Opinion

Thus Spoke the Undergrads: On noisy roommate sex

Thus Spoke the Undergrads: On noisy roommate sex

Ethan Magistro, Claudia Frykberg, and Andi Grene

“Is there a moral issue here? Can sex and sleep be weighed using a utilitarian metric? And what obligation does a roommate have to fulfill the requests of their neighbor? To answer any of these questions, you, our dear questioner, will first have to confront your roommate.”

“Is there a moral issue here? Can sex and sleep be weighed using a utilitarian metric? And what obligation does a roommate have to fulfill the requests of their neighbor? To answer any of these questions, you, our dear questioner, will first have to confront your roommate.”

OPINION | 03/31/2021

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As we celebrate women’s history, let us push for a better future for women at Princeton

As we celebrate women’s history, let us push for a better future for women at Princeton

Hannah Reynolds

“In order to better represent what it means to be a woman at Princeton in 2021, I interviewed female undergraduates about their experiences with gender at Princeton.”

“In order to better represent what it means to be a woman at Princeton in 2021, I interviewed female undergraduates about their experiences with gender at Princeton.”

OPINION | 03/30/2021

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Policing is the problem, body cameras are not the answer

Policing is the problem, body cameras are not the answer

Gina Feliz

“What we need to do now is imagine alternatives to policing and criminal surveillance in our society and our community, to actually address harm productively and empathetically, not spend tens of thousands of dollars on shiny new equipment that has proven to be ineffective in holding police accountable when it counts.”

“What we need to do now is imagine alternatives to policing and criminal surveillance in our society and our community, to actually address harm productively and empathetically, not spend tens of thousands of dollars on shiny new equipment that has proven to be ineffective in holding police accountable when it counts.”

OPINION | 03/30/2021

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PART I | A History of American Partisanship

PART I | A History of American Partisanship

Juan José López Haddad

“That consensus does not mean the in-existence of factions. Political parties, while causing division and generating instances of unsavory speech, are necessary as instruments of consensus-making. No one is “above politics.”  

“That consensus does not mean the in-existence of factions. Political parties, while causing division and generating instances of unsavory speech, are necessary as instruments of consensus-making. No one is ‘above politics.’” 

OPINION | 03/28/2021

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The Honor Code is broken

The Honor Code is broken

Rohit Narayanan

“The Honor Code’s only contribution to the calculus of academic integrity is the fear of the consequences if you get caught. Either way, personal honor doesn’t figure in at all. The problem is simple: the Honor Code is not fundamentally based on honor.”

“The Honor Code’s only contribution to the calculus of academic integrity is the fear of the consequences if you get caught. Either way, personal honor doesn’t figure in at all. The problem is simple: the Honor Code is not fundamentally based on honor.” 

OPINION | 03/28/2021

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PART I | Confronting gerrymandering: A New Gilded Age

PART I | Confronting gerrymandering: A New Gilded Age

Collin Riggins

“Structural change must be prioritized if we hope to put the New Gilded Age behind us. I urge you to keep gerrymandering on your radar.”

“Structural change must be prioritized if we hope to put the New Gilded Age behind us. I urge you to keep gerrymandering on your radar.”

OPINION | 03/28/2021

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Tigers below their stripes: A call for Princetonians to remember their pre-Princeton mascots

Tigers below their stripes: A call for Princetonians to remember their pre-Princeton mascots

Genrietta Churbanova

“I increasingly framed my involvement in terms of the University: Aspects of my life ranging from extracurriculars to friendships all are intimately connected to Princeton. Chairing the conference shed light on the fact that the orange bubble is not so much a physical place as it is a mental space. Many of us subconsciously see the world through orange glasses.”

“I increasingly framed my involvement in terms of the University: Aspects of my life ranging from extracurriculars to friendships all are intimately connected to Princeton. Chairing the conference shed light on the fact that the orange bubble is not so much a physical place as it is a mental space. Many of us subconsciously see the world through orange glasses.”

OPINION | 03/25/2021

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Mental health matters. We should act like it.

Mental health matters. We should act like it.

Emma Treadway

“I call on each of you — student leaders, professors, parents. Cancel meetings. Roll back expectations for your student organizations. Exempt your students from the final exam. We are people first, students, professors, administrators second. We should praise one another when we hold true to that fact.”

“I call on each of you — student leaders, professors, parents. Cancel meetings. Roll back expectations for your student organizations. Exempt your students from the final exam. We are people first, students, professors, administrators second. We should praise one another when we hold true to that fact.”

OPINION | 03/25/2021

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Maybe not all men, but all women: It’s time to change our rhetoric about sexual harassment

Maybe not all men, but all women: It’s time to change our rhetoric about sexual harassment

Maisie McPherson

“Saying ‘not all men’ in response to sexual harassment committed against women is not the right response — learning to correct this argument and be more empathetic toward women’s experiences will make Princeton a safer, more inclusive place. This Women’s History Month should not just be about celebrating how far we’ve come but a reminder about how much farther we must go.” 

“Saying ‘not all men’ in response to sexual harassment committed against women is not the right response — learning to correct this argument and be more empathetic toward women’s experiences will make Princeton a safer, more inclusive place. This Women’s History Month should not just be about celebrating how far we’ve come but a reminder about how much farther we must go.” 

OPINION | 03/25/2021

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The benefits of increased transparency on COVID-19 punishments

The benefits of increased transparency on COVID-19 punishments

Mohan Setty-Charity

“Had the University offered clearer messaging as to the way in which it was punishing violations beyond this semester, it could have encouraged many students to make different choices.”

“Had the University offered clearer messaging as to the way in which it was punishing violations beyond this semester, it could have encouraged many students to make different choices.” 

OPINION | 03/24/2021

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Atlanta’s tragedy, society’s shames

Atlanta’s tragedy, society’s shames

Dillion Gallagher

“However, a systematic view of this tragedy helps demonstrate the most disturbing thing about this shooting: there were so many places where it could have been prevented.”

“However, a systematic view of this tragedy helps demonstrate the most disturbing thing about this shooting: there were so many places where it could have been prevented.”

OPINION | 03/24/2021

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Princeton’s campus is coming back to life, but what about the rest of America’s universities?

Princeton’s campus is coming back to life, but what about the rest of America’s universities?

Melissa Reynolds

“The truth is, those of us working within the higher education sector have known for a long time that public higher education in America is in crisis. Like so many other inequalities within American society, COVID-19 simply laid bare the extent of that crisis.”

“The truth is, those of us working within the higher education sector have known for a long time that public higher education in America is in crisis. Like so many other inequalities within American society, COVID-19 simply laid bare the extent of that crisis.”

OPINION | 03/23/2021

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It's time to reimagine the "History Month"

It's time to reimagine the "History Month"

Brittani Telfair

“The History Month can be a time to begin learning about and standing in solidarity with those who are usually only shallowly celebrated.”

“The History Month can be a time to begin learning about and standing in solidarity with those who are usually only shallowly celebrated.”

OPINION | 03/23/2021

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The power of anonymity in stories of consent

The power of anonymity in stories of consent

Claudia Frykberg

“It is the necessity of anonymity that reveals how problematic our society remains and uncovers the consequences that still persist in chastising women who speak out about traumatic experiences, which are deeply upsetting and often triggering to relive.”

“It is the necessity of anonymity that reveals how problematic our society remains and uncovers the consequences that still persist in chastising women who speak out about traumatic experiences, which are deeply upsetting and often triggering to relive.”

OPINION | 03/22/2021

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Let’s talk about burnout

Let’s talk about burnout

Julia Chaffers

“It would be one thing if the University maintained its lofty standards during the pandemic. But it has actually raised those standards, asking students, faculty, and staff to do more with less.”

“It would be one thing if the University maintained its lofty standards during the pandemic. But it has actually raised those standards, asking students, faculty, and staff to do more with less.”

OPINION | 03/22/2021

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We should expect, not glorify, Princeton’s financial aid

We should expect, not glorify, Princeton’s financial aid

Andi Grene

“It is not benevolence that drives Princeton’s suitable aid, but rather a recognition of the obvious. In a world where most universities choose to look away from the clear financial need of their applicants, Princeton chooses to keep its eyes open.” 

“It is not benevolence that drives Princeton’s suitable aid, but rather a recognition of the obvious. In a world where most universities choose to look away from the clear financial need of their applicants, Princeton chooses to keep its eyes open.” 

OPINION | 03/21/2021

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How Princeton students can promote housing equity

How Princeton students can promote housing equity

Matt Mleczko

“We should expose bad policies that thwart diverse, equitable communities, but we must also join in the work of promoting community, which policy change arguably requires.” 

“We should expose bad policies that thwart diverse, equitable communities, but we must also join in the work of promoting community, which policy change arguably requires.” 

OPINION | 03/21/2021

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The myth of meritocracy and what we can do about it

The myth of meritocracy and what we can do about it

Maria Luisa Vieira Parada

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

OPINION | 03/18/2021

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Thus Spoke the Undergrads: On indoor gatherings

Thus Spoke the Undergrads: On indoor gatherings

Ethan Magistro, Claudia Frykberg, and Andi Grene

“Should the University start expelling students for serious contract violations? In our view, no.”

“Should the University start expelling students for serious contract violations? In our view, no.”

OPINION | 03/17/2021

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Mutual aid campaigns make a difference: My family is proof

Mutual aid campaigns make a difference: My family is proof

Kirsten Keels

“When you come across a mutual aid request or asking campaign, please do all that you can. If you can only share it, share it. If you know you can spare money to give, give. And if you’re wealthy, give more.”

“When you come across a mutual aid request or asking campaign, please do all that you can. If you can only share it, share it. If you know you can spare money to give, give. And if you’re wealthy, give more.”

OPINION | 03/17/2021

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