Opinion

Let’s talk about burnout

“It would be one thing if the University maintained its lofty standards during the pandemic. But it has actually raised those standards, asking students, faculty, and staff to do more with less.”

“It would be one thing if the University maintained its lofty standards during the pandemic. But it has actually raised those standards, asking students, faculty, and staff to do more with less.”

We should expect, not glorify, Princeton’s financial aid

“It is not benevolence that drives Princeton’s suitable aid, but rather a recognition of the obvious. In a world where most universities choose to look away from the clear financial need of their applicants, Princeton chooses to keep its eyes open.” 

“It is not benevolence that drives Princeton’s suitable aid, but rather a recognition of the obvious. In a world where most universities choose to look away from the clear financial need of their applicants, Princeton chooses to keep its eyes open.” 

How Princeton students can promote housing equity

“We should expose bad policies that thwart diverse, equitable communities, but we must also join in the work of promoting community, which policy change arguably requires.” 

“We should expose bad policies that thwart diverse, equitable communities, but we must also join in the work of promoting community, which policy change arguably requires.” 

The myth of meritocracy and what we can do about it

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

“There is myriad evidence that in many countries, meritocracy is a myth and social reproduction is the norm. In order to allow all citizens to reach their full potential regardless of the circumstances they were born in, we must work to break the cycle of social reproduction. As Princeton students, we are some of the most privileged people in the world. While that doesn’t mean all of us come from privileged backgrounds, it does mean we have a part to play in promoting social mobility.”  

Thus Spoke the Undergrads: On indoor gatherings

“Should the University start expelling students for serious contract violations? In our view, no.”

“Should the University start expelling students for serious contract violations? In our view, no.”

Mutual aid campaigns make a difference: My family is proof

“When you come across a mutual aid request or asking campaign, please do all that you can. If you can only share it, share it. If you know you can spare money to give, give. And if you’re wealthy, give more.”

“When you come across a mutual aid request or asking campaign, please do all that you can. If you can only share it, share it. If you know you can spare money to give, give. And if you’re wealthy, give more.”

This Women's History Month, remember the violence of gender inequality

“The women at the highest risk are in our Zoom meetings, live next door to us in dorms, edit this newspaper, play our intercollegiate and intramural sports, and pursue their degrees or work.”

“The women at the highest risk are in our Zoom meetings, live next door to us in dorms, edit this newspaper, play our intercollegiate and intramural sports, and pursue their degrees or work.”

One year after evacuating: Continuing the causes we started

“Given this moment of tentative stability, it becomes worthwhile to recommit ourselves to the same political and social justice causes that we made at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Royal Family doesn’t deserve a pity party

“While the entire situation Harry and Meghan face is truly tragic, what is even more tragic is the relentlessness of the institution of the British Monarchy in upholding fundamentally unjust systems and values, as well as Meghan’s initial willingness to belong to such an institution.”

“While the entire situation Harry and Meghan face is truly tragic, what is even more tragic is the relentlessness of the institution of the British Monarchy in upholding fundamentally unjust systems and values, as well as Meghan’s initial willingness to belong to such an institution.”

COVID-19 shouldn’t take away your chance at being a Princetonian

“While no future student will be able to brush aside the impacts of this torturous year, strict school closures have hurt the students who love school the most — students that would be great fits here at Princeton in future years. We must be sure not to leave them behind.”

“While no future student will be able to brush aside the impacts of this torturous year, strict school closures have hurt the students who love school the most — students that would be great fits here at Princeton in future years. We must be sure not to leave them behind.”

‘Speak Freely,’ unless you’re running for Young Alumni Trustee

“As previous Boards have pointed out, students running for YAT have, through their four years on campus, likely developed strong and informed views on how to improve the Princeton experience. So we continue to ask: why not allow those views to be expressed?” 

“As previous Boards have pointed out, students running for YAT have, through their four years on campus, likely developed strong and informed views on how to improve the Princeton experience. So we continue to ask: why not allow those views to be expressed?” 

The case for SugarEdu at Princeton

“By allowing so much access to sugar on campus and failing to educate students about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, the University is unwittingly contributing to sugar-induced anxiety on campus.”

“By allowing so much access to sugar on campus and failing to educate students about the dangers of excessive sugar consumption, the University is unwittingly contributing to sugar-induced anxiety on campus.” 

To women and other marginalized voices: be proud to take up space

“To keep speaking loudly and to push back vehemently when your voice is drowned out is commendable. To do so with the grace and poise of the women on this team is extraordinary.”

“To keep speaking loudly and to push back vehemently when your voice is drowned out is commendable. To do so with the grace and poise of the women on this team is extraordinary.”

Earth Day, No Delay

“We cannot sit by while Princeton launders the reputations of Earth’s greatest foes, cheapening its own good name in the process. Princeton cannot ‘change these companies from within.’ We don’t have time to cling to such faint hopes.”

“We cannot sit by while Princeton launders the reputations of Earth’s greatest foes, cheapening its own good name in the process. Princeton cannot ‘change these companies from within.’ We don’t have time to cling to such faint hopes.” 

Is there true democracy to be restored in Myanmar?

“As evidenced by the Rohingya Crisis, human rights do not inherently follow the establishment of democracy. We must resist the comfort offered by superficial nomenclature and work to address discrepancies between government theory and practice, both at home and globally.”

“As evidenced by the Rohingya Crisis, human rights do not inherently follow the establishment of democracy. We must resist the comfort offered by superficial nomenclature and work to address discrepancies between government theory and practice, both at home and globally.”

Half a million Americans did not ‘die of’ COVID-19 — most of them were killed

“When we fail to name the actors and policies that cause harm, we risk repeating the same mistakes and suffering.”

“When we fail to name the actors and policies that cause harm, we risk repeating the same mistakes and suffering.”

Do yourself a favor and shamelessly PDF your classes

“My recommendation is to pass/D/fail at least one class this semester: regardless of the grade at the end of the term, take the time to engage with what is actually being taught. Emerge in May being able to actively reflect on what you learned, and think about whether it changed your perspective, or even your desire, to pursue a subject even more or just abandon it.”

“My recommendation is to pass/D/fail at least one class this semester: regardless of the grade at the end of the term, take the time to engage with what is actually being taught. Emerge in May being able to actively reflect on what you learned, and think about whether it changed your perspective, or even your desire, to pursue a subject even more or just abandon it.” 

Houston, we have a problem: What Princeton should learn from Texas’s winter weather crisis

“Princeton should look at the incident in Texas, as well as testaments from students who call Texas home, and realize that the climate crisis is real and evolving — it will not stop unless we do.” 

“Princeton should look at the incident in Texas, as well as the testaments from the students who call Texas home, and realize that the climate crisis is real and evolving — it will not stop unless we do.”

Why I will not vote in the Young Alumni Trustee election

“Most importantly, let them have a platform, a chance to speak on the actual issues that they will be facing on the Board. After one of the most politically tumultuous years in recent history, their opinions are key in bringing about institutional change.”

“Most importantly, let them have a platform, a chance to speak on the actual issues that they will be facing on the Board. After one of the most politically tumultuous years in recent history, their opinions are key in bringing about institutional change.” 

In virtual semester, community building requires a new approach

“On a campus that can feel so isolating, it’s worth remembering that many of us are mere minutes away from each other. We can create a campus community if we make the effort, and we owe it to each other to do so.”

“On a campus that can feel so isolating, it’s worth remembering that many of us are mere minutes away from each other. We can create a campus community if we make the effort, and we owe it to each other to do so.”