News

U. ‘considering next steps’ as Trump administration defies court order, rejects DACA applications

U. ‘considering next steps’ as Trump administration defies court order, rejects DACA applications

Anne Wen

The Trump administration is rejecting new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, defying a federal court order. When asked if the University, which filed one of the first suits challenging DACA’s termination in 2017, plans to take action, a spokesperson said they are “evaluating the government’s latest action and considering next steps.”

NEWS | August 9

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U. yet to decide if ROTC students can live on campus ‘whole year’ as previously promised

U. yet to decide if ROTC students can live on campus ‘whole year’ as previously promised

Zachary Shevin

The University is “working to reach a decision as soon as possible” on whether ROTC students will be allowed on campus this fall, according to a spokesperson. 

NEWS | August 9

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U. settles retirement fund lawsuit for $5.8M

U. settles retirement fund lawsuit for $5.8M

Bharvi Chavre

University spokesperson Ben Chang maintained the institution’s previous stance, writing in a statement that “Princeton did not engage in any wrongdoing.”

NEWS | August 9

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First-years and juniors may not return to campus, as U. switches to entirely remote fall

First-years and juniors may not return to campus, as U. switches to entirely remote fall

Albert Jiang, Marie-Rose Sheinerman, and Zachary Shevin

The University will continue to accommodate students previously approved to return for senior thesis work, as well as those “whose situations make it extremely difficult or impossible for them to return to or study from home.”

NEWS | August 7

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Following student’s use of racial slur, U. email on free speech sparks debate

Following student’s use of racial slur, U. email on free speech sparks debate

Linh Nguyen and Omar Farah

Shortly after a white student’s use of the n-word on social media provoked intense backlash, administrators asserted that the University permits certain uses of offensive slurs.

NEWS | August 6

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University-affiliated group travel prohibited, personal travel ‘emphatically discouraged’ in the fall, says U.

University-affiliated group travel prohibited, personal travel ‘emphatically discouraged’ in the fall, says U.

Marie-Rose Sheinerman

Any University-affiliated group travel, including travel organized by student groups, is prohibited, the email explained. 

NEWS | August 6

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CPUC approves new sexual misconduct policies under revised federal Title IX regulations

CPUC approves new sexual misconduct policies under revised federal Title IX regulations

Zachary Shevin

During an Aug. 3 webinar open to the University community, the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) voted to approve a revised Title IX policy to comply with federal guidance — as well as a separate “University Sexual Misconduct Policy” addressing incidents outside of Title IX’s recently-narrowed scope. 

NEWS | August 3

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Frist and Firestone to open, anonymous reporting for social distancing violations, gatherings of no more than five. Here's what you missed.

Frist and Firestone to open, anonymous reporting for social distancing violations, gatherings of no more than five. Here's what you missed.

Anne Wen

Students not invited back on campus, including athletes, cannot access campus buildings or attend practices, and social distancing violations can be reported anonymously, according to VP Calhoun.

NEWS | August 2

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Dozens march through Princeton for socially distant Black Lives Matter protest

Dozens march through Princeton for socially distant Black Lives Matter protest

Marissa Michaels

Protestors gathered outside of the Princeton YMCA at 1:30 p.m. and began a socially-distanced march down Paul Robeson Place, then Tulane Street, Nassau Street, and eventually Witherspoon Street. The march culminated in a series of public speeches by the organizers at Hinds Plaza. 

NEWS | August 2

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As international students seek visas, U. announces ‘in-person components of the first-year program’

As international students seek visas, U. announces ‘in-person components of the first-year program’

Sandeep Mangat

The University expects to offer enough in-person options for first-year international students to comply with the ICE policy.

NEWS | August 1

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Q&A with activist and former N.J. Senate candidate Lawrence Hamm ’78

Q&A with activist and former N.J. Senate candidate Lawrence Hamm ’78

Marissa Michaels

“You know, we have to have grassroots movements that are not controlled by money power to in fact advocate for the needs of the people,” said Lawrence Hamm ’78.

NEWS | July 29

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Office of Sustainability solicits feedback on draft of Environmental Justice Framework

Office of Sustainability solicits feedback on draft of Environmental Justice Framework

Anne Wen

The framework acknowledges that the Office’s employees are “a primarily white staff in a predominately white field.” 

NEWS | July 29

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Katz defends ‘blunt words’ in op-ed, as Department of Classics removes condemnation from website

Katz defends ‘blunt words’ in op-ed, as Department of Classics removes condemnation from website

Marie-Rose Sheinerman

Katz wrote he was gratified that “Princeton’s leadership has done the right thing,” adding that he learned recently he is not under investigation by the University. 

NEWS | July 27

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U. shifts to binding Questbridge admissions policy

U. shifts to binding Questbridge admissions policy

Ngan Chiem

The University has altered its Questbridge College Match policy to make the matching process binding, joining 40 of Questbridge’s 41 other college partners in guaranteeing that Questbridge matches commit to enrolling.

NEWS | July 26

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Princeton’s only Walmart to close in August

Princeton’s only Walmart to close in August

Bharvi Chavre

“After a careful and thoughtful review process, we have made the difficult decision to close our Walmart store in Princeton,” Walmart spokesperson Payton McCormick said. 

NEWS | July 26

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ICE says first-year international students with fully-online course loads cannot enter the U.S.

ICE says first-year international students with fully-online course loads cannot enter the U.S.

Sandeep Mangat

In a statement released on July 24, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that “nonimmigrant students in new or initial status after March 9 will not be able to enter the U.S. to enroll in a U.S. school as a nonimmigrant student for the fall term to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online.”

NEWS | July 24

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Princeton Arts Council cancels Communiversity 2020

Princeton Arts Council cancels Communiversity 2020

Bhoomika Chowdhary

According to the Council, Communiversity has been known to attract more than 40,000 people and is “Central Jersey’s largest and longest running cultural event.” 

NEWS | July 23

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Certain fall 2020 courses capped, canceled, moving to pre-recorded format

Certain fall 2020 courses capped, canceled, moving to pre-recorded format

Zachary Shevin

The lowered enrollment numbers are part of a broader University effort to “enhance the online learning experience and better facilitate interaction,“ according to Deputy Spokesperson Mike Hotchkiss.

NEWS | July 22

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Over 400 alumni call on the U.S. govt. to assist Maria Ressa ’86

Over 400 alumni call on the U.S. govt. to assist Maria Ressa ’86

Albert Jiang

The letter, signed by a number of journalists, multiple former public servants, and two sitting members of Congress, urges the U.S. government to “use its influence” to convince the Philippine government to drop all charges against Ressa, her colleague Reynaldo Santos Jr., and the online news network Rappler.

NEWS | July 21

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Students will know ‘whether a one-year leave is possible’ by mid-August, says U.

Students will know ‘whether a one-year leave is possible’ by mid-August, says U.

Allan Shen

The email stated that students from the three graduating classes who make a request to take a leave of absence from the University during the 2020-21 academic year by August 1 will be informed on whether they are granted a one-year leave of absence by the University by mid-August.  

NEWS | July 20

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