Columns

Elite universities are not the great equalizers of society

Elite universities are not the great equalizers of society

Abigail Rabieh

“As Emma Green proposed in her 2020 interview with President Eisgruber ’83, ‘an investment in the elite few is ultimately a less robust vision of justice.’ But this does not make Princeton’s existence, nor its goal of using education to achieve new intellectual and humane heights, unimportant or unattainable.”

“As Emma Green proposed in her 2020 interview with President Eisgruber ’83, ‘an investment in the elite few is ultimately a less robust vision of justice.’ But this does not make Princeton’s existence, nor its goal of using education to achieve new intellectual and humane heights, unimportant or unattainable.”

OPINION | July 26

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Class-based affirmative action is not as forward thinking as Princeton’s progressives promise

Class-based affirmative action is not as forward thinking as Princeton’s progressives promise

Christofer Robles

“Though noble in its cause, class-based affirmative action is an insufficient means of achieving racial diversity. It will not be effective in maintaining racial diversity on campus. And further, it cannot take American racism writ large seriously.”

“Though noble in its cause, class-based affirmative action is an insufficient means of achieving racial diversity. It will not be effective in maintaining racial diversity on campus. And further, it cannot take American racism writ large seriously.”

OPINION | July 13

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Colorblind meritocracy is untenable in a country that never cared about equality

Colorblind meritocracy is untenable in a country that never cared about equality

Gisele Bisch

“Equality and meritocracy cannot thrive in a country where such things were never the priority in the first place. A lack of affirmative action will only exacerbate this issue.”

“Equality and meritocracy cannot thrive in a country where such things were never the priority in the first place. A lack of affirmative action will only exacerbate this issue.”

OPINION | June 29

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Affirmative action has failed to create the diversity universities need

Affirmative action has failed to create the diversity universities need

Matthew Wilson

“Limiting what counts to the racial boxes an applicant checks off, as race-based affirmative action does, comes with serious pitfalls for pursuing the vision of diversity that universities owe their students. And the unique experiences that can accompany a student’s racial identity forms just one part of the diversity equation.”

“Limiting what counts to the racial boxes an applicant checks off, as race-based affirmative action does, comes with serious pitfalls for pursuing the vision of diversity that universities owe their students. And the unique experiences that can accompany a student’s racial identity forms just one part of the diversity equation.”

OPINION | June 29

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The Committee on Discipline needs reforms

The Committee on Discipline needs reforms

Mohan Setty-Charity and Alex Norbrook

“But its structure is flawed throughout: some involved with the COD have raised concerns around the committee’s impartiality and its structure, and accused students suffer a process which doesn’t adequately accommodate their wellbeing.” 

“But its structure is flawed throughout: some involved with the COD have raised concerns around the committee’s impartiality and its structure, and accused students suffer a process which doesn’t adequately accommodate their wellbeing.”

OPINION | May 31

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On Eisgruber's commencement sermon

On Eisgruber's commencement sermon

Matthew Wilson

“His ideologically-tainted polemics debasing the real value of free speech must cease, particularly in situations in which he (implicitly or explicitly) represents the University.”

“His ideologically-tainted polemics debasing the real value of free speech must cease, particularly in situations in which he (implicitly or explicitly) represents the University.”

OPINION | May 31

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Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Minors have a purpose. Don't let administrative obstacles get in the way.

Aly Rashid

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

The purpose of introducing new minors to complement the already existing certificate programs should be to increase formal recognition for students who prefer pursuing in-depth study in one department rather than taking a multi-disciplinary approach.

OPINION | May 31

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Lesbian and sapphic communities on campus: in need of revival

Lesbian and sapphic communities on campus: in need of revival

Lucia Wetherill

“In the two years since I passed through FitzRandolph Gate, I’ve found a kind, caring, and inclusive queer community. Yet I’ve never felt a real sense of lesbian or sapphic community on campus. This is not because of a lack lesbian or sapphic women on campus; I’ve made a number of lesbian and sapphic friends. That these beautiful and essential sapphic friendships do, in fact, exist, makes the absence of a community all the more noteworthy and painful.”

“In the two years since I passed through FitzRandolph Gate, I’ve found a kind, caring, and inclusive queer community. Yet I’ve never felt a real sense of lesbian or sapphic community on campus. This is not because of a lack lesbian or sapphic women on campus; I’ve made a number of lesbian and sapphic friends. That these beautiful and essential sapphic friendships do, in fact, exist, makes the absence of a community all the more noteworthy and painful.” 

OPINION | May 25

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How do I have it all? Women, careers, and Princeton’s blind spot

How do I have it all? Women, careers, and Princeton’s blind spot

Abigail Rabieh

“While Princeton often begs us to think about the future, there are not enough offerings to realistically support women in this endeavor.”

“While Princeton often begs us to think about the future, there are not enough offerings to realistically support women in this endeavor.” 

OPINION | May 25

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Caring for friends like Maura Coursey requires better harm reduction for drug use

Caring for friends like Maura Coursey requires better harm reduction for drug use

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

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

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

OPINION | May 18

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Princeton's competitive culture is far too pervasive

Princeton's competitive culture is far too pervasive

Thomas Buckley

“The idea that a club can grow and become popular only by turning prospective members away is inherently toxic to fostering a positive and uplifting community. That this bet works implies that prospective members are largely motivated by the feeling that they beat someone out for their spot – that there can be no victory without an opponent to be vanquished.”

“The idea that a club can grow and become popular only by turning prospective members away is inherently toxic to fostering a positive and uplifting community. That this bet works implies that prospective members are largely motivated by the feeling that they beat someone out for their spot – that there can be no victory without an opponent to be vanquished.”

OPINION | 05/11/2023

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Ramadan reflections year two: improvements from last year, but still work to be done

Ramadan reflections year two: improvements from last year, but still work to be done

Ndeye Thioubou

In spite of noteworthy enhancements to the Princeton Ramadan experience, there still needs to be yearlong improvements made to the halal meat options at Princeton, as well as increased academic accommodations for students during both Ramadan and the holiday that follows it, Eid al-Fitr.

In spite of noteworthy enhancements to the Princeton Ramadan experience, there still needs to be yearlong improvements made to the halal meat options at Princeton, as well as increased academic accommodations for students during both Ramadan and the holiday that follows it, Eid al-Fitr.

OPINION | 05/07/2023

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Princeton should allow students to take five years

Princeton should allow students to take five years

Prince Takano

The University of Rochester’s “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to take additional courses in a five-year time period to help students find the time to pursue an academic interest that is unrelated to their declared major. Some Princeton students would benefit from a similar program, and the University should make this an option for the student body. 

The University of Rochester’s “Take Five Scholars” program allows students to take additional courses in a five-year time period to help students find the time to pursue an academic interest that is unrelated to their declared major. Some Princeton students would benefit from a similar program, and the University should make this an option for the student body. 

OPINION | 04/30/2023

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We should all be ashamed of what the Senior Survey shows

We should all be ashamed of what the Senior Survey shows

Matthew Wilson

“The University is failing at its most important task: to form its students in the noble tradition of truth-seeking, dispassionate scholarship, liberal inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

“If, as the Senior Survey’s data suggests, Princeton is fostering an environment that facilitates the mere training of ideologues and excludes those with unpopular opinions from full participation in campus discourse, then the University is failing at its most important task: to form its students in the noble tradition of truth-seeking, dispassionate scholarship, liberal inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake.”

OPINION | 04/30/2023

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Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

Until we can trust the University on mental health, we can’t solve the problem

Maria Luisa Vieira Parada

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

“Princeton must become a space where students feel empowered to take advantage of support. Accessible and comprehensive mental health care can only be developed alongside a student body that trusts its administration. Only then can Princeton make a lasting change in the lives of students struggling in silence.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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It’s time for Princeton to contextualize students’ GPAs

It’s time for Princeton to contextualize students’ GPAs

Henry Hsiao

“Adopting contextual grading through class medians ... will prove an excellent first step towards demystifying the student GPA and grading process at Princeton.”

“Adopting contextual grading through class medians ... will prove an excellent first step towards demystifying the student GPA and grading process at Princeton.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Alex Norbrook

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

OPINION | 04/21/2023

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Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Anais Mobarak

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

OPINION | 04/19/2023

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When we celebrate athletics, it will bring us together

When we celebrate athletics, it will bring us together

Julianna Lee

“Rooting for Princeton basketball is not just about liking basketball: It’s about celebrating Princeton. There is a reason why athletics are at the center of campus life at so many universities: They are a way for the entire school to come together around shared experiences.”

“Rooting for Princeton basketball is not just about liking basketball: It’s about celebrating Princeton. There is a reason why athletics are at the center of campus life at so many universities: They are a way for the entire school to come together around shared experiences.”

OPINION | 04/19/2023

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Make area studies cool again

Make area studies cool again

Vincent Jiang

“[Princeton] must now be proactive and lead the way in rebuilding area studies as a core discipline of social science. While it’s tempting to place the entirety of that burden on the administration, the best way to accomplish this would be for students and the University to meet halfway.”

“[Princeton] must now be proactive and lead the way in rebuilding area studies as a core discipline of social science. While it’s tempting to place the entirety of that burden on the administration, the best way to accomplish this would be for students and the University to meet halfway.”

OPINION | 04/18/2023

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