With the winter solstice around the corner and temperatures dropping below freezing, the first snowfall of the season seems imminent. And for Princeton students, the prospect of snow brings thoughts of decorating Christmas trees, drinking egg nog and — despite administrators' best efforts — running naked.
The Nude Olympics — a tradition banned in 1999 in which students ran nude in the Holder Courtyard the night of the year's first snowfall — has not vanished from the imaginations of many underclassmen.
"I am angry," Jessica Krause '03 said. "They are obviously never going to let us run it again, but I want to. So many people are upset that they broke such an old tradition."
While some students say they agree with the University's decision to ban the yearly event, it seems that more remain upset that the school has prohibited them from participating in a nearly 30-year-old tradition.
"The fact that they restrict such talented and overall responsible kids for one incident seems unfair, like something a high school would do," Brendon Carrington '04 said.
Indeed, Carrington said the Nude Olympics made Princeton a more appealing school during his college application process.
"When I heard about the Nude Olympics, the stereotypes and the way I looked at Princeton changed," he said. "That was one of the reasons I considered going here."
Other students said they disagree with the ban because they do not believe the University had sufficient reason for enacting the policy.
"My understanding is that they banned it because of health reasons, and I do not agree with that," Michael Aleman '04 said. "I would guess that the number of people who got hurt and sick is not too big."
"There are so many activities that have the potential for harm on campus," Carrington said. "What's next? Are they going to ban the 'Street?' "
But some students agree with the prohibition.
"I don't think the Nude Olympics is a good thing," said Celia Riechel '04. "It disrespects female students, it is unlawful and there is too much potential for people to get hurt."
She added that she believes some freshmen know about the event largely because of the e-mail warnings the administration sent reminding students of the consequences of a nude romp — specifically, a one-year suspension.
"I almost think that [the warnings] provoke people to do it more," Riechel said. "The administration is doing a good job of keeping it alive in the students' consciousness."
Class of 2003 vice president Olivier Kamanda said he believes most people have gotten over the prohibition of the Nude Olympics.
"Maybe it's bothering people in the grade above us, but I don't think it's bothering a lot of people in our class," he said.
He added that student government leaders are proposing ideas for a new tradition that he hopes will be instated this year.
The most popular idea so far has been a snowball fight between the sophomore and freshman classes, but Kamanda said there are concerns that such an event would be too violent and potentially dangerous.
Kamanda added that class officers hope to publicize ideas via e-mail so students have a voice in choosing the new tradition.
Nevertheless, the administration has not wavered in its decision to suspend for at least one year students who decide to run naked.
"Suspension is absolutely the punishment," said Marianne Waterbury, associate dean of undergraduate students.
Read More
CPUC discusses University policy changes and classroom scheduling in final meeting of academic year
Cynthia TorresPresentations included minor changes to Title IX policy, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (ODUS) protest policies, and updates to the classroom scheduling process.
Presentations included minor changes to Title IX policy, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies (ODUS) protest policies, and updates to the classroom scheduling process.
Federal funding cuts hit McCarter, Princeton University Concerts
Devon RudolphThe Trump administration announced plans to end the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on May 2. Both the McCarter Theater and Princeton University Concerts have received notice that federally awarded NEA grants have been rescinded.
The Trump administration announced plans to end the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) on May 2. Both the McCarter Theater and Princeton University Concerts have received notice that federally awarded NEA grants have been rescinded.
Students react as Dean’s Date passes and paper deadlines linger
Clara Docherty and Lia OppermanThis spring end of semester was the first without Dean’s Date serving as the universal deadline for papers, projects, and problem sets.
This spring end of semester was the first without Dean's Date serving as the universal deadline for papers, projects, and problem sets.