Over the past semester, the unsigned editorials featured on this page have discussed the freshmen year rush ban, Early Action admission and departmental certificates. The Daily Princetonian Editorial Board was collectively responsible for writing these pieces. Today, instead of taking a stance on an issue, we would like to explain the editorial process and invite interested freshmen, sophomores and juniors to apply to join the Board.
The Board is the independent body responsible for determining the position of the ‘Prince’ on matters that affect Princeton and its campus community. We meet twice a week to discuss campus issues, solicit input from potential stakeholders and take editorial positions. We work closely with other sections of the newspaper to gather information about editorial topics, but we deliberate behind closed doors and independently determine our own positions to preserve objectivity. The Board answers only to its chair, Jonathan Sarnoff; the executive editor for opinion, Camille Framroze; and the editor-in-chief, Ameena Schelling.
While the Board strives for unanimity, editorial positions are determined by majority vote and are written in turns by the members of the Board. Joining the Board commits you to writing one editorial every few weeks. Under certain circumstances, a unified minority publishes a signed dissent. All majority opinions are the collective product of the Board and constitute an independent voice separate from other sections of the ‘Prince.’
Crucial to our mission is the ability to incorporate a variety of diverse perspectives into the editorials we produce. Current Board members come from across the country and represent a wide variety of majors, political philosophies and academic and extracurricular interests. What unites us all is an engagement in campus life and a commitment to investigating and discussing issues that pertain to the University community. We are committed to bringing compelling arguments and perspectives to this page, criticizing and praising in equal measure. We try to recommend specific policies or actions for the University that in our opinion are best for the community as a whole.
For us, its members, the Board is one of the central aspects of our time at Princeton. From the (relative) comfort of our fourth-floor conference room, we engage in challenging, passionate and intellectually stimulating debates that lead us to examine and confront the full range of issues that affect our lives at Princeton. Our greatest thrills come from the times when our suggestions make a lasting contribution to the broader discussion about an issue or are even adopted by the University— something that has happened numerous times over the past year. If you have a complaint, joining the Editorial Board is a meaningful way to encourage corresponding change.
Our aim is to inspire discussion and, ultimately, action. But this is impossible without a constant influx of students with unique perspectives — independent thinkers who are eager to debate and willing to engage with issues important to Princeton. We value writing ability, creativity and strength of thought much more than journalistic experience. If you are interested in joining us, we encourage you to fill out our application at dailyprincetonian.com/join/opinion by midnight on Friday, Sept. 30. Candidates will be interviewed on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 2. We look forward to meeting you!
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Princeton, why don’t you care about the working class?
Raf Basas“Princeton is an engine that currently transforms a few thousand people per year, using incredible academic, career, and financial resources, into influential decision-makers. It should turn them into compassionate and public-minded ones, too. Princeton students can and should become allies of the working class.”
“Princeton is an engine that currently transforms a few thousand people per year, using incredible academic, career, and financial resources, into influential decision-makers. It should turn them into compassionate and public-minded ones, too. Princeton students can and should become allies of the working class.”
Princeton, break up with BP
Alex Norbrook and Ryan Divan“BP cannot be considered a credible climate partner for Princeton’s research, and its relationship cannot continue.”
“BP cannot be considered a credible climate partner for Princeton’s research, and its relationship cannot continue.”
Confessions of a campus moderate
Abigail Rabieh“Obsessive interest in university life harms the learning that goes on within. When student opinions are given outsized attention, we start to believe that they have something meaningful to say and forget that they are, in fact, still very much in the process of learning how to think.”
“Obsessive interest in university life harms the learning that goes on within. When student opinions are given outsized attention, we start to believe that they have something meaningful to say and forget that they are, in fact, still very much in the process of learning how to think.”
