New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Opinion

An S.A.T. a practice pamphlet sits alongside a book featuring the words S.A.T. Test Preparation on it, and other study items on a desk.

Opinion: NYU needs to bring back mandatory standardized testing

Reinstating standardized test scores is, perhaps surprisingly, the equitable admissions policy NYU needs.
Noah Zaldivar, Deputy Opinion Editor April 17, 2024

Recently, NYU announced that it will reevaluate whether it should make standardized tests mandatory for future admissions cycles. The announcement raised some concerns — after...

A purple sketch illustration of a sad girl. In the background are the words “Meal Swipes: 0” written repeatedly.

Opinion: NYU must stop heavily relying on student generosity to provide food security

Instead of depending on Swipe it Forward, the university should take responsibility for addressing food insecurity on campus.
Mehr Kotval, Contributing Writer April 17, 2024

NYU’s meal swipe donation program, Swipe it Forward, is at best a token gesture toward solving food insecurity. The program, which relies on students with meal plans to...

An illustration of students sitting in a large room for a student government meeting. On the left, a purple banner with the N.Y.U. torch logo hangs on the wall and reads “N.Y.U. S.G.A.”

Guest Essay: Why you should care about the SGA’s next chair

The Student Government Assembly has elected its next chair who will shape the student body experience through programming and advocacy.
Ryan Carney, Guest Contributor April 12, 2024

Guest essays reflect opinions from writers beyond WSN. If you’d like to submit a guest essay for consideration, please email [email protected]. Members of the Student Government...

An illustration of a student government meeting. A person speaks behind a podium with an N.Y.U. flag behind them.

Opinion: NYU needs to take student government resolutions more seriously

NYU must better support resolutions passed by the university’s Student Government Assembly to appropriately address the needs and concerns of its students.
Jack Sloan, Staff Writer April 4, 2024

A few weeks ago, the Student Government Assembly passed a resolution requesting that NYU reopen the Grand Staircase in the Kimmel Center for University Life, which had been closed...

Hair products on display at a store.

Opinion: Sidestein should sell curly hair products

With such a diverse student body, it’s time NYU Eats started stocking essential items for curly-haired people in its university markets.
Abi Rivera, Opinion Editor April 3, 2024

Maintaining my hair is an essential part of my daily routine, and sets the precedent for my confidence and comfort on campus — a sentiment shared by a lot of curly heads. However,...

The 6 subway train arrives at the Union Square station. People stand on the platform and walk on the overpass.

Opinion: Dramatically increasing law enforcement in NYC subways is not the answer to safety concerns

Deploying the National Guard in New York City subway stations is a poor solution to a problem that requires systemic change.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor March 13, 2024

Following a recent crime spike in New York City's subway system — with transit crime up 16.7% compared to this time last year — Gov. Kathy Hochul made the contentious decision...

An illustration of an orange bobcat sitting in an inflatable pool studying.

Opinion: Spring break couldn’t have come at a worse time

The university’s spring break comes amid a heavy study period, making what is meant to be a relaxing time a stressful one.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor March 13, 2024

Breaks at NYU are usually welcomed by students, who are craving a pause in the never ending cycle of assignments, exams, work and classes they go through for weeks on end. But...

A red poster reading “Vote N.Y.C.” sticks out of a box.

Opinion: NYU Votes needs to take more initiative this election season

The university’s voter engagement program has been notably absent, and needs to be revived this presidential election season.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor March 11, 2024

With the presidential primaries currently running their entertaining albeit tedious course, there's one factor that has noticeably been missing in the eyes of the NYU community...

An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.

Staff Rants: Springing in and out of spring

It’s the beginning of March, which means spring is just around the corner! WSN staff shares their thoughts about the changing season.

On climate change: Abi Rivera — Opinion Editor  Spring? I think you mean false spring. Climate change is real.   On heroes: Sebastian Cardena — Deputy Opinion...

An image of a N.Y.U. flag, with the color purple edited into pink.

Off-Third: NYU changes branding to save misled patients

After failing to secure its right over the color purple in hospital advertising, NYU has decided to make magenta its trademark shade.
Emily Genova, Deputy Managing Editor March 6, 2024

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. On Tuesday, March 5, after failing to claim purple for itself in a lawsuit against another hospital, NYU announced it would drop its trademark...

A person sitting in front of a laptop whose screen is displaying a sexual assault prevention training portal.

Opinion: NYU’s sexual respect training is inadequate

In the face of the vast disparities in sex education across states and schools, NYU’s sexual respect training falls short.
Mehr Kotval, Contributing Writer March 6, 2024

Graduating from a high school with abstinence-focused sex education, I felt ill-prepared to navigate the complexities of consent and healthy relationships when I entered college....

An illustration of several anthropomorphic white rabbits applying for internships, talking on the phone, displaying their resumes, and shaking hands with someone, in front of a black and yellow background.

Opinion: All NYU schools should offer embedded internships

Integrating embedded internships across the university’s schools would bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing students' career prospects.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor March 5, 2024

Last semester, I had an embedded internship within my Gallatin School of Individualized Study’s seminar, “Coming Out Stories.” Not only was this my first internship opportunity,...