Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
All content by Yezen Saadah
The Soapbox: Medical crisis in the Middle East
The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• October 4, 2024
From Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief:
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• September 30, 2024
NYFF 62 Review: ‘No Other Land’ harrowingly documents displacement
The documentary, created by a Palestinian-Israeli collective, captures just one example of Israel’s systematic assault on occupied Palestinian territories.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• September 30, 2024
Meta suspends NYU PSC’s Instagram account
A university spokesperson said that while NYU did not request the suspension of the account, it did alert Instagram of a post by the People’s Solidarity Coalition which listed armed struggle as an anti-colonial tactic.
Krish Dev and Yezen Saadah
• August 27, 2024
Faculty group to begin service strike on Labor Day
Members of NYU’s Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine will “refuse various forms of labor” until the university fulfills the group’s demands — an ultimatum an NYU spokesperson called “unproductive.”
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• August 26, 2024
Letter from the editor: Welcome to the Washington Square News
As you embark on your academic journey at NYU, trust the Washington Square News to be your most reliable source of all news and culture on and off campus.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• August 7, 2024
NYU reaches ‘confidential settlement’ with students in antisemitism suit
The agreement, which includes the creation of a new Title VI coordinator, marks an end to a nine-month-long lawsuit accusing the university of being indifferent to incidents of antisemitism on campus since the start of the war in Gaza.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• July 9, 2024
Georgina Dopico appointed NYU’s next provost after 2 years as interim
The appointment marks the end of a seven-month international search for a new provost.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• June 18, 2024
NYU Langone CEO Robert Grossman and board chair Kenneth Langone to retire next year
The medical center will conduct a national search for a new CEO, who will succeed Grossman in August 2025.
Dharma Niles and Yezen Saadah
• June 14, 2024
NYU Langone terminates nurse after speech about ‘current genocide in Gaza’
The labor and delivery nurse was fired after saying women in Gaza are “going through unimaginable losses” in an acceptance speech for a compassionate care award.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• May 29, 2024
Faculty group threatens NYU with service strike if demands are not met by fall
A representative for Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine said the university has until Aug. 1 to fulfill the group’s demands, which include the removal of police from campus and pardoning students and faculty facing disciplinary action for their involvement in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• May 24, 2024
Human rights scholar Martha Minow on civil rights, race and gender at commencement
Martha Minow, the former dean of Harvard Law School, delivered this year’s commencement address, during which she highlighted the importance of fighting social injustice and inequality.
Yezen Saadah, Editor-in-Chief
• May 15, 2024
2024 commencement exercises begin at Yankee Stadium
The ceremony comes amid heightened tensions between the university’s administration and pro-Palestinian protesters, and follows cancellations of commencement ceremonies at Columbia University and the University of Southern California.
Bruna Horvath, Carmo Moniz, Dharma Niles and Yezen Saadah
• May 15, 2024
NYU allegedly drops charges against protesters arrested at Gould Plaza
A legal representative for student and faculty protesters also challenged NYU’s report of the number of arrests carried out by police at the encampment.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• May 13, 2024
9 students facing suspension after Bobst demonstration, PSC says
The NYU Palestine Solidarity Coalition also said two students were given persona non grata status on campus after pro-Palestinian demonstrators chanted and held up signs in the library’s lobby.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• May 12, 2024
Hundreds call for cease-fire in Gaza at citywide march
The march preceded the arrests of protesters at the Fashion Institute of Technology’s pro-Palestinian encampment, the last such demonstration on a campus in New York City.
Dharma Niles and Yezen Saadah
• May 8, 2024
Pro-Palestinian groups say disciplinary charges brought against student protesters
The NYU Palestine Solidarity Coalition, along with several other pro-Palestinian groups on campus, said the university had begun disciplinary hearings for student protesters.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• May 7, 2024
Over 5,000 alumni demand NYU remove police from campus, meet protesters’ demands
The group of alumni criticized President Linda Mills’ decision to involve police at two pro-Palestinian encampment protests on campus in the last few weeks.
Dharma Niles and Yezen Saadah
• May 5, 2024
Postdoc terminated after taking down hostage posters
Dozens of faculty have signed open letters criticizing the university’s decision to fire Darren King, a postdoctoral instructor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.
Adrianna Nehme and Yezen Saadah
• April 30, 2024
Protesters set up Gaza Solidarity Encampment outside Paulson Center
The encampment is the second to be organized on campus, after the first was swept by police Monday evening.
Adrianna Nehme, Carmo Moniz, Mariapaula Gonzalez and Yezen Saadah
• April 26, 2024
Mills avoids topic of encampment arrests at University Senate
At the University Senate’s most recent meeting, student leaders also suggested an alternative way forward for the student government’s resolution on protecting pro-Palestinian speech, which President Linda Mills appeared to dismiss.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• April 26, 2024
Faculty condemn NYU response to encampment in letters to admins
Dozens of faculty in multiple university departments and at NYU’s School of Law signed letters criticizing the university’s authorization of arrests at Monday’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• April 25, 2024
‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ becomes site of mass arrest at NYU
WSN photographers documented protest and police activity from early morning to late in the evening on Monday, the day the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” was set up in Gould Plaza.
Krish Dev, Manasa Gudavalli, Emily Genova, Yezen Saadah, Matt Petres, Julia Smerling, Lianna O’Grady, Jason Alpert-Wisnia and Samson Tu
• April 23, 2024
Mills breaks silence 15 hours after start of ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’
NYU president Linda Mills criticized protesters in her first statement regarding the encampment, issued alongside Campus Safety head Fountain Walker.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• April 23, 2024
Dozens arrested after NYU authorizes NYPD to sweep Gould Plaza
NYU asked the New York City Police Department to remove protesters from Gould Plaza and take action “accordingly up to and including arrest” in a letter on Monday.
Carmo Moniz and Yezen Saadah
• April 23, 2024
Students and faculty set up pro-Palestinian encampment at Gould Plaza
The demonstration follows similar encampments at Columbia University and Yale University, where student protesters have been arrested.
Adrianna Nehme, Carmo Moniz, Mariapaula Gonzalez, Yezen Saadah and Dharma Niles
• April 22, 2024
‘Symbolic and celebratory’: NYU places No. 1 in D-III winter standings
Following a rather successful winter season, the university is now at the top of the 269 Division III programs across the country.
Jonathan Mak and Yezen Saadah
• April 18, 2024
Former employee suing NYU Langone for disability discrimination
The employee said she was fired after requesting leave due to a breast cancer diagnosis.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• April 11, 2024
Photo: NYU Law drops to No. 9 in U.S. News rankings
April 10, 2024
Photo: Ramadan through the eyes of NYU students
April 1, 2024
Inside the Boxd: ‘Maestro,’ ‘The Banshees of Inisherin,’ ‘Valhalla Rising’ and ‘Mulholland Drive’
Inside the Boxd is a weekly column documenting WSN staffers’ recent film reviews on Letterboxd. Grab some popcorn and get that watchlist ready!
Anna Baird-Hassell, Emily Genova, Mick Gaw and Yezen Saadah
• March 29, 2024
Review: Netflix’s ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ is rough, buddy
The live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” rarely ever excels as a shot-for-shot remake of the popular cartoon, ultimately frustrating longtime fans of the original.
Carmo Moniz and Yezen Saadah
• March 15, 2024
NYU Langone lawsuit over use of purple in competing advertisements dismissed
A New York court dismissed NYU Langone Health’s “confusing” lawsuit against Northwell Health, which accused the medical center of deceiving patients by using a similar shade of purple in its advertisements.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• March 5, 2024
Off the Radar: Feminism, race and gender in ‘The Big City’
Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “The Big City” is available to stream on Kanopy and Max.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• February 16, 2024
The Soapbox: Agriculture in Europe
The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• February 9, 2024
Staff Rants: New beginnings or old complaints?
WSN staff shares their thoughts on the beginning of the 2024 spring semester.
Julia Diorio, Molly Koch, Abi Rivera, Yezen Saadah, Ania Keenan, Mick Gaw, Carmo Moniz and Krish Dev
• January 30, 2024
Faculty member robbed near Washington Square Park
A professor was punched and robbed by two individuals near Washington Square Park, after attempting to run away from the suspects.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy Managing Editor
• January 27, 2024
Clerical and technical workers deliver petition for higher wages to Mills
Dozens of NYU’s clerical and technical staff met at Bobst Library yesterday to deliver a petition to President Linda Mills, calling for higher wages and increased benefits in their union’s new contract with the university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• December 14, 2023
FJP claims NYU ‘forced’ pro-Palestinian students to relocate teach-in
In a letter to administrators, NYU’s chapter of Faculty for Justice in Palestine accused the university of “shutting down” a teach-in planned by a group of graduate students.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• December 11, 2023
Student sexually assaulted outside Alumni Hall
The student was walking into the residence hall when an unidentified suspect “grabbed their buttocks,” according to a Campus Safety email sent to the NYU community earlier this evening.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• December 10, 2023
GSOC accuses NYU of canceling pro-Palestinian events, criticizes disciplinary action
NYU’s graduate student union claimed the university has targeted students and workers for promoting pro-Palestinian speech in a statement in response to the university’s recent student conduct report.
Adrianna Nehme and Yezen Saadah
• December 5, 2023
NYU releases report on student conduct since start of Israel-Hamas war
In a universitywide email sent yesterday, NYU announced that there have been several student conduct cases since the start of the war, with some students being suspended in cases “related to current concerns.”
Bruna Horvath and Yezen Saadah
• December 1, 2023
NYU facing discrimination lawsuit from conservative legal group
An anonymous first-year student at NYU Law filed a lawsuit against the university, accusing the school’s Law Review of discriminating against students on the basis of race and sex, and violating federal law.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• December 1, 2023
Israeli alumni suspend ‘any cooperation’ with NYU over handling of antisemitism on campus
In a letter sent to President Linda Mills and Board of Trustees chair Evan Chesler on Tuesday, the NYU Alumni Club of Israel announced it will suspend “any cooperation or affiliation” with the university until it takes specific action against antisemitism on campus.
Adrianna Nehme and Yezen Saadah
• November 23, 2023
Doctor sues NYU Langone for unlawful termination after Israel-Hamas war-related posts
The lawsuit, filed by the former director of NYU Langone Health’s Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Cancer Center, also accused the medical center of religious discrimination.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• November 20, 2023
NYU to establish center for antisemitism studies with million-dollar donation
The university announced it will establish a Center for the Study of Antisemitism, set to open in the fall 2024 semester. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions over the Israel-Hamas war on campus.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• November 16, 2023
Student gov’t proposals call on NYU to condemn on-campus support for terrorism and protect pro-Palestinian speech
The two resolutions were proposed at a student government meeting, with one demanding that NYU leadership protect pro-Palestinian speech and another condemning on-campus support for terrorism amid the Israel-Hamas war.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• November 10, 2023
Lockdown lifted after shots fired near Tandon
The university reported that shots were fired near its Brooklyn campus Monday afternoon before issuing an all-clear in an emergency alert to the NYU community. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Carmo Moniz and Yezen Saadah
• November 6, 2023
Dorm intruder caught at Third North, escorted to nearby hospital
A trespasser unaffiliated with NYU bypassed security and entered an unlocked dorm at Third Avenue North residence hall Sunday night before being removed from the scene by police and Campus Safety officers.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 30, 2023
Staff Rants: Spooky season
Our staff shares their thoughts on Halloween.
Molly Koch, Krish Dev, Julia Diorio, Yezen Saadah, Kevin Wu, Nikkala Kovacevic, Abi Rivera, Naisha Roy and Ania Keenan
• October 27, 2023
NYU announces uptick in Campus Safety and NYPD presence, addresses safety concerns
In an email to students yesterday morning, NYU president Linda Mills announced an increase in Campus Safety and police presence on campus to combat students’ safety concerns amid growing tensions over the Israel-Hamas war.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 26, 2023
Students and faculty hold sudden pro-Palestine demonstration in Bobst
The protesters, who are members of Students for Justice in Palestine and the recently-formed Faculty for Justice in Palestine, also called for NYU’s study abroad site in Tel Aviv to be shut down.
Carmo Moniz and Yezen Saadah
• October 20, 2023
The Soapbox: Journalism crisis in the Middle East
The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 20, 2023
Students call on Mills to publicly address Palestinian deaths in Israel-Hamas conflict
On-campus student groups wrote a letter in response to NYU president Linda Mills’ recent universitywide statement on the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying it neglected Palestinian students.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 16, 2023
NYFF 61 Review: ‘Poor Things’ comedically and hauntingly explores self-liberation
Yorgos Lanthimos’ newest film is a dark comedy featuring breathtaking production design and stellar ensemble. “Poor Things” is screening at the 61st New York Film Festival on Oct. 12 and Oct. 15.
Mick Gaw and Yezen Saadah
• October 12, 2023
Mills responds to recent Hamas and Israeli attacks
Students at NYU’s Tel Aviv program sheltered amid recent airstrike and rocket attacks from the Israeli military and a militant group in the Gaza Strip, before embarking on a trip to Abu Dhabi.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 8, 2023
NYFF 61 Review: The intersection of masculinity and dispossession in ‘The Dupes’
A restoration of “The Dupes” by Egyptian filmmaker Tewfik Saleh will hold its North American premiere at the 61st New York Film Festival on Friday, Oct. 6.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 6, 2023
NYU facing gender discrimination lawsuit, upcoming trial
A gender discrimination case brought by a former physician against NYU is slated to go to trial in the next few months.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 5, 2023
Chief investment officer steps down after 8 years
NYU’s chief investment officer of eight years officially resigned on Saturday to pursue “another opportunity” outside the university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 2, 2023
NYFF 61 Review: ‘The Boy and the Heron’ and the relationship between loss and discovery
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film recently premiered at the 61st New York Film Festival in Film at Lincoln Center.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• October 2, 2023
Staff Rants: School-life balance
As the semester starts to kick in, the WSN staff shares their experiences with balancing — or at least trying to balance — their academic and social lives.
Molly Koch, Abi Rivera, Nikkala Kovacevic, Valentina Plevisani, Andrea Lui, Krish Dev, Yezen Saadah and Naisha Roy
• September 29, 2023
Course assistants to receive $1.7 million in missing back pay
NYU recently finalized a yearslong grievance with its graduate student union, which demanded over $1 million in backdated hourly pay for hundreds of course assistants.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• September 21, 2023
Off the Radar: ‘Bicycle Thieves’ blurs the lines between fiction and reality
Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Bicycle Thieves” is available to stream on Max and Kanopy.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• September 15, 2023
Photo: NYU Grossman buys luxury apartment building for $210 million
September 11, 2023
NYU Langone facing disability discrimination lawsuit
A former NYU Langone patient accused the hospital and another medical center of unlawfully failing to provide her a sign language interpreter while she was in labor.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• September 8, 2023
Review: Kubrick’s ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ terrifyingly depicts human ingenuity
The science fiction masterpiece recently screened at the Paris Theater as a part of its “Big & Loud” series.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• September 7, 2023
New School student workers fighting for union recognition
Hundreds of non-unionized student workers at the university are calling for recognition under its student worker union.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• September 6, 2023
Photo: NYU leading initiative for migrants seeking asylum
September 6, 2023
Summer recap: What you missed at NYU over the last few months
Linda Mills’ appointment as university president, the U.S. Supreme Court’s strike down of race-sensitive college admissions and more news you missed from over summer break.
Adrianna Nehme, Bruna Horvath, Krish Dev, Maisie Zipfel and Yezen Saadah
• September 5, 2023
‘A step backwards’: NYU leadership on Supreme Court affirmative action ruling
The university said it remains committed to promoting diversity on campus following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision against the use of affirmative action in college admissions.
Bruna Horvath and Yezen Saadah
• July 3, 2023
‘Life is a marathon, not a sprint’: Goldman Sachs CEO at Stern graduation
Thousands gathered at Madison Square Garden on Friday to celebrate this year’s graduating class of NYU’s Stern School of Business.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• May 19, 2023
2023 Commencement: Hamilton’s goodbye, a speech from Finland’s prime minister and more
Outgoing NYU president Andrew Hamilton gave his final send-off to the class of 2023 in his last commencement ceremony as the university’s leader.
Bruna Horvath and Yezen Saadah
• May 17, 2023
‘I see unity’: Hamilton at Gallatin graduation
In one of many school-specific graduation ceremonies at NYU this week, friends, family, faculty and administrators came together to honor the Gallatin School of Individualized Study’s class of 2023.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• May 16, 2023
Stern community holds vigil for students killed in Puerto Rico
Students and faculty at NYU’s Stern School of Business attended a vigil and memorial service for two students who were killed in Puerto Rico last week.
Carmo Moniz and Yezen Saadah
• May 12, 2023
‘They’re filthy’: Tisch adjuncts raise concerns over tiny teaching spaces
Adjunct professors at Tisch delivered a petition to the school’s dean on Tuesday, after months of calling on NYU to provide them with new practice rooms due to health and safety concerns.
Adrianna Nehme, Abby Wilson and Yezen Saadah
• May 5, 2023
Adjuncts at odds with current union leaders in run-up to internal election
A number of adjunct professors unsatisfied with union leadership will run for executive positions within NYU’s adjunct union, citing lackluster communication from current leadership.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• May 4, 2023
NYU course assistants demand $1.3 million in missing back pay
The university’s graduate student union is calling on NYU to compensate course assistants for back pay included in a summer 2022 settlement.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 27, 2023
NYU Law dean confronts protesters for heckling Israeli politician
Dozens of pro-Palestine students protested an event hosted at NYU Law last Thursday that featured an Israeli politician.
Ania Keenan and Yezen Saadah
• April 24, 2023
The Soapbox: French pension reform, drought in Spain, migration in Italy
The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 21, 2023
Off the Radar: ‘PlayTime’ and the baffling nature of industrialization
Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “PlayTime” is available to stream on Kanopy and will screen at Film at Lincoln Center on April 16.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 14, 2023
NYU Law students protest LexisNexis contract with ICE
Law students from NYU and Columbia University demonstrated outside the Park Avenue headquarters of the data brokering company to demand that it end its contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 11, 2023
Hundreds protest Israeli mosque raid at Times Square
Members of NYU’s Students for Justice in Palestine joined a crowd that gathered on Saturday to protest the Israeli military’s recent raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 11, 2023
The Soapbox: Tension in Palestine, Indigenous representation in Australia, migrant housing in the UK
The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 7, 2023
NYU drops antisemitism charge against grad student
A graduate student worker who lost her on-campus job and was charged with counts of vandalism and antisemitism after writing on a discarded mailbag will be rehired by the university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 7, 2023
NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing appoints new dean
NYU announced that Angela Amar, an accomplished nursing educator, will take over as dean of the university’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing this summer.
Bruna Horvath, Carmo Moniz and Yezen Saadah
• April 7, 2023
NYU Langone opens new medical center in Brooklyn
The new center, which adds a second Langone emergency department in Brooklyn, is expected to provide care for over 200,000 patients each year.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• April 3, 2023
The Soapbox: Argentina’s economy, Italy to ban lab-grown foods, UAE royalty
The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN covering major news developments at NYU’s campuses and study away sites abroad. Global consciousness for a global university.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor
• March 31, 2023
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