Opinion

Princeton, it is time we face our Russophobia

Princeton, it is time we face our Russophobia

Genrietta Churbanova

“Just to be clear, I am not by any means defending or advocating for Putin’s Russia as a political entity. I am, however, urging you to consider how Russia’s past shapes your understanding of its present — not just politically, but also culturally.”

“Just to be clear, I am not by any means defending or advocating for Putin’s Russia as a political entity. I am, however, urging you to consider how Russia’s past shapes your understanding of its present — not just politically, but also culturally.”

OPINION | 01/25/2022

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Our commitment to in-person teaching

Our commitment to in-person teaching

Cole Crittenden, Jill Dolan, and Gene Jarrett

“In light of our vaccination and booster requirements, our masking requirements, and our current twice-weekly testing requirements for all students, we continue to believe that our mitigation efforts are sufficient to continue with the in-person learning that is so central to our mission.”

“In light of our vaccination and booster requirements, our masking requirements, and our current twice-weekly testing requirements for all students, we continue to believe that our mitigation efforts are sufficient to continue with the in-person learning that is so central to our mission.”

OPINION | 01/25/2022

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There is no outgrowing gun violence

There is no outgrowing gun violence

Rooya Rahin, Ana Blanco, and Julia Elman

Editorial Board Chair Rooya Rahin and Co-Presidents of Princeton Students Against Gun Violence Ana Blanco and Julia Elman dispute the claim that college students are more detached from gun violence than grade schoolers, rather blaming legislative stagnation and collective trauma for a lack of action.

Editorial Board Chair Rooya Rahin and Co-Presidents of Princeton Students Against Gun Violence Ana Blanco and Julia Elman dispute the claim that college students are more detached from gun violence than grade schoolers, rather blaming legislative stagnation and collective trauma for a lack of action.

OPINION | 01/24/2022

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Princeton’s commitment to inclusion must extend to athletics

Princeton’s commitment to inclusion must extend to athletics

AJ Lonski

“But as it turns out, the commitment to diversity and inclusion often doesn’t extend to Princeton’s varsity sports teams. In order to ensure everyone feels welcome, that culture has to change.”

“But as it turns out, the commitment to diversity and inclusion often doesn’t extend to Princeton’s varsity sports teams. In order to ensure everyone feels welcome, that culture has to change.”

OPINION | 01/24/2022

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Princeton students fail at self-governance

Princeton students fail at self-governance

Rohit Narayanan

“Princeton prides itself as an incubator for future leaders. What does it say about us if we can’t get interested in running our own school?”

“Princeton prides itself as an incubator for future leaders. What does it say about us if we can’t get interested in running our own school?”

OPINION | 01/23/2022

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It’s been over a year since students called on the University to make Election Day a holiday. What happened?

It’s been over a year since students called on the University to make Election Day a holiday. What happened?

Ana Blanco and Joe Shipley

“By canceling or shortening classes, the University could ensure that each and every Princetonian has a chance to make their voice heard. Not only students, but faculty and staff should be guaranteed enough time to cast a ballot.” 

“By canceling or shortening classes, the University could ensure that each and every Princetonian has a chance to make their voice heard. Not only students, but faculty and staff should be guaranteed enough time to cast a ballot.”  

OPINION | 01/19/2022

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Prof. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King

Prof. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor: Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Professor of African American Studies Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, in an excerpt from her keynote address at Duke University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration, reflects on the effort to turn Dr. Martin Luther King from a social reformer with complicated and evolving politics into an inoffensive national hero.

Professor of African American Studies Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, in an excerpt from her keynote address at Duke University’s Dr. Martin Luther King Commemoration, reflects on the effort to turn Dr. Martin Luther King from a social reformer with complicated and evolving politics into an inoffensive national hero.

OPINION | 01/17/2022

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For a safe semester, N95 masks must be free, accessible, and required indoors

For a safe semester, N95 masks must be free, accessible, and required indoors

Christopher Lugo

Guest Contributor Christopher Lugo argues that the University must mandate N95 masks and make them free and accessible to combat the rising prevalence of the infectious omicron variant.

Guest Contributor Christopher Lugo argues that the University must mandate N95 masks and make them free and accessible to combat the rising prevalence of the infectious omicron variant.

OPINION | 01/12/2022

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Princeton Disability Collective: Online learning and teaching options must be available to all

Princeton Disability Collective: Online learning and teaching options must be available to all

Ellen Li, Christopher Lugo, and Hannah Faughnan

Guest contributors representing the Princeton Disability Collective and Princeton Graduate Student United Coordinating Committee demand remote options for teaching and learning when classes resume, arguing that the desire for a “normal semester” shouldn’t outweigh the health risks of in-person classes.

Guest contributors representing the Princeton Disability Collective and Princeton Graduate Student United Coordinating Committee demand remote options for teaching and learning when classes resume, arguing that the desire for a “normal semester” shouldn’t outweigh the health risks of in-person classes.

OPINION | 01/12/2022

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Princeton's personal travel restrictions don't make sense

Princeton's personal travel restrictions don't make sense

Aidan Hintermaier

Guest Contributor Aidan Hintermaier argues that restrictions on personal travel needlessly impact students’ mental health while doing nothing to maintain a protective COVID bubble.

Guest Contributor Aidan Hintermaier argues that restrictions on personal travel needlessly impact students’ mental health while doing nothing to maintain a protective COVID bubble.

OPINION | 01/12/2022

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Letter to the Editor: Why is the ‘Prince’ so negative?

Letter to the Editor: Why is the ‘Prince’ so negative?

Jorge Aguilar

Alumnus Jorge Aguilar critiques the tone of The Daily Princetonian Opinion section as excessively critical of the University and suggests there are other topics that should capture the interest of Princeton students.

Alumnus Jorge Aguilar critiques the tone of The Daily Princetonian Opinion section as excessively critical of the University and suggests there are other topics that should capture the interest of Princeton students.

OPINION | 01/12/2022

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We're triple-vaxxed and masked. It's time to end asymptomatic testing.

We're triple-vaxxed and masked. It's time to end asymptomatic testing.

Tom Salotti

“We are stuck in a mind-numbing cycle of restrictions any time there are a few dozen of mostly asymptomatic COVID-19 cases on campus and will likely remain so for a long time, unless the administrators seriously reorient their approach to the virus and our wellbeing.”

“We are stuck in a mind-numbing cycle of restrictions any time there are a few dozen of mostly asymptomatic COVID-19 cases on campus and will likely remain so for a long time, unless the administrators seriously reorient their approach to the virus and our wellbeing.”

OPINION | 01/05/2022

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When Princeton imposes a mandate, it should show its work

When Princeton imposes a mandate, it should show its work

Evan Underhill

Engineering graduate student Evan Underhill argues that the University’s failure to cite their sources when announcing new restrictions and mandates represents a failure to educate and engage the community in COVID-related decisions 

Guest Contributor Evan Underhill argues that the University’s failure to cite their sources when announcing new restrictions and mandates undermines confidence, representing a failure to promote educated health decisions.

OPINION | 01/05/2022

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If low acceptance rates discourage applicants, hiding the data only makes it worse

If low acceptance rates discourage applicants, hiding the data only makes it worse

Daily Princetonian Editorial Board

“Sweeping admissions data into a black box only serves to raise applicant anxieties and close off avenues of accountability.”

“Sweeping admissions data into a black box only serves to raise applicant anxieties and close off avenues of accountability.”

OPINION | 12/24/2021

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The Editorial Board misses the point: We don’t need admissions statistics to know Princeton doesn’t serve marginalized communities

The Editorial Board misses the point: We don’t need admissions statistics to know Princeton doesn’t serve marginalized communities

Mollika Jai Singh and Kristal Grant

“The Editorial Board’s response to the announcement focused on the potential discouraging effect that the actions of the Office of Admission can have on applicants. But if our primary concerns are discouraging prospective students, the Board is missing the point. We don’t need admissions statistics to know Princeton doesn’t serve marginalized communities.”

“The Editorial Board’s response to the announcement focused on the potential discouraging effect that the actions of the Office of Admission can have on applicants. But if our primary concerns are discouraging prospective students, the Board is missing the point. We don’t need admissions statistics to know Princeton doesn’t serve marginalized communities.”

OPINION | 12/24/2021

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The time is now: Princeton, make African Studies a concentration

The time is now: Princeton, make African Studies a concentration

Ndeye Thioubou

“Many students, including myself, want to further educate ourselves on the continent of Africa’s history, cultures, politics, and languages. The University urgently needs to expand African Studies into a department to not only benefit students of African descent but Princeton students as a collective.”

“Many students, including myself, want to further educate ourselves on the continent of Africa’s history, cultures, politics, and languages. The University urgently needs to expand African Studies into a department to not only benefit students of African descent but Princeton students as a collective.” 

OPINION | 12/23/2021

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Princeton’s anomalous level of enrollment: Unpacking this statistic

Princeton’s anomalous level of enrollment: Unpacking this statistic

Ava Milberg

“I believe that Princeton’s relatively steady enrollment this past year is closely tied to the immense privilege of receiving a Princeton education. That students can decide in tough times that the exorbitant cost of a Princeton education is still worth it, or perhaps that students do not even have to ask themselves this question, illustrates how precious our education really is.”  

“I believe that Princeton’s relatively steady enrollment this past year is closely tied to the immense privilege of receiving a Princeton education. That students can decide in tough times that the exorbitant cost of a Princeton education is still worth it, or perhaps that students do not even have to ask themselves this question, illustrates how precious our education really is.”  

OPINION | 12/23/2021

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How we can learn from the Michigan shooting to age responsibly

How we can learn from the Michigan shooting to age responsibly

Andi Grene

“We must age responsibly and not let the apathy of adulthood pervade our commitment to protecting the next generation of Americans; this is a commitment that may take form in attending more gun control rallies, engaging with local politicians in support of gun reform, or simply maintaining our rage at the continuity of gun violence in our country and empathy for its young victims.”

“We must age responsibly and not let the apathy of adulthood pervade our commitment to protecting the next generation of Americans; this is a commitment that may take form in attending more gun control rallies, engaging with local politicians in support of gun reform, or simply maintaining our rage at the continuity of gun violence in our country and empathy for its young victims.”

OPINION | 12/23/2021

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On loss, grief, and not being okay: The toxic ‘constant productivity’ mindset at Princeton

On loss, grief, and not being okay: The toxic ‘constant productivity’ mindset at Princeton

Hannah Reynolds

“When we tell others that ‘it’s okay to not be okay,‘ we must take care to understand that grief has no deadlines, no time limits, and no regard for productivity. We must challenge the toxic Princeton culture of ‘powering through’ pain, and instead learn to give ourselves a chance to heal from the pain which left us not okay in the first place.”

“When we tell others that ‘it’s okay to not be okay,‘ we must take care to understand that grief has no deadlines, no time limits, and no regard for productivity. We must challenge the toxic Princeton culture of ‘powering through’ pain, and instead learn to give ourselves a chance to heal from the pain which left us not okay in the first place.”

OPINION | 12/16/2021

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Princeton should stay test optional, for now

Princeton should stay test optional, for now

Mohan Setty-Charity

“There are valid arguments both for and against standardized tests, but given longstanding claims about promoting diversity and inclusion, continuing this test-optional experiment for another year will shed light on the best practices for the future.”

“There are valid arguments both for and against standardized tests, but given longstanding claims about promoting diversity and inclusion, continuing this test-optional experiment for another year will shed light on the best practices for the future.”

OPINION | 12/16/2021

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