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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 5

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014

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Study finds few jobs for young nurses According to the research, recent graduates have had difficulty obtaining full-time employment. NURSES on PG. 3

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NYPD cracks down on jaywalking following Mayor Bill de Blasio’s changes to traffic policies. Can we detach artists from their body of work? WSN staff members go head to head in this debate, sparked by Dylan Farrow’s explosive open letter accusing Woody Allen of sexual assault. ALLEN on PG. 4

De Blasio’s efforts to curb the practice is part of a plan known as “Vision Zero” and is based on a program implemented in Sweden. The mayor’s goal is to completely eradicate the city of traffic-related injuries and deaths, but some New Yorkers are skeptical of the proposal.

STORY ON PAGE 3

SXSW festival to University grapples with include small screen student safety, wellness By IFE OLUJOBI

Focus must shift to contraception Anti-abortion legislation is less effective in preventing abortion than accessible birth control has proven to be. HOUSE on PG. 7

The South by Southwest media festival released its 2014 lineup on Jan. 30. With its Austin party atmosphere and the diverse array of film screenings, SXSW is always a bit off the beaten track. The event includes new features from established brands, such as the upcoming “Veronica Mars” movie adaptation, and rising names in the world of independent film. One new element that will set the festival even further apart from others is its introduction of the new screening section “Episodic,” which will showcase creative pieces set for smaller

screens, such as webisodes and serialized television. SXSW programmers have previously aired television shows at their annual festival — they premiered the first three episodes of “Girls” in 2012 and the pilot of “Bates Motel” in 2013. The Sundance Film Festival employed a similar tactic by screening the television miniseries “Top of the Lake” at last year’s event in Park City, Utah. However, “Episodic” marks the first time that SXSW, or any film festival, has dedicated an entire section to digital works and television. The

EPISODIC continued on PG. 5

By SCOTT MULLEN

For the university, ensuring the well-being of over 40,000 students is a daunting undertaking. NYU has several safety nets, including a wellness hotline and counseling services. The hotline receives thousands of calls a year, said Zoe Ragouzeos, director of counseling and wellness services at the Student Health Center. The center received 16,000 calls during the 2012-2013 academic year. After the death of LS freshman Titan Lee-Hai at Third Avenue North residence hall on Jan. 27, the university immediately offered counseling services to residents affected by the incident. Students have utilized these resources to mixed results. LS freshman

Daniel Lynne saw a counselor, whom he found helpful but imperfect. “I was impressed by how the counseling services stressed the importance of facing issues by talking through them,” Lynne said. “[But] there should be more emphasis on a more informal approach to the meeting in this particular instance. I felt I needed someone to talk to. I didn’t want to feel like a patient.” LS sophomore Sunwoo Oh uses the counseling services at the Wellness Center, and although she likes her counselor and appreciates the wellness center’s efficiency, she dislikes the limited number of free sessions per year. “It’s inconvenient and actually

SAFETY continued on PG. 3

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S.Jhumki Basu STEME Education and Research Center Opening S.Jhumki Basu STEME Education and Research Center will hold a ribbon-cutting event tomorrow. The cutting is tomorrow from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the fourth floor of the East Building at 239 Greene Street. The event will include demonstrations from faculty and students from STEME fields. NYU President John Sexton, Steinhardt dean Mary Brabeck, dean of engineering K.R. Sreenivasan and others will deliver speeches.

The Default Mode Network in Aesthetics and Creativity

The wheels of a bike stand alone, covered in snow on Fourth Avenue.

The College of Arts and Science and Columbia’s Italian Academy for Advance Studies in America will hold a discussion at 5:30 p.m. in Jurow Lecture Hall. The topic of the symposium is the network of brain regions that creates thoughts during daydreaming.

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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com

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Older nurses favored over recent graduates for employment By CAREN DOUEIRY

Results of a survey distributed among nurses from 34 states indicated that nurses licensed in 2010 or 2011 were less likely to work in a hospital than nurses licensed in 2004 or 2005, according to a press release issued by NYU on Jan. 29. NYU nursing professor Christine Kovner worked with other institutions to conduct the study about job opportunities for licensed nurses in March 2013. According to the study, the only jobs that are available are part-time nursing jobs, which nursing students are not interested in after graduation. Students coming out of nursing school are looking for jobs in magnet hospitals, which only hire a limited number of nursing graduates. The rest of these jobs are filled by nurses that have years of experience. “Those nurses who we thought would retire have not done so (maybe due to poor economy, maybe baby boomers will just retire later than previous gener-

ations),” Kovner said in an email. Nurse Polina Melnikov at St. Luke’s Hospital said experienced nurses stay in the job market because of the poor economy instead of making space for new graduates. Melnikov, who is retiring at the age of 65 in August 2014, will continue to work per diem because of a bad financial situation. Similarly Karen Kipp, who had also worked at St. Luke’s Hospital, retired at the age of 68 in September 2012 but then worked part-time as a per diem until the age of 70. Carol Brewer, the other author of the study and a nursing professor at SUNY-Buffalo, agreed that the current economy played a role in the results of the study. “We are still living in a world where the Great Recession has a huge decrease on health care demand,” Brewer said. Even if this demand for care does increase along with an improving economy, the nursing situation will remain unchanged for the next couple of years, Brewer added. “Typically supply and demand are lagged — it takes the market quite a while to catch up to changes in

demand,” Brewer said. Kovner said young nurses should not be worried because with significant progress in the economy, experienced nurses will retire or will return to working fewer hours, allowing emerging licensed nurses to find the jobs they seek. “I think it means that in the future, nurses will be spending more time in school receiving higher degrees and less time in patient care based settings,” Nursing junior Ally Ruiz said. “The way I view it, the only way we can progress in the nursing profession is to continue our education in school instead of with daily patient interactions.” Nursing sophomore Melanie Streich said she is still optimistic about her future as a nurse. “The number of hospitals is growing vastly in the United States, and I believe that in a few years, there will be many positions open for the newest nursing graduates,” Streich said. Caren Doueiry is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com

FILE PHOTO BY FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN

Four NYU nursing students practice hospital procedures on a mannequin.

SAFETY continued from PG. 1

School-run provisions in place to ensure student safety

FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN

A student utilizes the Wellness Center’s resources. puts me in more anxiety from being separated from a counselor I’ve developed an incredible relationship with,” Oh said. Students are coping with the stress of university life while living in the nation’s largest city and, despite the resources available to members of the NYU community, the university has faced its share of crises. In November 2009, a student committed suicide inside Bobst Library. On Oct. 31 of this past year, a woman entering the Catholic Center was assaulted as she arrived at the building. Last November, LS sophomore Asher Vongtau was trapped between Lafayette residence hall and the neighboring parking garage for 36 hours. Two students — CAS junior Kyle Larson and Tisch junior Sophia Glaser — passed away in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The most recent incident at Third North occurred on the first day of the spring semester. The university continues to take precautions to prevent these tragedies, such as the screens in the atrium in Bobst. Additionally, the windows in residence halls only open a few inches and there is limited access to roofs. However, it remains unclear whether Vongtau or Lee-Hai were able to access the roofs of their residence halls. When these events occur, the university responds to each situation differently. In matters of public safety, NYU urges people to be more aware of any heightened danger. Following the assault at the Catho-

lic Center, Jules Martin, the vice president for Public Safety, sent out a mass email notifying the community about the attack. In cases of death or suicide, the university tailors its response to the specific information about the incident. “Our overarching consideration is the well-being of the community,” NYU spokesman John Beckman said. “Each case is handled individually, taking careful account of the wishes of the family, the circumstances of the death and the need to combat rumors that may arise, among other factors.” The 2009 suicide prompted an email. In the case of Lee-Hai, a mass email was sent, but in the cases of Glaser and Larson, fewer people were notified. However, the NYU Prague community was notified via email when Glaser passed away. While a mass email is not always sent to the community at large, Beckman said the university notifies the people who are closest to the student, including friends, classmates and faculty members. “We make what we believe to be the wisest decision in each case, the one we believe to be in the best overall interests of the welfare of the students and the rest of the NYU community,” he said. Additional reporting by Kavish Harjai and Afeefa Tariq. Scott Mullen is a deputy news editor. Email them at news@nyunews.com.

De Blasio targets jaywalkers to stop traffic injuries By JOHN AMBROSIO

After decades of limited enforcement, the days of a lookthe-other-way attitude toward jaywalking may be over, as the New York Police Department has started ticketing jaywalkers more aggressively. Traditionally, the NYPD has taken a relatively laissez-faire approach toward jaywalking, issuing only 630 jaywalking tickets last year — compared to 19,119 speeding tickets issued in 2012. But New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference on Jan. 15 that his plans to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and serious injuries in 10 years has prompted a marked shift in the NYPD’s policy.

De Blasio’s plan, dubbed “Vision Zero,” launched last month in response to a slew of trafficrelated deaths, which totaled 286 by the end of 2013. Following the example of countries like Sweden and the Netherlands, de Blasio’s plan will redesign areas where accidents regularly occur, implement more 20 mph zones and crack down on drivers that fail to yield to pedestrians. While no provision of his plan explicitly targets jaywalking, de Blasio said local NYPD leadership can enforce laws more stringently at their own discretion. “There is no larger policy in terms of jaywalking, and ticketing and jaywalking,” de Blasio said in a press conference on Jan. 20. “That’s not part of our

plan. But it is something a local precinct commander can act on, if they perceive there to be a real danger.” This precinct-by-precinct decision has activists such as Keegan Stephan, an organizer of the street justice group Right of Way, up in arms. “Some precincts clearly have started to crack down on jaywalking, which pisses me off,” Stephan said. “The purpose of Vision Zero is to stop traffic fatalities and cracking down on jaywalking is ineffective and victim blaming. The vast majority of people being killed have the right of way.” Stephan said that Right of Way supports the official provisions of the plan, which target reck-

less driving. Stephan said one of the areas the NYPD has begun targeting is the intersection of Broadway and 96th Street where 84-year-old Kang Wong walked away bloodied on Jan. 19 after police tried to ticket him for jaywalking. Wong is now suing the police department and the city for $5 million. When asked about the crackdown, LS freshman Keith Bonus said efforts to curb jaywalking seemed futile. “I mean if I saw a cop on a corner, I’d probably be less likely to jaywalk, but I will definitely still do it,” Bonus said. “They can’t put cops everywhere.” CAS junior Bukhtawar Waqas said jaywalking is an essential part of living in New York

City and issuing tickets won’t change that. “It’s second nature,” Waqas said. “I jaywalked at least three times today.” De Blasio said jaywalking was systemic, but told reporters last month that educating the public about the dangers of walking against traffic and enforcing the laws already on the books are just two of many steps needed to curb traffic deaths. “Education’s a part of the solution, more enforcement is a part of the solution, changing the speed limits, obviously the speed cameras,” de Blasio said. “All of this adds up.” John Ambrosio is a contributing writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM

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Debating Allen: Separating art from artist By CLIO MCCONNELL and TATIANA BAEZ

Dylan Farrow recently published an open letter in The New York Times that calls attention to sexual assault allegations she had made against her adoptive father Woody Allen. According to Farrow’s claims, Allen molested her when she was

only 7 years old. Allen, who vehemently denies the accusation, has long sparked controversy when it comes to romantic relationships and the revival of this sordid affair has caused a minor media frenzy. The heated responses from fans and colleagues alike raise the question — can we separate an artist’s lifestyle from his body of work?

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DRAWINGS BY AMY ZHANG

Point: We can separate a corrupt artist from his work Woody Allen is only the latest in a never-ending stream of artists who make questionable choices in their personal lives. I believe that if we were to blacklist every filmmaker, musician and actor who has stepped over the line of legal propriety, hardly anyone would be left in Hollywood’s inner circle. This issue is rife with complication because of the modern access to celebrities’ day-to-day lives. Social media and online journalism prevent stars from escaping the limelight, and this reality is unfair. In my estimation, a true cinephile treats members of Hollywood’s A-list as artists first and humans second. Not to say that fame excuses wrongdoing, but rather we need not condemn a film or an album or a novel simply because its creator has committed an offense. Allen may or may not be a despicable person, but he definitely has made some of the best films released in the past half-century. To retroactively revile “Annie Hall” or “Manhattan” makes no sense. They are still splendid works of entertainment featuring timeless performances and hilarious writing. However much I might disapprove of Allen’s past actions, it does not take away from my enjoyment of his projects. If we are being honest, almost everyone knows that Hollywood is full of adulterers and drug addicts — indeed,

Oscar winner Woody Allen has come under fire for supposed sexual abuse. the whole world is full of such people. Yet some of these wrongdoers are accepted as treasures in the industry. Kenneth Branagh cheated on Emma Thompson with Helena Bonham Carter, but they each have my highest respect and admiration as actors. Both Heath Ledger and Philip Seymour Hoffman likely passed away from overdosing on illegal drugs, and nevertheless their iconic appearances will go down in history as profound feats of acting. Michael Jackson faced a heap of accusations, including sexually abusing children, but he remains lauded as the King of Pop. Art is in some ways a presentation of self — actors find a bit of themselves in their characters, writers put a bit of themselves in their scripts, musicians give a bit of themselves up on stage. Yet, for the most part, art becomes more anonymous than personal by affecting so many people. When we watch Allen on a screen, we laugh at his one-liners and roll our eyes as he encounters various friends and adversaries. He is a character to us, a fun and fictionalized version of himself. We view other celebrities we see on television or read about in tabloids the same way. True, we know more about celebrities’ life-altering mistakes than those of our own acquaintances, but they are far enough removed from us that we can set aside our moral judgment in favor of their entertainment value. Clio McConnell is arts editor. Email her at cmcconnell@nyunews.com.

Counterpoint: We cannot separate a corrupt artist from his work Rightfully hailed as a Hollywood legend, Woody Allen has written, directed and starred in films for over 50 years. The man’s films, from his amateur work to his most recent masterpiece “Blue Jasmine” are all recognized as gifts to the industry for their witty writing and skillful directing. Yet the current controversy surrounding Allen overshadows his societal contributions. Fans are forced to consider the possibility that Allen’s corruption as a man may trump his genius as an artist. Allen is one of many celebrities many who have had disturbing and public pasts. The merits of R. Kelly, a celebrated musician with a smooth voice and catchy lyrics were recently the topic of Internet discussion after Jessica Hopper published a full account of sexual assault allegations against the singer on Sound of the City. According to Hopper’s piece, Kelly has been accused of rape and other sex crimes with underage girls multiple times over the course of several years. He was also married to Aaliyah, who was 15 years old at the time. Although Kelly denies all assault accusations and has never been formally charged, the repugnant details are hard to argue with. Not to mention that listening to lyrics like “Girl, you make me wanna get you pregnant,” becomes unbearable. Celebrities’ unfavorable actions fall all over the spectrum, and it is unfair to group them all into the same category. Issues such as adultery and drug use, while important, cannot be considered on the same level as rape and sexual

assault. The former actions are traditionally frowned upon in society, and celebrities who partake in them face their share of flack from gossip magazines and websites, occasionally enduring worse, or even fatal, consequences. Many stars guilty of the latter also receive criticism in the media, but their crimes are ignored after the initial eruption — news of another movie or song release replaces stories about the alleged sexual assault. It is tempting to separate the likes of Allen and Kelly from their art, to refuse to consider a work in the context of its creator’s sins because of their pure talent. I have tried to justify it to myself on many occasions because both have produced some of my favorite works in their respective fields. However, we are not only dishonest with ourselves when we do that, we are also sending the message that bad behavior will likely be rewarded with more fame and fortune. Every time we pay to see an Allen flick or download a Kelly song, we praise the work, and thus indirectly tell victims that their attackers should not be punished. We are saying that we value art more than we value justice. And, most importantly, we implicitly tell rapists that their crimes are acceptable because they won’t face drastic consequences. By continuing to support wrongdoers’ work, we allow criminals to think their actions are forgiven. Perhaps we, the fans, did forgive them and can now enjoy their work, but there are many victims who still avoid movie theaters and turn off the radio in order to avoid reliving the horror of their forgotten tragedies. Tatiana Baez is an assistant managing editor. Email her at tbaez@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

ARTS

EDITED BY CLIO MCCONNELL ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM EPISODIC continued from PG. 1

South by Southwest film festival gives due respect to quality television

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The cast of “Penny Dreadful” poses in Victorian-era garb. section will premiere the first episode of “Halt and Catch Fire” from AMC, “Silicon Valley” from HBO, “Penny Dreadful” from Showtime, “From Dusk Till Dawn” from El Rey, “Deadbeat” from Hulu and episodes of “Cosmos: A Space Time Odyssey” from Fox. The shows, made up of a mix of original material, documentary and series remakes of films, are all highly anticipated. Yet even more intriguing than their content is what their inclusion in the festival means for both television and film. The platform of television has steadily improved over the last 10 to 15 years, with many critics calling the present a golden age for the industry with the likes of “Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad,” “Boardwalk Empire” and more. These series are some of the best television shows ever produced, and also the most engrossing and well-crafted storytelling across any medium in a long time. While television has always been considered inferior to cinema, this

new development could thoroughly change how the public views television. “Episodic” could lead to more shows debuting at festivals, as well as more exclusive television viewing for the film festival and art-house crowd. Viewers may even begin to see episodes and marathons of television shows in theaters in the near future. As the medium expands to online and other platforms, television shows are taking over today’s entertainment and media culture in a way that can no longer be ignored or dismissed as inferior. These trends signal television’s shift from kitsch entertainment to high art, as SXSW is giving new and exciting material the treatment it deserves alongside innovative storytelling in film. Time will tell if others follow suit. Ife Olujobi is film editor. Email her at iolujobi@nyunews.com.

Cabaret, concerts offer affordable alternatives to Broadway By DYLAN JARRETT

Even with discounted tickets and student rush, shelling out the cash for a Broadway show can be painful. Premium seating can cost upwards of $150 for a top ticket, an unreasonable fee for struggling college students. Luckily, cabaret and concert venues around New York City offer a variety of high-quality alternative performances at a much cheaper price. Lincoln Center’s “American Songbook” series is another option. Focused on creating a close and intimate experience with talented artists from all genres of music, “Songbook” allows performers to sing inspiring songs they love. The series has recruited Broadway stars in the past, such as Tony Award-winners Laura Benanti and Patina Miller. On Feb.

15, Lincoln Center will host Jonathan Groff, star of “Spring Awakening” and “Frozen.” Then, on March 8, they will welcome Broadway veteran Norm Lewis (“Porgy and Bess”). The cabaret venue 54 Below, located in the basement of the former legendary Studio 54, offers a wide range of performances for theater fans. This weekend a ten-year anniversary concert of Boy George’s “Taboo” comes to the venue. This two night-only engagement will benefit Broadway Cares and Equity Fights AIDS and is sure to be an amazing night. Similar to “American Songbook,” 54 Below also hosts a variety of Broadway stars. Actors Andrea McArdle (the original “Annie”), Christopher Sieber (“Shrek”) and Annaleigh Ashford (“Kinky Boots”) will perform musical sets this February.

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Lincoln Center is home to “American Songbook.”

McArdle’s show will run Feb. 10 to 15, Sieber’s show will be Feb. 11 and Ashford, who has already played one show at 54 Below, will perform again on Feb. 15. On Feb. 13, 54 Below will host the NYU N’Harmonics. One of the university’s many a cappella clubs, they will perform a Valentine’s Day-themed concert. The classic musical theater enthusiast can look forward to the concert on Feb. 16 titled “The Sound of Their Music: Rodgers and Hammerstein at 54 Below.” This celebration of the famous duo’s music will feature performers Sierra Boggess, Christine Andreas and Patricia Racette. Joe’s Pub, a branch of the Public Theater that focuses on upand-coming artists, is another excellent venue. On Feb. 24, BroadwayWorld.com will continue its concert series at Joe’s Pub with a tribute to composer Damon Intrabartolo (“bare”), who passed away last summer. Performers will include Megan Hilty (“Smash”). Broadway talent performs all over New York City, not just between 42nd and 50th. Students looking for a wonderful performance that doesn’t require a small trust fund to afford should be sure to check out one of these concert venues and keep their eyes peeled for more opportunities around the city. Dylan Jarrett is books/theater editor. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.

Conan Doyle’s detective welcomed on the small screen By NIVEA SERRAO

Sherlock Holmes is no stranger to screen-time. Currently the world record holder for most adapted character, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective has been translated into radio plays, films and televi-

sion shows, including two that are currently on the air. While literary adaptations like “Harry Potter” tangle with how to preserve the accuracy of their texts, bringing Holmes to life brings up a second issue: how to find new ways to adapt such a beloved character.

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Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Holmes in BBC’s “Sherlock.”

In terms of modern revamping tendencies, both BBC’s “Sherlock” and CBS’s “Elementary” chose to reassign their brilliant sleuths to cases in modern times. This shift works on many levels. Changing the setting from Victorian England means that only the characters and, more importantly, their relationships to one another, remain constant. Holmes and Watson’s friendship remains at the heart of the stories, Watson serving as the reader’s window into Holmes’ life. But while the good doctor has always acted as a narrator for their adventures in the books, the power of video transforms this one-sided relationship and gives Watson more responsibility than just chronicling the duo’s adventures. Instead, he becomes an important part of solving them. But revitalizing the character can be done in other ways as well. “Elementary” writers chose to cast Lucy Liu as Watson. Despite the initial uproar among

Holmes fans, actress Liu has grown into her role, turning Joan Watson from a glorified babysitter for an unstable Holmes into a sleuth-in-training, adding a teacher-student aspect to the partnership. “Sherlock,” on the other hand, does not attempt to reinvent the wheel. After all, the HolmesWatson dynamic contributes greatly to the popularity of the series. Instead, co-creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat reached for an aspect of the Holmes canon that is usually left alone: his cases. While most adaptations simply translate Holmes’ cases for the screen, Gatiss and Moffat try to rethink the different facets of each mystery, allowing them to twist and spin devoted fans’ expectations. This approach remains faithful to Conan Doyle’s stories while showing off an intriguing new angle. Part of the success of this strategy is that “Sherlock” only generates three episodes per

series. In comparison, “Elementary,” with its 24-episode season, creates a case per week, thus turning it into a procedural. Audiences seem to like both tactics, as each show consistently draws audiences in the millions. Thanks to these television adaptations, many viewers are much more familiar with the shows than the literary material on which they are based. The same can be said for “Game of Thrones,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “Pretty Little Liars,” all of which are immensely popular book-to-screen adaptations. In some cases, the shows even offer improvements on their original sources. Though fans of literature are often disappointed by film adaptations, it appears television proves a much more satisfactory medium, especially when the adapted character is Sherlock Holmes. Nivea Serrao is a staff writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.

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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Frank’s partner in the funnies 7 Old ___ (London theater) 10 À la mode 14 Asian entertainer 15 Have a mortgage, say 16 ___ O’Neill 17 Tree with extralarge acorns 18 ___ Cob, Conn. 19 NASA component: Abbr. 20 Card holder: Abbr. 21 Eponymous sitcom star of the 2000s 23 After-dinner wine 25 Narrow inlet 26 Model Porizkova 28 Dine 29 Ad nauseam 31 Far sides of ranges 33 ___ King Cole

34 Actor McKellen and others 36 Hawaiian singer with many 1960s’70s TV guest appearances 37 New Year’s greeting 40 Spelunker 43 Sleek swimmers 44 N.Y.C. line 47 Teresa Heinz or Christina Onassis 49 Spartan 52 Roth ___ 53 People of Rwanda and Burundi 55 K.G.B. rival 56 2000s TV drama set in the 1960s 58 Smile 59 Like some sale goods: Abbr. 60 Tailor’s case 61 The White Stripes or OutKast

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10 16

No. 0101

1 First king of the English

DOWN

8 ___ Jima

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A L L S

63 Declutter

Edited by Will Shortz

PUZZLE BY PETER A. COLLINS

35 Bill ___, the Science Guy

42 Span across a gorge, say

54 W.W. II menace

38 “___ there yet?”

45 Soloist’s performance

57 Love from the Beach Boys?

39 Classic Stephen Foster song

46 Persian Wars vessel

40 Fire-breathing creature of myth

48 Bit of beachwear

41 Faucet attachment

50 San ___, Calif. 51 Took home

62 Instrument for 36-Across, informally 64 “Life of Pi” director Lee

For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday 24 Achieved through crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. difficulty AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. 27 1971 #1 hit for Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past Carole King puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). 30 Alternative Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords. 32 “Try!”

22 Capital spanning the Danube

NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

EDUCATION

Tenure should not protect bad teachers By BRITTANY SHERMAN

Students have the right to challenge the obstinate tenure laws of their respective states that keep unqualified teachers in the public school systems. This is exactly what some students are doing in the state of California with the backing of telecommunications entrepreneur David Welch and his nonprofit organization Students Matter. Last week, a group of students appeared in the Superior Court in Los Angeles to hear the case brought against the state of California regarding the state’s tenure laws for kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers. With the lawsuit Vergara v. California, the group is challenging rules that give permanent employment status to teachers after only 18 months of employment. The policy demonstrates how long and costly the process is to dismiss a teacher, particularly in a seniority-based system that relieves new teachers before older teachers when layoffs occur. Behind these stringent rules are powerful teachers’ unions who defend the safeguards as a way to protect current teachers and attract new ones.

There is no adequate excuse for keeping ineffective teachers in the school system. John Deasy, the superintendent of Los Angeles Unified School District, made the poignant point that the rules and regulations in California bar students from learning from the teachers they deserve. As such, these teachers must be let go. This past week’s trial marks a definite move in the right direction. Many other states have already taken concrete steps to change their education laws. Five years ago, states were prohibited from using student performance when evaluating teachers, whereas school districts in 29 states now use poor effectiveness as a criterion for dismissing a teacher. If the trial against California is successful, the state should consider standards of poor effectiveness when deciding whether to dismiss teachers.

While student performance is certainly an important consideration for school districts, there are many ways to assess whether a student does well in school. The abilities of the teacher are one among many. A victory for the students and Students Matter could have far-reaching consequences not only for high school students, but also for university students. Although regulations are different for college professors, a successful verdict could certainly shift the discourse on the nature of tenure rules for both secondarylevel teachers and university-level professors. The implications would extend to students of all ages and could prompt more effective teachers across the board. If Students Matter wins the trial, it would be smart to consider the evaluation options hinging on poor effectiveness and on behalf of their teachers. Such a criterion, even if insufficient on its own, may well give California students the caliber of teachers they require and subsequently deserve. Brittany Sherman is a contributing columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.

MEDIA

Media improperly reports on suicide By MAX CHIS

Last week, The Daily Mail reported that a young NYU student had “jumped naked 15 stories to his death from [his] dorm while high on drugs.” On the same day, Metro reported that an “NYU freshman dies after apparent suicide leap.” These headlines may at first appear to be commonplace, but in reality they are grossly inappropriate descriptions of what they assumed to be suicide. In dramatizing tragic events, media outlets not only show disrespect to the families of the deceased, but also negatively influence others. The media have a responsibility to address suicide, apparent or otherwise, in a sensitive and non-sensational manner. Ultimately, a suicide was never confirmed in the case of Titan Lee-Hai, but the way the media spoke about his tragic death had a harmful effect. Studies have shown that certain methods that the media use to portray suicides affect suicidal behavior itself. Keith Hawton and Kathryn Williams wrote in the British Medical Journal that “the impact of the

SUBMITTING TO

media on suicidal behavior seems to be most likely when a method of suicide is specified.” Both The Daily Mail and Metro expressly specified the process by which Titan Lee-Hai died. Moreover, as Hawton and Williams assert, “younger people seem to be most vulnerable to the influence of the media.” Given the large audience of these two publications and their exposure, clearly they acted irresponsibly in their coverage of last week’s event. To ameliorate any potentially damaging influence, media outlets must take precautions when reporting on suicide. There are numerous guides from which the nation’s media should take note. Suicide.org notes that media outlets must “be careful about describing the methods used,” and that they should not “go into great detail about the methods” nor “show detailed pictures of the loca-

tions where the suicides occurred.” Other guides advise media outlets to avoid “describing a suicide as inexplicable or without warning,” noting that “most, but not all, people who die by suicide exhibit warning signs.” The media have several means through which they can improve their reporting on this sensitive topic. Failing to introduce these important recommendations threatens to lead to inaccurate perceptions of suicide and ultimately may contribute to its frequency. Media outlets play a large part in shaping our understanding of current events. These recommendations have the potential to dramatically change the way we think and talk about suicide. Changing the way we speak will help prevent future tragedies. There are over 30,000 suicides in the United States per year, a statistic which averages to 94 successful suicides every day. Annually, there are nearly 900,000 attempts. These problems cannot be reduced overnight, but reform in our media can catalyze progress. Max Chis is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.

STAFF EDITORIAL

States need more focus on contraception efforts

A recent report released by the Guttmacher Institute, a prochoice research group that examines abortion trends, found that pregnancy terminations among Americans dropped to the lowest level in three decades in 2011. According to its estimate, 1.1 million abortions were performed in 2011, a decrease from the 1.21 million performed in 2008. A decline in pregnancy rates accompanied the decline. While the study did not explicitly analyze these trends, the researchers said the decrease in abortions could reflect younger women’s use of long-term contraceptives. Opponents of the report dismissed its findings due to omissions they felt would have altered the data. Restrictive abortion laws have been on the upswing since 2011, but the report does not consider these factors on account of their relative newness. While these restrictions might ultimately play a role in reducing abortion rates, they may not substantially impact the results of future studies. As low abortion rates in states with liberal-leaning abortion policies demonstrate, restrictive laws do not yield fewer abortions. The report found that states with progressive abortion laws and easily accessible sex education, such as New Jersey, had the lowest recorded instances of abortion. In light of these correlations, states — particularly those that have recently implemented stringent abortion laws — should consider redirecting their energy toward the effort to reduce pregnancy terminations. Rather than fighting to pass restrictive legislation, some of which has been deemed unconstitutional, states would be better served by advocating for contraceptive use and promoting sex education. A University of Georgia study shows that abstinence-only programs typically do not lead to abstinent behavior. Furthermore, researchers found that when states only teach abstinence, they were less successful at preventing teenage pregnancies than those that taught contraceptive use alongside abstinence. Considering 25 percent of teenage pregnancies were aborted in 2009 and that girls aged 15 to 19 account for 19 percent of abortions, increasing access to sex education could reduce the already declining abortion rate. Only 22 states mandate sex education, and just four more require the information “be appropriate for the students’ age.” Nineteen states call for education that emphasizes the importance of intercourse only within the context of marriage. Although both red and blue states seek to reduce the abortion rate, these studies demonstrate that certain methods reap better results. While discussing these issues may be uncomfortable for some, public health must precede personal qualms. Candid sex education and accessible reproductive care can help prevent abortions. States must work to prevent unwanted pregnancies pre-emptively, not when abortion feels like a woman’s only option.

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)

Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.

WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.

NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

BEAUTY & STYLE

EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM

Affordable high fashion with textured fingernails By CATE WRIGHT

Nail art has dominated runways and is now breaking into the mainstream. These hot new styles, including velvet, caviar, magnetic, matte, studded and decaled nails, are a sure way to accessorize and catch someone’s eye.

Velvet and Studded The velvet manicure style, a surprisingly subtle and clean look, can be obtained using two different methods. One option is to purchase a specialty velvet polish, such as Ciaté’s Velvet Manicure ($21). Alternately, you can apply flocking powder, a craft product with a velvet finish, to a wet top coat of matching color ($6). This take on the traditional manicure can stand alone or be amped up by applying a dotted design with a metallic nail polish. Once dried, the metallic dots will bear a striking resemblance to miniature studs.

Caviar If you’re looking for more texture, try a caviar manicure. Caviar nails, which involve embellishments with colorful microbeads, add a lot of punch to a manicure but can be difficult

to maintain. This look was first seen at the Cushnie et Ochs Fall 2011 show, which presented all-black caviar nails designed by Ciaté. The same nail brand sells a kit, complete with a mini funnel, tray and corresponding polish and beads. However, these kits cost up to $25. Instead, the microbeads can be found at a crafts store or online and can easily be applied. Add a thick layer of nail polish and allow the nails to dry for about 10 seconds or until the polish is tacky. Then, carefully pour the microbeads onto each nail, using a cup or tray to collect falling beads. Press the beads into the nails and, after the polish has dried, apply a clear topcoat. Though simple, this look works best for special events or short-term use because the beads are prone to falling off.

Matte Matte nails, a now-recurring trend, can easily be replicated using products found at your local drugstore, including top coats from brands like OPI and Essie. However, instead of purchasing extra products, a matte nail polish can be made at home by using already-purchased polish. To mattify a regular nail

Uncommon accessories warm up winter outfits By SAM DEL ROWE

Winter can make styling difficult. The cold tends to cause outfits to be covered up by coats, limiting the wearer’s stylistic options. However, the primary accessories of winter, such as hats, gloves and scarves, can be used to improve even the simplest cold-weather look. Accessories can complement an otherwise plain coat, or stand on their own as distinct pieces. Either way, consider the following items to add personality to a typical winter outfit.

New Era “Dog Ear” Caps VIA FLICKR.COM

Studded nails give your hands some flair. polish, pour a dime-sized amount of polish onto a mixing surface and, using a pencil, add cornstarch in an approximate 1:2 ratio to the polish and combine. Apply the newly mixed polish to the nails using a nail brush. Though the consistency may seem odd, the polish will dry smoothly, but be sure to clean the brush afterward to remove the cornstarch. For a twist on the traditional matte manicure, apply a clear polish onto a matte color and run the brush along the tips. Cate Wright is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.

The menswear trend of sporting a snapback never seems to go out of style, even in the colder months. New Era caps offer another way to represent your team while staying warm with its “Dog Ear” caps ($44). These headpieces feature classic New Era caps adorned with fluffy earflaps. The hats are available in a wide range of color combinations and patterns, including a wintry plaid. You can purchase this cap with nearly any sports team’s official logo, with sports ranging from baseball to football.

fingerless gloves with attached mittens to cover the fingertips, achieving the functionality the wearer desires. There are several options available on Etsy ranging from 20 to 40 dollars but, for a more reasonably-priced option, Orchid Lane offers a wool, fleece-lined pair in a variety of colors and patterns ($15).

Circle Scarf Tying scarves and keeping them in the ideal position while walking to class can be a struggle. Fortunately, the circle scarf bypasses these problems by simply draping around the neck with no tying necessary. You can wear this type of scarf long for a stylish look or, to keep warm, the circle scarf can be doubled up for extra protection against the cold. The circle scarf can save time in the morning without detracting from a stylish appearance. There are many options available online, but the American Apparel version provides the widest range of colors ($28). Sam Del Rowe is a staff writer. Email him at bstyle@nyunews.com.

“Glittens” One difficulty winter presents is how to keep your hands warm without sacrificing their utility, particularly for texting and other cell phone usage. While some wear regular gloves and accept the inconvenience, the increasingly popular hybrid of the glove and mitten, dubbed the glitten, allows access to fingers when necessary. This accessory is a successful combination of

FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN

Glittens allow easy access to phone.

Exhibit highlights modern fashion inspired by folk By DAVID BOLOGNA

The world of fashion has once again collaborated with another artistic medium through the American Folk Art Museum’s

latest exhibit, “Folk Couture: Fashion and Folk Art,” displaying a mix of hit-or-miss garments. With an innovative concept, a showcase of the custom garments and the works of art

JEAN YU VIA FASHIONANDFOLKART.TUMBLR.COM

A dress inspired by a wood carved porcupine sculpture.

that inspired them seems to make perfect sense for a museum of such innovation and prestige. The execution, however, conveys a confusing sense of creative professionalism in most designs, while lacking depth in others. Hanging near each piece are the works of art that inspired the designers. Comprising themes of pattern, narrative, disembodiment and playfulness, the clothes are displayed around the museum, but they are not ordered by group, disrupting the flow of the exhibit. However, with work from designers like Catherine Malandrino and Bibhu Mohapatra, each ensemble truly does have its own aesthetic that remains unique to its designer and corresponding theme. Among the standout pieces were threeASFOUR’s “Amity Dress,” Michael Bastian’s “Untitled” menswear and Fabio Costa’s “Agnus Dame” look. With its striking white presence against the 19thcentury religious wood carving

that inspired it, the “Agnus Dame” tunic pant, crop top hybrid is truly a work of art that takes beautiful cues from religious implications and intricate patterning. Similarly, Michael Bastian’s own menswear look transcends a 19th-century time warp to enter into the era of Brooklyn chic. Bastian took inspiration from three pieces of art, the most literal image based on the piece “Anniversary Tin: Man’s Top Hat and Eyeglasses,” from which he made a knit hood with built-in earmuffs, ultramodern sunglasses and a vintage top hat. ThreeASFOUR constructed the most exquisite piece of the collection. “Amity Dress” not only showcased the designers’ incredible execution in manipulating patent leather in a laser-cut flower and star print, but also showed their unique interpretation of the art. Using the deeply-religious six-point star from the Quaker art piece “Friendship Star Quilt,” the final couture look breathed an essence of originality, ornateness and symbolism. The entire

exhibit should have shown this level of talent, but some pieces did not deliver. Nevertheless, the exhibit is worth the free admission (with a suggested donation) and successfully explores a different side of fashion and art that is rarely seen. “[The exhibit] explores the relationship between inspiration and creation, as well as the polemical yet fascinating ways in which fashion engages with art,” guest curator Alexis Carreno said. The merging of fashion with other art forms has intrigued many people, including NYU students such as CAS freshman Katie Schultz. “I think it’s really cool how they’re mixing two mediums of art and having them sort of play off of each other,” Schultz said. “Folk Couture: Fashion and Folk Art” will be exhibited at the American Folk Museum until April 23. David Bologna is a staff writer. Email him at bstyle@nyunews.