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Despite prediction, Title IX case against Princeton not yet resolved

Despite prediction, Title IX case against Princeton not yet resolved

Ruby Shao

Contrary to New England School of Law adjunct professor Wendy Murphy's predictions that government investigations of the University and Harvard Law School would be resolved by May 20, both cases remain active.Murphy opened the cases against the schoolsfor allegedly violating Title IX, the law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational institutions that receive federal funds, in mishandling sexual assault complaints in 2010. Last month,Murphy said that she predictedthat the enactment of the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act would affect the outcome of the ongoing investigations by allowing the federal government to justify the schools' policies.The SaVE Act requires colleges and universities to clarify the rights of sexual assault victims and the means by which they can report offenses. "What might have been illegal is now legal under the Campus SaVE Act," she said in aMay 2interview.

NEWS | 06/09/2014

Death near campus parking garage ruled a suicide

Chitra Marti

The death of a 73-year-old man who fell from the Lot 7 parking garage on campus on May 31 and died from the fall has been ruled a suicide.

NEWS | 06/09/2014

Neuroscience panel discusses more complete approach to discipline

Ruby Shao

While neuroscience formerly examined diseases on an individual basis, new research reflects an increasingly holistic approach to mental processes, as evidenced by President Obama’s Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative, New York University Director of Bioethics Program Matthew Liao ’94 said at a Reunions panel titled “Where Will Neuroscience Take Us?” He noted that broader thinking generates new solutions.

NEWS | 06/04/2014

Adelman reflects on Coursera teaching experience

Angela Wang

Teaching a massive open online course was “the most interesting pedagogical experience in the quarter-century," history professor Jeremy Adelman said in a lecture Saturday.

NEWS | 06/04/2014

Gellman '82 shares backstory of NSA documents leaked by Edward Snowden

Anna Mazarakis

Barton Gellman ’82 shared the timeline of his work last year to break the stories of classified National Security Agency documents provided by Edward Snowden at a Reunions lecture on Saturday morning.

NEWS | 06/04/2014

Updated: Deborah Prentice appointed Dean of the Faculty

Paul Phillips

Deborah Prentice, professor of psychology and psychology department chair for the past twelve years, has been appointed dean of the faculty, the University announced on Wednesday.

NEWS | 06/04/2014

At 267th Commencement, Eisgruber ’83 discusses the impact of U. education on graduates

At 267th Commencement, Eisgruber ’83 discusses the impact of U. education on graduates

Jacob Donnelly

It can be hard for graduating students to leave the University because it is a source of personal growth, but a Princeton education prepares students for lifelong learning and unforeseeable opportunities, University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 said at Princeton’s 267th Commencement on Tuesday, the third and final day of graduation exercises. Woodrow Wilson, Class of 1879, was an example of someone who struggled to adjust immediately after graduation but ultimately “lived a life of leadership, service and consequence,” Eisgruber said. “Your path beyond Princeton, like Tommy Wilson’s path, is likely to take many twists and turns,” Eisgruber said, referring to Woodrow Wilson by the name by which he was known on campus.

NEWS | 06/03/2014

Updated: Former Triangle accountant faces indicted for alleged embezzlement of over $180,000

Chitra Marti

Former Princeton Triangle Club accountant and McCarter Theatre General Manager Thomas Muza has been indicted by a state grand jury for allegedly embezzling over $180,000 from the club, New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General announced Monday. Muza was indicted on a charge of second-degree theft by unlawful taking, which carries with it a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000.

NEWS | 06/02/2014

Before demolition, Reunions offers last chance to visit Butler Apartments

Before demolition, Reunions offers last chance to visit Butler Apartments

Paul Phillips

An open house held on Saturday was one of the last opportunities to see Butler Apartments -- a graduate housing complex built shortly after World War II that was intended to last for only a decade -- before it is torn down this summer having exceeded its projected life-span by almost sixty years. Many graduate students who resided in the complex remembered it fondly, all the while acknowledging its flaws. Simon Leblanc GS, who is studying applied and computational mathematics, and Sebastien Philippe GS, who is studying mechanical and aerospace engineering, explained that Butler Apartments offers an outdoor and community spirit that does not exist in the other graduate housing options. “I like the environment and especially the community spirit,” Leblanc said.

NEWS | 06/02/2014

Alumni panel touches upon relations with Iran, Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Loully Saney

Alumni discussed the importance of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as well as the tender negotiations between the United States and Iran on the nuclear deal at a Reunions panel on Saturday.

NEWS | 06/02/2014

At Class Day, Al Gore talks climate change, jokes about grade deflation

At Class Day, Al Gore talks climate change, jokes about grade deflation

Loully Saney

On the same day that the federal government announced a 30 percent target reduction of carbon pollution by 2030, former Vice President Al Gore gave a speech to the graduating Class of 2014 at Class Day combining humor and a message to take action against global warming. "I was once named one of the 100 funniest men on C-Span," Gore said. On a more serious note, he criticized the University for not supporting the divestment movement, a push that seeks to stop college endowments from investing in non-renewable energy sources, and turned to University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 to apologize for the disagreement that University presidents and the cause Gore promotes hold on that front. Gore follows in the footsteps of David Remnick ’81, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Chevy Chase, Jerry Seinfeld and others who have spoken at the University's annual tradition of Class Day in honor of the graduating class.

NEWS | 06/02/2014

Eisgruber ’83 outlines priorities as Princeton president

Loully Saney

University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 spoke in a conversation with alumni about the three priorities that he came into office with: reaching out to the larger Princeton community, building his administrative team and continuing the execution of key initiatives that Shirley Tilghman had launched during her time in office.

NEWS | 06/01/2014

Despite political gridlock, hope remains, say alumni in government

Paul Phillips

Although there is obviously political gridlock in the government right now, it can be remedied, alumni panelists said in a discussion moderated by associate politics professor Paul Frymer.

NEWS | 06/01/2014

In baccalaureate speech, longtime Obama aide Chris Lu '88 discusses U. education as an "inheritance"

In baccalaureate speech, longtime Obama aide Chris Lu '88 discusses U. education as an "inheritance"

Jacob Donnelly

Receiving a Princeton education makes one privileged, even if that person was not privileged before, Christopher Lu ’88, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor and former White House Cabinet Secretary, told the Class of 2014 in his Baccalaureate addresson Sunday,titled “The Inheritance of a Princeton Education.” After one has received this inheritance, Lu said, one should give back to society. “Your education is your inheritance,” Lu said.

NEWS | 06/01/2014

At reunions panel, alumni discuss service in light of Princeton's unofficial motto

Ruby Shao

Anthropology professor João Biehl noted the importance of recognizing recipients of aid as dynamic individuals while moderating the Friday panel “Princeton Alumni in the Service of All Nations.” “If we work with people on an everyday basis, we understand them as much more complex beings,” he said.

NEWS | 05/30/2014

Future bankers learn how to "get around every rule" at Princeton, says Volcker '49

Jacob Donnelly

The compensation system gives too much incentive for bankers to take risks, and the University has promoted the view that the markets generally take care of themselves, Paul Volcker ’49, former chairman of the Federal Reserve, said in a panel discussion on Friday. "We have a department at this great University ... teaching people how to get around every rule you can conceive of to make big bonuses at big banks," Volcker said, referring to the Operations Research and Financial Engineering department. Richard Herring GS ’73, professor of international banking at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, said governments typically bail out banks for one of four reasons: they are too big, they are important to key markets, they are interconnected with other important financial institutions or they're complex.

NEWS | 05/30/2014

In surprise event, Flo Rida performs at Princeton reunions

In surprise event, Flo Rida performs at Princeton reunions

Angela Wang

Flo Rida, a hip-hop artist, performed at the 25th reunion tent in Whitman College on Thursday night, a concert that was initially restricted to Class of 1989 guests but was eventually opened to all Reunions attendees. The decision to open up the concert was a “class decision,” according to a source familiar with the situation. Multiple members of the Class of 1989 told The Daily Princetonian earlier on Thursday evening that Flo Rida was expected to perform. The concert took place on early in the Reunions schedule, on a day when most attendees have yet to arrive on campus.Entertainment chair for the 25th reunion Stephen Consentino ’89 explained that this was due to the artist's schedule, who was unavailable any other day. One of Flo Rida’s most famous songs is “Low,” featuring T-Pain, which became popular around 2008.

NEWS | 05/30/2014

News & Notes: Guyot evacuated after globe catches on fire

Daily Princetonian Staff

A globe inside Guyot Hall caught on fire Friday afternoon during an alumni reception. University Vice President and Secretary Bob Durkee ’69 was on the scene, but deferred comment to Geosciences Department Manager Nora Zelizer. At approximately 6 p.m., the motor on the globe caught fire and triggered the fire alarm, Zelizer said.

NEWS | 05/30/2014

Alumni entrepreneurs discuss most promising investment opportunities

Jacob Donnelly

The world’s 25 fastest markets account for only 0.4 percent of market capitalization in the world’s stock markets, but also make up 30 percent of the world’s population, Thanassis Mazarakis ’84, COO of Southern Star and former president of Chase Merchant Services, said in a panel discussion Friday about the best investment opportunities.

NEWS | 05/30/2014

Q&A: Former Federal Reserve chairman Paul Volcker '49

Jacob Donnelly

The Daily Princetonian spoke to former chairman of the Federal Reserve Paul Volcker '49 following a panel discussion in which he participated, titled "Are financial institutions too big or too big to fail?" At the panel, Volcker criticized universities like Princeton for allegedly teaching students how to cheat the financial system. The Daily Princetonian: Do you think the Federal Reserve went far enough in stabilizing the banking system? Paul Volcker ’49: No, I'm not going to answer a question like that. DP: Pretty recently, some economists have suggested that the central bankers took [the threat of] inflation too seriously. PV: I'll give you a simple answer.

NEWS | 05/30/2014

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