After student death, a conversation on drug policy

Content warning: This piece contains mention of student death.

On January 26, just before her second semester at Princeton began, Maura Coursey died at her off-campus residence from an accidental overdose of synthetic opioids. Associate Opinion Editor Eleanor Clemans-Cope argues that the University should more proactively implement harm reduction practices surrounding drug use to keep students safe, with transparency and education efforts that match the University’s commitment to alcohol-related support.

In the senior survey, The Daily Princetonian found that 6.9 percent of seniors reported that they have tried “hard drugs.” Clemans-Cope also discusses potential disciplinary consequences that might apply in specific situations. Enforcement of drug policy has come up in discussions about security cameras  recently as the University adds more cameras.

Clemans-Cope writes: “Maura’s death reminds us that this substance use occurs at Princeton, like it does everywhere, and that the University must react by making life-saving care free and accessible to all students. Her life is a call to action for all of us to build a community that cares for people who use these substances and people who have substance use disorders in a non-stigmatizing way.”

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Analysis by Olivia Chen

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OPINION | A love letter to Princeton

Two water polo athletes, Joan Coloma ’23 and Antun Knez ’23, reflect on their four years at Princeton and make the case that despite the negativity, it has provided a great experience for them. From their first experiences on campus, soon interrupted by COVID-19, to their last time leaving their rooms, they commemorate their time at the University, writing this piece to “immortalize [their] staunch feeling of love and gratitude for Princeton.” They note that their affection and appreciation for the University took a fairly long time to flourish but ultimately share a profound gratitude for their experience here: “We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

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• Letter to the Editor: Eisgruber’s administration has quietly eviscerated the free speech rule
• What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program
• Letter to the Editor: Robust sexual misconduct response program offers support and options for students

FEATURES | UHS reports high student satisfaction, but some students cite availability and quality issues

SPORTS | Women’s Water Polo & Princeton Rowing

• WOMEN’S WATER POLO: After beating No. 3 University of California in the quarter-finals, their historic season came to an end after an 18–8 loss to No. 2 University of Southern California in the national semifinals. The season boasted 30 wins, a first-ever appearance in the national semifinals, and two players named to the NCAA All-Tournament First Team, among other achievements.
• PRINCETON ROWING: The teams celebrated the 150th anniversary of rowing at Princeton, the 100th anniversary of the men’s lightweight crew, the 50th anniversary of the women’s open crew, and the 25th anniversary of the women’s lightweight crew. The women’s open and men’s lightweight teams won the Ivy League Championship Regatta and EARC Sprints, respectively, and men’s heavyweight placed second at EARC.

At your leisure

• PROSPECT: The experience at the Maruichi market
• PODCAST: Listen to the latest episode of Daybreak, The Daily Princetonian’s daily news podcast.
• PODCAST: In this episode of Brains, Black Holes, and Beyond, Senna Aldoubosh and Simone Kirkevold sit down with Hannah Faughnan ’23, a senior in the Ecology and Evolutionary Biology department, and Imani Mulrain ’23 , a senior in the Chemistry department, to learn more about their senior theses.