WSN092712 by Washington Square News

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 40, No. 15

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

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Subway wall anti-jihad ads stir controversy

Lawsuit hits city against NYU2031

Advertisements from the American Freedom Defense Initiative were posted in ten New York City subway stops on Monday, Sept. 24. The ads, which will be posted for four weeks, display the sentences: “In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad.” Pamela Geller, the executive director for the AFDI, said the intiative made the ads as a counterargument to the anti-Israel ad messages. “[Our purpose is] to tell the truth about the savage jihad war against innocent civilians,” Geller said. “[We hope to increase] public awareness of the nature and magnitude of the jihad threat.” The Metropolitan Transportation Authority originally rejected the ad because it

On Tuesday, 11 groups and 11 individuals banded together and filed a lawsuit against New York City for its approval of the NYU 2031 expansion plan. NYU 2031, dubbed the Sexton Plan after NYU president John Sexton, is the university’s plan to expand the campus by 6 million square feet by 2031. The City Council voted last month in a 44-1 decision to allow the university to proceed with its expansion plan. However, opponents have alleged that several government agencies, including the City Planning Commission and City Council, yielded to NYU demands and illegally granted public land to facilitate the project. “We are asking the courts to do what the university administration and city officials refused to do: listen to the public and the broader NYU community, consider alternatives and serious environmental impacts

By EMILY BELL

AD continued on PG. 5

By TONY CHAU

JOON LEE FOR WSN

Students get up close and personal with Sexton

Approximately 30 students throughout NYU were selected through a lottery system for a dinner with Sexton. The event was designed to create open communication between the president and student body.

STORY ON PAGE 5

No Doubt reunion a mix of pop and punk

By ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE

During their time apart, the members of No Doubt embarked on individual projects and experimented with different styles of music. The most notable of these endeavors was lead singer Gwen Stefani’s pair of solo albums, which spawned numerous dance-pop hits such as “What You Waiting For?” and “Hollaback Girl.” Now, a decade after their last record, the band that brought ska-punk to the masses is back with “Push and Shove,” their sixth studio album that struggles between staying true to their punk roots and heading in a new pop direction.

COURTESY OF INTERSCOPE RECORDS

“Push and Shove” starts off poorly with chaotic tracks like “Settle Down” and “Looking

NODOUBT continued on PG. 8

LAWSUIT continued on PG. 5

Psychology prof wins theory award By KAITLIN GU

Tessa West, assistant professor of psychology at NYU, has spent her career researching race relationships between various racial and ethnic groups in the United States. West recently won the 2012 Theoretical Innovation Prize, which is awarded by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology. “I try to capture the perspectives of both individuals involved in an action,” West said. Prior to starting her career at NYU, West attended the University of California, Santa Barbara as an undergraduate. She developed an avid interest in psychology and began doing research her freshman year. “[Research was] truly one of my best experiences in college,” West said.

She then went on to graduate school at the University of Connecticut where she received a doctorate in psychology. Through her investigations, West has been able to work with some of the most prominent figures in her field, to whom she attributes much of her current qualities. She completed her honors thesis under the direction of James Blascovich, a psychology professor at UCSB, and worked with David Kenny, a professor at UConn who was co-awarded the Theoretical Innovation Prize. West’s research focuses on the race relationships in the United States and the way these relationships have changed in modern society. “Racism is often expressed subtly, not overtly, and in many cases it can be difficult for in-

dividuals to know if they were treated a certain way because of their race,” West said. She said NYU has affected her research in many ways, as the university offers a diverse community in terms of race, nationality and beliefs, providing fuel for a bulk of her studies. “I have been pleasantly surprised at undergraduate students’ willingness to share their differing perspectives with myself and my graduate students,” West said. West’s research takes into account both sides of a relationship. She tries to figure out where both parties contrast and uses this information to improve interracial relationships. Many NYU students have shown interest in West’s work.

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | NYUNEWS.COM

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief AMANDA RANDONE Managing Editor

This weekend the streets of Dumbo will be transformed into stages, canvasses and studios for the 16th-annual Dumbo Arts Festival. Here are four events you do not want to miss.

JAEWON KANG Web Managing Editor

AMY ZHANG Deputy Managing Editor

EMILY YANG Assistant Managing Editors

HANQING CHEN DANIEL HINTON

Creative Director

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university GENTRY BROWN city/state TONY CHAU arts STEFAN MELNYK features NICOLA PRING multimedia JAMES KELLEHER copy JORDAN MELENDREZ senior editors HANNAH BORENSTEIN,

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CARRIE COUROGEN, JULIE DEVITO, BRIDGETTE DORAN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, CHARLES MAHONEY, COLE RILEY

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GRAPHIC BY LYANNE NATIVIDAD AND RACHEL PHAM FOR WSN

6 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1

6 p.m. Friday, 12 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m. Sunday East River Cove, Brooklyn Bridge Park

7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday Empire Stores, Main Street Façade

8 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Sunday Manhattan Bridge Archway

The 12th-annual Dumbo Dance Festival will feature more than 100 dance companies and performing artists from around the world. Expect live music, fashion and exhilarating dance moves.

This weekend, the East River Cove will be transformed into a floating sculpture garden. Artist Nathaniel Lieb will install large reflective sculptures of a golden water lily, a disco ball and a satellite which will mirror the images of surrounding water and people. On Friday at 8 p.m., three other artists will host an interactive performance using remote-controlled boats.

If you have ever dreamed of being a superhero, now is your chance to fulfill that dream. “Superhero” is an interactive projection created by Wildbytes that allows participants to pretend that they have superpowers such as flying and throwing flame balls.

Codex Dynamic is a video projection exhibition that is displayed on the Manhattan Bridge Archway. Largescale projections of international video artwork will cover the walls of the bridge’s anchorage and archway.

DUMBO DANCE FESTIVAL

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CLAIRE ZAJDEL books/theater CLIO MCCONNELL film JEREMY GROSSMAN entertainment SAMANTHA RULLO music JOSHUA JOHNSON features KATYA BARANNIK beauty & style HILARY PRESLEY dining LAVYA YALAMANCHI special issues ESHA RAY sports MARY JANE DUMANKAYA, SARA LEVY, SEBASTIEN VAN HEYNINGEN multimedia GLORIA LEE, JONATHAN TAN foreign correspondent

RICHARD ZHANG social media agent

NICOLE GARTSIDE

OPINION PAGE opinion editor

CHRIS DINARDO deputy opinion editor

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REBECCA RIBEIRO CIRCULATION MANAGER

CHELSEA GOLD

UNIVERSITY SALES COORDINATOR

SNAPSHOT

ON THE WIRE

Dancing all the way to the bank

Korean singer and dancer Psy burst onto the global scene after “Gangnam Style” reached the top of Apple’s iTunes chart, making Psy the first Korean to do so. However, Psy is not the only one reaping the benefits from his success. Since the video was released, the total stock value of South Korean software company D. I. Corporation, whose largest shareholder is Psy’s father, has surged to $101.29 million. The profitability of the song is ironic, as “Gangnam Style” mocks the rampant consumerism of a rich Seoul suburb. — REUTERS

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Armed robbery of BU students in Brookline, second time in past week

A petite fuzzy dog takes in the sun during a bicycle ride in Washington Square Park.

PHOTO BY GLORIA LEE

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

FRANCIS POON

— DAILY FREE PRESS

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.

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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 Jaewon Kang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.

Study: Football players’ graduation rates lag — CAVALIER DAILY

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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

Sexton hosts exclusive dinner By TATIANA BAEZ

Students gathered in the University Penthouse for a rare opportunity to dine with NYU President John Sexton. The dinner, typically three or four hours long, attempts to bridge the gap of anonymity between Sexton and the more than 50,000 students who attend NYU. Sexton aims to host these dinners once or twice each week — a lofty goal for his hectic travel schedule. Approximately 30 of 300-plus students who applied online were selected by a lottery system, and then formally invited to join Sexton for dinner. Graduate and undergraduate events are separated and include students from all schools within NYU. Students from the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies and the NYU SCPS Paul McGhee Division are also eligible to apply. “My education has been very important to me,” said Britton Burdick, a sophomore and McGhee student. “Being able to talk to [Sexton] and thank [him] while raising some concerns is a great opportunity that any NYU student should jump at.” Aramark, NYU’s on-campus food service, caters the buffetstyle dinners. The food at each dinner is different, but always includes a main course, side dishes, drinks and desserts. Aramark can also cater to students with special eating needs. “We can accommodate students

who need a special meal, such as vegan, gluten-free, Kosher or Halal, as long as they let me know in advance,” said Elizabeth Kuzina, the Student Affairs chief of staff. The dinners began a little over a decade ago in 2001, when Sexton first became president of NYU. According to Sexton, intimacy and communication are essential components to events involving students and the administration. He also enjoys the opportunity to meet students and hear about their college experiences. “My life is about students. That’s why this dinner is so meaningful,” Sexton said. “My dedication to students is known because I’m the only president in the world who teaches a full faculty schedule. Shamma Al Mazrui, one of Sexton’s guests and a junior at NYU Abu Dhabi, expressed her appreciation for Sexton. “I love President Sexton. He’s the best president,” she said. “He always comes to visit Abu Dhabi. And he’s so inspiring, and whenever I see him I feel like he encourages me to be a better person.” While some students came to the dinner to meet an inspirational figure, others wanted to take the chance to voice their concerns. “I’m an art student, so I just want to hear how [Sexton] plans to make the art program better since it sometimes seems like an afterthought,” said Steinhardt junior Kate Weigel.

JOON LEE FOR WSN

Campus service Aramark provided catering for the event. The evening included the history of NYU, the story of how Sexton became president, issues and concerns raised by students and glimpses into NYU’s future. Sexton said that the university is working to expand the global network. “[The global network] will be fully flowered in two years from now for sure,” he said. Sexton hopes to establish sites in India and Brazil within the next decade. Sexton also shared advice for students. “Follow your passion,” Sexton said. “And don’t plan too much. It rarely works out the way you plan anyway.” Tatiana Baez is deputy university editor. Email her at tbaez@nyunews.com.

Renovation for High Line underway By SARA RADIN Last Thursday marked the beginning of renovations for the final section of the High Line Park — a $90 million project to be completed in 2014. From the Great Depression to the early 1980s, the High Line operated as an elevated freight train track meant to avoid the hazards of running trains on street level. When the transportation of commodities began to use trucks instead of trains, the tracks were shut down and considered for demolition. Friends of the High Line, a group formed in 1999, challenged this fate and raised the funds to turn the railroad into the High Line Park. For two weekends in October, the public will have the chance to enjoy the site in its original design before heavy construction commences. Most of the funding for the renovations will come from private donors: $10 million from the state, $20 million from Friends of the High Line and $27.8 million from Related Properties and Oxford Property Group. Joanna Rose, vice president of corporate communications for Related Companies, spoke highly of the High Line transformation. “The High Line has been an unequivocal success,” Rose said. “We

are proud to be a major supporter of the final segment of the High Line, which will primarily surround the new 12 million square foot Hudson Yards Project.” Phase one reconstructed the area from Gansevoort Street to 20th Street. The stretch of land from 20th Street to 30th Street was remodeled in phase two and the area between West 30th and West 34th Streets is the final phase. Phase three will build off the segment that extends around

COURTESY CITY OF NEW YORK AND FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE

High Line construction is scheduled to last two years.

the West Side Rail Yards. Amenities will include beautiful gardens, panoramic views of the water, a playground and a train car cafe. Steinhardt junior Katie Hood said the park brings the community to life. “I personally believe the High Line is an amazing way to get a different perspective on the city because it’s elevated. There is nothing of its kind,” Hood said. “At the present, the park is too short and crowded, so why not complete construction?” Many of the residents in Chelsea echo this opinion. Resident Margaret Dynan, who recently moved to New York, also supported the new developments. “[The High Line] is precisely the reason I moved to New York and the West Village neighborhood specifically,” Dynan said. “I have a son and two nieces that stay with us during the summer, so the park is a perfect place to take them.” Rose said the park will be a prominent attraction for New Yorkers and tourists alike. “[It] is a tour de force for the city’s park system and is sure to be one of the most magical places to visit in the city and a lasting legacy for all New Yorkers to enjoy,” Rose said. Sara Redin is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.

LAWSUIT continued from PG. 1

University meets more roadblocks to NYU 2031

and not allow the plan in its current form to move ahead,” said Andrew Berman, the executive director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, which is one of the 11 groups litigating. The NYU Faculty Against the Sexton Plan is another member of the plaintiff party. Mark Crispin Miller, a professor of media, culture and communications and member of the NYUFASP said the group was duped about the university’s intentions. “The CPC and the City Council bought NYU’s premise that they needed to expand in its core in the Village community in order to become a so-called world class university,” Miller said. “The Sexton Plan has nothing to do with education. It’s a land grab and nothing more, and the city failed to hold NYU accountable.” According to a press release issued by the Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher law firm, 37 NYU departments and three NYU schools have passed resolutions opposing the project. However, the New York City Law Department continues to defend the legality of the council’s decision. “The expansion plan, which enables NYU to add much-needed academic facilities and housing,

is lawful and followed all applicable processes,” the department said in a statement. “It was approved by both the City Council and the City Planning Commission after substantial and thorough public review.” The university was also adamant in defending its construction plans. “NYU’s proposal to build new academic facilities, student dormitories and faculty housing went through a five-year planning and consultation process,” the university said in a statement responding to the lawsuit. NYU brushed aside any idea that the lawsuit would be an obstacle for its expansion plan. “We are confident that we will prevail in court against any claims that are made,” the university said in the same statement. The plaintiffs, however, are also hopeful that they can block the controversial project. “Given how flagrant the violations of appropriate process was in this case, we are very optimistic about our chances,” Berman said. A court hearing date has yet to be announced. Tony Chau is city/state editor. Email him at tchau@nyunews.com.

AD continued from PG. 1

Pro-Israel advertisement displays contentious message in subways

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American Freedom Defense Initiative starts dispute with anti-jihad ad. violated their previous advertising guideline, which prevented ads that degrade groups of people. After the AFDI won a lawsuit against the MTA, the MTA changed their guidelines in compliance with the court decision regarding the First Amendment. “The MTA does not endorse this ad campaign nor any of the ads that appear in the system,” said MTA media liaison Aaron Donovan. According to Donovan, a discussion may occur regarding a change to the MTA guidelines at the monthly MTA board meeting on Sept. 27. This potential change might be a blanket prohibition that would ban noncommercial advertisement. Some of the controversial ads have been vandalized already, and the New York Post reported that the New York Police Department has heightened security in the stations with the posters. Journalist Mona Eltahawy was arrested Wednesday, Sept. 26 for spray-painting over one of the posters. Geller said there is nothing hate-

ful or false about the campaign, and the media has portrayed it as controversial. “What is truly hateful is the attempt to whitewash the horrific reality of the Palestinian jihad against Israeli civilians,” Geller said. “And it’s not just Israel.” However, LSP sophomore Aimin Mitwally, who is Muslim, said the ads are sad, hurtful and unclear, as religion is being compared to Israel. “Who is the savage?” Mitwally said. “It’s not right to call anyone savages. We live in the 21st century — we know that all men are equal.” He said the ads are faulty because they do not use the term jihad correctly, and are wrongly comparing religion to Israel. “We live in such a metropolitan place that people aren’t going to change their opinions based on subway ads,” Mitwally said. “It just hurts. It hurts that people have no consideration for their neighbors in their community.” Emily Bell is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.

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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

FEATURES

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WHAT’S IN YOUR BAG? By CLARA YANG

New smartphone app connects local communities By JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU

3 4

CARINA WONG FOR WSN

The content of Yoo’s bag show her love for music. 1 MUSICAL BOOKMARK Yoo purchased her bookmark, which has musical notations on it, at the Saint Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. She also bought matching bookmarks as gifts for her fellow choir members. They serve as a symbol of friendship for the members of the group who share a passion for music. 2 MELODIOUS POST-IT NOTES Even when she’s studying, Yoo does not lose touch with her musical identity. Post-it notes with musical notations are perfect for notes in her textbooks. After buying the Post-its in Stockholm, Sweden, following an orchestra performance, they have turned out to be a wonderful souvenir and a great study tool.

Jimin Yoo, a second-year graduate student at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, shares her passion for singing as she opens her backpack. It is filled with treats that share the same musical theme. Although she is studying education, Yoo has always loved music. Throughout her undergraduate years, Yoo performed in musicals while studying English language and literature. Now she is actively involved in choral groups in New York.

PATTERNED HANDKERCHIEF For eco-friendly purposes, Yoo carries a handkerchief rather than using tissues. Again, her love for music is evident — the handkerchief, which was a gift from her mother, is decorated with pictures of musical instruments. Yoo received it before starting college. “I think it’s a perfect gift for me,” Yoo said. “It’s also very meaningful since it’s from the person who knows me the best.” 3

SHEETS OF MUSIC “I can’t leave the house without these,” Yoo said about her music sheets. Since she started singing, these have been some of the most essential items in her possession because she practices daily. Yoo also uses Virtuoso, a piano app on her iPhone, to find correct pitches and record herself so she can improve rhythmically and stylistically. 4

Clara Yang is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

If you have ever wanted to start a conversation with a stranger in Washington Square Park, a newly developed smartphone app called LoYakk promises to help. LoYakk is a social networking app that seeks to connect local communities in new ways. The app allows users to chat with other people near their location so they can discuss local events, review restaurants, ask questions or help non-locals with directions. “The idea of instant and ondemand access to a local community and its sub-communities is very important for schools where there is so much change and flux given new needs, events, changing classes and unknown classmates every [semester],” said LoYakk representative Kira Rosario. “College students want to reach out, ask, answer, rave and rant, and engage in a dialogue with other students on campus, whether they are friends or not.” The app uses a system of venues, including NYU and Union Square Park, which users choose based on their location. After choosing a venue, users can view questions asked and answered by locals about the area, as well as add their own responses. Channels such as Sports and Coursework exist within each venue to separate conversations based on subject. The NYU venue on LoYakk is currently the most popular of all venues across the country and abroad with more than 1,000 comments

posted since the app went live during Welcome Week in late August. Other popular venues include Yale University, the University of Connecticut and Oxford University in England. The Washington Square Park and Union Square Park venues are also active with over 100 comments posted. Users can choose to remain anonymous during conversations on LoYakk. “For some interactions among people there is a need to be anonymous, especially when someone wants to first dip their toes in the social waters before engaging allout with others,” Rosario said. While some users may be concerned about the possible dangers of communicating with strangers, CAS computer science professor Nathan Hull said he believes the app is relatively safe. “The only danger is if [the app] keeps your information,” Hull said. “There’s no real danger in [communicating in] an urban setting.” For many users, the benefits the app offers outweigh the risks. LSP freshman Jack Zabelny said LoYakk has the potential to connect students in the NYU community. “I think it’s a good idea because there are so many restaurants and spots that it’s hard to distinguish the good from the bad,” Zabelny said. LoYakk can be downloaded for free from the App Store. Jonathan Keshishoglou is a contributing writer. Email him at features@nyunews.com.

WEST continued from PG. 1

Psychology prof recognized for research on racial relations “I think that people in social situations tend to gravitate toward people of their own race subconsciously because they feel as if they could identify with them more,” said Tisch freshman Liv Senghor, who was not involved in West’s study. West will receive the 2012 Theoretical Innovation Prize at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s annual meeting in late January in New Orleans. “West is really engaging in cutting-edge work, and to have received that prize means that she is being recognized by some of the most influential people in her field,” said West’s colleague Jay van Bavel, an assistant professor of social psychology at NYU. In the future, West will continue to study interracial relations. But she will further her research and broaden the types of relationships to include those between U.S. citizens and recent immigrants, as well as those between physicians

COURTESY OF TESSA WEST

Tessa West will receive the prestigious award next January. and patients. “My work will continue to apply laboratory and field-based approaches to understanding intergroup relations,” West said. “My talented graduate students and undergraduate honors students also have great ideas, which I am looking forward to exploring.” Kaitlin Gu is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

ARTS

EDITED BY STEFAN MELNYK ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM

‘Otter’ caught red-handed with poorly scripted comedy By ALYSSA DVORAK

Ethan Lipton’s new play, “Red-Handed Otter,” tells the story of Paul (Matthew Maher), a distraught security guard struggling to cope with the recent death of his beloved cat, Jennifer. Paul opens the show by announcing to co-worker Don (Bobby Moreno) that Jennifer has passed away. In order to pull Paul out of his funk, Don enlists the help of three other security guards to throw Paul a party. Although Don’s intentions are good, his gift of a replacement cat is the spark that permanently changes the relationship between the two. The initial interactions between Moreno and Maher exhibit the best acting in the show. Subtle alterations to facial expressions combined with short bits of dialogue allow for understated comedy. This modest humor provides a buildup to the play’s highlight: Don tells Paul the tale of his ‘red-handed otter.’ Moreno’s storytelling ability is natural and believable, captivating the audience with the tale of a pet otter that swam away. Unfortunately, this moment, the best in the show, is over within the first 10 minutes. Unnatural conversation, awkward silences and unrealistic emotional responses fill the remaining 75 minutes. The actors clearly try their best with the material they have been given, but Lipton’s script often features absurd jumps between shallow conversations and emotional revelations. For example, a conversation between guards Estelle (Quincy Tyler Bernstine) and Randy (Gibson Frazier) regarding the improper care of a hermit crab is long, unnecessary and baffling, yet it is supposed to hint at a budding romance. Even if there was an evident connection between a tiny crustacean and blossoming love, the playwright’s desire to develop this romance does not warrant the lackluster story of a man who killed his crab as the result of improper

COURTESY OF CHERRY LANE THEATER

“Otter’s” cooky plot suffers from clunky writing despite a strong cast. cage maintenance. “Nobody likes a self-righteous rabbit,” Paul said as one scene reaches its bizarre climax. The play concludes in the same way it opened: with Moreno and Maher sitting on stage. These final 15 minutes include an inept fight scene, an elongated viewing of pictures on Paul’s cell phone and a surprisingly witty closing line. “Red-Handed Otter” is far from brilliantly written, but it is also not a complete waste. The script has its moments of intelligent comedy. Sadly, the majority of the play is filled with mindless humor and pointless use of expletives. “Red-Handed Otter” is playing at the Cherry Lane Studio, located at 38 Commerce St., through Oct. 6th. For tickets and more information, see cherrylanetheatre.org. Alyssa Dvorak is a contributing writer. Email her at theater@nyunews.com.

Seeing future through past in ‘May We Be Forgiven’ By TALI KUHEL

In the new novel “May We Be Forgiven,” high school history teacher Harold Silver’s world changes drastically with each turn of the page. Toward the end of the book, Harold’s job is compromised by his style of teaching — apparently, even as a history teacher, he is too focused on the past. A.M. Homes’ newest novel is a story of loss and tragedy for the modern age. Homes employs the perspective of a man whose life disintegrates after his brother tragically loses control. As Harold takes responsibility for his brother’s neglected duties, his relationships form and re-form while the lines between identities blur. “May We Be Forgiven” is an anthem for our era. We watch the protagonist fall into a whirlwind of loss where solace can only be found in the words of his idol, Richard Nixon. Homes uses Nixon as a sounding board for morality, a representation of the definitive ideals where society draws the line. In a recent interview, Homes indicated that her initial intention was to write a short story for a collection organized by her friend — and well-known contemporary writer — Zadie Smith. Homes began work-

ing on developing characters and decided that the world she had created had the potential to expand. “In some ways, unpacking each story is like unveiling a whole other world that exists in another reality,” Homes said. Harold’s supervisor tells him that the ideal history curriculum should be a “study of the future,” for a more forward-thinking generation. Homes commented on this comical conversation with a meaningful idea: “That passage speaks to my concern that we’re losing sight of the past, and the difficulty of making sound decisions without a historical context.” For Harold, life cannot possibly return to the way it was, but relationships can bring support. Looking through a personal or political-historical lens can compel us to repeat our errors or to be the catalyst for change. Homes begs the young generation to reflect on the subject of where we have come from, and to hold onto the fraying ideals of reflection, consciousness and accountability. Homes’ “May We Be Forgiven” will be released Sept. 27, 2012. Tali Kuhel is a contributing writer. Email her at books@nyunews.com.

NODOUBT continued from PG. 1

No Doubt shows instability, leaves room for return to form Hot,” which sound as though the band took two different songs and mashed them into one. The group’s trademark elements like steel drums and brass instruments are still present, but when combined with excessively layered vocals and an apparent lack of rhythm, the result is a set of tracks without a clear direction. But the album does hit a stride halfway through, once the songs stop trying to resemble those from prior records and surrender completely to dance-pop. Interestingly enough, the album’s two best tracks, “Undone” and “Dreaming the Same Dream,” sound like they belong on Stefani’s solo record, not a new No Doubt record. Blending a variety of sounds and influences ranging from a twangy acoustic guitar and classical piano to synth beats reminiscent of Daft Punk, the last five tracks on the album indicate that the resurrected band might have a future after all. The source of the chaos is easy to identify: Stefani is a pop star in a punk band. It’s hard to unite such drastically different styles, and this

struggle is audible on the majority of this record’s tracks. This same problem afflicted the Strokes last year with the release of “Angles” following a five-year hiatus. After pursuing individual projects, the band found itself facing five different directions and did not know which path to take. The result was a fragmented record that sounded as if it was made by a variety of artists instead of a single band. Perhaps becoming a dance-pop band is not such a bad move for No Doubt. It is unreasonable to expect a group of mature, adult musicians to resume the angry punk image they embodied when they were young, and the key to longevity as a band is to adapt to a changing world. We certainly don’t need another group of middle-aged rockers singing about how hard it is to be young. If No Doubt can find a way to keep themselves from becoming Stefani’s back up band, there just might be a place for them in pop music today. Alexandria Ethridge is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com

NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

SPORTS

EDITED BY THE WSN STAFF SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

MLB franchises cannot buy their way into playoffs By CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO With the baseball season coming to an end, fans of teams league-wide will be doing one of two things: looking ahead to the playoffs or contemplating what could have been. As for the latter, here are Major League Baseball’s biggest disappoints of the year. 1. BOSTON RED SOX One of the most critical issues this team faced was a clash of personalities. After firing Terry Francona because of last season’s September collapse, the Red Sox hired manager Bobby Valentine. After early struggles, Valentine’s criticism of Kevin Youkilis created a media firestorm. By the trade deadline on July 31, Youkilis, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and starting pitcher Josh Beckett were shipped out of town in an attempt to rebuild the team. The Red Sox, a team that many thought had a chance to win the American League East, now sit 21 games behind their rivals, the New York Yankees. 2. MIAMI MARLINS In the National League, the Miami Marlins broke the bank this off-season. Miami has traditionally relied on young players and frugality

Women’s volleyball sweep match again

to compete, yet they took the opposite stance when they signed shortstop Jose Reyes, starting pitcher Mark Buehrle and closer Heath Bell. Many were confident that the Marlins could finally challenge dominant teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves for the N.L. East title. The team also moved into a brand new ballpark in Miami. Similar to the Red Sox, the Marlins did not meet their expectations, which created unrest in the locker room. This led to fan favorite shortstop Hanley Ramirez being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and a spot at the bottom of their division. 3. PITTSBURGH PIRATES The Bucs are one of the league’s most storied franchises but have failed to make the playoffs for the past 20 years. Midway through the year, they had a shot to at least win the wild card. However, the Pirates’ youth and inexperience eventually caught up with them, and they have been eliminated from postseason contention. Even though Pittsburgh faltered during the second half of the season, their current roster, which includes MVP candidate Andrew McCutchen, will be competitive in the future. Chris Marcotrigiano is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.

COURTESY OF NYU ATHLETICS

Junior captain Hope Bogle makes a play in the Violets’ win. By MARY JANE DUMANKAYA For the fifth match in a row, NYU women’s volleyball won in three straight sets. The Violets defeated the Polytechnic Institute of NYU in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, bringing their overall record to 11-5. The score was 25-20 in the first two sets and 25-16 in the final set. NYU took this match as an opportunity to play freshmen and allow players to play in different positions. Senior Kaylee Schanda, who usually starts at libero, played as a middle blocker and succeeded in racking up seven kills and seven digs. Senior Alexis Schwartz, who filled in as libero for the first time, recorded a match-high 18 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Vera Shulgina had the most kills of the night with 13. Freshman middle blocker Nicole Frias continued her success after being named to the All-Tournament team at last week’s Violet Classic and had nine kills. Sophomore middle blocker Allie Williams also had nine kills. “We played well considering the new lineup changes,” Williams said. “It was a great

win to start off the week as we head to play [University Athletic Association] teams this weekend.” Junior captain Alex Mao had 11 kills and 15 digs during the game, continuing her offensive prowess from the previous games. “Today I focused on feeling comfortable with the new girls on the court, and I look forward to helping lead the team in doing well,” said Mao, who was recently chosen as Athlete of the Week. “I think that [the game] went really well and that the team really performed well with the new changes.” In total, NYU had 52 kills to NYU-Poly’s 15. The Violets also recorded a hitting percentage of .345 while NYU-Poly finished with a .108 hitting percentage. “This was a preparation for UAAs this weekend in Chicago, and I think we’re ready,” Mao said. The Violets will travel to Chicago next weekend to play Emory University, the University of Chicago and Carnegie Mellon University for their first conference matches of the year. Mary Jane Dumankaya is a deputy sports editor. Email her at mdumankaya@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

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Edited by Will Shortz Across

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Puzzle by Mark Feldman

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NYUNEWS.COM | THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY CHRIS DINARDO OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

SCHOOL SPIRIT

Students afraid to show spirit at NYU By MATT LUO To many students, NYU has become known as a place akin to home. It is a prestigious school that students are proud to attend. Ask people about their level of contentment with attending this school, and they will tell you how happy they are to be here. They will regale you with stories of how proud they are to inhabit such a fantastic city, living out their wildest dreams. There will be no end to their praise. However, ironically, if someone were to go to an NYU-sponsored event, he or she would find relatively few students actually in attendance. After the flurry of Welcome Week events ended, it seemed that NYU had essentially given up on engaging students to become actively involved. The endless screaming of people who looked like they were hopped up on cocaine was no longer heard throughout campus, and NYU entered a phase of relaxation. People who have already sought out clubs or teams to join have

already decided how they will spend their spare time, and clubs seem satisfied with the members they currently have; no longer actively campaigning for members to join them as they had during that first week. This lack of participation does not really stem from laziness. Students are vehemently proud of the fact that they attend NYU, but rarely will they ever be found at an NYU basketball game or Quidditch tournament. Essentially, NYU students are known for having school pride but no school spirit. Surprisingly enough, most students are not part of clubs, sports teams or organized groups, instead choosing to dedicate their leisure time to homework, interning, socializing or some sort of illicit partying. Others who may have wanted to join a club but missed the initial opportunity may shy away from putting themselves out there because of an overarching mindset that many students share. Nobody wants to be that loser that actually participates in events, even if it is

something that he or she is really passionate about, because of the fear of the social repercussions at the hands of coldhearted peers who honestly don’t care about their rinky-dink activities. Such ideals are the root of the lack of school spirit at NYU. People succumb to being satisfied with blending in with the hipsters because, contrary to popular belief, college is not all that different from high school; ostracism still exists for those who set themselves apart from the crowd. It may seem that being at NYU means you can be as different as you want, but the sad truth is that conformity still runs rampant. As a result, participation reaches an incredible low. There are approximately 40,000 students attending NYU. There are probably 40,000 people who are proud of their school. There are probably but a few hundred people who have school spirit. The discrepancy is ridiculous. Matt Luo is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.

GENDER ROLES

Middleton photos reveal double standard By SASHA LESHNER

While nude celebrity photo leaks seem to occur on a weekly basis in our scandal-obsessed society, one woman poses as a figure who may be disclosing something that is more than an infringement on her privacy. Kate Middleton’s status as a duchess and part of the British Royal Family sets her apart from the out-of-work actresses and Twitter-blundering celebrities, for she is being asked to play a role of modesty in the throes of a sex-obsessed press. Her recent scandal raises questions regarding the balancing act women are forced to play, where expectations of classy reservations conflict with the media’s fixation on eroticism. These opposing presumptions contribute to a growing paradox when considering the portrayal of the female role in today’s world. While on holiday with Prince William at a private chateau in France, an unknown photographer snapped topless photographs of Middleton sunbathing on the beach. About 70 of the 240 photographs taken have been circulating magazines, tabloids and the Internet, and “Kate Middleton Topless” yields 435 million search results online. The photos caused a riot that reached the

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courtroom, where the royal family won a case against Closer magazine, a French publication that printed the images. Their victory opens a discussion that extends beyond privacy and into the changing role of women in an atmosphere of constant scrutiny. Middleton is an interesting celebrity figure. Being a part of the royal family, she automatically takes on an essence of traditional values that give her an air of demure modesty. And yet, with the media constantly infringing on celebrity lives and bringing them into the public domain, she inextricably suffers the addition of an erotic filter that is objectifying the female sex. We see it everywhere: Women are made to be sums of their parts — usually the parts that most fascinate the male sex — and it is either the suppression or exposure of these bodily features that captivates our attention. In spite of the overly sexualized world of the media, certain societal restrictions continue to put women on an idealistic pedestal. This is especially obvious in the case of Middleton. As the Duchess of Cambridge, she is assumed to exude, if not innocence, at least an essence of conservative, respectable femininity. It can be argued that

it is a result of the reserved role Middleton plays that made her all the more alluring to the slandering press; her virtuous position in society made her irresistible to the public’s taste for debauchery. It appears then that what we see in the media is enforcing a kind of double-standard expectation for women in our society: They are expected to be both an innocent ideal and an infatuating vixen. If women are to fall into one camp, they are automatically categorized — prudish and chaste, wanton and trashy — take your pick. But most decide to balance dangerously between the stereotypes and walk the tightrope of societal expectations, checking their every move, every bit of their bare skin. Middleton, a role model whom the press continues to try to push off the pedestal of age-old values, opens eyes to the amorphous gender role expected of women in today’s world. Though the role has been modernized by an unashamed appetite for the sensuous, a freedom of sexuality does not equate to a freedom from expectations for women — in fact, it just makes the ensnaring role all the more difficult to fill. Sasha Leshner is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.

STAFF EDITORIAL

NYU 2031 questions local, global integrity of university NYU 2031, the bane of many Greenwich Village residents, is up against an obstacle. On Tuesday, 11 groups filed a joint lawsuit against the city for approving the school’s expansion plan, which City Council voted to allow last month in a 44-1 vote. If this expansion takes place, the negative repercussions would impact students’ pockets, the neighborhood’s history and the city’s consciousness; thus questioning the integrity of the nation’s largest private university. It can be argued that this expansion plan is merely an illustration of the school’s greed. Behind only the Catholic Church in private ownership of city property, there is little reason to support President John Sexton’s desire to take over even more real estate. Despite his arguments that the expansion would make NYU a “world class university,” many would argue that we have reached that point and can sustain it at current fiscal and spatial levels. It is easy for students to be disdainful because we’re the ones currently, though indirectly, footing the bill for the massive project. The hope exists that the final product will help create an even greater version of NYU — one with more space for academic facilities and student housing. So the pay now for the betterment of the later argument holds water despite the antipathy. The opposition from faculty and Greenwich Village residents is less economically motivated and, therefore, far more powerful. Residents argue that a large expanse of private land was illegally yielded to NYU to expedite the expansion, thus infringing on the neighborhood they know. The Sexton Plan would uproot a piece of the city that is intrinsic to New York’s history. The site that would undergo transformation can be traced back to Martha Graham, Andy Warhol and Allen Ginsberg, who launched their artistic careers in Greenwich Village. It is an area that would be partially tainted with the addition of four new university buildings. Although an NYU education is considered grounds for a successful career, it is fair to question the morality of destroying artistic history in order to pave the way for more NYU-crafted creativity. So with the financial, historical and aesthetic concerns in mind, one must ask, does NYU truly want to be “in and of the city” or engulf it?

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Chris DiNardo (Chair), Jessica Littman (Co-Chair), Nathaniel Chumley, Christopher Drake, Sanchay Jain, Sasha Leshner, Peter Murphy, Raquel Woodruff and Richard Zhang.

Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, NY 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 150 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.