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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 interior of an indoor basketball court under construction. Construction equipment and furniture are scattered across the floor.

‘Open construction site’: The short-lived opening of NYU Shanghai’s new campus

After students, parents and faculty raised safety concerns about the opening of NYU Shanghai’s yet-to-be-completed New Bund campus, administrators moved students online.
Adrianna Nehme, Deputy News Editor February 24, 2023

As Daniel Woc, a first-year student at NYU Shanghai, was walking into the university’s brand-new campus before the first day of classes, he noticed large clouds of dust in the...

Chinese actress Zhou Xun, who plays the dual role of Moudan and Meimei in the film Suzhou River. She has long, blonde hair with bangs, blue eyeshadow and red lipstick.

Review: The 4K restoration of ‘Suzhou River’ enhances a fleeting urban fairy tale

Strand Releasing’s 4K restoration of Lou Ye’s arthouse romance “Suzhou River” gives new life to a modern classic, while retaining the film's gritty essence. ‘Suzhou River’ began its theatrical run at Film Forum this Friday, Feb. 17.
Mick Gaw, Staff Writer February 22, 2023

Director Lou Ye’s urban fairy tale “Suzhou River” (2000) captures a short-lived love affair amid the thick smog of ‘90s Shanghai. Neon-lit debauchery, underworld criminal...

Five people take pictures in front of a mural that depicts green mountains, tan buildings and trees. A Chinese national flag is drawn in the foreground. Two Asian people are smiling at the camera as they point to the Chinese slogan “collective prosperity” on the bottom of the mural.

Q&A: Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke on China’s changing identity

WSN spoke with celebrated Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke about nationalism, the internet and capturing contemporary China.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor February 20, 2023

Jia Zhangke is often seen as the North Star of Chinese independent cinema. His continued interrogation of the nation’s cultural changes ever since he took up filmmaking in 1997...

Graduate Ayham Adawi in purple graduation robe holds the NYU Abu Dhabi banner. A crowd of graduates in purple robes are seen in the background.

Abu Dhabi, Shanghai seniors come together at NYC commencement

NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU Shanghai seniors represented their schools during the university commencement ceremony for the class of 2022.
Roshni Raj, Culture Editor May 20, 2022

For most students, commencement is a day to bring everyone together. Some families drive from New Jersey, while others fly from across oceans, all to watch their loved ones graduate....

Lexie Alford, the youngest person ever to visit every country, holds up a sign that reads "Country #111" in front of the The Forbidden City palace complex in Beijing, China.

Q&A: Guinness World Record holder Lexie Alford on traveling to every country

After studying away, we thought we were expert solo travelers — until we sat down with the youngest person ever to visit every single country.
Anthony Ferrara and Roshni Raj May 6, 2022

Last semester, we studied away at NYU Abu Dhabi and NYU London, where we fully immersed ourselves in the local cultures. Over 40% of NYU students study away for at least one 16-week...

A line of people stand waiting to take COVID-19 tests on a road near a gate. Workers in full personal protective equipment can be seen monitoring the line and administering the tests.

‘I need to get out’: NYU Shanghai lockdown leaves students struggling in dorms

Since the city of Shanghai's government lockdown began on March 28, students have been forced to quarantine in the dorms, take classes online and participate in daily testing.
Mitali Sapra, Contributing Writer May 2, 2022

On March 13, NYU Shanghai first-year Raghav Dembla received an email from David Pe, the dean of students at the campus, informing him that students and faculty would be unable...

Aria Young stands with her eyes closed against black doors. She is wearing a gray jacket and a blue-and-purple scarf. Her hair is a gradient of black, red, orange and yellow.

NYU student Aria Young wins NPR College Podcast Challenge

LS sophomore Aria Young explores how she learned to embrace her Chinese name and identity after she moved to the United States in her podcast “What’s in a Name.” The podcast was chosen as the winner of a National Public Radio competition.
Joyce Li and Ruby Tess Naylor April 14, 2022

LS sophomore Aria Young’s podcast “What’s in a Name” won NPR’s 2022 College Podcast Challenge. In her podcast series, Young, who has previously written for WSN, discusses...

A barista at Coffee Buffs filters coffee. With more than 7,000 coffee shops, Shanghai is the city with the most coffee shops in the world. (Photo by Claire Yao)

Shanghai’s experimental, fast-paced coffee culture

With 7,000 coffeeshops — more than any other city in the world — Shanghai’s coffee scene is defined by innovation.
Claire Yao, Staff Writer November 2, 2021

SHANGHAI — Coffeehouses became popular in the Middle East and Europe during the 16th century after coffee was supposedly discovered by a caffeinated goatherd in Ethiopia. Regardless...

Students claim they were unfairly treated after suspension from NYU housing. Those facing punitive actions are alleging a pattern of the university’s insensitivity and unnecessary severity.
(Staff Photo by Ryan Walker)

Students say punishments for violating COVID-19 guidelines are overly harsh

Liberal Studies first-year Aria Young claims she was unjustly treated after being evicted from NYU housing due to misconduct. Young and other students who face similar situations allege that the university handled their cases insensitively, in part on account of their race.
Mei Lamison, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

It was Dec. 23 and Liberal Studies first-year Aria Young had just finished her the last of her exams of the Fall 2020 semester. Unable to fly home to Shanghai due to the pandemic,...

Three weeks ago, local police detained and released nine NYU Shanghai students in two separate drug sweeps. NYU Shanghai intends to establish a safety task force (Photo by Echo Chen)

Police detain and release 9 NYU Shanghai students in drug sweeps

Three weeks ago, Chinese police detained nine NYU Shanghai students in two separate drug sweeps.
Ruqaiyah Zarook, Staff Writer April 5, 2021

Nine NYU Shanghai students were detained in two separate drug sweeps conducted by local police in Shanghai on March 12. Two students were taken into custody at a local bar, and...

Illustration by Charlie Dodge.

A Far-Flung Goodbye for NYU Shanghai Class of 2020

NYU Shanghai was the first NYU campus to delay classes and eventually shut down as part of the effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. For a graduating class that was never allowed on campus for their final semester, this meant an unsatisfying and uncertain conclusion to university life.
Ali Zimmerman, Staff Writer May 7, 2020

Clarisse Pinel was in Shanghai for just 48 hours when she got the news that NYU Shanghai was to delay its opening, and immediately packed her bags to head to New York. Kennedy...

NYU is shortly wrapping up their remote spring semester. A recent memo sent to students related expectations for the summer and fall. (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

CARES Act Funding ‘Yet to be Received,’ NYU Shanghai Returns and an Uncertain Fall Semester Remains

The email sent by NYU senior leadership announced plans to allocate all of the CARES act funding to the emergency relief fund and for displaced students in the fall.
Aarushi Sharma, Staff Writer May 6, 2020

NYU has yet to receive funding from the CARES Act — a law that provides funding to universities so they can offer emergency grants to students affected by the pandemic — according...