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Opinion

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

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

“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 | October 23

A stone tower with a backdrop of a grey sky.

Princeton must bolster support for students pursuing grad school

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 | October 22

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

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 | October 21

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

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 | October 21

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.

"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 | October 20

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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

"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 | October 11

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

“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 | October 10

A mansion can be seen behind the garden.

It’s okay to eat by yourself

“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 | October 9

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

“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 | October 9

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

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

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 | October 7

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

“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 | October 4

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

“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 | October 4

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

“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 | October 4

An angular building cuts against the blue sky.

Reactions: The Clio Hall student protesters’ cases are sent 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 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 | October 2

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

“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 | October 2

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

Princeton, get practical with international student travel stipends

The funds for low-income international students consistently fail to account for the full scope of the students’ travel needs. Moving forward, Princeton should work to conduct more thorough and comprehensive evaluations of student financial needs.

The funds for low-income international students consistently fail to account for the full scope of the students’ travel needs. Moving forward, Princeton should work to conduct more thorough and comprehensive evaluations of student financial needs.

OPINION | October 1

A sign with red, bold text next to several blue and white boxes on a shelf.

Why Princeton shouldn’t treat COVID-19 like the common cold

“Though it does not make sense to return to pandemic-era restrictions like mandatory masking, Princeton must provide guidance for isolation and mitigation with best practices specific to COVID-19 in mind.”

“Though it does not make sense to return to pandemic-era restrictions like mandatory masking, Princeton must provide guidance for isolation and mitigation with best practices specific to COVID-19 in mind.”

OPINION | September 29

Two people sit on grass lawn with a brown stone building in the background.

Your opinions matter more than you think

“Students who feel that their political positions are not well represented on campus might accordingly feel a sense of apathy towards an electoral process that they do not feel will sufficiently impact the lives of those around them.”

Students who feel that their political positions are not well represented on campus might accordingly feel a sense of apathy towards an electoral process that they do not feel will sufficiently impact the lives of those around them.

OPINION | September 27