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

Government

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a podium during a press conference. She stands in front of an American flag and a royal blue background. She is wearing a black blazer with a pale blue collared shirt.

Opinion: Struggling New Yorkers need Good Cause Eviction legislation

The state eviction moratorium expired in February, leaving thousands of New Yorkers — Black renters in particular — vulnerable to homelessness. A proposed Good Cause Eviction bill would limit rent hikes and reduce evictions.
Asha Ramachandran, Deputy Managing Editor March 7, 2022

As New York rent prices increase to their highest levels in decades, Gov. Kathy Hochul has left tenants out to dry. The eviction moratorium that allowed hundreds of thousands of...

An illustration of a white voting ballot with a pen writing in black ink. Behind the ballot is the Empire State Building and the larger New York City skyline.

Opinion: New York, make it easier to get on the ballot

New York state lawmakers’ efforts to reform ballot access laws highlight the need to make running for office more accessible.
Michelle Han, Opinion Editor March 4, 2022

Over at New York’s capital, two Democratic state leaders are pushing for legislation to reform the complicated ballot access laws that deter many potential candidates from running...

A portrait of Eric Adams wearing a gray suit, white collared shirt and navy blue printed tie. He stands in front of a royal blue background and an American flag on a floor stand.

Editorial: Eric Adams needs to house the homeless, not attack them

Mayor Adams wants to make our trains safer by removing unhoused individuals. His plan, unfortunately, relies heavily on policing and other forms of carceral violence.
WSN Editorial Board February 28, 2022

Michelle Go was tragically pushed to her death at a subway station by an unhoused individual on Jan. 15. Her death incited much needed conversations about the rise in crime in...

Average annual transportation costs in New York City exceed $1,000 per student. NYU should work with the MTA to alleviate this financial burden. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

Editorial: Hamilton, implement the SGA’s transportation resolution

By instituting discounted subway fares for the NYU community, the university could do its part to support students in need and provide stimulus to local businesses.
WSN Editorial Board February 14, 2022

Students travel from all over the world to attend NYU, but the university makes no attempt to alleviate the costs of travel within the city. Commuter students are only miles away...

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...

(Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Opinion: The country needs a pro-democracy movement. It can start with you.

Following the Senate’s failure to pass voting rights legislation, succumbing to defeatism is no longer an option.
Saha Guerrero, Staff Writer February 8, 2022

On Jan. 19, 50 Republican and two Democratic senators made the choice to preserve the filibuster over protecting the right to vote. The U.S. Senate failed to pass the Freedom to...

One year ago today, domestic terrorists in support of former President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

Opinion: The Jan. 6 insurrection, one year later

In order to ensure the health and safety of U.S. democracy, the Senate must censure or expel Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley.
Kevin Kurian, Opinion Editor January 6, 2022

A year ago today, right-wing rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol in an effort to silence 81 million people who voted against former President Donald Trump. They came bearing firearms...

Conservative Senate hopeful J.D. Vance, pictured here at Turning Point USA’s Southwest Regional Conference in April 2021, often speaks at conservative events. Vance’s recent comments at the National Conservatism Conference disparaged higher education and professors. (Photo by Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons)

Opinion: Senate hopeful J.D. Vance embodies American conservatism’s anti-intellectualism

American conservatives are taking up arms against education itself in a misguided and dangerous anti-intellectual crusade.
Kevin Kurian, Opinion Editor November 16, 2021

Republican senate hopeful J.D. Vance quoted disgraced former President Richard Nixon earlier this month in a harangue against institutions of higher education, going as far as...

New York state Democrats failed to pass initiatives intended to expand voting rights. As a result, barriers to electoral participation will continue to be reinforced. (Photo by Katherine Chan)

Editorial: New York Democrats failed to protect voting rights

New York Republicans launched a well-funded campaign to defeat voting rights ballot initiatives. Democrats did not respond with the same effort or coordination. As a result, barriers to electoral participation, particularly for young people, will be upheld.
WSN Editorial Board November 15, 2021

New York Democrats failed to launch a coordinated campaign to protect voting rights through ballot Proposals 3 and 4 this November, leading to their rejection by voters. As New...

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about a 108-year-old New York state gun law. If the conservative court strikes it down, Black and brown people will continue to be targeted. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Opinion: Striking down New York’s gun law could harm Black and brown people

If the Supreme Court makes a conservative decision in NRA v. Bruen, Black and brown people in New York City could be harmed.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor November 5, 2021

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard NRA v. Bruen, a case about the New York state Legislature’s 108-year-old gun law. The law requires that anyone trying to obtain a license...

Last week, Bill de Blasio filed paperwork that set him up for a New York gubernatorial campaign. Before taking further steps, he should address the concerns surrounding his misuse of security detail as mayor and make financial reimbursements to taxpayers. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Opinion: NYC deserves answers and reimbursements from Bill de Blasio

Before rushing to file for the governor’s race, Bill de Blasio should properly address his misuse of security detail as mayor and make appropriate financial reimbursements.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor November 4, 2021

With Eric Adams’ mayoral win confirmed Tuesday, Nov. 2, Mayor Bill de Blasio’s time in office is drawing to a close. De Blasio has already begun to prepare for his next political...

Eric Adams, the Democratic mayor-elect in New York City, has a history of supporting inhumane tactics against incarcerated people. This background has cast doubt on the prospect of current mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to close Rikers Island. (Images via Wikimedia Commons, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Eric Adams’ pro-prison record is dangerous for NYC

Democratic mayor-elect Eric Adams has a troubling record with the prison-industrial complex. As conditions worsen for people at Rikers Island, Adams’ history of standing against the rights of incarcerated people makes meaningful reforms unlikely.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor November 3, 2021

With the polls closed for the New York City mayoral election, Mayor-elect and former New York City Police Department captain Eric Adams will take office on Jan. 1. Meanwhile, on...