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SUNY Buffalo States Student-Run Newspaper

Aug . 20 Sep t. 10 O rie ntation Issu e 2013

Si nc e 1 9 1 3

Cohen fills presidential void for ailing Podolefsky

Andrew Manzella
Co-News Editor

SUNY Buffalo State welcomes a new president this fall as Dr. Howard Cohen has assumed the role of interim president in place of ailing President Aaron Podolefsky. Podolefsky, who has served as president of the college since 2010, announced his indefinite sick leave on June 3 to continue fighting his prostate cancer. One week later, a swift search to identify his replacement, conducted by the SUNY Board of Trustees, concluded with the appointing of Cohen, the former chancellor emeritus at Purdue University Calumet, an undergraduate university in Hammond, Ill. Cohen has handled all presidential duties since Aug. 1 and will continue to do so

President Aaron Podolefsky announced an indefinite leave of absence June 3 to focus on his fight with prostate cancer.

Courtesy of College Relations

throughout the duration of Podolefskys absence. Podolefsky, who was diagnosed in September 2011,requested and received clearance for the leave from SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher to better accommodate the demands of treatment. The timetable for his eventual return to office is unclear. Its been a challenging journey, Podolefsky said in an email to students and faculty in June. Ive reached a point with the demands of treatment that I now need to place my entire focus on my overall health and well-being. SUNYs decision to hire Cohen, aided by the Buffalo State Council, will bring more than 40 years of experience in higher education to Buffalo State. Throughout his 10-year tenure at Pur-

due Calumet, Cohen was responsible for record enrollment at the university and other initiatives to boost learning and outreach efforts. Prior to Purdue Calumet, where he was also a professor of philosophy, Cohen was provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of WisconsinGreen Bay between 1995 and 2001. He has also held positions at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and the University of Massachusetts-Boston. Cohen shares in Podolefskys innovative vision for public institutions and economic growth. I am privileged and honored to have been selected as Buffalo States interim president, Cohen said in a release following his hiring. Buffalo State has a mission that is important to me, and I am inspired by the

exceptionally dedicated faculty and staff I have already had the pleasure of meeting. Cohen received an undergraduate degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota and masters and doctoral degrees in philosophy from Harvard University. He will earn an annual salary of $225,000. We are confident Dr. Cohens distinguished record of experience, success, and commitment to public higher education will provide the strong leadership and continuity needed at Buffalo State during this interim transition, Howard Zemsky, chair of the Buffalo State Council, said in a statement. The college is fortunate to have someone of this caliber step into this vital S e e PR E SI DE N T on pa ge 2

>> Bu ffa l o States M ilbr a n d is mi n d behi n d i n novati v e i nsta l l m en t

Projecting their vision

Meet the President: Q&A with Dr. Cohen

Andrew Manzella
Co-News Editor

On the heels of recent tribulation regarding President Aaron Podolefskys leave of absence, Dr. Howard Cohen will be taking the reins as interim president at Buffalo State this fall to steer the student body toward academic success. Cohen, chancellor of Purdue University for a full decade, was appointed to his current position by SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher and the Buffalo State Board of Trustees after Podolesky announced he would temporarily relinquish his duties to focus on his bout with prostate cancer. With more than 40 years of experience working in higher education, and a research background in philosophy and ethics, Cohen believes he has something to offer this institution as a presidential figure. Buffalo State provides an exceptional education and produces exceptional graduates. I am honored to have been selected to be the institutions interim president for the coming year, Cohen said, referring to his new position.
Artist renderings of the Burchfield Penney Art Centers newest gallery, The Front Lawn, which will open Sept. 12, depict the three 24-foot steel towers that will project video artwork onto the museum facade at night, above, and feature sound for passers-by during daytime hours, below.
Photos courtesy of Burchfield Penney Art Center

Dr. Howard Cohen assumed office on Aug. 1 as president of Buffalo State on an interim basis.

Courtesy of College Raltions

So what can students and faculty expect this fall semester? The Record asked Cohen to answer a few questions in an effort to get to know the campus new leader. Q. What do you see as your main focus for the coming semester? A. My primary focus will be to offer the leadership that will support the campus in accomplishing its most significant goals in 2013S e e C OH E N on pa ge 2

Brandon Schlager
Executive Editor

The ambitious vision of one SUNY Buffalo State staffer will illuminate the campus front yard beginning this fall. The Burchfield Penney Art Center will soon feature a one-of-akind, constantly changing outdoor video and audio gallery called The Front Yard, which will permanently occupy the plot directly in front of the museum, and transform its facade into a year-round video projection screen during the evening and a digital sound garden during daytime hours.

Communication department technical manager and video artist Brian Milbrand developed the project in principle over the past several years in collaboration with Brad Wales, a University at Buffalo professor and architect, and students from both SUNY campuses. The concept is designed by Isabel Brito, one of Wales architecture students at UB, and consists of three 24-foot steel and glassclad towers, each encased with a 7,500 lumen video projector. Eight military-grade surSee FRONT YARD on page 2

Activities await around the corner

Campus safety a hot orientation topic

Andrew Manzella
Co-News Editor

Elmwood Avenue, above, offers a lively atmosphere for students.

Andrea Rongo

Lauren Coppola
Co-News Editor

With new students and faculty arriving every year to Buffalo State, education of safety services is key. Past events of violent crime give those on campus good reason to become aware of the services provided by University Police that can keep them safe. Peter Carey, chief of University Police, said that orientation for new students is an opportunity to inform people about how to stay safe on, and off campus. We address incoming freshmen, transfer students, and their parents regarding the safety issues here on campus, Carey said. Carey noted one tip that is communicated by UPD is to encourage

each student to program its number (878-6333) into his or her cellphones. (We suggest this) just because people are taught to call 911, which is just going to delay any police response, Carey said. If an incident happens on campus, it is better to

call university police directly. There are services already present on campus to provide help to those facing an emergency, including tips to follow to ensure safe passage through the campus. Blue light emergency phones are placed throughout campus for

easy communication with campus police in case of emergency. The campus map detailing the location of these safety beacons, which can be found on the UPD web page, shows a total of 42 scatS e e SA F ET Y on pa ge 2

Crime Rates on Buffalo State Campus/Residence Halls 2009-2011

2009
Forcible Sex Offense - 5 Robbery - 1 Aggrivated Assault - 8 Burglary - 68 Arson - 2 Motor Vehicle Theft - 2

2010
Forcible Sex Offense - 4 Robbery - 0 Aggrivated Assault - 10 Burglary -62 Arson - 2 Motor Vehicle Theft - 2

2011
Forcible Sex Offense - 5 Robbery - 3 Aggrivated Assault - 10 Burglary - 47 Arson - 4 Motor Vehicle Theft - 0
Data via University Police. Figures not available for 2012.

Students new to campus may be unfamiliar with what the area around Buffalo State has to offer. Local businesses near campus allow students to experience new places and eat different types of food. Buffalo has the big city things to offer with a hometown feeling, said Jane Schweichler, a fashion merchandising major from Caledonia. I love running through Delaware Park and checking out the animals at the zoo, strolling Elmwood for coffee and gelato, or heading downtown for the night. Behind the Albright-Knox Art Gallery across from the campus is where Delaware Park is located. Students can enjoy

a nice day walking along the trails or sitting on the steps by the water. Delaware Park is a great place to just relax after a long day of classes, said Lauren Marotta, a communication major from Long Island. The Elmwood Village is where students can go to enjoy shopping, restaurants, cafs, and other local businesses. Within a short walking distance, Elmwood provides students access to both day and nighttime activities. Its great for underclassmen who do not have a car or know anyone with one and prefer not to take the bus. I think places on Elmwood are best for freshmen; they are S e e BU F FA L O on pa ge 2

INSIDE >>
NEWS............................1-2 CULTURE.........................3-4 OPInIon..........................5-6 SPoRTS..........................7-8

Welcoming Party
Campus features six weeks of frosh fun in annual Weeks of Welcome

Major Decision
Managing editor Aaron Garland explains why theres no rush in choosing a major

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