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

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...

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...

(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...

An illustration of a COVID-19 vaccination card in the background. In the foreground is a half-full syringe on the left and a bottle of COVID-19 vaccine on the right.

Updated COVID booster soon available at NYU, but not yet required

While NYU is preparing to offer the new COVID-19 booster shot soon, it has not yet decided whether to require the shot for students, faculty or staff.
Allison Chow and Griffin Eckstein September 12, 2022

Starting this week, all members of the NYU community are eligible for an updated booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. The new boosters from Moderna and Pfizer, which were approved...

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

Where NYU stands as New York City lifts its subway mask mandate

COVID-19 restrictions on the New York City Subway were eased on Wednesday. At NYU, where masks are still required in certain settings, students and faculty are conflicted over how they think the administration should proceed.
Adrianna Nehme, Carmo Moniz and Tori Morales September 8, 2022

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that masks are no longer required on public transportation in New York. NYU administrators said that the university has been preparing to...

A student holds up their phone displaying a purple Violet Go pass to enter an NYU building.

Explained: NYU’s fall 2022 COVID protocols

As students return to campus for the fall 2022 semester, NYU administrators have announced a replacement for the Daily Screener and a potential easing of the indoor mask mandate later this month.
Carmo Moniz, Deputy News Editor September 1, 2022

Although many COVID-19 guidelines from last semester will remain in place during the start of the fall 2022 semester, NYU has announced a few changes for the coming months, including...

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 —...

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...

A white board with blue handwritten letters sitting on a desk. The words say “March 31st (today). Please Continue to Wear Masks during your visit. Thank you.”

Students and staff left puzzled by new mask guidelines

After NYU lifted parts of its on-campus mask mandate earlier this week, community members are unsure of where exactly mask wearing is optional or required.
Rachel Cohen and Abby Wilson April 1, 2022

When students arrived at Palladium Athletic Facility’s turnstile on Thursday, March 31, they did not think they would need to wear a mask — some had shown up without them....

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...

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

NYU drops indoor mask mandate for some locations

The university announced on Wednesday that mask wearing will be optional effective immediately in residence hall lounges, gyms, and non-mandatory events and meetings, as well as in common areas and lounges in the Kimmel Center for University Life. Masks will still be required in many areas where attendance is mandatory.
Lauren Ashe and Kayla Hardersen March 30, 2022

NYU eased its indoor mask mandate on Wednesday, March 30, the university announced in an email to the community. Mask wearing will be optional in residence hall lounges, gyms,...