The academic agenda of newly appointed University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 will focus on refining the University’s grading policy, evaluating options for online curriculum development and expanding the University’s status as an internationally-minded institution.
Eisgruber said that he is satisfied with the current grading system, which he calls “the grading fairness policy.” He noted that before the current policy was implemented, there had been arbitrary differences in grading standards across departments. He also stated that the cumulative GPA at Princeton has changed minimally since grade deflation was implemented.
In April 2004, months before he took over as provost, Eisgruber had advocated for an open ballot vote of faculty members on the policy. He was a member of the Committee on Examinations and Standing, which ultimately supported the policy in a 156-84 vote.
Nonetheless, he said that he wants to work on clarifying the policy’s implications for the University community and that Dean of the College Valerie Smith will also work on minor revisions to the policy.
“We need to make sure that we’re sensitive to the concerns that students and faculty members have about it, but I think that kind of fairness is very important in what it is that we do,” Eisgruber said.
Smith expressed “complete confidence in [Eisgruber’s] commitment to the core values of the institution as one that places the liberal arts experience at the center of its priorities.” Smith said that as provost, Eisgruber took an interest in creating online academic resources for students, as well as for community members taking University courses.
“He is the perfect person to be leading us at this point in the history of the University,” Smith said.
Eisgruber said he plans to evaluate the role of online course offerings in Princeton’s curriculum. He noted that the preliminary efforts with Coursera have been met with a positive response from faculty but that the University is still very conservative in not allowing an online certificate program or offering any online course for credit.
“I think we do need to ask ourselves, ‘All right, given how fast things are changing, and given our mission to make a difference in the world, is this the best place for us to be?’ ” Eisgruber said.
In both his tenure as provost and professor, Eisgruber has demonstrated a commitment to expanding Princeton’s presence as an internationally-minded institution. Duncan Hosie ’16, a student in Eisgruber’s freshman seminar, FRS 139: The Supreme Court and Constitutional Democracy, recalled Eisgruber telling the class that “he would like to see most students study abroad during their time here.”
With regard to Eisgruber’s impact on student government affairs, USG president Shawon Jackson ’15 said that the USG collaborates more closely with other administrators than with the University president on academic policy changes. However, he noted that he would like to hear what Eisgruber has to say about which academic policy areas the USG should choose as areas of focus.
Jackson added that he would also like to hear Eisgruber’s thoughts on how to improve resources for students who take a year off from Princeton, as well as better ways to use campus centers such as Frist.
Student representatives on the presidential search committee expressed confidence in Eisgruber’s ability to maintain and develop Princeton’s academic policies. Catherine Ettman ’13, a member of the search committee, said that academic policy was taken into consideration in the search decision. The committee, she added, was particularly impressed by Eisgruber’s good judgment, which could help develop and promote Princeton’s academic policy.
Eisgruber has the ability to “understand what people think, what the various sides are, what the benefits are, before he comes to a decision,” Ettman said.
Jeffrey Morell ’13, another member of the search committee, said that the committee was impressed by Eisgruber’s academic profile.
“His devotion to teaching, devotion to research and particularly his devotion to the idea, as he mentioned in his statement, that these complement each other in a way that makes Princeton unique, was really something fantastic about him,” Morell said.
“I’m really excited to see what will come in the next decade for Princeton,” Ettman said. “And I urge students to be open-minded in thinking of the new president.”
Staff writer James Evans contributed reporting for this article.
Click here for all things Eisgruber.
Read More
In final meeting of the semester, USG passes resolution on due process
Sena ChangUSG has passed a formal resolution that aims to create a series of due process principles they will utilize as they engage in the issue of reforming University disciplinary proceedings.
USG has passed a formal resolution that aims to create a series of due process principles they will utilize as they engage in the issue of reforming University disciplinary proceedings.
University publicizes expanded Immigration and ‘Non-Citizen’ FAQ page
Nico David-FoxOn campus and online, the University has publicized an updated FAQ page for immigrant and non-citizen community members.
On campus and online, the University has publicized an updated FAQ page for immigrant and non-citizen community members.
Princeton launches ‘Stand Up’ website, alumni newsletter in response to federal attacks
Devon RudolphPrinceton University released a statement announcing a new initiative called “Stand Up,” reaffirming the University’s commitment to freedom of speech and academic research funding, while criticizing the new presidential administration’s federal funding cuts.
Princeton University released a statement announcing a new initiative called “Stand Up,” reaffirming the University’s commitment to freedom of speech and academic research funding, while criticizing the new presidential administration’s federal funding cuts.