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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

Sitting at center bottom is the current Chief Justice John Roberts. The center-right 67-year-old has been the chief justice of the United States since 2005. (Photo by Fred Schilling, via Wikimedia Commons)

Editorial: Chief Justice Roberts needs to retire

In light of Justice Stephen Breyer announcing his retirement, it’s time for another member of the Supreme Court to follow suit. Chief Justice John Roberts should announce his retirement to allow his seat to be filled before the midterm elections.
WSN Editorial Board January 31, 2022

This year, the Supreme Court will lose a liberal champion. Nominated by former President Bill Clinton in 1994, the retiring Justice Stephen Breyer has been a stalwart defender...

Despite opting for in-person classes this spring, NYU has not provided adequate support to students and faculty — making it difficult for them to navigate the new semester amid the ongoing pandemic. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYU’s handling of COVID-19 is a valid reason to take a leave of absence

Between confused faculty and administrators, ineffective online learning methods and a tuition of $80,000 per year, it's OK that you want time off.
Jules Roscoe, UTA Staff Editor January 28, 2022

NYU announced its spring 2022 reopening plans in a university-wide email on Jan. 12. The reaction was a mix of enthusiasm and concern. Students have been yearning for a normal...

New York state Sen. Liz Krueger, a Democrat, represents District 28 on the eastern side of Manhattan. (Photo courtesy of NYS Senate Media Services)

Opinion: The NYC Board of Elections needs urgent reform

In light of the U.S. Senate’s failure to pass the John Lewis voting rights act, the New York state government must pass a bill to significantly reform the New York City Board of Elections in order to restore trust in democracy.
Michelle Han, Opinion Editor January 27, 2022

Just because Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.) thinks the filibuster is more important than letting minorities vote does not mean that New York has to follow suit. The failure of...

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

Staff Rants: West Elm Caleb

Our staff’s takes on TikTok’s latest villain.
WSN Staff January 26, 2022

On fallacious axioms Manasa Gudavalli — Multimedia Editor They say all publicity is good publicity… [un]fortunately, this was not the case for West Elm or for West Elm...

A plan calling for an artificial 1,760-acre expansion of Manhattan below the Financial District has gained undeserved popularity. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYC needs more affordable housing, not more land

A plan to solve the city’s housing crisis by extending the island of Manhattan southward gained popularity after a recent New York Times op-ed. Instead of investing millions of dollars into this project, the city needs to focus on fixing its existing affordable-housing system.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor January 26, 2022

A plan to artificially extend the island of Manhattan went viral last week. The plan, originally proposed by Rutgers professor Jason Barr, calls for a 1,760-acre expansion...

Mayor Eric Adams recently converted his first paycheck to cryptocurrency. He previously declared that he would take his first three paychecks in Bitcoin. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Mayor Adams, don’t take your checks in crypto

While cryptocurrency could generate jobs in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams should not encourage the use of Bitcoin as a currency because of its instability and environmental harm.
Kevin Kurian, Opinion Editor January 26, 2022

Eric Adams, the self-proclaimed “Mayor of Swagger,” is attempting to breathe new life into a city afflicted by rising crime and a global pandemic. He’s maintained an eccentric...

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

Staff Rants: NYU’s re-reopening

From gatekeeping masks to the lack of a remote option, our staff had a lot to say about NYU's plan for reopening.
WSN Staff January 24, 2022

On inconsistent restrictions Caitlin Hsu — UTA Publishing Editor Tell me why a 100-person lecture can be fully in person but we have to do newspaper production over Zoom.  On...

An illustration of hand turning a page of a print edition of WSN. The image on the front page is a smaller version of that illustration, suggesting infinite recursion.

Letter from the editor: On transition

Transitions are perpetual, uncomfortable and inevitable. Meet WSN's new editor-in-chief.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief January 24, 2022

Dear readers, This is a strange time to be attending college. Last spring was mostly online, last fall was mostly in person, and now we’re in this in-between zone where...

An NYU student is logged on to the school's online learning platform, Brightspace. Brightspace is the central location for course work when students transition to a remote learning environment. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Editorial: NYU should mandate a remote learning option

NYU’s “flexible” plan for in-person learning is flexible in name only. The university should require professors to offer options for remote learning.
WSN Editorial Board January 24, 2022

Earlier this month, omicron positivity rates in New York City hit 500% of last winter’s peak despite wider vaccine availability, higher vaccination rates and mask compliance....

Despite the surge in cases of the omicron variant, NYU announced that classes will be held in-person. However, the omicron variant can be fatal for disabled and immunocompromised students, whose health and safety continue to be overlooked. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYU’s reopening is ableist

NYU’s decision to start the spring semester with in-person instruction demonstrates a gross disregard for its most vulnerable students.
Srishti Bungle, Deputy Opinion Editor January 17, 2022

NYU’s recent announcement that the university will hold in-person instruction during the spring 2022 semester included a revealing concession. “To be clear, in all likelihood,...

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...

(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...