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

NYU Divest members sit in on the 12th floor of Bobst Library waiting to confront university administrators in 2015. (Photo by Lexi Faunce)

Opinion: NYU investors must commit to sustainability

From divesting to uplifting clean energy initiatives, NYU’s board of trustees must increase the sustainability and transparency of their investment decisions.
Clara Scholl, Contributing Writer February 2, 2022

In 2015, NYU’s student body led an “NYU Divest” campaign urging the administration and board of trustees to stop investing the university’s endowment in fossil fuels. Prompted...

An illustration of a wooden box in a park. A pair of legs with blue jeans and black Converse sneakers stands on top of the box. The box reads “WSN.”

The Soapbox: New Delhi, Kashmir, white supremacy

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN’s news desk examining the major developments in world news and rounding up the stories we think are worth the read this week. Global consciousness for a global university.
Kristian Burt, Deputy News Editor November 19, 2021

In New Delhi, smog forces schools to close Authorities in the Indian capital of New Delhi initiated a lockdown of some government facilities, including schools and coal power...

A $1 million grant has been issued to NYU professors Debra Laefer and Rae Zimmerman for the study of underground infrastructure in response to climate change. Laefer, a Tandon engineering professor, and Zimmerman, a professor of public administration, now co-lead the Unification for Underground Resilience Measures project. (Staff Photo by Ryan Kawahara)

After disastrous storms, NYU wins $1M grant to study subsurface NYC infrastructure

The National Science Foundation grant will allow a research team of Tandon and Wagner professors and students to continue modeling New York City’s underground infrastructure in order to improve its resilience to natural disasters.
Meghana Kakubal, Contributing Writer November 9, 2021

Hurricanes Henri and Ida tore through the New York City metropolitan area in late summer 2021, shutting down public transit, flooding basement apartments and killing 46 people....

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

The Soapbox: COP26 climate summit edition

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN’s news desk examining the major developments in world news and rounding up the stories we think are worth the read this week. Global consciousness for a global university.
Suhail Gharaibeh, Deputy News Editor November 5, 2021

In Glasgow, negotiators are left to figure out the nitty-gritty of the climate crisis The “high-level segment” of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) has...

The UN has done more than most realize to curb the effects of climate change. The organization is set to commence the Climate Change Conference on Oct. 31. (Photo by Camila Ceballos)

Opinion: The UN is taking substantial action against climate change

Despite climate defeatism and cynicism surrounding the U.N., the organization is making a difference in the fight for a greener future.
Camila Ceballos, Staff Writer October 25, 2021

As the United Nations prepares for this year's Climate Change Conference, starting on Oct. 31 in the United Kingdom, the efficacy of past efforts regarding climate change...

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 October 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...

Thousands of students march in NYC Global Climate Strike

Calling on world leaders to take action during this year’s United Nations Climate Week, the New York City chapter of the youth-led climate-advocacy group Fridays For Future organized a strike on Sept. 24.

More than 2,000 students and climate activists participated in the Global Climate Strike march last week, which was organized by the New York City chapter of Fridays For Future,...

Jamie Margolin, an NYU sophomore, launches a high school scholarship that aims to push the discussion of climate justice. Applicants are asked to think about steps to take for climate justice. (Image courtesy of Jamie Margolin)

‘A Costco food sample of climate justice’: Tisch sophomore Jamie Margolin launches scholarship

The Climate Justice Scholarship will be awarded to one high school, university or trade school student who is passionate about combating the climate crisis.
Laura Beard, Contributing Writer September 21, 2021

Tisch sophomore Jamie Margolin knows that $1,000 will not solve the global issues many students are passionate about. But Margolin, 19, is hoping that her new Climate Justice Scholarship...

On Sept. 1, Hurricane Ida brought unprecedented amounts of rain to New York City and caused alarming floods. The damage has prompted more scrutiny on the citys future environmental agenda. (Staff Photo by Shaina Ahmed)

Opinion: Hurricane Ida highlights need for a more comprehensive climate strategy

The historic devastation Hurricane Ida wrought upon New York underscores the urgency of investing in climate infrastructure. Eric Adams’ climate plans, which remain vague, must prioritize climate resiliency and corporate accountability.
Michelle Han, Deputy Opinion Editor September 13, 2021

Hurricane Ida dumped record levels of rain across New York City on Sept. 1, shutting down packed streets and highways and flooding subway stations. Damage and tragedy overwhelmed...

BlackRock’s corporate office located at 52nd and Madison Ave. NYU’s goal of sustainability continues to fall short due to its ties with the company. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Faculty say NYU enables BlackRock’s greenwashing

NYU’s sustainability goals are under scrutiny due to the university’s association with BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, a member of the NYU board of trustees whose company is accused of virtue signaling while profiting from billions in fossil fuel investments.
Ruqaiyah Zarook, Staff Writer September 1, 2021

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s August 2021 report warns that climate change is the main cause of the extreme weather events — such as droughts, superstorms,...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

The Soapbox: Pussy Riot, Haiti, US-Mexico border, climate crisis

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN’s news desk, examining the major developments in world news and rounding up the stories we think are worth the read this week. Global consciousness for a global university.
Suhail Gharaibeh, Deputy News Editor August 16, 2021

In Moscow, “the police keep re-arresting Pussy Riot members” The feminist performance art and protest group Pussy Riot — which gained international attention in 2012 after...

The Soapbox is a weekly news column rounding up stories worth reading for a global university. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

The Soapbox: Ghana, the Mediterranean, Hungary

The Soapbox is a weekly column by WSN’s news desk, examining the major developments in world news and rounding up the stories we think are worth the read this week. Global consciousness for a global university.
Suhail Gharaibeh, Deputy News Editor August 10, 2021

In Ghana, social media-fuelled protests seek to #FixTheCountry Thousands of protesters filled the streets of Accra, Ghana, Aug. 4 to air their grievances against the government...