Columns

We have to stop relying on U.S. News and World Report rankings

We have to stop relying on U.S. News and World Report rankings

Eric Xie

“The U.S. News college rankings are easily corruptible, weigh the wrong factors, and privilege older and more established institutions.”

“The U.S. News college rankings are easily corruptible, weigh the wrong factors, and privilege older and more established institutions.”

OPINION | October 26

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In Georgia’s moment of vulnerability, the US should step up engagement

In Georgia’s moment of vulnerability, the US should step up engagement

Sam Harshbarger

“In this moment of vulnerability, Georgians are right to question whether Europe and the United States will really commit to the country’s security and Euro-Atlantic ambitions.”

“In this moment of vulnerability, Georgians are right to question whether Europe and the United States will really commit to the country’s security and Euro-Atlantic ambitions.” 

OPINION | October 25

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I did Community Action this year. Here’s how it can improve.

I did Community Action this year. Here’s how it can improve.

Charlotte Pfenning

“Why is it that some CA groups were able to partake in substantial service, while many others didn’t have that same opportunity?”

“Why is it that some CA groups were able to partake in substantial service, while many others didn’t have that same opportunity?”

OPINION | October 14

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Campus conservatives in the POCC don’t deserve a monopoly on free speech

Campus conservatives in the POCC don’t deserve a monopoly on free speech

Nate Howard

“We have repeatedly seen that the POCC does not follow its own principles. Free speech deserves better champions.”

“We have repeatedly seen that the POCC does not follow its own principles. Free speech deserves better champions.”

OPINION | October 13

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How many students’ voices are needed before the University takes concerns around COVID-19 protocols seriously?

How many students’ voices are needed before the University takes concerns around COVID-19 protocols seriously?

Gisele Bisch

“Sustainable 'pre-COVID-19 schedules' are not possible unless proper safety protocols are put into place."

“Sustainable ‘pre-COVID-19 schedules’ are not possible unless proper safety protocols are put into place.”

OPINION | October 11

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Hawaiʻi is not and will never be your vacation ‘paradise’

Hawaiʻi is not and will never be your vacation ‘paradise’

Gisele Bisch

“About 10 million people visit Hawaiʻi each year. That’s more than seven times Hawaiʻi's entire residential population. This is not sustainable: non-Native people need to stop coming to Hawaiʻi.”

“About 10 million people visit Hawaiʻi each year. That’s more than seven times Hawaiʻi's entire residential population. This is not sustainable: non-Native people need to stop coming to Hawaiʻi.”

OPINION | October 9

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Colonizing Alaska: confronting Sheldon Jackson’s legacy at Princeton

Colonizing Alaska: confronting Sheldon Jackson’s legacy at Princeton

Genrietta Churbanova

“As members of the Princeton community, it is time we collectively acknowledge that Sheldon Jackson’s legacy is tied to our university and that the Department of Geosciences holds objects he ‘collected.’”

“As members of the Princeton community, it is time we collectively acknowledge that Sheldon Jackson’s legacy is tied to our university and that the Department of Geosciences holds objects he ‘collected.’”

OPINION | October 9

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How the professional world takes advantage of classes like Maitland Jones’s

How the professional world takes advantage of classes like Maitland Jones’s

Rohit Narayanan

“Students want grades to reflect that given all the resources they needed, they mastered the content. Society wants grades to show which students succeeded and which floundered in a hard class. While we can’t say which is more valuable, schools should be optimizing for learning, not arbitrary faux-geniocratic sorting.”

“Students want grades to reflect that given all the resources they needed, they mastered the content. Society wants grades to show which students succeeded and which floundered in a hard class. While we can’t say which is more valuable, schools should be optimizing for learning, not arbitrary faux-geniocratic sorting.”

OPINION | October 5

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Free speech emphasis in orientation will reap benefits later

Free speech emphasis in orientation will reap benefits later

Julianna Lee

“Just as this institution has historically made clear to incoming first-years that academic integrity and diversity and inclusion are key aspects of the University’s identity, it laudably has begun including free speech as an additional core value.”

“Just as this institution has historically made clear to incoming first-years that academic integrity and diversity and inclusion are key aspects of the University’s identity, it laudably has begun including free speech as an additional core value.”

OPINION | October 3

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There are still too many problems with Princeton's isolation protocol

There are still too many problems with Princeton's isolation protocol

Ndeye Thioubou

“I want to share my experience and make some suggestions regarding the current isolation process to maximize support and minimize hardships students will face.”

“I want to share my experience and make some suggestions regarding the current isolation process to maximize support and minimize hardships students will face.”

OPINION | October 2

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Princeton should adopt oral exams

Princeton should adopt oral exams

Henry Hsiao

“Implementing oral exams as an option opens up another avenue for Princeton students to demonstrate their critical analysis and communication skills, without sacrificing rigor.”

“Implementing oral exams as an option opens up another avenue for Princeton students to demonstrate their critical analysis and communication skills, without sacrificing rigor.” 

OPINION | October 2

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Does Princeton protect progressive speech, too?

Does Princeton protect progressive speech, too?

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

“It’s important that the University, with all of its power, does not act as a censor. But it raises a question: Does Princeton protect progressive speech, too?”

“It’s important that the University, with all of its power, does not act as a censor. But it raises a question: Does Princeton protect progressive speech, too?”

OPINION | September 29

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Our caffeine consumption hides a deeper problem

Our caffeine consumption hides a deeper problem

Ava Milberg

“We can appreciate the energizing quality of caffeine when it is needed, but we should also strive to take care of ourselves more meaningfully and get enough sleep.”

“We can appreciate the energizing quality of caffeine when it is needed, but we should also strive to take care of ourselves more meaningfully and get enough sleep.”

OPINION | September 28

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In defense of DUO Mobile authentication

In defense of DUO Mobile authentication

Christopher Lidard

“While somewhat annoying, the presence of DUO Mobile does considerably more good than harm by protecting all of our personal information and the University network at large.”

“While somewhat annoying, the presence of DUO Mobile does considerably more good than harm by protecting all of our personal information and the University network at large.”

OPINION | September 28

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How Princeton can better support students in job and internship searches

How Princeton can better support students in job and internship searches

Kelsey Ji

“At first I thought that I was the only one who missed these deadlines, but after speaking with more alumni and learning about their recruitment timelines, I discovered that I am far from the only student at the University who was caught off guard by the application timeline.”

“At first I thought that I was the only one who missed these deadlines, but after speaking with more alumni and learning about their recruitment timelines, I discovered that I am far from the only student at the University who was caught off guard by the application timeline.”

OPINION | September 21

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Secluded campuses can allow for connection with local communities

Secluded campuses can allow for connection with local communities

Mohan Setty-Charity

“Moving to a shared campus and living among others undergoing the same experience is comforting and is a source of peer support during a time of extreme change.”

“Moving to a shared campus and living among others undergoing the same experience is comforting and is a source of peer support during a time of extreme change.” 

OPINION | September 20

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The missing piece to the free speech puzzle

The missing piece to the free speech puzzle

Abigail Rabieh

“It is a mistake for free speech advocates to solely explain campus controversies in relation to truth-seeking.”

“It is a mistake for free speech advocates to solely explain campus controversies in relation to truth-seeking.”

OPINION | September 19

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Smart students study STEM: Unpacking the myths of Princeton’s academic hierarchy

Smart students study STEM: Unpacking the myths of Princeton’s academic hierarchy

Genrietta Churbanova

“It is precisely the weedout culture so widespread in STEM coupled with the intense workload of STEM courses that make many of us perceive STEM as at the top of the academic hierarchy. Because, in all honesty, what social sciences and humanities courses are asking of students is incredibly challenging.”

“It is precisely the weedout culture so widespread in STEM coupled with the intense workload of STEM courses that make many of us perceive STEM as at the top of the academic hierarchy. Because, in all honesty, what social sciences and humanities courses are asking of students is incredibly challenging.”

OPINION | September 15

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Restructuring late meal’s pricing

Restructuring late meal’s pricing

Christofer Robles

“The current structure is entirely dependent on the whims of inflation, costs, and gouging. Students on meal plans pay for meals, not discounted entrées.”

“The current structure is entirely dependent on the whims of inflation, costs, and gouging. Students on meal plans pay for meals, not discounted entrées.”

OPINION | September 13

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So we’re still pretending tuition is necessary?

So we’re still pretending tuition is necessary?

Rohit Narayanan

“Increasing aid is not enough — Princeton needs to take steps to drastically reduce its sticker price, if not eliminate tuition altogether.”

“Increasing aid is not enough — Princeton needs to take steps to drastically reduce its sticker price, if not eliminate tuition altogether.”

OPINION | September 8

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