A helpful suggestion for B.S.E freshmen
The lackluster and poorly taught introductory courses required of freshmen engineers certainly paint a discouraging picture of the B.S.E. program and tempt many to switch to the A.B. track. On the other hand, the department-specific 200-level courses required of sophomore engineers are far more interesting. I decided to take ELE 201 and 206 in my freshman year to make room for the neuroscience courses in which I am currently enrolled. In contrast to the introductory math and physics courses I was taking simultaneously, I found 201 and 206 engaging and relevant, and they were taught by two of the best professors I've had at Princeton — Sanjeev Kulkarni and Ron Weiss. My experiences with these courses quashed any doubts I had about my choice of major and had the added benefit of easing my sophomore course requirements. SEAS and freshman engineering advisers would do well to advise students to try at least one sophomore level departmental course in their freshman year before choosing a department in the spring. Dan O'Shea '09
Quick reporting fix
Regarding 'Con-law scholar on no-fly list' (Tuesday, April 10, 2007):
I take issue with the The Daily Princetonian's reporting of Professor Murphy's claim that he has "only known of one other Walter Murphy," and thus that this case could not be one of mistaken identity. A quick White Pages search reveals nine other Walter Murphys — in New Jersey alone. Another 12 reside in New York, and 26 more live in Massachusetts. I do not think that "mistaken identity" is out of the realm of possibility. Perhaps the 'Prince' should do more to investigate conspiracy theory claims before blindly granting them space on the front page. Tim Prugar '06
A misunderstanding of the theism concept
Regarding 'Letters to the Editor' (Tuesday, April 10, 2007):
I thank Tim Nunan '08 for his response to my letter, and I would like to address his concerns.
My letter contained no claim about the superiority of one form of theism to another. I said that both atheists and theists are subject to nagging doubts, and that an honest atheist should admit this.
Also, I did not argue "against science." I did say that the fact that the scientific method (that is, testing hypotheses by experimentation) cannot verify some claim about reality does not show that claim to be irrational. We all hold many rational positions that we do not get from science. For example, science cannot "prove" that "one plus one equals two." Yet, no one would call such arithmetic irrational. We know it by the bedrock philosophy off of which all arguments — including those of science — are based, namely "common sense." To deny that "one plus one equals two" would simply be logically absurd.
I suggested that we can know God's existence by similar "commonsense" arguments, not by "feel[ings]." These arguments, however, cannot be explained in the space of a letter to the editor. John Doherty '05
Students should support Codega '09
Regarding 'Sophomore campaigns for Borough Council' (Wednesday, April 11, 2007):
Bravo to Joe Codega '09 for running for Borough Council! As a Princetonian of both town and gown, I warmly applaud Codega. He's a sharp, articulate and thoughtful young man who will bring a much-needed change to the ossified Borough Council. We need him badly.
Why? Because of the ossified arrogance on the Council now. Sitting Councilman Roger Martindale has said that he does not know much about the student vote in the Borough. Is this any way to talk about the constituency that totals 25 percent of the Borough's registered voters?
Martindale has thrown down the gauntlet. Princeton students can now respond. With kindred Borough residents aching for a truly representative and responsive local government, Princeton students have an excellent alterative in a worthy candidate from their ranks to take up the challenge. Keep watching Codega and his team. Tom Pyle '76
Town-gown relations are improving
Regarding 'Bridging town and gown' (Wednesday, April 11, 2007):
The USG recognizes that both sides stand to benefit from more communication between University and the community. The meeting last Thursday regarding the campus plan, however, is not truly indicative of the town-gown relationship, insofar as the article highlights only the most contentious issues in campus and community relations.
Events that familiarize students with the town are indeed valuable. To that end, the Campus and Community Affairs (CCA) Committee is working on projects such as a freshman orientation scavenger hunt and a restaurant week in the fall. USG Vice President Josh Weinstein '09, Webmaster Bruce Halperin '08 and U-Councilor Vince Ley '08 are finishing a web site for students with information and discounts at Nassau Street vendors.
Town-gown relations, of course, are not one-way streets that only cater to students. These relations can also be improved by familiarizing the town with the University. This year, the Princeton Packet will include information about evening events on campus for Communiversity weekend. A First Fridays program, as the editorial suggested, would also be a positive addition. Senator Mike Wang '10 has established a system for local youth to attend campus cultural events. As before, we will work to ensure the completion of these programs for the benefit of both town and the University. Cindy Hong '09 Campus and Community Affairs Chair Rob Biederman '08 USG President
Seniors give up multiple graduation tickets for the historic locales
Regarding 'Demand high for graduation tickets' (Thursday, April 12, 2007):
Tickets to Commencement events are not the students' to sell. As Rights, Rules, Responsibilities states, Princeton "aims to foster a sense of shared experience and common purpose, along with a collective responsibility for each other's wellbeing." Selling tickets undermines that spirit of community and undermines the sense of class unity that seniors have worked hard to create. The University does not sell these tickets, and they are, strictly speaking, University property, not students' property. The TigerTrade graduation site was created to facilitate the trading of tickets, with the goal of making it easier for seniors to distribute extra tickets to their classmates in need. Students who try to sell tickets and students who buy them are subject to disciplinary action. Seniors are given limited opportunity to earn one additional commencement ticket by volunteering to work at graduation-related events such as the commencement fair and senior check out.
Students should go to the Commencement website for information about unticketed simulcast sites and standing room at events.
We understand that the historic venues Princeton uses for graduation activities place limits on the number of guests seniors can invite to these events. In recent years, the senior class governments have been steadfast in their desire to hold these events at these sites, even in recognition of their reduced seating capacity. In our experience, the vast majority of seniors are able to accommodate their families on this special occasion and celebrate together the culmination of their Princeton careers. Tom Dunne Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students
A practical solution to the graduation ticket debacle
Regarding 'Demand high for graduation tickets' (Thursday, April 12, 2007):
There is no alternate system to make sure that tickets are distributed according to need.
At my fiancee's graduation, there was an organized system to distribute extra tickets fairly, precisely to avoid the situation we have here in the first place. The basic system works like this: Instead of giving out a certain number of tickets to everybody and letting the market sort it out, each graduating senior has to say at some point in advance or on the day tickets are handed out how many tickets they need. Everybody is guaranteed a minimum number of tickets like the system works now. If you want extra tickets, you let the distributors know when the first round of distribution occurs. Then, a week later, the extra ticket pool is randomly doled out to those people who requested extra tickets. Any remaining tickets after this process could then be handed out on a first-come first-served basis on the days leading up to graduation.
There is still time to implement such a lottery, with only minimal changes to the way the system currently works: The USG could ask that those people who don't need all of the tickets they are given and give them to a USG group in charge of running the lottery. Students who need extra tickets could email the group, fill out an online form, or something similar. It shouldn't be very difficult.
I would be extremely grateful if the USG acted on this idea or a similar one. David Weiss '07
University does not plan on purchasing the Sunoco station land
Regarding 'University expansion threatens Borough's tax revenue' (Wednesday, April 18, 2007):
This article erroneously states that the University is planning to purchase the land currently housing the Sunoco Station on Alexander Road at the Faculty Road intersection. The University has no such plan. To the contrary, at several recent community meetings, University representatives have commented on the University's agreement with local officials that this is an important service that should continue to be provided in this location. Kristin Appelget Director, Community and Regional Affairs
Read More
$56,000 in debt at graduation is not the financial aid Princeton advertises
Avi CheslerTake my story as an example — despite repeated evidence, both before and after taking out loans, that I would be unable to pay what Princeton asked of me — the University never set a cost that I could truly meet loan-free.
In the Garden State’s service and the service of humanity
Olivia Ragan, Lauren Aung, and Madison LintonIt is important to cultivate in students interest in local and state level change, because it is the most direct way to give back to the New Jersey community that sustains the University.
Why do two-thirds of your summer research wages go to Princeton, anyway?
Isaac BarsoumThe income that students earn from employment is not “miscellaneous.” So Princeton must decide: Does it want its students — all of them, not only those who can afford it — to be able to work on the important research happening at Princeton, or be forced to go home?
The income that students earn from employment is not “miscellaneous.” So Princeton must decide: Does it want its students — all of them, not only those who can afford it — to be able to work on the important research happening at Princeton, or be forced to go home?