NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 15
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014
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Green programs push NYU toward eco-friendly future By CAREN DOUEIRY
Bestcolleges.com recently named NYU one of the top 50 green universities because of its environmentally-friendly initiatives, such as its recycling program and its reduction of on-campus greenhouse gas emissions. One of NYU’s campus projects is the Office of Sustainability’s Unplugged competition. The competition, closing at the end of February, is intended to motivate students and faculty to reduce power use in residence halls. The winning residence hall will win tickets to see recording artist Bonobo. Rubin residence hall is currently in the lead with a 10-percent energy reduction followed by Coral Towers residence hall with an 8-percent
energy reduction. Rubin’s resource manager Kody Trauger said residents who participate in the challenge are entered into a raffle for a gift card. “One of our RAs developed a program in which residents were encouraged to give up one electronic device for the week and post a video showing themselves unplugging it,” Trauger said. Residence halls and student-run clubs are also starting initiatives on campus that contribute to making NYU greener. Residence halls have been making simple changes to improve the environment apart from the competition. For example, Rubin has recently rearranged its bin
GREEN continued on PG. 3
Kimbler named NYU baseball coach By FRANCISCO NAVAS and NICOLE BROWN
ADAM KARGENIAN FOR WSN
Justin Timberlake, clad in his suit and bowtie, dances during his performance in Midtown.
Timberlake brings sexy back to NYC By ADAM KARGENIAN
“Even superstars get sick.” This was the response given to an inquiry about Justin Timberlake’s canceled show at Madison Square Garden this past Wednesday. It was to be the first of two back-to-back concerts scheduled before Timberlake capped his week on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” While Wednesday’s show was postponed to Friday, Timberlake took the stage Thursday evening still ailing from said cold.
If he was sick, Timberlake refused to show it. With his band, The Tennessee Kids, at his back, Timberlake crooned through his sweet and smoky rendition of the opener “Pusher Lover Girl” and he did not stop for the rest of the night. The performance seamlessly converged R&B, soul and pop into a two-hour conglomeration of genres. The set for the concert’s first act jumped from album to album, showcasing his locking skills and vocal finesse through elaborate choreography and instances of
limpid falsetto. Everything from his discography was in play. Multiple tracks, notably “Don’t Hold the Wall,” were performed from his most recent two albums and part one of the concert concluded with Timberlake’s original solo hit from 2003’s “Justified,” “Cry Me a River.” Part two was another animal entirely. Much heavier on Timberlake’s new material, the second act opened after a 10-minute intermission with a remarkable array
JT continued on PG. 5
NYU announced on Feb. 24 that Douglas Kimbler will be the coach of the university’s first baseball team since 1974. After being drafted by the Detroit Tigers and playing minor league baseball for eight years, Kimbler served as coach
at multiple universities before coming to the then Polytechnic Institute of NYU in November 2012. The NYU athletic department sought out Kimbler’s help to put together a baseball team last summer, a process that was completed last week in Florida. Kimbler, unsure
BASEBALL cont’d. on PG. 8
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Douglas Kimbler will coach NYU’s new baseball team.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
BOARD GAMES
Editor-in-Chief NICOLE BROWN Managing Editor
MICHAEL DOMANICO
PAY DAY
CLUE
Pay Day is as much fun as the similarly money-themed Monopoly, but without the arguments over who gets to be the top hat. The game takes players through a few months of earning money, paying bills and making deals, all while moving across the game board and trying to hold on to as much cash as they can. For struggling college students, the money balancing may hit too close to home — but remember, it is just a game and you might actually learn something about paying interest on loans. — IFE OLUJOBI
COURTESY OF PARKER BROTHERS
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DOMINION Board games that have the same setup every time tend to get boring. Instead, try Dominion, a deck-building game that has half a dozen expansion packs and hundreds of different cards to choose from during set up. As you attempt to collect points in the form of feudal estates, your interactions with the other players and the cards you pick will dictate what you are able to accomplish. It is simple enough to pick up and, as you become more familiar with the game, you can learn endless variations. — DYLAN JARRETT
For a brain-teasing fun time, try the classic board game Clue. This game stimulates the imagination and involves enough concentration that all players get completely absorbed. It is not quite as intense as the Tim Curry movie inspired by the game, and it hopefully will not induce nightmares like the movie does. Yet the race to find Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with the wrench becomes very real, if not for the sake of the late Mr. Body, then for the bragging rights that come with being the first to say “J’accuse.” — CLIO MCCONNELL
APPLES to APPLES When it comes to entertaining a larger group of people, there is nothing more fun than a game of Apples to Apples. Requiring minimal knowledge or skill, almost anyone can play. It is also a hilarious conversation starter. The judging system — deciding which nouns best fit the chosen adjective — serves as a great icebreaker and encourages players to get to know each other better. — VALERIE NELSON
Deputy Managing Editor
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news KAVISH HARJAI, ANN SCHMIDT arts CLIO MCCONNELL features BRYNA SHUMAN sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia FELIPE DE LA HOZ copy THOMAS DEVLIN, PAIGE MANKIN web KIMBERLY HART, BENSON TSAI,
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news LARSON BINZER, SCOTT MULLEN,
AFEEFA TARIQ books/theater DYLAN JARRETT film IFE OLUJOBI entertainment BOB TEOH music JAKE FOLSOM the highlighter blog VALERIE NELSON features HANNAH TREASURE beauty & style DANA RESZUTEK violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining CHANDLER WEST sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia HANNAH LUU, LAWRENCE WU video ALEX LINZMEIER
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TODAY ON CAMPUS
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
ARIANA DIVALENTINO GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Conflict and Security in Afghanistan As part of the Conflict, Security and Development Series, there will be a discussion on the challenges in Afghanistan. The discussion will take place in the Public Building on the second floor from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
JILLIAN BRANCHAUD SALES ASSOCIATES
EMMA HOWCROFT, ZACH MICHEL, ANA SCHULER
ADVISING
Volleyball Match The last men’s volleyball match between NYU and Poly will take place today in the Coles Sports Center at 7 p.m. This is the last time to see the teams playing against each other before they merge as one team.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE
HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN
Joel Gurin
This week’s snapshot theme is home. Here is today’s interpretation.
PHOTO BY AVITAL GLIBICKY
Joel Gurin, senior advisor at the Governance Lab at NYU, will speak at the NYU Bookstore today from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Gurin is a former member of the White House Task Force on Smart Disclosure and former editorial director and executive vice president of Consumer Reports. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
GOT AN EVENT? EMAIL US AT AGENDA@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS. GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM.
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Student governments prepare Violet 100 week By ANN SCHMIDT
Violet 100, NYU’s spirit week, kicks off on March 3 with the AllUniversity Games and will finish on March 9 with a brunch for 1831 Fund donors in Lipton Hall. For the first time, Violet 100 will feature a concert at the Highline on March 4. The performers are singer and Tisch junior Kiah Victoria and musical acts Marnie Stern and Deerhunter. CAS senior and president of the Program Board Jacqueline Goldberg said the concert was organized by the Program Board and the Student Senators Council. Goldberg said Mariam Ehrari, CAS senior and SSC chair, approached her about creating a concert for the week, which was then overseen by Steinhardt senior Caroline Valdes and Gallatin senior Sara Intrator. “We decided it was an experience that the NYU community should really get to have,” Goldberg said. “Right now we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about the event and are expecting a tremendous turnout next Tuesday.” The All-University Games include basketball, volleyball, table tennis,
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Students advertise the upcoming spirit week.
foosball, tug-of-war, rock-paper-scissors, dodgeball and spirit competitions held between teams from different schools, as well as administration and faculty teams. GLS sophomore and Liberal Studies senator Anushua Choudhury said students, staff, administration and alumni are encouraged to participate. “This year we have about 22 teams, [both] undergrad and grad, and this includes a team of NYU Abu Dhabi students too,” Choudhury said. “Anyone interested should reach out to their school’s student council.” Steinhardt senior class president and Games captain Brittany Holloway said student participation is built through Steinhardt’s undergraduate general assembly meetings, emails from the Undergraduate Student Government and by word of mouth. “Steinhardt has been placing a larger emphasis on getting students excited for the specific sport or sports in which they will be participating,” Holloway said. “Through the assignment of team coordinators for each sport and a special invite-only dinner for Steinhardt students on the All-U roster, we are working toward building enthusiasm for the games at the team level.” Stern freshman Paolo Cipriano said he is looking forward to joining in the Games and leading Stern to victory. “It’s a time for all students to compete in fun events, to create new friendships and to experience the culture outside of their respective schools,” Cipriano said, adding that the involvement of graduate schools, including the law school, is exciting. Ann Schmidt is a news editor. Email her at aschmidt@nyunews.com.
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NYU green initiative sparks competition between dorms setup, placing recycling bins closer to trash room doors to increase the rate of recycling. NYU club EarthMatters ensures that students know they are part of a supported group effort. Joe Silver, CAS senior and vice president of EarhMatters, said the club has initiated recycling in residence halls and has applied for green grants to raise awareness of different green initiatives. “Many students want to lead greener lives but are often frustrated by an apparent lack of impact they can make on their own,” Silver said. EarthMatters has also hosted speakers to talk about their work and research. One example is Jim Hansen, leading climatologist and former head of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies. NYU green clubs seek initiatives such as EarthMatters’
Earth Month, during which clothes swaps and movie screenings are planned. Stern freshman Aya Issa appreciates NYU’s efforts to remain green. “It is admirable how NYU has been striving to sustain the environment in the middle of a city that hosts a great number of people,” Issa said. CAS sophomore Mohit Mehta said he has noticed green efforts around campus. “It’s good that NYU students are environmentally aware, and that the school administration takes the trouble to segregate waste,” Mehta said. Silver said the efforts are positive, but NYU should work harder. “I know many of us won’t rest until we are number one,” Silver said. Caren Doueiry is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
NYU’s Social Media and Political Participation Lab has monitored social media outlets and conducted research on their role in the ongoing Euromaidan protests in Kiev, Ukraine since they began in November. Ukraine has received international media attention for the past few months since demonstrations erupted in response to President Viktor Yanukovych’s foreign policy tactics, corruption and police violence. Ukraine has also been prominently featured on the Twitter, Facebook and other social media feeds of many people with ties to
Eastern Europe, including CAS freshman Maria Arievitch. “I definitely have seen a lot of information being spread on the Internet about the protests and the culmination of events in Kiev,” Arievitch said. “Social media has become the platform that shows that people still do care about global issues.” Pablo Barberá, a doctoral student studying politics and a researcher at SMaPP, said the methods SMaPP uses include identifying popular tweets mentioning Ukraine, as well as monitoring posts on the Euromaidan Facebook page. “An in-depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of such a vast dataset has provided us with a priv-
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Demonstrators have used social media to organize.
SYDNEY
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Hospitality Minister George Souris announced that patrons of bars and nightclubs will be allowed to buy four drinks each night before the 3 a.m. alcohol curfew begins. — THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD MADRID
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Following a string of evictions in 2012, hundreds of thousands of vacated homes have recently sparked a black market for cheaper housing across the city. — THE GUARDIAN WASHINGTON, D.C.
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Recycling is a key concern for green clubs at NYU.
Ukraine protests fueled by social media By MARITA VLACHOU
ON THE WIRE
ileged view of how protesters are using social media,” Barberá said. So far, research findings indicate that Ukrainians use social media to communicate with two intentions in mind — to organize help when needed and to motivate other people to join the protest. “Among the most popular tweets and Facebook posts, we often find information about the logistics of the protest, such as where volunteers are needed, where medical assistance is available and where police [are] located,” Barberá said. “At the same time, social media is a powerful tool to create crowdsourced narratives, illustrated with images and stories about the protest, that can succeed at recruiting new protesters and drawing the attention of the international community.” The pattern of using social media for these purposes is consistent with previous SMaPP research on mass demonstrations, including Turkey’s Gezi Park protests in early June. As a result of recent events, social media have often been under the spotlight for their role in helping to both initiate demonstrations
and contribute to their success. Social media have also served to keep Ukrainians living in America, such as GLS freshman Maryna Prykhodko, updated on events back home. “I got a Twitter [account] in order to follow the movement,” Prykhodko said. “Without social media, the communities outside Ukraine could not function.” Prykhodko said social media have played a significant role in raising awareness about the reality of the situation in Ukraine. “Media was controlled by the government, and so there was no way the news would be out without social media,” Prykhodko said. She explained that without people utilizing social media, the protest in Independence Square against the Ukrainian government would have ended much more negatively. For many like Prykhodko, social media will continue to play a significant role in the Euromaidan protests. Marita Vlachou is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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The homicide count has nearly doubled since last year, in part due to eight people who were killed during the daytime from mid-January to early February. — THE WASHINGTON POST BUENOS AIRES
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Schoolteachers have planned a national day of protest on this coming Wednesday as pay negotiations continue to fall short of expectations. — BUENOS AIRES HERALD ACCRA
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After a week of water shortages, Ghana Water Company restored the supply of water to Accra. — BLOOMBERG
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
DINING
EDITED BY CHANDLER WEST DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Malaysian restaurant Rasa serves up South Asian plates with punch By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
Rasa is a Malaysian restaurant nestled in the heart of Greenwich Village. It boasts the best of Malaysian street and comfort food. Camie and Tommy Lai, sibling chefs who established themselves as New York City’s premier Malaysian chefs, named Rasa after the town in Malaysia where they grew up. Tommy Lai was the chef behind Laut, a Malaysian restaurant in Union Square that received the first Michelin rating of any Malaysian restaurant in 2011. Despite having ample space, Rasa seats only 52 people at any given time. The dining room is paneled with glossy wood and thin nets are draped elegantly from the ceiling. The pace of the restaurant, the soft, soothing music and the scents of piquant teas all lull the patron into a state of serenity. The calmness of the setting contrasts with the boldness of the flavors. Each dish pops with an explosive tanginess. Tommy Lai will normally begin the meal with either a familiar Chinese or Indian dish. “Gourmands who are not familiar with South Asian plates could dine on these side dishes and graduate to the main dishes,” Camie Lai said. Tisch sophomore Jake Rogers explained the unique taste. “It’s kind of like Indian food and Thai food, but then it’s not at all, because it’s spicy and sweet and it’s really delicious,” Rogers said. The preferred starter is the doughy flat bread roti canai that comes with a curry potato dipping plate. Other dishes range from tangy curry beef to an assortment of flat noodle dishes that are filling and rich. The
main dishes are full of powerful and surprising flavors. The assam laksa bowl is typically a Malaysian noodle bowl that mixes the flavors of peppers, tamarind, pineapple, mint leaf, apple juice and ginger flower petals into an unusually sweet and potent concoction that is unlike most foods offered in New York. Camie Lai said the ginger in the assam laksa soup appears along the roads in Rasa, the town. “Here, they are very rare,” she said. Rasa the restaurant promises to be a ginger flower in the concrete jungle, something new and beautiful in a familiar world on 25 W. Eighth St. Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
ALEX FISZBEIN FOR WSN
Chefs whip up traditional South Asian fare at Rasa.
Delivery services near dorms satisfy student stomachs By CAROLINE AGHAJANIAN
Ordering in is quickly becoming the most popular option for college students. Websites like GrubHub often save the day, especially when there is no food in the fridge or it is too rainy or snowy to leave your dorm. Popular delivery services among NYU students are Seamless and delivery.com. There are also apps for iPhones, iPads and Androids that make ordering easier when on the go. Whether you live in Palladium or Lafayette Street residence halls, you can always find options that will satisfy your cravings. CAS sophomore Alexis Sfikas uses these delivery options frequently. “I use Seamless about once a week, when I’m too tired, lazy or busy to go out and get something,” Sfikas said. Sfikas used delivery.com for the first time earlier this week. “There’s a great mac ‘n’ cheese place that only delivers through delivery.com and I was within range at a friend’s apartment and ordered from there,” Sfikas said. The delivery time usually ranges from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the distance. Restaurants generally have a delivery minimum price between $10 and $20 to make their deliveries worthwhile financially. The prices are not too different from what you would spend at a restaurant. Restaurants closer to campus usually use Seamless or
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Mac ‘n’ cheese remains a popular delivery meal. delivery.com. Students order food from Burger Creations, Just Salad, Campus Eatery, Fresh & Co. and even dessert places such as Häagen-Dazs and Insomnia Cookies. Insomnia Cookies, one of the most popular delivery services among NYU students, delivers every weeknight from 5 p.m. to 2:45 a.m., satisfying people with a late-night sweet tooth. Restaurants such as Burger Creations and Just Salad deliver during the day based on their operating hours — Burger Creations from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and Just Salad from 9:30 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. Delivery can be a little risky. Trying something new is always daunting, especially when ordering in. “I know for a fact that I will never try to get barbe-
cue delivered again,” Sfikas said. “The place I ordered from was really gross, and it’s just better to actually go out to a good restaurant for barbecue, like Mighty Quinn’s on Second Avenue.” She added that it is worth the 30-minute walk from her dorm. Stern junior Diana Tain said Seamless can be popular among professionals. “Everyone works such long hours that you have to order at some point of your life,” Tain said. “I prefer Asian or healthy food for late night orders. It’s difficult to find those options on Seamless.” Caroline Aghajanian is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Go-to brunch options serve affordable, appetizing meals By SARAH MYERS
Brunch has transitioned from fad to tradition for New Yorkers. For the perpetually nocturnal college student, rising late and combining breakfast and lunch in one sweet and savory meal is ideal. But with every block littered with restaurants and cafes, it can be hard to find the perfect place to spend a cozy Sunday morning. If you
are growing bored of Palladium brunch — although how can you with those chocolate fondue fountains? — check out some NYU students’ favorite places for brunch in the area.
The Grey Dog Only a few blocks from Union Square, college students in the area frequent The Grey Dog. The cafe-
style restaurant offers a variety of comfort foods, including challah French toast ($12.95), grilled cheese ($7.25) and chicken tenders ($8.95). The atmosphere is youthful, with artwork by local artists displayed on the walls and available for purchase, making the restaurant feel intimate and neighborly. “Grey Dog rocks because it has something for everyone,” CAS sophomore Alyssa Fein said. “Every weekend and every day of the week, the line to order is literally out the door, spilling out onto the sidewalk. It’s so cozy and inviting and the food is well-priced and always good.” (90 University Place)
Delicatessen
DENISE FABELLA/WSN
Students frequent brunch spots around the Square.
If you are looking for something a bit trendier, try the stylish comfort food at Delicatessen. Delicatessen is most famous for its macaroni bar, with mac ‘n’ cheeses ($11-18) made
next-door in their sister restaurant, Macbar. Other menu items include a burrata omelet ($16) and skillet cheddar corn bread ($8). Reservations are recommended because the restaurant tends to become crowded during brunch hours. “[Delicatessen] has incredible food and is a fun, trendy place to spend time with friends,” LS sophomore Rachel Frank said. (54 Prince St.)
Sullivan Bistro If trendy is not your style but great taste and reasonable prices are, Sullivan Bistro is the best option for you. The quaint bistro, which looks like it could be your grandmother’s kitchen, is just a five-minute walk from Bobst Library. It is reliably crowded on Sunday mornings, so be sure to arrive early. The dishes are large enough to keep you full for hours and cheap
enough to keep your weekend budget on track. Sullivan Bistro has a variety of omelets including the gourmet omelet with goat cheese, sun-dried tomato and basil pesto ($12). The menu also offers banana and blueberry pancakes topped with honey butter ($10) and three types of eggs benedict: classic, salmon and Portobello ($10-$11). Another highlight is the free caramel bread basket, which is addicting enough to fill you up before your food comes. “[I love Sullivan Bistro] not necessarily for the service or particularly inviting ambiance, but because it’s typical brunch food at a typical brunch place,” Tisch sophomore Charlotte Clifford said. “Also for their sweet caramel bread and their Hershey kisses at the door.” (169 Sullivan St.) Sarah Myers is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY CLIO MCCONNELL ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM JT continued from PG. 1
Timberlake woos audience at Madison Square Garden show
of lasers accompanying “Only When I Walk Away.” Timberlake was never short on visuals, including an enormous moving stage that floated over the crowd and met with a separate, smaller stage in the middle of the audience. But, apart from the impressive aesthetics, this pop star shines best when he leaves the complexities to his music. Such was the case for “What Goes Around Comes Around,” which began in the swarming electric melodies of the original but concluded in a primitive rendition, with Timberlake simply singing and strumming a guitar. Though most of part two focused on “The 20/20 Experience,” Timberlake did not forget his roots. Multiple covers were performed throughout the night paying homage to artists who have influenced Timberlake, ranging in scope and sound.
Michael Jackson was invoked with a cover of “Human Nature” and Timberlake touched on his Memphis connections with the melodic strings of Elvis’ “Heartbreak Hotel.” Timberlake even revisited his boy-band days with Bell Biv DeVoe’s “Poison.” Timberlake’s powerful build-up to his exit included quite the trifecta of “Suit & Tie,” “SexyBack” and “Mirrors.” Each opened and closed with triumphant flair. As he left the stage amid the deafening cries of his fans, Timberlake’s class and faultless cool were as apparent as when he walked on. The pop star has pushed himself above the fray and deserves the pedestal he has been placed on. Adam Kargenian is a contributing writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
Weiss brings ecclectic sound to NY By ALYSSA BUFFENSTEIN
Hipsters and emos in their mid-20s flooded the Bowery Ballroom on Feb. 21 to see the Into It. Over It. show. Evan Weiss, the mastermind behind the Chicago-based outfit, played his distinct brand of indie/ emo music to a sold-out crowd of hip young people, vacantly staring with their arms crossed, wearing flannels and Chuck Taylors. But when Weiss took the stage, even the most stone-faced emo fans found a place to stash their jackets and the record they bought at the merchandise table to join the mosh pit. Beginning with “Anchor” from the
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Evan Weiss performs his indie/emo tunes on stage.
Information overloads stage in Off Broadway play By DYLAN JARRETT
Whether it is the dozens of emails one receives every day or the staggering variety of television shows available on Netflix, people are constantly taking in more information than they can comprehend, and certainly more than they can handle. This experience is presented in “Love and Information,” Caryl Churchill’s play that opened at the New York Theater Workshop on Feb. 19. Rather than having the structure of a normal play — following a set of characters from scene to scene — “Love and Information” is a series of vignettes featuring an ensemble cast of 15 actors playing dozens of different characters. The scenes themselves run anywhere from six words to six minutes, and it is nearly
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“Love and Information” features a unique cast.
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impossible to keep track of how many scenes there are. In between each segment, the theater goes dark and, when the lights come up again, a completely different situation is revealed on the sparse white stage. At first it is difficult to find a connection between the scenes. What does a couple picnicking on a first date have to do with a middleaged woman grumpily filling out a census form? What does a discussion of memorization tactics have to do with a discussion about the concept of free will? But after perhaps a dozen scenes, the common theme (admittedly right there in the title) becomes clear — these people are all sharing and thinking about information. Of course, this realization raises the question of what is and is not information. As explained by one character, “Sex is information.” In these terms, it is genetic information, but information nonetheless. Information is the building block on which our world is built. Telling someone you love them is information, just like the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina is information. While it is hard to become deeply invested in any of the characters because of
the abbreviated nature of their scenes, most audience members will see aspects of themselves reflected on stage. The sheer number of people portrayed means that, as the characters share their secrets and worries, everyone will find something they can connect to on a personal level. The show itself is flawlessly designed. Miriam Buether’s Spartan set (a white box stage in a black box theater) and Peter Mumford’s inventive lighting pair perfectly, creating the illusion of simplicity among the chaos of the play’s constant activity. James MacDonald’s direction helps the talented cast channel the anxiety, happiness, anger and love that are present in the characters. These feelings are what we take from the theater when “Love and Information” ends. In the complete flood of information witnessed in less than two hours, the emotions ultimately have a lasting impact. While information may be visible in everything, love is just as present. “Love and Information” is playing at the New York Theater Workshop, 79 E. Fourth St. through April 6. Dylan Jarrett is books/theater editor. Email her at djarrett@nyunews.com.
2009 project “52 Weeks,” for which Weiss recorded one song each week for a year, the artist immediately established his live show as one that had a passion, energy and life that his soft, acoustic, studio-recorded songs occasionally lack. Sometimes embracing the singersongwriter genre, at other times hardcore pop-punk, Weiss dynamically powered through 22 songs. From the folksy, ethereal “Where Your Nights Often End” to the energetic “Fortunate Friends,” Weiss reminded concertgoers that the term “emo” originally meant “emotional,” and has little to do with the swoopy-haired, guyliner persona it came to mean in the mid-2000s. For example, take the heartmeltingly sweet story Weiss told before playing “Next Stop: The Olympics.” On a first date, he went ice-skating at Rockefeller Center and kissed his date under the Christmas tree. That is “emo” by its true definition. Halfway through the set, Weiss hushed the crowd to give a shoutout to his friend and singer-songwriter Kevin Devine, who sat in the balcony with his wife. The
couple had recently married and Weiss took the time to publicly ask about their wedding. “It was at a loft space in Greenpoint with ice cream sandwiches for cake,” Weiss said, further establishing the hipster vibe of the night. Later, Weiss played a song about his cat and the hipster vibe blew the roof off the building. But Weiss, with his buffalochecked flannel and wood-grain patterned guitar, was thoroughly unaware of the caricature he fit so well, rendering his authenticity endearing. Wrapping up with the catchy “Midnight: Carroll Street,” Weiss and his band proved their prowess as subtle yet passionate musicians before returning for a twosong encore. Mirroring the minimal approach to stage decor and flowery banter, Weiss ended the set the same way he began it — by leaning into the microphone and saying, bashfully, “My name is Evan and this is Into It. Over It.” Alyssa Buffenstein is a contributing writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
Director, subject examine forgiveness in ‘Facing Fear’ By MOHAMED HASSAN
The path to forgiveness can be one of emotional and physical turmoil. Not many could have explored it as well as Jason Cohen in his directorial debut, the Oscar-nominated documentary short “Facing Fear.” Cohen’s project recounts the true story of a hate crime involving Tim Zaal and Matthew Boger, the attacker and his victim, respectively. The two experienced the traumatic moment from opposite perspectives. When fate reunites them 25 years later, they begin a journey of forgiveness and reconciliation that constantly causes them to reconsider their own beliefs. Tracing the terrifying accounts of that single moment, Cohen dives into the personal backgrounds of Boger and Zaal, beginning with their upbringing and leading up to an inconceivable, heartwarming friendship. In an exclusive interview with WSN, Cohen and Boger spoke about the production and impact of “Facing Fear.” “We knew we were making a film about forgiveness and we wanted it to open up a discussion,” Cohen said. Boger agreed that the film is meant to spark a dialogue. “The conversation is the point because if you have people talking, they digest the information and it stays long after the presentation,” Boger said. “Facing Fear” shows audiences a personal experience that exemplifies the willingness to forgive. Cohen was inspired by this universal theme to pursue the film. “Everyone thinks about forgiveness, but I don’t know if they really examine
forgiveness,” Cohen said. “We all have issues in our lives and we get in disputes and we forgive the other person, but I don’t know if we all actually sit down and analyze what that means. We wanted to show that forgiveness is not cut-and-dried.” Cohen said the strongest scene in “Facing Fear” is one after the retelling of the attack. “Matt has a line followed by Tim just talking about what they were both feeling in that moment and I think it’s pretty raw what they were both expressing,” Cohen said. “Matt talks about being more hurt by the words than the actual attack.” Cohen said young and upcoming filmmakers should utilize the Internet and social media to promote their work. “Today you can get it up on the web, use your social media to drive people to it,” Cohen said. “If you can touch a nerve and start something viral, then you’re on your way.” Mohammed Hassan is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF JASON COHEN PRODUCTIONS
The documentary features Zaal and Boger overcoming enmity.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
PUBLIC HEALTH
Heavy regulations impede genome testing By TESS WOOSLEY
In the past four years, 15 companies that offered direct-to-consumer personal genome tests have stopped sales, and only two other companies continue to provide results on genetic markers for health risks. Just one of these, 23andme, still uses an at-home collection method. Until this past November, the company marketed genomic tests as a method of learning about both ancestry and potential risk of health problems. These risks can be determined by known genetic indicators of conditions such as Alzheimer’s, some cancers and cardiovascular disease. The Food and Drug Administration ordered 23andme to discontinue marketing its personal genome service, with a letter citing concerns over users’ interpretation of the health results and a lack of data to support the tests’ accuracy. The FDA alleges that a consumer receiving a false positive BRCA-related risk assessment — an indicator for breast/ovarian cancer — might then unnecessarily undergo “prophylactic surgery, chemoprevention, intensive screening or other morbidity-inducing actions.” Yet, none of these are
available without a doctor’s approval. The most extreme action that could result is a visit to the doctor that might lead to treatment after testing. Any initiative that results in the discussion of preventative measures with a doctor should be encouraged, not restricted. The FDA regulates many other at-home biological tests, including the OraQuick In-Home HIV Test. Approved in 2012, this test uses saliva to provide an HIV diagnosis within 40 minutes. Results are then displayed on a stick similar to a pregnancy test. Receiving news of a positive HIV diagnosis is far more traumatic than testing positive for a potential disease risk factor. The FDA has determined that consumers are smart enough to know what to do next concerning their HIV status, so why are they reluctant
to do the same for genetic markers? Considering that several studies have indicated there are no changes in users’ psychological health after receiving genomic testing results, the FDA should not prevent consumers from having access to these tests. The FDA is entirely justified in its regulatory concerns with private genomic testing. Warning labels do need to clearly state that positive or negative results are only partial indicators for some risk factors and that the tests may not be completely accurate. 23andme did not entirely cooperate with the FDA’s request for data and warning label changes and is by no means the perfect model of a genomic testing company. However, the FDA has given ridiculous reasons for completely halting these tests, making it more difficult for companies to provide informative home tests in the future. The government should encourage individuals to take charge of their own health before symptoms develop, not provide excuses to limit access to valid testing. Tess Woosley is a contributing columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
OMAR’S ORATION
Wal-Mart should follow Gap, raise wages By OMAR ETMAN
Wal-Mart is the epicenter of my hometown in Wyoming. The checkout lines at Rock Springs’ Wal-Mart are always long and business always seems to be booming. In fact, the store recently completed a major remodel. The renovation added a liquor store in the back, a talking point during slow news days. But Wal-Mart’s oversized presence is not limited to small-town Wyoming. President Barack Obama’s recent increase in minimum wage applies only to government employees. As passage of similar reform in Congress that would extend the $10.10 wage to all workers seems increasingly unlikely, the duty to initiate progress now falls on private corporations. Clothing retailer Gap Inc. is leading the charge, having announced that it will raise minimum hourly pay to $10 by next year. Progress, sure, but Gap’s action is a pebble compared to the mountain Wal-Mart wields. The corporation is more than a retail giant — its employees amount to almost 10 percent of retail sector jobs. Wal-Mart’s 1.4 million US employees are nearly three times the population
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of Wyoming. In 2012, the conglomerate’s revenue was larger than Austria’s GDP. It is impossible to argue with Wal-Mart’s significance. According to a study from the University of California Berkeley’s Center for Labor Research and Education, a boost in minimum wage for all of Wal-Mart’s employees would cost $200 million per year, or less than 1 percent of its total spending — a drop in Wal-Mart’s enormous bucket. Once Wal-Mart raises wages, its American employees will finally be able to afford to become consumers. Furthermore, in a place like Rock Springs, where word-of-mouth has more circulation than the local newspaper, a $10.10 minimum wage would bode well for Wal-Mart’s public perception. If Wal-Mart chooses to increase its hourly pay, it will be
lauded for its generosity, even though the passage of the measure is overdue. Public perception will improve, regardless of timeliness. A smart decision delayed by greediness is a smart decision nonetheless. Rock Springs is dependent on WalMart. The town’s stores are characterized by the items they do not have, so the amenities Wal-Mart provides are essential to the functioning of the town’s small economy. Wal-Mart is important to the culture of Wyoming and, if its position atop the Fortune 500 is any indication, the culture of the United States as well. The company must increase its minimum hourly wages, which would help to maintain the president’s momentum on battling income inequality and compensate for Congress’ stagnation. Wal-Mart has the size and revenue to absorb the wage increase without negative consequence and to ultimately alter the landscape for American workers. So goes WalMart, so goes the retail sector. Omar Etman is a deputy opinion editor. Omar’s Oration is published every Tuesday. Email him at oetman@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Hagel makes responsible proposals for military
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced his proposal to decrease defense spending and shrink the size of the U.S. military on Feb. 24 — a feat that will likely be met with resistance from large defense spending supporters in Congress. President Barack Obama is slated to submit the 2015 budget plan to Congress next week and Hagel revealed defense budget details, including a plan to reduce the active-duty army from 522,000 soldiers to around 440,000. Critics claim that shrinking the army to pre-World War II size will be detrimental to modern U.S. military efforts, but a reduction in the overall defense budget is necessary as Obama scales back the war efforts in Afghanistan and refocuses the military on cutting costs across the board. In the fiscal year of 2014, the government will spend $3.8 trillion, 17 percent of which is focused on the military. Equally if not more important areas such as education, energy and the environment receive next to nothing in comparison. Currently, only 2 percent of the budget goes to education and a mere 1 percent toward sustainable energy — scaling back military spending would allow the government to redistribute more funds to these areas, or to even tackle the deficit. Hagel is correct in his choice to realign the Pentagon with a smaller, high-tech platform and away from the larger, troop-reliant Cold War-era model. Hagel has been shrewd in calculating his proposed budget, providing a budget for an additional 3,700 special operations troops and ring fencing the budget for cyberwarfare while scraping excessive, outmoded programs such as the new ground combat vehicle. Hagel’s new strategy is a decision from within rather than a rash political ploy. It is both fiscally responsible and militarily viable. However, this will be a tough pill for Congress to swallow with defense advocates on both sides of the aisle loathe to see military bases close during a midterm election cycle. Attempting to derail the Pentagon budget may prove far worse for members of Congress. Gridlock and the real possibility of further sequestration if Congress does not accept the budget may have grave consequences, including cuts of major projects. Hagel has presented an honest assessment of the reforms required to ensure that standards of fiscal responsibility as well as national security are met. It is the duty of Congress to accept it.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Brooklyn breaks barrier, signs first openly gay NBA player
By CHARLES SURETTE After the Brooklyn Nets announced the signing of center Jason Collins to a 10-day contract on Feb. 23, the team became the first in NBA history to have an openly gay player on its active roster. Collins, who publicly came out last April, is expected to see playing time in several of the Nets’ upcoming contests before his contract expires. Brooklyn is no stranger to breaking seemingly impenetrable barriers in sports — on April 15, 1947, the Brooklyn Dodgers fielded the first African-Ameri-
VIA FLICKR.COM
Center Jason Collins is the first openly gay NBA player.
can MLB player of the modern era when Jackie Robinson started at first base for the Dodgers at Ebbets Field. To this day, Robinson is viewed as an important figure in the Civil Rights movement. While Collins will not be seen at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center until at least March 3, the significance of the moment will not be lost. With Collins ready to resume his NBA career — this time with his sexuality out in the open — the stage is set for professional basketball to breach an important frontier in gay rights. Despite the flood of recent popular support for same-sex marriage and court decisions striking down bans on gay marriage, professional sports are lagging behind. The machismo sports culture and the conservative religiosity among athletes have affected this delay. Teams have been hesitant to fully accept the emergence of gay athletes, with some sources going so far as to say the locker room is not ready for gay teammates and that the presence of gay players could serve as a distraction. Arguments regarding perceived readiness to accept change seem tenuous. Change is an inevitable part of the evolution of institutions and it is time that professional sports make inroads toward encouraging acceptance of those who do not fit the tradi-
tional athlete archetype. Moreover, claims of a gay player acting as a distraction are suspect, especially given the willingness of many professional sports teams to sign criminals and locker room bullies to multimillion-dollar contracts for the sake of winning games. Recent examples of poor character in athletes include ex-New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, who has been convicted of murder, and ex-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who spent time in jail for dog fighting. In an age of increased tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality, prominent and successful gay athletes would encourage others to follow in their footsteps by providing this generation a new set of role models to look up to, as Jackie Robinson and other brave pioneers did 67 years ago. Although change may only be reached with small steps, Collins’ playing in the NBA will benefit society in the long run. An institution as ubiquitous as sports, an institution many enjoy, can ultimately lead to positive change. Society must judge athletes based on their abilities and character rather than by their sexual orientation. Charles Surette is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
BASKETBALL continued from PG. 1
University’s first baseball team in over 40 years lands Kimbler as coach
of his position on the future team, recruited freshmen who will be entering NYU in the upcoming fall semester. Now, as the official coach, he is excited to work with his chosen class. “It’s obvious that they know the excitement is brewing,” Kimbler said. “They know what they’re getting into. It takes a special kid to come in here as a freshman at NYU in the first year of a baseball program.” While these recruits will make up the majority of the team, Kimbler said he would be happy to take walk-ons. “Every person that is interested in playing baseball at NYU should come out and try out,” he said. Kimbler hopes that students who gave up baseball in high school for academics will try out for the NYU team. He will be looking for some upperclassmen, including players from his current Poly team, to add to the team of freshmen. The final roster will not be announced until November or December of the Fall 2014 semester, Kimbler estimated. He said injuries and loss of interest could contribute to
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Exposure
a change in team members. Kimbler said he has high expectations for the upcoming season and knows others have high expectations of him. “My goal is to make sure that they are always prepared for everything that is coming their way, whether on the field, in the classroom or specific things that go on in life,” Kimbler said. “My role here is not just [to be the] baseball coach, but to make sure I challenge [the players] in every way I can, make it a healthy environment and healthy competition and make sure that everybody moves in the right direction,” he added. Kimbler said that with the merging of the two schools, the process of building the team has been a big project and he is already visualizing the first game of the season. “[I] can picture that opening day, that first game, that first pitch, those are all exciting feelings because all of that is coming into place,” Kimbler said. Francisco Navas is sports editor. Nicole Brown is editor-in-chief. Email them at sports@nyunews.com.
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