Columns

What does it mean to be present three years after COVID-19 sent us home?

What does it mean to be present three years after COVID-19 sent us home?

Jill Dolan

“The differences between before and “after” the pandemic appear to me in the interstices, or around the edges of an otherwise happy picture. We’re back, but we seem more tentative.”

“The differences between before and “after” the pandemic appear to me in the interstices, or around the edges of an otherwise happy picture. We’re back, but we seem more tentative.”

OPINION | March 13

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If Princeton wants us to isolate, it has to make it practical

If Princeton wants us to isolate, it has to make it practical

Lucia Wetherill

“Now, as both a university and a country, we stand at a crossroads. COVID-19 restrictions continue to fall away as we ‘open up’ and ‘return to normal.’ Yet the events of the last three years are not erased by this return to normalcy.”

“Now, as both a university and a country, we stand at a crossroads. COVID-19 restrictions continue to fall away as we ‘open up’ and ‘return to normal.’ Yet the events of the last three years are not erased by this return to normalcy. Many of us, including myself, continue to feel the moral burden associated with getting COVID-19. This makes Princeton’s current COVID-19 policies difficult to navigate.”

OPINION | March 13

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Princeton must remain test optional

Princeton must remain test optional

Ndeye Thioubou

“Requiring the submission of standardized test results is not only harmful to FGLI applicants because it is more difficult for them to perform well on these exams, but also because the requirements deter them from applying in the first place.”

“Requiring the submission of standardized test results is not only harmful to FGLI applicants because it is more difficult for them to perform well on these exams, but also because the requirements deter them from applying in the first place.”

OPINION | March 13

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College admissions was fairer before COVID-19. Princeton should bring back the SAT.

College admissions was fairer before COVID-19. Princeton should bring back the SAT.

Vincent Jiang

“Yes, the SAT is skewed towards the privileged, but in deciding whether we should get rid of it, the question isn’t whether the test is skewed, but rather whether it is excessively skewed compared to other components of holistic admissions.”

“Yes, the SAT is skewed towards the privileged, but in deciding whether we should get rid of it, the question isn’t whether the test is skewed, but rather whether it is excessively skewed compared to other components of holistic admissions.”

OPINION | March 13

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We should avoid Zoom whenever we can

We should avoid Zoom whenever we can

Christofer Robles

“But to suggest that most of our interactions, professional or personal, should shift to an asynchronous online format is misguided: it completely ignores the importance of structure and personal contact. Zoom is not the solution — it is a crutch — and one that ought to be avoided when possible.”

“But to suggest that most of our interactions, professional or personal, should shift to an asynchronous online format is misguided: it completely ignores the importance of structure and personal contact. Zoom is not the solution — it is a crutch — and one that ought to be avoided when possible.”

OPINION | March 13

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Zoom may be the future of flexible work

Zoom may be the future of flexible work

Christopher Lidard

“Virtual platforms, in their ability to be used universally, liberate us from sitting in an office for eight hours a day and direct us toward a more holistic approach to life.”

“Virtual platforms, in their ability to be used universally, liberate us from sitting in an office for eight hours a day and direct us toward a more holistic approach to life.”

OPINION | March 13

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Try argument, not extortion

Try argument, not extortion

Abigail Rabieh

If Hoffman really wants to change the University, he’s likely to have much more success with argument rather than manipulation.

If Hoffman really wants to change the University, he’s likely to have much more success with argument rather than manipulation.

OPINION | March 7

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Feedback is crucial to student success. Let’s start treating it that way.

Feedback is crucial to student success. Let’s start treating it that way.

Ava Milberg

“It is not the individual professors' fault that their students are not getting adequate feedback on their independent work, but rather the fault of a system that does not set an adequate standard for the transmission of feedback. Given that independent work is such an integral part of academic life at Princeton, why are the structures for providing feedback on independent work so lacking?”

“It is not the individual professors' fault that their students are not getting adequate feedback on their independent work, but rather the fault of a system that does not set an adequate standard for the transmission of feedback. Given that independent work is such an integral part of academic life at Princeton, why are the structures for providing feedback on independent work so lacking?”

OPINION | March 7

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Norfolk Southern’s next toxic derailment could be in Princeton. New Jersey needs to act.

Norfolk Southern’s next toxic derailment could be in Princeton. New Jersey needs to act.

Preston Ferraiuolo

“Trenton must do what it can to keep Garden State residents and students safe. Norfolk Southern tracks are a ten-minute drive from campus, and the proximity of the tracks to the Delaware and Raritan Canal endangers the campus's natural escape...It's time for New Jersey state legislators to step up and break away from the grips of these railroad companies...”

“Trenton must do what it can to keep Garden State residents and students safe. Norfolk Southern tracks are a ten-minute drive from campus, and the proximity of the tracks to the Delaware and Raritan Canal endangers the campus's natural escape...It's time for New Jersey state legislators to step up and break away from the grips of these railroad companies...”

OPINION | March 5

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Create history, stop destroying it

Create history, stop destroying it

Julianna Lee

“I wouldn’t mind returning to campus as an alum to see new buildings. New projects are a reflection of the times and needs of the growing student body. What I do mind is the prospect of returning to campus and no longer recognizing the dorm buildings where I played cards, the halls where I partied, and the libraries in which I spent hours writing.”

“I wouldn’t mind returning to campus as an alum to see new buildings. New projects are a reflection of the times and needs of the growing student body. What I do mind is the prospect of returning to campus and no longer recognizing the dorm buildings where I played cards, the halls where I partied, and the libraries in which I spent hours writing.”

OPINION | March 1

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To prioritize service, Princeton must give it course credit

To prioritize service, Princeton must give it course credit

Jalen Travis

“In establishing course credit, the University would finally practice what it preaches: recognizing service learning as just as valuable as what you learn in Introduction to Macroeconomics. It’s clear that currently, breaking out of the Orange Bubble remains low-priority for Princeton, despite the University claiming that service is at the core of its undergraduate experience. The University isn’t close to being truly in ‘the service of humanity.’ It should step up to that challenge, or stop using the motto.”

“In establishing course credit, the University would finally practice what it preaches: recognizing service learning as just as valuable as what you learn in Introduction to Macroeconomics. It’s clear that currently, breaking out of the Orange Bubble remains low-priority for Princeton, despite the University claiming that service is at the core of its undergraduate experience. The University isn’t close to being truly in ‘the service of humanity.’ It should step up to that challenge, or stop using the motto.”

OPINION | February 28

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Affirmative action doesn’t do enough to diversify elite education

Affirmative action doesn’t do enough to diversify elite education

Christofer Robles

“Although affirmative action has been an important tool for nationally increasing diversity in higher education, it is simply an unsustainable bandage on a defective admissions ethos.”

“Although affirmative action has been an important tool for nationally increasing diversity in higher education, it is simply an unsustainable bandage on a defective admissions ethos.”

OPINION | February 15

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Consistency matters in campus free speech debates

Consistency matters in campus free speech debates

Matthew Wilson

“Instead of clamoring for institution-wide censures and official condemnations, we as students are called to vigorously debate and critically engage with those whose opinions we find abhorrent or objectionable.”

“Instead of clamoring for institution-wide censures and official condemnations, we as students are called to vigorously debate and critically engage with those whose opinions we find abhorrent or objectionable.”

OPINION | February 13

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This Black History Month, let's push for symbolic and structural change

This Black History Month, let's push for symbolic and structural change

Ndeye Thioubou

“For me, the University still has several steps to take before I can believe that their commitment to Black students is genuine, and not simply lip service.”

“For me, the University still has several steps to take before I can believe that their commitment to Black students is genuine, and not simply lip service.”

OPINION | February 9

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Conservative values can exist within a liberal framework

Conservative values can exist within a liberal framework

Abigail Rabieh

“Conservatives such as Hazony argue that the University should define its own purpose for students, whereas liberals push for students to define the purpose of the University on their own.”

“Conservatives such as Hazony argue that the University should define its own purpose for students, whereas liberals push for students to define the purpose of the University on their own.”

OPINION | February 9

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Princeton’s climate research: In the service of BP

Princeton’s climate research: In the service of BP

Eleanor Clemans-Cope and Alex Norbrook

“BP uses Princeton’s Carbon Mitigation Initiative to launder its image, to ensure a stream of studies that give it legitimacy, and to preserve its business model.”

“BP uses Princeton’s Carbon Mitigation Initiative to launder its image, to ensure a stream of studies that give it legitimacy, and to preserve its business model.”

OPINION | February 6

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Rather than skip meals, let's have them delivered

Rather than skip meals, let's have them delivered

Prince Takano

“I propose a solution to improve eating habits and provide more food options for students: TigerEats, a service that would deliver meals from third-party apps, dining halls, and eating clubs directly to a student’s location.”

“I propose a solution to improve eating habits and provide more food options for students: TigerEats, a service that would deliver meals from third-party apps, dining halls, and eating clubs directly to a student’s location.” 

OPINION | February 3

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If ChatGPT can do our homework, AI isn't the problem

If ChatGPT can do our homework, AI isn't the problem

Christopher Lidard

ChatGPT can be used to help students achieve the bare minimum, but Princeton courses generally have a more ambitious aim: to teach students to think critically, solve problems, and apply what they have learned in new and creative ways. 

ChatGPT can be used to help students achieve the bare minimum, but Princeton courses generally have a more ambitious aim: to teach students to think critically, solve problems, and apply what they have learned in new and creative ways. 

OPINION | February 1

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CPS doesn't meet student needs. Hire more counselors.

CPS doesn't meet student needs. Hire more counselors.

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“The past year has shown us that, despite some high-quality care being offered, the status quo is not enough.”

“The past year has shown us that, despite some high-quality care being offered, the status quo is not enough.”

OPINION | February 1

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Princeton’s criminal justice-inspired Honor Code hurts FLI students

Princeton’s criminal justice-inspired Honor Code hurts FLI students

Emilly Santos

The Honor Code presents a monumental threat to FLI students, who, without financial aid, would find themselves thousands of dollars in debt as a result of student loans, which are suggested as an alternative way of funding study at Princeton. The Honor Code can have devastating impacts on students who rely on a Princeton education for the chance of upward mobility.

The Honor Code presents a monumental threat to FLI students, who, without financial aid, would find themselves thousands of dollars in debt as a result of student loans, which are suggested as an alternative way of funding study at Princeton. The Honor Code can have devastating impacts on students who rely on a Princeton education for the chance of upward mobility.

OPINION | January 29

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