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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 person walks through a subway turnstile next to an open emergency exit door.

Opinion: Punishing fare evasion isn’t fair

New York City’s violent, punitive approach to fare evasion ignores the root causes, creating more harm than good.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer October 29, 2024

One month ago, a man failed to pay his subway fare and when police officers followed him into the train car, he pulled a knife and was shot at. The man was injured, along...

A model wears a piece by designer Miashan at New York Fashion Week 2020. The fashion industry has been forced to evaluate how it can remain operating during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Fast-Fashion in the Face of the Coronavirus

The Coronavirus sheds light on the hidden victims of fast-fashion.
Divya Nelakonda, Beauty & Style Editor April 8, 2020

Long before the coronavirus, the future for the fashion industry was grim. As the pandemic spread to Italy as the Fall 2020 fashion week in Milan was beginning, widespread panic...

After her husband’s funeral, a woman is stranded in Lisbon miles away from her home in Cape Verde. The film Vitalina Varela submerges itself in themes of distance and immigrant communities. (Photo by Hassan Elgamal)

‘Vitalina Varela’ is a Masterclass in Minimalism

An art house film to its core, “Vitalina Varela” makes excellent use of visual storytelling to convey its narrative across cultures and across cultures and languages.
Nicholas Pabon, Staff Writer February 24, 2020

“Vitalina Varela” is a film by Portuguese director Pedro Costa starring nonprofessional actress Vitalina Varela, from whom the film takes its name. Varela portrays herself...

Courtesy Meals Shouldn’t Come at a Price

Courtesy Meals Shouldn’t Come at a Price

Students were outraged after their financial aid was used for Courtesy Meals, which were initially promoted as free. Despite NYU's claim it has corrected the issue, the quiet charges are telling of how the university treats lower-income students.
WSN Editorial Board November 11, 2019

Students recently reported having financial aid, previously awarded for scholarships or work-study, be redistributed to pay for usage of the Courtesy Meals Program — which provides...

The NYPD’s Subway Occupation Must End

The NYPD’s Subway Occupation Must End

After several instances of police abuse in New York City subway stations, an awareness of the NYPD’s campaign against those most in need is growing — this violent force must be confronted.
Asha Ramachandran, Contributing Writer November 11, 2019

A young black man, Adrian Napier, was sitting alone on the subway at the Franklin Avenue station in Brooklyn on Oct. 25. A gang of police officers assembled outside of the train,...

On Wednesday, UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights Philip Alston, Faculty Director and Co-Chair of the Program on Justice and Human Rights Margaret Satterthwaite, and Founding Director of said program César Rodriguez-Garavito discussed how to report on poverty. They spoke at the panel “Do Human Rights Investigations Matter? The Case of the UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty” hosted by The Latham & Watkins law firm at Vanderbilt Hall. (Nina Schifano)

UN Rapporteur Talks How to Be Effective in Addressing Human Rights Violations

At an NYU Law event, Philip Alston said considering one’s audience is essential when spurring action on human rights violations.
Matthew Fischetti, Contributing Writer October 17, 2019

Those working to improve human rights must better consider communities and their environments, U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty Philip Alston said at an NYU School of...

Jennifer Jones Austin (left) and Peter Edelman (right) spoke to NYU Silver School of Social Work about the criminalization of poverty.

Silver Talk Highlights Race and Poverty’s Role in the Criminal Justice System

Peter Edelman and Jennifer Jones Austin discuss the intersection between race, poverty and the criminal justice system on Friday evening in Hemmerdinger Hall.
Alexandria Johnson, Staff Writer March 14, 2019

The large number of people who remain incarcerated after being unable to pay bail and the police practice of fining citizens for minuscule acts were two of the issues discussed...

While expensive to acquire, green carts equipped with EBT machines lead to significantly higher sales.

NYU researchers found that while expensive

EBT Cards Make Produce an Easy Choice

Herman Lee, Contributing Writer October 5, 2017
New research on food stamps spending shows a link between electronic purchases and healthy food choices.
No Applause for Adulting

No Applause for Adulting

Emily Fong, Opinion Editor December 1, 2016
By rewarding themselves for minor efforts, young people undermine the challenges many face every day.
Capitalism Won't Solve Cuban Inequality

Capitalism Won’t Solve Cuban Inequality

Connor Borden, Contributing Writer March 28, 2016
With no chance of mobility and a pittance from the central government, the poverty-stricken population of Cuba cannot hope to escape the cycle of poverty.
Cities on Both Coasts Mishandle Homelessness

Cities on Both Coasts Mishandle Homelessness

Emily Fong, Deputy Opinion Editor March 7, 2016
As tensions and tempers flare between the encroaching walls of gentrification and those who find themselves forced out of their old homes, the parallels between San Francisco’s issues with homelessness and New York’s are clear.
Food Stamps Aren't Enough for SNAP Beneficiaries

Food Stamps Aren’t Enough for SNAP Beneficiaries

Shiva Darshan, Staff Writer March 3, 2016
This upcoming deadline for SNAP benefits is just another indignity forced upon people who need public assistance.