Washington Square News May 1, 2017

STAFF PHOTOS BY RENEE YANG, DESIGNED BY RACHEL BUIGAS-LOPEZ AND LAURA SHKOURATOFF

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM

NYU Sophomores Stumble Upon IT Hack

By HERMAN LEE Staff Writer Two Tandon students from the Offensive Security, Incident Response and Internet Security Laboratory have discovered a vulnerability in the NYU Print Service that would allow black hats — individuals who use their extensive computer knowledge to breach internet security — to take full control of any computer, as long as it is connected to the same Wi-Fi service as the printer, according to one of the two students. Tandon sophomore Nick Gregory, one of the two students responsible for discovering the vulnerability, said that fellow OSIRIS member and Tandon freshman Kent Ma accidentally discovered the vulnerability when he was bored one day. “[Ma] basically decided to see what was running on his laptop, just as a sort of self-scan,” Gregory said. “Then he realized that there was a service that [was] listening to anything out there, and we started looking at it, and within the night we [noticed] it crashing.” Gregory said that he and Tandon senior Christopher Thompson investigated the vulnerability and wrote an exploit — a method hackers use to access computers — with the help of Tandon graduate student Tyler Bohan. “The print service on your computer is constantly listening for

connections from the outside world, so it is supposed to just be listening to connections from NYU's main print server,” Gregory said. “However, it is not filtered enough, so anybody can be connected to your computer. We found a certain exploit where if you sent it a maliciously crafted packet, you can redirect the flow of the program instead of just doing what it's supposed to [do].” Gregory said that from there, the flow can be hijacked and pointed to another code elsewhere. A hacker’s own code could be running on the computer. Gregory said that once hackers could run their codes on the targeted computer, they could, in theory, take complete control of the computer’s functions and software. He said that hackers can put people’s personal information at risk by ransom-waring a computer, turn it into a bitcoin mining machine or use it as part of a botnet, which is a network of machines with viruses. He also that those who use the NYU Print Service could easily remedy the issue by going to the NYU Print Service website and updating their software, but those who fail to do so could have their computers compromised. According to Gregory, the vulnerability was fixed in the last version of the NYU Print Service released in March, but all previous versions of the service contain

this vulnerability. “[The NYU Print Service] does not automatically update, which is one of the reasons why this is such a problem,” Gregory said. “[Students] have to manually go and update it into the most recent version. It does not auto-update.” NYUIT said that they alerted NYU students to the vulnerability on their website. They said that upon discovering the vulnerability, NYU posted an alert on its security page urging clients to install necessary updates. “As was the case with the remote printing software, vulnerabilities are frequently undetectable by users,” NYUIT said. “We urge students to install software updates on their personal devices as soon as they become available.”

VIA TWITTER.COM

Lenore Tiefer, a NYU School of Medicine psychiatry professor, was fired for not receiving her annual flu shot. At NYU Langone Medical Center, the influenza shot is important for patient safety. By HTOO MIN Deputy News Editor NYU School of Medicine psychiatry professor Leonore Tiefer was recently fired — for not receiving her annual flu shot. In Tiefer’s termination letter, she was told that since the School of Medicine had not received evidence of her influenza vaccination, her faculty appointment would be terminated effective immediately. Tiefer has her own private practice and is not exclusively involved with the university, so even though — according to Tiefer — doctors at Langone had the option to wear a mask instead of being immu-

grams up to date.” Amin also said that more white hats — computer hackers who aim to improve security — are needed to identify and remedy vulnerabilities before too much damage is done. “We and security researchers around the world are always looking for these vulnerabilities in the programs we use every day, but currently there's just not enough eyes looking at these problems,” Amin said. “The world needs more white hat hackers to keep us all safe. If you're worried about your cyber safety, there's plenty of ways for anyone to get involved.” Email Herman Lee at news@nyunews.com.

STAFF PHOTO BY EUAN PRENTIS

Two Tandon students have discovered a vulnerability in the NYU Print Service that would allow an individual to take full control of a computer as long as they are connected to the same Wi-Fi.

Flu Shot-Free Professor Fired nized with the annual flu shot, she assumed that the policy did not apply to her since she is not a Langone employee. “The mandatory flu vaccine policy at the NYUSOM is new this year — last year and before, there was an option to wear a mask,” Tiefer said. “Something changed this year — I don't know what it is because the science around the vaccine hasn't changed. [It’s] some new and excessively heavy-handed administrative initiative for some reason. I am a psychologist in private practice and have no patient contact at NYU so I did not regard the policy as applying to me.” Tiefer said that the shot would have had little to no effect, so she made the decision to forgo it. To her dismay, many of her NYU faculty privileges were stripped without notice. “I also know that the effectiveness of the flu shot is fairly low — it's not a big-deal vaccine like polio or measles,” Tiefer said. “I was extremely surprised when my NYU email [address], library access and web page were suddenly and without warning taken down.” Chief Epidemiologist at NYU Langone Michael Phillips said that the influenza shot is an important immunization and that it is a principle goal to be vaccinated as health care providers because patient safety is paramount in a medical setting. Phillips explained that such a policy should be enforced to ensure both

To prevent future incidents NYUIT said that everyone in the NYU community should sign up to get security alerts delivered to their inboxes. Tandon sophomore Momopranto Amin, the head of OSIRIS, said that vulnerabilities like these were to be expected, so people have to stay vigilant. He said that these vulnerabilities are usually discovered either by accident or through searching for them, like Google’s Project Zero does. “This isn't something antivirus can protect you against and it's impossible to know about all the vulnerabilities in all the programs you have installed on your computer,” Amin said. “The only countermeasure is to try to keep your operating system and pro-

the patient and the doctor are safe. “Influenza is more than just a cold — it is a highly contagious disease that causes serious illness in close to 50,000 Americans each year — and in some cases, death,” Phillips said. “Certain individuals are particularly vulnerable to influenza, including patients — both those that are hospitalized as well as those in the ambulatory setting, particularly with compromised immune systems. As a healthcare provider, ensuring patient safety is our principal goal.” Phillips also said that exemptions can be made if proper documentation is shown. He said that those who refuse to be immunized are to be educated about the importance of shots, and that anyone who still chooses to not abide by the standards is subject to disciplinary action. “For employees seeking a non-medical or a non-religious personal exemption, we do everything possible to educate them about the safety and efficacy of the flu vaccine and its critical role in protecting them and protecting their patients,” Phillips said. “If an employee continues to refuse a flu shot, he or she can be subject to disciplinary action, including an unpaid leave of absence. We wish to be respectful of our employees — but must remain steadfast in our commitment to protect our patients.” Email Htoo Min at hmin@nyunews.com.

CRIME LOG

April 19 to April 30

By HTOO MIN AND COCO WANG Deputy News Editors The NYU Department of Public Safety received six reports of larceny, two reports of controlled substance, one report of harassment, one report of criminal mischief and one report of rape between April 14 and April 18.

Larceny On April 19 at 4:45 p.m. a student reported that funds were missing from their Campus Cash account. Police notification was declined. On April 22 at 9:05 a.m. a student reported that their bicycle was missing from a bike rack at 721 Broadway. Police notification was declined. On April 23 at 6 p.m. a student reported that their bicycle was missing from a handrail at Schwartz Plaza. Police notification was declined. On April 24 at 9:25 a.m. a staff member reported that their laptop was missing from their office in the Dental Center. A police report was filed. On April 24 at 10:15 p.m. a student reported that their bicycle was missing from the Tisch bike rack. Police notification was declined.

On April 25 at 2:55 p.m. a student reported their backpack was missing from a classroom in the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life. Police notification was declined.

Controlled Substance

On April 22 at 1 p.m. Public Safety responded to a report of a controlled substance in Founders Hall and recovered a small amount of marijuana. On April 26 at 1:05 a.m. Public Safety responded to a report of a controlled substance in Palladium and recovered a small amount of marijuana.

Harassment

On April 20 at 5 p.m. a student reported that they were harassed by an unknown male near the corner of Broadway and West Fourth Street. A police report was filed.

Criminal Mischief

On April 19 at 8 a.m. a staff member reported graffiti painted on the side of the building at 105 E. 17th Street.

Rape

On April 21 at 1:15 p.m. a student reported that they were sexaully assaulted in the Green House at Seventh Street in February. Email Htoo Min and Coco Wang at news@nyunews.com.

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NYU SJP Recieves More Death Threats By JEMIMA MCEVOY News Editor

For the third time this academic year, NYU Students for Justice in Palestine received anonymous death threats online during the weekend of April 15, according to a statement from the group. These recent threats were different from prior instances because they were sent via the club’s Facebook page — messages were written under aliases such as “Wjkjewjewuiwh Asjkdsjasjdjas” and “Askkdsjkasd Klkldsklsldklmkldsklldsk” and threatened members of NYU SJP, demanding they comply with the requests outlined in the messages. “WE WILL KILL ALL OF YOUR TROLLS WITH GUNS AT YOUR NEXT PROTEST YOU WILL ALL DIE WE WILL MURDER YOU ALL THE BLOOD WILL RUNS SLOWLY ON THE STREETS OF NYC,” one of the messages read. NYU SJP responded collectively and said that it wasn’t particularly surprised at being targeted — receiving threats is part of the job description when it comes to standing up for Palestine. However, the group said that this particular round of threats was surprising, as

the intensity exceeded that of past threats. “The messages are extremely graphic,” NYU SJP said. “They also included a specific reference to an SJP community member, using both their name and picture. Our immediate reaction was the same as in the past: notify our members, club advisor and the administration, follow university procedure in reporting the case to Public Safety and call on the university to release and circulate a public statement condemning the threat and supporting our right to organize.” After the threats, NYU spokesperson John Beckman said in a press release that the university condemns the threats in the strongest terms. He said that NYU views the safety and well-being of students with the utmost seriousness and will act accordingly. “Our Public Safety Department has met with SJP representatives, and notified law enforcement of the threats,” Beckman said in the press release. “Our Student Affairs Division is offering ongoing support to the students. We have urged SJP to turn over all relevant information to the police, and we urge anyone with any knowledge whatsoever about these threats to come forward and assist in the investigation.”

Sophomore Elected VP of NY College Democrats By SIERRA JACKSON Managing Editor

CAS sophomore and NYU College Democrats Treasurer Ryan Trumbauer was elected Vice President of the College Democrats of New York yesterday. Trumbauer is hoping to expand his ideas of communication and outreach through his position. Trumbauer said he wants to use his campaign platform — “Let’s Talk, Let’s Organize and Let’s Grow” — to build on the trend of growth that has defined CDNY since the 2016 presidential election. He also said that increasing communication between the organization's various branches across the state is essential to CDNY’s cohesiveness. “Chapters sometimes hardly know what's going in different regions,” Trumbauer said. “I can’t profess to know every single thing that's going in every chapter, and that’s a problem because at the end of the day we should have a stronger sense of community. So that’s the premise of ‘Let’s Talk.’” Trumbauer's next point, "Let's Organize," implores every chapter to improve its relationship with local officials and get members more involved in local campaigns and voting processes. In addition, he said that he hopes to work with high school students and inspire them to be active members of the Democratic Party. CAS senior and former CDNY Finance Director Drew Weber said he agrees that reaching out to young Democrats is a crucial step not just for CDNY but for the Democratic Party as a whole. “I think one thing that has been extremely clear is that young people are going to play an integral role in the rebuilding

VIA TWITTER.COM

CAS sophomore and NYU College Democrats Treasurer Ryan Trumbauer was elected Vice President of the College Democrats of New York.

of the party,” Weber said. “Engaging in this sort of grassroots organizing [is] necessary to build a base for our party, particularly our party that’s going to be around for decades to come, maintains a strong presence and strong commitment to progressive values.” Gallatin sophomore Katie Mulkolsky said that she believes Trumbauer will be successful as the CDNY Vice President because of his dedication to the politics he cares about. Mulkolsky also said she hopes to see Trumbauer take on various topics within urban issues. “I'm really interested in urban issues like public housing and the ways in which built infrastructure can exacerbate systemic inequities,” Mulkolsky said. “Given the fact that Ryan is running for VP in such a vibrant urban context, it would be great to see him focus on not just trending topics but these embedded ones as well.” The last point of Trumbauer’s campaign, “Let’s Grow,” primarily focuses on this end goal to build a strong foundation for the party. Trumbauer said that this means CDNY should expand to universities that haven’t normally been included in the organization. “There should be no reason that community colleges, for example, can’t be included in CDNY,” Trumbauer said. “Right now, we’re very focused on four-year institutions and I think we should start expanding to two-year institutions. There’s no reason that law schools can’t be invited. So we can do better in who we’re targeting and where we’re targeting.” Furthermore, Trumbauer said that he plans on adding a new perspective to CDNY while also fostering collaboration between regions, incorporating perspectives from all over the state and supporting new regional initiatives. “The more people you know, the more stories you’re able to tell,” Trumbauer said. “It [not] only helps you be a better person, but it also empowers that other person — and that’s ultimately what the job of CDNY is, to empower its local members. And if you want to empower your local members, you’ve got to listen to them.” Email Sierra Jackson at sjackson@nyunews.com.

However, the public statement from NYU SJP said that the NYU administration failed to support club members because although the university was notified about the threats on April 16, it did not respond until April 21. Further, the club claimed that the university's statement was not circulated to inform the community and was instead published quietly on the NYU website. NYU SJP believes this lack of response is a pattern at NYU. “Our request for a public university response to death threats in August 2016 [was] also ignored; and when we were again threatened in January 2017, the university offered minimal support, issuing a brief statement to the Washington Square News but failing to circulate a statement of support to the student body,” NYU SJP said in the statement online. The group outlined a list of demands in its statement calling for action from the university, such as circulating a statement to the NYU community that confirms the university’s opposition to threats, recognition of the specific and repeated targeting of NYU SJP and the right of students to advocate for justice in Palestine. NYU SJP also demanded the university carry out an investigation into the legiti-

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VIA FACEBOOK.COM

The NYU Students for Justice in Palestine has received anonymous death threats for the third time this academic year. macy of these threats, meet with the club to discuss harassment and declare NYU’s campus a sanctuary campus. In response to these messages and the university’s reaction to these events, NYU SJP has organized a rally in Washington Square Park this Friday. Almost 300 people have shown interest interest in attending on the event’s Facebook page. “We've organized a rally in the park this Friday to call on NYU to circulate a statement to the greater university community, and to show those who continue to threaten and attack us that we will not be deterred,” NYU SJP said. Email Jemima McEvoy at jmcevoy@nyunews.com.

NYU Promotes University Treasurer to CFO By MIRANDA LEVINGSTON Deputy News Editor

After searching high and low, NYU has found its new Chief Financial Officer in its very own backyard. Previously the Vice President for Financial Operations and University Treasurer, Stephanie Pianka will take on the role of Senior Vice President for Finance and Budget and CFO, effective June 15, 2017. Pianka’s previous duties included revolutionizing the university’s financial systems to incorporate globalized, state-of-the-art business information and support. In her new position, the university expects her to continue to check and improve NYU’s financial operations with a focus on effective budget planning, affordability, supporting research initiatives and enhancing the diversity of the NYU community. In an interview with Washington Square News, Pianka said that after five years at NYU, she has an understanding of the university’s global, student-focused academic and research missions. “I look forward to partnering with our senior leadership team, our schools and the NYU community to develop sound financial approaches that will support this mission," Pianka said. Pianka said she wants to build upon the already-existing strengths of the university's finance team, both in the central administration and in the individual schools under NYU’s umbrella. Prior to her time at NYU, Pianka held a number of finance, management and operations positions at major firms including GE, Avaya and Data General, both in the United States and abroad. Executive Vice President for Finance and Information Technology Martin Dorf said in an interview with WSN that Pianka is currently spearheading efforts to reduce costs for students through better purchasing practices. He said that affordability for students was a focus of her old role and will continue to inform her decisions moving forward. “[Pianka] has been responsible for many operational improvements in the areas she has overseen, and we expect her to bring that creativity and drive to the entire finance operation,” Dorf said. “She developed a highly focused, metric and customer-oriented finance organization delivering continuous improvement, strategic

solutions and best-in-class financial services to the NYU community.” Dorf also said that she won’t be independently making decisions as the CFO — she will have a key financial adviser as budget requests are approached. NYU Spokesperson Matt Nagel said that Pianka is part of a reorganization initiative headed by NYU. “This position is part of a reorganization and realignment of operational and strategic responsibilities under the Executive Vice President,” Nagel said. However, Dorf said that the search for the perfect candidate for CFO was both nationwide and local. “After a nationwide search, Stephanie Pianka was selected as NYU’s Senior Vice President for Finance and Budget and Chief Financial Officer,” Dorf said. “Quite simply, she was the best candidate for the job.” Email Miranda Levingston at mlevingston@nyunews.com.

VIA NYU.EDU

Stephanie Pianka, the previous Vice President for Financial Operations and University Treasurer, will now be the Senior Vice President for Finance and Budget and CFO, effective June 15.

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‘Anastasia’ Takes a Journey to the Stage

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW MURPHY

Christy Altomare as the 18-year-old orphan Anya and Derek Klena as con-man Dimitry star in the musical adaptation of “Anastasia.” By KAMILA DAURENOVA Contributing Writer Just like its source material, the show focuses on the execution of the Romanov family by the Bolsheviks and the legend that the youngest daughter Anastasia survived. The dowager empress (Marie Beth Piel) publicly offers to reward anyone that reunites her with her granddaughter in Paris, 10 years after the execution, spiking the interest of con-men Dmitry (Derek Klena) and Vlad (John Bolton). They meet Anya (Christy Altomare), an 18-year-old amnesiac orphan hoping to reunite with her family, and take advantage of her resemblance to the duchess to escape from communist Russia. The beloved Satanist Rasputin and his sidekick albino bat didn’t make the cut, but are replaced with the Bolsheviks. The original exclusion of one of the greatest political upheavals in history, replaced with a dark magic subplot, was always strange and jarring. Excluding Rasputin also brought Tony nominee Ramin Karimloo to the cast as antagonist Gleb Vagano — a dark and dreamy Bolshevik general torn between his duties and his feelings for Anya. With an inherent innocence, Altomare’s Anya is entrancing as the

duchess, yet less believable as the rough-around-the-edges street-sweeper. Most of Altomare’s choices feel perfectly geared towards the very back row of the theater — her facial expressions are so animated that they bring an immediate lovability to the feisty character, yet risk seeming forced. These minor flaws will undoubtedly fade with time, leaving the show with a leading lady of unmatched talent. Another standout was Klena’s Dmitry. The theater came alive with high-pitched screams for Dmitry and Anya’s long-awaited kiss. Their chemistry reached its peak in the duet “In A Crowd of Thousands,” one of the 16 new songs added to the show. Klena showed the same vocal control in his ballad “My Petersburg,” which was combined with Aaron Rhyne’s transcendent projections for breath-taking results. At times these projections were a poignant backdrop — blossoming cherry trees, panoramic views of Russia and twinkling Paris lights. When combined with Alexander Dodge’s equally advanced set design, they created an almost cinematic experience. This worked particularly well in the ensemble piece “We’ll Go From There,” with a rotating train carriage that was striking in its simplicity. While inspiring and uplifting, the show also had standout moments of emotional depth and rawness. Ghosts of Anya’s family were projected around the theatre for the Russian lullaby “Once Upon a December.” Her new solo “In My Dreams,” was heart wrenching in its simplicity. The piece was composed by Stephen Flaherty, who completed his additional graduate studies in Musical Theater at NYU. Email Kamila Daurenova at theater@nyunews.com.

Third Street Music School Nurtures By EMILIA YU Contributing Writer

One sun-drenched Saturday in the early blush of spring, the Third Street Music School settlement lobby rang with the giggles of children and the squeaky sounds of an elementary-aged violin recital. The school was hosting a brunch for Beverly Harper, honoring her for 18 years of service as the school’s safety director. Regulars know Harper as an information czar who can name almost all 1,700 students served by the main campus — as well as the names of their pets. She is to be honored at the school’s annual gala on May 8 alongside Grammy Award-winning artists The Roots. After a heartfelt toast, Harper wiped a tear from behind her spectacles. “Third Street is my family,” Harper said. "From the day that I walked in this door, I inherited an entire community as part of my family.” This sense of closeness has deep roots at Third Street. The school was founded in 1894 as part of the settlement house movement, a social movement focused on bridging socio-economic divides. Its founders were dedicated to nurturing the children of the immigrant populations of the Lower East Side. Executive Director Valerie Lewis, who takes lessons at the school along with her mother and her two children, explained the school's family focused founding motives. “Parents were desperately looking for a place to bring their child to help enrich them, to nurture them not just with music but with food and a

bath,” Lewis said. Emilie Wagner founded Third Street shortly after graduating from college, turning down medical school to pursue her goal of making music education accessible to underprivileged children. According to Wagner’s New York Times obituary from 1945, “she arrived in the city with only $50 in her pocket but with a technical knowledge of the piano and the violin and the courage of her convictions.” Wagner’s first class was held with a small handful of students in a church basement before she moved into the school’s original location on East Third Street in 1901. Alongside their multitude of offerings, including instrument lessons, dance classes, a new recording technology course and a preschool, Third Street is also involved in partnership programs with local public schools without adequate arts funding. Third Street currently works with more than 25 schools serving over 4,000 students. To forge a partnership, a public school approaches Third Street, which provides teaching artists and helps the school build a program based on its wishes and circumstances. Third Street also contracts with grant programs and the Department of Education to pool the necessary funds. With Third Street’s extensive selection of courses and commitment to financial aid, many students stay with the school from early childhood to high school graduation. James Hall, Third Street's Assistant Director of School and Community Partnerships, elaborated on the school's breadth of offerings. “We're really committed to a full year of robust music edu-

cation, and beyond that we’re quite flexible, so we do everything from urban childhood music and movement to orchestra, band, hip hop dance, African percussion,” Hall said. Hall also commented on the way that Third Street goes above and beyond the usual standard of music education. “There’s a lot of ways you can cut corners with the arts in schools,” said Hall. “Instead of teaching kids to sing, you can put on a CD and have them listen to it and have that be the extent of their music exposure. We do believe music is something we do, it’s something we participate in, not something we consume.” Third Street also holds an annual open house for their partner students to visit the campus and try out instruments before making an enrollment decision. David Moreno, the head of Third Street’s guitar department, weighed in on his decision to teach at this school full time. “I mean it just seems so obvious, that’s the thing,” Moreno said. “It’s a special place. You feel it when you walk in there.” Email Emilia Yu at music@nyunews.com.

PHOTO BY EMILIA YU

The Third Street Music School recently hosted a brunch for Beverly Harper, the school’s safety director for the past 18 years.

C3 Exudes Eclecticism With Debut EP

By CONNOR GATESMAN Staff Writer

C3’s debut EP "The Unanswered Question" greets the listener with the song “Credo,” which begins by sampling a monologue by American composer Leonard Bernstein that was drawn from a Harvard lecture series also titled “The Unanswered Question." The band includes Steinhardt freshmen Kyle Brenn on percussion, Rohan Chander on piano and keyboard, Dani Strigi on bass, Zachary Voelbel on keyboard, Paul Hutchings on trumpet, David Mayers on guitar and CAS freshman Shyam Natarajan on tenor saxophone. As Bernstein proclaims that “a great new era of eclecticism is at hand,” bombastic percussion and warm piano chords simultaneously envelop his voice with a dramatic delivery that matches his ambitious claims.

As his voice fades, instruments of all kinds enter the fray. Bass lines and terse piano riffs underlay a growing tension. The saxophone glides effortlessly over the track’s building sense of urgency. The melody constantly morphs and cascades into itself as the percussion crashes and builds throughout. The second track, “Bondy,” is alive with smooth and synthetic keyboards. As the guitar plucks away with confidence, the horns echo back with memorable vivacity. The following track, “Fleaker,” starts off with wandering piano musings that verge on classical balladry, only to be embraced by the band’s signature grooving instruments. As always, the melodies and motifs are driving and relentless, stopping briefly in the middle of the song and establishing a moody vibe. The change in emotion is complimented by

unsettling saw-tooth synths that battle the acoustic instrumentation for dominance. The resulting tension and competitive expression between instruments never fails to excite, and serves as a major driving factor not only for “Fleaker,” but for the EP as a whole. Next up is “Keys,” where rapper and Tisch freshman Ani drops a rapid-fire series of introspective and politically charged lyrics over powerful jazz riffs. The result is a vivid fusion of Snarky Puppy and Kendrick Lamar’s iconic “To Pimp a Butterfly,” all while maintaining the group’s originality. Ani is poignant and ruthless, declaring that if “you want the keys to the Audi / you take em’ bro, they murder kids here.” The final track, “Slanza,” their debut single, is a highly engaging listen. While the vibe of the track sounds different from the

newer compositions on the EP, it still serves as a triumphant ending note for an extremely successful debut effort. C3’s “The Unanswered Question” exudes the kind of musical gusto that some bands take several full-length albums to achieve. It is a merger of both style and substance, a fusion of instrumental showmanship grounded in emotional fervor. The mastering on this project is stunning and does a great job of honoring the deft instrumentation that propels the project. On “The Unanswered Question,” every musician holds his own, making for an extremely consistent listen from start to finish. C3 excels at creating a dynamic build and release of energy throughout its compositions. The group’s music is a curated journey of expertly timed emotional peaks and troughs that never bore. In a testament

to their diverse set of musical interests and talents, the host of NYU-based musicians have created an EP that exists in a realm beyond the traditional definitions of genre. You can find “The Unanswered Question” on Soundcloud. Email Connor Gatesman at music@nyunews.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ROHAN CHANDER

C3, consisting of Steinhardt and CAS freshmen, just released their debut EP.

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Grant to Support Indie Film

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NYU-alum founded Flies Collective awards grants to students who are hoping to finance their own film projects. By ZUZIA CZEMIER-WOLONCIEJ Staff Writer The Flies Collective — a production company founded by Tisch alumni, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Matthew Petcock and Zachary Shedd — recently launched a grant for independent filmmakers. After making and producing their own films, the trio decided to support other artists seeking to create outside of the commercial and studio spheres. Carbone, Petcock and Shedd owe their friendship to the First Run Festival, organized by Tisch, in which they participated in 2008 as senior students. The filmmakers recall watching each other’s movies and discussing them over drinks that night, which eventually led to a longterm collaboration. Soon, they made

their first feature, “A Little Closer,” directed by Petcock, and two years later, “Hide Your Smiling Faces,” directed by Carbone, which received widespread critical acclaim and placed The Flies Collective on the independent film stage. Their most recent film “Americana,” directed by Shedd, is a moody psychodrama about an alcoholic film editor investigating his actress sister’s murder. Despite their successful beginnings, the trio have not lost sight of the minutiae of film production, especially financing. In an email interview, the members of the Collective spoke about their funding strategy. “There’s no silver bullet,” the Collective said. “It’s a combined slog of — usually — partial self-financing, some grant money and finding people who believe in the project enough to put their money where their mouth is. At the end of the day, you have to go out and beg, borrow and steal your way to raising the money for your first feature.” This may sound rather disheartening. But it is a truth that most, if not all, film students learn as they embark on their careers. The Flies Collective is here to ease the journey — at least a bit. The idea for the grant rose from the Collective’s worry that acquiring funds to produce a film is always an issue — particularly for films that aren’t designed specifically to be commercially successful. By offering the opportunity to receive up to $10,000 for an original and intriguing proj-

ect, the Collective hopes to encourage applications from creatives with little or no professional experience. “This grant will make no considerations for the commercial prospects or marketability of a project,” the Collective said. Instead, they want young filmmakers to be able to dig deep into their ideas without worrying about finances. Each project will act as a calling card for the artists when promoting themselves in the future. This is more than an admirable gesture of support. It widens the avenue for experimental and daring work, potentially dealing with more difficult and nuanced topics. Recognizing the need for variety and diversity in the everlasting aim of enriching film culture, the Flies Collective stated their commitment to “a diverse group of filmmakers, working in all areas of the medium.” The Collective also said they would advise new filmmakers to keep passion a priority. “If your film means something to you personally, and you carry that feeling throughout the entire process of creating it, you will come out on the other side with a film that other people will care about,” the Collective said. “There is an audience out there for literally every type of film.” It is this passionate approach that the Flies Collective says they hope to encourage through their grant. Email Zuzia Czemier-Wolonciej at film@nyunews.com.

Tribeca 2017: US-Cuba Showdown By ETHAN SAPIENZA Film Editor

For those unaware of the story, Tim Golden and Ross McDonald’s “Elian” is likely to be startling. The documentary, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last weekend, depicts the case of Elian Gonzalez, who was taken by his mother from Cuba to Florida on a small aluminum boat in 1999 to escape the regime of Fidel Castro. Unfortunately, the five-yearold was the only one to survive the treacherous journey, as his mother and fellow refugees perished while the boat was destroyed. Two fishermen rescued him from the water and brought him to his uncles and cousins who lived in Miami. What ensued was a geopolitical showdown: Miami-based Cubans used Elian as a symbol for why Castro was a terrible ruler, whereas the dictator responded by uniting the country to bring the boy home, aided by Elian's loving father who had long been a supporter of the communist government. The documentary serves as an impressive narrative retelling of the scandal, and also cohesively summarizes the plight of Cuban migrants after Castro’s rise in the 1950s. The film also shows the formulation of a media circus — not only does it need the spectacle itself but also the cooperation of those involved.

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Typical of most narrative-like documentaries, “Elian” relies heavily on talking-head interviews to formulate a chronological and comprehensive story, with a special kick: The subject himself is one of the interviewees. This serves simultaneously as one of the film’s strongest assets and biggest weaknesses, as Elian gives his striking first-hand account of an international power struggle, through the viewpoint of a five-year-old no less. However, it's clear that Golden and McDonald feared using too many of his interviews, seemingly because they did not want to spoil the result of the case, what with the film’s chronological structure. Sadly, much is sacrificed for the sake of narrative cohesion, as Elian’s mother is almost entirely left out of the film. The only notes on her are minor — namely, that she took her son without consulting his father, although the separated couple is said to have been on good terms. Elian’s uncles seem to be forgotten as well, as they are not featured as interview subjects and the morality of their actions — continuously trotting their nephew out in front of cameras whenever necessary — is never fully discussed. Elian’s cousin Marisleysis, who took on a maternal role for the boy, serves as the de facto voice for the Miami-based Gonzalez family, and while her care for the boy is evident and her insights are important,

she is unable to fully articulate the perspective of her U.S. relatives. Above all else, "Elian” never loses sight of the minutiae of the story. While it analyzes the affair on a macro level — including a discussion of whether or not the Clinton administration's handling of Elian’s case helped President George W. Bush get elected — the film readily stays focused on its subject. This becomes most evident in its conclusion where it follows Elian in his present-day life, giving him the proper breadth to conclude his story on his own terms. This kind of documentary filmmaking is an incredibly important reminder that there are real people at the center of crises and scandals, and given the sociopolitical state of the world today, it's a lesson we ought to heed.

‘Groundhog Day’: Deja Vu Dances Over Again By KAMILA DAURENOVA Contributing Writer

In the seven years since graduating from NYU, Gallatin alum Barrett Doss landed a role alongside Kate Hudson in the upcoming biographical drama “Marshall,” starred in the Marvel series “Iron Fist” and is now the leading lady in the new musical "Groundhog Day." Based on the beloved 1993 Bill Murray film, the show closely follows the original plot. Jaded weatherman Phil Connors (Andy Karl) travels to the small town of Punxsutawney to cover its famed annual Groundhog Day event. He finds himself caught in a time loop, forced to relive February 2 over and over again, until he re-examines his arrogant and sardonic habits and decides to pursue a real relationship with hardworking producer Rita Hanson (Doss). The show is unlikely to approach the cultural significance of its source, and is essentially a pleasant adaptation. Tim Minchin’s score spans a variety of American sounds from bluegrass to rock, but fails to be anything but generic. Phil realises his love for Rita during “Everything About You,” a song that gets the message across but doesn’t go far with its attempt at vulnerability. “Nobody Cares” is more successful, as Phil sits at a bar with a group of drunks who provide beautiful harmonies and lyrical punches like, “Just swallow it / your opinions or your vomit / either way they don’t want it.” ”Stuck” is another comical success, during which a litany of doctors take turns to fix what’s wrong with Phil. Yet nothing compares to “Hope,” which gives “The Book of Mormon” a run for its money in offensiveness. Karl is hilarious in his exasperated suicide attempts as he chews electrical cords and throws a

toaster into his bathtub, all accompanied by dripping red walls and heavy rock. The hedonistic lifestyle he embraces is equally entertaining as he waltzes into a diner post-orgy clad in boxers and a fur coat. As vulgar as the show gets, it only becomes uncomfortable during Phil’s almost predatory pursuit of Rita. The idea that he can do anything to her and it will be erased the next day brings an off-putting undertone to their eventual romance. Phil’s change of heart during “Night Will Come” is mediocre in both performance and writing. It leaves the show lacking in emotional depth and coherence. Doss showed off her incredible belt and emotional delivery in “If I Had My Time Again,” which was only undermined by an imbalance in the sound design. Another shortfall was the projected screen that served as the firework-splattered Punxsutawney sky. Compared to the incredible screens used in “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Anastasia,” the quality of the projections was neither realistic nor visually pleasing. Seeing the show on the night that Karl suffered a major injury onstage proved an intriguing experience. A 15-minute break ensued after Karl fell during his leapfrog jump over another actor, after which he limped back onstage with the support of a cane. This made him even more endearing as the changed Phil, poking fun at his costars: “Why so slow, break a leg or something?” Combined with his talent, Karl’s resilience and humor truly cemented his performance as unforgettable. “Groundhog Day” continues its run at the August Wilson Theater at 245 W. 52nd St. Email Kamila Daurenova at theater@nyunews.com.

Email Ethan Sapienza at esapienza@nyunews.com.

PHOTO BY ROSS MCDONNELL

Elian Gonzalez, the subject of the new documentary "Elian," as he swims in the sea.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOAN MARCUS

Barrett Doss and Andy Karl star in Matthew Warchus’ stage adaptation of the classic 1993 film “Groundhog Day.”

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Fashion Shows to Binge Watch During Summer Break By CHRISTOPHER COLLADO Staff Writer

As the semester comes to an end, students are happily thinking of the free time they will have during summer vacation. Here is a list of some fashion shows you can watch during summer break.

“America’s Next Top Model”

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Binge on some fashion-focused shows on Netflix, including "America’s Top Model," "The Hills" and "Skin Wars," among others.

“America’s Next Top Model” is a great reality competition show where one can learn about the fashion and modeling industries. In every season, around 14 aspiring models compete week to week to become America’s Next Top Model. Throughout the photoshoots and runway challenges, the contestants have to model clothing or makeup

The Pizza Principle By KATE HOLLAND Staff Writer

Pizza is the everyman’s food that has belonged to the island of Manhattan since Lombardi’s Pizzeria opened its doors in Little Italy in 1905. Since then, pizza has all but taken New York by storm and has become part of daily life in New York City. But alongside this culinary tradition emerged an urban legend known among economists as the “Pizza Principle.” This economic theory argues that the average price of a slice of pizza in New York will always be equal to the subway fare. Today, that price is $2.75. While some cheaper pizza places do exist, almost any local will tell you that the authentic New York pizzerias charge at least $2.75 for a slice of cheese. Some claim this theory is folklore or just nonsense. Tisch freshman Rob Henderson thinks it might just be one big coincidence, though he has his doubts. "I guess you can't ignore that [pizza and fare prices have] been consistently the same for 40 years, though," Henderson said. The principle originates from a 1980 New York Times article where New Yorker Eric Bram is quoted as saying, “The price of a slice of pizza has matched, with uncanny precision, the cost of a New York subway ride.” This article was brushed into the section of New Yorker anecdotes in the Times, and was soon forgotten until 1985, when George

Fasel published a New York Times editorial titled “If You Understand Pizza, You Understand Subway Fares.” The term then began to gain notoriety in both academic and non-academic circles. It seems that the theory's biggest proponents are from The Times itself. Since Fasel’s article was published, journalists and economists have been studying the prices of their favorite local hotspots for indications of whether there will be a hike in the price of their daily commutes. In January 2002, Times reporter Clyde Haberman predicted a fare increase after his local pizza place raised its prices. Six months later, the “pizza-token gap” — the price difference between a subway ticket and a slice of pizza — was closed, and the theory was validated. Tisch freshman Jonah Cloer believes the principle is tied to New York City's culture of accessibility. “It just goes to show how New York City is a place where everything is so accessible. Food and transportation are the same price and probably will continue to be because it’s our way of life,” Cloer said. It can’t be a coincidence that when the price of one changes, the other seems to follow, but no one has really offered an explanation as to why pizza and the metro could be correlated economically. Email Kate Holland at dining@nyunews.com.

from designers and cosmetic companies such as Covergirl, DSquared, Guess and Nine West. The show can enlighten viewers on current styles and modeling tips. "ANTM" is available on Amazon Prime Video or Hulu.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race”

“RuPaul’s Drag Race” is great for anyone interested in fashion, drag queens or both. In this reality competition show, 12 to 14 queens do challenges each week to win the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. Before weekly eliminations, the queens walk down the runway in a categorized look chosen by RuPaul. Some of these runway themes include banjee girl bling, jet set eleganza, lace and leather and white party. There

The “Pizza Principle” is an economic theory stating that the average slice of pizza in New York will always equal the price of the subway fare.

“The Hills”

“The Hills” is a fashion and pop culture-centric reality show that primarily follows Lauren Conrad as she moves to Los Angeles to follow her dreams of being in the fashion industry. Conrad works at Teen Vogue magazine and is exposed to the do’s and don’ts of fashion in the celebrity world.

As the series progresses, its drama and entertaining moments make the show a fashion soap opera. “The Hills” is available on Amazon Prime Video.

“Skin Wars”

If you’re interested in body art, “Skin Wars” is the show for you. In this reality competition show, body painters complete challenges every week until one is crowned the winner. Some challenges include camouflaging the model into a background, painting the guts and glory of a horror theme on models and much more. “Skin Wars” is available on Netflix. Email Christopher Collado at bstyle@nyunews.com.

Money Diary of an NYU Student By LAURA RUBIO Staff Writer

As Jerry Maguire once said, or rather screamed, “show me the money!” There’s no question that NYU and New York City are expensive places. In fact, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research, Manhattan has more than double the national average standard-of-living cost — a striking almost $5,000 compared to the average $2,371. Having a meal plan and on-campus housing meant that I knew where part of my money was going, but keeping track of all my other disappearing dollars was harder — they definitely weren't going into my savings account.

About Me I am a 19-year-old Tisch student studying Film Studies and Journalism. I live on campus, in Goddard Hall. I have a meal plan that provides two meals a day and 300 Dining Dollars for the semester. I also earn $13/hour as an America Reads tutor, which adds up to about $50 a week.

Monday, April 24 9:30 a.m.: I got a chai latte and butter croissant from Argo Tea. $7.08 12:30 p.m.: I grab lunch from Sidestein Market before class: turkey and smoked gouda sandwich, chips and water. 6 p.m.: Early dinner before my evening class: cheesy grits, BBQ chicken and waffle with maple syrup from Weinstein. TOTAL: $7.08

Tuesday, April 25 STAFF PHOTOS BY TAYLER MACMILLAN

are also challenges in which drag queens create runway outfits out of unconventional materials: Hello Kitty couture, where contestants make outfits out of Hello Kitty products; the book ball, where outfits are made of paper and the money ball, where the queens make ensembles out of money. “RuPaul’s Drag Race” is available on Amazon Prime Video.

8 a.m.: I get charged my monthly Spotify fee (bless student discounts). $4.99 12 p.m.: I grab brunch from NYU’s Peet’s Coffee as a meal

PHOTO BY ALEX MUHAWI-HO

A WSN writer tracks her spending for a week to see where her paychecks really end up. swipe: egg, cheese and sausage breakfast sandwich with a mocha. 4 p.m.: Weekly therapy appointment because mental health matters. Also, not a plug, but NYU insurance has pretty great coverage. $20.85 5:30 p.m.: I pick up dinner from Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine because I miss home-cooked meals. Rice and beans, plantains, roast pork and avocado? Yes, please. $32.84 6 p.m.: I buy my plane ticket back home! It was United so hopefully I’ll actually get back to my family. $69.20 TOTAL: $127.88

Wednesday, April 26 7 a.m.: I grab a hot chocolate and cheese danish from Starbucks before work. $5.96 7:30 a.m.: Subway fare. $2.75 1:45 p.m.: I grab lunch from Sidestein before class: herbcrusted fish, rice pilaf and garlic ciabatta bread. 6 p.m.: I pass by Boba Guys and the curiosity gets the better of me. Does it live up to the hype? Small milk tea, hot (I like Kung Fu Tea better — they give you tapioca balls even with the hot teas). $4.90 6:15 p.m.: I swing by the Kosher Deli in Weinstein to grab dinner:

one salami and sauerkraut tortilla wrap with honey mustard and roasted potatoes. TOTAL: $13.61 GRAND TOTAL: $148.57 This was an illuminating experiment that showed me where my money went. Mostly coffee and breakfast food, which didn’t surprise me. What did surprise me was how quickly it all added up. Even without the plane ticket, I still spent about $80 in three days despite making about $50 a week. We all have our money-eating temptations that solve the cooking dilemma after a long day of classes. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t treat ourselves every now and then, but the splurges should be sporadic. The first step to financial success is awareness — seeing where the money goes. After that, we can come up with alternative and cheaper options. If we make a commitment to these changes, it won’t be long before our deficits become our surpluses. Email Laura Rubio at features@nyunews.com.

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I Tried… Lipton’s Vegan Dining Hall

STAFF PHOTO BY WANTING HUANG

NYU student Aneri Mehta led a campaign with the Animal Welfare Collective to create a plant-based pop up at Lipton dining hall. By NATHANIEL MAHLUM Contributing Writer Saturday evening, I walked into Lipton Dining Hall, ready to grab some grilled chicken to go. As I walked up and ordered a piece of grilled chicken from a friendly Lip-

ton staff member, I was abruptly asked, “You know you won't be able to get chicken tomorrow, right?” The world began to collapse around me as I processed what I had just heard. No more chicken? What could bring someone to do this? Who was behind it? The answer lay behind a massive campaign led by LS freshman Aneri Mehta and the Animal Welfare Collective. Mehta helped the Animal Welfare Collective at NYU work with NYU Dining to create a “plantbased pop up” dining hall for a few days to increase awareness for vegan options. They had an aggressive marketing campaign that included numerous flyers and booths set up around Lipton to persuade passerby to try “Vegan Lipton." Mehta describes the effort as an event during Go Green week that demonstrates NYU’s dedication to sustainability and healthy dining. The atmosphere in Lipton certainly reflected this ded-

ication as staff members wore bright green shirts to complement the eco-friendly theme. When I stumbled down for brunch at the new vegan pop up dining hall on Sunday morning, I was immediately surprised by how busy it was. As I walked up to the kiosk where I swipe in, I was met with a detailed flyer that offered advice on how to gain necessary proteins and nutrients on a plant-based diet. Armed with this fact sheet, I entered the dining hall. Students were both cautiously curious and slightly confused about Lipton's transformation. “A lot of people were hesitant while waiting for their food in the line, but would then try the food and ultimately come back for further servings,” Mehta said. CAS freshman Vinnie Zhang was very happy with the food served at the dining hall, despite not being vegan.

“I loved it,” Zhang said. “Honestly thought the food was really good, and thought the cookies were better than their regular ones.” Tisch freshman Addison Worthington was not displeased with the outcome. However, he thought something was missing. "It was pretty okay, I mean it was just more limited, really," Worthington said. "The fact that they didn’t have actual milk for coffee at least was kind of upsetting because I would like coffee with milk at least please." On the other hand, SPS freshman Leon Li hated the changes in the dining hall and thought it unwise to change one of the dining halls into a vegan dining hall. He also did not appreciate the lack of meat in his diet as an athlete. “Absolutely horrible,” Li said. “I went to the grill after a long day of class and found out that they didn’t have chicken. I was pretty bummed.

Moreover, the sandwich bar didn’t have any meat or cheese either. How can you make a good sandwich without cheese or meat?” Overall, Mehta sees it as a success. Like any instance of change, there was a whole range of reactions, but overall, she believes the response was good. As a Lipton resident, I ate at the vegan pop up dining hall quite a few times over the three days it was running, and was impressed with the variety of options the dining staff managed to offer. Not all students were happy with the change, but it offered a positive reminder of NYU’s dedication to inclusion and sustainability, and allowed those often disappointed by the limited vegan options at Lipton an opportunity to enjoy a dining hall dedicated to their diet. Email Nathaniel Mahlum at dining@nyunews.com.

Pot Prohibition: Potentially Pardoned?

By THOMAS CHOU Staff Writer

In New York City, marijuana is everywhere. Its skunky scent is impossible to miss and is one of the hallmark smells of the city. Because marijuana is so commonly used by NYU students, it is it is easy to forget that it is still illegal in New York according to federal law. With its rampant and normalized usage by students and New York City residents alike, one might wonder what is stopping marijuana from being legalized here in New York. On April 24, a group of seven students from NYU’s chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy traveled to the state capital of Albany to lobby for the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act — a bill, that if passed, will legalize an use for those 18 years and older cannabis market in New York. Steinhardt senior Alexander Lehktman, the president of

NYU’s chapter of SSDP, led the trip. “The focus of Students for Sensible Drug Policy is broad — we ultimately focus on promoting progressive drug policy reform, whether it is at the school, city, state or federal level,” Lehktman said. “The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act was introduced in the previous legislative session, and was re-introduced recently, which is why we went to lobby for it.” Lehktman and the other students had meetings with senators and assembly members and presented detailed arguments and evidence in support of the bill. While the bill certainly has the potential to ruffle the feathers of those whose political opinions are more conservative, Lehktman said that many of the senators and assembly members they met with were open and receptive to hearing the details of the bill. “The response was positive and constructive, with almost all of the senators very eager to hear our argu-

ments, to listen to our evidence and hear why we think this is important,” Lehktman said. “So overall, I think they were very receptive.” Although the group met with predominantly Democratic representatives, the Republicans that they spoke with also were receptive to their ideas. Lehktman said he is personally more concerned with the social justice benefits of passing the bill. “I’d like to see cannabis legalized so that we’re not arresting people anymore, we’re not putting people in jail, we’re not saddling people with criminal histories,” Lehktman said, “Because the evidence and the data we have show that drug prohibition and cannabis prohibition in particular place the burden disproportionately on people of color and low-income communities.” While Lehktman said that the social justice benefits are very important, he also emphasized that the

economic and financial benefits are equally as important. The potential increases in tax revenue generated by a legal adult use market in New York could provide greater funding for social programs such as health care and education could receive greater funding. Additionally, if this bill is passed, NYU students over 18 will be afforded the freedoms of regulated marijuana use — with one caveat. “NYU is an institution that receives money from the federal government, and therefore has to comply with federal laws,” Lehktman said. “If this law passes and we have an adult use market in New York, students will most likely not be able to enjoy the benefits in their dorms.” Read more at nyunews.com. Email Thomas Chou at features@nyunews.com.

STAFF PHOTO BY VERONICA LIOW

Steinhardt senior Alexander Lehktman, the president of NYU’s chapter of SSDP, led a trip to Albany along with six others on April 24 to lobby for the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act.

‘Start the Conversation’ With Survivors Magazine

By PAMELA JEW Staff Writer

Within the gallery space of Washington Mews, viewers were greeted by large-scale photos of women posing, laughing and smiling. What did these women all have in common? They’re all survivors of sexual assault.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SURVIVOR MAGAZINE

The gallery space of Washington Mews features portraits of sexual assault survivors from Survivors magazine.

The gallery, put together by Survivors Magazine, collaborated with NYC Alliance Against Assault to create a space to provoke discussion about sexual assault, often a taboo topic. Gallatin sophomore and Survivors director Maria Polzin commented on the goals of the event during its opening night. “We’re not normalizing sexual assault by putting makeup on and dressing up these women,” Polzin said. “We’re starting the conversation to make people know it’s okay to talk about sexual assault, especially with those who have survived it,” Last summer, Polzin completed an internship at NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault. What started as an internship that combined her interests in human rights and helping others led to a realization of her personal connection to sexual assault. “When I started working [at NYC

Alliance Against Sexual Assault], I didn’t have much of a connection to the cause other than I wanted to help,” Polzin said. “As I was working, I had resurfacing memories from five years prior of my case of sexual assault, which is common for many survivors. I loved how [the alliance] never called them victims — but rather survivors. There’s something so promising about that where there is a light after that dark time.” Survivors has been in the works since August as Polzin has gathered her team — including LS sophomore Hannah Woldetsadik and Steinhardt sophomore Emily Gordin — and started work with advisors from the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault. The team reached out to women from the alliance to be models in the magazine. Polzin invited a group of 10 sexual assault survivors to be a part of the series of photo

shoots for Survivors. “We let the survivors take charge of the [photo] shoot,” Polzin said. “They pick all the outfits, and we just provide suggestions. We want to make sure they're completely comfortable and confident. They have complete control over the entire [photo] shoot — if they don’t like an element, we will fix it.” Many of the models were in attendance at the launch and spoke to guests, asking them to engage with one another about sexual assault and how we can work to end it. One of the survivors, Lia, read a humorous poem, which reminisced on her first “makeout sesh” when she was 14. But then the poem turned to her having a distinct memory of her assault by her father. Karen, another survivor and member of the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault, spoke about how she

was held at gunpoint and raped in the summer of 1994. When she was taken to the hospital to be treated for her assault, her nurse was unsure of how to treat her. After this experience, Karen made it her mission as a nurse to treat victims of sexual assault with the proper care they need, and now she’s treated over 3,000 men, women and children who are sexual assault victims. Polzin said they originally planned on only releasing one issue, but after the success of the launch party and more people wanting to advocate for the cause, they plan on releasing further issues. Survivors is available for purchase online and all proceeds go back to the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault and the making of future issues of Survivors. Email Pamela Jew at bstyle@nyunews.com.

Why NYU? Remembering the Dream By NATASHA ROY News Editor When I committed to NYU around this time last year, I went against everything I had been saying to myself throughout senior year of high school — that I wanted to go to a university in a small college town that had a campus, a football team to rally around and a community practically built into the atmosphere. NYU was the last school I thought I’d end up at, but after my first year, I can confirm that the dream school experience I was promised turned out to be half true. I had the best year of my life, but it wasn’t without its hardships, both social and academic. While I found my community through a club at a school not quite known for its community, other students have found their place through other means, from Greek life to activist groups. CAS senior Olivia Rich said that when she was applying to colleges, she chose to apply to NYU because she thought it would be a good choice for her initial interests: medicine and public health. She didn’t have many expectations about NYU, but she liked the feel of the students and surroundings. “I wanted to go to school in a city, and [I] liked that NYU didn't really have

a campus and seemed to foster more independent students,” Rich said. Rich is an active, leading member of NYU Divest, and she said that the highlights of her college experience were related to that activism. “Probably my favorite memory was attending the University Senate meeting two years ago last April when the Senate voted to move forward with divestment,” Rich said. “It was such a beautiful spring day and a victory for our campaign that we had worked incredibly hard to achieve.” LS freshman Isnavys Perez applied regular decision to NYU, having initially wanted to attend a different university. But when she came to NYU, she joined several different organizations. Perez said that the Delta Gamma sorority especially brought her a sense of belonging in a city that seems busy and exclusive. She found it to be largely what she expected. “If anything [it’s been] more inviting just because of my involvement with certain organizations,” Perez said. “I expected an array of opportunities, and that's exactly what I got and have been taking advantage of ever since.” For other students, like Tisch freshman Kelsey Stevenson, NYU was always a dream school. She said that from the beginning, she tried to learn as much as possible about the university. “I knew I wanted to go to [the Tisch

School of the Arts] in sixth grade,” Stevenson said. “I was in pretty deep from the start — doing research, checking College Confidential [and] searching the NYU hashtag on Tumblr.” Stevenson also said that she never imagined she would be admitted to NYU, and that even though she had the grades and extracurriculars, it had always felt like a reach school. She prayed every night that she would get in. “When decisions started coming in, it was just rejection after rejection after rejection,” Stevenson said. “I ended up being rejected from every single drama program I applied to. NYU was the last school I heard from — and I got in. Somehow.” Despite having now been here for a year, Stevenson, like countless other students, still can’t believe she is at one of America’s dream schools. “I don’t know if it was all the praying or just the fates aligning or just me being a somewhat cool kid or if the admissions committee was just having a good day or what — but I got in,” Stevenson said. “Tisch was my dream school then and it’s still my dream school now. I never dreamed I would get in, and being here feels like a dream. I’m still kinda waiting to wake up from it.”

"In all of the glitz and t here. Our reflection is friends will take a turn fo to squish in your apartm city on a bigger scale. Wr city and consider how lu half of a small piece of c

Joe’s Pizza

"The obvious answer will alwa grab a late night slice at Joe’ Despite what some dirty liars Joe’s is and always will be the of pizza in the Village and prob New York City. Everything else NYU is secondary to this — Thomas Price, Opinion E

Email Natasha Roy at nroy@nyunews.com.

Spreading Yourself Too Thin

"NYU students are annoyingly accomplished — just take a look at our annual Influential or Up-and-Comers issues to see a few examples. I am their league, but between Tisch and WSN, I barely have a minute to myself. But to be honest, that’s part of the fun. I have lost many nights of s too many Cokes and fallen asleep with my laptop open on my chest too many times to count, but through it all I’ve had the time of my life. Som fall flat on your face, but what better time than now to do it?" — Rachel Ruecker, Senior Editor

Gallery Hopping on the Lower East Side "As NYU students, we get free entrance to so many great museums that would normally cost a small fortune on a student budget. I like to think I’ve taken advantage of the discounts NYU offers, but not all New York has to offer — at least not quite yet. I was recently exposed to the intimate art galleries that dot the Lower East Side. I was lucky enough to talk with Siebren Versteeg, who currently hosts his artwork at Bitforms gallery and ended up exploring nearby galleries with him. Being able to interact with the artists is a perk of smaller museums as opposed to huge collections where you may not even remember which artist created what piece. Many of the spaces do not line the sidewalks, but are rather in basements or a few floors up, requiring twists and turns through narrow hallways to get to them. Because they are small collections, you can easily walk down Delancey Street and visit three or four in just a couple of hours. The Lower East Side gallery map has now become a personal bucket list." — Rachel Buigas-Lopez, Creative Director

Take a Cla

"Take a class for no reason. classes, and I have even classes. However, I have alw because NYU said I had to, b Science of Happiness or a tw English class about Harry Po academics here at NYU, but what my double major – Taylor Nicole

NYU Bucket List New York City has no shortage of things to see and do. When you go to school here, the plethora of possibility can even — and sometimes often — feel overwhelming. So here are some things our staff think no New York collegiate experience would be complete without, to help narrow your focus and get you on the right path.

Friends and the West Village "This is touristy as hell, but everyone should definitely go see the “Friends” apartment on the corner of Grove Street and Bedford Street. The summer before my freshman year, I re-watched all of “Friends” — yes, I put myself through the terrible last season again — and it’s what got me pumped to start school in New York City. Plus, the “Friends” apartment is in the West Village and I made the awful mistake of never visiting that side of the village until halfway through second semester. Do yourself a favor and start off your West Village adventures earlier on in the year." — Natasha Roy, News Editor

Send a Postcard

the glamour and the gross mess that is New York City, it's easy to get caught up in the moment-to-moment reality of living often reserved for latergrams and Polaroids taped to dorm-room walls. Maybe an occasional phone call to our hometown or the nostalgic, but more than likely it'll be a gushing account of Saturday night or a rant about the fifth cockroach you had ment this week. Sometimes, it can be nice — and even healthy — to take a step back and reflect on what it's like to live in the riting postcards to a relative you barely talk to or a friend you particularly miss that week is my favorite way to appreciate the ucky we are to be here. Take a half hour, buy some cheesy postcards from the discount stores on Broadway, and reflect on cardstock about your time here. Maybe look wistfully out your window while you do it, or sip black coffee at the cafe where you've become a regular. But sit back, take out a pen and zoom out of the city grid for a bit." – Hailey Nuthals, Editor-in-Chief

a

ays be to ’s Pizza. may say, best slice bably all of you do at s." Editor

U Y N 7 1 0 2 f o Class To-Do List By TAYLOR NICOLE ROGERS Features Editor At a school like NYU, it’s easy to get caught up in all the unique experiences that life in New York City and at the abroad sites provide. However, the class of 2017 says there are some basic NYU experiences that students should not graduate without. Email Taylor Nicole Rogers at trogers@nyunews.com.

by no means in sleep, drunk far metimes you will

ass Just For Fun

. Don't get me wrong, I love my major enjoyed my some of my CAS core ways dreamed of taking a class not just but because I truly wanted to, like The wo-credit African dance elective or an otter. I have few complaints about my I feel like there is so much more than has allowed me to take thus far." e Rogers, Features Editor

Embrace NYU Perks “Before NYU students graduate, they should make use of all of NYU’s facilities, such as the gym [and] the piano rooms, among others. They should also try to go to all the free NYU-sponsored events before it’s too late — make the most out of your tuition!” — Christine Park, CAS senior

Travel “I'd say they should take a trip somewhere that they get to plan. To go see the world on their terms so they have to learn how to navigate a new place and are exposed to something new. Step outside of your comfort zone to see what it's like before [taking] a huge leap into adulthood.” — Megan Salvato, Nursing senior

Have a Nice Brunch “If you are new to the city and [need] a place to brunch, look no further than Cafe Mogador! Known for its Mediterranean eats and homey vibes, this chic brunch spot is the perfect place to customize your eggs Benedict and take the perfect photo of your delicately plated feast. You have to try the Brooklyn location, complete with handwoven seat cushions and a toasty heated outdoor garden seating area. The waiters and waitresses are patient as you explore the vast menu and always bring your food to the table with a smile. The complimentary tea, coffee and fresh-squeezed orange juice certainly add to the brunch experience. I go at least once a month. I swear I'm in love with this place. Try it, and I bet you will be too!” — Charity Thompson, Steinhardt senior

Get to Know Yourself “Before you graduate, you should take time to reflect on things you've experienced in college and try and understand who you think you are as a person, so when you enter the workforce you're prepared to answer those interview questions more truthfully. Also, know how to do your taxes. And play a sh—t ton of video games.” — Megan Salvato, Nursing senior

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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM

OPINION

EDITED BY THOMAS PRICE OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

POLITICS

Venezuela: The Media’s Victim By GRAZIELLA PASTOR Contributing Writer Every news outlet is discussing President Donald Trump’s first 100 days. Between daily updates of his poll ratings and think pieces on how he has undermined American politics, many outlets are trying to convince the American public that he is the worst president that the nation has ever had. The coverage of President Trump, from his executive orders down to his every tweet, is perfectly thorough. Media outlets, however, have completely neglected to mention the desperate state of the Venezuelan people. If you rely only on the mainstream media, you probably

missed one of the Western Hemisphere’s worst tragedies in modern history. Venezuela, once a rich, free and beautiful nation, has been destroyed. Although Venezuela has had over a trillion dollars in oil revenues in the last 17 years, more than 70 percent of 31 million Venezuelans are living in poverty. Between two dictatorships and messily applied socialism, the country has become uninhabitable. The nation has sky-high murder rates and frequent scheduled power outages, according to the Atlantic. Jails are overwhelmed, as protesting has become a crime. There is hardly any food, employment opportunities or medicine. For the last three years,

hundreds of thousands of oppressed Venezuelans have been protesting against their socialist dictator, Nicolas Maduro. In October of 2016, Venezuelans tried to vote Maduro out of power, but he rigged the elections. Desperately hungry and angry, Venezuelans took to the streets to object to the fraudulent election results and many were killed. Two months ago, the Venezuelan Supreme Court

granted Maduro dictatorial powers and eliminated the legislature, which was led by the president’s opposition. Maduro needed dictatorial power to sell a portion of Petroles de Venezuela, S.A., the nation’s oil company, to Russia to pay for previous debts. Maduro re-established the legislature after three days, but it was too late. About a month ago, millions of Venezuelans began to protest on the streets. Maduro told the police and military to stop protesters. This outraged Venezuelans at home and abroad. Thousands of Venezuelans lucky enough to escape gathered in front of embassies all around the world to protest the dictatorial regime. Venezu-

elans have been begging governments worldwide to save their country, but the world has ignored them. While the American media obsesses over Trump's first 100 days, they ignore global events just below the equator despite the clear state of emergency. As of last Monday, around 24 activists had been murdered. The media controls the narrative and leaves the public virtually ignorant of important issues. It is imperative that Americans inform themselves of Venezuela’s crisis. We cannot remain silent as a dictator destroys his country. Email Graziella Pastor at opinion@nyunews.com.

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Weekend on the Square Protests Embarrassed NYU

By MOLLIE YELLIN Contributing Writer

Last weekend was Weekend on The Square, an event that gives incoming freshmen a taste of what life at NYU is like. Protesters at this school thought that this simple event for high school students was the perfect backdrop to push their agendas. Groups — such as the Student Labor Action Movement, NYU Divest and the Incarceration to Education Coalition — went out of their way to protest at events meant for incoming freshmen to learn about different programs at NYU. Not only did this

create feelings of discomfort, but it also revealed the most embarrassing part of being a student at NYU. NYU’s history of student activism is well known and admirable, but the setting for these protests could not have been more inappropriate. These activist groups did not reveal the reality of life at NYU by protesting events intended for prospective students. Rather, it showed them the frustration that non-protesting students frequently experience. It’s small-minded to assume that the majority of NYU students engage in protests and social activism. Also, many protesters

refuse to civilly debate with someone who thinks differently than them. The general culture of protesting at NYU is embarrassing to those who perceive it as counterproductive and aggressive. It is humiliating when NYU protesters make national headlines for turning violent — like when protests against VICE co-

founder Gavin McInnes’ speech at the Kimmel Center for University Life resulted in 11 arrests for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and criminal mischief. Although the speaker had some very far-right opinions, he was invited to speak at this school and has the right to state his opinions just like protesters do. Simply removing the presence of people you do not agree with only stunts personal growth and room for understanding. Protest groups at NYU have a very obstinate approach to their demands, which is not a good example for activism in general and certainly not something NYU stu-

dents should be proud of. In some ways, it is good that incoming freshmen and their families got to see this side of NYU since it is definitely a part of the culture here. Incoming freshmen should be prepared for what is to come, but it is entirely inappropriate that these groups chose a weekend of celebration in order to push their own agendas. NYU has problems that should be fixed, but overshadowing the Weekend on the Square event with protests was just uncomfortable and embarrassing. Email Mollie Yellin at opinion@nyunews.com.

CULTURE

Problematic Portrayal of Female Friendship in 'Girls'

By CARA ZAMBRANO Staff Writer

The once-revolutionary HBO show “Girls” aired its final episode April 12. Amid great controversy — including the show’s creator and protagonist Lena Dunham’s controversial star status — “Girls” has made a compelling comment on one important and present aspect in the lives of twenty-somethings living in New York City: toxic female friendships. Given that the show’s premise follows the lives of its four female protagonists, it is notable that the show focuses not on unrealistically lifelong bonds between women, but instead on more tenuous relationships instead. Hannah (Dunham) and her friend

Marnie (Allison Williams) are the ultimate on-and-off-relationship of the show — they break and amend their friendship many times throughout the 62 episodes. The other two girls, Jessa (Jemima Kirke) and Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet), always seem out of touch with the group. Throughout its run, the four protagonists only appear onscreen together 12 times and their personalities clearly do not match, according to a Vanity Fair article. Jessa looks like she is always about to flee New York, Shoshanna is too idiosyncratic, Hannah too narcissistic and Marnie too delusional. It never seems like they have a friendship. Instead, they have some sort of terrible support system

that was only there to make sure that none of them would end up alone in the city. Their relationship only became realistic in the penultimate episode, when the bond ended. Shoshanna, who was absent for most of the final season, appears at her bridal shower only to tell her friends how terrible they are. “I have come to realize how exhausting and narcissistic and ultimately boring this whole dynamic is, and I fi-

nally feel brave enough to create some distance for myself,” Shoshanna said. What “Girls” is doing here is admitting that friendships are complicated. The show is acknowledging that sometimes, people get tangled in friendships that are not healthy — their friends have nothing in common with them and only drain their energy. While the link may continue for some time, ultimately, it must be broken to allow the parties to grow into themselves. The show reveals that the plot was about the girls — not about their friendship. When “Girls” premiered, it was seen as a breath of fresh air in television. It was greatly praised because of its realistic depiction of the lives of twen-

ty-somethings living in New York City, challenging the established sitcom narrative. As it was renewed for more seasons, “Girls” started to face criticism about the extent of the reality it portrayed. While the show is still a realistic depiction of the experience of a specific demographic of twenty-somethings living in New York City — middle to upper-class, white, cis-gendered straight women — it can finally claim some of its portrayal of reality as its trademark again. Friendships are complicated and they should be portrayed as such — not as fantastic, flawless relationships that never seem to fade. Email Cara Zambrano at opinion@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

OPINION

EDITED BY THOMAS PRICE OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM

TECHNOLOGY

STAFF EDITORIAL

The Obsoleteness of Textbooks By ADRYAN BARLIA Staff Writer As college students, all of us have, at one point or another, had to deal with buying a ridiculously heavy and expensive textbook, only to open it a handful of times — if any — throughout the entire semester. At this point in our college careers, we have each probably thought, “Why do we even use textbooks anymore? Why don’t we just get rid of them and use other sources to teach course material?” Although the answer to this question is filled with complexities and deals with publishers, there is no denying that with an increase in technological usage by students, the whole idea of a textbook will soon become extinct. According to a recent New York Post article, Life Sciences Secondary School has come to realize this very idea and has ordered for all its textbooks to be dumped out of school grounds. The school administration stands behind the idea of “modern technology over books” and feels that books are “antiquated

and outdated, and we should be using new technology” for the education of their students. Although there are some in the school that disagree with this notion — they see it as getting rid of an essential learning tool — these educators fail to see the long-term benefits of online sources as the primary tools for course work. Almost every major textbook publisher has ebook versions of their work available, and with an increase of tech usage among college students, the most sensible move would be to use online sources as the primary tool for courses rather than relying on textbooks. It is nothing but a nuisance to be having to deal with textbooks — from buying, carrying and studying from them, and then returning them

after just a few months. There are so many other digital textbook sources and textbook-building programs such as FlatWorld and iBooks Author that are rising as providers of a wide range of textbooks. To advocate for the switch from textbooks to ebooks is not to argue for the disuse of books in general, but simply a critique of the lack of efficiency and functionality a textbook provides compared to an ebook. An ebook allows for an interactive consumer experience on whatever device it is used. From easy search guides to on-screen note-taking, an ebook allows the student to make the most of it in any way they can, which is far more convenient than note taking on a rented textbook. The information that is learned from a textbook is what is important, not the physical embodiment of that information — thus if there are easier means of obtaining that information, there should be a move to make that transition. Email Adryan Barlia at opinion@nyunews.com.

UNIVERSITY LIFE

Commencement Tickets Not for Sale By MOLLIE GILLESPIE Contributing Writer

Recently, a friend of mine seeking spare tickets to Tisch Salute — the Tisch graduation ceremony — inquired after a post in a Facebook group. The price she was given was $850. By all indications, the seller was serious. Valuing $850 for a ticket that the school offers to students for free is an egregious case of extortion. But what if you're quoting a more reasonable price, or you find a buyer happy to pay whatever you're charging — is it really so wrong to try to turn a quick profit? For NYU's part, tickets are distributed fairly. Due to space constraints, each student is allotted three guest tickets each, though there is a tenuous honor system in the ordering process, with a note asking students to only claim as many tickets as they need. Extras are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at ticket pick-up and again on a date closer to the ceremonies. In theory, the system is equitable. The trouble is that the practice

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of ticket scalping distorts the system. When commencement tickets are sold at increasingly exorbitant prices, the determining factor in who is able to bring friends and family to their graduation ceremonies becomes their socioeconomic status. The cruel irony is that for students from lower-income backgrounds, graduation tends to be a much bigger deal. At an institution like NYU, where low-income students are infamously underserved by inadequacies in financial aid and affordable housing, adding an economic strain to commencement is to add insult to injury. This is not a new problem, nor is it unique to our university. This problem may never disappear entirely. NYU mentions during ticket distribution — both verbally and

in pamphlets included with the tickets — that scalping is illegal, but appears to take little to no action against scalpers who break the rules. Their action is ultimately what is needed to quash the problem on a larger scale. However, it is important to remember that our actions do not take place in a vacuum. The system is unlikely to change, but that does not mean that an individual must feed into the injustice. Giving tickets away to those in need, or even returning them to NYU, restores just a little bit of equity. It is not an act of charity to do so, but rather an act of justice. To suggest that it constitutes a charitable action upholds the mentality that students are entitled to profit from tickets that were handed to them for free. They are not. And while an individual cannot fix a system, you can know that your ticket will make a very big difference to a friend, an acquaintance or a peer at no cost. That should be enough. Email Mollie Gillespie at opinion@nyunews.com.

NYUSJP’s Rally Can Help Spread Safety

For the third time this year, the student organization NYU Students for Justice in Palestine received death threats directed toward its members. In response to this outburst of aggression, NYU SJP is planning a rally to help spur a sense of unity amongst the NYU community. This rally could help quell the tensions on campus and give support to the many students who feel their lives are being threatened. No matter where one stands on the Palestinian-Israeli issue, it is hard to disregard the inhumane and horrific nature of the threats received by SJP last week. The anonymous troll not only threatened to kill various members of the student club, but went as far as to describe such violence in horrific and gruesome detail. The all-caps threat stated, “WE WILL KILL ALL OF YOUR TROLLS WITH GUNS AT YOUR NEXT PROTEST YOU WILL ALL DIE WE WILL MURDER YOU ALL THE BLOOD WILL RUNS SLOWLY ON THE STREETS OF NYC.” The person or persons behind the threats did not stop there, as the messages went on to specifically address an SJP club member. This is undeniably an intolerable act, fueled by ignorance and blind hatred. As a result, a rally is an appropriate response to convey the discontent and concern we have as a community for remarks like these. In this atmosphere of hate and hostility, rallies like the one SJP is holding this Friday can be a great tool for fostering community around campus. Solidarity within the Palestinian community and its allies is essential in these dangerous times. The protection and wellbeing of the students in this organization should be a priority to the NYU community, and this rally is a place to showcase that exact sentiment. The existence of this rally challenges the hateful vitriol espoused in this message, and NYU students should be proud of the fact that they will not be scared away from expressing their identities. The anonymous threats against SJP are unacceptable and involve a hatred that must be acknowledged and condemned. Whether the person behind these anonymous threats intends to act on them or not, acts of hate such as this have the ability to threaten the strength and voice of organizations like SJP. The upcoming rally has the power to solidify a sense of community and solidarity among the group and should be supported by the members’ peers and the university.

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

Send mail to: 75 Third Ave. #SB07, New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.

WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.

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SPORTS

EDITED BY RACHEL RUECKER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE A Personal Tale of Life in the Pool April 17 to April 23

By NIKA WOODFILL Deputy Sports Editor

Softball (18-18) The softball team completed its regular season play this week, splitting a doubleheader with Washington University in St. Louis Saturday. The Violets fell 1-4 in the morning but recovered with a 2-1 win in the evening. This was sure relief from the pair of losses the Violets were dealt by WashU Friday. The Violets fell behind early on Saturday, and WashU did not falter, securing a comfortable victory over NYU. Luckily, the team turned it around for their last match, thanks to freshman catcher Caroline Saccacio, who scored a double to put the Violets in the lead. The Violets maintained this advantage for the rest of the night. This is hardly the end for the softball team this year, as they prepare for a potential bid to the Eastern Conference Athletic Conference postseason.

Baseball (17-12) The baseball team had a series of postponed games this week, but they did manage to secure a 16-4 win over the City College of New York on Wednesday. The heavy scoring started early for the Violets with the help of junior shortstop Jonathan Iaione, who scored three runs over the course of the game. The team will play four more schools in six more games this season, and will attempt to qualify for

postseason play. The first of these face-offs will be against the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Tuesday.

Men’s Golf The men’s golf team closed out its season yesterday, placing third at the Liberty League Championship with an overall score of 1,255. The team’s strong results were bolstered by freshman Kelly Sun’s seventh place finish and senior captain Eric Tarakjian’s 15th place finish. The championship marks the end of the golf team's successful season, with two overall wins and another nine top five finishes.

Track and Field A select group of runners from the women and men’s track and field teams competed at the Penn Relays on Friday. Most notable among the runners present was freshman Evelyn Nkanga, who placed 13th in the women's triple jump with a personal best distance of 11.59m. Additionally, the Violets had success in the distance medley relay, finishing in 20th place and beating out several Division I teams. The team, consisting of freshman Benjamin Heintz, seniors Caleb Su and Nick Karam and junior Neil Saddler, finished at a record-best 10:13.15. The teams will compete again at the Tom Farrell Classic next Saturday, May 6. Email Nika Woodfill at nwoodfill@nyunews.com.

By LAURA SHKOURATOFF Creative Director

Joining NYU’s women’s club water polo team was an adventure that I never could have imagined. I never saw myself being an athlete in college — having been the self-proclaimed slowest swimmer on earth growing up, it just didn’t seem like an option. At my first swim meet in 2004, four six-year-olds — including myself — climbed up onto the diving blocks that were as tall as we were. The beeper went off and the race started as each of us got into the pool in our own ways — some tried to dive and wound up completing painful belly flops, others jumped feet-first and another just went for a cannonball. We pushed ourselves across the pool, gasping for air with our parents cheering on the sidelines. One girl grabbed the lane line halfway through for a break. I don’t remember how I placed, but I do know I wasn’t any better than the other kids. It was a good, symbolic start for my athletic career — I was there for fun, because my friends did it and because spending my summer in the pool sounded more exciting to me than summer camp. As I grew up, I kept swimming

just as slowly, even though the swim scene was naturally becoming more competitive. I started to notice my lack of blue first place ribbons and how easily they seemed to come for everyone else. I swam for my high school team and rarely got chosen for races. I am fairly positive my coach never bothered to learn my name, despite my three years on the team. Things changed when I joined water polo my sophomore year of high school. It was immediately a challenge, but I fell in love with it. I wasn’t fast, but I immediately felt welcomed. Despite the fact that I wasn’t, and never will be, an all-star player, being on a sports team has proven to be an invaluable personal experience. Teammates provide a cohesive and strong community both in and out of the pool, and all skills are valued — one’s sense of humor can ultimately be just as integral to the team as another’s ability to shoot. Being on my water polo team in high school is one of the fondest memories I carry of my teenage experience. We dealt with and learned about the world together, bonding as our coach experienced medical issues and growing through our fight and drive to win. Even more importantly, we had

COURTESY OF DANIELLA SUTNICK

WSN Creative Director Laura Shkouratoff reflects on being a member of NYU’s women’s club water polo team.

fun — we checked out of the world for a few hours a day and created one of our own. Out of everyone on my high school team, I thought I would be the last person to continue the sport, yet I jumped at the opportunity to join NYU’s club team. I needed something that wasn’t a severe time commitment, but was a way to make friends and have a good workout. That’s exactly what I got, and I am so grateful for it. On a game day, we make our to way to the pool deck in only a simple and tightly zipped swimsuit and black swim cap. We’re free of most of our dentifying features, from jewelry to our typical hairstyles. We jump into the water and go. We’re engaged in a one-on-one wrestling match while simultaneously sprinting a full pool length every 20 seconds. We play offense and defense, careful to touch the ball with only one hand at a time. There are no breaks. We do not have any time to think beyond the core essentials of the game, functioning cohesively as a single unit in recognition of each individual’s ability to effectively benefit the team. Underwater, we get scratches, bruises and scars, all beyond the watchful eye of the referees. Our coach yells, but it is lost in the echo of the atrium. We push through as a team, engaging our bodies from head to toe in the most exhausting sport most of us have come to know. We all love it. We don’t complain. We huddle together after the game as one, a circle of red faces and thundering hearts, entirely equal to one another. It is a beautiful concoction, and I could not be more proud to be a part of it. Email Laura Shkouratoff at lshkouratoff@nyunews.com.

What-If: Women’s Hockey at NYU By MADDIE HOWARD Staff Writer

The NYU men’s hockey team ended their season with major success, earning both the Super East Collegiate Hockey League championship and the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division II championship. The team was also honored with the Presidential Service Award, which is given to students or groups committed to service and giving back to the community. While the team does not compete at the varsity level, they still bring in a number of fans to each of their games and have become an integral part of the NYU athletic community. Men’s hockey has experienced a wave of achievements this year, and has gained a significant following among the NYU student body — especially in comparison to other athletic teams. That said, it is puzzling as to why NYU has not branched out and created a women’s hockey program to part-

ner with the men’s success. Sophomore and ice hockey forward Keaton Baum thinks that adding another women’s team to the NYU Athletics community would be positive for both male and female competitors. “I think it would just be good for the university as a whole to add another women’s sport and for the development of both hockey programs it would be beneficial,” Baum said. NYU hockey assistant coach Michael Martin said that having a women’s team would be a positive addition to NYU Athletics. “The more hockey there is, the better off the world will be,” Martin said. “On that simple basis, I think that a women’s team would be a phenomenal thing for NYU. It would provide opportunities for women and girls to play at the best school in the best city in the country.” The presence of a women’s team would also complement NYU Langone's partnership with the National Women's Hockey League

that started last fall. Not only does Langone oversee the complete health and care of the players, but it also helps the NWHL to run community ice hockey programs for girls and promote the involvement of young girls in athletics throughout the area. Martin said that the NWHL has had a positive impact on women's sports, especially in light of the U.S. Women's National Hockey Team's recent salary protests that threatened to boycott the women's world championships unless the women were given equitable wages and support. “The founding of the NWHL has shown the growth and widerange appeal of women’s hockey, which has been on a high trajectory in the past years,” Martin said. “[The NWHL] is only going to bring more women onto the ice. I think it’s going to serve as a real marquee moment in women’s sports and women’s hockey to bring a new vision and new path for athletic excellence.” In addition to the university’s

VIA TWITTER.COM

With the men's ice hockey team enjoying a successful season, some believe adding a women's team would be beneficial. association with the NWHL, members of the student body who are also highly involved with NYU Athletics expressed positive sentiments when asked about the possible future addition of a women’s team. Junior and Student Trainer Assistant for NYU Athletics Erika Tretner said that her time aiding players and staff in the training room only strengthens her belief that NYU would benefit from having a women’s hockey team. “In the training room, I’ve been able to meet and become friends

with a myriad of unique student athletes, so adding another layer to that diversity would be fun,” Tretner said. Ultimately, it appears that the addition of a female team would be received positively among the NYU Athletics community. Perhaps, if enough interest exists, women’s hockey should be considered when planning for next year and the future of the hockey program as a whole. Email Maddie Howard at sports@nyunews.com.

NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS

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SPORTS

EDITED BY RACHEL RUECKER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM

Nikki Webb: The Evolution From Athlete to Athletic Trainer By TREVOR FRANCESCONI Contributing Writer

Coordinator of Athletic Training at NYU Nikki Webb has become a queen of the balancing act as she expertly navigates between her kids in the training room and her son back home in New Jersey. Webb has been at NYU for over a decade, and has taken charge of the strength and conditioning program for all varsity sports since 2012. Webb

soccer team, things changed in her senior year. “I went to college originally thinking my soccer-playing days were over since I did not play [during] my freshman to junior years,” Webb said. After the USF’s women’s soccer coach learned about Webb’s experience in the sport, he invited her to join the team. Webb revived her soccer career and played for the Division I team for part of her senior year as well as for one year

“

She is one of our biggest fans, puts up with our complaining and has a high tolerance for anything sweaty, smelly or just straight up gross. CASSIDY FONTANA

”

has always enjoyed being outside and played a plethora of sports throughout her childhood, including softball, volleyball, basketball, track, golf and soccer. Born in Minnesota, she moved to Florida during her high school years and became serious about soccer, playing in club, high school and the Olympic Development Program. While attending the University of South Florida, Webb worked with the women’s soccer team as an athletic training student, participating in active training with a particular player recovering from an ACL injury. Although she did not originally play on the school's

of graduate school, splitting her time between internship hours, her graduate degree and the soccer team. As an undergraduate, Webb took advantage of every academic and extracurricular resource available to her, determined to expand her skillset and develop knowledge for her future profession. “I was able to obtain my national certification through an athletic training internship program,” Webb said. “This gave me a lot of hands-on experience working with a wide variety of sports.” Since joining the NYU athletic training department in

2006, Webb has worked with hundreds of athletes across various sports, helping with injury rehab and weekly treatment. Sophomore swimmer Elle Tucker recently suffered an injury in the varsity weight room and greatly appreciated Webb’s friendly demeanor. Tucker stressed that Webb is always willing to talk and cares about each and every one of the team members getting the help they need. “Nikki ordered me an Uber and sent me right up to the doctor,” Tucker said. “She even gave me her personal number to contact if I needed help over the weekend.” SPS junior and women’s basketball guard Cassidy Fontana lauded Webb’s enthusiasm for the students she works with. “I have had the pleasure of working with Nikki for the last three years due to [my] various injuries and she has been nothing but sincere, helpful and determined to get me better,” Fontana said. “Nikki always knows exactly how to make us feel better and always helps to provide us with treatment with a big smile on her face. She is one of our biggest fans, puts up with our complaining and has a high tolerance for anything sweaty, smelly or just straight up gross.” When not working in Manhattan or traveling with a team, Webb spends time at home in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. with her husband Gedney and son Nolan. She enjoys attending her son's sporting events, playing tennis, cycling and taking her dog for walks in the woods to destress after leaving work. During the summer, Webb retreats to a

family cottage in Quebec to fish and enjoy the remoteness of the natural setting. Webb acknowledges the difficulty of finding a healthy balance between her work and personal life as an athletic trainer. “We can have very non-traditional work hours and sporadic schedules, and those can be very challenging hurdles to overcome when you have a family,” Webb said. Coordinating NYU’s athletic department in an urban setting with no on-campus facilities adds a unique challenge to the athletics program. “I have the mindset to be both the best athletic trainer

Alex Li Named National Rookie of the Year Freshman volleyball player Alex Li received the American Volleyball Coaches Association Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-American honor this week in recognition of his stellar performance this season. Li’s impressive statistics include 343 kills as well as 31 service aces this season. Li led his team to a record-breaking 18-10 season this year, but it concluded tragically, with the team falling to Juniata College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships last week. Throughout the match, Li delivered 20 kills. VIA GONYUATHLTICS.COM

Stern freshman Alex Li, who plays outside hitter, was named Rookie of the Year for men’s volleyball.

Hockey Wins Nationals and Moves Up It was a flurry of success for the NYU hockey team in 2017,

from a stellar regular season that seldom saw the Violets miss a beat to their promotion to American Collegiate Hockey Association’s Division I for next season. It seemed nothing could deter the Violets from greatness — and nothing did. They were crowned Division II national champions in a final tilt against Liberty University. On top of that, individual successes abounded for the Violets. Junior forward Michael Conslato was named the national tournament's Most Valuable Player, while Head Coach Chris Cosentino was named the ACHA DII Coach of the Year. The duo of Adam Salisbury and Scott Mulligan were named as first team all-stars in the national tournament. A number of players received All-SECHL and academic honors, and the team as a whole claimed a 2017 Presidential Service Award.

Men's Swimming Unprece-

Email Trevor Francesconi at sports@nyunews.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NIKKI WEBB

Nikki Webb, pictured during a July 2016 wrestling NYU Global trip to Germany, Austria and Prague, where she volunteered.

2017 NYU Athletics Highlights By NIKA WOODFILL Deputy Sports Editor

that I can be as well as the best mom that I can be,” Webb said. “But that is much easier said than done!” Webb credits her co-workers and NYU administrators for partnering with her in the collective effort to find the right balance between work and personal life. The rapid evolution of the athletic training field has pushed Webb’s individual role within collegiate athletics. Webb’s extensive experience in athletic training makes her an integral part of NYU Athletics and its sports medicine department.

dented Success at NCAA

The Violets placed ninth this year at the NCAA Division III Swimming & Diving Championships last month for the second year in a row. The team shattered records in the 500-yard freestyle and the 800-yard freestyle during the meet. Notable performances included sophomore Austin Palmer, who placed sixth in the 1,650-yard freestyle, and the members of the 400-yard freestyle relay, who secured seventh place with a 3:00.89 finish.

Nathan Pike Dubbed NCAA Division III National Champion Senior Nathan Pike earned first place this year in the Division III National Championships in the 133-pound weight category, winning the first NCAA Wrestling Champion in NYU history. Last year Pike came close to

victory, placing second, but this year he was able to secure an historic first place finish. Pike and his fellow wrestlers placed 15th out of 68 teams at the NCAA championships, finishing with 30.5 points.

Honore Collins’ Record-Breaking season Freshman Honore Collins earned first place in the 200m IM at the NCAA Swimming and Diving National Championships last month, obtaining a national title for the first time in the swimming program’s history. Collins’ victorious 2:00.97 finish time was a personal best as well as an NYU record-breaking time. Collins assisted her team in earning an exceptional eighth place finish at the national tournament. Email Nika Woodfill at nwoodfill@nyunews.com.

WSN’S BEAUTY/STYLE BLOG

Exploring Graduate School for Fashion

By SHERAH NDJONGO Staff Writer

Not many people in the field of fashion consider graduate school as a viable option. Most aspiring fashion industry professionals feel it's better to get their foot in the door of the industry sooner rather than later, and often ignore master's programs after completing their bachelor's degrees. However, graduate school for various sectors within fashion, such as design, merchandising or marketing, can be beneficial. A Masters in Fashion can provide a comprehensive understanding and foundation in aspects such as art, cultural heritage and history. In some sectors like fashion journalism and fashion business, an increase in salary is another benefit you can reap from a Master in Fashion. Luckily, the

programs offered are endless.

LIM College

Location: New York, NY Options: Fashion Marketing, MPS; Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management, MPS; Global Fashion Supply Chain, MPS; Visual Merchandising, MPS LIM College ensures its students have the chance to pursue a Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Marketing, Fashion Merchandising and Retail Management, Global Fashion Supply Chain Management or Visual Merchandising. Students can receive training in merchandising for retail, fashion forecasting and building and maintaining brands. In addition, they can learn about fashion sales and gain knowledge about the global supply chain through analytics and logistics from a management perspective. There’s even the op-

portunity to focus on sustainable design if visual merchandising is the course one settles on. For all of these programs, there’s an emphasis on hands-on training, which will place its graduates ahead of others in this increasingly competitive field.

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

Location: Savannah, GA Options: MA, MFA Fashion A Masters from Savannah College of Art and Design or an MFA in Fashion should be on your radar, since the school was placed in the top five of the Business of Fashion (BoF) Global Fashion School Rankings in 2015. If this catches your attention and you decide to apply, some of the master’s courses you could pursue include Fashion and Accessory Sketching and Illustration, Multimedia Communication

for Fashion and Computer-Enhanced Fashion Design. If an MFA from SCAD is what you’re looking for, you can also enroll in courses like Art Criticism, Fashion Promotion and Fashion Theory. Both of these programs are available online since they are included in SCAD’s recognized eLearning program, a 10-week online program that allows students to engage with the faculty and programs at SCAD without interrupting their professional or personal lives.

Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)

Location: New York, NY Options: MA Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice Studying Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice combines different creative elements like fashion history

READ MORE AT WSNVIOLETVISION.WORDPRESS.COM

and conservation theory and practice with more academic focuses like writing and research. What distinguishes the classes offered in this program are that they hone in on the functions of fashion in global cultures and societies, in addition to the option to follow the curatorial or conservation studies concentrations. Public speaking skills are developed too, as students are required to create a topic and deliver a public presentation at the end of each year. Not to mention, for two semesters, students map out and bring an exhibition to be put up at The Museum at FIT. Landing at least one internship is a requirement for the BS program so that students will gain valuable experience in the field. Email Sherah Ndjongo at violetvision@nyunews.com.

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