NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 11
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014
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Trial of Occupy protester approaches By RAHUL KRISHNAMOORTHY
After nearly two years of delays, the high-profile trial of Occupy supporter Cecily McMillan is finally going to court. McMillan, a graduate student at the New School and organizer for the Democratic Socialists of America, was arrested in Zuccotti Park by the New York Police Department on March 17, 2012, during a protest marking the six-month anniversary of the Occupy Movement. The prosecution alleges that McMillan assaulted a plainclothes NYPD officer with an elbow to the face in the course of the arrest, having charged her with assault in the second degree, a Class D Felony in the state of New York. This classification carries a maximum sentence of seven years jail time. The New York District Attorney is pursuing this maximum sentence. McMillan’s defense, headed by
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Weekend Wrap-Up: Basketball, Swimming and Diving, Wrestling Mens and women’s basketball teams compete in two games in their conference, while the wrestling team defeats both Case Western and University of Chicago to win their third UAA championship.
STORY ON PAGE 8
Fallon takes torch from App presents alternative to flash cards Leno on ‘Tonight’ By NICOLE DEL MAURO
By SEAN HICKEY
Late night television changed for the better when Jimmy Fallon — comedian, “Saturday Night Live” alumnus and former host of “Late Night” — became the sixth host of the institution known as “The Tonight Show” on Feb. 17. But before that could happen, Fallon, The Roots and the writers and crew had to put on test shows. These performances look and sound just like the real show, but are only watched by the studio audience and are used to smooth out any wrinkles. This week, WSN was granted a look at the whole new studio, theme song and next generation of “The Tonight Show.”
Studio 6B, the home of most of Fallon’s “Late Night” and, more notably, the home of “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” before Carson’s move to California, has traded in its rough, urban atmosphere for a smoother, more immaculate ambience. The refurbished walls are made of light, naturally golden wood that also lines the new bandstand for The Roots and matches Fallon’s desk. The new two-toned blue curtain drapes from the ceiling down to the shiny dark floor, contrasting nicely with the wood and the bronze shamrock where Fallon stands for his monologue.
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When he was 12 years old, CAS sophomore Tanner Nelson was given a book titled “How to Design a Webpage” to keep him occupied while at his father’s office. The book sparked a strong interest that prompted Nelson to teach himself how to code websites and apps by reading books and watching online tutorials. Nelson used this self-taught knowledge to create Cardie, an iPhone app designed to teach users vocabulary over time through a series of scheduled activities. The app launched on Feb. 1 and is available for free on the iTunes App Store. Cardie is designed to hold multiple sets of vocabulary words. After downloading the app, users choose from the “Word of the Day”
set, the pre-uploaded pack created by Nelson, or sets they have created or found using Quizlet, which they can import. Nelson’s inspiration for the app stemmed from his failed attempt at learning one new word a day on dictionary.com as a high school student. Every day, a card displaying a word and its definition is selected from the pack and three daily tasks are assigned to each word. The tasks allow users to memorize definitions by using words in various interactive ways. Some activities include incorporating the word in a sentence, creating small rhymes or mnemonic devices and uploading a picture associated with the word. Users can choose from a list which three tasks they want to complete for each word set. CAS sophomore Josefa Bitenc
said using Cardie helped her learn Latin vocabulary without making flash cards because the activities were more effective than traditional learning styles. “Learning vocab for your language class is never going to be the most fun thing in the world, but anything you can do to make it better, in my book, is a good idea,” Bitenc said. The app also reminds users to complete their activities. Users create a schedule that consists of three alerts — one for each morning, afternoon and night. At the selected times, users are notified it is time to complete an activity. Completed activities are submitted and then graded by other Cardie users, which adds a social networking aspect to the app.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE
COMPILED BY THE
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STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
BEST CANDY
Editor-in-Chief NICOLE BROWN Managing Editor
MICHAEL DOMANICO The days after Valentine’s Day are the best time to buy candy, as department stores start selling their leftover sweets at discounted prices. Check out some of our staff’s picks for the most delicious candy.
Deputy Managing Editor
CASEY DALRYMPLE Assistant Managing Editors
TATIANA BAEZ JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU Creative Director
CICEK EREL
Special Editions Director
LYANNE NATIVIDAD SENIOR STAFF
1. The Hershey’s Twizzler brand has hardly made a misstep — its classic Twists, Bites and Nibs are all delicious (with the exception of the sweet and sour filled twists, which are gross). But the best kind of Twizzler is definitely Pull ‘n’ Peel because they are as chewy and delicious as the original, but the peelable gummy strands are much more fun to play with. You and your friends can even be creative with your snacking. — IFE OLUJOBI
2. Nothing really comes close to the magic of unwrapping a Dum Dum and savoring the lollipop’s sinfully sweet taste. When it comes to candy, you truly cannot beat a classic. Boasting over 16 different flavors that range from lime to dulce de leche, Dum Dums are champions of sensory overload. My personal favorite is, of course, the mystery flavor. For those who dare, unwrapping a mystery Dum Dum will make you feel like a kid opening Christmas presents for the first time again. — BOB TEOH
3. These days, the variety of M&M’s is slightly overwhelming. When the only options were plain and peanut, it was pretty easy to pass up the candycoated chocolate altogether. But everything changed when Mars Inc. introduced Peanut Butter M&M’s. The sweet saltiness of the peanut butter is much better than regular old Peanut M&M’s, and the addition of a chocolate layer blows Reese’s Pieces out of the water. Keep an eye out for that red packaging — you will not be disappointed. — CLIO MCCONNELL
4. “Gimme a break, gimme a break, break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar!” Besides being the candy with the best jingle, Kit Kats are also the candy with the best taste. Consisting of only milk chocolate and crunchy wafers, they are the embodiment of simplicity. Add in the fun of snapping the candy bar in half, giving you the option of how you want to eat it, and it is impossible to come up with a better snack. — DYLAN JARRETT
5. When a candy bar is not quite enough and you have that cookie craving, there is nothing like a Twix bar. Chocolate, caramel and crunchy cookie make this snack particularly rich and scrumptious. And with two in a pack, they are great for sharing. — VALERIE NELSON
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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
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TODAY ON CAMPUS
deputy opinion editors
CHRISTINA COLEBURN, OMAR ETMAN, NINA GOLSHAN
“It’s Complicated” Book Launch
Medieval Dogs at Work
GIPH Speaker Series
The Institute for Public Knowledge is hosting a book launch for Media, Culture and Communication professor Danah Boyd, who wrote “It’s Complicated: the Social Lives of Networked Teens.” Sociology professor Dalton Conley will moderate the discussion at 20 Cooper Square from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Professor Susan Crane, who teaches English and comparative literature at Columbia, will discuss interspecies relationships during Medieval Times. The lecture will be held at La Maison Française at 7 p.m.
The Global Institute of Public Health speaker series launches with Paolo Boffetta, who is the director of the Institute for Translational Epidemiology at Mount Sinai Hospital. The kickoff event is at the Kimmel Center for University Life at noon.
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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com
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TRIAL continued from PG. 1
CARDIE continued from PG. 1
Students weigh in on Occupy trial, allegations of NYPD abuse
criminal defense attorney Martin Stolar, alleges that the assault was a clear case of self-defense. “She is accused of intentionally assaulting the police officer in order to prevent him from performing his duties,” Stolar said. “There is no question that she hit him. The question is ‘How come?’ and ‘Why did she hit him?’” The question of why McMillan reacted in a manner that can be considered assault is at the crux of this case. Videos and photos of McMillan allegedly being sexually assaulted and her subsequent brutalization and neglect by NYPD officers while she underwent a protracted seizure went viral after her arrest. “She felt someone behind her grab her right breast and lift her up,” Stolar said. “And that’s when she reacted, startled.” Gallatin senior Caitlin Brimmer has rallied behind McMillan following the allegations of the nature of the supposed abuse and subsequent criminal trial. “Cecily is the prime example of the tactics used by the NYPD during Occupy,” Brimmer said. “Sexual assault was an oftenemployed tactic for arrests because it is a way to make people, especially women, feel vulnerable and in turn easier to
“There is no question that she hit him. The question is ‘How come?’ and ‘Why did she hit him?’” — Martin Stolar manhandle and arrest.” Gallatin sophomore Lucy Parks, who has attended various Occupy protests, said she thinks the conduct of the NYPD is appalling. “During those protests I witnessed a great deal of police brutality, including extensive beatings,” Parks said. “I think that the NYPD handled Occupy very poorly and the fact that they’ve been able to more or less get away with it is indicative of the fact that dissent in this country is no longer a civil right.” McMillan’s trial has been rescheduled for March 3 and will be open to the public. Rahul Krishnamoorthy is a contributing writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
CAS sophomore creates multi-purpose app
Users are rewarded for correct answers with points and an activity’s point value decreases as a task is submitted further from its scheduled time. Grading other people’s work also earns users points. Currently, the points are for bragging rights only, but Nelson said he plans to eventually have unlockable prizes. Nelson said Cardie is an effective learning tool because exercises are fun to complete and users cannot forget to review material. “You try to cram but if you just do things throughout the day it really gets seared into your memory,” Nelson said. In the future, Nelson wants to expand the kind of material available to learn through the
app. For example, an interactive digital piano keyboard to teach users notes is a feature Nelson hopes to develop. “I really want this app to be something that you can use to learn anything,” Nelson said. Nelson, who initially wanted to study pre-med and computer science, said he aspires to create apps relating to bioinformatics, a field focused on organizing, storing and analyzing biochemical and biological information that will help medical professionals. “I really want to take it to the next level and use apps and code to help save people’s lives,” Nelson said. Nicole Del Mauro is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Two NYU School of Law students participated in the International Chamber of Commerce’s mediation competition in Paris for the first time in early February. The ICC International Commercial Mediation Competition takes place between two opposing teams who must develop a mediation plan and work toward an agreement while still protecting certain pre-established interests and information. Each team is made up of two individuals who act as the client and attorney in the mediation process. Dawn Chardonnal, the com-
munications and media relations manager for the ICC, explained the purpose of the competition. “The competition aims to raise awareness of mediation as a dispute resolution technique that provides businesses with a procedural framework to settle matters cordially, rapidly and cost-effectively,” Chardonnal said. Mary Grace White and Laura Wolfe were NYU’s first team to participate in the competition and on Feb. 11 they advanced to the quarterfinals. “Ideally, mediation allows disputants to engage directly with one another to develop creative solutions and exchange information in
COURTESY OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Mary Grace White and Laura Wolfe represent NYU.
ABU DHABI
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Officials in the United Arab Emirates are making an effort to eliminate the use of low-quality, inefficient incandescent light bulbs in the country. — THE NATIONAL SYDNEY
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Shoppers pay 35 percent more for clothing sold at the outlets of international fashion retailers compared to online shoppers from the United States and United Kingdom. — THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD BUENOS AIRES
SHAWN PAIK/WSN
Cardie guides people in their everyday tasks.
Law students advance in ICC competition By ANN SCHMIDT
ON THE WIRE
a supportive, flexible environment conducive to repairing or preserving an ongoing business relationship,” Wolfe said. White and Wolfe participated in the Vis International Arbitration Moot Competition in 2013, but had never participated in the ICC’s mediation competition before this year. The Vis competition involved only one problem that teams work on from October to April, while the ICC mediation competition introduced new problems for each round of the competition, White explained. “The competition was very different from what we had experienced in the Vis Moot Competition,” White said. “We could not practice the way we usually do, by practicing the same arguments and presentation repeatedly until it is polished.” Wolfe said the two teammates went into the competition blind. “Much of our most effective preparation took place at the competition itself,” Wolfe said. “We were extremely fortunate that coaches of other teams, judges and practitioners serving as mediators were willing to spend time with us, either expanding on feedback given during rounds or suggesting strategies that worked well for their own teams.” White said the competition was a challenge without the experience of their own coaches and team-
mates to help them, which they had during the Vis competition. “Here, because the team was new, it was just the two of us at the competition,” White said. “We were really fortunate to have the help of Kathleen Roberts, one of our professors, in getting a basic understanding of how a mediation session works.” Even though they are graduating this spring, Wolfe and White plan to recruit and coach a team next year. Wolfe said she hopes to get business students involved in the competition. “Any opportunity to encourage cross-communication between the professional schools is one we ought to exploit,” Wolfe said. “We’d love to field a team of four next year, and hope our experience will serve as an advertisement to students who might be considering exploring alternative dispute resolution.” Wolfe said she appreciates the Law school’s faculty and the availability of courses and clinics on different subjects such as mediation, arbitration and negotiation. “But sometimes the best way to really explore an interest is through practical application in a fun, competitive environment,” Wolfe said. Ann Schmidt is a news editor. Email her at aschmidt@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Teachers are demanding a 35 percent increase in their wages for the coming school year and are threatening to strike if their demands are not met, which could delay the beginning of classes for students. — BUENOS AIRES HERALD ACCRA
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
As part of their Valentine’s Day Homecoming initiative, the telecommunications company Vodafone Ghana has paid the medical bills of 180 impoverished patients. — VIBE GHANA WASHINGTON, D.C.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Workers at the Dulles Airport found an unidentified man’s body in the landing-gear wheel well of a plane arriving from Johannesburg, South Africa via Dakar, Senegal. — NBC WASHINGTON
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
DINING
EDITED BY CHANDLER WEST DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Restaurant Week offers discounts, meals for students By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
New York City’s Restaurant Week runs from Feb. 17 to March 7 this year, with almost 300 of the city’s most esteemed restaurants participating. The restaurants range from The Blue Smoke in Battery Park
City to The Cecil in Harlem. Any style of cuisine one can imagine is offered, from Asian Fusion to Southern Barbecue. The prix fixe meals are $25 for three-course lunches and $38 for three-course dinners. These options provide a prime opportunity for students and
tourists alike to try some of the fanciest meals the city has to offer, while staying within the restraints of their cashstrapped budgets. Here are some of our recommendations.
Porter House New York Usually marked in the over50 dollar price range, this is the go-to steakhouse for people interested in Restaurant Week’s most intense savings. This Midtown classic located on Columbus circle has a bevy of savory and hearty cuts of beef. (10 Columbus Circle)
Blue Fin
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Blue Fin offers plenty of fresh fish options for customers.
If you are not up for something too heavy, try Blue Fin. Blue Fin is a seafood restaurant in the Times Square/Theater District neighborhood. This restaurant’s reputation is built on its fresh seafood and modern-chic atmosphere. A standout on Blue Fin’s Restaurant Week menu is the hazelnut
Spiced cauliflower soup recipe warms up winter cuisine By KARI SONDE
Affordable produce is a college must-have, and seasonal produce is the best option. During the winter, cauliflower is in season, so this spiced cauliflower soup is easy, affordable, deliciously warm and comforting in the cold weather. Try this recipe, which makes about four servings.
Ingredients 1 cup chopped cauliflower 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced
KARI SONDE FOR WSN
Spiced cauliflower soup is a seasonal treat.
1 tomato, chopped 1 cup spinach, chopped ½ onion, chopped 1 can chickpeas 2 cups vegetable broth ½ teaspoon cumin ¼ teaspoon cayenne ½ teaspoon turmeric ½ teaspoon paprika Salt to taste ½ teaspoon garam masala (optional)
Directions 1. Heat the olive oil in a pot on medium heat. 2. Add the onion, paprika, garlic, cumin, cayenne, garam masala (optional) and turmeric. Cook until the onions are translucent, stirring occasionally. 3. Add the tomato and spinach to the pot. Cook until spinach is soft and wilted. 4. Add the vegetable broth, chickpeas and cauliflower. Simmer until cauliflower is tender (around 15 to 20 minutes). Add salt to taste. 5. Portion into bowls and serve.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Gotham provides meals for students with a bigger budget. crusted scottish salmon, available during both lunch and dinner. (1567 Broadway)
ing bass sashimi and pearl barley and wild mushroom risotto. (12 East 12th Street)
Gotham Bar and Grill
These three restaurants are only a sampling of the many options available to everyone for the two weeks of Restaurant Week. The full official list can be found online.
If NYU students are looking for something a bit more local yet still well-known and upscale, they might enjoy the Gotham Bar and Grill in Greenwich Village. This restaurant serves New American cuisine and offers a variety of options includ-
Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
Dogmatic migrates from Union Square to MacDougal
By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO The first brick-and-mortar location of Dogmatic opened its first doors in October 2008 along Union Square, between Fifth Avenue and Broadway. As of last May, however, the restaurant relocated to a new location just south of NYU’s main campus at 120 MacDougal St. Dogmatic has a small mural of cows grazing in a large pasture. The restaurant’s setup is not ideal for sitting down — stools and tables
rarely align together — but luckily the food is perfect for eating while standing. The dogmatic dogs, the restaurant’s healthier version of hot dogs, are served wrapped in artisan French bread. Diners can choose from beef, lamb, chicken, pork or asparagus dogs. They can also choose from different sauces, such as cheddar jalapeño, chimichurri, horseradish mustard or truffle gruyere. The meats and sauces, all with their own distinct and mesmerizing flavors, are
Optional: To include grains in the dish, add couscous. Boil 1 1/2 cups of water. When water is boiling, stir in 1 cup of couscous and immediately remove from heat. Let sit for five minutes. When couscous is cooked, drizzle some olive oil, sprinkle some salt and fluff lightly with a fork. Add a scoop on top of each bowl of soup before serving. Kari Sonde is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
MATT GOLDMAN FOR WSN
Hot dogs are a popular speciality at Dogmatic.
completely wrapped in the bread and incapable of dripping or falling out, making the dogs much more portable than regular hot dogs. They also maintain a high quality of flavor. Marisa Regal, the manager of the site, said the restaurant provides an alternative to traditional fast food. “[Dogmatic tries to] promote this naturally good fast food philosophy,” Regal said. Tisch sophomore Jake Rogers said he appreciated the quality of the food. “Usually I feel sick after eating a hot dog or hamburger, like from Burger Studio, but when I ate here I felt full, but not sick,” Rogers said. The dogs, particularly the lamb and truffle gruyere combo — their most highly recommended option — are rich in flavor and easy on the stomach. The mac ‘n’ cheese is very light and almost fluffy. Dogmatic also serves all-natural sodas, made using only juice and carbonated water. Although the prices are higher than the usual fast food fare, customers pay for a singular culinary experience and an ecofriendly enterprise. Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY CLIO MCCONNELL ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM TONIGHT continued from PG. 1
Fallon evokes Carson’s memory, shines in role as host of ‘Tonight Show’ Even the personnel got a minor makeover: The Roots have added a horn section, including trumpeter David Guy of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. As Steve Higgins introduced the show, the band played the new theme song, a bit slower and more playful than the tune featured on Fallon’s “Late Night.” This intro is a good match for the new opening sequence directed by Spike Lee that depicts Fallon walking through New York. Fallon ran through his monologue and Thank You Notes as if for
COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL TELEVISION
Fallon pleases audiences as “Tonight’s” new host.
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a real show, though perhaps taking more time to riff with Higgins, much to the audience’s delight. Next, Fallon introduced his guest John Oliver, who discussed his new HBO show “Last Week Tonight.” For a few moments in the test show, Fallon showed characteristics similar to Carson’s. All that was missing was booze, a few cigarettes and Frank Sinatra. It all made sense right then and there — Fallon and this new studio have created the purest “Tonight Show” since Carson’s. Fallon has brought the show back to New York in more ways than one. Using Spike Lee, having wooden skyscrapers and operating from Studio 6B in 30 Rockefeller Center brings a whole classic New York attitude that radiated from Carson and that has been lost since. Fallon has big shoes to fill, but his team, headed by SNL producer Lorne Michaels, could not be more ready. For those who have their doubts regarding Fallon’s readiness, once they see him beaming in that studio with the wider camera angles, crisper lighting and bigger audience, those doubts will dissipate. Behind all of the shine and prestige, Fallon’s friendly persona has not changed. He still ended the show by running through the audience, giving high fives and hugs. After a final wave goodbye, he went to his dressing room to keep working on Monday’s episode, the first of many for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Sean Hickey is a contributing writer. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
‘Real Hair’ EP embraces Speedy Ortiz’s heavy sound, features dense lyrics By JOHN AMBROSIO
With its deep lyrics and ‘90s alternative rock aesthetic, Speedy Ortiz’s “Major Arcana” made its way onto several lists of the year’s best music in 2013. Nearly a year later, the Massachusetts noise-rockers’ new EP “Real Hair” marks a shift in the band’s direction. This release could signal an even greater future for Speedy Ortiz. Listening to “Real Hair,” the sound is noticeably heavier than “Arcadia.” While the latter drew comparisons to bands like Pavement, the disjointed rhythms, crunchy guitars, heavy bass and arrhythmic vocals of the new album are more reminiscent of ‘90s post-hardcore bands
like Shudder to Think and Slint, as well as fellow Massachusetts grunge rockers Dinosaur Jr. Throughout the 13-minute album, guitarist and singer Sadie Dupuis glides from one angular riff to another, placing heavy and tasteful solos at appropriate moments along the way. However, the EP shines brightest from its lyrics, which are as dense as they are inviting. On the first track, “American Horror,” Dupuis tells the story of someone whose American dream turned into a nightmare, singing “Brought into this web/Full of bees, found you in the glue and began their stinging.” Perhaps singing about a corrupt politician, Dupuis later howls “The state house is a tad fixed by
COURTESY OF CARPARK RECORDS
“Real Hair” reminds listeners of post-hardcore bands.
you/Kick your dirty feet upon that web/With all those bees/ Now your poor leg’s sticky, oh what a bad scene.” She then sinks into a dark and brooding solo that is laden with thick distortion, giving a sense of weighty feelings. The rest of the EP uses similar musical ideas, almost to the point of being repetitive, as it returns to the same woeful lyrical territory. “Oxygal” tells the story of how Dupuis “fell for a bone bag,” from whom she must distance herself without looking back, lest “I second guess my work and stick my head out/It’ll blow off in one shot.” In “Shine Theory,” Dupuis examines the guilt she feels at being unable to return the love shown to her, singing in the chorus “I want to want him so bad/But I don’t recognize the charms that he has/‘Cause my heart looks in on itself.” These beautifully ambiguous lyrics, holding any number of alternative interpretations, are what make Speedy Ortiz so great. Dense, introspective lyrics mixed with the heavy, intricate music make for a solid EP. “Real Hair” makes an impression that bodes extremely well for Speedy Ortiz’s next fulllength album. John Ambrosio is a contributing writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
Romanian film juxtaposes fiction and reality
By DAVID ISRAELI
“Child’s Pose” is as real as it can be. The film, which opens Feb. 19 at Film Forum, tells the story of a mother’s love for her son in the face of tragedy and does so in such a way that viewers have no choice but to step into the reality created by the filmmakers. The third feature from Romanian director Calin Peter Netzer, “Child’s Pose” was selected as the Romanian entry for Best Foreign Feature Film at the 86th Academy Awards. The film also received last year’s Golden Bear Award at the 63rd Berlin Film Festival. “Child’s Pose” marks the continued prosperity of what has been called the Romanian New Wave. Heralded in by internationally acclaimed films such as Cristi Puiu’s “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu” (2005) and Corneliu Porumboiu’s “12:08 East of Bucharest” (2006), this surge in Ro-
manian filmmaking is noted for its critical insights into modern Romanian culture and society, a vein within which “Child’s Pose” excels. The film begins with a dialogue between two sisters, Olga (Natasa Raab) and Cornelia (Luminita Gheorghiu), discussing the alienation of Cornelia’s son, all in a single shot. Viewers follow Cornelia and watch her celebrate her birthday, diving into the world of the Romanian nouveau riche. At an opera rehearsal, Cornelia hears the news that her 30-year-old son, Barbu (Bodgan Dumitrache), has been in a car accident resulting in the death of a little boy. Barbu is a deadbeat with no irons in the fire whose life is complicated by a girlfriend with a child from a past relationship. When his mother tries to reenter his life after the accident, Barbu fights to pull away from
her, even as she tries to resolve the issue. The audience watches as Cornelia pushes herself and those around her to their limits to cleanse her son’s reputation. With camera work by Andrei Butica, the film lends itself largely to a simulation of documentary, grabbing the viewer with its stark ultra-realism right from the opening credits. Certain scenes call Michael Haneke (director of 2012’s “Amour”) to mind, as they take their time and let the viewer sit beside the characters in their own world. Gheorghiu constructs a mortifying and empathic image of a mother who is willing to sacrifice everything in order to keep her son close. Having appeared in Haneke’s “Code Inconnu” and Puiu’s “The Death of Mr. Lazarescu,” Gheorghiu continues to affirm her reputation as a titan of Eastern European cinema. The script, co-written by Razvan Radulescu and Netzer, is crafted
with such meticulous attention to detail that viewers might mistake it for nonfiction. What “Child’s Pose” accomplishes in 112 minutes cannot easily be mimicked. While opening a window into the world of Eastern European bourgeoisie, the film — thanks to its direction, brilliant performances and sharp screenplay — does not just
give the viewers a well-fashioned story, but also a real world imbued with real life. “Child’s Pose,” unabashed in its honesty, leaves the audience eager for Netzer’s future work, adding itself to the body of powerful European cinema. David Israeli is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF ZEITGEIST FILMS
Gheorghiu earns praise for her role in “Child’s Pose.”
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The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, February 18, 2014
THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Nonsense 5 Nonsense 9 Nonsense 14 “California ___ Alles” (classic punk rock song) 15 James who wrote “A Death in the Family” 16 Car with a stylized caliper in its logo 17 Target of NASA’s Rover mission 18 B&Bs 19 Clear of vermin à la the Pied Piper 20 Nonsense 22 Nonsense 24 Near-prime seating 26 Overseer of N.Y.C. subways 27 Nonsense 31 “Didn’t you leave out something …?” 33 Emulates Jay Z and Master P
37 Score before a service break, maybe 38 Windshield material 40 ___ King Cole 41 Nonsense 42 Nonsense 43 Nonsense 45 “Well, ___ be!” 46 River crossed by the Pont d’Avignon 48 Kingly 49 “Sax on the Beach” musician John 51 ’50s presidential nickname 52 Nonsense 53 “Thumbs up” response 55 Sailor’s tale 57 Nonsense 61 Nonsense 66 Some jabs and turns 67 “Right back ___!” 69 Second hearing? 70 Skylit rooms
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE O N T H E G O
F O R A S O N G
F L E W S O L O
F S T O P
A T O N A L
R O M E R O
E R T E A T I R S E Y N E C A S N E E I A N T O
P E P O T H O S S B A L M O B W A
L O H A N E L L
L O D A L A C L B E S
U S N S O N E V E V A A I D R I E L I S Y F A L E D U Z O L P U T S S
C E C I L
O R A L L Y
P O L L E D
S L A Y S
S T I C E R A S M I N E S I P H S T A S T E W E E T E A R S
71 Tiny bit of time: Abbr. 72 Thin Russian pancake 73 Nonsense 74 Nonsense 75 Nonsense
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38 Understand, informally
52 Bring up, as a subject
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54 “Can you see” preceder
44 Lo-___ (not so clear)
56 “Sure, I remember!” 47 Shout after a series of numbers 57 Shrug-worthy 50 McDaniel of “Gone With the Wind”
58 Actor Jared of “My So-Called Life”
59 Do that may have a pick 60 Tirade 62 Jimmy who wrote “Galveston” and “MacArthur Park” 63 Rights org. 64 Leg part 65 Beep 68 General on a menu
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 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
HEALTH
NYU should provide proper dental care By DANIEL COHEN
While organizing with the Graduate Student Organizing Committee, the graduate employee union on campus, I have come across many unnecessary dental disasters — Two grad students who spent $5,000 on necessary procedures for their mouths, substandard care from NYU dental students (a four-visit root canal springs to mind) and countless others who have given up professional care altogether. When I returned to my childhood dentist in Toronto after four years without seeing one at NYU, he found a cavity, softening teeth, gingivitis and a trophy wall of plaque. With a $235 “Stu-Dent” plan we can buy two cleanings a year from dental students and receive light discounts on bigger procedures. But dental students cannot do everything — complex work is both expensive and risky. Dental students pay tuition, the rest of us pay them to experiment on our teeth. NYU is double-dipping in our mouths. Yes, dental students must train and usually service
is fine, but why should patients pitch in for this? We deserve proper dental insurance. Teeth are part of the body and should be insured in the same way. For years I have argued within the union that we should prioritize dental care. Many agreed, while others responded that my attitude reeked of entitlement. However, grad employee unions elsewhere have won real dental insurance. At UMass Amherst, the UAW grad employee contract includes free cleanings and checkups, as well as 65 to 85 percent discounts on other procedures — all from licensed professionals. At NYU, yellow Stockholm syndrome rots our teeth. Dental decay can be a health hazard. In fact, death and disease
from preventable tooth decay is on the rise again in post-recession America. Dental care should not be a luxury. Is it strange that we treat a chunk of our face as a bodily zone of exception? Or maybe, the situation exemplifies the way decent care is not an inherent property of our health system, but rather a cluster of victories. Like a frustrated Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day,” we have to keep winning the same fights over and over. For NYU students, flossing the complacency off of our mashers is just the beginning. Real change will take action. Grads can take the lead by setting a better standard. Through GSOC-UAW we have elected a bargaining committee to negotiate a contract with NYU. We have not yet announced negotiating priorities. There is still time to insist to everyone involved in the union that dental care is a big deal. Talk to your friends. Share horror stories. Get angry. We need a contract with teeth. Daniel Cohen is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
OMAR’S ORATION
Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law unjust By OMAR ETMAN
Michael Dunn fired ten rounds at 17-year-old Jordan Davis and his friends on Nov. 23, 2012, but he was only sentenced last Saturday. The Florida jury found Dunn guilty on three counts of attempted murder, but could not come to a consensus to convict him of murder. It must be mentioned that Dunn is white and Davis is black. This racial divide played an oversized role in the case’s lopsided verdict, harkening back to last summer’s Martin-Zimmerman ruling. Dunn claimed that Davis had a gun and that the young man he shot to death initiated the conflict, so it was his right to defend himself. Sound familiar? But Davis’ three black teenage passengers said they had no guns in their possession and police findings have verified their testimonies. Yet Saturday’s decision indicates that the jury was more prone to believe Dunn’s blatant fallacy than the more credible account of the prosecution. Though Dunn’s team did not utilize Florida’s “stand your ground” law in their argument, they did suggest that their client acted in self-
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defense. But the question that the tangible evidence begs is clear: what was Dunn defending himself from? When Dunn pulled his car alongside Davis’ in an empty parking lot and entered a verbal altercation with its passengers, he made a choice. He was irritated by their “thug music.” Suddenly, the claim that race did not play a role seems naive. It is difficult to analyze Dunn’s ruling without likening it to the case that grabbed America’s attention last year. As the conversation on race and the law reaches a fever pitch, the distance between the Martin-Zimmerman trial and this one shrinks. It is time for Florida’s “stand your ground” provision to go — its influence on the state’s legal culture has grown too large. That “stand your ground” was not utilized in this case but is still being discussed as a factor
in the jury’s verdict is a significant testament to the law’s increasing influence. The law, employed or not, wields an oversized impact and has helped justify repeated incidents of unprovoked murder. If two deaths do not galvanize Florida’s legislature to reform their self-defense law, then it is worrisome to imagine what it will take to change the policies. A group of white teenagers blasting rap music would probably not face the same fate as Davis. That is the unfortunate truth of race relations in America — there is only so much that parents of black children can do to protect them. Though race should not matter, the tragic, unfair loss of two young black men has proven that it absolutely does. The Dunn verdict comes only seven months after Zimmerman was released and is a reminder that inequality, even in our courts, is alive and well. Florida must revisit its “stand your ground” policy carefully, examining the lives that have been senselessly lost in the name of “self-defense.” Omar Etman is a deputy opinion editor. Email him at oetman@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Obama must champion gay marriage at home
President Barack Obama warned Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni that enacting a proposed anti-gay law would be detrimental to diplomatic relations on Feb. 16. The proposed law mandates 14 years imprisonment on the first conviction and up to life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality.” Ugandan lawmakers redacted capital punishment after an international outcry in 2009. More outcry is needed. The United States currently provides Uganda with military advisers to aid in actions against the Lord’s Resistance Army and its leader, Joseph Kony. The threat of removing American support could be enough to halt the bill’s progress. This same strategy should be employed domestically. States that propose homophobic measures should be met with pushback from the federal government. Meanwhile, as Uganda implements its discriminatory policy, the United States is experiencing human rights violations of its own. Last week, Kansas state representatives passed a measure that would allow businesses to refuse services to same-sex couples. Although the bill did not make it to the state Senate, it is still concerning that it was proposed in the first place. Utah has a law that prohibits the “advocacy of homosexuality” and Alabama mandates that sexual education classes teach that “homosexuality is a criminal offense.” As Obama takes a tough stance on LGBTQ rights internationally, he must remember that there are still human rights hurdles at home he must overcome. The Obama administration has made significant strides in supporting gay rights in the United States. In 2012, Obama made waves when he publicly stated his support for gay marriage. Just last week, Attorney General Eric Holder announced in a speech that the federal government would be extending recognition of same-sex marriages in federal legal matters. Although the decree will do little to change procedure in statelevel courts, the announcement sent a strong message to state governments and established the Obama administration’s attitude toward gay marriage going forward. While Obama has offered more vocal support to the LGBTQ movement than any other sitting president, the time has come for him to turn encouraging words into meaningful actions. Although presidents have greater authority in foreign policy than national issues, the Obama administration should utilize its influence to hasten the spread of same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights throughout the country. In a recent statement, Obama emphasized that the anti-homosexuality bill could harm relations with Uganda. Until the United States adopts a domestic policy that more fully protects the LGBTQ community, Obama’s warning will only convey a tragic irony, not a push for forceful advocacy.
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.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
WEEKEND WRAP-UP
Derek Jeter: Baseball’s True Professional By CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO
By FERENC PUSKAS
BASKETBALL NYU men’s basketball team competed in two games over the weekend, both in their conference. The games tipped off on Feb. 14 when the Violets took on the University of Chicago Maroons at the Coles Sports and Recreation Center. NYU thoroughly dominated the first half of the game. LS sophomore forward Evan Kupferberg led the way in the opening frame by scoring 14 points and ripping down six rebounds, while CAS junior guard Iyoho Agho contributed five points and two assists off the bench. The second half did not go as well, as the Maroons beat the Violets with a score of 44-29. The game finished 68-63 in Chicago’s favor, which left NYU disappointed after conceding its 10-point lead at the half. Two days later, NYU faced off with Washington University in St. Louis. The Bears handed the Violets their biggest loss of the season in January, which motivated the team to play harder. Even though the Bears were heavily favored, the Violets made a valiant effort. The first half was extremely tight, featuring four lead changes early on. Led by the eight points and seven rebounds by LS freshman forward Alec Papesch in the first half, the Violets found themselves down by only five points at the break. The second half was even more competitive than the first. Featuring six ties, the Violets constantly challenged the Bears at both ends of the court. NYU eventually fell by a score of 79-75, despite the back and forth play. SCPS sophomore center Costis Gontikas said the team should focus on defense and rebounding.
“I believe we executed well on offense, but that does not mean we can’t do much better,” Gontikas said. The women’s team faced a similar fate. On Feb. 14, the Violets faced off against the University of Chicago. The first half was highly contested. In the opening period alone, there were eight lead changes and six ties, but the second half was not as close — Chicago was able to open up a lead on the Violets and outscored NYU by 13 points to take the game 73-57. The Violets then took on Washington University on Sunday at Coles. The Bears scored the game’s first points and never trailed during the game. NYU fell 73-46 despite CAS freshman guard Kaitlyn Read chipping in 20 points, a personal game high. Both basketball teams look to rebound from their recent losses when the teams travel to Atlanta on Feb. 21 to face Emory University.
SWIMMING AND DIVING The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams competed this weekend in Atlanta for the UAA Championships. However, only five out of the eight swim teams were present due to the snow. Therefore, none of the final results could be immediately verified. Once the final three teams, Case Western Reserve, University of Chicago and Rochester, compete in their own “minimeet,” the times will be compiled and the official winners will be announced. The diving portion of the event, which has verified official results, featured an impressive performance from LS junior Austen Blease, who garnered a 526.1 in the one-meter dive, which is a new UAA record. On the women’s side, CAS
freshman Nia Sorgente won the three-meter dive with a score of 437.17. Diving coach Scott Donie was awarded UAA co-coach of the year at the event. CAS senior men’s captain Aleksandr Kouk praised his squad for their efforts thus far. “I think the strong leadership of the coaches and their great efforts in recruiting a very talented freshman class [has] contributed greatly to our success,” Kouk said. “The team seemed extremely cohesive this year, more than I’ve ever experienced in my two years as captain.” NYU will take the pool next on Feb. 22 at the Kenyon College Invitational in Gambier, Ohio.
WRESTLING The wrestling team continued their dominance by capturing their third straight UAA championship on Feb. 15. The team beat Case Western and the University of Chicago at Coles to claim their title. NYU won their first match against Case Western with ease by 38-7. The match against the University of Chicago was anything but easy. After some seesawing with the score, NYU needed to win the final bout in order to take the championship. CAS senior Chris Amro took that to heart and pinned his opponent at the 1:43 mark to seal the victory. CAS junior Brandon Jones earned Most Outstanding Wrestler honors in the conference. The men’s team will look to build off this strong performance when they travel to Ursinus College for the Centennial Conference Championships on Feb. 22. Ferenc Puskas is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
the
Derek Jeter, the iconic shortstop and captain of the New York Yankees, announced his retirement on Thursday via a post on his Facebook page. After missing most of the 2013 season due to a gruesome ankle injury, the statement did not come as a total surprise. “I know it in my heart,” Jeter said. “The 2014 season will be my last year playing professional baseball.” Jeter has always been a player who led with his heart. His passion for the game is evident in his work ethic and attitude toward those who came before him in Yankee pinstripes like Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson and Joe DiMaggio. Every time he takes the field or speaks to the media, he exhibits the utmost professionalism and class, without making enemies the way other players of his caliber have done. Jeter is always in touch with the fan base. Growing up as a Yankee fan in Kalamazoo, Mich., he understands why fans of the club are among some of the most competitive and intense in all of sports. “N.Y. fans always pushed me to be my best,” he said. What sets him apart from so many others is how he translates that on to the field. Over the course of his career, Jeter has earned the well-deserved nickname Captain Clutch. His heroics in the postseason are some of the most extraordinary stories in Yankees lore (see his play in the 2001 American League Division Series and the 2001 World Series, which galvanized New York after 9/11). He has the most postseason hits of any player in history with 200. The next closest is former teammate Bernie Williams with 128. Jeter’s record may have also been influenced by the number of postseason games he has played in, as he went to the playoffs every season from 1996 to 2012, with the exception of 2008. In a game against the Boston Red Sox in 2004, Jeter inadver-
tently created a symbol for his commitment to winning. In the game, without regard for life and limb, Jeter ran after a fly ball near the stands, caught the ball at full speed and went flying into the second row of stands down the left field line. He came out of the fray bloodied and further endeared himself to the Yankee faithful as they roared with love and approval. Jeter owns the record for most hits in Yankee history with 3,316 and has a chance to move up the all-time list if he is able to stay healthy this season (he currently stands in 10th place). He also stands in 13th place in runs scored with 1,876. In short, he is a definite Hall of Famer when his turn arises and the numbers undoubtedly bear that out. For Yankee fans like myself and for baseball fans in general, I suggest that you pay close attention to Derek Jeter in action during the final season of his career. It may be a while until we see another like him. Chris Marcotrigiano is deputy sports editor. Email him at cmarcotrigiano@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Jeter will leave behind a legacy of sportsmanship.
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