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

A portrait of Kayla Hardersen.

Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer

Kayla Hardersen is a CAS senior double-majoring in journalism and politics. She was born and raised in a Chicago suburb and always welcomes healthy debate on whether or not deep-dish pizza is, in fact, lasagna. Pro tip: it is not. Follow her on Twitter for similar hot takes: @kaylahardersen.

All content by Kayla Hardersen
A small room with a grand piano wrapped in a white covering, placed against a wall. On the wall are gray acoustic panels made of fabric.

Despite months of student outcry, music ed. admissions still at a standstill

Music education students at NYU are petitioning administrators to restart admissions to the music education program, which will stop accepting new applications in the fall 2023 semester.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Feb 13, 2023

In November of 2022, undergraduate students in NYU’s music education program were abruptly told that new students would not be admitted to their program until further notice...

A portrait of Eric Adams wearing a gray suit, white collared shirt and navy blue printed tie. He stands in front of a royal blue background and an American flag on a floor stand.

Mayor Adams wages war against rats

Mayor Eric Adams passed the Rat Action Plan last month to combat the skyrocketing number of rodents scurrying across the city. This week, he contested a fine for his failure to fend them off in his own home.
Adrianna Nehme and Kayla Hardersen Dec 8, 2022

Mayor Eric Adams contested a health inspector’s $300 fine for failing to get rid of rats that were infesting his Brooklyn property at a virtual court hearing on Dec. 6. He said...

A rectangular rooftop garden filled with greeneries is set against the backdrop of the midtown skyline views of Manhattan.

NYU disputes Reuters claim that its power plant ‘dirtiest’ among colleges

An investigation found that an on-campus power plant is less efficient than comparable sites. The university has since challenged the findings.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Nov 18, 2022

NYU’s central power plant generates more carbon dioxide than 80% of other university power plants, a Reuters investigation found. But NYU has disputed the analysis, claiming...

A rally attendee dressed in black as a rat with a sign that reads “N.Y.U Labor Policies” around its neck. A group of rally attendees not in costumes pretend to punch the rat.

Students, faculty celebrate adjunct union’s tentative contract

Labor unions at NYU gathered in celebration of the adjunct union’s new tentative agreement with the university at Schwartz Plaza on Friday, Nov. 4.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Nov 7, 2022

Cheers erupted from a crowd in Schwartz Plaza on Nov. 4 as members of NYU’s labor unions and the campus chapter of Young Democratic Socialists of America gathered to celebrate...

Members of NYU’s adjunct faculty union hold two large painted signs on the corner of Union Square East. One is bright pink and reads “Union Power” in pink lettering and the other is light blue with dark blue and yellow text that reads “NYU Owes Adjuncts.”

Adjuncts authorize strike

Negotiations over a new contract for adjuncts, which have been ongoing since this spring, have not resulted in an agreement.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Oct 25, 2022

Adjunct faculty at NYU overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike after negotiations with the university for their new contract failed to progress. While a decision to strike has...

A classroom of students sit in front of a projected screen that says “We are NYU, and we have to show up for each other.”

Campus labor unions rally student support as adjunct union nears strike vote

Union representatives from six on-campus worker unions discussed their past wins, current bargaining goals and future demands from the university during a teach-in.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Sep 26, 2022

The Coalition on Labor Action according to Workers and Students, a community organizing group comprised of NYU School of Law students, and NYU’s chapter of the Young Democratic...

NYU president Andrew Hamilton and KAIST president Lee Kwang Hyung at the Digital Vision Forum at NYU. (Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau)

Korean president visits Kimmel, announces new NYU partnership

NYU has partnered with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology to launch collaborative research initiatives, an engineering program, study away opportunities and, by 2025, a joint campus in New York City.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Sep 22, 2022

President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea visited NYU on Wednesday evening to speak alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYU president Andrew Hamilton about a new partnership...

A person in a gray shirt stands to the left of a student at a graduation ceremony. They are posing in front of a crowd of graduates with their families and a moving bus.

Biden student loan forgiveness plan a late first step, NYU students say

President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan will eliminate $10,000 of individual federal student debt. Some students worry that the policy is not enough.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Sep 6, 2022

CAS senior Kaylie Barreda owed approximately $13,000 in federal loans prior to the announcement of President Joe Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan. As a Pell Grant recipient,...

People hold signs at an abortion rights protest in Washington Square Park. Signs include Legalize abortion once and for all, We will not go back, and My body my choice.

Thousands rally for abortion rights across NYC in wake of leaked Roe ruling

New Yorkers, including elected officials and celebrities, took to Foley Square, Washington Square Park and the Barclays Center to protest a leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Kayla Hardersen and Nicole Lu May 5, 2022

Thousands of New Yorkers gathered at Foley Square on Tuesday to advocate for abortion rights and protest against the Supreme Court draft opinion leaked by Politico on Monday....

The northwest entrance of the 8 St-NYU subway station for the R and W lines.

Students divided over installing metal detectors in subways

New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently said he is considering adding metal detectors in city subway stations to curb the uptick in crime.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Apr 29, 2022

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he is considering installing one of three types of metal detectors to subway stations after a mass shooting took place in a Brooklyn subway...

A small, dark rodent on the brown wood floors of the Palladium dining hall.

NYU blames rodent in Palladium dining hall on bad weather

Several students saw a small rodent scurrying through the Palladium dining hall while they were eating on April 9.
Maria Freyre and Kayla Hardersen Apr 15, 2022

CAS first-year Andres Piccinoni was eating dinner with GLS first-year Ben Thompson at the Palladium dining hall when he noticed a rodent running across the floor. The students...

The platform of the uptown local track of the R/W trains at Eighth Street station near NYU. A screen at the platform indicates major delays of the B/D/F and N/Q/R/W lines.

Students frustrated with NYU’s communication following Brooklyn shooting

Messages from NYU Campus Safety and the Tandon School of Engineering dean came hours after a mass shooting disrupted commutes to and from campus and left community members wary of taking the subway.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Apr 13, 2022

Gallatin senior Anushka Dhoot woke up on the morning of Tuesday, April 12, to several texts from her family and friends telling her to avoid taking the subway. After seeing in...

A masked student sits in an NYU common room area. She is surrounded by tables, chairs and a foosball table.

NYU drops indoor mask mandate for some locations

The university announced on Wednesday that mask wearing will be optional effective immediately in residence hall lounges, gyms, and non-mandatory events and meetings, as well as in common areas and lounges in the Kimmel Center for University Life. Masks will still be required in many areas where attendance is mandatory.
Lauren Ashe and Kayla Hardersen Mar 30, 2022

NYU eased its indoor mask mandate on Wednesday, March 30, the university announced in an email to the community. Mask wearing will be optional in residence hall lounges, gyms,...

A scattered crowd of New Yorkers in Washington Square Park with the arch and fountain in view.

Egg flung at prospective student on NYU campus tour

Eggs were thrown at an admissions ambassador and a group of prospective students near the southeast corner of Washington Square Park on Monday, March 28.
Lauren Ashe and Kayla Hardersen Mar 29, 2022

Admissions ambassador Maximus Medary and his campus tour group were egged while standing outside of Goddard Hall at around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, March 28. Medary said he was leading...

A crowd of mainly young protestors hold up a red banner saying People Not Profit and other protest signs on a march across the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian path on a cloudy day as an American flag waves in the wind on top of the bridges arches.

Hundreds take over Brooklyn Bridge for climate justice

Fridays for Future, a youth-led climate advocacy movement, organized a global strike to pressure legislators to enact environmental legislation on Friday, March 25.
Kayla Hardersen, Senior Staff Writer Mar 29, 2022

Hundreds marched from Brooklyn Borough Hall to Manhattan’s Foley Square on Friday, March 25, as part of a strike condemning government inaction against climate change. Members...

NYU president Andy Hamilton speaks over Zoom. He is sitting in an office chair positioned in front of a beige wall and a painting.

Hamilton addresses mask wearing, Ukraine, student safety at town hall

NYU administrators provided updates on COVID-19 protocols, resources for community members affected by the Russian invasion and increased communication from Campus Safety.
Kayla Hardersen and Hafsa Safdar Mar 4, 2022

NYU president Andrew Hamilton addressed questions about mask wearing, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, campus safety and more at a town hall meeting on Thursday, March 3. The virtual...

NYC protests denounce Russian invasion of Ukraine

Several demonstrations were held across New York City last week at locations from Russia’s United Nations headquarters to the Ukrainian National Home.
Kayla Hardersen and Shaina Vora Feb 28, 2022

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets throughout New York City this last week to stand with Ukraine following Russia’s military invasion. Large protests converged at...

The facade of the Tisch School of the Arts. On the left, a woman in a red shirt passes the building. On the right, green-painted wood encases exterior scaffolding.

Swastika found outside NYU building last week

After the graffiti was spotted outside of the Tisch School of the Arts building on Feb. 16, Jewish student leaders are calling on the university for a more comprehensive response.
Kayla Hardersen, Staff Writer Feb 23, 2022

A swastika was found drawn onto the scaffolding outside of the Tisch School of the Arts building on Waverly Place and Broadway last week. The graffiti of the Nazi symbol, which...

Former NYU librarian Jennifer Steenshorne passed away in January 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19. Jennifer worked at Bobst Library from 1997 to 2000. (Photo by Yvonne Rode, courtesy of Brant Vogel)

‘A walking encyclopedia’: Late NYU librarian impassioned friends, family

Jennifer Steenshorne, a historian and former librarian, died from COVID-19 in early January.
Kayla Hardersen, Staff Writer Feb 2, 2022

Jennifer Steenshorne, a former NYU librarian, died last month after testing positive for COVID-19. She was fully vaccinated and had recovered from the virus earlier in the pandemic,...

Most study away programs at NYU will resume this fall. But students in the NYU Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi programs face difficulties due to new immigration policies and COVID-19 restrictions. (Photos by Julia McNeill and Sam Klein, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

New immigration policies and COVID-19 safety measures complicate study away at NYU Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi

With study away resuming at most of NYU’s global network this fall, many students are facing complex immigration and arrival guidelines amid amorphous — and shifting — pandemic travel restrictions.
Andrew Califf and Kayla Hardersen Aug 25, 2021

TEL AVIV, Israel — NYU students across the globe are seeking a return to normalcy as they head back to campus this fall. Students studying away, however, are encountering additional...

Another spring break weekend is heralded by University administration. NYU students share their thoughts and feelings about how break is handled this semester. (Staff Photo by George Papazov, Staff Illustration by Alexandra Chan)

Burnt-out students argue they deserve a normal spring break

NYU deans encouraged students to use Monday as a single-day spring break, but many students argue this is a poor remedy for their deteriorating mental health.
Rachel Fadem and Kayla Hardersen Apr 16, 2021

Students continue to feel burnt out and unsupported by the university, as WSN previously reported. To ameliorate the issue, college deans from multiple schools sent emails last...

The NYU Student Government Assembly passed three resolutions. The three resolutions are on Anti-Racism and Justice, Holistic Representation on the NYU Board of Trustees, and Student Notice and Comment, which will be brought before the University Senate on April 22. (Photo by Jorene He, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

SGA passes three resolutions, and all of them require student participation

The NYU Student Government Assembly passed three resolutions to address racial justice, student representation on the Board of Trustees and student participation in university policy changes.
Kayla Hardersen, Staff Writer Apr 12, 2021

SGA Chief of Staff Anthony Cruz co-proposed three resolutions:  Resolution on Anti-Racism and Justice, Holistic Representation on the NYU Board of Trustees and Student Notice...

NYUs Student Health Center, located on 726 Broadway, has removed the 10-session limit on counseling sessions this semester. Students are now allowed to make appointments for free counseling services at the NYU Wellness Exchange based on clinical needs. (Photo by George Papazov)

Student Health Center removes cap on therapy sessions

Free counseling services at the NYU Wellness Exchange are now available based on clinical need.
Kayla Hardersen, Staff Writer Mar 29, 2021

The Student Health Center has removed the 10-session limit on counseling sessions this semester, instead allowing students to make appointments based on their clinical need. The...

Provost Katherine Fleming announced the planned in-person return for the next semester. While some students expressed excitement at the thought of resuming in-person classroom learning; some even argued that this return has been unnecessarily deferred. (Photo by Ryan Walker)

University community reacts to return to campus

Students and faculty have mixed feelings for NYU’s planned resumption of in-person instruction in the fall.
Kayla Hardersen, Staff Writer Mar 18, 2021

NYU students around the world have dealt with an online life of unreliable internet and mismatched timezones for a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, many are anticipating...

Rise and Resist engaged in a silent protest in Washington Square Park on Thursday. They protested against Border Patrol and ICE terrorizing immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. (Staff Photo by Min Ji Kim)

Anti-ICE Organization Protests at Washington Square Park

The political organization ‘Rise and Resist’ took to Washington Square Park to host a silent vigil in support of immigrants suffering at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Kayla Hardersen, Contributing Writer Oct 11, 2019

An activist group calling for the abolishment of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement took to Washington Square Park on Thursday, replicating a protest held at The World Trade...

(Photo by Kayla Hardersen)

Native American Professor Talks Colonialism and Climate Change

The Native Studies Forum hosted an American studies professor who talked about how colonialism in the U.S. has contributed to climate change.
Kayla Hardersen, Contributing Writer Sep 20, 2019

While 2020 Democratic presidential candidates unveiled their environmental policies at a climate change forum on Thursday, a professor and Native American spoke to a group of NYU...

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