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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

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...

An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.

Letter to the Editor: WSN’s coverage of the ELI is erroneous

A letter to the editor in response to "NYU cuts English program that served international students, fires staff" and "Opinion: The racist, anti-worker closure of NYU’s English Language Institute" from NYU spokesperson John Beckman.
John Beckman, NYU spokesperson December 14, 2021

Both the recent article and the recent op-ed piece about the English Language Institute were so woefully off-base and erroneous that they require a response to set the record straight. The...

NYU needs to cut ties with Michael Steinhardt and rename the school that bears his name.

Opinion: NYU should sever all ties with Michael Steinhardt 

The board of trustees must change the name of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development given Steinhardt’s proven record as a looter and sexual predator.
Asha Ramachandran, Opinion Editor December 10, 2021

Michael Steinhardt, billionaire, hedge fund manager and the namesake of the NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, was forced to surrender $70 million...

An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.

Letter to the Editor: ‘Steinhardt student governments call for school to be renamed’

A letter concerning Michael Steinhardt from faculty of the department of Media, Culture, and Communication.

We, the undersigned faculty of the Department of Media, Culture, and Communication write in deep concern over the widely disseminated report from the Manhattan District Attorney...