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NYPD makes policy changes on use of force By CARMEN RUSSO Contributing Writer
The New York City Police Department revealed plans for a policy change on Thursday requiring all officers to document and report any cases of use of force against civilians. The announcement, made by Commissioner William Bratton, coincided with the release of a report by the city’s Department of Investigation’s findings on the NYPD’s use of force. The new policy clarifies the issue of what constitutes “force” by categorizing the actions reported by officers. The first and lowest level of action includes includes use of hand strikes, mace, or takedowns; level two is use of batons, tasers, or police dogs; and level three is reserved for gun use. Some actions, including pointing a gun without firing, remain uncategorized, even though injuries will also categorized and reported. The report states the NYPD’s need for policy that will en-
force transparency and accountability among officers, saying that such guidelines have been blatantly lacking. “The Department’s written use-of-force policy does little to clarify the basic question of how to define ‘force,’ leaving officers without guidance on what should be reported,” the report said. “In some instances, there is no obligation to document force at all.” The changes could be a step in the right direction for the NYPD. However, responsibility for the deaths of unarmed black citizens, from 43-year-old Eric Garner to 16-year-old Kimani Gray, still loom over the department, resulting in lingering doubt from the public. CAS senior and NYU Black Student Union president Arielle Andrews said the new policy is damage control and not an attempt at actual reform. “I appreciate the efforts, but with the countless cases of violence, especially against people of color, the NYPD was in a position where it had to do some-
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All accounts of force used by the NYPD are now required to be reported. thing,” Andrews said. Eric Stum, a Gallatin alumnus and organizer of the Incarceration to Education Coalition said the new policy is the NYPD’s response to the past year of protests and journalistic activism against police brutality. He believes that the new policy might be a solution for some individual cases but doubts that it will bring about long-term change. “The police continue to have all the power in this situation,”
Stum said. “Cops write the reports however they want, supervising officers can choose how they want to enforce it, and courts will continue to condone this violent behavior. What’s changed?” The Department of Investigation report also cites the NYPD’s lack of preventative guidelines for officers on duty. “While the NYPD has recently refocused its efforts on providing officers with de-escalation
training, the NYPD Patrol Guide remains relatively silent on deescalation tools and on an officer’s responsibility with respect to de-escalation tactics,” the report reads. The report calls for the NYPD to combine the new policy and documentation system with better de-escalation training and a more accountable disciplinary system. Email Carmen Russo at news@nyunews.com.
Langone gets award for outstanding healthcare By THOMAS PERACCHIO Contributing Writer
For the third consecutive year, NYU Langone Medical Center won the University Healthcare System Quality Leadership Award for outstanding performance in Quality and Accountability Study. Presented annually to 10 academic medical centers, the study identifying achievement in the Institute of Medicine’s six domains of care using performance data from various sources. These health care aims involve safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, efficient and equitable practices. NYU School of Medicine spokesperson Deborah Haffeman described Langone’s success in a recent press release. “NYU Langone achieved five stars for its overall performance and ranked number one in the domains of mortality, effectiveness and equity,” Haffeman said. Langone spokesperson Lisa Greiner defined these indicators, saying the center is especially pleased with the inclusion of the recognition of care in the ambulatory setting. “Mortality compares the observed death rate to the expected rate for patients,” Greiner said. “Effectiveness is how effective our care is, particularly in connection to process of core measures, as well as readmission rates. Equity measures the equality of patient care, regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status.” Greiner said faculty and staff at
Langone work to make progress in all intiatives across their work, not just the ones looked at by the University HealthSystem Consortium. Greiner also highlighted the importance of the award taking its name from Langone’s former senior vice president. “This year’s recognition was made even more significant by the fact that the Quality and Accountability Study Award has been renamed the Bernard A. Birnbaum, M.D., Quality Leadership Award, in honor of NYU Langone’s late senior vice president, vice dean and chief of hospital operations, Dr. Birnbaum,” Greiner said. “Dr. Birnbaum was a member of the UHC Board of Directors and was passionate about improving quality and safety in healthcare.” NYU Langone also received the inaugural 2015 Ambulatory Care Quality and Accountability Leadership Award, which honors excellence in outpatient care. The award’s criteria include equity, access to care, quality and efficiency, continuum of care, the alignment of resources and patients and capacity management and throughput. Langone’s dominance in recent rankings has been driven by its strong geriatric, orthopedic, neurology, neurosurgery and rheumatology specialties. All five specialities are ranked by U.S. News and World as top ten programs. The 791-bed hospital is currently ranked second in the region and 12th in the nation. However, NYU Langone is still
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NYU Langone was ranked as having the top patient safety and quality among leading academic medical centers. trying to improve. Under the leadership of Dean and CEO Robert Grossman, Langone is undergoing a sweeping campus transformation. Intent on creating a world-class academic medical center, the project will expand NYU Langone beyond the main campus between 34th and 30th streets. “The expansion increases access to NYU Langone’s high quality healthcare for millions of New Yorkers in the neighborhoods where they live and work,” Greiner said. As NYU’s medical consortium continues expanding and improving, many students are excited and proud of the developments. Nursing senior Krista Traub discussed the quality and prestige of a degree from the College of Nursing. “I feel very comfortable in the knowledge and skills I have learned at NYU,” Traub said. “Being a part of NYU College of Nursing program opens doors for the future.” Email Thomas Peracchio at news@nyunews.com.
By LEXI FAUNCE Deputy News Editor The NYU Department of Public Safety received reports of 18 incidents of larceny, two incidents of burglary and one incident of controlled substance possession between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4.
Larceny At 10:50 a.m. on Sept. 28, a student reported she had left her headphones unattended in a computer lab at 20 Cooper Square on Sept. 27. They were missing an hour and half later when she returned. NYPD was not notified. At 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 28, a non-NYU affiliated individual reported that she left her bicycle secured to a New York City bike rack on Washington Place at 9:50 a.m. When she returned that afternoon, she discovered her bicycle was missing. A police report was filed. At 1:33 p.m. on Sept. 28, a student stated that he left three USB devices on top of a computer in Bobst Library on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. The devices were missing 15 minutes later. The student did not file a police report. At 5:40 p.m. on Sept 28, a student stated that he left his bicycle secured to a New York City bike rack on Waverly Place
at 9:00 a.m. and discovered it missing when he returned at 5:35 p.m. Police notification was declined. At 12:50 p.m. on Sept. 29, a student reported that he left his scooter secured to a New York City bike rack on Waverly place at 9:30 a.m. and discovered it missing when he returned for it at 12:45 p.m. Police were not notified. At 6:50 p.m. on Sept. 29, a student stated that he left his bicycle secured to a New York City bike rack on Washington Place at 1:50 p.m. and discovered it missing at 6:30 p.m. NYPD was notified. At 5:25 p.m. on Sept. 30, a student stated that he left his bag containing an iPad in an unsecured locker on the 5th floor of the Henry Kaufman Management Center on Sept. 28. It was missing when he returned for it on Sept. 29. Police notification was declined.
Burglary At 2:45 p.m. on Sept. 29, an NYU staff member reported that she left a box containing a new laptop on her desk on Sept. 19 and discovered it missing when she returned on Sept. 24. A police report was filed. Email Lexi Faunce at lfaunce@nyunews.com.
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NYU’s inaugural Leadership Week aims to connect students with leaders in their respective fields of study.
NYU kicks off first Leadership Week By ALICE ZHANG Contributing Writer
From Oct. 5 to 8, students will be able to participate in NYU’s inaugural Leadership Week from, a series of events held in order to foster creativity and educate attendees about the opportunities that can be found in daily challenges. The four days of presentations and workshops will aim to connect students with leaders in their respective fields. The creators of Leadership Week, NYU’s Leadership Initiative, hope to inspire the next generation of students to exercise ethical leadership and collaboration. Bethany Godsoe, Assistant Vice President for Student Leadership Initiatives, explained the impact she hopes Leadership Week will have on students. “We created NYU Leadership Week to raise awareness of the importance of leadership development and to open access to learning opportunities to students across the university,” Godsoe said. “We want to demonstrate that leadership is something we can all exercise, that it is a daily practice rather than something left for those with formal titles and positions of power.” Because this is NYU’s first Leadership Week, there is much anticipation from students. Steinhardt junior Hediya Sizar expressed her interest in attending the presentations offered. “I think Leadership Week is a great opportunity for students across NYU to be inspired and recognize that they all can be inclusive leaders in their communities,” Sizar said. “I am excited to see how the week unfolds since there will be great speakers and enriching workshops that students will benefit from.” The first day will kick off with the Dean Low presentation. Dean Peter Henry of the Stern School of Business, one of the speakers at the event,
said that NYU is the best place for the presentation to be taking place. “Our halls are filled with the next generation of leaders — talented, collaborative, creative individuals who will use their education to harness change and create value for their society,” Henry said. “NYU’s rich diversity of culture and thought is the ideal leadership training ground, for it is the ability to step outside yourself and see things from another person’s perspective that is one of the greatest leadership skills one can possess.” Another event taking place on Thursday is Design Thinking Crashcourse with Professor Anne-Laure Fayard of the Polytechnic School of Engineering. The workshop will adopt a hands-on approach in encouraging students to think innovatively. Fayard, who has previously worked with the Leadership Initiative, hopes the workshop will better equip students to take on challenges. “My hope is that students will come out realizing that there are different ways to approach problem-solving than the ones they tend to be traditionally exposed to,” Fayard said. “To understand the importance of empathy and be passionate about human-centered design and be ready to apply it in their projects and in their lives.” Godsoe and the Leadership Initiative hope to make Leadership Week an annual occurrence, as the events may offer invaluable learning experiences for NYU students. “We want to build on what happens this year to reach more and more people across the University,” Godsoe said. “We hope each person who participates in a Leadership Week workshop or event walks away with new knowledge and skills s/he can put to use immediately.” Email Alice Zhang at news@nyunews.com.
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‘Drawing’ through history at the Met By LILY DOLIN Contributing Writer
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has pulled the best pieces of art from its extensive drawing and prints collection to create a comprehensive exhibit boasting American and Western European literature and print. The exhibit displays a variety of pieces, ranging from the early works of famous artists such as John Singer Sargent to contemporary artists like Frank Lobdell. The exhibit is small by Met standards as it only takes up one room, however, the space does not take away from the concentration of artwork in the exhibit. The room is split in half, with one focusing on drawings and prints relating to the human figure, and the other devoted to landscapes and more abstract works of art. Rather than creating a disjointed atmosphere, the division of the art makes it easy to appreciate the different subjects of these prints and drawings. The walls are strategically set up so that viewers can walk along the room and view the art chronologically, witnessing the history of the drawings and prints. The exhibit begins with early renaissance work from classic Italian artists. Their work, true
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“Melencolia I” by Albrecht Dürer is one of many pieces among the galleries 1.5 million prints. to renaissance art, focuses on soft lines and detailed shadowing. Next, viewers are treated to the centerpiece of the exhibit. In the middle of the room is a large, gold-framed cartoon, featuring “The Martyrdom of Saint Cecilia” by Domenichino. A cartoon is a charcoal sketch that is later used to trace an image onto a canvas. The scale of the piece allows viewers to appreciate the nuances and details of the drawing, such as the religious connotations and the expressive facial features of the statues in the background. The last section of the wall is devoted to the drawings and watercolors of Sargent, and his work during the mid-1800s. As the time period of the art changes, viewers can see the figure drawings evolve from classical renaissance forms to the expressionistic treatments of Sargent and other 19th century artists. The other side of the room is filled with landscape etchings,
lithographs and an array of works by the talented Spanish printmaker Mariano Fortuny. Also featured on this side of the hall are the modern prints and drawings by contemporary artists. As opposed to the realistic drawings and prints of previous years, these pieces of art are expressive, abstract and focus on the relationships between color and shapes. “Drawings and Prints” is a well rounded exhibit that features artwork from artwork spanning through much of art history and in many media. Pencil drawings, charcoal drawings, lithograph prints and etchings are all featured in a cohesive exhibit that is definitely worth checking out. The Met has truly brought out the best of the best for this show, one which everyone can enjoy. “Drawings and Prints” runs from Sept. 29 to Jan. 4. Email Lily Dolin at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Album makes new Wavves
By KIERAN GRAULICH Music Editor
For years now, Wavves has championed the niche genre of lo-fi, depressing indie rock, best exemplified by their newest album, “V.” Though their approach to surf rock has remained largely the same, with tunes full of fuzzy guitar chords and apathetic moaning from frontman Nathan Williams, Wavves’ recent catalogue has seen a major shift in their dynamic. In the band’s previous album, “Afraid of Heights” (2013), Wavves took a more serious, nuanced approach to their music, focusing on making a cohesive album rather than fitting into their mold. But when Wavves tries to stretch, it rarely works in their favor. “Afraid of Heights” lacked the visceral drive of past Wavves efforts, leaving the band dependent on their songwriting faculty, which isn’t always the strongest. With such a simple
songwriting approach, hooks and melodies can be hit or miss for Wavves — it can be a sticky, catchy hit or a lethargic, forgettable affair. The band’s latest album, “V,” takes the exact opposite approach. By leaving behind their notions of what a good album should sound like, Wavves manages to make their most truthful record in years. The band lowers the stakes, giving them the space to do what they do best: mope and shrug. For all the motivation “V” lacks, it has the youngest feel of any Wavves album since “King of the Beach.” Gone are the large, fleeting compositions of “Afraid of Heights.” Songs like “My Head Hurts” and “All the Same” have a bittersweet aesthetic that could have fit snugly onto any of the band’s earlier efforts. The band also happens to find themselves with a very well-written set of songs on “V.” “My Head Hurts” and
“Heart Attack” are arguably the best hooks that Wavves has ever written, yet they’re accompanied by such simple, effortless melodies. Parents should never let their children listen to Wavves — if they realize how much can be accomplished with such little effort and ambition, we’ll have an entire generation of underachievers. “V” offers occasionally dull moments, such as “Tarantula” and “Wait,” which, while not necessarily bad songs, lack the drive of their sister songs enough to bring the momentum of the album to a crawl. But besides the occasional hindrance, the album manages to go off without a hitch. Wavves has successfully rediscovered itself like some stoner, slacker Buddhist parable. If this is truly the road to success, let us leave our ambitions and expectations at the door. Email Kieran Graulich at kgraulich@nyunews.com.
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Michael Fassbender portrays Steve Jobs and takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint a portrait of the man at its epicenter.
‘Steve Jobs’ shows tougher side of icon By STEPHEN SPOTH Contributing Writer The film opens backstage at the product launch of the Macintosh in 1984, with Steve Jobs shouting abuse at his computer in front of a horrified audience — the computer won’t say “hello.” When asked why he is so adamant about the computer’s audible introduction being presented, Jobs says, “It needs to say hello because it can.” This scene captures the side of Jobs we rarely see: rude, stubborn, with an almost blind conviction in his technological capabilities. Since his untimely death in 2011, Jobs has become a character of mythological proportions. His uncompromising, argumentative nature have been well documented and repeatedly portrayed in previous films, but “Steve Jobs” is the most glorious culmination. Directed by Danny Boyle (“Slumdog Millionaire”) and written by Aaron Sorkin (“The Social Network”), the film places the audience behind the curtain at the launch of three major products: the Macintosh, the NeXT computer and the iMac. It is through this methodical lens that we examine Jobs. The film ignores the conventions of traditional linear biopics for a staged, Shakespearean character study that is more akin to the unrelenting jazz of “Birdman.” For a movie so focused on Jobs as a man, its success depends on the central performance. Michael Fassbender admitted to looking nothing
like the man he portrays, but what Fassbender does goes beyond appearances. He ignores impersonation and champions embodiment, getting to the direct root of who Jobs was and what drove him. We see his cruelty and callousness — Jobs is remarkably unlikeable, but the benign turtlenecked image of the tech genius maintains an undercurrent of familiarity and likability. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Jeff Daniels and Seth Rogen nailing their roles as John Sculley and Steve Wozniak, respectively. Kate Winslet gives the standout performance as Joanna Hoffman, Jobs’s selfproclaimed “work wife” and closest confidante who tries to pull the humanity out of her boss. Sorkin’s script is a knockout. The dialogue is sharp, brisk and eloquent. There’s plenty of the brisk Sorkin walk and talk, à la “West Wing.” Sprinkled with vicious one-liners and giveand-takes, this is one of Sorkin’s masterpieces—rarely is a screenplay so dynamic and incisive. Through the corridors and rehearsal rooms of opera houses, we witness devastating failures and monumental betrayals that Jobs endures. While it could be argued that the final ten minutes are not quite as well executed as they could’ve been, it is undoubtedly a theatrical production of the highest caliber. “Steve Jobs” opens in theaters nationwide this Friday, Oct. 9. Email Stephen Spoth at theatre@nyunews.com.
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‘Hotel’ showcases student actors By LAURA CASADO Contributing Writer
Directed by Dallett Norris, “Grand Hotel” is the latest production by the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Based on the classic novel by Vicki Baum, the musical follows a medley of characters and their interactions over the course of several days in an exclusive Berlin hotel in 1928. Behind an opulent facade, the characters are in turmoil. Everyone in the hotel is concealing their personal woes — businessman Hermann Preysing (Zachary Taylor) struggles to please his stockholders, maid Rafaela Ottianno (Neda Lahidji, Steinhardt graduate student) harbors a forbidden love for her employer and hotel clerk Erik (Stephen Heller) misses his child’s birth. By chance, these characters join together at the Grand Hotel. As their relationships progress, deeper
facets of the characters are seen — some more flattering than others. The stellar cast included graduate student Ross Brown, who played the debonair Baron Felix Von Gaigern, his acting subtly hinting at the baron’s truly compassionate nature. Equally delightful was Jillian Jameson (Steinhardt student) as Freida Flamm, the gushingly energetic typist and aspiring Hollywood starlet. However, the portrayal of aging ballerina Elizaveta Grushinskaya fell short. While actress Elana Safar looked the part, her rendition of “Love Can’t Happen” lacked volume and most of her solo performance in“Bonjour Amour” was buried under the orchestral component. Luckily, the overall cast executed a clean, terrific show. The standout performer of the show was without a doubt Steinhardt alum Drew Carr. He perfectly embodied the soft-spoken, endearing characteristics of the ailing
Otto Kringelein. The jubilee number, “We’ll Take a Glass Together” was the most vibrant of the night, as Carr nimbly spun, sang and weaved in and out of dancers in celebration of Kringelein’s recent stock market success. It is rare to see an actor who so perfectly embodies his role, and even more rare to witness such a joyful and introspective performance. What’s more, the lighting contributed a significant dimension to the play. The lighting design, by Jimmy Lawlor, beautifully accented the show, placing intense group numbers in shadowy profiles, while solo pieces “Girl in the Mirror” and “Roses at the Station” were respectively highlighted in flashing cameras and smoky blue haze. Swirls of blue and red filtered the “Bolero” dance, an intense pas de deux, featuring Maria Malanga and Jun Zhou, that was the culmination of growing tensions into a whirlwind of passion and desperate
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Steinhardt’s production of “Grand Hotel,” follows the eccentric characters of a luxurious Berlin hotel during a weekend in 1928. loss. What started out as a whimsical weekend turned into an introspective character study, complete with a soundtrack. Brilliant lighting and vivacious acting bring the 1929 novel to life.
“Grand Hotel the Musical” played at the Frederick Loewe Theater from Sept. 24-28. Email Laura Casado at theater@nyunews.com.
Alum Peter Sollett talks ‘Freeheld’ BY DEJARELLE GAINES Contributing Writer Peter Sollett is probably best known for the coming-of-age romantic comedy “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist,” but the director and Tisch School of the Arts alum most recently made waves with “Freeheld,” starring Julianne Moore and Ellen Page. “Freeheld” is the story of Laurel Hester (Moore), a New Jersey police officer who is diagnosed with lung cancer and fights the government so her pension benefits can go to her domestic partner Stacie (Page). Sollett spoke to WSN before introducing a screening of the film at NYU Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Film Center last week. WSN: How does it feel being back at NYU? Sollett: It feels incredible! I’m having the exactly same experience that we had when we were kids and then you grow up and everything seems a little bit smaller, and very familiar, but somehow different. I’m psyched. WSN: What made you want to work with Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree’s story in your film Freeheld? Sollett: Well, I was first exposed to their story from Ron Nyswaner’s script. You know, the guy from Philadelphia, who was a mentor of mine at the Sundance Lab. And he helped me re-write my first film “Raising Victor Vargas.” And I had never been sent a script that
he had written before. It was my first exposure to Laurel and Stacie’s story and I thought it was simply a beautiful and universal love story. You know love stories are always about the obstacles that the lovers face, and unfortunately in this case, it was sort of this severe discrimination that they suffered in Ocean County. WSN: Did you work with Cynthia Wade, the director for the original 2007 documentary at any point during the production of your film? If so, how closely? If not, why not? Sollett: Yeah, she was a huge resource of ours. Obviously, her film was the central piece of our research and she offered us information about the behavior of the real life people that we could use with our actors, and for production design, and for costumes, and for everything else. Cynthia was on set, and she’s an extra in the film, and she was available to us at all times, and she was a great producer. WSN: Who are your influences? Sollett: I don’t know. I think it depends on the film. There’s a lot of different kinds of films that I like. This film is in the tradition of Norma Rae or Erin Brockovich or American films about feminism, mostly, and social change. And that’s true, but really those movies are taking from Ken Loach, he’s an english director, and that’s really what everybody is copying. He’s a very political guy and a very skilled filmmaker, and I
think his films are often very humanistic, entertaining and persuasive about the issues that they are discussing. It is a good reference for this film. WSN: How has your experience coming from NYU shaped your career in film? Sollett: Yeah, of course. I made a short film here that won a prize in Cannes and when I was in Cannes there was a financier who was interested in financing a feature. It was all a very continuous process that started with the work that I was doing here. WSN: The last film that you directed was “Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.” How does it feel to be back in the director’s chair after seven years? Sollett: It feels great. I missed it. I’ve always had a long time in between films and it’s because I’m kind of particular about what I get involved with. Because I find it very difficult, and I find it very exciting, but also kind of draining. It’s at least a year of your life from pre-production through postproduction and marketing the film. And it’s probably three or four years before that of trying to get the movie made. I’m probably a little too particular, but I try to maintain a standard of quality. That’s important to me. “Freeheld” opened last Friday and is playing in theaters nationwide. Email Dejarelle Gaines at film@nyunews.com.
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The Whitney Museum of American Art just opened its newest exhibit. “The Whitney Collection,” on September 28th.
Whitney opens main collection after move By NATALIE WHALEN Contributing Writer
If you missed “America is Hard to See,” it’s not too late to see most of the works of which it was composed in the Whitney Museum of American Art’s new cumulative and long-standing exhibit, “The Whitney’s Collection.” The new exhibit inhabits the sixth and seventh floors of the museum’s Gansevoort Street location in the Meatpacking District. The exhibit features 11 rooms, with each room titled according to the most representative work contained therein. The curation of this exhibit flows from photo to video to painting to sculpture effortlessly. The seventh floor room, titled “Fighting with All Our Might,” displays the aftermath of the stock market crash in the United States in the Great Depression, revealing the disillusionment and horror of the time period. The opposite wall features a plethora of works graphically and beautifully depicting the horrific nature of slavery and racial hate crimes in the United States. The sixth floor room, “Raw War,” houses later paintings of political corruption and the Vietnam War from 1960-1970. Not to
miss on this floor is Peter Saul’s graphic, “Saigon,” which illustrates the gruesome nature of crimes committed by the American soldiers upon the Vietnamese during the war. Many prominent American artists, such as Georgia O’Keefe, Andy Warhol and Roy Willem de Kooning are featured in this exhibit, and not necessarily their most famous works. Visitors are provided the opportunity to see art in a calculated way, taking the famous artists’ nonfamous works into account and creating a conceptual story, as well as a history of America. “The Whitney’s Collection” does not change anything from its preceding exhibit except for the fact that it’s missing the fifth floor — this is in preparation for “Frank Stella: A Retrospective,” opening on the Oct. 30. Also currently on view at the Whitney is “Michele Abeles: Baby Carriage on Bike or Riot Shield as Carriage” and “Archibald Motley: Jazz Age Modernist.” “The Whitney’s Collection” opened Sept. 28 on 99 Gansevoort St. NYU students receive free admission with valid student ID. Email Natalie Whalen at entertainment@nyunews.com.
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COMMUTERTY AT BY SHAWN PAIK EDITOR-AT-LARGE
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This has been about two and a half years in the making... For us to only have one space in kimmel was a little ridiculous.”
Many dorm dwellers revel in the luxury of a 10-minute walk to campus, hitting the snooze button on their alarms or popping back to their rooms for a break between classes. But commuters, who sometimes live hours away from campus, often find collegeliving a bit more difficult. Commuters now have a new home away from home on campus: the Hayden Commuter Den. This spot, in addition to the Kimmel Commuter Lounge, acts as a space for commuters to gather and find community. Located in the basement of Hayden Residence Hall, the new commuter lounge, which opened Sept. 28, is open from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. and features a kitchen, study cubbies, the Commuter Student Council office and an auditorium for commuter events. The Den supplements the lounge in Kimmel, which has acted as a space for commuters to take a breather between classes. NYU’s commuters come from all over
the city, and as far as Long Island, Yonkers, New Jersey and even Philadelphia. According to NYU data from 2014, 53 percent of NYU undergraduates live in off-campus housing. In an attempt to cultivate a community for commuting students, the CSC has arranged Safe Ride vehicles and overnight accommodation during finals and university sponsored events like talent shows and lunches in the commuter lounges. To passersby, the Kimmel lounge appears to be full of NYU students hard at work, but for those commuting, the lounge is more than just a place to cram before an exam or grab lunch. It is a place for them to unwind, relax with friends and above all, create their own community at NYU. While the lounge hosts a number of CSC-sponsored activities, commuters find their own ways to pass time with friends. CAS senior Emanuel Bazov, who commutes from Brooklyn, pointed to the popularity of gaming in the lounge. “You have people playing Magic over there, you have the gamers over there,” Bazov said. “They find a real community and make some real friends here.” Gallatin graduate student Jadayah Spencer, a commuter from Brooklyn, said the lounge is like a home to her. She has frequented the lounge since her undergraduate days, but said the popularity of the lounge has gone up dramatically since Peet’s Coffee & Tea opened just a few steps away in fall 2014. “They literally put a coffee store right here,” Spencer said. “So now I noticed they come and sit and this place is crowded as hell, and there’s no place for me to sit.” The combination of the gamers and the added Peet’s Coffee crowd highlights the need for more commuter space. Although everyone in the student body is welcome in the lounge, the space is limited and has become harder to share, especially among three or four different social groups. Student Resource Center Associate Director and CSC
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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NYU advisor Rich Hurley said the new Hayden Den would take pressure off the Kimmel lounge and give students more opportunities to find community. “The need for space is something that has been talked about for years,” Hurley said. “The Kimmel Commuter Lounge is wonderful, but we know that that is very limiting.” CSC president and Gallatin junior Daniel Sully said he has been pushing for a new lounge, and was excited to see the Den in Hayden open. “This has been about two and a half years in the making,” Sully said. “We really took charge in making sure we were included in the renovations for the Hayden space. For us to only have one space in Kimmel was a little ridiculous.” CAS sophomore Rose Khan, a commuter from Long Island, welcomes the
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NYU began as a commuter school. You’ve inherited the real torch of its origins, so wear it proudly.”
PHOTOS BY SHAWN PAIK
new lounge. She said she has often found it difficult to bridge the gap between commuters and those who live on campus. “Most of my friends also commute to NYU; I feel like we’re kind of ostracized for not living on campus so we sort of stick together,” Khan said. “It’s also easier to be friends with other people who can empathize with what it’s like to still live with your parents during college, and have to go home and see them everyday.” Khan added that she wasn’t able to participate in many of the Welcome Week events her freshman year because of the challenges of train schedules and
worrying about getting home. However, she looks forward to the new lounge, saying the addition of the commuter space in Hayden opened new opportunities for commuters and dorm residents to meet. “I think it was great for NYU to add another place for commuters to spend time in because that was a commuterinclusive action,” Khan said. “The fact that it’s inside of a dorm building is really great because it’ll make it easier for commuters and non-commuters to meet and possibly become friends.” The Den is major progress for commuter accommodation, but the CSC is working on other projects to continue improving the lives of commuters. For one, the push for free or discounted train tickets is ongoing, especially as the prices continue to rise. The biggest concern currently, though, is about commuters at the Polytechnic School of Engineering. Poly’s Regna Lounge is set to close at the end of the semester for renovations, leaving a large population of commuters without a space. While lounges may sound trivial to those who do not need them, they provide a sense of community that is integral to the NYU community for some. Alexis Yolanda, who graduated in 2013 and commuted to NYU from New Haven, Connecticut, said the relationship
between students in dorms and those who commute are very important. Because of her intense commute, Yolanda said without the support of her professors and friends, she would have transferred out of NYU. “My friends helped me out whenever I needed a place to crash and I became a familiar face to the security at certain dorms,” Yolanda said. “My supervisors also let me use offices to hold luggage during the day when I needed.” A typical day for Yolanda started at 5 a.m. and consisted of six hours of commuting per day and $389 per month on transportation. While Yolanda’s case may be on the extreme side, it underscores the importance of having a community and support system for commuters. Despite all of the extra effort it takes, Yolanda still supports students who choose to commute and shared encouragement for anyone considering it. “NYU began as a commuter school,” Yolanda said. “You’ve inherited the real torch of its origins, so wear it proudly. You’re truly the most resilient kind of student on campus there is. Additional reporting by Anne Cruz. Email Shawn Paik at spaik@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY NINA JANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Baldness by bun: plight of top knot By GRACE DIXON Contributing Writer
Over the past several days, inhabitants of the Village have found themselves at the epicenter of a spreading panic: the irresistibly sexy man bun is a leading cause in premature balding. This epidemic is singular to the male segment of the Lower East Side sporting exposed ankles under cuffed dress pants with sustainably harvested bamboo sunglasses shielding them from the mediocrity of the nonlocal masses in Washington Square Park. In their quest to combine function with deliberately disheveled perfection, these millennials have put themselves at risk for traction alopecia, a balding pattern resulting from strain placed on hair follicles over extended periods of time. While hair specialists concur on the growing trend, incredulity runs high among the man bun community. NYU sophomore Will Robinson counts himself among those skeptics.
“I have a hard time believing it, I mean this, I can tug on this,” said Robinson, tugging on his own locks. Contrary to the recent influx of articles regarding traction alopecia, the condition isn’t a recent discovery. The balding pattern was acknowledged within the medical community as early as 1907, and has previously been associated with tight hairstyles such as buns or braids that exert stress on hair follicles. Traction alopecia is especially common among black women who sport hairstyles requiring tight pulling of hair through braiding over months at a time. Yet, rather than decrying dreads or cornrows, pop culture has chosen to focus on the condition in terms of the beloved man bun. It will assuage the fears of “mun” proponents, however, to know that the condition is reversible as well as preventable. By simply loosening their bun, using gentle hair ties, and taking care to not sleep in the style, men can exponentially
lower their likelihood of experiencing the balding pattern. Those sporting the style are now faced with a decision: either de-bun or do as much as they can to decrease the risk for hair loss. Men sporting semi-buns, a subclass of the man bun also referred to as “The Pineapple” or “The Top Knot,” face a substantially higher risk due to the tight nature of the style. It is these buns particularly, not the looser variety donned by Jared Leto or Jake Gyllenhaal, that have led to the recent topical alopecia scare. Perhaps, however, it is an act of mercy, separating the unfit buns from the fit and doing the Lower East Side a favor by sorting out the less beloved top knots that consist of a small shoot of hair, a style flattering no one. Even Tisch senior Phillip Gladkov acquiesced, calling out what he sees as the unappealing aesthetic of the hairstyle. “Quite frankly, when I look at man buns on other peo-
For more than 30 years, NYU School of Law alumna Mallika Dutt has been influencing discourse on women’s rights. Through founding her human rights organization Breakthrough and producing educational written work, Dutt has been dedicated to ensuring a safe and equal environment for women. Breakthrough’s interdisciplinary approach has allowed Dutt to transform her commitment to women’s rights into a catalyst to establish various collaborative projects. “The way in which we treat women undermines everyone — it doesn’t just undermine women, it undermines men as well,” Dutt said. “So at Breakthrough, we create multimedia campaigns — we use video games, music, social media strategies, comedy — a whole range of tools to create dialogue and to create conversations to bring people together.” Breakthrough also has two community groups — Breakthrough Catalysts: Campus and Breakthrough Catalysts: NYC. Campus collaborates with Greek organizations to spread sexual assault awareness. Meanwhile, NYC engages the city’s community by teaching participants how to handle and prevent violence as well as discrimination in daily situations. Trainings are regu-
larly provided, with the next one scheduled for Oct. 15 and 16. Adopted as an unconventional method, the organization’s comedy campaign — Dudes Against Violence Against Women: Because DUH 2015 — combines stand up comedians with gender-based stereotypes to unite people against violence and discrimination faced by women. According to Breakthrough’s website, more than half of the show attendees became inspired to take action after seeing the campaign, suggesting that Breakthrough’s message was able to reach millions of men and women. Reflecting on the expansion of new projects and the encouraging response from supporters, Dutt is excited to work with more groups and individuals. However, dealing with these serious issues every day has taken a personal toll. Dutt was not fully aware of the pain she had been unconsciously suppressing until a realization while trekking along a mountain range in Peru during her 2015 sabbatical — the culmination of a human rights career that has spanned over three decades. “I just felt that my body was full of the pain of all these thousands and thousands of people I’ve worked with,” Dutt said. “I cried for almost four to five hours. I cried nonstop. I literally felt every story, every experience of women and men talking about how vio-
Spotted: Man bun sported in Washington Square Park. ple they look really stupid,” Gladkov said. The recent outcrop of hair loss signals a survival of the fittest within the community, with bun enthusiasts hoping that only the best buns survive. Men are now challenged to either strike the perfect balance between form and functionality going forward or to follow the
lead of Pratt student Alexander Roth who conceded that the style may not be worth the risk of baldness. “Yeah, it’s probably honestly happening to me,” said Roth as he let out his bun and walked away. Email Grace Dixon at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Meals by Mail: Subscription boxes
NYU alumna pushes for women’s rights By DIAMOND NAGA SIU Contributing Writer
PHOTO BY JAKE QUAN
By TAYLOR NICOLE ROGERS Contributing Writer
PHOTO BY MICHELLE SANDERS
Mallika Dutt is the founder of Breakthrough. lence plays out in their lives.” No matter how great the emotional burden, Dutt is steadfast in her commitment to promoting women’s rights. Speaking on behalf of her own childhood, Dutt discussed growing up with the expectation to marry and leave her hometown. Her brothers were expected to run the family business and to inherit the family property. Despite these deeply rooted cultural traditions, Dutt sees hope for younger generations and strongly encourages individuals to pursue their passions. “Very often, we get caught up in ‘shoulds.’ There are a lot of ‘shoulds’ in the plans that we create for ourselves and sometimes those ‘shoulds’ get in the way,” Dutt said. “Pay attention to what’s really alive inside of you, pay attention to what sings in your heart, pay attention to what makes you feel alive.” Email Diamond Naga Siu at features@nyunews.com.
No longer is taking a trip to the grocery store the only way to fill your pantry. Students who’d rather not brave the line at Trader Joe’s should consider a food subscription box. A wide range of monthly food subscriptions are available, delivering anything from cured meats to beer. Health conscious students who struggle to find convenient snack options should consider a subscription to Graze. Graze delivers a personalized box of nutritious snacks ranging from dried fruits and popcorn to a cookies and cream-inspired combination of fudge and sunflower seeds to subscribers either weekly or biweekly. The subscription also fits nicely into a student budget at only $11.99 for the box of 8 snacks. Treatise is a good option for students with a sweet tooth. Every month, Treatise sends a wide selection of treats from gourmet bakeries and chocolatiers from all over the United States. The subscription costs $19.95 per box. A sample Treatise box contains various flavors of caramels from Dallas Caramel Co., biscotti from Biscuit Gourmet in San Diego and almond butter cups from New York City’s own Buddha Chocolate. LS freshman Juhi Dalal thinks getting a box every month would add some spice to her college diet. “A subscription box is a good way to experience new foods without leaving the house,” Dalal said. “It would be a
great bonding experience to try new foods with friends.” New York-based company Try the World offers one of the more popular subscription boxes. For only $39 a box, subscribers will receive a box full of ingredients every other month, each time from a different country. The box also includes a guide to the featured nation’s food culture as well as booklet of recipes that can be made with the box’s ingredients. Tisch freshman Taylor Friel shares a Try the World subscription with her mother, with their recent box featuring Japanese ingredients. Inside were stove top dinners, milk caramels, soba noodles, two different sauces to cook with, matcha tea, gummy candies and dried seaweed snacks. Friel said that the service might not be practical for students who live in dorms without kitchens. “You definitely get a good deal with it, but for a college student I think there are some better options out there,” Friel said. But for Friel, Try The World and the subscription model in general works perfectly. “It is very exciting because it is a bunch of foods that you can’t get just walking down to Sidestein,” she said. “If you’re into cooking I absolutely recommend it. It’s very culturally enlightening and a lot of the stuff is really yummy and broadens your palette.“ Email Taylor Nicole Rogers at dining@nyunews.com.
UNDER THE ARCH come to our sunday pitch meetings
838 BROADWAY | 4:30 P.M.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
FEMINISM
Meryl Streep must embrace the F-word By ELIZABETH MOORE Contributing Writer While promoting the movie “Suffragette” last week in an interview with Time Out London, Meryl Streep was asked if she was a feminist. Anyone familiar with Streep’s history as a fiercely strong leading lady who has lobbied Congress for the creation of an equal rights amendment, joyously celebrated Patricia Arquette’s rallying cry for equal pay and funded a screenwriting lab for women over 40, would have expected an affirmative response. Even without context, an interview focused on a film about women’s fight for the right
to vote in England would lead readers to expect a resounding yes. However, Streep chose to eschew the term, opting to refer to herself as a “humanist” instead, claiming she is “for a nice easy balance.” This implies that Streep believes feminists are not striving for gender equality, when in fact this is the movement’s most basic tenet. To begin with, humanism and feminism are two distinct theories. The former is a branch of philosophy that promotes the idea that humans are logically moral beings that do not depend on religion to lead ethical lives. Despite this definition, it is clear that Streep is using the term to avoid the perceived
divisiveness of feminism. In a way, this is similar to claiming that all lives matter in the face of the BlackLivesMatter movement. In both cases, a specific group is being systematically oppressed, and is thus deserving of the support implicit in the titles of their movements. By erasing the “fem” from feminism, we deny that women specifically are the beneficia-
ries that need to be removed from their historical subjugation and raised up to a place of equality regardless of gender. Unfortunately, Streep’s rejection of the feminist epithet is not an isolated occurrence. Just last week French actress Marion Cotillard echoed the same sentiment in an interview with Porter magazine in which she said, “I don’t qualify myself as a feminist.” She explained her stance by claiming, “Sometimes in the word ‘feminism’ there’s too much separation.” Streep, Cotillard and the discouragingly long list of female celebrities who have refused to identify as feminists must choose instead to embrace feminism’s true meaning and
use their positions of privilege to champion the movement. Streep, who vocalizes the need for more female voices in the film industry just two questions after her “humanist” claim in the Time Out interview, is a feminist. Her actions speak louder than her illchosen words. But in a world where gender equality has yet to be achieved, words must be paired with actions. Streep and celebrities like her must serve as vocal role models for a new generation of unapologetic feminists devoted to the pursuit of equality, unburdened by petty semantics. Email Elizabeth Moore at opinion@nyunews.com.
SECOND AMENDMENT
Gun deaths must be politicized if change is to occur By LAURA ADKINS Contributing Writer Last Thursday, a gunman killed nine people at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College. This tragedy, far from shaking me at my very core, elicited a oh-this-again reaction from me. I am not alone in this — as President Obama noted in a moving speech, “we’ve become numb to this.” Later that night, I found that nearly 500 fatal shootings had occurred this year in New York City alone. And in Washington, DC, 120 gun homicides have taken place this year — a 148 percent increase compared to last year.
Yet scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed, some of my friends vocalized a laissez-faire perspective of the gun control debate. Some posts try to depoliticize gun tragedies and silence those rightly opposed to the gun violence that continues to persist. “Tonight, we mourn. Leave politics out of this,” one reads. Another post admonished supporters of tighter gun control. “Stop talking about gun control, those people have families, how could you?” I grew up around guns, and frequently take trips to the local publicly funded outdoor shooting ranges in my home state of Missouri. I understand gun culture; members of my family
have served in the U.S. military, and some are lifetime members of the National Rifle Association. My family has handled guns for generations — but not without risk. Before I was ever allowed to hold a gun, I was told the story of a great uncle who accidentally killed his younger brother by neglecting to check that the area was clear before
shooting tin cans off a fence. I was also taught that guns are a privilege that should only be granted to those educated on how to properly handle both guns and themselves. My father is a clinical psychologist, and it is clear that people mentally afflicted by disease should not be granted unfettered access to deadly weapons. Mourning may seem like a good excuse to postpone debate, but how we handle this mourning affects our entire nation. Mourning is not an excuse to avoid politics; when handled properly, mourning can fuel change and justice. We don’t tell those outraged at sexual assault to grieve quietly; we don’t
tell those hurt by drunk drivers to tend to their wounds quietly. We don’t tell the mothers of black men and women who are shot in the street by the police to simmer down, at least not if we want justice. Our country must not sit back and do nothing in the face of the tragedy of school shootings if we want to put an end to them. Action is required, and must come from all corners of the political spectrum. We have already tackled important issues including same-sex marriage. Gun control should be next. Email Laura Adkins at opinion@nyunews.com.
MEDIA
Media coverage of airstrike fails, outlets quietly rewrite articles By TOMMY COLLISON Opinion Editor The world was shocked this weekend as news emerged that 19 people were killed when a hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan was attacked by a U.S. air strike. The hospital, operated by Doctors Without Borders, was systematically bombed, reportedly leaving 22 dead, including three children. The hospital, which is the only one of its kind in the region, had generated controversy for treating members from both sides of the conflict. The U.S. media once again showed itself beholden to the U.S. military establishment, with high-profile news outlets unwilling to call out what is arguably
a war crime in a country where U.S. conflict had allegedly ended last December. CNN reported that the hospital was bombarded “about the time of a U.S. airstrike,” seemingly incapable of drawing the probable link. In a first draft of its story captured by NewsDiff.org, a website which records when major news sites change their stories, The New York Times refused to say more than that a U.S. strike “appears to have badly damaged the hospital,” despite reporting that the military “confirmed” the strike. The NYT, with no critical eye, regurgitated the military’s statement that an attack may have led to the hospital coming under attack from “collateral damage.” Newspapers fail their
readers when they mindlessly lean on official sources or quietly rewrite their stories with no word to the readers. But beyond a national media that is largely unwilling to directly call out the US military when they attack civilians, another cause for concern is the propensity of newspapers like The New York Times to quietly rewrite their stories, with no
acknowledgement until days after. This happened in July with a story on the Clinton email scandal, and it happened again with the story on the Afghan hospital bombing. NewsDiff has archived 16 separate versions of the NYT story, under five different headlines. Newspapers have long been the “rough first draft of history,” an admittedly imperfect report of the previous day’s events. Front pages after the Titanic sinking, V-E day in Europe or Sept. 12, 2001 have become iconic and are used as examples in journalism schools around the country. As journalism moves online and editing content becomes faster than a correction in the next day’s edition, it is important
that newspapers do not abdicate their role and report events as correctly as possible, without mincing their words. It remains to be seen if outrage at the Kunduz attack will force U.S. leaders to examine their strategy in the region. However, so long as media outlets quietly change their articles, it is up to third-party sources such as NewsDiff to serve as a watchdog on the media. This is not how our news media should work, and papers such as the NYT must lean less on official sources and be more transparent when it reports on these issues. Email Tommy Collison at tcollison@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
POINT
COUNTERPOINT
Celebrities should not ignore fans
Fans must try to avoid being invasive
By ANNIE COHEN Staff Writer
By EMILY FONG Contributing Writer
One of my absolute favorite memories of my freshman year at NYU is the time when I went with a friend to see The Heidi Chronicles on Broadway. The play itself was spectacular, so of course my friend and I immediately went and waited by the stage door for an opportunity to see and compliment the actors up close, without the veneer of their characters. This particular show happened to feature Elisabeth Moss, best known for her role on “Mad Men,” and a personal favorite of mine. When she emerged from the stage door, she engaged warmly with the line of fans that stood waiting, obligingly chatting with us and even posing for a few pictures. The whole process probably took around five minutes, and when she climbed into a waiting black car and left, all anyone could talk about was how exceptionally thoughtful and kind she was. New York City, where so many TV shows and movies are filmed and so many high-profile and successful people choose to live, is a prime place for meeting with celebrities. When a student arrives on NYU’s campus and begins exploring the city, there is no telling what he or she might see or experience. A routine walk to class can suddenly be interrupted by a “Broad City” filming; a Tuesday evening can be spent listening to Jonathan Franzen discuss his new book. Part of the appeal of the New York City experience is the proximity to so many exciting
New York City is one of the United States’ largest entertainment capitals. A plethora of film stars, musicians, poets and models call this iconic metropolis home. For the millions of average people who also walk these streets and coexist with these titans of media, spotting a celebrity can be exciting. The compulsion to pull out a phone and snap a selfie or sneak a quick pic is understandable and universal. But therein lies the problem with the public’s desire for a brush with fame — it is inherently disruptive and intrusive. To be clear, this is not a call for a war on celebrity photos. Many people worked hard for their claim to fame, and having fans respond to their work is probably incredibly validating. But there is a time and place for that kind of behavior, and that does not include flagging down a celebrity who is trying to get on with their day. Despite their being famous, it’s important to remember that celebrities are first and foremost people with obligations, meetings and time commitments, just like us. Similarly, interrupting someone in the middle of dinner at a restaurant or while grocery shopping isn’t very polite. Given that we’re in New York City, there are plenty of events, from Comic Con to book signings, that allow content creators of all kinds to interact with fans and followers. Rather than accosting them on the street, fans and supporters of the city’s celebrities should allow them space and keep actor-fan interactions to such events. That said, the price of fame can be steep.
people and projects. In fact, one of the hallmark NYU experiences is the chance run-in with a favorite artist or performer. While we must always keep in mind that these individuals are entitled to go about their daily lives free of harassment, I contend that there is nothing wrong with asking for a quick photo or chatting with them for a moment or two. After all, they are public figures, and their livelihoods rest on their fame and recognizability. If engaging with a starstruck fan for a moment or two is all the difficulty an actor endures in exchange for multi-million dollar movie contracts, so be it. This is not to say that it is always appropriate to approach celebrities in public. Obviously, if they are clearly working or engaged in conversation, to interrupt them would simply be rude. But if you happen to see them strolling down the street or waiting in line for a coffee, there is nothing wrong with going ahead and saying hello. This could be how some of your best memories of the city could be formed. Email Annie Cohen at opinion@nyunews.com.
For many regular people, the signing away the right to individual privacy is included in that price, which at first glance seems to make sense. Since celebrity culture actively profits off the interest of the public at large, the average person should be able to take advantage of the situation. The line between consensual appreciation and violation of privacy is hard to draw, and often manifests in conflict and frustration. Kanye West understood this, going so far as to stand on a table before a meal at a Nando’s to declare: “Whoever wants a picture, let’s do it now,” adding an adjectival swearword for good measure, and grimacing through the whole ordeal. A more local example would be what has come to be known as the Jude Law incident: the actor, constantly annoyed by NYU freshmen leering at him from Hayden Residence Hall, began throwing oranges at their windows before finally moving out of the local area. So please, low-key gawking is acceptable and understandable, but consider the human underneath the celebrity veneer before approaching. Just like the rest of us, they have a normal life too. Email Emily Fong at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Documenting use of force positive step for NYPD In a move to normalize relations between the city’s police force and its citizens, New York Police Department Commissioner Bill Bratton announced Friday that the NYPD will begin documenting almost all instances of force during interactions with the public. The guidelines, which will come into effect in 2016, will require officers to intervene and report instances of excessive force or face disciplinary action. This includes instances of hand strikes, takedowns, baton blows or bites by a police dog. Hopefully, the systematic documentation of these more routine uses of force will reduce NYPD abuses, especially given that the force plans on releasing an annual report. With increased oversight and transparency, perhaps the
SUBMITTING TO
NYPD can turn the corner on its violent past. The reforms are meant, in part, to make statistics about police violence less opaque. With notable exceptions, most instances of police violence go undocumented. Bratton claimed that force was used in only 2 percent of arrests in 2014, but without a reporting system this number has no depth and no larger meaning. The proposed reporting system, meanwhile, would require officers to fill out a form for every violent confrontation. The form prompts officers for the race of the victim and asks them to justify why the violence was necessary. This should lead to fewer instances of racially-motivated policing. Not only would the paper trail allow better under-
standing of individual instances of violence, but also allow the public to quantify police misconduct and better combat the growing trend of police violence. The path toward improving police conduct lies in holding officers accountable for their actions. Reporting violence is one step toward this. Another valuable step would be to implement body cameras, which have been frequently called for following high-profile police shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, Staten Island and Baltimore. However, Bratton’s reforms stopped short of implementing such a measure. In addition, police officers should be mandated to have audio devices on their person while on duty. This would create a robust system of transparency
between the police force and the public. Consequences should be set in place in situations where the police fail to use body-cameras or audio devices. As part of his larger package of reforms, Bratton would do well to turn his attention to the issue of real-time recording as well. Although the move to document police violence is a welcome one, more needs to be done on both the bureaucratic and enforcement level. It remains to be seen how accurately officers will fill out the forms, and how much these forms will cut down on the culture of chronic racism and excessive force that has come to define the NYPD over the last few years. However, if the initiatives Bratton describes save even one life, it will have been worth it.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tommy Collison (Chair), Richard Shu (Co-chair) STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
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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SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Women’s soccer adds to win streak By BEN GOODKIN Contributing Writer
VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
Shelby King led NYU with 18 kills on Saturday, day one of UAA Round Robin.
Women’s volleyball suffers in UAA play By BOBBY WAGNER Sports Editor
The women’s volleyball team dropped their first three games in University Athletic Association play this weekend, faltering their hopes to get their season on the right track. The Violets, who fell to 9-10 on the season and 0-3 in league play, were looking for a smooth transition from out of conference tournaments into inconference play, but on Saturday they ran into nationally ranked juggernauts Washington University at St. Louis and University of Chicago. NYU came into the game on a two game winning streak — tied for their longest winning streak of the season — and looked to be getting their season headed in the right direction. WashU, the second ranked team in the country by the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, came into the game 15-1 and rolling. NYU came out strong, losing by a respectable 25-20 score in the first set. But they would go on to lose in straight sets as WashU settled into their groove and won the next two sets by comfortable 25-17 and 2514 counts. Though they took a hard loss, a pair of freshman shone as bright spots in defeat. Freshman outside hitter Shelby King racked up eight kills, assisted primarily by do-it-all freshman setter Daryl Mitchell, who tallied 23 assists, eight digs and four kills. In their second game on Saturday, they put up more of a fight against Chicago. They took the 16th ranked team in the country to four sets, and made them work to finish the three that they lost. After dropping the first set by the same 25-20 count they lost to WashU, the Violets rallied and took the second set by the same
count, avoiding a second straightsets loss. They would lose the next two, however, by scores of 25-21 and 25-18. Sophomore Alexis Jackson was key in keeping the Violets engaged in that second game, as she totaled 11 kills to go along with one block. Though they could not manage a win in either game, the Violets still felt they took a lot away from competing against nationally recognized squads. “It’s really disappointing going out like that as the last team to play in Coles until it’s back after construction,” Jackson said. “But we’re moving forward. We have a big week coming up soon with another round of UAA’s so we can’t dwell on the negatives. On Sunday, their luck didn’t get any better. In a winnable game against the University of Rochester, who also came into the game having lost twice on Saturday, the Violets came out sluggish and took a brutal 25-10 defeat in the first set. They would rally to make each of the next two sets 25-17, but they still took another straight-sets loss in the contest. Senior outside hitter Nicole Frias notched six kills in her last home game as a Violet to tie for the team lead with King. No other Violet landed in double digits in any statistical category besides sophomore libero Brooke Tannahill, who notched 22 digs, and sophomore setter Elissa Davila-Shiau, who was able to pick up 14 assists. The Violets will have to find a way to regroup from their tough weekend, as competition doesn’t get any easier this week. They will travel across the river to Hoboken, New Jersey on Wednesday to face rival Stevens Institute of Technology, who handed NYU two losses last season. Email Bobby Wagner at bwagner@nyunews.com..
On Saturday, both the men’s and women’s soccer teams hosted University Athletic Association rival Case Western Reserve University. The women started the day off well, extending their winning streak to seven games with a dominating 2-0 victory. The powerful wind and rain couldn’t slow down the NYU women as they controlled the match from the opening kick. The Violets had numerous chances early in the game, but were held scoreless until the 29th minute when a deep shot from senior forward Melissa Menta found the top corner. The goal was Menta’s third of the season, tying her for the team lead. The scoring wasn’t done for the Violets, as freshman forward Megan Carver scored her second goal of the season in the 57th minute to give NYU a 2-0 lead. Stellar defending in the final half hour secured the win for the Violets. The Violets outshot the Spartans 9-4 and also didn’t allow a single shot on goal. With the win, the Violets ended Case Western’s two game winning streak and moved to 8-1 on the season and a perfect 1-0 within the UAA. Things did not go as smoothly for the men, as they were unable to slow down nationally ranked Case Western. They suffered a 4-1 setback in their first
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Melissa Menta scored the Violets’ first goal in the UAA Opener against Case Western Reserve University on Saturday. UAA game of the season, dropping their record to 3-6. It was a slow start for both teams as there were very few scoring chances and no goals scored in the first half. The pace changed in the 62nd minute after a questionable call gave the Spartans a dangerous free kick opportunity. Case Western capitalized on the opportunity with a great header from Michael Balog to take a 1-0 lead. NYU responded quickly with a free kick goal, beautiful curled in from 25 yards out by junior midfielder Tristan Medios-Simon. The score remained deadlocked at one until the 78th minute when Case Western forward Chris Cveko rolled a penalty kick into the bottom left corner giving the Spartans a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately for the Violets, Cveko was not done, and scored two more late goals — in the 86th and 89th minutes — ending all hope of an NYU comeback. By the end,
the Violets were outshot 19-11, only recording 4 shots on goal. The loss drops the NYU men to 3-6 on the season and 0-1 in conference play. Although the Violets’ record is not what they had hoped, captain Petter Aasa remains optimistic that the team can regroup and make some noise in the UAA league table. “This is technically the real start of our season,” Aasa said. “Although our record right now doesn’t show it, we have a really strong team capable of doing well in the UAA.” Both teams will be back on the pitch this week with the men hitting the road for games against Farmingdale, on Tuesday, and Carnegie Mellon on Saturday Oct. 10. The women will take on the Brooklyn College Bulldogs on Monday, and then also make the trip to Pittsburgh to face Carnegie Mellon next Saturday. Email Ben Goodkin at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Men’s hockey kicks off season, defends title 2-0
By RACHEL RUECKER Deputy Social Media Editor
After their national championship win last season, hockey is back at NYU. This weekend saw the team back in action in home games this Friday and Sunday. The games — their first two of the season — were particularly emotional due to senior goaltender Sam Daley’s return to the team following surgery to remove a brain tumour that cut his junior year with the Violets short. Friday featured the Violets taking on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers at the Sky Rink at Chelsea Piers. From the drop of the puck, the game was extremely physical, bordering chippy at times. The Violets got on the board early, with freshman Keaton Baum scoring just 54 seconds in, with the assist from freshman Mason
Osubor leads XC, student clubs By ASHLEY ARNOLD Contributing Writer
Cross country newcomer Matt Osubor has started making his mark on the team in his freshman year. But his skill belies the fact that it was not until the last years of high school that he migrated away from soccer — his premiere sport — and gave serious consideration to running. “I actually played soccer for most of my life, but I lost interest in high school,” Osubor said. “I started to get more involved with the track team my junior year which led to my transition into cross country my senior year.” Besides cross country, Osubor has gotten involved in other clubs and organizations on campus. He is a member of the Model United Nations travel team. Recently he was elected alternate senator at Liberal Studies Council. In this position, which is a first-year student position, he works directly with the current LS senator to communicate with the LS Student Council Executive Board, the University Senate and the University Committee on Student Life. Osubor gives credit to all of his friends for their support in his campaign. “I owe that to the several students here at NYU that have been inspirations for me and without their constant guidance I wouldn’t be having the extraordinary NYU experience I’ve had so far,” Osubor said. “I always wanted to get involved and I’d say that inclination was really fa-
Gallegos. The lead increased to two when junior David Shaby got one past RPI goalie Spence Whitehead. Shaby was assisted by senior Beau Lardner and junior David Morgan. Penalty minutes added up as NYU got two for tripping, leading RPI to a late powerplay goal to cut the NYU lead in half to close off the first period. Shots were 15-7 for NYU at the frame’s close. The second period saw tensions rise when RPI eked out another power play goal just 4:22 into the frame, tying things up. Penalties continued to be exchanged. At 13:56 Michael Conslato finished a beautiful setup from sophomore Steven Esposito and freshman John Kowalewski. On the powerplay, once again, freshman Hamilton Whyte scored to put NYU back up by two with 12:29 remaining. The lead was extended yet again before the
period’s end with senior forward Denis O’Hara netting the Violet’s fifth goal on the night at 11:01. The Violets began the third shorthanded, thanks to a penalty junior Peter Jorgensen had to take to stop a last ditch RPI effort in the second period. The game went from a sure thing to a nail biter 7:58 into the period when RPI got within one on that power play. NYU had a chance to extend their lead back to two when O’Hara had a breakup and was tripped up for a penalty shot, but Whitehead closed the door. Luckily for the home crowd, the one goal lead remained at the game’s end. “Our first game with such a new team went well – we won, but there’s so much room for improvement,” Shaby said. “Although we had a lot of energy going into each period, we took multiple bad penalties that defi-
nitely slowed us down.” The Violets completed the opening weekend sweep against the Siena College Saints. Sunday’s effort saw NYU once again frequently in the box, but their offensive skill negated any unruly penalties. They were down early as Siena scored just 3:21 in on the powerplay, but the Violets came roaring back, with freshman defenseman Connor Finocchio netting the first goal of his career with 8:50 remaining to tie the game. Senior defenseman Curtis Fisher pitched in with the assist. Shortly thereafter NYU pulled ahead. Esposito scored with 3:08 left in the frame, with apples from the tandem of Conslato and Kowalewski. The Violets saw two big unassisted goals from O’Hara and Esposito — for his second on the night — to bolster their lead to 4-1 at the second period’s end.
But with the game well in-hand, they were still not done. Just 21 seconds into the third period, the trio of Conslato, Kowalewski and Esposito increased the lead even further. That same trio teamed up on the powerplay to score NYU’s sixth of the night and less than a minute later, O’Hara got another. The dominance kept on going as freshman Harrison Whyte found the back of the net with help from Finocchio with 7:47 left in the game. That goal took the score to 8-1, where it remained for the rest of the contest. The Violets will be back in action, as they continue work toward reclaiming their National title, on Oct. 10, facing off against UMass at the Mullins Centre in Amherst. Email Rachel Ruecker at sports@nyunews.com.
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Matt Osubor is making a great impression in cross country. cilitated by my first ever experience here on campus: Project Outreach.” The NYU pre-Welcome Week program allowed the freshman to acclimate to university life, while also performing community service that helped him get in better touch with his new life here in New York. “Project Outreach was one of the greatest experiences of my life,” Osubor said. “It’s hard to explain how effective that program was to all 100 of us. We are all still a close-knit family whether it’s through group chats, Facebook or other means of social media; we still connect with one another because that one week we spent with each other, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., was probably one of the most unforgettable experiences any one of us had yet to experience.” A Midwest native, Osubor wanted something to help him adjust to city life. His hometown of Cincinnati is by no means small, the lifestyle has experienced a complete overhaul. Just halfway into his first semester, Osubor still has the majority of his college career to make a difference. His involvement in the LS student government, Model UN travel team and of course his achievements in cross country are just the start of his journey here. “I pray that I can have an impact on this school with the same great magnitude that this school has impacted me, my friends and my family,” Osubor said. Email Ashley Arnold at sports@nyunews.com.
Michael Thompson, Deputy Sports Editor Mets vs. Dodgers Call it hometown bias, but no series captures my attention more than the NLDS between the Mets and Dodgers. With memorable series between the two in 1988 and 2006 — and a half-century long bitterness from when the Dodgers jettisoned Brooklyn for LA — this one is sure to be exciting. The fantastic pitching duo of Dodgers’ Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw, against Mets’ Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard will be must see TV. And who can forget Matt Harvey, third in the Mets’ playoff rotation? Will innings be a factor? Will the Mets high powered offense resurrect itself in time? These two big markets are sure to put on one heck of a series.
Grace Halio, Deputy Features Editor Astros/Yankees vs. Royals After falling to the Diamondbacks, the Astros will head north to play the Yankees for the AL Wildcard on Tuesday. Aside from this game, I’m looking forward to game one of the AL Division Series on Thursday when the Kansas City Royals will face off against the Yankees or Astros. This would be a particularly interesting game if the Yankees pull through because they would be up against former teammate Joba Chamberlain. Kansas City has a record comparable to that
of Toronto, who challenged the Yankees this entire season.
Alex Bazeley News Editor Blue Jays v. Texas Rangers Forget the Royals – the most interesting shades of blue this postseason come from the Toronto Blue Jays, who have been the hottest team of the second half, and the Texas Rangers, who somehow stumbled their way into the postseason. Jays starter David Price has nudged himself into the AL Cy Young race, while third baseman Josh Donaldson has remained the leading candidate for MVP the entire year. On the other side of the diamond, Rangers left fielder Josh Hamilton, whose rise and fall from grace has been well-documented in the media, is the perfect underdog story that everyone wants to see succeed. Third baseman Adrian Beltre, nearing the end of a Hall of Fame-worthy career, will vie for his first ring this postseason. The two teams face off on Thursday, and while the Jays come in as clear favorites, the five game series is sure to provide a rollercoaster of excitement.
Bobby Wagner Sports Editor Pirates/Cubs vs. Cardinals Personally, as a diehard Amazin’ fan, I’ll be watching the Mets and Dodgers closest. But, as that’s chronicled above,
I’ll speak objectively and choose the battle of the NL Central. It’s criminal that two of the three best teams in baseball will be ousted after the Divisional series, especially since it will be at the hand of a division rival. The Cardinals have stayed strong as the best team in baseball all year, and their solid core of players that most people don’t talk about will await two teams loaded with World Series potential for years to come. Pittsburgh has been consistently the second best team in baseball, and with a post All-Star from the Cubs, it will be a delight to watch this series unfold. Either way, St. Louis will have a decided advantage since they won’t have to face Jake Arrieta of the Cubs or Gerrit Cole of the Pirates in Game 1.
Tony Schwab Contributing Writer Astros/Yankees vs. Royals Kansas City begins its quest to repeat as AL champs against one of three teams that have been very on and off this year. The Yankees have been a .500 team since the summer. Houston has pulled it together a bit of late after having a terrible September, which allowed the Angels to make the race for the second wild card spot very close. It will be interesting to see whether the long playoff push makes the wild card winner better prepared or just exhausted. Email them at sports@nyunews.com.