NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 38
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013
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Students, faculty discuss journalism school merits By TANAY HUDSON
Members of the media have been questioning the place of journalism graduate education as stepping stone to a journalism career. For instance, New York Times columnist David Carr recently called a journalism degree an “escalator to nowhere,” and Crain’s New York Business reported that between 2003 and 2012, Gannett Co., who owns several local newspapers, television channels and USA Today, cut more than 20,000 employees. Also, according to mediafinder. com, 23 magazines launched in the first quarter of this year, while 44 magazines were launched in the same period last year. New York City is home to a number of popular journalism schools including Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism and
NYU’s own journalism institute. Despite the decreased launch numbers, graduate programs are showing high success rates. NYU’s business and economic reporting program has a success rate well above 90 percent, and of CUNY’s 2011 class, 92 percent of the 85-person class in 2011 are employed full-time, freelancing or working at paid internships. NYU journalism professors argue that journalism is not declining, but rather shifting away from traditional platforms. “Journalism is going through a period of rapid technological change, but people still want to know what’s going on in the world,” said Meryl Gordon, director of magazine writing at the NYU journalism school. Gordon added that the magazine writing program at NYU has added videography and social media classes to enhance students’
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ‘TONIGHT SHOW’ PLANS MOVE TO NEW YORK CITY:
The late-night entertainment television show will come to the city in spring of 2014, over 40 years after it last filmed in the Empire State. GRAPHIC BY RACHEL KAPLAN
TONIGHT on PG. 3
REACH NEW HEIGHTS ON FLYING TRAPEZE:
Those daring enough can exercise their bodies and minds at trapeze and trampoline classes, like those offered by Trapeze School New York. COURTESY OF JASON KLEIN FOR TRAPEZE SCHOOL NEW YORK
FITNESS on PG. 4
FASHION DUO DAZZLES AT FIRST TRUNK SHOW:
The designers behind TILLYandWILLIAM featured versatile pieces at their first trunk show last week. Read our review at nyunews.com. COURTESY OF TILLYANDWILLIAM
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TECHNOLOGY IS PROGRESSING TOO RAPIDLY:
With the amount of reliance people place on high-tech devices, there is a lack of attention to the possible negative side effects. CICCONET on PG. 7
COURTESY OF THE GAZELLE.ORG
NYU Abu Dhabi Dragon Boat team glides through water Among the many offerings at NYU Abu Dhabi’s campus, the NYUAD Dragon Boat team competed in its final event of the season over the weekend. The team will continue to race next semester.
Behind the scenes of ‘Diamonds’: Clive Davis students reveal process By KRISTINA BOGOS
Tisch senior Rachel Kanner was riding a bus in the middle of the desert in Israel when she heard the news. Halfway around the world, fellow vocalist and Tisch freshman Sabrina Reitman was asked to leave a New York restaurant for being too theatrical. A few miles away, Tisch freshman Cari Fletcher left halfway through a Broadway show. The three were members of a group of 15 students from the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music and one from Hofstra University that competed against over 40 groups in a Universal Music on Campus contest to create a cover of Rihanna’s hit single, “Diamonds.” In early January, the NYU entry won first place. Their video, which currently boasts over 169,000 views on YouTube, caught the attention of Rihanna who is scheduled to visit NYU on April 23 to meet the winning group. “It’s amazing that an artist is coming and has recognized what we have been doing, but we just
did this in the beginning to represent our school,” said Tisch junior Hannah Gross, the group’s vocal director. “We just wanted to… have fun, really get into our artistry and get into our production skills and really showcase what our school has taught us.”
FROM FACEBOOK TO FAMILY For Hannah Babbit, Tisch junior and the video’s producer, social media was the perfect platform to spread the word about the contest. After posting on several NYU-affiliated Facebook pages, Babbit met with interested students. With pen and paper in hand, she organized schedules and asked each vocalist to do an impromptu audition. “It’s funny how you can be in such close quarters with somebody and not realize how freaking talented they are,” Babbit said of her fellow Clive Davis students. The group’s musical skills have been recognized not only within NYU, but also across the nation. Vocalist and Tisch freshman Sonali Argade was featured in her hometown newspaper in Florida. Even The Huffington Post and en-
tertainment guru Ryan Seacrest have acknowledged their success. The recognition, however, extends beyond the 16 students who participated in the project. “I felt like it made NYU closer and more tight-knit,” Reitman said. “The fact that you’re communicating with people you wouldn’t normally communicate with ... it’s something we all kind of bonded over.”
BEHIND THE SCENES The group filmed the video in and around Greenwich Village on a frigid, rainy day in December. Each vocalist recorded tracks in the studio a few days prior, and was given the creative freedom to select a spot around campus as their backdrop. Campus marks like the Washington Mews and the 8th Street subway stop appeared in the video. Video director Ryan Hutchins, a sophomore at Hofstra University and a film enthusiast who received his first camera at the age of nine, spent 15 to 20 hours over
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, APRIL 15, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
While you can grab a pint of Ben & Jerry’s or Häagen Dazs at any nearby Duane Reade, New York City offers a plethora of unique ice cream joints. Here are a few of our favorite odd but delicious spots.
SUNDAES AND CONES Sundaes and Cones, located on 10th Street between Third and Fourth Avenues, has a wide variety of delicious homemade ice cream flavors. Try their corn, black sesame, green tea or wasabi flavors. If you’re less adventurous, the shop also offers traditional flavors and an assortment of sorbets. As the name suggests, make any flavor into a sundae or have it on your choice of cone. BIG GAY ICE CREAM The first thing you’re likely to notice about Big Gay Ice Cream in the East Village is the enormous line that’s usually leading out the door. Don’t be discouraged — the ice cream is worth it. The flavors have quirky names such as Salty Pimp a delicious combination of vanilla ice cream, dulce de leche, sea salt and chocolate. Look out for the Big Gay Ice Cream truck this summer. LULA’S SWEET APOTHECARY It would seem that ice cream and vegans don’t always go together, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth at Lula’s Sweet Apothecary, a vegan ice cream shop on the Lower East Side. The sweet vegan treats at Lula’s are made daily on the premises and come in a variety of flavors. But it’s important to go early, because the shop only serves the ice cream until the batch sells out. MOMOFUKU MILK BAR Momofuku Milk Bar, located on 13th Street between Second and Third Avenues, is the place to visit if you’re searching for reminders of your childhood in ice cream form. A popular item is the cereal milk ice cream — vanilla soft-serve ice cream made from cereal milk and sprinkled with cereal flakes. The shop also offers a large selection of desserts other than ice cream, such as birthday cake truffles, compost cookies and crack pies.
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IN AND OF
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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.
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ABU DHABI EXPANDS COMMERCIAL SERVICES The Tourism Development Investment Company in Abu Dhabi announced the release of 38 commercial land plots on Saadiyat Marina District for sale. The new location for the NYU Abu Dhabi campus lies in the Saadiyat Marina District, and the students there will be able to use the new services the area will provide, such as retail outlets, commercial centers, entertainment facilities, educational institutions, hospitality and residential projects. Infrastructure and utilities work has already started. – GULFNEWS.COM
ANDREW KARPAN books/theater OLIVIA GEORGE film JEREMY GROSSMAN entertainment ALEX GREENBERGER music ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE the highlighter blog SAM RULLO features HELEN HOLMES, JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU beauty & style MICHELLE LIM dining ANGEL CHANG sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia REBECCA CLEMENTI, JOON LEE
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TOP FIVE COLLEGE MAJORS amNewYork recently reported the most popular majors at most of the New York City colleges, including NYU. Our top five are as follows: 1. Visual and Performing Arts 2. Social Sciences 3. Business/Marketing 4. Health Professions 5. Liberal Arts – AMNEWYORK
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HUGH JACKMAN STALKER ARRESTED Actor Hugh Jackman was working out in a gym in the West Village on Saturday morning when 47-year-old Kathleen Thurston rushed in and proclaimed her love for him. She then pulled out a razor filled with hair, threw it at him, and left the gym. She was arrested nearby and charged with stalking. – NBC NEW YORK TIMES SQUARE PROTEST AGAINST WAR CRIMES TRIBUNAL Thousands of immigrants and human rights advocates gathered in Times Square on Saturday to express their outrage over a war crimes tribunal taking place in Bangladesh which recently sentenced a Muslim leader, Abul Kalam “Bachchu” Azad, to death. Human rights officials say the tribunals have not followed correct procedure in their courts. – NY1
Lightning bolts brighten up the New York City skyline during an evening storm.
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9/11 MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM FEE STIRS CONTROVERSY For those hoping to reserve passes online or via their phones to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, a new fee has been put in place. Installed last month, those placing electronic reservations will incur a $2 fee. Family members of victims of 9/11 have spoken out against the fee, but the memorial’s website states that the fee is only meant to cover the costs of some current construction projects. Patrons can still visit the memorial on the World Trade Center site for free. – ABC NEWS
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MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Amy Zhang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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JOURNALISM continued from PG. 1
Degrees, graduate program costs questioned by journalism students
versatility and storytelling abilities. Perri Klass, the director of the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU, said a graduate degree in journalism is still useful today because it teaches valuable skills needed to work in such an evolving field. “We take a lot of time and trouble making sure that all of our students learn some of the digital and multimedia skills which people need to operate in the new journalism universe,” she said. Some students who have graduated from journalism schools find the programs beneficial because they help them network and make long-lasting connections. “I had no journalism experience before I went to journalism school. Not only did I learn the basics, I also made invaluable contacts that are still helping me to this day,” said Alyson Krueger, who graduated from NYU’s journalism school in 2011. Krueger has been published in The New York Times, Wired, The Village Voice and The Jewish Daily Forward. Also, although journalism schools like NYU’s journalism institute encourage internships and on-the-job experience, professors emphasize the importance of the classroom as a laboratory. “The wonderful thing about a graduate program is that you get to do everything
yourself and produce a major piece of journalism,” said Marcia Rock, director of NYU’s NewsDoc program. Students agree that the journalism school’s curriculum is field-based. “NYU’s program is very hands-on, which is important, because journalism is a hands-on profession,” said graduate student Anders Melin, a first-year graduate student in the business journalism program who is also pursuing an MBA. Melin admits that the academics can be difficult to manage on top of in-thefield experience. “It is frustrating and sometimes mentally draining to juggle everything, but I think it’s also crucial to master that way of working,” he said. Moreover, especially at NYU, a journalism degree can be a significant financial commitment. “I have a lot of friends who had thought about becoming journalists and going to journalism school, but economically it didn’t make any sense,” said Jenise Morgan, a first-year graduate student in NYU’s news and documentary program. “[But] I believe in making the investment,” Morgan said. Tanay Hudson is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
‘Tonight Show’ returns to New York By EMILY BELL
In the circus of late-night television, there is about to be a big swap. It was recently announced that Jimmy Fallon, who currently hosts “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” will be hosting “The Tonight Show” in spring 2014. Not only is there a hosting change, but the filming will return to New York City for the first time since 1972. “‘The Tonight Show’ will bring even more jobs and economic activity to our city, and we couldn’t be happier that one of New York’s own is bringing the show back to where it started and where it belongs,” New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a press release April 3. The Empire State Film Post Production tax credit was also recently expanded and given a five-year extension. The New York Daily News reported that “The Tonight Show” could receive the benefits of this tax credit, dubbed the “Jimmy Fallon tax credit.” In addition, the tax credit law would make shows that relocate to New York receive the credit. This change in credit laws presents some opportunities for independent filmmakers a chance to experiment — an exciting prospect for Tisch film students. “This new tax credit law is very exciting in that it encourages the growth and expansion of the independent film industry,” Tisch film freshman Christina O’Neil said. “They no longer have to heavily lean on huge production companies [like] the situation in Los Angeles.” NBC is also building Fallon a new studio. It is unknown who will take over his current position as host of “Late Night.” “On behalf of all New Yorkers, I am pleased to welcome ‘The Tonight Show’ back to its first home here in the Empire State,” New York City Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press release April 3. “As one of the longest running television shows
GRAPHIC BY RACHEL KAPLAN
Fallon will replace veteran TV personality Jay Leno on ‘Tonight.’ in American history, ‘The Tonight Show’ is an iconic production,” he said. According to Bloomberg’s press release, there has been a 30 percent increase over the course of the last decade of New Yorkers who work in television production. “I believe the film business brings in much revenue to New York,” said Frank Prinzi, an alumnus of NYU’s Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, and worked on the show “Law and Order” from 2001 to 2006. “It not only brings in jobs and supports vendors, but it also builds its tourism and helps build the image and magic of the city.” The band from “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” The Roots, will stay in New York with Fallon. One of its members, Questlove, is currently teaching a course at NYU. More recently, The New York Times also reported that NYU alumnus Alec Baldwin is being considered for a late-night show to replace “Last Call,” currently hosted by Carson Daly.
New York fast food workers protest minimum wage By TANAY HUDSON
Nearly 400 New York City fast food workers picked up picket signs to participate in one of the largest strikes in city history. The workers marched and chanted for an increased minimum wage, union rights and better treatment. The April 4 strike was an initiative by the Fast Food Forward Campaign. The organizers included New York Communities for Change, United NY and the Black Institute, and was backed by the Service Employees International Union. The workers’ campaign was also supported by community groups, clergy, elected officials and civic leaders. The number of participants in the recent protest doubled from the group’s first strike last November, which gathered 200 workers. The New York Communities for Change said they selected April 4 as the date of the strike because of its historical significance and relevance to the plight of fast food workers. On the same day in 1968 Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated during a visit to Memphis, Tenn., in support of striking sanitation workers. Though New York City’s minimum wage is already set to gradually increase to $9 over the next three years, workers say that that is not enough. Jonathan Westin, director of Fast Food Forward, said giving fast food workers a wage of $15 an hour and allowing them to establish a union would not only benefit the economy but will also help rebuild the middle class. “It’s a wage that will allow them to cover their basic needs and help lift our entire economy … the protection of a contract will prevent companies from the unlawful treatment and manipulation of hours that has come to define too many American jobs,” Westin said. Tim McIntyre, vice president of communications for Domino’s Pizza, said employees who participated in the strike were not penalized, as it was their right to protest. McIntyre said however, that they may be missing the bigger picture. “They have as much opportunity to grow within our system as anyone else. Because so many of our managers, supervisors, owners and other higher level peo-
ple in our company started in the stores, we are a company of opportunity. They have as much opportunity to grow as anyone else,” said McIntyre. Burger King media relations representatives also said their employees are provided with opportunities for growth within the economy. “Burger King restaurants offer compensation and benefits that are consistent with the [quick service restaurant] industry. In addition, through the Burger King McLAMORE Foundation, all Burger King employees and their families are eligible for college scholarships to encourage further growth and education,” a representative said in an email. Westin said the fast food industry is lucrative, and can afford to give their employees more financial backing, but employers choose not to. “The fastest growing jobs in the United States are also the lowest paid,” Westin said. “Fast food workers are paid between $10,000 and $18,000 each year, less than half what it costs to support a family in our city ... McDonald’s and Burger King are part of a $200 billion industry. They should pay their hard-working employees enough to cover the necessities and support their families.” Westin said that workers will continue to campaign and strike until fast food employers give them the wages they need to support themselves and their families. “Fast food workers are not paid enough to afford basic needs like food, clothing and rent,” Westin said. “They often qualify for food stamps and other public assistance, which means that big, profitable corporations are forcing taxpayers to subsidize their low wages and burdening our economy.” NYU alumna from the Silver School of Social Work Ronda DeShields said this strike is a great effort for fast food workers. “The minimum wage was fair at the time I worked in fast food in the late 80’s early 90’s ... Minimum wage hasn’t kept up with the cost of living and the economy, especially in New York,” DeShields said. Tanay Hudson is a staff writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
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Emily Bell is a deputy city/state editor. Email her at ebell@nyunews.com.
Fast food workers associated with the Fast Food Forward Campaign demanded increased minimum wage and union rights during a strike this month.
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FEATURES CLIVE continued from PG. 1
Clive Davis students reveal inspiration, motivation
five days editing the video. He says he’s thankful for the opportunity to have worked with a group of such talented student artists. “Regardless of whether or not it went viral, or whether or not we won, it’s still something that we’re proud of because it’s something we made from scratch,” Hutchins said.
A NETWORK OF SUPPORT AND FUTURE PLANS Producing the video not only introduced student artists to one another, but fostered collaborations between the vocalists. Discussion about another video is in the works to thank the community for its endless support. “I had professors on the phone with me the day the video came out just offering their support,” Babbit said. “It doesn’t happen often that you’re at a college where professors care so much that they’re willing to help you out in any way professionally.” Professors like Jeffrey Rahban, chair of recorded music at the Clive Davis Institute, and Nick Sansano, associate chair, have served
as mentors since the video’s release. Sansano is currently working with juniors Alexandre Gresh and John Phillips, who helped engineer “Diamonds.” For Sansano, the video is an affirmation of the skills the students learned inside the classroom. Clive Davis will fully support the students in any future endeavors, he added, whether through a music video channel or a large-scale project. “You have to capitalize on success when it comes because you never know when it is going to happen,” Sansano said. “You never know when it’s going to strike.” The experience has not only placed a future collaboration on the table, but has propelled each member forward in their artistic pursuits. “We created something bigger than just ourselves,” Kanner said. “It represents not just a cover of a Rihanna song but our trials and tribulations being artists in New York City, and this positive attitude to keep going.” Kristina Bogos is features editor. Email her at kbogos@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF RYAN HUTCHINS
Tisch junior Kiah Victoria contributed vocals to the video.
FITNESS FINDS By ALENA HALL For many, April is a month of overwhelming work schedules and daydreams of summer vacation. Exercise routines often take a backseat, but squeezing in a little “me time” can go a long way toward rebooting the mind, relieving stress and renewing inspiration. Take a couple of hours this week to consider the world from a new perspective and accept a unique mental and physical challenge at one of New York City’s outdoor flying trapeze schools. Flying trapeze is no longer an activity enjoyed only by circus performers and gymnasts. Facilities like the Trapeze School New York make it accessible to any brave soul in the metropolitan area. The sport leaves even the fittest athletes sore after their first flying lesson. Like yoga and pilates classes, trapeze sessions challenge every abdominal and back muscle of the body’s core as flyers stabilize their bodies and control each minor movement when they shift from one position to another. The arms and shoulders share in the workout as well, connecting the body to the swinging bar and supporting the flyer as he or she leaps from the raised platform into the air. Regardless of the workout factor, the most compelling part of flying trapeze is the adrenaline rush that continuously floods the body during the two-hour long lesson. It is as much about the mental chal-
lenge as it is the physical one. Learning to trust your body and its abilities, relinquishing control as you soar through the air and taking in the world around you from an entirely different vantage point develops strength far more useful in life than activities like powerlifting in a gym ever could. TSNY operates two outdoor trapeze school locations in Manhattan, challenging artists, athletes and adrenaline junkies alike to test their personal limits and learn how to fly. Trapeze students take in iconic views of New York City from Pier 40 near Hudson River Park, a site just a short walk from the heart of the NYU campus to Pier 16 at the South Street Seaport. Professionals teach classes with a 10-person limit in state-of-the-art facili-
Alena Hall is a contributing columnist. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF JASON KLEIN FOR TRAPEZE SCHOOL NEW YORK
Flying trapeze lessons take participants to great heights.
NYU NEWS (DOT)
ties and keep the experience as safe, hands-on and interactive as possible. If the idea of abandoning solid ground for two hours still leaves you more anxious than excited, opt for a trampoline class instead. Focusing on flips rather than flying will enable a participant to improve body awareness, challenge core muscles and time for tricks that will come in handy when giving the trapeze a whirl. Flying trapeze classes last for two hours and range from $50 to $70. Introductory and beginner trampoline classes last 60 to 90 minutes and cost $35, and intermediate classes cost $65.
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EDITED BY KRISTINA BOGOS FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
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Outdoor concert spots for enjoying spring tunes By UTPALA MENON
When musicians begin to wheel their instruments into Washington Square Park, it’s clear that spring has arrived. Visit these outdoor venues in and around New York City this spring to see diverse street performances of many musical styles. SOUTH STREET SEAPORT | 19 Fulton St. Located beside the East River, this historical trade site is a perfect blend of the Financial District’s modern buildings and the port’s cobblestone grounds. The river views and spring weather make this a perfect spot for musicians and larger performances. The Spirit Project will be held at the South Street Seaport on April 18, featuring performances by The Hollows and Jeff Tuohy. J.J. BYRNE PLAYGROUND | Fourth Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues, Brooklyn This three-acre playground is located in the quaint Park Slope neighborhood. On a warm spring day, one can expect to see its grounds filled with children and visitors at the Old Stone House, now a Dutch farmhouse museum. While it hosts interactive performeraudience dialogues, this outdoor venue is also known to feature classical musicians. Upcoming performances include David Hyles, The Harmonic Choir and Zach Layton.
VIA FLICKR.COM | COURTESY OF JTHE OLD STONE HOUSE | VIA FACEBOOK.COM
QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDENS | 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, Queens Queens Botanical Garden’s serene walk-
ways are completely transformed during the spring, when crowded park-goers flock to its lush green compounds. The park hosts many festivals and outdoor performers along with interactive sessions, including the upcoming Arbor Fest on April 28 featuring the band No Regrets. BROOKLYN PROSPECT PARK | 95 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn Prospect Park is often considered the Central Park of Brooklyn, as it features elaborate green spaces and facilities such as a zoo, an ice rink and an athletic center. From the Brooklyn philharmonic and dance performances to indie and rock band concerts, the venue hosts a versatile group of fantastic musical performances. The venue, which stands tall at three stories, was built with one of the oldest sound systems in New York. RUMSEY PLAYFIELD AT CENTRAL PARK | Fifth Avenue and 72nd Street, Manhattan Though it is known for hosting the annual Summerstage festival and high school performances, Rumsey Playfield also features smaller, impromptu and solo artist performances. While the Playfield’s surroundings serve as a common area for street performances, upcoming shows such as Marina and the Diamonds on May 29 should draw indie and pop music fans to this venue. Utpala Menon is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? By ARIANA DIVALENTINO World traveler Valeria Rotella is by no means your average film student. Although only a freshman in the Tisch School of the Arts, Rotella has already scored an internship with a documentary film production company. Her big black tote not only holds her academic necessities but has also been halfway around the world. Rotella’s short summer excursions in 2012 weren’t exactly touristy beach vacations. She crossed Rome, Copenhagen and Madrid, among other cities, off her travel list. Besides her vacations, she’s lived all around the world. Rotella was born in San Diego, Calif., but has lived in Argentina, France, Spain and finally Washington, D.C., before starting college in New York. The contents of her bag reflect her worldliness and her aspirations as a film student. ITALO CALVINO’S “LEZIONI AMERICANE” A family friend gave Rotella Calvino’s book of transcribed lectures, which are an important read for anyone who aspires to work in the arts. “It’s in Italian, which is a bit of a challenge, but I’m piecing it together,” Rotella said. Rotella speaks three languages, none of which are Italian. She has been using a dictionary as well as her knowledge of French and Spanish to
read the book in its original, untranslated form. “I think reading might be a bit of an exaggeration,” Rotella said. MOVIE TICKET STUBS As a student who plans to work in film, it’s only logical that Rotella watches movies frequently. A thick wad of ticket stubs from theaters both in New York City and Washington, D.C., are in the crevices of her wallet, including a hefty proportion of this past Oscar season’s nominees. “I have tickets for probably everything I’ve seen since June,” Rotella said. “Sometimes I’ll reach in and pull one out and I’ll think, ‘Oh, I remember seeing that.’ Or I won’t, which probably doesn’t speak very highly of that film.” USB DRIVE Rotella keeps busy with work. When she isn’t in her room blasting European dance music or the occasional ’90s hip-hop while completing her Writing the Essay homework, she is in front of her computer with headphones on, polishing her film projects for class. “I always try to keep a USB card on me in case I need to go to the editing lab,” Rotella said. “I have an interest in cinema verite, in adapting real life for film,” Rotella said. “Right now, my focus is on writing and producing for TV.”
Ariana DiValentino is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
DANA RESZUTEK FOR WSN
Movie tickets and foreign texts reflect this worldy student’s interests.
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NYU Quidditch team fails to snitch victory in World Cup By MARY JANE DUMANKAYA
been amazing,” Hall said. “It’s a grueling process that involves little to no sleep [and] two intense days of game play.” The first match for NYU was against No. 1 seed Texas A&M University. NYU lost 140-50. Next up was Fleming College from Ontario, Canada, which NYU easily defeated 200-20. The third game of the day was a grueling match against the Johns Hopkins Hallows, who are of the same caliber as NYU. At the end of the 30-minute match, the Nundu team had secured their second victory 200-130. NYU seeker Ryan Blewett, a Tisch junior, caught the Snitch in the Hopkins game, possibly due to his superstition of only wearing one shin guard to each game. “The one shin guard is a bit of a good luck charm. Left shin always,” Blewett said. The final match of the day was against the University of Michigan. The close match ended 120110, bringing the Nundus’ record to 2-2. NYU was able to advance to the second day of competition. On Sunday, NYU competed in the
Over a thousand Harry Potter fans descended on Kissimmee, Fla, for the Quidditch World Cup VI on April 14 and 15. The annual World Cup, hosted by the International Quidditch Association, draws teams from around the world to compete for Quidditch glory. NYU’s very own Nundu Quidditch team made it to the World Cup playoffs. CAS senior Bryan Hall is one of the founders of Quidditch at NYU and serves as co-captain and president of the Nundu team. “It is sad to know that this is my last cup competing in my NYU purple, but the journey that this club has endured from creation to World Cup VI has been an amazing ride,” Hall said. The NYU Nundu Quidditch team has had a long journey to the World Cup stage. At the IQA Northeast Regional Tournament last November, teams competed for a spot at the World Cup. NYU was one of 11 teams out of 24 to qualify for the competition in Florida from the Northeast. “Competing at the World Cup has
round of 32. NYU, seeded 27, was eliminated from the playoffs in the first game against the No. 6 Los Angeles community team Lost Boys. “Our losses were to top-ranked teams, and given a different team up on the second day, we could’ve advanced further than we did,” Blewett said. “There’s no shame in losing if we feel we went as hard as we could.” The Division II final was between No. 3 Loyola and No.1 Sam Houston State University, with SHSU capturing the victory by catching the Snitch. The final score was 110-70. Division I culminated in a final matchup between No. 1 University of California, Los Angeles and No. 2 University of Texas at Austin. The Texas team is now the new Quidditch world champion. Despite the outcome, Hall has seen a great deal of growth in the Nundu team. “I see the depth that is forming within our team, and I can’t wait to see what they can do with another year of practice under their belt,” Hall said. Mary Jane Dumankaya is sports editor. Email her at mdumankaya@nyunews.com.
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Crossword Across
33 Did some
1 Noggin 5 Sturdy walking stick 10 Bug 14 Folklore villain 15 Part of the eye 16 Rest ___ (roadside stop) 17 Prankish activity 19 Not quite all 20 No-tell motel get-togethers 21 Attic accumulation 22 Before, in verse 23 Doublewhammy economic condition 28 Lose 30 The “A” of Chester A. Arthur 31 Sought-after rock 32 ___ no good
figuring 35 Without a stitch on 39 Again 42 Farm unit 46 Hi-___ graphics 47 Came down on a branch, say 48 Men’s grooming scent 50 Impromptu, wide-ranging conversation 53 Stomach muscles, informally 54 Oolong and Earl Grey 55 “Ain’t gonna happen” 57 Church seats 58 Shoddy and unsturdy 62 Part of the eye 63 “___ a Nightingale” 64 Slithery fish
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE N I C O A D O B W A R R R A I P E L E B Y R N J O E S U D S P D A I R A L F A S P I T H E M E R A S T Y
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65 Bygone U.S.
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Down 1 On a streak 2 Display of selfimportance 3 What two theatergoers may share 4 Boldly resist 5 Hit-or-miss 6 Oklahoma oil city 7 Go ___ (flip out) 8 Tree with needles 9 Go by plane 10 Full range 11 Wearing away of soil 12 Put back in good condition 13 Wrestling surface 18 Greek peak 21 “___ schön” (“Thank you very much”: Ger.) 22 Relative of an ostrich 24 Red gems 25 One nipping Nipper, maybe 26 Be short of 27 Flanders of “The Simpsons” 29 Brain section 34 Jazz chanteuse Anita 36 Amherst school, informally
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puzzle by robert fisher
37 ___ slaw 38 ___ Kringle 39 Big ball in
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Witch and the Wardrobe” writer 43 “Polly want a ___?”
44 German
measles 45 Letters on an ambulance 48 “Gee, that’s really too bad” 49 Forever ___ day 51 Catch, as a calf at a rodeo 52 Research facilities: Abbr.
56 Treated, as a
sprained ankle
57 ___ à la mode 58 Song syllable
repeated after “Da Doo”
59 Big fuss 60 Encountered 61 D.C. winter hrs.
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OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
CENSORSHIP
Arrest presents overreaction to graffiti photo By NOAH ECKSTEIN
Last Wednesday, Jennifer Pawluck, a 20 year-old student, was arrested in Montreal for posting a picture on Instagram of a graffiti painting that depicted the city’s police commander, Ian Lafreniere, with a bullet hole in his forehead. Pawluck did not draw the anti-cop graffiti, which was plastered on a brick wall in Montreal’s Hochelaga-Maisonneuve neighborhood — she simply snapped the picture and posted it. It is true that Montreal has rather strict laws in place to fine and even arrest graffiti artists, but it is incredibly unfair to penalize someone for simply taking a picture of a contemporary form of art. Montrealers take pride in keeping Canada’s most European city looking clean and picturesque, but the idea that someone wishing to capture a creative image and share it on an Instagram account should be arrested is completely ludicrous. At a time when people around the world are participating in many
protests and uprisings, we should be able to post, tweet, share and scream whatever we feel. It seems that as time progresses and the authorities around the world see how empowering social media is, censorship and surveillance is on the rise. For example, the FBI has made it extremely clear that it intends to spy on Internet activity in real time instead of waiting for warrants. So what happens to Pawluck? She is set to be tried in court on April 17 and will likely be charged with “uttering threats,” or “criminal harassment,” according to her attorney. A spokesperson for the Montreal police,
Constable Dany Richer, told the CBC: “There are circumstances that surrounded the publication of this image, circumstances that we can’t reveal because it is still under investigation.” It truly frightens me how such a modern and artistic act is still under investigation. What is there to investigate? A 20-yearold snapped a photo of some cool and worthy graffiti that ended up on Instagram — what is the big deal? If we take a step back and analyze this situation from a different perspective, all we see is a student who took a picture; how could this be a punishable act? Jennifer Pawluck is just one case out of the rising number of censorship attempts being made by the authorities. This kind of extreme police intervention and examination is distasteful and does not belong in a society that values free speech. Noah Eckstein is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
TECHNOLOGY
Digital age overlooks timeless solutions By MARCELO CICCONET
When Apple launched its own navigation app for the iPhone, causing countless Internet jokes due to its poor quality in comparison with Google Maps, I looked at the event with disdain. Not because I’m an Apple fan or because I don’t use maps, but because my way of navigating modern urban landscapes doesn’t rely on any portable digital device. Like a tobacco addict who always carries a lighter and a pack of cigarettes, my pockets always contain an A4-sized piece of paper folded thrice and a Strand pen with enough ink to last the next seven years. Before venturing to a new place, I visit Google Maps on my laptop and draw a small copy of the neighborhood of the target location in one of the unfilled 16 slots of my sheet of paper. My method never gets me lost. It seems a little outdated, but I don’t do it simply for fashion. The problem with our time of technological transition is that, though one can find many digital alternatives for what has been historically done with
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microchip-less devices, many of them do not match the user experience of the old technologies. Look at the digital note-taking task, for instance. You can find a number of tablets with digital pens in the market, some with only the input interface and others with real-time display. Some have cell phones included. But often the experience is as bad as writing with a nail on a marble surface. While the texture of the interface is okay, the pen doesn’t quite touch the display — it’s like writing in one side of a glass for the text to appear on the other side. For the alternatives that give up the all-digital goal and adopt a scanning kind of
approach — the pen has real ink, and writes on real paper but also localizes itself so that the text can be turned digital — the drawback is that you have to use a special kind of paper or an additional gadget to localize the pen. It’s difficult to predict which alternatives will survive, as there are non-technical factors involved — sometimes the company that has the best CEO, not the best product, succeeds. In reality, new technologies never retain all the good qualities of the old ones. Eventually, new generations lose access to the old way of doing things, and they don’t get to know how it may actually have been better in some sense, and those refined, non-digital tools will be forever lost. We are often too busy rushing towards the future to notice this side effect of progress. Maybe if we spent more time thinking about what we really need and progressed a bit slower, we would actually get there faster. Marcelo Cicconet is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
U.S. fails to provide adequate child welfare
The United States was recently ranked 26th out of 29 wealthy countries by UNICEF regarding overall child welfare. The report found that the United States has high rates of child drug use, obesity, homicide, performs poorly in education and teenage pregnancy and infant mortality. Although there are many factors — including overpopulation — that are frequently attributed to the reason for this low ranking, reports such as these fail to look at the bigger picture: Child well-being is just one part of a larger, systemic political problem. In the last 30 years, policies have turned in favor of extreme wealth, and the disparity between the rich and poor has sharply intensified. There is also a clear ideological barrier in our method of aiding impoverished children, namely the ludicrous belief that the poorest class is already living lavishly off the government dollar. This ideology leads politicians to campaign against aid for those living below the poverty line and cut spending on welfare programs. As the UNICEF report demonstrates, the poor in America do not live comfortably because of government aid, and children in this country are suffering greatly because of it. Our youth are clearly in need of improved social services. Instead, the religious right pours its time and money into preventing abortions, while staunchly opposing policies that would make children healthier, safer and better educated. We are not doing what we need to for our kids because we are distracted by the anti-abortion lobby, which, if successful, will ensure that more children are born to parents who cannot afford to care for them properly. The tragedy in Newtown, Conn. has renewed a political emphasis on the welfare of America’s children — rightfully so, because after all, shouldn’t the test of a truly developed nation be its ability to provide the most basic security and opportunity to its most helpless citizens? The United States unequivocally fails this test on multiple grounds. Our politicians clamor about protecting our kids but hedge on gun proposals supported by 90 percent of Americans, restrict any debate regarding children to abortion and then blame the poorest for being a drain on our system. Hypocrisy permeates our entire political system, and the duplicitous refocus on the welfare of American children is shameful.
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.
FRINGE SPRING 2013 ON NEWSSTANDS
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