News - The Spectrum

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow spoke about the power of journalism and diplomacy as part of UB's Distinguished Speaker Series on Thursday night in the Center for the Arts.

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Ronan Farrow emphasizes public service, the ‘inner voice’ during UB Distinguished Speakers Series

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET and THOMAS ZAFONTE | Mar. 29, 2019

Ronan Farrow, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, said the spirit of American diplomacy is “far from great shape.” He said people need to rise to create stability and opportunity. Farrow spoke about the power of journalism and diplomacy to a packed audience in the Center for the Arts on Thursday night. Farrow is an investigative journalist whose work on Harvey Weinstein’s sexual assault scandal earned him international acclaim. Farrow spoke for roughly an hour and a half on topics such as his bestselling book "War on Peace" and his journalistic work on sexual violence. Farrow wrapped up the night with an on-stage Q&A session and book signing.

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Meet the Candidates: UB SA 2019-20 president, vice president, treasurer

By JACKLYN WALTERS and TANVEEN VOHRA | Mar. 28, 2019

Student Association executive board elections for the 2019-20 year will run April 2-4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Student Union Theater. The president, vice president and treasurer of the e-board are paid a combined total of $45,000 per year, and are responsible for managing a budget of over $4 million paid for by UB students’ mandatory student activity fee. Here is a breakdown of candidates running for e-board elections:

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RA agreement may violate students' free speech

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET and BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Mar. 28, 2019

For years, resident advisors have told The Spectrum they can’t talk about their classroom experiences without Campus Living approval. Some said they can’t even talk about Sizzles’ burgers. Why? They said Campus Living “doesn’t allow” them.

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Police blotter

By News Desk | Mar. 28, 2019

3/18 1 a.m. A student reported having a piercing stuck in their ear and said they felt like they were going to pass out. UPD requested an ambulance and arrived at the scene. The student said they no longer felt like they were going to pass out. UPD cancelled the ambulance and advised the student to seek medical attention.

The Spectrum elected Brenton Blanchet as editor-in-chief for the 2019-20 academic year. Blanchet has been writing for The Spectrum since 2016.

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The Spectrum elects 2019-20 editor in chief

By JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 28, 2019

The Spectrum’s editorial board elected Brenton Blanchet, a junior communication major, as editor-in-chief for the 2019-20 academic year.

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Student Association councils vote to endorse next SA e-board

By JACKLYN WALTERS and TANVEEN VOHRA | Mar. 28, 2019

Student Association councils voted to endorse candidates for the upcoming SA elections Wednesday night following the candidates’ speeches.

Dr. Robert Genco was a world-renowned professor, pioneer of periodontics and UB alum. He died in Foster Hall on Wednesday, March 6.

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UB community mourns loss of professor and friend Dr. Robert Genco

By JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 28, 2019

Dr. Robert Genco was more than a professor. He was a father. He was a friend. And his peers said he was an “integral” part of UB for 51 years.

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul speaks to UB community members about the importance of gender equality.

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Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul discusses women’s rights at UB

By JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 18, 2019

Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul discussed the importance of gender equality and representation and mentioned UB women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack during her brief visit to UB on Friday.

ACLU lawyer David Fathi discusses prison reform, solitary confinement and his current case against the state of Arizona with The Spectrum on Thursday afternoon

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David Fathi discusses criminal justice reform in Spectrum Q&A

By TANVEEN VOHRA | Mar. 17, 2019

David Fathi has led prison reform across the United States, was the director of the U.S. Human Rights Watch and advocated for the United Nations to adopt the “Nelson Mandela Rules,” which revised the minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners worldwide.

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UB graduate schools rank in national report

By JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 14, 2019

UB graduate school rankings are in. Eight UB graduate programs appear on U.S. News & World Report’s 2020 Best Graduate Schools rankings, announced Tuesday.

Local attorney Paul Wolf discussed open governance and transparency at UB on Monday.

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Attorney Paul Wolf discusses open government at UB

By JACKLYN WALTERS and TANVEEN VOHRA | Mar. 14, 2019

A local coalition for open government graded 10 public college councils on their adherence to New York’s Open Meetings Law. UB was one of them. None passed.

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Student Association commemorates Mental Health Awareness Week

By JACKLYN WALTERS and TANVEEN VOHRA | Mar. 14, 2019

The Student Association is holding events to commemorate Mental Health Awareness Week through Thursday in the Student Union. The events are part of SA President Gunnar Haberl’s push to address mental health awareness on campus.

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Police blotter

By News Desk | Mar. 14, 2019

3/04 12:02 a.m. A caller reported a motor vehicle crash in Hadley Village. No injuries occurred. Patrol arrived on the scene and filed a report. A second caller later reported their vehicle was part of the crash.

Black Student Union Vice President Daniel Edwards addresses the room during a BSU meeting Wednesday. Club members and students shared their opinions on the amount of black faculty on campus and more.

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Students continue to advocate for more black faculty

By ALEXANDRA MOYEN and THOMAS ZAFONTE | Mar. 14, 2019

Black Student Union members discussed systemic racism, representation in faculty and UB’s treatment of the African and African American Studies program at its general body meeting Wednesday. BSU members and students talked throughout the meeting about the current state and future of the AAS program. Roughly 40 club members and students attended to voice concerns over the number of black faculty and AAS classes offered in the UB curriculum.

Graduate students from the Living Stipend Movement hold up signs during Wednesday’s Faculty Senate Executive meeting. This was the second demonstration by LSM in two weeks.

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Graduate students stage demonstration during Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting

By TANVEEN VOHRA | Mar. 14, 2019

English Ph.D. student Willis McCumber spoke at Wednesday’s Faculty Senate Executive Committee meeting and voiced the Living Stipend Movement’s dissatisfaction with the executive committee’s lack of support.

Community members walk during Sunday’s Women’s March on Niagara Square.

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Community members come together during Buffalo Women’s March

By BRITTANY GORNY | Mar. 11, 2019

Strong winds and cold temperatures didn’t deter the 500 Buffalo community members who gathered in Niagara Square for the Women’s March on Sunday.

(Left to right) Panelists Lucinda Finley, Paul Cambria, Lorenzo Alexander and Shane Costa discussed First Amendment rights Friday. Their conversation focused on Colin Kaepernick’s demonstrations as well as First Amendment rights for UB student athletes.

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‘Misconceptions:’ Panelists discuss First Amendment rights for athletes

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON and JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 11, 2019

Public universities can’t punish student athletes for protesting or speaking with the press, according to professional athletes, lawyers and professors who spoke at a Capen Hall panel on Thursday.

Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn speaks at the press conference Friday morning after former UB student Hannah Christensen's second arraignment. Christensen faces felony charges.

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Former UB student Hannah Christensen arraigned Friday morning

By HANNAH STEIN and JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 8, 2019

Erie County Supreme Court released former UB student Hannah Christensen from her second arraignment Friday morning before State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns. Christensen is being charged on one count of leaving the scene of an incident without reporting, which resulted in a serious physical injury, a class “E” Felony, according to Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

Jessica Baker, SUNY associate, explains the Open Meetings Law to English Ph.D. student Willis McCumber. McCumber disrupted the UB Council meeting to advocate for graduate student stipends.

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Living Stipend Movement makes presence known at Council meeting

By JACKLYN WALTERS | Mar. 7, 2019

The Living Stipend Movement made its presence known at the UB Council meeting Monday morning.

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World-renowned UB professor Robert Genco dies Wednesday morning

By HANNAH STEIN | Mar. 7, 2019

Longtime UB Distinguished Professor Dr. Robert Genco died Wednesday morning in Foster Hall during a meeting with colleagues, according to UB officials.