Opinion

Sandy comes to Princeton

Hurricane Sandy caused a lot of trouble here in our island paradise, especially for those of us who don’t live on campus. Power went down for much of Princeton early on Monday evening. For the rest of the night we listened nervously by candlelight, hurricane lamp or flashlight as the wind howled around our roofs and windows. Occasional crashing noises reminded us that we had wasted our time laying up treasure “upon earth, where moth and rust does corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” — and not only that, but upon New Jersey earth, where hurricanes and tornados, tropical storms and big freezes collaborate with the moth and rust.

A dialogue: The Mitts within

The following is an imaginary dialogue that might occur within U.S. presidential candidate and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. The two characters presented are Willard (the more conservative candidate seen during most of Romney’s presidential campaign) and Mitt (the more liberal Romney who appeals to the independent voting constituency).

Editorial: In support of Woodbridge

Princeton will vote to elect a new mayor on Nov. 6. This year Liz Lempert and Richard Woodbridge ’65 compete for the privilege of leading a consolidated Princeton. As students, we do not usually concern ourselves with issues pertaining to the town at large. However, the University and the town function symbiotically, and we have a civic responsibility to ensure that the Princeton community has leadership that is as strong as possible. The Editorial Board believes that an experienced mayor who recognizes the interests of the town and the University will help both grow together. We thus endorse Woodbridge for Princeton mayor because of his extensive record of service with local government, his experience as a Princeton alumnus and his strong engagement with the University community.

Letter to the Editor: October 26th, 2012

Regarding “State law may let U. expand without local approval” (Monday, Septebmer 17, 2012) and “First lady Michelle Obama ’85 has rebuffed invitations from Princeton administration” (Wednesday, October 24, 2012)

Editor-in-chief’s response

Regarding ?First lady Michelle Obama ?85 has rebuffed invitations from Princeton administration? (Wednesday, October 24, 2012)University Vice President and Secretary Robert Durkee ?69

Election break

Last year, I wrote on these pages about Princeton’s “election break” — now called fall break — established in 1970 to allow students time off to work for a campaign or other political cause. In that column, I wrote about material in the Nixon presidential archive which revealed the extent to which the “election break” attracted the attention of Nixon himself, who feared that liberal-leaning college students would mobilize en masse against the president’s party.  

Cartoon: College rankings

Cartoon: Illustrious

I want to meet you

In the lively debate that has ensued after my last column, I’m left with two marriage proposals and one question: Why can’t knights and damsels fight together to protect one another from a common enemy?

The college athletic system is broken

The college athletic system as it stands is unsustainable for two reasons: the subordination of student interests and inequitable profit sharing among athletes, universities and their own athletic departments.

Reconsidering certificates

The great benefit of many of the certificate programs is that they are interdisciplinary by nature, so in many cases they supplement academic study in another field without forcing a student to grapple with the entirety of that field. For certificates to be successful in this regard, the onus falls on the students to craft an academic program for themselves — they should not blame the administration for a lack of opportunity.

Watchbirds

At the moment the surveillance is for commercial purposes, but it’s not a giant leap to imagine governmental scrutiny as well. That certainly happens in other countries, and there have been plenty of attempts here by various agencies to obtain information about individual users from companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter.

A broader ally

But if being an “ally” has a broader meaning of standing up against oppression — as I believe most of us would believe it should — then can one limit support to LGBT people?

Cartoon: Consolation

Editorial: Improving residential colleges

While the current residential college system has contributed to a sense of community on campus, particularly among underclassmen, its effects on upperclassmen are mixed. We believe that there are a few specific problems that should be addressed.

Cartoon: Squirrel parties

Editorial: Civic engagement over fall break

The Board urges students to keep in mind the original purpose of fall break and engage with their local communities during this time.

In support of creative writing

Non-directed creative production is somewhat like participating in a sport or performing something — it’s a great release from the enormous academic burden on our shoulders. Creative writing is especially useful for those not majoring in English or Comparative Literature, since it not only improves writing ability but critical thinking ability as well.

Letter to the Editor: October 19th, 2012

The University is committed to protecting student data appropriately under existing policies. The integrity of these policies is of great importance, and protection of student privacy is one of the goals of the strict rules governing access to and use of the data.

Poetry of Greek life

Even the closest friendships are based partly — maybe a large part, maybe a small one, depending on the context — on what the other person’s effect is on you. Maybe they make you feel smart or funny or popular. Maybe they make you feel loved. I’m not dismissing all friendships as shallow contracts between self-absorbed individuals