Opinion

The University must bring Elizabeth Tsurkov home and address Iran’s threats

The University must bring Elizabeth Tsurkov home and address Iran’s threats

Jacob Olidort

“When hostile actors take American student hostages while faculty provides platforms for our adversaries’ apologists to create an anti-American environment, universities have an obligation to respond.”

“When hostile actors take American student hostages while faculty provides platforms for our adversaries’ apologists to create an anti-American environment, universities have an obligation to respond.”

OPINION | 07/12/2023

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Progressive groups: Princeton needs class-based affirmative action

Progressive groups: Princeton needs class-based affirmative action

Nate Howard and Lake Liao

“Princeton should use its influence to promote an admissions process that utilizes class-based affirmative action more thoroughly, while continuing to lower financial barriers for applicants and students.”

“Princeton should use its influence to promote an admissions process that utilizes class-based affirmative action more thoroughly, while continuing to lower financial barriers for applicants and students.”

OPINION | 07/05/2023

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Reactions: Faculty and alumni criticize Supreme Court affirmative action decisions

Reactions: Faculty and alumni criticize Supreme Court affirmative action decisions

Agustín Fuentes, Paul Frymer, Allison Slater Tate, Martin S. Flaherty, Soo-Young Kim, and Sydney Montgomery

Allison Slater Tate, Martin S. Flaherty, Agustín Fuentes, Soo-Young Kim, Sydney Montgomery, and Paul Frymer discuss the questions, complications, and consequences of the Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action ruling.

Allison Slater Tate, Martin S. Flaherty, Agustín Fuentes, Soo-Young Kim, Sydney Montgomery, and Paul Frymer discuss the questions, complications, and consequences of the Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action ruling.

OPINION | 06/30/2023

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Colorblind meritocracy is untenable in a country that never cared about equality

Colorblind meritocracy is untenable in a country that never cared about equality

Gisele Bisch

“Equality and meritocracy cannot thrive in a country where such things were never the priority in the first place. A lack of affirmative action will only exacerbate this issue.”

“Equality and meritocracy cannot thrive in a country where such things were never the priority in the first place. A lack of affirmative action will only exacerbate this issue.”

OPINION | 06/29/2023

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Affirmative action has failed to create the diversity universities need

Affirmative action has failed to create the diversity universities need

Matthew Wilson

“Limiting what counts to the racial boxes an applicant checks off, as race-based affirmative action does, comes with serious pitfalls for pursuing the vision of diversity that universities owe their students. And the unique experiences that can accompany a student’s racial identity forms just one part of the diversity equation.”

“Limiting what counts to the racial boxes an applicant checks off, as race-based affirmative action does, comes with serious pitfalls for pursuing the vision of diversity that universities owe their students. And the unique experiences that can accompany a student’s racial identity forms just one part of the diversity equation.”

OPINION | 06/29/2023

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A spike in housing costs has made Princeton’s summer internships inaccessible to low-income students

A spike in housing costs has made Princeton’s summer internships inaccessible to low-income students

Odette Perrusquia

“Even if internships near campus are not the only option, they should not be significantly less accessible — especially since the ties and networks that can be fostered through these opportunities can only strengthen the Princeton experience. The privilege of serving Princeton’s local communities should not be one that is reserved for students of greater financial means or who live locally.”

“Even if internships near campus are not the only option, they should not be significantly less accessible — especially since the ties and networks that can be fostered through these opportunities can only strengthen the Princeton experience. The privilege of serving Princeton’s local communities should not be one that is reserved for students of greater financial means or who live locally.”

OPINION | 06/28/2023

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The Committee on Discipline needs reforms

The Committee on Discipline needs reforms

Mohan Setty-Charity and Alex Norbrook

“But its structure is flawed throughout: some involved with the COD have raised concerns around the committee’s impartiality and its structure, and accused students suffer a process which doesn’t adequately accommodate their wellbeing.” 

“But its structure is flawed throughout: some involved with the COD have raised concerns around the committee’s impartiality and its structure, and accused students suffer a process which doesn’t adequately accommodate their wellbeing.”

OPINION | 05/31/2023

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On Eisgruber's commencement sermon

On Eisgruber's commencement sermon

Matthew Wilson

“His ideologically-tainted polemics debasing the real value of free speech must cease, particularly in situations in which he (implicitly or explicitly) represents the University.”

“His ideologically-tainted polemics debasing the real value of free speech must cease, particularly in situations in which he (implicitly or explicitly) represents the University.”

OPINION | 05/31/2023

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To better serve Princeton students, Firestone Library should expand its hours

To better serve Princeton students, Firestone Library should expand its hours

Danielle Shapiro

“For many students, a bright, clean, and beautiful space to do work is important to their academic success and mental health. Princeton ought to reconsider Firestone’s hours for this coming fall.”

“For many students, a bright, clean, and beautiful space to do work is important to their academic success and mental health. Princeton ought to reconsider Firestone’s hours for this coming fall.”

OPINION | 05/31/2023

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Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Aly Rashid

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

OPINION | 05/31/2023

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Lesbian and sapphic communities on campus: in need of revival

Lesbian and sapphic communities on campus: in need of revival

Lucia Wetherill

“In the two years since I passed through FitzRandolph Gate, I’ve found a kind, caring, and inclusive queer community. Yet I’ve never felt a real sense of lesbian or sapphic community on campus. This is not because of a lack lesbian or sapphic women on campus; I’ve made a number of lesbian and sapphic friends. That these beautiful and essential sapphic friendships do, in fact, exist, makes the absence of a community all the more noteworthy and painful.”

“In the two years since I passed through FitzRandolph Gate, I’ve found a kind, caring, and inclusive queer community. Yet I’ve never felt a real sense of lesbian or sapphic community on campus. This is not because of a lack lesbian or sapphic women on campus; I’ve made a number of lesbian and sapphic friends. That these beautiful and essential sapphic friendships do, in fact, exist, makes the absence of a community all the more noteworthy and painful.” 

OPINION | 05/25/2023

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How do I have it all? Women, careers, and Princeton’s blind spot

How do I have it all? Women, careers, and Princeton’s blind spot

Abigail Rabieh

“While Princeton often begs us to think about the future, there are not enough offerings to realistically support women in this endeavor.”

“While Princeton often begs us to think about the future, there are not enough offerings to realistically support women in this endeavor.” 

OPINION | 05/25/2023

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Letter to the Editor: Robust sexual misconduct response program offers support and options for students

Letter to the Editor: Robust sexual misconduct response program offers support and options for students

Michele Minter and Randy Hubert

“University systems are always a work in progress, and over time, the sexual misconduct response program has benefited from student interest, including that of Women in STEM, PIXR, and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and Graduate Student Government (GSG).”

“University systems are always a work in progress, and over time, the sexual misconduct response program has benefited from student interest, including that of Women in STEM, PIXR, and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and Graduate Student Government (GSG).”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program

What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program

Rooya Rahin and Dylan Shapiro

“While the Madison Program represents itself as a non-partisan center on campus to engage with ‘American constitutional law and Western political thought’ as Princeton’s center for ‘American Ideals,‘ the Madison Program in fact exists to further conservative viewpoints on campus.”

“While the Madison Program represents itself as a non-partisan center on campus to engage with ‘American constitutional law and Western political thought’ as Princeton’s center for ‘American Ideals,’ the Madison Program in fact exists to further conservative viewpoints on campus.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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A love letter to Princeton

A love letter to Princeton

Joan Coloma and Antun Knez

“We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

“We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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Caring for friends like Maura Coursey requires better harm reduction for drug use

Caring for friends like Maura Coursey requires better harm reduction for drug use

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“Maura’s death reminds us that this substance use occurs at Princeton, like it does everywhere, and that the University must react by making free and accessible harm reduction available for all students. Her life is a call to action for all of us to build a community that cares for the people who use these substances and people who have substance use disorders in a non-stigmatizing way.”

“Maura’s death reminds us that this substance use occurs at Princeton, like it does everywhere, and that the University must react by making free and accessible harm reduction available for all students. Her life is a call to action for all of us to build a community that cares for the people who use these substances and people who have substance use disorders in a non-stigmatizing way.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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Letter to the Editor: Eisgruber's administration has quietly eviscerated the free speech rule

Letter to the Editor: Eisgruber's administration has quietly eviscerated the free speech rule

Edward Yingling and Stuart Taylor, Jr.

“Eisgruber left the Minter letter-ruling in place, saying nothing for months about mounting criticisms by national free speech groups and others, including PFS, of his administration’s treatment of Katz.”

“Eisgruber left the Minter letter-ruling in place, saying nothing for months about mounting criticisms by national free speech groups and others, including PFS, of his administration’s treatment of Katz.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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Four years after we demanded change, survivors are still being failed by the University

Four years after we demanded change, survivors are still being failed by the University

Tori Gorton

“Yet, PIXR’s planned efforts are not enough to address the shortcomings of the University’s treatment of survivors or the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct on campus, both of which require an institutional response to fully support the Princeton community. The University has had four years to take decisive action on the sexual misconduct crisis that PIXR brought to their attention in 2019 – and that other students have highlighted to them repeatedly since.”

“Yet, PIXR’s planned efforts are not enough to address the shortcomings of the University’s treatment of survivors or the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct on campus, both of which require an institutional response to fully support the Princeton community. The University has had four years to take decisive action on the sexual misconduct crisis that PIXR brought to their attention in 2019 – and that other students have highlighted to them repeatedly since.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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Princeton's competitive culture is far too pervasive

Princeton's competitive culture is far too pervasive

Thomas Buckley

“The idea that a club can grow and become popular only by turning prospective members away is inherently toxic to fostering a positive and uplifting community. That this bet works implies that prospective members are largely motivated by the feeling that they beat someone out for their spot – that there can be no victory without an opponent to be vanquished.”

“The idea that a club can grow and become popular only by turning prospective members away is inherently toxic to fostering a positive and uplifting community. That this bet works implies that prospective members are largely motivated by the feeling that they beat someone out for their spot – that there can be no victory without an opponent to be vanquished.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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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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