NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 44
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014
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Students organize health care discussion By CHRISTINE PARK
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Students raised awareness about the environment at the 16th annual Earth Day Street Fair. Several student groups gathered at LaGuardia Place to promote going green. Included in the fair were giveaways, music and a chance to learn about how NYU students can make their carbon footprint smaller.
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STORY ON PAGE 3
Film worthwhile despite unpolished narrative By IFE OLUJOBI
Films often portray young people as powerless, especially when pitted against their parents or other older figures. This depiction is not true for 17-yearold Isabelle in “Young and Beautiful.” Marine Vacth plays the lead in Francois Ozon’s latest project with hypnotic disaffection that belies the crippling power that her youth, natural beauty and mature intelligence wield over everyone she encounters. Unfortunately, while Vacth and her character are undeniably magnetic, the rest of the film fails to match their charming qualities. “Young and Beautiful” follows
NYU President John Sexton joined health and law experts in a symposium to provide students with a broader framework for shaping the conversation about health care. The symposium, hosted by the Liberal Studies Student Council in the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life on April 22, included two panels on the contraception and influence of public policy on medical decision-making. GLS senior Elissa Ha, the primary organizer, said the purpose of the event was to draw attention to a topic that many students do not often think about. “It was meant to be an opportunity to discuss and learn about health care reform, which is not as accessible or spoken [about], in my opinion, in the undergraduate community, despite the relevance,” Ha said. President of the LS student council and sophomore Rohit Mittal said the event was mainly targeted
the shy and studious Isabelle through a year of her teenage life, as dictated by the four seasons. In this period of time, the audience sees Isabelle’s sexual journey through adolescence, from her first sexual encounters through her stint as a prostitute, and on to her eventual maturation and self-revelation. It is a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of a young girl exploring her body and using it as a weapon against both the johns that employ her and a family who does not know how to help her. Isabelle’s mother is played by Géraldine Pailhas, who gives
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Cast draws audiences to ‘Annapurna’ By SUZANNE EGAN
The most significant box office draw for Sharr White’s play “Annapurna” is the casting of Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman. Married since 2003, Mullally and Offerman have gained notoriety for their television work — Mullally won two Emmys for her performance in “Will & Grace” and Offerman stars in NBC’s “Parks and Recreation” — but they have a long history with theater. The couple met while performing in a play in Los Angeles and have worked with theater companies in Chicago and New York. Audiences are drawn to the theater by these fine actors, and viewers will be glad they came. The play follows Ulysses (Offerman) and Emma (Mullally), a divorced couple that has not
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Nick Offerman plays Ulysses, an isolated divorcee. spoken for 20 years but reunites when their son, Sam, abruptly leaves college to visit his estranged father.
Knowing that Ulysses is sick and living in seclusion, Emma journeys ahead to prepare him for Sam’s arrival. Some of her preparations are superficial — cleaning Ulysses’ disgusting trailer, stocking up his kitchen and ordering him to put some pants on — but it is clear that the two have other issues to hash out. Why does Sam suddenly want to meet his father when he ignored every letter Ulysses ever sent? And what drove Emma to leave in the first place? The answers to these questions are fairly easy to predict, but the strong characters make up for weak points in the plot. Described as a poet-cowboy in the playbill, Ulysses is a former professor and writer who lives by himself in
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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TODAY ON CAMPUS Pakistan’s YouTube ban Sabeen Mahmud, media entrepreneur of PeaceNiche and The Second Floor in Karachi, Pakistan, will be speaking today about her campaign against the current YouTube ban in Pakistan. The event will take place in room 207 of 239 Greene St. at 12:30 p.m.
Privacy and Human Rights Brad Smith, executive vice president and general counsel of Microsoft, is one of four people featured on a panel today regarding government surveillance, consumer privacy and human rights. After the presentation, the panelists will answer questions from the audience. The event will take place in the Greenberg Lounge of Vanderbilt Hall at 12:25 p.m.
Fighting Poverty
Tourists board gondolas on the canals in Venice, Italy.
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As part of a speaker series, there will be a discussion today about fighting poverty and ending malaria. The series includes panelists from The New York Times, the UN Envoy’s Office for Health, Harvard’s Hauser Institute for Civil Society and the Robin Hood Foundatiom. The event will take place in the Tishman Auditorium of Vanderbilt Hall at 6:30 p.m. TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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HEALTH CARE continued from PG. 1
Panelists take new perspective on health care
to LS students but was open to all NYU students. “This event is very important for anybody wanting to understand law, medicine, economics or even business,” Mittal said. “We want all of our students to gain a world-class education away from classrooms.” Mittal said the guest speakers have diverse backgrounds in their respective fields. Susan Herman, the keynote speaker, is the president of the American Civil Liberties Union and a law professor at Brooklyn Law School. Herman said the Affordable Care Act is always discussed in conjunction with other issues like politics and medicine and is not simply focused on health care. “It’s very deeply about other things as well, including who’s going to be included in society, who’s going to be included in the democracy as voters and who’s going to be included socially as opposed to put off in prison where their lives and the lives of their families are devastated,” Herman said. Speakers shared their opinions on the contraceptive mandate. Many discussed the Hobby Lobby lawsuit, which was filed against the United States in 2012 over a requirement that health insurance cover emergency contraceptives. Anthony Caso, one of the panelists and a law professor at Chapman University, said he hopes people will appreciate the value of religion in the debate
President John Sexton closes the discussion on health care. about contraceptives. “We can all think of an instance where somebody else’s claim of religious freedom is going to interfere with the way we want things to happen,” Caso said. “But if we grant government the power to take away that freedom, we need to understand the scope of what we’ve done.” In the closing remarks, Sexton spoke about the culture of unoriginal thought in the United States and the importance of reasonable discussion on current issues such as health care.
NYU WIRELESS, partner look to 5G By GRAHAM RAPIER
NYU is embracing the next generation of wireless technology, giving students an opportunity to become part of a unique research project. NYU WIRELESS, the research program at the Polytechnic School of Engineering, has partnered with Ericsson Incorporated to research a 5G network. Magnus Frodigh, the director of wireless access networks research at Ericsson Research’s corporate headquarters in Stockholm, said NYU WIRELESS’s research in wireless communications is extensive, particularly its work on millimeter-wave communications. “We will follow the work both from our U.S.-based radio research group in San Jose as well as from our radio research in Stockholm,” Frodigh said. “In addition, we are always looking for top talents, and our university collaborations are one of our main sources for recruitments.” Poly junior James Manne-Nicholas said he is eager to see the program move forward. “As an intercollegiate collaboration it’s rather interesting,” Manne-Nicholas said.
Environmental prof tackles future problems By CLAIRE SCIMECA
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The program will be expanding even more in the future. From April 23 to 25, NYU WIRELESS is partnering with communications company Nokia to present the first Brooklyn 5G Summit at the Poly campus. The partner companies each send two members to sit with and advise NYU WIRELESS researchers, and will keep students updated on the technology industry while offering job opportunities in the field. CAS junior and computer science major Mike Jaoudi said he would appreciate a chance to work with the program. “[What] they are doing at NYU WIRELESS is some truly revolutionary work,” Jaoudi said. “Being a part of that research team as an undergraduate would be a tremendous opportunity.” NYU WIRELESS Director Theodore Rappaport said in a press release that the program is pleased to welcome Ericsson. “Our students will benefit from working alongside this global innovator and leader in network infrastructure technology and wireless services.” Graham Rapier is a contributing writer. Email him at news@nyunews.com.
“We get into feedback loops where we even receive the information through what the psychologists call the confirmation bias that just reconfirms what we already believe,” Sexton said. “That’s very dangerous.” Sexton concluded by saying he was proud of the LS Student Council for organizing a symposium that encouraged deeper thought. Additional reporting by Andrew Spohn. Christine Park is a contributing writer. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
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While there may not currently be a clear solution to climate change, Dale Jamieson holds out hope for a better future for the environment. Jamieson, an environmental studies and philosophy professor, told students in a lecture on April 22 that ameliorating global warming is still possible if people shift their morality to focus on the coming generations. Opening on the history of the struggle against climate change, Jamieson discussed the topic of his new book, “Reason in a Dark Time: Why the Struggle to Stop Climate Change Failed — and What It Means For Our Future.” Jamieson said climate change is the world’s biggest cooperation problem. He said in order to combat the issue, people need to establish a new moral system that considers the fate of future generations. To help explain the current responsibility of individuals, Jamieson quoted John Nolt, a professor at the University of Tennessee. “The average American is responsible through her greenhouse gas emissions [for] the suffering and/or deaths of one or two future people,” Jamieson said. Jamieson said most people disassociate their actions from future consequences. Jamieson said global climate change calls on people to look out for others.
“The changes that we are beginning to experience may become platforms for new values that will enable us to better navigate life in the densely populated, high-technology, high-consumption world that we have created,” Jamieson’s final slide read. CAS sophomore Davis Saltonstall agreed that people do not currently feel the need to look out for the future of the planet. “It’s not until we have a moral shift that is ingrained in everything else that people are going to feel like they have to change their behavior,” Saltonstall said. Biology professor Tyler Volk said talks about climate change are important for the university’s community. “It’s very important to have events open to the wider university body with leading experts on sustainability, climate change, environmental futures and more,” Volk said. Jamieson proposed concrete solutions, including the incorporation of environmental issues into public conversation. He acknowledged that despite there being no immediate solution, climate change will not wipe out civilization. “Just because we can’t see how we’re going to get [to a solution] from here doesn’t mean we’re not going to get there,” Jamieson said. Claire Scimeca is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Students go green for Earth Day By CLAIRE SCIMECA
The 16th annual Earth Day Street Fair featured the largest number of student organizations in the fair’s history, all while producing zero waste. President of EarthMatters and master’s student David Krantz said everything from the fair, held on LaGuardia Place between Bobst Library and the Kimmel Center for University Life on April 22, was recycled or composted, not thrown away. At the fair, clubs set up tables with games and giveaways while the country’s only solar-powered DJ, Chill Will, provided the soundtrack. Gallatin junior Caitlin Rowles is the general manager of EarthMatters, which organizes the street fair every year. Rowles said Earth Day is especially exciting for environmentalists, but others can also enjoy the day. “Your average NYU student walking around can get involved and see what is possible to do for the environment,” Rowles said. Organizations represented included the Environmental Studies Club, the Office of Sustainability and Take Back the Tap, a campaign to reduce the sale of plastic bottles of water and promote water-refilling stations around campus. CAS junior and Cruelty Free
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Students gathered on LaGuardia Place for the Earth Day fair. NYU member Christina Nuñez said her club focuses on the relationship between eating habits and the environment. “Our goals as a club are to promote awareness of the vegan [and] vegetarian lifestyle on campus, promote a plant-based diet and promote awareness, especially today, of the environmental impact of eating meat and eating dairy products,” Nuñez said. In an effort to reduce the negative impacts of food they eat, the Community Agriculture Club tends a garden in Washington Square Village.
Steinhardt sophomore Kavya Simkhovich said in order to eliminate pesticides on food and transportation costs to the environment, urban gardening is the best solution. “Direct farming is probably the most sustainable thing you can do,” Simkhovich said. Transfernation and the College Cohort Program’s Service Committee tabled to help end unnecessary waste. Transfernation is a program that links events on campus with leftover food to organizations that can repurpose it to feed those in need. The Service Committee helped spread awareness of recycling and composting on campus and also manned the waste disposal sites. Oxfam America, which is devoted to spreading awareness of global hunger, social justice, poverty and fair trade, also had a table at the fair. LS sophomore and member of Oxfam America Lila Carpenter helped organize the street fair. “Earth Matters put a lot of work into organizing [the fair], and I think it was a huge success,” Carpenter said. “It was a lot of fun and hopefully raised awareness about the importance of the environment and all the awesome clubs that work to make NYU more green.” Claire Scimeca is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY DANA RESZUTEK BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Music festivals Alexander Wang, H&M collaborate dominated by fashion By KATE MARIN
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Accessories are a popular addition to festival attire. By DAVID BOLOGNA While social media sites rub the thrill of Coachella in the faces of those unable to attend, dressing the part of a festivalgoer has never been more in style for the average fashionista. From floral prints to denim basics, music festival season has begun, and the attendants’ looks have become a spectacle almost as big as the musicians themselves. Here are a few simple trends that can be affordable for a college budget. Florals for spring are not necessarily the most groundbreaking idea, but they never disappoint and stay on trend. Placing a unique spin on florals in terms of silhouette is the best way to style festivalready looks this year. Rock a floral vest or sleeveless tank, like the ASOS Tank with Hawaiian Floral Print and Extreme Racer Back, to show some masculinity along with spring spirit ($23). For a more feminine look, try Modcloth’s Fest What You Need Dress with a pair of strappy flat sandals ($50). For a classic look, pair a floral jacket with a complementing top, long necklace, hot pants and booties. The maxi dress is a go-to item for style and comfort among festivalgoers, and this piece can be a good decision for a busy student. Look for vibrant colors like cobalt or redorange and pair with colorful, matching sandals in a funky material like rubber or PVC. Denim has made its way back into the hearts of festivalgoers, and that is music to the ears of New York City residents combating chilly nights. No one can go wrong with
a denim jacket and, when paired with a monochrome legging or skinny jean, it looks sleeker than ever. Try H&M’s Denim Jacket and add some Miley Cyrus buns to your hair for an even bigger statement ($40). For a more casual look, pair a rolled up 1969 Destructed Sexy Boyfriend Jeans from Gap ($41) with a graphic tank tee, like Forever 21’s Free Spirit Knit Tank ($14); a simple sneaker, like Converse or Keds; and retro cat-eye sunglasses. Another basic is jean shorts. When worn with an animal print top and a vibrant shoe, this look can be a total hit. Accessories are all the rage with festival style, too. Floral headbands are a bit too literal and somewhat overdone, but the bangle frenzy is just starting. Stacks of bangles on one arm are a great way to keep your looks fresh and young while adding some eccentricity. The only rule is to make sure to match all metals on one arm. Stone rings have returned as well to add pops of color to monochromatic apparel. From emerald to turquoise, these stones add an organic yet chic feel to any look. Stop by Monk Thrift Store on MacDougal Street for an endless assortment of jewelry. As for bags, the most festival-functional companion is the bucket bag. Simple and reliable, this bag is an instant winner. Old Navy’s FauxLeather Tasseled Bucket Bag ($25) and Sole Society’s Coco Small Bucket Bag ($20) are affordable and hip options. David Bologna is a staff writer. Email him at bstyle@nyunews.com.
H&M announced on April 13 that they will collaborate with Alexander Wang for their latest collection. Starting on November 6, Alexander Wang x H&M will be featured in over 250 stores around the world and online. The designs of Wang, a New York-based fashion designer, have been featured on the runway since 2007 and have since gained recognition for their remarkably tasteful aesthetic. Wang’s designs are practical yet transformative and his collaboration with H&M will offer this to customers at a more reasonable price. This announcement is exciting news for those who adore Wang’s designs but cannot afford a large investment in clothing. H&M’s creative advisor, Margareta van den Bosch, said the company’s collaboration with Wang will give shoppers a new and infectious line of apparel. Wang, unlike other modern day fashion designers, creates clothing that is truly ready-towear, and because of this he has a wide range of fans. He pushes the boundaries of fashion in a practical sense and incorporates elements of high fashion
in order to appeal to a vast audience. The work of Wang is universally recognized, and his success has been on the rise since his debut. However excited Wang fans are for the release of his collaborative line with H&M, it is difficult to say if this affordable offshoot will live up to his other beloved collections. There are concerns that the quality of the material and designs will be diminished due to the constraints of a budget line. Although this is a safe assumption to make, the overall aesthetic that Wang continually delivers will most likely be reflected through his collaboration and executed to his high standards. The materials themselves and the quality of the individual pieces will probably not match Wang’s runway line, or even his more affordable T by Alexander Wang, but his overall style will be maintained. H&M’s past collaborations with designers, such as Isabel Marant, Roberto Cavalli and Comme des Garçons, proved to offer tasteful designs that reflected the apparel featured on the runway. Target, another affordable brand, recently collaborated with fashion designer Peter Pilotto. This release was incredibly successful, drawing
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Wang’s collection will be available next fall. huge lines of fans and selling out both in stores and online. Pilotto’s designs were not only as affordable as the other clothing options featured at Target, but also gave customers a taste of his runway collections. High-end designer and namebrand store collaborations are a great way to bring success to a company while selling the work of an often otherwise unattainable artist. Wang’s new collection will expand his available consumer market and also draw a new crowd to the retail store itself. Kate Marin is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
New York styles find way to Australia By BAILEY EVANS
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia took place this past week and featured many of the same Spring/Summer collection trends that were seen in New York last fall. Top Australian designers including Alex Perry, Alice McCall and Bec and Bridge debuted Spring/Summer lines that put a twist on typical warm-weather trends. Chiffon dresses that create movement were heavily featured on the runways, particularly in McCall’s collection, which was filled with ready-to-wear dresses for spring. These dresses were often made with sheer materials and thigh-high slits. Dresses with movement are particularly wearable for the typical college student because they fit in with the bohemian styles that major stores like H&M and Urban Outfitters are featuring for spring. Simple monochrome dresses were also popular on runways for both fashion weeks. One of the most popular trends to take over both the runways and the streets has been the crop top. Australia’s fashion week saw its fair share of crop tops, mostly in the form of two-piece dresses. This same trend also dominated New York’s spring collections last fall. This style has become one of the more workable trends for the fashion forward who
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Neutral makeup was a trend seen in New York and Sydney. want to bring runway styles to everyday looks, particularly because of the seemingly limitless ways to wear a crop top. White, monochromatic looks stood out on the runways in Australia with many designers featuring head-to-toe white pieces. When the spring collections debuted in New York, white played a pivotal role, but was less prominent than in Australia. The crisp white collars that were popular in New York’s fashion week appeared in the form of entirely white suits and dresses in Australia. This trend appeared in several collections in many forms and is easy to replicate because of its versatility. The most difficult part of making this trend wearable will
inevitably be not spilling anything on an all-white outfit. Keeping in line with the accessible and wearable trends that seemed to characterize Australia’s fashion week, hair and makeup styles were kept clean and natural-looking. The low pony tail was a popular hairstyle, in addition to a fresh-faced look and neutral makeup. The earthy approach to makeup was also present in New York’s Spring Fashion Week, which seemed to nod to the quickly rising popularity of the bare-faced look. Fresh faces or very light makeup seems to have replaced strong eyeshadow and eyeliner. However, some of Australia’s shows did feature models with brightly shadowed lids to fit with the bright colors characteristic of spring collections. Overall, many of the fashions seen in Australia mirrored those seen in New York last fall. The overall trend in both fashion weeks seems to be the wearability of many of the styles. From crop tops and sheer material to neutral make-up, the Spring/Summer collections were filled with trends that can easily be replicated without a high fashion-level budget. Many of the trends have already been popping up in street style for the past year. Bailey Evans is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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ARTS
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‘Bad Teacher’ adaptation Unpublished works spark debate not bad, not great By MICHAEL DOMANICO and CLIO MCCONNELL
By BOB TEOH
Based on the 2011 film starring Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake and Jason Segel, the new CBS sitcom “Bad Teacher” joins a long list of movie-totelevision adaptations debuting this season. An adaptation of “Bad Teacher” is rather an odd choice, however, compared to selections such as the Coen brothers’ “Fargo,” which now has a series on FX. “Fargo” is a critically acclaimed stand-alone film, and the series has been earning rave reviews. On the other hand, “Bad Teacher” was universally panned, and a sequel is currently underway. While “Bad Teacher” certainly has its moments, the show is at best a mediocre sitcom that will have a hard time surviving its first season. CBS’s adaptation retains most of the original premise — golddigging trophy wife Meredith Davis (Ari Graynor) is left penniless after she divorces her rich husband. To dive back into the pool of wealthy, single dads and continue her extravagant lifestyle, Davis lands a job as a teacher. Davis is completely unqualified but, after some serious manipulation, she convinces Principal Carl Gaines (David Alan Grier) to give her the job. Davis soon finds all the television clichés hanging out in the teacher’s lounge. The no-nonsense history teacher becomes her enemy, the awkward biology teacher — played
by “The Big Bang Theory’s” Sara Gilbert, not straying far from her comfort zone — becomes her unintentional lackey and the attractive gym teacher hints at a romantic history with Davis. Davis’ abrasiveness and inadequate teaching credentials provide the majority of the show’s laughs, though not all of them hit home. “Bad Teacher’s” approach to humor relies almost entirely on outright offensive jokes that do not really contribute much to the plotline. Davis’ only redeeming quality is also the series’ only redeeming quality — her hidden warmth and sympathy for the kids she teaches. Davis quickly bonds with Lily, a friend’s stepdaughter who is shunned and harassed by the popular girls. Genuine and sweet, Davis’ interactions with her students allow her true self to poke through, making her relatable and giving the show a chance to rise above mediocrity. Most critics cited Diaz’s electric performance as one of the 2011 film’s high points. Unfortunately, Graynor does not approach the role with Diaz’s charm and hilarity. The child actors are the show’s surprising stars, as Davis’ students bring energy and sincerity to an otherwise sparse ensemble. “Bad Teacher” premieres April 24 on CBS. Bob Teoh is entertainment editor. Email him at entertainment@nyunews.com.
When celebrated Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez passed away on April 17, his legacy included more than just his status as one of the most prominent magic realists. The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that, according to Penguin Random House Mexico, García Márquez left behind an unpublished manuscript. The publishing company said the author’s family had not yet made a decision as to whether it would release the tentatively titled “En Agosto Nos Vemos” manuscript. Some of history’s greatest literature consists of work published posthumously, from Mark Twain’s autobiography to Vergil’s “Aeneid.” All great authors die before their time — the longer they live, the more of their brilliance is imparted to the world. But when that writer passes away, whose responsibility is it to care for his unpublished wisdom? Readers will line up to buy a copy of their favorite author’s latest work, regardless of whether it was he or his family who approved the publication details. Yet, in most cases, posthumous works are unfinished. To read and compare an imperfect composition to the rest of a writer’s body of work is asking for trouble. On one hand, it could be considered disrespectful to compare such a novel to more polished publications. Criticism of David Foster Wallace’s posthumous novel “The Pale King” was generally laudatory, but most reviews mention that the book was not completed before the author’s suicide in 2008 and almost certainly was not as
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refined as the final product would have been. Yet, maintaining integrity is not always the highest concern in these cases. When Stieg Larsson passed away in 2004, he had not yet seen any book in his best-selling “Millenium” series published. “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” “The Girl Who Played with Fire” and “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest” would go on to sell over 65 million copies worldwide, and at the time of his passing Larsson was working on more manuscripts in the series. Larsson’s family and long-time girlfriend fell into a legal dispute about who owned the rights to the manuscripts, with Swedish law ultimately coming down in favor of Larsson’s estranged brother and father. Currently, a ghostwriter has been hired to publish the fourth book in the “Millenium” series, set to come out in August 2015. Larsson’s case monetizes the issue. After all, talk of literary legacy only goes so far — millions can be made from the last work of a famed author’s repertoire. The bit-
ter dispute between Larsson’s romantic partner and his estranged family exemplifies this issue. The flow of revenue becomes more important than the author’s vision, which should not be the case. Years from now, when the dispute becomes old news and the work is all that is left, the writer’s legacy will be misrepresented by greed. It is tempting for fans to read every last word their favorite author has written, and there is something appealing about reading a work-in-progress, but readers should be concerned about the creative integrity of posthumous publication. Unless the writer has given the go-ahead for his book to be published, it is fair to say that the piece is for his eyes only. To release an unfinished novel or autobiography after its creator’s death is to invite unfair criticism into the memory of an otherwise unsullied reputation. Michael Domanico is managing editor. Clio McConnell is arts editor. Email them at arts@nyunews.com.
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Lead actress’ character charms in coming-of-age film
a believable and affecting performance. She and Vacth share a sense of bravery, lending a strong sense of honesty to the film while allowing viewers to understand relationships and dynamics that would otherwise be hard to relate to. Vacth and Pailhas are the real emotional centers of the film, but supporting characters are strong across the board. “Young and Beautiful” falters in the four-season narrative structure. While Isabelle moves through the year with no shortage of sex and nudity, the film loses steam and direction soon after her mother and family discover that she is a prostitute — although it is fascinating to watch the family dynamic after the bomb is dropped. Furthermore, it is a mystery why Isabelle takes up prostitution in the first place. Her family is upper middle-class and she herself states that she did not
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
“En Agosto Nos Vemos” is García Márquez’s unpublished work.
need the extra money from prostituting. This apparently pointless life change is problematic because Isabelle’s shady career is the film’s focal point. A certain amount of uncertainty is fine — necessary, even — in a young girl’s coming-of-age story, but it is never made clear why she needs to diligently collect and stash money. Similarly, the film ends abruptly because the conclusion does not distinguish itself from other events in the narrative. Ozon’s film represents an interesting cross section of familiarity and innovation. On one hand, it is refreshing to see the adolescent sexual experience through the eyes of a young girl, especially one with so much power and intelligence. On the other hand, this coming-of-age story employs tropes and visuals similar to other films in its genre, specifically Isabelle and her friend Claire’s dalliances with the boys in their school.
COURTESY OF WILD BUNCH
Marine Vacth plays 17-yearold Isabelle in the film. The narrative might not be entirely polished, but the performances and Ozon’s moody and artful direction make “Young and Beautiful” a worthwhile watch. Ife Olujobi is film editor. Email her at iolujobi@nyunews.com.
On-stage relationship saves ‘Annapurna’ from weak plot
the mountains. Offerman brings his familiar gruffness to the role, but he carries it with an almost haunting intelligence. Mullally’s performance is equally strong. She shows her expert comedic instinct — “Why is your inhaler in the cookie jar?” she demands in a panic when Ulysses suffers an asthma attack — as well as something deeper and more emotional. Emma explains that she gave up her editing career to care for Sam, and her maternal nature extends toward Ulysses on several occasions. She calls him out when he makes excuses for his mistakes, but also soothes him when his physical and emotional ailments flare up. In addition to the superb performances, the lighting and set design for “Annapurna” are beautiful. Designer Thomas Walsh surrounds Ulysses’ shabby trailer with a wide mural of the Colorado
mountains, creating a tightness in the house as well as an open, natural beauty that peeks in through the windows. The story does not always hold up to the strength of the performances and design. Complications including Sam’s deafness, Emma’s abusive second husband and Ulysses’ struggles with addiction sometimes cause the plot to stumble, but Ulysses and Emma’s relationship is compelling enough to keep the play afloat. The complicated emotions these characters express feel genuine, and the seasoned cast delivers them aptly in this highly enjoyable production. “Annapurna” is playing at the Acorn Theater, 410 W. 42nd St., through June 1. Suzanne Egan is a staff writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Easy, in adspeak 9 Like the stars 15 Tooth next to a canine 16 The “cave” of “cave canem” 17 Go away as a marathoner might? 18 Go away as a Michael Jackson impersonator might? 19 Z abroad 20 Yank rival 21 Pothook shape 22 Go away as an outdoorsman might? 26 Augment 28 Olympics chant 29 Some Marine NCOs 31 Neural conductor 32 Wrinkle-reducing shot 35 Step up or down 37 Go away as a bumblebee might?
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40 Go away as a speaker of pig Latin might? 44 Particle theorized in 1977 46 Carnivore that both hunts and scavenges 47 Overwhelm with flattery 50 “Wonderful!” 53 Word with living or dead 54 Caffeine-laden nuts 56 With 63- and 65-Across, go away as a soda jerk might? 59 “___ be a pleasure!” 60 They’re checked at the door 62 ___ instant 63 & 65 See 56-Across 69 A solar system “ice giant” 70 Sculptor’s works 71 “For heaven’s sake!”
72 F. A. O. Schwarz, for one
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41 Need a bath badly 42 Hathaway of “Becoming Jane” 43 When tripled, a Seinfeld catchphrase 45 Museum-funding org. 47 One often in need of a lift?
48 Official with a seal 49 Racetrack has-been 51 Closely resembling 52 Like some shortterm N.B.A. contracts 55 Hole in one’s head?
57 Stands the test of time 58 Raw data, often 61 Usain Bolt event 64 “It’s ___-brainer” 65 Prince Edward Island hrs. 66 Mekong Valley native 67 Sale rack abbr. 68 Rope on a ship
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
South Korean officials incompetent in crisis By KENNY KYUNGHOON LEE
Hundreds of passengers are still missing from the South Korean ferry disaster, which left at least 128 people dead. Anger and frustration are spreading across the country as officials have failed to provide accurate accounts of the rescue operation’s progress. The confusion created by erroneous reports is eroding the public’s trust in its government’s ability to carry out rescue missions. South Korean officials’ incompetence during this tragic incident should serve as a powerful reminder for national governments across the world of their responsibility to maintain an efficient flow of information throughout ongoing crises. Despite heightened media attention, government officials in South Korea failed to appropriately investigate and handle the incident. The Korea Coast Guard initially stated that many of the ferry’s passengers had been rescued. However, hundreds of passengers are still unaccounted for. Grieving families who accused the government of lying threatened to march to the Presidential Blue House in Seoul but were confronted by police. This
confusion has damaged the families’ trust in their government. This incident shows how ill-prepared South Korean officials were to communicate efficiently in the face of a large-scale disaster. Fallacious reports and delayed updates on rescue progress fueled speculative online articles and catalyzed the spread of rumors on social media. Furthermore, fake text messages allegedly sent by the students trapped inside the ferry were circulated online. If the government had provided accurate information and appropriately released information about the ongoing rescue, such confusion could have been avoided. The recent Malaysian Airlines incident also demonstrates the importance of coherent delivery of information when confronting a national crisis. The lack of available data and precedent did cripple the search, but
the Malaysian government failed to accurately provide even basic details about the flight. After the incident, reports by Malaysian officials initially said that everyone who booked the flight boarded the plane, but the airline later confirmed that four passengers did not actually board the plane. Such public blunders made the passengers’ relatives lose confidence in their government. Disappointed and frustrated, they took to the streets in Beijing to criticize Malaysian officials. These two dreadful incidents should remind government authorities and civilian organizations worldwide of the importance of efficiently handling information during ongoing crises. In today’s society, in which the speed of flowing information is magnified by social media, authorities need to be better prepared to respond quickly and accurately in order to meet the public’s need for honest developments and answers. The failure to do so will lead to public distrust, as well as more pain for the families left behind by disaster victims. Kenny Kyunghoon Lee is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
COMMUNITY
University should improve alumni relations By OMAR KHEDR
As graduation approaches and students leave NYU for the world beyond the Square, they say goodbye to Silver Center lecture halls, nights on St. Mark’s Place, Palladium Athletic Facility, delicious fries from Chick-fil-A and more. Fortunately, they do not have to permanently bid farewell to the social and professional bonds with their peers, thanks to the NYU Alumni Association and other alumni outreach efforts. What is lacking, however, is a unified push by the university community to foster networking between past, current and future graduating classes. If the association intends to keep the members of our university engaged, it must promote alumni efforts both aggressively and early. In addition, interested parties — including the NYU administration, faculty, current student body and alumni from all graduating classes — need to work harder to keep these intellectual bonds strong. At present, the NYU Alumni Association holds conferences and targeted events to reach out to specific alumni demographics. The annual Alumni Awards Luncheon is an op-
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portunity for alumni to reconnect with their peers while taking pride in the achievements of their fellow graduates. Additionally, the university hosts an annual Alumni Day, where past graduates return to campus, interact and attend thoughtful lectures as well as discussions on business and politics. A variety of seminars, volunteer opportunities and industry-specific conferences are also sponsored throughout the year. Despite these effective initiatives, the university can still do more to expand alumni outreach as some peer schools have. Harvard University recently introduced special courses tailored and restricted to its alumni through HarvardX, the school’s online technology program. NYU, with its world-renowned faculty, could launch a similar initiative that allows graduates to deepen their intellectual connections as well.
Recent alumni — whether working in the city or expanding their horizons across the globe — would value the chance to draw closer to their peers and current NYU students through engaging discussions on global affairs, the economy and social issues. Certain student-run clubs have already taken the initiative to interact more with their alumni. The Investment Analysis Group, one of the largest business clubs at NYU, actively connects to its past members to learn from their experiences and provide mentoring opportunities. Other student organizations should launch similar initiatives across campus to ensure that all club members can benefit from each other. Enhancing and improving our alumni outreach opportunities would build a strong bond between alumni, current students, faculty and administrative officials. This effort would prove to be an apt parting gift to the graduating class of 2014, as well as a worthy investment in the NYU community overall. Omar Khedr graduated from the College of Arts and Science in 2012. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
‘I, Too, Am NYU’ should expand to include allies
The social justice campaign “I, Too, Am NYU,” which has so far portrayed the challenges of over 150 students of color through images, recently received a great deal of attention. Using the previous Harvard and Oxford University projects for inspiration, the pictures feature students holding boards with written reflections of stereotypes or discrimination they have experienced. The “I, Too, Am NYU” Facebook page lists the organization’s four goals — empowering minority students, contesting micro-aggressions and racial discrimination, asserting a sense of belonging and bringing issues to our administration’s attention. While the campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles minorities endure on college campuses, it would benefit from expanding its mission statement to give non-minority allies an opportunity to participate. Allies contributed to the success of the civil rights and LGBTQ movements and omitting their influence from the statement could hinder further development. A report from the University of California, Los Angeles, found that verbal comments are the most common form of racial discrimination toward minority students. Even on campuses that are often considered highly diverse like NYU, with a minority enrollment greater than 36 percent, 45.8 percent of minority students reported experiencing racially charged comments. These numbers are even higher at less diverse universities. By directly addressing comments they found hurtful or ignorant, students participating in the “I, Too, Am NYU” campaign are challenging the most prevalent form of racism. The nationwide prevalence of these comments highlights the need for the campaign to expand to every university. Lack of diversity is an issue that faces colleges nationwide. Many U.S. universities claim to have racially diverse campuses when in actuality the percentages of minority students are actually quite low. NYU claims to be one of the most diverse private universities in the United States, and yet the proportion of black and Latino students is less than the nationwide census, at 4.8 and 8.1 percent respectively. For this reason, “I, Too, Am NYU” is calling for more minority students to be admitted. Movements citing the prevalence of racial discrimination struggle to make a significant impact without strong allies. Allies play an important role for campaigns that advocate for greater LGBTQ rights by helping to influence a larger demographic. The success achieved by the integration of allies into the LGBTQ movement should encourage minorities who participate in campaigns to connect with members of a majority group. Allies on the NYU campus should strive to become more involved in movements advocating for racial equality in order to make efforts more effective. By recruiting non-minority students who are committed to fighting discrimination and willing to use their inherent position of social privilege to promote acceptance, “I, Too, Am NYU” could reach a broader audience.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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