NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 43, No. 13
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015
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THE FASHION WEEK ISSUE
FW ’15 SPREAD on PG. 4-5
STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
Panelists debate body cameras for police By JUSTINE MORRIS Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY SANG BAE
President John Sexton answers questions about university expansion and financial aid.
Town Hall may be last for Sexton By JIMMY CHIN Contributing Writer
President Sexton fielded questions about the university’s financial decisions at the Town Hall he hosted Wednesday at the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life. The event began with the discussion of the controversial NYU 2031 plan. NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan led a lawsuit against the university, but the school won the case on appeal. The group is now seeking a higher appeal. “There’s some theoretical possibility that the Court of Appeals could choose to hear the case, but we don’t think it will and we’ll probably hear that in the next couple months,” Sexton said. Following a Financial Affairs Committee report, the University Senate will debate fossil fuel divestment at their next meeting. Sexton then addressed concerns about NYU’s tuition and cost of living expenses now that the school is receiving a record number of applicants. “The first thing I want to assure you is that there’s no plan to grow the size of the New York student body by any dramatic
amount,” Sexton said. “Students are actually graduating with less debt now than they did from NYU five years ago, and that’s been a lot of hard work. And by the way, that’s less debt in unadjustment dollars.” Sexton explained that the growth of NYU programs abroad will alleviate some of the crowding in the New York campus. “With the circulation and study away sites, students will be going from here to study away either in Abu Dhabi or in Shanghai or in any of the other 10 sites, and a smaller number of students will be coming here to study away, so actually in a way, all things being equal, the number of students studying here in New York will get slightly smaller,” Sexton said. Bakar Ali, a Wagner graduate student who voiced concern over the cost of tuition and living, said he was happy with Sexton’s statement. “Of course, I dont expect him to answer everything I had to present, but he did a wonderful job answering my question,” Ali said. “I felt very satisfied with his plan, his general plan for NYU, and for all the students. It’s very studentcentered and tries to improve diversity and financial aid.”
Abbey Wemimo, also a Wagner graduate student, pressed Sexton to consider diversifying funds for NYU entrepreneurial ventures given the current emphasis on technology. Wemimo said after the event he hopes that the university does more to diversify funds after his feedback. “We need more support. Right now there is a tremendous support for people doing technology,” Wemimo said. “For someone like me, I run a social venture that provides access to clean water for about 50,000 people, but at that point when we’re looking to scale, it would be nice to have a university like this to invest.” Sexton responded by inviting Wemimo to email him with a proposal on a funding structure for student projects. After reflecting on his tenure at NYU, Sexton concluded the event by entertaining the idea that this could be the last town hall he hosts as the university president. “This conceivably, depending on how next year works out, this might be my last town hall,” Sexton said. Email Jimmy Chin at news@nyunews.com.
In the wake of the Mike Brown and Eric Garner cases, body cameras have been offered as a solution to the issues of transparency. Efficient and appropriate police conduct was debated at NYU School of Law in a panel titled “Promoting Transparency in Police ‘Excessive Force Cases’” on Wednesday. Professor Samuel Estreicher moderated the panel, which featured Chris Dunn, associate legal director of the New York Civil Liberties Union; Celeste Koeleveld, executive assistant Corporation Counsel for Public Safety; Michael Julian, deputy commissioner of training for the New York Police Department; Jin Hee Lee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People legal defense fund; and several other NYU Law professors. Body cameras are a potential solution to the perceived lack of transparency in the police force. Koeleveld said while body cameras can be helpful, they still present certain limitations. “Having a camera can be certainly a good thing, but of course it won’t always tell the whole story,” Koeleveld said. “It is not a solution to every single problem that people identify in police cases. Some of the he said she said will certainly be solved, but some questions will still remain.” Dunn said he saw fewer problems with body cameras because they are helpful in monitoring police accountability. “There are two very big sets of considerations: there’s the set of privacy considerations, and there’s the set of police accountability considerations,” Dunn said. “We get very upset and indignant about police videotaping regimes, including here in New York City. But we
also have been very aggressive in trying to support and bolster police accountability.” Dunn added the key to finding the balance between privacy and police accountability is precise policy. “It identifies very specific circumstances in which recording must be made,” Dunn said. “It identifies very specific circumstances in which recording may not be made. It provides that the officer is to give notice to the person who is being recorded. It provides that the recording must continue until the completion of the law enforcement action.” Julian said new tools like body cameras are not enough unless there is policy and training to back them up. “We can develop a training program,” Julian said. “But the real test is not developing it, it’s getting cops to accept it, practice it and sustain it.” As part of the training, Lee brought up the issue of anti-bias training. Lee said the training was essential to overcoming prejudices. “I think that’s what’s really needed in law enforcement all across the country,” Lee said. “Obviously training to address explicit forms of racial violence and other forms of discrimination, but also to address implicit violence.” NYU Law student Stacy Eriksson said although the debate of proper policing is controversial, she is still interested in digging deeper as a social activist. “My interest in going to law school is as an activist in racial injustice,” Eriksson said. “We see how much bias there is in the community, and how much bias there is in the criminal justice system, so I wanted to hear about the different opinions on that.” Email Justine Morris at news@nyunews.com.
China House celebrates New Year By CHRISTINE WANG Contributing Writer The East Asian Department and NYU China House hosted the first-ever official Chinese New Year celebration on Wednesday. Attracting a line that led out the door, the event incorporated typical Chinese traditions and made them more accessible to the average NYU student. Crowds developed around the entrance, trying to get a glimpse of the various cultural booths. Stations featured a diverse range of Chinese activities, including paper cutting, lantern riddle-solving, calligraphy, knot weaving, traditional costumes dressing, taste-testing traditional food and folk dance demonstrations. Shiqi Liao, the Chinese language coordinator and associate director of China House, was
one of the lead organizers of the event. Although this year is the first NYU has hosted any official Lunar New Year event, Liao did not find the event planning to be particularly difficult. “The faculty members, we put our heads together,” Liao said. “You have to make some effort. We started organizing about two weeks ago and it was a pretty smooth process. The hardest part was trying to get students interested.” Beside the Chinese department, Liao said the NYU China House was also a large contributor to and organizer of the event. “China House is sort of like an affinity house trying to bring people across disciplines, across departments, across schools, who are interested in China — Chinese economy, Chinese legal system, Chinese
literature,” Liao said. “This event is a chance to bring people in together so they have a taste of the Chinese way of celebrating Chinese New Year.” Golden West College junior Cody Peck said the event helped young people who are not otherwise affiliated with the Chinese culture learn more about it. “I just love how the younger generations are keeping up the tradition,” Peck said. “It’s a great lesson for outsiders as well. We get a little insight on what the Chinese culture is about.” Stern sophomore Kathy Lin related NYU’s take on the Chinese New Year to celebrations she’s been to in China. She said the event encapsulated the authentic Chinese experience for an American audience. “From the foods, to the games, to the clothing, I think it’s a pretty comprehensive view of
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Wu Ke helps students practice their calligraphy. how Chinese New Year is really like in China,” Lin said. “It definitely teaches people a lot about the culture.” CAS junior Helen Lee said the event allowed her to get a perspective of a culture she has only encountered through the media.
“It’s a great opportunity to learn traditions of a culture that you otherwise wouldn’t have much contact with apart from what you see in the media,” Lee said. Email Christine Wang at news@nyunews.com.
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FEATURES
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Film event lauds Italian Americans By JULIANNE MCSHANE Contributing Writer
The only time it is acceptable to wonder aloud if Frank Sinatra and cannoli were the most important Italian cultural contributions to the United States is when an Italian is asking the question in a room full of fellow Italians. And it is even better if the proposition is met with laughter, as it was when Neal Shapiro, president and CEO of WNET, suggested it in Kimmel’s packed Eisner & Lubin Auditorium at a preview screening of “The Italian Americans” on Feb. 10. John Maggio’s four-hour film explores the evolution of the identities, stereotypes and lives of ItalianAmericans, and includes interviews with prominent Italian-Americans such as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi. The film’s first installment aired on PBS Tuesday, and the second will play on Feb. 24. Prior to the 45-minute preview,
Mayor Bill de Blasio — a secondgeneration Italian-American and NYU alumnus — addressed the crowd and emphasized his personal connection to the film’s story. His mother, Maria, was the daughter of Italian immigrants, and he traveled to Italy this summer to visit his family’s roots. De Blasio urged audience members to make the effort to retain their heritage in whatever ways they could. “It’s up to us to take the ideas and the messages and the meaning of the culture to maintain it and keep the meaning alive,” de Blasio said. “It’s something we each have to do in our own way.” Following de Blasio’s remarks and the preview screening, author and NYU professor Maria Laurino and writer Gay Talese — both of whom are featured in the film — joined Maggio in a panel discussion to answer audience questions. Laurino, who wrote a companion book to the film, alluded to the simi-
larities between the difficulties that Italian-Americans and other immigrant groups still frequently face. “We’re all grappling with the same issues of identity and acceptance,” Laurino said. Talese spoke about his ItalianAmerican heritage, which he described as a conflict of loyalty between his allegiances to the two countries. Born in 1932 New Jersey, Talese was a young boy during World War II and had uncles fighting in the Italian army. “It was not a pleasant, not a comfortable history in the 1940s,” Talese said. “I’m one of the few here tonight that remembers the awkwardness of the Italian-American experience.” These kinds of dialogues are the ones that Maggio said he hoped the film would drive. “My hope is that [the film] starts a conversation about immigration in this country,” Maggio said. “You come here because it’s a land of opportunity but you don’t realize you
Alumnus’ nonprofit helps fight hunger By ZOE THOMPSON Staff Writer Robert Lee, the son of a humble-living Korean family, has always despised wasting food. Following his graduation from the Stern School of Business, Lee secured an asset management career at J.P. Morgan. Shortly after, however, Lee exchanged the corporate world for nonprofits to help cease the incessant cycle of food wastage and starvation. “I wanted to be a social entrepreneur since sophomore year in college, but the common consensus was that I should start a nonprofit after I was more established at a place like J.P. Morgan,” Lee said. Lee attributes his understanding of food handling and management to his double major in finance and accounting, as well as his three-year presidency of Two Birds One Stone, a club dedicated to feeding the homeless. These experiences proved to be afoundation for the creation of the app Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. “I took Two Birds One Stone and basically made it much more incentivized for others to get involved,” Lee said. “I didn’t see why it couldn’t happen outside the borders of NYU. I put structure and technology around it and took that idea to a competition through NYU Reynolds Program. We ended up using the
money we won right after I graduated in May 2013.” RLC gained immediate success and formed partners in SoHo before becoming formally corporate and has continued to grow. Lee is driven by the philosophy of every little bit counts, which he applies to RLC’s approach to volunteering. “With our food rescue pickups, just because you have 5 or 10 pounds of food left over, we don’t think that’s insignificant,” Lee said. “That can feed five to 10 people. This also permeates through our volunteer experience — you can help out in 30 minute stints and feed someone who would otherwise starve.” Crystal Li, a Tisch junior and current co-president of Two Birds One Stone, agreed that Lee’s past as the club president accounted for a smooth transition into the start of RLC. “I think Rob’s experiences as club president for Two Birds One Stone ultimately inspired him to create RLC,” Li said. “He learned what it was like to run a food recovery organization with its many challenges and obstacles, and was able to build on his leadership skills.” Lee’s goals for RLC are innumerable, ranging from national expansion to an RLC volunteering app, which will be released by the end of 2015. “There are so many projects that we are involved in,” Lee said. “We are working with a
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SHULMAN
Stefano Albertini, the director of Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, gives the opening remarks. have to start at the bottom.” Ultimately, Maggio hopes the film will pay homage to the struggles of the first Italian-Americans and change how viewers think about the immigrant experience. “I think with anything histori-
cal you learn about the present by looking at the past, so you don’t make the same mistakes again,” Maggio said. Email Julianne McShane at features@nyunews.com.
Darwin lecture looks at evolution of viruses By DHRITI TANDON Staff Writer
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Rescuing Leftover Cuisine was started in July 2013.
farm in D.C. and a factory in Portland, which is ridiculous. We have branches starting all over the country. People are becoming more aware of the issues of food waste and food hunger and we are really glad that we can give a step-bystep way to create an impact in communities.” Lee shared advice for others who wish to pursue altruistic goals. “You should start now, don’t waste your time,” Lee said. “You never know where the initiative is going until you start learning. Although we are launching all kinds of initiatives to tackle food waste, most of them will be failures, honestly. But you learn from these failures and one of these initiatives, hopefully, will be successful. From failures you learn things, pick yourself up and create a solution that works.” Email Zoe Thompson at features@nyunews.com.
This year’s annual Darwin lecture covered advancements in the field of viral evolutionary biology on Friday. NYU’s biology department hosted the event, and Dr. Eugene Koonin, an award-winning biologist and senior investigator at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, spoke about his research. Koonin examined viruses as a source of infinite genetic diversity and the classification of giant viruses within the three known domains of life. He also researched the genetic and epigenetic factors as the cause of viral genome evolutions — the DNA or RNA of viruses responding to changes in environment. Moreover, the formation of giant viruses due to a result of massive gene gain was one of the integral aspects of viral genome evolution discussed during the lecture. Koonin strongly believed that research in genome evolution was a result of rapid development in genome sequencing technologies to more efficiently determine the order of nucleotides within the genomes of viruses. “The new era of sequencing really opens up possibilities,” Koonin said. “I can now talk about things that I could only dream about a few years ago. We may not know everything but we know enough to extrapolate a realistic picture of the existing diversity.” Koonin pointed out the previous limitations in technology when only analysis and sequencing of very small viral genomes were possible.
“This was incidentally in the early ’80s, when there wasn’t much genomics,” Koonin said. “We were very interested in the possibility to compare, for the first time in history, complete genomes of life forms.” The task of analyzing viral genomes and making comparisons of these genomes proved to be difficult at times for Koonin and his team. “Genomes of viruses and other cellular elements tend to evolve very fast, so detecting evolutionary change in viruses is a serious technical challenge,” Koonin said. Koonin’s work has sparked various innovations in biology. A paper soon to be published in the science magazine Nature discusses genetic engineering in vivo using live mice. This ability to conduct genetic engineering in multicellular living organisms is attributed to Koonin’s research. “What we’re doing is fundamental research, we’re originally not working on applications,” Koonin said. “However, many things have their practical side and its part of all the work we do.” CAS freshman Danielle Mercadona was appreciative of Koonin’s approach to elucidate simple genomes of primitive biological entities in order to understand evolution. “The lecture was very insightful on the various ways in which simple genomes of viruses have evolved,” Mercadona said. “I believe we can only understand evolution of complex genomes if we try to understand the simpler ones first.” Email Dhriti Tandon at features@nyunews.com.
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BEST OF NEW YORK FASHION WEEK FW ’15 Sally LaPointe Feb. 13 By NATALIE BARR Contributing Writer An explosion of hot and heavy hip-hop music blasted as the first of an entire collection of Sally LaPointe’s strong, tough looks made its way down the runway. It was a punch in the face entrance — that is, if being punched in the face was something you wanted to experience over and over again. At her Fall/Winter 2015 runway show at Chelsea’s Skylight Modern, designer Sally LaPointe wrote on the cover of the show’s program, “Pina Bausch had the ability to both shock and inspire. Raw, honest and a bit crude, it was an assault on all expectations.” Although it is unclear exactly how Bausch, an influential German modern dance performer and choreographer, impacted this collection, LaPointe’s description of the dancer perfectly captures the looks she sent down the runway. Minimalism and simplicity played major roles in LaPointe’s collection, but the designer maintained drama throughout the show. Hair was neither polished nor smooth in low ponytails, and aoart frin bold brows, makeup was barely visible. Bright colors were nowhere to be seen as models in black, brown, gray and cream graced the giant tan carpet in the industrial and undecorated space. With this lack of color, LaPointe portrayed statement pieces through different means with unique textures and silhouettes. LaPointe played with countless materials, from furs
PHOTOS BY MOLLY O’BRIEN
HARBISON Feb.17 by RENA LEVIN Contributing Writer
PHOTOS BY TIFFANIE HWANG
to sequins, to wool and leather. A standout marble embroidered fringe skirt paired with a cream cashwool sweater moved like liquid down the otherwise structured runway. Sally LaPointe’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection successfully captured a series of
looks that portray an image that is tough and strong but still elegant and sophisticated. Wearers probably won’t punch anyone in the face, but they could if they wanted to. Email Natalia Barr at bstyle@nyunews.com.
HARBISON’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection showcased designs that combined comfort and class. The Brooklyn-based designer Charles Elliott Harbison launched HARBISON in 2013, and since then has remained consistent with the general concept of his womenswear: the designs enable a woman to embrace her femininity as well as her masculinity. Each of HARBISON’s collections is paired with four words that embody the designs. Ease, discipline, purpose and light corresponded with the Fall/Winter 2015 collection. These words were translated into structured and sporty designs reminiscent of the late ’70s, which seems to be a trend this season. HARBISON also harbored inspiration from the simplicity of the ’90s.
Colorblocking was a common theme among many designs in the collection, specifically with yellow, red and blue. The designs were paired with chunky gold necklaces and white sport watches. Outfits were completed with either a black, rubber Chelsea boot or a low, light-colored Oxford shoe. Pieces that stood out deviated dramatically from the consistency of the rest of the designs. A colorblocked magenta and red dress was placed at the back end of the presentation and left a lasting impression without interrupting the flow. Though it is still under five years old, HARBISON has been supported by style icons and was even donned by Beyoncé last week when she attended the Kanye West x Adidas Originals show. HARBISON is certainly a brand to keep an eye on. Email Rena Levin at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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Christian Siriano Feb. 14 By GRACE HALIO Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTOS BY RACHEL KAPLAN
Lacoste Feb. 14 By GABRIELLA BOWER Violet Vision Editor “Rene did it first” was a tribute sentiment to the brand’s founder as well as the prominent motif of the Lacoste Fall/ Winter 2015 collection. Lacoste effortlessly intertwined the brands roots with contemporary styles for an overall cool but classic sporty-chic vibe. Modern hip-hop and rap played soundtrack to the show, alternating between American and French hits.
The opening looks were inspired by the brand’s founder Rene Lacoste and then transitioned to a more contemporary version of Lacoste classics. Signature Lacoste colors such grass green, red and blues were juxtaposed with neutrals throughout the collection. While solid colors dominated, many of the sweatsuits, graphic tees and sweatshirts stood out, as did a ’70s inspired white and black checkered print found on some sweatshirts, sports bags, and women’s handbags. This collection also did an amazing job with
fabrics, contrasting thinner cottons and jersey with doublefaced wool. The body con sweater dresses in whites, grays and navys became winter-appropriate with cape jackets offered in both solid colors and herringbone prints. While it was expected for the brand to succeed in producing one of a kind sportswear that can take a person from the tennis court to dinner with friends, Lacoste outdid itself in the coat department. From thick floor length furry jackets to trench coats in bold colors, otherwise traditional winter staples were made trendy. Overall the Lacoste Fall/ Winter 2015 collection infused modernity with the brand’s classical roots. Whether you play tennis or not, you can be sure that everyone pick up a racket for an excuse to wear the clothes in this striking collection. Email Gabriella Bower at gbower@ nyunews.com.
Christian Siriano presented a Congo jungle inspired Fall/ Winter 2015 collection at ArtBeam in Chelsea that strived to be bold, yet hold true to his romantic aesthetic. A jungle scene, channeling that of one in the Central African Republic, was the backdrop for the 46 looks he presented. Models in brown and tan animal prints took the runway to the beat of Creep’s “Animals.” Oversized wool collars and neutral, streamlined skirts were accented with geometricprint platforms. A tan alpaca wool coat was paired with a rich, port-colored turtleneck dress. The color scheme of the first few looks allowed the collection to seamlessly segway into shining bronze-gold silhouettes. Models in fitted kneelength spaghetti strap dresses and long sleeve tunics paired with wide-leg trousers stood out as they emerged from the luscious foliage behind them. The looks were paired with elegant, boxy, patent-leather bags in black or emerald. Ultra-shiny black silk pencil skirts were shown with short sleeve tops and jackets. Chunky black open-toe heels donning a furry fringe on the back completed the looks. Unfortunately, it appeared as if the shoes had tails tacked onto the back of them, perhaps taking the jungle theme a bit too far. Sirano also attempted to bring back wide belts, reminiscent of the 1950s. They of-
STAFF PHOTOS BY SHAWN PAIK
ten matched the collars of the pieces, and contrasted the rest of the garment, certainly creating a statement. A standout piece was a soft and powerful dress with a plunging V-neck veiled in grey tulle. Siriano also introduced long black dresses covered in black feathers followed by full skirts of small white feathers that bounced as the models stepped down the runway. As the show evolved, a brighter color palette emerged incorporating florals. Jacquard tops and dresses had flared-out sleeves, drop-waist gowns had beautiful off the shoulder V-necks or simple straight necklines, but the thick belts made a reappearance and drew the eye away from the beautiful tailoring. The colors toward the end of the show were reminiscent of a Thanksgiving table: brown fabrics were dotted with rich oranges and greens, or on other pieces, turquoise and blue. Fortunately, the ruching and proportions of the impeccably fitted gowns gave the eye another point of focus. Siriano’s show, despite its small color hiccup, was strong. Guests in attendance included Kelly Osbourne, model Coco Rocha, Ke$ha and Rachel Brosnahan of House of Cards. At the end of the presentation, models convened and strutted down the runway together, showcasing the strength and beauty that the designer is known for. Email Grace Halio at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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EDITED BY TESS WOOSLEY OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
JUSTICE
Rap lyrics should not be used as evidence By ZAHRA HAQUE Staff Writer During a legal battle over the custody of his 13-month-old daughter, rapper Chris “Ludacris” Bridges’ character was challenged with the use of his rap lyrics. Ludacris won custody, but other rappers facing more serious charges have also had their own lyrics used against them. In 2014, Ronald Herron, a gang leader from Brooklyn, was found guilty of 21 criminal charges, including three murders. The jury’s decision was partly based on a rap video Herron made, as well as testimonies from another rap artist and a linguistics expert who discussed how rappers use lyrics. These are only a few cases of dozens in which rap lyrics have been unfairly admitted as evidence in a trial. Such cases rest on the premise that rap lyrics, which are usually narrated in first person, are autobiographical. This assumption is absurd. Consider, for example, the 1991 novel “American Psycho.” Few people would attribute Patrick Bateman’s psychopathy to his creator, Bret Easton Ellis. It is similarly fool-
ish to believe that rap lyrics must echo the real lives of their writers. Like novelists, hardcore rappers often create fictional or exaggerated musical personas. While those personas glorify drugs, violence and street life, their creators may well be engineering an image of a lifestyle that is not theirs. When rap lyrics are used as evidence, they are presented without context to a jury that is probably unfamiliar with the intricacies of hardcore rap culture, which inevitably leads to misinterpretation. Studies have shown that jurors commonly find black defendants guiltier than white defendants for the same crimes. In cases involving rap lyrics, the defendants are typically young black males. The lyrics often portray black males as violent and hypersexual, making it more likely for jurors to
convict them. Investigating rap is largely inefficient in a criminal case. Time spent analyzing lyrics would be better spent searching for stronger types of evidence. Convictions based on lyrics have a gaping lack of substantial evidence — a case that rests on a subjective analysis of an art form is inherently weak. Although Skinner’s decision was overturned, the admission of rap lyrics into courtrooms is still frequently seen as acceptable. A 2013 study from the American Civil Liberties Union looked at 18 cases analyzing the appropriateness of admitting rap lyrics written by a defendant. In 14 of the cases, courts ruled in favor of admitting the lyrics as evidence. The normalization of this practice poses a serious threat to the protection of rap under free speech. Artistic expression is not always a reflection of character, and therefore cannot be considered a demonstration of illegal activity or intent. Rap is no exception to this principle. It is time for all courts to stop treating rap lyrics as criminal confessions. Email Zahra Haque at opinion@nyunews.com.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Smart drugs require smart policy
By RICHARD SHU Deputy Copy Chief
A new kind of drug has made its way onto college campuses. Modafinil, a narcolepsy treatment, has increased in popularity among college students over the last few years. It joins a long list of other colloquially termed smart drugs, prescription medication like Adderall and Ritalin taken illegally. From Oxford to UCLA and everywhere in between, students report these drugs sharpening their focus and improving their academic performance. The rise of prescription drug abuse among teenagers and young adults has been known and tracked for a while now. Needless to say, these drugs are incredibly dangerous, with a high potential for addiction, hallucinations and depression. But the way media outlets and scientific reports discuss drug abuse blithely places smart drugs in the same category as oxycodone, marijuana, alcohol and other so-called recreational drugs without exploring the very different motivations behind students’ use of them. When a simple prescription pill promises greater attention, memory enhancement and stronger academic performance, stu-
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dents do not internalize that pill as a destructive drug. In the same way caffeine addiction is brushed off as a mark of the working way, smart drugs are thought of as merely a helping hand, a weapon to wield against the pressures of life itself. Drug policies in universities across the nation, including in NYU, fail to make this distinction. NYU’s general substance abuse policy does not distinguish between different types of drugs, nor does it offer particulars on disciplinary action. NYU’s own student health initiative, LiveWellNYU, advocates for “new policies to reduce inappropriate access to prescription drugs; and develop educational campaigns about appropriate and safe medication use and disposal practices.” When NYU does eventually create these policies, it must recognize the distinct motivations for smart drug abuse.
Amid the burden of student life, these same old discouragement policies place more of a burden on students. They still feel the need to perform higher than their highest level. They still feel the need for pills. And if the alternative to smart drugs is the possibility of academic failure, then none of the mentioned consequences will matter in comparison. If NYU, or any university, is to properly address the growing threat of smart drugs, they must attack the problem at the source: the stress of student life. A proper anti-study-drug campaign would look less like security and more like NYU Stressbusters — focused on arming potential smart drug abusers with academic and social resources that allow them to cope with university life. NYU’s mental wellness services and stressreducing initiatives are helpful tools, but do not directly address the stress that leads students to smart drugs. A university policy targeting this abuse needs to be based on positive tools in order to effectively create a safer and healthier student community. Email Richard Shu at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Report predicts worrying climate change trends
A new report released by the New York City Panel on Climate Change anticipates an alarming citywide rise in average temperatures, precipitation and sea levels. According to NASA, these changes will result in “increasing risks for the people, economy and infrastructure of New York City.” This problem is compounded by steadily increasing greenhouse emissions, trapping more of the sun’s heat. While New York City officials claim to be working to reduce emissions and protect neighborhoods, more must be done if these worrisome changes are to be prevented. The report details how drastic the impending weather changes will become. Annual precipitation is expected to increase 4 to 11 percent by 2050, suggesting not only more everyday rain in future years but also the potential for more powerful storms. Even more alarming is the rapid rise of sea levels — an expected increase of 11 to 21 inches by 2050, which will greatly increase the risk of damaging floods. Coupled with the more extreme weather that results from global warming, city-crippling storms like Hurricane Sandy would become more frequent and more destructive. Since 2007, New York City has tried to address concerns about the city’s future, including climate change and an aging infrastructure, through PlaNYC. The city planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, but is now scheduled to reach this goal by 2017. While it will take a global effort to mitigate the effects of climate change, these efforts are commendable. In addition, the city is taking steps to prepare for the next natural disaster after Hurricane Sandy, which temporarily raised sea levels nearly 14 feet, killed 43 New Yorkers and caused millions of dollars in damage. The city is currently working to build floodwalls and other protective measures above the hundred-year flood elevation predictions. In a report addressing the plans to restore New York City postHurricane Sandy, Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote, “New York City will not be ‘climate-change proof’ — an impossible goal — but it will be far safer and more resilient than it is today.” Comments like this highlight the need for continued and improving global climate initiatives and activism. The People’s Climate March in September 2014 marked the largest climate change march in history, drawing a staggering 311,000 people. The Climate Group is already gearing up for Climate Week NYC, which is scheduled for September 21-27 2015 to coincide with a new U.N. global climate agreement that aims to be in place by the end of this year. On an even more local level, NYU offers myriad clubs and organizations for those interested in environmental issues. Climate change continues to be one of this generation’s defining causes, and we must continue to fight for improvement.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tess Woosley (Chair), Annie Cohen (Co-chair), Tommy Collison (Co-chair), Matthew Tessler (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY ALEXA SPIELER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Concert series creates ‘Buzz’
No ‘Hope’ for ‘Queen and Country’ By NORA BLAKE Staff Writer
By EMILY HARRIS Staff Writer
The Starbucks on Astor Place, a meeting spot for NYU students, is offering the opportunity to enjoy a latte while experiencing live acoustic music as a part of “The Acoustic Buzz” series. The coffee shop will host an afternoon of caffeinated acoustic vibes on Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. Featured performers include Nick Deutsch, Roses & Revolutions, the Henry Millers and Howard. Nick Deutsch, a New York City singer-songwriter and NYU alumnus, is slated to perform first. During his time at NYU, Deutsch studied songwriting, predominantly inspired by his passion for jazz arranging and harmony. After years of networking while still in college, Deutsch has won several awards for his lyricism and has performed at venues such as The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall. This duo, which has been featured on HGTV and Oxygen, mixes jazz and indie--pop into a unique
STAFF PHOTO BY SANG BAE
“The Acoustic Buzz” will showcase various artists. musical blend, fusing together sonic creations similar to Haim and Jackson Browne. Alyssa Coco and Matt Merritt make up Roses & Revolutions, but both have achieved individual success. The former made it to the Hollywood round of “American Idol” during the show’s seventh season, while the latter attended SUNY Purchase for jazz guitar performance. Another duo, the Henry Millers, hails from New York, and their saccharine pop-rock fully embodies the eccentric diversity of their hometown. The duo, John MacCallum and Katie Schecter, have played have played in a wide-range of hometown venues, including the Brooklyn Bowl and The Studio at Webster Hall. In contrast with hometown acts like Roses & Revolutions, pianopop songstress Jillette Johnson will also perform. The singer-songwriter moved to New York City at 18 years
old. After six years honing her talent and releasing music, she has become a full-fledged musician in the same vein as Adele and Fiona Apple. The Astor Place Starbucks provides an intimate venue perfect for Johnson to showcase her emotional and lovely voice. The band Howard will finish off the night, performing their Folktronica influenced music. Founded in 2009, this Brooklynite band has merged the opposing forces indiefolk and electronica into a danceable and overall fantastic set of tunes. For the Starbucks showcase, Howard will have to strip down their sound to its folk roots. “The Acoustic Buzz” series intends to bring music to the people, in a very accessible manner. Future showcase dates are scheduled for March 26 and April 16. Email Emily Harris at music@nyunews.com.
Castle returns with heavy premiere By MARY ANN ODETE Contributing Writer The past two Mondays marked the traditional two-part premiere of the not-so-procedural dramedy cop show “Castle.” Answering a question left unresolved at the end of season six episode “Disciple,” this two-parter — “Resurrection,” last week and this week’s “Reckoning” — closed the door on one mystery, but reopened a plot line from earlier this season. Jerry Tyson has been a threat to the New York Police Department since his entrance in season three. He had a harrowing effect on Castle’s life, tormenting Castle with every disappearance and reappearance, so it is fitting to make Jerry Tyson the subject of this season’s twoparter. “Resurrection” began the two-week event by introducing Tyson, and much of the episode revolved around whether or not a man who looked like Tyson was indeed Tyson. While there was a sense of suspense in the episode, the plot felt a little dry. Since the identity of the indistinguishable person was a central part of the first episode, it
would have been more satisfying if there were more twists and turns regarding the identity of Tyson. The driving force of the episode seemed to be the usual cop bureaucracy putting a halt to any progress in establishing Tyson’s identity. The show often features kidnappings and disappearances, but what made Beckett’s abduction stand out was the intent behind it. Tyson’s partner and romantic interest Kelly Nieman, a plastic surgeon, plans to take Beckett’s face and make it her own — an homage to an episode last season where NYPD lookalikes started appearing. Castle expertly takes care of things with the help of Esposito and Ryan, but the real points go to Beckett. The show took a dark turn regarding Beckett’s escape, and while the actual escape is not shown in full, the before and after is highly graphic and very disturbing for the show’s usual light demeanor. The main cast always brings their own uniqueness to the show, but since the show has been on for seven seasons, the minor characters allow for a
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The new “Castle” season is well underway. much bigger element of surprise. Michael Mosley deserves praise for his long-running portrayal of Jerry Tyson — alias Triple Killer or 3XK. Though the show took a more realistic turn with the end of the Tyson arc, it would have been interesting to see a character like Tyson leave with more of a bang. Even though the door to Tyson’s character arc closed, viewers can still look forward to learning what happened to Castle during the two months that he was missing. Email Mary Ann Odete at entertainment@nyunews.com.
English filmmaker John Boorman achieved critical acclaim with his World War II film à clef “Hope and Glory.” However, if he expects the same praise for its sequel, “Queen and Country,” he will be sadly disappointed. Released 27 years after Boorman’s initial hit, this British war dramedy lacks the excitement, spark and — surprisingly enough — relevance of its dazzling predecessor. Boorman begins “Queen” by dropping viewers directly into the ending narration of “Hope,” as if this technique might allow viewers to disregard the almost three decades between the two films. In what is essentially a disorganized and trite Lifetime original movie, protagonist Billy Rohan is now 18 years old, and enlists in the military with his best friend Percy. Although the narrative continues from the first film, it skips the potentially germane moments between the height of World War II in Britain and the beginning of the nation’s involvement in the Korean War just eight years later. Though Billy’s development is clearly the impetus of this film, a large portion of his life is not even referenced or discussed, perhaps assuming the viewer will
fill in the gaps Boorman fails to channel onscreen. Considering Boorman’s motivation for creating and elaborating on Billy’s story is semi-autobiographical, the lack of care given to this sequel is surprising. “Hope and Glory” completely arrests the audience in more ways than one. The director’s depiction of Billy’s seemingly whimsical childhood, surrounded by conflict and destruction, is masterful. In “Queen and Country,” this pattern is unfortunately abandoned. Where Boorman peppered the story line of “Hope” with different cinematic devices and impressive post production work, “Queen” includes nothing but bland dialogue and the occasional intervention of Billy’s voice over, which only in some instances helped solidify what was to come later in the film. In spite of its many shortcomings, there are a few moments in the film that contain gleams of “Hope’s” superiority. Since “Hope” was such a stunning feature, however, it is upsetting to see that its sequel was treated so carelessly. To truly understand the scope of Boorman’s cinematic finesse, simply pretend that “Queen and Country” was never made. Email Nora Blake at film@nyunews.com.