NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 23
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013
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Jim Sturgess reveals details Wide gaps found in professor pay of upcoming sci-fi film
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Jim Sturgess stars in director Juan Solanos’ “Upside Down.”
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NYU freshman golfer shares hopes for season By NISHAAD RUPAREL
I was fortunate enough to sit down with one of NYU’s upand-coming golfers, Julius Oppenheimer. He is a freshman who is playing Division III golf after only one season of high school varsity golf. In fact, in high school, Oppenheimer was an award-winning tennis player and a member of the varsity football squad. His diverse athletic experience makes his presence at this stage of competition unique and undoubtedly puts him in an interesting position as he attempts to prove himself in the heat of competition. So far, Oppenheimer has enjoyed some success at NYU,
finishing eight above par at the Hamilton Fall Invitational Tournament. Oppenheimer struck me as an ambitious individual, candid speaker and a man of taste. We spoke about the Old Course at St. Andrews, bucatini all’amatriciana and everything in between. Question: When did you start playing golf ? Answer: My dad introduced me to a whole bunch of sports, one of which was golf. It wasn’t until four years ago though that I became passionate about the game. Q: How did your aspirations as a
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Seven years ago, Argentine director Juan Solanas had a vision of two mountains, one of which was upside-down, with a man and woman gazing at one another from each peak. This image evolved into Solanas’ new, romantic sci-fi adventure “Upside Down.” The film’s leading man, Jim Sturgess (“Across the Universe”), has fond memories of its conception. “Juan [Solanas] was really excited by the idea,” Sturgess said. “He told
me it was all based on a dream.” Solanas’ vision inspired the setting of the film, which included a pair of planets directly above each other, both with their own opposite gravity. The look of the planets, simply named “Up Above” and “Down Below,” recalls the scene in “Inception” when the world folds on top of itself — though “Upside Down” began production before the release of Christopher Nolan’s film. “Upside Down” follows Adam (Sturgess), a man from “Down Below” who falls in love with Eden (Kirsten Dunst), a woman from “Up Above.” To be with her, Adam must battle the opposing gravities as well as the planetary governments that enforce a strict separation of their populations. “I couldn’t work out what kind of film it was,” Sturgess said. “People say it’s sci-fi, and I guess it is, but to me it’s like a fairy tale. And most fairytales have something to say about the world you live in, some social and political commentary.” Solanas agreed that there is more to the film than rich visuals. “I left Argentina because we were going to be killed. People I know died under torture, so for
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(Top) Comparison of average salaries, public and private. (Bottom) Average salary by discipline. By TATIANA BAEZ The median salary for tenured and tenure-track faculty members increased 2.1 percent in 2012, according to a study released yesterday by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. The study also found that for the past four years, faculty members at private institutions have recieved higher salaries than those in public institutions. The increase was the highest at doctoral institutions, at 2.5 percent. Baccalaureate institutions were came in second with 2.1 percent, and master’s institutions in third with 2 percent. The study compiled data by discipline and includes four-
year colleges and universities. Part-time faculty members were not included in the survey. Faculty members at private colleges and universities saw a 2.4 percent increase in salary while those in public institutions saw a 1.9 percent increase. NYU spokesman Philip Lentz said salary increases for NYU faculty were higher than 2.1 percent. Lentz said that according to the Almanac of Higher Education 2012, the average salaries of NYU professors placed well above the median of over 1,200 universities surveyed. The salaries for fulltime NYU professors were in the 98th percentile, with salaries for associate professors in the 91st percentile and assistant professors in the 96th percentile. “NYU is proud to recruit and
retain top scholars, which benefits students directly, and offer them competitive salaries and benefits,” said Lentz. However, he acknowledged that salary does vary by field. “It is true that faculty salaries vary by discipline to discipline and that faculty compensation is market-driven,” he said. The study highlighted the discrepancy in faculty salaries between different disciplines. For example, a professor of journalism and communications earns on average $87,353 a year while a professor of law earns $142,033. The disciplines with the highest salaries are law, business and engineering, and the average for a professor across all disciplines is
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ON THE SIDE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS By MICHELLE LIM Here are a few essentials to ease the studying blues.
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EYE DROPS Your eyes tell it all. While you might not have enough time to line your eyes or have a clean-shaven face, you can definitely try to eliminate red, veiny eyes. Plus, if you are up all night staring at a bright screen typing your essay, it does not hurt to give your eyes some moisture.
WATER IS GREATER THAN COFFEE Yes, desperate times call for desperate measures, so you are probably getting your fourth cup of Joe, but did you know that there’s a higher chance of crashing later at the break of dawn? Instead, opt for an ice-cold cup of water every 30 minutes. It wakes you up, it’s great for your skin, and will allow you to avoid drinking too much caffeine.
BANANAS Late nights mean comfort food, but carb-heavy junk only slows you down and plant zits on your beautiful face. If you’re stressed and have the munchies, chow down on some veggie sticks or fruit. Bananas are the ideal fruit as a study snack. They reduce the crash-rate from the coffee and provide you with enough carbs and potassium for the wee hours. Devour one every hour.
TAKE A SHOWER You might not have enough days to finish that paper, but you have enough time for a quick shower. Hot or cold, a shower will wake you up and boost your spirits. Clear body, clear mind.
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NEW YORK CITY PARKS IMPROVING New Yorkers for Parks surveyed 43 city parks this year and rated their maintenance levels a B-plus, up from a B grade in 2011. The survey looked at part of parkland lawns, drinking fountains, sitting areas, courts, playgrounds, trees and bathrooms.
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NY STATE BUDGET COMPLETED EARLY In a surprising turn of events, the usually contentious New York state budget looks set to be approved on March 21, ten days ahead of deadline. If the budget passes as expected, it will be the earliest in the state’s history since 1975.
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SCHOOL’S OUT, FOREVER Yesterday, the fate of 20 New York City public schools was decided by the Panel for Educational Policy in Brooklyn. The panel decided whether to close any of the 20 schools based on academic performance.
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NYU STUDENT HIRED AS ‘FOOT PROSTITUTE’ In an effort to pay for college, an NYU student revealed a side job — providing herself to men with foot fetishes. Making $800 a week, the student told the New York Post that she responded to a Craigslist ad asking for “girls with pretty feet.”
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SUBWAY CRIME SLOWS Subway robberies are down 40 percent from the months of January to February this year from last. Grand larcenies are also down 3 percent, while burglaries and felony assaults remain consistent.
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MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG 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 Amy Zhang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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Study reveals divergent growth rates of professor pay
$95,224. The lowest salaries at private institutions are theology, parks and recreation, and homeland security, while the lowest at public institutions are visual and performing arts, English and history. “There are definitely great disparities in salaries at NYU for many reasons,” said Jane Burbank, CAS professor of history, and Russian and Slavic studies. CAS professor Hasia Diner, who teaches religious studies, attributes this gap to the rank of different fields and the popularity of the schools that offer those fields. “Engineers, business faculty, law
faculty can earn much more on the outside and have to be attracted to the academy,” Diner said. “Unfortunately, historians, philosophers [and] professors of literature cannot and therefore don’t have to be lured in. They don’t have obvious and lucrative alternate sources of income. Do I like it? No. It seems outrageous and unfair, but it reflects the realities of the marketplace.” The CUPA-HR survey is one of two surveys on faculty salaries released each year. Tatiana Baez is university editor. Email her at tbaez@nyunews.com.
NYU-Poly professor given award by peers By NEELA QADIR
Nikhil Gupta, a professor at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU was a recipient for the Young Leader Professional Development Award from The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society for his work in developing lightweight composite materials for aircraft, marine vessels and automobiles. His recent research aims to develop more effective protective materials that would save passengers in the event of an accident. The society presented the awards at TMS Division luncheons and council meetings held from March 3 through 7 in San Antonio, Texas. Gupta was one of 20 award recipients. “TMS has developed this award specifically to help young professionals connect with the leaders of the society and of the materials science field,” Gupta said. TMS focuses on mineral processing, primary metals production and research on applications of materials. TMS strategic communications campaign manager Angela Fenwick said TMS’ young leader professional development award program was created to enable young professionals in the technical divisions for future leadership positions. “[The award program] is designed to help these young leaders become actively engaged in TMS activities through exposure to technical, management and leadership opportunities within the society and through contacts and networking opportunities with TMS leaders and prominent society members,” Fenwick said. Criteria to receive the Young Leader Professional Award include possessing leadership skills and having an interest in participating in division technical committees. In addition to doing his own research, Gupta mentors graduate and doctoral students. “His reputation and his list of published works in the area of polymer composites precede him, and his dedication to and the success of his research is clearly apparent by the continuous support, grants and awards he receives for his research,”
said NYU-Poly fourth-year doctoral candidate Ronald Poveda. “Most of all, he is a dedicated adviser who guides his students toward the same success he has experienced in his career as a materials scientist and mechanical engineer.” NYU-Poly Acting President and Provost Katepalli Sreenivasan stated that Gupta motivates others to progress in science and does this by encouraging young people and the public to understand the important principles that can lead to lifechanging technology. “Whether he is explaining the science behind athletic helmets to 125 million viewers via NBC, helping high school students develop awardwinning research during NYU-Poly’s Summer Research Institute or visiting engineering universities throughout India during a lecture tour sponsored by the American Society for Materials and the Indian Institute of Metals, [Gupta] is a resounding voice for education, engineering and NYUPoly,” Sreenivasan said. In addition to the TMS award, Gupta is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Visiting Lectureship Award from the American Society for Metals-Indian Institute of Metals in 2007 and 2009, the Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship administered by the American Society of Engineering Education and the Junior Faculty Fellowship at the Othmer Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies at NYU-Poly. Neela Qadir is deputy university editor. Email her at nqadir@nyunews.com.
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Nikhail Gupta recevied an award for his research.
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Vending machines with late night essentials may come to NYC bars By SOFIA LIZZA
A new vending machine that provides mouthwash, gum and even condoms may soon appear in bars all over New York City. The vending machine known as Vengo is an off-shoot of TaxiTreats, a project to providing essentials for commuters in taxicabs. The idea won the first prize of $17,500 in the New York City Economic Development Corporation Next Idea Competition out of 270 other companies last year. The sleek, wall-mounted machines feature a touch screen and only accept credit cards. The startup company is headed by CEO Brian Shimmerlik, an MBA candidate at the Stern School of Business, and his partner, Tomas Grosskopf. It is partially funded by the NYU Innovation Venture Fund, and by January it raised $1 million. The first Vengo machine debuted this past February with the consent of Michael Sinensky, owner of Village Pourhouse, and he has heard nothing but positive responses from his customers. “Customers mention they’ve never seen anything like it, and it keeps their breath fresh while searching for their significant other at the bar,” he said.
Sinensky spoke highly of the convenient size and high-tech design of the Vengo machine. He also said it keeps customers in the bar longer and increases his revenue from products that were not sold before in the bar. “We make money on Vengo like an ATM machine or video arcade game, and it takes up no space, so it’s a no-brainer for us to have it,” he added. Though the original intention was to implement the vending machines in taxis, the deputy commissioner for public affairs at the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, Allan Fromberg, said that this will conflict with Nissan’s Taxi of Tomorrow design, which is expected to debut this fall. Still, Shimmerlik is hoping to add 10,000 machines around the city, in addition to adding more products to the machines. “Vengo is trying out various products with the goal of providing consumers with what they want, when they want it, where they are,” Shimmerlik said. “The machine’s small depth allows it to be put almost anywhere. We’re even hoping to put them above elevator buttons in many large office buildings.” Although the current products,
namely Old Spice deodorant and condoms, seem to target the male demographic, Shimmerlik said that the Vengo also caters to women. A machine at SideBAR near Union Square does include a unit with female hygienic items. Items can be customized based on the location. Despite positive feedback by customers, GLS sophomore Alice Sholto-Douglas expressed her concerns about products like Vengo. “I feel like this is a convenience that will slowly start to replace parts of us as human beings,” she said. “We translate our mental capacities into new technology.” Sofia Lizza is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
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Vengo machines offer a unique array of items.
Flurry of studies find new uses for unmanned aerial drones By KOMAL PATEL
Public perception reflects poorly on drones because of their association with extrajudicial killings. “Drones are beginning to have a very negative connotation,” said Mark Rom, a Georgetown University professor of government and public policy. The NYU chapter of Roosevelt Institute Campus Network, a nation-wide progressive student organization, has recently launched an investigation into the use of drones. “I think there is a big issue in the media of conflation of military capable drones with drone aircraft that aren’t used for military purposes,” said GLS sophomore Erich Helmreich, who is also the defense and diplomacy policy director of the NYU Roosevelt Institute Campus Network chapter. “This has generated an idea that ‘all drones are bad.’” Therefore, the thought of drone use on college campuses may come as a surprise. However, some colleges and universities say drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles, can be used for advancements in research. One research at Cornell University was granted authorization to use drones to research solutions to potato blight. In conjunction with Virginia Tech
University, the drones were used to track the spread of spores in rural regions of Virginia. “The researcher used the permit to fly small remotecontrolled planes to collect insect and spore samples in the fields above agricultural areas,” Cornell spokesman John Carberry said. This permit has since expired. Meanwhile, the University of Florida is using UAVs to survey wildlife, and the University of Colorado at Boulder uses them to track the development of thunderstorms into tornadoes. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration released a list of organizations that applied for authorized drone use — onethird of the list is composed of colleges and universities. Pennsylvania State University was among the higher education institutions that applied for authorization to use UAVs for academic research purposes, but the university was denied authorization. Jack Langelaan, professor of aerospace engineering at Penn State, hoped to use the drones to study the flight patterns of albatrosses and other long-distance flying birds. “By using a same-size plane to mimic those flights, scientists can learn more about albatross behavior, as well as other birds,” Penn State spokesperson Lisa Powers said.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Alison Duquette explained that Certificates of Authorization can be granted to public entities that want to fly UAVs, but according to the website there are many factors that determine if the UAVs can be used safely. “A university would be more likely to operate a UAVs with a FAA experimental certificate primarily for research purposes,” said Duqette. However, these are only available to private institutions. NYU spokesman Philip Lentz says NYU has no intentions to use UAVs, but a Ph.D. candidate at the Polytechnic Institute of NYU, Vlad Kopman, said UAVs could be beneficial for university research. “UAVs would serve as great test platforms for dynamics and control systems research, as well as a means to record animal or other events in nature,” Kopman said. Kopman said one of the main concerns with UAVs, however, is airspace. “Especially in the busy skies above New York City, it [would be] crucial to make sure that no other air vehicle is put in danger,” he said. Komal Patel is a contributing writer. Email her at investigative@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY AND STYLE
EDITED BY MICHELLE LIM BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Study in style with these comfortable looks
OVERSIZED CARDIGAN A long cardigan in a soft, thin knit can be the next best thing to pajamas when you’re in the depths of Bobst late at night. Find one that falls to at least mid-thigh, and you can wear it over leggings without looking like the stereotypical college girl — just be sure to avoid Uggs. Wear it with dainty ballet flats to maintain a slim, graceful silhouette and consider pinning your hair up with a big jaw clip.
In the midst of midterms, feeling overwhelmed is inevitable. Between huge exams, research papers, essays and enormous reading assignments, looking cute can easily become your last priority. Still, it is possible to retain some semblance of style while camping out in Bobst Library and dashing between classes. Investing in a few comfortable, versatile pieces will carry you through this stressful season.
SWEATER DRESS If your dignity prevents you from wearing a wool blanket in public, a sweater dress makes for a more presentable alternative. Buy one in a thick, comfortable knit that you can sink into while you pour over textbooks for hours. If it’s a neutral color, pair it with bright tights to liven up the ensemble. If you have a minute to spare, add a headband or necklace to look even more puttogether.
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JEGGINGS A great pair of jeggings can pass for real jeans if they’re black or dark wash and have buttons, pockets and zippers like real pants. What makes them the keystone piece of lazy dressing is that they’re almost as stretchy and comfortable as yoga pants, but with a far more polished appearance. Wear them with easy flats or weather-appropriate boots and a sweet but comfortable shirt, like a peplum top in a poppy color or pattern. A scarf makes for a cozy and practical accessory.
By ARIANA DIVALENTINO
MEN’S BUTTON-DOWN The great thing about menswear is that it’s a legitimate trend that encourages wearing oversized, hand-me-down clothes. Depending on its size, a men’s button-down can be worn open over a lacy camisole or vintage V-neck band shirt and jeggings. Alternately, you could try it belted at the waist and worn over leggings with boots. Cowboy boots, in particular, complement the masculinity of the big shirt.
Ariana DiValentino is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Student breaks barriers with eclectic wardrobe
By LILY CHIN
Exploration defines Slater Stanley, a CAS sophomore studying East Asian studies and minoring in studio art and gender studies. He gradually expands his horizons through each wardrobe item he purchases. Despite being two years into his NYU education, this is Stanley’s first year in New York. He lived and studied in NYU’s Shanghai site before coming to Manhattan, and he had the opportunity to practice his Mandarin, which he has studied for the past six years. Stanley picked up some Asian fashion during his college career. “I was introduced to the dropcrotch loose harem pants in China,” Stanley said. His gray harem pants have patterns that resemble a white, Siberian tiger. “These pants are one of my favorite bottoms to wear because they make a statement without too much effort.” Aside from adopting fashion, Stanley also developed his personal philosophy in China. “Interacting with the migrant Chinese peasant population caused me to realize that I was very privileged and the instances
where people get angry back in the States were trivial,” he said. “China taught me fluidity. If things didn’t work out the way I wanted, there’s nothing to get angry about because there are people with bigger problems.” His flexibility contributes to his enjoyment of mixing gender-specific styles. “I always portray myself as a man. I wear jeans and a jacket,” said Stanley. “But to juxtapose, I’ll add [something else] such as wearing nail polish.” When the city greets him with warm weather, Stanley can be spotted wearing his fishnet stockings frequently, paired with six-inch plastic heels. “I would pull [the stockings] all the way up to my chest and wear a crop top over them and accessorize with heels. I like the idea of heels and fishnets,” Stanley said. “I break the traditional male clothing role in the sense that fishnets and heels are stereotypically for women, but I’m wearing it. The dichotomy of the absence of gender norms in that expression is interesting.” His favorite artist and idol, Brooke Candy, also influences Stanley’s fascination with gender
blending. Candy, an underground rapper, is known to promote acceptance in oneself and sex-positivity. Stanley embodies Candy’s fashion by wearing his own one-of-a-kind platform shoes. “I tried to make myself a pair of homemade platform shoes by stacking a bunch of foam beach sandals under some sneakers and gluing them together. But I bought the wrong size sandals,” he said. “The shoes were five inches tall and functioned for a little while until I fell off the stairs and they broke apart.” Despite his platforms catastrophe, Stanley isn’t worried about the future. “China was where I first accepted the very internal issue of my sexuality. Now, a year after having come out to my friends and family, I’ve accepted more things about myself,” Stanley said. “I’m currently interested in getting a job as a nude model for art students. I think the experience would help me to come to accept my body even further.” Lily Chin is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
LILY CHIN FOR WSN
Slater Stanley’s platform heels are a staple of his distinctive outfits.
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ARTS
EDITED BY JOSH JOHNSON ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM STURGESS continued from PG. 1
Lead actor, director discuss inspiration behind upcoming sci-fi film
me everything is political,” Solanas said. When he envisioned double gravity, Solanas saw an opportunity to address the divisions that drive people apart and the powers that unite them. “This movie is about being together,” he explained. “We put people against other people for stupid reasons. Religion, oil, whatever ... We need to be together.” In order to send this message, Solanas had to create the illusion of two separate worlds — a task that proved to be anything but simple. Sturgess faced difficult scenes where he had to communicate with characters on the opposite planet. “There was always an eye-line issue, so we’d spend hours trying to figure out where I should be looking,” Sturgess recalled. The cast and crew of “Upside Down” faced many technological and physical challenges, but Sturgess worked undaunted. “The most important thing for an actor is to be adaptable and to change with the environment and the people you’re working with,” he said. Adaptability plays a significant role in Solanas’ goals. With the film’s metaphorical message, the director hopes the audience will consider the barriers we’ve created people put up and how they try to over come them. “We live in a complicated world and the beauty of making movies is to speak out,” Solanas said. “We have things to change.” Suzanne Egan is a staff writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
Streaming sites encourage TV binging By LAURA WOLFORD
An average Saturday afternoon spent at home flipping through the channels can prove deadly to your productivity. If, for example, you notice that HBO is airing a marathon of “Game of Thrones,” you might decide to check out the hype and waste your weekend away while catching up with the current season. This is binge-watching, and it means exactly what its name implies — the act of watching a season of a show straight through instead of waiting for weekly episodes. With more TV shows becoming available online via services like Netflix and HBO Go, there has been a greater rise in binge-watching than ever before, particularly with such high-quality shows available. It is now easier to indulge in critically acclaimed shows like “Breaking Bad” and “Lost.” This method of viewing television has its pros and cons, but according to a MarketCast report pub-
lished last week, the pros of binge-watching outweigh the cons. Binge-watching the first season or the first few seasons of a show can turn viewers into enthusiasts, making them more likely to stick around for upcoming seasons and rewatch episodes of the show even when they air randomly. MarketCast’s Chris Rethore says that bingers demonstrate a “consistently higher interest in watching new episodes as they air” than viewers who do not binge, making TV bingers an important part of any show’s fan base. Not only does the instant gratification of binge-watching make the traditional week-to-week schedule obsolete, the method provides viewers with an entire season that gives them a complete, overarching storyline. Additionally, the report found that binge-watching can hook viewers into the next season of a show and compel them to recommend the show to their friends. However, binge-watching
Kate Nash talks feminism in contemporary music scene
By ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE
Socially conscious musicians with mainstream appeal are difficult to find in today’s music scene. Politics and music rarely mesh in the studio, let alone on the pop charts. Yet English singersongwriter Kate Nash is the exception to the rule. Her latest album, “Girl Talk,” is a foray into punk rock reminiscent of girl bands like The Runaways and the Go-Go’s. The record also challenges sexism while connecting with female
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fans over experiences that society deems trivial. Whether she’s cheerily singing about being called names or howling over a broken heart, the message of conflicting ideas in femininity permeates “Girl Talk.” The album confidently declares that women don’t have to fit into a narrow definition of what is considered attractive. “I’m sort of at the point where I’m confident being how I want to be,” the artist said in a phone interview with WSN. “I use my voice differently [on ‘Girl Talk’], I do what I feel like. If I want to be aggressive, I’ll shout.” The artist also changed her appearance to match her new aesthetic, she now sporting long, skunked hair and bright red lipstick that differs greatly from her previous uniform of belted dresses and colorful shoes. “I felt like people didn’t take me very seriously because I was very girly,” Nash said. “But you can be girly, wearing pretty dresses talking about politics, or wearing a leather jacket talking about lipstick.” Nash also spoke about openly being a feminist despite recent reluctance among popular artists, like Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, to be associated with the word.
“Some people are afraid of it and think it’s being whiny and moany, and [that it’s] not a sellable ideal,” she said, “but we’ve come a long way. If you have any knowledge, you know that sexism is so much worse and feminism is really important.” Nash expands her feminist stance outside the studio by volunteering at schools in the United Kingdom to encourage girls to write their own songs and traveling to Ghana as the ambassador for women’s rights initiative, “Because I Am A Girl.” While critics might dismiss Nash’s album as the overemotional result of a bad breakup, the artist wants her female fans to know that it’s important to express themselves by saying whatever they feel, regardless of how that might be received. They shouldn’t be ashamed to pine over an ex, nor should they fear being called names for standing up for themselves. “I care about empowering girls,” she said. “To me, feminism is not a bad word. It’s really exciting reading about the history of [feminism] and trying to fight for the girls that don’t have the privilege that I do.” Alexandria Ethridge is music editor. Email her at aethridge@nyunews.com.
is not without its downsides. With traditional week-to-week viewing, an episode can simmer in a viewer’s head for longer while giving them a whole week to think about what they’ve just seen. From this perspective, binging does not allow much time for reflection. Additionally, once bingewatching begins, many viewers can’t stop until they finish the entire series. When sitting down to watch the beginning of a show’s marathon, many people probably believe
that they will just watch an episode or two. But when the show turns out to be incredible it can become difficult to peel their eyes away from the television. Binging on one’s new favorite television show can present its share of problems, but as long as viewers use their time wisely and as long as it helps a show’s survival, a little bit of binge-watching never hurt anybody. Laura Wolford is a staff writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.
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Shows like “Game of Thrones” often incite binge-viewing.
Eisenberg, Redgrave elevate new play
By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
Written by and starring Jesse Eisenberg, “The Revisionist” tells the story of a young man who visits his 75-year-old second cousin Maria (Vanessa Redgrave) to relieve his writer’s block. He leaves the bustle of New York for a small Polish town, where the two immediately take jabs at one another. The play’s plot begins simply, but as obstacles mount, each character’s personal form of loneliness is revealed through his or her broken history. By the end, the story has gained a substantial psychological weight. However, the conclusion doesn’t live up to the poignant build-up. However, that one complaint does not detract from the highlights of the play. Particularly noteworthy is the interplay between Redgrave and Eisenberg as well as the occasional entrance of Zenon (Daniel Oreskes), a third main character and a major source of comic relief. Redgrave is the standout of the cast. She infuses Maria with passion and pain, creating a completely fleshed-out character. Eisenberg himself gives a rousing performance, albeit one somewhat typical of his usual persona. He portrays David as an alienated and often emotion-
ally distant young artist. While charming, his character is at best a complement to Redgrave’s. As Zenon, Oreskes pulls his weight alongside the two superstars, establishing enough of a distinctive, comic presence to find his way into the audience’s heart. The entire crew also deserves recognition for the world they craft onstage, especially set designer John McDermott. He creates an immersive space that breathes a note of hyper-realism into the performance. On the whole, “The Revisionist” provides its audience with an intensely felt and personal evening of theater. “The Revisionist” is presented by the Rattlestick Theater Company and plays now through April 21 at the Cherry Lane Theater. Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a contributing writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
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The stars of “The Revisionist” work through life’s struggles.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
THE ARTS ISSUE
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MARCH 14 The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation
Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 THE620NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Crossword Across
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
UNIVERSITY
No-confidence vote deserves student attention
By JESS LITTMAN This week marks the first vote of no confidence ever undertaken against an NYU president. However, many are dismissing the vote’s significance simply because it carries no explicit consequences. In a traditional vote of no confidence, a legislative body declares by majority vote that they have no confidence in the government. With certain votes of no confidence, the government is then required to resign. If the faculty of the College of Arts and Science, who are scheduled to deliberate the decision for five days, vote no-confidence on NYU President John Sexton, this does not mean he has to resign — and it’s highly unlikely he will. But the
vote will send an important message. The NYU chapter of the American Association of University Professors has drawn up a bill of rights, essentially a list of grievances regarding Sexton’s leadership. The most contentious areas for professors are the NYU 2031 expansion plan, the policies of the NYU Abu Dhabi campus and the administration’s ignorance of professors’ opinions and needs. In a survey taken last year, two-thirds of professors polled said they opposed the 2031 plan. Regarding NYUAD’s campus, professors have cited concerns about human rights violations of migrant workers in the region. The professors particularly have an issue with the fact that their departments are frequently expected to work at global sites without regard for how it will affect their work at the Washington Square campus. The vote is not just an expression of dissatisfaction with Sexton but also with the Board of Trustees. The AAUP Bill of Rights stipulates “the right and obligation of faculty to be represented on the Board of Trustees.” Currently, the board is made up of wealthy business leaders, including Daniel Straus,
who is currently under indictment by the National Labor Relations Board for violating workers’ rights. I’ve only cited a few major issues that may cause the faculty to vote noconfidence on Sexton, but there are a myriad of others outlined in their bill of rights. It is true that this vote will not cause Sexton to lose his job. But it is far from irrelevant and has already had consequences, including an analysis of Sexton’s leadership in The New York Times. So why should you care about the vote of no confidence? Because it’s making people outside our community notice that not everyone is happy with the man ultimately responsible for the policies that impact our lives at school. Because it will bring to your attention issues that might make you not so happy with him either. Because this university is not a democracy, though the faculty are taking their best shot at making it one. Whether you agree with their grievances, we should be proud of our professors who are standing up to their boss for their rights and ours. Jess Littman is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Prostitution ban creates unnecessary dangers
By IAN MARK There are some things that are going to happen, regardless of who tries to stop them. Go to any maximum-security prison, and there will be inmates who do drugs. Similarly, no matter what laws the government makes, prostitution — “the world’s oldest profession” — will happen. And it should be allowed to happen. If a person chooses to use his or her body to make money, what right does the government have to deny her that choice? The absurdity of our legal system regarding prostitution is this: It is legal to have sex with a stranger for money — you just have to film it. Pornography, a
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multibillion-dollar industry, is legal in many states and readily available for free to anyone with an Internet connection. The government exists to regulate interactions between people, not to serve as a moral authority. It should have no power over what a person sitting in his house can do. Its responsibility is to protect its citizens in business transactions — by criminalizing prostitution, it has done just the opposite. In countries where brothels and prostitution are illegal, women are forced to walk the streets in search of clientele instead of working in the safety of a brothel. They often have to work for pimps, who take a portion of their money and can be abusive. It is difficult for them to get the same sexual health care that major porn actors get. Most crucially, they are put at a disadvantage when interacting with customers. They have no legal recourse for a client who decides not to pay. All their clients know this, and the threat of not receiving payment or being abused is persistent. Compare this with rural Nevada, where prostitution is legal. Some 500 women work as independent contractors for approximately 30 brothels.
They come and go as they please, are bound only by their contract, receive health care and don’t fear the proposition of not being paid. A survey of these women found that 84 percent of them feel safe in their workplace. The stereotype of a prostitute is the drug-addicted former cheerleader who is abused by her pimp and hates her life. Most people imagine this dire situation, and they believe the government should make prostitution illegal to prevent it. But what they don’t realize is that doing so enables the situation. There will always be prostitutes — making them criminals forces them to associate with real criminals, like drug lords and gang members who will enslave them and pimp them out against their will. It’s time to realize that we can’t make things we don’t like go away by making them illegal. Where there is a big enough demand, there will be a supply. When the government outlaws something for which there is huge demand, like prostitution, marijuana or, long ago, alcohol, it hands control of that product over to gangs. Ian Mark is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Judge rightly halts Bloomberg soda ban
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s ban on “high capacity” sugary drinks — those containing 16 ounces or more of sugar — will not go into effect today, as initially planned. In response to a lawsuit brought by various business organizations, New York State Supreme Court Justice Milton Tingling blocked the restriction. The regulation is “arbitrary and capricious,” he wrote. Naturally, the mayor’s office declared its intention to appeal the decision. The argument at the heart of the lawsuit is not easily reconciled. The glaring epidemic of obesity is indeed irrefutable, with some studies citing approximately 60 percent of adults and 40 percent of schoolchildren in New York City as overweight or obese. The damage done by this widespread unhealthiness is not limited to the plus-sized individuals themselves — the enormous costs of health care in the United States result at least partially from widespread obesity. As a nation, we would unquestionably be better without one-pound soda cups. However, whether this change must be made through lawmaking remains questionable. Despite Bloomberg’s well-intentioned actions, the law itself is somewhat toothless, as it would not institute a universal ban — rather, there are several exceptions to the rule. This includes one for 7-11, a chain planning to open 114 new locations in New York City over the next five years, which escapes the net simply because it is regulated by the state, not the city. It is intrinsically pointless, and possibly discriminatory, to restrict small businesses from selling a product that a centralized chain store is allowed to carry — those who love their soda enough to drink a pound of it will probably not mind buying it from a 7-11 instead of the corner bodega. Unlike tobacco or alcohol, whose consumption has palpable public consequences — namely secondhand smoke and drinking-and-driving casualties — the health effects of sugary drinks are largely personal, aside from health care costs. But no limitation on 24-ounce Budweiser cans exist. This is not because higher consumption is desirable in our society. It is simply due to the notion that we are sovereign over our own bodies, and government regulation cannot interfere with this domain. Perhaps before taking prohibitive actions that affect personal liberties, the Bloomberg administration should further explore less intrusive solutions, such as publicity and healthy school campaigns.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Sameer Jaywant (Chair), Raquel Woodruff (Co–Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co–Chair), Nickhil Sethi, Matt Luo, Nina Golshan, Ian Mark, Jess Littman, Marcelo Cicconet
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY MARY JANE DUMANKAYA SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
GOLF continued from PG. 1
Oppenheimer answers questions about collegiate athletic career golfer change as you got older? What do you aim for now? A: From the beginning, all I knew is that I wanted to get better, whatever that took. Golf requires many hours of practice, and I’ve been willing to make that commitment because I love the sport so much. In the short term, I’m trying to be the best player on my team. Q: What is your favorite part of the game? A: My favorite part of the game is that it presents a new challenge every single time out. I don’t think any other sport can say that. No shot is ever the same. Q: What is your favorite club? A: It has to be the putter. No matter how poorly you’ve played a hole, you can make up for those mistakes on the greens. Q: Out of all the courses you have played on, which was your favorite? A: I’ve been very fortunate in my life so far to play a lot of amazing golf courses in some really cool places. The Old Course at St. Andrews is my favorite. The history is so rich, the setting is spectacular and its design is genius. Q: Do you have any role models? A: Tiger Woods. He’s the ultimate competitor. Say what you want about the
man’s private life, but the fact remains that he has done things for the sport that nobody else could have ever done. Q: How do you want people to remember you? A: I’m laid-back, generally pretty quiet. I think I like to be known just as a really good, honest guy, somebody who can always find a way to make you crack a smile. The other thing would be my determination. If I say I’m going to do something, I’ll put every effort into getting it done. On the course, I like to play with a focused, all-business type of attitude. Oppenheimer is hopeful about the NYU men’s golf team. The team faced their toughest test of the season this week at the University Athletic Association Championships in Orlando, Fla. NYU finished fourth in its conference, under the leadership of Kyle Demshki, who shot one of the round’s best scores, four over par. The spring season will likely be an uphill battle for the young squad, but as the team continues to develop, fans can look to the course for some success. Oppenheimer’s confidence and ambition is quite reassuring. Nishaad Ruparel is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
Yankee player Rivera leaves illustrious legacy By SAM BARDER
When Mariano Rivera announced Saturday that he would be retiring from baseball at the end of this season, fans were prepared for his decision. Rivera, 43, is entering his 18th season with the New York Yankees and will likely be remembered as the greatest closer of all time. The statistics are impressive, to say the least. Since becoming the Yankees’ closer in 1997, he has racked up the most saves of all time — 608. He has 42 postseason saves, which is also the most in history. In 141 innings of playoff baseball he has an ERA of .70, and has allowed only two homeruns. In 58 postseason appearances of over one inning, he has only given up six runs — good enough for a .53 ERA. He is the only pitcher in the live-ball era with a walks plus hits per inning pitched that is under 1.00, meaning that he has allowed fewer base runners than total innings pitched. The numbers go on and on — 12 All-Star Games, 1,119 strikeouts and most career games finished (892) are just some of the highlights. But Rivera is special in ways these statistics cannot show. He helped the Yankees win five World Series in his tenure, and to many nonYankees fans he is the one guy everyone can respect. He is not known for his hot temper or flashiness. He is known for his consistency but most of all his ability.
It is remarkable that Rivera has maintained this character and civility throughout his career. The media have never run him down, though it may be more apt to say that he has not allowed them to. He has remained above it all, letting his arm do all the talking. When Rivera stepped onto the mound with a lead, opposing teams knew the game was over. He emitted an aura of sheer dominance. Players and managers around the league can often remember the one or two times they were lucky enough to beat Rivera. Needless to say, he will be an impossible act to follow, even for the deep-pocketed Yankee organization. After spending nearly two decades with the most demanding franchises in baseball, and arguably of all sports, Rivera leaves with his image intact. Critics and fans who work tirelessly to tear apart the Yankee franchise and its players found Rivera to be nothing but a dedicated, humble and dominant closer. On a team that often finds itself ridden with stars, individualism and unnecessary spotlight, Rivera kept one thing in mind: the team. He summed his position up best when asked how he wanted to be remembered by saying, “I am a team player. I would love to be remembered as a player who was always there for others.” Sam Barder is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
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