NYU’s Independent Student Newspaper | est. 1973
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Monday, March 5
Volume L, Issue 7
ARTS
FEATURES
OPINION
SPORTS
‘Thoroughbreds’ is Delightfully Sinister
The Fine Art of Drunk Dining
NYU Hockey Concludes First Club Division I Season
ON PAGE 4
ON PAGE 7
President Hamilton Needs to Leverage NYU’s Influence to Enact Gun Control ON PAGE 9
ON PAGE 10
NYU Sued Over Retirement Plans — Trial Set for April By ALEX DOMB and KRISTINA HAYHURST Deputy News Editors
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YU has been hit with a class-action lawsuit over alleged mismanagement of faculty retirement plans. The case will be tried in a Manhattan federal courthouse this coming April and has the opportunity to set precedent for similar cases pending against other universities. The lawsuit was initially brought forth in August 2016. The plaintiffs — six NYU professors — accuse NYU of allowing employees to be charged excessive fees on retirement savings plans and for providing imprudent investment options on these funds. These actions would violate a federal tax law known as the Employee Retirement In-
come Security Act. The class-action lawsuit was filed against two separate 403(b) retirement plans — that of NYU’s core campus, known as the Washington Square package, and that of the NYU School of Medicine. The plaintiffs’ lead attorney Jerome Schlichter is highly confident in the plaintiffs’ chances. “We’re very much of the opinion that this will be a success for these employees and retirees,” Schlichter said to WSN. “We’ve heard that [they would not prevail] in other similar cases. We’ve heard that there would never be a successful case for excessive fees, and that has not turned out to be the case. We are expecting to be heard.” VIA TWITTER
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2|
The Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse in Lower Manhattan.
EXPOSURE
SPORTS
Lookalike: Dogs and Their Owners
NYU Women’s Basketball Coach Earns 100th Win By BELA KIRPALANI Staff Writer
PHOTO BY VERONICA LIOW
A woman poses with her French Bulldog Normandy. CONTINUED ON PAGE 11|
The NYU Women’s basketball team defeated Brandeis University 54-53, resulting in coach Lauren Hall-Gregory’s 100th win as head coach of the NYU Women’s basketball team on Saturday, Feb. 24. She is only the third coach in NYU history to reach this milestone. Coach Hall-Gregory has been immersed in basketball her whole life. She played collegiate basketball at Hofstra University, where she was captain for three years and the Pride’s MVP her sophomore year. She ended her
career fourth in school history with 454 assists. Hall-Gregory came to NYU after spending her previous four seasons as the recruiting coordinator and first assistant coach at the Division I program at Sacred Heart University. This season, coach Hall-Gregory guided the Violets to their fifth consecutive winning season in her sixth season as head coach. In 2014-15, she was named WBCA Region 2 Coach of the Year. Captain, 2017-18 UAA Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year Kaitlyn Read has played under coach Hall-Gregory for five consecutive seasons.
“Coach Hall[-Gregory] will tell you she’s been so successful because she’s been able to recruit great people, but in reality, she’s the one who fosters such a cohesive sense of team unity within her teams,” Read said. “I’ve been a part of five very different rosters, but each and every year I feel as though I’m part of a family, an evolving family, but a family nonetheless.” Assistant Coach Mary Kate Tierney also admires how Coach Hall-Gregory fosters a sense of unity and inspires her players. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10|
Washington Square News | Monday, March 5, 2018
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NEWS
Edited by Sakshi Venkatraman and Mack DeGeurin news@nyunews.com
NYU Sued Over Retirement Plans — Trial Set for April | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
NYU spokesperson John Beckman thinks differently. “Their case is without merit, and their suit has already largely been dismissed,” Beckman said in a statement to WSN. “We will continue to press for the dismissal of the suit in its entirety.” While a judge has since denied a second lawsuit and other claims made by plaintiffs, NYU was denied a motion for summary judgment — which would have ended the case before a trial — on Feb. 23. The trial is poised to be a groundbreaking case in retirement fee litigation. “This will be the first [trial] involving employees and retirees at a university alleging excessive fees and imprudent investments in the United States,” Schlichter said. Schlichter, the managing partner at the law firm Schlichter, Bogard and Denton, specializes in retirement fee cases, having previously represented 20 groups of employees and retirees. Over the past two decades, the law firm became the first to file cases alleging excessive fees on retirement packages. In 2015, Schlichter successfully argued before the Supreme Court in Edison v. Tibble on behalf of Edison International retirement plan beneficiaries, resulting in a unanimous 9-0 decision in favor of the plaintiffs. More than a dozen prestigious universities have been sued in the past two years over mismanagement over various aspects of their employees’ retirement plans. Class-action lawsuits over retirement funds are pending against Yale University, Columbia University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University and other institutions. The most recent lawsuit was filed against Georgetown University on Feb. 23.
WHAT IS A 403(B) RETIREMENT PLAN?
According to the Internal Revenue Service, a 403(b) retirement plan is a savings account offered to employees of nonprofit organizations and public education institutions. When employees opt for this plan,
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a small amount of money is taken out of each paycheck and put into savings or invested. The biggest benefit of this plan is that it allows the money taken out to accumulate without income tax. This tax-exempt money will continue to accumulate until the time of withdrawal at retirement. Once withdrawn, as long as the participant is over the age of 59-and-a-half, the income tax paid will be considerably less since most employees receive a much lower income in retirement. If withdrawn before that age, the money may be subject to certain penalties, such as a 10 percent federal tax. Only employers are allowed to contribute to an employee’s 403(b) account and are also in charge of choosing the investment options. Most voluntary pension and health plans are required to meet minimum standards of protection for individuals under ERISA. ERISA requires employers to provide plan information to their employees and gives participants the right to sue for benefits in the case of a breach in these requirements.
WHAT IS NYU ACCUSED OF?
Plaintiffs accuse NYU of violating ERISA in two primary ways: by allowing employees to be charged excessive fees on retirement savings and for providing imprudent investment options on these funds. Under ERISA, it is the responsibility of the fiduciaries — those managing the retirement funds — to act solely in the interests of the plan, its participants and its beneficiaries. Plaintiffs argue that fiduciaries supplying each of the two retirement plans have breached legal duties of loyalty and prudence in their failure to act solely in the economic interests of the plans’ participants due to unreasonably high administrative fees. Plaintiffs argue that unreasonably high fees work against employees’ interests and thus violate the law. NYU is also being accused of having multiple recordkeepers managing retirement assets, which, according to the plaintiffs, unnecessarily costs 403(b) beneficiaries. While the Medical School fiduciaries consoli-
dated to one recordkeeper in 2012, the Washington Square fiduciaries have not yet consolidated. Schlichter and his team ask that NYU compensate its employees for past losses as a result of alleged excessive fees and imprudent investments. Plaintiffs also ask that NYU reform its retirement plans to prevent unnecessary losses going forward. The plaintiffs are six NYU professors from the School of Medicine, the Silver School of Social Work, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development and the Tisch School of the Arts. Plaintiffs seek compensation for damages incurred against all faculty members and retirees — thousands of current and former employees — who have been enrolled in 403(b) retirement plans during their time at NYU. By filing this lawsuit, plaintiffs feel like they have already achieved some of their goals. “In some respects, I think we have already won,” plaintiff and Medical School Associate Professor Marie Monaco told WSN. “The administration has now said that it will make a lot of the changes that we had asked for in our complaint, and … [multiple faculty councils] passed a resolution recently saying that they wanted to be consulted with respect to the retirement funds by NYU’s Retirement Plan Committee.” However, Monaco emphasized that all of the plaintiffs’ demands have yet to be met, and the group will continue to fight for financial compensation over previous damages. “What else can be won is some kind of monetary settlement, which I think would have the effect of NYU taking us seriously in the future,” Monaco said. “[Penalizing NYU] would perhaps encourage it to consult with the faculty in the way that they were meant to — through shared governance — which is something that has been very lacking over the past several years.” Additional reporting by Richard Tran. Email Alex Domb and Kristina Hayhurst at news@nyunews.com.
CRIME LOG
Attempted Larceny at Bookstore Thwarted By SARAH JACKSON Deputy News Editor
and the case is open and under investigation.
From Feb. 24 to March 4, the NYU Department of Public Safety received three reports of controlled substance violations, one report of dating violence, one report of disorderly conduct, one report of extortion, one report of fondling, six reports of larceny and one report of trespassing.
On Feb. 27 at 12:55 p.m., an NYU student reported that she was fondled by the same person on two separate occasions at University Residence Hall and Third Avenue North Residence. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation.
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE VIOLATION
On Feb. 24 at 11:35 p.m., Public Safety responded to a report of an alleged controlled substance violation at Lipton Residence Hall and recovered a small amount of marijuana from the residence. The case was closed and referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. On Feb. 25 at 8:10 p.m., Public Safety responded to a report of an alleged controlled substance violation at Greenwich Residence Hall and recovered a small amount of marijuana from the residence. The case was closed and referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. On Feb. 25 at 10:30 p.m., Public Safety responded to a report of an alleged controlled substance violation at Third Avenue North Residence Hall and recovered a small amount of marijuana from the residence. The case was closed and referred to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards.
DATING VIOLENCE
On Feb. 24 at 12:43 a.m., an NYU student reported that she was a victim of dating violence in Alumni Residence Hall. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT
On Feb. 26 at 12:45 p.m., an NYU staff member at the NYU College of Dental Center reported that a patient yelled and used obscene language during her appointment. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation.
EXTORTION
On Feb. 28 at 2:55 p.m., an NYU staff member at the Education Building reported that an unidentified person called her, attempting to extort money from her under false pretenses. A police report was not taken,
FONDLING
LARCENY
On Feb. 25 at 11:25 p.m., an NYU student reported that his bike’s padlocks and back water fender were missing at the intersection of Washington Square East and East Fourth Street. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Feb. 26 at 1:37 p.m., an NYU student reported that her phone and battery were missing from the second floor bathroom of the Basic Science building. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Feb. 26 at 1:37 p.m., an NYU staff member at the NYU Bookstore reported an attempt to remove items from the store without paying for them. The items were recovered, and the person was escorted out of the building. Police notification was declined, and the case was closed. On Feb. 26 at 7 p.m., an NYU student reported that his bike was missing from the Tisch Hall bike racks. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Feb. 27 at 7:25 p.m., an NYU staff member at the Puck Building reported that a coat was missing from the coat check. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. On Feb. 28 at 9:30 p.m., an NYU student reported that his bike was missing from the construction railing outside of 404 Lafayette St. A police report was filed, and the case is open and under investigation.
TRESPASSING
On Feb. 28 at 4:53 a.m., an NYU Public Safety officer reported that two unidentified men unlawfully entered the bike rack enclosure outside of the Tisch building. The men left without further incident. Police notification was declined, and the case is open and under investigation. Email Sarah Jackson at sjackson@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News | Monday, March 5, 2018
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NEWS
Edited by Sakshi Venkatraman and Mack DeGeurin news@nyunews.com
College of Nursing Signs Letter Advocating for Gun Control By NATASHA ROY Managing Editor-at-Large
Following the mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida, the Rory Meyers College of Nursing announced Feb. 28 that it had signed a letter sent to Congress by the American Association of Nurses that called for a bipartisan National Commission on Mass Shootings to be launched within the next 30 days. The AAN — a group of fellows that includes association executives, hospital chief executives and researchers, among others who advocate for health care policy and practice — sent the letter to Congress on Feb. 16, which outlined several goals the AAN wanted the proposed commission to work toward. According to the letter, some of the goals included a universal background check system, a ban on the creation and distribution of assault weapons and support for further
By SPARSH
training of healthcare professionals to perform health screenings that could prevent firearm casualties. Dean of the Rory Meyers College of Nursing and President-elect of the AAN Eileen Sullivan-Marx said in a press release that NYU Meyers was proud to sign the letter. “It reaffirms the vision that we hold closely here at the college: to advance health for all people where they live, play, learn and work,” Sullivan-Marx said in the press release. “And a critical element of realizing a healthier society is making it safer for everyone.” In her statement, she encouraged nursing students to be engaged in discussions on gun laws and gun safety. “As we’ve seen from the brave and inspiring high schoolers out of Parkland, you are never too young to affect the kind of fundamental change you wish to see in the world,” Sullivan-Marx said. Meyers sophomore Tiffany Yong
didn’t hear about the letter until recently but said she believes it was reasonable and she supports it. Yong was surprised to see that one of the seven challenges the proposed commission would address is strengthening laws against people considered high-risk trying to purchse firearms or those who have been convicted of domestic violence or stalking to obtain guns, as she felt it was painfully obvious that this sort of regulation is necessary. “I’m, in general, a strong supporter of gun control, and I do believe that with even the slightest increase in gun control these acts of terrorism and violence that have happened lately or will happen in the future will definitely decrease,” Yong said. “I don’t think they will stop entirely because even with stricter laws on firearms, there will still be tons of guns in circulation in this country. So I guess, for right now it’s best to just take preventative measures,
Dear Human
Human oh Human Why do you do this? Feel so strong in a cave made of foam? Human oh Human Complex as you are, You fool no one by crying on your own Human oh Human Why do you never dare to crave? For much needed love Why don’t you play to your heart’s tune?
Hey oh Human Take my word and cry Cry out to the world Hey oh Human Pour into the world rivers of your pain And let rivers flow Hey oh human Take my ‘kerchief And dare not use it
Human oh Human How do you manage? To wake up happy then sleep sad again?
Hey, O animal of nature Try to feel Without getting bloated on emotions Try once being Vulnerable
Human oh Human Why don’t you talk? Stuffing your chest with venom Pretending it strengthens your spirit
Submit creative pieces to ghajjar@nyunews.com or dmatta@nyunews.com.
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Students of the Rory Meyers College of Nursing.
and this National Commission sounds like a good start.” Yong was also proud to know that the nursing school had signed the letter. “I’m in the nursing field because I think that the least I can do is spread health and vitality to those who need
it, and knowing that I am part of an institution that is making a difference in the betterment of our society is quite encouraging and inspiring.” Email Natasha Roy at nroy@nyunews.com.
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ARTS
Edited by Ryan Mikel arts@nyunews.com
‘Thoroughbreds’ is Delightfully Sinister
COURTESY OF CLAIRE FOLGER / FOCUS FEATURES
Scene from the film “Thoroughbreds,” featuring Lily, played by Ana Taylor-Joy and Amanda, played by Olivia Cooke.
By TYLER STEVENS Contributing Writer
Those familiar with the affluent culture of suburban Connecticut depicted in “Thoroughbreds” are sure to recognize the culture that writer and director Cory Finley is simultaneously satirizing and deconstructing. At a school like NYU, the reaches of wealth can be felt from Lipton Residence Hall to Gould Plaza, which makes the sting of Finley’s “Heathers”-meets-David Fincher film that much more paralyzing and hilarious at every turn. At the center of every frame in “Thoroughbreds” — shot exquisitely by Lyle Vincent — are Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke), two
girls scheming to murder the former’s stepdad Mark, played by Tisch alumnus Paul Sparks. Lily is an outcast with a controversial past who has reconnected with her best friend Amanda, whose life seems picturesque and perfect on the surface but in reality is anything but. As an English native, Cooke’s American accent is droll and captivating, each line delivered more snidely and hauntingly than the last. Taylor-Joy’s Lily is played with a broken intensity that continually escalates until its peak at the film’s climax, which plays out in a quiet single take that this reviewer still hasn’t been able to fully shake. First-time director Cory Finley shows a mastery of tone and genre not usually found in debuts. There is a confidence
in the way he moves his camera and lingers on his subjects — it promises more mean, lean and unforgettable works like “Thoroughbreds” in the future. It’s hard not to feel a tinge of sadness while watching the film’s supporting actor Tim — played by the late Anton Yelchin — chew up scenery as a burnout drug dealer, knowing that this may be the last time we get to see his talents on-screen. Yet “Thoroughbreds” has no time for the sentimentality that some of Yelchin’s other posthumously released works have afforded him. Yelchin gleefully takes a backseat to the girls here, and the result is one of the best turns of his career. We are left with an equally funny and creepy sadness that seems to tinge every youthful interaction in suburban Connecticut, where the mansions are as suffocating as coffins and the fun is found in the violence and dread underneath the spotless surface. Early on in the film, you might begin to question what exactly you’re watching. Between the long tracking shots and short-sided conversations, you worry about how the film could possibly reckon its palpable empathy with the depravity of its subject matter, while still eloquently commenting on the privileges and pitfalls of race, class and gender. My advice would be to trust Finley and the story he’s telling because the result is more nuanced and sinister than you could possibly imagine. “Thoroughbreds” hits theaters this Friday, March 9. Email Tyler Stevens at f ilm@nyunews.com.
WSN Alumnus Alphabetizes Life and Love at NYU By JULIA FIELDS Staff Writer
On Valentine’s Day, NYU graduate and WSN alumnus Ian Mark debuted his first novel, “Love from Amanda to Zoey.” With a new adult novel under his belt, Mark’s achievements represents the dream of fellow English majors and any aspiring writers, providing hope for those yearning to follow a similar path. The play of words in the title –– from A to Z –– should not be ignored. It mimics the cover of any self-help book found in the Strand Bookstore. The idea of moving through steps parallels the actions of protagonist Zach Johnston and his seemingly poor luck with love. “Love from Amanda to Zoey” opens with a rejection from Amanda, who is the first girlfriend in Zach’s alphabet. One of the most striking aspects of the novel is that every female character the reader meets follows — you guessed it — the letters of the alphabet. A sense of anticipation settles on the reader as we wait through Erica, Jane and Wanda. The title sets a final goal, as does this intelligent pattern laid out by Mark. The reader knows that Zoey is the final destination and when she arrives, we exhale a collective sigh of relief. However, Zach’s troubles do not cease when Zoey’s name appears for the first time on the page. The sometimes clueless Zach makes sure Zoey’s time on our page is plagued with trials and tribulations,like any relationship. Another striking component of the novel is how relatable it is for any NYU student. For one, Mark wrote the character of Zach to be an NYU graduate like himself. The story takes place in and around NYU’s campus, with Zach referencing different buildings and hotspots around Washington Square Park.
COURTESY OF IAN MARK
Book cover for NYU graduate Ian Mark’s debut novel “Love from Amanda to Zoey.”
He details the experiences of dorm life, right down to the overflowing trash can in the corner. Zach even laments the random roommate selection process in which he met his best friend, Brian. On every page, Mark highlights the nuances of living in New York after attending NYU and reflects upon the experience of being a Bobcat or a Violet, or whatever we call ourselves. The topics discussed, however, aren’t exclusive to NYU. They ring true for any campus or student. Themes of drugs, sex, career searching and dating characterize “Love from Amanda to Zoey.” It excavates the awkward years between graduating and settling down and delivers them in a nostalgic, poignant way. Mark captures every student’s feelings of loneliness by writing from experience. He lived it and now he shares his story in this new and intelligently written novel that every NYU student should read. Email Julia Fields at books@nyunews.com.
Jérôme Bel’s ‘Gala’ Comes to Skirball By DEVANSHI KHETARPAL Staff Writer
COURTESY OF IAN DOUGLAS
Jèrôme Bel’s “Gala” made its New York City premiere at Skirball from March 1-3.
Skirball Center for the Performing Arts hosted the New York City premiere of Jérôme Bel’s “Gala” this past weekend —a show that features a cast of 20 dancers of varying ages and levels of experience. In “Gala,” French choreographer Jérôme Bel attempts to redefine our perception of dance, bodies and structure. “Gala” is divided into different segments representing varying intersections of dance: ballet, waltz, improvisation, bows, the choreography of Michael Jackson and large company numbers led by individual dancers. In most segments, each performer would come on stage for a few seconds, demonstrate a step and go away. The result was highly individualistic and endearing. While some performers had sig-
nificant experience in dancing, it was interesting to see those who are normally excluded from the field showcase their interpretation of various dance forms. In doing so, the stage became a safe space for all. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, express themselves and start all over — from a woman in a wheelchair to a fouryear-old girl. The final product proved that everyone is eligible to dance on stage. “Gala” is a celebration, but it is also a critique of how more traditional dance performances are not as inclusive and diverse. Bel reinforces the notion that dance is made simply for everyone to have a good time. During the show’s “Company Company” segment, individual dancers led empowering group numbers. The dancers moved together like one big eccentric family on stage with gender neutral costume design and stadium
anthems like Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and Sara Bareilles’ “Brave.” It eventually becomes clear to the audience why Jérôme Bel began “Gala” with a slideshow of images depicting various stages from around the world. The stage is an open and inclusive space that can, in fact, belong to anyone. It comes as no surprise that this message and show received a standing ovation and thunderous applause from the audience. “Gala” features dancers with whom, for once, any audience member can identify. It is full of laughter and holds the power of unity through showcasing diversity. “Gala” made audience members want to get up and join the charismatic company onstage, and perhaps, that was Bel’s intention all along. Email Devanshi Khepartal at entertainment@nyunews.
Washington Square News | Monday, March 5, 2018
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ARTS
Edited by Ryan Mikel arts@nyunews.com
Eddy and Swami Sound Join Forces for ‘PiNK’ By KAMAU LITTLE-TREE HOLSTON
Contributing Writer
Silver junior Swami Sound is back and turning up the heat for these cold winter months in a genre-blending collaborative Valentine’s Day release, “PiNK,” alongside rapper and Steinhardt junior Eddy. Swami (Marcus Harley) and Eddy (Eddy Henriquez) live and breathe the rich musical heritage of the Bronx — this heritage being on full display with “PiNK.” While the chemistry and synthesis between the two artists on “PiNK” is apparent from the very beginning of the song, Harley and Henriquez’ musical backgrounds could not be more different. During his senior year at Central Park East High School, Harley played bass in a cover band that he and his friends started for their annual talent show. His band covered popular songs like “Sk8r Boi” by Avril Lavigne, “Kryptonite” by 3 Doors Down and “Hypnotize” by System of a Down — not exactly the hip-hop that he’s producing today. Henriquez on the other hand was always a fan of hip-hop and has been writing lyrics since his early days at Fordham Prepartory
School. Once Henriquez started at NYU, he decided to fully commit to the craft, joining the freestyle club Rhymez in his first year, of which he is currently president. An eclectic fusion of hip-hop, funk, Japanese pop and vaporwave, “PiNK” is the musical manifestation of Swami and Eddy’s respective artistic visions. Initially conceived amidst the pressure and procrastination of the spring 2017 finals season, “PiNK” began as “Pink no Orugoru” — a standard remix of Tatsuro Yamashita’s 1982 hit song “Music Book.” Around this time, Eddy started planning for his debut project, “The Color EP,” which led him to ask Swami for an instrumental evocative of the color pink. Swami sent over “Pink no Orugoru,” and the rest is history. Eddy fell in love with the beat, and they recorded the first verse soon after, releasing a demo version on SoundCloud around mid-July. Deciding the song still needed tweaking, Swami scrapped the demo version and started from scratch. It wasn’t until this past November that the two began adding some of the song’s core elements like the second verse, chorus and backing vocals, all courtesy of Eddy, with
the exception of those from Yamashita’s original song. “As the summer went on, we didn’t have a chorus,” Swami told WSN. “It wasn’t until last November that I convinced Eddy to sing on the song, but this was after we put out the demo … it was still very undone.” After three weeks of mixing and mastering, flow tightening and promotion over winter break, the final version of “PiNK” was ready for its highly anticipated Valentine’s Day release. The end result is an unlikely marriage between hip-hop and J-Pop — a funky, dance-inducing love song with pink-laced punchlines and crossover appeal. “PiNK” is a difficult song to define sonically. It’s clearly a hiphop song, but like much of the early hip-hop that bubbled in the Bronx in the late ’70s, it is heavily supported by its funky backbone. At the same time, the song is essentially vaporwave — a genre of electronic music typically defined by its sampling of Japanese music from the ’70s and ’80s. As for influences, Harley has recently taken a liking to ’80s Japanese pop artists like Yamashita. For Henriquez, artists like Toro y Moi helped him gain confidence in his
singing, while technically and lyrically, rappers like Childish Gambino and André 3000 inspire him to strengthen his skills. “I like to stress having bars,” Eddy said. “I can’t do the current trend of rapping now. I could do it if I wanted, but it’s just not me.” In the oversaturated market of trap
oriented hip-hop, Swami and Eddy offer up a fresh take on old traditions while staying true to their own styles. You can hear “PiNK” on Eddy’s SoundCloud. Email Kamau Little-Tree Holston at music@nyunews.com.
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Steinhardt junior Eddy Henriquez, who collaborated with Swami Sound on “PiNK.”
Steinhardt Students Experiment at Bleep Bloop
COURTESY OF CLAIRE FOLGER
A Steinhardt student performing at Bleep Bloop.
By JOSHUA JONES Contributing Writer
Bleep Bloop is as zany as it sounds. NYU’s Bleep Bloop concert, which was held on Feb. 25, is a showcase featuring some of the most experimental music students have to offer. One of the school’s weirder events,
Bleep Bloop is organized by NYU Composers’ Collective, a group of Steinhardt students who put on concerts for students in the Music Composition program and by the Steinhardt Music Technology department, which was supplied the staggering mass of equipment required to host the concert. “This is basically as experimental
as it gets,” said Steinhart senior and Composers’ Collective Vice President Ellen Hardcastle, the student tasked with organizing the event. Bleep Bloop featured eight performances this year. The first artist was Music Technology graduate student Steven Nelson, who performed an original composition entitled
“Cracked.” The song is an ambient composition, sounding at times unsettling to the ears and at others, beautiful. Duo Steinhardt junior Theo Woodward and CUNY Brooklyn student Don Hollis followed with a piece entitled “River Phantom Spectral Display of the Shimmering Cloud for the Flowering Gnosis Ceremony.” The piece begins with a barrage of sounds, which eventually fuse into a cohesive track. Woodward provided the vocals, having been trained in North Indian classical vocal technique in the style of Kirana Gharana. The third performance, “Untitled” by TrGr, was one of the hardest to digest and describe. “Untitled” involved a series of distorted noises with trippy visuals accompanying TrGr in the background. Afterward, Bafometz –– Music Technology senior Brendan Metz –– introduced his improvisational “Etude En Sinusoids,” which began with a simple melody that eventually built upon itself, slowed down, distorted and faded into a mysterious oblivion. The program notes that “Etude En Sinusoids” and its improvisational nature come from the desire to make music that can only be performed once, never to be heard again. Next on stage was Steinhardt junior Daniel Ramirez performing “Wash and Filtration,” followed by Steinhardt senior Sebastian Zel and Steinhardt junior Rohan Chander. Performing their “Improv for Tabla and Live Electronics,” the duo sat on the floor as they too show-
cased an improvisational tune lit only by flashlights of the audience’s phones. The next artist, Steinhardt junior Amanda Berlind, played in an even darker environment –– the stage was only lit by her laptop and the screen behind her, itself mostly dark. The composition, “Lunch Time,” is a “rumination on nostalgia and lunch,” according to the program notes. The unique song sampled the sounds of birds chirping and food being eaten. Bon appetit indeed. Finally, Steinhardt graduate students Boris Nazarov and Erich Barganier ended the concert with “Manhattan Waltz Sequence,” which was a love letter to rent in New York City. The track involved electronic rhythms accompanied by a bowed mandolin, played by Nazarov and Barganier, respectively. One of the many aspects that separates Bleep Bloop from other events on campus is that every performance was supported by some form of visual accompaniment, ranging from simple to psychedelic. This is largely due in part to Tisch graduate student Dominick Chang, who received footage and imaging from the participating artists and distorted them. While Bleep Bloop isn’t NYU’s most well-known event, it’s certainly one of the most interesting. Email Joshua Jones at music@nyunews.com.
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FEATURES
nyunews.com Edited by Yasmin Gulec features@nyunews.com
NYFW: Fashion-Forward or Fashion-Dead?
STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE PEURRUNG
Audience members take photos and videos on their phones during the All Comes From Nothing FW18 show.
By TIANNE JOHNSON Contributing Writer
New York Fashion Week has always served as a window into the future of fash-
ion. Carrie Bradshaw, leading lady of “Sex and The City,” once said, “Every year, the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward for the future. This is known as Fashion Week.” Despite the fact that fashion week in New York City is often considered the pinnacle of sartorial showcases, this past NYFW was unusually quiet. With countless designers either choosing to show in Europe or choosing not to show at all, the Fall/Winter 2018 season marks a turning point in the popularity of NYFW as a whole. Born in Paris, fashion has always been cyclical and reflective of societal landscapes. Media outlets such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar used to study French fashion trends for inspiration, promoting inaccessible foreign styles to the U.S. market in their magazines. Shifting with time, and of course, geography, fashion didn’t make its official debut in the United States until World War II. Once Paris became involved in the war, fashion professionals could no longer go there to work. In 1943, the U.S finally had the opportunity to become the fashion
Keeping NYU’s Spirit Alive By TIANNE JOHNSON Contributing Writer
It’s no secret that NYU offers a unique college experience. After all, we are in and of the city with school buildings scattered throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Unfortunately, due to the dispersed layout of our “campus” and a lack of the hallmarks of college, like a football team, many students have accepted how little spirit there is. NYU’s lack of school spirit was evident during Spirit Week, which started on Feb. 18. Despite its well-organized events, many students didn’t care to show up or participate. Gallatin first-year Serena Shen said she doesn’t mind the lack of participation and school spirit. She feels that her college experience has been fulfilling without the traditions and characteristics of some other big universities. “Since we don’t have a football team, I don’t really think it matters if we’re spirited or not,” Shen said. “Even though school spirit and sports are part of the ‘American university experience,’ I actually like that NYU doesn’t participate in that.” On the other hand, CAS first-year Natalie Munda believes there is spirit at NYU — it just manifests itself in different ways. She has noticed it among various groups and inner circles on campus, but wishes it was expressed more unanimously throughout the school. “We have school spirit, but when do we show it?” Munda said. “Where and how do we express it? I would like to see more school spirit on campus.” Although many students feel underwhelmed by NYU’s spirit, student organizations continue to encourage school pride through activities and events. Every year, the All-University Events
Committee hosts the official Violet 100: NYU Spirit Week, which features numerous activities each day of the week. This year, Spirit Week consisted of the All-University Games at Chelsea Piers, the annual UltraViolet Live talent show, a TedxNYU event and Violet Ball, to name a few. CAS senior Amanda Regalado, chair of the All-University Events Committee of the Student Government Assembly, participated in her fourth year of helping coordinate Spirit Week. One of the biggest challenges Regalado faces in this position is hyping up the students for events like Violet 100. “Spirit at NYU looks different than other college campuses,” Regalado said. “[Students] don’t paint their stomachs violet or sing the alma mater [song]. Violet 100 gives NYU students an opportunity to change that and be spirited, even if it is just for the week.” According to Regalado, Violet 100 is SGA’s biggest job of the year. This year, 300 people attended the All-U Games and 1000 people attended the Violet Ball. With every round of Violet 100, the All-U Committee takes on the task of finding ways to garner excitement. “Some things we do to boost excitement include handing out swag and ticket giveaways,” Regalado said. Events like Violet 100 are necessary for keeping our school spirit — even if sparse — alive. Students like Regalado make increasing school spirit their priority. Violet 100 will continue to build community and allow students to join as one. “Just because NYU spirit looks different than it looks at other schools, doesn’t mean NYU lacks spirit,” Regalado said. “The high participation in each of our events proves the NYU community [can] rally together.” Email Tianne Johnson at features@nyunews.com.
hub it is today. Fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert was the first to seize this opportunity. Through work with the New York Dress Institute, Lambert organized a showcase for U.S. designers to introduce their work directly to national and regional media outlets. New York Fashion Week, originally named Press Week by Lambert, took place in Manhattan’s Bryant Park for many years until 2010. With movies like “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The September Issue,” attending NYFW used to be seen as a once in a lifetime experience, bringing thousands of onlookers to Bryant Park each year. But now, many top U.S. designers are shifting their focus back to European markets such as Milan, London and, of course, Paris — leaving people to wonder if NYFW is dead. Home to some of fashion’s most luxurious brands, like Chanel, Christian Dior and Louis Vuitton, Paris’ fashion scene remains extremely competitive. Top brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Rebecca Minkoff and Proenza Schouler all skipped out on NYFW this year with many hit-
ting the European scene instead, hosting shows during Paris Fashion Week or Milan Fashion Week. The decline of NYFW can be in part traced back to the rising influence of social media. The front rows of NYFW shows are now filled with social media influencers and fashion bloggers, sitting in seats where fashion professionals like Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington used to reign supreme. Additionally, it is not uncommon to see the rows of NYFW shows full of bright, blinding smartphone screens pointed right at the models, instantly feeding the runway experience to everyone on social media. Once unattainable, NYFW shows have now become available to anyone on apps like Snapchat, Periscope and Instagram, decreasing the demand for a seat at NYFW shows has declined. Furthermore, putting on a NYFW show can range anywhere from 100,000 to one million dollars, causing many brands to seek more cost-efficient ways of advertising their collections to today’s technology-obsessed consumers. One brand, rag & bone, completely opted out of NYFW and
instead released a creative video showcasing their spring 2018 collection. With fewer big names participating in NYFW, it has become more of a platform for budding designers to showcase their collections. Nina Tiari, an NYU and Parsons alumna, was among the many upand-coming designers to showcase their collections this year for NYFW. Despite the shifting direction of fashion, there are a few big designers still contributing to the legacy of NYFW. High fashion designer and Tisch and Parsons alumnus Tom Ford, didn’t skip out on NYFW this year. In his Spring/Summer 2018 NYFW show, Ford debuted an ’80s-chic inspired line of ready-to-wear dresses and pantsuits. While the future of NYFW may be unsure, the fluctuating levels of popularity that each fashion week receives mirror that of the fickle nature of fashion. It seems that we may have to get used to seeing our favorite shows reflected through our iPhone screens or get used to the idea that NYFW might not be around for much longer. Email Tianne Johnson at bstyle@nyunews.com.
Gallatin Designers Celebrate Eco-Friendly Fashion By SHANNON HU Contributing Writer
“Do you like fish? Well, you’re eating plastic” Gallatin alumna Shayna Feuer and Steinhardt senior Taylor Ralph sang at the Gallatin Fashion Show on March 3. Their performance brought chuckles among the audience, but more notably, a message: the polyester fibers from your cheap garments wash into the sea and do all sorts of harm. These calls for increased social awareness didn’t come from nowhere as the theme for this year’s fashion show was (eco)uture — a tribute to the fashion show’s first theme in 2010. (eco)uture wishes to celebrate Mother Earth and sustainable fashion. Student and alumni designers addressed issues like toxic dyes, pesticides, plastic polluting waters and textile waste from fast fashion trends. The runway was graced by bright miniskirts made from Cheetos packets and floor-length black embellished gowns alike. If you
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
A look from Gallatin senior Ryan Andrewsen’s collection Situ, featuring red suspenders made from old ties.
couldn’t be there on Friday night, here’s what you missed: The show opened with Feuer’s collection, Ocean Flor. Her runway was illuminated by beautiful, calming projections of sunlit water. Her looks, however, painted another picture: shimmering fabrics referencing the waves, sand, even the scales of fish were interrupted by references to human waste such as a large fishnet draped over the shoulders, plastic bags around the neck, waist and hem, plastic chokers and broken shell necklaces. This display in conjunction with NYU alumna Madeline Dolgin’s use of natural nontoxic dyes and renewable resources like paper in her collection, Weathering Away, called attention to the human destruction of the environment. The show then progressed to the most high-spirited and humorous part of the night: Gallatin alumna Victoria Robichaud’s collection, TRASHWOMEN. It juxtaposed literal trash like plastic Cheetos bags with symbols of cultural trashiness like reality TV, memes and streetwear trends. Her introductory video mimicked TV interviews with narcissistic celebrities, and models rocked the runway with clout glasses, a full container of Tide Pods and literal trash bag dresses. They they pulled it off with a hilarious, brash confidence. Most collections focused on giving old pieces of clothing a second life. In Gallatin senior Ryan Andrewsen’s In Situ, old pieces were given new purposes, such as red ties used as suspender straps. Gallatin senior Victor Leonard reworked scrapped pieces of denim, one of the industry’s most environmentally damaging products due to its dyes and acid washes. Gallatin alumna Rachel Wang used beautifully printed fabrics discarded from previous shows in her collection, Opus Caementicium, and Gallatin senior
Jacqueline Sushan made a statement by instructing models to carry scraps from sewing onto the runway in clothbags in her collection, (Re)claim. The pieces were unique, yet all effectively embodied the message of reducing waste. One show combined multiple designers under a single project, which was for a Gallatin seminar dedicated to design in an era of climate change. Students were challenged to make a life jacket into a fashion statement. Some decorated it with images of beaches that will soon be eaten up by rising sea levels, others deconstructed the jacket and re-purposed the material into hats, shirts, a reversible bomber jacket and even a chastity belt. The diverse range of the seven designs was both interesting and compelling, and appealed to other relevant issues like the refugee crisis along with the eco-friendly focus of the night. To counter the trends of fast fashion and textile waste, many designers focused on creating high quality, long-lasting pieces. Gallatin first-year Sanjula Singh’s collection, Bellezzo della Natura, and Selly Djap’s collection, Trauma, opted for intricate, time-consuming embroidery referencing the detail of haute couture. Selly said that the collection depicts her personal response to dealing with trauma. A piano rendition of Amazing Grace, which was playing in the background, complimented the graceful, permanent feel of the resolution both she and her work exemplified. The Gallatin Fashion Show was a remarkable display of talent and keen social awareness among the young designers. It told both a celebratory yet cautionary tale of Mother Nature’s beauty — this is (eco)uture. Email Shannon Hu at bstyle@nyunews.com.
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FEATURES
Edited by Yasmin Gulec features@nyunews.com
The Fine Art of Drunk Dining
STAFF PHOTO BY SAM KLEIN
McDonald’s on Broadway.
eclectic featuring anything your intoxicated mind could dream up — from soft serve to mozzarella sticks. It is known for its beignets, which are my personal favorite. There may be a bit of a wait, but try and hold it out. The greasy plate stacked so high with powdered sugar is a sight to behold, and although by the end of the meal, you’ll ineitably end up looking like Paris Hilton leaving a club in 2004, it’s wrth the sacrifice. Ray may even give you more beignets than you ordered — something he does often. Even if you aren’t craving food and just want a precious smiling face to greet you at 4 a.m., Ray’s is the place to go.
By SCOTT HOGAN Staff Writer
It is 3 a.m., you’re covered in sweat, exhausted after hours of dancing and walking from party to party. Whatever polished look you left your apartment in hours earlier eroded somewhere between the pregame and the postgame. You’re beaten and battered but you are a warrior, and from somewhere deep within your alcohol-soaked body a primal war cry arises calling for one thing: food. But where to go? From one broke college student to another, here’s a list of the best places to get late night snacks.
RAY’S CANDY STORE 113 AVE. A
Walk in any hour of the night and expect to see Ray smiling and waiting to take your order. The menu is huge and
EAST VILLAGE PIZZA 145 FIRST AVE.
For the times when you want a hot, cheesy slice of pizza, but also want chicken wings, and garlic knots and then maybe some chicken parm, head over to East Village Pizza on First Avenue. The menu is full of all the late night munchies your heart desires.
THE DONUT PUB 203 W. 14TH ST.
If you’re a night owl with a sweet tooth, the Donut Pub will satisfy all of your sinful cravings. Open since 1964, the Donut Pub is certainly a well-established West Village institution with the sweets to back it up. Offering a quaint diner aesthetic with creative doughnut creations and a variety of other tempting pastries, you’re bound to find something to take care of your sugary cravings. Open 24 hours, it’s the perfect place to end a night out.
POMME FRITES 128 MACDOUGAL ST.
Open until 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 1 a.m. for the rest of the week, the iconic Pomme Frites has been an NYU late night snack staple for years. Its Belgium cut fries topped with the creamy sauce of your choice has the perfect ratio of crunchy fry to silky sauce. If you want to keep it light, go with the classic, complimentary malt vinegar. The servers also give you a ridiculous amount of fries so you can split with friends, or just eat them alone in your bed and wake up covered in aioli.
MCDONALD’S 724 BROADWAY
McDonald’s is like an old friend who never lets you down. Yes, you may never even dream of biting into a Big Mac during the day, but when the sun goes down and the bar lets out you’ll inevitably realize that nothing less than a crispy McNugget complimented perfectly by the tangy smokiness of the Signature Sauce will satisfy your cravings. 24-hour McDonald’s are the mecca of late night cheap eating, and they have the best fries ever. You may wake up hating yourself for eating so much the night before, but remember the pure bliss you experienced while mindlessly chewing on whatever greasy snack you couldn’t live without. And remember that you’ll inevitably do the same next weekend; it’s the circle of life. Email Scott Hogan at dining@nyunews.com.
Family Matters: Austrian Kaiserschmarrn By SOPHIE BRACH Contributing Writer
Family Matters is a series showcasing cherished family recipes. This week we’re covering grandma’s secret recipe for a popular Austrian sweet. If you have ever been to Austria, you should know that the traditional food there is amazing. Having created popular dishes like the Schnitzel or the sweet Apfelstrudel — a Central European take on apple pie — the Austrians definitely know what they are doing when it comes to cooking. When my grandma lived in Bavaria, Germany and therefore, in close proximity to Austria, she picked up a lot of delicious recipes — one of them being the famous Kaiserschmarrn, which was a childhood favorite of mine and has been one of our traditional family recipes ever since. Admittedly, Kaiserschmarrn does not seem to be more than a messed-up pancake — and frankly, I am positive that this is how it came to existence — but trust me, these pillows of light, caramelized dough taste like so much more than that. Most of all, this dish is affordable and so easy to make that I would almost call it foolproof. Here is what you need to give Kaiserschmarrn a try:
• • • • •
Four egg yolks Four egg whites One-eighth cup of sugar A pinch of salt One tablespoon of vanilla extract • One-and-a-half cups of milk • Half cup of all-purpose flour • Two tablespoons of butter • (not oil — my grandma insists) • Powdered sugar • Fruit of your choice Preparing the batter for Kaiserschmarrn is simple and quick. First, beat the egg yolks, the sugar, the salt and the vanilla with a whisk until the mixture has an airy consistency. Add the milk, and then slowly pour in the flour to avoid lumps. For an extra light and fluffy Kaiserschmarrn, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and carefully stir them into the batter. When your mixture is well combined, melt the butter in a pan, add the batter and on low heat, let it set and brown for five to six minutes. Turn over the pancake and let it cook for three more minutes before breaking it up with a spatula into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle in some powdered sugar for caramelization, and gently toss the pieces for another five minutes. Arrange the Kaiserschmarrn on a big plate, cover it with some more powdered sugar and enjoy it with some fruit — Austrians usually serve
the dish with applesauce or plums, but this is your chance to be creative and put your own spin on the recipe by combining it with other kinds of fruit and — if you want go to all out — whipped cream. So, if you are now craving this heavenly, sweet meal, do not hesitate to treat yourself once in a while with this fast and easy European delicacy or to impress your friends with your newly acquired Austrian cooking skills. By the way, I have more good news for those of you with an extraordinarily big sweet tooth: in Austria, this dish is not merely regarded as an indulgent breakfast or dessert but rather as a full lunch, so here is your excuse for indulging dessert first absolutely guilt-free. Email Sophie Brach at dining@nyunews.com.
PHOTO BY SOPHIE BRACH
A family favorite Austrian sweet, Kaiserschmarrn made by Sophie Brach.
STAFF PHOTO BY TONY WU
A student sleeping on the floor in the 5th floor lounge in Bobst.
WSN’s Guide to Sleeping on Campus By LAURA RUBIO Staff Writer
Being a college student means knowing how to skim readings, manage your time and — maybe most importantly — nap on command. The demands of classes, internships and various clubs can take a toll on anyone, so WSN compiled a guide of the best snooze spots on campus.
TISCH HALL
Located inside the Stern School of Business, Tisch Hall is ideal for a midday knock out. Stern first-year Francesca Dimitrakis said she likes the convenience of the location. “I like to nap in the upper concourse lounge in Tisch Hall because there’s a long couch, and it’s usually quiet and not crowded,” Dimitrakis said. “It’s also convenient since all my classes are there, so I don’t have to leave.” It’s a daily grind for the Business and Finance majors at NYU, but that’s all the more reason for them to slow down. After all, even CEOs need their rest. LIPTON COMMUTER LOUNGE Best known for its cookies and recent dining disasters, Lipton Residence Hall can handle lethargy. It has a quiet and peaceful downstairs area filled with couches and comfy chairs. Students can take a quick nap before a class in the Washington Square Park area or take advantage of this lounge for a post-lunch siesta. ALUMNI HALL AND OTHER NEAR-CAMPUS DORMS Some students are lucky enough to live right on campus and catnap in their own rooms. That may not apply to you, but you might have a great friend who is willing to lend you their bed, which is the case for Tisch sophomore Simone St Pierre. “I really love to nap in my friend’s bed at Alumni [Residence Hall],” St Pierre said. “She is very kind and
leaves her door unlocked, so if I have an hour before class or just need some solid horizontal time before grinding at [the Elmer Holmes Bobst library], it truly is the spot.” With midterm season coming up, it might be a good time to find a room of rest.
CLASSROOMS UNDER NYU STARBUCKS AT FAYE’S
This is my personal favorite place to doze off, so let’s keep it between you and me. The basement of Starbucks at Faye’s is one of the coziest atmospheres on campus. Because it’s one floor underground and there are only a handful of classrooms, it’s my go-to slumber chamber. There are long benches where you can stretch out — though you might want a coat or backpack to cushion your head. It still takes the silver medal because once you’re recharged, a hot cup of Starbucks coffee is only a flight of stairs away.
BOBST LIBRARY
The Big Kahuna, the holy Mecca of resting places — our number one spot is the library. The epicenter of student life, Bobst is where NYU students go to study, stress cry and sleep. It’s 12 stories high, and according to NYU, receives 10,000 visits per day. While many visits are surely for study sessions, I wouldn’t be surprised if a good chunk were for sleeping too. When it comes to Bobst, it seems that the higher you go, the quieter it gets. If you need a little ambient noise to fall asleep, try the carpeted area to the right of the main entrance. This section is well lit, but you can doze off to the sound of footsteps and casual conversation. If you’re looking for true silence, the 10th floor is the place to be. It’s so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Additionally, you get to doze off to spectacular sights of skyscrapers. Email Laura Rubio at features@nyunews.com.
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OPINION
nyunews.com Edited by Tyler Crews opinion@nyunews.com
POLITICS
Fund the Hudson Rail Tunnel
By ALI ZIMMERMAN Deputy Opinions Editor
Last January, President Donald Trump declared in his inaugural address that improving national infrastructure would be a focus of his administration. As it turns out, this is yet another empty promise. The Gateway Program, a multi-billion dollar plan to replace the rail tunnel under the Hudson River to alleviate commuter traffic between New York and New Jersey, was launched under Barack Obama’s administration and was labeled an infrastructural priority. Amtrak, which owns the current, decaying tunnel under the Hudson River, said the new Hudson Rail Tunnel could reduce traffic between New York and New Jersey by as much as 75 per-
cent. However, in April 2017, just months into his presidency, Trump, a native New Yorker, started a war on his home turf. He proposed a budget that slashed funding to the Gateway Program and several similar projects in cities like Los Angeles and Kansas City, insisting they should be funded locally. Then in September 2017, Trump met with top political officials from New York and New Jersey to discuss the Gateway Program. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the meeting was inconclusive with regard to Trump’s stance on rebuilding the tunnel. But as rail lines between the two states remain congested with commuters, Trump is playing politics, urging Republicans in Congress to oppose funding for the Gateway Program simply
because he believes it is important to top Democrats, particularly Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Trump has grown increasingly upset with Democrats in Congress under Schumer leadership for blocking his nominee picks to fill government positions. He is using the Gateway Program as political leverage. The Hudson Rail Tunnel could be a great resource for NYU students and faculty — particularly
those who commute from New Jersey. Trump’s petty vendetta to shut down the plan, really, just to bully Chuck Schumer, could place the undue burden on the thousands, if not millions of people who commute from New Jersey to New York every day. The Gateway Program is an example of the government functioning as it should — alleviating simple, easily solvable problems to make the lives of the citizens that much easier. Though more costly than projected — estimates for the expenses near $30 billion rather than the projected $11 billion — the Gateway Program is well within the reach of the federal government’s budget. His handling of the Gateway Program is yet another example of
Trump stepping on his own toes and backpedalling on campaign promises to prove a point. Though certainly not his most malicious act as president, cutting funding to the Hudson Rail Tunnel project proves Trump’s carelessness as a leader — picking fights and deliberately undermining the legislative process at the expense of the people. Building a new tunnel under the Hudson River is far overdue and could be of great convenience to many in the NYU community and beyond, but the president is far more concerned with taunting Democrats than delivering on one of his most achievable promises. Email Ali Zimmerman at azimmerman@nyunews.com.
GOVERNMENT
Georgia’s Unjust Spiritual Shield By VICTOR PORCELLI Staff Writer
On Feb. 23, the Georgia State Senate passed bill SB-375, which allows child welfare agencies –– including adoption and foster care agencies –– to invoke religious freedom as a reason to avoid placing children with same-sex couples. Although religious freedom is a pillar of the United States, equality is its foundation. Allowing religion to be used as an excuse to discriminate sets a dangerous precedent that further reduces same-sex couples to second-class citizens. Unfortunately, Georgia would not be the first to pass such a law. In fact, it would be the eighth state to allow child welfare agencies to deny service to same-sex couples if it feels as
though its religious beliefs are being violated. However, Georgia specifically has a large number of potentially affected couples and children. For starters, there are almost 14,000 children in foster care in Georgia. Of the 49 foster care and adoption agencies in Georgia that may aid these children, 14 are religiously affiliated. Georgia is home to a large LGBT population, with about 300,000 LGBT citizens and over 21,000 same-sex couples. Furthermore, about 29 percent of the LGBT population are raising children. Such an impactful bill should have a clearly defined, persuasive purpose. The law cites an agency’s “sincerely held religious beliefs” as just reason for deferral of service. However, even among Christians, what the Bible says about homosexuality
is under dispute. Some say the Bible clearly condemns homosexuality, with Focus on the Family stating “there is simply no scriptural support for endorsing sexual immorality (i.e., sexual activity outside the bond of heterosexual marriage).” Yet others, such as the Human Rights Compaign, argue that there is nothing in the Bible that prohibits homosexuality. The few times the Bible does reference homosexuals, it condemns them
not because of their sexuality but for things like worshipping “false gods.” People argue that the concept of homosexuality was foreign to many during Biblical times and that to read the Bible as homophobic is to allow cultural biases to corrupt one’s religious beliefs. Regardless of what the Bible says, religion as a whole does not provide people with a free pass to discriminate. As important as it is to allow for religious freedom, equality is more important. If religious values were allowed to justify discrimination, a dangerous precedent would be set. This would not be the first time religion was used to discriminate. Whether citing the Bible passage about Adam’s rib to support sexism, or passages sanctifying en-
slavement to advocate for slavery, religion has provided those who wish to treat others as lesser with a spiritual shield. We as a society must decide what values we want to encourage. Although religious freedom is a cornerstone of the U.S., religious beliefs should not be allowed to justify violating another’s rights. Especially since such justification would not hold if used to discriminate based on race or gender, it is unfair to say that same-sex citizens are less important. Doing so would only make it more clear that our culture has not progressed enough to allow true equality, as another minority group is in the ring, fighting for its rights. Email Victor Porcelli at opinion@nyunews.com.
POLITICS
Don’t Underestimate the Power of Resistance By PAOLA NAGOVITCH Deputy Opinion Editor
Widespread student activism has emerged in the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida on Feb. 14. Students and teachers have united to stage protests in Florida and across the country in support of increased gun control. To belittle this movement’s effectiveness by citing U.S. divisiveness and the National Rifle Association’s influence is the wrong attitude. Controversy fuels — not weakens — political activism in the United States, and the perseverance of these activists can lead to victories in policy reform and the overall improvement of American society. While these protests may not directly guarantee students’ safety from gun violence, these students are brave heroes who have used their experiences
to ignite an unwavering national movement. Their endurance could very well lead to reform — don’t discredit their efforts just yet. Peaceful protests have the capacity to cause positive change. There have been numerous successful protests throughout American history. The Abolitionist Movement, beginning in the 1830s, advocated for the emancipation of all slaves. The movement’s supporters faced significant resistance and opposition until the 13th amendment was ratified in 1865. During his March on Washington For Jobs and Freedom in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and later met with former President John. F Kennedy to discuss racial inequality. Following King’s movement, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were instituted. Countless protests were staged through-
out the country for LGBTQ rights, including the 1993 March on Washington for LGBT Equal Rights and Liberation. The efforts of the LGBTQ community and allies eventually resulted in the legalization of same-sex marriage in the U.S. in 2015. These three movements, along with many more, emerged over controversial issues. Nevertheless, they overcame resistance and persisted all the way to triumph. How MLK became the face of the civil rights movement, the students of Stoneman Douglas High School could become the face of gun re-
form in the U.S. Describing the NRA as a major economic agent fighting to diminish the gun reform movement is generous. While the NRA lines the pockets of many politicians with millions of dollars, the NRA’s power is crumbling. With #BoycottNRA trending on Twitter and multiple companies cutting ties with the association, the NRA no longer holds the pro-gun political monopoly it once did. As the NRA’s empire crumbles, Congress feels the pressure of the American public, especially in the context of the upcoming midterm elections. Led by the students in Florida, more protests and walkouts will continue to rally the public in favor of gun control, and Congress will have to discuss the problem and eventually enact policy change. The Parkland students have successfully taken over social media sites to disseminate their message. The Republican-controlled Congress
may not want to hear or agree with their arguments, but it won’t be able to escape them. This movement is not giving up, and their ability to bombard senators and representatives through social media has made them impossible to ignore. The role of social media as it maintains the endurance of this movement should give gun reform allies hope. If Congress does institute gun control, it would be the first step in a long trajectory to make the U.S. safer. However, President Donald Trump has already called for better gun control despite his ties to the NRA. Even companies such as Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart have raised the minimum age for gun buyers to 21 years old and discontinued assault-style rifles. Don’t dismiss the effectiveness of peaceful protests just yet. Email Paola Nagovitch at pnagovitch@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News | Monday, March 5, 2018
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OPINION
Edited by Tyler Crews opinion@nyunews.com
UNIVERSITY LIFE STAFF EDITORIAL
Ditch the Dorm After First Year By BETH SATTUR Staff Writer
The dorm experience is vital for first-year students to make friends and generally learn how to live with other people who aren’t family. At NYU, first-years enjoy some of the best dorming options on campus. For example, the first-year dorms Lipton Residence Hall, Goddard Residence Hall, Rubin Residence Hall and Weinstein Residence Hall are all within a five-minute walk of the general campus area. There are also three dining halls in first-year dorms all less than a 15-minute walk from Washington Square Park. There are many alluring benefits to living in first-year housing, but by sophomore year, it’s time to start looking off campus for housing. After the first year, the number of dorming options drops significantly. First-years have nine options, while there are 13 for upperclassmen and two for graduate students, not counting the Brooklyn housing options. There are more upperclassmen dorms, but first-years are only one class of students; upperclassmen dorms are supposed to house sophomores, ju-
niors and seniors. These options are also far less desirable than the firstyear ones. The upperclassmen dorms are at least a 15-minute walk from campus, and in the cases of Lafayette Street Residence Hall and Gramercy Green Residence Hall, the farthest from campus in either direction, the walk can be approximately 25-30 minutes. The University Transportation Services bus is an option, but it is somewhat erratic and changes its route on the weekends, making it difficult for students living in Gramercy or Lafayette to travel to other NYU buildings. The biggest problem for upperclassmen housing, however, is the price. At Broome Street Residence Hall, one of the cheaper options for upperclassman housing, the price is roughly $13,000 for a nine-month tenure for a “low-cost housing” room.
At NYU, low-cost housing is usually code for room with a ventilation gap or forced triple, so it is not by any means a comfortable living arrangement. By contrast, low-cost housing at Goddard or Rubin is about $11,000 for nine months — $2,000 makes a huge difference. Instead of settling for dorms that are far from campus and lack accommodations, NYU students should seek off-campus housing after their first year. Manhattan real estate prices might be a little intimidating, but living with roommates and looking in the right places can make the options much more affordable. I myself live in a four-bedroom apartment in the East Village, about a 20-minute walk from campus, and it costs $1050 a month plus utilities. I have my own bedroom, a luxury that can cost over $20,000 a year in some NYU residence halls.. By moving off-campus after their first year, NYU students can save a lot of money and experience more freedom than they can in the dorms. Don’t be afraid of the rental world of Manhattan — embrace it. Email Beth Sattur at opinion@nyunews.com.
CULTURE
Reclaim Women’s History Month By IGNANGELI SALINAS-MUÑIZ Staff Writer
March 1 marks the start of Women’s History Month, like it has since its official inception in 1987. For many, this is a time to honor female leaders and their positive impacts on society, but for some, it seems to have become a meaningless tradition. President Donald Trump has stalled progress on reproductive rights and would rather have his party control Congress than stand up against sexual harassers, as the Roy Moore scandal illustrated. Instead of owning up to his policies, he proudly announced the start of Women’s History Month this Wednesday saying, “we will support women throughout our society … we remember that women must always have access to all the opportunities that our nation has to offer.” The sheer hypocrisy of this statement undermines part of the significance of Women’s History Month. It is crucial for us to reclaim this month as a tool to teach and advocate for equity. Therefore, I encourage the New York City community and student body at NYU to not let this opportunity slip and to use it to build perspective and connections. There are many upcoming events in New York City and at NYU that students
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can use to celebrate Women’s History Month. Women’s Herstory Month, an NYU student organization, will be planning a wide range of activities. There will be panels, clothes swaps, concerts, film screenings and more. The objective of the organization is to recognize people who have been affected by gender inequality. A Women’s Herstory Month coordinator, Gallatin senior Romie Williams, who is also president of the Feminist of Color Collective, has assured that the committee has planned a variety of activities. If students are interested in volunteering, they should feel free to sign up to help coordinate and work in some events. The United Nations is hosting events related to women’s issues. Additionally, Feminist collectives such as the Sister Diaspora for Liberation will also host events on International Women’s Day on March 8. The motto for this month is “Neverthe-
less, She Persisted,” a feminist battle cry in response to the silencing of Elizabeth Warren during a Senate debate over Trump’s nomination and a reminder of the necessity of persistence in the women’s rights movement. This year’s theme should inspire us to use Women’s History Month to re-emphasize the importance of working toward women’s liberation. While some may think that women’s struggles ended at the polls in 1918, history and the present situation beg to differ. Gender Equality is one of the UN’s Sustainable Development goals. Child marriage, scarce education opportunities and the fact that 35 percent of women have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence are signs that equality for women is still far from reality. Moreover, in Congress, 111 women hold seats, out of a total of 535. In the New York City government, women are still largely underrepresented. Women’s History Month reminds us that we have come a long way, but the battle is still far from over. Email Ignangeli Salinas-Muñiz at opinion@nyunews.com.
Leverage NYU’s Influence to Enact Gun Control
The shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14 served as a wake-up call for many students at NYU and across the country. In the aftermath, students have mourned the lives lost and stepped forward as activists for increased gun control. NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing has signed a letter in support of gun control, making its position clear. However, it is now time for President Andrew Hamilton to call for significant gun control reform on behalf of NYU as a university. Rory Meyers signed a letter by the American Academy of Nursing calling on Congress to create a bipartisan National Commission on Mass Shootings in the next 30 days. The letter, signed by 96 other organizations, identifies strategies to address seven challenges imposed by gun violence. The American Academy of Nursing urges the commission to take measures such as the establishment of an universal background check system that identifies a gun applicant’s dangerous history and requires all purchasers of guns to complete a background check, the enforcement of laws prohibiting high-risk individuals from purchasing firearms, the prohibition of assault weapon sales and the improvement of healthcare professionals’ role in preventing gun violence. The example set by Rory Meyers should be followed by the rest of NYU. Hamilton has yet to make a statement specific to the events at Stoneman Douglas and the student activist movement that result, which is surprising, considering that Hamilton is not a stranger to political activism. In September 2017 Hamilton wrote to 31 members of Congress, imploring them to protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students. Later, in December 2017, Hamilton again wrote to members of Congress to outline concerns about provisions in the tax bill that could be harmful to students and faculty at universities. As the largest private university in the United States, with an extensive alumni network, NYU’s words do have the potential to bear significant weight within the political landscape. The question is, why isn’t Hamilton speaking up about this? There have been over 12 school shootings within the span of two months, which should warrant a response from the president of a leading educational institution. Gun violence is an issue that directly impacts the safety of each and every member of the NYU community; therefore, we would like to see Hamilton address this issue with the same fervor as he has with other issues in the past. We urge Hamilton to use his platform as president of NYU to advocate for gun control. Hamilton must address the NYU community and their safety concerns first and then call for the creation of the bipartisan commission outlined by the American Academy of Nursing by writing to members of Congress and utilizing connections with New York City legislators. We have seen admirable activism from students at Stoneman Douglas, NYU and beyond. Now we would like to see Hamilton follow the students’ lead. Email the WSN Editorial Board at opinion@nyunews.com EDITORIAL BOARD: Tyler Crews (Chair), Paola Nagovitch (Co-chair), Alison Zimmerman (Co-chair) STAFF PHOTO BY ANNA LETSON
Send mail to: 75 Third Ave. #SB07, New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 450 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title. WSN does
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Washington Square News | Monday, March 5, 2018
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SPORTS Keeping up with the
Edited by Maddie Howard sports@nyunews.com
BOBCATS
Baseball March 6
Men’s Tennis March 8
Wrestling March 9
vs. St. Joseph’s College - Brooklyn
at The College of New Jersey
NCAA Championships at Quicken Loans Arena
NYU Hockey Concludes First Club Division I Season By WARNER RADLIFF Staff Writer
Facing a one goal deficit and only one minute left in regulation, the NYU hockey team traded its goalie for an extra skater in an effort to force overtime and keep the possibility to compete in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League Championship alive. However, the empty-net strategy did not pay off before time expired and the team’s postseason run ended in a 3-2 downfall against eventual ESCHL runner-up SUNY Stony Brook. The semifinal loss marked the end of the program’s first season of Division I competition and lost the Violets a qualifying spot in the American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I National Championships. Although the team fell short of expectations, the coaches and players viewed the season as a learning experience and a good opportunity to adjust the new level of competition. Entering the season, the team said it had the same expectations for success as it had in the Division II ranks. However, the 2015 and 2017 ACHA Division II national champions faced greater challenges at the Division I
level such as tighter games against deeper rosters and limited scoring opportunities. Head Coach Chris Cosentino further stressed the importance of consistently securing wins against tougher competition. “The biggest thing we learned this year is how hard it is to win at this level and how important it is to respect the process,” Cosentino said. “You need to be prepared to work hard, take advantage of opportunities and be disciplined every night. Consistency was a big issue with this young group.” CAS sophomore and defenseman Giancarlo Pochintesta said understanding the dynamic of Division I competition allowed the team to establish itself in the second half of the season and develop expectations that will serve as the groundwork come fall. “Looking back on this year, it was those first few weekends that came back to haunt us in terms of national rankings,” Pochintesta said. “I think that we now understand the type of effort and consistency we have to play with from September through March and we will go into next season better prepared.” In preparing for the 2018-2019
season, Cosentino said the team will focus on improving its special teams and physical discipline in order to take advantage of the limited opportunities that exist in terms of time and space at the Division I level. “Both our power play and penalty kill need to be much better next season,” Cosentino said. “Plus, we need to be more prepared to compete for 60 minutes every night. We had stretches this year where we took the foot off the gas for parts of a game that came back to bite us.” Assistant coach Spencer Varney said that the team will also work on strengthening its transition game in terms of breakouts and neutral zone containment both on special teams and at full strength. “The competition will make you pay if you turn the puck over and give them time and space,” Varney said in a phone interview with WSN. “We want to instill [in] the team more options and more opportunities in transition to be faster and work as a unit.” Both Cosentino and Varney said that the Violets will be playoff competitors next season thanks to the new leadership that will replace Calvin Burkhart,
VIA NYU.EDU
Team photo of the 2017-2018 hockey team.
Michael Conslato, Charles Arsenescu and Steven Esposito, all of whom set the standard for the program’s rising talent. One player to watch in the coming season is forward Scott Mulligan. The SPS sophomore scored the game-winning goal of the 2017 National Championship as a freshman and netted three overtime goals and a deciding shootout goal in his sophomore campaign. According to Coach Varney,
Mulligan is expected to continue his instrumental role as a leading scorer for the Violets. Coach Varney said the team will return to the Chelsea Piers Sky Rink in the fall as a more disciplined squad with expectations set on nothing less than winning the ACHA Division I National Championship. Email Warner Radliff at sports@nyunews.com.
Women’s Basketball Coach Earns 100th Win | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
STAFF PHOTO BY SAM KLEIN
Lauren Hall-Gregory, the women’s basketball team’s head coach, during a practice on Feb. 1. She recently earned her 100th win, while the team finished runner-up in the ECAC tournament.
“The thing I admire most, since working for Coach Hall[-Gregory] at NYU, is her genuine ability to care for each individual associated with the NYU Women’s basketball program,” Tierney said. “She understands her job isn’t just to win basketball games, but it is to continuously motivate young women and develop them to become strong, confident members of society.” Coaching was not a part of Hall-Gregory’s original career plan. After graduating from Hofstra, Hall-Gregory worked in sales for two years before returning to the court, this time as a coach. “The two years I took away from basketball were really purposeful and wonderful, but they also made me recognize how much I missed being a part of it,” Hall-Gregory said. “The people in my life who had the biggest impressions on me were my coaches, besides my parents. I wanted to be a positive force in a woman’s life and have that opportunity plus be involved in a sport that gave so much to me. So, [coaching] felt like an opportunity to give back to that.”
Read also said that Coach Hall-Gregory knows how to bring out the best in her players every time they step onto the court. “She is always pushing us to get better,” Read said. “Plus, I love how excited of a coach she gets, how intense she is because it just shows how much she cares about us getting a win.” Many of the team members
every day,” Gallatin senior and Captain Mikaela Pyatt said. While watching her players grow on and off the court is one of her greatest rewards, inevitably, there are times when Coach Hall-Gregory has to see her players struggle. “Although it’s one of my favorite parts to see how they rise to the occasion and what they learn
“
I’ve been a part of five very different rosters, but each and every year I feel as though I’m part of a family, an evolving family, but a family nonetheless. KAITLYN READ
” say they are inspired by Coach Hall-Gregory’s wisdom and her unwavering support both on and off the court. “Coach Hall taught me to never stop working hard or trying to get better. At the end of the day, you know she loves what she’s doing
from it, it’s also one of the hardest things, as a mom and person who cares for them,” Hall-Gregory said. “Sometimes I can help them, sometimes I can’t.” Email Bela Kirpalani at sports@nyunews.com.
Washington Square News | Monday, March 5, 2018
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EXPOSURE
Edited by Echo Chen multimedia@nyunews.com
Lookalike: Dogs and Their Owners By VERONICA LIOW Assistant Managing Editor
While walking around Washington Square Park, I noticed something strange: people look like their dogs. I saw dogs wearing the same colored coats as their owners. Some had the same fur color as their owners’ hair. Others simply resembled their owners all around, from their shapes to their demeanors. I’m not sure if it’s the owners who look like the dogs or the dogs who look like the owners; I’m not sure if it’s the owners who pick the dogs or the dogs who pick their owners. Regardless, the maxim — you become the people you surround yourself with — holds true, even if it’s between (wo)man and dog.
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