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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

Jake Capriotti

Jake Capriotti, Photo Editor

Jake is a senior at Tisch studying film and television and has been with WSN since Spring 2020. He is an Arizona native and that is his one personality trait. Outside of WSN, Jake specializes in portraiture, performance and unit stills photography as well as being the official photographer for the NYC OffBrnd Dance Team. You can find him on Instagram @capriotti.jake and maybe he’ll DM you some memes.

All content by Jake Capriotti
An illustration of hand turning a page of a print edition of WSN. The image on the front page is a smaller version of that illustration, suggesting infinite recursion.

Letter from the editor: On transition

Transitions are perpetual, uncomfortable and inevitable. Meet WSN's new editor-in-chief.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief January 24, 2022

Dear readers, This is a strange time to be attending college. Last spring was mostly online, last fall was mostly in person, and now we’re in this in-between zone where...

The lounges at the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life are located on the second, third, fourth and fifth floors. (Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: A guide to NYU’s spring 2022 reopening policies

Abby Wilson, Deputy News Editor January 24, 2022

The lounges at the Global Center for Academic and Spiritual Life are located on the second, third, fourth and fifth floors. (Photo by Jake Capriotti)

An NYU alumni newsletter suggests that NYU will resume in-person instruction for the spring 2022 semester. The university has yet to officially announce its plans. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU alumni newsletter hints at in-person spring 2022 semester

An NYU webpage dated Jan. 15, 2022, states that NYU “is preparing to resume in-person instruction at the start of the spring semester” at its New York City campus and abroad sites.
Kristian Burt, Rachel Cohen and Alex Tey January 10, 2022

NYU appears prepared to start the spring semester with in-person classes, according to an alumni newsletter on the university’s website. The page, dated Jan. 15, 2022, seems...

NYU's COVID-19 positivity rates have increased sharply in recent weeks, but have remained lower than the rates in New York City as a whole.

NYU COVID positivity rate more than 20x pre-omicron average

The most recent data shows an 18.29% positivity rate in COVID tests at NYU.
Alex Tey and Arnav Binaykia January 10, 2022

COVID-19 positivity rates at NYU are up drastically, with 18.29% of tests conducted between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2 coming back positive. This latest data marks a 22-fold increase from...

Editor's Note: A new newsletter from WSN's editor-in-chief

Editor’s Note: A new newsletter from WSN’s editor-in-chief

Editor’s Note is an upcoming weekly newsletter from WSN’s Editor-in-Chief that brings you the week’s top stories — and the stories behind the stories.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief December 11, 2021

The holidays can be expensive. Here are some items that are worth the hefty price tag. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Sometimes, expensive gifts… are better

If you’re at NYU, there’s a decent chance that you know some rich people who helped get you here. Here are expensive gifts that are actually worth the money that you can ask them for.
Alexandra Chan, Alex Tey and Alex Tran December 10, 2021

As winter break approaches, here’s a holiday gift guide to help you to take advantage of the rich people in your life. When they ask how to ease their conscience, you can answer...

NYU serves over 100,000 meals a week and has denied reported cases of food poisoning. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Cockroaches and rodents spotted at NYU dining halls

December 12, 2021

NYU serves over 100,000 meals a week and has denied reported cases of food poisoning. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

The MTA is responsible for public transportation in the New York City metropolitan area. The NYU School of Global Public Health received a $4 million federal grant to study the impact of COVID-19 on transit workers. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

NYU researchers win $4M grant to study COVID impact on transit workers

The five-year project launched in November will help develop preventative measures that protect frontline workers from this pandemic and future ones.
Nicole Chiarella, Contributing Writer December 9, 2021

When COVID-19 began to spread in New York City last March, the services of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were deemed essential, and transit employees were required...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: Mitski strikes again with new single ‘Heat Lightning’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Mitski, Ed Sheeran, Joshua Bassett and more.
Bryn Borzillo, Candace Patrick and Alex Tey December 9, 2021

Yes, it’s true — this is the last edition of “Listen to this” for the fall semester. It’s been crazy and hectic, but time really has flown. Ahead of her forthcoming album,...

The School of Professional Studies at NYU is shutting down the English Language Institute at the end of the semester. The closure will result in dozens of staff layoffs and the loss of English programs which serve international students. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: NYU cuts English program that served international students, fires staff

December 6, 2021

The School of Professional Studies at NYU is shutting down the English Language Institute at the end of the semester. The closure will result in dozens of staff layoffs and the...

Washington Square Park lies on top of “the Land of the Blacks,” farmland and homes inhabited by people of African descent between the mid-17th century and early 18th century. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Opinion: NYU should create a monument for ‘The Land of the Blacks’

December 1, 2021

Washington Square Park lies on top of “the Land of the Blacks,” farmland and homes inhabited by people of African descent between the mid-17th century and early 18th century....

Palladium dining hall is located on the third floor of Palladium Hall is one of the most popular NYU dining locations. Various dining restrictions since COVID-19 have made student dining more difficult, causing more harm than good. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Opinion: Dining restrictions are hurting students’ wellbeing

November 23, 2021

Palladium dining hall is located on the third floor of Palladium Hall is one of the most popular NYU dining locations. Various dining restrictions since COVID-19 have made student...

Caffe Reggio is located at 119 MacDougal St. (Staff Photo by Alex Tey)

Photo: The best hot chocolate spots around campus

Jules Roscoe, Contributing Writer November 23, 2021

Caffe Reggio is located at 119 MacDougal St. (Staff Photo by Alex Tey)

Three separate incidents of food poisoning have been reported at the Palladium dining hall. The dining hall failed a health inspection in fall 2019. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Palladium dining hall food caused food poisoning, 3 students say

Three students have claimed that eating at the Palladium Hall NYU Eats location in unrelated incidents on separate days caused them to become ill.
Nicole Chiarella, Contributing Writer November 22, 2021

Cindy Edward, a CAS senior, said she felt ill and had to check herself into the emergency room after eating at the Palladium dining hall. She had eaten a salmon salad for lunch...

The annual Trans Day of 
Remembrance is a chance to memorialize those lost and to stand up for those still living. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Do us justice with your trans remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorated on Nov. 20 each year, is a day for mourning and honoring trans people lost to a transphobic society. If you’re a trans ally, you need to carefully consider where your remembrance is coming from.
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor November 20, 2021

Content warning: This article discusses transphobia, murder and suicide. Founded in 1999 by Gwendolyn Ann Smith in memory of Rita Hester, a Black trans woman murdered the previous...

On Nov. 16, over 100 New York Times employees and supporters protested outside of the company’s Manhattan headquarters. They rallied against the company’s alleged union busting and contract delays. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: New York Times employees protest alleged anti-worker policies

Gianna Jirak, Staff Writer November 18, 2021

People protest alleged anti-union tactics outside of the building. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

There are two student lounges in the Silver Center at 100 Washington Square E. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Ranked: Student lounges

Lorraine Olaya and Ryan Kawahara November 15, 2021

There are two student lounges in the Silver Center at 100 Washington Square E. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Lafayette Hall is located at 80 Lafayette St. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Repeat dorm intruder infiltrates Lafayette, security response delayed

Arnav Binaykia and Kristian Burt November 12, 2021

Lafayette Hall is located at 80 Lafayette St. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

On Nov. 9, the indie musician Mitski released her single “The Only Heartbreaker.” It's clear that she's returned from her hiatus with a new direction for her upcoming album "Laurel Hell." (Photo illustration by Natalie Krowitz, photo by Ebru Yildiz courtesy of Pitch Perfect PR)

Mitski is back. God help us all.

The artist known for wreaking emotional devastation on her listeners is back with another single. What can we expect as we anticipate her “Laurel Hell” album next year?
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor November 11, 2021

On Tuesday, indie musician Mitski released the single “The Only Heartbreaker” and announced a February 2022 release date for the album “Laurel Hell.” Along with October’s...

NYU students, faculty and staff can now have their university ID cards reprinted to reflect chosen names and gender-affirming photos. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU offers free new ID cards to reflect chosen names, updated photos

The university’s Card Center will now help students, faculty and staff better reflect their gender identities with updated ID cards.
Alex Tey and Vinith Yedidi October 22, 2021

To better support the gender expression of students, faculty and staff, NYU community members can now have their university identification cards reprinted for free with a chosen...

181 Mercer St., NYU’s new building, is being built with special glass windows to reduce energy usage and help prevent bird collisions. Up to 230,000 birds die every year in New York City from these collisions. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Ryan Kawahara)

Bird-safe glass design at 181 Mercer saves wildlife and energy

Window collisions kill hundreds of thousands of birds every year in New York City. 181 Mercer’s architects are using specially designed glass with the intention of saving birds and energy.
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor October 18, 2021

Custom-designed glass on 181 Mercer Street, NYU's under-construction multi-use building, will help prevent bird-window collisions — a serious threat to native bird populations...

While NYU doesn’t have a traditional quad, the park at the center of Greenwich Village offers many spots to cry between classes. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Ranked: Places to cry in NYC

Sabrina Choudhary and Joey Hung October 18, 2021

While NYU doesn’t have a traditional quad, the park at the center of Greenwich Village offers many spots to cry between classes. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

‘Forgotten NYU,’ Episode 2: ‘A New Type of Normal’

‘Forgotten NYU,’ Episode 2: ‘A New Type of Normal’

The second episode of a collaboration between WSN and WNYU 89.1 looks at the short-term effects and long-term lessons of 9/11.
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor October 13, 2021

This episode first aired on Sept. 22, 2021. One week at a time, one day at a time, eventually things will return to a new type of normal. Even now, it's still hard to process...

‘Forgotten NYU,’ Episode 1: Ground Zero

‘Forgotten NYU,’ Episode 1: Ground Zero

In the first episode of a collaboration between WSN and WNYU 89.1 FM, host Alex Tey revisits Sept. 11, 2001, 20 years later.
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor October 13, 2021

This episode first aired on Sept. 15, 2021. I just remember just the immense scale of the place. Like, all the steel beams were, you know, as— as high as multiple-story...

NYU is partnering with the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times to bring free subscriptions to students. They should work to extend free subscriptions to local news outlets as well. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Opinion: NYU should offer free local news subscriptions

October 8, 2021

NYU is partnering with the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times to bring free subscriptions to students. They should work to extend free subscriptions to local news outlets...

While NYC's reputation as a busy city is well-earned, there's still bits of wilderness to be found. Parks throughout the city's boroughs offer chances to explore nature. (Staff Photo by Alex Tey)

Ranked: NYC nature

If you’re tired of Washington Square, Union Square and Tompkins Square, these slices of nature offer an escape from city life without having to leave the city itself.
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor October 4, 2021

Are you tired of pretending that the trees in Washington Square Park are a forest? Want to return to the wilderness? Well, you’re more or less out of luck. New York City is pretty...

Food delivery services have become more essential in recent years. Mayor de Blasio must sign legislation to give them greater protections.
(Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: De Blasio must deliver for delivery workers

September 24, 2021

Food delivery services have become more essential in recent years. Mayor de Blasio must sign legislation to give them greater protections. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Skincare is grossly underrated. This six-step routine is affordable and simple to integrate into your routine. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Joey’s skincare routine for sensitive bitches

September 24, 2021

Skincare is grossly underrated. This six-step routine is affordable and simple to integrate into your routine. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Visitors crowd the Annual Feast of San Gennaro, held in Little Italy. Despite the name of the neighborhood, the Italian population in Little Italy has been decreasing and replaced by white collar workers. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: The Feast of San Gennaro bodes ill for Little Italy

Alex Tran, Deputy Culture Editor September 21, 2021

A cook prepares their customer’s food at the Annual Feast of San Gennaro. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Students and their helper guests moved into NYU’s 22 residence halls during three move-in days. Students new and returning seemed undeterred by the university’s COVID guidelines surrounding move-in and reported a generally smooth process. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Students report a smooth dorm move-in experience after a peculiar year

September 8, 2021

Students and their helper guests moved into NYU’s 22 residence halls during three move-in days. Students new and returning seemed undeterred by the university’s COVID guidelines...

Succulents are known for their ability to handle extreme heat and low maintenance. While succulents are a popular choice of dorm room plant decoration, poor treatment can cause them to die. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Read this before you kill your succulents

Just because they can tolerate droughts and extreme heat doesn’t mean they can tolerate your incompetence. Here’s how to not kill your latest dorm room decoration.
Alex Tey, Deputy Managing Editor August 30, 2021

Succulents are beautiful plants. From the otherworldly Lapidaria margaretae to the humble aloe, they’re popular for their fascinating leaf patterns, stunning blossoms and charming...

Here’s a look at Times Square through the lenses of two photographers during the pandemic and the thought process behind the shots. (Staff Photos by Alexandra Chan, Jake Capriotti)

Exposures: Jake and Alex capture Times Square in 2020

Two WSN photographers revisit a mid-pandemic photo shoot at New York City’s iconic Times Square from one year ago, diving into the thought process behind the photographs
Alexandra Chan and Jake Capriotti August 29, 2021

  Follow the photographers on Instagram at @noelle.png and @capriotti.jake. Contact Alexandra Chan at [email protected] and Jake Capriotti at [email protected]

(Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Slices of Home

Ashley Wu, Caitlin Hsu and Alexandra Chan August 25, 2021

(Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Caffe Reggio, located on MacDougal Street, is the first café in the United States to serve a cappuccino. (Staff Photo by Alex Tey)

Photo: Food hot spots to know as a first-year

August 25, 2021

Caffe Reggio, located on MacDougal Street, is the first café in the United States to serve a cappuccino. (Staff Photo by Alex Tey)

NYU's policy of filling out the Daily Screener to get access to NYU buildings has flaws when it comes to post-vaccination symptoms. Post-vaccination symptoms can cause people to feel ill, unrelated to the COVID-19 symptoms, so there is hesitation in responding honestly to the Daily Screener in fear of an unnecessary quarantine. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

You could be quarantined in your dorm for reporting your vaccine side effects

With no apparent university policy on post-vaccination symptoms, responding honestly to the Daily Screener could get you quarantined.
Alex Tey, Copy Chief April 27, 2021

I don't socialize indoors, I wear one mask outside and two inside, and the riskiest thing I do is ride the subway about twice a week, an activity that is safer than eating inside...

Photo Essay: Hundreds of protesters gather at Barclays Center to call for abolition of police

Photo Essay: Hundreds of protesters gather at Barclays Center to call for abolition of police

After various activists spoke to the crowd about systemic racial and economic injustice, defunding the police and reinvesting in communities, protesters marched down Flatbush Ave to Grand Army Plaza.

A Trump supporter wears a MAGA hat at a midtown rally during the 2020 election. Trumpism has taken over the Republican Party. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: OPINION: Post-Trump, Republicans don’t stand for anything

Jack Li, Staff Writer April 14, 2021

A Trump supporter holds a Trump Pence poster at a rally in midtown on election night 2020. Trump left a legacy in the Republican Party. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Harmonyc Movement poses in Times Square  for the thumbnail of their cover of HyunA’s I’m Not Cool. K-pop dance groups have managed to find ways to continue to develop their community and create content during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: How K-pop groups create community during COVID-19

April 12, 2021

Harmonyc Movement poses in Times Square for the thumbnail of their cover of HyunA’s I’m Not Cool. K-pop dance groups have managed to find ways to continue to develop their...

Students held a memorial for Farbin Towhid Tuesday night. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Farbin Towhid, Tisch first-year beloved for kindness, passion and talent, dies at 19

Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer April 7, 2021

Students held a memorial for Farbin Towhid Tuesday night. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

"Cherry" is a film for Tom Holland to stretch his acting muscles while offering nothing else. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Tom Holland can’t stop ‘Cherry’ from going sour

April 5, 2021

"Cherry" is a film for Tom Holland to stretch his acting muscles while offering nothing else. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Jake Capriotti)

A year after COVID, how are students handling their second pandemic Easter? (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: How NYU students celebrate Easter during COVID-19

April 5, 2021

A year after COVID, how are students handling their second pandemic Easter? (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

NYU operates two campuses in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi. With the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE, a new chapter begins for the two schools. (Staff Illustration by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: What the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE means for NYU

April 5, 2021

NYU operates two campuses in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi. With the normalization of relations between Israel and the UAE, a new chapter begins for the two schools. (Staff Illustration...

The Jasper Kane Cafe is a NYU Eats location in  Brooklyn. A SGA resolution to attempt to mitigate food insecurity among students is heading to the Financial Affairs Committee. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: University Senate to vote on Resolution to Mitigate Food Insecurity

March 31, 2021

The Jasper Kane Cafe is a NYU Eats location in Brooklyn. A SGA resolution to attempt to mitigate food insecurity among students is heading to the Financial Affairs Committee....

The large windows in front of the Kimmel Center are a subtle hazard. NYU architecture is aggressively unfriendly to the birds in the city. (Staff Photo by Alex Tey)

Migrating birds imperiled by NYU buildings as spring approaches

Conservationists suggest steps that the university can take to keep birds from crashing into its windows.
Alex Tey, Copy Chief March 29, 2021

As the spring migration season begins, birds traveling through New York City face the threat of reflective glass on NYU buildings. A Washington Square News review of crowdsourced...

Grandma's Place, located on 84 West 120th Street in Harlem, is a children's toy and bookstore. Founded by Dawn Crosby Harris-Martine, Grandma's Place has served the Harlem community since 1999. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Photo: Grandma’s Place: where you’re always welcomed home

March 29, 2021

Grandma's Place, located on 84 West 120th Street in Harlem, is a children's toy and bookstore. Founded by Dawn Crosby Harris-Martine, Grandma's Place has served the Harlem community...