Opinion

When we lose a student, make classes optional

When we lose a student, make classes optional

Audrey Tan

Grieving students are provided with the resources to seek support and encouraged to seek them out, but are given no time off or reprieve from their substantial workload to process their emotions. Encouraging students to seek support through CPS without thoughtful consideration for when and how they might do so shows a performative regard for wellbeing on campus.

Grieving students are provided with the resources to seek support and encouraged to seek them out, but are given no time off or reprieve from their substantial workload to process their emotions. Encouraging students to seek support through CPS without thoughtful consideration for when and how they might do so shows a performative regard for wellbeing on campus.

OPINION | February 16

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Boycott the U-Store

Boycott the U-Store

Isaac Barsoum

Before, those prices were charged to non-members and, however insufficiently, redistributed to us; now, we have become the subject of the extortion that once served us.

Before, those prices were charged to non-members and, however insufficiently, redistributed to us; now, we have become the subject of the extortion that once served us.

OPINION | February 16

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Abolish the lecture

Abolish the lecture

Jack L. Thompson

My preferred solution is for the University to abolish lectures, and for professors to instead publish their notes and hold more office hours. A more modest change from current practice also exists, however: Professors can tell students, at the start of the class, that notes will be published and lectures recorded, and that lecture attendance is not mandatory.

My preferred solution is for the University to abolish lectures, and for professors to instead publish their notes and hold more office hours. A more modest change from current practice also exists, however: Professors can tell students, at the start of the class, that notes will be published and lectures recorded, and that lecture attendance is not mandatory.

OPINION | February 12

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In Princeton’s admissions, not all public schools are equal

In Princeton’s admissions, not all public schools are equal

Raf Basas and Vitalia Spatola

If Princeton admitted a similar percentage of public school students from New Jersey as it did nationwide, then in the Class of 2016, about 74 percent of New Jersey public school students at Princeton likely came from the same 26 high schools — or eight percent of New Jersey public schools.

If Princeton admitted a similar percentage of public school students from New Jersey as it did nationwide, then in the Class of 2016, about 74 percent of New Jersey public school students at Princeton likely came from the same 26 high schools — or eight percent of New Jersey public schools.

OPINION | February 12

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Don’t let speakers preach to their own choir

Don’t let speakers preach to their own choir

Ian Rosenzweig

While busy Princetonians are perhaps not inclined to spend time that could be used for a reading at yet another speaker event, this community has been known to show up to protest controversial speakers. And while protest is a valuable form of political engagement, it is worth considering listening to a speaker before we interrupt them. Protest makes a statement, but dialogue is an avenue for intellectual growth. 

While busy Princetonians are perhaps not inclined to spend time that could be used for a reading at yet another speaker event, this community has been known to show up to protest controversial speakers. And while protest is a valuable form of political engagement, it is worth considering listening to a speaker before we interrupt them. Protest makes a statement, but dialogue is an avenue for intellectual growth. 

OPINION | February 10

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Epstein is everyone’s problem — activism should be, too

Epstein is everyone’s problem — activism should be, too

Siyeon Lee

While elite academia has always been greased by the philanthropy of the wealthy, students — like our professors and our institution — are not morally exempt from critically examining the sources and use of our educational funding, especially when that funding is provided on the pretense of a certain political purpose. 

While elite academia has always been greased by the philanthropy of the wealthy, students — like our professors and our institution — are not morally exempt from critically examining the sources and use of our educational funding, especially when that funding is provided on the pretense of a certain political purpose. 

OPINION | February 10

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Why I’m running for Congress

Why I’m running for Congress

Sam Wang

Congress today is deeply polarized, ignores the priorities of voters, and fails to check the other two branches of government. But neither party, Democrats nor Republicans, is meeting our moment of need.

Congress today is deeply polarized, ignores the priorities of voters, and fails to check the other two branches of government. But neither party, Democrats nor Republicans, is meeting our moment of need.

OPINION | February 6

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Governor Sherrill, give justice-impacted people a second chance

Governor Sherrill, give justice-impacted people a second chance

Raghav Pradhan and Vaishnavi Murthy

The clemency program counteracts this injustice, reuniting families with their loved ones and strengthening the greater New Jersey community. As members of this community, we recognize our personal stake in the continuation of clemency by supporting this program.

The clemency program counteracts this injustice, reuniting families with their loved ones and strengthening the greater New Jersey community. As members of this community, we recognize our personal stake in the continuation of clemency by supporting this program.

OPINION | February 4

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As endowment returns contract, workers continue to deserve a living wage

As endowment returns contract, workers continue to deserve a living wage

Raf Basas

Fundamentally, a living wage is humane. In exchange for their indispensable work, Princeton’s workers deserve to be able to afford their basic needs.

We need to implement a living wage at Princeton, now. It is a common-sense, low-cost policy that we should all get behind.

OPINION | February 4

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There’s a better way forward for students in crisis

There’s a better way forward for students in crisis

Thomas Buckley

If Princeton is serious about combating mental illness, it should follow the lead of Rutgers, Pitt, and others that provide students with an organized and comprehensive program of care that reinforces rather than untethers their supportive campus relationships.

If Princeton is serious about combating mental illness, it should follow the lead of Rutgers, Pitt, and others that provide students with an organized and comprehensive program of care that reinforces rather than untethers their supportive campus relationships.

OPINION | February 3

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Humanities lag behind STEM in AI policy. They must catch up.

Humanities lag behind STEM in AI policy. They must catch up.

Luqmaan Bamba

AI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities scholars and social scientists should recognize where AI can be constructive by building on human analysis instead of just being a shortcut.

AI is useful in the humanities: in literature, it can identify trends across centuries with textual analysis, analyze emotional states, and handle routine tasks. Instead of an outright ban, humanities scholars and social scientists should recognize where AI can be constructive by building on human analysis instead of just being a shortcut.

OPINION | February 2

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A case for the Whig-Clio senate

A case for the Whig-Clio senate

Ian Rosenzweig

As a community, Princetonians — especially politically engaged Princetonians — must commit to defending our positions and challenging our ideologies through civil discourse. And the Whig-Clio senate is where that commitment can start.

As a community, Princetonians — especially politically engaged Princetonians — must commit to defending our positions and challenging our ideologies through civil discourse. And the Whig-Clio senate is where that commitment can start.

OPINION | January 29

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Why the Honor Code doesn’t work

Why the Honor Code doesn’t work

Shane McCauley

Princeton should work toward implementing an honor code that is integral to student identity, not just a perfunctory pledge that we memorize and write on the first page of our exams.

Princeton should work toward implementing an honor code that is integral to student identity, not just a perfunctory pledge that we memorize and write on the first page of our exams.

OPINION | January 28

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By the way, on Feb. 9, you can ask President Eisgruber anything

By the way, on Feb. 9, you can ask President Eisgruber anything

Isaac Barsoum

A question for Eisgruber about dining, divestment, international student protections, research funding, mental health, or any of the many other issues facing our community has the chance, however small, to prompt an actual change in the University’s course of action over the coming year.

A question for Eisgruber about dining, divestment, international student protections, research funding, mental health, or any of the many other issues facing our community has the chance, however small, to prompt an actual change in the University’s course of action over the coming year.

OPINION | January 28

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Federal agents killed two civilians. Princeton must speak up, not remain silent.

Federal agents killed two civilians. Princeton must speak up, not remain silent.

Raf Basas

The University must speak out against the threat of ICE: it poses a genuine risk to our community, and represents an unapologetic governmental disregard for free speech that directly violates the very principles on which Princeton stakes itself as a defender of discourse.

The University must speak out against the threat of ICE: it poses a genuine risk to our community, and represents an unapologetic governmental disregard for free speech that directly violates the very principles on which Princeton stakes itself as a defender of discourse.

OPINION | January 25

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Why Princeton needs opinion journalism

Why Princeton needs opinion journalism

Charlie Yale and Lily Halbert-Alexander

Engaging with Opinion — whether through reading or writing — brings you into closer contact with campus discourse. Just as news reporters provide unbiased coverage on campus developments, we work to communicate to our readers what these events mean for their lives, and how current campus issues might intersect with their own values and roles in the community. 

Engaging with Opinion — whether through reading or writing — brings you into closer contact with campus discourse. Just as news reporters provide unbiased coverage on campus developments, we work to communicate to our readers what these events mean for their lives, and how current campus issues might intersect with their own values and roles in the community. 

OPINION | January 18

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PAW omits reporter’s Supreme Court appeal — at the cost of journalistic principle

PAW omits reporter’s Supreme Court appeal — at the cost of journalistic principle

Laurel Leff and Jon Ort

By publishing Sittenfeld’s profile of Park without noting his interests before the Supreme Court, PAW neglected its journalistic duty to alert its readers when a writer cannot fairly cover a story.

By publishing Sittenfeld’s profile of Park without noting his interests before the Supreme Court, PAW neglected its journalistic duty to alert its readers when a writer cannot fairly cover a story.

OPINION | January 5

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Don’t trust your campus paper? Here’s the case.

Don’t trust your campus paper? Here’s the case.

Miriam Waldvogel

In a moment of crisis, a trusted student newspaper transforms from an everyday service to a lifeline. Even when national outlets swoop in to cover a tragedy or an encampment, student reporters can provide deep sourcing and unique insight into the happenings on the ground.

In a moment of crisis, a trusted student newspaper transforms from an everyday service to a lifeline. Even when national outlets swoop in to cover a tragedy or an encampment, student reporters can provide deep sourcing and unique insight into the happenings on the ground.

OPINION | December 31

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Nominate your lecturers for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching

Nominate your lecturers for the President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching

Jerry Zhu

Nominations for the award are due to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty (padt[at]princeton.edu) by Feb. 6, 2026. I will be sending in my nominations for my favorite lecturers and other faculty, and I hope you will too.

Nominations for the award are due to the Office of the Dean of the Faculty (padt[at]princeton.edu) by Feb. 6, 2026. I will be sending in my nominations for my favorite lecturers and other faculty, and I hope you will too.

OPINION | December 19

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I don’t want to get run over by an e-bike

I don’t want to get run over by an e-bike

Charlie Yale

At its next meeting, Princeton’s Environmental Safety and Risk Management (ESRM) committee will consider a change to the University’s current e-bike policy. Due to the risk they pose to pedestrians and riders on campus, the ESRM committee must ban e-bikes once and for all when we get back from winter break.

At its next meeting, Princeton’s Environmental Safety and Risk Management (ESRM) committee will consider a change to the University’s current e-bike policy. Due to the risk they pose to pedestrians and riders on campus, the ESRM committee must ban e-bikes once and for all when we get back from winter break.

OPINION | December 18

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