Letters to the Editor

A free Princeton would not be beneficial

Regarding 'A free Princeton' (Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007):

Jason Sheltzer '08's column suggesting Princeton would become a better university if it offered an education at no cost to students indicates his failure to grasp not only Princeton's needs, but also the holistic aspects of a college education.?

His suggestion that increased applications will directly lead to a more interesting, dynamic and intellectual student body relies on a falsehood that the admissions office has already embraced. Worthwhile applicants to Princeton desperately want to go to Princeton, not simply any great college or my college requiring no personal financial investment. A larger applicant pool does not equate to a better student body, for those who would thrive in Princeton's environment may be slighted in favor of "super applicants" who translate into lame students once they are here.

As part of my financial aid package, I was asked to contribute personal savings, as well as summer earnings. I did not view my financial payment to Princeton as a burden, but rather as an opportunity to learn the value of paying for something that mattered to me. I would much rather have my alma mater filled with students who would go to Princeton at any cost rather than those who would only go at no cost. ?

Finally, I have never heard of a student with a legitimate request for extra tuition assistance facing rejection at the financial aid office. It is the quite simply the duty of the financial aid staff to give away money to students and families in need without burdening them with loans. ? Andrew Lapetina '07

Student involvement in Borough matters is important

Regarding 'A pox on both their houses' (Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007):

?As a candidate for Princeton Borough Council in 2001, I echo your desires to see a student win a seat on the council and create a less antagonistic relationship the Borough and the University. I must, however, take issue with two aspects of the editorial. ?

First, local politicians are not to blame for students' apathy towards civic life generally and voting specifically. In 2001, several hundred students registered to vote in the Borough; fewer than 200 did so. A five-minute walk to Mercer Street to cast a vote hardly seems onerous. Second, the editorial ends with an offhand comment that Princeton "is not Jersey City." Princeton is also not New Haven or West Philadelphia. A key draw for Princeton is that it is located in a clean, safe and thriving small town. While the surrounding areas would not resemble what they are without the presence of the University, the University benefits tremendously from having a successful town surrounding its gates. Payments in lieu of taxes, common at all of Princeton's peer institutions, are certainly not "extortionary." They represent the right thing to do and are in the University's self interest. Stephen Abt '04