NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 39, No. 48
TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011
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NYU and clerical union debate contract
Students hit books harder than ever, study finds By Claire Zajdel
If you’re spending more late nights in Bobst Library this year, you can take comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Last month, the National Survey of Student Engagement (also known as Nessie) released its annual findings on the average student’s study habits, and found that students nationwide are studying an average of 10 percent more than they were a year ago. Each year, the group evaluates students from hundreds of fouryear colleges, surveying 450 to 1,000 students from each school depending on total undergraduate enrollment. The questions on the survey ask how much homework students have in a typical week, the amount of writing and reading they do each semester and the amount of time they spend studying. This year, Nessie found that the
STUDY continued on PG. 3
By Eric Benson
JONATHAN TAN/WSN
Hello My Name Is Hosted by the CAS Student Council, 40 NYU and NYU-Poly students came together for a night of festive speed dating and holiday card making.
STORY ON PAGE 6
East Village eatery gives you energy to get up and ‘GO’ By Kitty Thornton
Jamie Graber’s lifelong dream of opening her own organic, raw vegan restaurant in the East Village has come true. Gingersnap’s Organics combines healthy eating with service that matches the eatery’s initials, “GO.” Everything on the menu is organic, vegan and raw — a difficult combination to find. The prices may be a little steep for what students are accustomed to, but they reflect the time, skill and thought put into each dish. Yet the customer service makes up for the price. Graber personally answers customers’ questions and lays down silverware and mason jars of ginger-infused water on the communal wood table. Along with a slew of creative salads and small bites, the menu has some entrees that feature raw and vegan versions of foods we all know and love. For example, the tacos are made out of chili corn flax tortillas with pepitas, guacamole, salsa and shredded romaine. The pasta puttanesca is made of zucchini noodles with
via gingersnapsorganic.com
GO specializes in vegan cuisine. zesty tomato sauce, olives, capers and brazil nut ricotta. There are also organic raw vegan versions of pizza, a burger and ramen. I tried Gingersnap’s cauliflower cous cous side dish and beet chips. The cauliflower cous cous was diced to perfection, offering a compelling texture not found in cooked foods. It was comprised of scallions, bell peppers, olive oil and ras el hanout — an earthy
R GINGERSNAPS continued on PG. 4
The Union of Clerical, Administrative and Technical Staff Local 3882 and NYU were unable to negotiate a new contract at the most recent bargaining session last Thursday. UCATS represents administrative and technical staff in various areas of the university, from graduation application to health professionals in the Student Health Center and the College of Dentistry. Since Sept. 14, the union has held 15 bargaining sessions with NYU to negotiate a new contract. UCATS’ current deal expired on Oct. 31. The next bargaining session is scheduled for this Thursday. Stephen Rechner, president of UCATS and an administrative aide at the NYU School of Law, said the union is trying to negotiate a contract that accounts for
R UCATS continued on PG. 8
Black Keys hit sophomore slump with new LP By Josh Johnson The success of The Black Keys’ 2010 release, “Brothers,” must have come as quite a shock to the intrepid indie band. After six studio albums, the blues duo from Akron, Ohio, started climbing the Billboard charts and winning Grammys, which put a lot of pressure on the band to sustain that success with their follow-up LP, “El Camino.” And it seems to have gotten to them; while “Brothers” was one of the best albums of 2010, “El Camino” is repetitive and disappointing. The opening track, “Lonely Boy,” begins with a signature blistering blues riff from guitar player and singer Dan Auerbach. Then Patrick Carney’s drums come in with a thundering beat. All is good, until the chorus starts. Suddenly there are keyboards, bass and a chorus of backup vocalists singing, “I’ve got a love that keeps me waiting/ I’m a lonely boy.” These backup vocalists take away from Auerbach’s lonesome bluesman personality. Worse, singing with a trio of ladies defeats the pur-
pose of bemoaning that you are a “lonely boy.” I’d have stronger faith in his lyrics if he was actually singing alone. The rest of the tracks are modeled after the opening song. Along with the usual guitar and drums, there’s the occasional fuzzed-out keyboard and bass. And unfortunately, the trio of backup singers appear on every song. Auerbach’s lack of lyrical conviction is also problematic. On “Run Right Back,” he bouncily sings, “She’s the worst thing I’ve been addicted to” along with his backup. I don’t buy it. I think he’s trying to say that, “This girl has such a grip on my soul that the thought of her is more powerful than the drugs I take.” What I actually hear is a seventh-grader seeing the most beautiful girl in school for the first time and mistaking his feelings for love. You can tell what kind of album “El Camino” is just by looking at the liner notes. The booklet contains 13 pages with pictures of a van similar to the one on the cover, but in various colors and parked in front of different locations. While all these
songs have slight variances, they are all essentially the same thing. The one exception is “Little Black Submarines,” which sounds like a long-lost acoustic White Stripes song. Halfway through the song, however, the keyboards, bass and backup singers return, matching the sound of all the other songs. If all the other tracks are different versions of the El Camino van, then “Little Black Submarine” is a pickup truck, which then pulls away to reveal yet another freaking van. “El Camino” is an enjoyable enough listen the first time around, but its repetitiveness makes it ultimately insubstantial. If you are desperate for some new Black Keys, listen to “Little Black Submarines” or “Lonely Boy,” which, despite its flaws, is the best van track on the album. Other than that, put “Brothers” back on and resume practicing your speech about how you loved The Black Keys before they were popular. Josh Johnson is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
DEC.
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Washington Square News
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Editor-in-Chief JAYWON ERIC CHOE
Dec. 6, 1921 After a five-year struggle for independence from Britain, the Irish Free State is declared.
Managing Editor
KELSEY DESIDERIO Deputy Managing Editor
RUSSELL STEINBERG Assistant Managing Editor
KIRSTEN CHANG Creative Director
TERKA CICELOVA Dec. 5, 1933 The 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution is ratified, repealing the 18th Amendment and ending prohibition.
senior staff
Dec. 7, 1982 Charles Brook, Jr. is the first man to be executed by lethal injection.
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Dec. 8, 1993 President Bill Clinton signs the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) into law.
university JAEWON KANG city/state AMY ZHANG arts CHARLES MAHONEY features AMANDA RANDONE sports JAMES LANNING multimedia LAUREN STRAUSSER enterprise ARIELLE MILKMAN special issues FRANCIS POON brownstone JAKE FLANAGIN copy jack brooks senior editors elizabeth gyori,
amanda shih
deputy staff
university gentry brown, julie
devito, susannaH griffee city/state hanqing chen, brian
tam, emily yang
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Dec. 9, 1992 British Prime Minister John Major announces Prince Charles and Princess Diana are separating “amicably.”
TODAY
music parker bruce film/books stefan Melnyk entertainment jonathon
dornbush theater ERIC SHETHAR features EMILY MCDERMOTT dining SARAH KAMENETZ fashion CARRIE COUROGEN sports SANCHAY JAIN, DANIEL
HINTON production MERYLL PREPOSI multimedia DAVID LIN copy MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN,
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12:30 to 1:30 p.m. | Kimmel Center, Room 405
3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Student Health Center, 726 Broadway
Enjoy a lunch and brush up on your networking skills at this Q-and-A series that provides an opportunity for students interested in a career in the media.
Get your fill of delicious treats and learn ways to eat on a budget, courtesy of the Health Promotion Office.
Making it in the Media
Free Snacks on Tasty Tuesday
7 to 8:30 p.m. | La Maison Francaise, 16 Washington Mews
Spreading the News: The Invention of the Illustrated Press in France
Join Patricia Mainardi, professor of art history at CUNY’s graduate center, for a discussion focused on the origin and evolution of widespread illustrated periodicals in 19th-century England and France.
JESSICA LITTMAN
opinion page
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BRIGHAM, MARIA MICHALOS
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ON THE WIRE
Coors Life
An Alaska man survived for three days on frozen beer after his car plunged into a snowdrift 40 miles from his home. Clifton Vial, who told no one where he was going, was stranded in sub-zero temperatures near Salmon Lake, with only snow and a few cans of Coors Light. Vial explained that he cut the lids off the cans and dug the frozen beer out with a knife. Rescuers finally arrived 60 hours into his ordeal, but not before Vial lost 16 pounds from his less-than-nutritious diet. — MSNBC
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Syracuse University
Protesters rally against Westboro Baptist Church before basketball game — The Daily Orange
Dozens of Santas perform at the “Radio City Christmas Spectacular.”
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Recycling efforts seen as key to sustainability — The Rebel Yell
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 | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 | Washington Square news
Tisch freshman sees UVL for collaboration, not competition
LAUREN STRASSER/WSN
Chavez never uses sheet music when he plays piano live. By Eric Benson From his Madison Square Garden debut at the age of 11 to his winning performance in the Ultra Violet Live preliminary competition at Weinstein Hall, Tisch freshman Benjamin Chavez has always valued the art of performance. At UVL in October, Chavez nailed the Billy Joel classic “Angry Young Man,” a song that has a deep meaning to him. “Billy Joel is my idol,” he said. ”He has inspired me to love music so much as I have listened to him from a very young age.” Though Chavez was initially
unsure if he wanted to enter the competition, he is certainly glad he did now. “My floormates, who I am very close with, asked me and were surprised to hear I wasn’t sure,” he said. “It was fantastic to meet new artists, my peers, who are extremely talented. When there is an opportunity to spread your art, why not take it?” For the New Jersey native, NYU has been his dream school for a long time. “It is the top of the top, and I feel so lucky to have gotten in,” he said. Shortly after enrolling in piano lessons at age three, Chavez
found his unique talent for playing by ear, and to this day, he has never used sheet music during any of his performances. Chavez hopes to take his talents to Broadway and to teach musical theater one day. As for now, though, he wants to soak in as much practice as he can at NYU. “I’m trying to gain as much knowledge from my professional mentors here,” Chavez said. ”I am lucky to have such an amazing teachers, and NYU has helped me gain a new appreciation for my art that I didn’t have before, and made me more excited for my career.” Nicholas Berke, a Tisch freshman and Chavez’s fellow studio member, praised Chavez’s performance and character. “Ben is rarely seen without a smile on his face, and inspires his peers and friends to not only work harder, but also to love that work with unparalleled vivacity,” Berke added. Chavez is still debating on what he will play in the final UVL competition, which will be held in February. Yet to Chavez, winning is almost trivial. “Winning is nice, but it’s not that nice,” Chavez said. “I’m excited to see what everyone has to bring to the table. Its more like a collaboration than a competition.” Eric Benson is a staff writer. Email him at university@nyunews.com.
Documentary series brings OWS to St. Marks By Hanqing Chen St, Marks is feeling the Occupy Wall Street spirit, Yesterday, Theatre 80 on St. Marks Place began screening documentaries related to the the OWS movement with its film series, “Occupy St. Marks.” Series curator Charles Krezell, an Occupy Wall Street sympathizer who was involved in the filming and editing of several of the documentaries, explained that the series was meant to help the public understand the movement. “When I was approached about putting a series together, these films all came to mind, and the subjects of the films are very much related to people marginalized by the political and power structures [which] to me is what OWS is all about,” he said. ”It is the synergy of
the moment, we are caught up in the times we live in and we need to understand ourselves.” Every film in the series dissects themes like equality, government corruption and social injustice. Last night, a short film called “The First Month” explained the chaos during the initial 30 days of the occupation, and featured footage from various journalists, bystanders and protestors. A feature film called “The Battle for Brooklyn” followed the short and presented a poignant view of a Brooklyn neighborhood and its fight against the construction of a sports arena in their small district. The film, while not directly related to OWS, communicated the anxiety of a suppressed group fighting corporate corruption. Many of the films highlight both macro and micro com-
munities, including clashes between protesters and police officers and the overall growth of the movement. Many audience members were sympathetic to the movement and its cause and saw it as a great opportunity to further spread their message. “The wonderful thing about activism is that impact is not always tangible,” said Joanna Arnow, an audience member who contributed footage to the “First Month” film. “You never know when someone sees something and gets an idea to do something else, and that’s just what happened with Occupy Wall Street. I think films and ideas and symbols are all really important to this.” Hanqing Chen is a deputy city/state editor. Email her at hchen@nyunews.com.
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Building community through charity and speed dating By Sherina Motwani
In the spirit of the holidays, about 40 NYU and NYU-Poly students came together to gift wrap and get to know one another in the Kimmel Center for University Life on Monday night. Hosted by the College of Arts and Science Student Council and Student Advocacy Committee, the event was a hybrid of the previous holiday gift factory and speed dating events. In a decorated room facing Washington Square Park, students sat across from each other at two long tables, wrapping presents, writing greeting cards and getting to know one another until the music changed. “Community service is not only a way for us to help out New York City, but also a great way to connect people at NYU to each other,” said Mason Braswell, a CAS senior and president of the student council. The 100 cards and presents the students assembled will go to Starlight Children’s Foundation, which provides entertainment, education and family activities
for terminally ill children. “We chose this organization because the cause really touched us,” said Nadine Ebo, a CAS sophomore and student advocacy chair. “We agreed it seemed appropriate given the time of the year. Everyone deserves a little holiday spirit.” NYU-Poly sophomore Nick Smolyanov was frank about his motivation to attend. When telling what he hoped to gain from the event, he said, “Honestly? A number.” “Either way, I hope there’s a good turnout,” he said. Tisch freshman Evan Kelman said he attended the event to meet new people. “I was looking for something fun to do,” he said. “It’s first semester freshman year, why not?” Though the attendees may not have met the loves of their lives, their hearts were in the right place; they helped make 100 children’s Christmas a little bit brighter. Sherina Motwani is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
STUDY continued from PG. 1
Students hit books harder than ever, study finds average full-time college student studies for about 15 hours each week. Engineering majors study the most, with an average of 19 hours per week — more than students of any other discipline. They are closely followed by physical sciences majors, who study for around 18 hours per week. Biological sciences and arts and humanities follow closely behind, at about 17 hours per week. Business majors, however, spent 14 hours a week studying. All areas of the study also saw an increase in the number of study hours spent weekly. Brittany Pugh, a freshman in the computer engineering program offered through the College of Arts and Science and NYUPoly, said her major demands a lot of work. “My work load has really been increasing,” she said. “It’s a lot of repetition. I do a lot of coding, and it’s very specific.” Charles Tapiero, professor of financial engineering at NYU-Poly, said he agreed with the survey that engineering students spend more time studying. “[The result of the survey] is natural, as a great part of their required study are technical and require repeated exercises, as well as experimentation,” he said. But English professor John Maynard said he hopes that NYU humanities students are studying for much more than 17 hours
GLORIA LEE/WSN
The average college student studies 15 hours each week. a week, which was still over the student average. “There is much free time in vacations and summer when they can loaf,” he said. “But not on my watch or their parents’ dime.” Though in the study, business majors spent under the average number of hours studying, students in the Stern School of Business may not follow the trend, as Stern did not participate in Nessie. “For my stats midterm alone, I studied for about 12 hours,” Stern freshman Carmiel Dizon said. “I have only been at Stern for one semester, but I’ve done far more studying than ever before.” But regardless of whether Stern students fit the national pattern, art history professor Carol Krinsky believes that studying is too individualized to be measurable. “Some students study a great deal,” she said. “I’m sure, and others study as little as possible.” Claire Zajdel is a staff writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 | nyunews.com
DINING
edited by SARAH KAMENETZ DINING@nyunews.com
RECIPE
Gingerbread cookies to fill you with holiday cheer
By Kristina Bogos Besides enjoying a homework-free break this winter, I’ll be relishing the holiday spirit by enjoying some of my grandma’s homemade cookies. If making an entire gingerbread house seems daunting, opt for this cookie version. Grab your family, don an apron and set up your own holiday workshop in the kitchen to whip up these scrumptious treats.
Molasses Gingerbread Cookies Ingredients:
KRISTINA BOGOS/WSN
Try these simple cookies to make your family smile this holiday season.
3/4 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup molasses 1 egg 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground cloves 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. salt Granulated sugar (as needed)
1. Cream together shortening and sugar. Add molasses and egg. Beat well. 2. Sift together flour, baking soda, spices and salt. Add to sugar-shortening mixture. Mix well. 3. Chill for 30 minutes. 4. Form dough into one-inch balls and
roll in granulated sugar. Place each ball on a greased cookie sheets roughly two inches apart. 5. Bake at 375 F for eight to 10 minutes. Makes about four dozen cookies.
Kristina Bogos is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
GINGERSNAPS continued from PG. 1
East Village eatery gives you the energy to get up and ‘GO’
VIA FACEBOOK.com
The crisp beet chips at Gingersnaps are a must-try. Mediterranean spice. The flavors were strong, yet blended well together, giving it an almost salty taste even though no salt was added. The beet chips had a bold flavor as well, prepared simply with sunflower oil, pepper and sea salt. Although preparing raw food is often time-consuming, Gingersnap’s customers are able to spend the majority of their time enjoying their food instead of waiting for it. The dining process is expedited by hand-selecting your meal from the many refrigerators stocked with freshly prepared entrees, salads, snacks, desserts and drinks. All menu items are available for take out or for dining in. For dine-in, the food is put on elegant white square plates and arranged as if it
were just made. GO’s chefs will also prepare customized items upon request. Graber explained how Gingersnap’s, which is open from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., transforms once the sun goes down. “It’s BYOB, so you can bring your own wine, and we have candlelight at night,” she said. “We wanted a community place, a place where people felt like they were at home.” GO’s community vibe is extended with the availability of free Internet, plenty of outlets and even extra chargers for Blackberrys and iPhones. Gingersnap’s offers a unique atmosphere where guests are encouraged to stay and hang out. Kitty Thornton is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Prohibition-themed restaurant brings comfort food to LES
By Hilary Presley
Fronted by a quaint coffee shop, the recently opened restaurant Sons of Essex transports diners to a Prohibition-Era speakeasy with a rustic feel and unique comfort food. Specializing in macaroni and cheese and gourmet pizza, Sons of Essex boasts an extensive menu with a variety of tempting options that are sure to please everyone. The space was designed with large parties in mind, and has already hosted Nylon Magazine, Elizabeth Olsen and Padma Lakshmi. The dimly lit restaurant space, which is currently only open for dinner, is lush with vintage treasures that seem to have been there forever. Every piece in the restaurant is authentic and was picked up by the owner in various thrift and antique stores from all over upstate New York. The result is a truly unique, comfortable and thoughtful atmosphere. The space also boasts long communal tables as well as a pit ideal for socializing over drinks and playing a little chess. Inspired by the rich history of the Lower East Side, the restaurant draws on the neighborhood’s melting pot of culture. The menu is a mix of traditional Jewish, German and Polish cuisine with a modern twist. The restaurant is already fa-
mous for its mac and cheese and pizza, and the food definitely lives up to the hype. With a different mac and cheese option every day, the menu is never boring. Saturday night is Latin Mac night, and the dish’s rich Monterey Jack cheese, roasted jalapeno, nacho crumbs, roasted corn and tomato combination definitely make it the highlight of the night. Specializing in new American comfort food in portions that are perfect for sharing, the restaurant allows diners to try a little bit of everything. The truffle pizza appetizer is
a lighter option with its thin crust and the restaurant’s favorite ingredient: truffles. Another favorite is a starter of pickles and cornbread in place of the typical bread and butter. But be warned, as for main courses, the loisaida skirt steak and eggplant parmesan stuffed tomato didn’t exactly live up to the promising starters. Overall, stick with the tempting appetizers and settle into the cozy atmosphere for a truly unique Lower East Side experience. Hilary Presley is a staff writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
EMMA PLISKIN/WSN
Mac and cheese and pizzas are Sons of Essex’s specialities.
nyunews.com | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 | Washington Square news
ARTS
edited by CHARLES MAHONEY features@nyunews.com
Korn dubstep album an assault on the ears
Courtesy of Roadrunner Records
By Josh Johnson As 2011 winds down, it’s time once again to review the year in music through lists and oddly specific superlatives. This year, the unholy monstrosity of Loutallica — Lou Reed and Metallica — seemed destined to win the award for most mind-boggling musical collaboration. But a new challenger arose, using dumb, offensive lyrics and obnoxious music, and seized control of the crown. For their latest album, the latest ’90s relic, Korn, has decided to release a dubstep album. Be afraid, be very afraid. That’s right, for their 10th studio release, “The Path of Totality,” the metal group Korn collaborated with several dubstep artists, like Grammy-nominated Skrillex. The result is neither interesting nor profound. Unsubtle as ever, Korn does not use the
dubstep elements to add any nuance to their music. Instead, it just becomes louder and more grating. Opener “Chaos Lives in Everything” sets the tone, and the other 10 songs keep to the same formula. Each song begins with either a metal or electronic riff, and then the music of the opposite genre bursts through. It’s just Korn shoving how “shocking” the combination of music is into our faces. While the music of “The Path of Totality” is assaulting and monotonous, the inane lyrics are what make it so hard to take the album seriously. The lyrics fall into two categories: offensively simple and just plain offensive. After 10 albums, lead singer Jonathan Davis is still singing about how terrible life is and how everyone else exists to see him suffer. If he still has all this angst, maybe songwriting isn’t the best form of self-expression for him. Perhaps he should try painting instead. Korn’s lyrics are mind-gratingly simple because they are devoid of context or cleverness. In “My Wall,” Davis says, “I put my wall up each day/ You tear it down/ I hide in my space/ The space you found.” Who “you” is or why he or she is tearing down his “wall,” is never explained, so the message of the song just boils down to “life sucks.” When Davis says, “Times are looking grim these days,” in the
song “Get Up!” he seems to think he is saying something prodigious. If I wanted to hear “Times are looking grim these days,” I’d watch “The O’Reilly Factor.” Any refinement that Davis could have added to the line “Get Up!” would have been completely destroyed by the chorus, which is simply “Shut the fuck up / Get up” repeated three times. This brings us to the “just plain offensive” category. The epitome of these offensive lyrics occurs in “Chaos Lives in Everything,” in which Davis proudly exclaims he’s “Gonna rape you / Fuck you bitch / Frown.” This line adds nothing to the song and exists just so Davis can wear a “Parental Advisory” sticker like a badge. Korn’s music appears tailored for one type of person: angstriddled middle school boys who want to feel rebellious without actually rebelling. Beyond that, I can’t imagine anyone would enjoy listening to “The Path of Totality.” The Kornstep gimmick gets old after one song, and the lyrics are cringe-worthy. If you happen to know any anger-ridden middle schoolers, make sure to get them a copy of Nirvana’s “Nevermind” before it’s too late. They’ll probably still be tormented by the horrors of middle school, but at least they’ll be listening to good music. Josh Johnson is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
Posthumous Winehouse album adds to legacy By Veronica Wyman Amy Winehouse’s death this past July was one of the year’s most depressing losses in the music industry. With vamped cat-eyes, red lips, Monroe piercing and an unforgettable beehive, there’s a reason why Winehouse remains a musical icon in the minds of fans and observers. Her posthumous album, “Lioness: Hidden Treasures,” only adds to her legacy as an accomplished artist. A compilation of previously unreleased tracks handpicked by long-time producers Mark Ronson and Salaam Remi, “Lioness” arrives only three months after Winehouse’s death from alcohol poisoning. A blend of blues, bebop, R&B, jazz, Motown and ’60s soul and harmony, “Lioness” could have been a scattered anthology because of its impromptu construction. Instead, it’s a nostalgic tribute to of one of the most talented singers of our generation. Winehouse left little in the vault of unheard lullabies to salvage after her sudden death. Among the few hidden treasures, the album features recordings Winehouse recorded before she finished her
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debut album, “Frank,” that are tracked alongside songs from the Grammy-winning “Back to Black,” like “Tears Dry On Their Own” and “Wake Up Alone.” Belting verses of heartbreak and freely improvising is Winehouse’s MO, and this album is no different. “Lioness” includes three incredible covers, all of which show the artist at the peak of her game. “Valerie (’68 Version),” a Zutons song, is a slowtempo mix to her retro-soul rendition that is far better than the Zutons’ original. Her “Body and Soul” duet with Tony Bennett is nothing we haven’t heard, but it’s always good for another listen. Last but not least, the 1960’s Shirelles’ classic “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” is one of the best songs on “Lioness.” It’s hard to imagine anything better than this vintage-pop hit, but this cover does a good job of measuring up to one of the most iconic ’60s oldies. “Lioness” is full of sadness and joy, up until the final track of the album (and likely the final track of Winehouse’s career). “A Song for You” is one of the only brand new tracks on the album, and it is clear from the first verse that
Winehouse’s skill and composure is unraveling. It is an ode to the volatile, drug-fueled relationship with her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil — a symptom of her declining state. On this troublesome track, Winehouse swoons between her own slurs and a soft jazz ensemble, “I’ve acted out my love in stages/ With 10,000 people watching/ But we’re alone now and I’m singing this song for you.” The songwriting is beautiful, but her words are hardly distinguishable. The chorus is the most striking given the circumstances of her death: “I love you in a place where there’s no space or time/ I love you for in my life you are a friend of mine/ And when my life is over/ Remember when we were together.” After experiencing a breathtaking voice that breaks your heart and warms it at the same time, there’s nothing left to say except that much is lost and will be missed. “Lioness” captures this contradiction in full; it’s a great listen that leaves you wanting more. Veronica Wyman is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
The Roots push envelope of hip-hop sound in new album
Courtesy of Def Jam Recordings
By Daniel Fuchs Whether they’re toying with instrumentals, reworking narrative structure or trying new songwriting techniques, The Roots have always been ready and willing to think outside the box. They even take unorthodox approaches to marketing. Just weeks after their first single, “Make My,” was released, The Roots decided to release the lyrics to every vocal track on the album. Their unorthodoxy is what makes their music so compelling, and “Undun,” The Roots’ first concept album, is no exception. “Undun” even takes an unique approach to storytelling — it begins the story of its protagonist, Redford Stephens, by visiting him in the afterlife. “Undun” feels like life set to rewind, a perverted nostalgia. The concept works perfectly, creating a very cohesive tone. Throughout the album, we learn of Stephens’ troubled past, mostly surrounding his involvement with the drug trade. But “Undun” is more about a young man dissatisfied with life, and his posthumous regret pervades the entirety of the record. The stories’ intricate arrangement is crucial to their success. Whether it be the final reflection in “Sleep” and “Make My,” the desire to escape in “One Time,” the misplaced pride in “Kool On” or the dance with death in “The Jump” and “Stomp,” each song feels like a moment distilled into poetry. Yet they all connect. In “Lighthouse,” we hear Stephens reflect on his introduction to the drug trade, and in “I Remember,” he almost seems to wait for death. In “Tip The Scale (My Way),” we see an angry youth fighting against himself and his own fears. Finally, we end our journey with a four-part composition, beginning with “Redford,” which originally appeared on Sufjan Stevens’ “Michigan,” and moving through “Possibility,” “Will To Power” and “Finality.” These stunning instrumental tracks force the listener to reflect on the character, and they create an emotional climax. Each track succeeds on its own merit as well. Questlove’s fantastic production and composition keeps every track focused and packed with emotion. From the hazy, ephemeral “Sleep” to the darkly soulful “Kool On,” the band sounds consistently crisp and engaged. Black Thought, along with appearances from the likes of Dice Raw, Big K.R.I.T. and Greg Porn, puts together some of the best lyrics of The Roots’ career. Lyrics like, “My splaying got praying by a mantis/ I begin to vanish/ Feel the pull of the blank canvas,” help to fully realize Stephens’ experience: in this case, the experience of death. Read as a whole, the lyrics build a complete narrative, but on their own, they still serve as powerful concept interpretations. As an album, “Undun” is incredibly emotional and features a complex narrative and some of the best lyrical and instrumental work of The Roots’ career. As an experience, it’s all the more rewarding. It’s a complex and haunting portrait of humanity. Daniel Fuchs is a staff writer. Email him at music@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square news | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 20111 | nyunews.com
SPORTS
edited by JAMES LANNING SPORTS@nyunews.com
Violets take down Brooklyn in home tilt By Ryan Gilmore
timately enough for the Violets to pull away with a win. “It was a battle throughout, but we got great help from our bench,” Nesci said. Once again, NYU put on a complete team effort and spread the scoring around, with four players scoring in double figures. Stein led the team with 14 points followed by Yaffe with 13, Dorman with 12 and junior captain Kyle Stockmal with 10. Off the bench, junior guard Cory Stockmal contributed nine points and grabbed four rebounds, while junior center Devin Karch scored nine points and snatched six off the glass. Junior forward Max Wein also contributed five points and a pair of assists. The Violets were also solid on defense, holding the Bulldogs to a below-average 39 percent field goal shooting percentage. “We bounced back well today,” Nesci said. “I think you learn a lot from close games like this.” NYU has a quick turnaround and will be back on the court tonight. The Violets will travel to the Bronx to face SUNY Maritime at 7 p.m.
The NYU men’s basketball team continued its perfect start with a hardfought win against Brooklyn College Monday night. The 78-70 victory extends the Violets’ unbeaten streak to four games. But the win did not come easy. Brooklyn was hot out the gate and jumped out to an early 9-0 lead. “They came out quick and are a very fast and athletic team,” head coach Joe Nesci said. NYU rallied in the first half, led by junior forward Carl Yaffe’s nine points PRIYANKA KATUMULUWA/WSN and two rebounds and senior forward Ben DorAndy Stein led the man’s 12 points and five rebounds. Violets in the second The Violets took a nine-point lead half. into the locker room at halftime. The second half saw Brooklyn storm back with an 8-0 run, as the game turned into a tense backand-forth between both teams. After having a quiet first half, senior captain Andy Stein led the secondhalf effort with 12 points and five rebounds. Stein’s strong second half, consistency from Yaffe and help coming off the bench were ul-
Ryan Gilmore is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 500 Seventh Avenue, New York,times N.Y. 10018 The new york crossword & daily sudoku For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Course in the biology dept. 5 Prize won by Obama and Carter 10 Pickle containers 14 Rogen of “Knocked Up” 15 Strong adhesive 16 Black cloud or black cat, to some 17 Do-it-yourselfer’s activity 19 Spanish sparkling wine 20 Came next 21 Compares (to) 23 With 51-Across, nitpick … or a hint to 17-, 37and 60-Across 25 Affirmatives 26 Turns down 29 Last word of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” 31 Altogether it’s worth the most bonus troops in Risk
32 Giraffe’s cousin 34 Snowmobile part 37 New York singing group that last performed in 2007 41 It’s “the word” 42 Ability 43 Digital camera mode 44 Reminder of an old wound 45 Tot’s enclosure 48 Suffix with Kafka or Zola 51 See 23-Across 52 Come together 55 Preparing to drive, with “up” 59 Half-pint 60 Forum cheer 62 Govt. meatstamping org. 63 What “O” stands for in the magazine business 64 Knock for a loop
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE A S A P V A I L A L L A C F L E A O U T T R I P E U G H M I O N O B E E S E T H I A H O R R E M I D R E S
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65 Son of John and Yoko 66 “GoodFellas” Oscar winner Joe 67 Gulp from a flask Down 1 ___ Stadium (Big Apple tennis locale) 2 Vegas gas 3 Dinero dispensers 4 Bar habitué’s order, maybe 5 Replaceable part of a phonograph 6 Antonym: Abbr. 7 Blowhard’s claim 8 Interstate sign 9 Vega’s constellation 10 Big name in underwear 11 Pile up 12 Show with skits 13 Alternatives to buttons 18 Contract negotiators, for short 22 Critic of the selfless 24 Weathercaster’s pressure line 26 Chicago mayor Emanuel 27 Jacob’s twin 28 Unwilling to budge 29 Place for a facial 30 Short albums, for short 33 “___-Tiki” 34 With 57-Down, memorable “Seinfeld” character, with “the”
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35 Charlie Brown toy that’s often “eaten” by a tree 36 Steel component 38 Show host 39 ___ culpa 40 TV’s Clampetts, e.g. 44 Mideast bigwig 46 Nutlike Chinese fruit
47 Two-dimensional measure 48 Hosiery shades 49 Drunk 50 Post-lecture session, informally 51 Ones named in a will 53 Woodworking or metalworking class
54 Superman costume part 56 “Vidi,” translated 57 See 34-Down 58 Pitcher Maddux with four Cy Young Awards 61 Fond du ___, Wis.
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 | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by JOHN SURICO opinion@nyunews.com
Media
Staff editorial
Journalists must accept changing role in society
Bloomberg’s stance on education near-sighted
By John Surico
It’s December folks: The one month when New York City looks like the set of “Miracle on 34th Street” and we’re too busy inside Bobst’s basements to notice the cheery charm. I don’t want to seem pessimistic because I’m really not; I like to describe myself, as Kurt Vonnegut has been called, a “wounded optimist.” With that being said, let us move on to a merrier topic: the news. This past semester has been an eventful one for the media to say the very least. The last four months have generated an unlimited stream of stories for us to dissect: the transformation of a small protest downtown into a national movement, the darker phases of the Arab Spring, the rise and fall of a pizza man-turnedpresidential nominee and the unwarranted death of a man who brought us the Genius Bar and this pixel-damaged defect on my MacBook monitor right now. As the opinion editor here at WSN, I seriously could not have asked for more material to work with. While the stories were riveting, the reporting of them has reinforced a tidal shift in the way in which we understand and critique the news. Whether it’s journalists constantly tweeting about getting arrested at an Occupy event or
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hyper-blogging on the ground in the Middle East, it is becoming all too evident that opinionated news reporting will replace the monotonous, inhuman “who, what, when, where and why” stories that bore us to death. To which I respond: “It’s about damn time.” This push toward Gonzo-esque journalism, which is the practice of placing yourself literally inside the story, is the only attentiongrabber print media has left for a nation rewired on Google-search time. And we need it now more than ever. We have, without a doubt, entered the second Gilded Age. If you remember the last one from social studies class, it ended when a bunch of journalists, appropriately called muckrakers, decided that it was time for some humane subjectivity to expose the entrenched lies of the day. If we betray our predecessors at this pivotal moment, then to hell with journalism, I’ll take the LSAT. I found it simply unjust when a journalist reported on what happened at University of California, Davis and didn’t scream at the pepper-spraying police officer in his story. Or wrote about Herman Cain’s apparent sexual deviance, pre-campaign-end, and forgot to say, “HEY, BESIDES ALL OF THESE AFFAIRS, NOTHING HE SAYS MAKES ANY SENSE AND HE’S
THE FRONTRUNNER.” I know it’s not what “professional journalism” stands for, but then again, the voices of “professional journalism” were the same ones who were silently negligent before the Iraq war, voiceless when the banks got away with capital murder, and today, continue to “ask” a field of crazy Republicans questions that a third grader would giggle at. They’re not journalists, they’re moronic talking heads — not to be confused with the brilliant alternative band of the late ’80s. At what point does the press have to step in and speak up? The idea of objective journalism states that we, the journalists, will report for you, the readers, and you guys will form your own opinion based on the facts we give you. However, that’s a lot of responsibility to lay upon the American people; we are a citizenry that still watches American Idol in swarms — we’re not exactly the best decision-makers on our own. It is time for journalists to start reporting from their hearts and minds rather than the AP Stylebook. In my opinion, that’s the most professional thing we can do. John Surico is opinion editor. Email him at jsurico@nyunews.com.
Last Friday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg asserted that, “double the class size with a better teacher is a good deal for students.” While NYU students learn predominantly in large lectures, Bloomberg’s axiom is out of touch with New York City’s already overburdened K - 12 education system. Bloomberg’s later comparison in the same speech between education and real estate further reveals his uninformed view on elementary education in this city. “Real estate business, there are three things that mater: location, location, location is an old joke,” he said. “Well in education, it is: quality of teacher, quality of teacher, quality of teacher.” As United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew put it, “Clearly the mayor has never taught.” Yet, Bloomberg cites his experience as a student in support of his sought after “ex cathedra” reforms. As he said, “I went to school in a class, five rows of eight ... Whether it’s better or worse, I don’t
know.” Maybe if he had been in a smaller class, he would have found out by now. Though Bloomberg’s focus on the quality of teachers is admirable, it’s common sense that teachers’ ability to educate their students will decrease if they must spend all of their time as disciplinarians in larger and therefore more unruly classes. Instead, the city should direct its limited resources toward enhancing the preparation teachers receive before they enter classes rather than trying to fire those with work experience. The effectiveness of school administrators should be as closely monitored as that of the teachers, as administrators no doubt affect the quality of the education that takes place in classrooms. It is contradictory to increase classroom size while enhancing the quality of teachers. A surplus of good teachers will perform better small classrooms; we should not negate their performance as an austerity measure.
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.
Borough Beliefs
New York must shore up laws against driving under the influence By Atticus Brigham As legally prescribed drugs continue to go mainstream in New York City, driving under the influence of drugs increasingly competes with driving while intoxicated as a threat to public safety on our roads. Rappers have long trumpeted vehicular crimes, from E-40 staunchly encouraging fans to “ghost-ride the whip” in 2006 to Ludacris’ 2008 hit “One More Drink” which he begins by saying he is “Mixin’ Henney wit tha Sprite/ While I’m drinkin’ and drivin’.” Though rappers’ braggadocio is well known, the emergence of DUID popularity is relatively new. Hotboxing is now even rhapsodized, as the hook of Big Sean’s “Smoke and Drive” says “Roll the windows up when you
get in the car, and I’mma light one up.” States such as New York — where 9.08 percent of people ages 12 and over reported using illegal drugs in the past month in comparison to the national average of 8.1 percent — must implement specific standards regulating illicit drugs that impair drivers’ ability operate their vehicles. It is the government’s responsibility to protect citizens’ health. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among Americans ages five to 34 and 18.8 percent of young adults age 18 to 25 use illegal drugs. Politicians and judges must remedy the lack of metrics for drugged driving while this trend is still in its neonatal stage. Current DUID laws lack the same scientific specificity as DWI laws, which incorporate
breathalyzers and publicize national legally permissible blood alcohol content levels — .08. Despite the existence of short-term drug-testing technology, through urinalysis and blood tests among others, we have no measurable standard by which to determine the danger a driver under the influence of drugs poses to himself and those around him. Dangerously drugged drivers are a growing public safety concern and must be kept off the roads. This issue is especially pressing in states that have legalized medical marijuana and states that have decriminalized marijuana use, New York falling into the later category. So far, the outdated case People of the State of New York v. Kaminski has defined New York law on the matter for two decades. The defendant was pulled
over with probable cause — having non-commercial license plates on a commercial vehicle — and failed field tests after the odor of marijuana was detected. He later confessed that he had smoked a joint minutes before being pulled over. This 1991 case defines New York’s standards for DUID conviction to be a field test, a noticeable odor and the defendant’s confession. Though roadside field tests remain a viable metric in determining the danger a driver poses, confessions, the presence of any drug or drug paraphernalia or other incriminating evidence cannot be expected in every DUID case. Though in the 1951 Supreme Court case Rochin v. California Justice Frankfurter wrote that forcibly administering a solution to make a suspect vomit drugs he had swallowed upon arrest
to be “conduct that shocks the conscious,” modern technology affords police much less invasive methods of detecting the presence and level of a drug in someone’s system. States should adopt public health guidelines similar to those in Australia, which stipulate that it is illegal to drive for approximately three hours after cannabis use — a threshold detectable by a saliva test. On the 78th anniversary of the repeal of prohibition, it should be acknowledged that promoting zero drug use is as effective as outlawing alcohol. Instead, states should seek to proportion punishments. Atticus Brigham is a deputy opinion editor. His column, “Borough Beliefs” is about law, ethics and the city and appears every Tuesday. Email him at abrigham@nyunews.com.
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, fifth floor, New York, NY 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com
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nyunews.com | TueSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2011 | Washington Square news
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UCATS continued from PG. 1
Negotiations between university and clerical employees at an impasse the cost of living in the New York City area, gives workers affordable health insurance and a respectful work environment. “The university presented a number of proposals to the union bargaining team that we believe are unreasonable and unacceptable,” he said. But NYU spokesman John Beckman said the university views the situation differently. “The university’s clerical employees are important and valued members of the NYU community,” he said. “We have
made a proposal at the bargaining table that offers several years of annual wage increases and is close to the union’s own proposals.” However, Rechner is adamant that NYU’s proposals are simply not enough. “The contract NYU is currently proposing will, over time, financially devastate too many of our members — both because incomes will not keep pace with the cost of housing, and because the cost of health care will be out of reach,” he said. Despite the disagreement, Beckman said
the university wants to see progress made in the negotiations. “That’s why we continue to think a mediator would be helpful,” he said. “It remains unclear to us why the union is resistant to this idea,” he said. Though Beckman said the university wishes to hire a moderator to help settle the dispute, Diana Corzen, vice president of UCATS, said the union is not certain it needs one. An administrative aide and a UCATS member who wished to remain anony-
mous said there is “plenty of money to go around, [the university] just [doesn’t] want to give it to us.” “I do not want higher health care costs,” the same aide said. “I want a livable wage. I make under 50K, living in Manhattan, and I work for people who make six figures, have at least three free lunches a week and have a permanent canteen at their disposal, plus a list of other perks.” Eric Benson is a staff writer. Email him at university@nyunews.com.
