Oprah Winfrey's publicist said the talk show diva was coming to Princeton this past weekend for a sit-down fawning with her favorite bestseller, Toni Morrison.
Two basketball games, one night. In one arena, thousands of college students waved green construction-paper leaves, taunting an opposing team for their star's quitting over charges of marijuana use.At the other stadium, somewhere over a thousand collegians jumped up and down and yelled repeatedly that their opposition "sucks."Which crowd would you rather be a part of?The first, I say.Which crowd was Princeton's?The second, you know.Last Saturday night's Dartmouth game was probably my last time in the stands for a Princeton basketball game as an undergraduate.
Ratings justifiedI am disturbed by the 164 law school deans who, in a letter to me and all law school applicants this year, claimed that "law school rankings may be hazardous to (my) health." Despite the warm-fuzziness of this egalitarian plea, I find their position perplexing.First of all, how is it that U.S.
Leaving a production of "Rent" a few weeks ago, I overheard the following conversation between a girl (approximately 14 years old) and her father (approximately middle-aged):GIRL: Come on, Dad!
Deflating the facultyAfter I read the committee report on grade inflation, it dawned on me that there might be other significant kinds of inflation.
Any year in which "Titanic," a movie which apparently was written by a mildly retarded 13-year-old girl, is far and away the most acclaimed film doesn't bode well for cinema.
On 'insults' to students' intellectThe current controversy over grade inflation at Princeton has prompted a number of newspaper articles and letters to the editor, from the front-page story in The New York Times to the recent statements of Mr. Corwin in Friday's 'Prince.' Everything that I have come across in respect to this situation has disturbed me greatly.The first insult was learning from The Times that every good grade that I have earned at Princeton is meaningless.
A while ago, I found myself in conversation with someone who had emailed me back in September about my first column after a sophomore hiatus from the pages of the 'Prince.' That hadn't been a particularly political piece, just my view of a slice of Americana in the Olympic summer of '96.
In the wake of The New York Times article on grade inflation at Princeton University, I began to ponder the effects such a situation could have on the future of Princeton students.In good faith, I cannot deny all of the claims the article made, partly because I've only completed one semester here and partly because I've heard stories of grade inflation in certain courses.
On defense of 'Smart Fan' logicSince the printing of yesterday's 'Prince' article "Student group criticizes fan behavior at basketball games," I have received an exorbitant amount of criticism for my participation in the 'Smart Fans' fight against excessive heckling at basketball games.Let me begin by saying that when Jon Garfunkel first approached me about my feelings on the matter and before the article was even printed, I would not have considered myself a devout 'Smart Fan.' However, after justifying myself and my position on the topic to my friends and acquaintances this afternoon, I have found even more of a reason to be a part of Jon's impromptu organization of like-minded students.Jon Garfunkel, in all of his efforts, is not attempting to hamper fan participation and spirit at games.
I remember it all like it was just yesterday. Election night, 1994 in the procastinariffic Joline TV room during my formative Mathey years.
Opening doorsThe remarks made by Boston University Director of Financial Aid Barbara Tornow accusing Princeton of trying to "buy" students with its new expanded financial aid policy are ridiculous.Ms. Tornow accuses Princeton of stealing lower and middle class students from Boston University and other similar institutions by making it possible for them to attend Princeton.
Contextual mistakeI am writing in response to The New York Times' article on Wednesday concerning the grade inflation at Princeton.
In response to a University report on grade inflation over the last 24 years, a front-page article in The New York Times Wednesday entitled "Just Because the Grades Are Up, Are Princeton Students Smarter?" portrayed Princeton as a glorified summer camp where a 4.0 GPA is the norm.The article did not offer an accurate picture of academic life at the University.
After my sophomore year, I was lucky enough to procure a federal grant to work at a private biomedical research foundation in San Antonio, Texas.
'Misstatement'I have appreciated your thoughtful coverage of the grading issue, but I do want to set the record straight on an important misstatement of fact in your story on Feb.
There's something about air travel that unknots the soul, that approximates the unreality of never-to-be-fulfilled dreams.
The Princeton Tory is the bastion of conservative thought on campus ? that is, if any bastion can be a ramshackle, ill-defended affair and still be worthy of the name.
Media qualmsWhile 7000 fans watched the Tigers take on the Pennsylvania Quakers at Jadwin Gym, I had to depend on Dan O'Brien and the guy from the Tiger Sports-line for the score and highlights from the game.
Her eyes had seen much in their eighty-odd years, and those eyes were tired. And as I sat in that cold hospital room watching my grandmother, I wished I could see her eyes flicker with excitement once more.
