When Carlos Gorbea '98 reads about a soldier dying in Iraq, he searches for the details that might save his life.News of a fallen soldier has always affected Gorbea, who grew up in a military family.
The University announced Monday that it has hired John Kolligian to fill the vacant director of counseling and psychological services post.Marvin Geller retired from the position in 2003 after 35 years on the job.In January, the University created a committee chaired by Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson to search for a suitable replacement, University Chief Medical Officer and selection committee member Daniel Silverman said.A consulting firm was also hired to aid in the search.
Great ideas come to people in the strangest of ways ? some occur while shaving, others in the middle of a long run.
Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel issued updates on the implementation of the anti-grade inflation policy ? passed by the faculty last April ? at this year's first meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC).The meeting, open to all members of the University, also covered Greek life issues and the first annual Pre-Rade.Students began the discussion by asking whether the new grading principle would hurt their chances at employment or admission to graduate school."I expect to send out thousands of letters to graduate institutions and employers showing how Princeton grades are real grades, unlike the inflated grades of our peer institutions," Malkiel said.In the report, Malkiel laid out her schematic for practically enforcing the new grade inflation policy.Beginning next academic year, she said, the percentage of A's awarded by each department and certificate program will be made available to both the University and the public at large.USG president Matt Margolin '05 said he assumed the University had a plan to counter the potential loss in student interest in departments publicized as awarding too many A grades.Malkiel said that, in addition to devising the peer review system, she met with each of the departmental chairs.
Is your economics professor who can't seem to communicate outside of the supply-demand graph equally as competent an instructor as your fluent Italian literature professor?
There is no hiding in the office of Cornel West GS '80.Hundreds of faces, unmoving yet alive, peer at anyone who enters the room from the covers of books and recordings.From Chekhov to Coltrane, Kafka to Chuck D, Andre 3000 to Arthur Miller, the religion professor has arranged the works that line his walls to face outward, so that from every angle he is surrounded by his "soul mates."West achieved this effect in his office in 1879 Hall by filling his mahogany shelves first with rows of books arranged as usual, then adding an outer layer of portrait-bearing covers."They challenge me, they keep me honest, they help me aspire to high standards of integrity," West said of the figures, all chosen because of their "unique fusion of Socratic questioning and prophetic witness against the backdrop of tragicomic hope."West's office is one example of how Princeton's luminaries decorate their workspaces.
Ben Klaber '05 appears to be just like any other University senior. He chats about starting work on his thesis, planning activities at Colonial Club ? where he is an officer ? and anticipating Friday night movie showings at Frist Campus Center.
In recent years, the Undergraduate Admission Office has aimed to emphasize artistic talent more strongly in incoming classes.
The patrons of Ivy Inn don't flinch at the smoke that fills the bar and pool rooms, and wafts onto nearby tables."If some of these people couldn't smoke, they wouldn't be here," says a patron, who wished only to be identified as a longtime resident of Princeton.
TRENTON ? The judge hearing the Robertson Foundation suit said on Friday he will likely grant the plaintiffs' motion to amend their complaint against the University.Judge Neil Shuster of Mercer County Superior Court will rule this week on the plaintiffs' request and also determine how much of the more than 1,000 pages of evidence attached to the proposed amended complaint will be made public.On June 16, the Robertson family ? relatives of Charles '26 and Marie Robertson, who gave $35 million in 1961 to support the Wilson School's graduate program ? motioned to amend their lawsuit with a new roster of allegations.
Many students will call Princeton their second home after a few weeks, months or years at the University.
The scientists you're about to meet aren't famous. Yet.Maria Chudnovsky GS '03 and Claire Gmachl have neither won the Nobel Prize nor penned a bestselling book, yet Popular Science magazine has named the two Princeton faculty members to its "Brilliant 10" list of young scientists."'Brilliant 10' is our way of bringing some of the brightest, most promising minds in science to a mainstream audience," Mark Jannot, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science, said.
While peers contended with exams and early-morning lectures in college, Ned Rosenman '06 was teaching skiing in France's back country the year after he graduated from high school."I spent a lot of time in train stations," said Rosenman, 21, a native of Jackson, Wyo.Rosenman said he was afraid that without any real-world experience his freshman year of college would be "like grade 13."Rosenman was not alone in his decision to take a year off.In response to everything from academic burnout to unique internship opportunities, many students at Princeton have chosen to take a "gap year" before continuing their education.And many colleges look favorably on this choice for admitted students.Takingoff.net ? a website which provides information for students considering taking a gap year ? quotes former Princeton Dean of Admission Fred Hargadon as saying, "I've been recommending that students think about [taking a gap year] for many years now."Harvard even recommends in its admission letter that students think about deferring.Lennox Caleb '07, who spent three years teaching physics and chemistry at a high school in Guyana before coming to Princeton, agreed that the gap year was a positive experience.During that time, he also became heavily involved in environmental and economic advocacy."It's almost paradoxical," he said.
With the school year now in full swing, almost all University students have made the semiannual trip to the U-Store to shell out their hard-earned cash for expensive books and Pequod packets.
The University Ticketing Office announced last Tuesday the launch of a new online ticketing program in partnership with Tickets.com, a company which specializes in handling online ticket sales.Tickets to athletic events, concerts and theater performances can now be ordered online as well as by phone, mail or in person from campus ticket offices.
Students this year have the opportunity to study astrobiology, a multidisciplinary field that, according to the Student Course Guide, aims to "discover life's origins and to seek extraterrestrial life."Astrophysics professor Ed Turner describes the new course, AST255: Life in the Universe, as "pedagogically challenging.""Not all is known," explained Turner, one of the professors for the course.
As a result of a new fundraising effort by the Office of Campus Life, Outdoor Action (OA) as well as other athletic and campus life programs might receive an infusion of money in the near future.Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson began coordinating the largest fundraising initiative earmarked specifically for campus life last winter.Though the initiative's scope is modest compared to the 250th Anniversary Campaign that raised $1.14 billion, Dickerson hopes to raise enough to provide significant additional funds for 17 athletic and 15 campus life departments."We recognize that we have numerous needs that are not currently supported by the operating budgets," Dickerson said.New funds raised through the initiative will likely endow sevral programs so that they can generate new income on their own each year, Dickerson said.This fundraising effort is expected to take place over the next three to five years with an official report published in the next six to eight weeks, she added.In addition to OA, funds will be earmarked to add counselors to health services, improve Dillon Gymnasium, help cultural centers and create a student publications board.Though OA director Rick Curtis '79 said it was still too early to determine how the initiative would impact his organization, he said, "The good news is that the University wants to provide additional funds for OA . . . We're certainly excited to be included."Dickerson said she hopes to raise funds for OA from alumni, friends and other donors outside the University.She added that the Priorities Committee ? the body responsible for allocating University discretionary funds ? previously had been hesitant to give money to OA.But with a new infusion of funds, both OA leaders and students are excited for expanded opportunities.
Efforts to create a 24 hour study space on campus continue to be deterred by obstacles.USG President Matt Margolin '05 and his board planned a focus group to meet about the issue twice this week.
Melissa Huang, a sophomore who was found dead in her University room by her parents and a custodian earlier this month, died after ingesting the toxin cyanide, officials said Thursday.President Tilghman made the announcement by email Thursday morning to all students, but administrators and local officials urged the campus community not to jump to conclusions about what this development might mean."The medical examiner determined that the cause of death was cyanide," said Casey DeBlasio, a spokeswoman for the Mercer County Medical Examiner's Office, adding that "the manner of death is still listed as undetermined."The most common types of cyanide are hydrogen cyanide, a colorless gas with a faint, bitter almond-like odor, and potassium and sodium cyanide, both white solids also with bitter, almond-like odors.
Evan Baehr '05 promoted his candidacy for Princeton Borough Council at a debate last night, portraying himself as a fresh perspective and needed University voice in local government.Dozens of students and a few community residents were on hand to hear the 21-year-old College Republicans president debate with his opponents, Roger Martindell and Andrew Koontz.
