February 20, 2015 by The Pace Press

February 20, 2015

Volume 67 | Issue 6

the pace press

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Est. 1948

The Faces and Places Gentrification Left Behind continued on PAGE 10

INSIDE @thepacepress

NEWS

ARTS

FEATURES

Effort to save sinking Pleasantville campus pegged at $118 million Page 3

In Memoriam: Remembering Professor Tom Henthorne Page 8

Troubled student-facing offices singled out in review of University Page 11

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

February 20, 2015

Pace alumna crowned Miss New York USA

Thatiana Diaz, University alumna, is crowned Miss New York USA facebook.com/MissNewYorkUSA COURTNEY MICHELLE JOHNSON University alumna, Queens native and 2013-2014 Pace Press Features Editor Thatiana Diaz was crowned Miss New York USA on Jan. 18. Diaz is the 51st delegate to be added to the Miss USA 2015 roster. “I couldn’t see myself anywhere else, so why not represent it,” said Diaz of her journey to the Miss New York 2015 crown during an interview with New York 1 News. The renowned pageant competition features three equal phases of preliminary competition consisting of Swimsuit, Evening Gown and Private Interview portions.

The highest scoring contestants in the preliminary phases of the competition are named semi-finalists. The semi-finalists each compete during the final question phase for one of the five runners up spots. First runner up is crowned Miss New York. Diaz is no stranger to the pageant world, having competed in and won many beauty pageants locally and abroad. Diaz was most notably crowned Miss Teen New York USA, Miss Latina New York and earned a spot in the top 15 of Miss Teen USA. Most recently Diaz was crowned Miss Dominican Republic U.S. 2013 and competed for the title once more during 2014. Diaz plans to continue in her pageantry and run for Miss USA.

February 20, 2015

UNIVERSITY NEWS

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Pleasantville combats $9 million loss with $118m construction project Rapidly declining campus’ success said to be “critical” to University SHANNON MCMAHON Copy Editor Students have recently begun to express concern regarding the funding of the $118 million construction project taking place on the Pleasantville campus. The University’s Westchester locations suffered a loss of $9.6 million in the 2013 fiscal year, which slightly increased in the 2014 fiscal year. Both Pleasantville’s financial state and the high cost of the construction project raise a number of questions, which, until now, students have not been able to vocalize because this information was only shared with faculty and staff. “I didn’t know about it, but it makes sense that that’s where the money is coming from,” said senior Taryn Shank, a student on the New York City campus majoring in International Management, reacting to rumors of the NYC campus’ surplus funding the construction. Two aspects of the project have already been completed: updates to the Environmental Center and the Kessel Student Center, which houses the cafeteria and commuter lounges. Two fields will also be completed in the spring, as part of the athletics update. The most significant part of the project, however, is the construction of two new dormitories. Thomas Brady, Finance and Planning Treasurer, spoke of the new buildings, stating, “Similar to New York City, there’s two new residential facilities being built in Pleasantville. Most of the Pleasantville project cost is through the residential facilities that are being constructed.” The first of the two new facilities will open in the fall of 2015, and the second will open in the fall of 2016. Currently, there are roughly 550 dormitory beds in the Briarcliff dorm. After Briarcliff is sold, these will be replaced with fresh beds in the new dorms that are “much nicer and more expensive,” according to Brady. In addition to these replacement beds, 175 more will be added. “What’s very important about this isn’t just the physical buildings—it is also the redesign of the campus. The center of campus where most of this is going on was previously roads and parking lots, now it’s going to be more residential and pedestrian friendly—less cars, nice green space—more of expectations you have when you go to a suburban campus,” Brady said. Construction, which started one year ago, is set to wrap up in the summer of 2016. In regard to construction costs in the midst of a grave financial situation, Brady is optimistic. He believes the construction will help dig Pleasantville out of their million dollar loss, because it will address what is believed to be one of the biggest reasons students decide not to attend the Westchester campus: decrepit, unwelcoming facilities. According to Brady, the funds for this project come from three sources. The first is $100 million of bonds, which were issued in March 2014, and are the primary source of funding. The second is fundraising, which accounts for about $10 million. The third is the sale of Briarcliff, which has yet to happen. It’s important that students on the New York City campus are cognizant of the fact that their tuition money is not going towards Pleasantville’s construction project, as some students have assumed. Brady noted that there are always many physical plant improvements happening, and that it is only those projects that are funded through tuition and fees. “There are always smaller projects you see— whether it’s roof repairs or bathrooms being updated— those projects are being funded through tuition and fee revenues. But the Master Plan is a very specific project with a very specific funding source,” he said. According to Brady, the debt is covering a big chunk of the plan currently, and some of it is being reimbursed— the fundraised money has not yet been obtained, but will be gathered by the time the construction is complete, he said. When asked about the $9.6 million loss, Bob Almon, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President

Rendering of new Pleasantville facilities said, “That’s a complicated subject.” Almon attributes the loss to the University allocating overhead costs to both campuses. He also expressed concern over enrollment issues on the Pleasantville campus. If enrollment is low, there is not enough money to cover the costs of overhead and the many other expenses that come with running a campus. While enrollment on the New York City is thriving, enrollment on the Pleasantville’s campus has declined. “It sort of ties directly into what the construction project is for. The project is supposed to reverse that by making the campus more attractive so that we can increase involvement. And to build the dorms—it turns out it’s not much more expensive to build new ones than it is to renovate old ones,” Almon said. Vince Barrella, former New York Faculty Council Chairperson, who is also on the University Budget Committee and is a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees Finance Committee, weighed in on the topic, saying, “Obviously, enrollment is critical in closing any gap. It either becomes profitable or it continues to be an ongoing problem. On that end the faculty is unified—we all wish that Pleasantville was doing better.” When asked if the construction would revive Pleasantville’s financial health and potentially reverse the large impact of the losses, Almon responded, “I wouldn’t say that because we’re not sure of that. It’s supposed to help, though.” Pressed further for estimated income the construction would bring, Almon stated, “The estimate of the money it might bring are projections that were shared with the board,” he said, “it’s very hard to know if that will ever come true.”

paceplvmasterplan.com Almon noted that the construction isn’t the only aspect that will help enrollment—there are academic issues that go along with it. He said this is an integrated project where new academic programs will be brought at the same time to make a difference. In addition to construction updates, a faculty subcommittee was formed to offer further suggestions, which included selling Briarcliff (which was implemented), moving the Seidenberg School to the New York City campus where the tech sector is, and closing the Graduate Center, where enrollment has declined by 34 percent over the past eight years. These are, however, simply suggestions that remain in discussion. Nancy Reagin, current New York Faculty Council Chairperson spoke of more concrete plans, stating, “… We’ll have to budget very carefully next year, but after that our financial situation should improve. The New York faculty expect that as Pleasantville’s operating losses diminish following completion of the construction, the profits generated by the New York campus will be reinvested back into the New York programs and campus, in order to support our continued growth.” Shank, however, is skeptical of supplementing the Pleasantville campus, as she believes that the New York City campus deserves to thrive. “The Pleasantville funding isn’t benefitting New York City students,” she said. Acknowledging this fact, Barrella gave his final take on the situation with both hope and realism: “Could they be wrong? Yes. Do I hope they’re not wrong? I sure as hell hope they’re not wrong. As a University, given the previous decisions that have been made, it is critical that Pleasantville succeeds.”

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UNIVERSITY NEWS

February 20, 2015

Long neglected, students with disabilities’ accessibility addressed After yearlong campaign, funding approved for convenient access to Birnbaum Library SHANNON MCMAHON Copy Editor Over a year has passed since University administrators were called upon to answer for failing to provide a convenient method for students with disabilities to access the second floor of Birnbaum library. Last January, The Pace Press sought to explore the widespread dissatisfaction with the lack of an elevator for disabled and injured students in the University’s Birnbaum library, making several efforts to hold University authority figures accountable. Fortunately, these efforts have finally sparked a change: on Thursday, Feb. 5 a budget proposal was approved for the implementation of a scannable card reader in the elevator outside of Birnbaum library. This new technology will allow students with physical disabilities to access the second floor of the library independently, ending the current time-consuming practice of obligatory librarian escorts. Though it may seem like a simple fix, the path to this solution has been filled with a great deal of challenges. Last year, Ibrahima Bagate, Physical Plant Director, spoke about the project, noting that it had been discussed, but financial constraints were hindering progress, stating, “There are so many other needs at the University that we need to meet in order to serve the students at large as a whole as opposed to one single aspect.” Freshman Trevor Mastrantone, who has a physical disability, found this statement to be “appalling,” further remarking, “To me that says students with disabilities are not considered part of the whole student body.” Mastrantone’s cause for concern becomes clear when one examines how students with disabilities currently access Birnbaum’s second floor. Waleska Laureano, Birnbaum Circulation Coordinator, described the process: “You need the elevator key for the service elevator. Then you wait for it to come—it has to be turned on for the second floor in order to have access. The kitchen staff also uses that floor, so there is some traffic. Then the staff at the Collaborative Learning Room usually calls to let the person down. It happens a couple times a day.” A couple times a day adds up to roughly over a dozen times a week. “I use a wheelchair and this is one of the problems I have at Pace. Although the library staff is very helpful, it is still an inconvenience. If the staff is helping somebody I do not want to be rude and interrupt. So sometimes I have to wait a few minutes. Also, when working in a group, having to wait for someone to escort me to the second floor wastes every one’s time. Sometimes I feel it is too much of hassle and I just avoid going to second floor,” Mastrantone said. The second floor is where the Collaborative Learning Room, the Writing Center, all loanable materials and several study areas are located. Frustrated with the amount of time it’s taken to solve this problem, Alicia Joseph, head Circulation Coordinator, said: “I’ve been here 15 years, and I’ve been fighting for the past 10 years.” Joseph is not alone in her frustration. Students are wondering, why the wait? After all, it isn’t as if progress hasn’t been made in Birnbaum’s updates. Over the span of 3 years, the library saw the addition of new carpets, chairs and paint, but no elevator. Rey Racelis, Associate University Librarian spoke highly of the $450,000 renovation project, which is now in its final phase and expected to be complete next winter. In addition to these updates—but as part of a separate budget—Racelis proposed the construction of a lift to make access to the second floor more convenient. That suggestion, however, didn’t sit well with the staff at the Physical Plant, as it was a six-figure expense. In order for a project to be approved, the Physical Plant must review it and send it to William McGrath, who is Sr. Vice President and COO for the Westchester Campuses. Mr. Racelis’ proposal never made it to Mr. McGrath’s desk. In fact, the issue hasn’t been raised to him until The

Pace Press inquiried further this winter. “I have to be honest with you. This is the first time I saw this project. I don’t recall this project from previous years,” he said. In order for Mr. McGrath to review and approve projects, proposals must go through a special process. Every summer, Mr. McGrath asks departments to submit proposals by October for updates they would like to see the following fiscal year. The staff at the Physical Plant then looks at the feasibility of the costs. Following this, Mr. McGrath and the Provost review the projects and discuss them with President Friedman. They must then prioritize which projects will be approved, because due to the high volume, they often have more proposed projects than they can fund. Reflecting on the fact that the Physical Plant neglected to push the project through to Mr. McGrath last year, Mastrantone said: “...to me that means that it is not really a priority the school has.” Jenna Cler, Assistant Director of Disability Services, who is responsible for working with students with various forms of disabilities to provide accommodations at the University, thinks that the project was neglected because the second floor is, technically, accessible. “It’s accessible, it’s just not convenient. If it was not accessible at all, you and I would be having a very different conversation,” Cler said. According to Cler, as of Fall 2013, 283 students with disabilities have made themselves known to her office. Of those 283, she says there are 7 “that we know about” with mobility issues. That doesn’t include students with transient disabilities such as temporary broken bones. Fortunately, when the issue was pushed further and student concern was emphasized, Mr. Racelis said that the Physical Plant finally considered addressing the issue with a new, less costly plan: “What they recommended was to use a scannable

Birnbaum’s staircase

technology that is issued only to people with disabilities. The idea is that the elevator will not be accessible to anyone other than those who have the scannable cards. It will open to the second floor. It is programmable in a way that when the library is closed the cards will not work,” Racelis said. Mr. Recelis also mentioned that students with temporary disabilities would be issued cards for the duration of their injury. Now that the project is finally approved, it will be implemented in the Fall of 2015. The cost of the project is roughly $20,000. Upon hearing the news, Alicia Joseph, head Circulation Coordinator, said she is pleased, but still skeptical. Joseph is concerned about loanable materials on the second floor, as there is no circulation checkout station upstairs. “It’s a great concept, but if a student needs services such as checking out materials, how beneficial is that to the students?” Joseph asked. Cler, however, is hopeful, stating: “I think that’s probably the best solution. Other universities I’ve worked with have used a card access system.” Although Cler was not contacted to give input on the project proposal, she thinks this solution will allow a more accepting environment for students with disabilities, stating, “Disability is a form of diversity. I want students—whether they’re students here or people looking at the University—to see the University as academically accessible or physically accessible.” Mastrantone is also pleased, remarking, “I am very glad to hear about the scannable cards—it will make going to the second floor so much more convenient.” When asked why the project was so slow to gain momentum, Mr. McGrath stated, “I don’t know why…I’m just happy the issue is raised now and we’re going to be able to get it done.”

Photo by Rey Racelis

UNIVERSITY NEWS

February 20, 2015

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Allegations

brushed aside, full steam ahead for costly athletics complex

Corey Reeder and Ransford Quarrie, as pictured in the Post’s accusatory article Angel Chevrestt/New York Post MARC SAGGESE Advertising Manager The University’s Pleasantville Campus is in the midst of a massive, $100 million campus overhaul. New facilities such as a student center, alumni hall and environmental complex are all in the works as well as other smaller changes such as guardrails in the parking lots. One of the biggest undertakings in the Pleasantville master plan, however, is the Athletics Complex, which accounts for over 10 percent of the total expenditure of the overhaul alone. The expensive Complex, being worked on since groundbreaking in Oct. 2014, is an oddity in the University’s Pleasantville campus because of how poorly their sports programs have done over the years (The football team once lost 38 straight games). Additionally, the New York Post recently broke allegations of a head coach verbally and physically abusing football players, and luring recruits in with false incentives of a Business minor. With that in mind and the fact that the University has only done the bare minimum in responding to these controversies, it begs the question of what the Athletics Complex is trying to accomplish. The first piece of Pleasantville’s sports narrative is the scope and scale of the new Athletics Complex. The facility includes a field house, a softball field, a multipurpose turf field and major renovations to the Peter X. Finnerty Field. In an interview with The Pace Press, Mark Brown, Athletic Director at the Pleasantville campus, gives an estimated completion date of “mid fall, on or around October 1 [2015]” The October ETA is specific to the new field house, though by the time that is completed all other projects included in the Athletics Complex will have already been finished. If all goes according to plan—which Brown reminds is “fluid and contingent upon reasonable weather and little to no unforeseen circumstances”—then the project will be completed almost exactly one year from when ground was broken on the project. But the history of Pleasantville sports, and the controversies that have come to light within a month of the Athletics Complex announcements complicate the undertakings. As reported in a story by the New York Post, football coach Andy Randeau was accused of verbally and sometimes physically abusing his players; allegedly working them to the bone and then harshly chastising them when they voiced their concerns for their wellbeing. Additionally, Pleasantville sports have not been one of the University’s most heralded and revered institutions up until this point. The Pace Press reached out to coach Randeau, but he declined speak on the allegations brought to light in the New York Post story. Randeau had been placed on administrative leave until recently, when he was cleared of any wrongdoing after an internal investigation. The Jan. 26 release read, “[The internal investigation] has determined that the credible evidence did not substantiate the allegations against Coach Rondeau and other University personnel. Accordingly, Coach Andrew Rondeau has been returned to active status, resuming his duties as the University’s head football coach.” “The University’s investigation encompassed a comprehensive examination of each of the allegations referenced in the original news

story and was conducted independently of the Athletics Department,” the release continued, “In addition to reviewing relevant documents and communications, the University’s investigators conducted extensive interviews with coaches, other Athletics Department and University administrators and staff, current and former members of the football team, and persons outside of the University. In all, more than 60 individuals were interviewed--including 38 past and present University football players. It should be noted that two of the three former students whose allegations were reported in the press chose not to participate in the interviews, but their attorney provided a detailed statement of their claims.” Included in the Post story were allegations of shady recruitment practices such as falsely promising a Business minor to new recruits as a more attractive package for athletes. Alexander Gurvich, a Finance professor at Pleasantville, did not know of that practice, which indicates that it is at least not standard to give this kind of special treatment to players. In fact, he—apparently not a Post subscriber—“did not know there is any controversy.” If the allegations, which Pleasantville has chosen to speak on as little as possible, are true, these false promises for athletes are a huge ethical breach by recruiters. The building of the sports complex seems to be an attempt to revive Pleasantville sports: to do away with the history of sports failure, current controversy, and instead be an attractive sports school for incoming students. The Athletics Complex also seems like a good way to overshadow and marginalize the negative press they’ve been receiving, and coursecorrect a sports narrative that seems to have lost control in recent months. It would make sense that Pleasantville is letting the renovations do the talking instead of releasing any statements about the current state of the sports programs. However, Mark Brown does not see the Athletics Complex as a shift in identity for the University “We always have been, and always will be a school focused on outstanding academic opportunities for students so the emphasis will not be on rebranding Pace as a more sports focused school but rather positioning athletics to play a more vital and visible role in our community.” When the Pace Press reached out to the accused coach, Andy Rondeau, after declining to do an interview, he instead suggested we speak to Scott Trent (Executive Director for Media Relations at the University’s public relations office) and Frederica Wald, (Vice President for University Relations) both of which did not respond to our interview requests. The collective silence in response to our questions suggests that Pleasantville’s strategy in dealing with the current sports controversy is to let the whole situation boil over, and instead have the focus remain on the renovations. The only administrative responses we were given were specifically about the new facilities, which only strengthen the idea that Pleasantville does not want any more dialogue about sports failings/controversy. Silence is effective in making people forget the past, but hopefully these issues will remain until Pleasantville decides to address them. The new Athletics Complex is coming, and it will surely revitalize the sports programs in some way, but with corruption and lack of transparency on the backend, it may not be worth the price tag.

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February 20, 2015

NEWS

THE PACE PRESS EDITORIAL BOARD Erick Mancebo Editor-In-Chief Christian Gomez Executive Editor

Anchor Brian Williams suspended Six month hiatus threatens anchor’s career

Marc Saggese Advertising Manager Shannon McMahon Copy Editor Maximilliano Onofre News Editor Melissa Vargas Arts Editor Courtney Michelle Johnson Features Editor Brianda Agramonte Distribution Manager Dr. Stephanie Hsu Faculty Consultant

CHRISTIAN GOMEZ Executive Editor

The Pace Press is the student newspaper of Pace University’s New York City Campus. It is managed and operated entirely by members of the student body as it appears above. The Pace Press welcomes guest editorials and letters from students, faculty, administration and staff. The Pace Press reserves the right to not publish any submitted material, both solicited and unsolicited. All submissions must include the author’s full name and contact information. The Pace Press 41 Park Row, Rm. 902 New York, NY 10038 thepacepress.org editor@thepacepress.org Copyright 2015

Some of the most trusted men in the United States were formerly news anchors; from Walter Cronkite to Peter Jennings, the face that America trusted with providing true and reliable information was that of the nightly news anchors. However, Brain Williams—who seemed to be following in Cronkite’s and Jennings’ fottsteps—has been duspended after allegations of him lying about his involvement in a helicopter disaster in Iraq have turned out to be true. After a public apology on “Nightly News,” Williams faces a six-month suspension without pay on top of the major red flag on his professional career as a newscaster and journalist. The suspension comes from Chief Executive Steve Burke, who believes Williams “deserves a second chance…”. Andrew Pichardo, a CIT major at the University sees this as outrageous “any other person would never work in the journalism industry again and he’s just getting a slap on the wrist. So what if he goes six months without pay, clearly NBC isn’t going to let him go. We should expect more from those we entrust as news anchors.” The controversy all steams from a 2003 report in which Williams claims to have been riding in a helicopter when it was shot by a rocket propelled grenade more commonly known as an RPG. After internal investigations by NBC revealed this statement to be false, a suspension swiftly followed and investigations are to continue by NBC into the legitimacy of Williams. Burke stated that if there are more lies, “there is no guarantee that he comes back…”. During this investigation, Lester Holt, anchor of the weekend’s edition of Nightly News, will be replacing him during the week. CNN has reports of 14 separate instances where Williams diverges from his original 2003 report in which he claimed to be a part of the crew that was downed during the RPG attack, including one

account in 2013, where he told an edited version of the original story while being interviewed on The Late Show with David Letterman. Stars And

“Sorry dude, I don’t remember you being on my aircraft. I do remember you walking up about an hour after we had landed to ask me what had happened” -Lance Reynolds,

US Service Member

Stripes, a military magazine brought the issue to national headlines when they ran a Facebook post made by Lance Reynolds, a U.S. service member who was on the downed helicopter, “Sorry dude, I don’t remember you being on my aircraft. I do remember you walking up about an hour after we had landed to ask me what had happened.” Posted on Jan. 31, Williams issued a long response saying sorry and claiming to have “misremembered” a statement, which he also made during his public apology on the Nightly News broadcast. It is no surprise that the public opinion of not only Williams but also the mainstream news media is in question; the former face of the news for many Americans has come forth as a liar, amidst a time where news outlets are being doubted on their legitimacy. Fox News has built a reputation of stretching and exaggerating the daily news but it is sobering to see that among their rivals, NBC is not above this behavior.

ARTS

February 20, 2015

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Fashion takes the spotlight at 57th annual Grammys Music’s biggest stars show out for fans, Twitter, fashionistas

MELISSA VARGAS Arts Editor Celebrities and artists donned their best and hoped to be spared the wrath of the worst dressed list last week. The 57th Annual Grammy Awards were held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA and was hosted by LL Cool J on Sunday, Feb. 8. The night started off with an energetic performance by the Classic rock band ACDC. About half way through, Colombian super star Juanes, gave a live performance in Spanish. This was the first time in Grammy’s history that an artist gave a full performance in this language, and the first time in 10 years that Spanish was sung on the Grammy’s stage. And as many on social media said, “Beyoncé took us to church” with her performance of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” form the movie Selma. During the performance wore a white custom-made Roberto Cavalli gown that featured many sheer and shimmery embellishments. Both the gown and the performance can described as ‘angelic.’ Time described the night as “an endless concert where they also handed out a few awards.” Emphasizing the fact that there were more than 23 performances through out the night. Sam Smith, Beyoncé, Pharrell Williams and Beck were among

Taylor Swift, Rihanna natalieast.com

the many winners of the night. Of course, music’s biggest night is also a big night for fashion. Taylor Swift wore an Elie Saab ombré teal dress that while elegant, showed off her glowing legs. Lady Gaga stunned in a ‘toned down’ glamorous Brandon Maxwell silver gown that showed off her figure and elegance. Gwen Stefani strutted her stuff in an Atelier Versace black strapless romper that showed everyone why her unique fashion sense is admired in the fashion industry. But of course, there was one artist’s ensemble that had everyone turning heads. Rihanna arrived at the red carpet in a poofy pink dress that automatically send the Internets meme culture into overdrive. Many said that Rihanna’s dress looked like a Quinceañera gown, or like a pink loofa. “I think Rihanna’s pink dress was a little over the top. Her dress simply did not match the occasion. I was expecting something elegant and fitting, but instead, we were presented with something completely different. I understand people want to stand out and so forth, but I feel as though it was a failed attempt on her end.” Said sophomore, Alanna McCatty. Whether or not Rihanna’s choice was tasteful, it was certain that it did one thing: it was the center of attention at this years Grammy’s awards.

Lady Gaga Getty Images

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g nd I’m goin ie r f d n a r iso eague, adv s, you always had ll o c y m , Tom rning talk e of you I received a t o m r u o s to mis er forge d becaus v n e a n l ls il il k w s I y g faith in m nd that’s somethin na promotio but our ! u m o o y T k ly n r a a th de o miss you t g in n o g I’m e on. rol Dolliso v a li C l e il v o w L s memorie artment p e D h s li g En

IN MEMORIAM

February 20, 2015 his ore of s. m e v i ent to g more: and his stud ng. e v i g to es aili willing his colleagu ere never-f nder s y a w l w o d Ge as a ts t ess Tom w erg y, and gif r, and kindn Women’s an al role o n tr he time, e erosity, hum ember of t laying a cen ndly u p m His gen a founding hile always e was profo t, and s H w gh a . , l Tom w epartment ent, as wel lasses he tau more c tm sD im Studie glish Depar ents and the er. I miss h n d h E c in the with his stu d witty tea n d a e g e enga maginativ ss. i re was an an I can exp cy Reagin th —Nan

I met Tom Henthorne on my first day of American Studies 101. I was scared and in utter doubt regarding where I belonged at Pace. No one knew anything about my major and I was considering switching from American Studies to something more conventional. But Professor Henthorne’s passion was contagious and erased any fear. It seems selfish of me His commitment to the pursuit of knowledge Henthorne had on to highlight the impact Tom my life, selfish be placed him in an echelon higher than anyone else cause over the pa six years I spent st more time with I met throughout my entire academic career. Tom than I did so my friends or fam me of ily members. No After taking 4 other courses with him during the one person is m responsible for sh ore aping my college rest of my time at Pace, Professor Henthorne experience and my worldview m altering or e th an To acted as my advisor for my senior thesis for the m. Understandin he had on me on g the effect ly further upsets Honors College. When I told him I wanted to me knowing that current and futu the re generations of write my thesis on Britney Spears, he didn’t Pace students w have that opportu ill not ni ty . To m ’s legacy must liv blink when others surely would’ve balked. spirit, his role as e on. His appointed protec I can’t think of another person who shaped tor of the studen continue. I have ts must lost a friend and my education, my writing, and at the risk the academic co has lost a truly un m munity iq ue vo ice. In the inspiri of sounding hyperbolic (which Professor Bones McCoy, “H ng words of e’s not really gone Henthorne would definitely hate), my life. The way to as long as we fin remember him.” da Pace community has lost a Titan. He will be — Cody Osterm an forever sorely missed. —Craig Held

As a prof ess and conv or and as a frien d, ersations touch m Tom’s interests, in to tackle any sig an More im y viewpoint you things and his en hts, portantly bring up t , he is invalua husiasm how ridic ble. ulous the ’s always happy to help, n request. Spendin om gm I lo I’ve com y last two years ok up to him end atter e to at les he’s an e really love him. Pace holed up in sly. ven bett his office He’s a fan er p , ta caring ab out you a erson; warm, ear stic educator but ne nd when he needs to your future. He’s st, and genuinely a a any othe n r interest d he’ll always pu bsolutely real s. W ty always b I een happ e’d talk for hou our needs before colleagues r y s tough bo t o e of the few r fun; fo t s ju d th profes o have me despit n end and he’d Tom was on a at he re th ks e o sionally e o b night as w y t b u hen thin those on talk abo and pers a Pace st gs got , especially o wrote an ho liked to im w h h ve o a it h n w u a ls d lly times aft ent with ssing nove on (Tom als er him and . I spent my last I miss discu authors, William Gibs him to sign a copy saw him ended up and I’ll treasure te ke ri s and I a d loves Gibson). of our favo a couple these tim at a Doct on Gibson, k o o b g n ti d who also e s o s and he e intere d to a frien ern Recognition, te en s ven staye r Who themed b forever. Like, we re p mancer ar in which I then reat chats about Patt d good, Th ed on Neuro g ank You T when my ex show Brooklyn once e had some istory, though disagre bout Ender’s W om ed up. Yo How’s th ero H too, a Idoro, and Z talked a fair amount, ading and u’re so is sound, Henthorne. e W you joyed re ist I’ll finally (I hated it). l we both en suppose I cannot res ve o n read you listen to the 20 er th o I n A e. st n ie e. O p r m p a a ye h G alb rb — Chris eady Pla e are my topher C ook on The Hun ums I gave and r ssing was R reading list, but thes fo cu d is a d re o imarusti ger Gam ks, wh enthorne o loved boo ew es, deal? making a H as a guy wh ho shared what he kn – im h f o ories and w mem work, well as for pleasure as f English d. e intereste nguished Professor o with anyon ti is D r, W. Drive —Martha nd Gender Studies ’s a en m and Wo

that I write for ked and suggested as m To , ce Pa at s Tom for me to write a During my four year this is what it took at th me s p en him t dd sa ers played me s hand when I m’ To the Pace Press. It k oo sh y dl t ar he on I am an e d them. I awkw end about OUT House an me ld little something for to to nor b he en wh e ar a p of m day. mous freshman ye tion ua my ad of gr ek nd we ou st ar ” y fir t e e ye th hat role I re er g “goodb fre that day until sayin lear he w leade shma memb in sh was my professor, He . coffee hours. From er re ca r a a ge n n lle co roles in my com ed so s noth for his year er the ping m time, he played many d in w m e m D ay g h o y wa ged friend. ys; n text uch fro like a son H en I in I me into th professor and enga ing editor, “boss”, and az am an s e t n s wa t t n m os o m e ssroom, To eek ot to and s Tom yone I use, rview him, a ten tell Tom what I of Professor: In the cla uld wo in I t t a e bu t , a u : h ss s n o d ke b a p oom u ly spoke in cla life jects how to d eve d think to would say my name ardr ects he sho ired m t the d his students. I rare an o ss cla B of t in e id o r p in FL ht refl reading outs are wed m e to e otentia o serio unco think a met. g 8th thought of a text or mm n’t n the next day. ce 1 hen lig n lower bou I e th mbra l in sio u us a sc r di s e P nio th a se in w ly t by o i e w lw sure e t a n ; as c and what I though in th rnoons uildings rface of ary k over my writing. I’m an ays n t auth e my veryon and loo e to e a er n th s r ay e n alw b a o ec sil d e m r r su aft tho liter of Editor: Tom was eady. mo friend azing essar ity and liness. . He Hen sunny oftops he silve f Tom’s r alr te ua ad gr d t m ha jus we r d . M ghs ea ro hum y in rule t To eo ula ose to t H year he wished I’ h e memories and lau I me ne of th ows and shes on ville, on your ins rves as dinners p im wh fter gra y regre an be the cla s and e ing to remember th d go an s s ay ur ho alw l e a o d I’m ffe s : l e co i ss n il Bo a e d in wha ds t e simple on e wi nd sp an M now w, he an ssing, he w uating is not g, pro ssical s structu h an a OUT House. From th Ro r e ound by urroun ou m t fo rk r Pa ts r en 41 ev r e e ff de ing un nn h s a o t H pla re e y s fe re a reader s As hat ke y rce s t, “T ed r So thing o till teac in tow nd no achin ssor, nse. T trips and Tarot card Man udson. cribed i es, belt comme reets ta c will e the classroom. id g to the Trader Joe’s t m m ts h r ou o es n i t H nc t s in o m rie e o a a a s . pe e t g n u n n k . R ents fun ex the rites d anhat reefs— ft, the le-mag , keen and goodbye to him “p oad ice y thing yone f me a Here h ing the t to him tor, l u wanted to give stud i yo l e e k o M an l v th a v l y sa r u e a d to or f s e lif n artn at r co th e chance t Me to catch up. y of isles by . Right a ith its of liter er” cream remin grant e lesso is, ev ime to ry Friend: I never had th ua t h br i Fe t c e las y cit e d e o , will n: d en a v yw him in the ov urf an h. e of him, I live ver “w to the me of d. fter isit on I regret not meeting Indi th her s That da f Tom’s l warmt and fun I had becaus es if iti o o un i h H T rt ” e o . n po n t op is w o ” a d ing u e tak m n o fore it ar nd m For all the amaz hum you. e erw ver r “hus ger G – fro Goodbye and Thank wat ys remi ect, and am mR in m ban am forever grateful. l y m d” – es, to ock alwa al intel y t em c -Noelle Tennant orie hat I k the us criti ie ish now s. eo Class of 2013 l Rich f tha t -Ka Cla rlene K ss of 2 ing 012

Eng ene Eug ssor of e f Pro

Summer Read Wild Seed, Oct Finnegan’s Wa The Handmaid Atwood Lord Jim, Jos Their Eyes We Zora Neale Hu Troilus and Cr Shakespeare The Satanic Ve Rushdie The Hunger G Suzanne Collin The Unpleasan the Bellona Clu Sayers Jaws, Peter Be Persuasion, Ja

February 20, 2015

IN MEMORIAM

w was ho thorne sh Honor n e H r e sso ngli e mad f the E t Profe t abou a member o s he could. H e g r o f h I was uch a never us wit When ing I’ll us as m hour, aided ed in us One th ging he was. supported v e e e beli d in ra g coffe nd encou he helped a vents durin I could tell h er to succee ith e . w , d e r y r r t e Socie ggestions fo o much mo needed in o ouraged m c e s u e n h s d t e w t n t ou ent s, a also grea ement encouragem Henthorne ions ab ite more. s s s ti r u c e v is ad ld wr he sor helpfu ant to e of Profes ve us t and ga our society. always have made me w ss. It was on e h g la .W ld c ic o in u r h t o w e ard gro ew lass w and Gend d forw ep it as e i iting. W write for c k r F o iw c lo y S e m is I’d ays ok took h ge tories tried t e I alw short s more year, I ace and on d he always t we as colle t P a o n t es h h a a t n p s o s o d n h e In s sly stoo lass ssio orite c gaging discu se he under also hilariou r to hear v a f y m n ge au as have e ld bec . He w watched, ea it his office would ng as he cou hectic lives e vis w ld s u o lm ti w nd interes had busy a ad and the fi ere times I w ts eaks re s. studen e books we bject. There , and politic ofessor. It br . s r h u t s en p lm t tt e d fi u an ks, n th orgo abo ions o ut boo a great man l never be f o in b p a o r ch ou wil him was su talk to But he just to r Henthorne nger here. so o lo Profes t that he’s n ar e h y m rien ie Cyp —Mar

ding List for Tom— tavia Butler ake, James Joyce d’s Tale, Margaret

seph Conrad ere Watching God, urston ressida, William

Tom was bo rn on July Clara, Calif 12, 1964 in ornia. He at Santa he tended the collected from of Californi University a, Santa Cru thrift stores Women’s an z, as an unde and set up in and then earn erses, Salman d Gender Stu rgraduate, the ed his PhD dies conferen fo r at students to He joined th UC, Santa B ce room work on, re e Pace Unive arbara. ap flected his ab rsity faculty preciation fo a specialist Games Trilogy, iding in 1998 as r all things si in postcoloni no ll y. His playfu al tw st it le hs ud ad ta ie in nding, Tom to s, becoming g member of ln ns ess a a profes ok his respon the English D as his work sor, scholar, sibilities as epartment, an shifted towar ntness at an d d, colleague he de d cultural st founding join udies, a ho monstrated daily and seem seriously, and t faculty mem ub, Dorothy w humor and in ber in the W and Gender irreverence ca gly effortlessly Studies Dep omen’s ha artment. n and should nd in hand Without qu with academ work estion, the ic rigor, prof and social ac enchley Tom’s career defining aspe essional tivism, and ct of wel was his com ea rnest concer l-being of on ane Austen students fi mitment to n for the e’s commun rst, from putting ity. his studen A pedagogies to t P ac e, Tom always t-centered his tireless ad stepped up w needed vising, his ov of a Dyson hen he was House, his ersight whe , serving on committees research coll and in positi re with underg he could affect aborations ons raduates, an the most ch cultivated a d his insist advocating fo ange. He family amon ence on r students at g his Pace, and his every level of affairs. He friendship, co close colleagues at was an incr faculty an llegiality, icon edibly popu d fl his cultural an nel-and-cord oclasm, lar teacher, studies and uroy presence of joy for overflowing literature co were source m an y their capaci s D ur ys ses teachi on faculty. ty whether on science fi ng, collabor As with his they were ction and ge at io n and interdis were at the nder postcolonial ciplinarity heart of his literature. Tom , “bad books,” or co work in the mmunity. encouraged to experimen university students t with their thinking and When put in control of th a position of to take to eir education, power, Tom share it; whe but at the sa students that sought n granted priv m needed more e time why il eg attention wer es, he question it, and studen he sh ould have th e offered ed ts that might em and not had a unique have fallen the cracks w others. Tom capacity and through an ere caught in willingness d teach by de the net of hi Tom’s unde to lead s concern. ferring to th rstanding th ose with less and higher st at everything and should be ak power es . N co interpreted— o other pers uld so tire be it Conrad’ on could wor of Darkness, lessly and be s Heart ce k an episode so pr esent for othe ntralizing th of The Sim a committe rs without emselves: as psons, or e meeting— one colleagu he was “the was insepara his commit e put it, rare example ble from ment to qu in academia caretaker.” H estioning au every level of a male e was a mod thority at (including hi el of quiet re and ethical s own), whe American fo sistance behavior. H ther it was reign policy is endless go and tireless and politics powers that od ad humor vo be at Pace. H ca or the of cy and activi is wit and hu immense ch sm in the fa from his ab allenges mak mor came ility to reco ce e him, quite irreplaceable. gnize the ab of these aren simply, surd in all as, and his infect The Pace co absurd was pa mmunity wou rt of what mov ious sense of the sym ld like to exte pathy and su ed both stud colleagues to nd its ents and be pp question the en touched by ort to all of those who status quo al him. Tom’s have this immense famously m ongside essy office, loss. mix of book filled with a s, posters, sc — Tom’s coll ience fiction stage props, eagues in th arti toys, candy, e English an and the jigsaw facts, and Gender St d Women’s udies depart puzzles ments:

In honor of professor Tom Henthorne — the pace press staff

thepacepress.org

ARTS

February 20, 2015

Broadway’s “A Month in the Country” yields star power TRACI THOMAS Arts Intern In the wake of what seems to be an epidemic of movie and television stars taking a chance on the Broadway stages, another pair of actors from two of America’s favorite shows are bringing a classic play to life in the Classic Stage Company Theater. Taylor Schilling (from Netflix’s hit show, “Orange is the New Black”) and Peter Dinklage (From HBO’s “Game of Thrones”) costar in “A Month in the Country,” a traditional comedy which was published in 1855, with the first production premiering in Russia in 1872. The story follows Natalya Petrovna (played by Schilling), a 30-year-old wife and mother, who falls into a state of boredom with her lifestyle. She befriends a man named Mikhail Rakitin (Dinklage), who eventually becomes smitten by her. The show focuses on

the lead and supporting characters as they juggle the varied love triangles and unrequited pining for one or another in a humorous five act production. The Classic Stage Company opened “A Month in the Country” on Jan. 9, and has extended its run until Feb. 28. With a little over a month into its run, it’s safe to say that fans of both shows and theatre in general are what is keeping this littleknown off Broadway show successfully running. “Peter Dinklage is such a good actor,” said University junior Dexter Scott, “he’s great in Game of Thrones.” It seems that the Hollywood effect is working to bring in audiences, both local and visiting, into theaters on and off Broadway. In the last two years alone, stages all over New York City have seen the likes of theatre favorites like Neil Patrick Harris and Hugh Jackman, alongside many Broadway newcomers like Emma Stone, Daniel Radcliffe and James Franco.

Taylor Schilling and Mike Faist

Joan Marcus/theboradwayblog.com

Author’s well-being questioned after follow-up announced “To Kill A Mockingbird” sequel raises concern from fans, friends of Harper Lee ANNA YESILEVSKIY Contributor The announcement of Harper Lee’s new novel, “Go Set a Watchman,” has sparked a lot of interest and debate. Since the announcement of this new novel, news platforms such as The New York Times and BBC News have discussed this novel and the controversy surrounding the publication of it. University students also gave their opinions on the announcement and the controversy regarding the publication of the novel. According to the New York Times, “Go Set a Watchman,” which takes place twenty years after “To Kill a Mockingbird” was originally set to be Lee’s first novel. However, her editor told her to write a version with Scout as a young girl and, thus, Lee set the original manuscript aside, which she thought was lost. Lee’s lawyer, Tonja B. Carter found the manuscript of the novel last summer and ever since, there has been debate whether Lee was pushed or manipulated into publishing the novel. In retaliation, the author’s lawyer provided a statement that Lee is “happy as hell with the reactions to ‘Watchman.’” However, Claudia Durst Johnson, a friend of Lee’s, said she was surprised by the announcement and stated, “I was surprised and a little bit worried about how much control she has.” BBC News also commented on the doubt many have expressed regarding Lee’s agreement to publish the book. The news platform stated that the news of the sequel came out a few months after the death of Lee’s sister and lawyer, which brings up skepticism and suspiciousness as to whether Lee is in the right mind to understand what she is agreeing to. BBC quotes Lee’s sister, Alice, who back in 2011, stated, “Harper can't see and can't hear and will sign anything put before her by anyone in whom she has confidence." Thus, it

“It seems really odd that she wrote the story years ago but did not choose to release the book until now but I think she is okay with the decision and it was not forced.” Ashley Mikel , Sophomore

informnny.com is not clear whether it was really Lee’s decision to publish her forgotten novel. Yet, this is disputable because Penguin Random House, the publishing company recently stated, "Harper Lee still enjoys reading and uses a magnifying machine from the New York Institute for the Blind to read books, newspapers and documents." When questioned about this matter,

sophomore Ashley Mikel said, “It seems really odd that she wrote the story years ago but did not choose to release the book until now but I think she is okay with the decision and it was not forced.” Mikel also stated that she is happy about the announcement of the sequel and stated, “I am excited to read it. It doesn’t need a sequel but it depends on where Harper Lee takes

the storyline. I hope people will enjoy it.” University senior Angela Calabrese said that she believes it was Harper Lee’s decision to publish the book. Sophomore Susan Ayana, however has a similar opinion to that of Mikel regarding the general news of the novel. When questioned what she thought about the announcement of the sequel to the well-known 1960s novel, she said, “I am glad the book is going to have a sequel. I feel that it’s a great idea. I read the first book and loved it so I can imagine the sequel is going to be even better.” Although there is some debate regarding Harper Lee’s decision to publish, there is no doubt that her new novel will be successful seeing as the New York Times has stated that, “Shortly after the title was announced, a surge in preorders pushed it to No.1 in Amazon.”

FEATURES

February 20, 2015

thepacepress.org

Student-facing organizations have room for improvement Review of University singles out SDACA as concern

Students walking by 41 Park Row , which houses SDACA MELISSA VARGAS Arts Editor The Center for Student Development and Campus Activities continues to prove itself a challenge to overcome for many student organizations on campus. In a recent review of the University, SDACA is specifically called out for needing to improve the service provided to the students. While many grumble about unspecific problems with SDACA, few bother to try and campaign for change. The incentives for students providing services to the University remains a hot topic, with tuition remission cuts at the forefront. Tuition remission, which is given to a few students in campus organizations, has been decreasing over the last few years. It has also been said that it may disappear all together. This is problematic for many of the students who invest just as much time in an organization as they would at a part time job. When asked about tuition remission getting cut back, David Clark, Assistant Dean for SDACA, said, “It was communicated that University-wide the Tuition Remission Program is being phased out over the next few years and alternatives are being investigated. As soon as we have alternatives to the program selected, we will communicate those out the affected organizations.” However, there is one organization on campus that not many students are taking advantage of or therefore even know about. This organization is the Office for Student Success. “The Office for Student Success is a unit within the Division for Student Success that provides students with enrichment, leadership mentoring, and experimental learning opportunities,” OSS wants students to feel that they are cared for and want to help the students reach success during their time in the University. Jonathan Hooker, Program Coordinator at OSS said, “It is obvious what changes need to happen on campus and only with the massive support of the students can those changes take place.” Sue Maxam, Assistant Vice President for Undergraduate Education adds, “out of all the University voices it’s the student that’s the more important.” Although the organization can help, it is also up to the student to voice their thoughts and opinions to get what they need. Jenny Ko, Assistant Director of OSS, adds, “I try to

pace.edu let them know that this is what I can see, this is what I know is available. I also try to let them know that I’m not ignoring them, that I do care and that I am working on it and I’m very, very sorry that I don’t have the answer a student may want. But I have done everything that I’ve been able to and I am still here for anything more I can do or that we can do.” Students can feel empowered by the assistance this office is offering. And when things are not going well in other organizations, OSS will be there for the students. Maxam agrees, “We won’t leave any stone uncovered in trying to find the answers.” Omnia Khamis, University Alum and now Student Engagement and Retention

It is obvious what changes need to happen on campus and only with the massive support of the students can those changes take place. -Jonathan Hooker,

Program Coordinator , OSS Specialist, said, “Being on the other side of things and having been a student and being part of The Pace Press and being part of SDACA for two years and res-life, people like to say ‘SDACA is doing this or that in their offices’ but when these SDACA meetings happen in W614, where are the students to come speak about any issues? I feel like a lot of the club leaders are not coming and saying what they are experiencing and They are very important people that can provide feedback, so I urge all of the club leaders to come and do that.” With shrinking tuition remission and the general labrynthine process of running an organization, however, it remains to be seen whether future students will bother with unpaid campus leadership roles—ditching them for plentiful internships—much less make the time to make their grievances once again known.

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FEATURES

February 20, 2015

Snapshots of a Gentrifying city NATALIE CONDRILLO Features Intern It’s no secret that gentrification is slowly taking over New York City. We all see it: Williamsburg, Bushwick, Harlem and areas of the Bronx and Queens. When businesses like Starbucks and Madewell move in and take over small mom and pop shops, residents see surges in costs of living, paving the way for more affluent transplants to take over. While gentrification can turn once crime-ridden neighborhoods into trendy up and coming ‘hoods,’ it can also strip the neighborhood of its originality and push impoverished longtime residents elsewhere. Brenda Kenneally’s photography of her Brooklyn neighborhood, published in “Money Power Respect: Pictures of My Neighborhood” and shown in galleries around the city, captured the changing Brooklyn scene, leaving behind striking images of the sidewalks, empty shops and people that a rapidly evolving New York seems to have left behind.

Broadway Enterprise convenience store on the corner of Broadway (1996) artisinbushwick.com

“In 1996 I moved from Miami, Florida to Brooklyn, New York to begin pursuing my Master in Photography at N.Y.U. The education that i got came not from the lecture hall but from the streets in my new neighborhood. During the seven years that I lived on the border of Bushwick and BedfordStuyvesant I photographed, wrote about and made video recordings of the families on my block. The reporting resulted in a book and web publication entitled Money Power Respect: Pictures of My Neighborhood. I felt a responsibility to document the results of the stories I began to tell in the book and the web has made possible the idea that publications no longer need to be finite. The result of continuing to record the stories over the last four years has been edited into a series of mini movies called Back on The Block.” – Brenda Ann Kenneally

therawfile.org

February 20, 2015

FEATURES

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L train subway station in Williamsburg (1986) nosolita.wordpress.com

Famed Rock n Roll venue CBGBs (1986) boweryboogie.com

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FEATURES

Crowdfunding the creative process

February 20, 2015

Transgender womens’ deaths ignite national dialogue COURTNEY MICHELLE JOHNSON Features Editor

flickeringmyth.com MARC SAGGESE Advertising Manager Many small businesses, artists, and designers have been “going indie” lately. With the past few years’ crowd-funding trendiness, creatives of all types have chosen to leave the cubicle and set up shop at home. Amongst the most funded projects in existence are the Oculus Rift, a virtual reality headset that has most recently been purchased by Facebook for one billion dollars, and also the Pebble smartwatch, a piece of wearable technology that connects to your phone and provides fitness data. Both projects have earned millions from their crowd-funding campaigns from Kickstarter, the most popular crowd-funding platform available today. Another kind of crowd-funding platform exists, however, and it’s different from the rest. As of late, it’s been shaking up the world of many creators because of what it has the potential to achieve. This new website, Patreon, is a crowd-funding platform that allows people to pledge money monthly to creators. This model is meant to not only support projects, but also support the creators in the process, and allow them to keep creating. Where sites like Kickstarter are meant to raise funds for one specific project, Patreon raises money for the livelihoods for creators, and is model built for the sustaining of independent work, hence why people are “going indie” as of late. A huge departure from corporate work via Patreon is “Kinda Funny,” a podcast that used to be part of the massive video-game content creation network IGN. Greg Miller, Colin Moriarty and two of their video producers quit the IGN venture to persue their new project full time. With two Patreon accounts earning around $20,000 per month each, they’re set to earn upwards of $400,000 per year, which is unprecedented in the world of Patreon. Taking into account all of the production costs which they now have to provide for themselves, and also things like rent money and the general cost of living for four people, they’re sure to net a considerable amount of money per year from huge amount being pledged every month by the crowd. With wild success stories (or at least the beginnings of one) like Kinda Funny, it seems pretty attractive to take your idea to the general public for funding instead of hoping to be hired in a traditional way. But what is the real cost of being an independent creator? For one, the benefits of being in a traditional professional full-time job. Health insurance is not granted to those who make a living through a crowd-funding website, nor are other taken-for-granted things like vacation or paid sick days. The people behind “Kinda Funny” are adults with families to take care of, and to not have those simple benefits is actually a crippling pitfall that they need to find a way to make due without. There is also the constant fear of people withdrawing their pledges. If one person weren’t able to afford their $5 pledge, that’s not just a one-time payment, but a monthly one that adds up to $60 per year. If, for instance, the “Kinda Funny” guys make an episode that some people don’t agree with, or say something some might find offensive, they may be losing precious dollars in lost support. They are entirely and desperately beholden to their audience, a risky move. Patreon, or any similar platform for that matter, is not for the faint-ofheart, the paranoid or the fearful. While it has the possibility of being one of the most freedom-granting, open sources of creative funding, it also isn’t a substitute for a “real job” in terms of benefits and consistency. If anything, Patreon proves that the lofty dream of going out on one’s own to pursue their creations based on the merits of their work and ideas is more viable than ever right now, and it truly is a great time to be an artist or a creative person.

The recent suicides of multiple transgender teenagers, Bruce Jenner’s now-public transition and the three recent killings of transgender women have put transgender issues and, more importantly, transphobia in our world in the spotlight. The death of transgender teen Leelah Alcorn in particular reached many, as her note singled out her unsupportive parents, who forced her into psychological treatment, commonly referred to as “conversion therapy.” “The insistence of these treatments by family members against an individual’s will is viewed as a rejection of identity,” said Kelly Herbert, the Assistant Director of LGBTQA and Social Justice center at the University. “Study after study shows that family rejection of an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation increases an LGBTQA individual’s risk for mental health issues.”

We must embrace the idea that all of our lives are enhanced by the many differences of identity and experience that we embody -Kelly Herbert

Assistant Director of the LGBTQA Center

The University offers many resources for transgender students who may or may not be dealing with similar issues, including access to restrooms that align with a student’s gender identity, the ability to use a first name that is different from that on course rosters or registration documents, access to health insurance coverage for sex affirmation surgeries and hormone treatments through the Student Health and Sickness Policy, biweekly discussion groups called T-Time for transgender and non-conforming individuals as well as a Queer Studies minor which includes courses such as Transgender Studies and Gender Race and Class in it’s curriculum. These resources are a much needed change in the way transgender individuals are regarded in society, because Alcorn’s death is not the only recent death involving transgender women. According to MSNBC, three African-American transgender women have been killed during the last weeks of January. Thirty-three-year-old Michelle Vash Payne was found fatally stabbed at the scene of a Los Angeles house fire, 24-year-old Ty Underwood was fatally shot driving home in North Tyler, Texas and 30-year-old Lamia Beard was found dead from a gunshot wound in Norfolk, Virginia. The troubling similarity linking all of these recent murders is a lack of information regarding circumstances of these deaths. Herbert believes that there is also a lack of education of the experiences of transgender individuals and of transgender communities. “[Transgender] communities continue to be among the most vulnerable in our country, and that vulnerability is increased among [transgender] people of color and trans youth,” said Herbert. Herbert also lists many issues that transgender individuals face, including: “higher reports of homelessness and family rejection, pervasive reports of gender violence and harassment, poverty, the denial of access to necessary medical and mental health services, discrimination in housing and access to public facilities, employment discrimination, the proliferation of discriminatory administrative policies that prevent an individual from having identification and documentation that matches their gender identity and affirmed name, along with a lack of legal and social protections.” The issues that transgender individuals face do not escape celebrities. Bruce Jenner, United States Olympic track and field athlete has been publicly reported as transitioning into a woman. InTouch Magazine recently came under fire for photoshopping Jenner’s face onto the body of a woman with a front-cover headline “My Life as a Woman.” USA TODAY reported that stepdaughter Kim Kardashian commented: “We support Bruce no matter what. ... On this one, I will say I think Bruce should tell his story his way. I think everyone goes through things in life, but I do think that story and what Bruce is going through, I think he’ll share whenever the time is right,” providing a hint that Jenner is experiencing some form of a transition. There are also rumors that Jenner plans to film his transition for an upcoming docu-series. Specifically regarding the way in which society views LGBTQA individuals, regardless of race or background or social standing, Herbert would like to see a shift in focus. “The focus should be on affirming an individual’s identity and experience, not scrutinizing it,” said Herbert. “We must embrace the idea that all of our lives are enhanced by the many differences of identity and experience that we embody, and that building a world where more people have the ability to exist with a greater degree of freedom, understanding and safety is good for all of us.”

February 20, 2015

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Hit show “Empire” challenges sterotypes, tropes

The cast of “Empire” SARAH HARTZELL Arts Intern Out of the myriad ways FOX’s “Empire” has been described, none quite get that the show is like nothing else on television today—or in recent memory for that matter. Led by “Hustle and Flow” costars and Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson as Luscious and Cookie Lyon, the show is a veritable primetime soap opera, focusing on the Lyon family as the three sons vie for control of their father’s

allhiphop.com record company while he dies of ALS. “Empire”’s star power doesn’t end with its cast, though. Director Lee Daniels, known for Oscar-nominated films “The Butler” and “Precious,” co-created the series and directed the pilot episode. The original music is the standout of the show, thanks to the songwriting and producing of industry giant Timbaland. The songs are performed by the characters on the show, but they have quickly crossed over into the real world, with the EP “Empire: Music From the Pilot” reaching number eight on the Billboard R&B/hip-hop chart.

“Empire” has also received a boost from a slew of guest stars bringing their musical talents into the mix, including Courtney Love, Jennifer Hudson and Gladys Knight. But the drama brings more than just big names and catchy hooks. For all the soap opera drama, there is also a startling realism that brings to light a darker side of the music industry. The series begins with Cookie being released from prison after taking the fall for her husband’s role in their drug dealing. Her involvement with a federal investigation sixteen years after her arrest still threatens her newfound freedom. Luscious’s violent past is very much a part of his present, as flashbacks to his pre-Empire Records days parallel his current tribulations. The Lyon sons are equally as dramatic and engaging. They have complicated relationships with their parents, and ambitions that often overshadow brotherly love. Eldest son Andre, Ivy League lawyer and Empire CFO, seems like the heir apparent to Empire Records, but he lacks the creative abilities of his brothers. Youngest is Hakeem, up-and-coming rapper who is as spoiled as he is talented, and has the potential to be his own downfall. Middle-child Jamal, favorite of mom-ager Cookie, is a brilliant songwriter but has been cast off by his father because of his homosexuality. One particularly difficult flashback shows Luscious throwing a young Jamal in a trash can after he tries on his mother’s heels and scarf. Jamal seems to be the show’s hero, but each brother is a victim to their father’s power and expectations. They never seem to be competing and tearing each other down out of hatred, only out of ambition. The lengths Luscious went to in order to build his empire looms over the brothers, both as motivation and as potential consequence. The tension is both sensationalized and relatable.

“Empire”’s representation of diversity cannot be ignored either. Even in a year that has seen huge leaps in diversity, “Empire” stands out above the rest. Shows with African-American casts are rare enough, but one with a story that directly relates to race, rather than tiptoeing around it, is particularly revolutionary. Empire Records could just be another pop record company, and Luscious could just be another overbearing father, but neither would be as organic or nuanced as the hip-hop mogul from the streets whose past comes back to haunt him. It does not feel the responsibility to portray the perfect black family. It portrays a real black family. “Empire” does not play on stereotypes; it puts stereotypes in context and expounds upon them. In particular, Jamal’s sexuality is very much a part of his story and is not sugarcoated. The complicated relationship between the hip-hop community and homosexuality is shown in its full complexity, rather than an idealized version of the truth. All of these elements add up to more than an entertaining hour of television. They equal commercial success. In addition to impressive album sales, “Empire” is consistently at the top of its time slot and has gained viewers every week since its premiere. The Feb. 11 episode drew 11.9 million viewers, appealing particularly to the coveted 1849 year old demographic. Approximately 33 percent of African-American households tune in each week, which is on par with levels for the Super Bowl. A second season has yet to be announced, but with unprecedented ratings and compelling stories each week, it is hard to see how “Empire” would not be renewed. One can only hope it does, and that its winning combination of stars, music, and riveting melodrama raises the bar for television in the future.

Nightlife: Beauty and Essex’s Lower East Side swank NIK BHARAT Contributor

Nestled behind the unmarked door of an upscale pawnshop of the same name, Beauty and Essex is a New York City experience that everyone should have. In a city full of places that are popular and yet eerily similar to one another, Beauty and Essex has a unique appeal. Once you walk through the pawnshop and enter the restaurant, you’ll notice that it’s almost always crowded (if personal space is your thing, then this might not be the best spot for you). The venue is split into two floors. The downstairs is slightly quieter, with more of a restaurant feel—there’s a small bar and some lounge seating, but mostly dining tables going though to the back of the restaurant. (This place is quite massive for a restaurant in the city, but still always has an intimate ‘buzz.’) The colors are dark, purple and antique gold with mahogany here and there—no doubt it’s a very sexy space, but not so much so that you’d

feel uncomfortable bringing along platonic guests, out-of-towners or even your parents when they visit. Up the grand staircase (the upstairs being my preferred location in the restaurant, although it is slightly harder to obtain a reservation), the interior is similar. There’s a large bar in the middle along with lounge seating opposite the bar. The upstairs dining room is also known as the “locket room,” as it’s walls are covered in antique lockets. Meanwhile, to the left of the bar there is a V.I.P. lounge for those who are doing bottle service. The vibe upstairs is a little louder, a little trendier and for lack of a better word—a bit more New York. The music is a mix of top 40 and general lounge vibes, and its always on point. Everyone here is quite trendy and and celeb sightings are extremely common. Drake and Rihanna have hung out here, Katy Perry is known to frequent and the last time I was here, “Stiffler” from American Pie (Shh, you don’t know his name either) was hanging out with a harem of beautiful women (unsurprisingly). The menu is quite varied but it’s all tapas style so you can try a good chunk

of it during your visit. Standout examples include the grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings (it’s their signature dish! And it’s awesome!), the empanadas (my favorite), the brick-pressed chicken and anything from the raw bar. The drinks here are pretty good too. Since it is technically a ‘speakeasy,’ they’ve got a pretty solid cocktail list— not as good as, say Underdog or Angel’s Share, but better than most places. Standouts include the “Emerald Gimlet” and “Earl the Pearl.” Finally, the desserts. They are all fantastic and beautifully presented and an absolute must. The best ones are the Box of Doughnuts and Petite Cupcakes, both of which come in a box that you can use to take your sweet treats home if you don’t feel like having all of them in one go. (Pro tip—and this ones for the ladies: On weekends, there’s a free glass of bubbly in the women’s restroom to keep you company as you make it back past the crowds to your drink at the table. Gentlemen…I think there might be like, a matchbox or something in our restroom…. don’t hold your breath, though.)

A Beauty & Essex cocktail Nourin Lalezari/The Pace Press

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February 20, 2015

FASHION WEEK HITS LINCOLN CENTER ANTHONINO OLIMPIO Contributor While some people disagree—especially those who have no interest in fashion— there is absolutely nothing more glorious than the first day of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center. For the past eight seasons, I have had the usual lineup of designer shows that were a must on my schedule, despite any other commitments. Some designers in my lineup included Nicholas K, Richard Chai, Carmen Marc Valvo, Pamela Rolland, Michael Costello and Zang Toi. Here are some of my highlights from the season: One of my must-have shows is Nicholas K; who impresses me every single season. Designed by sister and brother, Nicholas and Christopher Kunz, this season was a mix of Victorian Goth with a horror twist. Beginning with the hair and makeup, there was one gray streak that left a salt and pepper feel finished with a knot (yeah, a knot!). The make up was a colorless dramatic look with a sunken eye that married the hair and punk feel that the collection embodied. There were dip dyed floor-length silk gowns, long leather gloves and wide-legged trousers with oversized coats—with a hint of fur, for that luxury feel. What I love about Nicholas K is the versatility in their collections through their pieces; you can dress up or down with it and still have statement pieces. One other must-have is the hair and makeup behind the collections, simply because they’d be nothing without it. Ted Gibson, celebrity hair stylist and salon owner, was behind the look for the stunning Carmen Marc Valvo A/W 2015 collection. Inspired by the plaid and furs in the collection, Ted brought alive the messy schoolgirl twist with a bump of ‘60’s inspired volume. The best part about this is that this chic look can be easily recreated at home. See Ted’s own details at tedgibsonbeauty.com. My other must-have show—which I have attended eight seasons consecutively—is Zang Toi. I can solemnly swear that there has not been a show that I have attended where a standing ovation was not prompted. Every season, I have said, “WOW, he has out done himself” and he does every time. This collection was inspired by Venice, with each of his models walking down the runway to opera music wearing clothes that projected a chic rendering of the city’s culture. He showed tailored suits with a fur lapel in some looks, lace medallion illusion dresses and a sculpted coat. This entire collection carried a neutral color palette— used, of course, in the utmost sophisticated manner. Between the hair, the makeup, the actual clothing (it is fashion week, right?), and the madness that NYFW—there really is nothing more glorious than a full week of designers, shows and press. With my must-have lineup of designers, I can theupcoming.co.uk certainly say I was not disappointed by any means, because with every show I went to, I kept screaming in my head to myself “I MUST HAVE THAT!” as every piece walked down the runway.

For more runway highlights, visit Anthonino at TheSalonGuy on YouTube and @ NinoOlimpio on Instagram

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