4 CULTURE 9 OPINION Bread Club Plans to Unite Students Stand With LS Professors, Even if Through Common Grain NYU Won’t

6 ARTS 10 SPORTS Somehow, Tisch New Theatre Rein- Battling Rain and Wind, NYU Quid- vents Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’ ditch Crowned Regional Champs

VOLUME LIII | ISSUE 11 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Safe Ride Drives Students Away With Two-Hour Waits, Failures to Arrive

By LISA COCHRAN Students report long wait times Deputy News Editor — some as long as two hours — CAS sophomore Liz Marquis and two of her friends were leaving and poor communication when a party near Broome Street Resi- dence Hall at 1 a.m. last month. using Safe Ride, NYU’s ride- They were bound for University sharing service meant to provide Residence Hall — a 23-minute walk that should translate to a nine-min- safe transportation for students ute drive. Factoring in the distance and late hour, the trio decided to out late at night. call a Safe Ride — NYU’s late-night rideshare service — with hopes of arriving at their destination shortly. But by the time the vehicle dropped them off at U-Hall, more than three hours had passed. After Marquis called the Safe Ride that night, she was told by the dispatcher that the vehicle would arrive in 45 minutes. When she and her friends boarded the Safe Ride — which came in double the promised time — the vehicle drove around for two hours, taking what Marquis said was an unusual route. “They stopped at Brittany, and I thought, ‘Okay, U-Hall should be next,’ but then it went back to Wein- stein and to Bobst,” Marquis said. She added that even though her dorm is far from most NYU facili- ties, she no longer sees Safe Ride as a viable option after this occurrence. VERONICA LIOW | WSN CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 NYU Safe Ride cars outside Third Avenue North Residence Hall.

NYU Students Conquer New York City Marathon

By BELA KIRPALANI miles a week [earlier on] and the highest “Everything that you do, you need to along the East River, extending it further Reitzas’ dad flew in from California to Sports Editor mileage was on Sunday when 14 weeks remember that you do your run,” Reit- and further until he reached the 20-mile watch him run on Sunday ⁠— something into the training program, I’d run 20 zas said. “So some days, when I would marker. Each time, he would bring $5 that means a lot to the SPS junior. Franklin Reitzas was supposed to run miles in one sitting,” Reitzas said. have a full day of school and work and I with him on his run to buy two bottles “For him to spend over $500 on a ticket the New York City marathon in his first Reitzas ran cross country competitive- wouldn’t finish my day until 10 p.m. and of Powerade from the halal cart he always just to come watch me run for three hours year at NYU, but he forgot to sign up for ly in high school and even contemplated I’m exhausted. I get home, I take off my passed ⁠— one for the run to his target and or just to support me at the finish line and the race before the deadline. walking on to NYU’s cross country team backpack, I sit on my couch and I think, one for the journey home. say, ‘You did a good job,’ It just makes me This time, the SPS junior planned ev- before deciding against it in order to en- ‘OK, I just want to go to bed.’ But then “And then when I go home, all I have really happy to think that he’s proud of erything out far in advance and started joy a more robust college experience that you think, ‘No, I have to run.’” is a carton of eggs,” Reitzas said, detailing me and that he really wants to see me ac- training over the summer. He ran almost wasn’t tied to running. However, he “All I do is think about food and sleep,” his somewhat unusual eating habits. “I’ll complish my goals,” Reitzas said. every single day for 16 weeks, only taking continued running in his free time and, he later added. “When’s my run? If I eat crack it open, crack six eggs, boil it up a On Sunday, Reitzas finished with a days off on Fridays. when it came to preparing for the mara- now, can I run later?” little bit, put some vinegar and then eat it. time of 3:34:31. “I was running probably around 30 thon, he was all-in. He would run the same route each day It’s some good protein.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 2 Washington Square News MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

[email protected] NEWS Edited by VICTOR PORCELLI Safe Ride Drives Students Away With Two-Hour Waits, Failures to Arrive

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 portation Services Greg Rivas. we can do that’ but then we waited for and my friend just ordered a cab back Rory Meyers first-year Taylor Rob- “I almost started crying on the Safe The document also indicated that the two hours and it still wasn’t there,” home,” Tan said. ben said her Safe Ride, despite multiple Ride out of frustration,” Marquis said. Safe Ride service includes a dispatcher Chace said. “We literally would’ve Tan said that once, after a late-night phone calls and multiple requests on- “I would rather pay for an Uber than who closely monitors routes. walked if we’d known it would have study session at Bobst Library, the Safe line and on the app, never arrived. Like take [another] Safe Ride.” “[The] live dispatcher is able to taken two hours.” Ride she requested went all the way to Marquis and Chace, she was dissuaded Safe Ride is a free overnight transpor- quickly see trips that are experiencing CAS sophomore Daniel Cienava re- Tandon School of Engineering’s cam- from using the service again. tation service available during academic sub-optimal experiences, such as longer counted waiting for nearly an hour the pus in Brooklyn before it dropped Similarly, CAS sophomore Ivan terms through which NYU community than usual wait times, and move these first time he used Safe Ride as a first-year. her off near her home in Manhattan’s Benitez attempted to request Safe Ride members can request rides to and from trips to the top of the priority list,” the “It was a Saturday night going into Stuyvesant Town neighborhood. six different times in the past without NYU facilities from midnight to 7 a.m. document reads. Sunday morning, I called the Safe Ride The NYU Department of Public it ever arriving. When a Safe Ride he The service is intended to provide a safe Rivas did not respond to a request for at 4 a.m. because I didn’t want to walk Safety piloted a Brooklyn overnight called this Halloween did arrive, it was mode of transportation for students comment by time of publication. back from Rubin to U-Hall, because shuttle last Spring — operating on a nearly two hours late. who are out late at night and may be Twenty-two students interviewed by that’s not fun,” he said. fixed route, transporting students from “Halloween was the first time I’d intoxicated. Its vehicles are operated by WSN found fault in these statements, Cienava attributed the long NYU buildings in Manhattan to Brook- ever gotten one that actually arrived,” the Academy Bus line. The only mecha- citing wait times of 45 minutes or lon- wait time to high usage during late lyn every half-hour starting at 12:30 Benitez said. “It fluctuated between two nism for reporting complaints is an on- ger, illogical routes and inconsistent hours on weekends. a.m. — which runs concurrently with stops and five stops and one stop and line Google form. communication between constituents “I even called them up because I was Safe Ride, currently only operating on then six stops, you kinda never knew Rides can be requested via the Safe and the Safe Ride system. very confused about when it was getting a point-to-point system in Manhattan. when it was gonna get there.” NYU Mobile App, the Safe Ride web “It always takes so long,” Marquis there and they said, ‘Yeah, be patient, Stern first-year Grace Zhu said that Safe Rides not arriving at all is part portal or the Department of Pub- said. “Sometimes the Safe Ride people there are a lot of kids like you requesting during one of her Safe Ride experienc- of a larger issue students said was due lic Safety’s hotline and are processed will hang up on you, it takes so long to us,’” Cienava said. “One of the times [it es going from Third North Residence to a general lack of communication through an algorithm which considers get to the destination to pick you up and wasn’t late] was a Sunday night, the oth- Hall to Lipton Residence Hall, the between Safe Ride’s operations and the vehicles on the road, passengers’ then it’ll go in order of who called it and er was a weeknight.” driver’s GPS stopped working and a Safe Ride users. destinations and the number of requests not what’s closest.” CAS senior Paggie Tan has used Safe student passenger was forced to nav- “My biggest issue with Safe Ride is being processed. Like Marquis, CAS first-year Amina Ride over 50 times on both weekends igate the route. that it’s supposed to operate as a reli- “The software algorithm then assigns Chace said that she does not plan to use and weekdays. She said it was late picking “The driver didn’t know where he able, quick and safe way to get home,” the request based on the most efficient Safe Ride anymore after four unsuccess- her up in nearly half of those instances. was going so it wasn’t a very safe expe- Marquis said. “That’s never the case.” use of resources,” reads a document ful experiences. “One time I waited for 45 minutes rience,” Zhu said. outlining the Safe Ride service sent to “One time we called and they said it and then they said the other kids [ahead Some students say their requested Email Lisa Cochran WSN by Assistant Director of Trans- would be 30 minutes so we said, ‘Okay, on the list] were still waiting to go, so me rides never even came. at [email protected].

Often A Barrier, Incarceration Led These Six Students to NYU Degrees By VICTOR PORCELLI “I can congratulate each student by For Padilla, his experiences and educa- News Editor name,” Hamilton said. “With over 10,000 tion while incarcerated have encouraged students, it would take us all day to do that.” him to fight against the oppression, injus- Omar Padilla never received a high The class size is one difference of many. tice and discrimination of marginalized school diploma. He dropped out after Hamilton pointed out in his speech that, communities. Having been released, Padil- his junior year and joined a gang. But on while NYU first-years may take for granted la plans to enroll in NYU in the fall to pur- Monday, he received an associates’ degree their opportunity to receive a college edu- sue his B.S. in Political Science and work as in Liberal Studies from NYU after taking cation, PEP graduates certainly do not. a grassroots organizer or politician. two years of classes while incarcerated at “Most people cannot afford or gain “The social structure in this country Wallkill Correctional Facility. access to such a prestigious university,” is designed the way it is for a reason, to “It’s something I’ve been wanting to now-graduate Jeffrey Grimes said in his keep people from being successful while achieve my whole life,” Padilla said. “With speech. “PEP makes that possible.” struggling to survive,” Padilla said in his the price of my freedom, I was able to en- PEP students’ experiences bring more speech. “Continue to move forward with joy graduating.” than an appreciation for their education. education. Do not allow for an error in Padilla, who contributes to WSN’s The NYU Professor of Sociology Jeff Manza, your life to dictate who you are to become. Wallkill Journal, graduated from NYU’s who taught a semester in the PEP in 2015 Education will open doors you never Prison Education program alongside five and another this summer, said students at knew possible.” others, all of whom were handed their Wallkill have a perspective those at NYU’s Education is more than a path to greater degrees by NYU President Andrew Ham- Washington Square campus lack. opportunities for PEP graduates. Grimes VICTOR PORCELLI | WSN ilton. During his speech to a crowd of “In Washington Square, a lot of my said it was a way for him to escape from NYU’s Prison Education Program’s class of 2019 graduated on Monday. From left: Ray- von Gordon, Omar Padilla, James Keno and Jeffrey Grimes. around 100 PEP students, professors and class is spent trying to teach students how dark times while incarcerated. One week, family or friends, Hamilton noted how the inequality works,” Manza said. “Here, at he said he had six papers due in the days ceremony — which took place at the pris- Wallkill, students already have a deep un- following a period in solitary confinement. were Darion Alls and Jonathan Salgado, other graduates means he’s less likely to on — was different from the typical spring derstanding of inequality and so we have Rather than a cause of stress, the papers two graduates who did not attend the cer- continue schooling. No matter what grad- commencement at Yankee Stadium. richer conversations.” were a welcome distraction for Grimes. emony on Monday. uates do after reentry, Hamilton hopes “It kept me grounded, it kept me pos- Graduate James Keno is the only one PEP will prepare them for it. itive,” Grimes said. “It kept me out of a yet to be released — but he was still in good “Hearing the words of these four, you negative environment.” spirits at the ceremony. Keno joked in his could hear from them how tough it was to Another of the graduates, Rayvon speech that, while attending a previous study in an environment like this. The pro- Gordon — who has also written for The graduation, he “made the fatal mistake” gram helps them in focusing their minds, Wallkill Journal and other publications — of telling his wife, Sheila, that he wanted their ambitions while here and focusing spoke to the impact of professors in the to be on the stage. Sheila encouraged him them on their pathway once they are re- program, who make the two-hour trip to to enroll and has backed his educational leased,” Hamilton told WSN. “It’s abso- upstate New York twice a week. efforts ever since. lutely what NYU should be doing.” “The professors, staff, everybody,” Gor- While enrolled in PEP, Keno said he had For Gordon, above all, Monday’s cer- don said. “Their support, love, it was gen- times when he was ready to give up, but his emony was about enjoying what came uine looking forward to helping me get a wife’s support helped him keep going. from his hard work. better education.” “He wanted to do it but got discouraged “I’m ecstatic, this was an amazing expe- Gordon graduated high school in 2003 sometimes,” Sheila said. “My mom used rience for me to come back and share this,” and received 48 credits from the City to say ‘I go to work, you go to school,’ so Gordon said. “I love it all, I’m just living University of New York, Queensborough that’s what I told him.” in the moment.” VICTOR PORCELLI | WSN After more than a decade in prison, Omar Padilla has been released since graduating College, before dropping out to raise his Keno hopes to use his degree to find from PEP. Padilla is a published poet and writer and an advocate for marginalized children. Like Padilla, Gordon and Grimes employment and support his family upon Email Victor Porcelli communities. have been released since graduating. So graduating, saying being older than the at [email protected]. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Washington Square News | News 3

CRIME LOG Palladium Makes Behind-the- Missing Pillowcases Scenes Changes to Meet in Othmer Hall Health Standards By CRIME BOT Hall. The case is closed and re- Robot Reporter ferred to the Office of Communi- ty Standards. From Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, the On Oct. 31 at 9:33 p.m., an RA NYU Department of Public Safe- reported witnessing underage ty received two reports of drug alcohol possession in Rubin Res- law violation, one report of drug idence Hall. The case is closed law violation / liquor law vio- and referred to the Office of lation, one report of fondling, Community Standards. three reports of harassment, two On Oct. 31 at 9:40 p.m., an RA reports of larceny, 10 reports of li- reported witnessing underage quor law Violation, one report of alcohol possession in Rubin Hall. sexual assault, one report of sim- The case is closed and referred ple assault, one report of stalking to the Office of Community and one report of trespassing. Standards. On Oct. 31 at 11:01 p.m., an RA Drug Law Violation reported underage alcohol pos- On Oct. 28 at 2:23 p.m., a session in Third North. The case member of Public Safety wit- is closed and referred to the Of- nessed illegal drug possession fice of Community Standards. and recovered a small amount of On Nov. 1 at 12:35 a.m., an marijuana in Third Avenue North RA reported witnessing under- Residence Hall. The case is age alcohol possession in Lip- closed and referred to the Office ton Residence Hall. The case is of Community Standards. closed and referred to the Office MAX LERNER | WSN On Oct. 31 at 1:09 a.m., Pub- of Community Standards. Students order at Palladium Food Court, which is addressing the problems that caused it to fail a September health inspection. lic Safety reported to an alleged On Nov. 1 at 12:49 a.m., an RA drug law violation incident and reported witnessing underage By MILIANA BOCHER timing,” but that procedural meth- specific temperature and then moved confiscated a small amount of alcohol possession in Weinstein Staff Writer ods have since been changed to avoid to a properly-functioning fridge. If the marijuana in University Resi- Residence Hall. The case is future problems. food is not at an acceptable tempera- dence Hall. The case is closed closed and referred to the Office Palladium Food Court filth flies be- Palladium hired two outside exter- ture past the time limitation set by the and referred to the Office of of Community Standards. ware: the facility has upped its game, mination teams to sanitize and fumi- DOHMH, it will be thrown away. Community Standards. On Nov. 1 at 1:04 a.m., an RA hiring not one, but two outside exter- gate the kitchens to get rid of the filth “All of our associates are serious reported underage alcohol pos- mination teams, one of many measures flies, according to Lestrange. Addition- about [food and safety],” Bodner said. Drug Law Violation / session in Lipton Hall. The case taken to improve upon the narrow B ally, it has increased the frequency of “[Food and safety] is a part of putting Liquor Law Violation is closed and referred to the Of- grade received by the dining hall in Sep- visits from a third-party company that on my chef coat. It’s really important.” On Nov. 1 at 5:20 a.m., an RA fice of Community Standards. tember after an initial failing C grade. critiques the dining hall according to By the manager’s office in the reported underage alcohol pos- On Nov. 1 at 2:43 a.m., an RA Palladium failed a health inspection a rubric similar to a health inspection, kitchen, a log on the wall tracks the session and illegal drug pos- reported underage alcohol pos- — mainly due to the presence of filth to help it prepare for future DOHMH amount of waste generated by the fa- session in Third North. Public session in Third North. The case flies in the facility — in early Septem- visits. Employees will also be retrained cility. Although some of the policies Safety reported to the location is closed and referred to the Of- ber and received a 46, 19 points above on temperature-logging methods. implemented after the health inspec- and confiscated a small amount fice of Community Standards. what qualifies for a C, the worst grade “We increased the visits [from the tion sacrifice waste limitations for of marijuana. The case is closed On Nov. 1 at 4:47 a.m., an RA possible. The grade has since improved third-party company] and asked for food safety, Palladium managers still and referred to the Office of reported underage alcohol pos- to a B as the Department of Health spontaneity, so now they just pop expect to meet the goal of less than 10% Community Standards. session in Third North. The case and Mental Hygiene’s policy requires up and do an inspection,” NYU Eats waste in the future. is closed and referred to the Of- a follow-up inspection for restaurants Quality Assurance Director Clifford “There’s a new policy that all the rice Fondling fice of Community Standards. that fail as an opportunity to improve Mondesir told WSN. is being tossed at the end of the night,” On Oct. 26 at 3:40 p.m., a stu- On Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m., an RA their grade. The B grade will stand un- A former inspector for the Lestrange said. “We’re tracking the dent reported being fondled in reported underage alcohol pos- til there is another inspection. DOHMH, Mondesir said he is on waste logs, but that’s something that is Third North. The case is closed session in Second Street Res- “At some point in the future, there campus to ensure that future health in- not being saved for safety reasons.” and referred to the Title IX of- idence Hall. The case is closed will be another inspection, and we will spections will show the progress Palla- The Palladium staff awaits the next fice. and referred to the Office of have an A,” NYU Eats Vice President dium has made within the past month. health inspection, which will also Community Standards. Dennis Lestrange told WSN. “I’m A tour inside the facility showed come unannounced, to potentially Harassment committed to it.” long temperature logs located at all replace the B that is currently hang- On Oct. 25 at 12:50 p.m., two Sexual Assault Palladium’s low grade was partly preparation and serving stations that ing on the wall. students reported being ha- On Oct. 29 at 4:36 p.m., a due to food kept at improper tempera- document the food to be served to “I’m confident with all the changes rassed in Palladium Residence sexual assault was reported in tures. Lestrange said rice at the Mr. students. According to Chartwells we have here that we’re going to have Hall. The case is open and under Broome Street Residence Hall. Bing station and tomatoes in the facili- District Chef Sarah Bodner, if a cooler an A next time,” Lestrange said. investigation. Police notification was declined ty were two food items that resulted in is at the wrong temperature it will im- On Oct. 27 at 3:48 a.m., sev- and the case is open and under Palladium’s high score. He said some mediately be evaluated; each individual Email Miliana Bocher eral students report being ha- investigation. of the issues occurred due to “poor item within it will be checked for its at [email protected]. rassed in Palladium Hall. The case is open and under investi- Simple Assault gation. On Nov. 1 at 2:46 a.m., a stu- On Oct. 28 at 7:22 p.m., a stu- dent reported being assaulted at dent reported being harassed in Lafayette Avenue and Franklin Bobst Library. Police notifica- Avenue. Police notification was tion was declined and the case declined and the case is open is open and under investigation. and under investigation. Washington Square News Larceny Stalking On Oct. 29 at 4:59 p.m., a stu- On Oct. 30 at 4:09 p.m., a stu- dent reported missing pillow- dent reported being stalked in cases from Othmer Residence Washington Square Park. The Hall. The case is open and under case is open and under investi- investigation. gation. On Oct. 29 at 12:30 p.m., an @nyunews NYU affiliate reported a miss- Trespassing ing clothing bag from 370 Jay On Oct. 29 at 11:48 a.m., a staff Street. Police notification was member reported a trespass at declined and the case is open 383 Lafayette Ave. NYPD was and under investigation. notified. The person left without further incident and the case is Liquor Law Violation open and under investigation. @nyunews On Oct. 25 at 11:08 p.m., an RA reported underage alcohol pos- Email Crime Bot session in Palladium Residence at [email protected]. 4 Washington Square News MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

[email protected] CULTURE Edited by CAROL LEE Bread Club Plans to Unite Students Through Common Grain

By SABRINA CHOUDHARY common ground is bread. a fundraiser. Staff Writer “Bread is just like a mediator, you “I’m a huge fan of the Great Brit- know,” Lee said. “It’s an excuse to ish Bake Off,” he said. “If they did CAS sophomore Grant Lee bring on more discussion with people like a competition, I mean I don’t knew he wanted to start a club this and get more exposure to different know how many serious bakers there year — all he needed was an idea. people and cultures.” are on campus, but I would pay big In the nick of time, inspiration Bread has the added benefit of be- money for tickets. I would pay to be, struck him and fellow CAS sopho- ing the base of many dishes, allowing like, a judge sampling [breads].” more Andrew Huang. the club to bring in other foods to go CAS first-year Madeleine Munn “We were sitting at another club’s with their bread. It’s also affordable spoke to the idea of bread as a unifier. event and my friend realized clubs enough on a tight budget. “It’s a little less controversial than get free food, right?” Lee said. “So “We all want to save money, so if a lot of other things,” Munn said. we could really capitalize on that and we’re going home we’re eating peanut “Like you don’t have to talk about bring people together and enjoy dif- butter and jelly on bread every day,” who’s right and who’s wrong, it’s ferent kinds of food.” Huang said. “That’s kind of boring.” just interesting to see other people’s And just like that, NYU Huang hopes that by exposing stu- breads. I’d be like, ‘Oh, a new bread Bread Club was born. dents to different types of bread, the I’ve never heard of that goes with Lee and Huang have submitted the club can give students a foundation your culture. Love it! Support you!’” proposal for Bread Club, and if every- for more exciting meals. These positive responses are thing is approved, it should become a At a typical Bread Club meeting, great news for Bread Club. Howev- full-fledged all-university club in the students would share a loaf from a er, they also illuminate its primary spring with Lee as its president. grocery store or bakery and use it as a shortcoming so far — advertising. “My vision would just be, you starting point for discussion, Huang Without an understanding of the know, people come together and said. However, he and Lee have lots of club’s goal of student body unifica- share bread and talk about whatever ideas for special events, ranging from tion, the name “Bread Club” might life they live, whatever culture they bread-baking lessons and talks from only be understood to mean free share,” Lee said. “I feel like although local bakery owners to bread-eating snacks for students. NYU is diverse, a lot of times [stu- contests and debates. “If you just say “Bread Club” then dents get] stuck with their own race, “I think there can be some kinds I think most people might not see the culture or region they came from.” of events or small shenanigans that point to it,” said CAS sophomore Huang added, “I don’t think make you happy or excited,” Lee said. Marilyn Ramos. “The Cheese Club, VIA FACEBOOK NYU’s a very connected school; we Students are already enthusiastic for example — I have no idea what the NYU Bread Club, started by CAS sophomores Grant Lee and Andrew Huang, is a group don’t have a lot of school spirit. No about the prospective club. Cheese Club does, all I know is that of passionate students who share the bread, and build meaningful connections. one really comes together for any- “I think I would probably go to there’s a Cheese Club. So I think it’s thing. So I think Bread Club could the events to try to make bread,” important that it doesn’t become just be, possibly, that place where every- CAS sophomore Tatiana Robb said. “the Bread Club,” but the club that tivated student. it, “You can’t say no to free food one comes together and they actually “You know the ones where you braid does this and that through bread.” “If you’re passionate about some- and fun times.” share everything.” them? Those are really cute, and ev- The Bread Club’s Facebook group thing, I think anything can come So stay tuned this spring — it’s the While most cultural clubs at NYU eryone likes bread.” is already at 144 members and count- true,” he said. yeast you can do. unite students of the same back- CAS senior Jebb Baguioro was ing. Though the club application And with the rapid accumula- ground, Bread Club strives to be a also eager to check out the events, process can be a pain, according to tion of support for Bread Club, this Email Sabrina Choudhary cross-cultural club whose members’ even proposing his own idea for Lee, it’s worth the effort for any mo- is proving to be true. As Lee put at [email protected].

A Tale of Two Cities, but One Without Dollar Pizza

By ANNA CUCIUREAN-ZAPAN this was my arrival at NYU Florence tionable chicken. I hardly remember the door of my new apartment. Washington Square campus bubble Contributing Writer at the start of this semester, the fall of anything from that first day. I sat in Orientation week was a whirlwind anymore. The sudden change in scen- my sophomore year. After a full day Villa Sassetti on the NYU Florence that saw me trying to figure out ery made me realize that I don’t have Three roller bags crashing onto of flying, my mind was quite fuzzy, campus for about a million hours where I fit in Florence. Between the to be cooped up in my bedroom and the cobblestone ground, my arms made worse by the fact I didn’t eat filling out immigration forms and well-dressed Italians in their flowy feel homesick every day and call my flailing and me, drenched in sweat: anything except the airline’s ques- suddenly I was turning the keys in dresses and blue suits and the hordes parents any time something slightly of U.S. tourists whacking me in the upsetting happens to me. There’s face with their selfie sticks, I had no no time to be homesick when you’re clue who I should identify with or suddenly traveling every weekend. act like. But it wasn’t the first time Living abroad for a semester also I’d felt this way. helps you realize what’s important As a first-year, I found myself in your life, though in different ways missing home more and more with than New York City: it encourages each passing week. I struggled to put you to reflect on the little things, myself out there and connect with the seemingly unimportant moments new college friends, as I wondered that are shaping you as a person. what my high school friends were do- These moments, though they seem ing, how college was going for them insignificant, have shaped my experi- and who their friends were. In a way, ences in Florence. I can run to catch traveling thousands of miles from my the train to Rome, I can order brunch home has brought me closer to the in broken Italian, I can cook chicken people I grew up with. Finding ways that tastes only vaguely burnt and to call your friends and family across I can scream the lyrics to “Party in a six-hour time difference is a new the U.S.A.” in the middle of Piazza kind of challenge, but an obstacle Duomo at 1 a.m. and hopefully not easily hurdled when you realize the get arrested for noise disturbance. I importance of reporting your fourth can make mistakes and relish them slice of pizza of the day. You realize because they’re not just a part of that the people you want to tell your studying abroad — they’re a part of crazy stories to and send your hor- becoming confident in your vulnera- ribly touristy selfies to are the ones bilities. And all it took for me to real- you should keep around. ize this was to pack my bags and cross Having the courage to leave the the ocean, entering a new country comfort of a Starbucks at every cor- and an unfamiliar, exciting future. ner is happily rewarded with the feel- Email Anna Cuciurean-Zapan ZIXUAN GAO | WSN ing of finally being a part of a bigger A garden on the NYU Florence campus. world; central Florence isn’t your at [email protected]. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Washington Square News | Culture 5

Hot Takes From the Beauty & Style Desk

label has been credited with everything ized toe cap counts as design. from bringing utilitarian irony back into fashion to establishing Helvetica Neue as Alexander McQueen Oversized the dominant typeface in design circles. Sneaker His designs haven’t come without some These are the official footwear of every missteps, however. His signature prod- Tribeca mom, most often paired with a ucts are his graphic tees, many of them smoothie and an Equinox membership. logo-adorned and less than spectacular. I guess these fall into the bulky sneaker It is not a fashion statement to put on trend, which I don’t have a problem with an ill-fitting t-shirt plastered with some per se. I respect your average Balenciaga gaudy arrows or diagonal lines. This is lit- Triple S and love my own Raf Simons erally the same thing we endured during Ozweego, the shoes at the origin of the the Abercrombie & Fitch graphic tee era, entire trend. One problem with these is only at a luxury price point. Save your- that they are not even that chunky. Their self the money. only defining feature and the one that loosely places them into the category are Comme des Garçons Converse their bloated rubber soles. Beyond this, ANGEL WANG | WSN Four years ago, this trend was great. they are an unremarkable leather sneaker A student wears black Comme des Garçons Converse. I even considered buying a pair myself. that is just stamped with the McQueen They were an affordable way to buy logo. The late McQueen himself would By CHAD EVANS Special shoutout to the guy in the Stern trends that, according to one guy’s irrel- into the CDG play brand, regardless of definitely not be pleased. They lack the Staff Writer building at 11 a.m. on Mondays and evant opinion, have seen their share of their simplistic design. A Saturday night, macabre avant-garde spirit of his designs Wednesdays that wears structured blazers overuse or inexplicable popularity. Brooklyn-bound L train has at least one and come off as a cash grab. If it were Few colleges or universities can claim with his Balenciagas. pair in every car. It’s statistics. It is a trend not for the branding, these shoes would the fashion culture that NYU can. With such fierce competition, it can Off-White Graphic Tees that needs to pass not only for its overuse, fit in perfectly at Zara with their generic Whether I want to admit it or not, it was be difficult to maintain an individual I’m not going to trash Off-White in but its uninteresting design. The shoes silhouette. For something identical, shop a small but contributing factor in my de- style. Too often, trying to stay on trend the way that many self-proclaimed fash- really aren’t anything more than an all- at an actual Zara instead. cision to attend. I genuinely enjoy eyeing can lead to copying others to the point of ion critics seem to, since it’s not a hot white ’70s Chuck Taylor shoe with the the street style of students while walking exhaustion and sometimes, these trends take nor one I agree with. Virgil Abloh CDG heart logo screen printed on the Email Chad Evans to class and spotting some real gems. don’t even make sense. Below is a list of has had his share of innovations. His side. And no, I don’t think the rubber- at [email protected].

Yoga and Meditation Save Yourself Roommate Horror on Campus Stories With Bed-for-Bed

By DIVYA NELAKONDA dents of color and LGBTQ students. Abbanat had enough. Fortunately, Staff Writer Relatively small turnouts give the in contrast to Kelly’s lengthy wait class an intimate vibe, although it can time, Abbanat’s request to move With midterm season finally com- vary depending on the day and time. out was approved 24 hours after ing to an end, many NYU students GCASL provides cushions and chairs she found a new roommate on the cannot wait to turn in their last exam for students to use during the class. same floor of Brittany Residence or paper. It’s no secret that college Some sessions focus simply on sitting Hall. Abbanat found that her new can be incredibly stressful. Luckily, meditation with a focus on breath; roomies were a much better match if you’re looking for a way to ground others involve more movement, such and felt thoroughly satisfied with the yourself and practice mindfulness in as stretching, walking or discussion Bed-For-Bed system. the latter half of the semester, you can and community building. If the class- “[The forum] even lists the room do so right on campus with free or es don’t fit with your schedule, fret rate difference,” Abbanat said. “It low-cost yoga and meditation classes. not — GCASL has a meditation space definitely lists more information than in room 486 that students are welcome I thought it would. I guess they want- Yoga at GCASL to use during GCASL’s office hours. ed me to be fully informed.” Cost: Free Steinhardt junior Christopher The Global Center for Academic Yoga at 404 Fitness Hung, however, felt that the forum and Spiritual Life offers yoga class- Cost: $40 for a quarter-year could do a better job informing users es Monday through Saturday ev- of weekly classes ISHAAN PARMAR | WSN about the rooms they’re getting. It also ery week, with plenty of courses to 404 offers a variety of recreation- A turnstile through which students swipe into NYU residence halls. NYU’s Bed- does not allow users to share photos of choose from based on your schedule al classes, including several different for-Bed Exchange Forum helps students move into a different room or hall, even their rooms on the site, making it hard during the middle of the semester. and yoga experience. There is a 9:30 yoga classes: Gentle Yoga and Medi- for students to get an accurate idea of a.m. class daily from Monday to Fri- tation, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga their potential new digs. day if you like to start your day with and Mindful Movement through By ALEX TRAN for something else so if your room isn’t “You don’t get to know the full some movement, and an evening class Yoga. Class sizes tend not to exceed 10 Contributing Writer what they are looking for they’ll just details of the room you are switching every weekday as well if you prefer to students, which allows for more indi- stop talking to you.” into,” Hung said. “One thing I didn’t unwind on the mat after a long day. vidual attention from the teacher — Roommate horror stories can make Kelly was attempting to switch know was how small the [new] room Most classes welcome participants helpful if your focus is on improving you laugh in hindsight, but reliving dorms within his building, Lip- is, which is a big concern. I figured it of all skill levels, and some are even form. The classes at 404 generally have them every day isn’t as funny. Luckily, ton Residence Hall, so he endured out but it is something that I wish I specific to communities of color and a more varied attendance, with NYU NYU offers a solution: the Bed-for- a long wait before finding his new would have known.” LGBTQ students. Classes are drop- undergraduate and graduate students Bed Exchange Forum. This program room. Nevertheless, he is now hap- In addition to the lack of infor- in, but can fill up quickly, so it’s best learning alongside adults and seniors. gives students the chance to swap beds pily living in the same building with mation, Hung experienced commu- to show up early to secure a spot. 404 also provides mats and blocks, with others who are unhappy with two new roommates. nication problems as the student he GCASL provides mats, yoga blocks though some students opt to bring their living situation. Those who have “Just be patient,” Kelly said. “Most was trying to switch rooms with was and blankets, though students are their own. Classes generally begin used it say it has its ups and downs. days you’re not gonna get an email or not email-savvy. welcome to bring their own as well. with breathing exercises, but lead into Once you opt into it on your hous- anything but you just have to look for “If the forum had an easy messaging The beautiful view of Washington more vigorous stretching and move- ing portal, your name, room and email it every week and try to stay in con- system, we wouldn’t have to disclose Square Park through the floor-to-ceil- ment, depending on the style of yoga. will go up on the listings. If two stu- tact with people [whose room] you’re our emails either,” Hung said. “It ing windows as you work through the dents are in agreement about a room interested in.” would just be easier.” exercises doesn’t hurt either. If you find yourself stressed or exchange, the confirmation process Kelly’s decision to switch stemmed Students say the Bed-For-Bed fo- overwhelmed by the school or city, typically takes only a couple of days, from his cultural differences with his rum could benefit from some im- Meditation at GCASL make some time in your schedule a significant improvement from the original roomie, but Steinhardt first- provements, but it still serves its Cost: Free for your body and mind. Put down three-week wait required two years year Megan Abbanat used the forum purpose for those desperate to find GCASL also offers meditation your pen, roll out your yoga mat and ago. However, the forum is not with- to maintain her physical health. In her new roommates. If you fall into that classes Monday through Thursday, breathe: the semester is halfway over. out its downsides. first month at NYU, her roommate left group, happy hunting! mostly in the evening. Like the yoga “It was easy to use, but it was tough a cake in their fridge for three weeks. classes, meditation classes are open to Email Divya Nelakonda to find a room,” said CAS first-year Finally, after a heated argument Email Alex Tran all levels, with some catering to stu- at [email protected]. Connor Kelly. “Everyone tries to look about hygiene with the whole suite, at [email protected]. 6 Washington Square News MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

[email protected] ARTS Edited by CLAIRE FISHMAN Somehow, Tisch New Theatre Reinvents Elle Woods in ‘Legally Blonde’

By LIV ROCKLIN Blonde” in the Skirball Center for the work in law and comes into her own as a usually made out to be. Elle came out an who demands respect. Contributing Writer Performing Arts. strong and independent lawyer. strong and fierce and stayed that way for Ironically, the show’s only fault also “Legally Blonde,” based on the novel When TNT announced in August two hours. The difference really hit me comes as a result of Elle being so revolu- When people wondered how Tisch and movie, follows Elle Woods, a UCLA that “Legally Blonde” would be their during “Serious,” the song where Elle tionized. Elle was so strong that I did not New Theatre could possibly “Rethink sorority president, as she follows her fall production, their tagline was “Re- gets dumped. In this song, her boyfriend, understand why she still cared for Warner Pink” and rebrand “Legally Blonde,” ex-boyfriend to Harvard Law in hopes of think Pink.” As a “Legally Blonde” Warner, breaks up with her for being too at all. The integrity of the plot was weak- TNT responded, in the words of Elle making herself into someone he wants. superfan, I could not imagine how the blonde, and everything that comes with ened as the character was strengthened. Woods: “What? Like it’s hard?” This As the show progresses, Elle realizes that show could waver from the original’s it. He says he needs “less of a Marilyn, “Legally Blonde” has always been one weekend, the student-run theater club she is not the dumb blonde people have intentions. The script is incredibly tight more of a Jackie.” of my favorite shows because of who housed in Tisch School of the Arts, made her out to be. Elle realizes her own and the characters are defined in a seem- In the original cast recording and in Elle truly is. It is a story of overcoming opened their production of “Legally self-worth and intelligence through her ingly limited way. every production I have seen since, this internalized misogyny, demanding what Beyond the fact that TNT’s Insta- song prompts a blubbering and hyster- is deserved and empowering women. gram was showcasing a baby pink theme ical Elle to scream “shut up! Just shut What struck me about TNT’s produc- instead of the hot pink conventionally up!” The song portrays Elle as some- tion was director Micaela Brinsley’s associated with Elle Woods, I expected one entirely dependent on a man and crystal-clear vision to make the protag- the show to be a well-executed produc- lost without him. When this moment onist as strong as a real woman, not the tion of the same musical I have loved came in TNT’s production, Elle instead caricature of one. Brinsley and Marolda watching many times before. Within the slammed her fist on the table and firmly brought to life the Elle Woods I have al- first two numbers of the show, however, said, “shut up.” Her departure was not ways been inspired by. I realized that this was an Elle Woods I filled with hysteria and helplessness; it I left TNT’s production so grateful. had not met before, and I knew I was was the walk of a woman who had real- “Legally Blonde” never fails to impart about to experience something revolu- ized she deserved better. the message that women can achieve tionary in the world of “Legally Blonde.” Later, Vivienne, Warner’s new girl- much more than people think they can. I know every second of “Legally friend who sees Elle much the same way However, usually, this message is de- Blonde.” I’ve seen it a dozen times, and that Warner does, gets Elle kicked out of livered by portraying Elle as a negative I’ve listened to the soundtrack hun- class. Again, Elle’s reaction in this scene stereotype in order to ground the audi- dreds. I am accustomed to Elle’s arc, is usually flustered and ends in her run- ence in a narrative paradigm that they are turning from a ditzy, Malibu-born, ning off stage crying. familiar with. Tisch New Theatre and boy-crazy college student into a strong, But again, Marolda held her head Brinsley challenge their audience to leave insightful, independent boss woman. In high, did not let her confidence waver that world behind and engage instead TNT’s production, however, Elle was and strutted coolly off stage. When Elle with a true plight in the modern world: the latter from the moment the house later confronts Vivienne and says “us women who have always known they are lights went down. girls need to stick together,” the line enough still being forced to prove it. Not for one second did Elle, played holds so much more weight than usual COURTESY OF CHRISTABELLE TAN Email Liv Rocklin In Tisch New Theatre’s remake of “Legally Blonde,” Elle Woods has none of the ditziness by Tisch sophomore Giulia Marolda, because it is not coming from a lost girl she is known for. come off as the “dumb blonde” she is who needs help, but from a strong wom- at [email protected].

‘Searching for Mr. Rugoff’ Immortalizes a Titan of the Film Industry

By NICHOLAS WEID tributors saw it as a risky investment. His important figures in film. man’s name has been absent from main- front of the industry is undeniable, and Contributing Writer marketing campaign was to send count- “Searching for Mr. Rugoff” succeeds stream discussion for so long. While the presented in a well-polished form that less young staff out into the streets dressed in its mission. It finds the remnants of film may skew the perception of Rugoff stays entertaining, emotional and infor- Before watching “Searching for Mr. as the characters in full mail, recreating Rugoff in the once-young employees toward his more favorable aspects by mative throughout. Rugoff,” I did what most viewers would the famous coconut horse gag that runs and directors who collided with him in not focusing on the negative impact of probably do — I googled Donald Rugoff. throughout the film. Between this and his his lifetime and presents them in a way his volatile personality, his contribution Email Nicholas Weid I hadn’t known the name before hearing offering of free coconuts to the first 1,000 that left me wondering how exactly this to film and the people now at the fore- at [email protected]. the title and as such, I thought that some viewers, the film became one of his largest background knowledge might come in successes, solidifying its place in film out- handy. But Rugoff doesn’t even have a side of its native U.K. Wikipedia page. Former staff move “Mr. Rugoff” for- Director Ira Deutchman, who cred- ward. Many, like Deutchman himself, its his career to Rugoff, thus begins his were almost randomly hired by Rugoff search. Rugoff was the largest art film dis- while in their early twenties and just as tributor in the ’70s, converting his father’s randomly laid off as his grip on the com- theater chain into an array of massively pany began to slip. The now older staff popular art house theaters in New York all share a connection to Rugoff. Many City, one of which is now NYU’s Can- of their long careers were kickstarted by tor Film Center. The film is constituted him, and many of them were emotionally almost exclusively of interviews with affected by Rugoff’s volatile personality. people who have known and worked for The film’s title, “Searching for Mr. Rugoff. Almost everyone recounted two Rugoff,” at first seems to be a reference to common details — Rugoff was a genius, the literal format of the film. Deutchman but he could also be extremely volatile and goes amateur sleuthing to uncover the damaging to those around him. Rugoff’s secrets surrounding Rugoff’s quiet death harmful qualities are not mentioned in in Martha’s Vineyard, but these final force throughout the rest of the film, but years and the search to uncover them do they certainly add an unspoken weight in not take up many scenes. The real search certain interviews, particularly those with seems to be Deutchman trying to find his two sons and close friends. the remaining pieces of a forgotten man Rugoff’s genius shone through in his who has unquestionably shaped him and creation of modern art theaters, his eye for the film industry at large. Deutchman is buying art films otherwise seen as unbuy- reaching out, trying to find others who able and his extremely successful market- have been affected by Rugoff in the same ing campaigns. Rugoff was the distributor way he was in a series of progressively who decided to buy the now-cult classic more emotional interviews while simulta- VIA TWITTER “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” neously filling in the gap in public knowl- “Searching for Mr. Rugoff” is a documentary exploring the life of Donald Rugoff, a successful art film distributor who once owned bringing it to U.S. viewers when other dis- edge about undoubtedly one of the most NYU’s Cantor Film Center. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Washington Square News | Arts 7

‘In the Dream House’ Haunts and Enchants

By JULIE GOLDBERG pile up associations the way you pile version of herself that she cannot own. Gothic is, for example, heteronorma- Books & Theater Editor up bricks. Memory itself is a form of If the story titled “Inventory” in tive by nature. Other times, she uses architecture.” “Her Body and Other Parties” was an the genre label to characterize the story With “Her Body and Other Parties,” Architectural metaphors abound. inventory of sexual partners, “Dream being told. In “Dream House as Sci-Fi Carmen Maria Machado established While we typically think of a dream House as Inventory” is an inventory of Thriller,” for example, she describes herself as a writer of inimitable tal- house as a symbol of domestic bliss, Machado’s vices and shortcomings. If falling asleep on a friend’s couch and ents. In her memoir, she brings all the Machado refigures it as a place of con- her short story was a study in pleasure waking up to an inbox full of infuriated same cards to the same table, but this finement, and in doing so, destabilizes and in communion, her memoir is often voicemails from her girlfriend. time, it’s personal. our understanding of the word dream. a study in self-loathing, and how one And then there is the project of the “In the Dream House” recounts While it might commonly be under- person can teach another how to self- book, which is dream house as memoir. a past relationship which was both stood to mean ideal or fantasy, in Mach- loathe with gusto. The memoir itself is a house, each frag- verbally and physically abusive. The ado’s memoir, it comes to mean some- Her sensual nature, here, becomes ment a building block, that we experi- abuser is referred to as “the woman in thing more like phantasmic. a source of shame. “You’d rather have ence piece-by-piece but whose power the dream house.” In “Dream House as Inner Sanc- an orgasm than do most things,” she we cannot fully register until stepping Machado is hyper-conscious of the tum,” she discusses the preciousness writes in this litany of everything wrong away, admiring the gestalt. implications of telling such a story. “If of interior spaces that are all our own, with her. “The only way you can focus In “Dream House as Choose Your your family found out,” she writes, such as the four-walled refuge of a child- during prolonged meditation is to think Own Adventure,” Machado asks the “they’d probably think it proved ev- hood bedroom. She recalls when, as a about an orgy.” reader to pick a response to her abuser ery idea they’ve ever had about les- child, her father removed her doorknob Machado is often funny, such as chiding her for moving around all night bians, and you wish she was a man as a punishment. when she describes her adolescent reli- and keeping her awake. Options in- because then at least it could reinforce “When the door was opened, noth- gious fanaticism, writing, “When other clude, “If you apologize profusely, go to VIA GRAYWOLF PRESS ideas about men.” ing happened,” she writes. “It was just teenagers were figuring out what good page 163,” and “If you tell her to calm “In the Dream House” is Carmen Maria She draws from queer studies, weav- a reminder: nothing, not even the four and bad relationships looked like, I was down, go to page 166.” The book be- Machado’s engrossing memoir about ing criticism and theory into the nar- walls around my body, was mine.” busy being extremely weird: praying a comes a puzzle, one which always leads domestic abuse. rative, and meditates on popular de- A sense of Machado’s isolation from lot, getting obsessed with sexual puri- us to the same conclusion. pictions of domestic abuse in film and herself persists throughout the book. ty.” And yet the grain of truth beneath Through all the playful manipula- fight. “Don’t you ever write about this.” literature. She cites legal cases in which All of the narrations of her experiences such admissions — she didn’t learn tions of form and essayistic digressions, In writing about it, Machado brings women were presumed to be incapa- with her abuser — which take up the what distinguishes a good relationship Machado manages to tell a story: one of it into being, fills an archival silence. She ble of abusing a partner, or in which a majority of the book — are written in from a bad one, a healthy one from a a loss of one’s self, as she falls into the builds the dream house so we can step queer jury member was hesitant to con- the second person, a subversive choice non-healthy one — is devastating. traps of her abuser. into it and explore all of its dark corners vict another queer woman, despite evi- of point of view for a memoir. But of Many of the fragments filter the And we are along for the descent. and haunted corridors. dence that this woman had been abus- course Machado’s memoir is anything dream house through various genres. To Her early descriptions of her abuser are ing her partner. but traditional. In her use of the second name a few: stoner comedy, cautionary imbued with all of the infatuation of a “In the Dream House” will be released She references Saidiya Hartman’s person, Machado both draws us into the tale, american gothic, bildungsroman, new relationship. We see how she was Tuesday. idea of “archival silence” in reference to story and displays a chilling disavowal of soap opera and lesbian pulp novel. She blinded; we are blinded ourselves. queer stories of domestic abuse. She also her experience. It is something that hap- explores, with a scholarly tone, the lim- “You’re not allowed to write about Email Julie Goldberg cites Louis Bourgeois who writes,“You pened to some other person, some past itations of some genres; the American this,” her girlfriend says to her after one at [email protected]. 8 Washington Square News MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Edited by COLE STALLONE [email protected] OPINION and ABBY HOFSTETTER

INTERNATIONAL US Politicians Don’t Know How to Deal With Hong Kong

in the 22nd week of protests, which tweeted in support of the Hong Kong Hong Kong Rights and Democracy ping, Trump promised to stay silent on began over an extradition bill, which protests — but he only did so to crit- Act on Oct. 15, which says the U.S. will the issue of Hong Kong to ensure the would allow China to legally bring icize Nike. The Trump administration support democratic efforts in Hong continuation of trade talks. This led to anyone arrested in Hong Kong back to has long been at odds with Nike’s posi- Kong. Hong Kong activists testified the cancelation of a scheduled speech in the mainland to be tried and sentenced. tions on social issues. The company re- in front of Congress to urge the bill’s Washington by the U.S. Consul Gen- Since then, five demands from protes- cently removed Houston Rockets mer- passing. But perhaps the U.S. is just eral to Hong Kong. Trump’s adminis- tors have emerged, one of which is uni- chandise from stores in China after the that — a symbol. As with many other tration also refused to stop U.S. sales versal suffrage in elections for the Chief Rockets’ manager Daryl Morey pub- bills passed through the House, the of anti-riot gear — including batons, Executive and Legislative Council po- licly expressed support for the Hong Senate has not brought it to the floor, pepper spray and tear gas — to the By ALEXANDRA CHAN sitions, comparable to presidential and Kong protests. Pence’s tweet mocked despite almost one-third of its mem- Hong Kong police. Staff Writer congressional positions. When control Nike for claiming to be a “social-justice bers co-sponsoring the bill. However, Hong Kong is more than a bargain- of Hong Kong was transferred from the champion” but “checking its social con- that didn’t stop Senate Majority Leader ing chip in the political machinations Images of a rally outside the U.S. United Kingdom to China, negotiators science at the door” regarding Hong Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), who of U.S. politicians who think they embassy in Hong Kong peppered local formulated a constitutional document Kong. He also said that “Hong Kong would be responsible for taking the bill don’t have a stake in the outcome of the news outlets and social media in Sep- known as the Basic Law. It stipulated is a living example of what can happen onto the floor, from capitalizing on protests. There are real consequences tember. Protesters clad in black waved eventual democratic elections and for when China embraces liberty,” which the opportunity to criticize the NBA for Hong Kong if the protestors’ de- U.S. flags, asking the supposed nation China to provide Hong Kong with both oversimplifies the situation and ig- for attempting to appease China over mands are not met and autonomy is not of freedom to lend an ear to those over- limited political autonomy until 2047. nores China’s problematic track record Morey’s statement. Using Hong Kong restored; it will not just be a lost play- seas fighting for their human rights and The extradition bill is seen as a violation with its massacre of pro-democracy stu- as a bargaining chip to advance oth- ing card in a game between two major pass the Hong Kong Human Rights of that promise. Despite pleas for free- dent protesters at Tiananmen Square, er political agendas shows that many countries. U.S. politicians need to stop and Democracy Act. Unfortunately, dom, self-serving politicians in the U.S. religious persecution of East Turkes- U.S. politicians do not fully support taking advantage of the protests to fur- U.S. politicians have since capitalized see the fight for democracy in Hong tan Muslim Uighurs in concentration the movement — they only seek to use ther their own agendas. on this as an opportunity to advance Kong as nothing more than a tool to camps and the fights for independence it as leverage. their own agendas. gain a personal advantage back home. in Tibet and Taiwan. In June, during a phone call between Email Alexandra Chan Hong Kong is currently embroiled Vice President Mike Pence recently The House unanimously passed the Trump and Chinese President Xi Jin- at [email protected].

ENVIRONMENT Food Injustice, or Food Ignorance?

source to help kids learn about out- Practices like gardening and cook- healthy cooking expects them to do? injustice, and understanding them is door activities and sustainable living. ing are usually seen as hobbies, gen- This is partly why processed foods crucial to solving the food inequality The project resonated with millions of erally only realistic for middle- and that do not require an excessive cook- crisis. U.S. policymakers must start by parents across the country who knew upper-class individuals. These people ing time are popular. This isn’t to say raising awareness at the grassroots lev- that their child would enjoy spending generally work 9-to-5 jobs that allow that there aren’t any quick and healthy el and work from there to reconstruct time in the sun, pulling roots up and them to have time off and enjoy what- recipes out there, but the process of the unjust systemic barriers that collecting misshapen vegetables. ever it is they want to do, such as gar- making food is more time-consum- contribute to food injustice. While But this notion of promoting dening and cooking. This leisure time ing than buying prepackaged foods. gardening and cooking can be sup- healthy eating through gardening and may not be as accessible to those who Shopping for the ingredients to make plements to encourage healthy eating By GABBY LOZANO cooking can ignore the needs of a large work multiple jobs trying to make homemade meals is exhausting, not to habits, they are not enough to fight Staff Writer segment of the population. Food in- ends meet; even if someone wanted to mention a financial burden. Working food insecurity, especially if policy equality is a systemic issue with much take the time out of their day to grow a second or third job can take a mental makers don’t make food more acces- Former First Lady Michelle Obama deeper roots than this movement ac- a carrot, would they have enough time and physical toll on an individual — sible to those most in need. Even still, cultivated a movement to increase knowledges. The solution isn’t as sim- left after tending to their other, more their goal is to put food on the table, a more comprehensive solution than access to the high-quality, nutri- ple as just knowing where your carrot urgent needs? Even if they bought the not to spend extra time perfecting the homegrown food is necessary to truly ent-dense food necessary to maintain comes from; it’s the understanding of carrot, would they have the time to task. This is often what causes fami- combat this injustice. a healthy lifestyle. One of her more how U.S. history has shaped politi- cook it perfectly so as to extract the lies to buy processed foods that have innovative ideas was the White House cal, social and economic conditions maximum amount of nutrition and higher amounts of salt, fat and sugar. Email Gabby Lozano Vegetable Garden, an educational re- for many people. flavor from it, as the movement for These are the real nuances of food at [email protected].

LETTER TO THE EDITOR Letter to the Editor: ‘NYU’s Artificial Affordability Issue’

annually for undergradu- istration, we increased low- in the U.S. News and World Re- receive $11 million — that was an ate scholarship aid in New er-cost housing in the stu- port ranking, among other notable IRS-required estimate of his total York — grants that don’t dent housing system and accomplishments. retirement benefits over many years; have to be repaid. Since nearly one-third of the It is worth pointing out that al- his actual retirement package has 2017, the average grant has student housing system is though NYU is the largest, private, been public for more than a decade. climbed 27% — it’s currently now lower cost. non-profit research university in the And while David McLaughlin retired $34,700, a record high, and • The Courtesy Meal Program country and is located in arguably from the Provost’s position, he did far higher than the figure the was begun under the cur- the most expensive city in the U.S., not retire from the faculty — he still WSN chose to cite. rent administration, as was Andy Hamilton’s salary barely makes teaches a full course load and con- By JOHN BECKMAN • Unlike the national trend, av- the provision in the dining the list of the top 20 private univer- ducts research; the compensation on erage debt at graduation has contract to provide low- sity president’s salaries, and, thus, is the 990 reflects in large measure his In last Monday’s editorial, “NYU’s been falling at NYU. In few- er-cost meal options. very much in line with the compen- salary as a working faculty member. Artificial Affordability Issue,” the er than 10 years, it has fallen None of this is “artificial” — all sation of presidents of major urban It’s not inappropriate for a stu- WSN once again provides selective 18% and is below the national of it is real. And all this, by the way, research universities with medical dent newspaper to hold a university’s facts to make its case. So, it falls to average for private, non-prof- occurs against a backdrop of enroll- centers, not an outlier. feet to the fire. But it does a public me to provide the full picture: it universities. ing the most diverse, most selective And while the WSN went out of disservice to use only a fraction of • Under the current adminis- • Through efforts initiated by and most academically qualified its way to laud the donations of other the facts mixed with assertion in tration, NYU’s position on the current administration, freshman class in NYU’s history; a university presidents to their univer- an effort to support their position. the list of most expensive col- average per-student textbook rise from 57th to 18th in a decade sities, it chose to ignore the $250,000 That’s what I consider artificial. leges has dropped 35 places costs have declined some 40%. in the NSF’s Higher Education Re- in donations that its own president — from 4th to 39th. • NYU was the first top-ranked search & Development ranking; and has made (here, here, and here). John Beckman is NYU’s Senior Vice • NYU spends nearly $340 med school to go tuition-free. a general rise in university rankings, As has been explained to the WSN President for Public Affairs and Strategic million of university funds • Under the current admin- including our highest spot ever previously, John Sexton did not Communications. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Washington Square News | Opinion 9

CITY New York City Must Help Its Homeless

Children STAFF EDITORIAL

homes for those in need, he has also failed to provide schools with the necessary resources to help Stand With LS Professors, their young children. As reported by the New York Times in 2018, there is only one social worker for every 1,660 students experiencing Even if NYU Won’t homelessness — at just under 70 social workers in total. Since this Last week, professors within the sociate professors or clinical assistant in the unfair treatment of its faculty. By COLE STALLONE report, the mayor has increased the Liberal Studies program confirmed professors. According to FAS rules, Until last semester, LS only had two Opinion Editor number to 100, which means that that they’re looking to unionize due “clinical appointments are without seats in the University Senate: one for there are still over 1,140 home- to dissatisfaction with their treat- tenure” and “clinical faculty are in- a School Senator and one for a faculty Since last year, over 114,000 less students per social worker in ment by the university. The LS fac- eligible for sabbaticals and generally senator. In March, the Senate finally New York City public school stu- New York City public schools. ulty has been subject to unequal pay, ineligible for NYU faculty housing.” approved a motion to give LS Dean dents have continued to struggle The mayor’s actions continue to a lack of sufficient resources and low University spokesperson John Beck- Julie Mostov a seat on the Dean’s with homelessness, and nearly fall short of what the situation de- job security. All of these factors have man told WSN that LS professors Council, expanding LS representa- 38,000 live in shelters. Recent re- mands, which is one of the central caused professors to feel exploited, are not prohibited from applying for tion in the University Senate to three ports by the Advocates for Chil- issues behind the crisis. unfairly compensated and disillu- tenure-track positions, but, by defini- seats. “There is something funda- dren of New York show that this With that said, the mayor’s ac- sioned with LS as a whole. However, tion, clinical positions cannot be ten- mentally wrong when the Dean of number has gone down by not tions haven’t been all bad. Advo- the terms of their employment make ure-track positions, and LS positions a unit so large is denied a seat at the even 600 students. For the re- cates for Children of New York it nearly impossible for LS profes- are only clinical. Encouraging LS table,” said LS faculty senator Heidi maining students that continue recognizes that de Blasio has had sors to organize, as they are subject professors to apply to positions out- White, who had not only proposed to struggle with homelessness, some success in fighting the prob- to frequent contract renewals. This side of the program is not sustainable the resolution but had networked one thing remains certain: the lem and he hasn’t completely ig- leaves the faculty at an impasse: do for its maintenance. internally within the Senate for over a city continues to fail them. After nored the issue, especially with the professors unionize at the risk of los- Clinical faculty are recruited on year in hopes of passing it. It is worth recent failures to deal with this appointment of Deputy Chancel- ing their jobs, or do they continue to one-to-three-year contracts and then noting that as a Clinical Professor, issue in both the public and the lor of School Climate and Well- accept the subpar conditions of their retained on five-year rolling contracts White — who is a Faculty Fellow in private sector, we must begin to ness LaShawn Robinson and the employment? Furthermore, students — they’re only eligible for five-year Residence at Rubin Hall, served as a truly address the crisis and give minimal increase in social workers. are left wondering: how can we help reappointment contracts if they’ve department chair within GLS for six these students the resources and Nevertheless, activists are clear: de our professors when the university already been working at NYU for six years and was a recipient of the NYU support they deserve. Blasio is not doing enough. has been known to aggressively retali- years. Adjunct faculty, on the other Distinguished Teaching Award in The number of students experi- The blame is not entirely on ate against student protestors? hand, are employed semester-by-se- 2017 — is ineligible for tenure. encing homelessness has increased the mayor. While his power can’t Since Liberal Studies’ inception mester. For LS faculty, job security In response to their treatment every year since the 2009-2010 be understated, the New York in 1972, it’s grown from a two-year simply does not exist. by the university, some LS profes- school year, with the exception Times notes that the issue “has interdisciplinary program to NYU’s LS professors are also severely un- sors think it might be necessary to of this year’s numbers. This crisis not received much help from lo- second-largest undergraduate school. derpaid. An LS-conducted report ob- unionize, but NYU’s history with occurs as the city tries — and fails cal philanthropists” despite the Because of its emphasis on discus- tained by WSN, which anonymously unionization is mixed at best. Despite — to deal with the growing issue city being “arguably the philan- sion-based learning, LS caps its class interviewed full faculty members, having several collective bargaining of homelessness. Under the lead- thropic center of the world.” The sizes at 25 students. It’s a global pro- indicated that LS professors receive agreements with various unions in ership of New York City Mayor mayor has addressed this issue di- gram — most LS students spend significantly lower salaries than those the city — including one for adjunct Bill de Blasio, 90 new shelters have rectly, saying that despite a lack of their first year at one of four study- who are tenure-eligible. The report faculty — the university is notorious been built — a plan that has been previous support, there is now a away sites, and if they choose to ma- says that the “average salary of a for its issues with unionization efforts described by advocates as “embar- greater focus on the issue, which jor in GLS, they spend their junior male, full tenure-eligible professor is by graduate students. While LS facul- rassingly unambitious” in terms he hopes will translate to more year abroad as well. This necessitates $202,221, while the average salary for ty face similar problems as adjuncts of meeting the needs of the city’s aid. Homeless advocates and stu- hiring a large number of LS profes- a male, full LS professor is $83,212.” generally in higher education, many homeless. The mayor received an F dents experiencing homelessness sors spread across the globe, a signif- This discrepancy is not only wildly issues are unique to NYU’s failure from the Coalition for the Home- hope he’s right. icant portion of whom are adjunct unfair, but has severe consequences. to meet the needs of the professors in less in their recent evaluation of Beyond the mayor or the city’s faculty. Unlike all other schools with- 43% of the report’s responders said light of the growth of the program. the mayor’s policies, specifically richest, the crisis will not end un- in the Faculty of Arts and Science, that the lower salaries had forced NYU has forced Liberal Studies citing the lack of available hous- til New Yorkers change the way LS does not list adjunct faculty on its them to take up a second job, which professors to unionize, but has also ing. Despite prioritizing afford- we treat the homeless. In Queens, website, making it difficult to discern in turn led to a decline in the quality made it incredibly difficult for them able housing, de Blasio’s plan has there was a protest by local resi- exactly how many professors it em- of their teaching. “Teaching 3-3 every to do so. The future of both their failed to be enough, especially for dents against the development of a ploys. However, all LS faculty, both year [three courses in both the fall employment and their working con- those most in need. In addition 200-bed homeless shelter. Instead full-time and adjunct, are subject to and spring semesters] — I’ve never ditions hangs in the balance, and it’s to falling short in volume, some of being hostile toward those unfair treatment by NYU. had a semester release — is a burn- unclear how to move forward when of de Blasio’s policies towards struggling, New Yorkers must Liberal Studies professors are out risk as it is, and additional work any movement can trigger university the homeless have been blatantly act with a greater degree of kind- unable to receive tenure, sabbatical doesn’t help,” one professor said retaliation. As our professors begin problematic: New York City has ness and respect. and faculty housing due to the na- in the report. “I’m living extremely to navigate the murky waters of sent over 12,000 people experienc- The most recent data on stu- ture of their employment status. All conservatively.” collective organization, we can’t do ing homelessness on one-way bus dents experiencing homelessness LS full-time faculty are employed as NYU’s reluctance to legitimize anything but stand with them — we rides to live in other cities. By do- show that the crisis persists and either clinical professors, clinical as- Liberal Studies doesn’t only manifest know that NYU won’t. ing this, de Blasio is literally trying what is currently being done sim- to eliminate the problem without ply isn’t enough. Beyond provid- actually doing anything to help. In ing the necessary support through light of the recent quadruple-ho- available housing and social work- micide in Chinatown, the mayor’s ers, instead of failing to provide Email the Editorial Board at [email protected]. actions — or lack thereof — are them or simply sending the home- even more troubling. less away, the city government Instead of helping them, de Bla- must right the wrongs of their past COLE STALLONE Chair sio has decided to remove people failures. The city’s most vulnera- ABBY HOFSTETTER Chair struggling in the city altogether. ble children are depending on it. JUN SUNG Co-Chair Out of sight, out of mind. Not only has de Blasio failed to Email Cole Stallone provide the necessary amount of at [email protected].

SEND MAIL TO: 75 THIRD AVE. #SB07, NEW YORK, N.Y. 10003 OR EMAIL: [email protected] Submitting 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 to include a year and school or job title. WSN does not print unsigned letters or editorials. WSN reserves the right to reject any submission and edit accepted submissions in any and all ways. With the exception of the staff editorial, opinions expressed on the editorial pages are not necessarily those of WSN, and our publication of opinions is not an endorsement of them. 10 Washington Square News MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019

[email protected] SPORTS Edited by BELA KIRPALANI NYU Students Conquer New York City Marathon CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 actually here to do as well as like, ished in 6:07:22. so inspired that I wanted to start run- “It’s just that gratitude that you — adjusting to freshman year and New — ning, too,” Lusk said. “It helped me have to stand at the starting line and “I was like, ‘No, they’re my lucky York City and all that stuff.” Jordana Lusk first ran the New York get over so much anxiety and gender to be able to run every race,” Wander shoes. I got to wear them!’” In addition to finding the will to City marathon back in 2015. But this dysphoria and stuff like that. So I just said. “It’s not an opportunity that Avery Looser has been training wake up early each morning and run, year was different. always love running.” many people get. It’s a really special in the same pair of beat-up Brooks Looser also struggled to find a space “I started transitioning with hor- Lusk is currently prioritizing grad- day and the whole city comes out and running shoes since January, when big enough — and safe enough — to mone therapy in December,” the Stein- uating and finding a job, forcing her celebrates you and I swear it’s better she ran her first full marathon with accommodate her training program. hardt junior said. “So that’s been a to put future marathons to the side than Christmas.” her mom at Disney’s annual Dopey “The biggest challenge for me stressful thing, but I felt like training for for now. She does, however, appreci- This year, Wander served as a men- Challenge, a total of 48.6 miles over was finding a 20-mile radius in New the marathon and having a goal would ate the focus that preparing for the tor for Team for Kids, guiding first- four consecutive days. York City for me to run in by my- also help me just keep it together.” marathon gave her. time runners and getting them from Soon after, they decided to chal- self starting at five in the morning Lusk started training in May and “Having a goal, especially with run- “couch to marathon.” lenge themselves again ⁠— this where I would be safe,” she said. tried to run an average of 45 to 60 ning, motivates me more to get out While Wander enjoys running in time, with the world’s largest mar- Despite the distance, Looser and miles a week, saving her long runs for there even when it’s raining or really the marathon every year, her favorite athon. Looser and her mom be- mom would keep track of each oth- Sundays. This year, she decided to run cold or on days when I don’t want to part actually comes after the race is gan training together for the New er’s progress through daily text mes- with the Human Rights Campaign because I know that if I don’t do the over. The official end time of the race is York City Marathon in May back sages and phone calls, which Looser team, which is made up of a group of training, it’s going to suck on the day of 7:25 p.m., but race officials don’t shut home in Houston. said motivated her to keep going LGBTQ runners and allies. The group the race,” Lusk said. “Once you sign up, down the finish line until every single Since the Tisch first-year moved even on days when she would have trained mostly on their own, but they you can’t really go back.” person finishes. to New York City in the fall, she has preferred to stay in bed. kept track of each other’s progress Lusk finished with a time of 4:26:20. “It’s so much fun because they don’t had to find the time and motivation “I think I knew how much my through an app. — really have the crowds anymore and to train alone. mom was working and for her, find- “For me at least, it’s more for my Coco Wander has one big piece of they’ve been pushing through a crowd “My mom and I used to do all of ing motivation to run those long well-being and it’s not as much about advice for first-time marathon runners: that’s basically like, ‘Oh the marathon’s the runs together so it was a little distances by herself now with an my time and being competitive,” Lusk “You put chicken noodle soup in done! Goodbye!’” Wander said. “And sad because I had to do all of those empty nest,” she said. “I was just said. “Doing it for a good cause and just a thermos and then you drink or eat they still finish and it’s one of the most runs by myself,” Looser said. “Find- thinking about all of the effort and being able to stay mentally well.” that right after. You just have that salty inspiring things you can do all day so ing the motivation to do them was a willpower she was having to put into Lusk’s introduction to running broth and it brings you right back to you cheer them on as they finish.” little tough and i would have to plan it and that kind of made me be like, came when she was eight years old. life,” she said. On Sunday, Wander finished with a all of my schoolwork around Satur- ‘I need to do this, too. Not just for She then went on to run long distance And she would know. The Rory time of 4:13:03. day, because that’s when I would do me, but for both of us.’” in middle school. Meyers senior ran her fourth mara- my long runs. It’s just been a little On Sunday — in that same “My neighbor would always run past thon on Sunday and she has treasured Email Bela Kirpalani tricky to find time to do what I’m pair of Brooks — Looser fin- my house when I was little and I was every single one. at [email protected].

Battling Rain and Wind, NYU Taekwondo at NYU Quidditch Crowned Regional Welcomes All By REBECCA CHOI p.m. in Palladium, focusing on pat- Staff Writer terns, which are offensive and defen- Champs for First Time sive techniques that are learned with- It’s 9:30 p.m. on a Thursday in late out a partner, before teaming up to By BELA KIRPALANI win obviously, because we had finally bro- U.S. Quidditch Cup 13 will take place October at Palladium Athletic Facil- spar with each other. Sports Editor ken that threshold of being stuck in the during the weekend of April 18, 2020 at ity and the NYU taekwondo team is While fighters come to college with semis or quarters,” Steinhardt senior and the Shawnee Sports Complex in Charles- hard at work. The team begins with different levels of fighting experience Last weekend in Warwick, Rhode Is- chaser Sidney Montague said. “So that ton, West Virginia. NYU was the first group stretches in their dobok, or and knowledge, the setup of collegiate land, NYU’s varsity quidditch team bat- was a huge deal in and of itself. I think team from the Northeast region to secure uniform, wearing an array of colored taekwondo allows everyone to com- tled 50-degree weather and torrential rain even if we lost that game, we would have its spot at nationals, but the Thunder belts. Everyone is together regardless pete at their preferred levels. to win its first-ever Northeast Regional [been] pretty hype about it because it was may meet Tufts again in Charleston as of belt color or expertise. In sparring, there are three levels of Championship, defeating the Tufts Uni- still the best that NYU had ever done at the Tufflepuffs also qualified for the tour- They take this time to stretch, but competition: A, B and C teams. The versity Tufflepuffs in the final match. the time [in regionals].” nament. Despite their competitive spirits, they are also able to catch up on their black belt fighters are on the A teams After beating Brandeis University, The match started off fairly evenly, the two teams have great respect and ad- day and connect with teammates. and fight using full-contact rules. Middlebury College and Macaulay Hon- with both Tufts and NYU trading goals. miration for each other. Soon afterward, they fall into their re- The B teams fight with only kicks to ors College in group play on Saturday, the The Tufflepuffs took the lead early on, “I love the NYU team because they’re spective groups to begin practice. the face allowed while the C teams are NYU Thunder edged out the Tufflepuffs but then NYU went on a scoring run and not a team that we get to face that often, Last year, NYU finished in third not allowed to kick. in the quarterfinals on Sunday. NYU never looked back. but also they’ve got some really great place in Division II, behind Boston “This kind of format makes the then went on to defeat Middlebury again “We started to press them over to the people on the team,” McGarghan said. University and Northeastern Univer- sport fun and playable for students of in the semifinals 90*-50 before facing off corner and we started to get a lot of fast “They have the ability to really put their sity. Despite taekwondo’s reputation any level of experience, even with a against Tufts again in the final. NYU won break opportunities,” Minson said. “It re- nose on the grindstone and play really as an intense physical contact sport few weeks of practice,” Lesly said. by a score of 180*-100. ally opened up our offense and we started hard, tough, good quidditch and then that promotes aggression and com- “Don’t be intimidated if you’re a “For me personally, it felt like a weight scoring in bunches which really opened still be able to make jokes and have silly petition, the club dynamic at NYU is beginner.” Steinhardt junior Tomo- off our chest, because we’ve done well in up the game for us.” chants on the sideline. That’s something warm and supportive. ka Masuda said. “There are lots of nationals but we’ve never hit our expec- In the 36th minute, CAS sophomore that I think we, as a Tufts team, re- The taekwondo team welcomes beginners on the team. The black tations in regionals,” Stern senior and and seeker Kellan Cupid finally caught the ally appreciate.” athletes of any level, providing many belts are super helpful and we’re all chaser Frank Minson, said. “It’s like ‘Fi- snitch to give NYU its first regional cham- Following the regionals win, NYU is opportunities for improvement. really welcoming.” nally!’ We can go out knowing that we pionship in team history. currently the No.1 ranked college team in Grandmaster and Head Coach While Lesly hopes for his athletes finally did it.” “I just needed to get one for the team, the country. The Thunder has only been Mark Lesly founded the taekwon- to develop their skills on the fight- The win also sealed NYU’s berth in they were working so hard all weekend,” around for nine years, but the team has do team in 1987, four years after he ing mat, he also emphasizes the im- the U.S. Quidditch Cup 13, college quid- Cupid said after the game. “I told the enjoyed immense success in its short his- started teaching a taekwondo class portance of fun. ditch’s annual national tournament. Last guys, ‘All you gotta do is keep it close, tory, giving the players confidence — no at NYU. He believes that the team “We want to strive for excellence, year, the team went on to finish in fourth and I’ll do everything in my power to matter their opponent. should be a space where students and compete with and beat the best, place in U.S. Quidditch Cup 12 — the win this game.’” “Because quidditch is so young, you’re feel comfortable and are able to truly but we want to have joy in the pro- team’s best-ever nationals performance. Despite his team’s loss, Tufts captain able to have this confidence of we’re learn the art of the sport. cess,” Lesly said. “As always, I look The team has struggled to hit those and keeper Finn McGarghan was proud all kind of on the same page in terms “The overall culture in taekwon- forward to seeing my athletes com- same heights in regionals in recent years. of his team’s grit and performance despite of where we’ve come from with quid- do is one of respect, courtesy and pete and improve, and I still get im- Last year, NYU lost in the semifinals of the poor playing conditions. ditch,” Tisch senior and beater Jimmy self-discipline,” Lesly said. “I admit to mense gratification from the looks the Northeast Regional Championship “I was really, really proud of the way Banta said. “And so you’re able to have — running a little bit of a more relaxed on their faces when they achieve to the University of Rochester. This year, that my team just focused, made their hits, whether it’s false or not — the confidence atmosphere at NYU than I would something that perhaps once, they however, the team was able to explode worked on their passing,” McGarghan of ‘We can pretty much take on any team at a Taekwondo School, to accom- never would have expected they offensively and maintain its focus despite said. “It was just a moment of pride to see in the country.’” modate what I see as fitting in with were capable of.” the lousy weather. the hustle that we had after an incredibly the NYU culture.” “It was our third time late in the tour- wet day of quidditch, to come out and Email Bela Kirpalani The team practices every Tuesday Email Rebecca Choi nament so there was a lot of pressure to play with such tenacity in a finals game.” at [email protected]. and Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 at [email protected]. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 Washington Square News | Sports 11

Men’s Golf Receives Highest National Ranking in NYU History

By GRIFFIN VRABECK stress out too much about anything.” Staff Writer Beyond recruiting, both Keyes and Burli- son shared nearly identical anecdotes regard- Coming off a record-breaking fall sea- ing the supportive atmosphere Johnson has son in which it won four tournaments established in the program. and broke five school records, the men’s “I especially like when we’re playing and golf team is currently ranked eighth in the Brad will come up and talk to us and it’s country ⁠— the highest national ranking in hardly ever about golf or how we’re scoring, program history. it’s kind of like, ‘Sup, dude?’” Keyes said. Stern sophomore Joseph Burlison “And that feels good. Even if you play bad, credits the team’s success to an influx you know you’re still going to be able to of young talent. have a good time after the round with your VIA NYU ATHLETICS “I think it all came down to [Head buddies and the coach.” NYU’s Men’s Golf enjoyed victory at the Skidmore College Invitational. Coach] Brad [Johnson] as a coach,” Bur- Creating a culture conducive to winning lison said. “He’s really brought in around was one of Johnson’s main focuses when in the players using the news of their high- “It’s awesome that we’re ranked eighth, about NYU’s goals for the spring. three classes in a row of players who could he became the head coach ahead of the est-ever national ranking as motivation to but if we don’t show up for the spring and On a steady ascent to success, everything immediately impact the team.” 2016-17 season. always improve. we don’t win [the] Liberty [League], we’re suggests that the men’s golf team has a Team captain and Tisch junior Rob- “I think the team culture has really “We see the high ranking and we think not going to go to the national champion- strong chance to win its third consecutive bie Keyes echoed praise of Johnson’s re- changed,” Johnson said. “When I first took we can get it even better,” Burlison said. ship, and that’s just how it is,” Keyes said. Liberty League title. With focused players cruiting ability. over, the culture was maybe one, that they “We’re not really sitting on our past laurels.” “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, ob- and a winning team culture, the sky’s the “Brad’s been awesome,” Keyes said. didn’t care as much and now, the men on Keyes maintained that the team’s success- viously, but there’s no reason we shouldn’t limit for the Violets. “He’s recruited very well, he’s gotten great the team, their passion is golf. They’re really ful fall season is merely an added reason to win Liberty and there’s no reason we players to come here and, on top of that, he striving to get better and be successful.” strive for even more greatness in the upcom- shouldn’t be a contender for the national Email Griffin Vrabeck kind of just lets us do our thing, he doesn’t Evidence of this competitive culture lies ing spring season. championship,” Keyes added when asked at [email protected].

Cross Country Junior Overcomes Washington Square Injury and Family Illness News Staff

By BENJAMIN MICHAEL DAVIS it’s because he knows what it’s like he’s coming around and improving at Editor-in-Chief Opinion Page Deputy Sports Editor to start from the very bottom and the perfect time in the season. He’s one Sakshi Venkatraman EDITOR Cole Stallone, go to the top, but he never ever set- of the toughest competitors out there. Abby Hofstetter Managing Editor DEPUTY Jun Sung In this year’s Rowan Inter-Region- tles, and he always puts everyone else He’s always giving great effort no mat- Sam Klein al Border Battle, CAS junior Dillan before himself.” ter what he’s doing, so that’s kind of DEPUTY Kate Lowe Spector recorded his best 8K race time. Their mom’s running career and where we rely upon him.” Under the Arch MANAGING EDITOR The 25 minute and 9 second time was unwavering support has always in- The day that Dillan was diagnosed Creative Director the second best of NYU’s runners and spired Dillan, both on and off the with a stress fracture, he received a Sophia Di Iorio, Guru Ramanathan was his best 8K by over half a minute. track. The summer after his freshman phone call from his mom relaying the Deborah Alalade SENIOR EDITOR But for Spector, it meant more than year, she was diagnosed with a neu- news of the death of his grandma. Anna de la Rosa, the average personal record. His career roendocrine tumor — a rare form of In the spring — while his team- Copy Chiefs Arin Garland, seems to be taking off this year, but this cancer affecting the cells that release mates earned All-America honors and Sam Brinton Mansee Khurana success has come on the heels of an es- hormones into the blood in response competed at the NCAA Champion- DEPUTY Dana Sun, SENIOR REPORTER pecially challenging stretch in his life. to nervous system signals and that can ships — Spector worked on his recov- Daija Dewberry, Anna Muratova Dealing with his mom’s cancer, a occur anywhere in the body. But she ery, cross training and working his way Mandie Montes MULTIMEDIA Ellie Ballou lower back injury and his grandma’s kept on running. through the hardships of injury and Sara Miranda death, Spector experienced a series of “When she got cancer, she couldn’t loss at the same time. Multimedia CREATIVE WRITING life-altering events in a one-year period. do all the things she used to do, and A summer study abroad session in Julia McNeill Maxine Flasher-Duzgunes, But he bounced back, returning to full then right afterwards she got back into Berlin helped him reset fully and come DEPUTY Marva Shi Andrew Ankersen health this year and putting in some of running,” Dillan said. “While she’s still into this year ready to perform. PHOTO Jorene He EXPOSURES Celia Tewey his best-ever performances. going through the treatment she’s run- “Running in Germany was awe- VIDEO Min Ji Kim EXECUTIVE VIDEO PRODUCER This perseverance has roots in ning, and she’s telling me that if she’s some,” Dillan said. “Every day, I would DEPUTY PHOTO Elaine Chen Lu Limanowski Spector’s childhood. While at a camp able to do it then I’m able to do it, so bike this same loop while I was doing DEPUTY VIDEO Chelsea Li ADVERTISING for overweight children, his very first that was helpful.” cross training and I was like ‘Damn, I Social Media experience in the sport came in the His mom’s words of encouragement really want to run here.’ Being able to Business Manager Akiva Thalheim Lukas Villarin form of running laps for Silly Bandz. helped him through last season and he be in a new place was good. That was a VISUALS Vanessa Handy In middle school, he realized he want- was able to return the favor. Last year’s nice fresh start for getting back into the Director of Sales ed to start running competitively af- Atlantic Regional meet fell on Neu- running career.” Senior Staff Mel Bautista ter he managed to survive a 4K race roendocrine Tumor Awareness Day, Even after the months-long recovery NEWS Victor Porcelli at summer camp. so the entire NYU cross country team process, it took Dillan a few meets to CULTURE Carol Lee Director of Marketing and Logistics “I was able to complete the whole wore wristbands in support of her. get back to the form that he once had. ARTS Claire Fishman Yejin Chang thing so I thought, ‘Oh, maybe I The team’s solidarity helped drive He completed his first race back in SPORTS Bela Kirpalani should do distance running because I both Dillan in his winter training and 27:57.5 — his worst 8K time in college. Account Associates can get through that,’” Spector said. “I his mom in her treatment. However, But the season turned around for him Deputy Staff Mira Silveira was a really big kid when I was little, what seemed like a harmless fall on a as he continued competing and grew in NEWS Alexandria Johnson, Catherine Chen so I do like running in the sense that normal training run that winter led confidence. All of his times after that Ronni Husmann, it keeps me in shape, and it also feels to more problems for Dillan. Though first race back from injury have topped Lisa Cochran, ADVISING good to feel fast and run fast.” this didn’t seem like much at the time, the numbers he put up last year be- Ishaan Parmar Spector then joined his middle it led to the day when he experienced fore his injury. Director of Operations Mina Mohammad Nanci Healy school’s cross country team and con- his latest two setbacks. Dillan’s improvement and strong ARTS Kaylee DeFreitas tinued running into high school. From “It was a really funny fall. I just performances from the team’s un- FILM Fareid El Gafy Editorial Adviser there, he progressed in the way most slipped on some ice and fell on my derclassmen have put the team in a THEATER & BOOKS Rachel Holliday Smith cross country runners do: trying to butt,” Dillan said. “At first I thought I good spot for its remaining races and Julie Goldberg break the five-minute-per-mile barrier strained my leg, so I was still running beyond. Dillan is looking to continue MUSIC Ethan Zack Editors-at-Large in various distances, starting from the on it for a few weeks, and that only this success with a strong performance CULTURE Lauren Gruber Sayer Devlin, Hanna Khosravi, mile, all the way up to the 5K. made it worse.” at regionals and a goal of finishing a 5K DINING Calais Watkins Melanie Pineda, Pamela Jew, His family played a big role in his Spector was diagnosed with a stress in under 15 minutes next year. BEAUTY & STYLE Bella Gil Natalie Chinn, Alex Cullina, athletic development. His mom and fracture in his sacrum, a part of the “Once I stopped running, I realized SPORTS Benjamin Michael Nicole Rosenthal dad, a runner and former college row- lower back, which shut down his how much I like running and how Davis er, respectively, would often attend his spring season and made coming back much I miss running,” Dillan said. “It ABOUT WSN: Washington Square CORRECTIONS: WSN is committed meets along with his brother, a cur- in the fall even more challenging. was a pretty rough past year, but it does News (ISSN 15499389) is the student to accurate reporting. When we make newspaper of New York University. WSN rent NYU senior. “Facing an injury and working your really feel great being back in it now errors, we do our best to correct them is published in print on Mondays and “My mom would tell me that he way back is tough to do, especially and being able to run fast, and then as quickly as possible. If you believe we throughout the week online during NYU’s was almost certainly going to come in when guys that you should be running hopefully I run fast at regionals.” have erred, contact the managing editors last, but that I had to cheer for him as with are far ahead,” men’s cross coun- academic year, except for university at [email protected]. holidays, vacations and exam periods. if he just won the whole race,” Tisch try Head Coach Erison Hurtault said. Email Benjamin Michael Davis senior Brennan Spector said. “Maybe “He went about it the smart way, and at [email protected].