Opinions - The Spectrum

OPINION

Wednesday's power outage on UB's South Campus highlights the need for renovation

By Editorial Board | Sep. 10, 2015

South Campus lost power on Wednesday morning and it wasn’t restored until roughly 3 a.m. Thursday morning. In the meantime, the university twiddled its thumbs for a bit, notified students sitting in darkened classrooms that it would probably be a good idea to go away for a while, threw some bottled water and glow sticks to students living on campus – nothing livens up a power outage like a rave – belatedly canceled evening classes and let everyone know that the problem had been fixed for them in time for classes on Thursday.

OPINION

Religion gone amok: Kim Davis discriminates, gets presidential candidate support

By Editorial Board | Sep. 10, 2015

Kim Davis, the Rowan County, Kentucky clerk who has refused to issue any marriage licenses after the Supreme Court verdict legalizing gay marriage was passed, was ordered by a federal court to issue licenses and was eventual jailed for contempt upon further refusal to issue licenses.

OPINION

A new day of infamy: The events of Sept. 11 tragedy should be remembered year round

By ALYSSA MCCLURE | Sep. 10, 2015

A plaque hangs in my hallway at home, dedicated to the victims and rescue personnel who lost their lives on Sept. 11. It features the iconic photo of firefighters George Johnson, Dan McWilliams and Billy Eisengrein raising the American flag over the rubble at Ground Zero. Every time I walk by it, I am reminded of the importance of how the American people responded that day and of how proud I am to include my dad in the group of heroes willing to risk their lives for others.

OPINION

Why Donald Trump is good (and bad) for politics

By William Krause | Sep. 10, 2015

Trump’s campaign has been anything but typical. He is constantly in the news for politically incorrect quotes or impossible-sounding policy plans. His proposal to force the Mexican government to build a wall on the United States-Mexico border has become one of the staples of his campaign. But his atypical campaign may be just what the country needs.

OPINION

The Leipold era will truly begin on Saturday

By Jordan Grossman | Sep. 10, 2015

It’s easy to predict an upset loss against Penn State on Saturday. Buffalo’s offense was clicking on all cylinders. The defense stepped up in a big way. That questionable offensive line proved many skeptics wrong.

OPINION

UB students need to take responsibility for Heights, but there are other issues to deal with

By Editorial Board | Sep. 8, 2015

Amid the furor concerning University Heights and the student population, responsibility has to be shouldered. We have to be willing to make the changes necessary to ensure that debauchery and disturbances do not become the norm.

OPINION

Bernie Sanders might not need mainstream media coverage to win

By Editorial Board | Sep. 8, 2015

Bernie Sanders may not need the mainstream media to upset the Democratic Party and herald something new, but apathy will be his worst enemy.

OPINION

A big win for UB Bulls, but thoughts remain on injured Jordan Collier and what could have happened

By Tom Dinki | Sep. 5, 2015

The crowd noise and stadium music went silent. The once active football players, who had been colliding into each other moments before were now still – some standing around with their hands on their hips, others taking a knee on the turf. More than 21,000 people were now not watching the Buffalo football team’s season opener in UB Stadium, but a 19-year-old kid being loaded onto a stretcher and put into an ambulance.

OPINION

Letter to the editor

Sep. 4, 2015

Dear Spectrum Editor, When the Associate Vice President of the Division of Student Affairs asks me to write a letter, of course I say yes.

OPINION

Kanye’s big announcement leaves little hope for our generation

By GABRIELA JULIA | Sep. 3, 2015

Kanye West running for president is something I’ll have to see to believe and if it does happen, it’s no surprise that he’ll have millions of supporters. What’s surprising and discouraging is why our generation stands so closely behind him.

OPINION

Define success: UB Bulls season represents opportunity for them to succeed in both long-term and short-term

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Sep. 3, 2015

While my predicted record of 6-6 for the Bulls suggests that the 2015 season will be a successful one, the true success for the Bulls will come if they can take a step forward and create a program that can be successful for years at a time.

OPINION

Successful first year of Lance Leipold era doesn’t need wins

By Tom Dinki | Sep. 3, 2015

Leipold’s first season in Buffalo probably won’t result in the program’s second-ever MAC Championship or third-ever bowl appearance – and it doesn’t have to. Leipold’s first season in Buffalo only has to a result in a competitive MAC team that will be just entertaining enough to fill up UB Stadium seats this season and make season ticket holders want to renew for next season.

OPINION

For UB Bulls, wait ’til next year

By Jordan Grossman | Sep. 3, 2015

Fans want to see action. Unless someone is an avid football fan who loves defensive matchups, most fans want to witness a shootout. For a school that is trying to rebuild its image for a depleted football program, the best option is to give fans what they want: a fast-paced, high-scoring offense. And that’s exactly what Buffalo will do this upcoming season.

OPINION

A UB Bulls’ decision to dismiss Moss themselves would have been a tough one, but a good one

By Tom Dinki | Sep. 2, 2015

The men’s basketball team should have dismissed Moss itself. It would have been a tough decision – maybe even an unpopular one with some Bulls fans. But the right one.

OPINION

After Justin Moss dismissal, Bulls should look toward future in 2015-16

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Sep. 1, 2015

First former Bulls head coach Bobby Hurley left for Arizona State, and former guard Shannon Evans and recruits Maurice O’Field and Torian Graham went with him. Then forward and reigning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year Justin Moss was expelled from UB, ending his stint with the Bulls to cap off a roller coaster offseason.

OPINION

The EU's huddled masses

By Editorial Board | Sep. 1, 2015

Europe is facing possibly the worst migratory crisis in its history, with a supranational government reeling from economic damage and divided opinion on how to deal with the problem. As Americans, we should be taking a keen interest in the situation.

OPINION

Now or never: How getting involved will allow you to make the most of your time at UB

By MARLEE TUSKES | Sep. 1, 2015

Take it from someone who is going into her fourth year at UB and is just now having this epiphany – make your time on campus something you will look back on and be proud of.

OPINION

UB Fall Fest genre: Is there any dissent by now?

By Editorial Board | Sep. 1, 2015

The Student Association has chosen to supplement its seemingly rap-concentrated Fall Fests with smaller concerts and Spring Fests featuring other genres. In the past two years, Spring Fest has featured a country and alternative lineup, and SA hosted Electric Tundra, a small EDM concert last spring. Polls have failed to provide any alternative to this new formula, so in lieu of any concerted opinion from the student body, there seems to be no reason to change this trend.

OPINION

UB’s Communities of Excellence research initiative needs clarification

By Editorial Board | Aug. 4, 2015

While the initiative is well intentioned, the research topics are vague and potentially stretched too thin. UB prides itself on the research it performs, and rightfully so. UB should continue to fund research initiatives that help to solve major problems in the word and continue to be a leader in interdisciplinary campus research.

OPINION

2014-15 was good to the UB Bulls

By QUENTIN HAYNES | Aug. 3, 2015

In the 2014-15 calendar year, the Bulls had a fair amount of success on the field. Three teams – men’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s tennis – won their first-ever Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament. While none went past the first round in their respective tournaments, the fact that “Buffalo” was flashed on three NCAA Tournament selection days was a win in itself.