NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 40, No. 19
tuesday, February 21, 2012
nyunews.com Look inside for your copy of TRENDING, our guide to the top looks of Fashion Week
Applications reach record high for fifth year NYU Muslims react to 43,728 NYPD 42,242 class of 2015
class of 2016
36,144
Total number of students
who applied to NYU
6,098
37,243
6,485
Total number of students
Total number of students
who applied early decision
who applied regular decision
SELENA CHEN/WSN
By Jaewon Kang
42,242 applications, which was set last year. This marks the university’s fifth consecutive year in receiving a record-breaking number of applications. “I’m not sure we were surprised by the increase this year, though we are humbled by the continued growth in interest at NYU,” said Shawn Ab-
NYU has set another record for applications from prospective freshmen. A total of 43,728 prospective students for the Class of 2016 applied to NYU — an approximate 3 percent increase from the previous all-time high of
bott, assistant vice president of admissions. In its second year of offering two rounds of Early Decision applications, the university attracted nearly 6,500 ED candidates, in comparison to about 6,100 applicants last year. ED I applications increased by about 7 percent while ED II
applications decreased by approximately 5 percent. This year, the university implemented several changes to its admissions process. For the first time, applicants were required to indicate their primary choice of campus — either New York or Abu Dhabi. Last December, Abbott told
By Emily Yang
Members of the NYU Muslim community held a meeting last night to discuss the New York Police Department’s surveillance of Muslim student organizations at the university. The Associated Press first reported in August that the NYPD had built programs to monitor local Muslim communities and mosques. The AP reported last Saturday that the department also monitored groups in colleges and universities throughout the Northeast region, including Yale University, Syracuse University and the University of Pennsylvania. The meeting was off-the-record and closed to the press, but an
R ADMISSIONS continued on PG. 3 R MUSLIM continued on PG. 3
Sleigh Bells album fails to ‘Reign’ supreme By Alexandria Ethridge Noise pop duo Sleigh Bells’ highly anticipated second album, “Reign of Terror,” offers 11 tracks of their signature thrashing guitars and melodic vocals. Sadly, the curse of the sophomore slump has struck, leaving much to be desired on overly ambitious and cramped songs. “Treats,” Sleigh Bells’ first album, was a syringe of adrenaline injected into the faltering bloodstream of pop music. Each track strikes a perfect balance between simple, harmonious vocals and thrilling guitar riffs punctuated by lo-fidelity drum samples and echoed verses, mixing wild instrumentals with
modest vocalizations without detracting from the sound. But “Terror” loses the finesse and polish of the duo’s first outing. Familiar components from “Treats” that are vital to Sleigh Bells’ unique brand of noisepop are still present on “Reign of Terror.” “Demons” opens with 20 seconds of guitar reminiscent of Jack White before vocalist Alexis Krauss’ punchy vocals take control with lyrics like “They’re gonna bury you/ they’re gonna finish/ they’re gonna stand you up six by six by six.” Many songs offer vocals that are layered and echoed to produce an ethereal effect among tremolo
R BELLS continued on PG. 6
Violets win Chicago, fall to Wash U. By John Axelrod
With their backs against the wall, the NYU men’s basketball team could not come up with two home wins when they needed to most. The Violets defeated the University of Chicago on Friday but lost to Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday. The Bears clinched the University Athletic Association title with their come-from-behind victory. Smart play and balanced scoring fueled the Violets’ 79-69 win over Chicago. NYU turned the ball over only six times, tying a season low, while scoring 38 points in the paint. Junior guard Kyle Stockmal led the Violets’ offense with 70 percent shooting and a gamehigh of 20 points.
The Violets had amassed a 27point lead with about 6.5 minutes remaining when Chicago went on a 16-0 run. But the Maroons were never within single digits, as NYU’s 88 percent free-throw shooting proved too much for the Maroons. The Violets’ victory on Friday put them one game behind the top of the UAA and set up a Sunday afternoon showdown against first-place Washington University. NYU got off to a promising start, going up 16-7 in the first four minutes, but Wash U. took a 46-40 lead into halftime by making two-thirds of their shots from the field. The Violets struggled offensively in the beginning of the second half and eventually fell behind by 11 points with just
File photo by Rachel Kaplan
Junior guard Kyle Stockmal under 14 minutes left in the game. NYU, however, would not go away and were up by five points with two minutes left af-
R MBBALL continued on PG. 8
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Washington Square news | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
Staff recommendations
“Suburgatory” On a night that features “Modern Family” and “Happy Endings,” “Suburgatory” is in fact the funniest and most clever of ABC’s Wednesday night comedy lineup. The show features an ensemble cast with impeccable chemistry and comedic timing, including the bubbly Cheryl Hines and the sarcastic but lovable Jane Levy. There has not been a show this observant of suburban insanity since “Daria.” — Jeremy Grossman
“Mile(y) High Club” “Mile(y) High Club” is the third mash-up album released by the group Super Mash Bros. In this compilation, Super Mash Bros. shows no fear or discrimination with the genres of music they are willing to mix. With everything from top 40 hits to classic rock, from hip hop to the “Rugrats” theme song, they show that the art of mash-up can still be fresh. — Chris Saccaro “The Coming Insurrection” “The Coming Insurrection” reminds us that active political radicals still exist. Written by The Invisible Committee — a title the French government gave to a group of railway saboteurs — this slim volume advises readers to be radically self-sufficient. Vehemently detailing society’s ills such as the affected, disingenuous nature of modern intellectualism, the book makes readers wonder whether the age of revolution has passed after all. — Jason Bowers
Managing Editor
jaewon kang Deputy Managing Editor
Amy zhang Assistant Managing Editor
2012 Film Comment Selects Festival Entertainment magazine “Film Comment” roars back to New York for its 12th annual film festival. As usual, the festival promises an eclectic mix of praised indies, unreleased films and classic older releases. This year’s highlights include Paul Rudd’s comedy “Wanderlust” and Elizabeth Olsen’s thriller “Silent House.” The festival runs until March 1. — Alex Greenberger
Creative Director
“Breaking Bad” Netflix, almost everyone’s favorite procrastination tool, is currently streaming the first three seasons of an awesome TV drama called “Breaking Bad.” The storyline follows Walter White (Bryan Cranston), a high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with lung cancer. To make some extra money for his family, he teams up with a former student and starts cooking and selling crystal methamphetamine. Then, the fun begins. — Olivia George
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TODAY
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6 p.m. | Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute 20 Cooper Sq., 7th Floor
7 p.m. | Center for Student Activities, Leadership & Service | Kimmel Center, Room 804
An Evening with The Atavist Senior editors at online publisher The Atavist will discuss their work in multimedia journalism.
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“Two Schools in Nablus”: A Film Screening
This documentary from Al Jazeera shows the trials of Palestinian students in the West Bank.
8 p.m. | Skirball Center for the Performing Arts
Leonardo Live
Though Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings are now too fragile to travel, this high-definition film brings to life the largest exhibition of his work from the U.K. National Gallery show. Tickets are $15.
opinion page
opinion editor olivia gonzalez deputy opinion editor ATTICUS
BRIGHAM, SANCHAY JAIN
advertising business manager
REBECCA RIBEIRO circulation manager
chloe coffman
university sales coordinator
Emilia Mironovici
SNAPSHOT
ON THE WIRE
Piggyback Attack
A 240-pound man has been banned from high school sporting events in Washington, Oregon, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota for posing as an athlete and forcibly hopping onto the backs of other student team members for piggyback rides. Sherwin Shayegan — better known as the piggyback bandit — was arrested in Helena, Mont., for jumping on two high school soccer players during a state tournament. Shayegan, 28, has also committed similar offenses in other states and has injured several students. He has been convicted of 16 separate accounts of criminal trespassing, vehicle prowling and resisting arrest. Shayegan is suspected to have gone back to western Washington for the time being. — The Huffington Post
Northwestern University
Evanston holds first-ever Twitter Town Hall — The Daily Northwestern
A row of wooden white chess pieces waits to be sold at a chess shop on Thompson Street.
PHOTO BY Emma Pliskin
Front page banner photo by Madison Todd for WSN
Yale University
Email migration waiting on majority of Yalies — Yale Daily News
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Kaitlyn O’Brien, MICHAEL RYAN, Melissa Ynegas
advising editorial adviser
keith leighty EDITORS-AT-LARGE
jaywon choe kelsey desiderio russell steinberg KIRSTEN CHANG francis poon terka cicelOVa 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 Jaewon Kang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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nyunews.com | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | Washington Square news
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ADMISSIONS continued from PG. 1
NYU receives another record number of applications to Class of 2016 WSN this change was made to better illustrate the portal campus structure of the university. Of the 42,776 students who applied to approximately 4,700 available spots in NYUNY, about 96 percent selected NYUNY as their primary choice. The remainder applied to the New York campus as their alternate choice to the Abu Dhabi campus. Approximately 16 percent of the 15,489 applicants to NYUAD indicated the Abu Dhabi campus as their primary choice. The rest selected NYUAD as their secondary choice and NY campus as their primary.
NYUAD spokesman Josh Taylor said this increase in applications will lead to a lower acceptance rate for NYUAD as the university still projects an incoming class of 150 students. Students also had the option of applying directly to Liberal Studies Program for the first time this year. According to Abbott, over 3,000 students applied to LSP. More than 2,300 expressed interest in LSP’s Core Program while the others preferred the Global Liberal Studies. The Core Program is a two-year program for students who
“I feel [like] I’ve got a decent shot, and while I applied to other big-name schools like Brown, UPenn, Tufts and Carnegie Mellon, I definitely feel like opening the acceptance letter for NYU would be the most rewarding.” —Drew Zeiba Derry, N. H.
“I chose NYU mainly because of the location. New York is one of the greatest places on Earth and offers a cornucopia of opportunity for people like me who are looking for a career in music.” — Geneviève Tolentino West Palm Beach, Fla.
“Waiting is actually more stressing than what people think. My mind is imagining all kinds of scenarios, and I have no clue whether I will be accepted or not.” — Patricia Leo Jakarta, Indonesia
NYU community reflects on life of former professor
Courtesy of Dana Laventure
Richard Blood served as a journalism professor at NYU and an advisor for WSN. By Julie DeVito Richard Blood’s career as a journalist was characterized by his passion, humor and dedication to improving the industry. Blood, a former NYU professor, passed away on Friday at 83 after teaching for more than two decades. He graduated with a master’s degree in 1958 from Columbia’s journalism school. After, he began work at The Daily News in New York in 1970. Although he only taught graduate students at NYU, he interacted with undergraduates through WSN. He was well-known for his detailed critiques, dubbed Bloodlines after his surname. Former WSN editor Sarah Potluck said Blood was always pushing the staff to work harder. Bradley Hope, a 2006 NYU graduate and former WSN editor-in-chief, described Blood as an old-fashioned newspaper man and a walking encyclopedia of journalism knowledge who loved clean copy, straightforward writing and telling stories through people and their experiences. “He ended emails with a single word: ‘Blood,’” Hope said. “He taught us that journalism was more than a job — it was being part of a story-telling institution that could make the powers that be run for cover. He taught us to
be brave, stick by our reporting and to write with all the detail we could pull from a scene.” Hope said Blood wrote his weekly Bloodline reports as the paper’s advisor. In them, he criticized the paper in the trademark tone that was a combination of all his traits: an old-timer’s wariness of technology, a rascal’s sense of humor and a journalist’s love for a good story. “But Professor Blood made us believe even the smallest things matter,” said Alvin Chang, WSN’s 2007 editor-in-chief. “He’d tell us about how things were back in the day — stories that reminded us where we, as reporters, came from — and I think it really helped us think about where to move forward, understanding the past.” At NYU, Blood taught Writing, Researching and Reporting I, II and III from the mid-’90s until 2005. Brooke Kroeger, professor of journalism and former director of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, said Blood was confident in what he had to give and that he had a lot to offer as a professor. He did not waste his time with the lazy or unmotivated student. “I’ve never seen students, brilliant students, so willing to eat an F (or two or three) and still continue to give him their devotion and finest effort,” Kroeger said. “So
many would return the next term for Blood Part II. His devotion to students was authentic.” “He treated that one eight-hour class per week like a full-time job,” she added. NYU journalism professor Mitchell Stephens said he has seen few professors in his department who were as respected by so many students and who put as much energy and as much of themselves into teaching basic reporting. “In some ways, he was a character from another era of journalism, but he represented the best of that era: the commitment to get the facts right, not almost right, and to tell the story clearly and efficiently,” Stephens said. Blood’s son Michael described NYU as the capstone of his father’s long career. “He taught until he was 79 years old, and it was the vitality and intellectual curiosity of the students at NYU that inspired him and kept him charging up the subway steps to campus,” Michael said. A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for New York City in April, though the date, time and location have not been finalized. Julie DeVito is university editor. Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.
will complete their education in one of NYU’s undergraduate schools while the latter is a fouryear program. LSP Dean Fred Schwarzbach said the school does not plan to change the number of students in its Core Program, which will still consist of about 1,000 students. “If we admit more students directly, we will select fewer students from the pool of applicants to other NYU schools,” Schwarzbach said. He said the school hopes to recruit 100 students to GLS next year. As the pool of applicants grows, the size of LSP’s freshman class will increase modestly, he added.
Though it was another record-breaking year for NYU, admission trends for universities varied nationwide. Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania each saw a smaller number of applications. However, applications to Stanford University and Georgetown University rose by approximately 7 and 4 percent, respectively. At NYU, ED I and ED II applicants have already learned whether or not they have been granted admission. Regular Decision applicants will be notified on April 1. Jaewon Kang is managing editor. Email her at jkang@nyunews.com.
MUSLIM continued from PG. 1
Muslim groups on campus react to NYPD surveillance anonymous source who attended said she believes her rights have been violated. “I expect NYU to issue a statement denouncing NYPD’s surveillance of students and take measures to ensure this travesty never happens again,” she said. According to NYU spokesman John Beckman, the university first learned of the surveillance when they received press inquiries from the AP. “We appreciate that the NYPD has taken on the heavy responsibility of safeguarding New Yorkers from additional terrorist attacks,” Beckman said. “We hope that the police department is employing anti-terrorism tactics other than looking at the public websites of student groups, which at a university naturally raises privacy concerns on behalf of its students.” In response to inquiries, NYPD deputy commissioner Paul Browne emailed WSN a listing of 12 cases, in which convicted or arrested terrorist suspects have been members of their college Muslim student associations. “Under the Federal Handshu accord, for the purposes of developing intelligence information to detect or prevent terrorism or other unlawful activities, the NYPD is authorized to conduct online search activity and to access online sites and
forums on the same terms and conditions as members of the public generally,” he said in the email. Elizabeth Dann, outreach chair of the Muslim Law Students Association at NYU, said there was no criminal activity confirmed in the specific student groups the NYPD monitored. “If this is something that has been going on for years and seemed to have taken a considerable degree of manpower and nothing has come out of it, as a tax payer, I would prefer that the NYPD they pursue more fruitful avenues,” Dann said. “I don’t think it’s shown itself to be productive, and it’s a waste of resources.” Mostafa Al-Alusi, a junior at Yale University and president of the Muslim Student Association, said Muslim and nonMuslim students met with the Yale administration to discuss the university’s response to the surveillance. “The administration at these universities should take a strong stance in support of their students,” Al-Alusi said. “As for students and student groups, we hope that they will show solidarity with us by denouncing this and any other act of religious and racial profiling.” Emily Yang is city/state editor. Email her at eyang@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
Harpist plucks audience’s heartstrings
Courtesy of Alix Raspe
Goddard UVL winner looks forward to performing Thursday. By Julie DeVito Steinhardt freshman Alix Raspé said she hopes to change the world one day with her harp. This Thursday, she will represent Goddard residence hall and compete in front of thousands of audience members at the Ultra Violet Live competition. Raspé was eight when she picked up the harp. She said she decided she wanted to play the instrument after watching “The Aristocats,” a movie where the mother cat plays the harp. “I loved the music that came out of the harp, and being the tenacious person that I am, I begged to play the harp for three years,” Raspé said. “My mom would find me plucking the strings inside of our baby grand instead of actually practicing piano. After three years of getting in trouble for piano string pluck-
ing, my parents agreed to get me harp lessons.” The harp has given her new dreams. For an assignment in her music therapy class five years ago, Raspé decided to play for her cousin suffering from Rett Syndrome, a form of autism. After hearing Raspé’s music, her symptoms subsided. “I want to be harp therapist/ music therapist because I have seen the amazing effects of music on people, especially disabled children,” she said. Raspé studied at Juilliard PreCollege Division before coming to NYU to double major in psychology and harp performance. For Raspé, who has been playing the harp for over a decade, the hardest part of performing is playing by memory. “You can completely blank out or set the pedals on the harp
incorrectly during the performance, and all you want to do is run off the stage,” she said. Despite the stress that comes with playing, she said her performance reflects her perfectionist nature to be true to the music and desire to express herself creatively. “Though you’re freaking out on the inside, you’re so excited to show the world what you can do,” she said. “My favorite part of performing is when you get in that zone where you are just so into the music and the audience is breathless and captivated.” Cleveland Institute of Music student Kallen Bierly met Raspé at the Bowdoin International Music Festival in the summer of 2008. Ever since, they have been best friends. She said one of her favorite traits about Raspé is her bubbly personality. “She’s great fun to be around, and she definitely knows how to speak her mind when need be,” Bierly said. “She’s become much more mature, not to mention her harp playing skills, which have become amazing.” Julie DeVito is university editor. Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.
Students for Obama club holds voter registration drive By Jessie Schultz NYU Students for Barack Obama held its first voter registration drive of the year on Saturday, joining other parts of the campaign in a day of action. For Presidents Day weekend, the Obama campaign organized a number of events across the state and nation to generate support. In New York, the club gathered 19 students to knock on more than 500 doors at the dorm buildings of Carlyle Court residence hall, Palladium residence hall, University residence hall and Coral Towers residence hall. Out of the 500 doors that the students knocked on, NYUSFBO were able to register 70 students throughout the day. Meredith Shevitz, CAS sophomore and the club’s volunteer coordinator, said the voter registration was successful. “In my history of working with a campaign, which goes back to the last election in 2008, we’ve never been able to register that many voters,” she said. Mike Price, the group’s media coordinator, said numbers are typically low because students are usually already registered or are international students and thus ineligible
to vote in the election. The registration drive was the first of this year, but the organization held several others last semester. Price said in the past the biggest obstacle to the registration drive had been the Office of Residential Life, which was reluctant to let students use the residence halls for a campaign event. “A lot of opposition came from the residence halls when it came to registering people,” Price said. CAS sophomore and U-Hall resident Evelyn Jung did not register to vote when NYUSFBO knocked on her door because she did not want to be registered in New York. But she said she supports the club’s efforts. “I thought what [NYUSFBO] did was pretty appropriate because not enough people vote,” Jung said. “It’s a process that doesn’t take too much time, and it has such an important impact in our country.” However, Prince said he is happy with the results of voter registration. “We got the word out on the campaign and on registering to vote and at the end of the day, that’s what really matters,” Price said. Jessie Schultz is a deputy city/state editor. Email her at jschultz@nyunews.com.
Wasserman hosts global K-pop talent auditions By Hanqing Chen They say that if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. And the energetic, bouncy beat of K-Pop has made it to New York. SM Town Entertainment talent agency arrived last Saturday at the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development to look for the next big K-Pop star. Renowned for sending pop artists like BoA, Super Junior, Girls’ Generation and f(x) on the road to fame, SM Town reserved Wasserman to hold one in a series of global auditions in 15 cities around the world. The center held the only audition in New York City. Contestants were asked to audition in groups of five. Each contestant was asked to sing or dance for about 30 seconds in turn. Paticipants of the audition came from far and wide for the chance to show off their talents to one of the biggest names in K-Pop. “I came from Boston,” Amherst freshman Stephen Lhaoye said. “It took about four hours, and I’m staying with a friend at NYU.” Despite his background in and appreciation for classical music, Lhaoye said his heart lies with the lively sounds of pop music. “I’ve always listened to a lot of foreign pop music because I’m not really into American pop music,” he said. In recent years, Korean talent agencies have stepped up their
efforts to captivate American audiences. In 2011, SM Town’s super girl group Girls’ Generation sold out a concert in Madison Square Garden last year. CAS sophomore Abigail Laurel, whose K-Pop dance video went viral on YouTube, provided an enthusiastic review of the Asian pop-music genre. “When I went to the SM Town Live concert, I was totally blown away by the epic performance,” she said. “It was so much fun.” Those at the audition were long-time fans of K-Pop. “I’ve been into K-Pop since I was in middle school, so I’ve been following the industry for a while,” Steinhardt sophomore Jane Shon said. Clive Davis professor Kobi Wu-Pasmore said the most captivating part of K-Pop culture is its ability to mold ordinary people into international super stars, similar to the concept of western TV shows such as “The X Factor” and “American Idol.” “The experience of finding the talent is just as much of interest as the process of developing Courtesy of Wendi Liu the artist,” she said. “The spirit Hundreds of K-Pop lovers gathered at Wasserman Center for an audition with SM Town Entertainment. of discovery is palpable, and people love music discovery. were about the same logisti- on the choice of NYU Wasserby K-Pop boy bans U-KISS. The irony, as in much of these Wang had also participated cally, but I feel like the SM au- man Center as an audition site. examples, [is that] the music itin a previous K-Pop related au- ditions were more organized,” self often becomes secondary.” Hanqing Chen is For his audition, Gallatin ju- dition for a separate agency in he said. SM Town Entertainment audi- investigative editor. Email nior Maverick Wang performed June of 2011. “For the most part, the two tion staff declined to comment her at hchen@nyunews.com. “Someday,” a ballad originally
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Washington Square news | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
ARTS
Support of fans keeps sinking shows afloat
BELLS continued from PG. 1
Sleigh Bells hit sophomore slump with ‘Reign of Terror’
Courtesy of Mom+Pop
guitars and squeals of feedback. “Crush” is the album’s most solid track, combining melodic lyrics peppered with Krauss’ rebellious shouting. The best songs on “Reign of Terror” come from vocals and instrumentals that enhance each other instead of
battling for the spotlight. Overly cluttered beats can distract from staggered vocals, which leads to songs that produce more of a hangover headache than a mosh-worthy high. Where “Treats” was balanced and simple, “Reign of Terror” is fragmented and exhausting. In an effort to demonstrate Sleigh Bells’ versatility, “Terror” features more mid-tempo songs than its predecessor. Krauss sings more than she shouts, which is a shame because nothing invigorates a track more than her raw and ragged voice yelling dangerous threats. There is an ever-present stumble on many songs, where the beat does not fit the vocals. For example, “End of the Line” presents an ’80s sound that pleasantly invokes The Cure, but the vocals, sung in a hurried whisper, belong with constant snaps and grueling guitar riffs instead of slow synths and crashing cymbals. Every track is pumped full of shredding guitars and machine gun drums that frequently conflict with each other, leaving no room for listeners to appreciate one sound over another. It is these disparities that prevent “Reign of Terror” from truly reigning supreme. Alexandria Ethridge is a staff writer.
By Jeremy Grossman Television remains a medium reliant on ratings with a program’s success mostly determined by the Nielsen Company’s analysis of viewership. This has been a particularly diverse season for ratings. While ABC’s “Happy Endings” emerged from obscurity because of word-of-mouth buzz, Fox’s “American Idol” has seen an unhealthy albeit understandable decline as a ratings powerhouse. Regardless, “American Idol” is still one of TV’s top-rated series and will not be leaving anytime soon. The same cannot be said for other shows in this bubble, as their survival may be determined by whether they find devoted fans or fail to connect with audiences. One show that never built an American following is ABC’s “Pan Am.” It is unlikely that the show’s international success can save it from cancellation. With a $10 million pilot episode and a leading role for Christina Ricci, the show’s
Impressive Sony handheld poorly promoted By Jonathon Dornbush The pervasiveness of the iPhone and iPad as gaming platforms has drastically altered the handheld gaming landscape. Gone are the days of Nintendo’s unimpeded GameBoy dominance. In fact, the company’s most recent portable console, the 3DS, faced an uphill battle before finding some semblance of success months after its release. Tomorrow, Sony will throw its hat into the portable ring again with the PlayStation Vita, following the original 2005 release of the PlayStation Portable. The system impresses in nearly every regard, but will its strengths be enough to overcome its high price tag and lack of advertising in America? The Vita debuted in Japan last December to underwhelming sales figures. In recent weeks, the PSP has actually outsold the Vita. At times even the 3DS has sold four units for every one Vita. For a system that produces graphics rivaling
those of home console visuals while also providing the first handheld dual analog-stick controls, these figures are disheartening. Even with these features, the key to any console’s success is the software, and the Vita delivers. The launch window lineup is one of the most impressive ever, with major franchises like “Uncharted” returning alongside new series like “Gravity Rush.” With these factors working in the Vita’s favor, Sony hopes it will find better success in America. But the Japanese conglomerate certainly has stacked its odds against the system. The $250 price tag is reasonable for what it offers, but the investment skyrockets from there. Buying each game will cost $40 to $50, and Sony is forcing the use of its own memory cards that are overpriced for the storage size offered. This pricing scheme is a major barrier to entry, but even for those who can afford it, they may not even know the system exists.
If reading about the Vita here is your first exposure to the system, that is not surprising. Sony has failed to market the system in the U.S. Aside from those who follow the industry, the Vita has failed to permeate into mainstream awareness. The company should have bombarded America in the past few months with Super Bowl ads, internet advertisements and billboards, but I saw my first Vita advertisement in New York last week. Such a short advertising lead time is inexcusable and unfortunate. As a fan of Sony’s work, I want the Vita to succeed, but everything Sony has done indicates the system might be dead on arrival. Despite a soft launch in Japan, if Sony aggressively advertises the Vita throughout 2012 and is willing to cut the costs of picking it up, the Vita may help shape the future of handheld gaming. Jonathon Dornbush is arts editor. Email him at jdornbush@nyunews.com.
turbulent ratings simply cannot justify its large budget. The CW also grabbed a big name for one of its new series, but former vampire slayer Sarah Michelle Gellar can barely save “Ringer” from cancellation. The mystery thriller was one of the most heavily promoted new shows of the season, but its ratings look as disastrous as anything else on the struggling network. Criticized for its slow pace, lackluster writing and convoluted plot lines, the show might only see a second season because of Gellar’s star name. Ratings also do not bode well for Fox’s “Fringe,” especially as the network has two new scifi series to consider: “Alcatraz” and “Terra Nova.” Despite lousy ratings in seasons past, “Fringe,” now airing its fourth season, has gained a shocking amount of support from Fox. This generosity cannot last forever, as this may finally be the year Fox abandons the series unless its ardent fans can make a last ditch effort to increase the show’s viewership.
But no show has a more vocal group of fans than NBC’s ratings-challenged “Community.” Despite atrocious ratings, fans of “Community” had no qualms in expressing their fury when the network temporarily took the show off its schedule. While NBC has promised “Community” will return, their poor treatment of the show is not a promising sign. The show’s fans, who hold an extreme presence on Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook, are perhaps television’s most fervent. Because the show is backed by such strong critical support, canceling the show may be too risky a decision for NBC. Though “Community” will likely survive because of its support, not all shows are as lucky. In the age of the Internet, the one thing a ratingsstarved show needs is loud, communicative fans. And if a show does not have that, it has little chance of survival. Jeremy Grossman is entertainment editor. Email him at jgrossman@nyunews.com.
Strong performance, weak script in ‘Wit’ By Christopher Gellert Cynthia Nixon is irreproachable in her portrayal of Dr. Vivian Bearing in the Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of “Wit.” Nixon, best know for her role as Miranda in “Sex in the City,” brings the same brittle vulnerability and determination to Bearing as she did to Hobbes on the HBO series. This is not to say that Nixon is merely recycling a role. Miranda never died of cancer as Bearing slowly does during the course of Nixon’s performance. Nor was Miranda a standoffish intellectual. In some respects, Bearing is the epitome of an isolated professor who, despite her study of the metaphysical poet John Donne, is uncomfortable with expressing her emotions. The play, which won the 1999 Pulitzer, is not flawless either. As the first and only work of Margaret Edson, a schoolteacher in Atlanta, the work never reaches extraordinary heights — perhaps because of her inexperience. But the play skillfully interweaves Donne’s poetry in an accessible and relevant way. Its portrayal of life in a hospital feels accurate, even if a little overblown. That Bearing should develop a relationship with a sympathetic nurse (Carra Patterson) makes sense because it dovetails so well with how Bearing herself sees the world — an exercise in intellectual gamesmanship rather than as an experience to be lived. Greg Keller,
who plays a former student of Bearing, is also strong as a research fellow assigned to the case, and their interaction forces Bearing to question her belief that life is merely a puzzle to be solved to effect results. It is the lack of empathy with which Nixon’s Bearing views her own condition that makes the play so interesting. Her performance also lifts the play above the usual disease-of-the-week melodrama. Though she will whimper as her character gradually loses all her defenses, this delayed release of emotion is what makes the play so effective. This and the foundation of Donne’s poetry lift the play to a respectable level of well-crafted drama. Where the play fails is in its refusal to accord Bearing a life. Instead, she is isolated in the role as an archetype. Her only visitor is her former professor (Suzanne Bertish) who is in town visiting her grandson. She drops by the university to see her former pupil only to discover Bearing in a hospital bed. When Bertish offers to read Nixon some of Donne’s poetry, Bearing responds only in quiet moans. This reaction is one of the more powerful moments in the play and makes the ending all the more disappointing. Nixon stands before us, bereft of life and clothing in a thematically sensible scene, and yet it ultimately feels a little too neat. Christopher Gellert is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | Washington Square news
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edited by JONATHON DORNBUSH ARTS@nyunews.com
Venue: Bowery Ballroom, Music Hall of Williamsburg
Dark comedy brings levity to Holocaust story
By Alex Greenberger
When a novel begins by stating that there is something funny about a burning house or a gas chamber — the book is deliberately unclear — the reader knows it will be a wild ride. Shalom Auslander’s fiction debut is just that. “Hope: A Tragedy” is an existential nightmare tinged with dark humor. Fresh, hilarious, sad and bizarre, it is possibly the most unusual and enjoyable variation on Holocaust literature to date. The first difference between “Hope” and any other Holocaust novel is the setting. The year is 2012, the place is the sleepy town of Stockton in upstate New York. In the author’s absurd world, the characters never expect anything too extraordinary. Luckily for Solomon Kugel, a piece of history falls right into his lap. Kugel is as weird as anything else in “Hope” — while obsessed with the idea of death, he is also a self-proclaimed optimist. After he moves his family to Stockton following an arsonist attack on their old home, Kugel finds himself underneath a living piece of history typing away in his attic. Much to his horror, it’s Anne Frank. Auslander’s understanding of offensively dark humor is what makes “Hope” work. Holocaust literature is typically prosaic and grave, but Auslander revives the genre by making it funny. It may be taboo to have Anne Frank complain, “I’m tired of all this Holocaust shit,” but in “Hope,” it works.
In a novel just shy of 300 pages, Auslander’s narrative hits harder than most books ever will. From an intriguing introduction to a dramatic conclusion, the novel keeps the reader’s eyes glued to its pages. Auslander’s style, reminiscent of Chuck Palahniuk or Phillip Roth, is masterfully mean, punchy and funny. Auslander’s characters are something to behold. Kugel fulfills the stereotype of a “selfloathing Jew,” similar to Woody Allen or Larry David. It is also easy to hate Kugel and many of the other characters, including Anne Frank who is depicted as a crotchety old wretch. Auslander’s characters feel three-dimensional and all too real, grounding an otherwise absurd story.
“Hope: A Tragedy” is a serious book. Beneath Kugel’s meditations on the last words of dying writers and the vile description of Anne Frank’s living habits, there is a message to be found. Auslander intended for “Hope” to be a story about buried histories, about why nobody should forget what has happened lest history repeat itself. In this way, “Hope” is a marvelous work of fiction. A work that, sadly, may be glossed over due to its controversial content, but it is certainly worth a read. Auslander’s fiction debut is, in many ways, one that should never be forgotten. Alex Greenberger is a staff writer. Email him at books@nyunews.com.
Courtesy of Penguin Publishing
Shalom Auslander began the year 2012 with his debut fiction.
By Josh Johnson In my last venue review, I wrote about the ineptness of Terminal 5. In contrast, I’d like to shine a light on two of the most well-run venues in New York City: the Bowery Ballroom and the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Like T5, both of these venues are owned by the Bowery Presents. However, unlike the West Side’s black hole of sound, the Ballroom and the Music Hall are perfect examples of professional music venues. The two venues are essentially identical. They share a similar design, hold a roughly equal amount of people and book the same level of bands. If you look at the middle and bottom of this year’s Coachella and Bonnaroo lineups, you’ll basically see the upcoming schedule for the two venues. Occasionally, each venue will book outside its usual standard. In past years, the Music Hall has hosted Spoon and TV on the Radio, and the Ballroom booked the legendary Robert Plant in 2010. Sound quality is not an issue for either location. Because of their intimate settings, a band’s sound can be heard clearly from anywhere inside. The first few rows do receive the full power of the music, but the back of the standing area and the balcony also hear each band’s exact sound. The main difference between the Ballroom and the Music Hall is their respective locations. The former is located on Delancey Street, just outside of SoHo, and the latter can be found in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg neighborhood. Both are situated in active areas that can keep a concert goer busy while waiting before a show. The accolades of SoHo speak for themselves, and while Williamsburg may have a questionable reputation for being the hipster capital of the country, the Music Hall is nonetheless perfectly situated between Academy Records and the picturesque waterfront.
via Flickr
Modest Mouse played at Music Hall of Williamsburg in 2009. My biggest gripe with T5 was how poorly the staff conducted the line to enter the building. For pointers, T5’s staff should watch how the Ballroom and the Music Hall operate. While they don’t have to deal with as big a crowd as T5, the staff at both the Ballroom and the Music Hall run the line with efficiency and respect. People form their own line, and the result is a simple, single-file assembly: first come, first serve in its truest form. The Brooklyn venue even ropes off a separate line for those looking to buy tickets or need the will-call booth. Once inside, everything is clearly marked, allowing the integrity of the line to stay intact. While both venues are almost identical, I give the slight edge to the Music Hall. Most NYU students may use the always unpredictable L train to get there, but the trek is worth the trouble. The staff at the Hall are the epitome of professionalism, and the venue’s sound quality fits whatever band is performing like a glove. If you want the premier New York City concert experience, venture across the river to the Music Hall of Williamsburg. Josh Johnson is music editor. Email him at jjohnson@nyunews.com.
‘These Seven Sicknesses’ a healthy dose of modern Sophocles By Olivia George The idea of sitting for five hours and committing an entire night to Greek tragedy may sound daunting. Yet the Bats, the resident performing troupe at the Flea Theater, have created a riveting piece of theater in Sean Graney’s new play “These Seven Sicknesses.” Over the course of three acts, the performers take on all seven surviving plays by Greek playwright Sophocles, adapting them in a way that makes it nearly impossible to question their merit or relevance. The starkest choice of the playwright was to set the play in a hospital with six nurses and an orderly, who take on the role of the Greek chorus. Commenting on the action, they underscore it with contemporary songs, which occasionally feel
out of place but are usually surprisingly applicable. This marathon of a theater event begins with the tale of Oedipus, who famously gouges his own eyes out after he discovers he has slept with his mother and killed his father. At the point of his legendary selfmutilation, the audience discovers another difference between “Sicknesses” and the usual presentations of Sophocles. Unlike in the original Greek dramas, where all death and disfigurement occurs offstage and is reported by messengers, all violence takes place onstage. At the end of the first act, the audience may breathe a sigh of relief, glad to discover they have not wasted their night on a mind-numbing rendition of ancient tragedy. To spice up the intermission, the performers themselves come out to
serve food and chat with the audience. Caffeine is also supplied, but the boost is unnecessary. The second act features the most powerful performances of the night, delivered by Seth Moore in the role of Philoktetes, and Grant Harrison as Ajax, in an epically choreographed fight scene. In a pivotal moment after the death of Ajax, Moore reproves King Agamemnon (Sean McIntyre) for valuing politicians and smooth talkers over honorable soldiers and accuses Agamemnon of speaking “half-truths in a full voice.” With election season looming, the relevance is palpable. The Bats provide living proof that these works are meant to be performed. The need for plays to be seen on a stage is made particularly and heart-wrenchingly clear during the penultimate play, “Elek-
tra.” The climax of this story occurs when Orestes, brother to the title character, is called upon to avenge his late father by killing his father’s murderer, his mother. On paper these events are hardly uplifting, but to see at such a close distance a curly-haired youth with his arms wrapped around his mother, simultaneously comforting her and choking her to death, is an experience that affects an audience in ways that words on a page simply never could. Sophocles may be long dead, but because of the Bats, his plays still have life. “These Seven Sicknesses” is playing through Feb. 26 at the Flea Theater, located at 41 White St. Tickets are $50, or $32 for groups of 10 or more. Ticket price includes dinner and dessert. For more information, visit theflea.org.
via theflea.org
Realism of “Sicknesses” strike at the heartstrings of audiences. Olivia George is a contributing writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
SPORTs
NYU swimming and diving takes on UAA Courtesy of NYU Athletics
Senior Rippe finished fourth in 1,650-yard freestyle. By Cole Riley The NYU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams fell short of winning championships this weekend when they traveled to Cleveland for the University Athletic Association Championships. The women placed fourth, and the men grabbed sixth place. On the first day, freshman diver Austen Blease finished second in the three-meter dive with a score of 497.75. “I just wanted to go to UAAs and dive my personal best, and I was really happy with the results,” he said. In the pool, senior co-captain James Bedell placed eighth in the 50-yard freestyle (21:66). In the 200-yard individual medley, sophomore Charlie Wu finished fifth (1:55.07), and senior cocaptain Bryson Naylor placed eighth (1:57.98). On day two, NYU placed fourth in three events. Bedell finished fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (50.76), and Wu placed fourth in the 100-yard backstroke (51.93). Then Wu and Bedell joined freshmen Matt Kendall and Jerry Crowley to place fourth in the 200-yard medley relay (1:34.72). On the final day of the event, Blease won gold in the one-meter dive by scoring a 487.60. “Austen’s performance definitely ranks among the all-time best at NYU,” assistant coach Scott Donie said. “He did it as a freshman among the toughest competition I’ve ever seen at the UAAs.” Naylor, Bedell and Wu also competed on Saturday. Naylor finished fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke (2:07.23). Bedell finished eighth in the 100-yard freestyle (47.45), and
Wu placed sixth in the 200-yard backstroke (1:54.62). Wu’s times in the 200-yard backstroke and 100-yard backstroke were NYU team records. Wu and Bedell both have a chance to advance to the NCAA Division III Championships as a result of their times last week. Overall, the men’s team scored 958 points at the Championships. Emory University won the meet with 1,897 points. For the women, senior diver Kelly Dietz won the one-meter dive with an NYU record 435.40 on the first day. Day two saw freshman Silke Herold finish seventh in the 200yard individual medley with a time of 2:09.52. She joined sophomore Nina Rusiewski and juniors Noel Elgamal and Savanna Keator in the 400-yard medley relay and placed fifth (3:59.19). Elgamal, Rusiewski, Keator and freshman Emily Doerner also set another NYU record in the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 1:37.17. “It’s always fun to be swimming fast at the end of the season,” Elgamal said. On Feb. 17, Dietz returned to the boards and impressed again. In the three-meter dive, she tallied 438.20 points and won her second gold medal of the week. “Kelly had a dream finish to her NYU career,” Donie said. “She was in total control of her diving and her confidence should be very high as we begin preparations for NCAAs.” On Feb. 18, seniors Molly Rippe and Marisa Ayvaliotis finished fourth and fifth, respectively, in the 1,650-yard freestyle event. “The seniors really stepped up and had some amazing races,” Elgamal said. NYU recorded 968 points over the four days. Emory University won the championship with 2,112 points. On March 8, swimmers and divers will be invited to the NCAA Division III Championships, which take place later that month. Cole Riley is a deputy sports editor. Email him at criley@nyunews.com.
MBBALL continued from PG. 1
Men’s basketball splits weekend
ter a 24-8 run. Unlike the first half, the Violets held the Bears to just 30.8 percent shooting through the last 20 minutes of the game. “We got ball pressure on their guards, our communication got better in the second half, and we had good help defense,” said sophomore guard Ryan Tana, who scored 13 points. Stockmal was also key for the Violets’ late effort. He scored 14 of his game-high 23 points dur-
ing the run, including three unanswered from three. But Wash U. would not be denied. The Bears scored the game’s final 11 points to seal the victory and the UAA title. “We gave up too many turnovers late in the game and didn’t get defensive rebounds,” Tana said. “The biggest part of closing out a game is getting boards in the final minutes, and we didn’t do that today.” The loss puts NYU in a must-
win scenario this Saturday at Brandeis University. With a win, NYU could lock up an NCAA Tournament bid. With a loss, the Violets are virtually assured of missing the tournament for the 14th-consecutive year. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. John Axelrod is a deputy sports editor. Email him at jaxelrod@nyunews.com.
Men’s volleyball triumphant By Sara Levy The NYU men’s volleyball team swept the NYU Tri-Meet on Saturday and remains undefeated in the United Volleyball Conference. The Violets defeated Ramapo College in four sets and Rutgers University in Newark in three. Although they lost the second set 22-25, the Violets won their first match of the meet with scores of 25-18 in the first set, then 25-20 and 25-21 in the third and fourth. Ramapo’s senior outside hitter Paul Konopacki recorded a match-high 14 kills and senior opposite and middle blocker Luke Hamlet led the Violets with 12. Also, Violet sophomore setter Connor Mortland assisted
a match-high 42 times while his Ramapo counterpart Andrew Balint recorded 38 assists. “We need to continue to try and close games in three sets instead of four or five, but I think we had a very successful weekend,” junior outside hitter Taylor Fauntleroy said. “The Ramapo game was a big win because they are expected to win their conference,” senior captain Pat Dodd said. Ramapo is currently undefeated in the Skyline Conference. NYU swept its final match of the day against the Rutgers Scarlet Raiders, who defeated the Violets earlier in the year. This time, however, each set was close, with final scores of 26-24, 27-25 and 25-23. “It’s always nice to get back at a team that beat you earlier on,”
Dodd said. Fauntleroy tied for a matchhigh 13 kills against RutgersNewark. Scarlet Raiders freshman setter Manuel Felipez, however, recorded 37 assists, more than the entire NYU team combined. “It was nice to get revenge and keep the win streak alive” Fauntleroy said, referring to the Violets’ eight consecutive victories. NYU is now 9-2 overall. The Violets return to the Coles Sports Center at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22, to play against Vassar College. The game will be broadcasted live on nyuathletics.tv. Sara Levy is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
Track and field set personal, team records By Amy Rose Ramapuram The NYU men’s and women’s track and field teams both had middle-of-the-pack finishes at the NYU Division III Challenge on Saturday. The men’s team finished fourth among nine other teams, and the women’s team placed fourth out of eleven schools. The Violets enjoyed several personal and team records at the event. “It was a great meet,” freshman Justin Turlip said. “A lot of people really stepped up and performed well. Everyone seems to be peaking at the right time.” On the women’s team, junior sprinter Marion Burns set a personal record in the 400-meter run, finishing the race in 57.51 seconds. Burns’ time was also the fastest this season in the University Athletic Association for the 400-meter run. The Violets’ distance team, which consists of senior Laura Santoski, freshman Izzi Corso, sophomore Lorraine Brancale and senior Paige Zelinsky, com-
pleted the 4,000-meter relay in 12:30.06 for first place. Senior captain Maeve Evans placed second out of 26 runners in the mile race, junior Georgina Norton took sixth and sophomore Emily Cousens finished eighth. All three distance runners accomplished personal records. Evans’ finished in 5:01.03, setting a personal record for the season, while Norton’s and Cousens’ times of 5:11.71 and 5:16.01, respectively, were both career bests. The men’s relay team competed in the 4x200 meter relay. Sophomore Gilson Cortes, junior captain Daniel McKinney, freshman Ramon Perez and freshman Jon Simon finished the race in 1:30.83, setting a record for the team. Senior Matt Turlip and his brother Justin, also completed their individual races with exceptional times. Justin finished the 1K-meter race in 2:33.23, the best time in his young career, and Matt placed second in the mile race, finishing in 4:08.88 with the second-fastest time in
Courtesy of NYU Athletics
Junior Burns set a personal and season record. the UAA this season. Senior Ryan Boyd and junior Kevin Bonilla both ran the 3K race and achieved personal bests. Boyd finished in seventh place out of 37 runners with a time of 8:42.42, and Bonilla, completing the race in 8:50.0, placed eleventh. NYU will host the UAA Indoor Championships next week. The meet will begin at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, and 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26. Amy Rose Ramapuram is a contributing writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | Washington Square news
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edited by daniel hinton sports@nyunews.com
Wrestling finishes regular season with decisive victory By Cole Riley The NYU wrestling team won its final dual-meet of the season on Saturday by defeating Johns Hopkins University 24-15 and the University of Scranton 41-6 in Scranton, Pa. The Violets started the day off with a come-from-behind victory against Johns Hopkins. The two schools swapped decisions in the first six divisions, with senior David Rice swinging momentum back in NYU’s favor in the 165-pound match. Rice, who is ranked fourth nationally in his weight class, earned a 17-0 technical fall, pushing the
match to a 12-12 tie. Shortly after, fellow senior Gregg Martino (174-pound) pinned Johns Hopkins freshman Travis Laska. Up 18-12, NYU won two of the final three divisions, with senior Steve Massey and sophomore Dan Brereton wrapping up the match in the 184-pound and heavyweight bouts, respectively. “We had one of our worst defeats last year by John Hopkins,” assistant coach Corey Luce said. “We wanted this win, and the message was to go out there and wrestle hard for seven minutes.” Brereton, who normally competes in the 184-pound class, stepped up in his first ever
heavyweight contest. The sophomore took home the victory 9-6 and sealed NYU’s impressive 2415 match win. “Dan wrestled really well as a heavyweight for the first time this season,” Luce said. “I’m excited to see how he does at the conference championships this week.” The victory over John Hopkins wrapped up NYU’s first season as a member of the Centennial Conference and pushed its in-conference record to 5-3 in dual meets. NYU then took care of business against Scranton with a non-conference win. “The understanding that this
Women’s basketball suffers second straight losing season
is our last dual-meet before the conference tournament is a huge factor,” Luce said. “We want to be wrestling our best going in there.” The Scranton match featured pins by juniors Janik SantanaQuintana (125-pound) and Adlee Fayyaz (141-pound) and senior Rude De La Cruz in the 285-pound, heavyweight bout. De La Cruz picked up his third victory of the year in his last collegiate match. NYU finished the season with a 12-9 record in dual-meets, a three-win improvement over last year. With the conference championships next week, Luce has his
By Mary Jane Dumankaya
With two more losses this weekend, the NYU women’s basketball team clinched its second consecutive losing season. The Violets fell to the University of Chicago Maroons, 57-42, on Friday and then were outlasted 76-59 by the Washington University in St. Louis Bears on Sunday. The Violets played a tough game against Chicago, ranked No. 2 by d3hoops.com. In fact, NYU became the first defense to hold the Maroons under 60 points all season. Despite struggling on offense for most of the game, NYU kept pace with Chicago in the first half. After a 30foot buzzer-beater by freshman Melissa Peng, NYU went into halftime trailing 25-23. Peng would go on to score a career-high nine points in the game. Junior center Mackenzie Hirz also had nine points. NYU kept the game within 10 points for most of the second half, but the Maroons went on a run in the final minutes to put the game out of reach. Chicago clinched the University Athletic Association title with the win. The Violets played their last home game of the season against Wash U. on Sunday. Both teams were diving for loose balls and picking off passes early. They kept each other from getting into any offensive rhythm. Neither team scored its first points until more than two minutes into the game. Senior guard Bianca Storts shot 50 percent from the field on her way to 21 points. This was her last game at the
Five members of NYU’s fencing team competed in the Junior Olympic Fencing Championships held in Salt Lake City from Feb. 16 to Feb. 20. The fencers representing NYU included freshmen foil fencers Audra Fox and Andrew Ark, sophomore foil fencer Christian Vastola, freshman sabre fencer Ericka Persson and freshman epee fencer Aris Altomore. The annual JOFC features the nation’s top young fencers under 20. In each individual event, a pool of seven competes to advance to direct elimination rounds. The championship is the final qualifying tournament for the 2012 Junior and Cadet World Championships to be held in Moscow from March 31 to April 9. Fox placed 29th out of 141 foil fencers in the junior women’s foil. “Competition on the national level is much different than collegiate and NCAA,” Fox said. “In collegiate competition, you have your entire team backing you, while in national competition it’s just you and your coach, if he can be there. In order to be the best competitor, you have to learn how to deal with both situations where you have a team and a coach and where you have neither.” In the first round, Fox won four bouts, finishing second in her pool of seven. She made it as far as the round of 32
File photo by David Lin
Coles Sports Center. “It felt unreal playing in my last home game,” Storts said. “There were a lot emotions in the team room.” Senior co-captain Tana Bertino scored 16 points and shot five-of-eight from the field. This was also her last game at Coles. “My team has made Coles a place of great and lasting memories I will never forget,“ Bertino said. The Bears disrupted the Violets’ offense by forcing turnovers, which led to quick plays in transition that allowed Wash U. to easily expand its lead. Washington played full court man defense and held NYU starting point guard Cara Bonito to two points and no field goals. “Washington was able to adapt to what we were trying on offense, and we weren’t able to get the high percentage shots we needed,” Storts said. The Bears went on a late
run to end the first half with a 34-26 lead, but the game was closer than the score indicated. The Violets came out in the second half with even more intensity than the first and pulled to within two points with 10 minutes remaining. But the Violets’ defense started to unravel, and every scoring run they put together was countered at the other end of the court by their opponent. When NYU cut the deficit to two points, the Bears responded with two straight three pointers. Washington has defeated NYU 11 straight times, dating back to the 2006-2007 season. On Saturday, Feb. 25, the Violets will travel to Waltham, Mass. to wrap up the season against Brandeis University at 1 p.m. Sebastian Van Heyningen is contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
Cole Riley is a deputy sports editor. Email him at criley@nyunews.com
NYU fencers compete in junior olympic championships
By Sebastian Van Heyningen
Freshman Melissa Peng scored a career-high last weekend.
team focused on the prize. “Our goal is to place all 10 wrestlers on the podium and come away with three-to-four NCAA qualifiers,” Luce said. “We do that and we can bring home NYU’s first ever Conference Championship.” NYU will travel to Gettysburg, Pa., for the Centennial Conference Championships on Saturday, Feb. 25.
before losing. By finishing in the top 32, Fox received national points and maintained her national ranking of 61. In the junior men’s epee, Altomare made it as far as the round of 128. He finished 126th out of 187 epee fencers. Persson placed 56th out of 103 in the junior women’s sabre competition. In the first round, she won three matches in her pool and advanced as far as the round of 64. Vastola earned three victories in his pool but didn’t make it past the round of 64 in the junior men’s foil. He finished 86th out of 171 foil fencers. Meanwhile, fellow foiler Andrew Ark advanced the furthest of any fencer from NYU. He finished 16th overall in the junior men’s foil. “I kept myself hydrated, warm and focused so I could perform,” Ark said. “I feel more comfortable at national competitions since it consists of two rounds. One preliminary round of five bouts and a direct elimination round with 15point bouts.” “I feel there is much room for improvement. But there is still the regional and the NCAA competition that I look forward to,” Ark added. NYU will host the U.S. Collegiate Fencing Squad Championships, which begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 in Coles Sports Center. Mary Jane Dumankaya is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
Courtesy of NYU Athletics
Freshman Audra Fox maintained national ranking of 61st.
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Washington Square news | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | nyunews.com
dining
edited by hannah borenstein dining@nyunews.com
Hot plates for a cold winter Winter is a dreary time when we find ourselves doubting our own courage to step outside. But the need for heated sustenance monopolizes most of our actions and propels us to venture out on a cold Friday night to hunt for hot foods. Crafted here is an itinerary of convenient, spicy spots.
By Angel Chen
1. Zabb Elee This traditional Thai restaurant has a Hamptons-like interior but serves an incredible melange of sweet and sour. Recommended is the Chicken Larb, a dish of ground meat, shallot, fresh mint, scallion, cilantro, lime dressing and chili powder. This spectacularly mouthwatering dish is the house favorite, along with the Som Tum — a papaya salad with crab, pickled fish and crispy pork skin. Come and enjoy a fantastic moment of southeast Asian flair.
3. Sigiri The spiciest dish on this list is found in the small Sri Lankan hideaway. Eating the Vegetable Devilled Specialty is a more painful than pleasurable experience — it is a searing mixture of curry and vegetables, penetrated by mounds of pepper flakes. Most would argue that not only water but a lot of luck is needed to eat it.
75 Second Ave. between
2. Brick Lane Curry House Adam Richman, host of “Man v. Food,” tried his hand and spiciness capacity at the infamous Phaal challenge here. The Chicken Phaal, a pot of explosive curry, chicken and spices, is served with rice and naan. The basket of papad that compliments the meal with its cilantro and mint, tamarind and onion dips is densely packed with taste. Attempt this 30-minute excruciating challenge of finishing both dishes and win a spot on the (P)hall of Fame and a free beer.
Fourth and Fifth streets
306 to 308 E. 6th St. between
Sixth Streets
91 First Ave. between Fifth and
First and Second avenues
4. Masala Times Though not necessarily the spiciest of the five, the Unda Bhurji Pav is brilliantly flavorful. It is a sweetly designed dish of scrambled eggs sauteed with onions and peppers and served with toast, red onion and a mint cilantro dipping sauce. The Unda Bhurji Pav is the right choice for spice lightweights and the most colorful kick to a main dish at this frequented Bollywood eatery.
5. The Grand Sichuan There can never be too much soy in a Chinese dish. The spicy and peppery Mung Bean Noodle, a cold dish tossed with cilantro, peanuts and, of course, soy sauce is a perfect appetizer. The cozy interior and speedy service make this chain restaurant a great place to experiment with your taste buds. Entrees can be a little pricey, so make it a night with the wonderful sides.
194 Bleecker St. between MacDougal Street and
15 Seventh Avenue South at Bedford Street
Avenue of the Americas
Angel Chen is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com
City Bakery hosts Hot Chocolate Festival By Blima Gottlieb
Whether the decadent treat is used as an aphrodisiac or means to heal a broken heart, chocolate is something people cannot seem to resist. The City Bakery in the Flatiron district is hosting its 20th annual Hot Chocolate Festival during the month of February. Each day, the bakery features a new flavor, such as “What Would Faulkner Drink?” on Feb. 23 and “Leap Year Hot Chocolate” on Feb. 29. “It goes back to 1991 when City Bakery was brand new and the first
Jonathan Tan/WSN
City Bakery’s signature drinks consist of natural ingredients.
February was a really slow February,” Maury Rubin, chef and CEO of The City Bakery, said. “We were already making hot chocolate that people really loved, so I put those two things together and started the Hot Chocolate Festival.” The City Bakery only uses pure, natural ingredients when making their signature chocolate drinks and never uses powdered chocolate or added water or milk. While this ensures the highest quality drink, a small cup of hot chocolate is $5.50. The rich taste, however, is not the drink’s only appeal as chocolate also prevents heart disease. Because the hot chocolate is made from real cocoa, a food rich in antioxidants, it is also believed to improve heart health by preventing the build-up of fatty tissues in vessels that could lead to a heart attack. The Hot Chocolate Festival has more exciting flavors to come, like “Beer Hot Chocolate, Dublin Style” on Feb. 24 and “Banana Peel Hot Chocolate” on Feb. 26. Visit the City Bakery located at 3 West 18th St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues. Blima Gottlieb is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Nutritionist’s notebook
Portion control By Marion Nestle
This week, WSN welcomes professor-columinst Marion Nestle. A Paulette Goddard professor of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at NYU, Nestle also coauthored the recently published book “Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics.” Each week, she will answer student questions about nutrition, health and food. Question: What is the importance of size in our portions? What is the best way to judge portions when going out to dinner? Answer: Easy. Large portions make you eat more. If I could teach just one thing about nutrition, it would be this: larger portions have more calories. Funny? Portion size is anything but obvious. Research repeatedly confirms that larger food servings not only provide more calories but also have two other effects. They encourage people to eat more and to underestimate how much they are eating. A few years ago, I asked Lisa Young, who teaches our department’s introductory nutrition course, to ask her students to guess the number of calories in an eight-ounce Coke and a 64-ounce Double Gulp — yes,
Courtesy of Marion Nestle
such things exist. She did not expect beginning students to know the exact numbers, but did expect them to do the math. To her surprise, the average multiplier turned out to be 3, not 8. How come? Students said that 800 calories in a drink was impossible. No, it is not, as menu labels now reveal. How to deal with the portion size problem? Use small plates and cups in the dining hall. When eating out, order appetizers, not entrees. Order the small size, or share large portions with friends. The system is stacked against you and it’s up to you to figure out how to cope with it. Small sizes, for example, usually cost relatively more. For a long time, I’ve wanted restaurant owners to give a price break for smaller portions. No luck. They say this would put them out of business. We need to make it easier for people to choose smaller portions, which means changes in public policy. Marion Nestle is a professor/contributing columnist. To submit your questions, email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Cafe brings heart to SoHo OVERALL Affordibility Service Atmosphere Quality of Food Menu Variety
Courtesy of Maya Jankelowitz
Brightly lit SoHo cafe Jack’s Wife Freda provides a homey feel. By Michelle Lim New York City welcomes another cute, cozy cafe for its foodies. After opening last month, Jack’s Wife Freda, a restaurant started by couple Maya and Dean Jankelowitz, offers a wide variety of both hearty ethnic dishes and light breakfast meals for a sweet combination of breakfast and lunch. Although it looks like an ordinary cafe from the outside, Jack’s Wife Freda is just the opposite. It offers the American classics like tuna salad and chicken sandwiches, but it also features ethnic picks including a rosewater waffle served with Lebanese yogurt and a tofu kebab with couscous. The most popular breakfast item is the Green Shakshuka, which is a traditional Israeli dish consisting of baked eggs and sweet challah bread ($10).
“As far as the food goes, they are my husband’s and my personal favorites,” Maya said. “My husband is from South Africa, and I’m Israeli so there are a few Israeli or Middle Eastern dishes and also South African dishes. We wanted to make sure that we, ourselves, love the food we’re serving.” Gallatin sophomore Vincent Kim said he thinks the cafe is very homey. “It feels like a traditional diner at a small town that all the locals know about,” Kim said while eating a Jack’s Burger ($12). The restaurant itself is simple with few decorations. The walls are bare with a couple of framed paintings, bright lamps and doors that could be spotted in someone’s home. Soft rock songs play quietly in the background, providing a laid-back space for couples to share nice conversation along with a delicious meal.
“We didn’t want to have too much decor — nothing to be analyzed,” Maya said. “We just wanted the place to be comfortable and let the people take the energy.” And who are Jack and Freda? Dean’s grandparents. “He told me that they were great hosts, and we wanted our energy to have that sentimental and ‘family’ feeling,” Maya said. “You can come and sit and have a juice one day — as long as you feel comfortable.” Jack’s Wife Freda is located at 224 Lafayette St. between Spring and Kenmare streets. The restaurant is open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight but only open until 10 p.m. on Sundays and serves breakfast until 4 p.m. Michelle Lim is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | tuesday, february 21, 2012 | Washington Square news
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OPINION
edited by olivia gonzalez opinion@nyunews.com
drug legalization
War on drugs does more harm than good By Chris DiNardo In the last few decades, no weapon has been more widely used on criminals in America than the weapon of time. For such criminals, time is not a venue for pursuing their ambitions; it is a tool used against them. Time doesn’t serve you. You serve time. There has been a recent boom in incarceration rates in the United States. The number of those behind bars has almost quadrupled since 1970 and those imprisoned for drug offenses now make up almost 60 percent of all inmates. Other industrialized nations’ incarceration rates pale in comparison to America’s, a country with less than 5 percent of the world’s population but about 25 percent of the world’s prison population. It would be easy to point to alarming data like this and claim that it is just another example of how our justice system is flawed. That’s not the case here. The justice system is working just fine because this is how lawmakers have designed it to work. It’s not about a flawed system but about flawed policy. Much of the reason for these staggering and ever-growing statistics lies in the relentless war on drugs. Members on both sides of the political spectrum call it an unwinnable war. But the federal government has deemed it necessary nonetheless.
The social and economic repercussions of these policies are felt by both the government that enacts them and the people subjected to them. Federal and state governments are forced to shell out billions — a majority of their law enforcement budget — to keep these hard-hitting procedures intact and to keep state-run prisons in order. As a result, in the last two decades the funds states have spent on prisons have grown six times faster than spending on education has. Then there is the criminal — the individual who is doing zero harm unto others but is nonetheless hunted. He is subject to routine, unjust stop and frisks and imprudent mandatory sentencing guidelines. And after that? What is it that these inmates are getting out of their time served? We’ve taken away their time with little to no rehabilitative benefits. They have been relegated to a status as secondclass citizens upon release, unable to completely shake the chains that have unjustly held them down. Laws in 48 states have restricted the voting rights of felons. It also becomes difficult to attain necessary employment with this blemish on record. So let us have the courage to back down and do away with a nonsensical policy. Let us allow our police officers to go after violent criminals, the ones who can actually do us harm. Legalizing, and subsequently taxing and regulating, a drug like marijuana will not be
the end of the world. At the very least, we could have that brown paper bag type understanding with police that we have with alcohol. Keep it to yourself, and you will be left alone. The effects on national health will be no more harmful than the risks attributed to tobacco usage. Supporting drug decriminalization doesn’t make one complicitous in drug abuse. It simply treats the issue as something that requires a rehabilitation center as opposed to a tiny cell. It looks at the problem of abuse rather than recreational use. Zero-tolerance prohibition policies target ordinary, peaceful and often poor Americans in racially disparate ways. But above all, the policies have aided the erosion of protections afforded to a free society. Luckily, however heterodox the platform is in Washington, it is proving more popular in the mainstream. That gives me some hope that the lunacy may end. So rather than framing drug legalization as a political, judicial or economic issue, it should be discussed as a moral quandary. “Lock ’em up and throw away the key” sounds gung-ho and no nonsense in movies and television. But when real policies mimic that unjust aggressiveness we are throwing our principles into the cells. Hopefully someone has a spare key to unlock this one. Chris DiNardo is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
ANIMAL RIGHTS
Manhattan dog owners neglect their pets By Marc Simon The conflux of Valentine’s Day and the final rounds of the 2012 Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden sparks an argument: If you live in Manhattan and own a dog, are you a selfish person? To begin, do me a favor and run a Google search of Malachy the Pekingese. See that the four-legged creature that looks like it was slathered in honey, tossed around in a massive amount of dryer lint and combed for hours? That thing won the Best In Show award. No, the criterion for the award is not how absurd the dog looks, it’s how well it conforms to the standards of its breed. I don’t want to harp on this much, but the flaw of the criterion is that the standards are all about measurement, ratio and aesthetic. At the show, the dogs aren’t judged by their ability to carry out the tasks they were bred for — the retrievers don’t fetch, the hounds don’t track. The dogs aren’t judged (although admittedly, this would be near impossible to evaluate) by the qualities that make them so doggone good — traits like loyalty, lovability and charm. The point is the Westminster Dog Show is the
same as those beauty pageants in which young girls are decorated and end up looking like creepy little china dolls. Both are projects that commodify living beings. In perfect coincidence, that goofy little feather duster named Malachy was crowned on the night of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is the project of reducing love to dinners in uncomfortably fancy attire, expensive flowers that remind one of their ever-impending mortality, jewelry certainly not purchased from that shady Chinatown shop, chocolate samplers and teddy bears — commodification. Thus, I feel this to be the right occasion to bemoan the dismal, commodified state of dogs in Manhattan. Considering the financial status required to live in this borough, it makes sense that the dogs I typically see look healthy and well-kept. Yet considering the urban realities of this borough, I have to imagine that they are supremely unhappy. Let’s exercise some moral imagination. Do the myriad unpleasant sounds, the confusing olfactory buffets or the lack of open space to play and run free seem like good conditions for positive doggie psychology? I won’t get started on the uncomfortable expressions they wear as they take care of their fecal
business on the concrete in front of hundreds of onlookers. Manhattan dog owners have to be kind of aware of all this. I bet, in their defense, they’d cite the benefits of their dog’s companionship. Yet if your companion benefits you and you don’t benefit it, how is it any different from a pretty dress or designer jeans? I bet they’d continue their defense and claim they care about their dogs more than a material object, but I don’t know if this could compel me. If you were raising a child, you wouldn’t live in a dangerous neighborhood unless you really had to. If you have a dog you shouldn’t be raising it in Manhattan — and anyone wealthy enough to live in Manhattan doesn’t have to live in Manhattan. Maybe Manhattan dog owners do care about their pets. Maybe they love them. But they must love them in that half-baked way one loves a car or a television set. Loathsome, funky Malachy is not really just a fur ball. A teddy bear embossed with “I Love You Beary Much” is not really an expression of love. Owning a dog but neglecting its nature, desires and functions is not really owning a dog. Marc Simon is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com
staff editorial
NYPD violated Muslim students’ rights
Being Muslim is apparently the new probable cause. The New York Police Department’s monitoring of Islamic student groups has nothing to do with national security and everything to do with bureaucratic jockeying, paranoia and Islamophobia. Listing and surveilling students based solely on their religion is unacceptable and would struggle to pass the legal muster of a civil rights lawsuit. It recalls the paranoia of McCarthyism and the blacklisting of AIDS activists during the 1980s. Anyone who is a member of a minority group — ethnic, religious or sexual — should recoil in horror at the NYPD’s extension of its mandate outside the bounds of the city and state of New York. Given the NYPD’s financial struggles, it is hard to believe that the budget for this kind of outrageous infringement on civil rights has taken priority over the kinds of community-based policing and common-sense measures that the NYPD claims it does not have the budget for. The creation of a quasi-military police department is a deliberate policy move that should alarm New Yorkers who value their freedom from watchful eyes. This practice also lies beyond the bounds of what we expected from the NYPD. Federal agencies including the National Security Agency and the FBI, not the NYPD, should be responsible for gathering counter-terrorism intelligence. History has not been kind to those who make sweeping generalizations about nonviolent groups. The department is only able to get away with it because these groups are already socially ostracized and the general public seems to lend its approval without hesitation when policies do not have an immediate negative impact on them. The direction in which the NYPD seems to be moving provokes a negative reaction from Muslim students. Were this practice to make us safer — an assumption that cannot be verified because of the inherent lack of transparency in investigations and intelligence gathering — the cost of our safety would be our civil liberties. It was founding father Benjamin Franklin who famously said, “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” Our rights are nonnegotiable. The least we can ask of the university administrators who just spent millions of tuition money on a Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life (including an Islamic Center) is to issue a strong public denunciation of this policy. With the close personal ties between NYU President John Sexton and Mayor Bloomberg, students should be able to expect that Sexton has the ear of those who could change this policy. Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.
Editorial Board: Olivia Gonzalez (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Sanchay Jain (Co-Chair), Chris DiNardo, Emily Franklin, Matt Kao, Ben Miller and Peter Murphy.
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 500new Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 The york times crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Tick off 5 Wash 10 Mimics 14 Skunk’s defense 15 Under way 16 Attract, as an audience 17 Dickens wrote one about two cities 18 They’re frowned upon 19 What an office seeker seeks 20 Blockheaded 22 In medias ___ 23 Human or kangaroo 24 Red salmon 26 Not a pretty sight 28 Cleaning substance 29 Banded marbles 30 Most negligible 33 Currently
36 Sports org. in a 1976 merger 37 Blow away 38 Leased 39 Sticks out 43 Showily stylish 46 River on the Texas/Louisiana border 47 Hightailed it 48 & 50 Dutch painter represented by this puzzle’s circled letters 54 Warning at a station 55 Cairo-to-Addis Ababa dir. 57 It used to be called the Hermit Kingdom 58 Evidence of a ship’s passing 59 Be sassy, with “off” 61 Fateful day in March 62 Ovine mothers
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE J E W S
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32 Rodent-eating reptiles 34 “You’re calling because …?” 35 Messy dorm room, say 37 Broke off from a group 40 Most risqué 41 “Deutschland ___ Alles”
42 What a lot of partiers make 43 ___ Angelico 44 Long and lean 45 Not stopping 48 “I’d like to buy a ___, Pat” 49 Deeply impressed 50 Sting Ray, e.g., informally
51 “Large pepperoni with extra cheese,” e.g. 52 V-formation fliers 53 Overly quick 56 Diamonds, e.g. 59 Shook hands with, say 60 What a seamstress may take up
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