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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

(Charlie Dodge for WSN)

End of NYU mask mandate planned for Sept. 28

As part of the updated policy, masks will no longer be required in classrooms or in Bobst Library, and event hosts, faculty and supervisors will not be allowed to require masking within a specific space. The weekly testing requirement for unvaccinated individuals will also be removed.
Arnav Binaykia, Editor-in-Chief September 23, 2022

NYU will drop its mask mandate on Wednesday, Sept. 28, marking the end of a two-year-long requirement for students and employees in academic settings, according to a draft of an...

Judith Heumann waves to the crowd while on stage after delivering remarks during NYU's commencement ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021. NYU graduates and administrators cheer and clap their hands behind her. The backdrop of the stage is several NYU school flags.

Judith Heumann to NYU grads: ‘Disability is difference. It is not deficiency.’

Judith Heumann spoke about COVID-19 and disability activism at the combined commencement ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021. The in-person commencement ceremonies for these classes were canceled due to the pandemic.
Rachel Fadem, Features Editor May 20, 2022

Disability rights activist Judith Heumann addressed NYU’s classes of 2020 and 2021 at the university’s 189th commencement ceremony after she received an honorary Doctor of...

Taylor Swift hugs NYU president Andy Hamilton. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Here’s what Taylor Swift said during her NYU graduation speech

Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift spoke about hard work, the importance of learning from mistakes, and her song “22” at the class of 2022 commencement exercises.
Rachel Fadem, Features Editor May 18, 2022

Taylor Swift spoke at NYU's 188th commencement ceremony after receiving an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree on May 18. She delivered a speech to the class of 2022 at the Wednesday...

Judith Heumann sits in a warmly lit room holding up two of her books, "Being Heumann" and "Rolling Warrior." She is wearing a blue top with floral embroidery. In the background, two vases sit on a shelf and a lamp can be seen.

Judith Heumann on NYU commencement and disability activism

Rachel Fadem, Features Editor May 17, 2022
Disability rights activist Judith Heumann will speak about the importance of political action and advocacy during a combined graduation ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021 on May 18.
The interior of a restaurant with a large table where multiple young people are seated. There are plates of food and beverages. The chef is standing behind the table.

Campus, cooking and community: Ramadan at NYU Abu Dhabi

Ramadan celebrations enriched the experience of visiting students at NYU Abu Dhabi, shifting their perceptions of the holy month.
Stefan Mitikj, Contributing Writer May 6, 2022

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — The Islamic holy month of Ramadan began in the United Arab Emirates on April 2 and ended on May 1. During Ramadan, Muslims who are able to fast...

A line of people stand waiting to take COVID-19 tests on a road near a gate. Workers in full personal protective equipment can be seen monitoring the line and administering the tests.

‘I need to get out’: NYU Shanghai lockdown leaves students struggling in dorms

Since the city of Shanghai's government lockdown began on March 28, students have been forced to quarantine in the dorms, take classes online and participate in daily testing.
Mitali Sapra, Contributing Writer May 2, 2022

On March 13, NYU Shanghai first-year Raghav Dembla received an email from David Pe, the dean of students at the campus, informing him that students and faculty would be unable...

The user interface of a change.org petition against a pink background: a description of the petition is in the upper half, and signatures of petitioners are in the lower half.

Petition against NYU’s COVID screener stalls after 3 weeks

After a Stern first-year was barred from entering his classes, he created a petition to end the university’s Daily Screener.
Maria Freyre, Senior Staff Writer April 22, 2022

A petition calling on NYU to stop requiring the Daily Screener — a COVID-19 vaccination pass that students, faculty and staff must show to enter university buildings —...

Skirting the Screener: How students fake NYU’s COVID pass

Skirting the Screener: How students fake NYU’s COVID pass

Jae Jin, Staff Writer April 21, 2022
Frustrated with the Daily Screener, students are finding ways to avoid completing it.
Students are seen walking down a street by the NYU Paris site in the evening against the backdrop of Parisian architecture.

Students note a lack of support and resources at global sites

For study abroad students to make the world their campus, some students feel NYU needs to provide the proper resources and communication to better ensure their safety, education and mental health abroad.
Juliana Guarracino, Staff Writer April 13, 2022

PARIS — NYU promotes its three degree-granting campuses and 12 study away sites to students by claiming that the world is their campus. But as much as NYU seeks to make its global...

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

Staff Rants: NYU’s new masking requirements

Our staff shares their thoughts on NYU’s updated masking requirements.

On the case for old rules:  Srishti Bungle, Opinion Editor I think it’s a bad idea to go easy on the masks right now. The new BA.2 variant of omicron is already responsible...