News

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Hazing Does Not Define Manhood

In response to the letter to the editor "Hazing is Normal on Campus," in the April 9 issue of The Spectrum, I offer an alternative point of view.In his letter, Cain Morano would have us believe that hazing is an innocuous ritual useful as an initiation into manhood, that feminists are to blame for the end of chivalry, and that there is one particular way for a man to be and act.Morano's views are an example of an oppressive and insidious essentialism that would have all of us guarded by a stringent gender policy.

"Simpson Expands Staff, Funding for Bioinformatics"

The first step is always the most difficult, but President John Simpson made his first executive move with a strong eye toward the future - expanding UB's bioinformatics center.

"Pass the Matzoh, Please"

There weren't any big decorations in the dining halls, and there wasn't a rush of holiday mall shopping.

Cool Hand Stacey

Softball is a sport dominated by pitching; it is extremely difficult for a team to be successful without an ace on the mound to dictate the flow of the game.Luckily, the UB women's softball team contains the pitching prowess of junior Stacey Evans and will look to her when they take on the Bowling Green Falcons (17-20, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) in a double header at home on Thursday.Coming off a very successful weekend at Akron in which the Bulls (12-15, 3-3 MAC) took two of three games from the Zips, UB will again rely on Evans to lead the way on the mound as well as look to an emerging offensive cast to put runs on the scoreboard."I think with the way our defense has been performing and the way Stacey has been pitching, I believe we have the upper hand against Bowling Green," said senior second baseman Marce Ross.

Upcoming Games

BuffaloSoftballThusday: at Bowling Green, 2 p.m.

Byrned to a Crisp

It came to my knowledge recently that there is no such thing as an actual "Logan" berry. Auntie Rosie needs a brick dropped on her head ASAP, if she even exists.I've been working at Champs Sports for the past year or so, and I have to say that it has been an exhilarating experience.

Lee Lives Up To His Outspoken Reputation

The large and energetic crowd gathered at Daemen College exploded in applause Wednesday night as legendary filmmaker Spike Lee made his way to the stage.

"Spring Is in The Air, and Wardrobe"

After a long cold winter spent huddling in customary hoodies and sweats, the sight of the sun after months of gray skies means that it's not only the snow that will be thawing, but spring wardrobes from their long winter's hibernation.For those with an eye on new trends, what was good for last season will have to make way for this season's hottest looks.Sarah, a co-manager at Express in the Walden Galleria, said the styles of past decades have made their way back to top-trend status."We're seeing a lot of tweed pieces like little jackets and skirts, " she said.

Blackmarket's New Heavyweight Champs

From a Second Story Window's first EP, "Not One Word Has Been Omitted" satiates the basest of testosterone-induced musical needs to the same extent as a knuckle-bludgeoning fistfight.Listening to it requires less cleanup too.The thrash/metalcore group from the nearby corners of Ohio and Pennsylvania ("Ohiovania," as they refer to it on their Web Site,) has made a consistently engaging EP in a genre that is known to hold interest only briefly.The first track, "The Challenge of Caring" has a 30-second intro of frantic, unhinged drumming, clashing guitar chords and screams of "Fear the sky." Once it falls into a time signature, the music barely changes.

"Way to Be, Hung"

For William Hung, music isn't about money or fame.It's about "sing-ging," as Hung declares on track four of his debut release, "Inspiration." One of four inspirational interlude tracks on which Hung imparts tidbits of Tony Robbins-style motivational credos, more can be understood about the American Idol reject from these 18 seconds of dialogue than can be found on any Entertainment Tonight segment.For those living under a rock, Hung is the infamous AI tryout who sang a butchered version of the Ricky Martin hit, "She Bangs." Hung's Chinese accent, coupled with his computer technician-like style, left many viewers both cringing at his horrible vocals and also intrigued at the singer's moxie.As is the wont in Hollywood, Hung's miserable vocal stylings became the hit of the moment.

Protecting Academic Freedoms

It has been a dark April at UB, with gloomy skies and rain taking over the skies on most days. But even more ominous clouds are gathering over our school and institutions across the nation, as a bill awaiting vote in the U.S.

Upcoming Games

BuffaloBaseballFriday: vs. Bowling Green, 3 p.m.SoftballFriday: at Akron, 3 p.m.W. TennisFriday: vs.

UB's Tiniest Students Get V.I.P. Treatment at Child Care Center

The smallest members of the UB community are living large. They have two personal gyms, custom bathroom fixtures, walls with original artwork, fresh greenery in the centerpieces of their custom dining room tables and a two-hour midday siesta.It's a small wonder that there are 150 parents of toddlers on the waiting list.

Scoreboard

BuffaloBaseballWednesday:Niagara5Buffalo4Wednesday:Buffalo8Niagara7

Better Than Stick Figures: 4.9.04

Henderson Lights Up Great White Way

One of UB's professors had his own lullaby on Broadway this spring.Stephen Henderson, an associate professor in Department of Theatre and Dance, took this semester off from teaching to star in the Broadway production of "Drowning Crows."Regina Taylor's "Drowning Crows," an adaptation of Chekhov's "The Seagull," ran from Feb.

Akron-Bound Bulls to Zag the Zips

The UB Softball team will pack up their weathered mitts and head west in search of sunnier skies and - hopefully - some softball.After two consecutive postponements, Buffalo (10-14 overall, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) isn't looking for anything special when they face the Akron Zips (13-14, 1-5 MAC) this weekend.

Starting With a Clean Slate

Following a sweep by the Elevation party in this spring's Student Association elections, next year's Executive Board members say they are looking forward to another sweep next fall - a sweep to clean up the affairs of the organization.President-elect Anthony Burgio said next year's staff will also work to strengthen relationships within the community, achieve their goals with greater efficiency, and build long-term plans for SA."The biggest thing will be changing the relationships with the environment around us - relationships with the Residence Hall Association, the faculty on campus, our new administration and ultimately the relationship with our student body, the undergraduates," Burgio said.As vice president-elect, Dela Yador said his focus is on working to strengthen the UB community through bolstering SA clubs and Student Union events."I want to get to know the people who go straight home from school, who walk right past the events in the Student Union, so I can help get them more involved in the community," said Yador.Burgio emphasized the importance of creating a closer-knit UB environment."One thing I hope that SA can foster next year is a larger sense of community," he said.

Not Quite as Moving as 'Pearl Harbor'

At a time when sickness prevailed, survival was difficult and heroes were fighters of the frontier, Americans fought for ownership of land and thrived on their desire for expansion and domination."The Alamo" commemorates the loss of American soldiers in pursuit of Texan liberation from Mexico.

"Officials Taking Elections, Evaluations Online"

Already dubbed one of the most wired campuses in the country, UB has taken further steps this year to leave pens and paper in the dust.Advances in technology at UB this year are putting several processes that were once done manually - like class evaluations and student elections - online.UB officials said the switch to conducting certain things online will not only allow students easier access, but will also make it easier for administrators and organizers to run the elections and evaluations more smoothly.Jennifer Wantz, student activities associate and student government liaison for Student Life, which held the UB Council election online for the first time this year, said online operations are generally the cheapest route."The cost factor was a big part of our decision to do elections this way," said Wantz.