THE PROFESSORS ISSUE
George Baroud, Pascal Wallisch, Efrain Rozas, Adele Fournet, Carlos Chirinos
INSIDE 03 The Invisible Students 04 TKTK Session with Amelia Murray 07 Tandon Students Take Professors to Lunch for Free 11 Pay Attention to Foreign Affairs 12 NYU Retired Athletes Don't Stop Competing
DESIGNED BY RACHEL BUIGAS-LOPEZ AND LAURA SHKOURATOFF
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
Japan Grants NYU Law $5 Million
COURTESY OF NYU LAW NEWS
From left to right: Japanese Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi, Jerome Cohen, Ren Ito and NYU Law Dean Trevor Morrison accepting the five million dollar donation from the Japanese government to the NYU Law U.S.-Asia Institute. By CHRISTINE LEE Staff Writer The government of Japan granted the NYU School of Law U.S.-Asia Law Institute $5 million earlier this month to advance education in comparative and international law so as to further the engagement between the United States and Asia when it comes to solving legal conflicts. According to the institute’s website, USALI is a leading re-
search center based in the U.S. and focused in the study of law in Asia. The center also serves as a partner and resource for various Asian countries as they develop their legal systems, the website said. The grant was recognized with a ceremony held at NYU School of Law, following USALI’s 23rd Annual Timothy A. Gelatt Memorial Dialogue event on the Rule of Law in East Asia. NYU Law Public Affairs Offi-
cer Michelle Tsai said that the purpose of the gift from Japan’s government is to enable USALI to continue its work in promoting the understanding and use of international law to resolve conflicts. Tsai also said the gift is not directly for the purpose of promoting the study of Japanese law. “That said, USALI’s relationship with Japan has deepened over the years, and the institute has, for many years, worked with scholars and practitioners from Japan on international law as well as comparative law,” Tsai said. According to NYU Law’s website, USALI regularly hosts two to four visiting Japanese scholars whose research relates to the law for one year. This year, three visiting scholars will be at the institute for a full year as well as two additional scholars for shorter periods. NYU Law was the first American law school to initiate, through USALI, a program for a public interest lawyer chosen by the Japanese Federation of Bar Associations to come as a visiting scholar each year, according to Tsai. Tsai said that USALI held its
Professors: Landlords Must Pay MTA By CHRISTINE LEE Staff Writer
The New York City subway system was riddled with emergency repairs, train delays and system malfunctions this summer. To fix the subway system, Mayor Bill de Blasio plans to tax the rich to pay for repairs, but Governor Andrew Cuomo prefers to make the drivers pay to drive through the city’s most congested parts. NYU Tandon School of Engineering Professors Giancarlo Falcocchio and Constantine Kontokosta estimated that there is a better way to pay the transit repairs. They calculated how much landlords benefit financially from their proximity to the subway system in order to argue that building owners who attract business from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority should help pay for the maintenance of transportation. “We find that what owners of high rise commercial buildings contribute [to the MTA] does not equate to the benefits they receive from a reliable subway service,” Falcocchio said. “But they should.” This claim was originally made by former MTA executive Michael Horodniceanu who argued that commercial real estate could play a bigger role in contributing to the repairs and maintenance fund of the MTA at a transit conference called Fixing Mass Transit on Oct. 23. After the conference, Falcocchio said that he and Kontokosta adopted Horodniceanu’s opinion and
first program in Japan on comparative wrongful convictions this past year and that the program grew out of a month-long NYU-based program in which Japanese visiting scholars participated. Tsai also said that with the assistance of another visiting scholar from Japan, USALI organized a one-week program this past year for a dozen Japanese criminal defense lawyers to study the role and responsibilities of American criminal defense lawyers at the earliest stages of a case. Wilf Family Professor of Property Law Frank Upham, who teaches comparative law with an emphasis on East Asian countries and has written books and articles about Japanese law and society, said USALI is an important and unique space to exchange ideas and information. “This is an invaluable and rare opportunity for Japanese judges, lawyers and scholars to discuss their research with their colleagues from the [United States], China, Taiwan and Korea,” Upham said. “From a different perspective, we have now
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By ALEX DOMB Deputy News Editor From Nov. 17 to Nov. 21, The NYU Department of Public Safety received one report of a controlled substance violation, one report of criminal mischief and two reports of larceny.
NYU Tandon professors Constantine Kontokosta (left) and Giancarlo Falcocchio (right) argue that the MTA restorations should be paid by landlords who profit from near subway stations. conducted an analytical study of exactly how New York City landlords might have quantitatively benefited from the MTA. “[The interpretation of the study’s results is] based on the equity principle that those who benefit from subway service should contribute their fair share — as subway passengers and bridge or tunnel users do — toward its annual operating and maintenance,” Falcocchio said. Falcocchio also said that he was motivated to start this research project because the MTA’s resources and revenue do not adequately cover the cost of sustaining and improving the subway system. Per the team’s analysis, there are more than 664 million square feet of commercial and
industrial space within a quarter mile of a subway or rail station below 60th street in Manhattan. In 2016, the MTA spent roughly $2.6 billion to provide these areas with mass transit service. To continue their studies, Falcocchio said that the team hopes to investigate the merits and mechanism of creating a dedicated Transit Maintenance Assessment fund, alongside New York City officials and other relevant stakeholders. “We also expect NYU students to benefit from a more reliable subway service that will not make them late for class or other scheduled events,” Falcocchio said. Email Christine Lee at news@nyunews.com.
Email Christine Lee at news@nyunews.com.
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a tradition of social gatherings that have been initiated and organized mainly by our Japanese [Visiting Scholars].” The USALI visiting scholars also participate in NYU classes and enrich discussions of international and comparative law. “There are students at all of our events,” Upham said. “[Visiting Scholars] from Japan and elsewhere audit classes and help [Juris Doctor] students with research and papers. Students also get a chance to network with Japanese lawyers, judges and academics.” USALI also plans to offer a class in Fall 2018 on comparative criminal justice. The class will cover Japan, China and the U.S. USALI Executive Director Ira Belkin will co-teach the course with a professor from Japan. “In addition, USALI welcomes students to work as student scholars,” Tsai said. “One of the institute’s student scholars accompanied the USALI delegation to Japan this past June.”
Controlled Substance Violations On Nov. 21 at 10:15 p.m., Public Safety responded to a report of an alleged controlled substance violation in Alumni Hall and recovered a small amount of marijuana from the residence. The case has been referred to the Office of Community Standards.
Criminal Mischief On Nov. 19 at 8:08 a.m., an NYU student reported that he
saw graffiti written in a bathroom stall on Lower Level 1 of Elmer Holmes Bobst Library. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation.
Larceny On Nov. 20 at 11:40 a.m., an NYU staff member reported that a package was missing from a desk in the Founders Residence Hall Resource Center. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Nov. 21 at 10:15 p.m., an NYU student reported that her bike tire was missing from her bike at the Vanderbilt bike rack. The case is open and under investigation. Email the news team at news@nyunews.com.
INFORMING YOU FIRST
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NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
By SAKSHI VENKATRAMAN Deputy News Editor Ranked number 10 on Nursing School Hub’s “Top 30 Cutting Edge Nursing Schools,” the Rory Meyers College of Nursing is one of NYU’s hidden gems. Situated about 1.5 miles away from Washington Square Park on the 400 block of First Avenue, the globally renowned program lives in relative obscurity to students taking classes on Washington Square. While the nursing school is smaller than the Stern School of Business or the College of Arts and Science, the coursework and clinical experience required makes it arguably one of the most challenging tracks offered at the university. Many nursing students feel like the strenuous nature of their academic and work life goes unrecognized by fellow students. “Nursing offers so much more than what people think,” nursing senior Olivier Gaillard said. “It’s downplayed so much. People tell us, ‘Just go all the way and become a doctor,’ but we have to learn so much more than people think we do. We have to know the majority of the information about the patients.” Nursing is more than just learning numbers and techniques — students say they are often taxed emotionally during hospital clinical simulations in which they learn bedside manner and communication skills by directly interacting with patients. “People in general don’t consider nursing to be hard — they think it’s something anyone
Nursing Students Feel Neglected can do,” nursing senior Angie Rosario said. “But we’re basically pre-med in a very condensed overview — it’s a lot. You can teach anyone to do a finger-stick, but in terms of why and what it’s all about, it comes from lectures.” Paired with the lack of respect for nursing as a profession, nursing students at Rory Meyers feel they receive less attention compared to students at other NYU schools. “When the nursing school got named Rory Meyers last year, no one really talked about it,” nursing senior Arlette Espinosa said. “But I remember when [the Tandon School of Engineering] got its name a few years ago, it was made a really big deal. According to Rory Meyers Dean Eileen Sullivan-Marx, however, the recognition given to nursing has improved since she started as dean in 2012. “In the nursing world, we know NYU is one of the best,” Sullivan-Marx said. “When I arrived five years ago, I don’t think everyone knew that on campus. It’s not a large school, but it’s large for a nursing school. Now, I think nursing does get a lot of attention at NYU. We have students that serve on the University Senate and the Student Council. I’m vice chair of the Dean’s Council.” As nursing students enter the final years of the program, they spend most of their time in the First Avenue building or the hospitals in which they do their clinicals, with little time to travel to main campus. According to nursing students, this distance poses challenges and takes a lot of
getting used to. “We’re kind of isolated on First Avenue,” Gaillard said. “We don’t have classes on main campus and we don’t really get time to go visit people. It’s emotionally taxing. It may seem depressing for some, but after a while you get used to it. You grow, you adapt to it. ” Some nursing students also complain of lack of access to Washington Square’s resources. “My friend is in the accelerated nursing program,” Espinosa said. “She’s paying around $100,000 for a 15-month program and she doesn’t even know where Bobst or the bookstore are.” But Sullivan-Marx says this detachment is not unique to NYU. “I have been to many nursing schools over the course of my career,” she said. “Even when the buildings are right in the middle of campus, students in junior and senior year still feel like they are not part of the main campus because they’re so busy with nursing classes.” A large part of what makes the lives of nursing students so intense is the combination of classes and pass/fail clinical simulations, which require students to work between eight and 16 hours at a hospital. Many students also take on part-time jobs outside of their school work. The difficulty of coursework is amplified by the emphasis employers place on college GPA. “Summer externships require a 3.5 GPA which is very limiting,” said a nursing student, who chose to remain anonymous. “I have been at NYU Langone for all of my clinicals, it’s
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NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing ranked number 10 on Nursing School Hub’s “Top 30 Cutting Edge Nursing Schools.” the only hospital I know, but I probably won’t be considered for an externship there. “People in nursing sometimes have the grades but not the personality aspect or patient interaction skills. They’re not passionate, yet they end up getting the jobs,” the student said. Like many other nursing programs in the United States, Rory Meyers holds town halls in which leaders of student organizations address areas of dissatisfaction in front of five deans. According to James Pace, senior associate dean for academic programs, these complaints range from classroom temperature to concern about curriculum content. “It’s an opportunity for administration to hear their concerns and inform students what we can do about it or what the limitations are,” Pace said. Despite complaints, students in Rory Meyers said they have experienced great personal and
professional growth in the demanding program. “We get to live what we’re learning,” Rosario said. “My psych rotation at Bellevue Hospital was the most humbling experience. There are so many misconceptions out there, but it’s about talking to patients and normalizing their environment — I learned how to play spades from one of the psych patients. I see homeless people differently now.” Ultimately, nursing students simply want others to stop dismissing the profession as easy. “Nursing has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons,” Gaillard said. “I’ve started to see the human side of nursing instead of the business or medical side. Once you’re with patients for eight hours a day, you find there’s much more to the healthcare field than what meets the eye.” Email Sakshi Venkatraman at svenkatraman@nyunews.com.
UCATS and NYU Clash Over Contract Details
By LORENZO GAZZOLA Staff Writer
After weeks of negotiations for a new contract, NYU has responded with a contract proposal to demands set forth by the Union of Clerical, Administrative and Technical Staff Local 3882 two weeks ago. These proposals include the elimination and reduction of certain benefits for UCATS workers and an hourly wage proposal that is lower than UCATS’ original wage proposal, UCATS organizer Linda Wambaugh said. The two sides appear far from reaching a deal. “The major items remain to be settled,” UCATS said in its Nov. 22 bargaining update. UCATS members have expressed their dissatisfaction with the university’s recent proposal, saying that it does not address the concerns set forth in the union’s draft of the contract. While refraining from going into detail, Wambaugh listed some proposals set forth by NYU in its response that the union views as disheartening.
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“We had hoped that the new NYU administration would shift its employment policies in concrete ways — i.e. better wages, benefits and support for employee rights — to support and invest in their hardworking, well-educated and highly skilled employees and to start trying to
get their cost savings through other means,” Wambaugh said in an email. “Perhaps trimming the lavish compensation and perks extended to the very top administrators.” The two sides have primarily been arguing over higher wages and affordable health insurance,
STAFF PHOTO BY TONY WU
Members of UCATS rallied outside 105 E 17 St on Nov. 14.
according to UCATS president and Stern graduate Stephen Rechner. NYU responded to UCATS’ complaints, saying NYU’s proposal addresses the union’s demands set forth in UCATS’ original proposal. “The union has been calling on the university to respond to its economic proposal, and we have done exactly that with a proposal that provides for salary increases in every year of the contract that are very much in line with the increases characteristically set aside for administrators,” NYU spokesperson John Beckman said. “It is hard to understand why that should be described as ‘disheartening.’” Nevertheless, Wambaugh said that UCATS believes NYU ignored the union’s concerns and views the university’s proposal as a continuation of suppressing employee wages and benefits despite an increase in productivity for workers, as well as an attempt to restrict employees’ legal and union rights. To express their discontent with NYU’s proposal, UCATS members held a rally last Tuesday
outside of Elmer Holmes Bobst Library. Approximately 40 people were in attendance. They have also created an online petition on change.org that has received over 1,000 signatures. UCATS, which represents nearly 1,400 members of NYU’s staff, has been in negotiations for a new six-year contract with the university since Sept. 18. The contract, which was agreed upon in 2011, expired on Oct. 31 of this year. After failing to reach an agreement, both sides extended the deadline for agreement to Nov. 30. With the Nov. 30 deadline quickly approaching, NYU and UCATS must look to find a contract agreement soon. The next and final bargaining meeting between NYU and UCATS before Thursday’s deadline will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28. If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, however, the deadline will most likely be extended to allow negotiations to continue, Wambaugh said. Email Lorenzo Gazzola at news@nyunews.com.
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James Franco Turns ‘Disaster’ Into Masterpiece
By DANIELLA NICHINSON Film Editor
Failure. We all know it, we all fear it and we all hope never to experience it. In 2003, a man named Tommy Wiseau released a film he wrote, directed and starred in called “The Room.” It was meant to be his magnum opus, his Tennessee Williams moment of overwhelming drama — but things don’t always go according to plan. Instead, “The Room” was labeled the worst film ever made and the “‘Citizen Kane’ of bad movies.” But there was an inherent quality of sheer joy about it that compelled people to watch it over and over again, giving it a now-cult status and landing it in the hands of former NYU professor James Franco. Franco directs and stars in “The Disaster Artist,” based on the book of the same name by Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell which chronicles Sestero’s friendship with Wiseau and the making of “The Room.” Franco, who plays Wiseau, seeks to explore the inner heart and sensibilities of Wiseau and unearth the man behind the perplexing figure. “The Disaster Artist” manages to beautifully balance
the innate comedy of the story with the underlying tones of melancholy and hopelessness, making for an impeccable study of the desire to succeed. With the aid of a few prosthetics, Franco bears an undeniable resemblance to Wiseau. Layer that with Wiseau’s infamous accent and Franco disappears into the character, wholly committing himself to mimic all of Wiseau’s odd mannerisms and traits. Opposite him, as Sestero, is Dave Franco, who grapples with the morality of staying loyal to him or abandoning Wiseau to pursue his own career. The rest of the cast, including Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor and Josh Hutcherson, completes the film’s impressive list of characters which perfectly reproduces the same atmosphere of “The Room.” In the making of “The Disaster Artist,” Franco and the cast recreated nearly 30 minutes of “The Room.” Their reenactments are so precise that when shown simultaneously with footage from “The Room,” elements as small as Franco’s hand movements and body posture align exactly with Wiseau’s. This level of commitment to the source material mirrors
Wiseau’s own fervor and is a testament to Franco’s longing to pay respect to “The Room’s” original creator. The most unexpected and profound quality of “The Disaster Artist” is its ability to amplify the unseen emotion at the core of “The Room.” For the last 14 years, the cult classic has entertained audiences with its apparent absurdity and lack of cinematic finesse, but what lies beneath its comedic cloak is indeed a tale of passion, despair and betrayal. When Wiseau first came to Los Angeles, he was a man isolated from the world, hoping to live his dream in the City of Angels. Franco captures his wayward spirit and lost soul with a graceful poignancy that showcases his breadth of sensitivity. In a Q&A following the screening, Dave Franco talked about the uncertainty and challenges of the creative process. “No one ever sets out to make a bad movie,” Franco said. “I’ve talked to a handful of people in the industry who have seen our movie who say that it makes them sad because it brings them back to when they were first starting or even now when you’re on a set and you’re giv-
ing it everything you have and you have these moments of, ‘Is what I’m doing working or is this a total mess?’” While Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room” appeared to be a failure, it was an unusual triumph. “The Disaster Artist” shows us how
the worst film of all time is actually Hollywood’s greatest feat. “The Disaster Artist” opens in New York theaters on Friday, Dec. 1. Email Daniella Nichinson at dnichinson@nyunews.com.
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Former NYU professor James Franco directs and stars in ‘The Disaster Artist.’
TKTK Session with Amelia Murray
STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
Steinhardt Music Technology sophomore Amelia Murray performed some of her original songs for the WSN staff including “Calcium” and “Speak Your Mind.” By WOOJUNG KIM Staff Writer Steinhart Music Technology sophomore Amelia Murray came into the WSN office on Nov. 10 to perform her songs, “Calcium,” “Hindsight” and “Speak Your Mind” for an enthralled audience. After her set, WSN sat down with the artist to talk about songwrit-
ing, future aspirations and why she came to NYU. Washington Square News: Where do you get your inspirations? Amelia Murray: Probably my earliest influences are Amy Winehouse, Norah Jones and Stevie Sounds, but recently I have been into new artists such as Pinegrove. WSN: Why and how did you
decide to pursue a career in the music industry? AM: For me, I feel like I did not have any other decision. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. I definitely believe I made the right decision because I know I can’t do anything that requires sitting at a desk. WSN: You have been a part of many shows. Which was the most memorable to you?
AM: I performed at a show [similar to] South by Southwest in Minneapolis. It was one of my first performances and I forgot the words halfway through. I didn’t have any experience like that before so I asked the audience, “Anyone know the next words?” The experience stuck with me because I was paralyzed and I had no idea what to do. I made mistakes and completely learned from them. So now I know what to do when things like that happen. But then I was traumatized. WSN: You are from central Massachusetts. Why did you decide to come to NYU? AM: I actually did not intend to come here. I didn’t like the city. I wanted to be close to home. There are too many people. I applied on a whim. I got accepted and got a financial package so I decided to go on a tour with my mom. At that time, I was totally going to Berklee College of Music. When someone asked me, I would say that I was going to Berklee for jazz music and songwriting. When I came to NYU and saw Washington Square Park, I had this moment where I was like, “This is it.” I think I made the right decision since nothing can win over the music industry in New York. WSN: How do you write your original music? AM: I think my best songs
happened in a vomit. For me, when I am happy, sad or feel something intense, I sit with a guitar or a piano and start playing. It will tap. The song
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For me, when I am happy, sad or feel something intense, I sit with a guitar or a piano and start playing. AMELIA MURRAY
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“Calcium” when I first played it is 90 percent the same as now. I capture the feeling I have in that moment. WSN: How is your new extended play coming along for the fall and winter season? AM: It is definitely coming along. The single “Calcium” will be released in early December and the EP will be out shortly after. I am recording it with two of my friends who have been a huge help. Email Woojung Kim at music@nyunews.com.
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Gallatin Mental Health Festival
By JOSHUA JONES Contributing Writer
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The 40-foot tree stands in George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” is one of the focal set pieces in the performance.
Not My Nutcracker: An A-Z Guide By RYAN MIKEL Entertainment Editor
The weather outside is frightful, but the city of New York is quite delightful, especially during the holiday season. For first timers, or any timers, who are lucky enough to spend this magical time of year in such a magical place, the city is your oyster when it comes to decking the halls and whatnot. And everyone, at least once, should experience the holiday rite of passage that is “The Nutcracker.” Disclaimer: “The Nutcracker” is not just for children. The eponymous Nutcracker Prince and the infamous Land of Sweets welcome audiences of all ages, opening a world of battling mice, dancing candy and talking toys for younger audiences while revisiting a childlike wonder and nostalgia for older attendees. Picking the perfect “Nutcracker” for you and yours can be as stressful as trying to follow the complicated, original E. T. A. Hoffman storyline. But in a city as big as Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s timeless score, New York City offers a “Nutcracker” suited for any and all tastes.
George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” I want to start big, and by big, I mean 140 dancers, 62 musicians and over 30 stagehands big. New York City Ballet is one of the most prominent ballet companies in New York, and pretty much the world, and its “Nutcracker” couldn’t be more extra. Choreographed almost a century ago by the company’s founder George Balanchine, City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” is still as exciting as its opening night. The choreography is bigger, the dancers are better, and at $85 a ticket, it is the priciest production in town, but for good reason. Take the nearest cab or train uptown to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to experience the magic of imagination in this definitive New York treat. NOV. 26 – DEC. 31 AT DAVID H. KOCH THEATER. TICKETS START AT $85.
“Great Russian Nutcracker” Are you looking for the magic of imagination but for a college
student’s budget? Look no further. Similar in grandeur, but different in style, the Moscow Ballet’s regal “Great Russian Nutcracker” is rooted in pure classicism. Before ballet made its way to North America, Russian ballet companies were shaping the art form with greats like Enrico Cecchetti and Marius Petipa, the latter having choreographed the original production. The “Great Russian Nutcracker” is an essential and financially accessible production for anyone looking to dip their toes into the expansive world of classical ballet. DEC. 9 AT KINGS THEATRE. TICKETS START AT $27.50.
“The Yorkville Nutcracker” “The Yorkville Nutcracker” features equally exciting choreography and scenery and even includes New York City Ballet principal dancer Abi Stafford as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Performed at Hunter College by the professional dance troupe Dances Patrelle, “The Yorkville Nutcracker” is the New Yorker’s “Nutcracker.” The Big Apple-themed production nixes the Land of Sweets for beloved New York City landmarks like the Botanical Gardens and Central Park. DEC. 7-10 AT THE KAYE PLAYHOUSE. TICKETS START AT $65.
Keith Michael’s “The Nutcracker” A swift departure from the aforementioned textbook productions, Keith Michael’s “The Nutcracker” is an outrageous and updated retelling of the holiday classic that still preserves its warm and family-friendly spirit. Set in the Art Nouveau style of the early 1900s, this loud and highly stylized production is a prismatic feast for the eyes, notably featuring larger-thanlife polka dot mice and dancing chopsticks, danced by New York Theatre Ballet. This revamped classic, with its discounted tickets, is an obvious must-see for those still on the fence about the holiday rite of passage. DEC. 15-17 AT FLORENCE GOULD HALL. TICKETS START AT $24. Email Ryan Mikel at rmikel@nyunews.com.
Mental health has been a recurring topic in recent times, for better or worse. While there is increasing awareness of the issues that affect so many in the United States and worldwide, often the discussion can be difficult to have. Commonly, politicians — mostly those wanting to divert
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On Nov. 28, NYU Gallatin students will hold the Gallatin Mental Health Arts Festival to increase awareness of the issue.
attention from gun control movements — will blame tragedies such as mass shootings on mental health while failing to help mental health issues in meaningful ways. Most of that work falls not on those elected, but rather advocates: normal citizens who want to see change. This drive is visible at NYU, where Gallatin seniors Brennan O’Rourke and Shayna Feuer are hosting a festival to display art related to mental health. The Gallatin Mental Health Arts Festival, which will be held Nov. 28 from 5-9 p.m. in the Jerry H. Labowitz Theater, is a showcase of art created by Gallatin students as a means of healing for those struggling with mental health issues. “The goal of the festival is to celebrate the arts and their power for empowerment and social change in relation to mental health,” O’Rourke said. Sponsored by funding from the Gallatin Student Resource Fund, the festival also hopes to lessen the stigma around mental health at NYU. The festival is of great importance to its organizers. Both O’Rourke and Feuer have dealt with mental health concerns and have
found art to be especially helpful in their lives. “Music and art have been very influential in my own mental health journey,” Feuer said. “I wanted to create an environment where people could explore and express their own journeys with health and art.” O’Rourke has also witnessed the condition of their father, who has schizophrenia, improve as he interacted with art. For Feuer, who studies health and the arts, this festival has been in the making for a long time. Feuer had previously proposed a similar festival, while O’Rourke wanted to arrange panels dedicated to the discussion of mental health. In response, Gallatin insisted they work together instead. “It has been a long process but we are excited to finally be producing this event,” Feuer said. “I think one of our main goals is to provide an environment to not only discuss mental health, but also to celebrate mental difference and the capacity it has to inspire and influence all forms of artistic expression.” Email Joshua Jones at entertainment@nyunews.com.
Caesar Serenades Brooklyn
By XIN-RUI LEE Contributing Writer
With a voice that washes away sin, Daniel Caesar transported us to his perilous rose-tinted world. Eyes closed while he clung to the microphone stand, his dedicated sect of hungry parishioners relished in every dip, tremor and heart-wrenching falsetto of his honey-warm vocals. As a part of his “Freudian” world tour, the Torontonian singer-songwriter performed at the Music Hall of Williamsburg the night before Thanksgiving. Ten minutes before the doors opened, the line snaked around the block, eager fans huddled against the cold for the first of two sold-out New York shows. Shooting to fame after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album “Freudian,” Caesar crafts saccharine love songs grounded in rich, sexy R&B beats. Folding in hints of gospel sounds that reveal Caesar’s heavily religious upbringing, he hits a sweet spot that appeals to the romantic buried deep within us all. Opening the show was R&B singer Snoh Aalegra, who warmed audiences with her self-described brand of cinematic soul. Performing songs from both her debut EP “Don’t Explain” and her recently released album “FEELS,” she ended her set with fan favorite “Under the Influence.” Born to Persian
parents and raised in Sweden, the songstress now finds herself based in Los Angeles — though her style and accent could pass her off as a New Yorker. Donning white outfits complemented by all-white instruments and microphone stands, Caesar took the stage, his short set comprised of songs spanning his still-brief career. “Question for you guys,” Caesar enquired between songs. “Yell really loud, only if you been fucking with me since ‘Praise Break.’” The entire room burst into an uproar. Referencing his EP released back in 2014, Caesar led into his performance of the EP’s first single “Violet,” which was written about a young woman he was once enamored with. This was followed by “Death and Taxes,” and then a string of songs from
“Freudian,” including “Hold Me Down” and “Take Me Away.” Caesar naturally ended off the night with a one-song encore of his most popular track “Get You,” which features Kali Uchis. The soulful ballad is hardly complicated. Caesar explained in a Genius video that it was essentially about being “really broke … and having a lot of sex all day all the time [because] there was nothing really else to do.” But one can’t simply write this song off for its supposedly trivial subject matter. Caesar constructs and invites us into the world he’s built with his lover; this notion of deep honeymoon-phase mutual necessity can’t help but resonate with anyone who has ever been in or imagined love. Email Xin-Rui Lee at music@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY XIN-RUI LEE
Daniel Caesar performed at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Nov. 22 for his “Freudian” world tour.
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Bar Pa Tea Explore With Me: (Not So) Little Italy Bubbling with Flavor By LIV CHAI Staff Writer
By NATALIE CHINN Staff Writer
Forget about Boba Guys — Bar Pa Tea has transformed everybody’s favorite drink into a frozen dessert. The shop’s bubble tea ice cream has taken over social media, attracting customers hungry for both the soft serve and the Insta. Bar Pa Tea opened its doors in July, inviting customers into its sleek, all-white space in NoLiTa. Accented with millennial pink stools and neon signs, Bar Pa Tea is the perfect place to sip tea, chat with friends or watch the clocks on the back wall counting down to fresh batches of pearl tapioca. This is not owner Patrick Yeh’s first tea gig — his original store, Pa Tea, is located in Chinatown, with a second location near Union Square. Yeh created Bar Pa Tea as an upscale version of Pa Tea, which opened in 2013. The new spot offers bubble tea drinks made with pure cane sugar and no additives. The changing mentality of his customers inspired Yeh to create healthier tea recipes. Before opening Bar Pa Tea, he returned to Taiwan, his homeland, to study how they were making tea now. “I saw the way they make bubble tea is changing,” Yeh said. “Everybody wants to know the ingredients. They want a better body, and they want to be healthier.” While the menu boasts creative teas such as “Matcha Lemonade” and “Salted Caramel Oolong Tea,” the true star is the soft serve, which currently comes in Oolong and Black Tea options. Toppings include bubbles, in both regular and mini forms, honey wheat braided twists and two varieties of crumbled cookies. CAS sophomore Lindsay Ngo discovered Bar Pa Tea through
Instagram, where it was promoting a buy-one-get-one free ice cream deal. “It was my first time having tea flavored soft serve ice cream, and I was impressed,” she said. “I would go back.” Yeh created the soft serve for both milk tea lovers and himself. “I love ice cream,” he said. “So I brought a small ice cream machine home and played around with different types of tea.” The Oolong ice cream is currently Yeh’s favorite menu item. He spent almost a year experimenting and perfecting his tea and soft serve recipes, wanting to bring the strong personalities of individual teas center stage. “I tried to do it not too sweet,” Yeh added. After sampling teas from all over the world, he picked the ones with flavor he could build upon. His current tea supplier is from Taiwan. “I didn’t want to order tea [in America] because everyone would make the same tea,” Yeh explained. “Everyone would have the same supply.” CAS sophomore Michelle Choi thought Bar Pa Tea’s flavor and menu items were unique. “You can’t really get this type of soft serve anywhere else,” she said. Right now, Yeh is working to expand the menu. “I’m trying to come up with a new Oolong latte and a different flavor of ice cream,” Yeh said. “We’re also coming up with new bubbles.” While the new flavor of soft serve is still under wraps, it will be available starting as soon as next month. Although Yeh is constantly experimenting, he plans on sticking to tea and soft serve. “Just tea,” Yeh said. “I want to focus on the tea.” Email Natalie Chinn at dining@nyunews.com.
STAFF PHOTO BY ALYSSA CRAIG
Bubble tea ice cream is one of treats available at Bar Pa Tea.
With the fluorescent “Welcome to Little Italy” sign warmly gracing the sky, this incredible historic district has quite a lot to offer despite the implications of its name. Labeled after the large influx of immigrants that came during the early 20th century, Little Italy was already a tourist location by 1940 because of its authentic Italian food and rich culture. Of course, when you think of Little Italy, food is the first thing that pops into your mind. The perfect slices of pizza that really hit the spot and heavenly plates of pasta wouldn’t be complete without the cheese, would they? Take it back to basics and visit the oldest cheese shop in America — the iconic Alleva Dairy. Fun fact: Tony
STAFF PHOTO BY ECHO CHEN
People are first welcomed to Little Italy by the sign arching over the street.
Danza purchased the shop to keep its history alive after the original owners decided to sell up. Other than its drool-worthy selection of cheeses and meats, Alleva Dairy offers sandwiches and prepared foods. Craving something a bit sweeter? Don’t worry, you’ll be a minute’s walk away from Ferrara Bakery, where you can satiate your hunger. Established in 1892, Ferrara Bakery has been known as legendary and charming by visitors who go for the assortment of pastries, cakes, cookies and coffee. Whether it be for a quick bite of a cannoli or a dig into rich cheesecake, Ferrara Bakery has got you covered with 120 years worth of experience (and counting). There are many other ways to make the most of the Italian-American cultures rather than just succumbing to the food beckoning from the countless restaurants lining the streets. Visit the Italian American Museum and see how Italian immigrants played a crucial part in the shaping of Little Italy and New York City. Museum entrance is also donation-based; suggested at $7, this museum is definitely worth the visit. A couple years ago, you may have been introduced to The New York Earth Room through an intriguing photo of what appears to be dirt behind a glass wall. The piece of art has actually been on display since 1980 in Little Italy. Commissioned by the
Dia Art Foundation, this unique piece can’t be photographed, which provides even more of an incentive to see it in person. If you’re in great need of a therapeutic reading session with a cup of coffee, go straight to McNally Jackson. It is an extensive bookstore with quite a selection, and McNally Jackson also has a cafe and a plethora of events daily. Most events start at 7 p.m. on weekdays, so allow yourself to take a breather after class through thought-provoking conversation and engage with a multitude of authors spanning different genres. Art, architecture and design — Storefront for Art and Architecture is a non-profit space specializing in all three. Storefront has responded to political and social issues throughout the past 35 years including the 2011 Occupy Wall Street movement, making it quite a space for provocative and unique perspectives. Little Italy started off as a daunting new beginning for Italian immigrants during the late 1870s and gradually turned into a lively community that has prospered to become the charismatic place it is today. It is an area not only recognized for its history but is symbolic of the beauty of preservation, as exemplified in Little Italy’s restaurants, museums and streets. Email Liv Chai at features@nyunews.com.
The Politics of Cosmetics
By JENDAYI OMOWALE Staff Writer
As a rapidly growing, multi-billion dollar industry, cosmetics have become a centerpiece of American culture. The United States cosmetics industry generated an estimated $62.46 billion in revenue last year and will only keep growing. This industry has thrived in the U.S. since the early 20th century, which is why it is surprising that the Food and Drugs Administration hasn’t updated its regulations on cosmetics since 1938. Recently, there has been a push by several cosmetic industry powerhouses along with Congress to revamp regulations and allow for more government oversight. The result of this is the Personal Care Products Safety Act, a bill sponsored by senators Dianne Feinstein and Susan Collins that would increase FDA involvement in ensuring product safety. More specifically, the bill, introduced to the Senate back in April of 2015, will require that companies register their cosmetic manufacturers, send ingredient statements, report recalls of products and promote methods that will minimize animal testing for cosmetics. The bill also calls for the FDA to conduct independent studies on cosmetic products to report on its safety. Before the act of 1938, the cosmetics industry was notorious for its use of toxic ingredients in its products, which included lead, arsenic and radium. To-
day, common cosmetics products such as shampoo and perfume boast ingredients like butylated hydroxyanisole, a chemical classified as a carcinogen by the National Taxicology Program; parabens, used in a variety of personal care products to stop microbial growth, linked to a possible increased risk in breast cancer; and oxybenzone, which can alter cellular makeup. International markets in Canada and the European Union are subject to much harsher regulations, banning over 500 and 1,328 ingredients in cosmetics, respectively. Although the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act dictates that the FDA must inspect and approve color additives used in personal care products, and requires the labeling and banning of misbranded cosmetics, the FDA has only banned less than a dozen ingredients in the late 20th century. With the boom of social media influencers and celebrities channeling their brands through cosmetics — think Kylie Lip Kit, Fenty Beauty and countless others that have generated millions of dollars for makeup companies — the industry has a growing adolescent and young adult base, a demographic that could be more vulnerable to the unregulated chemicals found in personal care products. Currently, many chemicals frequently used in cosmetic products are hormone disruptors that can not only affect health, but can also impact aquatic ecosystems if high concentrations of these substances end up in
VIA PEXELS.COM
As a rapidly growing, multi-billion dollar industry, cosmetics have become a centerpiece of American culture. the waste water supply. The act points to a future where the cosmetics industry is more transparent. With companies required to meet strict regulations, it likely means that there will be an increase in safer makeup products and consumer awareness. The bill might cause a hike in cosmetic product prices, as companies are forced to possibly use other ingredients that are more expensive to source. Your favorite beauty vlogger might start exposing the ingredients found in lipstick brands, or you might decide to cut your favorite makeup brand after reading a concerning label warning. Many may shift to significantly limiting their cosmetic usage. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how the Personal Care Products act will paint a new face for this influential industry. Email Jendayi Omowale at bstyle@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY KAITLYN WANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
How to Snack at the Movies By FERNANDA AMIS Staff Writer When did going to the movies become a $30 affair? Movie ticket prices throughout the city vary from $10 to $22, and across the board, the combination of the smallest bag of popcorn and the most pitifully sized soda costs $11, excluding sugary incidentals. So how can students on a budget take part without going hungry? Gallatin junior Lawren Britt has devised a concise and clever mechanism for sneaking her own food into the movie theater. “If I’m able to I will bring my backpack and just put a black jacket on top of it — the food — and make it look flat,” Britt said. “They just think it’s a jacket inside.” While some resort to elaborate hiding techniques, others are less furtive about their contraband. Steinhardt sophomore Julia Bricnet opts for the big-pocket-route. “I’ve snuck loads in: drinks, full meals,” Bricnet said. “Pockets. They won’t pat you down. Don’t bring too big of a bag. ” Although it is always best to assume the worst, New York City movie theaters do not, in fact, check your bag most of the time. At the Angelika Film Center, IFC Center, Village East Cinema and AMC Village 7, you may saunter in, and your side bag will go unnoticed (though a bulging backpack may rouse suspicion). The Regal Union Square 14 Movie Theatre will check your bags, but doesn’t seem to mind if you bring your own food — especially if you explain exactly what you have with a little humor. When asked to reveal what was inside my plastic bag, after making a joke about carrying only pure necessities, I opened it to reveal a water bottle, two packs of cigarettes and a half-eaten ba-
Early 2000s Brands to Wear Today
By CHRISTOPHER COLLADO Staff Writer
STAFF CARTOON BY BY FERNANDA AMIS
From sneaking food into your backpack to hiding it in your pockets, there are a multitude of ways to bring your own food into the movie theater. nana — at which the staff laughed and let me through. Had I been carrying more food, however, I would’ve tried the Britt or Bricnet techniques, just in case. Not buying food at the movie theater is not only a matter of money — it is a matter of morality. Rhode Island School of Design sophomore Isabel Rower grew up in New York City and has relished the handsome array of theaters, but never once has she bought food at the movies. “Even if you do buy a snack at a movie theater, there’s some kind of judgement from the people who work there because everyone knows that those snacks are so horrifically overpriced,” Rower said. “If they were just people going to the movies they probably wouldn’t pay for it because who would pay for that? So then they like look down on you, even if you’re giving money to the theater. But then they get so mad at you when you sneak things in because it’s like they have to.” Rower instead likes to buy her snacks at neighboring establishments that boast a larger and cheaper selection of goods. When she goes to Metrograph, an independent cinema on the Lower
East Side, she makes a point of popping by nearby Economy Candy to get her fix. Sometimes she’ll grab dollar pizza and slide it into a Ziploc or stuff a can of soda or small coffee in her pants and cradle it with her hand through her pocket. Not everyone in the NYU community abides by these rules however. To Tisch professor Sheldon Woodbury, traditional movie theater snacks are a worthy indulgence. “Long ago, before they checked bags, I’d sometimes bring stuff in,” Woodbury said. “Now that I have a son, I buy him what he wants, which of course is popcorn and candy, and the prices are absurd. But there’s nothing like seeing a great movie and munching on popcorn.” So, if you bring your own carefully concealed snacks to the movies — and grab your ticket from NYU Skirball or sign up for MoviePass which allows you to see one free movie a day using its special card in exchange for $9.95 a month) — the $30 drops to $10 or even $0. Now that’s a steal. Email Fernanda Amis at dining@nyunews.com.
The 2000s were an era of bold, experimental and memorable fashion choices. Some people argue it was the worst decade for fashion, and some believe it is fashion’s most innovative period. Regardless of opinions about the fashion of the aughts, it is hard to deny that this period had iconic fashion trends and brands. Certain brands have definitely served their time and are better left in the past: Abercrombie and Fitch, Ed Hardy, Von Dutch and G-Unit. However there are other brands that with some major revision could become popular in fashion again. Trends from the early 2000s like tracksuits, denim and chokers have made a comeback, showing how fashion is turning its focus to the style of that period. A couple brands that could really make a comeback are Ecko Unlimited and its sister brand, Ecko Red — two successful brands from the 2000s that sold both clothing and sneakers. Ecko’s apparel was not its strength, but it was well known for its sneakers. The brand offered stylish and colorful shoes that could please anybody’s taste. Ecko did a very good job at branding as well, getting huge teen celebrities of the time such as Ashley Tisdale and Vanessa Hudgens to be the faces of Ecko commercials. Sneakers have been in the spotlight of current fashion — from white leather to athletic style — giving Ecko the prime opportunity to experiment and make a comeback. In terms of apparel, Juicy Couture is a fan-favorite that many people are desperate to see resurface. CAS Sophomore Michelle Mawere is an example of someone who would support the return of Juicy Couture. “The aesthetic of the store was so plush and pink and it was a girl’s dream — it was a one-stop shop to glam,” Mawere said. “The tracksuits
were sported by the Kardashians and Paris Hilton and could be worn to lunch, to yoga, to the grocery store or for a calm day at home. Juicy Couture pieces made perfect gifts for Sweet 16s and Christmas. I would love to see it come back strong.” CAS freshman Sydney Brinker is a huge fan of 2000s fashion and has strong opinions about what brands should grace the presence of the modern day. “I think Juicy Couture should make a comeback; I still wear it,” Brinker said. “I also want True Religion and Baby Phat to make a comeback because they were really nice quality streetwear brands from the 2000s. Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers fashion line was also amazing. I loved the handbags from that line.” It seems entirely possible that Mawere and Brinker’s wishes can come true. This past January, Kylie Jenner posted pictures of herself modeling a Vetements jumpsuit version of the Juicy Couture tracksuit. Shortly following that, in February, Urban Outfitters released a collection of Juicy Couture pieces. As for True Religion and Baby Phat — two brands known for their logo-heavy jeans — denim is currently a strong trend, offering plenty of space for the early-aughts brands to reclaim some clout. From flared jeans to cropped skinnies, there are plenty of styles these brands could use to mix modern trends with their 2000s flair. The 2000s had some bad fashion trends and brands, but there were definitely some gems in the decade. With some renovation and modernization, the brands could come back in style. It will be interesting to see which brands could experience a revival and which will be left in 2000s fashion history. Email Christopher Collado at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Tandon Students Take Professors to Lunch for Free PHOTO BY JENDAYI OMOWALE
Tandon School of Engineering 's student council began a program to encourage students to get to know their professors more personally over lunch. By JENDAYI OMOWALE Staff Writer Tandon School of Engineering students have been taking their professors out to lunch, free of charge, courtesy of the school’s student council. The Tandon Student Council restarted the “Take My Professors To Lunch” initiative on Sept. 27. The
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council pays for a group of three to five students and a faculty member to go out to lunch, for up to $15 per meal, according to Tandon senior Orion Doscher. Doscher, formerly the Student-Faculty Resource Commissioner, first spearheaded the initiative last spring. “The students would pay for the lunch, and then the one student who paid for the lunch would come to the office and get a reimbursement for the money they had spent $15 a head,” Doscher said. “They would cover any excess cost themselves.” Doscher said that the program was implemented to provide students with an opportunity to connect with their professors outside an academic setting. “Once you have a conversation with your professor, it will be easier to have another one,” Doscher said. “A lot of our professors are kind of intimidating, not because you don’t think
that they’re going to want to talk to you — it’s just that they are so smart.” According to Doscher, students may find their professors unapproachable to talk about things that don’t concern their grades due to Tandon classes’ difficulty. “It’s hard to start a conversation with that basis,” Doscher said. “It’s easier to just go out to lunch and be like, ‘Yeah this food’s good, by the way what did you do with your life?’” Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Activities and Resource Center at Tandon Tim Zhang said that by the end of the first week, all the slots in the program were filled. “Last year when we launched it in the spring we had overall, the entire semester, we had six groups participating in the program which included 34 students and the faculty members,” Zhang said. “We currently have 12 groups … which included 65 students and the faculty members.”
Zhang said that the council hopes to reach a target of 100 students by the end of the semester. Tandon junior Maya Rowell went to lunch with professor James Lewis, who teaches her Humor and Modern Media Class. Rowell said that she went to an Italian restaurant, Luciano’s, after a friend in her class applied to the program. “I never really thought of going to the lunch but my professor is really cool and so I was like it will be fun to get to know him, so we all went,” Rowell said. “After, I had a better connection. [I’m] more relaxed in the classroom. Doscher said that the program could also be a launchpad for a student’s future career and professional plans. “Sometimes when you apply for a job or anything, you need a reference, you need someone who knows you, and a lot of our lectures until
you become really specialized, they have large classes,” Doscher said. “If you take them out to lunch and have that conversation then they know you when you submit your work … you are building your network in a way ... Your professors want you to succeed, your success is their success, so building that relationship is really important.” Vice President of Tandon Student Council and Tandon senior Divya Deverakonda said that she has gotten positive feedback from faculty members about the program. “They appreciate it when students reach out to them and they definitely want to get to know their students,” Deverakonda said. “They are really happy that their students are feeling engaged and that they like them enough to take them out to lunch.” Email Jendayi Omowale at features@nyunews.com.
Music Taste and Psychopathy By JILLIAN HARRINGTON Staff Writer
Read the rest of the profiles online at nyunews.com
NYU professor Pascal Wallisch may have found a link between music taste and psychopathy. Wallisch, a clinical assistant professor of psychology, recently published an abstract to the annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience on the preliminary research project. Around 2014, Wallisch and his team — the “Fox Lab” — began their study by looking at music preferences. They selected 260 songs at random from several categories: 152 songs from Billboard’s Hot 100 dating back to 1942, 56 “iconic songs” from eight genres and seven sub-genres and 52 songs from obscure genres. The chosen songs were then rated by participants on a scale of one to seven by how much they liked the song. The selection of songs appeared representative, each resulting in a more or less even distribution with most scores falling in the indifferent range. “As far as we can tell, your music preference is really unique to you as an individual — what you like, someone else might well hate,” Wallisch said about the motivations behind the research. “So we can use [music preference] as a personal marker of individuals.” At the beginning of the semester, Introduction to Psychology students have to take a series of tests and surveys. Among these tests was the music preference ranking as well as the Levenson Self-Report Psychopathy Scale, which measures the degree of psychopathic traits in an individual. Wallisch explained psychopathy as a complete lack of empathy and disconnect from society. Psychopaths are not Alex from “A Clockwork Orange” or Hannibal Lecter from “The Silence of the Lambs.” In real life, Wallisch believes psychopaths are the Robert Dursts and Harvey Weinsteins of the world. A psychopath is drawn to a position of power and can reach that power through lies and deceit, but is often extremely unorganized and eventually reveals one’s self. Wallisch
thinks that psychopathy is often behind cases of police brutality, sexual harassment and mass shootings such as the recent tragedy in Las Vegas. Earlier this year, the team decided to compare psychopathy and musical preference, with an eye on classical music in particular, a trope often propagated through film. While they found no relation between a higher psychopathy score and affinity for classical music, what they did find was certain songs more strongly associated with higher or lower psychopathy scores than others. For example, Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” was more popular among participants with a higher score whereas “Titanium” by Sia was less popular. Though the team has noticed a possible relationship, it cannot yet say what parts of the music are responsible for the correlation. Perhaps a stronger, faster beat appeals more to psychopaths who are sensation-seeking and driven. Or, it might be that psychopaths, who often do not understand word play or the concept of love, may not be attracted to more emotional lyrical content. Wallisch was contacted by The Guardian in late September for an interview about the report that had been published on the conference’s site. Though he believes The Guardian did a good job in representing his research, ever since that article was published, dozens more have been popping up on news sites across the world, from the United States to Turkey. None of these writers contacted Wallisch, and many completely misrepresented the study, with headlines boldly claiming that if someone likes rap music, they are a psychopath. “Just because you like a certain song doesn’t mean you’re a psychopath,” Wallisch said, clarifying the claims made by these publications. “It’s the other way round — if you’re a psychopath, you might like this song — or more accurately, a certain pattern of songs.” The team believes that, were the
findings to be corroborated through further study and the specific musical elements identified, they could be used to create a screening test in which the taker cannot lie. In theory, the test could be used to flag individuals applying to positions of power as in need of further inspection and possible testing. Often, psychopaths are identified when it is already too late, and this process could potentially prevent future crimes. He acknowledged that the concept of this test is ethically complicated. “Every scientist has ethical responsibilities, but whether society wants to use such a test is not a scientific question, it is a question of values,” Wallisch said. “Specifically, there are two kinds of values in conflict — the rights of the group to be protected from psychopaths, a utilitarian concern, versus the personality and privacy rights of the individual psychopath.” Wallisch said that balancing these rights is up to society, and historically different tradeoffs have been made by different cultures. “Whether you should prioritize privacy rights and the dignity of the individual or the greatest good for the greatest number, is not a scientific question, but rather depends on the society you live in; it is a question of values,” Wallisch said. Email Jillian Harrington at film@nyunews.com.
“What they did find was certain songs more strongly associated with higher or lower psychopathy scores than others.”
Reaching Out Through Music By CONNOR GATESMAN Music Editor Carlos Chirinos is an anthropologist, musician and social entrepreneur teaching a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses within the Music Business program at Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Like many within the music industry, Chirinos got his start as a musician before entering the business. “[I started out] playing saxophone, playing the clarinet with my own bands,” Chirinos said. “I started putting together gigs at a very early age. By age 17, I was putting on my own gigs at clubs, and then I started playing with a lot of bands. I also went to college to complete a degree in anthropology. After that, I grew up in Venezuela; I left and moved to the [United Kingdom]. From there I started working in the music industry, in record labels. I ran a big booking agency. Eventually I went back to university and did a degree in ethnomusicology.” From the very start, Chirinos has been immersing himself in a wide variety of music-related endeavors. Social outreach through music, particularly in developing countries, has really resonated with him. “When you have very small economies, creative industry has a very big impact,” Chirinos said. “One person in a developing country that makes a deal in music can now feed 500 people. The money goes a lot further. Because of that, there is a lot more repercussion and also there is a very different value of music.” This interest lead Chirinos to dive deep into the diverse realm of African music. He has studied across the continent on a variety of different projects, looking at how different communities interact with music, and how music can be used as a form of outreach. One of his proudest efforts arose during the Ebola epidemic in West Africa. He and his team worked with Doctors Without Borders to create and promote an educational song called “Africa Stop Ebola,” an in-
tentionally straightforward name, with a message designed to teach Ebola prevention regardless of language or level of education. “When Ebola started in West Africa, it wasn’t a well-known disease,” Chirinos said. “Something that happens when there are emergencies, health emergencies in particular, is that the common people lose trust in the authorities. There’s evidence in social science that celebrities have a lot of trust amongst their fans. So what we did is we created a song with 12 West African artists, very well known in West Africa. The idea was to really raise awareness, not so much to make money.” Using this strategy, Chirinos and his team harnessed the cult of personality that these musicians have in an effort to really hammer home an effective educational message. To maximize its reach, the song was sung in multiple local languages. Released during the peak of the Ebola epidemic, the tune was a huge success. The song amassed 100,000 views in the first 24 hours and was featured by the New York Times, the Guardian, BBC and CNN. All profits from the song go to Doctors Without Borders. “What we tried to do was not to start another charity, one of the main problems is when you try to start another charity,” Chirinos said. “Instead, we partnered with an organization that was really in the field. That was Doctors Without Borders. They are an amazing organization.” Back at NYU, Chirinos is now a faculty in residence at the Third Avenue North Residence Hall and organizes events for students, giving them both guidance and opportunities to explore the city. He has started a Third North Vinyl Club, where students can bring their own vinyl and bond over music. In areas ranging all the way from global to student outreach, it seems like there isn’t an avenue that Chirinos can’t aid with the help of music. Email Connor Gatesman at cgatesman@nyunews.com.
Academics and Artistry By SATISH REGINALD Contributing Writer Between juggling teaching at NYU, finishing up her doctorate in music and following her many other musical endeavours, Adele Fournet found time to sit down with WSN to discuss these experiences and more. Fournet, a former piano professor at the Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas in Lima, Peru, currently teaches “Elements of Music” in CAS, which covers core topics in music like rhythm, tonality and key. It counts toward the music minor in CAS. “I really like how the students come from so many different backgrounds and have such varied tastes in music,” she said, reflecting on her first semester as an adjunct professor at NYU. “I’m still not sure if I’ll dedicate my career to teaching or go more in the direction of playing, composing and production.” She cites her writing residencies at NYU’s Berlin and Paris campuses, done through the Provost Global Research initiatives programs among the highlights of her doctoral studies so far. “My degree is in music with a concentration in a field called ethnomusicology, which is basically the study of music in a cultural context. I am particularly interested in the contemporary recorded music industry, pop music production, gender and technology,” Fourtnet said. Her own involvement in musical projects has been remarkably diverse. She grew up playing classical piano, but her pursuit of music was really sparked after taking a music theory class in high school. “Having a music theory background enabled me to write my own songs and feel the liberty to create my own parts in bands, in-
stead of always having to rely on notated music, Fournet Said. “Since high school, I’ve played in many bands in many different genres and I think that being in a band is one of the best forms of collaboration.” Prompted by her research on the scarcity of women in music technology, Fourtnet started a web series titled Bit Rosie to promote female artists in the music industry. “Unfortunately, less than five percent of music producers and engineers are women,” Fount said. “The project addresses the underrepresentation of female music producers now, while aiming to preserve their cultural legacy for the future.” Although she had difficulty highlighting one project in particular she was most proud of, Fourtnet said, “I definitely like the albums I produced for The Soon-Another, an indie rock band that I formed in Peru and then moved to Brooklyn. I feel like that is where I really learned how to produce.” Fournet is currently recording an album slated for a 2018 release for solo piano and trio, which is piano, bass and drums. “I’ve written plenty of instrumental music, but this is the first time I am recording a full-length instrumental album. I plan to publish the scores for the solo pieces — they are like my version of piano etudes — so other people can learn them as well.” Offering advice for aspiring musicians and academics Fournet said, “Remember that sometimes things — ideas, music, art, projects — take a long time to come to life. And sometimes they don’t look exactly how you planned. Have patience as you stick with your vision.” Check out more of Fournet’s work at www.adelefournet.com. Email Satish Reginald at music@nyunews.com.
DESIGNED BY RACHEL BUIGAS-LOPEZ AND LAURA SHKOURATOFF
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
OPINION
EDITED BY ANDREW HEYING OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
POLITICS
Weakening Higher Ed Benefits Republican Politicians
By THEO WAYT Staff Writer
Those from “far-right” to “center-left” give a spectrum of answers as to why tuition-free public colleges, advocated most prominently by Bernie Sanders, are delusional, impractical or propaganda pieces intended for young voters who would like to have everything handed to them and so on. In one uninspired take, the Boston Globe’s Jeff Jacoby evokes the timeless platitudes of fiscal conservatism. He starts with his first pillar of economic wisdom, “there ain’t no such thing as a free lunch,” followed by, “making any good or service free encourages people to waste it … Enact legislation that lets anyone go to college
on the taxpayers’ dime, and we’ll see more unmotivated college students whose time would be far better spent elsewhere.” Well, to Jeff I say, NYU students who take on six-figure loans must become extra motivated, not extra scared. In the New York Times, Andrew Kelley, representing the neoconservative American Enterprise Institute, blames college administrators and prospective students, asserting that “an influx of federal money may lead profligate administrators to spend even more. Enrollments will also increase, further multiplying the cost of free college.” For an organization as averse to Wall Street regulation as the AEI, the criticism of the socalled profligacy of educators falls flat. And yes — enrollments will
increase. That is a benefit of making college more accessible. I quote newspaper writers instead of politicians because they are at least participating in this discussion. Elected officials have largely refused to comment on proposals from Sanders and the like, devoting their time instead toward gutting education, not strengthening it. The Senate tax bill would treat tuition waivers received by around 150,000 grad-
uate students as taxable income in order to offset a small portion of cuts that primarily benefit corporations and upper class Americans, dramatically increasing costs for students who work. For example, a doctoral student at Yale University who receives a $41,000 tuition waiver would see their tax bill nearly triple — from $3,596 to $10,271. Since lower-income students are already faced with exorbitant tuition costs, such a tax hike would cause many to give up their higher-education aspirations. Yet the Republican Party’s aversion to education should come as no surprise. In fact, it is in its best interest to discourage Americans from going to college. Even though the vast majority of Re-
publican politicians hold college degrees, their strongest supporters are undereducated whites. According to a CNN exit poll, 66 percent of white people without a college education voted for President Donald Trump in 2016, while only 48 percent with a degree did. Tuition-free college will continue to be treated as millennial fantasy until unapologetically left-wing Democrats are elected. But such candidates will likely not win unless Americans are better educated, and Republicans will do much to prevent this. They pursue a politically expedient cycle of ignorance, and students must be wary. Email Theo Wayt at opinion@nyunews.com.
CULTURE
The Historical Issues of the Russian Revolution
By ISAAC OSEAS President of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality
Whatever attitude one has toward the Russian Revolution, there is no doubt that it changed the entire course of the 20th century. The conditions that preceded this monumental event remain with us to this day. “Tsar to Lenin” premiered in 1937, and it was the product of years of work by filmmaker Herman Axelbank. The movie is narrated by early United States radical Max Eastman. Its unequaled collection of archival footage provides a sense of the popular participation in, and the scope of, the Russian Revolution.
In February 1917, the working class of Russia overthrew Tsar Nicholas II and, consequently, the centuries-old Romanov Dynasty. The people were motivated by intense opposition to mass impoverishment, political repression and the consequences of World War I, which led to the slaughter of millions on the battlefields of Europe. The capitalist government that replaced the rule of the tsar, however, continued the war and defended the property of the landlords and capitalists. In October 1917, a second, socialist revolution, led by Vladimir Lenin, Leon Trotsky and the Bolshevik Party, created the world’s first workers’ state, inspiring
and invigorating the struggles of the oppressed masses the world over for decades to come. The Russian Revolution — and the complex political problems that arose from it — dominated the 20th century. World history after 1917 cannot be understood without reference to the Russian Revolution and its international impact. Across the so-called Third World, it inspired
anti-imperialist movements. In Germany, the failure of the German Revolution in 1923 and the betrayals of the Stalinists paved the way for Hitler’s rise to power. In the United States, the social gains of the 1930s and 1960s were due in large part to the Russian Revolution — the ruling class here was forced to grants reforms for fear of repeating the so-called the Russian experience. Many claimed that the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of socialism. Twenty-five years later, what do we have? World capitalism is barreling headlong toward world war. Far-right nationalist and fascistic movements are on the rise. There is a massive effort to cen-
sor the internet. Environmental degradation threatens the entire planet. Levels of social inequality prevail that have no historic precedent, with a handful of billionaires controlling more wealth than half the world’s population. Nov. 7 marked the 100th anniversary of the Russian Revolution — which occurred on October 25, according to the Russian calendar used at the time. In other words, the conditions that created the Russian Revolution remain very much with us today, which heightens the relevance of “Tsar to Lenin” in our contemporary world. Email Isaac Oseas at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Trump Flounders With Environmental Nominee By JACOB BASS Staff Writer President Donald Trump recently announced the nomination of Kathleen Hartnett White to chair the White House’s Council on Environmental Quality. As she testified at her Senate confirmation hearing, it became increasingly clear that, like Trump’s previous agency picks, White showed herself as an unqualified, modern climate change skeptic whose views on environmental data could pose an intense hurdle in our country’s progressive fight against man-made global warming. Her nomination is, of course, alarming because of the environmen-
tal dangers, but more broadly, White signifies a widespread sense of governmental incompetence that will inevitably embed itself into our nation’s political schemata and subsequently steepen our country’s dangerous trajectory. Trump had previously considered White for a position running the Environmental Protection Agency. Though she chaired the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality — Texas’ version of the EPA — and was a member of the Environmental Flows Study Commission under the Texas Water Development Board and the Texas Wildlife Association Board, she lacks the qualifications for these
positions. White graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the humanities and religion. She additionally attended Princeton’s doctoral program for comparative religion while ultimately complete a year at Texas Tech’s Law school. Although White undoubtedly possesses a strong educational foundation, her credentials do not necessarily
suggest that she is an environmentalist. Her track record for erroneous remarks regarding the environment sheds light on her intense ineptitude toward combating climate change. White has repeatedly suggested that climate science is extremely uncertain. In addition to her skepticism, she has noted that our nation’s “climate crusade” will lead to a destruction of our democracy. A recent Dallas news editorial emphatically stated that “her record is abominable” and that she “consistently sided with business interests at the expense of public health.” This stream of negligence has plagued our country for far too long. We
saw the same situation develop with Betsy DeVos and now, months later, we are at risk of yet another detrimental pick. We deserve someone who is strong, decisive and competent, not a skeptic, to run one of our country’s top environmental agencies. There is still time to wait and see how White’s nomination develops. If the Senate confirmation hearing was any indication of her future performance, then it seems as though our country will maintain its dangerous trajectory. However, this has seemingly become the new American reality. Email Jacob Bass at opinion@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY ANDREW HEYING OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
INTERNATIONAL
STAFF EDITORIAL
Pay Attention to Foreign Affairs
By PAOLA NAGOVITCH Deputy Opinion Editor
Torn between revelations of sexual assault in Hollywood, the investigation into President Donald Trump’s administration and Russia, the crisis in Puerto Rico and a disastrous new tax plan, news consumers in the United States can easily be discouraged from following local and national news. Furthermore, an American dumbfounded by what is happening domestically might not be inclined to keep up with foreign affairs. While it is understandable to only follow international coverage that explicitly correlates to American news, we cannot simply ignore what else is going on in the world. The U.S. government draws on international events to construct narratives about certain groups that influence domestic policy, while many Americans remain ignorant to the facts surrounding these events. These opportunistic narratives are then perpetuated by public discourses, further devaluing the truth. The Pew Research Center observed a decrease in American interest in foreign news from 2011 to 2012. According to the findings, events directly involving the U.S., such as the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011 and the murder of civilians by
an American soldier in Afghanistan in 2011, garnered more attention from Americans than the ongoing violence in Libya, Syria and Egypt, none of which the U.S. was directly involved in. The clear preference to news that explicitly connects the U.S. to foreign countries stems from Americans’ intrinsic underestimation of the implicit ways their country is connected to events abroad. While some of these events are a direct result of American interference, impact and manipulation, others serve to advance political and social agendas. This is exemplified by two recent news stories: on Nov. 19, Germany’s reliable political stability crumbled following Chancellor Angela Merkel’s unsuccessful attempt to create a new coalition between four parties, and on Nov. 24, at least 305 people were massacred by Islamist militants at a Sinai mosque in Egypt. These events remained largely on the sidelines of American news coverage because of the current political turmoil the Trump administration
installed in the U.S. However, the failure of the German coalition threatens the Western democratic values that have progressed in Germany under Merkel’s leadership. The crisis in Germany is, in part, a result of the rise of conservatism in the West, which was affirmed by Trump winning the presidential election. Therefore, Americans should be invested in what unfolds in Germany, as it relates to our current political situation. Moreover, the terrorist attack in Egypt should be cautiously and thoroughly understood. While the event is politicized in the U.S., as news consumers, we must remain vigilant about the narrative that follows this tragedy. Americans should be more invested in international news because ignoring the truth enables false narratives to circulate our discourses. In 2016, the Pew Research Center found that 70 percent of Americans followed local and national news, while only 65 percent claimed they followed international news. It is crucial that Americans recognize the way international incidents and American events are interconnected because staying informed about local, national and international news allows us to hold governments accountable. Email Paola Nagovitch at pnagovitch@nyunews.com.
CULTURE
Separating Art from the Artist By JAN ALEX Staff Writer
What do you do when your heroes fail you? This is a question that most people have been forced to think about pretty often recently. Our heroes in the media and entertainment industries have been dropping like flies, and for good reason. Powerful and wellknown male actors, producers and musicians have all been facing accusations of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment. The sheer quantity and nature of these accusations suggests that powerful men have been using their positions to abuse and harass women for decades. Most would laugh at the idea that these revelations should come as a surprise, but the truth is that it is easy to forget sexism and misogyny can still thrive in an industry dominated by liberal ideology. The dilemma this creates for media consumers and fans of certain individuals is how to enjoy or respect the creative works of objectively awful human beings. Separating the art from the artist certainly works to an
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extent, but what do you do when the art is inextricably linked to the personal life of the artist? The truth is that separating your appreciation for works of art from your feelings toward the artist is a very real and important concept. However, there are plenty of situations in which it is not only right but necessary to reject an artist’s work based on their personal actions and views. For example, the allegations that Louis C.K. behaved in a sexually perverse manner toward female colleagues fundamentally corrupts a large amount of his creative work. If you go back and watch his work, from stand-up performances to talk show interviews, C.K. used masturbation and sexual perversion as common touchstones for his comedy.
These jokes that were first received as painfully candid and darkly humorous are now seen for what they actually were: a creepy attempt by a comedian to normalize and destigmatize his own perverse desires. In C.K.’s case, his art is an extension of himself, and his own crimes must be taken into account when considering his artistic works. However, other recent revelations require a different response. In cases such as the Harvey Weinstein accusations, the unacceptable and disgusting behavior of an important executive should not ruin the reputations of important films that his company helped produce. In other words, Pulp Fiction’s position as a classic and revered piece of American cinema should remain unchanged, while the Weinstein Company should crumble. The relationship between a film and a film company executive is not an intimately personal one, and it isn’t unreasonable to separate the film from the executive responsible for its production.
NYU Must Affirm Affirmative Action
Last week, President Donald Trump’s administration threatened to sue Harvard University if it does not turn over its applicant records. This comes in the midst of the United States Justice Department’s investigation into Harvard’s Affirmative Action practices. All of this started when a group of Asian-American students sued the university, arguing that they were facing higher admissions standards than other students. And while these students may have a point, attacking Affirmative Action in the name of minorities has a complicated history. Due to Trump’s previous racist tendencies, his resistance to a program that benefits minorities is extremely alarming, even if he says he is trying to protect minorities. In light of these events, it is time that NYU President Andrew Hamilton reaffirm NYU’s commitment to Affirmative Action. The advantages of Affirmative Action have been debated over the years. However, the program continues to be critical for women and minorities. If anything, the program should be expanded, not attacked. The Justice Department claims it is protecting students from racially-based discrimination. However, it has been previously reported by The New York Times that Trump is mainly concerned with whether or not Affirmative Action is racist toward white people. Trump is just the latest conservative to use minority protection as a cover to attack Affirmative Action. Hamilton must work to ensure that this attack does not make its way to NYU. In March, Hamilton reaffirmed Affirmative Action policies at the university. These policies include NYU’s commitment not to discriminate against age, gender and/or gender identity and expression, citizenship status, ethnicity, religion and other characteristics of both students and employees. Most importantly, NYU has an annual Affirmative Action plan that computes the percentage of minorities in the student body and reviews how diversity efforts can be improved on campus. While NYU’s Affirmative Action should be more holistic, analyzing economic diversity as well as ethnicity and gender, it cannot be denied that our university tries its best to heighten inclusivity and diversity. Hamilton must continue to ensure this, despite pressure from the federal government to do otherwise. It goes without saying that this attack on a trademark piece of legislation meant to help minorities is extremely troubling. As a university committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, NYU must reaffirm its commitment to Affirmative Action. If Trump is successful in dismantling Affirmative Action at the country’s most prestigious school, then one can only assume universities like NYU will come next. Hamilton must do everything he can to make sure this does not happen.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at opinion@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Andrew Heying (Chair), Adryan Barlia (Co-chair), Carine Zambrano (Co-chair)
Email Jan Alex at opinion@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY MADDIE HOWARD SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
NYU Reacts: Trump vs. LaVar Ball By MADDIE HOWARD, Sports Editor
President Donald Trump has continued his Twitter feud with the professional sports world, this time choosing to engage with media personality LaVar Ball and his son, LiAngelo Ball. LiAngelo Ball, who plays basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles, was one of the three team members arrested for shoplifting while the group was on a trip in China. Trump felt that he was responsible for the players’ release from China and spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping about LiAngelo and the other two players’ ability to return to the United States. The president took to Twitter to voice his feeling that LaVar Ball did not give him enough credit for bringing home the athletes, criticizing Ball’s physical appearance along with his purposefully ungrateful response. A number of NYU students responded to this recent Twitter controversy with reactions ranging from thoughtful opinions on the use of Twitter as a tool for debating topical issues to outrage at Trump’s use of social media in situations like this.
VIA GONYUATHLETICS.COM
Cassie Steinberg tends the goal at a match against Brandeis University on Nov. 5 2016
NYU Retired Athletes Don’t Stop Competing By TYLER CREWS Deputy Sports Editor
NYU athletics continue far beyond an athlete’s graduation date. Many former NYU athletes pursue their love of competition following the conclusion of their college careers. Whether they choose to play professionally or simply use the lessons learned through playing sports at NYU in their everyday lives, for some, the game never ends. Some former NYU athletes chose to dedicate their lives to and shape their careers around the sport they were passionate about in college. One of NYU athletics’ most notable alumni is Mika’il Sankofa, previously known as Michael Lofton. Sankofa excelled in sabre fencing at NYU, winning four consecutive individual championships in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987. Sankofa advanced his career following his college graduation, becoming a three-time Olympian and 10-time National Team Sabre Champion. He now runs his own fencing club called Thrust Fencing Academy in Nyack, New York. NYU men’s swimming star Brad Thornton, who graduated in 2008, also made a career out of his love for his collegiate sport. Thornton coached for Stevens Institute for Technology for eight years, and during that time he helped privatize the SIT swim team and founded the Hoboken Masters swim team. He took his passion for athletic competition to volunteer work as well, volunteering as director for the New York City Triathlon for several years. While many NYU athletics alumni continue in their respective sports, others choose to follow a different route, swapping out their college sport for alternative athletic activities. Stern graduate and former women’s soccer player Sophie Frank completed an Ironman Triathlon less than one year after her graduation. While Frank’s experience as an NYU soccer player assisted her in this feat, she
also found that playing a sport in college helped her beyond the athletic sphere. “Playing soccer at NYU taught me how to sacrifice for a team and be a good listener,” Frank said. “I also learned how to demonstrate absolute grit and mental toughness when the greater unit needed me. I’ve been grateful to have these skills as I embark on new adventures and work with new colleagues to achieve something, often sacrificing something in order to make it happen.” Frank’s former teammate and fellow 2017 graduate Cassie Steinberg agreed that her experience on the soccer team taught her many valuable lessons about teamwork and time management that she believes will be with her for the rest of her life, in every facet of her life. Steinberg decided to continue her academic career at NYU after receiving her undergraduate degree at Steinhardt, and she is now completing the Dietetic Internship program and getting her masters in Clinical Nutrition. “Because I’m working in the health and fitness field, my collegiate soccer experience is applicable almost all the time,” Steinberg said. When she is not studying, Steinberg works at a sports-performance-based gym called Tone House. “This place was literally my saving grace transitioning out of 18 years of soccer,” Steinberg said. “It’s tough because [soccer] becomes part of your identity for so long, and then suddenly it’s gone. So it’s amazing to be around a group of likeminded athletes and people who want to train like athletes.” Ultimately, whether former NYU athletes continue on with their sports or commit themselves to new careers, their experiences both on and off the field contribute greatly to their goals and successes after graduation. Email Tyler Crews at tcrews@nyunews.com.
“I think that today’s technology gives the average individual a unique opportunity to engage in intellectual debates on a variety of topics with people who are in positions of expertise and influence. These debates can lead to thoughtful change and facilitate information sharing. I think that Twitter also gives individuals a platform to cause discourse and unproductive drama. I feel the discussions between Mr. Ball and President Trump fall into this latter category and the two of them would be far better suited pursuing more fruitful activities as clearly they both have much to do.” Gregory Suter, Stern senior
“Trump’s tweets are very telling in that they betray his inability to let anything go. Any slight, whether real or fictitious, must be swiftly discredited and attacked. But overall, the entire episode is just ridiculous. He craves attention and gratitude like an insecure middle schooler.” Peyton Deal, CAS sophomore
“To me, it’s complete and utter nonsense. The fact that our president is involved in something as meaningless as a Twitter feud instead of actually doing his job is extremely disappointing. There are literally 101 more important things Trump could be doing but this is what he picks. It’s very telling of where his priorities lie. In a word, it’s infuriating.” Michael Saguto, Tisch sophomore
“I think he should probably focus more on the country and less on feuding with a reality television star. And it’s a bit ridiculous that anyone can take him seriously when he does this type of thing.” Olivia Braender-Carr, Tandon senior
NYUNEWS.COM | MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY MADDIE HOWARD SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
WEEKLY SPORTS UPDATE Nov. 19 to Nov. 25 By TYLER CREWS Deputy Sports Editor
Women’s Soccer After a tight, scoreless match, NYU women’s soccer fell short in tiebreaker penalty kicks at the Eastern College Athletic Conference Division III Championship against Springfield College on Sunday, Nov. 19 at Springfield College. Tandon sophomore and goalkeeper Sophia Danielson kept the ball out of the net for the full 110 minutes of regular and overtime play. However, in the penalty kick shootout, Danielson was unable to defend the net any longer, allowing all three of the well-placed shots into the goal. NYU was less fortunate and failed to make contact with the net in any of the team’s three opportunities. During the match, CAS sophomore Alex Benedict carried the offense, taking seven shots, while GLS sophomore Isabelle Turner took five. Seven of the shots taken were on goal, only to be saved by Springfield’s goalkeeper. The Violets outshot the opposing team, which only placed four shots on goal. This game concluded the Violets’ 2017 season. Due to their performances during the tournament, Benedict, CAS junior Maddie Pena and CAS sophomore Maddie Howard were each named to the ECAC All-Tournament Team.
Wrestling
The wrestling team competed at the New York State Intercollegiate Championships on Sunday, Nov. 19, at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The Violets finished ninth out of 23 teams, competing against Division I schools like host team Cornell, Army Prep and Ithaca College.
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Individually, SPS junior and captain Raymond Jazikoff won four bouts on the day and finished in third place in the 157-pound bracket.
Women’s Basketball NYU women’s basketball dominated in its game against John Jay College on Saturday, Nov. 25 at The Doghouse on the west side of Manhattan. The Violets scored the first 23 points of the game, gaining a comfortable lead and giving the coaches the opportunity to play 19 members of their roster. Additionally, nursing freshman Katie Foos made her collegiate debut. Foos led the team in scoring, racking up 18 points for NYU by hitting six shots from threepoint range. The final score at the buzzer was 101-35, showing the team’s promise for the rest of the season.
Men’s Basketball
NYU men’s basketball earned a victory in its first away game of the season against host Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Saturday, Nov. 25 in North Adams, Massachusetts. The Violets were ahead for the majority of the game, ending with a final score of 97-71. CAS junior Ethan Feldman led the Violets’ scoring with 25 points, followed closely by CAS sophomore Dom Cristiano, who posted 23 points for NYU. The Violets hope to earn a second victory on the road on Monday, Nov. 27 when the team faces Brooklyn college in Brooklyn. Disclaimer: Maddie Howard is the Washington Square News Sports Editor. Email Tyler Crews at tcrews@nyunews.com.
NBA Commentary: The State of the Cavaliers
By TOM DREYER Contributing Writer
The beginning of the National Basketball Association’s 20172018 season has been tough. From the New York Knicks performing better than expected to the Cleveland Cavaliers losing easy wins and its players getting injured on the opening night, much of what has occurred this season was not what fans had anticipated. I have found myself asking why the NBA has changed so much since last season and why the superteams aren’t crushing the bottom 10 teams. After watching the Atlanta Hawks beat the Cavaliers in Cleveland, I came to the conclusion that LeBron James’ team simply does not care about the game enough to actually win, as long as they make the playoffs. If you take a look at the games they’ve won, all of them have been against Finals contender teams like the Boston Celtics, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Washington Wizards. James’ team is built upon the perception that they are going to the playoffs. However, with a 5-7 record, it looks like they aren’t going anywhere. I’ve had numerous discussions with people about the classic debate-spurring question: “Who is the greatest player of all time?” Many people say that LeBron is the best that has ever played the game, with the basis of their argument being that LeBron wins
VIA FLICKR.COM
The National Basketball Association’s 2017-2018 season started off as what some fans didn’t expected it to be, like the Cleveland Cavaliers losing several games. of friends who go to Palladium to play some pickup on Friday afternoon — three cherry pickers, a Kyrie wannabe and that one kid who can run a marathon under two hours. However, James isn’t the only player to blame on the team. The Cavaliers’ roster has gained incredible accolades. For example, James and Derrick Rose have both won the MVP tro-
“
I’ve had numerous discussions with people about the classic debate-spurring question: “Who is the greatest player of all time?
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when he wants to; therefore, he can take any team to the playoffs or even the Finals. Perhaps that is true, and he can really bring any team to the playoffs, but I truly believe this argument to be false. The Cleveland Cavaliers look like a group
VIA GONYUATHLEICS.COM
SPS sophomore Cassidy Fontana scored six points for the women’s basketball team in a match against SUNY Oneonta on Nov. 26.
phy; James and Dwayne Wade have three rings each; Kevin Love, LeBron and Wade all have Olympic gold medals; and a majority of the players on the starting five are all-star players. Despite all of these accomplishments, the team is consistently
weak on defense. The Cavaliers have allowed an average of 115.2 points scored against them each game. In their game against the Hawks, the Cavaliers allowed the Hawks to score 117 points. This game broke the Hawks’ eight-loss streak and was an extremely surprising loss for the Cavaliers. As an avid fan of the NBA, I am extremely disappointed by how this NBA’s season is unfolding. Now, the Golden State Warriors are clearly the undisputed best team of the league. Some teams come close to matching their talents such as Oklahoma, Boston and Houston, but they just don’t have the depth that the Warriors have. The other superteam, the Cavaliers, doesn’t really care about doing its job, reducing the competition that the Warriors will have to face. Then, the bottom 10 teams of the NBA are aware that they don’t stand a chance, now only fighting in order to get more draft picks. Email Tom Dreyer at sports@nyunews.com.
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Exposure: Cruelty of Exploiting Horses for Carriage Rides By VERONICA LIOW, Multimedia Abroad Editor
Florence, a city where tourism is very much pervasive, has many attractions — one of which involves paying 50 euros to sit in a carriage, which a horse pulls around the city for 20 minutes. Beyond the issue that this service is ridiculously overpriced, there is the dispute over the exploitation of the horses. I visited Piazza del Duomo and observed the horses. I saw that these horses rarely had any breaks. Though there were multiple horses taking turns carrying around passengers, if there was enough demand, then that demand would be supplied. The enjoyment of the tourists and the money earned for the industry come at the expense of the horses, which are exhausted after pulling around oversized carriages. And even during breaks, tourists walking around approached these horses and began petting them — this scared the horses, who often moved away. Beyond this is the equestrian gear. Though aesthetically pleasing, the gear is suffocating to the horses. It restricts movement. For example, the metal bar in their mouths allows the drivers to have better control of the horses; however, the horses are uncomfortable. The gear also showcases how horses do not belong in an urban environment. The hooves of the horses are specially designed to deal with the uneven streets of Florence; the consequence is that these hooves are uncomfortable and at some times even painful for the horses. Another example are the eye flaps that impair the vision of the horses by only allowing them to look straight; this is so that horses will not see the oncoming traffic, which scares them. Again, it becomes clear that horses are not fit for the urban environment, especially one so plagued by tourism. Despite this, I’ve observed that the horses can be social creatures. I’ve seen some horses shy away from people, but I’ve also seen the same horses open up to others. I am lucky to have become a part of the latter group, which I attribute to my time photographing the horses. As I became more curious about the horses, they became more curious about me, and in the end, I was able to obtain some close-up portraits. Horses — like those who exploit them — feel, whether that be happiness or pain. They are not objects. They are not to be taken advantage of for profit in the tourism industry. This attraction is something that needs to come to a halt.