Letters to the Editor

Informal protest is better than nothing

Regarding 'Debating controversy' (Monday, Nov. 5, 2007):

I sympathize with Matt Hoberg '09's lamentation of the complacency and apathy on our campus. I, too, see many students stuck on the I-banking track without making time to think about the important social justice issues of our generation (I am an economics major, after all). And yes, I agree with Hoberg that the Princeton Animal Welfare Society's sensationalist anti-meat displays are no "substitute for reasoned arguments," but just a way to get people interested in coming to our follow-up events. In the case of our recent Animal Liberation Project, the follow-up was a panel debate entitled "Human Freedom: Animal Liberation," with panelists just about as diverse and interesting as you can find: the father of the animal liberation movement, a socially conservative politics professor, a representative from the activist organization PETA and the founder of the "Sistah Vegan Project." It was no Muslim student versus David Horowitz, but it was nevertheless just the kind of critical debate that Hoberg seems to pine for. Perhaps he should have come. That, in fact, is the main problem with having more debates on campus: Busy students won't show up. Organizing more debate is not the easy answer to making our campus more politically and socially engaged. Unfortunately, I don't know what the answer is. Until we figure it out, we activists will do what we can do rally the passion and support of students — no matter how "foolish or fruitless" our attempts may appear. Jenny Palmer '09 President, Princeton Animal Welfare Society

Form over function

Regarding '$10 an hour to do your homework' (Monday, Oct. 22, 2007):

I feel Ben Chen '09 hit upon a very interesting point in his article discussing the way Princeton puts more emphasis on form over function. Every day in Mathey, I pass by at least three beautiful plasma flat screen TVs that are turned off or show a simple image that says RoMa. While it is impressive that Princeton can afford to waste that much money for something a poster could do, it is disgraceful when one thinks of the workers. Last year, I gained a profound respect for the workers after working Reunions in the kitchens. After three days of running around and standing on hard concrete for hours on end, my feet hurt and my knees ached. This was only a short-term job, as I was in search of some quick cash for summer fun, but many workers do this to support their families. Thus, while plasma screen TV's and dining halls that look like Hogwarts may be nice, I would rather eat in a dingy shed if I knew the workers were treated better. Hopefully, if enough students raise their voices in protest, we could have both. Josh Grehan '10

A clarification

Regaring ' 'Big Sibling' to Big Brother' (Monday, Nov. 12, 2007):

The Daily Princetonian continues to misinform its readers about the revised alcohol guidelines for RCAs, which are intended to deal with significant alcohol violations.

This editorial erroneously claims that we "require RCAs to intervene when they notice any signs of alcohol consumption among their advisees." This statement is not true, as was clearly stated in Dean Deignan's guest column and as stated clearly in the new guidelines. It is not helpful for the 'Prince' to continue to misstate what the guidelines would require, and it's also potentially damaging to the RCA-advisee relationships that the 'Prince' claims it wants to preserve.

The RCAs are neither required nor expected to intervene when advisees are consuming alcohol in a manner in keeping with the University's alcohol policy, including students choosing to serve alcoholic beverages to themselves in their own rooms. When there are less significant violations, we will ask RCAs merely to have a conversation with the advisee.

Also, there is no increased possibility of disciplinary action for RCAs or students who seek help for intoxicated students or themselves. Intoxication is not a disciplinary offense. The guidelines deal specifically with "significant" violations observed in progress that must be curtailed either by the RCA or Public Safety. We encourage all members of our community to read the guidelines for themselves on the ODUS website. Hilary Herbold Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students