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Opinion

For the sake of the Princeton community, tax the endowment

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For the sake of the Princeton community, tax the endowment

Wynne Conger

“It is imperative that we at Princeton contend with and advocate for a more structured, progressive excise tax on the University’s endowment at large. In addition to other benefits, a system could primarily work to channel institutional money and resources back into the surrounding township under an organized system of federal jurisdiction and oversight.”

“It is imperative that we at Princeton contend with and advocate for a more structured, progressive excise tax on the University’s endowment at large. In addition to other benefits, a system could primarily work to channel institutional money and resources back into the surrounding township under an organized system of federal jurisdiction and oversight.”

OPINION | 10/25/2024

For meaningful discourse, free speech at Princeton must be combined with intellectual responsibility

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For meaningful discourse, free speech at Princeton must be combined with intellectual responsibility

Kenneth Chan

“We can’t shy away from repulsive opinions. But we must also exercise intellectual responsibility when it comes to our own opinions, and scrutinize as rigorously as possible our own biases in light of new information.”

“We can’t shy away from repulsive opinions. But we must also exercise intellectual responsibility when it comes to our own opinions, and scrutinize as rigorously as possible our own biases in light of new information.”

OPINION | 10/25/2024

Give students a break from nuisance fees

Glass windows reflecting a gothic building and a grey, concrete wall with a black sign.

Give students a break from nuisance fees

Thomas Buckley

“This charge is instead part of a genre of fees that are more of a nuisance than anything else. If they are intended to be punitive, they are too small to be an effective deterrent. However, raising them would come across as excessively cruel. Instead, the fees exist only to squeeze as much money out of the students using these services as possible.”

“This charge is instead part of a genre of fees that are more of a nuisance than anything else. If they are intended to be punitive, they are too small to be an effective deterrent. However, raising them would come across as excessively cruel. Instead, the fees exist only to squeeze as much money out of the students using these services as possible.”

OPINION | 10/24/2024

Princeton’s ‘no-loan’ policy doesn’t mean no debt

The facade of an ivy-covered building with a blue door.

Princeton’s ‘no-loan’ policy doesn’t mean no debt

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“Princeton reported that 11 percent of this year’s recent seniors graduated with debt — and 17 percent of “recent seniors” last year did. And that only counts loans taken out by students themselves — not including loans covered by students’ families and guardians, which Princeton does not report.”

“Princeton reported that 11 percent of this year’s recent seniors graduated with debt — and 17 percent of “recent seniors” last year did. And that only counts loans taken out by students themselves — not including loans covered by students’ families and guardians, which Princeton does not report.”

OPINION | 10/23/2024

Princeton must bolster support for students pursuing grad school

A stone tower with a backdrop of a grey sky.

Princeton must bolster support for students pursuing grad school

Asa Santos

This is the moment for Princeton to commit to improving the graduate application process for all students by using the model that works to support pre-med students to support students of all types — and to go beyond it. All of this will help Princeton build an undergraduate education, and graduate education, that supports a diverse student body in pursuing their diverse interests.

This is the moment for Princeton to commit to improving the graduate application process for all students by using the model that works to support pre-med students to support students of all types — and to go beyond it. All of this will help Princeton build an undergraduate education, and graduate education, that supports a diverse student body in pursuing their diverse interests.

OPINION | 10/22/2024
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Post-graduate income is a flawed metric for success

A glass door with a sticker showing a compass and orange and blue text. A desk with a box of tissues and hand sanitizer are visible.

Post-graduate income is a flawed metric for success

Davis Hobley

By analyzing job outcomes by additional factors, such as personal fulfillment, students might feel more confident in pursuing less lucrative careers that are nevertheless more enjoyable.

By analyzing job outcomes by additional factors, such as personal fulfillment, students might feel more confident in pursuing less lucrative careers that are nevertheless more enjoyable.

OPINION | 10/21/2024

Admissions needs to prioritize geographic diversity — here’s how

White circle lights over white chairs around low tables on a carpeted floor. There are stairs in the background against a yellow wall.

Admissions needs to prioritize geographic diversity — here’s how

Frances Brogan

At the very least, these steps would signal that Princeton’s investment in geographic diversity isn’t just an empty platitude. At best, this engagement would attract more rural talent to future Princeton classes and show historically disenfranchised communities that Princeton’s doors aren’t closed to them. 

At the very least, these steps would signal that Princeton’s investment in geographic diversity isn’t just an empty platitude. At best, this engagement would attract more rural talent to future Princeton classes and show historically disenfranchised communities that Princeton’s doors aren’t closed to them. 

OPINION | 10/21/2024

CitiBank tried to silence me for protest. We won’t let Princeton do the same.

An older man plays the cello in a concrete plaza. On the cello is written, "this machine loves, serves, and protects." A crowd of people stand around the cellist, some holding umbrellas over his head and instrument.

CitiBank tried to silence me for protest. We won’t let Princeton do the same.

John Mark Rozendaal

"What can Princeton students, faculty and staff do now for climate justice and for freedom of speech? Please keep doing what you are doing. Just like city streets, university campuses are contested grounds for delivery of controversial messages."

"What can Princeton students, faculty and staff do now for climate justice and for freedom of speech? Please keep doing what you are doing. Just like city streets, university campuses are contested grounds for delivery of controversial messages."

OPINION | 10/20/2024

Through a flawed ‘community input’ process, Princeton delays action during a genocide

People stand holding signs in a green courtyard. One prominent sign says "Princeton funds Genocide" and has red handprints on it.

Through a flawed ‘community input’ process, Princeton delays action during a genocide

Sofia Menemenlis, Jessica Ng, Hellen Wainaina, and Givarra Azhar Abdullah

"We write to express our concern with this post-hoc, poorly defined, and inadequately communicated process. The Committee’s procedure for soliciting feedback all but guarantees a highly skewed sample of responses."

"We write to express our concern with this post-hoc, poorly defined, and inadequately communicated process. The Committee’s procedure for soliciting feedback all but guarantees a highly skewed sample of responses."

OPINION | 10/11/2024

Using faculty meetings to declare political positions undermines Princeton’s mission

Gothic courtyard with criss crossing pathways and leaves changing color from green to yellow.

Using faculty meetings to declare political positions undermines Princeton’s mission

Flora Champy, Stephen Macedo, Leora Batnitzky, Jonathan Mummolo, Sanjeev Kulkarni, Eve Krakowski, and Emmanuel Bourbouhakis

“When “the faculty” are conscripted to speak in one voice about an issue, dissenting opinions are discouraged, and our truth-seeking mission is compromised.”

“When “the faculty” are conscripted to speak in one voice about an issue, dissenting opinions are discouraged, and our truth-seeking mission is compromised.”

OPINION | 10/10/2024

It’s okay to eat by yourself

A mansion can be seen behind the garden.

It’s okay to eat by yourself

Lily Halbert-Alexander

“It is vital that we learn to become the agents of our own solitude. Making a decision to seek out time alone, even just while reading a book or eating a meal, shows autonomy and commitment to personal needs, which is empowering in an environment like Princeton overrun with feelings of obligation.”

“It is vital that we learn to become the agents of our own solitude. Making a decision to seek out time alone, even just while reading a book or eating a meal, shows autonomy and commitment to personal needs, which is empowering in an environment like Princeton overrun with feelings of obligation.”

OPINION | 10/09/2024

When free speech isn’t free: Princeton’s suppression of low-income students

An ivy-covered building with brightly lit benches and a bike rack in front.

When free speech isn’t free: Princeton’s suppression of low-income students

Raf Basas

“The University’s actions must be consistent with its purported values, and thus, Princeton must institute protections for students on financial aid amid disciplinary punishments.”

“The University’s actions must be consistent with its purported values, and thus, Princeton must institute protections for students on financial aid amid disciplinary punishments.”

OPINION | 10/09/2024

‘Diversity and Excellence goes hand in hand’: Diversify the faculty

The southfacing side of Nassau Hall, a large building covered in Ivy.

‘Diversity and Excellence goes hand in hand’: Diversify the faculty

Ava Johnson

Faculty diversity is important for many of the same reasons that student diversity is — diverse identities bring diverse perspectives that enrich an academic environment, and are especially important to make a diversity of students feel welcome. 

Faculty diversity is important for many of the same reasons that student diversity is — diverse identities bring diverse perspectives that enrich an academic environment, and are especially important to make a diversity of students feel welcome. 

OPINION | 10/07/2024

With their dirty deal, Princeton has chosen the fossil fuel industry over the future

In the background on the right, a building composed of brown bricks covered with green ivy has a large black door in front. On the right lower third foreground, many protestors gather in front of a man speaking. In the top right, lightly leafed trees sit below a bright sun and pale blue sky.

With their dirty deal, Princeton has chosen the fossil fuel industry over the future

Alex Norbrook and Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“By choosing to prioritize relationships with fossil fuel companies over the well-being of the planet and future generations, Princeton has abdicated its responsibility to lead and sent the message that prestige and immediate financial gain outweigh the urgent need to address the climate emergency.”

“By choosing to prioritize relationships with fossil fuel companies over the well-being of the planet and future generations, Princeton has abdicated its responsibility to lead and sent the message that prestige and immediate financial gain outweigh the urgent need to address the climate emergency.”

OPINION | 10/04/2024

To make a real difference this November, vote absentee, not here in Princeton

A blue and red metal drop box. The text on the side reads: “Mercer County official election ballot drop box.”

To make a real difference this November, vote absentee, not here in Princeton

Preston Ferraiuolo

“If you want to make a real difference, don’t vote here in Princeton. The Orange Bubble is situated in a blue town in a blue state where your vote won’t make a difference. Vote absentee in your hometown to make an impact.”

“If you want to make a real difference, don’t vote here in Princeton. The Orange Bubble is situated in a blue town in a blue state where your vote won’t make a difference. Vote absentee in your hometown to make an impact.”

OPINION | 10/04/2024

You will live to see University-made horrors beyond your reading comprehension

A storefront with "Labyrinth Books" printed across a blue awning. Books and strings of paper cranes are displayed in the windows.

You will live to see University-made horrors beyond your reading comprehension

Anna Ferris

“However, for student book buyers, eCampus is slower and more expensive than Labyrinth was. Ultimately, the switch replaces an economic and spiritual pillar of the community with yet another e-commerce conglomerate.”

“However, for student book buyers, eCampus is slower and more expensive than Labyrinth was. Ultimately, the switch replaces an economic and spiritual pillar of the community with yet another e-commerce conglomerate.”

OPINION | 10/04/2024

Reactions: The Clio Hall student protesters’ cases are sent to trial

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Reactions: The Clio Hall student protesters’ cases are sent to trial

Christofer Robles, Siyeon Lee, Asa Santos, Eleanor Clemans-Cope, and Abigail Rabieh

Opinion staff react to Judge McCarthy’s decision on Tuesday to send all 13 protesters arrested for sitting in at Clio Hall last spring to trial.

Opinion staff react to Judge McCarthy’s decision on Tuesday to send all 13 protesters arrested for sitting in at Clio Hall last spring to trial.

OPINION | 10/02/2024

The climate crisis is far more urgent than Princeton lets on

Two people, one holding a megaphone, stand in front of a crowd of people holding signs in a park.

The climate crisis is far more urgent than Princeton lets on

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“The climate crisis is accelerating, uncertainties are piling up, and the risks may be far greater than previously imagined. Yet the response from Princeton’s leadership is a shrug of indifference.”

“The climate crisis is accelerating, uncertainties are piling up, and the risks may be far greater than previously imagined. Yet the response from Princeton’s leadership is a shrug of indifference.”

OPINION | 10/02/2024

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