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

Off-Third

Against a light green background, a hand holds a smartphone on the left and a contactless sensor is on the right.

Off-Third: NYU Housing moves to implement microchip building access

As NYU embraces microchip technology, students will no longer need a physical key to enter their dorms.
Shamon Lawrence, Deputy Opinion Editor September 8, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. “Keys are outdated,” according to an email from the NYU Office of Residential Life and Housing Services sent to residential students....

An illustration of a red cross and bold text saying “Canceled” on top of text saying “imposter syndrome” in white.

Off -Third: It’s time we bid adieu to imposter syndrome

You get more things when you’re confident, so fake it ‘til you make it.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 1, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Happy new year! The first day of class is of course the start of a new year; it marks the transition from one grade to the next. I am confident...

Icons of (left to right) Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages against a light purple background. The small crown and a number one badge are attached to the Google Docs icon.

Off-Third: We live in a Google Docs world — it’s time to start acting like it

Google Docs is superior. It’s time to abandon the other options.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor April 27, 2022

It drives me absolutely insane when people don’t choose the best option. It’s even more insane when the best option is the easiest and the cheapest. I understand — and understand...

An illustration of a woman wearing a teal blouse sitting on one of several green chairs below a clock on the wall. Floating text reads internship limbo.

Off-Third: Student excited at internship rejection: ‘I got a reply!’

Applying to one company in your job search is just not enough. Beware of the eight-letter word!
Shaina Vora, Contributing Writer April 22, 2022

G-H-O-S-T-I-N-G. For the past few months, almost every NYU student I know has participated in the rat race of sending out job and internship applications in bulk.  Note,...

An illustration of a pink background with pink outlines in the shape of hearts, with a comma inside of a larger heart outline in the middle of the illustration.

Off-Third: Give the Oxford comma a break

One little mark is a helpful, clarifying, and necessary breath of fresh air. Stop getting rid of it. 
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer April 21, 2022

I know, I’m late to the conversation. It's been years since debating the Oxford comma was quirky, edgy or indicative of genius-level IQ. But WSN gives me an outlet nonetheless,...

An illustration shows a figure of a person with a blue shirt and blue pants crossing their arms as they stand among a group of four silhouetted people talking. Illegible speech bubbles representing their thoughts float in the air above them.

Off-Third: Why everyone at NYU is more talented than you are

Imposter syndrome doesn’t exist. You’re just not the smartest or the most talented or even the nicest person at NYU. (Off-Third is WSN’s satire column.)
Abe Shapiro, Contributing Writer April 19, 2022

First-year NYU students, plagued by insecurity and inexperience, often doubt their merit as members of the Violet community. In fact, a large portion of these first-years claim...

Students in line in front of the Cantor Film Center building. Illustrated on top of the picture, in front of the students in line, is a red-and-gold stanchion and a yellow table that reads “drinks” with coffee cups on top of it.

Off-Third: NYU should provide refreshments to students waiting in Cantor line

We’ve all seen the line spilling onto the sidewalk at Eighth Street and University Place. It’s about time we pass out some refreshments to the poor students outside of Cantor.
Vinith Yedidi, Contributing Writer April 14, 2022

It’s 9:30 a.m. It’s cold and slightly misty outside, partially due to the exhaust from cars zooming down Eighth Street and partially due to the breath coming from the students’...

An illustration of a woman at Washington Square Park wearing a purple cardigan and looking towards the left-hand side. Behind her, the Washington Square Arch is visible, as well as a man playing a piano.

Off-Third: The case against AirPods

This is the story of a student — a student who missed all of the wonders of the city, simply because they didn’t leave their AirPods case at home.
Blake Salesin, Contributing Writer April 7, 2022

On March 29, 2022, at 4:29 p.m., an unnamed NYU first-year retraced their daily path to Silver Center through Washington Square Park, AirPods in ears. As they hurriedly weaved...

https://nyunews.com/opinion/2022/04/05/insomnia-cookies-gerrymandering-nyu-dorms/

Off-Third: Stop gerrymandering, Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies’ delivery map is out of control. We need to establish order… for our dessert orders.
Sabrina Choudhary, Deputy Managing Editor April 5, 2022

Gerrymandering is a hot topic right now as states conduct redistricting exercises to correspond with the 2020 U.S. census. The fight to protect voting rights is crucial and deserves...

An illustration of the nine Northern California counties that make up the Bay Area, each in a different color. To the left, the word “California” is above the words “Bay Area,” which are crossed out in red.

Off-Third: Bay Area students are wasting our time

It’s time to stand up against the drawn-out responses to “where are you from?” of our Bay Area peers.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor April 1, 2022

NYU is a global institution, which means students hail from one of three places: Los Angeles, New Jersey and the Bay Area. Upon meeting someone, you’ll typically ask their name,...

An illustration of a purple computer and a green background. On the top left of the computer screen, in purple text, are the words “NYU Albert.” At center, the words “New and Improved Course Search,” and under this, “but this time it’s only core classes.” Under this centered title, there is a green button with white text reading “Search.”

Off-Third: Keep the core classes, get rid of majors

NYU needs to champion the well-rounded individual. The best way to do that is by getting rid of majors entirely.
Jules Roscoe, Deputy Opinion Editor March 31, 2022

Core requirements have always mystified students. Why do we have so many? How do professors come up with these topics? From a Texts & Ideas course on doubling in French literature...

An illustration of a woman shielding her face with her hand to hide her acne. She has long brown hair and is wearing a teal t-shirt.

Off-Third: The cosmetic case for mask mandates

The second-best university in New York City has lifted their mask mandate. As the No. 1 school in the city, we need to stand our ground.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor March 9, 2022

Columbia University announced last week that indoor masking will be optional on its campus starting March 14. Since we typically do what the other, worse Ivy League school in New...