Columns

On loss, grief, and not being okay: The toxic ‘constant productivity’ mindset at Princeton

“When we tell others that ‘it’s okay to not be okay,‘ we must take care to understand that grief has no deadlines, no time limits, and no regard for productivity. We must challenge the toxic Princeton culture of ‘powering through’ pain, and instead learn to give ourselves a chance to heal from the pain which left us not okay in the first place.”

“When we tell others that ‘it’s okay to not be okay,‘ we must take care to understand that grief has no deadlines, no time limits, and no regard for productivity. We must challenge the toxic Princeton culture of ‘powering through’ pain, and instead learn to give ourselves a chance to heal from the pain which left us not okay in the first place.”

Princeton should stay test optional, for now

“There are valid arguments both for and against standardized tests, but given longstanding claims about promoting diversity and inclusion, continuing this test-optional experiment for another year will shed light on the best practices for the future.”

“There are valid arguments both for and against standardized tests, but given longstanding claims about promoting diversity and inclusion, continuing this test-optional experiment for another year will shed light on the best practices for the future.”

Someone doesn’t think you have time to read this

“The combination of institutional and peer pressure to view academic productivity as paramount harms us all, and has only intensified during the pandemic. But the reality is that we are more than our roles as students. We need time away from academics.”

“The combination of institutional and peer pressure to view academic productivity as paramount harms us all, and has only intensified during the pandemic. But the reality is that we are more than our roles as students. We need time away from academics.”

Against unnecessary applications

“As Princeton students, our instinct is to be active members of the community and participate in many activities ... Yet the number of applications, coupled with our rigorous schedules, dissuades us from participating (or exploring) as much as we want to.”

“As Princeton students, our instinct is to be active members of the community and participate in many activities ... Yet the number of applications, coupled with our rigorous schedules, dissuades us from participating (or exploring) as much as we want to.”  

Been here, now where: Making sense of November 2021

“My hope is that as we think about where to go from here, we take some of these important lessons from November with us — that way we can heal, prioritize our community well being, and radically create spaces where Black lives do, in fact, matter.”

“My hope is that as we think about where to go from here, we take some of these important lessons from November with us — that way we can heal, prioritize our community well being, and radically create spaces where Black lives do, in fact, matter.”

Let’s stop giving grades

“As one of the most prestigious universities in the country, we have an opportunity to revolutionize the way we assess learning, and demonstrate that Princeton students are highly capable simply by virtue of attending this school because they are, regardless of anything that grades could say about them.”

“As one of the most prestigious universities in the country, we have an opportunity to revolutionize the way we assess learning, and demonstrate that Princeton students are highly capable simply by virtue of attending this school because they are, regardless of anything that grades could say about them.”

The cost of COVID-19 isolation

“The new normal may not look like it looked in 2019, but it cannot include the perpetual isolation of the infected.”

Vote for Takeuchi, yes on midterm grading referendum

“The Daily Princetonian Editorial Board endorses Mayu Takeuchi ’23 for USG president and supports the one referendum on the ballot.”

“The Daily Princetonian Editorial Board endorses Mayu Takeuchi ’23 for USG president and supports the one referendum on the ballot.”

Moving up without losing your winter break: International students’ fight for home

“In the spirit of inclusiveness and understanding, the least we are owed by the administration is compassion and an active effort to provide more reasonable options.”

Princeton must implement further restrictions to mitigate COVID-19 spread

“To mitigate the spread of the virus, Princeton must take further action, including transitioning to entirely grab-and-go dining, making all finals take-home, and mandating the booster shot.” 

“To mitigate the spread of the virus, Princeton must take further action, including transitioning to entirely grab-and-go dining, making all finals take-home, and mandating the booster shot.” 

Gaslight, gatekeep: Creative writing at Princeton

“The Program in Creative Writing still requires applications for all of its classes, including introductory ones, and most of the literary publications on campus require applications as well. There is also this stark white reality, both figuratively and often demographically: creative writing at Princeton is pretentious and centered on ways of writing that descend from Western ‘high art’ traditions construed as objectively superior to all other forms.” 

“The Program in Creative Writing still requires applications for all of its classes, including introductory ones, and most of the literary publications on campus require applications as well. There is also this stark white reality, both figuratively and often demographically: creative writing at Princeton is pretentious and centered on ways of writing that descend from Western ‘high art’ traditions construed as objectively superior to all other forms.”  

Sorry, Witherspoon, you need to go

“Although statues preserve memory, they inherently glorify it as well. Memories can be preserved in so many ways; if shady statues of historical figures must exist for the sake of reflection, then they should be in museums rather than on an open campus.”

“Although statues preserve memory, they inherently glorify it as well. Memories can be preserved in so many ways; if shady statues of historical figures must exist for the sake of reflection, then they should be in museums rather than on an open campus.”

There is no asterisk, Tigers

“I’m here to tell you that Princeton’s 18–16 win over Harvard was completely legit, that the officials’ call was correct and appropriate under the NCAA’s rules, and that the bonfire on Cannon Green — and Princeton’s Ivy League Championship — was totally deserved.”

“I’m here to tell you that Princeton’s 18–16 win over Harvard was completely legit, that the officials’ call was correct and appropriate under the NCAA’s rules, and that the bonfire on Cannon Green — and Princeton’s Ivy League Championship — was totally deserved.”

Princeton needs more flexible enrollment for writing seminars

“All in all, the prominent negativity surrounding Writing Seminars is a dire issue — one that considerably impacts first-year students and a student’s relationship with writing. While there are many things to consider, creating an add/drop policy or making writing seminars more flexible should not be impossible.”

“All in all, the prominent negativity surrounding Writing Seminars is a dire issue — one that considerably impacts first-year students and a student’s relationship with writing. While there are many things to consider, creating an add/drop policy or making writing seminars more flexible should not be impossible.”

I have COVID-19. To keep cases down, Princeton needs to mandate boosters.

As case counts rise, the University should move quickly in requiring booster vaccinations and hosting a series of more accessible clinics before winter break.

As case counts rise, the University should move quickly in requiring booster vaccinations and hosting a series of more accessible clinics before winter break.

Reactions: The Honor Committee gauntlet

The ‘Prince’ recently released a detailed article tracing eight students who faced accusations of violating the Honor Code. We asked ‘Prince’ columnists and community members for their Reactions to these new revelations about the Honor Committee.

The ‘Prince’ recently released a detailed article tracing eight students who faced accusations of violating the Honor Code. We asked ‘Prince’ columnists and community members for their Reactions to these new revelations about the Honor Committee.

Princeton should change the prox system students use to enter their dorms

“Removing the prox part of entering one’s dorm does not mean we must sacrifice the extra security that it can bring. There are many other methods that the University can implement that function more effectively than the current system, while bringing the same level of security.”

“Removing the prox part of entering one’s dorm does not mean we must sacrifice the extra security that it can bring. There are many other methods that the University can implement that function more effectively than the current system, while bringing the same level of security.”

Make the decision to get rid of Early Decision

“ Restrictive EA is also the most realistic alternative for colleges to switch to, as many universities will still be concerned with their yield, or the percentage of students who choose to attend the university after being accepted. Harvard and Yale also offer EA; it’s time that the rest of the Ivy League — Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania — as well as other colleges, do the same.”

“Restrictive EA is also the most realistic alternative for colleges to switch to, as many universities will still be concerned with their yield, or the percentage of students who choose to attend the university after being accepted. Harvard and Yale also offer EA; it’s time that the rest of the Ivy League — Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania — as well as other colleges, do the same.”

We must shift the way we test understanding

“When possible, professors of exam-based courses should change their classes to focus on assessing critical thinking, as was the result of exams administered virtually.”

“When possible, professors of exam-based courses should change their classes to focus on assessing critical thinking, as was the result of exams administered virtually.”

Pushkin not Putin: Depoliticizing the Russian language

“As a Russian heritage speaker I firmly believe that the Russian language has value outside of its strategic positioning as the language of the enemy. Russian — just like every other language — is a language of love and dreams, thought and discovery, culture and art, family and friends. It is a language of living, not of fighting.”

“As a Russian heritage speaker I firmly believe that the Russian language has value outside of its strategic positioning as the language of the enemy. Russian — just like every other language — is a language of love and dreams, thought and discovery, culture and art, family and friends. It is a language of living, not of fighting.”