Columns

Princeton’s civic engagement issue is deeper than what a ‘service requirement’ can fix

When faced with a Princeton-related issue like students overwhelmingly going into industries that don’t “serve humanity,” it is natural to first look to the University for potential causes and solutions. But given that the problem is rooted in projected-earnings, a service requirement would not fix the problem. 

When faced with a Princeton-related issue like students overwhelmingly going into industries that don't "serve humanity," it is natural to first look to the University for potential causes and solutions. But given that the problem is rooted in projected-earnings, a service requirement would not fix the problem. 

Orient first-years with all of Princeton, not just each other

"The administration seems to be relatively successful in facilitating bonds between students of the same year: Why can’t they do this between freshman and upperclassmen?"

The administration seems to be relatively successful in facilitating bonds between students of the same year: Why can’t they do this between freshman and upperclassmen?

To combat inequity faced by international students, Princeton must expand its departmental classifications

“Many international students whose primary academic interests lie in a non-STEM field end up in Catch-22. They can prioritize majoring in a field that addresses their academic passion and potentially lose residency in the country in which they want to use their degree, or they can prioritize extending their stay in the US post graduation, only to be faced with job prospects that don’t interest them.”

"Many international students whose primary academic interests lie in a non-STEM field end up in Catch-22. They can prioritize majoring in a field that addresses their academic passion and potentially lose residency in the country in which they want to use their degree, or they can prioritize extending their stay in the US post graduation, only to be faced with job prospects that don’t interest them."

Invisible Borders: The case for diversifying Princeton’s international student body

"Accepting concentrated groups of students from such prevalent international schools is that they aren’t very 'international' to begin with, which results in a lack of dimension in the voices of the international community on campuses."

"Accepting concentrated groups of students from such prevalent international schools is that they aren’t very “international” to begin with, which results in a lack of dimension in the voices of the international community on campuses."

It’s time for Princeton to stop serving beef

"As the largest supplier of food on campus, the University has the responsibility to take necessary actions for the health of its students and the planet."

"As the largest supplier of food on campus, the University has the responsibility to take necessary actions for the health of its students and the planet."

More gender-neutral bathrooms would make Princeton more inclusive

“Provide an easily accessible single-stall gender-neutral bathroom in every building, and include access to gender-neutral bathrooms when honoring requests for gender-inclusive living assignments — which should be granted immediately upon request.”

"Provide an easily accessible single-stall gender-neutral bathroom in every building, and include access to gender-neutral bathrooms when honoring requests for gender-inclusive living assignments — which should be granted immediately upon request."

With few accommodations, ill students struggle

Princeton should heavily consider better accommodating ill students on campus with social, financial, and academic accommodations, and act as a body that facilitates recovery, not as one that exacerbates it.

A view of a hallway in an isolation dorm.

The not-so-great class of 2027: Why none of us deserve to be here

"If your instinctive response to this system is that it isn’t fair to those who ‘deserve it’, remember that no form of admissions has ever been—and that in the end, the university’s primary purpose is not to mend all of society’s evils...A partial randomization system, though imperfect in its aims for egalitarianism, will work gradually in combating the good because great mentality."

"If your instinctive response to this system is that it isn’t fair to those who ‘deserve it’, remember that no form of admissions has ever been—and that in the end, the university’s primary purpose is not to mend all of society’s evils...A partial randomization system, though imperfect in its aims for egalitarianism, will work gradually in combating the good because great mentality."

Harnessing collective power to strengthen resolve: the purpose of marching

"Because the march so visibly demonstrated the sheer scale of people who are equally determined to work towards a safer future, the whole experience made clear that none of us are alone in wanting to do something about climate change, and that the fight isn’t over yet."

"Because the march so visibly demonstrated the sheer scale of people who are equally determined to work towards a safer future, the whole experience made clear that none of us are alone in wanting to do something about climate change, and that the fight isn’t over yet."

President Eisgruber, step up or step aside

The decision-makers who govern our Princeton lives – both Eisgruber and the Board of Trustees – are disconnected from the student body and don’t show a real interest in our most pressing problems, making it difficult to solve them. 

The decision-makers who govern our Princeton lives – both Eisgruber and the Board of Trustees – are disconnected from the student body and don’t show a real interest in our most pressing problems, making it difficult to solve them. 

Students won’t take COVID-19 tests unless University accommodations improve

“The University’s failure to provide resources for roommates can provoke resentment between friends and roommates, and detrimentally impact students’ living situations. Students are disincentivized from testing when the University neglects the most rudimentary needs of those in isolation.”

"The University’s failure to provide resources for roommates can provoke resentment between friends and roommates, and detrimentally impact students’ living situations. Students are disincentivized from testing when the University neglects the most rudimentary needs of those in isolation."

Worker safety under an orange sky

We have a new, unpredictable climate, which requires us to act. While we work to slash carbon emissions, we must also protect our campus communities from the heating that has already occurred — especially the people who make the University run but who we so often overlook. Stronger environmental safety measures represent a first step in that direction.

We have a new, unpredictable climate, which requires us to act. While we work to slash carbon emissions, we must also protect our campus communities from the heating that has already occurred – especially the people who make the University run, but who we so often overlook. Stronger environmental safety measures represent a strong first step in that direction.

College clubs need gatekeeping. That doesn’t mean they have to be cruel.

"As decision-makers, club leadership teams have a duty to make sure that our treasuries don’t run dry and that our businesses can keep operating. But we also have a duty to the prospective students hovering outside the door and peering inside."

Slow down to swim rather than sink into overflowing inboxes

Our University, steeped in tradition and knowledge, plays an active role in students’ lives — it is not merely a place where we learn; it is an environment in which we are permanently molded. The University’s vibrant community and myriad opportunities also make it a partner in our exploration. So could we, perhaps, imagine a Princeton that not just throws opportunities our way, but also helps us navigate them?

Our University, steeped in tradition and knowledge, plays an active role in students’ lives — it is not merely a place where we learn; it is an environment in which we are permanently molded. The University’s vibrant community and myriad opportunities also make it a partner in our exploration. So could we, perhaps, imagine a Princeton that not just throws opportunities our way, but also helps us navigate them?

No more taking pride in college rankings

There is a lot to be proud of at Princeton. But let’s not indulge in national college rankings that reward colleges for merely serving as refuge for the rich and a jumping-off platform for the less privileged.

There is a lot to be proud of at Princeton. But let us not indulge in national college rankings that reward colleges for merely serving as refuge for the rich and a jumping off platform for the less privileged.

Princeton must create an equitable experience for hijabis using communal bathrooms

“The experience of hijabi students in Princeton’s communal bathrooms points to the broader issue of unequal housing conditions on campus.”

"The experience of hijabi students in Princeton’s communal bathrooms points to the broader issue of unequal housing conditions on campus."

As Princeton expands, mental health care contracts

“Without a more-than-proportional increase in the counseling staff employed at CPS, students’ mental health care needs will continue to be unaddressed at Princeton.”

"Without a more-than-proportional increase in the counseling staff employed at CPS, students’ mental health care needs will continue to be unaddressed at Princeton."

Instead of banning scooters, improve TigerTransit

“Princeton must expand the TigerTransit system where undergrads need it the most: between residential colleges and academic buildings with a central Elm Drive shuttle, as well as between more class locations and athletic practice facilities.”

Princetonians must invest in the marketplace of ideas

"If students start by situating free expression in a liberal context, individual engagement would restore and enliven the marketplace of ideas on campus, enabling a fuller appreciation for the dynamic, invigorating, and fundamentally democratic nature of campus discourse."

"If students start by situating free expression in a liberal context, individual engagement would restore and enliven the marketplace of ideas on campus, enabling a fuller appreciation for the dynamic, invigorating, and fundamentally democratic nature of campus discourse."

Affirmative action’s shortcomings

“Different experiences may lead to different perspectives; even similar experiences may lead to different perspectives. The lives and perspectives of underrepresented minorities vary greatly, and it’s essential not to make assumptions about them.”

"Different experiences may lead to different perspectives; even similar experiences may lead to different perspectives. The lives and perspectives of underrepresented minorities vary greatly, and it's essential not to make assumptions about them."