INSIDE THIS ISSUE NEWS
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#BlackLivesMatter activists monitored NYPD and MTA officers posed undercover in several protests. STORY on PG. 4 FEATURES
Vol. 43, No. 50
SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
WELCOME WEEK 2015 Your Freshman Class First-time College-Goers 20%
More Diversity PHOTO BY SANG BAE
Rocking rooftop restaurants Top places to soak to soak in the sun and take in the views. STORY on PG. 6
FIRST MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY TO ATTEND A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE
2x NUMBER OF AFRICANAMERICAN FRESHMEN (COMPARED TO 2005) 2x NUMBER OF LATINO/ LATINA FRESHMEN (COMPARED TO 2005)
Financial Aid
ARTS
Pell-eligibility
22% STUDENTS ARE
PELL-ELIGIBLE (ONE OF THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGES AMONG PEER UNIVERSITIES)
AID BUDGET $209 GRANT ($106 MILLION IN 2005)
MILLION
13,500+
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
LARGEST NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL FRESHMEN FROM THE LARGEST NUMBER OF COUNTRIES VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Fantastically terrible comic book movies
nyunews.com
Academic Qualifications
=
INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AID FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS ON PAR WITH U.S. STUDENTS
LARGEST HEOP PROGRAM 152 INCOMING FRESHMEN RECEIVING SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT
With the release of “Fantastic Four” the future of comic book movies is grim. STORY on PG. 9
MEDIAN ACT SCORE UP 1 POINT FROM 2014
SPORTS
Rising NYU Athletics stars
MEDIAN SAT SCORE UP 10 POINTS FROM 2014
Athletes to keep an eye on this season. STORY on PG. 10 OPS
Bookstores are worth preserving The Editorial Board argues local bookstores sell more than just books. STORY on PG. 11
Applicant Numbers 60,000+ APPLICANTS 15% MORE THAN 2014 EIGHTH YEAR IN A ROW OF RECORD APPLICATIONS
+
13 STERN NYC SCHOLARS (DISADVANTAGED FRESHMEN FROM NEW YORK CITY) WILL ATTEND ON FULL-RIDE SCHOLARSHIPS
7,700+
ED APPLICANTS ED POOL SURPASSES STANFORD
WITH FOOD AND FUN GUIDE INSIDE
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
PHOTO BY CALVIN FALK
Dear readers, Freshman year is, generally speaking, a huge mistake. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad mistake — lots of mistakes have resulted in great things. For example, where would we be if Alexander Fleming hadn’t let his bread get moldy? Nevertheless, there are a lot of things you will do wrong this year. The good news is that you’re in a year of your life where you’re expected to make a ton of horrible decisions. Which is great. You can do pretty much anything and, as long as no one dies, you’re golden. What’s the point here? Good question. Make mistakes. Take a philosophy course, which is clearly a bad idea in this economy. Go to Webster Hall. Jump in the fountain in Washington Square. Use that Winston Churchill pick-up line you’ve been saving. Write a letter to others in which you give them bad advice. The world is your oyster. Our mistake was joining a newspaper. Thomas tried to quit after his first semester, and Valentina used anonymous sources in her first article. Oops. But look at us, we seem almost successful. You’ll make mistakes and your life will change — at times for the worse, at times for the better. The only real mistake you could make is trying so hard to not mess up you end up doing nothing. Because that’s boring. Mistakes are the whole point. And if one of your mistakes is going up the elevator to the fifth floor of 838 Broadway, who knows? You might just discover penicillin. Sincerely, Valentina and Thomas
NYUNEWS.COM | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Editor-in-Chief
VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
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OPINION PAGE opinion editor
TOMMY COLLISON deputy opinion editors
RICHARD SHU
BLOGS
violet vision GABRIELLA BOWER the highlighter E.R. PULGAR under the arch HANNAH TREASURE
Managing Editor
THOMAS DEVLIN deputy MARITA VLACHOU
ADVERTISING
Assistant Managing Editors
BUSINESS MANAGER
ALANNA BAYARIN MADELINE PAZZANI
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Digital Director
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Creative Director, Special Editions
GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
JILLIAN BRANCHAUD JILLIAN BRANCHAUD, ALISHA MAHTANI
ANNE CRUZ, ANTHONY MCMILLAN Multimedia
SAM BEARZI photo MATHILDE VAN TULDER video CHRISTIAN FORTE deputy photo SANG BAE, HARK KANWAL, HANNAH SCHULMAN deputy video CALVIN FALK
CIRCULATION MANAGER
FIONA GORRY-HINES SALES ASSOCIATES
ALEXANDRIA HANSON, RHEA NAYAK
ADVISING DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Social Media Editors
FRANCISCO NAVAS, SOPHIE LEWIS
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SENIOR STAFF
838 BROADWAY, 5TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10003
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Copy Chiefs
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR, W MEDIA GROUP
ALEXA WONG TEERIN JULSAWAD OLIVIA MARTIN
OPEN HOUSE
EMMA HOWCROFT
news ALEX BAZELEY features NINA JANG arts AUDREY DENG sports BOBBY WAGNER senior editors JOHN AMBROSIO, LARSON
RACHEL HOLLIDAY SMITH EDITORS-AT-LARGE
EMILY BELL, NICOLE BROWN, KAVISH HARJAI, SHAWN PAIK, DANA RESZUTEK, BRYNA SHUMAN
BINZER, CHRISTINA COLEBURN, JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU
DEPUTY STAFF
news LEXI FAUNCE, CHRISTINE WANG,
JUSTINE MORRIS features GRACE HALIO beauty & style DAVID BOLOGNA dining KENDALL LEVISON film ZACH MARTIN entertainment ALLISON STUBBLEBINE music KIERAN GRAULICH theater/books JOSEPH MYERS sports KYLE LUTHER
About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact the managing editors at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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Crossword ACROSS 1 Sports wrap-up 6 Given a PG-13 or R, e.g. 11 Procure 14 Cause for a food recall 15 “Uncle!” 16 Historical span 17 *Youngest French Open champion 19 Bobby who won the Norris Trophy eight times 20 Expert 21 Doofus 23 Love like crazy 25 Lean-___ (rude shelters) 27 Like Hans Christian Andersen’s “Duckling” 28 Rio ___ (Texas border river) 29 Nick of “48 Hrs.” 31 ___ McIlroy, 2014 P.G.A. Player of the Year
32 Peter, Paul or Mary 35 ___ of roses 38 Tan who wrote “The Joy Luck Club” 39 *“Double Fantasy” singer 41 “Me, me, me!” attribute 42 Wood for model airplanes 44 Brand in contact lens care 45 Flying pest 46 Zoo heavyweight, informally 48 “You don’t think I will?!” 50 Arabian Sea sultanate 52 Ending with walk or trade 54 Storm drain cover 55 Maine city on the Penobscot River 57 Song of triumph 59 ___ Arbor, Mich. 60 What the ends of the answers to all the starred clues are
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE T E A C H F O O T B A T H S
I G L O O
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PUZZLE BY D. SCOTT NICHOLS AND ZHOUQIN BURNIKEL
23 Doughnut shop lure
36 Best-effort performance
50 Lead-in to care since 2009
24 *“Splash” star
37 Memorization
51 Craze
26 Situation after a leadoff single
39 Talk incessantly
53 Backbone
40 Elbowed
28 Seize
43 Serenade
56 October birthstone
30 Vietnamese neighbor
45 Crunchy breakfast bowlful
33 Ohio home of the 47 Jolly Roger flier Soap Box Derby 49 Mount 34 Slapping where Noah Stooge disembarked
58 From scratch 61 Cut (off) 62 Scratch 63 Punk music offshoot 64 Habitual drunk
Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/studentcrosswords.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
Summer News Recap
By ALEX BAZELEY News Editor
The Court of Appeals gave the green light to the controversial NYU 2031 expansion plan in June. Redevelopment of the Coles Sports Center will begin soon, with plans for a mixed-use academic building that will include classrooms, student and faculty housing and improved athletic facilities. (See more on this page.) The university senate voted in favor of divestment from fossil fuels back in May. While members of NYU Divest planned on
presenting their proposal to the Board of Trustees in June, delays have stemmed progress.
NYU made a splash at the 69th Tony Awards Ceremony, with Ruthie Ann Miles (Steinhardt ’07) and Barbara Whitman (Gallatin ’88) each taking home hardware. This was Miles’ first Tony, while Whitman added a third to her collection. A new program from the Polytechnic School of Engineering that gives military veterans an opportunity to become tech entrepreneurs graduated its first class
this August.
NYU partnered with the Peace Corps to provide scholarships under the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program. The program will provide graduate school scholarships to returned Peace Corps volunteers and will be the largest fellows program between a university and the Peace Corps. Robert De Niro told Tisch grads “you’re f-cked” at their graduation ceremony in May. Welcome back! Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.
GRAPHIC BY LYANNE NATIVIDAD
The plan for the expansion of the NYU Campus.
NYU 2031 goes ahead, despite detractors By MIKE ADAMS Contributing Writer
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A protester at Times Square holds a sign with the iconic phrase of the movement.
Spying racks #BlackLivesMatter By JUSTINE MORRIS Deputy News Editor
Tens of thousands of people in New York marched under the slogan “Black Lives Matter” last winter. Two weeks ago, the Intercept revealed that among those people, some were undercover agents from the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the New York Police Department. While protesters had long suspected that there were undercover agents, the documents released by the MTA and Metro-North Railroad show that the surveillance was much more widespread than originally thought. According to the Intercept, the names of undercover police officers are redacted 192 times over the course of 20 protests, from December 2014 to February 2015. The documents show how officers tracked the movement of the protests, providing live updates to their bosses. But in some instances, the officers took it further, noting specific activists and even taking pictures of them. One particular leader was noted for his pres-
ence at the protest. Chevaun Samuels, a junior in CAS who attended many of the protests, was angered at the idea of leaders being spied on. “The leader of the movement constantly seeks to bring awareness to the injustices that we face,” Samuels said. “They do not seek violence and confrontations, yet these police officers believe that these leaders need to be constantly watched.” Some worry that surveillance like this might prevent people from marching, but Samuels disagreed. “Something like this, however, would never stop my involvement in the movement,” Samuels said. “In fact this drives me to continue my fight and I am sure it will do the same for others.” While he says he will continue to participate, he does worry about its effect on free speech. “I believe this is criminalizing free speech,” Samuels said. “we have the right to peacefully gather and speak our minds yet still these police officers feel the need to spend their time spying on us.” Hannah Weverka, a Steinhardt
junior, agrees with Samuels. “I’m very, very worried about the effects on free speech not only within Black Lives Matter but in activist movements overall,” Weverka said. “This is a grave violation of civil liberties and one that will absolutely grow even more severe if it isn’t addressed.” CAS senior and president of the Black Students Union at NYU Arielle Andrews said she disagrees, but admitted that the overall NYPD response to the movement was poor. “I wouldn’t necessarily describe the spying tactics as ‘criminalizing free speech,’” Andrews said. “Since there is a factor of safety that must be taken into account for all protests, whether related to Black Lives Matter or not. However, I do believe that the NYPD could’ve ‘participated’ in a better way. The NYPD could’ve better supported BLM by openly attempting to work with protesters to implement change instead of covertly infiltrating the movement by being undercover.” Email Justine Morris at jmorris@nyunews.com.
As students begin to return to NYU in earnest, the university and the surrounding Greenwich Village Community prepare for the reopening of one of the tenser chapters in their relationship. The Court of Appeals gave the all-clear for the NYU 2031 expansion plan, meaning NYU has all the approval and all the framework it needs in place to begin construction. For years now, NYU has been trying to push through the expansion plan while irate Greenwich Village residents have thrown every conceivable legal roadblock in an attempt to keep their community from changing into something they no longer recognize. Residents argued that part of the land NYU intended to build on was used as parkland and therefore should be excluded from the university’s construction plans. Supporters are excited about 1.9 million square feet of added space which will be used for academic services as well as affordable housing for first-year students among others, while the detractors are worried as to what form their community will have assumed once such a large-scale transformation is complete. In a statement released following the Court of Appeals decision, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation conveyed their disappointment, despite various reductions in the scale of the project.
“The plan will be tremendously damaging to the Village, and the court’s ruling is particularly disturbing in its undermining of the Public Trust Doctrine, which protects land used as park space from alienation without State approval, as was done here,” the statement reads. Now, the university is ready to move forward, and concrete progress is planned to begin with the demolition of Coles Sports Center. No dates have been officially set for this yet, but NYU Executive Vice President for Operations Alison Leary stated in a memo sent to the NYU community that the gym will remain open through at least Nov. 15, and that plans are in the works for other athletic facilities while Coles is under construction. “Extensive planning has already been underway; this includes, as a first order of business, replacement facilities to meet the needs of those who currently use Coles for fitness and athletics,” the memo reads. NYU spokesperson John Beckman said the newly constructed site will provide a variety of uses for the community. “A new facility on the site of Coles will provide much needed new classroom space; specialized space for NYU’s performing arts programs; [and] new dorm space that will enable us to save money by getting out of costlier leased space elsewhere,” Beckman said. Email Mike Adams at news@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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VET program graduates first class By LEXI FAUNCE Deputy News Editor
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NYU Shanghai welcomed its inaugural class in fall 2013.
NYU Shanghai opens Jinqiao Residence Hall By ALEX BAZELEY News Editor
With the new school year kicking into gear, those attending NYU Shanghai will be making another adjustment, as 600 students will file into the newly constructed Jinqiao Residence Hall — the third new living arrangement in three years. The new dorms, which were completed this summer, are made up of three buildings, feature suite-style rooms — similar to the living conditions at NYU’s Washington Square campus. During the 2013-14 academic year, NYU Shanghai students were housed in the dorms at East China Normal University. NYU Shanghai also used ECNU facilities for academic purposes and dining halls, while its own facilities were being completed. With construction of the academic buildings being finalized before the residence halls, students spent last year living in Motel 268, a living arrangement that was only temporary. Now, with the Jinqiao dorms fully constructed, students will move again, as the university works to create permanent living space for the relatively new campus. Spencer Smith, who spent the previous year at NYUSH and will be a sophomore there this fall, said the new dorm is already very different from last year’s arrangements. Some students estimated it could take between 20 and 45 minutes to commute to school, and Smith said he felt the location of the dorms in Jinqiao somewhat removed the students from traditional Chinese culture. “The new location is considerably farther away from our school and almost all nightlife, but we’re living in a more Western neighborhood, and that may or may not be a good thing depending on who you ask,” Smith said. “If you ask me, I’d say in the long run it is a bad thing because we are much less integrated with Chinese culture.”
Sohrob Moslehi, an incoming freshman at NYU Shanghai, echoed Smith’s concerns, saying this year’s living arrangements are disappointing compared to how integrated the students have been in past years. “I’m very disappointed by Jinqiao’s Western characteristics, and the commute I’m forced to make as a result of the dormitories’ location,” Molehi said. “The dormitories’ distance from school and mostly everything that makes Shanghai culturally is disappointing.” David Pe, associate dean of students at NYUSH, acknowledged that things might be different, but said the new arrangement will leave students with more opportunities. “[Students] should rethink how they operate within the NYU Shanghai community and how this transcends to the whole urban city of Shanghai,” Pe said to On Century Avenue, NYU Shanghai’s student newspaper. “This will be possible as the new dorms are encouraging students to become more directly involved with city life.” Despite the ambivalence about location, both Smith and Moslehi agreed that the current living situation seems to be much more communal than it has been in the past few years. The Jinqiao dorm is intended to be a fixture for the next five to 10 years while the administration determines how available real estate in the area will allow them to adjust. “Seeing as how this school is so new and we’re only starting our third year, time will only tell what will be permanent and won’t,” Smith said. “I would be shocked if we moved out of the new Jinqiao residence for good anytime soon, as it fulfills most of the stated goals of the school in community and crosscultural integration.” Email Alex Bazeley at abazeley@nyunews.com.
In an effort to expand the career opportunities of retired servicemen and women, the Polytechnic School of Engineering graduated the first class of its Veteran Entrepreneur Training program on August 13. The VET program caters to former military personnel with a passion for entrepreneurship who are looking to transition out of the armed forces and into the growing technology industry. The program is a stand-alone initiative and does not specifically target veterans who are NYU students, but instead recruits applicants from a general population of retired service members who want to turn an idea into a business. Loree Sutton, New York City Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs commissioner and keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony, said her experience as a former U.S. Army brigadier general gave her insight as to why retired veterans have the skills needed to launch potential business ventures. “Veterans are natural entrepreneurs, given their extensive experience in adapting, improvising and overcoming
adversity in a diverse range of settings, including combat, disaster response/humanitarian relief, global peacekeeping and other demanding missions involving complex leadership and managerial challenges,” Sutton said. The VET program’s first summer class accepted 14 out of 25 initial applicants into the free 10-week course. To accompany in-class lectures, students worked alongside start-up companies based out of the Poly Incubators. The course concluded with two separate showcases, a presentation for private investors of the program and a public demonstration day. Five business ventures — Core Leader, DaViniciBA Medical Revenue Solutions, Pathfinder, Project Carbon and TripSafe — were formed from this summer’s cohort. Among the companies are a game development platform to help research Alzheimer’s and a website allowing veterans to provide feedback on various service organizations. The businesses will be given three months to continue work in the Poly Incubators while the next cohort of entrepreneurs will begin classes this fall. Assemblyperson Joseph Lentol, who worked alongside the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce to help secure funding
for the course, said more programs need to be established to proactively utilize the business talents of veterans. “The skills that were learned by you in this room about being a leader, about having skills to fight in combat and fighting for what you believe in, that’s what it’s like in the street, that’s what it’s like in business, and that’s what it means to be an entrepreneur,” Lentol said. Kurt Becker, vice dean for research, innovation and entrepreneurship at Poly, said he was grateful for the support of the community in helping fund the VET program. Becker added that courses that accommodate to the needs of veterans are essential for incorporating former troops back into civilian life. “The VET program gives our military veterans the tools they need to access and succeed in New York City’s booming technology sector,” Becker said. “With our school’s expertise in helping entrepreneurs launch successful tech businesses, combined with our partners’ support and the fortitude of our veterans, this program creates meaningful opportunities and ventures.” Email Lexi Faunce at lfaunce@nyunews.com.
NYU finds real estate sponsor for Incubators By CHRISTINE WANG Deputy News Editor
Cushman & Wakefield — a renowned international commercial real estate services firm — announced in August its exciting decision to serve as exclusive real estate sponsor for NYU’s incubator program. With this sponsorship comes not only a promise of financial support, but also expert guidance in the form of leasing advice, corporate finance services and project management. NYU’s Incubators, sponsored by the Polytechnic School of Engineering, started in 2009 and has since generated over 1,256 jobs, raised more than $145 million in capital, and had a local economic impact of $352 million. But this success did not come easily. In the eyes of Claudio Silva, a faculty engineer in residence at the program, one common problem graduated startups often face is a lack of space to expand. “New York City has one of the most expensive real-estate in the world, and clearly for
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Cushman & Wakefield will sponsor NYU’s Incubators. companies to grow they need access to space in desirable areas,” Silva said. Another faculty engineer in residence, Anne-Laure Fayard, said she believes space issues are where C&W can help. “Cushman & Wakefield will help startups find space after they leave the incubators,” Fayard said. “The incubators have been thinking of ways to help startups moving on to the next steps and it seems that this partnership aims at solving this issue.” With the support of powerful firms like C&W, the Incubator program will be more likely to flourish and it is important that it does. Kurt Becker, vice dean for research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, said beyond inspiring young entrepreneurs to chase their dreams, the Incubator program has transformed parts of the curriculum
and has positively influenced students’ lives. “It provides opportunities to intern with the startups and provides a rather unique educational experience,” Becker said. “The presence of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, also has an impact on the curriculum and how we deliver certain materials. It has introduced new courses and components into courses that are more project-oriented.” As the first city-sponsored and university-affiliated incubator in New York City, the NYU incubator program has come a long way. “We were the first in New York City,” Becker said. “We’ve been the trendsetters in New York City and now, of course, we want to stay ahead of the pack.” Email Christine Wang at cwang@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
FEATURES
EDITED BY NINA JANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
NYFW: Men’s debuts over summer
By DAVID BOLOGNA Beauty & Style Editor and VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI Editor-in-Chief
In its first fashion week devoted solely to menswear, New York offered a warm welcome to true progress in the world of style for men. From androgynous designs to the return of the crew sock, New York Fashion Week: Men’s was a true hit. By far one of the most stunning collections was none other than Calvin Klein. Italo Zucchelli’s ability to add Italian craftsmanship into a classic American brand was undoubtedly present in vintage denim jackets updated in reconstructed forms of stone-washed jacquard as well as white and beige outerwear tinkered with detachable velcro pockets. Public School presented a concept that addressed themes design-
ers Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne tackled in the past, such as police brutality and racial tension. Presented in a jailhouse atmosphere, the collection embraced the freedom of the monochrome in sporty luxewear in a neutral palette of black, white and navy. New York Men’s Day standouts included Boyswear, CWST and Fingers Crossed. Each held its own in the world of masculine dressing while others toyed a bit further into the acceptance of androgyny and femininity in the ever-changing style of men. Boyswear’s designer Jackson McKeehan accurately portrayed two completely different families — the Mansons and the Von Trapps — in a melange of grotesquely bright looks that walked the line of 1960s cult culture and lonely Austrian goatherd chic. Culottes and peasant tops stole the show. David Hart played with
a melange of colors in his Bauhaus inspired season. Architectural flair was evident in front-pleated shorts flanked with an asymmetrical halfcut flap detail. CWST’s earthy color scheme of stormy navies, whites and blacks cooled down the tone of the collection, centralizing focus on texture. Cardigans with frayed stitching fell over alternating woven shirt dresses for a new take on layering. Topped with a crew sock, the street chic brand was minimalistic and fresh. Fingers Crossed was another of the week’s most interesting and successful collections with an ahead-ofits-time look into the future of style in all its androgyny and street cred. Oversized chiffon robes and tees were layered beneath sporty loungewear pants in vibrant shades of blue, yellow, and red. Each feminine look also featured an equally androgy-
Rooftop spots offer food with a view
Public School’s Presentation at New York Fashion Week: Men’s. nous model who embodied a sexy mix of genders. Culottes in baggy silhouettes paired well with slouchy blazers and silk scarves that referenced playful sun graphics. Once again topped with a crew sock, this season was an absolute hit. The overall embracing of androgyny is something the world of
menswear is growing into. Now reaching a level of street attainability, this splash of femininity is something to be seen not only in the world of the avant-garde but also in next season’s greatest looks. Email them at bstyle@nyunews.com.
What you missed in world of NYC food By KENDALL LEVISON Dining Editor
Although only three months have passed since NYU let out for the summer, it has been more like an eternity for the New York City food scene. In a city where a new trend seems to start every week, being away for so long can make it hard to catch up, so here’s some summer food news to help you out.
By GRACE HALIO Deputy Features Editor
Saying goodbye to summer as the warm weather fades away doesn’t have to be sad; instead, celebrate by heading out to these rooftop bars and restaurants. Gather friends and grab your camera — these are views that you are not going to want to miss. First on the list is La Birreria at Eataly. It is located in the heart of the Flatiron District right above Mario Batali’s Italian market on 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue. Offering killer views of the Flatiron Building, the semi-enclosed roof deck is conveniently close to NYU’s Washington Square campus. At La Birreria you’ll find beer, brewed right on the rooftop, along with Italian dishes that are influenced by Austrian and German cooking. It’s a prime spot for both a stargazing attempt at dinner or a vibrant lunch to celebrate the changing seasons. Next is the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar at the Conrad Hotel. Loopy Doopy is a great place to meet friends after a long, hot day where you can enjoy stunning views of the sunset on the Hudson. Try one of their pairings of prosecco and popsicles for a refreshing twist on a classic drink. You may recognize the fresh fruit pops because they are People’s Pops, which has a popular stand on the High Line and storefront in Chelsea
PHOTO BY VALENTINA DUQUE BOJANINI
Governors Ball Music Festival
PHOTO BY SANG BAE
One of New York’s many rooftop locations, La Birreria is an Italian restaurant located above Eataly in the Flatiron district. Market. Be sure to arrive before sunset (even on weekdays) if you are with a larger group, as seating is limited. If Mexican meals are more your speed, check out the Cantina Rooftop in Hell’s Kitchen. Located above the famous Stage 48, it’s possible you’ve even been right near it before a night of clubbing or concertgoing. Reservations are recommended, and well worth it, as Cantina has a budget-friendly menu for a restaurant of its kind. Steps away from the Hudson and surrounded by lush greenery and sparkly high rises, it’s the perfect place for a summer celebration. Head to the Lower East Side to the Delancey for an all-inclusive dining, clubbing and rooftop experience. The three floor club houses a music venue, bar
and jungle-like rooftop garden unlike that of any other. The Delancey has something for everyone, a simple menu and beautiful views of the Williamsburg Bridge from the Manhattan side. Last, but certainly not least, is the Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Spend the day roaming around the museum and head upstairs to the fifth floor for access to the roof. The cafe offers cocktails, sweets and light sandwiches and salads. The informal atmosphere makes outings with large groups a breeze, and nothing tops the panoramic view of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline. Email Grace Halio at ghalio@nyunews.com.
While Governors Ball is ostensibly about music, many festivalgoers are just as excited about the food as seeing their favorite bands. This year’s lineup was particularly hip, because the festival partnered with the popular Instagram feed The Infatuation to curate the choices. Thai iced tea popsicles, foie gras donuts and lobster rolls were a few of the most popular dishes. If you missed the festival, just browsing the Instagram tag “GovBallEats” will make you feel like you were there.
Big Apple Block Party Summer means barbecue, and the best barbecue this year in New York was found at Big Apple Block Party. Some of the country’s best-known barbecue experts (also called “pitmasters”) set up shop in Madison Square Park for this three-day annual festival. In addition to brisket and pulled pork, some tents sold more unusual offerings like Jamaican jerk baby back ribs. Some were upset that unlike last year, the festival did not sell tickets that allowed people to use a special line if they shelled out $275 for a VIP ticket.
However, most people seemed in no rush to leave Madison Square Park. While they lazed on the grass, visitors snacked on slices of watermelon and treats sold by local Brooklyn bakery Robicelli’s for dessert.
Ice & Vice This summer, experimental ice cream maker Ice & Vice made the leap from outdoor food markets to a permanent storefront. The shop, located at 221 E. Broadway, is now scooping out crazy flavors like 9AM (coffee ice cream with donut truffles) and Movie Night (a mix of buttered popcorn, raisins and chocolate). The store opened in June, and is still testing out new menu items. Keep an eye out as they roll out unusual ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and floats to go with their cups and cones. The gourmet ice cream market might be close to saturation, but Ice & Vice has a loyal enough fan base that they should be around for a while.
Charlie Mom The Chinese restaurant Charlie Mom, which first opened in 1983, closed its doors on August 26. While its food was hardly innovative, Charlie Mom was a Sixth Avenue institution and many regulars are mourning the loss of another small West Village business. The restaurant was reportedly forced to close because of an increase in rent, and not a lack of customers. No word yet on whether the owners will try to resurrect Charlie Mom somewhere else in the city. Email Kendall Levison at klevison@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
FEATURES
EDITED BY NINA JANG FEATURES@NYUNEWS.COM
From blackout to knockout
By DAVID BOLOGNA Beauty & Style Editor
PHOTO BY CALVIN FALK
The LGBTQ Student Center is located in room 602 of Kimmel.
NYU LGBTQ center names new director By NINA JANG Features Editor
For over 20 years, the NYU LGBTQ Student Center has worked to create a safe and inclusive environment not only for LGBTQ students but also for allies in the community. This year, the veteran campus establishment welcomes a new face as Jon Hurst assumes the role of director of the LGBTQ Student Center. An alumnus of Central State University and University of Buffalo and former director of the LGBTQIA Center at the University of Georgia, Hurst has experience in wellness education, HIV/AIDS outreach, social justice education and student affairs. “I have found that my varied work has shown me to understanding how there are competing stakeholders that have bearing needs such as how do we balance the needs of the queer student that wants NYU to be a different institution, a better institution?” Hurst said. Hurst added that the NYU LGBTQ center has more potential to achieve change compared to other universities as it does not operate within the traditional college boundaries. “What a campus looks like at NYU is much different than at any other campus in the country,” Hurst said. “Our actual campus is New York City, which adds another level to the work to be done.” Stemming from his vast experience at other universities throughout the country, Hurst said a successful student center should be accessible to all students. “Having a center open for all types of students is important
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because there’s a belief that there’s only one type of student that comes to the LGBTQ center,” Hurst said. “Whether you’re just an ally, we want to have a space that can be transforming.” Hurst’s experience in a college environment that was uncomfortable and alienating, has affected the way he approaches students. “For me as an 18-year-old queer kid from Ohio, it was a major, major shock to my system,” Hurst said. “I encountered a campus that wasn’t ready to take me. This experience directly impacts the work I do today. I have an open heart and an open mind to help students grow and develop.” Taking into account NYU’s global network sites around the world, Hurst said he has aspirations to extend the LGBTQ center work beyond the New York City campus. “NYU is not only a great institution in a great city, but what about abroad?” Hurst said. “What does it take to create a safe queer campus? What does it look like creating a one in Shanghai — which will be another part of the portfolio. We need to address this.” As the new director, Hurst hopes to continue the center’s continuous dedication to integrating a place of comfort and education within the NYU community. “I don’t have to recreate the will,” Hurst said. “What I want to do now is think where we want to be in the next 20 years to support the contemporary American college student.” Email Nina Jang at njang@nyunews.com.
Falling just in time with the crux of sweater season is the beginning of both school and unruly social gatherings. Whether you’re a returner or a first-timer, chances are you’ll be rolling out of bed from the night before, but it’s never been easier to dress yourself for the daunting sensation of migraines and nausea you might endure throughout that 9:30 a.m. lecture. Thanks to a new trend with roots in Japan and Korea, an aesthetic devoted to hangover chic has been on the rise in the world of beauty. The primary component of this look is an added puffiness to the eye. If you’ve already slept in your makeup or see giant circles beneath your beaten lids, you’re halfway there. Use a dark eye shadow in the crease beneath the eye then blend with a light shade of blush in the same area for an added look of “I woke up like this.” Rather than succumb to the
world of real pants, take advantage of this spring’s trends while you still can. Oversized and on the rise, the culotte is a go-to piece for the inner pant revolutionary in all. With a dramatic wide leg and midi cut, the culotte in any shade of blue — or of course black — pairs perfectly with an oversized solid tee and a white sneaker. With similar T-shirt pairing powers, embrace the breeze with a pair of shredded jeans. While denim bottoms used to refer exclusively to the cut known as “skinny,” the time has come to put that behind us and move onward to a less restraining cut. Take a tip from the boyfriend jean and don a ripped straight leg cut that will keep things cool as you weave the ways of both campus and city. Hair is never an issue in a hangover chic aesthetic. Whether it’s down and frizzy, bunned and unruly, or just plain awful, a few extra accessories can hide the hurt of a bad hair day. A backwards snapback in black is a topper of
all trades while the plight of the wide-brimmed hipster hat still carries through as an old reliable hair-hider. Louis Vuitton showed a daring new take on the statement earring by proving that only one is enough. If you already lost an earring to the dancefloor, you’re in luck. With a long dangling piece on just one ear, a bold and beautiful pop of style is both effortless and the secret ingredient for a stylishly hot mess. Finally, tell the world that you aren’t the only one in need of electrolyte replenishment as you don a pair of reflective lenses. In any shade of warm gold, cool silver or blue, a reflective lens is the first choice of all hungover style icons. Not only does the sporty detail of the lens amp up any look, it also deflects any negative judgements right back at the accuser — most likely another party animal just jealous of your post-mortem chic. Email David Bologna at dbologna@nyunews.com.
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ARTS
EDITED BY AUDREY DENG ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
MUSIC
FEATURES
Album straight outta Dr. Dre
Overlooked flicks worth looking over By ZACH MARTIN Film Editor
By KIERAN GRAULICH Music Editor
For over a decade, “Detox,” Dr. Dre’s follow up to his g-funk classics “2001” and “The Chronic,” was hailed as the Loch Ness monster of hip-hop: highly anticipated but famously elusive. It was a surprise to all when Dre broke his 16-year-long musical silence with the announcement that he had scrapped “Detox” and, in its place, dropped “Compton: A Soundtrack by Dr. Dre.” Dre delivers exactly what the title implies: a comprehensive soundscape detailing the mythos of Compton in the early ‘90s, as gangsta rap and g-funk legends arose from the primordial ooze. “Compton” starts with Dre’s origin in rap and creates a platform for his contemporaries and successors to fill in the blanks. Hiphop legends from Ice Cube and Xzibit to recent Compton grad Kendrick Lamar paint a cohesive history of Dre’s boundless influence on the titular city. In doing so, Dre as a producer cooks up a nearly seamless blend of modern and classic hip-hop, incorporating nuances of current trap and pop rap into his usual flavor of West Coast hip-hop. In this sense, Compton comes off as timeless, existing not exclusively in 1992 or 2015, but encompassing the entire breadth of Dre’s timeline. The tittering hi-hats on the severe “Deep Water” are a staunch juxtaposition to the boom-bap flavored beat on “Animals,” but they simultaneously
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Dr. Dre is pictured performing at Coachella in 2012. exist in Dre’s language. For all intents and purposes, however, this album may as well have come straight out of 1992 — “Compton” displays a youthful vigor that rivals that of Dre’s heyday. From the start, “Compton” comes out guns blazing. The catastrophic, burning energy of “Talk About It,” the roaring proclamation of “I don’t give a f-ck” and Dre’s acerbic verse: “If you wanna beef, make sure that’s something you wanna do/There’s some missing people that felt that way too” all harken back to the glory days of Dre’s career. It’s not only Dre who’s fired up on this album: every featured artist on here comes out swinging just as hard as the doctor. Over the course of the album, Kendrick Lamar’s verses grow meaner and more dynamic, but perhaps the first place trophy out of every
feature goes to Snoop Dogg on the harrowing track “One Shot One Kill.” “Compton” truly puts Dre on display as one of hip-hop’s true triple threats: a mindful producer, a talented rapper and a fantastic songwriter. Aside from a few production missteps, overdone and dreary hooks and the occasional drawn-out song (“For the Love of Money” and “Issues”), Dre does his hometown, and his legacy, due justice. “Compton” retroactively reads like a memoir of Dre’s career: a 50-year-old Dr. Dre in 2015, writing down his story, sketches out a map of the rough avenues of Rosecrans. The memories may be of some antiquity, but the images are just as vivid. Email Kieran Graulich at kgraulich@nyunews.com.
As the summer movie season continues to expand beyond the traditional months of the period and grow in the quantity and breadth of the offerings, it can become increasingly difficult to sift through the good and the bad to find the lower profile releases and independent Sundance pickups that get lost in the shuffle. Jason Segel, the latest comedian to make a surprisingly effortless shift to dramatic acting, has a chance at grabbing an Oscar nomination for his performance as David Foster Wallace in “The End of the Tour,” directed by James Ponsoldt. The film follows David Lipsky (Jesse Eisenberg), a Rolling Stone writer who shadows Wallace during the last few stops of his “Infinite Jest” book tour. Wallace is shown as a modest, deeply insecure figure, as nervous about the way he will come off in the article as Lipsky is about interviewing one of his idols. Little happens beyond their riveting conversations about celebrity and self-doubt, but the dynamic shifts in their relationship are fascinating as Lipsky’s jealousy grows and evolves. This is a powerfully acted, intimate film about the desire for fame and the loneliness of the top when it is reached. “The Look of Silence,” a companion piece to one of the best films of 2012, “The Act of Killing,” has director Joshua Oppenheimer returning to Indonesia to find answers about the Indonesian anti-communist genocide in 1965-66. However, instead of focusing on the killers as he did in
2012, this documentary centers on the victims. Oppenheimer follows an optometrist whose brother was killed in the massacres as he confronts neighbors, perpetrators and family members about their participation or silence during the horrible events. It’s a harrowing film but it is crucial viewing. “Grandma,” starring Lily Tomlin as Ellie, a retired poet and feminist, thankfully steers away from a Betty White style comedy about old people doing and saying crazy things, in favor of an emotional journey as Ellie reexamines the relationship with the women of her family after the death of her long-term partner. When her granddaughter Sage comes to her asking for money for an abortion, Ellie takes her on a road trip to get the necessary funds. Tomlin shines in plenty of laughable moments as she confronts Sage’s boyfriend and a coffee shop owner, but the film primarily functions as a subtle and nuanced character study. Here’s hoping that this film and last year’s “Obvious Child” are the beginning of a new wave of female-focused comedies that treat abortion with a progressive and feminist perspective. Finally, “The Overnight” stars Adam Scott and Taylor Schilling as a couple new to the neighborhood who are invited by neighbor Kurt (Jason Schwartzman) to a dinner party that gets gradually more uncomfortable as the night progresses. A very liberal view of sexuality and masculine identity gives this film an edge usually unseen in raunchy adult comedies. Email Zach Martin at zmartin@nyunews.com.
MUSIC
Upcoming concerts offer array of big, little talents By E.R. PULGAR Highlighter Editor
September is shaping up to be an exciting month for music fans, with several big name players coming to New York City. Despite the concert season winding down, the month will feature two big festivals: the three-day electronic romp Electric Zoo, held from Sept. 4 to 6 in Randall’s Island Park, and 90s Fest, which will take place in 50 Kent, a venue in the heart of Brooklyn. Electric Zoo will feature performances from top acts ranging several facets of electronic music like Alesso, Galantis, Cashmere
Cat and The Martinez Brothers, while the latter will star favorites from the namesake decade like Smash Mouth and Salt-n-Pepa. For those who love Brooklyn’s unique scene, rising postpunk icons the Vaccines will stop by Rough Trade on Sept. 1 for an angst-fueled and intimate set that will feature cuts from their May release “English Graffiti.” Back in Manhattan, rock is on full force: altrock essentials Death Cab for Cutie will be headlining Madison Square Garden on Sept. 12, while Led Zeppelin’s legendary frontman Robert Plant is playing the Hammerstein Ballroom
on Sept. 19 with his backing band, the Sensational Shape Shifters. Other standout shows include Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. at Bowery Ballroom on Sept. 21 and soulful rockers Alabama Shakes and Drive-By Truckers at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on Sept. 19. As always, there is no shortage of chart-toppers in the area, with Nick Jonas playing two shows at the Best Buy Theater and Terminal 5 on Sept. 7 and 8, respectively, and “Bang Bang” singer Jessie J will be playing in Brooklyn’s Pier 97 on Sept. 3. Fellow British hit-maker Charli XCX will be bringing
her raucously catchy live performance to the Central Park SummerStage on Sept. 21. Rising songstress Empress Of, who opened for Florence + The Machine during her surprise set at Music Hall of Williamsburg back in May, will be headlining her own show at the venue on Sept. 18, and similarly doleful indie singer Daughter will be at the illustrious Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 28. Several big name rappers will also be making their way to some of New York’s biggest venues, with both A$AP Rocky and Odd Future leader Tyler, the Creator playing the Theater at Madison Square Garden
on Sept. 22. Meek Mill, whose sophomore effort “Dreams Worth More Than Money” topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks, is teaming up with hip-hop newcomer Post Malone for a night on Sept. 7 as part of Brooklyn’s Live at The Inlet concert series. With so many high-caliber genre-spanning performers putting on a show at once, it’s no secret that music fans in New York have a month to look forward to — the fall concert season is off to a roaring start. Email E.R. Pulgar at epulgar@nyunews.com.
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EDITED BY AUDREY DENG ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM FEATURES
FEATURES
Welcome Week for the alt crowd By ALLISON STUBBLEBINE Entertainment Editor
Welcome Week can be overwhelming for students at NYU with over 500 programs to choose from. If you want to branch out from the university-wide options, however, there are plenty of alternatives offered around the city. Here are just a few.
Summer on the Hudson: Silent Disco Saturday, August 29 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Riverside Park South (near W. 70th St.) VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” was released on August 7.
When comic-book-tomovie formulas fail By ETHAN SAPIENZA Staff Writer
We are living in a cinematic age of comic book franchises, an unprecedented commitment to reeling in large sums of cash by exploiting every crusader who has graced a comic’s panel. Multimovie plans are made, universes are constructed and insanely elaborate crossovers are put into action. Executives have struck gold and are looking to abuse it until the well runs dry. This summer saw Fox make a play with its dumpster fire of a film, “Fantastic Four.” The movie was universally hated and resulted in horrifyingly bad press for everyone involved. Director Josh Trank and Fox executives played a childish blame game, beginning with Trank tweeting that he had a “Fantastic Four” film people would have loved a year ago, and star Miles Teller became the country’s least favorite dolt after a nowinfamous Esquire profile. While all of that may be hilarious and a bit overwhelming, it is stoutly significant. A film based on a beloved comic book series failed in miserable fashion, jeopardizing a potential jackpot of a film series. Such failure terrifies those in the industry, who are hoping to fend off the growing power of television and streaming by adhering to a formula of adapting anything, especially comics, into explosive franchises. This formula results depressingly in less original and stimulating content. The failure of “Fantastic Four” is even graver when understood in
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two different ways. One, Universal Pictures has already decimated all competition, breaking the international box office record. The feat has incredibly been accomplished with months to go and without the help of a superhero flick, finding worldwide success with “Furious 7” ($1.5 billion), “Jurassic World” ($1.6 billion) and “Minions” ($990 million). Second, the procedure of picking newly thriving indie directors to head blockbusters seems less intelligent than before. Studios were hoping such directors could run cash crop franchises, as they’ve shown they have talent while being green enough to be easily controlled. Prior to directing “Four,” Trank’s singular credit was the semi-successful found-footage film “Chronicle” (2012). Similarly, Colin Trevorrow, who directed “Jurassic World” had only done the indie “Safety Not Guaranteed” (2012) before tackling dinosaurs. The formula had obvious flaws, and now it looks worse given Fox and Trank’s very publicized squabble. Does this mean that superhero films are doomed? Sound the alarms if “Batman v. Superman” flops and “Avengers 3” is too convoluted for anyone to enjoy. Simply, “Fantastic Four” is like any other cinematic blunder, occurring in a time of higher stakes. A lack of trust and communication resulted in an awful film, a firestorm of bad press and one fantastic screw up. Email Ethan Sapienza at film@nyunews.com.
The silent disco, true to its name, features two different DJs, both of whom are playing music of different genres straight into the headphones provided at the event. You are not limited to one DJ, as you can switch back and forth on a whim — never mind the fact that your dancing will seem incredibly strange if your friends are all on a different channel. The venue cannot be beat, and even if dancing isn’t your thing, you still get the
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The Morbid Anatomy Museum will host tarot readings. priceless view of a sunset over the Hudson River.
Affordable Art Fair Thursday, Sept. 10-13 125 W. 18th St. (between 6th and 7th avenues) Haven’t covered your dorm walls in Polaroids of your summer vacation or band posters yet? Fear not. You can pick up some art from the Affordable Art Fair that will not make you sacrifice your morning Starbucks — at least, not for too many days.
Fireworks at Coney Island Friday, August 28 and Friday, Sept. 4 at 9:30pm Coney Island Boardwalk & Beach While it is a bit of a trek from Washington Square Park all the way to the end of the DFNQ trains in Brooklyn, playing classic carnival games and walking the Coney
Island boardwalk makes it worth the long ride. Be sure to catch one of the last two evenings of fireworks this season. For an even better view, you can shell out $7 and ride to the top of the Wonder Wheel to catch a bird’s eye view of the amusement park and boardwalk.
Tarot Reading, Palmistry and Astrology with The Tarot Society Monday, August 31, 6 p.m. 424 Third Ave., Brooklyn The Morbid Anatomy Museum is hosting the Members of the Tarot Society for “an evening of tarot reading, astrology, palmistry and other divinatory mediums.” Readers charge only $1-2 per minute, far less than any cover charge you will find at an 18+ clubbing event. Email Allison Stubblebine at astubblebine@nyunews.com.
FEATURES
Catch these exhibits while you can By AUDREY DENG Arts Editor
The Museum Gateway program connects students of NYU to New York City’s prominent and diverse art scene. This year, students can experience the new Whitney Museum of American Art, which recently reopened in May of this year with the groundbreaking exhibit “America is Hard to See.” The Whitney’s large-scale exhibit “America is Hard to See” is a building-wide compilation of art that ranges from the minimalistic monochrome works of Barnett Newman to the lurid color explosion of Carroll Dunham. The exhibit celebrates the gallery’s inauguration in a new building while examining the many reincarnations of American art. It traces and questions the American artist’s expedition, producing an outline of a memory that comes to no conclusion, but rather, a new beginning. From installation pieces to framed paintings to video art, the wide range of artistic mediums is a reflection of American art’s mosaic path. This exhibit is continuing until Sept. 27. For a wider range of historical art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to as the ware-
house of art, offers donation-based admission — visitors choose the amount they wish to pay. Currently on view and extended through Sept. 7 is the highly acclaimed “China: Through the Looking Glass.” This arrangement of costumes shifts the comfortably Western-focused lens of fashion to the Oriental. On display are bits of pottery, paintings and film, which serve as a historical framing to the costumes on display. One of the most breathtaking pieces of the exhibit is the glass bamboo forest. It is arranged to appear like a scene in any quintessential karate film, but hidden inside the translucent display are haute-couture costumes, calm in disposition, lively in pattern. In various parts of “China,” these filmic dynamics between mass image and intricate costume illustrate the importance of the video medium connecting China to the world. Several floors above, the Metropolitan has a collection of artist John Singer Sargent’s works in “Sargent: Portraits of Artists and Friends.” This gallery is an intimate look into a very shy artist’s life. Almost entirely consisting of portraiture, the collection includes paintings of high-profile minds of the time: Claude Monet, Robert Louis
Stevenson, Auguste Rodin — for those wishing to know what some of their favorite artists looked like, Sargent paints these famous faces in part fan-boy admiration and part friendship. “Sargent” will remain open until October 4. In a more modern turn, artists Yoko Ono and Martin Scorsese both have exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art. Ono’s “One Woman Show” follows the artist’s eccentric flair in this somewhat disjointed exhibition. Though unique and momentarily radical, this exhibit of drosophila and fruit provides little insight of Ono as an artist besides the overall zaniness of the 1960s. Scorsese’s exhibit, “Scorsese Collects,” is a collection of rare movie posters, in tribute to the filmmaker’s continuous dedication to the art of film. The biographical exhibits are on display until Sept. 7 and Oct. 25, respectively. To simply appreciate art for art’s sake, without spiraling into meanings and messages and clues, explore the carefully carefree paintings of Frederic Leighton at the Frick Collection. It is all aesthetic beauty and uncomplicated luminance. Email Audrey Deng at adeng@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | NYUNEWS.COM
SPORTS
EDITED BY BOBBY WAGNER SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Coles redevelopment moves ahead By BOBBY WAGNER Sports Editor
NYU’s largest athletic facility, Coles Sports Center, will tentatively close on Nov. 15 for renovations. In a brief joint email sent to the NYU community at the end of July, NYU Executive Vice President for Operations Alison Leary and chair of the Superblock Stewardship Advisory Committee Laurence Maslon shared the newest details on the mid-semester close, and affirmed that Coles would not be closed until sufficient athletic space was available elsewhere for NYU students and faculty. “Coles will remain in operation through at least November 15, 2015,” the email read. “The specific closure date for Coles has not yet been determined, but we are com-
mitted to keeping the facility open until adequate replacement facilities are made available.” However, the tentative date is also the start of a new season for the men’s and women’s basketball teams, who are slated to host the NYU Tip-Off Classic, beginning on the same day. If Coles is to be completely closed or knocked down, it is unlikely to happen before the tournament’s scheduled date. But with a full season of games still left to play, the Violets may have to move their home games to nearby Baruch College. The email went on to say that any athletic events that can be held in other NYU facilities will be held there, so an influx of athletes — in addition to the swimmers and divers who already call it home — will now
have their practices at the Palladium Athletic Facility. As for students and faculty who only use Coles to workout, most will be directed to Palladium if possible. The university is in the process of readying more cardio and strength space in a facility located at 404 Lafayette St., where the plan is to have a gym space and host recreational classes as well. The future Coles, shaping up to be one of the Washington Square campus’ largest academic spaces, plans to provide classrooms — as the Silver Center for Arts and Science is being converted into laboratories — as well as practice and performance space for students. Email Bobby Wagner at bwagner@nyunews.com.
Women’s basketball takes Italy By MIKE THOMPSON Staff Writer
With most of the student body preparing for the year ahead, NYU’s women’s basketball team is wrapping up a 10-day trip to Italy, where the team is mixing leisure and culture with international competition. It has been a busy three weeks for the team, who prepared for the trip with 10 days of practices and Italian classes before their August 19 departure. Head coach Lauren HallGregory and her players landed in Rome, where they went to see the Colosseum and Roman Forum. Junior Kaitlyn Read detailed some of the Violets off the court activities. “Each day we do a few hours of tours around the cities and then we get most of the day for free time to explore, shop and do some extra sightseeing,” Read said. After a day of sightseeing in Vatican City, the team traveled to Florence and dismantled Dream Team Italy Select, 67-45.
The team next took in the sculptures of Michelangelo and the Boboli Gardens. After volunteering at Camp Dynamo, a retreat for special needs children, the Lady Violets were victorious in their second international exhibition, steamrolling Montecchio Maggiore by 20 points. For sophomore Lindsey Oldshue, this Italian trip with her NYU teammates is her second international stint of the summer. Oldshue competed in the Brazil Tour as a member of the USA DIII Women’s Basketball Team. The trip, Oldshue says, made her a better individual player and a more effective teammate. “Being able to play with and compete against such high-caliber players I think really helped me improve my game,” Oldshue said. Even with wins under their belt, the Violets have faced challenges on the court. Senior forward and captain Megan Dawe detailed the differences between NCAA basketball and Euroball. “It is definitely a more physical
game here in Italy and the referees really let the teams just play, which was the biggest adjustment we had to make,” Dawe said. “But once we got a feel for it, we were able to compete and be successful.” The team is confident the trip will help bring them together and make them a more cohesive unit. “We basically spent 20 straight days with each other,” Dawe said. “It has really allowed us to focus on team building and spending time with each other outside of the pressures of season.” With the trip nearing its conclusion, hopes are high for the upcoming season, where the Violets will look to build on the previous season. “I think we’re going to be even better than last year,” Read said. “We lost some important seniors last season, but I think we’ll be able to fill their roles in a way that will improve our gameplay.” Email Mike Thompson at sports@nyunews.com.
PROMISING PLAYERS TO WATCH FALL 2015 By KYLE LUTHER Deputy Sports Editor
LEXI CLARKE Lexi Clarke, a junior midfielder for the Violets women’s soccer team from Round Hill, Virginia, first played with NYU after transferring in her sophomore year and appeared in all 19 games last year. Clarke led the team in assists and shots and was third in points and shots on
goal. She earned an ECAC Metro First Team All-Star spot and helped the Violets qualify for the NCAA DIII Championship Tournament. This season, Clarke looks to lead the Violets again on offense and lead the team past the first round of the NCAA tournament.
NICOLE FRIAS The senior middle blocker Nicole Frias from Marin County, California, is looking to build on her three years of success after leading the team in kills, points, points per set, hitting percentage and blocks last year. Frias notched double-digit kills eight times last year and scored as many as 15 kills in a single match. On
the defensive side, Frias recorded three or more blocks 11 times last year including a career-high eight against Brandeis University. She, along with the rest of the volleyball team, will look to turn in a campaign more like her sophomore year, where the team qualified for the NCAA tournament.
NATHAN PIKE In wrestling, junior Nathan Pike looks to build on his breakout performance from last year. The CAS junior went 25-9 in the 133-lb. weight class, helping the grapplers to their best finish in pro-
gram history. Pike only had one fall and won nine major decisions last year. Topping off last season, Pike placed sixth at the NCAA Championships and second at the NCAA East Regional.
MEGAN DAWE Coming off a solid junior season where she started all 23 games as a co-captain, Megan Dawe will aim to lead her team even further into the NCAA tournament than their third-round exit last year. In the 2014-15 season, Dawe led the team in both scoring and rebounds and was a steadying presence down low all
year. She worked a doubledouble against the University of Rochester and scored a season high 29 points against the University of Chicago. Dawe was named to the First Team All-UAA team and finished fourth in both scoring and field goal percentage and seventh in rebounding in the the Violets’ league.
AUSTIN CAMPITELLI Sophomore Austin Campitelli appears poised to build on her tremendous freshman year on the women’s diving team. During her first year on the team, the CAS sophomore from Los Altos, California, set the 1-meter dive record with a score of 459.60 and earned five UAA weekly
awards. Campitelli also qualified for the NCAA Championships after posting a 267.5 in the 3-meter dive against the College of New Jersey. It appears as though the breakout freshman star will continue her dominance and help the women’s diving team to another stellar season.
Email Kyle Luther at kluther@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2015 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
11
OPINION
EDITED BY TOMMY COLLISON OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
JOURNALISM
Netzpolitik shows importance of free press By TOMMY COLLISON Opinion Editor
Those not keeping a close eye on international news over the summer may have missed a story that caused outrage in newsrooms here and abroad. Netzpolitik, a German news site, reported in the spring that the German domestic security agency was seeking extra funding for online surveillance. At the end of July, the public prosecutor opened a treason investigation against the site and its anonymous sources. German authorities dropped the charges, admitting that national security had not been threatened. While it’s good that investigation was halted, it should never have gone so far, particularly in a country with a history of secret police surveillance. Misguided charges of treason against the press are especially egregious, as they send a chilling message to reporters who carry out one of journalism’s most basic functions: serving as a watchdog for those in power. The announcement of the treason investigation prompted a loud outcry. Thousands took to the streets
in Berlin and hundreds around the world signed an open letter demanding “an end to the investigation into Netzpolitik.org and their unknown sources.” The letter included free speech advocates and journalists, including Julian Assange, Glenn Greenwald and NYU journalism professors Jay Rosen and Clay Shirky. Given that domestic surveillance often exceeds its national security mandate — going on to target environmental activists, journalists and civil rights leaders — it seems likely that a similar abuse of power would also have occurred in Germany. Had the charges been sustained, it would have sent a worrying message to journalists around the world that they could be intimidated and investigated purely for doing their jobs. As activists noted, reporters are in the public service, not megaphones
for the government. Leaks and whistleblowers reveal corruption and other forms of wrongdoing in both private companies and the government, and must be protected. The practice of whistleblowing has a long, distinguished history in the United States. During the Vietnam War, Daniel Ellsberg leaked documents to The New York Times that showed that the Johnson government had lied to both the public and to Congress. Whistleblowers are not spies, despite the fact that both Ellsberg and Snowden were charged under the archaic 1917 Espionage Act. A functioning, unthreatened free press is a cornerstone of a functioning democracy and a nonnegotiable right of its citizens. Reporting on those in power is an essential function of good journalism, and its importance is codified in the German and U.S. constitutions. Charging individual reporters with treason anywhere has an undeniably chilling effect on reporters everywhere. Email Tommy Collison at tcollison@nyunews.com.
GREENWICH VILLAGE
NYU students have duty to preserve Village By RICHARD SHU Deputy Opinion Editor
The freshman class of NYU is entering at a pivotal moment. NYU’s presence in the community of Greenwich Village has been the source of controversy over the past few years, largely thanks to the NYU 2031 expansion plan, which has proposed the rezoning of local parks and buildings for university use. After the New York Court of Appeals ruled that the 2031 plan did not impinge on protected parklands, NYU is now free to proceed as scheduled. Still, community leaders and faculty members alike believe that, by focusing on expansion, NYU is becoming less like a university and more like a real estate developer. Though the university’s main draw is the ability to learn amidst a dynamic, authentic community, the administration’s own actions may end up changing our campus footprint for the worse. The administration’s perennial justification for expanding its facilities has been the good of the students. It cites increasing enrollment and perstudent resource figures as reasons
SUBMITTING TO
to rezone and repurpose, to seize more of Greenwich Village as its own. But what they fail to realize is that the main appeal of the university is not its buildings, but its location. Students may have come here for immersion in the community, but as apartment blocks become administrative buildings and classrooms, the thing that truly makes up this community — its people — may not be around for much longer. If students want to make the most of this city, they must begin to understand the role they play in it. Becoming integrated into the community, becoming a real New Yorker, is all about give and take. Taking in the sights is important, but just as important is being informed about the neighborhood and the role that each student can play in it. It is that extra step of en-
gagement that elevates a resident above a visitor. After that comes the giving. Administrators have been deaf to the concerns of the community and faculty mostly because they firmly believe that they are working for the betterment of their students. But by speaking out, students can make it clear expansion is not the answer, that they came to NYU not for glimmering new facilities but for the community of the city. Meanwhile, regularly volunteering at local charities and participating in community events outside of NYU remind students why the Village is so worth preserving. These are the experiences that cannot be compensated for with new academic buildings and gym renovations. As a new year arrives and new students make their way into the city, the administration needs to consider what its university truly wants to offer. NYU can do with being a smaller school, but the community on which it has made its fame can never be replaced. Email Richard Shu at rshu@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Independent bookstores need our love
As around 5,900 freshmen move into the dorms and buy textbooks for the year, everyone’s shopping around for the best deals. Students new to the Village and looking for a place in the Big Apple will likely seek refuge in independent bookstores. Within a radius of 20 blocks, we enjoy access to storied institutions like Strand Bookstore, McNally Jackson, St. Mark’s Bookshop and the radical bookstore Bluestockings. Precious though they may be, these independent shops are very susceptible to market forces. They rarely have much in the way of capital and overhead, keeping afloat exclusively on day-to-day book sales. This makes these stores especially vulnerable to sudden increases in rent. St. Mark’s Bookshop, an East Village institution since it opened in 1977, has recently been embroiled in a dispute over high rent. In August, the owners announced they were seeking investment to cover costs of a move and stocking their shelves. Obviously, it is outside the scope of most students to become full-fledged investors in a local business, but it is within our power to choose where we buy the books we need for class. Independent bookstores rarely have much in the way of capital and rely on people buying books to literally keep the lights on. This is why, in our first editorial of the year, the WSN would like to encourage you to go local, and buy the books you can in independent bookstores around the city. The convenience of shopping on Amazon — buying books anywhere, on almost any device — is worth bearing in mind, but buying from independent bookstores comes with farreaching benefits that often aren’t considered. Most students are already acquainted with the used bookstore vibe and the sight of old books piled high, but there’s so much more. Your local bookstores can provide good recommendations in a way that Amazon’s “customers who bought items in your recent history also bought” can’t. Amazon also can’t host readings, highlight local authors or serve as a space for the community in the way that the Strand and Bluestockings, which host events almost daily, do. But the benefits of independent bookstores appeal to a broad range of people, not just bibliophiles. Local and independent bookstores give back in ways that Amazon doesn’t: they keep money in the community, provide local employment and can benefit other stores on the block through incidental business. More than simple storefronts, independent bookshops are a gathering ground for culture and discussion. Charming and welcoming, they are an essential part of the New York experience. CAS students looking for Schneider’s “Introduction to Public Health” don’t have many options beyond the NYU bookstore and Amazon, but the Gallatin student reading Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar” or Bret Easton Ellis’ “American Psycho” do. For both leisure and class reading, we should support bookstores in the area.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Tommy Collison (Chair), Richard Shu (Co-chair) ILLUSTRATION BY JOURDAN ENRIQUEZ
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them.
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