Columns

The danger of blanket statements

The danger of blanket statements

Ashley Olenkiewicz

“It can be argued that the short and catchy nature of slogan-like short phrases is a necessary attribute, crucial to achieving the objectives of garnering attention, spreading awareness, and recruiting support for said movement. Yet, it is exactly because these movements and sentiments are reduced to short terms and phrases that they result in polarized debate and ultimately hinder the accruing of support.”

“It can be argued that the short and catchy nature of slogan-like short phrases is a necessary attribute, crucial to achieving the objectives of garnering attention, spreading awareness, and recruiting support for said movement. Yet, it is exactly because these movements and sentiments are reduced to short terms and phrases that they result in polarized debate and ultimately hinder the accruing of support.”

OPINION | 11/17/2021

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Instead of empathy, try compassion

Instead of empathy, try compassion

Claudia Frykberg

“Thus, as each of us endeavor to support and comfort our friends as the semester comes to an end, I suggest a way to help them without hurting ourselves. Instead of empathy, try compassion.”

“Thus, as each of us endeavor to support and comfort our friends as the semester comes to an end, I suggest a way to help them without hurting ourselves. Instead of empathy, try compassion.”

OPINION | 11/15/2021

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Pursue truth or fight cancel culture? The University of Austin must choose.

Pursue truth or fight cancel culture? The University of Austin must choose.

Rohit Narayanan

“UATX’s core task is going to be to prove that it’s more than a right-wing grievance machine.”

“UATX’s core task is going to be to prove that it’s more than a right-wing grievance machine.”

OPINION | 11/15/2021

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Reactions: Princeton may loosen the mask mandate ... after classes end

Reactions: Princeton may loosen the mask mandate ... after classes end

Allen Liu, Rohit Narayanan , and Audrey Chau

For the Reactions series, columnists respond to the University’s announcement that the mask mandate will be reconsidered and potentially relaxed ten days after Thanksgiving Break ends. 

For the Reactions series, columnists respond to the University’s announcement that the mask mandate will be reconsidered and potentially relaxed ten days after Thanksgiving Break ends. 

OPINION | 11/14/2021

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An end to legacy admissions? Princeton should follow Amherst College’s lead

An end to legacy admissions? Princeton should follow Amherst College’s lead

Julia Chaffers

“Ending legacy preferences is a significant commitment to expanding access and equity, and Princeton and other schools should follow suit.”

“Ending legacy preferences is a significant commitment to expanding access and equity, and Princeton and other schools should follow suit.”

OPINION | 11/14/2021

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The ‘Princeton Plague’ goes national

The ‘Princeton Plague’ goes national

Braden Flax

“At Princeton, we often wonder if our physical and mental struggles, along with how we choose to cope with and manage them, are ‘normal’ or ‘legitimate.’ Consequently, we continue to attend classes even when we shouldn’t from a medical or self-care perspective, endangering ourselves and those around us. As arduous as the academic environment may be, we do not make such choices out of necessity alone.” 

“At Princeton, we often wonder if our physical and mental struggles, along with how we choose to cope with and manage them, are ‘normal’ or ‘legitimate.’ Consequently, we continue to attend classes even when we shouldn’t from a medical or self-care perspective, endangering ourselves and those around us. As arduous as the academic environment may be, we do not make such choices out of necessity alone.” 

OPINION | 11/11/2021

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Life after COVID-19

Life after COVID-19

Melissa Reynolds

“If the period following the Black Death is any indication of what is possible after COVID, then we can probably bet that our ideas will take some time to come to fruition. But, likewise, if the Lollards and the peasants who stormed London in 1381 have anything to teach us, it’s that ideas, once loosed, are hard to contain again — that is, so long as we don’t accept a return to anything like normal.”

“If the period following the Black Death is any indication of what is possible after COVID, then we can probably bet that our ideas will take some time to come to fruition. But, likewise, if the Lollards and the peasants who stormed London in 1381 have anything to teach us, it’s that ideas, once loosed, are hard to contain again — that is, so long as we don’t accept a return to anything like normal.”

OPINION | 11/10/2021

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The Orange Bubble is not a suburban phenomenon

The Orange Bubble is not a suburban phenomenon

Genrietta Churbanova

“Off-campus recreation is not equivalent to genuine community engagement for students at suburban and urban universities alike.”

“Off-campus recreation is not equivalent to genuine community engagement for students at suburban and urban universities alike.”

OPINION | 11/09/2021

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Statues play a role in preserving our collective memory

Statues play a role in preserving our collective memory

Abigail Rabieh

“Both around our campus and the nation, we must stop selectively honoring people for certain goods and ignoring the bad and instead remember them for everything they did — who they helped and who they hurt.”

“Both around our campus and the nation, we must stop selectively honoring people for certain goods and ignoring the bad and instead remember them for everything they did — who they helped and who they hurt.”

OPINION | 11/09/2021

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An issue bigger than the ‘Princeton plague’: Getting sick at Princeton means a lack of support for its students

An issue bigger than the ‘Princeton plague’: Getting sick at Princeton means a lack of support for its students

Gisele Bisch

“Furthermore, students who are sick — especially those who find themselves sick in circumstances that seemingly do not leave room for accommodation — are not asking for anything unreasonable, or even for a ‘free pass’ or ‘an easy way out.’ They are asking for the well-deserved time to recover, so they are able to return to class in proper health.”

“Furthermore, students who are sick — especially those who find themselves sick in circumstances that seemingly do not leave room for accommodation — are not asking for anything unreasonable, or even for a ‘free pass’ or ‘an easy way out.’ They are asking for the well-deserved time to recover, so they are able to return to class in proper health.” 

OPINION | 11/08/2021

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Why classes should be canceled on Election Day

Why classes should be canceled on Election Day

Andi Grene

“‘Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity’ is our University’s informal motto. If Princeton students are actively disincentivized to participate in US political affairs in fear of missing class and falling behind on work, how can the University claim that it is committed to servicing the nation?”

“‘Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity’ is our University’s informal motto. If Princeton students are actively disincentivized to participate in US political affairs in fear of missing class and falling behind on work, how can the University claim that it is committed to servicing the nation?” 

OPINION | 11/08/2021

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Why Princeton must include Divest Princeton members in fossil fuel divestment deliberations

Why Princeton must include Divest Princeton members in fossil fuel divestment deliberations

Hannah Reynolds

“There are no students participating in the deliberations on divestment happening within the Administrative Committee and the Faculty Panel on Dissociation. The young people whose lives are at stake — and whose lives are actively being harmed by Princeton’s continued delay of necessary climate action — do not have a seat at the table.”

“There are no students participating in the deliberations on divestment happening within the Administrative Committee and the Faculty Panel on Dissociation. The young people whose lives are at stake — and whose lives are actively being harmed by Princeton’s continued delay of necessary climate action — do not have a seat at the table.”

OPINION | 11/07/2021

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‘Should Princeton exist?’ is the wrong question

‘Should Princeton exist?’ is the wrong question

Ava Milberg

“Rather than asking whether Princeton should exist, I think the more appropriate question to ask would be: how can Princeton exist in a just and equitable way?”

“Rather than asking whether Princeton should exist, I think the more appropriate question to ask would be: how can Princeton exist in a just and equitable way?”

OPINION | 11/07/2021

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Reform FYRE panels

Reform FYRE panels

Stephenie Chen

Princeton is grossly mistaken if it believes that its “First Year Residential Experience” panels with University affiliates lecturing at first-year students will instantly translate into character growth.  

Princeton is grossly mistaken if it believes that its “First Year Residential Experience” panels with University affiliates lecturing at first-year students will instantly translate into character growth. 

OPINION | 11/04/2021

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The ‘Princeton Plague’ and its harmful effects on first-years

The ‘Princeton Plague’ and its harmful effects on first-years

Tara Shukla and Laya Reddy

“The University should normalize providing open and unrestricted access to alternative learning channels to students of all abilities. Needing access to remote learning is nothing to be ashamed of.” 

“The University should normalize providing open and unrestricted access to alternative learning channels to students of all abilities. Needing access to remote learning is nothing to be ashamed of.” 

OPINION | 11/04/2021

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Tough introductory courses discourage academic exploration

Tough introductory courses discourage academic exploration

Allen Liu

“Rigorous classes enrich academic life at Princeton. However, having seen how the difficulty of classes impacts students’ choices about what classes to take, what to major in, and the post-graduation plans they pursue, I believe we should prioritize exploration as much as we prioritize rigor. Let’s make academic risk-taking less risky.”

“Rigorous classes enrich academic life at Princeton. However, having seen how the difficulty of classes impacts students’ choices about what classes to take, what to major in, and the post-graduation plans they pursue, I believe we should prioritize exploration as much as we prioritize rigor. Let’s make academic risk-taking less risky.”

OPINION | 11/03/2021

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Princeton needs to make more space for failure amid the abundance of success

Princeton needs to make more space for failure amid the abundance of success

Audrey Chau

"The Princetonians I have met during my short time here are nothing short of extraordinary. Yet, Princeton needs to create a safe environment where students know that they cannot be extraordinary without first learning to embrace their ordinary, fallible selves."

"The Princetonians I have met during my short time here are nothing short of extraordinary. Yet, Princeton needs to create a safe environment where students know that they cannot be extraordinary without first learning to embrace their ordinary, fallible selves."

OPINION | 11/02/2021

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Reactions: Princeton’s endowment grows by nearly 50 percent

Reactions: Princeton’s endowment grows by nearly 50 percent

Hannah Reynolds, Rohit Narayanan , Abigail Rabieh, and Windsor Nguyễn

For the Reactions series, columnists opine on the recent news regarding the endowment’s almost 50 percent growth, with responses ranging from the necessity for fossil fuel divestment to whether Princeton should abolish tuition. 

For the Reactions series, columnists opine on the recent news regarding the endowment’s almost 50% growth, with responses ranging from the necessity for fossil fuel divestment to whether Princeton should abolish tuition. 

OPINION | 11/01/2021

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Eisgruber’s justification for Princeton is based on a myth

Eisgruber’s justification for Princeton is based on a myth

Rohit Narayanan

In light of a recent interview with President Eisgruber in The Atlantic, columnist Rohit Narayanan writes: “If Princeton is going to segregate a talented few, it has to prove its value every single day.” 

In light of a recent interview with President Eisgruber in The Atlantic, columnist Rohit Narayanan writes: “If Princeton is going to segregate a talented few, it has to prove its value every single day.” 

OPINION | 10/31/2021

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What I’ve learned about midterms

What I’ve learned about midterms

Claudia Frykberg

“As a senior, I feel like my time at Princeton has flown by, which may be partly due to the fact that I wasn’t physically on campus for 18 months of ‘the college experience.’ But I also think it is because we here at Princeton don’t focus so much on coming full circle, but instead on riding the nebulous grading curve.” 

“As a senior, I feel like my time at Princeton has flown by, which may be partly due to the fact that I wasn’t physically on campus for 18 months of ‘the college experience.’ But I also think it is because we here at Princeton don’t focus so much on coming full circle, but instead on riding the nebulous grading curve.”  

OPINION | 10/28/2021

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