News

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.

USG hosts discussion on health

Major student health issues including mental health and birth control were discussed last night at the USG Senate meeting, which hosted two representatives from University Health Services (UHS).University Chief Medical Officer Daniel Silverman and John Kolligian, director of mental health services, updated the USG about McCosh Health Center's services and recent initiatives.Commenting on the recent controversies over birth control, Silverman explained that the price hikes are the result of a change in national law and emphasized that the University did not have control over the decision.

Thousands celebrate town-gown connection

Thousands of community members and University students flooded Nassau and Witherspoon Streets for the annual Communiversity festival on Saturday.Jointly sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton and the University, the day-long affair featured over 160 artists, craftsmen, merchants and organizations.Attendees sampled international cuisine, listened to live music, viewed demonstrations, perused galleries and participated in arts and crafts activities.

MIT admissions dean resigns amid scandal

After admitting to falsifying her academic credentials, MIT Dean of Admissions Marilee Jones resigned yesterday."I misrepresented my academic degrees when I first applied to MIT 28 years ago and did not have the courage to correct my resume when I applied for my current job or at any time since," she said in a statement posted on MIT's website.Throughout her time at MIT, Jones was believed to have received degrees from Albany Medical College, Union College and Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), when in fact none of the three institutions had conferred a degree on her, MIT Chancellor Phillip Clay explained in a statement.An RPI official confirmed that Jones had been a part-time student at the Troy, N.Y., school during the 1974-75 academic year, though she did not officially matriculate.

Padilla '06 receives one-year visa

A year after his status as an illegal immigrant triggered broader debate about the nation's immigration policy, Class of 2006 salutatorian Dan-el Padilla-Peralta has found at least a temporary solution to the difficulties raised by his lack of United States citizenship.Padilla has obtained a part-time job assisting his former Princeton thesis adviser with project research, and with it an H-1B visa, which allows specially trained foreigners to work in the United States for up to six years.

The weather: Hot because it's fly

Mama, take this prox off me, I can't swipe it anymore. It's getting dark on Level C, And I'm knocking on Firestone's door..."? Bob Dylan, "Knockin' on Firestone's Door," 1972.Oh, my little Langoliers, slaving away at independent work during weather as nice as last weekend's is as absurd as Flava Flav not knowing what time it is, the soul-sucking equivalent of backing up over a severe tire-damage strip.