Features

‘Because of tradition’: Disagreements and changes within Princeton’s dance group hierarchy

‘Because of tradition’: Disagreements and changes within Princeton’s dance group hierarchy

Katherine Brubaker

Princeton’s student-led dance community boasts more than 15 ensembles, each with unique styles, traditions, and requirements. These groups are known for their professional caliber performances and near-professional time commitments. Student concerns about social hierarchy and elitism within the dance community prompted policy changes in the midst of the pandemic — specifically, the dissolution of a coalition known as G4. In the first in-person year since these changes, dance groups are still adjusting. 

Princeton’s student-led dance community boasts more than 15 ensembles, each with unique styles, traditions, and requirements. These groups are known for their professional caliber performances and near-professional time commitments. Student concerns about social hierarchy and elitism within the dance community prompted policy changes in the midst of the pandemic — specifically, the dissolution of a coalition known as G4. In the first in-person year since these changes, dance groups are still adjusting. 

FEATURES | March 15

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Princeton’s friendliest face: a Q&A with Mathey College’s ‘Ms. Heather’

Princeton’s friendliest face: a Q&A with Mathey College’s ‘Ms. Heather’

Sydney Eck

For nearly two decades, Heather Parker has been greeting students and swiping their prox cards as they enter the Roma dining hall. During that time she has had a significant impact on the daily life of undergraduate students. We sat down with several students and with Parker herself for a Q&A about “Ms. Heather.”

For nearly two decades, Heather Parker has been greeting students and swiping their prox cards as they enter the Roma dining hall. During that time she has had a significant impact on the daily life of undergraduate students. We sat down with several students and with Parker herself for a Q&A about “Ms. Heather.”

FEATURES | March 1

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A room in the back of a sweater store: Making space for commemorating Einstein in town

A room in the back of a sweater store: Making space for commemorating Einstein in town

Rachel Posner and Sejal Goud

Landau, a wool clothing business on Nassau Street, housed a single-room museum at the back of their store for Einstein from the 1990s until just two years ago. Now, more comprehensive efforts to commemorate the infamous physicist — for his work, but also his legacy as a beloved townsperson — are underway.

Landau, a wool clothing business on Nassau Street, housed a single-room museum at the back of their store for Einstein from the 1990s until just two years ago. Now, more comprehensive efforts to commemorate the infamous physicist — for his work, but also his legacy as a beloved townsperson — are underway.

FEATURES | February 24

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The truth behind Einstein ‘folklore’: Uncovering the origins of Jewish community on campus

The truth behind Einstein ‘folklore’: Uncovering the origins of Jewish community on campus

Alex Gjaja, Julie Levey, and Ellen Battaglia

Albert Einstein is widely believed to have played an integral role in the origins of Jewish student life at Princeton in the 1940s. However, a story of the failures of institutional knowledge — and of The Daily Princetonian itself — reveals a much older, more complex foundational history. Thanks to a Princeton senior thesis and the 107-year-old oldest living alum, the real beginnings of Jewish community on campus is coming to light and challenging the dominant narrative.

Albert Einstein is widely believed to have played an integral role in the origins of Jewish student life at Princeton in the 1940s. However, a story of the failures of institutional knowledge — and of The Daily Princetonian itself — reveals a much older, more complex foundational history. Thanks to a Princeton senior thesis and the 107-year-old oldest living alum, the real beginnings of Jewish community on campus is coming to light and challenging the dominant narrative.

FEATURES | February 23

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‘Worthy of taking up space’: Jennifer Lee ’23 founds nonprofit to support Asian Americans with disabilities

‘Worthy of taking up space’: Jennifer Lee ’23 founds nonprofit to support Asian Americans with disabilities

Naomi Hess

After Jennifer Lee ’23 was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, she found that her Asian American identity often wasn’t addressed or represented within peer support communities. In July 2021, along with a coalition of disabled Asian Americans and nondisabled allies from around the country, Lee founded the Asian Americans with Disabilities Initiative (AADI), a nonprofit run by and for people like her who identify as both Asian American and disabled.

After Jennifer Lee ’23 was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, she found that her Asian American identity often wasn’t addressed or represented within peer support communities. In July 2021, along with a coalition of disabled Asian Americans and nondisabled allies from around the country, Lee founded the Asian Americans with Disabilities Initiative (AADI), a nonprofit run by and for people like her who identify as both Asian American and disabled.

FEATURES | February 15

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Bridging the gap: Graduate student life in the Orange Bubble

Bridging the gap: Graduate student life in the Orange Bubble

Sydney Eck

With limited and often arbitrarily assigned residential spaces, meager options for socializing, and a narrow dating pool, some graduate students feel alienated from University life, while others have found pockets of community and exciting ways to engage.

With limited and often arbitrarily assigned residential spaces, meager options for socializing, and a narrow dating pool, some graduate students feel alienated from University life, while others have found pockets of community and exciting ways to engage.

FEATURES | February 8

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Princeton student musicians find opportunity and relief through original music

Princeton student musicians find opportunity and relief through original music

Paige Cromley and Reva Singh

Princeton student musicians write and record their own songs in communal studios or even dorm rooms, often debuting these songs on streaming platforms and at live venues on campus. Even among the challenges of Princeton, these students have made original music an integral part of their college experience. 

Princeton student musicians write and record their own songs in communal studios or even dorm rooms, often debuting these songs on streaming platforms and at live venues on campus. Even among the challenges of Princeton, these students have made original music an integral part of their college experience. 

FEATURES | February 1

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Inside the Princeton University Band… and their plastic Santa

Inside the Princeton University Band… and their plastic Santa

Julie Levey and Tori Tinsley

Adorned in flamboyant plaid orange and black suits, topped with their characteristic boaters, the Princeton University Band is not hard to spot on Princeton’s campus. At an Ivy League institution where student groups often have high barriers of entry and demand significant commitment from their members, the Band stands apart as an outlet for entertainment and comedic relief.

Adorned in flamboyant plaid orange and black suits, topped with their characteristic boaters, the Princeton University Band is not hard to spot on Princeton’s campus. At an Ivy League institution where student groups often have high barriers of entry and demand significant commitment from their members, the Band stands apart as an outlet for entertainment and comedic relief.

FEATURES | January 25

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Princeton lab’s research on elephant tusklessness brings public attention to human impact on evolution

Princeton lab’s research on elephant tusklessness brings public attention to human impact on evolution

Paige Cromley and Maddie Lausted

More elephants in Mozambique have no tusks as a result of a painful, 15-year civil war. An ocean and thousands of miles away, assistant EEB professor Shane Campbell-Staton and his team are looking at why and how this example of remarkably fast evolution came to be. Their studies have attracted media attention from newspapers to Trevor Noah, and display how closely human activity can be tied up in the process of evolution.

More elephants in Mozambique have no tusks as a result of a painful, 15-year civil war. An ocean and thousands of miles away, assistant EEB professor Shane Campbell-Staton and his team are looking at why and how this example of remarkably fast evolution came to be. Their studies have attracted media attention from newspapers and Trevor Noah, and display how closely human activity can be tied up in the process of evolution.

FEATURES | December 23

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‘The best four hours ever’: Princeton students compete in the 2021 New York City Marathon

‘The best four hours ever’: Princeton students compete in the 2021 New York City Marathon

Alex Gjaja and Tanvi Nibhanupudi

Ellen Su ’23, Delaney Callaghan ’23,  Ella Feiner ’22, and Sebastian Quiroga ’22 shared their experience running in the marathon with The Daily Princetonian. While the four students had very different running backgrounds, gained entry to the marathon in different ways, and dealt with different training setbacks, one thing they share are those few hours racing — and the months of training that went into them. 

Ellen Su ’23, Delaney Callaghan ’23,  Ella Feiner ’22, and Sebastian Quiroga ’22 shared their experience running in the marathon with The Daily Princetonian. While the four students had very different running backgrounds, gained entry to the marathon in different ways, and dealt with different training setbacks, one thing they share are those few hours racing — and the months of training that went into them. 

FEATURES | December 23

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Home for the holidays gone wrong: campus isolation over Thanksgiving break

Home for the holidays gone wrong: campus isolation over Thanksgiving break

Rachel Sturley and Tanvi Nibhanupudi

Right before Thanksgiving break, the semester’s largest surge in COVID-19 cases on campus sent an unprecedented number of students into isolation for the holiday. Instead of packing up to travel home, these students — often experiencing symptoms of the virus — threw sweatpants, blankets, and medicine into bags before relocating to their University-allocated rooms in 1967 Hall.

Right before Thanksgiving break, the semester’s largest surge in COVID-19 cases on campus sent an unprecedented number of students into isolation for the holiday. Instead of packing up to travel home, these students — often experiencing symptoms of the virus — threw sweatpants, blankets, and medicine into bags before relocating to their University-allocated rooms in 1967 Hall.

FEATURES | December 23

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‘They change the way you see the world around you’: Art museum tours illuminate campus sculptures

‘They change the way you see the world around you’: Art museum tours illuminate campus sculptures

Molly Taylor

“Sculptures build a sense of identity within a place,” Modern and Contemporary Art Curator Mitra Abbaspour said. “They interrupt your passage of space and change the way you see the world around you.”

“Sculptures build a sense of identity within a place,” Modern and Contemporary Art Curator Mitra Abbaspour said. “They interrupt your passage of space and change the way you see the world around you.”

FEATURES | December 16

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Pizza, bad movies, and Saturday Nights Sober: the Alcohol Initiative sponsors alcohol-free student-run events

Pizza, bad movies, and Saturday Nights Sober: the Alcohol Initiative sponsors alcohol-free student-run events

Joshua Yang

A program with over 20 years of history, the Alcohol Initiative has been steadfast in its goal of offering an alternative setting to party-centric weekend nights on campus. With a budget in the tens of thousands, according to Alcohol Initiative Senior Chair Sean Horton ’22, the Initiative supports many clubs and organizations on campus, from Coffee Club and the Outdoor Action rock climbing wall to the Cheese and Bad Movies club. 

A program with over 20 years of history, the Alcohol Initiative has been steadfast in its goal of offering an alternative setting to party-centric weekend nights on campus. With a budget in the tens of thousands, according to Alcohol Initiative Senior Chair Sean Horton ’22, the Initiative supports many clubs and organizations on campus, from Coffee Club and the Outdoor Action rock climbing wall to the Cheese and Bad Movies club. 

FEATURES | December 9

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‘On everyone's mind’: Imposter syndrome at Princeton

‘On everyone's mind’: Imposter syndrome at Princeton

Mei Geller

Imposter syndrome is defined by the American Psychological Association as “the situation in which highly accomplished, successful individuals paradoxically believe they are frauds.” Financial disparities, racial differences, language barriers — all of these factors can contribute to feelings of imposter syndrome on a college campus. The Daily Princetonian sat down with students and faculty to learn more about their experiences with the syndrome and how they cope with it. 

Imposter syndrome is defined by the American Psychological Association as “the situation in which highly accomplished, successful individuals paradoxically believe they are frauds.” Financial disparities, racial differences, language barriers — all of these factors can contribute to feelings of imposter syndrome on a college campus. The Daily Princetonian sat down with students and faculty to learn more about their experiences with the syndrome and how they cope with it. 

FEATURES | December 9

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From performance to non-profit: Camryn Stafford ’23 and the Turning Tables Project

From performance to non-profit: Camryn Stafford ’23 and the Turning Tables Project

Elise Hogan

In her sophomore year of high school, Camryn Stafford ‘23 had the idea for the Turning Tables project as a way to address the racial inequities she observed in the dance world. What started as a one-off dance show has since grown into a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization working to increase visibility and resources for dancers of color. 

In her sophomore year of high school, Camryn Stafford ‘23 had the idea for the Turning Tables project as a way to address the racial inequities she observed in the dance world. What started as a one-off dance show has since grown into a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization working to increase visibility and resources for dancers of color. 

FEATURES | December 7

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With warm popcorn and James Bond, a Princeton institution reopens after pandemic closure

With warm popcorn and James Bond, a Princeton institution reopens after pandemic closure

Isabel Kingston

“Today, the Garden Theatre is known as a community gem, a town cultural hub, and an oasis for the weary Princeton student. The theatre has kept its doors open for the past century thanks to the resolve of community members who kept it afloat through various ups and downs — most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

“Today, the Garden Theatre is known as a community gem, a town cultural hub, and an oasis for the weary Princeton student. The theatre has kept its doors open for the past century thanks to the resolve of community members who kept it afloat through various ups and downs — most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.”

FEATURES | December 5

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In Democratic underperformance, Zwicker shines bright

In Democratic underperformance, Zwicker shines bright

Sam Kagan

“Republicans picked up 15 new state legislative seats this year across New Jersey and Virginia. Democrats? Just one. Senator-elect Andrew Zwicker, the head of Communications and Public Outreach at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.”

“Republicans picked up 15 new state legislative seats this year across New Jersey and Virginia. Democrats? Just one. Senator-elect Andrew Zwicker, the head of Communications and Public Outreach at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.” 

FEATURES | December 5

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‘Every good night ends at Wawa’: New Jersey chain battles to keep late-night student cravings at bay

‘Every good night ends at Wawa’: New Jersey chain battles to keep late-night student cravings at bay

Adam Sanders

For many Princeton students, Wawa is more than just the location of a late-night snack run. It’s a staple of the Princeton night-life — a place to go after a night out on the Street or in Firestone library. As the ongoing pandemic causes other late-night campus dining options to shutter their doors, Wawa alone offers satiation to midnight hunger pangs.

For many Princeton students, Wawa is more than just the location of a late-night snack run. It’s a staple of the Princeton night-life — a place to go after a night out on the Street or in Firestone library. As the ongoing pandemic causes other late-night campus dining options to shutter their doors, Wawa alone offers satiation to midnight hunger pangs.

FEATURES | 12/01/2021

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The Paul Robeson House: A community rallies around restoration, memory, and history

The Paul Robeson House: A community rallies around restoration, memory, and history

Ellen Battaglia

“Before it was officially denoted the Paul Robeson House, the property at the corner of Witherspoon and Green Street was everything from a grocery store to private residence to rooming house. Notably, it was the home where Paul Robeson, famed athlete, artist, performer, and activist, was born. While the House’s purpose has evolved over the past two centuries, each new version has stood as a source of refuge, amity, and culture for Princeton’s African American community. Today, the House is undergoing a new change as members of the very area it serves rally together to preserve its history and mission.”

“Before it was officially denoted the Paul Robeson House, the property at the corner of Witherspoon and Green Street was everything from a grocery store to private residence to rooming house. Notably, it was the home where Paul Robeson, famed athlete, artist, performer, and activist, was born. While the House’s purpose has evolved over the past two centuries, each new version has stood as a source of refuge, amity, and culture for Princeton’s African American community. Today, the House is undergoing a new change as members of the very area it serves rally together to preserve its history and mission.” 

FEATURES | 11/30/2021

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To listen, to learn: lessons from interfaith dialogue within Office of Religious Life

To listen, to learn: lessons from interfaith dialogue within Office of Religious Life

Sejal Goud

The University’s Religious Life Council (RLC) hosted an event they dubbed “Speed Faithing,” a play on speed dating that aimed to foster interfaith community building. Students were encouraged to be as silly or profound as they wished in answering questions like, “What is your definition of love?” This event is part of the RLC’s larger initiative to foster interpersonal understanding on campus.

The University’s Religious Life Council (RLC) hosted an event they dubbed “Speed Faithing,” a play on speed dating that aimed to foster interfaith community building. Students were encouraged to be as silly or profound as they wished in answering questions like, “What is your definition of love?” This event is part of the RLC’s larger initiative to foster interpersonal understanding on campus.

FEATURES | 11/17/2021

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