Opinion

Reactions: The opinions left unsaid

Over the course of the last year, the Opinion section has published 211 columns. Though there has been much opined, even more has been left unsaid. We asked our columnists to share their opinions on topics that did not become a full piece. 

Over the course of the last year, the Opinion section has published 211 columns. Though there has been much opined, even more has been left unsaid. We asked our columnists to share their opinions on topics that did not become a full piece. 

Add a climate course to Princeton’s distribution requirements

“An eleventh general education requirement — the Anthropocene and Planetary Future (APF) — should be implemented to require that a student take a class that deals in some meaningful way with the climate crisis.”

“An eleventh general education requirement — the Anthropocene and Planetary Future (APF) — should be implemented to require that a student take a class that deals in some meaningful way with the climate crisis.”

Acknowledgement is not enough: Princeton must tangibly support the enslaved communities that built it

“Princeton has clearly expressed its goal to serve the nation, but in order to do so, it must attempt to correct its participating role in the history of American injustice. Creating a program that promotes the enrollment of students who belong to communities previously oppressed by the University is a tangible way to right these past wrongs.”

"Princeton has clearly expressed its goal to serve the nation, but in order to do so, it must attempt to correct its participating role in the history of American injustice. Creating a program that promotes the enrollment of students who belong to communities previously oppressed by the University is a tangible way to right these past wrongs."

Affordable housing development should proceed despite resistance

“Given the dire state of affordability in Princeton and the lack of any suggestions for how to accomplish both goals, it is time for Princeton to approve the development of affordable housing projects over the objections of community residents.”

Princeton’s ECO 100 teaches market mythology over economic reality

These assumptions construct a worldview that isn’t even a general representation of reality, which the class doesn’t adequately grapple with, and inherently lean towards a free-market capitalist ideology, which has dramatic implications for public policy.  

These assumptions construct a worldview that isn’t even a general representation of reality, which the class doesn’t adequately grapple with, and inherently lean towards a free-market capitalist ideology, which has dramatic implications for public policy.  

The Editorial Board’s guide to your winter 2023 USG ballot

"The Editorial Board lists our endorsements for candidates in every race in which the entire student body can vote."

"The Editorial Board lists our endorsements for candidates in every race in which the entire student body can vote."

Reactions: What does the future of the eating clubs look like?

In the face of Cloister Inn’s financial troubles and potential to close, columnists and guest contributors shared their thoughts on the future of Prospect Avenue and the eating clubs.

In the face of Cloister Inn’s financial troubles and potential to close, columnists and guest contributors shared their thoughts on the future of Prospect Avenue and the eating clubs.

An open letter from Faculty for Justice in Palestine

“We raise our voices in defense of our students, as well as students around the United States, who are under threat of censure and reprisal for taking political stands that are moral, reasonable, and valid in a free society.”

“We raise our voices in defense of our students, as well as students around the United States, who are under threat of censure and reprisal for taking political stands that are moral, reasonable, and valid in a free society.”

Learning to burst the Orange Bubble

“There is a great deal to enjoy about our experience on campus, but that doesn’t mean we should seclude ourselves either. There’s a wide world outside the campus we live in — a world to explore, contribute to, and leave our mark on. We can start with the one right outside the gates.”

"There is a great deal to enjoy about our experience on campus, but that doesn’t mean we should seclude ourselves either. There’s a wide world outside the campus we live on, to explore and contribute to and leave our mark on; we can start with the one right outside the gates."

Letter to the Editor: How the Office of Religious Life handles funds

“It is not the case ... that alumni donations are given over to the Office of Religious Life to distribute amongst religious organizations. Student religious organizations do their own alumni fundraising independent of the ORL; we play no role in the solicitation or processing of gifts.”

"It is not the case that alumni donations are given over to the Office of Religious Life to distribute amongst religious organizations."

Donations should not be conditional on student speech

“Princeton would better serve itself, its students, and its donors by remaining neutral on controversial social issues and letting students think and speak for themselves.”

“Princeton would better serve itself, its students, and its donors by remaining neutral on controversial social issues and letting students think and speak for themselves.”

Princeton’s mental health problem needs a bigger solution than Community Care Day

To start substantively addressing the problem of student mental health, the University must focus on doing everything in its power to aid in addressing the mental health problems prevalent on campus.

To start substantively addressing the problem of student mental health, the University must focus on doing everything in its power to aid in addressing the mental health problems prevalent on campus.

Open letter to Princeton administrators on combatting antisemitism

“Without infringing on rights to free expression, the following concrete actions — done now, before the situation further deteriorates — will help ensure the University remains a place for Jewish students, faculty, and staff to thrive.”

“Without infringing on rights to free expression, the following concrete actions — done now, before the situation further deteriorates — will help ensure the University remains a place for Jewish students, faculty, and staff to thrive.”

On institutional neutrality and double-standards

For universities that have publicly strayed from the bounds of nonsectarian impartiality in favor of ideological bias and moralizing partisanship in the past, feigned neutrality or a selective reluctance to speak out now is totally unacceptable and reeks of an underlying moral and ethical rot.

For universities that have publicly strayed from the bounds of nonsectarian impartiality in favor of ideological bias and moralizing partisanship in the past, feigned neutrality or a selective reluctance to speak out now is totally unacceptable and reeks of an underlying moral and ethical rot.

The University needs more transparency in how it funds religious life

“Transparency about alumni donations to student-run religious organizations at Princeton University is essential for promoting fairness, inclusivity, accountability, and ethical compliance.”

“Transparency about alumni donations to student-run religious organizations at Princeton University is essential for promoting fairness, inclusivity, accountability, and ethical compliance.”

Reactions: What should we learn from the New Jersey elections?

“Civic engagement is a key component of Princeton life — we decided to ask our politically inclined columnists to reflect on the recent elections and chronicle a race, ballot, or result that they found particularly impactful.”

"To mark these recent elections, we asked our politically inclined columnists to reflect on the most recent NJ Elections and chronicle a race, ballot, or result that they found particularly impactful."

Lengthen time between classes

Given Princeton's focus on both the sciences and interdisciplinary education — and to foster a campus environment adapted to the campus's expansion and construction challenges — the University should lengthen passing time to 20 minutes. With extra time, students can realize the full potential of a Princeton education. 

With greater focus on both the sciences and interdisciplinary education and fostering a campus environment well-suited to the modern University, lengthening passing time to 20 minutes enables the realization of the full potential of a Princeton education. 

Pride Alliance: Trans Princetonians aren’t going anywhere

"We are your classmates, friends, preceptors, teachers, and colleagues. We have always been here and are committed to trans futures at Princeton. Come stand with us."

"We are your classmates, friends, preceptors, teachers, and colleagues. We have always been here and are committed to trans futures at Princeton. Come stand with us."

Why is everyone here ‘middle class’?

While there are certainly many ways to be middle-class, including both social and economic factors, it clearly doesn’t apply to those in the top five percent of America’s income earners, as half of this year’s Frosh Survey respondents whose families earn over $500k annually suggested.

While there are certainly many ways to be middle-class, including both social and economic factors, it clearly doesn't apply to those in the top 5% of America’s income earners, as half of this year's Frosh Survey respondents whose families earn over 500k annually suggested.

Recognize women’s athletic achievements with a bonfire too

“Celebrating only the football team sends the message that football is Princeton’s most important sport; that their successes, and only their successes, are worth the entire school’s attention, and that they take priority over both other men’s teams and all women’s teams.”

“Celebrating only the football team sends the message that football is Princeton’s most important sport; that their successes, and only their successes, are worth the entire school’s attention, and that they take priority over both other men’s teams and all women’s teams.”