IRINA GORODETSKAYA - The Spectrum

NEWS

On Behalf of a Dead Man Walking

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Nov. 22, 2002

Sister Helen Prejean, an outspoken anti-death penalty activist and author of the best selling novel, "Dead Man Walking" - which was later turned into a movie directed by Tim Robbins - spoke at Buffalo State College on Tuesday night, sharing her viewpoints on why the death penalty is unconstitutional and immoral.According to Prejean, her interest in the death penalty began in 1982 when Chava Colon from the Louisiana Coalition on Jails and Prisons asked her to be the pen pal of Patrick Sonnier, a death-row inmate in Louisiana.

NEWS

Giving the Gift of Fun

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Nov. 18, 2002

Beginning today and running until Dec. 2, Student Association-sponsored clubs will be accepting toys to be donated to charity this holiday season.SA Community Service Director Lisa Galus created the Toy Drive three years ago as a way to benefit orphans within the Buffalo community."All toys are given to the United Way in which they are distributed to local organizations who are need of them," Galus said.

NEWS

"U.S. Ambassador Gives UB Lecture on Iraq, Peace in the Middle East"

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Nov. 8, 2002

To mark the second annual Global Perspective Lecture Series, Ambassador Richard W. Murphy, former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern and south Asian affairs, addressed UB students and faculty Monday afternoon in the Student Union Theater.Murphy expounded on his viewpoints of international affairs, the government's challenges since Sept.

NEWS

Father of Columbine Victim Calls for a Chain Reaction

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Nov. 4, 2002

One month before she became the first student killed in the shootings at Columbine High School, Rachel Joy Scott wrote an essay for a class titled, "My Ethics, My Codes of Life."In the essay, she challenged whoever read it to initiate a "chain reaction" of kindness and compassion, according to her father, Darrell Scott, in a speech to members of UB community at the Center for the Arts last Thursday night.After her death, Scott read the essay and turned it into a book titled, "Chain Reaction: A Call to Compassionate Revolution". The book is part of an anti-violence program he initiated with the intention of replacing unfair stigma, alienation of the handicapped and violence with lessons of honesty, kindness and benevolence.

NEWS

Taking Back the Night

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Oct. 28, 2002

Buffalo's second annual Take Back the Night, a rally against rape and sexual assault, took place on Thursday at the Delaware Park Casino, featuring a march, poetry readings, survivors' stories and a candlelight vigil."Six colleges and eleven organizations are here to unite to take a stand and to Take Back the Night," said Dennis Black, vice president of student affairs, who was at the rally to represent the university.

NEWS

Planting the Seeds of Charity

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Oct. 25, 2002

Despite problems obtaining Student Association recognition, a group of UB students called the Organic Gardeners Club is seeking land on which they can grow organic fruits and vegetables for the needy in the Buffalo community.The group of approximately 30 students is looking to plant organic produce on land at the corner of Bailey Avenue and Main Street, land behind Sweet Home High School, or in greenhouses on North Campus.Hoffman said he started the group because he did a lot of personal gardening with friends in Eastern Long Island."I was thinking, what is stopping me from sticking a few seeds in the ground up here?" Hoffman said.

NEWS

Students Invited to Take Back the Night

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Oct. 23, 2002

Buffalo's second annual Take Back the Night, a citywide march and rally promoting rape and sexual assault awareness is set to take place Thursday night.According to Patricia Yu, Anti-Rape Task Force Events coordinator, Planned Parenthood Educator Chris Stencer will be one of the main speakers at the event and will discuss how men can become involved in the fight against sexual abuse."Most people think rape is just a women issue but he will be speaking about how it is not just a women issue and how it is important specifically for men to get involved," said Yu.

NEWS

Campus Ministry Invites Students to Crop Walk for Hunger

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Oct. 11, 2002

In an effort to raise money for Hearts for the Homeless and other world hunger relief organizations, UB's Campus Ministry Association is inviting individuals and student groups to participate in their fourth annual Crop Walk for Hunger Sunday, Oct.

NEWS

Two UB Students to Train as Cyber-Terrorism Specialists

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Oct. 9, 2002

The National Security Agency has awarded two UB students federal scholarships to train as specialists in the process of detecting cyber-terrorists and hackers.

NEWS

SA Adds New Clubs to Its Roster

By IRINA GORODETSKAYA | Sep. 9, 2002

UB's Student Association has welcomed several new clubs to its roster this semester, with interests ranging from sports to politics.New clubs include the College Republicans, the College Democrats, Baha'i Club, Roller Hockey Club, Go Girls Soccer Club, Old School Games Club, Men's Soccer, and Dart Team.Michael Dobies, president of the College Republicans, said the club already has over 100 new members, obtained while it still had temporary club status and "is gaining new members every day."SA has acknowledged the club to be one of the most active new clubs at UB, and already has several events planned for the year.