Opinion

Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Aly Rashid

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

OPINION | 05/31/2023

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Lesbian and sapphic communities on campus: in need of revival

Lesbian and sapphic communities on campus: in need of revival

Lucia Wetherill

“In the two years since I passed through FitzRandolph Gate, I’ve found a kind, caring, and inclusive queer community. Yet I’ve never felt a real sense of lesbian or sapphic community on campus. This is not because of a lack lesbian or sapphic women on campus; I’ve made a number of lesbian and sapphic friends. That these beautiful and essential sapphic friendships do, in fact, exist, makes the absence of a community all the more noteworthy and painful.”

“In the two years since I passed through FitzRandolph Gate, I’ve found a kind, caring, and inclusive queer community. Yet I’ve never felt a real sense of lesbian or sapphic community on campus. This is not because of a lack lesbian or sapphic women on campus; I’ve made a number of lesbian and sapphic friends. That these beautiful and essential sapphic friendships do, in fact, exist, makes the absence of a community all the more noteworthy and painful.” 

OPINION | 05/25/2023

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How do I have it all? Women, careers, and Princeton’s blind spot

How do I have it all? Women, careers, and Princeton’s blind spot

Abigail Rabieh

“While Princeton often begs us to think about the future, there are not enough offerings to realistically support women in this endeavor.”

“While Princeton often begs us to think about the future, there are not enough offerings to realistically support women in this endeavor.” 

OPINION | 05/25/2023

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Letter to the Editor: Robust sexual misconduct response program offers support and options for students

Letter to the Editor: Robust sexual misconduct response program offers support and options for students

Michele Minter and Randy Hubert

“University systems are always a work in progress, and over time, the sexual misconduct response program has benefited from student interest, including that of Women in STEM, PIXR, and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and Graduate Student Government (GSG).”

“University systems are always a work in progress, and over time, the sexual misconduct response program has benefited from student interest, including that of Women in STEM, PIXR, and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and Graduate Student Government (GSG).”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program

What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program

Rooya Rahin and Dylan Shapiro

“While the Madison Program represents itself as a non-partisan center on campus to engage with ‘American constitutional law and Western political thought’ as Princeton’s center for ‘American Ideals,‘ the Madison Program in fact exists to further conservative viewpoints on campus.”

“While the Madison Program represents itself as a non-partisan center on campus to engage with ‘American constitutional law and Western political thought’ as Princeton’s center for ‘American Ideals,’ the Madison Program in fact exists to further conservative viewpoints on campus.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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A love letter to Princeton

A love letter to Princeton

Joan Coloma and Antun Knez

“We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

“We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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Caring for friends like Maura Coursey requires better harm reduction for drug use

Caring for friends like Maura Coursey requires better harm reduction for drug use

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“Maura’s death reminds us that this substance use occurs at Princeton, like it does everywhere, and that the University must react by making free and accessible harm reduction available for all students. Her life is a call to action for all of us to build a community that cares for the people who use these substances and people who have substance use disorders in a non-stigmatizing way.”

“Maura’s death reminds us that this substance use occurs at Princeton, like it does everywhere, and that the University must react by making free and accessible harm reduction available for all students. Her life is a call to action for all of us to build a community that cares for the people who use these substances and people who have substance use disorders in a non-stigmatizing way.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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Letter to the Editor: Eisgruber's administration has quietly eviscerated the free speech rule

Letter to the Editor: Eisgruber's administration has quietly eviscerated the free speech rule

Edward Yingling and Stuart Taylor, Jr.

“Eisgruber left the Minter letter-ruling in place, saying nothing for months about mounting criticisms by national free speech groups and others, including PFS, of his administration’s treatment of Katz.”

“Eisgruber left the Minter letter-ruling in place, saying nothing for months about mounting criticisms by national free speech groups and others, including PFS, of his administration’s treatment of Katz.”

OPINION | 05/18/2023

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Four years after we demanded change, survivors are still being failed by the University

Four years after we demanded change, survivors are still being failed by the University

Tori Gorton

“Yet, PIXR’s planned efforts are not enough to address the shortcomings of the University’s treatment of survivors or the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct on campus, both of which require an institutional response to fully support the Princeton community. The University has had four years to take decisive action on the sexual misconduct crisis that PIXR brought to their attention in 2019 – and that other students have highlighted to them repeatedly since.”

“Yet, PIXR’s planned efforts are not enough to address the shortcomings of the University’s treatment of survivors or the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct on campus, both of which require an institutional response to fully support the Princeton community. The University has had four years to take decisive action on the sexual misconduct crisis that PIXR brought to their attention in 2019 – and that other students have highlighted to them repeatedly since.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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Princeton's competitive culture is far too pervasive

Princeton's competitive culture is far too pervasive

Thomas Buckley

“The idea that a club can grow and become popular only by turning prospective members away is inherently toxic to fostering a positive and uplifting community. That this bet works implies that prospective members are largely motivated by the feeling that they beat someone out for their spot – that there can be no victory without an opponent to be vanquished.”

“The idea that a club can grow and become popular only by turning prospective members away is inherently toxic to fostering a positive and uplifting community. That this bet works implies that prospective members are largely motivated by the feeling that they beat someone out for their spot – that there can be no victory without an opponent to be vanquished.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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Environmental GPA: An open letter on Princeton’s retirement plans and fossil fuels

Environmental GPA: An open letter on Princeton’s retirement plans and fossil fuels

Guest Contributors

“Educators across the country are challenging TIAA to live up to its claim to ‘champion green initiatives, address environmental justice and lead our industry in modeling sustainable behavior’ and its recognition that ‘climate risk is investment risk.’ Our faculty and staff should join those at Cornell, SUNY, Rutgers, and other universities to pass a resolution urging TIAA to fully divest their funds of fossil fuels.”

“Educators across the country are challenging TIAA to live up to its claim to ‘champion green initiatives, address environmental justice and lead our industry in modeling sustainable behavior’ and its recognition that ‘climate risk is investment risk.’ Our faculty and staff should join those at Cornell, SUNY, Rutgers, and other universities to pass a resolution urging TIAA to fully divest their funds of fossil fuels.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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Ramadan reflections year two: improvements from last year, but still work to be done

Ramadan reflections year two: improvements from last year, but still work to be done

Ndeye Thioubou

In spite of noteworthy enhancements to the Princeton Ramadan experience, there still needs to be yearlong improvements made to the halal meat options at Princeton, as well as increased academic accommodations for students during both Ramadan and the holiday that follows it, Eid al-Fitr.

In spite of noteworthy enhancements to the Princeton Ramadan experience, there still needs to be yearlong improvements made to the halal meat options at Princeton, as well as increased academic accommodations for students during both Ramadan and the holiday that follows it, Eid al-Fitr.

OPINION | 05/07/2023

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It’s not enough to combat racism at Princeton. We need a center to address it beyond.

It’s not enough to combat racism at Princeton. We need a center to address it beyond.

Guest Contributors

“While its peer institutions have taken substantive action to establish centers to address systemic and structural racism, Princeton lags behind.”

“While its peer institutions have taken substantive action to establish centers to address systemic and structural racism, Princeton lags behind.”

OPINION | 05/04/2023

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A union will help graduate students achieve their goals

A union will help graduate students achieve their goals

Ilyana Kuziemko and Paul Frymer

“While graduate students may not seem like the stereotypical union worker, they in fact face unique vulnerabilities that collective bargaining can help address.”

“While graduate students may not seem like the stereotypical union worker, they in fact face unique vulnerabilities that collective bargaining can help address.”

OPINION | 05/04/2023

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We started PGSU in 2016. Now, it’s time to unionize.

We started PGSU in 2016. Now, it’s time to unionize.

Jamie Pelling and Sarah Reibstein

“We are now on the cusp of an election, and we’re the closest we have ever been. The NLRB under the Biden administration reaffirmed our rights as workers to unionize, ending years of uncertainty. Grad worker unionization campaigns resurged across the country. PGSU held an open vote and chose to affiliate with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), an independent union known for embracing rank-and-file democracy which has recently held successful union elections with graduate workers at MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern... The new generation of PGSU-ers, so well-versed in digital organizing and Zoom meetings, turned out in person with carefully crafted handmade signs. The union movement is making waves on campus once again, with a stronger coalition than ever before.”

 “We are now on the cusp of an election, and we’re the closest we have ever been. The NLRB under the Biden administration reaffirmed our rights as workers to unionize, ending years of uncertainty. Grad worker unionization campaigns resurged across the country. PGSU held an open vote and chose to affiliate with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), an independent union known for embracing rank-and-file democracy which has recently held successful union elections with graduate workers at MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern... The new generation of PGSU-ers, so well-versed in digital organizing and Zoom meetings, turned out in person with carefully crafted handmade signs. The union movement is making waves on campus once again, with a stronger coalition than ever before.” 

OPINION | 05/02/2023

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Princeton should allow students to take five years

Princeton should allow students to take five years

Prince Takano

The University of Rochester’s “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to take additional courses in a five-year time period to help students find the time to pursue an academic interest that is unrelated to their declared major. Some Princeton students would benefit from a similar program, and the University should make this an option for the student body. 

The University of Rochester’s “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to take additional courses in a five-year time period to help students find the time to pursue an academic interest that is unrelated to their declared major. Some Princeton students would benefit from a similar program, and the University should make this an option for the student body. 

OPINION | 04/30/2023

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We should all be ashamed of what the Senior Survey shows

We should all be ashamed of what the Senior Survey shows

Matthew Wilson

“The University is failing at its most important task: to form its students in the noble tradition of truth-seeking, dispassionate scholarship, liberal inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

“If, as the Senior Survey’s data suggests, Princeton is fostering an environment that facilitates the mere training of ideologues and excludes those with unpopular opinions from full participation in campus discourse, then the University is failing at its most important task: to form its students in the noble tradition of truth-seeking, dispassionate scholarship, liberal inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

OPINION | 04/30/2023

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By restricting strikes, Princeton silences workers' free speech

By restricting strikes, Princeton silences workers' free speech

Lucía Armengol and Bryce Springfield

“Without the ability to strike, SEIU Local 175 is significantly disempowered in their contract negotiations with the University.”

“Without the ability to strike, SEIU Local 175 is significantly disempowered in their contract negotiations with the University.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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The invisible and ignored struggles of Princeton’s service workers

The invisible and ignored struggles of Princeton’s service workers

David Beeson and Abdul-Bassit Fijabi

“Princeton’s pay stagnation shows a blatant disregard for the deplorable conditions that their essential workers live in — conditions that are in direct contrast to Princeton’s status as the wealthiest per-capita university in the US.”

“Princeton’s pay stagnation shows a blatant disregard for the deplorable conditions that their essential workers live in — conditions that are in direct contrast to Princeton’s status as the wealthiest per-capita university in the US.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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From trauma to truth: why Princeton must recognize the Armenian Genocide

From trauma to truth: why Princeton must recognize the Armenian Genocide

Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not just a moral imperative but also an intellectual one. We can only learn from history and build a better future by acknowledging the truth ... I strongly urge the NES Department and Princeton University to take action and create a safe environment where intellectual honesty — rather than denialist conspiracy — is upheld.

Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not just a moral imperative but also an intellectual one. We can only learn from history and build a better future by acknowledging the truth ... I strongly urge the NES Department and Princeton University to take action and create a safe environment where intellectual honesty — rather than denialist conspiracy — is upheld.

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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