Opinion

Gaslight, gatekeep: Creative writing at Princeton

Gaslight, gatekeep: Creative writing at Princeton

Brittani Telfair

“The Program in Creative Writing still requires applications for all of its classes, including introductory ones, and most of the literary publications on campus require applications as well. There is also this stark white reality, both figuratively and often demographically: creative writing at Princeton is pretentious and centered on ways of writing that descend from Western ‘high art’ traditions construed as objectively superior to all other forms.” 

“The Program in Creative Writing still requires applications for all of its classes, including introductory ones, and most of the literary publications on campus require applications as well. There is also this stark white reality, both figuratively and often demographically: creative writing at Princeton is pretentious and centered on ways of writing that descend from Western ‘high art’ traditions construed as objectively superior to all other forms.”  

OPINION | 12/02/2021

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Princeton’s COVID-19 communications are dangerously ambiguous

Princeton’s COVID-19 communications are dangerously ambiguous

Molly Cutler

“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

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Letter to the editor: lessons from the bonfire

Letter to the editor: lessons from the bonfire

Jess Deutsch

“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

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Sorry, Witherspoon, you need to go

Sorry, Witherspoon, you need to go

Windsor Nguyễn

“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

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There is no asterisk, Tigers

There is no asterisk, Tigers

Michael Vatis

“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

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Princeton needs more flexible enrollment for writing seminars

Princeton needs more flexible enrollment for writing seminars

Gisele Bisch

“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

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Princeton needs to rethink its ban on social gatherings

Princeton needs to rethink its ban on social gatherings

David Piegaro

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

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

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

Zachariah Sippy

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

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Reactions: The Honor Committee gauntlet

Reactions: The Honor Committee gauntlet

Braden Flax, Matthew Wilson, Rohit Narayanan , and Abigail Rabieh

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

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

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

Kelsey Ji

“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

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Make the decision to get rid of Early Decision

Make the decision to get rid of Early Decision

Lucia Wetherill

“ 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

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We must shift the way we test understanding

We must shift the way we test understanding

Mohan Setty-Charity

“When possible, professors of exam-based courses should change their classes to focus on assessing critical thinking, as was the result of exams administered virtually.”

“When possible, professors of exam-based courses should change their classes to focus on assessing critical thinking, as was the result of exams administered virtually.”

OPINION | 11/21/2021

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Pushkin not Putin: Depoliticizing the Russian language

Pushkin not Putin: Depoliticizing the Russian language

Genrietta Churbanova

“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

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The Trustees’s failure to divest hurts Princeton, too

The Trustees’s failure to divest hurts Princeton, too

Daily Princetonian Editorial Board

“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

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

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

Eric Periman

“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

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The danger of blanket statements

The danger of blanket statements

Ashley Olenkiewicz

“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

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Instead of empathy, try compassion

Instead of empathy, try compassion

Claudia Frykberg

“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

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Pursue truth or fight cancel culture? The University of Austin must choose.

Pursue truth or fight cancel culture? The University of Austin must choose.

Rohit Narayanan

“UATX’s core task is going to be to prove that it’s more than a right-wing grievance machine.”

“UATX’s core task is going to be to prove that it’s more than a right-wing grievance machine.”

OPINION | 11/15/2021

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

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

Allen Liu, Rohit Narayanan , and Audrey Chau

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

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An end to legacy admissions? Princeton should follow Amherst College’s lead

An end to legacy admissions? Princeton should follow Amherst College’s lead

Julia Chaffers

“Ending legacy preferences is a significant commitment to expanding access and equity, and Princeton and other schools should follow suit.”

“Ending legacy preferences is a significant commitment to expanding access and equity, and Princeton and other schools should follow suit.”

OPINION | 11/14/2021

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