NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 35
TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013
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Panel explores threat perception By NEELA QADIR
CHUCK KUAN FOR WSN
The old saying “keep your friends close and your enemies closer” received a psychological twist last night when Jenny Xiao, a third-year Ph.D. candidate in NYU’s social psychology program, presented her research titled, “See Your Friends Close and Enemies Closer: Social Identity and Threat after Distance Perception.” A collaborative effort with psy-
Psychology graduate student Jenny Xiao evaluates the relationship between threat and distance in society.
ENEMIES continued on PG. 3
Stern dean notices ‘Turnaround’ in First, Third World economies By NEELA QADIR
Since the release of his book “Turnaround: Third World Lessons for First World Growth,” Peter Blair Henry, the dean of the Stern School of Business, has been featured on MSNBC, HuffPost Live, Bloomberg Television and in The Washington Post. In his book, Henry emphasizes the idea that the United States should look to developing countries for novel economic strategies. Countries like China were in poverty 30 years ago and, in
recent decades, developing countries have been doing well compared to First World nations. “There is no question that Henry makes valid points and bases many of them on observations that were not generally recognized before,” said William Baumol, an entrepreneurship professor at Stern. “In particular, the economic progress in a number of small economies and the idea that the economic giants can learn from their policies and performance is an important and novel insight.”
Henry said that he aimed to demonstrate how the United States could learn from the economic strategies of emerging economies. “I wanted to sidestep bias and ideology and use objective economic analysis to discover what policies created growth in emerging markets and how we could benefit from their examples,” said Henry. “I also wanted to call attention to the two-way learning, and the future prosperity for all nations, that
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‘Ville victory caps mad march
By SAMUEL BARDER
The Louisville Cardinals won the 2013 NCAA men’s basketball championship on Monday night. Lousville, one of the four top seeds in the March Madness tournament, ousted the Michigan Wolverines 82-76 in Atlanta, Ga., in front of a crowd of over 74,000 — the largest in history. In a game that featured teams from some of the top conferences in college basketball, two unsung heroes came to the rescue in the first half, while the stars of each team took over in the second period. Michigan took the early lead, stretching out a 12-point advantage with just over four minutes
COURTESY OF PETER BLAIR HENRY
Stern dean Peter Blair Henry published a book about global economic growth.
Roger Ebert leaves illustrious legacy By JEREMY GROSSMAN
COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE
Hancock and Van Treese celebrate championship triumph. left in the first half. With Michigan star point guard and Naismith College Player of the Year Trey Burke sitting on the bench, Louisville roared back. Forward Luke Hancock led the Cardinals’ run,
scoring 14 straight points to give the Cardinals the lead with under a minute to play in the half. Michigan led by one point at
MARCH continued on PG. 8
The death of Roger Ebert this past Thursday was not just a great loss for journalism but also a great loss for the entire film industry. Film critics are known for their tumultuous relationships with actors, writers and directors, but without them, the industry would be a joke. We rely on critics to help us delve deeper into our favorite movies and expose us to truths we never knew existed. And when we disagree with them, that’s even better — that means we’re thinking. A critic is your adviser, your companion and your friend, and the best critics know how to communicate
with their audience and develop a sense of camaraderie. Nobody knew how to do that better than Roger Ebert. Even before the Internet, Ebert developed a fanbase through his ability to write as if he were having a conversation with the reader. He looked out for his audience and never condescended. He didn’t automatically like a film just because it was “prestigious,” and he didn’t belittle a film just because it was mainstream. He truly respected his readers, and he wanted them to challenge themselves and expand their
EBERT continued on PG. 5
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ON THE SIDE STAFF PLAYLIST By JOSH JOHNSON This month marks the 10th anniversary of The White Stripes’ seminal album “Elephant.” “Elephant” gave the fake-brother-and-sister/ real-ex-husband-and-wife duo its biggest hit with “Seven Nation Army” and propelled Jack White into rock stardom. To celebrate the anniversary, we’ve compiled a playlist of some of The White Stripes’ most underrated songs.
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It’s a big city and a widespread university. Catch up with our daily updates on university and city/state news headlines other publications are covering.
MTA TRAIN OPERATOR SAVES LIVES A New York City subway worker saved three lives after noticing an injured man and two rescuers on the Delancey Street station tracks Sunday morning. Danny Hay, the subway worker, signaled for help, cut the power and flashed an oncoming train to stop in time for the three to escape. — NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
“I’m Finding It Harder to Be a Gentleman” “Death Letter” “I’m Slowly Turning Into You” “Forever For Her (Is Over For Me)” “The Big Three Killed My Baby” “I’m Bound to Pack It Up” “You’ve Got Her in Your Pocket” “The Same Boy You’ve Always Known”
GIRL WITHOUT POX VACCINE BARRED FROM SCHOOLS A kindergartner is not being allowed into P.S. 36 in Staten Island because she has not received the chickenpox vaccination. Her mother states that her kindergartner’s pediatrician will not allow the child to be vaccinated because she has a 14-week-old sibling. — NBC NEW YORK
HUDSON RIVER PARK REPAIRS WILL COST $20 MILLION Hudson River Park Trust crews have been working to restore the lights that were shut off by Superstorm Sandy in the fall. The waterfront park that runs from Battery Park to West 59th Street is set to be repaired by mid-May, although construction estimates made in November have now doubled to $20 million. — DNAINFO
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QUEENS TEEN IN RACE FOR LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY’S WOMAN OF THE YEAR Lisette Watters, 15, of Queens is in the running to fundraise $100,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society from now through the first week in June. Watters, who donated bone marrow at the age of four to her diagnosed younger sister, is looking to win the society’s coveted Woman of the Year award. — CBS LOCAL
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A biker takes a rest from his midday ride as he crosses over the Brooklyn Bridge.
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TIMES SQUARE COOKIE MONSTER JAILED Osvaldo Quiroz-Lopez was arrested Sunday afternoon after engaging in an altercation with a two-yearold child when the child’s mother refused to tip the costumed man for a photo. Quiroz-Lopez reportedly shoved the child and was arrested for assault and endangering the welfare of a child. — NEW YORK DAILY NEWS VIA FACEBOOK.COM | VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
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TURNAROUND continued from PG. 1
Peter Blair Henry compares U.S., developing economies becomes possible when we have the humility to look for solutions beyond our shores.” A review in The Washington Post said Henry can sound both conservative and liberal in his explanation of U.S. economics. “Much of the book should please Republicans. Henry advocates reducing the federal deficit and reducing the ‘uncertainty’ that many business leaders and GOP lawmakers say is restraining growth ... But at times, [he] can sound more liberal,” Jim Tankersley said in the review. Henry said in an MSNBC interview that today the United States is paying a price for running deficits during the 2000s even as the economy expanded. He used Chile as an example of a country with a good
economic strategy. During Chile’s booming years, the government did not increase deficit spending but instead conserved spending when the Chilean economy shrank or depressed. LSP freshman Julie Pan said that although Henry makes key points in “Turnaround” and in his recent interviews, his theory is difficult to apply to the United States. “I think his idea is sound in theory but hard to achieve in reality considering the complex yet fickle nature of the U.S. political system, which is different from that of any Third World country’s political system,” Pan said. Neela Qadir is a deputy university editor. Email her at nqadir@nyunews.com.
ENEMIES continued from PG. 1
Distance perception hinges on threat of object
chology professor Dr. Jay Van Bavel, the project was initiated in the summer of 2010. Sponsored by the Coles Science Center at Bobst Library and part of the Coles Science Salon, the event showcased Xiao’s findings. “These salons aim to open up the library not only as a place for research and studying but also as a place for lively discussion about ideas and research and as a place for intellectual socializing and networking,” said Kara M. Whatley, head of Coles Science Center. “Our motivations and values shape how we perceive our world. For instance, some examples that have been used in studies are that if you are thirsty, you see a water bottle physically closer because you are motivated to see the water,” Xiao said. In her research, Xiao examines how threats deceive our sense of physical distance — in Xiao’s research, physical distance means how far the threat is from us. “Moreover, we show that this closeness in representation has consequences for downstream attitudes and behavioral intentions towards members of a threatening group,” she added. Included in the five studies was the rivalry between the Yankees and Red Sox, a university identity threat between NYU and Columbia University and a threat between Mexican immigrants and U.S. citizens.
“You may be a New York Yankees fan, an NYU student and an American. Each of those comes with different goals and expectations about the world,” said Bavel. “When we are thinking about ourselves in terms of any of these identities, we tend to see the world through that lens.” When Xiao and Bavel experimented with the studies, they found that if a person feels a threat, they believe the distance from the threat is closer than it is in reality. “It was really interesting to know that the identity threat can alter your perception and I liked that they did the experiments in different contexts like the baseball game and then rival schools,” said Tony Wang, a fourth-year graduate student at Columbia University. According to first-year marketing doctoral degree candidate Danny Xu, Xiao’s presentation helped him better understand baseball marketing. “Especially when it comes to baseball, I can see this talk being applied in different areas. I might be able to apply this to my own field also,” Xu said. Xiao has won numerous awards for her research, including the Graduate Student Outstanding Research Award presented by the Society of Personality and Social Psychology. Neela Qadir is a deputy university editor. Email her at nqadir@nyunews.com.
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Students claim partial ruling in popular Stern competition By NICOLE BROWN
The 13th Annual Stern Venture Competition has come under scrutiny in recent months, and suspicions of unfair judging exist among some of the teams. The annual competition divides a $200,000 cash prize among three winning teams. To enter, each student team pays a fee of $75, while teams comprised completely of alumni pay $150. This year, 175 teams were competing at the beginning of the competition. Past winners of the competition include the founder of America Smiles, a company that treats and educates areas with little access to oral health care. The Cobalt team, comprised of MBA student Isaac Palka and his brother, class of 2010 alumnus Omer Palka, submitted its real estate business plan. The brothers became suspicious when they logged onto their account on Dec. 17, a day before the semi-finalists would be announced. The team noticed that their Activity Stream, which tracks when and by whom documents are downloaded or viewed, had no records of the three judges assigned to their project downloading their three documents. THE RULES OF THE GAME: There are three categories in the venture competition: New Venture competition, Social Venture competition and Technology Venture competition. The Palka
brothers entered the New Venture competition. Currently 39 teams remain in all three competitions combined, and the next round of eliminations will continue after the Semifinal Pitch-Off on April 19. The teams entered the competition in October and submitted a one-page summary, three-minute video and a business model canvas to present its business idea. These documents were not judged officially but used in workshops and coaching sessions before the submission of new documents for the first round of judging. The first round, known as Feasibility Analysis, took place in December after each team submitted a 3-to-6 minute PowerPoint with audio, a three-page Venture summary and a business model canvas. This round assessed the teams’ potential for financial profitability and the ability of the team to execute the business goals. These documents were uploaded as attachments onto gust.com, a website designed for entrepreneurs and investors. As a central hub for all document exchange between competitors and judges, the website allowed adjudicators to look at the documents of each team and rate them based on the content of their documents. The Activity Stream appears on each of the teams’ pages on Gust. SUSPICIONS OF CARELESS JUDGING:
Concerned that the judges had not looked at all their materials, the Palkas emailed Loretta Poole, associate director of the Berkley Center. In their email, they explained that not all their documents had been downloaded. Only one of the judges had downloaded all three files. One did not download the PowerPoint, and the other only downloaded the business model canvas. In the email to the Palkas, Poole responded: “I would think the reviewers viewed your documents and might not have downloaded them.” The uncertainty of Poole’s response concerned the Palka team. The Palkas received that email from Poole at 2:35 p.m. on Dec. 17, approximately an hour after they wrote to her. The Palkas then noticed that between 2:30 p.m. and 3:34 p.m., their Activity Stream showed that the two judges who had previously not downloaded all of their files had completely downloaded their materials. The next day, the semi-finalists were announced and the Palka team was not among them. In part II: the Palkas question the judging process and encounter another team that had similar concerns about fair judgment in the competition. Nicole Brown is investigative editor. Email her at nbrown@nyunews.com.
Marijuana legalization laws reach city government
By ANDREW KARPAN
A new bill has been proposed in the New York State legislature that would legalize the use of marijuana in the state for medicinal purposes. The bill was introduced in both the New York State Assembly and State Senate late last March and has received the co-sponsorship of over thirty legislators. However, the bill already passed the State Assembly twice in the last three years but was voted down in the State Senate each time. One of the the bill’s main sponsors, Richard Gottfried, a Democrat representing the 75th district, is optimistic about the prospect of medical marijuana legislation being passed this time around. “Public support gets stronger every year, and we have broad support from health care professionals and patient advocates,” Gottfried said. “Several Republican state senators have said privately that they would vote for it.” Gov. Cuomo has previously been opposed to both medical marijuana bills, but his recent stance in support of decriminalizing marijuana possession has led some, like Gottfried, to hope that the governor has changed his mind. All the states bordering New York, with the exception of Pennsylvania,
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Medical marijuana legalization has gained political support. have already legalized use of marijuana for medical purposes, and the bill has received heavy support from groups like the Drug Policy Alliance. The bill will allow patients suffering from cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/ AIDS and other serious illnesses to purchase marijuana under the supervision of their health care provider. “This bill needs to be passed,” said Dr. Sunil K. Aggarwal, a resident physician at the NYU Langone Medical Center and an expert on the medical use of marijuana, in an interview with The Village Voice. “Thousands of patients in New York State could benefit from medicinal use of cannabis under a doctor’s supervision ... for some conditions like HIV painful neuropathy, inhaled cannabis is the treatment with the best quality of evidence with most
benefit.” Students and New York residents alike supported the legalization of medical marijuana. “New Yorkers who suffer from debilitating conditions need this bill,” said Alec Foster, Steinhardt junior and president of NYU Students for Sensible Drug Policy. “Police resources should be spent solving real crimes such as murder and robbery, and not on harassing terminally ill New Yorkers who prefer a safer alternative to most pharmaceuticals.” Teresa Conigliaro, an LSP freshman, said she thinks New York should go even further and move to legalize marijuana for recreational use as well. “It would save the government so much money from not having to waste it on arresting people,” she said. “It should be legal for everybody.” Brooklyn resident Hannah HensDiazza, 31, supports legalization of marijuana for medical purposes but is worried about going any further. “I feel like marijuana can be mentally addictive, so I don’t think it should be legalized for recreational use ... but if it can help people in pain, it definitely should,” she said. Andrew Karpan is a deputy city/state editor. Email him at akarpan@nyunews.com.
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BEAUTY AND STYLE
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EDITED BY MICHELLE LIM BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Budding shoe trends to shop for this spring By MARINA ZHENG When it comes to an overall look, shoes are an important detail that can make or break an outfit. That’s why we’ve scouted collections for the most popular shoe trends to provide a fashionable kick-start to the upcoming season.
LOW HEELS While sky-high platforms will have a special place in our hearts and closets, this upcoming spring calls for something a bit more dainty in the shoe department. The trend this season is all about ladylike low heels. In this case, less is more when it comes to height. From Peter Som’s lace options with ankle straps to Marc Jacobs’ patent red styles featuring cylindrical heels, designers have created interestingly modern options that will rival even the most loyal five-incher. GLADIATOR BOOTS Boots aren’t typically associated with spring, but the runway forecasts the popularity of tall gladiator boots. This boot-sandal hybrid offers the best of both worlds and will undoubtedly become a spring essential. Alexander Wang created a pair of chunky paneled style that exudes coolness, while Rick Owens crafted a practical
wedge option featuring gold medallion details. In the warmer seasons, this style will be a sure winner in the colosseum of street style. STOCKY HEELS Not only are stacked heels easy to walk in, they are also on-trend for this spring. The days of skinny stilettos are long gone. Designers have created innovative and unique blocky heels that make a statement. The options are endless and extend from architecturally inspired styles like Balenciaga’s futuristic oxfords to sleek choices such as Michael Kors lucite-heeled sandals. Whatever you opt for, expect some comfortable and chic footwear with these chunky heels. ANKLE STRAPS Often thought of as a trend of the past, ankle straps are making a comeback this season. Adding an unexpected
Marina Zheng is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
touch to a pair of average pumps or simple wedges, they also have a much-appreciated practical side. Ankle straps ensure that your feet rest comfortably in your shoes, no matter how difficult they are to walk in. From DKNY’s skinny versions on a pair of platform pumps to Tommy Hilfiger’s wider options on a pair of summer wedges, ankle straps are here to stay. PRINTED While we agree that a pair of solid-colored shoes always polishes a look, spring is the time to step out of the box and experiment with the unexpected. That’s why we are all for printed shoes this season. From Peter Som’s floral pumps to Chanel’s striped sandals, printed shoes can instantly spruce up an otherwise monotonous outfit. While they’re difficult to style, be bold — mix and match prints. Statement shoes are understated enough to keep things exciting, not overwhelming.
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Student fashion show celebrates Asian culture By ARIANA DIVALENTINO
FRINGE SPRING 2013 ON NEWSSTANDS
APRIL 18
The Kimmel Center for University Life was a center of fashion, entertainment and the celebration of Asian-American culture this past Saturday, April 6. The Asian Cultural Union held their 30th annual fashion and benefit gala, Asian Cultural Expressions. Titled “NOVA,” this year’s event was hosted by ACU presidents April Yau and Calvin Lin and featured runway presentations showcasing the collections of several local clothing stores, including Superdry, Purdy Girl, AuH2O and others. Student models featured on the runway acted out cheeky scenes while showing off the clothing, like flirting and bickering with each other at the beach, and the musicians and dancers brought an extra dimension of talent to the stage. Aside from presenting their lines, many designers gave coupons to showgoers or NYU student discounts to their shops, like Baci. The show also included musical performances from singer Phil Good and the Neil “Dradle” Schwartz dance team. The show also featured student talent, like the clothing line NJPaganelli by CAS sophomore Nicholas Paganelli. Audience members said they were impressed by the coordination of the large event. “It’s really interesting and entertaining. It’s nice to see students putting on such a production,” CAS freshman Sophie Rosenmoss said. Max Gode, also a CAS freshman, was pleased with the in-
volvement of local New York City businesses. “It’s really cool to see a lot of local stores and designers up there,” Gode said. ACE30 entertained and raised money for a good cause, serving as a testament to the impressive range of talent and industriousness held by the NYU community. Ariana DiValentino is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
DANA RESZUTEK FOR WSN
The Asian Cultural Expressions gala featured a fashion show.
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EBERT continued from PG. 1
Late critic Roger Ebert inspired many in film, journalism fields
minds about what they expected from a movie. Although a critic of the print age, Ebert was able to reach his full potential as a critic on the Internet. He discovered blogging, Facebook and Twitter, and he communicated with an audience on a larger scale than ever seemed possible. Even after suffering papillary thyroid cancer, undergoing several surgeries and losing his lower jaw, Ebert was still talking. It’s ironic, like something out of a movie, the way that Ebert lost the physical ability to speak and yet was louder than ever before. If there was ever an argument that journalism is being saved and not destroyed by the invention of the Internet, Ebert is the prime example. In the days leading up to his death, Ebert was still talking — his last blog post, posted the day before he died, informed readers that he was taking a “leave of presence,” but assured them that he was “not going away.” Still, looking back, one must wonder if he knew what was coming. His last line ominously reads, “So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.” Ebert’s impact as a film critic will always be felt in the way he reminded us that movies are a group experience, meant for being shared and discussed. He wrote for everybody — not just for film scholars and not just for the everyday audience. Whatever your favorite movie may be, go check out Ebert’s review and read his comments — you might not agree with him, and you might even hate him for it, but at the very least, he’ll inspire you to think about it.
‘It’s a Disaster’ brings comedy to apocalypse By KATHERINE TEJEDA
All power and communication is down. The city is destroyed and bombs release chemicals into the air that kill everyone exposed to them. Despite all this destruction, “It’s a Disaster” is not even close to being an apocalyptic action film — it’s a comedy. Directed and written by Todd Berger, “Disaster” revolves around four couples who are meeting for their Sunday brunch at home. After dealing with affairs, conspiracies, breakups, makeups, homemade ecstasy and grammar lessons, these characters come together to decide what to do with what may be the final moments of their lives. This film’s humor runs on awkward silences, as well as the characters making ridiculous lines delivered in the wrong context — for example, a lesson on grammar while killer fumes leak into the house. The performances complement the script in hilarity, as the actors go to extremes in revealing their true selves. Hedy (America Ferrera) goes through the most drastic change from a caring and conscientious educator to a person who no longer cares
about anything since all hope is lost. Meanwhile, Glenn (David Cross) turns out to be a religious fanatic and presents suicide as an option to save their souls when faced with the imminent end of the world, even though he appeared at first to be the most logical one of the group. The actors sincerely portray their characters’ outrageous behavior, and allow each line to contribute to the film’s comedy. The film’s cinematography focuses solely on character interaction, with plenty of long shots in which the camera follows the characters around without cutting in or out to something else. This allows the audience to see the conversations move through the house, making them seem all the more natural. “It’s a Disaster” critiques and satirizes the typical apocalyptic film that is currently trending in Hollywood. The film also manages to make fun of the typical relationships and characters one comes to expect from a movie. Above all, “Disaster” entertains and makes you laugh without resorting to juvenile humor. Katherine Tejeda is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
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Ebert (1942-2013) changed the film criticism landscape.
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A group of friends are stuck together after the apocalypse strikes.
‘Disconnect’ looks into dangers of technology By VALERIE NELSON
“Disconnect” takes every fear-mongering story about technology from the evening news and reveals how much technology influences relationships and daily life. With three loosely connected storylines, the film explores all the different dangers of the Internet and will not leave the audience’s minds for days. Jason Bateman stars as Rich Boyd, a lawyer and the father of an outcast son (Jonah Bobo) and a teenage daughter (Haley Ramm). Cellphone use and abuse are used as a metaphor for the family’s technology addiction. For example, the son becomes involved in a relationship via Facebook. At a time when the documentary “Catfish” warrants a television series on MTV, it comes as no surprise when the online girlfriend is not who she claimed to be. In another storyline, a journalist (Andrea Riseborough) pursues a story on teens working in online pornography. What begins as a professional relationship changes when she develops feelings for the subject of her story (Max Thieriot). The third subplot involves Alexander Skarsgård and Paula Patton as a damaged married couple who find comfort in on-
line gambling and chat rooms, respectively, after the death of their child. The film seamlessly jumps from storyline to storyline, maintaining a tense pace the whole time. Some scenes will keep viewers at the edge of their seats, and others will elicit gasps of shock. Not one moment is predictable. Dipping into the common anxieties of
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identity theft and online relationships, “Disconnect” is chillingly relatable. Screenwriter Andrew Stern sets up a clever relationship between identity and exploitation, and the movie makes powerful statements about how relationships, both familial and romantic, are affected by technology. The ensemble cast is remarkable as well. Bateman is surprisingly moving in a dramatic role, and Bobo is excellent as the bullied son. Skarsgård and Patton bring authenticity to their roles, and Frank Grillo’s ex-cop and single father is somehow both menacing and loving. In another notable performance from the film, Marc Jacobs plays a porn baron and commits to the frightening role, to say the least. The three storylines are a bit dissatisfying here, as each one could make a captivating full-length feature. Still, the variety makes “Disconnect” effective in relaying its message. Ultimately, “Disconnect” is genuinely emotional. Technology is the catalyst that sets the stories in motion, but the storytelling rests in the profound relationships. The connections between people resonate more than anything. Valerie Nelson is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
Performances from ‘All Girls’ elevate play By ALYSSA DVORAK
The lights come up as three girls run onstage and begin a pretend gymnastics competition. “I give myself a 10,” Morgan yells as she completes her routine for Claude and Jenny. Among this game of make-believe, the soon-to-be-freshmen discuss high school and how their varying levels of maturity will affect their friendships in their new school environment. Emotions begin to rise, loyalties are questioned and the audience is given their first insight into the hostile world of teenage girls as the first scene of “All Girls” comes to a close. The play, directed by Anna Greenfield, tells the story of Claude, Jenny and Morgan (Greenfield, Zoe Costello and Anna Ryan Konkle) — three 13-year-old girls who must analyze the strength of their relationships under the scrutiny of Morgan’s mother, Mrs. Grey (Judith Hawking), a psychologist looking for material for a new book. The most realistic aspect of the girls’ performance was the body language, especially Greenfield’s. In her solo scene where she dons a man’s shirt and pretends she is about to engage in intimate relations, Greenfield demonstrates the struggle between a desire to cling to innocence and a hope to mature physically and mentally through her actions, allowing the audience to better understand and sympathize with her character. While most of the dialogue is smooth and appropriate to the story, there are certain scenes in which the language becomes unnatural and awkward. The scene in which Mrs. Grey and Jenny discuss her sexual interactions with Mrs. Grey’s daughter, Morgan, felt very forced. The highlight of the show is when Mrs. Grey has the three girls accompany her in role-playing Jenny’s family in hopes of explaining Jenny’s aggressive behavior. Morgan provides the most comedic moment in the show when she, while role-playing Jenny’s father, rants about the stereotypical teenage girl of the ’90s. “All Girls” is ultimately a show worth seeing for its ability to take difficult and emotional subject matter and present it in a comedic and realistic way. “All Girls” is presented by Collaboration Town and is playing now through April 13 at the Kraine Theater. Alyssa Dvorak is a contributing writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
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Crossword Across
1 Big truck maker 5 Blasphemous cry 10 Alcohol typically drunk warm 14 Jai ___ 15 “___ or lose …” 16 Operating system since 1969 17 Civil wrong 18 Second of two spouses? 20 Addams who created “The Addams Family” 21 Seoul-based automaker 22 One of the “She’s Gone” singers 23 Nest? 27 Egg producer 28 Egg producers 32 Mythological debauchee 35 Red-tag event 37 Repeated lyric in “Java Jive” 38 Valuable stuff in a vein 39 Wing or fang?
42 The “E” in
B.C.E. 43 Pearl Mosque home 45 Paul Kruger of Krugerrand fame, e.g. 46 Standard ___ (statistician’s calculation) 48 City destroyed by Mount Vesuvius 50 Cross shape 51 Like a good quilt maker? 57 Book often stored horizontally 60 Tavern favorite 61 Scratch in a diamond, e.g. 62 Happening place … or a hint to 18-, 23-, 39- and 51-Across? 65 Skilled 66 Certain Iroquoian 67 Not glossy
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A S S O C
N A C H O
G R O I N
M A G E G Y H E M N C A B A S E R I T O U A L M
L O A N T T T O M Q U E U R N I P T I A D E L L L E Y E S C N T E S D
S U E R
C O R G I
S L O A N
F E I A N P D T O A R E N A
R O W D Y
B A S S
T O W
B O I G L G H E O A R G N H A R E C U D O R O M S B U R L O A M
U S M A R S H A L
L L A N O
U S E U P
G R A I L
B O N D
A R O H K O H O U S E
68 “___ is
composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies”: Aristotle 69 Like some people’s citizenships 70 Entrance hall 71 Wilson of “Meet the Parents”
Down
1 Success story for Cupid 2 Island greeting 3 Gemologist’s weight 4 Tastelessly artistic 5 “Home Alone” child star 6 Lightning Bolt? 7 Mark down, say, at a store 8 Obedience school command 9 St.-Tropez season 10 Home to many orangutans 11 Veterinarian’s subj. 12 Diamond in the sky? 13 The Gabor sisters had many 19 Monte ___ (one of the Alps) 24 ___ Alpert & the Tijuana Brass 25 Like one of two extremes 26 Partner of “done with” 29 Champagne bucket 30 Continental currency 31 Boom or gaff 32 “Days,” for one
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12
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No. 0305
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puzzle by gareth bain
33 Oscar-winning
film set in Iran 34 President’s four years, e.g. 35 Follower of Zeno 36 Big hairy one 40 Somewhat 41 It might be seen out of the corner of one’s eye
44 Clothes 47 Mark of “The
Kids Are All Right” 49 Life of ___ 50 Show instability 52 Like some pudding and retreats 53 Part of a cafeteria stack 54 Pasta shape
55 Give birth, as a
whale
56 12-year-old,
e.g.
57 Dumbstruck 58 Via, quickly 59 “Star Wars”
princess
63 Global lending
org.
64 Eastern “way”
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
JUSTICE
Rutgers scandal shows misguided priorties By RAQUEL WOODRUFF
Last week Rutgers University coach Mike Rice was fired after ESPN’s “Outside The Lines” aired a video of him physically and verbally abusing the players of his Scarlet Knights men’s basketball team. The footage showed Rice pegging a basketball at multiple players’ heads, kicking them and screaming homophobic slurs in a wild rampage. More shocking than Rice’s abusive behavior, though, was the Rutgers administration’s reaction to it, or lack thereof. Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti was informed of the abuse by former basketball assistant Eric Murdock as early as the summer of 2012 but took no action until December. A report even shows evidence that Rice’s assistants notified Pernetti about his behavior long before Murdock told him. As we go higher up the ladder we see the same neglect in dealing with Rice’s misconduct. Rutgers president Robert Barchi knew of Rice’s behavior but refused to review Murdock’s video in late November. It seems to be a recurring theme among college sports scandals — the administration is informed of an employee’s wrongdoing, ignores it,
hopes it will just go away and finally deals with it when the media finds out. If we look back at the Penn State child sex abuse scandal, Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky was molesting various children for more than 14 years. In 2002, when graduate assistant Mike McQueary told head football coach Joe Paterno that he witnessed Sandusky abusing a 10-year-old boy in the shower facilities at Penn State, Paterno did not notify state police and never followed up on the report — allowing the serial child molester to have continued access to school athletic facilities for 10 years. We can also consider the Baylor murder and cover-up back in 2003, when Baylor Bears basketball player Patrick Dennehy was fatally shot by
fellow teammate Carlton Dotson. If that’s not shocking enough, coach Dave Bliss ordered his players to lie to investigators that Dennehy was dealing drugs. For him, keeping Dotson in the game was priority number one. On a moral level, there is nothing sadder than realizing these college coaches, athletic directors and presidents care much more about the sport than the welfare of its players. On an intellectual level, however, it is bewildering that these administrations actually believe that if they ignore the abuse, no one will find out. It is utter self-delusion. Every time they try to cover up or dismiss accusations, they are essentially offering up their job. The Rices, Sanduskys and Winslows are not the only ones inflicting harm in these scandals. College administrations that have ignored complaints about abuse have also relinquished any responsibility they once had to protect the students and players from it. It is about time the people at the top start dealing with the problem from the getgo so abusers cannot continue to abuse. Raquel Woodruff is deputy opinion editor. Email her at rwoodruff@nyunews.com.
HEALTH
Companies fining obese employees justified By NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO
The obesity epidemic has captured the public mindset for decades, as this nation watched our national percentage of obese adults expand from 13 percent to the current 35 percent. First Lady Michelle Obama has declared childhood obesity the national issue that she has decided to tackle, the expected longevity of our current generation is five years less than that of our predecessors, and the rate of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and numerous other obesity-related diseases are all on the rise. To call this a problem is somewhat understating the issue. In the last decade, we have seen countless government programs and actions rising to curtail the issue plaguing the country, but now more and more private enterprises are starting to take the matter into their own hands. Numerous companies, such as Michelin and CVS, are enacting financial penalties for their employees if they fail to meet specific physical and health-related criteria. The corporate revamping of health incentive programs is related to the rise of health costs and the failure of voluntary wellness programs, and in facing these difficulties companies
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have decided to threaten their employees with financial loss. Their leaders cite behavioral economists as saying that people respond more effectively to potential loss than reward systems. The loss that these companies are suggesting are implementations such as the $600 fine CVS employees must pay if they fail to report their weight, body fat and cholesterol levels to the company, or the $1,000 additional fees Michelin employees could pay if they have waistlines more than 40 inches for males and 35 inches for females. These companies originally held voluntary and non-binding action plans that would reward their employees additional credit toward deductibles, but giving power to the people was not a triumphant success.
Employee-rights activists claim that these actions are discriminatory and that people are recieving pay cuts “for no reason,” as the president of the National Workrights Institute, Lewis Maltby, stated. But this view is detrimental in that it coddles workers and penalizes companies for working in a way that will both save lives and profits. Employees hold responsibilities in business in that they are there to make a profit for the company, and posing health risks make them liabilities. It is illegal for these companies to discriminate based on underlying conditions such as congenital issues, but obesity is another issue entirely. The national debate about obesity will open again because of these actions, and one can only hope that our gaze turns away from coddling a serious affliction because of some contrived idea of self-love. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventive death in America and, given current trends, will slowly become worse. If you love yourself, why wouldn’t you care for your body? Nikolas Reda-Castelao is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Thatcher deserves respect despite criticism
On Monday, Margaret Thatcher, the Iron Lady and former prime minister of the United Kingdom for 11 years, died at the age of 87. Major news and media sources immediately began releasing obituaries mourning Thatcher, eliciting criticism from some who claimed her controversiality and divisiveness were downplayed and deserve recognition in the debate over her legacy. They certainly do, but not to the point that we begin to detract from the basic dignity one should be accorded after death. And to focus solely on her contentiousness would be vastly misrepresentative of her true legacy. Many feminists criticize Thatcher’s time as prime minister, and they are not wrong to argue that her policies did not support feminist interests — or equal rights at all for that matter. Thatcher’s conservative agenda during her 11 years in office has kept her from becoming an icon among liberal feminist circles, but it does not mean her death cannot be mourned or that her achievements cannot be celebrated by those who supported her. Thatcher was the first woman to serve as prime minister of the United Kingdom, and, although she was unpopular among her constituents, broke the glass ceiling for women in Europe. She was also a crucial figure in American foreign relations of the 1980s as a key supportive force throughout the Reagan administration. In what concerns the size of a government — one of the main areas of debate between liberals and conservatives — even liberals should concede that Britain’s situation at the time Thatcher assumed office was far from ideal, with a lot of power in the hands of union bosses and a culture that emphasized government dependence. Thatcher’s strong leadership, and arguably her controversial measures, were fundamental in helping the United Kingdom recover its economic prosperity. Just like any politician, Thatcher faced opposition during and after her time in office — and now she faces criticism after her death as well. The claim that her downfalls as prime minister are now being ignored is untrue, and history is not being revised to erase the discontent surrounding her administration. She may not have been the prime minister some were looking for, but out of human decency, her place in history should be respected.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Sameer Jaywant (Chair), Raquel Woodruff (Co–Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co–Chair), Nickhil Sethi, Matt Luo, Nina Golshan, Ian Mark, Jess Littman, Marcelo Cicconet
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY MARY JANE DUMANKAYA SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
MARCH continued from PG. 1
Michigan tops Louisville in NCAA championships
the half, with guard Spike Albrecht scoring 17 points off the bench up to that point. Louisville entered the second half with high energy, especially on defense, but Burke had checked back in after sitting for most of the first half. With only 11 minutes left, Michigan’s tournament star, center Mitch McGary, picked up his fourth foul and never recovered. He finished with six points and six rebounds and sat for most of the second half. Burke provided the spark Michigan needed throughout most of the half, scoring 24 points total. Louisville went on multiple surges throughout the second period. Michigan’s ability to drive the lane and push players to the foul line kept Louisville’s momentum in check, but not for long. With under four minutes to play, Louisville went up by 10 — this time behind point guard Peyton Siva, who finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals, after scoring only four
in the first half. Louisville’s ability to drive the lane with Siva and guard Russ Smith, along with the team’s three-point shooting, created the scoring opportunities needed to stretch the lead and eventually come out on top. The game’s consistently fast pace proved to benefit Louisville, especially in the second half. With the team’s emotional leader, guard Kevin Ware, on the bench following his horrible injury in the Elite Eight game against Duke, Louisville showcased their depth and ultimately hoisted the championship trophy. After a season filled with uncertainty and a lot of shuffling at the top of the national rankings, the final day saw the favorite come out victorious. Louisville ended their last season in the Big East Conference with their first national championship since 1996. Samuel Barder is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
NYU football: Violets’ brief history
By SEBASTIEN VAN HEYNINGEN
NYU seems to have everything, right? With top notch academics, a popular career center, an incredibly successful alumni network and global sites from Sydney to Shanghai, NYU has all it needs to compete with state universities like Michigan State and Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Columbia. Put our sports program up against any of the aforementioned schools, however, and we are sadly outmatched. NYU is a Division III athletic institution, with more pride in its athletes’ test scores than their performances on the field. The story of NYU’s influence in the sports world begins in 1873, when the Violets became the fifth college football team in the United States. Even in the 19th century, we were trailblazers, bringing a relatively new sport to our campus to compete with Princeton, Rutgers, Columbia and Yale. In 1905, NYU pushed further ahead when then-chancellor Henry MacCracken called together a meeting of university leaders to make protective football gear mandatory after a slew of gruesome injuries and deaths on the field. Player safety is an issue that the NFL still grapples
with today, and NYU recognized it as cannot retain the sport any further.” an issue over one hundred years ago. Football was brought back the The conference reconvened a following year, but interest falmonth later as the Intercollegiate tered and the cost of the program Athletic Association of the United was not getting any cheaper. In States. Years later, the entity re- 1953, it was discontinued indefinamed itself the National Colle- nitely and has yet to make a regiate Athletic Association, abbrevi- turn. Chancellor Henry T. Heald ated as NCAA. Yes, NYU first called finally killed off the team due together the same NCAA that now to a reported $100,000 deficit serves as the governing body for all on the program that year. NYU’s intercollegiate athletics. football team has remained off Throughout all this, NYU never had the field ever since. a quality football program. When football was discontinued in 1953, Sebastien van Heyningen the school’s final record was: 199 is a contributing writer. wins, 226 losses, and 30 ties. NYU Email him at sports@nyunews.com. had mostly mediocre teams, with a few bright years here and there. One of those years featured a star running back by the name of Ed Smith, a tough-nosed runner known for his “straight-arm” technique. Smith was later immortalized performing that technique when he served as the model for the Heisman Trophy, which is given to the year’s best college football player. So after all that, why close the program? A Time magazine article from 1942 quoted chancellor Harry Woodburn COURTESY OF NYU Chase: “For the past two years footNYU has not had a football ball has been conducted at a considerable deficit, and the university team for over 50 years.
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