A heated debate over the University's policy on cohabitation, inspired by a Daily Princetonian column by Jason Sheltzer '08, took place Wednesday evening in the Whig Hall Senate chamber.
The main issue was whether or not students would choose to live with their opposite-sex significant other if given the option.
Sheltzer participated in the debate, arguing together with Dan Greco '06 that the University should allow cohabitation. Cody May '07 and Kevin Joyce '09 argued against them. The debate was moderated by Senate presidents Aaron Spolin '08 and Shiram Harid '08.
Sheltzer discussed existing cohabitation policies at other universities such as Brown, Haverford and Swarthmore, saying that legal cohabitation at Princeton is "inevitable."
Sheltzer and Greco stressed that University students would be intelligent enough to recognize the seriousness of living in the same room as their boyfriend or girlfriend. They said they believed students would opt to live with friends of the opposite sex, but would avoid the difficulties of living as a couple.
Greco mentioned the "inherent value in getting rid of institutionalized sexism." Both debaters predicted an overall increase in happiness if roommate choices were not limited to someone of the same sex.
May, defending the current policy barring cohabitation, presented statistics on male-female cohabitation without marriage. He argued for the necessity of marriage in serious male-female relationships and stated that if students of the opposite sex want to live together, they should do so under the legal contract of marriage.
Joyce supported May's point, adding that is is "not worth changing the entire system" of the University because students can already live near each other by drawing adjacent rooms. He then presented the hypothetical example of a student who did not wish to cohabitate but was forced to by the luck of room draw.
"We're not arguing [for] forced cohabitation," Sheltzer responded. "All we're going to do is offer students the choice."
Read More
GSG approves audit, delays budget approval after ‘insufferable’ meeting
Nikki HanThe final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
The final Graduate Student Government (GSG) meeting for the semester lasted more than an hour and a half when discussions over the proposed budget for the next year and a proposed Student Life Fee of $100 turned controversial.
Effort to restore chapel’s pews slowly progresses
Ben GoldstonHead carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Head carpenter Jim Sullivan has been restoring the Chapel pews over the last year. The dry atmosphere of the Chapel has warped the wooden pews over the years.
Metals, molecules, and medicine: chemical biology’s influence on health and sustainability
Aanya KaseraChemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.
Chemistry professor Chris Chang’s lab studies the chemical biology of the elements, specifically examining the roles that copper, iron, and zinc play in biology across all kingdoms of life.