Regarding “Minimizing precepts” (Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009):
Despite information clearly articulated to the contrary, the Daily Princetonian editorial on precept size characterizes as a change a precept policy that actually has been in existence for several years.
Our policy aims to be responsive to a variety of course needs across the University — to provide support for precepts and labs of the right size in all departments. As a result, precepts are created where needed and eliminated where not needed. We believe that the end result will be a better pedagogical experience across the University.
There are no financial constraints guiding us here. Indeed, the overall budget for Assistants in Instruction has grown by almost 9 percent in the past 5 years to acknowledge increased needs for teaching support. Where we have made cuts, they have been in some departments that were not following the policy by routinely creating smaller than expected sections as a means of providing teaching opportunities to grad students. We believe that we have met every pedagogical need across the University this semester.
David Dobkin
Dean of the Faculty
In defense of Peter Singer
Regarding “Peter Singer reflects on a decade at Princeton” (Monday, Oct. 26, 2009):
Peter Singer, whom I do not know but whose work I admire, certainly doesn’t need any help from me in defending his views.
I would only point out that your article presents several extremely misleading and wildly off-the-mark criticisms of his views (“People with disabilities need to be treated with the same respect and with the same values as the rest of the population … Peter Singer disagrees with [this]” and “I can guarantee you that if there were a world-famous scholar that called for the extermination of all Jews, Princeton wouldn’t hire the professor. Princeton just accepts infanticide as a valid point of view”) without bothering to present what those views actually are.
Someone unfamiliar with Singer’s work might be forgiven for concluding from this and many similar articles that his views are very different from, and far less supportable than, they in fact are. If you are going to present such polemical critiques, it would be well to give a fair hearing to the views under fire.
Brian Zack ’72
Admissions should be merit-based, and should disregard other factors
Regarding “Choosing the chosen people” (Friday, Oct. 23, 2009):
As the founding benefactor of the CJL and the primary benefactor of the Chabad House, I am obviously desirous of Princeton having a vibrant Jewish community. I believe that the Office of Admission makes a grievous error, however, by balkanizing the admission process. Admission should be based on merit, and religion, race and sexual orientation should play no role in the admission process. If a high school student is accepted by Princeton and opts to attend Harvard, Yale, etc., he or she obviously lacks intelligence, judgment and the desire to have the most exceptional college experience available (including parties on the Street).
Michael Scharf ’64
Religion was an important part of graduate student experience
Regarding “Following Christ after college” (Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009)
I attribute the Canterbury Club (Episcopalian chaplaincy)at Proctor House as one of the elements that kept me sane as a doctoral student. The 10 p.m. Sunday Holy Eucharist services were a good way to start the week.
Even as I graduated with a Ph.D. in medieval French language and literature in January 1991, I had entered seminary and have served as an Episcopal priest for the past 15+ years.
(I’ll also say that studying Latin and Classical Greek at Princeton at the undergraduate level has served me well.)
Lee A. Crawford ’91
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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.
