PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN FORTE
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
Steinhardt to Offer Teaching Classes Online By LEXI FAUNCE News Editor
The NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development will launch its Embedded Master of Arts in Teaching program this year to better prepare aspiring teachers for their careers and overcome growing teacher shortages in inner-cities. Although it is pending New York State approval, the EMAT program would allow students to earn a graduate degree within a year by combining online coursework with on-site teaching experience in urban schools. Steinhardt professor Diana Turk is the Director of Teacher Education and has spearheaded the writing of the EMAT program. “We plan to start in the summer of 2016 if we receive New York State approval,” Turk said. “We are hoping to hear from the State in late winter or early spring.” The EMAT program is created specifically for teacher residencies, which have become extremely rare according to the U.S. Department of Education. In fact, their research shows that only 5 percent of aspiring teachers are enrolled in teacher residency programs. EMAT mirrors the residency
model, just as in medicine or law, where the students complete graduate courses while having a full-time teaching internship in a classroom setting. The students, known as resident interns, will be mentored by Steinhardt faculty as they complete the program. The curriculum was designed according to a gradual release of responsibility model. The NYU faculty members will observe the intern’s teaching skills and then provide one-on-one guidance before allowing the interns to take a governing role in the classroom. During last month’s National Education Week conference, the Gale and Ira Drukier Dean of Steinhardt Dominic Brewer said research shows the strongest way to prepare effective teachers is through immersive experiences in schools. “Our proposed program is the first significant attempt by a major research university to create a national model that departs from the traditional pathway of teacher education while leveraging state-of-the-art data analytics, working flexibly across states and districts and embedding candidates in realworld classrooms,” Brewer said. Steinhardt’s EMAT course will be collaborating with HotChalk, a company dedicated to increas-
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
The Embedded Master of Arts program is set to launch in summer of 2016, pending state approval. ing educational access through online degree programs. HotChalk’s CEO Edward Fields also spoke in conjunction with Brewer at the National Education Week conference. “We are proud to support an outstanding institution with such a clear vision and commitment to educational outcomes,” Fields said. “This is exactly what the HotChalk platform is designed to do: create a scalable, data-driven environment for learning that can be tailored and adapted over time
and in real time to drive success across different geographies and schools.” HotChalk’s online classrooms have a significantly smaller teacher-to-student ratio than most online courses. According to HotChalk’s chief strategy officer Joe Ross, this figure is 1-to-15 instead of the average 1-to-15,000. Steinhardt and HotChalk hope to use this ratio as an advantage during the EMAT program to improve online courses. Steinhardt professor Joseph
McDonald formally presented the EMAT program in December 2015 and said the innovative model will better prepare secondary teachers than ever before. “Using 21st-century tools, they’ll draw on NYU content expertise every day for this oneyear program,” McDonald said. “For NYU teacher education, this is the next step in a long history of innovation.”
Email Lexi Faunce at lfaunce@nyunews.com.
Reality Show Creator Dies at 64 By DIAMOND NAGA SIU Deputy News Editor
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Creator of the NYU Reality Show, Elizabeth Swados, passed away on Jan. 5.
@nyunews
Elizabeth Swados ensured that all freshmen and first-year transfer students alike could easily repeat NYU Wellness Exchange’s number after watching the famed Reality Show which she produced. Last fall marked her last show as she passed away on Jan. 5 from complications after a surgical procedure for her esophageal cancer. Swados studied at Bennington College and had taught at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts since 2004. She was an accomplished writer and artist who created multiple productions including “Guns,” “Runaways” and “The Nomad.” Sam Finn Cutler, a 2015 Tisch graduate and former actor in NYU’s Reality Show worked with Swados on many occasions, and he said she helped her gain confidence. “I didn’t really consider myself a writer until I had Liz,” said Cutler, “I considered myself an actor who knew how to play guitar and string a couple of chords together, but she brought out the fearlessness in people.” He remembered how she
looked at people when they presented their work to her, and how she was completely invested in anybody’s new idea presentation from the start to end. Then once she finished watching, she would have something witty or encouraging to say. Her personality showed in her work as well. Swados is a four-time Tony nominee and writes humorous as well as serious works for a wide range of audiences. Stern freshman Mariano Crivello was saddened to hear of her passing, because he said the NYU Reality Show was not only funny but also very well-crafted for incoming college students. “It was just a good bonding moment for all of us incoming NYU undergrads as a whole,” Crivello said. “Even though there were over 5000 of us there, it started us off on a positive note.” Jonathan Coleman, a writer and good friend of Swados, said that vibrancy punctuated most of her life. Although, it was not always easy near the end when she was diagnosed with manic depression, more commonly referenced as bipolar disorder. “I was not part of Liz’s professional life, but I knew her work
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was all-consuming,” Coleman said. “She held you to the highest possible standard, and she demanded that you be honest. She wasn’t interested in any fakery of any kind. She wasn’t interested in any sort of pretense. And for me, I was with her in a more personal vein, and I was drawn to that.” Although Swados is only survived by her partner, Roz Lichter, she left a legacy of friendship, encouragement and art behind. “It was a magic carpet ride with her,” Coleman said. “Everything — everything seemed better. When you’re with her, colors seemed richer and deeper. The sounds you heard, you heard them more clearly. Hearing about her death felt like an incredible blow.” Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Skirball Center will mark the Reality Show’s first performance without her, and it is set to kick off the 2016 spring semester. Admission is free with an NYU ID. Swados’ final book, “Walking the Dog,” will be released on May 23.
Email Diamond Naga Siu at dsiu@nyunews.com.
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY ZACH MARTIN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Ziggy Stardust Joins the Stars By CHARLOTTE SPARACINO Contributing Writer
Two days after the release of his final album “Blackstar,” Ziggy Stardust’s Twitter stated, “David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer.” Worldwide celebrations of Bowie’s life quickly materialized. David Bowie silently moved his creativity around New York City for the past two years, casually releasing singles, a play titled “Lazarus,” and his 27th studio album on Jan. 8, 2016, Bowie’s 69th birthday, “Blackstar.” Bowie’s record sales have increased 5,019 percent, according to Nielson Music, and “Blackstar” is ranked number one on both UK and US charts, making it his first top US album, according to Billboard. Memorial concerts at Carnegie Hall are to take place on March 31 and April 1. David Bowie left us in the same way that he was introduced to us: suddenly, boldly and with the desire to do something artistically important. “Blackstar” is a dark, beautiful and uneasy sounding album. Using remnants of “Low”
and “Lodger,” Bowie takes jazz progressions, a dystopia of electronic beats and hard guitars, and links them with beautiful harmonies. Bowie’s voice is disjunct and soars powerfully throughout. Although the seven tracks flow seamlessly, a sense of resolution lacks. Bowie’s death changed the tone of “Blackstar,” as his lyrics are now attached to the knowledge of his passing. Fans instantly picked up on “Lazarus,” where Bowie calls to look up to heaven. The final song, “I Can’t Give Everything Away,” with long resolving final notes, explains how Bowie may have felt about his future. “I know something’s very wrong / The pulse returns the prodigal sons / The blackout hearts the flowered news / With skull designs upon my shoes / I can’t give everything away.” In an interview with Rolling Stone, Tony Visconti, friend and co-producer recalled telling Bowie, “‘You canny bastard. You’re writing a farewell album.’ Bowie simply laughed in response.” Bowie’s ability to consistently bring something progressive to any medium he engulfed himself defines his legacy. Bowie brought more than rebellion to rock in his 50-year career. He challenged the perception of sexuality as the androgynous Ziggy Stardust. On “Young Americans” he brought soul into his music, blurring the racial divides in music. As he overcame drug addiction, he experimented with the means to make music in his
Hashtagging for More Diverse Oscars By ZACH MARTIN Arts Editor
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Musician David Bowie died on Jan. 8, two days after the release of his 27th studio album. Berlin Trilogy. “Let’s Dance” welcomed Bowie’s eccentrics to the mainstream until he left pop for a grassroots band, Tin Machine. He returned to experimentation with the 1997 album “Earthling.” Bowie’s constantly changing sound exemplified that one act does not define the entirety of one’s life. Bowie never let success dictate what was next — curiosity did that for him.
Email Charlotte Sparacino at arts@nyunews.com.
NYU Senior Stars in New Web Series By ANUBHUTI KUMAR Staff Writer
In “My Life as Morgan” NYU senior Katherine Banos sets her sights on the platform of YouTube, showing how social media can create new, creative and innovative ways of presentation. Banos plays the lead character Morgan, an underdog trying to survive her entry level job with her unique coworkers, one of whom she is in love with. The series, a sharp comedy that deals with life in the cutthroat world of the Big Apple portrays a version of the young New Yorker that many NYU students can relate to. Throughout the first two six to eight minute installments, Morgan’s inner monologue narrates the happenings of a typical day in her life — from her commute to constant tardiness to her romantic interest in a coworker. These seemingly mundane activities and events take on a
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new, hilarious tone with the overly serious, almost sarcastic manner in which Morgan laments the gum on her shoe or judges her cubicle mate before begrudgingly admitting that she might be cooler than expected. Banos’ portrayal of Morgan is the highlight of the new series. She perfectly embodies the character who seems to consistently get the short end of the stick and to whom even the smallest annoyances are the end of the world. She balances the character with an awareness of how privileged Morgan is to create a comical, satirical effect. A smart look at the current generation without taking itself too seriously, the series depicts the highs and lows of modern life and the less-than-glamorous side of New York, such as cracking an iPhone screen on the sidewalk. The first episode establishes Morgan’s love for
her coworker as she frustratedly works her job in the music industry, aspiring to make it big as a producer. When the love of her life throws a wrench in her plans, the second episode answers the question: Will Morgan help him get the girl of his dreams at her own expense? The upbeat music, including the theme “Make a Move” by Sleep State, seems to serve as inspiration as Morgan starts her day, but any positivity it may lend her is quickly thwarted by the crowds and couples that make the commute unbearable. “My Life as Morgan” is a web series that is easily worth the 10 minutes it takes to watch an episode. And it takes just two episodes to have the audience invested in finding out whether Morgan’s dreams and aspirations are achieved or continue to be thwarted.
Email Anubhuti Kumar at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Take a look at the recently announced Oscar nominees for acting in 2015 and you’ll see familiar faces that have one thing in common—they’re all white. For the second year in a row, the Academy Awards failed to nominate a single actor of color across its 20 nominees in four acting categories. In response, the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite has been created to demand more diversity. The Academy’s actions especially in a year jam-packed with exceptional films and performances from talented filmmakers and actors of color, are infuriating and unacceptable but not at all surprising. Throughout the Academy’s 88-year history, it has consistently failed to acknowledge and reward those outside the white, male-dominated Hollywood establishment. It took the Academy 82 years to honor a female director with the award for Best Director. That win came for Kathryn Bigelow (“The Hurt Locker”) in 2009, and she remains the only woman with the award. No other female director has been nominated since. Women are not the only ones who have had a difficult time gaining recognition at these prestigious awards shows. Last year there was outcry when the Academy failed to nominate director Ava Duvernay and actor David Oyelowo for their masterful Martin Luther King Jr. biopic “Selma.” This year, instead of recognizing the films of black artists, the Academy solely rewarded the white people involved in their creation. Sylvester Stallone was nominated for his role in “Creed” while star Michael B. Jordan and director Ryan Coogler were snubbed. The white writers of “Straight Outta Compton” were nominated for their screenplay, while the stars of the N.W.A. biopic were left out. To stay
relevant, the Academy should reward black filmmakers, not just the white people featured in their films. It’s difficult for an institution to emphasize diversity and highlight minority voices when its membership has more old white men than the U.S. Congress. Of the Academy’s voting members, 93 percent are white and 76 percent are male, with the median age being 63. The lack of diversity this year has triggered a huge backlash on social media with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. Additionally, multiple black celebrities including Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith and Spike Lee have stated that they are boycotting the Oscars ceremony in February. In response, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs has announced sweeping policy changes including new rules for maintaining membership status and a campaign to expand the voting body to new members who “represent greater diversity.” Actions need to be taken at an industry-wide level to create more opportunities for diverse and original stories told by filmmakers and actors of color. The rule changes undertaken by the Academy are a step in the right direction but should not be the end. Award shows are often infuriating exercises in rewarding the wrong people. However, they are also important instruments for assessing industry trends and providing a higher profile for smaller, independent films—just ask the crowds who will be heading to see “Room” and “Brooklyn” in the coming weeks. #OscarsSoWhite brings a longstanding industry problem to the forefront of awards conversations. There should be more films like “Creed” that showcase stories told by people of color.
Email Zach Martin at zmartin@nyunews.com.
VIA FLICKR.COM
NYU alum Spike Lee is one of several prominent members of the film industry boycotting the Oscars this year.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY KENDALL LEVISON FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY KENDALL LEVISON FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
The Day the Burrito Stood Still By MONICA HANNA Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
Baking is just one way to fight off the winter blues.
6 Ways To Avoid Braving the Cold
By ABIGAIL WEINBERG Deputy Features Editor
In a season of early sunsets and dying New Year’s resolutions, it’s easy to find yourself down in the dumps. Here are some of the best activities to take part in when you’re looking to beat the January blues.
Yarn crafts Whip out some knitting needles or a crochet hook and get to work making yourself a cozy scarf to keep you warm for when you’re finally forced to venture outside. The possibilities are endless: knit socks, mittens, hats or even a sweater in a matter of hours. Your friends will be impressed when they ask you where you bought your new garments. Nothing can beat the satisfaction of knowing you made them yourself.
Baking Warm yourself by the oven while whipping up some tasty treats to lift your spirits as temperatures drop. Winter is baking season, which means there is no better time to indulge in some homemade cookies or brownies. Better yet, invite a few friends over and share the goodies you’ve created over a few cups of hot chocolate or tea.
Working out You certainly won’t be shivering if you’re busy breaking a sweat at the Palladium Athletic Facility. Exercising is a great way to work off those holiday calories while boosting your mood. As gray as the winter may seem, warm weather and revealing clothes are right
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around the corner, and you’re going to want to make sure you’re fully prepared.
HBO Go Why Netflix and chill when you can huddle under the covers with HBO Go? This service is free to NYU students living in residence halls, so curl up and relax with “True Detective” or “Sex and the City.” If HBO programs don’t particularly appeal to you, get in on the documentary everyone’s talking about and check out Netflix’s “Making a Murderer.”
Museum of American Finance We all know about the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but history buffs will find a special treat at the Museum of American Finance at 48 Wall St. Special exhibits include a retrospective on the role of gold in American culture, “Worth Its Weight,” plus an Alexander Hamilton room, which was originally his office as president of the Bank of New York. What’s more, admission is only $5 for students, so it won’t break the bank.
Ice skating Ice skating may be the single most enjoyable way to weather the frigid temperatures outside while keeping your heart rate up. Fortunately, New York is home to several famous ice skating rinks in Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, Central Park and Prospect Park. Bring your own skates or rent them at the rink, but be sure to bundle up.
Email Abigail Weinberg at features@nyunews.com.
The latest in the Chipotle Saga: All Chipotle restaurants will close from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 8 for a general meeting to discuss food safety after outbreaks of E. coli, Salmonella and norovirus occurred all over the country. The outbreaks started in October 2015 and spread across the Pacific Northwest with the majority happening in Washington and Oregon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 53 people have been infected with E. coli across nine states since Nov. 14. However, this statistic doesn’t include the hundreds of Chipotle customers who were victims of six confirmed food-borne illnesses including norovirus, Salmonella and several different strains of E. coli. A
Chipotle in Minnesota was directly linked with 64 cases of salmonella, caused by their tomatoes. However, the cause of the other outbreaks is still being investigated. According to the CDC there are 265,000 cases of E. coli in the United States annually, and one in every six Americans gets sick every year because of food or drink. E. coli is a bacteria that can cause symptoms like diarrhea. In extreme cases, it can lead to death. E. coli can get into food in a variety of ways: during meat processing, in dairy products or through food that has come in contact with feces — which happens surprisingly often. According to the CDC, “Sometimes the contact is pretty obvious (working with cows at a dairy or changing diapers, for example), but sometimes it is not (like eating an undercooked hamburger or a contaminated
piece of lettuce).” Chipotle’s sales have dropped and its stock has plummeted almost 40 percent due to the incidents. In addition, a lawsuit has been filed against the company. However, Chipotle’s founder Steve Ells said he expects the outbreaks to soon come to an end. Chipotle press releases said that no more exposure-related illnesses have occurred after early November and that aggressive actions have been implemented regarding food safety and handling practices in all of its restaurants. The press releases further reported that since the incident began, Chipotle has continued to serve more than 1 million customers a day without incident.
Email Monica Hanna at features@nyunews.com.
Video Killed the Cookbook Star By Anthony Schwab Staff Writer
The spread of cable TV, and more recently the internet, has affected every aspect of culture, and food has been no exception. What was once the province of household secrets and cookbooks has become something shared throughout the world. On television the Food Network has had great success marketing shows that focus on food not just as nutrition, but as entertainment. On the internet, Buzzfeed and Tasted have become very popular with their videos of beautiful, elaborate recipes being presented in only minutes. One recent video on the Tasty Facebook page, named “Dear Chocolate, I Love You,” features a montage of different chocolate sauces being poured on top of more chocolate and ice cream. It has more than 100 million views, an amount previously reserved
for only the most famous of musicians. Other videos illustrate how to make green tea swiss rolls, honey garlic chicken, peanut noodle pasta salad and hot chocolate. What is so appealing is how easy the videos make these recipes look. Anyone who has ever messed up a simple steak will find the videos especially fulfilling. They offer the same type of escapism as a James Bond film, allowing viewers to experience something well beyond their own capabilities. More ambitious viewers may even try making these recipes at home. On Facebook, Tasty describes itself as making “Food that’ll make you close your eyes, lean back, and whisper ‘yessss’.” Unfortunately, it is difficult to find the recipes written up in the classical way. The assumption seems to be that visuals offer directions that need no written explanation. The popularity of these videos seems to confirm this.
While this is great for Tasty, it is ominous for the traditional cookbook industry. Many now feel that this type of writing, which has long been present in a large majority of homes, may become extinct. In a recent article for Slate, L.V. Anderson argues in favor of this idea. She feels that the huge variety of ways in which people can obtain instruction in food will, in the long term, cause cookbooks to go extinct. This type of transition, from the printed word to the digital, has happened in almost every part of culture — literature, poetry, music and politics have all gone through this. Now, it appears, so is food. While there may be some downside to this, Tasty, BuzzFeed and the Food Network guarantee that we are entering an entertaining new era of food.
Email Anthony Schwab at dining@ nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
HOCKEY DEFENDS NATIONAL TITLE Michael Thompson Sports Editor
Last season, the NYU men’s hockey team went into the winter break with a 13-5 record. Though an impressive mark for a growing team, there was plenty of room for improvement. After returning in January of 2015, the Violets dominated the rest of the way, getting a tremendous boost from goaltender Sam Daley — whose ongoing recovery from a brain tumor was a source of inspiration for the team in their title run. Finishing 13-2-1 down the stretch, the team was able to parlay its success into an American Collegiate Hockey Association National Championship, hoisting its first ever trophy. In many ways, this season seems familiar. The Violets finished the first half of this season with a 12-7 record, good enough for the third spot in the ACHA Northeast Region’s rankings. A young core of talent that showed flashes of excellence last season filled the noticeable void left after losing 11 seniors and a graduate student. Sophomore forward Michael Conslato, who finished last season tied for the fifth most points on the team, now leads the Violets through the first half with 25, including a team-high 14 goals. Conslato isn’t the only spark. Sophomore forward Steven Esposito and junior defender Evan Ripley are right behind Conslato, combining for 38 points. Senior forward Denis O’Hara is on track to perhaps have his best season, with 10 goals and six assists thus far. Again, the Violets have welcomed
VIOLET SPORTS LOOK FOR SUCCESS IN NEW YEAR
Ashley Arnold Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK a stellar group of freshman onto their team. First-year forwards John Kowalewski, Keaton Baum and Hamilton Whyte have combined for 24 goals, nearly a third of the team’s scoring this season. Fellow freshmen Mason Gallegos, Connor Finocchio and Gabe Regan have proven to be more effective as facilitators, racking up assists. Entering the season’s second half, Regan remains goalless, but has assisted on nine goals. The team’s head coach,
Chris Cosentino, is confident in his young squad’s ability to bring the heat every night. “We want to put our opponents through 60 minutes of hell every time they square up against us,” Cosentino said. “That is the goal, and if we execute that we will control our destiny.” And then there is Daley. Forced to watch from the sidelines as his team marched its way to a title last season, Daley was deter-
mined to return better than ever. It’s now or never for the second semester senior. Officially the Violets’ starting goaltender, Daley has been solid in the net so far this season. Going 4-2 in his six starts, Daley leads his fellow goaltenders in save percentage, giving up just 79 goals per 1000 shots. Pieces new and old are in place for another magical run as the Violets begin their second half against Siena College. And with Daley back
on the ice, this one may be even sweeter than the last. “Half our team is young and inexperienced,” Cosentino said, “but we are also damn good when we turn it on and put it all together.” Follow the hockey team’s second half as WSN looks at the team’s quest for a second consecutive National Championship.
With most of the NYU student body resting up for another semester, the university’s student athletes stayed busy in the month of January, trudging through a cold month of competition just as the sports calendar is ready to heat up. NYU’s basketball teams have been stellar this season. Both were victorious in the final round of the NYU Holiday Classic on Jan. 3, as the men handled Emmanuel College 79-61, and the women got by Middlebury College 70-62. Two days later, the men continued their winning streak and crushed Wells College in their first road game of the season by 22 points. In their Jan. 9 University Athletic Association opener, the Violets were neck-and-neck with Brandeis for the entirety of the game, but managed to prevail by two in the end, 69-67. After dispatching Hunter College, 81-76, they suffered their first loss of the season on Jan. 15 against Emory University 71-64.
The Violets immediately bounced back two days later with a spirited 77-67 win over the University of Rochester. Meanwhile, the women’s team displayed its dominance and remained unbeaten in its UAA opener, defeating Brandeis University 57-46. Facing the same set of opponents as the men, they remained unbeaten against Hunter on Jan. 11 in a 27-point drubbing. The women then squeezed by Emory in a tight 48-45 contest, before their hopes for an undefeated season were crushed against Rochester, 73-54. NYU’s men’s and women’s fencing teams competed Jan. 8-11 at the North American Cup. Junior Mickey Bak posted a 9-1 record in the junior men’s sabre competition for a tie for third place and a share of the bronze medal. He also posted a 6-5 record in Division I Men’s Sabre, good enough for an eighth-place finish. NYU’s
men’s foil, women’s epee and women’s sabre teams placed third and earned bronze medals in their senior competitions. In the pool, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams celebrated Family Day by dominating Springfield College on Jan. 16. The men swept every event, winning 188-98. The women weren’t far behind, winning most events easily for an impressive 177-115 victory. Meanwhile, on the mat, the wrestling team took fifth place at the Citrus Open in Fort Lauderdale, FL on Dec. 30. At the annual National Wrestling Coaches Association Cliff Keen National Duals on Jan. 8, the Violets dropped their first two matches to Baldwin Wallace University and Luther College before bouncing back to defeat the University of Mount Union. They kept up their momentum on Jan. 17, placing first at the Jim Aguiar Invitational in New Hampshire.
As track and field starts its second week of action after getting off to a solid start, men’s volleyball is ready to begin. The team, ranked in the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s top ten, is prepared to have a strong season. Baseball and softball begin their second seasons since being resurrected alongside tennis on February 27, while men’s and women’s golf resumes on March 12 at the UAA Championship in sunny Sorento, Florida. And with the latest extension of the Coles Sports and Recreation Center, basketball’s regular seasons will finish at the gym the teams have called home for over three decades. Both teams looked poised to finish the regular season strong, with the ultimate dream of National Championship glory in their sights.
Email Michael Thompson at mthompson@nyunews.com.
Email Ashley Arnold at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
LOOKING FORWARD:
LOOKING FORWARD:
NYU MUSICIANS WITH BIG PLANS
MORE AND MORE SHOWS HEADED TO NETFLIX
Allison Stubblebine Music Editor
With the new year comes the promise of exciting new music, and musicians here at NYU plan to follow through. These up-and-coming acts have plenty in store for 2016, from gigs at some of the village’s renowned venues to plans for releasing new music and going on tour.
Talia Milavetz Entertainment Editor
a hard hitter: Jesuit priests are captured in Japan by people who don’t take kindly to the word of the good Lord. Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver band together for a rather odd trio of clergymen, which may make for must-see cinema, whether they blend well or not at all. Unfortunately, it seems that Neeson may not be using any of his special set of skills from “Taken” in “Silence.” However, that’s no reason to be less excited for what seems to be a greatly promising year of film.
As 2016 begins, more original TV shows are using Netflix as a platform to launch their series. The streaming service has found popularity among students, who favor ad-free entertainment and the convenience of binge watching. This year, Netflix will launch 31 new shows in conjunction with returns of current shows. Netflix’s roster for the spring demonstrates the company’s continued domination over cable networks. Netflix kicked off their 2016 year with the premiere of “Chelsea Does,” comedian Chelsea Handler’s four-part non-fiction series. In her show, which premiered Jan. 22, Handler discusses some of the most prevalent topics of our generation, from race relations to Silicon Valley. The new series shows Handler’s more serious side in contrast to her sillier persona from her previous show, “Chelsea Lately.” “Fuller House” also premieres this year on Feb. 26. The show is a spin-off of the beloved 90s classic “Full House.” “Fuller House” is set over 10 years later as DJ Tanner returns to her childhood home to raise a family with the help of her sister, Stephanie, and childhood best friend Kimmy. Bob Saget and John Stamos will rejoin many of their fellow original “Full House” stars. However, neither of the Olsen twins will be back to reprise their shared role of the family’s youngest daughter, Michelle Tanner. Also coming to Netflix this February, just after Valentine’s Day on Feb. 19, is Judd Apatow’s series, “Love.” Apatow worked on hits such as “Girls,” “Bridesmaids” and “Trainwreck.” In a similar fashion, his new show follows the intimate life of a couple avoiding their marital problems and aims to explore both female and male outlooks on romantic relationships. Netflix will also debut the second seasons of female-led breakout hits “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” and “Marvel’s Jessica Jones,” while political drama “House of Cards” and dark comedy “Orange is the New Black” will be premiering their fourth seasons. All of these shows will only be available on Netflix. With 31 new shows set for 2016, Netflix is continuing to radically transform the way we watch TV. If you still prefer to wait up for your favorite show and take snack breaks during the commercials, you may be out of luck this year as the trend for new shows is headed towards streaming.
Email Ethan Sapienza at esapienza@nyunews.com.
Email Talia Milavetz at tmilavetz@nyunews.com.
Kate Yeager Singer-songwriter Kate Yeager is set to celebrate the release of her debut EP entitled “Your Girlfriend” with a release show at the Bitter End on Feb. 3rd at 8 p.m. Yeager is an artist-in -residence at the famed venue this semester. Following the release of “Your Girlfriend,” Yeager will be hosting an Inspired Word NYC open mic on Feb. 17 at Q4 Hotel, an event founded and produced by journalist Mike Geffner, and plans to release a single in March.
Twin Marquis Twin Marquis began with a show at Pianos in 2013, when they had yet to write any songs. On Feb. 3 at 8 p.m., the group returns to Pianos for the first time since their start. They will also play at The Gateway on Feb. 15 at 10:30 p.m. The alt-rock band plans to release a studio version of their single “Shook” by March 2016, with an EP to come this summer.
Molly Chapman Pop singer-songwriter Molly Chapman is celebrating the end of her teenage years with a
birthday show at the Bitter End this Saturday, Jan. 30. In early to mid-February, Chapman will be releasing her first music video for her song “See Through,” which is already available on iTunes, Spotify and Soundcloud as a part of her debut EP.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM chael Nitting and Greg Jakubik in their old dorm. The duo will perform on March 8 at the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn with Modern Diet and Vinegar Mother. Their spring break will tentatively be spent touring the east coast, with an EP to come in summer.
Karina Noel
Armen Paul
Pop and soul singer-songwriter Karina Noel is currently working on recording a new EP to be released later this year, all while working at Universal for the semester, gaining experience with publicity and artist development. Her debut EP “Blue Collar Love” is out now.
Singer-songwriter Armen Paul, who appeared on “The X Factor” back in 2014, is set to release the music video for his newest single, “To the Moon and Back” — filmed with 7 Wonders Cinema, a company founded and owned by Tisch students — on Valentine’s Day this year. Paul can be seen performing at the Rockwood Music Hall this Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m., and at the Rock Shop in Brooklyn on Feb. 18. His next album is currently in the works, with the assistance of Grammy-winning producer Josh Thompson.
The Misters Originating in a Third North dorm room, The Misters have quite the year ahead of them. Their first official single “Trip” is set to be released in early February, which will be accompanied by a short film on the recording process, complete with an acoustic performance from members Mi-
Email Allison Stubblebine at astubblebine@nyunews.com.
LOOKING FORWARD:
THE BEST 5 FILMS TO CATCH IN 2016
Everyone in the film world is feverishly debating the Academy Awards nominations — but who cares? 2015 is so old news. It’s a new year and there’s a whole new slate of films to salivate over, some of which aren’t installments in tiresome, money-raking franchises that are all the rage these days. Naturally, the most anticipated film of 2016 is one of those installments, though thankfully it comes from a galaxy far, far away. “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” looks to build off the ludicrous success of “Episode VII,” while adding some intrigue in its own right. The film depicts the fatal effort to steal the Death Star’s building plans for the famed attack that occurred in “Episode IV,” Felicity Jones, Ben Mendelsohn and Forest Whitaker make up a strong cast. Don’t be surprised if “Star Wars” robs your pocket yet again in December. You won’t have to wait that long for an entertaining movie though, as the Coen Brothers return to their zany, dry brand of comedy with “Hail, Caesar!” Due out Feb. 5, the film is a period piece set in 1950s Hollywood where an actor, played by George Clooney, is kidnapped (in the midst of filming a Roman epic, no less) and efforts must be made to save him. Boasting a cast of Josh Brolin, Clooney, Ralph Fiennes, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand and Channing Tatum, the Coen Brothers look ready to deliver another classic. As for more serious fare, Michael Keaton is certain to generate buzz for “The Founder,” where he plays Ray Kroc, the man who turned McDonald’s into a multi billion-dollar chain. He maneuvered his way to the top, edging out the actual McDonald brothers from the company — the kind of dastardly business
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Ethan Sapienza Film Editor
VIA TWITTER.COM tactics that are likely to engross audiences come November. Tisch alumnus Ang Lee will be offering some more Oscar material in November as well, with his adaptation of the uber-popular book “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.” Featuring newcomer Joe Alwyn in the eponymous role, the film follows an army platoon celebrated during halftime of a Cowboys game, only to find out they’re to be sent back to war. Steve Martin, Vin Diesel and Kristen Stewart round out the cast that’s likely to jerk some tears. Last but not least, 2016 will be graced with the newest feature from Tisch alumnus Martin Scorsese. “Silence” has all the makings of
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
NEW EATS AROUND CAMPUS TOP 5 EVENTS TO KEEP ON YOUR RADAR
Ashley Arnold Contributing Writer
With the new year and the new semester upon us, it’s time find a new restaurant to treat yourself to around campus
ABCV 38 E 19th St., Union Square
Kendall Levison Features Editor
Sure, the beginning of a new semester means new classes, but it also means a whole semester’s worth of new NYU events. Since no one wants to actually scan through every page of the NYU calendar, your WSN Features team has put together a do-list of the five best NYU events coming up this spring.
So You Think NYU Can Dance - Jan. 27 The reality competition show comes to NYU on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Kimmel Center for University Life. Come show your moves to guest judges Alex Wong, a SYTYCD All-Star, and the cast of Newsies.
Ultra Violet Live - February This talent show is no joke — Lady Gaga famously only finished third during her time at NYU. The best acts from each residence hall and one from the Greek System will compete in February at the Skirball center in this must-see NYU tradition.
Spring Fling Concert - Feb. 18 Originally scheduled to take place on the first day of the spring semester, Winter Storm Jonas pushed the concert back to the end of February. Come and check out headliner Betty Who before she performs at Governors Ball Music Festival this June.
Entrepreneurs Festival - March 4-5 This two-day event beginning on March 4 aims to help anyone at NYU with a great idea turn it into a startup. With a combination of educational speakers and handson workshops, the festival hopes to improve on last year’s total of more than 80 startups presented by the end of the weekend.
Strawberry Festival - May The block-long strawberry shortcake might be the biggest draw to this annual tradition, but the festival has more to offer than just desserts. With contests like “Be the Strawberry,” carnival games and live music, this is the perfect way to enjoy spring at NYU.
Email Kendall Levison at klevison@nyunews.com.
After an eight month delay, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s long awaited vegetarian version of his popular farm-to-table restaurant ABC Kitchen will soon be joining its predessor in the ABC Carpet and Home store on Broadway. ABCV, formerly known as ABC Home Grown, will be the award winning French chef’s first restaurant without any meat dishes. ABCV’s menu will include flavors from all across the globe but will exclude mock-meat dishes such as veggie burgers. According to Vongerichten himself, ABCV’s menu will be bean and root heavy and emulate the oven roasted vegetable dishes that are ABC Kitchen’s best sellers. ABCV is projected to open in late February or early March.
Quality Eats 19 Greenwich Ave. Michael Stillman, son of the founder of T.G.I. Friday’s, recently opened a spinoff of the Midtown steakhouse Quality Meats. The menu of Quality Eats offers lesser known and more student budget friendly steaks ranging from $1929. The cuts of steaks aren’t the only things at Quality Eats that are unique, however. The menu also boasts entrees such as grilled ba-
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON con with peanut-butter-and-jalapeño jelly and creamed-spinach hush puppies and baked-potato monkey bread as side dishes. Quality Eats is now open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
00 + Co 65 Second Ave. Plant-based diet chef Matthew Kennedy is opening a vegetarian spin off Co., the artisanal pizzeria in Chelsea. Completely vegan, 00 + Co’s pizza will be prepared in
a wood burning oven and will be topped with nut-based cheeses, pestos and various vegetables. The restaurant’s menu will also boast small plates, vegan ice cream and organic wines. 00 + Co will open sometime in February.
Cafe Altro Paradiso 234 Spring St., Hudson Square Thomas Carter and Ignacio Mattos, the pair behind the eccentric mediterranean small-plate restaurant Estela, will soon be open-
ing a new restaurant focused on Italian comfort food. Mattos has teased dishes such as bollito misto, lardo lasagnette, and ziti with broccoli and anchovies from Cafe Altro Paradiso’s fairly traditional Italian menu. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in its bright open space ground by a large marble bar. Cafe Altro Paradiso is slated to open later this month.
Email Taylor Nicole Rogers at dining@nyunews.com.
FASHION WEEK SEES FORMAT CHANGE Gabriella Bower Beauty & Style Editor For the first time in 22 years the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) announced it would rethink the format of one of the most iconic events within the industry: New York Fashion Week. Since a phenomenon called “the burnout” caused many of fashion’s biggest influencers to leave, the fashion industry has been under close scrutiny. The infamous “burnout” was sparked when many leading industry creatives such as Alexander Wang, Raf Simons Albar Elbaz and now Grace Coddington stepped down from their roles as head designers and creative director of Vogue, respectively. It was announced in December that the CFDA sought out the Boston Consulting Group, whom the CFDA previously sought out to conduct a study regarding the future of the fashion, to conduct a study specific to the future of fashion shows. The current format of New York Fashion Week consists of
STAFF PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER two shoes a year, where spring/ summer collections are presented in September and the fall/ winter collections are presented in February. The upcoming collections are presented well in advance of their in-store premiere. As a result, consumers are confused since the coverage and social media posts are delivered in real time. Consumers now have 24/7 access to fashion shows through their Instagram feeds and industry influencers’ Snapchat accounts. Newspapers and magazines are no longer a consumer’s sole source into the elite world of fashion. So what does that mean for the media, who
have dutifully reported fashion news and trends? It means news must evolve. Looking ahead at this coming fashion week, it will remain true to its traditional roots with a few exceptions. As we saw last season, long gone are the traditional white tents of Bryant Park and the chic shine of Lincoln Center. The industry has traded in for the minimalist and industrial Skylight Clarkson Sq. Designer Rebecca Minkoff told Women’s Wear Daily she would be presenting her spring collection rather than her fall/winter this February. She did so in an effort that agrees with CFDA President Diane Von Furstenberg’s
vision for the future of fashion week. A vision of a fashion week that is for the consumers rather than the press. Moreover Minkoff is going to make sure 30 to 50 percent of her audience are consumers. Minkoff may be one of the first designers to move in this direction but she certainly won’t be the last. The format of New York Fashion Week is outdated and elitist for an industry that has made great strides in recent years to open itself to the masses. New York Fashion Week must and will evolve.
Email Gabriella Bower at gbower@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ELECTION SEASON IN FULL SWING
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Momachi Pabrai Contributing Writer
With President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address and the Democratic presidential primary debate right behind us, NYU students have begun voicing their thoughts on the upcoming primary election. Candidates expected to lead the Democratic primaries include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. Given a much larger handful of Republican candidates, students have expressed diverse views on leading candidates like Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and businessman Donald J. Trump. With a slew of crucial primaries throughout February, various political organizations on campus are taking their respective stances. The media and communications director of NYU College Republicans and CAS senior Matthew Glaser said that NYU College Republicans officially believe the Republican party has far too many candidates, with a large variety of fresh opinions that may or may not work. “On behalf of NYU College Republicans, we think the GOP has turned into a circus with the amount of candidates that have been running
HAMILTON PRIORITIZES DIVERSITY, INCLUSION Anne Cruz and Lexi Faunce News Editors
STAFF PHOTO BY JAKE QUAN against each other,” Glaser said. “But as an individual Republican not linked to NYU College Republicans, I think Donald Trump, this clown running for elections, has totally hurt the GOP image.” School of Professional Studies junior Eli Nachmany, a representative of NYU for the New York City College Republicans, disagreed with Glaser’s assessment of the current GOP race. Nachmany said the relatively large number of Republican candidates is great news as it increases options and encourages debates on mixed approaches. “We are fortunate to have a slew of exceptional candidates running this cycle on the Republican side,” Nachmany said. “I am confident the voters will make the right choice
and the Republicans will put up a strong nominee.” Deputy communications director of NYU College Democrats and Tandon sophomore Fadumo Osman said she was satisfied with Obama’s address and his presidency as a whole. Osman also said she thought the three Democratic candidates are just as capable of achieving progress. “President Obama took the time to highlight his accomplishments such as the Affordable Care Act and reducing unemployment,” Osman said. “Former Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders and former Governor O’Malley have been able to articulate how they would continue Obama’s legacy while differentiating their own policies.”
Vice president of NYU Politics Society and CAS senior Mark Secada said although the club does not have a stance on the presidential election, they remain unconvinced by both of the major party candidates. “The board members do not believe the candidates are compelling,” Secada said. “Both Republican and Democratic board members are not excited by Clinton, Sanders or many of the Republican candidates.” Several NYU political clubs and societies do not publicly endorse or criticize any specific candidates. However, politically involved students and young registered voters such as Glaser have taken the initiative to share their final hopes. Other students like Osman found some of the Republican opinions
quite unsettling. On behalf of the NYU College Democrats, she said they support Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton. However, 2016 could hold many surprises for politically active NYU students and the nation as a whole. According to the New York Times, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is considering a third-party run, which could divide Democratic and Republican parties alike. As the Iowa Caucus fast approaches on Feb. 1, CNN will host a final Democratic town-hall with Clinton, Sanders and O’Malley in Des Moines on Monday, Jan. 25.
As students prepare to tackle the next semester of their college careers, NYU also plans to commence its next chapter as newly elected President Andrew Hamilton leads the university into 2016 and beyond. Following an eight-month international search process with over 200 nominees, Hamilton was chosen last March as President John Sexton’s successor and has wasted no time getting started. In his first week of work, he met with Lynn Videka and Charlton McIlwain, co-chairs of NYU’s newly created Diversity & Inclusion Task Force. After students aired their disappointment in the institution for not addressing diversity concerns at a university-wide discussion in November, former NYU President John Sexton assured the community that issues regarding diversity would be addressed. However, it is unclear how Hamilton will follow through on these promises for policy change. The task force is expected to present its findings and make preliminary recommendations in April 2016. Washington Square News spoke to
Arielle Andrews of the Black Student Union last December to get her take on what she hopes Hamilton will do to promote diversity at NYU. “Hamilton needs to further the agenda of diversity and inclusion at NYU,” Andrews said. “Creating a more welcoming space for all students, particularly students with marginalized identities, needs to be a top priority. NYU needs to do more to take care of students from diverse backgrounds once they get here.” After being approved by the Board of Trustees last spring, Hamilton said making education affordable for students in low-income families is a priority. He plans to focus on continuing NYU’s fundraising campaigns, including the Momentum Campaign, in hopes of expanding financial aid opportunities for incoming students. “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.” Undergraduates may finally breathe a sigh of relief as students have been up in arms in recent years over skyrocketing tuition costs. As the price of attendance soared over $70,000 some students began questioning the value of an NYU degree. Stern sophomore Oscar Adelman said he hopes President Hamilton understands when a student and their family spends a quarter of a million dollars on a top-notch college education, they expect their investment to appreciate in value. “The university and President should first and foremost work to ensure an NYU diploma is a solid long-term investment,” Adelman said. Investment in new facilities and improvement of the university’s infrastructure is also one of Hamilton’s priorities during his presidency. He
will be taking over the controversial NYU 2031 expansion plan, including the construction on the Coles athletic facility, in addition to overseeing the development of Tisch’s new proscenium theater. These projects will undoubtedly pose a challenge to the Hamilton administration, as former President John Sexton faced severe backlash from the 2031 plan even before it broke ground. However, Hamilton said NYU’s expansion is key to providing world-class education at one of the nation’s premier universities. “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.
Email Momachi Pabrai at mpabrai@nyunews.com.
Additional reporting by Ludovica Grieco. Email Anne Cruz and Lexi Faunce at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY RICHARD SHU OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
EDUCATION
NYC Schools Need Less Police, More Care By RICHARD SHU Opinion Editor Public schools in New York City have a problem. Many students struggle and drop out at a disproportionate rate compared to the national average. Class disruptions and inattention can lead to lackluster academic performance, poor learning environments and more obstacles for underserved students to overcome. The city’s education system is failing to provide its students an opportunity at success. One way officials have tried to address this problem is to crack down on bad behavior. The New York Police Department employs over 5,000 School Safety Agents
alongside nearly 200 armed officers to stand watch over the city’s public schools. Upwards of 99,000 students every day pass through a metal detector on their way into their school buildings. Drug-sniffing dogs and pat-downs are not uncommon. This palpable police scrutiny is one that many of New York’s black and Hispanic students are all too familiar with. Another way, as education experts and policy activists have begun to discover in the last few decades, is to promote an open and accepting schoolwide culture. No security wands, no handcuffs — only open arms and attentive ears. This community-based approach to education is being pioneered by the city’s transfer schools, meant
to serve students who are overage, under-credited but are looking for another chance at success. Students who enter transfer schools aren’t used to being the center of attention. Traditional education offers no sympathy when a student fails a test or arrives late to class. Instead, it doles out punishment, dealing in terms of discipline. Order, not support, is the
rule of the day in public schools across the city. The students who disrupt class, fall into violent behaviors and drop out are, simply put, sick of this discipline. Yet transfer schools foster a community that the students believe in. Their staff work tirelessly to make themselves available to students, check in on them and listen to their problems. Their number one goal is to help students realize that they matter. When students know that staff are looking out for them, they step up. They challenge themselves academically in ways they never could when placed under the scrutiny of traditional education. Acceptance works because it empowers students to take charge
of their own lives. It lets them know that it’s not always bad to fail. Police do the opposite. Police undermine the accepting community that struggling students so urgently need. Police in highrisk schools are one of the biggest obstacles to education reform today. Students can’t feel welcome if they dread stepping through the school’s doors. Students can’t mold their own futures while police are cuffing their hands. Ditch the police officers and metal detectors, and a productive learning culture can grow in their place.
Email Richard Shu at rshu@nyunews.com.
EDUCATION
Sexual Assault Courses Probe for Good Reason By PATRICK SEAMAN Staff Writer In order to register for courses in the spring, students at the University of Southern California were asked to detail their sexual history, including the number of partners they had in the past three months. Students were instructed to ask questions such as “would you like to try this with me?” in order to obtain consent. As romantic as this may sound, it appears that USC’s mission was not, in fact, to school the next generation on how to properly woo and win over a partner. Rather, the survey was designed as an “innovative, engaging and informative online course, cre-
ated with students for students,” aimed, presumably, at trying to teach students about the risks of drinking, sex and the legal implications of the two combined. In USC’s apology regarding the course, the administration made it clear that these courses are mandatory for all universities, and that many schools use the same module as USC. Despite the removal of said intrusive questions, the existence of the course in the first place demonstrates the widening gap between administrative action and student comfort levels. School administrations need to learn how to be more effective in dealing with sensitive topics, and need to understand where the boundaries
of personal privacy are. However, students should also keep in mind that these sort of personal questions come from a good place. College can be dangerous for students who are not properly educated when it comes to issues of affirmative consent and sexual health, especially when alcohol is involved — at least half of college
sexual-assaults occur after students have consumed alcohol. That is what these surveys are primarily meant for, assessing potential alcohol-related risks. However, for these measures to be more effective, there needs to be more open communication between the students and the administration. This survey and its repercussions should be a wake-up call for how we as a society talk about sex, drugs and alcohol. In these conversations, schools need realize that there is a line between indifference and caring just a bit too much about what their students are doing in their free time. Colleges should provide an academic environment where
students can learn and grow. As the factors of these academic environments change, colleges must too. On the other hand, students also have an obligation to make it possible for college administrations to help them in the first place. They need to cooperate with their schools when these sort of mistakes are made, and be honest when questions about their general health are asked. Student privacy and earnest discussion about sexuality are both important -- university administrations must take care not to sacrifice too much of one for the sake of the other.
Email Patrick Seaman at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
By ABRAHAM GROSS Deputy Opinion Editor The near-daily updated polls and uncommon focus on an agrarian Midwstern state can only mean one thing: the Iowa Caucus is coming. The press and politicians alike have advertised this event as an early predictor of which Democratic and Republican candidates will come out on top, with obsessive updates displaying a dizzying frenzy of ever-changing polls. Despite the media hype and sports-like news coverage, the Iowa Caucus is a troublingly imprecise predictor of who will win their party’s nomination, much less the presidency.
Iowa Caucus Not a Crystal Ball
Iowa has had a seemingly impressive record; in 8 out of 10 caucuses held in the past two decades, the winner later secured his party’s nomination. However, on closer inspection, Iowans seem less like heralds leering over crystal balls and more like gamblers on a lucky streak. In 1992, Bill Clinton came in fourth place with three percent of the vote, and George H.W. Bush finished the Iowa Caucus of 1988 in third , though both later secured the nomination and the Presidency. More recently, in 2008, John McCain came in fourth, and in 2012 the winner of the Iowa Caucus was a matter of controversy. There are a number of explana-
tions for this imperfect record. Though the national press hypes the voting-season kickoffs of the Iowa Caucus and New Hampshire Primary, this also makes the elections less able to predict who will win the party nomination. Earlier elections are less predictive than later ones, and even within New Hampshire and Iowa, past voters overwhelm-
ingly describe their decision as being formed within the final week. Furthermore, voters tend to swing much more rapidly in primaries and caucuses than in the general election. Demographic factors also make Iowa less representative for the rest of the country, as the state is significantly more evangelical – a firmly conservative constituency – and has fewer non-Christians than most of the US. It is no wonder why Mike Huckabee, a vocal evangelical, won in 2008 but withdrew his candidacy just two months later, bringing an end to what some called a “sudden but shortlived sensation.” The critique that has the most
troubling implications, however, is that the Iowa Caucus is closed to all but those who are registered as Democrat or Republican. This year, closed primaries and caucuses – New York State among them – will outnumber all that are open or mixed, excluding the growing number of independents nationally and on college campuses like NYU. The Iowa Caucus has little to offer in the way of political clairvoyance. Rather, it reveals the systems which determine who does and does not have a vote in the race for the highest office in the nation.
Email Abraham Gross at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY RICHARD SHU OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
RACE RELATIONS
Native American Hardship Still Persists By EMILY FONG Deputy Opinion Editor
Most people in the United States seem to believe that the “Indian problem,” as the Western settlers of the 1800s had called it, was solved years ago. With the turn of the 21st century, progress relegates the “Noble Savage” to displays at the Smithsonian, immortalizes Native names in the forms of states and landmarks and even celebrates the hospitality of indigenous cultures during our annual holiday bonanza. Popular culture has gone a long way to make the problems of Native Americans seem a thing of the past. But serious problems still plague many, if not most, Native communities in the United States. Native peoples often suffer from a lack of financial security. Upwards of 27 percent of self-identified Native Americans and Alaska Natives, as stated by U.S. Census data, live in poverty. Native languages and culture are difficult to preserve without adequate resources and education, and Native youths are especially prone to committing suicide at higher rates than any other ethnic group.
All of these issues are exacerbated by the ambiguous and complicated legal relationship that the tribes must constantly navigate with the federal government and major U.S. institutions. Native land is still being sold by the federal government without consent from the tribes who live on it. Trying to pursue solutions through legal means, such as voting, is incredibly difficult. Voting booths are sometimes located over a hundred miles away from reservations. There is a bright side, however. With the increasing relevance of groups like Black Lives Matter and the resurgence of what many call The New Civil Rights Movement, now is a prime time for Native issues to enter the conversation as well. Issues like mass incarceration disproportionately affect Native communities as well, with the Lakota People’s Law Project
report detailing the extensive injustices faced by Natives in prisons and abuses by law enforcement. Needs for health care, education, and safety reforms are also shared by other minority populations in the United States. Social media, too, remains a powerful communicative tool. Native peoples are able to utilize social media in order to zero in on more unique problems, such as the effect of environmental degradation on Native lands. Gaining enough traction on mediums like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram can actually have a real life effect. For example, the #AmINext campaign, created on behalf of the missing First Nations women in Canada, has catapulted indigenous issues into the Canadian national mainstream. In the United States, it is clear that steps must be taken to educate ourselves and each other about the obstacles that Native peoples must traverse every day. No citizen of this country can, in good conscience, remain ignorant of one of the greatest ongoing tragedies in all of human history.
Email Emily Fong at efong@nyunews.com.
EDUCATION
Striving to Live Life Amidst Schoolwork By TEGAN JOSEPH MOSUGU Staff Writer
You’ve probably heard this saying before, “new year, new me.” In fact, you might be like me, one of those individuals who is committed to making New Year’s resolutions. Some of which you successfully accomplish, and others you fail miserably at. Just like you, this year comes with its own hopes and goals especially as a student navigating New York City. So I deemed this year my personal year of balance. Frankly, we students lack balance in our lives. For me, I tend to be extremely career-minded, to the point where I miss out parties so that I can re-edit my resume or look for a professional opportunity. What I have realized is that being extremely focused in one area of your life actually slows you down. You’re not able to see the full picture unless you make the conscious effort to have balance in your life. This year I also want to experience more of New York City. As a professional homebody, I told
SUBMITTING TO
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myself that this is the time to be out and about. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, and we must make the most use of today. That being said, I am going to slowly cringe when it comes to getting my first and probably last Broadway ticket; but I hope it would be worth it for the price. In terms of academics, I want to push myself to the limits. I plan on stepping out of my comfort zone. For example, I am taking a class on Latin America this semester, a region I have next-to-no knowledge about. I consider myself to be a connoisseur of things relating to global health, public policy and Africa. As a result, I usually have a strong preference for classes in these areas. At first, I dropped the course on Albert due to hesitation and then I re-
alized that there was no need to be afraid. I do not have anything to lose, but rather knowledge to gain. Lastly, I am done with all-nighters. They are totally not worth it because sleeping even the slightest bit enables the brain to function fast and better. It’s not worth missing out on health concerns just for the sake of chasing a possible career boost. As students, we need to recognize that life continues on after graduation, and we need to take care of ourselves now in order to live better lives later. We still have eleven months ahead of us, and there will be some ups and downs. At the end of the day, we should all strive for all around growth in our lives. This is because the pursuit of balance makes us more cognizant of the world in which we live in, makes us happier, more wellrounded individuals. In the long run, that is far more important than any little assignment.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Continued Transparency Crucial for Hamilton The snowstorm that hit late Friday night with two to three feet of snow left the mid-Atlantic region in a state of dysfunction. Even now, after the snow has stopped falling and the hurricane-force winds have died down, many are still feeling the shock. Along the eastern seaboard, dozens of cities and counties have still shut down local governments. Many flights from D.C. remain grounded, and many NYU students are stranded. In the face of a remarkable snowstorm, NYU’s response was, in its own way, remarkable. On Friday morning, well before the first flakes appeared, the office of Robert Berne, Executive Vice President for Health, sent a mass email stating that the university would be closely monitoring the snowstorm and that it expected to remain open on Monday. He sent another email titled “NYU Rules of Thumb about Snow and Other Weather-Related Closings,” which made the administration’s criteria for closing the university clear – if either New York City public schools or mass transit closed, the university would do so as well. NYU’s email updates were a welcome change from previous years, when students were often left to fend for themselves with little information at their disposal. Last year, the school notified students of class cancellations the day before classes were cancelled. In fact, the administration did not even definitively decide when the university would close until the evening of the storm. In comparison, this year’s response was markedly clearer. Students were given more time to prepare for the blizzard and change their travel plans accordingly. Even so, NYU’s decision to keep school open on Monday based on New York City public schools neglects to account for the unique challenges that the NYU student body faces. Many international and vacationing students depend on flights to return to the city, and with over 10,000 flights canceled and major rail lines still out of operation, even commuters and students from the tri-state area cannot easily return. The public school system is a clear and simple reference for the university, but NYU policy should also consider ease of interstate and international transportation, which would better reflect the unique needs of its students. These concerns could never be brought to light if the administration were totally uninterested in transparency. Hopefully the administration’s openness in the matter of school closings means the student body can expect similar transparency on other questions. Snowstorms are not the only issue that affects students – questions of financial aid, rising tuition and inclusiveness also merit an earnest, open discussion between the administration and the student body. Although current president Andrew Hamilton has remained quiet in the lead-up to his first semester, these emails suggest a much-needed move towards a more open administration.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Richard Shu (Chair), Emily Fong (Co-chair), Abraham Gross (Co-chair)
Email Tegan Joseph Mosugu at opinion@nyunews.com.
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.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY MICHAEL THOMPSON SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Swim Team Wins Big At Home By MICHAEL THOMPSON Sports Editor
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
The men’s hockey team kicked off their 2016 title defense with a pair of wins against Siena College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Hockey Nets Sweep in First 2016 Games By RACHEL RUECKER Deputy Sports Editor
The NYU men’s hockey team started the year off right with wins against foes Siena College in Albany on Friday night and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Saturday in Troy. In Friday’s matchup, Siena quickly got on the board in the first period to put NYU at an early deficit, but freshman forward Hamilton Whyte scored the Violets’ first goal of 2016 to tie things up. Several minutes later, fellow freshman forward Keaton Baum pushed the Violets into the lead. Later, a Siena penalty shot was handily denied by sophomore goalie Alec Hardman, and the first frame of the year ended with NYU leading the game 2-1. Just 19 seconds into the second period, sophomore forward Michael Conslato scored, boosting the Violets’ lead to two. The Violets then reverted back to a classic theme of penalties and kills – including a two-man advantage to Siena – and came back to get an exciting power-play goal courtesy of freshman defenseman James Moeller. Baum got his second goal of the night on a power play to end the period up 5-1. In the third, Siena began a comeback effort, but NYU freshman forward John Kowalewski capitalized on a Siena tripping call to regain a four goal lead. The Violets won 6-3. Though he made some key saves, Hardman admitted he could have been better. “I wanted a couple goals back to be honest, but the timely saves are what count,” Hardman said. “Anytime the team scores six goals it takes a lot of pressure off of the guy
between the pipes.” The Violets saw their success continue on Saturday against RPI when freshman defenseman James Moeller began the scoring 8:42 into the game. As the period progressed, the Violets failed to net another and saw a chance on the power play get away from them when RPI tied things up short-handed. When freshman defenseman Connor Finocchio later got called for slashing, the teams were at four players a side, but nothing came of it. The second began much in the way the first ended, with some traded and offsetting penalties that both teams killed. Finally, NYU managed to capitalize on an RPI boarding call with sophomore forward Steven Esposito getting the go-ahead goal at 16:42 in the second period. Early in the third, Kowalewski got a charging call to place NYU on the kill, which they did successfully. Four minutes into the period, he redeemed himself, nudging the Violets to a 3-1 lead. It wasn’t a lead built to last, however, with RPI scoring a mere 11 seconds later. The Violets would not be denied however, as Kowalewski scored his second of the night to make it 4-2. Some neatly diverted action at the Violets’ end was no problem for senior goalie sensation Sam Daley, and the Violets completed the weekend sweep to begin 2016 on the right note. The boys will be back at home next weekend to begin a three-week home stand prior to the playoffs. See them at the Sky Rink next Friday, Jan. 29 at 8:30 p.m. against William Paterson University.
Email Rachel Ruecker at rruecker@nyunews.com.
The NYU men’s swimming and diving team was limited in action this weekend due to the weekend’s historic blizzard. However, before Winter Storm Jonas barreled its way through the city, the team was able to continue its strong season on Friday with a dominant 169-73 victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Coming off of a rigorous training session in Florida, the Violets were dominant throughout the meet, placing first in 10 of the 13 events held. In seven of those victories, they finished with the top two swimmers or better. The Violets held the top four spots in both the 100-yard breaststroke and the 100-yard butterfly. The team’s success stemmed from strong performances up and down the roster. Sophomore Chad Moody was the team’s most decorated swimmer of the competition, winning two individual races and one team event. Moody edged fellow junior teammate Daniel Tay by .63 seconds in the 50-yard freestyle, but finished comfortably ahead of his nearest competition in the 100-yard freestyle. Tay also had his moment in the spotlight, winning the 100yard butterfly event by nearly a full second. “I think the team had a great performance coming off of a tough few weeks of training,” Moody said. “We had some good
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The men’s swimming and diving team had a dominant showing this weekend despite a meet shortened due to inclement weather. competition to race, showing our training under Coach Miele has definitely paid off.” The Violets also impressed in the longer distance events. Junior Max Phillips sped his way to a victory in the 500-yard freestyle, while sophomore Austin Palmer finished first in the 1000-yard freestyle, 22 seconds ahead of the pack. The team of Moody, senior Ray Oo, sophomore Joseph Baron and freshman Joseph Delbuono edged the USMMA’s best group in the 200-yard Freestyle Relay. The success carried over to the 200-yard medley relay, where Tay, Baron and sophomores Timothy Kou and Adam Betts came out victorious. Baron, like Moody, acknowledged the team’s rigorous workouts. “Personally I’m feeling a little beat down right now because of how hard we’ve been training, especially in light of our recent training trip to Florida,” Baron said.
However, he was pleased with the team’s perseverance and tenacity during a challenging part of the season. “As a team we definitely swam well and everyone is giving it their best,” Baron said. In diving, sophomore Dylan Adler and freshman Max Falb were solid, mirroring each other’s results in their two events. Adler finished second in the 1-meter event and third in the 3-meter event, while Falb finished third and second in the events respectively. The women’s team will rejoin the men next Saturday in Pennsylvania against West Chester University. Originally scheduled for Jan. 24, the meet was delayed due to this weekend’s crippling winter storm. Barring another historic snowfall, the teams are ready to get back on track.
Email Michael Thompson at mthompson@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, JANUARY 25, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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SPORTS
EDITED BY MICHAEL THOMPSON SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Basketball National Title Hopes Still Alive By TONY SCHWAB Contributing Writer
The men’s and women’s basketball teams, continued their strong streaks against the University of Chicago on Friday before taking on Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday. The men came into the weekend at 12-2 on the season, ranking 17th in the country by d3hoops.com. In their first game, the Violets lost to the 12th ranked UChicago Maroons 69-58. An early 11-0 run gave Chicago a lead that it would maintain throughout the first half, ending with NYU behind 34-24. The Violets rallied in the second half, sinking a three pointer by junior guard Joe Timmes with just nine minutes left, cutting the deficit to four. Chicago then countered with a run of its own, answering with a 17-9 run to put the game out of reach. Senior center Costa Gontikas led the Violets with 19 points and Max Ralby reached a team high of eight rebounds. The women had much more success against Chicago, win-
ning 71-55. The team, entering the game at 13-1 and ranked eighth in the country, were held in check during the first quarter, trailing Chicago by one. The Violets broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring the Maroons 24-7. The second half was fairly even, with Chicago occasionally threatening to make a run but NYU generally remaining in control. Junior guard Kaitlyn Read had a double-double, leading the team with 20 points and 12 rebounds. The Violets were stellar from the threepoint line, where they shot 64 percent. On Sunday the men regrouped. Playing 10-5 Washington University in St. Louis, the Violets won 77-67. WUSTL jumped out to an early lead, going on an 11-4 run in the first half putting early pressure on the Violets.The Bears kept NYU at bay for most of the game, with the lead bouncing between single and double digits. Finally, the Violets got their chance with under five minutes to play. Down 72-67, the Violets stormed ahead with an 8-0 run, with clutch scoring
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Junior guard Amy Harioka notched what ended up being the game-winning three-pointer for the Violets on Sunday. from senior forward Evan Kupferberg and sophomore guard Ross Udine down the stretch. “Coming off a loss on Friday we knew this was a huge game for us,” Udine said. “The coaches gave us a great scout and we really knew if we played our game that we would have a good chance of winning and that’s exactly what we did.” The women’s game on Sunday against the Bears was a thriller. It was an exciting battle of top-ten teams. In the
final seconds, the Violets came away with perhaps their biggest win of the season at 66-64. The first three-quarters were tight, with Washington holding a slight, 53-49 edge after three. The fourth quarter was back and forth, as Washington continued to maintain its small edge. However, in the end, NYU tied the game with 1:49 on the clock thanks to a three-pointer from senior guard/forward Maya Wasowicz. Trailing by two with under a
minute to play, junior guard Amy Harioka hit a clutch three with 33 seconds left, giving the Violets the lead for good. The Violets return home on Friday Jan. 26 and Sunday Jan. 28, as the men and women look to march on against Carnegie Mellon University and Case Western University.
Email Tony Schwab at sports@nyunews.com.
By ASHLEY ARNOLD Contributing Writer
The men’s volleyball team officially kicked off its season with a match against California Lutheran University at the Posada Royal Invitational in Thousand Oaks. The men, ranked ninth in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, played well in their first contest on Jan. 22, defeating CLU 3-0. After winning the first two sets relatively easily, the Violets had a fight on their hands in the third set. However, the Violets were able to hang on, winning the set by two points and taking the match. This was led by eight kills apiece from junior outside hitter Chase Klein and senior captain Nick Benson, with five Violets managing at least five. Junior Derrick Chiu was the primary setter for NYU and managed 28 assists. Senior middle hitter Phil Bueno and junior middle blocker Stephen Tan finished with six kills. Bueno also had team-high tying digs. The next day, NYU won one out of two games. The Violets defeated Lakeland College in straight sets in the first game of the day. Once again, Klein and Benson led the team. Klein excelled with 13 kills and 22 swings, while Benson went 12-25 in kills. Sophomore middle hitter Chase Corbett finished with nine kills on 11
swings. Chiu, who finished with a team-high 40 assists, sees the potential in the team to have a successful season. “Our team showed a lot of energy and motivation to win this past weekend,” Chiu said. “It’s a good start to the season and we demonstrated that we have the potential to make this a winning season.” The Violets lost their second game of the day against fifthranked UC-Santa Cruz 3-2. The Violets won two of the first three sets in the match, but UC-Santa Cruz
stormed back in the final two sets to clinch the victory. Chiu tied the match with 13 digs, dishing out a match-best 36 helpers for his first career double-double. “We beat California Lutheran and Lakeland in three straight sets but unfortunately lost a nail biter to UC-Santa Cruz in the fifth set,” Oxnard said. “Overall, it was a great weekend and it really built the confidence we need to continue into the season.” “The team had a great start to the season with two sweeps
and a hard fought loss against the number 5 team in the country,” Bueno said. “We were able to stick together through adversity and play ourselves out of difficult situations. We should get stronger with more practice and experience and this should be a pretty successful season.” The men’s volleyball team hosts Hunter College at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26.
Email Ashley Arnold at sports@nyunews.com.
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The men’s volleyball team took two out of three games in their opening weekend tournament.
NYUNEWS.COM
Volleyball Looks to Set Bar High
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