Opinion

An open letter in solidarity with Satyel Larson and in support of academic freedom

An open letter in solidarity with Satyel Larson and in support of academic freedom

Guest Contributors

“The CJL’s suggestion that Princeton students and faculty should not study controversial texts represents an attack on the very mandate of the University, which is to create an environment in which we wrestle with and question ideas, including — it should go without saying — some of the most pressing issues of our time.”

“The CJL’s suggestion that Princeton students and faculty should not study controversial texts represents an attack on the very mandate of the University, which is to create an environment in which we wrestle with and question ideas, including — it should go without saying — some of the most pressing issues of our time.”

OPINION | August 18

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To ask what you can do for humanity, ask first what you can do for your community

To ask what you can do for humanity, ask first what you can do for your community

Rohit Narayanan

“With a new class of Princetonians entering campus, I urge them to care in the here and now.”

“With a new class of Princetonians entering campus, I urge them to care in the here and now.”

OPINION | August 11

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Princeton should not grant diplomas to insurrectionists

Princeton should not grant diplomas to insurrectionists

Frances Brogan

“Giberson’s behavior clearly implies that he believes in lies and is willing to violently act on them, violating Princeton’s code of conduct and demonstrating that he does not understand Princeton’s emphasis on principled civic engagement. Because of this, the University should not have awarded Larry Giberson a diploma.”

“Giberson’s behavior clearly implies that he believes in lies and is willing to violently act on them, violating Princeton’s code of conduct and demonstrating that he does not understand Princeton’s emphasis on principled civic engagement. Because of this, the University should not have awarded Larry Giberson a diploma.”

OPINION | August 9

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Elite universities are not the great equalizers of society

Elite universities are not the great equalizers of society

Abigail Rabieh

“As Emma Green proposed in her 2020 interview with President Eisgruber ’83, ‘an investment in the elite few is ultimately a less robust vision of justice.’ But this does not make Princeton’s existence, nor its goal of using education to achieve new intellectual and humane heights, unimportant or unattainable.”

“As Emma Green proposed in her 2020 interview with President Eisgruber ’83, ‘an investment in the elite few is ultimately a less robust vision of justice.’ But this does not make Princeton’s existence, nor its goal of using education to achieve new intellectual and humane heights, unimportant or unattainable.”

OPINION | July 26

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Princeton must respond to the Supreme Court’s decision as a leader, not a follower

Princeton must respond to the Supreme Court’s decision as a leader, not a follower

Richard Thaler

“If eliminating legacy admissions is the best we can do to support diversity at Princeton, then we need to find better leaders with better ideas.”

“If eliminating legacy admissions is the best we can do to support diversity at Princeton, then we need to find better leaders with better ideas.”

OPINION | July 26

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One year post-Roe: The fight for reproductive justice continues

One year post-Roe: The fight for reproductive justice continues

Charlotte Pfenning and Isabelle Clayton

“On this one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Princeton Students for Reproductive Justice calls on students to join the fight for universal reproductive rights across the country and in our Princeton community.”

“On this one-year anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Princeton Students for Reproductive Justice calls on students to join the fight for universal reproductive rights across the country and in our Princeton community.”

OPINION | July 26

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Class of 2027, to be a Princetonian is to vote

Class of 2027, to be a Princetonian is to vote

Vivian Bui and Tanner McNamara

“The efforts of your peers and Princeton community members should not be forgotten, but rather built upon. Being part of the newest class of Princetonians means keeping up the momentum of our ongoing mission to participate in and improve our democratic processes.”

“The efforts of your peers and Princeton community members should not be forgotten, but rather built upon. Being part of the newest class of Princetonians means keeping up the momentum of our ongoing mission to participate in and improve our democratic processes.”

OPINION | July 26

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The debate on legacy admissions

The debate on legacy admissions

Guest Contributors and Lucia Wetherill

“In a special project, The Daily Princetonian charts the debates about legacy admissions, drawing on different arguments for and against the practice from its inception to the present day.”

“In a special project, The Daily Princetonian charts the debates about legacy admissions, drawing on different arguments for and against the practice from its inception to the present day.”

OPINION | July 18

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Class-based affirmative action is not as forward thinking as Princeton’s progressives promise

Class-based affirmative action is not as forward thinking as Princeton’s progressives promise

Christofer Robles

“Though noble in its cause, class-based affirmative action is an insufficient means of achieving racial diversity. It will not be effective in maintaining racial diversity on campus. And further, it cannot take American racism writ large seriously.”

“Though noble in its cause, class-based affirmative action is an insufficient means of achieving racial diversity. It will not be effective in maintaining racial diversity on campus. And further, it cannot take American racism writ large seriously.”

OPINION | July 13

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The three ways Princeton can respond to the affirmative action ruling

The three ways Princeton can respond to the affirmative action ruling

Gigi Schrier, Luke Carroll, Charlotte Myers, Petra Knupp, and Riley Yowell

“We implore Princeton to take steps as far as the limits of the law provide to progress on the issue of race, not to turn backward as our highest court suggests we do, and to do so in a way that truly promotes diversity on campus and invests in the potential of historically underrepresented groups.”

“We implore Princeton to take steps as far as the limits of the law provide to progress on the issue of race, not to turn backward as our highest court suggests we do, and to do so in a way that truly promotes diversity on campus and invests in the potential of historically underrepresented groups.”

OPINION | July 12

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The University must bring Elizabeth Tsurkov home and address Iran’s threats

The University must bring Elizabeth Tsurkov home and address Iran’s threats

Jacob Olidort

“When hostile actors take American student hostages while faculty provides platforms for our adversaries’ apologists to create an anti-American environment, universities have an obligation to respond.”

“When hostile actors take American student hostages while faculty provides platforms for our adversaries’ apologists to create an anti-American environment, universities have an obligation to respond.”

OPINION | July 12

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Progressive groups: Princeton needs class-based affirmative action

Progressive groups: Princeton needs class-based affirmative action

Nate Howard and Lake Liao

“Princeton should use its influence to promote an admissions process that utilizes class-based affirmative action more thoroughly, while continuing to lower financial barriers for applicants and students.”

“Princeton should use its influence to promote an admissions process that utilizes class-based affirmative action more thoroughly, while continuing to lower financial barriers for applicants and students.”

OPINION | July 5

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Reactions: Faculty and alumni criticize Supreme Court affirmative action decisions

Reactions: Faculty and alumni criticize Supreme Court affirmative action decisions

Agustín Fuentes, Paul Frymer, Allison Slater Tate, Martin S. Flaherty, Soo-Young Kim, and Sydney Montgomery

Allison Slater Tate, Martin S. Flaherty, Agustín Fuentes, Soo-Young Kim, Sydney Montgomery, and Paul Frymer discuss the questions, complications, and consequences of the Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action ruling.

Allison Slater Tate, Martin S. Flaherty, Agustín Fuentes, Soo-Young Kim, Sydney Montgomery, and Paul Frymer discuss the questions, complications, and consequences of the Supreme Court’s recent affirmative action ruling.

OPINION | June 30

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Colorblind meritocracy is untenable in a country that never cared about equality

Colorblind meritocracy is untenable in a country that never cared about equality

Gisele Bisch

“Equality and meritocracy cannot thrive in a country where such things were never the priority in the first place. A lack of affirmative action will only exacerbate this issue.”

“Equality and meritocracy cannot thrive in a country where such things were never the priority in the first place. A lack of affirmative action will only exacerbate this issue.”

OPINION | June 29

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Affirmative action has failed to create the diversity universities need

Affirmative action has failed to create the diversity universities need

Matthew Wilson

“Limiting what counts to the racial boxes an applicant checks off, as race-based affirmative action does, comes with serious pitfalls for pursuing the vision of diversity that universities owe their students. And the unique experiences that can accompany a student’s racial identity forms just one part of the diversity equation.”

“Limiting what counts to the racial boxes an applicant checks off, as race-based affirmative action does, comes with serious pitfalls for pursuing the vision of diversity that universities owe their students. And the unique experiences that can accompany a student’s racial identity forms just one part of the diversity equation.”

OPINION | June 29

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A spike in housing costs has made Princeton’s summer internships inaccessible to low-income students

A spike in housing costs has made Princeton’s summer internships inaccessible to low-income students

Odette Perrusquia

“Even if internships near campus are not the only option, they should not be significantly less accessible — especially since the ties and networks that can be fostered through these opportunities can only strengthen the Princeton experience. The privilege of serving Princeton’s local communities should not be one that is reserved for students of greater financial means or who live locally.”

“Even if internships near campus are not the only option, they should not be significantly less accessible — especially since the ties and networks that can be fostered through these opportunities can only strengthen the Princeton experience. The privilege of serving Princeton’s local communities should not be one that is reserved for students of greater financial means or who live locally.”

OPINION | June 28

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The Committee on Discipline needs reforms

The Committee on Discipline needs reforms

Mohan Setty-Charity and Alex Norbrook

“But its structure is flawed throughout: some involved with the COD have raised concerns around the committee’s impartiality and its structure, and accused students suffer a process which doesn’t adequately accommodate their wellbeing.” 

“But its structure is flawed throughout: some involved with the COD have raised concerns around the committee’s impartiality and its structure, and accused students suffer a process which doesn’t adequately accommodate their wellbeing.”

OPINION | May 31

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On Eisgruber's commencement sermon

On Eisgruber's commencement sermon

Matthew Wilson

“His ideologically-tainted polemics debasing the real value of free speech must cease, particularly in situations in which he (implicitly or explicitly) represents the University.”

“His ideologically-tainted polemics debasing the real value of free speech must cease, particularly in situations in which he (implicitly or explicitly) represents the University.”

OPINION | May 31

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To better serve Princeton students, Firestone Library should expand its hours

To better serve Princeton students, Firestone Library should expand its hours

Danielle Shapiro

“For many students, a bright, clean, and beautiful space to do work is important to their academic success and mental health. Princeton ought to reconsider Firestone’s hours for this coming fall.”

“For many students, a bright, clean, and beautiful space to do work is important to their academic success and mental health. Princeton ought to reconsider Firestone’s hours for this coming fall.”

OPINION | May 31

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Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Aly Rashid

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

OPINION | May 31

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