All content by Matthew Franco
![An illustration of New York University’s Bobcat mascot against a purple background, with a red line striking it out. The Bobcat is wearing a dark purple athletic vest with the letters “N.Y.U.” printed on it.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ops-franco-mascot-900x675.png)
Opinion: The NYU mascot is meaningless. We need a new one.
Do you feel represented as a Bobcat? I don’t.
Matthew Franco, Staff Writer
• October 19, 2022
![The marble facade of the building of the U.S. Supreme Court. The building has eight columns and marble stairs.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ops-franco-affirmativeaction-900x675.jpeg)
Opinion: Affirmative action is the best tool for increasing diversity
The Supreme Court will likely strike down affirmative action in October. But no alternative is as effective for increasing racial diversity at universities.
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer
• April 28, 2022
![An illustration of a pink background with pink outlines in the shape of hearts, with a comma inside of a larger heart outline in the middle of the illustration.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/oxford-comma-susan-01-900x675.png)
Off-Third: Give the Oxford comma a break
One little mark is a helpful, clarifying, and necessary breath of fresh air. Stop getting rid of it.
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer
• April 21, 2022
![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.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DSC_0483-900x600.jpg)
Opinion: NYU CAS shouldn’t require a foreign language
Forcing students to take four semesters of one language eliminates other avenues of educational exploration and wastes students’ resources.
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer
• April 12, 2022
![A purple N.Y.U. flag hangs on a building.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/news-childaistudy-1200x800.jpg)
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief • July 9, 2024
![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.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/news-sustainability-900x600.jpg)
Julia Smerling, Photo Editor • June 18, 2024
![A woman with brown hair and a blue shirt.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dopico.jpeg)
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief • June 18, 2024
![A woman dressed in red and holding a purple sign that reads NYU is Complicit in Genocide.](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/RallyForHesen-3-1200x800.jpg)
Mikaylah Du, Under the Arch Editor • June 15, 2024