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Tandon opens first Student Health Center By TEGAN MOSUGU Contributing Writer
The Tandon School of Engineering has opened a new wellness center at the Brooklyn campus to address the physical and mental health of the NYU community. Associate Vice President for Student Health Carlo Ciotoli said the new Student Health Center opened at the start of the fall semester and provides primary care and counseling services. “The university has a strong commitment to student health and well-being and as such wants to ensure that all NYU students, including those based in Brooklyn, have access to health and wellness resources,” Ciotoli said. The Wellness Center provides preventative care including physical exams and routine health maintenance. The center
also evaluates and treats acute and chronic medical conditions. In addition, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections is provided, along with women’s health care and transgender care. Tandon senior Jacob McDonald said a wellness center is an integral part of any college campus, especially considering how long Tandon has gone without one. “It is a good thing that there is a wellness center at our Brooklyn campus,” McDonald said. “Traveling to the Manhattan campus to use their wellness center is a pretty big hassle. Actually, I am kind of surprised it took them so long to put one over here.” NYU’s Student Health Center currently has a Wellness Exchange that enables university members to access a private hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Although it is an addi-
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
The NYU Student Health Center opened a location on the Tandon campus at 6 MetroTech in Fall of 2015. tional resource for students, it does not provide the same benefits associated with face to face interaction with a health provider or wellness counselor. Tandon sophomore Tanzila
NYU goes green with Zero Waste
you have no time to waste four plus hours at the hospitals,” Rahman said. Email Tegan Mosugu at news@nyunews.com.
CRIME LOG
Oct. 5 to 12
By THOMAS PEROCCHIO Contributing Writer
Do you think you could last a day without making trash? Today, NYU is kicking off Zero Waste Green Week, where students will spend seven days attempting to produce little to no waste. The movement will challenge students to go waste-free from Oct. 19 to 26 and environmental clubs NYU Environmental Coordination Outreach Reps and EarthMatters@NYU will also be participating. The week will commence with a panel discussion at the Kimmel Center for University Life on trash-free living, which is one of the latest trends in environmentalism. According to NYU’s Office of Sustainability, the average American produces 1,609 pounds of trash each year. The university alone uses enough paper to make a stack twice the Empire State Building’s height. Much of this waste goes directly to landfills, which can cause aquifer and soil contamination, as well as increased methane gas production. Monday night’s panelists are sustainability experts who believe the solution to this problem might be a zero-waste lifestyle. At its essence, the zerowaste movement advocates
Rahman said the decision to have a wellness center in Brooklyn makes the university’s services more convenient for students. “It feels nice to have something close in case things crop up and
STAFF PHOTO BY TIFFANY CHEN
In an effort to engage in more sustainable practices, some students are pledging to go waste-free from Oct. 19-26 consumer consciousness. That means limiting consumption of non-recyclable goods such as plastics and styrofoam in favor of compostable materials and reusable goods such as mason jars, cloth napkins and canvas grocery bags. Many adherents adopt a DIY approach to home goods as well. Homemade toothpaste, body lotion, and deodorant are common swaps. Catherine Wright, the director of the ECO Program, said NYU has embraced some zero-waste processes. “To limit our waste footprint, we make recycling single stream,” Wright said.” This makes it easier for students to divert their personal waste from the landfill. Similarly, all the big garbage bins in the buffet dining halls are actually compost.” Wright said NYU Sustainability has tips for students looking to do their part, too. “Students can limit their personal waste by using a reusable bottle, bringing bags and utensils and refusing
what you do not need,” Wright said. “If you compost food, little trash is produced as long as it comes with minimal packaging.” Several NYU students are interested in the zero-waste lifestyle. CAS freshman Sonia Liu said while she is supportive of the movement, she is also slightly skeptical. “I think it would be almost impossible for someone to make absolutely no trash,” Liu said. “Every time you eat or go to a store, you are going to end up with some garbage. However, reducing how much trash we make would certainly be a good thing.” LS freshman Selin Tekgurler said New York City might introduce additional challenges to a zero-waste lifestyle. “I have a hard time imaging students being able to maintain this,” Tekgurler said. “Being in New York and in a dorm, there just isn’t much space to reuse or repurpose something.” Email Greta Chevance at news@nyunews.com.
By CHRISTINE WANG Deputy News Editor
Hall and recovered a small amount of marijuana.
The NYU Department of Public Safety received three reports of larceny, two reports of controlled substance, two reports of burglary, one report of dating violence, one report of harassment and one report of criminal trespass between Oct. 5 and Oct. 12.
Burglary
Larceny On Oct. 13 at 5:30 p.m., a student reported that he eft his bicycle locked to a bike rack on Washington Place between Broadway and Mercer Street. He left the bicycle unattended at 11:30 a.m. and when he returned at 5:28 p.m., the frame and front wheel of his bicycle were missing. Police were not notified. On Oct. 14 at 6 p.m., a student reported that she left her backpack unattended in Bobst Library at 5:05 p.m. and when she returned at 5:15 p.m. the backpack was missing along with the cash, credit cards and debit cards inside. Police notification was declined. On Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m., a student reported that on Oct. 13 she left a tripod inside of a case unattended at 7 p.m. in a hallway of 721 Broadway. When she returned for it the next day at 4:30 p.m. the tripod was missing. Police were not notified.
Controlled Substance On Oct. 15 at 12:17 a.m., Public Safety responded to a report of an alleged controlled substance in the Second Street residence hall and confiscated a small amount of marijuana. On Oct. 15 at 9:58 a.m., Public Safety responded to a report of a controlled substance in Alumni
On Oct. 14 at 1:25 p.m., a staff member reported that she left a laptop in her office at the Dental Center at 12:10 p.m. with the door secured. When she returned at 12:45 p.m., she discovered the laptop missing. A police report was filed. On Oct. 15 at 3 p.m., a staff member reported that she left her office door at 721 Broadway open on that day at 10:46 a.m. When she returned at 1:30 p.m. her wallet, which contained cash and credit cards, was missing. Police were not notified.
Dating Violence / Assault On Oct. 14 at 4 p.m., a student reported that her boyfriend physically assaulted her on several occasions and destroyed property in her Gramercy Green residence hall room. Police notification was declined.
Harassment On Oct. 12 at 10:50 a.m., a student in Rubin Hall reported that at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, she found racially derogatory hate speech written on her door’s whiteboard.
Criminal Trespass On Oct. 16 at 2:30 a.m., an unauthorized individual was observed trespassing inside the 194 Mercer Street building and Public Safety quickly detained the individual. NYPD responded and made an arrest. Email Christine Wang at cwang@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Physics professor talks fruit fly larvae research By MONICA HANNA Contributing Writer
Why is sense of smell important to research?
Marc Gershow, an NYU assistant professor in the Department of Physics, received a National Science Foundation CAREER award for his work involving how fruit fly larvae can give insights into sense of smell. The award is granted to junior faculty who have exemplified outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research. Gershow is the head of a lab that explores how brains perceive the world, combining approaches from physics and systems neuroscience to study different functions of the brain.
We are interested in how the brain computes. Using the sense of smell requires the brain to make a number of interesting computations: recognizing an odor, deciding whether the odor represents something good or bad, then selecting an appropriate response. Recognizing an odor requires an animal to take input from a set of odor receptor neurons, each of which responds differently to different group of odors, and recognize an odor source. This recognition has to be concentration invariant (e.g. an apple still smells like an apple if you hold it right under your nose or farther away), and has to work in the presence of background odors that also stimulate the same neurons (e.g. an apple still smells like an apple even if there is a banana and an orange in the kitchen). The problem of how the brain recognizes odors is fascinating and unsolved.
WSN: What do you hope to achieve through your research? We would like to understand mechanistically how the brain computes. That is, we want to understand how the brain makes decisions and selects behaviors based on information about the world gathered through the senses.
WSN: Why fruit flies? The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most well-studied organisms ever, and the premier model organism for genetic manipulation. Although our lab does not study genetics, we can use the tools developed in a century of Drosophila research to target specific parts of the brain. For instance, we can express a light-activated ion channel in a particular olfactory neuron, so when we shine light on an animal, it experiences a fictive smell.
WSN: How do you know whether a smell is good or bad? We can learn through association of odor and reward or punishment. For instance, if you’ve never had Korean food before, the smell of kimchi may be off-putting, but after a few delicious Korean meals, that same smell may make your mouth water and your stomach rumble. On the other hand, if you drink too much tequila and get sick, the next time you smell tequila, it may turn your stomach. How the brain learns to associate odor and reward and how those memories are stored are also active and fascinating areas of research.
FASP says better Coles replacement needed By LEXI FAUNCE Deputy News Editor
VIA NYU.EDU
Marc Gershow, an assistant professor in NYU’s Department of Physics, received a National Science Foundation CAREER award. WSN: How does the brain carry out these computations? Unlike computers, brains can produce multiple responses given the exact same input – what is the origin of this variability? Again, these are fascinating and unresolved questions. Because the larva’s brain is so compact and amenable to manipulation, we can begin to answer these questions at the single neuron level, for instance, relating activity in a single odor receptor neuron to various behavioral outcomes and seeing how this relation changes as a result of learning.
WSN: How will the NSF CAREER award help you? In addition to providing substantial financial support for my lab’s research, the CAREER award, along with the National Institutes of Health New Innovator award, which my lab also recently received, recognizes the hard work everyone in my lab has put in over the last two years at NYU and really motivates us to keep doing exciting science in the future. Email Monica Hanna at news@nyunews.com.
While midterm season is in full swing, students often turn to NYU’s athletic facilities to unwind after stressful nights. However, many are starting to wonder where they will go once the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center is torn down. The NYU Faculty Against Sexton Plan views this issue as a top priority for the NYU community and has distributed brochures demanding the university to postpone the Coles destruction until a viable alternative is found. NYU has provided several substitute gyms to replace Coles while it is under construction including Palladium Athletic Facility, the Brooklyn gym at Tandon’s campus and the new fitness center — a temporary solution — at 404 Lafayette St. However, NYUFASP questions whether these facilities, whose total space is less than one-third of Coles’ size, will be a satisfactory alternative. Coles boasts five courts for team sports, a swimming pool with a diving well, a rooftop running track and a climbing wall; the replacement gyms may fall short in comparison. Mark Crispin Miller, Steinhardt professor and head of the Faculty Against Sexton Plan, said the Sexton Plan is indefensible and he does not think Coles should be destroyed. Crispin Miller said those who plan to tear down Coles must find an adequate replacement for it. “Coles accommodates up to 3,500 people daily — as NYU’s website proclaimed for years,” Crispin Miller said. “Those three small alternatives cannot possibly accommodate that multitude, and couldn’t even if the Palladium weren’t already jammed, and even if a lot of us were willing to schlep out
to Brooklyn, to use [Tandon’s] tiny gym.” NYU spokesman Matt Nagel said although there will be more inconveniences during the construction period, the university has been hard at work permitting student athletes to continue competing and others to exercise. Nagel added that the air conditioned, state-of-the-art gym that will be built in place of Coles will be part of an academic facility that will also provide classrooms, spaces for performing artists and student and faculty housing. Nagel said that the university has done its best to implement plans ensuring student athletes with a place to compete and members of the NYU community a place to work out. “We have found good, appropriate, alternative locations for teams that used Coles,” Nagel said. “And the interim fitness/recreation facilities we are creating actually feature more pieces of cardio equipment (which often have long lines currently) than the Coles facility, in addition to strength training equipment and two dance/yoga rooms.” Gallatin sophomore Isabelle Kitze said faculty and students will be disappointed because of increased travel time to interim replacement facilities. As a member of the swim team, Kitze said she is worried about an increase in traffic at the Palladium Athletic Facility. “While the closure of Coles is a massive inconvenience, I think that the new facilities built in place will be worth the wait,” Kitze said. “Unfortunately, students who are not a part of a club or intercollegiate team will probably have to get creative with their forms of exercise due to the space limit.” Email Lexi Faunce at lfaunce@nyunews.com.
NYU entrepreneurial teams to join Cornell summit By GRETA CHEVANCE Contributing Writer
Three student teams from NYU will be presenting their startup ideas at the annual Cornell Entrepreneurship Summit NYC on Nov. 6. Named “Erase the Edge: Get to the Edge, Erase it and Envision the Future,” this year’s summit will feature an audience of financiers, Cornell alumni entrepreneurs and student attendees. Zach Schulman, Director of Entrepreneurship at Cornell, extended the invitation to include NYU students, hoping to encourage future collaboration between the two universities. “[The] purpose is to highlight great entrepreneurs and learn how they have tackled chal-
lenges and grown their businesses,” Schulman said. “Likewise, Summit provides great networking opportunities.” Speakers at the event also include Vice President and fellow of Intel Genevieve Bell, bestselling author Jon Gordon and Vice President of Products/Community at Adobe Scott Belsky. The three NYU teams presenting include Physiclo, BotFactory and Sun House. Langone student Frank Yao is one of the founders of Physiclo, a startup that implements built-in resistance in workout apparel to increase training efficiency for athletes. Yao received the email from Rimalovski about participating in the Summit while he and his team members were board-
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ing a plane to Hong Kong. They began developing their pitch deck immediately. “We’re especially hoping to learn about their experiences in branding and marketing, which is extremely important to creating a successful e-commerce clothing startup,” Yao added. “Right now we’re also in the process of fundraising, so this chance is very timely.” The winning team will be awarded a cash prize of $5,000. Andy Moss, Entrepreneurin-Residence at the NYU Leslie eLab, said he hopes the Summit will bolster student entrepreneurship and encourage innovative thinking. “The opportunity to present will hopefully create more awareness of their ventures as
well as the work we do here at NYU to help entrepreneurs just like them,” Moss added. Executive Director of NYU Entrepreneurial Institute and Managing Director of NYU Innovation Venture Fund Frank Rimalovski has worked with Schulman before, and jumped at the chance to have NYU teams participate as presenters and attendees at this year’s Summit. “Exposing our students to the stories and lessons learned from successful entrepreneurs can help inspire and inform,” Rimalovski said. “The entrepreneurial path is fraught with potholes and the opportunity to learn from others’ experience is a core part of what we offer [and] do at the Entrepreneurial Institute.”
Tandon alumnus Nicolas Vansnick is one of the founders of BotFactory, a startup that is in the process of developing Squink, a desktop electronic circuit board. “NYU has been building an impressive network of entrepreneurs over the years, some of whom we are looking forward to meeting again at the Summit and learn about their progress,” Vansnick said. “We are also very excited to discover the entrepreneurial environment at Cornell and meet like-minded founders.” Cornell is providing discounted student tickets to the Entrepreneurship Summit. Email Greta Chevance at news@nyunews.com.
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Hanks stars in new Cold War film By MIN-WEI LEE Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY LILY XING
The head of a Colossal Statue of Senwosret III from the Ancient Egypt Exhibit on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Met explores Middle Kingdom era By CARTER GLACE Staff Writer
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a staggering amount of space dedicated to Egyptian art. The right wing of the first floor is almost a day trip in itself, covering thousands of years of Egyptian rulers and art, culminating in the beautiful remains of the Temple of Dendur. But with the Tisch galleries, the Met decided to present a specialized selection of art focusing on the Middle Kingdom, an era in which Ancient Egypt was reunited under one Pharaoh again after years of political chaos. The result is a massive yet focused gallery that serves as a core for Egypt’s political, spiritual and cultural vision titled “Egypt Transformed.” It’s hard to contain the sheer amount of content that the gallery has been able to assemble for the era, but suffice to say, there is an immense number of statues, busts, tablets, jewelry and models. As opposed to using chronological order, the gallery organizes art by geographical themes, like artifacts found in
the region of Abydos. This allows for interesting contrasts between works in the very same room. For example, there are two busts of the Pharaoh Senwosret III, one earlier in the era depicting a young, confident leader and a later work showing him with a sagging face, more prominent eyes and a stern expression. It is staggering how much detail Egyptian artists could pull from a substance as unwieldy as stone, but also shows the differing visions of leadership over the era. Transition and transformation are the two themes of the exhibit, displaying an era that channeled the previous centuries of culture in order to shape the next several. The scale isn’t quite as overwhelming as other eras, since there is a balance between massive scope and ornate, detailed design. The slow introduction of figures who previously have not been as prominent in Egyptian art, like Osiris, into more and more artifacts gives an interesting look into the rise of Egyptian legend. The differing images of power and Pharaohs show as many human figures
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as god figures. From there, it is the minute details that become engrossing. The inclusion of tablets commissioned for officials remind visitors that Pharaohs were not the only ones granted luxury. The various tablets dedicated to the gods and overseers reiterate the broad mythology of Egypt as well as the values of the believers. Overall, the detailed models of daily life show the commoners’ life like you rarely see in exhibits. Narrowing the focus, “Egypt Transformed” allows for detailed pieces that would normally be lost in the shuffle of a gallery that needs to cover more history. While seeing such beautiful monuments and art in pieces always leaves the viewer with a sense of lament at their decay, the gallery’s intimacy reinforces the pieces’ beauty. “Egypt Transformed” opened last Monday at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and closes on Jan. 24, 2016. Email Carter Glace at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Academy Award winners Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks teamed up for the fourth time in the Cold War film “Bridge of Spies,” a masterful Hollywood retelling of the 1960 U-2 incident between the United States and Soviet Russia. Set in the shadows of surveillance and the paranoia of imminent nuclear annihilation, the U.S. government entrusts the defense of suspected Soviet spy Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance) to the shrewd and straightshooting James B. Donovan (Tom Hanks), a successful, all-American insurance lawyer from Brooklyn, New York. This case becomes irreversibly tangled when a young U.S. reconnaissance pilot is shot down and captured by the Soviets following Abel’s trial. Whisked off to the volatile border between East and West Berlin, Donovan is tasked with negotiating a speedy, highprofile swap between the two soldiers while navigating Soviet deception, the precarious political situation of post-war Berlin and the insufferably detached bureaucracy of the U.S. government. Seamless and elegant, “Bridge of Spies” is a rare example of true, classical Hollywood filmmaking. From the film’s infallible three act structure to the precise and dependable cinematography of Spielberg’s longtime collaborator Janusz Kaminski, the picture captivates audiences from beginning to end. The movie is made even more commendable with a stellar script helmed by the award-
winning Coen brothers and its refreshing lack of explicit violence. Hanks is perfectly cast as he embodies the idea of pure, idealistic American values through his relatable character of an unassuming, honest and empathetic man. This creates the ideal foil to Rylance’s quiet but no less brilliant performance of the stoic Abel, who, while outwardly branded as a treacherous and conniving villain, is just as honorable in the performance of his national duties. Spielberg manages to tear away the complexities of war, diplomacy and politics to present us with a simple human relationship, which, against all odds, develops into a mutual understanding and respect and guides the audience through the turmoil of Cold War politics. While “Bridge of Spies” is undoubtedly a beautiful piece of cinema, there are elements of predictability that unfortunately render parts of the film formulaic. Donovan’s moral dilemma, while brilliantly delivered through Hanks’ layers of finely nuanced emotion, becomes almost banal as we expect him to pull through as the quintessential protagonist. The tension in various scenes, while palpable, is unsurprising and redolent of a hazy feeling of unspecified déjà vu. Though undeniably well executed, the film’s biggest struggle will be to convince an increasingly demanding contemporary audience of its classical and exceptional artistry. Email Min-Wei Lee at film@nyunews.com.
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Lebanese politics on display at MoMA
Hammerkatz alum on his new HBO show By TONY SCHWAB Staff Writer
By NATALIE WHALEN Contributing Writer
The second floor of the Museum of Modern Art prominently features Lebanese artist Walid Raad’s most recent project on the history of art in the Arab world titled “Scratching on things I could disavow,” which centers on a diorama of “The Atlas Group.” “The Atlas Group” is another famous work focused on the historical documentation of the recent Lebanese civil wars. The piece makes a statement against the Beirut art gallery that first featured his work in a dramatically smallscale version. Displeased, Raad decided to display his works in even-smaller miniature. Raad’s brazen attitude toward political, social and personal disturbances are apparent throughout his works. “Better be watching the clouds,” a piece featured in “The Atlas Group,” shows provocative, scientific plates of various flora and fauna with the heads of political and social leaders pasted onto the blooms of each plant. The 1989-2004 project features photographs and videos depicting fictional replications of Lebanese soldiers in moving pieces, including the
STAFF PHOTO BY HON-LUM CHEUNG-CHENG
Contemporary artist Walid Raad’s work will be displayed on the second and third floors of the MoMA until January 31, 2016. mesmerizing, “We decided to let them say ‘we are convinced’ twice (It was More Convincing this Way).” The artist began the project in 2007, inspired by developments in infrastructure in the visual arts world in conjunction with geo-political, economic, social and political conflicts in the contemporary Middle East. Raad poignantly comments on large political and artistic themes with “Pension arts in Dubai,” derived from his experience with the Artist Pension Trust. In addition, “Les Louvres,” features his curation of ancient Arab artifacts which delivers necessary dimension and historical shadow to the pieces. The works in this collection are controversial in their highly political nature for the Museum of Modern Art. However, the exhibit is done tastefully as not to offend, in typical MoMA fashion. MoMA’s Walid Raad exhibit is the first complete survey of
the artist’s works in the United States. Raad’s work has been previously featured in the Guggenheim, the Whitney and the Musée de Louvre in Paris. Raad currently lives in New York City and teaches at the Cooper Union School of Art in the East Village. The exhibit encompasses both of the aforementioned projects as well as limited “Walkthrough” events in which the artist himself will walk audiences through “Scratching on things I could disavow” — tickets are included in the museum price and are recommended to be bought in advance. There are a limited number of these tickets reserved to be purchased starting at 9:30 a.m. each day. The exhibit opened on Monday, Oct. 12 and runs through Jan. 31. Museum admission is free with your NYU ID. MoMA is located on 11 W 53rd St. Email Natalie Whalen at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Webber talks ‘School of Rock’
By JOSEPH MYERS Books/Theater Editor
Andrew Lloyd Webber premiered his latest music video for his upcoming musical, “School of Rock,” the song “You’re in the Band” on Oct. 14 at the Winter Garden Theater. After the video’s debut, Webber spoke with WSN about the upcoming show and what viewers can expect to see. WSN: Since “School of Rock” is a musical about empowering youths to take on their passion in music, do you have any advice for any young budding composers or musicians? Andrew Lloyd Webber: We’ve got all sorts of things going actually. We’re going to lots of schools and colleges, and I’m letting the score be brought out to schools and colleges immediately. I don’t think there’s any reason to hold it back — I think it should be something that people should be able to perform at once.
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WSN: Is there anything that we can expect to see in “School of Rock” that we haven’t seen in any previous projects?
ALW: I don’t know. I mean, I hope it’s enormous fun! But I think it’s a story with a really, really strong center. It is very simple, likeable, but it is really [about] how music changes everybody’s lives who is involved with it. It comes back to the old thing that Duke Ellington once said that “There are two kinds of music — good and bad.” So it’s not trying to make any statements about rock music or any kind of music. It happens that rock is the music that is played, and it happens that rock is the metaphor, which is fun. And it is also fun that rock is such: I mean, the heavy metal rock and everything is rather out of fashion. I think that almost makes it more, in a way, endearing. WSN: What was the process for turning this from a movie into a musical?
ALW: Well, one of the reasons that I asked Julian Fellowes if he wanted to do the script was because of “Downton Abbey,” which was one of his best known pieces. You know he’s a master at being able to take things — he did the book for “Mary Poppins.” I’ve worked very closely with him, and one thing you have to do is keep the total essence of the movie, but in the theater, there are certain things that you can do that a movie can’t, and there are certain things that a movie can do that the theater can’t. One of the things you have to do for the theater is to construct it so that it works in two acts, that it’s got its highs and lows in the right places, and — there you go! Public previews for “School of Rock” begin on Nov. 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre on 1634 Broadway. Email Joseph Myers at jmyers@nyunews.com.
An alumnus of the Experimental Theatre Workshop of the Tisch School of the Arts and the sketch comedy group Hammerkatz, Jack Quaid is probably best known for portraying Marvel in the first two “Hunger Games” movies. Recently, Quaid wrote and starred in the short film “After Lilly,” which aired at the New York Independent Film Festival. He spoke with WSN about his role in the upcoming HBO show “Vinyl” and his experience working in both New York and L.A. WSN: Tell us about the short film “After Lilly.” JQ: It was maybe my first dive into something that has more of a story to it. I’ve been writing and performing in sketch comedy for the longest time ever since NYU, when I was in Hammerkatz. This was my first “let’s try to tell a real story with a beginning, middle and end.” At the time I had gone through a pretty serious breakup, and that’s what the short is about: a guy who can’t quite get over his ex-girlfriend who he sees everywhere. He goes into a club to celebrate his friend’s birthday, and it’s kind of his first time out after sulking in a room for weeks and every girl he talks to and eventually everybody in the club becomes his ex-girlfriend in his mind. It goes back and forth between reality and fantasy. WSN: Have you ever really bombed doing sketch? JQ: Oh yeah. I’m happy that I did. In college we had a great sketch group. Hammerkatz is something that’s been around basically forever. Donald Glover basically made it what it is today. We had a great sketch group ourselves. One of the people who was a director at the time works for SNL now. Even with all the talented people in the room occasionally you would try something and it wouldn’t work, or something you thought was hilarious in rehearsal just doesn’t play for an audience. But I love that almost more than when it goes well because you get a sense of what works and what doesn’t work. The only way you can learn is by failing. WSN: You’ve had some experience doing this with sketch, but how was it writing something serious for yourself? JQ: Well, at the time that was what I was going through. I was seeing my girlfriend everywhere. I knew that that was something that everyone could relate to on
some level. Hopefully it’s funny. It’s one of these things where I realized that the joke is as funny as it is true. It’s a sad thing, but I think since we’ve all been through it you can find comedy. It was personal to me but I think the challenge was finding something that we could all relate to. The first drafts of it had details that were very specific to my situation. Then I tried to remove myself from it so that people could see themselves in my situation. WSN: Could you talk a little about the show “Vinyl” that’s coming up? JQ: My character’s name is Clark Morrell. I’m so back in the day they would have to go out to clubs and stay there all night just to find a sound that they could bring back to the record company. If they found somebody they would try to develop them. They would get in a studio, they would offer notes, they would produce the album or demo. Through that they would bring the company money, and that is how they would move up the ranks. I wouldn’t say my character is very good at his job when we first meet him. Throughout the show a lot happens to him to the point that he is a very different person by the end of the first season. It’s going to be a really fun show. It’s fast moving. It’s really funny in a lot of ways. The cast is incredible. The lead is Bobby Cannavale. That guy is a one-man acting master class. Watching him is ridiculous. You learn so much. WSN: What are the differences and similarities between working in New York and L.A.? JQ: What I like about New York is I feel very creatively stimulated. Just walking down the street, you just kind of want to create stuff. However, that can get kind of overwhelming. I remember when I went to college here, the city would overwhelm me. In L.A. I still feel creatively stimulated but at the same time I can relax more. I like driving in that you can prepare for and react to whatever you’re going to, like an audition, a date, anything. In terms of creative work in L.A. there’s more of it available. However, New York there’s less quantity but there’s more quality. There are very few weird projects that are casting out here. Everything is pretty good. No matter where you are, wherever you are is happiest is the place to be. “After Lilly” premiered on Oct. 13 at the NYCIFF on 358 West 44th St. Email Tony Schwab at film@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
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America’s actual next top models
Artists intersect heritage, queerness By DANIELA COBOS Contributing Writer
October is NYU’s pride month, and in the aftermath of the ill-conceived Columbus Day, three queer performing artists graced the stage at “Decolonially Queer: An Evening of Performances.” They reflected on the intersections among gender, sexuality and indigenous experience. As a collaboration between the Helix Queer Performance Network, Queer Union-NYU and the Hemispheric Institute of Performance and Politics, the event took place at the NYU Performance Studios. Tommy Pico, a member of the Kumeyaay Indian community and a published author, commenced the night with a reading of “Nature Poem,” which was greeted with laughter by the audience. “I wanted to read something that had a queer element to it and that addressed my heritage in which I was actively attempting to decolonize my artistic practice,” Pico said. Since leaving the Viejas Indian reservation, Pico has been a trailblazer in the American Indian Community. He has grown his literary career and founded birdsong, an anti-racist and queer-positive collective featuring the works of other aspiring writers and artists. “I would like to eventually have a program where every summer I bring like 15 Indian kids with artistic dreams like singers, writers, or artists and give them a six-week mentorship in the city,” Pico said. “I think that that would be a step in
Ines Rau
By NATALIA BARR Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
Mette Loulou von Kohl performing for “Decolonially.” the direction of having more American Indian voices in the media.” The next performer to light up the stage was Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi, a performance artist of African, Cuban and Indigenous American descent. “Growing up, you have to read people who look like you,” Edidi said. “In order to be decolonized as a child, I read people who were about liberation.” Edidi read two of her poems during her performance: “A Trans Woman Speaks of America” and “Poison Prison Knowledge.” Edidi describes her work as a resistance against white supremacy and institutionalized racism. A revolutionary in the transgender community as well as in the indigenous community, Edidi is following in her indigenous grandmother’s footsteps as a healer. “I think my work is important because I am coming from a decolonized gaze,” Edidi said. “I’m black, I’m a revolutionary, I’m outspoken. I think my work is important because my work also centers around trans people.”
The third and final installation of the night was a performance by Mette Loulou von Kohl, a queer femme, born to a Lebanese-Palestinian mother and a Danish father. An homage to her family heritage, Von Kohl opened her act with an orange in her mouth while appearing in front of a screen displaying a video of Yafa, Tel Aviv. “Both of my grandparents inspire my work because it is an act of communicating with them and communicating with my ancestry that has been denied,” Von Kohl said. “This is not about nostalgia,” von Kohl said. “This is about memory as a weapon, as noise from the silenced. To remember is to resist.” Von Kohl explained that the chief driving force of her work is to resist the erasure of the Palestinian people into absence. “Embracing that absence is an act of resistance,” von Kohl said. “For me, it’s the drive to continue to resist the Israeli occupation.” Email Daniela Cobos at features@nyunews.com.
Now that the Spring/Summer 2016 runway season has come to a close, a plethora of up-and-coming models have been placed under the spotlight. However, with so many new models walking on and off the runway in a matter of seconds, it’s hard to decide which faces to remember, or who could be the next Gigi Hadid or Karlie Kloss. Here are some new and noteworthy models who we should expect to see a lot more of in upcoming seasons.
Lineisy Montero Lineisy Montero’s signature afro may have made her the busiest model of the Spring 2016 runway season. She walked in 68 shows, according to models.com. Since she was enlisted to walk for Prada for the Fall/Winter 2015 season, the 19-year-old Dominican model has appeared in countless spreads and shows. This season, Montero graced the international runways of top designers such as Chanel, Versace, Burberry Prorsum and Marc Jacobs.
Vanessa Moody Vanessa Moody entered the spotlight after walking for Alexander Wang, and this season, she appeared in 50 shows, including Balenciaga and Tommy Hilfiger. Since opening or closing a show is a highly-coveted opportunity that often defines a model’s success, it is clear that this American model is one of the most accomplished in recent history. By the end of all four fashion weeks, Moody opened five shows and closed eight.
In 2013, Ines Rau was the first transgender model to appear nude in Playboy. The French-born model underwent her transition at the age of 16, and has made modeling history ever since she appeared in the adult magazine’s Art Issue, representing E for Evolution. Marilyn Agency scouted her after seeing the spread, and she walked in the Nicole Miller show this season.
Amilna Estevão At only 17 years old, Amilna Estevão already has a resume that some models can only dream of. The Angolan model made her Fashion Week debut last season at Alexander Wang, and became one of the most-hired models this season. She walked in 35 shows in total, appearing at Missoni, J.W. Anderson and Givenchy.
Hyun Ji Shin Hyun Ji Shin is pretty new to the Fashion Week scene, but she proved herself in several top shows, included Miu Miu, Simone Rocha and Rodarte. Shin was the winner of Korea’s Next Top Model before she signed to IMG, researched the fashion industry and dived into it. After working with the Australian market and landing international editions of W and Vogue, she was more than ready to tackle New York Fashion Week and the various runways of designers that she had only recently begun to admire. Email Natalia Barr at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Study spots for when you’re sick of Bobst By TAYLOR NICOLE ROGERS Contributing Writer At NYU, there are a few things you can be sure of when midterm season rolls around: lines at Starbucks will grow longer, and Bobst will be jam-packed with students trying to squeeze in caffeinated study sessions. Although Bobst is undeniably the most well known place to study on campus, it isn’t the only option.
Washington Square Park Washington Square Park is another one of the more popular study spots among NYU students. CAS freshman Sinduja Sriskanda often goes to the park when she tires of the library. “It’s fun to look up while you’re studying and see everyone doing their own thing,” Sriskanda said.
“Whenever I study in the park, there are always cute little kids running around and musicians playing. It eases your work.”
Housing Works Bookstore Cafe Those who find Washington Square Park too busy to focus on homework but still like a bit of background noise should check out Housing Works Bookstore Cafe at 126 Crosby St. In addition to being a non-profit that serves homeless and low-income New Yorkers who have been affected by HIV/AIDS, the intimate bookstore combines old world charm with modern conveniences such as free Wi-Fi and excellent lattes.
Coffee Foundry The hustle and bustle of some
public places is not the right study environment for everyone. Like many students, Steinhardt senior Jessica Grant prefers to study in a quieter environment. Coffee Foundry on West Fourth Street is her go-to study spot. “Coffee Foundry is my favorite place to study because it makes you feel as if you are part of a bigger community,” Grant said. “There are a lot of other people around you working as well so there is an unspoken camaraderie. Being there motivates me and I’m more likely to stay studying for longer when I go somewhere off campus.”
Tisch Hall Studying in other NYU’s academic buildings besides Bobst can be refreshing as well, as
Stern freshman Jill Xu discovered. Xu scoped out the best places to study in Stern’s Tisch Hall while preparing for her midterms last week. “I really like to go into Stern and choose a random classroom,” Xu said. “We call it ‘claiming the classroom.’ It’s private, quiet and the ambiance in Stern is really nice for studying. In the library you only have a certain amount of space, but in Stern you can spread out, which makes things a lot easier.” Xu also recommends the top floor of the MBA building of Tisch Hall for students who like to study with a view. “It has an amazing night view of the Empire State Building and there are tables and chairs where you can sit down to study,” Xu said.
School of Law: John Sexton Student Forum Located on the second floor of Furman Hall, this study lounge is a gem that’s conveniently located if you aren’t too keen on leaving campus. The lounge is filled with comfy sofas, booths and those classic green colored lamps that just scream law school. Lounges and classrooms in Kimmel and Silver might already be claimed, but NYU Law buildings are worthy alternative. “No matter where or how you like to study, it is important to find a place that works for you,” Sriskanda said. “The library has a studious environment that some people like, but going somewhere else makes my homework feel less stressful.” Email Taylor Nicole Rogers at features@nyunews.com.
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DINING
EDITED BY KENDALL LEVISON DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Questions bubble up in ‘Soda Politics’ By LINGYI HOU Staff Writer
You might want to put down your drink while reading “Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning)” by Marion Nestle, a Food Studies professor in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Published on Thursday, “Soda Politics” is the first book to focus on the history, politics and health impacts of soda. It tells the story of how we created our current food system, what its problems are and what we can do to change things. “I want everyone who reads the book to turn into a food advocate and start advocating for a healthier and more sustainable food system,” Nestle said. “Soda sales have been falling for about 10 years, even though the giant corporations spent billions of dollars marketing it.” In the book, Nestle recounts soda companies’ extensive marketing and political efforts to convince people to drink their products. “The soda industry has followed the tobacco industry’s playbook,” Nestle said. “First, you discredit the science; then you work behind the scene to make sure that government
doesn’t do anything. You fund community organizations so they won’t criticize you. And you deflect attentions from the damage that soda is doing by talking about physical activity and hydration.” During her research, Nestle found that the biggest consumers of sodas are young black and Hispanic men between the ages of 18 and 30. They also tend to live in low-income neighborhoods. “These are target markets of much soda advertising,” Nestle said. “For example, the soda companies use sports figures, often minorities sports figures, to advertise their products and attract those people from minority groups.” Though Nestle didn’t start writing “Soda Politics” until three years ago, she’s been monitoring the problem of soda consumption since the early 1990s. After attending a conference about cigarettes and diet, she was shocked by how cigarette industry marketed to children. Nestle then wanted to know what similar research about the soda industry would reveal. Nestle argues that soda introduces too much sugar into a person’s metabolism at one time. Since the sugar in soda is already dissolved, your
STAFF PHOTO BY JEFFERY WU
“Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning)” by Marion Nestle is the first book to focus on the history, politics and health impacts of soda. body processes it even faster than sugars in solid foods. “The message is not to stop drinking soda altogether, the message
Groceries without leaving your dorm By RACHEL RIVERS Contributing Writer
Classes. Homework. Club meetings. Study groups. Parties. Movies. Date nights. The life of a college student is busy, especially in New York City, so it’s no surprise that shopping for groceries isn’t always a top priority. Luckily, there is now another option: online grocery shopping. According to Business Insider, the alternative grocery industry is currently growing at more than six and a half times the rate of the traditional grocery industry. In today’s market, a number of companies offer online grocery services; students able to pick the one that suits their preferences. Fresh Direct is a great option for those looking for a large selection of local and organic products. The company supplies its own groceries and meals, which helps reduce waste and maintain the quality and freshness of its products. With a minimum order of $30, shoppers pay a
STAFF PHOTO BY HARK KANWAL
Many grocery stores, such as Westside Market, now offer delivery services. $5.99 delivery fee. Other services, such as Amazon Fresh and Boxed, offer cheaper bulk pricing on many items. For savings on household items and nonperishable foods, these companies are favorable choices. Amazon delivers for $7.99, while Boxed provides free delivery for standard orders over $50 and express orders over $65. “I like to shop for groceries online so I don’t have to try to carry everything I buy back from the store by myself,” said Janesa Chan, a CAS freshman. “It’s really convenient to have everything delivered from Amazon Fresh.” For those who prefer items from specific store chains such as Costco or Whole Foods, Instacart and Google Express are possible solutions. With delivery
fees of $3.99 and $4.99, respectively, shoppers can purchase items and receive their ordered products within the same day or the next day, depending on the time of the order. Although online grocery shopping makes it easier to buy food, some students are also interested in learning how to more easily cook the foods they purchase. This is where the new company called Blue Apron comes in. Launched in 2012, the company delivers pre-portioned ingredients along with corresponding recipes. This allows consumers to easily cook fresh and different meals for themselves. Two-person plans start at $9.99 per meal per person. Email Rachel Rivers at dining@nyunews.com.
is drinking much less if you drink them a lot,” Nestle said. “Because the amount of sugar in sodas is enormous and most people don’t realize
how much sugar there is.” Email Lingyi Hou at dining@nyunews.com.
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
international experience By Alanna Bayarin Touted as a global network university, NYU prides itself on its international presence. The university has campuses all over the world available to both NYU and non-NYU students. While domestic students and international students seamlessly blend together on campus, the latter must take a slightly more complicated path. NYU spokesperson John Beckman said NYU’s international popularity is strong, despite the challenges applicants from abroad face, because of the university’s location. “Our campuses in Shanghai and Abu Dhabi are very diverse geographically — more so even than our New York campus,” Beckman said. “But New York City is arguably the most international of cities, and that makes our campus here appealing to international students and families.” Getting to the city, however, requires taking extra steps beyond filling out the Common App. In addition to applying for a visa, many students must pay additional Student and Exchange Visitor Program Fees, along with taking English proficiency exams. NYU requires that international students whose high schools did not teach in English take a proficiency test, often the Test of English as a Foreign Language. According to NYU’s admissions website, if a student is “not deemed to be of a sufficiently high level to register for academic study,” then they must take extra non-credit English classes. LS sophomore Julia Abreu, from Sao Paulo, Brazil, described the struggles of being an international student attending school in the United States. “As an international student, we have extra steps to show that we speak the English language fluently, that we can pay for college, we need to apply for student visas and we seldom get financial aid,” Abreu said. “Sometimes I do feel like I miss home more because not only is it further for me to go visit, but also more expensive.” Tuition for domestic and international students is the same, yet additional expenses for international students can arise from exchange rates and higher travel costs. Although international students are ineligible for federal financial packages, they can receive institutional aid from the university. As with domestic students, they can only apply for financial aid in their freshman year. Beyond logistical difficulties, students who live abroad and want to attend a U.S. university often must fulfill the academic requirements of both countries. CAS sophomore Shiqin Cao, who went to the French School of Shanghai and has lived in France and China, said her final year of high school was particularly difficult because she had to balance both French and American
standardized tests.“It was definitely harder for us international students because we have to learn about the SAT format testing through a thirdparty entity,” Cao said. “We have our own exams to take at the same time, in my case it was the French baccalaureate.” Some students, however, attend schools whose curricula is based on U.S. formats. Steinhardt sophomore Julius Utama grew up in Jakarta, Indonesia, and said the transition to NYU was less difficult for him because he went a U.S. Embassy school.
By Jonathan Keshishoglou
While the term “Greek Life” often refers to fraternities or sororities, there are entities on campus that bring together students with ties to Greece’s history and culture. The NYU Hellenic Heritage Association is the focal point of these efforts. While the HHA is open to all students, it mostly draws Greeks and Greek-Americans. Tisch junior Eugenia Efstathiou said while Greek and Greek-American students comprise the bulk of the club’s membership, the HHA still attracts other students who want to learn more about Greek culture. “We have had members that have no relation to
Greece but enjoy Greek food or have been to Greece and have enjoyed the country’s culture,” Efstathiou said.
saloniki, Greece, the HHA was a connection to back home.
On the verge of its 35th anniversary, the HHA’s goals are to bring students together through a Greek presence on campus and take advantage of New York’s broader Greek side. They frequently host events, from food and film events to fundraisers for the Hellenic Relief Foundation, which provides support to those in the Greek economic crisis. Beyond this, they hold meetings every two weeks.
“I can be in touch with Greek culture and activities that I could not get in touch with in the United States, if not for the Greek club,” Maniadis said.
For Tisch senior George Maniadis, HHA co-president and native of Thes-
“I did both the AP and IB curriculum, and so applying through the Common App wasn’t much of a challenge,” Utama said. “I also speak fluent English, which I think definitely made the process easier.” International students often find that they must adjust to a different academic environments. For Stern sophomore Jennifer Barba, who is from Guadalajara, Mexico, the application process for colleges in the United States was much more involved than for colleges in her home country. “The process of applying to universities in Mexico is much different than the United States because it’s a lot less intense and competitive,” Barba said. These factors all create a tangled web of requirements, forms and work — yet Beckman said that year after year NYU’s international student population has grown to record sizes, with 19 percent of this year’s freshman class coming from abroad. According to NYU’s website, over 11,500 international students were enrolled in 2014, compared to under 5,000 in 2000. The growing numbers are undoubtedly connected to the unique opportunities that stem from attending NYU and living in New York. Abreu said NYU has opened access to many resources she wouldn’t have in Brazil. “NYU offers more opportunities to branch out academically and to find interesting work,” Abreu said. “There is just more involvement in American universities and much better opportunities.” But even with the opportunities that NYU has to offer, students are affected by the cultural shift of coming to a new country. Utama said NYU and New York City in general have both played a large role in creating a cultural identity for himself — a sentiment he feels many international students can relate to. “I had to reflect on many things that involved my own home culture, and whether or not I can forfeit part of it — be it values, traditions, habits, mannerisms, sayings — to adopt an American culture,” Utama said. “While I think that every student experiences this while in college, it is definitely more salient for international students.”
By Maddie Pazzani
By Emily Bell When CAS senior Stephanie Queiroz came to NYU, the Brazilian Society at NYU’s table at Club Fest caught her eye. After finding out the society was inactive the next semester, she and six others decided to reinvigorate the club to help foster a Brazilian community at NYU. “We were like okay, well this is our time to take initiative and bring it back, so that’s what we did,” Queiroz, now co-president, said. The students formed a board, have been growing the society and planning events ever since. Queiroz currently leads the society with co-president and CAS senior Isabela Fonseca. Recently, they held a conference on the Brazilian entertainment and media industries on Oct. 10. Queiroz said about 150 people attended, including individuals not affiliated with NYU. In addition to the conference and a panel discussion with Carlos Trostli and Claudio Silva last March, which Queiroz said were efforts to diversify the types of events they held, the society holds a range of events including viewing parties to support Brazilian soccer, dinners and general meetings. Queiroz said the majority of members of the society are international students from Brazil, though there are Brazilian-Americans and a few people with no connection
Brazillian Society
to Brazil. Although some native Brazilians know each other from home, Queiroz said the society is a place to meet new people and to enjoy aspects of Brazilian culture. “I’m so glad that I found these people and found other people that were also interested in bringing back this community at school and on campus and to share it with other people because I think it’s important,” Queiroz said. “I would love for other people to be able to experience or catch glimpses of what we’re about and what our culture is.”
Members of the African Students Union come from countries like Nigeria, United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda and the United States. However, CAS sophomore and ASU president Chioma Nwama said there are nevertheless common bonds between them that create a solid community. “The shared culture acts as a platform for members of the NYU community to relate to each other on a level that they may not normally be able to relate to their classmates or their roommates,” Nwana said. “It’s always nice to have people that understand you.” About once a month, the group hosts fashion shows, cultural nights, charity events or pre-professional mixers. Last fall during the Ebola crisis, the group hosted a Kick Out Ebola fundraiser to help areas affected by the outbreak. When discussions turn to African economics, stereotypes or cultural appropriation, Nwana said the group’s mix of international and American students provides for a range of perspectives, adding that living in New York City provides an environment where she can express her culture comfortably. “It seems that people here are much more vocal about their heritage and less hesitant to share it with others, which allows me to feel the same way about mine,” Nwama said. STAFF PHOTO BY HON-LUM CHEUNG-CENG
culture shock: The
Hellenic Heritage Assocation
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SHULMAN
Visas, testing,
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African Students Union
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
International Clubs at NYU
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South Slavic Club
By Maddie Pazzani
Turkish Students Assocation By Kavish Harjai
Chinese Mei Society
The Turkish Student Association at NYU tries to advance its main goals no matter the type of events it holds, said vice president and CAS junior Suheyla Cavdar. “Our main goals and missions are to promote the Turkish culture, provide a supportive community for Turkish students at NYU, and build bridges of understanding between cultures,” Cavdar said. The club strives to be open to everyone, welcoming not only Turkish and Turkish-American students, but also non-Turks and lovers of Turkish culture. To maintain its mission, the club hosts various social and networking events. The Turkish Student Association collaborates with other clubs whose cultures sometimes overlap. “We celebrated Nowruz with the Afghan Students Association and Pakistani Students Association,” Cavdar said. “We also took part in the Asian Heritage Month’s Spring Festival.” At the group’s social events, attendees are greeted with Turkish drinks and food that help enrich their cultural experience. The Turkish Student Association tries to support students who are originally from Turkey, giving them an open forum where they can discuss problems they are facing and how to overcome them. Other than social events, the club hosts opportunities for students to network with Turkish professionals. During the 2015 spring semester, the organization hosted an event with accomplished Turkish-Americans such as NYU professor Selcuk Sirin, Huffington Post journalist Arzu Kaya Uranli, attorney Zafer Akin and environmentalist and entrepreneur Leyla Acaroglu. The next networking event will take place in March and will include experts on Turkey and Turkish politics, specifically those who focus on women’s issues.
By Bryna Shuman The Pakistani Student Association is one of the largest organizations on campus, with approximately 1,000 student members. While some members are international students from Pakistan and others are those with a Pakistani heritage, they all share the common goal of supporting and promoting awareness of Pakistani culture at NYU. LS sophomore and PSA IT director Resham Elahi said the
best part of the PSA is its accessibility for Pakistani students. “For a lot of the international members, the PSA is a home away from home,” Elahi said. “For others, it’s a way to connect to their roots in a way they haven’t been able to do so before.” The PSA tries to hold at least one event for members per month. One of the most popular events is the annual Spring Hungama, or “celebration.” In conjunction with the Colum-
PHOTO BY JUSTIN HALIM
By Emily Bell As Halloween approaches, the Chinese Mei Society is getting into the holiday’s spirit with CMS Presents: Spooky Foods. The event lets students try traditional Chinese foods that might seem strange to American sensibilities, from chicken feet to fried grasshoppers. CMS is best known for its food events, but when CMS was founded in 1988, it was an a cappella group. While there’s no singing in CMS today, the organization hosts multiple events throughout the year designed to build community and spread Chinese culture, said president and Stern senior Michael Dong. “Mei in Chinese refers to a plum blossom,” Dong said. “That’s an ideology that we still embody. Like the plum blossom, Chinese culture we hope will continue to bloom.” Members are a mix of international students from China, Chinese-Americans and students interested in Chinese culture. Co-president and Stern senior Jennifer Ho said even though CMS is labeled as a cultural club, they want to expand the community as much as possible, regardless of ethnicity. CMS is also known for its annual spring charity event, Yuan. Each year, the money raised goes to charities like the China Care Foundation. The event features a fashion show and performers. CMS senior advisor and Steinhardt senior Emily Liu said Yuan is her favorite CMS event. “I actually got to emcee for Yuan last semester and I think it was just a really fun experience getting the crowd riled up and everything and just watching all the performances and people just being very happy, makes me happy,” Liu said. bia University PSA, NYU PSA members choose a groom while Columbia members vote on a bride to participate in a traditional, though fake, Pakistani wedding. The PSA e-board is also working on planning new events for PSA members to enjoy this year, including inter-school cricket matches with Columbia and an event with NYU’s Indian Cultural Exchange where members can discuss similarities and differences between the two cultures.
New York City’s diversity is a crucial part of connecting to home for the international students in the South Slavic Club, whose 15 core members have heritage tracing to Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Macedonia and Albania. Vice President and CAS senior Anthony Filipovic was one of the group’s founding members. Though he knew other students from his home country of Croatia, he said he wanted to create a community where people from Slavic countries, especially those who did not know any other Slavs, could feel at home. “My Croatian friends and I wanted to create a space for students that come from a similar background, that share the desire of bringing a little bit of their home culture with them to NYU,” Filipovic said. The organization holds events like movie screenings, brunches and guest lectures with a connection to the club, including one about Hegel by a Slovenian researcher, to keep in touch with their heritage. Members of the group can also make trips to Euro Market in Astoria, Queens, and the restaurant Balkanika in Hell’s Kitchen, to get their fill of food from home. “Obviously New York — Queens even more so — is an extremely diverse place,” Filipovic said. “There are known locales in Queens where I can find products from my home country, so I may not feel as homesick as if these resources were not available.”
Pakistani Student Association
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
DIVESTMENT
NYU should divest from private prisons By SHIVA DARSHAN Staff Writer Last June, Columbia University became the first university to fully divest from private prisons. Divestment is a powerful means by which institutions can stand as moral voice against immoral investment practices, and has repeatedly been a tool with which individuals and organizations can express their objections to everything from Apartheid to genocide. NYU needs to follow Columbia’s lead and divest from private prisons. By holding investments in both private prison companies such as Corrections Corporation of America and prison service companies
such as Aramark, NYU is complicit in their malfeasance. Corizon and Aramark have a litany of offenses and malpractice. Aramark, which provides food for prisons and has a presence here on campus, has repeatedly been caught for serving maggot-infested food as well as being fined for a “thousands of incidents” in its kitchens. Corizon, a prison healthcare provider, has been sued over 660 times in five years for malpractice. These incidents arise out of culture in private prison services that values cost savings over people. Worse than these service companies are the private prisons themselves, who use every opportunity to save money, almost always to the detriment of the people they hold. A federal judge
in Southern Mississippi, Judge Carleton Reeves, cited Walnut Grove, one of Geo Group’s youth private prison facilities, for allowing a “cesspool of unconstitutional and inhuman acts and conditions to germinate.” Private prison companies all share a willingness to degrade and dehumanize some of the most vulnerable members of our society simply to improve their bottom line, and NYU should not
be a part of it. Worse still, there is little evidence that these saving measures are benefiting anyone but these private prison companies and their shareholders. Proponents and politicians have couched the rise in the number of private prisons following logic that they save taxpayers money, but there is little evidence that thisis the reality. Private prisons often pick and choose the cheapest ways to hold inmates. The consequent rise in cost of state prisons supersedes the savings from privatization. More disturbingly, private prisons profit from the high recidivism rate in American prisons. In leaked investor pitches, CCA advertised high recidivism rate among people held
in their facilities. While conversations at NYU surrounding divestment have mostly centered on the contentious issue of fossil fuels, this is not the only industry where abuses occur. As a university that claims to be in and of the city and of benefit to the wider community, it is NYU’s moral imperative not to be part of abuses, whether they affect the environment or prisoners. The NYU administration must say no to profiting off others’ suffering and we must affirm that everyone, even people incarcerated, are deserving of basic tenets of human dignity. Email Shiva Darshan at opinion@nyunews.com
CIVIL RIGHTS
Court must reverse civil rights decision By ELIZABETH MOORE Deputy Opinion Editor A federal appeals court moved to reinstate a civil rights case on Tuesday that brought into question the surveillance of the Muslim community by the New York Police Department’s now-defunct Demographics Unit following 9/11. Hassan v. City of New York was brought on behalf of the New Jersey Muslims who were subject to an invasion of privacy without proof of wrongdoing, which they claimed was based on their faith and caused damage to their businesses and careers. Instead of holding the NYPD responsible for its violation of these citizens’ rights, Judge
William J. Martini dismissed the case last year for lack of standing and failure to state a claim. The reinstatement of this case is a step in the right direction, and one that is necessary if we are to believe that the law and its enforcers are bound to the Constitution and the rights it enshrines. In his dismissal of the original case, Judge Martini ruled that there was no plausible case for discrimination. Additionally, he ruled that the police department was not responsible for the damages, nor was it discriminatory in its practices. In the same decision he attributed the damages claimed by the plaintiffs instead to the Associated Press.
By making the police surveillance publicly known through their reporting, he claimed, they were the players responsible for the resulting harm to the targeted Muslims. Not only did this judge weaken the Constitutional rights afforded to all U.S. citizens regardless of race or religion, but he also managed to dismiss watchdog journalists as troublesome whistleblowers in the
same breath. Our government has similarly suspended the civil rights of certain groups of citizens in the name of national security throughout history. In its unanimous revival of the Hassan case, the appellate court made reference to the surveillance of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Judge Thomas L. Ambro followed these examples with the query, “We are left to wonder why we cannot see with foresight what we see so clearly with hindsight.” These examples are widely regarded as shameful blots on our country’s history and
through this case’s revival the court is faced with an opportunity to avoid allowing another such instance to go unchecked. While it is disappointing that this violation of civil rights was not addressed accordingly in the court of first instance, we can now look to the district court to redress the infringement on those protections. The NYPD has been punished in the past for the use of racial profiling involved in its stopand-frisk initiative and should face similar consequences for subjecting the Muslim community to surveillance without cause for suspicion. Email Elizabeth Moore at opinion@nyunews.com
FILM
Spielberg movies too white to be truly groundbreaking By NISHAD MORE Staff Writer “Bridge of Spies,” Steven Spielberg’s latest movie to hit cinemas, has received widespread hype and rave reviews. Allow me to go against the grain — this film fell flat on its face, and here’s why; I watched the film, set during the Cold War and following the story of a lawyer in 1960s New York City, and didn’t see a single person of color. I’m not only talking about lead actors — the background actors and extras were all white, every single one of them. I was appalled.
There is no question that New York City, particularly Brooklyn, in the 1950s and 60s was extremely diverse. I reluctantly buy that prominent lawyers, politicians and CIA agents in the film, and of course post-World War II Germans, were white. That’s a historical generalization, but an understandable artistic choice. What I don’t buy is that there were no people of color on the streets, in the subways and in the countless public scenes in the movie. In any piece, every minute detail you present to an audience is a reflection of your artistic and political choices, conscious or otherwise. As a film’s direc-
tor, you are responsible and accountable for everything seen on-screen, especially those people you choose to put in the film and leave out. The complete absence of color on screen is unacceptable, and shows a lack of detail and accuracy. These are all supposedly the most basic tenets of any artist. I went back and noticed that many films di-
rected by Spielberg, “Jurassic Park,” “Jaws,” the Indiana Jones movies, the Back to the Future movies and “Catch Me If You Can,” to name a few, are disproportionately white. I’m no filmmaker — let alone an Academy Award-winning director — and I might have missed one black guy in the corner of one of the frames in the film, but from what I saw, Spielberg is guilty of serious underrepresentation of people of color. The problem here is not only one of historical accuracy, but one of equal representation. Having access to significant media representation is necessary for minorities to be seen,
especially in places where they realistically should be. It’s 2015, and not only is it now okay to put diversity on screen, but it is now more necessary than ever before. There is no lack of actors of color in the industry, and in “Bridge of Spies,” there certainly was no lack of a place for them. And if it is a filmmaker’s job to tell a story truthfully, faithfully and realistically — and provide employment to actors of all races where they can — then the question emerges whether Spielberg is all that groundbreaking of a director. Email Nishad More at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
ENTERTAINMENT
STAFF EDITORIAL
Tischies should stand out to succeed in TV By TEGAN JOSEPH MOSUGU Staff Writer NYU Tisch students who dream of being the next Oprah or Dr. Phil might just be in luck. As more and more TV talk shows are getting cancelled, executives and producers are looking for the next big thing. Ever since Oprah ended her 25-year run, more and more talk shows have been struggling to retain viewers. Various big names including celebrities such as Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper and Queen Latifah have attempted trial runs of talk shows, but their efforts haven’t gotten off the ground. The Kardashian-Jenner clan debuted a celebrity-themed show “Kris,” but not even their fame could save it from flopping. On the other hand, the likes of Steve Harvey and Wendy Williams are showing some staying powers thanks to their mass appeal. The question then becomes why do some of these these shows fail, even in the midst of big-name guests and huge production support. Students in NYU Tisch, many of whom have their sights set on be-
ing talk show hosts down the line, would do well to crack the code of what makes a successful host. The problem lies in the fact that these daytime television programs lack innovation. There comes a time when it becomes a bit monotonous for these shows to talk about love or celebrity gossip for multiple seasons with little diversity of content. The only option left to them in that case is to be innovative in their delivery. Take, for example, former supermodel Tyra Banks, who recently debuted a new lifestyle show titled “FabLife,” which has had a steady decline in ratings since its debut. The show features various segments including do-it-yourself projects, fashion, business and interior design projects. Despite Banks’ appeal to viewers, the show still failed be-
cause lifestyle shows rely on the assumption that people are willing to tune in to content focused on bettering their lives. Sometimes, this just isn’t sustainable. At this stage, the question becomes discovering what works and what doesn’t in TV and radio. Viewers like to be educated but they also like to be taken away from their daily lives. These shows succeed because they provide viewers with something they don’t already have, or get elsewhere. Those who want to see their name in lights have their work cut out for them, but being here is a good start. NYU Tisch is a huge name in the entertainment industry, and the number one destination for anyone who wants to pursue a career in acting or film and TV production. Whether you want to be a producer or host your own TV show, an NYU education can be a big stepping stone. But first, you must find out what sets you apart from the pack, and discover why people would need your content. Email Tegan Joseph Mosugu at opinion@nyunews.com.
SPORTS
Sports traditions create dangerous expectations By EMILY FONG Contributing Writer New York Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada fractured his leg last week during a playoff game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The second baseman for the Dodgers, Chase Utley, caused the injury by sliding hard into Tejada to break up the play. As Tejada lay on the field, waiting to be carted off the basepath, a chorus of disgruntled pundits and commentators jumped in. While many called for rule changes to protect the fielder from such violent attacks on other players, there were still those who insisted that such acts were just part of the game. Here lies the problem: the idea that dangerous tactics like Utley’s slide are simply examples of classic “hard-nosed” baseball. Holding by this attitude, officials are hamstrung to a reactive approach to rule-setting, only changing the rules once an incident gets out of hand. Between violence on the field and toxicity in the locker room, sports culture needs a major overhaul if it will ever be able to proactively address the mental and physical health of its players.
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We see that a double standard exists even in the major leagues; rules are rarely changed unless the stakes are high for the sport itself, such as when a star player is injured. Those who defended Utley’s actions all told a similar tale; this is just how the game has always been played. However, regardless of what anyone thinks of this incident, it is the universality of the trend that is the most troubling. This line of thinking has far-reaching repercussions for both the players and the game of baseball itself. Sports culture, which can be an enriching experience for many, can also create a minefield of emotional and physical issues for those participating. A combination of tradition, social pressure and competition can lead to any number of issues. Hazing, for exam-
ple, is prevalent in many major sports in high school, college and up to the professional level despite being illegal in 44 states. Additionally, players can often feel pressure to maintain their health in order to avoid losing playing time or to appear weak in front of teammates. These situations are nearly always avoidable. Considering the possible harm caused by adhering to these absurd and outdated customs, it begs the question of how long our society will allow this to continue. With each athlete’s injury, student or professional, it becomes ever clearer that brushing aside the issue with a half-hearted “that’s just the way it is” statement is insufficient. American sports culture has long been a hotbed for controversy, much of which seems unintentionally selfimposed. Until fans and officials alike are able to come together and seriously reflect on the dark sides of their beloved sports, this insanity will persist. Email Emily Fong at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYU must deliver on GSOC promises
WSN reported on the Graduate Student Organizing Committee’s work-in last Thursday in Bobst Library, where GSOC protested NYU’s delay in paying some student workers. GSOC previously claimed that NYU hasn’t paid some students in months and that the administration failed to fully implement the contract signed in March. It is unclear why NYU is unable to follow up with or resolve the numerous cases of pay disputes that GSOC has raised. Student employee pay details should be part of the university’s operating costs, and it is unacceptable for NYU to drag its heels in this way. Many students rely on this money to meet their daily expenses, and it should not take the threat of strikes for NYU to honor its obligation. NYU’s response has been to shrug its shoulders by claiming that bureaucracy is hard. In an email sent by Executive Vice President of Finance and Information Technology Martin Dorph to some NYU student employees, pay issues were attributed to incomplete paperwork or incorrect documentation rather than the administration’s negligence. Asking graduate students to reach out to address their grievances — as if they had not done so already — only served as a conniving means of shifting blame to the victims of the university’s incompetence. It is ultimately the university’s responsibility as the employer to uphold its promises to employees. This is hardly the first time NYU has been less than forthcoming about financial matters, especially regarding graduate students. Just last spring, the University narrowly avoided a graduate student strike following tense negotiations. The 1831 Fund from the same semester implored the graduating class to donate to NYU’s scholarship fund, ignoring the pressing burden of finding a job and student debt. In an especially tone deaf move, employees were also asked to donate to the Fund. The administration’s approach to compensating its students is, simply put, a mess. No wonder Dorph said bureaucracy was holding back the paychecks — with so many harebrained schemes and reckless decisions flying around the office, a few critical paychecks are bound to be lost here or there. NYU needs to realize that it has an obligation to its student workers who, more often than not, need the paychecks to survive. Paying students on time not only translates to happier and more productive workers, but it also prevents potential disasters such as graduate student strikes from ever coming to a boil. For an institution of NYU’s caliber, there should be no excuse for this kind of behavior. Instead of looking at student workers as liabilities, the university must value them as necessary assets contributing to the institution’s greater good.
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.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Women’s golf ends season strong By MICHAEL THOMPSON and BOBBY WAGNER Sports Desk
In their final competition of the fall season, the NYU women’s golf team built some serious momentum for their offseason and subsequent return in March by finishing second of nine teams at the Ann S. Batchelder Invitational at Nehoiden golf club in Wellesley, MA this weekend. The Violets finished 20 shots behind Williams College, the winner of the competition. Sophomore Angela Yang highlighted the day for the team, as she finished second among all competitors with a 151 stroke overall score. Sophomore Alyssa Poentis, consistently one of NYU’s top finishers, was six strokes behind Yang, earning her seventh place overall. Despite having to place academics above athletics recently, Poentis was pleased with her performance. “I thought I played alright,” Poentis said. “I can’t really expect to play well since I barely go to practices due to classes. Even though the course was only 9 holes, I thought the course and its conditions was hard. Even
FILE PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
NYU loses to University of Massachusetts-Amherst over the the weekend, breaking the four-game win streak. VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
Sophomore Angela Yang lead the team, finishing second in the competition. though it was sunny, it was freezing, so that didn’t help. The greens were tricky and we really had to play smart and think about the shots carefully.” A pair of freshmen — Jenni Bluetling and Catherina Li — were the Violets’ next highest finishers, coming in at 10th and 11th by shooting a 160 and 161, respectively. Though the Violets never placed lower than second in the fall season, they still believe their best is yet to come in the spring. “Our fall season went pretty well,” Li said. “But I know none of us performed even close to our actual potential. On the bright side we’re all now really starting to bond as a traveling team, so hopefully it’ll show in our scores in the spring.” Sophomore standout Kristin Lee — one of NYU’s top stars who earlier this year set the NYU women’s record for best two-round score — struggled
with this weekend’s course. She shot a 167, which placed her in the middle of the pack at 19th, but she wasn’t happy with her turnout this weekend and will be looking to refocus in the short offseason before the squad returns in the spring. “I definitely didn’t want to finish the season shooting my career worst but it was just not my tournament,” Lee said. “This season, our team had a lot of trouble around the greens so if we work on that over the offseason, I think we’ll be able to win more tournaments.” The Violets certainly have ample time to work out the kinks in their individual skill sets, as they don’t return to the greens competitively until March 12, where they will compete in the UAA Championships at Emory University. Email Michael Thompson and Bobby Wagner at sports@nyunews.com.
Women go 1-3 at round robin By KYLE RYAN Contributing Writer
In their second University Athletic Association round robin of the year, the women’s volleyball team struggled but improved on their last outing, picking up one win to go with three losses. The team showed resilience after losing the first three and came back to win their last game against Brandeis University on Sunday. On Saturday the Violets (11-13) were swept in straight sets by both Case Western University (19-4) and Carnegie Mellon University (20-4). Freshman outside hitter Shelby King led the way in game one with 11 kills, while senior captain Nicole Frias topped the stat line in game two with eight kills. The Violets started off day two of the UAA Round Robin in Cleveland, Ohio with a match against Emory University (25-2). They fought hard, but suffered a 3-0 sweep (25-13, 2521, 25-15) by the Eagles. Instead of accepting defeat, NYU battled back to glory later in the day. The Violets’ second match was
a 3-1 victory (25-27, 25-17, 25-11, 2520) over Brandeis University (3-19). The Judges were unable to contain freshman outside hitter Shelby King, who totaled 17 kills and 11 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Stephanie Mao, sophomore libero Brooke Tannahill and senior middle blocker Nicole Frias helped her out with great matches. Mao contributed a career-best 18 digs, Tannahill finished with three aces and Frias totalled 10 kills and 4.5 blocks for the match. Sophomore Rayne Ellis spoke to how close the Violets get while seemingly being unable to close out matches. “We have some tough competi-
tion in our conference that we always compete against,” Ellis said. “But in crucial moments we let everything fall through our fingers and that’s why we can never pull out these crucial wins.” Coach Jolie Ward remained positive after the match, despite the team’s three losses. She’ll need the team to keep consistent focus and effort this Friday, Oct. 23 when her Violets take on the University of Scranton. The upcoming match, hosted by Rowan University, will take place at 7 p.m. in Glassboro, NJ. Email Kyle Ryan at sports@nyunews.com.
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The Violets dropped both matches on Saturday at Case Western Reserve.
Hockey suffers 1st loss, but quickly rebounds By RACHEL RUECKER Deputy Social Media Editor
The NYU hockey team failed to repeat a dramatic comeback effort against University of Massachusetts-Amherst last weekend, this time losing to them in a 6-2 contest in which the Violets fell behind early and could never fully recover. Junior defender Evan Ripley, a key cog in the Violets’ championship run last season, said that it was frustrating to lose to a team they had just beaten, but that it’s still early in the season and they have time to grow as a team. “It was a tough game to play,” Ripley said. “The loss was not the result we wanted but we are a young team and need to learn how to overcome adversity.” This season’s trend of scrappy playing surfaced early in this game, as both teams received offsetting roughing minors early on, resulting in four-onfour action. Shortly thereafter, sophomore forward Michael Conslato put the Violets on the board, giving them a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, it was shortlived, with UMass tying things up at 11:49. Just a minute later, UMass got the go-ahead goal to put the Violets down by one. The Violets showed early resiliency, tying things up once again thanks to the effort of freshman Hamilton Whyte and assists from freshmen Mason Gallegos and Gabe Regan. Though they handily outshot the Minutemen in the first period, they ended the frame down by one, and ended the game down by four as UMass netted four unanswered goals, winning 6-2, and breaking the four-game win streak they enjoyed to start the season. Junior forward Peter Jorgensen explained that the team was lacking where it normally excels — effort. “I don’t know if anyone was very proud of the way they played. You never want effort to be an issue, but that’s easy to fix,” Jorgensen said. “It’s early in the year so we’re not worried, no one’s pressing the panic button. We’re just trying to find
our identity as a team and keep getting better every day.” On Saturday, the Violets travelled to Poughkeepsie, NY, to face off against Marist College at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, where they showed that Friday’s loss was an anomaly. On a Marist hooking call, NYU started things off with a powerplay goal after Marist was down a man for hooking. Senior Denis O’Hara put the Violets up early on assists from Ripley and Conslato. They continued their dominance throughout the rest of the period, outshooting the Red Foxes 12-5. In the second period, things got interesting when holding calls against both teams and a cross-checking call against Marist created a 4-3 scenario. However, no one managed to convert on the play. Later in the period, Gallegos tallied NYU’s second goal of the night and senior Beau Lardner finished off the third. The scoring was far from over, as Ripley netted NYU’s fourth mid-way through the second, with assists from Conslato and O’Hara. Unfortunately, sophomore goaltender Alec Hardman couldn’t get the shutout as Marist got one past him at 11:06 of the second period. Hardman would, however, eventually get the win. A slew of penalties were called before the second period’s end. The third opened with 4-4 play, and chippy play remained consistent throughout. In a similar fashion to the second period, both teams picked up an alarming amount of penalty minutes. The game ended with the score line 5-1, as Whyte scored a pretty one with under a minute to go, solidly affirming that lack of effort was not going to be a problem two nights in a row. The Violets will be back at it Friday, Oct. 23 at the Ice Vault in Wayne, NJ to face off against rival William Paterson University. Email Rachel Ruecker at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
13
SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Soccer can’t break mid-season slump By ASHLEY ARNOLD and BOBBY WAGNER Sports Desk
It was a rough weekend for NYU soccer, as the men’s team continues to find themselves stuck in the rut that they have been in since the beginning of the season and the women’s team suffered their second and third losses consecutively after an eight-game winning streak. Now in what seems to be a midseason lull, both squads will have to refocus if they want to compete for a postseason spot. The women’s team has now fallen to 1-3 in the University Athletic Association play after starting their season at 9-1. On Friday, they lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Washington University of St. Louis. The Violets remained resilient while being outshot 19-10, but eventually conceded a goal on a rebound in the 61st minute. Junior goalkeeper Cassie Steinberg racked up seven saves in the losing effort. Senior forward Melissa Menta, who tore her ACL against Wash U. two years ago and broke her leg against them last year, wasn’t upset with the
team’s effort, but said that they just need to finish the chances they do create. “Wash U. is notoriously known as an aggressive team. I think we did well matching their intensity during the game,” Menta said. “Moving forward, we need to capitalize on our opportunities in front of the goal and put the game away early on.” Sophomore forward Jess Wong nearly tied the game in the last ten minutes, but was denied by Bears’ keeper Lizzy Crist, who punched Wong’s shot over the net. The ensuing corner amounted to nothing, and the Violets ended the game scoreless. “I think what we really lacked was the energy, excitement and desire to win,” Wong said. “We were both top ranked teams, but they wanted it more.” The Violets fared no better on Sunday, losing 2-1 to University of Chicago in double overtime. They were outshot again, this time 26-12, as Steinberg needed to stop 11 shots just to keep them in the game. But it was Chicago who came out on top, finally pushing through the Violet’s defense in the 104th minute.
The men’s team also continued their downward trend over the weekend, losing to both Wash U. and Chicago. After starting the season 2-1, the squad has now lost nine of their last 11 games, and has a 4-10 record to go along with the trouble of adjusting to a new coach. On Friday, they were outshot by an astounding 33-5 and lost 4-0 to Wash U. After a scoreless tie in the first half, the Violets conceded a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, and Wash U. never looked back. Junior keeper Lucas Doucette was forced to make nine saves in the effort. Even though the men’s team’s record has suffered this year, junior midfielder Bryan Walsh, who managed two of the Violets’ five shots, has faith in the team’s morale and ability to stay positive. “We have reached a difficult point in our season, where looking backwards at our losses or forwards towards the challenges to come can be daunting,” Walsh said. “But we are a strong group of guys. Taking it one day at a time and focusing on the small things, such as being on time and focused, is how
VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
After losses for both the men and women’s team, both squads will have to refocus if they want to compete for a postseason spot. we will make progress.” Their second game of the weekend wasn’t any better, as they were shutout again, 3-0, by Chicago. From an attacking standpoint, this game was a lot closer. But eight saves by the Chicago goalkeeper all but negated the 11 saves by Doucette, and the Violets took another loss, taking them to 0-4 for the season in UAA play. Like many of his teammates, freshman forward Niko Patrk remained optimistic, saying that a positive attitude was the only option for a team that would otherwise be morally dejected.
“We will improve. In circumstances like these, our only choice is to stay positive and keep our heads up,” Patrk said. “If we enter each game with an emotional and mental determination, we will win games.” The women will look to right the ship on Thursday, Oct. 22 when they travel to Patchogue, NY to face off against St. Joseph’s College, while the men’s team will need a boost in morale as they travel to Brooklyn College on Friday, Oct. 23. Email Ashley Arnold and Bobby Wagner at sports@nyunews.com.
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