Regarding 'Princeton to Miami' (Tom Hale, April 21):
As a native Miamian and current student of Maurice Ferre, mayor of Miami for 12 years and Anschutz Distinguished Fellow in the American studies program, I found Hale's indictment of Miami as a city "with no soul" after a five-day vacation there to be rather distressing.
As a gateway to Latin America and dazzling winter haven for northerners, Miami is one of the most complicated, diverse and, at times, overwhelming cities in the world. But to be blinded by Miami's sunrays or flashy lights is to miss an extrodinary community that thrives on culture and artistic expression. It seems Hale's five-day vacation to Miami didn't quite leave room for a visit to Fairchild Tropical Gardens, a haven for local flora and fauna or Little Havana, where recent immigrants from Cuba and all over Latin America enjoy salsa, cafe con leche and croquetas any time of the day. There's so much more to Miami — or any city — that one might see as a tourist.
Exposed to Miami's nightlife, fancy cars, and luxurious homes, it might be hard to imagine its residents doing anything but partying all day, as Will Smith assumes. But look a little deeper and you'll find the waters aren't quite so shallow. Becky Gidel '06
Maybe Scott can bring back the Princeton style
Regarding 'Scott '87 to lead Tiger hoops' (April 22):
Fantastic! Having seen a gradual deterioration in the Princeton style, it is great to see someone who will bring it back. The team looked just like a million other run-and-gun, ineffective teams and I have just about given up watching.
But it looks like we'll see a few more back door cuts and fewer dunks which is fine with me. Daniel Lynch
Drunk frat guys aren't a good gauge of Rutgers life
Regarding 'From Beirut to beer pong' (April 22):
It's interesting to read an outsider's view of New Brunswick. As a 1999 Rutgers University alumnus who currently commutes from New Brunswick to Princeton using the same train on which the writer embarked on her excursion, I have to admit that Princeton is widely regarded by the outside world as its own self-sustainable "somewhere over the rainbow" oasis. However, that non-Princetonian perception is not entirely unfounded, as was illustrated by Evelyn Rusli's account:
The N.J. Transit train is harmless. The ride from Princeton Junction to New Brunswick is 10 minutes. You're there before you know it.
The "sketchy" walk from the New Brunswick station to the so-called "Frat Row" is about five minutes. On your way there, you can purchase flowers, grab a cup of coffee at Starbucks and soak in the manicured beauty of Rutgers' original campus, Old Queens, which features the Rutgers versions of Nassau Hall, Stanhope Hall, etc. Not too sketchy.
Finally — and this is what warranted the final "ouch" in the proverbial ripping off of the Band-Aid — Rusli used drunk frat guys to portray Rutgers students as being intimidated by Princetonian intelligence. I think a drunk frat guy at Rutgers is just as moronic as a drunk frat guy on the Street. Or is the Princetonian drunken slur more articulate?
This was a fine, entertaining account, but it ultimately illustrated what happens when too much ivy falls in front of one's eyes. Matthew Hersh New Brunswick, NJ
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The CPUC must not gut its Judicial Committee
Bill HewittEnding the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Ending the Judicial Committee’s jurisdiction over initial complaints would embolden abuses of power, allowing the administration to evade accountability for University rule violations without the pressure of student and faculty authority.
Princeton, let’s adopt a digital prox
Jorge ReyesTo prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
To prevent pointless replacement and lockout charges, maximize convenience, and create better access to meals and facilities, Princeton should follow the precedent set by some of its peers and adopt a digital prox system.
What is a Princeton degree really for?
Joel IbabaoSo what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.
So what, in the end, is a Princeton degree really for? I take a more moderate view: Students should prioritize earning potential — unless they feel irresistibly called to something else.