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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

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

Opinion: Subway safety is a manufactured crisis

New York City is spending millions on subway policing and surveillance, but these measures do more to ease public anxiety than actually reduce crime.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer February 12, 2025

Anyone who turns on the news might think that the New York City subway system is more dangerous than ever. Every few weeks, a violent subway crime becomes the subject of alarmist...

Opinion: A lack of accessibility leaves disabled commuters behind

Opinion: A lack of accessibility leaves disabled commuters behind

New York City’s transit system has an accessibility problem. What can the MTA do to fix it?
Sam Kats, Contributing Writer February 5, 2025

Nearly 1 in 6 New York City residents have a disability, and for many, the subway system remains a source of exclusion rather than access. As of January, 336 subway stations in...

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 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...

Subway station with New York University signage covered in red spray paint splatters and the tag “FUNDS GENOCIDE.”

Pro-Palestinian activists spray paint NYU subway station

At the start of the university’s Weekend on the Square events, unidentified activists spray painted the Eighth Street-NYU station with the words “FUNDS GENOCIDE” under tiles spelling out “New York University.”
Bruna Horvath, News Editor April 16, 2024

Unidentified pro-Palestinian activists wrote “FUNDS GENOCIDE” in red spray paint under tiles spelling out “New York University” on the wall of the Eighth Street-NYU subway...

The emergency exit door at the entrance to a subway station. Behind the door there are security guards. The door has a sign that reads “Service Entry”.

Students wary of Hochul’s subway security plan

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision to deploy National Guard soldiers in the New York City transit system has been met with concerns from many riders, including NYU students.
Dharma Niles, Deputy News Editor March 13, 2024

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent decision to station hundreds of National Guard troops and police officers has stirred a debate over subway safety among New Yorkers, including...

Several people stand by the window on the Staten Island Ferry with the sun shining on them. In the background is the downtown Manhattan skyline.

The most picturesque MetroCard rides in New York City

The best views of the city skyline only cost $2.75.
Kevin Wu, Multimedia Editor March 27, 2023

A box of emergency contraceptive pills on a white tabletop. The box reads “Plan B. One-Step.”

Off-Third: NYU takes ‘the city is our campus’ literally, offers off-campus tours to visitors

As university buildings take over the city, leadership ambassadors are taking over the city’s tourism industry.
Naisha Roy, Deputy Opinion Editor February 16, 2023

Off-Third is WSN’s satire column. After constant complaints that campus tours were smelly, boring and prone to assault-via-egging, the university has finally announced the...

An M.T.A. bus with white and blue stripes driving down Broadway.

Opinion: I love the bus, and so should you

The subway can be scary, and ride-hailing services aren’t affordable. The best option is right in front of us.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor October 26, 2022

I moved to the best apartment in the world. It’s right by campus, it has an elevator, it’s affordable and, most importantly, the M8 bus stops right in front of it. I can travel...

The emergency exit door at the entrance to a subway station. Behind the door there are security guards. The door has a sign that reads “Service Entry”.

Private security guards patrol emergency exits at West 4th subway station

The security presence, which began in early September, is unarmed and discouraged from physically confronting subway riders.
Hope Pisoni, Contributing Writer October 19, 2022

At the often-crowded West Fourth Street-Washington Square subway station, one of the closest to NYU’s campus, officers from two private security contractors now stand in front...

An illustration depicts a blue shirt coming out of a canvas tote bag. The background is a purple and blue gradient.

NYC Versus American Suburbia: The Limitations of Self Expression

Moving from a small town to the big city, I had dreams of expressing my true self. However, I had not considered the realities of being a teenage girl in New York City. How can I express myself if I fear for my safety?
Julia Diorio, Contributing Writer September 25, 2022

The 6 subway train arrives at the Union Square station. People stand on the platform and walk on the overpass.

Opinion: College students should not have to pay for Metrocards

An NYU student government resolution last spring outlined a plan to bring university students discounted Metrocards. It should be implemented as soon as possible.
Blake Salesin, Staff Writer September 19, 2022

New York City is not cheap. We know that. As students in the nation’s largest city by population, we find ways to finesse every discount code for restaurant takeout and take...