4 CULTURE
9 OPINION
How to Avoid Being Sexiled
Text Therapy Isn’t a Long-Term Solution
7 ARTS
10 SPORTS
Stage Pass Tempts 0.1% of Students
Early Predictions: NBA Edition
VOLUME LI | ISSUE 5
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
At NYU, Students Sheltered From Storms Students from hurricane-ravaged regions have evaded the full brunt of the damage.
COURTESY OF TONY WU | WSN
By SARAH JACKSON News Editor Although hurricanes in the Carolinas and southeast Asia may seem worlds away, for some NYU students, the aftereffects of the deadly disasters have been felt back at home. From the Carolinas facing the effects of Hurricane Florence to parts of southern China and the
Philippines being battered by Typhoon Mangkhut, residents of these areas face uncertainty on many fronts. Fortunately, NYU students from affected areas seem to have avoided the brunt of the storms. For Jam dela Fuente, his home was largely unscathed by the typhoon. Born and raised in the Philippines, dela Fuente only came to NYU this year, leaving behind his father, two younger sisters and grandfather in Que-
zon City, part of Metropolitan Manila. The CAS first-year acknowledged that his family, who were unharmed by the typhoon, are some of the luckier ones. Still, he is optimistic that his home country will get back on its feet quickly, even though the typhoon has already killed at least 127 people in the Philippines, with more than 100 people still missing.
Left: Extreme winds from Typhoon Mangkhut have knocked down trees in cities across the Philippines, Hong Kong and South China. Center: Commuters in Guangzhou struggle to travel to work. Right: A trunk that has fallen on a car in the city of Guangzhou.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Pop-up Museum Spotlights NYPD Failings By VICTOR PORCELLI Deputy News Editor In the next seven days, the New York Police Department will arrest nearly 900 New Yorkers for misdemeanors alone, based on the averaging of 2017 arrest data. A pop-up museum curated by the New York Civil Liberties Union is trying to draw attention to a po-
licing strategy which contributes to this phenomenon, known as broken-windows policing. The Museum of Broken Windows opened on Saturday and is located on 9 W. Eighth St., only a few steps away from Washington Square Park. Using art from formerly incarcerated persons, it protests broken-windows theory, brought about in New York City by former police commissioner
William Bratton. The theory states that police should prosecute petty crimes such as marijuana possession or loitering to prevent them from leading to more serious ones. “The way broken-windows theory has been put in practice in New York is to say that any time anyone commits any violation, no matter how small, that’s an indication or a chain reaction or leading to something
bad,” NYCLU Advocacy Director Johanna Miller said. “There’s really no good science to back that up.” Although NYU boasts that it is “in and of the city,” the majority of the academic buildings are located within a few blocks of Greenwich Village. For this reason and others, students may not feel as connected to issues New Yorkers face in other CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
SAM KLEIN | WSN
The Museum of Broken Windows is a temporary exhibit of artwork on the subject of police brutality.
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NEWS
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
Edited by ALEX DOMB, KRISTINA HAYHURST and SARAH JACKSON
At NYU, Students Sheltered From Storms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“It was disheartening seeing news about casualties and seeing pictures of damaged and flooded areas,” dela Fuente said. “[But] floods are very common in the Philippines, and many of us have learned to prepare and cope with such a disaster.” With the typhoon brewing, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Marc Wais sent outreach letters to the 101 students enrolled in NYU’s Washington Square campus who have permanent addresses in the Philippines. “I write to you, and other students from the Philippines, to let you know the NYU community is thinking of you, and all those affected by Typhoon Mangkhut,” Wais wrote. “We are saddened by the loss of life, and by the hardships faced by those in the storm’s path.” The letter also went to NYU’s online students who live in the impacted areas, although the NYU Abu Dhabi and Shanghai campuses were not required to send letters to their affected students. In it, Wais encouraged students to reach out to the Wellness Exchange if needed. Wais
also suggested students contact the StudentLink Center or Office of Global Services if the typhoon affected their finances. “If a student needs money to travel back home or if family financial circumstances change as a result of the storm, [this] may result in additional financial aid assistance,” Wais clarified in an email to WSN. Although the letter reached students with permanent residences from the Philippines, Mangkhut reared its ugly head in other parts of the South Pacific as well. In Hong Kong, the typhoon was the strongest storm on record, setting off the city’s highest storm warning: the Tier 10 alert. LS first-year Hung Harvey Tsoi hails from Hong Kong and said the greatest obstacle so far has been damage to infrastructure, not to individual property. “Traffic was a mess for the past week [because of] damage to city infrastructure,” Tsoi said. “The subway system was jammed, and highways were either damaged or blocked.”
500 Harmonicas Serenade WSP By LAUREN GATESMAN Contributing Writer Most days, Washington Square Park is filled with the sounds of conversation, the fountain and distant traffic. But on Friday evening, all was drowned out by the symphony of 500 harmonicas. Adjacent to the park’s Giuseppe Garibaldi statue, Steinhardt Director of Jazz Studies David Schroeder and his musical ensemble, Combo Nuvo, set out to promote world peace and environmental sustainability through music. After Combo Nuvo’s initial musical numbers, anyone could grab a free harmonica and sheet music and join the ensemble to play a group song. Recruiting 500 harmonica players is no small feat. Schroeder prepared extensively to ensure the event ran smoothly. “In our new student seminar class, Dave Schroeder came in and gave all of us harmonicas,” Steinhardt first-year Joyelle Watkins said. “He told us about the event and taught us about how to play.” The event was organized in recognition of the International Day of Peace, an event sponsored by the United Nations. To relay the message, the words “Harmonicas for Peace” were printed on a massive whiteboard sign in bold letters. In between musical numbers, Schroeder read out quotes about nonviolence and justice by visionaries such as Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Some people say actions are louder than
words,” Schroeder said to a crowd of onlookers. “Music is our action.” Some members of Combo Nuvo supplemented the music with other instruments, such as drums, clarinets, guitars and piccolos. But the highlight of the event — and the biggest draw for passersby — was the sheer number of harmonicas. Tisch first-year Sav Geevaratne, attracted by the event’s support of world peace, was one of many who picked up a harmonica and joined the ensemble for its final song. “They’re doing it to unite people through music,” Geevarante said. “Music has the power to do that.” Schroeder attributed his choice of the harmonica, also known as the Mississippi saxophone and the blues harp for its simplicity and historical presence. According to Schroeder, notable harmonica players of America’s past include Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin. The last song the ensemble performed was a one of Schroeder’s own compositions, “The Oceans.” “The last song of the concert, ‘The Oceans,’ is to demonstrate that everyone has a unique voice,” Schroeder said, “but when we combine our individual voices through the harmonica, we create one unified and positive message. We are here today to spread peace on Earth.” Email Lauren Gatesman at news@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF STEPHANIE GOLDBERG FOR THE NYU MUSIC AND SOCIAL CHANGE LAB
Attendees were given harmonicas and sheet music to follow along with NYU Steinhardt Director of Jazz Studies David Schroeder, who conducted the song.
Tsoi said one his friend’s windows broke in the high winds but that his home was spared from the wrath of the storm. “But to be honest, nothing was really affected on the personal level,” Tsoi said. “To us, it’s just another summer typhoon.” Although the NYU students who spoke to WSN were not directly affected by the typhoon, Mangkhut has been the strongest storm in the world so far this year. Meanwhile, in the United States, Hurricane Florence continues to wreak havoc up and down the Carolina coast. Sydney Lin is from Durham, North Carolina. The Steinhardt first-year regretted being away from her family as they faced high winds, tornado warnings and power outages. Although her family home was not damaged by the hurricane, her old high school was forced to close on Monday because of power outages. The school was also subject to considerable flooding on its tennis courts and football field.
“I was definitely nervous about the storm and felt guilty for not being there for my family,” Lin said. “They were expecting it to be really bad up until it downgraded to a tropical storm.” As for Wais’ letter, Lin appreciates NYU’s efforts and hopes it will be enough for students whose homes were hit harder than hers.
“I appreciated that NYU reached out to its students who may be going through a tough time,” Lin said. “I do hope they have offered additional assistance to those from the coast. They need all the help they can get.” Email Sarah Jackson at sjackson@nyunews.com.
A street in Guangzhou in the aftermath of the typhoon.
COURTESY OF TONY WU | WSN
Tanzanian Ex-President Visits NYU
BENJAMIN TETTEH | WSN
Former President Jakaya Kikwte speaks about how he became president, his life afterwards and his upcoming memoir, which NYU’s Africa House has supported.
By BENJAMIN TETTEH Contributing Writer NYU’s Africa House has hosted some high-profile guests, including the former Presidents of Ghana, Namibia and Uganda. Its most recent visiting diplomat was the former President of Tanzania, Jakaya Kikwete, who spoke to diplomats, academics and Africa House members on Thursday evening. After serving his 10-year tenure, he handed over power in a peaceful transition. He is currently writing his memoir, a book he credited the Africa House for supporting. Kikwete kicked off the discussion by speaking about his tenure as president. In 1994, when Kikwete was 44 years old, he took office as one of the youngest finance ministers in Tanzania’s history. He first ran for president in 1995 and successfully won office in 2005. Kikwete spoke on how the power of political pressure can affect a presi-
dent’s decisions. “When you’re president, you do the things that others want you to do,” Kikwete said. “Don’t think that the president is so big. The president is so huge in office, but there are [other] people who dictate what the president should do.” Kikwete described his rigorous daily routine when in office and the lack of privacy he felt when constantly accompanied by a security detail. Once, he said, he wished to visit a sick associate in the hospital but his security detail was reluctant to let him make the trip. Kikwete then went on to speak about his life after the presidency. Since leaving office, he said he has found a passion for farming and founded a nonprofit organization. Following this discussion of his post-presidential life, Kikwete spoke on his upcoming memoir, “The Journey of my Life: From a Barefoot Schoolboy to President.” In a continent where, for decades, history was mostly narrated by
oral tradition, few public figures have published written memoirs. NYU Africa House board member Eddie Bergman participated in the discussion and praised the former head of state. To increase readership of the upcoming memoir, Bergman suggested Kikwete have the book translated to Swahili, a language spoken by many in his home country of Tanzania. “Somehow, you managed to be a hero and a leader at home,” Bergman said of the former president. Other notable attendees included the Founding Director of Africa House and Professor of Economics Yaw Nyarko, who moderated the event, and NYU Deputy Provost Cybele Raver. Echoing attendees’ widespread sentiment, Nyarko and Raver praised Kikwete for leading an African nation democratically and for forging close relations with NYU. Email Benjamin Tetteh at news@nyunews.com.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
Washington Square News | News
Pop-up Museum Spotlights NYPD Failings
SAM KLEIN | WSN
A man looks at a painting made from seven years of the artist’s criminal justice paperwork. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
areas of the city. “Since we live here, even temporarily, we do have an obligation to
educate ourselves on what is going on within the city, and stand up against things we feel are unjust,” GLS sophomore Kiera Eriksen said. “I think
that it can be hard for students, especially at NYU, to feel invested because a lot of us are very privileged and will likely never be affected by any sort of policing strategy like this one.” Eriksen said she hadn’t heard of broken-windows theory previously, but saw the pop-up as a way to increase the amount of attention given to the topic. “I think the pop-up seems like a really cool way to raise awareness about the ways police target poorer communities and minorities,” Erikson said. CAS sophomore Nia Robinson feels similarly, noting that she didn’t know about broken-windows theory prior to the exhibit. “I’m interested to see what kind of impact this exhibit will have and what kind of discussions it will open up,” Robinson told WSN. “Also, art is just one of the many ways to spread a message and strike up a conversation that many people should be having.” Email Victor Porcelli at vporcelli@nyunews.com.
New Admissions Dean Follows Suit By BRITNEY OMENE Contributing Writer Though NYU typically likes to publicize heavily when it appoints new deans, no official announcement was made when Jonathan Williams was internally promoted to Dean and Director of Admissions on Aug. 1. Despite almost no publicity, few employees at NYU hold as much power as the dean of Admissions, who shapes every incoming class. As the university rapidly becomes more selective and NYU receives more applications than any other private university in the United States. Williams attributes much of that recent success to his predecessor, Shawn Abbott, who left NYU over the summer to become a vice provost at Temple University in Philadelphia. Under Abbott’s watch, NYU’s acceptance rate dropped from 33 to 19 percent in eight years. Rather than seeking to implement radical changes, Williams simply aims to continue Abbott’s success. “My predecessor did a lot of things right which has led to making NYU one of the most popular institutions on the planet,” Williams said in an email to WSN. Williams also wants to spend more time helping students prepare for college before they apply. “I am really looking forward to growing our efforts in the area of pre-college access and helping students and families learn how to prepare for the college admissions process before they actually apply to NYU,” Williams said. “We can promote the wonderful opportunity that attending NYU is while also using our resources to support schools, communities, students and their families to better understand the many paths to getting here.” Williams noted that the record-low acceptance rate for the class of 2022 was the result of an increased volume of first-year applications and the high number of qualified applicants. “[The acceptance rate] is a function of who and how many students are in the applicant pool, Williams said. “Of course, that changes from year to year.
3 CRIME LOG
Man Steals Lunch From Weinstein By CRIME BOT Robot Reporter From Sept. 14 to 19, the NYU Department of Public Safety received three reports of controlled substance violations, one report of criminal trespassing, three reports of harassment, five reports of larceny, one report of a lost and found item and one report of stalking. Controlled Substance Violations On Sept. 14 at 4:35 p.m., an NYU staff member reported witnessing underage alcohol possession in a residence hall. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and referred to the Office of Community Standards. On Sept. 14 at 8:30 p.m., an NYU Abu Dhabi staff member reported witnessing underage alcohol possession in a residence hall. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and referred to the Office of Community Standards. On Sept. 15 at 11:30 p.m., a resident assistant reported witnessing underage alcohol possession in Broome Street Residence Hall. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and referred to the Office of Community Standards.
Criminal Trespassing On Sept. 14 at 11 p.m., an NYU Public Safety officer reported witnessing an unidentified person trespassing at Lafayette Street Residence Hall. The person was located and escorted out of the building without further incident. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation.
Harassment
VIA TWITTER.COM
New Dean of Admissions Jonathan Williams.
Last year, NYU received more applications than any private school in the history of U.S. education. It turned out to be one of the most academically gifted applicant pools that we have ever seen.” Tisch junior Amber Burgh wants the new dean of Admissions to continue the current review process for applications but hopes the trend of increased selectivity leaves with Abbott. “NYU did a fantastic job for Tisch applicants because they looked at the applicant holistically, but at the same time, I don’t want the school to become more selective,” Burgh said. Other students share her concern about selectivity and worry that the admissions process will become less comprehensive. “I hope that NYU will continue to look at the applicants more holistically, as there is a lot of pressure on students for their grades or SAT scores,” CAS first-year Rio Quezada said. Besides admissions, Williams is also focused on cementing NYU’s place among the nation’s top universities. He believes that NYU, currently ranked at 30 in the U.S. News and
World Report, will continue to rise in the rankings each year. “It is important to be seen as the top caliber institution that we are,” Williams said. “While the national rankings are not the be all and end all of who we are, it does help to show what we are doing well in comparison to our peer institutions for those that want to measure that. Fortunately, NYU does a lot of stuff really well so we continue to get better in the national rankings year after year.” After improving six spots in the U.S. News rankings from 2016 to 2017, the university did not move up in the rankings this year. However, rankings are less important to Williams than recruiting talented students from diverse backgrounds. “As for goals, there are many,” Williams said. “However, our single most important goal as an off ice is to engage and enroll talented, dynamic and diverse students who will thrive at NYU and beyond.” Email Britney Omene at news@nyunews.com.
On Sept. 15 at 3:16 a.m., an NYU student reported being harassed in Lafayette Hall. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and referred to the Office of Community Standards. On Sept. 15 at 7:15 p.m., two resident assistants reported being harassed as they were walking to Othmer Residence Hall. Police arrived and scouted the area. No injuries were reported, and the case was closed and referred to the New York Police Department.
On Sept. 17 at 8:40 p.m., an NYU student reported that she was a victim of harassment in a residence hall. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and referred to the Office of Community Standards.
Larceny On Sept. 14 at 10:30 p.m., an NYU affiliate reported her bike missing from the bike racks outside of 721 Broadway. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 17, an NYU student reported rings missing from a bathroom in the Kimmel Center for University Life. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 18 at 1:10 p.m., an NYU affiliate reported that an unidentified man left without paying for some food in Weinstein Residence Hall. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 19 at 12:15 p.m., an NYU student reported that his bike was missing from the bike racks near 6 MetroTech Center. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m., an NYU student reported that cash and a vaporizer were missing from an unsecured locker in Palladium Gym. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation.
Lost and Found Items On Sept. 14 at 3:20 p.m., an NYU student reported that her sunglasses and AirPods case were missing from a classroom in the Silver Center for Arts and Science. Police were notified but no report was written. Items were recovered from the Lost and Found on Sept. 17 and returned to the student. The case has been closed.
Stalking On Sept. 15 at 12:25 a.m., an NYU student reported that she was the victim of stalking in Kimmel. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed and referred to the Office of Community Standards. Email Crime Bot at news@nyunews.com.
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Satisfy Your Sensorium With Tea By EMILY MASON Contributing Writer Two teenage girls laugh and pose as they take pictures among the floating lanterns of the cherry blossom room in Lower Manhattan’s newest immersive pop-up art exhibit: Room For Tea. But co-founder Iris Xing hopes visitors get more than just a couple great shots out of the experience. Room For Tea is looking to connect people through a common interest in food, according to Xing. The exhibit takes visitors through five tea-themed rooms with various sensory experiences, such as paint that smells like different types of tea or vibrant neon signs that emulate the streets of Hong Kong. A highlight for Xing is the Summer BOBA Court room, featuring a giant milk bottle filled with pink rubber tapioca pearls. “In the Boba room people can play like children,” Xing said. “They can hit each other with a ball and it’s pretty fun.” While Xing loves to see people enjoying her art, she hopes that visitors will pay attention to the educational components of the exhibit. Each visitor is given a brochure with information about tea related to each of the exhibit’s rooms. People can also buy a ticket that includes a tea ceremony run by Anshul Mather and Jaesy Wang, owners of Kiss Tea. Wang — whose family grows tea in Taiwan — and Mather both seek to educate younger audienc-
es on tea rituals and origins. “The idea is to show people how you progress from different taste sensations,” Mather said, “through tasting, smelling, chewing — how tastes change.” Xing wants to bring the complex history of traditions surrounding tea to the people of New York in a fun way. “People just keep taking pictures in the exhibition,” Xing said. “I think taking pictures is an important part, but I don’t think the exhibition is about taking pictures. We want people to at least learn something about
the tea ceremony and about the tea.” Raquel Soto, an atendee at Room For Tea, has visited many of the foodthemed pop-up exhibits that have recently populated New York City, including Candytopia and the Museum of Ice Cream. She said the educational component set Room For Tea apart from the other exhibits she has visited. “Some exhibits are more for kids, but this one is more history about tea,” Soto said. “I enjoy learning about where the tea comes from.”
As the summer swelter yields to fall, NYU’s dining halls upped their game after a semester of turmoil and controversy. NYU dining upgraded its services in a variety of different ways including more choices in Upstein, take-out options and a completely remodeled dining hall in Third North Residence Hall. Third North’s dining hall has gone organic this semester and rebranded as “Harvest Table at Third North.” Locally sourced, farm-fresh ingredients, an au naturel aesthetic and plenty of upfront information about the food being served filled the once infamous dining hall. “Right now [Harvest Table at Third Northl] is my favorite,” CAS first-year Anaya Davidson said. “I live in [Lipton Residence Hall], and I feel like they don’t really season the food well. And here they have healthy options that also taste good, so I really like this one.”
Edited by NATALIE CHINN
How to Avoid Being Sexiled
Email Emily Mason at dining@nyunews.com.
If you see a sock on a doorknob, you should at least knock.
By EUGENIA YANG Contributing Writer
MARVA SHI | WSN
A visitor stands among the neon signs at the Room For Tea pop-up exhibit.
Dining Halls Up Their Game By JIACHEN XU Contributing Writer
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
While the current residents of Third North may not fully appreciate the changes, those who were around to see the dining hall pre-makeover commend the effort to move toward healthier foods. “I’ve heard upperclassmen talking about how Third North dining hall used to be really gross,” LS first-year Marcella Bilotto said. “I was really shocked to come here and be like this isn’t gross and this is all really fresh. I feel a lot of them is like farm-to-table, and that’s something you don’t often get in a city like this.” Tisch junior Tayler Everts, visits the dining halls five or six times a week and quickly identified the upgrades. “I noticed that they are changing some of their packaging and rotating more of their options,” she said. Dining Services has also made some notable changes in several other dining halls. At Weinstein Food Court, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, a crowd pleaser among fans of the famed fried
TONY WU | WSN
Feedback about the recent dining hall renovations has been predominantly positive.
chicken restaurant, is one of many items that have been added to a revamped Chick-fil-A menu, now including grilled chicken as well. Downstairs in Weinstein Passport Dining Hall, the salad bar now offers onthe-spot chopping and locally sourced vegetables. At the Tandon School of Engineering, students will find a new modern twist on flatbreads served with roasted veggies, sustainably harvested meats, wholesome grains and housemade dressings at Jasper Kane Cafe. Compliments aside, students have also raised some issues with Dining Services. “Sometimes a line gets way too long for me to want to wait, so if they can have a better system,” LS first-year Christian Caballero said. Rush hours and long waiting times are also a concern for other students. “I think maybe during peak times, they can have more people in the kitchen,” Bilotto said. “Sometimes, it just seems that they get a little overwhelmed, but other than that, it’s pretty spectacular.” With the Armark — NYU’s food service prodider — contract coming up for bid next year, these dining hall renovations should be considered with a grain of salt. Especially considering past problems with Department of Health violations in Lipton, a racially insensitive Black History Month meal serviced in Downstein and general negative press surrounding the company’s ethics. Email Jiachen Xu at dining@nyunews.com.
Telling your roommate you need the room for sex can be one of the most awkward conversations you’ll have to initiate during your time at college. But what follows if you don’t give fair warning or a polite nudge that adult activities will be happening at some point in the near future is inarguably worse. One CAS junior, who asked to remain anonymous to protect her privacy, has a story that will make you want to iron out the wrinkles of your roommate agreement sooner rather than later. Living with three other guys in Third North Residence Hall, it was always a laid back environment for hookups in this student’s dorm room. Bringing people home was never a problem — until one night when things got uncomfortable. His inebriated roommate stumbled into their bedroom, took his mattress off the bed with the sheet still on and walked into the next room. “We started hearing some moaning and panting. It was so loud. The girl was like screaming ‘oh my god’ this whole time,” he recalled. “I felt so so bad for my friends because now we’re all stuck in my room until they are done.” After 30 minutes, the unwanted show finally stopped. The trapped friends ran outside to find the girl still lying on the mattress and their drunk roommate in the bathroom. Burned in their minds, the image of this night hasn’t faded. “He never apologized to me afterwards, I don’t know if he was too drunk or what,” he said. “But yeah, we just pretended that nothing happened but it was really awkward.” Sometimes, roommates don’t even have the courtesy to go to another room when the moment strikes. A Stern junior, who also asked to remain anonymous for reasons of privacy, has experienced this first-hand. “My roommate straight up had sex in her bed next to mine,” she said. “I just pretended to be asleep until they were done. It was really quite traumatic.” The sock on the doorknob used to do the trick when people were too shy to ask their roommates about having the room. However, that doesn’t always work, especially if the scenarios are as dramatic as the ones experienced by these NYU students. To Steinhardt senior Mecoly Dong, the sock isn’t enough. “People need more info and context than just a hanging sock,” she said. “There are more and better ways to communicate now that we have texting and phones.”
DORY BERTICS | WSN
Perhaps we do need something more, something that can give our roommates a heads up and at the same time, avoid the awkward encounter that almost always accompanies upcoming sexile. CAS sophomore Brian Shih, who lived in a suite of five, came up with a rather creative way with his roommates. “We have a sex-dule,” he said. “It’s basically a schedule for sex.” They keep a calendar on the wall in the common room to keep track of who’s bringing people home every night. They book the days they need by sticking the color-coded condoms on the date to inform their roommates.
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We have a sex-dule. It’s basically a schedule for sex. BRIAN SHIH
CAS sophomore
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“I always just check the condom wall to see if anyone’s coming over,” he said. “It’s weird and extra but it works. I never had trouble with my roommates.” Many people find it easier to just be frank about it. CAS senior Eisen Huang, who has been living with roommates for almost four years, said that communication on this topic is the trick to a harmonious living environment. “We would just text each other that we’re bringing girls home,” he said. “Just be specific about the time and how long you need. It would be nice to have a few hours notice, but it’s definitely better than no notice at all.” College is stressful, but we are all here to have some fun too. It is understandable that it can be tough to be straightforward about sex, but it’s important to figure out a system that works — to avoid suffering or awkward, unwanted voyeurism. Email Eugenia Yang at culture@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News | Culture
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
Finding Funds in Fashion
The Buzz on NYU’s Caffeine Craze By ANNA DE LA ROSA Contributing Writer
JUSTIN PARK | WSN
Some NYU students elect to work retail jobs, both for financial benefits and networking.
By HANNA MCNEILA Contributing Writer How are you supposed to live your best life in New York when everything you love drains your bank account? Instead of bagging textbooks in the bookstore or hoarding packages in the resource center, some students fashion their bank accounts through jobs in the retail space — opting to mix passion and profession. “I worked on the weekends, where in contrast most college students would go clubbing on weekends. [Working] provides me with money and connections,” said Stern sophomore Miguel Huertas, who got more than he bargained for after taking a job as a creative director at Upton on Mulberry Street. Though his weekends may not mirror those of his classmates, there are benefits that come with his job. For one, he’s inspired to try new styles because of the new, vibrant people he constantly meets. And most importantly: “Yes, I get discounted clothes.” Shopping fashion retail opportunities came naturally to Huertas, who is a native New Yorker and previously held a marketing internship at a sneaker outlet: They New York. “My upbringing in New York makes me enjoy fashion more because I hate looking like regular college students who just dress exactly like other people.” Allie Prein, a Tisch senior and a self-proclaimed shopaholic, lives for her employee discount. “I love clothes, that’s why I stick with
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retail,” Prein says. “Especially because I would actually make more money working on campus.” Prein admitted the job has challenges, but has remained a stylist at Free People Move for over a year. “The most challenging aspect is patience,” Prein says. “Customer service really can be frustrating as people aren’t always super kind or understanding, but I’ve made connections with a lot of girls from [Fashion Institute of Technology], LIM [College], Fordham [University] and even some NYU students I wouldn’t have met otherwise.” For those less interested in a future in fashion, jobs in retail can still be a beneficial opportunity. Steinhardt and Tisch junior Fiona Kelly loved her four months as a customer associate at Anthropologie, although she couldn’t care less about the world of fashion. “I don’t think fashion is important.” Kelly says, and voices her qualms with the job. “Working at such a high-profile location with a lot of foot traffic can be quite stressful. Your coworkers become your rock.” She chose retail because she loves being on her feet and meeting new people. “I also hate when I go into stores and the customer service is bad,” Kelly explained. Whether or not you directly care about couture, there’s a place for you in retail — not to mention a killer employee discount. Email Hanna McNeila at bstyle@nyunews.com.
7 a.m. The blaring sound of the alarm. The routine grudge and stretch out of bed. The blur of a toothbrush, clothes picking and hair combing. A quick to-go cup from the dining hall, an iced oat milk latte handcrafted by the local barista or a stop by the nearest Starbucks to grab a Frappuccino with your misspelled name scribbled on the side. The minute it hits your lips a change occurs: eyes brighten, a smile appears and you feel, in the truest sense of the word, human. If this is more or less your morning routine, you’re probably a coffee addict. Addiction is a strong word. It’s more of a way of life, despite the various not-so-positive side effects that often accompany caffeine dependency. While for many NYU students, it’s normal to down one or two cups of coffee a day, there are those among us who can’t survive without surpassing a three cup minimum. LS first-year Allie Dunlap drank so much coffee prior to attending NYU that she started losing her hair. “Still, I will probably drink coffee for the rest of my life,” Dunlap said. This can’t-stop-wont-stop attitude defines caffeine-crazed fanatics. CAS first-year Nathan Shek is no exception. “I know the health risks,” Shek said, “and I don’t give a f-ck.” The coffee craze and New York way of life go hand in hand. Ever won-
der why NYU students move around Greenwich Village with such speed and stamina? It’s not merely to match the pace of New Yorkers — it comes from the copious amount of caffeine coursing through their veins. How else would you attend four club meetings in one night? WSN asked the Class of 2022 Facebook group to define how they’d react if forced to go without their daily dose. Answers range from disorganized and groggy to extremes such as dying and — my personal favorite — “Empty. Just empty.” The journey to becoming a self-pro-
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I know the health risks and I don’t give a f-ck. NATHAN SHEK CAS first-year
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claimed coffee addict is a natural progression. Gallatin junior Candace Cameron admits she switches over to the harder stuff when her schedule becomes jam-packed. “I then usually have more coffee or stronger coffees with extra espresso
MARVA SHI | WSN
Coffee makes for a great study aid. Despite its name, Argo Tea does serve coffee.
MARVA SHI | WSN
Lattes are often decorated with designs, such as hearts.
shots,” Cameron said. “I will actually have a migraine if I don’t have coffee before four in the afternoon.” In a city with coffee shops on every corner, it’s hard to imagine people who prefer leaves over beans. However, there are some NYU students who would rather drink a mellow cup of tea over coffee. These students harbor an underlying fear of the unknown: What would happen if they switched to the hard stuff? “Tea is better,” GLS first-year Leelu Ravi said. “If I let myself start, I’d become a caffeine monster.” Moving past the initial trepidations, those that decide to test dark waters will be welcomed into the warm coffee culture, where every member finds a kindred spirit in anyone who wants to “grab a cup of coffee sometime.” Eventually, coffee can be the catalyst that takes one to places they never thought possible. LS first-year Robert Coventry III can attest. “Without coffee,” Coventry said, “I’m not sure I would even be at NYU.” Email Anna de la Rosa at culture@nyu.edu.
Transfer Students Reflect on Their First Month at NYU By ANAVI JALAN Contributing Writer
KATIE PEURRUNG | WSN
Despite the extra work of applying to college a second time, a number of students choose to transfer to NYU.
The college application process isn’t easy. We all remember how incredibly taxing and anxiety-inducing the supplemental essays and recommendation collections were. Yet, according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, over a third of students choose to walk through the daunting gates of the Common App a second time. Transferring tends to be a lengthy and thoroughly thought-out decision, encouraged by a lack of opportunities at the old school or the benefits at the new one. Throughout Welcome Week, I met students from diverse walks of life, all of whom had made the switch to NYU, each with a unique set of reasons attached to the decision. LS sophomore Alyssa Heath transferred from Trinity College in Connecticut. The school has a similar acceptance rate to NYU, however, it was too small and insular for her and she disliked the atmosphere on campus. Having researched
the GLS program online, she found that it was exactly what she was looking for academically. “The largest challenge I face is the affordability of NYU,” Heath said. “For myself, and basically all my friends who are transfer students, NYU has made it incredibly hard to afford to go to school here because transfers are last in line for financial aid, and they make it very clear we are least entitled to it.” Nursing senior Amanda Yu used to attend Hunter College. She knew as a firstyear, when she didn’t get into her desired college, that she would eventually transfer out. Her main concern with applying to NYU was perfecting the written statement, but she knew that the promising job opportunities would be a pay-off to the hassles of transferring. “Like with Welcome Week, no other school is that dedicated for their transfer students. Transfers, for the most part, are treated like new students,” Yu said. “It’s definitely a big change from my old school. ” A CAS sophomore who wishes to re-
main anonymous, transferred from the University of Michigan. Originally from
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I’m so happy I’ve transferred. I’m having the time of my life here. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN TRANSFER STUDENT
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the Wolverine state, Michigan was her first choice. But even though the academ-
ics were great, she soon grew tired of the focus on Greek life and tailgating. “A lot of the people that went there were people that I went to high school with,” she said. “So it was harder for me to get out of my bubble.” She was drawn to NYU because of the allure of the city — a stark contrast to Ann Arbour, where you needed a car to get around. She explained that while the process of reapplying was emotionally exhausting, it was worth it for the relationships and connections she’s been able to develop. Although she’s adjusted with relative ease, she does wish there could be bi-weekly transfer meetups to help others who are struggling with adjusting to NYU. While she hopes this can become a resource for students in the future, she is very excited to be at NYU now. “I’m so happy I’ve transferred,” she said. “I’m having the time of my life here.” Email Anavi Jalan at culture@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News
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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
ARTS
ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Edited by RYAN MIKEL and DANIELLA NICHINSON
Mumble Rap: A Genre or a Joke? By ANKITA BHANOT Staff Writer The merit of mumble rap has grown to become one of the most divisive topics in today’s hip-hop industry. Although some f ight to f iercely protect the sanctity of rap as a voice for society’s marginalized groups, others agree that hip-hop has expanded to upbeat, pop-inspired production that serves to express artists’ bravado to the masses. The term “mumble rap” was coined in 2011 to describe the slew of rap songs that started shifting to grittier production and simpler, incomprehensible lyrics. Some rap fans will remember Future indecipherably spitting the line “I do the whole dash, dropping all cash / Gutta to the death of me I’m sticking to the recipe” in his song “Troy Montana.” This appeared on “Pluto,” the album that supposedly kickstarted the emergence of the subgenre. Perhaps the most pertinent example is Desiigner’s “Panda,” a song so famously unintelligible that people can often only sing along to the title of the song. Today, rappers like Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Lil Yachty and Playboi Carti represent the most prominent faces of this new subgenre. Perhaps the only thing these rappers have in common besides their repeated overuse of the ad-lib “yeah” is their young age — Lil Uzi Vert is only 24
and Playboi Carti is only 22. Mumble rap may not even be the correct term to describe today’s top-selling songs that critics may argue are a reflection of the young generation’s laziness. Mumble rappers are often blamed for not putting enough effort into their music — perhaps we’re the ones that don’t want to put in the effort into deciphering the heavy lyricism. Some argue that mumble rap isn’t dumbing down audiences, rather it is a response to contemporary audiences that are demanding less nuance in the music they’re consuming. Tristan Ziegler, a marketing coordinator at Sony Music Entertainment in New Orleans, believes that although the term “mumble rap” is overused, it deserves the same recognition as more traditional lyricists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. “I think mumble rap is absolutely a valid subgenre of rap,” Ziegler told WSN. “To me it is just another era in the evolution of the genre as a whole. I consider listening to Playboi Carti’s music as kind of my guilty pleasure. His confidence and ability to sound so nonchalantly powerful are what appeal to me. Young Thug is, to me, a musical and lyrical genius. His lyrics are a beautiful blend of bluntness and absurdity. His songs are so engaging and sound amazing.” But is it fair to sweep all rappers we can’t understand into a broad category? Some musicians reject the term “mumble rap” for being overly reductive, belittling and even offensive. Although it’s easy for us to disregard the onset of fresh young rappers as untalented, there are plenty of
successful rappers whose murmuring vocals have earned them Grammys. Kodak Black mumbles. So does Lil Wayne. Wyatt Corder, previous music industry coordinator and leader, and bassist of the group “Big Wy’s Brass Band,” thinks the term ‘mumble rap’ is downright offensive. “I don’t really like the term ‘mumble rap’ because it degrades an entire subgenre of music to an insult of the artists making the music,” Corder said to WSN. “To me it means this kind of anti-lyrical, overly produced, braggadocio-filled rap. But I consider mumble rap to be a subgenre of rap that deserves the same recognition. Emerging styles of music can sometimes be panned by critics and listeners alike. I think that’s where mumble rap is right now. It sounds rudimentary compared to guys like Kendrick, but it has its own flair and energy.” Jamara Robinson, a hip-hop artist manager and marketer at Sony Music Entertainment also weighed in on the subject. “I don’t think [mumble rappers] should receive the amount of harsh feedback that they do,” she said. “The criticism just reflects the close-mindedness of someone in terms of their music interests, ultimately blocking the evolution of the culture. People forget that there was a point in time where these artists aligned with the styles of older hip-hop artists.” Perhaps mumble rap hasn’t been given its fair chance in the spotlight, or adequate time to evolve. Rappers, music critics and industry executives were so quick to dis-
COURTESY OF BENSON WU
Yung Thug performing at Violet 100 in April.
miss mumbling from the genre of true rap that perhaps newcomers like Trippie Redd and Lil Xan never had the time to show their colors. So what do mumble rappers actually think of themselves? There will always be conflict over what constitutes true and authentic rap, as definitive boundaries between musical genres are becoming more and more blurred. To you, rap could signify oppression, liberation, the voice of a generation, but to someone else, it may
just be the music they turn on on a Friday night. Since art is subjective, neither is invalid. The debate over mumble rap signals the much larger conversation asking us whether music is supposed to preserve its original form or serve as a mirror for today’s society. As Lil Uzi Vert put it simply in an interview with XXL: “It’s just lit. It’s all about being lit.” Email Ankita Bhanot at music@nyunews.
Put Your Money Where Your Multiplayer Is By ETHAN ZACK Contributing Writer After a blissful year-and-a-half of free online service, Nintendo launched their paid plan last week to a relatively positive reaction from its user base. However, NYU students and fans of the system have expressed their disappointment with the first iteration of the service — called Nintendo Switch Online — citing it to be yet another example of the company’s disconnect with their fans.
The video game company now joins the ranks of Sony and Microsoft, both of which have their own paid online services for the Playstation 4 and Xbox One platforms. Up until this point, Nintendo has always made the online capabilities of their systems free to use. With that edge gone, some NYU students now see Nintendo’s online service with less enthusiasm. “Now that Nintendo’s kind of caught up with what they’re doing, it’s a shame they’re not at the level of the competition,” Croft said. “They’ve seen the
Nintendo recently switched its free online service to a paid plan.
SAM KLEIN | WSN
competition for years and then entered the game losing.” Gallatin sophomore Chase Croft also remarked on Nintendo’s outdated way of reaching its competition and offering new features to appeal to its young audience. “I always think they kind of handle it like a grandpa,” Croft said. “They’re kind of outdated in the way they go about things. Sometimes they’re ahead of the curve. I think the Switch is pretty darn innovative, the Wii was pretty innovative, but a lot of the time, they’re a bit too conservative on things, especially something that involves modern youth culture.” In addition to Nintendo’s late entrance to the online-gaming sphere, the service has a severe lack of features and capabilities. For instance, when the online subscription ends, a user’s data will be immediately deleted. Yet fans have noted that the service is relatively cheaper than other consoles’ counterparts. “I would prefer not to pay for it but I understand every company is kind of progressing toward it,” Tandon first-year Gavin Singer said. “I’m just glad they didn’t charge more than $20, because more than $20 would be absurd.” Aside from the price, Nintendo Switch Online marks the formal introduction of retro games from Nintendo’s backlog, a service that fans have clamored for on Nintendo Switch since the console’s release. Through the service, a user can access each available retro game and easily switch between them with added online multiplayer capabilities. However, to retain access to the online games, a user needs to log in weekly, which forces an unnecessary requirement onto pay-
ing subscribers.
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I think the Switch is pretty darn innovative, the Wii was pretty innovative, but a lot of the time, they’re a bit too conservative on things, especially something that involves modern youth culture. HASE CROFT Gallatin sophomore
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“At first, I thought it was stupid because you can kind of run them on emulators, although that’s not 100 percent legal,” CAS senior Michael Han said. “I really want a Gamecube or [Nintendo] 64
virtual store, but they’re not quite there and I think it’s just not quite enough as I would like it to be.” Marc Lifson, a CAS sophomore, noted his frustration about not being able to purchase the system’s retro games individually. “I don’t like the idea of having your entire library tethered to a subscription,” Lifson said. “I would honestly rather they get rid of that and bring back Virtual Console so that I can pay for the specific games that I want and be able to keep them forever. What’s going to happen when Nintendo Switch gets outdated and there’s the next system? They take down the online services like with the [Nintendo] DS and then you can’t play those games anymore.” With “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” arriving in December and “Splatoon 2” still receiving updates, players are putting aside their misgivings with the online service in order so they can play these games online. But some students have said that as it stands, the online service is not worth the plunge if you don’t play these games. “If you aren’t playing ‘Splatoon 2’ or ‘Smash Bros.,’ you’re getting your money stolen,” Singer said. Though Nintendo’s launch of its online service is a contender with other similar platforms in terms of price, there is still substantial room for improvement if Nintendo wants to live up to and exceed the services already offered by competitors like Playstation and Xbox. Email Ethan Zack at arts@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News | Arts
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
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Why Students Love These Indie Film Studios By TAYLOR STOUT Staff Writer Our student body has a reputation for being artistic, creative and independent. This may draw some mockery — we are inauthentic hipsters, excessively liberal or the oh-so classic line, “Wait, what’s Gallatin?” But going to school in a cinematic epicenter like New York City exposes us to the art form in a way that many others schools do not. It is a privilege to be so close to renowned independent theaters such as the Angelika Film Center, the IFC Center and the Film Forum, as well as noteworthy festivals like Tribeca Film Festival and New York Film Festival. The city brings us face-to-face with cutting-edge resources to refine and enhance our experience with film. Suffice to say, when it comes to movies, NYU students have plenty of firsthand experience with experimental and alternative cinema. Considering this, it’s no surprise that among the student body’s favorite indie studios are A24 and Blumhouse Productions. Try walking through Washington Square Park, sitting in class or eating in a dining hall without hearing mentions of A24 and Blumhouse features such as “Moonlight,” “Lady Bird,” “Get Out,” “Hereditary” or “BlacKkKlansman” mentioned in conver-
sation. These studios are producing daring and innovative films, and NYU students are eating them up (while they munch on their Palladium sushi). A24 has been on a winning streak since the release of one of its first films, “Spring Breakers,” in 2013. Oscar contenders like “Moonlight” and “Lady Bird” have carved out a niche for A24 in the mainstream film market. While its releases vary from terrifying horrors to heartwarming coming-of-age comedies, all A24 films possess a certain artistic inclination that makes them stand out. However, with recent releases “Get Out” and “BlacKkKlansman,” Blumhouse is presenting innovative films that seem to strike a slightly different chord. Though Blumhouse made a start in franchise horror films like “Paranormal Activity” and “The Purge,” it has also started to dish out gritty features, tackling race and prejudice that have become inseparable from the public consciousness. While these new releases may have some frightening plot lines, they focus more on larger concepts and individual characters than inciting fear. “Get Out” even earned writer and director Jordan Peele an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay this year. What makes these studios so popular among college students? And how are they changing the film world as we know it? SPS senior Katie Truong, is the pre-release chair of NYU Program Board and the student ambassador for A24 at NYU. She
Steinhardt’s ‘Guys and Dolls’ Revamps Classic
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
The cast and crew of “Guys and Dolls” with President Andrew Hamilton.
By HENRY COHEN Contributing Writer Steinhardt’s production of the classic 1950 musical “Guys and Dolls” is a colorful camp-fest with great songs and stellar performances. The show revels in a bygone vision of New York as it might have been in the ‘40s — gangsters in pin-striped suits, baby carriages lined with stolen jewelry and accents so local they sound like a musical version of “Goodfellas.” The cast does a fantastic job of revitalizing the material without sacrificing its sincerity and old Broadway charm. The dance numbers are all a delight to watch, particularly the hectic “Havana” and “Crapshooters’ Ballet” sequences. The ensemble performers really stand out here, and it’s their energy that makes these numbers as enjoyable as they are. A few songs from this musical went on to become classics in their own right, and for good reason; “A Bushel and a Peck,” “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” and “Luck Be a Lady” are all still a joy to watch, and are by far the highlights of the show. In musicals like this, the story is often just a vehicle for the song and dance numbers. This production is aware of that fact and leaning into that aspect of the show brings out its strengths. The show is performed without a trace of irony, which calls attention to some of the more dated aspects of it. The musi-
“Guys and Dolls” Frederick Loewe Theatre 35 W. Fourth St., New York, NY 10012 ON Sept. 20 to 24 at 8 p.m. COST $20 general / $5 students
has been setting up screenings for the NYU student body since her sophomore year, and noticed that screenings of A24 films at NYU brought in a lot of traction. “[The Moonlight screening] almost created a fire hazard in [the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life.” Truong believes that the reason NYU students love this content is because these two studios visualize hot topics of social justice in an era when social responsibility and entertainment — for better or worse — are inexorably tied. A24 and Blumhouse have both shown they are willing to stray from conventional Hollywood portrayals of important subjects and tackle issues with a modern social conscious as well as fresh cinematic techniques. “A24 is disruptive in its own way where [it wants] to push forward diverse new films,” Truong said. “NYU students want to see new, exciting things, different from other film companies.” But what exactly makes these films so different? Truong observes that, while there has been a lot of excitement surrounding superhero movies this year, these films all follow relatively similar plots and conventions. “[A24] doesn’t follow a particular mold or formula to make a movie,” she said. “[It] produces movies that allow the directors to have their say.” With films from noteworthy directors
Daniel Kaluuya in the Blumhouse-produced “Get Out.”
such as Alex Garland, Barry Jenkins, Paul Schrader and Greta Gerwig, it is no surprise that A24’s releases are stunningly crafted and unique. Similarly, Blumhouse has long been known as being a filmmaker-driven studio because of its low-budget movie model. Jason Blum, founder and CEO, has spoken about how maintaining a low budget allows a director like Jordan Peele or James Wan to “do what he does, fast, and [lets] him focus on making the movie he wants to make.” These studios are pushing the envelope and releasing films that fall outside of Hollywood conventions. Despite their
relatively young age, A24 and Blumhouse have established a major presence in the industry. Both have some exciting films on their roster in the coming year such as Jonah Hill’s “Mid90s” (A24) and Jordan Peele’s “Us” (Blumhouse). While there is still a substantial desire for superhero blockbusters like “Black Panther,” A24 and Blumhouse are bringing groundbreaking independent films into the spotlight and appealing to a taste that is all at once niche, yet mainstream. Email Taylor Stout at film@nyunews.com.
Stage Pass Tempts 0.1% of Students By LILY DOLIN Staff Writer MoviePass may be on its way out but the idea of a subscription-based ticket service is here to stay. This year, NYU’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts introduced Stage Pass, a single rate pass that allows students to see every Skirball show for a discounted price. Each month, Skirball puts on a number of shows, from dance performances to Shakespeare readings. Tickets are never more than $15 for NYU students, but if one were to watch multiple shows per semester, the cost would add up. With Stage Pass, for $60 a semester, or $100 for the fullyear, students can see almost every show at Skirball. According to the website, this adds up to roughly a $900 value. However, while Pass offers many benefits for the NYU population, it has yet to gain widespread usage among the student body. Stage Pass was created to provide stu-
dents with affordable access to shows and entertainment, explained Emily Gildea, a box office assistant manager at Skirball. “We revamped our programming last year, and are hoping more students come to see the performances,” she said. But how many students are actually buying Stage Passes? Not many. Gildea reported that only 50 students have signed up for the program so far. This number is low considering the fact that NYU has over 50,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Low participation in the program could be attributed to a lack of interest in Skirball shows. Steinhardt junior Giovanna Trabasso, who is studying Media, Culture and Communication, said she is usually unaware of Skirball offerings unless “someone big like Angela Davis is coming, or my friend is involved in the show.” Trabasso said she probably wouldn’t be interested in buying a Stage Pass — a sentiment shared by other students WSN spoke
cal is remarkably focused on the subjects of romance and gender, most apparent during songs like “Marry the Man Today (And Change His Ways Tomorrow).” While antiquated, these elements are still undeniably a part of this show’s old-school charm, and it is all done with a great sense of tongue-in-cheek comedy. It’s par for the course when dealing with classic musicals like this; just bear in mind that this is the kind of show where spectacle takes precedence over serious discussion. Standouts in the all-Steinhardt cast include Kelsey Andridge (Master of Music: Vocal Performance student and adjunct professor of voice) as Sarah Brown and sophomore Chloe Savit as Adelaide, both of whom have beautiful vibratos that are perfectly suited for the show’s arrangement of jazz standards and show tunes. Jordan Hope (Master of Music: Vocal Performance student) is uproariously funny as Nathan Detroit, craps-game organizer and Adelaide’s long-time fiance. Email Henry Cohen at theater@nyunews.com.
VIA YOUTUBE.COM
with, who are similarly hesitant to spend money on shows they aren’t particularly
“
While Stage Pass offers many benefits for the NYU population, but it has yet to gain widespread usage among the student body.
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interested in. However, some students are considering buying a Stage Pass. “If I had Stage Pass, I would be able to see a lot of the shows that I haven’t gotten to see these past years,” said Stern senior Pooja Dharan. For her, Stage Pass would be a chance to take advantage of all NYU has to offer before she graduates. For NYU students who don’t attend Skirball shows and aren’t drawn to the theater’s current programming, Stage Pass may be an unnecessary expense. But for those who enjoy table top Shakespeare and Karl Marx festivals, Stage Pass may hold a certain appeal. Right now, the program is in its infancy, and hasn’t resonated strongly with the NYU community. However, interest may grow as the program develops. It isn’t curtain call for Stage Pass just yet.
Skirball Center introduced Stage Pass earlier this year.
COURTESY OF LILY DOLIN
Email Lily Dolin at theater@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News
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OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
OPINION
Edited by JANICE LEE
IDENTITY OF LOVE
Don’t Call Me Your Milk Chocolate Mocha Caramel Queen
By CHEYENNE PORCHER Columnist Women of color are not granted the same degree of respect that white women are in heterosexual encounters. While misogyny is very real and transcends racial lines, the disrespect women of color face is compounded by not only our gender, but our ethnicities. Think about it, can many white people say they’ve ever been referred to as a milky snow queen or rose-lipped porcelain doll by a prospective mate? Probably not, because
that would be weird. So why have we normalized this creepy behavior when it comes to people of color? The answer to this dehumanization comes from one prominent source: the media. In the wake of on-screen romance transitioning from a “Whites Only” affair, light-skinned women of color have been thrown a bone every so often and casted as love interests in movies and TV. This so-called inclusion — like every feeble attempt by networks to promote equality in the entertainment business — has come with a price. While failing the Bechdel test — a pass-fail measure depending on whether a movie has a scene where two named female characters have a conversation about something other than a man — unnecessary undressing scenes and unequal pay, women of color in Hollywood also have to contend with becoming caricatures of their culture for the world’s consumption.
Sofía Vergara is a prime example of this. For years, we’ve watched people project their Latina fantasies onto her as she gained fame through “Modern Family.” While Vergara has used this widespread fetishization to her advantage by exaggerating her accent, dying her naturally blonde hair dark brown to look more ethnic and so on, I’m not going to put the blame on her for trying to get her coin. I’m calling out the environment that makes this hyperbolic, artificial character acting necessary for artists of color to be recognized. This harmful media representation trickles into everyday life as well. Last year, before I was cold, bitter and closed off to the men at this institution, I was texting this guy. We had met at a frat party and exchanged numbers. We planned to meet up, and while describing his excitement to hang out, he wrote, recorded here verbatim, “lit lol, I’ve never dipped
in chocolate before lol.” In talking to peers, I’ve found that these inappropriate fetishizations often translate to food analogies. A South Asian friend shared that a former partner related having sex with her to “eating curry” on multiple occasions. A Latinx friend described the sinking feeling they get every time someone writes about seeking “rice and beans” in their dating app profile. An East Asian friend recounted how her school had a “yellow fever phase,” where all the white athletes plotted to hook up with Asian girls for the semester. Having your entire identity stripped down to a trope for the sexual satisfaction of another is humiliating and dejecting, and yet we’re groomed to embrace it. Not only is the media an accomplice in this portrayal, but we’re also taught from an early age that we have to fall within someone’s type for
them to see us as worthy of their love. It is not inflammatory to acknowledge the fact that this is a problem white people simply don’t have. They are able to explore their sexuality without worry of ethnic exploitation. We must contend with these inequities and challenge our own inner biases, because once we stop seeing people as people, we stop treating them as such. Identity of Love is a column devoted to exploring the ups and downs of navigating love, sex and relationships for those whose narratives have historically been pushed to the margins. Cheyenne Porcher is a sophomore in Gallatin. Her concentration is ‘Journalism, Activism, & the Arts.’ Email Cheyenne Porcher at opinion@nyunews.com.
INTERNATIONAL
I Should Have the Right to a Paid Internship
By NATASHA JOKIC Contributing Writer This month alone, I learned about a variety of incredible paid internship opportunities from amazing companies like CNN and NBC. However, I cannot apply for a single one. That’s not because of resume issues or time constraints. It’s because I’m a new international student.
If you’re an international student, you can work in a paid off-campus internship by applying for pre-completion Optional Practical Training temporary employment. This lasts for a maximum of 12 months per degree level and is ultimately approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services for work that’s related to your field of study. If this all sounds frightfully dry, know that your international peers have already had to go through a proverbial minefield of immigration acronyms. However, there’s one big caveat with OPT: you can only apply after a full academic year has passed. I can see how waiting a year to apply for OPT might not be the biggest issue in the world for undergraduate students. In my experience, most first-years would rarely prioritize a part-time internship
over academic studies, and are generally trying to get to grips with what on earth it is that they actually wish to do. However, I am not an undergraduate student. My master’s program is only three semesters long, but OPT does not recognize this. In practice, this means that I have to wait until two thirds of my degree is complete before I can undertake a paid internship. While nothing is stopping me from working an unpaid internship, many of the larger New York City companies are now, thankfully, paying their interns. This is undoubtedly a good thing, and I’m not suggesting that companies shouldn’t pay students for their work, but it can leave international students with far less choices than their domestic peers. There is something unfair about
the way that my classmates could begin earning money, for almost the exact same work that I will do, just because they’re citizens or residents of the U.S. After all, I also pay tuition, work toward good grades and want to graduate with the best credentials possible. I cannot find any reason as to why pre-completion OPT can only begin after an academic year. This is just conjecture, but a lot of U.S. international student policy seems to revolve around proving that you are in this country to learn. I have proved that through embassy interviews, a plethora of government documents and the very fact that I have uprooted my entire life for the opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution. My dedication to my studies should not be continuously called into question sim-
ply because I am not a U.S. citizen. Some may argue that I am fundamentally at NYU to study, not to work. My classes have already proved to be immensely valuable and I don’t doubt that I will learn an incredible amount throughout my time here. However, I am also at grad school to get a great job after graduating. My ability to do so will also depend on the contacts I make, the companies that allow me to learn on the job and the portfolio that I can build. These objectives can only be achieved through undertaking a paid internship. It is time for NYU and the U.S. to strongly reconsider the current system that leaves international students at an unfair disadvantage. Email Natasha Jokic at opinion@nyunews.com.
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TECHNOLOGY
Apple’s Biggest iPhone Is the Biggest Disappointment Yet
By MURAT BARLAS Contributing Writer The iPhone 4S — the first iPhone released after Steve Jobs’ death — was announced on Oct. 14, 2011. I remember sitting in front of my computer in my home in Turkey, excitedly waiting for Apple to release its newest product. But soon after the launch event sprung
into action, it was clear that the hype Jobs used to create was lacking. Where Jobs once stood was Phil Schiller, the company’s vice president and new prominent figure. As I was thinking about whether Apple would be able to maintain its passion for innovation without Jobs, Schiller shocked me with the announcement of a new feature called Siri. It was a technology that I had never seen before and I was completely fascinated by it. So when Apple announced the release of the incredibly underwhelming iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max earlier this month, I couldn’t help but think back nostalgically about what it had once felt like to be feverishly excited about the release
of a new Apple product. Apple’s dedication to innovation and its former success in introducing groundbreaking technology are what inspired me to pursue a career in engineering. But in the last few years, Apple hasn’t surprised me with its products. I wasn’t expecting a lot from this year’s releases, and unfortunately, I wasn’t proven wrong. The new iPhones are just larger and faster version of last year’s iPhone X with a better camera, better screen quality and battery life. There is also a brand new gold color — if reintroducing a color option after discontinuing it counts as new. Apple failed to surprise fans with new key features, and simply launched an updated version
of last year’s iPhone. It’s not the kind of device that would cause people to camp out in front of Apple Stores like they did in early 2010s. I also used to count the days until a new Apple product was released. A few months after the initial release of the iPhone 4S, the product arrived in Turkey. I went to the closest store to test out Siri. Being the 12-year-old kid I was, I pretended that I was one of the presenters on Apple’s stage and asked Siri about the weather. At the time, the new and innovative technology was about to change the way users and devices interact, with the introduction of products like new versions of iPods and the very first iPad. I’ll be honest, the new iPhone is aes-
thetically beautiful, and I would consider buying it if I needed a new phone. However, it’s not the kind of device that gives me goosebumps like hearing Siri’s voice for the first time years ago. Apple has failed to create fresh wow moments for me and many other fans. I still remember my first-generation iPod Touch that came out in 2008. When I used Safari to browse the web, I felt like I was holding the internet in my palms. The launch of iPhone XS shows that, in today’s rapidly growing and very competitive industry, Apple has to work really hard to create similar feelings in the younger generation again. Email Murat Barlas at opinion@nyunews.com.
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Washington Square News | Opinion
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
9
GUEST EDITORIAL
A Letter to Dr. Christine Blasey Ford Dear Dr. Blasey Ford, My name is Monica Luna and I, unfortunately, do not think I will ever have the pleasure of making your acquaintance. But while our paths will likely never cross, we do share in common one tragic occurrence: having been sexually assaulted at a young and formative age. I have felt compelled over the past few days to reach out to you somehow and I do hope that this letter reaches you. Your story was particularly impactful for me. I am a 27-year-old woman who works in the medical field and is studying to get my master’s degree in Biostatistics from NYU. As I mentioned before, I was sexually assaulted while in high school. I was at an after-prom party in my junior year where we were consuming alcohol. Toward the end of the evening, I was ushered into a dark and empty area of the house by a college-aged man who did not have close social connections at the party and whose name I never learned. He had told me that he could tell I needed to lay down and when I proceeded to do so, he positioned himself on top of me. Despite my physical and audible protests, he pulled up my dress, removed my underwear and inserted himself inside of me. The terror that you described feeling your attacker’s hand over your mouth is a feeling I, too, will never forget. My alcohol-addled teenage brain was attempting to weigh whether it was more important to protect my bodily autonomy in this moment or ensure my survival of the event. We also share a similar reaction to our assaults. I didn’t tell anyone what had happened to me. I never reported it to any authority and never told my parents. I dealt with it by placing the responsibility squarely on myself. If what happened to me was my fault, that meant I could prevent it from ever happening to me again. I thought up dozens of ways to finish the sentence, “This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t…” and repeated them to myself as a sick, soothing mantra. As a clinical psychologist, I’m sure you have learned about and dealt with this type of inappropriate reaction to trauma. I was only truly able to recognize my own pathology in analyzing how I viewed other victims of sexual assault. I so often gave credence to victim-blaming practices, finally realizing that the only reason I was able to psychologically survive my rape is because blaming myself gave me back the control and power I had lost in the moments of my assault. I felt compelled to reach out to you not only because of the similarity in our harrowing stories,
but because I also feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude to you. You know firsthand the horror of losing control of your own autonomy and here you are offering it up again. By coming forward, you are losing control of who gets to know your deepest and most painful secrets, losing control of your ability to feel safe in public or at home and, perhaps most importantly, risk losing control of the narrative of your life story. I am in awe of your remarkable courage and strength. The loss of control in that situation is what was and remains most challenging to me. I cannot describe how much it means to me that you are coming forward with your story in possibly the most excruciating, painful and unfair process. I know that countless other women’s hearts are filled with gratitude and awe for you as well. The #MeToo movement is one that we certainly never asked for. I know many have felt empowered to tell their stories, and for that I am glad, but each time I see the hashtag in my feed it is a cutting reminder of my trauma and the fact that women have been enduring this on a nearly universal scale for generations. Hearing negative reactions to #MeToo have at times disheartened me and made me feel as though the imbalance in power between men and women will continue in perpetuity. Your story, your bravery and your sacrifice have renewed my hope. While every fiber of my being wishes that we could have had two separate lives without this trauma to connect us, my newfound theoretical connection to you has made me feel that I can share in your bravery and confront the wounds of my trauma. I frequently say to my friends and family that my new favorite day of the year is the Women’s March. I’m not sure if you have participated, but I hope that you do this coming year. For me, it is a celebration of the strength and resiliency of women and a reminder that we should be each other’s fiercest advocates. I will be thinking of you as I march this year and in years to come, as I’m sure many others will be. While I know that “thoughts and prayers” is a term often scoffed at these days, please know that I will be thinking of you on the day of your hearing. And that no matter what happens, you are an inspiration to young women like myself. With much gratitude and respect, Monica Luna Email Monica Luna at opinion@nyunews.com.
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STAFF EDITORIAL
Text Therapy Isn’t a Long-Term Solution The NYU Wellness Center recently introduced a text-based therapy app available to students 24/7. The new app is meant to cater to the demographic of students that may need mental health resources but prefer to communicate over text. While the Wellness Center’s new text-based therapy is a positive resource for some students, it isn’t a comprehensive solution to mental health treatment. The new text-based app offers a unique mode of coping during a manic or depressive episode. Because, unfortunately, there are a host of reasons why a student might not want to reach out to friends and family during a time of need. Perhaps it’s to avoid judgment from your loved ones or not burden them with your distress. With that and the idea of accessibility in mind, NYU’s new therapy app aims to f ill that void. It provides a timely and appropriate pool of therapists to speak with, and is a good resource to have for students who do not feel comfortable reaching out to a therapist in a more traditional setting. Additionally, it can allow for more anonymity and security, since it isn’t face-to-face communication and the app features therapists who aren’t based at NYU. However, text-based therapy should be seen as more of a temporary f ix instead of a solution to the upkeep of mental health as a whole. Relying upon this resource as a constant crutch can do more harm than good. Therapy is meant to be
a long-term solution to working on mental health issues. It is meant to help those struggling mentally to integrate healthy coping mechanisms into their everyday lives. But the learning and practice of these vital mental health mechanisms may not be invoked through a limiting text-based conversation — incorporating these methods into your everyday life requires practice and long-term coaching. Furthermore, therapy is an individualized experience that, for a myriad of reasons, may not work for everyone. The way in which text-based therapy may help one student won’t be the same experience felt by the rest of the app’s users. Students should be able to understand the benef its of f inding a more permanent support system in dealing with mental health issues. In a time when texting has become such a constant in our daily lives, the Wellness Center’s text service may be a great resource for dealing with mental health issues. Text therapy may be a critical addition to the toolkit of mental health resources, but it is not the only tool for the job. It is crucial to remember that resources like in-person therapy work to develop proper coping mechanisms — which may help lead to healthier diets, lifestyles and relationships — are equally important. Ultimately, a holistic approach is key to having good mental health; taking advantage of the many resource available is the best way to achieve that.
Email the Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. JANICE LEE Chair HANNA KHOSRAVI Co-chair MELANIE PINEDA Co-chair
SEND MAIL TO: 75 THIRD AVE. #SB07, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003 OR EMAIL: OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title. WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
Washington Square News
10
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
SPORTS
SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
WEEKLY UPDATE
Men’s Soccer Team Wins Seventh Straight Game
Edited by BELA KIRPALANI
Early Predictions: NBA Edition By BELA KIRPALANI Editor-at-Large After a drama-filled offseason, basketball fans are eagerly anticipating the beginning of the 2018-2019 NBA season. The promise of awkward reunions, renewed rivalries and a highly contested battle for Rookie of the Year has players and fans alike hyped and trash-talking as if the playoffs are upon us. Preseason hasn’t even begun, but when have we ever let that stop us? We asked NYU students for their match-up predictions for the 2018-2019 NBA finals and not everyone said it would be the Golden State Warriors facing the Boston Celtics. The NBA preseason begins on Saturday, Sept. 29 when the Charlotte Hornets take on the Boston Celtics at 7:30 p.m. EST. Email Bela Kirpalani at bkirpalani@nyunews.com.
SAM KLEIN | WSN
Richie Rambarran (front) scored one of NYU’s goals in a 3-0 victory over Brooklyn College.
By BELA KIRPALANI Editor-at-Large Men’s Soccer On Sept. 19, the NYU men’s soccer team recovered from a 2-0 deficit to beat Baruch College 3-2. The Violets comfortably won their seventh straight game on Saturday, Sept. 22, defeating Brooklyn College 3-0. CAS senior Robert Shellow opened the scoring for the Violets with his first goal of the season. In the second half, GLS junior Owen Smith slotted a penalty in before Stern sophomore Richie Rambarran scored a header for NYU’s third goal of the game. NYU looks to make it eight in a row when it hosts Drew University on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Women’s Soccer The NYU women’s soccer team suffered a tough 2-1 loss on Sept. 18 against the University of Scranton. On Saturday, Sept. 22, NYU fell 2-0 to Mount Saint Mary College. After the loss, the Violets’ record sits at 3-4-0. The Violets will return to action against Centenary University in Hackettstown, New Jersey on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. Women’s Volleyball The NYU women’s volleyball team defeated the College of Mount Saint Vincent on Thursday, Sept. 20 in four sets (25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 25-19). The NYU women’s volleyball team split a pair of matches on Friday, Sept. 21. NYU had its six-match winning streak snapped after losing to Middlebury College in three sets (25-19, 30-28, 25-22). CAS first-year Gretchen Kincade led the team with eight kills while SPS senior Katie Goyette and Tandon first-year Stella Alverson each had 11 assists. In its second match of the day, NYU defeated Ramapo College in straight sets (2518, 25-18, 25-17). This time, CAS senior Nazzerine Waldon led the team with 10 kills while GLS sophomore Jackie Kupeli had 14 digs. Goyette and Alverson had 17 and 15 assists, respectively. The Violets will begin University Athletic Association play next weekend with three matches hosted by Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30.
Women’s Tennis The NYU women’s tennis team completed its first day of competition at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeast Regional Championships on Saturday, Sept. 22. In the singles round, Stern junior Judy Kam, CAS junior Coco Kulle and Stern senior Flyora Shiyanova defeated their respective opponents and moved on to the round of 16 taking place on Sunday, Sept. 23. Kulle and Shiyanova partnered to win their doubles match (8-1, 8-4), while Kam and FAS sophomore Kate Shaffer also came out on top in their match (8-6, 8-6). Men’s Tennis The NYU men’s tennis team completed its first day of action at The College of New Jersey Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 22. The Violets compiled an 8-4 record in doubles play after facing off against TCNJ, Stevens Institute of Technology and Dickinson College. CAS first-year Christian Otero went undefeated on the day, partnering with CAS senior Shrikar Kundur to win 8-5 and Stern first-year Levi Shlyankevich to earn two wins, 7-4 and 8-2, respectively. Kundur won his other matches 8-2 with doubles partner and CAS junior Zeb Zheng. Men’s Golf The NYU men’s golf team competed at the Liberty League Fall Preview on Saturday, Sept. 22. Stern sophomore Patrick McNary and Tisch sophomore Robbie Keyes led the first round of competition for the Violets, finishing with scores of 75 and 77, respectively.
Emilio Torres, Tisch first-year Favorite NBA team: whichever team LeBron James is on
Lauren Brown, Gallatin junior Favorite NBA team: New York Knicks
“The Golden State Warriors’ starting five roster features five all-stars that each provide various forms of depth for the team. [The Celtics] currently have the best coach and best roster in the East. Next year, they will have Kyrie back and a roster that will back him up, making for a team hungry to win after getting their conference title stolen from them. The team is a good mix of younger and older players and they have an incredibly loyal fan base and tremendous legacy and I think they will dominate. I think the NBA finals will be Golden State versus Boston. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Golden State won, but I am hopeful that the Celtics will. No matter who wins, I think this is the last season of [the Warriors] dominating the NBA.”
“I’m going to predict the Knicks because I’m still a #believer and a forever fan. I can’t give up on my home team. And the Lakers because LeBron James is a king who makes everyone else he plays on a team with better.”
Diego Valer, CAS junior Favorite NBA team: Atlanta Hawks “The Hawks have the have Trae Young, future Rookie of the Year and MVP. He will change the recent culture there and get the ball to future defensive player of the year John Collins. With the additions of legend Vince Carter and natural leader Jeremy Lin, the Hawks are going to run through the Eastern Conference and win the championship against the Warriors, dropping no more than one game in the Finals.”
Max Gordon, Stern first-year Favorite NBA team: Utah Jazz “As far as the Celtics go, they are the clear pick in the East, especially with Lebron going to the Lakers. They will get Hayward and Kyrie back from injury to improve a team that still performed well without them in the playoffs. Tatum should only get better, especially under the [guidance] of one of the better coaches in the NBA, Brad Stevens. In the West, the Jazz were a complete homer pick. If I’m being realistic it’s the Warriors. [The Jazz] have great depth but are lacking the superstar talent. Donovan Mitchell is developing into one and Gobert is a top 25 player in the league, but they are missing one more top piece to get them to the point where they can challenge the top tier in the West. “So, in short, I think it will be Golden State versus Boston and I think Golden State will win again in six.”
Jake Mauldin, LS first-year Favorite NBA team: Atlanta Hawks “The Hawks will face Golden State — it’s already destined to happen. Golden State’s far and away the best in the West so they’ll be in the finals. However, they’ll lose in four to the Hawks. The Hawks in a single draft have bettered [the] Warriors’ formula by getting [Trae] Young and Kevin Huerter. People say the Hawks won’t get to the playoffs, but that’s just being ignorant of the unstoppable talent they’ve brought in and developed for this year’s playoff run.”
Women’s Golf The NYU women’s golf team ended day one of the Mount Holyoke Invitational in third place on Saturday, Sept. 22. SPS senior Patty Treevichaphan led the way for NYU after shooting a three-over-par 75. Stern first-year Arshia Mahant shot a six-overpar 78 and is in ninth place, while GLS junior Arisa Kimura is currently tied for 19th after scoring a nine-over-par 81 in the first round. The Violets will return to the course next weekend at the Williams College Fall Invitational in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Email Bela Kipalani at bkipalani@nyunews.com.
IMAGES VIA FLICKR.COM; GRAPHIC BY TONY WU | WSN
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018
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Washington Square News | Sports
EXPOSURE
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Edited by KATIE PEURRUNG
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We are telling big stories — the Bling Ring, Venmo fraud, drug donkeys — ones that expanded past our print-standard 500 words, ones that paint pictures with words. This magazine aims to be a platform where undergraduate and graduate students alike can mutter on about their love of the blue-seated MTA trains or put into words the flavor of their love of grandma’s dumplings.
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