Opinion

Undergraduates: The Republican graduate-tuition waiver tax affects us too

We have an interest in agitating for the interests of our graduate students. They are our teachers, they are our future, they are our colleagues. We must fight against the reform of graduate student taxation.

Lend your ears and your heart

An increasingly antagonistic political relationship stemming from the 1979 American hostage crisis has rendered American consciousness largely unresponsive and apparently uncaring towards the people of Iran.

The case for cash

A cashless economy would endanger our centuries-strong tradition of financial autonomy and accountability. Cashless platforms facilitate imprudent and impulsive spending, because we are less likely to care about the amount we spend than if we used cash.

Against ICE, and for all immigrants

The arrests by ICE of our own neighbors are a clear reminder that our town is vulnerable to the everyday violence of our country’s immigration system. Four of our neighbors were torn from their communities, homes, families, friends, jobs. Reflecting on the events of Tuesday the 28th, it’s difficult knowing how little distance and time separated the ICE arrests and the gathering of sign-waving protestors. 

Whitman’s architecture: a critique

Ten years ago, in 2007, Whitman College was built. Designed by the British architect Demetri Porphyrios, this 250,000-square foot complex now houses 500 students each year, as well as a dining area and the Writing Center. Despite this prominent role in campus life, there is surprisingly little discussion within the Princeton community surrounding Whitman’s architecture.

Why Princeton students need a Shabbat

Princeton students, as long as I’ve been a student here, have suffered from the unbearable condition of cancelled plans – plans later decided too inconvenient or plans never truly intended to be honored. Things invariably come up that make that brunch date inconvenient: a deadline, an all-nighter, snow, a hangover.

U. graduate students petition against taxation of tuition waivers

We, the undersigned graduate students of Princeton University, demand that President Eisgruber, Dean Cole Crittenden, and the University administration commit to actively and vocally opposing any legislation that imposes a tax on graduate student tuition waivers. In particular, we demand that the administration commit to opposing any bill that would tax tuition waivers even if such a bill would not impose a tax on university endowments. 

We just need a refrigerated truck

Many of us came to Princeton shackled with golden handcuffs, and we haven’t shed them yet.

Why a white, conservative male cares about improving the Wilson School’s approach to diversity and inclusion

Our country is in the midst of an examination of diversity and equality that, while not new, has taken on a new tenor and urgency over the last few years. The conversation has been particularly pronounced on campuses, including here in Princeton.

Saturdays are for football (Correction: Saturdays are for studying)

Regardless of the record of the football team (it finished 5-5 this year), I believe you should still go to the games. Being back in Michigan reminded me of the tailgate culture and the beauty of Saturday gamedays. Let’s bring this to Princeton.  

What do we do with the terrible and talented?

About a week ago, I had a conversation with a friend about the movie “Baby Driver.” My friend refused to see it because, according to him, “Kevin Spacey is in it and it turns out he’s a terrible man.” My friend is right: Kevin Spacey is a terrible man. But he’s still one of my favorite actors. The fact that he abused teenage boys, then reacted to their testimonies by coming out as homosexual deeply angers me. Yet none of this removes “American Beauty” from my Top 10 Movies List. 

As an independent

The murky side of paradise

The question of whether or not Princeton can be morally justified in having an offshore account hinges on how willing we are to give primacy to the claims of the “goods” provided by the endowment over an evaluation of the endowment’s necessity and efficacy in producing such benefits.

Giving more than a face to struggle

The visual depiction of human suffering in charity commercials is necessary for provoking an emotional response from viewers that could yield donations for the organization in question.   However, visual advertisements risk objectifying those that are struggling. Commercials should extend beyond the stationary photo. Videos could more appropriately narrate the character of the people they depict.  

What a letter can mean

For 18 years, I have mispronounced my own last name for convenience. My last name is Zhao. It is a gift passed down from my grandfather to my father and now to me. It is the first last name listed on the Hundred Family Surnames — the traditional 100 most common Chinese surnames — and one of the few connections that I have to my parents’ homeland.

Overcoming rejection

It’s normal to feel hurt by rejection, and accepting and learning from it is far easier said than done. 

The FBI is racist — here's why

The problem with the FBI is not related to electoral politics, so political action as generally conceived on campuses is not effective. The FBI remained racist under Obama and will probably continue to behave in the same manner after Trump. The Bureau has a long-term power structure that is resistant to outside interaction. 

Why OIT needs more computers for loan

OIT does not have a sufficient supply of loaner computers to meet the demand of students with laptop issues. This leaves many Princetonians attempting to tackle the challenges of everyday life without the ability to do work and without the ability to do so efficiently. 

Democratize the Honor Committee

The committees should work like our jury system. People should not want to serve, since it isn’t a pleasant thing to judge others. They should be picked randomly, and after a trial, they should be dismissed, never to serve again. Incorporate everyone, and let no one have too much power. It’s not a perfect system, but no system with punishments will ever be. 

Against for-profit detention: the divestment movement continues

Over the past two years, the students involved in the divestment campaign have maintained contact with the broader campus community through petitions, referenda, and editorials. However, since newer community members might be unaware of PPPD’s work, it’s worth returning to a few basic questions: what are for-profit detention companies? Why divest from them? What does divestment entail, exactly? Where does the divestment campaign currently stand?