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March 1

Uncensored chat website is not for the faint of heart

The Internet is a collection of over millions of websites. These websites are used for all different types of things such as playing games, social networking, writing journals, and the occasionally hanging out in a chat room with total strangers. The Internet is a craze. 1 comment

Declining balance should be usable at off-campus venues

Medaille’s meal plan and declining balance system is really starting to have an effect on some people’s budgets. Frequently, I hear that for the amount of money we are spending on these plans, the students don’t get any variety. I have a solution that has been implemented in many other local colleges.

Defining a decade: how will 2000-2009 be remembered?

It is now roughly two months into the new decade. The 2000-2009 era is officially in the past, joining the 80s and 90s on the list of decades that I have somehow managed to survive. Like each other decade, it will be remembered for a smattering of cultural events that defined the times.

Smaller college truly creates familiary for students

It dawned on me the other day. I was walking across campus when I saw a person that I knew from a couple of classes I had taken; we exchanged hellos. I had only walked a few more feet before running into another friend, and exchanging another smile and greeting.

February 8

DVD vs. VHS: new technology proves to be unreliable for some

I was given “The Grinch” with Jim Carrey on DVD as a gift this Christmas. After my family and I were done opening presents, we decided to watch the movie on my PS2. While we were watching it, the movie would skip, show purple and green squares, and then the player was unable to read the disk.

State of the Union speech sets issues up through an economic lens

What I found most surprising about the State of the Union address was its nearly total concern with economics. Obviously, we have been in a recession, and issues like spending, jobs, and taxes are economic ones. But, apparently, so is our environment, which, by being gradually destroyed, has mercifully opened up a “clean energy market” where we now compete for coveted “clean energy jobs.

Crooked websites not always easy to spot

I know the warning signs of a non credible website. I’ve watched the news specials, read the articles about identity theft and internet scams, even pitied the women on Dr. Phil who were scammed out of thousands of dollars by their Nigerian love interest, Hansel.

Drinking age debate sparks question about legal adulthood

The drinking age hasn’t always been set at the infamous twenty-one years old. Throughout history, debates have raged as society has tried to decide what the drinking age should be. So why is twenty-one the conclusion? Why not eighteen, as it was long ago? I have heard many different opinions on this topic, even just in everyday discussions.

Campus clock tower looks nice, but cannot be trusted

Medaille College is a small, urban campus. The campus has only a few buildings on the Main Campus in Buffalo. The only major buildings we have on campus are: the Main Building, the Sullivan Campus Center, Huber Hall, Downey Science Building, and both of the Residence Halls. 1 comment

Rewarding college experience requires effort and participation

School’s not everything it’s cracked up to be. I mean it’s really hard trying to balance work, watching MTV’s Jersey Shore, playing video games, sports, eating, gossiping -- oh, and of course classes. I’m not saying everyone falls into the category of “giving pretty much everything else on your To-Do List priority over class work,” but I think it’s safe to say that a lot of people put less important things before the one with the biggest price tag (I think it’s around $19,000 now, without room and board).

A glimpse at the world before the 2012 apocalypse

It’s December 20, 2012 and Lady Gaga has just officially converted to Scientology. She felt disillusioned with the world. She wanted to make a statement about how she’s not on the same spiritual plane as the depraved and unenlightening masses.

Controversial MTV show seems a smart formula for ratings

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying that MTV’s latest hit, Jersey Shore, has created a madness that is hard to escape. The reality show, which follows a group of self-proclaimed “guidos” and “guidettes” during their summer at Seaside Heights, has drawn criticism from residents and government officials of New Jersey, celebrities, businesses, and Italian-Americans across the nation.

December 7

Delay of fourth floor construction leaves student anxious, optimistic

Have you ever been the child in the back seat of the car during a long car ride? Of course, we all have had that opportunity at some point and can probably clearly remember that waiting was not fun! I bet over two-thirds of us have asked that infamous question to our parents to drive them even more insane: “Are we there yet?” Consider me guilty of playing this role in my parent’s insanity because, I have (and I’m sure you have too) asked that question countless times.

Campus cannot afford to waste gas on idle Public Safety officers

As I walked from the houses on Agassiz Circle to the Sullivan Center, a Medaille van was parked right in front of campus. As I got closer, I noticed that there was a public safety officer in the van and that it was running, yet stationary. Anyone who knows about what kind of vans the school uses, knows how damaging they are to the environment.

Michael Vick option would be "Bad Newz" for the Buffalo Bills

Plain and simple, Mike Vick should not be seen in a Buffalo Bills uniform. I would much rather see him on the opposite side of the field than trying to rally our crowd. No doubt, I would definitely rather defend him on the field than see him try to throw a pass to Lee Evans. 1 comment

Texting while driving can be avoided with proper planning and foresight

In the October issue of Perspective, we informed you about texting while driving and the serious impact it has on the drivers who engage in it and, sometimes, their passengers. It may have answered many questions about how serious of an issue it is. However, the questions that have yet to be answered are “Why do people still choose to do it?” and “Do those people know and even care that it’s dangerous?” To answer the first question: at our age, it appears that we can’t go through a single everyday activity without having our cell phones on us, even when we’re not supposed to.

Shadow puppet ads misrepresent best qualities of the college

As a communications major pursuing a career in advertising, I will admit that I pay more attention to commercials than the average Joe or Jan. A self proclaimed ad junkie, I mentally note which advertising techniques appeal to my eye, spark my interest, and keep me wanting more. 2 comments

Fox News feud a misstep for the White House

When it comes to the “fair and balanced” coverage of politics in the media, Fox News is not what typically comes to mind despite the organization’s moniker. As someone who doesn’t align with any particular political party, but is admittedly left-leaning on most issues, I find Fox’s assertions of fairness to questionable.

Racy performance poses question of double standard

Whether you watched the 2009 American Music Awards or not, chances are, you’ve heard about Adam Lambert’s risqué performance during the show. Lambert, a former American Idol contestant who is openly gay, made plenty of headlines after performing excessively sexual dance moves and kissing his male keyboard player on network television.

November 9

If you’re looking for absurd and pointless, “there’s an app for that”

So many apps, so little time. Is it just me, or is there absolutely no limit for iPhone applications? Designed for almost every aspect of life, it is clear these applications can be helpful and convenient. With the touch of a screen, iPhone users are able to calculate calorie intake, balance and budget money, plan a gourmet meal, and take a guitar lesson, all while on the go. 1 comment

Conflict resolution should not always involve running to administration

I present a solution for an ongoing problem that I have recently noticed infects the halls of Medaille College. There have been a number of cases of people behaving like tattletales, which could have easily been avoided had they employed a proactive solution.

Lack of details in overseas projects leaves students uninformed

Last semester I read an article in the Medaille Perspective about how Dr. Norman Muir, was visiting schools in Taiwan and China. I thought the article was really informative and I was really understanding what was going on with Dr. Muir's over seas project.

New York’s high taxes make shopping a struggle for out-of-state student

When I moved here from Minnesota, I knew New York was going to be expensive. Little did I know the tax rate in Buffalo would be 8.75 percent. Coming from a state that has no sales tax on clothes, groceries, and food, this came as quite a shock to me. I love to shop; it’s one of my favorite things do.

How to Improve Facebook: A Modest Proposal

Every so often, the popular social networking site, Facebook, updates its layout to add new features intended to help users keep in touch with each other. As a result, it is almost guaranteed that groups of terror-stricken users across the planet will break away from their bewilderingly uneventful lives to protest said changes in an effort to turn things back to the way they were. 1 comment

Obesity numbers rise while personal concerns drop off

It’s no secret that obesity in America is a major issue. In 2007, over a quarter of the adults in the United States were obese, a number that would have been unheard of in the 60’s, 70’s or 80’s. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “American society has become ‘obesogenic,’ characterized by environments that promote increased food intake, unhealthful foods, and physical inactivity.

October 19

Social networking proves to benefit today’s society

One of the joys of being a communications major is trying to figure out whether certain technologies help or hurt society. Since some of these technologies are so new, it really can be a difficult task. Many unanswered questions remain, as we have yet to see any long term effects and issues are still being raised regarding laws and regulations.

University Heights area doesn’t deserve it’s bad reputation

People who watch local news regularly may be familiar with the crime-infested University Heights – the area along Main Street that stretches from LaSalle Avenue to Capen Boulevard. Viewers may recognize the Heights as the neighborhood surrounding SUNY Buffalo’s South Campus, where innocent college students walking alone at night are continuously being mugged, beaten and probably even lit on fire by reckless youths and criminals.

Lack of campus participation at Rocktoberfest angers SGA senator

I have a big problem with a lot of students on the Medaille campus. Rocktoberfest was set up as a night for students to come out and have a good time with their friends while also getting the chance to listen to a great band. After the success that Rocktoberfest was last year, it seemed fitting to do it again.

Tanning should not be falsely advertised as a health benefit

“Avoid Swine Flu with a Tan!” Sounds like a good trade off, right? Well, not exactly. Normally when you walk into a tanning salon you’d expect to find lotion, eye protection, and maybe nail savers. However, on my last visit to the Tanning Bed I found something a little different: an ad campaign (endorsed by a doctor) sitting on the counter screaming in bold letters: “Avoid Swine Flu with a tan!” The ad goes on to explain how it has been proven that an increase in vitamin D, whether from sunlight or ultraviolet light, will greatly reduce your risk of swine flu this season.

“Balance” is always declining with Chartwells limited system of pricing

How awesome is it to go to a different college and watch your friends swipe their student cards once, allowing them to access whatever they want? Here at Medaille, it’s a little different, as you all may know. Each item purchased at the Sullivan center has a price and each meal has a certain price limit. 1 comment

Thanksgiving celebration is a breath of fresh air among multitude of holidays

Thanksgiving gets the shaft every year. It’s the runt of the holiday litter. Maybe it’s because Thanksgiving is not as flashy as its siblings. I mean, turkey, pilgrim frocks, and Native American headbands never seemed like the perfect ingredients for a party.

Utilizing NFTA Metro saves both money and the environment

The NFTA Metro Bus and Rail system has an agreement in which Medaille students can ride the rail and buses for free. In these tough economic times, students are looking for ways to save money. Why not use the NFTA Metro pass that we have? I know many students like to go out on Thursday and Friday nights. 1 comment

September 28

Anonymity discourages online socializing

I spend too much time on the Internet. Between researching, reading articles, watching videos, playing games and networking, I’ve reached the point where I don’t need much more than laptop with a wireless connection to pass the time. Yet still, there are some seemingly commonplace things that people do online that I could never picture myself doing.

Pimps and prostitutes write off condoms as "tax exempt"

Recently, a taxpayer funded organization, ACORN, has been faulted with helping a pimp and a prostitute buy a house and operate an illegal enterprise, all while keeping it hidden from the government. ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, is the nation's largest community organization of low and moderate-income families supposedly working together for social justice and stronger communities.

Campus shuttles can accommodate a variety of student needs

I’ve noticed something that seems to take place at other colleges in the area, but doesn’t really happen at Medaille. I’m from Buffalo, but not everyone who attends Medaille is, so they don’t have knowledge of the area. The school provides us with all zone bus passes, which are appreciated, but not everyone knows how to use the NFTA bus routes and train station. 2 comments

Welcome to the jungle: a trek through Medaille's parking lot

Last week in the Medaille College parking lot I was hunted by a lion! OK so it wasn’t a lion, and I wasn’t really hunted, but still the parking lot is not a place to let down your guard. It is a place that requires focus, precision, and most importantly a parking pass. 8 comments

On campus improvements do not take the place of lost staff members

When each one of us got back to school this year, we saw some of the new changes that went on during the summer. Everyone received an e-mail saying what was new and how the faculty and staff are making Medaille a better place. Well I am so happy to see these great changes, but do we really need these? This e-mail made me think, and what I have come up with is this: the economy is at an all time low and money is tight all over the country. 3 comments

Additional practices would strengthen Medaille's commitment to going green

I don’t know about everyone else, but as far as ‘going green’ is concerned, I tend to believe it’s more than just recycling and car-pooling -- it’s an entire lifestyle. The recycling bins and electronic billing are a start but there is still more that we, as a college, can do. 1 comment

Senior shares lessons learned with incoming class

Earlier this month, I participated in Medaille’s Welcome Weekend festivities as a freshman orientation leader. Even though I’m beginning my senior year, it still seems like just yesterday that I was in the opposite position – a freshman, experiencing my first weekend as a college student, meeting new friends and adjusting to a brand new life. 1 comment