WSN021815

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 43, No. 12

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015

nyunews.com ACTIVISM

Occupiers consider legacy of movement

By ALEX BAZELEY Deputy News Editor

STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI

From left, Laura Gottesdiener, Michelle Crentsil, Diego Ibanez, Michael Gould-Wartofsky Bhaskar Sunkara discuss Gould-Wartofsky’s new book, “The Occupiers: The Making of the 99 Percent Movement.”

SPORTS

Quidditch sweeps competition

By BOBBY WAGNER Sports Editor

The game of quidditch exists outside of the magical world of “Harry Potter,” and one of the best squads in the country sports NYU’s violet. The NYU Nundu, a traveling intramural club, are ranked ninth in the nation.

Naturally, there are some major differences between the magical version of the sport and the muggle version of the sport. In the magical version, the match ends when one team reaches 150 points or the Seeker catches the Golden Snitch, which awards their team 150 points. However, in real life the Golden Snitch can’t propel itself, so they substitute in a person to run around and avoid being caught. As for brooms, they generally use PVC pipe held between their legs, which is more of an athletic

feat than it gets credit for.

The team faces strong competition here in the northeast, squaring off against other colleges like Emerson College, Tufts University, Hofstra University and Boston University.

Nundu Public Relations Chair Dylan Meehan, a Gallatin sophomore who got into quidditch by happenstance, has been on the squad since coming to NYU. Meehan spoke of the athleticism needed to play a sport often deemed ridiculous and awkward.

“People think it’s silly but it’s a lot harder than it seems and takes a bit to get used to,” Meehan said. “Matches are really intense and a lot of fun to play in.”

Once a year the team goes to the Quidditch World Cup, where they have competed against other squads from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and France. This year,

however, the tournament will only feature teams from the United States.

“It’s a legitimate sport,” Meehan said. “We have some people who play just because it’s the sport from Harry Potter, which is awesome, but we also have some serious athletes on the team.”

For a sport that USA Today and BuzzFeed recently recognized nationally, quidditch still has been the subject of some ridicule. Meehan, however, has confidence that the Nundu are one of the best sports teams at NYU. “As far I as know we are one of the most successful sports teams that NYU has,” Meehan said. “By media ranking, we are currently ranked ninth in the nation and, essentially, the world.”

Quidditch, though, has of-

QUIDDITCH continued on PG. 8

Activists convened to discuss the successes and difficulties of the Occupy Wall Street movement on Tuesday at NYU’s Urban Democracy Lab. The event was hosted following the launch of author Michael Gould-Wartofsky’s new book “The Occupiers: The Making of the 99 Percent Movement.”

The panel featured Gould-Wartofsky, a doctoral candidate in sociology at NYU, as well as Laura Gottesdiener, Diego Ibanez and Michelle Crentsil, three activists of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Bhaskar Sunkara, editor and publisher for Jacobin magazine, moderated the panel.

The discussion was largely centered around the history and future of the Occupy movement.

OCCUPIERS continued on PG. 3

REVIEW

Gonzalez’s latest well worth the wait

By JACOB PATRICK FOX Contributing Writer

With his new album,“Vestiges & Claws,” Jose González is finally ending the seven-year wait since the release of his last album, “In Our Nature.”

His new album is a beautiful compilation of dynamic acoustics and therapeutic vocals, and it stirs some nostalgia for González’s older records. Fortunately, it is well worth the wait.

“Vestiges & Claws” offers the same nylon fingerpicking and hushed tones of González’s earlier albums while subtly demonstrating his post-hiatus maturity. This maturation is no doubt a result of González’s experience since his last solo album, which includes two full-length albums as Junip with Sweden’s Tobias Winterkorn, contributions to the

AIDS benefit album “Red Hot + Arthur Russell,” work on the soundtrack to “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” and multiple globetrotting tours. Most notably, elements of his electrofolk project with Winterkorn creep their way into songs like “Leaf Off/The Cave,” weaving in a little kick of energy throughout the record.

Navigating through the landscape of middle age, the Swedish Latino grapples with the inescapable change brought by time, and contemplates the meaning behind man’s existence. The subject matter drifts from the introspective material found in previous albums “Veneer” and “In Our Nature,” to grander philosophical explorations.

The opening track, “With

GONZALES continued on PG. 4

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM

ON THE SIDE

COMPILED BY THE

WSN STAFF

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS Editor-in-Chief

OSCAR NOMINEES

VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI Managing Editor

T W O D AY S, O N E N I G H T

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“Grand Budapest Hotel” is the perfect movie for anyone looking for a comedy with a quirky twist.

Director Wes Anderson steers clear of trite jokes and offensive commentary, and instead offers a whirlwind movie about the adventures of Gustave H, a hotel concierge, and his protege, a lobby boy named Zero, who becomes his best friend. While not packed with prototypical action and explosions, Anderson’s jump cuts and witty dialogue keep viewers invested and entertained for the duration of the movie.

“Grand Budapest Hotel” is an instant classic, and can serve as a great excuse to stay inside during this freezing weather.

— Bobby Wagner, Sports Editor

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GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL

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CITIZENFOUR

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The documentary “Citizenfour” depicts Edward Snowden’s life leading up to and following his leaking of classified documents that were originally obtained from the National Security Agency.

Director Laura Poitras spends time with Snowden, following him on the road before and after he leaks the documents in the British newspaper The Guardian. “Citizenfour” presents a captivating story, revealing wiretapping practices of the NSA. Though people may have different opinions about Snowden’s actions, “Citizenfour” crafts a thought-provoking storyline for all audiences.

— Alexa Spieler, Arts Editor

Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne’s “Two Days, One Night” is as tense as an episode of “Homeland,” yet it is anything but a thriller. A Belgian woman — Marion Cotillard, who is nominated for an Oscar for her work here — is fired from her job. One by one, she goes to each of her coworkers to ask if they will vote for her in a petition to get her job back. What starts as a simple, naturalistic story climaxes in one of the most emotionally complex, piercingly honest endings put to film last year. And, in a film world still dominated by the cynicism of films like “Foxcatcher” and “Leviathan,” “Two Days” does the impossible — it affirms the power of pure, genuine, beautiful human compassion.

— Alex Greenberger, Editor-at-Large

Damien Chazelle’s “Whiplash” is a tremendous insight into the pressures and sacrifices of artistic ambition.

Miles Teller stars as Andrew Neeman, an up-and-coming jazz drummer trying to win a spot in the prestigious jazz orchestra in New York. Standing in his way is the psychotic, perfectionist conductor Terence Fletcher, played

by J.K. Simmons. The film delves into the personal sacrifices that Neeman must make to become the best drummer he can be and achieve greatness.

The dynamic between Neeman and Fletcher is the driving force of the film.

Fletcher’s foul mouth and penchant for violence contrasts starkly with the timid and unassuming Neeman. Chazelle’s second feature length film soars as a window into the hard work and isolation that comes with singular ambition. ­— Kyle Luther, Deputy Sports Editor

THOMAS DEVLIN Assistant Managing Editor

JOHN AMBROSIO Digital Director

HANNAH TREASURE Creative Director, Special Editions

OLIVIA MARTIN Creative Director

TEERIN JULSAWAD deputy ALEXA WONG Copy Chief

MADELINE PAZZANI deputy RICHARD SHU Multimedia

SHAWN PAIK photo SAM BEARZI video CALVIN FALK deputy photo SANG BAE, MATHILDE VAN TULDER deputy video CHRISTIAN FORTE

SENIOR STAFF

news ALANNA BAYARIN, MARITA VLACHOU features MARINA ZHENG arts ALEXA SPIELER sports BOBBY WAGNER senior editors LARSON BINZER, CHRISTINA

COLEBURN, FELIPE DE LA HOZ, FRANCISCO NAVAS, IFE OLUJOBI

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news ALEX BAZELEY, CHRISTINE PARK features NINA JANG beauty & style SOPHIE LEWIS dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment AUDREY DENG music E.R. PULGAR theater/books CAROLINE CUNFER sports KYLE LUTHER

OPINION PAGE opinion editor

TESS WOOSLEY deputy opinion editors

ANNIE COHEN, TOMMY COLLISON, MATTHEW TESSLER

BLOGS

editor EMILY BELL exposure HANNAH LUU violet vision GABRIELLA BOWER the highlighter MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE under the arch EMMA SCOBLE global DANA RESZUTEK

ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER

ALISON LIZZIO UNIVERSITY SALES RELATIONS

CLAIRE MAHANY

STAFF ‘STAGRAM

TODAY ON CAMPUS

SALES MANAGER

EMMA HOWCROFT SALES REPRESENTATIVES

Author Reading: Marc Solomon Marc Solomon will discuss his new book, “Winning Marriage: The Inside Story of How Same-Sex Couples Took on the Politicians and Pundits — and Won” in the NYU Bookstore at 6 p.m.

AMY LU, BEN SWINEHART SALES ASSOCIATES

MIKE GROTT, LUXI PENG GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

KALEEL MUNROE CIRCULATION MANAGER

JESSICA TIEN

Perspectives on the Paris Attacks A roundtable of professors from NYU, Princeton University and Columbia University will debate Islamic radicalism, particularly in relation to the recent Paris attacks. The event will be in room 121 of the Meyer Building at 6:30 p.m.

In Conversation with Daniel Schulman Daniel Schulman, author of “Sons of Wichita,” will talk about the Koch Brothers and their legacy. The event will be in the Tamiment Library at 6 p.m.

Everything looks better with snow on it, especially the hood.

STAFF PHOTO BY @_OLIVE_MARTINI_

TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.

GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS.

CIRCULATION ASSISTANTS

ALEX HANSON, FIONA GORRY-HINES

ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE

TATIANA BAEZ, NICOLE BROWN, ALEX GREENBERGER, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ 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 the managing editors at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.

NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

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NYU dentistry helps Give Kids a Smile

By KATHERINE STEIN Contributing Writer

The NYU College of Dentistry launched the Give Kids a Smile initiative together with the New York Public Advocate to provide free oral screenings to underserved kids across the five boroughs on Feb. 12.

This year, the Give Kids a Smile initiative kicked off at PS 254, a Queens elementary school where over 200 children from kindergarten through fifth grade were screened throughout the day on NYUCD’s Mobile Dental Van. The students also received a bag containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and oral healthcare information.

Constance Robinson-Turner, administrator of the Smiling Faces, Going Places Mobile Dental Care Program, said he recently began working with the public advocate and hoped it would improve the scope of their program.

“The month of February is Give Kids a Smile month and the dental van program has always participated in providing care,” Robinson-Turner said. “The public advocate’s office, in this particular instance, reached out

to me asking if we could develop an initiative.”

NYUCD’s Mobile Dental Care Program has worked in conjunction with the American Dental Association on their nationwide “Give Kids a Smile” initiative for the past 12 years.

NYC Public Advocate Letitia James directed the initiative this year and plans to choose a public school in each borough where the NYUCD will provide free oral screenings to students during the month of February.

“Unfortunately, too many children — particularly in low income communities — go without oral healthcare because it’s inaccessible and unaffordable,” James said. “Until 2009, every school in New York City had a dental clinic. When these clinics were discontinued, we did damage to our children’s health. This is why public-private partnerships like our Give Kids a Smile initiative are so vital.”

Separate from the Give Kids a Smile initiative, NYUCD’s Mobile Dental Care Program has brought dental services, oral health care and educational programs to under-

VIA ADEANYUCD.ORG

New York City public advocate Letitia James worked with NYUCD to launch “Give Kids a Smile” Initiative to increase oral health care access nationwide and free dental services to low-income families. served areas in the five boroughs five days a week for the past 15 years.

Turner said the program seeks to offer support to children living in underprivileged communities.

“The concept of the program is to make oral healthcare accessible to children living in financially distressed and typically underserved communities,” Turner said. “We visit children in an educational setting, public elementary schools and

Privacy, security discussed in panel

By AMANDA MORRIS Contributing Writer

Internet privacy in the postSnowden era was discussed at an NYU Security Research Seminar. Speakers focused their conversations on the problem of customer data privacy within the big data companies, such as Google or Yahoo.

Senior Research Fellow at NYU’s Information Law Institute Ira Rubinstein hosted the seminar and related much of the discourse to a paper he co-wrote with postdoctoral research fellow Joris Van Hoboken at NYU’s Information Law Institution.

Rubinstein said Edward Snowden’s whistleblowing forced the NSA to rethink their strategies.

“What Snowden really did was create a new way of thinking about the NSA,” Rubinstein said. “In our paper we have quotes from high-ranking executives that describe the NSA as another third-party adversary — no different from a hacker. The same steps are taken that were once taken against a hacker threat.”

Rubinstein added that big companies like Google and Yahoo do not want to ruin their relationships with the government. This creates a tension between a company’s commitment to its customers’ privacy, its relationship with

the government and its business model.

Van Hoboken said the current legislation regarding citizens’ privacy is inadequate.

“My personal opinion on current legislation for governments to gain access to data is that it is inappropriate, especially for foreigners,” Van Hoboken said. “Foreigners don’t have the same protections. Constitutional safeguards don’t apply to foreigners and that’s a problem.”

Seda Gürses, a postdoctoral research fellow at Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development has been attending these events and researching security and privacy. She said she believes that if a company’s main priority is its customer’s privacy, then they should focus on decentralizing their data.

“When you collect so much information, then the risk that you’re carrying is very high and it’s also not surprising that the U.S. government would take an interest in their data,” Gürses said.

“If these companies are genuinely interested in protecting our data, they wouldn’t hoard it. They would find other ways of collecting that would not be all at the center.

Like more data would be on your phone or they would encourage you to have different service providers, but instead we’re seeing a lot of monopo-

daycare centers, providing comprehensive dental care.”

However, NYUCD’s Smiling Faces, Going Places Mobile Dental Care Program is in jeopardy of losing funding after June, according to Mark Wolff, professor and chair of cardiology and comprehensive care at NYUCD. “For many, many years the van was funded by the New York City Council [and] they will be offering

a request for a proposal for medical care and the van does not appear to be a part of that thought,” Wolff said. “There is no public support for the program. We are certainly positive that we are not going to be able to deliver free care in the same mechanism that we have at this particular point.”

Email Katherine Stein at news@nyunews.com.

OCCUPIERS continued from PG. 1

Activists speculate on future of Occupy

STAFF PHOTO BY HARK KANWAL

Senior Research Fellow Ira Rubinstein is studying repercussions of the Snowden leaks as part of his postdoctoral work.

lies who are hoarding a lot of data.”

Gürses said he believes that this is an issue of importance to NYU students because Gmail hosts NYU’s email accounts.

“If you look around, there have been concerns about who has access to the data, including the administration and Google itself and what they can do with it,” Gürses said. It’s not clear enough. A more open policy on the side of NYU and Google would be useful.”

Email Amanda Morris at news@nyunews.com.

Gould-Wartofsky’s book presents a front-line account of the Occupy Wall Street movement. He said while the “99 percent and 1 percent” slogan was a great way of translating the language into something everyone could understand, it also left out a lot, which is part of what motivated him to write the book.

“I don’t think we have to be a movement that accepts our place on the margins of society,” GouldWartofsky said. “But we have to claim a place where the marginalized can speak and be heard.”

Gottesdiener, a worker in a community kitchen in Zuccotti Park, said she enjoyed the idea that everyone — even the most unlikely of candidates — was involved in crafting the movement.

“One of the cool things, and also one of the challenging things, about Occupy was everyone was shaping the politics of it all at the same time, regardless of any political knowledge walking into it,” Gottesdiener said.

Acknowledging that there were a lot of flaws with the Occupy movement, Gould-Wartofsky said lack of unity among the protesters held the movement back.

“I do think you need common aims, and you need a shared sense of a horizon and a next step,” Gould-Wartofsky said. “That’s also something that a lot people acknowledged that Occupy lacked at a certain point.”

Ibanez, a co-creator of the Occupy Wall Street Immigrant Justice Working Group, said the movement helped him connect with different struggles. He admitted that the movement could use work, but contested the commonly held belief that the goal of Occupy is to create immediate results.

“Our role is not to create a revolution now,” Ibanez said. “It’s essentially to create the conditions for the next generation to create the conditions — who knows how far that goes — to create a revolution.”

John Chang, a 24-year-old union worker, said he was not involved in the Occupy movement but he was drawn to the event by how much his work connected to it.

“What I found potentially appealing about this panel was the overlap between the work that Occupy activists did and are continuing to do and the work that I do,” Chang said.

Gould-Wartofsky said he felt consensus was possible, and that the issue was with how many people with fundamentally different interests were involved. Despite this, he said he still feels that the movement has momentum.

“We’re still in a situation where the conditions that led a generation to Occupy are still very much with us,” Gould-Wartofsky said. “And we have to ask, ‘What is the next step?’ and ‘What is the horizon?’”

Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM

ARTS

EDITED BY ALEXA SPIELER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM

Bianco impresses in musical ‘Pending’

GONZALES continued from PG. 1

By JOSEPH MYERS Contributing Writer

Christina Bianco stars in “Application Pending,” a new Off-Broadway musical that puts a humorous spin on a day in the life of a kindergarten admissions officer at an exclusive Manhattan private school.

In this one-woman show, Bianco gracefully tackles several dozen characters, and even slips in her famous Celine Dion impression.

The spunky main character, Christine Evans, is abruptly thrust into the head of admissions position on the due date for Edgely Prep’s applications, making her first day on the job run far from smoothly. She juggles dealing with pushy parents, disgruntled faculty and her personal life, and all the while her phone does not stop ringing.

Bianco differentiates between each character with great precision, assigning different movements, mannerisms and voices to each

VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG

“Vestiges & Claws” was released on Feb. 17.

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

Bianco tackles over forty different roles in the Off-Broadway musical, “Application Pending.” one. She is so expressive that each larger-than-life character seamlessly communicates with the others.

The lighting design also helps the audience distinguish between the roles, as each character has unique lighting specific to him or her.

Bianco makes the comedy seem effortless through the over-the-top characters and zany dialogue between characters. It is also funny in its accuracy, because there’s a hint of truth in the portrayal of these doting parents’ desperation for their children’s acceptance into the elite school. Even though there are

multiple characters in the show, none of them appear one-dimensional. The audience sees Christine transform from timid and flustered to bold and assertive. The supporting characters also transform, as they reveal just how far they are willing to go in order to get what they want. From disgruntled Upper West Side soccer moms to George Clooney, no one is safe from mimicry in “Application Pending.”

The set consists of a simple office with a large office desk as the main focus. Zany props are hidden around the office and Bianco dis-

covers them throughout the day, reacting hilariously. Although Bianco is sitting at her desk for a majority of the play, she is never static and is fluid in her movement, using her rolling chair to her advantage.

“Application Pending” has spunk, gags, impressions, a humorous perspective of the human condition and an immense amount of heart.

“Application Pending” is playing at the Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St. through April 19.

Email Joseph Myers at theater@nyunews.com.

Damián Szifrón explores his ‘Wild’ side

By ZACH MARTIN Staff Writer By the time his name comes up in the opening credits it is entirely clear why Pedro Almodóvar is featured so prominently in the ad campaign for “Wild Tales,” a new Argentine film and nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Director Damián Szifrón has taken Almodóvar’s playful and often darkly comedic style. Thanks to its six fresh and exciting takes on a tried and true theme — vengeance — the film is wonderfully over-the-top and immensely enjoyable.

The film is an anthology comprising distinct shorts with different casts and settings. However, they all have one thing in common: they are revenge stories centered on people who are pushed over the edge and react in explosive and violent manners. Many of the stories could have worked as feature films, but they each feel like the perfect length in the context of the anthology.

As is the case with any anthology, there are some segments that work better than others, but none fall flat. My personal favorites of mine were “Road to Hell” and “Bombita,” which occur back-to-back and work for entirely different reasons.

“Road to Hell,” encompassing a road rage incident that gets blown way out of proportion, succeeds

because of its expertly paced escalation and its unpredictability.

“Bombita,” about a man whose life falls into disarray because of a parking ticket, is hilarious and also functions as cathartic social satire.

Also worth mentioning is “Pasternak,” which, in addition to being the opener and the shortest, is also the most outlandish. It sets the tone perfectly from the start, giving the audience a taste of the mayhem that is to come and delivering the biggest laugh in the whole runtime.

Despite the unbelievably high level of violence, the stories still exude a sense of warmth and delight due to the high amount of laughter matching the spilled blood. “Til Death Do Us Part,” a story about a bride who reveals her husband’s cheating nature on her wedding, would be heartbreaking if not for the twists that the story takes, so ridiculous and amusing that I couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief.

When combined, the six segments in “Wild Tales” do not add up to much of an overall statement, but there is no need for them to do so. Each one stands on its own as an innovative and entertaining take on revenge. Szifrón has crafted a dark comedy anthology with a remarkable energy.

Email Zach Martin at film@nyunews.com.

VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG

“Wild Tales” combines six stand-alone short films into an anthology centered on the theme of violence and vengeance.

Poetic lyrics ponder universe in ‘Vestiges’

the Ink of a Ghost,” sets up the subdued and gloomy atmosphere that pervades the album. Circular picking patterns ring mysteriously before swiftly rising into confident expression, only to draw listeners back down into the abyss of uncertainty. González’s search for meaning manifests through rich natural imagery laced skillfully throughout the record as he sings, “Oh she runs, from the deepest valley past the sun.”

Songs like “Let It Carry You” and “Leaf Off/The Cave” betray a fleeting optimism, encouraging release of the weighty realities strung through the LP. González approaches ideals reminiscent of transcendentalist thought, whispering on “Let It Carry You,” “Dissolve into the foam/Of things near, of things gone/To remind our restless souls/of the beauty of being here at all.” Hand clapping, finger snapping, foot tapping and group chanting accompany the shifting narrative with a pinch of excitement that is sure keep the listener engaged.

González never resolves his ambivalence over grasping truth and letting go, allowing unsettled thoughts play out by themselves. Without a trace of resolve or consolation grounding the wandering mind, he professes in “The Open Book” that he remains “A drifting vessel in the storm/pushed around from shore to shore.”

For all his music’s relaxing lull, González’s poetics and universal ponderings make salient points about the way things are.

Email Jacob Patrick Fox at music@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

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BEAUTY & STYLE

EDITED BY SOPHIE LEWIS BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM

Budget-friendly brands for a style update

By SAM DEL ROWE Staff Writer

SOPHIE LEWIS FOR WSN

Lincoln Center has hosted the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York since 2010.

NYFW heads to smaller venues

By GRACE HALIO Contributing Writer

Fashion has always been about who’s in and who’s out. This year, it’s looking like New York Fashion Week is going to be out — of Lincoln Center for the performing arts that is.

In 2010, NYFW made the move uptown from Bryant Park in search of more space.

At that time, smaller designers were the ones who held off-site shows. Designers who were popular enough showed at Bryant Park or Lincoln Center. Over the past few years, however, many popular designers have opted to forgo the traditional runway show in favor of more private viewings of their collections. Some flock to Hell’s Kitchen, Fifth Avenue penthouses, piers or hotels.

There is a range of reasons for this change, from the hefty price of the shows to the de-

sire to appeal to a broader customer base. Fashion and beauty brand Tocca’s Fall/Winter 2015 presentation was a private viewing.

Emma Fletcher, Tocca’s designer, said of the switch, “Tocca is going more direct to consumer; this is a far more wearable collection than that in the past. Our online presence is going to be bigger. It’s nice to be able to control a lookbook.

Shows are fantasy, but this is more sellable and wearable.”

Fletcher poses a great point.

Other designers — including Trina Turk, Helen Yarmak, Diane von Furstenberg, Vera Wang, the list goes on — have recently been holding more private shows. The style of presentations allows guests to interact with the models and get an up-close look at the collections without feeling rushed by the speed of a runway show.

Another advantage of the more

laid-back environment is that it promotes interaction and connection amongst the clientele.

Fashion Week will also be joining the many designers and labels who have left Lincoln Center. After the settlement of a lawsuit, the company that owns and puts up Fashion Week agreed that they would move away from Lincoln Center. It was argued that Damrosch Park, the area that houses the ever-noticeable fashion week tents, was only to be for community use as it is a New York City park. Mercedes Benz, the title sponsor of the event for the past eight years, will also be bowing out.

Without fail, the fashion industry always keeps us on our toes when it comes to trends: be it heel heights or NYFW sites, stylish evolution is certainly on the horizon.

Email Grace Halio at bstyle@nyunews.com.

In the past few years, brands such as COS and & Other Stories — both of which opened in New York City last year — have become the go-to for the fashion and budget conscious.

These mid-range brands offer pared down clothing that makes for a sleek aesthetic without being a blatant designer knockoff.

In terms of pricing and quality, these stores sit between Zara and brands like Acne Studios, harnessing the simplicity to deliver a clean look that even Vogue loves. Check out these five brands for sophisticated pieces that will not leave your wallet or conscience reeling.

COS Unlike their parent company H&M’s disposable fast-fashion, COS clothes look somewhere between Céline and T by Alexander Wang, with a nod to Jil Sander.

COS is a minimalist’s godsent. The basic idea is you can stock up on tees and knits that are contemporary without being garishly trendy, sticking to a mostly black, grey, white and sometimes blue color scheme. COS’ New York location, which opened to much fanfare earlier this year, is well worth a visit even if you don’t plan on buying anything — partly because there’s a good chance you’ll change your mind.

& Other Stories Another H&M affiliate, & Other Stories also celebrated a recent New York opening. Catering to women, the brand offers loose, sporty designs that are often paired with Nikes for the sporty,

yet classy, look that has been the style for the last few seasons. You will find some prints here, but not the cheap, tacky kinds that cater to teenage Tumblr junkies. & Other Stories is also known for its collaborations with up-and-coming designers, including London-based Sadie Williams and Moscow-based Vika Gazinskaya, which consistently makes it one of the most relevant brands around.

GANT While GANT, which was launched in New Haven, Connecticut in 1949, is much older than & Other Stories and COS, the brand is far from out of touch.

True to its New England heritage, styles lean preppy but never feel costumey — think trendier J Crew. Button-ups for both guys and girls are staple of their brand, with styles ranging from business casual to yatch-club-chic. In keeping up with the recent prevalence of menswear trends, the brand collaborated with Michael Bastian in spring and summer 2014.

Massimo Dutti Founded in 1985, Massimo Duty is — somewhat confusingly — a Spanish company with an Italian name that does not actually refer to a fashion designer or a single person. Originally limited to menswear, the brand launched a women’s line in 1992.

With slim-fitting leather racing jackets and zip-up sweaters, the brand evokes the Italian luxury its name suggests. The suits are clean, and will certainly make the cut for your first interview.

Email Sam Del Rowe at bstyle@nyunews.com.

Plus-sized model sparks social media backlash

By MADISON REIS Contributing Writer

Standing 5 feet 5 inches at size 22, Tess Munster is a supermodel.

After getting signed with Milk Management, a major Londonbased straight and plus-size agency, in late January, people have not stopped talking about this woman. With over 490,000 followers on Instagram and 744,000 on Facebook, she has her fair share of fans, but her opponents are creating quite a fuss as well. She is the largest signed model to date, and with America constantly being criticized for its high obesity rates — especially in children — one can see why having a role model of this size might be just as harmful as one with a

size double zero.

With tweets like, “She’s unhealthy and simply gross,” from Twitter user James Filipe, it is obvious that the hate toward Munster is mainly directed towards her health. But health is not a new problem in the modeling community. Ten years ago the average model was 8 percent smaller than the average woman, and today the average model is 23 percent smaller.

“Nobody ate on these shoots, which could go on all day, and we would survive on adrenaline and caffeine drinks,” Oxford Street model Georgina Wilken said. “On the occasions I couldn’t fit into a dress, I felt so humiliated. The stylists would give me a look, and that would make me eat less and walk

even more.”

For years, modeling has been about looking good in the clothes and selling the brand. Munster’s nearly symmetrical features, lush heart-shaped lips and high, sharp cheekbones all speak highly to her model ability, not to mention being named one of the top plussize models in the industry by Refinery 29 and Vogue Italia. Just as well as straight-size models can sell a size two dress, Munster can sell a size 22.

In terms of health itself, Munster claims to not be unhealthy. She works out four times a week and has a personal trainer. She walks, swims and hikes, all while raising a son.

When asked about her diet, she said, “Do I eat cheeseburg-

ers, cupcakes and all things awfully delicious? Yes. Do I do it all the time? No. I try my very best to keep everything in moderation.

I drink a ton of water, exercise, and stay away from soda as much as possible.”

According to Munster, opponents of her modeling career on the basis of her health are wrongly accusing her, as she claims her size is natural. For others who are against promoting obesity in the beauty and fashion industries, Tess has created a hashtag to express just how she feels about them— #effyourbeautystandards, which has been used over 531,000 times on Instagram.

Email Madison Reis at bstyle@nyunews.com.

VIA TWITTER.COM

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM

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7 Beehive State native 8 PIN points 9 Boo-boo 10 Dodeca- halved 11 501st royal daughter?

12 Bit of cash in Kashmir 13 “Yikes!”

18 Desideratum 22 Site for online collaboration 24 Review 25 “In the days of ___ lang syne” 26 Home electronics items 28 Millrose Games highlight 29 Soon, to bards 30 30 consumer reviews?

31 Golden Arches buy 32 Gym rat’s “six-pack” 36 Fair-hiring org.

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40 One involved in arm-twisting?

43 Flock’s cry 45 Bold alternative?

48 Ruler toppled in 1979

49 L. L. Bean competitor 50 Crewmate of Spock and Sulu 53 Event that may have a “-con” suffix in its name 54 Zero-star fare 55 Suffix with kitchen 57 Gullet

58 Other: Sp. 59 Common reply to “When do you want this?”

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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY TESS WOOSLEY OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

POLICY

Herbal supplements require FDA supervision

By ADNAN ZARIF Staff Writer New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman recently launched an investigation into generic brand herbal supplements of four major retailers — GNC, Target, Walmart and Walgreens — and found that a majority of them did not contain the advertised herbs. Supplements that claimed to contain medicinal plants such as ginko biloba, valerian root and ginseng were found to have cheap fillers such as powdered rice, legumes and houseplants instead. However, problems with supplements are not only deceitful, but also present a large potential hazard to consumers with allergies. The Food and Drug Administration must step in.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, put into effect in 1994, classifies herbal supplements as a subcategory of food as opposed to a subcategory of drugs.

The distinction is that foods are considered safe until proven unsafe, while drugs are considered unsafe until proven safe.

Under this system, manufacturers of supplements are not obli-

gated to undergo rigorous testing before selling their new product, a problem furthered by the fact that the FDA can only stop the production of a supplement after its been proven to be a significant health risk. Because supplement manufacturers are essentially on a production honor code without supervision, the damage that a faulty product causes is unavoidable. Another problem is that the FDA can only stop a supplement from being produced after it has been proven to be a significant health risk — the opposite to how drugs are treated.

The FDA must begin to undertake a systematic audit of all available supplements on the market within a year of their release. Supplements would still be allowed to enter the market before testing because of their classifi-

cation as food, but an audit would confirm their ingredients. Furthermore, companies that falsely advertise must be punished with more than a simple cease and desist. Those with disingenuous products ought to receive harsh fines of double the amount of revenue generated by the product and should have to prove that their product contains all listed ingredients before the supplement can be sold again. To curb non-compliance, producers should be forced to wait for 12 months before being allowed to put the product back on shelves for consumers to purchase.

In addition to the failure of the FDA to regulate supplements, it has also been criticized in recent weeks for omitting mention of mistakes and shortcomings in its research, which was uncovered by an NYU journalism professor and graduate students.

With supplements already in a medicinal gray area, it is critical that consumers receive the best possible product so that they may make an informed decision about their health without worrying if the supplement really contains what it promises.

Email Adnan Zarif at opinion@nyunews.com.

VOTING

Voter rights are non negotiable

By MARK SECADA Staff Writer

To win Latino votes in 2016, Republicans are looking to Pitbull for support. Ana Navarro, a Republican strategist, tried selling the rapper on Jeb Bush when she saw him at a party because, “It’d be professional negligence not to.” Another Democrat’s congressional aid quipped that a Latino icon siding with immigration opponents would not exactly be a Kodak moment. But suppose Pitbull is an average Latino whose vote both Republicans and Democrats are fighting over. Suppose he emails local election officials a question. According to a recent study, the officials are not as likely to respond, or respond accurately. He isn’t likely to vote, and Republicans and Democrats’ efforts are crushed. This is because Pitbull’s name is Armando Peréz, not Arnold Parker.

These are the results of “What Do I Need to Vote?,” a series of unfortunate studies that show how implicit racial biases affect our political institutions. In a randomized experiment, researchers sent emails from Latino and non-Latino white aliases to 7,000

SUBMITTING TO

7

local election officials. Not only were emails from Latinos less likely to receive a response than emails from non-Latino white aliases, “los afortunados” were less likely to receive accurate information. It is tempting to argue that poor or non-responses from local election officials should not stop Latinos from finding information they need, but even the most dedicated voters will not show up to polls if the answers to their questions are not clear. Discrimination prevents Latino voters from participating in a bedrock of our society.

Discrimination is not exclusive to Latinos. Another study showed state legislators are less likely to respond to emails about voter registration from black constituents than white constituents. Yet it is not possible for local election officials to curb racism on their own. Districts that did

discriminate against Latinos were subject to Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires districts with a history of discrimination to get approval from the federal government before they make changes to their voting procedures. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court gutted Section 5 in 2013 with Shelby County v. Holder. They ruled that Section 4 — determining which districts need preclearance — is unconstitutional because it unfairly targeted the South. Still, most — if not all — districts need to be watched.

Racism is not a Southern problem, it is an American problem.

It is arguable that Navarro, Bush’s strategist, would have committed professional negligence had she not approached Pitbull, but it is inarguable Congress is committing professional negligence by not expanding Section 4 of the VRA. A political institution that excludes Latinos from giving it legitimacy is not a Kodak moment. Legislators should expand Section 4 and strengthen the fabric which holds this country together.

Email Mark Secada at opinion@nyunews.com.

STAFF EDITORIAL

Immigration policy benefits states

The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that they would delay planned immigration executive orders after a federal judge in Texas ordered a halt. Judge Andrew S. Hanen said Obama had “failed to comply with basic administrative procedures” before announcing the initiative, which would provide temporary deportation reprieves and work permits to almost 5 million undocumented immigrants. Hanen, who has previously said immigration “endangers America,” is representative of a widespread xenophobic sentiment that is damaging the United States. Though many believe that immigrants harm the economy, immigrants have repeatedly proven their social and economic value, and if America is to adjust to a modern social reality, it must not automatically shun those who come here seeking a better life.

There are nearly 1.7 million undocumented immigrants in Texas, 15.2 percent of the national total and the second highest number of any state after 2.45 million in California. Immigration has long been a contentious issue in this conservative state that has fallen along partisan lines. President George W. Bush, a republican, appointed Hanen, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott led 26 states in the initial suit against the Obama administration after the executive order was announced in November 2014.

They claimed states’ rights came into play with Arizona law S.B. 1070 as well, which was heavily criticized for encouraging racial profiling yet upheld federally by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Despite the fears of conservative legislators, research shows that the proposed work permits would have a positive economic impact. The research also found that immigrants, undocumented or otherwise, are 30 percent more likely to start a business than U.S. natives. They also contribute heavily to the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, in addition to contributing around $10.6 billion in state and local taxes each year.

Right now, half of all field and crop workers in the United States are undocumented workers and have lower annual incomes than authorized workers. Agribusiness lobbyists argue that a change in immigration policy would inevitably lead to a rise in food prices because it would raise the cost of production.

While this may be true, these companies’ profit margins have been steadily growing since the 1990s at the cost of the livelihoods of undocumented workers.

The question of states’ rights has been a contentious issue since the founding of the United States, but the benefits of increased immigration are clear. States should not stand in the way of something that only has economic benefits. This cannot be reduced to another partisan issue like affirmative action or gun control. The Obama administration should push forward with the planned immigration reforms.

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.

EDITORIAL BOARD: Tess Woosley (Chair), Annie Cohen (Co-chair), Tommy Collison (Co-chair), Matthew Tessler (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ

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

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.

8

NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

SPORTS

EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

Freshman diver excels in, out of pool

Senior diver reflects on college sports career

For freshman diver Austin Campitelli, in water is where she feels most comfortable. It has been that way for the California native’s entire life. When she isn’t in a swimming pool, Campitelli still finds ways to explore.

“I love the ocean and everything about it so I’m usually surfing and adventuring when I’m not in the pool or in New York,” Campitelli said.

The global public health major has immediately made her presence felt on the NYU women’s diving team. Earning UAA Athlete of the Week multiple times, Campitelli most recently excelled at the UAA Championships at Emory University, where she earned Diver of the Meet honors for her victories in both the 1 and 3-meter finals.

Campitelli practiced for collegiate level competition for years at Stanford Dive Club before coming to NYU, which helped her prepare for the usually difficult transition from high school to college sports.

“My club practiced almost every day, so the amount of practice wasn’t a super hard transition,” Campitelli said.

“My coaches at NYU are awesome and made the transition super easy being really supportive.”

Campitelli was a four-year member of the swim team at Los Altos High School.

She was named team MVP three consecutive years and named captain in her two final years.

Her three-meter dominance was illustrated at the NorCal Diving Championships and SCD Future Champions Invitational. She placed first in the competition at both events, adding to an already impressive résumé.

The season has been a resounding success so far, but its most important stretch is quickly approaching. Nationals are just

Senior Diver Austen Blease was named the men’s Diver of the Meet at the UAA Championships, which took place from Feb. 11 to 14 in Atlanta, Georgia. The men’s swimming and diving team as a whole finished in third place.

The UAA Championships were a culmination of Blease’s previous successes this season. At the invitational hosted by NYU two weeks ago, Blease dominated both of his events. Additionally, on Feb. 11, Blease was named one of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III divers of the week alongside teammate Austin Campitelli. He has been named UAA’s Diver of the Week multiple times this season.

At the championships, Blease won both one-meter events and both three-meter events. He even broke UAA and NYU records while winning the one-meter dive, scoring 551.35 in the event. He broke his own record from last year’s competition and earlier this season for the UAA and NYU, respectively.

In regard to his Diver of the Meet title, the environmental studies major was happy to attain his previously elusive victory.

“My ultimate goal for the meet was to earn the title Diver of the Meet, which was very important to me because I have not received it in the past,” Blease said.

“I have always been very close to getting the award and I wanted this year to be my turn. Going into UAA’s I focused on doing my dives the best I could and not concerning myself with the performance of the other divers. I wanted enjoy my time in Atlanta and be OK with my results.”

Now that the UAA Championships are over, Blease and the team have turned their attention to the NCAA Division III regional championships. Blease plans on qualifying for the national championship by being amongst the top performers at regionals, and he attributes his success to his years of experience and the coaching staff at NYU.

By MIKE THOMPSON Contributing Writer

By ANNE CRUZ Contributing Writer

VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM

Austin Campitelli won multiple Diver of the Meet honors this season.

weeks away, but Campitelli must first qualify to compete.

“From zones we will see who will qualify to nationals,” Campitelli said. “My goals for zones is to make it to nationals and just have a good time with my team.”

Campitelli is surprisingly laid back and humorous as nationals creep closer.

But it’s not just her — her team mirrors her attitude.

“My team is amazing — we’re all so close and they are literally my family,” Campitelli said. “It makes practice so much better having such a great team. We all hang outside of practice and I’m so lucky to have them all.”

Campitelli’s future ambitions stretch beyond the swimming pool. Her dream is to attend medical school and work in pediatric care in developing countries.

Campitelli has always taken the initiative and pursued her dreams. Her final destination may not be a swimming pool, but it will likely be a challenging adventure, and that’s just how Campitelli prefers it.

The NCAA Regional Diving Championships take place Feb. 27 and 28 at Springfield College.

Email Mike Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.

VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM

Austen Blease was recently named one of the UAA Divers of the Week.

“I have been diving for about 12 years,” Blease said. “I would say the consistency in my performance comes from the amount of years I have been involved with the sport. I have also had a number of really amazing coaches, especially Scott Donie and Todd Kolean, whose ability to keep me motivated and invested in the sport as an athlete has been more influential than anything else.”

Over the last four years, Blease’s performances have increased the prominence of his diving team as well as his own. With graduation approaching, Blease is grateful for the support he has received here at NYU. “I will miss my team the most,” Blease said. “We are friends both on and off the pool deck and spend a lot of time together. I have come very close to my teammates and attribute them to my ongoing success and desire to stay involved with the sport. If it weren’t for my teammates I would not have had the support network and pure friendship that I have today.”

Blease will enter the pool once more at the NCAA Regionals, which will take place at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, on Feb. 27 and 28.

Email Anne Cruz at sports@nyunews.com.

QUIDDITCH continued from PG. 1

NYU muggles show love of Quidditch

fered more than just successful play on the pitch. Since it is such a niche sport, geared towards people who are interested in many of the same things, Quidditch creates a unique community for people looking to fit in at NYU or anywhere.

“I love the athletic aspect to the game but the best part about it is the community it creates not only at NYU but across campuses,” Meehan said. “I have a bunch of friends from around

the Northeast because they play Quidditch for their schools, and then we bond over our strange combination of athleticism and nerdiness.”

The Nundu will look to continue their successful season on April 11, when they travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina to compete in the Quidditch World Cup. Email Bobby Wagner at bwagner@nyunews.com.

COURTESY OF LESLIE HARGETT

The NYU Nundu are nationally recognized as one of the best Quidditch teams in the nation. They will continue their successful season by taking on Rock Hill, South Carolina on April 11.