Columns

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.”

The danger of blanket statements

“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.”

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.”

“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.”

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

“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.”

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

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. 

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

“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.”