Follow us on Instagram
Try our daily mini crossword
Subscribe to the newsletter
Download the app

Opinion

Blair Hall

Princeton’s COVID-19 communications are dangerously ambiguous

“For the sake of public health, the University must be precise in its communications, and [the recent communications on updated COVID-19 policies are] only the latest example of its failure on that front — a failure which ultimately harms students.”

“For the sake of public health, the University must be precise in its communications, and [the recent communications on updated COVID-19 policies are] only the latest example of its failure on that front — a failure which ultimately harms students.”

OPINION | 12/02/2021

Billowing flames engulf a wooden structure as crowds gather in the background.

Letter to the editor: lessons from the bonfire

“There are lots of things to be cynical about in the world right now. There are all kinds of work to be done here on campus, in Princeton, and everywhere else where humanity comes with no promise of perfection. We could divide up as athletes and non-athletes, as occurs on many college campuses. But we have the opportunity here to do it differently — to respect and learn from every member of this community, their stories, and their experiences.”  

“There are lots of things to be cynical about in the world right now. There are all kinds of work to be done here on campus, in Princeton, and everywhere else where humanity comes with no promise of perfection. We could divide up as athletes and non-athletes, as occurs on many college campuses. But we have the opportunity here to do it differently — to respect and learn from every member of this community, their stories, and their experiences.”  

OPINION | 12/01/2021

Old statue in front of building.

Sorry, Witherspoon, you need to go

“Although statues preserve memory, they inherently glorify it as well. Memories can be preserved in so many ways; if shady statues of historical figures must exist for the sake of reflection, then they should be in museums rather than on an open campus.”

“Although statues preserve memory, they inherently glorify it as well. Memories can be preserved in so many ways; if shady statues of historical figures must exist for the sake of reflection, then they should be in museums rather than on an open campus.”

OPINION | 11/30/2021

FB-Hvd-10-23-03.jpg

There is no asterisk, Tigers

“I’m here to tell you that Princeton’s 18–16 win over Harvard was completely legit, that the officials’ call was correct and appropriate under the NCAA’s rules, and that the bonfire on Cannon Green — and Princeton’s Ivy League Championship — was totally deserved.”

“I’m here to tell you that Princeton’s 18–16 win over Harvard was completely legit, that the officials’ call was correct and appropriate under the NCAA’s rules, and that the bonfire on Cannon Green — and Princeton’s Ivy League Championship — was totally deserved.”

OPINION | 11/29/2021

University Writing Center in New South

Princeton needs more flexible enrollment for writing seminars

“All in all, the prominent negativity surrounding Writing Seminars is a dire issue — one that considerably impacts first-year students and a student’s relationship with writing. While there are many things to consider, creating an add/drop policy or making writing seminars more flexible should not be impossible.”

“All in all, the prominent negativity surrounding Writing Seminars is a dire issue — one that considerably impacts first-year students and a student’s relationship with writing. While there are many things to consider, creating an add/drop policy or making writing seminars more flexible should not be impossible.”

OPINION | 11/29/2021

Nassau Hall

Princeton needs to rethink its ban on social gatherings

We shouldn't let an uptick in cases distract us from the fact that we are well-protected, and we should not restrict students' activities in ways that would make, at most, a marginal impact on student health but a significant impact on their well-being. 

We shouldn't let an uptick in cases distract us from the fact that we are well-protected, and we should not restrict students' activities in ways that would make, at most, a marginal impact on student health but a significant impact on their well-being. 

OPINION | 11/28/2021

ADVERTISEMENT
Covid vaccine distribution_dominant media.png

I have COVID-19. To keep cases down, Princeton needs to mandate boosters.

As case counts rise, the University should move quickly in requiring booster vaccinations and hosting a series of more accessible clinics before winter break.

As case counts rise, the University should move quickly in requiring booster vaccinations and hosting a series of more accessible clinics before winter break.

OPINION | 11/28/2021

McCosh 50 Lecture Hall

Reactions: The Honor Committee gauntlet

The ‘Prince’ recently released a detailed article tracing eight students who faced accusations of violating the Honor Code. We asked ‘Prince’ columnists and community members for their Reactions to these new revelations about the Honor Committee.

The ‘Prince’ recently released a detailed article tracing eight students who faced accusations of violating the Honor Code. We asked ‘Prince’ columnists and community members for their Reactions to these new revelations about the Honor Committee.

OPINION | 11/22/2021

PSafe entrance

Princeton should change the prox system students use to enter their dorms

“Removing the prox part of entering one’s dorm does not mean we must sacrifice the extra security that it can bring. There are many other methods that the University can implement that function more effectively than the current system, while bringing the same level of security.”

“Removing the prox part of entering one’s dorm does not mean we must sacrifice the extra security that it can bring. There are many other methods that the University can implement that function more effectively than the current system, while bringing the same level of security.”

OPINION | 11/22/2021

Morrison Hall, home of the U. undergraduate admissions office

Make the decision to get rid of Early Decision

“ Restrictive EA is also the most realistic alternative for colleges to switch to, as many universities will still be concerned with their yield, or the percentage of students who choose to attend the university after being accepted. Harvard and Yale also offer EA; it’s time that the rest of the Ivy League — Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania — as well as other colleges, do the same.”

“Restrictive EA is also the most realistic alternative for colleges to switch to, as many universities will still be concerned with their yield, or the percentage of students who choose to attend the university after being accepted. Harvard and Yale also offer EA; it’s time that the rest of the Ivy League — Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania — as well as other colleges, do the same.”

OPINION | 11/21/2021

Moscow.jpg

Pushkin not Putin: Depoliticizing the Russian language

“As a Russian heritage speaker I firmly believe that the Russian language has value outside of its strategic positioning as the language of the enemy. Russian — just like every other language — is a language of love and dreams, thought and discovery, culture and art, family and friends. It is a language of living, not of fighting.”

“As a Russian heritage speaker I firmly believe that the Russian language has value outside of its strategic positioning as the language of the enemy. Russian — just like every other language — is a language of love and dreams, thought and discovery, culture and art, family and friends. It is a language of living, not of fighting.”

OPINION | 11/21/2021

Banner with the slogan “Climate action now” is held by a person standing behind a tiger statue

The Trustees’s failure to divest hurts Princeton, too

“Between the examples of peer institutions, the energy of student activists, and the expertise assembled on the faculty panel, the University is more than able to establish suitable and stringent criteria for dissociation in line with its values. It’s high time for the Trustees to act.”

“Between the examples of peer institutions, the energy of student activists, and the expertise assembled on the faculty panel, the University is more than able to establish suitable and stringent criteria for dissociation in line with its values. It’s high time for the Trustees to act.”

OPINION | 11/18/2021

Robertson Hall | School of Public and International Affairs

We must condemn Israel’s designation of Palestinian human rights groups as terrorist organizations

“Each of us in the Princeton community has an obligation to condemn this authoritarian action taken by the Israeli government and recommit ourselves to advocating for the protection of Palestinian human rights.”

“Each of us in the Princeton community has an obligation to condemn this authoritarian action taken by the Israeli government and recommit ourselves to advocating for the protection of Palestinian human rights.”

OPINION | 11/18/2021

Nassau Hall new pic

The danger of blanket statements

“It can be argued that the short and catchy nature of slogan-like short phrases is a necessary attribute, crucial to achieving the objectives of garnering attention, spreading awareness, and recruiting support for said movement. Yet, it is exactly because these movements and sentiments are reduced to short terms and phrases that they result in polarized debate and ultimately hinder the accruing of support.”

“It can be argued that the short and catchy nature of slogan-like short phrases is a necessary attribute, crucial to achieving the objectives of garnering attention, spreading awareness, and recruiting support for said movement. Yet, it is exactly because these movements and sentiments are reduced to short terms and phrases that they result in polarized debate and ultimately hinder the accruing of support.”

OPINION | 11/17/2021

_mccosh walk natalia maidique.JPG

Instead of empathy, try compassion

“Thus, as each of us endeavor to support and comfort our friends as the semester comes to an end, I suggest a way to help them without hurting ourselves. Instead of empathy, try compassion.”

“Thus, as each of us endeavor to support and comfort our friends as the semester comes to an end, I suggest a way to help them without hurting ourselves. Instead of empathy, try compassion.”

OPINION | 11/15/2021

Image from iOS (1).jpg

Reactions: Princeton may loosen the mask mandate ... after classes end

For the Reactions series, columnists respond to the University’s announcement that the mask mandate will be reconsidered and potentially relaxed ten days after Thanksgiving Break ends. 

For the Reactions series, columnists respond to the University’s announcement that the mask mandate will be reconsidered and potentially relaxed ten days after Thanksgiving Break ends. 

OPINION | 11/14/2021

Whig Hall under the faint glow of a Tuesday morning sunrise.

The ‘Princeton Plague’ goes national

“At Princeton, we often wonder if our physical and mental struggles, along with how we choose to cope with and manage them, are ‘normal’ or ‘legitimate.’ Consequently, we continue to attend classes even when we shouldn’t from a medical or self-care perspective, endangering ourselves and those around us. As arduous as the academic environment may be, we do not make such choices out of necessity alone.” 

“At Princeton, we often wonder if our physical and mental struggles, along with how we choose to cope with and manage them, are ‘normal’ or ‘legitimate.’ Consequently, we continue to attend classes even when we shouldn’t from a medical or self-care perspective, endangering ourselves and those around us. As arduous as the academic environment may be, we do not make such choices out of necessity alone.” 

OPINION | 11/11/2021