Opinion

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

---

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

---

Caterpillar Referendum peddles the hate and bigotry of the global BDS movement

Caterpillar Referendum peddles the hate and bigotry of the global BDS movement

Jared Stone and Orli Epstein

“Instead of supporting a resolution that is rooted within a bigoted global movement, we ought to cultivate a Princeton campus where all students can safely cherish their identities and express their sentiments; where we collectively engage in a discourse free of hostility and intimidation; and where we sustain a positive environment for ourselves and future generations of Princeton students.”

“Instead of supporting a resolution that is rooted within a bigoted global movement, we ought to cultivate a Princeton campus where all students can safely cherish their identities and express their sentiments; where we collectively engage in a discourse free of hostility and intimidation; and where we sustain a positive environment for ourselves and future generations of Princeton students.” 

OPINION | 04/04/2022

---

The subtext of headlines and the news we are fed

The subtext of headlines and the news we are fed

Ava Milberg

“Not only is it important for us to stay informed about current events, but how we discuss those events matters, too; the words we use craft a particular narrative and inherently put a spin on any story we tell."

“Not only is it important for us to stay informed about current events, but how we discuss those events matters, too; the words we use craft a particular narrative and inherently put a spin on any story we tell.”

OPINION | 04/03/2022

---

We cannot master the clock

We cannot master the clock

Abigail Rabieh

“We need to stop pretending that if only we can master time, we can improve our lives.”

“We need to stop pretending that if only we can master time, we can improve our lives.”

OPINION | 03/31/2022

---

Princeton in the service of fossil fuels

Princeton in the service of fossil fuels

Nate Howard

“At the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting on March 21, we were finally told how much of Princeton’s endowment is invested in fossil fuel companies. 1.7 billion dollars. Billion. 4.5 percent of the entire endowment.”

“At the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting on March 21, we were finally told how much of Princeton’s endowment is invested in fossil fuel companies. 1.7 billion dollars. Billion. 4.5 percent of the entire endowment.”

OPINION | 03/30/2022

---

Letter to the Editor: Betting your future on ‘impact’ neglects inherent uncertainty

Letter to the Editor: Betting your future on ‘impact’ neglects inherent uncertainty

Daniel Viorica

“I think it would be simpler — and more straightforward — to try to be happy, because you cannot know how your actions will affect other people. You cannot know if something you put into the world will be positive or negative. You can try, you can do your best, but you can never know for sure.”

“I think it would be simpler — and more straightforward — to try to be happy, because you cannot know how your actions will affect other people. You cannot know if something you put into the world will be positive or negative. You can try, you can do your best, but you can never know for sure.”

OPINION | 03/30/2022

---

Letter to the Editor: Room Draw changes reflect time of transition on campus

Letter to the Editor: Room Draw changes reflect time of transition on campus

Dorian Johnson

“This year’s changes mark the beginning of a multi-year transition period that will culminate with the fall 2026 opening of Hobson College as the University’s eighth residential college.”

“This year’s changes mark the beginning of a multi-year transition period that will culminate with the fall 2026 opening of Hobson College as the University’s eighth residential college.”

OPINION | 03/30/2022

---

Exoticism, misrepresentation, and Native Hawaiian culture: The problems with ‘Gilligan’s Island’ and ‘Hawaiian’ themes

Exoticism, misrepresentation, and Native Hawaiian culture: The problems with ‘Gilligan’s Island’ and ‘Hawaiian’ themes

Gisele Bisch

“Although Native Hawaiian culture being used for ‘party’ spectacles has been heavily normalized, this doesn’t make it acceptable.”

“Although Native Hawaiian culture being used for ‘party’ spectacles has been heavily normalized, this doesn’t make it acceptable.”

OPINION | 03/29/2022

---

The case against following your passion

The case against following your passion

Rohit Narayanan

“People should not choose fields that make them miserable: that would make for a painful college experience followed by an unimpressive career. But there’s no moral obligation to choose to pursue the field that you love the absolute most in school for the rest of your life either.”

“People should not choose fields that make them miserable: that would make for a painful college experience followed by an unimpressive career. But there’s no moral obligation to choose to pursue the field that you love the absolute most in school for the rest of your life either.”

OPINION | 03/29/2022

---

A Higher Patriotism: A former Princeton President's call to action still provides clarity today

A Higher Patriotism: A former Princeton President's call to action still provides clarity today

David Piegaro

“America is sorely divided and this reflects real differences in our politics. Still, Americans everywhere ought to take to heart President Lincoln’s words: ‘We must not be enemies.' We as Princeton students should try especially hard to put those words into action as many of us will go on to claim elite positions in the American society that enable us to create a real difference.” 

“America is sorely divided and this reflects real differences in our politics. Still, Americans everywhere ought to take to heart President Lincoln’s words: ‘We must not be enemies.’ We as Princeton students should try especially hard to put those words into action as many of us will go on to claim elite positions in the American society that enable us to create a real difference.”

OPINION | 03/28/2022

---

In the name of academic exploration: Why Princeton needs a pass/fail first-year fall semester

In the name of academic exploration: Why Princeton needs a pass/fail first-year fall semester

Ndeye Thioubou

“In their first months at the University, Princeton first-years should not avoid taking certain classes out of a fear of not being able to do well enough in terms of their grades.”

“In their first months at the University, Princeton first-years should not avoid taking certain classes out of a fear of not being able to do well enough in terms of their grades.”

OPINION | 03/27/2022

---

Leonard Milberg ’53: When Princeton blocks exhibits of Jewish art with Confederate artists, it erases history

Leonard Milberg ’53: When Princeton blocks exhibits of Jewish art with Confederate artists, it erases history

Leonard Milberg

“One of the reasons I sponsor American Jewish exhibits is as an attempt to bring to light the fact that Jews were, and continue to be, part of the fabric of American life.”

“One of the reasons I sponsor American Jewish exhibits is as an attempt to bring to light the fact that Jews were, and continue to be, part of the fabric of American life.”

OPINION | 03/27/2022

---

Endless boosters are not an option

Endless boosters are not an option

Kelsey Ji

“Instead of relying on COVID-19 boosters, the University ought to take other measures to continue protecting our community.”

“Instead of relying on COVID-19 boosters, the University ought to take other measures to continue protecting our community.”

OPINION | 03/24/2022

---

Why Princeton University should donate the Butler Tract to a community land trust

Why Princeton University should donate the Butler Tract to a community land trust

Matt Mleczko

In the second installment of a multi-part series on how Princeton University can promote affordable housing in a reparative framework and provide a model for other similar institutions to follow, Graduate Student Columnist Matt Mleczko proposes a housing intervention involving the Butler Tract. 

In the second installment of a multi-part series on how Princeton University can promote affordable housing in a reparative framework and provide a model for other similar institutions to follow, Graduate Student Columnist Matt Mleczko proposes a housing intervention involving the Butler Tract.

PROJECTS | 03/24/2022

---

The social implications of a maskless Princeton

The social implications of a maskless Princeton

Andi Grene

“The decision to remove the mask mandate marks the gradual, yet eventual, end to the pandemic’s social repercussions for our campus. Even though we must approach this transition with utmost sensitivity, it is a transition that is much needed. I, for one, look forward to its positive impacts on students’ social life.”

“The decision to remove the mask mandate marks the gradual, yet eventual, end to the pandemic’s social repercussions for our campus. Even though we must approach this transition with utmost sensitivity, it is a transition that is much needed. I, for one, look forward to its positive impacts on students’ social life.”

OPINION | 03/23/2022

---

Stop framing us as victims: Safely supporting survivors of sexual violence

Stop framing us as victims: Safely supporting survivors of sexual violence

Hannah Reynolds

“The most effective way to overturn the reductive, harmful victim narrative is restoring the power of choice to survivors. Acting without the survivor’s full consent and knowledge can ultimately cause more harm than good, even if well-intentioned.”

“The most effective way to overturn the reductive, harmful victim narrative is restoring the power of choice to survivors. Acting without the survivor’s full consent and knowledge can ultimately cause more harm than good, even if well-intentioned.” 

OPINION | 03/23/2022

---

Is meritocracy in Princeton admissions really a sham?: A response to Rohit Narayanan ’24

Is meritocracy in Princeton admissions really a sham?: A response to Rohit Narayanan ’24

Vincent Nguyen

“I accept that the current admissions process is imperfect, but the fact that it doesn’t randomly assign students to elite schools is definitely not among its shortcomings.”

“I accept that the current admissions process is imperfect, but the fact that it doesn’t randomly assign students to elite schools is definitely not among its shortcomings.”

OPINION | 03/22/2022

---

Students need to understand current events. The classroom is the solution.

Students need to understand current events. The classroom is the solution.

Mohan Setty-Charity

“Creating avenues for students to do this throughout their time at Princeton will lead to better informed conversations and beliefs about current events, and make classes as relevant to students as possible.”

“Creating avenues for students to do this throughout their time at Princeton will lead to better informed conversations and beliefs about current events, and make classes as relevant to students as possible.”

OPINION | 03/22/2022

---

Mental health care must be proactive

Mental health care must be proactive

Allen Liu

“Rather than taking a reactive approach to mental health, the University can ensure that well-being is a central part of its decision-making and student experiences at Princeton. Mental health care can be proactive, and on a healthy campus, it must be.”

“Rather than taking a reactive approach to mental health, the University can ensure that well-being is a central part of its decision-making and student experiences at Princeton. Mental health care can be proactive, and on a healthy campus, it must be.”

OPINION | 03/21/2022

---