WSN03315

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 43, No. 31

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015

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DINING

UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS

Spring snacks for shaking winter

Students, faculty question fundraising

By OLIVA ROOS Contributing Writer

Although our coats have not yet been banished to the back of our closets, spring was officially upon us March 20. It may not be time yet to bid our cold weather gear farewell, but it is time to do so with our winter fruits and vegetables.

As winter’s hearty fruits and vegetables leave us, the fresh green flavors of spring vegetables and fruits have arrived in their place. Unlike winter produce, spring fruits and vegetables are more delicate than the hardy winter produce and often possess more vibrant colors. Spring vegetables include: asparagus, artichokes, peas, fava beans and spring baby lettuce. Spring fruits include: apricots, honeydew, rhubarb and strawberries.

These fruits and vegetables do not need much cooking, and should not be forced into stews and other time-intensive cooking techniques. For vegetables such as green beans and asparagus, you can simply steam or roast them in the oven with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Apricots, honeydew and strawberries can be eaten raw or in a bowl of yogurt. Rhubarb has a very short season in early spring and although it is too tart to be eaten raw, is delicious when cooked with strawberries in a tart or crumble.

All fruits and vegetables are nutritionally beneficial, but certain spring produce rises above others in their health benefits. Asparagus is high in folate, a vitamin that promotes cardiovascular and nervous system health and is needed for DNA replication.

Green beans have a high concentration of antioxidants, and research has also shown that green beans contain enzymes that might reduce the chance of developing Type 2 diabetes. Strawberries rank number four on the list

SPRING continued on PG. 5

By ALANNA BAYARIN News Editor

JOSEPH WANG FOR WSN

Ripe strawberries are just one of the many fruits and vegetables that come with spring, along with honeydew and asparagus.

Many students and faculty have voiced concerns about the university’s request for donations to the the university’s fundraising campaign for the 1831 Fund, an NYU-run scholarship organization.

NYU recently published a record-high expected tuition estimate for the 2015-16 academic year ranging from $70,586 to $78,112, depending on the school.

The 1831 Fund provides financial aid to students and gave over $128,000 in financial aid to students this year. However some have argued such initiatives would not be necessary if the university didn’t recently increase tuition prices.

Professor Ernest Davis said the university asking faculty for donations is troublesome. Davis has even tried to address the situation in the past, but to no avail.

“It doesn’t matter for tenured faculty, who can ignore it without worrying, but sending this kind of message to non-tenured faculty and to staff is really objectionable, since, rightly or

EMPLOYEE continued on PG. 3

REVIEW

‘While We’re Young’ pits young against old

By JESSE JAMES READ Contributing Writer

Noah Baumbach’s new comedy-drama “While We’re Young,” which features Adam Driver, Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts and Amanda Seyfried, tells the story of a middle-aged couple’s marriage and career journeys compared to those of a much younger couple. While Josh and Cornelia, played by Stiller and Watts, seem to be happy in their marriage, Jamie and Darby, played by Driver

and Seyfried, challenge them as a younger, more free-spirited couple.

Watts and Seyfried’s performances, while sometimes perfunctory, are more often charming. They almost always seem dependent on their husbands. Darby’s dependence on Jamie seems sinister, almost vilified by his intensity and the ambiguity of his character arc.

Though Watts’ performance appears to be the better of the two, it still fails to comfortably fit within the context of the

script.

Both Driver and Stiller dominate the screen, embracing the type of performance they are best known for. Driver’s unconventional antagonist is fascinatingly unreadable and unpredictable, a role for which he is well suited. Stiller, too, is amusing in playing his inept archetype — he is likable, but he is still amusing to watch fail. Luckily, Driver and Stiller work together favorably on-screen.

Another successful element

of the film is its structure and its plot. “While We’re Young,” despite its deceptively simple premise, is surprisingly complex. It is a meditation on several topics, including aging, truthfulness opposing artfulness and the generational differences.

“While We’re Young” is also oddly funny. The film introduces several bizarre bit characters and little quirks in elements in fashion and props that are con-

YOUNG continued on PG. 4

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ON THE SIDE V I O L E T

COMPILED BY THE

VV

WSN STAFF

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V I S I O N

DONNA KARAN Donna Karan’s promotes conscious consumerism and the preservation of global cultures through her brand Urban Zen. The accessories and clothing sold

by Urban Zen are handmade by artisans in the developing world, and a portion of profits goes to important causes. Karan has proved that the fashion industry can merge the interests of business and philanthropy.

BETHANN HARDISON Former model agent Bethann Hardison has tirelessly worked

to call attention to the lack of diversity in the modeling industry. She helped develop the “All Black Issue” of Vogue Italia in 2008, and writes letters to criticize designers for excluding models of color. She has received the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Founder’s Award for her activism.

AMY LEMONS As a mid-size model, Amy Lemons consistently speaks out against the industry’s size zero standard of beauty.

Lemons works with the NOW Foundation’s Love Your Body campaign to promote girls’ self-esteem and a healthy body image.

COCO CHANEL Coco Chanel forever changed the fashion industry by incorporating elements of menswear into her designs. Chanel freed women from tight-fitting corsets and instead emphasized comfort and practicality. She liberated women by challenging gender

Managing Editor Assistant Managing Editor

JOHN AMBROSIO

10 WOMEN THAT

March is Women’s History Month, making this the perfect time to celebrate the incredible impact that women have had in the fashion industry. From defying gender barriers to promoting healthy body image, these 10 women have changed the fashion industry for the better.

DIANE VON FÜRSTENBERG After introducing her iconic wrap dress in 1972, Diane von Fürstenberg revolutionized the fashion industry by creating designs with the working woman in mind. Fürstenberg carries her belief in female empowerment into her philanthropy. As a board member of Vital Voices, she supports female leaders and entrepreneurs.

VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI THOMAS DEVLIN

CHANGED THE INDUSTRY

BY JESSICA TIEN, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Editor-in-Chief

roles through her designs.

ANNA WINTOUR Anna Wintour has fostered the careers of countless young designers, including that of Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs in their early days. Wintour continues to open doors for new talent through her fund that supports up-and-coming designers.

TYRA BANKS Tyra Banks was one of the first African American models to appear on the cover of multiple major fashion publications. Her career has helped break racial barriers in the modeling industry, and continues to inspire generations of non-white models and young girls.

JENNIFER HYMAN Co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, Jennifer Hyman has made luxury brands widely more accessible and affordable.

Rent the Runway allows customers to rent couture dresses

and accessories at a fraction of the cost of owning these items.

Hyman has made a luxury fashion experience accessible to a wider audience.

STELLA MCCARTNEY Stella McCartney is a pioneer in the arena of sustainable fashion design. Her stores, offices, and studios are powered by alternative energy, and she uses eco-friendly materials in her designs whenever possible. Her company participates in the Clean by Design Program, which aims to reduce the use of energy and harmful chemicals in clothing manufacturing.

Digital Director

HANNAH TREASURE Creative Director, Special Editions

OLIVIA MARTIN Creative Director

TEERIN JULSAWAD deputy ALEXA WONG Copy Chief

MADELINE PAZZANI deputy RICHARD SHU Multimedia

SHAWN PAIK photo SAM BEARZI video CALVIN FALK deputy photo SANG BAE, MATHILDE VAN TULDER deputy video CHRISTIAN FORTE

SENIOR STAFF

news ALANNA BAYARIN, MARITA VLACHOU features MARINA ZHENG arts ALEXA SPIELER sports BOBBY WAGNER senior editors LARSON BINZER, CHRISTINA

COLEBURN, FELIPE DE LA HOZ, FRANCISCO NAVAS, IFE OLUJOBI

DEPUTY STAFF

news ALEX BAZELEY features NINA JANG beauty & style SOPHIE LEWIS dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment AUDREY DENG music E.R. PULGAR theater/books CAROLINE CUNFER sports KYLE LUTHER

OPINION PAGE

CAROL SHAW Make-up artist and founder of Lorac Cosmetics created one of the first foundations that offered complete coverage while still looking natural. She revolutionized the fashion industry by creating long-lasting makeup with only the gentlest of ingredients.

opinion editor

TESS WOOSLEY deputy opinion editors

ANNIE COHEN, TOMMY COLLISON, MATTHEW TESSLER

BLOGS

editor EMILY BELL exposure HANNAH LUU violet vision GABRIELLA BOWER the highlighter MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE under the arch EMMA SCOBLE global DANA RESZUTEK

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Though these ten women worked on varying causes, they all stood by their beliefs, perpetually changing the fashion industry. Their creativity, dedication, and courage have made the fashion world more eco-friendly, diverse, and sustainable. These women and their legacies are an inspiration to young girls and women all over the world.

BUSINESS MANAGER

ALISON LIZZIO UNIVERSITY SALES RELATIONS

CLAIRE MAHANY

SNAPSHOT

TODAY ON CAMPUS

SALES MANAGER

EMMA HOWCROFT SALES REPRESENTATIVES

AMY LU, BEN SWINEHART

Interfaith Panel For the second day of Islamic Awareness Week, an interfaith panel is being held in which speakers will discuss their religions. The panel will be held at 6 p.m. in Rogers Hall on the Brooklyn campus.

Grace in the Twentieth Century The Center for Ballet and the Arts is beginning their Talks on Ballet series with a discussion of grace in movement at 5 p.m. on the second floor of 20 Cooper Square.

SALES ASSOCIATES

MIKE GROTT, LUXI PENG GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

KALEEL MUNROE CIRCULATION MANAGER

JESSICA TIEN CIRCULATION ASSISTANTS

ALEX HANSON, FIONA GORRY-HINES

ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER

Reimagining Healthcare in the Startup World The Leslie Entrepreneurs Lab is hosting a panel event to discuss the future of healthcare with Steven Krein, the founder and CEO of Startup Health. The event will be held at 6 p.m.

A night of Netflix with my childhood.

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RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH EDITORS-AT-LARGE

TATIANA BAEZ, NICOLE BROWN, ALEX GREENBERGER, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ 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 the managing editors at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.

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Expert discuss Climate Change

By JUSTINE MORRIS Staff Writer

The statistics proving climate change, including rising ocean levels and higher temperatures, are well known and accepted by now. At a panel titled “On Climate Science and Coverage: What Three Decades Have Taught Us,” held at Pace University and co-hosted by NYU Monday night, Pace professor Andrew Revkin questioned scientist Michael Oppenheimer on his efforts to fight climate change through research and testifying before Congress.

Oppenheimer has numerous accomplishments, most notably working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, while Revkin has covered climate change with The New York Times for nearly three decades.

Following are some of the main points discussed at the event.

Andrew Revkin: We should probably talk about that thing called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Michael Oppenheimer: The IPCC was set up in 1988. Part of the reason it was set up — not the only reason — it was a proposal that had been floating around. But in the late 1980s a bunch of scientists and international organizations started stimulating interest in the problem. The U.S. government got afraid that this interest would run away from them.

That something would actually threaten to get done about the problem which the U.S government at that point was not interested in seeing happen.

They pushed forward this pre existing proposal of the science assessment process in setting up a new institution with the full expectation that if you put a bunch of scientists in the room together, they will never agree on anything. So the U.S. government and others were very surprised when the first report came out in 1990 with the firm consensus that climate change was a problem.

AR: Has its job?

the

IPCC

done

MO: IPCC has done a terrific job. It’s not matched well to the evolving world, but it did what it was set up to do. It formed a sort of one stop shopping place where the governments could go, get a reliable input on what the science said, and they didn’t have to squabble among themselves about what the science says and then they could move forward and develop policies. Of course the latter hasn’t happened, but it did what it was set up to do.

AR: What are your lesson’s learned in the policy arena?

Particularly in the Congressional arena?

MO: I’ve been part of testifying before Congress where it made a significant difference.

Mostly with the problem of ozone depletion. Where the problem was too imminent, too serious, stuff was happening right then that was shocking people with the ozone hole.

Our leaders were really open to try to use science to try to figure out was going on. So scientists would get up to testify

GSOC to vote on contract provisions

Veteran climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer, right, and NYT climate journalist Andrew Revkin discuss climate about something and it would have an immediate impact on those listening. That’s not quite true about the climate problem. People are more disposed with particular perspectives. You go up there, you say what you honestly think the

truth is. You’re either going to be listened to or not listened to based on the policy implications of it — not dependent on what the information is.

Email Justine Morris at news@nyunews.com.

EMPLOYEE continued from PG. 1

University defends 1831 fund

By AMANDA MORRIS Contributing Writer

After months of negotiations with NYU, the Graduate Students Organizing Committee will administer a vote to make the labor contract between NYU and GSOC legally binding.

The voting period will last until April 6, and if a majority of graduate students vote for the contract, GSOC will become the only union to have a contract with a private university.

The contract includes pay and compensation increases for graduate workers. At the Polytechnic School of Engineering, the minimum wage is expected to double by 2019, going up from $10 an hour to $20 an hour.

Doctoral student and GSOC Bargaining Committee member Natasha Raheja said she was satisfied with these raises.

“We wouldn’t have been able to settle for anything else,” Raheja said. “This is a social justice contract with the highest raises going to the lowest paid.”

NYU spokesperson John Beckman said the university is anticipating the vote to confirm the agreement.

“We’re pleased that both sides have signed the Memorandum of Agreement,” Beckman said.

JUSTINE MORRIS FOR WSN

VIA GSOC

Contract provisions were announced after avoiding potential conflict.

“We look forward to news of the ratification vote by the members of the bargaining unit.”

Health care coverage was another big gain for GSOC in the contract, as workers who previously received no healthcare coverage will now receive a 90 percent individual health care subsidy.

GSOC’s Communications Committee point person Chris Nickell said the health care provision was the contract’s biggest success.

“I think that’s huge in terms of providing quality of life for all of us, no matter what school we belong to,” Nickell said.

The contract also created family health care and child care funds, which aim to aid graduate students with families.

Raheja added that more provisions should be included in the next contract including MA tuition remission, improved dental care and decreased class size to ease workload. Under the current contract, such provisions cannot be renegotiated until 2020.

CAS junior Katie Eiler said she

is happy an agreement could be reached, but worries about the ramifications of a long contract.

“I think we’re all very happy that it didn’t have to go to strike, and about the concessions won by the union, but I’ve heard that the longer length of the contract might be a problem when it comes to keeping negotiations with the university a two-way street,” Eiler said.

Raheja agreed that a shorter contract would have been better, but said GSOC will continue undeterred.

“A shorter contract is helpful for keeping members active, enabling distinctive sets of workers to determine their bargaining priorities and position us to make greater wins in subsequent negotiations,” Raheja said. “We aim to sustain our union momentum and leverage our union power through social justice initiatives in addition to strong enforcement of the contract.”

Email Amanda Morris at news@nyunews.com.

wrongly, they may worry that failing to contribute may have repercussions on their job,” Davis said. “A colleague and I complained about this to the development office four years ago, and were met with complete incomprehension.”

CAS sophomore Andrea Ng said the 1831 Fund should not ask students to donate, considering they already pay thousands of dollars in tuition costs.

“I’m honestly not as inclined to donate to the school over other causes, since I’m already paying a ridiculous amount for my education,” Ng said. “I personally think there are other more meaningful ways my money can be used in other organizations, like nonprofits, or for investments in other more enriching endeavours.”

NYU spokesperson John Beckman said the university needs to ask members of the NYU community for money to make up for the university’s relatively small endowment.

“NYU is in the unusual position of being regarded as being similar to the top universities academically, but being unlike them in terms of financial resources, and especially per student endowment,” Beckman said. “That low per-student endowment means NYU has fewer resources available for financial aid than many peer institutions.”

LS freshman Sean Chia agreed with Ng’s argument that students are already paying large

sums of money to NYU, but said the relatively low cost of donating to the 1831 Fund does not compare to the high tuition costs he is already paying.

“It is sort of a psychological manipulation where the university is saying ‘Hey, donate now and help out people like yourself,’” Chia said. “As a student who is currently receiving no assistance from the university, I find such requests to be absurd. But then again, what is an additional $50 going to be 30 years from now when I’ve hopefully already paid over a quarter million dollars in debt?”

In light of the ongoing debate over whether or not NYU faculty members are paid enough, some professors think NYU’s targeting of faculty members for donations is excessive. Beckman said donations are not mandated and that other universities have ledsimilar donation campaigns.

“If there are colleagues here at NYU who choose not to give, that’s their right,” Beckman said.

“But I think it’s pretty cynical to be so negative about others making gifts to a university they believe in, and pretty hypocritical to complain about student debt on the one hand and disparage a fundraising campaign for scholarship funds on the other.”

Additional Bazeley.

reporting

by

Email Alanna Bayarin at abayarin@nyunews.com.

Alex

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM

ARTS

EDITED BY ALEXA SPIELER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM

Alums make it ‘Big Time’

By ANNA LEE Contributing Writer

Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf, two NYU alumni, are creators of Comedy Central’s first serialized comedy, “Big Time in Hollywood, FL.” The new show follows two wannabe filmmaking brothers, Jack and Ben, after their parents kick them out in hopes that the brothers will stop being financially dependent on them and get a job.

WSN spoke with Anfanger and Schimpf to discuss how NYU has influenced their professional experiences and the forthcoming show. The Kanbar Event Series will be screening “Big Time in Hollywood, FL” and will be holding a Q&A with Anfanger and Schimpf on April 2.

building a real journey.

AA: These two characters are not particularly likeable, but it was exciting building these antiheroes who you can’t help rooting for. You enjoy watching these people with no talent but just blind confidence.

WSN: Where did you two get the idea for the show?

DS: Just after we graduated from NYU, Alex and I sat down and wanted to write a show together.

We were infatuated with these two main characters, with big aspirations and wanting to take the world by storm, but who didn’t have the means to do so. That wasn’t really much of a stretch for us, though we weren’t really psychopathic like the boys. Where Alex and I had a lot of doubt in our abilities, we replaced that in the boys with confidence and ignorance, which made for a funnier relationship. The boys are unaware of how far away they are from their goals, and their ignorance is bliss, as it allows them to propel the story along. We started with the characters and then we were really attracted to idea of

WSN: What were your professional journeys like leading up to the show’s creation?

DS: A huge part of it was NYU. We were paired as roommates freshmen year at Brittany, and we just started working together. We enjoyed making things while we were in college. Alex was in the acting program and I was in the film program. After college, we were a little bit lost in the real, professional world. During the first two to three years, we were writing this pilot but we were mostly just trying to stay afloat and relevant. In 2011, we decided we wanted to make something again and that’s really when “Lonny” was born.

AA: I wanted to create again and remember what I loved about this industry. I was doing sketch comedy that I liked a lot, but then I

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

NYU alumni Alex Anfanger and Dan Schimpf are co-creators of Comedy Central’s “Big Time in Hollywood, FL.” COURTESY OF BIG PICTURE MEDIAW

was also auditioning for roles that I really didn’t like as much. When I talked to Dan, we both decided that we needed to make something.

“Lonny” was successful for a web series, especially because we had cracked.com distribute it. What we had were people within the industry who responded well, and specifically Ben Stiller saw it. He shared our sensibility and really liked it.

We were insanely lucky to have Ben Stiller and his production company, Red Hour, take us under their wing.

WSN: What advice would you offer NYU students who are pursuing careers in the TV industry?

DS: Keep making things that you’re passionate about. Try to define who you are and what you want to say. It’s really easy to get discouraged, but keep pushing through that.

AA: Go with what feels right. If you’re happy and enjoying what you do, then you’re probably on the right path.

Email Anna Lee at entertainment@nyunews.com.

YOUNG continued from PG. 1

Movie fails despite strong plot, actors

sistently offbeat and delightful.

Although “While We’re Young” has many positive aspects, some of the topics in the story seem to distract from the movie’s intention. For instance, the final act, though it pulls many of the story threads together, fails to provide closure. This lack of an ending demonstrates that the film is too ambitious in the scope of its exploration. The film contains interesting material, but “While We’re Young” fails to decisively answer many of the fascinating questions it sets out to explore.

“While We’re Young” is both awkwardly adolescent and surprisingly mature, though at times too conventional. The

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

Ben Stiller, left, and Naomi Watts star in “While We’re Young.” film, at the very least, is palatable, and its thematic material and characters hover between well-intentioned cliches and striking eccentrics.

“While We’re Young” is difficult to hate because of its strong male

performances and nuanced quirks, but its complex storyline leaves it falling short of the cast’s potential.

Email Jesse James Read at film@nyunews.com.

Chris Duggan, center, is the vocalist of PLAID BRIXX.

Clive Davis alum talks musical roots

By ALLISON STUBBLEBINE Staff Writer

Chris Duggan, an alumnus of NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music program, is currently the vocalist of the Ohio-based rock trio Plaid Brixx.

Along with providing vocals for the band, Duggan also recently co-produced and wrote all five songs on Plaid Brixx’s EP, “Chemistry.” Duggan spoke with WSN to discuss his experience at NYU and its influence on his career.

WSN: What bands or artists have influenced Plaid Brixx’s style?

CD: It’s really hard to narrow this down, because you can draw inspiration from almost anything. I would say Blink-182 was my biggest influence growing up, especially when you consider that they are the reason why I picked up a guitar in the first place. In terms of my current band, I would say it is influenced primarily

by Muse, Nine Inch Nails and Max Martin.

WSN: How did your studies at Clive Davis affect your artistic goals?

CD: When I entered college as an idealistic and perhaps naïve young Midwestern boy, I had a lot of preconceived yet hard-clutched notions about music — especially regarding authenticity in music and what constituted real music versus fake music. I thought anything without rock guitar was absolute garbage, and looking back I am definitely not proud of that, but I am so glad I don’t hold that opinion now. I suppose one of the things I learned from the Clive Davis program was to appreciate all kinds of music — and my own writing has become infinitely better because of it. I also decided to become more of a pop artist — something that

15-year-old me would scoff at — because it would allow me to be much more diverse in the scope of my writing. I can also say with certainty that I would not be thinking about my music as a business and me as a business owner without the guidance of the Clive program.

WSN: Plaid Brixx originally played music together in high school. What has it been like to reunite and create new types of music with each other?

CD: It is a wonderful feeling being able to reconnect with old friends and pick up right where you left off. Mark and Cole are the best company and such gifted musicians. I find it so strange that I spent all this time trying to put together the right band in New York City — a place where everyone’s roommate is a musician — but the right people were under my nose the entire time.

WSN: Do you have a favorite memory from your time at NYU? If so, what is it?

CD: I don’t mean to sound cliché, as I am sure everyone has a large collection of fond memories from their college days, but I have a ton of amazing memories from NYU. Every time I am in town for business, I make sure to walk around the Village because everywhere I go, I have flashbacks.

WSN: What can be expected from Plaid Brixx in the near future?

CD: We have been working like mad men on a new EP and next week I am going to LA to finish the first two songs. They were picked out of dozens of 90 percent finished songs, so you know they are great, although it breaks my heart every time we make a song that we aren’t going to use — I get so attached.

Email Allison Stubblebine at music@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

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DINING

EDITED BY REBECCA RIDDLE DINING@NYUNEWS.COM

Versatile uses for coconut oil

By EMILY HARRIS Staff Writer

COURTESY OF YULIN LOU

Coconut oil is a healthy substitution for traditional fats like butter.

SPRING continued from PG. 1

Start spring healthy with quinoa salad

of fruits with the highest concentration of antioxidants and also possess anti-inflammatory enzymes as green beans. Strawberries are also a delicious source of natural sugar, which is healthier than the processed sugar found in other sweet foods.

Try out this recipe for asparagus quinoa salad for a nutritional and tasty meal.

Vegetable Quinoa Salad Ingredients -1 cup quinoa -2 cups veggie/chicken stock -1 bunch asparagus -1 tablespoon olive oil -salt and pepper -1 bunch russian kale, rough chopped -1/3 cup raisins -2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar -1 garlic clove, minced -1 shallot, chopped -3 tablespoons olive oil -prosciutto, sliced -salt and pepper

1. Bring pot of stock to a boil.

Add quinoa, return to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork after 15 minutes.

2. Take asparagus and peel the outer dark green stem. Rub with olive oil, salt and pepper and place on a sheet pan. Roast for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

Set aside with the quinoa.

3. Oil a medium sized skillet. Sauté the shallot until soft.

Add the garlic and sauté until aromatic. Then add the kale, prosciutto, raisins, balsamic vinegar, a little more olive oil and some salt and pepper. Cook until the kale is wilted and the flavors have combined.

4. Chop up the asparagus and add it to a bowl with the quinoa and kale mixture. Add more olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

Email Olivia Roos at dining@nyunews.com.

COURTESY OF MEGAN CHUNG

Le Pain Quotidien’s hummus & shaved vegetable tartine is a unique dish made with toast. Find other toast recipes on nyunews.com.

Only 10 years ago, many people avoided coconut oil because of its high saturated fat content. Now, however, it is considered a superfood and for many it is used as a replacement for traditional fats like butter and olive oil.

Natural coconut oil is made up of 90 percent saturated fat, compared to butter’s 64 percent saturated fat. However, not all fats are created equal. The majority of the fat content in coconut oil is made up of medium chain fatty acids. MCFA are different than other types of fats, such as long chain fatty acids, because they do not need to be broken down into single fatty acids to be absorbed by the body. This means more energy is expended and helps with thermogenesis, meaning coconut oil can support weight loss.

Not only can coconut oil help your metabolism, but it is also great to cook with. Coconut’s fatty acid profile makes it extremely stable, so it works well with high temperatures and is unlikely to burn.

In the morning, scramble or fry your eggs with coconut oil, or even spread it over French toast and muffins for a coconut flavor.

For lunch, you can add coconut oil to hot soups and chili, or use it to pan-fry fish to help avoid burning your meal. When dinnertime rolls around, try making a healthier version of fried chicken using coconut oil. You can sauté your favorite veggies and even season chicken with coconut oil. For dessert, try caramelizing bananas with coconut oil and add a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Despite research showing that there are many benefits of eating

coconut oil, many of the studies on coconut oil have been shortterm. Many doctors and scientists speculate that coconut oil may not be good for you in the longterm. As some professionals suggest, using coconut oil for cooking in small amounts may be the healthiest option.

Coconut oil is very versatile, and can be used with almost every meal. However, it is important to not fall into the trap of eating too much of it just because it is healthy in small doses. The two sides to the great coconut oil debate are both strong. There are a lot of unknowns about the longterm effects of coconut oil on the body, but it is still a good alternative to most high-cholesterol ingredients and is easy to use when cooking.

Email Emily Harris at dining@nyunews.com.

Groceries without leaving dorm

By MOLLY LEGROW Contributing Writer

With apps like Seamless and GrubHub taking over the take-out delivery world, many — especially those living in the city — are finding fewer and fewer reasons to venture far from their living rooms for food. With so many delivery options, the only reason to leave home for food would be to secure groceries for the coming week. However, that may now be a thing of the past, as many companies are now allowing customers to skip the endless lines at New York City grocery stores and have their groceries delivered.

Online services such as Amazon Prime Pantry, Google Express and FreshDirect offer grocery deliveries that are accessible from a smartphone or computer. While Google Express locates a grocery store near the user, Amazon Prime Pantry and FreshDirect both have their own delivery methods so consumers do not have to worry about stores near them having what they need.

As residents of New York City, we are well aware of how costly products in-store can be. However, since these websites are able to create their own prices, they have the potential to offer prices competitive with those of major na-

STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK

Whole Foods divides traffic into 10 color-coded lines. tional retailers. Amazon Prime Pantry and FreshDirect have lower prices, while Google Express pulls its prices from local stores in the user’s area.

Each website is set up like grocery store aisles. Prime Pantry, FreshDirect and Google Express all have items ranging from meats, cheeses, drinks and snacks, and also household cleaners, trash bags, laundry detergent and toilet paper.

Despite the websites’ convenience, there are a few catches to these services. Not only do you have to hold an Amazon Prime membership to take advantage of Pantry, but you also pay a flat rate of $5.99 for shipping, which usually takes about four business days.

FreshDirect has a $30 minimum in place — although if buying groceries for the week, you’d probably spend at least that much. While Google Express offers same-day delivery, free delivery doesn’t apply to orders under $15.

Many college students like

Stern sophomore Lillian Leung, are beginning to overlook the minimums and are choosing to have their groceries delivered rather than standing in endless New York City lines.

“While I love the quality of Trader Joe’s food, it does seem more timesaving to order online and avoid the craziness of the store,” Leung said. “Since they have many stores to buy from, I’m still able to get what I want in terms of healthy food and quality.”

For students without a meal plan, like CAS sophomore Bryn Portella, the online services can make college eating much easier.

“I did it once and now I’m hooked,” Portella said. “I decided to not be on a meal plan this year and having the choices in front of me on my computer or phone made it a lot easier to budget what I needed and not forget anything.”

Email Molly LeGrow at dining@nyunews.com.

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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY TESS WOOSLEY OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

FINANCES STAFF EDITORIAL

Prospective students should think twice

By MATTHEW TESSLER Deputy Opinion Editor

Another year, another rise in tuition costs for NYU. This year was special, as NYU announced that the total cost of attendance would be over $70,000 — ranging from $70,586 to $78,112. These are whopping sums, though part of the reason for the increase is the new addition of estimated travel costs.

While the increase follows past yearly tuition cost increases, passing the $70,000 threshold brought attention to the monumental costs of one year of attendance.

These totals are almost difficult to comprehend. Without financial aid, the total cost of a degree could be as high as $312,448. In 2013, 51 percent of NYU undergraduates received need-based financial aid or scholarships at an average of $21,738 per year. This still leaves students shouldering the vast majority of the total cost. Although the Princeton Review said NYU’s aid was the worst in the country back in 2012, the school is trying to improve. NYU spokesperson John Beckman said, “NYU has increased

Comments from our readers “NY must raise age of criminal responsibility”

By Annie Cohen March 30 “The age should be raised, it should have been raised long ago.

Prison is not helping any child and that is what they are, is children. My child has been in prison since 16. She has mental health and behavioral issues. This person has spent most of her time in the box and in keeplock and always has tickets and is always targeted. She is being punished for her mental health issues which I may add she has had all her life. If the state cares so much for these youths why is this allowed to happen over and over again with the same results. There has to be a better way to handle youths than throwing them away, because that is what I feel like New York State did to my daughter.”

– Joyce

SUBMITTING TO

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its financial aid budget over 140 percent since 2002,” which has led to a decrease in average student debt since 2009.

In response to criticism about the new tuition cost, Beckman said it is “in line with NYU’s recent history and that of other private universities.” But it is concerning that the price is increasing faster than the incomes of those trying to pay for school.

Inflation in the United States has not exceeded 1.7 percent in the last three years. When deciding which college to attend, students should withhold judgment on some of the more questionable choices of NYU’s finances, such as NYU 2031.

Some accepted students argued they were not aware of the price changes before they committed,

I agree with Governor Cuomo.

The juvenile system needs to be reformed. It is hard to deal with teens. It is hard for a parent to meet children’s expectations these days. Children grow up to seek everything they see in T.V., the movies, and so on.

We need to change the system but the change must begin inside out. Change the way children and teens think of themselves. We should avoid making too many mistakes by following a path. Go to school, learn skills, work, go to the church of your denomination and have a life not necessarily an above average living.

– Gloria E Saenz

“With liberty and justice for all”

By Zahra Haque March 30 “It’s fine to be proud of your ethnicity, and we don’t all have to eat the same foods and dance the same dances. But there are some things we all must hold in common for our multiethnic, multiracial society to work, and one of the most important of these is a common language so that we can communicate with one another.”

– Roger Clegg

but prices were listed as subject to change. Budgets are tight for many, but the reality is that the price was high before the tuition hikes, and it still is. What is really important is that prospective students don’t feel that their life will be over if they don’t attend NYU. For prospective students, the debate over the increased cost of attendance cannot devolve into a criticism of the school’s financial decisions.

NYU has the right to play “Empire State of Mind” at Accepted Students Day and sell itself as an amazing school for whatever price it wants, but at the end of the day it is the student’s choice to attend. The average NYU student graduates with over $35,000 in debt. That’s an unbearable amount for some, and students should keep this in mind before deciding to commit. This is a great school, but it is not heaven on earth. Students must not let the allure of the city blind them to the reality of their finances.

Email Matthew Tessler at mtessler@nyunews.com.

“Takling claims of Israeli apartheid”

By David Zonshayn March 26 “This is a very articulate and convincing defense of Israel. I used to be less sympathetic to the Israeli cause…”

– Marat DeEstephano “Ending the article with a jab of anti-Semitism again elucidates one of the biggest problems people face in this issue: we can not have a rational discussion about the atrocities perpetrated by the state of Israel if we are to be referred to as anti-Semites, and the fact that SJP has at least one (I am not a member so I can’t speak for more than that) Jewish person makes this jab downright cruel.

I would wish for the writer to not create a violent environment for discussion on this issue, but it seems he wishes to further alienate Israel and America’s Palestinian communities.

After all, it’s the simpler choice for a good piece.”

– Anonymous

Cuomo ethics reforms costly but worthwhile

Ahead of the April 1 deadline, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has secured ethics reform measures in the state budget. The changes include a pension-forfeiture law, limits on campaign fund usage, additional oversight for government travel expenses and provisions that would require more disclosure from lawmakers on additional sources of income and legal clients. Cuomo has consistently said that he will not sign a budget that lacks these ethics reforms. In the past several months, critics have argued that the reform does not go far enough and Republicans do not publicly support it. Despite the reform’s shortcomings, the changes mark a positive step in reducing corruption in Albany.

Unfortunately, Cuomo has given up a lot in order to keep ethics and education reform in this year’s budget.

Recent scandals have illustrated the need for stricter ethics standards. In January, New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested for taking about $4 million in bribes and kickbacks. Silver’s actions, while egregious, are far from unique: more than 30 New York state officeholders have been accused of corruption in the last 10 years, with charges varying from bribery and embezzlement to extortion and sexual misconduct. former Gov. Eliot Spitzer and former Rep. Anthony Weiner may have captured national attention, but plenty of wrongdoing has stayed out of the spotlight. Reforms are especially important since a recent anti-corruption panel found that many of the unethical dealings in Albany were not technically legal.

The new ethics measures are likely a response to Cuomo’s own issues with corruption, like when he shut down a twomonth old anti-corruption panel that began to investigate some of his dealings with the private sector.

The rest of Cuomo’s budget is watered down due to his push for ethics reform — but it was delivered on time, a feat often not accomplished by past governors. Cut proposals were widely opposed by Republicans, who control the state Senate. These include the minimum wage raise to $10.50 by 2017, financial aid for undocumented college students and new oversight for cases in which unarmed civilians are killed by police officers.

The removal of the minimum wage hike is particularly disappointing, considering wage increases are critical for alleviating poverty, and recent events have demonstrated the importance of curbing police brutality. A rise in minimum wage would have arguably had a greater effect on New Yorkers.

These ethics measures will hopefully increase government transparency and prevent conflicts of interest while also increasing public confidence in government officials. The new ethics standards are absolutely vital and must be implemented as soon as possible if New York hopes to rehabilitate its reputation as one of the most corrupt states.

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.

EDITORIAL BOARD: Tess Woosley (Chair), Annie Cohen (Co-chair), Tommy Collison (Co-chair), Matthew Tessler (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ

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.

8

NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

SPORTS

EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

Fencer looks forward to next season

By JONATHAN SCHIFMAN Contributing Writer

When NYU sophomore John Cramerus was choosing a college in his senior year of high school, he looked for four important qualities: an urban location, a sophisticated environment, a prominent math department and a strong fencing program. After two years, the math major from Houston has emerged as one of the best fencers on NYU’s varsity team.

Cramerus went 37-20 during the regular season, earning an NYU player of the week and a UAA weekly honor. He had the best finish among all NYU fencers in the NCAA Northeast Regional Championships on March 8, placing ninth in the épée competition and propelling him to the NCAA Fencing Championships two weeks later.

Cramerus, who did not advance to the championships as a freshman, has made a marked improvement in his second year at NYU.

“I won many bouts I’m happy

about and lost some I’m not proud of,” Cramerus said. “Considering my results last year, I can’t help but be happy with my growth, which has been substantial.”

Cramerus attributes most of his success this year to the mentality he brings to each of his bouts.

“More than anything, I’ve grown in mental strength, which is the most important quality to have in NCAA fencing,” Cramerus said. “Coming into it in my freshman year, my mentality was completely unsuitable and I lost a host of bouts which, on paper, I should’ve won.”

Cramerus said he was always too relaxed at competitions in his freshman year. This year, his mentality was the opposite — although his goal at a tournament is to do well, he makes sure to focus on one bout at a time. This was especially important in the National Championships, which the sophomore said was the most difficult competition he has ever participated in.

“Every person there was fight-

ing tooth and nail in every single bout, and all the competitors were at a similar level,” Cramerus said. “There were no throwaway bouts between high level ones, focus was required from the start of the day to the end if you didn’t want to end up losing the majority of your bouts.”

Cramerus placed 20th out of 24 competitors at nationals, accumulating a 9-14 record.

The performance was far below his ultimate goal of becoming an NCAA champion, and he still sees lots of room for improvement.

“No matter how far or close, the pinnacle is what I’m training for, so to be reaching toward any less would be me disappointing myself,” Cramerus said. “Whether I reach my goal is a question only time can answer.”

Cramerus plans on practicing rigorously over the summer in order to improve.

“I’ll be training as much as I can over the summer, and my class schedule this semester inhibited my training somewhat,

COURTESY OF NISHAD MORE

Freshman fencer John Cramerus has had a successful season so far. so I’ll try to craft my schedule next year so that doesn’t occur again,” Cramerus said. “I’m still not satisfied with what I’ve done overall this season and

wish strongly to do even better next year.”

Email Jonathan Schifman at sports@nyunews.com.

CAS senior reflects on successful season

By KYLE LUTHER Deputy Sports Editor

Matthew Kendall got his first taste of competitive swimming in eighth grade, later than some of his competitors this season.

The CAS senior, who was born and raised in Bridgewater, New Jersey, has loved being in the water ever since.

“I had been in a very non-competitive swim team in the summers since I was about 5,” Kendall said.

“In eighth grade I was still playing baseball and football but I really started progressing in swimming more, and my summer swim coach at the time encouraged me to get into competitive club swimming.

It just really took off from there.”

The NYU men’s swimming and diving team, which had an extremely successful season by all measures, has enjoyed having Kendall suit up for them in the pool this season. The Violets were perfect in head-to-head team competitions, doubling their opponents score in seven of their nine matches. Now, with their season over, they are coming to terms with losing their seniors. In and out of the pool, they will sorely miss Kendall next year.

When it came time for college applications, Kendall was intent on coming to NYU. “I chose NYU because of the city and the great academics,” Kendall said.

Kendall was recently named NYU player of the week for his perfor-

mance at the final NCAA Division III Championships. He finished fourth overall in the 200 yard breaststroke, setting a new NYU record with a 1:59.82 time. He later poked fun at NYU sports culture about receiving the honor.

“It feels good to be named player of the week,” Kendall said. “I’m surprised someone actually knows there are sports here at NYU at all.”

When he’s not in the swimming pool, Kendall enjoys reading, playing golf and, naturally, going to the beach.

After graduating from NYU, Kendall plans to attend medical school.

As of now he is unsure whether he will continue swimming competitively, but said he may try to qualify for next year’s Olympic trials.

Kendall said that swimming improved his life outside of the water as well — being part of a team was a highlight of his experience.

“The most important thing I got from being on the team were the relationships,” Kendall said.

Junior teammate Krista Traub stressed Kendall’s impact both in and out of the pool.

“Matt is definitely one of the hardest workers on the team,” Traub said. “But he likes to have fun during practice. His personality lightens the mood. As a captain he is always willing to help out with team events and hang out with everyone outside of the pool.”

Email Kyle Luther at sports@nyunews.com.