The University has a problem. A free speech problem. And just when it takes a step in the right direction, it lurches back in the wrong direction.First, the good news.
Regarding 'Grade inflation plan passes' (April 27):Now that the faculty have approved the proposal to curb grade inflation, I have but one question for the administration: What steps are you going to take to make sure that those of us involved in the "transition period" do not suffer negative effects when applying to jobs and graduate schools?Simply marking that grade inflation was being curbed starting the 2004-2005 academic year isn't enough.
With the 156-84 vote yesterday in favor of the grade inflation proposals, the faculty have agreed to "expectations" that they will limit A's in each department to 35 percent on coursework and 55 percent on independent work.
It was encouraging to see professor Christopher Eisgruber '83, speak up in favor of openness when making important decisions for Princeton.
In the halcyon days before 9/11, the recession and Iraq, my friends and I had a single goal that sprung from both our most selfish desires and our most pragmatic concerns: getting into a prestigious college.
A few weeks ago, I participated in an unusual exchange in the Frist Center. Feeling slightly mischievous, I walked up to the Young Republicans tent on the main floor and tried to convince them that President Bush was an entirely unattractive choice for the upcoming election.Surely this charge has been made dozens of times by Democrats at Princeton and in various places around the country.
Regarding 'Felten analysis refutes grade inflation claims' (April 23):The grade inflation proposal is a dagger in the heart of academic freedom.
Princeton students and Princeton faculty share a few hours of concentrated activity each week, but for the most part we lead lives radically and in some respects mysteriously separate.
Last Sunday, it was announced that our ill-fated invasion of Iraq has now cost the lives of 700 American soldiers.
We've heard about the dangers of alcohol; we've heard about the absurd caloric intake; we've heard about the laws and university policies against underage drinking and drinking games.
It's a safe bet that all the high school seniors here this weekend know Princeton's a great place to learn.
I'll start with an admission: Newman's Day is pretty fun. As one of my coworkers put it when asked for her thoughts on the notorious on goings of April 24, "Even if you're not drinking, you get to see students walking around drunk, doing things they wouldn't normally do." Well put, Coco.
My first thought on Princeton addressing grade inflation: good luck underclassmen, because I'm out of here.
Regarding 'Princeton to Miami' (Tom Hale, April 21):As a native Miamian and current student of Maurice Ferre, mayor of Miami for 12 years and Anschutz Distinguished Fellow in the American studies program, I found Hale's indictment of Miami as a city "with no soul" after a five-day vacation there to be rather distressing.As a gateway to Latin America and dazzling winter haven for northerners, Miami is one of the most complicated, diverse and, at times, overwhelming cities in the world.
Not very many us graduate students here at Princeton actually know what Newman's Day is. But even though we do not have a name for what happens on April 24, many of us see its consequences, most notably in precepts interrupted by those ridiculous but noticeable few who choose to come to class in an intoxicated state, beer can in tow.Of course, if we did know the name, we probably would not use it.
Educated people I speak with often express a profound distrust of the American electorate. Citizens don't read newspapers anymore.
Regarding 'Take Back the Night fights wrong fight' (John Andrews, April 19):I agree that contemporary culture unfortunately tends to value eroticism at the expense of morality.
We are feminists. As one of the organizers of this year's Take Back the Night march and the president of the Organization of Women Leaders, respectively, we have devoted much of our time and energy to promoting the causes of women at Princeton.
I was always a child who knew what she wanted and would go to any means to get it. An inveterate thumb sucker, I amazed my parents at age 4 by promising to kick my habit in exchange for a white plush cat I fell in love with in a toy store.
As readers of this page will know, my thesis is done. As a direct result of that situation, I spent the last five days as far away as possible from the B-floor of Firestone.
