NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 19
TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014
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Proposed bill plans paid state tuition
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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By ANN SCHMIDT
Ellen, Academy play it safe on big night With predictable winners and jokes everyone could enjoy, Sunday’s ceremony went off without a hitch. OSCARS 86 on PG. 5
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All-University Games foster community This year’s games, held in honor of Spirit Week, brought a sense of school pride to the university. GAMES on PG. 3
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Tea shop mixes cappuccino technique with tea flavor Press Tea offers a unique variety of drinks including rose black teappuccios and wild himalayan macchiatos.
New York state schools may be tuition-free for in-state students in the future. Assemblyman James Skoufis from New York Assembly District 99 is promoting his proposal to make CUNY and SUNY schools free for in-state students. If the bill, introduced in late January, passes, it would be the only state program of its kind in the United States. “The core principle of the bill is to make our public colleges in New York more affordable and accessible,” Skoufis said. To apply for the program, students must serve 250 community service hours. However, students majoring in math or science can serve 125 hours. Students must also remain in New York for five years after they graduate. “I’ve worked on this legislation for over six months, and I think it’s struck a good bal-
TUITION continued on PG. 3
STORY ON PAGE 4
‘Bates Motel’ team CAS junior leads, excels in wrestling discusses plot, future By SEAN BILLINGS
By NIVEA SERRAO
Alfred Hitchcock’s film “Psycho” introduced the world to the nowiconic mother-and-son duo of Norma and Norman Bates over 50 years ago. But it was last year that the pair got a closer look as two of the latest characters joined the transition from film to television in the A&E original series “Bates Motel.” The series begins following Norma and Norman, played by Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore, respectively, shortly after the sudden death of Norman’s father. This season could eventually lead to the events of the original film, but the main focus of the show has been developing the unusually close relationship
between mother and son. WSN spoke to Farmiga and Kerry Ehrin, the show’s executive producer, about the interesting plot and the show’s future. “She’s the mother of all mothers,” Ehrin said of Norma. “She’s in an extreme situation. But like every mother I’ve ever known, [she] just [has] this passion for making everything okay for [her] kid.” In exploring the Bates’ backstory, the first season introduced a new family member, Dylan Massett, Norma’s older son from a previous relationship, played by Max Thieriot. His distant and often tempestuous relationship with Norma provides a counterpoint to the
BATES continued on PG. 5
The buzzer rang as CAS junior Brandon Jones scored one final takedown to further secure his victory, a first place finish and an automatic bid to the NCAA Wrestling Championships. In the final match of the day, NYU’s 141 lb. wrestler lived up to the hype and finished the day 4-0, claiming the top spot at the regional qualifier on March 2 at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Penn. The Violets fielded 10 wrestlers at the East Regional Qualifier on Sunday, featuring three seniors who were eager to finish their post-season careers on a high note. Among those in the lineup included co-captains and returning national qualifiers Jones and CAS junior Patrick Sheehan.
NYU faced tough competition, but held strong and still had seven wrestlers in contention through three rounds of competition. As the day went on, however, the Violets lost a handful of close bouts, and those wrestlers were forced into consolation brackets. CAS se-
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Brandon Jones recently won a regional title.
nior Chris Amro and SCPS senior Anthony Chu took sixth place in the 174 lb. and 285 lb. weight divisions, respectively. Co-captain and LS junior Matt DiGiovanni and Sheehan each took fifth place in the 157 lb. and 184 lb. weight classes. But Jones took the spotlight as he won first place in the region, and he will head to Nationals for the second year in a row. “Sunday was a tournament that I needed to compete at a high level in preparation for Nationals,” Jones said. “I saw some tough competition this weekend and wouldn’t be surprised to see all three wrestlers out of the East Regional earn All-American honors.” Jones said his preparation for this season was more focused
JONES continued on PG. 8
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What better way to get into the Bayou state spirit than with HBO’s “True Detective?” True, the series, set in the boonies of Louisiana, has drawn criticism for being formulaic and choosing style over substance (see Emily Nussbaum’s as-per-usual brilliant review in The New Yorker), but there is a lot of fun to be had here. It is a little like “Twin Peaks” with black comedy instead of campy weirdness, and the Deep South in lieu of the Pacific Northwest. Tune in to the last two episodes of the anthology series, and you are sure to be wowed by Matthew McConaughey’s performance as Rust Cohle. — JAKE FOLSOM
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Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” is worth watching any time of year, but the 1951 film adaptation starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh paints a dramatic picture of the American South. Even as the tragedy unfolds, we play witness to the scenery and culture of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Take in the shadowy exterior shots and sweltering views of brick buildings and catch a glimpse of that titular streetcar. — CLIO MCCONNELL
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Elvis Presley may be best known for his hip-shaking and his bouffant, but he was as much a performer on the screen as on the musical stage. His acclaimed turn as Danny Fisher in 1958’s “King Creole,” also starring Carolyn Jones and Walter Matthau, is perfect for a Fat Tuesday movie night. The film was partly shot on location in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Watch as the teenaged Danny grapples with family drama, young love and his town’s criminal element, with a bit of hipshaking thrown in for good measure. — CLIO MCCONNELL
An often-overlooked stew in the south, HBO’s now-finished “Treme” is a drama that follows the lives of a community of people living in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, trying to rebuild their homes, lives and relationships. Featuring awesome and authentic Cajun food, music and personalities — including actor Steve Zahn — “Treme” is the real deal. If you are not able to make it down to Louisiana for Mardi Gras, definitely catch up with this show for the spirit of the place and the people who make up the legendary celebration. — IFE OLUJOBI
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Concert at the Highline As part of Violet 100 spirit week, there will be a concert featuring Kiah Victoria, Marnie Stern and headliner Deerhunter. The concert will be held at 8 p.m. in the Highline Ballroom located at 431 W. 16th St. Tickets are $7.
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Harris Wofford Harris Wofford, former U.S. senator and adviser to President John F. Kennedy, will share his experiences during the civil rights movement. He will speak at the Labowitz Theater for the Performing Arts at 5:30 p.m.
The Role of Mosque Schools This week’s snapshot theme is pride. Here is today’s representation.
PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Dana Burde, professor of international education at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, will be speaking on the role of mosque schools in remote Afghan villages. The event will take place at 295 Lafayette St. at 1:30 p.m.
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HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
All-University Games bring spirit to NYU By ANJANA SREEDHAR
Students dressed in different colors, streaked their faces with war paint, chanted the names of their schools and cheered for their teammates. The All-University Games had finally come. Stern School of Business won the night, followed by the School of Medicine in second place and the College of Dentistry in third place. Students from all of NYU’s schools engaged each other in friendly competition, with rounds ranging from volleyball to foosball — even rockpaper-scissors — on March 3. Students from each school represented their academic origins through cleverly crafted T-shirts, such as Stern’s “Lannisterns,” a play on the rich and powerful fictional family from HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” Gallatin junior Julie Pitter said the AllUniversity Games provided a good op-
portunity to demonstrate camaraderie. “I guess there’s not a lot of places to show our community at Gallatin and at NYU, so this is a nice presentation of that,” Pitter said. Gallatin junior Jack Richards said NYU typically lacks school spirit. “I went to a really spirited high school, and so it’s weird to be at NYU where there’s not a lot of school spirit, and so this is the one means to let it out,” Richards said. CAS senior and Student Council President Victoria Ettorre said events such as the All-University Games provide an opportunity for students to not only showcase community, but to build and sustain it. “It’s one of the most well-attended All-University Games that I’ve been to,” Ettore said. “We have a lot of school spirit tonight.” Anjana Sreedhar is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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Teams from each school compete against each other at Coles.
TUITION continued from PG. 1
Tuition-free bill rests on students’ community service ance of providing a real, tangible economic benefit to students and their families while also asking them to give back to the communities that are investing in them and their futures,” Skoufis said. SUNY-Broome Community College freshman Ben Nelson said spending five years in New York is worth the free tuition, although this proposition may not work for everyone. “Maybe the five years might pose a problem for some people because their field might require them to move to an area where there’s more opportunity,” Nelson said. Skoufis said depending on the school, 10 to 20 percent of SUNY and CUNY graduates end up leaving New York. By staying in New York, graduates would help improve the economy with their income and sales taxes as well as their disposable income, he added. “Instead of tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt going to big banks to repay student loans, that money is now being spent in local economies,” Skoufis said. SUNY-Broome freshman Jordan Brunette said the bill is positive for students. “It will help push young adults to utilize their potential,” Brunette said. “It’s
a good chance to get young adults to get involved in their communities and realize the differences one person can make.” While the program will offer economic benefits to the state, it will cost $1.5 billion upfront, which is about 1 percent of the $140 billion state budget. Nelson said the bill would give opportunities to underprivileged students they might not have otherwise. “If more people could go to school and get educated it would make a better society,” Nelson said. Skoufis said that while the bill is directed to public universities, it is also relevant for private universities like NYU, which is a tuitiondriven institution. “My hope is that this will have an effect on private colleges as well,” Skoufis said. “It’s in their best interest to maintain a competitive edge with the public colleges. And if SUNY and CUNY suddenly are tuition free, the private colleges are going to have to do a better job of making themselves more affordable as well so that they can continue to compete with the public colleges.” Additional reporting by Kavish Harjai. Ann Schmidt is a news editor. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
BERLIN
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A cable car will be built in Berlin in time for the International Garden Show in 2017. The cable car will allow visitors to see the garden show and will stay active for at least three years after the show. – THE LOCAL SYDNEY
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The Ukrainian community in Sydney peacefully protested against Russia’s involvement in Ukraine. The protesters stood outside the Russian Consulate with European Union, Ukrainian and Australian flags. – THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD BUENOS AIRES
THE GAZELLE: NYUAD CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH Published on TheGazelle.org on March 1, 2014
By RIAZ HOWEY This past February at NYU Abu Dhabi, students hosted Black History month, a celebration modeled on a similar annual observance in the United States and the United Kingdom. The scheduled events during the month commemorated the history of the African diaspora. Freshman Nafisatou Mounkaila made the suggestion to start Black History Month at NYUAD.
Mounkaila admitted that the name might be interpreted to mean that the month aimed to educate non-Blacks. However, she explained that it was intended for everyone to participate. Given the diversity of the Black community, it was a great opportunity for Black people to learn more about their own history. “I just thought [Black History Month] would be a good … window to tackle [these issues] in the sense that it’s not only, ‘Hey, let
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Black History Month failed to gain traction at NYUAD.
me teach you about my people and what we have to do,’ but rather, ‘Let’s learn too — us within this diaspora — let’s learn too.’” The events were intentionally structured to represent the diversity of the global Black community. “Each week was themed. We had the United States, African independence, we had one on African women through history … We kept it diverse,” said freshman Hayat Mohammed. “There was more to do with [Black history] on a global scale than in the U.S.” Low participation is a common concern at NYUAD, and Black History Month suffered similarly poor attendance, with the majority of participants being from the Black community. Freshman Ahmed Yacout did not attend any of the events because he did not see the relevance of Black History Month in the context of NYUAD. “I understand [Black History Month] in a U.S. context but not here [at NYUAD],” said Yacout.
“Maybe it was too long and lost momentum,” said junior Jeffrey Mei. Some members of the organization committee speculated that low attendance may have been have been caused by poor advertising or students’ busy schedules. Despite these issues, Mohammed believed Black History Month would be a permanent fixture at NYUAD. “Was I naïve to think that people would actually invest time, to care? … Maybe I was, but you know, that’s not the point. The point is to have a cause and embody it. You just have to do it. You want it to be for other people, but it’s actually also going to help you grow. It gets to the point where you know it’s here. It’s available. The information is there — take it or leave it.”
Riaz Howey is a deputy news editor. Email him at riaz@thegazelle.org.
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Buenos Aires Gov. Daniel Sciolo will allow gendarmerie personnel to remain in the city. Gendarmerie personnel will continue fighting against crime in the city. – BUENOS AIRES HERALD WASHINGTON, D.C.
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Washington D.C. shut down the majority of its buildings due to inclement weather. As a result, the House and Senate delayed many of their scheduled votings. – RT QUESTION MORE
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DINING
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Celebrate National Pancake Day right with tasty flapjacks By AVERY CHANG
March 4 is the International House of Pancakes’ official National Pancake Day. While only IHOP offers free pancakes to the hungry public, other enchantingly delicious options are available around campus as well. Check out these places to get your fix of buttery, syrupy goodness.
International House of Pancakes IHOP celebrates National Pancake Day by providing patrons with a free stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes any time between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. In turn, the restaurant accepts donations for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in an effort that has raised $13 million since the annual fundraiser began in 2006. While not particularly remarkable, the plain pancakes at IHOP are tasty enough for your National Pancake Day fix, especially since the event is for a good cause. (235 E. 14th St.)
By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
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The city has plenty to offer in the order of pancakes. Cafe Orlin Conveniently located on St. Marks just a few blocks away from campus, Cafe Orlin offers some of the city’s tastiest pancakes. Traditionalists will find joy in Cafe Orlin’s classic buttermilk pancakes. For the more adventurous, bananas or blueberries — or both — can be added. For those who want a little more spice, the cafe offers pumpkin pancakes topped with cinnamon yogurt. The eatery is trendily designed with brick walls and hardwood floors — a comfortable environment fit for a cozy, late brunch. Outdoor seating is also available for those who
want to brave the cold. (41 St. Marks Place)
Prune If you are looking for the classic taste of a rich, sweet pancake taken to a new level, look no further. Prune offers Dutch-style pancakes that will fill up even the hungriest brunch-goer. Baked in an oven rather than a frying pan, these pancakes are thick, heavy and topped with both baked pear slices and powdered sugar. They also come with a side of Canadian bacon to add some variety to the meal. (54 E. First St.) Avery Chang is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
WSN RECIPES: GIRL SCOUT COOKIES By HELEN OWOLABI Once a year Girl Scout troops across America sell coveted boxes of Girl Scout cookies. If you are a die-hard cookie lover, you do not just buy a box or two — you stock up. In celebration of Girl Scout cookie season, and for anyone who needs to use an extra box or 10 of cookies, here is a deliciously easy recipe for all your extra Trefoils. This recipe for a cheesecake and Trefoil parfait requires only a few easy-to-purchase ingredients. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and serves eight. If you need to buy a box of Trefoils or any of your other favorite Girl Scout cookies, use the Girl Scout website’s cookie finder to find the nearest Girl Scout troop selling cookies near you.
Ingredients 1 box of Trefoils Girl Scout Cookies 1 box of instant cheesecake pudding mix (the Jell-O brand is a great, affordable option) 12 oz. of softened or whipped cream cheese 1 pint of strawberries, sliced Chocolate syrup
Deep-dish pizza makes leap from Chicago to SoHo at Emmett’s Emmett’s, a new pizzeria that recently opened in SoHo, specializes in its authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza, a daring move in New York City. The presence of deep-dish pizza within itself is a breath of fresh air to those who tire of the $1 late-night pizza dives and the high-class, Zagatrated bistros of the pizza world. Emmett’s has a simple menu. There are sandwiches, two starter items and four deep-dish pizza sizes ranging from a small ($16) to family size ($28). Upon entering Emmett’s, customers notice the classic décor. On one side is the quaint and well-lit bar and to the other a small clustering of finely polished tables. Tisch sophomore Alejandro Sarete said he enjoyed the atmosphere of the restaurant. “It’s like you’re in a movie in here,” he said. The fries are well-seasoned and slightly crispy. The main attraction, of course, is the Chicago-style deepdish pizza, which is slightly spicy, but not overwhelmingly so. The Chicago deep-dish is always a mess to look at, but no one should care. The messiness implies that the pizza is done right. The unique pie
A Trefoil parfait is a fun way to eat your cookies. Directions Break apart and crush about half a box of Trefoil cookies. Mix cream cheese and cheesecake pudding until it turns into smooth consistency. (Add about 1/2 to 1 cup of milk if needed with your instant cheesecake pudding mix.) Layer the mixed cheesecake pudding and crushed trefoils into a cup and repeat layering until about 3/4 of the cup is filled. Top the pudding with strawberries (or a mixture of your favorite berries) and two regular Trefoil cookies. Finish with a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Helen Owolabi is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
Cafe blends tea taste with cappuccino style near Union Sq. By DAVID BOLOGNA
SHAWN PAIK/WSN
has nuanced flavors. Although the sauce might be a bit too sweet, tableside pepper and cheese help the diners balance out the flavors for themselves. Toppings ($2 to $4), especially the green pepper, are flavorful. However, they might be a bit too pricy to be worth it. Tisch sophomore Victoria Duncan said she liked the different style of pizza offered at Emmett’s. “It was a nice change of pace from the typical New York pizza that we are used to,” Duncan said. Although Duncan enjoyed the pizza and the space, she said she did not like the openness of the restaurant. “I wish they had those temporary doors outside of it to keep the cold out,” said Duncan. Regardless of the cold, Emmett’s promises to be a hot spot for pizza aficionados looking to get a taste of something new, something more Midwestern than a traditional New York slice. From the mouths of Chicago to New York, the deep-dish tradition goes strong at Emmet’s, located on 50 Macdougal St.
Press Tea, recently opened on Seventh Avenue, serves uniquely delicious tea-based drinks, enticing curious Greenwich Village Residents. Located just a few blocks from Union Square, this innovative cafe has created a drink of its own. Allison DeVane, Press Tea’s marketing director, explained the drink that co-founders Richard Chen and George Kuan created. “The idea behind our concept is that we wanted to fuse the concept of both tea and coffee,” DeVane said. The secret behind the tasty teas is the machine that was invented and tweaked for nearly three years. Developed over a long period of time and through a process of brainstorming in a garage, travelling around the globe and hand-picking teas, the final product is a mechanism that utilizes the same technology of a cappuccino maker to create teas. With four signature blend offerings — black, chai, green and rooibos — the level of caffeine starts highest at black, with as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, and declines with each following blend. Mixed with a choice of milk and flavored syrups like vanilla and rose made in-house, the teas are then made
into the final macchiatos, lattes and other drink forms. “These [signature blends] have always been our base,” said DeVane. “Most people don’t understand the concept, so we say to think of it as [the blends being] your espresso, and from there you can make your drink.” The signature hot blends by Press Tea come in an array of flavors from the rose black teapuccino to the green tea latte. They are delicious and reasonably priced. Iced teas are equally irresistible, especially the refreshing passion fruit Formosa. Some of the iced drinks are even topped with the cafe’s thick mont blanc crème made with a mix of fresh berries. When paired with a delectable teainfused pastry, some of the drinks’ flavors are amplified. Flaky croissants or Earl Grey infused cookies are certainly worthy complement to the drinks. Press Tea has been taking extra measures to educate their customers on who they are and what they do, especially to the NYU community. Press Tea is now accepting Campus Cash, and students can text “Campus” to 99000 for alerts on discounts. LS freshman Leopoldo Gracia said he likes Press Tea’s tasty array of treats.
“My favorite tea is the Caramel Rooibos Latte,” Gracia said. “It’s the perfect amount of sweetness, and you still get the flavor of the tea. The setting was really cool too, so I may go there to do homework.” Press Tea is located at 167 Seventh Ave. and is open Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. David Bologna is a staff writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
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Pressed Tea specializes in delicious teapuccinos.
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‘Submissions Only’ creators anticipate upcoming season By JOSEPH MYERS
Over the past few years, Broadway has been featured in nontheatrical media, from NBC’s “Smash” to the movie adaptation of “Les Misérables,” and more recently “Submissions Only,” a webseries created by Broadway stars Andrew KeenanBolger and Kate Wetherhead. The series launched its third season on March 3. Keenan-Bolger and Wetherhead met working on a production in 2010, during which they began shooting backstage videos together. Wetherhead’s husband noticed the duo’s collaborative abilities and suggested that they elaborate on the project. When Wetherhead mentioned this suggestion to Keenan-Bolger, he had already been thinking the same thing, and they began writing the first “Submissions Only” episode the next day. With only their pilot script, a video camera and a cast of a few friends, the two actors underestimated the amount of time and effort needed to create their series at first, particularly in regards to editing. “It has all been trial by fire,” Keenan-Bolger said. “Over time we learned from our mistakes.”
Wetherhead said it was easy to run a tight ship with her cocreator, though. “Andrew and I are a two-man band,” Wetherhead said. “We share a brain and both have a clear vision of the final product and don’t get too precious about stuff [that needs to be cut].” After BroadwayWorld.com picked up the second season of “Submissions Only,” its budget expanded, which allowed the co-creators to expand their cast, crew and equipment. “[Having a sponsor] helps the show gain legitimacy,” Wetherhead said. “It increases the show’s value, which meant that we had to step up our game.” To some fans, the Broadway audition sequences portrayed in “Submissions Only” seem outrageous and silly, but Keenan-Bolger said most of these sequences were “frighteningly similar” to and mostly based on his and Wetherhead’s true experiences. The actors have had grueling and uncomfortable experiences with auditions but are not bitter. Instead, they put a comedic spin on the awkward, embarrassing situations. In the upcoming season, fans can expect an array of guest stars such as Audra McDonald, Judith
Light, Bobby Cannavale, Kelli O’Hara, Linda Lavin, Joel Grey, Joanna Gleason, Brian d’Arcy James and many more. Both Keenan-Bolger and Wetherhead agreed that they are most excited to look back on the first season and see how much the series has changed. “It’s really inspiring to see how far we have come,” KeenanBolger said. “It really shows that if you stick to something, you will succeed.” Joseph Myers is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
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The actors’ personal experiences inspired the series.
BATES continued from PG. 1
‘Bates Motel’s’ new season brings depth to iconic mother, son duo
closeness between Norma and Norman, while also providing the younger Bates with a close friend and ally. Ehrin said the second season will further explore the relationship between Norma and Dylan. “It’s the story of a lost son,” Ehrin said. “He has a longing for a family that he’s never had… and he’s very much dealing with that.” This is not the only family dynamic that will be featured this season. “Bates Motel” will also bring in Norma’s brother, introducing another aspect of her mys-
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Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore star in the series.
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terious and painful past. Farmiga’s performance as Norma earned her a Golden Globe nomination this year. However, the actress credits her performance to her fellow actors. “I just rely on my scene partners,” Farmiga said. “There are times, literally in a scene with Max [Thieriot], where I just forget to say my lines because I’m so enthralled with his performance that I’m watching him. And it’s like I’m just in awe. So it’s just trying to be present with them.” Despite the audience knowing the ultimate end of the Bates’ story, Ehrin feels there is much more to discover within the characters’ relationship. “There’s so much great story to go,” Ehrin said. “This is such an exciting show to work on because there’s something about the relationship with Norma and Norman that just keeps on giving.” The second season of “Bates Motel” premiered Monday, March 3 on A&E. Nivea Serrao is a contributing writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Album reintroduces Pharrell as solo artist By WARREN WOLFE
When Pharrell Williams announced a couple weeks ago that he would be releasing his first solo album since 2006, there was no shortage of excitement surrounding the news. The producer has backed many hits in the past few years, seemingly working only behind the scenes. But after his success at this year’s Grammy Awards, where he won Producer of the Year, Record of the Year (Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”) and also had a role in Daft Punk’s Album of the Year win, it is safe to say Williams is becoming a household name. His new project, “G I R L,” opens in a grand and sweeping fashion with “Marilyn Monroe.” A beautiful string overture begins the track, followed by a smooth drop into a funky, guitar-filled groove. The song makes a great first impression — the production and drums are high quality, as usual, and Williams, who sang on the most famous hooks of last summer in Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines,” has a voice that stands well on its own. The next song, “Brand New,” is a duet with Justin Timberlake that develops into a brassy, upbeat song. Both Williams and Timberlake show off their trademark falsettos on this
track, which has the potential to be a massive commercial hit. At this point in “G I R L,” the mood transitions from celebratory to suggestive. Songs like “Hunter,” “Gush” and “Come Get it Bae (featuring Miley Cyrus)” seem to blend together in terms of their groove and overall straightforward sexual messages. Sandwiched in between these tracks is the infectious “Happy.” Originally made for the soundtrack of “Despicable Me 2,” the song encourages the release of inhibition through lyrics like “Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof.” On the latter half of the album, Williams returns with “Gust of Wind,” a collaboration with Daft Punk that features the duo’s electronic vocals in the chorus. “Lost Queen” switches up the vibe with a very cool African-influenced beat provided by hand drums and mellow harmonies. “G I R L” has a strong start and finish, despite a lull in the middle. Some tracks seem likely to be received well both critically and commercially, including “Brand New,” “Gust of Wind,” “Freq,” and “Know Who You Are.” Most importantly, “G I R L” proves that Pharrell has more than enough talent to stand on his own as an artist. Warren Wolfe is a contributing writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
DeGeneres delivers safe jokes, solid performances at Oscars By IFE OLUJOBI
Sunday’s 86th annual Academy Awards went off without a hitch. After Seth MacFarlane’s controversial hosting gig last year, Ellen DeGeneres was a welcome change of tone and pace, presiding over an evening filled with beautiful dresses, heartfelt speeches and countless retweets. DeGeneres came out for her opening monologue dressed in a stylish velvet suit jacket and delivered several minutes of tame but entertaining jokes about the weather, the awards and Liza Minelli. Throughout the show, she continued to entertain with her special brand of anti-joke. The night’s running gag came in the form of food, when DeGeneres asked several celebrities in the audience if they were hungry. The joke got a little tired, but kudos to her for carrying it through by ordering three pizzas and handing out slices to stars including Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey and Martin Scorsese. Later in the show, DeGeneres collected real money from vari-
ous actors (and the one and only Harvey Weinstein). As for the actual awards, it was a relatively dull night, with most of the categories unofficially locked well before March 2. The first award of the night, Best Supporting Actor, went to Jared Leto, who gave a sweet and heartfelt speech about his mother. He set the tone for the night, as every winner that followed delivered an equally eloquent and grateful address. Best Actress Cate Blanchett’s speech was a standout, as she took time to recognize the success of women in film. In one of the night’s more suspenseful categories, the stunning Lupita Nyong’o won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress over Jennifer Lawrence, and gave a graceful speech to inspire young girls everywhere. Perhaps the most surprising part of this year’s Oscars was that almost no one got played off stage during their acceptance speeches. This made a huge difference in the night’s mood, even if it did add a bit of time to the proceedings. The usually laborious musical numbers were largely entertaining
this year, with Pharrell Williams’ infectious and crowd-pleasing performance of “Happy,” nominated for Best Original Song. Karen O and Ezra Koenig put on an intimate rendition of “Moon Song” from “Her,” and U2 performed “Modern Love” from “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.” Unfortunately, the talented Idina Menzel struggled through her performance of “Let it Go” from “Frozen,” though the hit still went on to win Best Original Song. Pink also gave a beautiful tribute to “The Wizard of Oz,” and after the In Memoriam tribute, Bette Midler performed a touching version of “Wind Beneath My Wings” to a standing ovation from the audience. This year’s Academy Awards were pleasant, although not particularly riveting. Thanks to DeGeneres and her antics — including a photo-retweet that supposedly “broke Twitter” — this Oscars broadcast at least had the biggest web presence in history. Ife Olujobi is the film editor. Email her at iolujobi@nyunews.com.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Stern’s opposite 5 Varieties 9 Exercise unit 14 One of the Smurfs 15 Father of Ham 16 Monastery wear 17 ___ rock 18 Fit ___ king 19 Archaeological site 20 Celebration dance after a goal? 23 Sr.’s challenge 24 “Stop!” 25 Oodles 27 Combat engineer 30 Separated, as a couple 33 Degree in math? 34 Get through to 37 Part of a drum kit 38 Many millennia 40 Sag
42 They’re tapped 43 Like many traffic violators in court 45 E.M.T.’s cry before using a defibrillator 47 Network that airs the Soul Train Music Awards 48 Find, as at an archaeological site 50 Hardships 52 Stuff in a muffin 53 Goddess of the hunt 55 Letter before omega 57 Punched out a Disney elephant? 62 Ration out 64 Slender reed 65 It may be checked, in more ways than one 66 “Fiddler on the Roof” character 67 Rural route
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44 Extreme, as measures 46 Orange exterior 49 Channel with the catchword “Drama”
51 South American cowboy
58 Cinnabon purchase
53 Home of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building
59 Haunted house sound
54 Desktop pictures
60 Former baseball commissioner Giamatti
55 Fours on a course, often
61 Comics canine
56 Thin strip
63 Kimono sash
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY
Obesity should be classified as disease By TESS WOOSLEY
The American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease last summer. The decision was in opposition to a study of the issue by the AMA’s Council on Science and Public Health. Due to flaws with the Body Mass Indexing system used to characterize people as obese, the council recommended against designating obesity a disease. They voiced concerns about those with metabolic problems who are not classified as obese by the BMI and those who are obese but seem healthy. However, an increasing number of studies have shown the healthy obese as a societal misconception. The AMA made the progressive and correct choice, despite some critics’ claims to the opposite. Recent studies by Crystal L. Hoyt and Jeni L. Burnette have examined the psychological effects reclassification may have. They found that those who know obesity is a disease reported a higher body satisfaction and felt that attempting to lose weight was futile. These participants also chose to eat higher-calorie foods. But it is important to remember that these studies only looked at the short-term, psycho-
logical effects on obese people of reading an informative article. The social stigma surrounding obesity implies that obese people lack self control and discipline. Hoyt and Burnette thought their results showed that the AMA’s decision encouraged the stigma — because participants felt better, or less responsible, about themselves, they were less likely to make healthy choices. But this is a stigma that should be changed, not accepted as motivation for the obese to lose weight. Characterizing obesity as a disease works to fight this psychologically damaging stigma. It is critical that obesity continues to be considered a disease within the medical community. Obesity is a precursor to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, but has negative health effects of its own. The primary
effects are joint damage and a chronic state of inflammation, the latter of which can contribute to hormone imbalances and metabolic syndrome. These are serious conditions and need to be treated accordingly. Health care professionals should be educated early on about the severe risks of obesity in order to better advise their patients who are headed down that path. If being overweight is seen as developing a disease, those affected by it will take more serious measures. Classifying obesity as a disease is an important step in quelling the epidemic. The severe and immediate consequences of chronic obesity need to be constantly monitored and discussed by those in the health care industry. Although the decision’s benefits are hard to see in the short term, labeling obesity as a disease will help the medical community better fight and prevent the problem. In response to Christina Coleburn’s “Obesity should not be classified as a disease.” Tess Woosley is a staff columnist. Scientific Society is published every Tuesday. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
OMAR’S ORATION
West must counteract Russian aggression By OMAR ETMAN
Vladimir Putin does not care what the West thinks. All postCold War truces seem to be more or less off the table. Since the Winter Olympics ended, Putin, rarely agreeable to begin with, has intensified his hostile behavior by further separating himself from the United States and the European Union. By invading Ukraine, Putin made a shrewd political move, the impact of which will be felt far beyond Eastern Europe. As other leaders are falling flat, Putin is storming ahead. In the buildup to the Olympics, Russia instituted a strict anti-gay policy. The timing of the bill was surprising — why introduce such controversial legislation right before an international event intended to paint Russia in a positive light? Putin’s reasoning is clear: to underline his “I don’t care what others think” agenda and, in doing so, re-establish Russia as a dominant world power. If Putin held any regard for the opinions of participating countries, he would have revoked the
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discriminatory law. By choosing to stand firm, however, he frustrated established powers that had no choice but to remain largely neutral in light of the upcoming Olympics. Ukraine is in turmoil. Its foreign reserves are running low, its former president is in hiding, and Independence Square no longer resembles its former state. Yet, Ukraine matters — it is Putin’s last remaining hope in developing his dream of a Eurasian Union. Military intervention is necessary if the United States plans to prevent Russia from gaining this degree of international dominance. Putin’s hostility toward the West has rendered any political and economic alliance impos-
sible. The United States needs to drive out Russian influence in Ukraine to keep the country afloat. If Ukraine joins the European Union, Russia will become a nation independent of Western allies. Although this scenario runs the risk of resembling the Cold War era, Putin needs to feel pushback now so that he becomes tangibly aware that he is not the only president capable of playing offense. Putin is on a campaign for unadulterated power. Display after display of his bravado have yielded subdued international response, proving that his Machiavellian efforts are succeeding. All the while, Russia continues to be a global player. Discounting Putin’s capacity for harm is a mistake — as it has before, one man’s hubris can bring down a nation. At this point, diplomacy is an insufficient means by which to bring Putin to his end. Omar is a deputy opinion editor. Omar’s Oration is published every Tuesday. Email him at oetman@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Supreme Court needs to protect mentally disabled
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Hall v. Florida, a controversial case that once again brought the issue of capital punishment to the high court’s attention, on March 3. Freddie Lee Hall was tried and convicted of kidnap, rape and murder in 1978, and subsequently sentenced to death. Hall’s attorney’s filed an appeal, citing his multiple diagnoses of mental disability and long history of low IQ test scores. Over a decade ago, the Supreme Court ruled in Atkins v. Virginia that convicted criminals who are deemed mentally retarded cannot be subject to capital punishment. It was an important step forward in the country’s slow progression toward cleaning up the criminal justice system, but the Supreme Court made a major mistake — giving free rein to states in governing the method by which an inmate is determined mentally retarded. Prior to 2002, execution of mentally disabled individuals was legal under Penry v. Lynaugh, which held that capital punishment of those suffering from mental disabilities did not violate the Eighth Amendment. However, Atkins overturned the prior ruling, noting that the Eighth Amendment was subject to change in accordance with evolving standards of decency in society. When deciding Hall’s fate, the justices should ask themselves if defining mental disability by IQ is in accordance with the evolving standards of decency in society. Hall’s measured IQ has fallen between 65-75 over his lifetime, overlapping Florida’s hard cutoff line of 70 for mental disability. However, IQs in the 70-84 range have been labeled as borderline retarded in some versions of the test. More importantly, no justice system should rely entirely on a test that fails to recognize the scientific margin of error in its results. Hall has other markers of a mental handicap: his former teachers have described him as mentally disabled, and his speech is not always intelligible. These factors need to be taken into account when deciding a person’s mental state in a fair trial. Furthermore, IQ tests generally have a margin of error of five points, which means that a result as high as 74 could technically qualify Hall as mentally disabled in Florida. Hall’s crime is one that deserves punishment, but not execution. His condition should not excuse him from being held responsible for his actions, but a death sentence cannot be carried out without violating the Eighth Amendment protection against cruel and unusual punishment. Hall v. Florida represents an opportunity for the Supreme Court to improve its decision in Atkins. When a law appears to be arbitrary in its nature, it most likely is. In Florida’s case, a multipronged approach is required, taking into account the standard errors of measurement within IQ tests. By deciding to hear the case, the justices will have to confront whether a constitutional definition of ineligibility for the death sentence is necessary. For the sake of many on death row, they must.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Usual suspects expected to lead in March Madness tournament By CHARLES SURETTE
When turning the calendar page to March, two things are readily apparent: both spring and the NCAA’s annual basketball tournament will soon be upon us. With Selection Sunday looming on March 16, college basketball programs across the nation will look to finish their seasons on a high note with the hope of being selected as one of the 68 best teams in the country to compete for the National Championship. The winner of the Big Dance will earn the right to cut down the nets at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, marking the sport’s most celebrated achievement. In a tournament known for upsets and Cinderella runs to the Final Four, this year’s tournament is likely to be dominated by traditional powers. Several teams are loaded with NBA-level talent, while others look
poised to make deep runs as they hit their stride. Leading the way is storied Kansas, Big 12 conference regular season champions for the 10th consecutive season. The Jayhawks are led by a pair of freshman standouts, forward Andrew Wiggins and center Joel Embiid, who are both expected to be selected in the top five of June’s NBA Draft. Wiggins has lit up Kansas with his scoring ability and athleticism, while Embiid, standing a full 7-feet tall, has terrorized opponents in the low post with his rebounding and shot blocking prowess. With both players expected to lead the way for Bill Self’s squad, Kansas will be tough to beat. Not far behind are the Syracuse Orange, led by their own dynamic duo, point guard Tyler Ennis and forward C.J. Fair. Alongside Fair’s sound offensive game, Ennis has emerged as Syracuse’s best playmaker and late-game
VIA KUATHLETICS.COM
The Kansas Jayhawks are expected to dominate March Madness.
finisher, sinking clutch baskets and free throws to lead the Orange to a 25-0 start. Aided by Trevor Cooney’s threepoint shooting, Syracuse is likely to enter the tournament with a high seed and is a heavy favorite to make another deep tournament run. Not to be overlooked are the vaunted Duke Blue Devils and their leading freshman, Jabari Parker. Like Wiggins, Parker is a scoring wizard, capable of singlehandedly leading his team to victory against tough Atlantic Coast Conference competition. Beyond merely scoring points, Parker crashes the boards as well, averaging nearly nine rebounds per game in addition to his 18 points. With the continued leadership of head coach Mike Krzyzewski and a supporting cast of Rodney Hood, Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon and Andre Dawkins, the talent-rich Blue Devils will look to overcome previous tournament misfortune to reach their 16th Final Four. Although lacking in headline-grabbing talent, the likes of North Carolina, Florida and Arizona are sure to feature in the late rounds of the tournament as well. For all the talk of bracket-busting Wichita State, look for the tournament to be tilted in favor of college basketball’s old guard. With rosters stocked with impressive talent, college basketball’s perennial contenders are sure to lead the way to the Final Four in Arlington. Charles Surette is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
JONES continued from PG. 1
Jones dominates the ring, sets sights on national field
compared to last season’s. “I was still making the transition to NYU and adapting to the demands of both wrestling and academics,” he said. After compiling a 15-1 team record last season, finishing in the top 25 and sending two wrestlers to Nationals, the Violets came into this season expecting to pick up where they left off. Their tournaments this year included the Grapple at the Garden, the second wrestling event ever held at Madison Square Garden, and the NCAA National Duals in Des Moines, Iowa. However, the Violets got off to a less-than-stellar start, going 3-7 in their first 10 matches. The team turned it around the second half of the season, go-
ing 7-2 and finishing above .500 after claiming the UAA Championship with wins over the University of Chicago and Case Western Reserve in mid-February. Jones said he felt a mix of emotions following the conclusion of Sunday’s tournament. “I was disappointed with how our season ended so abruptly,” he said. “I was almost certain that we would formulate a strong dual record and send five guys to Nationals.” Jones said his goal to be a national champion has not wavered. He will compete again in two weeks. Sean Billings is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
Jones is the only NYU player advancing to Nationals.
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