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 Alex Tey.

Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large

Alex Tey was previously WSN’s editor-in-chief. She is now at large. Watch out!

All content by Alex Tey
Protesters set up tents at NYU's first Gaza Solidarity Encampment on Gould Plaza. (Krish Dev for WSN)

Top NYU trustee calls for FBI action on protests

William Berkley suggested that outside actors had planned pro-Palestinian encampments at New York City colleges, urging “the FBI and terrorist monitoring groups” to take action on a recent Zoom call with a centrist political organization.
Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large May 6, 2024

NYU trustee and insurance billionaire William Berkley called for federal law enforcement to take action against pro-Palestinian student protesters on a Zoom call with the centrist...

Paulson Center lobby focusing on a white sign that says “TO ENHANCE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE N.Y.U. COMMUNITY, A N.Y.U. I.D. IS TEMPORARILY REQUIRED FOR ACCESS.”

NYU’s Paulson atrium restrictions might violate 2012 legal agreement

University officials insist that the public atrium is not closed — merely temporarily, indefinitely restricted to NYU-only access for security reasons. But potential flaws in their interpretation of a legal document cast doubt on this justification.
Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large April 17, 2024

NYU’s closure of a public space in the Paulson Center likely violates the terms of an agreement with New York City, according to an urban planning expert. Some organizations...

A bird’s eye view of Washington Square Park crowded with protestors holding umbrellas.

Thousands take to Washington Square to protest for cease-fire in Gaza

Nearly five months after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, thousands of protesters gathered at Washington Square Park to demand a cease-fire.
Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large March 4, 2024

Thousands of protesters marched from Washington Square Park to midtown Manhattan on Saturday to demand a cease-fire in Gaza, as the Gaza Health Ministry reported that the number...

A line of police officers in riot helmets stand in a crosswalk. Behind them, metal barricades contain a dense crowd of young people.

Streamer Kai Cenat’s meetup stirs up mayhem in Union Square

A crowd that had gathered for a giveaway organized by the creator damaged vehicles and wreaked havoc on Friday, prompting police to clear the square and surrounding streets.
Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large August 5, 2023

A planned giveaway of gaming gear broke out into chaos Friday afternoon, when fans of Twitch streamer and YouTube creator Kai Cenat began to riot at Union Square. New York City...

Above a crowd in a park, protesters hold blue, pink and white transgender flags and a sign reading “you will never eradicate us.”

For trans people, what comes after visibility?

This year’s Transgender Day of Visibility rally was a chance for trans people to affirm their existence — and to consider how we can go beyond merely being seen.
Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large April 6, 2023

Transgender Day of Visibility, celebrated annually on the last day of March, is a complicated day for me. I often feel like I’d prefer to be invisible. This year, though,...

A framed sepia-tone photo of Joan Didion’s items in Stair Galleries is set against a black-and-white background of Didion book covers.

A day of magical thinking at the Joan Didion estate sale

The Nov. 16 auction of Joan Didion’s belongings marked a final, posthumous turning point in the legacy of the perennial idol of aspiring writers.
Alex Tey, Editor-at-Large November 21, 2022

I’m certain that, given the opportunity, Joan Didion would have attended her own estate sale. The writer was the definitive chronicler of disorder and decline in 20th-century...

A part-time faculty member on strike. They hold up their fist and carry a sign that reads "U.A.W. ON STRIKE." Behind them are other striking faculty members.

Strike upends classes at The New School

Part-time faculty at The New School commenced a strike on Wednesday after their union was unable to reach a new tentative contract with the university.
Carmo Moniz, Tori Morales and Alex Tey November 16, 2022

Part-time faculty at The New School — who together represent 87% of the university’s teaching staff — went on strike Wednesday morning after weeks of bargaining between their...

The Front Bottoms' guitarist Brian Sella and vocalist Mat Uychich standing in front of trees.

Q&A: Time, place and live music with The Front Bottoms’ Brian Sella

The frontman of the New Jersey-born punk rock band spoke with WSN about the evolution of the band’s style and returning to perform in his home state.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief May 5, 2022

“Everyone blooms in their own time,” promises the first track on The Front Bottoms’ 2020 album “In Sickness & In Flames.” With the pandemic putting live music on...

A man sits on his bed looking at the camera in front of his decorated walls next to an empty bed and drawer that is not being used.

Students upset by NYU response to roommate’s mental health crisis

Coral Tower residents sought a dialogue with their residence hall directors to communicate their concerns. They were left in the dark instead.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief April 18, 2022

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of a mental health crisis. Five residents of a Coral Tower suite said the building directors refused to listen to their concerns...

(Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

The case for the <3 emoticon

Real love isn’t like the ❤️ emoji.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief February 14, 2022

“Instead of saying ‘I love you,’ I’ll just use a heart,” a New York college student told The New York Times in late 2011, as emoji were beginning to take off in the United...

Japanese American singer-songwriter Mitski released her latest album, “Laurel Hell,” on Friday. (Photo by Ebru Yildiz, Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Review: On ‘Laurel Hell,’ Mitski blooms

Mitski's first album in four years pairs her unmatched lyricism with synth-heavy ’80s-inspired production. “Laurel Hell” is out Friday on all platforms.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief February 4, 2022
Mitski's first album in four years pairs her unmatched lyricism with synth-heavy ’80s-inspired production. “Laurel Hell” is out Friday on all platforms.
An illustration of hand turning a page of a print edition of WSN. The image on the front page is a smaller version of that illustration, suggesting infinite recursion.

Letter from the editor: On transition

Transitions are perpetual, uncomfortable and inevitable. Meet WSN's new editor-in-chief.
Alex Tey, Editor-in-Chief January 24, 2022

Dear readers, This is a strange time to be attending college. Last spring was mostly online, last fall was mostly in person, and now we’re in this in-between zone where...

An NYU alumni newsletter suggests that NYU will resume in-person instruction for the spring 2022 semester. The university has yet to officially announce its plans. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU alumni newsletter hints at in-person spring 2022 semester

An NYU webpage dated Jan. 15, 2022, states that NYU “is preparing to resume in-person instruction at the start of the spring semester” at its New York City campus and abroad sites.
Kristian Burt, Rachel Cohen and Alex Tey January 10, 2022

NYU appears prepared to start the spring semester with in-person classes, according to an alumni newsletter on the university’s website. The page, dated Jan. 15, 2022, seems...