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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

A panoramic view of the greenfield at Governors Island, with the Manhattan skyline visible in the background.

Opinion: You need to be around more trees

This semester, it's time to seek out more parks and green spaces in New York City.
Abi Rivera, Deputy Opinion Editor September 8, 2022

Being in nature is linked to improved health. According to the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, “Spending time around trees and looking at trees reduces...

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 “Keys are outdated,” according to an email from the NYU Office of Residential Life and Housing Services sent to residential students....

A student holds up their phone displaying a purple Violet Go pass to enter an NYU building.

Opinion: Violet Go is completely pointless

NYU’s one-and-done Daily Screener revamp is unnecessary. We should simply have all our information on our NYU IDs.
Jules Roscoe, Opinion Editor September 7, 2022

NYU unveiled its brand-new Daily Screener update in late August in anticipation of the new semester. The revamp, called the Violet Go pass, aims to make students’ lives “just...

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: First day of classes

Welcome, or welcome back! WSN staff shares our thoughts and feelings about the start of the semester.

On Thursday: NYU feels very comfortable disrupting the traditional week by starting classes on a Thursday — and not only a regular Thursday, but a Thursday before a long weekend....

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...

Rally attendees walk down University Place holding a large sign that reads “NYU owes adjuncts.” A police officer on a moped directs traffic in front of the marching protesters.

A letter to President Hamilton: Adjunct faculty are essential to NYU

More than a thousand members of ACT-UAW Local 7902, the union representing adjunct professors at NYU, have written a collective letter to President Andrew Hamilton emphasizing their role at the university as they bargain for a new contract.
NYU Adjunct Faculty May 17, 2022

People hold signs at an abortion rights protest at Barclays Center. Signs read "Codify Roe v. Wade," "Fuck this," and "It's not just abortion: Right to privacy equals gay marriage, gay sex, contraception and interracial marriage."

Opinion: Community abortion funds need your help right now, not Planned Parenthood

Small abortion funds and community-based reproductive organizations are in urgent need of financial support as reproductive rights are under attack. To help those most in need, donate to local funds instead of Planned Parenthood.
Srishti Bungle, Opinion Editor May 6, 2022

An initial draft majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was leaked to Politico on...

Two people hang up a protest banner on the exterior façade of a building covered with scaffolding.

Opinion: NYU students should do more to help New York City’s unhoused population

Mayor Eric Adams’ recent campaign to ramp up sweeps of unhoused encampments makes it more important than ever for NYU students to take the initiative and support their neighbors in need.
Steph Wittstruck, Contributing Writer May 4, 2022

Amid Mayor Eric Adams' ongoing aggressive campaign against unhoused New Yorkers, the principles of mutual aid are more relevant than ever. NYU students hold a unique position in...

A protester holding up a sign saying “NYU + Sabatini = Disgrace” in front of the NYU Langone Health Center. A black-and-white headshot of Sabatini is superimposed on the left.

Editorial: Do no harm, Grossman. Reject Sabatini.

Hiring biologist David Sabatini would display a gross disregard for sexual assault survivors on the part of NYU’s Grossman School of Medicine.
WSN Editorial Board May 2, 2022

Content warning: This article mentions sexual harrassment and abuse. A history of sexual harassment. Pushed out of three institutions following allegations of sexual misconduct....

The marble facade of the building of the U.S. Supreme Court. The building has eight columns and marble stairs.

Opinion: Affirmative action is the best tool for increasing diversity

The Supreme Court will likely strike down affirmative action in October. But no alternative is as effective for increasing racial diversity at universities.
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer April 28, 2022

Affirmative action is on trial. Its court date is set for October 2022, and the decision will be released sometime in 2023. Given the Supreme Court’s current composition —...

An illustration of a woman with makeup, wearing glasses and a graduation cap and gown. She is smiling in front of a pink background surrounded by purple floating hearts.

Off-Third: Judith Heumann fans hassle NYU seniors for graduation tickets

Disability rights activist Judith Heumann, along with some random singer, will speak at NYU’s commencement ceremony. Desperate to catch a glimpse of their favorite disability rights activist, Heumann’s fans are trying to buy tickets from NYU graduates.
Jules Roscoe, Deputy Opinion Editor April 28, 2022

Avid Judith Heumann fans aggressively harassed NYU graduates on Twitter for graduation tickets following NYU’s announcement that she would speak at the university’s doubleheader...

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...