NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
washington square news Vol. 39, No. 49
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2011
nyunews.com
Occucopter gives bird’seye view of OWS
CAS to replace summer orientation
By Amy Zhang and Brian Tam
By Julie DeVito Coverage of the Occupy Wall Street movement has literally taken flight thanks to the Parrot AR 300 drone. A Wi-Fi enabled helicopter-like gadget, the Occucopter as it is called comes readily equipped with dual cameras and four nine-inch rotor blades. Capable of maintaining a stable flight at a height of up to 20 feet, the drone will eventually be used to document OWS protesters. Civilian journalist Tim Pool, 25, whose 21-hour marathon live coverage of an Occupy Wall Street protest earned him journalistic fame, is one of the developers behind the new Occucopter. For Pool, the new device has drastically changed the way journalists can report the news. Citing the NYPD’s decision on Nov. 15 to close airspace over Zuccotti Park to press helicopters, Pool said he believes drones are the solution. “[The NYPD] had no legal recourse
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FIILE PHOTO BY LAUREN STRAUSSER
Beginning next academic year, CAS will replace its summer orientations with a cohort program. Students will be matched up during Welcome Week with 35 other students.
Violets cruise to fifth straight win By John Axelrod
file photo by david lin
Andy Stein led the way with 15 points and five rebounds.
NYU continued its winning ways Tuesday night and pulled head coach Joe Nesci one step closer to history with a 73-42 victory over SUNY Maritime. The win brought Nesci just one win shy of tying Howard Cann for the most wins by a men’s basketball coach in school history, with 409. The key to NYU’s victory was its defense. The Violets (5-0) forced 23 turnovers and allowed SUNY Maritime to score only 14 points in the first half. “We remained constant on the defensive end of the floor and held the team under 40 percent shooting, which is a good benchmark for us,” Nesci said. The Violets got off to a slow start and trailed the Privateers 11-8 midway through the first half. But a three from sophomore guard Ryan Tana tied the game, and from there the Violets never looked back. Defense and rebounding propelled the Violets to a 24-3 run to end the half. NYU didn’t let up in the second half, preventing the Privateers from having any chance to get back in the game. “Our goal was to maintain solid funda-
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Stern freshman Mekyas Moges said his Stern cohort program allowed him to get to know his classmates better. “We’ve had people from improv shows come in and teach us how to be spontaneous and how to respond in situations,” he said. “And they’ve done an absolutely good job in helping us become future leaders.” Starting next academic year, College of Arts and Science freshmen will have the same opportunity as Moges. CAS plans to replace its traditional summer orientation with a pilot program called Collegiate Cohort. Under the new program, students will be placed in cohorts with 36 students, a faculty advisor and collegiate leader. Students will meet their cohorts first during Welcome Week and continue doing so until their
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Encyclo lets you be a fashion journalist By Kristina Bogos If you’ve ever dreamed of having your work edited and printed by the Italian Vogue editorial staff, look no further than Vogue Encyclo, a new user-based online fashion encyclopedia with published content personally pitched and written by you. Crafted with a “webocratic approach,” this tell-all website features user-generated content on an array of fashion categories written by aspiring fashion journalists and writers around the globe. These facets of fashion include “Fashion and Costume,” “Designers,” “Photography,” “Cinema,” “People,” “Mania,” “Bloggers” and even “Fabric” and “Architecture.” Each category has an alphabeti-
cal listing of published articles, with topics ranging from the evolution of animal print and a biography of Coco Chanel, to the presence of fringe in cinema and the history of synthetic fibers. “The website has endless information on all different aspects of fashion,” LSP freshman Aislinn Mckeown said. “I loved reading about where the fashion trends I follow originated and how they have evolved over time. If anyone needs to brush up on their fashion-industry knowledge, this would be the website to visit.” Italian Vogue’s editor-inchief, Franca Sozzani, and editorial coordinator, Alice Furnari, created Vogue Encyclo as an outlet for
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Washington Square news | WEDnesday, december 7, 2011 | nyunews.com
on the side
Compiled by the
WSN staff
Staff Recommendations Washington Square News Editor-in-Chief JAYWON ERIC CHOE Managing Editor
KELSEY DESIDERIO
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Deputy Managing Editor
RUSSELL STEINBERG Assistant Managing Editor
KIRSTEN CHANG
1. The Beatles
3. ‘Parks and Recreation’
Sure, everybody and their mother knows the music of The Beatles, but 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ first album, “Please Please Me.” Journey through not only their stellar work together, from the tender folk of “Rubber Soul” to the power of “Abbey Road.” There is also their underrated solo work, like John Lennon’s introspective and emotional “Plastic Ono Band” or George Harrison’s spiritual “All Things Must Pass.” — Dan Fuchs
Applying the faux documentary style of “The Office” to government bureaucracy, “Parks and “Recreation” is the sleeper highlight of NBC’s Thursday lineup thanks to a stellar cast led by Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari and Nick Offerman. It has a much more energetic feel than “The Office,” and this pays off in spades; every episode is filled with both belly laughs and an endearing sense of determination. — Dan Fuchs
2. Hadestown
4. Sleigh Bells
“Hadestown” is a folk opera that refuses to stick to any one genre. It gives out little vignettes from the story of Orpheus, a musician who loses his lover to Hades. The Western-saloon raucousness of “Hadestown” is calmed only by Hades’ (Greg Brown) impossibly smooth voice. Anais Mitchell, who wrote the opera’s songs, portrays Eurydice. Ani DiFranco is both seductive and tarnished as Persephone, the First Lady of Hell. I recommend listening to it nonstop on the best speakers you can get. — Christina Li
Whether you like being ripped apart by gritty electric guitars or carried away by melodic vocals with lyrics like “We are the river flow/ And you can never know/ You’re just a weatherman/ We make the wind blow,” there is something for everyone on Sleigh Bell’s debut album, “Treats.” Definitely listen to “Infinity Guitars,” “Tell ’Em” and “Rill Rill.” — Alexandria Ethridge
5. ‘The Queen Is Dead’ by The Smiths Twenty-five years later, this album is still a treat to listen to. Morrissey, for all of his controversies and mistakes, is still one of the most complex and vulnerable lyricists to ever grace a record, and tracks like “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out” and “The Boy With The Thorn in His Side” burst forth with both indie pop bubbliness and a teenaged introversion. — Dan Fuchs
6. Penguin Prison It has the right amount of funk, the right amount of dance and just a hint of pop. The band hails from New York and is basically a hook machine. The lead single, “Fair Warning,” is guaranteed to be played on repeat for days. Plus, the band’s name is Penguin Prison, so buy the album. — Brian Capuder
Creative Director
TERKA CICELOVA senior staff
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 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,
TODAY
1 Steinhardt at Saklad
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Saklad Auditorium Attend a free program in chamber music, courtesy of Steinhardt.
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Lori Fischer on ‘Five Traits Every Great Character Has in Common’ 6:30 to 8 p.m. | NYU Bookstore
SCPS invites writers to attend a free writing class, which will include writing exercises and a discussion with critically acclaimed writer Lori Fischer.
NYU Community Orchestra 8 to 9 p.m. | Frederick Loewe Theatre, 35 W. Fourth St.
Hear the NYU Community Orchestra perform for free in Steinhardt’s Frederick Loewe Theatre.
JESSICA LITTMAN
opinion page
opinion editor JOHN SURICO deputy opinion editors ATTICUS
BRIGHAM, MARIA MICHALOS
advertising business manager
REBECCA RIBEIRO sales manager
Stefanie Yotka
SNAPSHOT
ON THE WIRE
Safe Sexxx
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation recently submitted a petition to require porn companies to shoot sex scenes with their actors wearing condoms. The petition, which the foundation says contains more than the needed number of signatures, will next go through a certification process. If all of the signatures are certified, residents of Los Angeles (where most of the porn industry in the United States is based) will vote in June 2012 on whether or not porn film producers need to have their actors use condoms. Most pornographic movies are shot without condoms because they are thought to “take away from the fantasy appeal” of the adult film. — Reuters
circulation manager
MEagan Driver
university sales coordinator
Emilia Mironovici sales representatives
Kaitlyn O’Brien, MICHAEL RYAN, Melissa Ynegas
advising DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
MICHAEL SUMMERS editorial adviser
keith leighty EDITOR-AT-LARGE
Duke University
International applicant pool expands as Duke ups global presence — The Chronicle
Cornell University
A man enjoys his reading while relaxing on a hill in Central Park.
PHOTO BY EMMA PLISKIN
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Cornell still in tech campus competition after mayor slashes two proposals — The Cornell Daily Sun
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.
nyunews.com
nyunews.com | WEDnesday, december 7, 2011 | Washington Square news
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CAS to replace summer orientation commencement. Transfer and Liberal Studies students will be placed into pre-existing cohorts. Kate Baxter, assistant dean for firstyear students, said she hopes to include all members of the CAS community with the new program. “My goal for the program is to provide a greater sense of community for the entire CAS student body, using the first year as a foundation for students to connect to each other and the many resources offered by CAS and NYU,” she said. Previously, students would attend three-day orientation sessions during the summer. Students were charged $335, which did not include transportation fees. And because only 75 to 82 percent of incoming freshmen attend the orientations each year, CAS Dean Gabrielle Starr said the university voted in favor of the change. Though CAS will no longer be spending money for a summer orientation, Starr said they will have to
restructure their budget to provide for the new program. CAS sophomore Jane Chen said coming to NYU over the summer helped her feel more comfortable on campus when Welcome Week started. “I made some good friends over the summer and we stayed in touch throughout the summer and into freshman year, and it made everything a lot less scary,” Chen said. But CAS sophomore Madeline Breda thinks the new program is a trade-off. Though she personally enjoyed summer orientation, she said everyone could benefit from a continuous small-group experience. “I would be sad to see summer orientation go because knowing people before you show up is a big load off a freshman’s shoulders,” she said. Julie DeVito is a deputy university editor. Email her at jdevito@nyunews.com.
Second-time’s the charm for Alumni Hall UVL winner
Lauren strausser/wsn
Kanner hopes to spread her songs. By Emily Yang Rachel Kanner’s earliest memory is of singing into her yellow Mattel toy microphone. Ever since then, the junior in Tisch has continued to perform and has sung her way to the campus-wide Ultra Violet Live competition as the Alumni Hall representative. Though Kanner tried out for the contest once before and did not win, she decided she wanted to give it another go. “This year, I was like, ‘I’m going to go into this ... and rock it out,’” Kanner said. “And I won. It was so exciting.” Hailing from the suburbs of Chicago, Kanner wanted to go to school to become a pop-star and found her niche at NYU. She is also currently enrolled as a drama student at the Stonestreet Studios for television and film where she takes classes for recorded music. “Being at NYU has allowed me to take that individuality further, espe-
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cially being in New York City,” she said. “The energy here is so much more vibrant than in a suburb. I have no boundaries here because of the people and the environment.” She added that after she graduates, she wishes to share her music and acting with “anyone and everywhere.” “When I’m performing, it’s like no other feeling,” Kanner said. “Being able to reach out to other people and affect them and share my message with them is unbelievable.” Friend and CAS junior Ethan Hort said that Kanner’s music encompasses a variety of genres, ranging from dance pop to soulful ballads. “She has worked with some of the top professionals in the music industry, including Lady Gaga’s vocal coach,” Hort said. “She has had demos sent to some of the top artists [such as Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson] in today’s industry.” “Rachel is not just a singer, dancer or actress,” he said. “She is a performer and entertainer. I know that Rachel’s performance at UVL will blow the roof off of Kimmel.” For the final UVL in February, Kanner will perform an original song titled “Want Your Attention,” which she also performed in the preliminary. However, she says she will be adding many more surprises to her performance, all of which will remain secret for now. “It is going to be wild,” she said. “It’s so crazy that I don’t even know what’s going to happen. I think the idea [of it] keeps on changing. It’ll definitely be creative.” The aspiring pop star said she will continue to practice her songs daily as she gears up for the grand finale next spring. “I’m super, super excited,” Kanner said. “Get ready to see a show.” Emily Yang is a deputy city/state editor. Email her at eyang@nyunews.com.
Occucopter gives a bird’s-eye view of OWS to do so,” he said. “But technology is moving faster than the law.” Available on Amazon for $300, the drones were originally designed as toys for children. But without any modifications, Pool says the device is ready to use straight out-of-the-box. His team of developers is currently working to stream videos of protests live on his site, timcast.tv. Pool said the drone’s features make it ideal for capturing footage. A self-automated system allows the occucopters to stabilize — and more importantly, no fancy joysticks and controls are required. The drones can be manually controlled through an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad by using an application known as Free Flight. The drone synchronizes to the first source in range, to prevent others from hijacking its flight pattern. But Pool said the innovation doesn’t stop there. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “Technology is getting to the point where our ability to collect and disseminate information is being decentralized.”
The current drone can run for a maximum of 12 minutes, but Pool hopes to develop a blimp that would conserve and extend the battery life, provide greater manual control and enhance flight performance. However, Pool’s work isn’t the first incidence of drone journalism, according to The New York Times. A Polish firm called RoboKopter filmed a tense confrontation between Polish nationalists and police officers early last month. But Pool has channeled the same journalism toward the OWS movement. This new method of reporting has already appealed to many supporters of the movement. But the legitimacy of this device as a journalistic tool has incited some controversy. “If every New York news affiliate, plus a few of the cable nets, had drones flying over a Union Square protest — we’re talking nine to 10 drones — you’ve got a pretty crowded airspace. So you have civil aviation/airspace concerns,” said Jason Maloney, an NYU clinical professor of journalism. “Perhaps the biggest obstacle that
via brookstone.com
The Occucopter is controlled by your mobile phone. would stand in the way of this technology finding large scale adoption in TV news would be how it is received and then regulated by authorities.” At the same time, Michael Norman, an NYU associate professor of literary reportage, said that these tactics of journalism do not resonate the same as traditional ground reporting. “It’s not the tools that make the story,” he said. “It’s the courage, intelligence and resourcefulness of the reporter.” Amy Zhang is city/state editor. Brian Tam is a deputy city/state editor. Email them at cstate@nyunews.com.
TLC sting busts cabbies denying fares By Eric Benson
The next person to turn you down may not be a potential date but rather a New York City taxi cab driver. In late November, the NYC Taxi and Limousine commission wrapped up a sting operation that assessed the rate at which taxi drivers deny Manhattan passengers from traveling to another borough. Beginning in September, the TLC directed a group of college students to hail cabs with predetermined destinations outside of Manhattan. And according to a recent report filed by the TLC, out of 1,330 ride requests in the sting operation, 361 were denied, putting the refusal rate at 27 percent. Currently, taxi drivers are paid based on how many customers they take. Therefore it may seem surprising that they would actively turn down potential riders. However, TLC public relations spokesman Allan Fromberg explains this phenomenon. “[I]t’s more lucrative for drivers to stay in parts of Manhattan where passengers are waiting to enter the cab the moment other passengers are exiting,” Fromberg said. “[Taxi drivers] sometimes refuse to serve people whose destinations takes them out of the borough to neighborhoods where it would be unlikely for them to get a return fare.”
But refusal does not come at a cheap price. Denying service to passengers wishing to travel in New York City is a violation. If a driver is caught violating the refusal rule three times, he or she is subject to revocation of his or her license. Firsttime violators are fined $350 after pleading guilty, and the fine increased to $500, if drivers are found guilty after a hearing. “[The purpose was] to hold violators accountable for their actions and to send a message that anyone, anytime, can be testing taxi drivers for compliance with the laws requiring them to take passengers anywhere in the five boroughs,” Fromberg said. But for Tisch freshman Madison Smith, even requests for late-night trips around Manhattan have been declined
more than once. She was particularly disappointed when a driver refused her a ride back to Washington Square Park from the Lower East Side. “I was coming home from a film set around four in the morning,” she said. “I hailed a cab, but the driver said he didn’t want to head as far west as Washington Square Park so he turned me away. It made me somewhat upset, especially because it was very late.” While stricter enforcements were not enacted, according to the TLC undercover enforcement, operations against service refusal have been taking place for almost two decades. “This was a fresh approach to that,” Fromberg said. Eric Benson is a staff writer. Email him at cstate@nyunews.com.
Kristina bogos/wsn
Nearly 30 percent of participants were turned down by New York City cab drivers.
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Encyclo lets you be a fashion writer fashion addicts looking to build their résumés or write about what they love. With a quick and easy registration process, anyone can contribute. Simply sign up on the website, browse published pieces or post story ideas in the Vogue Themes forum where the Vogue editors review and select the most enticing pieces. Writers can write entire articles or contribute to ones already published by adding “biographies and bibliographies but also anecdotes and oddities.” Before being published, the Vogue
editorial staff fact-checks and revises the pieces. Furnari told The New York Times, “We tend to leave the writers’ own style, but we edit them in line with our style.” “I would definitely be interested in writing articles for it,” CAS freshman Lavya Yalamanchi said. “Vogue is a huge name in fashion, and if anyone here at NYU is interested in pursuing fashion journalism, it’s worth taking a look at.” Kristina Bogos is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
With new site, fashion advice just a click away By Keerthi Harishankar Everyone needs a little fashion help from time to time, and sometimes asking your friends just isn’t enough. Founder and CEO of the new site GoTryItOn. com, Marissa Evans, hopes to help you with your own slew of style dilemmas. The site allows users to post photos of their outfits for other members to review them. Logging in is fairly simple. Once users are connected through their email accounts, they are given two options: “Get an opinion” or “Give an opinion.” Users can upload a single look or multiple for a “Which look is best?” comparison. The site then prompts the user to provide a brief description of their outfits and to list what brands they are wearing. The next step is GoTryItOn. com’s most considerate feature: Users have the choice of either making outfits public for the site’s entire community or limiting its viewing to their “personal stylists.” By adding a user to the personal stylist list, the user requests that person’s advice each time a look is upload — a nice alternative to facing the opinions
of hundreds of strangers. But the biggest problem with the site is the quality of counsel. The site is overwhelmingly occupied by preteens taking mirror pictures of their Abercrombie cardigans. These young minds produced uninspired comments, such as “luv it!” and “super cuhyute.” As an alternative, one can request the “expert” perspective of a Gap stylist. Unfortunately, this route can also lead to a dead end, as the representative is often more concerned with plugging Gap-brand items. One great bonus of GoTryItOn. com is the real-time responses. If you can get past the juvenile audience and unhelpful comments, you will at least enjoy a mass of quick responses. Within 10 minutes of posting my picture, I had six comments and got six more in the next 15 minutes. Ultimately, GoTryItOn.com isn’t a great choice for the fashionably advanced college student. It’s worth a try, but if you need substantial style tips, just text a friend. Keerthi Harishanker is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
GoTryItOn.com is a helpful tool for the conscious fashionista looking for some sartorial advice.
Pitch and write your own content to fill the online fashion encyclopedia, Vogue Encyclo.
Top apps to keep you looking your best By Nicola Pring
With hundreds of fashion-specific apps available, anyone with an iPhone or iPad can have fashion at their fingertips. Here are a few of the best free shopping and style apps for girls and guys on the go.
Vogue Stylist Vogue Stylist gives users the same great fashion tips and inspiration found within its famed pages. When opened, the app gives users a weather report for their area and suggests a trendy item suitable for the conditions. Vogue Stylist also provides information on current fashion trends and how to wear them well. The app has the ability to locate featured products in stores and allows users to purchase items right on their Apple product.
Lustr Fashion Finder Lustr Fashion Finder is the ultimate shopping app for New York City fashionistas. This free app allows users to find events like sales and trunk shows. It includes a check-in function for users to share where they’re shopping on Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Lustr also has an itinerary function for users to plan which events they’ll be attending. Keep it in mind for the next New York Fashion Week — it’s especially useful at sorting through the hundreds of shows and events in the city. Nicola Pring is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
Chicfeed Read too many fashion blogs to keep them all straight? Chicfeed combines multiple blogs into one easy-to-use app. Several fan favorites, including LookBook, The Sartorialist and Altamira, are part of Chicfeed’s customizable feed.
Teen Vogue Snapshot The new Teen Vogue Snapshot app gives fashionistas daily personal style advice. The app features the best-dressed “girl of the day” to provide inspiration, and users can snap photos of themselves in their favorite outfits for a chance to be featured. Additionally, the app features a fashion calendar where users can photograph their outfits each day, saving them from repeating outfits too frequently.
ShopStyle Using ShopStyle is the fastest and easiest way to purchase clothing, designer items, makeup and more straight on your iPhone. The app gathers products from hundreds of online stores, allows users to browse for products by brands, color, price and more. ShopStyle links directly to retailers’ websites where users can make instant purchases. It can also save users’ favorite items, which can be shared with friends on Facebook or Twitter. The app sends notifications when specific products go on sale.
nyunews.com | WEDnesday, december 7, 2011 | Washington Square news
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Design the shoe of your dreams By Cristina Corvino Sometimes you just can’t find a match for the picture-perfect shoe you’re thinking of, no matter how many stores you roam or sites you stalk. But thanks to ShoesOfPrey.com, a website where you become your own shoe designer, those hopeless days may soon be over. Virtually anything goes on ShoesOfPrey.com. Once you pick out a shoe type as your foundation, you can change the shape, size and design of the toe, back and heel and customize how you see fit, even adding decorations like flowers or a bow. Choose from 11 materials and nearly every color of the rainbow. You can even customize the most minor of details, such as lining and sole color.
If you have a trickycolored dress or an outfit in dire need of a complementary shoe, chances are you’ll find your ideal match here. You won’t even have to imagine how a color would look on a certain shoe since the colors digitally change as you play around with your design. With the “Rotate 360” feature, you also get a realistic and all-encompassing idea of how your shoe will actually look once it is delivered to your doorstep. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices and need a little guidance, you can also tailor a shoe that has already been partially designed by clicking on the “Gallery” tab. Considering that the price of a flat — the simplest shoe on the site — starts at $180, hesitation to indulge is understandable.
But use the price investment as an incentive to go all out on your design and to be meticulous about every single detail. The last thing you would want to do is design a basic, commonly seen shoe that you could find at a cheaper price in stores. Luckily, the “Save” feature allows you to pour your heart and soul into your design over a long period of time while you make up your mind, rather than rushing through the process. And think of it this way: You’ll also be paying for bragging rights. If someone asks you who you’re wearing, you can proudly say your own name, though it wouldn’t hurt to give your friends over at ShoesOfPrey. com a little credit, too. Cristina Corvino is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
Refined and Ladylike Perfect for brunch with relatives, internships or holiday shopping, this look will allow you to feel sophisticated and put together while still letting VIA JCREW.COM your creative side shine. Try Anthropologie and J.Crew for little cardigans with crystal beading, layered tank tops with a subtle shimmer or structured dresses with a metallic sheen. If you can’t commit to sparkle on your clothes, pick out accessories like a pair of glitter ballet flats or pumps, a bedazzled headband or even a shimmery belt to spice up your most basic looks.
By Catherine You
As the temperature drops, it becomes harder and harder to dress cute for a night out on the town. But winter actually gives partygoers a chance to craft more creative outfits. While you can’t just throw on a dress and go, you can use the opportunity to layer and make your outfits more interesting. If you’re hesitant to ditch your dresses, try wearing them with tights. And remember, tights don’t have to be in boring black. Try ones with great designs and patterns to spice up a little black dress. If you choose to wear separates, Uniqlo and American Apparel sell a variety of stylish leggings. American Apparel’s Shiny Nylon Tricot Legging is a fun option available in many colors. Pair the leggings with a stylish top and you’re ready to go. Don’t want to check your coat? Try a fun blazer with sequins to stay warm and avoid looking like you’re going to a job interview. Shawls are also a great way to keep warm. Silk shawls are an easy way to look classy and stylish. They’re also versatile — once you get to the party, you can tie it around your neck or waist. It’s always tempting to don a warm pair of socks and boots, but if you can’t forgo heels, you can always wear leg warmers. Scrunch them down to cover your feet when you’re outside, and pull them back up once you’re inside. Leg warmers are stylish, comfortable and a nice layer to have on your calves. Although the cold is a great excuse to stay in and cozy up with hot chocolate, there’s no reason to not take advantage of the nightlife New York City has to offer. So dress up, get creative and keep enjoying the city as if temperatures haven’t dropped at all. Catherine You is a contributing writer. Email her at fashion@nyunews.com.
ShoesofPrey.com lets you customize your shoes right down to the soles.
Stay sleek and savvy in shimmering metallics
Winterize your wardrobe without sacrificing style
VIA AMERICANAPPAREL.COM
VIA URBANOUTFITTERS.COM
VIA OVERSTOCK.COM
Maintain your sizzling summer style even in the chilliest winter weather.
By Hilary Presley
The key to wearing sequins and glitter without looking like you’re headed out to a night club is subtlety, modernity and contrast. While a head-to-toe sequin disco dress will never work for the day, look for pieces with hints of sparkle and mix them with daytime staples like cords and knits. Sweaters with threads of metallic silver, shimmery tanks for layering and detailed beading add just the right touch of subtlety. Try one of these looks to keep things modern and fresh without going over the top.
Edgy and Modern For those who would normally shy away from typically girly glitter, go for a darker, edgier sparkle and be on the lookout for matte sequins, black beading and futuristic metal. When paired with staple black skinny jeans, leather jackets and tough motorcycle boots, the look hardly says tea party. Find unique takes on sparkle in black tanks accented with shimmery gold flecks or shiny metallic stripes.
Eclectic and Bohemian This look is all about layers. Wear flowing, floor-length bohemian skirts with hemline beading and sequins, or try on chunky gold-flecked sweaters and girly, glitzy blouses. Don’t be afraid to pile on statement rings and layers of necklaces for good measure. For an earthier VIA FREEPEOPLE.COM vibe, look for natural geodes and crystallized stones. Check out stores like Free People and LF for eccentric pieces with just the right amount of flair.
VIA ANTHROPOLOGIE.COM
Hilary Presley is a staff writer. Email her at fashion@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 Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Edited by Will Shortz Across 1 Astronomer Sagan 5 Final preceder 9 Like E.T.’s voice 14 Sounder of the tuning note at the start of an orchestra rehearsal 15 Gillette ___ II 16 Apple communication tool 17 See 37-Across 19 Palace employee 20 Appeal 21 “Aren’t you special!” 22 Caleb who wrote “The Alienist” 23 See 37-Across 28 Provider of a jawbone to Samson 29 G.I. address 30 Traffic caution
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T H E U S R E F U A S I A H A R L M U M S E S Q U C O A L R U N T U S D A S E A N
31 “Stat!” 34 Clingy wrap 36 London’s ___ Gardens 37 Grammatical infelicity … or what 17-, 23-, 48- or 60-Across is? 41 Part of R.S.V.P. 42 Runaways 43 Linear, briefly 44 “___ tu” (Verdi aria) 45 Foot soldiers: Abbr. 46 TV extraterrestrial 48 See 37-Across 54 Neck of the woods 55 Crones 56 A hand 58 Where the brain resides, slangily 60 See 37-Across 62 “Ask me anything”
63 Part of Georgia is in it 64 Sound 65 “___ Doone,” 1869 historical romance 66 Alpine capital 67 Food safety org.
Down 1 Some prison furnishings 2 Circa 3 Official state sport of Wyoming 4 Wahine wear 5 Bar lineup 6 Weasley family owl, in Harry Potter books 7 ___ Picchu (Inca site) 8 Put away 9 Pasta variety 10 Honda division 11 Shiny suit fabric 12 Score to aim for 13 Stock page abbr. TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 18 Part of R.S.V.P. N O B E L J A R S 22 Hearings channel E P O X Y O M E N R E P A I R C A V A 24 Big ___ (nickname of E D S T A C K S U P baseball’s David P L I T Y E S E S Ortiz) S E S D E N Y 25 “We’ll always O K A P I S K I have ___” (line E M B O Y S C H O I R from M E A N S A U T O “Casablanca”) C A R P L A Y P E N 26 Student in 25E H A I R S Down E S C E T E E I N G 27 Planted H A I L C A E S A R 31 It’s a plus O P R A H D A Z E 32 Vice president P E S C I S W I G Agnew
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No. 1102
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Puzzle by Barry Franklin and Sara Kaplan
33 Pricey belt material 34 Smokeless tobacco 35 At the back of a boat 38 Ambitious track bet 39 Ancient Aegean region 40 Elegantly dressed bloke
46 Crocheted item 47 Simpson girl 49 1970s-’90s film company 50 “Along ___ lines …” 51 P.L.O.’s Arafat 52 Goodbyes 53 Cede
57 Actress de Matteo of “The Sopranos” 58 Communication syst. for the hearing-impaired 59 However, for short 60 Bar bill 61 Fifth of seven: Abbr.
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
nyunews.com | WEDnesday, december 7, 2011 | Washington Square news
OPINION
edited by JOHN SURICO opinion@nyunews.com
The Observationalist
Republicans solely responsible for state of nation By Ben Miller
In recent years, there has been a tendency by many — even on these pages — to cry foul at both parties in the political system, to cry, “a pox on both your houses.” There is a tendency to place blame for America’s current political, economic and social stagnation on the mistakes and follies of “all politicians.” This is a dangerous mistake. I don’t claim that the Democratic Party is perfect. It has repeatedly shown the leadership skills of limp celery, failing to fight for the bread-and-butter issues it claims to be founded on. Too long has it let false centrists like Joe Lieberman drag down the party in their fight for unprincipled moderation. Too long has it accepted easy corporate money because it seemed easier to take it and live with the system than to fight to change it. But the Republican Party is an American Taliban — an antiintellectual, anti-American, antihumanist and actively dangerous force, one that has repeatedly failed to learn from the disasters of its economic policy and one that has imposed a kind of Christian fundamentalism onto the private
lives of Americans. This is a party in which serious presidential candidates call for gay people to be “disciplined” as “barbarians” (Michele Bachmann) and for women to get cervical cancer rather than be vaccinated as teens (Newt Gingrich). This is a party in which acceptance of scientific facts about evolution and climate change is an immediate disqualifier. This is a party that would rather see teens bullied to death in schools than change bullying laws to include gay kids, a party that would rather watch people starve than extend food stamp eligibility, a party which would rather watch citizens of the wealthiest nation in human history die for lack of basic health care than raise taxes on the wealthiest 1 percent. This is a party, in short, for which the truth no longer matters and in which all minority groups are liable to be dehumanized as a campaign tactic. For 20 years, this party (with the help of turncoat Democrats) deregulated the financial industry, lowered taxes on the wealthiest Americans, nominated court justices who opened the floodgates of unlimited corporate donations (read: bribery) to electoral campaigns, ignored the science of cli-
mate change, allowed American citizens to be arrested without cause and tortured against all relevant domestic and international law and expanded the power of the chief executive beyond even Richard Nixon’s wildest dreams. The fact that all of this has benefitted the wealthiest 1 percent and screwed over everyone else is no accident. These are not policies designed to benefit America; these are policies designed to benefit American elites. Blame the Democrats for not fighting harder. Blame the Democrats for spinelessness. Blame the Democrats for joining in because it seemed like the thing to do. But don’t blame the Democrats for the state of the country. Blame the people who ran it into the ground and who want us to give them back the power which, for 20 years, they used to terrorize their opponents, benefit their friends and say to hell with the American people in the process. Ben Miller is a columnist. His column, “The Observationalist,” contains musings on society, culture and politics and appears every Tuesday. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
Life is pricey
Cain’s resignation result of flawed legal system By Liz Beras
Amid sexual harassment allegations, Republican presidential nominee Herman Cain recently announced the suspension of his campaign. This circumstance is another reminder of the flaws in our legal system, which was founded on the principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” But time after time this maxim is superseded by the more popular “guilty until proven innocent.” Prior to the scandal breaking, Cain was leading in the polls despite his non-political background. As expected, after multiple women filed suits against Cain, he dropped in the polls and lost funds from supporters. The scandal has distracted public attention away from the issues and towards the allegations in addition to causing hurt to Cain and his family, as he stated in the announcement of his campaign suspension. Regardless of whether or not the claims are found to be true, the legal process in place needs to be altered. These women are filing seemingly baseless claims at a time that is too planned to be coincidental. Given the lack of evidence, assumptions
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cannot be made on whether or not Cain is a victim. Yet it is important to note the gap between the time the alleged incidents took place and the time they were filed. Why would these women wait a decade if their sexual harassment claims are as dire as they state? Our current legal system allows for unsubstantiated claims to be filed with little reproach. Not only is this a waste of time for the court and the defendant, it is a great waste of money. A prime and recent example of this is Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former head of the International Monetary Fund. He was arrested and charged with the sexual assault of a housekeeper in the Sofitel Hotel in New York. After a legal battle, followed heavily by the media, it was later found that Strauss-Khan was not guilty and his case was dismissed by the New York Supreme Court. The implications this false accusation had on Strauss-Kahn must not be forgotten; to prove his innocence, much of his time was used, great legal fees were incurred, he resigned from his post at the IMF and was put under house arrest. As if this was not enough distress, his chances of running for president of France were obliterated.
SUBMITTING TO
It seems as if the current legal system allows for anyone to make a claim about a defendant with no repercussions, even if technically this should not be true. Sexual harassment claims can be made in the workplace and at state court levels. While victims waste their time and money, courts rake in court fees — in New York, from $35 for stipulations filings to upwards of hundreds of dollars for hearings. This is in addition to the hundreds to thousands of dollars the defendant must spend on legal fees. While the victim is forced to spend a great deal on his or her case, courts in highly populated areas bring in hundreds of thousands to millions in revenue every year, according to records from the state comptroller’s office. A price, however, cannot be put on one’s reputation and the implications a false accusation can have on it. It is time the government faces the holes in our legal system. Liz Beras is a columnist. Her column, “Life is Pricey,” is about the consequences of decisions and appears every Wednesday. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
Staff Editorial
CAS cohort program deserves a chance
It is tradition within the College of Arts and Science that before a high school graduate moves into his or her dorm freshman year he or she goes through what is known as summer orientation, a three-day-long experience that introduces the new class of students to Greenwich Village through walking tours to Magnolia Bakery and awkward icebreakers. It is a time to network and connect with future friends, in hope that, come Welcome Week, you will not be alone and scared. However, CAS is ditching the orientation program this summer and replacing it with what will be known as Collegiate Cohorts — a Sternesque program that will divide the class into groups of 36, each with a faculty advisor and leader. Instead of being charged the $335 orientation fee, along with additional plane, train or bus tickets for those who live outside New York, the cohorts will meet during Welcome Week for the first time and will stay together until commencement, four years later. The WSN Editorial Board respects NYU’s costsaving rationale behind the shift; during rough economic times, any administrative decision that helps on the financial behalf of the students must be recognized. Although Welcome Week is already a hugely beneficial program, we have concerns about the lack of an introduction to the city beforehand and the results of the cohorts on students’ development. A main part of college is figuring things out on your own; if students have mandatory four-year commitments, will this be effective networking or forced grouping? Also, after a few weeks into freshman year, it is possible that students will have already made friends elsewhere, thus decreasing their enthusiasm for the cohorts. But the opposite could happen: The cohort could foster friendships that are college- or life-long. After one year, the WSN Editorial Board proposes that NYU gathers feedback from the cohorts and the general consent of students’ feelings towards its activities. This will help the university get a better indication of whether four years is better than three days.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com.
Editorial Board: John Surico (Chair), Atticus Brigham (Co-Chair), Maria Michalos (Co-Chair), Emily Franklin, Nicolette Harris, Stephanie Isola, Katie Travers and Lauren Wilfong.
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, fifth floor New York, NY 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com 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.
nyunews.com | WEDnesday, december 7, 2011 | Washington Square news
SPORTS
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edited by JAMES LANNING SPORTS@nyunews.com
Injuries to star players define 2011 NFL season By Ryan Gilmore You could almost hear the collective groan of every Bears fan on Sunday as Matt Forte went down with an injury. It wasn’t even a groan of disappointment. It was a groan of concession. The Bears are in trouble, first losing starting quarterback Jay Cutler for the regular season and now their best weapon in Forte for an unknown amount of time at a pivotal point in the season. But cheer up, Chicago fans. You are not alone. In fact, injuries have been some of the biggest definers of this season, with a staggering number of stars and key players going down for extended periods of time. The injury bug is running rampant to the point where multiple teams have seemingly watched their seasons suddenly evaporate. It is certainly a good year to be a second- or even third-stringer. Take the Chiefs, for example. In week two, Jamaal Charles — one of the most promising and talented running backs in football — ripped his ACL. A few weeks later, starting quarter-
back Matt Cassel was ruled out for the year by a hand injury, giving backup Tyler Palko the nod. Adding insult to injury (literally), Kansas City brought in Kyle Orton to compete for the job only to see him get injured the first week he started. Look at the Oakland Raiders. QB Jason Campbell was knocked out for the year, and Darren McFadden has been out for over a month. The injury to Campbell actually forced the Raiders to trade for Carson Palmer in order to salvage their season. But without McFadden, their biggest weapon who, prior to his injury, made defenses look silly, the Raiders are fighting for their playoff lives. Houston, despite winning last week and leading a rather feeble AFC South, is also in trouble. People expected big things from them with their dangerous running attack and much-improved defense. That, of course, was until both starting quarterback Matt Schaub and backup Matt Leinart were placed on injured reserve. This leaves the starting job to T.J. Yates. Wait, who? The Texans
will most likely make the playoffs, barring a horrible losing streak and some miraculous end-of season surge by Tennessee. But really, how far can they go with a third-stringer under center? My money is on, not very. Philadelphia and Detroit have also had their share of issues. The Eagles lost Michael Vick for multiple weeks, resulting in a losing stretch, which all but eliminated them from the playoffs. So much for the dream team. Detroit has experienced multiple issues, but being down to their third-string running back really does not help their cause. However, all of these scenarios pale in comparison to the Colts who, after losing Peyton Manning in the off-season, are sitting at 0-12. Here’s a perennial 11-plus win team that could go winless after losing one key player. I hope Andrew Luck likes the weather in Indianapolis. Ryan Gilmore is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com. Follow him on Twitter @RGilmoreWSN.
via flickr.com
Peyton Manning is just one of many stars injured this season.
MBBALL continued from PG. 1
Violets cruise to fifth straight win as Nesci nears milestone mentals throughout the whole game, and we were able stay focused on that even after going up big in the second half,” senior center Andy Stein said. Stein had another solid game with 15 points on six for eight shooting. “Our rebounding was great, which is something we wanted to work on in today’s game,” Stein said. The Violets pulled down a total of 36 rebounds, 12 more than SUNY Maritime. Junior forward Carl Yaffe scored 15 points and led the team with seven rebounds. Tana also scored in double figures, with a career-high 11 points, including a perfect three for three from behind the arc. Production from the bench was another key factor for NYU.
“We got good minutes out of Devin [Karch] tonight,” Nesci said. “Ben Dorman and Cory Stockmal were also solid for us.” Karch had a solid game in the paint scoring eight points. Dorman added five points, two of which came from an impressive fast-break dunk, and Cory Stockmal added four points and four rebounds. “We are trying to build a base for later in the season,” Stein said. “We are playing smart and playing the game like we should.” The Violets will be back on the court on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., in a home game against the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. John Axelrod is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.