Guest Contributions

How much is Princeton’s contract with Exxon worth? Why does it matter?

“We must be aware of potential conflicts of interest at the University not only so that Princeton can produce good research, but so it can make conflict-free decisions about its own investments. For Princeton, it is much easier to quietly accept money than to deal with public scrutiny over its choice of research partners.”  

“We must be aware of potential conflicts of interest at the University not only so that Princeton can produce good research, but so it can make conflict-free decisions about its own investments. For Princeton, it is much easier to quietly accept money than to deal with public scrutiny over its choice of research partners.”  

The many lives of Afong Moy

“Giving life to Afong Moy these past few months has brought me so much healing, as well as a deeper understanding of the legacy and strength of the Asian women who have come before me.”

“Giving life to Afong Moy these past few months has brought me so much healing, as well as a deeper understanding of the legacy and strength of the Asian women who have come before me.”

How college recruits can drive social change at companies

“As students, we must be vigilant to do our own research to ensure that we only work for companies that share our values. The recruitment process is based on a symbiotic relationship between employers and those who need jobs. The common perception is that the power tilts in favor of recruiters due to the competitive job market, but if students and recent graduates come together to demand more of big corporations, we have the power to affect change.”

“As students, we must be vigilant to do our own research to ensure that we only work for companies that share our values. The recruitment process is based on a symbiotic relationship between employers and those who need jobs. The common perception is that the power tilts in favor of recruiters due to the competitive job market, but if students and recent graduates come together to demand more of big corporations, we have the power to affect change.” 

Classics, Postcritique

“Rather than demolition work, or nostalgic homecoming, I sometimes think of classics as a form of homemaking which, as any feminist knows, entails homework.”

“Rather than demolition work, or nostalgic homecoming, I sometimes think of classics as a form of homemaking which, as any feminist knows, entails homework.”

Policing is the problem, body cameras are not the answer

“What we need to do now is imagine alternatives to policing and criminal surveillance in our society and our community, to actually address harm productively and empathetically, not spend tens of thousands of dollars on shiny new equipment that has proven to be ineffective in holding police accountable when it counts.”

“What we need to do now is imagine alternatives to policing and criminal surveillance in our society and our community, to actually address harm productively and empathetically, not spend tens of thousands of dollars on shiny new equipment that has proven to be ineffective in holding police accountable when it counts.”

Earth Day, No Delay

“We cannot sit by while Princeton launders the reputations of Earth’s greatest foes, cheapening its own good name in the process. Princeton cannot ‘change these companies from within.’ We don’t have time to cling to such faint hopes.”

“We cannot sit by while Princeton launders the reputations of Earth’s greatest foes, cheapening its own good name in the process. Princeton cannot ‘change these companies from within.’ We don’t have time to cling to such faint hopes.” 

Why I will not vote in the Young Alumni Trustee election

“Most importantly, let them have a platform, a chance to speak on the actual issues that they will be facing on the Board. After one of the most politically tumultuous years in recent history, their opinions are key in bringing about institutional change.”

“Most importantly, let them have a platform, a chance to speak on the actual issues that they will be facing on the Board. After one of the most politically tumultuous years in recent history, their opinions are key in bringing about institutional change.” 

Why revoking Ted Cruz’s James Madison Award isn’t anti-conservative

“To revoke his JMA for his role in all of this is not anti-conservative, it is for us to say that this sort of conduct is unacceptable for any politician of any party. It is to affirm the principles which bind this nation together.”

“To revoke his JMA for his role in all of this is not anti-conservative, it is for us to say that this sort of conduct is unacceptable for any politician of any party. It is to affirm the principles which bind this nation together.”

Ted Cruz ’92 no longer deserves his James Madison Award. But that doesn’t mean he should be stripped of it.

“There is a cautionary tale to be told in the Senator’s JMA, but it is not about those who conferred it. Instead, it is vital that we remember that Cruz legitimately won the JMA not so long before he launched an existential assault on our democracy.”

“There is a cautionary tale to be told in the Senator’s JMA, but it is not about those who conferred it. Instead, it is vital that we remember that Cruz legitimately won the JMA not so long before he launched an existential assault on our democracy.”

Statement from AASA condemning recent attacks on Asian Americans

We, the Princeton University Asian American Students Association Executive Board, condemn the recent immoral, repulsive, and devastating attacks on Asian Americans, and we urge our fellow Princetonians to carefully consider how our words and actions impact not just APIDA but all marginalized communities, especially amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Princeton’s continued silence on Katz is indicative of lack of care for students

“It is important to note that the situation with Professor Katz is not an isolated incident. The University has a history of failing to protect students when it comes to issues of sexual misconduct.”

“It is important to note that the situation with Professor Katz is not an isolated incident. The University has a history of failing to protect students when it comes to issues of sexual misconduct.”

The question nobody asks: Where does our trash go?

Reflecting on the amount of waste produced on campus since the start of the semester, Guest Contributor Chioma Ugwonali '24 recommends changes in the University's trash disposable and recycling efforts and calls on students to be conscious consumers.

Reflecting on the amount of waste produced on campus since the start of the semester, Guest Contributor Chioma Ugwonali '24 recommends changes in the University's trash disposable and recycling efforts and calls on students to be conscious consumers.

It’s time to get better masks for Princeton students, staff, and community members

Over the past year, the University has proven that it has the resources and logistical skills to operate like a small country during the pandemic. It’s time for campus officials to once again follow the lead of other successful nations and procure better masks for our community.

Over the past year, the University has proven that it has the resources and logistical skills to operate like a small country during the pandemic. It’s time for campus officials to once again follow the lead of other successful nations and procure better masks for our community.

PART III | Power and Money at Princeton: Princeton’s Donors Fund Climate Denial

Princeton’s climate history is one of cognitive dissonance. The University has simultaneously affiliated itself with climate action and climate denial.

Princeton’s climate history is one of cognitive dissonance. The University has simultaneously affiliated itself with climate action and climate denial.

Political culture has become foreign to American democratic traditions

The problem now is a political culture that seems, more than ever, foreign to American democratic traditions. 

 The problem now is a political culture that seems, more than ever, foreign to American democratic traditions.  

PART II | Power and Money at Princeton: What do you get for a donation to Princeton?

As we strive to understand systems of power at Princeton and beyond, it is crucial to know how the University is funded and the power of big donors at Princeton — whether explicitly stated or implicitly understood. As they pour millions into the University, we should encourage greater scrutiny of what they may get in return — better reputations, greater consideration in important university decisions, seats on the Board. 

As we strive to understand systems of power at Princeton and beyond, it is crucial to know how the University is funded and the power of big donors at Princeton — whether explicitly stated or implicitly understood. As they pour millions into the University, we should encourage greater scrutiny of what they may get in return — better reputations, greater consideration in important university decisions, seats on the Board. 

PART I | Power and Money At Princeton: Where is our ‘Princeton Forward’?

The opaqueness of the Trustee nomination process and absence of a petition option highlight the undemocratic and nontransparent nature of Princeton’s Board of Trustees.

The opaqueness of the Trustee nomination process and absence of a petition option highlight the undemocratic and nontransparent nature of Princeton’s Board of Trustees.

Cannon alum: Cancel Bicker

An alum and former Cannon member recounts their experience in Bicker discussions, citing data and notes from those discussions to demonstrate their view that Bicker is an unjust process in need of substantial reform. 

An alum and former Cannon member recounts their experience in Bicker discussions, citing data and notes from those discussions to demonstrate their view that Bicker is an unjust process in need of substantial reform. 

We should have a voice in the University’s COVID response

“Let us be clear. We do not oppose the return of the students. What we want is an end to the unilateral manner in which the University makes decisions on matters concerning the entire community,” guest contributor Marc Schorin writes on behalf of the Princeton Anti-Austerity Coalition.

“Let us be clear. We do not oppose the return of the students. What we want is an end to the unilateral manner in which the University makes decisions on matters concerning the entire community,” guest contributor Marc Schorin writes on behalf of the Princeton Anti-Austerity Coalition.

Why Whig-Clio should strip Ted Cruz ’92 of the James Madison Award

As we have seen, verbal condemnation alone has lost practically all effectiveness in keeping politicians accountable. We must back our words with actions, otherwise we give a free pass to those in power. While I applaud Whig-Clio for condemning the protests and Cruz’s actions, this is insufficient. I assert that Whig-Clio must withdraw the James Madison Award as well.

As we have seen, verbal condemnation alone has lost practically all effectiveness in keeping politicians accountable. We must back our words with actions, otherwise we give a free pass to those in power. While I applaud Whig-Clio for condemning the protests and Cruz’s actions, this is insufficient. I assert that Whig-Clio must withdraw the James Madison Award as well.