WSN110911

NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper

washington square news Vol. 39, No. 36

wednesday, november 9, 2011

nyunews.com

Anti-gay graffitti targets NYU law student

A free glimpse of winter at Flurry

By Nitasha Maindiratta

By Cici Chen and Elizabeth Maguire When thousands of students hit the ice at Wollman Rink in Central Park last night for the fourth annual Flurry, they were greeted by a few changes this year — and unseasonably warm weather for ice skating.

For the first time in the program’s history, the Inter-Residence Hall Council held the four-hour event for no charge.

Last year, the event cost $5. A number of dorms did, however, purchase tickets for their residents and either sold them at a discounted rate or distributed them for free.

Students were also greeted

R FLURRY continued on PG. 3

ALEX JAGENDORF FOR WSN

Over 2,000 students attended the fourth annual Flurry last night despite high temperatures.

NoLita event to serve budget-savvy shoppers

By Kristina Bogos

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

FROCK will sell all merchandise at a 10 percent discount.

Bargain hunters and trendsetters alike can score exclusive deals and discounts from downtown boutiques during this weekend’s ShopNOLITA event.

Over 40 retailers and businesses — some offering discounts of up to 25 percent — will team up to create a unique shopping experience for both new and returning Nolita customers. Customers will also be entered into a raffle for purchases they make at participating locations and can win one of five ShopNOLITA gift bags worth $500.

“These smaller stores represent New York’s unique fashion aesthetic, and Nolita is one of the few neighborhoods where they take center stage,” Cristina Nunez, an employee at FROCK Vintage, said. “ShopNOLITA is a great opportunity for students to explore one of New York’s greatest shopping neighborhoods full of unique boutiques that you wouldn’t find anywhere else.”

Whether you want to sift through merchandise for that

R SHOPNOLITA continued on PG. 4

In a bias-motivated crime, small portion of the basement locker room wall in Furman Hall was vandalized with anti-LGBT graffiti last month.

The university did not explain the content of the graffiti, but after the incident, NYU Law dean Richard Revesz sent an email to the NYU Law School community expressing his outrage.

“Such hateful conduct is deplorable and has no place here,” he wrote in the email. “I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.”

Revesz said he contacted the student targeted by the graffiti to offer his support.

According to vice president of NYU Public Safety Jules Martin, the victim filed a police report,

R LAW continued on PG. 3

Country club adds touch of class to Union Square

By Brian Tam

Bowlmor Lanes brought a touch of class to concrete-laden Manhattan last week by opening up its first and only indoor miniature golf course.

Located at 110 University Pl., the building’s newly established Greenwich Village Country Club boasts activities, including bocce ball, shuffleboard and beer pong.

The new fifth-floor site, which also houses multiple recreational areas and a dance floor, aims to combine family-oriented suburban entertainment with the nightlife dance scene.

Bowlmor founder and CEO Tom Shannon said he envisioned a kitschy, retro-themed “urban oasis” that caters to clientele of all ages.

“I wanted to create a place that was affordable and less pretentious than the typical club scene,” he said. “It’s like a playground for adults to come and hang out.”

Upon stepping out of the elevator, customers are immediately struck by vintage fiberglass animals — restored from a 1960s amusement park in Rhode Island — scattered throughout the golf course.

The 16,000-square-foot site was

formerly home to Carnival, a circus-themed club equipped with miniature games, including a dunk tank. However, after a devastating snowstorm last year, the building’s dome roof collapsed and the facility suffered significant damages. The venue was forced to temporarily close down to undergo repairs.

But from what remained of the long-lost hangout comes a new and unique nightlife experience.

Astroturf flooring, faux stone facades and flannel wall coverings adorn the interior of the bars and lounges. The new transformation was reanimated by bar artist Lee T. Wheeler, who was responsible for similar projects at the H Street Country Club in southeast Washington, D.C. Steinhardt sophomore Jon Cziner appreciated the thrilling new atmosphere in the venue.

“I believe that this venue will be hugely successful,” he said. “The pattern schemes and designs creates a preppy and rock and roll eclectic style that exists nowhere else in the city.”

Brian Tam is a deputy city/state editor.

Email him at btam@nyunews.com.

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Washington Square news | wednesday, november 9, 2011 | nyunews.com

on the side

Compiled by the

WSN staff

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 1 Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief JAYWON ERIC CHOE Managing Editor

KELSEY DESIDERIO Deputy Managing Editor

RUSSELL STEINBERG Assistant Managing Editor

KIRSTEN CHANG

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The Impossible Project

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‘Take Shelter’

As evidenced by the plethora of photo apps like Instagram and Hipstamatic, Polaroid effects are all the rage right now. But you know what’s even cooler than every digitally manufactured photo put together? The real deal! Yes, actual Polaroid film can still be purchased thanks to The Impossible Project, a website that provides a multitude of film shades, how-tos and much more.

Come one, come all to the real Polaroid revival.

— Gabi Jensen

It is impossible not to be moved by this harrowing film.

Curtis, played by Michael Shannon, is a young father inundated with dreams of natural disasters and the apocalypse. Are they real or has Curtis just inherited schizophrenia, which runs in the family? Shannon and Jessica Chastain (as Curtis’ wife) give breathtaking performances in a film bound for Oscar recognition.

— Ana Luisa Crivorot

4.

‘Wetsuit’ Music Video by The Vaccines

5.

‘Doctor’s Advocate’ by Game

“We all got old at breakneck speed/ Slow it down, go easy on me.” Made entirely of photos generated by iPhone app Instagram, this music video is a living testament to the eternal summer of youth. Such a lovely song and a such an upbeat, happy video.

— Ritu Ghiya

Creative Director

5 3.

Thought Catalog

Thought Catalog’s collection of random thoughts and essays features pieces including “Uncomfortable Thoughts Inspired by My Roommate’s Rabbit” and “5 Social Faux Pas that Make Me Want to Crawl Into a Bottomless Hole.” While sometimes unabashedly hipster, these spot-on interpretations of the crazy social world we live in will never fail to make you laugh.

— Carrie Lowe

6.

Betty Draper

This album came out in the wake of Game’s high publicity split with Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and G-Unit, but it seems to have gotten lost among all the gossip. Pity, too, since it’s Game’s most consistent and most thrilling album to date.

Building off of the retro West Coast vibes of his first album, “The Documentary,” Game raps fire over monster G-funk beats. It’s the pinnacle of what Dr. Dre started, and he doesn’t even produce a track.

— Charles Mahoney

My favorite part about watching Mad Men, besides Joan Harris (formerly Holloway), has got to be Betty Draper.

She is devoid of empathy and enviously stylish, making her addictive to watch. I adore watching her smoke a cigarette and drink a glass of wine. Her finest moment had to be when she shot her neighbor’s birds while smoking a cigarette and wearing her housecoat, or when she slapped Helen Bishop in the grocery store. Beat that, Real Housewives of New York.

— Parker Bruce

TERKA CICELOVA senior staff

university JAEWON KANG city/state AMY ZHANG arts CHARLES MAHONEY features AMANDA RANDONE sports JAMES LANNING multimedia LAUREN STRAUSSER enterprise ARIELLE MILKMAN special issues FRANCIS POON brownstone JAKE FLANAGIN copy jack brooks senior editors elizabeth gyori,

amanda shih

deputy staff

university gentry brown, julie

devito, susannaH griffee city/state hanqing chen, brian

tam, emily yang music parker bruce film/books stefan Melnyk entertainment jonathon

dornbush theater ERIC SHETHAR features EMILY MCDERMOTT dining SARAH KAMENETZ fashion CARRIE COUROGEN sports SANCHAY JAIN, DANIEL

HINTON production MERYLL PREPOSI multimedia DAVID LIN copy MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN,

JESSICA LITTMAN

TODAY

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3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Wasserman Center, Presentation Room B

6:30 to 8 p.m. | NYU Bookstore

MAXIMIZING YOUR JOB SEARCH

Learn key techniques for identifying job openings, networking and following up with contacts.

RSVP on CareerNet.

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SCPS Writing Workshop with Ramin Ganeshram Ramin Ganeshram author of “Stir It Up: A Novel,” will speak about how to incorporate food into what you write. Writing exercises and discussions will follow the lecture.

7 p.m. | 33 E. 17th St.

Annie LEIbovitz Book Signing

Renowned photographer Annie Liebovitz will speak at the Barnes & Noble in Union Square and discuss her newest collection, “Pilgrimage.”

opinion page

opinion editor JOHN SURICO deputy opinion editors ATTICUS

BRIGHAM, MARIA MICHALOS

advertising business manager

REBECCA RIBEIRO sales manager

Stefanie Yotka

SNAPSHOT

ON THE WIRE

How to shrink your dragon

Taiwanese artist Chen Forng-shean claims to have sculpted the world’s smallest dragon. Chen created the dragon from gold foil and black resin in honor of next year’s Lunar Year of the Dragon. After working on the dragon for three months, Chen included barely visible legs, claws, open jaws and whiskers on his 1.2-cm long and 0.9-cm high sculpture. Chen has used rice, sand and dental floss in his past handiworks. Although this is a 30-year-old hobby for Chen, the creation of miniature sculptures descends from an art form that is thousands of years old. Chen’s dragon is currently displayed in an exhibit of Chinese zodiac animal sculptures. — Reuters

circulation manager

MEagan Driver

university sales coordinator

Emilia Mironovici sales representatives

Kaitlyn O’Brien, MICHAEL RYAN, Melissa Ynegas

advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

MICHAEL SUMMERS editorial adviser

keith leighty EDITOR-AT-LARGE

University of Southern California

New Libyan PM earned master’s degree at USC — The Daily Trojan

Construction workers explore the deserted Eighth Street-NYU station.

PHOTO BY KRISTINA BOGOS GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM

Cornell University

Report: Fewer students from Latin America are attending Cornell — The Cornell Daily Sun

KATIE THOMPSON About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.

Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Kelsey Desiderio at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.

nyunews.com

nyunews.com | wednesday, november 9, 2011 | Washington Square news

FLURRY continued from PG. 1

A free glimpse of winter at Flurry

by Mass Transit, an all-male a capella group at NYU. “People are surprised,” CAS junior and Mass Transit member Michael Weisner said. “I don’t think they’ve ever had a group come out and sing for the buses. It’s been very positive so far. I think people have had a lot of fun. We’ve confused a lot of joggers, but in general it’s been great.”

One of IRHC’s most popular events, Flurry attracted about 2,100 students this year, up from about 1,500 students last year.

“When you see Wollman Rink, it looks exactly like it’s out of a movie,” CAS sophomore and IRHC marketing chair Thomas Schoenfelder said. “It’s that quintessential New York experience.”

Stern sophomore and co-IRHC programming chair Rishi Rajani said the event builds community among NYU students.

“We want to make sure we maintain the tradition, as well as make it better,” he said.

IRHC president Olivia Baackes

said she looked forward to the first-ever Gingerbread Housie competition. For $5, contestants received a kit with crackers, candies and icing to build the best Housie McGuire look-alike. The creator of the house that receives the most Facebook likes by Nov. 16 will win an iPad 2.

“It’s not all freshmen this year, which I was really surprised about,” CAS sophomore Liwen Hu said. “It’s good to see everyone out here, people you might go four years without meeting.”

CAS sophomore Sion Choi said she appreciated the chance to relax and get a break from studying and homework.

“I feel like it’s a really good way to take a break from the stress of midterms,” she said.

“It’s a really nice thing that the school is doing this year.”

Cici Chen is a contributing writer. Elizabeth Maguire is a staff writer. Email them at university@nyunews.com.

LAW continued from PG. 1

Graffiti targets Law student “They happened approximately 15 months apart, and if someone was involved in putting up racist graffiti, it would happen more often,” Wing said.

Geoff Westime, a first-year law student, said last month’s incident makes him uncomfortable as a gay student.

“I came to NYU because in part because FILE PHOTO BY EMMA PLISKIN this is the kind of school where people The Law School was vandalized twice are really open and in the past two years. accepting,” he said.

First-year law student Theresa Troupbut after no evidence was found both NYU and the NYPD have son was impressed by the law school’s response. closed the case.

“I don’t know that there’s more “[This case] is not easy because of the lack of cameras,” Martin that they necessarily can be dosaid. “And there is no clear-cut ing, but it’s very disheartening to know that this kind of targeted reason for the graffiti.”

When a crime occurs on campus, hate activity can be going on at a NYU Public Safety typically works school like ours,” Troupson said.

Cheryl Cornelius, who has with the NYPD, but also conducts her Ph.D. in psychology and is its own internal investigation.

This is not the first time NYU a mental health expert, said it Law students have been the tar- is especially disturbing when get of ethnically-charged graf- hateful behavior occurs in an fiti. Last year, a similar incident academic setting.

“Where an individual was occurred when an individual wrote “Damn Orthodox Jews” on singled out to be harassed, the first floor of a men’s room this experience will no doubt stall. The NYPD Hate Crimes deeply effect self-esteem, selfBias Unit and NYU Public Safety perception, sense of safety and closed this case before catching confidence going forward both the person behind the vandal- personally and academically,” ism because there were no leads she said. in the case.

Director of Uniformed Services Nitasha Maindiratta is a staff writer. of NYU Public Safety Patrick Wing Additional reporting by Kristine said there was no correlation be- Itliong and Tony Chau. Email them at university@nyunews.com. tween these two incidents.

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Ex-Treasury Sec. talks global economy

By Sarah Feng Former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury John Snow spoke about the global economy at large and reflected on the 2008 financial crisis last night at the Stern School of Business.

Joined by Martin Lipton, chairman of NYU’s Board of Trustees, Snow discussed a wide range of topics, including the causes behind the nation’s financial collapse, the outlook on jobs, the state of the Euro and the rise of China in today’s global economy.

As he spoke about the factors that led up to the recession, Snow recognized that they were often complex and convoluted.

“It’ll be years and years before we fully understand the complex interactions of the different forces that brought the collapse of the financial markets,” Snow said. “There was a systematic underpricing of risks by central banks around the world [that] were faced with a huge increase in global savings.“ He and Lipton also addressed issues surrounding the fall of Lehman Brothers. Snow said the firm’s bankruptcy was inevitable due to excessive lending and plunging interest rates.

“We lived on very low interest rates for too long,” Snow said.

“Companies had gone massively in debt feasting on those low interest rates.”

However, Snow said, Lehman’s collapse brought to light the fact that the government itself wasn’t really in charge of the situation and that, in many ways, it precipitated the disaster.

The duo also discussed China’s overheated economic growth and the nation’s role in this period of financial turmoil.

“I don’t view China as the threat,” Snow said. “The threat is our own inability to take the actions we need.”

He noted that as long as the United States and China made smart policy choices, China can help fuel long-term economic growth by opening up new global markets.

“Avoiding big policy mistakes between United States and China is probably the single most important issue for the global economy,” Snow said.

The conversation led to the question of the sustainability of Europe’s key currency.

“The EU is on shaky ground,” Snow said. “It’s a currency union designed to promote convergence, but it has become the source of diversions. The single currency is a good idea, but it won’t work without the counterpart fiscal union and political integration that [it] requires.”

At a question-and-answer session shortly after the discussion, one audience member asked Snow what advice he had

PRIYANKA KATUMULWA/WSN

Snow reflects on the ’08 recession.

to offer the current administration, on job creation in the United States.

“Lower payroll taxes because the demand for labor goes up if labor is cheaper,” he said.

“Expense capital for small businesses because it makes the cost of capital cheaper on an after-tax basis, and if you have more capital, you’re going to hire more.”

Snow concluded the evening with his own advice for current business students.

“Take advantage of a good education,” he said. “Because it will stand in good stead no matter how the economy is.”

Sarah Feng is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.

Study shows fewer chains in Manhattan

By Kristine Itliong The next time you’re craving a Big Mac, you might have to walk a bit farther than usual.

For the first time in three years, the number of chain retailers in Manhattan, including McDonald’s, has decreased, according to a recent report from the Center for an Urban Future. This year, Manhattan lost 2.1 percent of its chains and was the only borough to see a net decrease.

Though chains across New York City as a whole increased by 1.6 percent, this is a lower growth rate than in years past.

Last year, the city saw an increase of 4 percent.

With a total of 169 chain retailers, the East Village, not

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including Alphabet City, has the second highest number of chains of all Manhattan neighborhoods, the study said. New Springville in Staten Island and Manhattan’s Garment District/ Koreatown had the first and second highest number of chain stores across all five boroughs.

According to Stern marketing department chair Russell Winer, the decline of New York City chains can be attributed to two factors — the struggling economy and the popularity of New York-unique goods and services.

“People here have taste and the money to spend,” Winer said. “Due to the weak dollar, international tourists shop the boutiques because they can shop at the chains anywhere.”

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Beltyza Velasco, an optician at Devonshire Optical on University Place and a former chain store employee, said smaller stores allow owners to develop a unique customer-vendor relationship.

“I think the main difference between a chain and a momand-pop is the approach they have towards people,” he said.

Tisch junior Katie Watson said she avoids chain stores because of their widespread popularity.

“If I go to Urban Outfitters, every girl [who shops there] will have the same shirt or the same purse,” she said. “[If you go] to a vintage store, you have your own thing, and it’s yours.”

Kristine Itliong is a staff writer.

Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.

Top 5 Chains in Manhattan in 2011

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50 Starbucks

Subway

Duane Reade

Dunkin’ Donuts

McDonald’s cristina corvino/ WSN

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Washington Square news | wednesday, november 9, 2011 | nyunews.com

FASHION Fashion monster must be tamed

By Katya Barannik The beautiful and creative age of Yves Saint Laurent, Oscar de la Renta and Valentino is gone.

In its place is a world dominated by celebrities and pop culture magazines, where detail and high quality are overshadowed by mass production and commercialization.

As designer Eric Gaskins said at the annual FIT Fashion Symposium last Thursday, “a beast has been created that has to be fed.”

With the growing influence of Twitter and blogging, production in the fashion world is taking place at lightning speed ­— designers have moved to producing four collections a year instead of two.

The world of fashion media has created a monster, hungry for more, devouring styles and trends at rapid speeds. Fashion today works to benefit corporations, while the interests of the fashion-loving consumers have been left in the dark. Older generations of fashionistas hunger for well-crafted, interesting clothing, but Gaskin said today’s youth demands quantity over quality. How many times

have you bought a jacket or a pair of shoes only to find yourself giving them away because they’re no longer in style?

We, as a generation, need to cure this case of fashion ADD and learn to invest in higherquality clothing, Gaskin added.

He predicted that people will eventually tire of the factory-like industries, and the fashion world will ultimately slow down.

Designer routines have also been affected and dismantled by this fashion earthquake.

With the recent boom of young designers, many of whom are searching for fame and instant success, art and craftsmanship are fading.

Fashion designer Sophie Theallet, who also spoke at the FIT event, offered a few simple words of wisdom to aspiring designers.

“A strong technical foundation is priceless,” she said. “Take time to intern or shadow designers to truly learn the craft and process of creating a collection.”

She went on to compare designing a collection to becoming a nun — you must be both passionate and extremely committed. Most importantly, she said, trust your ideas and

FASHION CALENDAR Noir Jewelry

Nov. 9 to 11 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

350 W. 38th St. (between Eighth and Ninth avenues) To easily emulate the style of Lady Gaga or Rihanna without a single headdress or metal costume, invest in the funky jewelry of Noir. Score 75 percent off a gunmetal, pyramid-studded leather cuff for $65, a barrel cactus cubic zirconia brass ring for $35 or a pair of bright feather hoop earrings for $20.

MiH Jeans

Nov. 8 to 10 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

584 Broadway, Suite 609 (between W. Houston and Prince streets) Now is the time to stock up on jeans for the winter. Stop by MiH Jeans and snag a pair of jeggings for $100, or a classic pair of wide-legged jeans for $100. If you’re feeling bold, take on the tricky denim-on-denim trend and wear your pants with a denim chambray shirt for $80.

Gant

Nov. 9 to 11, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday 20 W. 55th St. (between Fifth and Sixth avenues.), 11th floor With snow falling in late October, it’s time to invest in some winter staples. Check out Gant’s preppy fall and winter gear, reminiscent of the ’70s, for both men and women at the store’s annual fall/winter sample sale. Guys, check out the brand’s wool varsity jacket marked down to $69. Girls, indulge in an alpaca wool sweater for $95.

— Kristina Bogos

yourself when following your dreams. Don’t let a lack of personal finances rule out the option of becoming a designer; everyone goes through rough patches. Take legendary designer Jean Paul Gaultier. According to Thealet, Gautlier almost quit in 1979 because he had no money. In the end, he created his infamous collection out of trash bags and tin cans.

For those who are still dabbling in different fields without a clear direction, take comfort in the story of Joseph Altuzarra, the 27-year-old designer who entered into fashion on an impulse. Majoring in art history and sending an intern application to Marc Jacobs on a whim, Altazurra realized designing could be a profession only after interning there, and then at Proenza Schouler.

Despite the constant evolution of technology, fashionistas will hopefully tire of the factory-like industries, and the fashion world will once again return to its Grace Kelly-esque glory days.

Katya Barannik is a staff writer.

Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.

SHOPNOLITA continued from PG. 1

NoLita event to serve budget-savvy shoppers one-of-a-kind piece or get brandname garments at a bargain, ShopNOLITA is suited for a range of seasoned shoppers. To stock up on vintage staples like ’60sera dresses or a pair of western cowboy boots, visit The Clothing Warehouse, an Atlanta-based vintage chain, and snag a 20 percent storewide discount.

Spend $50 or more at Erica Weiner’s jewelry shop and score a free pair of vintage earrings. For a perfect match, make a statement with the store’s silver button necklace ($70), letterpress pendant ($50) or gold safety pin necklace ($50). Patricia Field, costume designer for “Sex and The City,” is offering 20 percent off all items except sale merchandise. Pick up her funky cropped pleather jacket in maroon or black ($54 after discount), a unisex knitted neck warmer ($11 after discount) or a classic pair of skinny jeans ($45 after discount).

For more upscale designer pieces, FROCK Vintage will offer a 10 percent storewide discount, plus 15 percent off vintage Yves Saint Laurent clothing and accessories.

FROCK has also teamed with fash-

ion powerhouse Refinery 29 for exclusive deals lasting until Nov. 23.

Check out Babel Fair for foreign fashion items from Argentina and Spain, to Japan and China. These rare and worldly pieces range from $50 to over $300, but you can enjoy a 15 percent storewide discount and a free gift with any purchase.

VIA FACEBOOK.COM

ShopNOLITA will run from Saturday, Nov. 12 to Sunday, Nov. 13, spanning from the Bowery to Mulberry streets, and Broome to Bond streets.

Kristina Bogos is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.

nyunews.com | wednesday, november 9, 2011 | Washington Square news

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edited by EMILY MCDERMOTT FASHION@nyunews.com

Valli collaboration a must-see this season

By Cara Cifferelli

This holiday season, the chic Parisian style of the Champs-Élysée can now be found in the aisles of one of America’s most accessible retailers, courtesy of Italian designer Giambattista Valli.

Valli introduced his Macy’s Impulse Only line last month, joining the ranks of Karl Lagerfeld and other famous designers who have released similar collaborative collections.

The line, which arrived just in time for the holidays, features vibrant patterns paired with feminine shapes, bringing a new excitement to the typically gray New York City winters. Ranging from $50 to $150, the pieces don’t come with Valli’s usual price tag and are perfect for even the most frugal fashionista. The collection will be in approximately 225 Macy’s stores nationwide.

In a press release, Valli described the line as being “a passport into my world and a chance to experience the passion and romance of my house and Paris itself.”

Highlights of the collection include Valli’s ruffled, red belted dress and rose print bow maxi. The line also tackles a number of tricky trends with ease: Leopard prints are used tastefully and color combinations like pink and red are handled

Tackling winter-white denim for fall

By Hilary Presley

equally well. The high-collared pink blouse and red organza mini make for a classic ensemble without looking like it’s Valentine’s Day. And even those not so fond of animal print will appreciate the two dimensions of leopard found on Valli’s black and red color-blocked dress.

But that’s not to say the line doesn’t have a few faults. Two strapless mini dresses were reminiscent of styles found at a middle school semi-formal. It’s been done, and unfortunately even Valli couldn’t deliver the look in a sufficiently mature manner.

Still, with flattering cuts, bright patterns and fun takes on the holiday red and black, this limited edition line should not be overlooked this season.

Cara Cifferelli is a contributing writer.

Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.

VIA MACYS.COM

“Don’t wear white after labor day.”

It’s time that one of the oldest fashion rules in the book is modernized for the 21st-century woman. From the runway to the streets, trendsetters everywhere have been embracing the winter-wonderland white look. Don’t be afraid to break the rules and hold on to your white summer jeans a little longer. This summer staple can easily be brought into your fall wardrobe if done the right way.

Summer is over, but to avoid looking like you missed the memo, pair your white pants with thick or cable knits or grandpa cardigans.

For outerwear, opt for leather jackets, peacoats, ponchos or capes. When mixed with earthy tones like olive, dark gray, marigold and burgundy, white pants can add brightness to a drab winter wardrobe.

Play around with plaid flannel or a denim button-down for some texture and accessorize with a knit hat, thick scarf and tough leather boots for a look that’s sassy yet seasonably appropriate.

White denim can work with

any style. Here are three enticing looks to try out:

Tough and Edgy Contrast your white pants with blacks or grays and accent with a subtle stripe pattern. Top it off with a leather jacket and a pair of sturdy motorcycle boots. For the bolder fashionista, you may want to go for style with grommets, zippers, studs and other tough accents.

Earthy and Ethnic Keep it easy and pair your white pants with tribal prints, dark florals or a Native American-inspired poncho. Pile on layers of vintage jewelry and add a floppy hat or loose circle scarf. It’s all about contrast this fall, and white pants provide the perfect balance to darker earthy tones.

file photo by david lin

Senior Kolby Warren

Hilary Presley is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.

VIA JCREW.COM

SPORTS

Volleyball eyes second straight ECAC title With a 20-16 regular season record, the NYU women’s volleyball team earned the number two seed in the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Metro/Upstate Championship, qualifying for postseason play for the 10th straight year.

At their last appearance in the ECAC Metro/Upstate Championship, the Violets won the tournament.

The news was bittersweet, however, as the NCAA Tour-

If you’ve already packed away your white jeans, don’t fret. To get the look, Urban Outfitters has a cropped skinny pair for $54. Gap has a more relaxed, “broken in” fit on sale for $20, and J.Crew’s classic matchstick jean is available in white for $88.

Classic and Tailored Keep your look simple with a slim button down and leopard-print belt for a subtle touch of pizzazz. Complete your outfit with an eternally classic trench coat or peacoat, black shoes and a bold coral lip. Toss a dark-colored tote over your shoulder and you have an easy look that will take you from classes to in-

edited by JAMES LANNING SPORTS@nyunews.com

By Sanchay Jain

ternships and everywhere in between.

nament Selection Committee announced that the Violets would not advance to this year’s NCAA Division III tournament. This year snaps a run of two straight appearances in the NCAA tournament.

“You always have the goal of making it into the NCAA tournament and advancing as far as possible,” head coach Jolie Ward said. “But it seemed like in the middle of the season we might have squandered our chances. We are very pleased with the opportunity to qualify for the ECAC.” NYU certainly had their share of growing pains this season, a consequence of having five players in the rotation who were not a part of the starting line-up last season. The team was marred by inconsistency and streaky play, and they entered the ECAC tournament having lost four of their last five games.

And yet the Violets still seem upbeat about their chances to succeed in the postseason.

“It’s not a matter of expectations, but we’re going into the tournament with the belief that we can win,” Ward said.

“Hopefully it will be a good experience for some of our newer players.”

To have success in the tournament, the Violets need captains senior Kolby Warren and sophomore Hope Bogle to maintain the success they had throughout the regular season. Warren, who was ranked 13th this season in hitting percentage in the University Athletic Association, also led the Violets in the category (.281) and in blocks (65).

She was named Second Team All-University Athletic Association yesterday. Bogle led NYU with 1,137 assists and 72 service aces. She also finished the season third among the Violets with 309 digs.

Expect freshman Sarah Buckingham and sophomore Alex Mao to lead NYU in kills.

Buckingham led the Violets with 409 on the season, while Mao added 340 of her own.

NYU will play Mount St. Mary College in the first round tonight at 7 p.m. at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center.

Sanchay Jain is a deputy sports editor. Email him at sjain@nyunews.com.

Kickoffs alive and well in NFL

By Ryan Gilmore

For once, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has actually changed the game for the better.

Before the season began, many (myself included) were less than thrilled with the NFL’s decision to move kickoffs five yards to the 35-yard line in order to reduce the number of injuries sustained by players. Many said the move would ruin the point of kickoffs and render specialists like Devin Hester and Brad Smith obsolete, thus harming the overall sport.

However, halfway through the season, this does not seem to be the case at all.

While there is no doubt that touchbacks are up from last year, surprisingly, so are average return yards. Last year, the NFL averaged 22.47 yards per return; this year that number has increased to 24.15. Not to mention that there are seven teams averaging more than 27 yards per return and two teams racking up more than 30 yards per return .

To put this into perspective, New York Jets running back Joe McKnight leads the league in return averages at 40.2. The top returner in 2010 was Baltimore Ravens wide receiver David Reed, who averaged 29.3 yards per return, which would be good for

fifth this season. Touchdowns might be down in comparison, but almost all of this year’s touchdowns have come from out of the end zone, making them much more impressive and exciting to watch.

We’ve seen returns of 108 and 107 yards, two of the longest plays in NFL history. Every kickoff is a gamble, and whether you should risk getting stopped inside the 20 or try for a big return adds a whole new dimension and a bit more strategy to the return game. It has made good kick returners that much more important, since they now have less time to decide whether to take a knee or run it out.

The NFL has found a good medium between excitement and safety. There are certainly fewer returns than last season, which means fewer chances for injury. But in the instances in which returns do happen, the games are definitely more exhilarating to watch. Come winter, the plunging temperatures should also reduce the number of touchbacks, which will make for a perfect kickoff system.

The most exciting play in football is absolutely still alive and well.

Ryan Gilmore is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @RGilmoreWSN.

The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 500 Seventh Avenue, New York,times N.Y. 10018 The new york crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Volcano output 4 Prospects 10 Dash 14 Person with a corner ofc., maybe 15 The Scourge of God 16 Queen in “The Lion King” 17 “The Godfather” actor 18 The 21st Amendment, e.g.

19 Sting 20 Knight ___ (former newspaper group) 22 “Falcon Crest” actress 24 Awakening 26 “How ___ Your Mother” 27 Some cons 29 It might be golden 33 Final words?

36 Dockworkersʼ grp.

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37 Allergy-afflicted dwarf 38 Car with the numeral 9 in all its model names 39 Pro baseball level … or a hint to 12 answers in this puzzle 41 River across the French/German border 42 Speed skater Eric who won five gold medals at the 1980 Winter Olympics 44 Location of the quadriceps 45 Enterprise captain prior to Kirk 46 Dangerous snake 47 Raspy 49 Captain of sci-fi 51 Newborn 55 Language of Cape Town 59 Antitank artillery operator, e.g.

60 Grill

61 Jungle vines 63 It may be eaten with tikka masala 64 Itch 65 Like Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon 66 Here, in Québec 67 ___ Turing, a founding father of computer science 68 Annual event in Los Angeles 69 Summer, in Québec

Down 1 Capital of Ghana 2 Itʼs said to be salubrious 3 1953 John Wayne film 4 City or lake in northern Italy 5 Repeated step 6 The Racerʼs Edge 7 “___ yellow ribbon …”

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33 Producer of workplace regs.

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37 Set apart 39 Shortstop Jeter 40 Put pressure (on) 43 Inhabitant 45 New Yorkʼs ___ Station

47 Fine-tuning 48 Drunkards 50 It has its moments 52 “___ Get Your Gun” 53 Boston Harbor event precipitator 54 ___ Macmillan, classmate of Harry Potter

55 Blue-green 56 Roll up, as a flag 57 Gulf of ___, arm of the Baltic 58 Room in una casa 62 “Born on the Fourth of July” setting, familiarly

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nyunews.com | wednesday, november 9, 2011 | Washington Square news

OPINION

edited by JOHN SURICO opinion@nyunews.com

The Observationalist

Michigan Republicans turn backs on bullying

By Ben Miller Since Democrats in Michigan began fighting to get a tough anti-bullying bill on the books almost 10 years ago, six Michigan teens have committed suicide due to the torture they faced in public schools.

Republicans — claiming the mantle of faith and family — have repeatedly opposed any efforts to pass such a bill, arguing that it would create “special rights”.

Disregard the notion that the right to a safe school is somehow special — because it gets worse.

Last week, finally, it appeared as though anti-bullying legislation was going to pass through the Michigan state legislature.

But at the last minute, Senate Republicans inserted language that would protect school bullies into the Matt’s Safe School Law, the anti-bullying law named after the student who committed suicide because of bullying. The language would allow bullying as long as a student — or even a teacher — can come up with “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” that justifies

the harassment.

In other words, into the cliquey, bully-friendly hellhole of high school, let’s insert a grownup game of identity politics without any care for who gets hurt or who learns what lesson. Let’s teach kids that bullying people because of your religion is OK. Let’s teach kids that tolerance only matters when your specific social group says it does. It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye, or kills themselves.

Like Matt, Tempest, Chrystal, Kristina, Austin and Alex did in Michigan when their torment became too much to bear and their schools did nothing to stop it.

It’s not unfair to say that the culture of Michigan’s schools murdered those six teenagers.

At a certain point, when systems clearly produce certain results and nobody changes those systems, it becomes the fault of those who could have changed them rather than the fault of the systems themselves. It’s not unfair to say that if this bill (passed by the Senate but not yet by the state’s House of Representatives) becomes law,

Michigan’s Republicans will have blood on their hands.

The language was inserted at the behest of pro-family groups — a key part of the Republican political coalition — who insist that antibullying legislation is only a proxy for the larger gay rights movement.

Anything that could potentially help LGBTQ Americans — even helping them out alongside the legions of straight Americans who are bullied and harassed as well — is anathema to them. Even when doing nothing kills.

Perhaps the willingness to do nothing illustrates the difference between Democrats and Republicans. Both parties have flaws and both have orthodoxies. But only one is willing to let a society murder people rather than deviate from those orthodoxies.

And it happens in the name of God.

New York City is many things: urban, vibrant, crowded, sleepless and loud, to name a few. As the center of numerous industries, the city that never sleeps is always in motion. As the crossroads of the world, there seems to be no way to escape the sounds or noise. In an effort to mitigate the self-imposed noise created by New Yorkers, like honking cabs to excessively loud music devices, the city should establish a stricter noise code. Not only will it reduce unnecessary sounds, but a stricter noise code will also generate substantial revenue through penalty fees from those who fail to follow the rules.

In tough economic times, there is no reason to raise taxes and risk angering the working class, let alone the wealthy. On the contrary, New York City is better off using existing resources to identify present issues, like noise, and make a profit from others’ lack of compliance. In 2007,

SUBMITTING TO

New Roosevelt Island center a welcome proposal

and, of course, irritation. By damaging the hair cells in your ears that allow converted sound energy to travel to your brain, you risk noise-induced hearing loss. Being forced to keep sounds low, like noise from an iPod, will ultimately reduce health risks.

If the city were to enforce fines for producing grating and dangerous sounds, it would immediately provide capital for the city and help the violator become more disciplined in their noise or listening habits.

If the city can fine cars for honking on the Upper East Side, then there is no reason why they shouldn’t fine all people equally for making similar levels of noise throughout the city. By enacting a stricter noise fine, there is nothing to lose but substantial revenue and a slight peace of mind with reduced sound.

Liz Beras is a staff columnist. Her column, “Life is Pricey,” is about economics and its consequences.

It appears every Wednesday. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.

Editorial Board: John Surico (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Maria Michalos (Co-Chair), Emily Franklin, Nicolette Harris, Stephanie Isola, Katie Travers and Lauren Wilfong.

Ben Miller is a columnist.

His column, “The Observationalist,” contains musings on society, culture and politics. It appears every Wednesday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.

Stricter noise codes help health, economy Bloomberg’s updated noise code proposal was instated, reducing noise from construction sites and commercial music sources like ice cream trucks. But what about the noise blasting from the suspicious vehicle or the deafening indie band playing from the welldressed hipster’s headphones or, better yet, what about that aggravating drumming from Zuccotti Park at the crack of dawn?

The recommended level of noise is no more than 70 decibels (the sound of a toilet flushing). Yet, as New Yorkers, we are exposed to significantly more noise than this, an average of 100 decibels (car horn). Concrete rules about such annoyances will gradually eliminate problems associated with loud noises.

Generally, New York City streets are above the recommended level of sound, which could cause loss of hearing over time. It is said that excessive loud noises like the subway clatter or other similar city sounds can cause noise-induced hearing loss. It can also cause stress, insomnia

staff editorial

In the midst of budget cuts, Mayor Michael Bloomberg has started a competition among elite institutions to build an applied science graduate school on Roosevelt Island. Predicted by New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn to be Bloomberg’s legacy, schools like Harvard, Cornell, Stanford and Columbia universities, as well as our own school, are selling their proposals to build on the site. It seems the island will go to the highest bidder.

The main purpose of Bloomberg’s school initiative is to transform New York City into the next Silicon Valley. The economic and intellectual stimulus from this project and vision could be an enormous transformation for all aspects of the city. It will undeniably create jobs and attract experts in the field to the Big Apple for unprecedented research and technological development, thus contributing to the academic value of both the city and the country. The WSN Editorial Board fully supports the project, as well as an equal playing field for the proposals that is not based on regional ties.

In spite of the economic aid that may result from this academic placement on the island, it is important to bear in mind the possible effects of gentrification. According to the 2000 Census, the historic Roosevelt Island has a population of 9,520. Unfortunately, they are not included in the end decision on whether to use the land they live on for collegiate purposes. It is unknown as of now how the community on the island will be affected and whether they even want to become a part of a college town. Therefore, the WSN Editorial Board believes that the voice of the residents is of the upmost importance.

An advisory board consisting of business leaders, elected officials and scientists will help guide Bloomberg’s decision, but ultimately it will come down to the mayor’s final say. For a decision of this magnitude, it should not be solely Bloomberg’s decision. His self-interest and the concern of his legacy should neither trump the desires of the Island’s residents nor endanger the overall quality of the extremely beneficial project.

Life is pricey

By Liz Beras

7

Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.

Send mail to: 838 Broadway, fifth floor New York, NY 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 150 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title. WSN

does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.