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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

The exterior of a public restroom in a park.

Opinion: Let New Yorkers be free to pee

The shortage of public restrooms is a significant hardship and a profound indignity that unhoused New Yorkers endure every day.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer November 18, 2024

In 1990, a group of unhoused New Yorkers came together to file a class-action lawsuit against the city, citing the need for more public restrooms around the city. They argued that...

An illustration of the Earth on fire. Laying on top of the Earth is a student on their phone.

Off Topic: Doom scrolling destroys the planet — not just your mood

Generation Z may be social-media warriors when it comes to climate activism, but our online activism and activity may be having unintended negative effects.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor November 11, 2024

Climate change has been at the forefront of political debates for decades, with Generation Z leading the charge in recent years. Nearly 50% of Gen Z say mitigating the impacts...

A photograph of a building from across the street.

Opinion: NYU needs to provide medication abortions

Many universities have stepped up to provide medication-based abortions on campus. With reproductive rights under constant threat, NYU needs to follow suit.
Mehr Kotval, Opinion Editor November 6, 2024

In the years following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, there have been a slew of assaults on reproductive rights, including numerous states enacting aggressive and restrictive...

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump stand in a crowd of people.

Opinion: How to prepare for your post-election mental health

No matter the result of this stressful election, it’s important to know how to cope with your feelings.
Madison Kitchen and Michal Weiss November 5, 2024

With the 2024 presidential election a day away, you may be feeling confused or overwhelmed amid the floods of stress, anxiety and socio-political tensions on campus — but, rest...

A birds-eye-view of the Lower East Side and Financial District in New York City.

Opinion: Student tenants need to stand up for themselves

NYU students living off campus get taken advantage of by their landlords because they don’t know any better. Let’s put a stop to that.
Omar Drissi, Staff Writer October 31, 2024

Wide-eyed, fresh-faced and new to the city, NYU students arrive on campus with dreams of the quintessential New York City apartment, only to meet landlords eager to exploit...

An illustration of a balancing weight scale with a box on each side. One says “LOCAL VOTE” and the other says “FEDERAL VOTE.”

Editorial: Think globally, vote locally

The presidential race may steal the spotlight, but the impact of local elections on our daily lives is undeniable. Stay informed and make your vote count where it matters most.
WSN Editorial Board October 24, 2024

As college students, we consume media related to this year’s presidential election on a daily basis. It’s everywhere — in our classrooms, on social media, in our news outlets....

A graph titled "Changes in N.Y.U. first-year demographics."

Opinion: The case for affirmative action and what comes next

The striking down of affirmative action has negatively affected rates of POC enrollment and threatens a fair admissions process. NYU should take measures to ensure diversity.
Leila Olukoga, Deputy Opinion Editor October 24, 2024

Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action programs in college admissions, triggering a sharp decline in diversity across college campuses nationwide. In...

Two diplomas against a red background that is split in half. One half is filled with yellow smiley faces, and the other is filled with blue sad faces.

Opinion: NYU has a double major dilemma

The university should open double major options outside of the College of Arts and Science so students can explore the interdisciplinary opportunities that NYU boasts about.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer October 23, 2024

NYU is known for its broad spectrum of academic programs, with the College of Arts and Science home to over 120 majors and minors. The university, like many others, offers the...

An illustration of different colored hands raised with three signs being held in the middle with one letter on each sign spelling “D.E.I.”

Guest Essay: In defense of diversity, equity and inclusion

Adrian Pica-Borjas is the Director of Diversity for NYU’s Student Government Assembly.
Adrian Pica-Borjas, Guest Contributor October 22, 2024

My name is Adrian Pica-Borjas. I am Honduran American. When I fill out forms asking for my racial identity, I select the oversimplified “Black” and “American Indian or Alaska...

A logo with a white elephant on a red background and the text "C.R. | N.Y.U."

Guest Essay: Living fearlessly and embracing Trump’s vision for change

We may disagree on what the United States needs, but this election feels as existential for us as it does for you. As always, there is a lot at stake this cycle and we argue it is the difference between the status quo and actual change.
NYU College Republicans October 18, 2024

Guest essays reflect opinions from writers beyond WSN. If you’d like to submit a guest essay for consideration, please email [email protected]. To set the record straight...

A woman’s hand swipes a metrocard.

Opinion: NYU needs to get its students moving — for free

If the university truly believes that “the city is our campus,” it's time they help students actually afford to explore it.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer October 16, 2024

My high school — just like every public high school in New York City — provided every student with a free MetroCard to get to and from school. However, NYU offers no comparable...

People sit in a park under a tree with green and orange leaves. More groups of people sit scattered behind them.

Opinion: A single day off isn’t a ‘Fall Break’

NYU's approach to fall break leaves students with little agency to recharge or prepare for midterms.
Grayson Stotz, Staff Writer October 15, 2024

As the crisp autumn air settles in and the leaves begin to turn, students at NYU are greeted with a single day off on Oct. 14 — billed as a fall break. However, this fleeting...