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

Dharma Niles

Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor

Dharma Niles is a first-year student currently studying journalism and politics at CAS, and has yet to choose between the six different minors she'd also like to pursue. You can generally find her playing NYT games, skittering around the city with a Celsius in hand or on Instagram @dharmaniles.

All content by Dharma Niles
A woman in a green coat holds a microphone, interviewing a student at a protest.

Trump and Mayor Adams speak on NYU encampment

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and former U.S. President Donald Trump criticized encampments at college campuses across the nation.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 26, 2024

Pro-Palestinian encampments at universities across the country, including at NYU, Columbia University and Yale University, have become the forefront of political discussions, with...

A person wearing a red headscarf waves a flag reading “Palestine” in front of Bobst Library.

NYU says it is not considering divestment from Israel amid protests

Students and faculty held demonstrations calling for the university to divest from companies with ties to Israel and shut down its Tel Aviv program in multiple locations on campus two days after police swept the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Gould Plaza.
Adrianna Nehme and Dharma Niles April 25, 2024

NYU told WSN it would not consider divesting from companies with connections to Israel, as pro-Palestinian protesters continued to call for the university to cut ties with the...

Protesters hold up signs in a crowd.

‘Linda Mills, you’re a liar’: Protesters take to WSP after encampment arrests

After police arrested 120 protesters at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment in Gould Plaza Monday evening, hundreds gathered in Washington Square Park to criticize the administration’s response.
Adrianna Nehme and Dharma Niles April 24, 2024

A red banner that has the words “TO BE HEARD TO BE SEEN TO BE FREE” above the word “DEOCCUPY.” In the background protestors stand around tents in front of a building that is labeled “NYU STERN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS.”

AAUP, SGA and GSOC release statements condemning NYU’s response to encampment

The groups criticized the university for its response to the pro-Palestinian encampment protest at Gould Plaza on Monday, with some offering opposing accounts of events to those shared by NYU.
Adrianna Nehme and Dharma Niles April 24, 2024

NYU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, the Student Government Assembly and the graduate student union released statements condemning NYU for authorizing...

(Lianna OGrady for WSN)

Students and faculty set up pro-Palestinian encampment at Gould Plaza

The demonstration follows similar encampments at Columbia University and Yale University, where student protesters have been arrested.

This is a developing story, check back for updates. Update, 3:50 a.m., April 23 Arrested protesters are being released from NYPD headquarters downtown in groups of two to...

A man holding a red and blue pro-Trump banner in front of a building with the words CRIMINAL COURT BUILDING on it.

Max Azzarello, man who died after self-immolating outside Trump trial, distributed pamphlets with NYU-related conspiracies

Azzarello had been seen sharing similar pamphlets in Washington Square Park in the days leading up to the demonstration.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 22, 2024

Max Azzarello, the man who set himself on fire outside of the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is currently on trial late last week, dispersed...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch, surrounded by green bushes in front of several pastel-colored buildings. On top of one building is a purple flag reading N.Y.U., and on top of another is a red flag reading W.S.N. The sky is colored with a pastel-pink gradient.

What to do this week: A plant-based food festival, an Earth Day opera and more

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: April 22 – 28.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 21, 2024

Graphic of an email from the Office of Students Affairs and the Division of Campus Services on a purple background.

Admins ask Nike to respond to wage theft allegations

Two administrators signed a letter asking Nike to address claims that one of its factories in Thailand coerced and did not pay its workers.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 19, 2024

NYU requested that Nike refute a report accusing the company of “refusing to pay workers their wages” at a factory in Thailand, which supplies the university’s bookstore...

A group of protesters holding colorful signs.

Social work students rally for paid field time and fewer hours

Dozens of social work students from NYU and several other East Coast universities gathered at Washington Square Park to call for changes to their programs, including paid field learning hours, in a rally on Sunday.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 15, 2024

Chelsea Trout spends eight hours every Monday at a charter high school in Brooklyn, where she answers phone calls, proctors SATs, oversees school lunches and handles a clinical...

A woman in a blue suit speaks into a microphone.

Angela Chou selected as next student gov’t chair

Members of the student government elected Angela Chou, a junior in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, as its next chair.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 12, 2024

Steinhardt junior Angela Chou was elected the next chairperson of NYU’s Student Government Assembly during a meeting Thursday evening. Chou, who will take over from Ryan Carney...

George Theron Bynum posing in front of the Washington Square News logo.

‘A tremendous opportunity’: Tulsa mayor on NYU’s new study away site

Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum spoke with WSN about the potential for NYU students to contribute to Oklahoma’s community and economy through its new study away program.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 12, 2024

NYU’s study away location in Tulsa, Oklahoma is set to offer semester-long programs starting spring 2025, with initial cohorts expected to consist of 20 students. Tulsa Mayor...

Three people at the front of a stage with a brick wall behind them.

Palestinian journalist speaks about first-hand coverage of Israel-Hamas war at panel

Motaz Azaiza joined the Committee to Protect Journalists CEO for the sold-out Gallatin event, which gathered hundreds of students and faculty.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 5, 2024

Palestinian photojournalist Motaz Azaiza spoke at a Thursday panel hosted by the Gallatin School of Individualized Study about his first-hand experience documenting life in the...

A woman stands with her left hand in the air. She is wearing a black blazer with grid patterns on the. She has short, brown hair.

Mills speaks on Israel-Hamas war response, decrease of male students in higher education

NYU president Linda Mills took part in a panel with four other presidents of New York City universities last week, in honor of Women’s History Month.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor April 3, 2024

NYU president Linda Mills discussed her “action oriented” response to the Israel-Hamas war and concerns about the decreasing number of men enrolling in universities during...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch, surrounded by green bushes in front of several pastel-colored buildings. On top of one building is a purple flag reading N.Y.U., and on top of another is a red flag reading W.S.N. The sky is colored with a pastel-pink gradient.

What to do this week: Drone shows, a vintage market and more

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: April 1 - 7.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 31, 2024

Three students walk down the Grand Staircase in the Kimmel Center for University Life. A barrier is placed on the left side of the staircase.

‘It’s better than nothing’: NYU partially reopens Kimmel stairs

The university reopened a section of the Kimmel stairs this week, five months after closing it due to heightened protest activity near campus.
Aashna Miharia and Dharma Niles March 27, 2024

NYU has reopened a section of the Kimmel Center for University Life’s Grand Staircase, according to a Tuesday email to the university community from executive vice president...

A choir in various black and red garments perform under banners reading, “Workers United” and “Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition.”

Hundreds gather to commemorate 113th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire

NYU community members honored the lives lost during the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire at New York City’s commemoration yesterday.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 26, 2024

Around 200 people gathered outside NYU’s Brown Building to honor the lives lost in the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on Monday afternoon. The fire, which killed 146 workers...

The emergency exit door at the entrance to a subway station. Behind the door there are security guards. The door has a sign that reads “Service Entry”.

Students wary of Hochul’s subway security plan

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy National Guard soldiers in the New York City transit system has been met with concerns from many riders, including NYU students.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 13, 2024

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to station hundreds of National Guard troops and police officers has stirred a debate over subway safety among New Yorkers, including...

A mural of a woman’s face holding up a chain with the word “LOISAIDA” and a gold cityscape. The words “el bohio murals” and “#BRINGARTBACK” are next to the woman alongside the words “CURATED BY … THRIVECOLLECTIVE.ORG.”

Activists’ 25-year fight to revive an East Village community center

The Charas Community Center served East Village residents for years before a new owner emptied the space. But the building’s recent purchase has locals hopeful the center will make a return.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 12, 2024

A group of protestors holding Palestinian flags, protest signs and umbrellas walking in a circle outside of a building with “SILVER CENTER FOR ARTS AND SCIENCE” written on it.

Dozens picket outside Silver Center to demand NYU ‘divest from Israel’

Students from various pro-Palestinian groups on campus picketed outside of the Silver Center to demand that NYU shut down its Tel Aviv site and end any investments in Israel.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 6, 2024

Around 20 students stood outside the Silver Center in a picket on Tuesday, demanding that NYU disclose and end any investments tied to Israel and close its Tel Aviv program. Campus...

A graphic of the first two pages of a legal opinion document on a purple background.

State court reinstates 2016 conviction for burglary in Lipton Hall

The New York State Court of Appeals reinstated a second-degree burglary conviction last month concerning a 2016 assault at Lipton Hall.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 5, 2024

Content warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault.  The New York State Court of Appeals unanimously reinstated a burglary conviction for an incident that took...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch, surrounded by green bushes in front of several pastel-colored buildings. On top of one building is a purple flag reading N.Y.U., and on top of another is a red flag reading W.S.N. The sky is colored with a pastel-pink gradient.

What to do this week: Women’s History Month, a spooky symphony and more

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: March 4 - 10.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 3, 2024

A graphic of a purple pie chart on a black background. At the top a title that reads “S.G.A.’s Violet 100 budget allocation.” The category “Violet Ball” takes up more than half of the pie chart, with “Violet 100 Concert” the next-largest, though less than half the size. Most of the remaining space is budgeted toward “All-University Games” and “Merchandise, Giveaways and Tabling.” The “Violet 100 Service Events” category is so small the text doesn’t fit.

SGA increases Violet 100 budget to $335,000

NYU’s Student Government Assembly raised its operating budget for the spring spirit week event Violet 100 by around $37,000 this year. The event will use up most of the student government’s $500,000 budget.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 26, 2024

The Student Government Assembly increased its Violet 100 budget by around $37,000 this year, raising funds spent on the spirit week to around $335,000. More than half of the budget...

A group of students posing for a group photo in front of N.Y.U.’s Bobst Library. Some students on the right are holding a white banner with the red, green and red words “CUT the CONTRACT with STARBUCKS” written on it. A student beside the banner is holding a yellow envelope.

Students deliver letter calling for removal of on-campus Starbucks

A group of students delivered a letter for President Linda Mills demanding that the university cut its ties with the on-campus Starbucks location due to its alleged labor union violations.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 23, 2024

Around 15 students met inside Bobst Library to deliver a petition addressed to NYU president Linda Mills on Thursday, demanding that the university cut its contract with the Starbucks...

A portrait of a blonde woman wearing a white shirt.

Journalism program director allegedly involved in Lorin Stein hiring

Katie Roiphe, a program director in the journalism department, allegedly had a role in hiring a professor accused of sexual misconduct with whom she had worked in the past.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 14, 2024

A program director at NYU’s journalism institute may have been involved in hiring her former editor, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, as a professor in the department....

A model walking down a runway with a red dress that has a blue protruding hand and cat.

Abstract constructions and sleek streetwear take on NYFW

The second day of shows at Global Fashion Collective presented worldwide innovation and high contrast in design.
Emily Genova and Dharma Niles February 13, 2024

An N.Y.P.D. car parked outside N.Y.Us Alumni residence hall with groups of students standing by the building entrance.

Alumni Hall, 4 other NYU buildings receive false bomb threat

The dorm’s residents were told to evacuate the building last night after the Department of Campus Safety received a false bomb threat targeting five locations on campus.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 9, 2024

Residents at Alumni Hall were told to evacuate the building late Thursday night after the Department of Campus Safety received a false bomb threat report, according to an email...

A woman wearing black stands between two speakers in front of a crowd of people holding signs and banners.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters march across Manhattan

NYU students joined hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at Washington Square Park on Thursday criticizing heightened campus security and demanding that universities divest from pro-Israeli companies.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 9, 2024

Around 300 pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Washington Square Park before marching to 42nd Street on Thursday afternoon for a demonstration organized by New York City’s...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch, surrounded by green bushes in front of several pastel-colored buildings. On top of one building is a purple flag reading N.Y.U., and on top of another is a red flag reading W.S.N. The sky is colored with a pastel-pink gradient.

What to do this week: A winter market, movie screenings and more

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: Feb. 5 - 11.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 4, 2024

An illustration of students sitting in a large room for a student government meeting. On the left, a purple banner with the N.Y.U. torch logo hangs on the wall and reads “N.Y.U. S.G.A.”

Student gov’t deliberates faculty complaints, initiative fund and new provost

At its first meeting of the semester, the Student Government Assembly discussed students submitting complaints against faculty, updates on its initiative fund and prospects for a new provost.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 2, 2024

Student government leaders expressed concerns about students’ ability to submit complaints against faculty, announced open applications for their initiative fund and discussed...

Linda Mills in a black gown with silver trim stands behind a clear podium with a reflector in front of it. The silhouettes of the back of people’s heads are in front of her.

Mills inducted as fellow of social work honor society, Silver dean named president

President Linda Mills was named a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Work at a ceremony, where Silver dean Michael Lindsey was also named president of the academy.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor February 1, 2024

NYU president Linda Mills was inducted as a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, a society of scholars in social work and social sciences, alongside...

N.Y.U. president Linda Mills sitting in a chair alongside three other people on a stage.

Photo: Opinion: NYU needs to talk about its upcoming Tulsa program

February 1, 2024

File Photo: NYU president Linda Mills announcing plans to launch a social impact program in Tulsa, Oklahoma during an alumni weekend event on Oct. 28, 2023. (Dharma Niles for WSN)

N.Y.U. president Linda Mills sitting in a chair alongside three other people on a stage.

NYU’s Oklahoma venture to host students starting spring break

The university’s recently announced social impact program in Tulsa, Oklahoma will house community service-oriented programs and internship opportunities in the coming months.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor January 30, 2024

NYU’s recently announced study away location in Tulsa, Oklahoma will be open to students during the coming spring break for a service program, with two internship programs planned...

A large room with blue carpeting and a variety of colorful couches and chairs. There are students sitting with their laptops. On the floor above there are bookshelves filled with books.

Renovations to keep an eye out for at Bobst

Following initial renovations last semester, Bobst Library will undergo even more new developments, including the installation of two prayer rooms and additional low sensory spaces.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor January 29, 2024

NYU has added two multifaith prayer rooms to Bobst Library and plans to open two more low sensory spaces to create “as much universally accessible space as possible,” according...

A bird’s eye view of Washington Square Park, with the trees barren and parts of the grass covered in snow. Dozens of people are walking in the square.

Winter recap: The news you missed at NYU over break

A recent donation to president Linda Mills’ new financial aid initiative, the end of an anti-racism workshop and all the other news on campus since you’ve been gone.

As you get ready for spring semester classes to begin, here is some news from around campus that you may have missed over the break. Read more for updates on financial aid, a canceled...

Donald Trump wearing a blue suit with a red tie, an American flag pin on his lapel and white undershirt with his arms outstretched. Behind him to the left is his son Eric Trump in a gray suit with a light blue tie, as well as his legal team all standing in front of a large brown door with golden words on them.

Trump PAC, org. paid Stern professor almost $900,000 to testify at trial

The professor was paid nearly $900,000 to testify in a $250 million accounting fraud case against former President Donald Trump, claiming there is “no evidence” to support the lawsuit.
Dharma Niles, Staff Writer December 15, 2023

A professor at the Stern School of Business was paid almost $900,000 to testify at a New York civil trial for former president Donald Trump last week, saying there was “no evidence...

An N.Y.U. flag hangs above the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. Cars line the road to the right of the building and an entrance to Washington Square Park can be seen in the background.

Student criticizes NYU’s handling of antisemitism at House Republican briefing

The student joined Jewish students from three other U.S. universities in criticizing administrators for their response to antisemitism on campus at a news briefing hosted by House Republicans on Tuesday.
Dharma Niles, Staff Writer December 6, 2023

Jewish students from NYU, Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology testified about their experiences with antisemitism on...

Three people wearing purple graduation gowns and black graduation caps are standing raising diplomas. To the left is former N.Y.U. president standing behind a purple-and-white N.Y.U. sign.

What is NYU’s Prison Education Program?

Last month, President Linda Mills announced that the university’s Prison Education Program — which has helped hundreds of incarcerated people in New York earn college credit at no cost — will now provide bachelor’s degrees.
Aashna Miharia and Dharma Niles November 30, 2023

Every semester since 2015, 50 to 60 incarcerated people at the Wallkill Correctional Facility in upstate New York have enrolled in college courses through NYU’s Prison Education...

The front view of a stage with a black podium, two chairs, a small black, round table and a blue board that says “N.Y.U. ARTHUR L. CARTER JOURNALISM INSTITUTE” on it.

Journalism students criticize department silence on journalist deaths in Israel-Hamas war

Students in the journalism department met with faculty and administrators to discuss journalist deaths in the Israel-Hamas war and opportunities for future discourse on the conflict.
Dharma Niles, Staff Writer November 21, 2023

Students and faculty in the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute criticized the department’s silence on journalist deaths in the Israel-Hamas war at a meeting with administrators...

N.Y.U. president Linda Mills sitting in a chair alongside three other people on a stage.

NYU to launch new London study away site and Oklahoma-based initiative

University president Linda Mills announced that NYU will expand its operations in London and establish a new program in Tulsa, Oklahoma during an alumni weekend event.
Dharma Niles, Staff Writer November 1, 2023

University president Linda Mills announced plans to launch a social impact program in Tulsa, Oklahoma as well as a new study away site in London on Saturday, during an alumni weekend...

People sit in an audience and watch a person behind a podium who is standing in front of a screen reading “Welcome to the EH launch!”

CAS debuts new environmental humanities minor

The new offering, which was announced on Wednesday, will be open to students in all schools.
Dharma Niles, Staff Writer October 27, 2023

NYU’s College of Arts & Science launched its new environmental humanities minor at an event in the Silver Center on Wednesday, which will be offered under the environmental...

A graphic on a black background with purple bars with a title that reads “ALCOHOL RELATED DISCIPLINARY REFERRALS AT N.Y.U.”

Alcohol-related violations at NYU decreased 13% from 2021 to 2022

Data from NYU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report showed a decline in liquor law violations on campus over the last few years.
Dharma Niles, Contributing Writer October 17, 2023

The Department of Campus Safety’s 2023 Annual Security and Fire Safety Report showed a decrease in disciplinary referrals for liquor law violations at the university, with an...

(Graphic by Krish Dev)

Over half of students do not know about the student government, WSN survey finds

Seventy-three percent of surveyed NYU students said they do not consider themselves familiar with the Student Government Assembly.
Dharma Niles, Sidney Snider and Zoe Alford October 4, 2023

Approximately 73% of NYU students do not consider themselves familiar with the university’s student government, according to a WSN survey.  Out of 360 students surveyed inside...

The front view of an N.Y.U. Abu Dhabi building with a bridge across the row. Numerous rows of palm trees stand in front of the building alongside two purple flags.

Stern announces MBA program at NYU Abu Dhabi

The university announced a partnership between the Stern School of Business and its Abu Dhabi campus, establishing a one-year full-time MBA program beginning January 2025.
Dharma Niles, Contributing Writer September 27, 2023

NYU’s Stern School of Business recently announced that it will launch a one-year MBA program at the university’s Abu Dhabi campus in January 2025, citing global expansion as...

A collage of two photos. From left to right: an audience listening to a speaker on a podium in a classroom; a group of N.Y.U. law school students posing for a photo in formal attire

Demonstrators confront White House climate adviser at NYU Law event

As the White House climate adviser began his keynote speech, three people rose from their seats in protest of the Biden administration’s recent oil drilling initiatives.
Dharma Niles, Contributing Writer September 20, 2023

Three people stood up in protest at an NYU School of Law event Monday, just as White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi began his keynote speech.  The protesters asked...