NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 65
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013
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Unemployment grows in New York By AFEEFA TARIQ
Gerard Baker offers insight into business journalism, new media
JONATHAN TAN/WSN
The university’s business and economic reporting program hosted The Wall Street Journal managing editor and Dow Jones editor-in-chief Gerard Baker, who spoke about the future of journalsim at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute.
STORY ON PAGE 3
The unemployment rate in New York City increased to 8.6 percent in August from 8.4 percent in July, while unemployment in New York state increased to 7.6 percent from 7.5 percent in the same time period, according to data released by the New York State Department of Labor on Sept. 19. The higher rates come despite the addition of 22,700 private sector jobs in the state, a 0.3 percent increase and higher than the nationwide growth rate of 0.1 percent. According to a press release from the Department of
Labor, these increases in unemployment stemmed in part from the state’s growing labor force, which grew by 24,500 in August, as more New Yorkers gained confidence about finding a job and rejoined the labor market. Bohdan Wynnyk, deputy director of the Division of Research and Statistics for the Department of Labor, said in the press release that the state economy experienced its largest monthly jobs gain since January 2013. “New York remains just one of nine states to have regained all of the private
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King brings signature Medical school enrollment rises scares to ‘Shining’ sequel By KAIDIA PICKELS
By CHARLIE SPECTOR
What can possibly be said about Stephen King that hasn’t been said already over the last four decades? King stands as one of the most literary and culturally prolific authors in the history of American letters — any new work that he publishes is often regarded as a sparkling edition to his astounding literary canon. This tradition is more than fulfilled with “Doctor Sleep,” King’s long-awaited sequel to “The Shining.” A popular work of horror in both cinematic — thanks to Stanley Kubrick’s wonderfully surreal 1980 film adaptation — and literary spheres, the book manages to take us to dark places we never thought we’d go, and King’s bold yet familiar style guides the way. King starts the readers out right where the Torrance family left off in the original 1977 novel. In the prologue, the effects of a harsh winter in the Overlook Hotel have left Wendy, Danny, Dick Holloran and even poor little imaginary Tony shocked to their cores. Their various reactions to their time in the Overlook are all touched upon, but it’s eventually Danny that the book settles its focus upon. Early on, Danny realizes his shin-
ing will never disappear. This realization causes him to drown in alcoholism. Here is where the book eventually finds a middle-aged Dan, with several arrests on his record and an Alcoholics Anonymous tour across King’s favorite playground — New England. Hoping to start fresh, Dan eventually finds a job in a New Hampshire hospice using his shining to comfort the elderly as they pass on, thus acquiring the position that gives the book its title. Meanwhile, across the country, a teenager named Abra Stone is also developing the shining — although neither she nor her parents have any idea what it is and simply classify it as a childish matter that will cease as she grows up. While both of those stories are being explored, King also takes the reader on a tour of elderly RV owners that may not be as innocent as their quaint motor homes designate them to be. Little more can be said without spoiling the tale. Indeed, the twists and revelations that the book brings about are both familiar, such as the recurrence of “The Shining’s” infamous “REDRUM,” and surprising. You’ll never think of the word “steam” the same way again.
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Enrollment in New York City’s medical schools is increasing, and because of this, Associated Medical Schools of New York projected a physician shortage in coming years. “New York’s health care landscape is changing rapidly due to an aging population, rising costs and policy changes at the state and federal level,” president and CEO of AMSNY Jo Wiederhorn said in the press release. “As a result, the demand for physicians has intensified.” According to a press release from AMSNY, 2,424 new students enrolled this fall in the state’s 16 medical schools, a 5 percent increase since last year. In 2002, AMSNY called for a 30 percent enrollment increase in medical schools to accomodate for a projected shortage of medical practitioners. NYU Langone spokesperson Deborah Haffeman said 162 new students began their studies at the NYU School of Medicine this fall. According to AMSNY, 16 of those students are part of the school’s streamlined three-year program, in which students begin classes
COURTESY OF NYU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
NYU Langone’s applicant pool increased in recent years. six weeks early and have continuous training between undergraduate medical school and graduate residency. Haffemen also said the enrollment rate has not increased at the medical school despite an increase in applications in the last five years. While the number of enrolled students has hovered around 160 since 2009, the number of applicants has grown from 6,810 in 2009 to 8,835 in 2013. “New York is not on its own in terms of increasing enrollment, and not
all medical schools in the city have seen an increase in enrollment,” AMSNY spokesperson Crystal Mainiero said. “Schools that have seen an increase have worked very hard to do so.” James Feng, a student in the medical school, said that while more people show interest in the medical field, residency positions are not always available at New York hospitals. “There is no shortage of individuals who want to be doctors, but rather [there]
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HANQING CHEN In the search for a space where the people are friendly and the tempo is vibrant one should look no further than the Commuter Lounge, located on the second floor, atop the Grand Staircase in the Kimmel Center for University Life. While other lounges may be more aesthetically pleasing with nicer views, they also come with the caveat of staying under a certain decibel level. Whether joining a game of Magic, jumping into a Ninja Battle or just lounging around with friends, the Commuter Lounge is a fun meeting place for all–residents included.
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WARREN WEAVER HALL 13TH FLOOR LOUNGE — EMILY YANG
If you’re looking for a sunny, comfortable and relatively quiet spot on campus, check out the lounge on the top floor of the Courant building. The huge perk about this cozy spot is the Courant Cafe, where you can snack on sandwiches, snacks, soda, tea and coffee on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Though the view may not be quite as nice as those of Kimmel’s lounges, think of it as less of a distraction when you have to do work. The lounge is technically for Courant graduate students, but the casual vibe in this place is welcoming even for those who aren’t working on a math problem or computer program. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a hackathon or someone playing a little ditty on the baby grand piano.
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Located on University Place between 11th and 12th streets, The Grey Dog is an awesome spot to grab food with friends on Sunday mornings — when the Palladium brunch line is not worth the wait — or between classes. The sandwiches and breakfast options are all delicious, and the cozy spot has an energized vibe and good music. Although they ask you not to prolong your stay during peak hours, Grey Dog is a great place near campus to catch up with friends.
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— MICHELLE LIM
A picturesque scoop of Uncle Louis G’s homemade, delicious Italian ice and ice cream symbolizes the end of summer and the beginning of fall.
PHOTO BY NAJIAH BASHEER
Even if you are not a vegetarian, you can still enjoy all the unique and veggie-filled meals the city has to offer on West Fourth Street between Sixth Avenue and MacDougal. Red Bamboo has all the perks of comfort food cuisine, without the added heaviness of items from a carnivorous diet. Book your next lunch date on Monday to Friday, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. to enjoy their lunch specials. With $7, you can try their famous Soul Chicken Sandwich, with your choice of a side. Not even a meat-lover would pick out the faux-meat in their well-crafted dishes.
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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 Jordan Melendrez at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
WSJ editor discusses business journalism By AMY ZHANG
The two dozen audience members gathered in the conference room of 20 Cooper Square were given a peek at how America’s most revered business newspaper was adjusting to the changing landscape. During an event at NYU’s journalism school, Dow Jones editor-in-chief Gerard Baker discussed a need for editors and reporters at The Wall Street Journal to refocus their coverage in an age of new media. Baker, who also serves as the managing editor of the The Wall Street Journal, said the increased pressure from consumers for real-time news paired with rapidly diminishing revenues means news organizations are getting “squeezed,” for quality business journalism is becoming harder to sustain, and therefore more craved. These trends, he said, actually represent an opportunity and not a hurdle. “The need of businesses, of investors, of consumers, of journalists, of governments, of everybody for … high quality information they can trust is greater than ever,” Baker said. “Good business journalism can thrive in that environment.” To create “good business journalism,” Baker said journalists must internalize five basic principles — truth, speed, independence, pursuit of accountability and creativity. Objectivity and facts are always most important, but Baker said one measure of success
for The Journal is the number of articles it published each week before its competitors. Baker noted that in the aftermath of the financial crisis, governments started playing a larger role in the business world. The automatic inclination of journalists to perceive businesses as offenders and governments as virtuous regulators must change, he said. “Too many business journalists see in black-and-white terms,” Baker said. “We need to be a bit more skeptical, more balanced.” As consumption moves to platforms like tablets and phones, Baker said journalists must remain innovative and find creative ways to present the news. In a statement of advice to current journalism students, Baker said there were no specific prerequisites for a business journalism position at The Wall Street Journal. Training for reporters to learn new terms or concepts was provided by the paper. “If you’ve got the talents of being a reporter, you’d be a great business reporter,” he said. For Jessica Dean, a CAS junior aspiring to work at The Journal, Baker’s speech fueled her ambitions. “I felt I could be a great business journalism reporter,” Dean said. “Now that I know the industry isn’t dying, my mind is set.” Amy Zhang is blog editor. Email her at azhang@nyunews.com.
MED continued from PG. 1
Langone applicant pool expands, selectivity rises
is a shortage of residency positions,” Feng said. Feng also said the rising cost of medical school will factor into medical students’ career choices. “This may push some medical students into the high-paying residencies, such as orthopedics or plastic surgery, as opposed to the much-needed speciality of family practitioners that actually see the most patients,” he said. William Goedel, a freshman in the College of Arts and Science who plans to apply to NYU’s medical school, said he anticipates interacting with a more diverse group of students. “I believe that as long as the medical schools adjust to accommodate higher numbers of applicants without decreasing the quality of education,” Goedel said. “This increase in applicants will create a diverse learning community and allow for new perspectives on healthcare in our community.” Kaidia Pickels is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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Journalism Institute blog kickoff explores Brooklyn neighborhoods By BLAIR CANNON
Bedford + Bowery, a collaboration hyperlocal news blog between New York magazine and NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, hosted its first event Tuesday at its pop-up newsroom in Williamsburg, which opened last week. Bedford + Bowery, which primarily covers the East Village, Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Greenpoint and Bushwick, opened the temporary Williamsburg newsroom not only as a publication production space, but also to serve as a place to host a series of arts events and workshops that cater to the local flavor. “Williamsburg seemed like a natural progression,” Bedford + Bowery editor and visiting assistant professor of journalism at NYU, Daniel Maurer said. “The waves of gentrification have been such that you have the artists moving into the East Village, getting priced out, and then moving to Williamsburg, and now getting priced out of Williamsburg, moving to Bushwick.” For their kickoff event featured “Captured,” which documents Clayton Peterson’s life over the course of three decades. The film shows Peterson’s off-the-record collection of photographs from the streets, riots and drag shows that colored the Lower East Side in the ’80s and ’90s. Peterson, who went to jail for refusing to turn over his coverage of the Thompson Square Park Riot of 1988 to the police, covered everything from drug-induced performances in underground clubs to instances of police brutality to the attacks on 9/11. In a Q and A session after the film screening, Peterson discussed the changes he witnessed during his time in the Lower East Side. “People have to be able to survive to make their art,” Peterson said. “Gentrification sort of got to the point of saying ‘that’s enough.’” Williamsburg resident Marion Seymour, 50, stated that Peterson’s coverage was one of the few chronicling these events. “There wasn’t news coverage,” Seymour said. “He was the documentarian for that whole scene, which was really critical in an era when New York was changing.” Bianca Valle, a freshman in the Tisch School of the Arts explained how Peterson’s work was a source of information to those who were not present during New York’s changes. “I feel like a lot of people don’t know that this happened, especially our generation,” Valle said. “It makes
COURTESY OF BEDFORD+BOWERY
me appreciate more how far New York has come.” Brooke Kroeger, professor in journalism and faculty liaison for the project, said she hopes the newsroom aspect of Bedford + Bowery could become a regular event. “It might be something we do annually if we have the funds,” Kroeger said. “Funding would be really critical for something like this.” According to an NYU press release from Sept. 18, the newsroom will be open through the end of October, at which point Bedford + Bowery will move to 20 Cooper Square. “It’s a very innovative way in which to report,” NYU journalism professor David Dent said. “And to get young journalists involved in the reporting of New York.” Blair Cannon is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
JOBS continued from PG. 1
NY Labor Department data shows unemployment increase
sector jobs lost during the recession,” Wynnyk said. The unemployment rate in New York City is still lower than it was a year ago at this time, when it was 9.3 percent. In that same period, the state’s unemployment
rate fell from 8.6 percent to 7.6 percent, and the nationwide rate fell from 8.1 percent to 7.3 percent. James Brown, principal economist in the Division of Research & Statistics at the New York State Depart-
COURTESY OF NY STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
The state’s unemployment has fluctuated over the last year.
ment of Labor, said the city’s economy has added more than 84,000 jobs in the last 12 months, and the year-long drop in the unemployment rate has occurred despite the fact that the city’s labor force has grown in recent years. “The city is seeing particularly strong demand in accounting, information technology, health care and hospitality management,” Brown said. “On the flip side, hiring is weaker in some areas, including legal services and finance. The outlook for part-time work is good, as sectors that depend heavily on part-time workers — retail trade and leisure and hospitality — have seen strong job growth.” Daniel Jones, a senior in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, said he is unsure about whether he will be able to get a job when he graduates.
“I don’t want part time work, you can’t live off of that,” Jones said. “It seems like there’s no shortage of potential job opportunities, so you can find an unpaid internship or maybe a lowly paid internship, but it doesn’t feel like those are likely to turn into stable, full-time jobs.” According to the press release, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is responsible for determining the state’s rate of unemployment, and does so with a statistical model that primarily uses the results of a telephone survey of 3,100 households in New York State. The press release also said the estimates are preliminary and may change the following month when more information is available. Afeefa Tariq is a contributing writer. Email her at news @nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
EDITED BY JEREMY GROSSMAN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM SLEEP continued from PG. 1
Highly anticipated sequel comes 36 years after original classic
King outdoes himself with “Doctor Sleep.” He takes the reader on a ride that spans decades, several states and thousands of miles with dozens of characters. It’s an ensemble piece combined with a massive juggling act that King accomplishes with a surprisingly nonchalant air. Moreover, the book touches on what it means to be different, and how that can affect a person in a variety of circumstances — whether it’s dealing with unpleasant people in your community, re-
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UP-AND-COMERS
living past childhood traumas, crazy fathers or repeated cries of “REDRUM.” Adrenaline-packed and breathtakingly surreal, “Doctor Sleep” further establishes two longstanding traditions about King. First, he’s not giving up his “King of Horror” mantle anytime soon, and second, his books should be read with as many lights on as humanly possible. Charlie Spector is a contributing writer. Email him at books@ nyunews.com. JONATHAN TAN/WSN
Gallatin senior Roy Graham discusses his budding career as a writer. By JEREMY GROSSMAN
COURTESY OF SCRIBNER
Roy Norvell Graham always had a feeling he wanted to be a writer, but he didn’t know it for sure until the beginning of his freshman year at NYU. At that point, Graham, now 21 and a senior in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, wasn’t sure what to focus his major — psychology, maybe. But then his collegiate seminar professor, award-winning author Jonathan Safran Foer, read something that Graham wrote, and said to him, told Graham he showed potential to be a writer. “So I was like, ‘Alright, that’s an endorsement,’” Graham said. “It made me think, ‘Do I want it? How much do I want it?’ And I decided I really wanted it.” Foer might be proud to learn that Graham took his advice to heart — last summer, Graham received the Dean’s Award for Summer Research from Gallatin, for which he was awarded a grant of $2,500 to write his own novel. “Farlands” is inspired by Graham’s own experience attending and working at a live-action roleplaying camp, The Wayfinder Experience, in Kingston, N.Y. “It is, in many ways, a fairly autobiographical story,” Graham said. “I’m not in the book, and none of the characters are people that I know. But it’s all very much drawn from my powerful memories of these fantastical summers and people that I met and feelings that I had growing up at this place.” “Farlands” focuses on a group of 17-year-olds as they make the transition from camper to counselor at a roleplaying camp, and realize that the place they loved as children may not be around for much longer.
“It’s a story about fantasy, and coming into conflict with reality,” Graham said. Graham devoted all of last summer to working on “Farlands” — except for August, which he took off to work at the camp that inspired the novel. For the rest of the season, Graham worked nonstop, with the grant money being used for rent, food and coffee. “I’d sit down and start working,” Graham said. “And the first 30 minutes, sometimes even the first hour, were always the hardest part … it’s always the hardest part to get through the first stretch, the first push.” “But after that, you get into a rhythm, and you start liking what you’re doing,” Graham said. “And you start feeling the buzz, and you become less self-conscious, and you become a little less critical of yourself, and your writing joints get oiled up.” Currently, Graham is halfway through writing “Farlands,” and plans on being finished by the end of the school year. He would love to publish the novel someday, but not before the current draft has been “thoroughly edited” and “torn to pieces.” “I think I have discovered a lot about my own capacity for work,” Graham said. “Before I went into this, I had all these limits … like, ‘I can’t write right now, I’ve been in class all day.’ ‘I can’t write right now, I’m not in the right state of mind.’” “And after writing every day for two months, I realized that that is bullshit on my part,” he said. “And I am capable of writing under any conditions.” Jeremy Grossman is arts editor. Email him at jgrossman@nyunews.com.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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ARTS
‘Simpsons’-inspired play fails to find meaning
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By BRITTANY SPANOS
It’s impossible not to admire the ambition of the Anne Washburn-penned “Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play,” recently extended through Oct. 20 at Playwrights Horizons. With three acts, each taking place in a different time after a vaguely described travesty has wiped out most of the population, the play is pure dystopian drama, peppered with poignant satire of our pop cultureobsessed minds as the survivors clutch onto shared memories of “The Simpsons.” In all its ambition, however, “Burns” tangles its message up in a web of metaphors and moments of forced clarity that takes more from the audience than it gives. We meet the protagonists, a group of once-strangers forced to become allies who are reciting and piecing together their memory of “Cape Feare,” a classic episode of “The Simpsons.” Sitting around the campfire, there is a naturalness in the way the actors treat this moment like an office watercooler discussion the day after a new episode of any modern popular series. For a moment, the characters are pulled out of television daydreams when another survivor approaches the group. They come to realize he is not a threat and begin to inquire whether the newest member of the group had encountered any family, friends or acquaintances before meeting them. It’s a refreshingly human scene when tension and disappointment is broken, and they resume retelling the episode. Using “The Simpsons” as a vehicle in this story is a great tool and a testament to the series’ endurance as a long-running cartoon on FOX. It would have been great if the play continued along this path — lengthy campfire discussion among strangers and
COURTESY OF PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS
The cast of the dystopian play “Burns” reminisces about “The Simpsons.” survivors with moments of reflection and character development peeking beneath the surface. But the play doesn’t stay that way. Instead, the second act leaps seven years into the future where the ensemble has become a theater troupe bargaining with other survivors for lost lines from “The Simpsons” episodes they can’t seem to remember. Reenactments of episodes and commercials drag out under the fluorescent lights that drench the stage. As they brief the audience on the even more degenerated state of the post-apocalyptic world, the group’s dynamic crumbles and gives way to a hilarious but grasping medley of top 40 songs for the sake of their own nostalgia. The shocking ending of act two leaves little to be understood before fast-forwarding 75 years and taking the audience into
a twisted and metaphor-laden live-action version of “Cape Feare.” With Mr. Burns acting as a symbol of the destructive nature of nuclear power, the play morphs the characters, literally and figuratively, into nightmarish images and shadows of their existing template. It’s terrifying to watch but even more difficult to digest. The final act can be interpreted a million different ways, which points out the main issue with the play — it assumes more than it can explain.. Vagueness as a tool can be an exhilarating weapon in theater, but in “Burns,” it feels like a handicap that strains and exhausts an audience piecing together moments that are trying too hard to convey too many intentions. Brittany Spanos is a staff writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.
‘Breaking Bad’ avoids wearing out its welcome By CHRIS SACCARO
For anyone with their finger on the pulse of television, there is an unmistakable buzz in the air signifying the end of an era. On Sept. 29, AMC ends its hit series “Breaking Bad” after five seasons, and it’s difficult to escape the number of classmates, coworkers and passersby discussing the impending finale. But the week before the show’s final episode on Sept. 22, Showtime also ended its long running, once critically acclaimed “Dexter” with an finale that barely registered in comparison to the buildup for “Breaking Bad.” The two shows demonstrate strinking similarities. They are post-“Sopranos” antihero sagas following damaged protagonists in their journey of degradation. And both of these finales raise the question how long is too long for a show to stay on the air? Throughout the history of television, there have been cult classics that ended too soon, or mass hits that a network keeps on despite a decrease in quality. And in between, there have been exceptional shows that
hit the sweet spot, ending at the highest point in the series. But hitting that mark is harder than one would think. It’s a bit of an overstatement to say that a show’s lasting impact hinges on a good finale, but it’s not too far off. ABC’s “Lost” received a lot of criticism from fans for its series finale. For many, the greatness of the show was tainted by a finale that failed to address some of the major plot points. The list of shows that ended too soon is a long one, and it’s filled with classic shows that have since gained cult followings. “Freaks and Geeks” and “Party Down” are just a few of the many shows that go down in television history as those that ended too soon, but this allowed them to remain forever cherished in viewers’ memories. They never had the opportunity to “jump the shark” — the notorious phrase coined from “Happy Days,” a show that will forever be remembered as being on the air past its prime. Even the biggest fans of a show would prefer an ending that came too soon. Fans may think they want their favor-
ite show to go on forever, but subconsciously they know that if a show goes on for too long, it’s all too easy to lose its footing. Take Showtime’s “Weeds,” for example. This was a show that started as a clever dark comedy poking fun at the banality of suburbia that slowly fell apart once the original conceit was lost and milked dry through its eight season run. However, one can’t put the blame solely on the networks
or the writers. They are equally responsible for the overall trajectory of a show. In the case of “Breaking Bad,” Vince Gilligan and the executives at AMC decided to end the show on a series high — and the electricity in the air surrounding these final episodes is proof enough that they found the perfect time for the finale. Chris Saccaro is a staff writer. Email him at entertainment@ nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF AMC
While many shows drag on, five seasons has proven to be an ideal length for “Breaking Bad” to tell its story.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Testimony spot 6 Nursing school subj. 10 Defeats regularly, in slang 14 Muscular strength 15 30 Rock’s architectural style 16 Female mil. unit created 5/15/42 17 Like a patient person’s attitude 19 Analogy words 20 Flying Cloud of old autodom 21 Take the top off of, in a way 22 Stray from the subject 29 Rooney ___, star of “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” 30 Browses, in a way 31 Place to wallow in mud 32 Quick ballroom dance
35 Relating to the calf 37 Mideast monarchy 42 Passion 43 Term of address for a 2-Down 44 Model Carangi 47 One of almost 20 French kings 49 Fishing rod, flies, lures, etc. 50 Without delay 54 Where some ex-majorleaguers play 55 ___ Taylor (clothing retailer) 56 Company that once owned the trademark “Escalator” 57 Not corroborated 64 Cork’s locale 65 Component of brass 66 Words of compassion 67 Progeny 68 Rash feeling? 69 See 61-Down
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DOWN 1 Vane dir. 2 Member of la familia 3 Purchase from Pat Sajak 4 Last figure on an invoice 5 Tower over 6 Scanners, webcams, etc. 7 Super ___ (old game console) 8 Do superbly on 9 Shoe part 10 Short, in a way 11 Laps against 12 Floating 13 “Star Trek” character who says “Aye” a lot 18 Modernist’s prefix 21 Failing inspection, say 22 Some pickups 23 Island with Yokohama Bay 24 Like many presentations 25 Statements in a legal case 26 Alpine land 27 Irrefutable 28 Some “Hair” hairdos 33 Sci-fi author Ellison 34 “___ the seventh day …” 36 “Cute” sound 38 Month in l’été 39 Where Duff Beer is poured 40 ___ Sea (nowdivided waters) 41 ___ a one
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PUZZLE BY JONATHAN GERSCH
44 Toys known as Action Men in the U.K. 45 Headed for sudden death, perhaps 46 Aim high 48 Swipe, as a purse 51 Shocked, in a way
52 Tolkien creature 53 Negro leagues star Buck ___ 57 Assault weapon named for its designer 58 Minor complaint
61 With 69-Across, beach markings … 14 of which are hidden vertically and horizontally elsewhere in this puzzle
59 Post-apartheid ruling org.
62 ’Fore
60 Chem. or biol.
63 ___ Plaines, Ill.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY RAQUEL WOODRUFF OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Military, colleges must monitor sexual violence By NINA GOLSHAN
There are an average of 207,754 victims of sexual assault in the United States every year, which breaks down to be about one victim every two minutes. The number of rapes per year has been on the decline in the past two decades, but high profile cases within the United States military and American universities continue to crop up. The two institutions have enough in common to explain the unsettling disrespect for sexual assault victims. Both are closed systems, and they handle — or don’t handle — reports of crime within their environments, using whichever procedure they deem appropriate. In May, the Pentagon released a survey estimating that 26,000 of 108,000 active duty service members were sexually assaulted in the past year. The military chain of command promotes a clear conflict of interest for commanding officers when reporting a rape in their midst. Consequently, no action has been taken to change the way the military deals with these crimes. In an ongoing case against three Naval Academy football players charged with raping a fellow female
midshipman, the New York Times reported that the young woman was grilled for “roughly 30 hours” by defense attorneys, who asked her questions that would not be permitted in cross-examination in a civilian court. This case highlights the worst of the military’s handling of sexual assault cases, as these methods scare victims from speaking up. Within the last two years, federal complaints of Title IX, a law protecting against gender discrimination, and Clery Act violations have been filed against the University of North Carolina, Yale University, Swarthmore and Occidental Colleges, among many others. The Clery Act requires any university that partakes in federal financial aid programs to report crimes on campus, but the U.S. Department of Education has only used its power to fine schools for violations of this mandate six times in the past 20
years. Women on college campuses often rely on the university’s justice system when pursuing a rape allegation, but because of the college’s lack of resources and inability to conduct a police-level investigation, the case usually does not lead to a conviction. It’s believed to be in the best interest of the institution as a whole if the allegations are swept under the rug. The issue of the importance of reputation is therefore reduced to a question about values. Those in charge of military and university institutions must decide to either propagate this false sense of superiority, or they must care for the safety and well-being of college students and military service members. Our lawmakers need to fiercely monitor the country’s universities, as well as ensure local and state police forces engage in preventing sexual harassment and violence. If we do not pass legislation that will change the way the military and universities handle sexual violence allegations, we empower these predators and perpetuate rape culture within our nation’s most respected institutions. Nina Golshan is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
INTERNATIONAL
Russia, U.S. relations endanger global law
By EDWARD RADZIVILOVSKY
The diplomatic chess game between Russia and the United States over intervention in Syria has put into question the role and force of international law and practice. The situation reveals the anarchic state of international relations, which is geared toward competing powerful interests who disregard international law. According to the neorealist perspective, international law has no significant role. Because binding law requires a centralized power capable of enforcing it and there being no such power in international affairs, international law doesn’t bind. As Thomas Hobbes says, “Covenants without the sword are but words.” This would help President Obama’s position against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been assuming that international law is binding. The U.S. would at least have no legal obligation not to use force in order to uphold a norm against the use of chemical weapons. Even if international law does bind without a Hobbesian sovereign, the
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U.S. and Russia are neither legally nor morally motivated in their actions. Each nation is motivated by the balance of power politics as each tries to uphold its own idea of regional stability. In other words, they are motivated by a mere contest of power and self-interest. Putin and Obama will therefore both either follow or break international law when convenient — whichever works to expand their national interests. For the U.S., it is based on sending a message to archenemy Iran. For Russia, it is about maintaining an ally in the region. Whether or not this actually helps the Syrians is a question mostly neglected in this game. This is why the Obama administration did not intervene in Syria before the red line on chemical weapons was crossed, even
though over 100,000 people had already been killed. So the powerful parties do not apply international law in good faith, and we should not put a lot of weight on their — largely self-serving — interpretations of it. But there are deeper implications. The authority of international law itself becomes undermined because the law and practice are highly sensitive to the views and motives of its current powerful practitioners. Therefore when the practitioners think differently than their previous counterparts, the whole meaning of the practice changes, along with any reasons states had for compliance. In order to justify action in Syria, one must not only rely on legal justifications, but also seriously analyze the consequences for Syrians and weigh in other moral considerations. In the long run, perhaps we need a radical rehaping of power structures with new legal frameworks. Edward Radzivilovskiy is a deputy opinion editor. Email him at eradzivilovskiy@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Revenue from NY casino plan not worth risk
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s recent proposal to create seven casinos in New York state has been greeted with both praise and contention. Cuomo and the plan’s supporters pride the prospective investment in the gambling industry as an opportunity for job creation, with a portion of revenue aimed at funding local schools. However, these economic benefits can be achieved by investing in other businesses such as restaurants, concert venues and shopping centers, rather than betting on casino enterprises to yield a reward. Studies show gambling establishments often lead to an increase in crime, bankruptcy, divorce and suicide — not to mention gambling addiction. But health and social concerns aside, casinos yield little to no long-term economic offshoot, and the gambling market has been slow to recover following a recession, climbing to economic stability at a snail’s pace. The plan will, however, deflect spending away from smaller local businesses that are the backbone of the economy. The increased number of problem gamblers in the area would result in a rise in bankruptcies and dependency on welfare programs. The Coalition Against Gambling of New York reports the economic benefits per adult of a higher casino presence will only be an additional $1, while the socioeconomic costs of excessive gambling will rise from $50 currently to $296 per adult. This is a simple case of risk outweighing reward. Heavy reliance on such a volatile industry to spur economic growth and fund local schools is a dangerous investment. Looking west to the gambling mecca of Las Vegas, one out of six jobs disappeared during the height of the recession. Tourists stopped visiting the gambling tables. Statistics show that the total amount spent on gambling was still $500 million lower last year than in 2007. Even though Cuomo and his investors may be swayed by the allure of speedy profits, they must account for the implicit socioeconomic toll of the casino industry. Any financial gain from this expansion is negated by evidence that 50 percent of revenue generated would come from gambling addicts — the worst of whom cannot afford groceries or even child support. Gambling addiction costs the United States approximately $50 billion dollars every year. While the immediate economic reward these casinos would offer is attractive, the long-term payoff is bleak.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Raquel Woodruff (Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co-chair), Peter Keffer (Co-chair).
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
BEAUTY & STYLE
EDITED BY ARIANA DIVALENTINO BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Eyebrows are underrated, crucial part of beauty routine By CHRISTINA SAHLI
When thinking of what can define a person’s beauty, eyebrows may not be what most people consider. In truth, the shape of those arches can either highlight the beauty of your facial features or detract from them. Eyebrow shaping has been a part of the beauty routine across cultures for centuries and continues today to fluctuate in trends just like makeup and clothing. The modern woman can now rock a full, magnificent, almost masculine brow with virtually no negative attention for it not being “feminine” enough. The brows of model Cara Delevingne and actress Lily Collins are prime examples of this straight, heavy, natural look that is only slightly trimmed. However, styles have vacillated over the years. In the 1930s, women displayed thin, elongated brows matching the color of their hair. Length was especially important, though brows were
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Shaping eyebrows is essential to defining facial features. just an extended, gentle curve. In the ’50s, brows were shorter and looked natural, not just penciled on. The arch was very slight, like that of Audrey Hepburn. The ’60s brow was similar to now — dark and heavy, though still well-groomed
rather than bushy. They draw attention to the eyes by casting a curtain over them, making them gleam, and brows are flatter on the underside. Once the ’90s came, however, pencil-thin was in again. Looking retrospectively, the cur-
Ways to reinvigorate, sun-damaged hair
By BRYNA SHUMAN
Soften Hair
Summer may be nothing but a distant memory by now, however your hair may still be feeling the repercussions. Damage from sun, salt water and chlorine might be making your hair flat, lifeless and frizzy. Follow these steps to repair and restore your hair to its former presummer glory.
Restore softness and shine to your strands by replacing your normal conditioner with a hair mask once a week. Hair masks revive dead locks and protect against future breaking. One great item is Aveda’s Sun Care After-Sun hair masque ($15 on amazon.com), which specifically designed to recover hair that has been weakened by time in the sun through the use of natural oils and proteins.
Cut off split ends You don’t need to cut your hair drastica-lly, but trimming the split and broken ends of your hair can help. Split ends keep the rest of your hair follicles broken, and removing them can keep your hair smoother, healthier and allow for faster hair growth.
Change your Hair Products Consider switching to a shampoo and conditioner designed for moisturizing and color protection. Extra moisture helps restore broken strands, and color protection rejuvenates hair color — both natural and dyed — after months of sun and chlorine bleaching. Try a product like Herbal Essences “Color Me Happy” shampoo and conditioner ($3.99, Drugstore), which not only protects hair color against the elements but also moisturizes.
Lay off the Heat Exposing your hair to more heat through blow-drying, straightening or curling can cause more heat damage. Your hair follicles can become even more brittle and begin to break. Reduce heat styling until you’ve already repaired your hair from summer damage. If you must use heat for styling, protect your hair by using a heat-protection spray, such as Trésemme Keratin Smooth Hair Protection shine spray ($4.99, Drugstore). The keratin reduces frizz and adds shine. Bryna Shuman is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Style Differently Layoff chemical-filled hairsprays that can create buildup and style your hair with leave-in conditioner instead. Even though rinse-out conditioner is still important to restore your hair, leave-in conditioners keep your hair silky all day long. The right leave-in conditioner will strengthen your hair without weighing it down. Consider a product like Number 4 Super Combo Prep & Protect ($32, Birchbox), whose natural conditioners strengthen hair while its UV/ Color Polar Shield repairs and protects natural or dyed hair from sun or heat damage.
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Careful selection of hair products can lead much more vibrant and strong hair.
rent brow trend definitely appears striking, yet easy and comfortable to maintain. To achieve Delevingne’s dark and dangerous look that can also be classy and elegant, given the right makeup, be careful not to over-pluck. You can always take more off, so start slowly — growing too-thin eyebrows back can be embarrassing and tedious. Focus on maintaining a clean middle between brows, instead of arching them underneath, and never pluck through the middle to make the brow less dense. Stick to their natural arch on top and use an eyebrow pencil to darken and thicken brows, covering up any spots where hair might not grow evenly. Smaller and circular faces tend to need a bigger arch to contrast the minuteness of their face, while longer faces need much less of an arch. The smaller your face width, the shorter you will want your brow to be in length. Check to see that your brows are not overcrowding the rest of your face. Looking at Brooke Shields or Jennifer Connelly, you
can tell both women have large foreheads, giving more space for the hair to grow without it being too overpowering. If you have a smaller forehead, this may be a look you want to avoid. If you are attempting to make a sleek, stylish arch, the lowest part of your brow that is closest to your nose should be at the same height as the ending of your brow closest to your ear. Stars like Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox benefit from their tall arches because it accentuates their strong cheekbones and jawlines. For eye brow maintenance, pick up some castor oil to allow for naturally thicker growth, and do not forget to moisturize before bed. Like the hair on your head, the less stressed you are and the more healthfully you eat, the better your brows will appear. Christina Sahli is a contributing writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Stay stylish, snug with trendy fall coats By DANA RESZUTEK
Toward the end of September, New York City’s hot and sticky summer days suddenly turn chilly and windy — the first sign that fall is upon us. Staying up to date with trends, however, can be as easy as buying a single new piece. Coats, from oversized to leather, are not only a necessity, but an opportunity to make a strong sartorial statement. Fall trends usually come in colors from the darker end of the spectrum — blacks, deep purples and grays. Though these colors have made their yearly appearance on the runways, statement coats in lighter hues, from pinks to jewel tones, have also made their mark on this fall’s trends. For a true stand-out piece, opt for a bright blue wool structured coat, like Urban Outfitters’ “Numph Nova Coat” ($250). Alternatively, Zara sells a red coat with a simple yet chic fit, which adds a French twist to any look ($159). If you prefer to maintain the classic fall color palette, however, navy is a prominent color this season. Navy is the perfect bridge between a stand-out color and a subdued neutral, and works best on classic cuts, such as a doublebreasted coat from H&M ($69.95). Although it’s tempting to stick with classic cuts for fall, playing with shape is a major trend in outerwear this season. Oversized coats are the most common new shape. While maintaining a minimalist but structured look, try using menswear trends. A simple gray, oversized blazer-style coat from Urban Outfitters ($149), or a grayscale checked coat from Topshop ($170), can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe as an everyday item. Other loose shapes, such as the cape or the open-style coat, are also making an ap-
DANA RESZUTEK FOR WSN
A gray, loose, open-style coat compliments the fall color palette. pearance. H&M’s Paris Collection, which is an in-store exclusive, offers affordable options for these loose-fitting coats ($99 each). With simple gold detailing and a defined yet unique shape, these pieces have a classic, wearable appeal. The most defining feature of a coat is the choice of material, as well as the texture and feel. Leathers, tweeds and other classic textiles have been paired with bold zipper and button detailing to make for statement-worthy coats. Topshop offers a textured oversized leather coat with a large zipper detail ($170), softening the leather’s edge. But if you truly want to add a texture-centered coat to your wardrobe, go for something fuzzy, like the white, cropped MINKPINK coat from Urban Outfitters ($119), which is sure to make a statement. Dana Reszutek is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.