Name Here // 1

heads up for charity How one cent started a movement

profile: best dressed Meet an upcoming Northeastern band

the insider’s guide to boston Off-the-beaten-path destinations in town

deserving the word What it means to be a diverse campus

WOOF | spring 2014

PRESIDENT

Kristen McCleary

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Jamie Ducharme

CREATIVE DIRECTORS Cara McGrath & Erinn Scammon

MARKETING DIRECTOR

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Marcy Teixeira

treasurer

Chris Benevento

webmaster

Hannah DeYoung

Assistant Marketing Director Kristen Lobo

Social media director Sofia Rojo del Busto

Social Media Assistants Jordan Mandell, Molly Dunn

assistant online editors Nate Botelho, Lautaro Grispan

WEb Photo Director

Katie Willaims

Section EDITORS

Scott Oldano, Shelby Sih, Liam Synan, Monica Vallejo

Copy editors Alexandra Forzato, Brianna Hollis

WRITERS

Bianca Gracie, Lautaro Grinspan, Jess Grill, Julia Le, Mackenzie Nichols, Sarah Ripollone, Liam Synan

DESIGNERS

Sami Bartlett, McKenna Curtis, Alexis Galmin, Lautaro Grinspan, Roya Rakhshan, Kelley Schneider

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Alli Anastas, Leah Corbett, Grace Di Cecco, Seb Herforth, Jackie Keffas, Carolina Rodriguez

MARKETING Bianca Gracie, Alexa Overington Cover Photography by Alli Anastas

WOOF | spring 2014

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12

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CONTENTS front

Cover Story

Culture

Focus

Bon Appetit

04 Behind the Scenes: Group Fitness 05 Pairs in Spring 06 The Insider’s Guide to Boston

08 Heads Up For Charity

10 Profile: Best Dressed 12 All That Jazz

14 Deserving the Word 16 The Giving Back Community

17 Food with a Side of Sustainability 18 Boozing on a Budget

interested in joining our staff? EMAIL US |

nuwoof@gmail.com

Visit our site | woof-mag.com WOOF | spring 2014

4 // Front

BEHIND THE SCENES:

Group Fitness Written by Chris Benevento // Photos by Katie Williams One of Northeastern’s more overlooked offerings for the male population, Marino’s group fitness program carries the stigma that it’s women only. While all of the classes are gender-neutral, male participation across all disciplines is low, making actually signing up a daunting task. I went where no man has gone before, and after some comprehensive detective work, I’ve compiled a list of the best group fitness classes for guys, complete with my in-class thoughts. CYCLING “Alright folks, we’re gonna come off of that flat road and go right into a hill. On my mark!” The strobe lights swirled around the room. House music blared in my ears. The sweat in my eyes made me angry – angry at the hill. Teeth clenched, hand on dial, I was ready for the hill. I was pissed. Cycling is, in my opinion, the most challenging group fitness workout when it comes to endurance, and features blaring music, neon lights and occasional moves, like “booty taps,” that make you question your presence there as a man. Should you stay, it’s actually a lot of fun. Prior to going, I used to just hop on a bike with my iPod and try not to make eye contact with anyone, but having a group of people who are equally tired and an instructor who shouts motivational phrases at you really changes the game.

YOGA There I was, on the banks of the Yangtze River. The cool water lapped at my heels as I stood upright in the soft river mud. I transitioned to a warrior one pose just as a distant fisherman reeled a large catfish into his tiny boat, his sinewy arms struggling to tame his catch. I bent down, picked my Husky Card out of the mud and stepped back into 2014. Yoga was probably the most gender-neutral class I encountered, though guys were still far outnumbered. I was in a dimly lit room, there were ethereal sounds flowing throughout and, for the majority of the experience, we were instructed to have our eyes closed. There was no embarrassment about being a yoga newbie. No anxious glancing around. In my mind I was on the bank of the Yangtze River, my poses were perfect, my mind was centered. I was carefree. And that’s the beauty of yoga: There’s no opportunity to embarrass yourself. Sure, some dingus might judge you from the other side of the studio, but when you’re doing a child’s pose in 10th century China you’ve got to ask yourself: Does it really matter?

WOOF | spring 2014

BOOT CAMP Tears, crystalline under the white lights of the studio, streamed down my cheeks as I was whisked away to the next station, the instructor barking all the way. I had tried to explain that I hadn’t jumped rope since the dreamlike days of my youth, but it was to no avail. I, never a quitter, couldn’t stop there. Determined to prove her wrong, I picked up my medicine ball, wiped the tears away and did my first crunch. Probably the most intensive class on the list, Boot Camp is like Stetson West stir fry: a little bit of everything. It began with me and a group of my female peers doing some laps around the track, which looked, more or less, like a bearded man chasing a dozen women through Marino. We then descended to one of the workout rooms for a smattering of cardio exercises that I fell drastically behind on. I have to pause here to advise any male readers who decide to try Boot Camp not to look in the mirrors during the cardio section, as you will never see yourself look like more of an idiot. It’s not the moves themselves that look odd; it’s the out-of-place man in the center of the room who’s 10 steps behind everyone else. The meat of the class came in the form of stations with various themes, such as core, weight training and cardio. From jump rope to medicine ball training, nothing is off limits in Boot Camp. Be prepared to sweat — whether you’re male or female.

Front // 5

Pairs in Spring 2014 Written by Julia Le // Photos by Veronica Tay

After all the ice has melted and the temperatures have risen, the fundamental display of spring apparel casts its usual charm of soft pastels and floral prints. But throw aside the breezy sundresses: Spring 2014 combines the standard seasonal trends with some unexpected styles to create some really unique looks.

1. Pastels (& Business Attire)

2. Athletic Inspiration (& Pink)

3. Sheer Tops (&WhiteBottoms)

Whether it’s periwinkle, sea foam green or blush, pastels never fail to return to spring collections. This season, however, these colors are taking some serious structure, particularly in the form of pressed business silhouettes. From pantsuits and skirts to jackets and handbags, these playful colors are taking on a more serious tone. Instead of reaching for your trusty black blouse and blazer for your next interview, try a color that is a little more playful for your no-nonsense business attire.

Wearing pink doesn’t necessarily entail the matching toy poodle and glitter eye shadow. If you are the type of girl who loves playing sports, being outdoors or running around the city, wear this feminine color with more laidback pieces, like T-shirts and tailored pants, or pair the color with sneakers or a denim jacket. You can dress comfortably and channel your athletic side while maintaining a very feminine look.

With sheer fabrics like mesh and lace everywhere, this spring is truly for the daring. If you want to show some skin but still dress appropriately, offset the light fabrics with heavy jackets and plain, solid bottoms. Just a warning: Be sure to wear color-appropriate undergarments, or better yet, layer up!

WOOF | spring 2014

6 // Front

The Insider’s Guide to Boston

Written by Chris Benevento // Photos by Grace Di Cecco

Googling “cool places in Boston” will give you pages upon pages of results – Faneuil Hall, Copley Square and the Common to name a few. These areas define Boston, and as a result everyone knows about them. At times, it seems as though there’s simply no refuge from the throngs of people flocking to these spots, and that nowhere in Boston is sacred anymore.

WOOF | spring 2014

Well we thought so too, so we’ve compiled a list of the coolest off-the-beaten-path spots in Boston. These are corners and nooks of the city that are either unknown to tourists or just out of reach of the masses strolling Boylston. Oh, and don’t worry, our campus circulation will ensure it stays that way.

Front // 7

Peters Hill

Castle Island

As winter makes way for spring, more and more students will be looking for things to do outside and far away from their stuffy apartments. While the Common or the Esplanade seem like likely choices, why not go somewhere with more of a view? Enter Peters Hill.

A great summer spot, former naval defense point Castle Island is an outcropping across the water from the Harpoon Brewery. Fort Independence, a massive star-shaped military installment, still stands in the middle of the park.

Located in the Arnold Arboretum off the Forest Hills Orange Line stop, Peters Hill is a 243-foot hill that provides a spectacular view of Boston. Atop the hill, you will be exactly four miles from the top of the Hancock building.

Boston Public Library While the actual library has no place on this list, the secrets within it are in a league of their own. As most people know, the Boston Public Library is actually two combined structures: the original building, an ornate masterpiece, and the modern addition, known for being ugly and gray. While the modern side is used as a traditional library, the original structure houses a labyrinth of hallways and hidden rooms. Dedicating just an hour or two to exploring the old library’s depths can lead to some interesting finds: a room full of original books from colonial times, extremely old archives, controversial artwork that was never finished. Roaming the halls offers a glimpse into how much of a cultural center the Boston Public Library was in its heyday. The best part of the Boston Public Library is actually right out in the open – literally. The library’s courtyard is an open-air space adjacent to a small café. On a warm day it’s the perfect place to study.

And don’t bother bringing lunch with you—Sullivan’s on Castle Island has been serving up awesome fried food and lobster rolls since 1951, and you won’t want to miss out.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum When looking for an art museum, the Museum of Fine Art is usually the first one to come to mind. The second one should be the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Don’t let that second-thought status fool you; it’s not because of scope or quality. Walking through the museum’s hallways and courtyard, one gets the feeling that it almost wants to be second to remain mysterious and thought-provoking. Part of its intrigue is the setting itself. Picture works on par with those of the MFA and put them in someone’s house – that’s the Isabella Gardner Museum. Imagining the late Isabella Gardner, an art collector and philanthropist, walking the halls of the museum truly adds another dimension to the experience.

WOOF | spring 2014

8 // Cover Story

Heads Up For Charity Written By Mackenzie Nichols // Photos by Alli Anastas

When 20-year-old Northeastern undergrad Ariella Sharf decided to take her spring 2013 semester off to recover from personal dilemmas faced in the fall, her priority was her mental health. “I would just sit around and do nothing, and for a while I needed that,” Sharf said of her time at home. As time passed and she started to feel better, though, boredom ensued and Sharf found herself occupying her time with arts and crafts. “I always find pennies everywhere and I’ve been collecting them for years in a cup in my room,” she said. On a creative whim, Sharf poked two holes on either side of a penny with a drill press and looped a string through them to make a bracelet. In less than a year, that idea turned into a full-fledged operation called Heads Up for Charity. After putting up a picture on Instagram, Sharf said consumer interest was immediate. “Everything just snowballed,” she said. “I couldn’t even tell you what happened, [Heads Up] just exploded one day.” Sharf compared the instant popularity of her penny bracelets in her hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., to the popularity of Silly Bandz. “Everyone wanted one at the same time,” she said.

WOOF | spring 2014

The success of Heads Up made Sharf a full-fledged business owner while still working toward her college degree. “I’m in the process of finding manufacturers for different things and outsourcing, but it’s really hard for me to balance that while I’m also a full-time student,” she said. “For now, I’m kind of doing everything on my own.” The profit from her apparel and jewelry, which are sold on her website (www.headsup4charity.com), at trunk shows and in two boutiques in New York, goes to a variety of different charities that are important to Sharf. “The first charity I thought of was for mental health awareness to try and get rid of the stigma of mental health in society,” she said. “After that, I was just brainstorming charities that I had donated to before or volunteered for… or people would give me recommendations.” The causes that Heads Up for Charity donates to include diabetes, mental health, pediatric cancer, breast cancer and brain cancer. Sharf herself has been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and has openly admitted to feeling suicidal, so the priority has always been geared toward mental health awareness. So far, Sharf said, more than $6,500 has been donated to about 20 different charities.

Cover Story // 9

“[…] there’s always someone who says they’re going through the same thing. The one thing I would tell people is to speak up.”

Heads Up for Charity can now be found on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and Sharf said that social media has helped tremendously in spreading the word. “We had an event yesterday at the College of Charleston. Tri Delta [sorority] got custom [Heads Up] shirts made and a portion of the proceeds from everything sold at their trunk show would go to whatever their philanthropy was,” said Sharf. “They took over the [Heads Up] Instagram that day and that got a lot of people to follow.” Brand representatives at several institutions on the East Coast post to the social media accounts and get points toward the Heads Up store in return. After graduating, Sharf hopes to hire more employees, expand to the West Coast and release more apparel since her passion lies more with clothing design than jewelry. An important step forward for Sharf’s Heads Up for Charity will be a mental health awareness tour to different educational institutions, for which Donald Trump is already a sponsor.

“My siblings are in high school right now and my sister will say, ‘Have you heard of this guy who just committed suicide?’” Sharf said. “It’s really sad because before you leave high school they have all these speakers come in and talk about drugs and what to look for in a college, but no one ever comes in and talks about mental health.” Above all, Sharf wants to urge her peers to feel comfortable speaking up about their pain. Hopefully in the next year, Sharf said Heads Up for Charity will go on the road and teach kids and young adults about perseverance, strength and acceptance. This semester Northeastern recognized Sharf as the recipient of January’s I AM A HUSKY award, signifying that her leadership and entrepreneurial spirit is a noteworthy component of this campus’ community. “People probably feel really uncomfortable when I talk about what I’ve gone through,” said Sharf. “But at the same time, there’s always someone who says they’re going through the same thing. The one thing I would tell people is to speak up.”

WOOF | spring 2014

Profile:

Best Dressed Written by Bianca Gracie // Photos by Leah Corbett

Culture // 11

When taking a quick glance at the members of Northeastern indie rock group Best Dressed, they appear to be the typical cool college students you would like to kick back and relax with. But beneath the surface, the band—composed of Northeastern students Charles Perrone, Will Clune, Ben DeUrso and Jon Hill—is full of diverse personalities bound together by one element: a passion for creating true rock and roll. DeUrso, a music therapy major from Somers, N.Y., is the humorous and lively drummer of the band, while bassist Hill, a psychology major from Poughquag, N.Y., remains more soft-spoken and focused. Lead guitarist Clune, a music industry major from Scotia N.Y., has a charmingly laid-back and sociable demeanor, and lead vocalist and guitarist Perrone, a computer science major from Vista, N.Y., rounds out the band with his mellow aura reminiscent of psychedelic musicians of the ‘70s. Though all but Clune are under 21, once stripped of their age and university affiliation, Best Dressed is a group adamant about making an everlasting mark on the Boston music scene. “Our sound may be like [indie bands’], but we’re not musically technically playing like that,” DeUrso explained. “We’re moving in a new direction right now, we’re getting very folk-oriented. We’re putting in jam band influences as well.”

“When I see people enjoying the music from on stage, that’s a big part of why I play, to share it with people and have them enjoy it”

Overall, the band describes its sound as “clever songwriting with an attention to mood and texture,” leading to an experimental vibe tinged with funk, psychedelia and folk flavors. Inspired by Radiohead, Deer Hunter and the

Pixies, they strive to create an atmospheric sound. As for their unique name? “That was me,” Perrone admitted. “The only gripe I have with it that it makes us seem like a zoot suit, indie pop group – which I guess can be sort of the allure, because the Pixies, their name is very misleading and then you listen to them and they’re so hardcore.” Perrone was the first to imagine what would eventually become Best Dressed, and the rest of the band was added gradually. “Charles had an idea for a project and added us on piece by piece,” Hill said. After meeting DeUrso, Perrone asked him to collaborate. Hill, who lived two doors down from DeUrso on Kerr Hall’s music floor, was added after the two began playing together. Clune was then brought into the band after the previous vocalist left the group. After meeting, Best Dressed was officially formed in October 2013. Like many artists and bands at Northeastern, Best Dressed got its big break thanks to Green Line Records, the campus’ student-run record label. “Charles and I were brought together by Brandon Pascua, who is an artist signed to Green Line Records,” DeUrso recalled. “He’s a solo artist who writes all the parts to his songs for every instrument – piano, guitar, bass, drums and vocals. He needed a backing band. So last semester, we played at Busking Day in October [with him].” DeUrso said he likes the affiliation the record label has with the university, as well as all the opportunities that have arisen since their initial signing, including their first live performance on campus in November, Northeastern’s

EmpowerFest celebration and Jamaica Plain’s Midway Cafe. Hill, too, enjoys the band’s recent tastes of fame. “When I see people enjoying the music from on stage, that’s a big part of why I play, to share it with people and have them enjoy it,” he said. “It makes me pretty happy; it’s sort of like success.” While at times it is hard to get recording space, which Green Line has combated with a newlyconstructed studio in Snell Library, there have been few limitations for Best Dressed. Clune said he likes that the university doesn’t restrict students’ artistic freedom. “I think, in general, Northeastern fosters a creative mentality for musicians,” he said. DeUrso agreed. “I was surprised at how great the music community here is. We’ve gotten a lot of opportunities, like working with Professor Robert Lyons, who does a live audio recording class and has bands come in [to demonstrate],” he said. “It’s a nice way to pay homage to Northeastern.” The band members share future plans of playing at major festivals like Bonnaroo and

“I don’t think we’re doing anything other people are trying to do.”

headlining a North American tour, but for now they’re sticking to simpler projects like sharing their music city-wide. They are working on their first EP (set for an April release), as well as planning a massive show where they will play Pink Floyd’s iconic album “Dark Side of the Moon” with other Green Line musicians. As they work toward those goals, Clune said he is proud of the band’s individuality among a sea of competitors. “Bands out here, not that they’re doing similar things, but they’re doing things you’ve probably heard before,” he said. “I don’t think we’re doing anything other people are trying to do.”

WOOF | spring 2014

12 // Culture

All That Jazz Written by Sarah Ripollone // Photos by Sebastian Herforth & Caroline Rodriguez

Today, Massachusetts Avenue is one of Boston’s busiest streets. But the avenue’s history is as long as its distance, dating back to its role as the heart of the Boston jazz scene in the 1960s. In a segregated 1960s, Massachusetts Avenue—also known as “Boston’s 52nd Street,” a reference to Manhattan’s center for jazz—and the surrounding area was lined with restaurants, bars and clubs to accommodate the need for a neighborhood culture. “Black celebrities would go to the famous spots and then at the end of the show, they’d go to the smaller places like The Pioneer Club, off of Tremont Street, and feel comfortable hanging out there after hours,” noted Northeastern African-American studies professor Eric Jackson. For about 30 years, the Mass. Ave. area developed as a hub for jazz, soul and blues artists ranging from local to global celebrities, and served as home to storied clubs like The Hi-Hat, Savoy Café and Storyville.

Wally’s Cafe

WOOF | spring 2014

The Civil Rights Movement, for better or for worse, caused a shift among the usual

audience in the South End. While many African-American patrons were starting to feel welcome elsewhere, many outsiders avoided the area due to the emergence of pro-AfricanAmerican sentiment that seemed threatening. Another change, Jackson said, was “simply urban renewal.” Reconstruction, gentrification and changing social norms caused most of these once vibrant venues to close. Still, one club—Wally’s Paradise—was able to keep its doors open and remains in business today. Not too far from Northeastern’s campus, Wally’s Paradise was founded by Joseph Wallcott in 1947. Wallcott, originally from Barbados, was 50 years old when he opened his club. Wally’s was primarily a place for local Boston musicians and jam sessions, with listeners leisurely strolling in and out. Sixty years, a name change and a 1979 relocation from its original building at 428 Mass. Ave. to 427 Mass. Ave. have not been enough to shut down what is now known as Wally’s Café. While the outside seems quaint and hardly any sound penetrates the brick

Culture // 13

Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen structure, this hole-in-the-wall was alive with the sounds of a jam session by Berklee School of Music students on a recent Thursday evening. While Wally’s might be the oldest, it is not the only club of its kind still operating in the South End. Quite a few newer venues offer live music and a colorful local vibe, like Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen, just around the corner on Columbus Avenue. Darryl’s, a Roxbury night-life staple, opened three years ago under the direction of community leader and entrepreneur Darryl Settles. A long-time jazz lover since his childhood in South Carolina, Settles is a notable figure on the Boston music scene. Previously a co-owner of the coveted Beehive restaurant in the South End, Settles has operated the space on the corner of Columbus and Northampton Ave as a jazz café and club for the past 20 years – first under the name of Bob the Chef’s, then Bob the Chef’s Jazz Café and Bob’s Southern Bistro, before revamping, renaming and reopening what stands today. Settles is also the man behind the annual Beantown Jazz Festival, which he handed over to Berklee College of Music in 2007. General Manager Mitch Mitchell moved to Boston from North Carolina about three months ago, and explained that he was drawn in by the richness of Darryl’s and the history of the South End. Darryl’s now boasts live music every night, whether it be from locals, Berklee students or world-renowned artists. While much has changed in the South End, jazz clubs like Wally’s, Darryl’s, the Beehive and more still remain. Old or new, they contribute to the character of this side of Boston and keep its past alive.

WOOF | spring 2014

14 // Focus

Diversity at Northeastern Written by Kristen McCleary

D

IVERSITY [dih-vurs-i-tee]: noun — The state or act of being diverse; of a different kind, form, character, etc; unlikeness.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISPANIC

Used in a sentence — “Diversity at Northeastern University is about more than what you look like or where you come from—it’s about the choices you make, the ideals you uphold, and the dreams you pursue.” This statement comes straight from the Northeastern admissions page, which boasts of a “welcoming community” that is part of a “vibrant, wonderful city.” No one who has spent time on campus can doubt the basic diversity of this school. Seventy-seven percent of students come from out of state, 122 countries are represented and dozens of clubs celebrate different ethnicities, religions, political beliefs and interests. But is that enough to be truly diverse? “When I hear the word ‘diversity,’ I immediately think of differences,” said Connor Doherty, a middler communication studies major and vice president of NUPRIDE. “A diverse place is one where you hear opinions that may not necessarily be congruent with yours and where you can discover that the way you see the world isn’t the only way to see it.”

“I don’t necessarily think that the school facilitates interactions between these very diverse groups. I think that students tend to stick to what they know and the people they feel comfortable with, which often results in students isolating themselves.”

Whether Northeastern is one of these places, however, Doherty isn’t so sure. “Many of my friends that go here are from across the country and abroad, and every time I walk across campus I overhear several conversations in different languages. I don’t necessarily think that the school facilitates interactions between these very diverse groups, however,” Doherty said. “I think that students tend to stick to what they know and the people they feel comfortable with, which often results in students [isolating] themselves. I also think that there is often a divide between American and international students, which makes interactions between the two very awkward.”

WOOF | spring 2014

ASIAN 5%

5%

8%

INTERNATIONAL

16% WHITE

48%

18%

UNREPORTED

NORTHEASTERN DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP

Northeastern’s population of international students is undeniably impressive — 16 percent of the student body. The school also has a dorm, International Village (IV), that houses both the international students and some domestic students, most of whom are in the honors program. In comparison to the location of other dorms on campus, IV may make the sense of community that comes with proximity difficult. Ingy Jabri, a fourth year pre-med major and an international student from Dubai, said that while there is a separation between international and domestic students, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. “I do feel like there is a divide, but I feel that it is a natural and positive one,” Jabri said. “Were it not for this divide, international students would find it difficult to stand out, in my opinion.” Naomi Litman-Zelle, a senior anthropology major, said the international student population would likely not be so large if they weren’t satisfied with Northeastern. “I assume that Northeastern actively recruits international students and students of color to fulfill some sort of diversity quota, but since the international student population is large I would also assume that students return home and speak positively about Northeastern, which in turn encourages students to come,” she said. “Ironically, despite the large amount of ethnic and racial diversity on campus, I feel as though the ‘college culture’ is pretty ubiquitous, so that while Northeastern is diverse on paper, there is definitely a lack of diversity in terms of the student culture as a whole.”

Focus // 15

In a poll of 100 students conducted by College Prowler, when asked how diverse the student body was in economic status, ethnic heritage, national origin, political affiliation, religious background and sexual orientation, students rated Northeastern closer to “extremely diverse” than “totally homogenous.” But when asked to describe their friend groups in the same categories, students described them as less diverse. In the same poll, 72 percent of students said the campus community as a whole is accepting toward someone who falls in the ethnic, religious or sexual orientation minority.

77%

OF STUDENTS COME FROM OUT OF STATE

THE TOP FOUR STATES: 2. CONNECTICUT

Cassie Harris, former president and current member of the Northeastern Black Student Association, described Northeastern as “being a primarily white institution, with an increasing international presence, especially from Asia.”

3. NEW JERSEY 1. CALIFORNIA

Harris, a communication studies major and urban studies minor, said though students come from a wide range of countries and states, she felt the sense of diversity on campus may be skewed. “Domestic students of color are present, but may be portrayed as having a wider sweeping presence than they actually do,” she said. “Northeastern has shown drastic reduction in the number of domestic students and professors of African, Asian or Hispanic origin. The reported numbers seem to show growth in terms of overall diversity, but I believe the way the statistics are framed doesn’t portray the diminishing number of students of color from the U.S.” Harris went on to say that Northeastern has a ways to go when it comes to non-ethnic diversity as well. “I also think Northeastern isn’t as diverse when it comes to socioeconomic status or class,” she said. “Based on personal experience, I’m faced with lack of variety in terms of background or privilege.” Renata Nyul, Northeastern’s director of communications, declined to comment on behalf of the university, but referred to an address President Aoun made to the Northeastern community in February of 2013. In the address, Aoun said: “As an educational institution, we welcome questions. Questions are at the heart of the learning process. But some questions transcend the usual academic give and take. Some questions demand clear answers. To leave them unanswered can lead to destructive tension and division. Let me be clear: If anyone in this community feels that they are not full members of the Northeastern family, that is unacceptable. Universities are communities of people: women and men who represent an incredible array of faiths, ethnicities, backgrounds and belief systems.” Demonstrated in statements like Aoun’s, Northeastern is a diverse place that welcomes that identity with open arms. According to Litman-Zelle, though, one area where Northeastern is lacking is in educational diversity. “I think that it offers diverse courses and attempts to equally promote each college within the university as a whole, but in general the learning style and type of education the school clings to is pretty homogenous,” Litman-Zelle said. “It’s actually kind of a shame since I think the students oftentimes possess an immense diversity of personal interests [and] could use higher education as a chance to enable numerous opportunities to grow and prosper.”

4. NEW YORK

Harris said that though Northeastern could do more to embrace true diversity, the responsibility does not fall solely on the administration. “For any of those students who are displeased with the current state of diversity, there is a lack of unified, organized pushback or protest,” she said. “Students haven’t been vocal enough about their concerns for diversity on campus. In order for change to happen, a presence and voice must be more distinct and effective.” Jabri felt similarly. “I think that Northeastern does put a significant amount of effort in holding events to bring international students together, so now it’s up to the international students to make the effort to attend,” Jabri said. “Moreover, if some international students feel otherwise, then they should suggest their ideas and I’m sure there are many opportunities for them to do so.” Litman-Zelle, Doherty and Harris all agreed that the school has room for improvement in making its dream of an integrated, diverse community a reality, but each added that Northeastern really is a place that has something for everyone. Harris said that “finding a group of people that fit your values or demographic categories is never a challenge.” Litman-Zelle spoke of the school similarly. “[You] will absolutely be able to find [your] niche at Northeastern,” she said. “Based on the people I’ve met, which is a tiny percentage of the people that go to this school, I have no doubt that any student would be able to find what they are looking for in terms of the student body.” “Northeastern is what you make it,” Doherty concluded. “It’s diverse, but you can choose who to interact with and either close yourself off from new learning experiences or take advantage of the wide range of thoughts and beliefs.”

WOOF | spring 2014

16 // Bon Appetit

The Giving Back Community Written By Liam Synan & Jess Grill As a student, it’s easy and comfortable to focus only on campus life, but Northeastern students involved in service clubs are taking advantage of the unique opportunity they have to do good in their communities. Northeastern is

filled with examples of organizations making a difference, from Greek life to Dialogues, but here is just a brief snapshot of clubs on campus doing their part.

Peace Through Play (PTP)

Peer Health Exchange (PHE)

Circle K

PTP works with local students from kindergarten through seventh grade in daily after-school programs in Boston and Cambridge public schools, first teaching biweekly lessons in the fall and then encouraging the students to complete a service learning project in the spring. PTP is independent and unaffiliated with any national organization, so the students built their organization from the ground up. Their independence means that these students must take on a great deal of responsibility, but their continued presence in five public schools in Boston and Cambridge is proof of their success so far. Executive Director Mackenzie Rickert said the club “uses games and art as interactive teaching methods to start conversations about self awareness, leadership, conflict resolution skills, empowerment and community service.” She went on to emphasize the long term goals of the program, noting that “you’re not going to see changes overnight…but you’re seeing small changes, and you can really feel like you’ve made a difference in the kids’ lives.”

This organization grew from six Yale students offering health classes in New Haven public schools to a national organization with 7,500 undergraduate mentors and 96,000 public high school students. Today, PHE works in six of America’s 10 largest metropolitan areas, filling in when a school district can’t afford to provide a comprehensive health class for its students. When a school signs up for PHE, its students are provided with an introductory lesson, a parting lesson and 11 individual modules, covering topics like safe sex and dietary habits, taught by two university students trained for that specific class. “All you need to give us is space and time in the schedule,” says Emily Ashbolt, a member of the Northeastern PHE leadership council, a chapter that has about 90 members. “It’s really rewarding because I taught an introductory lesson and I ended up going back to that school to teach my STIs workshop…the kids were like, ‘We’re so happy you’re back,’” Ashbolt said of her experience. “On those rare chances where you get to interact with [the students] again, it can be really surprising and rewarding to have them remember you.”

Circle K, Northeastern’s branch of the Kiwanis Club, has 108 members organizing or participating in as many as four service events a week. They’re part of a community of nearly 13,000 members in 17 countries, and every one of these students plays a part in the Kiwanis Club’s global initiatives. These students help fundraise for larger charities like UNICEF and The March of Dimes, but they also put on plenty of events of their own. According to Kristina Norris, the Circle K president, on any given day you might find a member of Circle K at “soup kitchens, homeless shelters, hospitals and all sorts of other places.” Circle K is unique in that there is no specific agenda or goal for the club, besides working hard to improve their communities. “We try to pride ourselves on being the one community service group without a particular focus or political motivation,” Norris said, noting that the club “hopes to continue to grow, gain new members and partner with other organizations on campus.”

If you want to get involved with this group, send an email to secretary@peacethroughplay.org

WOOF | spring 2014

If you want to get involved with this group, send an email to northeastern@peerhealthexchange.org

If you want to get involved with this group, send an email to nucirclek@gmail.com

Food with a

S

ide of ustainability Written by Lautaro Grinspan // Photos by Alexis Galmin

When seated at the table for your next meal, whether at a restaurant, in a dining hall or at home, take a look at the food in front of you. Before ravenously wolfing down your plate’s contents, try asking yourself this simple question: Where did it all come from? More likely than not, you won’t know the answer. A growing number of food activists are taking issue with this disconnect. Society has a right, they argue, to know where its food comes from and to demand certain levels of sustainability from the food production process. In line with this brand of thinking, Northeastern recently endorsed the Real Food Challenge (RFC), a movement through which universities pledge to buy at least 20 percent of their food from local, fair and sustainable sources by 2020. Per the RFC’s website, the Challenge strives to “leverage the power of youth and universities to create a healthy, fair and green food system.” The first higher education institution in Boston to adopt the Challenge, Northeastern found many reasons to pursue the RFC. “The RFC was a great fit for the university as it aligned with the type of work Dining Services has been doing for years,” said Dining Services director Maureen Timmons. “The opportunity for continuous improvement was also important and the ability for us to include additional student involvement throughout the process was very appealing.” Student collaboration has proven key in the implementation of the RFC, with student groups like Slow Food NU and the Progressive Student Alliance working closely with Dining Services and university senior leadership. “[Slow Food NU] brought the campaign to Northeastern and the club was a way for students to get to know the Challenge,” explained Slow Food NU President Emma

Clouse, a sophomore environmental studies and international affairs major. “We’ve been working on different forms of outreach and letting people know of the ways that the Real Food Challenge can be implemented,” she said. Progressive Student Alliance Vice President Brooke Sheehan, also a sophomore environmental studies major, said her club was given a proverbial seat at the table when it came to putting RFC into practice at Northeastern. “They offered us a space and time in their meetings to talk with other members about the Real Food Challenge,” she said, “PSA and the Real Food Challenge at NU continue to be partners and supporters of one another.” Regarding the actual implementation of the RFC on campus, Timmons explained that the movement is still in its early stages and in the process of finding its feet. “We are learning a great deal from other participating institutions and we are using some of their best practices to create an ideal RFC model for Northeastern,” she said. “This is a longterm commitment and we want to make sure we are building a strong foundation not just for the initial stages, but also for the program as it moves into its later years.” The Challenge’s “deadline,” after all, isn’t until 2020. But with so much time and energy devoted to it, is all the hassle over more sustainable food worth it? Christopher Bosso, a food

policy expert and a professor at Northeastern’s School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, thinks so. “The Challenge is important because it focuses our collective attention on where our food comes from, the conditions under which it is produced and by whom, while being mindful of issues of cost, quality, convenience and personal desires and needs,” Bosso said. “After all, it’s one thing to say that our food should be produced under conditions that are sustainable, fairly traded, communitybased and ethical, and another to say that we want all of this and food that is comparatively inexpensive, convenient and tasty.”

Leverage the power of youth and universities to create a healthy, fair and green food system. Taking on the RFC represents merely the latest sustainability initiative put forward by Northeastern’s historically green Dining Services department. Among the department’s top green credentials are the “Compost Here” program, which annually composts almost 700 tons of food waste, and the fact that 14 on-campus dining locations are certified as Green Restaurants, of only 591 total in the U.S. “We are continually searching for the latest in sustainability trends and are always looking for ways to implement these initiatives within our operations,” Timmons said.

WOOF | spring 2014

18 // Bon Appetit

Boozing on a Budget Written by Hannah DeYoung // Photos by Jackie Keffas

Let’s get one thing straight: Just because you’re a poor college student, your drinks don’t need to taste like nail polish remover or glorified cat urine. This is America, where you deserve the best regardless of how much you make per hour, and this budget mixology guide is about to turn that dream into a reality.

The key to any good mix (and being able to impress people with your great skill) is not only knowing the ideal balance of alcohol to mixers, but remembering to add fresh ingredients whenever possible. Having a couple limes on hand, for example, can turn a painfully average drink into one worth Instagramming.

The math is simple. If the average student spends $7 a drink when he or she goes out and has about 10 drinks a weekend, that’s $70. Instead, you could stick to our cheap mixes that average about a dollar a drink, or $10 a weekend, and end up saving $3,120 a year. That’s a sweet trip to Cancun — or a couple months’ rent for the more practical-minded.

But since basic mixology isn’t everyone’s strong suit, here are eight basic, original and classic recipes to always have on hand if you’re part of the 21-and-over crowd. Best part is, whether you use expensive brand names or the stuff that comes in plastic bottles, they’ll still taste great. Just remember: The lower the price, the greater the hangover.

WOOF | spring 2014

The Ginger-Melonoff

The Huntington Dash

The 407

This two-ingredient wonder is exactly what you need, if what you need is a sweet, dirtcheap drink to start off the night. Surprisingly flavorful and dangerously easy to sip, this mix is perfect for picky drinkers looking to get their party on for under a dollar.

You know the move. Now try the drink that gets its name from students narrowly avoiding cars and trains all day long. To really take this mix to the next level, try adding a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.

When in doubt, 407 it out. This classic leaves its drinker smiling and content, thanks to the sweet notes of peach and cranberry wrapped in a blanket of ginger ale. Cost per drink: $1.21

Cost per drink: $0.97 Cost per drink: $0.70 Percent alcohol: 15.8 percent vodka

Percent alcohol: 16.6 percent vodka, 16.6 percent peach Schnapps

Percent alcohol: 15.8 percent vodka Ingredients: 1 shot watermelon Rubinoff 8 oz. ginger ale

Ingredients: 1 shot vodka 4 oz. Sprite 4 oz. sweet and sour mix A dash of grenadine

Ingredients: 1 shot vodka 1 shot peach Schnapps 3 oz. cranberry juice 3 oz. ginger ale Fresh juice from half a lime

Lynchburg Lemonade

Fire Beer

Pomegranate Margarita

Whisky or SoCo your thing? Try this charmingly basic mix of “lemonade,” or sweet and sour plus Sprite along with the comforting pungency of whiskey and a hint of triple sec sweetness.

Fire Beer, or the zesty combination of beer and Fireball, is quickly becoming a staple in the world of college drinking. And while Keystone may not be your ideal beer, toss a little cinnamon whiskey in there and you’ll find yourself standing on tables, shouting “FIREBALL!” to everyone around you.

As an ode to the magic that is Cactus Club pomegranate margaritas, here’s our own homemade version for the tequila-loving DIYer in all of us.

Cost per drink: $0.90 Percent alcohol: 14.3 percent whiskey, 14.3 percent triple sec Ingredients: 1 shot whiskey 1.5 oz. sweet and sour mix 1.5 oz. triple sec 6 oz. Sprite

Percent alcohol: 16.6 percent tequila, 16.6 percent triple sec

Cost per drink: $1.04 Percent alcohol: 84.2 percent beer, 15.8 percent whiskey Ingredients: 1 can Keystone Light 1 oz. Fireball whiskey

Cost per drink: $1.68

Ingredients: 1 shot tequila 1.5 oz. sweet and sour mix 1.5 oz. triple sec Fresh juice from a whole lime 2 oz. pomegranate juice Blended with ice

Hair of the Husky

Virgin Tropical Love

No need to rub his nose for luck with this one; the subtle combo of sweet and sting will leave you with more liquid luck than touching a shiny statue ever could.

Being under 21 can be a real bummer sometimes, but whenever you’re feeling blue, just whip up one of these bad boys and watch palm trees appear outside your window.

Cost per drink: $0.95

Cost per drink: $0.51

Percent alcohol: 15.8 percent whiskey

Ingredients: 4 oz. pineapple juice 4 oz. mango juice A splash of coconut milk

Ingredients: 1 shot whiskey 4 oz. Arizona iced tea 4 oz. Coke Fresh lemon wedge

Hannah DeYoung is a certified bartender. If you love her budget-friendly suggestions, look out for her drink of the week column at woof-mag.com.

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