NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 43, No. 41
THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015
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SPORTS
ACTIVISM
Protest held for minimum wage hike
Pitcher shares devotion to softball By KATHRYN JONES Contributing Writer
By MIKE ADAMS Contributing Writer
On the softball field, Sage Scheiwiller is the one throwing no-hitters from the pitcher’s mound. But if you catch the Poly freshman off the field, you might find her in a chemistry lab before she gets to the dugout. The chemical and bioengineering major studies when two things are meant to bond together — like her and softball, which she could never see herself without. Since starting at age five, Scheiwiller has never skipped a season. Her parents put her and her brother in tee ball as a way to expand their social circle after moving to Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. Her mother cheered on the siblings at every game, rain or shine. Her father, a former athlete, acted as a catcher when she needed one. For her, softball transformed from just fun to a new passion that taught her to persevere and believe in herself.
NYU students joined forces with college students from around New York City at Columbia University to protest for a $15 minimum wage on Wednesday. The Service Employees International Union organized the rally in conjunction with NYU’s Student Labor Action Movement. Demonstrators targeted the practices of big corporations like McDonald’s and Best Buy, where workers are underpaid and often work menial jobs for long hours. In addition to campaigning for a $15 minimum wage, the rally aimed for businesses to recognize the rights of their workers to unionize. The first federal minimum wage laws were enacted in 1938 as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Originally, the minimum wage was 25 cents — $4.13 in today’s money. After nearly 80 years, the minimum MIKE ADAMS FOR WSN
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Protesters at Columbia University on Wednesday demanded an increase in minimum wage.
REVIEW
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FEATURES
Gallatin Arts Festival Students unite to promote ‘allyship’ explores range of issues By ZOE THOMPSON Staff Writer
By AUDREY DENG Entertainment Editor
The Gallatin Arts Festival launched its weeklong gallery curated and created by Gallatin School of Individualized Study students on Monday. The gallery is packed with students’ dynamic perspectives, forming a creative atmosphere. The gallery is divided into two floors — interactive multimedia pieces dominate the ground floor, while the next floor provides a quiet oasis for photography. A floating mannequin bound by string commands the gallery entrance. To the right of it is a clothbound booth with video on loop, followed by Jacqueline Grossbard’s
series of photographs, “Almost Famous.” This piece features the daily life of Michele Marzano, a celebrity impersonator based in Central New Jersey. The biographical photographs serve as a bright pop of color before the gallery leads into a dark and spacious area where two videos play in loop. The first is a similarly biographical YouTube confession by Kai Cameron, and the second is “Shadow May Resolve into Beauty,” a black-and-white video of the artist, Luke Smithers, interacting with a dark-cloaked figure. Toward the middle of the floor is Parissah Lin’s “Mourning Weaver.” For her performance art piece, she
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For the fifth consecutive year, NYU is hosting Ally Week from April 13-17. As can be read on the back of the striking gold T-shirts created for the event, Ally Week is working to promote “allyship,” described by organizers as “an active and consistent practice of unlearning and re-evaluating beliefs and actions, in which a person seeks to work in solidarity with a marginalized individual or group of people.” Hosted and organized by NYU’s entire diversity team, including the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs and the LGBTQ Stu-
dent Center, Ally Week 2015 is sponsored by 12 different offices and student groups on campus. Planning for the week-long event started at the beginning of the semester. Administrative Chair for Ally Week Paulina Abaunza acknowledged NYU’s uniquely diverse campus that created the environment to host such an event. “There are other Ally Weeks across the country, but it started at NYU,” Abaunza said. “We are such a diverse culture in terms of representation. We know diversity and social justice.” Abaunza stressed the event’s commitment to not only broaden students’ perspectives but also instill a sense of
proactiveness among students. “The big message we are trying to strive for is the notion that allyship or being an ally is a verb, not a noun,” Abaunza said. “It is something that takes active participation. We want people to think about the specific steps that they will take in being an ally.” Throughout the week, students have been able to attend “allyship” training in topics of diversity, ethnicity, class and spirituality. Ally Week has also incorporated a safe zone in which students with physical, mental and intellectual disabilities can collaborate. SPS graduate student and
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“I’m exhausted. Today, I got up at 12, did some probability homework, played guitar for an hour, read some Vonnegut, went over to Coles and lifted for an hour, then played tennis. Now, I’m here waiting to practice. I’m in a band called Death is a Business.” – Zohaib Moonis, CAS sophomore studying math
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The Traffic in Asian Women Feminist scholar Laura Hyun Yi Kang comes to NYU to give a talk about the representation of Asian women over the past several years. The event will be on the fourth floor of 20 Cooper Square at 6 p.m.
Dress Rehearsal for McCarthyism Retired associate professor Carol Smith discusses activism that was spurred by the Great Depression and the rise of fascism in Europe. The lecture, offered in conjunction with “The Left Front” exhibit, will be at the CUNY Graduate Center’s Martin E. Segal Theater at 6:30 p.m.
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-Ism Showcase
Guess where this is. Tweet your answers @nyunews.
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The fourth day of Ally Week brings the -Ism Showcase, an exhibition of art and performances by students to display how “-isms” have affected their lives. The showcase will be from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Kimmel Eisner & Lubin Auditorium. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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TATIANA BAEZ, NICOLE BROWN, ALEX GREENBERGER, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact the managing editors at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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Race, gender discussed through slam poetry By JUSTINE MORRIS Staff Writer
Slam poetry has traditionally been an arena for frank discussions on social issues. Wednesday’s conversation, hosted by the Asian/Pacific/American Institute at NYU at the Kimmel Center for University Life, featured poets who performed their work and discussed the challenges faced by groups marginalized by society. Speakers included Ramya Ramanam, an activist and the current Youth Poet Laureate of New York City; Paul Tran, a historian, activist and spoken word poet; and Crystal Valentine, a student at NYU studying creative writing and adolescent mental health studies. Themes of the night focused on the adversity that many queer people and people of color face in everyday life. Tran said literacy can be used to raise awareness on these issues and the violence that black people face. “Literacy, and language, has kept people like us from sitting at the table of power,” Tran said. “But as accidents of literacy,
as young people dangerously armed with the ability, not only to read, but to write, rewrite, and make right our history, Ramya, Crystal and I use language to testify against the violence that this country engenders against its most vulnerable populations.” The speakers also discussed why they began creating slam poetry explaining that it gave them a voice and forced people to listen. “When I stand up on a stage and when I perform, I feel like all those times in my childhood when I couldn’t say anything I can finally say it in front of people that can feel it,” Ramana said. “As much as I have moved on from that stage in my life, when I go back to that area I still feel silenced. To me being able to be in a room full of people that want to hear my words, it’s like they want to hear everything I’ve been through.” While some audience members noted the somber themes in the poems, Tran disagreed and said it is necessary for the writer to expel melancholy because it can otherwise preoccupy them. “Sometimes we write out of
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Ramya Ramana, left, and Crystal Valentine deliver a spoken word duet. hurt in order to heal,” Tran said. “Can’t we write about joy? Can’t we also write about love? Selffulfillment, actualization, we can write about all those things. But in this world, out there, where there are things they will and will not let us say, sometimes we have to say these things first.” Gallatin freshman Leah Miller said they enjoyed listening to the poems because they agreed with
NYU Reacts: No graduation speaker yet
“I’m definitely surprised that the announcement hasn’t been made. I’m eager to know, but I assume it’ll come at
the ideas discussed. “In almost every poem, or at least in every poet, there was at least a line that would sink into me and be like, ‘Oh yeah. That’s a really real thing that just happened,’” Miller said. Valentine said the main reason for writing poetry was to recognize the unfortunate things in life and bridge the differences in peoples’ experiences.
“I think the biggest problem with the world is understanding each other,” Valentine said. “We have so many problems, so many confrontations, just because we don’t know how to understand each other. There’s like a disconnect in that. For me, poetry is my first language.” Email Justine Morris at news@nyunews.com.
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Workers share stories at wage rally
By ALEX BAZELEY Deputy News Editor
Graduation day is just around the corner, but the university has yet to announce this year’s commencement speaker. The 138th universitywide ceremony will be held at Yankee Stadium on May 20. Last year’s commencement speaker, Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen, was announced on March 12, 2014. Other past commencement speakers included Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and Alec Baldwin. Controversy arose following the announcement of 2013’s commencement speaker David Boies, with some seniors voicing their concerns that he did not represent the greater NYU community. Boies was a lead co-counsel in Hollingsworth v. Perry, making him a major part of the legal force to overturn California’s Proposition 8 and legalize same-sex marriage. Current NYU seniors shared their frustration with the delay of the announcement and their hopes for whom the speaker might be.
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NYU has yet to announce this year’s commencement speaker. some point this week. I have this idea in my head that it’ll be Derek Jeter — I think it would be fitting — but I’m sure that’s not going to happen.” -Jon Packles, Steinhardt senior “The biggest reason I think that they haven’t released who the speaker is is probably because they are worried about protests and that type of negative reaction from some percent of the students based on something the speaker said or did in the past. That sort of reaction has become more common lately as social justice movements have made students more unwelcoming to figures that represent non-libe ral, non-egalitarian viewpoints or that people find offensive.” -Gabe Hirsch, Stern senior “Given the political environment in New York over the past year, I think that the whoever is chosen to speak should not be someone who will make the graduation speech about the issues that have been so central to the New York City political landscape and protests, but rather who could impart advice to the graduating class that is
both timeless and reflective of the environment we are graduating into.” -Katerina Stamatiou, Gallatin senior “I’m actually very surprised that they haven’t announced yet. I hadn’t really thought anything of it because they usually have someone in place. Hopefully they’re taking their time to get someone impactful, as last year’s speaker wasn’t well received by the seniors I had spoken to. I’m not really concerned because I don’t see them getting no one, but I’m a little worried they may not get a typical NYU commencement speaker.” -Nick Manzo, SPS senior “I would be surprised if they didn’t have a speaker by now. It’s getting pretty close to the date and in the past they have released it further in advance. There will always be people that are unhappy with the speaker, I just hope that they choose one that will appeal to the majority of the students.” -Mike Felicetta, Stern senior Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.
wage has risen to $7.25. Gallatin senior and SLAM member Jonah Walters said the pay is inadequate for modern living standards. “There’s state and federal minimum wages, and around the country many of those wages haven’t been adjusted at all for inflation in decades,” Walters said. “Meanwhile, the cost of living has been going up, and especially in a place like New York what that often means is that fast food and other low-income workers can’t afford to live in the city.” Steinhardt senior Cayden Betzig said he is campaigning to give people peace of mind. “There’s a lot of institutes that have put out studies saying $15 is a living wage,” Betzig said. “And what we mean by a living wage is that that’s enough money for people to be able to live comfortably and not have to constantly worry about paying for food or being evicted.” About a dozen NYU students met up with the rally just as the crowd of about 250 began to march downtown from Columbia. As they moved, making sure to stop and boo any fast food places along the way, the crowd blared their mantra over a pair of drum beats, “What do we want? Fif-teen. When do we want it? Now.” The protesters set up shop outside a McDonald’s on 96th Street, where everyone from former fast
food employees to Amnesty International members shared stories about struggling with low pay. Charlene Kotei, a Bedford Academy junior working with Amnesty International, said fighting for a living wage is a matter of basic decency. “I’m a member of Amnesty, and the goal of Amnesty is to fight injustice anywhere,” Kotei said. “The fact that people at fast food companies working all day making chicken scratch just to make ends meet can’t afford to feed their families, that’s appalling.” Email Mike Adams at news@nyunews.com.
MIKE ADAMS FOR WSN
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ARTS
EDITED BY ALEXA SPIELER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
REVIEW
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Students explore social justice through art
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Ali Ahn, Leighton Bryan, and Elise Kibler, left to right, in “The Heidi Chronicles.”
Star-studded ‘Heidi’ examines feminism By JOSEPH C. MYERS Contributing Writer
Wendy Wasserstein’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Heidi Chronicles” follows soul-searching Heidi through her early to mid-adult years in the 1960s to 1980s, questioning feminism throughout each decade. Though it has been a Broadway staple since 1989, the current revival is particularly intriguing since it encapsulates each bygone era with nostalgia, so that the decade — and respective social climate — are just as important to the play as the story itself. The play focuses on feminist art historian Heidi Holland (Elizabeth Moss), her best friend Peter Patrone (Bryce Pinkham) and her tumultuous ex Scoop Rosenbaum (Jason Biggs), following Heidi’s changing relationship with Peter and Scoop as well as her understanding of herself. Heidi acts as a vehicle to show women’s evolving role in society. Moss plays the role with an endearing dose of naivete, which embellishes Heidi’s delicacy and frustration with the pressures of being a woman in the ’80s. One scene that stands out is when Heidi delivers an impromptu speech for the Women, Where Are We Going? luncheon. She delivers an emotionallywrenching monologue about expected societal pressures put on women and the stress that follows, ultimately admitting that she is unhappy. The chemistry between Moss and her co-stars is phenomenal. In particular, Bryce Pinkham portrays a loving, genuine and gritty friendship between himself and Heidi as the two discover themselves. Pinkham excels in his
delivery of Peter’s deadpan dark humor, contrastingly nicely with Moss’ innocence. Jason Biggs impeccably captures Scoop, the jerk that you cannot help but love to hate — much like his “Orange is the New Black” character. The revolving set festively celebrates ’60s mod and ’70s hippie culture, as presented by the period decor and the psychedelic video projections during scene changes. The projections feature clips of musical performances, TV commercials and news reels from the respective eras. Music from oldies artists such as Betty Everett, Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin also help solidify the play’s setting. The time period is very important since the play follows a group of baby boomers from adolescence through adulthood and emphasizes the role of women through each decade. It also includes the baby boomers’ disillusionment with adulthood with an emphasis on capitalist society in the ’80s. The main themes that “The Heidi Chronicles” questions are gender roles, social pressures and balancing career and motherhood. Additionally, the play explores the branches of feminism, the struggle for gender equality and equal representation in the arts and media. Despite these serious social issues, Wasserstein adds levity to the play with her clever use of dry humor. “The Heidi Chronicles” is much more than a story of a woman’s life — it is a celebration of women throughout the ages. “The Heidi Chronicles” is playing at the Music Box Theatre, 239 W. 45th St. Email Joseph C. Myers at theater@nyunews.com.
sat on the floor and knitted while reading aloud the names of those who were murdered in the events that inspired the hashtags #BlackLivesMatter, #BringBackOurGirls, #HastaEncontrarlos, and #GazaUnderAttack. Lin said the piece is inspired by her personal sadness. “I cry a lot,” Lin said. “I go to all these protests and see all this injustice and tragedy — and this helps. I use knitting to communicate all this tragedy.” The fourth floor of the Gallatin Building continues the theme of tragedy with Andrew Harvey’s “Bambara.” Bambara, Guinea was where the Ebola outbreak started last year. Carved out of wood and covered with white spray paint, “Bambara” symbolizes the Westernization of African tradition and Ebola’s catastrophic effects in this region.
Also on display on this floor is a piece commenting on the sexual nature of advertisements. Sonya Kozlova’s “Calvin, 2014” prints Calvin Klein advertisements on denim, which creates a wellconstructed piece that effectively exposes the brand’s aggressively sexual marketing. At times, the range of art at the Gallatin Art Gallery seemed disparate, leaping from one point to another in no space at all. Some of the artwork itself was also very experimental. The gallery overwhelms the senses with its multiple interactive “Please Touch” pieces and a surprising number of screens and videos. The gallery, in its nonstop flickering from subject to subject, captures the image of the increasingly disillusioned and socially conscious young adult. This enthusiastic coverage and
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SCHULMAN
Gallatin Arts Festival will be open until April 17. innovation is a fitting launch to the 2015 Gallatin Arts Festival, which is dedicated to globalization, technology and human rights. It is refreshing and intriguing to see the works of today’s young artists, and these Gallatin students are fearless in their message. Email Audrey Deng at adeng@nyunews.com.
Freshman frontman talks rock, future By KIERAN GRAULICH Staff Writer
For LS freshman Mike Prussack, frontman of New Jersey rock band Fiscal Cliff, he frequently finds inspiration in the conventions of the genre, but also tries to create a versatile, diverse sound. A year after releasing their debut album, “Convalesce,” the four-piece is fresh off the release of their latest single, “The Fall.” Prussack spoke with WSN to discuss the folk-rock band’s take on rock music, their new single and how their hometown has influenced their music. WSN: What are your, and the band’s, biggest musical inspirations? MP: I’d have to say Paul McCartney. My parents were hippies, so that’s what I was exposed to, and it really turned me on to rock music. As a band, we definitely listen to a lot of Dr. Dog because we all listen to a ton of different music. Notably, our lead guitarist listens to a lot of metal, and then the other guitarist listens to a lot of folk music, so there’s contrast there. We all find a middle ground with Dr. Dog. WSN: What about your hometown and your origins, in New Jersey, influence you as an artist and a band? MP: We’re from Hoboken, Jersey City. We end up play-
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Mike Prussack, center, is an LS freshman in the folk-rock band, Fiscal Cliff. ing a lot of shows in New Brunswick, but it’s a pretty urban area. The music scene in that area was actually rich and there were so many bands there. It was a cool thing to be a musician. A million bands sprung up, and all of a sudden we have all these house shows going on, and we’re organizing shows in people’s backyards. We definitely borrowed from one another. I don’t know if anything about it is uniquely New Jersey, but the scene there is really deep. WSN: Your new single, “The Fall,” lyrically deals a lot with contemplating your fate and “falling into the abyss.” What is the meaning behind “The Fall?” MP: So, the lyrics were actually written by the lead guitarist, Luis. And, for him, it’s about dying and going to hell, which is pretty intense, you know, all the songs that he writes are either love songs or about dying. There’s no in between. It’s pretty intense. “The Fall” is definitely a really intense song, lyrically, about dying.
WSN: What’s it like for you to be a rock band in an era where rock isn’t considered to be on the cutting edge? MP: If you want people to remember you, you have to find some way to differentiate yourself. I think what makes us unique is the blend of sound we put together, because we’re not just, like, a rock band, you know? We bring a lot of different styles to each of our songs so that no two of our songs sound too much alike. We’re never going to suffer from “Every-Song-Sounds-TheSame” syndrome. WSN: What’s coming up next for Fiscal Cliff? MP: We’re actually planning on putting our full length up this summer, so we’re just finishing up our songs for that. Once we’re out of school, we’re going to hit the studio and try to get it out by July, and we’ll have a release party. Email Kieran Graulich at music@nyunews.com.
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FEATURES
EDITED BY MARINA ZHENG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
By NATALIA BARR Staff Writer
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UNICEF@NYU is hosting water week to spread awareness on safe water access and sanitation facilities.
Water Week returns to NYU By LINGYI HOU Staff Writer
UNICEF@NYU will host its second annual Water Week, which acts as an extension of UNICEF’s World Water Week 2015 held during the week of March 22 in celebration of the United Nations’ World Water Day. The week-long event from April 20-24 is also part of UNICEF USA’s Tap Project, a nationwide campaign that provides children in poorer parts of the country with access to safe, clean water. UNICEF@NYU president and Stern junior Alicia Tan said the event serves to raise awareness about the water crisis throughout the world, a topic she said receives little attention. “We hope to pinpoint students’ attention to the water issue through these events,” Tan said. “Students may never know how many people around the world are living
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without accessible water. A survey found that 748 million children in the world lack clean drinking water nowadays. We hope through our advocacy, more students can think about how we can help as college students.” UNICEF@NYU will feature three events throughout the week not only to direct focus to the issue, but also to highlight how to help improve the crisis. A UNICEF fellow talk with Shehab Chowdhury will be held on April 22 from 5-6 p.m. in Kimmel 904. As UNICEF USA’s community engagement fellow, Chowdhury will share past experiences to raise awareness on children’s rights and other global issues. Chowdhury will focus on UNICEF’s current actions to provide children with clean water around the world. The talk will follow a bake sale in the Kimmel Center
for University Life on April 21 which will raise funds for UNICEF to deliver clean water to families living in impoverished regions. As the final event, UNICEF@ NYU will launch Dirty Water Display on April 24 in Washington Square Park to bring attention to the need of clean water and sanitation through a display of dirty water at the park. Stern freshman and club member Erin Line said she is proud to play a role in helping alleviate the issue. “UNICEF stands for world change, and has feasible, attainable goals like providing clean water for children,” Line said. “Each member has the ability to spread awareness that many children suffer malnutrition and do not even have clean water to drink.” Email Lingyi Hou at features@nyunews.com.
With end-of-semester and finals stress just around the corner, take some time this weekend to go out and enjoy some of the events offered around the city.
Keith Haring at Skarstedt This weekend is your last chance to view the Keith Haring exhibition “Heaven and Hell” at the Skarstedt Gallery in Chelsea. The American artist explores contrasting themes, such as life and death, in his paintings from 1984 to 1985. Admission to the gallery is free.
Rainbow Book Fair The Seventh Annual Rainbow Book Fair is the longest running LGBTQ book fair in the United States and brings together over 1,000 people each year. People of all ages, cultures and viewpoints come together for more than a hundred LGBTQ editors, publishers, writers, poets and booksellers, as well as book discounts and giveaways. The event, open to the public, will be held at Holiday Inn Midtown on Saturday at noon.
NYU Composers’ Collective The NYU Composers’ Collective
will feature an enormous program of new music covering a wide stylistic spectrum composed by Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development composers at the Provincetown Playhouse on Saturday. Admission to the show is free and the food will be provided.
Tribeca Film Festival Drive-In If you are a film-lover but were unable to snag a ticket to the Tribeca Film Festival, you can still participate in the annual free drive-in from April 16-18 on the Waterfront Plaza at Brookfield Place. Spend an evening watching screenings or go early to participate in fun activities and contests.
Earth Day New York Go green for Earth Day 2015 on Sunday at Union Square. The annual event includes live music and entertainment, green travel offers and vehicle exhibitions. You can also meet representatives from environmental campaigns, non-profits and local businesses. Bring clothing, textiles and electronics for free recycling at the event. Email Natalia Barr at features@nyunews.com.
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Ally Week shares message of tolerance
volunteer Sumit Gupta stressed the week-long event’s positive influence on students. “Ally Week is a great way in which students come together,” Gupta said. “They feel empowered as a community.” To encourage a greater number of students to pledge as allies, Ally Week has added a twist to their online marketing technique by incorporating a photocampaign and animal mascots. “There are five different ani-
mals,” Abaunza said. “For example, the owl stands for having a commitment to educate yourself on allyship. On social media, people are changing their profile pictures and tagging their friends to show their allyship.” With over a hundred students, faculty and administrators volunteers, the backbone of Ally Week has truly been the work of allies themselves. Student Resource Center Program Administrator and volun-
teer Amber Lodman believes that the event helps not only students but also faculty to broaden perspective. “Ally Week is important to me because, as a staff member at NYU, it’s really nice to have solidarity and unity exemplified through NYU’s programming,” Lodman said.“It’s important for students to consistently re-evaluate their beliefs and actions.” As part of its long-term mission, Ally Week hopes to
VIA NYU.EDU
Ally Week events will go on until Friday, April 17. transform the conversation regarding diversity beyond the university and impact students in their individual lives. “We hope each individual student takes what they have learned to their internships, future jobs,
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clubs or organizations,”Abaunza said. “We want students to work around allyship in their individual communities.” Email Zoe Thompson at features@nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 1962 Kubrick film 7 Gullets 11 Medical theaters, for short 14 What juice may come out of? 15 Traction control 16 Certain sci-fi fighter 17 Lowly worker 18 Big African exporter of gold 19 Response that has a nice ring to it? 20 Couldn’t turn away, say 22 Jewel case display unit 24 Risks disaster 26 Illegal place to park 27 Things with rings … that may be ringing 28 Rat-a-tat-tat 29 Stinging insects
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ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE W O R E
O P A L
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60 Double doubles? 61 Ripley-esque 62 Impulse transmitter 64 One working for Kansas or Alabama 66 Paris’s ___ de Rome 67 Excitement 68 Valuable violins, for short 69 Ludd from whom Luddites got their name 70 Grammy-winning James 71 “Most definitely!” DOWN 1 Head 2 Diagonally 3 Letter writing and sentence diagramming, it’s said 4 “Yep, sounds about right!” 5 Races 6 Loads 7 Big inits. in Las Vegas 8 Scorpion or tick 9 Metaphor for quick-spreading success 10 British W.W. II plane 11 “Star Wars” name 12 Woodchuck or chinchilla 13 Caches 21 Jab or jibe 23 Pearl S. Buck heroine 24 Tiniest complaint 25 Belly
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PUZZLE BY ELLEN LEUSCHNER AND JEFF CHEN
31 Failure 32 Feature of a big outdoor party 34 Like a hearth 35 Emergency tool for breaking down doors 38 Like Havarti cheese 40 Annual April celebration 41 Relaxing in a cabana chair, maybe
42 Seashore flier 43 With a clean slate 44 Hotfooted it 46 Considers further, in a way 47 Marvel supervillain Norman ___ a.k.a. the Green Goblin 48 Indiana rival 49 Lost some ground
51 Kind of power 55 Tot’s rocker 56 Act like an amateur? 58 Chapter 11 event, maybe 59 Building safety feature 63 Org. supporting Common Core 65 Slaloming shape
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY TESS WOOSLEY OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
HEALTH STAFF EDITORIAL
iPhone a day keeps the doctors away
By MATTHEW TESSLER Deputy Opinion Editor
Apple announced a new open source software platform called Research Kit at its March 9 Spring Forward event. This program, currently available only on the iPhone, allows medical researchers to develop apps that collect information from participants for medical studies. While this program has many ethical and logistical issues to address before it can become a serious tool for studies, its simple and easy-to-use interface could make medical studies far more comprehensive. If developed correctly, colleges would not have to be littered with tear-off flyers looking for test subjects for studies, and it would have a serious impact on the medical field and our health. The development platform will allow medical researchers to gather data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone and GPS sensors gathered from the iPhone Health Kit. The opt-in studies are advertised in the App Store. The first of these studies to be released cover a huge range of subjects, including asthma, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, breast can-
cer and cardiovascular disease. The primary benefit of this venture is that it will give researchers access to a huge pool of test subjects. Clinical studies are often hampered by the fact that they cannot get a large and diverse sample size. Apple’s customer base is not perfect, but it is much larger and more representative than the pool that researchers would usually have access to. This could make studies more comprehensive, accurate and ultimately more helpful in finding solutions for a multitude of illnesses. There are, of course, many ethical concerns to consider when handling the health data of individuals. Making sure participants remain anonymous and unassociated with their data will be a challenge, but Apple is in a unique position to deal with these issues. Apple is no stranger to ethics, private data and regulators — Apple
Pay deals with sensitive information too and so far the company has been able to keep the data under control. Still, health data is arguably more private and more valuable than financial data. The success of this concept will depend on their ability to control the data. If this development platform reaches maturity, medical research and its benefactors — the human race — will greatly benefit. Imagine the Apple Watch, a few generations old, collecting massive pools of data with its heart rate, blood pressure and glucose sensors, in addition to its gyrometer and accelerometer. Researchers could expand their studies and the field could become more representative as a wider range of health statistics are collected. Apple has already teamed up with IBM in order to synthesize health data with its supercomputer’s health application, Watson Health, and making the program available to medical researchers will expand its application. This may become possible in the near future, thanks to Apple’s ingenuity. Email Matthew Tessler at mtessler@nyunews.com.
ALCOHOL
Powdered alcohol receives unfair treatment By ADNAN ZARIF Staff Writer
Last week, New York Senator Charles Schumer called for the FDA to ban a new powdered alcohol product named Palcohol. Mark Philips developed the product in 2012 inspired by “a love of hiking but a distaste for carrying bottles of adult beverages uphill.” The product, set for release in stores this summer, has already drawn the attention of federal and state legislators. So far, six states have enacted legislation banning any form of powdered alcohol, and last month Schumer introduced a bill that could ban both the sale and manufacture of Palcohol nationwide. These sanctions, however, are unfair and unjustified. Palcohol, or any other powdered alcohol variant, ought to be regulated in the same manner as traditional alcohol. The strong backlash against the product stems from unwarranted safety concerns, particularly the powder’s potential to facilitate dangerous drinking behaviors. Specifically, there are fears about potential snorting of the product. Philips originally claimed this was possible
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on Palcohol’s website, although he acknowledged that it was “probably not a good idea.” Philips has gone on to retract that claim and concluded, “It would take you an hour of pain to ingest the equivalent of one drink. It really burns.” Palcohol’s website has gone on to modify its stance by stating that snorting the product would be both “impractical and unpleasant,” though legislators still remain concerned that customers, specifically teenagers, will misuse the powder. It is important to consider the product will be sold in single-use pouches capable of making a drink containing only 10 percent alcohol as the pouches are meant to be mixed with at least six ounces of liquid. Even if the product could be snorted effectively, it certainly would not be faster than drinking a standard 1.5
fluid ounce shot of liquor. Consumers who are looking to get drunk quickly already have a host of traditional, more efficient options. More realistic concerns are that the powder would be too easily concealed, allowing consumers to bring the powder to places where consumption of alcohol was otherwise prohibited. But as with liquid alcohol, this is not a reason to ban it. Once again, Palcohol proves to be no more dangerous than regular alcohol — the single-serving pouch measures four by six inches. Anyone seeking to transport alcohol would find it far more efficient to carry a flask, some of which are designed to be concealed. These would both be smaller and allow for the transport of a greater number of servings. Palcohol is just as dangerous as traditional alcohol — but not necessarily more so. Regulation of powdered alcohol products should match the current legislation for traditional alcohol. Any exclusive bans on powdered alcohol represent a deliberate bias in legislation. Email Adnan Zarif at opinion@nyunews.com.
Participatory Budgeting good for residents
This week some New York City residents have the opportunity to vote directly on funding for projects in their local council districts through Participatory Budgeting. Members of the community suggest the projects, which are funded through the council’s discretionary funds for each district. Many of the proposals include repairs to local public schools, sidewalks and parks. Twenty-four council members are participating, a significant increase from just four members in 2011, the year Participatory Budgeting was premiered. New Yorkers can vote for up to five projects each through April 19, and will determine where $25 million of their tax dollars are spent. Participatory Budgeting is a great way for residents to become more involved in their community, and the council should do more to increase voter turnout. This vote is far more inclusive than most, a strategy that should be duplicated in other local elections. Only proof of residency in the district is required, and anyone 16 years of age or older can participate — some districts have even lowered this age to 14. The ballots are also offered in multiple languages. Last year three-fourths of the ballots cast in Sunset Park and Red Hook were in languages other than English. This type of participatory budgeting lives up to its name, yet voter turnout is low. While New York City Participatory Budget Week is on social media and has its own hashtag #NYCPB, more advertising and media coverage is required. Wide enfranchisement is only beneficial if residents know about it. The low voter turnout may be partly due to the Participatory Budgeting elections occurring at such an unusual time of year. This is because the budget is decided according to the fiscal year, which unfortunately does not line up with traditional election day. Given this unavoidable scheduling hurdle, the social media push is imperative. All of the programs on the ballot deserve funding, particularly those that deal with improvement to schools and roads. However, the discretionary funds are not large enough to cover every worthy cause. This type of vote gives residents the opportunity to make tough decisions that would normally be left to council members. In taking part in the Participatory Budgeting elections, citizens are highlighting what they want in their districts, and even if the project does not win discretionary funds, at least it has been brought to the attention of the district’s council members. Several other cities, like San Francisco and Chicago, also have a version of Participatory Budgeting, but the idea should be extended everywhere. It gives residents an accessible way to make their voices heard and their tax dollars count. New York City’s inclusive voting requirements make this project beneficial and should be considered in other local elections — communities are made better when residents have more opportunities to make their voices heard.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tess Woosley (Chair), Annie Cohen (Co-chair), Tommy Collison (Co-chair), Matthew Tessler (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS SCHEIWILLER continued from PG. 1
Freshman on first season for softball
“I think that’s something that would drive me crazy — knowing that I could be playing softball but I’m not,” Scheiwiller said. “It’s definitely a trust thing. I practice in a way that once I step up on the field, I completely trust myself with what pitch I throw, how I throw the ball, how I hit it. I don’t need to think anymore.” After moving to Spokane, Washington, Scheiwiller spent all four years on her high school’s team and seven years playing on different travel teams. She spent her last three years on Spokane Crash Gold: the biggest competitive softball team in town. “Because I started so young and played it so long, a lot of my defining moments have been shaped by either softball, team members, games that I’ve played, or tournaments I’ve played,” Scheiwiller said. Quitting softball was never an option in her mind. She applied to top engineering schools on the East Coast, always making sure they had softball teams. Having previously spoken to the Poly coach about the formation of a varsity team and visited the campus, she enrolled at NYU. “Usually without a reaction chamber of sorts, all elements may not bond perfectly into a product,” Scheiwiller said. “A team is the same way, players start out with side bonds, but as time goes on, if a perfect team is wanted, all must bond and work together.” It hasn’t all been a breeze for Scheiwiller and her teammates though. The pressure of being a part of history — the first NYU varsity softball team — has weighed on them since day one. “It’s really disconcerting,” Scheiwiller said. “I try not to think about it before a game or during a game that we’re making history and that we are history and everything that you do is the historical first season. Otherwise, I get a little flustered out there.” She is doing her best to keep a positive attitude for the whole team, and remains determined to make the Violets’ presence known at NYU and in the NCAA. “Sitting in the banquet hall in Florida during the NCAA tournament it became obvious what a special opportunity this team had, to be the first team to wear NYU jerseys,” Scheiwiller said. Email Kathryn Jones at sports@nyunews.com.
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Shortstop shows love for NYU, baseball By JONATHAN SCHIFMAN Staff Writer
When freshman shortstop Jonathan Iaione steps into the batter’s box, personal statistics are the last thing on his mind. “I go up to the plate every time and think about hitting the baseball hard,” Iaione said. “The numbers will speak for themselves after the season.” The numbers thus far have been hard to ignore. Iaione, the Violets’ regular cleanup hitter who has also seen time in the third and fifth spots in the lineup, is batting .301 and is tied for third on the team with 18 RBIs and 18 runs scored. Iaione has has success hitting everything that opposing pitchers have served up to him this year. “Batting in the middle of the order, you can always expect a heavy dose of off-speed pitches,” Iaione said. “I am always looking to drive a fastball and adjust to a curve. For me, having an up-the-middle approach allows me to adjust to any pitch in any location.” The freshman’s quick start for
the Violets is a continuation of his success from Bernards High School in Bernardsville, New Jersey, where he was a four-year team member and named to five different all-star teams in his junior and senior years. But playing collegiate baseball has been a very new experience for Iaione, his teammates, and NYU as a whole — NYU, in their first year back as a varsity program in 41 years, has one of the youngest teams in the country, with 21 freshmen on its 29-man roster. “We’re just so young and it’s been an adjustment for all of us,” Iaione said. “But there’s no doubt we have a lot of talent. With some good recruits coming in to fill some holes, we can be a very dangerous team. We should definitely start competing for a UAA title and an NCAA tournament bid in the next few seasons.” Iaione’s best game came on April 3 in an 8-5 win against Skidmore College, where he went 2-for-3 with a base-clearing triple that broke a 3-3 tie. He also went 4-for4 in the Violets’ 10-2 blowout win
STAFF PHOTO BY RACHEL KAPLAN
Shortstop Jonathan Iaione has been a powerful force during his first season with the Violets. against Cairn University on March 18, scoring two runs and driving in two more. With 15 games left this season, Iaione is hoping to improve defensively to close out the year. “Shortstop is a very difficult position to play,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into playing a great short. I need to continue to work on my footwork, attacking balls and other aspects of the position. A lot of this comes with repetition.” Iaione, a New York Mets fan who is in the business and technology management program in the Poly-
technic School of Engineering, almost chose to attend Johns Hopkins University before deciding on NYU a year ago. With his freshman year almost complete, he has nothing to regret about his decision. “NYU has given me all I could ever ask for,” he said. “Being able to start every game as a freshman, being able to play in a beautiful ballpark such as MCU, and being able to start our own legacy. It’s something very unique and I never take it for granted.” Email Jonathan Schifman at sports@nyunews.com.