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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

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Guest Essay: The future of NYC can’t be left to Cuomo or Adams

We, the NYU College Democrats, are proud to endorse leaders ready to move our city forward — ranking Zohran Mamdani first and endorsing Brad Lander, Adrienne Adams and Jessica Ramos.
NYU College Democrats May 2, 2025

It shouldn’t be too much to ask for the mayor of New York City to show up for New Yorkers — but here we are. The cost of living is out of control, and one in four New Yorkers...

Pinnacles National Park. (Krish Dev for WSN)

Off Topic: Public lands deserve priority

President Donald Trump’s national park cutbacks are a slap in the face to a century of environmental care and could have lasting effects for the future.
Piper Clark, Contributing Writer April 29, 2025

At the beginning of his term, President Donald Trump issued an enormous amount of budget cuts, layoffs and buyouts to almost every major area of the federal government, including...

(Courtesy of Gage Skidmore)

Off Topic: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s autism solution is worse than the problem

The health secretary’s proposed autism study is unrealistic, prejudiced and sets dangerous precedents for federal data collection and compilation.
Noah Zaldivar, Opinion Editor April 25, 2025

As part of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s proposed plan to find the cause of autism, the National Institutes of Health has announced its plan to collect troves of...

(Julia Smerling for WSN)

Opinion: The United States has a literacy problem

In recent years, Americans have suffered from a decrease in literacy — and there are no signs of improvement.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor April 24, 2025

Literacy rates throughout the country have been on the decline in recent years, with many fearing for the state of U.S. education for generations to come. Between 2017 and 2023,...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

Guest Essay: We, a small group of LS faculty, call on Mills to resign

Some Liberal Studies faculty members share their concern about President Linda Mills’ leadership and the dean of Liberal Studies’ leave from NYU.

Guest essays reflect opinions from writers beyond WSN. If you’d like to submit a guest essay for consideration, please email [email protected]. Many of us watch...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Opinion: Zohran Mamdani is the progressive leader New York needs

For everyday New Yorkers struggling with high costs of living, Zohran Mamdani’s commitment to progressive and democratic values make him the right choice for mayor.
Serin Lee, Staff Writer April 18, 2025

As the 2025 New York City’s 2025 mayoral elections come closer, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo is the leading Democratic candidate, with 34% of voters saying he was their top choice....

(Camila Ceballos for WSN)

Opinion: Trump’s attack on New York climate laws will have long-term ramifications

President Donald Trump’s new executive order threatens to dismantle local climate laws, inhibit environmental justice and shift the cost of climate change back onto everyday Americans.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer April 17, 2025

I remember watching Gov. Kathy Hochul sign the Climate Change Superfund Act into law in January last year. This was the moment that gave New Yorkers a chance to hold Big Oil accountable...

(Iris Bell for WSN)

Opinion: Gen Z activism is performative, not productive

Gen Z is known for their advocacy — but when you look beyond the clicks, likes and posts, there is not much left.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor April 17, 2025

For years, Generation Z has touted itself as unprecedentedly socially conscious and politically outspoken, with many young people having mastered the language of social justice...

(Samson Tu for WSN)

Opinion: Betar has no place at NYU

The radical Zionist group based in the United States has used its platform to attack noncitizen students and faculty who protest Israel's ongoing siege in Gaza.
Noah Zaldivar, Opinion Editor April 14, 2025

Since the start of his second term, President Donald Trump has taken advantage of the ongoing war in Gaza to push his anti-education agenda. Recently, his administration was handed...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Off Topic: Today’s feminism prioritizes performance over action

In an era of conservatism, feminism cannot afford to be merely symbolic.
Maggie Turner, Deputy Under the Arch Editor April 11, 2025

During President Donald Trump’s 2025 address to Congress, House Democrats reluctantly filed into the chamber of representatives, some holding black paddles reading “False,”...

(Samson Tu for WSN)

Opinion: At NYU, not all hate speech is treated equally

Amid its strict crackdown on antisemitism on campus, NYU needs to show the same commitment to addressing racism and xenophobia.
Anna Baird-Hassell, Deputy Managing Editor April 10, 2025

NYU hosts hundreds of speaking events every semester, from academic panels to debates, on a broad range of topics and viewpoints. But what does it take for NYU to cancel one? If...

(Courtesy of NYU Athletics)

Off Topic: The hysteria around trans athletes is a distraction

Republicans and Democrats alike will have you believing that transgender women are a threat to women’s sports. Don’t let them.
Sam Kats, Staff Writer April 10, 2025

Transgender people — especially athletes — have become political pawns for both Republicans and Democrats. No longer human beings who make personal choices about their bodies,...