Academics

Prof. Robert George’s views on gender come under fire after controversial Twitter poll

Prominent conservative professor Robert P. George received backlash on social media last week after posting a poll that questioned pronoun usage, which multiple students who spoke to The Daily Princetonian found transphobic and invalidating of nonbinary and gender-nonconforming experiences. With this latest dispute, the University community continues to grapple with reconciling free speech and inclusivity, particularly when those missions seem at odds. 

Prominent conservative professor Robert P. George received backlash on social media last week after posting a poll that questioned pronoun usage, which multiple students who spoke to The Daily Princetonian found transphobic and invalidating of nonbinary and gender-nonconforming experiences. With this latest dispute, the University community continues to grapple with reconciling free speech and inclusivity, particularly when those missions seem at odds. 

RCAs and PAAs struggle with zee engagement in a virtual semester

The online semester has drastically changed the job of being an RCA or PAA, and produced a host of new challenges. Whereas in normal years RCAs might simply see their zees in the dining hall or knock on their doors, building the community in a virtual space is not that simple. RCAs and PAAs discuss how their positions are different this year, describe the pitfalls of online engagement, and celebrate their successes.

The online semester has drastically changed the job of being an RCA or PAA, and produced a host of new challenges. Whereas in normal years RCAs might simply see their zees in the dining hall or knock on their doors, building the community in a virtual space is not that simple. RCAs and PAAs discuss how their positions are different this year, describe the pitfalls of online engagement, and celebrate their successes.

PDF grading policy will remain largely unchanged this spring

Courses that students elect to PDF during the spring 2021 semester will not count towards the four course limit, as has been the case for the past two semesters. Departments, however, may require students to take departmental prerequisites or requirements for a grade.

Courses that students elect to PDF during the spring 2021 semester will not count towards the four course limit, as has been the case for the past two semesters. Departments, however, may require students to take departmental pre-requisites or requirements for a grade.

Princeton establishes professorship of Indigenous Studies with $5 million gift from Wendy and Eric Schmidt ’76

The new professorship, titled the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Professor of Indigenous Studies, will “catalyze and unite conversations on indigeneity across disciplines,” according to the announcement. 

The new professorship, titled the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Professor of Indigenous Studies, will “catalyze and unite conversations on indigeneity across disciplines” according to the announcement. 

Faculty for ‘about 60 courses’ have expressed interest in hybrid teaching

“So far, the Office of the Dean of the College has had inquiries from faculty for about 60 courses — including both undergraduate and graduate courses — who are interested in exploring hybrid elements in their teaching,” a University spokesperson told the ‘Prince.’

“So far, the Office of the Dean of the College has had inquiries from faculty for about 60 courses — including both undergraduate and graduate courses — who are interested in exploring hybrid elements in their teaching,” a University spokesperson told the ‘Prince’ this afternoon.

Barron '74 establishes Biodiversity Research Challenge Fund

The University recently announced the establishment of the Thomas A. and Currie C. Barron Family Biodiversity Research Challenge Fund to support environmental research on biodiversity. 

The University recently announced the establishment of the Thomas A. and Currie C. Barron Family Biodiversity Research Challenge Fund to support environmental research on biodiversity. 

Sophie Li ’21 wins 2021 Rhodes Scholarship for Hong Kong

Li, who has lived in Hong Kong since the age of three, is a politics concentrator pursuing a certificate in journalism and plans on obtaining an Master of Science degree in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies at the University of Oxford.

Program in Ethnographic Studies no longer accepting certificate students

The elimination of the certificate was due to a “significant increase in the number of anthropology majors” and a need for prioritization of these students.

The elimination of the certificate was due to a “significant increase in the number of anthropology majors” and a need for prioritization of these students.

Outdoor lectures, themed suits, and the ecology of egg rolls: Professor Pringle gets inventive with online teaching

EEB students face the challenge of engaging in outdoor exploration during this online semester. But Associate Professor Rob Pringle is determined to bring the outdoors to his students. He delivers every EEB 321 lecture outside — rain or shine. 

Departments largely split on PDF policy for departmental requirements and prerequisites

Unlike in the spring, however, the University no longer requires that departments accept courses taken on a PDF basis, either to fulfill departmental requirements or prerequisites.

Unlike in the spring, however, the University no longer requires that departments accept courses taken on a PDF basis, either to fulfill departmental requirements or prerequisites.

U. Associate Professor of Chemistry Mohammad Seyedsayamdost named 2020 MacArthur Fellow

The MacArthur Foundation recognized Professor Seyedsayamdost’s research relating to disease and chemistry. In conjunction with the award, he will receive $625,000 in unrestricted grant funding for further research. 

The MacArthur Foundation recognized Professor Seyedsayamdost’s research relating to disease and chemistry. In conjunction with the award, he will receive $625,000 in unrestricted grant funding for further research. 

As humanities flounder, the HUM sequence faces a reckoning

The Humanities Sequence is a University staple. How is it adapting to become more critical of the Western canon it teaches? HUM students and professors share their perspectives on how the course has changed direction and where it still needs to go.

As U. departments begin releasing pass/D/fail policies for fall 2020, students face inconsistent requirements

Among the departments that have provided their academic plans for the fall, there is no grading option favored by a majority: optional PDF and mandatory A–F grading have been nearly equally adopted.

‘The early warning signs are not pretty’: Eviction Lab researchers study end of federal moratorium

Desmond believes the lab’s data leaves one thing certain: “Without stable shelter, everything else falls apart.” 

Katz defends ‘blunt words’ in op-ed, as Department of Classics removes condemnation from website

Katz wrote he was gratified that “Princeton’s leadership has done the right thing,” adding that he learned recently he is not under investigation by the University. 

Certain fall 2020 courses capped, canceled, moving to pre-recorded format

The lowered enrollment numbers are part of a broader University effort to “enhance the online learning experience and better facilitate interaction,“ according to Deputy Spokesperson Mike Hotchkiss.

In open letter, faculty call for anti-racist action, diversity in decision-making

“We call upon the University to amplify its commitment to Black people and all people of color on this campus as central to its mission, and to become, for the first time in its history, an anti-racist institution,” the faculty letter reads.

‘Tired of committees’: Students demand re-naming of Wilson School, reparations, and anti-racist curriculum

“The University heard these demands before,” said one petition signatory. “It’s all about applying pressure at this point.”

U. hosts panel on mentorship for underrepresented minorities in industry and academia

“I’m thrilled to be living through this moment,” said Dr. Marian Croak ’77, Vice President of Engineering at Google. “The tragic nature of what has spurred this movement is an opportunity for change.”

Math TA posted false solution online to catch students in violation of academic integrity

Through several obtained documents, the ‘Prince’ is aware of at least 21 students who were suspected of academic integrity violations in relation to an April MAT 202 problem set.