NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 93
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013
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New Yorkers pitch ideas for de Blasio in SoHo tent By KLEIN ALEARDI
DANIEL COLE/WSN
Editor from famed New Yorker magazine engages audience with reporting tales The New Yorker editor David Remnick speaks to students at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute on Tuesday, Nov 12. Remnick converses about his career and other topics with Meryl Gordon, the director of Magazine Writing at the institute.
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STORY ON PAGE 3
‘Nebraska’ relates raw, character-focused story By J.R. HAMMERER
Director Alexander Payne is known for many trends in his films — a complete blend of comedy and drama, a strong grip on human intricacies. But he’s also a native son of the Midwest, with his first three films set in his hometown of Omaha, Neb. “Nebraska” is a homecoming for Payne in more ways than one. It’s a successful attempt at a more raw and less refined film than his previous work, with the polish of “Sideways” or “The Descendants” nowhere in sight. It aims to evoke the scrappy, characterdriven dramas of ’70s New Hollywood, which is present in the film’s gentle pace, its loose structure, its willingness to wander and its focus on character instead of events. The first glimpse of the elderly Woody Grant (Bruce Dern) shows him shuffling down the breakdown lane of a Montana highway. He’s re-
The Talking Transition Tent opened in SoHo on Nov. 9 for New Yorkers to voice their concerns about any issue around the city to aid the transition from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio. Ten organizations started the transition tent to improve city policies and open the transition process to residents. Project director Danny Fuchs has two goals for the tent. “One is a new mode of citizen participation in government,” Fuchs said. “The second goal is to take those ideas and those issues and the data we collect and inform the new administration and how it governs.” In the tent, located at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue, visitors can explain the changes they want by leaving a video message for de Blasio or writing on a name tag and posting it on the wall. So far, people have written about a variety of topics — from keeping a donation-based entrance fee at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to ending the stop-and-frisk policy.
ceived a promotional letter offering a million dollar prize, and the scatterbrained old man is convinced he’s won. His wife Kate (June Squibb) and sons, David and Ross, (Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk) drive him back home, exasperated by his stubbornness and single-mindedness. He starts off again to Lincoln to claim his prize money, this time without a license or luggage. A frustrated David finally decides to drive his father, even though he knows there’s nothing for Woody on the other end. Dern was one of the great character actors of the ’70s, appearing in films like “Drive, He Said,” “The King of Marvin Gardens” and “Coming Home.” Dern hasn’t anchored a film for a while, but his performance in “Nebraska” proves he deserved the Best Actor award he won at Cannes International Film Festival. Woody is a bundle of contra-
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
‘Hamlet’ production stems from Gallatin class By DYLAN JARRETT
DENISE FABELLA/WSN
Fight off winter weather with perfect boots The right pair of boots can protect you from months of cold weather. STORY on PG. 8
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Exposure — WSN’s multimedia blog For high quality front page photos, galleries and more from WSN’s multimedia team, visit nyunews.tumblr.com
“Hamlet” is the second-most performed story in the world, right after — oddly enough — “Cinderella.” “Hamlet” is also the Gallatin Theatre Troupe’s fall production this semester, playing through this Sunday. But unlike other productions of “Hamlet,” the cast of this show has been rehearsing far longer than the usual four-to-six-week rehearsal period. About half of the cast came from a spring 2013 advanced acting class taught by director and NYU assistant professor of practice Kristin Horton, whose class focused solely on “Hamlet.” “We basically acted our way through the play,” Horton said. “So we’ve been working together, wrestling through the text, asking these questions for quite a while.” “Quite a while,” in this case, means more than half a year — an almost absurdly long time to rehearse. In fact, from the class last spring to this fall’s production, Horton spent several weeks directing another production of “Hamlet” at a Shakespeare festival in Iowa City,
Iowa. However, the director prefers the structure NYU has provided, crediting the extended rehearsal process as something that gave the cast the freedom to make discoveries in every rehearsal. Additionally, it provided her with a confident Hamlet — Gallatin sophomore Alec Seymour. “To play Hamlet is kind of like learning a one-man show,” Horton said. Indeed, Hamlet speaks a total of 1,476 lines. But despite the immensity of the lead role, Horton views this production as incredibly ensemble-based. “There’s not one role in the show that’s inconsequential,” she said, citing examples of minor characters like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the priest who are essential to the play’s action. Even more important to Horton is the text of the play itself, which she describes as one of Shakespeare’s richest. “I’ve seen numerous productions,” she said, “and none of them are alike … the text is so complex that a good
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AUTOMATIC COFFEE MAKER
FAR AWAY ALARM
After turning off the alarm in the morning, it can be easy to think “I’ll just close my eyes for a few seconds,” fall asleep and then wake up three hours later. Keep a tin of Altoids — the cinnamon variety works well — within reach of your bed, and pop one in your mouth right after you turn the alarm off. The burn of the mint’s strong flavor should provide the extra push that will get you out of bed and prevent you from drifting back to sleep.
You might need coffee to wake up in the morning, but how do you motivate yourself out of bed to make it? Answer — automatic coffee makers. These coffee makers allow users to preset a time to make coffee. Pour the water and load the machine with coffee grounds at night. Not only does it save time and add a few precious minutes of sleep, but the comforting coffee smell wafting through your apartment or dorm can also help stimulate the start of your day. If you can’t purchase one now, be sure to add it to your holiday wish list.
Move your alarm clock away from your head. If your alarm or phone is where you can reach it, you’re bound to snooze through class. Forcing yourself to wake up right when your alarm rings will give you the kickstart you need to begin the day and arrive to class on time. For an added incentive, place a piece of chocolate or a power bar next to your phone to make this strategy even more effective for cold, dark winter mornings.
RESTFUL SLEEP Waking up early is hard when you don’t go to sleep early or sleep restfully. Don’t take your laptop, tablet or iPhone to bed with you. Although most college students are perusing Facebook or watching an episode of “Saturday Night Live” before bed, these all serve as distractions from falling asleep faster. For the sake of good sleep, leave the media for during the day. If you need something to do before falling asleep, try reading a book to help make your eyes and mind tired.
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WORKOUT
NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE
It is no secret that waking up early — especially when there’s little to no sunlight — is not easy. A good way to combat the urge to press snooze is to do some quick, short workouts immediately after the alarm sounds. Simply pumping out 10 to 20 pushups or a set of jumping jacks can energize both the body and mind enough to bypass the morning blues.
A Project Pick Me Up mural is painted in Jamaica, Queens near the Jamaica Center Station.
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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 Jordan Melendrez at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SSC PANEL
DISCUSSION
WSN will host its second panel with student senators on Thursday, Nov. 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 405 of the Kimmel Center for University Life. The panel will focus on NYU’s expansion, both in Greenwich Village with NYU 2031 and abroad with the Global Network University. NYU President John Sexton has said the 2031 Plan adds needed space, and the creation of the GNU adds value to a student’s degree. Sexton also established the Space Priorities Working Group to examine NYU’s space needs. The group ‘s work has included the release of an Interim Report in July of this year. However, some faculty and administrators have disagreed over various aspects of the university’s expansion, including funding, execution and necessity to increase the university’s size. Questions of academic freedom have also arisen at NYU portal sites. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions in person or via Twitter by using the hashtag #askwsn. The three confirmed senators-at-large for the event are Corey Blay, a third-year graduate student in the Stern School of Business, Stern senior Griffin Dooling, and SCPS senior Brian Plaut.
New Yorker editor discusses experience, field By ANN SCHMIDT
David Remnick, the editor of The New Yorker magazine discussed the state of journalism as well as his own journalism career with Meryl Gordon, director of Magazine Writing at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at NYU on Nov. 12. The night’s discussion covered personal subjects, such as Remnick’s early exposure to magazines, his career in journalism and his current position. For instance, Remnick recalled an early trip to a Syrian refugee camp. “I self-assign a couple of pieces a year because I really don’t like going to the Hamptons,” Remnick said. “I go do a story like [Syria] because I’m in the office all the time, and I want to have some sense of the world.” Remnick also discussed the transformation of The New Yorker as a publication starting from a printed weekly magazine to a website and most recently an iPhone app. “My job is to keep you reading
it in whatever format you want to read it in and make sure that all of it is worthy of The New Yorker,” Remnick said. CAS junior Kayla Keegan said she found it interesting that The New Yorker used their website not only to reprint content, but provide extra images for readers on the web. “The majority [of the print space] is filled with content,” Keegan said. “The website allows more freedom to liven the story by including many pictures and images.” Remnick also highlighted curiosity as an important quality for journalists, and said there are stories everywhere as long as a writer is looking. “I think that to be bored is a great crime,” Remnick said. Gordon said that Remnick was a particularly inspiring journalist. “He cares about everything,” she said. “I thought he was really inspiring because he really talked about getting out there and reporting.” Journalism professor Mitchell Stephens said Remnick has played a role in establishing a
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New Yorkers voice concerns about issues, hope next mayor will offer solutions
DANIEL COLE/WSN
The temporary Talking Transition tent will remain in SoHo until Nov. 23. Brooklyn resident Susan Brenna heard about the tent via Twitter. Her tag read, “Kids spend 80 percent of their waking hours not in school.” Brenna said she likes the convenience of the project. “They are making it very easy for people to express their opinions,” she said. “You can do it online, you can do it on the wall, so I mean, why not?” Every day, public officials, advocacy organizations, public service providers and other speakers host conversations about ideas and policies that the new administration could adopt to combat those issues. Fuchs said people are anxious to be a part of the project.
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“Since we launched the website, we’ve been completely inundated with requests, people who want to be part of the conversation and want to lead the conversation,” Fuchs said. In addition to the tent headquarters, more than 100 street surveyors, who speak 19 languages, schedule visits to 100 locations throughout the five boroughs. Three mobile tents serve several locations every day with miniature versions of the conversations that take place in the larger tent. TalkingTransitionNYC. com allows people to fill out surveys that ask how issues are being handled and whether they are improving or worsening.
On Nov. 23, the last day of the project, some visualizations and a synopsis of the collected data will be released to the public. In mid-December the findings will be presented. LS sophomore Madeline Hunter said she would write, “Increase the efficiency of the subway system,” on her tag, but does not foresee promising results. “I think [the tent is] a good idea,” Hunter said. “I don’t actually think it will be effective because de Blasio is not going to be held responsible for it. He has full right to ignore any of it.” Klein Aleardi is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
DANIEL COLE/WSN
David Remnick, the editor at The New Yorker, speaks at NYU. golden age for The New Yorker. “He’s struck a really good balance between a kind of intellectual, long-winded, hyper-thoughtful journalism and a timely, to the point, widely-discussed journalism,” Stephens said. Gordon said the magazine represents continuity because people are still interested in The New Yorker’s brand of journalism.
“[People] still want those wonderful long stories, they want those hilariously funny cartoons,” Gordon said. “So I think that while that magazine has obviously changed and evolved, it’s still very much still alive and part of the culture.” Ann Schmidt is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
Panelists weigh in on controversial soda ban By ADELINA ZHANG
A panel called Does Size Matter? focused on whether the New York City Board of Health should have the right to regulate the soda ban, if citizen’s liberty is being infringed, among other issues involving the ban. The discussion at Vanderbilt Hall on Nov. 12 included senior editor of Reason Magazine Jacob Sullum; Walter Olson, senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Center for Constitutional Studies; professor Rick Hills from the NYU School of Law; and law school professor Michael Herz, who served as the moderator. Sullum said the ban was an inappropriate effort by the government to interfere with individual consumption choices. “Bloomberg’s big-beverage ban sets a precedent for government meddling in personal matters where it has no business intervening,” Sullum said. “By trying to stop people from drinking what he deems to be too much soda, Bloomberg asserts his authority to override consumption decisions of which he disapproves.” Olson cited Boreali v. Axelrod, a case about the New York state Department of Health’s right to regulate smoking in public places. “If the tests for arbitrary and capricious
says, ‘Oh, you should have gone farther in order to be consistent and therefore we are going to strike you down [as such]’ … then I would agree [with Hills] completely,” Olson said, referring to the four-pronged test established by the appellate court’s decision in Boreali. “I simply can’t accept professor Hills’ analysis.” Hills, who disagreed with the state appellate court’s upholding the ban, argued in favor of local government. “If you’re going to be uneasy about paternalism, [then] strike down the trans-fat rule,” Hills said. “Now they won’t do that because that would be politically unpopular. And so what they’re doing is picking and choosing under a mushy test that has nothing to do with administrative law and has everything to do with political ideology.” The NYU Federalist Society, a group of conservative and libertarian students who are interested in the current state of legal issues, organized the discussion to draw attention to broader legal themes raised by the ban. “Our society believes that the state exists to preserve individual freedom and that separation of powers is central to this preservation,” said Vince Eisinger, a Federalist Society board member and third-year law student. Food Law, a student organization that exposes students to issues involving food law and food policy, co-hosted the event. “The Bloomberg portion cap is a perfect example of the intersection of food and law,” said Julia McCartney, the vice president of Food Law and a second-year law student. McCartney said the panel clarified the legal underpinnings of the soda ban. “I think the complexity of New York City law is difficult of explain,” McCartney said. “The speakers did a good job at breaking down the different issues.”
JOON LEE/WSN
Jacob Sullem and Rick Hills discuss the soda ban while Michael Herz moderates.
Adelina Zhang is a contributing writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
EDITED BY JEREMY GROSSMAN ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
‘Watterson’ examines impact of ‘Calvin and Hobbes’ creator By KEITH ALLISON
The saga of Bill Watterson’s “Calvin and Hobbes” came to an end with the phrase, “Let’s go exploring.” Its protagonists were left venturing into the snowy abyss of winter, with a limitless number of adventures awaiting them. The tone was bittersweet — readers were forced to experience the pain of losing dear friends. But the definitive closure affirmed that the strip was the work of an author’s vision, not commerce, guaranteeing a legacy of admiration. This understanding of “Calvin and Hobbes” is the essence of Joel Allen Schroeder’s documentary, “Dear Mr. Watterson.” The film serves as both a history lesson and piece of commentary, chronicling the development of the strip while making a case for its impact on various genera-
tions who have grown up with Calvin and Hobbes since the comic’s debut in 1985. Although Bill Watterson did not participate in the film — he is generally averse to interviews, preferring to maintain his privacy — his presence is felt throughout. Some of the interviews in “Watterson” include his contemporaries in the comic industry, like Bill Amend (“Foxtrot”) and Berkeley Breathed (“Bloom County”), current members of the entertainment industry, like Seth Green (“Robot Chicken”) and a wide array of readers who grew up with the strip. This is where the film’s strength lies. The audience gets an insight into what made Watterson’s style unique and its ensuing mass appeal. When asked of the strips’ specialties, many cite the illustrations, noting how their landscapes were lush and perfect encapsulations of child-
hood’s wild imagination. Others note the themes of friendship and isolation, recalling how much they identified with Calvin and his need for a companion to understand his off-kilter humor. One artist notes the savvy nature of its development, stating it was one of the few strips to understand its character dynamics and storytelling scope from the outset, while others would need years to find their voices. It’s not hard to see why these artists were so moved by Watterson’s comics. Watching “Watterson” will make viewers want to break out their old comic books the second they leave the theater. “Dear Mr. Watterson” is an intriguing experiment and a useful film for anyone willing to invest themselves in the “Calvin and Hobbes” story. It is an admirable introduction for newcomers and
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Director Joel Allen Schroeder analyzes Bill Watterson’s comics. an emotional trip down memory lane for longtime fans. As artists recall the epic adventures of Calvin’s Spaceman Spiff persona or the philosophical rides on his deadly toboggan sled, viewers
will reminisce about their own childhood adventures with Calvin and Hobbes. Keith Allison is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
HAMLET continued from PG. 1
Stunning performances elevate ‘Nebraska’ to be worthy of awards buzz dictions — ornery, friendly, matterof-fact, fanciful, smart, confused, distant and earnest — sometimes all at once. But Dern impressively balances these traits, showcasing the weight of his life with startling skill. The big surprise, though, is Forte. The “Saturday Night Live” comedian holds his own alongside Dern. He has a sad, underplayed vulnerability and a quietly touching empathy. Present throughout “Nebraska” is a superb sense of place, with the flat landscapes and gathering places populated by unique faces and local color. Payne and cinematographer Phedon Papamichael’s decision to shoot the film in black and white has garnered plenty of discussion, but it becomes more than just a statement. It adds a layer of sadness to the film, which makes Payne’s characters all the more moving. It is fitting that the film is in monochrome, because like Payne, “Ne-
COURTESY OF FINGERPRINT FILMS
COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT VANTAGE
Woody Grant travels with his son David to Omaha, Nebraska. braska” is devoted to peoples’ unique shades of gray. J.R. Hammerer is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
‘Hamlet’ performance breaks gender boundaries, includes tight-knit cast
production will illuminate new things each time.” This production takes place on a simple stage set in the Cold War era “an era marked by psychological warfare,” Horton said. For a play with politics glossed over in favor of tragedy and death, this setting “helps underscore some of those tensions.” Ultimately, the student cast is more than capable of portraying the intricacies of Shakespeare’s arguably most famous text. “I try to cast the strongest actors and often, particularly here at NYU,” she said. “And at Gallatin, it’s women.” There are several gender-bent or genderblind instances of casting in this production. “Shakespeare had all men performing his plays,” Horton said, “Juliet was played by a 13-year-old boy, so why can’t a 20-year-old woman play Polonius?” She and the cast firmly answer this question in their performance. “Because really, at the end of the day, the story takes over,” Horton said — and that is
indeed what matters most.
Dylan Jarrett is books/theater editor. Email her at djarrett@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF NYU GALLATIN
Many of professor Kristin Horton’s students are performing in “Hamlet.”
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ARTS
Sokurov creates visually amazing ‘Faust’
By MOHAMED HASSAN
Russian filmmaker Aleksandr Sokurov’s phantasmagorical take on familiar legend “Faust” diverges from the traditional romantic ideals of German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s literary masterpiece. Infused with strikingly beautiful scenes, “Faust” takes the viewer on a bizarre, stimulating journey culminating in hell. The film centers on Faust (Johannes Zeiler), a man in search of the ideals of the Enlightenment. He becomes obsessed with the beautiful Margarete (Isolda Dychauk) — so obsessed that he willingly sells his soul to the Devil (Anton Adasinsky) to make her fall in love with him. “Faust’s” greatest strength is derived from its immense idiosyncratic world that stimulates visual euphoria. “Faust” also features a dramatic soundscape that broadens the world’s sensory effect. The lighting, palette of bleak colors, use of space, pauses and musical gravity all create a truly peculiar vision evident from the first scene. Sokurov is known for his intense visual creations stemming
from culturally rich locations, and “Faust” drives its visible emphasis through cinematographer Bruno Delbonnel’s work. Delbonnel, who previously shot “Amélie” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” uses visuals to completely enrapture the viewer. Producer and composer Andrei Sigle helps expand the cinematic experience with his successful integration of music from medieval Germany, Richard Wagner, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Gustav Mahler. Sokurov’s “Faust” is the final installment of his cinematic tetralogy on the nature of power — previous installments include “Moloch,” “Taurus” and “The Sun.” “Faust” is a depiction of the darkness of man, and explores the illogical unhappiness inherent in everyday life. Sokurov’s installments are all linked by the extent to which which people can cause unhappiness in the world around them. Contrary to other installments, Faust strays from his mortality, is granted another opportunity toward his pact and is given power. Zeiler’s Faust is a truly innocent man, who slowly falls into an unsettling hunger for power. To
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Hanna Shygulla watches Faust converse with Georg Friedrich. complement Zeiler, Adasinsky’s eccentric personality adds a comedic twist to the Devil, and his ability to paint seemingly innocent disillusionment and shift to pure evil is truly amazing. Although Sokurov maintains Faust’s desire for knowledge and satisfaction as originally depicted by Goethe, the protagonist is stripped of his romanticism. He is, instead, a pessimist who would abandon his morality for the pure sake of achieving a goal through sheer negative conviction. Nonetheless, Sokurov still portrays Faust as a struggling sci-
entist in the drab world that the Enlightenment sought to radically influence. Despite his inability to completely understand all of Goethe’s ideas in “Faust,” Sokurov maintains an upper hand in his ability to plunge the viewer into a middle-European environment. “Faust” successfully brings disillusioned wonderment supported by breathtaking visuals and theatrical musical composition. Mohamed Hassan is a staff writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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OPINION
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HEALTH
Supplements require stricter FDA oversight By LENA RAWLEY
Plants have been used for centuries to create herbal remedies that can cure any sort of ailment. Echinacea is purported to prevent colds, ginkgo is suggested to improve memory and flaxseed lowers cholesterol. More than 100 million Americans consume these herbal supplements, shelling out $5 billion on such products annually. However, most of the time, these herbal remedies are not even herbal at all. In a recent study, Canadian researchers reported that many herbal supplements are not what they claim to be, revealing that most supplements were either diluted, or entirely replaced with completely different fillers. The study’s findings open a necessary discussion on the lack of quality control on herbal supplements in the United States. Because herbal supplements are not prescribed, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is only responsible for monitoring the safety of the product when it’s on the market, meaning manufacturers can produce and sell their products without FDA approval. The government has made attempts at regulating herbal supplements — In 1994, the Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act, called for “novel ingredients,” meaning ingredients that had not been sold in the United States before 1994, to be registered with the FDA. However, the FDA hasn’t been adamant in requiring manufacturers to register. Out of the 51,000 new supplements on the market, only 170 have registered their ingredients with the FDA. This lack of FDA oversight allows many manufacturers to sell placebos as herbal supplements. For example, studies have shown that two popular St. John’s wort herbal supplements, used to treat depression, contained no St. John’s wort whatsoever. Rather, the capsules in the first bottle were filled with rice, and the capsules in second contained Alexandrian senna, an Egyptian shrub that functions as a powerful laxative. Poor monitoring also puts consumers’ health at risk. Many herbal sup-
plements contain hazardous ingredients unregistered with the FDA. The state of Hawaii recently reported 29 cases of liver failure due to the herbal weight loss supplement OxyElite Pro. The supplement Echinacea contains traces of the weed Parthenium hysterophorus, an invasive plant native of India and Australia that has been linked to rashes, nausea and intestinal discomfort. Ginkgo bilboa supplements are found to contain fillers with black walnut, which can be extremely dangerous to those with severe nut allergies. Additionally, many herbal supplements contain unregistered wheat ingredients, affecting those with gluten allergies. If the FDA does not start monitoring such herbal supplements more effectively, manufacturers will continue to profit off of ineffective and harmful products. It is their responsibility to determine whether or not supplements are safe for consumption. Untested herbal supplements are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and the FDA must do a better job at protecting Americans from such a threat. Lena Rawley is a contributing columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
Tisch students deserve more performance space By NINA GOLSHAN
NYU is best known around the country for a variety of qualities — the desirable location, high cost and its prestigious arts school. Admission to the Tisch School of the Arts ensures a student that his or her work will be cultivated, refined and supported by some of the most qualified teachers and advisors in the industry. Unfortunately, Tisch falters when it comes to providing students with the resources to properly showcase the results of their hard work. There are many instances in which students lack proper performance spaces. The dance department holds over a dozen of its annual shows in a theater on the fifth floor of 111 Second Ave. It is a small black box theater that seats just 20 people, and in a show full of undergraduates excited to put their work on display for their families and friends, there is a slim chance that fellow NYU students can buy tickets before they are all snatched up in presale. The same goes for many of the shows put on by drama students. The GAP shows, arguably the most impor-
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tant creative outlet because they are directed, produced, managed and performed entirely by undergraduates, are held in tiny rooms in Tisch that seat no more than 25 people. In my own experience, many students were unable to attend their peers’ shows because of a lack of space. Seats fill up quickly, and the shows sell out long before many people have the opportunity to buy tickets at the box office. If the demand is clearly so high, why not provide students with bigger performance spaces when the university has them at its disposal. The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts seats 850, but is almost exclusively rented to outside artists. Mainstage performances, the biggest Tisch productions of every semester, are showcased not in Skirball, but in much smaller spaces, like the Abe Burrows The-
atre, which only seats 99, and the Frederick Loewe Theatre — the second largest of the four major stages in Tisch — a 78-seater black box. While there are some performances spaces with a greater number of seats to fill, the options are limited in contrast to the size of these departments. Considering how my high school theater productions were performed in a 500-seat plus auditorium, it only seems logical that a major university, which prides itself on its arts school, would provide appropriate spaces for its students’ performances. NYU arts students are afforded the greatest opportunities to work under the support and guidance of talented students and teachers. It is likely the only time they will have all of these resources at their fingertips, so it is a shame that their family members and peers are barred from seeing the product of extensive training because of something as trivial as a small performance space. Nina Golshan is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Obama retracts promise about insurance plans
After the opposition-led government shutdown and website glitches, President Barack Obama’s flagship healthcare program now faces yet another problem. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have received cancellation letters from their insurance companies who are dropping plans that do not comply with the Affordable Care Act. Even some of the most outspoken Obama supporter has begun to speak out against the policy. In an interview published on Tuesday, former president Bill Clinton criticized Obama for not honoring his promise that people would be allowed to “keep what they got.” The purpose of Obama’s program is to provide better coverage for the majority of Americans. The President very clearly and openly promised in various speeches made even after the bill was passed that those who are satisfied with their current health insurance plans or doctors would not be forced to switch. Then, after the health exchanges had opened and millions of worried customers were receiving cancellation notices, Obama backtracked on his previous statements, claiming that “what we said was you can keep it if it hasn’t changed since the law passed.” However, this claim is dishonest. The Obama administration was aware that millions of people would lose their insurance policies since 2010, but promised them anyway in 2012, “If [you] already have health insurance, you will keep your health insurance.” An NBC News investigative report uncovered Obamacare regulations from July of 2010 that calculated “40 to 67 percent” of customers would lose their current plan due to expected changes in individual insurance market policies. Unfortunately, with cancellation letters piling up and the technical failures of the website keeping people from shopping for new plans, Obamacare is shaping up to be a major inconvenience for many Americans, and an outright nightmare for some. Obamacare was founded on the principle that every American should have access to affordable health care. Now, the massive surge in cancellation letters and the unsolved technical failures of the website inhibiting people from shopping for new plans have made it the antithesis of its original and honorable goal. Instead, Obama’s program favors business interests over the people’s interests. If Obama had pushed for a single payer system, like a Medicare for all, then these snags would most likely not have arisen. The government would have been providing insurance, and Americans would not have been receiving cancellation notices. Perhaps this is the time for the president to carefully reflect and reconsider. He should put the public option back on the policy agenda. This would be both the most practical approach to fix the system and the morally right decision.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Raquel Woodruff (Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co-chair), Peter Keffer (Co-chair), Harry Brown, Marcelo Cicconet, Christina Coleburn, Omar Etman, Nina Golshan, Nickhil Sethi
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
BEAUTY AND STYLE
EDITED BY ARIANA DIVALENTINO BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
Fall in love with weather-appropriate winter boots By BRYNA SHUMAN
Winter is coming, and with it an onslaught of cold weather, snow, ice and slush. When picking out appropriate winter boots, it’s important to not just look for a fashionable pair of boots, but also ones that will stand up to the tests of winter weather. Luckily, it is possible to find boots that will look cute while trudging through drifts of snow. Make sure to keep these features in mind while shopping for winter boots.
Warmth One of the main concerns when picking out a pair of winter boots is, of course, whether or not they will keep your feet warm. You’ll want to look for a pair of welllined boots that provide good insulation, while still leaving room for your feet to breathe. Consider a pair of Toe Warmers women’s Magic Boots ($111.95). These boots feature both an upper lining and an inner sock lining to keep feet protected against the cold, and the basic black look is easily paired with any outfit.
Durability and Comfort Unlike summer weather, in which you can wear sandals, flats or heels depending on your mood, the boots you pick for the winter will see plenty of wear time.
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Make sure to pick a comfortable and durable paid. You don’t want your feet pinched all winter long, or to have a pair that wear out after a week of wet conditions. UGG’s Adirondack Boot II ($240) has a sturdy and waterproof outer sole that can easily stand up to winter conditions, and a soft sheepskin lining to keep feet cozy and comfortable.
outside instead. Sorel’s Joan of Arctic boot ($150) not only has a fully waterproof exterior and faux fur cuff, but also comes with bright red laces, providing a pop of color against the gray winter sludge. Bryna Shuman is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Traction Winter weather makes things slippery. Choose a boot with good traction to keep you upright and standing. Look for rough rubber soles and channels on the boot’s bottom. The rubber will prevent you from slipping on wet surfaces, and the channels will provide grip and stability that make navigating slippery surfaces and uneven terrain a breeze. Sperry’s Gosling snow boot ($75) features both rubber soles and a channeled bottom, as well as a cute lace-up design and pop of neon color from the inner shaft.
Waterproof While walking through large drifts of snow, puddles of icy slush, cold rain and sleet, you will want a pair of boots that keep your feet dry. Not only do you want a waterproof exterior, you should look for a boot with a cuff lining at the opening. The cuff will stop snow and water from coming into the boot, guiding it down the
DENISE FABELLA/WSN
A solid pair of boots are essential to endure winter.
Various shops to purchase Nourish, repair, quality vegan-friendly items prevent nail damage
By GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS
With the return of bitter winter conditions and the need to bundle up, those who prefer their clothing cruelty-free are looking into vegan alternatives for cold weather classics like leather jackets, fur vests and wool sweaters. With the wide selection of New York City stores and online retailers available within arms reach, here are a few of the best places to find vegan-friendly clothing and accessories.
NastyGal Clothing | nastygal.com This online boutique features some of the most on-trend women’s styles, from quilted faux leather pants ($88) to fake shearling coats that look and feel like the real thing. If you’re looking for any type of statement piece, NastyGal is a must. Be sure to check out their collection of chunky circle scarves, most of which are made with acrylic or polyester and perfect for the chilly weather. Matt and Nat | Select retailers, mattandnat.com For those looking for higherend vegan goods, Matt and Nat, which stands for “Material and Nature,” is one of the best online stores catered specifically to vegan leather goods. Known for being earth-conscious, they also use materials such as recycled plastic bottles and cork for many of their bags and wallets. For cruelty-free and timeless styles, it is the best place for a well-made faux leather bag, and the small investment pays for itself in functionality and craftsmanship.
Vaute Couture | 234 Grand St., Brooklyn Local brand Vaute Couture offers some of the most original and innovative clothing of any vegan brand. Started by former Ford model Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, the entirely vegan brand was the first to show in New York Fashion Week and has become known for its use of weatherproof waxed canvas for men’s and women’s outerwear. While not the most budget-friendly for vegan shoppers, their quality is top-notch and worth the extra dollars for high fashion aesthetics with a cruelty-free mindset. Urban Outfitters | 628 Broadway, urbanoutfitters.com A staple for the average NYU student, Urban Outfitters has a wide selection of clothing and accessories that would receive a vegan’s seal of approval. From chunky fall sweaters in every fabric and color to electric blue velvet ankle boots, there is something for every taste and style, with a fairly affordable price range. If you’re looking to score
even more deals, stake out the sale section first — it’s full of surprises and much of it is $20 or less. Aside from clothing, most store locations also carry a generous amount of books.
Alternative Outfitters | alternativeoutfitters.com Known as the premiere place for vegans and animals lovers alike, Alternative Outfitters has one of the largest collections of vegan shoes available in one place. For the winter season, the online retailer sells a varied assortment of boots and other weather gear that stays within an affordable budget for the cost-conscious college student. It will never be a question of style versus ethics with popular brands including Madden Girl and Chinese Laundry offered through the site. They also have an extensive men’s shoe collection for the fashion-forward gentleman. Gianna Collier-Pitts is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
VIA MATTANDNAT.COM | NASTYGAL.COM | URBANOUTFITTERS.COM
Backpacks, cardigans, tights and shoes can be made from vegan products. Online stores also offer vegan-friendly apparel.
By BRYNA SHUMAN
The elements can take a toll on our nails. Polish routines and exposure to dry and damaging weather conditions can leave nails brittle, peeling and discolored. Luckily, there are easy steps to follow to recover weak and damaged nails, and prevent further breakage.
Repair Products The key to repairing damaged and brittle nails is keeping them in a healthy, moisturized state. Start with the cuticles. A cuticle cream, such as Burt’s Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream ($6), will keep cuticles smooth, soft and nourished, helping your nails to grow strong. Follow up by repairing damage to the nail itself. There are many products on the market specifically designed to repair and strengthen nails. For example, Sally Hansen’s Miracle Cure for Severe Problem Nails ($6.79) is designed to strengthen nails from within, lock in moisture and bond layers to stop nails from peeling. For an alternative, at home remedy, soaking nails in warm olive oil for 10 minutes a day will help strengthen brittle and peeling fingernails. Vitamins Certain vitamins are useful for keeping nails strong and healthy, and having a steady intake of them will help nails look wonderful. An increase of calcium in your diet, either through calcium supplements
or calcium-rich foods like milk, spinach or kale, will help nails grow strong and stop them from breaking easily. Vitamin E will both prevent peeling and repair nails that have already begun to peel. Incorporate Vitamin E into your diet with food like nuts, seeds or dark greens, or massage aromatherapy oil rich in Vitamin E (or just pop a Vitamin E gel capsule) onto nails to stop peeling and bond the layers of the nail back together.
Prevention Changing your nail routine can keep nails from becoming damaged. When painting your nails, choose a nail polish that is chemical free to maintain healthy nails, such as Vapour Organic Beauty’s Vernissage 5-Free Nail Lacquer ($16). However, make sure not to leave nail polish on for too long. Prolonged exposure to nail polish, even the chemical free kind, can leave nails discolored. Once your manicure starts to chip, remove it with an acetone-free nail polish remover ($5.95). The lack of acetone will keep your nails from drying out. After you’ve removed the nail polish from your nails, wait at least a week before painting them again. Giving your nails a chance to breathe will keep them from drying out and becoming brittle. Bryna Shuman is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.