Skip to Main Content
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

Manasa Gudavalli

Manasa Gudavalli, Editor-in-Chief

Manasa Gudavalli is a super senior studying a super strange combination of psychology, mathematics, journalism, and chemistry. When they are not editing the Washington Square News, they are probably reading Freud, watching college football, or developing film photos. You can find them on Instagram @manasa.gudavalli and @gudavalli.photography.

All content by Manasa Gudavalli
A yellow bag, rolling papers, an orange lighter, a dollar bill, and a small green grinder on top of a red bag.

Photo: Ranked: Quintessential NYU experiences

Joey Hung and Sabrina Choudhary May 2, 2022

Washington Square Park on a sunny fall day. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Video: Will Wood wants to be authentic, whatever it takes

Avant-pop musician Will Wood talked with WSN about the perils of social media, his upcoming album, “In Case I Make It,” and how his mental health has shaped his music.
Caitlin Hsu, UTA Publishing Editor April 29, 2022

Songwriting inspiration can come from odd places — even from trapping and poisoning a mouse in one’s kitchen. When musician and artist Will Wood first found the creature last...

A portrait of David Sabatini wearing a blue sweater and button down overlaid onto the NYU Langone Health building. In the background, people hold signs outside of the Langone building. The Langone sign is visible in the background.

Photo: NYU Grossman admins defend potential Sabatini hiring, dispute allegations

April 29, 2022

Cancer biologist David Sabatini was accused of sexual misconduct at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Whitehead Institute. Despite the accusations, the NYU Grossman...

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

Photo: Students divided over installing metal detectors in subways

April 29, 2022

Mayor Eric Adams said he’s considering adding metal detectors to the New York City subway stations following the mass shooting on the Manhattan-bound N train in Sunset Park....

A vertical view of the facade of the 25 West 4th St. NYU building. In front of the entrance door there is a purple roof that on the side says “New York University.” On the front there is a white box with the number “25” inside. Under the “25” it reads “West 4th Street”. There are five people walking past the building on the sidewalk.

Photo: CAS offices will move to 25 W. 4th St. in 2024

April 29, 2022

NYU announced that the College of Arts & Science will be relocated to 25 West 4th St. in 2024. 25 West 4th St. is located on Greene and West 4th St. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A group of protesters hold up signs reading “Gross,” “Say NO to Sabatini” and “Title IX Over Sabatini.”

Photo: NYU med school students, staff walk out to protest potential hiring of David Sabatini

Abby Wilson, News Editor April 28, 2022

Protesters hold signs during a walkout to protest the NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s potential hiring of David Sabatini. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

The facade of a limestone brick building with a gold plaque on it, which reads “New York University / Institute of Fine Arts / The James B. Duke House.”

Photo: Students pressure NYU admin to keep Institute of Fine Arts building open

April 28, 2022

The James B. Duke House of NYU's Institute of Fine Arts is located at 1 E. 78th St. Administrators had previously planned to close the building from April 28 to May 3. (Staff Photo...

A portrait of David Sabatini wearing a blue sweater and button down overlaid in front of the NYU Langone Health building. People are walking in the background outside the building and a large sign with “NYU Langone Health'' is in the front.

Photo: NYU pres. had 'strongly advised’ against med school’s potential hiring of MIT biologist accused of sexual misconduct

April 27, 2022

Cancer biologist David Sabatini was accused of sexual misconduct at MIT and the Whitehead Institute. Despite the accusations, the NYU Grossman School of Medicine is considering...

Dog walking is just one way to earn extra money while studying at NYU. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Photo: Playing pays: An inside look at how NYU students make money walking dogs

Derek Kamakanaaloha Soong, Staff Writer April 26, 2022

Dog walking is just one way to earn extra money while studying at NYU. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An eco-friendly wall covered in green plants and pink flowers framed by brown and yellow roofing and walls.

Photo: NYU: Greenhouse emissions halved by 2025, carbon neutral by 2040

April 26, 2022

An eco-friendly, sustainable wall covered in plants is a centerpiece of NYU's new Global Public Health building. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Three NYPD officers in their dark blue uniforms congregating in the middle of the road appear to be discussing something. The officers are flanked by legal personnel dressed in suits on each side.

Photo: Editorial: Don’t throw more money at the failing NYPD

April 18, 2022

Police stand on East Fifth Street between Second and Third avenues as officers escort Frank James into a police vehicle. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A crowd of police officers, legal personnel, reporters and civilians dressed in dark blue congregating on a sidewalk in the East Village.

Photo: Opinion: Coverage of Brooklyn shooting ignores lessons of previous mass shootings

April 18, 2022

Frank James being escorted by the police. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An NYU Campus Safety vehicle in front of trees. The vehicle is a white car with purple decals and the text “Campus Safety 212-998-2222” on top.

Photo: Student gov’t presses NYU administrators about crime at town hall 

April 15, 2022

The Student Government Assembly hosted a town hall on April 14. NYU administration discussed campus safety in light of recent violence and crime in New York City. (Staff Photo...

The facade of Rubin Hall with a dark green awning printed with the address “35 Fifth Avenue.” The awning is accompanied by two NYU banner flags on each side.

Photo: Campus Safety apologizes to Rubin Hall residents for botched intruder response

April 15, 2022

Rubin Hall is a first-year residence hall located at 35 Fifth Ave. An intruder was recently seen entering the residence hall multiple times. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A close-up shot looking past the windshield of a car. A red circle inserted into the image highlights the head of Frank James, who can be seen as a blur in the background.

Photo: Relief in East Village after alleged Brooklyn shooter arrested

Kristian Burt, Rachel Cohen and Abby Wilson April 13, 2022

Police transported James to the 9th Precinct on East Fifth Street between First and Second Avenues after his arrest. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU president Andrew Hamilton standing in the NYU School of Global Public Health. Behind Andrew Hamilton, a purple banner hangs with the NYU logo and the words “School of Global Public Health” in white letters. Hamilton is wearing a black blazer, white button-up shirt and bright purple tie.

Photo: Hamilton to step down as NYU president next year

April 13, 2022

Andrew Hamilton will step down from his current role as NYU president on June 30, 2023, and will return as a professor in the chemistry department. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

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.

Photo: Students frustrated with NYU’s communication following Brooklyn shooting

April 13, 2022

Following a mass shooting in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, there were major delays on the B/D/F and N/Q/R/W subway lines. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

The interior of the lobby of Rubin Hall. Three elevators are in the back as people wait for them. A security guard is sitting at the desk with plexiglass in the front. The walls are covered with NYU posters.

Photo: Unidentified man spotted wandering around Rubin Hall

April 12, 2022

Rubin Hall is a first-year residence hall located at 35 Fifth Ave. An intruder was seen entering the residence hall multiple times. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A crowd of people march on the street in a protest passing by parked cars holding protest banners.

Photo: East Village rally protests destruction of houseless communities

Gabriel Hawthorne, Deputy News Editor April 12, 2022

Sinthia Vee. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A man sits on his bed looking at the camera in front of his decorated walls next to an empty bed and drawer that is not being used.

Photo: Students upset by NYU response to roommate’s mental health crisis

Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief April 18, 2022

Mac Breazzano’s room now contains an empty bed. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

The exterior façade of a college building with golden doors and clear decorated windows as the sun shines on half of the building and people walk on the sidewalk.

Photo: Opinion: NYU CAS shouldn’t require a foreign language

April 12, 2022

The Silver Center houses many of the classrooms and offices of the College of Arts & Sciences at NYU. CAS has a foreign language requirement that all CAS students have to follow....

Portrait of Aarna Dixit wearing a peach-colored floral lehenga blouse with a black fur coat and traditional Indian gold jewelry. She is standing in Union Square Park’s farmers market looking confused, with a crowd of people behind her.

Photo: Re: Reckoning with my Indian identity

Aarna Dixit, Staff Writer April 8, 2022

(Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Katherine Fleming standing at a podium delivering a speech. She is wearing a red, black and cream cheetah-print blouse.

Photo: Provost Katherine Fleming to leave NYU for Getty Trust

April 6, 2022

NYU Provost Katherine Fleming has been appointed the president and CEO of the Getty Trust, a multi-billion dollar California-based trust fund. A new provost has yet to be appointed....

Four individuals collectively cut a rainbow ribbon. From left to right they are: Katherine Fleming, Debra Furr-Holden, Dr. Cheryl Healton and Andrew Hamilton.

Photo: School of Global Public Health unveils new building, welcomes incoming dean

Gabriel Hawthorne, Deputy News Editor April 1, 2022

Dr. Debra Furr-Holden, an epidemiologist and biostatistician, was appointed as the new dean of the school. Furr-Holden is set to start her tenure on July 1, 2022. (Staff Photo...

A portrait of Jim Anderson in front of a soundboard in a recording studio. He is wearing a black long-sleeve shirt.

Photo: With 28 Grammy nominations, Tisch prof. Jim Anderson can’t be stopped

Yas Akdag and Lillian Jones April 1, 2022

Most of Jim Anderson’s work in the music industry has been in the jazz and acoustic genres. Along with his wife, he was also one of the first individuals to use a new, high-resolution...

A group of students sit on a bench in Washington Square Park. Buildings in the background rise above green trees with lots of foliage. It is a sunny day with a bright blue sky full of clouds. The fountain in the center of the park is on and spewing water into the air.

Photo: NYU acceptance rate falls to 12.2% for 2022 admits

March 31, 2022

(Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An illustration of a man holding a gun and wearing a khaki trench coat. Behind him there is a mill, and to the left there is text: “Call of Duty Vanguard Warzone Season Two.”

Photo: ‘Call of Duty’ brings subtle yet impactful changes with new season

March 31, 2022

Both “Call of Duty: Vanguard" and “Call of Duty: Warzone" released their season two updates on Feb. 14. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

The exterior façade of a red brick building with a Joe's Pizza sign and patio cover while a customer eats at the outside table.

Photo: The best late-night and 24-hour eats around campus

Carina Christo, Contributing Writer March 29, 2022

Heavenly Market (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A glass of clear gin-based cocktail decorated with sage leaves and a metal straw against a white background shot from above.

Photo: Grab a muddler and mix up a Wise Man

March 25, 2022

The Wise Man is a sage- and gin-based cocktail perfect for spring weather. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A glass of clear gin-based cocktail decorated with sage leaves and a metal straw against a white background shot from above.

Photo: Grab a muddler and mix up a Wise Man

Phoebe Goldman, Contributing Writer March 25, 2022

(Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An illustration of a sports podium with a generic college building on the first place spot.

Photo: Off-Third: A sincere apology to our readers. College rankings do matter.

September 14, 2022

(Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

A portrait of Natalia Palacino and Susan Behrends Valenzuela reading a zine. Palacino is wearing a black leather coat while Behrends Valenzuela wears a mint-green long-sleeve shirt and a black skirt.

Photo: Art + Type Magazine stresses care in collectivism

Nico Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 11, 2022

Natalia Palacino and Susan Behrends Valenzuela hold the third issue of Art + Type Magazine. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A portrait of Olivia Hughart in Tompkins Square Park. She is wearing a navy blue three-quarter sleeve blouse with a ruffle hem at the elbow. She is holding a saxophone in her hands.

Photo: Key of She is redefining gender in jazz

Isabella Armus, Deputy Arts Editor March 11, 2022

Olivia Hughart playing her saxophone in Central Park. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

An illustration with a United States C.D.C.-issued Vaccination card in the background. In the foreground is a half-full syringe on the left and a bottle of vaccine on the right.

Photo: Opinion: Adams, take away the mask mandate but keep the vax

March 11, 2022

New York City has removed its mask and vaccine mandate, but regulations must be lifted at a more measured pace if Mayor Eric Adams wants to keep the community safe. (Staff Illustration...

The exterior of the REI SoHo Flagship Store. The storefront has words that read “REI Co-Op” and “Since 1938.” The facade of the building is predominantly red with green trim around the windows. The building sits just behind a busy traffic intersection, and a black car is passing the store as pedestrians cross the street.

Photo: REI student workers anticipate NLRB union certification

Elias Lopez, Contributing Writer March 10, 2022

The interior of the REI SoHo flagship store. The company specializes in selling outdoor gear for sports and camping. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

A child wearing a green dress and shoes with a purple backpack is walking next to a red brick wall on a brown floor while a hand with pink nails holds a gray cell phone camera that records the child's walk. On the cell phone is a distorted and glitchy image of the child walking. The text "Like, Comment, Subscribe'' appears chalked on the top right corner of the wall.

Photo: Opinion: Adults must prioritize the well-being and safety of children over social media’s profitability

April 11, 2022

The rise of social media platforms has made children increasingly susceptible to unwanted attention and exploitation. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a podium during a press conference. She stands in front of an American flag and a royal blue background. She is wearing a black blazer with a pale blue collared shirt.

Photo: Opinion: Struggling New Yorkers need Good Cause Eviction legislation

March 7, 2022

Following the expiration of the eviction moratorium, thousands of New Yorkers, especially Black renters and families, are facing imminent eviction. Passing good-cause legislation...

An illustration of a white voting ballot with a pen writing in black ink. Behind the ballot is the Empire State Building and the larger New York City skyline.

Photo: Opinion: New York, make it easier to get on the ballot

March 4, 2022

Two Democratic New York State leaders are pushing for a reform bill to abolish complicated ballot access laws and make it easier for aspiring political candidates to get on the...

San Marzano is an Italian restaurant located at 117 2nd Ave. (Staff Photo By Manasa Gudavalli)

Photo: The best places for bottomless brunch around NYU

Roshni Raj, Culture Editor March 4, 2022

San Marzano is an Italian restaurant located at 117 2nd Ave. (Staff Photo By Manasa Gudavalli)

A portrait of Eric Adams wearing a gray suit, white collared shirt and navy blue printed tie. He is sitting at a conference table and speaking in front of a royal blue background.

Photo: Confronting food insecurity is the key to improving NYC’s health

March 4, 2022

Mayor Eric Adams has proposed several new initiatives that target the city’s distribution and advertisement of nutritious food. Throughout his campaign, the mayor promised to...

Students stream past the clay-colored main entrance of Bobst Library on a bright fall afternoon. The green scenery of Washington Square Park is reflected off the library’s windows.

Photo: A look at ‘Bobst Boy’ 20 years later

June 18, 2024

(Manasa Gudavalli for WSN)

A filled transparent condom dispenser against a pink wall located in the resource center of the Third North residence hall.

Photo: Student-led initiative expands dental dam access

March 2, 2022

Dental dams will soon become more accessible on NYU’s campus following efforts by the Amnesty International sexual reproductive rights working group at NYU. (Staff Photo by Manasa...