Regarding “Fall Lawnparties preview” (Thursday, Sept. 17, 2009):
September means two things to Princeton students: the beginning of a new academic year and, more importantly to some, the resumption of their social lives after summer break. Fall Lawnparties is one of the biggest events of the year (second only to Houseparties, or so I hear). Accordingly, I saved my first real visit to the Street for Sunday. Though it is possible that I went in with unreasonable expectations, I would be lying if I said I had a good time. I will admit, watching police officers helplessly “patrol” the Street while plastic cups filled with cheap, free-flowing alcoholic beverages adorned the private front yards of the clubs was amusing. But the USG futilely tried to compensate for the lack of any headlining band by sponsoring events at Campus Club, which was a disaster. Waiting in long lines for mediocre carnival food is not exactly my idea of a good time. And at the recycled T-shirt giveaway, I was given a youth XL. It’s a good thing I have a sister and that I could put it to use as a gift; otherwise my “recycled” shirt would have been wasted. Now, I understand that the students voted for this, but I have to question the accuracy of a vote decided by a minority of the student body. I know we freshmen will have “our time” soon, but we need to make some significant changes for next year, or else next fall’s Lawnparties will fall flat once more.
Gary Fox ’13
Gray squirrels must be stopped
Regarding wild life on campus (Reunions 2009):
I have long held a fascination with the famous black squirrels that populate the campus of Princeton University. Many times as an undergrad, I would pull an all-nighter and walk around at 6 a.m. as the black squirrels held their secret morning conferences within the peaceful confines of the solitude offered by students sleeping off their drunken orgies. Er, I mean, resting after a hard night's study.
Often, I would count the number of black squirrels. Usually, in my informal survey, there were at least 10 black squirrels for every 2 gray, scurrying across the green lawns in front of Whig-Clio.
I was concerned, however, during my recent trip to Reunions. Waking up at six on Friday morning — yes, no more all-nighters — I was astonished to discover only one solitary black squirrel contemplating his secret stash of squirrel nuts and student leftovers in the dim light of the dawn. Not only that, the ratio of black to gray squirrels was grim as, on each successive morning, the black squirrels were seemingly nonexistent. On the last morning, I counted 21 gray vs. only one lonely black squirrel.
True, this is not a scientifically conducted study. Plus, I may have been squinting a bit, and my poor double vision may have accidentally made me miscount the number of gray squirrels. But there is no doubt in my mind: The population of black squirrels has diminished since the period of my matriculation at Princeton. This I am certain.
Perhaps the demise of the black squirrel is explained by a horrifying video I took on the eve of the last day of Reunions. It fully documents the ferocity that is the grey squirrel. I pray that the campus will not wake up one morning to discover the carcasses of the remaining black squirrels who are now on the wane because of these bloodthirsty, brutal little fiends. This is too terrifying a thought.
Mimi Chen ’79
A proposal for the naming of new Butler buildings
Regarding “New buildings still unnamed” (Monday, Sept. 21, 2009):
I read your recently published article titled “New buildings still unnamed” in The Daily Princetonian, and since I have lived around the Butler area for the past three years, I would like my name to be given to one of the new Butler buildings that are still unnamed.
Efe Murad ’10
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Why postdocs are demanding open bargaining
Guest Contributors"Princeton’s resistance to the presence of observers is a break from many academic union negotiations. At Harvard, Weill Cornell, Mt Sinai, Columbia University, and the University of Washington, there are no limits on observers."
"Princeton’s resistance to the presence of observers is a break from many academic union negotiations. At Harvard, Weill Cornell, Mt Sinai, Columbia University, and the University of Washington, there are no limits on observers."
Mineral extraction is destroying the Congo. Princeton must source sustainably.
Luqmaan Bamba“As an important and influential institution in the global green energy transition, Princeton’s role is to commit, and commit actively, to that vision of ethical sourcing for its climate infrastructure.”
“As an important and influential institution in the global green energy transition, Princeton’s role is to commit, and commit actively, to that vision of ethical sourcing for its climate infrastructure.”
Vote ‘No’ on Referendum No. 5. Here’s why.
Judah Guggenheim“Referendum No. 5 calls on the University to divest from American defense companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and General Dynamics. The referendum ignores the necessary role that these companies play in defending democracy in American allies across the world.’’
“Referendum No. 5 calls on the University to divest from American defense companies including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX (formerly Raytheon), and General Dynamics. The referendum ignores the necessary role that these companies play in defending democracy in American allies across the world.’’
