Over the past semester, the unsigned editorials featured on this page have discussed the freshmen year rush ban, Early Action admission and departmental certificates. The Daily Princetonian Editorial Board was collectively responsible for writing these pieces. Today, instead of taking a stance on an issue, we would like to explain the editorial process and invite interested freshmen, sophomores and juniors to apply to join the Board.
The Board is the independent body responsible for determining the position of the ‘Prince’ on matters that affect Princeton and its campus community. We meet twice a week to discuss campus issues, solicit input from potential stakeholders and take editorial positions. We work closely with other sections of the newspaper to gather information about editorial topics, but we deliberate behind closed doors and independently determine our own positions to preserve objectivity. The Board answers only to its chair, Jonathan Sarnoff; the executive editor for opinion, Camille Framroze; and the editor-in-chief, Ameena Schelling.
While the Board strives for unanimity, editorial positions are determined by majority vote and are written in turns by the members of the Board. Joining the Board commits you to writing one editorial every few weeks. Under certain circumstances, a unified minority publishes a signed dissent. All majority opinions are the collective product of the Board and constitute an independent voice separate from other sections of the ‘Prince.’
Crucial to our mission is the ability to incorporate a variety of diverse perspectives into the editorials we produce. Current Board members come from across the country and represent a wide variety of majors, political philosophies and academic and extracurricular interests. What unites us all is an engagement in campus life and a commitment to investigating and discussing issues that pertain to the University community. We are committed to bringing compelling arguments and perspectives to this page, criticizing and praising in equal measure. We try to recommend specific policies or actions for the University that in our opinion are best for the community as a whole.
For us, its members, the Board is one of the central aspects of our time at Princeton. From the (relative) comfort of our fourth-floor conference room, we engage in challenging, passionate and intellectually stimulating debates that lead us to examine and confront the full range of issues that affect our lives at Princeton. Our greatest thrills come from the times when our suggestions make a lasting contribution to the broader discussion about an issue or are even adopted by the University— something that has happened numerous times over the past year. If you have a complaint, joining the Editorial Board is a meaningful way to encourage corresponding change.
Our aim is to inspire discussion and, ultimately, action. But this is impossible without a constant influx of students with unique perspectives — independent thinkers who are eager to debate and willing to engage with issues important to Princeton. We value writing ability, creativity and strength of thought much more than journalistic experience. If you are interested in joining us, we encourage you to fill out our application at dailyprincetonian.com/join/opinion by midnight on Friday, Sept. 30. Candidates will be interviewed on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 2. We look forward to meeting you!
Read More
Campus through a lens: Announcing the ‘Prince’s inaugural columnists
Eleanor Clemans-CopeReading a series of columns by the same author is seeing things through the writer’s lens — it’s looking at campus through the ‘Christofer glasses’ or the ‘Eleanor specs.’ This is the thinking behind having named columns.
Reading a series of columns by the same author is seeing things through the writer’s lens — it’s looking at campus through the ‘Christofer glasses’ or the ‘Eleanor specs.’ This is the thinking behind having named columns.
Bring back the course packet
Abigail Rabieh“With the recent news that Labyrinth Books will no longer supply the coursebooks for Princeton classes, we are facing a new era in which all readings will only be accessible by some digital medium, whether that be via Course Reserves or online ordering from faraway publishers. While some may see this as a step in the right direction of modernity, the increasing digitalization of our scholarship hurts our learning.”
“With the recent news that Labyrinth Books will no longer supply the coursebooks for Princeton classes, we are facing a new era in which all readings will only be accessible by some digital medium, whether that be via Course Reserves or online ordering from faraway publishers. While some may see this as a step in the right direction of modernity, the increasing digitalization of our scholarship hurts our learning.”
Community is built on empathy; stop politicizing it
Ava Johnson“The idea of creating “safe spaces” has been politicized and weaponized as part of a culture war when in reality it is merely a precursor to being in community with others.”
“The idea of creating “safe spaces” has been politicized and weaponized as part of a culture war when in reality it is merely a precursor to being in community with others.”
