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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Welcome to
K R O Y
N UN
CLASS OF 2019
T Y I S R W E E IV
CAS ’17| Journalism & Social and Cultural Analysis Valentina is a junior in the College of Arts and Science studying journalism and something no one can ever remember. Over the past year, she has slowly tried to move into the WSN office, finally tricking someone into giving her the keys and becoming editor-in-chief. In her spare time she enjoys over pronouncing Spanish words like quesadilla and guacamole to remind people she’s Colombian. Her other hobbies include taking bad passport pictures and remembering the good old days when she had a rolling backpack.
MARITA VLACHOU deputy managing editor CAS ’17 | Journalism & Economics Marita Vlachou is a junior in the College of Arts and Science studying Economics and Journalism. She is currently a News Editor for WSN. She was born and raised in Athens, Greece and has always enjoyed traveling around the world and learning new languages. In her spare time she loves to hang out with her friends, sing, salsa dance and watch bad Greek TV shows.
MADELINE PAZZANI assistant managing editor Steinhardt ’18 | Media, Culture and Communication Maddie Pazzani is the Copy Chief and a sophomore studying media, culture and communication. And maybe journalism. And maybe politics. She hails from the exotic, faraway land of Farmington, Connecticut, and when she’s not studying AP style, she lives on the edge by testing the limits of safe caffeine intake and not closing her eyes during Quentin Tarantino movies.
ALEXA WONG creative director Steinhardt ’18 | Media, Culture and Communication Alexa Wong is Creative Director and a sophomore in Steinhardt studying Media, Culture, and Communication (like most of the Steinhardt students). A California native, she spends most of her time longing for shorts weather, Dole Whip, In-n-Out Animal Fries and Frostbites Italian ice. When she’s not in the office, Alexa can be found browsing the interwebs in hopes of finding a reasonably priced concert ticket. She also enjoys attempting to dance despite being an incredibly clumsy human being.
THOMAS DEVLIN managing editor Gallatin ’17 | Individualized Study
MEET THE EDITORS
VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI editor-in-chief
Thomas Devlin (1995- ) was raised in the small, rural town of Douglas, Massachusetts. He spent his formative years studying the hard sciences before being employed as a MassDOT toll collector. One day, then-Editor-in-Chief Jonathon Dornbush drove through Thomas’ lane, threw him an AP Stylebook and said, “We need a copy editor, hop in.” Since then, he has risen through the ranks of Washington Square News by playing the fast-and-loose politics of student journalism. He is currently the Managing Editor for the 43rd Management Team. In his free time, he attends a nearby college, New York University, in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study. It is best to not ask him what he’s studying.
ALANNA BAYARIN assistant managing editor Liberal Studies ’18
Alanna Bayarin is an assistant managing editor at WSN and Joe’s Pizza enthusiast. When she is not working for WSN or eating Joe’s, you can find her doing volunteer work with buildOn and Alternative Breaks or watching Broad City.
BAILEY EVANS digital director CAS ’17 | Journalism & Economics
Bailey Evans is digital director and a junior studying journalism and economics in the College of Arts and Science. The economics part of that is actually kind of important to her too. In her spare time, she watches roughly 150 Red Sox games per season, uses books to avoid social engagement, is perpetually disappointed by the Knicks, and eventually finds a way to worked feminism into any conversation.
TEERIN JULSAWAD creative director Liberal Studies ’18
Teerin Julsawad is Creative Director and a sophomore from Bangkok, Thailand who went to high school in Westchester County, NY. He was the Editor-in-Chief of his beloved high school newspaper, Tower, and still contributes to it. He’s also extremely attached to his cliquey high school friends. He likes to talk using acronyms and enjoys likes on Instagram so follow him and like his photos (@txxrin), tbh. His nickname is “Tee Baby” but you can only call him that if you give him likes. Fun fact: He is currently the #1 ranked trivia player in the Britney Spears category on the app “QuizUp.”
SAM BEARZI multimedia editor
ALEX BAZELEY news editor
Tisch ’18 | Photography and Imaging
CAS ’18 | Journalism & Politics
Sam is the Photo Editor at WSN. He studies photography and imaging at Tisch School of the Arts. In between shooting for the paper and for his photography projects, you’ll probably find Sam exploring the exotic cuisine that New York City has to offer. However, his favorite past time is regaling those who will listen with the intimacies of the camera.
Alex Bazeley is a deputy news editor at WSN and a freshman in the College of Arts and Science studying journalism and politics. This is his second semester with the news desk. When he’s not at the office pretending to do work, you can most likely find him sharing his sports opinions while no one is listening, rocking out to a band you’ve probably never heard of, or reading another book. Or sleeping. He’s actually probably sleeping.
NINA JANG features editor
AUDREY DENG arts editor
Steinhardt ’18 | Media, Culture and Communication
Liberal Studies ’18 Audrey likes people, places and picnics with people at places. Her perfect picnic would be in an Icelandic tundra. There, she would munch on croissants with Joan of Arc, St. Augustine, Sergei Profokiev, Mr. Rogers and Roald Dahl. When Audrey isn’t planning perfect picnics and dinner parties, she is busy reading good books, writing bad jokes, and visiting museums so grand and beautiful that it makes all cynicism disappear. Her current favorite song is Profokiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Audrey is a sophomore.
Nina is currently a sophomore in Steinhardt studying Media, Culture, and Communication, hoping to double with Management in Stern and minor in French. She admits it took time and some discipline to get used to the cold East Coast climate, having been blessed with sunny Southern California weather all her life. She has an unhealthy obsession with LOTR and adores Wes Anderson’s films. She has a giant weak spot for dogs and ice cream. Her ideal “me time” would be munching on a baguette with cheese in a field in front of the Eiffel reading a novel, with her dog next to her and a Sinatra record playing.
TOMMY COLLISON opinion editor
BOBBY WAGNER sports editor
CAS ’17 | Journalism & Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies
CAS ’18 | Journalism Bobby Wagner is the Sports Editor. He is from Fairless Hills, PA, right outside Philadelphia. He has been an avid sports fan his whole life, playing and watching. He’s a sophomore who intends to study journalism, but he is undecided on his second major. Bobby is a big TV series watcher. Among his favorites are Game of Thrones, House of Cards and Broad City.
Tommy Collison is a writer interested in privacy and the future of journalism in a postSnowden world. His columns focus on technology, security, and student life. Originally from rural Ireland, he grew up among cows, computers, and not much else. When not writing, he teaches journalists, activists and others how to use privacy software. He’s aiming for the perfect attendance medal at 16 Handles.
Congratulations class of 2019, you are entering the college bubble. In this bubble you’re practically expected to make questionable decisions. No one will be surprised if you eat Oreos for dinner, go to bed at 4 a.m. or skip class. What you make of these next four years is completely up to you. Since graduating high school you’ve probably been showered with advice, mostly unsolicited. But here’s some more: use this newfound freedom wisely and take responsibility for your own education.
letter from the
When I first came to NYU I didn’t know what I wanted to study, and second semester of freshman year I discovered the Washington Square News, NYU’s independent, student-run newspaper. I didn’t think I was interested in journalism, but I gave it the good old college try by going to a pitch meeting. Taking that risk paid off, and joining WSN has shaped my entire college experience. At WSN I found my passion, my second family and my home. To give you a taste of what it is that makes me love this place so much, this special issue of WSN is filled with some of the top stories from the last year. When you come to New York, take in the freedom of the college bubble and explore your interests. If journalism is one of them, or even if it’s not one of them, drop by 838 Broadway for a pitch meeting or an open house and see if WSN is the place for you. From everyone at WSN, we wish you the best of luck with your first year at NYU.
EDITOR
VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SPECIAL EDITIONS
Beyond its everyday production, WSN publishes several special editions each semester. Their covers and page spreads are carefully and innovatively designed by the Creative team to highlight specific events or themes.
FRONT PAGE (LEFT TO RIGHT): STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER, STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK, STAFF PHOTO BY ANNE CRUZ, STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK, STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PARK, STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER, STAFF PHOTO BY CALVIN FALK ISSUE DESIGNED BY: JULIE CICCONE
NYUNEWS.COM | SPRING 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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Green House, Tisch Dance Company evacuated during fire By ALEX BAZELEY Deputy News Editor
NYU students were evacuated Thursday afternoon from Green House at Seventh Street Residence Hall and the Tisch Dance Company on Second Avenue following a massive explosion and seven-alarm fire on Second Avenue between Seventh Street and St. Marks Place. The fire was reportedly caused by a gas-related explosion in the restaurant Sushi Park at approximately 3:17 p.m. 123 Second Avenue, the building next door that houses the restaurant Pommes Frites, collapsed after the fire spread to an additional three buildings. The New York City Police Department reported the fire was contained to four buildings, and Con Edison has shut down gas service in the area. The fire injured at least 19, with three in critical condition. Those three people in critical condition were brought to the Bellevue Hospital Center officials said. Debris from the explosion littered Second Avenue and smoke could be seen for blocks in every direction. The New York Police Department evacuated the area and closed off 2nd Avenue from East Fourth Street to East 12th Street. Michael Cummings, a 39-yearold who works at The Sock Man on St. Marks Place, said he heard the explosion and ran to the scene where he saw a lot of
debris falling and flames rising from the building. “I ran where everyone else was running, around the corner, to Second Avenue, and what I saw was a building that had the front of it blown off,” Cummings said. “There was a woman on the fire escape, trying to get off, and she was having trouble getting down, and people were trying to climb up to help her.” Mayor Bill de Blasio spoke to the media at 5:30 p.m. on the status of the buildings and the cause of the explosion. “Preliminary evidence suggests a gas-related explosion,” de Blasio said. “That investigation is ongoing. The initial impact appears to have been caused by plumbing and gas work that was occurring inside 121 Second Avenue.” De Blasio also said Con Ed officials had visited the work being done on the building earlier in the day, but the building did not pass inspection. “The preliminary report, because we’re still waiting to get the full download from the Con Ed crew, is that they observed the work, it did not pass inspection, they gave further instruction,” de Blasio said. “That was earlier this afternoon, but again, we are not going to speculate on details until we have a full report.” NYU junior Ian Reagan said he was napping in his room at 13 St. Marks Place when the sound of the explosion woke him. “I was napping in my room and heard a big explosion — there
STAFF PHOTO BY FELIPE DE LA HOZ
Firefighter rush to put out the blaze cause by a gas explosion near St. Marks Place.
were some screams,” Reagan said. “It kinda sounded like a bomb but I’ve never heard a bomb before.” Volunteer with the Coalition for the Homeless Cassandra Edwards, 40, was at the halfway house across the street at the time of the explosion. Edwards said she heard a loud noise, and police eventually came in and ordered the building to be evacuated. “It sounded like a big boom,” Edwards said. “We were across
the street from the explosion, and when it happened it rocked all the buildings in the area. We came around here because they were afraid the building was going to collapse because it was engulfed in flames. We were just in shock, like I can’t believe this, that right across the street this is happening.” The NYPD announced that a displacement shelter has been setup at PS 63 at 121 E. Third St. The university announced that students
evacuated from Green House will be housed in Palladium. Additionally, the New York City Department of Health has recommended that those in the vicinity of the fire stay inside when possible and keep all windows closed until the smoke clears. Additional reporting by Felipe de la Hoz. Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.
NYC joins in Freddie Gray protests By MARITA VLACHOU News Editor
Demonstrators took the streets of New York City Wednesday evening in solidarity with the people of Baltimore, who have been protesting police brutality following the death of Freddie Gray on April 21. Gray, a 25-year-old black male, was taken into custody on a weapons charge. Gray incurred spinal injuries while being held by the police and was subsequently sent to the hospital, where he died a week later. The death of Gray is the most recent case of police violence in a year of protests and riots surrounding the deaths of unarmed people at the hands of the police. As the protesters gathered on the north side of Union Square at 6 p.m., organizers handed out fliers and posters with the names of 44 people of color who have been killed by the police between 1994 and 2014. Mike Wallace, a graduate student who attended the protests, said he is frustrated with the lack of action following police brutality. “I’m here to show support for the minority communities who don’t have a voice of their own
because they’re so repeatedly targeted and abused,” Wallace said. Around 7:30 p.m., those who had gathered in Union Square started marching, ultimately making their way to Times Square. As of press time, protesters had reached as far as the Holland Tunnel and the West Side Highway. Popular hashtags social media users have used to tweet about the protests include #NYC2Baltimore, #BaltimoreUprising, #BlackLivesMatter, #FreddieGray and #BaltimoreRiots. The New York City Police Department warned protesters not to walk on the streets, threatening charges of disorderly conduct. More than 100 protesters were arrested, including Tisch junior Sam Bearzi, WSN photo editor, who was arrested for being in the streets and obstructing traffic. NYPD put those arrested into police vans. “Please be advised that pedestrians are not permitted to walk in the street or roadway,” the NYPD blared over loudspeakers. “If you unlawfully obstruct pedestrian traffic or walk in the street or roadway you may be placed under arrest and charged with disorderly conduct, a violation of New York state penal law.” Brandon Mendez, a high school
student who was at the protest, said he witnessed a man being arrested for without clear cause. “NYPD are very abusive and I’ve seen it, especially tonight,” Mendez said. “I’ve seen a reporter do nothing and he gets tackled by seven cops.” A large number of NYU students were part of the protest, including a group from NYU Divest and the Incarceration to Education Coalition. LS freshman Fahad Iqbal said he was not afraid of being arrested, as all protesters were standing in unity. “No one’s going to hurt me out here,” Iqbal said. “We’re a family out here. We’re working together.” CAS sophomore Angie Hernandez said she attended the protest because New York City has been one of the cities where citizens have experienced police attacks. “It is time that New York City people rise up and give a broad statement against what the NYPD has been doing in our communities, in our schools; the harassment, the intimidation that we see all the time,” Hernandez said. CAS sophomore Nick D’Angelo said police brutality cases across the country have been out of control. “I think the police has definitely overstretched and overstepped
STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
Police officers blocked off protesters from marching on the 17th leading to a number of arrests.
what it’s supposed to be doing and I think there’s a massive system of mass incarceration that needs to be dismantled by activism,” D’Angelo said. Following Gray’s death, there were several days of peaceful protests until his funeral on Monday evening, after which local demonstrations turned violent. Many cars were set on fire, windows shattered and stores looted, leading Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to activate the National Guard and set the city of Baltimore in a state of emergency. Curfew was also established for all residents. Protests have also sparked in
Boston, Minneapolis and other cities across the country. D’Angelo said most of the people in Baltimore were protesting in a peaceful manner, even though violent actions attracted the public’s interest. In any case, D’Angelo said he supported the movement. “I think most of the protesters were nonviolent,” D’Angelo said. “Either way I have full solidarity.” Additional reporting by Alex Bazeley and Alanna Bayarin. Email Marita Vlachou at mvlachou@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SPRING 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
NYU faculty provides education for inmates
Report issued on NYUAD labor abuses By ALANNA BAYARIN and MARITA VLACHOU News Editors
Nardello & Co., an independent investigative firm hired by NYU and Tamkeen, an Abu Dhabi government agency, to review allegations of labor violations at the NYU Abu Dhabi campus, released their report Thursday morning. Investigators confirmed that while NYU’s labor standards applied to 20,000 of the 30,000 workers employed during the construction of the Saadiyat Island campus, the remaining 10,000 laborers were subject to labor rights abuses committed by several subcontractors NYU hired. NYU said it plans to compensate the migrant construction workers who were not protected under the university’s labor rights policy and also apply the investigator’s recommendations, including enforcing sanctions for compliance violations and restricting employers from taking away workers’ passports, where possible. The report showed that one third of the workers were not treated according to NYU’s labor standards due to a de facto exemption policy, but concluded that the university and Tamkeen were not aware of the problem. NYU President John Sexton said in an email that the university was not aware of the policy in place and plans to ensure violations like these do not occur in the future. “Neither we nor Tamkeen knew about the exemption policy or how widely it was being applied (roughly one-third of the workers — about 10,000 people — worked for contractors deemed exempt from the rules),” Sexton said. “Both we and Tamkeen commit to ensuring that we will not
allow such a compliance gap to occur in the future.” Despite their shortcomings, the report showed that NYU tried to comply with the labor standards, including the provision of fair wages, compensation for overtime work and protection against harassment or abuse. “Reports by several newspapers and Non-Governmental Organizations have alleged that many workers on the campus construction project were not treated in accordance with the guidelines and implied that NYU and its government partners merely paid lip service to their commitment,” the report reads. “Our investigation found that the commitment was real, implemented in good faith and, to a large measure, effective.” Paula Chakravartty, Gallatin professor and member of Coalition for Fair Labor at NYU, said the report verified the problems CFL had identified and implored the university to implement the investigators’ recommendations. “We hope that the public acknowledgement of violations of labor standards for some 10,000 workers involved in the building of the NYUAD campus, the ongoing issues around crushing recruitment debt and lack of mechanisms for worker representation make it clear that meaningful changes are urgently needed,” Chakravartty said. In response to the email Sexton sent to the NYU community, the NYU Abu Dhabi Justice Coalition, a coalition of students, faculty, and workers at NYU, released a statement regarding the abuses. The coalition said NYU should commit itself to ensuring labor abuses never happen again on its campus and securing the rights of all current and future workers to strike, organize and bargain collectively.
By ALEX BAZELEY Deputy News Editor
COURTESY OF NYUAD
Construction of NYU Abu Dhabi was completed in April 2014. “While we endorse the report’s recommendations for a third-party labor standards compliance monitor and a confidential, robust grievance procedure for workers on Saadiyat Island, this is no substitute for genuine, institutionally-protected collective bargaining,” the statement reads. “As long as NYU continues to operate uncritically within a system so hostile to workers’ right to organize, a compliance gap will always exist — and will undermine the possibility of labor peace in future NYUAD operations.” The United Arab Emirates government has barred from entry or penalized its critics, like professor Andrew Ross, in the past. However, Nardello & Co. founder Daniel Nardello, who led the inquiry, said the investigators did not run into such problems. “We had no contacts with the government in a hostile manner,” Nardello said. “We were left to do our job and as far as I know were not banned from the country.” Email Alanna Bayarin and Marita Vlachou at news@nyunews.com.
NYU launched its Prison Education Program to give those incarcerated at the Wallkill Correctional Facility access to a college education, the university announced Monday. The program, backed by a $500,000 grant from the Ford Foundation, currently has 36 incarcerated individuals enrolled. Wallkill Correctional Facility is a medium security prison for males located in the Hudson Valley. Rolled out for the Spring 2015 semester, PEP currently has two courses available with the possibility of an additional four during the summer of 2015. Following their release from prison, students may choose to continue their education at NYU or apply their credits to another university. CAS Dean Gabrielle Starr and Gallatin Dean Susanne Wofford were approached by faculty members with the idea three years ago. Starr said those involved with the program feel that it is a way to give back to the people of New York. “As it turns out, it is the single best way to give people access to a life when they get out that doesn’t involve going back to prison,” Starr said. Students can currently choose to enroll in either critical perspectives on justice through creative writing or literary analysis and the politics of interpretation. Upon satisfactory completion of the program’s coursework, students receive an Associate of Arts Degree from the university. George Shulman, a professor of political theory in Gallatin and a co-teacher of the critical perspectives class in PEP, said there is a wall between enfranchised peo-
ple and the millions of incarcerated people, all of whom deserve an education. “I’m a teacher, so for me, it feels very organic to use my teaching to break down that wall,” Shulman said. “Teaching the prison class feels very much a part of my life as both a teacher and a scholar.” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed an initiative in early 2014 to give prisons around the state taxpayer-funded college courses. Following heavy opposition from lawmakers, the plan quickly died. However, New York colleges have been partnering with the New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision to provide higher education for inmates voluntarily. Nikhil Pal Singh, an associate professor of social and cultural analysis and faculty director of the program, said the program is a way the university can positively impact the local environment. “You have a criminal punishment system that is built on and is reinforcing deep race and class inequities in our society,” Singh said. “We thought that it was an opportunity to re-engage NYU in social justice education work in a way that was immediately relevant to our city.” Starr added that one of the most fascinating things to her was how many NYU faculty members were already academically engaged with incarcerated individuals. “If you look across what NYU means, a lot of it has been being actively engaged and trying to help people take charge of their lives again,” Starr said. “In some ways, all of the pieces were already there.” Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.
Facebook page to whisper its last secret
By MARITA VLACHOU News Editor
After more than 8,000 secrets, NYU Secrets founder Aristo Orginos announced on Sunday the page will end once it hits 9,000 posts. Orginos, a Steinhardt senior, said ending the page was a tough decision. “I feel pretty torn up about it, and it was a decision that I really labored over,” Orginos said. “Primarily, my passion ran out. With each passing day, NYU Secrets became more and more of a job and less and less of a passion.” NYU Secrets was first established in November 2012, with the mission of sharing anonymous secrets and building a community within NYU. Orginos said he initially planned to keep the page going past his graduation,
however he now feels he can no longer continue it. “But running NYU Secrets at this point is like driving a car that’s almost empty,” Orginos said. “You keep looking at the gas meter nervously, you know it’s running out soon. You can’t enjoy the ride anymore — you can’t enjoy the scenery. You just think about the next gas station, how much it’ll cost. Secret number 9000 is my ‘empty tank.’ ” Orginos, who is currently employed in NYU Residential Life, expects the page to be finished sometime between March and April. He added that monitoring the page has been stressful. “After two years, you have the confessions of thousands running around in your head,” Orginos said. “And it’s stressful. And it’s burdensome. And you want to help everyone, but you
can’t. That isn’t your job. You are the conduit, not the therapist. Running NYU Secrets has been emotionally exhausting—and I am exhausted.” Orginos added that his recent outing by NYU Local this summer contributed to his decision to end the page. “I still maintain that what NYU Local did was one of the worst things anyone has done to me,” Orginos said. “And yes, it has affected me and my decision.” Throughout the years NYU Secrets has existed, there have been several new pages mimicking NYU Secrets, including Secrets 2.0, NYU Secrets 3.0 and REAL NYU Secrets. Orginos said he is skeptical about the vitality of these pages and others who would want to take up the task of moderating NYU Secrets. He said transferring
control of the page might compromise the privacy of the page. “It seems selfish outwardly, and I get that,” Orginos said. “But it’s really not. When I began this page, I made the unyielding promise that I would not reveal anyone’s secrets. That was the fundamental tenet of the page. Turning control over to someone else would be undermining this.” The Facebook page currently has 35,392 followers. As of now, 8,732 secrets have been posted. Throughout the page’s run, it was often criticized for its reputation for generating controversy. Steinhardt sophomore Hannah Weverka said she does not believe NYU Secrets created a community within NYU. “I’ve always been surprised that people praise NYU Secrets for ‘fostering community’ — I’ve never really associated ‘commu-
nity’ with the anonymity, toxicity and Facebook arguments that I see on NYU Secrets,” Weverka said. “Maybe a sense of community is missing at NYU, but I think that’s a big and complex problem, and I don’t think the best solution to it was the existence of a Facebook page.” CAS sophomore Gagarin Zhao said while she is sad NYU Secrets will no longer exist, she believes it is better for it to end while students are still interested. “It should know when to end, and now seems like a good time,” Zhao said. “I’d rather see it conclude on a good note than slowly be forgotten after too many years. I’m just glad I got to experience it for the two years that I’ve been here.” Email Marita Vlachou at news@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SPRING 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Jay Z comes to NYU to talk music business By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI Editor-in-Chief
Rapper and entrepreneur Jay Z made a surprise appearance at NYU on Wednesday to speak to students about his new music streaming service TIDAL and the future of the music industry. The exclusive event, held on the fifth floor of the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life, was made available to students in the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and members of some NYU clubs. The Center for Student Activities Leadership and Service organized the event in partnership with the Clive Davis institute in less than 24 hours. Professor Errol Kolosine moderated a discussion between Jay Z and TIDAL executive Vania Schlogel as they answered questions submitted by Clive Davis students. Q: How is TIDAL’s payout structure for artists different from competitors such as Spotify? Jay Z: First off, I know whenever there’s a new company people start talking about competition. We’re actually not here to be competitive with anyone. We’re here to actually improve the landscape, and just the presence of TIDAL causes other companies to have a better pay structure or at least pay better attention to it. So we don’t really view them as competitors. As I said, if the
tide raises, all the boats rise. Schlogel: So the royalty rates will be higher than other streaming services, in addition to that, there won’t be that free tier that’s depressing. Frankly, that’s part of what has been dragging down the music industry. Music is not free fundamentally, someone came in and produced that beat, someone came in and sang that song. Someone wrote that song. Someone came in to clean the studio afterwards. There is an entire ecosystem around it, and we’ve somehow come to believe that it’s OK to pay hundreds for consumer electronics but pay nothing for the music that helps sell it. Q: As music students, we’re taught to value the quality of high fidelity music, and would most likely spend a little extra. While we might be in a minority the general public is more than content with purchasing or streaming MP3 files at little to no cost. What demographic is TIDAL targeting with the charge of $20 per month for high fidelity music? How would the option of high fidelity music attract listeners who are not in that minority?
Schlogel: There are a lot of folks who do care about that. What is also interesting is the people who maybe don’t care what music they listen to, but they are willing to pay $10,000 to kid out their household speakers and then put a compressed file into those speakers.
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STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Jay Z discusses his new online music streaming service, TIDAL with Clive Davis students in GCASL on Wednesday. There is that audiophile group who do care very deeply about it. And that high quality tier actually matters a lot to the artists. Jay Z: To the first part of that question, if you consume music free, that’s what you wanna do, that’s your choice. There’s good and bad parts of a democratic society. Do what you like to do. I’m just talking to people who care about the musicians and the music they consume and that’s who it speaks to.
Schlogel: These are all things that we hear and are very personal to us, and we are addressing. So the truth of the matter is that we’re here, we took control of the company three weeks ago. We’re still a very young company, and we have a lot of initiatives we’re working on, especially when it comes to indie talent, emerging talent, giving people the ability to perform, to put their music up, to be able to control its distribution.
Q: Streaming services like Spotify can be very difficult if you aren’t on a label or going through a digital distributor. Does the same apply for TIDAL?
Q: What changes do you see coming to streaming in general and what changes do you see coming to that environment with everyone
fighting for number one. Do you think there will ultimately only be one service? Jay Z: We’re cool, they can be McDonalds, we’ll be Shake Shack. We don’t have to be number one; we just want to be very specific and great at what we do. The universe is balanced. There’s light and dark. There’s day, there’s night, young and old, there’s always an alternative. I don’t believe there will be one service. I think that’s actually against the law. Email Valentina Duque Bojanini at vbojanini@nyunews.com.
Andrew Hamilton appointed president of NYU
By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI and MARITA VLACHOU Editor-in-Chief and News Editor
The university has announced that Andrew Hamilton, vice chancellor of the University of Oxford, will succeed John Sexton as the 16th president of NYU. In an email sent Wednesday, the university said Hamilton would begin his tenure as president in January of 2016. The search for a new president started in September 2014 with the creation of a Presidential Search Committee, comprising trustees, faculty, students and administrators. The committee received over 200 nominations and held 27 listening sessions before narrowing down the list of candidates. Hamilton served as provost of Yale University from 2004 to 2008. Aside from his administrative positions, Hamilton was a professor of chemistry at Oxford, Yale University, Princeton University and the University of Pittsburgh. As president of NYU, Hamilton said he will work to make education affordable for all students by continuing NYU’s fundraising efforts, including the Momentum Campaign, to provide better
financial aid. “During my time in Oxford and indeed when I was provost at Yale I placed the highest priority on affordability of education and most importantly about ensuring that the cost is not an impediment to those particularly from disadvantaged income backgrounds,” Hamilton said. “When I come to NYU I’m going to want to play a very active role in that fundraising campaign and I hope we will blow through a billion dollars quickly and actually set a higher goal.” Hamilton added that he wants to focus on academics and teaching, but in order for students to have access to the best quality education, investment in new facilities will be required. “I hope I’ll be able to bring a very strong emphasis on core academic issues, the teaching that we offer our students, the high quality of research that’s carried out in NYC and in the overseas campuses,” Hamilton said. “We are making sure that the faculty and the students carrying out research have the very best experience possible and that will mean investment, that will mean building new buildings, all great universities must invest in their facilities, other-
wise they will fall behind, they will fall behind worldwide competitors, we will lose students, we will lose outstanding faculty. ” In an email to the NYU community, the university and the Presidential Search Committee said they believed Hamilton is the right fit for NYU and will help move the university forward. “Everywhere he has served has benefited from the quality and style of his leadership,” the email reads. “It was clear to us that he understood NYU — our urban character, our distinctive global presence, our vibrancy, our diverse community, our focus on the future, our innovative spirit, our sense of being on the move and our habit of exceeding others’ expectations.” CAS senior and student member of the Presidential Search Committee Jules O’Connor said she was confident the committee had made the right choice. “I think that he will do great things at the university and the whole committee really felt that throughout the entire process he was really the one who encompassed a lot of the qualities, if not every quality, that we were looking for: a strong leader, a great vision-
COURTESY OF OUIMAGES/PHIL SAYER
Andrew Hamilton, who will succeed John Sexton as the university president, served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford starting 2009. ary, someone who is really willing and able to keep moving the university forward,” O’Connor said. Sexton said in a press release that being president of NYU has been a great privilege, but he is looking forward to seeing what Hamilton will do for the university. “I know and admire him, and I am certain he will do great things for the University,” Sexton said.
For my own part, I have had no higher calling in my life than to be a teacher and to contribute to building strong institutions. For nearly 35 years, I have had the exceptional privilege of being able to do both those things at NYU.” Email Valentina Duque Bojanini and Marita Vlachou at news@nyunews.com.
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Gallatin Arts Festival explores range of issues By AUDREY DENG Entertainment Editor
The Gallatin Arts Festival launched its weeklong gallery curated and created by Gallatin School of Individualized Study students on Monday. The gallery is packed with students’ dynamic perspectives, forming a creative atmosphere. The gallery is divided into two floors — interactive multimedia pieces dominate the ground floor, while the next floor provides a quiet oasis for photography. A floating mannequin bound by string commands the gallery entrance. To the right of it is a cloth-bound booth with video on loop, followed by Jacqueline Grossbard’s series of photographs, “Almost Famous.” This piece features the daily life of Michele Marzano, a celebrity impersonator based in Central New Jersey. The biographical photographs serve as a bright pop of color before the gallery leads into a dark and spacious area where two videos play in loop. The first is a similarly biographical YouTube confession by Kai Cameron, and the second is “Shadow May Resolve into Beauty,” a black-and-white video of the artist, Luke Smithers, interacting with a darkcloaked figure. Toward the middle of the floor is Parissah Lin’s “Mourning Weaver.”
For her performance art piece, she sat on the floor and knitted while reading aloud the names of those who were murdered in the events that inspired the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter, #BringBackOurGirls, #HastaEncontrarlos, and #GazaUnderAttack. Lin said the piece is inspired by her personal sadness. “I cry a lot,” Lin said. “I go to all these protests and see all this injustice and tragedy — and this helps. I use knitting to communicate all this tragedy.” The fourth floor of the Gallatin Building continues the theme of tragedy with Andrew Harvey’s “Bambara.” Bambara, Guinea was where the Ebola outbreak started last year. Carved out of wood and covered with white spray paint, “Bambara” symbolizes the Westernization of African tradition and Ebola’s catastrophic effects in this region. Also on display on this floor is a piece commenting on the sexual nature of advertisements. Sonya Kozlova’s “Calvin, 2014” prints Calvin Klein advertisements on denim, which creates a well-constructed piece that effectively exposes the brand’s aggressively sexual marketing. At times, the range of art at the Gallatin Art Gallery seemed disparate, leaping from one point to another in no space at all. Some of the artwork itself was also very experimental. The gallery overwhelms the senses with its mul-
Actress reflects on time at Tisch By CAROLINE CUNFER Theater/Books Editor
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SCHULMAN
Preview of Parissah Lin’s piece, “Mourning Weaver,” on display at the Gallatin Arts Festival. tiple interactive “Please Touch” pieces and a surprising number of screens and videos. The gallery, in its nonstop flickering from subject to subject, captures the image of the increasingly disillusioned and socially conscious young adult. This enthusiastic coverage and innovation is a fitting launch to the 2015 Gallatin Arts Festival, which is dedicated to globalization, technology and human rights. It is refreshing and intriguing to see the works of today’s young artists, and these Gallatin students are fearless in their message. Email Audrey Deng at adeng@nyunews.com.
Alumna adapts memoir for film By ZACH MARTIN Staff Writer
Adapting any book to screen is difficult, but adapting one as erratic and tangential as Stephen Elliott’s “The Adderall Diaries” is another level. Director and NYU alumna Pamela Romanowsky spoke with WSN to discuss her first-time feature adaptation of the memoir at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. “The hardest part was to figure out what the heart of the story was and which were the best threads to get at that with,” Romanowsky said. It is a solemn and heady film dealing skillfully with concepts of abuse, addiction and the uncertainty of memory. However, Romanowsky credits the narrative filmmaking graduate program in Tisch for helping her. “I learned everything I know about filmmaking there,” she said. “You’re not really there for the diploma, you’re there to meet some of your most important collaborators.” During her time at NYU, Romanowsky met her future primary collaborators: Bruce Cheung and James Franco. The three of
them worked together on her thesis film, a contribution to the omnibus feature “The Color of Time,” a collection of short films by different directors based on CK Williams poems. They have continued their partnership in “The Adderall Diaries” — Cheung is the director of photography and Franco is a producer. Franco is also the film’s star, acting alongside Amber Heard, Ed Harris and Christian Slater. “It’s a really tight crew and that’s a wonderful thing to have when you’re working with 100 strangers,” Romanowsky said. The plot revolves around Stephen (Franco), a writer who is acclaimed for his stories about his destructive childhood and abusive father. When his father, who is presumed dead, resurfaces and challenges the accuracy of the claims, Stephen struggles with the possibility of unreliable memory and how storytelling changes self-perception. “It talks about the way the stories we tell define who we are and how we see ourselves in the world, but it gets at those concepts in a really human and emotional way,” Romanowsky said. The film exhibits a jarring vi-
sual style of frantic, quick cuts mixed with fluid slow motion shots during scenes of recollected memories, which Romanowsky said is an imitation of the way memory feels. “That’s always been a cinematic interest of mine,” Romanowsky said. “It’s really hard to know what memory feels like for anyone else, but to me it comes in a rush that’s not necessarily planned and it comes in snippets and sometimes those feel like you relive something very slowly and sometimes it’s just a flash.” For her next feature, Romanowsky will again work with Franco on an adaptation of a distinctive literary voice, Chuck Palahniuk’s sardonic and nihilistic “Rant,” which she said is her dream project. Romanowsky offered advice to current Tisch students, saying that they should be finding collaborators and challenging themselves. “If you feel like you don’t know what you’re doing, do it anyway,” she said. “Part of the joy of the job is that it’s so unpredictable and every film is a new challenge.” Email Zach Martin at film@nyunews.com.
Tisch alumna Christina Bianco garnered over six million views on YouTube last year for her celebrity impersonation cover of “Let It Go” from the movie “Frozen.” Now, the multitalented actress is starring in the one-woman play, “Application Pending,” at the intimate Westside Theatre. In this comedy, Bianco plays 42 characters in the span of 70 minutes, ranging from a babbling preschool boy to the vicious boss Dr. Bradshaw. WSN spoke with Bianco in an interview to discuss her time as an NYU student and her process for developing her multiple roles. Bianco graduated high school in three years, so she was only a junior in high school when she was accepted to study musical theater at NYU. As a high schooler, she took a full college course load, and was able to pursue her creative interests quickly. Growing up just outside of New York City, Bianco spent a lot of time in the city and knew that she wanted to study at NYU. “I wanted to learn and to be in the thick of it,” she said of studying theater in New York City. At the time, Tisch’s musical theater program was called CAP21, which Bianco studied while also pursuing a broadcast journalism major. “I don’t subscribe to doing one program,” Bianco said. It was only while at Tisch that people started telling Bianco that she had a knack for impersonations. “That’s really good, you do a really good so-and-so,” Bianco recalled classmates telling her. She especially succeeded in accents and dialects class, picking up on nuances of different accents and sounds easily. Although she admits to being completely lost in a voice and speech class, where the International Phonetic Alphabet mystified her. “How are you supposed to learn accents?” Bianco ques-
tioned. “I didn’t know the symbols, but boy I could say it correctly. I got away with murder.” However, the revelation that Bianco excelled at impersonations occurred to her when she joined the cast of “Forbidden Broadway,” an Off-Broadway performance parodying musical theater. After seeing an ad for the show, Bianco decided to audition for a role, locking herself in her apartment to practice various impersonations. The first impersonation she could do was of Bernadette Peters. “I called up my mom and was like, ‘Who does this sound like?’” Bianco said. “You always did this, but I didn’t know you could really do this,” Bianco recalled her mother said. With “Application Pending,” the creators Greg Edwards and Andy Sandberg chose voices they thought supported the characters in the play, but creating the impersonations proved to be an evolving process for Bianco. “What works on a page may not be physically possible,” Bianco said of the trial-and-error process. The memorization component of “Application Pending” was something that Bianco had never encountered before, as her previous methods did not work. “Nothing was applicable,” she said. “I had to start from scratch.” On the set of “Application Pending,” Bianco placed post-it notes to remember the order of calls during the play’s hardest stretch, acting as mental triggers to keep Bianco focused. Although some characters have multiple phone calls through which she can develop their personalities, others have only one quick call for Bianco to convey a character who she intimately knows. Even though the audience doesn’t know some of the characters names, Christina knows them, their backstories and their motivations. “Application Pending” runs through April 19. Email Caroline Cunfer at ccunfer@nyunews.com.
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Chance the Rapper takes on NYU By ALEXA SPIELER Arts Editor
As part of NYU’s official spirit week, Chance the Rapper & The Social Experiment took over Webster Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 24. Drawing in fans immediately, Chance started his set with “Everybody’s Something,” from his 2013 mixtape “Acid Rap.” The first part of Chance’s set included mostly newer material, as he followed with “Pusha Man.” Though both songs typically feature other artists — Saba, BJ The Chicago Kid, Nate Fox and Lili K. — Chance & The Social Experiment brought heightened energy to the performance, even without the other artists. After finishing “Pusha Man,” Chance took the opportunity to formally introduce himself to the sold-out crowd. Chance has made some interesting career moves since his last New York performance, foregoing his solo career to include The Social Experiment. Their liveliness enhanced the performance, increasing the set’s musicality and strengthening its energy. The addition of The Social Experiment not only added energy, but also constructed new renditions of Chance’s older songs. Not
neglecting early fans, Chance performed tracks from his 2012 release “#10Day,” including “Prom Night” and “Hey Ma.” The combination of Chance’s older songs with The Social Experiment’s new renditions recreated the older tracks, putting new, jazzier spins on them. Chance, already an energetic performer, frequently thrived off The Social Experiment’s instrumental contributions, exemplified by the rapper’s free-flowing, carefree dancing that corresponded with the band’s roaring horns and powerful, driving percussion. Chance’s undeniable energy is amplified by his natural stage presence and his ability to catch the crowd off guard. “Pay attention, because I might just — 1, 2, 3,” he counted down, before unexpectedly jumping into “Favorite Song.” It is hard to find a performer who is as engaged with the audience and who sincerely loves performing as much as Chance the Rapper. Pulling in the audience with his magnetism, he continuously exuded passion for this performance dedicated to NYU students. Chance noticed the performance’s significance to the NYU crowd. “Y’all are here because you go to NYU,” he said. “So when I say NYU,
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
The show, presented by NYU’s Student Senator Council, marked the second day of Violet 100: The NYU Spirit Week. I’m talking to you. Let’s have some school pride. I’ve never played NYU before, but I’m excited to see what you guys bring.” Presenting an eclectic setlist, Chance performed a range of older tracks to newer ones, including “Juice,” “That’s Love,” “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” “Everything’s Good” and
Freshman starts own record label By MICHAEL WALLER Staff Writer
Ben Locke, a freshman in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development’s Music Business program, started the record label Invertebrate in 2014. In less than a year, Locke has rounded up a solid group of musicians and has set up shows for them, building an impressive catalogue that ranges from indie rock to electronic artists. Invertebrate will hold a “Fun in the Sun Showcase” at MuchMores on March 5. WSN spoke with Locke to talk about how Invertebrate got its start and his plans for the label’s future. WSN: Invertebrate Music could be summed up as a DIY effort. What inspired you to start the label and feel confident about running it yourself? BL: I worked as a talent buyer at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, so I got used to the scene. I came here and was still doing a little booking when I met Noah Davies, the singer of Field Trip. We started talking and I was blown away. You hear about all of these stories where people have these a-ha moments, and I knew that with Noah I had found some really unique sounds. It started as
publicity — I would book these shows with well-known artists through my connections and put on Invertebrate artists to support. I would try and come toward it with a theme or aesthetic because I remember all of these themed parties that kids were going to during Welcome Week. I thought of it as an event more than a concert.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
WSN: Are there any Invertebrate releases in the near future? BL: Field Trip are slated to release their new EP in late March. We’re currently working on a press campaign for their latest single, “Song for California.” Another act, Suicide Balloons, who are based at Fordham, are planning to release something in May/June. Mad Animals are planning a release in April. Aside from that, The Moon and the Sledgehammer, which is my friend Mike who is currently at Emerson College, has their album on Bandcamp now. WSN: How do you manage a label while being a full-time student? BL: I send a lot of emails on my phone during class. Luckily, I am in the music business program, so a lot of the stuff I’m learning applies to what I’m doing. I
Invertebrate will host its first showcase on March 5. would like to expand. I’m going to start looking for a social media manager and into building a street team because I think word of mouth, especially at a really tight-knit university, is an important means of exposure.
“Sunday Candy.” Before concluding his set, Chance acknowledged that he would be performing the one track that the audience members were waiting for. “Can this be the one song that I’ve been alluding to all night?” Chance asked. “Can this be the best show I’ve ever been to?”
Chance ended the show with the awaited “Chain Smoker.” His highenergy style, smooth lyric delivery and seamless dance moves never faltered in this intimate, NYU-centric performance. Email Alexa Spieler at aspieler@nyunews.com.
. te p a p -d w a o s t ne w p ur e u N e ay th o r t a S i u w q S n o gt n i h s a W
WSN: Are you looking to become affiliated with any new acts? BL: We only have a roster of three because we have set-instone release schedules. Depending on what the returns of the sales are like for those albums, we could expand to a public distributor and get albums in more places in the city. I’m happy with the way things are. Email Michael Waller at music@nyunews.com.
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FEATURES
Student songs top charts in China While largely unknown to American audiences, the television drama “You Are My Sunshine” has become an overnight success in China, reaching 6 billion views since its premiere in January. The popularity of the program has contributed to the success of Shan Gao, a student in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development Master’s of Music in Songwriting, whose two songs “The Road Not Taken” and “All Stars Are Falling On My Head at the Moment I Meet You” became number one hits in China after being featured on the show. Gao, however, said she started writing what would become hit songs not to become famous, but for more personal reasons. During her junior year of high school, Gao wrote her first song “The Road Not Taken” for a student movie. As a freshmen in college, she wrote “All Stars Are Falling on My Head at the Moment I Meet You” as a birthday gift for a close friend. It was only when Gao’s producer introduced her work to the music director of “You Are My Sunshine” that her songs started attracting attention. Nevertheless, Gao still retains a sense of relatability when she writes her music. “I really enjoy writing songs and creating emotional connection with people through my music,” Gao said.
“I am a very nostalgic person, so I always want to snap those moments that make our life different.” As an independent singer-songwriter, Gao creates music that draws inspiration from indie-folk, jazz, electronic and pop music. Steinhardt graduate student Suri He praises Gao’s songs for their ability to capture her emotions. “Every time I listen to her music, I feel like I am totally falling into it,” He said. “The melody is so unique and the lyric is really saying something to your heart. It is hard to forget once you listen.” Gao’s music career started in high school, when she formed her first band. After high school, she attended Peking University in Beijing, where she studied advertising. Drawing on the knowledge of media and branding she got while studying advertising, Gao has developed a unique perspective on today’s music industry. “The digital media has changed the game entirely,” Gao said. “It is hard to cut through the clutter, but it is also a time that great music wouldn’t be buried. So the key is to create compelling music.” Despite the offers of Chinese record companies who were willing to sign Gao as a contracted singer, she ultimately decided to pursue her passion for music in New York City. Phil Galdston, a faculty member of the Steinhardt film scoring and songwriting program, described Gao as an uncommonly talented songwriter who is musical, innovative and curious.
By ZOE THOMPSON Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY SANG BAE
Shan Gao launched into popularity after two of her songs were featured on a national Chinese TV Drama. “To write lyrics in a language other than your own requires ability much greater than, for example, writing a good essay or technical paper,” Galdston said. “The lyrics not only have to make emotional sense, they have to sing.” Thanks to the abundance of inspiration New York City provides, as well as the songwriting program at NYU, Gao said she is experimenting with new sounds and ideas as she works on her next hit. “I love New York, the music culture here is more open and advanced,” Gao said. “I am currently learning more electronic and R&B, and trying to collaborate with my friends to write new songs. Hopefully, we can have our music show next semester. Email Lingyi Hou at features@nyunews.com.
Dubin’s film career started in dorm By AICHA FALL Contributing Writer
From living in the first official office of Def Jam Records to directing the music video of Beastie Boys’ “(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party),” Tisch alumnus Adam Dubin has experienced an unconventional college career. Dubin graduated from NYU in 1989 with what he deemed to be remarkable memories. The popularity of MTV was growing during the early ’80s in New York City and aided by his education at NYU, Dubin was granted the opportunity to intern for small production companies under the first music television network. “In terms of directing, NYU meant instant respect,” Dubin said. “When I would tell people that I’d gone to NYU there was this aura to it, like ‘Oh, Martin Scorsese went there,’ and everything that precedes it went into the name. At that time, everyone was aware of and conscious of this.” Almost immediately after graduating, Dubin began his most fa-
mous works, which include filming Beastie Boys music videos and Metallica concerts. “The documentaries I did for Metallica, I think, captured one of the most epic bands of all time, and some very important and key times in their long career,” Dubin said. “It’s more mature work. I think it is an important piece of the history of concert filmmaking. I look at it as a tradition of rock ‘n’ roll film-making.” Unlike many college students who decide to move off campus by junior year, Dubin lived in Weinstein Residence Hall for his entire college career. His roommate was record producer Rick Rubin, who founded Def Jam Records during his senior year at NYU and ran the company from the shared dorm room. “The best part of our room being the office of Def Jam was that something always seemed to be happening all the time,” Dubin said. “The worst part was that if you wanted to go to sleep, you weren’t going to go to sleep.” Russell Simmons, Run DMC,
Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J were some of the familiar faces at Weinstein during Rick’s time there. They even attended some of the parties that were thrown in the basement of the dorm. “Back then, ‘flyering’ was social media, so we’d walk through the village and stick fliers on every pole, so everyone in the village knew about the party,” Dubin said. “Rubin would DJ, and because of his involvement in hip-hop, we had major hip-hop names come down to the dorm and get on the [microphones].” This was a time when the drinking age was 18 and Weinstein was the epicenter of the music scene, as well as the birthplace of Def Jam Records. “I feel like I should’ve been filming everything that was going on in that room,” Dubin said. “I wasn’t even taking pictures. Instead it was just happening, we were just living it. It’s all in some of my greatest memories.” Email Aicha Fall at features@nyunews.com.
For Slam! at NYU, the streak continues. On March 29, the club won College Union’s Poetry Slam Invitational 2015 for the third time in four years. NYU’s team of six burgeoning poets, including CAS senior Zev Alexander, attributes the team’s ongoing success to the members’ dogged commitment, integrity and intimate relationships with one another. “This year, the thing that went really well with the team was that we were writing together,” Alexander said. “It was a team effort.” Hosted at Virginia Commonwealth University, CUPSI 2015 fostered a diverse and supportive space for students to share their stories. CAS junior and three-year member Crystal Valentine finds solace in voicing her thoughts in a judgement free environment. “As a woman of color, everything that I do is affected by the politics of this world,” Valentine said. “Performance poetry gave me a voice. In spoken-word communities, I feel more at home and safe.” Alexander has been involved in spoken-word poetry since high school. Unfortunately, confronted by a fear of performing, he considers his stage fright to be a result of his introspective and deeply personal style. “This year, the two individual pieces I brought were very different from each other,” Alexander said. “One was an open letter to my 14-year-old self and my other poem was based on the premise that my apartment is haunted. It talks about mental health and suicide, the people who I’ve lost and could lose.” Tisch sophomore Lydia Bernatovicz, a Slam! member, stressed the importance of believability
within performance poetry. “I talk a lot about my opinions and my feelings about myself, also my relationships with other people and to the world,” Bernatovicz said. “I performed two poems, one was a group piece about our experiences with our mothers and coming to terms with the lies that they told to protect us. I also did an individual piece about my relationship with my mental illness.” CUPSI performances must be under three minutes and are scored from one to 10. Each team member is expected to bring his or her unique style and voice to the stage through a mixture of individual and group performances. Alexander said that this demands a highdegree of communication. “My job is to have a narrative I need to get on stage and condense my entire heart and soul in under three minutes in a way that is accessible, that makes sense, that’s not caught up in too many metaphors but is still creative, pretty and interesting,” Alexander said. This year, the team performed and watched politically themed poems that discussed poignant current events, including gender discrimination and the death of Michael Brown. Tisch sophomore Karina Stow said such works raise the issues of social accountability and experience within society. “There were so many poems about relevant topics that are going on in the United States right now — race, domestic violence, university sexual harassment policies,” Stow said. The poets of NYU’s Slam! Team said they strive to continuously perpetuate the strength of the creative voice in provoking both global change and personal growth. Email Zoe Thompson at features@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM
By LINGYI HOU Contributing Writer
Slam! at NYU continues win streak
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Exhibit goes down ‘Rabbit’ hole By ZANE WARMAN Contributing Writer
A large crowd congregated on Friday outside Gallery Sensei in anticipation of “Helloworld,” the first showcase curated by White Rabbit, an art project founded by Gallatin sophomores Emily Jampel and Sophie Epstein. All of the artists showcased are under 25 years old, and include members from within and beyond the NYU community. Billed as “a collection of work that is both reflective and contemporary,” the mediums range from interactive installation pieces to elaborately designed surreal photography. “All [the artists] show a strong understanding of composition, of light, and they use color really well,” said Bryan Edgington, a mutual friend of Epstein’s. “I would not think this is student art. I’m very impressed.” Jampel and Epstein has worked with more than thirty artists since February 2014 to develop and curate the show. The duo tasked artists with responding to the theme “The Social Construction of Reality,” which was the title of the firstyear seminar where Jampel and Epstein met. “It first started with good friends we knew from school that were interested in these concepts and did work we really admired,” Jampel said. “As more agreed to work on it, they would mention it to people when we would meet artists at different gallery shows, and the web
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Emily Jampel, left, and Sophie Epstein hosted HELLOWORLD, a gallery showcasing the work of artists under 25. Jampel and Epstein will release their book, “White Rabbit,” on Thursday. grew out of that.” Epstein interned under Ryan McGinley, where she met two contributing artists Evan Eisel and So Jin Lee. Jampel and Epstein later received a $3,300 grant from Gallatin to pursue White Rabbit. They immediately got to work, crowdsourcing more than $10,000 to produce a 150-plus page book featuring written work and 3-D renderings of the exhibit’s artwork. The gallery’s theme featured familiar responses to Internet-age
anxieties. With the diverse array of artworks, Epstein said bringing together the diverse piece through a cohesive thematic idea was especially difficult. “We didn’t want [patrons] to notice that they were walking from piece to piece, we wanted it to feel natural,” Epstein said. “Having seen the pieces a thousand times, the hardest part was curating so as to provide a new experience to each visitor that walks in.” Another obstacle was how to visually display the artwork. In the days
leading up to the opening, Jampel and Epstein spent up to 16 hours working at the gallery and perfecting the presentation. “You don’t even think about curating when you go to a gallery; you just think, ‘Oh, this art is really awesome,’ but I had no idea curating was this difficult,” Jampel said. “Even up to the minute before the exhibition started, we were still doing last-minute things.” While many attendees were impressed by the talent of the young artists, Jampel maintained that the
group’s ultimate goal is to generate discussion on “philosophical concepts at work.” “[White Rabbit] is our generation’s artistic commentary on the infinite constraints of our constructed environment,” Jampel said. “It is our attempt to create a space that enables us to reclaim our identity and form of liberation within it.” “Helloworld” will be on display at Gallery Sensei until April 2. Email Zane Warman at features@nyunews.com.
Freshman discusses musical growth By ZOE THOMPSON Contributing Writer
Singer-songwriter Leah Lavigne, a bubbly and ambitious freshman in NYU’s Liberal Studies program, has recently released her second album “Peripeteia.” Classifying her sound as a fusion of acoustic indie pop and adult alternative, Lavigne proves that her young age does not deter her from a budding music career. Lavigne describes the new album as an account of her personal development, including songs she wrote during difficult periods in high school. “Peripeteia is a Greek word and it means a sudden reversal of fortune. The Greeks believed the world was this great unknowable thing and it’s always changing,” she said. “This album is about growth, ups and downs.” Influenced by Ingrid Michaelson, John Mayer and Regina Spe-
ktor, the aspiring solo artist considers her second album to show significant progress when compared to the first. “With my first album, I produced it myself and was only fourteen,” Lavigne said. “My vision was still kind of limited and the studio was a bit overwhelming. Going into this one, I am a lot more comfortable with the studio and different sounds.” So far, Lavigne has received support from a wide variety of people. Detroit radio hosts played Peripeteia’s first track “Easy” a few weeks ago and engaged couples have chosen “Right Next To You” as their wedding song. Lavigne is self-managing her career, so she has been dependent on local shows, open mics and press interviews as ways of getting her name out to a larger audience. “You can find a lot of gig opportunities online, but a lot of infor-
mation is mainly through word of mouth,” Lavigne said. “We live in New York City — there are endless opportunities everywhere. It is just being social and interacting with others.” Lavigne has found the resources offered at NYU to be helpful in the development of her music career. “Luckily, Clive offers a really wellrounded curriculum that helps you not only develop as a musician but as a savvy member of the music industry,” she said. It is clear that Lavigne’s vision for the future holds no limits. “For me, dreaming is the same as growing,” Lavigne said. “You need vision and hope in order to go somewhere.” Leah has recently raised over $2,000 through a crowd fundraising project to film her new music video, which will be released this summer. With her album already available on iTunes, Spotify and
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SHULMAN
Leah Lavigne released her sophomore album “Peripeteia” on Nov. 4. YouTube, Leah is currently working on making it available in independent music stores. Advising other artists who are hoping to get their name out, Lavigne’s resounding message is to have impassioned determination.
“Go for it,” she said. “You can’t sacrifice your dreams to be practical. It is so important to keep dreaming. Just go for it.” Email Zoe Thompson at features@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SPRING 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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DINING
Eat at famous TV, film spots By KENDALL LEVISON Staff Writer
If you have ever walked into a restaurant for the first time and found it strangely familiar, there is likely a good reason — it could have been one of the hundreds of New York City restaurants made famous by movies and television. Here are a few places where you can eat like a star of the big or small screen. Since the HBO show “Girls” claims to portray what it is really like to live in New York in your 20s, it is no surprise that at least one of the main characters works at a coffee shop. But Café Grumpy, where Hannah (Lena Dunham) works as a barista while waiting for her writing career to take off, has more going for it than just hipster cred. Grumpy is a well-respected coffee company in the city, and it roasts its own beans right next door to the cafe’s original location in Greenpoint (193 Meserole Ave.). You do not even have to watch a full episode of the FX show “Louie” to see a scene filmed at Ben’s Pizze-
ria (123 MacDougal St.). The pizza joint, first opened in 1956, appears as part of “Louie’s” opening sequence. Louis C.K. might be enjoying a slice as fuel before performing at a late night comedy club, but Ben’s is also a great place to grab a quick bite between classes. Next time you want your life to be just a little bit more like a Woody Allen movie, have dinner at the East Village institution, Lanza’s (168 First Ave.). The famous scene in “Manhattan Murder Mystery” where Allen’s character, Larry, and his cohorts solve a murder over dinner was filmed at this establishment. The scene shows Allen and company doing more drinking than eating, but you can assume that a dinner of Italian-American classics like spaghetti and meatballs and linguini with clams was essential to cracking the case. “Gossip Girl” might not be on the air anymore, but you can relive Serena and Blair’s glory days with a trip to one of their favorite Upper West Side haunts, The Russian Tea Room (150 W. 57th St.).
STAFF PHOTO BY MATT D. GOLDMAN
Ben’s Pizzeria is featured in “Louie” and is also a popular stop for NYU students. While it might provide the perfect atmosphere for plotting to take down backstabbing socialites, the restaurant has been used in countless other movies and TV shows. A climactic scene from Dustin Hoffman’s 1982 movie “Tootsie” takes place in one of the Tea Room’s famous red booths.
Sophomore finds Instagram fame
By KENDALL LEVISON Staff Writer
Emily Carlo seems to be a typical Steinhardt sophomore, but she has something of a double identity. She is the mind behind the popular Instagram account Miss New Foodie, where her tempting food photos and witty captions have attracted an audience of almost 40,000 followers. Carlo had no plans for Internet fame when she opened the account in the fall of her freshman year. “I literally just started it one day, there’s no special story,” Carlo said. “I don’t remember exactly what triggered it.” At first, her followers were limited to her friends and residents on her floor of Third North Residence Hall, but Carlo’s social media presence expanded quickly. The biggest jump in followers came this summer after the popular website The Infatuation reposted one of Carlo’s photos. “I realized that if you comment on other people’s photos, they’ll look at your account and follow you back” Carlo said. “So I started commenting on random people’s photos, and that’s how I started getting followers.” Many of Carlo’s classmates are unaware of her alter ego, but she
has translated her Instagram expertise into her schoolwork as a media, culture and communication major. “We did a project about audiences in social media, and I did mine on different cultures on Instagram,” Carlo said. “I made my presentation about Miss New Foodie.” Being an Instagram celebrity takes more than just eating great food. Carlo’s own tastes sometimes have to take a backseat in order for her to create the best content. “The other day, I posted eggs for breakfast and then when I went out to lunch, I wanted eggs again,” Carlo said. “But I knew I couldn’t do that, so I got tacos or something.” Carlo usually posts multiple times a day, which mean she is constantly searching for inspiration for the clever captions that go along with her photos. “I’ll sit with my iPod open and listen to song lyrics and try and formulate a caption out of them,” Carlo said. “I also Google jokes about a food, like waffles, and do something around that.” Carlo said everything she eats does not show up on her Instagram feed. As a former nutrition major she does take health into consideration and eats lots of
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Anne Hathaway’s character Andy in “The Devil Wears Prada” might work at a fashion magazine, but she still finds time to eat. Andy and her friends try to meet for drinks at Bubby’s (120 Hudson St.), but they only have time to make fun of her Marc Jacobs purse before she is pulled away by her obliga-
tion to her new life as an assistant. Though no one in the movie stuck around long enough to actually order a slice of Bubby’s famous pie, you can and should — just ignore any phone calls from Meryl Streep. Email Kendall Levison at dining@nyunews.com.
Battle sizzles for NYU dumpling demand By KARI SONDE Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER
Emily Carlo has almost 40,000 followers on her Instagram account. whole grains, fruits and vegetables in addition to the sugar and carbs featured on Miss New Foodie. “People don’t want to watch me eat my healthy food,” Carlo said. “They just want to see the fun stuff.” While Carlo might be known for her food, the fun is really her main focus. “I’m not interested in being a food reviewer,” Carlo said. “I use Instagram more as an entertainment piece. Obviously it’s surrounded by food, but the captions are meant for you to tag your friends and talk about it.” Email Kendall Levison at dining@nyunews.com.
For anyone with an empty pocket and an equally empty stomach, dumplings are an easy fix. While New York offers an abundance of places to buy dumplings, two spots have become favorites. Vanessa’s Dumpling House, having locations near Union Square, in Chinatown and in Williamsburg, is easily accessible. Upon walking inside the various locations, customers are greeted with a completely open kitchen where they can watch their dumplings be scooped out of huge pans into takeout boxes. While there is seating available inside, takeout is the best way to go, as seating is minimal. At Vanessa’s, price depends on the location. The pork and chive dumplings in Chinatown are four for $1, whereas the same pork and chive dumplings at Union Square are four for $1.59. Regardless of the price, the pork and chive dumplings are delicious, as are the popular shrimp dumplings ($5.39 for eight). Vanessa’s delivers through both Seamless and delivery.com. Prosperity Dumpling has both of its locations in Chinatown. The original shop on Eldridge Street — close to the original Vanessa’s — is a tiny hole-inthe-wall with a long, open kitchen and approximately 10 square feet of space to stand in. A trip to Prosperity offers a unique dining experience. As you stand among the few people who are able to cram themselves inside the shop to eat, it does not take long to browse
the fairly limited menu. Prosperity offers pork and chive dumplings that are four for $1. An order of boiled vegetable dumplings run just $3 for eight. Unlike Vanessa’s, Prosperity does not deliver, but they do takeout. SPS junior Emily Zerella said she prefers Prosperity because of what she has heard about Vanessa’s. “I’ve avoided Vanessa’s because I heard they’re very doughy,” Zerella said. “The ones at Prosperity aren’t like that. They’re not the most amazing, mind-blowing dumplings you’ve ever had, but they do seem to be better than the doughy, dry ones I’ve heard about at Vanessa’s.” Because of Prosperity Dumpling’s location in Chinatown, its much smaller menu and the lack of delivery, Vanessa’s is much more accessible to NYU students. Vanessa’s extensive menu also offers many non-dumpling options. Vanessa’s is slightly more expensive, but insignificantly so. Gallatin sophomore Luke Lindenbusch said Prosperity Dumplings are still worth venturing downtown for. “Vanessa’s numbers among the great cheap eats on 14th,” Lindenbusch said. “But four pearls of unparalleled fried pork and chive delight for a dollar? That requires a trip to Chinatown. Prosperity takes the cake.” In the end, it is up to the customer to choose a favorite, and there will never be complete consensus about which of the two restaurants is the better place to go for dumplings. Kari Sonde at dining@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SPRING 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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BEAUTY & STYLE
Furs, pastels on runway during New York Fashion Week By GRACE HALIO Contributing Writer
Guests of New York Fashion Week shows were swept away by ’70s vibes, piecey low ponytails and fresh faces for the upcoming Fall/Winter 2015 season — a continuation of trends seen in many Spring/Summer 2015 collections. Killer stiletto boots, plaid, feathers and furs dominated the runways. Shows across fashion week exemplified the ’70s vibe with wide leg trousers, sheer sleeves and bumpedup ponytails. Christian Siriano showcased ’70s silhouettes in iconic gold, while Altuzarra showed 70s inspired work wear. Hairstyles from the same bright decade also dominated the runways. Pamela Rolland featured high, flippy ponytails; Karen Walker showcased natural, flowy looks; and Ohne Titel chose super straight, modern hair. Carmen Marc Valvo’s collection was a notable one, showing fashionistas how to pull off plaid in a sophisticated way. His looks featured
simple black and red combos with flirty skirts that offset the harsh lines of the pattern. Paired with a crisp white oxford shirt, the classic outfits got an updated twist. Because of the classic silhouettes, these looks could easily be replicated on a budget using button-downs, circle skirts and plaid accessories. Fur is another failsafe staple for the upcoming season. A jacket, vest or scarf is worth the investment. Though Michael Kors has always incorporated fur into his looks, his new collection used furs to accent chunky knits and menswearinspired looks. Luxurious coats and vests both brought polish to an outfit. A less costly and less bulky option is to invest in a fur scarf, which is a perfect addition to a knit dress, tights and boots. Faux fur is another great option. Carmen Marc Valvo and Christian Siriano featured furs in their collections as well, with the latter showing camel fur and more bold animal-printed furs. Helen Yarmak, a designer who specializes in furs, showed a collection full of cozy
pieces that could transform from coats to vests, or hooded to not. Pastels — spotted at Helen Yarmak and Lela Rose — made a slightly out of place appearance in the collections, perhaps to remind us in the bitter cold of winter that spring will be shining on the horizon. When used as a pop of color or an interest piece, pastel blue or pink can bring a youthful flair to an outfit. These colors can be easily incorporated into neutral looks through fun accessories. Simple stiletto boots were seen all over the runways. The pointy-toed leather variety work especially well when paired with long coats, skirts or a tailored pant. Pamella Roland paired each look with a pair of suede Manolo Blahnik boots — a classic. Christian Siriano and Michael Costello put feathery looks on display at their shows. Siriano showed black gowns and skirts dotted with hundreds of white feathers that had incredible movement on the runway. The closing look of Pamella Roland’s collection had a
The NYFW FW15 runway shows like the collection featured by Georgine were inspired by looks from the 70s. cropped white overcoat, while Lela Rose’s collection included a breathtaking look consisting of a white feathered top with pink skirt. The feathers used in each collection added a little bit of fun to a cold and dreary season. The trends for the Fall/Winter 2015
season shared some of the inspiration and success of the Spring collections, and the must-have pieces promise a cozy yet bright upcoming Fall season. Grace Halio at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Men’s fashion takes center stage
Bookstore onesie sparks controversy
By VICTOR LEONARD Contributing Writer
By MADISON REIS Contributing Writer
Last Thursday, NYU employee Jason Y. Evans snapped a photo in the NYU Bookstore of an “I hate my thighs” onesie right next to an “I’m super” onesie, for girls and boys respectively. He promptly posted it to Facebook with the caption “I had a very difficult time not raging out about this in the college store. These are onesies…for infants…guess which one is for girls and which one is for boys. THIS is the problem.” Within minutes of the post, the NYU community, including several student and alumni groups, took to social media to express their outrage over the onesies. Steinhardt junior Cassie Wuest tweeted, “why would anyone, let alone NYU, ever think it was okay to sell an ‘I hate my thighs’ onesie aimed at baby girls? I’m actually livid.” Twitter user @LaXicanista said, “I will give you side eye for years if I see you put your baby in a onesie that says, ‘I hate my thighs,’” and user @middleclasstool said, “If you’ve made anything like an ‘I hate my thighs’ onesie for a baby, may I suggest the wintry freshness of confronting your
STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER
COURTESY OF JASON EVANS
The NYU Bookstore is no longer selling the controversial onesies. self-loathing?” Social media users across various platforms repeatedly complained to the bookstore, and in fewer than eight hours, the store had removed the onesie from its shelves. To many, it is shocking that a university bookstore had stocked the item in the first place, especially a university so renowned for its acceptance and diversity. After all, this is the same Wry Baby onesie that made international headlines two weeks ago for body-shaming baby girls. The company responded to that original controversy in a seemingly ignorant way, claiming the onesie is “ironic,” which only further angered body-positive advocates. Evan’s photograph has prompted another round of attention for the already highlycontroversial brand because of the contrast between the girls’
body shaming onesie and the boys’ “I’m super” onesie. Having the two side-by-side only furthered the message that girls, even babies, need to be conscious of their appearance while young boys are being praised. This is a particularly extreme example, but it is clear that body-shaming is starting to become an issue for young girls. It is a positive sign that the NYU community clearly demonstrated their disgust and had the clothes removed from the bookstore, and a good reminder that students have the power to influence aspects of NYU when we see something we do not agree with. Hopefully this will be the last time this particular onesie sees the shelves and also the last time we see our own bookstore exhibit such poor judgement. Email Madison Reis at bstyle@nyunews.com.
The traditional ideas of masculinity and gender in fashion are changing. Menswear has found itself at the forefront of fashion this year, with men’s looks appearing in traditionally feminine labels, and with the long awaited announcement of a menswear only fashion week. With the new emphasis on menswear in fashion, New York has finally adopted a Men’s Fashion Week. A biannual event, New York Fashion Week: Men’s will debut Spring 2016 on July 13 through 16. Held at Skylight Clarkson Square in SoHo, this event will be independent from NYFW. However, the shortness of this event shows that menswear in fashion has not yet garnered too much attention. The bold choices of menswear in high fashion influences how the world perceives notions of masculinity and defines gender roles based upon clothing. This is something that cannot be celebrated during a three-day event. Amid a conventionally feminine fashion scene, menswear has only recently been brought into in the public eye, with new designers, such as Hood By Air, KTZ, and Patrik Ervell, placing a new lens on men’s street style and couture, as well as pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable for men to wear. In their FW15 collection, Hood By Air, a provocative menswear label, featured men in skirts, dresses and
other styles usually seen within the womenswear category. Designers like these challenge societal views on fashion and what defines concepts of menswear and womenswear through an unconventional approach. Womenswear has also incorporated menswear cuts and silhouettes in their designs, with a sharp focus on suiting and structured tops. In the Tokyo Runway Meets New York show, designer Double Standard Clothing #NERO placed emphasis on the power that menswear adapted for women can bring. Models clad in open suit jackets, pantsuits and sharply cut dresses owned the runway, showcasing the influence of menswear on the collection. In the same show, designer MASTERMIND featured a model in a navy double-breasted pinstripe suit and heels, sandwiched between two male looks, suggesting that this woman’s look stands equal with any man’s. High fashion menswear has played an integral role in the alteration of how we view clothing in relation to gender, and this interplay continues to evolve today. Young men are taking more risks in outfit choices, pairing pieces that feature feminine colors and prints with more masculine pieces like blazers and suits. In time, the way we view gender through outer appearance will warp completely. Email Victor Leonard at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SPRING 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION HEALTH
How to stop worrying and love the GMO By TIM BISHOP Contributing Writer A quick Google search of the term “genetically modified organisms” results in websites enumerating their dangers and preaching avoidance. But they fail to link these assertions to any specific research. These sites resemble those that make spurious claims about a link between vaccines and autism, and spread the same type of fanatical, science-phobic attitude that allows preventable diseases like measles to persist and keeps fluoride out of drinking water in Portland. Unfortunately, these sites reflect the views of many regard-
ing GMOs, particularly modified foods. A recent article in National Geographic titled “The War Against Science” addressed individuals’ tendencies to trust instinct and personal anecdotes over scientific arguments, and views toward GMOs are no exception to this trend. Notable detractors of GMOs, like Bill Nye, are starting to change their stance. And now American consumers, rather than farmers, will start to receive the direct benefit of GMOs. The USDA recently announced that they will deregulate the Arctic apple, a fruit that has been modified so that browning doesn’t occur. This form of modification produces no
harmful chemicals, and simply eliminates the protein responsible for the unpleasant discoloring. This innovation will keep apples looking fresh for longer and could cut down food waste. Hopefully, this deregulation will spur GMO projects aimed at improving consumer goods. Unfounded consumer fears hamper the development of a potentially vital technology.
While claims of dangers to consumers have been consistently refuted, there certainly are valid concerns about GMOs. Among the sensible concerns is horizontal gene transfer, a process through which some GMOs may confer their new genes to unwanted recipients. Transferring these resistant genes to pests and weeds would make them more difficult to remove. The introduction of GMOs into the wild may also have impacts on ecosystem dynamics that need to be studied on a case-bycase basis. There are legitimate concerns about GMOs, but consumer safety is not among them. The commercial use of GMOs is on the rise, and new applications
for them are spreading even outside of farms. Researchers have developed mosquitos lacking reproductive viability, reducing wild populations and thwarting the spread of infectious diseases. In the future it is likely that dependence on biotechnology will increase in order to meet the food and fuel demands of a growing population. As such, it is increasingly crucial for young people to gain a better understanding of them. The dialogue about such a divisive topic must remain grounded in science and devoid of misinformation prompted by vague fears of unnaturalness. Email Tim Bishop at opinion@nyunews.com.
ANIMAL WELFARE
By ZAHRA HAQUE Staff Writer Earlier this year, a coyote was found and captured by police on the Upper West Side. Two weeks later, another one was spotted in Stuyvesant Town, where many NYU students live. Coyote sightings in New York City, while somewhat rare, have become more frequent in recent years. Although sightings in the streets of Manhattan tend to garner the most media attention, most of the city’s coyotes reside in parks in the north Bronx and near suburban communities. Ecologists at the City University of New York suggested that the animals migrated from eastern Canada
New Yorkers must adjust to coyotes
via the Adirondack Mountains, making their way south from upstate New York. As their numbers increase, a strategy must be developed to deal with urban coyotes in the context of city life. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation hosted a workshop on Saturday called “Living with Urban Coyotes,” with the goal of educating people about these fascinating creatures and how to coexist with them. More public education like this is necessary if we want to ensure a healthy coexistence with our unlikely neighbors. It is important for people to know what and what not to do upon encountering an urban coyote. Feeding it, for instance,
is a bad idea because it undoes coyotes’, and other animals, natural guardedness towards humans. By associating humans with food, the wild animals become more comfortable in approaching, and possibly hurting, reluctant humans. Residents of New York suburbs that are inhabited by coyotes must understand the proper ways to handle trash, outdoor pets and other things that may attract
coyotes to their backyards. In general, widespread knowledge of coyote etiquette will make coexistence safer for both humans and coyotes. Education can also eliminate fear. Stories of coyotes stalking the streets of Lower Manhattan incite mass hysteria when, in reality, coyotes are relatively harmless creatures. An unprovoked coyote will not go out of its way to attack people. In fact, people are far more likely to be injured by a domestic dog than by a coyote. Chicago’s downtown area is home to thousands of coyotes, which are remarkably adept at avoiding detection and hardly impede upon city life. While the chances of downtown Manhattan becom-
ing a coyote hotspot are slim to none, urban life would likely continue as normal in such a situation, as long as people can govern their gut reactions. The idea of wild animals lurking in a cosmopolitan city may seem terrifying and absurd, but it does not have to be. As urban wildlife proliferates and interactions with humans increase, it is ever more necessary to support the city’s ecological wealth, and the continuation and expansion of workshops is critical. It can demonstrate to city folks that New York’s modern metropolis is not incompatible with the wild. Email Zahra Haque at opinion@nyunews.com.
LABOR
By RICHARD SHU Deputy Copy Chief On a $15 dollar minimum wage, someone working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks per year, would take home only $30,000 per year — $24,716 after taxes. For the vast majority of fast food employees, who are self-subsisting 25- to 54-yearolds, this income is all they have to survive. And this money stretches very thin, especially in New York — $24,716 would not even cover an average year’s rent in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, the current New York City minimum wage of $8.75 per hour translates to just $17,500 per year, just barely enough to make
$15 wage necessary for workers
rent in the Bronx and hardly sufficient for human survival, much less supporting a family without public assistance. Blogger Matt Walsh recently wrote a viral piece excoriating the New York fast food protesters for requesting a $15 per hour minimum wage. His argument, and the argument of many other pundits in his camp, is that because such a high wage would outstrip the wages of paramedics, teachers and mechanics, fast food workers should keep quiet and accept their lot. It is not fair, he opines, that fast food workers. with relatively simple tasks, should ask for more than what their hardworking counter-
parts earn. It is true that skilled workers are underpaid, but it is telling that Walsh’s first reaction is to drag fast-food workers down rather than try to lift other workers up. This reasoning represents a closedminded political outlook that pits workers against workers and distracts from the class struggle that wage campaigns
are meant to solve. For Walsh to demonize the working class is rubbing salt into their festering wounds. Conservatives like Walsh are content to invoke the struggles of the working class when it helps to put other working class people down, but never to question the overarching economic phenomena that hurts all workers — fry cooks and mechanics alike. This prescription for poverty is simply to work harder, to put in the extra hours and take that second job in order to move up the proverbial ladder. But the U.S. labor landscape of today is much less forgiving than such an idyllic conception. Class mobility has stagnated to
1970s levels, the middle class is shrinking and income inequality is growing. The reason that fast food employees need the extra income is that, for the foreseeable future, that deadend job is all they have. Until workers are able to square off against their employers and rattle unfair corporate structures through protests, they will not see any progress in their living situations, no matter how hard they toil at the grease traps. Insisting that minimum wage earners buckle down, work harder and shut up helps nobody. Email Richard Shu at opinions@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SPRING 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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OPINION ACADEMICS STAFF EDITORIAL
Core Curriculum tech update needed By TESS WOOSLEY Opinion Editor
With the start of the new semester, many students are looking forward to some of their classes more than others. Attending a liberal arts university such as NYU means completing a wide range of Core Curriculum courses in addition to a chosen major. Since the Core ranges from science to Expressive Cultures, it is unlikely that NYU students are going to feel comfortable in all of their classes. This discomfort is useful — the Core is “designed to give students … the skills and breadth of intellectual perspective to flourish in their major programs of study and in their later careers,” according to the Core College website. Nonetheless, it needs an update in the form of a computer science requirement. Only 19 percent of students have taken a computer course in high school, and even fewer have experience with programming because it is typically not required. In an increasingly tech-centric world, students with no experience who may be intimidated by computer science are left behind. Liberal arts universities have an opportunity to fix this. NYU
in particular has a reason to since the Core requirements are light on STEM. The program requires only a year of natural science and a semester of mathematics. In contrast, it requires two years of both contemporary culture and foreign language, and allows far more AP credit exemptions for science and math than any other subject. A computer requirement has the potential to spark interest in undecided students lacking computer experience, or to give students the confidence to creatively experiment with software design. If a new Core category were created, it could involve several types of interdisciplinary computer courses — anything from statistical analysis to building apps and web pages. For instance, Wheaton College offers a class called “Computing for Poets” that incorporates J.R.R. Tolkien and Anglo-Saxon
literature into computational analysis. The Core at NYU already consolidates multiple fields into one requirement; there is a wide range within the Cultural Foundation courses and specified Expository Writing groups. The same principles must be applied to computer science at NYU. There can be no doubt that basic software knowledge is becoming more important in many jobs, and even one semester provides valuable analytical skills that can be applied in other fields. President Barack Obama’s Jan. 8 proposal for free community college will only cover certificates or degrees in high-demand areas. If passed, it will create an increase in the number of graduates with these degrees, which will likely include computer science. In addition, issues like net neutrality, cybersecurity and Internet surveillance have become a critical yet little understood part of the political discourse. NYU needs to anticipate the skills its graduates will need, and should become one of the first universities to require a semester of computer science. Email Tess Woosley at twoosley@nyunews.com.
PRIVACY
Users must be wary of webcam snooping By TOMMY COLLISON Deputy Opinion Editor
With improving technology comes many benefits, but also more ways to do harm. One evening this semester, I was in a cafe when the woman at the next table asked if I would watch her belongings while she went to the bathroom. I agreed and glanced over, noticing that her MacBook’s green webcam light was on. When she came back, I asked if she was on Skype. “No, it’s been on all the time for the last few weeks. I’m sure it’s nothing, but I hope nobody’s watching,” she said with a nervous laugh. In reality, it is almost certain that someone was watching that woman through her webcam, and chances are, it was the last person to service her laptop. It might sound paranoid, but there is definitely a precedent — a California-based computer technician was arrested in 2011 for installing peeping-tom software on the laptops women asked him to repair. According to the Huffington Post, one of the bogus error messages that would reportedly show on-screen encouraged users to “fix their internal sensor” by “putting your laptop near hot steam
SUBMITTING TO
for several minutes,” prompting some female users to bring their open laptop into the bathroom with them when they showered. It is incredibly easy to remotely activate someone’s webcam. The fear that someone is watching you through your laptop camera is sometimes dismissed as paranoia, but stories of remote spying are becoming more common each year. While paranoia is by definition irrational, healthy concern is not, and taking small steps to thwart a jealous ex or creepy IT guy is something everyone should do. A cheap, low-tech solution is to cover the webcam with a small sticker when not in use, which can be temporarily removed for video chatting. Wired Magazine reported that the FBI had opened an investigation into Lower Merion School District
in Philadelphia, which had remotely activated the webcams on schoolissued laptops, snapping pictures of students as they slept or were, according to a civil action, “partially undressed.” That the software could track students’ web habits and emails is worrying enough — the idea that these laptops were AV surveillance devices is doubly chilling. The laptops came with software allowing them to be remotely controlled, ostensibly to help in the recovery effort if they were stolen. Depending on the exact nature of the data collection and the pictures in question, the school district could have run afoul of child pornography laws. The case ended with a $610,000 settlement, but the capabilities of stalkers and other hackers to surreptitiously access other computers have only improved since then. It is a low-tech solution, but given that this problem has occurred at least a half-dozen times in the last few years, covering your computer’s webcam is a simple precaution to take. Email Tommy Collison at tcollison@nyunews.com.
NYU fundraising, spending choices ridiculous
NYU’s paltry approach to financial aid is no secret: only 3 percent of students have their full financial needs met and graduates have student debt over $5,000 higher than the national average. While the administration should be rightfully proud that record numbers of students apply each year, more must be done to ensure that all students can afford to come here and graduate without a financial anvil around their necks. Last October, NYU President John Sexton emailed the Class of 2015 and encouraged them to contribute to the 1831 Fund, an initiative to “create scholarships for students, by students.” Given that NYU students consistently graduate with a large amount of debt, it is unreasonable to ask seniors who have not yet graduated to donate. NYU must meet the needs of existing and incoming students before all other endeavors, including and especially continuing its wild expansion. Under the 1831 Fund, seniors are encouraged to give a donation of $18.31 or more. On their website, the Fund gives reasons why seniors should donate even if they did not receive financial aid as an incoming freshman. “It kind of makes you a hero,” begins one answer. Given that so many NYU students struggle to make ends meet, this comment — and this entire campaign — comes across as tone-deaf and oblivious to students’ financial realities. Despite having a significantly smaller endowment than universities like Columbia or Harvard, NYU’s stands at $3.5 billion. The 2031 expansion plan has been estimated to cost $6 billion, one of the many reasons it has been so vehemently opposed within the NYU community. This type of financial mismanagement can also be seen in the university’s allocation of loans to administrators. The New York University School of Law Foundation gave Sexton a $1 million loan, which he used to purchase a beach house on Fire Island. This use of the university’s funds is unbelievably inappropriate. It is unsurprising that Sexton is appealing to this year’s graduating class — NYU consistently ranks highly on lists of schools with the wealthiest alumni pool. The NYU Medical Center on First Avenue was renamed NYU Langone Center in 2008 after a second $100 million donation from Kenneth Langone, cofounder of Home Depot. Sexton would do well to tap into these sorts of resources rather than treating existing students as profit centers. NYU is one of the most expensive private universities in the nation. In 2012, it had a tuition net price of $37,656 per year, well over the national average of $20,247. It is inexcusable for NYU to solicit donations from its students while simultaneously charging them exorbitantly high tuition costs.
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
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SPRING 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
Softball captain discusses motivation
STAFF PHOTO BY RACHEL KAPLAN
Kahala Bonsignore By KATHRYN JONES Contributing Writer Softball captain and Gallatin junior Kahala Bonsignore does not need a Buzzfeed quiz to tell her she most resembles Monica Geller from
Friends. Bonsignore admitted to relating to Monica’s obsession with perfection — the quality that nearly convinced her to end her softball career. But with the help of her coaches, Bonsignore rediscovered her passion for softball and learned to let go on the field. “That’s something I’m actually working on, and it’s something that I believe in — that you should let go of those little things,” Bonsignore said. “But they definitely get to me in my daily life.” Bonsignore grew up in Ventura, California, where watching her brother’s Little League games introduced her to the sport. At five years old, she stepped onto the field herself. Bonsignore advanced to softball and played every season of her local Tri-Valley League until her
early teens. In addition, she played with travel leagues from age 11 to 16 and with school teams from eighth grade to senior year of high school. In her freshman year of high school, she was named local Rookie of the Year. However, Bonsignore questioned whether she should keep playing softball because of constant overthinking during games. Encouragement from others kept a mitt in her hand. Monte Monfore, the father of her brother’s teammate and later her Tri-Valley coach, always brought a bucket of baseballs to the boys’ games for her to practice pitching — as well as Bubblicious gum and a sarcastic humor similar to Bonsignore’s. “[He] was one of the kindest and gentlest of ‘giants’ a person could
Violets goalie recovering from surgery By BOBBY WAGNER Sports Editor The NYU hockey team has faced a lot more than hard-hitting defenseman and stout goaltending this season. Heading into their winter break riding a four game winning streak, the Violets got some news that shook up their season. Their starting goalkeeper, junior Sam Daley, had a brain tumor that required emergency surgery to remove. The news hit hard and it hit quick, assistant coach Dan Fortunato said. “Sam had been playing very well all season,” Fortunato said. “He hadn’t complained once about anything unusual.” Because the news came while many team members were home on their winter breaks, the team had to come together in ways previously unimaginable. Head coach Chris Cosentino informed the team immediately. “When Sam told me the news he was so confident that he was going to get through it,” Cosentino said. “Here’s a young man going down a dark, unknown road and he did it with an incredible amount of courage. Sam’s confidence in our conversation helped me address the team.” Fellow goalkeeper and freshman Jack Nebe spent a lot of time around Sam during practice, competing with him in drills and learning from him any way he could. “Sam is one of the core members of the team,” Nebe said, “Hearing about what he was going through was a big shock to us all, not only because of the magnitude of what he was facing but also because of how sudden it had come about. It was a scary time for us as a team and knowing that Sam was having to battle through it alone was tough to deal with.” Daley’s family kept the coaching staff up to date on Daley’s condition while the rest of the team was on pins and needles in hopes for a speedy recovery. Daley, a biology major in the College of Arts and Science who is studying to become a dentist, had a successful surgery to remove a benign tumor. His resilience in the face
of such terrifying adversity has truly inspired the team and the NYU hockey community. In light of the news breaking, over $1,500 has been raised online to help Daley’s family pay for the medical costs. Additionally, several veterans of the team have reached out to this year’s current roster and Daley himself to offer their support. The community has gotten the word out on Twitter, using the hashtag #DaleyStrong, and it has gone viral since. ESPN and Fox News featured his story, as well. The team also reached out to Daley by video. Manager Brendan Gutenschwager edited together a string of well wishes from the guys on the team. Daley was able to view it just before his surgery. The outpouring of support from everyone, including opposing teams and fans, has been remarkable. “It has been incredible and inspiring to watch the way other fans and the whole hockey community has come together,” Fortunato told WSN. The story has even garnered attention from the National Hockey League, from whom Daley received a care package. On Twitter, the New York Rangers sent their best wishes, as did Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick. Doctors are optimistic that Daley will recover ahead of schedule and be able to return to the team by playoff time. Fans, friends and family are overjoyed to hear he’s going to be okay, hockey or not. “Even though his locker is empty at the moment, Sam is still very much a driving force in our team and will continue to be,” Nebe said. “We say it all the time,” Cosentino said. “The values we learn from being a part of a team will carry over to real life situations and how you deal with adversity.” After all they’ve been through, the team will come together again this Friday, Jan. 30, when they square off against rival William Paterson at the Sky Rink in Chelsea Piers. Email Bobby Wagner at bwagner@nyunews.com.
ever meet,” Bonsignore said. “To this day, I remember and value all the time and energy he sacrificed into my own love for the sport.” Bonsignore said her biggest influence as a player was her high school coach Peter Ackerman. After she quit travel softball as a teen, Bonsignore no longer planned to play in college, and saw no point to continue playing in high school. Ackerman’s lessons on player mentality taught her how much team chemistry affects the game. Bonsignore was content with the way her softball career had ended in high school. She avoided club softball in her first two years at NYU, but her father insisted that she pick up the sport again, sending her an article about the
team’s promotion to varsity for her junior year. Bonsignore hesitated in emailing the varsity staff and initially went after the club team, thinking her gap in playing hindered her from being able to play varsity. She gained enough confidence to press send and follow up. Months into her first season at NYU, the University Athletic Association awarded Bonsignore a spot on the All-Tournament Team on March 23. “For me, humor is my icebreaker,” Bonsignore said. “I try to keep a light attitude on the field. The game is really about fun, and of course we want to win. But you can’t win if you’re too tense.” Email Kathryn Jones at sports@nyunews.com.
Welcome to 2015, Mets fans By MICHAEL THOMPSON Staff Writer
It’s been one Amazin’ April for the New York Mets. For some time now, the Mets have been synonymous with disappointment, frustration and pain. The Citi Field era has not been particularly generous for New York’s second most famous team. Inflated contracts, injuries and blown games are just a few grievances Mets fans have a right to complain about. But even in times of dismay, they have stuck through, and now, maybe, they will see a return on their investment. Coming into the season with rejuvenated postseason aspirations, due in part to the return of ace Matt Harvey and acquisition of leftfielder Michael Cuddyer, the Mets have stormed out of the gate. With a 13-3 record and an ongoing 11 game winning streak, they are currently the best team in baseball. This is not the same Mets team that baffled fans with their underachievement in years past. No, this team has a will to win and is as great as any other team in Major League Baseball. In April alone, the Mets have come from behind to win seven times. The last time the Mets showed this much promise early in the season was their dream season — 1986. The Mets have been tested with injuries early on, and so far have bent, but not broken. In a game against the Marlins, captain David Wright went down with a pulled hamstring, putting him on the 15-day DL. They inserted Eric Campbell, a Triple-A call-up with loads of potential, and won. Days later, catcher Travis d’Arnaud, who was leading thew team in RBIs, was struck in the hand by a pitch that put him out of action for three weeks. They inserted Kevin Plawecki, a 24-year-old future major leaguer who got the call earlier than expected. Plawecki took the red-eye to New York from Las Vegas and quickly made his mark in the majors, going 2-4 in his first game, and the Mets won again. The Mets’ never-say-die attitude this season has caught the attention of many, including CAS freshman Kevin Jiang. “As someone new to the city, it was great to see the sports fans get excited about something,” Jiang said. “The Yankees, Knicks, Giants and Jets have been let-downs recently, but the Mets have something good going on.” At a time when the prospect of an Islanders-
Rangers series should be getting the most attention, the Mets have turned the spotlight to Flushing, where they play their home games. Of course, the Mets will eventually lose and cool down — all teams do. They are a team that, even during this impressive run, has its flaws. Starting second baseman Daniel Murphy is still struggling at the plate, and while Curtis Granderson’s on-base percentage is productive, he will need to do more with the bat as the season progresses. But for fans, there is no need to be pessimistic — we have had years to do that. It is time for the Mets to focus on the positives. Their pitching, which was predicted as their centerpiece before the season even started, has lived up to its billing. Harvey has battled through sickness and a sprained ankle on his way to a handful of quality outings, while Jacob Degrom has shown no signs of a sophomore slump. Lucas Duda, after a breakout 30-homerun year last season, is quickly becoming one of the best first basemen in baseball, offensively and defensively. Juan Lagares continues to dazzle in the outfield, and Wilmer Flores’ bat is just beginning to come alive. David Wright will be back soon, and d’Arnaud’s hand appears to be on the mend. Lefty specialist Jerry Blevins, who broke his forearm in the same inning as d’Arnaud’s injury, will likely resume baseball activities in six weeks, and closer Jenrry Mejia will be back for the second half of the season after serving his 80-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs. Thankfully, Jeurys Familia has filled in well in Mejia’s absence, recording a league-leading eight saves in the Mets’ first 16 games. There is a long season ahead for every team, not just the Mets. Games will be won and lost, and the variability that makes baseball so intriguing will surely affect the Mets. But early signs point to a change of culture in Queens, and perhaps finally a winning attitude. The true test begins Friday, when the Mets travel to the Bronx to play their cross-town rival the New York Yankees. It is the first Subway Series of the year, but more importantly the first chance for the Mets to show that the beginning of their season is not a fluke by asserting their role as the best team in New York. For once, I am confident they can actually do it. Email Michael Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SPRING 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
21
SPORTS
Sexton talks NYU baseball revival
By BOBBY WAGNER Sports Editor
NYU President John Sexton’s relationship with baseball is deeply rooted in his childhood in Brooklyn. It is appropriate, then, that things came full circle when he threw out the first pitch for NYU baseball at MCU Park. Decked out in purple and white, he stared down NYU head coach Doug Kimbler as Sexton prepared to throw out the first pitch of their home opener against Brandeis University. He wound up and tossed what, with the help of a frame job from Kimbler, could be called a strike by some generous umpires. Sexton grew up playing and watching baseball with his father. By chance, his father became friends with legendary Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, who made history when he signed Jackie Robinson, the first black major leaguer in 1947. Sexton said it was this that sparked his lifelong love of baseball, culminating in his most recent book and NYU course, “Baseball As A Road to God.” “You can imagine what it’s like to be eight, nine, 10 or 11 years old and have Jackie Robinson at your dinner table,” Sexton said. “He’s my hero.” Being close to this pivotal moment
in sports history piqued Sexton’s interest, but it was the impact it had on his relationship with his father that kept him coming back to America’s pastime. “Every morning before I went to serve 6:30 mass, my dad would wake me up at 5:30 and he would have the newspapers from the night before, and we would go through the box scores,” Sexton said. “It’s a fatherson thing.” In 1969, when Sexton’s son was born, he had the chance to pass down what he had grown to love. He then converted from a Dodgers fan to a hometown Yankees fan. “I knew, more important than the religion I gave him, would be the teams in which he rooted for,” Sexton said. “He was baptized and later bar mitzvahed, but he’s still a Yankees fan.” Sexton’s interest in baseball played some role in bringing the program back to the school, but the real driving force behind the reemergence of Violet baseball was the opportunity to officially merge with NYU Poly and get engineering back at the school. Since coming back, the baseball team has struggled, as would be expected for an inaugural season, getting off to a 7-14 start. Coach Kimbler, who was the coach
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
NYU President John Sexton holds the game ball of the baseball team’s last club game. at Poly last year, took the reins this year for the Violets’ many new players. The team is stocked with 22 freshman whom Kimbler recruited to be part of this year’s team of pioneers. “It was an honor for me, truly an honor,” Kimbler said. “He told me he was so thankful to have me as the NYU coach and that he was proud of me.”
But it wasn’t just Kimbler who was thrilled to have Sexton throw out the first pitch. After Sexton left the mound, he turned around to see the NYU players lined up to get one of his trademark hugs. “I think they were very excited,” Kimbler said. “I think after opening day they are now probably thinking about what really goes into starting a varsity baseball program at NYU.”
With baseball back at the university and a team full of young guns looking to bring fireworks to Coney Island, the Violets have the chance to build a one-of-a-kind program that can have an impact both on and off the field. Sexton, though, is just glad to be back around the game he loves. Email Bobby Wagner at bwagner@nyunews.com.
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