Chabad accepts all
Regarding 'Letters to the Editor' (Tuesday, April 17, 2007):
Rabbi Marc Disick's concern regarding Chabad's commitment to diversity is decidedly misplaced. By refusing to grant chaplaincy to Rabbi Eitan Webb, it is Princeton Hillel and the University that are unwilling to tolerate and accept diversity. Chabad's devotees on the Princeton campus and elsewhere represent every level of Jewish observance. Even when such observance is minimal, or even nonexistent, Chabad is fully accepting of every Jew, and indeed every human being, and desirous that he or she reach their potential in terms of goodness and helping others. Princeton, being committed to diversity, should accept diversity among Jews. President Tilghman should reconsider her decision, and Hillel in the person of Rabbi Julie Roth should support Chabad. The more Jewish organizations on campus, the more vibrant Jewish life will be, and perhaps Princeton's Jewish enrollment will increase as a result. Michael Scharf '64
Civic engagement
Regarding 'Do it for Cicero" (Monday, April 16, 2007):
I suppose the first thing to say is that Cicero was nothing if not a civically engaged Roman — a lawyer, activist and promoter of a return to the ideals of republicanism.
But it is a good point in complaining that the concept of civic engagement is "nebulous." Fair enough, though I would prefer to say that there are many different definitions and practices of civic engagement. I agree that it would be unwise to be prescriptive in defining the term.
Nevertheless, Princeton and all American universities have always had training for democracy as one of their educational goals. "Princeton in the nation's service" is only the local iteration of that conception. Certainly our University has for more than a century stood for its versions of civic engagement.
But neither the Pace Center nor the Community-Based Learning Intiative nor Student Volunteers Council nor any of the many Princeton institutions facilitating civic engagement use it as a value judgment on student activity. No one is "dictating" to Princeton students (even that they should be spending more time in Firestone and less time on youtube.com). Pace, and the other Princeton civic engagement organizations, are doing precisely what the Editorial Board calls for — providing opportunities for civic activity.
But where I most profoundly disagree with the editorial is in the endorsement of the Orange Bubble. If The Daily Princetonian thinks this is the most useful part of a Princeton education, then the faculty and the University have really failed to challenge you. Think again, please. Or, better, "do it for Cicero." Stanley Katz
Emergency solution
Regarding 'Emergency preparedness' (Wednesday, April 25, 2007):
The Emergency Preparedness Task Force agrees that a comprehensive plan for communicating with students during an emergency is essential, and therefore we have such a plan. Our new emergency notification tool is much more than just a text message alert system; it is capable of sending voice communications to telephone, cell phone and home phone numbers, as well as text messages to email accounts and to cell phones equipped to receive SMS text messages. It also should be viewed in the context of other existing means for communicating with the campus community, including web postings, broadcast radio announcements (WPRB), Tiger TV broadcast alerts, campus alert telephone numbers and, if the situation requires, postings around campus.
Students interested in learning more about emergency preparedness measures are invited to visit the "Emergency Guidelines for the Campus Community" website accessible through the "emergency info" quick link on the University home page.
The point that should not be understated is that the new system is only as good as the quality of the data the users (students) provide. Therefore, we strongly encourage all students to review their personal contact data in SCORE and update it as necessary. Addressing the issue of cell phone reception on campus, the University has recognized that cell service can be improved and has taken steps to do this. A new cell antenna installed on the New South building in January 2006 dramatically improved reception for Verizon customers, and new antennae for other providers — Cingular, T-Mobile, and Sprint — on Fine Tower are expected to be installed and operational by the beginning of the fall semester. We also are looking at solutions to improve indoor cell phone reception in problematic areas.
There is no one solution, but the current implementation of this new mass alert system enhances our communication capabilities and is part of the task force's continuous efforts to reevaluate and improve the University's ability to effectively respond to emergencies — including those that no one can predict. Garth Walters Director of Environmental Health & Safety Chair of the Emergency Preparedness Task Force
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?