Opinion

The Princeton pressure

While some assume that we are supposed to come to campus with spectacular resumes, we must remember that truly extraordinary accomplishments almost always come well after college is over. The point is not to have accomplished great things before coming in, but to use Princeton’s resources to maximize our own potential after we graduate.

A new interface for community health work

I learned the importance of teaching locals the tools to help themselves in the long term, but of also working with them to make sure what we wanted to implement was rooted in pragmatism and actual needs on the ground.

The need for better dialogue

All sides of an argument must be voiced to have a productive dialogue. Islam should be discussed and understood. Furthermore, concerns about religious fanaticism should be addressed.

Discussing the death penalty

I am forced to conclude that the death penalty can be a tool that serves to bring justice and safety into the world, but it must be used with judiciousness and under extraordinarily intense scrutiny.

My two Ferdinands

There are two Ferdinands in my life. The first, a nearly lifelong acquaintance, is a bull. Born 75 years ago, right before the start of the Spanish Civil War, “el toro feroz Ferdinando” was one of my favorite characters when I was a child.

Join the Editorial Board!

Our aim is to inspire discussion and, ultimately, action. But this is impossible without a constant influx of students with unique perspectives — independent thinkers who are eager to debate and willing to engage with issues important to Princeton.

Editorial: Releasing precept information

Though openly announcing precept times may cause some problems, it would increase the chances that students end up in the right precept for them and equalize access to what is commonly the most coveted slot — the precept with the professor.

Make pre-orientation mandatory

Pre-orientation groups are clearly not going to be friends forever. But for those first few weeks, when freshmen transition from not knowing anyone to having friends with shared interests, having an initial group of acquaintances hugely facilitates finding new friends.

Letter to the Editor: September 23, 2011

Brian Zack ’72 criticizes an advertisement in the 'Prince.'

Day by day, week by week

The less we schedule, the less pressure we will feel and the more time we will have to do something, if not everything, we want.

Cartoon: If campus posters told the truth

On statecraft and stunts

The borders of this “state” will bear no relation to reality. Forget the disputes with Israel over territory — Abbas doesn’t even have control over Hamas-run Gaza. This “Palestine” will be a fantasy, a state in name only. On the ground, the arrangement will be meaningless.

Cartoon: A Sisyphean task

The bottom line

I’m struck by the constant rejection of, or even outright disdain for, any implication that financial or economic thinking is anything other than Devil worship, countered to the pure good of public service or simple love for a profession.

Whose campus is it anyway?

As an upperclassman myself, I realize how fun it is to be on campus with no commitments. I also understand that it’s important for freshmen to see campus as it is with all of its members, to begin to find their niche within the larger campus community. I think a compromise could be having half of freshman week freshmen-only, and the other half with all classes on campus.

Editorial: Revisiting Princeton grading

Regardless of the acrimonious and often unproductive debate surrounding the policy of grade deflation, all should agree on the importance of minimizing the incidental harms that grade deflation may cause.

The scars on all our foreheads

None of the Potter books were great literature, and truly cementing the series’ place in history would have required a thrilling finish.

Why things will never change

Things won’t change at Princeton because the administration has no motive to appease us

Cartoon: Activities fair

Collective inaction

The desire to fill one’s free time fighting global ills is a laudable goal. Yet if one cares about doing important work well, there are compelling reasons to avoid many of these groups.