Investigations

At Princeton’s Mpala Research Center, researchers grapple with a colonial legacy

By interviewing 20 Mpala researchers, visitors, administrators, and staff on multiple occasions over six months, and conducting archival research from University, Kenyan, and historical sources, the ‘Prince’ sought to examine the dynamics of what researchers, professors, and historians, Kenyan and American alike, have called a colonial space. 

By interviewing 20 Mpala researchers, visitors, administrators, and staff on multiple occasions over six months, and conducting archival research from University, Kenyan, and historical sources, the ‘Prince’ sought to examine the dynamics of what researchers, professors, and historians, Kenyan and American alike, have called a colonial space. 

‘Our community has become a commodity’: How Princeton’s historically Black community is fading

A ‘Prince’ investigation found that after the 2010 revaluation, property taxes in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood increased by over $1,700 on average, nearly a 25 percent increase from the previous year.

A ‘Prince’ investigation found that after the 2010 reevaluation, property taxes in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood increased by over $1,700 on average, nearly a 25 percent increase from the previous year.

ORFE graduate students allege lack of departmental support

Students within the cohort cited a shortage of advisers, a lack of departmental support, and insufficient opportunities for pay that resulted from the over enrollment. The ‘Prince’ spoke to two current and two former students in the class about their experience in ORFE.

Students within the cohort cited a shortage of advisors, a lack of departmental support, and insufficient opportunities for pay that resulted from the overenrollment. The ‘Prince’ spoke to two current and two former students in the class about their experience in ORFE.

UHS reports high student satisfaction, but some students cite availability and quality issues

In a series of interviews with a dozen undergraduates, The Daily Princetonian found that some students express dissatisfaction with McCosh in two categories: ability to secure an appointment and the level of engagement that they received.

In a series of interviews with a dozen undergraduates, The Daily Princetonian found that some students express dissatisfaction with McCosh in two categories: ability to secure an appointment and the level of engagement that they received.

Choosing between a months-long investigation and informal resolution, sexual assault survivors face a dilemma

Since 2020 changes to University policy, sexual assault survivors at Princeton who pursue the formal Title IX process must go through a live hearing. Most students are instead choosing an alternate route  — a new informal process that can’t result in disciplinary action. The Daily Princetonian spoke with five students to understand the trade-offs and challenges that both paths present.

Since 2020 changes to University policy, sexual assault survivors at Princeton who pursue the formal Title IX process must go through a live hearing. Most students are instead choosing an alternate route  — a new informal process that can’t result in disciplinary action. The Daily Princetonian spoke with five students to understand the trade-offs and challenges that both paths present. 

3 Princeton DEI staff members resign, alleging lack of support

Three Princeton staff members who were hired to conduct work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion have resigned within the past 15 months and allege a lack of support from the University, an investigation by the ‘Prince’ has found.

Three Princeton staff members who were hired to conduct work related to diversity, equity, and inclusion have resigned within the past 15 months and allege a lack of support from the University, an investigation by the ‘Prince’ has found.

A ‘highly charged’ year for Princeton swim: How Lia Thomas’s participation sparked tension behind closed doors

The ‘Prince’ tells the story of a culture of tension and mistrust in the Princeton swim and dive community, charting several meetings on transgender participation in sports to reveal a complex landscape of deeply personal stakes for student athletes amid disagreements playing out on a national scale. 

The ‘Prince’ tells the story of a culture of tension and mistrust in the Princeton swim and dive community, charting several meetings on transgender participation in sports to reveal a complex landscape of deeply personal stakes for student athletes amid disagreements playing out on a national scale. 

Architecture professor fired last year blames ‘cancel culture’ as Princeton cites ‘neglect of duty’

On July 19, 2021, an eight-year saga came to a climax when Alejandro Zaera-Polo was terminated from the Princeton faculty. In the time since, the former dean of the School of Architecture has framed the story of his dismissal as a tale of “identity politics,” “academic authority,” and “codes of silence.” University administrators see it differently: The professor repeatedly failed to comply with policies, they say, and “damaged the educational interests” of students.

On July 19, 2021, an eight-year saga came to a climax when Alejandro Zaera-Polo was terminated from the Princeton faculty. In the time since, the former dean of the School of Architecture has framed the story of his dismissal as a tale of “identity politics,” “academic authority,” and “codes of silence.” University administrators see it differently: The professor repeatedly failed to comply with policies, they say, and “damaged the educational interests” of students.

Life after accusation: Inside Princeton's Honor Code

Every year, dozens of students come before the Honor Committee. In interviews with eight of the accused, we chronicle a story of spiraling mental health, institutionalized alienation, and renewed hopes for reform.

Every year, dozens of students come before the Honor Committee. In interviews with eight of the accused, we chronicle a story of spiraling mental health, institutionalized alienation, and renewed hopes for reform.

‘I don’t understand who they’re protecting here’: Princeton’s COVID-19 policy frustrated reporting of sexual misconduct allegations, say students

This past semester, one student’s experience shows how the University’s Social Contract, a series of coronavirus-related restrictions, hindered reporting of an alleged incident of sexual misconduct. While some peer institutions offered amnesty to victims, University policy did not offer such protections, despite warnings as early as summer 2020 from campus resources. This story illustrates the unintended — but not unanticipated — effects the policy had on students. “I just feel like the University did everything wrong,” one student told the ‘Prince.’

Alumni allege history of inappropriate conduct with female students by Princeton professor Joshua Katz

A ‘Prince’ investigation has uncovered allegations that Katz, a classics professor who spent more than two decades at the University, crossed professional boundaries with three of his female students.

A ‘Prince’ investigation has uncovered allegations that Katz, a classics professor who spent more than two decades at the University, crossed professional boundaries with three of his female students.

Princeton says it avoided COVID-19 furloughs and layoffs. For some contract workers, that isn’t the case.

According to those affected, around 50 Restaurant Associates contract workers have been furloughed since March, and at least five laid off. Feeling forgotten by the University, which has maintained pay and benefits for its direct employees, four furloughed workers shared their experiences with The Daily Princetonian.

According to those affected, around 50 Restaurant Associates contract workers have been furloughed since March, and at least five laid off. Feeling forgotten by the University, which has maintained pay and benefits for its direct employees, four furloughed workers shared their experiences with The Daily Princetonian.

As students recount discrimination abroad, Bridge Year examines racial equity

In a year of reckoning on issues of equity, especially regarding race, a vibrant conversation has taken root in the Bridge Year community on how the program experience differs for students of various identities. With the program’s director expecting to craft an “action plan” by the end of the year, several students shared their experiences of discrimination with the ‘Prince.’ 

In a year of reckoning on issues of equity, especially regarding race, a vibrant conversation has taken root in the Bridge Year community on how the program experience differs for students of various identities. With the program’s director expecting to craft an “action plan” by the end of the year, several students shared their experiences of discrimination with the ‘Prince.’ 

‘Committee, committee, committee’: After five years, Princeton’s approach to institutional reform hasn’t changed

On Sept. 2, President Eisgruber laid out how his administration would “combat systemic racism” — announcing plans that resemble the University’s response to the Black Justice League in 2015. With insight from the students, alumni, and stakeholders who sat on the previous iteration of committees, The Daily Princetonian unravels a convoluted story of college governance, layers upon layers of committees, and the difficulties that impede institutional change.

Princeton businesses received over $200M in PPP loans. Some are still struggling.

The U-Store, Tower Club, McCarter Theatre,  Princeton Theological Seminary, Small World Coffee, Labyrinth Books, Jammin’ Crepes, and the Princeton Record Exchange all received loans of over $150,000. Several small business owners told the ‘Prince’ that this lifeline, while helpful, wasn’t enough. 

Rep. Watson Coleman accuses primary challenger of ‘conspiracy to deceive’ public

The letter alleges that the McCormick campaign violated federal and state election law by creating “several fake websites, email accounts and virtual personas in an attempt to smear” Watson Coleman.

Math TA posted false solution online to catch students in violation of academic integrity

Through several obtained documents, the ‘Prince’ is aware of at least 21 students who were suspected of academic integrity violations in relation to an April MAT 202 problem set.

PRINCO claims it prioritizes diversity. Experts want proof.

Among the 260 individuals who earned over $1 million, only one was African American, one was Hispanic, and 30 were women, according to a source privy to recent information.

Told to self-isolate, they were four to a room

According to students who were asked to self-quarantine, they were communally isolated — in several cases up to four in a room in campus housing — with shared bathrooms and kitchens, which, in their view, defeat the very purpose of isolation. 

Who do WWS graduates serve?: Analyzing 75 years of alumni profiles

An analysis of alumni career data, available in the TigerNet Alumni Directory, shows that while the WWS sends more students into government jobs per capita than any other major, a WWS graduate student is nearly seven times more likely than an undergraduate to go into government.