Opinion

Editorial: On campaign finance reform

Campaign finance laws at a federal level have severely damaged civic discourse in the country, and the effects of this are felt here at Princeton. The money in politics has moved political access further away from the average American as our leaders increasingly turn their attention toward their donors and away from their constituents. The concerns of students in this environment are being ignored, as we have neither the political muscle nor financial resources to command attention.

Mentally awake, morally straight

Each of us decides for himself how he relates to the different facets of his identity, and for me the best way to be a Boy Scout is to uphold my own understanding of its Oath and Law and help those struggling with their sexuality see that it’s OK to be gay and a Scout, all the while respecting those whose views are different than mine.

Dropping the "P-bomb"

While dropping the P-bomb might get us treated a bit differently sometimes, I find it necessary that we do everyone the favor of getting over ourselves. We are not some league of superhuman beings, and we do not need to protect others from our greatness.

Meeting 'the Other'

I had always assumed that I accepted diverse people and experiences, but I had never been tested before coming to this campus.  My roommate was my first friend who didn’t hold most of the same values that I did and didn’t have similar plans for her life. But exactly for these reasons, the relationship I have with my roommate is one that I treasure. I think that everyone on this campus, especially freshmen, should allow themselves the opportunity to strengthen a relationship that they originally thought might not last past freshman week, the first semester or the first year.

In memory of Michael Kenwood

While many people were sleeping during the torrential rains of Hurricane Irene, Princeton First Aid & Rescue Squad EMT and rescue technician Michael Kenwood was swept into floodwaters while attempting a swiftwater rescue, and he drowned. Michael died in service to his community, trying to help those in need.

My weakness

Swag at Princeton

Auditioning for BAC was a bounding leap over the walls of my comfort zone and probably the best experience I’ve had this year. And it’s only week one. Consider this a PSA from someone who did it wrong the first time around. Do things you didn’t do before college! I spent freshman year trying out for (and getting rejected from, I might add) the exact same activities I did in high school. I didn’t even consider options outside the familiar. Put simply, I was stupid. Not only should you try new things simply for the experience, irrespective of the outcome, but you could also discover a talent you never even knew you had. This is not to say that I’ve suddenly realized my swag potential, bought myself a snapback and started breakdancing on Nassau Street for extra cash. But I certainly have discovered something that I enjoy, regardless of whether I’m any good.

Abroad and independent

Princeton should have more opportunities for underclassmen to design their own study abroad programs.

In defense of whim

Whims. They have a fairly awful reputation. Capricious and sudden, unexpected and arbitrary, they are governed by fancy. To be whimsical is perhaps to be amusing, but usually passing, irrational and impulsive, too. Whims are bad.This is unfair.

Fresh start

Since my first exposure to ancient history as a child, I had dreamed of visiting Rome, but I little anticipated that life in the Eternal City would feel so much in itself like a dream. Princeton, with all its deadlines, gossip and artificial stress, seemed like ancient history amid the world’s most treasured relics.

Cartoon: Interior design at its finest

Cartoon: Schedule Help

Freshman isolation

In my experience, the most isolating, depressing moments of the first weeks of school came during or immediately following the loudest, busiest social events. In a room where everybody is talking and laughing at once, it is easy to buy into the fiction that you alone have not yet established a satisfying, reliable social life.

Can we talk?

Interviews are meant to be genuine, spontaneous conversations that allow a reporter to gain a greater understanding of a source’s perspective. However, the use of the email interview — and its widespread presence in our News articles — has resulted in stories filled with stilted, manicured quotes that often hide any real meaning and make it extremely difficult for reporters to ask follow-up questions or build relationships with sources.

To browse or not to browse

I was really pleased to see the issue of online privacy and safety brought into the limelight over the last week, but it was unfortunate that the article by Kinnari Shah ’14, printed last Thursday, reflects some common misguided notions about Internet privacy.

Editorial: Making up class

The University should establish a set procedure that allows any student of any religion to celebrate and honor his or her religious commitment without compromising his or her academic performance.

In the University's service

Is being in the University’s wider service a good use of professorial time? If a professor’s reputation comes from scholarly work, does he or she have any incentive also to be a good citizen? Yes and no. Professors who want to produce little versions of themselves, mini-mes, will not be entirely wrong to encourage their students to focus on acquiring deep knowledge in one area and may actually be setting a good example by engaging in as few extracurricular activities as possible. But saying this unsettles me since it is clear that doing just one thing, however well, is neither the way to get into college nor, for most people, the way to get out.

Cartoon: Third Eye Blind concert

Honesty

It sounds a little silly to say, but when I tell the truth, the world is good. I feel better, and I treat people better and consequentially am treated better. If I had never realized that, I don’t know how I would have turned out. It’s entirely probable I’d be just like the students who cheated at Harvard — just like the students who cheat here — raised in a society that only rewarded them for being intelligent and never for being honest and who found out there were consequences for immorality much too late.

Money mindset

Campus attitudes toward Princeton funding could use a little more thoughtfulness. The phrase “Princeton will pay for anything” reflects a casual certainty in the institution’s money that I find frankly childish. In actuality, most students use funding responsibly, but by uttering or even laughing at the mantra above we feed a general mindset that regards University funding with less respect than a parent’s credit card. In many ways, such an attitude indicates an immature lack of understanding over the meaning and value of money. No matter where it comes from, a thousand dollars would be considered a significant windfall to many people. The reaction to receiving such a grant should extend beyond gleeful celebration — there should be recognition of responsibility and a commitment to using the funding appropriately.