Victor Porcelli, News Editor
All content by Victor Porcelli
Always in Action, Never in the Spotlight
Jon Chin is a martial arts instructor, English teacher, poet and computer programmer — but his biggest impact at NYU has been the Share Meals app.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• December 5, 2019
Student Government’s Semester-in-Review
This semester, NYU’s Student Government Assembly emphasized constituency outreach through town halls, diversity in Alternate Senator at-Large positions and more.
Ishaan Parmar and Victor Porcelli
• December 2, 2019
Upstein Improves to ‘A’ Final Health Inspection Grade
In October, Upstein Food Court failed a preliminary health inspection, but has since received an A.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• December 2, 2019
Former Langone Doctor Accused of Soliciting Sex From Minor
A gynecologist at the hospital was fired after being charged with having sex with a 14-year-old boy.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• November 25, 2019
NYU Is Sustainable, When It Makes Money
Cecil Scheib rides bikes, uses meal swipes (his favorite dining hall is Downstein) and tries to convince NYU administrators that sustainability matters. It works — if sustainability means saving money, too.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• November 25, 2019
Staff Rants and Raves: Transportation
We’re all going places in some way or another. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.
Bella Gil, Ethan Zack, Victor Porcelli, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Alexandria Johnson, Lauren Gruber and Lisa Cochran
• November 20, 2019
Unexpected Charges Leave Students Distrustful of Courtesy Meals Program
Some of those who used the Courtesy Meals Program found funds from their financial aid redistributed to go toward its costs.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• November 11, 2019
Med School Renamed NYU Grossman School of Medicine
The college will now be called NYU Robert I. Grossman School of Medicine after NYU Langone Health’s CEO, who is also the dean of the school.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• November 11, 2019
Stern Alumnus Pleads Guilty to Insider Trading
Former Stern Student Council President Bill Tsai, who was charged with insider trading this summer, pleaded guilty to the offense.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• November 11, 2019
Staff Rants and Raves: NYU Facilities
NYU owns a lot of property, from residence halls with no heat to libraries that block out the sun to dining halls that can’t pass inspections. Read what our staff has to say about NYU’s campus.
Bela Kirpalani, Victor Porcelli, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Sam Klein, Bella Gil, Ishaan Parmar and Alexandria Johnson
• November 8, 2019
Graduate Students Protest NYU’s Continued Employment of Professor Who Sexually Harassed a Student
The protest was held outside of Bobst Library by NYU’s graduate student union, which has continued to demand that NYU fire German and comparative literature professor Avital Ronell.
Victor Porcelli and Mina Mohammadi
• November 5, 2019
Upstein Fails Preliminary Health Inspection for Mostly Non-Food Violations
In a press release listing dining halls that received A’s on their inspections, NYU failed to mention Upstein’s 40-point C.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• November 1, 2019
Often A Barrier, Incarceration Led These Six Students to NYU Degrees
For the third year in a row, students from Wallkill Correctional Facility graduated with associates’ degrees from NYU through its Prison Education Program.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• October 29, 2019
More Meals, Fewer Dining Dollars, Same In-Person Request System Following Food Insecurity Program Change
The Courtesy Meals Program is set to go from providing 75 Dining Dollars to 25 Dining Dollars and five meal swipes to students struggling to afford consistent meals.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• October 23, 2019
Palladium Health Inspection Grade Improves From C to B
Palladium Food Court failed a health inspection in September. After a Department of Health tribunal review, its grade improved to a B.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• October 21, 2019
International Students Face Increasing Difficulties Staying in the US, NYU Says in Letter to Congress
NYU and 57 other New York colleges signed a letter to the state’s congressional delegates asking for help in dealing with visa processing delays and other issues international students are facing.
Julia Santiago and Victor Porcelli
• October 21, 2019
Student Government Urges Mayor to Close Rikers Island, Open No New Jails
Student government released a statement in solidarity with No New Jails NYC, a prison abolitionist group.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• October 4, 2019
Palladium Fails Health Inspection
Less than a month into NYU’s first semester with new dining provider Chartwells, a dining hall has failed an inspection.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• October 1, 2019
Graduate Student Union Claps Back at NYU on Return of Professor Who Sexually Harassed Student
The Graduate Student Organizing Committee said NYU provided an inadequate response to its demands that the professor be fired.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 30, 2019
Administrators and Students to Work Together Toward Sustainability
A student government committee was created at the end of last semester to continue the work of NYU’s Sustainability Working Group.
Miliana Bocher and Victor Porcelli
• September 30, 2019
Shots Fired Near Broadway and West 3rd, No Injuries Reported
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 27, 2019
Student Government Address Diversity Through Alternate Senator at-Large Positions
The Student Senators Council has reached out to clubs and organizations representing minorities to encourage students to apply.
Ishaan Parmar and Victor Porcelli
• September 27, 2019
Shots Fired Near Tandon, No Injuries Reported
One suspect is in custody and another is at large.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 26, 2019
First Public Document on Board of Trustees Meetings Released
Months after their last meeting, the Board of Trustees published its summary, which is intended as an act of good faith towards greater transparency.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 19, 2019
Students of Controversial Journalist Lauren Duca File Complaint to NYU
Lauren Duca’s meditation breaks, oversharing and tweet requirements were not well-received by the students of her six-week summer course.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 17, 2019
Hong Kong Unrest Arouses Anger, Fear in Students Away From Home
Massive protests, some of which have turned violent, have been going on in Hong Kong for months — students from the city have different feelings on the matter.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 16, 2019
Student Government’s To-Do’s: Improve Resources, Help Connect Students With Them
New Student Government Assembly Chairperson Jakiyah Bradley said she wants SGA to be more accessible to students this academic year.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 16, 2019
Steinhardt Name to Stay Despite Allegations of Sexual Harassment
Michael Steinhardt was accused of sexual harassment in May, and a university investigation found he had made inappropriate remarks to members of the NYU community.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 12, 2019
Staff Rants & Raves: Textures
Some things are fun to touch, and some things aren’t — it’s not too complicated. Let our staff tell you why.
Lauren Gruber, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Victor Porcelli, Melanie Pineda, Abby Hofstetter, Kaylee DeFreitas and Sam Brinton
• September 11, 2019
Some Students Welcome Ronell’s Return, Others Denounce It
Despite a Title IX investigation finding Professor Avital Ronell sexually harassed a student — for which some have called on NYU to fire her — many students sought out her first class back from a one-year suspension.
Lisa Cochran and Victor Porcelli
• September 9, 2019
NYU Responds to GSOC Petition that Avital Ronell be Fired
The graduate student union called on NYU to fire the professor who was found to have sexually harassed a student.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 6, 2019
Cheaper Sushi, No More Burger Studio and Other Dining Changes
After 43 years of Aramark as its dining service provider — and dealing with controversies associated with the company — NYU has switched to Chartwells, and the new company is changing things up.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 5, 2019
NYU Center Finds Chinatown Jail Proposal Puts Seniors’ Health at Risk
A study done by NYU’s Center for the Study of Asian American Health found that construction of a jail as part of a 10-year plan to close Rikers Island could seriously harm the health of local seniors.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• September 3, 2019
First-Years Feel Unprepared for NYU Academics After Welcome Week
One week into their NYU careers, first-years told WSN that Welcome Week’s emphasis on events designed for mingling left them unsure of what to expect from their upcoming classes.
Victor Porcelli, Claire Jones and
• September 3, 2019
Italian Princess Sues NYU For Billion-Dollar Art Collection
The granddaughter of Sir Arthur Acton, who, along with his wife, owned an extensive art collection left to NYU by their son, is now suing the university for it.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• August 24, 2019
2018 Stern Grad Arrested for Insider Trading
A former Stern Student Council President was recently arrested after using non-public information to his advantage in the stock market.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• August 24, 2019
NYU Shanghai to Double Size With New Campus in 2022
A campus will be built at NYU Shanghai that will allow for an additional 4,000 students to enroll at the global site.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• August 24, 2019
Graduate Student Union Demands NYU Fire Professor Who Sexually Harassed A Student
Professor Avital Ronell was suspended for a year for sexual harassing a student and is set to come back to NYU this fall. The Graduate Student Organizing Committee does not think a one-year suspension was enough and is calling for NYU to fire Ronell.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• May 27, 2019
President Hamilton Denounces GSAS Commencement Speaker’s Praise of BDS
A speaker at the Graduate School of Arts and Science commencement applauded efforts by student groups NYU Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice For Peace to boycott Israel. NYU President Andrew Hamilton released a statement condemning the speaker’s choice to do so.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• May 24, 2019
Hamilton Recaps NYU’s Progress in Science
In a letter to the NYU community, President Andrew Hamilton announced a new Department of Bioengineering and went over ways the university’s science programs have improved.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• May 9, 2019
Uber and Lyft Drivers Strike Over Poor Working Conditions
At a rally outside of the ride-hailing companies’ Long Island City offices, drivers demanded fare regulation and employee rights ahead of Uber’s IPO on Friday.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• May 9, 2019
Transgender Students’ Deadnames Placed on Kimmel Steps, NYU Begins to Address the Issue
The names were placed on Kimmel’s stairs to thank seniors who donated to the 1831 fund. After complaints by transgender students, the university has offered to replace the names of any affected seniors.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• May 8, 2019
Over 2,000 People Sign Petition Against Boycott of NYU Tel Aviv
An NYU rabbi started a petition voicing opposition to a resolution by the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis pledging noncooperation with the study away site.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• May 6, 2019
Use of Program for Food-Insecure Students Spikes This Academic Year
Almost 2,000 students used a food insecurity program this year, up from a few dozen in previous semesters.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• May 6, 2019
Department of Social and Cultural Analysis Pledges Noncooperation With NYU Tel Aviv
Citing entry restrictions imposed by the Israeli government, the SCA department voted to boycott NYU Tel Aviv on Thursday.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• May 2, 2019
President Hamilton in WSJ Op-Ed: ‘Had It Been up to Me, SJP Would Not Have Received the Award’
Hamilton wrote in response to another Wall Street Journal op-ed, which claimed the university allowed anti-Semitism on its campus.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• April 30, 2019
Student Allegations of Anti-Semitism at NYU Gain National Attention
In a complaint filed to the Department of Education, Gallatin senior Adela Cojab alleges that NYU has allowed anti-Semitism to spread on campus.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• April 29, 2019
LS Expands First-Year Away Program to Madrid, Steinhardt Adds FYA Program in Paris
In an interview with WSN, LS Dean Julie Mostov discussed the college’s plans to add another first-year away site in Madrid and how Steinhardt plans to start the program, as well.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• April 26, 2019
‘Human Rights at NYU’ Resolution Narrowly Struck Down in University Senate
The resolution, originally inspired by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, called for NYU to divest from companies associated with human rights violations.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• April 25, 2019
Over Half of Student Government Candidates Ran Unopposed
In the recent student government elections, more candidates ran unopposed than not. The newly elected presidents of Tisch and Stern told WSN this may be due to a lack of participation in and awareness of student government.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• April 22, 2019
Tech Week Starts With the Question: Is AI Ethical?
Hosted by Tech@NYU, Tech Week’s first event on Monday discussed how Artificial Intelligence can feed into systematic discrimination, while Tuesday’s event delved into how product management led to the creation of an app for first responders to disaster-stricken areas.
Victor Porcelli and Mansee Khurana
• April 19, 2019
President Hamilton Didn’t Attend President’s Service Awards
In a deviation from previous years, President Hamilton did not attend the President’s Service Awards, where several students and groups, including SJP, were being honored.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• April 17, 2019
BDS Movement Co-Founder, Set to Speak at NYU, Denied Entry to US
Student activists are urging the university to condemn the U.S. government’s actions.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• April 15, 2019
University Student Leaders Share Ways to Combat Campus Food Insecurity
In the fifth edition of the Virtual Hunger Dialogues, leaders from universities across the country talked food insecurity coalitions, surveys and awareness.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• April 11, 2019
NYU Names Poet Elizabeth Alexander as 2019 Commencement Speaker
The poet who spoke at former President Barack Obama’s inauguration will speak at the 2019 commencement ceremony.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• April 8, 2019
What It Means for NYUAD to Be Fully Funded by the UAE
WSN explains the most important facts found in the last nine years of NYU Abu Dhabi’s tax returns.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• April 7, 2019
Hamilton Highlights International, Study Away Wellness at Town Hall
Student and administrator panelists discussed wellness at NYU, focusing on the difficulties students experiencing different cultures may face.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• April 2, 2019
Continue the Fight 50 Years After Stonewall, Activists Urge
A variety of LGBTQ activists said it is important to maintain an adversarial relationship with those in power who do not support equality.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• April 2, 2019
Student Government Elections, Explained
Starting Monday, an election portal for certain positions in student government will open — here’s a guide to what that means.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 31, 2019
NYU Acceptance Rate Drops to 16 Percent for the Class of 2023
The Class of 2023 will be the most selective and diverse class yet.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• March 28, 2019
Veterans Graduate 12-Week Tandon Entrepreneurship Class
Forty-one veterans and spouses of veterans have completed a class designed to help them pursue self-owned businesses.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 28, 2019
University Confirms Aramark Out, Chartwells In
The university will be prioritizing continuing employment, among other things, as it looks to transition to the new dining service provider.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 27, 2019
Aramark Will Not Be NYU’s Dining Service Provider After July, Employees Say
The controversial food service provider’s contract has not been renewed, according to multiple employees of the company.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• March 25, 2019
Journalist Harassed by Far-Right Will Teach How to Report on It
Talia Lavin, who has received death threats from members of the far-right for a past tweet, will teach a course at NYU in the fall.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 24, 2019
Jewish Students Push for Religious Holidays Off
In a letter to the university — with the support of the Student Government Assembly — a student asked for the days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur off.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 24, 2019
NYU Athletics Received $338,379 From Charity Linked to College Admissions Scandal
The university’s athletic department received donations from the charity associated with the recent college admissions scandal.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• March 15, 2019
Natalia Bell | Sparking Change in Film
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 14, 2019
Students Hold Silver Accountable in Wake of Racist Email
The Silver School of Social Work will be adding training for faculty and incoming students and hiring an external consultant to address issues of racism in the school.
Lachlan Hyatt and Victor Porcelli
• March 11, 2019
Board of Trustees to Publish Summaries of Meetings in 2019
The most powerful body within NYU has made steps towards greater transparency.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 6, 2019
Homeless Man Removed From Outside Alumni
A man experiencing homelessness who had pitched a tent and laid out a scroll near a residence hall was forcibly taken to a psychiatric facility by police.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 4, 2019
Why Haven’t Students Heard of the University Senate?
The University Senate passed 31 resolutions in the last eight years, minutes from their meetings show.
Victor Porcelli and Mansee Khurana
• March 4, 2019
NYU Student Takes Own Life in Residence Hall
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• March 3, 2019
A Look at the Terms That Built NYUAD
A 2007 provost’s report offered an in-depth look into the initial negotiations between NYU and Abu Dhabi.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• February 25, 2019
NYU to Offer New Journalism Minor
NYU’s journalism program announced that it will soon offer a minor in journalism, with tracks in print and online as well as broadcast and multimedia journalism.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• February 22, 2019
Amazon Backs Out of Long Island City Deal
One student, a native of Queens, had conflicting feelings about the deal that would directly impact his decision concerning post-graduation housing.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• February 20, 2019
Hedges Encourages Reflection on NYUAD
WSN spoke with formerly imprisoned U.K. academic Matthew Hedges and his wife Daniela Tejada over academic freedom in the UAE and at NYUAD.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• February 19, 2019
Silver Releases Statement Addressing Racist Email
Following scrutiny after a graduate student tweeted a racist email a classmate sent, Silver School of Social Work issued out a statement condemning the incident.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• February 15, 2019
Letter In Support of Graduate Students Passes on Student Government Floor
Student Government came out in support of graduate students whose healthcare costs were affected by a university decision to consolidate two plans.
Victor Porcelli and Jared Peraglia
• February 15, 2019
Posters Vandalized at Second Street
A breakdown of crimes reported to NYU Public Safety from Feb. 2 to 6.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• February 11, 2019
Unpacking the Graduate Student-NYU Healthcare Conflict
NYU explained in a recent statement to WSN why it lied about needing to consolidate graduate student healthcare plans.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• February 11, 2019
NYU Lies to Graduate Students About Healthcare Plan
NYU repeatedly claimed a State agency required them to consolidate two healthcare plans, a claim refuted by the agency in a statement to WSN.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• February 4, 2019
Ta-Nehisi Coates Talks Politics at NYU Law
Journalist and author Ta-Nehisi Coates compared his newfound understanding of the #MeToo movement to white people’s’ understanding of civil rights issues after reading his writing.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• February 1, 2019
Legal Weed Won’t Reach NYU
Despite state politicians suggesting that marijuana reform may come to New York, NYU will not change its current policy against the drug, the university says.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• January 30, 2019
Photo: ‘Shark’ Mark Cuban Bites Into Stern Entrepreneurs
January 30, 2019
Government Shutdown Forces Mock Trial to Cancel Invitational
NYU’s mock trial team hosts a prestigious invitational every year — except this one.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• January 29, 2019
NYU Discusses Dining Providers, Food Insecurity Before Winter Break
The bidding committee heard Aramark’s and Compass Group’s presentations and discussed food insecurity in December.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• January 28, 2019
Food Insecurity Program Assisted Over 1,000 Students Last Semester
After the end of the fall semester, WSN obtained data on the usage of the courtesy meals program.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• January 28, 2019
Government Shutdown Could Affect Over 1,000 Students’ Financial Aid
Due to the government shutdown, students who are required to provide additional verification to receive financial aid may have a harder time.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• January 22, 2019
NYU Graduate Killed In Kenya Terrorist Attack
A terrorist attack on a hotel complex in Nairobi resulted in the death of over a dozen people, including an NYU alumnus.
Victor Porcelli, News Editor
• January 20, 2019
NYU Law Faces Backlash After Eliminating Alumni From Listserv
A petition by an NYU Law alumnus to keep the current listserv has garnered over 180 signatures from students and alumni.
Victor Porcelli and Meghna Maharishi
• January 16, 2019
University Receives Over 84,000 Applications for Class of 2023
Applications to the university have increased for the 12th year in a row.
Meghna Maharishi and Victor Porcelli
• January 7, 2019
University Releases Statement Opposing BDS Resolution
NYU spoke out against a resolution less than a week after it was passed by student government and before it reached the University Senate.
Victor Porcelli, Deputy News Editor
• December 11, 2018
Student Government Passes BDS Resolution After Shouts, Screams and Snaps
Student Senators passed a resolution that would have NYU divest from three companies associated with the Israeli government and institute a “socially responsible” investment policy.
Victor Porcelli, Deputy News Editor
• December 6, 2018
Student Government to Vote on BDS Resolution Today
Six students for and against the resolution will voice their thoughts before a vote by secret ballot.
Victor Porcelli, Deputy News Editor
• December 6, 2018
Realize Israel Video Says Jewish Students Feel ‘Threatened, Attacked’
With an upcoming vote in NYU’s student government on a resolution that has been associated with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, pro-Israel feels under attack.
Victor Porcelli, Deputy News Editor
• December 5, 2018
Dharma Niles, News Editor • October 4, 2024
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief • October 4, 2024
Julia Diorio, Arts Editor • October 4, 2024
Ellie DaSilva, Contributing Writer • October 4, 2024