Opinion

Competitive clubs: how Princeton’s selective extracurriculars favor the wealthy

Competitive clubs: how Princeton’s selective extracurriculars favor the wealthy

Genrietta Churbanova

“There is an element of the club application process that requires our attention: much like the college admissions process itself, the club application process at Princeton favors high-income individuals.”

“There is an element of the club application process that requires our attention: much like the college admissions process itself, the club application process at Princeton favors high-income individuals.”

OPINION | 10/10/2021

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BSE courses need to match the tech revolution

BSE courses need to match the tech revolution

Rohit Narayanan

“While our first-year curriculum covers a lot of important content, it seems to lack the fundamental ethos of engineering, spurning core engineering skills like modularity, teamwork, love for failure, creativity, concision and adaptability.”

“While our first-year curriculum covers a lot of important content, it seems to lack the fundamental ethos of engineering, spurning core engineering skills like modularity, teamwork, love for failure, creativity, concision and adaptability.”

OPINION | 10/10/2021

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When in doubt — McCosh!

When in doubt — McCosh!

Ashley Olenkiewicz

“Despite residential college directors making it clear to first-years that McCosh is a confidential, free, and safe resource, many first-years I’ve interacted with appear to be hesitant in McCoshing their friends (sending a student to McCosh for alcohol-related reasons), or being McCoshed themselves. Yet the reasons often cited for such hesitation, including fears of social stigmatization or punitive disciplinary measures, are based on misconceptions that needlessly deter students from receiving necessary medical care.”

“Despite residential college directors making it clear to first-years that McCosh is a confidential, free, and safe resource, many first-years I’ve interacted with appear to be hesitant in McCoshing their friends (sending a student to McCosh for alcohol-related reasons), or being McCoshed themselves. Yet the reasons often cited for such hesitation, including fears of social stigmatization or punitive disciplinary measures, are based on misconceptions that needlessly deter students from receiving necessary medical care.” 

OPINION | 10/07/2021

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Course Instructors should consider a hybrid office hours model, if they haven't already

Course Instructors should consider a hybrid office hours model, if they haven't already

Kelsey Ji

“Since the technology already exists, course instructors ought to rethink the office hours options and utilize them to the fullest extent so that it makes everyone’s lives easier and provide better support for students’ success.”

“Since the technology already exists, course instructors ought to rethink the office hours options and utilize them to the fullest extent so that it makes everyone’s lives easier and provide better support for students’ success.”

OPINION | 10/06/2021

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Orange Key tours must start telling the true Princeton narrative

Orange Key tours must start telling the true Princeton narrative

Audrey Chau

“The Orange Key program has failed to fulfill its core mission of letting prospective applicants “get a feel of the exciting community that will be your home.” I’m sure no Princeton student can truly call this place “home” without experiencing, at some point in their Princeton career, the whole spectrum of the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

“The Orange Key program has failed to fulfill its core mission of letting prospective applicants “get a feel of the exciting community that will be your home.” I’m sure no Princeton student can truly call this place “home” without experiencing, at some point in their Princeton career, the whole spectrum of the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

OPINION | 10/03/2021

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What the last two Lawnparties show us about the need for USG reform

What the last two Lawnparties show us about the need for USG reform

Brittani Telfair

“It is undeniable that USG representatives are hard-working, and that should be recognized. The controversy regarding the past two Lawnparties raises concern, however. Because much of USG’s work is hidden from the student body, they are largely unaccountable to us.”

“It is undeniable that USG representatives are hard-working, and that should be recognized. The controversy regarding the past two Lawnparties raises concern, however. Because much of USG’s work is hidden from the student body, they are largely unaccountable to us.”

OPINION | 10/03/2021

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Native Hawaiians deserve to be seen, too

Native Hawaiians deserve to be seen, too

Gisele Bisch

Native Hawaiians should not have to carry the weight of advocating for ourselves and our history alone. With Hawai‘i being one of the fifty states, our past should be common knowledge. 

Native Hawaiians should not have to carry the weight of advocating for ourselves and our history alone. With Hawai‘i being one of the fifty states, our past should be common knowledge.  

OPINION | 09/30/2021

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Texas abortion law proves that, once again, bodily autonomy is fragile

Texas abortion law proves that, once again, bodily autonomy is fragile

Claudia Frykberg

“The enforcement of such a law, as well as its failure to be challenged thus far on a legal basis, shows the ongoing necessity of vigilant advocacy for reproductive rights, and acts as a harrowing reminder of the fragility of liberties that were so arduously won.”

“The enforcement of such a law, as well as its failure to be challenged thus far on a legal basis, shows the ongoing necessity of vigilant advocacy for reproductive rights, and acts as a harrowing reminder of the fragility of liberties that were so arduously won.”

OPINION | 09/29/2021

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What ‘party culture’ reveals about our mental health

What ‘party culture’ reveals about our mental health

Allen Liu

“The intensity of life at Princeton and relative isolation of campus can be stifling, and it may feel that the only escape is a pregame or a night out. However, if students and the University do more to prioritize well-being, it doesn’t have to be that way.”

“The intensity of life at Princeton and relative isolation of campus can be stifling, and it may feel that the only escape is a pregame or a night out. However, if students and the University do more to prioritize well-being, it doesn’t have to be that way.”

OPINION | 09/28/2021

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Add/drop needs to change in order to truly serve students

Add/drop needs to change in order to truly serve students

Ava Milberg

“By reconfiguring the add/drop period in a way that reduces the disadvantages of actually adding and dropping different classes, students would hopefully feel encouraged to try out different classes and find ones that truly are the best fit.”

“By reconfiguring the add/drop period in a way that reduces the disadvantages of actually adding and dropping different classes, students would hopefully feel encouraged to try out different classes and find ones that truly are the best fit.”

OPINION | 09/27/2021

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Princeton’s queer community is often biphobic and transphobic. Where do we go from here?

Princeton’s queer community is often biphobic and transphobic. Where do we go from here?

Hannah Reynolds

“In spaces that are markedly progressive and accepting, gatekeeping of queerness is unacceptable. As Princeton students — whether queer or allies — we must foster a safe and accepting community for people of all identities, rather than contributing to the self-doubt and isolation one already often experiences as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

“In spaces that are markedly progressive and accepting, gatekeeping of queerness is unacceptable. As Princeton students — whether queer or allies — we must foster a safe and accepting community for people of all identities, rather than contributing to the self-doubt and isolation one already often experiences as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

OPINION | 09/26/2021

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Reckoning with our ranking

Reckoning with our ranking

Mohan Setty-Charity

“We are tremendously privileged to attend a school that allows us to make a real difference in the world, and can use this opportunity to do something good. Princeton’s ranking gives us opportunities that others do not have. Take these opportunities with open arms, and help Princeton remind our community and the world the actual reasons that we are special.”

“We are tremendously privileged to attend a school that allows us to make a real difference in the world, and can use this opportunity to do something good. Princeton’s ranking gives us opportunities that others do not have. Take these opportunities with open arms, and help Princeton remind our community and the world the actual reasons that we are special.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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GSRC Director: I share students’ commitment to making campus more equitable

GSRC Director: I share students’ commitment to making campus more equitable

Kristopher Oliveira

“The language used in that demonstration, historically imbued with a legacy of hate and violence, stands as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done. This outside group hoped that spewing abhorrent messages from sidewalks just off campus would draw attention and spark a reaction from the University community. Many in our community helped minimize the group’s impact by simply ignoring their hate.”

“The language used in that demonstration, historically imbued with a legacy of hate and violence, stands as a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done. This outside group hoped that spewing abhorrent messages from sidewalks just off campus would draw attention and spark a reaction from the University community. Many in our community helped minimize the group’s impact by simply ignoring their hate.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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How to navigate campus life at Princeton

How to navigate campus life at Princeton

Julia Chaffers

“You may have noticed in the first few weeks how Princeton can pull you in many different directions as you attempt to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and just being a functioning human being. If you approach each of these spheres of campus life with an open mind and a priority on your wellbeing, you’ll be able to weather the first few months of in-person Princeton.”

“You may have noticed in the first few weeks how Princeton can pull you in many different directions as you attempt to juggle classes, extracurriculars, and just being a functioning human being. If you approach each of these spheres of campus life with an open mind and a priority on your wellbeing, you’ll be able to weather the first few months of in-person Princeton.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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To be known and shouted over: Race and first-year orientation

To be known and shouted over: Race and first-year orientation

Zachary Shevin and AG McGee

“The exercise of free, authentic voices can be powerful. But that power only takes root when we are willing to listen and hear the voices at hand.”

“The exercise of free, authentic voices can be powerful. But that power only takes root when we are willing to listen and hear the voices at hand.”

OPINION | 09/22/2021

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What I learned after three years at Princeton

What I learned after three years at Princeton

Sally Jane Ruybàlid

“GPAs, class standings, median incomes — they are all just arbitrary tidbits that only divide the masses. You don’t owe anyone anything.”

“GPAs, class standings, median incomes — they are all just arbitrary tidbits that only divide the masses. You don’t owe anyone anything.”

OPINION | 09/21/2021

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F*ck cancel culture

F*ck cancel culture

Dillion Gallagher

“Cancel culture is not a substitute for accountability, mainly because it doesn’t carry any weight for those supposedly being held accountable. The reputations we build with and among our peers, friends, and colleagues are our first real contribution to Princeton.”

“Cancel culture is not a substitute for accountability, mainly because it doesn’t carry any weight for those supposedly being held accountable. The reputations we build with and among our peers, friends, and colleagues are our first real contribution to Princeton.”

OPINION | 09/20/2021

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Princeton must invest in more resources for trans*, queer, and femme students

Princeton must invest in more resources for trans*, queer, and femme students

Kristal Grant

“The Pride Alliance demands that the University immediately begin prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its queer and trans* students, women and femme students, and Black and Indigenous students of color.”

“The Pride Alliance demands that the University immediately begin prioritizing the mental health and well-being of its queer and trans* students, women and femme students, and Black and Indigenous students of color.”

OPINION | 09/20/2021

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Should we hope this ‘normal’ lasts?

Should we hope this ‘normal’ lasts?

David Palomino

“So what does our future hold? Will this ‘normal’ last? We cannot know. We can, however, hope. We can accept uncertainties and still dare to influence the future.”

“So what does our future hold? Will this “normal” last? We cannot know. We can, however, hope. We can accept uncertainties and still dare to influence the future.”

OPINION | 09/19/2021

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Introducing Reactions: Opinion’s snappy and succinct mini-columns

Introducing Reactions: Opinion’s snappy and succinct mini-columns

Zachariah Sippy and Rohit Narayanan

After major scoops and stories on campus, Reactions will host a series of snappy, prompt, roughly 250-word pieces, staking out different points of view. These mini-columns can engage with each other directly, explore different sides of the issue at hand, and — importantly — prioritize timeliness.

After major scoops and stories on campus, Reactions will host a series of snappy, prompt, roughly 250-word pieces, staking out different points of view. These mini-columns can engage with each other directly, explore different sides of the issue at hand, and — importantly — prioritize timeliness.

OPINION | 09/16/2021

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