Jason Sanders '01's phone has been ringing since Freshman Week. But though he gets more telephone calls than the average student, he's not "The Big Man on Campus" or even USG President PJ Kim '01.
Sanders is the victim of the University's telephone extension change, which switched the first three digits of students' telephone numbers from 258 to 986. His number bears a striking resemblance to the frequently dialed campus extension, 8-6423 (VOICE), the number for the University's voice-mail system.
Sanders' number is 6-8642, and unwary students assumed the adjustment applied to all numbers and accidentally called him to check their messages.
According to Sanders, he received more than 20 calls per day at all hours of the night during Freshman Week and several more voice-mails of people hanging up.
"It felt like that Seinfeld episode where Kramer was one number off Movie Phone," he said. "I just wanted to start answering as the voice-mail lady."
Sanders said callers had three typical reactions when they misdialed his number.
"Some people would just hang up — some people would say, 'Oh, I have the wrong number,' and some were just so confused, they didn't know what to say," he said.
After days and days of ringing and ringing, Sanders sent an e-mail to the telecommunications office, asking them to remind students of the correct number.
But he never received a reply and decided not to press the issue.
It seems other students have had similar problems and are equally frustrated. When we called 6-6423 and 6-2255, the recorded voice of an aggravated woman answered and emphatically asserted that hers was a non-working number.
"You have dialed a non-working number at Princeton University," she continuously repeated. "If you need assistance, call the Princeton University operator."
Apparently, she was so fed up, she just decided to tell all callers that her number wasn't working.
Sanders still gets "about four to five" hang-ups a day, and would like to remind everyone that the number for VOICE is 8-6423 not 6-8642.
Read More
David Zielenziger ’74, former ‘Prince’ chairman and lifelong journalist, passes away at 72
Kian PetlinFriends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74, who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Friends and colleagues remember former ‘Prince’ chairman David Zielenziger ’74 who passed away peacefully on May 20.
Remembering Dorothea von Moltke, Labyrinth co-founder and local community builder
Lucia BrownDorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Dorothea von Moltke, widely considered the heart of Labyrinth Books, was remembered by friends and loved ones for her passions for language, literature, and local activism.
Cloister Inn to pause operations for the next 2–3 years, citing “hefty renovations”
Justus WilhoitCloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.
Cloister Inn, one of Princeton’s eating clubs, will pause operations for the next two to three years, due to “hefty renovations” to the club’s house.