On Campus - by Henry Chan on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 8:18 - 13 Comments - 59 views
Munching on the delicious white chocolate chip cookies that the school provided, I wondered what JSex would be like. Prior to last night’s Town Hall event, I had never seen him person. In my head was the image of JSex walking into the auditorium, immaculately dressed, stoic and with a take-no-shit attitude, trailed by a large posse. Instead, I saw a genial fiftyish man saunter in with a smile on his face, dressed in a Brooklyn Prep blue sweatshirt with a grey cowboy hat. Not what I was expecting.
But then again, neither was the Town Hall itself. The meeting quickly devolved into a shouting match between JSex and members of Take Back NYU, who were essentially accusing him of deliberately deceiving the school.
I didn’t realize that TBNYU was in the audience until I noticed that there were a few students pointedly trying to ignore everything JSex was saying. One of them was reading a newspaper, noisily turning the pages with an unnecessary vigor. Another was drawing on a poster board, which didn’t even make sense. Why would these people come to a town hall if they weren’t going to pay attention?
And then they opened their mouths.
Aggressive questions about guaranteeing fair treatments for NYU Abu Dhabi builders and the equity of pay between male and female university employees were quickly answered. “In our agreement with Abu Dhabi,” said Sexton, “we have assurances that the workers will be treated well and we have no evidence that our counterparts are not going to keep their word.” As for gender pay discrimination, JSex called out his accusers, challenging students to email him with any substantive evidence of inequity.
I took great delight in watching JSex cut down TBNYU. They were dominating the evening, asking questions out of turn, rudely interrupting him. Whenever they disagreed with something JSex said, some of them would cough rather loudly as others laughed derisively. As someone who has never seen TBNYU in action, it was a terrible first impression. I came away thinking they were assholes. They surely acted like it. Props to JSex for keeping up with them.
I left the town hall with a greater appreciation for JSex’s job. If I had to deal with this every day, I’d quit.
13 Comments
Chris Kennedy
Why would she even bother approaching TBNYU when they were clearly rude and aggressive? Seems like TBNYU cared more about putting on a show and yelling than they did about actually having their concerns be addressed.
Although I have to say, it always annoys me when large corporations say they have “agreements” with foreign companies that they will treat their workers fairly. NYU should take some responsibility and make sure the workers building their own campus are treated fairly. Not just blindly trust a piece of paper someone signed.
David E
I was at the town hall meeting, and a girl a couple of rows in front of me from Take Back NYU was not only reading the paper, but at one point took out a jar of Skippy, dipped her hand inside, and started to eat the peanut butter with her bare hands, slurping and smacking loudly. It was disgusting.
At one point, some jerk stood up to read a list of unrealistic demands that, frankly, if given in to by the administration, would have done a great deal of harm rather then some good.
There is something as civilized discourse. There is a correct way of protesting and asking for change. There is a process.
This is not it.
Madeline Kane
Agreed. Watch this video if, like me, you weren’t there. The interruptions, forced laughter, and lack of respect are embarrassing. Someone made a really good point in saying NYU could invest in green funds, but any legitimate points are undermined by juvenile behavior.
Isha Dandavate
@ Duncan: boredom is no justification for rude behavior.
Also, writing an article is not a passive aggressive act. The job of a journalist is to report an event, not to approach the people involved and warn them that their actions are out of line. welcome to the real world.
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speaking of passive agressive, you could have talked to someone from TBNYU! at the Town Hall about your issues, but you didn’t, you published an article on a website.
Also, every single question submitted got asked. They ran out at the end. If TBNYU! hadn’t been there, you would have been really bored.