Opinions - The Spectrum

OPINION

Some students upset over handling of Sanders rally – but should be grateful there was a candidate on campus at all

By Editorial Board | Apr. 13, 2016

t’s easier to forget this is a presidential campaign – things are bound to get hectic as supporters from not just UB but all over the state flocked to see their candidate. Students should appreciate the fact that they even had an opportunity to hear a candidate speak – which happened as a result of group of students taking the initiative to petition and SA noticing and reaching out to Sanders’ campaign.

OPINION

I shared soap with a strange man in the shower and it wasn’t even weird

By DAVID TUNIS-GARCIA | Apr. 13, 2016

came to my running session fully prepared: gym bag stocked with fresh clothes, body wash and a loofa. After my run, I undressed down to my skivvies and after a moment’s hesitation shed them and strut into the shower loofa and body wash in hand – I’ve been informed on multiple occasions that I don’t walk like a normal human being; apparently, I strut.

OPINION

Bernie Sanders’ visit to campus is product of UB, Student Association listening to students

By Editorial Board | Apr. 11, 2016

Sanders will speak in Alumni Arena on Monday night, after the Student Association took notice of students’ wants and invited Sanders to campus. The university has done its part in allowing Sanders to come, despite the fact it means they must at least offer all other candidates the same opportunity.

OPINION

Letter to the editor: Why love one and eat the other?

Apr. 10, 2016

Many people assume that the diet of a vegetarian or vegan is carried by a leafy salad. The options at UB for those refraining from animals and animal products would align with this notion. The United States consumption of meat per capita is more than almost every other country on Earth by ten to twelve times over.

OPINION

Money Talk: The bulls and bears of the stock market

By KENNETH KASHIF THOMAS | Apr. 6, 2016

Much like a bull in a china shop, you can expect there to be a lot of excitement and activity. Your assets are appreciating in value, traders are feeling positive about the market and everyone is trading at high levels, with more traders buying than selling.

OPINION

More students must vote in UB Student Assoication elections

By Editorial Board | Apr. 5, 2016

SA controls a budget of around $4 million through the mandatory student activity fee of $104.75 a semester. The thought of just one SA-experienced party running for the three top positions in the organization and just six percent of all undergraduate students deciding who fills these positions is off-putting. It’s frankly a bit undemocratic.

Maximillian Budynek poses for a photo during his run for Student Association president. Budynek, who with his running mate Daniel Christian lost the election, believes there are issues with the way SA elections are currently set up.

OPINION

Letter from Transparency candidate Maximillian Budynek

Apr. 3, 2016

This year’s election clearly proves the need to overhaul the election process. While both parties worked tirelessly, reaching out to so many students over the election days, we could only accomplish a voter turnout that was somewhere in the ballpark of six percent of the entire student body. While speaking to so many of our peers, it was clear that they had no idea an election was even occurring. The University, and its Student Association, do not do enough to promote the election, and are doing an injustice to those who would have been interested in making their voices heard. Two days of speaking to clubs, and a poorly advertised debate, are simply not enough. A more publicized election will allow for a greater exchange of ideas, and more student involvement.

OPINION

Despite controversial rhetoric, Milo Yiannopoulos has right to speak at UB

By Editorial Board | Apr. 3, 2016

Free speech is a basic American principle that we have to respect. Whether or not we agree with Yiannopoulos’ ideas isn’t as important as whether or not he’s allowed to speak them. And sometimes, regardless of how different it may be from our own, it’s important to hear out others’ ideology because it’s how we learn about the other side of the political spectrum.

OPINION

Letter to the editor: Student Association allocating money to bring Milo Yiannopoulos to UB is breach of students' safe space

Apr. 3, 2016

We need to unify, we need to speak out when our equity is being taken away, and elected positions need to represent their student body instead of their own political views. The Student Association allocating $750 dollars to have a sexist, racist, transphobic, and homophobic speaker come to UB is in breach of your safe space. Speak out, become educated, and take a stance. Regardless of what your political views are I encourage you to do this as a member of the UB Community and as a student who funded this speaker through your mandatory student fee. Look into leadership positions on campus, become involved, and encourage your friends to speak up. Stop letting people “climb the ladder” for a resume builder or a power trip. If you feel strongly in opposition of Yiannopoulos, help organize rallies against him. We have a seat waiting for you at the table, come sit down and lean in.

OPINION

MLB awards and World Series predictions: Mets get redemption for last year's World Series loss

By Jordan Grossman | Apr. 3, 2016

There's something about the allure of the youth movement. Some of the best players in the league aren’t even 25 yet. There’s still so much potential in these young rosters that may or may not break out this year. So this season will be interesting. Who will prevail: the veterans who have been in these situations before or the young players who are primed to take over the game?

OPINION

MLB awards and World Series predictions: Trout claims second MVP, Cubs win first championship since 1908

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Apr. 3, 2016

The World Series is just as open as ever. Half of the league, including the defending champion Kansas City Royals, could make the World Series this year. While the MVP awards seems destined for a handful of players, the Cy Young awards are always pretty random. Let’s talk about the predictions for MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of The Year and World Series.

OPINION

If UB wants to become New York’s college team, it must start recruiting from New York – like Syracuse

By Jordan Grossman | Apr. 2, 2016

But UB Athletics must understand Syracuse will always be New York’s college team. People know about Syracuse athletics, despite the fact it’s located in a city with a population of less than 150,000. Most people around the country have no clue about UB Athletics, despite the fact it plays in a city with a population of more than 250,000.

President Satish Tripathi gives his annual State of the University address in October of 2015. Tripathi released a letter to the university community on Friday in regards to recent anti-Semitic incidents on campus - graffiti of anti-Semitic slurs on a bathroom stall and a cyberattack of UB printers to produce anti-Semitic flyers.

OPINION

UB President Satish Tripathi’s statement on anti-Semitic incidents on campus

Apr. 2, 2016

However, recent events – nationally as well as on our campus – are a sobering reminder that much work remains to be done. I am chagrined to note that these include a recent and deplorable act of anti-Semitic graffiti in one of our academic buildings. After a very thorough investigation by our UB Police Department, who responded immediately to remove the graffiti and increase campus patrols, we believe this to be an isolated incident. Regardless, this incident has been a source of pain and deep concern across our university community.

OPINION

National League predictions: Mets repeat as East champs, Giants continues even year magic

By Jordan Grossman | Mar. 31, 2016

The NL is stacked with young talent, elite pitching and future All-Stars on nearly every team. These young studs are spread all across the league – making for even matchups and thrilling storylines throughout the year. But which teams will be playing through October?

OPINION

National League Predictions: Cubs, Mets look to get back to NLCS, but Dodgers loom

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 31, 2016

Despite a league full of potential playoff teams, here are the five teams that I believe will make it to October, with a chance to represent the National League in the World Series.

OPINION

How lack of cooperation for a Supreme Court nomination is hurting the justice system

By Editorial Board | Mar. 31, 2016

The confusion lies here – if the Senate is not actively looking to balance the Supreme Court, how is this doing their jobs? One job of the government is to enforce and apply justice, which is difficult to do with a split court. It is the Senate’s job to confirm Obama’s nominee and their avoidance of the topic means that they aren’t doing their jobs or abiding to their constitutional duty.

OPINION

Why I’m leaving Buffalo

By JOHN JACOBS | Mar. 30, 2016

I decided to live in Buffalo partially because of peer pressure as well as the safe feeling of the decision. I don’t particularly like Buffalo’s weather – it was 65 degrees on Sunday and 40 degrees on Monday, and in a week it’s supposed to be 30 and possibly snowing; no thanks. I also went through some pretty bad depression at this school that I still struggle with some days.

OPINION

American League predictions: Royals return to defend crown, Astros appear to be best team in league

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Mar. 30, 2016

The Major League Baseball season will start on April 3 with the New York Mets facing the Kansas City Royals. To kick off the baseball season, I wanted to provide some predictions on who will make the playoffs, who will win the major awards and who will ultimately walk away with a World Series championship. Let’s start with the American League playoff teams.

OPINION

American League predictions: Yankees take the East, defending champs Royals take the Central

By Jordan Grossman | Mar. 30, 2016

If you predicted Josh Donaldson to take home MVP honors or no-name Dallas Keuchel to win the Cy Young, you are probably lying. Last season was one of the most unpredictable years in the MLB’s American League in quite some time. Players that weren’t even on the radar before the season now enter as some of the hottest storylines to follow for the 2016 season. There will always be fresh talent ready to amaze the baseball crowds. It’s just a matter of whom. Here are my predictions for the 2016 AL playoff teams.

OPINION

How Sweethome became my home

By TORI ROSEMAN | Mar. 28, 2016

Since fall of 2013, I’ve called Building 7 in the University Village at Sweethome my home. I have struggled with the room – initially, it put distance between my peers and me. It quickly became a scene in which my other friends were interested in participating in and they moved in with me.