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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

Students in class at the 6 Washington Place academic building. NYU faculty have voiced concerns about the university’s COVID-19’s safety guidelines. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Faculty research challenges NYU’s claims of little to no risk of classroom COVID-19 transmission

As NYU returns to full in-person instruction this semester, faculty have expressed safety concerns with university COVID-19 prevention policies.
Natalie Thomas, Contributing Writer October 7, 2021

CAS chemistry professors Michael Ward and Stephanie Lee are currently leading an investigation to test the carbon dioxide levels in NYU classrooms and determine the quality of...

The first Student Government Assembly meeting of this semester took place last Thursday. Students’ concerns regarding COVID-19 guidelines and the recent shooting that happened outside the Tandon School of Engineering were addressed. (Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Health and safety take center stage at first fall 2021 student government meeting

The NYU Student Government Assembly discussed the university’s COVID-19 guidelines and other safety protocols during its first meeting of the semester.
Maria Freyre, Contributing Writer October 5, 2021

NYU’s Student Government Assembly discussed student concerns about the university’s COVID-19 safety guidelines and questioned campus security protocols in relation to the recent...

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...

A sign outside a restaurant near campus tells patrons that they must be vaccinated to be served. However, many NYU students have reported that local businesses are not complying with Mayor DeBlasio’s mandate. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

NYC vaccine mandate goes unenforced at local businesses

The city’s Key to NYC vaccine mandate came into effect Sept. 13, but NYU students and local businesses have expressed concerns about its implementation.
Gabriel Hawthorne, Staff Writer October 1, 2021

Despite Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Key to NYC vaccine mandate for indoor activities having gone into full effect on Sept. 13, students have noticed that some local businesses are...

Many students are experiencing crowded classrooms in NYU buildings. The high-density classes contrast with the guidelines that NYU is implementing in other areas of student life. (Photo by Olivia Hughart)

Packed classrooms provoke COVID concerns

NYU returned to full in-person instruction this fall, but students are concerned about large class sizes, limited room for social distancing and contrasting rules for academic and non-academic spaces.
Abby Wilson and Alisha Meghani September 29, 2021

Despite the university’s COVID-19 guidelines for the fall 2021 semester, some students believe classroom regulations are too lenient. Students are frustrated that though on-campus...

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...

Many current sophomores spent their freshman year of college online. Because of this, the return to in-person classes is a big adjustment for them to make. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

For sophomores, a brief glimpse into the first-year experience

Many members of the class of 2024 spent their first year of university online. Now they’re settling into campus life with a feeling of excitement and nervousness.
Sarah Unterberger, Contributing Writer September 16, 2021

Tisch sophomore Justin D’Alesandro still feels like a first-year student. He spent his first year of university in New Jersey taking virtual classes in his bedroom. Now he’s...

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: India, Congo, Afghanistan, vaccine inequity in Africa

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 September 13, 2021

In India, a string of attacks on press freedom The Indian government’s tax collection agency raided the offices of independent online news websites Newslaundry and NewsClick...

Students and their helper guests moved into NYU’s 22 residence halls during three move-in days. Students new and returning seemed undeterred by the university’s COVID guidelines surrounding move-in and reported a generally smooth process. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Students report a smooth dorm move-in experience after a peculiar year

After a year of remote and hybrid learning, students reflect on an uneventful transition to residence hall life.
Lauren Ashe, Staff Writer September 8, 2021

Students streamed through the doors of NYU’s 22 residence halls, boxes in hand and families in tow, during the fall 2021 move-in days between Aug. 27 and Aug. 29. Many students...

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...

NYU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America announced its Fall 2021 tuition strike on April 30. However, the group recently called off its tuition strike for the Fall 2021 semester and now plans to organize another strike for Spring 2022. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

NYU YDSA halts fall 2021 tuition strike, plans instead for Spring 2022

After calling off its original fall 2021 tuition strike, the NYU chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America is encouraging students to stop paying tuition for the spring 2022 semester.
Rachel Cohen, Deputy News Editor September 3, 2021

NYU’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America has called off its tuition strike for the fall 2021 semester. Instead, the group is now regrouping and reorganizing...

A parent stands outside Palladium Hall during move-in. NYU administration has introduced new procedures to allow for in-person operations during COVID-19. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

Masking, testing, reopening: A guide to the fall 2021 semester

Learn about NYU’s plan to return to near-normal operations and all the guidelines and requirements you should know about this fall.
Rachel Cohen, Deputy News Editor August 30, 2021

Editor’s note: This article was published in August 2021. Guidelines and requirements from NYU may have since changed. The fall 2021 semester will be the first time many students...