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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 83 UNIVERSITY AFFAIRS
Activists protest NYU Law Forum By JOHN AMBROSIO News Editor
A group of professors, students and community members from NYU and NYU School of Law are circulating an open letter to the NYU administration, urging them to divest from the Forum on Law, Culture and Society, which is currently hosted by NYU Law. The letter, which was first submitted on Oct. 20, has been signed by 11 professors, 26 members of the community, 46 students and a coalition of groups from NYU and the surrounding community. The FOLCS hosts speaking engagements and film screenings. The signatories are calling on the university to terminate its relationship with the forum as they said it gives a platform for individuals whose views are incompatible with those of the NYU community. “As members of the community committed to anti-racism, civil rights and the rule of law, we find NYU’s affiliation with the Forum to be antithetical to the University’s commitment to ‘embracing diversity,’” the letter read. “By supporting the Forum, the University is promoting individuals complicit in misconduct, rights violations and possible war crimes — including warrantless spying on NYU students.” The signatories took particular issue with FOLCS director Thane Rosenbaum, and pointed to an opinion piece he wrote for the Wall Street Journal in July that said Palestinians lost their rights as citizens when they voted for Hamas in the 2006 Gazan elections. The letter also criticized several speakers and events hosted by the FOLCS, which they accused of hate-speech and of promoting anti-Muslim policies. On Oct. 25, a group of signatories, including first-year NYU Law student and Anti-FOLCS Coalition organizer Amith Gupta, picketed outside the NYU Law Library, where the FOLCS was hosting a screening and Q&A
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014
nyunews.com
EXPANSION
Coles substitute to open on Lafayette Street By CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO Sports Editor
A replacement facility for Coles Sports Center during its rebuilding period has been chosen. The university announced on Oct. 27 that it has purchased connecting vacant buildings at 404 Lafayette St. and 708 Broadway, which will be used to accommodate the recreational needs of those displaced by the closing of Coles. The build-
ings cost $157 million to purchase. NYU spokesman John Beckman detailed how the university views the space as a way of fulfilling the promise made to the NYU community to provide recreational space during the closing, which is a part of the broader NYU 2031 expansion plan. “In both the near and long term, this building will be important for meeting NYU’s space needs,” Beckman said. “In the relatively
short term, it will provide a convenient location during the period Coles is closed to NYU students, faculty, staff and administrators who currently use Coles for fitness and recreation.” Beckman also reiterated that Coles would not be closed before the end of the 2014-2015 academic year. This point had been previously raised in a memorandum sent to the NYU community by President John Sexton regarding the status of
the development of the Coles site. CAS senior Vera Shulgina, head of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and an outside hitter on the women’s volleyball team, said the closing of Coles after the academic year is contingent upon securing interim facilities beyond 404 Lafayette St. for athletic practices and games, agreeing to thirdparty development contracts on
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PHOTO BY AMINA SAYEED
Momofuku Milk Bar (above) is one of the many New York City eateries to offer cooking classes to locals. DINING
Classes bring hands-on experience with sweets By CAROLINE OGULNICK Staff Writer
New York City is a great place to satisfy your sweet tooth with an almost endless variety of places to suit your palate. Luckily, some of these places not only allow you to dine at the restaurant, but also provide opportunities to learn how to cook signature dishes. Many restaurants of-
fer classes that teach the secrets of their kitchens, and give the inside scoop on customers’ favorite desserts. Mia Chef Gelateria, located at 379 Third Ave., is an old school Italian gelato shop that doubles as the Mia Academy. At the Mia Academy kitchen, gelato classes are offered to anyone who wants to learn the art of this classic frozen treat.
While the shop opened three years ago, it began offering classes in its second year. Since then, Mia Chef Gelateria has taught almost 12,000 students, allowing them to learn about artisanal gelato and its history. Although the flavors created in each class vary, some of the favored recipes include Oreo Crumble, White Chocolate Peanut Brittle and the chef ’s special — Gelato
Crème Brulée. Resident chef Jason Rice prepares gelato daily to ensure top-notch quality and taste. All natural ingredients are used, and the shop purchases fresh milk and cream from local farms. In addition to the traditional gelato, Mia Chef Gelateria offers sorbets and vegan recipes that use
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NYU Law hosted Mets manager Sandy Alderson, who talked about his years in the MLB. STORY on PG. 3
Restaurants take advantage of Halloween STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
MLB manager discusses career
New York City restaurants offer unique Halloween dining options. STORY on PG. 4
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
LETTER continued on PG. 3
Anna Nalick returns with new music The millenial songstress gives insight into her latest project. STORY on PG. 5
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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On Oct. 28, 1985, WSN reported that the university would start enforcing new alcohol policies, following the New York State Legislature’s decision to raise the drinking age from 19 to 21 by December 1985. The new policies said students serving alcohol on campus would be liable if anyone hurt another individual or was injured while drunk. The policies would also restrict who could serve alcohol at university events to
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TODAY ON CAMPUS Author reading and signing with Reese Erlich Award-winning journalist and author Reese Erlich will read from his book “Inside Syria: The Backstory of Their Civil War” in the NYU Bookstore at 6 p.m.
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JESSICA TIEN
Asexuality: An Introduction with Aces NYC Learn about the spectrum of asexual experiences and identities through a screening of the film “(A)sexual,” followed by a panel discussion with Aces NYC in room 802 of the Kimmel Center for University Life at 7 p.m.
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CAS Scholars Lecture Series: Lila Davachi Associate professor of psychology and neural science Lila Davachi will speak on her recent work concerning memory and brain activity in Jurow Lecture Hall, Silver Center room 101, at 5:30 p.m. The Upper East Side gets spooky in time for Halloween.
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KRISTINA BOGOS, RACHEL KAPLAN, CLIO MCCONNELL, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN 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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NYU World Tour hosts panel on diversity By NATHALY PESANTEZ Contributing Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY SAM BEARZI
Sandy Alderson gave advice on sports management to students at an event on Oct. 27 at Furman Hall.
Mets manager details career path By ALEX BAZELEY Staff Writer
When Sandy Alderson started his baseball management career with the Oakland Athletics in 1983, he was not familiar with all the nuances of baseball. Currently the general manager of the New York Mets, Alderson spoke about his experiences going from a Harvard Law School graduate to an executive in the MLB on Oct. 27 at Furman Hall. During the event, which was hosted by the Sports Law Committee of the Intellectual Property & Entertainment Law Society, Alderson discussed in-depth what he has learned over his more than 30 years in the league and how he approaches running a baseball team. Alderson said he was still untested when he was named general manager of the A’s, spending his early years learning the people and vocabulary of baseball. “The problem I faced was that I didn’t have a lot of experience in the game, but probably the great-
est benefit I had at that time was that I had no experience in the game,” Alderson said. “I wasn’t weighed down with a lot of conventional wisdom, a lot of stuff that — while useful — is not necessarily the most efficient way to approach decision-making.” He pointed out that often those coming from the field of law into baseball are forced to make sacrifices. He added that while a wellrounded background is important, coming into the game fresh requires a realistic perspective. “If you really want to be involved in sports, you’re going to have to ratchet down your financial expectations and what you think you might be able to do with your education in order to start on the ground floor,” Alderson said. “You have to find a way to differentiate yourself from the next candidate.” Alderson, however, repeatedly underscored the impact that his background in law has had on his ability to act as an executive of a major league team, and that this knowledge was key to his successes.
“What I do is I make decisions, and that’s my job,” Alderson said. “What is it that allows one to make more good decisions than poor ones? I think it’s how lawyers are trained. It’s about perspective, it’s about fairness.” This point stood out to law student Justin Gaudenzi, who said he hopes to follow a path similar to Alderson’s. “It was cool seeing his decision making process, like how he makes trades and how he evaluates players,” Gaudenzi said. Law student Kenneth Carbajar said he shared this sentiment and enjoyed hearing from someone who had so much experience from all over the game of baseball. “I thought it was really interesting looking at how they go about looking at talent and how they think about signing players,” Carbajar said. “He’s the GM of the Mets, so in a perfect world, that’s where I want my career to go.” Email Alex Bazeley at news@nyunews.com.
Internet advocates discuss merger By CHRISTINE PARK Staff Writer
Speakers from Free Press, presente.org and the Federal Communications Commission came together on Oct. 27 at Brooklyn’s Central Library to discuss the impact on the Internet of the prospective merger between Comcast and Time Warner Cable. The event gathered people interested in saving net neutrality. Craig Aaron, Free Press president and CEO, defines net neutrality as a status quo in which there is no discrimination in the speed of internet connection. He said the FCC is tasked with making sure everyone has access to the Internet. “Right now those policy makers — those decision makers — in Washington [have] got two big decisions that they need to make,” Aaron said. “One is this issue of net neutrality, and whether
the Federal Communications Commission is going to transform that free and open Internet super highway into a toll road with a fast lane reserved for the few and the slow lane for the rest of us.” Maya Wiley, founder and CEO of the Center for Social Inclusion, said the merger of Comcast and Time Warner Cable would control 40 percent of the country’s broadband. “It is then able to not only control that much market, and at the same time control who gets on the fast lane and how fast they move based on how much you can pay,” Wiley said. Thousands of people have tried to contact Tom Wheeler, chairman of the FCC, but have not received a response. Following multiple ignored calls, this event was created to allow the public to weigh in on this issue. Althea Erickson, policy director at Etsy, said the company is concerned that the merger will
negatively affect the millions of sellers who use the site. “If we were to move to a twotier Internet, it is very unlikely that we would be able to afford to pay for fast Internet access, or we would have to increase our fees that would result in taking money directly from Etsy sellers,” Erickson said. Jerrold Nadler, attorney and politician, highlighted the importance of the Internet to society today. “The Internet is the modern transportation and telecommunication system,” Nadler said. “It must not be subservient to corporate interests.” Borough president of Manhattan Gale Brewer outlined the impact of net neutrality on consumers. “Net neutrality is vital to economics, educational and cultural well-being of Americans,” Brewer said. Email Christine Park at news@nyunews.com.
Students discussed their preparations to study away and their differences in cultural experiences during a panel discussion held as part of NYU’s World Tour. The event, “Navigating Diversity Abroad,” was held at NYU’s Gould Welcome Center Barasch Theater on Oct. 27. The annual NYU World Tour is a week celebrating multiculturalism at NYU, its portal campuses and its study away sites. Events will be held throughout the week in many of these locations. The discussion was moderated by Andrew Gordon, president and founder of Diversity Abroad, and hosted by the NYU Center for Multicultural Education and Programs in conjunction with NYU’s Office of Global Programs. Panelist Thiago Fernandes, a CAS junior, spoke about studying away in Abu Dhabi as an immersive experience. “I knew nothing about the Middle East, let alone Abu Dhabi, so I figured, ‘What better way to learn than by diving right in?’” Fernandes said. Steinhardt junior Selena Mitchell shared her expectations before studying away at NYU Accra. “I was influenced by the U.S. media about what Africa is like and what the people are like,” Mitchell said. “In my experience, they were the best people I’ve ever met, and it was safe.” The panelists also mentioned some barriers they encountered while making preparations to go abroad, ranging from securing their finances to convincing family
members that their study away site was secure. Lighter topics were also discussed at the panel, such as academic schedules. Panelist and Gallatin senior Francesca Huynh said she made room in her schedule to travel while abroad and spoke of the academic rigor of her NYU Shanghai courses. “The hardest course was my Chinese course that I had to take four times a week at 8 a.m.,” Huynh said. “But you definitely do have more time the rest of the week to do things.” The panelists also answered questions relating to gender identity and cultural sensitivities. “LGBTQ issues are not talked about at all in Ghana,” Mitchell said. “One of my friends who identifies as gay had problems with others not acknowledging him, or not taking kindly to him at all.” Fernandes spoke about growing accustomed to life back in America after having studied away twice. “Transitioning back to New York was interesting,” he said. “Reverse culture shock happened, but the biggest challenge was probably the fact that you’re probably never going to see the friends you’ve made again.” The discussion ended with advice from the panelists, including Stern senior and panelist Rosario Giarratana, who studied away at NYU Shanghai. “It’s okay to stay and explore the city you’re in for the first month, but don’t make the mistake of making a little corner of the city your comfort zone,” Giarratana said. Email Nathaly Pesantez at news@nyunews.com.
LETTER continued from PG. 1
Letter circulates, calls for Forum divestment
session for “Zero Dark Thirty.” Gupta said two of the guest speakers at the event — former NYPD commissioner Raymond Kelly and former Attorney General Michael Mukasey — had concerning backgrounds. “[Kelly] not only spied on students at NYU Law, but he also spied on Muslim students all throughout the eastern seaboard, and he’s also responsible for the stop-and-frisk policy,” Gupta said. “And then on top of that they brought Michael Mukasey, who was one of the torture lawyers for the Bush administration who basically helped legalize torture under that administration.” The panel also featured Faiza Patel, co-director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program. The university responded to the criticism of FOLCS and said the freedom to express unpopular opinions was vital to education. “Certain individuals may dis-
agree with, or even be offended by, some of the ideas presented,” an Oct. 27 statement from the law school read. “They are entitled to express their views, just as the people who organize and participate in the programming are entitled to express theirs. That free exchange of ideas is a fundamental principle of our University.” Gupta added that a group of NYU Law students are planning to meet with NYU Law dean Trevor Morrison to discuss their concerns. While a date for the meeting has not been set, Gupta said he was hopeful that the university would consider divesting from FOLCS. “My view is the NYU Law made a very big mistake welcoming the Forum onto campus, but they’re open to recognizing that there are a lot of concerns in the community, and hopefully they’ll reassess their relationship with the Forum,” Gupta said. Email John Ambrosio at jambrosio@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
DINING
EDITED BY REBECCA RIDDLE DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Student life as: Starbucks barista By LINGYI HOU Contributing Writer
Coffee is a staple for many college students, but for some, coffee is more than just a daily caffeine boost. For students who work as baristas, their whole job revolves around it. If you ever visit the Starbucks on East Ninth Street and Second Avenue, you may meet CAS sophomore Timothy Ackerlund, who works there as a barista. Ackerlund began working at a Starbucks location in his hometown of Chicago in 2011. At that time, he was a high school student, but he quickly discovered that he wanted to commit himself to working at Starbucks, possibly even as a corporate executive after graduating from college. For him, Starbucks not only stands for a great brand with quality customer service, but also a serious part of his life. “Starbucks really treats us very well, giving us a lot of benefits including health insurance, a retirement plan and stock, even though we are parttime workers,” Ackerlund said.
PHOTO BY RACHEL LIQUINDOLI
Timothy Ackerland started working as a barista in high school. “This job experience offers me a great opportunity to be part of a team and understand how other people’s daily lives are going and how to make their life better.” Unlike some baristas who complain about picky customers and intensive work, Ackerlund loves to connect with each customer in a unique way. By
making customers their drinks, he is able to discover interesting facts about their lives. “I really enjoy making friends with customers over coffee, even just for moments,” Ackerlund said. “One of the most interesting things in my job is meeting people from different backgrounds. Then I can hear and learn many new things about their country, their life and their culture through talking. I love coffee, but I love customer communications more.” Ackerlund’s job responsibilities include running the cash register, making drinks and serving customers. He works 15 hours per week, but not more than eight hours a day. Besides his job as a barista, he is double majoring in politics and economics and works as an admissions ambassador. With such a busy schedule, Ackerlund sometimes drinks coffee himself. Do not hesitate to strike up a conversation with the baristas on your next coffee run — they may be a fellow student. Email Lingyi Hou at dining@nyunews.com.
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Unique desserts taught at NY classes
soy and almond milk. Classes at the Mia Academy are an intimate experience, yet are great for both couples and larger groups. The class costs $120 a person, but the shop offers a two-person package for $199. While you receive the perks of a welcoming staff and unique learning experience, you will also take home four pints of the gelato that you make. Another New York dessert spot that offers classes is the iconic Momofuku Milk Bar. Christina Tosi’s restaurant is famed for its spin-offs of classic desserts. Cereal Milk Soft Serve, Crack Pie and B’day Truffles are some of the iconic items on the menu, and customers often wonder what makes them so delicious. Fortunately, the bakery will let you in on its secrets. Milk Bar began its Bake the Book classes two years ago. All classes take place in its Williamsburg kitchen at 382 Metropolitan Ave., where the baking is done for each of the seven — soon to be eight — locations, with the upcoming addition in the Dis-
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
Diners enjoy a haunted atmosphere at Waverly Inn.
Eateries offer Halloween specials By DHRITI TANDON Staff Writer
You may be busy deciding on your costume, but don’t forget to consider the various dining options that can enhance this year’s Halloween experience. From inexpensive Halloween deals to dining at a haunted hotel, many New York City spots have great offerings to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Waverly Inn 16 Bank St. For an encounter with the undead, consider dining with the spirits this Halloween at Waverly Inn. This spot has been rumored to house the ghost of former guest Oscar Wilde. The restaurant’s dark, candle-lit atmosphere gives the restaurant an ominous vibe, and it is also decorated with carved pumpkins for Halloween this week. This haunted environment comes with a high price tag, though, so consider heading to Waverly Inn for appetizers or dessert. LS freshman Jeanette Zhang looks forward to potentially encountering a ghost this Halloween. “Although it’s creepy, dining alongside ghosts this Halloween sounds fun,” Zhang said. “It is a pretty cool restaurant with a gloomy ambience.”
Jekyll and Hyde Club PHOTO BY AMINA SAYEED
Students learn to make Momofuku cake balls in a cooking class. trict of Columbia. On Saturdays, two classes are offered, one at 11 a.m. and one at 3 p.m., each two hours long. The classes alternate each weekend, allowing ambitious bakers to try out different treats. Some classes are based around pies while others focus on cakes. There are also seasonal classes and holiday specials offered at Momofuku Milk Bar.
Priced at $95 per participant, Bake the Book classes are an unbeatable deal, as you can eat on the job and take home everything you make. The class provides you with an exciting experience and teaches you how to make your Momofuku favorites at home. Email Caroline Ogulnick at dining@nyunews.com.
91 Seventh Ave. S. If you want to dine with outlandish, Halloween-inspired creatures, head to Jekyll and Hyde Club. Built to resemble the infamous mad scientist’s lab, the restaurant’s spooky interior is enhanced by continuous live entertainment and special effects. The restaurant allows its diners to create their own festive burgers and also offers a large variety of pub fare. The Frankenstein Favorite and The Mummy are two great burger options. CAS freshman Alice Zhu said she appreciates the restaurant’s
efforts to make the Halloween dining experience entertaining. “It is a really entertaining place to be with friends,” Zhu said. “Their burgers and nachos are amazing, and I love the decorations.”
Chipotle Many select locations For college students on a budget, Chipotle may be one of the ideal places to go for a filling meal on Halloween night. On Oct. 31 from 5 p.m. until close, Chipotle is offering a burrito with guacamole for just $3, provided you come in a costume. Besides being great news for budget-conscious students, it has a fundraising initiative that benefits various independent farmers by promoting ethical farming and ranching. CAS sophomore Maria Arievitch said she plans to hang out with her friends in costume while eating the specially priced burrito. “I’m not ashamed to admit that the $3 Chipotle burrito is probably my favorite thing about Halloween,” Arievitch said.
Big Gay Ice Cream Shop Multiple Locations Halloween would be incomplete without pumpkinflavored treats. The Pumpkin and Apple Gobbler is a popular dessert option for many on Halloween at the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop. Made from vanilla ice cream, pumpkin butter, pie crust pieces and whipped cream, this pumpkin specialty is a must-have treat this Halloween. LS sophomore Matia Mearns said she is excited to try the autumn-inspired treat. “Big Gay Ice Cream is so good, and I can’t wait to try the new flavors this season, especially the pumpkin ice cream,” Mearns said. Email Dhriti Tandon at dining@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY ALEX GREENBERGER ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM REVIEW
‘Found’ presents beauty, humor By CAROLINE CUNFER Contributing Writer
The Off-Broadway scene just got a lot weirder with “Found,” a meticulously crafted musical from the minds of Hunter Bell and Lee Overtree, who wrote the book. With music and original lyrics provided by Eli Bolin, the musical oozes with quirkiness and idiosyncrasy. Based on Found Magazine, created by Davy Rothbart, the musical rendition follows the story of Davy (Nick Blaemire) and his two friends Mikey D (Daniel Everidge) and Denise (Barrett Wilbert Weed), who repurpose fleeting instances of human interaction by creating a magazine of found notes. The apt opening number performed by a sincere Blaemire, whose natural delivery appears unscripted, says it all — it’s a “Weird Day.” And by the closing number, “Stay Weird,” this zany musical is sandwiched in a fizz of oddity. Seeping through the grab bag of outlandish notes is a storyline that, though relatively banal, somehow succeeds in feeling fresh and stimulating — something unlike what audiences have seen before. Like the narrators of an elementary school play, members of the eclectic ensemble enter from the wings to explain what is happening, but in an experimental and innovative way that incorporates the found notes, which are projected onto the stage, and reveals subtext. The cleverly integrated notes support the scene and saturate it with humor, despair, honesty and peculiarity. The unique chorus element is also full of brilliantly delivered one-liners from Found Magazine — “Did you fall
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Soko discusses new album, crazy concerts By NINA JANG Contributing Writer
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
The Off-Broadway show ‘Found’ is based on the eponymous magazine. in the sewer yesterday? Write Back,” “If you want the key back, bring the urn back, no questions asked.” Every performer shines onstage and brings a unique comedic eccentricity to the noteplastered stage. “Found” bursts with cultural references bound to generate nostalgia — memorable note-inspired numbers include “Old Country Buffet” and “Johnny Tremain.” Both are seamlessly incorporated into the plot and are hilarious. All of songs are touching, whether they evoke an emotion, a person, an experience or if they muse on a breakup that somehow involves a barf bag. This show conveys something important about the comprehensive human experience, making viewers feel less alone and part of something bigger — humanity. Bolin imbues the score with a rawness that reflects the spontaneity of the production. His music remarkably renders the irregular prose lyrical. Though sometimes outshone by the often bizarre notes serving as lyrics, the orchestration is astoundingly well-composed and quite beautiful in its own haphazard and unconventional way.
The score is modern, energized, toe-tapping and pulsing. Bolin succeeds with various original songs and lyrics, notably “Stupid Love,” featuring Weed’s beautiful vocals, and an energized harmony of Betsy Morgan’s powerfully emotive voice with Blaemire’s in “Killin’ It”. The catchy score complements Monica Bill Barnes’ carefree, buoyant choreography, which features simple moves infused with ebullience and personality. It gives the impression of someone uninhibitedly dancing alone in a bedroom, fist-pumping, twirling and kicking. “Found” has a neat element of reciprocity — this first-of-a-kind DIY musical doubles as a sort of community art project and an intimate and interactive experience created by missed connections, all regifted in a moving musical form. It is eccentric, profane, brilliantly random and spontaneous, and it uniquely captures the shared human experience. “Found” is playing at Atlantic Theater Company, 336 W. 20th St., through Nov. 9. Email Caroline Cunfer at theater@nyunews.com.
Soko, the French self-taught phenomenon behind the hit single “We Might be Dead by Tomorrow,” performed a special in-store performance at the American Apparel in Williamsburg on Oct. 27. After consecutive shows on Oct. 24 and 25 opening for Foster the People in Manhattan, the performance was a pleasant, lowkey break. Soko spoke with WSN via email about her new album, her inspirations and the current tour. As a nod to her embrace of quirky projects with friends, Soko performed songs from her upcoming album “Dreams Dictate My Reality.” Evolving from her first album, “I Thought I Was an Alien,” Soko recorded more upbeat songs in collaboration with Ross Robinson, who produced The Cure’s self-titled 2004 album and many other rock records. “The new album is a lot more gothy-dreamy-punky,” Soko said. “The goal was for it to sound like an early Cure record, or at least capture this raw vibe and crazy guitar and bass tones.” Drawing from influences such as Robert Smith and Morrissey, as well as adding themes of abandonment, depression and death, Soko describes her music as a mosaic of goth dreams. The different take on her new music, however, stems from the difficulty of constantly singing such stripped-down and emo-
tionally exhausting songs from her first album. “I’ve been on tour for three weeks now and playing new songs every night, and it’s been so fun and refreshing,” Soko said. “I can’t wait to put this record out so people can actually hear the songs.” Soko has toured with her friends and fellow musicians in Foster the People, with whom she co-wrote a new song on their album. “It’s been nothing but pure awesomeness,” Soko said. “What’s always surprising is meeting fans after shows telling me, ‘This song has changed my life.’ Surprisingly enough, it has happened almost every night.” Soko brings her own distinct energy to each show, sometimes in ways that not even she expects. “On three shows, in tiny art spaces or record stores or cool indie venues, I got the whole crowd — men and women — to take off their tops and dance like crazy people,” Soko said. “And that was incredible, so freeing and fun and memorable for life.” As for future projects, Soko plans to do more touring, but will be kept busy with the lead roles in four feature films, one of which will be “Worthy.” On top of all that, Soko will be directing her own music videos, a tradition that she has adamantly stood by since her first album. Needless to say, Soko will be busy in the near future. Email Nina Jang at arts@nyunews.com.
Anna Nalick reveals details about upcoming album By ALLISON STUBBLEBINE Staff Writer
After taking a step back from the music industry to focus on her education, Anna Nalick, the singer behind the 2005 hit “Breathe (2 AM),” is returning with a tour and the release of her new, still-unfinished album. In honor of Nalick’s Oct. 28 and 29 performances at The Iridium, Nalick spoke to WSN about her experiences as a musician and her upcoming work. WSN: What was it like, becoming so popular virtually overnight with your first album, “Wreck of the Day” at such a young age? AN: Well, it didn’t feel like it was overnight to me. I actually wrote the album when I was 18. I write alone, so the process of getting it from there to it actually being on the radio took about two years, and then for
it to sort of reach people’s ears took another year. It seemed like it took forever when I was in it. Now, looking back, I guess it was pretty quick.
a lot of entertainment history around me, particularly from the Great Depression era, so I was always really fascinated by what entertainment can do for people. It can take you out of a certain place, it could be able to tell the story of a life that you may never meet. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s in the vibration, but music captures the essence of life for me more than any other art form. I would rewrite other people’s lyrics when I was about 8 years old. By the time I was 10, I was writing my own songs.
WSN: How do you think the success of “Breathe” and your first album affected your second album, “Broken Dolls & Odds & Ends”? AN: After I wrote the first album, there was a lot of weight put on making another big successful song, and I realized that it was taking away from my writing a little bit. I was losing my honesty, so I left the record company in 2011 and put out “Broken Dolls” so that I could have something out before I went back to school. WSN: What made you begin to sing and write songs? What was your source of inspiration? AN: My grandparents were
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Anna Nalick will perform at The Iridium on Oct. 28 and 29.
Broadway performers, and their siblings were in burlesque and vaudeville. My great aunt was one of the original Ziegfeld Follies, so there was
WSN: What are some of your favorite songs or lyrics? AN: Some of my favorite songs are “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen, “Across the Universe” by The Beatles. I’m a big fan of Joni Mitchell’s album “Blue.” I love a lot of lyrics in “A Case of You,” those are some of my favorites.
I like Eminem’s “Rap God.” That song has some of the most incredible lyrics I’ve ever heard. There are a couple points in the song where it just makes me start laughing. It’s so perfectly written, it could have only come from his mind. I’m such a fan of his talent. WSN: What can fans expect from your upcoming album? AN: It’s definitely a more involved production than “Broken Dolls.” My first two albums were acoustic, and on this one, I’m using a lot of different instrumentation and working with programmed drums which I’ve never done before to sort of give it a loopy vibe. It’s definitely different, being that years have gone by and I’ve changed as a writer and a person. Email Allison Stubblebine at music@nyunews.com.
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THE NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU Crossword ACROSS 1 Drink with a lizard logo 5 Big balls 10 W.W. I’s Battle of the ___ 14 Winter truck attachment 15 Lagoon surrounder 16 Brand of shoes or handbags 17 Advantage 18 One of the Gabor sisters 19 Exercise on a mat 20 Reds and Braves, for short 22 Rodeo rope 24 Swiss river 25 Like some home improvement projects, briefly 26 Actor Claude of “B. J. and the Bear” 28 Jazz great named after an Egyptian god 30 Riddle
32 “Trust me!” 33 Home of the University of Nevada 34 Cooks gently 38 Valuable finds suggested by the circled letters 41 Rascal 42 Snowman in Disney’s “Frozen” 45 Scattered 48 Like the snow in a shaken snow globe 50 Rub out 51 Makes a harsh sound 54 Mahmoud Abbas’s grp. 55 “Ugh, German sausage is the wurst,” e.g. 56 Think optimistically 58 Settles (into) 60 Nothing doing? 62 Poet Nash 64 Advanced law degs. 65 Stravinsky ballet
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY CHRISTINA COLEBURN OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
MIDTERM ELECTIONS
Sunday voting could increase voter turnout By ZARIF ADNAN Staff Columnist
Next Tuesday, Nov. 4, it is likely that only 40 percent of registered voters will go to the polls for the midterm elections. While presidential elections attract about 60 percent of eligible voters, American voter turnout still falls short of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s international average. United States turnout statistics are especially bleak when compared to those of individual countries. For example, both Sweden and Germany have maintained a voter turnout of well over 70 percent since 1946. Low voter turnout in the United States is troubling but fixable. The smartest way for the United States to increase participation among citizens without upending the established system is to move Election Day from Tuesday to Sunday. Tuesday was originally selected as Election Day to accommodate slow 19th-century travel. Some farmers and rural residents needed three days to reach the polls, vote and return home, so Congress needed to choose a day early in the week as to not interfere with the entire workweek or Sunday
worship. This criteria excluded all days except Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday was market day, so Tuesday was selected as the nationwide day for elections. Given modern transportation, the shift to urban society and the accessibility of polling places, however, none of the justifications for the original restrictions still apply. The argument for making Tuesday’s Election Day a federal holiday is problematic. While a federal holiday during the workweek may increase voter turnout, it will not do so in an inclusive way. Many federal holidays only affect bank and government positions, leaving most lower-income workers, specifically those in servicerelated industries, stuck at work and unable to go to the polls. Making Election Day a holiday would only serve to increase the existing income disparity among voters since employers are not
required to pay nonexempt employees for holiday time off. This would be resolved if Election Day were on Sunday. That way workers in various fields are given an equal opportunity to vote. Even employers that operate on the weekend tend to keep shorter hours on Sunday. A move to Sunday may present inconveniences to churchgoers who devote Sunday for worship, but as The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, has proven, religion and politics can, for at least one Sunday of the year, coexist. The church was able to take advantage of the election, encouraging churchgoers to get out and vote as part of their civic duty. Congregants arrived at church at 10:30 a.m., and the church led a “Souls to the Polls” drive following the service. Other communities in Georgia have had similar success with Sunday voting. The United States is faced with a participation problem that, for once, has a simple, effective solution. By moving Election Day to Sunday, voter turnout can be increased and all demographics properly represented. Email Zarif Adnan at opinion@nyunews.com.
GOVERNMENT
Modern democracy defense prevents progress By DAN MORITZ-RABSON Staff Columnist
The Nov. 4 midterm elections will mark the end of the recent slew of campaign videos best described as either horrible or horribly funny. These political ads, which are so common that they are almost expected, ignore the failures of a Congress with an estimated 14 percent approval rating. Instead of addressing Washington’s problems and creating substantive political discourse, they focus on demonization of opponents. After the government shutdown in 2013, Congressional approval ratings sunk to an unprecedented 9 percent. Yet, if past trends indicate the voting tendencies of Americans, most incumbents will maintain their positions in Congress this election. In the 2012 election, 90 percent of House members and 91 percent of Senators seeking re-election retained their seats. As indicated by polls detailing officials’ approval ratings, most Americans dislike the actions of current politicians. But, we remain unprepared to consider unconventional solutions to move Congress past its devotion to party politics. Contrary to the declaration of its de-
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votion to the citizens, contemporary American democracy fails to promote the interests of its constituents. A recent study suggesting America is now an oligarchy indicates the extent to which American politics have strayed from the ideals espoused by the Founding Fathers. Democracy, in theory, provides an equal voice to all citizens. But in reality, American democracy historically authorized suppression and currently prioritizes certain demographics over others, as demonstrated by disproportionate incarceration rates and unequal pay. For American colonists living under an oppressive British rule, the Constitution provided a template for what was, at the time, a revolutionary concept of government. Despite the Constitution’s elasticity and adaptability to modern circumstances, this document no longer engenders unparalleled involvement in politics,
and the unquestioning acceptance of the existing structure prohibits any substantial improvement on its systemic failures. While the Constitution need not be abolished to rectify the current flaws of government, the limited mindset from which we approach it limits its useful application to contemporary problems. Voting is hugely important, but in light of the high re-election rates of incumbents, the polls seem like an ineffective place from which to influence society. Until Americans set aside their complacency and reconsider their unwavering defense of the modern American implementation of democracy — which largely confines their political rights to voting — governmental policies will continue promoting the interests of the elite. Citizens should vote but, more importantly, they should challenge the accepted political norms outside of the booth. Inaction by voters has sustained the biting partisanship that has contributed to Congress’ low approval ratings. In a society with more citizen involvement, voters could interrupt the self-serving cycle of Washington politics. Email Dan Moritz-Rabson at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Effects of stop-and-frisk policy persist in NYC
Under the direction of Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, the stop-and-frisk policy has significantly declined. In the first half of 2012, 337,410 stops occurred, and only 33,699 stops occurred in the last half of 2013. The mayor has upheld his campaign promise to do away with the controversial policing tool, which discriminates against minorities. The political end of stop-and-frisk does not necessarily mean the end of the practice’s consequences, however. Stop-and-frisk must not be viewed in purely theoretical, retrospective terms. The long-term effects of stop-and-frisk are very real and are beginning to reveal themselves. NYU sociology professor Amanda Geller authored an Oct. 16 report that appeared in the American Journal for Public Health. It found a positive correlation between increased trauma among young men and frequency of their encounters with the New York Police Department. As part of the study, Geller interviewed 1,261 men aged 18 to 26 in New York City about their experiences with the NYPD, their impressions of police conduct during these instances and their overall recent mental health. Geller found a positive correlation between the intrusiveness of the stop and the trauma the stop caused. Geller concluded the seven-page report by calling for police practices to be re-evaluated, citing the enduring nature of the trauma as a cause for serious concern. She suggests devoting more attention to police interactions with individuals who display mental health symptoms, a means to reduce potential trauma suffered by these individuals. The NYPD should consider this recommendation. Implementing Geller’s proposal could prove to be mutually beneficial for the NYPD and those who are interrogated. Amending the stop-and-frisk protocol to reflect this change could better prepare police officers during encounters with individuals. The officers’ heightened awareness of a mental health concern would ideally reduce the likelihood of mistreatment in relevant cases. Under former mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani, the NYPD used policing methods that at times compromised equitable treatment. Geller’s research indicates that de Blasio’s approach of rolling back stop-and-frisk is a smarter long-term solution. Geller notes: “The criminal justice system has been recognized increasingly as a threat to physical and mental health.” This finding alone should silence any remaining supporters of stop-and-frisk. It is important for New Yorkers to continue examining the effects of this unfair practice. The consequences of the hundreds of thousands of stops already made should not be brushed aside because it is no longer technically policy. Though instances of stop-andfrisk have notably declined, they have had a lasting effect on New Yorkers.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Christina Coleburn (Chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Adam Fazlibegu (Co-chair), Tess Woosley (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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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
NYU Reacts: Sports facility announced
COLES continued from PG. 1
By KYLE LUTHER Staff Writer
STAFF PHOTO BY SHAWN PAIK
404 Lafayette St. will serve as a sports facilty for students while Coles is renovated.
Building to provide athletic space
the current Coles site, and getting feedback from all facets of NYU that utilize Coles. Shulgina also explained how these plans were made over the past few months as the Coles 2031 Advisory Committee deliberated on what should be done. “There were five meetings of the committee during the summer with representatives from faculty, the executive offices, athletics, student employment, intramurals and general Coles users,” Shulgina said. Among the students, representatives and faculty included was athletic director Chris Bledsoe, who acted as the chairperson of the committee. While the recreational needs of students and faculty who work out at Coles will purportedly be met by the acquisition of 404 Lafayette St., Palladium Athletic Facility and the recently improved Brooklyn Athletic Facility, questions have been raised about other groups that will be affected by the closure of Coles. Shulgina said the current plans would ac-
commodate all intramural sports teams for their playing space and practice time. Athletes were reportedly informed about the tentative plans in a meeting with Sexton on Sept. 23. Information was sparse at the time, due to the ongoing legal proceedings regarding the NYU 2031 expansion plan, which was settled on Oct 14. Two days later, athletes had a follow-up meeting with Bledsoe, where more information about Coles’ contingency plans was made available. Comments from the athletics community were also accepted. “We got student and coach feedback from both of those meetings, so we plan on it being a continuous process as we go forward,” Shulgina said. Beyond athletes and coaches, Shulgina also enforced the idea that feedback on the plans will be welcomed by all parties within NYU. “We are encouraging and welcoming feedback because the entire idea of going through so
many growing pains to build this new facility is to make it the best it can possibly be and to accommodate as many student needs as possible,” she said. As to what will happen to the new facility at 404 Lafayette St. after construction is completed on the Coles site, Beckman said it will be put to use to fill further capacity issues in Manhattan. “In the long term, these buildings will help NYU address some of the space needs near our Washington Square Core that cannot be entirely addressed through construction on the superblocks, as has always been envisioned in the NYU’s planning,” he said. It is undetermined for now if the requirements to close Coles will be met by the end of the academic year, and whether or not the current plans will be subject to any changes. Email Chris Marcotrigiano at cmarcotrigiano@nyunews.com.
At the end of the academic year, NYU expects to close Coles Sports Center given certain conditions. While the details are still to be determined, the university’s plan is to renovate Coles to include increased recreational space, as well as new living and classroom areas. NYU has now secured a third facility at 404 Lafayette St. to relieve some of the anticipated crowd issues at the Palladium and Brooklyn athletic facilities, but some students are still concerned about the university meeting their recreational needs. “Coles has a lot of facilities that aren’t available at other NYU locations, such as squash courts and fencing rooms,” CAS freshman Sushant Adlakha said. LS sophomore Nicholas Lukito said he understands the need for NYU to find more space, but also recognizes the need to place a degree of confidence in the administration. “NYU is a global organization that is constantly expanding,” Lukito said. “All we can do is trust that NYU will do all the right things to make sure that the athletic program, both varsity and club sports, will not be affected.” CAS junior Nate Cabrera raised concerns about being able to play basketball, as he has done regularly over the past few years at Coles, if there are space restrictions. “Playing basketball at Coles is something my friends and I do on a regular weekly basis,”
Cabrera said. “It has become a ritual and a part of our friendship that is going to be lost if we can’t go play.” NYU athletes will also be affected by this decision, as many will have to change the usual location where they practice and compete. “It’s disappointing and we are all upset and will miss Coles a lot, but we understand what the university is doing,” said freshman women’s soccer forward Teressa Fazio. “It will be an adjustment, but as a team that practices off campus anyway, it will be okay.” CAS freshman Ben Liu said he is worried about the inconvenience of having to go to another location for services he previously received at Coles. “Since I’m taking a recreation class in Coles each year, I’m worried that it will take more time going to Palladium or any other building,” Liu said. Stern freshman and fencer Philip Shin expressed misgivings about the possibility of having to practice in Palladium. “I’m concerned about practicing in Palladium next year because fencing requires a spacious room,” he said. “The fencing salle in Coles was pretty small to begin with.” NYU spokesman John Beckman said the building will feature a fitness and recreation center, but the university has not specified which facilities will be included. Email Kyle Luther at sports@nyunews.com.
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