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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

A portrait of Maria Freyre.

Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer

Maria Freyre is a junior double majoring in Journalism and Media, Culture, and Communication. Her idols are Taylor Swift, Anne Boleyn and the Brontes. You can find her listening to 1812 Overture, eating oatmeal, watching period dramas and indulging in stream of consciousness writing. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @mariajfreyre.

All content by Maria Freyre
An illustration of the silhouettes of three NYU Campus Safety officers, standing with the hands clasped in front of their bodies. None of their faces have been drawn.

Inside NYU’s troubled Campus Safety department

Abby Wilson and Maria Freyre May 17, 2022
NYU Campus Safety officers speak out about their frustrations toward their leadership, and how an accreditation system and the university’s COVID-19 protocols have impacted their work.
The facade of a limestone brick building with a gold plaque on it, which reads “New York University / Institute of Fine Arts / The James B. Duke House.”

Students pressure NYU admin to keep Institute of Fine Arts building open

After the Institute of Fine Arts administration announced that the program’s library would close April 28-May 3, students were left scrambling the week before finals. 
Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer April 28, 2022

After Institute of Fine Arts students protested the scheduled six-day closure of the department’s main building for a corporate event, the administration canceled its plans on...

The user interface of a change.org petition against a pink background: a description of the petition is in the upper half, and signatures of petitioners are in the lower half.

Petition against NYU’s COVID screener stalls after 3 weeks

After a Stern first-year was barred from entering his classes, he created a petition to end the university’s Daily Screener.
Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer April 22, 2022

A petition calling on NYU to stop requiring the Daily Screener — a COVID-19 vaccination pass that students, faculty and staff must show to enter university buildings —...

An NYU Campus Safety vehicle in front of trees. The vehicle is a white car with purple decals and the text “Campus Safety 212-998-2222” on top.

Student gov’t presses NYU administrators about crime at town hall 

Members of the Student Government Assembly and NYU administration addressed campus safety issues at a virtual town hall on Wednesday, April 13.
Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer April 15, 2022

The Student Government Assembly and NYU administrators addressed an uptick in crime on campus and around New York City at a town hall on Wednesday, April 13. The event was hosted...

A small, dark rodent on the brown wood floors of the Palladium dining hall.

NYU blames rodent in Palladium dining hall on bad weather

Several students saw a small rodent scurrying through the Palladium dining hall while they were eating on April 9.
Maria Freyre and Kayla Hardersen April 15, 2022

CAS first-year Andres Piccinoni was eating dinner with GLS first-year Ben Thompson at the Palladium dining hall when he noticed a rodent running across the floor. The students...

A crowd surrounds a memorial filled with candles, flowers, posters and Israeli flags in front of a storefront.

Mass shooting near NYU Tel Aviv campus prompts university response

After a shooting in Tel Aviv last week and a number of attacks in Israel over the last month, site administrators advised students to exercise greater caution and avoid traveling outside of Tel Aviv.
Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer April 12, 2022

NYU Tel Aviv provided transportation back to campus and advised students to temporarily stay indoors after a mass shooting near campus on April 7. The shooting left three dead...

A headshot of Taylor Swift placed beside a photo of Judith Heumann.

Taylor Swift, Judith Heumann to speak at NYU graduation

Graduates of NYU's classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 will be honored at a ceremony at Yankee Stadium on May 18.
Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer March 29, 2022

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift and disability rights activist Judith Heumann were selected as commencement speakers for NYU’s 188th and 189th graduation ceremonies. A ceremony...

Empty assembly hall with a purple overlay. Text reads “Resolution to Include Student Voices in the Election of the SGA Chairperson.” At bottom center is the logo of NYU’s student government.

Student gov’t passes resolution to elect its chairperson by student vote

The Student Government Assembly democratized its selection process to include increased student participation at its latest meeting on Feb. 17.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer February 23, 2022

The Student Government Assembly passed a resolution to elect its chairperson using a popular vote with the goal of increasing student representation in the election process, at...

A study by NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing found a correlation between COVID-19, sleep insufficiency and poor mental health among nurses. (Photo by Tony Wu)

Nurses’ insomnia, anxiety linked to pandemic stress

The group offered strategies for nurses to manage stress after exploring how COVID-19 exacerbated sleep deprivation, depression and anxiety among nurses.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer February 11, 2022

Researchers from a NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing study are calling for immediate action to support nurses during current and future pandemics. The group found increased rates...

In a Jan. 12 email, NYU announced the spring 2022 semester will be held in person. More than 2,200 students concerned for their safety have since signed a petition demanding a permanent remote learning option at NYU. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Petition for remote learning option garners 2,200-plus signatures

The university’s decision to resume in-person instruction has left many students concerned for their safety and demanding online accommodations.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer January 24, 2022

A petition demanding a permanent remote learning option at NYU has garnered more than 2,200 signatures as of Sunday, Jan. 23. The university announced that spring 2022 classes...

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...

Swipe it Forward is a program where students can donate their extra meal swipes to other students. But recently, the program has struggled to collect enough student meal swipes to support the increasing number of students who are using the program. (Photo by Naomi Mirny)

Students use NYU’s free meal programs, but not enough donate

The student-led Swipe it Forward program struggles to collect enough donations to support students experiencing food insecurity.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer December 9, 2021

Since its launch in 2019, Swipe it Forward — a program where students can donate their extra meal swipes to be used by others — has provided access to free meals to those facing...

A wall with photographs of NYU trustees on display at the Kimmel Center for University Life. (Alexandra Chan for WSN)

Student gov’t renews push for representation on NYU board of trustees

Presidents Council Vice-Chair Anthony Cruz resumes discourse over a resolution to add voices of the larger NYU community to the board.
Maria Freyre and Rachel Cohen December 7, 2021

At the final student government meeting of the fall semester on Dec. 2, Presidents Council Vice-Chair Anthony Cruz reopened dialogue over a resolution to give student, faculty,...

The Student Government Assembly held its third meeting of the semester. One of the issues discussed was sustainability in dining halls. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Student gov’t seeks changes to NYU academic calendar

The Student Government Assembly addressed academic calendar revisions and dining sustainability at its third meeting of the semester.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer November 22, 2021

NYU’s student government discussed revisions to the academic calendar and promoting sustainability measures at dining halls at its third meeting of the fall 2021 semester on...

On Nov. 17, NYU president Andrew Hamilton held a town hall meeting over Zoom. The meeting addressed questions about campus safety, COVID-19, the university’s affordability and student life issues. (Image via NYU Town Hall)

Hamilton discusses NYU dorm intruder response, denies private prison investment

At a town hall meeting on Nov. 17, NYU president Andrew Hamilton and other university leaders answered student questions ranging from campus safety to demonstrated financial aid.
Gabriel Hawthorne and Maria Freyre November 18, 2021

NYU president Andrew Hamilton responded to questions about campus security, COVID-19, the university’s finances and student life issues at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, Nov....

CAS dean search sees scant student involvement

CAS dean search sees scant student involvement

As the College of Arts and Science continues to seek a new dean, the search committee is encouraging students from the CAS community to participate in the nomination process.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer November 17, 2021

NYU’s College of Arts and Science is searching for a new dean following the resignation of dean Gene Jarrett in August. The Dean Search Committee, composed of members of the...

The NYU Bookstore updated NYU’s Student Government Assembly on its affordability initiative, which was created to counter the high costs of textbooks and course materials. This was one of the topics discussed at the second SGA meeting of the Fall 2021 semester, which was held on Oct. 28. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Student government welcomes NYU’s first dean of students

A summary of developments from the second Student Government Assembly meeting of the fall 2021 semester.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer November 4, 2021

NYU’s Student Government Assembly held its second meeting of the fall 2021 semester on Oct. 28. Topics of discussion included a bookstore affordability initiative and a new coalition...

NYU’s Quidditch team was looking forward to returning to playing games for the first time since COVID-19 began. However, a new policy from NYU’s Center for Student Life has suspended all in-person activities for performing arts and sports clubs. (Image courtesy of NYU Quidditch)

Performing arts and sports clubs prohibited from holding in-person activities

Students expressed disappointment and frustration after hearing that performing arts and sports clubs — a staple of NYU’s student life offerings — can no longer meet in person.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer October 14, 2021

NYU’s Quidditch team was looking forward to traveling to games, welcoming new players and heading to Warwick, R.I., for the US Quidditch Northeast Regional Championship...

The first Student Government Assembly meeting of this semester took place last Thursday. Students’ concerns regarding COVID-19 guidelines and the recent shooting that happened outside the Tandon School of Engineering were addressed. (Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Health and safety take center stage at first fall 2021 student government meeting

The NYU Student Government Assembly discussed the university’s COVID-19 guidelines and other safety protocols during its first meeting of the semester.
Maria Freyre, Contributing Writer October 5, 2021

NYU’s Student Government Assembly discussed student concerns about the university’s COVID-19 safety guidelines and questioned campus security protocols in relation to the recent...

30 Cooper Sq. is an office building located near NYU’s campus. Recent graduates are having difficulties finding jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Recent NYU graduates search for jobs, but find bleak prospects instead

Due to the economic fallout of the pandemic, NYU alumni have had to reassess their career choices and job prospects as they enter the workforce.
Maria Freyre, Contributing Writer September 30, 2021

Ali Vera, class of 2021, handed in her two weeks’ notice to The Sunshine Method tutoring service on Sept. 13. She had decided to accept the job after graduating, even though...

Salsa learners gather at Washington Square Park for their lesson. Free salsa lessons are scheduled between 5:30pm to 8:00pm every Tuesday till the end of September. (Photo by Maria Freyre)

Salsa dance classes bring spice to Washington Square Park

Free weekly dance classes have brought salsa to Washington Square Park every Tuesday. The classes continue until the end of September.
Maria Freyre, Contributing Writer September 22, 2021

Parkgoers become salsa dancers when they step into Washington Square Park’s Garibaldi Plaza for salsa Tuesdays.  These weekly salsa classes are for everyone from beginners...