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

Alexandra Cohen

Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor

Alexandra Cohen is a sophomore from Los Angeles — specifically, The Valley — which you'll understand as soon as she opens her mouth. She is currently in the Liberal Studies program and planning to major in dramatic writing so she can continue to write funny stuff for people's entertainment even beyond the collegiate level. You can find her walking around the West Village or at the Bronfman Center. Read her sometimes weekly, but mostly not Substack about her feelings, Tall Thoughts from a Short Girl.

All content by Alexandra Cohen
A corner of a building with text “Paulson Center New York University” on the glass in a vertical layout. Overlaying part of the original text is a block of handwritten text “Sarah.”

Off-Third: That new NYU building should really be named after Sarah Paulson instead

NYU will unveil a new building, the twist? Each floor is an American Horror Story themed haunted house.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor December 15, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Yesterday, hedge fund billionaire John Paulson gave a $100 million donation to NYU. His name will be plastered upon the university’s...

Actress Sophie Zucker wearing a black vest looking into a mirror inside a dressing room with red walls and a clothing rack with many hangers on it.

Review: ‘Sophie Sucks Face’ is the celebration of Jewish culture we need right now

This hilarious one-woman show incorporates Jewish culture, sexuality and even kissing a cousin.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor November 18, 2022

Inside of the SoHo Playhouse, the Huron Club houses a small stage and an array of tables with one main centerpiece: bagels. I’ve learned in my Jews of New York class at NYU that...

An illustration of a tweet from user @A1exandraCohen with text “if i EVER get Twitter blue, just know it’s a cry for help.” against a blue background. The tweet has two likes.

Opinion: Students can save Twitter

Users await the fall of Twitter under Elon Musk. But students could be the solution.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor November 16, 2022

Billionaire Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion — something that would be hilarious as a “Saturday Night Live” sketch, but is not funny in real life. Since his purchase...

A recreation of the main stage of the “Saturday Night Live” set on display at a museum. There are three brown door-like frames against the back wall of the set. Musical instruments sit in the dark on the stage. On either side of the stage is a television screen, both under an illuminated lamp attached to each side of the wall.

SNL, stop relying on nostalgia

SNL should appeal to the younger generation, not cling on to old bits.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor October 31, 2022

I used to leave parties early on Saturdays in high school to lay in my parents’ bed and see what was happening “Live from New York!” Those nights, we tuned in from the other...

An M.T.A. bus with white and blue stripes driving down Broadway.

Opinion: I love the bus, and so should you

The subway can be scary, and ride-hailing services aren’t affordable. The best option is right in front of us.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor October 26, 2022

I moved to the best apartment in the world. It’s right by campus, it has an elevator, it’s affordable and, most importantly, the M8 bus stops right in front of it. I can travel...

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: Midterms and midterms

It’s the middle of the term! The WSN staff offers our thoughts on our exam-packed weeks and the ongoing congressional election season.

On unoriginality: It’s really unoriginal of NYU to hold midterm exams during the midterm elections. As an academic institution that discourages plagiarism, it shouldn’t steal...

Two twins wear dresses, one black dress and the other white, while standing on stage basking in a purplish spotlight against a dark background. Each holds a microphone and sings.

Q&A: Twin comedians Annabel and Sabina Meschke on NYU and the future of alt-comedy

I watched NYU alumni Annabel and Sabina Meschke on stage and in conversation, and you have to, too.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor October 21, 2022

I first saw comedians Annabel and Sabina Meschke at Catherine Cohen’s weekly Cabernet Cabaret at Club Cumming. While many of the comedians Cohen has on her shows are young, none...

An illustration of a female wearing a blue turtleneck sweater and brown hair who smiles while lifting a blue mask away from her face.

Off-Third: The end of NYU’s mask mandate is the best thing to happen to my nose

COVID-19 is fake and so is my nose, but thanks to the university, only one of them can be seen in the classroom.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 28, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. There are four important events in every Jewish girl’s life: her Bat Mitzvah, her nose job, decorating her bed for her college commitment,...

Kate Berlant dressed in all black stands on stage facing two bright stage lights with a projection of her face enlarged in the background.

Review: ‘KATE’ is an immersive theatrical experience like nothing you’ve seen before

Kate Berlant stamped her name onto an annoyingly entertaining alt-comedy show that revives live theater.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 23, 2022

You don’t already have to love Kate Berlant to love “KATE.” But we have a kinship — we both followed the all-girls school in Los Angeles to NYU pipeline — a common trend...

An illustration of a hand with red fingernails holds a smartphone that displays a BeReal interface. The woman takes a selfie while she pets her dog.

Opinion: Let’s be real about BeReal

The new social media craze is an exercise in connection and memorialization.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 21, 2022

I love my friends from NYU and I love my friends from high school, even though they go to other schools far away. The nature of our distance lends to my stage four FOMO — so...

An illustration of a sports podium with a generic college building on the first place spot.

Off-Third: A sincere apology to our readers. College rankings do matter.

In a response to a previous article, Liberal Studies’ own Alexandra Cohen admits that she was wrong and that college rankings do matter — when they’re good.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 14, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Last semester, I made a grave mistake out of my own insecurity of NYU’s placement in the top 30 rather than the top 25. I claimed that...

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: First day of classes

Welcome, or welcome back! WSN staff shares our thoughts and feelings about the start of the semester.

On Thursday: NYU feels very comfortable disrupting the traditional week by starting classes on a Thursday — and not only a regular Thursday, but a Thursday before a long weekend....

An illustration of a red cross and bold text saying “Canceled” on top of text saying “imposter syndrome” in white.

Off -Third: It’s time we bid adieu to imposter syndrome

You get more things when you’re confident, so fake it ‘til you make it.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 1, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. Happy new year! The first day of class is of course the start of a new year; it marks the transition from one grade to the next. I am confident...

Icons of (left to right) Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages against a light purple background. The small crown and a number one badge are attached to the Google Docs icon.

Off-Third: We live in a Google Docs world — it’s time to start acting like it

Google Docs is superior. It’s time to abandon the other options.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor April 27, 2022

It drives me absolutely insane when people don’t choose the best option. It’s even more insane when the best option is the easiest and the cheapest. I understand — and understand...

An illustration of a person, seen from the knees down, walking while wearing black heeled boots and blue jeans against a gray background.

Opinion: In praise of the Hot Girl Walk

The No. 1 thing to take advantage of in New York City is your own two feet.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor April 13, 2022

I was recently gifted an Apple Watch, which means I have been forced to adopt a new personality to overcompensate for the not-so-chic addition to my wrist that peer-pressures me...

An illustration of the nine Northern California counties that make up the Bay Area, each in a different color. To the left, the word “California” is above the words “Bay Area,” which are crossed out in red.

Off-Third: Bay Area students are wasting our time

It’s time to stand up against the drawn-out responses to “where are you from?” of our Bay Area peers.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor April 1, 2022

NYU is a global institution, which means students hail from one of three places: Los Angeles, New Jersey and the Bay Area. Upon meeting someone, you’ll typically ask their name,...

Seven students wear masks while sitting at their desks in an NYU classroom. A professor sitting on a table listens to a student.

Opinion: NYU easing the mask mandate is the right first step

NYU followed the lead of other New York City colleges by lifting masking restrictions, but they’re still staying unnecessarily cautious.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 31, 2022

What we all kind of expected to happen was officially announced via email from NYU Senior Leadership. NYU’s mask mandate was dropped — somewhat. Masking will still be mandatory...

An illustration of a sports podium with a generic college building on the first place spot.

Opinion: From a student who used to worship them, college rankings are worthless

The recent allegations that Columbia University exaggerated statistics to improve its US News & World Report ranking demonstrate that it’s past time to retire the false prestige of college rankings.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 23, 2022

Leading up to my senior year of high school, my party trick was reciting the top 50 schools in US News & World Report’s rankings from memory. It’s embarrassing to admit...

An illustration with a United States C.D.C.-issued Vaccination card in the background. In the foreground is a half-full syringe on the left and a bottle of vaccine on the right.

Opinion: Adams, take away the mask mandate but keep the vax

New York City has removed the mask mandate in public schools, but it is an irresponsible choice to have also gotten rid of proof of vaccination requirements.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 11, 2022

One of my classes starts around the time the elementary school day ends, so I find myself passing by excited children leaving school as I go past Grace Church School on my way...

An illustration of the TikTok icon and a 10-minute timer.

Opinion: A 10-minute video is a damn TEDTok — and an ideal venue for misinformation

TikTok’s choice to extend the maximum video length to 10 minutes will exacerbate the already rampant spread of misinformation on the video-sharing app.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 2, 2022

I love quickness and efficiency; therefore, I love TikTok. I can watch 15-second videos for hours on end. The digestible clips fill periods of procrastination, times of sadness,...

An illustration of a hand wiping away a swastika graffitied onto a metal pole.

Opinion: NYU, be more vigilant against antisemitism

Following the news that another campus building was marred by a swastika, NYU and its students need to take a stand against antisemitism.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor February 24, 2022

An institution of learning should have no space for hate. Our university resides in one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world and emphasizes inclusion. Our courses...

A cultural shift towards niche and alternative fashion styles has popularized thrifting among NYU students. Over-thrifting has caused the once eco-friendly industry to become more profit-driven and environmentally harmful. (Staff illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Off-Third: Is the NYU student’s quest for individuality the next pandemic?

NYU students prove the old axiom that if everyone’s different, nobody is.
Alexandra Cohen, Senior Staff Writer February 17, 2022

Goodwill stores throughout Lower Manhattan are beginning to order T-shirts and jeans in bulk to cater to their new demographic, Gallatin students. Apparently studying a peculiar,...

Wordle is the latest word puzzle game to go viral on social media. It was acquired by The New York Times Company last week. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: Unity is what makes Wordle special

The viral daily word game slows us down and brings us together. That force for unification should be more appreciated.
Alexandra Cohen, Senior Staff Writer February 9, 2022

My roommate and I often find ourselves awake at midnight — we’re college students with heavy workloads and a healthy amount of insomnia. Midnight symbolizes a new day, a satisfying...

In light of rapidly declining omicron numbers and a high vaccination rate, NYU is easing its COVID-19 guidelines and policies. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: NYU is right to reopen campus

In light of the rapidly declining omicron numbers and a high vaccination rate, NYU made the right decision to drop certain COVID-19 restrictions.
Alexandra Cohen, Staff Writer February 4, 2022

I imagined the start of college looking more like season four of “Gilmore Girls” and less like “Grey’s Anatomy.” I dreamed of developing a cafeteria crush, sitting indoors...

To reduce the schools carbon footprint, NYU should go paperless by default. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Opinion: NYU should go paperless

The return of in-person classes has brought the return of printed syllabi. NYU should take action to go paperless.
Alexandra Cohen, Staff Writer January 31, 2022

As my class ended, I went to throw away my freshly printed syllabus in front of my professor. I didn’t want to be disrespectful — I just knew that I could access the syllabus...