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

Opinion

Street view at night of a tall geometric building with lights shining through the windows.

Opinion: The case for renaming the Paulson Center

The building’s namesake, investor John Paulson, has a problematic history that NYU has yet to reckon with.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor February 21, 2024

The Paulson Center has faced no shortage of criticisms, from concerns over its contributions to gentrification and construction delays to worries over water leaks in its residential...

An illustration of an older man with a mustache and glasses, wearing a light blue shirt and navy blazer. Behind him are antiques and face designs.

Opinion: Renaming the Steinhardt school is long overdue

It’s about time the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development changed its name.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor February 16, 2024

Michael Steinhardt, the namesake for the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development, was found with $70 million worth of antiquities after a four-year investigation...

A crowd of students and three police officers stand outside Alumni Hall.

Opinion: NYU needs to refine its emergency communication

In the wake of Alumni Hall being evacuated due to a false bomb threat, the university needs to take steps to hasten communication with students during emergencies.
Noah Zaldivar, Staff Writer February 16, 2024

Last Thursday, residents at Alumni Hall were told to evacuate the building, anxiously waiting in the cold from 11 p.m. to around 1:45 a.m. while the New York City Police Department...

A neon purple L.E.D. sign saying “N.Y.U. TISCH” in a hallway that has white walls with several framed pieces hung on it.

Opinion: Drama students should be able to choose their preferred studio

Tisch should allow drama students the ability to rank their choices of studios during the application process.
Jack Sloan, Staff Writer February 15, 2024

The Tisch School of the Arts drama program boasts global recognition, but its structure, particularly its studio placement process, remains a subject of disagreement. As a friend...

An illustration of a black graduation cap with a purple tassel on top of three books in a pile. The books are blue, red and green and the pile is falling over. The background is purple with dollar bills scattered all around.

Opinion: Covering course fees is a necessary step toward affordability

If students are paying over $90,000 to attend the university, the least it can do is cover a few extra fees.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor February 8, 2024

My most anticipated class of the semester was my multimedia journalism class. As someone who is always writing for WSN, I was excited to delve into a different kind of journalistic...

Three security guards in blue uniforms congregate in front of the Grand Staircase in the Kimmel Center for University Life. A barrier is placed both on the top and bottom of the staircase.

Opinion: Students deserve to know why the Kimmel staircase is closed

The university’s decision to close the Grand Staircase in Kimmel last October is a nuisance for students trying to get to class.
Katherine Welander, Copy Chief February 2, 2024

Since Oct. 12, 2023, the Grand Staircase in the Kimmel Center for University Life has been closed to students. For the last three and a half months, NYU students have had to work...

N.Y.U. president Linda Mills sitting in a chair alongside three other people on a stage.

Opinion: NYU needs to talk about its upcoming Tulsa program

If the university wants this study away initiative to succeed, it's time it starts talking more, a lot more.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor February 1, 2024

Nothing made me close an email faster than when I saw a headline that NYU would be establishing a new study away program in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It wasn't just the seemingly random...

Cartoon illustrations of students walking through a dining hall added to a photo of students sitting on chairs.

Opinion: Don’t give up on community at NYU

Creating community at NYU can be a challenge, but being more intentional about how we interact with each other can start to change that.
Abi Rivera, Opinion Editor January 31, 2024

As I enter my junior year, the dull and isolating nature of NYU's open campus has become a familiar reality. For many, walking past another NYU student on campus is just like an...

An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.

Staff Rants: New beginnings or old complaints?

WSN staff shares their thoughts on the beginning of the 2024 spring semester.

On time: Yezen Saadah — Deputy Managing Editor  It has only been a week, and yet I feel like I’m already halfway through the semester.   On course schedules: Molly...

A white banner with purple letters that read N.Y.U. and a symbol of a torch hangs from the facade of the Silver Center.

Opinion: NYU’s search committees are failing to get the student perspective

The engagement sessions the university has relied on to gather student input on the hiring of high-ranking administrators are not working. It’s time for a new approach.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor January 29, 2024

Like many other of NYU’s endless emails, a recent communication about the start of a search for the university’s new provost had been sitting in my inbox — unread. It probably...

An N.Y.U. flag hangs above the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Cars line the road to the right of the building and an entrance to Washington Square Park can be seen in the background.

Guest Essay: How NYU department policies are harming international students

Pramath Pratap Misra is the chair of the Student Government Assembly’s International Student Affairs Committee.
Pramath Pratap Misra, Guest Contributor January 25, 2024

NYU is renowned for championing diversity, equity and inclusion, evident in its myriad committees, events and organisations. However, the stark reality diverges from this narrative,...

An illustration of a screenshot of an Albert Grades and Transcripts page where the Midterm Grade column is covered by a sticky note. On the sticky note there are three checkboxes that say “strong progress,” “satisfactory progress” and “concern with progress.” The satisfactory progress box is checked with a green marker.

Opinion: Midterm progress reports are the change we needed

The university’s new reports for undergraduate courses might just be the solution to its low midterm grade submission problem.
Molly Koch, Opinion Editor January 25, 2024

Rather than waiting weeks, or worse longer, for a midterm grade that might never come, students will now receive midterm progress reports for each of their courses. The new system...