Opinion

Princeton SHP should comply with the NJ Family Building Act and cover advanced reproductive treatments

Princeton SHP should comply with the NJ Family Building Act and cover advanced reproductive treatments

Guest Contributor

“Since 2001, the NJ Family Building Act has guaranteed coverage of infertility diagnosis and advanced reproductive treatments (such as IVF) in the State of New Jersey. Unfortunately, as Princeton SHP is a self-funded plan, it does not have to comply with state mandates. Especially given its extreme wealth as an institution, Princeton has a responsibility to fund access to this kind of care for its students.”

“Since 2001, the NJ Family Building Act has guaranteed coverage of infertility diagnosis and advanced reproductive treatments (such as IVF) in the State of New Jersey. Unfortunately, as Princeton SHP is a self-funded plan, it does not have to comply with state mandates. Especially given its extreme wealth as an institution, Princeton has a responsibility to fund access to this kind of care for its students.” 

OPINION | March 21

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Let’s be skeptical of PGSU

Let’s be skeptical of PGSU

Himawan Winarto

“Unionization may lower expected stipend growth in the long run and use members as pawns in political agendas. The benefits that a union can actually achieve are marginal, at best.”

“Unionization may lower expected stipend growth in the long run and use members as pawns in political agendas. The benefits that a union can actually achieve are marginal, at best.”

OPINION | March 20

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Princeton and the judicial coup attempt in Israel

Princeton and the judicial coup attempt in Israel

Yair Mintzker

“I urge all of us who care about the situation in Israel/Palestine to inform ourselves about the coup attempt, its causes, and implications; to find out more about how the coup attempt is funded and by whom; to express solidarity with those who fight for democracy, liberty, and human rights both in Israel/Palestine and around the world; and to stop accepting money from organizations that work actively to undermine liberal democracy.”

“I urge all of us who care about the situation in Israel/Palestine to inform ourselves about the coup attempt, its causes, and implications; to find out more about how the coup attempt is funded and by whom; to express solidarity with those who fight for democracy, liberty, and human rights both in Israel/Palestine and around the world; and to stop accepting money from organizations that work actively to undermine liberal democracy.”

OPINION | March 19

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What we choose to remember

What we choose to remember

Rohit Narayanan

“Few world events affected as many people as suddenly as COVID-19 did. It shouldn’t be buried as a historical footnote.”

“Few world events affected as many people as suddenly as COVID-19 did. It shouldn’t be buried as a historical footnote.”

OPINION | March 13

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What does it mean to be present three years after COVID-19 sent us home?

What does it mean to be present three years after COVID-19 sent us home?

Jill Dolan

“The differences between before and “after” the pandemic appear to me in the interstices, or around the edges of an otherwise happy picture. We’re back, but we seem more tentative.”

“The differences between before and “after” the pandemic appear to me in the interstices, or around the edges of an otherwise happy picture. We’re back, but we seem more tentative.”

OPINION | March 13

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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 | March 13

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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 | March 13

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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 | March 13

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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 | March 13

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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 | March 13

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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 | March 9

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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 | March 7

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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 | March 7

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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 | March 7

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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 | March 5

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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 | March 5

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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 | March 2

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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 | March 1

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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 | February 28

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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 | February 28

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