Opinion

Environmental GPA: An open letter on Princeton’s retirement plans and fossil fuels

Environmental GPA: An open letter on Princeton’s retirement plans and fossil fuels

Guest Contributors

“Educators across the country are challenging TIAA to live up to its claim to ‘champion green initiatives, address environmental justice and lead our industry in modeling sustainable behavior’ and its recognition that ‘climate risk is investment risk.’ Our faculty and staff should join those at Cornell, SUNY, Rutgers, and other universities to pass a resolution urging TIAA to fully divest their funds of fossil fuels.”

“Educators across the country are challenging TIAA to live up to its claim to ‘champion green initiatives, address environmental justice and lead our industry in modeling sustainable behavior’ and its recognition that ‘climate risk is investment risk.’ Our faculty and staff should join those at Cornell, SUNY, Rutgers, and other universities to pass a resolution urging TIAA to fully divest their funds of fossil fuels.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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Ramadan reflections year two: improvements from last year, but still work to be done

Ramadan reflections year two: improvements from last year, but still work to be done

Ndeye Thioubou

In spite of noteworthy enhancements to the Princeton Ramadan experience, there still needs to be yearlong improvements made to the halal meat options at Princeton, as well as increased academic accommodations for students during both Ramadan and the holiday that follows it, Eid al-Fitr.

In spite of noteworthy enhancements to the Princeton Ramadan experience, there still needs to be yearlong improvements made to the halal meat options at Princeton, as well as increased academic accommodations for students during both Ramadan and the holiday that follows it, Eid al-Fitr.

OPINION | 05/07/2023

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It’s not enough to combat racism at Princeton. We need a center to address it beyond.

It’s not enough to combat racism at Princeton. We need a center to address it beyond.

Guest Contributors

“While its peer institutions have taken substantive action to establish centers to address systemic and structural racism, Princeton lags behind.”

“While its peer institutions have taken substantive action to establish centers to address systemic and structural racism, Princeton lags behind.”

OPINION | 05/04/2023

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A union will help graduate students achieve their goals

A union will help graduate students achieve their goals

Ilyana Kuziemko and Paul Frymer

“While graduate students may not seem like the stereotypical union worker, they in fact face unique vulnerabilities that collective bargaining can help address.”

“While graduate students may not seem like the stereotypical union worker, they in fact face unique vulnerabilities that collective bargaining can help address.”

OPINION | 05/04/2023

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We started PGSU in 2016. Now, it’s time to unionize.

We started PGSU in 2016. Now, it’s time to unionize.

Jamie Pelling and Sarah Reibstein

“We are now on the cusp of an election, and we’re the closest we have ever been. The NLRB under the Biden administration reaffirmed our rights as workers to unionize, ending years of uncertainty. Grad worker unionization campaigns resurged across the country. PGSU held an open vote and chose to affiliate with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), an independent union known for embracing rank-and-file democracy which has recently held successful union elections with graduate workers at MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern... The new generation of PGSU-ers, so well-versed in digital organizing and Zoom meetings, turned out in person with carefully crafted handmade signs. The union movement is making waves on campus once again, with a stronger coalition than ever before.”

 “We are now on the cusp of an election, and we’re the closest we have ever been. The NLRB under the Biden administration reaffirmed our rights as workers to unionize, ending years of uncertainty. Grad worker unionization campaigns resurged across the country. PGSU held an open vote and chose to affiliate with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), an independent union known for embracing rank-and-file democracy which has recently held successful union elections with graduate workers at MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern... The new generation of PGSU-ers, so well-versed in digital organizing and Zoom meetings, turned out in person with carefully crafted handmade signs. The union movement is making waves on campus once again, with a stronger coalition than ever before.” 

OPINION | 05/02/2023

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Princeton should allow students to take five years

Princeton should allow students to take five years

Prince Takano

The University of Rochester’s “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to take additional courses in a five-year time period to help students find the time to pursue an academic interest that is unrelated to their declared major. Some Princeton students would benefit from a similar program, and the University should make this an option for the student body. 

The University of Rochester’s “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to take additional courses in a five-year time period to help students find the time to pursue an academic interest that is unrelated to their declared major. Some Princeton students would benefit from a similar program, and the University should make this an option for the student body. 

OPINION | 04/30/2023

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We should all be ashamed of what the Senior Survey shows

We should all be ashamed of what the Senior Survey shows

Matthew Wilson

“The University is failing at its most important task: to form its students in the noble tradition of truth-seeking, dispassionate scholarship, liberal inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

“If, as the Senior Survey’s data suggests, Princeton is fostering an environment that facilitates the mere training of ideologues and excludes those with unpopular opinions from full participation in campus discourse, then the University is failing at its most important task: to form its students in the noble tradition of truth-seeking, dispassionate scholarship, liberal inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

OPINION | 04/30/2023

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By restricting strikes, Princeton silences workers' free speech

By restricting strikes, Princeton silences workers' free speech

Lucía Armengol and Bryce Springfield

“Without the ability to strike, SEIU Local 175 is significantly disempowered in their contract negotiations with the University.”

“Without the ability to strike, SEIU Local 175 is significantly disempowered in their contract negotiations with the University.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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The invisible and ignored struggles of Princeton’s service workers

The invisible and ignored struggles of Princeton’s service workers

David Beeson and Abdul-Bassit Fijabi

“Princeton’s pay stagnation shows a blatant disregard for the deplorable conditions that their essential workers live in — conditions that are in direct contrast to Princeton’s status as the wealthiest per-capita university in the US.”

“Princeton’s pay stagnation shows a blatant disregard for the deplorable conditions that their essential workers live in — conditions that are in direct contrast to Princeton’s status as the wealthiest per-capita university in the US.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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From trauma to truth: why Princeton must recognize the Armenian Genocide

From trauma to truth: why Princeton must recognize the Armenian Genocide

Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not just a moral imperative but also an intellectual one. We can only learn from history and build a better future by acknowledging the truth ... I strongly urge the NES Department and Princeton University to take action and create a safe environment where intellectual honesty — rather than denialist conspiracy — is upheld.

Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not just a moral imperative but also an intellectual one. We can only learn from history and build a better future by acknowledging the truth ... I strongly urge the NES Department and Princeton University to take action and create a safe environment where intellectual honesty — rather than denialist conspiracy — is upheld.

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

Maria Luisa Vieira Parada

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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USG Mental Health chair: Princeton’s mental health system must change

USG Mental Health chair: Princeton’s mental health system must change

Noah Luch

“Princeton must commit to a serious effort toward reforming its wellness system. In my mind, the most substantive change can only come from a formal committee within the administrative body dedicated to reforming Princeton’s overarching culture around mental health.”

“Princeton must commit to a serious effort toward reforming its wellness system. In my mind, the most substantive change can only come from a formal committee within the administrative body dedicated to reforming Princeton’s overarching culture around mental health.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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The collapse of compact theory should mean statehood for Puerto Rico

The collapse of compact theory should mean statehood for Puerto Rico

Ignacio Arias

“Statehood is not the panacea to all of the island’s woes, but it will best equip Puerto Ricans to promote their interests and fully participate in national affairs. Statehood alone would redeem the full value of the precious grant of American citizenship and thus secure the blessings of liberty for three million Americans.”

“Statehood is not the panacea to all of the island’s woes, but it will best equip Puerto Ricans to promote their interests and fully participate in national affairs. Statehood alone would redeem the full value of the precious grant of American citizenship and thus secure the blessings of liberty for three million Americans.”

OPINION | 04/26/2023

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It’s time for Princeton to contextualize students’ GPAs

It’s time for Princeton to contextualize students’ GPAs

Henry Hsiao

“Adopting contextual grading through class medians ... will prove an excellent first step towards demystifying the student GPA and grading process at Princeton.”

“Adopting contextual grading through class medians ... will prove an excellent first step towards demystifying the student GPA and grading process at Princeton.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Appropriation is not representation

Appropriation is not representation

Peter Christian

“Apparently without knowledge — or in willful ignorance — of these critiques, the speakers at the event glorified Dvořák, Gershwin, and Ives, with “Black classical music” added as an apparent afterthought, perhaps an attention-grabbing headline to maximize attendance.”

“Apparently without knowledge — or in willful ignorance — of these critiques, the speakers at the event glorified Dvořák, Gershwin, and Ives, with “Black classical music” added as an apparent afterthought, perhaps an attention-grabbing headline to maximize attendance.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Eldar Shafir and Uri Hasson

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Guest Contributors

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

OPINION | 04/24/2023

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The case for raising student activity fees

The case for raising student activity fees

Walker Penfield

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

OPINION | 04/23/2023

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Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Alex Norbrook

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

OPINION | 04/21/2023

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Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Anais Mobarak

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

OPINION | 04/19/2023

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