The WSN Editorial Board is looking forward to another semester of heated discussion and debate regarding the issues that affect us most as students. Over the course of the spring semester, our team of student writers will dissect the policies of our school, our city and our politicians, in the hopes of creating and contributing to a vigorous and substantive discourse.

In the six weeks since the Editorial Board last convened, events both around the world and close to home have reshaped our nation and our way of thinking. The tragedy in Newtown, Conn., the second inauguration of President Obama, the controversy in the Benghazi hearings and the hostage crisis in Algeria have all had tangible impacts worldwide. We would be remiss in our duties as informed students and engaged journalists attuned to the critical issues of our time if we did not put forth well-reasoned and insightful commentary on the controversies  that will present themselves over the next few months.

This spring, we will explore a wide variety of issues from the rollout of NYU Classes to Super Bowl XLVII. We will also closely follow contentious debates such as the local NYU 2031 expansion plan and the national congressional gridlock over fundamental challenges to our nation like the debt crisis.

We look to represent the Washington Square News’ views on current events as they arise. The Editorial Board is entirely student-comprised and student-run, and we bring a unique student perspective to the issues.

In addition to our contributions, our columnists will discuss their individual opinions on news and events even more varied than those outlined above. Op-Ed Live, our debate series, will continue this semester, bringing you video discussions of our most controversial columns. We will be expanding the Opinion section to bring you more online and multimedia content, and we look forward to sharing our perspectives and discussions with our readers.

A version of this article appeared in the Jan. 28 print edition. Email the WSN Editorial Board at [email protected].