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Challenge showcases theses
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MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 SCOTT MULLEN FOR WSN
Vol. 42, No. 38
Master’s students presented their theses. STORY on PG. 3
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Smorgasburg reopens The Brooklyn-based flea market features a variety of vendors. STORY on PG. 5
Students create marketing strategies
BRANDSTORM cont’d. on PG. 3
First Amendment rights must be protected. STORY on PG. 7
SLAM urges NYU to drop JanSport
By LARSON BINZER
A team of three NYU students competed in L’Oréal’s annual Brandstorm competition at the Westin Hotel near Grand Central Station on April 11. The team, which consisted of Stern juniors Fanny Sun, Jackson Sheng and Kathy Hong, was called “In for the Kiehl,” a play on words derived from L’Oreal-owned company Kiehl’s, the center company of this year’s competition. Brandstorm is an international marketing competition that challenges students to create both an original product and a marketing campaign for a predetermined company of L’Oréal. The winner will advance to the international finals in Paris this June to represent the United states against 44 other countries. This year, the students were asked to put themselves in the shoes of an international marketing director for Kiehl’s and design a product for the company’s men’s line. The NYU team designed a “Mr. Ready” kit, a small package filled with hair-care products for men to quickly freshen up in a hurry. The kit could ideally be purchased in a robot dispenser outside of Kiehl’s locations or in other spots throughout the city. “Most [men] don’t really care about using facial lotion or mud masks, but every guy cares about their hair, no matter what,” Sun said. Sumita Banerjee, L’Oreal’s vice president for talent recruitment, said the company uses the competition as a fun way to have students involvement, and it is often used for recruitment. “Recruiting of junior talents into the organization is a key aspect of our strategy, so we believe that the future pipeline comes from the students we are hiring from undergrad and MBA today,” Banerjee said. While this year’s team did not win the competition, the NYU team won Brandstorm in 2012, setting a precedent for NYU’s success in the competition. This year’s NYU team
Free speech vital to students
By JOHN AMBROSIO
WARD PETTIBONE/WSN
Students raise money for cancer research through fashion show. The Asian Cultural Union’s show featured notable designers and musical acts. The proceeds from the event went to the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention.
BANGLADESH continued on PG. 3
STORY ON PAGE 5
Initiative breaks down aid barriers By BAILEY EVANS
High school students at various New York City schools can now have extra guidance on the daunting process of applying for financial aid for college thanks to Knowledge Access Initiative. KAI, a startup founded by CAS senior Faria Mardhani and CAS junior Kathleen McClure, provides intensive financial aid workshops, one-on-one mentoring and online resources for high school students applying to college. “We learned throughout the process of meeting with college counselors and students that students don’t get a lot of face-to-face time with their col-
Bangladeshi garment worker Aklima Khanam shared her account of the Rana Plaza factory collapse of April 2013, which killed 1,100 Bangladeshi factory workers, with the NYU community on April 11. “We heard that the factory was collapsing and we didn’t want to enter, the management told us that they wouldn’t pay wages if we didn’t go into the factory, and then the management became physically abusive,” Khanam said. “The roof collapsed on machines and the machines crushed me. A male worker next to me was killed by the machines collapsing.” In a presentation at the Kimmel Center for University Life, the Student Labor Action Movement, Khanam and other Bangladeshi labor advocates called for NYU to cut its ties with JanSport in order to compel its parent company, the VF Corporation, to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in light of this tragedy. “We’re trying to get corporations that operate in Bangladesh
lege counselors, and they need supplemental help applying for financial aid,” Mardhani said. “That’s why we decided to specialize in financial aid — it’s the primary barrier to attending college for low-income students.” The financial aid workshops take into account the school’s student-to-counselor ratio, student-to-teacher ratio, FAFSA completion rates and the number of students who qualify for free and reduced-price lunch. “At every school we’ve worked in, there have been amazing, highly dedicated counselors who are involved, passionate and truly
KNOWLEDGE cont’d. on PG. 4
Men’s volleyball sees defeat at UVC By MICHELLE TRAN
The men’s volleyball team ended its season in a crushing loss to the second-ranked New Paltz Hawks in the United Volleyball Conference tournament held at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y., on April 12. The team held a conference record of just 5-6 and an overall record of 18-11. Before making it into the championship game on Sunday, the men’s team had been on a winning streak, beating Ramapo College in a 3-1 victory last Wednesday and then going on to sweep Nazareth College in a 3-0 victory Saturday morning.
NYU advanced to the semifinals where they faced Elmira College in a tight game that extended to five sets. Having won the first set 25-23, the Violets gave up their next two sets to Elmira, 25-18 and 38-36. Even though they were down, the Violets rallied and took the next two sets in a close victory over the Soaring Eagles. Despite their loss in the ensuing championship, the Violets showed true grit, having entered the tournament at a low eighth seed ranking. Stern senior Connor Mortland, a setter for the team,
VOLLEYBALL cont’d. on PG. 8
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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A DAY AT THE BEACH
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This series is your typical day at the beach. My family decided to take a spontaneous trip down to North Carolina for spring break, so I took the opportunity to snap some pictures. My mother actually helped me with finding different sea creatures on the beach. We found seahorses, little crabs and endless amounts of shells. All in all, it was a very memorable trip filled with good old family bonding time. — AVITAL GLIBICKY
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TODAY ON CAMPUS Chat with Sexton The NYU Student Senators Council is hosting a town hall meeting for students to chat with NYU President John Sexton. The event is in the Kimmel Center for University Life and begins at 3:30 p.m.
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EMMA HOWCROFT, AMY LU, ANA SCHULER, BENJAMIN SWINEHART, JESSICA TIEN
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
Ally Week The kickoff for NYU Ally Week — a week dedicated to those who advocate for minorities and marginalized groups — will take place at Kimmel at 6 p.m.
Sex Education Two girls cool off after a hot day in the Dominican Republic.
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History professor Jonathan Zimmerman will discuss his new research on sex education in an international perspective at a luncheon. The event will be in Kimball Hall at noon. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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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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GSAS hosts thesis challenge By SCOTT MULLEN
Twelve graduate students from NYU’s Graduate College of Arts and Science presented their theses to an audience and a panel of faculty judges on April 12, each in less than three minutes. Competing in the Threesis Academic Challenge, the students had to present in language that is accessible to a layperson and only use one presentation slide. The challenge took place in the Eisner & Lubin Auditorium at the Kimmel Center for University Life. Director of the Master’s College at GSAS and one of the organizers of the event David Giovanella commended the students for their bravery. “There’s no way, when I was doing my graduate work, would I have done this,” Giovanella said. “So my heart and soul goes out to them.” The competition is organized into stages that narrow the field to 12 finalists who each receive $300 from their department or program. This year, the challenge drew 164 applicants from almost all of the departments and programs at GSAS. Of these, 84 moved into to the mentoring stage, 67 continued into the next round and 56 participated in the semifinal round, which took place on April 11. The finalists were selected from this group based on three criteria: expertise in their respective fields, the ability to communicate clearly in accessible language and the ability to give an engaging presentation. The presentations given at the event covered a wide range of research subjects, including dental implants, workplace discrimination against lesbian women, the effects of World War II on modern literature and DNA alteration. The 12 finalists were Allison Collins and Elizabeth Crawford from the Draper Interdisciplinary Program in Humanities and
‘Genius’ fellowship winner joins staff By MARIYA KARCELOVA
SHAWN PAIK/WSN
Students display their theses on boxes in the competition. Social Thought, Shashank Gandhi and Sara Storer from the biology department, Sarah Harris from the German department, Emma Mishel from the applied quantitative research program, Grace Pan from the environmental health sciences program, Hannah Puckett from the European and Mediterranean studies department, Jennifer Scofield from the museum studies department, Tom Sercu from the data science program, Caroline Song from the bioethics department and Zhiyang Yu from the mathematics in finance program. After the presentations, awards were given for first place, second place and audience choice. The second place prize of $750 was awarded to Yu for his presentation on trends in the stock market. The first place prize and the audience choice award both went to Harris for her presentation on automatons in literature. She received $750 for audience
choice and $1000 for first place from GSAS. Harris said she plans to use the money to fund her continuing studies in Germany this summer. “This is amazing,” Harris said at a reception held after the event. “I got to participate, I got to talk about something that I really enjoy talking about, that normally people don’t want to listen to.” Marit Coyman-Mykelbust, a museum studies master’s student who participated in the early stages of the competition said the skills students learn from this competition are beneficial. “To condense it into three minutes is really hard, but it makes you think of your research in a really different way,” CoymanMykelbust said. “Making you use language that anyone can understand was a really great exercise.” Scott Mullen is a deputy news editor. Email him at smullen@nyunews.com.
Elodie Ghedin, winner of a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship, has joined NYU’s biology department. Additionally, Ghedin will become a member of NYU’s Global Institute of Public Health and the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology as a biomedical researcher. The MacArthur Foundation Fellowship is awarded to individuals who are exceptional, creative and original in their fields. Fellows receive $625,000 quarterly over the course of five years. Ghedin’s research focuses on studying human pathogens through a multidisciplinary approach. Her research includes the implications and development of viruses such as influenza and HIV. Prior to joining NYU, Ghedin taught at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. The university announced that Ghedin was joining NYU on April 8. Ghedin expressed enthusiasm about joining the community. “NYU has always been one of these places that I admired but never really thought I would join,” Ghedin said. Biology professor Jane Carlton met Ghedin when they both worked at the National Institutes of Health. Carlton said Ghedin brings more than just her expertise to NYU. “Professor Ghedin brings a positive and enthusiastic vibe to the NYU community,” Carlton said. “Since she is a joint appointment between NYU Biology and NYU Global Institute of Public Health, she provides a bridge between the principles of biology and their application in public health, an
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Elodie Ghedin will become a biomedical researcher at NYU. important connection.” Biology professor Edo Kussell said his research interests are similar to Ghedin’s, and he is excited to work with her in the future. “Her work on viral genomics is a whole new direction in our department,” Kussel said. “Thinking about viral evolution is exciting for me, since much of my work is on the theory of evolving populations.” Ghedin said she has had a smooth transition into the NYU community. “In my home department and in the Global Institute of Public Health, people have been very warm and welcoming,” Ghedin said. In the future, Ghedin said she plans to continue her research on the genomics of infectious agents like parasitic worms and viruses, as well as characterizing how they interact with their hosts. But she said she most anticipates working with students. “I am looking forward to getting to know better this next generation of scientists,” Ghedin said. Mariya Karcelova is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
BANGLADESH continued from PG. 1
BRANDSTORM continued from PG. 1
L’Oréal’s annual Brandstorm competition welcomes back NYU
said it felt a sense of school spirit in the competition because of the university’s past success. “There’s definitely school pride,” Hong said. “They greet us as ‘reigning champs’ but this is technically our first year.” NYU also has a longstanding relationship with L’Oréal, Banerjee said. “NYU has been a partner for a really long time and the relationship between NYU and L’Oréal is very special because we have had some fantastic talents come from NYU not just in marketing, but also in sales, finance, engineering [and] the digital area,” Banerjee said. Sheng said he learned a lot from the competition because, as a finance major, he has less experience in marketing. “I hope that everything I have learned here I can apply to my job later on,” Sheng said.
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COURTESY OF L’OREAL
Fanny Sun, Jackson Sheng and Kathy Hong competed at the event. “[You’re not just doing] what you do normally and what the mold has for you, but you’re going out of your comfort zone and trying something different.” Larson Binzer is a deputy news editor. Email her at lbinzer@nyunews.com.
Garment worker recounts Rana Plaza tragedy
to sign onto an agreement that would legally bind them to protect workers,” GLS freshman Cristian Rosa, a SLAM member, said. “We need workers and students working together.” The accord, which was created by Bangladeshi garment workers, asks for independent investigators to regularly inspect Bangladeshi factories. Rosa said this agreement is crucial for creating safe working conditions in Bangladeshi factories. The Rana Plaza factory is not owned by the VF Corporation. Yet Khanam and Bangladeshi union leader Aleya Akter said the accident is emblematic of the substandard conditions of many Bangladeshi factories. Akter criticized the VF Corporation, which owns 91 factories in Bangladesh, for not signing the accord. However, VF Corporation spokesperson Caroline Cross-
lin said the VF Corporation is a founding member of a similar agreement, the alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, which she said holds the VF Corporation to an even higher standard than the accord. “We feel that we were able to make progress much more quickly and efficiently with the alliance,” Crosslin said. “It’s really essential that this issue not be viewed as a competition between groups. We’re all committed to the same goal: creating safe working conditions in Bangladesh.” Crosslin said the core code, the safety protocol used by the alliance and the accord to grade factory safety standards, was established by the alliance and is now used in inspections of factories owned by members of both the alliance and the accord. But Akter said the VF Alliance is not what Khanam and the Ban-
gladeshi union wants and does not go far enough to ensure safe working conditions. “If the VF Corporation signs up for the accord, then by all means continue working with JanSport, but if VF doesn’t sign up for the accord, then we want your university to cut ties with JanSport because what will happen in these 100 factories that VF owns in Bangladesh there will be another Rana Plaza, another Tazreen,” Akter said. At the end of their presentation, Akter called on NYU students to put pressure on JanSport and the VF Corporation. “So we’re continuing to organize, and we want to know, are you going to stand with us?” Akter said. John Ambrosio is a staff writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COMW
FEATURES
EDITED BY BRYNA SHUMAN FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? is important for me to carry documents such as emergency contact lists, release forms, packing lists and performance schedules,” Brown said. Brown makes sure the team stays together and is on top of where they need to be. Because of the size of the national competition, it is imperative that the team stays together, which also allows them to use mat space more efficiently.
By SE WON PARK CAS senior Courtenay Brown, an aspiring journalist, is one of NYU’s cheerleading captains. Despite having an academic schedule packed with broadcast journalism and Africana and Latino studies, Brown manages to leave room to participate in athletics. Brown has cheered throughout her four years at NYU and attended the annual NCA National Championship in Daytona Beach, Fla., last week. For the championship, 19 cheerleaders competed against collegiate teams from all over the country. Out of the 10 teams, the University of Michigan ultimately took first place, with NYU’s team coming in ninth. Brown shared which essentials she carried in her backpack for the competition.
scrapes herself or falls during a run through. As a captain, Brown said it is her responsibility to make sure all the athletes are prepared before performing stunts and tumbling on the mat.
Teddy Bear
Makeup and Hair Pouch Brown packs her bag with purple eyeshadow, red lipstick, cans of hairspray and a lot of bobby pins. In cheerleading competitions, appearance is a crucial aspect of performance and is a huge factor in the team’s score. It is important that the team carries these products at all times to touch up throughout the day, especially right before performing. During constant practice and rehearsals in the moments before the final performance, the team’s makeup easily becomes ruined and must be reapplied.
Folder and Itinerary “Because our administrator splits between dance and cheer when we are at nationals, it
KNOWLEDGE continued from PG. 1
Student startup helps college applicants with financial aid
care about their students,” McClure said. “It’s simply that there is only one of them and hundreds of students. It’s impossible for them to provide individualized guidance.” While many organizations tackle education inequality and college access, KAI looks at specific, tangible solutions to the problems that many low-income students face. CAS freshman Ryan Thomas, KAI’s director of communications, said KAI has witnessed the problem up close. “We can see that the need is there,” Thomas said. “When we’ve gone into these schools and spoken with college counselors and their students, we find that students need supplementary assistance in completing their applications.” KAI holds workshops during the school day, providing one-onone lessons on filling out financial aid and scholarship forms as well as interactive workshops. One of KAI’s goals is to avoid being self-selecting, so students from all backgrounds have access to the necessary information. “During FAFSA, TAP and scholarship completion days, we actually sit down with each student and parent and provide one to two hours of individualized guidance,” Mardhani said. “That’s one of the reasons we chose to focus solely on financial aid. There are so many applications associated with it even beyond the FAFSA and
A weekly feature that shares the contents of a student’s bag.
TAP, like the scholarships that are specific to [New York City] and lowincome students, that we’re trying to specialize in also.” KAI is one of two finalists in NYU’s Reynold’s Change Maker Challenge, a competition that helps NYU students develop their programs to bring about sustainable and social change. The grand prize winner will be announced in late April. CAS junior Srishti Nath, a workshop leader and evaluation/program analyst, said the Change Maker Challenge works closely with the participants. “One of the really great things about the [Change Maker Challenge] is they don’t just give you materials and expect great results, they nurture you,” Nath said. “It’s very welcoming and people genuinely want others to succeed.” Since NYU is an expensive university, many of the KAI leaders have personal reasons for helping other students obtain financial aid. “I wanted to join as a student whose financial aid makes it possible to attend such a prestigious institution,” Thomas said. “I think it’s really important that we use the skills and knowledge we have from our own experiences to help students find the resources that will make college accessible.” Bailey Evans is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
SE WON PARWK FOR WSN
Cheerleaders need to be prepared for last-minute emergencies. Tape and Brace Brown’s backpack is also filled with different tapes and multiple ankle braces in case there are any last-minute injuries or
W HO O T By DANA RESZUTEK
one of the cheerleaders needs an ankle or wrist wrapped. Brown also carries an extensive medical kit in the event that a member of the team
Although not an essential item for cheer competitions, Brown carries a teddy bear adorned with various badges and key chains. Brown said her favorite badge is the one that says, “One Step at a Time.” She said this phrase motivates her to push through a tough day at practice. Ever since her freshman year, Brown has carried the bear with her to practices and competitions. “I received this when I started cheerleading at NYU,” Brown said. “This is my good luck teddy bear. A teammate’s mom got this for us and this was the year we made it to finals. It’s filled with great memories.” Se Won Park is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Go green for Earth Day on, around campus
ket to keep the area clean. Finish your picnic with a green tea cupcake from Crumbs, the store’s special Earth Day flavor, to help raise awareness of its goals to use local ingredients and reduce their overall carbon footprint ($3.75). Be sure to throw out any waste in a trash bin and recycle glass, plastic and paper.
Spring is now in full bloom, and there is no better day to spend outdoors than Earth Day. April 22 marks this national holiday dedicated to raising awareness about one’s carbon footprint and the importance of sustainability. Here are some of the best ways to spend Earth Day in an eco-friendly manner.
Volunteering
Earth Day Festivities Become involved with NYU Earth Day events or events held near campus. Earth Day New York is hosting a day-long event from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Union Square. This family-friendly event will host a variety of organizations and activities such as an evening concert. 5j Barrow and Echo Bloom are among the bands performing in Union Square. There will also be opportunities to recycle clothing and electronics. Many exhibits and booths will give out ecofriendly samples. NYU is hosting school and local green organizations at their Earth Day Street Fair, which will be held at LaGuardia Place between Bobst Library and the Kimmel Center for University Life from noon to 5 p.m. From food to eco-friendly, solar-powered music, this fair is sure to be enjoyable and informative.
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
An activist dressed up like a panda for Earth Day New York. Food/Picnic Spend the day enjoying the spring weather with an Earth Day picnic. Before heading to your favorite park, stop by the local eateries that will provide special Earth Day discounts and deals. Grab a picnic-box sandwich from ’wichcraft, where $1 of each order will go toward Earth Day New York’s environmental-awareness efforts. For a discount on your daily dose of caffeine, bring a reusable mug to Starbucks for a free cup of coffee, iced coffee or tea. Head over to Washington Square Park and find some green space for you and your friends to enjoy. Bring your own towel and blan-
Perhaps the best way to honor Earth Day is by volunteering. Many organizations are hosting public volunteer events throughout the week of Earth Day. The Student Conservation Association is hosting a volunteer day at Hudson River Park on April 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will focus on planting, weeding and mulching the Habitat Gardens at the park. Only plants native to the area will be used in efforts to replenish the natural environment of Hudson River Park. For more volunteering opportunities year-round, check out local organizations such as NYC Parks, MillionTreesNYC or Build it Green! NYC. After all, it is important to remain environmentally conscious more than just one day a year. Dana Reszutek is beauty/style editor. Email her at dreszutek@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY BRYNA SHUMAN FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Vendors gather at Smorgasburg By KARI SONDE
Brooklyn’s popular outdoor food market Smorgasburg has reopened for the summer season. Located in Williamsburg, Smorgasburg is a smorgasbord of unique and interesting foods, highlighting the best that New York City has to offer. “[Smorgasburg] is always looking for uniqueness, something that’s homemade,” said John Chadwell, co-owner of Bee Hive Oven. “I think they’re looking for authenticity in the food so that it’s well made.” Bee Hive Oven, one of the vendors at Smorgasburg, specializes in homemade and authentic food. The company sells old fashioned, heritage buttermilk biscuits, which are sold alone as well as in biscuit sandwiches, stuffed with ham and brie or fried chicken. Jesse Goldman, a partner at Alchemy Creamery, said the best thing about Smorgaburg is the variety. “Smorgasburg has this ‘no competition clause’ as part of their contracts, so everybody that’s here makes their own unique thing,” Goldman said. Alchemy Creamery makes natural, dairy-free ice cream using hazelnut, almond and coconut milk blends. Alchemy’s push-pop magic wands with their signature ice creams and cookie crumbs make for a delicious treat on a hot day. There is a strict selection process for vendors. Adriana Troli, the executive pastry chef of Vendôme Macaron, said Smorgasburg organizers will do a thorough review of food vendors before they are invited to the market. “[That way] it’s the best products you can find,” Troli said. Vendôme Macaron sells sweet macarons in a variety of bright colors and unique flavors, including strawberries and champagne, Tahitian vanilla and Sorrento lemon. Part of the intrigue for many of these food stands comes from of-
Students strut, give back at fashion show By BENNY SEDA GALARZA
CICI CHEN FOR WSN
Visitors have many food vendors to choose from at Smorgasburg. fering delicacies that have not been heard of before. Matt Swanston, founder of Gooey & Co., said it is all in the name of the product. “I just thought, what New Yorker wouldn’t want to try [something] called gooey butter cake?” Swanston said. Gooey butter cake, a classic dessert from St. Louis, is a delicious butter cake with a sweet, gooey topping. Gooey & Co. offers a classic original recipe as well as chocolate, maple carrot cake and banana cake. The event creates a community for vendors to share their food and ideas with one another. “We’ve done partnerships with other companies here because of [Smorgasburg],” Goldman said. “They’re really supportive of the people that they take in, and they really encourage you to come up with new things.” Smorgasburg attendees have
over 125 vendors to choose from. Gallatin freshman Morgan Noll said the amount of options can be overwhelming. “There’s so many new things to try,” Noll said as she dove into an Alchemy treat. “A lot of these products, you won’t find anywhere else.” However, with the large number of vendors and the high quality of the food being sold, a day at Smorgasburg can easily burn a hole in your wallet, as incoming freshman Saaniya Ali said. “I just wish it weren’t so expensive,” Ali said. “I have to keep a strict budget whenever I come here.” Smorgaburg is open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at East River State Park and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 5. Kari Sonde is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Dancing lights and electronic music filled Kimmel Center for University Life as a diverse group of people celebrated the Asian Cultural Union’s 31st annual fashion and benefit gala. The show was titled “Asian Cultural Expressions: ECHO” and took place on April 11. ACU allowed people to give back to the community by donating the proceeds from the event to the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention. The show’s fashion presentations featured collections from brands such as Superdry, Zoa Limited, Pull-in, Maison Jules, Spectre & Co., Dahlia Boutique, Carson Street Clothiers and Artisan de Luxe, among others. Outfits included cocktail dresses with metallic textiles, silky jumpsuits and casual short dresses. The collections featured black-and-white color combinations in addition to vivid hues such as bright pink and yellow mixed with shades of blue. Floral prints proved a musthave for this season and were printed on everything from shorts and shirts to sunglasses. For the men, tailored classic suits in gray with pops of color in pink, blue and green were popular. The best way to accent these pops are with print socks, bandanas or ties. The military jacket with pastry color boardshorts and a pair of comfortable sneakers presented cool and casual looks. Key pieces included seethrough fabrics and loose garments, which are an excellent way to stay fashionably fresh during the spring. Additionally, pant-
WARD PETTIBONE/WSN
The fashion show featured designer clothing. suits proved to be a great way to maintain comfortable without compromising style. During the show there were captivating performances by rapper AWKWAFINA and the audience-pleaser Dumbfoundead. Many of the sponsors gave away coupons and raffles to members of the crowd. CAS junior Jessica Shoo said she appreciated the event’s purpose. “I found it wonderful the way students united for a beautiful cause and their ideas for an organized event,” Shoo said. Steinhardt freshman Jonathan Tsou said he was surprised by the fashion show. “From the models to the clothing and also the staff, everything was very professional and well put together,” Tsou said. The crowd applauded as the ACE team took their bows, marking the end of a successful evening and signalling a sure continuation of their charitable tradition. Benny Seda Galarza is a contributing writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.
Summer Storage Guide: Start making moves early
By BAILEY EVANS Given the small size of the average dorm room, the amount of items college students can accumulate is fairly shocking, which can become a problem when students have to clear out their dorm rooms for the summer. Storage options all across the city can help students who do not feel like struggling to take many boxes of belongings home only to bring them back three months later. A huge part of finding the right storage space has to do with how much you need to bring home. For students who are mostly storing small belongings or folded clothes, services like Boxbee or MakeSpace are good options. Boxbee stores student belongings in sturdy plas-
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tic boxes with a flat fee of $27 for the entire summer and will pick up and deliver the boxes to your dorm or apartment, free of charge. MakeSpace offers NYU students a $25-storage bin for a three-month period, including pick up and delivery fees to and from your dorm. MakeSpace’s delivery team will also help carry bins in and out of your dorm room, relieving you of the heavy lifting. The flat fee makes this company less expensive, and the pick up and delivery aspect helps relieve stress during finals. With so many hassle-free options available, students should avoid some of the bigger-name storage companies that often have hidden fees and inconvenient storage locations. Some storage companies will ad-
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Boxbee is a popular storage option for students. vertise a low rate of $29 per month, but actually require at
least a six-month commitment to receive this low rate. If you will be using the storage space for less than that time, the price can skyrocket. Often, you will also have to move your own belongings or use an expensive moving service. When choosing where to store your items over the summer, always research beforehand and be sure to read the fine print — you do not want to be surprised by an expensive bill when you come back in the fall. There are a few simple guidelines that students should follow when it comes to deciding what to bring home and what to put in storage. Generally, the best question to ask yourself is if you will use it at least three times over the summer. If not, skip packing it and just put it in
storage. You will want to store the really heavy winter items such as coats and snow boots as well. You should also store general dorm room items that you have readily available at home including mini-fridges, microwaves, kitchen supplies and dishes, towels and bedding. Wash fabrics before storing them, but make sure they are fully dry to prevent mildew. Remember, college students all across the city will soon be looking for places to store their items this summer. Although the end of the semester still seems far away, storage space can fill up, so it is a good idea to start making plans now. Bailey Evans is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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34 With 30-Across, black writing fluid 36 Extra energy 6 Geishas’ sashes 39 Mel of the Giants 10 Amo, amas, ___ 40 Handyman’s tote 42 Stooge with 14 Nicholas Gage bangs memoir 43 Big laughs 15 Speedy 16 Coin with F.D.R.’s 45 With magnanimity image 46 Muff one 17 One-by-one formation, as in 47 Stately shaders walking 49 Turf 19 Similar (to) 50 Vicinity 20 Sushi fish 51 “Swan Lake” and 21 Perfect diving others score 54 Skill needed 22 Briefest of kisses when being asked “Does this 23 “Rule, Britannia” dress make me composer look fat?” 25 “Yeah? Try and 56 Barely got, with do better!” “out” 27 It stinks 57 Marker in a 30 See 34-Across poker pot 32 Latina lass: Abbr. 59 Bing competitor 33 Solo of “Star 63 One way to Wars” record a show 1 Mr. ___ (handyman)
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64 Manicurist’s target 66 Bygone British gun 67 Toss, as a coin 68 Belly button 69 New Haven school 70 Concordes 71 Goes downhill in the winter DOWN 1 Admit, with “up” 2 Nastase of tennis 3 TV’s Warrior Princess 4 Engaged, as a transmission 5 Flooring installer 6 Insect repellent brand 7 Worm on a hook, e.g. 8 Spot of land in the ocean 9 Dictation takers of years past 10 Get comfortable with, as new conditions 11 Spillane detective 12 ___ curiae (friends of the court) 13 Marathon warm-up races 18 Pacific weather phenomenon 24 ___ a happy note 26 Authorized substitute 27 “I almost forgot …!” 28 Numerical info 29 Honest
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31 Weights of some contraband
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50 Lacking a key, musically
35 Monk’s superior 37 Skin opening
51 Ross the flagmaker
38 Wife of Zeus
52 Large Japanese dog
41 The golden years
53 Dirties
44 “There, finished!” 55 Foot woes
58 Condo, e.g. 60 Donated 61 Didn’t tell the truth 62 Right-angle bends 65 Auto accessory often mounted on the windshield, for short
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
HARRY’S TAKE STAFF EDITORIAL
Foreign aid should be redefined
By HARRY BROWN
After two years of declining world aid, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development released new figures on April 8 demonstrating that aid had reached a record high in 2013 and increased by over 6.1 percent. In the face of what appears to be a gratifying headline, beneath the surface lies a far more depressing state of affairs. Despite aid increasing globally, aid to Africa fell by over 5.6 percent last year. In the least-developed countries, aid has been falling sharply with accounting tricks by developed nations which misreport the facts of global aid donations. More must be done in unstable political, economic and social climates to ensure that aid reaches those most at risk. While many people in developed nations may think the majority of foreign aid goes to Africa, they would be wrong. A study conducted by The Guardian found that over $20 million in aid from the United Kingdom was used to launch a media campaign throughout the United Kingdom to increase public support for global aid
donations. The fact that this course of events took place is not blameworthy, yet the money should not have been labeled as aid. The rules governing what constitutes aid are very broad, allowing governments across developed nations to misrepresent their donations. What appears to be a technically lenient definition is having a realworld effect, harming the world’s poorest. With 450 million people still living in absolute poverty, living on less than $1.25 a day, U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations are struggling to meet demand. Developed nations are not ensuring that they honor their funding pledges with domestic policies trumping humanitarian concerns. Syria, which is suffering from a devastating civil war as well as a severe drought and record-low
harvest, has been bearing the brunt of this inaction. The World Food program, which is facing a severe budget deficit, has had to cut the size of its food parcels by one-fifth to ensure that they can meet the growing demand. Next week in Mexico, the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, an organization of 161 nations with the limited focus to improve development cooperation, will meet for their first high-level meeting of 2014. With its limited area of policy focus, the GPEDC must be utilized by developed nations to honestly reassess their aid policies. The organization must also break down the red tape and slipshod policies that allow member states to renege on their aid promises. The United States, which is the largest aid donor in the world, must take the first step at addressing the duality of aid increasing globally and the poorest nations continuing to receive less. Harry Brown is a staff columnist. Harry’s Take is published every Monday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
CHRISTINA’S CASE
University policies must reflect free speech By CHRISTINA COLEBURN
The Virginia Community College System will suspend its restrictive student demonstrations policy following a lawsuit that was filed by Christian Parks, a student at Thomas Nelson Community College. Both the VCCS and Parks’ legal team requested that a federal judge put the case on hold until May while negotiations ensue. This action comes after a series of successful challenges to free speech zones on college campuses. Courts have invalidated free speech zones on several public universities in recent years, ruling that such restrictions infringe on students’ First Amendment rights. Earlier this month, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed legislation to limit public universities’ restrictions on student expression. Policies that violate students’ First Amendment rights are not exclusive to the VCCS. The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a nonprofit that works to sustain individual rights at universities, estimates that one in six of America’s 400 top colleges have free speech zones. Students have used these zones for a range of
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social and political causes — from concealed carry to LGBT expression to sexual innuendos. Infringements on free speech should be addressed with utmost gravity. This is especially true for college students and faculty members who are subject to standards delineated by their institutions. While there may be legal consequences for libel, fighting words and other standards established by the Supreme Court, universities must adhere to First Amendment protections. According to FIRE, NYU is a red light university, meaning that our school has at least one policy that “clearly and substantially” restricts free speech. While FIRE maintains that our harassment, bullying and computer policies may need to be assessed, the organization also notes other policies — pertaining to student conduct and dissent — that merit the green light distinction. This assessment is
largely fair. NYU students have protested the administration both in person and through the press. In addition, WSN has helped facilitate a number of the most fervent debates. While some NYU policies may require review, our school fares better than most, particularly in terms of student opposition. Individuals can assess the extent to which society values freedom of speech by observing how it addresses the speech it most vehemently disagrees with. The American Civil Liberties Union poignantly captures this sentiment in its 1994 response to hate speech on college campuses. The ACLU asserts that the best way to combat such communication is to amplify one’s voice, not silence an opponent’s — even in the face of unpopular speech. Although universities are at liberty to create institutional policies, they must be cognizant of students’ First Amendment protections. Enrolling in college should not equate to abdicating freedom of speech. Christina Coleburn is a deputy opinion editor. Christina’s Case is published every Monday. Email her at ccoleburn@nyunews.com.
New York City arts education under siege
The Office of the New York City Comptroller recently released a report detailing the inadequacy of arts education provided for students living in the five boroughs. The State of the Arts report included shockingly low figures for the presence of art rooms, partnerships with arts organizations and full- or part-time certified arts teachers in city high, middle and elementary schools. The Department of Education documented a 47-percent decline in spending for arts and cultural education over the past seven years. New York City has always been celebrated as a hub of artistic expression, and if it is to remain so, the city needs to promote expansion of shrinking arts programs by ensuring that funds are allocated to securing arts partnerships and qualified arts teachers in public schools. The report’s executive summary begins with a conclusion: “The provision of arts education in New York City’s public schools has become both inequitable and underfunded.” Weakened by a decade of “disinvestment and disincentive,” art is the first thing to go from struggling city schools. The report’s school-by-school breakdown found that 28 percent of schools in the city lack even one full-time arts teacher, placing these schools in direct violation with New York State law that establishes minimum instruction requirements for the arts. Worse still, the reduction of availability of arts education has fallen disproportionately in low-income neighborhoods — areas whose students have more to gain from the enrichment that music, dance and hands-on learning can provide. Given the budget cuts that have consistently put arts education in public schools under siege, those who are committed to bettering school systems should immediately devise solutions to compensate for this inadequacy. Some parents have chosen to enroll their children in outside programs, including after-school programs at local organizations and private lessons. However, a select number of parents placing their children in arts classes cannot be considered a sustainable solution. Not all families can afford this luxury, whether in time or finances. Communities must band together to create advocacy plans to restore art, music and drama in schools. The Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network has already recommended this tactic. Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina both share a conviction for equity in education. If they are to act upon this conviction, they must ensure that every child in the city receives the education that is guaranteed to them by state law. The arts can no longer be seen as expendable.
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 14, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Knicks miss NBA Championship By CHARLES SURRETTE
When the Indiana Pacers acquired forwards Luis Scola and Chris Copeland following their Game seven loss to eventual NBA champion Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals, they appeared poised to once again challenge Miami for a trip to the NBA’s championship series in 2014. Early in the season, they appeared ready to do just that. Paul George began playing the best basketball of his young career, and whispers were heard around the NBA of a new MVP to dethrone LeBron James. The Pacers rocketed to a 33-7 start to their 2014 campaign and were 40-12 at the All-Star break in February with no one in the Eastern Conference standing in their way. However Indiana has gone only 15-14 since All-Star weekend. The team is plagued by locker room infighting following the controversial cutting of franchise stalwart Danny Granger in favor of former Philadelphia 76er Evan Turner. With the postseason fast approaching, the Pacers are far from the favorites to hoist the O’Brien Trophy in June as long as on-court chemistry eludes them. With George looking vulnerable, the Heat may seize the opportunity to make yet an-
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C.J. Watson of the Indiana Pacers on the court. other trip to the Finals, hoping to become the first team since Larry Bird’s Boston Celtics to attain four straight conference championships. It will be hard to bet against LeBron James, surrounded by his core of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The Heat’s star power may just overwhelm the egalitarian Pacers. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs appear ready to meet in the Western Finals once again in a rematch of their 2012 meeting in which the Thunder emerged victorious in six games. Kevin Durant has emerged as the league’s leading
candidate for MVP, retaining his scoring title and remaking himself as a clutch player as well. With point guard Russell Westbrook finally healthy and Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins in the frontcourt, the Thunder will be bringing their own brand of firepower to the postseason. Meanwhile, the Spurs sport veteran leadership from battle-tested Tony Parker and ageless big man Tim Duncan. Despite being swept by the Thunder in the season series, the Spurs have shown time and time again that age is merely a number. Peaking at the right time, the Spurs appear almost unstoppable with a rematch against the Heat and a desire for revenge after last June’s Game Seven Loss in Miami looming on the horizon. Lost in the excitement of the playoffs are the teams already on vacation. For the first time in NBA history, the Celtics, Lakers and Knicks will all miss the postseason. This early ending has been especially troubling for New York who was initially a favorite to be the Atlantic Division champions. The Knicks and their beleaguered fan-base will be left to endure their 41st season without an NBA Championship. Charles Surrette is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
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VOLLEYBALL continued from PG. 1
Violets face off against New Paltz Hawks at championships, lose 3-0
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The Violets put up a strong fight against New Paltz. said making it to the UVC championship was an accomplishment in itself. “We have had an up-anddown season,” Mortland said. “But coming in as the eighth seed and beating the top seed and a very good team in Elmira has been very rewarding, and it feels great to finally get this far in the UVC tournament.” Mortland, a major contributor for the men’s 2014 volleyball season, explained the team’s tactical advantages going into the semi-final match. “Our main strengths were our passing and serving,” Mortland said. “We were able to keep Elmira from getting good swings in the fourth and fifth games and our passing allowed our offense to be effective.” In a sweeping 3-0 defeat to New Paltz, NYU claimed second place in the UVC conference tournament. Even with their
shaky season, the Violets were able to make it all the way to the UVC championships, shocking many within their conference. Multiple players stepped up during the tournament, including hitter Chase Klein, a Tisch freshman, and outside hitter Jacob Getz, a CAS freshman, which allowed the offense to succeed in the early stages of the tournament. For Mortland, the loss was exacerbated by the fact that this marks his final game for the team. “As a senior, it’s tough to see my volleyball career end, especially playing this sport for so long,” he said. “wWe’ve had major changes to our personnel over the last four years, but we have been able to make adjustments and put together successful seasons.” Michelle Tran is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
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HAPPY SPRING from the WSN staff