Baala Shakya
Staff Reporter
BaalaShakya | baala.shakya@yale.edu
Baala Shakya covers Student Life, Campus Politics and Men's Crew for the News. She is also a staff photographer and writes for the WKND. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, she is a first-year in Trumbull College majoring in History.
Author Archive
BAALA SHAKYA
Yalies compete in world-famous Newport and Boston Marathons

From 120-mile training weeks to first-timer nerves, Yalies recount the pain, pride and triumph of competing in some of the nation’s most famous marathons.

April 22, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA & CHRIS TILLEN
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to deliver 2025 Class Day address

Jacinda Ardern, who served as New Zealand’s 40th prime minister from 2017 to 2023, will join commencement celebrations as Yale’s 2025 Class Day speaker.

April 22, 2025

ADA PERLMAN & BAALA SHAKYA
“A lonely prophet in a violent world”: Yale community reflects on Pope’s death

Yale community members reflected on the Pope’s legacy, noting his advocacy against injustices, attempts to reform the Church and controversial theology.

April 22, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA
MEN’S HEAVYWEIGHT CREW: Bulldogs fall short of Blackwell Cup, capture

While Penn upset Yale in the varsity eight, the Bulldogs dominated the annual Blackwell Cup regatta, winning three of four races.

April 21, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA & ORION KIM
With Bulldog Days near, many prefrosh await housing updates

Some admitted students, especially those who do not know any current Yale students, are still unsure where they will sleep during Bulldogs Days, which begins on Monday.

April 18, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA
Gryphon’s Pub to close for seven-month renovation, future uncertain

Planned renovations are a win for accessibility, but students brace for lost income and community spaces as Yale’s only graduate and professional student bar faces a future in jeopardy.

April 17, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA
Yale Youth Poll reveals deep nationwide splits on protester deportations, institutional neutrality

Student-led survey highlights support for political statements from universities, taxing elite university endowments and widespread rejection of deporting student. protesters.

April 16, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA
Yale adds new Indigenous, endangered languages to DILS program

With more endangered languages offered, students and language partners stress the importance of linguistic identity, access and institutional support for credit.

April 14, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA
MEN’S LIGHTWEIGHT CREW: Y150 falls to Penn in clash over Dodge, Colgan Cups

The Elis placed second in all three races over the weekend as they battled with Penn and Columbia.

April 14, 2025

JAKE ROBBINS & BAALA SHAKYA
“Yale’s Facemash”: Students react to site ranking Yalies’ popularity

As students voted on the 100 most popular classmates in each year, questions of visibility and social capital come to mind.

April 13, 2025

BAALA SHAKYA
An Ode to Old Campus

Old Campus smells like cigarette smoke and memories dipped in candle wax, like stale beer clinging to cobblestone and the warmth of someone’s hoodie thrown […]

April 11, 2025