Cara Cifferelli · NYU Local

Your Overprotective Mother Is Running Wesleyan: The Tour De Franzia Debacle

May 17th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

We at NYU have our traditions. While some flare quickly and die, others will never be forgotten. (Excuse us as we try not to step through the arch before graduation.) At Wesleyan, they have their own traditions. Middletown, Connecticut is no New York City, and, as a CT local herself, the author can attest to the fact that the sleepy state can get pretty boring.

This boredom was probably one of the catalysts for Wesleyan’s “Tour de Franzia,” a confusing and insane sounding campus scavenger hunt in which participants don capes, masks, and of course, drink boxed wine. As we college students laugh, Dean Mike Whaley, Vice President of Student Affairs, is taking strict action against the upcoming event, which can be held anywhere before graduation and is announced via an anonymous Facebook profile.

Overworked? Underpaid? Not Paid At All? ProPublica Wants To Help

May 9th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

There’s been quite a bit of buzz on campus about the fact that we’re basically all committing ourselves to voluntary slave labor lately—and rightfully so. Students have even taken to the Internet to petition against unpaid internship listings on Wasserman Career Center. But each day, we still roll out of bed to go to work, and we leave empty-handed.

Put down the dozen soy-venti double shot iced espressos (no ice!) you’re carrying to the office, and take a minute to share your own nightmarish internship story— it could really help.

This week, ProPublica launched a nationwide investigation into the nature of internships in the US. This is a problem being addressed here on campus, and for students scrambling for those last-minute summer positions, or those planning for the fall, now is a great time to start paying attention.

Blogs Exercise fitness Palladium

We Stop Being Lazy And Start Going To Palladium (So You Don’t Have To)

May 3rd, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

Welcome to the second installment of NYU Local’s Fake Fitness Blog. Each week, this reporter will partake in one fitness fad #forjournalism. You’ll learn how to safely (probably not) complete a juice cleanse, not fall off your bike at Soul Cycle, and watch me fall off a real bike in Central Park.

In our last entry, the Fake Fitness Blogger followed a two-day juice cleanse to see what being a health food yuppie would be like. This week, I attempt to visit local fitness establishments during finals week to explore how to get in shape on campus. There are myriad ways to work out in New York, but since most of us are poor college students, Palladium is often the best option because it’s, well, free. Read more…

cas student council Student Life Victoria Ettore

Victoria Ettore Elected New CAS President

April 30th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

Phew! After a long (and strange) process, the CAS Student Council was able to announce this week that candidate Victoria Ettore has been elected President. Ettore ran against current President Yee Ting Lee, and current Treasurer Sara Samarasinghe.

The race not only proved to be close, it also ended up throwing candidates for a loop when Yee Ting dropped out of the race in the middle of elections. He had received good news regarding a competitive internship spot and dropped out, admitting to not be able to give the president position the time it deserved. Read more…

fitness Hate the World Jesus H. Christ Journalism Juice Cleanse we suffer for your laughter

We Did A Juice Cleanse, Watched Hatefully As Everyone Else Ate Cinnamon Buns

April 26th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

Like many of us, I’m a book-smart out-of-shape student who’s too busy at her internship and studying to think about working out (well, that and the fact that Game of Thrones is back and I have to catch up).

Nevertheless, bikini season is fast upon us, and I’ll be damned if I don’t spend the next month throwing my GPA away so I can spend the summer being judged solely on my appearance in a swim suit. Thus, NYU Local proudly presents the Fake Fitness Blog, where this reporter will endure one fitness or diet fad per week and blog about it. You’ll learn how to safely (probably not) complete a juice cleanse, not fall off your bike at Soul Cycle, and watch me fall off a real bike in Central Park.

This week, I undertook a two-day juice cleanse for #journalism. As I got back from Shake Shack for my final meal, I prepared several horrible juices and also prepared to lose my mind. The task: I could only drink almond milk, water, and vegetables and fruits all mashed together in a juicer.

Academics Internships Jobs Oh My!

A Brief Investigation Into Just How Busy We All Are

April 24th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

In the 20 minutes between our second job and our senior level Gender and Sexuality Class, we had a moment of crisis. Are we doing enough? Are the 4 internships in the last 6 months going to hold up in this economy? How will we afford our Bushwick loft if we can’t get that perfect (unpaid) curatorial position at a Soho gallery? It’s no secret that we’re a stressed bunch at NYU; this author gets hives just thinking about her honors thesis that’s coming up (in two years).

Our university doesn’t help. With pressures to study abroad (there’s probably even an ad next to this post!) and constant advising keeping our little butts in line from the moment we walk in here, it’s hard to imagine another life. However, there are other colleges where students live other lives. And we wondered: what do they do? We asked two students from Stanford University and Barnard College to find out just how busy their ‘busy’ is.

Hats, Beating Hearts, & The Self: The 2013 Gallatin Arts Festival

April 9th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

“This isn’t college art. This isn’t weird Gallatin art. This is art,” announced Keith Miller to a large group of students at last night’s opening of the 2013 Gallatin Arts Festival. When planning our trip, we’ll admit that’s sort of what we expected: weird meta theatrical dance troops, or a spoken word ode to the caps lock button. What we got was surprisingly in (yet still out) of the box—something sophisticated yet very modern. It was a unique look into the minds of how teens and 20-somethings see the world, and how their art wrestles with that view.

The Complete Guide To Your CAS Student Council Candidates

April 8th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

You’ve seen the Student-Faculty Banquet. You may have considered going to the Student-Alumni Banquet. After you pass the poster you might idly think about checking out the Formal on Thursday (it’s Gatsby themed!). Besides the table at Club Fest and the Facebook events for Bagel Fest, a lot of CAS students don’t have a very intimate relationship with their CAS Student Council. But did you know that this week, from Monday to Friday, you have a chance to participate in the CAS Student Council Elections?

These people represent the Student Council, which you may not be a part of, but they also represent you, the CAS student. From planning neat events that might even land you a job to talking directly to John Sexton about your burning questions and concerns, the positions being decided this week will only benefit you, if you choose to take part. You have nothing to lose.

The following students are candidates for the 2013-4 Student Council officers. We asked them what made them stand out, what they want to change, and what most people don’t know about them. Check out their surveys after the jump!

Why I Handed Over My Spring Break To NYU And Loved It

March 27th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

Spring Break: the focal point of the spring semester. We counted down the days until we wouldn’t have to trudge to our 8 am class in the freezing rain, or battle down the blocks-turned-wind tunnels to the subway. One week of debauchery and much deserved rest lay ahead as many students traveled to warmer climates or to the comforts of home. While I too wished for a Mexican resort and to wake up past noon, I had different plans. NYU was planning my Spring Break, and I couldn’t be happier that they did. Read more…

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How Not To Kill Your Roommate Before Spring Break

March 13th, 2013 by Cara Cifferelli

It’s been two and a half months. The once pristine kitchen is in disarray, the floor hasn’t been cleaned for a month, and you’re pretty sure that smell is something dead in the heater.

As you spend long days in class and even longer nights in Bobst you come home to this slob–your roommate–sitting on an unmade bed and eating your non-fat organic Greek yogurt. You’ve had enough, but before you move that pile of clothes out of the way to get a better aim at the jugular, read on for some tips that will keep you both sane until Spring Break gives you the time apart you need. Read more…