Opinions - The Spectrum

OPINION

A uromastyx is the perfect quarantine pet

By JACK PORCARI | Nov. 25, 2020

The weather is changing, and the end of an unprecedented cyber semester is on the minds of many. With Thanksgiving break and the pandemic cutting off all in-person activities at UB, winter break and the following months could become lonely for those who long for the full college experience to return once again. Luckily, there might just be something that could make some people a little less lonely: Pet lizards.

OPINION

That awkward moment when you’re the only one in your family who is glad Joe Biden won

By HUNTER SKOCZYLAS | Nov. 20, 2020

I voted for the first time this year and I cast my vote for Joe Biden, although the rest of my family supports Donald Trump.

OPINION

It’s never you until it is

By ABBY GRASTA | Nov. 16, 2020

It’s been over two years and the idea of him still infuriates me.

OPINION

The rise of mental health symptoms during quarantine is caused by more than just the stress of current events

By ANASTASIA WILDS | Nov. 6, 2020

I’m sitting in my bathtub with all the lights turned off. Tears are streaming down my face as my mind races at a million miles a minute. “I’m a failure, I mess everything up, I’m afraid to lose everyone I care about, I wish I wasn’t here.”

OPINION

COVID will not silence us and it shouldn’t silence you

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN | Sep. 14, 2020

When classes first started, I excitedly opened the door to my new office and sat down as The Spectrum’s new editor-in-chief.

OPINION

Letter to the editor

Sep. 14, 2020

Editors note: This letter remains in the condition in which it was sent.

OPINION

Letter to the editor

Sep. 14, 2020

Editor's note: This letter remains in the condition in which it was sent.

OPINION

Premium Snapchat, subscribe now!

By REILLY MULLEN | Sep. 11, 2020

"I awoke to hundreds of messages from friends, acquaintances and strangers telling me that someone made a fake Instagram, nearly identical to my personal account, offering access to a private Snapchat story where “I” would post explicit photos and nude content."

“Somehow, the NBA thought it would be wise to force its stars to come together from different cities across the U.S. and play in a meaningless exhibition game,” Anthony DeCicco writes.

OPINION

Bigger than basketball

By ANTHONY DECICCO | Aug. 28, 2020

On Wednesday afternoon the Milwaukee Bucks and the Orlando Magic were set to play in game 5 in the first round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs.

OPINION

UB’s ‘leadership’ is laboring with Labor Day

Aug. 25, 2020

Editor's note: This letter remains in the condition it was sent.

OPINION

Letter of solidarity from the UB Black Council

July 9, 2020

Editor's note: This letter remains in the condition it was sent.

OPINION

Buffalo and UB need to stop celebrating Millard Filmore, NOW!

July 6, 2020

Editors Note: This letter remains in the condition it was sent.

OPINION

A letter from transnational studies professor Cecil Foster

June 8, 2020

I write to draw attention to the deafening silence emanating from the University at Buffalo and the College of Arts and Science on developments following the brutal execution of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police and the resulting street protest across the nation and internationally by diverse groups calling for racial equality.

OPINION

Thank you and farewell

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | May 10, 2020

Before I began my pursuit of journalism … actually, scratch that. During my first-ever interview in February 2012, a source gave me the greatest advice I could ever use. “Life is about dealing with all situations in moderation,” he said. “Whether you’re a celebrity, a teacher or just a guy with a shovel in his hand, digging a ditch.”

OPINION

Bye kids

By JACKLYN WALTERS | May 10, 2020

I remember sitting in my first Spectrum class. It was fall 2018, the first day of my second year at UB. A year –– I promised myself –– that I would change my perspective. And boy was I in for a treat. Jody started talking about journalism and I was hyped. “This is perfect,” I thought. It was everything I was looking for in a career all lumped into one 300-level class.

OPINION

And now, the end is near

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | May 10, 2020

Eighteen-year-old eyes. A future in business. It was all the luggage I needed for Grandpa’s 2005 Kia. And close to 300 miles later, some of the first mist I got on that luggage came from exiting that old car, too.

OPINION

Goodbye UB

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA | May 10, 2020

Last semester, my intramural soccer team lost in the semi-finals of the UB playoffs. It was a bummer for a team that still never won a championship. We’d come so close so many times over the last seven semesters. “But at least we had one more opportunity,” we thought. “We still had the spring.” Turns out we didn’t.

OPINION

Trying to avoid regret at the end of an era

By ALEX WHETHAM | May 10, 2020

I never had a chance to make The Spectrum office the home it could have been. Usually, these types of columns are a place where I should say “things didn’t turn out how I planned them, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.” But that’s simply not true.

OPINION

The winner takes it all, and I have

By SAMANTHA VARGAS | May 10, 2020

It’s been almost two months since UB shut down campus, which means it’s been almost two months since I’ve been in The Spectrum office. Or since we’ve had a secret “girls room” meeting. Or since we’ve gone on a Tim Horton’s run, only to find out the line was too long. Or since we’ve bleached someone's hair in the conference room.

OPINION

So, I guess this is goodbye ...

By SAVANNA CALDWELL | May 10, 2020

At the end of every academic year I would read all of the “goodbye columns” the seniors would write before they go to print. I’d tear up because they were always so moving. Everyone would talk about how they found their home away from home in our windowless office, how they shared laughs or napped on one of the couches. But I didn’t think I would ever write one.