In its penultimate meeting of the year, the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) heard mid-year presentations from mental health chair Allen Nieva ’26 who discussed upcoming changes to academic policy, as well as Samantha Handwerk ’26 and Amelia Wray ’28, who shared updates on behalf of the Menstrual Products Task Force (MPTS).
Nieva discussed new and ongoing initiatives from the mental health committee, including discussions with college deans about a standardized excused-absence policy. Although some departments do have individual excused absences, Nieva explained that a University-wide policy should be created.
“Missing a day on this campus is like missing a week,” Nieva said during the meeting. “Life happens, religious circumstances come up, personal circumstances, medical circumstances, just that one excused absence could be enough to make or break a student’s experience for a semester.”
The presentation then covered a new approach to helping students who enter Princeton unsure of their intended major, and are then unable to declare a major with many prerequisites once they decide.
The presentation then covered a new approach to help students who initially enter Princeton undecided but end up wanting to major in a subject with many prerequisites. This flexible pathway policy proposal plans to first identify departments where students may have difficulty declaring the major if they do not begin taking prerequisite courses at the start of their first year.
For example, Chemistry majors are required to take, or test out of, a minimum of eight chemistry, math, and physics courses by the end of their sophomore year, including one chemistry course each semester for that first two years. Students majoring in the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), one of the most popular majors, must take or test out of a minimum of four courses before declaring.
The possibility of a pass/D/fail (PDF) option for introductory language courses was then discussed, a referendum for which was passed last fall. Nieva said that a task force is being assembled to facilitate the change, although the PDF option would only be available for students who are not taking the course as a graduation requirement.
Lastly, Nieva discussed the return of the Ivy League mental health conference that was held annually before the pandemic. The conference is tentatively set to take place November 7–9, and will include speakers and school workshops, according to Nieva.
“As of this morning, we have reps from seven out of the eight Ivy League institutions,” Nieva said.
The MPTS presentation then shared their annual budget report and covered potential improvements. This year, the MPTS has hosted a number of events, including study breaks and filling stations in bathrooms with period products. The group proposed new funding to expand their period product dispensaries beyond academic buildings to new student-run locations, such as the Theater Intime building.
USG President Enzo Kho ’26 welcomed the new members of the USG who were elected last week and confirmed at the meeting, and congratulated those who were re-elected.
All USG meetings are open to all students and faculty and are convened every Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Robertson 016. The next and last meeting of this semester will be on May 4 as there will be no meeting on April 27 due to Lawnparties.
Devon Rudolph is an associate News editor and staff Sports writer for the 'Prince.' She is from northern Virginia and typically covers student life and USG.
Sena Chang contributed reporting.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Attendance at annual campus rec dodgeball tournament drops by half
Luke GrippoThe annual Princeton Campus Rec dodgeball tournament held on Thursday, April 17 received half its usual turnout.
The annual Princeton Campus Rec dodgeball tournament held on Thursday, April 17 received half its usual turnout.
Students meet with alumni at Capitol Hill for Whig-Clio Careers in Government Day
Elisabeth StewartAt the first Whig-Clio Careers in Government Day, Princeton Whig-Clio members travelled to Washington D.C. for conversations with public servants on Capitol Hill.
At the first Whig Clio Careers in Government Day, Princeton Whig Clio members travelled to Washington D.C. for conversations with public servants on Capitol Hill.
No. 2 men’s lacrosse overcomes slow start to defeat Penn, 12–8
Hayk YengibaryanThe Tigers’ 10–2 start is their best start to a season since 2009.
The Tigers’ 10–2 start is their best start to a season since 2009.