Looking back on the columns that I penned over the past year, the overwhelming majority of them contain significant criticism, usually directed at individuals in places of authority. As a columnist, I like to think that I dish out criticism in a benevolent attempt at proactive change.
However, if I'm going to be critical of people when they err, it is clearly my responsibility to be praiseworthy when those same people do right. So, President Tilghman, Dean Malkiel and Dean Slaughter, I hope that you're reading. Over the past few weeks, the Princeton administration probably did not get enough credit for three important actions that it took, and I want to give credit where it's due.
First, in the days after Hurricane Katrina, thousands of students and faculty alike in the New Orleans area assessed their options as they quickly realized that they weren't returning to the Big Easy any time soon. While people can always quibble about numbers, the administration appears to have reacted relatively quickly and efficiently (apparently far faster than our Ivy League brethren), opening 30 slots for students from affected areas, even going as far as to provide housing. The Daily Princetonian reported that Tilghman worked the phones personally to provide the welcome news of academic continuity to a lucky few who lost everything to the fury of Mother Nature.
Once again, Princeton demonstrated that it could exceed expectations. From the highest echelons down, administrators put in the extra hours to make sure the process ran smoothly and had a human face to it, and in the process, helped to ease the pain one student at a time. Once again, we provided a model for others to copy well into the future.
Second, the 'Prince' reported that the University Channel is now up and running (http://uc.princeton.edu). This is an incredible service coordinated by the Wilson School. For those who missed the intro, the UC is a digital collection of guest lectures given by movers and shakers, both here at Princeton and at other schools around the nation, all available free of charge, 24/7, anywhere in the world. As students, we no longer have to schedule our lives around the noteworthy lectures on campus. Either tune into the University Channel, or even better, stream the lecture directly to your desk. Thanks to the mp3 revolution, you can also download many lectures directly to your iPod as podcasts (http://communitas.princeton.edu/blogs/dmliu/archives/2005/07/podcasting_via.html). Got a long car trip home for Christmas break? Pop in Professor Cornell West or Professor Paul Krugman between the playlists — it'll break the monotony of Route 1.
You might wonder why I'm getting so excited. We're digitizing lectures, so what? Besides making our lives much easier, the University Channel, particularly through its web interface, has the potential to be a huge force in demystifying academia and the ivory tower. Making content available to anyone with broadband access will act as a weapon in the war again anti-intellectualism, which is spreading like wildfire across America. If Princeton can lead the movement (as it appears to be doing), then it can be seen as responsible for ripping down part of the barrier that separates academics and laymen when it comes to our national discourse, while expanding our presence on the national stage. This also provides an unparalleled opportunity to give alumni who live far away the opportunity to connect with campus on a routine basis. What's not to like?
This does not mean that we have mastered the medium quite yet. Princeton and its affiliates must strive to make all public lectures — not just select ones in the policy arena — available electronically, and must advertise the service, both within traditional academic circles and in previously untapped areas, bringing new audiences into the fold. I'm confident that, given time, we'll iron out the creases and make it work right — good work all around.
Third is a seemingly mundane action but important nonetheless. Kudos to the administration for choosing an appropriate venue for Secretary Rice to deliver her address last Friday. Instead of choosing Dodds Auditorium or even Richardson, they chose Jadwin Gym, a far less attractive space that has the capacity to offer tickets to everyone who wanted one. Ensuring that no students were barred from the speech was the right move, even if it isn't everyone's favorite room. Well done.
Three decisions made right, complete with kudos to the administrators who made them. Hopefully, I can bring true meaning to the term fair and balanced. Matthew Gold is a politics major from New York, N.Y. He can be reached at mggold@princeton.edu.
Read More
Charlie Kirk is not the martyr conservatives want him to be
Christofer RoblesIn his piece, Editorial Board Chair Christofer Robles ’26 argues that as members of the campus right misrepresent the status of free speech on campus and Charlie Kirk’s legacy, they legitimize the federal government’s punishment of left-wing students for their political expression.
In his piece, Editorial Board Chair Christofer Robles ’26 argues that as members of the campus right misrepresent the status of free speech on campus and Charlie Kirk’s legacy, they legitimize the federal government’s punishment of left-wing students for their political expression.
BP is out. Here’s what’s next for the climate movement at Princeton
Charlie Yale and Isaac BarsoumFossil fuel companies have abandoned their deceptive climate pledges, and the Trump administration is cracking down on climate research. As governments and corporations abandon climate action, Princeton must step up as a leader on the issue.
Fossil fuel companies have abandoned their deceptive climate pledges, and the Trump administration is cracking down on climate research. As governments and corporations abandon climate action, Princeton must step up as a leader on the issue.
Public service still serves the public
Guest ContributorsIt is sometimes difficult to see the value of service in times of instability, disinvestment in public services, eroding public trust in government, and an uncertain job market. But even in times of massive turmoil, public service is still able to drive initiatives that aren’t sufficiently politicized to make newspaper headlines.
As academia and the federal workforce have adapted to rapid policy changes, the SINSI program and the students it supports have had to adapt. We are the first generation of SINSI Scholars, the SINSI program’s graduate fellows, to contend with this new era of uncertainty.