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Opinion

A grey and brick building with reflective window at dusk sits behind a large abstract grey and orange sculpture.

Tech companies say their AI can save the planet. They aren’t acting like it.

In public, companies like Microsoft brand AI as a tool for the energy transition. But in private, they sell it as a way to expand our reliance on fossil fuels.

In public, companies like Microsoft brand AI as a tool for the energy transition. But in private, they sell it as a way to expand our reliance on fossil fuels.

OPINION | October 29

People stand in a gymnasium, with various Pride flags draped over a balcony over the entrance.

Transgender athletes deserve better — at Princeton and beyond

“As the political zeitgeist of the right has become more anti-transgender, Princetonians committed to inclusion should not let this cultural phenomenon affect our willingness to address this in a nuanced manner, informed by data and compassion.”

“As the political zeitgeist of the right has become more anti-transgender, Princetonians committed to inclusion should not let this cultural phenomenon affect our willingness to address this in a nuanced manner, informed by data and compassion.”

OPINION | October 28

A mural that displays “vote.”

Not everyone impacted by this election can vote. Make sure you do.

“As a non-citizen, I am not entitled to a vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, but the outcome of this election will potentially have dramatic consequences for my family and thousands of others who have taken refuge in this country — many of whom are related or connected to Princeton students and community members. Their future is in the hands of those who can vote — including many Princeton students.”

“As a non-citizen, I am not entitled to a vote in the upcoming U.S. presidential election, but the outcome of this election will potentially have dramatic consequences for my family and thousands of others who have taken refuge in this country — many of whom are related or connected to Princeton students and community members. Their future is in the hands of those who can vote — including many Princeton students.”

OPINION | October 27

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For the sake of the Princeton community, tax the endowment

“It is imperative that we at Princeton contend with and advocate for a more structured, progressive excise tax on the University’s endowment at large. In addition to other benefits, a system could primarily work to channel institutional money and resources back into the surrounding township under an organized system of federal jurisdiction and oversight.”

“It is imperative that we at Princeton contend with and advocate for a more structured, progressive excise tax on the University’s endowment at large. In addition to other benefits, a system could primarily work to channel institutional money and resources back into the surrounding township under an organized system of federal jurisdiction and oversight.”

OPINION | October 25

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For meaningful discourse, free speech at Princeton must be combined with intellectual responsibility

“We can’t shy away from repulsive opinions. But we must also exercise intellectual responsibility when it comes to our own opinions, and scrutinize as rigorously as possible our own biases in light of new information.”

“We can’t shy away from repulsive opinions. But we must also exercise intellectual responsibility when it comes to our own opinions, and scrutinize as rigorously as possible our own biases in light of new information.”

OPINION | October 25

Glass windows reflecting a gothic building and a grey, concrete wall with a black sign.

Give students a break from nuisance fees

“This charge is instead part of a genre of fees that are more of a nuisance than anything else. If they are intended to be punitive, they are too small to be an effective deterrent. However, raising them would come across as excessively cruel. Instead, the fees exist only to squeeze as much money out of the students using these services as possible.”

“This charge is instead part of a genre of fees that are more of a nuisance than anything else. If they are intended to be punitive, they are too small to be an effective deterrent. However, raising them would come across as excessively cruel. Instead, the fees exist only to squeeze as much money out of the students using these services as possible.”

OPINION | October 24

The facade of an ivy-covered building with a blue door.

Princeton’s ‘no-loan’ policy doesn’t mean no debt

“Princeton reported that 11 percent of this year’s recent seniors graduated with debt — and 17 percent of “recent seniors” last year did. And that only counts loans taken out by students themselves — not including loans covered by students’ families and guardians, which Princeton does not report.”

“Princeton reported that 11 percent of this year’s recent seniors graduated with debt — and 17 percent of “recent seniors” last year did. And that only counts loans taken out by students themselves — not including loans covered by students’ families and guardians, which Princeton does not report.”

OPINION | October 23

A stone tower with a backdrop of a grey sky.

Princeton must bolster support for students pursuing grad school

This is the moment for Princeton to commit to improving the graduate application process for all students by using the model that works to support pre-med students to support students of all types — and to go beyond it. All of this will help Princeton build an undergraduate education, and graduate education, that supports a diverse student body in pursuing their diverse interests.

This is the moment for Princeton to commit to improving the graduate application process for all students by using the model that works to support pre-med students to support students of all types — and to go beyond it. All of this will help Princeton build an undergraduate education, and graduate education, that supports a diverse student body in pursuing their diverse interests.

OPINION | October 22

A glass door with a sticker showing a compass and orange and blue text. A desk with a box of tissues and hand sanitizer are visible.

Post-graduate income is a flawed metric for success

By analyzing job outcomes by additional factors, such as personal fulfillment, students might feel more confident in pursuing less lucrative careers that are nevertheless more enjoyable.

By analyzing job outcomes by additional factors, such as personal fulfillment, students might feel more confident in pursuing less lucrative careers that are nevertheless more enjoyable.

OPINION | October 21

White circle lights over white chairs around low tables on a carpeted floor. There are stairs in the background against a yellow wall.

Admissions needs to prioritize geographic diversity — here’s how

At the very least, these steps would signal that Princeton’s investment in geographic diversity isn’t just an empty platitude. At best, this engagement would attract more rural talent to future Princeton classes and show historically disenfranchised communities that Princeton’s doors aren’t closed to them. 

At the very least, these steps would signal that Princeton’s investment in geographic diversity isn’t just an empty platitude. At best, this engagement would attract more rural talent to future Princeton classes and show historically disenfranchised communities that Princeton’s doors aren’t closed to them. 

OPINION | October 21

An older man plays the cello in a concrete plaza. On the cello is written, "this machine loves, serves, and protects." A crowd of people stand around the cellist, some holding umbrellas over his head and instrument.

CitiBank tried to silence me for protest. We won’t let Princeton do the same.

"What can Princeton students, faculty and staff do now for climate justice and for freedom of speech? Please keep doing what you are doing. Just like city streets, university campuses are contested grounds for delivery of controversial messages."

"What can Princeton students, faculty and staff do now for climate justice and for freedom of speech? Please keep doing what you are doing. Just like city streets, university campuses are contested grounds for delivery of controversial messages."

OPINION | October 20

People stand holding signs in a green courtyard. One prominent sign says "Princeton funds Genocide" and has red handprints on it.

Through a flawed ‘community input’ process, Princeton delays action during a genocide

"We write to express our concern with this post-hoc, poorly defined, and inadequately communicated process. The Committee’s procedure for soliciting feedback all but guarantees a highly skewed sample of responses."

"We write to express our concern with this post-hoc, poorly defined, and inadequately communicated process. The Committee’s procedure for soliciting feedback all but guarantees a highly skewed sample of responses."

OPINION | October 11

Gothic courtyard with criss crossing pathways and leaves changing color from green to yellow.

Using faculty meetings to declare political positions undermines Princeton’s mission

“When “the faculty” are conscripted to speak in one voice about an issue, dissenting opinions are discouraged, and our truth-seeking mission is compromised.”

“When “the faculty” are conscripted to speak in one voice about an issue, dissenting opinions are discouraged, and our truth-seeking mission is compromised.”

OPINION | October 10

A mansion can be seen behind the garden.

It’s okay to eat by yourself

“It is vital that we learn to become the agents of our own solitude. Making a decision to seek out time alone, even just while reading a book or eating a meal, shows autonomy and commitment to personal needs, which is empowering in an environment like Princeton overrun with feelings of obligation.”

“It is vital that we learn to become the agents of our own solitude. Making a decision to seek out time alone, even just while reading a book or eating a meal, shows autonomy and commitment to personal needs, which is empowering in an environment like Princeton overrun with feelings of obligation.”

OPINION | October 9

An ivy-covered building with brightly lit benches and a bike rack in front.

When free speech isn’t free: Princeton’s suppression of low-income students

“The University’s actions must be consistent with its purported values, and thus, Princeton must institute protections for students on financial aid amid disciplinary punishments.”

“The University’s actions must be consistent with its purported values, and thus, Princeton must institute protections for students on financial aid amid disciplinary punishments.”

OPINION | October 9

The southfacing side of Nassau Hall, a large building covered in Ivy.

‘Diversity and Excellence goes hand in hand’: Diversify the faculty

Faculty diversity is important for many of the same reasons that student diversity is — diverse identities bring diverse perspectives that enrich an academic environment, and are especially important to make a diversity of students feel welcome. 

Faculty diversity is important for many of the same reasons that student diversity is — diverse identities bring diverse perspectives that enrich an academic environment, and are especially important to make a diversity of students feel welcome. 

OPINION | October 7

In the background on the right, a building composed of brown bricks covered with green ivy has a large black door in front. On the right lower third foreground, many protestors gather in front of a man speaking. In the top right, lightly leafed trees sit below a bright sun and pale blue sky.

With their dirty deal, Princeton has chosen the fossil fuel industry over the future

“By choosing to prioritize relationships with fossil fuel companies over the well-being of the planet and future generations, Princeton has abdicated its responsibility to lead and sent the message that prestige and immediate financial gain outweigh the urgent need to address the climate emergency.”

“By choosing to prioritize relationships with fossil fuel companies over the well-being of the planet and future generations, Princeton has abdicated its responsibility to lead and sent the message that prestige and immediate financial gain outweigh the urgent need to address the climate emergency.”

OPINION | October 4