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

A portrait of Qianshan (Ben) Weng.

Qianshan (Ben) Weng, Multimedia Editor

Qianshan Weng is a junior studying Media, Culture and Communication and Journalism. You may pronounce his name as “chi”en-shan”, or, if it makes your life easier, just call him “Ben.” He grew up in Shenzhen, China, and has spent the last five years or so saying that he wants to learn Cantonese. The answers to the questions “when will he finally start?” and “why is this taking him so long?” remain mysteries, even to himself. You can reach out to him at [email protected]

All content by Qianshan (Ben) Weng
A person sitting in front of a laptop whose screen is displaying a sexual assault prevention training portal.

Photo: Opinion: NYU’s sexual respect training is inadequate

March 6, 2024

NYU’s sexual respect training "Think About It," required for all students before the start of their first semester. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A hand holds a phone with the “Discover” menu from the app “Too Good to Go.”

Photo: What’s so good about Too Good To Go?

March 1, 2024

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A red mug and a laptop on a purple background. On the screen, a man wearing a suit is on the phone with white words filling the screen behind him.

Photo: Off the Radar: Suits, swears and ‘Succession’ in ‘The Thick of It’

March 1, 2024

“The Thick of It” is available through NYU’s streaming partners. (Illustration by Qianshan Weng)

A white and purple N.Y.U. flag and a purple banner that says "N.Y.U. Steinhardt" is placed side by side on a building wall.

Photo: Guest Essay: Steinhardt USG launches food pantry

February 29, 2024

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

The interior of a ramen shop, with tables and an open kitchen. A person stands in the kitchen cooking.

Photo: Noodle nirvana: Ramen shops near campus you can’t miss

Aidan Levin, Contributing Writer February 15, 2024

Minca Ramen Factory. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

The “Grades and Transcripts” section of Albert is displayed on a laptop screen in front of a dark purple background.

Photo: Midterm grades replaced with progress reports

January 24, 2024

Students will no longer receive midterm grades on Albert from the spring 2024 semester onwards. (Graphic by Qianshan Weng)

An illustration of a megaphone with the phrase “Staff Rants” written on it. The megaphone wears a red Santa hat and the background is white with blue snowflakes.

Staff Rants: Holiday Overload

It's the end of the term, which means it's the holiday season! WSN staff shares their thoughts about it — the good and the bad, but mostly the bad.

On giving gifts Krish Dev — Deputy News Editor  Whenever I have to buy gifts for the holidays, I feel like I am walking on a tightrope — it’s a delicate balance between...

A white wall in a corridor with the words “Sanford Biggers Meet Me on the Equinox” printed on it. The corridor leads to an exhibition space.

Photo: Sanford Biggers’ ‘Meet Me on the Equinox’ reclaims repatriation

Giuliana Brida, Contributing Writer October 5, 2023

The Repatriate (2023). (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

The “swap” and “drop” buttons on Albert displayed on a laptop screen, with the mouse hovering above the “swap” button.

Photo: Opinion: The case for extending the add/drop period

September 20, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: Breakup with Bobst with these 5 off-campus study spots

Michael Lando, Contributing Writer September 20, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A flea market under the Brooklyn Bridge with a white banner that reads “BROOKLYN FLEA.” There are people browsing in between the stalls.

Photo: The best outdoor flea markets to visit this spring

Ishani Paul, Staff Writer April 27, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: Celebrate spring at these floral cafes

Daeun Lee, Staff Writer April 26, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Adiba Chowdhury, the community service chair of the CAS Student Council, addressing the student government. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: CAS student council to hold schoolwide vote on campaign rules

Ania Keenan and Bruna Horvath April 20, 2023

Adiba Chowdhury, the community service chair of the CAS Student Council, addressing the student government. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A group of people sitting in a room with a clock on the side. Two speakers stand in front of the crowd with one of them holding a microphone while pointing to the crowd.

Photo: CAS student council ousts president candidate from election

April 13, 2023

Prash Allam (left), vice president of the CAS Student Council, and Ron Hall (right), senator of the CAS Student Council, taking questions from members of the Student General Assembly....

Bill de Blasio wears a light navy suit while standing next to an N.Y.U. Wagner podium, during the question-and-answer portion of an event he was appearing at.

Photo: Bill de Blasio on his political career, Andrew Cuomo and Amazon

April 11, 2023

Bill de Blasio answers questions at an event organized by NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Robert Santos, the U.S. Census Bureau director, sits on a stage with two hosts on each side of him, speaking to the audience with a microphone in his hand. The backdrop behind him indicates that the event is at N.Y.U.’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute.

Photo: US Census director on how to count 330 million people

March 30, 2023

Robert Santos, the director of the U.S. Census Bureau, spoke at an event hosted by NYU’s journalism department on Wednesday. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A woman in a brown jacket stands in between two lines of people filing along a sidewalk, holding various cardboard signs in the shape of the U.A.W. logo.

Photo: ‘We’ll be back’: Contract faculty continue fight for unionization 

March 24, 2023

Members of NYU’s contract faculty union rallied in front of Bobst Library on March 23 to demand that the university recognize their union. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: Booze on a budget: Happy hour spots near NYU

Ishani Paul, Staff Writer March 3, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: Six places that take the d(airy) out of desserts

Jonathan Mak, Contributing Writer March 2, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A wide shot of Brittany Hall from across the street.

Photo: Ranked: Dorm Hookup Spots

Jules Hasler, Contributing Writer February 26, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Five panelists speaking on a stage in dim lighting. There is a projector screen behind them with the text “Rice Stories” that indicates the event is held at the Museum of the City of New York.

Photo: My relationship with rice: Rediscovering its richness

February 20, 2023

Rice is the core of many cultures’ cuisines. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A person wearing a big-headed Buddha mask guides a lion to its offerings, a bowl of grapefruit and pastries.

A dance of lions

A photographer’s encounter with one of the largest Lunar New Year celebrations in New York’s Chinatown.
Qianshan Weng, Staff Photographer February 17, 2023

A female model walking down the runway wearing a black dress decorated with white and pink flowers, and a pair of green and red sneakers.

Photo: Richie Rich makes a fun, nostalgic comeback to the NYFW runway 

Sofi Cisneros, Staff Writer February 14, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

The exterior of the Canal Street Market. There are gray columns with clear windows. On the windows are white and orange logo of the Canal Street Market.

Photo: A real red wave: Year of the Rabbit on Canal Street

Ashley Simons, Contributing Writer February 3, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: NYU, what’s in your tote?

Jhenesis Hines, Staff Writer January 26, 2023

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A female wearing a black down coat and carrying a tablet in her left hand speaks to a group of people in Chinatown. She is wearing a microphone on her ear.

Photo: Small-business renewal program rekindles Chinatown spirit

December 15, 2022

The tour, hosted by the Mott Street Girls, started at the New China Hair Salon. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

A female wearing a black down coat and carrying a tablet in her left hand speaks to a group of people in Chinatown. She is wearing a microphone on her ear.

Small-business renewal program rekindles Chinatown spirit

To bring Chinatown businesses affected by the pandemic back to the forefront, the Mott Street Girls held a walking tour that featured recipients of Citizens Bank’s Renewal Fund.
Linsey Liao and Qianshan Weng December 15, 2022

On a cold winter day in Manhattan’s Chinatown, a group congregated at the New China Hair Salon — a colorful, well-kept store nestled at Doyers Street. This was the starting...

Citizens Renewal Fund was the largest corporate grant for Chinatown in recent years. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: Review: ‘Living’ is a remarkably pointless rendition of an all-time classic

Yezen Saadah, Deputy News Editor December 15, 2022

Citizens Renewal Fund was the largest corporate grant for Chinatown in recent years. (Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Sofia Saleh with her arms and legs covered by the text “WOMEN” written with black chalk.

The resonant silence of performance artist Sofia Saleh

WSN photographers capture a performance artist protesting against the Iranian regime in silence in Washington Square Park on Nov. 4.
Shirene Anand and Qianshan Weng November 11, 2022

Iran erupted into mass political unrest after the death of Mahsa Amini — a 22-year-old woman who died after reportedly not wearing her hijab in accordance with government...

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)

Photo: Best spots to celebrate National Cappuccino Day

Kasey Goldenberg, Contributing Writer November 8, 2022

(Qianshan Weng for WSN)