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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

Opinion

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Off Topic: Skinny sells — what’s the harm?

As brands profit more from skinny culture, the consumer falls victim to the consequences.
Grace Penny, Staff Writer April 22, 2026

Content warning: This article contains mention of eating disorders. The trend of being skinny is a cyclical one that reimagines itself every few decades. In the 2000s,...

In May 2024, a pro-Israel demonstrator disrupted a rally outside Bobst Library before being escorted away by police. (Samson Tu for WSN)

Opinion: NYU needs a better definition of antisemitism

Compared to NYU’s current definition, the Jerusalem Declaration offers a precise framework that protects Jewish students without suppressing political speech.
Mehr Kotval, Editor-at-Large April 21, 2026

Antisemitism is an evil that deserves to be defined clearly and sharply, especially in this political moment, when the term is often used to penalize critics of Israel rather...

Counterprotesters holding Israeli flags stood across the street from an encampment outside Paulson Center in 2024. (Samson Tu for WSN)

Opinion: Anti-Zionism has always been antisemitism

NYU students must be free to express their identity, without fear of retaliation from their peers.
Davin Rabman, Contributing Writer April 20, 2026

On April 20 and 21, Israel will observe Yom HaZikaron, its version of Memorial Day. Sirens will wail across the country, everything will come to a halt — traffic, work, conversation....

(Courtesy of U.S. Air Force)

Off Topic: Trump’s Vietnam War doesn’t need a draft

Mandatory military service ingrains nationalist programming through the lens of violence, conquest and the preparation to commit it.
Noah Zaldivar, Opinion Editor April 17, 2026

Rob Schneider — former star of the piddling TV show “Real Rob” and currently selling a new book, “You Can Do It!: Speak Your Mind, America.” — recently laid out an...

(Neil Tawney for WSN)

Opinion: Getting to campus shouldn’t be this hard

Inconsistent shuttle schedules and unreliable Safe Ride services leave students navigating costly and unsafe alternatives.
Elena Meves, Contributing Writer April 16, 2026

I cannot be the only one frustrated with transportation services at NYU. I thought dorming at Gramercy Green would be a positive experience, but living over a mile away from Washington...

(Lauren Ng and Suditi Sircar for WSN)

Off-Third: Aspiring architect named this year’s best applicant

The young trailblazer was honored for her standout extracurriculars, cautious political correctness and her uncanny ability to build bridges.
Lauren Ng, Managing Editor April 13, 2026

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. When 17-year-old Bridgett Carpenter read that NYU’s class of 2029 was chosen to “create the next generation of bridge builders,” she...

Section 1.3 of the Contract Faculty United’s tentative agreement with NYU administration regarding prohibition of caste discrimination.

Opinion: Caste discrimination is still not prohibited at NYU

By not creating explicit protections against caste discrimination, NYU is diluting its meaning and enforceability.
Srishti Mangla, Staff Writer April 10, 2026

As the contract faculty union’s strike put hundreds of classes on hold, questions about workplace protections at NYU took on renewed urgency. Among them is an issue that has...

(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)

Off Topic: OpenAI’s latest acquisition is merely to save face

The landmark investment requires cautious judgment as more AI companies look to reinvent their image.
Maggie Turner, Opinion Editor April 8, 2026

On Thursday, the screens outside the New York Stock Exchange were lit up with congratulatory messaging I rarely see on my commute home from the Financial District. Earlier that...

(Jada Nakagawa for WSN)

Off-Third: Mills rebrands Campus Cash as Linda Lira

In a sudden change of pace, the university president has begun to actually listen to the desires of the student body with a new way to encourage spending at NYU.
Annika Wilewicz, Deputy Opinion Editor April 7, 2026

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Following President Donald Trump’s splendid announcement last week that the Department of the Treasury would begin printing U.S. currency...

(Katie Peurrung for WSN)

Off Topic: Stop blaming Gen Z for social media addiction

The generation has grown up as a trial run for the addictive designs of social media. Now, courts might be finally catching up.
Leila Abarca, Staff Writer April 6, 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google responsible for harming young users through their addictive design features, ultimately leading to mental health...

(Neil Tawney for WSN)

Off-Third: The Washington Square Park fountain deserves to drown

The buzzkill, eyesore of a fountain washes over what's really important: the attractive skaters and their super cool tricks.
Caia Cupolo, Staff Writer April 2, 2026

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Since the fountain’s original creation in 1852, Washington Square Park labored under the outdated fantasy that it should actually contain...