Siyeon Lee

The dining hall’s architecture keeps workers out of sight. That’s a problem

Among the many inconveniences imposed by my chronic back pain is the difficulty I have in bending over to thank the dining hall workers who clean the plates I eat from daily. In this piece, I explore how the architectural design of Princeton’s dining halls shapes visibility and invisibility, the ways physical barriers reflect social hierarchies, and why rethinking these spaces matters for fostering a more inclusive campus community.

Among the many inconveniences imposed by my chronic back pain is the difficulty I have in bending over to thank the dining hall workers who clean the plates I eat from daily. In this piece, I explore how the architectural design of Princeton’s dining halls shapes visibility and invisibility, the ways physical barriers reflect social hierarchies, and why rethinking these spaces matters for fostering a more inclusive campus community.

Reactions: Building a better Bicker?

This year, we asked our writers to share more nuanced reflections on what works and doesn’t work about Street Week 2025 – what should be preserved, and what should be reformed. 

Princeton’s liberal hypocrisy will only exacerbate the post-election political divide

“The current narrative of liberal superiority perpetuated by some progressives risks deepening the post-election divide and undermining the democratic and egalitarian values they aim to champion.”

“The current narrative of liberal superiority perpetuated by some progressives risks deepening the post-election divide and undermining the democratic and egalitarian values they aim to champion.”

Where do idealogues die when free speech lives?

“When conservatives prime free speech to be understood as a sacred neutral, they disregard the truth that the ideal of free speech in itself — and the best way in which it should be pursued — is inherently dogmatic.”

“When conservatives prime free speech to be understood as a sacred neutral, they disregard the truth that the ideal of free speech in itself — and the best way in which it should be pursued — is inherently dogmatic.”

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.

The humanities were never meant for Princeton’s international students

“No student can freely explore their interests or deeply contemplate how to serve humanity while preoccupied with the prospect of deportation. The state of the OPT program not only diminishes America’s ability to retain talented students in the United States, but also damages our ability to attract these students here at all.”

“No student can freely explore their interests or deeply contemplate how to serve humanity while preoccupied with the prospect of deportation. The state of the OPT program not only diminishes America’s ability to retain talented students in the United States, but also damages our ability to attract these students here at all.”

Reactions: What data should the University publicly release?

“The University releases data about many different aspects of the University from student demographics to progress towards its sustainability goals. We asked our columnists what other data the University should release.”

“The University releases data about many different aspects of the University from student demographics to progress towards its sustainability goals. We asked our columnists what other data the University should release.”

Reactions: To bicker or not to bicker?

“We asked our columnists to reflect on Street Week 2024 and Bicker, more generally.”

“We asked our columnists to reflect on Street Week 2024 and bicker, more generally.”

On the privilege of bearing witness

“For citizens across the world, social media has been an integral tool of organization, of activism, and, most importantly, of bearing witness. In a conflict where the documentation of suffering is deliberately controlled and critically dangerous, the act of viewing bears — and should bear — a more solemn significance.”

“For citizens across the world, social media has been an integral tool of organization, of activism, and, most importantly, of bearing witness. In a conflict where the documentation of suffering is deliberately controlled and critically dangerous, the act of viewing bears — and should bear — a more solemn significance.”

Why is everyone here ‘middle class’?

While there are certainly many ways to be middle-class, including both social and economic factors, it clearly doesn’t apply to those in the top five percent of America’s income earners, as half of this year’s Frosh Survey respondents whose families earn over $500k annually suggested.

While there are certainly many ways to be middle-class, including both social and economic factors, it clearly doesn't apply to those in the top 5% of America’s income earners, as half of this year's Frosh Survey respondents whose families earn over 500k annually suggested.