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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

An illustration of an NYU transcript with a W grade for one course.

Opinion: For students’ health, a W grade on a transcript should be expungeable

The rigidity of the withdrawal policy may push students to prioritize grades over health.
Sophie Moller, Contributing Writer April 13, 2022

If a student withdraws from a course after the add/drop period, a W will appear on their transcript. According to guidelines from the NYU Division of Student Affairs, students...

The exterior façade of a college building with golden doors and clear decorated windows as the sun shines on half of the building and people walk on the sidewalk.

Opinion: NYU CAS shouldn’t require a foreign language

Forcing students to take four semesters of one language eliminates other avenues of educational exploration and wastes students’ resources.
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer April 12, 2022

I honestly couldn't tell you what I learned in my Spanish classes. I can remember “me llamo,” “porque” and a couple of funny curse words. I can remember all the skulls...

The facade of the City of New York graduate building, as seen from the corner diagonally across the street. On the left side of the building, a row of nine flags hangs above the entrance.

Opinion: New York, invest in CUNY

As New York state lawmakers finalize budgeting for the 2023 fiscal year, we must urge them to increase support for the City University of New York system.
Srishti Bungle, Opinion Editor March 30, 2022

The City University of New York public university system desperately needs more funding. It currently offers an amazing education — whether it be through their four-year bachelor’s...

An illustration of a sports podium with a generic college building on the first place spot.

Opinion: From a student who used to worship them, college rankings are worthless

The recent allegations that Columbia University exaggerated statistics to improve its US News & World Report ranking demonstrate that it’s past time to retire the false prestige of college rankings.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 23, 2022

Leading up to my senior year of high school, my party trick was reciting the top 50 schools in US News & World Report’s rankings from memory. It’s embarrassing to admit...

Ties with the United Arab Emirates hamper freedom of academic expression at NYU’s Abu Dhabi campus. (Staff Photo by Roshni Raj)

Opinion: NYU must take a stand for academic freedom abroad

Multiple NYU study-away sites have been forced into academic censorship. Enough is enough.
Zach Banks, Staff Writer February 14, 2022

Our university’s torch logo should symbolize academic freedom and justice. Instead, it has come to stand for unfettered capitalism — selling out academic freedom to pad an...

To reduce the school's carbon footprint, NYU should go paperless by default. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Opinion: NYU should go paperless

The return of in-person classes has brought the return of printed syllabi. NYU should take action to go paperless.
Alexandra Cohen, Staff Writer January 31, 2022

As my class ended, I went to throw away my freshly printed syllabus in front of my professor. I didn’t want to be disrespectful — I just knew that I could access the syllabus...

An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.

Letter to the Editor: The English Language Institute’s closure is a tragic step back

In response to a recent letter to the editor, a former English Language Institute student offers his perspective on the program’s closure.
José Navajas Trobat January 31, 2022

This is a time for disappointment. After so many years, so many students, so much education and information received, after so many things learned about a great country and about...

(Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Opinion: Defending WSN’s coverage of the ELI

A response to NYU spokesperson John Beckman's inaccurate Letter to the Editor criticizing WSN's coverage of the ELI.
Alexandra Chan, Managing Editor December 15, 2021

The university’s response (Dec. 14, “Letter to the Editor: WSN's coverage of the ELI is erroneous”) to WSN’s reporting on the English Language Institute raises concerns...

On Tuesday, Nov. 30, a school shooter shot 11 people at Oxford High School in Michigan. In light of this, it is important to reject attempts to blame bullying for mass murders. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Stop blaming school shootings on bullying

In light of the tragic school shooting in Michigan, it is important to reject attempts to link bullying to mass murder.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor December 8, 2021

A 15-year-old sophomore school shooter committed a senseless act of violence at Oxford High School on Tuesday, Nov. 30. Eleven people were shot, three students died from their...

Sunrise Movement NYU urged the NYU board of trustees to improve transparency and democracy, as well as divest from fossil fuels. For the 1,200 students who have signed a petition created by Sunrise NYU, democracy within the NYU board of trustees and community is imperative. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Letter to the Editor: Divestment, democracy and the board of trustees

The board of trustees is an unaccountable group with overwhelming power. We need to democratize NYU to ensure transparency, accountability and a prosperous future for its students. A response to ​​”Hamilton discusses NYU dorm intruder response, denies private prison investment,” Nov. 18.
Paige Anderson, Contributing Writer December 7, 2021

Sunrise Movement NYU launched its Divest NYU campaign this fall, the third push for divestment from fossil fuels at NYU. While each push differed in strategy and specific demands,...

After three virtual finals seasons, many NYU students find themselves struggling to transition back to in-person tests. Some NYU classes have continued to allow students to take their exams home, but more classes should shift from traditional in-class tests to take-home tests or projects. (Photo by Manaal Shareh)

Opinion: NYU should do away with in-person tests

As the pandemic continues, many classes continue to require students to take stressful, ineffective in-person tests. NYU should shift away from traditional test-taking to alternative assessments like take-home tests and projects.
Camila Ceballos, Staff Writer December 1, 2021

With finals around the corner, many NYU students are used to being exhausted by an endless barrage of tests. After three semesters of virtual exams, the university should permanently...

Washington Square Park lies on top of “the Land of the Blacks,” farmland and homes inhabited by people of African descent between the mid-17th century and early 18th century. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Opinion: NYU should create a monument for ‘The Land of the Blacks’

Because of NYU’s location on farmland once owned by people of African descent, the university should create a new monument to honor their contributions and history.
Morgan Caramello, Staff Writer December 1, 2021

Washington Square Park is one of New York City’s most famous landmarks. It is located in the heart of Greenwich Village and is considered the center of NYU’s campus. However,...