Debate with Professor Singer is welcomed
Regarding 'Speaker blasts Singer for 'irrational and illogical' beliefs' (Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006):
Thank you for your fair report of my talk last night on the ethical views of Professor Singer. The attendance at my talk, however, was not 50 but closer to 100.
As to debating Singer, I would be delighted to do so and am pleased he has expressed an interest. I leave it to the University to consult both myself and Singer on finding a mutually convenient time, and to discuss with us the format of the debate, ground rules, etc. Such a debate would be a very healthy thing for the University. Professor David S. Oderberg University of Reading, philosophy department
Make discipline public
Regarding 'Make discipline public' (Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006):
While I couldn't really care whether or not the University makes candidate's disciplinary records public (no doubt the muckraking reporters of The Daily Princetonian will keep us informed), more transparency in the disciplinary process is long overdue. For example, few students are aware of the University's practice of eliminating the evidence used in disciplinary hearings after the hearings and appeals are over. This involves the shredding of documents and the dismantling of tapes that could be important to the accused/convicted student should he or she ever want to look back at or explain the circumstances which caused the school to take disciplinary action.
Could it be that the University is much more concerned with looking out for itself than its students? Could it be that there are other significantly more despicable parts of the University's disciplinary process? Unless the full workings of the process are open we will never know, so "Make discipline public" but for a different purpose. Derek Yecies '08
Ruckus a poor choice
Regarding 'U. reaches deal with music site' (Monday, Dec. 11, 2006):
I am highly disappointed in the USG's choice of partnering with Ruckus Network for providing "free (limited and locked-down)" music to campus. Ruckus is completely incompatible with Mac OS X and Linux since it uses Windows Media Player-based DRM.
The percentage of Princeton students who own Macs has been increasing by leaps and bounds each year, with the current SCI Mac sales to the freshman class totaling about a third of all SCI purchases. Since the majority of Princeton students own SCI computers, the proportion of Mac users on campus is now quite large. That means a significant portion of the student body will be completely unable to use Ruckus on their Macs (without purchasing a copy of Windows and then either installing Boot Camp, which is not supported by Apple, or spending $80 to purchase Parallels Desktop, which is difficult to configure to work on the Princeton network).
The only bright side of the USG's choice is that, assuming the deal the USG made with Ruckus is similar to Ruckus' contracts with other universities, at least Mac and Linux users who are being excluded from access to what is supposedly a campus-wide service won't be forced to pay (through student fees/tuition) for it anyway. Jessica Chong '07
'Prince' broke USG presidential elections
Regarding 'A broken election' (Friday, Dec. 8, 2006):
I do have to say that it was a "broken election" but for more reasons than The Daily Princetonian cited. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the 'Prince' broke the election while at the same time compromising its journalistic integrity. After articles and articles describing the candidates' disciplinary records, the so-called "exit polls" pushed the envelope. Do you think The New York Times stands outside its building on 43rd Street to poll people on election results? Or even the Princeton Packet?
When I heard that the 'Prince' stood outside the U-Store to collect and publish data, I was very disappointed. In an election, especially one without a party system, the opinions of peers matter more than any other factor in choosing a candidate and your unscientific poll broke the election. You should have simply handed out Rob Biederman '08 fliers after polling students. No, better yet, next time, I say do away with the data and forge the results to favor your endorsed candidate. They might be just as good and as effective. Jesse Creed '07 Former USG vice president and three time senior elections manager
Editor's note
In The Daily Princetonian's unscientific survey of campus opinion during the USG election, 14 reporters polled 416 students from numerous locations, including Firestone Library, Frist Campus Center, eating clubs, three residential college dining halls and the U-Store. The purpose of the poll was to initiate campus discussion by providng readers with a sense of students' opinions on a variety of election issues, including the candidates' trustworthiness and the relevance of their disciplinary records. Furthermore, the paper's news and opinion staffs are strictly independent. News reporters and editors played no role in the editorial board's decision to endorse Rob Biederman '08. — Eds.Read More
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