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 stack of paper documents against a purple background with a gradient.

How the pandemic affected NYU’s bottom line

NYU’s revenue increased by over $1 billion, despite costs incurred due to the pandemic, associated campus closures, and a year of mostly online instruction.
Carmo Moniz, Tori Morales November 23, 2022

As businesses nationwide struggled to stay afloat at the height of the pandemic, NYU’s income did too — revenue from the housing and dining services it provides decreased by...

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

Immunocompromised students concerned following mask mandate removal

Although some students and faculty members have continued to wear masks on campus following the lift of the mandate last month, some immunocompromised students are concerned about increased risks to their health.
Leila Olukoga, Contributing Writer October 13, 2022

Some immunocompromised students at NYU, who are at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 complications, are concerned about their health following the university’s decision to...

(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...

NYU Gramercy Green Hall

Opinion: Restored visitor policy ignores campus security failures

As NYU reinstates its pre-pandemic visitor policies, the university administration has ignored implications regarding campus safety.
Shamon Lawrence, Deputy Opinion Editor September 14, 2022

Yesterday, NYU removed restrictions on outside visitors for academic and residential spaces. The changes include allowing non-affiliated guests to enter campus buildings and residence...

Starting Friday, Feb. 4, students will be allowed to eat in dining halls. (Photo by Jake Capriotti)

NYU to ease COVID restrictions starting Friday

The university will allow indoor dining again starting Feb. 4. On Feb. 7, restrictions on gyms, events, study rooms and club activities will be lifted.
Lauren Ashe, Gabriel Hawthorne and Carmo Moniz February 2, 2022

NYU will loosen its COVID-19 restrictions on campus starting Friday, Feb. 4, the university announced in an email sent Wednesday evening. NYU cited its booster requirement and...

Former NYU librarian Jennifer Steenshorne passed away in January 2022 after testing positive for COVID-19. Jennifer worked at Bobst Library from 1997 to 2000. (Photo by Yvonne Rode, courtesy of Brant Vogel)

‘A walking encyclopedia’: Late NYU librarian impassioned friends, family

Jennifer Steenshorne, a historian and former librarian, died from COVID-19 in early January.
Kayla Hardersen, Staff Writer February 2, 2022

Jennifer Steenshorne, a former NYU librarian, died last month after testing positive for COVID-19. She was fully vaccinated and had recovered from the virus earlier in the pandemic,...

NYU announced in a Jan. 12 email that the spring 2022 semester will be held in person. Senior leadership acknowledged that flexibility regarding in-person classes would only be offered temporarily at the start of the semester. (Staff Photo and Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Some faculty unwilling to allow remote learning, despite NYU guidance

NYU’s return to in-person instruction has left some students struggling to receive virtual accommodations during the first week of classes.
Lauren Ashe, Carmo Moniz and Natalie Thomas January 25, 2022

Tisch first-year Indranil Basu decided to attend class remotely until COVID-19 cases dropped to a lower rate. But as NYU prepared to resume in-person instruction for the spring...

In a Jan 12. email, NYU announced that the spring 2022 semester will be held in-person. Schools, departments and faculty should offer students flexibility and allow for students to attend their classes remotely or through alternative methods due to the spike in cases of the omicron variant. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Spring 2022 semester will be in person, NYU says

The university formally announced that classes will be in person this semester amid a surge in cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19. Senior leadership provided rationales for their decision and emphasized the need for flexibility.
Kristian Burt and Rachel Cohen January 12, 2022

The spring 2022 semester will be held in person as previously planned, NYU announced in a Jan. 12 email to the community. According to university leadership, high vaccination rates,...

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...

This semester, students find that NYU’s attendance policies contradict with the university’s messaging about student health and wellbeing. The various approaches to attendance policies of different schools and professors are more visible due to continuing effects of the pandemic. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU’s contradictory attendance policies raise health concerns

Students struggle with vague absence guidelines and apathetic professors.
Ava Emilione, Staff Writer November 16, 2021

Tisch junior Meagan Wachtel’s room resembles an art studio. With colored markers and production schedules filling their desk, Wachtel’s dedication to her studies is apparent....

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...

NYU has implemented randomized COVID-19 testing for students. Some students who evaded required tests, though, faced no repercussions. (Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

NYU’s randomized COVID-19 testing program goes unenforced

The university is requiring randomly selected students to get tested on campus for COVID-19. However, at least three students who did not comply with the mandatory testing faced no follow-up or consequences.
Kashish Bhatia, Staff Writer October 15, 2021

Shortly before the beginning of the fall 2021 semester, NYU announced that it would institute randomized COVID-19 testing for fully vaccinated staff, students and community members...