THE HEALTH ISSUE
physical. mental. sexual.
social. emotional. spiritual.
DESIGNED BY RACHEL BUIGAS-LOPEZ
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
Explainer: How Student Governing Works
By SAYER DEVLIN Deputy News Editor
NYU is the largest private university in the country, boasting over 50,000 students in 18 colleges and employing thousands of faculty in multiple countries. NYU’s sheer size demands large and robust governing bodies. The university has three — the Board of Trustees, University Senate and Student Senator’s Council — that help it run smoothly.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is a diverse array of individuals who serve as NYU’s fiduciaries. The board consists primarily of prominent former NYU students as well as various industry leaders including Laurence Fink, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair and Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak. According to NYU’s bylaws, trustees not only serve as fiduciaries but also help create university policy and oversee business affairs. The Board of Trustees has the final say on all university matters and controls
all of NYU’s property and estate. The board does not publish the minutes of its meetings and communicates to the NYU community as it wishes. The Board of Trustees writes its own bylaws, and these laws can be amended or repealed by a majority vote. The board also holds a significant amount of autonomy, as it can veto University Senate resolutions. “The Board will establish policy and strategic direction for the University and oversee the business and affairs of the University,” the university bylaws read. “The Board may exercise all powers and take all actions not prohibited by law, the Charter or these Bylaws.”
University Senate
The University Senate is the primary governing body of NYU. It consists of 37 student senators, 21 deans and vice-chancellors, 38 tenured or tenure-track faculty, 29 full-time contract faculty and 13 high-level administrators. The Senate is able to act on inter-school matters and regulations, according to bylaws estab-
lished by the Board of Trustees. Though the University Senate has the final say on resolutions passed by the SSC, the Board of Trustees can overrule any decision the University Senate makes. NYU Divest, for example, worked with Student Senators to draft a resolution on fossil fuel divestment. The resolution was approved by the University Senate before being voted down by the Board of Trustees. A recent University Senate initiative was the creation of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Task Force.
Student Senators Council
SSC is the student arm of NYU’s government. The council consists of 23 school senators elected by students — there are currently two vacancies — with one senator from each of the undergraduate and graduate schools. NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai are each represented by a senator. Additionally, 14 senators-at-large are elected by the previous year’s school senators. Senators-at-large represent interest groups at NYU,
Concerns About Tandon Physics By HTOO MIN Deputy News Editor
Some Tandon School of Engineering students think there is a better place to study their chosen subject within NYU — the physics program in CAS. Tandon senior Nathaniel Stemen said that the Brooklyn department is small and lacks faculty members, which means less space for physics students in Tandon. The department is currently sequestered in a corner of the third floor in Rogers Hall, Tandon’s main academic building. “There is almost no lab space, limiting the amount of research that can go on,” Stemen said. “The department at CAS has a large physics lounge for its undergraduates, and the effect is an actual community of friends, rather than a group of people who take classes together.” He also lamented that the professors in Tandon do not teach many courses, so students oftentimes cannot learn from their favorite professors in more than one class, making it harder for students to make lasting connections with faculty. Additionally, Stemen does not believe that the professors modernize their syllabi or consider student input for updating their courses, even though they often teach the same classes for many years. Assistant to the Director of Undergraduate Physics at CAS Bill LePage said he was not familiar with Tandon’s physics program so could not speak for it. However, he said that the CAS physics department requested a curricular review from the Society of Physics Students to improve syllabi and incorporate student input. “The Director of Undergradu-
ate Studies and the Physics Advisor also hold town halls for our majors to present us with feedback and ways to improve the program,” LePage said. “We try to get to know every major and so the community is tight knit; it’s a fairly small department compared to some others at NYU. Our professors, graduate students and postdocs are friendly and willing to get to know you and help you out.” Compared to the set-up of CAS, Tandon junior Earl Co, expressed similar sentiments to Stemen. Co does not believe the department prioritizes students, especially since labs — a main source for students to apply what they learn — are not utilized to their fullest potentials. He said that labs are often reduced to Microsoft Excel practice time, rather than actually trying to understand the material presented in the labs. “[The] major problem is the time requirement to actually do the lab — three hours; analyze the data — one to three hours; and write the report — five to seven hours,” Co said. “Even if you have access to someone else’s preformatted spreadsheets and just pop in your data — most people do — you still have to take time to analyze it and tweak it.” Co said that in addition to the unhelpful labs, he attributes a further lack of syllabi to grading discrepancies in the labs. He said that without the syllabi as a physical record, there are knowledge gaps between introductory courses and more advanced classes. Even when Co stuck to the lab report basics covered in the introductory engineering course, professors would still deduct points from his submitted lab report assignments.
PHOTO BY SAYER DEVLIN
NYU consists of three governing bodies: the Board of Trustees, the University Senate and the Student Senators Council. All contribute to policymaking at NYU. such as international students or students on financial aid. They have jurisdiction over about $1.6 million in funding, the bulk of which is used for NYU’s over 300 clubs. Student senators hold the attention of high-level faculty and administrators. The informal relationships between them can help promote student interests and rights. Although students make up the overwhelming majority of the NYU community, the SCC is weaker than other governing bodies — SSC members occupy just
37 seats on the University Senate. SSC is weaker than other governing bodies at NYU. They occupy just 37 seats on the University Senate, despite the fact that students make up the overwhelming majority of the NYU community. There are nearly as many administrators on the University Senate as there are student senators, and currently no student sits on the Board of Trustees. Email Sayer Devlin at sdevlin@nyunews.com.
CRIME LOG
Feb. 20 to Feb. 23
By MIRANDA LEVINGSTON AND HTOO MIN Deputy News Editors Between Feb. 20 and Feb. 23, there were four reports of larceny and one report of harassment.
Larceny
STAFF PHOTO BY RYAN QUAN
With a smaller department, fewer faculty members and limited lab space, many NYU Tandon students question why their physics program has fewer resources than CAS possesses. However, this is not the case for everybody. Tandon senior Joseph Nardone, the director of a superconductor lab, said that throughout his research and academic experiences on campus, his professors were fair in grading and easy to reach in and out of class. “I received the grades I deserved,” Nardone said. “Dr. Folan [Nardone’s nuclear physics professor] takes academics seriously and has never hesitated to criticize my work, but this constructive criticism of my work has been integral to my career progress.” Email Htoo Min at hmin@nyunews.com
On Feb. 20 at 8:30 p.m. a student reported that their bike was missing from the railing in Schwartz Plaza. A police report was filed. On Feb. 21 at 11:05 a.m. a staff member reported that their cell phone was missing from their office. A police report was filed. On Feb. 21 at 5:30 p.m. a staff member reported that cases of
soda were missing from a pantry in Vanderbilt Hall. Police notification was declined. On Feb. 23 at 10:30 a.m. a student reported that her passport and visa were missing from her desk drawer in Carlyle Court. Police notification was declined.
Harassment
On Feb. 23 at 10:30 a.m. an employee reported being harassed by another employee in the loading dock area of Lipton Residence Hall. The incident is under investigation. Email Miranda Levingston and Htoo Min at news@nyunews.com.
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NYU Public Safety Secures Accreditation By JEMIMA MCEVOY News Editor
NYU’s Public Safety team is working to secure its place as the second campus security department in the country to achieve accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. This program, according to its website, will promote the efficient use of resources and service delivery through a proven modern management model. CALEA — a non-profit organization formed in 1979 — has a number of different accreditation programs, but NYU is currently pursuing the Campus Security Accreditation Program. The program, which was created in 2010, is designed to deliver a professional development resource for security organizations, as well as providing services such as organization and management, training and career development and situational training for critical incidents. NYU Public Safety said its goal has been to achieve accreditation since Vice President of Global Campus Safety Marlon Lynch began working at the university last September. Director of Professional Standards and Accreditation Manager Heba Nassef Gore is leading the charge to implement the CALEA accreditation, and she said this program will heavily benefit the university. “[Accreditation] helps formalize our processes and practices,” Gore said. “It helps us manage control over our initiatives, it helps us with training and development of our staff internally, and it helps us improve on our service delivery for our NYU community.” Gore said that once universities enroll with CALEA, they must undergo a twoyear self-assessment during which they must review all internal policies, written directives, protocols and standard operating procedures across the entire Public Safety department. “It’s an on-going review of our department to make sure that we are meeting industry standards [and] best practices,” Gore said, “And that we are meeting the needs and goals that we have set out for ourselves in providing the security service that we do for the university. We have not yet signed the call contract, but we have a policy review committee that has been formed, and we are developing policies, protocols and [standard operating procedures], and we are getting them to the point where we are ready to sign the contract to begin the two-year clock where we can form our self-assessment.” She said that in order to achieve accreditation, there are 294 standards in the 34 chapters of the manual that must be met.
These standards cover everything from the micro level — the role of every person in the department, patrol administration and training professional development — to larger organizational standards. Gore said that the goal is to have enough written directives to ensure that NYU is performing according to industry standards, if not exceeding them. Associate Vice President of Public Safety Fountain Walker is working alongside Gore to facilitate the university’s efforts, and he said a part of the reason Public Safety wanted accreditation for security is that other university entities are already accredited, such as nursing institutions, health services and academic profiles. He wanted to standardize accreditation across the university. “I could come in and say we should look this particular way, or walk this particular way or conduct ourselves this particular way, but if we had a standardized process — it’s that much better,” Walker said. “It also sets the blueprint up for everybody, so moving forward in the future, let’s just say there’s a leadership change, they have an operational manual that can be utilized. And that’s in the best interests of the institution, because sometimes in a transition, things are lost.” Walker said that students can expect to see changes in the specific roles of individual Public Safety officers, because in certain situations, a number of officers are still not familiar with their responsibilities. Walker said that standardization of training will aid with this problem. “Let’s think about what if there was a fire in the dorm,” Walker said. “We have individuals that are specifically trained to be fire life safety directors. So that person has a set of training because the building requires it by the [Fire Department of New York] code, but every officer doesn’t have that level of training. Every officer should be able to assume that kind of emergency management role in that building and you as the community should recognize that.” He believes that accreditation will provide officers with the tools to address a wider variety of issues, so that when students request help they will be directed to the appropriate resources. Walker said that students will notice a difference over time and that at some points during the process there will be opportunities for community input. “Our goal is to look at NYU’s Department of Public Safety and say that we are the model now for any and all campus security entities,” Walker said. Email Jemima McEvoy at jmcevoy@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY DIAMOND NAGA SIU
The Director of Professional Standards and Accreditation Manager Heba Nassef Gore explains accredidation with Associate Vice President of Public Safety Fountain Walker.
VIA NYULANGONE.ORG
Dr. Leigh Charvet is an associate professor of neurology at NYU’s Langone School of Medicine. Charvet collaborated with recent NYU graduates to develop a painless treatment for everyday symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis that patients can use from home.
Dr. Leigh Charvet Strives Towards MS Treatment by CAROLINE HASKINS Contributing Writer
The Ice Bucket Challenge was a step toward the cure for Multiple Sclerosis, but the research of NYU School of Medicine’s Dr. Leigh Charvet is a step forward in its treatment. Charvet, an associate professor of neurology, collaborated with recent NYU graduates Bryan Dobbs, William Pau, Natalie Pawlak, Ashley Clayton, Michael Shaw and Kai Sherman to develop a painless treatment for day-to-day symptoms of MS that patients can use from home. The remedy involves transcranial direct current stimulation, which delivers low amplitude electrical currents through scalp electrodes. CUNY professor Marom Bikson and Abhishek Datta of Soterix Medical collaborated with the research group to engineer a custom-made, remotely controlled tDCS headset for the study. The headset allowed Charvet and her research team to video conference with patients, complete safety checks and administer preprogrammed doses remotely. Their findings were originally published in the February edition of the medical magazine Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface. Charvet said her research was inspired by the fact that regular MS treatment deals with the decline and relapse of the disease but does not address patients’ debilitating daily pain. The field of neuropsychology is concerned with this symptomatic management that she discovered as an undergraduate student at the University of Michigan. “I got a job in the physical medicine rehabilitation unit, working with neuropsychologists,” Charvet said. “That experience set [me] on this path for life for how you can merge medicine
with the principles of psychology and focus on seeing the patients as full, rich individual[s].” Charvet’s interest in neuropsychology led to her research at Stony Brook University with neuropsychology professor Lauren Krupp, where they found that cognitive remediation computer games — when played at home and remotely supervised — helped alleviate cognitive symptoms of MS. After realizing the desire of patients to receive clinical treatment at home, Charvet worked to combine remote-access clinical treatment with tDCS research, which has positive rehabilitation benefits for cognitive disorders. “MS is a fascinating disorder, and you just want to do everything you can to help,” Charvet said. “It just really drives you to see what you can do to predict [and] where we can intervene to help.” Charvet also said that tDCS treatment is not disorder-specific, so it can help treat a variety of disorders with similar cognitive symptoms to MS — including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression and Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is presently the subject of a new tDCS clinical trial. However, Charvet’s study marked one of the few tDCS studies to have a 20-session treatment period, enabled by its remote supervision format. Charvet said that more research must be conducted before tDCS is clinically available but that this study still marks progress in understanding the applications of tDCS. “We’re really at the tip of the iceberg of understanding it,” Charvet said. “It’s very exciting and there’s a lot of promise. [tDCS] definitely does something, and we’re just trying to harness and understand what it does.” Email Caroline Haskins at news@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
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‘The Settlers’ Discusses Israel By ALI HASSAN Contributing Writer
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Jacob Wick, Nick Wold and Marc Nelson of DREAMERS, in the psychedelic new video for the song “Sweet Disaster.”
Trip on This ‘Sweet Disaster’
By GILCHRIST GREEN Music Editor
To sum up DREAMERS’ new music video for its track “Sweet Disaster” in a sentence: two dudes having a hallucinogenic lightsaber fight with a pair of floppy Slim Jims. The music is building and nostalgic, and the visuals are definitely something to trip out on. Headed by frontman and Steinhardt alum Nick Wold, DREAMERS is a trio working its way up in the alternative rock world after the August 2016 release of its deput LP “This Album Does Not Exist.” The song “Sweet Disaster” is currently in the top 22 on Billboard’s Alternative Charts. With music that combines rock vibes with electronic, bassy synths in a way that is less face-melting and more mind-melding, DREAMERS doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon.
By RYAN MIKEL Contributing Writer
The video begins in calm black and white, opening with a lazy night shift at a convenience store. The lyrics pay tribute to the greats — the Rolling Stones and the Ramones — and the melody is fittingly dreamy, leading to a poppy chorus. But when Wold, dressed up as a pigtailed, brace-faced little girl, breaks the slushie machine, the scenes explode into color and take a psychedelic turn for the strange. Suddenly the video is bursting with eggs with faces, bubbles, confetti, Star Wars-inspired force lasers and a crow-faced cop. If this video’s visuals show anything, it’s that the band members have swallowed a drug or two — or maybe the three are just a band of dreamers. Catch DREAMERS at the Bowery Ballroom with the Griswolds this Tuesday, Feb. 28. Email Gilchrist Green at music@nyunews.com.
NYU professor Shimon Dotan’s new documentary, “The Settlers,” has arrived at an eerily appropriate time in global politics. The film provides viewers with an in-depth look into the history and motives driving Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank. Our current presidential administration’s relationship with Israel aside, Israel’s recent approval of the creation of a new settlement for the first time in years and its intent to formally annex the land the settlement will be built on make the film highly topical. “The Settlers” is excellent viewing both for those familiar with the controversy surrounding Israel and those who have no background at all. In 105 minutes, Dotan provides a comprehensive history of Israeli
COURTESY OF SUSAN NORGET FILM PROMOTION
Director Shimon Dotan speaks to a few of the many thousands of Israeli settlers in the West Bank to provide a thorough insight into the social and historical setting behind the conflict in the region.
settlements that is otherwise only available in vast volumes of history books. The periodization begins with the 1967 Six-Day War and ends in 2016. What lies between is a tale of right-wing extremism and political opportunism that should remind any country of the dangers of allowing fringe groups to become too powerful. “Settlers” echoes the mainstream view that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are the greatest obstacles to peace between Israel and Palestine. According to the documentary, Israel committed its gravest error when Shimon Peres — the former Israeli President — allowed a small group of fanatical Israelis to live in a portion of the occupied West Bank following the Six-Day War. Soon after, more right-wingers demanded that they also be allowed to live in the West Bank — a piece of land they consider to be a part of Biblical Israel. What Shimon Peres considered a clever temporary solution to satisfy right-wingers soon turned into an uncontrollable monster. The number of settlements grew, as did the size of existing ones. According to the film, there are currently over 500,000 settlers living in the West Bank, much to the chagrin of Palestinians as well as many Israelis who would like to see an end to their country’s conflict. Dotan interviews numerous settlers to understand their feelings toward this issue. Viewers will be surprised to learn that some settlers are not religious
right-wingers at all; they just prefer living in settlements for economic reasons. Some settlers sympathize with Palestinians and understand how the existence of settlements obstructs dialogue with them. The interviews with the ac-
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Some settlers are not religious rightwingers at all; they just prefer living in settlements for economic reasons.
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tual right-wingers are the most interesting and provide great insight into the settler psyche. They are zealous, unrelenting and backed by some Israeli politicians who view them as a crucial voting bloc that can make or break governments. The Israeli settlement conflict is among the great issues of our time, and “The Settlers” explains the conflict very well. Those interested in learning more about it would do themselves a great disservice by not watching this documentary. “The Settlers” will open on Friday, March 3 at the New York Film Forum. Email Ali Hassan at film@nyunews.com.
Tisch Grads Collab for Evocative Dance
Gender roles, domestic abuse and even dance itself came under the microscope this past weekend at the Tisch Dance MFA 1 Concert, a program of original works choreographed and danced by students. Exploring a myriad of themes in the artistic and political spectrums, the first-year graduate MFA 1 students spent a semester choreographing works for talented undergraduates to perform. Couple dances were the focus of the evening — nearly half of the pieces involved only two dancers. Colleen Barnes’ “Balletic Movement Study #451” was a standout, both artistically and critically. The evening’s sole ballet piece featured sophomore Maxfield Haynes and freshman Maia Kaimakliotis wearing pointe shoes and watercolor tulle skirts. The choreography allowed Haynes to represent both the athleticism and vulnerability of male dancers, demonstrating a concerted effort by the collaborators to deconstruct gender roles in ballet.
Haynes spoke about the piece’s development and inspiration. “The inception for the piece came from Colleen observing my pointe work in class,” Haynes said. “Inspired, Ms. Barnes created a piece that featured both a woman and man en pointe. Since Tisch is more contemporary, ballet is not often seen on our stage. She wanted to showcase the technical side of Tisch dancers that is very much so there, but not always present in the work.” Another notable duet was choreographer Djassi Da Costa Johnson’s “Il vuoto, Il volo,” which is Italian for “the space, the soar.” The piece took advantage of the stage’s barren and expansive space to showcase its dancers’ abilities to soar with jumps and lifts. Haynes and freshman Annalise Van Even, garbed in nude costumes, had great chemistry on stage. At the beginning of the piece, Van Even danced as if she were running away from an unknown pursuer. Later, it became apparent that she was searching for Haynes, whom Johnson described as a “guardian
angel” or “safety net” in the program notes. Haynes reflected this description when he supported Van Even as she extended her body into a midair split. Perhaps the most unconventional piece of the evening was “Dice.” Featuring alumni Norberto Collazo and Abraham Texidor in exaggerated goggles and earth-tone tights, “Dice” called for bug-like choreography, incorporating convulsive movements and intricate male-onmale partnering reminiscent of predators hunting prey. As the evening progressed, the number of dancers onstage grew with pieces like the all-male “Tribal Prime” and the atmospheric “Derivative,” which featured a pulsing score and silhouetted dancers. “All Foam, No Content” translated the everyday routines of New Yorkers to the stage with movements evocative of rolling out of bed, getting dressed and a morning subway commute. But the ensemble piece that rose above the rest was Valeria Gonzales’ powerful “all women in me are.” She focused her work on not
STAFF PHOTO BY VERONICA LIOW
This past weekend’s Tisch Dance MFA 1 Concert, a program of original works both choreographed and performed by students, introduced many artistics and political themes, such as gender roles and domestic abuse. just art, but also the role it can play in social awareness. “The piece aims to speak up and bring an awareness that domestic violence is not only physical,” Gonzales said. The dance began with an eerily lit, low-to-the-floor solo performed by the piece’s lead, sophomore Isadora Elmira, followed by a corps of women dressed in multicolored bobbed wigs. It was here where dance stood out, not only as a medium of art, but also as a message. Gonzales incorporated both choreographed sequences and impro-
visation from the dancers, exploring the mental and physical pain of domestic abuse. Gonzales said she hopes “all women in me are” empowers and inspires everyone, especially the women who see it. The showcase left viewers both awed and confident that dance was more than mere entertainment, if it has ever been that — it is a medium of communication and expression more intimate than speech, and more visual than literature. Email Ryan Mikel at entertainment@nyunews.com.
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Maggie Rogers Leaves No Sound Unturned
By CONNOR GATESMAN Contributing Writer
NYU alum Maggie Rogers rocketed to stardom after last year’s nod from Pharrell. She dropped her first EP, on Friday, titled “Now That the Light Is Fading.” Following a newly-minted deal with Capitol Re-
record. As viral as the song has become, it still sounds fresh and continues to impress with every listen. Rogers’ vocals are dynamic and natural as she walks “through icy streams that took [her] breath away,” and conjures an idyllic nature scene that isn’t easily forgotten. The driving, stripped-down
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This genre-melding, major label debut was no doubt an impressive first go for the fledgling musician and shows a lot of promise for projects to come.
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cords, Rogers reaches for new heights with this EP, albeit with varying results. The starting track, “Color Song,” is unbelievably chilling and organic. Without the need for a beat, her voice glides through the track with ease and solemnity. The track frames the EP perfectly and beckons the listener to continue the journey into the musical wilderness. Next up is “Alaska” — the singer’s debut single and no doubt the standout song on the
beat abounds with vivacity and deftly complements her singing. The chorus is a glowing and groovy mix, and it’s easy to see why this song has held up so well in the ever-challenging musical market. As the EP moves forward, however, it loses some of its vitality. “On + Off,” a song with a heavy-hitting and hazy beat combined with synched vocals, sounds uninspired and jarring compared to the previous tracks. The soundscape of this song is at best an imitation of
theLordes and Tove Los of late. It does little to advance Rogers’ promising sound. The following song, “Dog Years,” starts off well. The combination of Rogers’ versatile voice and jingling percussion harken to a mysterious world. As the beat fully comes into the fray, however, her voice becomes restrained and loses its signature vocal dynamism. The sound and vibe that Rogers so strongly put forward with her first two tracks now seems disjointed. The final track, “Better,” is a welcome return to what initially made this record an exciting listen. The warm synths envelope the song, and her voice is once again liberated. The song drives forward in a much more unique and mystical fashion than the two previous tracks. The fluctuating melodies warp and bend harmoniously with her vocals throughout the whole song, making for a memorable end to the EP. While this project loses some steam halfway through, her closing track makes an earnest effort to regain that momentum. As Rogers tries a variety of musical hats in this EP, the vibe she begins with is by far the one that resonates the most. This genre-melding, major label de-
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NYU Clive Davis alum Maggie Rogers released her debut EP “Now That the Light Is Fading” last Friday, Feb. 17. but was no doubt an impressive first go for the fledgling musician and shows a lot of promise for projects to come. While the EP isn’t perfect, it’s concrete evidence that Rogers has captured a sound that’s not going to fade away anytime soon.
You can find “Now That the Light Is Fading” on all major streaming services and as a physical CD and vinyl release through Amazon. Email Connor Gatesman at music@nyunews.com.
Art and Affection Collide in ‘Sunday in the Park’ By KAMILA DAURENOVA Contributing Writer
COURTESY OF MATTHEW MURPHY
Annaleigh Ashford and Jake Gyllenhaal led “Sunday in the Park With George” at the Hudson Theater. The show, full of renowned Tony winners and veteran Broadway performers, will play until April 23.
ARTS CLASSIFIEDS
For a limited 10-week engagement ending April 23, Jake Gyllenhaal and Annaleigh Ashford will lead a cast of Tony winners and seasoned Broadway veterans in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical “Sunday in the Park With George” at the Hudson Theater. Director Sarna Lapine’s production focuses on artistic obsession and the isolation that accompanies it. As a part of its star talent, the production also features two NYU alumni. Steinhardt alumna Ruthie Ann Miles, the second Asian actress to win a Tony, plays Frieda and Betty, and her powerful voice resonates through the theatre with incredible clarity and precision during both her roles. Tisch professor Michael McElroy shines in the ensemble.
In Act I, a liberally-bearded Gyllenhaal plays the 19th-century impressionist painter Georges Seurat, as he works on his masterpiece “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.” Ashford portrays his muse and model Dot, a woman who loves him but cannot fit into his work-consumed life. She eventually leaves him for a more practical suitor, Louis the Baker. Sondheim’s soundtrack imitates the painter’s pointillistic style. It is generally unmelodious and demands complete vocal control and flexibility. Gyllenhaal displays his capacity for the soundtrack’s demands with his delivery of “Finishing the Hat,” conveying the painter’s isolation and restrained despair with a rich and steady timbre. In “Color and Light,” he stabs at a canvas with his brush, supported by Ken Billington’s
perfectly-timed lighting design as he cries “red” and is boldly illuminated by the color for a striking effect. Ashford, on the other hand, has comedic edge and likeability, but her opening number “Sunday in the Park With George” lacks a final push. Her sound feels empty even within the stripped-back production design. Act II skips forward a full century, with Gyllenhaal now playing George — Seurat’s descendant and American multimedia artist. Ashford trades corsets and rouge for a southern drawl and wheelchair, portraying Gyllenhaal’s 98-year-old grandmother Marie. Lapine’s directing shines in “Putting It Together,” a lengthy sequence of interactions exploring what an artist mudt do to succeed commercially. After Marie’s death, George makes a trip to Paris to
install his piece “Chromolume #7” at the where his ancestor drew. Beowulf Borrit’s scenic design brings the City of Love onstage for “Lesson #8,” where George sings of his doubts, while the glimmering canals of Paris flicker behind him. Sondheim’s unconventional score and Lapine’s lyrical torrents don’t stay looping in your head after you’ve left the theater, yet the show so wholly captures the essence of pointillistic art that a window is opened into the soul of George’s character, who would otherwise be inaccessible. If Seurat’s meticulous attention to detail had carried through, there is no doubt that the production would have found that final push it needed to be truly transcendent. Email Kamila Daurenova at theater@nyunews.com.
Are you an artist looking for someone to collaborate with? A musician seeking a gig accompanist, a director seeking actors, an actor seeking a headshot photographer, or anything you might want a fellow students help with? You can list yourself in WSN’s weekly Arts Classified section and get your name out to the NYU community.
Send your name, NYU email address, and a brief description of what you’re looking for to the Arts Editor at arts@nyunews.com.
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I Tried... Eating Gluten-Free at NYU Dining By DREW LEDERMAN Contributing Writer
As a person who lives off salads, I jumped at the chance to try this challenge. Although I am not gluten-free, I was really excited to taste the pastries and cereals in the gluten-free sections of all the dining halls. Join me as I try to find out if bread is still good when going gluten-free in NYU’s dining halls.
Day 1: Third North
PHOTO BY MICHAELA GALVIN
To reduce bloating and to gain more energy, try eating gluten-free food, available at all the dining halls.
By LIV CHAI Staff Writer From model-off-duty to effortless glam, fashion has turned to the casual girl-next-door for new, fresh and toned-down looks. Dressing down instead of dressing to the nines has become much more than an excuse for a lazy day — it’s become a fashion statement. The effortless look has always been in, but with the introduction of mixing athleisure and statement pieces —- such as combining sheer cut out leggings and a daring leather jacket — becoming more commonplace, dressing up seems to be exclusively reserved for more formal events rather than day-to-day life. On the runways, designers have embraced the casual yet
By ALYSSA KELLY Contributing Writer We’ve all woken up on a Monday morning to see that a new blemish has arisen overnight. The typical cleanse, tone and moisturize just isn’t cutting it anymore. Switching up the bedtime skincare products in your regular routine can completely change the game when it comes to fighting bad skin.
Masks
After washing your face with your favorite cleanser and toner, a face mask is the perfect way to remove any remaining imperfections. If you have acne-prone skin, try the L’Oreal Paris Detox and Brighten Clay Mask to dry out pimples and cleanse the skin before bed. If you’re looking to wake up with a morning glow on your face, check out Yes to Miracle Oil
I walked into the Third North dining hall and immediately saw the salad bar glaring at me. After staying up the night before, all I wanted was something filling, so salads were not an option. I knew every dining hall had a gluten-free section, but Third North’s was expertly hidden. I did a 360 and saw the bright yellow sign beckon-
ing: “Gluten Free Selections.” Classy, yet understated. I had a nice banana and peanut butter, with a side of gluten-free Chocolate Chex. Healthy? Maybe not. Sweet and satisfying? Yes.
Day 2: Lipton and Palladium
Lipton salads are wholesome meals because you can mix and match so many combinations of various vegetables, dried fruits and proteins. I checked the sidebar and the vegetarian section for special toppings, but settled for beets, corn and sunflower seeds, which I ate happily. Palladium salads are also beautiful, with great toppings and savory honey mustard salad dressing. That dressing is the best part of any salad. Having consumed two salads in one day, I felt energized and ready for the rest of the upcoming days.
Day 3: Lipton and Kimmel
I love Lipton. Get in on those spicy lentils, glazed sweet potatoes and Moroccan chickpeas — you will be one happy person. For dinner I had nachos made from corn chips at Kimmel. Even the gluten-free students can settle their southwest cravings.
Day 4: Upstein and Lipton
Upstein has few gluten-free options, but their salads are not half bad. Still, beware of getting them at the end of the day, when the ingredients have been sitting out for several hours already. Today, I went with a Greek mix: olives, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes and, of course, tofu for the extra protein. Lipton dinner is never a bad idea for gluten-free students, because when you are sick of salads, you have the option to toast a gluten-free bagel and eat it with an
array of toppings. Hint: Nutella bagels are simple and delicious
Day 5: Peet’s and Downstein
For a lazy lunch day, Peet’s is the perfect spot to sit with your coffee and fruit salad, which is exactly what I did. Downstein has a limited gluten-free section, but they have surprisingly good soups. Despite my diet being mostly gluten-free anyway, after five days I felt less bloated and more energized. Also, some dining halls put Honey Nut Cheerios in the non-gluten-free section, but they are gluten-free. Do not be fooled. I definitely didn’t lose weight, but I did feel great. I would definitely recommend going gluten-free even on a meal plan. Email Drew Lederman at dining@nyunews.com.
Comfy Chic is Back in Style
tasteful details that make an outfit. Since athleisure entered high fashion, the main focus has been pulled from the clothing to the details — jewelry, caps, scarves and socks. In Max Mara’s Spring 2017 collection, the subdued tropical print, matching cap and daring black sunglasses took the look from gym-worthy to day-to-day worthy. Using accessories to build an outfit explains the popularity of the choker trend — it elevates casual outfits for a night out. Another option is to tie a scarf loosely to bring even the most comfortable plain skinnies and equally plain tank to life. Rihanna is a prime example of how dressing down or dressing up can look fashionable. She dropped some jaws in a floor-length fur skirt and glitzy
orange crop top combo and turned heads in her Fenty Puma by Rihanna collection sweatsuit and flashy white thigh-highs. Apart from the different outfit choices, accessories create subtle details and give even comfortable sweats the aura of a red carpet ball gown. Of course dressing up doesn’t exclusively entail a floor-length gown and heels, but this new focus on keeping things toned down — specifically, gravitating towards elevated casual, sporty looks rather than towards dresses and formal pieces — seems to be the new definition of dressed to the nines. It’s a new age of comfort, allowing you to say “yes” to yoga pants on a night out or to a tracksuit to New York Fashion Week. This acceptance of low-key style re-
PHOTO BY BO HUGHES
Lazy day outfits are in — many people are now mixing athleisure with statement pieces for a nice, casual look. flects the range of fashion that spans from keeping things casual to going all out. The dominance of athleisure and dressing down doesn’t mean it’s the end of glitz and glam.
Perfect Your Beauty Sleep
Brighten and Condition Mask. The argan oil-infused mask hydrates skin while giving it a brighter appearance. For a richer and more radiant finish, look for Shiseido’s Ibuki Beauty Sleep Mask. The vitamin-packed mask brightens, clears and moisturizes your face, all in one night’s sleep.
Creams
Moisturizing should be a top priority for people of all skin types. Hydrating your face before you sleep allows the moisturizing cream to soak in for eight hours, enhancing the skin’s texture. For acne-prone users, try Mario Badescu’s Seaweed Night Cream to soften and clear skin. The health properties — including cleansing, exfoliating and anti-inflammatory effects — of the seaweed work into your skin to leave it silky smooth the next morning. If you’re at-
tempting to repair dry patches and obtain softer skin, use Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Night Cream. Ingredients like clary sage work with your skin to hold moisture in for much longer, giving you an allover dewy finish. In addition to face creams, eye creams can diminish fine lines and dark circles after hours of studying
for exams. Use Tarte’s Maracuja C Brighter Eye Treatment to hydrate and replenish the under-eye area, lightening any dark circles and making your eyes pop.
Serums
Now that you’ve cleansed, detoxed and moisturized your face, apply vitamin-and-mineral-packed serums to aid in overnight skin
STAFF PHOTO BY RENEE YANG
Along with creams and serums, use a mask to soak up oil, dry up impurities or add moisture.
Instead, fashion seems to be going back to its roots — feeling and looking good. Email Liv Chai at bstyle@nyunews.com.
rejuvenation. For those with persistent acne, try Philosophy’s Help Me Retinol Night Cream. The retinol lowers inflammation while firming and tightening skin. For soft skin in the morning, try First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum to pack the moisture into your pores and recharge your skin’s texture. Tarte’s Maracuja Oil also offers a natural way to repair damaged skin and revitalize your face while you sleep. To finalize your routine, the Pamper Me Soothing Gel Eye Mask both rejuvenates and plumps the eye area to keep away dark circles. Whether you use one, two or all of these remedies, get ready to wake up tomorrow with a beautiful and radiant complexion. Email Alyssa Kelly at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY TAYLOR NICOLE ROGERS FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
By LAURA RUBIO Contributing Writer
7
Poverty Prison
Imagine sitting in a cell and awaiting trial for a misdemeanor: you are unable to return to your family, because you cannot afford the bail that was set at arraignment. At this point, you are no longer innocent until proven guilty — you are jailed until proven wealthy. According to the Criminal Justice Agency of New York City, this is the reality for 84 percent of non-felony defendants. Bronx Freedom Project Director Ezra Ritchin works to solve that problem. Now NYU can make a difference through the Dollar Bail Brigade, a partnership between Broome Residential College and the Bronx Freedom Fund. Ritchin heads the first charitable bail organization in New York and spends his days bailing people out of jail while also helping them keep their jobs or placements at homeless and family shelters. By bailing residents out, Richin also keeps them from admitting to crimes they did not commit. “What happens is you go to jail, and the only way to get out of jail is to plead guilty,” Ritchin said. Regardless of whether residents choose to plead guilty, he said the first few days spent in jail are unbelievably damaging. According to the Justice Policy Institute, a national nonprofit organization that wants to reduce the use of incarceration and advance alternative fair policies, people in pretrial detention can lose their jobs because of workplace absence; others may lose their housing; and for some, their children must face the subsequent challenges of having a parent facing incarceration.
Launched last year in December, the Dollar Bail Brigade allows NYU students to be “on call” whatever day they choose, so when a judge orders someone to be held on a one-dollar bail on their day, the student can pay the fee to get them released. “It seems like a really easy way to give back,” Tisch freshman Hannah Ford said. “It seems ridiculous that there are people who have bail
ing our criminal court system. Unlike the sensationalized accounts on television shows like “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” and “Law & Order,” the real court system is less just. “We do not have a system that is administering justice based on citizens weighing the evidence presented to them and then coming to a verdict,” Ritchin said. “We have a system that is based exclusively on manufacturing and extracting
“
It seems ridiculous that there are people who have bail that’s just one-dollar, and they can’t pay it. HANNAH FORD, TISCH FRESHMAN
”
that’s just one-dollar, and they can’t pay it.” According to the Bronx Freedom Fund, the bail exists to ensure that defendants attend all their court dates to get their money back — a refundable down payment of sorts. The problem, of course, is that not everybody can afford the bail. By bailing people out with donations, the Bronx Freedom Fund is putting its money on the line, not the defendant’s, to ensure they attend their court dates. “Over 95 percent of the people we bail out come to all of their court dates,” Ritchin said. “They come back anyway, and then we get the money back from their cases and are able to use it again.” This revolving fund helps sustain the Bronx Freedom Fund’s charitable bail system. Ritchin also works to bust many of the myths surround-
PHOTO BY JULIA MOSES
The Dollar Bail Brigade program, a partnership between Broome Residential College and the Bronx Freedom Fund, is helping to bail people with misdemeanors out of jail.
and extorting guilty pleas.” CAS sophomore Amanda Lawson heads the Dollar Bail Brigade and interns at the Bronx Freedom Fund. She also expressed that the criminal justice system should eradicate these financial traps set up for people with less money, so Lawson is grateful for the opportunity to work for the Freedom Fund under Ritchin’s leadership. “Ezra is an amazing role model,” Lawson said. “He’s working in a non-profit helping local residents, helping people of color so he’s just inspirational in that way.” Ritchin, as modest as Lawson makes him out to be, is grateful for the way that the Bronx Freedom Fund has affected him. “It’s definitely opened my eyes to all these different lives that are being destroyed at the same time and in the same place,” he said. “When you’re sitting in a jail cell with a 16or 17-year-old kid, that’s gonna stick with you.” As for the future, Ritchin doesn’t see himself leaving the Bronx Freedom Fund anytime soon — not as long as there is work that has yet to be done, he said. Ritchin said that his future plans depend on how the bail and pretrial justice system in New York change in the upcoming years. “I can imagine a world in which bail reform goes the right way and the work of the Freedom Fund is left pending because we don’t have thousands of people having bail set on them every day,” he said. “And I can also see a world in which reform doesn’t happen or it goes in the wrong direction or is misguided and, in that case, I don’t see us leaving.” Email Laura Rubio at features@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY ADRIANA TAPIA
Bread is widely eaten as a snack or a meal. But it can also be eaten as dessert or on the go.
The Art of Eating: Bread
By JULIANA FONSECA-ALESSO Contributing Writer
Bread has been a staple food for humans for as many as 30,000 years. It seems impossible to have a good meal without having bread. You can easily incorporate bread into a quick snack or simple meal. Here are a few creative ways to eat bread.
Bread on the Go
In a rush to get to class but haven’t eaten anything? Grab an avocado, mash it and add salt, pepper and lemon juice. Spread the avocado onto toast and now you have an easy and nutritious snack to enjoy before class. If you have time, boil an egg and mix it with the avocado spread. Put the mixture on your toast, add a drizzle of olive oil and you have a delicious snack to go.
Dining Hall
Pass by the dining hall grill and ask for a fried egg. Then toast a slice of bread and put the egg on the toast. Add some potatoes and Sriracha for an extra kick.
Bread for Breakfast
French Toast is easy to make and will fill you up for the rest of your morning. To make it put four eggs, two tablespoons of sugar, half a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of cinnamon in a small dish and mix everything. After this, stir in a quarter cup of milk and dip both sides of the bread into the mixture. Lightly cook both sides of the bread in a pan with butter. Garnish the dish with fruit, powdered sugar and maple syrup to complete this delicious meal.
Bread for Lunch
Grilled cheese is a staple of any college student’s life. Grab two slices of bread, butter each side and put them on a skillet. Add a slice of cheese —and tomatoes if desired — on the slices. After the sides are lightly toasted, flip them over and continue grilling them until the cheese melts. To add ex-
tra flavor, make a simple tomato soup — or buy ready-made soup — to enjoy with your sandwich.
Bread as a Snack
Here’s a great way to make your own crackers: Cut a baguette into small slices and add olive oil on top — flavored olive oil will better the taste — and put the bread in the oven. You can use olive spreads, jam or cheese slices once it’s done.
Bread for Dessert
Spread butter on two slices of bread. Then put them in a skillet until they are lightly toasted. Spread Nutella on each slice, and then add banana and strawberry slices. If you have more spare time, you can also make monkey bread. Coat a tube pan with cooking spray. Separate the bread into multiple sections and cut the sections into quarters. In a bowl mix two tablespoons of brown sugar and five tablespoons of butter and pour it over the pieces. Put the pan into the oven for 30-35 minutes.
Bread for Dinner
If you’re in a rush for dinner, pick up soup from the dining hall. Heat up a pan with butter, garlic powder and dried parsley. Brush that over pieces of baguette and put it in the oven for about 10 minutes. Add cheese to the garlic bread and enjoy with your soup. If you have more time, you can make mini pizzas. You need mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and bread. Add tomato sauce, mozzarella and tomato slices to each slice. Put in the oven for about 10 minutes and garnish the finished pizza with basil. Bread is a great food that can be customized very easily. Its versatility leaves room for creativity and experimentation. It is a very simple food that can be easily amped-up in dorms. Bread, we loaf you. Email Juliana Fonseca-Alesso at dining@nyunews.com
FOR YOUR HEALTH 15,875,000
Americans practice yoga at least once per month
81%
of Americans aged 18-29 believe in God
WS
48.7%
of college students attended counseling for mental health concerns in 2013
F
32.9%
M D o w
of college students took medication for mental health concerns in 2013
2X
LGBT individuals are more likely than straight individuals to have a mental health condition
13%
of adults aged 18-24 years are cigarette smokers
17%
of men are cigarette smokers
Mental Health As the Child of Immigrants By NATASHA ROY News Editor I first noticed my symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder at 11 years old, and I silently hoped the intrusive thoughts would stop taking over my mind as quickly as they had come. Years later, I learned my OCD was marked by obsessions rather than compulsions — unlike widely-held stereotypes — so my India-born parents never saw any physical signs of my disorder. Mental health was not something we had ever discussed in my family, and I had never felt comfortable bringing up my anxieties — I didn’t think my immigrant family would be able to understand what I was going through. Addressing mental health symptoms can be difficult and painful for anybody. But in the United States, organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness help to destigmatize mental health disorders and make it easier for people, especially young Americans, to address their symptoms with families and friends. And within NYU, the Active Minds organization facilitates open discussions surrounding both mental health and advocacy. However, for first-generation Americans, the cultural barriers and stigmas within their parents’ communities can make discussing mental health — and getting treatment — even more difficult. Teetering between the choice to keep my OCD to myself or to share it with my immigrant family is unfortu-
nately a widely shared experience. CAS senior Camila Ramirez experienced this struggle when she first developed anxiety in high school — she did not know how to tell her Chilean mother. Ramirez said she eventually asked her mother to make an appointment with her doctor, where she described her symptoms and was referred to a psychologist. Ramirez, who is now the NYU Active Minds vice president, said her mother was surprised when Ramirez discussed her anxiety symptoms with her doctor, as she had been completely unaware of what her daughter was suffering through. While her mother was supportive and strived to understand Ramirez’s anxiety better, Ramirez said that her parents were rarely exposed to mental health discussions in Chile, so adjusting to Ramirez’s needs was difficult for them. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard [my parents] say anything necessarily negative about mental health,” Ramirez said. “They just don’t talk about it. It’s just not a problem that they think about, and [for them] it’s just like, ‘oh that’s just something that happens to random people. It doesn’t happen to us.’ So it kind of hit them hard when I changed all the rules.” Ramirez was worried about discussing her struggles with her parents because she knew of their hardships — although different — when they immigrated to the United States. “[They had] all that stress, and they didn’t complain at all,” Ramirez said. “I didn’t want to tell them, because it almost seemed like I’d be either failing them at being successful in school and being normal, or it was like ‘[they] did all of this. I can’t even handle something as simple as high school.’” The first psychologist Ramirez met worked with her mother to help her understand mental health beyond her cultural barriers. Now that Ramirez has spoken openly with her family about her mental health, they have grown closer, and members of her extended
Use of mental health services among adults between 2008 and 2012
16.4% 8.45% 4.85% 7.35%
family have worked towards improving their own mental health as well. LS freshman and Active Minds Secretary Kaity Gee, who is of Chinese and Spanish descent, said that mental health in Asian culture is extremely stigmatized. She believes that if more people across the globe are trained to recognize and treat mental health disorders, stigmas will be reduced and people in different countries can receive better treatment. “I feel like especially in certain countries — particularly the Asian countries — there is a huge stigma against treatment of mental health,” Gee said. “My aunt struggles with bipolar type 1, and finding treatment for her in the Philippines has been very, very difficult, just because there’s this huge stigma around mental health and against mental illness.” She said that if there were professionals in those countries treating people with mental health disorders, it would help create dialogues about mental health. Gee thinks it would be an amazing transformation, and she said that in her experience, Asian culture does not encourage people to break from societal standards. “I feel like, especially in Asian cultures, there’s this need for stoicism — like, you know, ‘sit up right, stay calm, nothing’s wrong with us’ — especially in females,” Gee said. “When I first started getting treatment, my parents were just kind of like, ‘What? Oh sh-t, this is not a fake thing.’” Just as Gee’s parents altered their perspective, my parents and I also reevaluated our understanding of mental health. When I finally did tell my mother about my OCD symptoms after almost a year, I was surprised at how accepting she was of my need for treatment. Realizing I needed to take the first step in breaking a cultural silence was my first step in a long process of improving both myself and my perspective on mental health. Email Natasha Roy at nroy@nyunews.com.
D
E p White
Black Asian Hispanic
Exercising in NYC Manhattan Waterfront Greenway Lower Manhattan Loop The High Line Midtown South Loop
W
I t
64.5%
SN Staff: Our Favorite Sex Tips
of Americans ages 18-29 exercised three or more days in the last week
For cum stains, use lemon juice and baking soda.
6
Only states require physical education in every grade, K-12
My female friends recently dragged me to “Fifty Shades Darker.” I was disgusted. I was particularly disturbed to find out that women can store things in their vaginas: books, water bottles or maps of the world. I am so glad I am gay.
Dental dams are a f—cking joke. Don’t bother.
Everyone should pee after both sex and masturbation to prevent diseases and infections.
Calories per serving of alcoholic beverages:
Women have three holes.
153 beer 125 red wine
If you really want to deep throat that good good, use one of those numbing condoms inside-out — your mouth will go numb.
97 80-proof spirits 168 margarita
INFOGRAPHICS BY RACHEL BUIGAS-LOPEZ AND LAURA SHKOURATOFF, DATA FROM THE CENTER FOR COLLEGIATE MENTAL HEALTH, LIVESTRONG, PEW RESEARCH CENTER, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, GALLUP, FITNESS.GOV
Health Beyond the Body By DIAMOND NAGA SIU Editor-in-Chief
“It’s weird to feel like an outsider and insider in a place you’ve always considered safe.”
I recite a short mantra before eating, whisper blessing words when I’m uncertain and as a female, shave my hair. But when asked if I’m religious, I always say no — these Buddhist practices do not fit the Western monotheistic mold of faith. This denial always makes me uncomfortable, since Buddhism is such a large part of my life. Even with less time dedicated to it in college, I began more openly discussing my religion. Although I struggle with finding time to copy full sutras every day while balancing my full 18-credit course load and three jobs, I hold the religion I was born into with greater appreciation and respect every day. LS sophomore Lois Evans, who identifies as a nondenominational Christian, feels a similar way. She said that her perspective on religion has changed immensely since entering college, and before, she identified as “spiritually passive” — only religious enough to go to church. “I went through the motions, because I was used to it, my family did it and I didn’t expect that to change much,” Evans said. “Then I had a really rough summer, went through a lot of emotional issues and really relied on religion to help me out of it. That’s when I became more invested in my spirituality, and I’m glad I did.” For Evans, college was was the first time her religion and ideas about religion were challenged, and she said that these external influences helped ground her own beliefs. Evans began making her own decisions about God and how she practiced her faith. However, GLS sophomore Shashank Rao said that how he views his religion — the Shaivite Sankethi tradition of Hinduism — since starting college has not changed significantly and has only deepened. “Religion has helped me think about how I want to pursue my personal goals and to what end I do so,” Rao said. “Religion has allowed me to feel less depressed and helpless with my life and put my anxieties to rest — to some extent.”
Rao is strongly influenced by the mystic elements of Sufism and philosophy of Buddhism, and he said that while he works in the Hindu Center at NYU and mainly studies Hindu texts, he is now more open to various sources of spiritual knowledge due to the intellectual diversity at NYU. Similarly to Evans, Rao said that the new setting of college helped him escape the parochial ways of thinking about religion — the various classes he took helped him learn more about different religions — and he believes that it gave him a more complete understanding of beliefs and people. I’ve seen that impact as well. Although I no longer feel bound by the word religion, I am gaining so much more knowledge about different beliefs and the additionallearning I must do — figuring out the differences between which faiths believe in what deities, the respective veils of different religions but most importantly, my own beliefs. Starting discussions with people of various religions, especially while in college, makes me more grateful that Buddhism keeps me grounded. And Evans found a similar perspective as she discovered more aspects of her religion. While there are certain practices she does not agree with, she knows religion is a personal process. “I’m still figuring out the changes, making sense of them, understanding that my theology isn’t the same as my parents’ anymore and that there isn’t anything inherently wrong about that, because I have to be an adult and think for myself,” Evans said. “It sucks sometimes, and sometimes it doesn’t. Which is an oversimplified way of saying that it’s weird to feel like an outsider and insider in a place you’ve always considered safe.” But still, Evans said that religion is so deeply ingrained in her identity that she does not want to separate herself from it. She said it’s who she is — complicated and messy — and to her, it is wonderful. Email Diamond Naga Siu at dsiu@nyunews.com.
10
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY THOMAS PRICE OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
UNIVERSITY LIFE
Liberal Studies Through the Eyes of the Students
By POLINA BUCHAK Multimedia Editor
NYU recently announced its second round of early decision acceptances for the incoming freshman class. Without a doubt, potential Violets are now overcome with excitement and a sense of accomplishment. However, it may come as a surprise to some students to see that they have been accepted into the Liberal Studies or the Global Liberal Studies Program. There is no better way to find answers than to speak to students who have experienced the programs first-hand. Amanda Braitman, LS freshman LS is not for everyone. It is heavily based in reading and writing, and
you are expected to take part in class discussions. If the thought of your professor knowing your name intimidates you, you should look elsewhere. The point of the program is to give you a base to work up from, a general understanding of [the] humanities that you can refer to in your quest for further education. It works to your advantage: what you put in, that’s what you get out. My professors have all been committed and passionate, and though I sometimes drag my feet going to class, I know that ultimately what I’m learning is valuable, interesting, challenging and above all, meaningful. Asha Ruparell, LS sophomore LS has a lot of pros and cons. I ap-
preciated the small class sizes and personal connections you get with classmates and the professors, but there are also a lot of restrictions. If you know what you want to major in, then it’s perfect because you get to take interesting classes that fit your humanities requirements ,and every school has specific ways for LS students to still get the requirements for their major. The
restrictions come in when you’re completely undecided or are just deciding between two majors. The requirements for LS are such that you only have enough credits for one non-LS class each semester freshman year. Melissa Godin, GLS senior I was drawn to GLS because of the program’s holistic approach to education. I am a strong proponent that one of the best ways to learn is through experience, and GLS — with its emphasis on studying abroad and its focus on experiential learning — seemed like the perfect fit. I had very high expectations for the program coming in, and I can say with utmost confidence, that the program went above and beyond
my expectations. I have lived in New York, Paris and Florence; I have done research in Guatemala and Cambodia; and I have had one-on-one attention with every professor I have ever had. If it weren’t for GLS, I would never have applied for the Rhodes Scholarship, and it is likely I would not be going to do my master’s at Oxford next year. I cannot think of one GLS senior who doesn’t agree that this program has allowed them to develop into more interested and intricate versions of themselves. Read the full version online at nyunews.com. Email Polina Buchak at opinion@nyunews.com.
UNIVERSITY LIFE
Response: 'NYU Should Reevaluate the LS Program'
By LS STUDENT COUNCIL
Dear members of the WSN Editorial Board and the wider NYU Community, We value and encourage student opinion and are always welcome to feedback regarding Liberal Studies. Evaluation is necessary in the growth and development of any program. However, it is also our responsibility to correct the inaccuracies in the op-ed. Washington Square News, as NYU’s student newspaper, is a source of information about the university for not only current, but also incoming students. Many accepted high school seniors — including those accepted into LS and GLS — will be visiting campus over the next few months to learn more about their academic programs and to decide if NYU is right for them. Unfortunately, many other stu-
dents — international and otherwise — will have no such luxury. Instead, they will turn to the internet and eventually reach the WSN op-ed. Thus, the oversimplified presentation of the LS and GLS programs offered in the op-ed will have real-world implications for impressionable potential incoming students whose perceptions of the programs could easily be impacted by the opinions offered in the writing. Our aim in responding is to correct and clarify these inaccuracies in order to instead offer a more true and nuanced representation of the LS and GLS programs. Firstly, NYU Liberal Studies consists of two programs; the two-year Core Program and the four-year degree-granting Global Liberal Studies program. We will be primarily discussing the Core Program — also referred to as LS — as that is the focal point of the op-ed. The college core curriculum
Letter to the Editor is a basic tenet of higher education and one that NYU makes a requirement for their students regardless of major — the number of required classes vary from school to school. In LS, students have the opportunity to complete these required classes in the first two years in seminar-style, largely discussion-based settings with an average of 20-25 students. These classes are taught entirely by professors and the close interactions that students have with professors is one of the most appreciated and rare features of the program. Depending on the school they
choose to transition into for their remaining two years, LS students are required to take other math or science classes. Upon completion, LS students can directly transition to eight other NYU schools — including the College of Arts and Sciences, Steinhardt and Gallatin with the choice of 90 different majors; there is no need for an internal transfer application. LS provides a structure for undeclared students to explore major options, while still fulfilling the college core so that they are not inhibited when they become upperclassmen. Liberal Studies is also the only program at NYU that allows firstyears to study away, whether it be in London, Florence, Paris or Washington, D.C. — an opportunity that is rare among U.S. colleges. Liberal Studies is a program of unique values: providing its students with a crucial foundation through texts born out of the be-
ginnings of societies around the world, while simultaneously allowing its students to apply and supplement their critical knowledge as global citizens through extensive travels. With this global perspective and after having learned from the best professors in intimate class-settings, NYU LS students are equipped to go into any field and bring a unique perspective to any conversation. Personally, we feel lucky that NYU has provided us with the tools to become the innovative, thoughtful members our society needs so much today. Yours sincerely, Liberal Studies Student Council Read the full version online at nyunews.com. Email the LS Student Council at opinion@nyunews.com.
CULTURE
There’s More to Cynicism Than Just Being Obnoxious By HENRY COHEN Staff Writer Millennials are considered the most cynical generation on record due to their disillusionment with politics, social convention and the American Dream. While many millennials seem to have the superficial elements of cynicism – irony, irreverence, independence, among other things – down, there is a prevailing belief that being cynical means being dismissive and obnoxious. However, cynicism is a way of thinking and living that — if done authentically — can make life much less aggravating and full of personal happiness.
Cynicism began as a school of philosophical thought dating back well over a thousand years. Greek thinkers like Antisthenes and Crates of Thebes held the belief that life was complicated by things like obscene wealth, passion and adherence to social conventions. Constructs like social status create needless anxiety and self-consciousness that can never truly bring one happiness. At its core, cynicism is an attempt to rectify this by flouting convention and focusing on one’s own happiness and the happiness of those one cares about. It is not, contrary to how it is often employed, a tool to stand separate from the crowd and make other people feel worse while protecting one’s own sense of
pride. This is the aloofness of cynicism without any of the happiness that it can provide; it is, more often than not, simply obnoxious. A good case study for living the authentic cynical life is that of Diogenes of Sinope, another famous Greek who lived in a tub on the streets of Athens and modeled his behavior after that of a dog. One fa-
mous legend says that Diogenes was once visited by Alexander the Great and his army. The conqueror asked Diogenes if he wanted anything, to which the cynic, hardly impressed, replied, “Yes, stand a little out of my sun.” Alexander later remarked that, “Truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.” On another occasion, Diogenes was confronted about frequently pleasuring himself in public. He replied, “If only it were as easy to banish hunger by rubbing my belly.” Class act. While it is currently de rigeur for millennials to be cynical, this cynicism should come from a place of reason and look at things outside their contexts. Hating what’s pop-
ular to stand out or be obnoxious is inauthentic cynicism — it exhibits the same social consciousness and anxiety from which the true cynic wants to be liberated. Social conventions like gender, sexuality, etiquette, political power and – as Diogenes exhibited – basic human decency should be treated with all the irreverence and skepticism they deserve. What is important is happiness — something that the authentic cynic has in spades. Read the full version online at nyunews.com. Email Henry Cohen at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY THOMAS PRICE OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
POLITICS
STAFF EDITORIAL
Liberals Must Focus on Civil Discourse By SHIVA DARSHAN Staff Writer As various segments of the extreme right gain prominence, it is imperative that the left remember that these groups do not represent all conservatives. As a part of a conspicuously left-leaning community, liberals at NYU must recognize that we need conservatives as part of our political world view. The left-wing groups at NYU and the university should support and even amplify reasonable critics of the left when necessary. Creating a safe space for right-wing opinions and critiques of the left will only make NYU stronger. Civil discourse and debate are the best cures for extremism. This semester, most of the stories about conservatives at NYU have been about the inflammatory speakers invited and the resulting backlash. On campus, the conservative movement seems to be increasingly represented by men who label themselves provocateurs. They have no interest in civil discussion. Instead, they are just purposefully trying to get a rise out of people. Yet banning these speakers
not only plays into the false narrative of the regressive left, it also creates a vacuum that inevitably draws new people towards these far-right speakers. Figures like Milo Yiannopoulos have shaped their livelihoods around these kinds of reactions. Instead we must encourage invitations of conservative intellectuals that actually have something to say. People on the right have far more opportunity to moderate the conversation than the left when it comes to far-right speakers. A conservative presence on campus is necessary to thoughtfully debate the left. Given the current absence, left-wingers at NYU have a responsibility to fill it. Filling a traditionally liberal campus with right-wing thinkers will hopefully help equalize the conservative
presence on campus. However, the left also needs to moderate its own extremists. We should be worried about the effect far left-wing groups, like the Anti-fascists, are having on conservatives. Both their willingness to use violence and their propensity to scream fascist while claiming the moral high ground are dangerous to civil discourse. There is plenty of research that suggests aggressive arguments and anti-whatever actions tend to harden beliefs rather than change them. When Anti-fascists insist on employing unnecessarily aggressive tactics, we should be worried that they are pushing moderates into the arms of the far right. It is time for the left at NYU to recognize its responsibility to protect civil discourse. Since it is the majority at NYU, the left must be cognizant of the feelings of the conservative minority. Encouraging and supporting the voices of our conservative minority will only make NYU stronger in these politically contentious times. Email Shiva Darshan at opinion@nyunews.com.
CULTURE
Oscars Are Still Problematic
By DREW LEDERMAN Contributing Writer
Last year’s Oscar nominations made waves with their abundance of lilywhite nominees, garnering so much backlash and embarrassment that the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite went viral. It was the second year in a row the Academy nominated zero people of color, despite the hope that the Academy’s black president, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, would push for diversity. Just one year ago, the Academy had around 6,000 members, of which three out of every four were men and nine out of every 10 were white. These statistics do not accurately represent the movie-frequenting population — minorities accounted for over half of ticket sales in 2016. Boone Isaacs worked to promote inclusion in this upcoming awards season by reducing Academy membership from lifelong to 10 years, suspending voting rights for members not currently working on a project and adding 638 new members. You can guess that these new additions are a far more diverse bunch. These changes proved fruitful this year at the 89th Academy Awards, where diversity finally received more recognition with minorities represent-
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ing seven out of 20 performance nominees. Additionally, four of the nine nominees for best picture tell stories featuring minorities. These films are covering ground by leaps and bounds, with “Hidden Figures” intersecting black rights and feminism and “Moonlight” intersecting black and LGBTQ communities. Seizing this opportunity to showcase #BlackExcellence and #MinorityExcellence has never been more pressing than in our current political climate. U.S. congressman Steve King’s recent questioning of whether non-white “subgroups” are contributing to our society is indicative of the struggles people of color still face. Although the Oscars made progress this year, some groups remain underrepresented and nearly invisible on the list of nominations: Asians, Latinx and LGBT. Even in 2017, there are no Latinx actors, directors or films nominated. As for Asian nominations,
“Lion” is a singular beacon shining through the absence of a group that comprises 5.6 percent of the U.S. population. The same can be said for “Moonlight” and LGBT. The Oscars are not the only guilty party — all of Hollywood can shoulder the blame. According to a study performed by the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, only 28.3 percent of actors with speaking roles in the movies assessed by the study were non-white, two percent were LGBT. and 37.1 percent were female. None of these statistics are representative of the enormously diverse world we live in, nor do they further the 21st-century ideal of equal opportunity. Instead, they perpetuate the ideals of President Donald Trump’s vision for America, which is a detriment to the art world. While the Oscars may be more diverse this year, this change is only in comparison to the award show’s white-washed past. The Oscars and Hollywood as a whole still have a long journey ahead before they can call themselves truly representative of a beautifully diverse population. Email Drew Lederman at opinion@nyunews.com.
Despite Grievances, NYU Incomparable
NYU is unlike any other university in the world. Located in the heart of New York City, it takes advantage of unique resources that other universities do not possess. NYU’s placement as part of the city prepares its students to survive in the world after graduating in Yankee Stadium. While NYU is idealistic, it is by no means perfect, and it is commendable that the university works to improve its shortcomings while continuing to offer a world-renowned education. This is largely made possible by the excellent faculty — many who are recognized as authorities in their respective fields. However, the university should also hire more academics who are also minorities: ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, sexual and every other minority identity in between. In addition, NYU could vastly further its commitment to diversity and to environmental sustainability, which would make it an even stronger insitution, both to its students and within the global community. The issues that the university faces are apparent, which makes it inexcusable to ignore its problems. So while the administration’s continuing efforts are heartening, we simply wish the process would progress more efficiently. Finally, NYU has one of the largest study abroad programs in the world, which we appreciate as an incredible college experience paired with our city of never-ending resources. Yet these opportunities should not come at the price of other people’s lives. NYU’s expansion must follow basic human rights and cannot propagate the same social issues that students work so hard to combat, such as livable wages, education and gentrification. Unlike Columbia University, which shares our city environment, NYU has no official campus and blends into the surrounding neighborhood without alienating itself with gates and walls. Our integration provides access to a variety of metropolitan attractions — museums, plays, clubs and operas — that enrich both the students’ personal lives and the overall academic experience. Additionally, the lack of separation between the campus and world outside of academia allows students to make connections with a diverse assortment of people. We appreciate that the university encourages students to act independently and mature at a faster rate. While cynicism and negativity may sometimes get the better of us, we are aware of the opportunities and advantages that come with being at NYU. The location, resources and people here create an atmosphere exemplary of what the college experience needs to be, and only by engaging with this atmosphere can students truly thrive. But our engagement as conscious, global citizens includes challenging the adminstration and its practices. We only do so to better our university and to ensure NYU upholds the values
Email the WSN Editorial Board at opinion@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Thomas Price (Chair), Emma Rudd (Co-chair), Andrew Heying (Co-chair) STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY RACHEL RUECKER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Feb. 21 to Feb. 26 By NIKA WOODFILL Deputy Sports Editor
Tennis M: (1,0) W: (2,0) Both tennis teams opened their seasons with strong wins this week, with the men’s team gaining a 6-3 victory over Haverford College in its first season match-up and the women’s team defeating Swarthmore College 7-2 on Saturday for its second league win. The men’s performance was bolstered by strong records from sophomore Benedict Teoh (6-2, 6-1) and senior Umberto Setter (6-2, 6-0). The women’s similarly strong performance on Saturday was maintained by freshman Rupa Ganesh (6-2, 7-6) and sophomore Alice McGinty (7-5, 6-2) who each won their matches in both singles and doubles. Both teams will travel to Skidmore College for their next match-up on Saturday, March 4.
Basketball M: (7-18, 2-12), W: (13-12, 3-11) The basketball teams closed their seasons with disappointing losses to Brandeis University, with the women’s team falling 50-47 and the men’s team losing 8680 on Saturday. The women’s team gained an early lead that was quickly overtaken by Brandeis. Brandeis maintained the lead until the third quarter when senior Simone Jacques’ point brought the score to 34-33. However, the Violets failed to secure an advantage and fell behind in the final quarter. Despite the men’s team’s close final score, Brandeis managed to preserve its lead for the entirety of the game, undeterred by strong efforts from the Violets.
Fencing M: (18-8) W: (13-14)
The Violets had mixed results against Stevens Institute of Technology on Tuesday. While the men’s team secured a solid 20-7 win, the women’s team fell 17-10. The women lost 5-4 in both sabre and epee, and continued their losing streak with a 7-2 fall in foil. Despite the final loss, junior Stephanie Cunningham achieved a notable 3-0 result in epee. The men won a strong night with an 8-1 sweep in sabre and two 6-3 victories in both foil and epee.
Track and Field
The Track and Field team had a strong first day of the UAA Indoor Championships, with the men’s team acquiring fourth place and the women’s team sixth place on Saturday. The Violets’ solid start to the championship was aided by sophomore William Lee who won the high jump, and freshman Fatimat Ayinde who took fourth in 55-meter hurdles.
Wrestling (18, 4)
The Violets competed in the NCAA Division III East Region Championships this weekend and finished second overall. The team had four athletes qualify for the NCAA Division III National Championships next month, with freshman champion Blaise Benderoth leading the group.
Men’s Volleyball (9, 3)
The men’s volleyball team swept New Jersey City University in three straight sets (25-23, 2518, 25-15) on Wednesday. This was the Violets’ fourth consecutive win, and they look to continue their streak against Stevens Institute of Technology on Wednesday, March 1. Email Nika Woodfill at nwoodfill@nyunews.com.
404 Athletics: One Year Later By LORENZO GAZZOLA Contributing Writer
After NYU’s Jerome S. Coles gym closed in 2016 for the construction of a new facility at 181 Mercer St., 404 Fitness on Lafayette Street has become very popular among students and the varsity teams that previously trained at Coles. However, 404 has faced a few issues since opening. In the past few months, the gym has experienced some structural problems, leading to several inspections by the New York Fire Department and to the gym closing for the Feb. 4-5 weekend. Although it is rumored that 404’s ceiling is unable to hold the weight of the upper-floor strength equipment, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Frank Sicignano said this was untrue. “There are no concerns with the structural stability of the building,” Sicignano said. “We take the responsibility of maintaining our facilities seriously.” Sicignano did agree, however, that there have been some issues at the 404 facility. “As with any new construction, there are unforeseen issues that may arise,” Sicignano said. “NYU has occupied the building for exactly one year, and in that time there have been a few minor issues, such as some plaster falling off or a loose air duct. However, those issues have all been resolved.” Despite these problems, senior and varsity soccer captain Petter Aasa has enjoyed the opening of 404. “I was a frequent goer to Cole’s when that gym still existed, and I think that 404 is a big improvement,” Aasa said. “Not only is it more spacious, but it also has more equipment
and accessories necessary for a great workout.” 404’s impact extends beyond the individual student — it has been an important contribution to the NYU community. Frequent users of the Palladium Athletic Facility on 14th Street have noticed less people in the gym with the opening of 404, decreasing traffic during the facility’s busiest hours. Students now have a choice between Palladium and 404 for where they want to work out. For students like Aasa, it is a matter of personal preference. “I don’t go to 404 as much anymore,” Aasa said. “I prefer going to Palladium, because I live just a block away. I wish 404 had more open squat racks and
more bench presses as the demand for those greatly exceeds the available supply.” The same reasoning motivates LS freshman Tilly Holmes to go to 404. “I like 404, because it’s so close to Washington Square and easy for me to go to after class,” Holmes said. “I live in Lipton so it’s an easy walk, and it’s also a really nice gym so I enjoy going there.” It’s no doubt that the opening of 404 has been a boon to the NYU community, as students all benefit from the university promoting exercise and healthy living. Email Lorenzo Gazzola at sports@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY RYAN QUAN
NYU 404 Fitness, a gym for students, is located on Lafayette Street between East Fourth Street and Astor Place. As a replacement of the Jerome S. Coles gym on Mercer Street that closed last year, 404 opened in February 2016.
How Athletes Maintain a Healthy Diet By MADDIE HOWARD Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY RENEE YANG
A healthy diet is important for NYU athletes to optimize their performance. To avoid spending time and money on off-campus food, dining halls can provide nutritious meals as well.
One of the most exciting parts of living in New York City as a college student is the food. No matter what part of the city you are in, there are hundreds of restaurants in the vicinity that offer delicious meals. However, having so many options make sit difficult to stay on one’s meal plan, while also make it difficult to stay healthy. Maintaining a healthy diet is especially important for the NYU athletic community members. Given their rigorous schedule of games, practices and lifts during the season, eating the best food possible allows them to optimize their sports performance. Freshman track and field team member Evelyn Nkanga ex-
plained the importance of consuming the right foods before an athletic competition. “Eating healthy is important for running, because fatty or greasy foods definitely weigh you down and force your body to do more work,” Nkanga said. “Healthy foods also give you the energy to perform better in your sport.” Many athletes spend much of their time practicing and training at the Palladium Athletic Facility, where they also have access to the building’s dining hall. While dining halls don’t have a reputation for always providing the healthiest options, the athletic community praises NYU for giving students a wide selection of choices, both healthy and unhealthy. Senior and former women’s
soccer team member Cassie Sternberg shared her opinions on NYU’s food offerings. “It is definitely possible to be healthy on the NYU meal plan,” Steinberg said. “Our dining halls offer such a huge variety of options. The hard part is having to choose one Lipton cookie rather than four. But the dining halls definitely do offer everything an athlete needs to properly fuel. It is just about making informed and healthful choices.” These healthier options can especially be seen in Palladium, where the dining hall offers a piece of fruit or a small salad with a meal. Freshman softball player Callie Sacaccio thinks the dining halls do a pretty good job but she wouldn’t mind some more fresh poultry and produce.
“Overall the dining halls have some pretty good options,” Sacaccio said. “The one thing I really think they’re missing out on is a better variety of fresh fruit. Definitely that, and sometimes the chicken portions aren’t super substantial.” Ultimately, maintaining a diet that helps one both prepare for and recover from competitions is essential to the NYU athlete’s physical process. Living in New York provides many options for food, but dining halls also give student-athletes access to high quality meals, allowing them to eat nutritious foods and lessening the temptation to go off campus for food, which only adds time to their busy schedules. Email Maddie Howard at sports@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
13
SPORTS
EDITED BY RACHEL RUECKER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Martin and Varney: On the Ice to Behind the Bench By RACHEL RUECKER Senior Editor
Sitting against the glass at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink as men’s league players hit the boards, Coach Mike Martin joked about his former player-turned-coaching partner, Spencer Varney’s discovery of the difficulties that come with coaching. “Why aren’t the guys just doing what we tell them to do? It’d be so easy if they just did what we told ‘em.” That’s what Varney asked Martin one day early on in the season. “Day in, day out, coaching is pretty aggravating and stressful,” Martin said. Of course, both concede that at the end of the day, there is so much more to it than that. Varney and Martin comprise the terrible twosome of assistant coaches who have helped NYU hockey head coach and Yoda-like figure Chris Cosentino, as well as goaltending coach Dan Fortunato, lead the team to greatness this season.
graduate careers, then briefly as graduate students before moving to roles behind the bench. Martin, who graduated from SPS in 2008, has been with the Violets even longer than Cosentino has been. He first joined the team as a freshman in 2004 and made the switch to coaching after a year playing as a graduate student during the 2009-10 season. Varney, who graduated from SPS in 2014, joined the coaching staff only this season after being away from the Violets for a year. He spent that year soaking in becoming a national champion as a graduate student — a win that was many, many years in the making. “I only scored like 10 goals in my whole career here, but had a pretty good plus/minus and was captain for my junior and senior year,” Varney said. “And then [that following] summer, I was in Europe and [Cosentino] texted me and was like ‘Hey, did you hear we’re looking a new coach?’ and I said ‘Who are you thinking of ?’”
“
The real satisfaction is seeing these guys grow and change and become great people over the course of four years. MIKE MARTIN
”
With the ACHA Division 2 National Championship looming, more greatness could be on the horizon. Neither are strangers to the NYU hockey program, both having been players in their under-
Cosentino told him to give him a call when he returned to the states. And now? “Here I am,” Varney said. In a program all about uniting and supporting one another, having someone like Varney, with a
vested interest in the program and maintaining its legacy on and off the ice, was crucial. “A lot of people reached out to us from across the country with a lot of great coaching experience,” Martin said. “We knew we wanted someone who had that embedded dedication and loyalty to the program. I think this year’s just been affirmation that we made the right call with him, for sure.” This experience mirrors how Varney first started playing with the Violets. Cosentino and Martin had spotted him playing a game against the Apple Core, and the rest is history. Now, the real fulfillment in coaching comes from seeing the players grow from the boys who walk into the locker room for the first time to the men who leave it. “We’ve been really fortunate as a pair of coaches to have players that have had the [level of ] intensity and commitment that we have, at least, if not exceeding it,” Martin said. “There were points where [the players] hated us and [said] we’re terrible coaches and ‘what are they doing this for; they’re all crazy,’ but at the end of the road I think they saw why and they saw that it was worth it.” Both Varney and Martin emphasized that the NYU hockey program values character more than success and failure on the ice. It’s about having the drive to win. Both men were around for the 2015 National Championship title — Varney on the ice and Martin behind the bench — so they know a thing or two about that drive. “The biggest thing that’s applicable to hockey and life is just how incredibly, immensely diffi-
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
The NYU hockey team playing at their home ground of Chelsea Piers. Spencer Varney and Mike Martin are the assistant coaches of the team, with the head coach being Chris Cosentino and goaltending coach, Dan Fortunato. cult it is to be the best at something,” Varney said. “For three years, every year, we took a step closer, but there was always loss and there was failure and we almost failed again in the year we won. It was just like all of those years of failure had built this hunger [to succeed].” While the ultimate goal would be to have a new banner at the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink to sit alongside the 2015 edition, Varney said he would love to see the team come together on a new level. “I think we have the skillset and, I hope, the determination and hunger to win but really I’d love to see these guys come together and carry each other across like wherever we end up,” Varney said. “I would love to see these guys really truly come together and be that brotherhood.” Sophomore defenseman Eric Boyda sees the impact that Coach Martin and Varney have in
terms of loyalty and leadership within the program. “Their tenure also speaks volumes about their character and the culture of the NYU hockey program,” Boyda said. “Coach Martin and Coach Varney have both dedicated significant portions of their personal time to our team and their passion and humility in the face of such a commitment not only solidifies them as stalwarts of the NYU Hockey program, but sets the precedent for future alumni.” For both coaches, the important thing is not a newly-raised championship banner — nice as it might be — but the people they raise in the locker room. The real satisfaction is seeing these guys grow and change and become great people over the course of four years,” Martin said. Email Rachel Ruecker at rruecker@nyunews.com.
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WSN’S BEAUTY/STYLE BLOG
The Millennial Takeover
By SHERAH NDJONGO, STAFF WRITER
The front row of Fashion Week is no longer the home of high-powered fashion editors and A-list celebrities. These exclusive seats are now reserved for a new crowd: millennials. With more brands jumping onto the bandwagon of catering to the industry’s youngest in-crowd, it’s a good time to get to know some of the fashion world’s brightest new stars.
Tavi Gevinson, 20 @tavitulle
The eclectic founder and current editor-in-chief of Rookie Magazine has been a style influencer since the tender age of 12. On her fashion blog, Style Rookie, Gevinson documented her unique outfits and made impressive commentaries on current happenings in the fashion industry. While her style has evolved since she first found herself in the spotlight, her vintage twists on modern trends and her affinity for funky prints and peculiar accessories has remained the same. If that’s not enough of an excuse to follow her, she’s currently a sophomore studying at Gallatin.
Lily-Rose Depp, 17 @lilyrose_depp
This up-and-coming model, actress and child of actor Johnny Depp and model Vanessa Paradis has already closed the Chanel Haute Couture runway show in the early stages of her career, and she’s showing no signs of slowing down. Her model-off-duty style is unlike no other as she mixes the unexpected, like grunge and glam or chic and casual, to create cohesive outfits. Her stylish spontaneity reflects her free spirit and adventurous personality and sends the positive message to wear whatever you like and stay true to yourself.
Zendaya Coleman, 20 @zendaya
As a singer, dancer and actress, it’s fair to say that Zendaya is a triple threat. She also has ample experience navigating the fashion scene by dabbling in modelling, recently appearing in Dolce & Gabbana advertisements and coming out with her own clothing line, Daya by Zendaya. Zendaya takes pride in the fact that
she’s bold in her fashion choices, often taking risks and thinking outside the box. Rules don’t really apply to her, so expect to see her serve looks that no one else would attempt to wear.
Rowan Blanchard, 15 @rowanblanchard
A talented actress, outspoken feminist and LGBTQ rights activist, Rowan Blanchard didn’t shy from talking about the relationship between fashion and politics at NYFW. In addition to using her platform to spark conversation about issues she’s passionate about, Blanchard has maintained her own unique fashion style. While she is drawn to experimental silhouettes and surprising color combinations, she enjoys switching it up every once in awhile.
Barbie Ferreira, 20 @barbienox
Barbie Ferreira has already taken over Instagram and has cemented her place as an influential model in the industry, but she’s just beginning her journey as an upcoming fashion phenomenon. Promoting body positivity is always a major part of Ferreira’s agenda. She isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo by rocking pieces that she feels confident wearing, and she encourages her followers to dress for themselves and not for anyone else. By replicating Ferreira’s polished and cutting-edge style, you’ll be the only person you’ll want to impress. Millennials are the future of fashion, but they’re leading the way on their own terms. They are the first generation to improve the convenience and accessibility of marketing through social media. This has inadvertently made designers and brands change the ways they interact with their customers online and offline to accommodate millenials’ habits. With this batch of daring individuals representing this generation, the future of fashion looks exciting. Email Sherah Ndjongo at violetvision@nyunews.com.
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Halfway to Nowhere By SIMONA IVANOVA
VIII. Be the Stranger everywhere. Write and rejoice in nothingness. Let someone take your hand and kiss each finger, one by one, 15 minutes after you’ve met them. Radiate. Tell her you love her. Plan to tell him he makes your heart swell with tenderness. Call your mother and ask for forgiveness. Count the days until you meet your dad again. Lie to yourself that you won’t cry when you embrace. IX. Remember what it meant to have a Home. Remember the socialist architecture, covered by fresh snow, the muddy streets, the slurs written all over the apartment buildings. Remember that it has never been New York Melancholy. It has always been and will be Slavic Grief. Remember hearing your father tell you he is becoming sadder and sadder. Remember hearing your mother tell you she is struggling to learn the Strange language. Hear her mispronounce “lavatory” but don’t correct her. Read the full version online at wsnunderthearch.com.
Missing By KATIE MULKOWSKY Back there, home to me was never my house — it was every sunset spot where temporary love could be built into the backseat of a car, parked cliffside and dangling. It was the places where friends grew together and apart, where dads got cancer or didn’t, where Nicks surfed and learned and became people. New York wasn’t home until it, too, contained artifacts: floorboard of the first I love you, floorboard of the spilled wine, floorboard that trembled one spring night under the weight of too many bodies. In Cape Town we argued for the right to basic infrastructure but also for the right to this type of story, for the right to a home filled with messes and memories and mistakes. Read the full version online at wsnunderthearch.com.
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NANCI HEALY Editorial Adviser
RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH Editors-at-Large
ALEX BAZELEY, GABRIELLA BOWER, ANNE CRUZ, GRACE HALIO, JESSICA MARTINEZ, SHAWN PAIK Senior Editor
RACHEL RUECKER
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published in print on Mondays and throughout the week online 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 the managing editors at managing@nyunews.com