Opinion

Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

Maria Luisa Vieira Parada

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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USG Mental Health chair: Princeton’s mental health system must change

USG Mental Health chair: Princeton’s mental health system must change

Noah Luch

“Princeton must commit to a serious effort toward reforming its wellness system. In my mind, the most substantive change can only come from a formal committee within the administrative body dedicated to reforming Princeton’s overarching culture around mental health.”

“Princeton must commit to a serious effort toward reforming its wellness system. In my mind, the most substantive change can only come from a formal committee within the administrative body dedicated to reforming Princeton’s overarching culture around mental health.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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The collapse of compact theory should mean statehood for Puerto Rico

The collapse of compact theory should mean statehood for Puerto Rico

Ignacio Arias

“Statehood is not the panacea to all of the island’s woes, but it will best equip Puerto Ricans to promote their interests and fully participate in national affairs. Statehood alone would redeem the full value of the precious grant of American citizenship and thus secure the blessings of liberty for three million Americans.”

“Statehood is not the panacea to all of the island’s woes, but it will best equip Puerto Ricans to promote their interests and fully participate in national affairs. Statehood alone would redeem the full value of the precious grant of American citizenship and thus secure the blessings of liberty for three million Americans.”

OPINION | 04/26/2023

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It’s time for Princeton to contextualize students’ GPAs

It’s time for Princeton to contextualize students’ GPAs

Henry Hsiao

“Adopting contextual grading through class medians ... will prove an excellent first step towards demystifying the student GPA and grading process at Princeton.”

“Adopting contextual grading through class medians ... will prove an excellent first step towards demystifying the student GPA and grading process at Princeton.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Appropriation is not representation

Appropriation is not representation

Peter Christian

“Apparently without knowledge — or in willful ignorance — of these critiques, the speakers at the event glorified Dvořák, Gershwin, and Ives, with “Black classical music” added as an apparent afterthought, perhaps an attention-grabbing headline to maximize attendance.”

“Apparently without knowledge — or in willful ignorance — of these critiques, the speakers at the event glorified Dvořák, Gershwin, and Ives, with “Black classical music” added as an apparent afterthought, perhaps an attention-grabbing headline to maximize attendance.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Eldar Shafir and Uri Hasson

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Guest Contributors

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

OPINION | 04/24/2023

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The case for raising student activity fees

The case for raising student activity fees

Walker Penfield

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

OPINION | 04/23/2023

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Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Alex Norbrook

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

OPINION | 04/21/2023

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Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Anais Mobarak

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

OPINION | 04/19/2023

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When we celebrate athletics, it will bring us together

When we celebrate athletics, it will bring us together

Julianna Lee

“Rooting for Princeton basketball is not just about liking basketball: It’s about celebrating Princeton. There is a reason why athletics are at the center of campus life at so many universities: They are a way for the entire school to come together around shared experiences.”

“Rooting for Princeton basketball is not just about liking basketball: It’s about celebrating Princeton. There is a reason why athletics are at the center of campus life at so many universities: They are a way for the entire school to come together around shared experiences.”

OPINION | 04/19/2023

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Make area studies cool again

Make area studies cool again

Vincent Jiang

“[Princeton] must now be proactive and lead the way in rebuilding area studies as a core discipline of social science. While it’s tempting to place the entirety of that burden on the administration, the best way to accomplish this would be for students and the University to meet halfway.”

“[Princeton] must now be proactive and lead the way in rebuilding area studies as a core discipline of social science. While it’s tempting to place the entirety of that burden on the administration, the best way to accomplish this would be for students and the University to meet halfway.”

OPINION | 04/18/2023

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As campus expands, we can’t leave the sense of community behind

As campus expands, we can’t leave the sense of community behind

Aly Rashid

With the campus expanding in size, cohesive spirit is fading. As Princeton increases class sizes and campus area, it runs the risk of weakening its liberal-arts-college-style community. While I agree that Princeton should increase class sizes and welcome more people into our undergraduate community, the acceleration of this process may leave school unity behind.  

With the campus expanding in size, cohesive spirit is fading. As Princeton increases class sizes and campus area, it runs the risk of weakening its liberal-arts-college-style community. While I agree that Princeton should increase class sizes and welcome more people into our undergraduate community, the acceleration of this process may leave school unity behind. 

OPINION | 04/17/2023

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NJ Gov. Murphy just signed a revolutionary campaign finance law. It’s bad news for Princeton students.

NJ Gov. Murphy just signed a revolutionary campaign finance law. It’s bad news for Princeton students.

Preston Ferraiuolo

The new law is detrimental because it permits politicians to act without accountability. As we work towards becoming a more equitable nation, campaign finance regulation ensures that political power is more evenly distributed rather than held by a few who can afford to sway those in government.

The new law is detrimental because it permits politicians to act without accountability. As we work towards becoming a more equitable nation, campaign finance regulation ensures that political power is more evenly distributed rather than held by a few who can afford to sway those in government.

OPINION | 04/16/2023

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Reactions: What's your Princeton pre-read?

Reactions: What's your Princeton pre-read?

Lucia Wetherill, Julianna Lee, Prince Takano, Emilly Santos, Vincent Jiang, Eleanor Clemans-Cope, Alex Norbrook, and Thomas Buckley

Opinion columnists share their recommendations for Princeton’s next pre-read. 

Opinion columnists share their recommendations for Princeton’s next pre-read. 

OPINION | 04/13/2023

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Room draw is unclear and its punishments too harsh

Room draw is unclear and its punishments too harsh

Anna Ferris

During room draw, Princeton must provide clearer resources and more frequent communication to demystify the process, and reconsider its overly unforgiving tactic of group punishment for late applications.

During room draw, Princeton must provide clearer resources and more frequent communication to demystify the process, and reconsider its overly unforgiving tactic of group punishment for late applications.

OPINION | 04/13/2023

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Let them eat crepes: stop abusing Pay with Points

Let them eat crepes: stop abusing Pay with Points

Abigail Rabieh

“Financial aid resources should not force students to choose which aspects of the Princeton community they are able to participate in, especially when the programs are directed to specific ends. The Pay with Points program was not brought about in order to allow students facing financial difficulties to have more access to social life — all those involved clearly created the initiative in order to increase town engagement.”

“Financial aid resources should not force students to choose which aspects of the Princeton community they are able to participate in, especially when the programs are directed to specific ends. The Pay with Points program was not brought about in order to allow students facing financial difficulties to have more access to social life — all those involved clearly created the initiative in order to increase town engagement.”

OPINION | 04/11/2023

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Rejection is common at Princeton – and that’s a good thing

Rejection is common at Princeton – and that’s a good thing

Kelsey Ji

“At Princeton, we don’t only in the classroom, we also learn life skills — like how to deal with rejection ... While there are resources like precepts, office hours, and the McGraw Center available to help students overcome the academic learning curve, there are few resources that are available to guide students through the learning curve of handling rejections, the feeling of not meeting others’ expectations, and the feeling of letting oneself down.”

“At Princeton, we don’t only in the classroom, we also learn life skills — like how to deal with rejection ... While there are resources like precepts, office hours, and the McGraw Center available to help students overcome the academic learning curve, there are few resources that are available to guide students through the learning curve of handling rejections, the feeling of not meeting others’ expectations, and the feeling of letting oneself down.”

OPINION | 04/10/2023

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SPEAR: We should advocate for campus safety beyond surveillance and policing

SPEAR: We should advocate for campus safety beyond surveillance and policing

Guest Contributors

While cameras are apparently neutral pieces of technology, they often demonstrate systematic biases. We also know that policing and police systems disproportionately impact people of color. Princeton is not immune to these challenges either.

While cameras are apparently neutral pieces of technology, they often demonstrate systematic biases. We also know that policing and police systems disproportionately impact people of color. Princeton is not immune to these challenges either. 

OPINION | 04/09/2023

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Athletic scholarships are not the solution. An activity stipend is.

Athletic scholarships are not the solution. An activity stipend is.

Christofer Robles

“This stipend, separate from the aid students receive through Princeton financial aid, would recognize and compensate for the time and effort needed to support student involvement in their non-academic activities.”

“This stipend, separate from the aid students receive through Princeton financial aid, would recognize and compensate for the time and effort needed to support student involvement in their non-academic activities.”

OPINION | 04/07/2023

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