News

Putnam traces 'social capital'

Civic participation in America has declined in recent years as factors including increased commuting time and a rise in television viewing cause people to neglect social interactions, Harvard professor and bestselling author Robert Putnam told a crowd of more than 100 in Dodds Auditorium yesterday.Befitting someone who studies bowling league participation and dinner party attendance, Putnam was congenial and never stuffy as he paced around the front of the room and walked up and down aisles, his booming voice freeing him from needing a microphone.After a brief introduction by Wilson School professor and civil society scholar Stan Katz, Putnam ? the author of "Making Democracy Work" and the bestselling "Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community" ? defined social capital, his topic of study.

Thirsty? Swap that coffee for a fruit smoothie

Can I get a boost with that?Students may find themselves asking this question at a new smoothie shop opening on Nassau Street this summer.

Ex-governor's spouse releases memoir

Dina McGreevey, the ex-wife of former New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey, has come out swinging this week.With the Tuesday release of her book "Silent Partner: A Memoir of My Marriage," Dina has for the first time voiced anger about her ex-husband and her treatment by the media since his August 2004 revelation of an extramarital affair with state homeland security advisor Golan Cipel and subsequent declaration of homosexuality.The 2004 scandal sparked a firestorm of controversy, forcing the governor to resign amid nationwide debate over the appropriateness of his behavior and the relevance of his sexual orientation.

Pencils for poverty

Think fast

From left: Mary Cait Walthall '08, Jonathan Weed '09 and Tyler Allard '07 act in a skit for the improv comedy group Quipfire's spring show, which opens this Thursday in Theatre Intime.

Corzine admits violation, pays fine

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine ended a talk with state law enforcement officials yesterday with an unusual request, asking state police superintendent Rick Fuentes to write him a ticket for violating New Jersey's seat belt law on April 12.Corzine wrote a check for the $46 fine.

On Immigrant Day, Latino groups steer clear of issues

A year after illegal immigration legislation took center stage at Princeton and across the country, Latino students groups' participation in this year's National Day of Mobilization for Immigrant Workers was notably smaller in scale.As immigrants across the country joined forces yesterday, leading demonstrations to promote civil rights and more lenient immigration laws, on-campus activity was much more low-key.

Kean '57 to join Robertson board

Former New Jersey governor and 9/11 Commission chairman Tom Kean, Sr. '57 will join the board of trustees of the Robertson Foundation, the University announced yesterday."His government service and his international affairs experience will provide invaluable benefits to the foundation and ... I greatly look forward to his service on the board," President Tilghman said in a statement.Bill Robertson '72, the Foundation trustee and the Robertson heir who filed suit against the University in July 2002, praised Kean's appointment.

Unidentified thief hits six eating clubs

Members' wallets were stolen at six eating clubs Monday afternoon and credit cards from the stolen wallets were subsequently used to make purchases at nearby stores.Wallets were stolen from backpacks and handbags at Cap & Gown, Ivy, Quadrangle, Terrace, Tiger Inn and Tower at lunchtime on Monday.

University to introduce South Asian studies program

Following pressure from students to increase its course offerings focusing on South Asia, the University plans to add a certificate in South Asian studies to its curriculum as part of a broader push to expand its ethnic studies programs in previously underrepresented regions.The certificate program, which will fall under the auspices of the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies (PIIRS), is awaiting final approval by a faculty vote on May 14.

Spitzer '81 aims to legalize gay marriage

New York governor Eliot Spitzer '81 submitted legislation Friday that would effectively legalize same-sex marriage in his state.The legislation, if passed, would eliminate gender as a criterion in the legal definition of marriage and make the denial of a marriage license to same-sex couples illegal, opening the door for gay marriage.

Bounce with me

Building better bubbles

Princeton math professor Robert MacPherson and Yeshiva University dean and materials science professor David Srolovitz have constructed a formula for predicting the rate of change of the volume of bubbles over time, a formula with practical applications varying from metal processing to beer manufacturing.The two professors first met when Srolovitz was a mechanical and aerospace engineering professor at Princeton and MacPherson asked to sit in on his graduate course on materials science."He came to pretty much every class," Srolovitz said.

Corzine leaves hospital, takes up residence in Princeton

New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine left the hospital and arrived in Princeton this afternoon for an extended stay at Drumthwacket, his official residence.

Students recognized for 'spirit'

The Spirit of Princeton Award, which honors undergraduates who have positively contributed "to various facets of the University, including the arts, community service, student organizations, residential living, religious life and athletic endeavors," has been awarded to 10 students this year.A selection committee of students and administrators chose the winners from a pool of about 35 nominees.

Professors look for signs of depression

Creative writing is an avenue for imagination and self-expression. In light of Virginia Tech shooter Cho Seung-Hui's violent and dark fictional writings, however, his professors are facing accusations that they could have prevented the massacre by realizing that something was wrong with Cho.Now, creative writing professors on campuses nationwide are being challenged to be more active in looking for the warning signs of violence in student work.Over his years at Virginia Tech, Cho took several creative writing classes and authored works so gruesome that, in some cases, his fellow students refused to analyze them.

Campus Club to reopen as study space

Campus Club will reopen in September 2008 as a social venue and study space for members of the University community, administrators said at yesterday's Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting.Members of the planning committee ? Lauren Barnett '08, Kellam Conover GS, former USG president Alex Lenahan '07 and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Students Thomas Dunne ? said renovations making Campus wheelchair accessible will begin this summer.

Certificates boost career possibilities

Economics majors who earn finance certificates and head to Wall Street are a dime a dozen, much like molecular biology majors who go to medical school.

Residents rally against incidents of violence and racism in Princeton

A racially diverse crowd of at least 50 local residents marched through Princeton to protest racism and violence yesterday afternoon.The demonstrators, who carried signs reading "No racism, no violence, not in our town," marched from the Jewish Center on Nassau Street to the steps of Princeton Borough Hall, where they heard speeches from local political and religious leaders beneath the Princeton Battle Monument."The people who are here know that racism still exists, and racism exists in Princeton," said Linda Oppenheim, one of the rally's main organizers, in her introductory speech.Other speakers included Princeton Borough Mayor Mildred Trotman and the Rev.

ROTC bids fond farewell to Armory

With a five-minute ceremony Friday afternoon, nearly 80 years of history came to an end.The ceremony marked the closing of the Armory, Princeton ROTC's longtime home on Washington Road.