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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

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...

Seven students are wearing masks while sitting at their desks lining the walls of an NYU classroom. A professor sitting atop a table is listening to a student discussing a class topic.

Students await NYU mask mandate decision

In anticipation of NYU’s decision regarding indoor mask wearing, community members debate the effectiveness of COVID-19 restrictions.
Nicole Lu, Contributing Writer March 22, 2022

NYU has yet to decide whether it will keep or remove its mask mandate weeks after other institutions, including Columbia University and the City University of New York, lifted...

A masked student sits in an NYU common room area. She is surrounded by tables, chairs and a foosball table.

Opinion: NYU, do not lift the mask mandate

Making masks optional is irresponsible and would put students at risk.
Caitlin Hsu, UTA Publishing Editor March 9, 2022

With NYU to consider lifting its mask mandate after spring break, they must take into account that lifting the mandate would endanger immunocompromised and disabled students and...

An illustration of a woman shielding her face with her hand to hide her acne. She has long brown hair and is wearing a teal t-shirt.

Off-Third: The cosmetic case for mask mandates

The second-best university in New York City has lifted their mask mandate. As the No. 1 school in the city, we need to stand our ground.
Sydney Barragan, UTA Publishing Editor March 9, 2022

Columbia University announced last week that indoor masking will be optional on its campus starting March 14. Since we typically do what the other, worse Ivy League school in New...

NYU will announce its spring semester plans this week as the omicron variant continues to surge. Other New York City colleges and some NYU schools have already communicated virtual plans for the beginning of the spring semester. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU to announce spring semester plans this week

The university will soon decide whether classes will remain in person or turn virtual for the spring 2022 semester as the omicron variant continues to drive high case rates.
Kristian Burt and Rachel Cohen January 10, 2022

NYU expects to announce its spring semester plans this week, according to an email sent by university leadership to the community on Jan. 7. The directive will come amid the continued...

The holidays can be expensive. Here are some items that are worth the hefty price tag. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Sometimes, expensive gifts… are better

If you’re at NYU, there’s a decent chance that you know some rich people who helped get you here. Here are expensive gifts that are actually worth the money that you can ask them for.
Alexandra Chan, Alex Tey and Alex Tran December 10, 2021

As winter break approaches, here’s a holiday gift guide to help you to take advantage of the rich people in your life. When they ask how to ease their conscience, you can answer...

The cancellation of YDSA’s tuition strike should not be viewed as a failure. Rather, it shows the lengths that students are willing to go to demand action from the university. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Letter to the Editor: The NYU YDSA tuition strike laid the foundation for future organizing

Despite the obstacles to organizing at a school like NYU, YDSA’s tuition strike proved that students are willing to take action to demand the university they deserve. A response to “NYU YDSA strikes out,” Nov. 12.
Jake Colosa, Contributing Writer November 19, 2021

Last week, a WSN opinion piece argued that the NYU Young Democratic Socialists of America chapter’s failed tuition strike “did not demonstrate the same resolve or organization”...

Student workers at Columbia University marched on a picket line. They advocated for a better contract with improved working conditions and benefits. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Columbia student workers strike again for a fair contract

The Student Workers of Columbia-UAW union enters its third week of striking to bring Columbia University back to the bargaining table.
Gabriel Hawthorne, Staff Writer November 15, 2021

For the last two weeks, Student Workers of Columbia-UAW have been on the picket line to demand that Columbia University return to the bargaining table and agree on a fair labor...

Earlier this year, the NYU Graduate Student Organization Committee secured a pay and benefits increase from the university after three weeks of protesting unfair compensation. Students from other universities who are going on strike deserve our solidarity in their fight for fair pay. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Editorial: Support graduate student union strikes

From the Ivy League to the West Coast, graduate student workers are going on strike because of low pay and meager benefits. Graduate union strikes deserve our solidarity as they pave the way for labor struggles nationwide.
WSN Editorial Board November 8, 2021

Earlier this year, NYU’s graduate student strike shocked the nation. After three weeks of more than 2,200 grad student union members joining together to protest unfair compensation,...

A joint NYU-Columbia study reported that ketamine use has steadily increased across all demographics. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

The club is bumping: Recreational ketamine use on the rise, Langone study finds

According to a study conducted at NYU Langone, nonmedical ketamine availability has risen in recent years, but usage still remains limited to below 1% of the general population.
Kristian Burt, Deputy News Editor November 8, 2021

Recreational ketamine use has reached a high after steadily increasing in recent years, according to a joint NYU-Columbia University study published in the American Journal of...

On Sunday, Nov. 7, Brown University, Columbia University and Cornell University received bomb threats. Both Cornell and Brown received bomb threats by phone and Columbia’s evacuations appeared to be in response to two threats posted by a Twitter account. (Images via Wikimedia Commons)

Bomb threats force evacuations at Brown, Columbia, Cornell

Brown, Columbia and Cornell Universities are the latest in a slew of bomb threats targeting universities across the United States this past week.

Brown University, Columbia University and Cornell University received bomb threats on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 7. Brown evacuated all buildings on the Main Green, Columbia...

The NYU Bookstore updated NYU’s Student Government Assembly on its affordability initiative, which was created to counter the high costs of textbooks and course materials. This was one of the topics discussed at the second SGA meeting of the Fall 2021 semester, which was held on Oct. 28. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Student government welcomes NYU’s first dean of students

A summary of developments from the second Student Government Assembly meeting of the fall 2021 semester.
Maria Freyre, Staff Writer November 4, 2021

NYU’s Student Government Assembly held its second meeting of the fall 2021 semester on Oct. 28. Topics of discussion included a bookstore affordability initiative and a new coalition...