Opinion

Reactions: Princeton to ditch the mask mandate and asymptomatic testing

Reactions: Princeton to ditch the mask mandate and asymptomatic testing

Brittani Telfair, Christofer Robles, Abigail Rabieh, Ndeye Thioubou, David Piegaro, and Prince Takano

For the Reactions series, columnists opine on the recent loosening of the University’s COVID-19 protocol — some lauding the changes and others nervous about the risks of COVID-19 spread with fewer mitigation measures.

For the Reactions series, columnists opine on the recent loosening of the University’s COVID-19 protocol — some lauding the changes and others nervous about the risks of COVID-19 spread with fewer mitigation measures.

OPINION | 03/03/2022

---

Why won’t Princeton administrators lift the mask mandate?

Why won’t Princeton administrators lift the mask mandate?

Tom Salotti

“After the short-lived travel ban was rescinded following ridicule in the national media, the University can redeem itself by following the science on masks and setting an example for the rest of the Ivy League and other universities.”

“After the short-lived travel ban was rescinded following ridicule in the national media, the University can redeem itself by following the science on masks and setting an example for the rest of the Ivy League and other universities.”

OPINION | 03/01/2022

---

Letter of Solidarity with Ukraine

Letter of Solidarity with Ukraine

Guest Contributors

“We hope we conveyed the urgency to condemn the actions of the Russian government and express solidarity with Ukraine.”

“We hope we conveyed the urgency to condemn the actions of the Russian government and express solidarity with Ukraine.”

OPINION | 03/01/2022

---

The need for the mask mandate and an improved outlook on COVID-19

The need for the mask mandate and an improved outlook on COVID-19

Gisele Bisch

“So, for the sake of our community, we must remember that the pandemic hasn’t reached the point where those who contract COVID-19 will face minimal disruptions in their day-to-day life. And with this outlook in mind, we must consider more preventative measures and safety accommodations.”

“So, for the sake of our community, we must remember that the pandemic hasn’t reached the point where those who contract COVID-19 will face minimal disruptions in their day-to-day life. And with this outlook in mind, we must consider more preventative measures and safety accommodations.”

OPINION | 03/01/2022

---

As Ukraine fights for its freedom, we must conquer our fear

As Ukraine fights for its freedom, we must conquer our fear

Iryna Vushko

“My only hope amidst all this is that one day the Russians will lose their fear, too; that the burden of responsibility for the killings of the innocent and the sufferings of the children will outweigh the fear of fighting for their freedom.”

“My only hope amidst all this is that one day the Russians will lose their fear, too; that the burden of responsibility for the killings of the innocent and the sufferings of the children will outweigh the fear of fighting for their freedom.”

OPINION | 02/27/2022

---

What will Princeton be like after the pandemic?

What will Princeton be like after the pandemic?

Allen Liu

“The pandemic has contributed to the shrinking of our social circles: those of us who were here before the pandemic lost touch with people beyond our close friends and now interact with a more limited set of people. Those of us who started Princeton during the pandemic began with a more limited set of relationships and missed many of the social events that helped students with different interests and identities meet each other.”

“The pandemic has stratified campus and diminished its “magic”. However, with an improving pandemic and effort on our parts, I hope that we can revive it.”

OPINION | 02/27/2022

---

We can preserve in-person learning without sacrificing immunocompromised students’ education

We can preserve in-person learning without sacrificing immunocompromised students’ education

Daily Princetonian Editorial Board

“An investment in hybrid learning options does not mean a return to the spring of 2020. The University can and should pioneer learning models that allow for more equitable access to the classroom.”

“An investment in hybrid learning options does not mean a return to the spring of 2020. The University can and should pioneer learning models that allow for more equitable access to the classroom.”

OPINION | 02/24/2022

---

Let’s face it: The 2022 Beijing Olympics should have been boycotted

Let’s face it: The 2022 Beijing Olympics should have been boycotted

Prince Takano

“As Princeton students, we are taught to act ‘in the service of the nation and in the service of humanity.’ Complacency toward the evils of China’s regime is a disservice to humanity.”

“As Princeton students, we are taught to act ‘in the service of the nation and in the service of humanity.’ Complacency toward the evils of China’s regime is a disservice to humanity.”

OPINION | 02/24/2022

---

100 years after the Nobel: Introducing a special issue inspired by Einstein’s legacy

100 years after the Nobel: Introducing a special issue inspired by Einstein’s legacy

Marie-Rose Sheinerman

For more than 100 years, some Princetonians have stood at the forefront of scientific discovery. This week, we ask our readers to join us in celebrating their stories.

For more than 100 years, some Princetonians have stood at the forefront of scientific discovery. This week, we ask our readers to join us in celebrating their stories.

OPINION | 02/24/2022

---

A century after Einstein, is STEM education really breaking barriers?

A century after Einstein, is STEM education really breaking barriers?

Laya Reddy

“Co-creation environments in which everybody is a stakeholder and active participant in their education make people feel more included. Reworking the collaborative structure of precept as an opportunity to solve real-world problems and create new ideas could be a great jumping-off point for the STEM curriculum.”

“Co-creation environments in which everybody is a stakeholder and active participant in their education make people feel more included. Reworking the collaborative structure of precept as an opportunity to solve real-world problems and create new ideas could be a great jumping-off point for the STEM curriculum.”

OPINION | 02/24/2022

---

Bureaucracies like Princeton trust the science until they don’t

Bureaucracies like Princeton trust the science until they don’t

Braden Flax

Just as the state preaches the gospel of science while withholding life-saving vaccines, so too are we put in a position where we must ignore health science at the expense of others because of the built-in incentive structures around us that offer no apparent alternatives. So, instead of buying into the condescending call for people to trust the science, we should consider building the kind of structural support that allows them to do just that.

Just as the state preaches the gospel of science while withholding life-saving vaccines, so too are we put in a position where we must ignore health science at the expense of others because of the built-in incentive structures around us that offer no apparent alternatives. So, instead of buying into the condescending call for people to trust the science, we should consider building the kind of structural support that allows them to do just that.

OPINION | 02/23/2022

---

Free speech rules cannot be written without marginalized voices at the table

Free speech rules cannot be written without marginalized voices at the table

Mohan Setty-Charity

When we elevate more people from marginalized communities to positions where they can contribute to the conversation on what constitutes a real threat and harassment, we may have a more full and nuanced understanding of what speech should and should not be protected.

When we elevate more people from marginalized communities to positions where they can contribute to the conversation on what constitutes a real threat and harassment, we may have a more full and nuanced understanding of what speech should and should not be protected.

OPINION | 02/23/2022

---

Take down the prerequisites guarding Einstein’s work

Take down the prerequisites guarding Einstein’s work

Rohit Narayanan

“As we celebrate the life of Albert Einstein, we should make an effort to make his scientific contributions accessible to all. As the humanities departments educate Princeton’s entire campus, the STEM departments shouldn’t be turning people away.”

“As we celebrate the life of Albert Einstein, we should make an effort to make his scientific contributions accessible to all. As the humanities departments educate Princeton’s entire campus, the STEM departments shouldn’t be turning people away.”

OPINION | 02/21/2022

---

Pursuit of self-affirmation at Princeton: The Bicker process

Pursuit of self-affirmation at Princeton: The Bicker process

Andi Grene

“At Princeton, sources of validation are scarce, laying the groundwork for Bicker’s appeal. Bicker represents one of the few opportunities on campus to once again be told that you are special.”

“At Princeton, sources of validation are scarce, laying the groundwork for Bicker’s appeal. Bicker represents one of the few opportunities on campus to once again be told that you are special.”

OPINION | 02/17/2022

---

Why Divest Princeton filed a legal complaint against the University

Why Divest Princeton filed a legal complaint against the University

Hannah Reynolds

“Today, we take our future into our own hands, with the hope that our advocacy will finally result in visible, tangible change toward mitigating the existential climate crisis at hand. We will not rest until Princeton divests.”

“Today, we take our future into our own hands, with the hope that our advocacy will finally result in visible, tangible change toward mitigating the existential climate crisis at hand. We will not rest until Princeton divests.”

OPINION | 02/16/2022

---

Students who vote in Princeton should help defeat the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance

Students who vote in Princeton should help defeat the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance

John Kuhn Bleimaier

“Princeton student voters should encourage their elected representatives to vote against the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance which will be introduced before the town council on Feb. 28.”

“Princeton student voters should encourage their elected representatives to vote against the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance which will be introduced before the town council on Feb. 28.”

OPINION | 02/16/2022

---

A PAA's case for University-endorsed free time

A PAA's case for University-endorsed free time

Johnatan Reiss

“The work, my students would tell me, was not necessarily exceedingly hard — there was just too much of it. In one meeting, a student and I tried to create a schedule in which they would finish all their assignments. Even with minimal sleep and very few breaks, we calculated a week's worth of assignments would take a week and a half to complete.”

 “The work, my students would tell me, was not necessarily exceedingly hard — there was just too much of it. In one meeting, a student and I tried to create a schedule in which they would finish all their assignments. Even with minimal sleep and very few breaks, we calculated a week's worth of assignments would take a week and a half to complete.” 

OPINION | 02/13/2022

---

Spotify spreads COVID-19 misinformation: We must hold the platform accountable

Spotify spreads COVID-19 misinformation: We must hold the platform accountable

Gisele Bisch

“As daily consumers of content from distribution platforms like Spotify, Princeton students must recognize the importance of holding such platforms and their creators accountable.” 

“As daily consumers of content from distribution platforms like Spotify, Princeton students must recognize the importance of holding such platforms and their creators accountable.”  

OPINION | 02/10/2022

---

The sham of meritocracy in Princeton admissions

The sham of meritocracy in Princeton admissions

Rohit Narayanan

“Princeton assigns residential colleges randomly for a reason. If only it could apply that same wisdom to the much more destructive system of college admissions that it helps perpetuate.”

“Princeton assigns residential colleges randomly for a reason. If only it could apply that same wisdom to the much more destructive system of college admissions that it helps perpetuate.”

OPINION | 02/10/2022

---

When ‘home’ is thousands of miles away

When ‘home’ is thousands of miles away

Audrey Chau

“I know for me, Princeton will never replace the home that is thousands of miles away. Instead, it will be a second home built out of laughter and tears, memories and lessons, with people no less endearing than those who are waiting for me back home, as long as I open my mind and heart.”

“I know for me, Princeton will never replace the home that is thousands of miles away. Instead, it will be a second home built out of laughter and tears, memories and lessons, with people no less endearing than those who are waiting for me back home, as long as I open my mind and heart.”  

OPINION | 02/09/2022

---