Shapiro addresses USG at last meeting

President Shapiro treated USG officers to a few choice memories and final words last night at the committee's final regularly scheduled meeting of the year.

Seated next to USG president Joe Kochan '02, Shapiro informally answered questions ranging from the broad to the specific — those asking him to identify his most difficult experience while in office, queries about typical daily activities, and what advice might benefit his immediate successor.

"Patience is definitely an asset because it takes two to three years just to figure out what's going on here," Shapiro said. "The right values and the right vision necessary to move forward are also very important."

Though saddened by his upcoming departure, Shapiro said if the administration continues to foster what he called "its current progressive trend toward improving all aspects of the University," he is optimistic about the future.

"I hope things continue to change," he said, "because if you don't change, you don't get better."

However, according to Shapiro, the individual chosen to lead the University through the first decade of the twenty-first century will undoubtedly encounter many formidable tasks.

"The biggest challenge will be maintaining the niche we've carved out over the years," he pointed out. "It can be quite difficult to remain a small environment and, at the same time, be known around the world as a serious center of scholarship."

As for his plans to teach here at Princeton, Shapiro said though he hopes to focus his expertise in either the Wilson School or the field of bioethics, nothing is concrete at the moment.

"I'll let you know as soon as I figure it out myself," he promised, noting how frequently he deals with similar inquiries.

The next order of business, a discussion led by ICC chair Cindy Drakeman '02, gave USG members the opportunity to review the issue of underage drinking at the 'Street' and the alcohol ordinance being considered by the Borough.

"This really isn't something that's just going to blow over," Drakeman said, emphasizing the extent to which Borough action could radically alter the social experience on campus.

"However, the ICC has been trying to keep dialogue going between ourselves, the faculty and the Borough," she added.

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A number of U-Council members, including Ryan Salvatore '02 and Bob Studley '03, offered various suggestions geared towards not only curbing current alcohol abuse but also avoiding intervention on the part of local authorities — particularly at upcoming events like this Sunday's Lawnparties.

"First of all, each eating club should have garbage receptacle [for empty cups] on their walkways," Salvatore said, "and secondly, since police officers are not allowed to deny that they are undercover, safeguards at each club should be questioning everyone who comes in the door."

Nonetheless, many of those present said they feel that the real problem lies not with the clubs but instead with students who demonstrate reckless drinking habits.

"Our real concern is with the binge drinkers," Drakeman said, "so I think we need to create a sub-committee to organize more alcohol initiatives."

Adding a bit of humor to the conversation, both Salvatore and Studley said they are adamantly opposed to prohibiting first-year students — who are predominantly underage and therefore pose a greater liability to the clubs — from attending events at the eating clubs next year.

"Listen, barring freshmen from the 'Street' is not the solution here," Studley said, with enthusiastic agreement from Salvatore.

The remainder of the meeting was devoted to Student Group Recognition and Project Board Grants, with an HIV/AIDS awareness group and a proposed Princeton Summer Arts Alliance receiving financial approval.

In closing, Kochan took a few minutes to thank USG officers for their help in organizing Saturday's farewell concert for Shapiro, citing an overwhelmingly positive response from those who attended.

"Gosh, Willie Nelson on Cannon Green," said an appreciative Shapiro. "I can only imagine what else Princeton will come to in the years ahead."