Features

Disabled students at Princeton and the ongoing fight for a more inclusive campus

Disabled students at Princeton and the ongoing fight for a more inclusive campus

Naomi Hess

More Princetonians have disabilities than might be outwardly visible. Having a disability impacts every part of Princeton, from academics to residential life to social life. Several students talked to The Daily Princetonian about their experiences as disabled students on a campus that wasn’t designed with their unique needs in mind.

More Princetonians have disabilities than might be outwardly visible. Having a disability impacts every part of Princeton, from academics to residential life to social life. Several students talked to The Daily Princetonian about their experiences as disabled students on a campus that wasn’t designed with their unique needs in mind.

FEATURES | 06/07/2022

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From Kenya to Panama: EEB concentrators take independent research to new heights in new terrains

From Kenya to Panama: EEB concentrators take independent research to new heights in new terrains

Maddie Lausted

This article is the second installment in a series that explores one of Princeton’s most distinct academic traditions: the requirement of junior and senior independent work for nearly all undergraduate students. As thousands of students conduct and present unique research every year, these Features articles shed light on the inspiration, the outcomes, and everything in between.

This article is the second installment in a series that explores one of Princeton’s most distinct academic traditions: the requirement of junior and senior independent work for nearly all undergraduate students. As thousands of students conduct and present unique research every year, these Features articles shed light on the inspiration, the outcomes, and everything in between.

FEATURES | 05/12/2022

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In a Manhattan nightclub, Griffin Maxwell Brooks comes alive

In a Manhattan nightclub, Griffin Maxwell Brooks comes alive

Sam Kagan

Griffin Maxwell Brooks is a paradox. Unapologetically queer and expressive, their larger than life wardrobe and personality stand out among the clean-cut khaki of Princeton, N.J. All the same, balancing a rocket scientist’s course rigor with the demands of a Division I sport are hardly the norm in New York City’s queer nightlife scene. 

Griffin Maxwell Brooks is a paradox. Unapologetically queer and expressive, their larger than life wardrobe and personality stand out among the clean-cut khaki of Princeton, N.J. All the same, balancing a rocket scientist’s course rigor with the demands of a Division I sport are hardly the norm in New York City’s queer nightlife scene. For Brooks, life itself is a contradiction in terms, a never-ending balancing act of remarkably disparate identities.

FEATURES | 04/22/2022

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Josh Babu ’22 researches the effects of gender-affirming care on transgender youth’s long-term health

Josh Babu ’22 researches the effects of gender-affirming care on transgender youth’s long-term health

Sejal Goud

In the first installment of “Inside Independent Work,” The Daily Princetonian dives into Josh Babu’s research at the intersection of gender and sexuality studies and molecular biology. He studies how gender-affirming healthcare can affect the long-term health of transgender youth. 

In the first installment of “Inside Independent Work,” The Daily Princetonian dives into Josh Babu’s research at the intersection of gender and sexuality studies and molecular biology. He studies how gender-affirming healthcare can affect the long-term health of transgender youth.

FEATURES | 04/19/2022

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With candles, choreography, and colorful strip lights, a student-led spin class gets a community active

With candles, choreography, and colorful strip lights, a student-led spin class gets a community active

Izzy Jacobson

In a Dillon Gym studio, Caroline Kirby ’23 leads fully-booked spin classes each week. Designed to welcome Princeton students of all ability levels, Kirby’s popular classes have formed community on campus for those interested in staying active. “I love [spinning] because it gives me a space to let out any stress I have, just through a really fun 45 minute class,” Kirby said.

In a Dillon Gym studio, Caroline Kirby ’23 leads fully-booked spin classes each week. Designed to welcome Princeton students of all ability levels, Kirby’s popular classes have formed community on campus for those interested in staying active. “I love [spinning] because it gives me a space to let out any stress I have, just through a really fun 45 minute class,” Kirby said.

FEATURES | 03/31/2022

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A mysterious email, a scalpel, and a Princeton professor: The search for extinct wolves

A mysterious email, a scalpel, and a Princeton professor: The search for extinct wolves

Paige Cromley

Bridgette vonHoldt, a Princeton researcher specializing in canids, received a mysterious email from a curious citizen in Texas. The results of her analysis revealed the genetic material of an extinct wolf species maintained in a population of coyotes in Texas. Her continued exploration of these strange hybrid canines may hold the key to reviving the extinct wolf species in the future.

Bridgette vonHoldt, a Princeton researcher specializing in canids, received a mysterious email from a curious citizen in Texas. The results of her analysis revealed the genetic material of an extinct wolf species maintained in a population of coyotes in Texas. Her continued exploration of these strange hybrid canines may hold the key to reviving the extinct wolf species in the future.

FEATURES | 03/29/2022

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‘First on Film’: Student-curated exhibit reflects on ‘the long journey’ of racial integration and inclusion at Princeton

‘First on Film’: Student-curated exhibit reflects on ‘the long journey’ of racial integration and inclusion at Princeton

Molly Taylor

Drawing from documentary photographer Sol Libsohn’s collection, a small group of undergraduate curators designed a photo exhibit, which is now on display in Wilcox Hall of First College. Titled “First on Film: Creating Spaces for Racial Reckoning on Campus, 1960s and Now,” the curators looked to connect the legacy of PSSP — and First College, where it was based — to racial inclusion and student activism today. 

Drawing from documentary photographer Sol Libsohn’s collection, a small group of undergraduate curators designed a photo exhibit, which is now on display in Wilcox Hall of First College. Titled “First on Film: Creating Spaces for Racial Reckoning on Campus, 1960s and Now,” the curators looked to connect the legacy of PSSP — and First College, where it was based — to racial inclusion and student activism today. 

FEATURES | 03/22/2022

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‘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 | 03/15/2022

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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 | 03/01/2022

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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 | 02/24/2022

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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 | 02/23/2022

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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 | 02/15/2022

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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 | 02/08/2022

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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 | 02/01/2022

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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 | 01/25/2022

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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 | 12/23/2021

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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 | 12/23/2021

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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 | 12/23/2021

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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 | 12/16/2021

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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 | 12/09/2021

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