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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

Alexandra Chan

Alexandra Chan, Editor-at-Large

Alexandra Chan is a junior studying history, politics and East Asian studies. She has done her time in the basement dungeon state of mind and can’t really seem to let go. Follow her @noelle.png on Instagram for inconsistent posting but aesthetically pleasing rows. She doesn’t know what Twitter is.

All content by Alexandra Chan
Student dancers performing “cellE.K.T SocieT.Y.” Second Avenue Dance Company’s March Concert “Investigating the We” enables choreographers to shine a spotlight on prevailing issues through dance and movement. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Tisch Dance Program Students Call for Societal Change

Sasha Cohen, Performing Arts Editor March 8, 2020

Two student dancers perform in "juvenescence." Second Avenue Dance Company’s March Concert “Investigating the We” enables choreographers to shine a spotlight on prevailing...

NYU students talk to WSN about their obsessions, ranging from writing on sticky notes to preparing for the apocalypse. Explore your obsessions and have fun embracing them! (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Students Reveal Their Odd and Not-So-Odd Habits

March 3, 2020

NYU students talk to WSN about their obsessions, ranging from writing on sticky notes to preparing for the apocalypse. Explore your obsessions and have fun embracing them! (Staff...

Students are looking forward to spring break, which is just two weeks away. Spring break planning can often get pushed aside as students worry about midterms and essays, but sometimes it is worth putting effort into a little preparation. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: How to Make the Most of Your Spring Break

March 3, 2020

Students are looking forward to spring break, which is just two weeks away. Spring break planning can often get pushed aside as students worry about midterms and essays, but sometimes...

NYU’s new streaming service Viewing Gum is ready to take over the market. Based on everyone’s favorite experience at the dentist, NYU will bring you entertainment like no other.
(Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Off-Third: NYU to Provide New Streaming Service: The TVs That Play at the Dentist

March 3, 2020

NYU’s new streaming service Viewing Gum is ready to take over the market. Based on everyone’s favorite experience at the dentist, NYU will bring you entertainment like no other. (Staff...

What if NYU schools were on the Bachelor, competing for the roses? (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Off-Third: The Bachelor: Violet Edition

February 25, 2020

What if NYU schools were on the Bachelor, competing for the roses? (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

University Floral is located on the corner of University Place and 10th Street. The familiar, family-owned store has created beautiful bouquets and displays for many years. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: A Family Business and a Whole Lot of Flowers

February 25, 2020

University Floral is located on the corner of University Place and 10th Street. The familiar, family-owned store has created beautiful bouquets and displays for many years. (Staff...

A student watches "We Are Not Strangers," a video created by NYU Shanghai students and alumni in solidarity for Wuhan coronavirus victims. The virtual choir rendition of the song encourages unity and hope among staff and students. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: NYUSH Students Push for Unity in Song

February 24, 2020

A student watches "We Are Not Strangers," a video created by NYU Shanghai students and alumni in solidarity for Wuhan coronavirus victims. The virtual choir rendition of the song...

(Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Flying Solo Couture: F/W 2020

February 13, 2020

(Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Mount Sinai social worker Carolyn Hutson discussed racial and ethnic biases in the United States’ healthcare system. (Staff photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: NYU Alumna Talks Racial and Ethnic Biases in US Healthcare System

February 5, 2020

Mount Sinai social worker Carolyn Hutson discussed racial and ethnic biases in the United States’ healthcare system. (Staff photo by Alexandra Chan)

NYU students recommend some less well known beauty YouTubers. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Four Beauty YouTubers You Need to Watch

February 4, 2020

NYU students recommend some less well known beauty YouTubers. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study is creating opportunities for student playwrights through the Gallatin Theater Lab. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Gallatin Theater Lab Shines Spotlight on Young Playwrights

February 4, 2020

NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study is creating opportunities for student playwrights through the Gallatin Theater Lab. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

New York City's own resident groundhog Alwayscrying Alex of Washington Square Park forecasts more depressing winter days. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Off-Third: Groundhog Sees Shadow, Predicting Six More Weeks of Depression

February 4, 2020

New York City's own resident groundhog Alwayscrying Alex of Washington Square Park forecasts more depressing winter days. (Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Don’t Be Racist About the Health Crisis

Don’t Be Racist About the Health Crisis

People can be smart about hygiene without diving into racist tirades against the people that need the most help.
Alexandra Chan, Deputy Photo Editor February 3, 2020

News of the novel coronavirus has spread quickly, and as a result, also led to the promotion of racist and xenophobic reactions. Fear of the spread of the virus is understandable,...

TikTok is a rising social media platform among young people, who use the app to create, share, and view short videos. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Move Over Vine, It’s TikTok Time

Gaby Baldovino, Staff Writer February 3, 2020

TikTok is a rising social media platform among young people, who use the app to create, share, and view short videos. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Staff Rants and Raves: Back to School

Staff Rants and Raves: Back to School

The first week of courses always fills people with mixed emotions. Here are our staff’s takes on the subject.

Rants On Masks Alexandra Chan, Deputy Photo Editor Growing up in post-SARS Hong Kong, wearing masks is very normal to me. It blows my mind that there is an American (or...

Start taking care of your skin with a simple and effective routine. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Simple Steps for Smooth Skin

Divya Nelakonda, Beauty & Style Editor January 27, 2020

Start taking care of your skin with a simple and effective routine. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

This week, Chef Aarti kicked off the Chef’s Table: Women in Culinary series, hosted by NYU Eats. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Chef Aarti Sequeira Kicks off NYU Eats Chef’s Table: Women in Culinary Series

November 18, 2019

This week, Chef Aarti kicked off the Chef’s Table: Women in Culinary series, hosted by NYU Eats. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

alexandra chan

Disney+ Is a Cash Grab

Disney’s release of Disney+ exploits its consumers, makes content inaccessible and is just another attempt to monopolize the market.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer November 14, 2019

This week saw the launch of Disney+, a new streaming service exclusively for Disney content. The practice of keeping content exclusive is damaging and reminds us of Disney’s...

alexandra chan

Respond to Negative News, Don’t Ignore It

News may be negative, but it’s important we pay attention to the world around us and respond to its problems, not sink into privileged ignorance.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer November 8, 2019

I recently asked a friend if she’d read an article I had written for WSN and she told me that she doesn’t read the news — it’s too negative, she said, and it always has...

Students eat dinner at Kimmel Center Market Place. At a Wednesday town hall, students voiced complaints about high prices for meal plans. (Photo by Alexanda Chan)

Photo: Remember Students’ Request for Affordable Meal Plans? They Still Want Them, Students Say at Town Hall

Ronni Husmann, Deputy News Editor November 8, 2019

Students eat dinner at Kimmel Center Market Place. At a Wednesday town hall, students voiced complaints about high prices for meal plans. (Photo by Alexanda Chan)

alexandra chan

US Politicians Don’t Know How to Deal With Hong Kong

The fight for democracy in Hong Kong deserves better than the political maneuvering and schemes of U.S. politicians.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer November 4, 2019

Images of a rally outside the U.S. embassy in Hong Kong peppered local news outlets and social media in September. Protesters clad in black waved U.S. flags, asking the supposed...

George Chen spars against an opponent. Chen performed Koryeo at the second level of competition for black belt poomsae, winning bronze. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Taekwondo at NYU Welcomes All

November 4, 2019

George Chen spars against an opponent. Chen performed Koryeo at the second level of competition for black belt poomsae, winning bronze. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

A hallway in Rubin Residence Hall. Some NYU students say they have experienced supernatural happenings in unexpected places. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Students Share Their Spookiest NYU Ghost Stories

October 27, 2019

A hallway in Rubin Residence Hall. Some NYU students say they have experienced supernatural happenings in unexpected places. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

The NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life terminated Gallatin senior A’Nisa Amaru's employment, claiming she was being overcompensated for her work. NYU’s Federal Work-Study program relies on students taking part-time work on campus as need-based financial aid. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Former NYU Student Worker Claims She Was Fired for Being Paid Too Much

October 28, 2019

The NYU Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life terminated Gallatin senior A’Nisa Amaru's employment, claiming she was being overcompensated for her work. NYU’s Federal...

alexandra chan

Instead of Demonizing Bootlegs, Make Professional Recordings Available

Bootlegs of musicals are a temporary fix for the problem of accessibility in the theater community, which would be solved by professionally recorded shows.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer October 21, 2019

As a fan of Broadway musicals, it was fantastic to come to New York for college. I watched a matinee of “Beetlejuice” with my dad before I started school and fell in love with...

A protestor holds a sign with the slogan “Free Hong Kong, Democracy Now!” The poster is reflective of the five demands of Hong Kong protestors, one of which is universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and Legislative Council positions.  (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Pro Hong Kong Rally in Astor Place Calls for International Action and Support

This photo series highlights the activists fighting for freedom of expression, transparency in elections, and the ending of police brutality in Hong Kong.
Alexandra Chan October 19, 2019

On Sunday Oct. 13th, a local organization NY4HK held a rally in support of Hong Kong at the Cube in Astor Place. The event was publicized through social media and rally-goers were...

alexandra chan

Paywalls Contribute to the Gatekeeping of Information

When media companies are controlled by multibillionaires, paywalls are an unnecessary hindrance to accessible journalism.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer October 7, 2019

It’s the eternal struggle of trying to read The New York Times online. One article, three articles, five articles, then you hit a paywall, prompting you to buy a subscription...

alexandra chan

Disney’s Domination of the Public Domain

Disney’s message of imagination and creativity contrasts sharply with the company’s actions limiting creative freedoms for the public.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer September 30, 2019

At the beginning of 2019, all published works from 1923 entered the public domain for the first time. Public domain refers to works that are available for public use without copyright...

(Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: Barbara Tfank S/S 2020

October 5, 2019

(Photo by Alexandra Chan)

alexandra chan

Voting in New York Almost Got Harder

The deadline to register as a voter is approaching, but Governor Cuomo wanted it even earlier.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer September 23, 2019

In early September, Governor Andrew Cuomo proposed changing the date of New York’s 2020 presidential primary from April to February, claiming he wanted to stress the importance...

Illustrated by Rachel Lee.

Chicken Comb

First-year Alexandra Chan speaks about how something as simple as hair can externally define who she is, but it really shouldn’t.
Alexandra Chan, Contributing Writer September 22, 2019

Bald I was plopped in a round pool floaty, corking the hole. Bzzt. Bzzt. My mother’s friend’s brother’s wife collected the tufts of hair and set them aside, definitely...

NYU students pose with their posters at Foley Square. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Photo: ‘Change Is Coming’: Thousands March for Climate Action

Roshni Raj, Staff Writer September 23, 2019

Protestors start a mosh pit to the rhythm of chants and slogans. (Photo by Alexandra Chan)

alexandra chan

Extroversion Is Not the Only Way

Welcome Week proves just how much we’re forced to be outgoing, sometimes against our will.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer September 3, 2019

No matter their school or origin, almost every college student will learn about isolation at the beginning of their college career. Starting college is hard for introverts, and...