Opinion

Abstaining from common sense: the antidemocratic push to void the Caterpillar referendum

Abstaining from common sense: the antidemocratic push to void the Caterpillar referendum

Braden Flax and Willow Dalehite

“To be perfectly clear, an abstention is by definition not a vote. A majority is defined as over 50 percent of votes.”

“To be perfectly clear, an abstention is by definition not a vote. A majority is defined as over 50 percent of votes.”

OPINION | 04/17/2022

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Letter to the Editor: In defense of jokes — free speech, harm, and the Satire section

Letter to the Editor: In defense of jokes — free speech, harm, and the Satire section

Zachary Shevin

“Self-censoring by avoiding contentious topics may help the Satire section avoid controversy, but doing so would be a disservice to the ‘Prince’ readership.”

“Self-censoring by avoiding contentious topics may help the Satire section avoid controversy, but doing so would be a disservice to the ‘Prince’ readership.” 

OPINION | 04/15/2022

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Letter to the Editor: Princeton’s program for underrepresented students in medicine is a success

Letter to the Editor: Princeton’s program for underrepresented students in medicine is a success

Kate Fukawa-Connelly and Rebekah Peeples

“Princeton’s data tells a much more encouraging story about supporting and mentoring students from URiM backgrounds on their way to careers in medicine. Ours is a culture of “lifting up” that extends far beyond the classroom.”

“Princeton’s data tells a much more encouraging story about supporting and mentoring students from URiM backgrounds on their way to careers in medicine.  Ours is a culture of “lifting up” that extends far beyond the classroom.” 

OPINION | 04/14/2022

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YAT candidates should defy the rules and debate

YAT candidates should defy the rules and debate

Rohit Narayanan

“Students deserve a voice on the Board of Trustees,” Community Opinion Editor Rohit A. Narayanan ’24 writes. “They can’t have that voice if their representatives aren’t even allowed to address the issues most important to students when they’re campaigning.”

“Students deserve a voice on the Board of Trustees,” Community Opinion Editor Rohit A. Narayanan ’24 writes. “They can’t have that voice if their representatives aren’t even allowed to address the issues most important to students when they’re campaigning.”

OPINION | 04/14/2022

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Why Princeton should care about COVID-slide

Why Princeton should care about COVID-slide

Tara Shukla

“Princeton must make ethical choices in its pursuit of institutional greatness, and never lose sight of the source of this greatness: its students. So, in the coming months and years, let’s ask the University: how can Princeton move on from this pandemic without losing diversity along the way?”

“Princeton must make ethical choices in its pursuit of institutional greatness, and never lose sight of the source of this greatness: its students. So, in the coming months and years, let’s ask the University: how can Princeton move on from this pandemic without losing diversity along the way?”

OPINION | 04/13/2022

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The critics of Referendum No. 3 distract us from important realities about Palestinian oppression

The critics of Referendum No. 3 distract us from important realities about Palestinian oppression

Braden Flax

“Whether it is the CJL cynically promoting Jewish unity against solidarity with Palestinians, or Jacob Katz chastising people for taking a stance after he has done the same many times over, we should be wary of rhetoric that seeks to divert us from trying to grasp and deal with the conflict in the region.”

“Whether it is the CJL cynically promoting Jewish unity against solidarity with Palestinians, or Jacob Katz chastising people for taking a stance after he has done the same many times over, we should be wary of rhetoric that seeks to divert us from trying to grasp and deal with the conflict in the region.”

OPINION | 04/13/2022

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Hobson College is not a milestone for inclusion if its namesake tears down vulnerable workers at Starbucks

Hobson College is not a milestone for inclusion if its namesake tears down vulnerable workers at Starbucks

Christopher Lugo

“Contrary to official claims, naming our new residential college after Hobson does not address the University’s racist legacy — rather, it obscures the manner in which Hobson and the Starbucks Corporation are perpetuating patterns of racialized exploitation in this country.”

“Contrary to official claims, naming our new residential college after Hobson does not address the University’s racist legacy — rather, it obscures the manner in which Hobson and the Starbucks Corporation are perpetuating patterns of racialized exploitation in this country.” 

OPINION | 04/13/2022

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Letter to the Editor: The Satire section needs to change

Letter to the Editor: The Satire section needs to change

AG McGee and Rooya Rahin

“Satire is fun! But when satire isn’t written and edited carefully, it risks emotional damage.”

“Satire is fun! But when satire isn’t written and edited carefully, it risks emotional damage.”

OPINION | 04/12/2022

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Acceptance rates mean nothing

Acceptance rates mean nothing

Windsor Nguyễn

“In fact, withholding admissions statistics encourages prospective students to be extra thorough in researching the schools they are considering. This is a good thing.”

“In fact, withholding admissions statistics encourages prospective students to be extra thorough in researching the schools they are considering. This is a good thing.”

OPINION | 04/12/2022

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The Caterpillar referendum overlooks important realities

The Caterpillar referendum overlooks important realities

Jacob Katz

“Boycotting Caterpillar would harm the Palestinian Tractor & Equipment Company — a designated Caterpillar distributor — which describes itself as “a leading participant in Palestine’s economic and industrial development.” This should strike us as confusing: the referendum simultaneously condemns the demolition of Palestinian homes and tacitly proposes a boycott of a flagship Palestinian construction company. Its narrow aim leads it to hurt the very people it aims to help.”

“Boycotting Caterpillar would harm the Palestinian Tractor & Equipment Company – a designated Caterpillar distributor – which describes itself as “a leading participant in Palestine’s economic and industrial development.” This should strike us as confusing: the referendum simultaneously condemns the demolition of Palestinian homes and tacitly proposes a boycott of a flagship Palestinian construction company. Its narrow aim leads it to hurt the very people it aims to help.”

OPINION | 04/11/2022

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There’s no ‘moving on’ from queer marginalization

There’s no ‘moving on’ from queer marginalization

Hannah Reynolds

“While seemingly harmless, phrases like ‘moving on’ and ‘anyways’ in response to expressions of queerness are indicative of a far larger problem on Princeton’s campus: the unwillingness to hear and validate the experiences of queer people who are open enough to share them.”

“While seemingly harmless, phrases like ‘moving on’ and ‘anyways’ in response to expressions of queerness are indicative of a far larger problem on Princeton’s campus: the unwillingness to hear and validate the experiences of queer people who are open enough to share them.”

OPINION | 04/11/2022

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USG U-Councilor: Mental health and DEI referenda deserve the spotlight, too

USG U-Councilor: Mental health and DEI referenda deserve the spotlight, too

Stephen Daniels

“These referenda should be understood as indicating a new level of seriousness on the issues of mental health resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion on the part of the Senate.”

“these referenda should be understood as indicating a new level of seriousness on the issues of mental health resources and diversity, equity, and inclusion on the part of the Senate.”

OPINION | 04/10/2022

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In honor of the women Princeton history forgot

In honor of the women Princeton history forgot

Sally Jane Ruybàlid

“May we all take a moment during this Women’s History Month and on the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX to recognize, ruminate, and reflect on the contributions of the ones that have slowly faded into the past.”

“May we all take a moment during this Women’s History Month and on the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX to recognize, ruminate, and reflect on the contributions of the ones that have slowly faded into the past.”

PROJECTS | 04/10/2022

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Caterpillar referendum supporters avoid a debate they know they can’t win

Caterpillar referendum supporters avoid a debate they know they can’t win

Reid Zlotky

“If this referendum were truly about supporting Palestinians and ensuring justice and peace, it would focus on tangible solutions to help the Palestinian people rather than virtue signaling through BDS-affiliated proposals.”

“If this referendum were truly about supporting Palestinians and ensuring justice and peace, it would focus on tangible solutions to help the Palestinian people rather than virtue signaling through BDS-affiliated proposals.” 

OPINION | 04/07/2022

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As the Alliance of Jewish Progressives, we support dissociation from Caterpillar

As the Alliance of Jewish Progressives, we support dissociation from Caterpillar

Chaya Holch and Zora Arum

“Our support for this referendum is motivated by our solidarity with Palestinians and our desire to encourage the University to discontinue its relationships with Caterpillar which makes us complicit in racist, settler-colonial violence.”

“Our support for this referendum is motivated by our solidarity with Palestinians and our desire to encourage the University to discontinue its relationships with Caterpillar which makes us complicit in racist, settler-colonial violence.” 

OPINION | 04/07/2022

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Why Princeton is no longer promoting its admission rate

Why Princeton is no longer promoting its admission rate

Karen Richardson

“There has been much discussion recently about the University’s decision to step back from promoting statistics about admitted students, including a Reactions column this week. As Dean of Admission, I want to provide additional information and context.”

“There has been much discussion recently about the University’s decision to step back from promoting statistics about admitted students, including a Reactions column this week. As Dean of Admission, I want to provide additional information and context.”

OPINION | 04/07/2022

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The case for lifting up instead of weeding out in Princeton’s pre-med classes

The case for lifting up instead of weeding out in Princeton’s pre-med classes

Lucia Wetherill

“In order to increase diversity in the medical field and allow students to pursue their passions, Princeton must begin to engage in a ‘lift-up’ culture rather than a ‘weed-out’ one.”

“In order to increase diversity in the medical field and allow students to pursue their passions, Princeton must begin to engage in a ‘lift-up’ culture rather than a ‘weed-out’ one.” 

OPINION | 04/06/2022

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Is the ‘Prince’ too negative?

Is the ‘Prince’ too negative?

Ashley Olenkiewicz

“Students at the ‘Prince’ are not critical of the University simply for the sake of being critical.”

“Students at the ‘Prince’ are not critical of the University simply for the sake of being critical.”

OPINION | 04/05/2022

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Why I’m campaigning for Princeton to stop using Caterpillar construction machinery

Why I’m campaigning for Princeton to stop using Caterpillar construction machinery

Eric Periman

“Princeton must send a message that companies like these have no place in our campus community.”

“Princeton must send a message that companies like these have no place in our campus community.”

OPINION | 04/05/2022

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Reactions: Princeton admits Class of 2026, won’t tell us acceptance rate

Reactions: Princeton admits Class of 2026, won’t tell us acceptance rate

Rohit Narayanan , Mohan Setty-Charity, and Abigail Rabieh

On Thursday, prospective members of Princeton’s Great Class of 2026 received their admissions decision. Nevertheless, the University has declined to release any statistics about accepted students. We asked columnists for their opinions on this unusual decision.

On Thursday, prospective members of Princeton’s Great Class of 2026 received their admissions decision. Nevertheless, the University has declined to release any statistics about accepted students. We asked columnists for their opinions on this unusual decision.

OPINION | 04/04/2022

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