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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

Education

(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)

Editorial: Linda Mills, where are you?

Our university president stands at a precipice, where she can choose to either complicitly facilitate repression or loudly stand up for NYU’s values.
WSN Editorial Board May 5, 2025

It has been over one year since President Linda Mills authorized the sweeps of two Gaza Solidarity Encampments on campus. In the aftermath, students, faculty, parents and alumni...

(Jane El Khoury for WSN)

Opinion: This finals week, don’t put studying before mental health

While people brag about how little sleep they got last night while studying for finals, embrace sustainable studying strategies to stay productive.
Shanay Tolat, Deputy Opinion Editor May 1, 2025

As we edge towards finals, the competition to get a table and save a seat for your friends in Bobst Library is heating up, with our academic pursuit taking on a frantic intensity...

(Kyra Reilley for WSN)

Opinion: Gen Z is abusing therapy speak

The rise of therapy jargon in everyday language is leading our generation to focus too much on ourselves.
Sam Kats, Staff Writer April 28, 2025

In 2025, mental health has become an industry of its own, flooding social media feeds and everyday conversations, and while this new normalization has had positive effects, it...

(Julia Smerling for WSN)

Opinion: The United States has a literacy problem

In recent years, Americans have suffered from a decrease in literacy — and there are no signs of improvement.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor April 24, 2025

Literacy rates throughout the country have been on the decline in recent years, with many fearing for the state of U.S. education for generations to come. Between 2017 and 2023,...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

Guest Essay: We, a small group of LS faculty, call on Mills to resign

Some Liberal Studies faculty members share their concern about President Linda Mills’ leadership and the dean of Liberal Studies’ leave from NYU.

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

(Courtesy of Emma Bell)

Guest Essay: Emma Bell for SGA chair

Dymond Walker is a senior at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development.
Dymond Walker, Guest Contributor April 17, 2025

In the past few months, sweeping changes have been made across U.S. college campuses. Now more than ever, students don’t feel supported or valued at the schools they attend....

(Iris Bell for WSN)

Opinion: Gen Z activism is performative, not productive

Gen Z is known for their advocacy — but when you look beyond the clicks, likes and posts, there is not much left.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor April 17, 2025

For years, Generation Z has touted itself as unprecedentedly socially conscious and politically outspoken, with many young people having mastered the language of social justice...

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Opinion: It’s time to end the stigma around gap years

Parents and professionals often look down on those who take gap years, but there’s no shame in acknowledging the merits of taking a break.
Shanay Tolat, Deputy Opinion Editor April 15, 2025

Gap years in college are often met with disapproval and skepticism in American academic culture — whether taken after graduating high school or during college. In all cases,...

(Samson Tu for WSN)

Opinion: At NYU, not all hate speech is treated equally

Amid its strict crackdown on antisemitism on campus, NYU needs to show the same commitment to addressing racism and xenophobia.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Deputy Managing Editor April 10, 2025

NYU hosts hundreds of speaking events every semester, from academic panels to debates, on a broad range of topics and viewpoints. But what does it take for NYU to cancel one? If...

(Chelsea Li for WSN)

Guest Essay: It’s time to end legacy admissions in New York

Legacy preferences reward privilege, yet dozens of colleges in New York still use them. The Fair College Admissions Act would make them a thing of the past.
Saha Guerrero, President of NYU College Democrats April 8, 2025

New York has more colleges that give legacy preferences than any other state, accounting for roughly one in every seven schools that use this practice nationwide. While this...

(Courtesy of Alisa Vvedenskaia)

Guest Essay: Ashlie Oxford for SGA chair

SPS graduate student Ashlie Oxford is running for chair of NYU’s Student Government Assembly.
Adrian Pica-Borjas, Guest Contributor April 7, 2025

For the first time in NYU’s history, the chair of the Student Government Assembly, the chief representative for over 61,000 NYU students around our global campuses, will...

(Charlie Dodge for WSN)

Opinion: Every NYU class needs a Zoom or recording option

Adding virtual attendance to regular classes would help alleviate the pressure and stress caused by mandatory attendance policies.
Shanay Tolat, Deputy Opinion Editor April 7, 2025

Most students have experienced rushing to class despite being physically and mentally drained, simply because attendance is mandatory and lectures are not recorded or available...