Opinion

The academic world can’t let Harvard abstain from the pursuit of truth

"As universities continue to abandon their commitment to engaging in critical research and thought to determine truth — the core purpose and justification for a university — Princeton must act, both internally and publicly, in defense of this goal, and hire accordingly."

"As universities continue to abandon their commitment to engaging in critical research and thought to determine truth — the core purpose and justification for a university — Princeton must act, both internally and publicly, in defense of this goal, and hire accordingly."

Media obsession with Claudine Gay distracts from Gaza

“But while the media fixates on elite schools and Claudine Gay, nearly 2 million Gazans have been forced to flee their homes, and half of Gaza’s population is at risk of starvation.”

“But while the media fixates on elite schools and Claudine Gay, nearly 2 million Gazans have been forced to flee their homes, and half of Gaza’s population is at risk of starvation.”

Letter to the Editor: Submit nominations for the Pyne Prize

"I write to solicit nominations for the Pyne Prize, the highest general distinction the University confers upon an undergraduate."

"I write to solicit nominations for the Pyne Prize, the highest general distinction the University confers upon an undergraduate."

DEI: What bureaucrats and the right get wrong

There is so much potential and already-realized good to come out of Princeton’s DEI. But when Princeton cowers in the face of critics who package intolerance as anti-DEI “truth,” it does a disservice to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the communities it is supposed to protect.

There is so much potential and already-realized good to come out of Princeton’s DEI. But when Princeton cowers in the face of critics who package intolerance as anti-DEI “truth,” it does a disservice to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the communities it is supposed to protect.

Letter to the Editor: The ‘Prince’ fails its community by propagandizing for the University

“As the record of paper at Princeton, the ‘Prince’ has a responsibility to focus on the humanity of a story and hold powers affecting the community — such as the University — accountable for their actions.”

“As the record of paper at Princeton, the ‘Prince’ has a responsibility to focus on the humanity of a story and hold powers affecting the community — such as the University — accountable for their actions.”

In defense of the public sphere

“There is a vicious cycle at play. Administrators don’t risk a bad news cycle. Students save their time and their tongues. No one knows anything. No one learns anything.”

“There is a vicious cycle at play. Administrators don’t risk a bad news cycle. Students save their time and their tongues. No one knows anything. No one learns anything.”

In Princeton’s energy transition, our fleet of vehicles needs attention

“A centralized approach to monitoring vehicles would allow the University to more accurately discern when a new vehicle is truly needed.”

"A centralized approach to monitoring vehicles would allow the University to more accurately discern when a new vehicle is truly needed, reducing the need to procure unnecessary vehicles."

Life after Princeton: Find meaning in the mundane

"We choose what we want to share with the world, regardless whether it’s positive or negative. I have to accept that comparing myself to other alumni on social media is a never-ending battle that does not really define my success."

"We choose what we want to share with the world, regardless whether it’s positive or negative. I have to accept that comparing myself to other alumni on social media is a never-ending battle that does not really define my success."

Judging the career choices of others isn’t in the service of humanity either

"Being in the service of humanity does not only mean that we must make wise career choices, but it also informs the way in which we as a community consider and treat the individuals who make different career choices."

"Being in the service of humanity does not only mean that we must make wise career choices, but it also informs the way in which we as a community consider and treat the individuals who make different career choices."

Humanities majors aren’t impractical

“While we should discourage Princeton students’ aversion to career paths with more modest salaries, the data demonstrates that Princeton humanities degrees facilitate pathways into a diverse range of high-paying, respected, and intellectually stimulating careers.”

"While we should discourage Princeton students’ aversion to career paths with more modest salaries, the data demonstrates that Princeton humanities degrees facilitate pathways into a diverse range of high-paying, respected, and intellectually stimulating careers."

Vibrant conversations will keep Cloister alive

"When I entered Cloister, it felt as though I’d stepped into an ongoing conversation, and that same Kafkaesque conversation has continued over the past three years. New individuals have inherited it. New running jokes have entered the dialogue. But the spirit remains the same as it was when I entered."

"When I entered Cloister, it felt as though I’d stepped into an ongoing conversation, and that same Kafkaesque conversation has continued over the past three years. New individuals have inherited it. New running jokes have entered the dialogue. But the spirit remains the same as it was when I entered."

A calculated approach to (mental) health advocacy

“While not a panacea for students’ mental health issues, proposals surrounding study breaks and physical activity can preventatively reduce downward stress spirals and mitigate mental health challenges.”

“While not a panacea for students’ mental health issues, proposals surrounding study breaks and physical activity can preventatively reduce downward stress spirals and mitigate mental health challenges.”

Prospective Class of 2028, take a look at Princeton beyond the ‘Prince’

“While the ‘Prince’ is a valuable asset that works for the benefit of the entire student body at Princeton, I urge prospective students to not take its published articles as their entire representation of the University.”

“I would highly encourage any applicant to Princeton to not take our writing as their deciding factor on whether or not to apply.”

It’s Big Block of Cheese Day, today and every day

“It’s important to remember that focusing on the stories closest to the people that we cover does not mean we have to be uninteresting, or uncritical.”

“It’s important to remember that focusing on the stories closest to the people that we cover does not mean we have to be uninteresting, or uncritical.”

Reactions: Princeton bans electric scooters

“We asked our columnists for their thoughts on the PEV ban: what are the benefits and drawbacks to the community? What purpose does this ban serve? Who does it support and who does it harm? Is this within the purview of the University’s power to do?”

“We asked our columnists for their thoughts on the PEV ban: what are the benefits and drawbacks to the community? What purpose does this ban serve? Who does it support and who does it harm? Is this within the purview of the University’s power to do?”

Reactions: The opinions left unsaid

Over the course of the last year, the Opinion section has published 211 columns. Though there has been much opined, even more has been left unsaid. We asked our columnists to share their opinions on topics that did not become a full piece. 

Over the course of the last year, the Opinion section has published 211 columns. Though there has been much opined, even more has been left unsaid. We asked our columnists to share their opinions on topics that did not become a full piece. 

Add a climate course to Princeton’s distribution requirements

“An eleventh general education requirement — the Anthropocene and Planetary Future (APF) — should be implemented to require that a student take a class that deals in some meaningful way with the climate crisis.”

“An eleventh general education requirement — the Anthropocene and Planetary Future (APF) — should be implemented to require that a student take a class that deals in some meaningful way with the climate crisis.”

Acknowledgement is not enough: Princeton must tangibly support the enslaved communities that built it

“Princeton has clearly expressed its goal to serve the nation, but in order to do so, it must attempt to correct its participating role in the history of American injustice. Creating a program that promotes the enrollment of students who belong to communities previously oppressed by the University is a tangible way to right these past wrongs.”

"Princeton has clearly expressed its goal to serve the nation, but in order to do so, it must attempt to correct its participating role in the history of American injustice. Creating a program that promotes the enrollment of students who belong to communities previously oppressed by the University is a tangible way to right these past wrongs."

Affordable housing development should proceed despite resistance

“Given the dire state of affordability in Princeton and the lack of any suggestions for how to accomplish both goals, it is time for Princeton to approve the development of affordable housing projects over the objections of community residents.”

Princeton’s ECO 100 teaches market mythology over economic reality

These assumptions construct a worldview that isn’t even a general representation of reality, which the class doesn’t adequately grapple with, and inherently lean towards a free-market capitalist ideology, which has dramatic implications for public policy.  

These assumptions construct a worldview that isn’t even a general representation of reality, which the class doesn’t adequately grapple with, and inherently lean towards a free-market capitalist ideology, which has dramatic implications for public policy.