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New ecstasy law increases penalties for possession

New ecstasy law increases penalties for possession

Gov. Christie Whitman signed legislation in late June that increased criminal penalties in New Jersey for the possession, manufacture and distribution of the drug MDMA, also known as ecstasy.The legislation ? passed June 22 ? is meant to discourage young people from experimenting with the drug and more severely punish dealers.In the past, possession or distribution of ecstasy was considered a third-degree offense.

NEWS | 09/19/2000

Health Commission addresses ban on public smoking, underage drinking

The Princeton Regional Health Commission announced last night at a public meeting that it will push for state legislation to allow municipalities to issue ordinances against smoking.The decision came in response to a superior court judge's Aug.

NEWS | 09/19/2000

Class of 2004 Website helped incoming freshmen make ties

Thanks to Jennifer Brea '04, many freshmen experienced less than the requisite dose of anxiety before arriving on campus this month.In January, after she was accepted early decision, Brea constructed a Website ? which can be found at www.geocities.com/princeton04 ? to help incoming freshmen get to know each other."I've made probably about three really good friends because of this," Brea said of her own experience making use of the site's features, which include a housing section and a photo gallery."I have tons of different sections," she added.Brea said she started working on the Website after people she met on the Princeton Review Website encouraged her.

NEWS | 09/19/2000

Health Commission addresses ban on public smoking, underage drinking

The Princeton Regional Health Commission decided last night to support a local push for an ordinance that would permit police to cite underage drinkers on private property."The commission thinks that lessening underage drinking is a laudable goal," vice chair Grace Finden said at the commission's meeting in Borough Hall to a crowd of five, consisting entirely of press.Borough Mayor Marvin Reed had requested the opinion of the health commission concerning the issue.Roz Denard, a member of the commission, echoed Finden's statement about curbing underage drinking.

NEWS | 09/19/2000

Parking garage to be finished by Dec.

Construction on the University's new parking garage ? located behind the New South building and adjacent to Baker Rink ? is expected to be completed in December, according to Jon Hlafter '61, director of physical planning.Most of the 740-space parking garage ? begun in February ? was completed during the summer, but Hlafter said the remaining time before the opening will be used for marking spaces and completing other finishing touches.Students will benefit indirectly from the construction of the garage.

NEWS | 09/19/2000

Bringing the page to life

In the gothic classroom, amid dusty books and opaque lighting, a distant world is enlivened by the enchanting tale of an animated woman with intense blue eyes and a welcoming smile.At first glance, it appears that the audience of students in WRI 156w: The Writer in the Community ? which was offered last spring ? is too mature to appreciate listening to stories, and instead should be poring over esoteric novels and treatises.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

Projecting Change at the Garden Theater

Ionic columns frame the building as though standing memorial to a distinguished past. Weeds grow up through the metal grating out front, and seat cushions peer over the edge of dumpsters.But the Christmas lights strung across the Garden theater's entrance look as though they might at any moment shine in celebration of a holiday.And though there is no guarantee that it will be open in time for Christmas, the extensive $600,000 renovations to the Garden theater ? which the University announced Aug.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

Professor emeritus remembered for lively humor and passion

When the University scheduling committee met in the 1960s and '70s, Professor Emeritus John Wilder Tukey GS '39 would lie flat on his back and call out answers to scheduling problems that he worked out in his head.When a developer proposed plans for mass construction in the wooded area of Princeton Township where Tukey lived, he became concerned about a possible increase in traffic.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

After 12 years and $1.1 billion, what's left for a president to do?

During the last five years, President Shapiro has spent a significant amount of his time away from the institution he leads.Instead of strolling through ivy-covered archways, taking in the view of Cannon Green from his first-floor Nassau Hall office or watching Princeton students hustle between classes, the president of the nation's top university has been traversing chaotic airport terminals, climbing onto cramped airplanes and spending night after night in countless hotels.And his fund-raising efforts have resulted in endowment growth almost as marked as that of his frequent flyer balance.With the completion of the $1.1 billion Anniversary Campaign for Princeton on June 30, Shapiro has led the most successful fund-raising effort in the University's history.The funds have helped finance new academic and research programs, expand the financial aid program and launch many new and ongoing construction projects, such as Scully Hall, Frist Campus Center and dormitory renovations.A fund-raising campaign of such magnitude typically represents the flagship accomplishment of a university president's tenure.And for Shapiro, passing that benchmark in his 12th year at the University's helm calls into question his future plans.Former University President Robert Goheen '40 said, "It does happen frequently" that University presidents resign after holding the post for "10 or 12 years" and completing their campaigns."Being president of a major university is a major responsibility, and especially taxing," Goheen said.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

Surprised students return to newly renovated rooms in Dod Hall

Of the many surprises awaiting Sean Macisaac '02 on campus this year, the renovation of his new room in Dod Hall was by far the most unexpected."I had seen my new room after room draw in the spring, and I had known that it was all right, but when I moved in I was both extremely surprised and impressed," Macisaac said.His suite ? 102S Dod ? was one of four rooms on the south end of the dorm refurbished to serve as models for a building-wide renovation scheduled for next academic year.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

Newsrooms, government and a road that led back to Princeton

Fifteen years after completing a successful career at Princeton deejaying at the 'Street' in the all-female group "Trice as Nice," Lauren Robinson-Brown '85 has returned to campus to spin another tune.The University tapped Robinson-Brown for the position of communications director in June after former chief spokesperson Justin Harmon '78 left to take a job at Wesleyan University."It wasn't a hard decision for me," Robinson-Brown said about returning to Princeton.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

Bush campaign opens Jersey headquarters

SOMERVILLE ? A press conference room filled beyond capacity and smelling of freshly prepared popcorn was suddenly quiet as the crowd anxiously awaited Bush's entrance to open officially the New Jersey Bush campaign headquarters.Flanked by Gov.

NEWS | 09/18/2000

University struggles to find tenants for newly leased housing units

The Princeton Township Committee and the University reached an agreement Sept. 1 that allows the graduate school to lease up to six affordable housing units at Griggs Farm.The single-occupant units could be leased for $12,000 per year, each, and subleased to graduate students for $500 to $600 per month.Any student living in the development has to meet Township and state income-eligibility requirements for moderateor low-income housing.But because of lack of interest, only one of the units now is occupied by a graduate student.Director of Housing Stephen Miller said the new apartments were offered to several graduate students in need of affordable housing.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

What couldn't get worse does: Gloger leaves Princeton

In the last 19 days, the men's basketball team has lost its dominant center and head coach. Now it appears its best long-range threat is gone as well.Sources close to Spencer Gloger '03 and the basketball program have said the guard has left Princeton.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

Male-friendly . . . Female-friendly: Can a school be both?

Men's Health magazine recently rated Princeton one of the ten most male-friendly schools in the country.Sports Illustrated for Women recently named Princeton one of the nation's ten best schools for female athletes.At least for the moment, where gender-friendliness is concerned, Princeton can't lose.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

GSG officials hope to extend vote to approve new constitution

Hoping to improve on poor participation in a referendum begun last week, Graduate Student Government officials are proposing to extend the vote to approve a massive overhaul of the group's constitution.Referendum ballots were collected during registration and also during a dance Friday, but neither of those events yielded the necessary number of yea votes to approve the new constitution.According to Eric Adelizzi GS, a member of the constitution referendum committee, only between 20 and 25 percent of the graduate student body has voted.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

Fifth crow in Mercer County tests positive for West Nile virus

State laboratory officials in Trenton announced Friday that they had found another crow in Mercer County infected with the West Nile virus, bringing the total count to five.No infected mosquitoes have been found in Mercer County, though there have been eight infected mosquito pools confirmed in Bergen, Middlesex and Monmouth counties.University officials met with Mercer County and regional representatives Thursday to discuss the spread and control of the West Nile virus, according to Donald Robassor of University Environmental Health and Services."We met with the representatives of the Mercer County Mosquito Control Division and Health Department to find out what the routine is for notifying them of mosquito problems in our area," Robassor said.The University, though it is not licensed to use the advanced larvacides and sprays employed by the Mosquito Control Division, continuously surveys the campus to detect potential mosquito breeding areas, Robassor said.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

Constitutional experts assess whether new law infringes on civil liberties

Amid developing controversy over a possible ordinance that would permit police to fine underage drinkers on private property, some constitutional experts are raising questions about issues of civil liberties connected with the law.Prompted by recently passed state legislation ? allowing municipalities to give police the power to issue summons to underage drinkers on private property ? at least 30 towns across the state including Princeton Borough are considering ordinances that would stamp violators with fines of $200 for the first offense and $350 for subsequent offenses.But, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence Robert George said the bill is unconstitutional because police cannot enter private property simply because they witness a party or suspect underage drinking. Probable cause"It doesn't look like probable cause is being respected," George said.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

University to distribute passports to the arts through campus mail

The University will be distributing students' Passport to the Performing Arts through the campus mail this year, Assistant Dean of Student Life Thomas Dunne said Friday.Last year, the tickets were handed out during registration, but Dunne said University administrators were trying to reduce the volume of material that is handed out during that event.He said the passports are in the process of being mailed and should arrive in students' boxes within the next few days.This year's passport will contain five "tiger tickets" and five "just-in-time" tickets, which students can use to see performances on campus and at McCarter Theater.The Passport to the Performing Arts program was started last year to encourage University students to attend campus performances by offering complimentary tickets.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

Ordinances give towns new weapon in fight against drinking

The new state alcohol law aimed at shore towns is now being used to target college campuses, where officials say underage drinking has risen to dangerous levels."Go into some of these college towns, and you'll find lots of underage drinking," state senator Leonard Connors (R-Atlantic-Burlington-Ocean) said.

NEWS | 09/17/2000

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