NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 40, No. 45
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012
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NYU third in foreign student enrollment By VERONICA CARCHEDI
between life and art. Whether chatting with friends or squeezing a partner’s shoulders with easy affection, the women on which Salinas chose to focus her lens gave the impression of having sprung from their portraits and into real life. Such reality is the aim of Salinas’ vision, for which she was awarded the department’s 2012 Constantiner Fellowship award. The photographs themselves are fairly straightforward — the exhibit consists of a series of portraits of
NYU hosts one of the largest international communities among U.S. universities, according to a study conducted by Open Doors, a research program of the Institute of International Education. “The goal of the Open Doors project is to help policy makers and educators better understand the full scope of international student mobility to the United States, including which states and institutions are the top hosts of international students,” said IIE’s senior counselor Peggy Blumenthal. In the 2012 Open Doors data from earlier this month, NYU ranked third with an international student population of 8,660 students, trailing only the University of Southern California and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Even though NYU’s ranking was the same as in 2011 rankings, this year shows an 8 percent increase from last year’s enrollment. The IIE is an independent, nonprofit international education and training organization. For the past 40 years, Open Doors research has been supported by a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs from the U.S. Department of State. The study was based on data collected from annual surveys sent out to approximately 3,000 U.S. institutions of higher education. Blumenthal said the United States’ diverse programs that attract the most international students and that the institutions with the highest international student populations have common traits. “Many of the leading institutions
SALINAS continued on PG. 4
INTERNATIONAL continued on PG. 3
Exit Strategy (Part 1): A closer look at the NYU Tel Aviv evacuation After 11 students were evacuated from NYU’s Tel Aviv campus, WSN chronicles the experience of two semesters of students in Israel’s second most populous city. In part 2, WSN looks at the future of NYU as a global network university in light of the evacuation from Egypt and Tel Aviv.
STORY ON PAGE 6 COURTESY OF ERIN O’DONNELL
Wrestling tops overall at Southern Maine invitational
Art, stories come alive at Tisch gallery opening
The NYU men’s wrestling team finished first at the Ted Reese Invitational on Saturday, Dec. 1. The Violets traveled to Gorham, Maine for the competition where they competed against Division I, Division II and Division III teams. There were a total of nine teams in the competition. The Violets captured first place with a final score of 94 points, while host University of Southern Maine placed second with 92 points. Junior Chris Amro won his weight class and the sole individual title for NYU. Competing in the 174-pound weight class, Amro fin-
The first and overwhelming impression of the atmosphere at the Las Otras: (Re) Imaging Queer Latin@s exhibition on Friday was one of fantasy. Created by Tisch alumna Lupe Salinas, who graduated from the Department of Photography & Imaging in 2011, the air of the unreal is not because the displayed images are particularly whimsical or strange, but because the subjects of the works wandered among the photographs at the Friday night opening in a rare case of direct correlation
By MARY JANE DUMANKAYA
ished the day of competition with a perfect 4-0. In the final match of the 174-pound weight class, both wrestlers were from NYU. Amro proved to be victorious when he beat teammate sophomore Patrick Sheehan, 3-1. Sheehan finished the day 3-1 having tallied a technical fall and a major decision win. Similarly, two Violets faced each other in the 133-pound weight class as well. Freshmen Glenn Forsyth and Corbin Lee faced each other en route to the third place match. Lee won with a pin and went on to finish in third place. “I earned my first career victory
WRESTLING continued on PG. 8
By HELEN HOLMES
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: FINALS SEASON TIPS: As we draw closer to the end of the semester, here are some tips to get through the hardest part of the year. STORY on PG. 4
STEINHARDT OPEN STUDIOS: Steinhardt art students put their finest artwork on display at an open Studios event this past Saturday. RACHEL CABITT FOR WSN
STORY on PG. 3
STARTING CAREERS AT STARTUPS Though students may be drawn to internships at large corporations, the value of startups should not be underestimated. STORY on PG. 7
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6:30 p.m. NYU Torch Club | 18 Waverly Place
8 p.m. Provincetown Playhouse | 133 Macdougal St.
8 p.m. Atlas Theatre | 111 Second Ave., Third Floor
The Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development presents the Baroque Ensemble led by Morwaread Farbood. Free admission.
Catch the last performance of “Freedom House,” the world premiere of a new play by Anna Moench, commissioned by the Graduate School of Acting at the Tisch School of the Arts.
DEAN’S ROUNDTABLE WITH PAUL LEE
The Gallatin School of Individualized Study presents a Dean’s Roundtable discussion with Paul Lee, president of the ABC Entertainment Group.
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Kentucky mayor Danny Sparks resigned after being arrested for allegedly dealing marijuana in an elementary school parking lot on Wednesday night. Police reported that Sparks sold an unspecified quantity of marijuana to an undercover informant, and that they also found an open container of alcohol in his vehicle. Sparks was charged with trafficking marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school. Sparks, who said this was something he had never done before, has lost the trust of his community, friends and family. He has decided to resign his position as mayor. — THE HUFFINGTON POST
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University holds stake in fiscal cliff debate
The arch in Washington Square Park provides the perfect frame for this year’s Christmas tree.
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About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods.
Students stage protest during speaking event with Israeli Defense Forces reservist — THE EAGLE
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INTERNATIONAL continued from PG. 1
NYU ranks third in size of international student community, report finds that draw a large number of international students have a global reputation for outstanding research and teaching, as well as distinguished faculty and alumni,” Blumenthal said. “They make significant outreach efforts to attract students and also offer targeted services to support the international student population on their campuses.” David Austell, director of NYU’s Office for International Students and Scholars, said the university’s academic reputation, as well as the allure of the New York City location are the main attractions for international students. “Unquestionably the first reason that international students are applying to NYU is the quality and the power of the academic programs that are here,” he said. “Secondly I think New York City itself is a big attraction. A world-class university in a world-class city is definitely an attracting force.” Austell said the growing international community has an academic and cultural impact on the university.
“It’s certainly true that the international students contribute to the academic endeavors of the university,” Austell said. “The students typically are brilliant. They are the best and the brightest from their own countries.” International students also pointed to the diversity of NYU’s student body as a major draw of the university. “NYU is really diverse and that’s probably one of the main reasons it was attractive to me,” said Steinhardt senior Scarlett Wang, who is from China. Wang, who is studying applied psychology and sociology, said her program is very culturally aware. She also said she has been able to connect with other NYU students despite being from another country. “We’re not completely the same, but part of us connects, part of us makes each other’s story more exciting,” Wang said.
“Science and a transparent public process, which has not yet occurred, should be tools that help determine what will lead to the value of health without which money doesn’t do much good, not a rushed political process.” Some NYU students, including Stern freshman Michael Sacco, said they agreed with the caution expressed by New York on fracking. “I think that fracking is generally very bad for the environment, and so we should provide environmental regulations that limit fracking,” Sacco said. “But at the same time you have to consider that it is a viable source of oil and one that would help the struggling New York economy, especially in the energy industry.” Stern freshman Max Gordon said drafting regulations should not be taking so long. “Fracking is a pretty fast and efficient way of securing energy for the future,” Gordon said. Isaac Marshall is a staff writer. Email him at cstate@nyunews.com.
Additional reporting by Andrew Karpan. Pia Brar is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
Veronica Carchedi is a deputy university editor. Email her at vcarchedi@nyunews.com.
New York state failed to meet a Nov. 29 deadline to draft a new set of fracking regulations for New York, opting instead to grant a 90-day extension. Hydraulic fracturing, commonly called fracking, is a process in which high pressure fluid is injected into the ground to fracture sedimentary rocks, releasing the natural gas inside. This practice has sparked much controversy, as proponents of the method cite the abundance of energy it produces while opponents raise the environmental hazards it potentially poses, such as water contamination. To ensure any fracking practices in New York are safe, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo set up a panel of three nationally renowned health experts shortly before the Nov. 29 deadline to review the environmental impact assessment that has been drafted by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. Until the new deadline, the department will be further working with the panel to formulate new regulations.
Though the NYDEC was not able to create new regulations, the group said it still preferred having a panel for maximum safety. “Developing the [Supplemental Generic Environmental Impact Statement] has been a thorough, scientific and thoughtful process over the past four years,” said NYDEC spokeswoman Emily DeSantis. “If high-volume hydraulic fracturing moves forward in New York, it will do so with the strictest standards in the nation.” The NYDEC filed the extension to continue work on the draft as the state commissioner of health reviews the SGEIS. “DEC will not take any final action until after [the commissioner’s] health review is completed,” DeSantis said. “This action merely extends the rule making period to enable DEC to take into account [his] review.” NYU environmental studies professor Julianne Lutz stressed the importance of caution. “The need for precaution has highest priority over an arbitrary 90-day extension,” she said.
By PIA BRAR Steinhardt junior Megan Taylor said she felt lost last August. Taylor had just transferred from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. to NYU because she was looking for a bigger school where she could explore more with her studies and extracurricular activities. “People underestimate how hard it is to transfer to a new school, NYU in particular,” Taylor said. “It is easy to get lost in the shuffle of everything.” Taylor was among the 300 transfer students who gathered in Kimmel Center for University Life to celebrate the Transfer Recognition Day last Thursday. Together, they recognized the contribution of new and returning transfer students to the NYU community. The Transfer & Transitioning Student Association, a new student group administered by the Student Resource Center, also gave out the Top Transfer Awards. CAS senior Emily Souka, who transferred from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., was one of the award winners. “Most NYU students, once they’re out of their freshman year, don’t realize there are still many new students coming into the school,” Souka said. “About 700 students transfer here every fall, along with 200 more every spring. All too often, they are overlooked.” Supreet Dhillon, a Silver junior who transferred from NYU Dental Hygiene Program, was also given an award for starting a student volunteer group, #SandyRelief, that helped residents of Staten Island who were hit by the storm. “I feel like a lot of schools don’t have programs like this, and I’ve met a lot of my friends through it,” Dhillon said. Bart Grachan, the Director of the Community College Transfer Opportunity Program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, said transfer students are an important and under-served population on the national level. “It’s critical that four-year institutions play a role in creating transfer access, supporting students and recognizing their abilities and contributions,” Grachan said. Renee Levy, a Steinhardt junior who transferred from Boston University, also attended the event last week. Levy said she has enjoyed studying at NYU so far. “At first I was very intimidated by NYU and its reputation,” Levy said. “But now I’m taking classes where I’m studying what I want to study, and I feel like I fit in.”
New York state receives extension to create fracking regulations
By ISAAC MARSHALL
Transfer students honored for role in NYU community
Steinhardt Open Studios showcase student artwork By TATIANA BAEZ
Melting ice, drawings of the human body and a giant Santa with his eyes covered were all on display at the Steinhardt studio art program’s Open Studios Saturday night. Open Studios, an event that occurs once each semester, is an opportunity for studio art students to showcase their work to fellow peers, friends and family. Guests were able to view projects in the Barney Building as well as seniors’ projects in the BFA senior studio space in the 383 Lafayette building. Seniors showcased their work in small individual gallery spaces while freshmen, sophomores and juniors displayed projects of their choice in Barney. “Open Studios is a good chance to show my work to people outside of the art program and NYU, and it gave me a chance to put my name out there and get feedback from people who aren’t just professors or other students,” said Steinhardt sophomore Lauren
Farahani, who showed “Untitled,” a piece of string designs. It also gives underclassmen and juniors a chance to see and be inspired by senior work, as they will eventually show their work in the Lafayette studio space. Seniors are required to show work at Open Studios, but not all other students are required to do so. “It’s cool because it gives seniors better opportunities, which they should have,” said Liz Moy, a Steinhardt senior who showed several pieces at the event. “Seniors have a bigger space and Open Studios allows us to really focus on our work and move toward a goal since we know senior Open Studios is a big deal and potential employers come to look at our work.” All classes and genres in the Steinhardt art program can participate, including sculpture, photography, drawing, painting and installation, among others. “Open Studios is a way to put an emphasis on students’ work and present it to the public,” Steinhardt professor Kirby Gookin said. “It allows for a dialogue between students and the people viewing their work.”
Gookin added that students took the reigns on the event, creating it and organizing it with little help from faculty. “We teach the classes and help with installations and concepts, but students for the most part are the ones really getting their feet wet and making these events successful,” Gookin said. Hundreds of people attended the event, moving between the two gallery spaces. Some students, including ceramics students, attempted to sell their work to attendees. “It was fun to see ... your peers’ work, and it’s a chance to see different work than what you’re doing in your own program within NYU,” said Steinhardt sophomore Veronica Kim, who did not show pieces at the event but attended as an observer. “In the future, it’d be nice to have my work there and knowing there’s a chance to do that every semester is helpful.” Tatiana Baez is a deputy university editor. Email her at tbaez@nyunews.com.
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FEATURES SALINAS continued from PG. 1
NYU alumna’s photography exhibit features powerful portraits, stories of queer Latinas women, either alone or with a partner, accompanied by a personal testimonial explaining their stories of growing up and becoming aware of their cultural and sexual identities. However, the mastery of Salinas’ concept is in her notion of an intersection of two distinct cultures, queer and Latina, which her photographs convey beautifully with undramatic lighting and intentionally tepid backgrounds. “Her portraits are respectfully confrontational, elegantly and simply composed, showing the women in her pictures as both familiar and powerful, intriguing and less like the ‘other’ of her title,” said Fred Ritchin, a former professor of Salinas. “I wanted to bring [LGBT and queer culture] out to the daylight,” said Salinas, who added that the aim of her artwork is “not necessarily beautifying in any manner ... [but] more to take photos and let them do the talking.” And talk they do — these women explode out of the photographs with their geometric hair, spangled outfits, bright red lipstick or often simply the gravity and depth in their expressions. Salinas’ subjects have been through a lot on the path to self-actualization. “Our sexual orientation is more often than not denied to us,” wrote Paola Andrea Lebron of her relationship with her partner, in the description of her accompanying her photograph. “With men either hitting on us or hoping we’re merely related.”
“Each [story] is unique,” Salinas said. “I’m very thankful and happy that everyone took the time to write their own personal message.” The stories on the walls span from hilarious to heartbreaking, as Salinas’ subjects discuss everything from the restrictions of being labeled a typical Latina to the archetypes of matrimony. “For us, marriage was not about replicating systems of oppression, it was about using a common language to translate what we felt for each other to our community,” says the message next to a photograph of two women identified only as Ivette and Crystal. “Despite our hectic schedules, throwing parties and designing collections, Ivette still manages to have dinner on the table every night, and Crystal manages to avoid doing the dishes. There are some things about marriage that are universal.” The artist’s photographs definitively remove the cultural barriers that restrict the subjects of her work, but she also dissolves the feeling of separation between the audience and the art — in Salinas’ vision, there is no “other.” Las Otras: (Re)Imaging Queer Latin@s will remain on view through Jan. 17 at the Gulf + Western Gallery in the lobby at 721 Broadway. Helen Holmes is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
Skirball hosts South Asian dance contest By PAIGE BROTT
On Saturday evening, upbeat South Asian music and vibrant energy filled NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts. The occasion was The Manhattan Project 4.0, New York City’s premier South Asian dance competition, founded by NYU alumni Aditi Gogate, Sanwari Gupta and Abhinav Somani. During their time at NYU, Gogate and Gupta led NYU Nasha, NYU’s all-female South Asian dance troupe, and Somani led NYU Pandemonium, NYU’s premier hip hop and bhangra dance troupe. Their close friendships and experiences in the dance world led to the creation of The Manhattan Project. The project aims to provide a platform to showcase the talent and creativity of South Asian student dancers and to spread the knowledge of South Asian culture and fusion dance. The competition this year, which was the fourth Manhattan Project, featured 10 of South Asia’s top coed fusion dance teams, comprised of nearly 200 dancers total. “This year, we have a new venue,
the teams’ performance features more props, and the energy is bigger than ever,” said Manhattan Project director Kamna Gupta. The event was hosted was by University of Delaware students Nikhil Paul and Shane LaCoss, whose comedic enthusiasm fueled the energy in the audience. Members of 10 dance teams from universities across North America performed at the event. Gupta said these were chosen from 35 teams who submitted videos showcasing their dance skills. The teams chosen to perform at Skirball had the chance to compete for the grand trophy. Each team showcased their dance talents and high energy through storytelling, which included video presentations introducing the teams and exhibiting the creative themes of their performances. The performances represented a fusion of traditional Bollywood, hip hop, Latin, jazz, bhangra, Bharatnatyam and even some Gangham style. “[I] think the energy is so great and the themes are super creative,” said Stern sophomore Nikita Singh, who attended the
event. “It is great to [see] the fusion of classical, Bollywood and hip hop in one performance as well as non-South Asian dancers [showing] their talent and appreciation for South Asian culture.” First place went to Rutgers University’s Sapa, a group that constructed an exciting Bollywood fusion performance that centered around starting a dance revolution and defeating the evil Big Brother. Fizaa from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign constructed their colorful performance around the plot of the musical “Footloose,” which won them second place. The third place spot went to University of Arizona’s Om Shanti, who used the theme of revenge and a crazy love triangle for their energetic performance. “It was great watching the performances after ... months of hard work come together,” Gupta said. “It has been an honor to work with such a dedicated team of individuals.” For more information on The Manhattan Project, visit www.manhattanprojectnyc.com. Paige Brott is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
How to stay on track in race to finals
RACHEL CABITT FOR WSN
As finals season quickly approaches, students flock to Bobst. By ALENA HALL It’s that time of year again. As many recover from the annual Thanksgiving turkey overdose and midtown Manhattan illuminates its new holiday décor display, tourists flock to the city to wander the windy streets, shop the Fifth Avenue window displays and glide along the ice rink at Rockefeller Plaza. However, NYU students filtering through Washington Square have a different set of pre-holiday priorities: preparing for exams. Only a few weeks away, these looming finals have the power to make or break hard-earned semester GPAs, depending on how students approach them. Breathe a little easier in the remaining days of the semester by considering these exam preparation tips. PLAN IT OUT This week, make a list of every final project presentation, exam, paper and deadline ahead of you in the order they are due. Plan study time accordingly. Prioritizing a to-do list in this manner can help prevent procrastination as well as curb the feelings of anxiety that follow when too many tasks pile up with too little time to complete them. To see NYU’s general final exam schedule, check out the university registrar’s official final exam schedule, so you can plan for them now. EAT THE RIGHT FOODS — IN THE RIGHT AMOUNTS It is important not only to eat healthy foods during times of high stress but also to consider the size of meals during exam week. “Eating big meals makes people sleepy, so that’s not a good idea right before doing something that requires careful thought,” Steinhardt nutrition professor Marion Nestle said. “But you want to eat something before a long exam so you don’t get distracted by hunger in the middle of it.” Map out meals and snacks that are well balanced in protein, fat and carbohydrates to coordinate with the task at hand. SWEAT OUT THE STRESS Taking study breaks for de-stressing bouts of cardiovascular exercise can be just as important as hitting the books itself. Visit the NYU Athletics website for information about campus recreation hours of operation, group fitness class schedules and a variety of activities available to help increase the oxygen flow to your thinking muscles and eliminate stress toxins. AVOID ALL-NIGHTERS A study from Harvard Medical School reported that one of the main beneficial functions of a solid night’s rest is memory consolidation — the brain’s ability to take in new information and commit it to memory. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night to make those daily study sessions count when the actual exam arrives. ASK FOR HELP If solitary cramming and group study sessions are not doing the trick, do not hesitate to reach out to professors and take advantage of campus resources, such as the NYU Writing Center, to prepare for finals. Outline and draft writing assignments early, and sign up for an appointment with a consultant to receive helpful feedback and make grade-boosting adjustments without the deadline stress. Alena Hall is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
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Inventive ways to keep warm this winter By KIMBERLY SCHU
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With winter right around the corner, it is time to prepare for chilly weather and stay warm in style. In New York, winter weather can be harsh, frustrating and freezing. This year, get creative and go beyond simple scarves and knitted hats. Here are the top 5 gadgets to help keep you warm over the next few months.
1. EARMUFFS WITH BUILT-IN HEADPHONES Make your trip to class warm and entertaining with a pair of hi-tech earmuffs with built-in headphones. A simple pair with a colorful pattern of your choice can be found at Nordstrom for $10. If you are looking for headphones to keep you warm while you exercise outdoors, pick up a pair of Degrees by 180s EarGrips Discovery sporty fleece ear warmers with headphones, $16 at Kohls. 2. MICROWAVABLE SLIPPERS Microwavable slippers are a recent invention that will keep your feet toasty all winter long. These colorful slippers can be purchased online from Hot Botties, orderhotbooties.com. Microwave these slippers for just 60 seconds, and the heat will last for about an hour. Wear them like ordinary slippers and enjoy toasty warm feet, guaranteed.
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3. WARM UP SOLES Though you will want to stay indoors with your microwavable slippers all winter, eventually you will have to head out into the cold. Heated soles are the perfect solution for your freezing toes. Verseo’s Thermo Soles ($99) are efficient and easy to use. After a quick charge, these soles will give your feet ultimate
warmth for eight hours. These soles mold to your feet for a comfortable fit and can be worn with many different types of shoes. They are especially useful for ski and snowboarding outings and for chilly walks to and from class. 4. HEATED MOUSE With freezing temperatures outside, it is important to keep out the cold when writing final papers or browsing the Internet. Though a heated mouse seems like a silly invention, it is actually quite practical. Purchase the popular WarmMe brand mouse ($59) at warmmouse.com. The WarmMe mouse is especially useful for those with poor circulation. 5. TOUCHSCREEN GLOVES While gloves and mittens keep your heated, they make it impossible to send texts or emails from an iPhone. When in contact with a touchscreen phone or iPod, these gloves detect a change in electrical signal or impulse that connects to your body and is transmitted through your fingers. Pick up a pair of L.L. Bean’s Touchscreen Multisport Power Stretch gloves ($29.95) — they allow you to command your virtual keyboard while keeping your fingers protected from frostbite.
Kimberly Schu is a staff writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
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Future of NYU Tel Aviv campus uncertain after evacuation university’s decision stemmed predominantly from the fear that the conflict would escalate, leaving students trapped in a danger zone. “We didn’t want to get to the winter break and find that circumstances had evolved to the point where they were unable to leave Israel,” Beckman said. “We could ensure the students’ successful completion of their studies were the considerations that drove our decision-making.” Even a brief goodbye lunch with the Tel Aviv faculty was cut short by a siren. Emerging from the bomb shelter located in the NYU youth hostel, a security guard escorted the students to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport around noon the following day. An administrator accompanied the group on its flight, and another was ready to welcome them into the NYU London community when they landed. Executed in under 30 hours, the university’s evacuation plan was able to gather students from as far as Istanbul. All were given 24 hours to return, pack and prepare for their flight to NYU’s London campus. NYU Abu Dhabi junior Caroline Manela sold her newly purchased bike, and GLS junior Erin O’Donnell packed up her newly rented apartment. Their arrival on Sunday came just three days before a bomb exploded on a Tel Aviv Dan Bus, No. 142 shuttle bus, injuring at least 28 people. “That’s a bus that a lot of us would take and a lot of us know,” O’Donnell said. GLS junior Madeline Sanderford said the route is a popular trip for her friends on their way to miscellaneous jobs or errands. “As much as we didn’t want to leave Tel Aviv, I think once we heard about [the explosion] we were all pretty happy with NYU’s decision,” O’Donnell said. After the evacuation, staff members said they were impressed by the the fluidity and swiftness of the transfer operation. NYU London student life coordinator Tony Skitt, who describes himself as “the ‘London logistics’ guy,” openly applauded the work of fellow administrators. “We had, at our disposal the services of a highly-professional transfer team,” Skitt said.
By AMY ZHANG
During the most recent Israel-Gaza conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 150 Palestinians and Israelis, the short-lived war reached far into Israel, disrupting civilian life in the state’s cosmopolitan and relatively isolated capital city. Though a ceasefire brokered between the two groups began last week, 11 NYU students were evacuated from the NYU Tel Aviv site as military actions escalated in midNovember. For these students, life was abruptly launched into limbo. And while the general sentiment among faculty, students and staff has been appreciation and respect for NYU’s decision to suspend the program for the rest of the fall 2012 semester, the choice has also left students dangling in the middle of unfinished classes, jobs and projects. Even now the ceasefire remains fragile and has forced students to find creative ways to complete their studies away from Tel Aviv. As the university continues to discuss the fate of the program for spring 2013, previous NYU Tel Aviv students reflect on their experiences while future hopeful attendees discuss their plans in the Middle East. THE NYU OPERATION On Nov. 15, sirens rang throughout the Tel Aviv area for the first time since Saddam Hussein targeted Israel during the 1991 Gulf War. But by the fourth day, most residents and students had grown accustomed to the daily alarms. As a result, NYU’s decision to evacuate the 11 students at such short notice came as a surprise even to the small group of faculty and students. At approximately 2 p.m. on Nov. 17, an email from Student Services senior director Christopher Nicolussi informed students of the mandatory evacuation to London. Because many faculty and staff are residents of Tel Aviv, they were given a choice to remain in the city. NYU spokesman John Beckman said while students expressed disappointment at the compressed timetable for saying their goodbyes, the overall morale was positive. The
“I didn’t ask them if they had any ‘double-O’s’ in front of their names, but it wouldn’t have surprised me.” Throughout the trip, NYU covered travel and living expenditures and worked to accommodate the wants of every student. After arriving in London, the group was taken to breakfast, clothes shopping on account of the weather difference and, finally, a hotel. After working with advisers to outline an educational plan of the rest of their semester, they were given a choice to finish out their studies in Florence, Prague, London or New York. Though the evacuation catapulted them out of a city they had just begun to call home, the professionalism and expertise of NYU’s team delivered a seamless transition. “For not having any control over my life for 48 hours or more, it was about the smoothest two days of the semester,” Manela said. A SEMESTER UNDER ATTACK Tel Aviv’s picturesque cafes and balmy serenity evince a beach town that matches the rowdy citizens. But the fashionable restaurants and bars conceal a map of separate underground bomb shelters located near public parks, high schools and buildings. In the NYU hostel where the students lived, in addition to its role as a recreational room furnished with a sofa and flat screen TV, the lounge also acts as a shelter for students. This past March, the threat of Iran’s nuclear program loomed over the Middle East, but students said a sense of danger was almost nonexistent for Tel Aviv locals. “I got a little worried when I got an email from the [embassy] that a missile had hit just 40 kilometers away from Tel Aviv,” CAS junior Kimberly Usewicz said. “But when I talk to other Israelis about it they’re like ‘40 kilometers? That’s far. That’s really far.’” Usewicz recalled frequently reading about inbound rockets hitting southern cities in the local papers and sporadically received security emails from the U.S. embassy, advising citizens
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against traveling to certain areas of the country. The university also required students to sign a document that forbade them from traveling into Palestinian territories in Gaza or the West Bank. The contrast between the tranquil, developed beach city and other regions closer to the Gaza Strip became especially apparent when students traveled south to Sderot and areas in the Negev — cities often shelled because of their proximity to the Gaza Strip. Geographically and culturally removed, for most students in the spring 2012 program, “Tel Aviv was the safest place they could have been,” CAS senior Josh Diamond, who studied at the site last semester. But even as the conflict progressed and the sirens marked a potential danger, Tel Aviv citizens remained complacent. “The sirens would go off, and people would run and hide,” Sanderford said. “And literally within a blink of an eye you would look out on the patios out on the street of Tel Aviv, and it would be like nothing happened.” Israel’s Iron Dome technology and Gaza’s short supply of long-range rockets further assuaged fears of immediate danger. But for some NYU students, the military advantage did not dissuade them from planning ahead and taking precautions against a possible attack, which O’Donnell once faced unprepared. She and her friends were forced to find make-shift shelter during an attack while going to get pizza. Since then, they have learned to map out their trips throughout the city and make sure to travel along routes near to bomb shelters. “We didn’t want to risk hiding under a storefront,” Sanderford said. “So people really thought about it in advance.” In part two of the Tel Aviv series, WSN looks toward the future of Tel Aviv 2013 and the impact the conflict will have on NYU’s future as a global network university. Additional reporting by Kevin Burns. Amy Zhang is web managing editor. Email her at azhang@nyunews.com.
THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Edited by Will Shortz
ACROSS 1 Indian tribe with a rain dance 5 Wood-shaping tool 8 Kind of tire 14 The answer to a preacher’s prayers? 15 Org. with sniffing dogs 16 Old Soviet naval base site 17 Devour 19 Some online ads 20 “You cheated!” 21 Cooler contents 23 New York’s Tappan ___ Bridge 24 Waste time playfully 28 Buffalo Bill 31 Teacher after a test, e.g. 32 “Honest” prez 33 File folder projection
ANSWER F R I T O S
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35 Choice of a political party 39 Pay what’s due 41 Eat, eat, eat 42 Porky’s porcine sweetie 44 Tyrannosaurus ___ 45 Right-to-beararms org. 46 Carter’s successor 48 Chimney sweep coating 49 Hoard 54 Crude home 55 Uganda’s ___ Amin 56 Attached ___ (legalese phrase) 60 Crops up 63 Pertain to 65 Like Jim Crow laws 66 “Don’t you know who ___?”
67 68 69 70
Lima’s land Makes into law Boffo show sign Hankerings
DOWN 1 “The First Wives Club” actress Goldie 2 Melville opus 3 Ill-gotten wealth 4 Criminal renown 5 Deck out 6 Pasture moisture 7 More madcap 8 Muhammad Ali strategy 9 “Much ___ About Nothing” 10 Withdrawal’s opposite: Abbr. 11 Japanese truck maker 12 “Quaking” tree 13 Erased a tattoo, say 18 God, in Italian 22 Blue shade TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 25 Spy grp. dissolved in E M I E S D E C A L 1991 R E N C E E X I L E A S T L E D F L A T 26 Many a song at a dance club S L A N C E B A S S E C I T O I N T R 27 Not a photocopy: Abbr. H U R O N S T A O H U G S C E D R I C 28 Al who created Joe Btfsplk O T H N E W Y O R K E Z H O R S E 29 Instrument with metal keys S P R I N T R A M A O L S A L U T E 30 Tin can blemish A H A T S C O L O N 33 One doing piano L D O Y O U M I N D repair E I N S U R A N C E 34 Beekeepers X E S T R A N G E D 36 It’s taboo
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No. 1029
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Puzzle by Gareth Bain
37 Continental coin 38 Coup d’___ 40 Space race hero Gagarin 43 Superannuated 44 Genetic material 47 They may fall apart under crossexamination 48 Too sentimental
49 Not hoard
50 Imam’s holy book
51 New York city with a name from antiquity
52 Company that originated Frisbees and Boogie Boards 53 ___ Lingus
57 Sporting sword 58 Ripped 59 Big burden 61 [not my mistake] 62 Superlative suffix 64 What a headphone goes over
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 | MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY CHRIS DINARDO OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
EMPLOYMENT
Startups provide career opportunities By ZEVE SANDERSON As we head home for the holidays, college seniors will face a barrage of questions, most of which inevitably boil down to the insomnia-inducing, “What are you going to do next year?” While this question can lead us to a sudden existential crises, this question leads to a more interesting inquiry — how do college graduates choose a path? Andrew Yang, successful entrepreneur and founder of Venture for America, has an answer: “Yes, grads want to earn a decent salary. But more than money, grads want something that is prestigious, that teaches them skills that translate to other fields, and that will keep them competitive with their peers.” This thinking leads smart grads to congregate in fields like banking and consulting or head to large corporations. Others, fighting the corporate route but lacking direction, continue on to grad school, a move perfectly consistent with Yang’s proposition. But why not startups? To start, startups are hard to find and evaluate, they do not offer a structured path, and there is high risk with
uncertain reward. With an estimated startup failure rate of 90 percent, most NYU graduates will take the betterpaved route by flocking to secure industries. But startups offer qualities larger companies cannot. Rather than being a cog in the corporate wheel, startup employees quickly become integral to the company’s success. Even more, a startup is a fast-paced, highly personal environment that allows a recent grad to grow in ways a bigger environment does not allow. For the past three months, I have been interning with Yang at Venture for America, a nonprofit that seeks to mobilize and socialize talented grads, called fellows, as entrepreneurs. VFA provides these fellows with training and mentorship, and then places them in thoroughly vetted startups in emerging cities such as Detroit, New Orleans and Providence, R.I. to help those companies grow. Along with eliminating some of the inherent risk of joining a startup, VFA blends the hands-on experience of building a company with the community, training and support of a large firm. The first time I met Yang, he asked me to think of my 10 smartest friends. Then he asked me, what if these
friends, instead of going into finance or corporations, moved to Detroit and started a company. “How quickly do you think the city would become the Detroit of our parents’ generation?” Though the fellows will be working for for-profit companies and bettering their own future prospects, their ultimate goal is to use entrepreneurship to create a positive, lasting impact in their respective cities. My time at VFA, a young, small organization itself, has embodied the value of working at a startup. I have now amassed five internships while at NYU; the first four never gave me the gratification of knowing that every day I added something truly valuable to the organization. Venture for America has. So as you think about how you will answer your family’s questions, give startups another look. While they are not for everyone — some people do dream of working in finance or big business — for those interested in entrepreneurship, there is no greater calling. Zeve Sanderson is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
COMMUNICATION
Biased media reduces political tolerance By IAN MARK In the 1960s, there were only a few television channels. Cable television, while available at the time, was not widely used. The Internet had not yet been invented. If you wanted to follow politics, you had only a few options. The network news programs, most notably the CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite, were the only sources for same-day reports. The lack of news sources forced viewers to watch shows that would not always say things with which they agreed. Today that is no longer the case. The invention of the Internet and the spread of cable television have drastically increased the number of sources for news. It has also allowed for politicized networks, like Fox News, to establish themselves and attract viewers. There is now an option for everyone. Conservatives can watch Fox News and listen to Rush Limbaugh, while liberals can watch The Daily Show and read The New York Times. Neo-Nazis can go to stormfront.org, and Communists can go to cpusa. org. This proliferation of biased news sources has steadily decreased viewership of the network news. Please
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note, I am not suggesting that the networks programs are unbiased, only that they represent a more centrist view than other sources. In 1980, over 50 million Americans tuned in to one of the three network evening news shows each night. Today, the number of people is down to about 23 million, despite an increase in the population of nearly 90 million people. But the amount of time people spend following the news has increased, according to the Pew Research Center. What do these facts tell us? They indicate that more and more people are choosing to get their news from places that will tell them exactly what they want to hear. By doing so, they are engaging in what I call intellectual masturbation. They seek out viewpoints that are similar to their own, and when those sources confirm what they already believe, they take this as an affirmation of their intelligence and derive pleasure from it. This intellectual masturbation creates a society where people rarely encounter viewpoints that differ from their own. This leads to a reduced tolerance for different opinions and has contributed to the drastic increase in
political polarization that has occurred in the United States over the last 50 years. This polarization does two things. First, it increases gridlock in the government. As more and more extreme candidates are elected, the moderates who are crucial to building viable coalitions are forced out, leaving two parties with very few ways to find common ground and compromise. Second, it decreases the overall quality of the political discourse. Rather than calm debate, we get screaming matches between people who are equally sure they are right because all the news they see confirms their own beliefs and reduces their ability to see other perspectives. This problem is not one that can be fixed systematically. The only systemic solution would be censorship, which, to borrow a James Madison metaphor, would be like getting rid of air to prevent fires. Rather, I advocate an individual approach, for people to make a concerted effort to get their news from multiple sources with different biases and to make an effort to understand and respect other people’s beliefs, no matter how foolish and silly they may seem. Ian Mark is a staff columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Taxpayer Protection Pledge unproductive in addressing fiscal cliff
Read Grover Norquist’s lips: No new taxes. Norquist, the founder of Americans for Tax Reform, started his Taxpayer Protection Pledge in 1986, which asks lawmakers to sign an agreement with their constituents to fight any rise in marginal tax rates. Unfortunately for him, a handful of influential Republicans who signed his anti-tax pledge have begun to retract their support in light of the upcoming fiscal cliff debacle and a willingness to come to a compromise. The pledge initiated by Norquist does not seem to have any real enforceability. Far from being a legally binding document, it does not impose any accountability on the signatories. Those who sign it are not obliged to obey, nor would they be prosecuted or face any serious consequences if they break the pledge. In this sense, the tax pledge becomes feckless. Such a void pledge, in principle, should not have any real influence on the actions of politicians. Nonetheless, many Republicans have signed and staunchly stood behind it. While such actions were politically beneficial in times of financial stability, faced with a real-world dilemma such as the fiscal cliff, its practical application seems lost. The tax pledge undermines the very framework democracy was built upon — the conversation and debate of dynamic ideas address the nation’s problems in the best way. Our country operates on a two-party system, and when one party engages in absolutism, they impede the progress of the system as a whole. So even worse than the pledge melting into a puddle of meaninglessness, it becomes a vehicle for animosity. Saxby Chambliss, longtime Republican senator from Georgia, summed up a commonly popular sentiment among Americans this week, saying, “I care a lot more about my country — I care a lot more about it than I do about Grover Norquist.” Signing the Norquist pledge of not raising taxes is an extreme and unproductive way of expressing the conservative ideology. Pledging allegiance to an honest conversation about the role of taxes and spending cuts is the proper way of addressing the fiscal cliff. Not pledging allegiance to Grover Norquist.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Chris DiNardo (Chair), Jessica Littman (Co-Chair), Christopher Drake, Sasha Leshner, Peter Murphy, Raquel Woodruff and Richard Zhang.
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 150 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2012 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Chairman of House Homeland Security resigns By CHARLIE SPECTOR Peter T. King from New York’s third congressional district announced his resignation as the House Homeland Security Committee Chairman on Nov. 25. He resigned because he already went one year over his term limit. Since its establishment nine months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the committee has been a fierce proponent for anti-terrorism funding in New York City. King was an advocate for maintaining a high level of federal assistance even as funding decreased. The public now questions what will happen to the city’s antiterrorism funding and whether King’s replacement will be just as persistent with obtaining assistance. The committee announced on Nov. 27 that Rep. Michael McCaul from Texas will replace King as chairman beginning in January. King expressed his confidence in McCaul in a House Homeland Security Committee press release. “I have worked with Rep. McCaul on the committee for the past several years, and he has been a very effective leader of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations and Management and, previously,
the Intelligence Subcommittee,” he said. “I know that he is committed to securing our Homeland from terrorism and ensuring that the Department of Homeland Security acts in an effective and responsible manner.” David Olive, an expert on homeland security who works for Catalyst Partners, a government and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C., does not think King’s resignation will have a significant effect on homeland security funding for New York City. “Congressman King has said he will remain on the committee, possibly as a subcommittee chairman,” Olive said. “His influence among members of that committee, or among the House leadership, will not diminish because he has become a subject matter expert, and funding on almost all homeland security matters is ultimately decided by the appropriators.” Olive said authorities must approve anything the appropriators decide, and King is the chairman of the authorizing committee. “He will continue to be an effective advocate for issues he is interested in,” Olive said. Stern senior Abe Gutierrez said a decrease in anti-terrorism funding may be beneficial.
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Peter T. King already served a year over term limit as house homeland security chair. “I think that increasing anti-terrorism funding actually serves to increase people’s anxiety toward the issue since they believe there is a reason more funding needs to be put in place by virtue of being one of most
significant cities in the country — and rather, the world as well,” he said. Charlie Spector is a contributing writer. Email him at cstate@nyunews.com.
SPORTS WRESTLING continued from PG. 1
NYU first at invitational, junior wins weight class
COURTESY OF NYU ATHLETICS
The wrestling team finished first out of nine teams. as a member of the NYU wrestling team,” Forsyth said. “It was my first college competition, and I was very excited to be a part of it.” In the 125-pound weight class, senior Janik SantanaQuintana captured third place, finishing 3-1, with one technical fall. Sophomore DJ Albonico placed third in the 141-pound weight class, where he went 3-1 with a tournament-high of three pins. Also in the 141-pound weight class, freshman Matt Eulau had a major win and finished with a 1-2 record. NYU had no wrestlers compete in the 149-pound weight class. Both freshman Brian Anderson and senior Jake Pawlowski went 2-2 in the 184-pound weight class. Anderson had one major decision win and one pin, while Pawlowski had two pins. Last weekend, the Violets finished 12 out of 19 teams at the New York State Collegiate Championships. NYU men’s wrestling is now 3-1. The Violets will hit the mat in their first Centennial Conference match of the season against Stevens Institute of Technology on Dec. 9 in Coles Sports Center. Mary Jane Dumankaya is a deputy sports editor. Email her at mdumankaya@nyunews.com.
Fencing falters at Vassar Invitational
By MARY JANE DUMANKAYA
The NYU fencing teams did not fair well at the Vassar Invitational, where the men finished the day with a 1-5 record and the women, 0-7. The tournament was hosted by Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Saturday, Dec. 1 and featured competition among perennial powerhouses University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University and other Division I teams. NYU men’s fencing was defeated by five Division I opponents at the competition. Penn defeated NYU 23-4, followed by a loss to Penn State University 22-5. The third match of the day proved to be a close one, but NYU ultimately fell to the University of North Carolina 14-13. The next two matches were brutal, with NYU losing to Harvard University 23-4 and to Princeton University 22-5. “The team had a tough group
of opponents to go against, as at NYU we have one of the most difficult schedules in the nation, so our results are not as impressive as schools with easier schedules,” senior captain Phil Jamesson said. The Violets’ sole win came in the final match of the day, when they defeated Sacred Heart University, another Division I school, 14-13. Jamesson had the most victories for NYU, recording nine wins overall and eight losses in foil. “Our team’s victory against Sacred Heart is sure to be a great memory for a long time to come, as we had our entire team cheering on Stephan Teng, Andrew Kelly and Jerry Xu, as they swept the last three bouts to clinch the 14-13 victory,” Jamesson said. NYU women’s fencing lost all seven of their matches at the Vassar Invitational.
The Violets recorded losses against Penn 20-7, Penn State 198, UNC 18-9, Harvard 20-7, Princeton 25-2, Temple University 20-7 and Sacred Heart 14-13. Despite the team losses, NYU senior captain Jackie Leval finished the day 15-3. Leval went undefeated against Sacred Heart, Temple, Penn State, UNC and Harvard. Sophomore Audra Fox also did well, finishing 12-6 in foil. “Overall the team showed a lot of heart throughout the day,” Fox said. “Staying focused and fighting seems simple, but when there’s a lot of pressure, and you’re fencing from 10 a.m. to about 5 p.m., it’s very difficult.” NYU will host the NYU Invitational at the Coles Sports Center on Sunday, Jan. 27. Mary Jane Dumankaya is deputy sports editor. Email her at mdumankaya@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF NYU ATHLETICS
Men’s fencing lost their first five matches of the day but won their last against Sacred Heart University.