Opinion

If Princeton wants us to isolate, it has to make it practical

If Princeton wants us to isolate, it has to make it practical

Lucia Wetherill

“Now, as both a university and a country, we stand at a crossroads. COVID-19 restrictions continue to fall away as we ‘open up’ and ‘return to normal.’ Yet the events of the last three years are not erased by this return to normalcy.”

“Now, as both a university and a country, we stand at a crossroads. COVID-19 restrictions continue to fall away as we ‘open up’ and ‘return to normal.’ Yet the events of the last three years are not erased by this return to normalcy. Many of us, including myself, continue to feel the moral burden associated with getting COVID-19. This makes Princeton’s current COVID-19 policies difficult to navigate.”

OPINION | 03/13/2023

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Princeton must remain test optional

Princeton must remain test optional

Ndeye Thioubou

“Requiring the submission of standardized test results is not only harmful to FGLI applicants because it is more difficult for them to perform well on these exams, but also because the requirements deter them from applying in the first place.”

“Requiring the submission of standardized test results is not only harmful to FGLI applicants because it is more difficult for them to perform well on these exams, but also because the requirements deter them from applying in the first place.”

OPINION | 03/13/2023

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College admissions was fairer before COVID-19. Princeton should bring back the SAT.

College admissions was fairer before COVID-19. Princeton should bring back the SAT.

Vincent Jiang

“Yes, the SAT is skewed towards the privileged, but in deciding whether we should get rid of it, the question isn’t whether the test is skewed, but rather whether it is excessively skewed compared to other components of holistic admissions.”

“Yes, the SAT is skewed towards the privileged, but in deciding whether we should get rid of it, the question isn’t whether the test is skewed, but rather whether it is excessively skewed compared to other components of holistic admissions.”

OPINION | 03/13/2023

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We should avoid Zoom whenever we can

We should avoid Zoom whenever we can

Christofer Robles

“But to suggest that most of our interactions, professional or personal, should shift to an asynchronous online format is misguided: it completely ignores the importance of structure and personal contact. Zoom is not the solution — it is a crutch — and one that ought to be avoided when possible.”

“But to suggest that most of our interactions, professional or personal, should shift to an asynchronous online format is misguided: it completely ignores the importance of structure and personal contact. Zoom is not the solution — it is a crutch — and one that ought to be avoided when possible.”

OPINION | 03/13/2023

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Zoom may be the future of flexible work

Zoom may be the future of flexible work

Christopher Lidard

“Virtual platforms, in their ability to be used universally, liberate us from sitting in an office for eight hours a day and direct us toward a more holistic approach to life.”

“Virtual platforms, in their ability to be used universally, liberate us from sitting in an office for eight hours a day and direct us toward a more holistic approach to life.”

OPINION | 03/13/2023

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Instead of the flexible meal plan, end Bicker

Instead of the flexible meal plan, end Bicker

Madeleine Burns and Rakesh Potluri

“Making all the clubs sign-in would be the single most effective way to make Princeton dining more inclusive.”

“Making all the clubs sign-in would be the single most effective way to make Princeton dining more inclusive.”

OPINION | 03/09/2023

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Try argument, not extortion

Try argument, not extortion

Abigail Rabieh

If Hoffman really wants to change the University, he’s likely to have much more success with argument rather than manipulation.

If Hoffman really wants to change the University, he’s likely to have much more success with argument rather than manipulation.

OPINION | 03/07/2023

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Stick with institutional restraint, not institutional neutrality

Stick with institutional restraint, not institutional neutrality

Mohan Setty-Charity

“The most challenging conversations arise when one's identity becomes politicized, and there is proof that supportive recognition from places of power helps to deal with issues of marginalization.”

“The most challenging conversations arise when one's identity becomes politicized, and there is proof that supportive recognition from places of power helps to deal with issues of marginalization.”

OPINION | 03/07/2023

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Feedback is crucial to student success. Let’s start treating it that way.

Feedback is crucial to student success. Let’s start treating it that way.

Ava Milberg

“It is not the individual professors' fault that their students are not getting adequate feedback on their independent work, but rather the fault of a system that does not set an adequate standard for the transmission of feedback. Given that independent work is such an integral part of academic life at Princeton, why are the structures for providing feedback on independent work so lacking?”

“It is not the individual professors' fault that their students are not getting adequate feedback on their independent work, but rather the fault of a system that does not set an adequate standard for the transmission of feedback. Given that independent work is such an integral part of academic life at Princeton, why are the structures for providing feedback on independent work so lacking?”

OPINION | 03/07/2023

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Norfolk Southern’s next toxic derailment could be in Princeton. New Jersey needs to act.

Norfolk Southern’s next toxic derailment could be in Princeton. New Jersey needs to act.

Preston Ferraiuolo

“Trenton must do what it can to keep Garden State residents and students safe. Norfolk Southern tracks are a ten-minute drive from campus, and the proximity of the tracks to the Delaware and Raritan Canal endangers the campus's natural escape...It's time for New Jersey state legislators to step up and break away from the grips of these railroad companies...”

“Trenton must do what it can to keep Garden State residents and students safe. Norfolk Southern tracks are a ten-minute drive from campus, and the proximity of the tracks to the Delaware and Raritan Canal endangers the campus's natural escape...It's time for New Jersey state legislators to step up and break away from the grips of these railroad companies...”

OPINION | 03/05/2023

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An open letter from alumni on mental health

An open letter from alumni on mental health

Guest Contributors and Jaclyn Lasaracina

“Too many of us believed, like I did, that seeking help was a sign of weakness or failure. Many of us wish we sought help sooner. And we wish we had defeated the stigma, so you wouldn’t have to face it.”

“Too many of us believed, like I did, that seeking help was a sign of weakness or failure. Many of us wish we sought help sooner. And we wish we had defeated the stigma, so you wouldn’t have to face it.”

OPINION | 03/05/2023

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Princeton can take the offensive on affirmative action

Princeton can take the offensive on affirmative action

Luke Carroll

“I strongly urge the University administration and the Office of the General Counsel to seek declaratory relief for its admissions practices.”

“I strongly urge the University administration and the Office of the General Counsel to seek declaratory relief for its admissions practices.”

OPINION | 03/02/2023

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Create history, stop destroying it

Create history, stop destroying it

Julianna Lee

“I wouldn’t mind returning to campus as an alum to see new buildings. New projects are a reflection of the times and needs of the growing student body. What I do mind is the prospect of returning to campus and no longer recognizing the dorm buildings where I played cards, the halls where I partied, and the libraries in which I spent hours writing.”

“I wouldn’t mind returning to campus as an alum to see new buildings. New projects are a reflection of the times and needs of the growing student body. What I do mind is the prospect of returning to campus and no longer recognizing the dorm buildings where I played cards, the halls where I partied, and the libraries in which I spent hours writing.”

OPINION | 03/01/2023

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‘No, Princeton is not loan free’ – not for international students

‘No, Princeton is not loan free’ – not for international students

Gil Joseph and Mutemwa Masheke

“The tax bill makes Princeton inequitable and surprisingly inaccessible for many low-income international students, especially low-income students of color... If Princeton is truly concerned with equity, it’s time for them to follow Yale’s lead and take the burden of paying the tax off of international students.”

 “The tax bill makes Princeton inequitable and surprisingly inaccessible for many low-income international students, especially low-income students of color... If Princeton is truly concerned with equity, it’s time for them to follow Yale’s lead and take the burden of paying the tax off of international students.” 

OPINION | 02/28/2023

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To prioritize service, Princeton must give it course credit

To prioritize service, Princeton must give it course credit

Jalen Travis

“In establishing course credit, the University would finally practice what it preaches: recognizing service learning as just as valuable as what you learn in Introduction to Macroeconomics. It’s clear that currently, breaking out of the Orange Bubble remains low-priority for Princeton, despite the University claiming that service is at the core of its undergraduate experience. The University isn’t close to being truly in ‘the service of humanity.’ It should step up to that challenge, or stop using the motto.”

“In establishing course credit, the University would finally practice what it preaches: recognizing service learning as just as valuable as what you learn in Introduction to Macroeconomics. It’s clear that currently, breaking out of the Orange Bubble remains low-priority for Princeton, despite the University claiming that service is at the core of its undergraduate experience. The University isn’t close to being truly in ‘the service of humanity.’ It should step up to that challenge, or stop using the motto.”

OPINION | 02/28/2023

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Why I signed a union card for Princeton Graduate Students United

Why I signed a union card for Princeton Graduate Students United

Alex Diaz-Hui

“I cannot, nor can any single person, understand what graduate students at Princeton need as a whole, but when we work together, we can better understand systemic issues at the University in order to call for change.”

“I cannot, nor can any single person, understand what graduate students at Princeton need as a whole, but when we work together, we can better understand systemic issues at the University in order to call for change.”

OPINION | 02/27/2023

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If Rutgers can provide intensive mental healthcare for students, so can Princeton

If Rutgers can provide intensive mental healthcare for students, so can Princeton

AG McGee

If the University wants to make the Ivy League accessible to those with mental illnesses and put an end to the mental health problems plaguing students — problems which feel intimately and horribly linked with the several student suicides of the past few years — then it should provide an accessible, extensive, University-run enhanced care option for students with mental illnesses.

If the University wants to make the Ivy League accessible to those with mental illnesses and put an end to the mental health problems plaguing students — problems which feel intimately and horribly linked with the several student suicides of the past few years — then it should provide an accessible, extensive, University-run enhanced care option for students with mental illnesses.

OPINION | 02/26/2023

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George Santos is my congressman. I’m fighting to get him out.

George Santos is my congressman. I’m fighting to get him out.

Aidan Davis

“I decided that I had the opportunity to contribute to real change for the 750,000 people of NY-03, and that I was ready to join the fray.”

“I decided that I had the opportunity to contribute to real change for the 750,000 people of NY-03, and that I was ready to join the fray.”

OPINION | 02/23/2023

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Outdoor Action can only improve when more students see the value of being a leader

Outdoor Action can only improve when more students see the value of being a leader

Liana Slomka

“As the ratio of first-years to leaders increases, it becomes more difficult to do this job well.”

“As the ratio of first-years to leaders increases, it becomes more difficult to do this job well.”

OPINION | 02/23/2023

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Letter to the Editor: ORL's calendar seeks to make room for all

Letter to the Editor: ORL's calendar seeks to make room for all

Alison Boden

“Like many places, the greatest disagreements about the practice of religion at Princeton are usually intra-religious rather than inter-religious; we are most passionate about those things to which we have the greatest commitment.”

“Like many places, the greatest disagreements about the practice of religion at Princeton are usually intra-religious rather than inter-religious; we are most passionate about those things to which we have the greatest commitment.”

OPINION | 02/22/2023

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