BODY THE
ISSUE STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN FORTE
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
Study says calorie counts ineffective By THOMAS PERACCHIO Staff Writer
Calorie counts might not affect what people choose at restaurants as much as previously thought, according to a new study. Led by Langone PhD candidate Jonathan Cantor, the study says that nutrition labels have not been particularly effective in changing people’s behavior. The study, published in Health Affairs, attempted to determine whether calorie labels could influence people into making healthier choices. The team of NYU Wagner and NYU Langone students and professors compared samples of fast food customers from 2008, before the counts were mandated by the Affordable Care Act, to customers from 2013-2014. During the study, the team sampled from specific locations in both time frames. Four chains with the largest presence in New York City and Newark in 2008 — Burger King, KFC, McDonald’s and Wendy’s — were studied. The team collected data by offering $2 to customers for their order information. Questions asked included whether the respondent
saw any calorie information in the restaurant and those who said yes were subsequently asked how the information influenced their decisions. While the percentage of people who noticed calorie information on the menu jumped significantly, the average number of calories purchased actually increased between the time frames. Cantor suggested that not understanding what a calorie is might be the reason for these results. “Our survey also asked how the customer modified their order based on the calorie counts,” Cantor said. “The vast majority of customers reported they ordered fewer calories. As a result, we believe that customers think they are making a healthier decision even when they are not. This is further evidence that a modification to the counts could be useful to customers” The study proposed several changes to the way calorie labels are displayed. “Laboratory studies have shown encouraging responses to the use of stop signs for less healthful foods and exercise equivalents needed to burn the calories in specific menu
items, ranking items according to their calorie content or supplementing the existing numbers with the recommended number of calories to consume in a day or at a meal,” Cantor said. Cantor said educating the public could also make the labels more effective. “The current format of calorie counts is less than ideal,” Cantor said. “However, if a public health campaign accompanied the posting of the counts, a positive public health outcome could be the result.” Despite the evidence brought forward by the study, though, others say they do find the calorie counts useful. Stern freshman Evan Mironov mentioned that they are good for spotting outlier items to avoid on menus. “When I go to a Starbucks, I might just buy a muffin without really thinking about it,” Mironov said. “But if I see a muffin has like 600 calories, I’m going to think twice and just stick with a coffee.” Email Thomas Peracchio at news@nyunews.com.
Church had record of burial vaults By ALEX BAZELEY News Editor
While digging through troves of historical maps a couple weeks ago, NYU adjunct assistant professor JP Borum and their LS Writing I class came across an interesting discovery: the burial vault recently uncovered by the New York City Department of Design and Construction has been well-documented for nearly 200 years. Why then, Borum asked, did the DDC move forward with their project, knowing they would disrupt a known burial ground? “They just dug a hole in the middle of our path to the park,” Borum said. “Did they think NYU wasn’t going to pay attention?” Borum’s 26 students already look at maps, reports and statements in class, but now they are using these methods to dig deeper into the story. “The biggest [tool] is to seek the truth: to use research and writing are tools to respond ethically to problems, big problems,” Borum said. A 2005 report prepared by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation identified the Second Presbyterian Church as the descendent church associated with all church burials in the park, recommending that the organization be contacted prior to any construction.
STAFF PHOTO BY DIEGO LLACA
An NYU class found that the New York Department of Design and Construction should have known that there were bodies buried at the site of construction. “Contact should be made prior to field investigations to ensure that any human remains that might be encountered from this antecedent congregation will be addressed appropriately,” the report reads. Meanwhile, a story published in the New York Times on Nov. 6 talked to Alyssa Loorya — an archaeologist from Chrysalis Archaeological Consultants, the group being retained by the city to conduct the construction — who said the Second Presbyterian Church did not have records. However, Leslie Merlin, a pastor at the Second Presbyterian Church, said the city never made any attempt to contact the organization — despite the recommendations put forth in the 2005 report. “I am very sorry to say that no one contacted us at any point before or during this project,” Merlin said in an email. “That has distressed us, as has the erroneous statement regarding our records in the Times.” Merlin conceded that the church could not confirm independently that their organization was a descendent of the Scotch Presbyte-
rian Church. The same 2005 report recommends that testing be done in areas of potential archaeological concern — of which the burial vault site is one. Surprisingly, a representative from Chrysalis admitted that nobody in New York City does archaeology prior to excavation and that they were fully aware of a 1965 Consolidated Edison discovery of skeletons in the exact same location. Given that the DDC knew that they would run into the burial vault, Borum called the city’s decision to continue forth with the construction a “big oversight,” but is proud of the way the classes have reacted in the aftermath. “We’re responding to this issue with the tools at hand that freshmen are learning in Social Foundations, in Cultural Foundations and in their writing class,” Borum said. “They’re responding with compassion and such integrity.” At the time of publication, the DDC had not responded to requests for comment. Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY TIFFANY CHEN
A vigil was held in Washington Square Park for the attacks in Paris.
NYU shows solidarity with Paris after attack By LEXI FAUNCE CHRISTINE WANG and JUSTINE MORRIS Deputy News Editors
Numerous cities across the world have stood in solidarity with France after a group of terrorists killed 129 people and wounded over 300 more in Paris on Friday. New Yorkers gathered in Union Square the night of the attacks for a vigil commemorating those who lost their lives in Paris. undreds of people also showed their support Saturday afternoon during a rally in Washington Square Park. NYU President John Sexton addressed the attacks on Paris in an email sent to the NYU community on Saturday. Sexton said the university has increased its safety presence within the city and added that the NYU community will persevere in the face of extremism, show courage in the face of terrorism and find renewal in the face of tragedy. “Since almost the first moments after the attacks, we began the process of reaching out to every student there to make sure he or she was safe,” the email reads. “I am glad to report that all the students at NYU Paris have been located and are safe and secure.” LS freshman Ethan D’spain is currently studying abroad at NYU Paris and said if a friend had not warned him to stay home, he would have spent the night at a club near one of the attack sites. D’spain explained NYU’s check-in process and the challenge of making sure all students were accounted for and safe that night. “As you can probably imagine, it can be difficult to retrieve all of the students on
a Saturday night in Paris,” D’spain said. “The RAs in my residence came to each room with a clipboard and checked to see who was in the building, then contacted the students who were out and asked them to return.” D’spain also described the sight of heavily-armed officers roaming the streets and the terror seizing Parisians. “The metro has had some people on it that have been saying crazy things,” D’spain said. “This one man accused black people for the attacks and then slit his throat and threw blood at the passengers. My friend was on the metro at the time.” ISIS has since claimed responsibility for the attacks in Paris, releasing a statement referring to Paris as the capital of prostitution and vice. ISIS described how six different attacks were coordinated around Paris, targeting concert-goers, soccer fans and cafe diners. “Eight brothers, wrapped in explosive belts and armed with machine rifles, targeted sites that were accurately chosen in the heart of the capital of France, including the Stade de France during the match between the Crusader German and French teams where the fool of France, Francois Hollande, was present,” the statement reads. The ISIS’ statement ends with a threat claiming that this attack was just the beginning. “Let France and those who walk in its path know that they will remain on the top of the list of targets of the Islamic State,” the statement reads. “This attack is the first of the storm and a warning to those who wish to learn.” Email them at news@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Mizzou protests find support at NYU By CARMEN RUSSO Staff Writer
The solidarity movement in support of University of Missouri’s student protests has made its way to New York. Over the weekend, students throughout the city attended rallies and posted their supportive messages to Facebook, using the hashtag #insolidaritywithmizzou. Students from NYU are joining the action, hoping to bring the conversation about diversity and inclusion to our campus. The protests started when student activists at University of Missouri organized to demand changes to promote diversity and support black students at the predominantly white campus, including the resignation of former president Tim Wolfe. The protests received extensive coverage on social media and students at universities from all over the country quickly began to show their support. Three days after Wolfe’s resignation, the student body of NYU received a message from NYU President John Sexton. In an email, Sexton acknowledged the protests
and issues of racial inequality at universities and encouraged NYU to evaluate its own diversity policies. He has planned a universitywide conference for Nov. 18 in the Kimmel Center’s Eisner and Lubin auditorium. “The anguish — particularly among students of color — is palpable, a consequence of falling short of our ambitions for achieving true diversity, inclusiveness and respect,” Sexton said in the email. “That gap between aspiration and reality fills itself with disappointment and hurt.” President of the Black Student Union and CAS senior Arielle Andrews met with Sexton prior to the email’s delivery and said he was very open to proposals that would promote further progression in the conversation on diversity at NYU. “I could scrutinize the email — students have certainly emailed me with their input — but personally, I was pleased to see administrative support,” Andrews said. On Friday, students from the New School partnered with University of Missouri alumni to organize a rally in Washington Square
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
Universities around the country have shown support for the students at Missouri. Park. On Monday, Andrews and the BSU will host “Blackout NYU,” a day of action in Kimmel giving students the opportunity to sign a pledge against hatred and propose new policy ideas. President of Gallatin Student Council and Gallatin senior Vince Vance and Andrews are both promoting a new policy on mandatory diversity training, similar to the current AlcoholEDU and Sexual Misconduct programs. However, improved mandatory diversity education does not mean molding everyone to the same opinions. Vance said he understands the majority of people will
Thousands attend security week
not understand the struggles of black students, and does not think that everyone should have the same opinions. However, he said that he hopes that more people would try to understand the problems black students face. “It’s predominance, that’s the exhausting factor. Not necessarily that people like that exist or that they’re around or that they’re vocal, because those are conversations that need to happen,” he said. “I think they force both parties to think a little bit more, assuming that they’re engaging in conversation.”
As these conversations unfold, Tisch freshman Patrick Yeboah, who shared a message of solidarity on Facebook, said he hopes that students continue to be leaders and take action. “It is so important that young people stand up for the things that they think matter,” Yeboah said. “So many movements that have changed the world have been led by students.” Any and all students are invited to the upcoming events. Email Carmen Russo at news@nyunews.com.
CRIME LOG Nov. 7 to 13 By JUSTINE MORRIS Deputy News Editor
By TEGAN JOSEPH MOSUGU Contributing Writer
This weekend, NYU Tandon School of Engineering hosted the 13th annual Cyber Security Awareness Week this weekend, the largest student-run cyber security event in the nation. This event attracted thousands from the pre-college through doctoral level. Finalists came from the United States, as well as the United Arab Emirates and competed in games such as Capture The Flag, Embedded Security Challenge, High School Digital Forensics, Policy Competition and Applied Research Competition. This weekend alone, more than $450,000 was awarded in scholarships for high school finalists, as well as cash prizes for university students. Organizers of Capture The Flag — a competition in which participants race to break into servers — spent 48 hours designing preliminary challenges, and gave the finalists 36 hours to showcase their offensive and defensive skills. Those who competed in the Policy Competition had to address one of the most controversial debates in information security. They were poised with the question: How would you suggest the United States implement a national bug bounty program?
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The NYU Department of Public Safety received seven reports of larceny and one each of domestic violence, controlled substance and harassment between Nov. 7 and Nov. 13. VIA TWITTER.COM
A workshop on cyber security careers for women took place at this year’s Cyber Security Awareness Week. After being selected in the preliminary round from a pool of 800 teams, the finalists were critiqued by an esteemed pool of judges. The judges represented both academic and corporate realms of the United States, including companies like Facebook, Google, IBM and Trail of Bits. The CSAW weekend was the place for finalists to test ideas, but also resurrect old ones. Orlando Arias, senior at University of Central Florida, was part of Team SSL that placed second in The Embedded Security Challenge. They were tasked to break a hypothetical election system whereby they used a mechanism to encrypt online votes to ensure user privacy. “The election system that we tested, has been theoretically proposed in the past, but has not been actualized,” Arias said. Although a lot of the scenarios created were hypothetical, final-
ists were still engaged throughout the competition. Seunkyoon Bong, junior at Poolesville High School participated in the High School Digital Forensics Competition. In this competition, finalists had to search for any piece of incriminating information through the use of a password protected cellphone and an SD card in a drone. “It was an interesting competition because they made it seem like an actual investigation,” said Bong. “We had to submit a warrant to get evidence and formal write ups were also required.” NYU Law student Brian Eschels was the student lead for the Policy Competition. “The teams really took different takes on it, such that a very technical and non-technical person could write a paper without missing out on anything,” Eschels said. Email Tegan Joseph Mosugu at news@nyunews.com.
Larceny On Nov. 8, a student reported that he fell asleep at 2 a.m. in Bobst and when he woke up at 4 a.m., his laptop was missing. Police were notified. On Nov. 11, a student reported that on Nov. 6th she discovered her tablet missing from a supply closet in 18 Washington Place. Police notification was declined. On Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m., Public Safety responded to students running and yelling. The student giving chase said that the other student had stolen a third student’s wallet. The wallet was recovered and given back to its owner. NYPD was notified and an arrest was made. On Nov. 12 at 7 a.m., a student reported that she had fallen asleep while studying at 5 a.m. in Bobst and discovered her iPhone missing when she woke up an hour later. A report was filed with NYPD. On Nov. 12, a student reported at 10:30 a.m. she had secured her bike outside the Meyer building with two locks and discovered both bike and locks missing when she returned at noon. Police were not notified.
On Nov. 12, a student reported that at 12:25 p.m. she left her pencil case containing her medication and house keys in Bobst and discovered it missing when she returned at 2 p.m. NYPD was not notified. On Nov. 12 at 3 p.m., a student left his bike secured to the bike rack on Waverly Place and discovered it missing when he returned at 5:10 p.m. Police were not notified.
Domestic Violence On Nov. 9 at 11 a.m., a student reported that her ex-boyfriend held her by the arms to stop her from filing a report with Public Safety for harassing behavior. A report was filed with the NYPD.
Controlled Substance On Nov. 9 shortly after 11 p.m., Public Safety responded to a report of a controlled substance in Coral Towers and recovered a small amount of marijuana.
Harassment On Nov. 13 just before 2 a.m., three public safety officers were on a routine foot patrol on campus when they were followed by an unknown man who swung and threw a piece of wood at them after they told him to leave the area. Police were notified and the man was arrested. Email Justine Morris at jmorris@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
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Filmmaker alum talks Tisch, production company
By ZACH MARTIN Film Editor
Tisch alumnus Josh Mond has been producing films like “Martha Marcy May Marlene” and “Afterschool” through his company Borderline Films, founded while he was a college student. His directional debut, “James White,” is a raw, gritty portrait of a volatile young man — played by Christopher Abbot — who is coming to terms with his mother’s battle with cancer and attempting to change his own self-destructive behavior. WSN spoke with Mond about his inspiration and what’s different about directing after so much experience producing.
WSN: Your production company Borderline Films was founded during your time at NYU with Antonio Campos
and Sean Durkin. How and why did you form your own company?
JM: Sean and I met the first day. We transferred in. Sean and I were both from New York. We met in a class called Sight and Sound: Film. We were supposed to break up into groups and we just connected right away. We had the same intentions to use NYU as a place to find likeminded people and build a crew. I had gone to high school with Antonio briefly and I knew about all his success at a young age. Sean and I just happened to run into him on the street that week and started talking.
WSN: How did your experience at NYU help you prepare for making your first feature?
JM: I used a lot of my classes to inform what we were trying to do. We all wanted to be directors and Antonio was the one who was the most ready to direct a feature. We used my producing class, made friends with the teacher and got crew out of that. One of the first people we met was Zach StuartPontier, who just won an Emmy for “The Jinx” and edited “Martha Marcy May Marlene.”
WSN: How is the experience different, producing versus directing? JM: Instinctively, it starts with two different parts of my brain. As a producer, you’re fighting for somebody else. It’s a different part of you when you’re fighting for yourself. It’s a less trained part of me. But through having the experience of directing my first fea-
WSN: For “James White,” where did the story come from? It’s not necessarily autobiographical but it’s based on some of your own life experience. JM: I started working on another project years ago that kind of allowed me to go further in my personal experiences. I lost my mom four and half years ago, and she was diagnosed something like nine years ago, maybe 10. I was raised by a single mother, grew up in New York. I definitely explored something I wanted to
understand. I was encouraged and supported by my partners to get there and everybody else I worked with.
WSN: What’s next for you? JM: We’re supporting first-time filmmakers, two NYU alums. One is young; he was my assistant editor and I think he’s made a really dope film. Something I’m really interested in is putting together crews and mentoring for films. It’s hard to get an opportunity to make what you want to make and meet people who are grateful and excited to work together. What’s next for me is that I’m in the pregnancy stage of a new script, something personal. And I’ve just been reading a lot. I’m hoping something comes to me that I like.
Art showcase features Steinhardt work
Gallatin senior stars in solo show
By TONY SCHWAB Staff Writer
By ANNALUZ CABRERA Staff Writer
In an intimate theater in Hell’s Kitchen, Gallatin senior Johanna Duk stands in the center of a near-empty stage wearing a bright dress and an ice cream cone necklace with matching socks. She stares wide-eyed at the audience and clutches a bucket of popcorn. The pigtails above her ears swing as she questions where she is and why she is there. “Waiting for What?” is a dark comedy written by Duk and director Tisch senior Lily van Leeuwen. Duk, who is a writer, director and actress, stars in the one-woman show, playing a young 12-year-old girl in the waiting room between life and death. Throughout the fifteen minute performance, flashing numbers counted down to the main character’s revelation of her death. Although performed as part of the 2015 United Solo festival, the largest solo theater festival in the world, “Waiting for What?” has been seen by audiences before. It premiered at the Gallatin Arts Festival in Spring 2015 where Duk was happy to receive what she called “a great response from the audience.” The play was originally van Leeuwen’s idea, but transformed into something both writers felt strongly about through a collaborative effort. “It is hard to share thoughts openly,” Duk said. “ In the show the little girl doesn’t have to worry. I see it so much — people focus on what other people are think-
ture, I feel like I definitely have a better understanding of the director’s perspective, not just the needs. I think they’re different because one is your voice and one is supporting somebody else’s. But both are learning experiences.
VIA YOUTUBE.COM
“Waiting for What?” is a comedy written by Gallatin senior Johanna Duk and Tisch senior Lily van Leeuwen. ing. It’s unnecessary. I wanted to let my thoughts run. She doesn’t always say what the audience wants to hear. She says more than she should.” Duk warned the audience will most likely be confused at various points but urged them to listen carefully. At some points, it is difficult to understand how such a young child could fabricate such deep thoughts, speak with such an extensive vocabulary and be so worldly about current events. When the countdown projected behind her reached one, it seemed like the audience should be shocked — it was the moment the character finally wrapped her
head around her death — but instead, most viewers were expecting more. The play ended literally at zero, with no afterword or final note. Certainly a bit confusing, the play felt somewhat unfinished as audience members silently waited for the next scene although the performance was over. Although unclear at points, it is Duk and van Leeuwen’s intention and they are successful in making misunderstood, often avoided topics the central theme of their show. “Waiting for What” was performed on Wednesday at Theater Row. Email Annaluz Cabrera at theater@nyunews.com.
The Undergraduate Student Arts Organization of the Steinhardt studio art department opened its new show , “Not By Any Stretch,” Wednesday at the Barney building. Curated by Autumn Hamra, Dae Young Kim and Paula Rondon, the exhibit features work from 23 artists of all grades in the BFA program. The exhibit is very diverse in media, including forms such as painting, sculpture, collage and film. There is also a great variety of styles at play, including abstract expressionism and surrealism. Hamra said, “The work creates a universe in which a subtle unusuality and the uncanny find a precarious balance.” Kim, who is curator and president of the USAO, said the range of the show is representative of art at Steinhardt in general. “Our department is known for being interdisciplinary,” Kim said. “A sculpture concentration doesn’t only have to do with sculpture. In the contemporary art scene the specific medium is becoming less important and people are interested in seeing all the different things an artist can do.” Three paintings in the show deserve special praise for their creatively disturbing perspective on the human figure. One by junior Juliette Hayt, is a very striking portrait distorted and colored in a way that is reminiscent of Italian futurism. A much smaller, very eerie work by junior Callie Cramer also distorts the human face, but to a very different end: three different, abused-looking faces are stretched in different directions. The painting surface is made of wood, the naturalness of
which is made scary when contrasted with the weirdness of the painting’s figures. A more lighthearted painting by junior Luz Carabano shows a figure inspired by the recent MoMA show of Picasso’s sculptures surrounded by a blue background. The work is one of the smallest in the exhibit, and there is something very charming about its genuine appreciation of the artist’s work. The video installations in the exhibit range from disturbing to amusing. One by senior Reba Kittredge Tyson shows a woman slapping herself repeatedly on a loop. Another, by senior Devin McNulty, recreates various music videos from the early 2000s over the song “Pour Some Sugar On Me” by Def Leppard. “Devin is very interested in the pop culture that we grew up with,” Kim said. “It has to do with nostalgia and the idea of guilty pleasures.” The sculptures in the show experiment with many different materials. Some, like one by George Spica, use wood. Others, including one by Kellie Krouse, utilize glass. One very memorable sculpture by Sarah Pardo shows someone cowering under a blanket made of plaster. The sculpture is placed in the back of the exhibit, so upon entering the gallery it seems as if the statue is a real person. The Studio Art program at NYU encourages students to explore art forms across different mediums, and “Not By Any Stretch” shows the extraordinary depth of the program. “Not By Any Stretch” is on view until Saturday Nov. 21 at the Barney Building. Email Tony Schwab at entertainment@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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‘Ellis’ migration relevant today
Bieber discovers his ‘Purpose’ in new album By JAKE VISWANATH Contributing Writer
By ANUBHUTI KUMAR Staff Writer French artist JR’s latest film venture, “Ellis,” presents yet another perspective into the complex issue of immigration. NYU Program Board held a screening of the short film for students along with a panel on Nov. 9 with immigration experts. Isabel Martinez and Shirley Leyro, professors at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, spoke to the relevance of this depiction of Ellis Island to the issues facing the United States today. “Ellis” stars Robert DeNiro as a man who walks the abandoned rooms of Ellis Island’s hospital wing, recounting the dashed hopes and dreams of those who were barred entry after making the treacherous journey across the world to get their share of the American Dream. The film displaces the romantic notion of Ellis Island as the place of new beginnings and hope as it portrays the other side of the island’s history that is so often forgotten. While the movie re-analyzes the past, the timing of the release raises questions about the way immigration issues are handled in the present day. Martinez is a specialist in the immigration of unaccompanied minors and Leyro specializes in immigrants’ fears of deportation. They both took this opportunity to communicate the problems and complexities
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STAFF PHOTO BY DIEGO LLACA
Leyro (left) and Martinez (right) discuss immigration issues after screening of JR’s new film “Ellis.” they see in immigration and the United States as a whole. “The reasons why people migrate have always been the same,” Leyro said. “What’s unique to today is the level of enforcement we have been putting on the immigrant population and the mass deportation we have done.” She went on to explain that anti-immigrant sentiments have always been present, even in the times of Ellis Island, but the issue today is that deportation was never used as solution to this problem until the mid-1990s. “Any Central American refugees who have criminal records were deported back to Central America,” Martinez said. “Basically what that created was a transnational criminal organization network.” This continual growth of large criminal organizations has given way to the rise of violence in these countries. The panelists stressed how Ellis Island is usually associated with European immigration and is romanticized, but the Mexico-U.S. border is not looked at the same way.
Though Mexican immigrants often flee from the same struggles and for the same dreams, they are vilified, unlike those from European countries and the northern border, who are also undocumented. “Immigrants are not here to stay in the United States, but to come here for a short amount of time, and earn enough money so they can fulfill the dreams they have in their home country,” said Martinez. She described how the system used to be circular. Immigrants could come in, work and take the money home, but heavy militarization has made it difficult to come in and out rather than stay in the country undocumented. Immigration has always been a complex issue, but the eyeopening “Ellis” panel suggests current criminalization and deportation tactics have created more problems than solutions. “Ellis” premiered at the New Yorker Festival on Oct. 25. and screened at Kimmel on Nov. 9. Email Anubhuti Kumar at film@nyunews.com.
The past couple years have been a rollercoaster for Justin Bieber, to say the least. Egged houses, a DUI arrest and other party boy antics have all led to intense backlash for Bieber. But instead of diving headfirst into tragic child star oblivion, Bieber is trying to change his path by making amends with the world, both emotionally and musically. His newest album, “Purpose,” which was released Friday, is not as much of an album as it is a redemption arc. Bieber admits to his imperfections and justifies his actions throughout, best shown on one of the opening tracks, “I’ll Show You.” “This life’s not easy, I’m not made out of steel, don’t forget that I’m human, don’t forget that I’m real,” he croons atop a slowed down electro beat. The production is smooth and slinky, and the sentiment feels authentic, if not a little cliche. He also attempts to apologize, literally. “Sorry,” a dancehall-influenced jam helmed by Skrillex, seems to be aimed at Selena Gomez, but as he says himself, “You know I try, but I don’t do too well with apologies”. While the message comes across as passive, the song still knocks with pounding beats and catchy hooks, resulting in one of the album’s most memorable highlights. Don’t let his repentance fool you though: Bieber still has some pent up anger, and he’s not afraid to show it. He delivers cutting lines like “My mama don’t like you and she likes everyone” casually atop a sharp acoustic guitar on the Ed Sheeran co-penned “Love Yourself” that it makes one question the sincerity of his overall message. But isn’t everyone allowed moments of
biting aggression, especially when it sounds as lovely and melodious as Bieber’s? Ironically, the album reaches its peaks when when Bieber lets loose like a normal 21-year-old, the very thing that incited scrutiny in the first place. Luckily, he was smart enough to know his limits on the album. Lead single “What Do You Mean?” still sounds fresh, combining a ticking metronome and tropical house production with lyrics interpreted to promote consent, resulting in the most danceable and forward-thinking cut on the album. “Company” is the most seductive track on the album, as Bieber asks for a special someone’s company atop a thumping electro-R’n’B breakdown, while deluxe track “Been You” uses traditional pop melodies and production to create a classic-sounding hit. One thing that is undeniably evident on the album is the growth in maturity of Bieber’s music. Gone — well, mostly — are the watered down bops and manufactured emotion of his previous albums, being replaced with experimental R’n’B sheen, an array of electronic influences and decidedly mature subject matter. The album is not without flaw, often marred by its over-reliance on the comeback narrative, and still haunted by the ghosts of his teenybopper past at times. However, it’s the first time that many can say they enjoy Justin Bieber without feeling shame, showing a huge progression in quality. The potential for his next album, one created without the pressure of public redemption, is enormous, and the world should be waiting with open ears. “Purpose” was released on Friday. Email Jake Viswanath at music@nyunews.com.
Mock film fest shows new talent By DEJARELLE GAINES Staff Writer
Students were given the opportunity to enter in a mock filmfestival circuit last Thursday at the Cantor Film Center as part of the New Visions and Voices Festival. The film genres ranged from animated shorts to minidocumentaries, but all were created by NYU students in the film department of Tisch School of the Arts. The festival, which was open to the public, was designed to give students taking intermediate-level courses a place to exhibit their work in a film circuit. One of the judges, chair of the undergraduate film and television department Joe Pichirallo, said the objective of the festival was to give students an opportunity to present their work to wide audiences.
“It’s about developing who you are as a storyteller and a filmmaker,” Pichirallo said. The winner of the first place $4,500 Niklas Kalborg Production Award was Andreas Hadjipateras for his short documentary film “Gallero,” which explores the cultural and social importance of cockfighting in Cuba. Hadjipateras, an EnglishGreek director of documentary and fiction films, has had work shown at various festivals in Europe and the United States. He filmed during a semester abroad in Cuba and wanted to capture the country’s essence, though he faced difficulties while exploring the world of cockfighting. “I thought it’d be interesting to try to tap into something which was very behind the scenes,” Hadjipateras said. “We had a hard time in the beginning try-
ing to get access to it, so that kind of made me want to get access to it even more. So, we spent about a month and a half trying convince people to let us film.” Second place winner of the $2,500 Niklas Kalborg Production Award was Sachin Dharwadker, a filmmaker from Wisconsin. His short narrative film “Breathe In Breathe Out” follows a girl who breaks up with her boyfriend. Tisch senior Barak Barkan won the third place AbelCine Production Fund Award, giving him $1,500 store credit for production services and equipment. Barkan’s comedic short film was about a young Israeli who conducts interviews in order to find a roommate for his two-bedroom apartment in Williamsburg. Barkan said what he enjoyed
STAFF PHOTO BY TIFFANY CHEN
The NYU New Visions and Voices Festival celebrates Tisch talent at its Finalists Screening & Awards Announcement on Thursday. most about being able to show his short film at this festival was that it showed him how the audience ultimately decides the meaning of a film. “I know what the film is about for me, but I do realize that when you show it to people who have no idea what the film is
about, a lot of times they won’t necessarily pick up on the narrative.” Barkan said. “At first I was afraid of that, but now I like it. It’s interesting to see what they come up with.” Email Dejarelle Gaines at film@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY NINA JANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Whole Foods to launch chain of affordable stores By SHERRILYN LING Contributing Writer
Last week, Whole Foods officially announced its plans to launch a chain of smaller, more affordable grocery stores called “365 by Whole Foods Market.” Jeff Turnas, president of 365 by Whole Foods Market, said in a press release the stores will offer a fun shopping experience without sacrificing quality. “A modern, streamlined design with innovative technology and a carefully curated product mix will offer an efficient and rewarding way to grocery shop,” Turnas said. The name is meant to embody the idea of fresh, organic food being readily available 365 days a year, while also paying tribute to the Whole Foods “365 Everyday
Value” brand. Although no set date has been announced for the opening of one of the new stores in New York City, the eventual arrival of these chain stores will be good news for health-conscious NYU students who cannot afford to spend a lot of time or money on groceries. Steinhardt sophomore Vivian Wang always opts for lesser known markets such as Sunrise Mart, a small Japanese supermarket in the East Village, rather than big brand name stores because of better prices and fewer crowds. “I know Whole Foods is great, but the ones in New York City are crazy packed compared to the ones at home,” Wang said. “I am also a college student with a strict college budget, so I gener-
ally am not interested in buying, say, two carrots for $10.” Wang said, however, that she will be interested in the 365 by Whole Foods Market stores as long as the prices are lower. CAS freshman Anshika Maheshwari also avoids shopping at Whole Foods due to its overpriced products. “I can get what I want from other stores like Trader Joe’s, where they sell great organic food for a lot cheaper,” Maheshwari said. “I might start going to [365 by Whole Foods Market] depending on its location and prices compared to the grocery stores that I currently go to.” However, there are students who rely on their meal plan and are not interested in additional grocery shopping options, like Stern freshman Jennifer Kim.
STAFF PHOTO BY LILY XING
Canned pumpkin is sold as one of the products of the 365 product line at Whole Foods Market. Monica, Portland, Houston and Bellevue, and the chain plans to open twice as many stores in 2017. Email Sherrilyn Ling at dining@nyunews.com.
Proposed law could protect child models
Pros and cons of work study
By LAUREN CRADDOCK Contributing Writer
By TAYLOR NICOLE ROGERS Staff Writer Living in New York City is expensive. The Federal Work Study Program is one way that students attempt to offset the cost of a pricey education in an even pricier city. A part of the financial aid packages of many NYU students, the work study program allows for flexible on-campus employment with the majority of workers’ wages being paid by the federal government. However, work study does always work perfectly. For many students in this program, the search for employment began with NYU CareerNet, the Wasserman Center’s job search database. However, students often face competition for jobs and have to deal with unresponsive employers. During her first semester at NYU, CAS freshman Evy Hall landed a work study position as a coat room attendant in Vanderbilt Hall after turning to CareerNet for job openings. She said finding a job was more difficult than it would seem. “I saw work study on my financial aid package, so I applied to something like 25 jobs on CareerNet and got lucky,” Hall said. “Most of the people from CareerNet did not respond so you have to be very persistent.” Competition for jobs on CareerNet can be hard, but fortunately it’s not the only method to get an on-campus position.
“I don’t have time to cook and I use meal swipes very frequently,” Kim said. “I probably won’t end up going to the new stores.” Tisch junior Kaitlyn Yiu also doesn’t think the opening of new chain stores will affect how she currently shops for her groceries. “I’ll probably check it out once and give it a shot, but honestly I’ve gotten so comfortable shopping at Trader Joe’s,” Yiu said. “Also, I don’t know if ‘cheaper’ means cheaper than the current Whole Foods or cheaper than other grocery stores.” The Public Relations and Public Affairs Manager for Whole Food Market’s Northeast region, Michael Sinatra, was unable to give out any more information. The first five 365 by Whole Foods Market stores are set to open in Los Angeles, Santa
STAFF PHOTO BY ABRAHAM GROSS
Jeremy Eckl at work by the Rock Wall in Palladium Athletic Facility. Gallatin junior Jeremy Eckl, who works as a rock wall attendant at the Palladium Gym, found out about his current job while rock climbing himself and has seen many other people get hired the same way. “A number of the people I work with were climbers who wanted to join the community,” Eckl said. “I told them they should apply and months later we’re all here together working shifts.” LS sophomore Leah Balagopal works alongside Eckl at Palladium Gym and enjoys her job, but said it has its disadvantages. “It’s great to have on the side for some pocket money,” Balagopal said. “But if you really need a job to pay your rent, I would not recommend work study.” Employees at Palladium are not allowed to do homework on the job, whereas coat room attendants are permitted. This is just one factor to consider when applying for on-campus employment. CAS freshman Matthew Perry, who works in the CAS Advising Office, said
the job should pertain to their interests or studies as opposed to only being a way to simply afford a lifestyle. “What was most important for me was finding a job that helped me outside of the context of my job,” Perry said. “I know a lot of students look for jobs in the departments that they study in and that’s very helpful because it helps you as a student also.” For many student workers, it is also very important that their jobs respect that they are students first. “You should look for something that can coexist with your school,” Balagopal said. “School is why you’re here.” Although every job has its pros and cons, Eckl advised students who are in need of employment not to discriminate. In the end, although there are plenty of jobs on campus, one shouldn’t be so picky. “It’s a semester or two,” Eckl said. “Look for work, not a career.” Email Taylor Nicole Rogers at features@nyunews.com.
In the age of the rise of the celebrity model, many faces gracing runways, fashion magazines and ad campaigns across the world are under 18. On the surface, their lives as models look glamorous, but the reality for underage models is that they have little protection under child labor laws. On July 29, New York Rep. Grace Meng proposed the Child Performers Protection Act of 2015 to protect the youth lives of the fashion industry. The Child Performers Protection Act of 2015 proposes to expand upon federal workplace safety measures for child performers. According to the bill, a child performer is defined as a “child under the age of 18 employed or contracted as an actor or performer in a motion picture or live theatrical production, or in a radio or television production, or as a model for a fashion show, showroom, or similar production or for commercial media.” For models, whose average career begins at the age of 14, the bill has potential to allow for increased workplace protection. The new bill specifically outlines working hours allowed per day by age of the performer, along with the financial responsibilities regarding salary and savings. In particular, 15 percent of the child performer’s earning must be placed into a trust account set up by a parent or guardian. The bill also offers protection against sexual harassment, an especially prevalent issue in the modeling industry. Child models are often placed in jobs that require the sexual exploitation of the child. Young models are objectified because of their willingness to follow the direction of a photographer in exchange for a better career. Model Coco Rocha, after reaching her ce-
lebrity status, has exposed the harassment she received in the early years of her career being forced to strip without option to privacy. Just last year, photographer Shaun Colclough was convicted for two counts of sexually assaulting young models and forcing models into explicit photoshoots. Up until 2013, underage models were not considered child performers and therefore had little federal protection. Models overall lack much federal work protection as they are not considered employees, but are independent contractors. Because of this, underage models could be subject to overtime in hours and exploitation by not only the brand or designer, but also a parent or guardian’s control of funds. Child performer labor laws vary state by state, therefore labor policy for underage models is not uniform. States that provide the most protection under child performer permits are New York and California, both home to major entertainment and fashion industries. Rep. Meng’s proposed bill will allow for a uniform federal protection for child models in particular. Currently, the bill has yet to be voted on and is taking its first steps in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Although a step in the right direction, the bill lacks the major change needed for fair wages, hours and financial responsibilities on the performer’s guardians. Rep. Meng’s proposed bill could be successful in protecting underage models. However, the bill contains only minor changes to already established labor laws for states like New York and California. Underage models, as independent contractors, will still face unfair workplace conditions until a major change goes into effect. Email Lauren Craddock at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY NINA JANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Stylish courses to spice up your semester
The best grilled cheese in New York
By MINNIE ONGSRICHAROENPORN Staff Writer
Any college student knows a grilled cheese is just as essential as ramen to surviving dorm life. Settling for one at Third North’s Courtyard Cafe would be unfortunate, as New York City has endless locations with fun variations of this college staple. Here are some places to check out for some chessy goodness with a twist.
La Maison du Croque Monsieur (17 E. 13th St.) Grilled cheese may be an American creation but the French have their own impressive interpretation of this comfort food. Straight out of Montparnasse, La Maison du Croque Monsieur delivers classy croques like the Madame Anaïs, which combines bechamel grilled cheese and Jambon de Paris with an egg on top. To spice up your grilled cheese game, the mustardy Mr. Joaquin aka the Cuban is another good choice.
Melt Shop (55 W. 26th St.) With various outposts around the city, Melt Shop has got you covered if you’re suddenly craving a grilled cheese. You can treat
yourself to a classic grilled cheese or triple the cheesiness with the 3 Cheese sandwich. For a fancier variation of a childhood classic, try the ‘Truffle Melt’ with Havarti cheese, arugula and truffle oil.
Murray’s Cheese Bar (264 Bleecker St.) This West Village eatery is run by Murray’s Cheese Shop, which specializes in sourcing exotic cheeses from all over the world. As you might guess, no one knows good cheese better than they do. All other cheeseinspired dishes aside, the Murray’s Melt is a must-try for grilled cheese enthusiasts. Their version is made with a secret blend of various cheeses and Nueske’s bacon grilled on a Pullman loaf. Oh, and don’t forget to dip your sandwich into the smoky tomato soup that comes on the side.
Little Muenster (225 Liberty St.) Formerly situated in the Lower East Side, Little Muenster has relocated to the savvy Hudson Eats food court. Now on Brookfield Place, it joins the ranks of other up and coming eateries. You can start with a classic white American or cheddar and customize with an
STAFF PHOTO BY YOULIN LOU
Grilled Cheese is an essential college dish, quick and easy to make or buy around the city. assortment of add-ons ranging from caramelized onions to bacon. Also don’t miss their Cuban grilled cheese with slow-roasted pork, Virginia ham and smoky chipotle mayo.
Melt Kraft (101 Macdougal St.) Since it has moved out of Park Slope to set up shop just steps away from Washington Square, this speciality grilled cheese shop is a convenient spot to grab a bite after a late night Bobst study session. All cheeses are sourced from the Valley Shepherd Farm and their special three month Raclette can be found in the Melter Skelter and other classic sandwiches. The Valley Thunder even has baked macaroni and cheese stuffed inside with Bubbe’s beef brisket. A crispy complement of Covered Bridge Kettle Chips comes with all sandwiches. Email Minnie Ongsricharoenporn at dining@nyunews.com.
Home remedies for winter colds By PATRICK PAULEY Staff Writer
Preventative methods, including vaccinations, are some of the best solutions when it comes to battling disease. However, even the most prepared can find themselves susceptible to New York’s brutal winters. If the usual remedies for combatting the cold and flu just aren’t cutting it, try some different fixes from around the world.
said cinnamon is the answer to relieving major cold and flu symptoms. Known to have antibacterial properties, the spice can also be used to relieve pain or soothe upset stomachs. “Chewing cinnamon sticks is supposed to clear congestion and sore throats,” Mudlapur said. “Also, you can’t usually taste things because your nose is blocked, and cinnamon is strong, so it gives you your sense of taste back.”
Lemon slices
Mixed Blend
When it comes to treating a fever, Steinhardt freshman Danuta Egle learned some tricks from her mother who was her very own witch doctor whenever she got sick. “If you ever have a fever, cut up an entire lemon into little slices and pour sugar over them,” Egle said. “Then you eat it while drinking tea and while under your covers, and it’ll bring down your fever in like half an hour. You just sweat it all out.”
However, for those who are not fans of cinnamon, try drinking a mix of orange juice, ginger and honey. The acidity of the orange juice, antiviral properties of ginger and soothing effects of honey are combined in this ultimate cold-crushing and flu-fighting remedy recommended by Nora Arratia Mella, a host to study-abroad students in Chile. A Reñaca native, Mella has a wealth of experience in regards to treating illnesses with her own home remedies.
Cinnamon As an alternative to the usual tea with honey remedy to combat congestion, CAS freshman Prabhod Mudlapur, originally from Bangalore, prescribes a method befitting the holiday season. Mudlapur
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Mother’s hands “There’s a saying in Korea that goes ‘mother’s hands are medicine hands,’” CAS freshman E Yeon Chang said. Reflecting on her personal expe-
rience, Chang recounted how her mother would make her “jook” or rice porridge to calm stomachaches and have her take ginseng extract to boost her immune system. “Jook” is an Asian comfort food equivalent to the Western chicken noodle soup and holds the same homeopathic capabilities as its American counterpart. This combination has helped Chang to quickly regain her health in times of illness.
Onions Egle also recommended the healing properties of onions. She said if you ever have an earache, heat up half an onion and place it on your ear. Egle added that this will soothe earaches due to the heat and natural antiseptic qualities of the onion. Rio de Janeiro native and LS freshman Julia Brasil shares this belief in the healing properties of onions, recalling one specific approach her mother would use to help her feel better. “She would cut an onion in half and then put it on my nightstand,” Brasil said. “Then, I would feel better after a while. Of course I would also take some medicine, but I believe the onion really helps because it absorbs and gets rid of bacteria.” Email Patrick Pauley at features@nyunews.com.
By MEDARDO PEREZ Contributing Writer
Aside from their academic merit, NYU students are known for being some of the most fashionable in the country. NYU will be offering a variety of courses next semester that will incorporate fashion into their curricula, allowing students to learn about the industry’s link to social and cultural analysis, history, business and more. For this coming spring, students should look into these themed courses that demonstrate fashion’s widespread influence and explore some of the more diverse elements of the industry.
Femininity, Postfeminism and Mass Media (Gallatin School of Individualized Study) This course focuses on the connection between post-feminism, femininity, the consumer culture and mass media, dissecting the ways they complicate each other. Taught by professor Moya Luckett, it looks into how fashion, within the realm of consumer culture, has consequences on feminine identity and gender relations; the course analyzes how post-feminism is a partial product of that consumer culture. Gallatin senior Storm Ritter said Luckett creates a student-friendly environment where people can explore their identity. “The idea of identity and individuality was a common topic of conversation, which led harmonious and lively conversation in the classroom,” Ritter said. “[Luckett] creates a ‘safe-zone’ and overall positive environment for her students to openly discuss the repercussions of contradicting culture.”
Fashion and Power (Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development) “Fashion and Power” makes fashion its main focus through discussions of fashion’s meaning in popular culture, and its role in body politics. The course also examines the value of fashion in its relationship to social power. Steinhardt junior Lisa Azcona provided an example of how current news in fashion is incorporated into class discussion. “In the beginning of the class, the professor always
asks if anyone has gone to a fashion show or exhibition that they want to discuss in class,” Azcona said. “She wants to know if there is anything new related to fashion, and the student usually speaks about it.” Azcona gave her insight into the enthusiasm she had exploring the world of the ever-experimental designer Margiela. “For my research paper, I discussed Maison Martin Margiela’s use of mold, bacteria and yeast in fashion, and how that was related to time,” she said. “It was really cool to research about how something frowned upon was used in a beautiful way as a fashion statement in his exhibition.”
The Geopolitics of Beauty (College of Arts and Science) This course, taught by professor Sharon Lee, studies the concept of beauty within different cultural and social backgrounds. Analysis is centered on the presupposition that the concept of beauty takes on different forms within different cultural, historical and political contexts. Students analyze fashion, among other aspects of beauty culture, to come to an understanding of how beauty becomes a power tool. Lee shared her hopes that the course will produce stronger critical thinking skills in her students through blogging. “The class incorporates current trends and controversies in fashion primarily through our public blog,” Lee said. “I encourage students to see themselves not only as consumers of knowledge but producers of knowledge as well.” GSAS student Mercedes Drew said she enjoyed how much flexibility and creativity she was granted for her final assignments. “The final projects were one of the best parts of the course,” Drew said. “I personally made my own magazine focusing on braids and natural hair.” Other courses worth checking out are “Couture/Culture: Fashion and Globalization” (CAS), “Couture Culture: Sexual Politics on the Runway” (Gallatin) and “Executive Practitioner Seminar: The Dynamics of the Fashion Industry” (Stern). Email Medardo Perez at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
personal essay:
FLESH By Isabel Baker, Contributing Writer
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ive, 10 and 21 — the number of surgeries I’ve had, scars left on my body and inches of intestine removed. Last summer during my Intro to Photography class, I took photos of the pink scars lining my torso. I was not thinking about body image. In fact, I barely think about it. When you have a chronic illness like Crohn’s Disease, your weight and health fluctuate so much and so rapidly that you rarely have time to worry about your appearance. Yet when I presented my photos to the class, the professor didn’t seem to notice the scars. The photos were zoomed-in shots of my body. I had set the self-timer on the camera so that I could use both my hands to grab my flesh to look like I was trying to rip my body open, just like all of the surgeons that have sliced my flesh since I was three years old. In the developing lab, I spent over an hour readjusting the contrast so that my scars were distinct from the rest of my skin. My goal was to show a side of me that is otherwise invisible. I am not skinny or fit, and while I’m a bit pale, I don’t really look sick. This was
my chance to reveal something I had kept hidden for so long, and here I was — about to share it with a group of people I had only known for a few weeks. After pinning up my photos next to my classmates’ work, I nervously awaited my professor’s critique. Did I use too much contrast? Was there not enough versatility? I went down the checklist of everything that I could have done wrong, when the teacher finally arrived at my piece. I perked up and leaned forward to hear what he had to say. “Ah, I see. Yes, I get it,” he remarked, “We’ve all got a little pudge on us.” I immediately sank back in my chair. There was nothing that could have prepared me for that response. All I could do was nod my head and twiddle my thumbs. In my life, a lot had been done to evaluate my body — CT scans, MRIs, colonoscopies, ultrasounds and biopsies. Yet, here my body was being evaluated by a non-medical professional, in a way that would never possibly help me lead a healthier, better life. My scars are not large, but they are certainly not imperceptible. The professor’s comments left me feeling
COURTESY OF ISABEL BAKER
confused and insulted. I couldn’t quite grasp why the soft flesh on my body mattered-having fat on my body meant that I was relatively healthy, but it became now it seemed that my fat was worse than my scars. On my walk home from class, I was reminded of a doctor who once examined my freshly post-surgical torso. She and a team of medical interns intently stared at my bare, bruised stomach. “You must eat a lot of pasta.” The doctor smiled and pinched the fat on my stomach. I yelped out in pain and grabbed my swollen gut. Even when I had been sliced open, catheterized, and wrapped in an ugly blue gown, my fat was more visible than me or my scars. I am a not fat. I have scars on my stomach. I am often in pain. I am also a scientist, an artist, a painter and a sister. Yet, when people look at my bare body, they can only see one thing — flesh.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
WELLNESS CENTER LEAVES STUDENTS WANTING MORE By Lexi Faunce, Deputy News Editor
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tudent well-being affects everyone in the NYU community, and the Wellness Center is an integral part of maintaining an undergraduate’s safety and happiness at their home away from home. NYU’s Wellness Center has won some impressive accolades including the JedCampus seal for innovative mental health programs and with another location recently added to the Brooklyn campus, the university’s student health center seems exceptional. However, individual students have given the center mixed reviews. CAS senior Jake* said his first experience at the Wellness Center was a drop-in visit, where he met with a counselor almost immediately and had positive results. Yet, he said his latest visit to the center ended poorly after not receiving any help from the staff. “More recently I went to a drop-in visit again, but after waiting for about 40 minutes, I was told it would be another 15-minute wait, and so I left without meeting anyone,” he said. “I scheduled an appointment and I was given about a 12-day wait.”
AN INDUSTRY OBSESSED WITH THE BODY By David Bologna, Beauty & Style Editor
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n his controversial yet nonetheless relevant work, Sigmund Freud discussed the phenomenon of the fetish. The roots of the fetish lie in some original or organic object of desire from which feelings are displaced. In later years, Karl Marx related this theory back to the political economy with his explanation of the commodity fetish — the displacement of abstract values that elevate an object of economic desire into a subject of human relations.With the gradual expansion of its industry over time, fashion and its artistic properties have caused a shift in our own perception of dress, causing the very fabrics we live in to become their own living, fetishized subjects. This path from object to subject has allowed for unfettered creativity and innovation for those who take pride in the sartorial. In response, however, the reverse process from subject to object can now be seen as a condition of the human body. The objectification of the body is perpetuated perhaps no more by any other industry than that of the fashion industry. As satin and chiffon trail the catwalk displaying their own subjective qualities, the body ultimately becomes a secondary thing of economic value. This phenomenon is most obvious in the course of the model, and while we’ve begun to recognize the negative consequences of promoting one form of beauty, seemingly helpful reactions have continued this economics-centric gaze.
In April earlier this year, France became one of a handful of nations including Spain and Israel to pass Body Mass Index legislation. In hopes of regulating excessive thinness — which is defined as a BMI under 18 — the bill passed by French parliament is no light matter. It enforces strict fines of up to 75,000 euros and a possible jail time of six months upon modeling agencies or fashion houses that are found using models below this accepted BMI. The law came hand in hand with another bill passed by the country banning websites that promote anorexia. These social media pages on the rise actively promote an anorexic lifestyle with “thinspiration” photos, fasting challenges and online support from other anorexic individuals. While legislation like these two may seem beneficial in limiting the fashion industry’s tendency to body shame, they also work to reaffirm the fact that the body is now no longer a subjective being with abstract values. It is a commodified thing of desire that is manufactured as a product. Even inclusive activity falls into this trap of treating the body as a profitable item. Calvin Klein’s inclusion of size 10 model Myla Dalbesio for their “Perfect Body” campaign was celebrated among many industry insiders. Plus-sized brand Lane Bryant’s #PlusIsEqual campaign brought to light yet another effort of promoting body positivity for all. Studies this year alone from the University of Kent and Brock University
uate said as she was being guided through the conversation, as though she was hitting a brick wall with the counselor. “My colleagues and I are always willing to talk to our students,” Jane said. “However, it can be burdensome because we’re not professionals, and we often worry the advice we are offering may not be the best. Someone needs to be there to listen, offer compassion and care about these students.” Another graduate student, Carmen*, spoke of her personal experience using the 24-hour Wellness Exchange hotline several years ago. “I had called one night because I was feeling a bit woundup and thought talking to someone might help calm me down,” Carmen said. “The woman I spoke with was very rude and rather hostile. We had a short conversation, and I immediately called back to speak with someone in charge about my experience. However, I spoke with the same woman who became sarcastic and aggressive.” WSN was unable to reach a senior staff member at the Wellness Center for a comment, but according to their site, their “commitment is to treat patients with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” *Names in this story were changed to maintain the confidentiality of these students.
found that using more average-sized models in fashion ad campaigns would ultimately sell more clothes and be more marketable. While these efforts are surely commendable, they nevertheless center the body around its economic commodification — how sellable the body can be. This is perhaps the crux of the fashion industry’s inability to promote an inclusive image of humanity — not all bodies sell. The waify models that strike a pose leave us wanting more from our own selves. In response, a turtleneck or flared jean becomes the subject then as they bestow expressive values upon the skin. This phenomenon of the self as a secondary object to the subject of fashion is detrimental to the body. While legislation and ad campaigns may be promoted to deal with the problem of our own physical commodification, it will take more than a hashtag to reclaim the body as of equal subjectivity to that of a cerulean sweater.
STAFF PHOTO BY HANNAH SHULMAN
STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN FORTE
Jake also expressed concern that the center is severely understaffed and lacking professional caregivers, and suggests this may impact the quality of counseling students receive. WSN previously reported that while 34 counselors work at the main campus location, only five are certified psychiatrists and only seven are certified psychologists. CAS sophomore Noelle Kruse was required to meet with a therapist from the Wellness Center after medically withdrawing from classes last spring. Kruse said she felt like she was just a box to check off and said none of the staff members seemed interested in following up with her progress after her withdrawal. “Throughout my spring and summer withdrawal, I got calls once in awhile from the Wellness Center to check on me, but they were usually a different person every time who didn’t know my case,” Kruse said. “The Wellness Center has been great for treating physical problems, but the mental health side could give their patients a little more attention.” Several graduate students have also expressed concern about the Center’s quality of care. One graduate student in particular, Jane*, said one of her undergraduate students enlightened her to the state of mental health at NYU. She said her student confided in her that the counseling she received at the Wellness Center was sub-par, and said the counselor she spoke with was patronizing and asked her to leave before the session was over. In addition, the undergrad-
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health must be college health priority By EMILY FONG Staff Writer The issue of mental illness has been hovering in the public consciousness for some time now — depression affects roughly one in 10 Americans, a majority of whom do not seek treatment. This unfortunate effect is exacerbated on college campuses around the country, with statistics placing the number of college students who report a disruption in their academic pursuits as a result of depressive episodes as high as 30 percent. As college stressors increase, students can often find themselves struggling under the pressure of their new-
found responsibilities. Mental illness can seep in over time, and it left untreated can lead to any number of complications. Yet, despite the fact that the severity of mental illness is well known by the public, we do an absolutely garbage job at addressing it. Even in 2015, a remarkable amount of stigma still persists when mental illness is brought up. People who suffer from mental illnesses often keep quiet about it, fearing that if they openly acknowledge their struggles, they will subsequently be ostracized and their standing diminished among their colleagues. Misinformation, social pressure and fear of rejection can turn the simple act of making a phone call
into a harrowing experience. This is frustrating and absurd. The perception that mental illness in some way represents a personal failure, or that something is inherently “wrong” with a person has no basis in fact, and can be incredibly dangerous if it causes people to shy away from receiving treatment. The nature of resources available to students suffering from
mental illness also complicates the matter. While universities are making a concerted effort to provide more avenues for treatment, oftentimes these services are not easily accessible. For example, NYU’s Wellness Center boasts an impressive selection of options for members of the university: group therapy, counseling sessions and “toolkit” workshops are all offered at no charge. Walk-in hours are honored in addition to counseling appointments, and students are also able to find counselors tailored to school-specific needs. While these are fantastic choices for someone actively seeking help — the key word here is actively — there needs to be a greater effort to make these choices com-
mon knowledge among students and faculty. As mental illness becomes a bigger part of the national discourse on personal health, it is imperative that we create some sort of safety net for the people who are struggling. Universities must be a huge part of this movement, because they represent a large portion of the population that is most at risk. The onus should not be on the individual to figure out if something is wrong with them, that responsibility also lies with institutions to provide environments where they feel comfortable seeking help. Email Emily Fong at opinion@nyunews.com.
BODY IMAGE
Victoria’s Secret changes are positive, but not enough By DANA RESZUTEK Editor-at-Large When talking about body positivity, Victoria’s Secret is generally not what comes to mind. But just this past week, the lingerie empire made the first few steps in the right direction to alter their narrow beauty standards. Angolan model Maria Borges made headlines and history when photos were released of her sporting natural hair at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — the first time a model of color has done so for the event. Straying from the typical long, wavy extensions seen at the show, Borges was able to bring a side of beauty that has never touched
the Victoria’s Secret runway. The brand’s annual televised fashion show, which filmed in New York this past Thursday, is set to bring in both ratings and profits as millions will watch the celebrity-studded event in December. And although many who will tune in aren’t looking to purchase the avant-garde ensembles presented on the runway, the Victoria’s Secret Angels themselves serve as examples of both beauty and fitness inspiration. But besides Borges’ history-making hairstyle, Victoria’s Secret didn’t do much else to to change their presentation in women’s standards of beauty, despite body image being a large part of the media surrounding
the show. Social media celebrity and model Gigi Hadid, who made her Victoria’s Secret debut this year, has even received backlash by another model on her body image, being called curvy in comparison to the other models. Hadid, who, according to her agency portfolio, is a sample size two, is being critiqued because her body type may not identically align with
other Angels. Though Hadid still boasts a model’s body, the fact that she had to defend her shape to others reflects clearly that the brand’s body standard is far from accepting a better range of silhouettes for the runway. And body criticism isn’t new for the underwear brand. This past year, the brand faced social media backlash on its “A Body for Every Body” campaign, which was previously called “A Perfect Body.” The ad campaign, which was meant to highlight the company’s range in styles of bras, consisted of pictures of a group of women, all of whom had similar modelesque bodies. Though the original title was the main
form of complaint, social media users also noted the lack of diversity of body types displayed, hinting that Victoria’s Secret only had one type in mind to call perfect — what is seen in their campaigns and on their runways. Although it seems that Victoria’s Secret is making slight alterations to their otherwise cookie-cutter image, the changes aren’t enough. Since the average dress size for women in the United States is 12-14 and the average bra size is 34DD, these sizes should be reflected in the brand’s campaigns and shows. Email Dana Reszutek at dreszutek@nyunews.com.
PRESCRIPTIONS
Not enough attention paid to over-the-counter drugs By SUNNY HONG Staff Writer In the past two decades, there has been a vast expansion of over-the-counter medication use in the United States. Widespread use of over-the-counter medication to treat short-term pains such as colds or headaches have consequences: usage has grown tenfold in just 20 years. A recently published study described alarming effects of over-the-counter drugs. Most saliently, the overdose rate on opioid painkillers such as OxyContin is steadily increasing among middle-aged white Americans. Over-the-counter drugs are the
most commonly abused drugs in the U.S. and cause a real and serious problem amongst people of all ages. It is imperative to think twice before putting these chemicals in our bodies. In the US, a 1000-pill tub of generic painkillers can be bought from a grocery or convenience store with no questions asked. The FDA warned doctors to stop prescribing certain combination drugs, but with the widespread availability of over-the-counter drugs and medical supplements, there is no doubt that they are not regulated enough. Ignorance and lack of concern fuel OTC drug abuse; it is still common for people to think that prescription
and OTC drugs are safe. People commonly take more than the maximum recommended dose or even take other people’s prescription to self-medicate. According to a survey conducted by National Institute on Drug Abuse in 2013, 22.6 percent of 18 to 20-year-olds reported using an illicit drug — which included pain relievers, stimulants, tran-
quilizers and sedatives among others — in the past month. The same survey illustrated that drug use is increasing among people in their fifties and early sixties. This shows that education about the ill-effects of drug abuse does not affect any one age group. Rather, the government needs to step in and teach people of all ages that OTC drug abuse is a huge problem. Students mindlessly use Adderall to focus or get high, and over-the-counter drug abuse affects all ages in the United States — a clear cause for alarm. This clearly demonstrates the need for stricter OTC regulations and for nationwide change in drug
education. There must be nationwide change in how we educate ourselves on preventing potential overdoses. This should start at the elementary school level. Additionally, there must be stricter regulations on over-thecounter medication. People are often so focused on the physical traits that are defined as healthy that they forget the little decisions affecting their bodies and minds. Students and adults both should be careful of the medicine they use, how much they take and what they put in their bodies. Email Sunny Hong at opinion@nyunews.com
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
BODY IMAGE
STAFF EDITORIAL
Male body dysmorphia must be recognized By ABRAHAM GROSS Staff Writer The World Anti-Doping Association released a report last week on widespread doping and performance-enhancing drug use among Russian athletes, stirring worldwide controversy. Illicit and often unhealthy body-enhancement among male athletes has a long history, from Lance Armstrong to Alex Rodriguez. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted to using steroids to boost his physique when preparing for bodybuilding competitions. What is not often spoken about during these revelations — and what must receive wider recognition by the public — is the prevalence and danger of body dysmorphia among men. Body dysmorphic disorder is characterized by an unhealthy obsession with a perceived physical defect, ranging from skin color to body shape. Research suggests that cultural norms about how the ideal body should look contribute a great deal to the prevalence of body dysmorphia. Beautiful, impossibly thin models set unrealistic expectations, and these expectations carry a mental health risk. In recent years, there has been outrage over
photo manipulation of female bodies and generally unrealistic standards of female beauty contributing to body disorders. Several countries including France, Israel, Spain and Italy banned the fashion industry’s use of unhealthily thin models. From government and consumer pressure, action is being taken based on an increased awareness of the harmful effects of unrealistic and unhealthy depictions of beauty. This effort has largely focused on women, and not unjustly. Top positions in the fashion world are still male-dominated, and it is not unreasonable to suspect that this contributes to unrealistic depictions of women. But there is also an unrealistic depiction of men in popular culture. Bulky, muscled men are idealized in film, television and advertisement. For every female superhero clad in slimming leather, there is a male superhero
donned in spandex which contours bowling-ball biceps, a bulging chest and six-pack abs. As with women, cultural standards for appearance lead to damaging body image problems. Men almost exclusively suffer from muscle dysmorphia, a form of body dysmorphic disorder, and research has shown that those afflicted are more likely to have attempted suicide and had a significantly higher lifetime prevalence of substance use. But this form of body dysmorphia has only recently been acknowledged in the newest version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Malespecific body disorders still remain relatively obscure. None of this is to say that female body disorders are any less important now that they have received greater awareness in society. There is still much work to be done in the realm of body-advocacy. As a culture, we should not view body disorders as just a female issue, lest we craft a new misogyny. We must fight for both male and female physical health and mental well-being. Email Abraham Gross at opinion@nyunews.com.
MAKEUP
Make me up before you go-go By SHREYA KAUSHIK Contributing Writer I was about 5 years old when I discovered makeup for the first time. It was the usual story: sneak into your parents’ room, find the makeup on your mother’s dressing table and immediately smear it all on your face. Ten minutes later, my mother walked in and found me covered in lipstick and foundation. Fast-forward to 13 years later, when the media seems conflicted about whether women should wear makeup or not. Most of the advertisements for any product under the sun seem to feature heavily madeup women batting their eyelashes at the camera, while every other day, there’s an article about how different a female celebrity looks without makeup, or how the natural look is so in right now. In the last few months, pictures of girls with and without makeup have been circling the internet, with the caption “Take a girl swimming on a first date” The underlying implication being that girls aren’t lying by
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wearing makeup, that it’s not how they actually look. But there are also pieces about how tired a female celebrity looks because she isn’t made up while shopping for groceries. It’s easy to see where the problem arises. Back in the day when women were just supposed to run the house and pop out babies, they weren’t meant to have jobs at all. But women today can work and vote. They don’t have to rely on someone else for financial stability. Women shouldn’t have to look pretty for men anymore. So when a woman puts on makeup, she’s not doing it for men. When I’ve had a hard day, I find it super relaxing to mess around in front of a mirror and give myself a smoky eye. I can’t pinpoint the exact
moment when I began to feel more confident when I had liquid liner on, but I love the way having a perfect winged eyeliner and a good shade of lip gloss makes me feel like I can conquer the world. Since women don’t need to wear makeup anymore, it all boils down to this perfect little dichotomy of beauty or brains that the world wants women to fit into. Wear makeup and be labeled a slut; don’t wear makeup and you’re only concerned with your schoolwork or your job. But the truth is that it’s not a dichotomy. Wearing mascara isn’t going to glue my eyes shut so I can’t read Shakespeare. Not wearing lip gloss isn’t going to make me uninterested in my appearance, or a lazy slob. Women are more than the makeup they choose to wear or choose not to wear. So no thank you, media. I think I’ll stick with what I’m most comfortable doing. Beauty or brains? I think I’ll take both. Email Shreya Kaushik at opinion@nyunews.com.
Price of contraceptives too damn high
Throughout this issue, we have stressed the burden bodyrelated issues have on men and women, from the media’s effect on body image to body dysmorphia. Yet one of the biggest health risks facing American college students involve contraception and sexually transmitted infections. These can be mitigated with cheap access to condoms, but this is not the only form of contraceptive that should be available to students. Yet condoms are still the most common form of birth control distributed in college dorms. Though this promotes safe sex, free condoms are by no means the best solution for many women. Oral birth control, on the whole, has a much higher efficacy rate with a slew of health benefits on the side. While contraceptives are cheaper for those with private insurance, prices still range between $20-$162, and the majority of those who rely on affordable birth control still struggle to obtain the contraceptive they deserve. The range of contraceptives that aren’t condoms must be broadened. The pill is critical for women’s reproductive health — not only does it prevent pregnancy, but it also helps women regulate their menstrual cycles for personal or medical reasons. Approximately 4-12 percent of women are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which the contraceptive pill helps treat. Taking the pill brings the menstrual cycle under control. It also reduces male hormone levels, acne and the risk of endometrial cancer. It should be noted that if the patient stops taking the pill, all these problems resurface, making it essential for the pill to be taken regularly. Not only is contraceptive access essential for gender equality, but it is also needed across the socioeconomic spectrum. Having a child is, to put it bluntly, expensive. In 2015, the average cost of raising a child in America was around $245,000. Prevention, however, is still quite expensive. Although the Affordable Care Act increased the number of women who have free access to the pill, 33 percent of women still must pay for the pill, even while privately insured. Many women, for a myriad of reasons, simply are not ready for a child. But this unreadiness should not put a limitation on women’s sexual decisions. The pill is an especially important form of contraceptive because it grants women control. Between its high efficacy rate and its widespread medical benefits, no other form of contraceptive is quite so versatile. And because the decision to use the pill has nothing to do with the man, the pill provides a concrete manifestation for female empowerment in the modern age. Women need unfettered control of their own bodies, and unfettered access to contraceptives is an important step. Let every woman have contraceptives on her own terms, and equality will follow.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tommy Collison (Chair), Richard Shu, Elizabeth Moore (Co-chairs)
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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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Cross country captain heads to Nationals By ASHLEY ARNOLD and BOBBY WAGNER
In their most important meet to date, the NYU men’s and women’s cross country teams came up big, finishing fifth and 10th, respectively in the NCAA Regional Championships at SUNY Geneseo. Senior Lily Corsaro was the only runner on either team to qualify for nationals. The women’s team’s top finisher was Corsaro, their captain. She took 29th out of 266 runners from 37 different schools. Sophomore Hannah Haley and senior Sarah Sisk placed in 52nd and 53rd place, respectively. As the only runner to qualify for nationals, Corsaro will keep her senior season alive for one more race as part of the Violet cross country team. “I am excited to get another chance to participate at Nationals after being injured last season, especially as a senior for my last cross country meet ever,” Corsaro said. “I am just hoping to position myself within the top 100 runners within the first 1k and then continue to move up throughout the race.” The top finisher for the Violets
men’s team was sophomore Karn Setya, who ran a 26:08.5 to place 27th out of 279 runners. The Violets totaled 197 points, far behind winner SUNY Geneseo, who ran away with the match with 54 points. Junior Jorge Maldonado was just behind Setya, finishing 28th. Because the men placed behind the University of Chicago at the UAA Championships, they were not ranked high enough NCAA Nationals. “To not achieve even reaching nationals is frankly devastating,” Setya said. “Nonetheless our future remains bright. We are graduating one senior from out top nine who went to regionals this year, returning eight guys out of nine puts us in a great spot next year. We have a lot of potential and we will be working harder than ever after this year and experience to make an impact on the national stage.” Corsaro will be the lone representative of the Violets next weekend at NCAA Nationals, where she hopes to end her cross country career on a high note. Email them at sports@nyunews.com.
Wrestling starts off season strong By TONY SCHWAB Contributing Writer
The men’s wrestling team continued to tear through competition over the weekend, winning all three of their matches at the Metro vs. PA duals hosted by King’s College this past Saturday. The day began with a 32-9 win over Scranton. Senior captain Dylan Lojac pinned Zach D’Apolito after four and a half minutes. Junior Nathan Pike had a dominating performance, defeating Corey Forenza 18-0. Juniors John Messinger and William Gockel-Figge also won their matches in convincing fashion, 18-2 and 12-5 respectively. Pike’s strong outing comes on the heels of being awarded UAA Athlete of the Week and Centennial Conference Wrestler of the Week. Pike is now a perfect 8-0 in matches for the season. Each wrestler performed consistently throughout their matches, going undefeated for the day. Lojac wrestled at 165 pounds, Pike wrestled at 133, Messinger wrestled at 174 and Gockel-Figge wrestled at 184. After placing fourth at the Ithaca Invitational last weekend, junior Wayne Yuan went 2-1, losing his third match in a close 8-7 decision against Scranton. “Compared to last week, we definitely showed improvements in our conditioning,” Yuan said. “I think we are on a great path to becoming a top team.”
The team played their second match against King’s College and were just as successful, winning 37-7. Pike defeated Matt Sparks 170. Sophomore Anthony Calvano, weighing in at 141, beat Josh Nagal 16-0. Sophomore P.J. Steinmetz, wrestling at 197, pinned Devin Steele after 1:41. The day was capped off with a 30-11 win against Elizabethtown. Pike pinned Bryan Pflanz after 4:31. Messinger beat Quinn Rubble 23-6. Gockel-Figge defeated Rocco Hladney 10-4. “We just went in with a mentality to dominate the competition this weekend and lived up to it,” Pike said. “We still have some things to work on, but that’s always going to be the case.” The hot start follows one of the best seasons in program history in 2014-15. Last year, the team was 21-3 overall, undefeated in the conference. They placed second in the NCAA East Regional Championships and 12th in the DIII National Championships. This was the team’s second major tournament of the season and its second success after opening the season by placing fourth of 12 teams at the Ithaca College Invitational. Next Sunday, the team travels to Ithaca again to take part in the New York State Collegiate Championships hosted by Cornell University. Email Tony Schwab at sports@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY TATIANA PEREZ
NYU Hockey won their games against both University of New Hampshire and Boston College
Hockey succeeds on the road By RACHEL RUECKER Staff Writer
Following an underwhelming showing last weekend, the hockey team headed out on a weekend road trip, starting with a Friday night 6-1 thrashing of the University of New Hampshire Wildcats at the Whittemore Center in Durham, New Hampshire and ending with a 5-2 win in Massachusetts against Boston College on Saturday. In the Friday night game, the Violets were on the board after an early penalty kill thanks to freshman forward John Kowalewski, with assists from junior forward Peter Jorgensen and senior defender Gabriel Gollette. Both teams were dealt a slew of penalties, which ended with another goal in the back of the UNH net when freshman forward Hamilton Whyte scored at 10:43, with help from freshmen defenders Connor Finocchio and Gabe Regan. The Violets were out to prove that last weekend’s loss was an anomaly when Kowalewski got his second goal of the night at 12:25 from an assist by sophomore forward Michael Conslato. Sophomore goaltender Jack Nebe kept out some traffic late in the period to keep the Violets’ 3-0 advantage going into the second. The second period began with some back and forth action that led to a string of weird penalties being handed to both teams,
including a bizarre major to NYU that no one on the Violets bench could quite understand. Both teams’ penalty kills remained solid, however, and the second period was scoreless. Conslato turned it on in the third to score two back-to-back goals for a 5-0 advantage. The Wildcats got one on the board eventually, but it was too late for it to matter. Emotions ran high late in the third period due to the lopsided nature of the game — even NYU Head Coach Christopher Cosentino got penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct. That paired with a Finocchio tripping call resulted in a late 5-on-3 opportunity for UNH. Not even a two-man disadvantage proved a problem for the Violets as freshman forward Max Devorris — who served Cosentino’s penalty — came right out of the box to score the Violets’ sixth and final goal of the night. After the game, Jorgensen attributed the victory mostly to discipline and focus. “The boys got back to hard work and grinded out a couple big wins,” Jorgensen said. “The power play was on and the penalty kill was disciplined. It was a great team effort.” Next on the slate was BC, who presented more of a challenge in the early goings of the game than UNH did. After some early back and forth penalties and 4-on-4 play, the Violets started the scoring thanks to a power play effort from sophomore
forward Steven Esposito, with the assists going to Conslato and Gollette. While playing 4-on-4 early in the second, BC found the back of the net to tie things at one, proving they wouldn’t roll over. However, NYU senior forward Denis O’Hara came right back to score a shorthanded goal to restore the lead. It didn’t take long for BC to respond, knotting the score at two. But O’Hara’s second goal of the night got NYU back in the lead to end the first, a period punctuated by stellar play from sophomore goaltender Alec Hardman. Just shy of a minute into the third, senior defender Curtis Fisher netted a goal to double the Violets’ lead. In the end, a sniper from Kowalewski, who had a standout weekend, put NYU up 5-2. Freshman forward Keaton Baum said the momentum they gained this weekend has all but erased their struggles from a week ago. “It was a really big weekend for the guys,” Baum said. “It was important we could string together two wins to get the ball rolling again. Hard work and simple plays went a long way this weekend and gave us what we needed to pull out two big wins.” The Violets will be in action again next week when they host Northeastern at the Sky Rink in Chelsea Piers. Email Rachel Ruecker at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Swimming and diving tops TCNJ By ANNE CRUZ Copy Chief
Both the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams defeated The College of New Jersey squads during their home meet on Saturday. The women’s team dominated, with a final team score of 207-87, while the men’s team narrowly beat the Lions with a score of 151-147. The undefeated Violets had several first place finishes from both men’s and women’s teams. Junior Elise Gibbs dominated in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard breaststroke with times of 1:57.50 and 2:25.98, respectively. She also anchored the first place 200-yard medley with freshman May Li, sophomore Isabelle Kitze and senior Krista Traub. “A handful of our team was placed in some off events but they rose to it which was great to see,” Traub said. “We also really supported the men’s team because they had a very close meet.”
On the men’s side, junior Philip Kang won the 200-yard butterfly and the 200-yard individual medley with times of 1:54.61 and 1:54.54, respectively. While the Violets initially struggled, they emerged victorious through the last event: the 400yard freestyle relay. Sophomore Tim Kou, sophomore Joe Baron, senior Win Htet Oo and senior Chad Moody came together to defeat the the Lions’ relay team with a time of 3:06.01. “We’ve been training really hard the past few weeks and knew it’d be a tough win because they’re one of the fastest sprint teams in the country,” Baron said. “Ultimately it came down to the last race and we won. Even though everyone was pretty beat up, they still went after each race and that’s what it took to win.” The Violets also dominated in diving, with NCAA national qualifying performances from junior Nia Sorgente and freshman Kelly Ryser. In addition, sophomore Dylan Adler placed
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Junior Elise Gibbs was victorious in two individual events, the 200-yard freestyle and the 200-yard breaststroke on Saturday against TCNJ. second in the one-meter and three-meter competitions. “I think that because everyone on our team and their team started out very strong, it motivated us to really focus and try to nail all our other dives,” Adler said. In the upcoming weeks, the swimmers and divers hope to have a successful taper — a
period of reduced training to prepare for a large competition — before heading to the MIT Winter Invitational in early December. “I’m looking forward to tapering in preparation for the MIT Invitational,” Baron said. “Everyone needs some rest and I can’t wait to see how fast we can swim then.”
The men’s and women’s squad will re-enter the pool on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m. when they take on Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. They will then travel to Cambridge, Massachusetts for the MIT Winter Invitational from Dec. 4 to 6. Email Anne Cruz at acruz@nyunews.com.
Basketball brings in first victories of season By MICHAEL THOMPSON Deputy Sports Editor
NYU’s basketball season began Saturday with a thrilling opening day doubleheader at the Coles Sports and Recreation Center, which still tentatively remains the home of the Violets despite original plans for closure this semester. The women’s team scorched their way to a victory, while the men picked up the pace in the second half to cruise to their first victory of the season. The women, ranked fifth in the Division III preseason polls, started the festivities with an impressive 94-79 victory over Stevens Institute of Technology. The Violets trailed for only 18 seconds in the first half before putting on an offensive show. Junior guard Kaitlyn Read led the way, scoring 32 points on an efficient 8-10 shooting. She was perfect from behind the arc, going 5-5, while also tallying six defensive rebounds. The Violets finished with a 52.7 percent field goal percentage and an even more impressive 61.1 percent clip from downtown. They led in a number of statistics, including points in the paint, assists and second chance points. Important contributors included senior captain Megan Dawe who continued her consistent play from last season. The forward heated up in the second
half, scoring 16 points and racking up eight rebounds. The Violets only briefly fell behind Stevens, but they then stormed back with an 8-0 run, outscoring Stevens 28-18 through the rest of the opening frame. Read provided the early spark, scoring 11 points in the first 10 minutes of action. “We all have the confidence that we can be great, but being ranked fifth and then having this strong win proves that we deserve this kind of recognition,” Read said. Except for a brief run by Stevens, the Violets maintained their double-digit lead throughout the second half, keeping Stevens at bay. Junior and sophomore guards Amy Harioka and Drew Cabral were ball distributors with eight and six assists, respectively. “Lookng ahead, we are going to have to work on boxing out and rebounding, as those defensive stops will allow us to maintain control of the game,” Dawe said. The men followed the ladies with a victory of their own, grinding their way to a 75-53 win over Purchase College. Also playing from behind for just 18 seconds, the Violets regrouped after an inconsistent first half to open up the scoring. Senior forward Evan Kupferberg and senior center Costis Gontikas were the high-scorers for NYU, combining for 36 points and
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Senior Evan Kupferberg scored a total of 19 points, helping the Violets win their season opener. 13 rebounds. The first half was sloppy for both teams. Although the Violets built an 11-point lead, it wasn’t as smooth as they would have liked. The team shot 37.5 percent from the field, which was still better than Purchase’s 29.2 percent clip. The Violets seemed to be a
different team in the second half, outscoring Purchase 44-33. With a lead as high as 29, they cruised to the finish. Sophomore guard Ross Udine, coming off a solid freshman campaign, posted an assist-heavy 10 point and 12 dime double-double in the win. “We knew what we had to do but we just needed more en-
ergy,” Udine said. “I think we showed that in the second half.” The men return to action at Coles next Saturday against Moravian College. The women play the next day, also at home against MIT. Email Michael Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.
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