Editorial: Off-campus trips

A commonly quoted disadvantage of going to school in Princeton is the fact that it is not located in a city. Interest in political activism, professional performances and the arts among students on campus is greater than the level of existing opportunities around town. At the same time, the punishing costs — in terms of both transportation and time — discourage many students from leaving.

Residential college-sponsored trips to Broadway have been successful for exactly this reason. They provide a cheap and convenient method for students to enjoy time outside of the University. However, only college residents are allowed to buy tickets. The trips deny an arguably important experience to upperclassmen who may have ties to their residential colleges and who would appreciate the opportunity to spend time with members of their college. Additionally, these events often take place at inconvenient times in the middle of a school week and attendants need to follow a preconceived bus schedule. Each oversubscribed show also necessarily prevents many who would love to see it from going.

Given that the disadvantages above are perfectly justified, indeed, college-based budgets used to purchase group tickets are limited, and recognizing that political activism, performances and exhibitions can be important to many Princeton students, the Editorial Board recommends that the University look into alternative ways to sponsor trip opportunities for a wider student pool.

One method is to subsidize train tickets to either New York or Philadelphia. This would give students the benefit of having flexible itineraries and free choice over what to do once in the city. Trips outside of Princeton increase students’ exposure to a greater world of culture and knowledge — whether they are shows, events, protests or exhibitions. Many students who had been previously deterred from making these trips due to the high costs of transportation would suddenly find these opportunities readily accessible.

Realistically, the University would introduce only a partial subsidy and weigh it proportionally to the amount of financial aid received, so that students who are most disadvantaged stand to gain the most. It would also stipulate a maximum number of sponsored trips per individual. Some proof of visit to an event or venue of value to be determined by the University, or perhaps even a write-up of the trip, would serve as a good check on abuse. If the scheme proves extremely popular, the University could also consider chartering buses to New York that depart and arrive back at set times on weekends.

The logic behind these initiatives, which aim to propel Princeton students toward the wider circle of art, performance and activism that exist in bigger cities, in addition to providing group-bonding social opportunities outside of campus — is hard for a liberal arts institution to deny.