Opinion

As endowment returns contract, workers continue to deserve a living wage

As endowment returns contract, workers continue to deserve a living wage

Raf Basas

Fundamentally, a living wage is humane. In exchange for their indispensable work, Princeton’s workers deserve to be able to afford their basic needs.

We need to implement a living wage at Princeton, now. It is a common-sense, low-cost policy that we should all get behind.

OPINION | February 4

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There’s a better way forward for students in crisis

There’s a better way forward for students in crisis

Thomas Buckley

If Princeton is serious about combating mental illness, it should follow the lead of Rutgers, Pitt, and others that provide students with an organized and comprehensive program of care that reinforces rather than untethers their supportive campus relationships.

If Princeton is serious about combating mental illness, it should follow the lead of Rutgers, Pitt, and others that provide students with an organized and comprehensive program of care that reinforces rather than untethers their supportive campus relationships.

OPINION | February 3

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Humanities lag behind STEM in AI policy. They must catch up.

Humanities lag behind STEM in AI policy. They must catch up.

Luqmaan Bamba

AI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities scholars and social scientists should recognize where AI can be constructive by building on human analysis instead of just being a shortcut.

AI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities scholars and social scientists should recognize where AI can be constructive by building on human analysis instead of just being a shortcut.

OPINION | February 2

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A case for the Whig-Clio senate

A case for the Whig-Clio senate

Ian Rosenzweig

As a community, Princetonians — especially politically engaged Princetonians — must commit to defending our positions and challenging our ideologies through civil discourse. And the Whig-Clio senate is where that commitment can start.

As a community, Princetonians — especially politically engaged Princetonians — must commit to defending our positions and challenging our ideologies through civil discourse. And the Whig-Clio senate is where that commitment can start.

OPINION | January 29

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Why the Honor Code doesn’t work

Why the Honor Code doesn’t work

Shane McCauley

Princeton should work toward implementing an honor code that is integral to student identity, not just a perfunctory pledge that we memorize and write on the first page of our exams.

Princeton should work toward implementing an honor code that is integral to student identity, not just a perfunctory pledge that we memorize and write on the first page of our exams.

OPINION | January 28

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By the way, on Feb. 9, you can ask President Eisgruber anything

By the way, on Feb. 9, you can ask President Eisgruber anything

Isaac Barsoum

A question for Eisgruber about dining, divestment, international student protections, research funding, mental health, or any of the many other issues facing our community has the chance, however small, to prompt an actual change in the University’s course of action over the coming year.

A question for Eisgruber about dining, divestment, international student protections, research funding, mental health, or any of the many other issues facing our community has the chance, however small, to prompt an actual change in the University’s course of action over the coming year.

OPINION | January 28

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Federal agents killed two civilians. Princeton must speak up, not remain silent.

Federal agents killed two civilians. Princeton must speak up, not remain silent.

Raf Basas

The University must speak out against the threat of ICE: it poses a genuine risk to our community, and represents an unapologetic governmental disregard for free speech that directly violates the very principles on which Princeton stakes itself as a defender of discourse.

The University must speak out against the threat of ICE: it poses a genuine risk to our community, and represents an unapologetic governmental disregard for free speech that directly violates the very principles on which Princeton stakes itself as a defender of discourse.

OPINION | January 25

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Why Princeton needs opinion journalism

Why Princeton needs opinion journalism

Charlie Yale and Lily Halbert-Alexander

Engaging with Opinion — whether through reading or writing — brings you into closer contact with campus discourse. Just as news reporters provide unbiased coverage on campus developments, we work to communicate to our readers what these events mean for their lives, and how current campus issues might intersect with their own values and roles in the community. 

Engaging with Opinion — whether through reading or writing — brings you into closer contact with campus discourse. Just as news reporters provide unbiased coverage on campus developments, we work to communicate to our readers what these events mean for their lives, and how current campus issues might intersect with their own values and roles in the community. 

OPINION | January 18

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PAW omits reporter’s Supreme Court appeal — at the cost of journalistic principle

PAW omits reporter’s Supreme Court appeal — at the cost of journalistic principle

Laurel Leff and Jon Ort

By publishing Sittenfeld’s profile of Park without noting his interests before the Supreme Court, PAW neglected its journalistic duty to alert its readers when a writer cannot fairly cover a story.

By publishing Sittenfeld’s profile of Park without noting his interests before the Supreme Court, PAW neglected its journalistic duty to alert its readers when a writer cannot fairly cover a story.

OPINION | January 5

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Don’t trust your campus paper? Here’s the case.

Don’t trust your campus paper? Here’s the case.

Miriam Waldvogel

In a moment of crisis, a trusted student newspaper transforms from an everyday service to a lifeline. Even when national outlets swoop in to cover a tragedy or an encampment, student reporters can provide deep sourcing and unique insight into the happenings on the ground.

In a moment of crisis, a trusted student newspaper transforms from an everyday service to a lifeline. Even when national outlets swoop in to cover a tragedy or an encampment, student reporters can provide deep sourcing and unique insight into the happenings on the ground.

OPINION | December 31

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Nominate your lecturers for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching

Nominate your lecturers for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching

Jerry Zhu

Nominations for the award are due to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty (padt[at]princeton.edu) by Feb. 6, 2026. I will be sending in my nominations for my favorite lecturers and other faculty, and I hope you will too.

Nominations for the award are due to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty (padt[at]princeton.edu) by Feb. 6, 2026. I will be sending in my nominations for my favorite lecturers and other faculty, and I hope you will too.

OPINION | December 19

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I don’t want to get run over by an e-bike

I don’t want to get run over by an e-bike

Charlie Yale

At its next meeting, Princeton’s Environmental Safety and Risk Management (ESRM) committee will consider a change to the University’s current e-bike policy. Due to the risk they pose to pedestrians and riders on campus, the ESRM committee must ban e-bikes once and for all when we get back from winter break.

At its next meeting, Princeton’s Environmental Safety and Risk Management (ESRM) committee will consider a change to the University’s current e-bike policy. Due to the risk they pose to pedestrians and riders on campus, the ESRM committee must ban e-bikes once and for all when we get back from winter break.

OPINION | December 18

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$10 train tickets are on the right track, but they’re not enough

$10 train tickets are on the right track, but they’re not enough

Emily Y. Zhang

The enthusiasm around USG’s ticket giveaway proves that students want change. The challenge now is to move from demands to policies. The University should implement systematic ticket stipends for students.

The enthusiasm around USG’s ticket giveaway proves that students want change. The challenge now is to move from demands to policies. The University should implement systematic ticket stipends for students.

OPINION | December 16

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Eisgruber and the AAU should advocate for gun reform

Eisgruber and the AAU should advocate for gun reform

Raf Basas

After Brown, this moment calls for Princeton to stand in solidarity with the victims of the Brown shooting by pushing for significant reform to fight violence.

After Brown, this moment calls for Princeton to stand in solidarity with the victims of the Brown shooting by pushing for significant reform to fight violence.

OPINION | December 16

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Seniors deserve to know if their class jacket is AI-generated

Seniors deserve to know if their class jacket is AI-generated

Jacqueline Zhou

By being willing to respond to reasonable demands for evidence, the 2026 Class Jacket Committee can set a standard of transparency and accountability, combating how irresponsible uses of AI undermines those values.

By being willing to respond to reasonable demands for evidence, the 2026 Class Jacket Committee can set a standard of transparency and accountability, combating how irresponsible uses of AI undermines those values.

OPINION | December 11

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What this year’s dismal turnout says about civic life at Princeton

What this year’s dismal turnout says about civic life at Princeton

Luqmaan Bamba

Both USG candidates and the University community as a whole must make an active effort to advertise, support, and center the student government voting process.

Both USG candidates and the University community as a whole must make an active effort to advertise, support, and center the student government voting process.

OPINION | December 8

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On cybersecurity, online modules don’t cut it

On cybersecurity, online modules don’t cut it

Ian Rosenzweig

Ignored online training modules aren’t going to cut it in an environment that relies on technology for more and more aspects of our academic and personal lives. 

Ignored online training modules aren’t going to cut it in an environment that relies on technology for more and more aspects of our academic and personal lives. 

OPINION | December 4

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Your professors aren’t out to get you

Your professors aren’t out to get you

Charlie Yale

When students assume that grading is ideologically motivated and in bad faith — and when they choose to take these concerns straight to reactionary publications that have it out for higher education instead of engaging in productive dialogue with the members of the University community — our ability to have academically fulfilling conversations begins to slip away.

When students assume that grading is ideologically motivated and in bad faith — and when they choose to take these concerns straight to reactionary publications that have it out for higher education instead of engaging in productive dialogue with the members of the University community — our ability to have academically fulfilling conversations begins to slip away.

OPINION | December 4

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If I wanted to steal that book, I would just throw it out the window

If I wanted to steal that book, I would just throw it out the window

Josh Stiefel

Given that some books in Firestone’s stacks are worth over $1,000, and that not all library visitors are members of the University community, it is understandable that the University takes some security measures. But the bag check as practiced isn’t a serious attempt to find contraband. Getting rid of the checks would emphasize a new level of trust between library administration and visitors. 

Given that some books in Firestone’s stacks are worth over $1,000, and that not all library visitors are members of the University community, it is understandable that the University takes some security measures. But the bag check as practiced isn’t a serious attempt to find contraband. Getting rid of the checks would emphasize a new level of trust between library administration and visitors. 

OPINION | December 1

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Terms of Respect defends student speech — but doesn’t respect it

Terms of Respect defends student speech — but doesn’t respect it

Ava Johnson

Eisgruber characterizes student speech as practice, not real engagement. His one-dimensional view of students fails to account for our simultaneous existence within and outside of the Orange Bubble. But our speech, like us, is not confined to the Princeton community, and attempting to shield or protect students from the real world can underrate our participation in it.

Eisgruber characterizes student speech as practice, not real engagement. His one-dimensional view of students fails to account for our simultaneous existence within and outside of the Orange Bubble. But our speech, like us, is not confined to the Princeton community, and attempting to shield or protect students from the real world can underrate our participation in it.

OPINION | December 1

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