STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK. DESIGNED BY RACHEL BUIGAS-LOPEZ AND LAURA SHKOURATOFF
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What You Missed This Summer By SIERRA JACKSON News Editor
Even though the majority of NYU students left the Washington Square campus following the end of the spring term, the world of news kept spinning throughout the summer break. In addition to the appointment of Gene Jarrett as the new CAS dean and the sentencing of the NYU student who, along with his friends, murdered albatrosses in cold blood, here are some of the top stories you might have missed from this summer.
The 2017-18 Budget NYU Provost Katherine Fleming and Executive Vice President Martin Dorph emailed NYU’s 2017-18 budget to the NYU community May 15. NYU’s proposed operating budget will increase by seven percent for a total of $3.276 billion. The memorandum reiterated NYU President Andrew Hamilton’s commitment to affordability by citing that tuition and fees will increase by 2.9 percent and room and board will increase by 0.6 percent for most incoming freshmen. In previous years, tuition and fees had increased by
3.5 to 3.9 percent each year, according to an affordability update from Feb. 18, 2016. The email also noted the new provision of a low-cost meal plan option for freshmen and the increased availability of low-cost housing options. The scholarship aid budget will increase by 6.1 percent to a total of $435 million. As well as detailing a $130 million increase in endowment, the email listed all of the projects NYU will undertake this academic year, including 181 Mercer St., the renovation of Tandon’s Rogers Hall and 404 Lafayette St., which will house the College of Global Public Health.
cussed the symbolic importance the graduates would have in the university’s history. “The members of the Class of 2017 graduating today from NYU Shanghai are pioneers — they are the first class to graduate from this extraordinary experiment in global education,” Hamilton said. “They also are the embodiment of our hopes for the future as they leave this campus ready to assume the responsibilities of global citizens and leaders in the arts, sciences, humanities, business, and engineering.” Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl TV Tower lit up violet May 27 and 28 to congratulate the new alumni.
NYU Shanghai Has First Graduation Ceremony
NYU IT Revamps Online Systems
NYU Shanghai, the university established by NYU and East China Normal University, celebrated its first graduation ceremony May 28, according to NYUSH’s website. The 264 graduates and their loved ones packed Shanghai’s Oriental Arts Center and listened to various speakers from the NYUSH community impart advice and bode their farewells. Hamilton was among those who addressed students. He dis-
NYU Global Home officially replaced NYUHome July 1, according to NYU’s website. When NYU IT first made the new platform available to the entire NYU community in January, students could opt out of usage, but it is now a permanent fixture. Along with a more modern, interactive interface, Global Home also allows users to customize their profiles, creating a more personalized user experience.
PHOTO BY JESSICA FRANCIS
NYU made a number of changes over the summer, including a budget increase and an update to its online portals and system. NYU IT also announced via email that this fall, NYU IT will require users to set up Multi-Factor Authentication in order to access most NYU digital services. MFA makes it harder for hackers to access students’ account by having students confirm their identity on a separate device — like through a text message sent to smart-
phones — when logging in with their NYU NetID and password, according to NYU’s website. More information about how to implement MFA can be found on NYU’s website, under the University Life and Information Technology tabs. Email Sierra Jackson at sjackson@nyunews.com.
NYU Law Opens Center to Help AGs Fight EPA Rollbacks By SIERRA JACKSON News Editor
Following the creation of the Immigrant Defense Initiative in January 2017 to aid NYU students and staff affected by President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, the NYU School of Law is now taking up another fight against the Trump administration — deterring rollbacks of environmental regulations. NYU Law announced in an Aug. 17 press release that it will be opening the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center to help U.S. attorneys general from all parties combat the Trump Administration’s rollbacks of environmental protections. The center’s advisory council will be chaired by NYU’s Lawrence King Professor of Law and Dean Emeritus Richard Revesz, according to the center’s website. David Hayes — former deputy secretary and chief operating officer at the Department of the Interior for former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, respectively — will serve as the center’s executive director. Washington Square News spoke with Hayes to further explore the galvanizing effect the Environmental Protection Agency’s changes have had on attorneys general, the center’s long term goals, and how NYU students can help. Washington Square News: Were there any specific events
that spurred the creation of this new center? David Hayes: I don’t think there were any specific events that led to it. There’s been obviously a general concern about the Trump administration’s intense rollback of environmental protections. So it’s been a series of issues that have energized the attorneys general. And so this center is, in recognizing that many rollbacks are occurring, providing more support to the attorneys general. WSN: Why did you personally decide to get involved with this project? DH: I have spent my career working on environmental and natural resource and clean energy issues. I’m very concerned about the erosion of important
protections and denial of climate change and the antipathy toward clean energy that we’re seeing from the [Trump] administration. And I view the attorneys general as a very important vehicle for stopping some of these reversals and helping draw attention to the seriousness of these issues. WSN: What type of pushback, if any, do you think the center will face from the EPA, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt or anyone else involved in environmental decisions? DH: Well, the attorneys general bring lawsuits that directly attack what the EPA is doing. And so, the pushback you’re going to see is an attempt to defend their position in court. We’ve already seen
that. That’s what the judicial system is all about. WSN: How would you define a legal victory for the center? For example, is it a victory if you win a case at the state level but you might have to participate in a similar case for another state? Or is a more definitive victory one at the federal level where you are possibly overturn or reimplement certain laws? DH: The key is to fight on every front available against rollbacks of environmental protections. Along the way, it’s important that we draw attention to the rollbacks that the administration is attempting to undertake, and that we educate Americans about the threats that the administration’s actions pose to our shared envi-
STAFF PHOTO BY RENEE YANG
NYU Law will be opening a State Energy and Environmental Impact Center to aid attorneys in response to Trump’s environmental protection rollbacks.
ronmental values. This is an across the board effort, without looking for individual victories here or there. We’re looking to defend broad swaths of American values. WSN: What role will NYU School of Law students have at the center? DH: Well, we’re looking forward to providing some opportunities for NYU Law students to help us in our work. So there will be opportunities. We’re just getting started now. But NYU Law students are tremendously helpful in this sort of thing, and I’m looking forward to working with some of them. WSN: Do you think in the future that the center will work with NYU student activism organizations, like Earth Matters and other groups along those lines? DH: I don’t know. Our primary goal is to work with the attorneys general, and we are very much in a support role to them. So they are our primary government officials who we’re dedicated to working with. I don’t know about our ability to have resources or ability to work with other groups — I don’t know those groups. Our primary role is to help attorney generals who are uniquely capable of responding to these environmental threats through the legal system. Email Sierra Jackson at sjackson@nyunews.com.
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Offensive Messages in Freshman Chat By CAROLINE HASKINS Deputy News Editor
FILE PHOTO BY MATHILDE VAN TULDER
The disciplinary process through NYU’s code of conduct lacks continuity and addresses consequences on a case-bycase basis.
How to Get Kicked Out of NYU By SAYER DEVLIN News Editor At NYU, student conduct is primarily governed by three documents, Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order which was enacted in 1969, University Policy on Student Conduct which was enacted in 1978, and policies governing behavior in NYU’s residence halls. Additionally, NYU has a bevvy of policies pertaining to specific circumstances on topics such as substance abuse, bullying, sexual assault and weapons. The first document states that federal, state and city law must be followed on campus, in addition to the University’s rules and NYU is within its rights to enforce and punish violations. Each school within NYU is responsible for disciplining its own students but the document is vague about disciplining students from more than one school. The policy was adequate for dealing with run of the mill issues of academic dishonesty but was inadequate for “problems such as the maintenance of order in University buildings and grounds in connection with protest demonstrations, … [involving] students from more than one school,” according to the University Policy on Student Conduct. The policy also outlined the school’s position on disciplining the off-campus behavior of students. “In general, a student’s off-campus activities should be subject only to sanctions of the public authorities. Where a student is convicted of a violation of law, he should not be subject to University discipline for the same offense unless his conduct seriously affects his position as a member of the academic community,” reads the policy. The document also makes an noteworthy point on freedom of speech stating that “free inquiry, free expression, and free association are indispensable to the purposes of the University,” and goes further saying “regardless of moral impetus, no student or group of students has the right to deny the free-
dom of other members of the University community.” What the specific freedoms members of the community are entitled to remain unclear.
The Disciplinary Process
Each school disciplines their own students. If a student in Gallatin commits plagiarism, that student will be disciplined by Gallatin. If two students from, say, Tisch and Stern get in fistfight, the disciplinary process falls to the Office of Student Conduct within the Division of Student Affairs, which deals with all cross-school discipline. If a student violates housing policy, the student’s building leadership team will dole out punishment and will sometimes refer more serious cases to the Office of Student Conduct. “Our approach to student conduct focuses on opportunities to educate a student, as opposed to issuing sanctions that are solely punitive,” said Tom Ellett, Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. “Our ultimate goal is to help a student reflect on their decisions, correct course, and get back on track toward graduation.”
Disciplinary Outcomes The three most serious disciplinary outcomes are expulsion, suspension and removal from housing. Each disciplinary matter is reviewed on a case-by-case basis though certain actions generally lead to certain disciplinary outcomes. Selling drugs, even in small amounts, possession of weapons and certain kinds of sexual misconduct and violence are often grounds for expulsion. Removal from housing is considered when there is serious destruction of property, items falling from windows and repeated drug or alcohol related violations. Suspension is considered when students engage in physical violence and harassment. The above list is not comprehensive and includes only the most notable and common offences. Email Sayer Devlin at sdevlin@nyunews.com.
In a group chat for members of the class of 2021 enrolled in the Tandon School of Engineering, racist, sexist, ableist, homophobic and sexually explicit jokes and comments have been exchanged since at least April of this year. These messages included jokes about rape, self-harm and pedophilia, comments degrading Asian, black and female individuals, and approximately 60 uses of racial slurs. Two posts from July showed memes depicting a Catholic priest which referred to and trivialized pedophilic sexual abuse. “If you date a girl with split personality and she changes personality in the middle of sex, is that considered rape?” one student posted on April 24. Other posts stated that all Asian people look the same, complained that there was too much “yellow” and “estrogen” in the group chat and mocked sexual interest in black women. The group used the app Discord, which features text and voice conversation rooms designed for video game users to easily communicate. People can join the Tandon Discord group chat by clicking an invitation link included in a Tandon GroupMe group chat available in a Facebook group titled “NYU Class of 2021 (Official)” — a closed group that is run by unnamed, non-administrative members of the NYU community. Multiple messages in the GroupMe as early as April 17 and as late as July 1 state that the Tandon freshman group chat has been moved to Discord. Two of the students involved in the exchanges shown above provided apologies via email when asked to comment on the Discord conversations. One consented to be quoted in this article under the condition of anonymity. “I sincerely apologize for anything I said in the Discord,” the student said. “I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I try to make friends through joking around, but those jokes were not necessary. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I’m completely embarrassed I was being immature, and I know that’s no excuse for my actions.” In June, Harvard College’s independent student newspaper, The Crimson, reported that after offensive memes were posted in a private group chat on Facebook Messenger, at least 10 admitted students’ offers of admission were rescinded. These memes included jokes about the Holocaust, physical and sexual abuse of children, suicide and bestiality, and were often combined with elements of violence and racism. NYU spokesperson Matt Nagel said that disciplinary action is being considered. “On this specific case, the University is still looking into the matter and it is too early in the process to tell if any NYU students have violated any policies,” he said. “We always consider the unique circum-
stances of each case to determine if any University policies apply and whether student conduct action is appropriate.” The University did not clarify exactly which NYU policy may have been violated by the students in the group chat, or whether communication apps such as Discord are regarded as social media platforms. This means that standard student conduct policy—which explicitly forbids discrimination, harassment, and threats—or social media policy could be applicable to this situation. In any event, communication apps illustrate a policy loophole in which the University’s response is determined on a case-by-case basis. The NYU Admissions website states that NYU expects admitted students “to be good citizens online,” and NYU Dean of Admissions Shawn Abbott said that NYU Admissions monitors the social media of admitted students. But after May 1 — the deadline for enrollment at NYU — the Student Resource Center is responsible for monitoring incoming freshmen’s social media profiles. “With the exception of some of our Facebook groups for admitted students candidates, our social media profiles for admitted students are publicly accessible — not private,” Abbott said. “We monitor these pages closely, respond to admissions related inquiries and reserve the right to remove content that may be offensive to community members.” When he was made aware of the situation on Friday, Abbott said that he was not familiar with the app Discord. “This is the very first I’ve heard of this situation or the app Discord,” he said. “We’ll have to investigate so it’s premature for us to provide any sort of response.” WSN contacted NYU Public Affairs, but they did not provide a statement in time for publication. The NYU Student Conduct Policy, which applies to students that live in NYU residential housing, states that Residential Life and Housing Services staff members do not monitor students’ social media accounts or consider social media activity in disciplinary action. “In general, a student’s conduct in non-university affiliated online communities should not be subject to disciplinary action unless the information relates to documented incidents which occurred within university property or the conduct seriously affects the student’s position as a member of the academic community,” the NYU Student Conduct Policy webpage reads. However, NYU Student Conduct Policy does not account for university-affiliated online communities in private settings, such as the Tandon Discord group chat. According to Kathleen Hamilton, Tandon’s Director of Marketing and Communication, Tandon follows the NYU Student Conduct Policy and does not have an internal, school-specific conduct policy. Data from the National Science
Foundation from 2015 stated that out of employed scientists and engineers in the United States, 70.5 percent are white and 53 percent are male, while the U.S. Census Bureau reports that 63.7 percent of American citizens are white and 49.2 percent are male as of 2010. However, Kathleen Hamilton said that Tandon’s freshman class has about twice the percentage of female engineering students as the national average. “Our programs reach as early as middle schools, where girls are prone to shift away from STEM,” she said. “We’re very proud of how many highly qualified alumnae we are sending into a tech workforce sorely in need of their expertise.” Some writers, such as such as Patricia Serpa from the Daily Californian, have linked demographic disparities between engineering programs and the general population to a subtle, cultural lack of inclusivity in college engineering programs. However, the messages in the Tandon Discord group chat indicate that this culture may be palpable before engineering students ever begin their college education. NYU does take a number of steps toward sponsoring inclusion amongst its freshman. NYU spokesperson Matt Nagel said that offices such as the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs and the NYU LGBTQ Student Center target students across all schools. “Notably, the Tandon School of Engineering continues to make inclusivity a priority,” he said. “This is evident in the school’s long-standing programs and practices — ranging from the classroom to its activities to residential living.” In Tandon specifically, NYU participates in an extension program of National Center for Women in Technology, an annual Women’s Summit, the Code Liberation Program, Women Empower Hours, the Women in Engineering, Science and Technology (WEST) Symposium. It also offers fellowships targeting Tandon female students, such as the Women in Technology and Thompson-Bartlett Fellowships, and there is a “Women-inSTEM” themed floor in Othmer Residence Hall. “NYU is committed to building a culture that respects and embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values — in all their facets are important for our incoming first year students to em-
SCREENSHOT BY CAROLINE HASKINS
A number of rude and inappropriate comments in the Tandon 2021 Facebook group made their way back to NYU administration and lead to severe consequences for the students involved.
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The Reign of Indie Films This Fall
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“Call Me by Your Name” is a new film by Luca Guadagnino with high praise and award expectations. By DANIELLA NICHINSON Film Editor As we wave goodbye to summer blockbusters, fall indies are gearing up to kick off the season with a bang and provide students with an escape from the mundanity of
their textbooks. First up is “mother!,” Darren Aronofsky’s latest thriller that is perhaps the most mysterious of the director’s work. With minimal to no marketing and a puzzling trailer revealed only one month before the film’s Sept.15 release date, audiences are left almost completely in the dark. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as a married couple whose lives are terrorized by uninvited guests, and that’s all the storyline we’re given in advance. “mother!” will surely have a memorable and enigmatic entrance when its true nature is finally revealed in theaters. On Sept. 22, Steve Carell reunites with “Little Miss Sunshine” directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris for “Battle of the Sexes,” the true story of the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King
and Bobby Riggs. Emma Stone costars as King in this exciting and humorous adaptation of a highly-televised event that changed the course of women’s tennis. You don’t need to be a tennis fan to enjoy this film about a momentous occasion in sports history and female empowerment. One of the most anticipated films of the year also happens to be a sequel to Ridley Scott’s revered sci-fi classic, “Blade Runner.” On Oct. 6, Harrison Ford returns as Rick Deckard and is joined by Ryan Gosling as they venture through the familiar neo-noir future. Though Scott is not reviving his role as director, the film is helmed by Denis Villeneuve, the talented director of last year’s sci-fi hit, “Arrival.” “Blade Runner: 2049” is far from an indie, but its distinguished status makes it required viewing. If there’s one director whose
name is synonymous with independent filmmaking, it’s Noah Baumbach. This fall, he returns with “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected),” a story of a dysfunctional family that reunites to celebrate the artistic work of their patriarch. Dustin Hoffman leads this accomplished cast that includes Ben Stiller, Emma Thompson, and Adam Sandler. Since the film’s premiere at Cannes earlier this year, Sandler has been garnering Oscar buzz for a poignant performance that reinstates the actor’s overlooked talent. See “The Meyerowitz Stories” when it debuts on Netflix Oct. 13. Italian director Luca Guadagnino’s new film, “Call Me by Your Name,” has already received a slew of praise and predictions of Oscar nominations. Set in Italy in 1983, the film — adapted from the book of the same name — is
a love story between a 17-year-old boy and an older doctoral student. Starring Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name” is a coming-of-age tale sure to provide a complex combination of joy and melancholy when it hits theatres Nov. 24. For those diehard underground film fans, Dec. 1 marks the arrival of James Franco’s “The Disaster Artist.” The film follows the making of Tommy Wiseau’s cult-favorite, “The Room,” which has been famously labeled as “the worst film of all time.” Franco is joined by frequent collaborator, Seth Rogen and his younger brother, Dave Franco, which promises a whirlwind of antics. “Disaster Artist” will be a fitting homage to Wiseau’s classic and a perfect launch into the last month of the year. Email Daniella Nichinson
Book Review: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi
By JEMIMA MCEVOY Managing Editor
I did something unthinkable this summer — I read the Class of 2021’s required reading, “Americanah” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, for pleasure. And I would recommend for everyone else to do the same. Each year the College of Arts and Science assigns a book to incoming freshmen as a part of the First-Year Dialogue Program. Usually my pulse quickens at the thought of mandatory reading, but the books selected seem focused on enriching social views and opening discussions on diversity, race, and identity that can often be easier to avoid than to confront. Last year, I was pleasantly surprised by the university’s selection of “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nahisi Coates. This year, I once again found myself floored by NYU’s choice of the eye-opening work of Adichie with her beautifully written, achy and tender novel, for
which she won the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Fiction award. Americanah illustrates the ebbs and flows of life for Ifemelu, a Nigerian woman who moved to the United States for college after a series of strikes at her university in Nigeria. Readers watch carefully as she adjusts to life in America and afterwards as she struggles with finding her identity among the many chaotic voices around her. Throughout the novel, the reader notices frequent and ongoing instances of both intentional and unintentional racism directed toward Ifemelu. We watch helplessly as she and other people of color are discriminated against in the workplace, in the dating field, at university and generally in day-to-day life — sometimes by well-meaning, but ultimately ego-centric, Americans, sometimes by those who are simply ignorant and hateful and sometimes even by other people of color. What hurts the most about
this book is that although it is fiction, it is real. It’s impossible to truly understand what someone else’s life is like, but Adichie paints an extremely thorough outline. One particular scene where Ifemelu is taking the train to an inconveniently distant area of New Jersey to get her hair braided stuck with me in that it demonstrates the genius of Adichie’s subtle tone and peppered anecdotes.
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Americana by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is CAS’ required summer reading, telling the story of a young Nigerian woman pursuing her education in the US.
Ifemelu is annoyed by the distance that she has to travel to find a salon where she can get braids but ultimately comes to the conclusion that it would be unreasonable to expect such a place nearby with so few black locals in Princeton. A few moments later, she notices a man at the train station eating ice cream: “The man standing closest to her was eating an ice cream cone; she had always found it a little irresponsible, the eating of ice cream cones by grown-up American men, especially the eating of ice cream cones by grown-up American men in public.” The contrast between the life of Ifemelu and that of this man is just one piece of the puzzle that Adichie nudges toward her readers in “Americanah” — the puzzle composed of race, privilege and the destructive fist of American identity, a puzzle which explains how this country is wired to build some people up and knock others down. She
is not asking for pity, she is spelling out the truth. However, Adichie is careful not to make this the central plot of the novel. Although the world around Ifemelu does not aid in her original transition from Nigeria to the United States, the story is about her personal identity, the universal search for love and the reality of life in America for immigrants. Having moved to this country only recently myself, I couldn’t help but choke back emotions when Ifemelu describes her first few days in Manhattan, seeing my own reflection in her thoughts. It saddens me to think of all the slick freshmen who decided to bypass this reading and blunder their way through the group discussions. It saddens me to think that the puzzle will remain deconstructed before their eyes. Email Jemima McEvoy at jmcevoy@nyunews.com.
Starting Off with a Broadway Bang
By HAILEY NUTHALS Editor-at-Large
If there’s one thing that NYU can boast it offers more of than — almost — any other school, it’s daily access to Broadway shows. To start your year off with a little drama, here are a few shows currently on Broadway that offer discounted rush or lottery tickets that have already found their place in audiences’ hearts.
“Come From Away” This story about one of New York’s defining moments, 9/11, is actually set in the small town of Gander in Nova Scotia, Canada. The musical follows the true story of how planes
diverted from New York on the day of 9/11 were redirected to Gander and the unexpected camaraderie that formed between the plane’s passengers and the town’s locals. Rush tickets are $38 day-of, and are limited to two per person. Find the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre at 236 W 45th St., and read WSN’s review of the show here.
“Dear Evan Hansen” Starring Ben Platt, “Dear Evan Hansen” is a musical that has been the subject of much praise from critics. The story follows Evan as he navigates sudden fame and the high school hallways that are too often cruel to us all. The sudden suicide of a classmate sees Evan caught
in a lie that could hurt people if he keeps lying and hurt if he tells the truth. Everything from Platt’s acting to the musical’s score has been highly lauded. If you’re going to see Platt specifically, make sure to go before he leaves the cast Nov. 19. A limited number of lottery tickets are available for specific shows — check the show’s website for details and deadlines for purchase. Tickets are $42 and limited to two per person. Find the Music Box Theatre at 239 W 45th St.
“Hamilton”
If you haven’t heard of “Hamilton” by now, then you’re missing a great time to see George Washington rap. The Tony Award-winning
musical is composed of entirely hip-hop and rap music, played by a vastly diverse cast and has made writer and composer Lin Manuel-Miranda into a cultural hero. It follows founding father Andrew Hamilton on his wild and sordid rise from a “b--tard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman” to almost president of the just-formed United States. A digital lottery runs for every evening performance. You can enter once per show before 3 p.m. the day of. Tickets are $10. Find the Richard Rodgers Theatre at 226 West 46th St.
tickets to all sorts of events, including Broadway shows. The tickets are for specific nights, however, so be sure to regularly check their schedule for updated offerings.
The NYU Box Office has discounted and occasionally free
Email Hailey Nuthals at hnuthals@nyunews.com.
NYU Box Office
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Dear Evan Hansen has captivated the hearts of audiences and critics alike, collecting a number of Tony nominations and wins.
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Fall 2017 Concert Season By KHRYSGIANA PINEDA Books and Theater Editor
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“Riverdale” stars NYU alumn Cole Sprouse and premiered this past spring on CW, and can now be streamed on Netflix.
10 TV Shows You Might Not Know
By ANUBHUTI KUMAR Highlighter Editor
You heard about it, you got accepted and now you’re finally here ready to walk the halls and streets of NYU. Those that came before us have gone on to do things such as become the current mayor of New York City, business executives, ambassadors, congresspeople, Amal Clooney and who can ever be sure how much of Hollywood has passed through our lovely, brilliant, ambitious campus. It is the peak era of TV, so let’s take a look at some shows that you might not realize feature NYU alumni. 1. “Jane the Virgin” — Gina Rodriguez, Tisch School of the Arts 2006, plays the titular lead in this telenovela set in Miami. Jane starts the series caught in a love triangle and an unexpected pregnancy. 2. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” — Andy Samberg, Tisch School of the Arts 2000, is a Brooklyn cop in this office comedy full of highly competent law enforcement officers who are also the best of friends. This precinct knows very well how to get themselves into and out of trouble. 3. “Master of None” — Aziz Ansari, Stern School of Business 2004, is a master of much in this Emmy Award-winning Netflix dramedy that addresses issues from immigration to love to religion with heart, humor and wit. 4. “The Handmaid’s Tale” — Alexis Bledel, who only attended Tisch for a year, but that still counts. She might be known best as Rory from “Gilmore Girls,” but her career took a more dramatic turn with the release of this year’s Hulu adaptation of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Eerily reflective of our current political climate, the show has already been renewed for a second season. 5. “Will and Grace” — Debra Messing, Tisch School of the Arts MFA 1993, is back as New York interior designer Grace Adler. This early 2000s sitcom is back on
NBC for the fall season and has also been renewed for a second. Known for its groundbreaking portrayal of nuanced gay characters in pop culture, it will be exciting to see the show’s perspective in a different era with its biting humor and zany characters. 6. “Riverdale” — Cole Sprouse, Gallatin School of Individualized Study 2015, is a relatively recent graduate and already back on TV as Jughead Jones in the recent CW adaptation of the classic Archie comics, “Riverdale,” but with a murderous twist. 7. “The Good Place” — Kristen Bell, Tisch School of the Arts, left NYU in 2001 just a few credits shy of graduating. She is currently starring in NBC’s “The Good Place,” a comedy about a woman in heaven who might not belong. 8. “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” — Rachel Bloom, Tisch School of the Arts 2009, stars as a high-powered New York lawyer who gives it all up to move to the West Coast for a crazy, romantic exploit. This musical comedy airing on the CW is going into its third season this year with Emmys, Golden Globes and Critics’ Choice Awards already under its belt. 9. “Atlanta” — Donald Glover, Tisch School of the Arts 2006, might be most well known for his role in “Community,” but his latest role is in the dramedy “Atlanta.” Glover created this show himself — which makes sense, since his degree is in dramatic writing — about the Atlanta rap scene. Glover’s talents aren’t only limited to television, and many may recognize his stage name, Childish Gambino, due to immense success as a rapper, singer and songwriter. 10. You, the kid you had that one class with one time or maybe your best friend — a few years from now it will be you all gracing the pages of WSN because of your achievements and welcoming a new class of first-years. Email Anubhuti Kumar at akumar@nyunews.com.
The music venues this summer are hot and fraught with the best artists in the country. Musicians from A to Jay-Z are coming to the city, and their shows are surprisingly affordable. Grab a couple of friends, as long as they’re not The Killers. Make sure you supervise your Kid Cudis and come Sam Hunt for a chance to see Chance the Rapper. Search for your Head and Heart in the lyrics you love and be blown away to Bruno Mars, or maybe to the Mercury Lounge to see Jordan Rakei. Come and stay for Bonobo and Lana Del Rey. Ed Sheeran will be cheerin’ too because this fall lineup is going to raise the roof. Stevie Wonder, Green Day, The Killers and The Lumineers are headliners for The Global Citizen Festival, which will be held Sept. 23 in Central Park on the Great Lawn. The Global Poverty Project is hosting this charity concert event for the fifth time, requiring action to end poverty, tackle climate change and fight inequality in exchange for entry into the ticket lottery. Nearly 60,000 winners will be drawn from the lottery of contenders and awarded their tickets. The Chainsmokers will be featured along with Pharrell Williams, Big Sean, Andra Day and Alessia Cara at this annual concert, which will air live on MSNBC. AUGUST
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Brooklyn Steel 8:00 p.m.
Madison Square Garden 7:00 p.m.
Rough Trade 9:00 p.m.
Mercury Lounge 7:00 p.m.
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Central Park Summer Stage 6:00 p.m. OCTOBER
SEPTEMBER
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY KAITLYN WANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
NYC Fashion & Film Landmarks By SOPHIE SHAW Beauty & Style Editor
Turn a corner and suddenly you’re on the set of “Sex and the City” or “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Walking down the street and realizing that a scene from your favorite TV show or movie was filmed there is part of the charm of old New York, New York. As a fashion capital, the city has many iconic spots where the most memorable fashion films and shows were shot. Here are a few sites to visit if you want to feel a bit of Hollywood in New York.
Tiffany & Co. flagship 727 5TH AVE. Grab a pastry from one of the vendors at The Plaza Food Hall and walk south a few blocks to have your own authentic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” moment outside the flagship luxury jewelry store. Wear a pair of black wayfarer shades and a little black dress to fully emulate Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly as she appeared in the opening credits of the movie.
Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment 64 PERRY ST. In the hit TV show “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw, the fashion-forward sex columnist, lived in a brownstone on the Upper East Side, but the exterior shots of her apartment were filmed in the West Village. This landmark is worth visiting for anyone who appreciates a closet full of Manolos and Bradshaw’s unapologetically excessive style.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 5TH AVE. No need to go inside of the colossal museum to experience the go-to lunch spot of Manhattan’s queen bee, Blair Waldorf. The preppy and polished character from “Gossip Girl” and her posse opted to look over their Upper East Side domain from the Met steps. Pay homage to Blair’s signature look and wear a headband.
The Pond in Central Park NEAR EAST DR. AND E. 61 ST. This popular spot in the park is also the site of the urban jungle fashion shoot scene in “The Devil Wears Prada.” While there won’t be any models dressed like zebras or gazelles (but who knows? It is New York), you will probably be greeted by some pigeons, ducks and possibly turtles — urban jungle, indeed. But go ahead and have your own photo shoot, with the city in the background and the lush trees of Central Park surrounding you. This is a truly picturesque spot.
Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport 89 SOUTH ST. Diane Keaton and Woody Allen sure did cover a lot of ground in “Annie Hall,” so there are plenty of locations all over the city that appeared in the movie. This especially scenic setting, on the pier with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background, is where their characters Annie and Alvy share a kiss.
By YASMIN GULEC Dining Editor
PHOTO BY SOPHIE SHAW
The Pond in Central Park is an iconic location for those who know “The Devil Wears Prada” by heart, and an Instagram-worthy location to recreate the editorial shoot. While it isn’t an overtly fashion-focused film, Keaton’s character sets a prime example of how to dress androgynously.
Tom’s Restaurant 2880 BROADWAY Used for the exterior shots of Monk’s Diner where Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer would grab a coffee in “Seinfeld,” this Upper West Side establishment continues to serve classic diner food. Seinfeld and the crew may not be the most stylish bunch, but it’s impossible not to appreciate each character’s signature style — Jerry’s dad jeans, Elaine’s floral dresses, George’s plaid button downs and Kramer’s Hawaiian shirts. Email Sophie Shaw at sshaw@nyunews.com.
Must-Do Welcome Week Activities By THOMAS CHOU Deputy Features Editor
Every year as Welcome Week rolls around, it’s easy to get wrapped up in all the excitement and energy that engulfs the campus. With more than 5,500 first year students joining the community and hundreds of fun events taking place from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, NYU’s Welcome Week is highly anticipated. But with such a huge number of events, it can feel impossible to figure out which ones to attend. Never fear — here’s a quick roundup of Welcome Week’s tried and trues, which definitely won’t let you down.
PHOTO COURTESY OF WW MEDIA TEAM
Drag Bingo is always a highlight during Welcome Week activities with a lively crowd and a once-in-a-lifetime kind of host.
Hangouts
Throughout Welcome Week, “Hangouts” are opportunities to meet new students who have the same interests as you. With themes like social justice, foodie and film and movies, these hangouts are the perfect time to meet and discover people with similar interests or passions as yourself.
Bed, Bath and Beyond: After Dark Board the coach buses that NYU arranges outside of Bobst, and make your way to Bed, Bath and Beyond for those last minute dorm supplies that you left at home. This event is a great way to stock up on dorm essentials and necessities while having a fun time. With food carts and a live DJ, Bed, Bath and Beyond: After Dark turns shopping for home goods into a great time.
A Cappella Show Don’t miss your chance to hear NYU’s A Cappella groups in concert. Performers include NYU student groups such as the Mixtapes, Cleftomaniacs, Mass Transit, Vocaholics, N’harmon-
Mapping Out Your Meal Plan
ics and more. Live out your Pitch Perfect fantasies and check out a selection of the vocal talent that NYU has to offer.
Drag Bingo Bingo, drag queens and music, oh my — Drag Bingo is a great way to liven up your Welcome Week. This year, Drag Bingo will be hosted by Season 9 finalist of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Shea Couleé. Get ready to lip-sync for your life.
Star Ball The grand finale: the annual ball. Arguably the biggest Welcome Week tradition, you can have fun with friends while dancing on the highest floors of the Kimmel Center for Student Life with live DJs and performers, tons of free food and a killer view of the New York City skyline. There are vendor rooms full of NYU swag, so don’t forget to pick up some free goodies on your way out. This year, the theme is “star,” so dance the night away under the twinkling lights above. Email Thomas Chou at tchou@nyunews.com.
New York City has infinite food options, which means you don’t have to travel far to get a cheap and delicious bite. And if you’re on a meal plan that you don’t know how to finish, or if you simply want to eat outside the dining halls without spending extra money, here are some perfect places to use up those dining dollars. A number of food spots near campus also take campus cash or offer NYU discounts.
Places That Take Dining Dollars STARBUCKS 45 W. 4TH ST. Starbucks at Faye’s is a great option for grabbing coffee between classes. It is also a place to have study sessions with friends. If you go there early, you can get a window seat and procrastinate by people watching. They also take campus cash. PEET’S COFFEE & TEA KIMMEL CENTER FOR UNIVERSITY LIFE, 60 WASHINGTON SQUARE SOUTH If you want a quick bite to eat and a drink, Peet’s is a good option, especially if Starbucks at Faye’s is crowded — which it always is — and you are looking for a place to sit down. You can find NYU students studying or enjoying the balcony while sipping their drinks. Peet’s also takes meal swipes so you can get a drink, a snack and fruit for a meal swipe. It’s a pretty good deal. ARGO TEA 239 GREENE ST. Argo Tea is the perfect location for tea lovers with its huge variety of tea-based drinks. There are also coffee and bubble tea options available. Just like Peet’s and Starbucks, Argo Tea is another great place to study.
Places That Take NYU Campus Cash: OREN’S COFFEE 29 WAVERLY PL. (ACROSS FROM SILVER CENTER FOR ARTS AND SCIENCES) Oren’s Coffee is a small cof-
fee shop that is ideal for coffee to-go. It emphasizes the importance of serving quality and fresh coffee, offering delicious house-roasted brews and light-fare.
5 NAPKIN BURGER 150 E. 14TH ST. The Shake Shack versus InN-Out debate has a new contender, and it’s as legit and delicious as the other two. Worthy of five napkins because of its mouth-watering burgers, 5 Napkin Burger is the perfect place to go and hang out with friends while indulging yourself in a delicious burger that you will not regret eating. BOBA GUYS 11 WAVERLY PL. Boba Guys is one of the best places to get bubble tea in New York. You can choose from a variety of flavors, milk options, toppings, and sweetness levels. They have decaf and caffeinated drinks. You should definitely try the Horchata with housemade rice milk, cinnamon and boba.
Places That Offer an NYU discount THELEWALA INDIAN ROLL 112 MACDOUGAL ST. Thelewala is the perfect midnight munchies remedy. Only a short walk from Lipton Residence Hall, this place offers delicious Calcutta Nizami Rolls, Vegetable Rolls, Chaatwalas, and Calcutta Basti Khanas. Definitely try the Chata Pata Paneer Roll with paneer cheese, tomato sauce and onions; and Chicken Malai Roll with fried eggs, creamy marinade, red onions, and lime. SPOT DESSERT BAR 13 ST. MARKS PL. Spot Dessert Bar combines American and Asian flavors to make your taste buds explode with joy. Order one of their most famous desserts, The Harvest — layers of berries, soft cheesecake, meringue, raspberry sorbet, and black rose tea served in a small pot. Email Yasmin Gulec at ygulec@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY TAYLER MACMILLAN
Boba Guys is a favorite among students to get bubble tea near campus, stocked with the classics as well as some adventurous flavors.
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FEATURES
EDITED BY KAITLYN WANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
Welcoming FACES During Welcome Week Build Community By KAITLYN WANG Features Editor
Moving to a new city is hard enough. Moving to New York City is harder. Moving to a city to attend a school with 25,000 undergraduates — and one that is not necessarily known for a vibrant campus community — is possibly the hardest. For a few incoming students, like Tisch sophomore Jared Youmans, NYU’s noticeable lack of community drew them to apply to the FACES of Welcome Week program, an annual webseries that follows the lives of selected first year students as they transition to college life. “Being an active member of my community is something really important to me, and someone I knew from high school told me that community at NYU was virtually nonexistent,” Youmans, who participated in the program in the fall of 2016, said. “FACES seemed like fun and a pretty low-key deal.” Steinhardt sophomore Yean Franco-Martin, who was also a FACE in Fall 2016, said he felt the same way. For him, FACES was a
PHOTO COURTESY OF SABEL NEVES
Past NYU FACE Isabel Neves from her first year at NYU and today as a junior. way to start making friends almost immediately at NYU. “It helped me begin socializing with people but definitely taught me not to push friendships and let things grow organically,” Franco-Martin said. But what stuck out most to these past FACES was the people they met during the program. Tisch junior Isabel Neves,
Fresh Meat: New Food Spots this Fall By YASMIN GULEC Dining Editor
New York is a city that lives up to its reputation, as there are many places to visit, activities to do and, most importantly, new food to eat all the time. Sometimes it can be tricky to keep up with the fast pace of the city and all the new food available. Whether you are new to the city or haven’t yet been exploring, here are a few of places you should add to your to-do list and visit with your new college buddies. If you don’t want to venture far from home, make sure to check out Emily in the West Village. Only a six-minute walk from Washington Square Park, Emily is an up-and-coming pizzeria famous for its wood-fired pizzas and burgers. Make sure to try their Emmy Burger, which was named one of the best burgers in NYC by Refinery 29. In NoHo, Atla is a modern Mexican restaurant only six minutes away from Goddard Hall. It provides a homey envi-
VIA INSTAGRAM.COM
A new restaurant in NoHo, Atla has a welcoming ambiance and Mexican food made with a twist.
ronment where restaurant-goers can unwind and talk to friends. With local ingredients and healthy twists on Mexican cuisine, Atla is a great restaurant to visit if you are tired of Chipotle runs. Try their guacamole goat cheese toast, jasmine pearls tea and corn tamale. Chelsea Market is one of New York’s staples, but after opening its doors following a lot of anticipation, DeKalb Market Hall in Brooklyn may rival Chelsea’s popularity. Here, visitors can discover the newest trends in Brooklyn and revisit New York classics. With more than 40 vendors offering everything from arepas and noodles to ice cream to donuts, get ready to go on a food journey and indulge yourself. If you fear the dreaded freshman 15, or if you simply love eating healthy, visit Made Nice, a slow fast food restaurant that has salads, healthy meat, fish and chicken dishes and rice. Try their KHAO Salad with Hanger Steak a la Plancha, roasted broccoli, cilantro, crispy rice, parmesan, lime, chili & crispy shallot. This counter-service restaurant is a great place for a quick, casual bite and has a lively atmosphere. After being closed for a while, Empire Diner reopened in April, reclaiming all its former glory and trendy diner vibes. This upscale diner is all about making classic diner favorites with quality ingredients. You can either try their delicious breakfast food like buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, smoked salmon pastrami and rye pancakes or enjoy a delicious lunch from their versatile menu that includes their sourdough pretzel fried chicken and tuna poke bowl. Take advantage of all the city can offer and have a great Welcome Week full of great food and unforgettable experiences. Email Yasmin Gulec at ygulec@nyunews.com.
a 2015 participant, said she initially applied because she loved documenting her experiences for family and friends around the world, but what she benefited from most were the friends she made through FACES. “I felt part of a community immediately, and loved getting to know everyone involved in the project, a lot of whom I still
talk to today,” Neves explained. For all three, though, the FACES program helped jumpstart their experiences at NYU. Youmans thought he would be more involved in clubs on campus, and though he is a member of the improv team Home Improvment, and serves as the Outreach Ambassador for Broke People Theatre, he is looking towards a possible future role in another Welcome Week tradition — the NYU Reality Show. Franco-Martin also said he thought he would be more involved on campus. But he found that he needed to slow down. “You learn that a few passions is better than many side hobbies,” Franco-Martin explained. And though Youmans admits that he didn’t find the school spirit connection with NYU he was originally searching for with FACES, he still felt the experience was beneficial. “The best part about the FACES program by far is the people,” Youmans said. Email Kaitlyn Wang at kwang@nyunews.com.
Dorm Life: How to Care for Your Clothes By PAMELA JEW Deputy Copy Chief
Now that you’re in college, you can no longer rely on your parents to wash the heaps and heaps of laundry scattered over your dorm room floor. You’ve gotten the basic Tide Pods, but now is the time to learn how to wash your favorite button up or that perfect vintage dress without shrinking and-or ripping it in the process.
Drying Rack For your more delicate items, you definitely can’t dry them in the dorm dryers as they tend to shrink or even burn. A compact drying rack will let you hang your delicates out to dry and won’t make a mess across your room while you are airing out the laundry. These racks can be bulky and take up a lot of space, but you can opt for one that folds away neatly in your closet.
Washing Bag The washers and dryers toss around clothes without a care in the world. Mesh washing bags provide that barrier between super delicates, like bras and underwear, and the washer’s tumultuous spin cycle. Just place a few items in the bag, zip it up and toss it in with the rest of the laundry. Don’t overload these bags or else your clothes will barely get washed.
Stain Remover Pen These little pens are a godsend when you’re out having lunch with friends and all of a sudden, you accidentally drop a piece of food on your pants. The most well-known stain remover pen is the Tide To Go pen,
VIA PEXEL.COM
Even the smallest sewing kit can save your favorite clothing items when you’re in a stitch. which you just brush over the stain. In a matter of seconds, the stain is gone. But be careful with dyed clothing as the stain remover pen tends to take some of the dye with it.
Mini Steamer If you’re into looking clean and pristine, get yourself a steamer. Irons plus the ironing board take up way too much space, but a steamer takes up less space and has less parts. Specifically, try getting a mini steamer which can easily be stored under your bed. Make sure to dry out the steamer each time as mineral deposits will build up and eventually transfer onto your clothes if not cared for.
Sewing Kit We’re all prone to a little wear and tear on our clothes. Get a mini sewing kit to avoid having to rock holes in your favorite sweater. Look for one that comes with multiple thread colors to make an easy thread match to all of your clothes. Just note a sewing kit is only going to fix the smallest snags — not necessarily an entire seam rip. Email Pamela Jew at pjew@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SUNDAY, AUGUST 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY ANDREW HEYING OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
UNIVERSITY LIFE
STAFF EDITORIAL
Your First Friends Will Not Be Real Ones By ADRYAN BARLIA Deputy Opinion Editor
As Welcome Week approaches, the swarm of incoming freshmen will be feeling a range of emotions: anxiety, anticipation, delight, eagerness, enthusiasm and more. Worst of all, since most of you — yes, I am talking to you, freshmen — are leaving your hometowns, you may be thinking, “How will I make any friends?” Lucky for you, you will make many friends during Welcome Week. However, these are just your fill-in friends. See, one of the great things about all the Welcome Week events is that they actually do give you the opportunity to interact with hundreds of other freshmen. Yet, there is an illusion present with all those people — they are temporary. These fill-in friends are sadly
only there because you have not yet had enough time to develop any true and long-lasting friendships. Nevertheless, you desperately need to hang out with people because let’s face it: you probably do not want to be friendless in the first few weeks. Now, as pessimistic as this all may sound, I am here to tell you that although your fill-in friends cannot be your real friends, they still help while you transition to NYU. With these friends, you will be spending days and nights
out, exploring the city together and flexing your freedom muscles. But now, as we fast-forward past Welcome Week and past the first couple of weeks of classes, this bond you have created with your fill-in friends will weaken, and then one day be no more. Those nights hanging out will suddenly turn into just casual texting and then to just being Snapchat friends. It is a sad but realistic end to these so-called friends of yours. As sad as this is, there is a silver lining. Your fill-in friends are simply placeholders for your true friends. Although these people may not last forever, you would not be able to find your real ones without them. Email Adryan Barlia at abarlia@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Affirmative Action Needs Reform By ANDREW HEYING Deputy Opinion Editor
Before I even begin laying out my argument, I must say that this is not a piece about reverse racism, white supremacy or anything of the sort. I, like many others, believe diversity of race, gender, sexuality, religion, socioeconomic status and thought are extremely important — especially on college campuses. Colleges are supposed to prepare us for the real world, which is a diverse world, and this cannot happen in bubbles of one race, gender or world perspective. Through Affirmative Action, major positive steps have been taken in ensuring diversity of race and gender on college campuses. However, despite all the fuss made about Affirmative Action, the majority of kids on college campuses are still rich and white. For example, black students still only account for an average of six percent of the population at top-tier institutions. Furthermore, many universities — such as NYU — have more students enrolled from the top one percent than from the bottom sixty percent. Finally, the demographic that benefits the most from Affirmative Action is actually white women. If the American dream is that anyone can make it, regardless of who they are or where they come from, these statistics suggest the
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cards are still stacked immensely against far too many Americans. Clearly, Affirmative Action in its current state is not doing enough to offer equal opportunities in education. The best and most fair way to improve Affirmative Action is to push universities, especially toptier universities, to focus more on economic diversity. If Affirmative Action is about leveling the playing field, then colleges must put new emphasis on affordability. Income inequality in the United States is now at its highest since 1928. Therefore, most of the kids who can afford to go to America’s ridiculously overpriced top-tier universities are from families of extreme affluence. Not only is this problematic in that it prevents many bright, hardworking middle and lower class kids from attending our country’s best colleges, but it is also a central contributing factor to the lack of racial and geographic diversity on college campuses. Due to decades of institutional racism, black families still unfortunately make less on average than white
families. Because of this, rich white kids are much more likely to obtain the best jobs and therefore go on to achieve individual affluence. This is undoubtedly anti-American. Instead of constantly bragging about racial diversity — which is still insanely lacking — colleges should turn their focus on to making sure kids from all incomes can afford to attend. In fact, a push to make college more affordable through both lower tuition and more scholarships is one of the few topics that has recently received bipartisan support. In closing, I must acknowledge that yes, I am a white person writing about Affirmative Action. I was not inspired to write this because I feel as though white people are being somehow discriminated against through Affirmative Action. In fact, I am writing this because I believe in more diversity in higher education. I am sick of elite universities bragging about all of their supposed diversity when the majority of their students come from wealthy private schools on the coasts. Upper education must be made more affordable in order to ensure that any hardworking young person can achieve their dreams. In its current state, Affirmative Action simply is not doing enough.
Bigotry is Not Permitted at NYU
When President Donald Trump was elected, many Americans feared it was a sign that the United States was regressing on the country’s trend toward equality. Now, in mid-August, it appears that these fears have become a reality. In the wake of a rally that left three dead in Charlottesville, led by people bearing Nazi flags and chanting phrases such as “Jews will not replace us” and “Blood and soil,” Trump has struggled to condemn white supremacy and neo-Nazism. While the former leader of the Klu Klux Klan may find the president’s response to the tragedy in Charlottesville to be courageous and honest, this publication — and NYU as a whole — has no tolerance for racism, anti-Semitism, or any other form of hatred. In response to all of this, NYU President Andrew Hamilton issued a statement condemning all forms of hatred. While it is not usually necessary for universities to take a stance on individual political issues, Trump’s failure to speak out against the KKK and neo-Nazism left the rest of the country no choice. Trump referred to some participating in the riot as “very fine people,” and the rest of the country must declare that, on this issue, the president is objectively wrong. However, President Hamilton’s statement is not enough. The entire student body must make it clear that hatred and bigotry have no place on campus. Despite what the current president thinks, there is no excuse to carry a Nazi flag, there is no excuse to chant racist and anti-Semitic phrases, and there is no excuse for someone to die. Because the president has not done the obvious and immediately renounced the bigotry in Charlottesville, the NYU student body must reaffirm its commitment to equality and human decency. As students and as decent human beings, we must explain that the current president of the United States does not speak for the people of this university. Hateful speech and hateful action are and always will be reprehensible. Surely some will respond to this article by arguing that students can use their freedom of speech to express racist and bigoted views. And yes, everyone has freedom of speech, and this freedom means that no one can go to jail for expressing hateful views. However, that does not mean that this publication, our student body, or our administration will hesitate to call out racism, anti-Semitism, and other forms of bigotry. Frankly, it’s unbelievable that this op-ed even needs to exist in 2017.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at opinion@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Andrew Heying (Chair), Cara Zambrano (Co-chair), Adryan Barila(Co-chair)
Email Andrew Heying at aheying@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY POLINA BUCHAK
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ANECDOTES
EDITED BY JEMIMA MCEVOY NEWS@NYUNEWS.COM
False Alarm
The Magical, Mystery Pizza Tour
PHOTO COURTESY JEMIMA MCEVOY
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Friends at First Sight
PHOTO COURTESY RYAN MIKEL
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PHOTO COURTESY NATASHA ROY
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Welcome Week is full of surprises. I don’t why and I don’t know how, but by some act of divine intervention, I suppose, I ended up at a penthouse Stern party — of all places — overlooking the twinkling Manhattan skyline on the fourth night of Welcome Week. And that’s only where the story begins. For some of you cool cats, that situation might not sound too out of the ordinary, but I’m not exactly the typical guest to luxurious, elevated social gatherings pioneered by a gang of wannabe Jordan Belforts. It was quite an unprecedented experience for me, and the night only increased in strangeness as the moonlight soaked streets fell into a deeper sleep. Knowing me, I had chosen something unquestionably uncool to wear, but nonetheless I was hitting it off with some cute Columbia student who didn’t seem to have too much of a superiority complex. I remember looking out of the panorama windows at an expansive view of the Empire State Building and thinking, “I could get used to this.” Here is a message to past Jemima — you really shouldn’t get used to this. The moment was glorious, but as the beverages began to deplete, I sensed a shift in the atmosphere. I continued to dance and revel in my faux new life until hysterical shouts began to echo around the walls of the apartment, then my innocent little heart suddenly dropped. “The police are coming — everyone out,” some girl yelled as she sprinted toward the elevator. I bolted in a similar direction, grabbing the group of friends who I had come to the party with. There was a hysterical semi-circle of swaying bodies blocking the entrances to the elevators. One of whom was practically sobbing, “none of the elevators are working.” It was then that I realized I had no memory of how I had made it to the top of the building in the first place — if the elevators were broken, I must’ve taken the stairs. But, surely I would remember ascending a sky-scrapers worth of staircases? Especially with my upsetting lack of fitness. Either way, I knew there was only one way down. I can’t think of many things that are more challenging than descending 17 flights of stairs after a party — it’s the ultimate breathalyzer test. The entire thing felt like a rescue mission. I had a stranger on each arm, and we were all using each other to maintain balance as we essentially flopped down the steps in front of us. Along the way, I saw missing shoes, jackets and the heaving bodies of those who had compromised their safety to take a pitstop on the tenth floor. I lost my friends along the way, but found them waiting for me at the bottom. Apparently some girl had gotten bored of the party, so she decided to tell everyone that the cops were coming. But that wasn’t the main question I had as I sat panting at the foot of the enormous building. “How did you guys get down so quickly?” “We walked down a few floors and took the elevator the rest of the way.” You live and you learn.
NYU’s Freshman Welcome Week is a whirlwind of back-to-back, mostly fun — sometimes forced — experiences: the Schoolhouse-Rock-style welcoming at Madison Square Garden, the always lit, always anticipated “Ball” at the Kimmel Center, and those notorious 49 Grove St. parties. It is not uncommon to be overwhelmed by the overwhelming amount of options for immersing yourself in NYU student life. It is also not uncommon to make your own fun. For my Third North third-floor comrades and me, we went on a super cheesy, one-night-only tour of the myriad of pizza joints Greenwich Village has to offer. From the college student friendly prices of Two Bros Pizza to the Southern comfort twang of Two Boots Pizza, the self-curated excursion helped lay the first stone between the unfamiliar faces and places around me through a night of never-ending slices. Across the street from Third North Residence Hall, Gotham Pizza is a near-must midnight destination for those coming home from the library or a night out. Carrying one of the more pricey selections of pizza — averaging $3 to $4 a slice — Gotham is well-known amongst NYU students for its four-for-$1 garlic knots and to-die-for White Slice. A few blocks to its right and left, Joe’s Pizza and Ray’s Pizza, respectively, are Gotham’s sworn competitors, offering similar price points. Ray’s Pizza, a personal favorite, offers wider slices and wider varieties, including bagels, calzones and a killer homemade ranch recipe. Joe’s Pizza, the general consensus’ favorite, is hailed by New York Magazine as “Best of New York,” offering mouth-watering slices, but with a lengthy weekend line. For the adventurous souls, Two Boots Pizza offers a unique array of pizzas, including “The Bayou Beast” with shrimp, crawfish, and jalapenos; the Cajun bacon cheeseburger pie known as “The Dude”; and the otherworldly Cajun Ranch dipping sauce. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Two Bros Pizza accommodates the broke and simplistic souls of NYU with its $3 house special — two plain cheese slices and a Coke. Of course, the Village pizzerias don’t end here, for you have the next four years to find your favorite midnight cheese fix. But for those looking for a night off from Welcome Week shenanigans, I cannot more highly recommend grabbing your roommates, friends, and their roommates for a tour of the world-class New York City pizza scene.
I was possibly the epitome of freshman trash when I started NYU. I was insanely excited to leave my small hometown in Georgia and meet people from all over the world in college. Within the first few days of Welcome Week, I had a group of 10+ people I hung out with, talked to in a group chat and, most importantly, coordinated Welcome Week activities with. That Welcome Week Events app was made for me. We did everything — Drag Bingo, Casino Night, Coney Island day trips, Good Vibes Ball, Disney karaoke, you name it. Outside of NYU-sponsored activities, my new friends and I wandered around Washington Square Park at midnight, got hit on by creepy men and joined other random freshmen for late-night gelato runs. We rarely took advantage of the endless time we had to venture out past Greenwich Village. What more could we possibly want when the NYU bubble gave us endless fun? We were truly lame. A lot of people will tell you that no matter your Welcome Week experience, you probably won’t stay friends with the people you hung out with — but I’m here to tell you that doesn’t have to be true. If you find the right group of people to spend time with, no matter how lame or cool your Welcome Week nights are, some of them might end up staying in your life well after the first week has come and gone. My best friend at NYU was one of my Welcome Week friends — we’ve been there for each other through internship success, boy troubles and pizza cravings. I spent my last few hours of freshman year with her, wandering around the West Village late at night and sitting by the Hudson Pier, staring at the Freedom Tower, and we’ve spent every week of summer counting down to the day we get to descend upon 99 Cent Fresh Pizza once more. A guy who was once, to me, just some kid from Brazil is now the guy I can call on to rescue me from stressing myself out over essays or to stay on the phone with me while avoiding creepy men at the park. We’ve never shared a class or club together, but he remains one of the most important people in my life. To be sure, I met some of my best friends at college months after Welcome Week memories faded. But their presence in my life didn’t erase that of my first-week friends. Just because you aren’t obligated to hang out with your Welcome Week friends after classes start doesn’t mean you shouldn’t — they’ve been with you through your first week of freedom, and they can absolutely be there as you continue to grow and learn past that.
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