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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

Top Story

NYU's COVID-19 positivity rates have increased sharply in recent weeks, but have remained lower than the rates in New York City as a whole.

NYU COVID positivity rate more than 20x pre-omicron average

The most recent data shows an 18.29% positivity rate in COVID tests at NYU.
Alex Tey and Arnav Binaykia January 10, 2022

COVID-19 positivity rates at NYU are up drastically, with 18.29% of tests conducted between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2 coming back positive. This latest data marks a 22-fold increase from...

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...

An NYU student was shot in the arm outside of a building at the Tandon School of Engineering on Sept. 21. The 17-year-old suspect was arrested yesterday, Jan. 4. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Tandon shooting suspect arrested

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the September shooting of an NYU student at the university’s Brooklyn Campus. The suspect and 16 other alleged gang members stand accused of a series of armed assaults and murders.
Kristian Burt and Rachel Cohen January 5, 2022

The 17-year-old who allegedly shot an NYU student on the university’s Brooklyn campus in September was arrested on Jan. 4. He was indicted along with 16 other alleged gang members,...

(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...

Two NYU Stern professors plan on starting an “anti-woke” university. The goal of the university is to fight “illiberalism” and promote “freedom of inquiry.” (Image via Wikimedia Commons and nyu.edu)

‘Anti-woke’ NYU professors want to start anti-woke university

The University of Austin, founded in an effort to promote free speech, has generated a lot of media buzz — but has yet to open a physical location or gain accreditation.
Carmo Moniz, Staff Writer December 14, 2021

Two NYU professors are among a group of intellectuals who plan to form a university founded under “the fearless pursuit of truth.” Former Stern professor Niall Ferguson and...

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 has petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals in a faculty retirement lawsuit. The deciding factor in the case could be a previous ruling by the Supreme Court. (Photo by Marva Shi)

NYU petitions Supreme Court over faculty retirement plan suit

A lawsuit filed against the university by six professors could set a precedent for similar retirement plans across the United States.
Michael Morris, Contributing Writer December 14, 2021

A $350 million lawsuit alleging that NYU failed to responsibly oversee faculty retirement plans may be revisited by the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling could set a precedent for...

NYU serves over 100,000 meals a week and has denied reported cases of food poisoning. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Cockroaches and rodents spotted at NYU dining halls

After WSN reported on claims of food poisoning last month, more students have come forward with accounts of unsanitary conditions in NYU dining halls — including cockroaches and rodents.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor December 12, 2021

Adithya Rachakulla was picking up a meal at the Third North dining hall when a cockroach fell into his food and crawled through his plate before diving onto the floor. “He...

John’s of Bleecker St. is a pizzeria located on 278 Bleecker St, and one of the restaurants saved by the Open Restaurant program from the impacts of COVID-19. (Photo by Kevin Wu)

Outdoor dining plan sparks space conflicts among Village residents, businesses

As New York City’s Open Restaurants program moves toward becoming permanent, Greenwich Village businesses owners and area residents take different stances on the benefits and drawbacks of outdoor dining.
Emma Grimes, Contributing Writer December 12, 2021

New York City's Open Restaurants program is on track to become permanent. Since its emergency authorization due to COVID-19 in June 2020, more than 10,000 restaurants have enrolled...

NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is located on 295 Lafayette St. NYU Wagner recently launched its NYC 2025 initiative to address New York City’s COVID-19 economic recovery and racial justice. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Wagner develops plan for NYC economic recovery and racial justice

An initiative by the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service will propose economic and social justice priorities for mayor-elect Eric Adams.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer December 12, 2021

NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service recently launched its NYC 2025 initiative, a project that will propose public policy strategies for New York City’s...

Influentials 2021

Influentials 2021

December 10, 2021

Michael Steinhardt, after whom NYU Steinhardt is named, was recently ordered to surrender $70 million worth of stolen antiquities. This, coupled with sexual assault allegations, have driven the Department of Media, Culture and Communication to demand that their school be renamed. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli, Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Steinhardt MCC faculty also demand the school be renamed

Michael Steinhardt’s possession of stolen antiquities has led 26 professors from the department of Media, Culture, and Communication to demand their school be renamed — with some asking why such action was not taken following sexual assault allegations in 2019.
Kristian Burt and Rachel Cohen December 10, 2021

Twenty-six professors from the department of Media, Culture, and Communication issued a statement denouncing the name of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human...