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USG debates student feedback, participation in Ivy Council

USG debates student feedback, participation in Ivy Council

Discussion at last night's USG Senate meeting centered on how the USG interacts with students and whether the University will continue to participate in the Ivy Council.After standard opening procedures, the focus turned to the feedback the USG has received in response to its new outreach program, which has included USG office hours and the direct solicitation of student feedback in some of the residential college dining halls.For the most part, feedback was viewed as anemic with some suggestions bordering on the outlandish, such as complaints about the University's plumbing system and an enforced cap on the number of books that professors could assign in classes.The lack of feedback could partially be ascribed to the recent implementation of the system, said Sonya Mirbagheri '04, USG vice president.Discussion then turned to the Ivy Council, an organization that allows students from Ivy League schools to meet twice a year to discuss common issues and solutions.During a heated debate that lasted nearly 30 minutes, USG treasurer Michael Kimberly '03 led the attack on future participation.

NEWS | 03/03/2002

University retirement funds hold steady after recent financial trouble

Two years ago it was commonplace for an investor to receive a financial statement touting the profits of a recent investment.

NEWS | 03/03/2002

Committee prepares to recommend next dean of school of architecture

The search committee for a new dean of the architecture school is expected to submit a recommendation to President Tilghman within the next month, committee members said this week.They declined to comment on specific candidates to replace Ralph Lerner, who announced his resignation in the fall.The New York Times has reported three possible contenders ? Charles Gwathmey, Sylvia Lavin and Mario Gandelsonas.Gwathmey, who redesigned Whig Hall and worked on McDonnell Hall, is a New York-based architect.

NEWS | 02/28/2002

Finding company in a window

Students with an urge to find out about real-estate in the Princeton area the middle of the night will be pleased by Prudential's twenty-four hour real estate information window on Nassau Street available at all hours of the day and night."I'm not actively looking for a house," said a well-dressed woman, who asked not to be named as she pushed buttons on the window.

NEWS | 02/28/2002

Finn GS '78 nominated as ambassador to Afghanistan

President Bush nominated University professor Robert Finn GS '78 as ambassador to Afghanistan yesterday.The Senate must confirm the appointment before it can take effect.Finn, a visiting lecturer in the Near Eastern Studies department, has a long history of diplomatic service.

NEWS | 02/28/2002

Winick to advocate AIDS education, remember loss of friend

They now deal with sensationalized romance and conflict, but reality TV shows were not always so superficial.

NEWS | 02/28/2002

Study discovers anti-viral potential in existing drugs

A new study by University molecular biology professor Thomas Shenk suggests that painkillers similar to aspirin are capable of inhibiting the reproduction of the human cytomegalovirus.HCMV is a member of the herpes family, and although it generally does not induce syptoms in a normal, healthy adult, it may in people with compromised immune systems.

NEWS | 02/28/2002

Shock advertising by student groups draws criticism on campus

This past week, members of the Organization of Women Leaders wore T-shirts with the line "We're not just hooters" next to a Hooters restaurant logo.

NEWS | 02/28/2002

Graduate students weigh benefits of unionization

While negotiations between graduate students who want to unionize and administrators at nearby campuses have escalated into walkouts and rallies, the possibilty of unionization does not appear to be on the horizon for Princeton graduate students.In recent weeks, graduate students at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University have scuffled with administrators over compensation, medical benefits and housing accommodation.The fear of creating rifts between departments, students and professors has helped to deter University graduate students from unionization attempts, though the possibility has not been completely abandoned."With Princeton planning to up its undergraduate admissions by the hundreds, we can expect there to be more pressure on professors, adjuncts and graduate students," said Elliot Ratzman GS."If the workload falls disproportionately on graduate students and adjuncts without appropriate compensation, then the stage may be set in the coming years for a unionizing effort."Princeton graduate students generally share the same wants as those at other universities ? higher compensation for teaching, better housing accommodations and health care plans that encompass dental and eye-care benefits, for example.Attentive and responsive action from the administration has helped to quell the grievances of University graduate students, keeping the situation from reaching the frenzy ensuing at some other schools, graduate students say."The [Graduate Student Government] at this point is not considering unionizing because we are trying to successfully address our concerns with a cooperative administration," said Lauren Hale GS, the press secretary for the GSG.Hale said President Tilghman and Graduate School Dean John Wilson are committed to dealing with housing, health and financial problems, as shown by the new housing accommodations in the Lawrence Apartments complex, expanded health benefits and the institution of fellowship funding and summer stipends for students."We've been the envy of other Ivy League graduate schools in terms of the care we've provided with all of our grad students," said Sandra Mawhinney, associate dean of administrative affairs for the graduate school."We are way out ahead of other places in providing dental and eye care," she said.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

Rotaract to establish Princeton chapter for community service

Rotaract, the worldwide organization of community service groups, will aim to uphold the University's motto of national and international service with its forthcoming Princeton chapter.Guided by its slogan, "service above self," each Rotaract chapter must orchestrate and complete two major community service projects each year, including one which fosters international understanding.During Rotaract's bi-monthly meetings members attend volunteer workshops and cultural activities, visit neighboring Rotaract chapters and host guest speakers.Activities on weekends include volunteering, social events and leadership workshops.Vice president of Princeton's Rotaract chapter Nada Siddiqui '04 said the society has several goals."It aims to increase members' understanding of the work environment and to encourage high ethical standards in business," she said."Sponsoring Rotarians often provide advice on overcoming business, vocational, and professional challenges," she added.Occasionally Rotaract also sponsors forums and seminars to provide further guidance to members.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

Baker '52 selected as Class Day speaker

Former Secretary of State James Baker '52 will deliver the keynote address on Class Day, senior class president Spence Miller '02 announced yesterday.Class Day, which will be held June 3, is an event in which students reflect on their undergraduate careers, while the University recognizes seniors for their accomplishments.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

Race matters in world viewed through 'specialized' eye

According to Michael Omi and Howard Winant in their book "Racial Formation in the United States," "every state institution is a racial institution."This assertion is necessary since it unveils the degree to which racial consciousness defines the contours of the African-American existence.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

Professors react to Bush's publication restrictions

President Bush announced Feb. 16 that the U.S. administration is taking measures to increase the security of scientific secrets ? a decision that could constrain academic freedom by limiting what professors can publish.After Bush's announcement, the U.S.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

PEA protests Pepsi recycling policy

Joining a nationwide campaign against Pepsico Inc. yesterday, Princeton Environmental Action urged the soft drink company to increase its recycling efforts.PEA asked students in the Frist Campus Center to sign a 4-foot-high paper cutout of a Pepsi bottle and organized a public meeting in advocacy of their cause.In conjunction with the Grass Roots Recycling Network and EcoPledge.com ? two national environmentalist groups ? PEA is protesting Pepsi's "failed promise" to use recycled products in its manufacturing of plastic bottles.In 1990, both Pepsi and Coca-Cola pledged to use 25 percent recycled material in their products.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

Genomics institute building and new dormitory to reshape Poe Field

Soon Poe Field will sprout a new compound of buildings. Two structures will flank Scully Hall: the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Genomics and a new dormitory.Built to house roughly 220 students, the dorm building will be environmentally friendly, said Thomas Wright '62, University vice president and secretary.It will be constructed using energy-efficient building materials and follow a design that eases recycling, Wright added.The dorm initially will house upperclassmen, but eventually may be incorporated into the residential college system, said Jon Hlafter '61, director of physical planning."The very preliminary planning [of the dorm] was part of the process for planning the sixth residential college," he said.

NEWS | 02/27/2002

Goldberg '02 awarded funds for foreign study

Jonathan Goldberg '02 has been awarded this year's Martin Dale Fellowship, the University announced this week.The Dale fellowship is a University grant for graduating seniors that encourages the pursuit of non-traditional research around the world.Goldberg will spend next year studying the social effects of the current economic crisis in Argentina."The chance to live in Argentina during this time of crisis and national introspection is an incredible, if slightly daunting, opportunity," Goldberg said.A Wilson School major, Goldberg spent a semester last year in Chile studying U.S.

NEWS | 02/26/2002

Lasaga '71 sentenced to 20 years for sexual assault despite academic peers' petitions

A once-renowned Yale University professor and Princeton alumnus was sentenced to a term of 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a New Haven youth and possessing child pornography.Antonio Lasaga '71 was sentenced last week in a case that pitted the interests of the academic world against criminal justice.In February, Lasaga's federal and state criminal cases were finally put to rest after a four-year saga.

NEWS | 02/26/2002

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