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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

Akshay Prabhushankar

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Managing Editor

Akshay Prabhushankar is a Deputy Managing Editor for WSN. Born and raised in Kansas City, he now studies computer science and math as a senior at NYU. You can find him in between classes watching a mix of both brilliant and garbage TV dramas, or complaining about how expensive his favorite cereal, Honey Bunches of Oats, is in the city. To add a bit of seasoned wit to your timeline, follow him on Twitter.

All content by Akshay Prabhushankar
Kenneth Langone, namesake of NYU Langone Health, gives the keynote speech at the School of Medicine commencement. (via NYU Langone)

School of Medicine Commencement ’19

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Managing Editor May 27, 2019

Last Wednesday evening, 149 students piled into Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall for NYU School of Medicine’s 178th graduation ceremony. They were clad in the university’s...

Shriya Khonde | Climbing Through Advocacy

Shriya Khonde | Climbing Through Advocacy

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Managing Editor March 13, 2019

The “Fracture” x KOVASKY Blazer, seen on the Kollison runway (via Twitter)

Dozens of Designers Collide for a Cause

At Kollision, the designers, models, organizers and beneficiaries are women.
Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Managing Editor March 11, 2019

South Sudan may be the world’s worst country in terms of girls’ access to education. Part of the problem stems from the cultural stigma surrounding menstrual periods and lack...

Suzanne Rae F/W 2019

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Managing Editor March 3, 2019

Set on the fourth floor of a Chinatown walk-up, Suzanne Rae’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection was introduced in an ordinary apartment with white walls and white floors. Boots,...

Ricardo Seco F/W 2019

Ricardo Seco F/W 2019

Akshay Prabhushankar, Managing Editor February 9, 2019

No matter how strong a message Seco pushed with his designs, the chaos surrounding the event cannot be ignored. Members of the press and guests to the show were forced...

Letter to the Editor: You Can’t Separate the State From Its People

Letter to the Editor: You Can’t Separate the State From Its People

Deputy Copy Chief Akshay Prabhushankar’s responds to columnist Jasem Alzaabi’s article on why the UAE should suppress free speech.
Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Copy Chief November 9, 2018
Deputy Copy Chief Akshay Prabhushankar’s responds to columnist Jasem Alzaabi’s article on why the UAE should suppress free speech.
The recent terrorist attack in London left 5 dead and 50 injured. The differing reactions of political leaders from Britain and the United States shows a stark contrast of compassion between the two countries.

London Keeps Calm and Carries On, But Can the US?

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer March 28, 2017
Akshay Prabhushankar discusses how the United Kingdom reacted to and covered the recent London attack, which occurred on Westminster Bridge.
Kill Switch Would Protect New Yorkers

Kill Switch Would Protect New Yorkers

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor November 21, 2016
Undocumented immigrants are fearful following Donald Trump’s victory, and New York must act before its IDNYC program is used against residents.
Other Schools Dealt With Yiannopoulos, Why Couldn’t NYU?

Other Schools Dealt With Yiannopoulos, Why Couldn’t NYU?

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor October 24, 2016
Most schools, including Yale and George Washington, have recognized the importance of allowing unpopular speakers to visit and have agreed to increase security at their Yiannopoulos events.
When Issues Have Faces, Clinton Wins

When Issues Have Faces, Clinton Wins

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor October 10, 2016
Clinton has outlined an ambitious set of goals, but she has faced resistance from voters who feel these issues do not affect them.
Hypocrisy in Congress Reaches New High

Hypocrisy in Congress Reaches New High

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor October 3, 2016
While no politicians want to appear as if they are against 9/11 victims in an election year, the JASTA is not in the best interests of the country and passing it is a betrayal of their constituencies.
On-Screen Talent Needs to Start Looking More Like the Viewing Public

On-Screen Talent Needs to Start Looking More Like the Viewing Public

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor September 20, 2016
Viewers must also demand original films with nontraditional diversity.
Antiquated Voting Equipment Threatens Democracy

Antiquated Voting Equipment Threatens Democracy

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor September 13, 2016
Prudently maintaining suitable voting equipment is to preserve the integrity of American democracy.
Raising Gas Prices Might Be Unpopular, But It'll Fuel the Future

Raising Gas Prices Might Be Unpopular, But It’ll Fuel the Future

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor September 6, 2016
low gas prices are not good for the future of the country — we should actually be raising them if we are to address the long-term issues of the U.S. dependence on oil.
Celebrate Rio 2016 Despite its Problems

Celebrate Rio 2016 Despite its Problems

Akshay Prabhushankar, Deputy Opinion Editor August 28, 2016

Between high crime rates, Zika virus concerns, polluted water and political instability, the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro had its fair share of problems. The 2008 Olympics in...

Don't Call It Flip-Flopping, Call It Dynamic Democracy

Don’t Call It Flip-Flopping, Call It Dynamic Democracy

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer April 18, 2016
We expect legislators to do the right thing no matter public opinion, yet crush them at the polls if they act against the wishes of their constituency.
Government Fashion Policing Targets the Wrong Issues

Government Fashion Policing Targets the Wrong Issues

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer April 11, 2016
Government intervention seeks to protect vulnerable young women from physical and mental health disorders and to promote the celebration of all body types.
End Minimum Wage Bickering with Cost of Living Adjustments

End Minimum Wage Bickering with Cost of Living Adjustments

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer April 8, 2016
The minimum wage has actually lost purchasing power in recent decades, resulting in much undue strain on workers. Indexing the minimum wage to inflation and a city’s cost of living can drastically reduce this stress, and help eliminate a metric where America lags behind its Western counterparts.
Robot Redistricting Could Be Antidote to Gerrymandering

Robot Redistricting Could Be Antidote to Gerrymandering

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer March 4, 2016
Through gerrymandering, senators and representatives are spending their time in office — positions without term limits — plotting how to preserve power for the next decade rather than actually legislating. Luckily, the technology of the 21st century means we now have the means to impartially automate the redistricting process.
MPAA Shapes Unhealthy Film-Watching Habits

MPAA Shapes Unhealthy Film-Watching Habits

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer February 16, 2016
Without proactive reform, this backwards, “mommy-like” system dictating cinema will harm children, the very group it is in place to protect.
NYU Rightly Keeps Professorship Endowed by Shkreli

NYU Rightly Keeps Professorship Endowed by Shkreli

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer February 5, 2016
While officials should be more transparent regarding the details of the endowment, the medical school should be free to spend Shkreli’s money to advance scientific research.
Prizes Not Patents: Racing for the Cure Requires Teamwork

Prizes Not Patents: Racing for the Cure Requires Teamwork

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer February 1, 2016
Our governments and organizations like WHO need to recognize that a prudent shift to prizes is worth trying in order to gather a hesitant public’s support. This new system will reward innovation — not greed.
In support of Airbnb

In support of Airbnb

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer December 9, 2015
As Airbnb follows through on its promise to “build an open and transparent community,” officials should do their part to support the users along with the city’s residents.
Professor’s use of racial slur antithetical to progressive discourse

Professor’s use of racial slur antithetical to progressive discourse

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer December 2, 2015
Andrea Quintette’s use of the n-word in a recent graduate class was insensitive, irrational and unacceptable for a person in her position.
Democracy needs electoral college

Democracy needs electoral college

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer November 2, 2015
Despite cries to do away with the electoral college, the system is actually essential to preserving democracy.
Drone regulation measures a step forward

Drone regulation measures a step forward

Akshay Prabhushankar, Staff Writer October 27, 2015
The FAA must move swiftly in order to prevent a serious drone incident.
Open the door to Cuba and let change in

Open the door to Cuba and let change in

Akshay Prabhushankar, Contributing Writer October 14, 2015
The humanitarian situation in Cuba under US embargoes is deplorable. Congress must authorize the lifting of the embargo to improve US trade and get the nation of Cuba back on its feet.