Guest Contributions

Progressive groups: Princeton needs class-based affirmative action

Progressive groups: Princeton needs class-based affirmative action

Nate Howard and Lake Liao

“Princeton should use its influence to promote an admissions process that utilizes class-based affirmative action more thoroughly, while continuing to lower financial barriers for applicants and students.”

“Princeton should use its influence to promote an admissions process that utilizes class-based affirmative action more thoroughly, while continuing to lower financial barriers for applicants and students.”

OPINION | July 5

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A spike in housing costs has made Princeton’s summer internships inaccessible to low-income students

A spike in housing costs has made Princeton’s summer internships inaccessible to low-income students

Odette Perrusquia

“Even if internships near campus are not the only option, they should not be significantly less accessible — especially since the ties and networks that can be fostered through these opportunities can only strengthen the Princeton experience. The privilege of serving Princeton’s local communities should not be one that is reserved for students of greater financial means or who live locally.”

“Even if internships near campus are not the only option, they should not be significantly less accessible — especially since the ties and networks that can be fostered through these opportunities can only strengthen the Princeton experience. The privilege of serving Princeton’s local communities should not be one that is reserved for students of greater financial means or who live locally.”

OPINION | June 28

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To better serve Princeton students, Firestone Library should expand its hours

To better serve Princeton students, Firestone Library should expand its hours

Danielle Shapiro

“For many students, a bright, clean, and beautiful space to do work is important to their academic success and mental health. Princeton ought to reconsider Firestone’s hours for this coming fall.”

“For many students, a bright, clean, and beautiful space to do work is important to their academic success and mental health. Princeton ought to reconsider Firestone’s hours for this coming fall.”

OPINION | May 31

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What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program

What you need to know about Princeton’s James Madison Program

Rooya Rahin and Dylan Shapiro

“While the Madison Program represents itself as a non-partisan center on campus to engage with ‘American constitutional law and Western political thought’ as Princeton’s center for ‘American Ideals,‘ the Madison Program in fact exists to further conservative viewpoints on campus.”

“While the Madison Program represents itself as a non-partisan center on campus to engage with ‘American constitutional law and Western political thought’ as Princeton’s center for ‘American Ideals,’ the Madison Program in fact exists to further conservative viewpoints on campus.”

OPINION | May 18

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A love letter to Princeton

A love letter to Princeton

Joan Coloma and Antun Knez

“We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

“We know that using words to describe the indescribable will not suffice to capture the full magnitude of the emotions experienced here and how grateful we feel, but we hope this brief piece stands as our most sincere declaration of love to Princeton.”

OPINION | May 18

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Four years after we demanded change, survivors are still being failed by the University

Four years after we demanded change, survivors are still being failed by the University

Tori Gorton

“Yet, PIXR’s planned efforts are not enough to address the shortcomings of the University’s treatment of survivors or the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct on campus, both of which require an institutional response to fully support the Princeton community. The University has had four years to take decisive action on the sexual misconduct crisis that PIXR brought to their attention in 2019 – and that other students have highlighted to them repeatedly since.”

“Yet, PIXR’s planned efforts are not enough to address the shortcomings of the University’s treatment of survivors or the pervasiveness of sexual misconduct on campus, both of which require an institutional response to fully support the Princeton community. The University has had four years to take decisive action on the sexual misconduct crisis that PIXR brought to their attention in 2019 – and that other students have highlighted to them repeatedly since.”

OPINION | May 11

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It’s not enough to combat racism at Princeton. We need a center to address it beyond.

It’s not enough to combat racism at Princeton. We need a center to address it beyond.

Guest Contributors

“While its peer institutions have taken substantive action to establish centers to address systemic and structural racism, Princeton lags behind.”

“While its peer institutions have taken substantive action to establish centers to address systemic and structural racism, Princeton lags behind.”

OPINION | May 4

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A union will help graduate students achieve their goals

A union will help graduate students achieve their goals

Ilyana Kuziemko and Paul Frymer

“While graduate students may not seem like the stereotypical union worker, they in fact face unique vulnerabilities that collective bargaining can help address.”

“While graduate students may not seem like the stereotypical union worker, they in fact face unique vulnerabilities that collective bargaining can help address.”

OPINION | May 4

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We started PGSU in 2016. Now, it’s time to unionize.

We started PGSU in 2016. Now, it’s time to unionize.

Jamie Pelling and Sarah Reibstein

“We are now on the cusp of an election, and we’re the closest we have ever been. The NLRB under the Biden administration reaffirmed our rights as workers to unionize, ending years of uncertainty. Grad worker unionization campaigns resurged across the country. PGSU held an open vote and chose to affiliate with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), an independent union known for embracing rank-and-file democracy which has recently held successful union elections with graduate workers at MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern... The new generation of PGSU-ers, so well-versed in digital organizing and Zoom meetings, turned out in person with carefully crafted handmade signs. The union movement is making waves on campus once again, with a stronger coalition than ever before.”

 “We are now on the cusp of an election, and we’re the closest we have ever been. The NLRB under the Biden administration reaffirmed our rights as workers to unionize, ending years of uncertainty. Grad worker unionization campaigns resurged across the country. PGSU held an open vote and chose to affiliate with the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (UE), an independent union known for embracing rank-and-file democracy which has recently held successful union elections with graduate workers at MIT, UChicago, Johns Hopkins, and Northwestern... The new generation of PGSU-ers, so well-versed in digital organizing and Zoom meetings, turned out in person with carefully crafted handmade signs. The union movement is making waves on campus once again, with a stronger coalition than ever before.” 

OPINION | May 2

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By restricting strikes, Princeton silences workers' free speech

By restricting strikes, Princeton silences workers' free speech

Lucía Armengol and Bryce Springfield

“Without the ability to strike, SEIU Local 175 is significantly disempowered in their contract negotiations with the University.”

“Without the ability to strike, SEIU Local 175 is significantly disempowered in their contract negotiations with the University.”

OPINION | April 27

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The invisible and ignored struggles of Princeton’s service workers

The invisible and ignored struggles of Princeton’s service workers

David Beeson and Abdul-Bassit Fijabi

“Princeton’s pay stagnation shows a blatant disregard for the deplorable conditions that their essential workers live in — conditions that are in direct contrast to Princeton’s status as the wealthiest per-capita university in the US.”

“Princeton’s pay stagnation shows a blatant disregard for the deplorable conditions that their essential workers live in — conditions that are in direct contrast to Princeton’s status as the wealthiest per-capita university in the US.”

OPINION | April 27

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From trauma to truth: why Princeton must recognize the Armenian Genocide

From trauma to truth: why Princeton must recognize the Armenian Genocide

Katya Hovnanian-Alexanian

Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not just a moral imperative but also an intellectual one. We can only learn from history and build a better future by acknowledging the truth ... I strongly urge the NES Department and Princeton University to take action and create a safe environment where intellectual honesty — rather than denialist conspiracy — is upheld.

Recognizing the Armenian Genocide is not just a moral imperative but also an intellectual one. We can only learn from history and build a better future by acknowledging the truth ... I strongly urge the NES Department and Princeton University to take action and create a safe environment where intellectual honesty — rather than denialist conspiracy — is upheld.

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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USG Mental Health chair: Princeton’s mental health system must change

USG Mental Health chair: Princeton’s mental health system must change

Noah Luch

“Princeton must commit to a serious effort toward reforming its wellness system. In my mind, the most substantive change can only come from a formal committee within the administrative body dedicated to reforming Princeton’s overarching culture around mental health.”

“Princeton must commit to a serious effort toward reforming its wellness system. In my mind, the most substantive change can only come from a formal committee within the administrative body dedicated to reforming Princeton’s overarching culture around mental health.”

OPINION | 04/27/2023

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The collapse of compact theory should mean statehood for Puerto Rico

The collapse of compact theory should mean statehood for Puerto Rico

Ignacio Arias

“Statehood is not the panacea to all of the island’s woes, but it will best equip Puerto Ricans to promote their interests and fully participate in national affairs. Statehood alone would redeem the full value of the precious grant of American citizenship and thus secure the blessings of liberty for three million Americans.”

“Statehood is not the panacea to all of the island’s woes, but it will best equip Puerto Ricans to promote their interests and fully participate in national affairs. Statehood alone would redeem the full value of the precious grant of American citizenship and thus secure the blessings of liberty for three million Americans.”

OPINION | 04/26/2023

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Appropriation is not representation

Appropriation is not representation

Peter Christian

“Apparently without knowledge — or in willful ignorance — of these critiques, the speakers at the event glorified Dvořák, Gershwin, and Ives, with “Black classical music” added as an apparent afterthought, perhaps an attention-grabbing headline to maximize attendance.”

“Apparently without knowledge — or in willful ignorance — of these critiques, the speakers at the event glorified Dvořák, Gershwin, and Ives, with “Black classical music” added as an apparent afterthought, perhaps an attention-grabbing headline to maximize attendance.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Eldar Shafir and Uri Hasson

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

OPINION | 04/25/2023

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Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Guest Contributors

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

OPINION | 04/24/2023

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The case for raising student activity fees

The case for raising student activity fees

Walker Penfield

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

OPINION | 04/23/2023

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SPEAR: We should advocate for campus safety beyond surveillance and policing

SPEAR: We should advocate for campus safety beyond surveillance and policing

Guest Contributors

While cameras are apparently neutral pieces of technology, they often demonstrate systematic biases. We also know that policing and police systems disproportionately impact people of color. Princeton is not immune to these challenges either.

While cameras are apparently neutral pieces of technology, they often demonstrate systematic biases. We also know that policing and police systems disproportionately impact people of color. Princeton is not immune to these challenges either. 

OPINION | 04/09/2023

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Class of ’27: choose scholarship, not dogmatism

Class of ’27: choose scholarship, not dogmatism

Matthew Wilson and Myles McKnight

“After all, ‘social justice activism’ can only be righteous if the causes championed and policies advanced are founded in moral and empirical truths about the human good. Faithfulness to truth and obedience to the habits of mind necessary for its discovery are the only things separating ideologues from people with a genuine yearning for human progress and development.”

“After all, “social justice activism” can only be righteous if the causes championed and policies advanced are founded in moral and empirical truths about the human good. Faithfulness to truth and obedience to the habits of mind necessary for its discovery are the only things separating ideologues from people with a genuine yearning for human progress and development.”

OPINION | 04/04/2023

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