Opinion

Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Ronen Shoval’s position as a lecturer at Princeton is deeply concerning

Eldar Shafir and Uri Hasson

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

“Ronen Shoval was invited by the James Madison Program to be a Lecturer in Politics and to teach first-years at Princeton. If the Executive Committee of the Madison Program was unaware of Shoval’s ‘methods,’ we urge them to revise their procedures, and if they were aware, we urge them to rethink how they evaluate the CV’s and attitudes of those they invite as lecturers.”

OPINION | April 25

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Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Not in our name, not our Shabbat: the Alliance of Jewish Progressives responds to CJL’s Israel Shabbat

Guest Contributors

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

“While the CJL undeniably serves as such for many students, it is long past time the student body collectively began to recognize the other clear purpose of this institution: advancing right-wing Zionist politics on Princeton’s campus.”

OPINION | April 24

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The case for raising student activity fees

The case for raising student activity fees

Walker Penfield

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

“To support equitable opportunities for community building, recreation, and student services, it is paramount that we continue to support and expand student-run programming. But the reality is that our current budget is inadequate to do this, disempowering students. It’s time to reevaluate student activity fees.”

OPINION | April 23

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Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Make the Board of Trustees transparent

Alex Norbrook

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

“Only when Princeton holds its Board to a higher standard of representation, transparency, and accountability can the community begin to place confidence in its decisions.”

OPINION | April 21

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Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Arabic is not an extension of Islam

Anais Mobarak

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

“It is undeniable that the vast majority of the Arab world — 93% — is Muslim. This, however, does not mean that Islam should dominate religious and cultural lessons in Arabic classes. Minorities matter, and they should not be forgotten, especially because many religious minorities are persecuted in the Arab world.”

OPINION | April 19

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When we celebrate athletics, it will bring us together

When we celebrate athletics, it will bring us together

Julianna Lee

“Rooting for Princeton basketball is not just about liking basketball: It’s about celebrating Princeton. There is a reason why athletics are at the center of campus life at so many universities: They are a way for the entire school to come together around shared experiences.”

“Rooting for Princeton basketball is not just about liking basketball: It’s about celebrating Princeton. There is a reason why athletics are at the center of campus life at so many universities: They are a way for the entire school to come together around shared experiences.”

OPINION | April 19

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Make area studies cool again

Make area studies cool again

Vincent Jiang

“[Princeton] must now be proactive and lead the way in rebuilding area studies as a core discipline of social science. While it’s tempting to place the entirety of that burden on the administration, the best way to accomplish this would be for students and the University to meet halfway.”

“[Princeton] must now be proactive and lead the way in rebuilding area studies as a core discipline of social science. While it’s tempting to place the entirety of that burden on the administration, the best way to accomplish this would be for students and the University to meet halfway.”

OPINION | April 18

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As campus expands, we can’t leave the sense of community behind

As campus expands, we can’t leave the sense of community behind

Aly Rashid

With the campus expanding in size, cohesive spirit is fading. As Princeton increases class sizes and campus area, it runs the risk of weakening its liberal-arts-college-style community. While I agree that Princeton should increase class sizes and welcome more people into our undergraduate community, the acceleration of this process may leave school unity behind.  

With the campus expanding in size, cohesive spirit is fading. As Princeton increases class sizes and campus area, it runs the risk of weakening its liberal-arts-college-style community. While I agree that Princeton should increase class sizes and welcome more people into our undergraduate community, the acceleration of this process may leave school unity behind. 

OPINION | April 17

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NJ Gov. Murphy just signed a revolutionary campaign finance law. It’s bad news for Princeton students.

NJ Gov. Murphy just signed a revolutionary campaign finance law. It’s bad news for Princeton students.

Preston Ferraiuolo

The new law is detrimental because it permits politicians to act without accountability. As we work towards becoming a more equitable nation, campaign finance regulation ensures that political power is more evenly distributed rather than held by a few who can afford to sway those in government.

The new law is detrimental because it permits politicians to act without accountability. As we work towards becoming a more equitable nation, campaign finance regulation ensures that political power is more evenly distributed rather than held by a few who can afford to sway those in government.

OPINION | April 16

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Reactions: What's your Princeton pre-read?

Reactions: What's your Princeton pre-read?

Lucia Wetherill, Julianna Lee, Prince Takano, Emilly Santos, Vincent Jiang, Eleanor Clemans-Cope, Alex Norbrook, and Thomas Buckley

Opinion columnists share their recommendations for Princeton’s next pre-read. 

Opinion columnists share their recommendations for Princeton’s next pre-read. 

OPINION | April 13

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Room draw is unclear and its punishments too harsh

Room draw is unclear and its punishments too harsh

Anna Ferris

During room draw, Princeton must provide clearer resources and more frequent communication to demystify the process, and reconsider its overly unforgiving tactic of group punishment for late applications.

During room draw, Princeton must provide clearer resources and more frequent communication to demystify the process, and reconsider its overly unforgiving tactic of group punishment for late applications.

OPINION | April 13

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Let them eat crepes: stop abusing Pay with Points

Let them eat crepes: stop abusing Pay with Points

Abigail Rabieh

“Financial aid resources should not force students to choose which aspects of the Princeton community they are able to participate in, especially when the programs are directed to specific ends. The Pay with Points program was not brought about in order to allow students facing financial difficulties to have more access to social life — all those involved clearly created the initiative in order to increase town engagement.”

“Financial aid resources should not force students to choose which aspects of the Princeton community they are able to participate in, especially when the programs are directed to specific ends. The Pay with Points program was not brought about in order to allow students facing financial difficulties to have more access to social life — all those involved clearly created the initiative in order to increase town engagement.”

OPINION | April 11

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Rejection is common at Princeton – and that’s a good thing

Rejection is common at Princeton – and that’s a good thing

Kelsey Ji

“At Princeton, we don’t only in the classroom, we also learn life skills — like how to deal with rejection ... While there are resources like precepts, office hours, and the McGraw Center available to help students overcome the academic learning curve, there are few resources that are available to guide students through the learning curve of handling rejections, the feeling of not meeting others’ expectations, and the feeling of letting oneself down.”

“At Princeton, we don’t only in the classroom, we also learn life skills — like how to deal with rejection ... While there are resources like precepts, office hours, and the McGraw Center available to help students overcome the academic learning curve, there are few resources that are available to guide students through the learning curve of handling rejections, the feeling of not meeting others’ expectations, and the feeling of letting oneself down.”

OPINION | April 10

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SPEAR: We should advocate for campus safety beyond surveillance and policing

SPEAR: We should advocate for campus safety beyond surveillance and policing

Guest Contributors

While cameras are apparently neutral pieces of technology, they often demonstrate systematic biases. We also know that policing and police systems disproportionately impact people of color. Princeton is not immune to these challenges either.

While cameras are apparently neutral pieces of technology, they often demonstrate systematic biases. We also know that policing and police systems disproportionately impact people of color. Princeton is not immune to these challenges either. 

OPINION | April 9

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Athletic scholarships are not the solution. An activity stipend is.

Athletic scholarships are not the solution. An activity stipend is.

Christofer Robles

“This stipend, separate from the aid students receive through Princeton financial aid, would recognize and compensate for the time and effort needed to support student involvement in their non-academic activities.”

“This stipend, separate from the aid students receive through Princeton financial aid, would recognize and compensate for the time and effort needed to support student involvement in their non-academic activities.”

OPINION | April 7

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Vote Masheke for Young Alumni Trustee

Vote Masheke for Young Alumni Trustee

Daily Princetonian Editorial Board

“The YAT should not only communicate the majority desires of the current student body to the Board, but fight for specific change that has yet to be addressed at Princeton. The role has more to offer than being a mouthpiece for the students who have already had the loudest voices on campus.”

“The YAT should not only communicate the majority desires of the current student body to the Board, but fight for specific change that has yet to be addressed at Princeton. The role has more to offer than being a mouthpiece for the students who have already had the loudest voices on campus.”

OPINION | April 5

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Class of ’27: choose scholarship, not dogmatism

Class of ’27: choose scholarship, not dogmatism

Matthew Wilson and Myles McKnight

“After all, ‘social justice activism’ can only be righteous if the causes championed and policies advanced are founded in moral and empirical truths about the human good. Faithfulness to truth and obedience to the habits of mind necessary for its discovery are the only things separating ideologues from people with a genuine yearning for human progress and development.”

“After all, “social justice activism” can only be righteous if the causes championed and policies advanced are founded in moral and empirical truths about the human good. Faithfulness to truth and obedience to the habits of mind necessary for its discovery are the only things separating ideologues from people with a genuine yearning for human progress and development.”

OPINION | April 4

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Dear Princeton, you must do more on Title IX

Dear Princeton, you must do more on Title IX

Hannah Reynolds and Jessica Lambert

“Princeton has repeatedly failed survivors of sexual violence. As alumni of the Princeton Class of 2022, we call upon Princeton University to take action to protect survivors and to implement measures that ensure safe, accessible, and just processes to keep our campus safe.”

“Princeton has repeatedly failed survivors of sexual violence. As alumni of the Princeton Class of 2022, we call upon Princeton University to take action to protect survivors and to implement measures that ensure safe, accessible, and just processes to keep our campus safe.”

OPINION | April 3

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To alleviate student stress, Princeton must expand the pass/D/fail option

To alleviate student stress, Princeton must expand the pass/D/fail option

Kelsey Ji

“To make students less stressed about their grades and GPAs, and to improve their standing in the post-graduate market, we can make the PDF option more useful by allowing students to PDF a course at any time throughout the semester.”

“To make students less stressed about their grades and GPAs, and to improve their standing in the post-graduate market, we can make the PDF option more useful by allowing students to PDF a course at any time throughout the semester.”

OPINION | April 3

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Princeton should support student-led clubs as essential to building community

Princeton should support student-led clubs as essential to building community

Tim Frawley

The post-COVID-19 treatment of club sports highlights gaps in the University’s approach to student life — the administration should shift from a top-down approach to one that seeks to support student groups and utilize student feedback to organically foster community.

The post-COVID-19 treatment of club sports highlights gaps in the University’s approach to student life — the administration should shift from a top-down approach to one that seeks to support student groups and utilize student feedback to organically foster community.

OPINION | April 2

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