Opinion

Hope abounds on the world stage

Hope abounds on the world stage

Looking at the world stage these days one can be forgiven for getting a tad depressed. Escalating global tensions, the chaos of Iraq, unprecedented antipathy towards America, rising Muslim fundamentalism, increasing partisan polarization and bitterness at home, the list goes on and on.

OPINION | 05/02/2004

'Prince' article insensitive to Christian readers

Regarding 'The art of pregaming before Houseparties' (Street, April 29):I found this article both disappointing and offensive.

OPINION | 05/02/2004

The next big vote

The big story this week was grade inflation, writ large in contraband photos on the front page of the 'Prince' and angry students talking about how the University ignored them.Meanwhile, a smaller story was unfolding.

OPINION | 04/29/2004

Students aren't alone in appreciating Deignan

Regarding 'Deignan's dedication to Princeton is unparalleled' (Letter, April 29):It is pleasing to read a defense of Kathleen Deignan, dean of undergraduate students, by one of the most thoughtful students I have had the privilege to teach here at Princeton, former USG president Joe Kochan '02.

OPINION | 04/29/2004

Rooting for Mathefeller

If you had been in the East Room of Murray-Dodge this past Monday at four, you would have been privy to an amusing example of the absurdities that can follow from rigid application of academic rules.

OPINION | 04/29/2004

Easy labs do little to educate

On Tuesday, a Harvard committee of students, faculty and administrators, concluded that in the future students would be expected to study abroad and take more science classes in an effort to adapt the University curriculum to the 21st Century.While study abroad programs are quickly become the new academic "must" for the university student, an idea slowly becoming embraced by the Princeton community, what is more surprising is the intended increase in the number of science classes required for graduation.The committee said that every student should be "educated in the sciences in a manner that is a as deep and broadly shared as has traditionally been the case in the humanities and social sciences." Students should be able to "understand the news and expository articles in journals such as Science and Nature."As Harvard President Lawrence Summers told the New York Times, "an educational culture where it's an embarrassment to not know the names of five plays by Shakespeare but OK not to know the difference between a gene and a chromosome isn't functional."While I agree that there should be an increased scientific awareness an undergraduate student body, from my experience at Princeton, I question Harvard's conclusion that broad-based survey science courses are no longer sufficient.I would argue that survey courses should remain, but should address more current scientific-issue related survey courses are what are needed.

OPINION | 04/28/2004

Does news like this come from a university?

Regarding 'Dobkin tells 'Prince' to 'destroy' photos of vote' ( April 27):The news that has come out of Old Nassau over the past week has been as depressing as it is appalling.First, Dean Deignan is reported to have policed thought by confiscating hundreds of t-shirts based on their viewpoint and content.Second, Dean Malkiel appeared to win this round in her near-decade-long endeavor to police academic freedom by limiting the faculty's discretion in grading.Third, Dean Dobkin is reported to have attempted to police journalistic freedom in demanding that a pressman destroy photographs of faculty voting on Dean Malkiel's proposal.Has Princeton become a police state? Jo Ern Chen '00 Deignan's dedication to Princeton is unparalleledRegarding 'Deignan sets a bad real-world example for students' (Letter, April 28):I refuse to allow one paraphrased quotation in the 'Prince' to tarnish the image of a person as valuable to Princeton as Dean Deignan.I am of the firm belief that one of the greatest strengths of the University is its fanatically dedicated, student-focused administration and faculty.

OPINION | 04/28/2004

Checking the chair

There is no doubt that Princeton's USG president spends more time in the public eye than the social chair.

OPINION | 04/28/2004

The University's muzzle

The University has a problem. A free speech problem. And just when it takes a step in the right direction, it lurches back in the wrong direction.First, the good news.

OPINION | 04/27/2004

University needs to protect students during grade change

Regarding 'Grade inflation plan passes' (April 27):Now that the faculty have approved the proposal to curb grade inflation, I have but one question for the administration: What steps are you going to take to make sure that those of us involved in the "transition period" do not suffer negative effects when applying to jobs and graduate schools?Simply marking that grade inflation was being curbed starting the 2004-2005 academic year isn't enough.

OPINION | 04/27/2004

The ayes have it

With the 156-84 vote yesterday in favor of the grade inflation proposals, the faculty have agreed to "expectations" that they will limit A's in each department to 35 percent on coursework and 55 percent on independent work.

OPINION | 04/26/2004

Incoming provost's wise words

It was encouraging to see professor Christopher Eisgruber '83, speak up in favor of openness when making important decisions for Princeton.

OPINION | 04/26/2004

Maybe practicality isn't so bad

In the halcyon days before 9/11, the recession and Iraq, my friends and I had a single goal that sprung from both our most selfish desires and our most pragmatic concerns: getting into a prestigious college.

OPINION | 04/26/2004

The Bush paradox

A few weeks ago, I participated in an unusual exchange in the Frist Center. Feeling slightly mischievous, I walked up to the Young Republicans tent on the main floor and tried to convince them that President Bush was an entirely unattractive choice for the upcoming election.Surely this charge has been made dozens of times by Democrats at Princeton and in various places around the country.

OPINION | 04/26/2004

Academic freedom will be victim of grade proposal

Regarding 'Felten analysis refutes grade inflation claims' (April 23):The grade inflation proposal is a dagger in the heart of academic freedom.

OPINION | 04/25/2004

Princeton faculty on the road

Princeton students and Princeton faculty share a few hours of concentrated activity each week, but for the most part we lead lives radically and in some respects mysteriously separate.

OPINION | 04/25/2004

700 dead and counting

Last Sunday, it was announced that our ill-fated invasion of Iraq has now cost the lives of 700 American soldiers.

OPINION | 04/25/2004

What will it take?

We've heard about the dangers of alcohol; we've heard about the absurd caloric intake; we've heard about the laws and university policies against underage drinking and drinking games.

OPINION | 04/22/2004

Come to Princeton!

It's a safe bet that all the high school seniors here this weekend know Princeton's a great place to learn.

OPINION | 04/22/2004

A Newman's Day to be proud of

I'll start with an admission: Newman's Day is pretty fun. As one of my coworkers put it when asked for her thoughts on the notorious on goings of April 24, "Even if you're not drinking, you get to see students walking around drunk, doing things they wouldn't normally do." Well put, Coco.

OPINION | 04/22/2004

Most Popular