Panel Probes Enviornmental Impacts of Factory Farming, Animal
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the commentatorThe Student Newspaper of the New York University School of Law Volume XLV, Number 5 November 14, 2011 First-Year Gender Gap Panel Probes Enviornmental Impacts Widens Dramatically of Factory Farming, Animal Anibiotics Citing Lower Yield, Admissions Vows BY ELIZA be TH HALLINAN ’13 cheap as it appears because the difficult to know where to start. CONTRI B UTING WRIT E R price to consumers excludes the Animal welfare, human health, to Enhance Outreach to Women; It is no secret that there is extensive environmental and workers’ rights, and many other something wrong with the food health costs to society — what issues are implicated in the mess JD Student Body Only 41% Female system in this country. Some economists call “externalities.” of the CAFO system. Americans go hungry, while Mr. Fulton noted that Ameri- So what can we do? Mr. BY HANNAH BAK E R ’13 a delicate line between reaching others suffer obesity from con- cans used to spend far more Bittman, author of several STAFF WRIT E R out specifically to women and suming too much high fructose money on food than on health cookbooks, hopes that we start Why is this year’s 1L class implying that all women share corn syrup and too many nutri- insurance, but that ratio has cooking more at home and rely- only 40 percent women? No one certain interests. ent-poor processed foods. reversed. He specu- seems to know. But at least a few Outreach usually does On Tuesday, October 25, lated on a causal firm things can be said about this work, though, Kleinrock said. NYU Law’s Student Animal Le- link: deteriorating worrying statistic. It’s worked in the past. The gal Defense Fund and the Envi- food quality has First of all, this is definitely a class of 2013 had an unusu- ronmental Law Society hosted made Americans downturn. While men outnumber ally low percentage of Asian a panel to discuss another crisis sicker. women, both at NYU and in law students — 8.8 percent. The in the American food culture: Ms. Sorenson school in general, the difference Office of Admissions spoke the environmental implications explained that 80 has not been this sharp in a single to student groups, coordinated of concentrated animal feeding percent of all an- NYU class since 1996. outreach, and saw this year’s operations (CAFOs), colloqui- tibiotics in the U.S. Second, the biggest problem group of Asian 1Ls rise to 13 ally known as factory farms. are fed to CAFO is at the yield stage — the stage percent. But admissions statis- The panel was comprised of animals. These an- at which admitted students decide tics are still far from accurately Mark Bittman of The New York tibiotics are given between their offers and send in predictable, and the Office was Times; Kevin Fulton of the sus- subtherapeutically, their deposits. In 2011, 45 percent blindsided by 2011’s low yield tainable Fulton Farms; Jonathan meaning they are Mark Bittman of acceptance letters were sent of female 1Ls. Lovvorn of the Human Society used not to improve out to women, about the same While this year’s drop can of the United States; and Jen animal health, but to enhance ing less on the food industry to percentage as most years. But in be attributed to the yield, the Sorenson of the Natural Re- growth rates and improve feed tell us what to eat. Ms. Soren- the yield stage, the percentage of percentage of women choos- sources Defense Council. David efficiency. Unfortunately, as son suggested that focusing on women dropped by five percent, ing some other law school over Wolfson, who teaches NYU’s Mr. Bittman pointed out, this human health concerns is an revealing a disturbing truth: fewer NYU is not the only problem. Animal Law seminar, served as extraordinary overuse of anti- effective litigation tactic. Mr. women than men are choosing The national applicant pool moderator. biotics contributes to the grow- Lovvorn has found nuisance NYU as their law school. for law school is as evenly split Mr. Fulton explained that ing prevalence of “superbugs” law to be a fruitful litigation Ken Kleinrock, Assistant as the general population, but CAFOs are not the mom-and- that are resistant to therapeutic strategy. And Mr. Fulton in- Dean for Admissions, is con- the “top” of the pool — the pop family farms depicted use of these antibiotics when vited the entire audience to see cerned about the gap. “I take it students that, based on GPA on milk cartons. The EPA animals — or humans — need his sustainable farm at work in almost personally,” he said. He and LSAT scores are within the describes “animal feeding op- treatment. Nebraska. Judging by the warm doesn’t understand what it is reach of NYU’s possible con- erations” as “agricultural op- As one audience member reception given to him and all that deterred a higher percentage sideration — is split 60/40 in erations where animals are kept commented after the panel, a the speakers by the audience of women from NYU this year, favor of men. At almost all of and raised in confined situations challenge to discussing factory that night, I might not be the but he is determined to find out. the U.S. News and World Re- … which congregate animals, farming is that, with so many only one to take him up on his The Office of Admissions is port’s top ten law schools, men feed, manure and urine, dead issues of concern, it can be offer. stepping up its efforts to reach outnumber women by at least animals, and out to women, particularly dur- two to three percent. At NYU production ing the critical post-admission the difference is fairly drastic operations on period. The office has asked for — the total JD student body is a small land help from student groups such as only 41 percent women. area.” Mr. Bitt- man worries There is no definitive answer on about the en- vironmental why this disparity exists, although damage these there are many guesses. Despite the operations cause. CAFOs “more than one hundred years that are major pol- luters of local have passed since NYU first admit- toxins (from overflow- ted women, female lawyers and law ing manure lagoons, for students still face bias and pressure example) and greenhouse at all stages of their careers. gases. Mr. Bittman ex- ” plained that Law Women, and will be meet- There is no definitive an- meat is not as Unlike this farmer, factory farming relies on “animal feeding operations.” ing with committees of female swer on why this disparity ex- alumni and professors to decide ists, although there are many on a strategy. guesses. Despite the more than Kleinrock says that he wants one hundred years that have Ditch the Icicles and Enjoy a Cup of Hot Chocolate This Winter page 2 to make female applicants aware passed since NYU first admitted of some advantages about NYU women, female lawyers and law — among them the high numbers students still face bias and pres- The Twilight Zone of 1L Dating page 3 of female faculty and the oppor- sure at all stages of their careers. tunities to study women’s rights But with any luck, at least next Infra Double Dose of Joaquin Phoenix page 4 and gender issues in law. But at year we will see a more nearly the same time, he said, “I don’t equal percentage of women in want to be seen as pandering.” It’s the class of 2015. Page 2 Editorialsc November 14, 2011 Beating the White Witch: See the Sights this Holiday Season BY LE IGHTON DE LLING E R ’12 South Texas roots make me ED ITOR -IN -CHI E F a terrible ice-skater. I can’t Now that Fall Ball is over go quickly and I fall down. it’s time for us to get serious … Constantly. If I invite you to about the holiday season! Dis- join me at Bryant Park or the claimer: I love holidays. All of Highline this holiday season, them. Christmas with my fam- you should make up an excuse ily is my favorite, but Thanks- to go another day — I will giving is a close second. I think keep pace with six-year-olds what I really love is the season and pull you down when I and the attitude that goes with fall. I will have a great time it. Suddenly, getting elbowed so it may be an enjoyable by a surly New Yorker on a experience for you, but it will cold day turns into a cheery be enjoyable the same way interaction — “Excuse me! that “The Smurfs” movie Happy holidays!” Fall leaves lit- was enjoyable when I saw ter the streets and before long, it with my little cousin (she small twinkly lights reflecting ate her weight in candy and off banks of snow light up giggled the whole time. That the city. Every window looks was adorable. Everything warm and inviting; stores and happening on the screen was apartments take on the smells horrible.) of the holiday — gingerbread, For those of you staying pumpkin, and apple pie; and in New York for Thanks- riffs on turkey, dressing, and giving, and especially for cranberry show up on special Seinfeld fans, the inflation of holiday menus. The weather outside gets frightful, but there’s a silver lining: Ice-skating, Christmas trees, and delicious holiday treats. the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving The problem with the holi- and take advantage of my super- Day Parade Balloon Inflation day season in law school is a lot flexible student schedule.