Guest Contributions

Postdoc: Our salaries at Princeton are not enough

Postdoc: Our salaries at Princeton are not enough

Anonymous

“The postdoctoral community in Princeton University is severely underpaid and is often overlooked by the administration. This needs to change.”

“The postdoctoral community in Princeton University is severely underpaid and is often overlooked by the administration. This needs to change.”

OPINION | 04/17/2022

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Abstaining from common sense: the antidemocratic push to void the Caterpillar referendum

Abstaining from common sense: the antidemocratic push to void the Caterpillar referendum

Braden Flax and Willow Dalehite

“To be perfectly clear, an abstention is by definition not a vote. A majority is defined as over 50 percent of votes.”

“To be perfectly clear, an abstention is by definition not a vote. A majority is defined as over 50 percent of votes.”

OPINION | 04/17/2022

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Hobson College is not a milestone for inclusion if its namesake tears down vulnerable workers at Starbucks

Hobson College is not a milestone for inclusion if its namesake tears down vulnerable workers at Starbucks

Christopher Lugo

“Contrary to official claims, naming our new residential college after Hobson does not address the University’s racist legacy — rather, it obscures the manner in which Hobson and the Starbucks Corporation are perpetuating patterns of racialized exploitation in this country.”

“Contrary to official claims, naming our new residential college after Hobson does not address the University’s racist legacy — rather, it obscures the manner in which Hobson and the Starbucks Corporation are perpetuating patterns of racialized exploitation in this country.” 

OPINION | 04/13/2022

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The Caterpillar referendum overlooks important realities

The Caterpillar referendum overlooks important realities

Jacob Katz

“Boycotting Caterpillar would harm the Palestinian Tractor & Equipment Company — a designated Caterpillar distributor — which describes itself as “a leading participant in Palestine’s economic and industrial development.” This should strike us as confusing: the referendum simultaneously condemns the demolition of Palestinian homes and tacitly proposes a boycott of a flagship Palestinian construction company. Its narrow aim leads it to hurt the very people it aims to help.”

“Boycotting Caterpillar would harm the Palestinian Tractor & Equipment Company – a designated Caterpillar distributor – which describes itself as “a leading participant in Palestine’s economic and industrial development.” This should strike us as confusing: the referendum simultaneously condemns the demolition of Palestinian homes and tacitly proposes a boycott of a flagship Palestinian construction company. Its narrow aim leads it to hurt the very people it aims to help.”

OPINION | 04/11/2022

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USG U-Councilor: Mental health and DEI referenda deserve the spotlight, too

USG U-Councilor: Mental health and DEI referenda deserve the spotlight, too

Stephen Daniels

“These referenda should be understood as indicating a new level of seriousness on the issues of mental health resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion on the part of the Senate.”

“these referenda should be understood as indicating a new level of seriousness on the issues of mental health resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion on the part of the Senate.”

OPINION | 04/10/2022

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Caterpillar referendum supporters avoid a debate they know they can’t win

Caterpillar referendum supporters avoid a debate they know they can’t win

Reid Zlotky

“If this referendum were truly about supporting Palestinians and ensuring justice and peace, it would focus on tangible solutions to help the Palestinian people rather than virtue signaling through BDS-affiliated proposals.”

“If this referendum were truly about supporting Palestinians and ensuring justice and peace, it would focus on tangible solutions to help the Palestinian people rather than virtue signaling through BDS-affiliated proposals.” 

OPINION | 04/07/2022

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As the Alliance of Jewish Progressives, we support dissociation from Caterpillar

As the Alliance of Jewish Progressives, we support dissociation from Caterpillar

Chaya Holch and Zora Arum

“Our support for this referendum is motivated by our solidarity with Palestinians and our desire to encourage the University to discontinue its relationships with Caterpillar which makes us complicit in racist, settler-colonial violence.”

“Our support for this referendum is motivated by our solidarity with Palestinians and our desire to encourage the University to discontinue its relationships with Caterpillar which makes us complicit in racist, settler-colonial violence.” 

OPINION | 04/07/2022

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Why Princeton is no longer promoting its admission rate

Why Princeton is no longer promoting its admission rate

Karen Richardson

“There has been much discussion recently about the University’s decision to step back from promoting statistics about admitted students, including a Reactions column this week. As Dean of Admission, I want to provide additional information and context.”

“There has been much discussion recently about the University’s decision to step back from promoting statistics about admitted students, including a Reactions column this week. As Dean of Admission, I want to provide additional information and context.”

OPINION | 04/07/2022

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Why I’m campaigning for Princeton to stop using Caterpillar construction machinery

Why I’m campaigning for Princeton to stop using Caterpillar construction machinery

Eric Periman

“Princeton must send a message that companies like these have no place in our campus community.”

“Princeton must send a message that companies like these have no place in our campus community.”

OPINION | 04/05/2022

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Caterpillar Referendum peddles the hate and bigotry of the global BDS movement

Caterpillar Referendum peddles the hate and bigotry of the global BDS movement

Jared Stone and Orli Epstein

“Instead of supporting a resolution that is rooted within a bigoted global movement, we ought to cultivate a Princeton campus where all students can safely cherish their identities and express their sentiments; where we collectively engage in a discourse free of hostility and intimidation; and where we sustain a positive environment for ourselves and future generations of Princeton students.”

“Instead of supporting a resolution that is rooted within a bigoted global movement, we ought to cultivate a Princeton campus where all students can safely cherish their identities and express their sentiments; where we collectively engage in a discourse free of hostility and intimidation; and where we sustain a positive environment for ourselves and future generations of Princeton students.” 

OPINION | 04/04/2022

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Princeton in the service of fossil fuels

Princeton in the service of fossil fuels

Nate Howard

“At the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting on March 21, we were finally told how much of Princeton’s endowment is invested in fossil fuel companies. 1.7 billion dollars. Billion. 4.5 percent of the entire endowment.”

“At the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting on March 21, we were finally told how much of Princeton’s endowment is invested in fossil fuel companies. 1.7 billion dollars. Billion. 4.5 percent of the entire endowment.”

OPINION | 03/30/2022

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Leonard Milberg ’53: When Princeton blocks exhibits of Jewish art with Confederate artists, it erases history

Leonard Milberg ’53: When Princeton blocks exhibits of Jewish art with Confederate artists, it erases history

Leonard Milberg

“One of the reasons I sponsor American Jewish exhibits is as an attempt to bring to light the fact that Jews were, and continue to be, part of the fabric of American life.”

“One of the reasons I sponsor American Jewish exhibits is as an attempt to bring to light the fact that Jews were, and continue to be, part of the fabric of American life.”

OPINION | 03/27/2022

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Why won’t Princeton administrators lift the mask mandate?

Why won’t Princeton administrators lift the mask mandate?

Tom Salotti

“After the short-lived travel ban was rescinded following ridicule in the national media, the University can redeem itself by following the science on masks and setting an example for the rest of the Ivy League and other universities.”

“After the short-lived travel ban was rescinded following ridicule in the national media, the University can redeem itself by following the science on masks and setting an example for the rest of the Ivy League and other universities.”

OPINION | 03/01/2022

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As Ukraine fights for its freedom, we must conquer our fear

As Ukraine fights for its freedom, we must conquer our fear

Iryna Vushko

“My only hope amidst all this is that one day the Russians will lose their fear, too; that the burden of responsibility for the killings of the innocent and the sufferings of the children will outweigh the fear of fighting for their freedom.”

“My only hope amidst all this is that one day the Russians will lose their fear, too; that the burden of responsibility for the killings of the innocent and the sufferings of the children will outweigh the fear of fighting for their freedom.”

OPINION | 02/27/2022

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Students who vote in Princeton should help defeat the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance

Students who vote in Princeton should help defeat the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance

John Kuhn Bleimaier

“Princeton student voters should encourage their elected representatives to vote against the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance which will be introduced before the town council on Feb. 28.”

“Princeton student voters should encourage their elected representatives to vote against the Special Improvement District (SID) ordinance which will be introduced before the town council on Feb. 28.”

OPINION | 02/16/2022

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A PAA's case for University-endorsed free time

A PAA's case for University-endorsed free time

Johnatan Reiss

“The work, my students would tell me, was not necessarily exceedingly hard — there was just too much of it. In one meeting, a student and I tried to create a schedule in which they would finish all their assignments. Even with minimal sleep and very few breaks, we calculated a week's worth of assignments would take a week and a half to complete.”

 “The work, my students would tell me, was not necessarily exceedingly hard — there was just too much of it. In one meeting, a student and I tried to create a schedule in which they would finish all their assignments. Even with minimal sleep and very few breaks, we calculated a week's worth of assignments would take a week and a half to complete.” 

OPINION | 02/13/2022

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The attack on Dr. Mousavian

The attack on Dr. Mousavian

Frank N. von Hippel

“UANI’s attack on Dr. Mousavian should be understood for what it is: a hatchet job against a political opponent.”

“UANI’s attack on Dr. Mousavian should be understood for what it is: a hatchet job against a political opponent.”

OPINION | 02/06/2022

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Why is Princeton harboring a man who condones threats against American diplomats?

Why is Princeton harboring a man who condones threats against American diplomats?

Gabriel Noronha and Morgan Ortagus

“Hook’s efforts on Wang’s behalf were heroic. Unfortunately, Princeton University continues to employ a scholar — Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian — who amplifies the Iranian regime’s death threats against Hook and his family.”

“Hook’s efforts on Wang’s behalf were heroic. Unfortunately, Princeton University continues to employ a scholar — Dr. Seyed Hossein Mousavian — who amplifies the Iranian regime’s death threats against Hook and his family.”

OPINION | 02/06/2022

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It’s not just about Wax and Shapiro ’99: We can’t stand idly by while academic freedom gets thrown under the bus

It’s not just about Wax and Shapiro ’99: We can’t stand idly by while academic freedom gets thrown under the bus

Matthew Wilson

“We must vigorously and consistently stand up for the freedoms, including the freedoms of those whose views we loathe, that help ensure our college education is just that — an education — rather than merely a four-year vacation in an ideological safe space.”

“We must vigorously and consistently stand up for the freedoms, including the freedoms of those whose views we loathe, that help ensure our college education is just that — an education — rather than merely a four-year vacation in an ideological safe space.”

OPINION | 02/03/2022

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Princeton failed me as a sexual assault survivor. University policy needs to change.

Princeton failed me as a sexual assault survivor. University policy needs to change.

Sadie (Anonymous Student)

For one anonymous student, “filing a report had been my desperate attempt at feeling safe on my own campus.” But the University never investigated her claim — because her alleged perpetrator had recently graduated.

For one anonymous student, “filing a report had been my desperate attempt at feeling safe on my own campus.” But the University never investigated her claim — because her alleged perpetrator had recently graduated.

OPINION | 01/26/2022

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