Opinion

A Higher Patriotism: A former Princeton President's call to action still provides clarity today

A Higher Patriotism: A former Princeton President's call to action still provides clarity today

David Piegaro

“America is sorely divided and this reflects real differences in our politics. Still, Americans everywhere ought to take to heart President Lincoln’s words: ‘We must not be enemies.' We as Princeton students should try especially hard to put those words into action as many of us will go on to claim elite positions in the American society that enable us to create a real difference.” 

“America is sorely divided and this reflects real differences in our politics. Still, Americans everywhere ought to take to heart President Lincoln’s words: ‘We must not be enemies.’ We as Princeton students should try especially hard to put those words into action as many of us will go on to claim elite positions in the American society that enable us to create a real difference.”

OPINION | March 28

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In the name of academic exploration: Why Princeton needs a pass/fail first-year fall semester

In the name of academic exploration: Why Princeton needs a pass/fail first-year fall semester

Ndeye Thioubou

“In their first months at the University, Princeton first-years should not avoid taking certain classes out of a fear of not being able to do well enough in terms of their grades.”

“In their first months at the University, Princeton first-years should not avoid taking certain classes out of a fear of not being able to do well enough in terms of their grades.”

OPINION | March 27

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Leonard Milberg ’53: When Princeton blocks exhibits of Jewish art with Confederate artists, it erases history

Leonard Milberg ’53: When Princeton blocks exhibits of Jewish art with Confederate artists, it erases history

Leonard Milberg

“One of the reasons I sponsor American Jewish exhibits is as an attempt to bring to light the fact that Jews were, and continue to be, part of the fabric of American life.”

“One of the reasons I sponsor American Jewish exhibits is as an attempt to bring to light the fact that Jews were, and continue to be, part of the fabric of American life.”

OPINION | March 27

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Endless boosters are not an option

Endless boosters are not an option

Kelsey Ji

“Instead of relying on COVID-19 boosters, the University ought to take other measures to continue protecting our community.”

“Instead of relying on COVID-19 boosters, the University ought to take other measures to continue protecting our community.”

OPINION | March 24

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Why Princeton University should donate the Butler Tract to a community land trust

Why Princeton University should donate the Butler Tract to a community land trust

Matt Mleczko

In the second installment of a multi-part series on how Princeton University can promote affordable housing in a reparative framework and provide a model for other similar institutions to follow, Graduate Student Columnist Matt Mleczko proposes a housing intervention involving the Butler Tract. 

In the second installment of a multi-part series on how Princeton University can promote affordable housing in a reparative framework and provide a model for other similar institutions to follow, Graduate Student Columnist Matt Mleczko proposes a housing intervention involving the Butler Tract.

PROJECTS | March 24

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The social implications of a maskless Princeton

The social implications of a maskless Princeton

Andi Grene

“The decision to remove the mask mandate marks the gradual, yet eventual, end to the pandemic’s social repercussions for our campus. Even though we must approach this transition with utmost sensitivity, it is a transition that is much needed. I, for one, look forward to its positive impacts on students’ social life.”

“The decision to remove the mask mandate marks the gradual, yet eventual, end to the pandemic’s social repercussions for our campus. Even though we must approach this transition with utmost sensitivity, it is a transition that is much needed. I, for one, look forward to its positive impacts on students’ social life.”

OPINION | March 23

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Stop framing us as victims: Safely supporting survivors of sexual violence

Stop framing us as victims: Safely supporting survivors of sexual violence

Hannah Reynolds

“The most effective way to overturn the reductive, harmful victim narrative is restoring the power of choice to survivors. Acting without the survivor’s full consent and knowledge can ultimately cause more harm than good, even if well-intentioned.”

“The most effective way to overturn the reductive, harmful victim narrative is restoring the power of choice to survivors. Acting without the survivor’s full consent and knowledge can ultimately cause more harm than good, even if well-intentioned.” 

OPINION | March 23

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Is meritocracy in Princeton admissions really a sham?: A response to Rohit Narayanan ’24

Is meritocracy in Princeton admissions really a sham?: A response to Rohit Narayanan ’24

Vincent Nguyen

“I accept that the current admissions process is imperfect, but the fact that it doesn’t randomly assign students to elite schools is definitely not among its shortcomings.”

“I accept that the current admissions process is imperfect, but the fact that it doesn’t randomly assign students to elite schools is definitely not among its shortcomings.”

OPINION | March 22

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Students need to understand current events. The classroom is the solution.

Students need to understand current events. The classroom is the solution.

Mohan Setty-Charity

“Creating avenues for students to do this throughout their time at Princeton will lead to better informed conversations and beliefs about current events, and make classes as relevant to students as possible.”

“Creating avenues for students to do this throughout their time at Princeton will lead to better informed conversations and beliefs about current events, and make classes as relevant to students as possible.”

OPINION | March 22

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Mental health care must be proactive

Mental health care must be proactive

Allen Liu

“Rather than taking a reactive approach to mental health, the University can ensure that well-being is a central part of its decision-making and student experiences at Princeton. Mental health care can be proactive, and on a healthy campus, it must be.”

“Rather than taking a reactive approach to mental health, the University can ensure that well-being is a central part of its decision-making and student experiences at Princeton. Mental health care can be proactive, and on a healthy campus, it must be.”

OPINION | March 21

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Criminalization and the literary canon

Criminalization and the literary canon

Brittani Telfair

“The canon should not be regarded as static. Arguing that an author should still be read just because they were influential at some point in time does not make sense.”

“The canon should not be regarded as static. Arguing that an author should still be read just because they were influential at some point in time does not make sense.” 

OPINION | March 20

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The obligation to act: how Princeton University can promote housing justice

The obligation to act: how Princeton University can promote housing justice

Matt Mleczko

In the first installment of a multi-part series on how Princeton University can promote affordable housing in a reparative framework and provide a model for other similar institutions to follow, Graduate Student Columnist Matt Mleczko provides background on the Butler Tract and the Universityu2019ss historic and ongoing role in housing dynamics in Princeton.

In the first installment of a multi-part series on how Princeton University can promote affordable housing in a reparative framework and provide a model for other similar institutions to follow, Graduate Student Columnist Matt Mleczko provides background on the Butler Tract and the University’s historic and ongoing role in housing dynamics in Princeton.

PROJECTS | March 17

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Shedding a spotlight on Princeton faculty diversity

Shedding a spotlight on Princeton faculty diversity

Ndeye Thioubou

“Without a sufficiently diverse faculty, Princeton students are being deprived of opportunities to learn from those with unique and invaluable experiences and perspectives.”

“Without a sufficiently diverse faculty, Princeton students are being deprived of opportunities to learn from those with unique and invaluable experiences and perspectives.” 

OPINION | March 16

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Affirmative action is unequal. That’s the point.

Affirmative action is unequal. That’s the point.

Ashley Olenkiewicz

“Achieving equity for all Americans necessitates the purposeful consideration of minorities’ unequal status in American society.”

“Achieving equity for all Americans necessitates the purposeful consideration of minorities’ unequal status in American society.”

OPINION | March 15

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Princeton should pay for all course books

Princeton should pay for all course books

Ava Milberg

“It seems rather intuitive that books are a necessary part of a college student’s experience, so making them more affordable would only promote the goals and expectations of college students that have already been established.”

“It seems rather intuitive that books are a necessary part of a college student’s experience, so making them more affordable would only promote the goals and expectations of college students that have already been established.”

OPINION | March 13

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CPS needs to stop putting students into boxes

CPS needs to stop putting students into boxes

Audrey Chau

“Now more than ever, we need to treat one another with kindness and respect. All I am asking for is a more human-centered approach to counseling on campus.”

“Now more than ever, we need to treat one another with kindness and respect. All I am asking for is a more human-centered approach to counseling on campus.” 

OPINION | March 3

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Princeton cares more about your midterms than you

Princeton cares more about your midterms than you

Brittani Telfair

“I feel deeply disappointed and disillusioned by the University’s actions and rhetoric. Our collective well-being — by which I mean the mental and physical well-being of each and every one of us — shouldn’t be sacrificed for the sake of propping up an appearance of “normalcy” and sustaining a crushingly toxic culture of productivity.”

“I feel deeply disappointed and disillusioned by the University’s actions and rhetoric. Our collective well-being — by which I mean the mental and physical well-being of each and every one of us — shouldn’t be sacrificed for the sake of propping up an appearance of “normalcy” and sustaining a crushingly toxic culture of productivity.”

OPINION | March 3

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Reactions: Princeton to ditch the mask mandate and asymptomatic testing

Reactions: Princeton to ditch the mask mandate and asymptomatic testing

Brittani Telfair, Christofer Robles, Abigail Rabieh, Ndeye Thioubou, David Piegaro, and Prince Takano

For the Reactions series, columnists opine on the recent loosening of the University’s COVID-19 protocol — some lauding the changes and others nervous about the risks of COVID-19 spread with fewer mitigation measures.

For the Reactions series, columnists opine on the recent loosening of the University’s COVID-19 protocol — some lauding the changes and others nervous about the risks of COVID-19 spread with fewer mitigation measures.

OPINION | March 3

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Why won’t Princeton administrators lift the mask mandate?

Why won’t Princeton administrators lift the mask mandate?

Tom Salotti

“After the short-lived travel ban was rescinded following ridicule in the national media, the University can redeem itself by following the science on masks and setting an example for the rest of the Ivy League and other universities.”

“After the short-lived travel ban was rescinded following ridicule in the national media, the University can redeem itself by following the science on masks and setting an example for the rest of the Ivy League and other universities.”

OPINION | March 1

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Letter of Solidarity with Ukraine

Letter of Solidarity with Ukraine

Guest Contributors

“We hope we conveyed the urgency to condemn the actions of the Russian government and express solidarity with Ukraine.”

“We hope we conveyed the urgency to condemn the actions of the Russian government and express solidarity with Ukraine.”

OPINION | March 1

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