News

University reimburses Robertsons for defunct graduate program

Correction appendedThe University has returned close to $800,000 to the Robertson Foundation, acknowledging that it did not adequately inform the foundation's trustees of the short-lived Graduate Funding Agreement.Compared to the foundation's $800 million endowment and the $207 million the Robertsons are demanding that the University return, the $782,375 reimbursement seems paltry.

Panel warns of looming nuclear crisis with Iran

The United States has reached a dead end in its nuclear talks with Iran, Sir John Thomson said yesterday in Dodds Auditorium.

Tilghman: Capital campaign to begin in fall

The University will launch a capital campaign this fall, President Tilghman said yesterday at the monthly meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC)."There are days when it gives the provost a headache thinking about what to do," Tilghman said, referring to projects in the pipeline such as the four-year residential colleges and the Center for the Creative and Performing Arts. "It is a big agenda for us.

Next door, a world apart

On a sunny day in early spring, Nassau Hall stands perched atop Witherspoon Street like a shining citadel.

Professors use online blogs to foster new ideas

English professor Jeff Nunokawa has a facebook.com account, but he doesn't use it for the same reason his students do.

On the catwalk

'Gag Rule' doll reported stolen

The life-size blowup doll used in a Princeton Pro-Choice Vox (PPCV) demonstration last week has been reported as stolen from Frist North Lawn, Public Safety Sergeant Kenneth Samuel confirmed yesterday.

Wings and pies for charity

Hungry competitors stuffed chicken wings and chocolate pies down their throats Friday afternoon in the basement of Tiger Inn, taking part in an eating competition to raise money for charity.Joe Falit '07, Ashley Beyers '08 and Chris Merrick '08 organized the event to raise $1,450 for Patrick, an undocumented resident from Haiti.

Panel debates coexistence of Islam, democracy

Correction appendedFundamentalist Islam is "the antithesis of secular western democracy," Director of Islamic Affairs Ahmed Kostas argued yesterday during a panel discussion on the religion's relationship to democratic institutions."The Islamic states are set up [so] that no further Sharia is needed," Kostas said, using the Arabic term for "law." Consequently, he said, Islamic states reject imposition of Western legal thought.Kostas spoke alongside Near Eastern studies graduate student Karen Bauer and politics professor Amaney Jamal, who discussed their research on Islam.

Survey says Fall Break popular

Despite recent faculty efforts to reform the academic calendar, a USG survey found that undergraduates do not want to see major changes to the current schedule, USG officers said at last night's Senate meeting.USG president Rob Biederman '08 said in an interview that the survey found "two overwhelming percentages": Students want the University to retain Fall Break as well as the current extended reading period schedule.Academics chair Sarah Breslow '08 said that over 1,400 students responded to the survey but she declined to release precise statistics.

YAT race stirs quiet controversy

The first round of voting for young alumni trustee ended Thursday night, with seniors picking their top three choices for a candidate to join the University Board of Trustees.

U. power plant wins award for efficiency

The same type of engine that powers F-18 fighter jets also generates electricity and heat on campus.For its efficient cogeneration process, the University power system has just won the Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Energy Star Combined Heat and Power Award."It's really, really great in that it reduces the need for electricity because its so efficient," said James Kuczmarski '08, a member of the Wilson School task force "Sustainable Use of Energy at Princeton University."To produce energy, Princeton uses a cogeneration system, a plant that provides power and thermal energy from only one input fuel.

New U. hirees to foster diversity

Responding to accusations that it has failed to encourage a sufficiently diverse campus community, the University has hired Cheri Lawson and Robert Martinez to recruit more minority employees and address accusations of on-campus harassment.Their new positions comply with recommendations from the Diversity Working Group, which President Tilghman formed in 2004 to focus on recruiting more minority employees.

Hips don't lie

Middle Eastern dance troupe Raks Odalisque performs "Hip.Notize," a collection of belly dances and other traditional and modern dances tonight and tomorrow night at 8 p.m.

Former N.Y. Rep.: Bush should be impeached

Former Democratic congresswoman and New York City comptroller Elizabeth Holtzman outlined four charges against the Bush administration yesterday which, she said, constitute grounds for President Bush's impeachment.Holtzman, who represented New York's 16th district from 1973 to 1981, argued against the president in her lecture, "George W.

Cottage seeks tax exemption

Continuing a saga that began in 2001, Cottage Club went before the New Jersey State Supreme Court on Tuesday to argue for exemption from property taxes on the grounds that its Prospect Avenue clubhouse is a historic site.This latest court date comes as Cottage appeals the Appellate Division of the Superior Court's July ruling in favor of Princeton Borough that the 1903 McKim, Mead & White mansion should not be granted tax exemption because it is not open to the general public.When the court issues its final decision, it will likely be the final chapter in a dispute that has dragged on for more than half a decade.Though the Borough's lawyers argue that a Cottage win would be bad public policy, justices hearing the case seemed to favor the club's legal argument, the Times of Trenton reported."It has always been the club's position that they are entitled to tax exemption based on the law," Cottage attorney Thomas Olson said, noting that he was confident the Supreme Court would rule in favor of his client.Borough attorney Michael Herbert did not return requests for comment. 'The Cottage Club Bill'Olson argues that Cottage's status as both a historical and nonprofit organization makes it eligible for a property tax exemption.Under New Jersey law, properties listed on the state and national registers of historical places do not necessarily qualify for tax exemption.

For gay couples, a world of 'almost'

Frank Mahood and Chet Kabara have been together for almost 24 years. Only now, though, has the state of New Jersey put an official stamp on their longstanding partnership.Along with numerous other same-sex couples in New Jersey, the two men rushed to have their relationship recognized after the state's civil union law went into effect Feb.

USG appoints new U-Councilor, civic chair

After a spot on the U-Council was vacated and a new USG position was created, two sophomores have been tapped to fill the roles.The USG's executive committee nominated Veneka Chagwedera '09 Tuesday night to fill the U-Council seat vacated by Kent Kuran '08's resignation last month. The committee also chose Jacob Candelaria '09 to serve as the USG's first civic engagement chair.

Wilson School accepts 47 percent of applicants

Weeks of anticipation came to an end yesterday for 90 sophomores who opened their mailboxes to find that they had been accepted to the Wilson School.A record 190 sophomores applied to the Wilson School this year and 100 ? more than in any recent year ? were rejected or waitlisted by the University's only selective major.

Faculty lead alums in educational globe-trotting

Last March, astrophysics professor Ed Turner climbed on a plane with a group of University alumni and set off to see Cairo in the dark.Led by Turner, a group of Egyptologists and amateur astronomers were on their way to Egypt to witness a solar eclipse.