NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 34
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014
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University sees record number of applicants
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By MICHAEL DOMANICO
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Thoughts from incoming freshmen Potential members in the upcoming NYU class of 2018 share their thoughts about being accepted. 2018 on PG. 4
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OutdoorFest brings nature to New York Alumna Sarah Knapp’s organization holds outdoor events for city dwellers. OUTDOOR on PG. 5
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Arianna Huffington delivers keynote address at annual Stern conference The journalist told students about the importance of being well-rested and stepping away from technology. She advised audience members to prioritize their health.
According to the admissions office, NYU has admitted over 18,000 students, roughly 34 percent of its 52,000 applicants, to the class of 2018. The 18,000 accepted students were admitted to one of the university’s degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi or Shanghai, one of three global academic centers in Florence, London or Paris, or multiple sites. Shawn Abbott, assistant vice president and dean of admissions, said this admissions cycle marks the first time the Polytechnic School of Engineering has been included in the admissions counts, making it difficult to compare this year’s statistics with last year’s pool of 48,500 applicants. “It is suffice to say that we had an increase, but how that increase is characterized is not simple, especially since Poly used to have rolling admission and was still accepting applications through the summer of
ADMIT continued on PG. 3
STORY ON PAGE 3
Erotic gay art, once Wrestling coach moves hidden, on display on to Long Island charity By KAVISH HARJAI
Mozilla CEO steps down from position Brendan Eich should have anticipated the social backlash to his actions. HOUSE on PG. 7
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Bronx Documentary Center raises $30,000 Successful crowdfunding by photojournalist and NYU alumna brings photography to the Bronx. BRONX on NYUNEWS.COM
Museum-goers are flocking to the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art for a stimulating, never-before-seen exhibit. “Stroke: From Under the Mattress to the Museum Wall,” which is on display from March 28 to May 25, features gay erotica meant to explore sexuality and identity. Robert Richards, the curator of the exhibit, said he proposed the idea four years ago, and it took off in the past year after Hunter O’Hanian became the museum’s executive director. Richards said the exhibit visually explicates an important period in gay history. “The show is about beauty — beautiful drawings [and] beautiful men,” Richards said. “It’s a huge body of work that can’t be forgotten because it defines a whole era of gay men’s lives.” The 80 illustrations from 25 artists, originally published in magazines from the 1950s to the 1990s, are now mounted on the
red and yellow walls of the museum. The exhibit also has pieces from as recently last year. The media of the erotica encompass ink, paint, pencil and gouache. In the 1950s, the U.S. government sanctioned all public materials displaying sexual perversion, which included anything homosexual. However, gay men wanted to explore their sexual identities, and publishers hurdled these sanctions by publishing erotic illustrations in periodicals advertised as bodybuilding and strength magazines. The illustrations are outlandishly sexual, displaying hyper-masculine men enjoying each other’s company and embracing their natural sex drives. The men depicted in the illustrations are rugged and have hard, chiseled bodies. Although looking superhuman, the subjects of the illustration were what gay men aspired to be, Richards said. However, the magazines put
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By SEAN BILLINGS
Former NYU wrestling coach Shawn Swift is working to help underprivileged communities on Long Island. Through his charity, the iLiveFit Foundation, Swift aims to provide health and fitness resources to lowincome children, adults and people with disabilities. Swift, who coached from 2009 to 2012, explained that his philosophy was that all classes of people, especially children, should have access to fitness, not just the elite. “My inspiration comes from years of gym ownership and having to turn people away from memberships, personal training and exercise classes because of inability to pay,” Swift said. The foundation has a few fitness programs, including the Wildcat Wrestling Club. Swift explained that his personal connections to wrestling are what led him to include a youth-wrestling program in the foundation.
In contrast to sports that require a lot of equipment to play or even practice, wrestlers only need their body and a mat to practice on. “I always believed that the cost of supplies for a child to wrestle is nominal,” Swift said. The organization also supports the Louisa Ann Swift Transplant chance weight-loss program. The program is named after Swift’s mother, who passed away after not being able to obtain an organ transplant. LAST aims to promote the process of organ transplantation, as there are many cases where men and women are unable to donate their organs to a loved one because their Body Mass Index, a key indicator of one’s fitness, is too high to allow for transplant. “Close to 20 people die a day waiting for a transplant,” Swift said. “Although my mother could not be saved, as she developed cancer right before I was going
FOUNDATION cont’d. on PG. 8
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PILLOW FIGHT PHOTOS BY DANIEL COLE
In celebration of International Pillow Fight day on April 5, hundreds of people wielding fluffy pillows gathered at the heart of NYU in Washington Square Park. The huge crowd of people surrounded the fountain, hitting anyone and everyone in the name of fun. Some people took it more seriously than others, forming small gangs to target fellow pillow fighters, while others were just glad to be in the thick of the crowd on a sunny Saturday afternoon.
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Gender Violence Awareness week begins today with a workshop on the effects of trauma on the brain. The workshop will be in room 908 of the Kimmel Center for University Life from 2 to 3 p.m.
JILLIAN BRANCHAUD
EMMA HOWCROFT, AMY LU, ANA SCHULER, BENJAMIN SWINEHART, JESSICA TIEN
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Bringing Engineering Back to NYU The Polytechnic Institute Alumni Association is hosting an open discussion about the merger of the engineering school and NYU. The event will take place at 137 Varick St. from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
The Muslim World in the Media
Two girls celebrate after scoring in a Powder Puff game.
PHOTO BY HANNAH LUU
NBC Associate Producer Sharaf Mowjood will lead a discussion about the Muslim world in American media. The event will take place in room 802 of the Kimmel Center for University Life from 5 to 7 p.m. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Huffington gives wake-up call
By VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
The annual Think Build Thrive speaker series returned to the Stern School of Business on April 4. Arianna Huffington, editorin-chief and president of the Huffington Post Media Group, gave the keynote address at the conference. At the event, hosted by Stern’s Entrepreneur’s Exchange Club, Huffington spoke about her new book, “Thrive,” which attempts to expand the definition of success beyond money and power to include personal health and wellness. Huffington said she learned the importance of healthy living after collapsing from exhaustion early in her career. “A good life is not about success defined so narrowly,” Huffington said. “A good life is not just about our jobs or our successful start ups. If we define our lives simply in those terms, we shrink ourselves and our possibilities.” Huffington said everyone sees behaviors that are detrimental to his or her health as being signs of dedication and hard work. She emphasized that, while many people believe working overtime and losing sleep are an integral part of becoming successful,
in reality sleep deprivation often leads to failure. “Three out of four start ups fail,” she said. “If startup entrepreneurs slept more, there would be fewer failures. Because they would wake up and see the icebergs before they hit the Titanic, or they would see the opportunities that otherwise you miss if you’re burnt out.” In terms of balancings success and personal wellness, Huffington said it is all about prioritizing your health. She said sometimes people have to say no — for her, she said, that means staying in some nights to sleep rather than going out with friends. “It’s not about being cavalier to responsibilities,” she said. “It’s really about looking at ourselves as our primary asset and taking care of that.” Stern graduate student Anand Venkatramani said Huffington’s advice was unrealistic for young people beginning their careers. “I think it was an interesting talk but I think it’s simplistic, that in real life it’s more of a trade off between how old you are, where you are in life, what your ambitions are in general and what your priorities are,” Venkatramani said. However, Stern freshman Shaun D’Souza said Huffing-
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University accepts 18,000 students
ton’s speech was a muchneeded reminder of the importance of health. “I think because we’re college [students] and we’re under so much pressure, we really need to hear people who’ve succeeded say those things,” D’Souza said. “We think of ourselves as young invincibles, and people who’ve succeeded reminding us that we aren’t always this way are very helpful.”
last year,” Abbott said. The admissions rate for NYU New York, one of the three degree-granting campuses along with NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai, is 34 percent. Of the 17,483 students admitted to NYUNY, 2,212 were admitted early decision. NonU.S. citizens from a record 114 countries make up a record 17 percent of the class. Additionally, 17 percent of accepted students will be the first in their families to attend college. NYUAD’s admissions rate is 3 percent, down from last year’s 4.7 percent. The school admitted 317 students — 149 of whom were admitted Early Decision — which is an increase from the 200 students admitted last year. Two students were accepted to both NYUAD and NYUNY, as students can submit one Common Application to be considered at any of the campuses. Abbott said the data for NYU Shanghai’s admissions rate cannot yet be compiled. “It is premature to calculate our admit rate for NYU Shanghai at this time, as we have thus far admitted just 202 international students,” Abbott said. “Offers of admission to Chinese citizens will be made following the release of Gaokao [entrance exam] test results.” In addition to the 202 international students accepted exclusively to Shanghai, 166 students have been admitted to both NYUNY and NYU Shanghai.
Valentina Duque Bojanini is a deputy news editor. Email her at vbojanini@nyunews.com.
Michael Domanico is managing editor. Email him at mdomanico@nyunews.com.
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Huffington encouraged students to sleep more.
Student-developed dating app boosts ego By GRAHAM RAPIER
CAS sophomore Tanner Nelson developed an iPhone dating app called Ego Match with the hopes of challenging the likes of Tinder and OkCupid. Ego Match allows users to rank possible dates and receive matches based on their ratings of others through an algorithm written by Nelson. “The difference is that when you log on [to Ego Match] you rate people on a scale, and are rated by people,” Nelson said. “Then the ratings are analyzed by a script and sorted by location and gender [and sexual] preferences to produce a set of possible matches.” For Nelson, the app is a labor of love, and not just in the dating sense. “During my freshman year, some friends and I had an idea for an app where people rate you and you see people that are similarly rated,” Nelson said. “Finally this year I got around to actually writing it and did all of the coding over the course of two weeks during my spare time.” Before releasing the app on the App Store, Nelson asked a small group of friends to beta test it for feedback. CAS sophomore Josefa Bitenc said she enjoys using Ego Match.
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Matches on Ego Match are based on each users ratings of others. “It’s fun to be able to rate people on a more graduated scale than the ‘left-right-swipe’ system Tinder uses,” Bitenc said. “I could certainly see it becoming the next big thing for dating apps, especially among NYU students.” Nelson’s roommate, CAS sophomore Jillian Branchaud, has been integral to developing
Ego Match since its inception. “We came up with Ego about a year ago on our way back from having lunch at Hayden, and this semester we decided, why not make this idea come to life?” Branchaud said. “One thing I dislike about the app is the fact that until it really takes off, the rating system can be a bit skewed.”
CAS junior Mark Muster said he has mixed feelings about dating apps in general. “I have lots of friends that use Tinder, but I just don’t see the appeal,” Muster said. “What’s so hard about just saying hello to someone in real life?” Ego Match was released on March 8 to the iTunes store and Nelson said the app has already received around 100 downloads. Nelson’s next step is promoting Ego Match to expand his user base. “The hardest part is figuring out how to advertise it,” Nelson said. Nelson said he hopes that word of mouth advertising can help Ego Match spread throughout the NYU community and beyond. Even though developing for iPhone is just a hobby for now, Tanner would eventually like to see a return on his efforts. “If it were to gain Flappy Bird status, I would definitely want to monetize it somehow,” Nelson said. “But not through making people pay for the app, I hate that.” *Jillian Branchaud is a member of the WSN advertising staff. Graham Rapier is a contributing writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
ABU DHABI
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There has been a 30 percent increase in children who are diagnosed with anxiety in Abu Dhabi. — THE NATIONAL BERLIN
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Europe’s first lesbian-only burial ground opened on April 6 in a Lutheran graveyard in Berlin. — CAPITAL NEWS FLORENCE
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A festival focusing on Middle Eastern art, cinema and food will be taking place in Florence from April 9 to 14. — THE NATIONAL TEL AVIV
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Tel Aviv University declined to have Muhammad Kana’ane, who served five years in prison after being convicted of aiding Hezbollah, speak on campus after initially approving him. — HAARETZ WASHINGTON, D.C.
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An aircraft was spotted flying over a restricted area in D.C. by two F-16 fighter jets. — NBC WASHINGTON Visit nyunews.com for links to full articles.
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EROTIC continued from PG. 1
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG?
Museum exhibit uncovers clandestine gay erotica
restrictions on the illustrations. For example, Richards said the men depicted could not be touching each other’s genitals, and the illustrations could not show any bodily fluids or anal penetration. The magazines were available at most American drugstores and newsstands. Richards said buying these magazines proved to be challenging, especially in small towns. “They were difficult for a lot of people to buy because if you lived in a small town, the chances are that the drugstore owner or the newsstand guy knew you so you didn’t want to buy something so homosexual,” Richards said. The magazines started off small and featured semi-clothed models. But, once money started to be made, the magazines increased in size and started featuring nudity, though never straying from softcore depictions of men. From these magazines, more subgenres developed that displayed more hardcore scenes. Steinhardt freshman Emma Sittig said she thinks expositions of sex, such as “Stroke,” help her understand aspects of life she was otherwise not exposed to in public. “Sex is something that a lot of
A weekly feature that shares the contents of a student’s bag.
By CATE WRIGHT
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
The magazine art is on display at the Leslie Lohman Museum. people aren’t comfortable talking about, so I feel like it’s easy for people to look at the art and call it skanky,” Sittig said. “But after learning about the history of the subculture, and the oppression many gay men faced, I was able to see beyond the obviously graphic nature of the pieces.” *Emma Sittig is a contributing writer. Kavish Harjai is a news editor. Email him at kharjai@nyunews.com.
NYU freshman and food enthusiast Becky Hughes walks through the West Village, past her favorite boutiques, eventually ending her commute at the quaint cafe where she works as a waitress. Her black leather tote hangs in the crook of her arm. One of the many classic staples characterizing Hughes’ city-chic style, the bag perfectly fits her on-the-go lifestyle as a food photographer, intern and full-time student. Her food blog, blairfoodproject.com, serves as a road map to document her transition from rural Storrs, Conn., to the busy food mecca of New York City.
The Bag Most female students have a go-to purse once the utilitarian backpack is discarded and the world outside the classroom beckons. For Hughes, American Apparel’s L’Epicier leather bag is the best choice. The buttery soft black tote matches just about anything and is large enough to carry all of Hughes’ possessions as she explores on the weekends, snapping pictures of the best food in the city. “I really try to collect pieces that
make my wardrobe cohesive and that I can wear a lot,” Hughes said. “So when I splurge on something, I know I will get my money’s worth.”
Cricket Energy Bars and Water Bottle As a girl with health-focused habits, Hughes always carries her large reusable water bottle and a snack of some kind. Working in a locavore cafe, a place where the food is locally produced all day, Hughes knows the temptations of the city’s plethora of great, accessible food. The Cricket Energy Bar was particularly unique. “They’re actually great,” she said. “It’s a new company from New York that uses cricket protein. Once you get over the fact it’s cricket, they’re sustainable and taste great.”
Camera When she has to shoot for her blog or NYU’s “Spoon University” page, she carries her DSLR camera to snap some photos in the city’s hippest eateries. “I love shooting the reviews for Spoon U because they generally try to feature places that are affordable for college students, and it’s a fun way for me to discover new places to go out with
friends,” Hughes said. The camera was a gift from her parents that catalyzed her passion and talent for photography, eventually blossoming into a portfolio that is dangerous to look at on an empty stomach. “My camera is one of my more valuable possessions so I don’t always carry it,” she said. “I use my phone a lot for Instagram, but when I need a good picture, I use my camera.”
Gift Card Hughes keeps a long list of restaurants that she is eager to try on her phone. Every time a friend recommends a place or particular dish, the list grows longer. “I figure that the more places and dishes I experience, the better I’ll understand cooking, the food industry and New York’s food culture,” Hughes said. The gift card in her bag is to Pies ‘n’ Thighs, a home-style comfort food restaurant in Brooklyn. “It’s actually a birthday present for my best friend from Atlanta,” Hughes said. “It’s my way of suggesting he treats me to chicken and waffles sometime.” Cate Wright is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Clive Davis festival to showcase musical entrepreneurs By JULIANNE MCSHANE
NYU’s Clive Davis Institute for Recorded Music will host RECESS, a one-day festival on April 10, which will feature innovation and entrepreneurship in the music industry. Sponsored by WIN Music and backed by prominent investors, the festival is part of RECESS’s cross-country campus tour. The event will kick off with an interactive networking event, followed by a speaker series featuring panel discussions with established entrepreneurs. Speakers and panelists will include Cory Levy, co-founder of social
networking application ONE; Jeff Rabhan, Clive Davis chair; Ed Shapiro, renowned music lawyer; and Miki Agrawal, best-selling author and co-founder of the apparel company THINX. Following the panel discussions, there will be an idea pitch competition. The team with the winning idea will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the National Pitch Finals in Las Vegas at the end of May, where it will compete against students from schools across the country and pitch their ideas to potential investors. The festival will close with a concert at the Flatiron bar SPiN, which will feature mu-
sical acts such as Robert DeLong and Sean Glass. RECESS co-founder Jack Shannon said the festival appeals to college students nationwide in a fun, interactive way, with the goal of inspiring future leaders of the industry. “RECESS curates the best day of college by bringing together successful entrepreneurs, the coolest new startups and the hottest acts in music to campuses across the country,” Shannon said in a press release. “Our mission is to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs that will change the landscape of tomorrow’s businesses.”
Clive Davis events coordinator Nikki Mirasola, who decided to bring RECESS to NYU, said the festival encourages the creativity and entrepreneurship that the Institute promotes and teaches. “RECESS presents an incredible opportunity for NYU students to meet and interact with the people and companies that are embracing creativity and out-of-the-box thinking and, consequently, changing the world,” Mirasola said. Jesse Sussman, a junior in the Clive Davis Institute, said he is excited for the opportunities the festival will bring to campus. “You can never make too many
connections and, as someone on the executive track in Clive Davis, I’m looking forward to learning from and networking with like-minded people in the industry,” Sussman said. Sussman said he hopes to pitch an idea for a startup at the idea pitch competition if his application is accepted. The event is free and open to the NYU community with RSVP online. Concert tickets are $20 until April 10 and $25 after, and can be purchased online. Julianne McShane is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
GOODBYE HIGH SCHOOL, HELLO COLLEGE: “I look forward to the little nuances of transferring from a small town to a big, bustling city campus— from being overwhelmed by Broadway and Wall Street and the infinitely tall skyscrapers to feeling the biting cold on my ears as I rush to class. I’m determined to make the most of my naivete before I grow accustomed to the city.”
“I am set on going even if I didn’t receive the financial help that I did, I’d still attend. NYU is a huge blessing and amazing opportunity. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Since I was a kid, I always knew that I would live in the city. I felt like I was made for it. When I received my acceptance to NYU, I was beyond thrilled because I felt like I was finally beginning the rest of my life.”
“I am actually still deciding whether or not to attend because of financial factors. Being $200,000 in debt after four years doesn’t sound nearly as tantalizing as the opportunities I’d get. If it weren’t for the financial barrier, I’d be committed to NYU 100 percent in a heart beat.”
“I feel like I fell in love with the city and NYU simultaneously, the two complement each other so beautifully, and ooze a vibe that is unparalleled to any other city, or any other school.”
— Amanda Tiew, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | CAS
— Anthony Coronado, Yoakum, Texas | Tisch
— Vikas Kante, Ellicott City, Md. | Stern
— Brianna Manley, Brainerd, Minn. | CAS
— Mridula Rajagopal, Hong Kong | CAS
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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Start-up brings nature into city life By SE WON PARK
CAS alumna Sarah Knapp is using her organization OutdoorFest to bring nature back to New Yorkers typically immersed in the city concrete. Knapp works with other NYU alumni, including Tisch alumnus Ben Fross, Stern alumnus Camille Aussord and Gallatin intern Jamie Hall to connect New Yorkers to outdoor activities. OutdoorFest’s main event is a 10-day festival held from May 30 to June 8, but the team also organizes events for parkour, hiking, biking and trivia throughout the year. Knapp and her team, who started the company in October 2013, provide environment-friendly events and activities and strive to create a community for people to share their love of the outdoors. “We work to achieve our mission of making the outdoor lifestyle more accessible through three main avenues: information, inspiration and experience; curated online resources, events and content that inspire; and a 10-day festival every summer,” Knapp said. Knapp and the staff recently started an event called Mappy Hour in March of this year, which Knapp describes as happy hour for outdoor enthusiasts. Mappy Hour is held once a month for outdoor adventurers to plan their next trips and share stories about previous places they have explored. Despite living in such a metropolitan area, Knapp said it is still important to incorporate an element of nature into the city’s urban landscape. Gallatin freshman Rosie Gilroy agreed with the benefits of nature. “Nature is able to bring a peaceful break from the craziness of the city,” she said. CAS freshman Kajal Malik said the outdoors can be an escape from city life, as well as an educational tool. “I think that seeing nature is integral in being more environmentally aware,” Malik said. “The fact that nature is so
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Accessories for spring weather
By BENNY SEDA GALARZA
Spring is here, and a new season means a new wardrobe. Enough of infinitely layering jackets and scarves — it is time to experiment with new trends. Here are our top five picks for must-have spring accessories.
Baseball Hat If you think a baseball hat is more of a Yankees Stadium relic than this season’s essential headwear, you would be mistaken. Cotton caps are actually a way of bringing a laid-back, nonchalant look to warm weather outfits. These hats satisfy all styles and are made using anything from floral to retro prints. As a bonus, hats are not only stylish, but also provide shade on sunny days. J. Crew Jacquard Baseball Cap, $39.50; jcrew.com The Floral Printed Cap, $29; americanapparel.net
Headphones
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Knapp works with several NYU alumni on OutdoorFest. rare in the city causes people to recycle less and to just generally care less about the environment. Seeing nature and its beauty will cause people to want to conserve that aspect of the world.” Knapp’s OutdoorFest endeavor has already been well-received. “We’ve been at max capacity for each event, plus [we’ve] had a ton of fun,” Knapp said. OutdoorFest is currently working on an photo series that will feature a collection of photographs and portraits of New Yorkers who balance their fast-paced city lives with their love for the outdoors. The inspiration for the
photo series gives insight into Knapp’s original motivations for creating OutdoorFest. “I believe that you can live in a major urban environment and still be an outdoor enthusiast,” Knapp said. “I also know that amazing people and resources already exist within the city — what’s missing is a way to connect.” Knapp said she hopes OutdoorFest will be that connection and allow New Yorkers to take a break from the chaos of the city and enjoy the outdoors and nature. Se Won Park is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
With warmer weather, you are more likely to walk to your destinations around the city, probably listening to music as you go. Your headphones can always add to your outfit and make a statement. Leather coverings and metallics are popular decorations, especially on chunky, retro-style headphones. Frends Taylor Interchangeable Leather and Gold-Tone Headphones; $250; net-a-porter.com Nakamichi Headphones, Metallic Pink Edition; $20; sears.com
Bandana Replace your old winter scarf with a light weight bandana for a fresh spring accessory. The neckwear accent was highly popular in the spring 2014 collections. Replicate the runway with these bandana styles — rolled, folded or untied — or even suit yours up by turning it into a pocket square with personality. Bandana in woven cotton fabric with printed pattern, $5.95; hm.com
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Sunglasses can run on the expensive side. Sunglasses This spring marks a breakthrough season when it comes to sunglasses. After years of a single-frame silhouette dominating the runways, frame shapes appeared slimmeddown, rounded-off and squared styles. One size may fit all for this accessory, but one style certainly does not. Bold brown sunglasses by Saint Laurent, $325; oaknyc.com
Earrings Earrings are a unique way to show off your eccentric aesthetic. Stack on ear cuffs for an au courant look. Ear cuffs also come in a variety of forms such as simple metal wraps to dangle cuffs that hang elephants and flowers down to your ear lobe. From bold jewels with bright colors and edgy spikes to more subtle but equally striking classic rhinestones, you have countless options to represent your style. Large earrings in antique-finish metal with rhinestones, $9.95; hm.com Luxe Rhinestone Studs, $3.80; forever21.com Benny Seda Galarza is a contributing writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
VOICES OF ACCEPTED CLASS OF 2018 “I literally cannot believe I got in. When I got my email I ran to my friends because it was during passing period and actually sobbed. I fell on the floor and everything, it was embarrassing, but that’s how I much this school means to me.” — Zoe Kennedy, San Diego, Calif. | Gallatin
“NYU is the only college that matches my multi-faceted personality. Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of talking to a myriad of talented and unique individuals who are all a part of the class of 2018. At NYU, people do not care that I am a biracial gay student from Kansas. They accept me for my differences and celebrate diversity.” — Alex Smith, Overland Park, Kan. | CAS
“When I visited NYU in the fall of my sophomore year, I felt something exceptional. It felt as if the edges of my personality that so often found themselves to be asymmetrical to my surroundings finally fit somewhere.”
“I heard the school spirit is not super present because there are no football games or one closed campus. People question my decision going to NYU because of that and honestly, I think going to NYU means you’re becoming independent.”
“I’m currently deciding between UC Santa Barbara or NYU. Tuition and the cost of living at NYU is a lot higher than it would be if I went to UC Santa Barbara. Honestly, if NYU was cheaper to attend, I would have already decided to go there.”
— Matt Dias, ~ Sao Paulo, Brazil | LS
— Rose Katz, Arlington Heights, Ill. | Tisch
— Brenda Munvie, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. | CAS
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 “America’s Most Wanted” host John 6 Bedwear, informally 9 Meager 14 Prized violin 15 Triumphant cry 16 “Yup” 17 Operatic singer on a sofa? 19 “I ___ for animals” (bumper sticker) 20 Taken care of 21 Curved path 23 Mountain goat 24 Kooky 26 Ins’ partner 28 Chitchat about a dressmaking template? 33 “May ___ excused?” 35 Former part of Portuguese India 36 Set of keys?
37 Complimentary road service in Sierra Leone’s capital? 42 Like Dylan Thomas, by birth 43 Oozy stuff 44 180° from WNW 45 Egg-hunting time in the Orient? 50 “___ Man,” Emilio Estevez film 51 Former capital of Italy? 52 Pizazz 55 Many a C.E.O.’s deg. 57 Broadway’s ___ O’Neill Theater 61 Sheriff’s star 63 Memorize lines for a Shakespearean king? 65 Evil character in “Snow White” 66 Mess up 67 Superman’s adoptive parents
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68 “Pasted” or “wasted,” for “drunk” 69 “Balderdash!” 70 Art Deco, for one DOWN 1 Money rolls 2 Parisian girlfriend 3 Wash 4 Lyric unit 5 Insinuate 6 ___ Beta Kappa 7 Software platform suitable for Starbucks? 8 Actress Stone of “Casino” 9 Easily pranked teacher, maybe 10 New Jersey governor whose first name starts his last name 11 “Moby-Dick” captain 12 Zap in the microwave 13 TV’s “___ Factor” 18 “Please stay!” 22 Quarter of a quart 25 “Man, that hurts!” 27 Reel-to-reel ___ 28 Banana skins 29 Mountain chain 30 ___ Tots 31 Son of Seth 32 Investment firm T. ___ Price 33 “___ Never Meet Again” (Elvis song) 34 La ___ Tar Pits 38 Hormone in the pill 39 Quaker pronoun 40 Baby horse
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41 More optimistic 46 331/3, for a record album: Abbr. 47 More highminded 48 Elephants’ feelers 49 “Bald” baby bird
52 Outdoor meals with hamburgers or hot dogs, say, in brief 53 Fidel Castro’s brother and successor 54 Notion
58 “___ meeny miney mo” 59 The “N” of N.A.A.C.P.: Abbr. 60 Scottish Gaelic 62 Coll. major of many writers
56 Commercial 64 Paintings, prefix with postale sculptures, etc.
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
HARRY’S TAKE
Turkey should suffer Western sanctions By HARRY BROWN
Turkey held its prime ministerial elections last week and, amid widespread rumors of fraud at the ballot box, the ruling Justice and Development Party of the incumbent prime minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, received over 45 percent of the vote. Allegations of systemic corruption and the appearance of an authoritarian-style regime with crackdowns on social media outlets have suggested that Turkey’s once-burgeoning democracy has gone the way of many of its neighbors. The United States and the West must make clear that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated and that sanctions will be put in place if Turkey continues on this authoritarian trajectory. Erdogan, once a strong ally of the United States in the tumultuous region, is increasingly seen as more of a pariah than a friend. Facing pressure from anti-government protests and a public dispute with the admired Muslim religious leader Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan did what most other tyrants do and banned the use of social media. The decision to block Twitter and YouTube last week was the effective death knell for a once-prosperous U.S. relationship. The embattled prime
minister was further undermined when the constitutional court ruled that the ban violated freedom of expression. Not to be deterred, Erdogan, in a sign of his increasing weakness, demanded an interest-rate cut. Spooking markets globally, Erdogan’s meddling in the nation’s monetary policy can be seen as yet another example of his determination to solidify his grip on power. Timothy Ash, head of emerging markets research at Standard Bank in London, told Reuters the latest action by the prime minister has been “very negative and disruptive … Politicians should steer clear of making such specific comments over monetary policy in countries which are supposed to operate with independent central banks.” So far, the United States and the European Union have watched the events unfold with apprehension,
not willing to condemn the actions of Erdogan in their entirety. The State Department has yet to release a statement on the widespread allegations of electoral fraud in the latest election, the results of which are disputed by over 41 cities across Turkey. It must. Free and fair elections are the banner headline of a wellfunctioning democracy. If the United States truly supports the people of Turkey, it must do more to prompt a fresh set of elections with international observers monitoring the validity of the electoral process. “Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.” Thomas Jefferson’s truism about the value of term limits could not be more appropriate in light of the events in Turkey. For Erdogan, who is in his third term as prime minister, the events of the last week cast a dark shadow on his tenure. If Erdogan does not wish to feel the brunt of U.S. sanctions, then he must stop playing the role of the autocrat and return to being a genuine democratic leader. Harry Brown is a staff columnist. Harry’s Take is published every Monday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY
Reflecting on Rwandan Genocide: 20 years By PETER KEFFER
On April 6, 1994, a private Dassault Falcon 50 jet carrying Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down as it approached the runway at Kigali International Airport. The crash triggered a genocide unlike anything the world had seen since World War II. At least 800,000 people were murdered during the 100-day Rwandan Genocide. The country’s population was slashed by a fifth as Tutsi men, women and children were indiscriminately killed by organized Hutu militias. In the 20 years since the Rwandan genocide, the international community has been left with the task of delivering justice to the many victims and families of the dead. The severity of the Rwandan Genocide has caused rapid and surprising developments in the methods by which the perpetrators of crimes against humanity are brought to justice. The U.N. Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in November 1994 for the “sole purpose of prosecuting persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed
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in the territory of Rwanda.” With almost 20 years of legal arguments and $1.7 billion in funding, the court has so far tried 75 individuals and convicted 49. Critics who contend that the ICTR has been grossly inefficient overlook the fact that the tribunal was never intended to try more than a handful of suspects who held leadership positions. Indeed, a significant achievement of the tribunal is its commitment to command responsibility — it secured the belief that leaders should be held responsible for actions carried out by subordinates. In the months and years after the spring of 1994, thousands of Rwandans fled their war-torn country and sought asylum in Europe and elsewhere. Among the refugees were individuals suspected of being complicit in genocide and other crimes against humanity. Many of these individuals
have since been apprehended by local authorities and brought to a domestic court where they faced genocide accusations. In June 2001, a court in Belgium convicted four Rwandan citizens of war crimes. In early 2014, a court in France convicted Pascal Simbikangwa of complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity. These convictions were echoed by courts in Germany, Canada, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands many times over. The international legal legacy of the Rwandan Genocide is a strengthened principle of universal jurisdiction and a commitment to holding perpetrators of crimes against humanity responsible for their actions, no matter where they might be found. The sheer scale of any mass atrocity is bound to overwhelm the domestic judicial organs of any single country. International assistance is therefore necessary for all countries emerging from the perils of genocidal violence. The 20th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide charges us to remember that fact. Peter Keffer is opinion editor. Email him at pkeffer@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Mozilla CEO should have anticipated backlash
Brendan Eich stepped down from his post as CEO of Mozilla on Thursday after only two weeks on the job, in response to public outcry about his opposition to gay marriage. Some company employees called for his resignation and dating site OkCupid issued a denunciation of the CEO, going so far as to encourage its users accessing their site from Firefox to download competitors’ internet browsers. The uprising dealt the CEO a fatal blow. Given the strong trajectory toward equality over different sexual orientations, Eich should have expected his donation to California’s Proposition 8 to receive negative press. He is entitled to his personal opinion, but as CEO of a major technology company that holds significant influence, his values should not infringe on business operation. Even while he was the chief technology officer at Mozilla, which is when Eich made the donation, he should have anticipated the consequences of his donation to an anti-marriage equality proposal that received national media coverage. As one of the co-founders of the company, Eich and his actions always carried a certain amount of weight — while he has the constitutional right to direct personal funds towards whichever cause he sees fit, he is not necessarily protected from social reactions and ramifications. Norms in this country have slowly gravitated toward support for marriage equality, and employees of Mozilla are protected by the First Amendment as well in voicing their disapproval of the former CEO. The extent of the separation between a corporation and its head is something currently being examined by the Supreme Court in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby. The owners of Hobby Lobby, Inc., a family of five, are citing their right to religious liberty in challenging a provision of the Affordable Care Act that mandates employers to provide employees with access to various forms of birth control. This case points toward problems that arise from mixing personal beliefs with business. When an employer makes a decision based on personal convictions that restrict, or perhaps simply offend, an employee, whose rights are paramount? Eich’s private opinions on social issues likely would have had little impact on employees or customers of Mozilla. However, the patrons and workforce made it clear that they did not feel accurately represented by him and were well within their rights to protest his appointment as CEO. He stepped down of his own accord, and, if the resignation was a consequence of his expression of his First Amendment right to free speech, then so be it.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
UConn, Kentucky to put up fight By CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO
March Madness is characterized by the improbable. The top-ranked teams do not always win and upsets are commonplace, which makes the tournament tantalizing to watch. Few would have predicted the finals we have the privilege to watch tonight. Two of the hottest teams, the UConn Huskies and the Kentucky Wildcats, will face off at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for a chance to cut down the nets. Neither team has faced an easy road to arrive at this point. UConn, a seven-seed in this tournament, has beaten the likes of Villanova, Iowa State, Michigan State and top-ranked Florida on its way to the final. Kentucky, an eight-seed, had to win against one-seed Wichita State, Louisville, University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin on its journey. But, after all of the drama, one of these Cinderella stories will come to an end. UConn is led by senior guard Shabazz Napier, who has been lights out in the tournament. Na-
pier was the Huskies’ leading scorer this season with 17.9 points per game. He also averaged about five assists and two steals. Forward DeAndre Daniels, who chipped in 13.2 points and six bounds, will be crucial in the paint against Wildcats phenom Julius Randle. Amida Brimah, who averaged three blocks per contest, will also be important. The Wildcats’ frontline talent is a young group, and most of them are probably headed for the NBA next year. But, before that, this team has a chance to bring the ultimate prize back home to Lexington. Randle is the star. He is a force down low and has a skill set that is rarely seen in terms of his scoring and rebounding ability. The 6-foot-9 freshman averaged a double-double this season with 15 points and 10.5 rebounds, and is a projected top-five pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Freshman guard Aaron Harrison has been the hero for Kentucky over the past two games, sinking two clutch shots in the closing seconds against Michigan and Wisconsin. Both shots gave the Wildcats the lead and won them the game.
The victory of either team will depend on execution. For UConn, the team needs to harass Julius Randle and prevent him from getting comfortable in the paint. They also need to get secondary scoring from someone other than Shabazz Napier. Candidates include the aforementioned Daniels, as well as junior guard Ryan Boatright, who was a crucial part of the Huskies’ win against Florida. For Kentucky, they need to maintain their course. They have been scoring from all over the floor and need to break down the Huskies’ defense both inside and from beyond the arc. On the other end of the floor, look for coach John Calipari to double Shabazz Napier and force the rest of the UConn roster to beat his team. Both of these teams are hungry and uniquely motivated after receiving what they thought to be low seeds. With chips on their shoulders, look for this game to be a blockbuster. Chris Marcotrigiano is deputy sports editor. Email him at cmarcotrigiano@nyunews.com.
FOUNDATION continued from PG. 1
Former coach starts fitness charity
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Swift’s charity, the iLiveFit Foundation, supports at-need communities. to donate, there are … people who can be saved.” Personal training is provided for those who want to donate organs. Based on one’s income, all or a portion of the costs could be subsidized by the iLiveFit Foundation, Swift said. Swift said there are many ways for people in the community to participate. Donations can be made via the iLiveFit website. People can also help host fitness and wrestling clinics put on by iLiveFit at partner
gyms and locations. On March 20, the foundation hosted the Spring iLiveFit Kickoff Gala at the Viana Hotel in Westbury, N.Y. Over 200 guests came to help raise awareness about the foundation’s cause, and they raised over $15,000. iLiveFit will host another fundraising event on April 27 at Bounce Trampoline Sports in Syosset, N.Y. Sean Billings is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.