Graphic By Valentina Bojanini, Wenxuan Ni, Easton Self, and Marita Vlachou
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
Solidarity Across Oceans for Free Speech By ANNE CRUZ News Editor
NYU and Cooper Union students gathered in Washington Square Park on Saturday to express their solidarity with students at Jawaharlal Nehru University who were arrested for dissenting against the Indian government. JNU is a prominent university in New Dehli, India that attracted international media attention after its student’s union President, Kanhaiya Kumar, was arrested in February for holding a poetry reading and critiquing the Indian government’s lack of transparency. In response, student protests have broken out at various universities within India and also in the United States to express their support for Kumar and other students who have been arrested. CAS senior Anjana Sreedhar spoke at the rally, saying one of the primary purposes of the event was to raise awareness about Kumar’s arrest, especially among local students of South Asian descent. “[Kumar] was arrested for making these comments against the gov-
ernment, even though he wasn’t actually saying anything against the government, he was just having this poetry reading,” Sreedhar said. “We’re protesting against the fact that he was arrested under the sedition law which is very very antiquated and very outdated.” The law was created during the British colonial period, arresting citizens for expressing views against the government. Its persistence has been counter productive to India’s role as the world’s largest democracy. Sreedhar and several other NYU students read aloud English transcripts of Kumar’s speech during the poetry reading and asked if his words warranted arrest. They also encouraged passersby and attendees to attend a forum discussion at Cooper Union next week. Gallatin junior and Incarceration to Education Coalition organizer Sumathy Kumar said she attended the rally because as an NYU student, she has the privilege to voice her opinions while the students at JNU are suppressed for doing so. “I’m an organizer on campus and I’m an activist, and I think we take it
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
Students from NYU and Cooper Union gathered at Washington Square Park to stand in solidarity with JNU. for granted sometimes that we have the right to dissent and that home where my parents are from and where I call my ancestors are from, they’re not allowed to dissent,” Kumar said. “They’re being beaten and arrested and so much violence is being committed against them just for speaking out and I need to do something to show my support.” Anthropology professor Tejaswini Ganti said that she was glad students
Barnard Hosts Feminist Zine Fest By SHIVA DARSHAN Contributing Writer
Barnard College put on its fifth annual Feminist Zine Fest on Sunday afternoon as part of its 2016 Feminist Weekend. The array of zine makers shared their feministfocused work across the event’s 65 tables in Barnard’s James Hall. The fest attendees, ranging from Barnard and NYU students to parents with their children, browsed the tables reading and buying zines and related merchandise, including homemade pins, paint strips of fabrics and books. Zines are small self-published pamphlets which take their name from the last syllable in magazine. According to zine-creator Jonas Cannon, known for his six-issue “Cheer the Eff Up,” the medium is incredibly broad and flexible. And, as Cannon put it, “It’s a zine if you call it a zine.” Gallatin sophomore Susie Benitez was intrigued by the uncommercial nature of the festival, with authors charging minimally or on a pay-asyou-can basis for their zines. “The people here are so nice, so talented and everything here is very cheap, which I also like a lot,” Benitez said. Elvis Bakaitis, a zine maker, and Kate Angell, a librarian at Barnard and formerly a zine librarian at ABC No Rio, created the first Feminist Zine Fest in 2012. Fest organizer Rachel Casiano Hernandez explained the creators saw a genre that wasn’t highly represented at other zine events. “They saw that there were a lot of zine fest about general issues, but not really a feminist-minded, political zine fest,” Hernandez said.
In a 2012 interview with the Huffington Post, Bakaitis said the original fest centered around the zine makers interpretations of the word feminist. The early participants created zines from those that provide guides to finding abortion providers in states with restrictive abortion laws to zines about women in the punk rock scene. The wide variety of interpretations of the theme continued in this year’s festival. Victoria Law, a freelance writer and zine maker, displayed her series of zines that recounted the experiences of women in prison. Law started the series, named “Tenacious,” in 2002 because women in prison did not see their issue covered as much as men in prison did. Another table showed off the work of the Dominican Women’s Development Center,
which uses zines as a way to teach safe sex in a sex- positive way. Other authors, such as Ayun Halliday, use their zines to explore more personal issues. Halliday, who has been publishing the zine “The East Village Inky” for the past 20 years, started as a rumination on motherhood after the birth of her first child. Gallatin freshman Anna Oehlkers identifies as biracial and said the zine “Biracial Bandit” really resonated with her. “I’ve never seen that much representation of it in mainstream stuff. So it’s cool that because of the zine, people who are biracial can make their individual publication express it,” Oehlker said. Email Shiva Darshan at news@nyunews.com.
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The fifth annual Feminist Zine Fest features self-publishers.
were voicing support for JNU’s students and that universities should be an open forum for all opinions — even those that dissent against the governing party. “If one disagrees with certain views, the reaction is not to clamp down and arrest or resort to violence, which is what has been happening in India, but to actually be able to have an open exchange of ideas,” Ganti said. “I think the Indian
government, the ruling party, does care about what the world thinks, and I think having the fact that so many universities across the world expressing their dismay at what’s been happening, I hope that that will make the people who are responsible for that kind of crackdown to think again.” Email Anne Cruz at acruz@nyunews.com.
CRIME LOG
Feb. 20 to Feb. 24
By GRETA CHEVANCE Deputy News Editor The NYU Department of Public Safety received four reports of controlled substance, two reports of criminal mischief and one report of larceny between Feb. 20 and Feb. 24.
Controlled Substance On Feb. 20 at 1:30 a.m., marijuana was found at Carlyle Court residence hall after Public Safety responded to a report of controlled substance. On Feb. 21 at 12:10 a.m. in The Green House (7th St. Residence Hall), Public Safety received a report of controlled substance and recovered a small amount of marijuana. On Feb. 21 at 11:05 a.m., Public Safety found a small amount of marijuana at the Greenwich Hotel residence hall after an alleged controlled substance report was filed.
On Feb. 24 at 1:05 a.m. at Carlyle Court, a small amount of marijuana was found after Public Safety received a report of controlled substance.
Criminal Mischief On Feb. 23 at 10:25 a.m., graffiti was found on an exterior wall at Warren Weaver Hall and was reported by a public safety officer. On Feb. 24 at 8:40 a.m., a public safety officer reported finding graffiti on an exterior wall at Tisch Hall.
Larceny On Feb. 21 at 3:22 p.m., a student reported that she left her bag with her keys, wallet and phone in an unlocked closet at the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life at 3 p.m. It was no longer there at 3:15 p.m. Email Greta Chevance at gchevance@nyunews.com.
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Spirit Week Ends With TEDxNYU Pitch By FARHIN LILYWALA Staff Writer
As NYU’s official spirit week came to a close, students pitched ideas ranging from racial identity to youthfulness of the mind in Kimmel’s Eisner & Lubin Auditorium on Friday for the chance to speak at April’s TEDxNYU. Each student received five minutes to pitch an idea and five minutes to answer questions from the audience. After the conclusion of the pitches, TEDxNYU Vice President Nasrin Jafari, TEDx 2013 presenter Corey Blay and TEDxNYU Director of Speaker Curation Maggie Rouen chose Steinhardt freshman Emily Rabinowitz to expand her five-minute pitch to 17 minutes at the talk in April. Rabinowitz spoke on the importance of youth-purpose development and enhancing one’s life through solving social problems. She discussed the increasing lack of social awareness in students today and how a person’s purpose can change throughout the course of his or her lifetime. “That’s the thing about purpose: it isn’t static,” Rabinowitz said. Rabinowitz launched a twoyear independent project that studied high school students and the effects of social awareness on their person’s lives. She concluded students have
an overarching purpose in life to continue their education. SPS junior Eli Nachmany’s presentation alluded to solving the same social problems through the use of sports. He spoke about the intersection between sports and social impact, and how the unexpected relationship between the two can have an overwhelming effect on the public. “Because of its emotional entrenchment in communities, sports have an outsized influence in certain places,” Nachmany said. “Taking on certain causes and issues is possible through sport, because of the industry’s significant financial capital and unique resources.” Individual empowerment in relation to student entrepreneurship was the theme of CAS junior Sanjna Verma’s presentation. She believes that universities should change the way they approach the void between academia and entrepreneurship. “Successful entrepreneurs fill a void,” Verma said. “They don’t think of ways to modify a problem; they solve the problem.” Gallatin freshman Momachi Pabrai addressed the problem of gender equality in today’s media, specifically in advertisements. She used examples of ads that restricted women to their bodies or their sexuality, and cautioned students
PHOTO BY NATHALIE APPERT
NYU students pitched proposals for an upcoming TEDxNYU event in April. They each got 10 minutes to present their ideas and answer audience questions. to be careful of the media they consume. In addition, CAS senior David Zumwalt spoke about the feminine stigma attached to poetry, thus preventing boys from exploring the field as well. He further explained the importance of poetry as a field of study overall and the need to eliminate the stigma. Gallatin freshman Maame Boatemaa discussed issues of identity, specifically race in
America. Boatemaa was born in Ghana and came to the United States when she was 15 years old. Her talk focused on her journey of coming to terms with her own racial identity in a country that has more divisions now than ever before. Lastly, CAS freshman Rachel Law gave her talk about embracing youthfulness of the mind. She stressed the difference between a young body and a young mind. Although
more people strive to maintain their physical youth, not many people think of how to keep their minds open and creative. Jafari said she was amazed at the engagement between students. “It’s all about building bridges across different communities to start a conversation,” Jafari said. Email Farhin Lilywala at news@nyunews.com.
Psych Professor Wins White House Award By KATI GARRITY Staff Writer
NYU associate professor in the Department of Psychology Todd Gureckis was honored with a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The award, presented to Gureckis by he White House, is considered the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government to science and engineering professionals. Established in 1996 by President Bill Clinton, the award is coordinated by the Office of Science and Technology Policy within the Executive Office of the President and recognizes innovative research in the fields of science and technology. WSN spoke to Gureckis about his research for which he won the award, along with its scientific significance in the real world. WSN: What research have you conducted at NYU? Todd Gureckis: My research compares the behavior of humans to intelligent machine learning algorithms. The goal of this human-machine comparison is to discover the core building blocks of human cogni-
tion that make us such uniquely smart and adaptable learners. By knowing what things are easy for people, but hard for computers and vice versa, it gives a lot of interesting insight into human behavior. WSN: What got you interested in psychology? TG: I was an engineering undergraduate, and I’ve always been more excited by math and computers than by trying to understand people. However, in my junior year at university I started learning more about artificial intelligence and machine learning. By random chance I took a job as a programmer in the psychology department at my university and met an amazing mentor there who was interested in making computer models of human cognition with applications to machine learning. WSN: What do you plan to do with the award? TG: The award I received, the NSF CAREER award, is a five year grant to study how people ask questions and how we can endow computers with a similar type of “curiosity” about their world. Our work on this is ongoing. I’m
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VIA NYU.EDU
Psychology Professor Todd Gureckis was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. really excited about a current project where we are building a computer program that can ask interesting questions in a sort of simple language. WSN: What’s been the hardest part of your job at NYU? TG: Professors have many responsibilities including teaching, grading, advising, meeting with guest speakers, administering the operation of the department, taking part in university governance, doing research and writing grants. Juggling them all while having time for the rest of life is difficult. Email Kati Garrity at news@nyunews.com.
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UVL Follows in the Footsteps of Great Past Performances By CATALINA GONELLA Contributing Writer
The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts was packed for NYU’s 13th annual UltraViolet Live on Thursday night. The show, which was put together by the university’s Inter-Residence Hall Council, is the final round of NYU’s annual talent competition. The 15 acts were each winners of preliminary talent contests held by all NYU residence halls, the Commuter Student Council, NYU Abu Dhabi, NYU Shanghai or the InterGreek Council. Nikki Blonsky, star of 2007 film “Hairspray,” hosted the show, and was accompanied on stage by four celebrity judges; Selenis Leyva of “Orange is the New Black,” Katya Zamolodchikova of “RuPaul’s Drag Race”, Mara Wilson of “Matilda” and Leslie Jones of “Saturday Night Live.”
The grand prize winner of $1,000 was Third North representative and freshman Tisch drama major Issac Lopez who covered the song “I Am Adolfo.” Lopez’s incredible voice, humor and acting skills got him a standing ovation from the crowd and numerous compliments from the judges and host. “It was such a surreal experience,” Lopez said. “I keep thinking about how Leslie told me I was good at comedy, I got to hug all the judges, Nikki told me backstage that I’m gonna be on Broadway, I’m just so overwhelmed.” Leyva commented that picking a winner wasn’t easy for the judges. “The hardest thing was picking one out of so many talented people,” Leyva said. “I shouldn’t be surprised — it’s NYU.” There were also three additional category winners, each of whom received $500. Brooklyn’s Michael Jide, whose original rap song had
Bust a Gut at UCB’s Comic Sans Show By LILY DOLIN Staff Writer
School Drools is a comedy show hosted at Upright Citizen’s Brigade East that features local comedians, most recently one of NYU’s sketch comedy groups, Comic Sans. Last week, Comic Sans brought their signature characters and unique sketch concepts to UCB for a great show. The show started with a promising performance by comedian Brian Park, who made some funny — if not cliched — quips about being confused with every other Asian guy in the entertainment world. While the rest of his stand up was enjoyable, he fell flat on some of his lines, and tried to generate a response from the audience by repeatedly asking them if it was “lit.” Afterwards came a set from Bill Stiteler. Raised by a single mother and an adopted gay dad who lived in the attic, Stiteler imitated his father with just the right amount of hilarity and flamboyance, reenacting the time when he smoked Audrey Hepburn style cigarettes at Stiteler’s Little League games. Another comedian, Tony Zaret, also made the crowd laugh with jokes about his experience using Urban Dictionary slang on Yik-Yak. At last, it was time for Comic Sans. The troupe began with a sketch about the fact that they didn’t have any sketches. The group members stood on stage and told the audience they would be doing a new style of sketch comedy, “improvisational sketch.” Members of Comic Sans sat
the whole crowd cheering and laughing, received the Audience’s Choice Award. “You have the flow, you had the audience, you were saying some real lyrics,” Jones told Jide. “Rap might need to be your career.” Rubin Hall’s Donna Gary, whose powerful poem captivated the attention of everybody in the theater, won Best Variety Performance and moved the judges. Levya was especially impacted by her performance and even got up to hug Gary after, telling her to never stop writing. The last category, Best Vocal performance, went to Abu Dhabi’s Keria Simmons, whose original song impressed the judges. “That’s the voice I want to hear when I’m walking into heaven,” Jones said. Other acts included Hayden freshman Nick Cosaboom’s conga solo piece, during which he expertly drummed on five conga
PHOTO BY RECCA SORIANO
This year’s UltraViolet Live show was filled with incredible talent from all NYU residence halls. drums, as well as Ying Cao’s unique poi performance, which consisted of her dancing in the dark with light sticks creating streaks of colorful light. Broome contestant Crystal Valentine’s spoken word poem which was accompanied by a back-up singer, also received a standing ovation from the crowd and praise from the judges.
“My favorite part was watching all of the performers enjoy their time on stage,” Blonsky said. “And I couldn’t be more excited about Issac Lopez winning. I would be honored to be his leading lady in a musical, he’s unbelievable.” Email Catalina Gonella at entertainment@nyunews.com.
NYU Web Series ‘TBH’ Impresses By TONY SCHWAB Staff Writer
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
NYU comedy troupe Comic Sans performed at UCB East’s School Drools. in the audience and shouted out improv ideas which were funny as oneliners, but not cohesive as a sketch. Next, the group brought back an old favorite, Coach Christ. In this sketch, Jesus Christ is the coach of the Crusaders’ basketball team. Filled with funny jokes about walking on water and being “crucified” on the court, this sketch had the audience laughing the whole way through. The final sketch in the Comic Sans line up was creative and hilarious. It follows a drama troupe reading a script for a play. During the read through, one member, a fan of “Bee Movie” becomes increasingly passionate about representations of I.O.C, insects of color, in the media. The sketch, though unconventional, was whimsical and hysterical and had the audience in fits of laughter. The sketch also featured an appearance from “Macklemore,” who sung a version of “I Can’t Change” tailored to address bee-specific issues. While a bit random, the rap was well executed and funny, and served as a good closing for an overall well done show. Comic Sans will next perform March 4 at 7:30 pm in the Palladium Multipurpose Room. Email Lily Dolin at features@nyunews.com.
In the first episode of “TBH,” a web series written by and starring Tisch sophomores Sarah Sampino and Sabra Kojis, Sampino’s character Ashley meets a guy she likes on a trip to what definitely looks like a Whole Foods. They talk for a bit but she can’t quite muster up the courage to ask him out and he walks away. He turns back around and begins to write down his number. “Isn’t this what I’m supposed to do?” she asks. When he responds, “I don’t conform to gender norms,” and walks away, she stands in awe, knowing that this was the most romantic thing he could ever have said. This is the style of “TBH” in a nutshell. It is a show that is influenced both by conventional sitcoms and newer, feminist shows like “Girls” and “Broad City.” It is about two roommates, Ashley and Tessa, who date, hookup, drink, take NyQuil and generally do their best to survive their twenties. For its creators, the show is an opportunity to hone the skills they have acquired at NYU. They first met when they were in the same Writing the Essay and Theatre Studies classes. Sampino is in The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute for acting and has also taken production classes to help prepare for an industry in which being multifaceted is key. Kojis is in the Playwrights Horizon Theater School, which focuses on theatre acting above all. “TBH” gives her a chance to work on film.
Web series have increasingly become a way for up-and-coming talents to show that they are capable of good work. David Garelik, who plays Rob on the show, noted the new trend in independent film production. “Now, with film, people can make their own stuff,” Garelik said. “If you make an incredible movie that gets into festivals, auditions don’t matter so much. The people that matter most are at these festivals. And social media allows you to build up an audience.” It also offers the creators the chance to create well-rounded female characters, which they have both found in short supply, even at Tisch. Kojis noted that it is nearly impossible to find plays in which two women speak to each other. She has written an essay on this phenomenon and the Bechdel test, which determines in a work of fiction
whether two women talk to each other. This is not to say that the show is overwhelmingly ideological. Above all, Sapino says she aims to entertain. “What I love are seriocomic pieces where you have a dramatic plot but the life of the piece comes from the humor and the subtleties of the characters,” said Sampino. The dialogue is fast and wonderfully sarcastic. The characters are fleshed out quickly and each episode has a good overall arc. Walking around the set, a small apartment in Astoria, it is clear that the entire team is very devoted, even as they juggle other projects and dozens of hours of classes each week. They take their comedy extremely seriously. “TBH” is streaming on Youtube. Email Tony Schwab at entertainment@nyunews.com.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Tisch sophomores Sarah Sampino and Sabra Kojis have started their own web series called TBH.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS Tisch Class Gets Lowdown from Pros
EDITED BY ZACH MARTIN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
By TONY SCHWAB Staff Writer
PHOTO BY ALLISON STUBBLEBINE
NYU band Field Trip opened for MOTHXR in Williamsburg last Friday night.
Field Trip, MOTHXR Take on Brooklyn By JONAH INSERRA Contributing Writer
Friday was a sufficiently shoegazey evening at Baby’s All Right in Williamsburg, with NYU-incubated psychonauts Field Trip opening for Brooklyn’s own MOTHXR in celebration of their debut album’s release that very same night. They’ll be crisscrossing the European continent in support of the record for the next few months, so Friday’s show constituted a farewell to the loyal New York fans that have made MOTHXR a familiar, if unpronounceable, name in the indie music scene of late. The shoebox-sized backroom was sparsely peopled with wall huggers, drink-holding conversationalists and a loyal frontcenter-throng when Field Trip took the stage promptly at 9 p.m. with a few selections from their debut EP “The Sounds Inside Your Mind.” Though young enough to bear the X’s of underage shame on the backs of their hands, Field Trip pulled off their lo-fidelity space caravan sound admirably. They also worked in an appropriately drowsy cover of Marcy’s Playground’s “Sex & Candy” that had knees and shoulders sagging in beautiful unison from wall to wall. After a few polite thank you’s and the obligatory merch table reminder, the field trip concluded and the boys filtered off stage. I overheard them later talking with the bouncer about the Achilles heels of fake ID’s stateby-state (evidently Ohio’s got routinely sloppy holograms, and Rhode Island is always suspect, because “there’s only like 2000 people that live there in the first place”). But it was a
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cold and blustery night in Williamsburg so cigarettes were smoked quickly and I began pushing my way back into the considerably more packed floor just as MOTHXR were taking the stage. As MOTHXR were tuning up the crowd began to chatter excitedly over the arrival of lead singer Penn Badgley, wellknown for his role as Dan Humphrey in the popular drama “Gossip Girl.” Luckily anyone’s insufferable contrarian nature was proven wrong in short order when Badgley and his band finally launched into their set. I gladly swallowed my skepticism in the face of 45 minutes of keyboard-backed, dancey pop tracks complete with some nice palm-muted arpeggiated guitar riffs that were reminiscent of Foals. The comparison to a big name indie act is worthy here because of how well mixed a performance they managed to execute; not a single element sounded overpowered and you could even make out the bass line on nearly every track. While that kudos might be better directed to the sound tech, there’s something to be said for stage presence and MOTHXR came off convincingly like a band about to kick off a 20 date tour across two continents. It was a worthy farewell show, and perhaps also a glimpse into what the future holds for Field Trip, still rough but very much on the come up. Keep an eye out for future Field Trip dates, and pick up MOTHXR’s debut album “Centerfold” from their website, or stream it on Spotify. Email Jonah Inserra at arts@nyunews.com.
Students in Peggy Rajski’s Producing the Independent Film class got to learn about the industry from two pros, producers Nicolas Gonda and Sarah Green, who spoke this past Tuesday about their careers so far and their work on Terrence Malick’s upcoming film “Knight of Cups.” Both Gonda and Green have had long careers in film. Green has been producing for more than 25 years, beginning with 1991’s “Thousand Pieces of Gold.” Her other previous credits include “Girlfight,” “Mud” and “Take Shelter,” as well as all of Malick’s work since 2005’s “The New World.” Gonda, meanwhile, worked in marketing before beginning his career as a producer on “Tree of Life.” Since then he has worked on Malick’s films and a number of others. Gonda is an NYU alum, having graduated from Gallatin with a concentration in he history of the soul. While at NYU he was granted an independent study to learn from Malick when he was a professor of philosophy. This kicked off the relationship that would ultimately lead to their collaboration. Gonda and Green largely focused Tuesday’s conversation on the complexity of getting a film fi-
nanced, shot and distributed. They discussed how film has developed in the age of the internet, bringing up how at one point, filmmakers considered their art separate from the business side. “They were hired guns, and their job was to do the creative part of it,” said Green. “Now, it falls on the artist to build a brand.” Gonda clarified the meaning of this term — “brand”— used so often today but rarely defined clearly. “A brand is what you stand for as a filmmaker,” said Gonda. “The types of films that you want to make. It’s the context you establish for your audience so that they support not just your films but you as a filmmaker.” Gonda acknowledged that this is difficult for many who are more used to the technical aspects of the business, but reassured the class that there are many ways of reach-
ing the public. “I know as artists these things might seem profane, but now you are equipped to interact directly with your audience,” said Gonda. “Whether it be through Facebook, Youtube or Twitter, try to find something that speaks to you.” The two also spoke about Malick’s new film “Knight of Cups.” They did not reveal too much, but did show a few clips featuring star Christian Bale. They both viewed the film as being a new step for Malick even as it shares many of the themes of his other work. It is concerned with the quest to be both a successful artist and a fulfilled person. For the aspiring filmmakers in the audience, this seems very likely to hit close to home. “Knight of Cups” will be released in theaters on March 4. Email Tony Schwab at film@nyunews.com.
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Producers Nicolas Gonda and Sarah Green talked to students in the course Producing the Independent Film about their work on “Knight of Cups.”
‘American Psycho’ Kills Broadway By LAURA CASADO Staff Writer
Mark your calendars for a night with Broadway’s sexy, murderous new musical, “American Psycho.” After a successful run in 2013 at London’s Almeida Theatre, the play, directed by Rupert Goold, is set to open on March 24 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. The play, set in late 1980s Manhattan, follows the double life of Patrick Bateman as suave Wall Street investor by day and sadistic murderer by night. Bateman is played by Benjamin Walker, whose credits include the Broadway revival of “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ” and the recent film “In the Heart of the Sea.” The show, based off Bret Easton Ellis’ 1991 novel of the same name, features music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy award-winning Duncan Sheik. At the media preview, Sheik discussed his music with WSN, which uniquely merges aspects of house, early techno, 80’s pop favorites and EDM. “Electronic music has become the pop music of the day, and that hasn’t necessarily been reflected on a Broadway stage,
yet,” Sheik said. “I felt like, given what the story is, where and when it’s set with this particular set of characters, it was important that the score reflect that stylistically.” Playing Bateman’s secretary Jean is Jennifer Damiano, who was last on Broadway in 2011 playing Mary Jane in “Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark.” Alice Ripley portrays the roles of both Bateman’s mother and Mrs. Wolfe. Walker and the cast began the show with “Selling Out,” which takes place on the busy streets of 1980s New York City. The number was appropriately harried, with a suited cast walking briskly across the stage on two large turntables, carrying umbrellas, suitcases and bricksized cell phones. Drew Moerlein portrays Paul Owen, a worker at a rival company. He spoke enthusiastically about his role in the show. “I’m sort of the golden boy, the knight in shining armor,” Morelein said. “And Paul Owen, just by being his confident, centered, gracious beautiful self, does enough to infuriate Bateman, so there’s not really any need to layer on
the douchebaggery.” Helene Yorke who plays Evelyn Williams led the female ensemble in the number “You Are What You Wear.” The girls embodied New York’s pictureperfect socialite scene, as they planned an elaborate birthday party menu to match their outfits. The piece was provocative and upbeat, with each actress adding their own flair to sexy choreography. Yorke spoke about Evelyn’s character and the rehearsal process. “She [Evelyn] follows the idea that you have a job and you have a certain boyfriend and regardless of whoever you’re with, she’s just trying to make that person lovable,” Yorke said. “I don’t think that there is anything like this show, this process has been very different in the sense that we’re all included in everything. I think the rules, the process for a typical Broadway musical, doesn’t really apply here.” American Psycho will begin previews on March 24 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45 St. Email Laura Casado at arts@nyunews.com.
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Tricks to Maximize Dorm Space By KENDALL LEVISON Features Editor
College students aren’t known for having palatial living spaces, and going to school in New York City can just compound the problem. Since the quickest way to make a tiny bedroom seem even more cramped is to have junk everywhere, organization is key. Cleaning your room might not sound fun, so we’ve rounded up these three ideas to help you finally tackle that mess in your closet.
1. Have Enough Furniture This might sound counterintuitive, since furniture can take up a lot of space. But if you don’t have a dresser to put that T-shirt in, it’ll stay on your floor until the end of semester. You don’t need to spend a ton of cash, just make sure you have at least enough storage for all your clean clothes, plus some kind of laun-
dry basket or hamper. And you don’t need to break the bank to get furniture. Low-cost options include stacking bins from the Container Store ($6.99 each) or a three-drawer storage cart from Bed Bath & Beyond ($39).
2. Think Vertical Floor space is alway at a premium in a small apartment, so consider storage options that don’t have a big footprint. It’s amazing how much of your life can fit under a twin bed, especially if you use in bed risers — and since many sets are under $20, it’s a great investment. The upper reaches of your walls can be a great opportunity for storage too. Installing shelves might sound scary, but with a trip to Home Depot and a few YouTube tutorials it’s surprisingly easy. For the DIY-averse and students living in dorms, Command hooks are the perfect way to get scarves, coats and bags off the floor and out of the way.
The Names Behind NYU’s Buildings By SHIVA DARSHAN Staff Writer
Students across the country are challenging their schools to revaluate the namesakes of their college buildings and programs. At NYU, revelations of Elmer Bobst’s anti-Semitic comments have led to calls for the renaming of Bobst. Yet despite this increased attention, the origins of NYU’s building and program names still remain largely unknown. The Elmer Holmes Bobst Library was dedicated on Bobst’s 88th birthday, December 16, 1972, in honor of his $11 million donation ($62 million today) toward the library’s completion. Bobst, a businessman in the pharmaceutical industry, was an NYU trustee. Controversy surrounded the building from the beginning of construction, but complaints had little to do with accusations against Bobst’s anti-Semitism. In fact, few people at the time knew of Bobst’s negative sentiments toward Jews. Instead, students protested the library’s $25 million cost ($141 million today), accusing NYU of damaging the quality of their education by firing professors and increasing class size while spending millions on building projects. Names besides Bobst’s have also been influential in shaping NYU. The Tisch family, led by Laurence Tisch (NYU ’41), have been prolific beneficiaries of NYU. The Tisch School of the Arts, Tisch Hall and Tisch Hospital are results of $100 million donations from the Tisch family. The family of philanthropists has also donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charities including the United
Jewish Appeals Federation of New York, 92nd Street Y and the Metropolitan Museum. Two other prominent namesakes at NYU are Leonard Stern and Michael Steinhardt, who each gave around $30 million to NYU. Like the Tisch family, Stern and Steinhardt have also given millions to charitable causes. Since most building and program names at NYU have come from large donations, very few names are those of people from working class backgrounds. In addition, as groups such as the Black and Brown Coalition have pointed out, very few names are from people of color. Julius Silver, the namesake of the Silver Center, is a notable exception. Silver came from a poor family in Brooklyn and was able to attend Washington Square College, the old name of the College of Arts and Sciences, because of a $77.50 scholarship and a $100 loan (today worth $1,060 and $1,370 respectively). Silver eventually graduated from Columbia Law and made a living as a successful lawyer, making millions by investing early in Polaroid. Silver donated small amounts annually to NYU, ultimately leaving $150 million to his alma mater. Many of the names that have made their way into NYU students’ lexicons reflect the wealth and prestige of the university’s biggest beneficiaries. Whether or not students agree with the university’s naming practices, it’s valuable to acknowledge the history behind the buildings and programs we call our own. Email Shiva Darshan at features@nyunews.com.
3. Don’t Get Attached
The most painful part of living in a small space is coming to the realization that you just have too much stuff. When you’re giving stuff away, consider factors like how often you use each item in your room. If you haven’t picked up that kitchen gadget all semester, it probably should go in the “donate” pile. Another way to take the sting out purging is sell some of your extra stuff instead of giving it away. Just post some photos on an app called “Wallapop” or in the NYU Facebook group “Free and For Sale” and your stuff will be gone in no time. Maybe you’re thinking, “Sure, these tips are cool but I already have a perfectly organized room.” If that’s the case, then we want to see it. WSN is looking for the NYU student with the most Pinterest-worthy dorm or apartment. If you think you’re that student, email a
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
Keeping your space clean and organized will make your living space look bigger and better to deal with. picture of your room to features@nyunews.com or post it on Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #organized@NYU. If you win, we’ll feature you
and your room in one of our upcoming issues. Email Kendall Levison at klevison@nyunews.com.
High-Fashion Snapchatters By ADRYAN SON Deputy Social Media Editor Snapchat is one of the fashion industry’s favorite apps right now. Snapchat first introduced the live fashion week feature in 2014, and it revolutionized fashion weeks around the world as we knew it. Besides covering New York Fashion Week, Snapchat went the extra mile, expanding its coverage to fashion week events from overseas, including Paris and Milan. Snapchat’s accessibility to fashion doesn’t stop there; there are too many fashion influences you can follow too.
Aimee Song @songofstyle Aimee runs a fashion and interior design blogger at Song of Style. She posts stories of her everyday life and shows a glimpse of her life as a fashion blogger. Often times, she shares her outfits and fashion show recaps.
Leandra Medine @man_repeller Medine is a founder and editorof-chief of “The Man Repeller.” Medine’s Snapchat features funny and candid videos that go along with her “don’t take yourself too seriously” aesthetic.
Sophia Chabbott @sophiachabbott As it says on Glamour.com, Chabbot is the senior online fashion editor, Alaïa enthusiast, collector of white button down shirts and shredded jean shorts and has also perfected the effortless beach waves. Chabbot’s stories feature exclusive events, inspirational outfits and her recent purchases.
Danielle Bernstein @weworewhat
Bernstein is the founder and sole blogger for weworewhat. Weworewhat is a fashion blog she created to provide a daily dose of outfit inspiration from every corner of NYC. What started as a street style blog is now Bernstein’s personal style blog and her fashion diary. She uploads live fashion meeting stories and shares her outfits from her own wardrobe.
Annie Georgia @agg3653 Refinery29 is a lifestyle platform that delivers nonstop inspiration to help women live a more stylish and creative life. It covers everything from shopping and beauty to wellness and celebrities, giving readers all the tips, tricks and tools they need to live a more beautiful life. Georgia is the senior style editor at Refinery29. Georgia’s Snap Story is full of her fashion adventures and foods. Many fashion brands and designers these days are starting to use Snapchat as a marketing and communication platform to keep their fans updated. They use Snapchat to show off their pieces or share behind the scene moments and their daily lives. Famous designers, such as Olivier Rousteing of Balmain, also upload stories from wellknown fashion events such as The Met Gala with their celebrity friends. Email Adryan Son at ason@nyunews.com.
Here are some famous fashion brands and designers to follow on Snapchat:
Alexander Wang @alexanderwangny
Olivier Rousteing @OlivierRoustein
Gucci @gucci
Burberry @burberry
Michael Kors @michaelkors
H&M @hmusa
Calvin Klein @calvinklein
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY KENDALL LEVISON FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Through the Fashion World with Alexa Chung
Save Your Liver, Drink More Coffee By CATALINA GONELLA Contributing Writer
Coffee has long been known to be a college student’s best friend. It keeps us awake during boring lectures, helps us pull all-nighters and gives us that extra boost of energy we all so desperately need. As it turns out, this same magical beverage could also be protecting our livers. A recent review of nine different scientific studies concluded that drinking coffee might actually reduce the kind of liver damage that is associated with overindulgence in food and alcohol. Dr. Oliver Kennedy and his colleagues at Southampton University in the U.K. analyzed data from nine previously published studies with more than 430,000 participants. They found that having two cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of developing liver cirrhosis by 44 percent. Liver cirrhosis, which kills more than one million people worldwide, involves the hardening and destruction of liver tissue and can be caused by many factors such as hepatitis infection, immune disorders, fatty liver disease and excessive alcohol consumption. The researchers did a pooled analysis of average coffee consumption across earlier studies in order to find how much adding two cups of coffee each day may affect the odds of developing liver disease. Together, the
studies included 1,990 patients with cirrhosis. Compared to no coffee consumption, researchers estimated that drinking one cup a day was linked to a 22 percent lower risk of cirrhosis, two cups per day reduced the risk by 43 percent, three cups by 57 percent and finally, four cups reduced the risk of cirrhosis by 65 percent. However, some of the findings also left the researchers puzzled. For example, they found that the link between coffee and reduced liver damage had a stronger correlation when using filtered coffee instead of boiled coffee. In addition, while studies accounted for alcohol consumption, they didn’t account for other cirrhosis risk factors like obesity and diabetes, as was noted by the authors of the Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics journal. CAS junior Malasia Apparicio pointed out that, for college students, this correlation could be specifically beneficial. “During college there’s a rise in alcohol consumption but there’s also an increase in coffee consumption. Now I wonder if that has something to do with us not having too many consequences from the drinking,” Apparicio said. But as Kennedy cautioned, patients shouldn’t take the findings to mean that loading up on frothy caramel lattes packed with sugar is a good way to prevent liver disease.
By CARSON KESSLER Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY HON-LUM CHEUNG-CHENG
Coffee might be giving us more than just a caffeine boost. Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center who wasn’t involved in the study also pointed out that coffee isn’t powerful enough to counteract lifestyle choices that can severely damage the liver. “Unfortunately, although coffee contains compounds that have antioxidant effects and anti-inflammatory properties, drinking a few cups of coffee a day cannot undo the damage that is the result of being overweight or obese, being sedentary, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, or eating an unhealthy diet,” Heller said. Email Catalina Gonella at features@nyunews.com.
Swipe Me Now or Lose Me Forever By TAYLOR NICOLE ROGERS Staff Writer
NYU alumni are no strangers to founding successful companies. The founders of Twitter, Etsy and Southwest Airlines all wore violet at one point. One of the latest names to be added to that list is Steinhardt senior Noah Hyams, who has developed two apps in addition to being a musician and film producer. Swipe Me, Hyams’ latest venture, is a web application that connects students who have extra meal swipes with other students who want them. “I realized that I had more meal swipes than I was able to use,” Hyams said. “I was living in Brittany Hall, which is a traditional dorm, so I was forced to have a meal plan. It was kind of frustrating because it’s expensive and limiting in terms of where you can use your meals. I noticed that friends of mine were having issues using their meals and making the best out of them.” All freshmen living in tradi-
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tional housing are automatically assigned a 300 Flex meal plan priced at $2,466, leaving students with 300 meals to consume in under six months. Swipe Me aims not only to help students get their money’s worth out of their meal plans, but to ease the adjustment to college by connecting students who may not otherwise have met. “Swipe Me has been my own project, with no real aim other than connecting college students over meal swipes,” Hyams said. When a student joins Swipe Me, he or she states whether they need a meal swipe or have one to donate. Then the student gets matched with two other NYU students with verified “nyu.edu” email addresses and similar interests. Users can then look at each other’s profiles and direct message one another to decide if they want to meet at a dining hall. “It gives people the ability to eat on a limited budget, given NYU’s incredible expense,”
Hyams said. He added that while paired students aren’t required to eat together, many do as a way to meet new people. “We don’t call the person you get paired with a match, we called them connections,” Hyams said. “Connections are what’s most important in college.” After he graduates from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business in May, Hyams plans to fundraise and increase the tutor pool for his company Studor, that provides students with tutors on demand. Hyams does not plan to leave Swipe Me behind, however. “Swipe Me didn’t have an official launch day because there is no hidden incentive for me here,” Hyams said. “I’m just trying to put it out there for other people to use. It just came out this month, but the plan for Swipe Me is to expand to other colleges, because other people are having this issue.” Email Taylor Nicole Rogers at features@nyunews.com.
After the great success and booming popularity of Alexa Chung’s fashion documentary series with Vogue UK, Chung decided to debut a series of special episodes of her docuseries on the future of fashion. In these episodes, Chung goes behind the scenes at British Vogue to help viewers understand how to land a job within the highly desirable world of fashion publishing. First, Chung explains the history of British Vogue, which launched in 1916 and continues a 100 years later to reflect the ever-evolving social landscape of the fashion-world. Even with a staff of over 50, it takes a minimum of five weeks to complete a single issue. Chung makes it her responsibility to outline all of the major jobs within the magazine, and clarify what exactly each individual contributes to the publication. Through her interview with Editor-in-Chief Alexandra Shulman, Chung is able to uncover the story behind how Shulman landed one of the most desired and dreamt-about jobs in the country. Shulman started as a secretary at a magazine which has since closed its doors, and after learning crucial skills such as how to pitch, how to approach people and how to reply to things, Shulman freelanced for a while until “being in the right place at the right time,” — as she stated in the docu-web series — where she eventually gained the title of editor-in-chief of the popular magazine. Between interviews, Chung maintains her cheeky humor, coming across as extremely relatable as she asks Vogue Senior Fashion Assistant Lucy Bower “Do you ever take things off the hanger and try them on?”
Throughout the series, each employee stresses the importance of acquiring internships and taking chances to further oneself in the fashion industry. Fashion Director Lucinda Chambers worked for Topshop until she impulsively called Vogue and bluntly asked, “Is there anyway I could come in for an interview?” Now, Chambers is recognized as one of the most successful fashion directors in the world. However, the intent is never for the viewer to feel distant, instead the desired effect is for the viewer to feel included and inspired as he or she is allowed a glimpse into Chambers’ life through revealing pages in her personal scrapbook. Another large aspect of the series is the adaption and evolution of the magazine alongside technological advances and the introduction of social media. Editor of vogue.co.uk Lucy Hutchings believes it is crucial to maintain the Vogue voice across every platform. Initially the websites of big time publications were seen as “little sisters,” but Hutchings explains how now the integration of print and web is stronger than ever. Hutchings also provides an inside look at the process of monitoring site analytics and the goal of search engine optimization. Comparing the monitor of how many views the site gets to that of a stock market, Chung playfully screams, “Buy, sell, Hadid, Jenner!” Using multiple interviews interspersed with shots of the British Vogue headquarters, Chung emphasizes the quick, ever-changing pace of the fashion publication business, all while offering the audience a backstage look at the industry. Email Carson Kessler at bstyle@nyunews.com.
@nyunews
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
DON’T ASK FOR A QUIET CITY Audrey Deng Deputy Managing Editor
F
or the first few weeks of living in New York, I couldn’t sleep. My dorm by Union Square was across from a hospital and adjacent to major subway lines. My ears, attuned to years of the suburb’s silent nights, could not help but pick up every single pedestrian goings-on. But by the end of freshman year, I was used to the din of East 14th Street — I even craved it. Professor Tae Hong Park, Director of the Composition Program and Joint Faculty for the music technology program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, is currently working on Citygram, an application that maps the soundscapes of various cities. Citygram aims to mitigate noise pollution by creating a cartographic history of noise. Park explained why the ability to quickly adjust to environmental extremes was not necessarily a good thing. “It’s just human nature to adapt to the environment,” Park said. “Adaptation does not mean it’s getting better. It’s actually getting worse. We just adapt to it.” Noise is New York’s invisible, yet ubiquitous culprit. Between the 8.4 million people living in the city, the 56.4 million tourists visiting annually and the population density of 53,095 people per square mile of the city’s 304 square miles, silence has become, like most things in New York, a commodity with a price tag. “If you go to the more secluded areas of the city, or get out of the city — to New Jersey, Long Island — it isn’t really a solution because you’re adding to the traffic problem,” Park said. “It’s impractical; it’s expensive.” New Yorkers deal with noise pollution not by piping down, but building a toxic resilience. Double-paned windows, insulated walls — these additions only apply to private places. The choice of solution here is closing the door on the problem. The most extreme and expensive way out is an anechoic chamber. The quietest place in the city is a 520 cubic foot chamber in Cooper Union’s Vibration and Acoustics Laboratory. A matrix of fiberglass grids line the walls, wicking away noise and flattening soundwaves into straight
Graphic By Valentina Bojanini, Wenxuan Ni, Easton Self, and Marita Vlachou
lines. Every spoken word, inhale and fingersnap is suctioned into a black hole of silence. Cooper Union students often use the anechoic chamber for research, but the chamber also attracts meditation groups. Once outside the anechoic chamber, any sound is loud in comparison, but in Cooper Square, the rumble of relentless construction is an almost painful contrast. Cooper Union professor Melody Baglione warned against the dangers of sound exposure. “You accumulate all that exposure to loud sounds, and the more exposure you have, you gradually lose your hearing,” Baglione said. “That’s why taking the subway or working on the subway over time can cause permanent hearing loss. A high exposure level, such as a gunshot or excessively loud music, can cause instantaneous hearing damage.” City-dwellers may develop hearing loss and sleep problems from noise pollution, which may lead to more serious health problems like deafness, heart disease and depression. However, the other extreme is also undesirable. Without the city’s sirens, construction and traffic, New York could not function. Too much quiet, like in the anechoic chamber, could be noxious. Absolute silence carries just as much danger as noise. “It’s actually not healthy to be in anechoic chambers,” Park said. “You don’t hear anything, which means either you’ve lost your hearing, or you’re dead. Likewise, you don’t want to have a city that’s totally quiet — it means it’s a dead city.” Before I visited Cooper Union’s anechoic chamber, Park showed me NYU’s semi-anechoic chamber in the Steinhardt Education Building. Inside, Steinhardt graduate students Jordan Juras and Chris Miller were doing research. “We’re in here a lot,” Miller said. “We’re getting weirder. You can see yourself decoupling from reality.” Without that sleepless first year by Union Square, I would not have been able to look out the window every time there was a parade or protest. However deafening the city may be, a silent city is more a sign of something wrong rather than right. “You reach nirvana when you reach silence,” Park said. “But if you reach nirvana, you’re dead.”
Staff Photo By Anna Letson
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
C
onsummate a quiet night out alone in the city with some jazz music. Whatever the moment calls for, there is sure to be a tune that evokes just the right emotions, so make sure to visit these four jazz bars on your next solitary city venture.
New York’s A Breath of Fresh Air
lthough the constant clamor of the city can seem inescapable, there are places where nature creeps in and noise subsides. When you’re looking for some peace and quiet, you can find respite in these five spots around campus.
Abigail Weinberg Deputy Features Editor
Bust of Sylvette 122 Bleecker St. Venture to the Silver Towers complex behind Coles Sports Center and you’ll find a giant angular sculpture in the middle of a field of grass. The surrounding buildings, which house NYU faculty members and grad students, block the noise of traffic and lend the area an eerie silence. NYU owns the entire complex, including the 60-ton concrete sculpture in its center. The Bust of Sylvette, built in 1967 by sculptor Carl Nesjär, is an enlargement of a Picasso sculpture that depicts a woman’s bust. This concrete complex is shielded from the nearby streets and provides a tranquil spot to relax between classes without leaving campus. LaGuardia Corner Gardens LaGuardia Place, between Bleecker and Houston Streets Just one block south of Bobst and closed off by a chainlink fence is the LaGuardia Corner Gardens. Once an empty lot, the garden, which was founded in 1981, exemplifies the power of volunteers to rejuvenate an area and to bring beauty into the community. Although access to the garden’s interior walking trails is limited from April through October, you can enjoy the garden from its exterior pathway at any time of year. St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery 131 E. 10th St. The second-oldest church in Manhattan is an Episcopalian place of worship. Between the various burial monuments in the East Yard of the church is a walkable
Smalls Jazz Club 183 W 10th St Tucked away in the heart of Greenwich Village, Smalls Jazz Club lives up to its name with a simple narrow door. The real scene is waiting down the flight of stairs where a comfortable ambiance can be found. With musicians playing live music at the stage, you can sit in any row of chairs or lounge by the bar, tapping your foot to the beat. The quality music and relaxed environment is welcoming to come alone. Though the price isn’t cheap, it guarantees experience. Come listen to two sets for $20 or swing by late around 2 a.m. for no cover charge.
stone labyrinth designed to symbolize the human connection between life and death. On the West Yard of the church, a quiet flower garden springs up around stone paths, benches and more burial vaults. The church grounds are open to the public, so you’re welcome to enjoy this peaceful oasis regardless of your religious affiliation. Jefferson Market Garden Greenwich Avenue, between W. 10th Street and Sixth Avenue In 1931, a courthouse and a women’s prison were nestled together on this plot. In 1967, the courthouse was converted to a public library, and in 1975, a garden took the place of the demolished jail. From springtime through fall, you can traverse a third of an acre of green land containing countless flowers, shrubs and trees, as well as a fountain and a fishpond. For an extension of your quiet jaunt, head over to the Jefferson Market Library on the same plot of land.
Zach Martin Arts Editor
Silver Lounge, 100 Washington Square East Tucked away on the first floor of Silver is the Silverstein Lounge and Study Center, the quintessential snooze spot. It has everything — large windows for natural lighting, both couches and armchairs to suit all preferences and inferior WiFi access to drive away loud typers. Some pre-nap comfort food at Space Market or post-nap coffee at Oren’s is easily accessible on the other side of Waverly Place.
Kimmel 2nd Floor The long couches on the 2nd floor of Kimmel on the opposite side from Peet’s Coffee are cozy, in a noiseless area and wonderfully convenient. Utilize this area to minimize the distance between the end of that long lecture and your carefree unconsciousness. The main drawback is the crowds, so you should refrain from kicking back and sprawling out of respect for your fellow students. This may be a deterrent for some but honestly if you’ve reached this point in your life and you can’t knock out in an upright position, you need to shape up.
Nina Jang Deputy Digital Director
Terra Blues 149 Bleecker St Situated conveniently close to campus, Terra Blues is another great venue to sway to phenomenal music. The standing stage allows for a better view to watch musicians passionately playing their instruments. The sound levels are just right to ensure that everyone can enjoy the music. With only a $10 cover, you will be treated to a whole evening of some smooth jazz.
Staff Photo By Anna Letson
‘napademic’ resources that NYU has to offer for when you need to fit in a REM cycle but can’t make it home.
JAZZ MUSIC VENUES FOR THE NIGHT OWL
Mezzrow 163 W 10th St Located across the street from Smalls, Mezzrow shares the same owner and the same great musical experience. Additionally, a cover charge at Mezzrow guarantees free pass to Smalls for a prolonged night. Dim and intimate, the music room is ideal for fully immersing oneself in the music without distraction. Sit close to the front to get the best view, as space is limited. For the one-person party it will be no problem to enjoy the self-described “musical environment run by musicians for musicians.”
Sara Delano Roosevelt Park Houston Street, between Chrystie and Forsyth Streets Escape the bustle of SoHo by taking a stroll through the three-block park and recreation area between the relatively unpopulated Chrystie and Forsyth Streets. This quiet strip features the M’Finda Kalunga Garden, the Hua Mei Bird Garden, which displays caged songbirds early in the morning, a soccer field and several playgrounds. The tall trees and hexagonal-tiled sidewalks will erase the Manhattan cityscape, if only for a little while.
all miss naptime from Quiet Spaces, Wepre-school, but finding a way to fit a few z’s into that college schedule can Napping Places busy be a pain. Here are the best
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The Jazz Gallery 1160 Broadway The Jazz Gallery is a must to check out with its expansive space and high ceilings, located on the fifth floor of a loft. A no-frills environment, there is nothing to worry about except appreciating the music. As a non-profit, the Jazz Gallery has been committed to encouraging new jazz musicians for the past two decades. With regular shows and frequent cultureoriented series, the Jazz Gallery will be an experience in and of itself.
Stern Building 3rd Floor Any old student can walk into the Stern Building without immediately donning a suit and becoming a finance major, but it takes a truly skilled and treacherous individual to make their way to the 3rd Floor study area. These spaces are usually only accessible to Stern students through swipe access, but if you’re lucky, the magical gate to your heavenly slumber will be wide open, allowing you access to their comfortable seats, perfect temperature and free charging ports.
ARC Basement Grab a soothing beverage at Argo Tea and then head downstairs in the Academic Resource Center to find a secluded couch behind the stairs. The perks are its central location on campus and easy access to printers. However, to be honest, this one should be a last resort. The harsh purple and white color scheme is off-putting and definitely not ideal for lucid dreaming. There’s a fair amount of activity around you and it’s not a quiet space so you may experience a frequently interrupted, restless stupor.
Staff Photo By Hannah Shulman
19 West Fourth St. If you walk into 19 W 4th, turn the corner and walk back to end of the hallway, you’ll come across the most pristine couch in all of Lower Manhattan. It doesn’t look like it, but trust me, it’s broken in all the right places. It sinks in perfectly for ideal back support –– not too firm and not too soft. It’s essentially the closest you can get to a Sleep Number bed included in tuition. Andrew Hamilton wishes he had this couch. The problem is only one person can fit.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY RICHARD SHU OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
RACE
Peter Liang and Color in a World of Black and White By CONNOR BORDEN Contributing Writer With every new case, a wrinkle is thrown into the conversation surrounding race and police brutality. The recent guilty conviction of Peter Liang on Feb. 11 for the allegedly accidental killing of Akai Gurley has the AsianAmerican community divided, with many calling Liang’s arrest selective justice and scapegoating. Activists argue that Liang’s ethnicity is being used by white officers who have failed to be indicted for killing unarmed citizens as a tool for appeasement. Though the conviction was a step forward for combating police brutality and valuing black
lives, protesters nevertheless want Liang’s charges dropped. This story steps outside of the “white versus black” narrative that usually surfaces when speaking of police violence. In the United States, white supremacy seeks to undermine the fight to end racism. This past Saturday, Feb. 27, a rally of white Ku Klux Klan members in Anaheim turned violent when a racially diverse group of protesters showed up. Two sustained stab wounds from KKK members. In Liang’s case, the discussion is not quite so stark. Police brutality and murder is an unforgivable crime, but addressing the outrage of a portion of the Asian-American community makes talking about
the issue much more fraught. At NYU, we must remember to consider each person’s racial and ethnic identity, to ask questions and push boundaries, but be respectful. The AsianAmerican narrative, like all others, is still developing, and it demands our tolerant attention. While this sad, enraging and ultimately messy situation may be the wrong milieu to de-
velop race relations, an analysis of the situation and its contributing factors can help us to illuminate a new truth. When speaking about minorities, leading political figures are usually defer to African-Americans and Latino-Americans. This would indicate that AsianAmericans, especially East Asians, are generally lumped in with white people. But despite this rhetoric, white people are the only group in America who experience racial privilege on the whole. When the only police officer to be indicted for killing an unarmed black person is Chinese, Liang’s race is certainly accentuated and set apart from whiteness.
As residents of New York City, we are first-hand witnesses to far too many cases of police violence. From the vicious torture of Abner Louima in Brooklyn to Eric Garner’s suffocation on Staten Island, each barbaric instance reminds us without justice, there is no peace. Each instance forces us to reexamine our social structures on and off campus, revisiting and reworking our diversity talks and finding new ways to tackle new problems. During these periods when protests are still ongoing, remember to be considerate and never sacrifice the commitment to justice. Email Connor Borden at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Battle Over Abortions Reignites in the Supreme Court By ANNIE COHEN Staff Writer This Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear a case that has the potential to dramatically affect access to safe abortions in America. The case, Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt, challenges a 2013 Texas law requiring abortion clinics to meet the strict standards of ambulatory surgical centers, as well as for their doctors to have admitting privileges at local hospitals. These restrictions, like so many similar ones over the years, have contributed to the rapidly diminishing number of abortion clinics all across the country. The stipulations of this particular case, all supposedly in the
name of women’s health, make very little sense. Abortions are an incredibly safe procedure, with a complication rate of less than one percent, so to place upon them the same standards of surgical centers performing far riskier procedures is nonsensical. The sole purpose of this law and other iterations of it all over the country is to restrict women’s access to abortions by shutting down abortion clinics that fail to meet ridiculous, arbitrary standards. As history has shown, shutting down abortion clinics doesn’t stamp out abortion at all — it only forces women to take more desperate, dangerous measures. Before Roe v. Wade made abortion legal in the United States, up to 1.2 million women underwent
unregulated, back-alley abortions that resulted in thousands of hospitalizations and deaths. Under the guise of protecting women, these regulations pose an immediate danger to women’s safety. At the root of this issue is the problematic 1992 Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, which vastly broadened states’ rights to regulate abortions so long as it did not impose an undue burden on women.
The issue here is with the vague wording — though undue burden has been formally defined in case law, its application is still very much dependent on each judge. The principle is reminiscent of the Jim Crow laws that impeded African Americans from voting prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Although the 15th Amendment guaranteed African Americans suffrage, many states instituted unjust obstacles like literacy tests and poll taxes, rendering it nearly impossible for African Americans to vote. Indeed, these state abortion laws are rendering it nearly impossible for women to have access to safe abortions. The importance of this case’s outcome cannot be overstated.
The very right of women to retain autonomy over their bodies is at stake. The death of Antonin Scalia, who was fiercely opposed to abortions, could have considerable ramifications on this decision, both for better and for worse. If the eight justices are evenly split on this case, the Texas law remains in effect. This case is in the hands of the more moderate justices, like Anthony M. Kennedy, who could swing the vote one way or another. Not since Roe v. Wade has abortion been so hotly contested in America. Hopefully the court can learn from the past and err on the right side of history this time. Email Annie Cohen at opinion@nyunews.com.
HEALTHCARE
Face It, People: Just Pay for Tampons By PARIS MARTINEAU Contributing Writer Upon exploring any collegiate bathroom, resource center or even a state health department, one will find one thing in common: condoms. Free condoms. And this is a fantastic development; more young adults are able to have protected sex and make wise decisions regarding their sexual activities and health no matter their economic situation. However, some students seem to currently be using these free condoms as an exemplary illustration of sexist practices in our daily lives, constantly asking: “Well, if condoms are free, why aren’t tampons?”
The issue at hand here is not a cabal of conniving misogynists creeping through the meeting rooms of collegiate and governmental offices, plotting to bring down womankind, but what is just ignorance by these so-called activists in regards to the needs of the human body. Condoms and tampons are not equal, and should not continue to be equated on such a superficial basis on their relation to each sex. Comparing condoms to tampons is a relatively simple case of apples and oranges: condoms are not the male equivalent to tampons, because tampons address a completely different need. Condoms are beneficial to the public
as a whole. When used correctly, they protect any individual who engages in penetrative sex from the threat of STDs, and are many women’s only line of defense against potential pregnancy. Tampons, on the other hand, are a personal good. Condoms are provided free of charge in an attempt to aid low-income members of the community
who might have issues purchasing these important items on their own. This necessity does not exist for tampons. Yes, there are certainly women who cannot afford tampons due to cost, and that is an issue, but there are various alternatives such as reusable menstrual cups — which can last for years without needing to be replaced — sea sponge tampons or cloth liners, that are available for individuals who are unable to handle a recurring monthly cost. This use of tampon alternatives does not have nearly the same ramifications of using a low-cost stand in for a condom, and thus it does not require a mandate for their provision. As a woman, I would personally
love for tampons to be free. But to insist that they exist on a level reserved for an item that protects the general population is incorrect. Activists should instead focus on the current luxury tax for tampons, or the ridiculous reality that women’s products almost always cost more than men’s, not something as generally unhelpful as the needless comparison to condoms. Ultimately, providing tampons to students is not the responsibility of a university or larger institution — there are greater battles to be fought in the name of women’s health than this one. Email Paris Martineau at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2016 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY RICHARD SHU OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
ECONOMY
STAFF EDITORIAL
Student Debt Strangles Alumni and Economy By PHOEBE KUO Contributing Writer In an email to NYU students, President Hamilton outlined his new budget proposals for the upcoming term, which would result in the smallest increase of the university’s cost of attendance in 20 years. While there is no doubt that President Hamilton wrote with good intentions, there remains a larger question that has been taken for granted in the United States: who should be paying for college in the first place? It’s a question worth thinking about — whether higher education should be considered as a commodity or a quasi-public good. Quasi-public goods are the goods that non-payers, or people who do not spend money to acquire the goods, will not be able to consume. However, non-payers will still be able to reap the indirect or societal benefits of those goods. Take higher education for example — the students who work hard and receive their diplomas are not the only ones who benefit in the end by receiving decent paychecks. The whole of society profits from a better-educated, more productive workforce.
In some European Union countries, education is fully funded by the state. Many of the most prestigious universities in these countries are public. As a result, the cost of attendance in European Union is fairly low. The taxpayers who fund higher education share the benefit that comes from increasing the overall productivity of society. However, in the United States, most of the top universities are private universities. Higher education is treated as more of a commodity than a necessity. Students pay for the privilege of a university’s name and the varied skillset that results — thus the state only provides limited resources for these schools. Either colleges actively look for endorsements to support their programs or students pay for the programs themselves. Contextualizing higher education as a quasi-public good makes a lot of
seemingly tough policy decisions suddenly very easy. We already recognize that many American students are saddled with crushing student debt. That collective debt adds up to about $1.2 trillion nationally, or around $26,000 per graduate. The effects of debt will likely lead to less spending and less financial stability. This trend will only hurt the national economy, taking the biggest toll on the burgeoning workforce coming out of universities in the next few years. The current system forces families to take on significant financial burdens in order to educate their children and benefit society. The United States has too long contented itself with the power of the invisible hand. But when it comes to higher education, it’s an equality problem. For some students, they might be deprived of the chance to pursue their aspirations since they have to prioritize paying off their steadily accruing student debt. Because society shares the benefits of an educated generation, we should increase the affordability of higher education instead of locking up social mobility for the affluent. Email Phoebe Kuo at opinion@nyunews.com.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
With Coles Destruction, A Loss of School Spirit By NISHAD MORE Staff Writer With the Coles Sports Center closing last weekend, it’s probably a good time to ask the question: what are athletics at NYU? With all the jokes that go around about the nonexistent football team — even in official NYU merch — you’d think that we didn’t have a sports presence at all. But as a former member of a sports team at NYU, I can safely say that athletics at NYU do exist, and it is much larger than we think it is. Last Sunday, we held our final event at Coles: two home games for women’s and men’s basketball. Yes, we lost both games, but the quality of sport, the atmosphere and the logistical support that our teams had was nothing short of spectacular. There was cheerleading, a concession stand, a pep band, halftime entertainment, radio coverage, postgame interviews and, of course, two really great games of basketball to watch. It was the closest thing to school spirit I’ve seen at NYU. In other words, this was your all-
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American sporting event, and while the turnout was not pathetic, it certainly wasn’t amazing. Inside Coles, there are hundreds of people working almost every day to make NYU athletics happen, but no one takes notice. At a school where we often complain about a lack of campus and community, we overlook all our athletic facilities and dismiss them as nothing more a weekly session at the gym. To me, capitalizing on our sporting events is one of many small solutions to the lack of school community at our massive institution. In fact, why isn’t an annual basketball game part of the freshmen Welcome Week? The NYU student body boasts a breadth of talent, and it’s only fair that the athletes get their
time in the spotlight. There needs to be a change in athletic culture here to preserve what little spirit we have after the closing of Coles. Hopefully the funds being poured into the renovation aren’t wasted building another monument to the student body’s apathy towards athletic achievement. Given the amount of time and effort going into our sports teams, and given the resolve with which every athlete dedicates themselves to their work, it’s a shame that they’re not a more prevalent part of our school’s culture. This is where you scream “But we’re Division III!” and I’m supposed to back off and let you get back to watching Netflix all weekend. But it doesn’t matter what division we are, we should watch our athletes do what they’re good at. Because if our athletes are using part of our tuition fees to fly all over the country to compete, the least we should do is go to a game once in a while. And we don’t always lose. By much. Email Nishad More at opinion@nyunews.com.
A New Era in Aggressive Activism
Violence erupted in Anaheim, California on Saturday when Ku Klux Klan demonstrators clashed with counter-protesters. Several were stabbed and beaten, while many others were arrested. Witnesses place culpability on both sides, with some Klansmen claiming they acted out of self-defense when their troupe was assaulted by counter-protesters. Though the exact details remain unclear, the incident at Anaheim indicates a growing trend of rowdy, disruptive protest that is pervading activist movements in the United States. Although the brutal expression of protest appeared to have died out, the recent clash between Klansmen and counter-protesters proves otherwise. Protests such as that against the Iraq War were mostly civil and peaceful. However, a new generation of protesters, who grew up watching these largely ineffectual demonstrations, are turning instead to raucous marches and aggressive tactics. This is a generation that values agitation over civility and justice over peace. Tensions are running high, and reactions can quickly spiral into explosive incidents. The old system of demonstration permits and police supervision is just too slow to keep up. The new world of protest is governed by spontaneity, and that spontaneity can lead to dangerous consequences for those who are unprepared. Protest and active resistance are powerful weapons in the arsenal of activists. The act of stirring the pot allows for a more visceral form of engagement with the society at large. However, because of the raw emotional response that this activism is meant to provoke, there can be severe consequences. On one side, such a confrontational style can be effective in energizing support and generating earnest conversation, but on the other side it can also potentially generate violence. Once violence is introduced to the context of activism, it poisons the flow of political discourse and disrupts the reputability of the larger movement, all while feeding the persecution complex that leads people to cling tighter to their guns. Aggression and defensiveness becomes the standard protest response. Violence will never be able to solve problems by itself, and most activists understand this. But when the sphere of protest becomes increasingly saturated with images of aggression, the message is lost. If street-level activism is shaping up to be a driving political force of the modern day, it needs to find something better to do than stomping on an old man’s head. The protesters of today need to recognize that, for all the hell-raising that has garnered them so much attention, there needs to be a conversation at the end of the day. There needs to be a legitimate victory of ideas. And no such victory can be achieved if no one is willing to have a conversation in the first place. The violence at Anaheim was largely spontaneous, but it was born out of a time when raucous street protesting has blurred the divide between activism and aggression.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Richard Shu (Chair), Emily Fong (Co-chair), Abraham Gross (Co-chair) STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
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SPORTS
EDITED BY MICHAEL THOMPSON SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Baseball: Fresh Grass, Slow Start By ASHLEY ARNOLD Staff Writer
The weekend finally brought some warm weather, and with spring around the corner, it can only mean one thing — NYU baseball is back. The team started the second season of its modern era with a three-game series against Washington and Lee University, dropping all three in Virginia. The Violets lost Saturday’s first game 6-1. Sophomore shortstop Jake Smith made his return to the diamond after having to miss out on most of his first season due to an ACL injury. Smith knocked in the team’s first run of the season, what the team is hoping will be the first of many this season. With two outs and sophomore utility player Christian Bloom on second base, Smith hit a double into centerfield, scoring Bloom and giving the Violets a 1-0 lead. Bloom finished the day
1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. Sophomore Cameron SerapilioFrank started on the mound for the Violets and pitched 6 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball until Washington and Lee scored in the bottom of the seventh inning. Freshman pitcher Julian Henry replaced him after that, but from that point on Washington and Lee continued scoring, eventually running away with the game. In defeat, Violets freshman outfielder Jack Walter made a strong debut on the team, finishing 2-for-5 with a double. Junior outfielder Adrian Spitz, who finished 2-for-4, is looking forward to seeing how the various newcomers fare this year. “We had a lot of freshman that are slowly getting adjusted to college baseball,” Spitz said. “We performed well as a whole and positive things are coming.” In the second game of the day, sophomore Michael Vokulich
pitched 5 1/3 innings without giving up a run. The Violets once again had the lead early on in the game thanks to Spitz, who plated freshman Colman Hendershot with an RBI double right down the right field line in the top of the fourth inning. However, Washington and Lee eventually got to Spitz, starting their comeback in the bottom of the fifth inning when they managed an RBI single. This was then followed by a two-run double in the sixth inning, putting them ahead for good 3-1. Walter had another solid showing for a generally quiet Violets offense, going 1-4 with a stolen base. The Violets played their third game with Washington and Lee on Sunday to wrap up the weekend. There were no runs from the Violets until Smith scored in the top of the sixth inning as well as Bloom. However, Washington and Lee continued to be an offensive juggernaut, scoring 11 runs in the
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Christian Bloom was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. game en route to a season-opening sweep of the Violets. Freshman Eli Edwards, who made a brief appearance on Sunday in relief, said he sees a strong season ahead even after a difficult start. “We got swept this weekend which was very disappointing,” Edwards said. “We showed glimpses of
our talent but we mentally need to get tougher in the future.” The Violets open their home schedule on Tuesday at MCU Park in Coney Island with a two-game series against John Jay College. Email Ashley Arnold at sports@nyunews.com.
Basketball Hoping for NCAA Bid Tennis Tries to Shake Off Winter Rust By BRANDON HERRERA Staff Writer
The regular season for NYU’s men’s and women’s basketball teams has not been ideal — both teams have cooled down considerably after going on perfect starts before the winter break while the closing of Coles cast a shadow over the proceedings. However, both teams closed out their seasons with blowout victories over Brandeis University this past Saturday, Feb. 27, on the road. The men’s squad edged the Judges 71-50, sweeping the season series between the two schools for the first time in 12 years and capping off the year with a 20-5 record. It was all Violets at tip-off as they found themselves up by 21 points in the first half. Despite a strong run to cut NYU’s lead to only 29-18 at halftime, Brandeis was never able to close the gap. Behind senior captain Evan Kupferberg’s game highs of 17 points and nine rebounds, the Violets never looked back and cruised to their final victory of the year. Sophomore guard Ross Udine, senior center Costis Gontikas and senior forward Tony Bai also chipped in with doubledigit scoring efforts of their own, combining for 39. Now working towards what he’s hoping is a run in the NCAA Tournament, fellow senior captain Max Ralby knows the team is ready for the journey. “No matter what post season tournament we get placed in our focus will not change,” Ralby said. “We have one goal and that’s a championship, and I think with a very experienced team we will be ready
to go this week.” The women’s team finished its season with a 70-56 victory over the Judges as well. Junior guard Kaitlyn Read led the way for the Violets, finishing with a game-high 19 points. She also led the team in assists and steals en route to the Violets’ win, finishing the year 18-7. The game remained relatively tight throughout the first half as NYU carried only a two-point lead into halftime, 35-33. The Violets did not hesitate in the third quarter though as they quickly got off to an 11-0 run, and held a 57-45 lead heading into the fourth period. They dominated for the rest of the
game, as they recorded nine steals and shot 51.9 percent compared to Brandeis’ 36.4 percent in the second half. Junior guard Amy Harioka, senior forward Megan Dawe and senior guard Riley Wurtz also reached double-digits in points on Saturday. Now that the regular season has come to a close for both basketball teams, each looks forward to this Monday, when the NCAA Division III Tournament selection show will be aired, deciding the postseason fate of each squad. Email Brandon Herrera at sports@nyunews.com.
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Senior Tony Bai had three rebounds and three assists, tallying up 10 points off the bench.
By TONY SCHWAB Contributing Writer
The men’s and women’s tennis teams opened their season last week with an away game against Swarthmore College. The women prevailed 6-3, while the men were overpowered by the 7th ranked Garnet, falling 8-1. The women’s team started strong as senior Carmen Lai won consecutive perfect sets against Alli Wong. Freshman Fleura Shiyanova followed this up by beating Julia Gokhberg 6-1, 6-2. Fellow freshman Vanessa Scott made it three wins in a row for the Violets, knocking out Anna Scheibmeir 6-1, 6-1. With those wins, the ladies had all but ensured that the match would go the Violets’ way. But after this, Swarthmore made a strong comeback bid. NYU senior captain Madeline King lost the first set against Arya Jamal 6-3, but won the second 6-4. This sent the match into a very close tiebreak, which Jamal won 11-9. Swarthmore had a fairly easy time cutting the overall score to 3-2. NYU sophomore Nicole Schnabel lost Ashley Gao in straight sets 6-1, 6-3. Another tight match ensued between NYU’s Jazmin Colling and Swarthmore’s Rachel Hechinger, as they split the first two sets before Hechinger won the tiebreaker 10-7. With their lead narrowing, the Violets stepped up in doubles play, sealing the slight upset of the 17th ranked team in the division by NYU, the 18th. Lai and Shiyanova beat Wong and Gokhberg 8-4, while Scott and junior Laila El Dessouki beat Gao and Rachel Bronkema 8-5. King and Schnabel beat Anna Scheibmeir and Abby
Schmidt 9-7. Though she is inexperienced in doubles play, Shiyanova was confident the Violets would pull through. “I can control my game better in singles rather than in doubles,” Shiyanova said. “Plus it was the first time I’ve played with my doubles partner Carmen Lai. I’m sure then our next match will be much better. Looking forward to it.” Unfortunately, things were much more glum for the NYU men. Swarthmore won the first four singles matches, with Violet freshman Benedict Teoh losing to Mark Fallati 6-3, 6-4 and sophomore Samuel Khoshbin dominated by John Larkin 6-0, 6-1. After that, NYU junior Matt DeMichiel dropped a close match to Ari Cepelewicz 7-5, 7-6 and Violet sophomore was bested by Simon Vernier 6-3, 6-4. Men’s tennis got its only victory of the day courtesy of freshman Yanik Parsch, who beat John Powell 7-6, 6-4. But the pattern continued as Swarthmore’s Michael Song beat junior Sammy Aronson 6-1, 6-0. Doubles did not go much better for the team. Tech and Aronson fell to Fallati and Powell 8-5, and DeMichiel and Parsch were defeated by Cepelewicz and Vernier 8-5. Finally, Khoshbin and freshman Shrikar Kundur were beaten by Larkin and Blake Oetting to finish off a day of defeat for the men’s team. The women have their next match on March 4 against William Smith College in Geneva, New York, while the men will play next against Skidmore College in Saratoga Spring on March 5. Email Tony Schwab at sports@nyunews.com.
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SPORTS
EDITED BY MICHAEL THOMPSON SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Track Hosts UAA Championships By RACHEL RUECKER Deputy Sports Editor
The NYU men’s and women’s track teams hit the track at home this weekend as they hosted the University Athletic Association Championships at the Armory on 168th Street. The first day of action included stellar showings from senior Matthew Powers and junior Budd Brown, who took first and second in the 200-meter with respective times of 21.75 and 21.88. They repeated those feats in the final, placing backto-back once again. The Violets also shined in the sprints as Powers emerged victorious in the 60-meter dash. Junior Caleb Su finished behind him just six-tenths of a second behind Powers’ time of 6.99 seconds. Both Powers and Su would go on to compete in the final race, where they finished first and second, respectively. Powers, who has finally had a consistent sprint coach in Erison Hurtault, was ecstatic with his finish in the UAA Championships. “It’s been a long four years for me battling injuries and to finally put together a healthy UAAs felt incredible,” Powers said. Other Violet standouts in the race included fellow qualifier sophomore Malcolm Montilus, who finished strong in fourth place. Brown also came first in the 400-meter qualification, clocking in at 49.39. On day two,
Brown came second, while Montilus repeated his fourth place showing from the previous day. Meanwhile in the long distance races, junior Jorge Maldonado shined as he ran into second place in the 5000-meter, clocking in at 14:51.98. Another highlight during the weekend was the men’s win in the 4x400-meter relay, comprising of Powers, Montilus, Brown and junior Curtis Mann. The Violets finished the first day in fifth place, moving up to third on Sunday with 75.5 points. The women finished sixth in a field of seven, just ahead of Brandeis University. They succeeded in the 60-meter dash, with senior captain Kristina Harris making the finals cut, coming in seventh with a time just shy of eight seconds. Freshman Alyssa Jean, who also competed in the 60-meter, came in tenth in the 200-meter with a time of 26.35. Freshman Justina Sanders Schi-
fano added to the Violet’s success finishing ninth place with a time of 59 seconds in the 400-meter. Senior Drew Washington and freshman Danielle Murray also competed, coming in 14th and 15th, respectively. Junior Simon Cooper placed third in the triple jump, with a personalbest distance of 10.82m. Jean and senior Danielle Medellin also competed in the triple jump competition, coming in 14th and 16th, respectively. In the mile race, sophomore Emily Dethlefs and senior Becky Turlip came in fifth and sixth to aid the team’s placement. The teams will both compete next weekend in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships at the Ocean Breeze Track Facility on Staten Island. Email Rachel Ruecker at rruecker@nyunews.com.
The NYU softball team had a rough opening weekend, losing all four of its games in Cary, North Carolina in the season opening Triangle Grand Slam Classic. The first game on Saturday featured the Violets against William Peace College of Raleigh where they were quickly down by two after the first inning. The Violets took to using strategy in the second though, as freshman utility player Claire Stefanelli laid down a bunt with runners on first and second, with sophomore Natalie Evans bringing junior Molly Webber home. That’s where the scoring ended for the Violets though, as they fell 5-1 thanks to a run from WPC in the third, and two more in the fourth. Saturday’s second and final game was also a losing effort with the girls falling 4-2 to Greensboro College. NYU got on the board first as freshman catcher Carina Sturm walked and scored via a Diana King RBI double. GC answered back in the fourth to tie things up at one, but NYU retook the lead in the bottom of the inning when sophomore Sage Scheiwiller got on base with a single and later scored on another single from Stefanelli. But
Four Wrestlers Qualify for Nationals By MICHAEL THOMPSON Sports Editor
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Matthew Powers, center, and Budd Brown, left, each earned three medals on Sunday.
Second-Year Softball Starts Rocky By RACHEL RUECKER Deputy Sports Editor
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Junior captain John Messinger was one of four nationalqualifying NYU wrestlers.
the Violets wouldn’t get another across home, and GC scored a run in the fifth, sixth and seventh to cement the victory. They hit the diamond again on Sunday against North Carolina Wesleyan College in an entertaining affair that ultimately ended in an 11-10 loss for the Violets. NYU got the first run with freshman infielder Dakota Damiani getting batted in thanks to a Scheiwiller double in the first inning. After a scoreless second, NCWC got a pair of runs in both the third and fourth innings to gain a hefty lead. In the fifth inning, there was an onslaught of action as NCWC scored five runs, and NYU got three, thanks to a double from Damiani that scored King as well as junior outfielder Marisa Bella. Webber then batted in Damiani for the third run of the inning. It seemed NYU could go ahead for good, putting up six runs in the sixth with RBIs from freshman Allyson Schmus, Scheiwiller, senior shortstop Kahala Bonsignore and Webber. But NCWC also got a run to tie things at 10. NCWC squeezed out the win with a run in the seventh inning to deliver NYU’s third loss of the weekend. The bad luck continued on Sunday, as the Violets lost their final game of the weekend to Wilson College 7-5.
NYU started out big, getting four runs in the first inning. King was the first run in, batted in by Scheiwiller. Damiani then got home when Webber hit a single, as Bonsignore went to second and Scheiwiller got to third, both of whom eventually scored to round out the NYU scoring in the first. The next two innings were scoreless, but in the fourth, Wilson batted in two. NYU returned the favor in the sixth inning with Bonsignore batting in Damiani and Webber later batting in Scheiwiller. Wilson finished off the Violets with two runs in the seventh to nudge them to victory. Hoping to regroup, the team has an extended break. They’re back in action on March 8 against Case Western Reserve University as the Univeristy Athletic Association Championship tournament begins in Florida. After a trying first weekend, players like King are focused on what’s ahead. “I think we played really well for our first four games and were able to find ourselves as a team,” King said. “We’re definitely going to be ready for the conference tournament in Florida next week.” Email Rachel Ruecker at rruecker@nyunews.com.
After a highly successful regular season and a fifth straight University Athletic Association title, the NYU wrestling team marched into Lexington, Virginia with high hopes. Led by a pair of runner-up performances, the Grapplers finished sixth in a field of 18 at the NCAA Division III East Regionals. Juniors Nathan Pike and William Gockel-Figge headlined the weekend’s action. After finishing as a runner-up in regionals last year at 133 pounds, Pike returned to the big stage this year with a chip on his shoulder, determined to finish the job. He tore his way through the first two rounds, defeating Hunter College’s Jaydon Rice, Yoseph Borai from the Stevens Institute of Technology. In the semifinals, Pike defeated Connor Kirkegard from Delaware Valley University, putting him back in a familiar position — competing for a championship. But in the finals, Pike was defeated via 7-6 decision by McDaniel’s Ryan O’Boyle. Gockel-Figge also marched to the championship round at 184 pounds. After first defeating Ursinus’ Cody Richmond, he outmatched Edward Merrill from King’s College 11-10 with a fall at 3:48. In the semis, Gockel-Figge scored a 4-3 decision over Washington and Lee’s Ron Tossini, sending him too to the final round. However with
a spot in the Division III Championships locked up, he opted not to compete in order to preserve his physical condition, losing to Stevens’ AJ Kowal due to a forfeit. According to head coach Bruce Haberli, this was a calculated decision. “[We] didn’t wrestle William in the last match because William already qualified at that point,” Haberli said. “That last match wasn’t necessary to wrestle.” A number of other wrestlers also contributed to the Grapplers, who ended the weekend with total of 77.5 points. At 157 pounds, sophomore Raymond Jazikoff defeated Vic Del Monico of Stevens to claim third place in the division. Junior captain John Messinger was also finished with a third place performance, defeating Phil Woods from Stevens’ in the 174-pound consolation match in a 5-4 decision. Senior captain Dylan Lojac also competed during the weekend, finishing sixth in the 165-pound division. All eyes will be on Cedar Rapids, Iowa beginning March 10th, when four Grapplers will appear in the NCAA Division III Championships. Pike, Jazikoff, Gockel-Figge and Messinger will compete in their respective divisions and hope to be crowned champions. Email Michael Thompson at mthompson@nyunews.com.
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