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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

Amanda Chen

Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor

Amanda is a junior studying journalism and international relations at the College of Arts & Science. When she’s not miserably typing on her computer at Bobst, she’s usually in bed with her tortoiseshell cat Namii watching study vlogs on YouTube, trying to imagine her life as an early bird and productive student who’s not procrastinating on her class assignments. Other than that, she loves traveling. Fun fact: she traveled to more than 10 countries in 2024 (two of which were solo trips).

All content by Amanda Chen
(Amanda Chen for WSN)

Students and staff package 1,800 pounds of medical supplies for under-resourced countries

A recurring part of the “NYU in Dialogue” initiative, the service opportunity works with a New York City nonprofit to disperse discarded medical supplies to countries facing humanitarian crises.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 17, 2025

Dozens of students and faculty prepared about 1,800 pounds of discarded medical supplies for dispersal to Ukraine, Ghana and other countries facing humanitarian crises in the Kimmel...

(Courtesy of Dylan Campana)

Students demand committee to investigate racial injustice at NYU

A student government proposal cites over 100 U.S. universities with “reparations committees” dedicated to addressing institutional racism — NYU not among them.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 14, 2025

Dozens of community members are urging the university to establish a committee of students, faculty and administrators to research and report ways that NYU can mitigate racial...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Flash floods in Argentina, ship collision in the UK and new AI laws in Spain

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 14, 2025

In Argentina, record-breaking flood kills over a dozen Argentine port city Bahia Blanca saw a year’s worth of rainfall on Friday, resulting in flash floods that killed at least...

(Danny Arensberg for WSN)

‘It’s a betrayal’: Hundreds demand NYU revoke latest series of suspensions

An international student, among three recently suspended graduated student workers, is reportedly under threat of losing their visa after participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in December, according to a petition from NYU’s graduate student union.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 10, 2025

NYU suspended three more graduate student workers as part of its crackdown on a pro-Palestinian sit-in last semester, among them an international student allegedly under threat...

Agitator joins mayoral candidates Scott Stringer and Jessica Ramos onstage. (Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Anti-Trump agitator crashes climate town hall

The event featured six mayoral candidates who discussed prospective environmental policies at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 7, 2025

Two protesters crashed a Thursday forum on climate policy that featured six mayoral candidates, calling for greater action against federal rollbacks on environmental efforts. One...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Billions to Ukraine from the United Kingdom, humanitarian aid blocked by Israel, oil delivery halted in the Czech Republic

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 7, 2025

In the UK, gov’t funds billions to Ukraine The United Kingdom will provide Ukraine with billions in aid via 5,000 air-defense missiles — worth over $2 billion total — and...

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

Nurses call off strike, reach contract with NYU Langone

NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn will hire 100 more nurses after staff members filed thousands of grievances concerning understaffing at the hospital over the past three years.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 5, 2025

Nurses at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn called off a potential strike on Friday, initially slated for Saturday, after negotiating a two-year contract with the hospital that secured...

Members of “Students Against Starbucks” outside Bobst Library on Feb. 22, 2024. (Matt Petres for WSN)

Students call for admin to publicly support Starbucks workers’ union

The students, members of NYU’s chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America, said they will revive last year’s campaign to remove the Starbucks location on West Fourth Street if administrators do not meet their demands.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor March 3, 2025

NYU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America demanded that university leadership publicly support the Starbucks workers’ union in a rally on Friday. The group...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Center-right chancellor elected in Germany, ceasefire deal in Israel, Molotov cocktails in France

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 28, 2025

In Germany, center-right wins election German opposition leader Friedrich Merz is set to be the country’s next chancellor after the center-right Christian Democratic Union party...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Faculty talk Trump orders on higher education at town hall

Members of NYU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors spoke at the event, where they debriefed the Trump administration’s “unprecedented assault on higher education.”
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 27, 2025

Professors criticized NYU’s response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders, including his crackdowns on immigration and gender-affirming care, at an American Association...

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

NYU Langone nurses brace for strike amid union contract negotiations

Nurses at the medical center’s Brooklyn location claimed that the recently reported staffing shortage at the hospital violates state law.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 26, 2025

Around 1,000 nurses at NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn announced they will go on strike Saturday if hospital administrators do not address concerns about short staffing and inadequate...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

‘Insulting’: Contract faculty call for stronger NYU response to Trump administration

University administrators debated immigration policy, vaccine mandates and data privacy in their seventh bargaining session with Contract Faculty United.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 25, 2025

The union representing full-time contract faculty at NYU doubled down on its goals to combat President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration and diversity initiatives at its...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Gallatin faculty call on NYU to pardon students suspended for pro-Palestinian demonstration

Nearly 1,000 alumni have also demanded that university leadership remove its sanctions on student protesters.
Amanda Chen and Amelia Hernandez Gioia February 21, 2025

Over 40 faculty from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study signed a “symbolic pardon” for students facing suspension for up to a year for participating in a pro-Palestinian...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Hundreds protest Trump research cuts in Washington Square Park

Researchers, politicians and union leaders called for better protections for academic research in a Wednesday afternoon rally.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 21, 2025

More than 200 graduate students, faculty and federal workers gathered in Washington Square Park on Wednesday afternoon to protest President Donald Trump’s cuts to academic research...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Crypto fraud in Argentina, foreign spies in Australia, migrant boat deaths in Spain

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news and developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 21, 2025

In Argentina, judiciary investigates president’s alleged cryptocurrency fraud President Javier Milei will undergo investigations regarding his relation to the cryptocurrency...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Graduate student union condemns NYU sanctions and Trump’s immigration crackdown at study-in

The union, GSOC-UAW Local 2110, cited the university’s promise to protect immigrant and international community members amid the first Trump administration in 2021.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 20, 2025

Dozens of students sat in Bobst Library’s lobby for a study-in on Wednesday, demanding that NYU withdraw sanctions against all students and student workers who participated in...

(Connor Patton for WSN)

Students send letters to admin in protest of Nike contract

NYU’s chapter of Students for International Labor Solidarity also delivered a poem condemning the university’s relationship with Nike amid wage theft allegations.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 20, 2025

Members of Students for International Labor Solidarity reiterated that NYU leadership cut the university’s contract with Nike, following almost four-year-old allegations of wage...

(Roshni Raj for WSN)

Stern MBA program launches at Abu Dhabi campus

NYU President Linda Mills attended the degree’s inaugural ceremony on Monday.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 14, 2025

President Linda Mills made an appearance at the Feb. 10 inauguration ceremony for NYU Abu Dhabi’s Master of Business Administration program, which welcomed its first class this...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Mafia crackdown in Italy, Sudan truce in UAE, cease-fire violation in occupied Palestine

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 14, 2025

In Italy, gov’t issues largest crackdown on mafia in decades Italian police arrested around 150 affiliates to the Sicilian Mafia on Tuesday for crimes including extortion, drug...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Protests in Germany, WHO withdrawal in Argentina, island deal in the UK

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 7, 2025

In Germany, thousands protest far-right immigration bill  On Sunday, around 160,000 protesters took to the streets of Berlin after center-right leader Friedrich Merz proposed...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

NYU says it will ‘comply with the law’ in response to immigration crackdown

The statement comes after NYU Langone Health reportedly warned its employees to avoid protecting patients from immigration enforcement.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 5, 2025

NYU “will comply with the law” amid the Trump administration’s prospective crackdown on student visas, university spokesperson John Beckman said Monday. That same day, staff...

(Jason Alpert-Wisnia for WSN)

Contract faculty turn focus toward immigration, privacy concerns

The union emphasized protections for international faculty in its most recent negotiations meeting with administrators.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor February 4, 2025

NYU’s Contract Faculty United is bracing for President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration, presenting new proposals focused on protecting international faculty during...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Max Van Hosen and Kyra Reilley for WSN)

The Soapbox: Asylum seekers in Italy, a Chinese AI model shocks stock market, France offers to send troops to the Arctic

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor January 31, 2025

In Italy, dozens of migrants sent to Albania for asylum processing  On Tuesday, the Italian navy intercepted a ship carrying 49 migrants and redirected its passengers to Albania,...

(Daisy Dai for WSN)

CAS opens new building across from Stern

The site holds six floors of offices, classrooms and lounges, and is NYU’s first building dedicated entirely to the College of Arts & Science.
Amanda Chen and Lekhya Kantheti January 28, 2025

NYU’s College of Arts & Science opened its new hub for students and faculty at 25 W. Fourth St. last week. The six-floor site offers classrooms, offices and communal spaces...

(Danny Arensberg for WSN)

Dozens protest onslaught of pro-Palestinian student suspensions

A group of faculty delivered a petition to President Linda Mills, calling on the university to revoke sanctions for students who engaged in a demonstration last semester.
Amanda Chen, Amelia Hernandez Gioia and Dharma Niles January 24, 2025

Members of the NYU People’s Solidarity Coalition delivered a petition to a representative for President Linda Mills in Bobst Library on Thursday afternoon. The petition, signed...

(Samson Tu for WSN)

Admin responds to nonprofit criticizing updated student conduct policy

The New York Civil Liberties Union sent a letter to NYU’s administration earlier this month, criticizing the university’s updated student conduct guidelines.
Amanda Chen, Deputy News Editor January 24, 2025

An NYU administrator sent a letter to the head of the New York Civil Liberties Union on Wednesday, challenging the nonprofit’s Jan. 6 statement that criticized the university’s...

Winter recap: What you missed over break

Winter recap: What you missed over break

NYU LA moves students to hotels, Tandon receives $10 million for a new tech project and other on-campus news since you’ve been gone.

As you bundle up and head to your first classes of the semester, catch up on news around campus that you might have missed over break. Aside from experiencing New York City’s...

Opinion: NYU should reduce the amount of CAS core requirements

Opinion: NYU should reduce the amount of CAS core requirements

Core requirements at the College of Arts & Science may be helpful — to an extent — but the sheer abundance of them only holds students back.
Amanda Chen, Contributing Writer November 12, 2024

During my first two years of college, I spent countless hours reading philosophical texts, writing pages after pages of essays, making sense of equations and memorizing names,...

An illustration of the Earth with a giant red ballot box that reads “VOTE.” Many paper airplane ballots fly towards it.

Opinion: Voting abroad can seem daunting — but it’s essential

NYU provides varying levels of guidance for voting abroad to its study-away students. Young voters need to be made aware of these initiatives.
Amanda Chen, Contributing Writer September 27, 2024

The 2024 presidential election could profoundly reshape the U.S. and global political landscape, and for American students studying abroad, their vote holds just as much weight...