News

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The Four-Horse Man

I'm being pulled apart by horses tethered to my limbs.The horses' names are The Spectrum, iChat, Short Fiction and Songwriting.

Bulls Squander Strong First Half

Through 30 minutes of football on Saturday at UB Stadium, "Homecoming" at Buffalo seemed destined to take on a meaning beyond plates of chicken wings and obliterated Jeeps.The Bulls (1-6, 1-4 Mid-American Conference) displayed a glimmer of what big-time, competitive MAC football can be in a hard-fought first half that ended with UB up, 7-6, against Miami (4-3, 3-1 MAC). But any thoughts of an upset were short-lived, as the defending MAC-East Champion RedHawks out-fought, out-executed, and out-scored UB in the second half en route to a 25-7 win."As we came out in the second half, the spoken goal was 'win the half,'" said UB Head Coach Jim Hofher.

Everyone's America or No One's America

About 15 years ago, on Public School 241's concrete playground, a red-faced little boy named Timothy hit me with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles lunch box and told me to "Go back to Africa."Indignant and determined to wipe the smirk off his face I attacked him with all the strength my six-year-old body could muster.I was much more upset by the fact that he mistook my Jamaican accent for an African one than I was by how he rudely told me to get out of his country; mostly because I had an immense Jamaican pride and secondly because it was his country after all.As far as my six-year-old, fresh-off-the-airplane mind could tell, this was Timothy's America and I was just a visitor.I grew up and got over my resentment toward red-faced Timothy.

Caribbean SA Kicks Off Awareness Week

The Caribbean Student Association's annual awareness week began Sunday, offering several events planned to help raise awareness about West Indian Culture.Since this year marks the CSA's 30th anniversary at UB, executive board members said they are striving to make this weeklong celebration extra special."We want everyone who celebrates with us to experience the rich, artistic culture that the Caribbean and CSA have to offer," said Terice Barnett, secretary of the CSA.Their goal is to create events that are cross-cultural, aiming to build a sense of community with members and non-members alike.This year the club plans a spectacular celebration that will intertwine CSA with the rest of UB's diverse community.Wednesday, the CSA will be showing support to the Latin Caribbean at the Latino Bazaar where students will have an opportunity to learn what other Caribbean organizations have to offer.Thursday, the CSA plans to invite other clubs on campus to join them for a free game of Laser Tag.A Caribbean arts and craft workshop is planned for Friday where students can make traditional items such as beaded necklaces and earrings.

Ben Sargent Cartoon: 10.18.04

That Phone Call Home

For students entering college for the first time, one of the big perks of leaving home has always been the notion of greater independence.Here at UB, that notion of independence is backed up by a parental notification policy that most often keeps student consequences concerning grades and legal matters separated from parental intervention."We're not in the business of calling mom and dad about every little thing," said Dennis Black, vice president for Student Affairs.

Club Sports Get Trainers

UB club sports will have access to full-time professional athletic trainers next semester through a temporary program that many team members hope to make permanent.According to Frank Carnevale, director of Health Services, the issue of professional trainers for club sports has been around for a long time."Students from club sports approached Student Affairs to have assistance with trainers to cover home games," Carnevale said.Colleen Connors, president of the club volleyball team, said club teams have needed professional athletic trainers for a number of different reasons."Having athletic trainers for sports teams is not only an asset but a necessity.

How To Steal An Election

The Teletubbies children's program usually begins with the sun rising and a cute baby's face in the center of the sun, giggling in view of the lush, green landscape below.Envision George W.

Volleyball Still Struggling in MAC

The final game of a six-game home stand for the UB volleyball team ended Friday night in similar fashion to the previous five games: with a loss.Over the past two weeks, the Bulls have lost six straight matches at Alumni Arena.

Simpson Officially Becomes UB's 14th President

John B. Simpson was inaugurated as the 14th president of UB Friday in an event rich with academic ceremony and talk of UB's future.In his acceptance speech, Simpson spoke of his long-term vision for the university and emphasized the role of public higher education in America."I pledge to you today that UB's very first priority will be the considered pursuit and practice of academic excellence," Simpson said during his speech.

You Have the Power: UB Green Urges Campus to 'Turn It Off'

During the summer of 2003, a major blackout hit much of the eastern seaboard. In response to the crisis, switches were flipped all over campus.

Sidelines

Women's TennisSaturday's match between the Bulls and Robert Morris University was cancelled because of heavy rainfall in the Buffalo area.

Students Destroy Jeep for Spirit Week

With hip-hop music blasting outside the Student Union Tuesday and the sight of students taking mid-semester fury out on a small Jeep, the Car Cruncher event kicked off Spirit Week with a bang.Homecoming Weekend was right around the corner as hundreds of students signed up to hit the stationary car with a sledgehammer, leaving dents, shattered glass, and some personal frustration behind."People have been constantly showing up, there hasn't been a break all day," said Greg Baker, a senior international business major and event worker.After all the strong blows and heavy hits, the car was hardly recognizable."It looks like something you would see in a junkyard.

Local Filmmakers Take Aim at Bush

At Squeaky Wheel, a dark and dingy little building tucked inside the heart of Buffalo, the wine and beer are served in styrofoam cups for $2 donations.

Sidelines

Midnight MadnessThe University at Buffalo will ring in the 2004-2005 basketball season tonight when it hosts Midnight Mania at the newly renovated Alumni Arena.

Debates Divide Students

Undecided student voters seemed to be few and far between following the last of the presidential debates last night concerning domestic issues."I think John Kerry contradicts himself.

Women's Soccer to Face MAC Foes at Home

The women's soccer team will host two games this weekend against middle-of-the-pack MAC opponents.Last season's 1-0 loss in Toledo is remembered by players as a fierce and rugged match at which both schools played gritty soccer."It's been a pretty good rivalry with them over the past few matches," said Bulls assistant coach Thomas Garigen.

Volleyball Still Winless in MAC

Winless in the Mid-American Conference this season, the University at Buffalo volleyball team suffered its eighth straight loss on Thursday night at Alumni Arena, falling 3-1 to the Marshall Thundering Herd."They just executed better than we did.

FSEC Looks at Declining International Student Population

A notable decline in the international student population was discussed at the Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting Wednesday.Faculty Senate Chair Peter Nickerson, a professor of pathology and anatomical sciences, said a notable part of the student body is having increasing difficulty in obtaining student visas.

Ben Sargent Cartoon 10.15.04