Columns

PART I | A History of American Partisanship

“That consensus does not mean the in-existence of factions. Political parties, while causing division and generating instances of unsavory speech, are necessary as instruments of consensus-making. No one is “above politics.”  

“That consensus does not mean the in-existence of factions. Political parties, while causing division and generating instances of unsavory speech, are necessary as instruments of consensus-making. No one is ‘above politics.’” 

The Honor Code is broken

“The Honor Code’s only contribution to the calculus of academic integrity is the fear of the consequences if you get caught. Either way, personal honor doesn’t figure in at all. The problem is simple: the Honor Code is not fundamentally based on honor.”

“The Honor Code’s only contribution to the calculus of academic integrity is the fear of the consequences if you get caught. Either way, personal honor doesn’t figure in at all. The problem is simple: the Honor Code is not fundamentally based on honor.” 

PART I | Confronting gerrymandering: A New Gilded Age

“Structural change must be prioritized if we hope to put the New Gilded Age behind us. I urge you to keep gerrymandering on your radar.”

“Structural change must be prioritized if we hope to put the New Gilded Age behind us. I urge you to keep gerrymandering on your radar.”

Tigers below their stripes: A call for Princetonians to remember their pre-Princeton mascots

“I increasingly framed my involvement in terms of the University: Aspects of my life ranging from extracurriculars to friendships all are intimately connected to Princeton. Chairing the conference shed light on the fact that the orange bubble is not so much a physical place as it is a mental space. Many of us subconsciously see the world through orange glasses.”

“I increasingly framed my involvement in terms of the University: Aspects of my life ranging from extracurriculars to friendships all are intimately connected to Princeton. Chairing the conference shed light on the fact that the orange bubble is not so much a physical place as it is a mental space. Many of us subconsciously see the world through orange glasses.”

Maybe not all men, but all women: It’s time to change our rhetoric about sexual harassment

“Saying ‘not all men’ in response to sexual harassment committed against women is not the right response — learning to correct this argument and be more empathetic toward women’s experiences will make Princeton a safer, more inclusive place. This Women’s History Month should not just be about celebrating how far we’ve come but a reminder about how much farther we must go.” 

“Saying ‘not all men’ in response to sexual harassment committed against women is not the right response — learning to correct this argument and be more empathetic toward women’s experiences will make Princeton a safer, more inclusive place. This Women’s History Month should not just be about celebrating how far we’ve come but a reminder about how much farther we must go.” 

The benefits of increased transparency on COVID-19 punishments

“Had the University offered clearer messaging as to the way in which it was punishing violations beyond this semester, it could have encouraged many students to make different choices.”

“Had the University offered clearer messaging as to the way in which it was punishing violations beyond this semester, it could have encouraged many students to make different choices.” 

Atlanta’s tragedy, society’s shames

“However, a systematic view of this tragedy helps demonstrate the most disturbing thing about this shooting: there were so many places where it could have been prevented.”

“However, a systematic view of this tragedy helps demonstrate the most disturbing thing about this shooting: there were so many places where it could have been prevented.”

Princeton’s campus is coming back to life, but what about the rest of America’s universities?

“The truth is, those of us working within the higher education sector have known for a long time that public higher education in America is in crisis. Like so many other inequalities within American society, COVID-19 simply laid bare the extent of that crisis.”

“The truth is, those of us working within the higher education sector have known for a long time that public higher education in America is in crisis. Like so many other inequalities within American society, COVID-19 simply laid bare the extent of that crisis.”

It's time to reimagine the "History Month"

“The History Month can be a time to begin learning about and standing in solidarity with those who are usually only shallowly celebrated.”

“The History Month can be a time to begin learning about and standing in solidarity with those who are usually only shallowly celebrated.”

The power of anonymity in stories of consent

“It is the necessity of anonymity that reveals how problematic our society remains and uncovers the consequences that still persist in chastising women who speak out about traumatic experiences, which are deeply upsetting and often triggering to relive.”

“It is the necessity of anonymity that reveals how problematic our society remains and uncovers the consequences that still persist in chastising women who speak out about traumatic experiences, which are deeply upsetting and often triggering to relive.”

Let’s talk about burnout

“It would be one thing if the University maintained its lofty standards during the pandemic. But it has actually raised those standards, asking students, faculty, and staff to do more with less.”

“It would be one thing if the University maintained its lofty standards during the pandemic. But it has actually raised those standards, asking students, faculty, and staff to do more with less.”

We should expect, not glorify, Princeton’s financial aid

“It is not benevolence that drives Princeton’s suitable aid, but rather a recognition of the obvious. In a world where most universities choose to look away from the clear financial need of their applicants, Princeton chooses to keep its eyes open.” 

“It is not benevolence that drives Princeton’s suitable aid, but rather a recognition of the obvious. In a world where most universities choose to look away from the clear financial need of their applicants, Princeton chooses to keep its eyes open.” 

How Princeton students can promote housing equity

“We should expose bad policies that thwart diverse, equitable communities, but we must also join in the work of promoting community, which policy change arguably requires.” 

“We should expose bad policies that thwart diverse, equitable communities, but we must also join in the work of promoting community, which policy change arguably requires.” 

The myth of meritocracy and what we can do about it

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

Thus Spoke the Undergrads: On indoor gatherings

“Should the University start expelling students for serious contract violations? In our view, no.”

“Should the University start expelling students for serious contract violations? In our view, no.”

Mutual aid campaigns make a difference: My family is proof

“When you come across a mutual aid request or asking campaign, please do all that you can. If you can only share it, share it. If you know you can spare money to give, give. And if you’re wealthy, give more.”

“When you come across a mutual aid request or asking campaign, please do all that you can. If you can only share it, share it. If you know you can spare money to give, give. And if you’re wealthy, give more.”

This Women's History Month, remember the violence of gender inequality

“The women at the highest risk are in our Zoom meetings, live next door to us in dorms, edit this newspaper, play our intercollegiate and intramural sports, and pursue their degrees or work.”

“The women at the highest risk are in our Zoom meetings, live next door to us in dorms, edit this newspaper, play our intercollegiate and intramural sports, and pursue their degrees or work.”

One year after evacuating: Continuing the causes we started

“Given this moment of tentative stability, it becomes worthwhile to recommit ourselves to the same political and social justice causes that we made at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Royal Family doesn’t deserve a pity party

“While the entire situation Harry and Meghan face is truly tragic, what is even more tragic is the relentlessness of the institution of the British Monarchy in upholding fundamentally unjust systems and values, as well as Meghan’s initial willingness to belong to such an institution.”

“While the entire situation Harry and Meghan face is truly tragic, what is even more tragic is the relentlessness of the institution of the British Monarchy in upholding fundamentally unjust systems and values, as well as Meghan’s initial willingness to belong to such an institution.”

COVID-19 shouldn’t take away your chance at being a Princetonian

“While no future student will be able to brush aside the impacts of this torturous year, strict school closures have hurt the students who love school the most — students that would be great fits here at Princeton in future years. We must be sure not to leave them behind.”

“While no future student will be able to brush aside the impacts of this torturous year, strict school closures have hurt the students who love school the most — students that would be great fits here at Princeton in future years. We must be sure not to leave them behind.”