Today’s Briefing: 

UNIVERSITY ISSUES NEW GATHERING GUIDELINES: In a Feb. 8 email, the University announced that most vaccinated students are now permitted to test only once per week, effective immediately, and as of Sunday, event coordinators are allowed to serve food and beverages at events for undergraduates. These changes to the campus COVID-19 restrictions come as the Campus Risk Status recently decreased from ‘High’ to ‘Moderate to High.’

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EISGRUBER’S STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY: On Thursday, Feb. 3, President Eisgruber ’83 issued his annual State of the University letter, along with an accompanying video. In the address, Eisgruber discussed the University’s ongoing challenges with COVID-19, expansion of the University’s residential facilities, and efforts to increase the diversity of students and faculty. Additionally, he highlighted the five Nobel Prizes awarded to University faculty and alumni, the ongoing success of the Venture Forward fundraising drive, and the “historic” return on the University’s investments in 2021.

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PRINCETON RESPONDS TO WANG LAWSUIT: Princeton University has filed a response to graduate student Xiyue Wang’s lawsuit, which alleged “grossly negligent acts” following the three years he was detained in an Iranian prison while conducting research in pursuit of a doctorate in Eurasian history. The University filed a “motion to dismiss,” arguing that the complaint filed by Wang and his wife is unclear.

“Their approach unfairly hampers the University’s efforts to frame responsive pleadings and the Court’s ability to assess whether the Complaint, in fact, pleads cognizable causes of action,” the motion reads. 

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THE EVICTION LAB: Following the expiration of New York’s moratorium on evictions, the University’s Eviction Lab has released findings indicating the number of evictions in the state has remained relatively low thanks to rental assistance programs and other pandemic-era measures. The findings have been cited by a number of major news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, and, in the past, the White House has used reports from the Eviction Lab to inform policy solutions. 

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OPINION | Learning from Florida’s “Don’t say gay” bill

Assistant Opinion Editor Lucia Wetherill laments the passage of the Parental Rights in Education bill— commonly referred to as the “Don’t say gay” bill — in Florida’s House Education and Employment, which is now moving through Florida’s legislature.

Wetherill decries the bill, which prohibits educators from engaging in any discussions about sexuality and gender in primary schools and contains language insinuating that educators would not be permitted to withhold information regarding a student’s sexual orientation or gender identity from parents.

Arguing that the bill forces students to grapple with difficult emotions alone and isolates them from peers and mentors, Wetherill calls on Princeton to move forward as Florida moves backward in order to guarantee that students feel that campus is a safe place for queer students and those looking to explore their sexuality.

OPINION | Why won’t anyone teach me math?

Columnist Abigail Rabieh bemoans the strict, demoralizing nature of University math courses, which she argues discourage students from learning math for the sake of learning math. Rather, Rabieh emphasizes the obscurity of the course material and the overwhelming pace of these courses, which serve to deter rather than inspire students — especially those not concentrating in math — from developing an interest in this arguably relevant and important subject.

FEATURES | Bridging the gap: The social lives of graduate students

From weekend parties to meals in dining halls to extracurricular opportunities, Princeton undergraduates have many resources to turn to when they want to meet new people or spend time with familiar faces. Indeed, the close-knit undergraduate experience is often listed as one of the draws of the University to prospective applicants, particularly the statistic that 98 percent of undergraduates live on campus.

But for graduate students, the Orange Bubble looks and feels different. With limited and often arbitrarily assigned residential spaces, meager options for socializing, and a narrow dating pool, some graduate students feel alienated from University life.

Associate Features Editor Sydney Eck provides an in-depth look at the enigmatic social lives of graduate students, exploring how these students have eluded the limitations on their social environment to foster a sense of community.

At Your Leisure:

• KIM NEWELL ’16 IN BEIJING: Despite taking nearly three years off from her hockey career after graduating from Princeton, Kim Newell ’16 is blazing trails on the international stage. So far, Newell’s breakout performances have placed her third internationally, ahead of all but only two goalkeepers.
• WOMEN’S LACROSSE: The women’s lacrosse team currently sits atop the polls after preseason poll rankings were released. The Tigers received a unanimous first-place selection, garnering all 18 votes.
• GIVING AND RECEIVING FLOWERS: In a moving personal essay, Head Prospect Editor José Pablo Fernández García reflects on the joys and beauty of buying and gifting flowers, as well as the ways in which the act of loving ourselves gives way for the desire to be loved.
• BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DISAPPOINTMENT: Contributing Writer Nathan Beck reviews Animal Collective’s new album “Time Skiffs” for The Prospect, writing that “Animal Collective went on autopilot for ‘Time Skiffs’ in the best way possible. Its refreshing departure has quenched the drought.” 
• PODCAST: Listen to the latest episode of Daybreak, The Daily Princetonian’s daily news podcast!