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

NYUs COVID-19 positivity rates have increased sharply in recent weeks, but have remained lower than the rates in New York City as a whole.

NYU COVID positivity rate more than 20x pre-omicron average

The most recent data shows an 18.29% positivity rate in COVID tests at NYU.
Alex Tey and Arnav Binaykia January 10, 2022

COVID-19 positivity rates at NYU are up drastically, with 18.29% of tests conducted between Dec. 27 and Jan. 2 coming back positive. This latest data marks a 22-fold increase from...

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: the omicron variant, Barbados, Ukraine

​​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 December 3, 2021

Around the globe, the omicron variant is set to prolong the pandemic As the new omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads around the world, some of the poorest countries — particularly...

(Charlie Dodge for WSN)

Opinion: NYU’s mask policy is just for show

NYU's mask policy is far stricter than local guidelines and sends the wrong message about vaccine efficacy. It would be more beneficial for the university to focus on encouraging booster shots. 
Jules Roscoe, Staff Writer November 22, 2021

Last year, the medical community rejoiced as Sandra Lindsay, a New York nurse, became the first American to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and more...

COVID-19 guidelines are taped on the Campus Safety desk at Third North, one of NYUs residence halls. Jp Iregbulem writes that NYU should continue improvements made to public health and accessibility even after the pandemic. (Staff Photo by Sirui Wu)

Opinion: Make some COVID policies permanent

The COVID-19 pandemic forced NYU to make some positive changes to university policies. From improved ventilation to remote learning, NYU should maintain these changes even after the pandemic ends.
Jp Iregbulem, Staff Writer November 10, 2021

It is said that crises can, in the long run, prove to be windows to new opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to be a great example of such a crisis. Overall, NYU...

Students in a classroom attend in-person classes with limited safety precautions. NYU needs to provide virtual class options for students who cannot attend campus due to COVID restrictions. (Photo by Manaal Shareh)

Editorial: NYU must expand virtual attendance options

Although we’re making progress in the fight against COVID-19, it is essential that virtual attendance options are available to the NYU student body.
WSN Editorial Board October 4, 2021

Students received some revolutionary advice from a wise and ever-helpful NYU Returns email on Sept. 30: stay home if they feel sick and report any symptoms to the NYU COVID-19...

30 Cooper Sq. is an office building located near NYU’s campus. Recent graduates are having difficulties finding jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Recent NYU graduates search for jobs, but find bleak prospects instead

Due to the economic fallout of the pandemic, NYU alumni have had to reassess their career choices and job prospects as they enter the workforce.
Maria Freyre, Contributing Writer September 30, 2021

Ali Vera, class of 2021, handed in her two weeks’ notice to The Sunshine Method tutoring service on Sept. 13. She had decided to accept the job after graduating, even though...

Local businesses near Washington Square Park experienced a difficult time during the COVID-19 lockdown and only recovered when the campus reopened. They form the backbone of the neighborhood, and NYU students and faculty function as a major source of income. (Photos by Camille Harvell)

Return to campus eases 18 months of financial distress for local businesses

Bagel Bob’s, Irving Farm and many other businesses near campus are household names around NYU. During the height of the pandemic, however, they almost disappeared for good.
Api Dhadda, Contributing Writer September 29, 2021

Peter Karounos’ family has owned and operated University Floral Design on University Place since 1928. But in the months following March 2020, the pandemic wrought nearly irreparable...

The Daily Screener is a form developed by NYU to track the vaccination status of students and staff. However, given the information-carrying capacity of NYU ID cards, the Screener appears redundant and wastes people’s time. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Opinion: The NYU Daily Screener is redundant

There is no reason why we should have to show our Daily Screener and NYU ID to enter university buildings.
Kevin Kurian, Opinion Editor September 8, 2021

Despite NYU accepting the most diverse class in campus history, there are a handful of universal experiences among the student body that transcend race, gender and class. One of...

Homelessness is an ongoing crisis in New York City, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York City mayoral candidates have spotlighted the urgent need for affordable housing but diverge in terms of their solutions. (Staff Photo by Alexandria Johnson)

OPINION: New York City’s next mayor must prioritize supportive housing

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated New York City’s homelessness problem. Supportive housing is a sustainable solution that addresses both the financial and rehabilitative needs of many homeless individuals.
Lucy Yama, Staff Writer April 21, 2021

Homelessness is an enduring crisis in New York City. Today, the number of homeless New Yorkers sleeping in shelters increased 40% compared to 10 years ago. This rise does not even...

Walgreens is among one of the vaccine providers accessible through appointment booking. Some students ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine have been taking advantage of its conflicting guidelines to get vaccinated, putting their friendships with other students on the line. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Cutting ties with line cutters: A student’s friendships are tested after ineligible friends get vaccinated

Liberal Studies first-year Amber Alirahi has put friendships on hold with students who used loopholes to get vaccinated early. Public health experts said such cheating is to be expected and pushes eligible people aside.
Rachel Cohen, Staff Writer April 8, 2021

Amber Alirahi has witnessed the effects of the pandemic firsthand. The Liberal Studies first-year lost a loved one due to COVID-19 in early May of 2020. She witnessed her sister,...

The vaccine rollout in New York City has eligibility attachments. Some NYU students have attempted to skirt regulations to get vaccinated. (Illustration by Qashka Rulino)

NYU students ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine take advantage of conflicting guidelines to get vaccinated

Due to the conflicting federal and state guidelines, some students have falsely claimed that they live in congregate living facilities in order to qualify for a COVID-19 vaccine early.
Rachel Cohen, Staff Writer April 5, 2021

Liberal Studies first-year MaryCharlotte Barnes plans to sign up for the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on April 6, when she, and all New York state residents aged 16 and over...

The Washington Square campus has seen its number of cases tripled in a short amount of time. The uptick in cases is most likely due to the combination of the state easing restrictions and NYU students not yet qualifying for the vaccine. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Washington Square campus sees uptick in COVID-19 cases

As New York State and the city open up, university leadership is asking students to avoid indoor gatherings and crowded events amidst a spike in COVID-19 positivity rates.
Rachel Fadem, Staff Writer April 1, 2021

In the past two weeks, the rate of new COVID-19 cases at NYU’s Washington Square campus nearly tripled. Between March 18 and March 29, the test positivity rate on a 14-day rolling...