University maintains its confidence in Robertson lawsuit
Regarding 'Slaughter unfazed by family's suit' (Thursday, Oct. 19, 2006):
Contrary to what you reported in your article about Wilson School Dean Anne-Marie Slaughter's meeting with graduate students in the Wilson School, my July letter to The Wall Street Journal did not say that William Robertson '72 and other family members are attempting to seize control of the Robertson Foundation for their "personal benefit." My letter did try to make it clear that what the family's lawsuit against the University fundamentally comes down to is an attempt by these family members to seize control of funds that their parents chose not to bequeath to them.
The Robertsons are seeking to overturn decisions that their parents made 45 years ago when their mother gave $35 million to Princeton to support the graduate program of the Wilson School and their mother and father agreed to create an organization known as the Robertson Foundation to oversee the use of the gift. Despite its name, the Robertson Foundation is not what we normally mean when we use the term "foundation." Instead it is what the tax code recognizes as a Type 1 "supporting organization" that exists solely to support a particular charitable entity, in this case Princeton. In such an organization the majority of the board must be designated by the supported organization — not the donor — which is why four of the seven trustees on the board are designated by the University. At the same time, for its first 20 years the foundation's board was chaired by Charles Robertson '26, and Robertson family representatives have always occupied the other three seats on the board.
In their lawsuit, William and other family members seek to seize control of the money that Marie and Charles Robertson elected to donate to Princeton and to overturn the governance mechanism their parents agreed to create that gives majority control to Princeton. As your article pointed out, this has been an exceedingly expensive lawsuit; the Robertson family members have been financing their expenses with earnings and assets from a private family foundation.
For 45 years, Princeton has used the money provided by the foundation solely to support and advance the foundation's mission. Princeton takes great pride not only in the exceptional growth of the foundation's endowment, especially in recent years with management by Princeton University Investment Company (PRINCO), but in the quality of the graduate program the foundation supports in the Wilson School, the many students from the school who go into government and other forms of public service, the school's growing impact on government service, public policy and international affairs and the significant improvements that have been made in recent years in the governance procedures of the foundation.
This lawsuit has now gone on for more than four years, at a time when the leadership of the Wilson School and Princeton's commitment to the mission of the foundation have never been stronger. There will be arguments in court later this fall on each side's motions for summary judgment on selected aspects of the case which may help clarify the issues for trial. As Slaughter indicated to her graduate students, the University is very confident about the ultimate outcome of the litigation.
Robert K. Durkee '69 University Vice President and Secretary
Club sports admin. still receptive to student suggestions
Regarding 'For Club Sports, Challenges that Spoil the Fun' and 'Bad Sports' (Friday, Oct. 13, 2006):
It is vital to distinguish the structural issues from the communication issues that are cited in the article and editorial.
Structurally, as the number of club sports has grown and the national movement to make club sports more competitive has expanded, so too have the requests for greater administrative support, better facilities and more funding. There are currently several major initiatives underway that make strides toward addressing the structural issues raised in the article.
Funding: The University is addressing the allocation of more financial resources toward club sports including a sport club endowment component in the upcoming campaign.
The travel initiative fund has increased in the past year through the Athletic Department's support.
The championship initiative fund has increased over the past year with the assistance of the Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson.
Facilities: Planning for a renovation of the existing Dillon Gymnasium is moving forward. The renovation would result in increased space for all campus recreation programs, including club sports.
Discussion is currently underway regarding possible new field space for club sports on this side of Lake Carnegie.
Staffing: Additional staff support as recommended in the Wythes Report and will hopefully be implemented within the year. The creation of a position dedicated to club sports will eliminate the challenges faced by the current administrator who now oversees both intramurals and club sports.
With respect to communication, the article allowed individuals to anonymously (and personally) attack the public figure administering the program, Cristine McCarthy. We regret that sport club participants are feeling a lack of support. I have met with a representative of the sport club executive board to address issues raised in the article and to begin the process of collaboration to achieve our shared goals.
Your article has provided us an opportunity to move forward together and take a progressive approach to club sports. Perception does matter. We want to change the existing impression among some students and make it known that we have been and will continue to be receptive to the ideas, thoughts and suggestions of students, who are the vibrant source of energy and enthusiasm for our sport club program.
David C. Leach Associate Director of Athletics/Campus Recreation
Rutgers-Princeton rivalry can exist without defacing Whig
Regarding 'Rivals tag Whig Hall with graffiti' (Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006):
I think there are better ways to create a rivalry than to spray a beautiful building like Whig Hall with graffiti.
That being said I would love to see rivalries between Rutgers and Princeton in most all sports, with the possible exception of football.
Both schools are doing awesome in football this year too. Go Tigers! And Scarlet Knights!
Edmund Davis-Quinn, Rutgers '98
Dissenters', not Lenahan's, arguments don't add up in the end
Regarding 'Lenahan's arguments don't add up' (Wednesday, October 11, 2006):
Some of the arguments presented in the editorial just don't seem to add up. Comparing taxes with grade deflation is an interesting but flawed analogy. While both are not popular issues, any politician would advocate "lower taxes" in order to win over their constituents. However, in the case of grade deflation, students have no choice but to graciously accept what Nassau Hall dictates. A change in policy should only be instituted if it serves some common good. Except in this case, nobody wins.
I recognize a rewarding college experience is not defined by the grades we receive. At the same time, it is necessary to be realistic and consider the impact of grade deflation as we near our exit out of FitzRandolph Gate. It is unfortunate that we are still living in a world where our accomplishments are measured by numbers. Understandably, the University does not want a reputation of giving out the easy A's our Crimson sisters seem to have attained, but it is equally unfair to artificially deprive any deserving student due to school-enforced quotas.
Laurissa Yee '09
Be careful: Moderation in dialogue not always a good thing
Regarding 'Keep free speech civil' (Monday, Oct. 16, 2006):
I understand that the editorial board is trying to encourage students to be civil in their practice of free speech. I must warn of the dangers at the other end of the spectrum from Columbia, however.
I am spending this year at Peking University in China, where Henry Kissinger just gave a public address upon receiving an honorary degree. Out of a sense of decorum, if not ignorance, there were no critical or even alternative voices. No dialogue was sparked. Princeton exists in America, not the People's Republic of China, but I still remember certain people claiming that Secretary of State Rice and others found welcomes too queasily warm at Princeton.
Let's zealously make sure that our moderation is a vigorous one that does not atrophy into apathy.
Eric Meng '07
Multiple ways to eat meat and preserve environment: Hunt
Regarding 'How I eat now' (Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2006):
Another way to get meat and preserve the earth is to learn to hunt (and fish). Although politically incorrect to do so, it is a great way to get exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. The white-tailed deer is overpopulated in New Jersey due to lack of natural predators and an overabundance of food (modern farming). The population of small game such as rabbit, fowl and wild turkey are exploding all over the country. Enroll in a hunter safety course, buy an inexpensive shotgun, explore all the public hunting lands New Jersey has to offer, and you'll have enough meat to feed yourself and your roommates!
James Boniface '85
Read More
Keep academic authority in human hands
Lily Halbert-AlexanderThe Trump administration’s attacks on research and higher education as well as a blind reliance on AI chatbots are reflective of a societal backslide: a commodification of knowledge that prioritizes “efficiency” over the messy process of getting to an answer, where nuances are flattened and the truth is fungible.
The Trump administration’s attacks on research and higher education as well as a blind reliance on AI chatbots are reflective of a societal backslide: a commodification of knowledge that prioritizes “efficiency” over the messy process of getting to an answer, where nuances are flattened and the truth is fungible.
What do we owe society for a Princeton education?
Jia Cheng ShenThe social and moral responsibility that comes with receiving a degree subsidized by both private generosity and public trust is significant.
The social and moral responsibility that comes with receiving a degree subsidized by both private generosity and public trust is significant.
Notes from a so-called enemy’s classroom
Jennifer JenningsIt wasn’t revolutionary. It was homework. But it was homework that asked: how do we build schools that work for all kids? Inclusion, after all, is the “I” in DEI. That’s what we’re thinking about together. And caring about each other’s experiences and opportunities, it turns out, isn’t something you can outlaw.
It wasn’t revolutionary. It was homework. But it was homework that asked: how do we build schools that work for all kids? Inclusion, after all, is the “I” in DEI. That’s what we’re thinking about together. And caring about each other’s experiences and opportunities, it turns out, isn’t something you can outlaw.