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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

Politics

(Tony Wu for WSN)

Opinion: NYU cares more about image than free speech

The university’s speedy response to restoring a Federalist Society panel shows that moral consistency takes a back seat to public relations.
Annika Wilewicz, Deputy Opinion Editor October 10, 2025

This week, NYU’s chapter of the Federalist Society hosted its newly reinstated panel featuring Ilya Shapiro, a conservative author who drew scrutiny when his tweets calling Palestinians...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

Opinion: Mamdani is right to scrap NYC’s gifted program

Our city should look into more suitable alternatives that can offer top notch education for all students — not just those deemed "gifted."
Maggie Turner, Opinion Editor October 8, 2025

Growing up as a student in a Delaware gifted program, I was provided with a rewarding and engaging curriculum that challenged me in the classroom. This accelerated learning experience...

(Courtesy photo by Gili Getz)

Guest Essay: On this grim anniversary, we must turn to Jewish-Arab organizations

Joseph Hillyard is a student leader at NYU's chapter of J Street U, which works within the mainstream of the Jewish community to advocate for a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Joseph Hillyard, Guest Contributor October 7, 2025

The week of the United Nations General Assembly, I found myself in a familiar place. Alongside a group of Israeli expats, I stood across the street from Prime Minister Benjamin...

(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)

Editorial: Students deserve clarity from NYU leadership

Administrators’ memo about the government shutdown marked a rare moment of transparency, but more is required to support a civically engaged student body.
WSN Editorial Board October 3, 2025

On Monday, two days before the federal government halted for the first time in six years, NYU administrators sent a universitywide email briefing students and faculty on...

(Yezen Saadah for WSN)

Guest Essay: We condemn the actions and ideas that killed Charlie Kirk and their presence on our campus

The NYU College Republicans is a student-led organization.
NYU College Republicans, Guest Contributor October 3, 2025

Over the past 10 years, conservative students and faculty at NYU have only been welcome in the public forum insofar as we participate in “bipartisanship” — a misleading...

New York City Mayor Eric Adams. (Julia Smerling for WSN)

Opinion: The fall of Adams aids the rise of Cuomo

Now more than ever, it’s critical to support Zohran Mamdani.
Amelia Burnett, Contributing Writer October 2, 2025

New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on Sunday that was ending his re-election bid, officially leaving the race to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, Republican nominee Curtis...

(Alex Tey for WSN)

Opinion: Trans people are targets, not terrorists

The Trump administration’s demonization of transgender identity has been used to justify escalating public scrutiny and identity-based criminalization efforts.
Mehr Kotval, Editor-at-Large October 1, 2025

For a group that makes up less than 1% of the U.S. population, it’s remarkable how often transgender people are the subject of public fear and political attacks. Despite their...

(Julia Smerling for WSN)

Opinion: NYU uses renovations to suppress student speech

The university’s vague construction projects across public areas are an excuse to push out on-campus protest.
Grace Penny, Contributing Writer September 30, 2025

On April 22, 2024, students set up a pro-Palestinian encampment on Gould Plaza in protest of NYU’s ties to Israel amid its ongoing war in Gaza. Protestors demanded the university...

(Suditi Sircar for WSN)

Off Topic: Late-night show losses are the next step in entertainment censorship

Between the cancellations of two late-night shows, PBS funding cuts and its effort to politicize performing arts, the Trump Administration is finding new ways to clamp down on free speech.
Annika Wilewicz, Deputy Opinion Editor September 24, 2025

Last week, ABC announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be on pause indefinitely following a statement that Kimmel made on air about MAGA benefiting politically from Charlie...

(Courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

Opinion: Gov. Kathy Hochul needs to restore New Yorkers’ trust in the public health system

Following the launch of the West Coast Health Alliance, New York should take similar measures to assuage growing distrust in government health policies.
Serin Lee, Deputy Opinion Editor September 19, 2025

On Sept. 15, the New York City Department of Health confirmed two cases of measles in New York City — two out of over 1,400 confirmed measles cases across the United States this...

People sitting by the Washington Square fountain, with trees with green and yellow leaves behind them.

Opinion: NYU students are targets for public debates — it’s time to disengage

The insidious underpinnings of this viral content destroy earnest and productive political discourse.
Grace Carmody, Contributing Writer September 18, 2025

Washington Square Park hosts a myriad of interesting characters: street performers, vendors selling questionable substances and political interviewers looking to exploit eager...

(Courtesy of ​​the Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs)

Off Topic: Department of Defense name change counters tradition and goals

The move directly contrasts the president’s self branding as a peacemaker.
Leila Abarca, Contributing Writer September 16, 2025

In another branding move as commander in chief, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War. He rationalized the...