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Afghan President Karzai to talk at University today

Afghan President Karzai to talk at University today

In 2001, many at the University thought Karim Thomas '04 was just a kid with some big ideas.But today, when Afghanistan Interim Government President Hamid Karzai arrives on campus, Thomas's big ideas will become big accomplishments.Karzai will sign the charter for a new school in Afghanistan ? an initiative sponsored by Thomas and Students Providing Aid, Relief and Kind Services International, a service organization with strong Princeton roots. Afghanistan futureKarzai will also address the University at 11:30 a.m.

NEWS | 09/25/2003

Effort to reform precepts includes new guidebook

Attempts in recent years to reform the unique University institution of precepts culminated in "Inspired Conversations: The Princeton Precept," a booklet recently distributed to all undergraduates."Inspired Conversations," a guide that describes what a preceptorial should aspire to be, is the culmination of a collaborative effort by faculty and students to improve the quality of the University's precepts.According to the booklet's mission statement, it "[is] intended to provide students and preceptors with a variety of tools to enhance learning and to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for the expression and development of ideas." Varied responseThe response to the booklet, however, has been varied, with some students saying it was unecessary or pointless."Inspired Conversations" begins by defining the precept with quotes from students, preceptors, and lecturers.Precept quality recently became an issue in fall 2001 when the USG started its Precept Reform inititiative.Then U-Council Chair Adam Dressner '02 and Josh Anderson '04 began examining the mission, history and also the general sentiment regarding the precept system.The U-Council conducted an email survey of the Classes of '02, '03 and '04, and then established an eight-member committee to examine the results.The committee's conclusions "indicated a high level of student dissatisfaction," and "a large portion of respondents described less than inspiring precept experiences." Precept qualityThe booklet aims to respond to these concerns about precept quality, Anderson said.The ideal precept is "one in which there is active participation by the broadest range of students," Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel said.The precept should take off from where the lecture ends and not just "recap" lecture material, USG Academics Committee Chair Amy Saltzman '05 said.Saltzman hopes preceptors will learn more about students' perspectives and views through the guide, she said.One key intention of the precept should be that it causes students to continue to think about the material after class like a "painting you have been looking at," Saltzman said. Lack of understandingThe precept is a "two-way street," involving both students and preceptors, Anderson said.

NEWS | 09/25/2003

Shapiro Prize honors 37 underclassmen for academics

Next Wednesday, a celebratory banquet will be held in the Garden Room of Prospect House to honor last year's recipients of the Shapiro Prize for Academic Excellence.In 1998, former University President Harold Shapiro GS '64 and his wife Vivian presented a gift to the University that endowed the annual prize for outstanding academic achievement of first and second-year students.

NEWS | 09/24/2003

Endowment increases by $400 million

Princeton's endowment posted a substantial gain last fiscal year as its managers beat the stock market."The fiscal year return will be in the neighborhood of eight percent," said Andrew Golden, director of the Princeton Investment Company.

NEWS | 09/24/2003

Despite budget cuts, Teach for America grows

In the wake of recent AmeriCorps budget cuts ? the federally-funded institution that helps support many service organizations ? concerns about Teach for America's financial welfare have proven to be exaggerated.In fact, TFA, which sends recent college graduates to teach in under-resourced schools, is financially healthy and preparing to launch its most rigorous recruiting campaign ever, said Christina An, its recruitment director at the University.Rumors that TFA would face major setbacks began to circulate after Congress cut $100 million from the AmeriCorps budget, eliminating federal funding for a number of AmeriCorps programs.Because of the cut, TFA ? which was formerly an AmeriCorps program ? will no longer receive annual AmeriCorps "education awards" of $4,725 to pass on to corps members.

NEWS | 09/24/2003

Berg '71 writes bestseller on Hepburn's life, career

A. Scott Berg '71 clunked an inky right fist on his forehead."So far I haven't faced writers' block," he said, knocking on "wood." A chart-topping Pulitzer Prizewinning biographer, Berg is currently on a promotional tour for "Kate Remembered" ? a "cradle-to-grave" look at four-time Academy Award-winning actress, Katharine Hepburn." He must clunk regularly.After signing copies of "Kate" at the U-Store on Monday, The Daily Princetonian caught up with Berg for a few minutes on what he called "the push push push" book tour.Berg has had a busy, emotionally charged summer.

NEWS | 09/24/2003

Levin rebukes notion of environmental false alarm

We are not running out of energy, there is more and more food per head, fewer and fewer people are starving and acid rain does not kill forests.

NEWS | 09/24/2003

Wilson College teaches Indian cooking and poetry

With a Hindu hymn humming in the background, the aroma of sweet Indian spices permeated through the Dodge-Osborne kitchen yesterday as monk Radha Valabha gave his first vegetarian cooking lesson of the year.The cooking class is one of two new weekly activities arranged by Rupinder Singh, Assistant Master of Wilson College.Students passing by the kitchen's entrance stopped in for a free meal of Indian rice, paneer ? a type of curd cheese ? stir-fried vegetables and also a traditional Indian sweet known as halva."The beautiful looking dish was very easy to make, and the food was [a] much-needed change from that of the dining halls," Charlotte Wahalen '04 said.Valabha remarked, "It's a wonderful communal experience to share a satisfying vegetarian meal."Valabha, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and grandson of a Princeton alumnus, met Singh at an informal Bhagavad-Gita study group on campus last year.

NEWS | 09/24/2003

Prep programs help bridge application gap

For a generation, Princeton's goal has been to make itself into a true "meritocracy," attracting the brightest and most talented students regardless of background or family wealth.

NEWS | 09/23/2003

Athletics department sets new discipline standards

The University's Department of Athletics released a more formalized set of disciplinary rules this year for varsity athletes, explicitly outlining the standards of commitment, achievement and character they are expected to meet.The protocol establishes violations and their penalties and reinforces the coach's role in disciplinary action.

NEWS | 09/23/2003

Bomb hoax clears Palmer Sq. office

A bomb threat was made on an office in Palmer Square yesterday morning, Borough Police said.At 10:50 a.m., Borough Police received a call from the office, located at 1 Palmer Square, Borough Police Lt.

NEWS | 09/23/2003

Tornado damages homes and power lines in Lawrence Twp.

A severe storm suspected to be a tornado swept through Mercer County yesterday morning, downing trees and causing power outages.The storm's heavy rain and strong winds blew in from the west shortly after 8 a.m., sparing Princeton Borough and Princeton Junction from damage but hit several neighboring towns.The storm especially affected Lawrence Township, where a local state of emergency was called to bring in additional help and keep traffic to a minimum, Lawrence Township Mayor Gregory Fuliti said."When we assessed the damage, we knew that it was too much for us to handle," Fuliti said.

NEWS | 09/23/2003

Center for Jewish Life director Diamond steps down

After serving nine years as director of the Center for Jewish Life, Rabbi James Diamond announced yesterday his decision to resign in an email directed to Princeton's Jewish community."I believe [after the end of this academic year] the time will have come for me to do something else," he wrote.

NEWS | 09/23/2003

Wu explains Hong Kong's path since 1997 change of hands

Six years after Hong Kong gained independence from Britain it has achieved economic and political power as a small nation, said Sarah Wu, a senior Hong Kong trade official."I feel very proud to be a Hong Kong person," Wu told students and professors who gathered last week to hear her speak in Robertson Hall.Wu's lecture, titled "Hong Kong: Six Years After the Handover," was sponsored by the Wilson School Thursday.Though Wu acknowledges Hong Kong faced the challenges of the 1997 Asian economic crisis and the SARS epidemic earlier this year, she remains optimistic.Wu, who is responsible for leading the development and expansion of Hong Kong's economic and business interests in the Eastern United States, discussed the positive aspects of Hong Kong's legal and economic systems, and its growing role in the international arena."Hong Kong is very open and looking for merit," Wu said, stressing the importance of the integrity and quality of Hong Kong's judicial system."Freedom, openness [and] accessibility are the keys to the longterm success of any society," she said.Wu emphasized Hong Kong's position as an arbitration center for Asia, citing statistics that showed the rise in activity of the court system during the past few years.In addition to domestic and regional courts, Wu emphasized Hong Kong's involvement in international organizations."Of course we take our rights very seriously," Wu said, displaying a list of international human rights groups in which Hong Kong is a member.Wu also stressed the importance of integrity on a local level."I think that Hong Kong is non-corruptible," she said.Whereas Americans are "obedient" and "subdued," Hong Kong's citizens take an active and passionate role in their government, she said."This is a totally different society," she said.Wu expressed similar pride in Hong Kong's budding economy.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

Tilghman defends women appointees

President Tilghman expressed surprise and disappointment yesterday that the undergraduate women of Princeton did not "rise up and reject" accusations that she gave special consideration to female candidates for four senior administrative positions.Three of the female administrators ? Provost Amy Gutmann, Wilson School Dean Anne-Marie Slaughter '80 and Dean of the College Nancy Malkiel ? joined Tilghman in a panel discussion, sponsored by the Organization of Women Leaders, called "Women in the Ivory Tower: Gender, Power, and Politics at Princeton.""It was a great surprise to me [that I was accused] of being biased in favor of women," said Tilghman, who took particular offense at allegations of bias in her selection of new Admissions Dean Janet Rapelye.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

Sophomores create website to help college prospects get a Yes!

Sophomore Robert Moore often thinks of one of his high school friends. Like Moore, his friend had hopes of attending Princeton.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

Calif. recall on hold over ballots, students concerned

The East Coast may have faced Hurricane Isabel last week, but for the last few months the West Coast has witnessed a whirlwind of a different sort: the California recall election.If the vote were to succeed, it would be only the second gubernatorial recall in the nation's history.Gov.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

George Whitesides '96: Inspiring kids to look at the stars

Every once in a while, a Princeton alumnus has the chance to leave a major impact in the world. George Whitesides graduated from the University in 1996 and already he has helped found a worldwide program that is inspiring kids to reach for the stars, literally.In 2001 Whitesides helped start an organization called Permission to Dream.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

NES enrollment slows after two years of growth for department

More than two years after the Sept. 11 attacks, the surge in student interest in the Near Eastern studies department has started to slow down.In the academic year after the Sept.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

ORFE becomes engineers' top choice as major

With 37 percent of employed 2003 graduates working in financial services, it's not surprising that this year there are more students majoring in Operations Research and Financial Engineering than in any other department in the engineering school.And the number of majors is steadily increasing.

NEWS | 09/22/2003

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