News

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Train Of Thought: 4.28.03

Byrned to a Crisp

This is the final installment of The Spectrum this year, which means the summer is finally upon us.

Early Decision Admittance Comes Under Fire

In November of 2002, Yale University and Stanford University announced that they were going to discontinue their binding early decision admittance policies, beginning with the Fall 2004 school year.

"Wild Parties, Vaginas and Fat Ladies Singing"

UB Theater was on fire this year with presentations of everything from the experimental to the just-off-Broadway.Last fall, the Department of Theater and Dance presented "The Wild Party," in the first production of the musical since it's off-Broadway premiere.Not every college production receives as much attention as a premiere, so it's exciting for the cast to be giving life to a relatively new piece.Andrew Lippa, who wrote "The Wild Party," visited UB during the show's run and will attend a few performances.

"What Goes Around, Comes Around"

Edit Note: This was an amazing game, as those of you who were there know. Kent State was a great team who made an appearance in the MAC Championship game, and there were some classic quotes from this story, Battle's in particular is great.With 7.6 seconds left in a game tied at 66, University at Buffalo guard Turner Battle charged down the floor, and dropped a beauty through the net to give Buffalo a two point lead over Kent State with only 2.3 seconds remaining.Play resumed on a full-court pass down to Kent State's star forward Antonio Gates that was tipped and fell into the waiting hands of Bryan Bedford for a last second, last chance three-pointer that hit nothing but net and silenced the rabid crowd."When I saw that shot go up I had a feeling it was going in," Battle said.

Four of the Year's Big Releases

Hometown folk/rock goddess Ani DiFranco released two albums this year: "So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter" and "Evolve." Staff Reporter Nora Hasson on "So Much Shouting, So Much Laughter":One of the best things about Ani DiFranco as a performer is her ability to make her songs into living things.

Wartime Gas Prices Pinch Students' Pockets

Conflicts in the Middle East and a strike in Venezuela were both factors that played a role in elevated gas prices this year.

"Students, Administrators Butt Heads over UB Sweatshop Policies"

In December, UB Students Against Sweatshops held a press conference to announce they were talking to the administration about aligning the university with the Worker Rights Consortium, an independent monitoring body that investigates the business practices of companies producing merchandise bearing college and universities' logos.At the press conference, Dan Cross, a member of UBSAS, said the organization had a meeting with Dennis Black, vice president for Student Affairs, earlier in the week to discuss steps the university was taking to ensure that products bearing the UB logo were not manufactured in sweatshops.According to Cross, a junior history and Spanish major, the conversation with Black was successful.

Better Than Stick Figures: 4.28.03

Broncos Prevail in Thriller with Ball State

Nobody talked about Western Michigan, but in the end it seemed so obvious. The No. 4 seed was not seeing the attention that the MAC's other elite teams were seeing, but the Broncos were a team that was growing up before everyone's eyes.

Students Question UB Policy Forbidding Co-Ed Rooming

Each year, as students begin a new semester, finding the right living situation depends as much on with whom they choose to live as where.

Speakers Series 'Distinguished' by High-Profile Lineup

Time magazine's "Person of the Year," a best-selling novelist, an astronaut, a politician and a well-known television personality graced the halls of UB this year for the 16th year of the Distinguished Speakers series.Katie Couric kicked off the series in October, when she spoke to a packed Alumni Arena audience about her television career and her husband's unsuccessful battle against colon cancer.

"Boys of 'Fraternity Life' Face UB, Buffalo Reprimands"

MTV's choice to film its reality-based television series "Fraternity Life" and "Sorority Life" on campus this year stirred up controversy across not only campus, but in the city of Buffalo as well.In the wake of the Princeton Review ranking UB at No.

Three Blind Dates

The Spectrum put out an open call to UB singles to be participants in The Spectrum's all-expenses-paid "Experiment in Romance" series in celebration of Valentine's Day.

Scarlet Blood is Drawn As Bulls Extract Revenge

Edit Note: A victory against a Big East opponent is notable, even if it is Rutgers. Many outstanding individual performances highlighted this game.

Intense Hip-Hop and Enraged Rock

This year's Fall Fest featured Ja Rule and LL Cool J. After his set, The Spectrum interviewed LL Cool J about his life and latest projects.The Spectrum: A few days ago, you were a guest speaker at Wilberforce College.

Low Student Turnout for 2002 Elections

After voting polls in Erie County closed in November 2002, college-aged individuals made up the least-represented demographic.

SA E-Board Stipend Increases Enrage Students

Various issues and events during the spring semester brought UB students together in protest, from a steep hike in tuition to the war in Iraq.

White On White

Art as Protest: In a demonstration against the lack of student art display space in the Center for the Arts, over 30 students gathered in the Center for the Arts Atrium on Nov.

"Violence in America, Rapping in Detroit, and 'Manna From Heaven"

One of the most notable films of the year was Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine.""Bowling for Columbine" is a scathing, striking critique and analysis of violence in America.Director Michael Moore knows that by giving his subjects enough freedom, they shoot themselves in the foot.