Regarding "For University, Spelman 8 a great success," (Thursday, Sept. 25 2008)
This article is completely void of any information related to why student dissatisfaction with Whitman taking over Spelman 8 was so overwhelming and widespread last spring. The only reason why most of the students in Spelman 8 are there today is because they were able to benefit from the University eliminating an important housing option for independent students. In fact, Spelman housing was sought by many more independent students this year than in last year's room draw. There were more people drawing into Spelman housing than there were spots available in all eight Spelman buildings.
The USG survey from the spring is conclusive; students opposed the Spelman move. It's unlikely that this sentiment evaporated overnight. For its next article on Spelman, The Daily Princetonian may want to try interviewing independents who were unable to secure their desired housing. The title of the article should have been "For Whitman, not most students, Spelman 8 great success."
Josh Weinstein '09
USG president
Portrait of Murray-Dodge is inaccurate
Regarding "A good recipe gone sour," (Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008)
Emily Norris '09 does a disservice to ‘Prince' readers by writing a very spiteful opinion column about Murray-Dodge Cafe without ever disclosing that she is a disgruntled ex-employee. Additionally, many of the "facts" in her opinion column are false. For example, our "expensive events" hosted on Saturdays are actually free for all students, and our cookies and tea are available every night of the week.
The idea that cafe workers are rude is simply untrue; workers are hired mainly on their ability to make patrons feel welcome, and we have worked very hard this year to find workers who are cheerful, open and ready to lend a hand. In addition to having great student workers, we always listen to feedback from patrons (such as carrying fresh milk thanks to patron requests).
The cafe has long been known as a fun alternative to the party scene, but our primary objective is to create a space that is welcoming to all students, not just one social group. In keeping with this objective, we also offer fun events including mug-painting, T-shirt decorating, casino night and the like on Saturdays thanks to funding from the Alcohol Initiative. I encourage everyone who has never been to one of these events to come check one out soon.
Alejandro Ciniglio '10 & Catherine Clark '11
Murray-Dodge co-supervisors
Next time, leave the sexism home
Regarding "Letters to the editor," (Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008)
In a letter to the editor entitled "Next time, leave the clowns at home," one outraged reader asked, "You have Princeton students humping each other on a football stadium ground in front of parents and girlfriends and you expect Citadel cadets to just to look away?"
I'm not exactly sure why sexually explicit jokes should be more offensive simply because they're performed in front of parents (people who by definition have had sex), or in front of girlfriends.
The suggestion that the Citadel cadets were justified in reacting with boos and threatened violence against the Princeton band because band members dared to pantomime sex on a football field 50 feet away from those cadets' girlfriends is an offensive one to the girlfriends and to women in general.
I thought the idea that the purity and innocence of womenfolk should be protected by the thuggery of men died years ago. Apparently I was wrong.
Perhaps Princeton should have left the clowns at home. But next time, I'd advise The Citadel to leave the sexism at home.
Chloe Angyal '09
Read More
Why can’t lecturers win the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching?
Jerry ZhuLet’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Let’s acknowledge those who make “boutique teaching” possible, those who work tirelessly to make our rigorous curricula more accessible, and those who dedicate their time to advising and guiding us through all the challenges we face at this University. Lecturers should be eligible for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.
Princeton’s administration of justice is Trumpian
Frances BroganThe disparity between the University’s approach to Giberson and its approach to pro-Palestinian protestors reflects a concerning trend of appeasing an increasingly emboldened right rather than resisting the threat it poses to academic freedom and the wellbeing of Princeton students.
Secular Opening Exercises? Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water
Frank StrasburgerThe secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
The secular makes no room for the spiritual. What Opening Exercises are meant to convey is the spirit of the institution so that it may be kept alive from generation to generation.
