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

Photo of Rachel Fadem

Rachel Fadem, Features Editor

Rachel Fadem is a senior majoring in journalism and gender studies. On the extremely rare occasion that she isn't working, she can be found at a coffee shop or a small bookstore with friends. She also enjoys making earrings and doing The New York Times Crossword. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @rachelfadem.

All content by Rachel Fadem
An illustration of Washington Square Park with the Washington Square Arch in the background. Couples sit on the ground or on seats in the park. Above the Park is white text that reads “Sex on the Square.”

Sex on the Square: Sex-positive media to consume over break

If you find yourself with some spare time over winter break, check out these TV shows, movies, podcasts and books to learn more about sex and sexuality.
Rachel Fadem and Shreya Tomar Dec 9, 2022

Winter break is approaching, and for those not taking January classes, it can be a great time to catch up on all of the things you want to do — including consuming sex-positive...

An illustration of Washington Square Park with the Washington Square Arch in the background. Couples sit on the ground or on seats in the park. Above the Park is white text that reads “Sex on the Square.”

Sex on the Square: NYU-themed sex positions

What better way to show school spirit than by adding some NYU flavor to your sex life?  
Rachel Fadem and Shreya Tomar Nov 18, 2022

College is a great time to explore your sexual preferences, and trying out new sex positions can be a great way to switch things up. Here are nine NYU-themed sex positions for...

An illustration of Washington Square Park with the Washington Square Arch in the background. Couples sit on the ground or on seats in the park. Above the Park is white text that reads “Sex on the Square.”

Sex on the Square: WSN’s new sex column

Almost everyone is having sex, but few people are talking about it openly. Writers Rachel Fadem and Shreya Tomar hope to change that — at least at NYU.
Rachel Fadem and Shreya Tomar Nov 11, 2022

Welcome to Sex on the Square, WSN’s new weekly sex column. We’re two seniors who are open-minded and passionate about discussing sex and sexuality within the world of NYU....

Judith Heumann waves to the crowd while on stage after delivering remarks during NYUs commencement ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021. NYU graduates and administrators cheer and clap their hands behind her. The backdrop of the stage is several NYU school flags.

Judith Heumann to NYU grads: ‘Disability is difference. It is not deficiency.’

Judith Heumann spoke about COVID-19 and disability activism at the combined commencement ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021. The in-person commencement ceremonies for these classes were canceled due to the pandemic.
Rachel Fadem, Features Editor May 20, 2022

Disability rights activist Judith Heumann addressed NYU’s classes of 2020 and 2021 at the university’s 189th commencement ceremony after she received an honorary Doctor of...

Two graduates in purple graduation robes crouch in front of a ring light camera to take a picture. There are other graduates, friends and family members walking around them. In the background, there banners for NYU Connect.

Advice for incoming first-years from NYU’s newest graduates

NYU grads from the classes of 2020, 2021 and 2022 shared memories and wisdom while attending their commencement ceremonies at Yankee Stadium on May 18.
Abby Wilson and Rachel Fadem May 20, 2022

Tens of thousands of NYU graduates came together to celebrate their achievements and reflect on their time at the university during two commencement ceremonies held at Yankee Stadium...

Taylor Swift hugs NYU president Andy Hamilton. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Here’s what Taylor Swift said during her NYU graduation speech

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift spoke about hard work, the importance of learning from mistakes, and her song “22” at the class of 2022 commencement exercises.
Rachel Fadem, Features Editor May 18, 2022

Taylor Swift spoke at NYU's 188th commencement ceremony after receiving an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree on May 18. She delivered a speech to the class of 2022 at the Wednesday...

Judith Heumann sits in a warmly lit room holding up two of her books, Being Heumann and Rolling Warrior. She is wearing a blue top with floral embroidery. In the background, two vases sit on a shelf and a lamp can be seen.

Judith Heumann on NYU commencement and disability activism

Rachel Fadem, Features Editor May 17, 2022
Disability rights activist Judith Heumann will speak about the importance of political action and advocacy during a combined graduation ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021 on May 18.
NYU serves over 100,000 meals a week and has denied reported cases of food poisoning. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Cockroaches and rodents spotted at NYU dining halls

After WSN reported on claims of food poisoning last month, more students have come forward with accounts of unsanitary conditions in NYU dining halls — including cockroaches and rodents.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Dec 12, 2021

Adithya Rachakulla was picking up a meal at the Third North dining hall when a cockroach fell into his food and crawled through his plate before diving onto the floor. “He...

On Nov. 29, members of the Patient-Led Research Collaborative for Long COVID wrote an open letter on the NIH’s RECOVER initiative to study long COVID-19. The letter expressed worries about the initiative and made suggestions on how to ensure its success. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Patient group says Langone long COVID research forgets patients

The Patient-Led Research Collaborative for Long COVID published an open letter to the National Institutes of Health and NYU Langone Health expressing concerns over the success and integrity of the initiative. 
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Dec 8, 2021

JD Davids, a research advocate for HIV and other post-viral infections, had been living with multiple, complex chronic conditions before he contracted COVID-19 for the first time...

On Sunday, Nov. 7, Brown University, Columbia University and Cornell University received bomb threats. Both Cornell and Brown received bomb threats by phone and Columbia’s evacuations appeared to be in response to two threats posted by a Twitter account. (Images via Wikimedia Commons)

Bomb threats force evacuations at Brown, Columbia, Cornell

Brown, Columbia and Cornell Universities are the latest in a slew of bomb threats targeting universities across the United States this past week.

Brown University, Columbia University and Cornell University received bomb threats on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 7. Brown evacuated all buildings on the Main Green, Columbia...

New York City’s vaccine mandate for municipal workers led to a protest march on Monday. Paramedics, police officers, firefighters and other municipal workers voiced their opposition to the mandate through signs, speeches and chants. (Staff Photo by Ryan Kawahara)

City workers storm Brooklyn Bridge protesting vaccine mandate

The group marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall on Monday afternoon in opposition to New York City’s vaccine mandate for municipal employees. 
Rachel Cohen, Rachel Fadem, and Ryan Kawahara Oct 26, 2021

Thousands of protesters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan on Monday afternoon to oppose New York City’s vaccine mandate for its municipal workers.  The group...

Months after being diagnosed with COVID-19, some patients are still experiencing side effects. Doctors at NYU Langone have been awarded $470 million from the National Institutes of Health to study long COVID-19. (Photo by Leo Shinegate)

Langone researchers receive $470M grant to study long COVID

Long COVID-19 is a devastating chronic illness that may affect up to 37% of all patients, but very little research has been conducted on its symptoms and treatment. A new study at NYU Langone seeks to change that.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Oct 25, 2021

Stuart D. Katz, a cardiologist at NYU Langone Health, tested positive for COVID-19 in December 2020. Months later, he still experiences symptoms and said he is only now starting...

Sunrise NYU held a rally in Washington Square Park on Oct. 15. The climate justice group relaunched its initiative pushing NYU to divest from fossil fuels and private prisons. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Sunrise NYU revives university divestment campaign

The campaign urges the university to divest from fossil fuels and private prisons. Organizers held the first rally of the semester on Oct. 15.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Oct 18, 2021

Sunrise Movement NYU, the local chapter of a nationwide student-led climate justice group, is launching a renewed Divest NYU campaign that aims to pressure the NYU administration...

Students have reported that NYU’s Counseling and Wellness Services have improved in the past year. To make it more accessible, the department added 30 counselors and removed the cap on the number of sessions allowed for students. (Photo by Carolina Herrera)

Students argue for hybrid mental health services

Meanwhile, a CAS junior is working with Counseling and Wellness Services to hire more counselors and remove insurance copays.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Sep 23, 2021

LS sophomore Keyana McGuire called the Wellness Exchange’s 24/7 mental health hotline multiple times during her first year at NYU. She was hoping to speak with one of the counselors...

An email sent by the NYU Department of Campus Safety contained the subject line “Simple Assault - Hate Crime,” but did not define the legal term “simple assault” in the alert. Many members of the university community are now confused about what the term simple assault means. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Explained: ‘Simple assault’ and the confusion surrounding NYU’s alert emails

The term "simple assault" is not so simple. Recent communications from the university left students wondering what the term means and why it is being used to refer to serious attacks.
Rachel Cohen, Rachel Fadem, and Suhail Gharaibeh Sep 20, 2021

Two NYU students were victims of a homophobic hate crime at 14th Street and Third Avenue on Sept. 15, according to an email alert sent by the Department of Campus Safety. The two...

An unknown motorist has been linked to multiple groping incidents on campus. This week, the NYPD arrested a suspect. (Image courtesy of NYPD, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Alleged serial groper arrested

The suspected assailant in a string of downtown Manhattan gropings has been taken into custody on sex crime charges.
Rachel Fadem and Suhail Gharaibeh Sep 15, 2021

Police have arrested a suspect accused of sexually assaulting 10 people — including four NYU students — in downtown Manhattan between Aug. 21 and Sept. 10, according to...

Security camera footage shows the perpetrator wearing a black face mask and riding a red and black moped. The reports all described the attacker wearing dark clothing and a motorcycle helmet covering the majority of their face. (Image courtesy of NYPD)

Another student groped on campus as string of sexual assaults continues

The fourth incident in a string of sexual assaults raises questions about security at NYU — particularly for women, who make up 58% of the undergraduate student population.

An NYU student reported that they were sexually assaulted on campus at approximately 4:40 p.m. on Sept. 10. This was the fourth such incident in less than two weeks, all of which...

Most activities on campus have resumed to in-person meetings. Due to capacity limits, some NYU clubs and events continue to meet online. (Photo by Tony Wu)

NYU students return to campus, but clubs remain online

Despite new university guidelines for in-person gatherings, clubs report that their events and meetings will again be primarily remote this academic year.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Sep 10, 2021

In the weeks leading up to the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year, NYU’s university-wide communications indicated plans for an on-campus experience resembling that of semesters...

On September 1, a flash flood emergency was declared for New York City from the heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. Many NYU students reported flooding in Lower Manhattan residence halls. (Staff Photo by Shaina Ahmed)

Semester begins despite a torrential downpour, collapsed transportation system and flooded dorms

Sept. 1 was the fifth-rainiest day in New York City’s recorded history. The remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through the city, causing flash floods and leaving at least 43 dead. Students reported flooding at numerous residence halls, while others were stranded at NYU Welcome events.
Arnav Binaykia and Rachel Fadem Sep 2, 2021

New York City was pummeled by the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Wednesday evening, Sept. 1. The city declared its first-ever flash flood emergency, with Mayor Bill de Blasio urging...

On August 24, Kathy Hochul was sworn in as New York’s first female governor after the resignation of Andrew Cuomo due to sexual harassment reports. Her governorship is historic for women in New York state politics. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Cuomo’s fall, Hochul’s rise: Sexual harassment scandal brings New York its first female governor

After corroborated sexual harassment allegations that led to Andrew Cuomo’s resignation, Kathy Hochul’s ascent to the governorship marks a new era for women in N.Y. state politics.
Gianna Jirak and Rachel Fadem Sep 2, 2021

Kathy Hochul, New York’s first female governor, was sworn in on Aug. 24. She succeeds fellow Democrat Andrew Cuomo, who resigned after a report by the state attorney general’s...

On Tuesday, August 31, at the northeast corner of East Eighth Street and University Pl, a person driving a scooter groped a female NYU student. Since then, two other female NYU students have been sexually assaulted by a passing driver on a scooter. (Staff Photo by Shaina Ahmed)

Students concerned as NYU reports three gropings in two days

On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, the NYU Department of Campus Safety informed students of three sexual assault incidents.
Rachel Cohen and Rachel Fadem Sep 1, 2021

A person on a two-wheeled motorized vehicle groped three female NYU students in the last two days, according to alerts sent from NYU’s Department of Campus Safety to the university...

During the pandemic, the Moses Center provided students with disabilities with helpful accommodations. Students with disabilities appreciated the option of remote learning, but are disappointed that this policy is being phased out as the school returns to in-person instruction. (Photo by Alessia Garcia)

As NYU returns to in-person learning, students with disabilities urge the university to continue offering remote classes

The pandemic demonstrated that NYU is capable of providing academic accommodations. Students with disabilities wonder why these accommodations are no longer available
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Aug 25, 2021

CAS fourth-year Lucia Brinzan took three semesters of medical leave after being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in February 2020. Now, she wants to return to NYU so that she can...

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, the New York attorney general published a report finding that N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. The Student Government Assembly Executive Committee released a statement on Gov. Cuomo’s actions and called for his resignation. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, Photo by Jorene He)

Student government issues statement calling for Cuomo to resign

Shortly after the New York attorney general published a report finding that N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, members of the NYU community, including the Student Government Assembly, called for his resignation.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Aug 9, 2021

On Tuesday, Aug. 3, independent investigators overseen by New York’s attorney general reported that N.Y. Gov. Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women. In the days since, a series...

The NYPD arrested eight people at Washington Square Park on June 27, disrupting the Queer Liberation March. Reclaim Pride Coalition held a press conference to address the events. (Staff Photo by Rachel Fadem)

‘Stalking the celebration’: NYPD clashes disrupt Washington Square Park Pride march

Eight people were arrested at the park on June 27 in a series of incidents widely circulated on social media. Students and park-goers say the heightened police presence makes them feel unsafe.
Rachel Fadem, Deputy News Editor Jul 6, 2021

The Queer Liberation March — a main feature of New York City’s Pride Month events — ended in a state of fear on the night of June 27 after officers of the New York City Police...

The Graduate Student Organizing Committee’s ongoing strike has changed how many students’ academic performance will be evaluated this semester. Once the strike began, professors began telling their students that if the GSOC strike continued into final exams, the format of the exams would be changed. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

How the GSOC strike is impacting finals

With TAs on strike, students are frustrated with professors’ management of final exams.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer May 6, 2021

The Graduate Student Organizing Committee’s ongoing strike has changed how many students’ academic performance will be evaluated this semester. As teaching assistants, graduate...

Signs directing students towards an NYU vaccine clinic decorate the front of Bobst Library. NYU students picked for the vaccine lottery gladly collect their doses.  (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Students vaccinated by NYU report positive, trouble-free experience

Although appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the university remain scarce, students who did manage to secure an appointment say the vaccination process was straightforward.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 28, 2021

NYU has received approximately 1,200 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine each week for the past three weeks, according to University Spokesperson John Beckman and Executive Lead of the...

NYU announced that students planning to return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19.  NYU has begun scheduling vaccine appointments for students, while also encouraging students to get vaccinated at other vaccination sites if available. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

NYU will require COVID-19 vaccines for all in-person students this fall

The university says the requirement will minimize the spread of COVID-19 and allow for a return to in-person activities.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 21, 2021

NYU students planning to return to campus for the Fall 2021 semester will be required to be vaccinated for COVID-19, senior university leadership announced in an April 19 email...

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...

A pop-up stating that the COVID-19 vaccine is required for all active in-person students appeared on the NYU Student Health Center Portal last week. According to the university, this was a mistake and they have yet to decide whether the COVID-19 vaccine will be mandatory for the Fall 2021 semester. (Photo by Ryan Kawahara, Image by Dylan Yen)

COVID-19 vaccine requirement pop-up was an error, NYU administration says

Last week, the Student Health Center listed the COVID-19 vaccine was required for active in-person students. The university claims it was an error.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 15, 2021

On April 8, Global Liberal Studies sophomore Dylan Yen saw a pop-up on the NYU Student Health Center portal stating that the COVID-19 vaccine was required for all in-person students....

Bobst Library is a popular spot on campus for twenty-four hour studying. NYU Libraries is launching a project to make 150,000 books available through SimplyE. (Staff Photo by Taylor Knight)

Students will be able to digitally access 150,000 NYU Libraries books from their phones

A new NYU Libraries program will scan coursebooks, ebooks, reference works and audiobooks and make them accessible for students and faculty on their mobile devices and tablets.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 14, 2021

NYU Libraries launched a pilot project last month to make more than 150,000 books available to faculty and students through SimplyE, a free e-reader app developed by the New York...

The members of the Graduate Student Organizing Committee have voted to authorize a strike. The strike authorization voting period started March 23 and ended April 9, with more than 96% of participating union members voting to approve the potential action. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

GSOC authorizes potential strike

More than 96% of participating union members voted to authorize a graduate student worker strike.
Trace Miller and Rachel Fadem Apr 12, 2021

Members of the Graduate Student Organizing Committee voted to authorize a strike, with 96.4% of participating union members voting to approve the potential action. The results...

Students have previously reported unreliability with NYU Safe Ride. Safe Ride is now switching partners from Academy Bus to Via. (Photo by Veronica Liow)

How will Safe Ride’s partnership with Via affect NYU students?

NYU Transportation Services established the partnership with Via, with the goal of providing a more efficient service with decreased wait and ride times.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 9, 2021

As a sophomore last year, College of Arts and Science junior Daniel Cienava used NYU Safe Ride frequently. Cienava’s worst experience was waiting four hours for a ride at 2 a.m....

NYU Tisch student Farbin Towhid was among six found dead in Texas. Her brother published a letter detailing plans for a murder-suicide for the family of six. (Staff Illustration by Debbie Alalade)

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

Friends, acquaintances and fellow students gathered in Washington Square Park to mourn her passing and share their memories of her.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 7, 2021

Content warning: this article mentions suicide. Dozens of NYU students gathered around the Washington Square Arch on April 6 to remember Tisch first-year Farbin Towhid, who...

There are many ways to smoke weed, including rolling a joint. Marijuana is now legal in New York. (Photo by Alina Patrick)

New York state bill legalizes recreational marijuana

Activists say that the bill, which will also expunge convictions for marijuana possession, aims to address some of the havoc wreaked by the war on drugs.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 2, 2021

Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law to legalize the use of recreational marijuana for individuals aged 21 and older on March 31. The bill also expunged the records of those...

The Washington Square campus has seen its number of cases tripled in a short amount of time. The uptick in cases is most likely due to the combination of the state easing restrictions and NYU students not yet qualifying for the vaccine. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Washington Square campus sees uptick in COVID-19 cases

As New York State and the city open up, university leadership is asking students to avoid indoor gatherings and crowded events amidst a spike in COVID-19 positivity rates.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Apr 1, 2021

In the past two weeks, the rate of new COVID-19 cases at NYU’s Washington Square campus nearly tripled. Between March 18 and March 29, the test positivity rate on a 14-day rolling...

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)

University Senate to vote on Resolution to Mitigate Food Insecurity

The resolution aims to make NYU dining services more affordable and accessible for students facing food insecurity.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Mar 31, 2021

The Resolution to Mitigate Food Insecurity at NYU will appear before the Financial Affairs Committee and University Senate. Proposed changes include smaller meal plans, rollover...

NYU Langone is establishing the Center for Psychedelic Medicine to support research into psychedelic drugs. This center will research hallucinogens for psychedelic treatments. (Photo by Leo Sheingate)

NYU Langone will create a center for research into psychedelic drugs

Made possible from $10 million in funding, the center will research hallucinogens for psychedelic treatments.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Mar 30, 2021

After raising $10 million in donations, NYU Langone Medical Center will establish the Center for Psychedelic Medicine. The Center will be placed under the Department of Psychiatry....

The Metropolitan Museum of Art used to be one of the many New York City museums where NYU students could patronise for free or a reduced price. The Museum Gateway program is now closed, during the same semester when tuition has gone up. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Museum Gateway program is suspended for the semester

As New York City slowly reopens, students and faculty wonder when the university will provide students free access to museums again.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer Mar 12, 2021

NYU’s Museum Gateway program will remain suspended for the rest of the academic year, even though many museums in New York City have reopened to the public. Now, students are...

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