NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 42, No. 71
thursday, october 2, 2014
nyunews.com
university affairs
student affairs
Town hall heats up over NYU Abu Dhabi
Langone hospital takeover resumes
By Nicole Brown and Kavish Harjai Management
By Stephanie Grella Contributing Writer
A Brooklyn judge has dismissed the New York State Nurses Association’s lawsuit against NYU Langone Medical Center, allowing Langone to continue its takeover of Long Island College Hospital’s emergency services and ambulatory care unit. Justice Johnny Lee Baynes announced his decision on Sept. 29 to dismiss the lawsuit filed by NYSNA that accused Langone of failing to offer current LICH nurses hiring priority for the new emergency care unit. Baynes said NYSNA did not have the right to impact a deal that it was not directly involved in. Brooklyn developer Fortis Property Group will purchase the Cobble Hill hospital from SUNY and have Langone manage the hospital’s freestanding emergency center, which is all that remains of the hospital, for the original price of $240 million. “[Sept. 29’s] action by the court
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Staff PHOTOs BY NICOLE BROWN
Time capsule from 1950 unearthed outside NYU’s 370 Jay St. Clockwise from top left: Construction workers lift the capsule out of the sidewalk. New York City Transit President Carmen Bianco and conservator Toya Dubin look inside the lead box. Dubin cleans off a glass box that is believed to have held a microfilm of the original construction plan for the building, since ruined by erosion.
At the first town hall of the semester on Oct. 1 in the Kimmel Center for University Life, NYU President John Sexton defended working conditions at NYU Abu Dhabi. The first question was submitted through social media by NYU Disorientation, a group of students that debate controversial topics on campus, and asked why labor rights were not respected when building the NYUAD campus on Saadiyat Island. Sexton said the question assumed allegations made last semester by a number of news outlets are true, but he believes otherwise. First, Sexton explained that the conditions of the workers at the new campus, including maintenance, cafeteria and security staff, are better than in other work environments. “We know these people by name. They’re my friends,” Sexton said
TOWN HALL continued on PG. 3
See more photos online at nyunews.com.
Entertainment
‘Gilmore Girls’ arrives on Netflix, worth revisiting By Isabel Jones Film Editor
In 2000, the WB introduced something new — a motherdaughter dramedy that appealed to young and old alike, a family show that was not afraid of teen pregnancy or obscure pop culture references and a program that gave voices to strong female characters. With this, “Gilmore Girls” was born, and the world met Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, the off-kilter duo that viewers would come to worship for nearly a decade. Although Amy Sherman-Palladino’s fast-talking, coffeecrazed Gilmore girls have not occupied a regular time slot since the series finale in 2007, escaping to Stars Hollow is now
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Lauren Graham (left) and Alexis Bledel played the Gilmore girls. as simple as logging on to Netflix, as of yesterday. There are many reasons “Gilmore Girls” deserves to be revisited, aside
from its convenient position in the Netflix suggestions. “Gilmore Girls” was media magic. The immediate chemistry between Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, who were relatively unknown at the time, is astounding. From the pilot episode, as they sat in their respective rooms listening to Macy Gray, the close bond between these actors was clear. The line that is often drawn between actor and character was never apparent. In viewers’ minds, Graham and Bledel simply were Lorelai and Rory in real life, too. Today, the two still are the Gilmore girls. In the past seven years, Bledel and Graham have not even come close to approaching the success they had with “Gilmore Girls.” While this may be unfor-
tunate for the actors, viewers can relish the idea that, for a moment in time, everything was aligned for the cast and crew, and a singular vision was carried out. It is rare to achieve perfect harmony within a working ensemble. All the more magical is the possibility that it will probably never happen again. Showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino, while an impeccable talent, has yet to pen another hit — “Bunheads” and “The Return of Jezebel James” missed the mark by a mile or two. Graham’s whiny performance on “Parenthood” is hardly worth writing home about, and Bledel has only been in minor film and TV roles since the “Gilmore” years. A true classic, “Gilmore Girls” still holds up 14 years after its premiere. Viewers can see
its tropes play out in popular series of today, like the incessantly bickering Luke and Lorelai-esque pair of Danny and Mindy on “The Mindy Project.” But mostly, viewers are just left with a bunch of quick-to-becancelled wannabes, lacking the charisma of “Gilmore Girls” and oversaturated with pop culture references and quirky, small-town personalities. “Gilmore Girls” was successful because it was innovative. It is one of only a few programs that can claim no derivative, no exploitation of fame and no lazy adherence to cliché. A true original awaits, now just a click away on Netflix. Email Isabel Jones at ijones@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief
nicole brown Managing Editors
today
emily bell dana reszutek Assistant Managing Editors
casey dalrymple bryna shuman Web Managing Editors
cicek erel kavish harjai Creative Director, Special Editions
lyanne natividad
IN HISTORY
Creative Directors
Julie ciccone olivia martin Copy Chief
Thomas Devlin
senior staff
news JOHN AMBROSIO, VALENTINA
DUQUE BOJANINI features HANNAH TREASURE arts ALEX GREENBERGER sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia SHAWN PAIK under the arch blog JONATHAN
KESHISHOGLOU global Joey bui social media ARIANA DIVALENTINO senior editors SCOTT MULLEN, VALERIE NELSON, MARINA ZHENG
On Oct. 2,1985, WSN reported that NYU negotiators walked out of contract dis-
deputy staff
cussions with the leaders of the United
news LARSON BINZER, RAHUL
Staff Associations of NYU. USA, a union
KRISHNAMOORTHY, MARITA VLACHOU features BAILEY EVANS beauty & style DAVID BOLOGNA violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining REBECCA RIDDLE film ISABEL JONES entertainment IFE OLUJOBI music ALEXA SPIELER theater/books NIKOLAS REDA-CASTELAO the highlighter blog MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE sports TONY CHAU multimedia hannah luu video daniel cole
that represented 1,500 NYU clerical and technical workers, was trying to renew a contract that was to expire at the end of that month. The USA president at the time, Margarita Aguilar, said in the article that university negotiators ignored demands and stalled talks. NYU
opinion page opinion editor
responded that it was too soon to reach
CHRISTINA COLEBURN deputy opinion editors
an agreement.
OMAR ETMAN, ADAM FAZLIBEGU, TESS WOOSLEY
advertising business manager
ALISON LIZZIO University and alumni coordinator
claire mahany sales manager
ARIANA DIVALENTINO
SNAPSHOT
today on campus Queering Disability The Gender and Sexuality Department will present a performance series featuring LGBTQ and disabled artists in room 802 of the Kimmel Center for University Life from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
sales representative
amy lu jillian branchaud Sales associate
luxi peng, mike grott Graphic DesignerS
KALEEL MUNROE circulation manager
JESSICA TIEN
The Battle for the Soul of the Social Sector Ken Berger, CEO of Charity Navigator, will discuss the conflict between the social sector and the current efforts to solve societal problems in the Paulson Auditorium of Tisch Hall from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. RSVP required.
advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORIAL ADVISER
JIM LUTTRELL EDITORs-AT-LARGE
NYU Creative Writing Presents: Fiction Reading by Amy Bloom and Brian Morton Flash Flock, a collection of “vegan taxidermy” fake pigeons by street artist Tina Trachtenburg, pops up in Washington Square Park.
Photo by Dana Brown
KRISTINA BOGOS, rachel kaplan, MICHELLE LIM, CLIO MCCONNELL, jordan melendrez, jonathan tan
Authors Amy Bloom (“Lucky Us”) and Brian Morton (“Florence Gordon”) will present readings and discuss their latest works in the Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House, 58 W. 10th St., at 7 p.m.
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.
today’s events are free for NYU students.
Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact the managing editors at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.
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nyunews.com | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | Washington Square news
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Clubs allotted more funds, must submit club constitutions By Shirley Foo Contributing Writer
The All-Square Student Budget Allocation Committee and the Student Senators Council announced on Sept. 26 that NYU clubs will be receiving increased funding this year. ASSBAC chair and Steinhardt senior Jessica Hawk said she has worked with her committee and SSC to get more money out of the university budget, stating that the previous budget allocations were unreasonable. “I was not comfortable with the number that we were given by NYU administration,” Hawk said. “It was an unsustainable expectation. When clubs received their budgets, they were shocked.” Hawk said other NYU administrators are concerned about clubs receiving the funding they require in order to be functional and productive. “When ASSBAC was originally given the budget by the Division of Student Affairs, it didn’t increase to what we needed it to, to support club life,” Hawk said. “With the budget we were given, it felt like
Photo by Sangjun Bae
A group of students gather on the seventh floor of Kimmel, where clubs often meet. we were being placed in the position of telling students no. That’s when we started reaching out to upper administration.” Hawk added that the extra funding was provided by multiple offices within NYU’s administration that also believed student clubs were not being allocated enough money. The extra money has been used to both increase funding for all NYU clubs and increased funding for
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said. “We haven’t had to do much for the extra funding. It was just given to us as is.” In order to receive funding, however, clubs are required to submit their constitutions, listing out requirements for membership, dictating the number of officers required per general member, describing leadership roles and providing a mission statement. Student Activities
Email Shirley Foo at news@nyunews.com.
TOWN HALL continued from PG. 1
Photo by Jinny Choi
Employees walk into NYU Langone Medical Center.
Nurse’s association lawsuit thrown out
allows us to finally bring a positive health care outcome for Cobble Hill and a sensible solution for the State University of New York,” SUNY board chairman H. Carl McCall said in a public statement on Monday. “Months of hard work and negotiation have secured NYU Langone Medical Center as the operator of the facility, which will bring modern and state-of-the-art patient care to the LICH site.” NYU Langone spokesperson Lisa Greiner said the university shares McCall’s enthusiasm for the future of LICH. “NYU Langone Medical Center is looking forward to expanding our practice of excellent health care at the NYU Langone Cobble Hill facility,” Greiner said. This news comes after NYU announced on Sept. 19 that it would be backing out of the deal due to the lawsuit — a decision that many, including Mayor Bill de Blasio, criticized. With the lawsuit dismissed, Langone is not required to rehire any of
contingency requests. Hawk said student clubs can request money from this budget throughout the year to cover costs of unanticipated events or fees that clubs may not have previously planned for. Singapore Students Association president and Stern junior Timothy Lui said he appreciated the increased funding provided by NYU. “As we are a large club, additional funding is always welcome,” Lui
Board chair and Gallatin junior Michael Hengerer said the requirement was not meant to withhold funding. “This is by no means meant to be an imposition or a punitive measure to clubs, but rather a way to help club leaders be successful and effective in leading their clubs and organizations,” Hengerer said. Hengerer added that 182 of the over 300 clubs at NYU do not have a constitution, so the measure was added to ensure clubs would be well-organized. Catherine Ye, CAS senior and editor-in-chief of NYU magazine generasia, said she was glad to receive the extra funding her club has been awarded and had no problem with being compelled to renew their constitution. “I appreciate NYU increasing our budget,” Ye said. “It is important for every club to set forth guidelines for its organization and leadership, and this constitution submission just forced us all to do it sooner than we might have done ourselves.”
the LICH nursing staff. This has led Eliza Bates, communications director of NYSNA, to question the hospital’s future quality of care. “We are disappointed in the ruling,” Bates said. “We are reviewing the court’s decision and considering our options. We remain committed to protecting care for Brooklyn patients.” McCall said the deal means both parties can move forward and the emergency center can continue to operate. “Despite many obstacles, SUNY has worked tirelessly to bring an end to the crisis at LICH,” McCall said. “Now, NYU Langone Medical Center can soon begin providing their world-class services, and SUNY can return to providing its students with a world-class education.” At the time of publishing, SUNY has not yet announced an official date for Langone’s takeover of the center. Email Stephanie Grella at news@nyunews.com.
AD labor, graduate contracts discussed
referring to the on-campus staff. “We are confident that NYU and its presence has elevated the lives of those that we’ve touched in Abu Dhabi, be it the students or the workers on our campus.” But, referring to the allegations that the contractors and subcontractors did not uphold all the rights laid out by the Statement of Shared Labor Values in the front-page New York Times article published on May 18, Sexton said an experienced U.S. attorney has been hired to conduct an outside investigation. Daniel Nardello, of Nardello and Co., the firm hired to investigate labor conditions, is an NYU graduate. This caveat was brought up by a CAS sophomore at the town hall who questioned whether this is a conflict of interest, but Sexton said it is not. Sexton said the university is waiting for the full investigation to determine if the allegations are true. “If there is wrong, there is going to be remedy,” Sexton said. The same student brought up various concerns about the kafala system in Abu Dhabi, which monitors the migrant laborers, but Sexton dismissed her statements saying they have not been proven. On another topic, several graduate students expressed the dissatisfaction felt among adjunct
Photo by Sangjun Bae
The SSC Executive Committee listens at the town hall. professors in the community who believed that the school did not provide them with proper compensation for their work. Sexton said negotiations took place over the summer and a conclusion had been reached which both sides agreed upon. NYU’s financial aid package and the search for the next president were also discussed. Gallatin junior and vice president of the Student Senators Council Michael Hengerer said the town hall allowed students to speak frankly. “It’s a good forum for students to directly ask questions,” Hengerer said. “It’s a conversation with facts, not assumptions.” Caterina Dacey Ariani, a CAS sophomore who attended the town hall, said while it is important for students to participate in such events, there are downsides to discussing controversial topics in the open. “Often times students come with a lot of accusations and it’s not necessarily helpful [for Sexton] to respond in a defensive tone, even
Photo by Sangjun Bae
Sexton speaks to students at the town hall on Wednesday. though I understand why it’s happening,” Ariani said. Additional reporting by Ashley Ko. Email them at news@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | nyunews.com
FEATURES
edited by Hannah treasure FEATURES@nyunews.com
Students study art in Havana By Meranda Yslas Contributing Writer
Though traveling to Cuba is impossible for many American citizens, Tisch students have the opportunity to spend a semester in Havana studying photography, dance and video production, while also experiencing daily life in the U.S.-embargoed country. “[Studying in Havana offers] a great opportunity of meeting a place that has been isolated for a great deal of time,” Adrian Fernández, onsite faculty member in Havana, said. Technically, some U.S. citizens are allowed to travel to Cuba, but government regulations limit where money can be spent in the country, which prevents travel for tourism’s sake. Students are allowed to study abroad in Cuba via a special visa for educational purposeshowever. In the spring of 2013, Steinhardt students participating in the Dean’s Global Honors Seminar, including
By Hannah Treasure Features Editor With the start of October and fall activities in full swing, there are plenty of options for students to experience the city on a budget this weekend. Here are our top picks for upcoming events around New York City.
Steinhardt junior Charlie Wright, also had the opportunity to travel to Havana over spring break. “We were only able to go over because we were under an educational visa,” Wright said. As the capital city and the largest port in Cuba, Havana is a city with a variety of cultural influences. “It is an island that has grown out of the exchange of other cultures,” Fernández said. “Culturally, it is a harbor.” The architectural diversity also makes the city well-suited for photography and film projects. “Havana has a mixture of architectural styles … [and] it is all expressed in the buildings and in the neighborhoods,” Fernández said. “It is very appealing and photographically very attractive.” The students who study abroad in Havana work with the local people on photo projects. The photography program is for students of varying skill levels. “The students that apply to the Havana program can come from different backgrounds, some
Corn Maze: If you are looking to escape Manhattan this weekend, consider getting lost with some friends in Queens County Farm’s corn maze. The three-acre puzzle is open every Saturday and Sunday during October, but on Saturday, Oct. 4, the maze will stay open late. This year’s maze is designed to look like the
have more advanced knowledge, and others are learning it for the first time,” Fernández said. There are four different exercises that the students are asked to complete during their semester. They are titled place, event, portrait and individual project. The portrait is designed to help students focus their approach. It is not simply a basic headshot, but instead an assignment designed to portray someone’s life. Fernández said students often find this task easier than expected because of the friendliness of the local people. “The people in the streets are open for photographing,” Fernández said. “They are very extroverted. They don’t have issues being photographed, they might even welcome it.” In addition to photography, students experience the culture as they spend time with locals and live in the heart of the country.
Staff Photos by William Martin
Email Meranda Yslas at features@nyunews.com.
A man crosses the San Lazaro Street in Havana (top). Ariam Mederos Lores, a 16-year-old Cuban, jumps into the Malecón (bottom).
American flag to celebrate the 200th anniversary of “The Star Spangled Banner.” Admission is $9 and the maze is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and until 9 p.m. on Oct. 4. “Psycho” Performance: Eight actors will perform Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” with a twist of improv acting and audience involvement on Friday, Oct. 3. During their reenactment of the film, non sequitur sound effects will go off and the actors must incorporate the sounds into their performance. The audience also gets a chance to put a twist on the classic scary movie, writing lines that the actors must say. One audience member will also be given a horn to honk, which will signal when the actors must create a random scene on stage. There
is a $5 cover charge, and the performance will be hosted by Videology in Brooklyn. New York Film Festival: The world premiere of “Inherent Vice” — the highly anticipated adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s book — is this Saturday, Oct. 4, alongside several other programs and films shown throughout the weekend. “Inherent Vice” notably features Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon and Owen Wilson, among others. Screenings of “Inherent Vice” will take place at the Alice Tully Hall, with four different show times throughout Saturday. Tickets are $25. Taxidermy Fair: Whether you enjoy taxidermy as a yearround hobby or just want to look at some creepy critters for the month of October, check out the Taxidermy Fair this Sunday,
Oct. 5. The fair will be held at The Bell House in Brooklyn, celebrating the release of Robert Marbury’s book “Taxidermy Art” with a live taxidermy demo and panel discussion between Marbury and several other taxidermy artists. The event is for people 21 and over, and general admission is $10. Outdoor Movie: The Habana Outpost in Brooklyn is off to a spooky opening weekend, featuring a showing of “E.T.” on Sunday, Oct. 5, to kick off their weekly Halloween movie series. The event is completely free and starts at 8 p.m. Savor a traditional Mexican or Cuban dish and enjoy the Outpost’s last month of screenings for the year. Email Hannah Treasure at htreasure@nyunews.com.
Professor named MIT innovator, praised for brain research By Dhriti Tandon Contributing Writer
Polytechnic School of Engineering assistant professor of computer and electrical engineering Jonathan Viventi earned a spot on MIT’s 2014 “Top 35 Innovators under 35” list for his research on electrical signals in the brain. “[The title] brought more attention to my research,” Viventi said. “I have been invited to give some talks, participate in conferences, so I think it’s really helping to promote the work we’re doing in my lab … It has been a great opportunity to expand the audience of people who know what we’re doing.” His innovative tool to measure the brain’s electrical signals has been especially well-received by neuroscientists studying seizures
who, using Viventi’s invention, will be able to map areas of the brain with high resolution. Unlike traditional devices with disks containing sensors 5 millimeters away from each other, Viventi’s intricate device contains 360 sensors in about 1 square centimeter. Viventi stressed how his device can measure electrical activities of the brain in much greater detail and over a larger spatial area than was previously possible. “In theory, we can expand this thing to cover a larger area and give us a much more detailed idea of what is going on in the brain,” he said. Making his idea of a high-resolution interface a reality was no easy task for Viventi, however. “There is always skepticism to new ideas, but as we have shown that we
Photo by Sangjun Bae
Jonathan Viventi explains how a brain interface is used. can make these things and they can really give us amazing insights into the brain,” Viventi said. “We have yet to develop this as a commercial product that can be safe and reliable over long periods of time.” After seven years of hard work, Viventi hopes that his innovation will help diagnose and treat diseases such as epilepsy. He also looks for-
ward to combining his innovation with motor prosthetics, which will allow paralyzed patients to control objects such as robotic arms and allow them to perform daily household tasks using their thoughts. CAS freshman Sarai Colon, majoring in neuroscience, is excited by the future use of Viventi’s innovation in motor prosthetics. “It’s a gateway into helping people find ways to improve their motor skills and ultimately help people who are cut off with their motor skills,” Colon said. Gallatin sophomore Kimberly Wang, studying neurophysiology, is also optimistic about the device’s possible uses in the future and said such innovations are crucial to expanding knowledge in brain sciences. “This technology looks very prom-
ising for future rehabilitation,” Wang said. “Improvements in resolution of brain imaging are imperative to giving an opportunity to collect more detailed, more reliable information about the working of the brain. I am excited to see its potential to inform treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.” SPS freshman Arkia Song, studying psychology, looks forward to the usage of Viventi’s device to elucidate unexplained phenomena behind certain psychological disorders. “This new technology can help assimilate more understanding about brain diseases, and could possibly accelerate research to discover a cure for physiological disorders,” Song said. Email Dhriti Tandon at features@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | Washington Square news
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arts
edited by alex greenberger arts@nyunews.com
Struggles of dwarfism explored in film By Bradley Alsop Contributing Writer
Photo by Stephanie Cheng
Five-foot-by-seven-foot blow ups of Thomas Struth’s photos hang at the Met.
Cultural photos on display at Met By Stephanie Cheng Contributing Writer
Known for his famous “Museum Photographs” — a collection of large color photos depicting people visiting museums, squares and other cultural destinations around the world — German photographer Thomas Struth is one of the most celebrated artists in the last half-century. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s “Thomas Struth: Photographs” offers a comprehensive look at Struth’s multidimensional career, featuring his early black-and-white landscapes of streets in New York City shot in 1978, along with his recent and previously unseen depictions of rapidly disappearing industrial architecture. At more than five feet tall and seven feet wide, large landscapes fill the white walls of the airy gallery space. Among the photographs featured is the celebrated “Pantheon, Rome,” depicting visitors gazing in awe at their historical and cultural surroundings. Initially, critics assumed that the artist was mocking the idea of mass global tourism by turning cultural meccas into Disneyland-
like destinations. On the contrary, the artist possesses a more positive outlook and is instead capturing the relationship between viewers and art, transforming spectators into active participants as they reinterpret the past. Similarly, in the series “Tien An Men, Beijing,” Struth captures the presence of an individual in relation to a chapter in history — Struth pairs the monumental, dominating portrait of Mao Zedong with a snapshot of an anonymous female citizen. The pairing looks back to the infamous day of protests on June 4, 1989, which turned violent when the People’s Liberation Army opened fire on unarmed students protesting for democracy. “The Restorers at San Lorenzo Maggiore, Naples” exemplifies the artist’s working method. Struth primarily photographs people after knowing them for an extended period of time. Here, the subjects are four art restorers he befriended in Italy. The transfixing effect felt in this photograph is achieved by using slow exposure to highlight the tremendous amount of detail, and a shallow depth of field to bring the
four figures into alignment in front of the viewer. The most famous work of Struth’s career came in the late 1990s. Following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, Struth ventured from such places as Japan and China to Australia and Germany seeking unspoiled sites around the world and capturing human nature’s constant desire for renewal. More recently, Struth photographed a hot rolling mill in Duisburg, Germany, in the same manner that was applied in his acclaimed photographs of people looking at art in cultural spaces. With the use of slow exposure and a shallow depth of field, each railing and mark of rust is visible. With a career spanning four decades, Struth has been a key figure in the contemporary art world. His work emphasizes the critical medium of photography, using it to represent one’s awareness of an environment. “Thomas Struth: Photographs” is on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art until Feb. 16, 2015. Email Stephanie Cheng at arts@nyunews.com.
For many, it is difficult to truly grasp the plight of people with noticeable differences in appearance and the emotional strength those people must maintain. The theme of coping with such a physical difference is explored in “The Little Tin Man,” Matthew Perkins’ often touching but unfortunately unbalanced directorial feature film debut. The film centers on Herman (Aaron Beelner), a struggling actor who has dwarfism. In the beginning of the film, Herman embraces the roles that come with the stereotype of people like him. For example, he is pictured in an elf costume speaking to Santa Claus for an energy drink commercial. Many scenes in the first half evoke this marginalization and subordination that Herman feels — a difference only depicted in the film because he is much shorter than most people in the acting field. The audience gets a quick look into Herman’s everyday interactions before the whole film takes a major turn with the sudden death of his mother. Herman learns from his mother’s lawyer that her only bequeathal to him listed in her last will and testament is a directive — he is told to take his acting career seriously and stop accepting the typecasting he is given. Though he resents it at first, Herman accepts the challenge after hearing about an audition for “The Wizard of Oz.” Initially slated to audition for the Mayor of Munchkinland, he decides to ignore the casting director’s orders and try out for the part of the Tin Man.
The first half of the film is somewhat slow and unoriginal, mainly serving to hammer home Herman’s imperfections as a dwarf and doing little to expand upon deeper frustrations and emotional nuances. The mood is intended to be one of quirky comedy, but is altogether far too serious in its delivery. There are scenes in the first half that have potential to hold weight and be poignant, but they fall flat due to their execution. When Herman defiantly attempts to audition for the role of the Tin Man, as opposed to any of the Munchkin roles, the ostensibly heartbreaking scene is over almost as soon as it begins. The viewers do not see the casting directors, they only hear voices as Herman pleads to them in a dimly lit room. Here is a scene that could be the linchpin of the first half of the film, but it fizzles out due to the lack of room it has to breathe. Despite the film’s shortcomings early on, Beelner is absolutely tremendous throughout. His expressive face is constantly a point of interest for the viewer. Since he knows exactly what Herman wants and understands his character’s limitations, Beelner is able to embrace Herman’s emotions to a point where he disappears into the character. A very rough first half prevents “The Little Tin Man” from being a truly great film. But the second half, in which Herman begins to gain confidence, is wonderful. The movie quirkily and beautifully tells the story of how to overcome difference, and what it means when one does so. Email Bradley Alsop at film@nyunews.com.
New version of ‘Next to Normal’ moves audience By Caroline Cunfer Contributing Writer
The Gallery Players’ production of “Next To Normal,” a contemporary rock opera which debuted OffBroadway in 2008, is packed with psychological potency. Though the Brooklyn theater group performed in a humble Park Slope venue, as opposed to the musical’s 2009 Broadway run at the Booth Theatre, this production has the same impact of the original production. “Next to Normal” follows the Goodmans, a family torn apart by the bipolar disorder that inhibits the mother, Diana (Carman Napier). She is also afflicted with a mind-spinning revelation that is unveiled at the beginning of the first act, that sets the musical into motion. Drawing inspiration from the Broadway production, the set consists of multiple levels that create an illusion of separate rooms. For such a modest set, the staging is very well orchestrated. Multiple scenes inde-
pendent of each other take place at the same time without confusing the audience. The relationship between Diana and her husband Dan (Benjamin Sheff) is paralleled by their daughter Natalie (Lindsay Bayer) and her boyfriend Henry (John Wascavage), which is emphasized through simultaneous scenes held at different levels on set. The stripped-down stage allows itself to become occupied with the Goodmans’ crippling problems. A small orchestra on the second level of the stage adds an element of exposure and rawness to the production, pulsating an artful contrast of volatile rock music, dainty piano staccato and the plucking of strings. The multifaceted score and lighting effects reflect the unhinged nature of Diana’s condition, and the recurring melodies imitate the overwhelming feelings associated with a manic disorder. Despite the emotive score, musical moments that should have been infused with power and raw emotion
Courtesy of The Gallery Players
Benjamin Sheff (left) and Carman Napier act in “Next to Normal.” lack conviction, most notably “I’ve Been,” “Light in the Dark” and “Superboy and the Invisible Girl.” The vocals, though not mind-blowing, are impressive. Luke Hoback, who plays Diana’s son Gabe, gives a particularly compelling performance. Hoback’s Gabe has a skulking and coquettish disposition — he is a character that the audience does not know if it should love or hate. Hoback slinks around the stage with as-
sertiveness and allure, making for a haunting and stirring presence. Napier as Diana proves successful in portraying a frantic, confused woman who is grappling with the contrast between reality and the distortion induced by her disorder. Although there is little chemistry between Natalie and Henry, Wascavage’s Henry is adorably dorky and innocently enamored with Natalie, a mediocre Bayer who was a bit excessive in angst. Wearing Converse and
flannel, Henry clutches the straps of his canvas backpack as he struggles to find his words and offers beautiful vocals as he does so. Although one cannot help longing for the voice of Jennifer Damiano, the actress who played Diane on Broadway, it is necessary to step back and realize that this is Off-Off Broadway, not the glitzy Booth Theatre. The Gallery Players’ performance made it clear, however, that this musical has the innate power to transcend the superficiality of a Broadway label and to get the audience invested in this family’s struggles. “Next to Normal” has a unique ability to move any audience, even one that may feel detached from the idea of mental disorder, and, though lacking a punch in certain respects, this Off-Off Broadway incarnation didn’t lose any of the musical’s effect. “Next to Normal” will run through Oct. 5 at 199 14th St. in Brooklyn. Email Caroline Cunfer at theater@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | nyunews.com
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The new york times crossword & daily sudoku Crossword ACROSS
35 Query for clarification 36 Adolf Hitler, e.g., according to a 8 Wall St. operator 1983 hoax 11 [as per the 38 Depression Era original] architectural movement 14 In the general vicinity 39 Exit 15 Toscanini, for one 40 H2O, to a tot 17 Kitschy quality 41 What makes a top stop? 18 Cornered 42 Manage 19 Bust ___ 43 Pretenses (laugh hard) 45 Diner or sleeper 20 Retailer owned by Gap 47 Party request 22 “We Three Kings 50 Rot of Orient Are,” 53 Where most of e.g. Russia is 23 Part of a spiral 54 Something not galaxy farthest seen on a nudist, from the center maybe 27 Ones who cry 57 Compensates for uncle? 59 Approval for un 31 Feed a line to hombre again 60 1920s-’30s Ford 32 1960s TV’s output Cousin ___ 61 Parabola, for 34 Stable color one 1 Much of Brides magazine
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nyunews.com | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | Washington Square news
opinion
edited by CHRISTINA COLEBURN opinion@nyunews.com
Domestic policy
Reforming drug laws would benefit economy By Ryan Najjar Contributing Columnist
It has become apparent that American society places a heavy emphasis on the use of the prison system, demonstrated by the United States producing more incarcerated prisoners than any other country. Although the United States only accounts for 5 percent of the total global population, it has nearly a quarter of the world’s prisoners, which begs the question of how many incarcerated individuals actually deserve to be in prison. For certain crimes, like nonviolent drug offenses, the penalties are overly harsh. For instance, first-time drug possession in Kentucky can land the offender in jail for up to 10 years, along with a $20,000 fine. The sentences for using drugs, notably marijuana, are particularly absurd, given their nature. Marijuana is significantly less harmful to the body than cigarettes and alcohol, which are legal drugs. Historically speaking, the primary reason marijuana is designated as a Schedule I drug — with cocaine and methamphetamine being a less severe Schedule II — pertains to Richard Nixon’s presidency. Nixon denied scientific evidence that
could have led to the decriminalization of marijuana and falsely claimed that marijuana was more dangerous than methamphetamine. In spite of the facts regarding the politics of marijuana criminalization, the U.S. prison system prioritizes incarceration over both rehabilitation programs and drug education, leaving millions of people incarcerated from the overcriminalization of drugs. The American public must realize that not only do rehabilitation programs cost less than incarceration, but also they give people with drug charges an opportunity to change their behavior. Through rehabilitation programs, these former offenders can make contributions to society, rather than remain a burden on the economy. The New York Times surveyed 40 states in 2013 and found that “the annual average taxpayer cost was $31,286 per inmate.” Rehabilitative systems have
already been implemented with successful results in Scandinavian countries. These more relaxed systems result in fewer incarcerated individuals, a more educated inmate population and lowered crime rates. With rising debates about the effects of the War on Drugs and marijuana legalization, Americans need to effectively educate themselves about drugs and the penalties for using them. Organizations such as Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Drug Policy Alliance have worked tirelessly to provide this necessary education and reform archaic drug policies. The NYU chapter of SSDP — which also advocates for protection of civil and privacy rights that were compromised in the drug war — has made a noteworthy effort to teach students on campus about these issues. Their efforts have resulted in the implementation of the Good Samaritan policy. By educating the masses about drug sentences and allowing former inmates to contribute to society, Americans can make a substantive economic investment and engage the productivity of the American populace. Email Ryan Najjar at opinion@nyunews.com.
culture
Art should be separated from artist
By Scarlett Curtis Contributing Columnist
I am not a Woody Allen fan. I don’t want to meet him. I don’t want a picture with him. I have no particular desire to see his most recent film, “Magic in the Moonlight,” at the Angelika Film Center — even though it has been showing for over two months. But, I am a fan of “Annie Hall,” and I love “Manhattan.” I believe that Allen is most likely a horrible and disgusting human being, but that should not, and does not, affect the way I feel about his work. The same applies to many actors. We have all seen the video that shows Christian Bale is horrible. And we have all heard Katherine Heigl probably is not as sunny and lovely as her performances suggest. But when I am in bed after a bad day watching old episodes of “Grey’s Anatomy,” I am not thinking about the people behind the characters. When I decide if I will go see Bale’s new film, “Exodus,” in December, I am not thinking
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about an individual actor. To do so would be to undermine the medium of film and, in many ways, the entire purpose of art. We also know that when someone gets shot in a film it is not real, but this does not stop us from jumping with fright. To hate Alvy Singer in “Annie Hall” because Allen is a bad person is the same as not enjoying “Pulp Fiction” because none of it is real. You can know it is not real and still enjoy the film. You can dislike Heigl and still love her characters. The two sentiments can exist separately from one another. In our increasingly gossipfilled world, trying to hold onto this separation becomes all the more important. Escapism is critical to human
appreciation of art. Books are read to get lost in the plot and movies are watched in the hope of evoking joy or fear or sadness. The feelings I had the first time I watched “Hannah and Her Sisters” are exactly the same as the feelings I have when I watch it now. Despite what I know about Allen, the part of my brain that is laughing and crying at his films is not affected by this knowledge. In the end, we are reacting in an emotional capacity to prerecorded moving images on a screen, and to bring personal prejudice against the humans behind the work into this experience is to go against the entire illusion of cinema. The truth is that great art is not always made by great people. But as soon as a film is finalized, the work becomes separated from its makers. We should be able to go into a cinema prepared to love or hate the film based on the way we feel, not on what we know. Email Scarlett Curtis at opinion@nyunews.com.
staff editorial
NY needs medical marijuana waiver
Medical marijuana legislation for New York State was passed over the summer, but dispensaries will likely not be functional until January 2016. After pressure from concerned parents, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has requested a waiver for children and young adults with severe seizure disorders. The waiver, which needs approval by the U.S. Department of Justice, would allow New York State to import marijuana for these patients while its own dispensaries are in development. Accounts of certain strains of marijuana significantly reducing the number of seizures in these children has motivated the emergency action. The government must approve this request for the federal medical marijuana debate to move forward. Twenty-three states have legalized medical marijuana and two have passed legislation for recreational use, yet the federal government still classifies marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance, along with heroin and other drugs. Despite political promises to ease legal penalties for marijuana, the DOJ has maintained that it will prosecute users and work to prevent its distribution. Therefore, New York State needs a federal waiver to transfer this medicine from out-of-state. The federal government must decide whether it wants to follow the lead of the many states that have legalized medical marijuana or maintain its more conservative stance. The individuals who need medical marijuana for pain and symptom relief are hoping that the federal government will go with the former. The use of medical marijuana has evoked criticism from those who associate its prescription to children with the endorsement of marijuana abuse for adolescents. The strains employed by doctors to treat these children, however, lack psychoactive chemicals — that is, they will not produce any sort of high. A particular cannabidiol strain in Colorado, called Charlotte’s Web, has received much media attention for its success with young children suffering from epilepsy that is untreatable with conventional medicine. The use of cannabidiol in medical treatment has only been studied through anecdotal surveys, not full-scale trials. These accounts, however, argue that the drug greatly improves epileptic patients’ quality of life. As more research is done, including an ongoing trial at NYU, the federal government must consider changing the laws. Resistance to medical prescription of marijuana, particularly with young children, still exists and causes problems for those pleading with governmental authorities to legalize its use. Rather than regarding the prescription of marijuana as the authorization of an illicit substance, lawmakers should consider the situation from the perspective of those with epileptic children. After persistently searching without success to find a medication to alleviate their child’s pain, these parents will try anything. The stigma associated with the reckless abuse of marijuana should no longer provide a legal barrier for those seeking potentially life-saving treatment.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Christina Coleburn (Chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Adam Fazlibegu (Co-chair), Tess Woosley (Co-chair) illustration by jourdan enriquez
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 | Thursday, October 2, 2014 | Washington Square news
sports
edited by CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO SPORTS@nyunews.com
Volleyball star discusses leadership By Bobby Wagner Contributing Writer
Star volleyball player Nicole Frias was named Athlete of the Week on Sept. 22 by NYU Athletics for her superior play at the NYU Violet Classic on Sept. 19 and 20. Frias is a Gallatin junior who recently transferred from Liberal Studies. Sufficiently fulfilling the student end of her student-athlete title, she studies photography, journalism, human rights and social justice. To distinguish herself even further, Frias has started on the team all three years since coming to NYU. Frias gave a glimpse into the delicate balance between academics and athletic performance. “Mondays we don’t have practice, but we lift,” she said. “Tuesdays and Thursdays we don’t get out of the gym until 10 p.m. We practice two or sometimes three times a day in the two training weeks in the summer.” The second she joined the volleyball team freshman year, she felt she belonged. “The girls on the volleyball team were absolutely great,” she said. “They were constantly asking me if I wanted to get dinner, or if I wanted to go get coffee. Anyone who’s ever been on a sports team can tell you that it’s like a family.” Frias also emphasized how close-knit the locker room feels. “It’s definitely relaxing to be able to come back after practice and just chill after having been so intense getting ready, getting on our gear before practice and getting in the right mindset,” she said. “In my freshman year
file photo by sam bearzi
Nicole Frias spikes the ball in a game during the Violet Classic. there was a lot of tension from some players who weren’t fully invested. Now, everyone has sort of bought in, and the mindset is to work hard and stay focused through the whole year.” CAS senior Katie Robinson lauded Frias’ behavior on and off the court. “On the court, Nicole lights on fire when games are close,” Robinson said. “I can trust her to put the ball down when we really need a point against a competitive team. Off the court, Nicole always has a smile on her face. She just radiates positivity and happiness. She’s always welcoming to new players and is a great friend.” As for this year’s team, Frias acknowledged that they are off to a
slower start than last year’s squad, which made it to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. “Making it to the NCAA tournament was so cool, the best memory I’ve had since being on the team here,” she said. “This year we’ve already lost more games than we did last year, but it’s important to set the building blocks for the rest of the season and stay optimistic.” Frias also highlighted how enjoyable it is to be a part of something, and how much it means to her to be looked at as a leader. “I just want to be able to set the bar high for the teammates ... who sort of look up to me,” Frias said. “I know I’m not the captain or the coach, and I don’t have the authority to boss people around, but communication in volleyball is key, and I think that is something that has grown so much since I came here as a freshman.” Frias is from San Francisco originally, but has found that she loves being in New York City. “I just love the city, and I don’t care how cliché that sounds,” she said. “New York has so many places where its students can go, you know? There’s not just Bobst, or your dorm. There’s restaurants, cafes, study lounges in every dorm, there’s anything you could ever want.” Frias will be with her team in Atlanta, Georgia, this weekend as the Violets compete in a University Athletic Association Round Robin against the University of Chicago, Brandeis University and Washington University. Email Bobby Wagner at sports@nyunews.com.
via facebook.com
SideBAR is an ideal spot for Orioles fanatics to watch the playoffs.
Root, root, root for your home team By Chris Marcotrigiano Sports Editor
MLB playoff season is here and eight teams will compete over the next month for the right to be crowned World Series Champions. For some of the most rabid fans among us, simply tuning into Fox Sports on our couch will not cut it. Sometimes you need to feel the energy of your fellow home fans for the experience to be truly special. Fortunately, New York City is an amalgamation of people from all different fan bases. Here are some places where you can catch your beloved team alongside those who feel your passion.
SideBAR/The Horse Box (Baltimore Orioles) Baltimore sports fans are notoriously proud of the teams that represent the Charm City. SideBAR started as a place for Ravens fans to watch their team on Sundays, but Orioles fans have also staked their claim. Another option is the Horse Box, which is the classic Orioles Bar in New York City. Reviews describe the establishment as “hospitable,” and you are bound to feel like you are right in the Inner Harbor. If you are of age, there are also half-priced drinks from noon to 8 p.m. every day. SideBAR is located 118 E. 15th Street. The Horse Box is located at 218 Ave. A.
Dorian’s Red Hand (Washington Nationals) staff graphic by kavish harjai
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When there is a Redskins game on, the Upper East Side
bar Dorian’s Red Hand turns into a haven for District of Columbia sports fans. Now that the Nationals are the number-one seed in the National League, look for those same ’Skins fans to flock to Dorian’s to watch their favorite baseball team in action. Dorian’s Red Hand is located at 1616 Second Ave.
Finnerty’s (San Francisco Giants) Finnerty’s advertises itself as a place for Giants, 49ers, Warriors and Sharks fans to root for their team in a home atmosphere. The beer selection even features Anchor Steam, a craft beer brewed in San Francisco. This bay area oasis in the East Village has two relatively large rooms and enough televisions so every pitch is visible, even when the bar is busy. Finnerty’s is located at 221 Second Ave.
Stout (For everyone else) This is your classic sports bar, and is a favorite among WSN writers. Even if your town does not have its own bar in New York, you can still feel the buzz of watching your team on the national stage at Stout. It has two locations, one near Penn Station and the other in the Financial District. There are over 120 beers to choose from, so bring a few friends, try a sampler and enjoy the game. Stout is located at 133 W. 33rd St. and 90 John St. Email Chris Marcotrigiano at cmarcotrigiano@nyunews.com.
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