Today’s Briefing: 

Princeton history professors, including Professor Julian Zelizer, condemned the Trump administration’s “Advisory 1776 Commission” report, calling out its historical inaccuracies and overtly political agenda. According to Zelizer, the Trump administration report is “a very political document that isn’t really about understanding founding principles and history.” The 1776 report is regarded by many as a response to The New York Times’ 1619 Project, which focused on reframing American history with a spotlight on the lasting ramifications of slavery for Black Americans. 

In an announcement released Jan. 4, the University named Mitchel Charles ’18 as the new Program Coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (ODUS), where he will serve as a liaison between student leaders and University offices. The announcement comes after an 11 month vacancy in the position. Regarding the position, Charles said he is “very excited about advising students and student groups on how they can get the most out of their Princeton experience.” 

In its second piece of the year, The Daily Princetonian Editorial Board urges students to use communication with their peers first when facing non-compliance with COVID-19 related health policies. The piece notes, “looking first to interpersonal dialogue is a more effective way for our community to encourage introspection and correct genuine missteps.”