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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

A birds-eye view of the entrance of Bobst Library, where there are glass revolving doors, a security area, and a black, white and grey chequered floor.

Mask mandate removal changes little for mostly maskless students

NYU dropped its mask mandate for classrooms and the library on Sept. 28, but the number of students wearing masks in Bobst on the first day of the policy reversal barely changed.
Katie Groome, Contributing Writer September 29, 2022

The end of NYU’s mask mandate on Wednesday doesn’t seem to have changed much for students, most of whom already weren’t wearing masks. As hundreds of students streamed through...

An illustration of a female wearing a blue turtleneck sweater and brown hair who smiles while lifting a blue mask away from her face.

Off-Third: The end of NYU’s mask mandate is the best thing to happen to my nose

COVID-19 is fake and so is my nose, but thanks to the university, only one of them can be seen in the classroom.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 28, 2022

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. There are four important events in every Jewish girl’s life: her Bat Mitzvah, her nose job, decorating her bed for her college commitment,...

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

Editorial: NYU lifted its mask mandate, but now isn’t the time to be idle

COVID-19 still poses a substantial risk. Keeping up with masking and testing is critical for ensuring the safety of others.
WSN Editorial Board September 26, 2022

(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...

A student seated indoors, wearing a black mask, tan headphones, and a blue sweater with a reclining green frog.

Students conflicted about NYU easing mask mandate

As NYU drops its indoor mask mandate for some locations on campus, students express mixed feelings about the university’s decision and the further lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
Gabriel Hawthorne and Carmo Moniz March 31, 2022

NYU’s decision to drop its indoor mask mandate in some locations starting yesterday has stirred mixed feelings among students over whether the university made the right decision.  According...

Seven students wear masks while sitting at their desks in an NYU classroom. A professor sitting on a table listens to a student.

Opinion: NYU easing the mask mandate is the right first step

NYU followed the lead of other New York City colleges by lifting masking restrictions, but they’re still staying unnecessarily cautious.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 31, 2022

What we all kind of expected to happen was officially announced via email from NYU Senior Leadership. NYU’s mask mandate was dropped — somewhat. Masking will still be mandatory...

An illustration with a United States C.D.C.-issued Vaccination card in the background. In the foreground is a half-full syringe on the left and a bottle of vaccine on the right.

Opinion: Adams, take away the mask mandate but keep the vax

New York City has removed the mask mandate in public schools, but it is an irresponsible choice to have also gotten rid of proof of vaccination requirements.
Alexandra Cohen, Deputy Opinion Editor March 11, 2022

One of my classes starts around the time the elementary school day ends, so I find myself passing by excited children leaving school as I go past Grace Church School on my way...

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...

COVID-19 guidelines are taped on the Campus Safety desk at Third North, one of NYU's 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...