McDermott, a freshman undecided major.

Woes Worsen for Women's Team

Hindered by inconsistency and youth, the University at Buffalo women's basketball team fell victim to the Northeastern Huskies on the road Wednesday night, 71-44."We're a young team trying to find ourselves and it showed tonight," said Buffalo head coach Cheryl Dozier in a press release.The Bulls shot 55 percent (11-20) from the floor in the first half but experienced difficulty finding an offensive rhythm in the second half, shooting a lackluster 29.2 percent (7-24).Turnovers also proved to be costly for the Bulls (1-3 overall, 0-0 Mid-American Conference), as the Huskies (2-3 overall, 0-0 America East) converted 25 UB turnovers into 26 points."We just came out flat in the second half and we let the game get away from us.

Christmas for the Heathen

Why does it always seem like the people who push their religion the most are the ones least likely to follow it?I'm not talking about priests and rabbis and monks who work to share a message and make the world a better place.

Jigga Rolling With Rockers

He's sold over 17 million albums, built the multi-million dollar empire Roc-A-Fella Records, and is now collaborating with one of the biggest rock acts around.

Turmoil in Ukraine Concerns Students

With last week's election results still threatening to plunge the Ukraine into political chaos, UB students with ties to the eastern European country sounded off on the accusations of voter fraud and tensions reminiscent of the Cold War.Recently, the Ukrainian parliament voided the election results but left it unclear whether a new election would be held.

Ben Sargent Cartoon 12.3.04

Troop Hike Shows Iraq Not Ready For Elections

This week the news came down from Washington that U.S. troop levels in Iraq will be increased by 1,500 and that tours for 10,000 troops will be extended, bringing the total troop level up to 150,000.

Fake ID Wars

For years, legions of eager-to-drink undergraduates have been at odds with the country's legal drinking age of 21.Despite UB's proximity to Canada, where the drinking age is just 19, many students instead try their luck at local watering holes.

Local Club Looking Out for Community

Each and every day college students perform what is said to be a "normal routine." Roll out of bed at the crack of noon, decide not to shave, and then proceed to eat the leftover Fritos that have been sitting on the floor since Game One of the World Series.

Sidelines

BasketballFor only the second time in his career, Turner Battle has been named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week.

"Seasonal Fashion Trends Feature Tweeds, Sparkles and Pointy-Toed Shoes"

As the icy months of winter roll in, Buffalo natives and visitors struggle to stay both warm and fashionable.

GSA Fee Increase Passes

Graduate students voted to keep their activity fee mandatory and increase it by $9 before Thanksgiving break, allowing the GSA more breathing room in their budget to provide services and improve existing programs.The referendum, which comes up for a vote every four years, consisted of two questions.

Bombs vs. Books

Less than two months ago, John Simpson gave a pointed speech at his inauguration as UB's 14th President about the importance of public higher education that is accessible to everyone.He noted that democracy thrives on an educated populace, and that as our economy becomes more knowledge-based, higher education is the key to economic and national successes.The speech resonated with many people at UB, all of whom should be concerned about the actions being taken in Congress regarding Pell Grants, the single most important piece of help the federal government gives to low-income students.The Bush administration has proposed a cut to the program, which could leave 1.2 million low-income students with reduced grants and 100,000 students without any grants at all.

Checkstops: Prevention is Better Than a Cure

With few days left before the end of the fall semester, most students have already gotten their spring semester schedules finalized.

Bulls Get One-Second Chance

While most students took off for home to celebrate Thanksgiving, the University at Buffalo men's basketball team took to the hardwood to capture a winning record.Last Tuesday night the Bulls beat Fairleigh Dickinson at home in storybook fashion.