NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 39, No. 45
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011
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NYU prof. to lead London School of Economics
NYU details Blackboard phase out at town hall
By Julie DeVito
By Julie DeVito
After 16 years at NYU, longtime professor Craig Calhoun will be taking his expertise across the Atlantic as the newest director of the prestigious London School of Economics. Calhoun replaces Howard Davies, who resigned in March after taking responsibility for the school accepting £1.5 million from a charitable foundation run by Saif Gaddafi, the son of Muammar Gaddafi. “I felt happy and surprised, honored and humbled at the same time,” he said. “My goal is to combine the highest intellectual quality with doing social science that matters for the public good.” At LSE, Calhoun will be responsible for more than 12,000 faculty and staff, in addition to managing research, teaching, finances, staffing and the estate itself. His term will begin in
From Blackboard to a new university smartphone application, NYU faculty and administrators discussed a number of new and ongoing projects at Tuesday’s Inter-Residence Hall Council Town Hall.
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Oxfam at NYU hosted their annual Hunger Banquet to raise awareness of global hunger. Attendees were assigned income brackets, which determined what they would eat that evening.
Blackboard Representatives from NYU Information Technology Services elaborated on plans to phase out Blackboard. Earlier this month, NYU announced in an email that it would replace Blackboard with Sakai, a similar course management system that, unlike Blackboard, would be controlled by the university. “[Sakai is] what we call community source, which means we are co-owners of the software, and we can develop new things,” said Kitty Bridges, associate vice president for strategic communication and partnerships at ITS. “It’s very different [from] a corporation controlling the system.”
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Fighting Hunger
Women’s basketball doomed by Super sales expected turnovers at Mount St. Mary with closing of Filene’s By Laura Buccieri
A defensive slugfest humbled the previously unbeaten NYU women’s basketball Tuesday night as the Violets fell to Mount St. Mary, 49-37. Now 4-1, NYU trailed Mount St. Mary (4-1) the entire game. While the Violets remained on the Knights’ heels in both halves, they were plagued by 26 turnovers and failed to convert big shots and execute vital defensive stops. “It was a tough loss,” said senior captain and guard Cara Bonito, who had four points and one steal on the night. “We had too many turnovers, and we did not execute on the offensive side of the ball.” In the first half, NYU shot 21.7 percent (5-23) from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc. Senior captain and guard Tana Bertino made the only two three-pointers of NYU’s five attempts.
By Michelle Lim
FILE PHOTO BY DAVID LIN
Senior guard Tana Bertino led the Violets with 11 points. The first half was also marked by the disciplined play of the Knights, who allowed NYU to attempt only four free throws. However, NYU would get
ample chances from the line in the second half. The Violets shot 13 of 16 (81.6 percent)
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Say goodbye to $30 Calvin Klein jeans and $25 Michael Kors coats. After being in business for over 100 years, Filene’s Basement is closing all 26 of its stores across the nation. The news comes after Syms Corporation, Filene’s parent company, declared bankruptcy earlier this month. “In the face of very challenging economic conditions, we have for some time been exploring every strategic option available and, finally, came to the conclusion that a liquidation was in the best interests of all our stakeholders,” said Marcy Syms, CEO of the Syms Corporation. With the closest Filene’s Basement to campus on Union Square, NYU students and other smart New York shoppers constantly visit the three-story store. As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, Filene’s will be having
a going away sale of up to 40 percent through January 2012, when all of the stores are expected to close. With the Union Square location already hiring more staff for the season, Filene’s Basement is expecting a large, if not overwhelming, turnout for this holiday season. Syms assured that the sales “will offer the same type of great merchandise you’ve been accustomed to finding in these stores.” Steinhardt freshman Diana Pawell shared how she feels as an NYU student about the end of Filene’s Basement. “I think it’s a tragedy, considering I just discovered this chain and its great deals, which are perfect for a college student like me,” she said, adding that she will be hitting up the holiday sales at the Union Square location. Michelle Lim is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011 | nyunews.com
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STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief JAYWON ERIC CHOE Managing Editor
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TERKA CICELOVA New York Magazine’s Vulture Visit New York magazine’s online pop culture website to view exclusive new movie content, experience the latest strange Internet meme or read Paul F. Thompkins’ hilarious, passive aggressive “American Idol” recaps. Also check out the Anticipation Index to see what people will be talking about next week while waiting in line at Starbucks. — Carrie Lowe
‘Ender’s Game’ by Orson Scott Card “Ender’s Game” is the perfect cross between “Rugrats,” “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” — three things that defined our journey into being responsible global citizens of the world. This 1977 sci-fi classic lets you revisit what it felt like to be 11 and have the weight of the world on your shoulders while blasting alien spaceships. Or just outwitting adults. — Sarah Kim
‘Veronica Mars’ Did you ever want to be a top sleuth? Well, if you can settle for just watching one, I’ve got a show for you. Falling somewhere between Encyclopedia Brown and Sherlock Holmes, Veronica Mars is the perfect combination of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed high school student and world-weary private investigator. Chock-full of clever dialogue and pop culture references, Rob Thomas’ show, featuring Kristen Bell as the titular character, is a thoroughly captivating series. — Clio McConnell
‘First as a Tragedy, Then as a Farce’ by Slavoj Žižek Philosophy is often stereotyped as a dull gray heap of curmudgeonly texts made for academics and masochists. But Žižek’s 2009 opus defies this classification by being one of the sleekest, smartest and most fun philosophy books to date. Wildly digressive and infinitely complex, it’s not for the faint of heart. But in its analysis of everything from the economic meltdown to capitalist charity to “KungFu Panda,” it’s one of the most prolific and readable philosophy books on the shelves. — Charles Mahoney
Kilts During concerts, Kanye West — the self-proclaimed “Martin Louis the King Jr.” — has been sporting a leather kilt and Givenchy T-shirt with his own face printed on it. Is Kanye bringing the kilt into everyday menswear? Mannequins at Uniqlo have shirts stylishly tied around the waist facing forward, very kilt-like. He’s only been on tour for four weeks, but watch the kilt. — Justin Block
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Maia Szalavitz: Shooting From the Hip On Addiction and Politics
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Join the Journalism Department for food, drinks and a conversation with Maia Szalavitz, author, blogger and magazine writer. Moderated by Robert Lee Hotz of the Wall Street Journal.
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ON THE WIRE
Pissing contest
The world’s first urine-controlled video game was recently installed in a London bar. Sensors in a urinal detect the movement of the player’s urine and convert it into a character’s movements on a small screen that is mounted above. In these games, players can ski, put out fires and play quizzes for a penny a pee. Designers of the console point out that the games will keep bathrooms cleaner because toilet-goers will be distracted and have less incentive to vandalize. This state-of-the-art technology only works for urinal users at the moment (sorry, girls). — The Sun
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Yale University
Yalies win Rhodes, Marshall scholarships — The Yale Daily News
The light of a street lamp reflected off a puddle in Central Park.
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Howard University
Students question religious diversity on campus — The Hilltop
KATIE THOMPSON About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Kelsey Desiderio at managing@nyunews. com or at 212.998.4302.
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nyunews.com | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011 | Washington Square news
CALHOUN continued from PG. 1
NYU professor Craig Calhoun to lead London School of Economics
courtesy of nyu.edu
Craig Calhoun September 2012. LSE spokesperson Warwick Smith referred to Calhoun as “an outstanding social scientist and an academic leader.” “LSE is an institution which was founded on principles of social engagement and his work is a superb example of how academic thinking helps to shape society’s debates and respond to its changes,” he said. While at NYU, Calhoun led the way in rebuilding the sociology department and creating the Institute of Public Knowledge, all while teaching undergraduates and graduates and directing the university’s Social Science Re-
search Center. He has also co-directed a research network called NYLON for NYU and LSE graduate students in sociology and communications. Calhoun found similarities between NYU and LSE. “They are both universities shaped by their centrality to one of the world’s great cities and both are also remarkably global,” he said. “The LSE focuses on social science and closely related professional fields like law, policy and management and it is among the world’s leaders in these.” Currently, NYU and the LSE partner in a executive MBA consortium with HEC School of Management in Paris. Sociology professor Eric Klinenberg called Calhoun an extraordinary institutional leader. “He’s an inspiring figure and a good friend, too,” Klinenberg said. “I’m delighted that he’s getting this opportunity to lead a world class university and I’m excited to see what he does at the LSE.” Julie DeVito is a deputy university editor. E-mail her at jdevito@nyunews.com.
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NYU discusses Blackboard move at IRHC town hall
And while in the email, the university said the target completion date would be September 2013, that date was moved up at Tuesday’s meeting. Bridges said Sakai will start to be implemented in January and completed in 18 months. During the transition, students will be using a mixture of Blackboard and Sakai. Housing According to Neil Hanrahan, senior director of housing services, NYU will be making some changes to the housing application process this spring. “We are looking to push Phase I reapplication and deposit deadline back to the middle to end of March,” he said. With this, housing applications will be due after the resident assis-
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NYU will begin to phase Blackboard out starting Jan. 2012.
tant and study abroad applications. Hanrahan added that the housing department may be getting a new server to make the process of applying smoother. Smartphone application Adding on to technology news, vice president for student affairs Marc Wais said the university is working to develop a new application for smartphones expected to launch by the end of this academic year. “Essentially it will provide information about NYU, New York City and directions to and from locations, and it will in fact allow you to facilitate some transactions, whether through Wasserman, Albert or the Student Health Center,” Wais said. ITS was also asked about the issue of poor cellphone service in some of its buildings. Bridges said a new focus group began meeting in October to look into solving the problem of dead spots, but she pointed out NYU must first gain support from cellphone providers. “Technology and service providers come in and put in equipment to boost [the] signal for dead spots in buildings,” she said. “The difficulty in doing this is that these third party providers are very expensive.” Julie DeVito is a deputy university editor. Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.
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Oxfam hosts event to address global hunger By Sarah Feng For one night, NYU students had the opportunity to experience the unequal distribution of the world’s food firsthand at Oxfam America’s annual Hunger Banquet last night. “While many people see poverty as something that only exists in countries [such as] Somalia, we want people who come tonight to understand ... poverty exists right outside our doors,” said Lauren Singer, a CAS junior and president of Oxfam at NYU. As part of the event, attendees were randomly assigned to a specific income bracket — high, middle or low — which determined what they would eat and where they would sit for the entire evening. Students sitting on the floor had sparse portions of rice and represented the majority of the world who reside in the lower
income bracket. The 35 percent in the middle income group had rice and beans. The smallest group, sitting at a table enjoying a catered meal, represented the top-tier income bracket. Gallatin senior Paige Golestan joked that her favorite part of the night was being among the upper class. But she added that the core message still resonated with her. “There is a serious hunger epidemic,” she said. “But for privileged NYU students, it’s something very distant that we don’t understand a lot about.” The night was also filled with speakers who addressed the issue of world hunger and ways to combat the growing epidemic of global starvation. Daniel Bowman Simon, an NYU graduate student who founded SNAP Gardens, spoke about the use of gardening as a solution to hunger. His orga-
nization promotes purchasing food-producing plants and seeds with government-issued food stamps. “There are 45 to 46 million people [living] on food stamps, and they don’t necessarily know that this is a possible use of their benefits,” he said. Gallatin senior and Oxfam at NYU secretary Marlie Wilson said she felt the event was a success and hopes the banquet ultimately provided a different outlook on resource allocation for students. “Hopefully, students can walk away from the [banquet] with a new perspective on hunger and its manifestations in a world where we grow more than enough food to feed everyone,” she said. Sarah Feng is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Not your average classical violinist By Ace Stelter Those who know CAS freshman James Livengood know to expect the unexpected. Last month, Livengood claimed first place at the Founders Hall Ultra Violet Live preliminary by performing a classical violin solo sporting shorts and a hoodie. Moments later, a few friends ripped off his clothes to reveal a suit underneath, and he continued with renditions of songs by Kanye West and Michael Jackson. “I don’t get nervous when I play,” Livengood said. “I’ve just been doing it for so long.” And he has good reason for that. Livengood has been playing the instrument for 14 years. As a child in New Jersey, Livengood practiced for hours every day, with intense motivation from his father. “My dad loves classical music but never played,” Livengood said. “He pushed me and my sister, who plays piano. I had to practice four hours a day. I hated it then because I didn’t really have a childhood, but I’m really happy I have it now.” Livengood attended the PreCollege Division at the Juilliard School beginning in the fourth grade. As a former orchestra member at Juilliard, Livengood has played at such venues as Alice Tully and Avery Fisher halls. Though he spent nine years at one of the most prestigious music schools in the world, Livengood said he doesn’t want to be a classical violinist. Still, he wants violin in his life. In fact, the math major is looking to transfer into Tisch’s Clive Davis program.
courtesy of James Livengood
Classically trained, James Livengood prefers playing hip hop. “I never really liked classical music,” Livengood said. “I love hip hop and would love to get into some producing. Livengood admits that he doesn’t practice much anymore. But when the weather’s nice, he takes his violin to Washington Square Park. “It’s a lot of fun to play in the park,” Livengood said. “On a good weekend I’ll make $50 an hour and I’ll play for two or three hours.” As for UVL, Livengood said he wants to win the prize money and showcase his talent.
“I’m really excited to play at Skirball [in February],” Livengood said. “I’m probably going to add some Lady Gaga to my set.” Jack Mische, LSP freshman and Livengood’s roommate, witnesses Livengood’s talent firsthand. “It was jaw dropping,” Mische recalled. “He is probably the best violin player I’ve ever seen. It was awesome, electrifying.” Ace Stelter is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011 | nyunews.com
FASHION Tips to tackle cropped pants without fear By Julie Zhang
Add a jacket Suit jackets or blazers go great with cropped pants. They bring a refined look and allow any man to look groomed. Layer over a simple white tee or button-down and add a pair of loafers for a classic, vintage look. For an edgier take, wear ankle boots with socks and add a light chain necklace. Grandpa cardigans for the young For a more casual, but still chic look, wear cropped pants with an oversized grandpa cardigan. The baggy look of the sweater is a great contrast to shrunken hems. Play around with colors and patterns. If you’re wearing a patterned cardigan, wear a simple colored shirt underneath. If your cardigan is rather plain, kick it up with
edited by CARRIE COUROGEN FASHION@nyunews.com
The transition from fall to winter can cause a daily dilemma of choosing what to wear. Recently, many guys around campus and the Village have been spotted wearing cropped pants — a seemingly perfect solution for this unpredictable weather. Though convenient, when paired with the wrong items, cropped pants can be a fashion disaster. To avoid looking like you’re wearing man-pris, follow these tips to successfully style your daily wardrobe with cropped pants.
a graphic tee. Add loafers or oxfords with socks, and you’re good to go. Go for a sweater With the weather cooling rapidly, you can finally display your fine collection of sweaters. A cable knit sweater looks great with a pair of cropped pants. Choose a solid for a classic feel. If you think you will still feel cold, add a collared shirt underneath for definition. Finally, polish the look with socks and ankle boots. Cropped pants can make a man look like a hip, urban trendsetter or like a hopeless college boy who accidently shrunk his pants in the wash. Make sure you know which you want to represent — ladies always like a well-dressed man.
Julie Zhang is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
Timeless Elizabeth Taylor jewelry to be auctioned off next month By Nicole Gartside Along with her outstanding performances and drop-dead beauty, the late Elizabeth Taylor was also known for her impressive and extensive collection of jewelry. As per her wishes, Taylor’s personal collection of jewelry, along with one-of-a-kind couture pieces, fine art and film memorabilia will be auctioned by the auction house Christie’s in December. A collection of pieces from the auction has been touring the globe and will be on display in New York City for a 10-day exhibition at Christie’s Rockefeller Plaza headquarters from Dec. 3 to 12. And for those of us who can’t afford to purchase iconic items, the exhibition is the perfect way to witness Taylor’s splendor. Tickets for the exhibition can be purchased for $30. Elizabeth Taylor was considered one of the last major stars to come out of the old Hollywood studio system. She was an Academy Award winner, the highest-paid actress of her time and was always regarded as a striking beauty for her elegance and piercing violet eyes. Her personal life was just as colorful as her acting career, jumping from husband to husband and accumulating one of the most renowned collections of clothing and jewelry in the world. In a press release in September, François Curiel, president of Christie’s in Asia, said Taylor wanted each of these pieces to have a good home after she died. Taylor cared
Five male trendsetters who strut their style on and off the red carpet
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By Rachel Sanderson Although magazines tailored to men’s fashion exist, their assortment pales in comparison to the variety of women’s fashion magazines. Women have always been recognized as trendsetters, but men influence modern fashion equally as much. And from the red carpet to Fashion Week’s front rows, these five gentlemen have displayed a singular trendsetting style. Ryan Gosling Ryan Gosling is arguably the most dapper dresser currently on the scene. Whether at a movie premiere or on set, he is always impeccably styled. Between tailored Gucci suits and T-shirts paired with cardigans and worn boots, Gosling is the epitome of cool. Ed Westwick Although Chuck Bass from TV’s “Gossip Girl” may choose pinstripe suits, actor Ed Westwick has a style much edgier than his onscreen persona. Having perfected the urban edgy look, Westwick prefers donning skinny jeans and deep V-neck shirts. Reminiscent of hipsters wandering the Village, Westwick’s style undoubtedly influences young men in urban environments.
Taylor’s collection will be on exhibit a Christie’s from Dec. 3 to 12. about each of her items, as is apparent in the personal nature of many of the items. The auction will include her wedding bands from husband Richard Burton, charm bracelets from her youth, the Bulgari mirror from “Cleopatra” and many more. With over 450 sales annually, Christie’s was the obvious home for such a momentous collection. The auction will take place mostly online, with bidding available from Dec. 3 to 17. Select items will appear at the four days of live auction from Dec. 13 to 17. Even if you’re not looking to shell out a couple months’ rent for one of her pieces, being able to see what is regarded as one of the greatest private collections ever would be an unforgettable experience. It’s a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity. In this case, the lifetime of Elizabeth Taylor. Nicole Gartside is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
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Tom Ford Tom Ford has not only influenced the fashion world by way of his designs, but also through his personal style. The always-suave Ford has perfected the art of wearing a suit. Slim fitting, yet still masculine, Ford’s wardrobe is just like his designs: always classic, always chic. Jay-Z Hip-hop heavyweight Jay-Z doesn’t wear baggy jeans and tall tees; he has transcended stereotypical hip-hop style and influenced the way new artists dress. Jay-Z can be seen wearing fitted cotton T-shirts layered with V-neck sweaters and leather jackets. His signature style is laid back and luxurious, often imitated, though never matched, by artists ranging from Kanye West to Justin Bieber. Justin Timberlake Justin Timberlake’s style has certainly evolved since his boy band days. Not only did he bring sexy back, Timberlake made the three-piece suit cool again. Frequently layering button down shirts with vests and jackets, Timberlake understands how to mix casual with formal. Look around for the many men sporting Timberlake-influenced attire: a fitted vest with a skinny tie and a jacket, classy and cool.
Rachel Sanderson is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
City’s finest pop-up stores for the holiday shopper By Cristina Corvino
COURTESY OF CHRISTIE’S
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With the holidays right around the corner, you may already have a mental list of where you plan to shop, but it doesn’t hurt to venture out and try something new. Check out these pop-up hot spots for original gifts before resorting to the traditional department store. The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park What better way is there to get into the holiday spirit than to indulge in a cup of the renowned hot chocolate from Max Brenner’s pop-up shop, while roaming a maze of festive shops and skating around the famous Citi Pond? You might not think so much holiday bliss can exist in one place, but a visit to The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park will make you a believer. Ooh La La Boutique, which has everything from party dresses to apartment accessories, is just one shop sure to eliminate a few holiday purchases off of your list. Ernest Alexander Holiday Pop-Up Shop If you’re on the hunt for refined menswear, look no further than Ernest Alexander’s holiday pop-up shop on Clinton Street. The collection impresses, with messenger bags perfect for a day in the office, weekend bags fit for relaxing getaways, dashing bowties and sophisticated iPod carrier sleeves. The prices may not be ideal for a shopper on a budget, but a little window shopping never hurt anyone.
Pace Arts Keith Haring Pop-Up Shop Keith Haring has teamed up with Nicholas Kirkwood and Patricia Field to create a can’tbe-missed pop-up shop. Fusing Haring’s eyecatching art with Kirkwood’s modish shoe designs and Field’s quirky and bold clothing and accessories designs, customers are in for a unique shopping experience. If you need any more convincing, visit patriciafield.com to see some of her collaborations with Haring for an idea of what’s to come. The Shiny Squirrel Pop-Up Shop Take a trip to Smith and Butler in Brooklyn to get your jewelry fix until Jan. 4. With jewelry from nine different designers — including Elizabeth Knight Jewelry and Cold Picnic — pieces are bound to catch your eye. Although the shop seems to sell predominantly one-ofa-kind jewelry, don’t be surprised to find a few trendy belts and a bowtie in the mix. Dylan’s Candy Bar Pop-Up Shop Dylan’s Candy Bar opened a pop-up shop on 42 Street and Sixth Avenue on Nov. 21. If the promised life-size gingerbread house isn’t incentive enough to check things out, imagine how much candy will surround you and how much of it you’ll take out the door. This is the ideal spot to find a gift for the candy lover in your life. Cristina Corvino is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
nyunews.com | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011 | Washington Square news
SPORTS
edited by JAMES LANNING SPORTS@nyunews.com WBBALL continued from PG. 1
Turnovers doom women’s basketball at Mount St. Mary from the stripe in the second period. Still, NYU’s inability to convert from three-point range ultimately hindered its ability to make a comeback. The Violets were 0-6 from long range in the second half and shot a mere 20.8 percent from the field (5-24). Mount St. Mary had a more consistent offense, making 31.4 percent of its shots from the field, 27.3 percent from beyond the arc and 70 percent from the free throw line overall. Bertino lead the team with 11 points in 35 minutes. Senior forward Shelby Coon contributed seven points and 15 boards, while senior guard Bianca Storts added six points and eight rebounds of her own. “This game was just like all the past NYU-Mount St. Mary battles — tough, physical defense throughout from both sides,” head coach Stefano Trompeo said. “The outcome would be determined by who took care of the ball better and executed the best, and tonight, Mount St. Mary did a better job than we did.” The Violets will play again Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m. when they travel a few blocks uptown to Baruch College. Baruch reached the NCAA Tournament last season. Laura Buccieri is a staff writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
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Tebowmania annoying, but good for the game By Ryan Gilmore Tebowmania (n.): The widespread interest in the spiritual and unorthodox play of NFL quarterback Tim Tebow. Tebow, who by the way just won again, has been the bane of sports analysts for the past six weeks. His throwing motion is flawed, he’s too big, his football IQ is low, he should be a tight end ... the complaints go on. But it’s all a bunch of smoke if the kid keeps winning. Tebow is good for football, plain and simple. The NFL has seemingly done everything in its power to turn the league into a bland and unexciting spectacle. With new rules that protect the quarterback from any harm (how’s that working out?), football is moving closer and closer to the physical level of ballroom dancing. The hard-hitting nature of the league is mostly gone, roughing the passer is called if the quarterback is breathed on too heavily and the pocket passer has become the clear-cut favorite of the NFL’s idea of the position. But here’s Tim Tebow, the guy who defies it all. His play isn’t pretty, he’s not great at throwing the football, he loves physical contact, but he still wins games. I realize the emergence of the Denver defense is a key component to his success, but Tebow is not losing. He doesn’t turn the ball over, he makes the big plays, he inspires his teammates and is simply exciting to watch. Tebow is interesting — he’s a polarizing figure and he creates news. Lots of people love him and even more people are rooting for his failure. Who would have thought that the Denver Broncos, a broken and con-
fused organization at the beginning of the season, would be the most discussed team in the league? Yet, it all makes sense. Look at all the quarterbacks in football right now — Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Joe Flacco, Eli Manning — they’re all good to great quarterbacks in their own right, but they don’t bring much to the table other than flashy stats. Tebow acts and plays differently than everybody else; he prays on the field, runs more than he throws and is, as Sarah Palin would put it, “a Maverick.” Mavericks bring publicity to the NFL. Remember all of Rex Ryan’s bravado Tebow has been and loud mouthing? Like him or not, the Jets are for once relevant and have more fans than ever. Michael Vick is another good example. He killed dogs, people hated him, some PETA activists wanted him dead, but when he returned as the starting quarterback for the Eagles last year it was an amazing story of redemption. Regardless of their stance on Vick, people were interested in his play. Football needs Tebow. It needs his controversy, it needs his gimmicky offense, and it needs something that captivates the general public. Otherwise it’s just Xs and Os. While
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a polarizing figure his entire career. people that follow football may find traditional styles of play interesting, the legions of Tebow-lovers that have appeared just don’t. In this way, Tebow has written his own chapter in the NFL history books. His name will live on as the guy who took the league’s idea of a professional quarterback and defied it in almost every aspect, at least for a while. Ryan Gilmore is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com. Follow him on Twitter @RGilmoreWSN.
FASHION
FASHION CALENDAR By Nicola Pring VIA facebook.com
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Scott James Pop-up Shop
Candela Sample Sale
Theory Sample Sale
Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 12 to 6 p.m., Sunday 12 to 5 p.m. through January 2012 20 E. First St.
Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 584 Broadway, Suite 1007
Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Dec. 4.
Stock up on beautiful pieces and shoes from the Candela fall collection. Items will be sold for up to 70 percent off through Dec. 1.
261 W. 36th St., Second floor
You don’t have to sacrifice style to keep warm this winter. Visit the Scott James menswear pop-up shop on the Lower East Side to find great knits, sweaters and jackets for all the men on your holiday shopping list.
Hurry to the Theory sample sale to find all of the trendy designer pieces you’ll need to look great this winter at 65 percent off their original prices.
Nicola Pring is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation
Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 The500new york times crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Hanging open 6 Cousin of an ax 10 Near Eastern V.I.P.’s 14 Doesn’t have a second to lose? 15 Boutique fixture 17 Exhibited perfect braking 19 Native Nebraskan 20 Followers of nus 21 “For me? You shouldn’t have …” 22 Nicest room on a ship, probably 27 Toward the back 28 E.T.A.’s for redeyes 29 Here, to Henri 32 Foofaraw 35 Aloe additive? 37 “Heavens to Betsy!”
ANSWER I S L E D I E T I N T H T I E P A T R A X L P E I A S E A I O V E R T E A B O C T A O T I S L O N E E R G S
38 Cashier’s error, as suggested by 17-, 22-, 47- and 58-Across? 41 Henry who made a Fortune? 42 Baby taking a bow? 43 Befuddled 44 Baton Rouge sch. 45 Peace grp. since 1948 46 “___ loves me …” 47 Certain loaf 54 Frigidaire competitor 56 Bumbler 57 Réunion, e.g. 58 Being frugal 63 Strongly praised 64 Goose bumpsproducing, maybe 65 Funnywoman Martha
66 Actress Naldi of the silents 67 Kickoff
Down 1 N.A.A.C.P. part: Abbr. 2 Must, slangily 3 Something to be thrown for 4 Top 40 fare 5 Medium capacity? 6 Contribute to the mix 7 Impurity 8 Eastern state? 9 That, in Tijuana 10 “___ there yet?” 11 Handy IDs in the hood? 12 Unwanted spots 13 Kind of terrier 16 Slows down traffic, say? 18 Sign by stairs, often 23 1,000-foot-deep lake that TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE straddles a state line B A L M Y T B S P 24 Many miles I L I A D R A T A away E D U M P S I R A S 25 Game with a R M O O D A R N S maximum score of 180 O L U T I L I Z E D O W N T H E R O A D 26 Apple offering 30 Zoo keeper? E P E E E D U B I T N Y P D 31 Noodle product? A N G R A B O L E 32 Over the ___ T H E H I L L G E L 33 Burden A L L F A C I A L 34 Number of people in a room D O H S N A B S 35 Numbered thing U P T H E C R E E K in the Bible M E T O O L A D Y 36 Friendly A S P E N A R O D introduction?
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37 Faster’s opposite 39 Bring in 40 “Yeah, right” 45 Gerald Ford’s birthplace 46 Muslim mystic 48 Theodore Roosevelt, to Eleanor 49 Man of many words?
50 Press conference component, briefly 51 Arena sections 52 Carl’s wife in “Up” 53 Bowling alley button 54 On ___ with (equal to)
55 Sheet mineral
59 “There is no ___ team” 60 Name placeholder in govt. records 61 Many a Fortune profilee, for short 62 “Jeopardy!” whiz Jennings
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
nyunews.com | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2011 | Washington Square news
7
OPINION
edited by JOHN SURICO opinion@nyunews.com
life is pricey Staff editorial
NYU tutoring disappointing for students By Liz Beras When we need math help, we need math help now. It is commonly known that NYU prides itself in having exceptional faculty. Given the rigor of our courses, it is only appropriate that the tutoring resources available to us be on par with the level of academics. However, this is not always the case. In recent years, NYU has increased the level of tutoring services available for students through the University Learning Center. The tutoring is available at two locations, the first being University Hall, which focuses on the humanities, social sciences and math. The second location is the new Academic Resource Center, which focuses on the sciences and offers academic skill classes. Tutoring is available for most College of Arts and Science general courses, including calculus. It is a well known fact that NYU students pay substantial tuition and it would be appreciated if we not only had tutoring services, but adequate tutors. There are math tutors available through the University Learning Center in U-Hall and ARC, in addition to help that is available in the math tutoring center on the fifth floor of the Courant Building. Most of the tutors are either upperclassmen or graduate stu-
dents and math majors. Although tutoring help is on a first-come, first-serve basis, being among the first to arrive doesn’t always guarantee that you will be adequately helped. At U-Hall and ARC, you need to cross your fingers before you enter and hope that your assigned tutor will know what he or she is doing. I initially refused to believe this disappointing review of the University Learning Center, but after my session at these centers, I was greatly dissatisfied. During one visit to U-Hall, the tutor took 45 minutes attempting to answer a question she did not understand. From the remarks of other students, ARC tutors mechanically recite that they are “not answer keys.” How is one to understand a math problem if an answer is not generated? If we were rating the tutors, the student math tutors at Courant would pass with flying colors, receiving 5 out of 5 for helpfulness. Yet despite their helpfulness, there is not sufficient space. The room in Courant, room 524, where math tutoring is held, could barely fit a twin bed, let alone a handful of students desperately seeking math help. Why do the inadequate tutors at U-Hall and ARC have state-of-the-art facilities, while the effective tutors at Courant struggle in a tiny room? NYU needs math tutors. Profes-
sors and adjuncts are available during lecture and office hours, yet a subject like math needs much practice and occasionally this leads to questions, which could more appropriately be answered by a tutor if your professor or adjunct is unavailable. Clearly, NYU acknowledges the need for tutors by the development of the University Learning Center, however, this will never be effective if the services provided by tutors are not effective. Money cannot continue to be thrown at projects like the University Learning Center without beneficial results. The centers should issue surveys via email to each student after their session to gauge whether the tutor was helpful, then make changes accordingly. The university should look into expanding the Courant tutoring as their services are responded to well by students. There is nothing worse than the uneasy feeling of an unanswered math problem. NYU should do us all a favor and remedy this by providing us good math help because we need it now. Liz Beras is a columnist. Her column, “Lifeis Pricey,” is about the consequences of economic decisions and appears every Wednesday. E-mail her at opinion@nyunews.com.
The Observationalist
With Frank’s retirement, Congress loses fighter By Ben Miller Two days ago, my congressman Barney Frank announced his retirement from the House of Representatives. By “my congressman,” I don’t just mean the elected representative of my district, I mean the person in Congress who most exemplifies what I think the role of a congressman should be: an outspoken voice who’s willing to stop talking, get off cable news and fight in the trenches. He is someone willing to fight passionately for his beliefs, but still fundamentally willing to prioritize the functioning of Congress over ideological purity. Tea Partiers, learn from Barney, if not from his values, then from his ability to combine incendiary language with hard cross-aisle work on important issues. The retirement of Rep. Frank means that one of the last pre-
television national political figures has just left the arena. Frank doesn’t wait for seven teams of consultants to cross-check what he says and he never tried to conform his left-handed gay Jewish background to the predominantly working-class Catholic district he represented. He spoke from the heart and head and, for that, was vilified by his opponents and deified by his supporters. Congressmen no longer feel free to speak their honest minds about oftenunpopular issues. There are few thoughtful leaders left in Congress and we just lost one. Additionally, Frank may be the last-ever national political figure who couldn’t be a lead actor in a sitcom. He’s frankly unattractive, his voice is the opposite of mellifluous. He’s not outwardly graceful. The grace of Frank comes from the way he fights for issues he cares about. His voice will be missed in Congress, especially
if one of the typical partisan dronebots is allowed to sweep the primary and head into a multi-term period in which Massachusetts’ Fourth is yet another district represented by someone elected for the letter after their name to be a reliable party vote. Those of us in my district need to make sure that doesn’t happen and other politicians should look hard at Barney Frank’s success and career. The vast majority of congressmen are from safe districts, and when you are, like Frank was, it’s possible to go out on a limb and fight for real things that may be momentarily unpopular but that are definitely necessary. That’s what Barney Frank did for 16 terms. Ben Miller is a columnist. His column, “The Observationalist,” contains musings on society, culture and politics and appears every Wednesday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
Facebook obligated to respect privacy of users
As of today, more than 800 million people across the digital world are logging into Facebook. The social network, whether you like it or not, has become an integral part of our daily lives. It is a place where we can catch up with news, gossip and network with others to find out what happened the night before. However, the information we insert into our profiles can sometimes leak out into the public with Facebook’s permission — something the Federal Trade Commission has had a growing concern with. In a list addressing eight specific complaints to Mark Zuckerberg’s empire, the FTC has accused the website of allowing advertisers to take personal information from users for their own benefit, sharing this information with outside application developers and archiving the users’ information even after they’ve deleted their Facebook profile. Facebook, however, did agree on Tuesday to the FTC’s privacy settlement, which did not levy any fines but warned that the company will pay the price if it continues these anti-privacy practices. When any of us sign up to join Facebook — that point of genesis when our web identities are born — we all have the fear that our profiles are being crept on by unknown users. However, the fear must be met as well with expectations: If you choose to tag yourself in a thousand pictures and constantly update your status, Internet safety should be the least of your problems. Civic responsibility should translate to digital responsibility right when you log in. But if users do not want their information to be obtained by outside parties, they have all the right to protect it and Facebook has the obligation to adhere to these demands. However, Facebook administrators have authority in this decision as well. Two weeks ago, the WSN Editorial Board wrote an opinion piece on the Stop Online Piracy Act, in which we defended a company’s contractual right on the Internet to regulate its own business. Our opinion extends to that of Facebook. In the end, the website must find a middle ground between protection and exploitation to ensure the interests of both parties, the user and the provider, are taken into consideration.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.
Editorial Board: John Surico (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Maria Michalos (Co-Chair), Emily Franklin, Nicolette Harris, Stephanie Isola, Katie Travers and Lauren Wilfong.
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, fifth floor, New York, NY 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com
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