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Endowment investments show growth

Endowment investments show growth

The Princeton University Investment Company (PRINCO), which is responsible for managing the University's multi-billion dollar endowment, estimates an investment return of 16.5 percent in the last fiscal year, said PRINCO president Andrew Golden."Our return this year is above average from what we expect to generate year after year," Golden said.

NEWS | 09/14/2004

Next stop Mars: Professor to develop rocket prototype

In the basement of the energy wing of the Engineering Quad, past a long, white tunnel, down two flights of stairs and through a set of double doors, is a postcard with the message, "Greetings from Mars."The postcard hangs on the wall of a lab ? the Electric Propulsion and Plasma Dynamics Lab (EPPDyL) ? in which research is conducted that may help put a man on Mars.

NEWS | 09/13/2004

Departure of minority staff called a 'problem'

At least 10 professional staff members who are racial minorities have left the University in recent months, prompting the administration to identify a "problem" in its effort to retain a diverse workforce, administration officials said.Princeton does not track individual employees by race, making it difficult to know the details of hiring and departure decisions.But interviews with current and former University employees familiar with the departures indicate that a large shuffling of minority staff ? black, Asian and Hispanic ? has occurred.While up to 16 minority professionals might have left, one current employee noted that at least 15 other minority staffers have been hired ? but some in less senior jobs than those who left.The most notable departures include: Joann Mitchell, formerly vice provost for administration; Thema Bryant-Davis, former director of the sexual harassment and assault resources office; Sasa Montano, Pace Center for Community Service director; and Fleurette King, coordinator of Dialogue@Princeton, a diversity initiative.Others who have left Princeton include Kevin Ghorm '99 and Renee Dickson, two members of the development office; Karen Richardson, an admission officer; and Brenda Joyce, Hue-Sue Ahn and Ralph Piper, three counselors from the Counseling Center."I think there is a problem, and I don't know what the problem is," acknowledged Associate Provost for Institutional Equity Terri Harris Reed, explaining that it is unclear why Princeton is failing to retain some of its minority professionals.Current and former employees described the University's "culture" as not consistently supporting the thriving of minority professionals."I do feel it's a problem that so many staff of color are leaving.

NEWS | 09/13/2004

From burgers to beer: College diet may cause 'Freshman 15'

Lauren Hedinger '07 walked away from freshman year with great friends, fun memories and, unfortunately, a few unwanted pounds.

NEWS | 09/13/2004

Grad school fellowships debated

Several professors raised concerns about fellowship policies discussed in a recent memo sent to all faculty members by Dean of the Graduate School William Russel at Monday's faculty meeting in Nassau Hall.The University has routinely granted one-year extensions to five-year fellowships for graduate students in the humanities and social sciences who chose to study abroad for a year, professor Brigid Doherty of the German department said.However, in a memo sent to all faculty members at the beginning of the month, Russel said the University would no longer grant extensions to the fellowships except in "extreme" circumstances.Several professors said the change in practice would have a negative impact.

NEWS | 09/13/2004

Proctor Blotter

Injury/Illness Sept. 1 ? 3:26 p.m. ? Wallace HallRP, a Princeton University staff member, reported a visitor with a foot injury at Wallace Hall.

NEWS | 09/13/2004

New services add to file sharing

Despite filing 4,000 lawsuits against peer-to-peer file sharers during the past year ? and working to increase the popularity of legitimate online music distribution systems ? the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) may still have a long way to go in its battle against online piracy."I think the RIAA lawsuits have certainly greatly increased awareness of the possibility of crackdowns," said Andrew Uzzell, a freshman at Yale University.

NEWS | 09/12/2004

Professors fund liberal candidates

More than 90 percent of donations from University employees this election cycle have gone to liberal causes, as Princeton joins peer institutions in reinforcing the image of a left-leaning ivory tower.After effectively clinching the Democratic nomination on Super Tuesday, Sen.

NEWS | 09/12/2004

Robertson family seeks to amend complaint

The plaintiffs in the Robertson Foundation suit will go before a judge on Sept. 24 to request to amend their complaint with significantly more damaging claims.Building on their argument that the University has tried to seize control of the foundation's assets for projects not authorized by the foundation's charter, the Robertson family now claims the University has inappropriately spent more than $100 million of the gift.On June 16, the Robertson family members filed a request to amend their lawsuit against the University.

NEWS | 09/12/2004

NLRB rules against teaching assistants

In a case involving teaching assistants (TAs) at Brown University, the National Labor Relations Board recently ruled that graduate students do not have the right to unionize.

NEWS | 09/12/2004

McGreevey's resignation may open door for state Republicans

When New Jersey Gov. James Mc-Greevey decided to remain in office until Nov. 15 after admitting to a homosexual affair with a former employee, members of the state Democratic Party thought they could at least hold onto the governorship.But some critics claim McGreevey's choice to remain in office past the Sept.

NEWS | 09/12/2004

Images from Lawnparties 2004

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NEWS | 09/12/2004

Healthy Eating Lab replaces Beverage Lab in campus center

University students who once had to trek down Nassau Street to find fresh sushi have a new option closer to home.Frist's former Beverage Lab, the perennially empty food lounge which sold milkshakes, frozen yogurt and smoothies, has been replaced with a new Healthy Eating Lab that features more wholesome cuisine.The Healthy Eating Lab will initially offer sushi, grilled chicken, exotic salads, healthy beverages and omega-enhanced "health breads." It also provides menus showing the caloric content of its dishes, pointing out the 212-calorie difference between a Lab-grilled salmon roll and a Big Mac.The new facility is the brainchild of the University's Task Force on Health and Well-Being, initiated by President Tilghman in 2003 to evaluate University health issues and programs.The task force's April 2004 progress report called Frist's Beverage Lab an "underutilized resource" and recommended it be turned into an eatery featuring healthy foods as well as cooking classes and demonstrations.The task force also suggested the site be used to test new recipes for use throughout the PUDS system.Rob Harbison, the University's executive chef for dining services, oversees the Healthy Eating Lab.

NEWS | 09/12/2004

Engineering school embarks on plan to raise national profile

With a new longterm strategic plan in place, the University's engineering school could move from peer to rival of dedicated tech schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Caltech within the decade.The School of Engineering and Applied Science has taken the first steps in achieving a new standard of excellence with an initiative titled "Engineering for a Better World."The plan, announced during Reunions, provides a framework to make the engineering school one of the most elite programs in the country, said the school's assistant dean of development, Jane Maggard.The initiative is based on information obtained through 11 workshops held over the past year with alumni, faculty, students, adminstrators and leaders of industry and other academic institutions.Though in its formative stages, the project is focusing on fundraising and strategic moves that will be low-cost and high-impact, Maggard said."We need to show momentum, even in these planning phases," she added.Maria Klawe, dean of the engineering school, explained that each department is creating a strategic plan to be finalized by Oct.

NEWS | 09/09/2004

Century-old FitzRandolph Gate undergoes its first restoration

FitzRandolph Gate, the historic main entrance to campus, is undergoing its first restoration since its construction in 1905.

NEWS | 09/09/2004

Bloomberg gift funds ellipse dorm

One of the largest anonymous donations received by the University in the past 50 years comes from the family of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg for the new ellipse dormitory, the University confirmed this week.The gift ? the amount of which remains undisclosed ? will partially pay for the $36 million dormitory on the southwest corner of campus.Until now, the Bloomberg gift remained a secret.

NEWS | 09/09/2004

Sprinkler installation complete in dormitories

This fall ? for the first time ? all occupied University dorms have sprinklers. A four-year old law enacted in response to a Seton Hall University dorm fire had prompted the University to accelerate the installation.The most recent installations occurred during spring and summer in 1903, 1901, Henry, Laughlin, and Lockhart halls.Passed on July 5, 2000, the state law was a response to the Jan.

NEWS | 09/09/2004

New sculpture garden provides Borough contemplative 'mecca'

Not far from Nassau Street, a vacant lot on Paul Robeson Place has been transformed over the summer into a "Writer's Block" ? a garden of sculptures created by teams of local writers, architects and builders.A project conceived of and implemented by a team of full-time volunteers from the Princeton area, the garden has 11 "follies," or structures that serve an aesthetic, rather than a practical, purpose.Many of the writers are University professors.Project Coordinator Peter Soderman describes the enterprise as a matter of seizing opportunity.

NEWS | 09/09/2004

Baehr '05 to campaign for Borough Council seat

After spending the summer working for the Bush administration in Washington, D.C., Evan Baehr '05 returned to campus this year intent on winning a seat on Princeton's Borough Council by defining his candidacy not by his Republican politics, but by his association with the University."The Council is not voting on abortion or war . . . it is voting on local issues, ordinances and on [issues pertinent to] local citizens," said Baehr, who is president of the College Republicans and former editor-in-chief of the Princeton Tory."Council members should not be seen as Democratic or Republican, but as pro-student or pro-resident," he said.And along that ideological spectrum, Baehr sees himself as squarely pro-student, citing his goal of further transparency in Council proceedings and his strong opposition to the proposed alcohol ordinance, which which would allow police to cite underage drinkers on private property.To win one of the two available Council seats, Baehr will have to defeat either Andrew Koontz or Roger Martindell, both Democratic incumbents.

NEWS | 09/09/2004

U-Store unveils refashioned layout

Every student, freshman to senior, makes the semiannual trek to the University Store soon after he or she arrives on campus.

NEWS | 09/08/2004

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