Opinion

Princeton’s civic engagement issue is deeper than what a ‘service requirement’ can fix

A red and white sign that says "service" is hung on a window into an interior room in Frist.

Princeton’s civic engagement issue is deeper than what a ‘service requirement’ can fix

Christie Davis

When faced with a Princeton-related issue like students overwhelmingly going into industries that don’t “serve humanity,” it is natural to first look to the University for potential causes and solutions. But given that the problem is rooted in projected-earnings, a service requirement would not fix the problem.

When faced with a Princeton-related issue like students overwhelmingly going into industries that don't "serve humanity," it is natural to first look to the University for potential causes and solutions. But given that the problem is rooted in projected-earnings, a service requirement would not fix the problem.

OPINION | 10/23/2023

Letter to the Editor: A cemetery is not an attraction

A stone sign engraved with "The Princeton Cemetery of Nassau Presbyterian Church" in front of a background of green grass and leafy green trees. Two American flags stand before the sign.

Letter to the Editor: A cemetery is not an attraction

Thomas H. Pyle

"But Princeton Cemetery is like a church to me and others, a place where I often go to talk to and pray for my dearly departed son. No matter whom the USG will hire to stage the tour, there is something unseemly about a potential commercial tour for 25 University students amusing themselves in the dark by searching for “ghosts” with flashlights in a hallowed local place."

OPINION | 10/22/2023

Orient first-years with all of Princeton, not just each other

Orient first-years with all of Princeton, not just each other

Ava Johnson

"The administration seems to be relatively successful in facilitating bonds between students of the same year: Why can’t they do this between freshman and upperclassmen?"

The administration seems to be relatively successful in facilitating bonds between students of the same year: Why can’t they do this between freshman and upperclassmen?

OPINION | 10/22/2023

An open letter from Princeton faculty and students in solidarity with Gaza

Rubble of destroyed buildings in a city.

An open letter from Princeton faculty and students in solidarity with Gaza

Guest Contributors

"We call upon the University administration to uphold the values that Princeton stands for. We serve the nation and serve humanity by collectively working for peace and justice."

OPINION | 10/22/2023

We must prioritize engaging alumni of Asian origin

Crowd of people on a sunny day outdoors, many with orange and black attire.

We must prioritize engaging alumni of Asian origin

Nancy Lin and Arati Johnston

"Community building among Princetonians of Asian descent must extend beyond their time on campus — we do not ever stop being Tigers."

OPINION | 10/12/2023

To combat inequity faced by international students, Princeton must expand its departmental classifications

Students walking in front of a concrete building with large windows.

To combat inequity faced by international students, Princeton must expand its departmental classifications

Aly Rashid

“Many international students whose primary academic interests lie in a non-STEM field end up in Catch-22. They can prioritize majoring in a field that addresses their academic passion and potentially lose residency in the country in which they want to use their degree, or they can prioritize extending their stay in the US post graduation, only to be faced with job prospects that don’t interest them.”

"Many international students whose primary academic interests lie in a non-STEM field end up in Catch-22. They can prioritize majoring in a field that addresses their academic passion and potentially lose residency in the country in which they want to use their degree, or they can prioritize extending their stay in the US post graduation, only to be faced with job prospects that don’t interest them."

OPINION | 10/12/2023

Invisible Borders: The case for diversifying Princeton’s international student body

An ivy-covered building with shady trees in front.

Invisible Borders: The case for diversifying Princeton’s international student body

Sophia Zuo

"Accepting concentrated groups of students from such prevalent international schools is that they aren’t very 'international' to begin with, which results in a lack of dimension in the voices of the international community on campuses."

"Accepting concentrated groups of students from such prevalent international schools is that they aren’t very “international” to begin with, which results in a lack of dimension in the voices of the international community on campuses."

OPINION | 10/12/2023

Princeton students: condemn Hamas’s ‘pure, unadulterated evil’

Princeton students: condemn Hamas’s ‘pure, unadulterated evil’

Elazar Cramer and Yonah Berenson

"No matter what you think about Israel, this response is not justified. There is no justification for Hamas’s barbarism."

OPINION | 10/12/2023

Students have the power to expand culture and inclusion at Princeton

Dark brown and beige university building with gothic architecture on a sunny day.

Students have the power to expand culture and inclusion at Princeton

Shruti Venkat

“I can only imagine what students in coming years will do to make this institution more inclusive day by day.”

"I can only imagine what students in coming years will do to make this institution more inclusive day by day."

OPINION | 10/11/2023

International Orientation needs to cover race in America

Brick building from a corner angle with large glass windows and a blue sky

International Orientation needs to cover race in America

Heidi Nam

"IO shouldn’t stop at teaching about topical and logistical issues, such as visas and paid work. It must integrate an actual session on race and the history and culture of racism in the United States into its programming."

OPINION | 10/10/2023

From a class council campaign manager, here’s the key to a successful campaign

The side of a white marble building with columns. In the foreground, a puddle reflecting a blue sky.

From a class council campaign manager, here’s the key to a successful campaign

Nile White

"Our candidate didn’t need to be perfect — he needed to be human, someone who cared about what other students cared about."

"Our candidate didn’t need to be perfect — he needed to be human, who cared about what students cared about."

OPINION | 10/10/2023

Exams shouldn’t prevent students from going home for the holidays

A streetlight shines in the middle amidst a heavy snowfall.

Exams shouldn’t prevent students from going home for the holidays

Ignacio Arias

Current students should stand up for future Princetonians’ right to observe Christmas and afford them the privilege of going home in peace. And if University administrators want to support geographic and economic diversity at Princeton, the calendar ought to reflect the reality that many (if not most) students cannot simply drive home for the holidays a day or two in advance.

OPINION | 10/08/2023

It’s time for Princeton to stop serving beef

People eating at dining tables. An orange and beige rug covers a stone floor. A chandelier with little lamps hangs from the high ceiling, and flags line the walls.

It’s time for Princeton to stop serving beef

Thomas Buckley

"As the largest supplier of food on campus, the University has the responsibility to take necessary actions for the health of its students and the planet."

OPINION | 10/05/2023

More gender-neutral bathrooms would make Princeton more inclusive

A hallway outside a gender-neutral bathroom with a sign for the bathroom.

More gender-neutral bathrooms would make Princeton more inclusive

Emilly Santos

“Provide an easily accessible single-stall gender-neutral bathroom in every building, and include access to gender-neutral bathrooms when honoring requests for gender-inclusive living assignments — which should be granted immediately upon request.”

"Provide an easily accessible single-stall gender-neutral bathroom in every building, and include access to gender-neutral bathrooms when honoring requests for gender-inclusive living assignments — which should be granted immediately upon request."

OPINION | 10/04/2023

With few accommodations, ill students struggle

Nighttime view of a glass door with the words “University Health Services”

With few accommodations, ill students struggle

Davis Hobley

Princeton should heavily consider better accommodating ill students on campus with social, financial, and academic accommodations, and act as a body that facilitates recovery, not as one that exacerbates it.

A view of a hallway in an isolation dorm.

OPINION | 10/03/2023

The not-so-great class of 2027: Why none of us deserve to be here

Grey stone building with a triangular silhouette next to a sign with the seal of Mathey college.

The not-so-great class of 2027: Why none of us deserve to be here

Siyeon Lee

"If your instinctive response to this system is that it isn’t fair to those who ‘deserve it’, remember that no form of admissions has ever been—and that in the end, the university’s primary purpose is not to mend all of society’s evils...A partial randomization system, though imperfect in its aims for egalitarianism, will work gradually in combating the good because great mentality."

OPINION | 10/02/2023

Harnessing collective power to strengthen resolve: the purpose of marching

People walking and protesting with signs on a city street, with buildings in the background.

Harnessing collective power to strengthen resolve: the purpose of marching

Alex Norbrook

"Because the march so visibly demonstrated the sheer scale of people who are equally determined to work towards a safer future, the whole experience made clear that none of us are alone in wanting to do something about climate change, and that the fight isn’t over yet."

OPINION | 10/01/2023

President Eisgruber, step up or step aside

A man wearing a face mask looks down, slightly behind a woman wearing a face mask.

President Eisgruber, step up or step aside

Eleanor Clemans-Cope

The decision-makers who govern our Princeton lives – both Eisgruber and the Board of Trustees – are disconnected from the student body and don’t show a real interest in our most pressing problems, making it difficult to solve them.

OPINION | 09/29/2023

Princeton must remain steadfast and transparent in its divestment commitments

Guest Contributors

"The Princeton community was encouraged by the promises made a year ago, but those words need to be followed up with bold action and true leadership."

OPINION | 09/28/2023

Students won’t take COVID-19 tests unless University accommodations improve

A sign with red, bold text next to several blue and white boxes on a shelf.

Students won’t take COVID-19 tests unless University accommodations improve

Frances Brogan

“The University’s failure to provide resources for roommates can provoke resentment between friends and roommates, and detrimentally impact students’ living situations. Students are disincentivized from testing when the University neglects the most rudimentary needs of those in isolation.”

"The University’s failure to provide resources for roommates can provoke resentment between friends and roommates, and detrimentally impact students’ living situations. Students are disincentivized from testing when the University neglects the most rudimentary needs of those in isolation."

OPINION | 09/27/2023

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