Opinions

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OPINION

How valid are school budget votes when anyone can vote?

By William Krause | May 28, 2015

The polls opened on May 19 as voters decided if their school budgets should pass or fail. According to the New York State Teacher’s Union, a record 99 percent of budgets passed this year, as opposed to 98.2 percent in 2014 and 95.3 percent in 2013. School budgets dictate how property tax money will be spent in a district and also have the potential to raise those taxes. Yet, strangely, you don’t have to be a taxpayer to vote.

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OPINION

The moments that matter

By SARA DINATALE | May 8, 2015

Moments matter – the ones we take to relax, the ones we’ll treasure forever or, as a reporter, the ones we’ll collect and write stories about.

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OPINION

And the friends we won’t forget

By RACHEL KRAMER | May 8, 2015

I’ve taken 6,835 pictures throughout my time at UB – only 2,379 of which are social media appropriate

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OPINION

Success is a journey, not a destination

By MARISSA FIELDING | May 7, 2015

My experience at UB has guided me through numerous doors I never expected to even see. From incredibly intelligent and wise professors, a multitude of immensely unique friends and experiences one would only dream about, my experiences have shaped me.

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OPINION

President Satish Tripathi should establish his presence through promises fulfilled

May 7, 2015

Although UB President Satish Tripathi feels he has a noticeable presence on campus, The Spectrum editorial board doesn’t recall seeing him around much – though his presence was certainly noted by Spectrum staff when Tripathi took the time to sit down and meet Sara DiNatale, the paper’s editor in chief.

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OPINION

Buffalo Bucket List No. 20: Oozefest

By Daniel McKeon | May 7, 2015

The Buffalo Bucket List is a series of articles highlighting my journey to achieve the full college experience in Buffalo, from Buffalo wings to Oozefest.

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OPINION

Justice denied as Basil's guilty verdict is set aside

May 7, 2015

Closure remains a fleeting prospect for the loved ones of William Sager, who died after being pushed down a flight of stairs at Molly’s Pub last May. A jury determined in January that Jeffrey Basil, the manager of the University Heights-area bar, was guilty of second degree murder – seeming to bring to an end a long and painful story for those involved and offering a modicum of justice with the conviction.

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OPINION

My last college move

By EMMA JANICKI | May 7, 2015

When I transferred back home to Buffalo, I figured it was probably time to find “my thing” – you know, get involved, make friends, blah blah. At the beginning of the spring semester of my junior year I got a mass email: The Spectrum was hiring.

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OPINION

Shannon Evans writes good-bye letter to UB

May 6, 2015

It is with a very heavy heart that I say goodbye to the college that I have grown to know and love for the past two years. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I have chosen to transfer to Arizona State to play basketball and reunite with my mentor and father figure, Coach Bobby Hurley.

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OPINION

When it comes to choosing majors, UB students are all business

May 5, 2015

As students prepare to finish their studies at UB, about 15 percent of those graduates will be leaving with a degree in business. The major’s consistent popularity indicates the practical outlook many students are taking.

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OPINION

U.S. Education Department must live up to its name

By Editorial Board | May 5, 2015

Students at UB generally have a manageable amount of debt, if any, upon graduation – ranked by U.S. News as 19th nationwide in graduating students with the least debt, UB sends more than half of its students off into the real world without any debt at all. The average debt owed by UB students upon graduation is $17,440.

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OPINION

Buffalo Bucket List No. 18-19: Culture in the Queen City

By Daniel McKeon | May 5, 2015

The Buffalo Bucket List is a series of articles highlighting my journey to achieve the full college experience in Buffalo, from Buffalo wings to Oozefest.

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OPINION

Justice has not yet been served

By JAMES BATTLE | May 3, 2015

Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby charged six Baltimore police officers with the unlawful death of Freddie Gray on Friday, who was arrested and beaten into a coma, later dying from his injuries. But while the arrest of the police officers has left some people with the idea that justice was done, it’s important not to get too hasty.

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OPINION

Buffalo Bucket List No. 16-17: Music and comedy

By Daniel McKeon | May 3, 2015

The Buffalo Bucket List is a series of articles highlighting my journey to achieve the full college experience in Buffalo, from Buffalo wings to Oozefest. This installment features free music and comedy at UB.

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OPINION

How to get your act together

By Daniel McKeon | May 3, 2015

It’s the end of the semester and no one really wants to do anything. The worst part is that this is the time where you really need to be doing the most. You need to get your act together. And here’s how.

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OPINION

Bills’ draft a snooze, but successful nonetheless

By Editorial Board | May 3, 2015

With no first round pick and a busy offseason of trading and acquiring free agents, the NFL draft was destined to be a bit dull for the Buffalo Bills.

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OPINION

In Buffalo Police Department, brutality and violence rewarded with a gun and a badge

By Editorial Board | May 3, 2015

Given Robert E. Eloff’s history of abusive and violent behavior while on the job as a law enforcement officer, the recent federal charges he’s facing aren’t exactly surprising. What does come as a surprise – a shock, really – is his initial hiring by the Buffalo Police Department (BPD), despite his troubling employment history.

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OPINION

Letter to the editor

May 3, 2015

This letter to the editor was written in response to an article published in the May 1 edition of The Spectrum entitled, “The branding initiative.”

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OPINION

Spring Awakening rocks crowd

By REBECCA VINCENT | Apr. 30, 2015

Spring Awakening opened at the Center for the Arts last week and continues its performances this weekend. If you haven’t yet caught this talented group of students stomping, singing and moving through the struggles of adolescence – you should.

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OPINION

Walk away, don’t look back: Helping others out of an abusive relationship

By GABRIELA JULIA | Apr. 30, 2015

If he’s constantly yelling, leave. If he pushes you, leave. If he tells you what you can and can’t wear every time you walk out the door, leave.