NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 10
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014
nyunews.com
New York Fashion Week FALL/WINTER 2014
DAVID YU FOR WSN
2
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Editor-in-Chief NICOLE BROWN
Tyler Zhu
Managing Editor
MICHAEL DOMANICO Deputy Managing Editor
Tyler is a graduate student studying computer science in the Graduate School of Arts and Science.
CASEY DALRYMPLE Assistant Managing Editors
TATIANA BAEZ JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU Creative Director
CICEK EREL
Special Issues Director
LYANNE NATIVIDAD SENIOR STAFF
news KAVISH HARJAI, ANN SCHMIDT arts CLIO MCCONNELL features BRYNA SHUMAN sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia FELIPE DE LA HOZ copy THOMAS DEVLIN, PAIGE MANKIN web KIMBERLY HART senior editors TONY CHAU, ARIANA
DIVALENTINO, MICHELLE LIM, STEFAN MELNYK, NEELA QADIR, DANIEL YEOM
DEPUTY STAFF
news LARSON BINZER, SCOTT MULLEN,
HANNAH LUU/WSN
AFEEFA TARIQ books/theater DYLAN JARRETT film IFE OLUJOBI entertainment BOB TEOH music JAKE FOLSOM the highlighter blog VALERIE NELSON features HANNAH TREASURE beauty & style DANA RESZUTEK violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining CHANDLER WEST sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia HANNAH LUU, LAWRENCE WU video ALEX LINZMEIER
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE UNITED STATES?
“
“
Challenges. Every day is a new challenge. Every day is a new experience. It is good because every day you have a new accomplishment.
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
PETER KEFFER deputy opinion editors
TODAY ON CAMPUS
CHRISTINA COLEBURN, OMAR ETMAN, NINA GOLSHAN
Oxfam Trade Chocolate Sale
The Mosque in the Shadow of the Churches
“Index of the Disappeared”
NYU Oxfam is hosting a chocolate fair for Valentine’s Day. The fair is in the Kimmel Center for University Life at 2 p.m.
Jack Tannuous, a history professor at Princeton, will discuss the transition from Roman to Arab rule in Syria. The event is at 285 Mercer St. from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
The Asian/Pacific/American Institute is holding an opening reception for its newest gallery at 6 p.m. The exhibition explores the disappearance and emergence of language.
ADVERTISING ELLEN MCQUEEN
CIRCULATION MANAGER
CHLOE COFFMAN SALES MANAGER
ALISON LIZZIO UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI COORDINATOR
TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
SNAPSHOT
BUSINESS MANAGER
CLAIRE MAHANY
OLYMPIC MEDAL COUNT
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
ARIANA DIVALENTINO GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Figure skating, luge, skiing — it can be tricky to follow all the winners. WSN is keeping you up to date on this year’s Olympics. NORWAY
GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
JILLIAN BRANCHAUD SALES ASSOCIATES
EMMA HOWCROFT, ZACH MICHEL, ANA SCHULER
ADVISING CANADA
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE
NETHERLANDS
HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN
UNITED STATES
This week’s snapshot theme is love. Here is today’s interpretation.
RUSSIA
PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
GOT AN EVENT? EMAIL US AT AGENDA@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS. GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM.
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com
NYUNEWS.COM
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
New York City faces salt shortage, commuter students face obstacles By CAREN DOUIERY
With the decreasing temperatures, impending snowstorms and a shortage of salt stockpiles, NYU commuter students are having trouble travelling to school. According to The New York Times, last winter the Sanitation Department used almost 350,000 tons of road salt but began this winter with only 250,000 tons. In recent weeks, the department has had to add to its stockpile. Sanitation Department spokesperson Kathy Dawkins said the city currently has enough salt. “The Department of Sanitation has about 135,000 tons of salt on hand, an adequate amount for this coming storm,” Dawkins said. “The Department is able to receive additional deliveries of salt from its contracted vendors.” NYU has been monitoring weather conditions and making decisions on class and university closings accordingly, notifying its students through
AVITAL GLIBICKY FOR WSN
A lack of city salt stockpiles have caused dangerous conditions.
social media and email about cancellation statuses. Commuter students who experience difficulties have been instructed to contact their instructors if they are unable to travel to classes. Many commuters are experiencing difficulties traveling to campus through thick snow and ice. Some students, like CAS freshman and commuter Louise Eltvedt, said they noticed smaller amounts of salt in comparison to other years. “I notice a shortage of salt a little, mainly because I notice shopkeepers or hired personnel shoveling snow where salt hasn’t been put,” Eltvedt said. CAS freshman and commuter Paula Burgos said she is concerned with current travel conditions and fears for her and other commuters’ safety while traveling to campus. “There are so many things that can go wrong just getting to my car or to the bus stop,” Burgos said. Students who travel long distances are taking extra precautions during their travels and exercising caution because of the conditions. CAS junior and commuter Kevin Benitez said the lack of salt has led to more ice on the road. “I’m very wary of the weather when I’m commuting, I always make sure I’m wearing my boots to be careful,” Benitez said. Beyond safety concerns, commuter students said their commute will become more time-consuming as they try to maneuver through thick ice and snow on the streets. “If salt stockpiles were depleted, it would at least double, if not triple my walking time to the train station, and walking on the [road] is obviously not really an option in the city,” Eltvedt said. Caren Douiery is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
3
New School professor lectures on debtors’ prisons By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
Renowned thinker in economic anthropology and New School professor Gustav Peebles spoke Feb. 12 about the history of debtors’ prisons as a part of the Question of Method Speaker Series hosted by NYU’s Department of Social and Cultural Analysis. Starting in the 16th century, countries all over the world created and maintained prisons designed to keep debtors from fleeing their creditors. The complicated relationship between debtor and creditor in the 16th and 17th centuries required that a debtor either give up his assets or his liberty in exchange for an unpaid debt. Counterintuitively, these so-called prisons became safe havens for debtors. The debtors’ prisons
were neighborhoods where wealthy debtors could live in luxury, while at the same time avoid the payment of their debt and maintaining their rich assets. Peebles discovered this dichotomy while conducting research in Iceland. “This particular topic became more clear to me then in about 1999, when a very wealthy Swede was arrested for evading tax debts owed to the state, and they took his passport away from him, thereby imprisoning him within the nation-state of Sweden, so he could not flee his debts,” Peebles said. Peebles explained the evolution of debtors’ prisons. After the eradication of debtors’ prisons in the 18th century, the wealthiest debtors slowly developed more ways to flee their creditors,
VIA FLICKR.COM
Debtors’ prisons have not existed for centuries.
leading to the creation of modern day offshore bank accounts, which serve as a legal way for the wealthy to hide their assets. During his talk, Peebles said in modern times most of the people using offshore bank accounts are those who are avoiding a debt, like spousal support or lofty tax bills. Tisch junior Kerry McEnerey said she understood the social implications of the issue. “I thought it was really interesting how behind all this legal and financial issues [are] a lot of social issues just about how people view other people,” McEnerey said. “It’s about how you live, it’s not about just numbers.” Second-year GSAS student Frank Brancely said the topic of the lecture was perfect for an interdisciplinary audience. “It is a topic I’m not very literate about so it seemed very informative to me,” Brancely said. Peebles said he wants his research to change the way students see the world. “I believe that many social scientists are aiming to bring to light things that are right before our very eyes,” Peebles said. “I’m hoping I can bring some basic facts about the world system for regulating credit and debt into the cognizance of my audience.” Valentina Duque Bojanini is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Wasserman Center revamps internship opportunities By CASSANDRA CASSILLAS
The Wasserman Center for Career Development has implemented several changes since August 2013 as a result of the petition Tisch junior Christina Isnardi created last spring that brought attention to the unpaid internships on NYU’s job posting site, career net. NYU is one of the first universities to have made changes to rectify the unpaid internship situation. Changes to the site include a greater screening process for unpaid internships, including employers having to agree that their internship meets the Department of Labor guidelines, eight times the number of paid internship and job positions (from below 500 to over 4,000) than the 2013 spring semester and links to educate students on labor laws and illegitimate job postings. NYU spokesman James Devitt confirmed that Wasserman policies have changed. He said
NYU is also attempting to offer financial assistance to students who feel financially strained by taking an unpaid internship. “The Wasserman Center Internship Grant was established years ago,” Devitt said. “It provides financial assistance to students pursuing non-paying internships within not-for-profits, the arts, education, public service and other industries that do not traditionally pay their interns. The Wasserman Center now annually offers more than 300 $1,000 grants.” Isnardi said she started the petition after she started doing her boss’ work for free and started to feel even more strongly about the issue after hearing that her friends went through similar experiences. “I also had a friend who took an internship through Wasserman where he was told by the interviewer that the position was ‘paid,’ but discovered later that it was ‘paid with academic credit’,” Isnardi said. “So in-
stead of getting financial compensation for his work, he had to pay to work for free. I investigated this issue further and discovered that hundreds of unpaid internship posts on the career site seemed to be in clear violation of the DOL guidelines for internships.” The Department of Labor has a test to determine whether an unpaid internship is legal. The test is made up of six criteria: training similar to an educational environment, benefit to the intern, the intern not displacing staff but working under supervision, the employer deriving no benefit, the intern not being entitled to a job and a mutual understanding that there will be no pay. After contacting Wasserman about her concerns and being encouraged to gain support from her classmates, Isnardi and a friend presented their cause to dozens of student groups and gained over 1,100 signatures. “Sometimes when making a
presentation, I would just have to say the title of the petition and students would already take out a pen to sign it,” Isnardi said. Ian Poole, CAS senior, took an unpaid internship his sophomore year which almost turned him off of his intended career. “I remember having to make coffee runs, working hours from home, pulling all nighters to get my homework done too … it wasn’t worth it,” Poole said. “I was doing everybody’s work — it was sort of demeaning.”
Isnardi is now trying to bridge her campaign to a larger campaign to convince other universities to follow in NYU’s footsteps. “It gives me hope knowing that the success at NYU can set a precedent in which students at other universities can add upon, leading us all closer to seeing an end to the largely illegal and exploitative practice of unpaid internships,” Isnardi said. Cassandra Cassillas is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
FILE PHOTO BY WILLIAM MARTIN/WSN
The Wasserman Center helps students with employment.
4
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY BRYNA SHUMAN FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Students become teachers with Teach For America
By BAILEY EVANS
Each year, several recent NYU graduates return to school, not as graduate students, but as teachers in low-income schools for Teach for America. TFA employs dedicated young teachers in an effort to eliminate education inequality. Anna Le, NYU’s campus campaign coordinator for TFA, said her personal experience sparked her interest in TFA. “I am very passionate about educational equity because I am from a low-income background,” Le said. “Growing up, I personally witnessed the difference income makes in the quality of education students receive.” Graduates from many different fields, including psychology, film and political science enter the teaching profession through the program. NYU had 30 graduates in 2012 and 38 in 2013 enter the field of education through TFA. Gerald Jean-Baptiste, class of 2012 and an English teacher in Miami, said TFA helped him when he was a student, so he understands what current students struggle with. “Going to NYU and seeing the struggles I faced there, I understood that education was key to social uplift, so I knew I wanted to be involved in that,” JeanBaptiste said. “Especially doing Teach for America in Miami, it gave me the chance to work
with kids who come from the same background as me. It’s really something that’s tied to my life story.” According to TFA, only 8 percent of students living in poverty will graduate college by age 24. TFA’s mission is to ensure all kids receive an excellent education. However, TFA has recently come under fire for providing their teachers with only five weeks of training, compared to teachers who receive degrees in education. “Plenty of my classmates deserved to go to a great school like NYU but didn’t have the opportunity because of the many additional challenges of poverty,” Le said. “I hate the idea that some students cannot even begin to dream about going here because of where they live or how much money their parents make.” It is not just the students who learn from the program, the teachers themselves learn
about education inequality and the current educational system. For Le, the process is just beginning — she will be working for TFA in Baltimore next year. “I am looking forward to meeting my students and getting to know them and their families,” Le said. “There is so much potential in each student, and I am very excited to learn about their interests, what they enjoy and to spark their interests with whatever I am teaching.” Jean-Baptiste said NYU students considering the program should know the importance of the work they will do with TFA. “It’s one of the most rewarding jobs you can ever have,” he said. “Without us, Teach For America and the young teacher movement, it would be a lot harder to make change. We are very, very important.”
Exposure This week, WSN looked at different interpretations of love in our daily snapshot. To find these photos as well as exclusive galleries and multimedia content, log onto our Exposure blog at nyunews.tumblr.com. If you want to become involved, send an email to multimedia@nyunews.com for more details on joining WSN. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Bailey Evans is a staff writer. Emai her at features@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF TEACH FOR AMERICA
The nonprofit receives tens of thousands of applications each year.
GET TO KNOW THE STARS: INTRODUCING WEINSTEIN: JONATHAN EVANS Name: Jonathan Evans Hometown: Hong Kong Year: Steinhardt freshman Dorm: Weinstein residence hall Act: Acoustic performance of an original song What is your biggest inspiration? I would have to say John Mayer and Ed Sheeran, I’ve always been a huge fan of their music
and writing style. How long have you been performing and what made you interested in performing in the first place? I have been performing from the age of 8, but I started playing the piano at age four. I guess the Welsh side of my family is really musical and my parents always used to say it ran in the
COURTESY OF JONATHAN EVANS
blood, so I sort of followed in their footsteps. What made you decide to participate in the UVL Prelims? It looked interesting and my friends were really encouraging, so I thought I would give my dorm’s prelims a shot and see what would happen. What was the first thing that went through your mind when you found out you were advancing to the finals at Skirball? I was really excited — I still am! It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m really grateful to have made it this far. I guess also some nerves — Skirball is a pretty big room to hold with just a microphone and an acoustic guitar. What would winning UVL mean to you? It would be an honor, being able to go up against so many talented performers and place highly somehow.
LAFAYETTE: KENT MORITA Name: Kent Morita Hometown: Los Gatos, Calif. Year: Steinhardt sophomore Dorm: Lafayette residence hall Act: Instrumental Performance COURTESY OF KENT MORITA
What is your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration might be Brian May from Queen, Ken Jeong from “The Hangover” or David Macklovitch from Chromeo. They are very accomplished artists and all of them are very intelligent in the academic sense (Brian May has a Ph.D. for astrophysics, Ken Jeong is a physician, David Macklovitch has a Ph.D. in French). I just find it astonishing that one person can accomplish so much in different fields, and I have a massive amount of respect and admiration for those people. How long have you been performing and what made you interested in performing in the first place? I have been performing this act since the beginning of high school. I figured if piano takes 10 fingers to play, and trumpet only takes up three in one hand … that’s seven less fingers to worry about. And it seemed super fun. What made you decide to participate in the UVL Prelims?
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY BRYNA SHUMAN FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Israel trip grants students global insight, understanding By AVERY CHANG
After a life-changing trip to Israel over winter break, three NYU students are looking to begin conversations about the country’s rich complexities in the NYU community. CAS senior Jackie Retig, Stern junior Liz Beras and Steinhardt senior Alec Foster traveled with a trip organized by the David Project, a nongovernmental organization based in Boston. Thirty other students from eight American universities joined Retig, Beras and Foster in learning about Israel’s intricate social concerns. The 10-day trip began in Tel Aviv, continued on to the Golan Heights in the north and ended at Masada and Jerusalem. While traveling from one location to another, the delegation of students made stops to talk with various individuals, from an army colonel stationed on the border of Syria and Lebanon to Palestinian peace activists. “Having a variety of different speakers made the trip a good cross-section of Israel’s society,” Beras said. “I just feel so privileged to have been able to go on the trip because [Israel] is not simply just what people think it is.
5
It is so different to be able to go there and actually talk to these people who have these diverse views.” The trip offered the students a balanced point of view, allowing them to soak up knowledge and form their own opinions. After visiting sites, the students would discuss their sentiments with one another in a comfortable environment that enabled them to speak freely, an environment that they said was lacking on their home campuses. “This was exploring how to have a conversation about peace, having some sort of resolution, and how to have more conversations on campus about peace. And it’s hard to do that if campuses can be so one-sided,” Retig said. “Every college student can say that they are pro-peace. But having open discussions are difficult when campuses can be so polarizing.” Through meeting with a variety of people — fellow students and a wide of spectrum of speakers — the three travelers gained insight into how to have discussions about Israel, as well as other countries. Now, Retig, Beras and Foster are taking the lessons they learned and applying them
to provoke a broader, more expansive conversation. By mingling these lessons with their own interests, they will be holding events on campus to help create relationships between varieties of students. “Because we all belong to very different communities across NYU, we want to get a good cross section of those different groups to come together and be a part of the conversation,” Beras said. Currently, they are working with Students for Sensible Drug Policy and TorchPAC to bring Ari Hoffnung — NYC’s Deputy Comptroller for Policy and Budget — to NYU for a discussion on medical marijuana research and its successful use in treating terminally ill patients in Israel. They are also planning a panel event with a key-note speaker that will examine the potential of various industries in Israel. “One of the themes of the trip was understanding that the conversations shouldn’t just end there in Israel and that each of us, all coming from strong communities on campus and caring passionately about the issues, will come back and make waves,” Retig said. Avery Chang is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Free service assists renters in subletting apartment space By MADELEINE BALL
For students who live off campus, Flatbook could be the answer to leaving New York this summer without having to pay rent on an empty apartment. Flatbook is a free service that takes care of the subletting process. It can cover up to 100 percent of rent and utilities, store the owner’s belongings in a private storage facility and handle the apartment until the end of the summer. The Montreal-based real estate business is growing rapidly and has branches in 21 other cities. The new company launched its New York City branch in January and anticipates a busy season. CAS junior Danni Mao, regional manager of Flatbook, explained the process. Mao said the online application includes contact information, pictures and a description of the apartment. If the residence is eligible, an interior designer, photographer and cleaning team rearrange the living space for Flatbook to market it to another client. After the 12week sublet, the owner comes back for their keys and their apartment, exactly the way they left it. Francis Davidson, president of Flatbook, highlighted the marketing strategy. “[Flatbook] does a detailed market study of each city in which we operate
in,” Davidson said. “Covering our client’s rents is all about achieving sufficiently high occupancy rates, which is what we are specialized in and best at.” Flatbook user and McGill University student Aalaway Balala, who used the subletting service in Quebec, described the service as efficient and said she would use it again. “My roommate and I were happy, our landlord was happy and the people at Flatbook were happy, too,” Balala said. Not every apartment is eligible for Flatbook’s services. According to the company’s website, studios and onebedroom apartments do not qualify for the program unless they are sufficiently upscale. The apartment must also be available for 12 weeks or longer between April and October. Furthermore, fully furnished apartments are better suited for Flatbook’s services. Flatbook also offers a roommate relocation service for multi-tenant apartments when only one tenant will be staying in the city for the summer. The application deadline to list your apartment with Flatbook in New York City is April 1. NYU students who apply before Feb. 15 will receive a $300 bonus on top of rent and students who apply before March 1 will receive a $100 bonus on top of rent. Madeleine Ball is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
ULTRA VIOLET LIVE CONTESTANTS GODDARD: NARA WANG I love performing in front of an audience, it gives me a rush and makes me feel good. I imagine that perhaps I contributed to some entertainment and joy for some people. That would be awesome, and I play for that. What was the first thing that went through your mind when you found out you were advancing to the finals at Skirball? Never thought I would be playing on the same stage Key and Peele, Louis C.K. ... some of the greatest performers have made people’s day. I hope to do the same. What would winning UVL mean to you? Winning UVL? Oh man, I know that would be awesome. Every time I perform I am overjoyed when I see people’s faces light up and I am super happy when they start to clap. I would imagine winning UVL will be a form of that feeling I get, a feeling of “Yeah, you did good man” combined with “Hey, you should do more of this to make a bunch more people have fun.”
Name: Nara Wang Hometown: Chongqing, China Year: CAS freshman Dorm: Goddard residence hall Act: Mask dance What is your biggest inspiration? My biggest inspiration is my Face Changing teacher. I got a chance to watch his performance before I decided to learn. It was amazing, how an actor could change his face in a second and how traditional performance is combined within this art. I got a chance to talk to him and learned a lot of great culture inside this art. But my teacher initially didn’t take me as his student because I am a female. This art was protected a lot, especially for the female. Traditionally, females will marry so that they no longer stay in their family and if they carry this art, they will have the chance to reveal its secrets. But my passions and striving finally convinced my teacher and he took me as his only female student.
How long have you been performing and what made you interested in performing in the first place? I have been performing for three years. My first performance was with my teacher for poor farmers in China. It was on a stage in a square near a train station, and it was a public show for every passerby to watch. I found out that this Chinese traditional art is not only for those who can pay money for a theater show, but also for everyone, even the poor. Face Changing is a part of Sichuan Opera and this art should be introduced to the public, even the world. What made you decide to participate in the UVL Prelims? Initially, I saw the flyer near the elevator and thought it is probably a talent show, just for fun. So I decided to participate because I hope to introduce this great Chinese traditional art to the world. Not until the mandatory meeting of UVL Prelim did I find out this
was a competition. But my attitude is still the same, just to introduce this art to others. What was the first thing that went through your mind when you found out you were advancing to the finals at Skirball? My first thought was that it is unbelievable, because I am not a professional actress and I am not even from Tisch or Steinhardt. But I won the first prize in UVL Prelim and got the chance to perform at Skirball. It is also amazing and I am excited to finally have the chance to let more students, do-
mestic students and international students learn about this Chinese traditional art. I also have the burden to develop it and introduce it as a successor of this art. What would winning UVL mean to you? Winning UVL means Chinese traditional art Face Changing is not outdated like some people say it is. Traditional art also has its merits and should be appreciated by modern people. And I always hope people nowadays could look back and inherit those fantastic art before they die.
COURTESY OF NARA WANG
6
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK Plaid, fur, animal prints set trends
Designers forgo Lincoln Center tents By EVAN ZHANG
By DAVID BOLOGNA
Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is a time to spot some of the most chic, edgy and shocking trends that are captivating the streets. From onsite shows at Lincoln Center to offsite events in the Meatpacking District, audience members with a variety of careers and backgrounds bring just as much attention to the seats as the designers do to the runway. In this particular season, a few trends have taken the sidewalk world by storm. The fur coat has definitely made a comeback this season. Faux or real, the signature curl of sheepskin wool and the bustling hairs of dyed fur are a perfect winter accessory. H&M’s winter collection features lambskin wool this season, allowing the trend to be accessible to a larger market. Whether white, brown or even a color-swirled periwinkle combination, numerous attendees were seen displaying their taste while also keeping cozy and stylishly warm. Following this look is another staple finding inspiration in the animal world. Cheetah and leopard prints, mostly found on faux fur and printed coats, are slowly climbing their way back to the top of the fashion chain. Though these prints can be difficult to pull off, when styled with the right pieces, they can be a success. Plaid is a promising print right now as well, with most inspiration coming from Moschino and Saint Laurent’s Spring collections. The Met’s “Punk: From Chaos to Couture” exhibit may have helped resurface some nostalgia for this pattern as well. With both the collections and the exhibit as prominent reasons for this craze, the print found its way into countless wardrobes. For some, a more common red plaid emitted a grunge vibe that is highly popular. Others softened this trend by taking inspiration from grays and even pastels. Probably stealing the spotlight, leather accessories are in high demand both on and off the runway. In collections, leatherpiped details on shoulders and pants appeared in many looks while off-stage, street style-goers sported leather bags, pants and the classic full leather bomber and motorcycle jackets. This trend will surely reign in the winter season of this year as well as make a dramatic appearance next year. As always, runway shows give insight of what is to come for the following season. Taking a step back to look at current street style, however, can reveal what is most current and the statements fashion is making in this moment. David Bologna is a staff writer. Email him at bstyle@nyunews.com.
OR
MF
DAN
EO IEL Y
WSN
EDELAWIT HUSSIEN FOR WSN
During Fashion Week, Lincoln Center is always brimming with photographers, editors, models and others. This year, however, the tents were no longer the only go-to show locations. More designers followed the recent trend of showing their fall and winter collections in venues scattered around New York City rather than at the traditional tents. Overcrowding and a lack of creative freedom at the official venue make off-site shows appealing to designers. Designers, such as Carolina Herrera, publicly expressed their disappointment in Lincoln Center, criticizing the large amount of commercialization at the tents through sponsors and media attention. Although Herrera chose to show at Lincoln Center, her concerns were echoed by various other designers who were frustrated with the foot traffic around Lincoln Center during fashion week. IMG — the company arranging the event — tried to solve the problem of overcrowding at Lincoln Center with the addition of presentation space at the nearby Hub at the Hudson Hotel. Even with the extra space, the 69 shows at Lincoln Center and 10 presentations at the Hub still created to chaos. Choosing an off-site location reduced traffic and granted designers the freedom to customize their location. Rebecca Taylor is a supporter of having an
off-site show, and said the spaces grant the designer more creative control. Designers can choose an off-site space that better matches their aesthetic and vision. They also have more flexibility with the layout for their fashion show or presentation, and they do not have to follow Lincoln Center’s guidelines. This departure has been problematic for those trying to hop from show to show. Alexander Wang made the boldest move this season, moving his show to Brooklyn, which caused some showgoers frustration due to the trek. Other designers showed in the West Village and SoHo. As designers gain more flexibility with their shows, those who attend the shows have to take on a more rigid schedule. Now that the shows are no longer grouped together, show attendees must factor in travel time into their schedules, and people have to choose between overlapping shows. Despite the time crunch, there is an increased amount of creativity with the emergence of off-site shows, as well as an openness to new perspectives and ideas. When set free from location restrictions, designers can express their vision in new, exciting ways. Evan Zhang is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
7
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
FALL/WINTER 2014
BEST OF NYFW CHECK OUT THE FOLLOWING DESIGNERS WHO MADE A SPLASH THIS SEASON AND HEAD OVER TO NYUNEWS.COM FOR COVERAGE OF OVER 50 SHOWS.
KATYA LEONOVICH
ELISABETH BEREZANSKY FOR WSN
The trick behind this collection, and many of the metallic trench coats, was playing around with new silhouettes, using an A-line silhouette and bubble silhouettes.— CAROLINE AGHAJANIAN
DESIGUAL
STEPHANIE ZHENG FOR WSN
NY labor law shakes up model industry By SE WON PARK
SN
TRIS B
UC
OR W ARO F
CHRISTOPHER MINAFO FOR WSN
The fashion industry is constantly undergoing changes. From the stylistic trends to the different popular color schemes that change seasonally, what is fashionable is temporary. However, what is also transforming is how the fashion industry is being represented, specifically pertaining to who is presenting the designers’ creations. In previous years, the majority of models were in their 20s. Now, many models are starting their modeling careers in their early teens. The fact that designers want younger models to showcase their clothes reflects the alteration in the standard of beauty and relates to the market for underage models that are involved with the fashion industry. Child labor laws were enforced upon models who participated in this year’s New York Fashion Week for the first time. Part of these laws required young models, now defined as “child performers” by law, to work less hours. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a law that categorizes models under 18 as child models. Due to this, underage models will now be under the Department of Labor, which will set new guidelines, including a mandatory 12 hour break in between work shifts, a midnight curfew on weekdays and other strict regulations.
Because designers are constantly searching for younger models for their smaller body measurements, this could trigger deeper controversy on the topic of beauty. As models are required to uphold the standards of being youthful and skinny, they contribute to the skewed perception that the public has on the idea of beauty. The new law brought much dispute to the industry. While some thought using models despite their young age was unreasonable, others believe that the designers should lean towards using older, adult models. Marc Jacobs is well-known for his persistent use of young girls, some only 14, in his shows, and has publicly stated that hiring underage models is not problematic because their parents give consent. Only time will tell if Jacobs will change his mind on using younger models due to the many restrictions and procedures in hiring them. Regardless of whether designers are willing to hire young models for NYFW shows, the mandatory protection of such underage females sheds light on the continual portrayal of youth as the standard of beauty. Se Won Park is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
LUCA KHOURI FOR WSN
With numerous patterns and a modern approach to 60s-inspired cuts, Desigual showcased variety without straying from their instantly recognizable style. — HANNAH TREASURE
CHARLOTTE RONSON
CHRISTOPHER MINAFO FOR WSN
In her signature style of mixed patterns, Charlotte Ronson presented a stunning Fall 2014 collection that was edgy and modern while still maintaining a distinctive touch of English, feminine elegance. — BRYNA SHUMAN
RICARDO SECO
RACHEL KAPLAN/WSN
In contrast to the “pretty boy” image of an extremely cohesive collection, Seco stayed true to his edgy taste in his interpretation of menswear by working with mainly greys and blacks. — MICHELLE LIN
8
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
ARTS
EDITED BY CLIO MCCONNELL ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Hager reveals all in one-woman show ‘Alaska’
By JORDAN STERNBERG
When you walk into Celebration of Whimsy’s cozy little theater, you will likely be uncomfortable. Maybe it is the almost-naked woman dancing on a pole on stage or the sultry music accompanying her movements — whatever it is, before the show even starts, the audience can tell that this performance is not going to hold anything back. “Naked In Alaska: The True Story of Stripping in the Last Frontier” is an intimate one-woman show written and performed by artist Valerie Hager. The show tells the story of her own life as a stripper. With a couple of props, a few costume changes, a pole and a chair, the audience’s atten-
tion is focused on Hager’s words and how she says them rather than the elaborate performance aspects. Hager creates a sense of intimacy with her audience as she shares her journey from Los Angeles to Alaska. The show begins with a very distraught young Hager living at home in L.A. and struggling with bulimia and a crystal meth addiction. She talks about her best friend Raven who brought Hager to her first club in Tijuana. Raven is the reason Hager leaves to pursue dancing in Alaska. With Hager’s arrival in Alaska comes a whole new era in her life. She is no longer the lost girl with no direction making minimum wage. She has blossomed into a talented exotic
VIA NAKEDINALASKA.COM
Valerie Hager performs one of many roles.
dancer for the Showboat in Fairbanks, Alaska. Easily a rising star in the world of dancing, her talent becomes a dividing force between her and Raven. Along the way the audience meets fantastic characters, all played by Hager, such as Charlie, the loud-mouthed, over-eager dancer with more than a few flaws. Hager revelas intimate details of her love life, from her first boyfriend to the first time she kissed a woman. Some of the best characters she takes on are her customers, like the audacious cowboy or the burned widow. Without seeing the show, it is easy to classify “Naked in Alaska” as a stereotype. It might seem like a onetime show that changes an audience’s perspective, but one they will never go back to because it is too sad. But this is not the case at all. “Naked in Alaska” deals with upsetting topics, and there are moments when our mouths are left dangling at what Hager went through. However, these instants are interspersed with perfect comic timing and enjoyable dance numbers, making for a wonderful show. “Naked in Alaska” is playing through March 1 at the Celebration of Whimsy Theater, located at 21 Clinton St. Jordan Sternberg is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
Pirates take to small screen, make waves in latest television trend By NIVEA SERRAO
Every few years, certain themes emerge in television programming. Whether it is shows about producing sketch shows (“30 Rock,” “Studio 60 on Sunset Strip”) or fairy tale-inspired dramas (“Once Upon A Time,” “Grimm”), series with similar premises inevitably find themselves compared to one another. This year, the parallels will be drawn between new programming on Starz and NBC, with both networks debuting shows about pirates. Both shows are set in the year 1715 on New Providence Island in the Bahamas. But fortunately, that is basically all that the series have in common. “Black Sails,” a Starz Original Series that began on Jan. 25, takes its inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” the novel that produced one of the most famous pirates of all time, Long John Silver. The series serves as a prequel to the book, featuring Silver (before the parrot and peg leg) and his infamous boss, Captain Flint. The show follows both men — Flint on his ruthless quest for treasure and Silver on his journey to becoming Flint’s quartermaster. On the other hand, this summer’s “Crossbones,” on NBC will be taking its cue from history. The series begins when Tom Lowe (Richard Coyle, “Covert Affairs”), a British assassin, goes undercover to bring down the notorious pirate Edward Teach, also known as Blackbeard. The latter will be played by none other than John Malkovich. As the show progresses, Lowe finds
himself drawn into Blackbeard’s web and even siding with the pirate’s political philosophies. The current interest in pirates may seem a little out of left field, but it is not actually that surprising. Many networks have explored other avenues for genre shows, most of which have turned out to be successful. The CW has cornered the market on vampires with not only “The Vampire Diaries” but also “The Originals,” while AMC has zombies covered with the “The Walking Dead.” MTV has the hit remake of “Teen Wolf,” featuring a bevy of attractive young werewolves. Pirate series prove ideal in that they can include some fantasy elements, but they can also be historical dramas such as the HBO hit “Deadwood.” Television provides open waters for a show about pirates, unlike the four-installation Disney franchise that has dominated the genre on the big screen. The showrunners of “Black Sails” and “Crossbones” have the opportunity to present their own takes on the sea-bound scoundrels. Yet it remains to be seen whether there is enough room on television for two pirate series. Networks appear to be operating under the assumption that there is. “Black Sails” has already been renewed for a second season. Perhaps “Crossbones” will manage the same. In a sea of “Law and Order” spinoffs and various police procedurals like “NCIS,” a show about pirates might be just what viewers need. Nivea Serrao is a staff writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Sharon Jones returns to music, triumphant at Beacon By SEAN HICKEY
Starting a music career at age 40 is uncommon. It is also rare for a rising musician to leave the industry for a few years and then return with any chance of being successful again, Yet Sharon Jones, the lead singer of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, has beaten the odds of both the harsh music industry and of surviving stage II pancreatic cancer, which has a 10 percent survival rate. Her performance last Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Beacon Theater put that resilience and spirit on display for the first time since Jones’ treatment for her cancer. After a few soulful opening songs from the Dap Kings with Saundra Williams and Starr Duncan, formerly known as the Dapettes (backup singers), Jones burst out on stage to a roaring
audience. Her soul and rhythmand-blues style came straight from the heart and easily filled the Beacon. Two or three times Jones had to stop to remember words or catch her breath during the hour and 45 minute show — a lengthy show for any performer, but especially astounding for somebody who just beat cancer. During those breaks, Jones took the time to point out people in the audience that helped her through her recovery such as her doctor, the friend she now lives with and the leader of the wedding band she used to sing with. She also called up two people from the audience. The first was a young woman with whom Jones danced and sang her version of “This Land is Your Land.” The second was an older man who danced along to Jones’ song “Long Time, Wrong Time.”
One of the highlights of the night came when the horns blared the recognizable first few bars of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings’ most famous song, “100 Days, 100 Nights”. The crowd immediately recognized the favorite and somehow grew louder and danced more energetically than they had been already. Just like with every other song, Jones put her heart, soul and hips into the powerful number. The energy of this performance might have been matched only by Jones’ encore during which she sang “When I Come Home” and showcased the dance moves of the ’60s and ’70s like the boogaloo, the pony, the jerk and the twist. The atmosphere at the theater that night was reminiscent of the Motown era. Daptone Records, the independent recording company that signed with Jones and
other artists of the same soul, has strived to reignite this soulful flame and they are getting what they asked for from this marvel-
ous band of performers.
Sean Hickey is a contributing writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
VIA FLICKR.COM
Sharon Jones is back on the stage after a sabbatical.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY CLIO MCCONNELL ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
NBC comedy lineup suffers in quest for ratings By KEITH ALLISON
Though there have been a few rough spots in NBC’s current lineup, it is not all bad. “The Voice” is holding steady, “The Blacklist” has become a breakout hit and Jay Leno’s farewell episode gave “The Tonight Show” its biggest numbers since 1998. However, the network’s comedies are in dire straits. Television has changed drastically since the days of must-see TV, where NBC ruled Thursday nights with critical and commercial hits like “Seinfeld,” “Friends” and “Frasier.” Networks can grow to these proportions again if they can focus on consistent, quality programming first and ratings second. Therein lies the problem. While NBC is not what it once was, the company leaders want to maintain the foregone glory, mainly through that primetime Thursday block. NBC Network President Robert Greenblatt has been adamant about trying to make comedy work the way it used to, but the current television shows are not up to “Friends” standards and CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” is stiff Thursday
9
night competition. The shift that NBC has had to make is particularly evident in the changes made during its last few years of scheduling. “Community” and “Parks and Recreation” earned high acclaim from critics and had devoted fans, but they tended not to appeal to broader audiences, which made them susceptible to cancellation rumors. Following the finales of network mainstays “The Office” and “30 Rock,” “Community” and “Parks” have emerged as the only comedic constants on the NBC schedule. The fans for these niche shows have proven loyal, while critics deem new, broader comedies like “1600 Penn,” which was canceled after one season, too bland to appeal to anyone. Even calling in NBC veterans like Sean Hayes and Michael J. Fox to carry sitcoms (“Sean Saves The World” and “The Michael J. Fox Show,” respectively) failed to benefit the network’s rebirth. The lack of passionate support led to Hayes’ program halting production, and Fox’s show has been pulled from the schedule until April. Meanwhile, “Community” and “Parks” look likely to
be renewed once more, officially making them the network’s veteran comedies. With the unceremonious cancellation of fellow Thursday night freshman “Welcome to the Family” early last fall, it is clear NBC will not survive by taking the safe route. Despite all these changes, it is hard to tell what NBC can do to rectify its situation. So far, the plan seems to be to go for familiar names, though in upcoming series the celebrities will be more behind-the-scenes. Announced in October, Tina Fey will develop another series for NBC starring Ellie Kemper, while Amy Poehler is set to help create a show starring Natasha Lyonne. It is unclear how well these shows will fit into the future of NBC from a commercial standpoint — “30 Rock” was another ratings-challenged critical hit, after all. Perhaps the network will use this opportunity to branch out beyond Thursday nights but, for now, NBC is running out of options. Keith Allison is a contributing writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL TELEVISION
“Sean Saves the World,” one of several new NBC sitcoms, was recently canceled.
Russell follows model of Scorsese, Burton with Lawrence as muse By ALICIA FINE
Fresh from the award-winning success of “American Hustle,” director and screenwriter David O. Russell has already started work on his next project — a biopic of Joy Mangano, the creator of the Miracle Mop and an array of other handy household items. Russell often works with familiar actors on his films and his next is no different, tapping his two-time collaborator, Jennifer Lawrence, to portray Mangano. Mangano, a Long Island singlemother-turned-inventor, may not be much of a departure from Lawrence’s role in “American Hustle.” Lawrence has already won a Golden Globe and is nominated for an Oscar for her performance as suburban housewife Rosalyn Rosenfeld. It cannot be denied that Russell and Lawrence work well together. She won her first Oscar for her work in 2012’s “Silver Linings Playbook.” Their partnership on this Mangano biopic will soon tell if Lawrence and Russell can hit the trifecta. Russell is one of many directors who seems to have taken on a muse. Starting in the 1970s and continuing until the 1990s, Robert De Niro appeared in eight acclaimed films under the direction of Martin Scorsese. From “Mean Streets” and “Taxi Driver” to “Raging Bull” and “Goodfellas,” De Niro has proved himself as the quintessential tough guy on screen and a great partner off screen. Lately, Scorsese has found a worthy collaborator in Leonardo DiCaprio, most recently in the Oscar-nominated “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Nearly a decade ago, Scorsese gave DiCaprio one of his first gritty adult roles in “The Aviator” and the two have been a successful pair ever since, with movies such as “The Departed” and “Shutter Island.” Tim Burton and Johnny Depp are perhaps the most famed, instantly identifiable director-muse pairing. Starting with 1990’s “Edward Scissorhands,” Burton and Depp forged
a wonderful creative relationship defined by Burton’s signature dark, quirky aesthetic. His two highestgrossing films, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “Alice and Wonderland,” both featured Depp in leading roles. Wild card Quentin Tarantino and blonde vixen Uma Thurman share a relationship that is perhaps the most similar to that of David O. Russell and Jennifer Lawrence. Though Thurman appeared in several movies prior to working with Tarantino on “Pulp Fiction,” it was not until that film’s success in 1994 that Thurman’s name became famous. While working on “Pulp Fiction,” Tarantino and Thurman’s casual on-set conversations became an idea for a movie that eventually evolved into the cult favorite “Kill Bill” series. Thurman’s part was truly conceived by Tarantino especially for her. Though Russell has never publicly cited Jennifer Lawrence as his muse, it appears more and more obvious that Russell is writing roles with Lawrence specifically in mind, rather than casting her after the fact. After all, if it is not broken, don’t fix it — Russell and Lawrence have made movie magic together and are sure to keep doing so in the future. Alicia Fine is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Jennifer Lawrence is set to star in David O. Russell’s next film.
VISIT WSNHIGHLIGHTER.COM FOR WEEKLY TV REVIEWS, CONCERT RECAPS AND MORE
10
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
INFORMING YOU FIRST
@nyunews
Interested in working for us? Come to our Sunday Pitch Meetings. NEWS: 5:30 P.M. FEATURES: 6 P.M. ARTS: 6 P.M. SPORTS: 6:30 P.M. MULTIMEDIA: 6 P.M. OPINION: 7 P.M.
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Thursday, February 13, 2014
THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Flies (along) 5 Clutter 8 What spies collect 13 Voyaging 14 Flaming Gorge locale 16 Who has scored more than 850 points in an official Scrabble game 17 Frolic 18 “Beloved” author Morrison 19 Bagpipe music, maybe 20 Delt neighbor 21 You might slip on it 22 Fragrant compound 23 Lucy ___, title character in Sir Walter Scott’s “The Bride of Lammermoor” 25 Security Council veto
27 Sure-___ 29 Shellacs 31 First name in folk 32 ___ factor 37 Drippings, maybe 38 City in southern California 40 Unloading point 41 Food processor? 43 Overseas 44 Like some numbers and beef 45 Bill producers, for short 48 You might slip on it 51 Extemporizes 54 Theater’s ___ Siddons Award 55 Assign stars to 57 Distillery sight 58 Prefix with type 59 Plaintiff 60 Agree 61 Western German city 62 Shade providers
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE B R A T T Y
N O S E B A G
Y O H O H O
I R K S O M E
O V E R I T N E W I S S U E
B S P E O G M B A I I N G A M E A M O O T I C K E C E T E L L T I M A M E S Y P A S E L N A Y
U L T R A I L O E N N U I
R P E E H S P A T B O B P A C S O D E M B B L I S S Q S T S A U P E
A T O B
R A N O U S T H O O N
S I G N F O R
E L E N O R E
N U T J O B
A R E N O T
T E P E E S
K A R A T E
63 Genesis locale 64 Big name in tractors 65 ___-square 66 Wallop
Edited by Will Shortz 1
2
3
4
17
7
8 15
18
11
12
33
34
35
36
52
53
19
24
25
26
28
30
31
37
32
38
41
39
42
40
43
45 49
10
22
27
48
9
16
21
23
29
6
14
20
DOWN 1 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with only one Top 40 hit 2 British ___ 3 Sign of puberty, maybe 4 For example 5 Certain horror film villain 6 Alma mater for David Cameron 7 Site of slippage … both geographically and in this puzzle 8 Thorough 9 “Make some ___!” 10 Calorie-heavy dessert 11 Richard ___, “War Zone Diary” journalist 12 What womanizers do 15 Glistening, as Christmas ornaments 21 Haunted house sounds 24 Actor Maguire 26 Lead-in to plane 28 Site of a piercing 29 Forest female 30 ___ Burgundy, the anchorman in “Anchorman” 33 Splenda competitor
5
13
No. 0109
44
46
47
50
51
54
55
58
59
61
62
64
56
57 60 63
65
66
PUZZLE BY CALEB EMMONS
34 Make pieces of pieces? 35 OPEC member: Abbr. 36 Barrett of Pink Floyd 38 ___ Israel Medical Center 39 Experiment site 42 The speed of sound
44 See 46-Down
52 Genesis locale
46 With 44-Down, “key” invention of the 1830s
53 Blocked vessel opener
47 500 people? 48 Carefully examine 49 Appeared 50 Something to pare, informally
54 Tore 56 Agenda part 60 One of the Bushes
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
ADAM’S ANGLE
Federal Reserve under strong new leadership By ADAM FAZLIBEGU
Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet Yellen testified before Congress for the first time on Feb. 11. Facing skeptical lawmakers, Yellen emphasized continuity in the Federal Reserve’s strategy to wind down quantitative easing while keeping interest rates low. She has proven that she can withstand the heat of congressional scrutiny while assuring investors that she will not abandon the efforts of her predecessor, Ben Bernanke. Overall, Yellen’s testimony proves she has the potential to be a successful Chairwoman who will play a major role in improving the stability of the United States economy. Yellen began her nomination hearing for Chairwoman following an announcement from Bernanke on the implementation of a strategy that has since proven contentious. Although job growth was positive in January, it was weaker than economists had hoped. Nevertheless, Bernanke believed that the economy was strong enough for the Federal Reserve to begin tapering its quan-
titative easing — a process by which the Federal Reserve buys bonds to increase its monetary base — but still too weak to increase interest rates. Some argue that cutting back the quantitative easing is premature, while others believe that the strategy has been too prolonged and may risk future inflation. Despite criticism of Bernanke’s strategy, Yellen has remained adamant in her commitment to his existing policies. Faced with difficult questions, she responded succinctly and with great clarity, a departure from the Washington norm. Rep. Shelley Moore Capito mentioned that she understood more of Yellen’s testimony than that of the two Federal Reserve Chairmen before her. Yellen’s ability to send a clear message also comforted investors, and led to an increase on the yields
of long-term U.S. treasury bonds. Better still, the Chairwoman responded well to questioning unrelated to her economic decisions. She explained why she opposed the Government Accountability Office auditing the Federal Reserve on its interest rate choices with authority. Yellen explained to Rep. Michele Bachmann that even without the audit, the Federal Reserve could still be held accountable through hearings like the current one. Yellen’s encouraging performance on Tuesday has proven that she is prepared to take on the challenges of the Federal Reserve. In spite of the questionable monetary policy she inherited, she remained steadfast in her goals while managing to reassure investors. The clarity Yellen displayed in her testimony bodes well for the future of the Federal Reserve. Adam Fazlibegu is a staff columnist. Adam’s Angle is published every Thursday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Senator McConnell unlikely for re-election By OMAR ETMAN
Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, is in the last months of his fifth term in office and, if Tea Party newcomer Matt Bevin has anything to say about it, possibly of his entire tenure. Given his lofty standing in Washington, McConnell’s teetering on the edge of defeat comes as a surprise. In Washington, incumbency often equals re-election. In addition to the challenge Bevin represents, McConnell is expected to face current Kentucky Secretary of State and Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the general election. Bevin and Grimes, though political opposites, agree on one thing: McConnell must be taken down. Bevin’s main criticism of his Republican opponent is that he is too moderate for Kentucky. “He’s a progressive,” Bevin said. McConnell responded, “He’s making the argument that I’m somehow an Obama enabler. I’m sure the White House is snickering at that.” These comments hint at a primary fought between two men attempting to demonstrate the extent of their unwillingness to cooperate
SUBMITTING TO
11
with the White House. Since 2009, McConnell has proven he is committed to undermining the will and potential success of the Obama administration, yet his efforts are insufficient for Bevin. The only sign more telling of the state of American politics than the rift between Democrats and Republicans is the split between the GOP and the Tea Party, McConnell and Bevin. But that such derision can stem from a seemingly insignificant ideological divide is cause for concern. Or for Grimes, reason for celebration. As her Republican opponents battle each other, Grimes sits back and watches her numbers go up. Bevin’s ongoing attacks will undoubtedly expose McConnell’s inadequacies (more than his exhausted tenure already has for itself ), weakening the senior politician’s
standing when he faces Grimes in November. Most constituents are not expecting much more than a functioning government and no public missteps from their politicians, especially established players like McConnell. Despite McConnell’s position at the top of the political hierarchy, his support numbers are dwindling. Among Kentuckians, his job-approval rating is two points behind Obama’s, and the same poll found that Grimes holds a four-point advantage over McConnell for the general election. Her continued success and Bevins’ increasing momentum are not virtues of their individual worthiness but of the public’s frustration with stale leadership and gridlock. If the remainder of 2014 sees the incumbent Senate statesman continue to thwart the progress of national policy, then Grimes will not have much work left to claim his seat — McConnell’s continued incompetence is doing more for her campaign than his own. In Kentucky, familiarity breeds contempt. Omar Etman is a deputy opinion editor. Email him at oetman@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
NYU makes poor decisions for commuters
The decision to keep NYU open during a potentially hazardous winter storm has caused controversy and represents a significant risk to both students and staff. The university administration has underestimated the obvious risks associated with traveling during a severe snowstorm. The decision is both negligent and dangerous. Winter Storm Pax is shaping up to be brutal. After hitting the South hard, the storm is expected to bring heavy snowfall to the Northeast starting last night around midnight. Five to 12 inches of snow are expected to hit New York, and this could later turn into sleet or rain. Winds may reach up to speeds of 40 to 50 miles per hour around New York City, causing poor visibility conditions. In the tristate area outside of New York, the conditions are set to be even worse. For the large commuter body of NYU, this represents a particular danger. Even the most modest predictions would undoubtedly result in traffic delays affecting anyone who does not live near campus. A significant proportion of NYU students commute each day. This morning they will undoubtedly be subjected to consistent delays and hazards in what is typically a safe routine journey. In an email yesterday, the NYU administration encouraged “managers and faculty to be flexible” with regard to commuters — ironic, considering its own inflexible decision. Moreover, leaving individual decisions up to managers and professors wrongly alleviates the administration of their own responsibility. Of worthwhile mention, and to the university’s credit, NYU has made clear that it will continue to monitor the storm, and its decision to keep the school open, closely through the night. A visit to the NYU Secrets page on Facebook, an open, anonymous forum which is followed by over 22,000 people and is a hub of NYU online activity, is the clearest way to witness the separation between the administration and the NYU community. A post uploaded to the site within hours of the aforementioned email from the NYU administration puts the problem succinctly: “I refuse to miss classes because I pay NYU tuition for the education and it’s ridiculous that I have to put myself in danger to get there.” If the university hopes to improve perceptions among students, it must become receptive to student and staff safety. NYU’s continued negligence deepens the divide between the school’s administration and its students and staff. The National Weather Service has published a winter storm warning for the tristate region where “snowfall will make travel treacherous.” NYU administrators must heed their advice.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.