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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 43, No. 4
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015
nyunews.com STATE POLITICS
Cuomo calls for honest legislators BY ALANNA BAYARIN News Editor
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks at NYU Law about his plans not to approve the 2015 New York State budget. Cuomo addressed the public’s distrust in the government and emphasized transparency.
Jody Lee Lipes’ newest film “Ballet 422” is hypnotizing and inclusive as it guides its viewer behind the scenes of the revered New York City Ballet. The film is elegant and majestic like the subject it portrays, giving a more distinguished quality to the art of ballet. Shot in cinema vérité style, which means it was captured without the use of interviews or voice-over, but as a constant flow of process, this documentary shadows the 25-year-old New York City Ballet performer Justin Peck as he faces the challenge of creating the illustrious company’s 422nd ballet. Lipes graduated from Tisch
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
School of the Arts in 2004, and he credits his education there for the production of “Ballet 422.” “I would not have been able to make this film without going to NYU,” he said. “Many people who worked on this film, I met at NYU. Nick Bentgen, Anna Rose Holmer, Mark Phillips, Joe Anderson and I all met while attending Tisch.” Lipes first conceived the documentary, after he and his wife went to see Peck’s second ballet, “Year of the Rabbit.” “After that, we began talking about documenting his next piece, because I knew one day he would become an important choreographer,”
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DINING
Press Tea serves up coffee deal BY VANESSA HAUGHTON Contributing Writer
It is time to start getting your coffee fix at the West Village cafe Press Tea. The charming shop, located at Seventh Avenue and Perry Street, launched a program this week in order to fuel New Yorkers’ coffee obsession. For $25 a week, customers can purchase a pass for unlimited lattes and other coffee drinks. Co-founder and co-owner George Kuan said he created the program in response to the astronomical cost of a cup of coffee in New York City. He hopes that Press Tea will help people more easily afford their daily cup of joe. Kuan claims that the program is designed to be af-
fordable, citing the high cost of a single latte. “One latte on average costs around $4 to $4.50, so with this program, you get an unlimited amount of lattes and other coffee drinks and the price savings are very significant, especially for students on a budget,” Kaun said. NYU students have varying opinions about Press Tea’s program. LS freshman Lana Rodriguez noted that the program might be a good deal, but only for regular coffee drinkers. “At first $25 a week sounds like a lot,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t drink more than two cups in a week. But I have friends who have at least two cups a day. With coffee prices around $2.50 per cup, in a week, the pass would probably save mon-
Best pizza for your budget?
NYU Law’s new venture
Looking for great deals on pizza? Check out our ranking of New York City’s dollar pizza options.
The NYU Law School has created a new hights institute.
STORY on PG. 5
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
BY SIDNEY BUTLER Staff Writer
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STORY on PG. 3
ey for those who are more frequent drinkers. It is definitely a solid idea if you buy espresso or latte drinks.” Gallatin senior Shannon Coulson said she thinks monthly program might attract more customers, especially for people who don’t visit the shop every day. “I think the idea of unlimited coffee is awesome, but $25 seems really steep,” Coulson said. “Also, I think the program might be more successful if they did it on a monthly basis rather than weekly.” CAS senior Jack Sterne said he believes the program has potential for saving money, but added that the cafe’s single location is a drawback.
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STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Alum pulls back curtain on ballet
STAFF PHOTO BY CALVIN FALK
FILM
In the midst of the Sheldon Silver corruption case, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited NYU Law on Feb. 2 to address corruption and policy ethics in government. Cuomo started his speech by addressing recent headlines about corrupt Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver. He said corruption cases have lead to distrust from the public. “This has been a difficult month for the state of New York, the headlines have been ugly,” Cuomo said. “Only seeing is believing when it comes to trusting government.” Zakiyah Ansari, advocacy director for the Alliance for Quality Education, stood outside of NYU Law during Cuomo’s speech to protest Cuomo’s af-
Are pre-med students ready to be doctors? Zarif’s thoughts on the pre-med curriculum. STORY on PG. 7
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CUOMO continued from PG. 1
State budget raises ethics questions
filiation with charter schools, which have contributed to his campaign in the past. “It is ironic that he is here giving an ethics conversation,” Ansari said. “Why do we have Governor Cuomo here when all he is doing is spewing the words and the conversation and the agenda of his hedge-fund, billionaire campaign donors?” Legislators’ stagnant salary was a topic of discussion, and Cuomo noted the 16-year legislator salary cap of $79,500. Cuomo said legislators’ relatively low salary has lead to their private employment, which has the potential to lead to corruption. “In New York, most outside employment for legislators is as lawyers at law firms,” Cuomo said. “That said, most legislators are not wealthy. Assemblyman Sheldon Silver was the exception.”
The governor’s goal in policy reform is to restore public faith in New York government. Cuomo said we need to either eliminate legislators’ outside income or make their income more transparent. “If people are going to believe that government is part of the solution, we will have to prove that the government has the capacity to confidently perform and that it can be trusted ethically,” Cuomo said. “The concept of part-time employment as a legislator is problematic in modern society.” Private employment has created a conflict of interest for legislators. “The constant question is whether clients are seeking influence in which clients are paying privately for the actions of a public official,” Cuomo said. “Who does the legislator really represent at the end of the day, is it his or her con-
stituents, or some undisclosed client interest?” Cuomo’s solution to the inherent problem is to use the budget as a platform for discussion. He said he will not pass the budget unless it includes legislation to control outside influence on government. “If we want to resolve it once and for all we need to end outside income entirely or thoroughly disclose it — there is no middle ground,” Cuomo said. “I will not sign a budget that does not have an ethics plan as outlined in my proposal that addresses the current problems in the system.” Michael DeLuca, secretary of the College Democrats and CAS sophomore, said Cuomo’s decision to delay the budget would cater to public’s need for government transparency. “The Governor put the ball in the legislators’ court with this strategic move,” DeLuca said.
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Protesters stood outside NYU Law chanting “Cuomo is corrupt” while the governor spoke about government policy. “He knows the public wants transparency, and now any response from legislators which isn’t full compliance will only add to the public’s distrust.” This upcoming budget proposal would be the fifth budget passed by the deadline, which has not happened for over 40 years. Cuomo said this measure is necessary to see real change
in government transparency. “It is more important to me to prove that we have corrected the problem and restored trust than just check the box and get another budget done on time,” Cuomo said.
Email Alanna Bayarin at abayarin@nyunews.com.
NYU Law announces human rights institute BY MARITA VLACHOU News Editor
STAFF PHOTO BY CALVIN FALK
(From left to right) Scott Korb, Leslie Jamison, Jen Percy and Ben Ratliff discuss sensitive reporting.
Journalists talk sensitive reporting BY LEXI FAUNCE Contributing Writer
Journalists, Leslie Jamison, Scott Korb, Jen Percy and Ben Ratliff gathered to discuss the difficulties of reporting sensitive topics like Guantanamo Bay, post-traumatic stress disorder and poverty at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute on Monday. During the event, which was hosted by Cultural Reporting and Criticism Program director and professor Katie Roiphe, Jamison said interacting with the subjects of stories can be challenging — especially if the topic is sensitive or traumatic. “Empathy requires effort and seeking,” Jamison said. “[Journalist’s] automatic reactions may frighten subjects and they will not feel comfortable enough to share their stories.”
Percy, who writes for Harper’s Magazine, discussed the years she spent following a veteran with PTSD. She said she was unsatisfied with the clinical language used in other publications. “PTSD is such a hushed topic,” Percy said. “Subjects seldom want to speak about their experiences, but I wanted to focus on writing a portrait of a traumatic mind.” Attendee Jason Murray said he was a fan of Percy’s novel and was astounded at how the writers were able to distance themselves from the emotional nature of their work. “They are able to recount their subjects’ stories without being intrusive,” Murray said. “It must take years of practice and experience.” Korb, a writer and Gallatin professor, added that he
uses his personal experience to relate to the individual in question and shift the conversation toward a deeper level. He said writers must refrain from inserting themselves into their pieces. “Using the technique of including a subject’s memoir into a novel reassures readers that a relationship between the author and subject was established, and the story will reflect this bond,” Korb said. CAS sophomore Sabrina Steinhauer said she knows how hard it is to be objective. “It is unimaginable how an author is able to maintain a personal relationship with a subject while remaining on a professional level,” Steinhauer said. Email Lexi Faunce at news@nyunews.com.
NYU Law announced the creation of Robert L. Bernstein Institute for Human Rights, a research institute that will provide resources to students on scholarship, advocacy and education on the topic of human rights. The new institute, announced on Jan. 30, will preside over the established human rights centers at NYU, including the Center for Human Rights & Global Justice, the U.S.-Asia Law Institute, and NYU Stern’s Center for Business and Human Rights. NYU has been criticized for the violation of human rights before, with the most recent case being the abuse of labor workers rights in Abu Dhabi. NYU Law spokesperson Michael Orey said there was no connection between the announcement and the accusations. He said the institute will help NYU Law train the next generation of human rights leaders. “The Bernstein Institute will allow us to launch new human rights initiatives, including postgraduate fellowships at a variety of human rights organizations, and to sharpen the focus of and boost collaboration among existing programs,” Orey said. NYU Law student Luke Herrine said the addition of the human rights institute will offer a good resource to students. “The human rights faculty here is top notch, and I trust the new institute will continue a great tradition,” Herrine said. Herrine, who was subpoenaed for circulating a letter criticizing Daniel Straus, a school trustee, for violating his workers’ rights, pointed out that
there are contradictions in the way the university is run. “NYU is purportedly a private university in the public interest, and in many cases it lives up to this motto,” Herrine said. “But the Straus and Abu Dhabi fiascos exemplify the fact that NYU is more than a set of ideals — it relies for much of its funding on wealthy private actors who may not have the same values.” Gallatin sophomore Angie Liao, a Gallatin global human rights fellow, said though NYU has been involved in cases of human rights violations, the implementation of such an institution is a good step forward. “NYU, as a massive academic institution, shouldn’t be precluded from entering the discourse on human rights because its administrative side has come under fire for neglecting to honor certain labor rights codes,” Liao said. NYU Law student Leo Gertner, another student involved in writing the letter critical of Straus, said NYU should try to eliminate violations of human rights through the creation of an ethics code. “I am obviously surprised that so soon after allegations of human rights abuses in Abu Dhabi — and before any remedial actions — NYU Law has chosen to create an institute for human rights,” Gertner said. “The main problem I see is that, even after the unfortunate events surrounding Mr. Straus, NYU has not taken any steps toward creating a binding and public code of ethics on its administrators and trustees in order to avoid such situations in the future.” Email Marita Vlachou at mvlachou@nyunews.com.
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ARTS
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New show offers ‘Fresh’ perspectives BY NIVEA SERRAO Staff Writer
Sitcoms about families have long been a staple of primetime television. From older classics like “All in the Family” to more recent hits like “Modern Family,” familial ties bring together all elements necessary for a gold mine of comedy. “Fresh Off the Boat,” ABC’s latest offering, only continues that tradition. Based on a memoir of the same name by chef and fashion designer Eddie Huang, the show follows Huang’s 11-yearold self as his family moves from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida, so his father can open an old west-themed steakhouse. This change in location creates a fish-out-of-water premise, allowing the show to focus on the Asian ethnicity
of its main characters while also pointing out how universal their experiences are. In the pilot, Eddie beg his mother to buy him “white people’s lunch,” otherwise known as Lunchables, so that he’ll fit in with the rest of the kids at lunchtime. A storyline in the second episode follows his mom choosing between a friendship with an unpopular neighbor and the acceptance of the rest of the neighborhood moms. The writing on “Fresh Off the Boat” is humorous, with a mixture of broad and subtle jokes, but what really makes them work is the casting. Forrest Wheeler and Ian Chen are believable and comfortable as Eddie’s younger, precocious brothers, while Hudson Yang perfectly captures not only young Eddie’s swagger and love of hiphop, but also his feelings of being an outsider. Meanwhile Randall
Park (“The Interview”) and Constance Wu (“Eastsiders”) are wellcast as Eddie’s parents, with Wu’s Jessica providing a great — and often pragmatic — foil for Park’s optimistically determined Louis. It’s hard not to compare “Fresh Off the Boat” to “The Goldbergs,” another ABC sitcom. Both shows are set in the ’90s and feature a hilarious, scene-stealing mom. Jessica Huang might not resort to the kind of emotional manipulation of her family as Beverly Goldberg does, but she cares about her husband and kids just as much. It also doesn’t hurt that she gets some of the best punchlines in the first few episodes. Yet “Fresh Off the Boat” doesn’t make as many pop culture references as its network sibling, and instead most of the references made are usually in regards to music. It is refreshing to see a family of
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ABC’s “Fresh Off the Boat” is based on Eddie Huang’s memoir. another ethnicity on primetime network television. As Fox’s “The Mindy Project” and ABC’s “Cristela,” prove, exploring other cultures and races respectfully has potential for not just great comedy, but also for presenting new perspectives. “Fresh Off the Boat,” in particular will be doing a lot
Email Nivea Serrao at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Dancing Danza brings ‘Vegas’ to Broadway
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BY ALYSSA DVORAK Contributing Writer
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Jody Lee Lipes’ “Balley 422” follows Justin Peck’s creative process as he builds his troupe’s show.
Artist transforms in ‘Ballet 422’
Lipes said. “I just know I would have loved to see what renowned choreographers were like earlier on in their careers.” Peck is quiet and contemplative in his planning; the gears of his mind are perpetually working to make improvements to his ensemble. He never looks directly at the camera or acknowledges its presence. Like a fly on the wall, we see him but he never sees us. “The subject matter definitely required [cinema vérité], because ballet is such a physical art form,” Lipes said. “I loved how it was active and able to communicate without people having to talk. With vérité, it’s also like a ticking clock, so I also enjoy the style because you’re able to be physical while having a timeline
for mainstream representation of Asian-Americans, who have always been underrepresented on the small screen. “Fresh Off the Boat” premieres on Feb. 4 at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.
for structure.” Lipes, who became instantly immersed in the world of the New York City Ballet, followed his subject everywhere. The audience glimpses the entire process of creating a ballet ensemble. From costume design fittings to conversations with the orchestra, Peck controls every aspect of his piece to the best of his ability. “Most people don’t understand the inner working and mechanics of the institution,” Lipes said. “A lot of people outside of the production never think about how many people go into the process, the intricacies, and the costumes. The orchestra, particularly in ballet, is overlooked a lot as a creative partner in a ballet; the audience doesn’t usually think about its
importance to the piece.” While creating this new piece, Peck also had to fulfill his role as a dancer in the Corps de Ballet. As soon as the curtains opened on the New York City Ballet’s 422nd production, his responsibility as choreographer came to an end and he once again became a dancer. Like a chameleon, a jack of alltrades, he eases right back into his home onstage. The film is a subtle portrayal of metamorphosis. Lipes follows Peck’s transformation from beginning to end, as his subject becomes a quiet-yet-masterful butterfly taking on the challenging waters of the New York City Ballet. Email Sidney Butler at film@nyunews.com.
With highlights including attractive showgirls with largerthan-life playing cards and a crew of skydiving Elvis impersonators, the play “Honeymoon in Vegas” is a mix of slightly eccentric musical numbers and a very talented ensemble. Andrew Bergman and Jason Robert Brown’s musical starts with the story of Jack Singer, a man whose mother instructed him, on her deathbed, never to get married. When the time comes for him to marry his beloved Betsy, he falls prey to a conniving gambler, Tommy Korman. The gambler convinces Singer to give Betsy up for a weekend at the Korman beach house in Hawaii, in exchange for erasing Singer’s outrageous poker debt. After realizing what a horrible mistake he’s made, Singer vows to get Betsy back and finally get a ring on her finger. This new Broadway production, based on the 1992 movie of the same name, opened on Jan. 15 at the Nederlander Theatre. Tony Award winner Rob McClure plays mamma’s boy Jack Singer. Broadway veteran Brynn O’Malley plays the immensely frustrated Betsy and beloved TV and film actor Tony Danza laces up his tap shoes to play gambler Tommy Korman. It is obvious that all three leads are immensely talented performers. However, the musical’s unpolished material does not do their talent justice. The musical is clearly centered on Danza, with extended solos that
don’t seamlessly fit into the show featuring Danza’s ability to tap, sing and make pained facial expressions over his character’s loss of his sun-obsessed wife, Donna, who earlier died of cancer. The most entertaining numbers of the musical are those that feature the full ensemble including “When You Say Vegas” and “Higher Love.” A strong ensemble helps strengthen this show, along with stellar direction by Gary Griffin and exciting choreography by Denis Jones. The characters move seamlessly through the story as they transition from New York City to Vegas to Hawaii and back to Vegas. The scenes that take place in the Vegas hotel accurately reflect a true Vegas vacation, complete with change buckets, ’80s-style wardrobe and bikini-clad women. The depiction becomes less realistic as the setting transforms into the Hawaiian island that is home to the garden of disappointed mothers. As Jack confronts his mother’s curse once and for all, dry ice and strobe lights overwhelm the audience. The musical is especially enjoyable for those who have seen the movie, as it is very close to the original plot. Those who are new to the story, however, might find themselves sitting through most of the play until the highlights occur in the last 20 minutes. “Honeymoon in Vegas” is currently playing at the Nederlander Theatre at 208 W. 41st St. Email Alyssa Dvorak at theater@nyunews.com.
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DINING
EDITED BY REBECCA RIDDLE DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Same price, different slice
BY AMANDA MORRIS Staff Writer
Dollar pizza is an iconic solution for those who are stripped of cash and looking for a bite to eat. It may not always be the most gourmet pizza the city has to offer, but for the price of a dollar, it is surprisingly tasty. WSN reviewed a few nearby dollar pizza places where you can find a slice with the most bang for your buck.
2 Bros. Pizza: 32 St. Marks Place Be warned — this pizza place charges tax, so what seems like one dollar pizza really becomes one dollar and some odd cents. The extra few cents are well worth it. This pizza was the best of the three restaurants WSN sampled, and is a five-minute walk from Washington Square Park. This pizza’s best quality is its crust — delectably doughy with a satisfying crunch. As for the rest of the pizza, the sauce is somewhat generic, as is typical with one-dollar pizza. The pizzas are smothered in gooey cheese, making them taste that much better. Overall, this is better than the pizza you can get in Palladium or Kimmel and is always served warm. A slice
from 2 Bros. is especially worth it if you throw in an extra 50 cents to get mushrooms on top, as the mushrooms add the extra flavor that the sauce lacks. This restaurant location also has a seating area in the back with low tables where you can sit and enjoy their pizza.
99¢ Fresh Pizza: 388 Sixth Avenue This is a chain pizza place, but the Greenwich Village location is difficult to find, even with the help of a map. It is a cramped restaurant tucked between shops, giving you just enough room to stand in a line and order your pizza. It is truly a “grab and go” location. This pizza tastes similar to 2 Bros. Pizza in many ways, but it falls flat when it comes to the crust. 99¢ Pizza’s crust is crunchier and comes apart like a cracker in your mouth. For this reason, 2 Bros Pizza comes out on top. However, for those who really only have a dollar and no change to spare, 99¢ Pizza really does only cost a dollar.
Krust Pizzeria: 226 E 14th St Upon walking in, it is clear that Krust Pizzeria has the best
STAFF PHOTO BY CALVIN FALK
Don’t be fooled by its name: the crust on the one dollar slices at Krust on 14th Street stops it from being the best dollar pizza in the city. atmosphere of the three places WSN taste-tested. It has a retro, diner-like vibe with high countertops, stools to sit on, and some decorations on the wall. However, despite the superior
atmosphere, its pizza is the worst of the three. It has generic sauce like the other two, but doesn’t have enough cheese to make up for the blandness of the sauce. Furthermore, the
Eateries with multiple spots give variety BY CAROLINE OGULNICK Staff Writer New York City has an almost endless amount of restaurants — it is possible to try a different restaurant every day of the year and still be left with countless unexplored options. There are some restaurants, however, that have decided to expand on their original locations, and have established two, three or more spots around the city. While the new locations offer cuisine that is relativity similar to their parent restaurants, each location boasts a unique atmosphere because of neighborhoods, varied crowds and slightly altered menus. Jack’s Wife Freda is one of the most popular breakfast and brunch spots in downtown Manhattan. Located at 224 Lafayette St., the SoHo hotspot offers an eclectic twist on American-Mediterranean food. Last December, the restaurant decided to expand to the West Village, opening a restaurant at 50 Carmine St. The new location aimed to have a laid-back atmosphere similar to the original, and offer a menu with all of their cus-
tomers’ favorites. Some additions were made to the menu as well, including Orange Blossom Pancakes for breakfast and Durban Mussels for dinner. The Grey Dog is a go-to place for many NYU students, as its University Place location is just minutes from campus. The cafe first opened up in 1996 in the West Village by owners and brothers Dave and Pete. After having much success, they spread to the East Village 10 years later, with a location on 90 University Place. Their success continued, and by the summer of 2013, they opened up cafes in Chelsea, Nolita, and a new spot back on Carmine Street. Each Grey Dog location offers the same delicious breakfast specialties, sandwiches, soups, salads and entrees. Although they are in different neighborhoods, all of the spots strive for a cozy, home-like atmosphere with exposed brick walls, dim lighting and their signature map tables. Momofuku Milk Bar has become one of New York City’s most sought-after bakeries. With six locations around the city, it’s hard
crust tastes more like a stale bagel than a pizza crust, and the slice in general is too stiff. Email Amanda Morris at dining@nyunews.com.
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Cafe easy on coffee addictions, wallets
West Side and Carroll Garden spots are larger and have more room for seating, compared to the newest SoHo location, which only offers a takeout window. Whether you are in the mood for breakfast from Jack’s Wife Freda, lunch from The Grey Dog, or dessert from Momofuku Milk Bar, their multiple locations around the city allow you to experience these delectable eateries no matter what neighborhood you are in.
“I definitely drink more than $25 of coffee per week — but it would be better if they had locations across the city, not just in one area,” Sterne said. For some, the inexpensive brews will be enough to lure them to Seventh Avenue, but the pass is not ideal for just casual drinkers. Though the best way to pay for coffee is debatable, Kuan addresses the problem all New York’s coffee drinkers face. “Our inspiration was drawn from the simple fact that there was a lot of demand for New York coffee and we wanted to give people the opportunity to have coffee at their will without being overcharged,” Kuan said. “It’s very expensive to buy coffee in New York.”
Email Caroline Ogulnick at dining@nyunews.com.
Email Vanessa Haughton at dining@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
The Grey Dog has four locations in Manhattan, including their University Place cafe, pictured above. not to give into a craving when the famous Cereal Milk Soft Serve or Crack Pie is just a couple of blocks away. Each Milk Bar location offers the classic soft serve, Crack Pie, and Compost Cookies, yet varies in its offerings of other treats. Milk Bar in the East Village, at 251 E. 13th St., is currently offering cinnamon bun soft serve, while the location in Williamsburg is serving chocolatepeppermint-hazelnut soft serve. Midtown’s Milk Bar is offering the ice cream flavored with lemon pound cake. The locations range in size as well as in menu. The Upper
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS
35 “August: ___ County” (2008 Pulitzer Prizewinning play)
64 Leave no room for 1 Titanic victim misinterpretation John Jacob ___ … or what the first words of 6 Diner’s card 38 Twosome the answers to 10 Put-down the five italicized 39 Weightless state, clues do, literally 14 Havana hero informally José 66 Putin’s refusal 41 Director’s end-of- 67 German 15 Getting ___ years scene cry automaker 16 Musical pitch 68 Vikings, e.g. 42 What i.o.u.’s 17 What a good represent 69 Letters between speaker jays and ells 45 “Wait, wait … go maintains with 70 Wall Street inits. back” the audience 71 ___ Park, Colo. 19 Female org. 48 Lansing’s home: since the 1850s Abbr. DOWN 20 U.S. intelligence 50 Cross through org. 1 Change, as the Constitution 21 ___ nut (Chinese 51 Bit of Boston Harbor debris in 2 Final approval fruit) 1773 3 October 31 22 Opposite of spicy option 55 Second-stringers 23 Internet business 4 Needing no Rx 59 “___! The Herald 25 Golfers’ bookings 5 1970 John Angels Sing” Wayne film 27 Somewhat 60 Regular 6 Glam rock band 29 Fox News anchor ___ the Hoople 62 ___ constrictor Smith 7 Put into law 30 “Man!” 63 ___ of Wight 8 Small recess 9 Loosens, as ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE laces H E S B A C K M A L T H U S 10 Thwarts E T E R N A L A M O R O S O 11 Not jointM A R I A N O P I N A T A S pounding, as aerobics P I T C H E S L E G I T S L A K E S H E B L O K E 12 Title for Sam or Ben O I L E L M O T I S M T V M O V I E A W A R D S 13 Enjoys Joyce, Carroll or Oates T O R E F E R A L D O D O 18 U.S.S. ___ G R A N D T H E F T A U T O (aircraft carrier I I I A Y E S A T L named for a F A N C Y M S S A T O M S former admiral) F O S S E L A R S S O N 24 Pace or race I T A L I A N A D A W A R E follower M O R O N I C M A X I M A L 26 Howe’er S T E R N L Y S K Y M A L L 28 Unnamed others
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No.1229
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PUZZLE BY PETER A. COLLINS
30 Like integers of the form 2n + 1 31 Shade 32 “One Love” singer 33 Suffix with ranch 34 Sauce thickener 36 Doublemint, for one 37 Juillet’s season 40 Worldwide
43 Lottery buys 44 Univ., e.g. 46 Writer’s plan 47 Jeanne d’Arc, for one: Abbr. 49 Muppet maker Jim 51 “Use your head!” 52 Course for which you hardly need to 51-Down
53 Maudlin 54 Forest units 56 Call off, as a mission 57 One just squeaking by? 58 Fills up 61 Fr. girl 65 Lean-___ (rude shelters)
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY TESS WOOSLEY OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
EDUCATION STAFF EDITORIAL
Pre-med courses require update
BY ADNAN ZARIF Staff Columnist
Registration for the new Medical College Admission Test opens this month and will be administered for the first time in April. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, which develops the test, the adjustments were made to “reflect the changes in medicine and science and to test examinees on not only what they know but how well they use what they know.” While the new test is certainly a step in the right direction, further changes need to be made in the undergraduate requirements for medical school applicants if the AAMC is to shape the best possible future physicians. The new MCAT will add questions about biochemistry, psychology and sociology in order to expand the repertoire of knowledge required of future applicants. It will also be nearly double the length, swelling from 144 questions over 3 hours and 20 minutes to 230 questions over 6 hours and 15 minutes. It is clear that the amended MCAT — in its quest to create better students — is taking strides to
be more holistic as well as more practical. Inclusion of questions from the social sciences indicate that there is more to being a doctor than just biology, physics and chemistry. The new MCAT also aims to be more pragmatic by including questions related to research design as well as graphical analysis and data interpretation so that students are tested on material they may actually use later in their career. However, a new test is not enough to produce the highest-quality physicians possible. The changes brought by the new MCAT need to be nationally implemented in the undergraduate class curriculum required by medical school as well. The early acceptance FlexMed program at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is at the forefront of a new integrated, practical set of class re-
quirements. It requires undergraduate students who are admitted to the medical school take a semester each of public health, ethics and statistics to replace certain science classes. It is also becoming more common for medical school prerequisites to include biochemistry — 28 schools currently require the course and over 70 recommend it. While these schools have taken a step in the right direction, more social science classes should be introduced to the mandatory curriculum. Health care and treatment in the United States are constantly evolving. Some of the most common causes of death are the results of behavioral and environmental factors like diet, smoking and drug use. Class requirements should reflect the changing nature of medicine and the evolving social skills and knowledge sets doctors need. The changes to the 2015 MCAT are positive, but must be followed by complementary changes within the medical schools and universities to produce the most well rounded doctors. Email Adnan Zarif at opinion@nyunews.com.
LGBTQ AFFAIRS
Media response to Jenner harmful
BY ANNIE COHEN Deputy Opinion Editor
While he is arguably most famous for being Kim Kardashian’s stepfather, Bruce Jenner has been a fixture of popular culture ever since he won an Olympic gold medal for the decathlon in 1976. Recently, Jenner has been making headlines for his evolving, increasingly feminine appearance, which has fueled speculation that he is slowly transitioning into a woman. Various news sources have supposedly confirmed this rumor, citing “a source close to the family.” Whether or not Jenner is in fact transgender is not an issue, but the harmful, sloppy ways in which the media is reporting on it is. The media’s fascination with the Kardashian-Jenner family is hardly anything new. Most family members have found themselves the target of an ugly tabloid story at some point. This is all part of the deal for people who make their living in the public eye via a reality show. In Jenner’s case, however, the media has crossed the line many times over. InTouch Magazine recently
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landed in hot water over a cover featuring a photo of Bruce Jenner above the headline, “My Life As a Woman.” The picture of Jenner had been crudely photoshopped so that it appears he is wearing makeup and women’s clothing. The magazine was rightfully denounced as tonedeaf and transphobic, especially in the wake of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn’s tragic suicide that rattled the LGBTQ community. The cover is tantamount to schoolyard bullying, treating Jenner and his appearance as a joke. It is yet another example of mainstream society not giving transgender people the respect and privacy they deserve. Ultimately, the only person who knows if there is any truth to these rumors is Jenner himself. Maybe he is transitioning, or maybe he is just radically switching up his look. Bar-
ring any comment from him, the media reports are unethical and cruel. According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, “Knowing a transgender person’s status is personal information and it is up to them to share it.” Any sort of outing can have negative consequences, even in a theoretically accepting world. The organization also emphasizes patience, explaining that people experience the gender transition process in different ways and at different speeds, each with their own unique journey. Whether or not you are a farn of Jenner’s reality TV persona, his gender identity should not have an effect on his reputation. His gender identity, however, should not have any effect on his reputation. The media should take this opportunity to set a precedent of understanding rather than inappropriately speculate on this sensitive topic. People, even celebrities, have a right to keep their personal lives personal, and it is not up to the general public to define their identities. Email Annie Cohen at acohen@nyunews.com.
Tipping fails workers
The New York wage board on Friday recommended raising the minimum wage for tipped workers from the current $5 an hour to $7.50, or even higher in New York City. The measure is intended to help workers who rely on gratuities reach the state minimum of $8.75, which is set to increase to $9 at the end of 2015. While labor advocates see the recommendation as a positive step, restaurant owners warn that the increased wage will require hour cuts and price hikes. As a compromise, the board also recommended permitting businesses whose employees average notably higher tips to reduce base pay by $1 per hour. However, in the face of high poverty rates for tipped workers, a significant pay increase is necessary to improve quality of life for those who rely on this industry to survive. While raising the pre-tip minimum wage would provide some relief, it should be seen as a mere band-aid to a broken institution. The concept of tipping in order to incentivize good service has been proven ineffective time and again. People tip more if a server leaves a smiley face on the check or gives their name, but tip less if they pay with cash or are in a large group. Tips can also depend on the season or if the economy is doing well. On top of that, according to a 2000 study, a customer’s judgment of the quality of service changed the tip by only 1 to 5 percent, a statistically insignificant number. This means that in a system meant to reward good service, workers are chronically underpaid despite quality. The increase marks a stark contrast to the federal minimum cash wage of $2.13 an hour, and is actually higher than the federal combined cash and tip minimum wage, $7.25. The baseline of $2.13 has not been updated since 1991. While businesses in all states must guarantee enough tips to match the total federal minimum wage, it does not always happen. A Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division investigation found that 83.8 percent of restaurants had violations, implying that underpaying workers is a frequent transgression, although it does not constitute all violations. Considering the cost of living in Manhattan is more than twice the national average, the minimum wage for tipped workers in the city needs better protection. Tipping often seems like a burden to university students on a tight budget, but it is critical to remember that servers are not yet making a living wage for New York City, and that many tipped workers are also trying to fund their education. While a wage increase could hurt some small restaurants, it could also help hundreds of thousands of workers reach a reasonable standard of living among New York City’s sky-high costs.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tess Woosley (Chair), Annie Cohen (Co-chair), Tommy Collison (Co-chair), Matthew Tessler (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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