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Isaac Barsoum


An empty fountain in front of a modern stone building on a rainy day.

Who’s self-censoring at college now?

Conservatives today must choose their cause: free speech or authoritarianism? Throughout history, the only leaders who cheered the downfall of universities and intellectualism were authoritarians interested in suppressing political dissent.

Conservatives today must choose their cause: free speech or authoritarianism? Throughout history, the only leaders who cheered the downfall of universities and intellectualism were authoritarians interested in suppressing political dissent.


A yellow tree is in front of a white marble building with modern columns.

Trump is bringing authoritarianism to Columbia. Princeton must democratize in response.

As they have in the past, universities must be the first to resist authoritarianism. By moving in the opposite direction of the Trump administration, we can stand up for our community even as an autocrat attempts to impose his will on our peer institutions.

As they have in the past, universities must be the first to resist authoritarianism. By moving in the opposite direction of the Trump administration, we can stand up for our community even as an autocrat attempts to impose his will on our peer institutions.


AlumniDay_022225_1029.jpg

Reactions: Which alum would you nominate for the Woodrow Wilson award?

We asked our writers to reflect on which alumni are best upholding the informal motto “Princeton in the nation’s service,” and make a case for who deserves to win the Woodrow Wilson Award next year.

We asked our writers to reflect on which alumni are best upholding the informal motto “Princeton in the nation’s service,” and make a case for who deserves to win the Woodrow Wilson Award next year.


A train is waiting at a train station.

Why is NJ Transit so damn expensive?

By the time I graduate — if price increases follow their current three percent trajectory — round-trip transportation from Princeton to New York will cost at least $44.21. But it could, very easily, cost nothing. It’s past time that Princeton moved to expand access to regional public transit for undergraduates.

By the time I graduate — if price increases follow their current three percent trajectory — round-trip transportation from Princeton to New York will cost at least $44.21. But it could, very easily, cost nothing. It’s past time that Princeton moved to expand access to regional public transit for undergraduates.


An ivy-covered building covered in snow on a winter day, with three students walking to the left.

In case you haven’t noticed, the target is already on our back

If I could say anything to the University about this, here is what it would be: when there is a target on your back, you do not stand still and wait for the arrow to strike. You put on a bulletproof vest, hunker down into a foxhole, and fire back.

If I could say anything to the University about this, here is what it would be: when there is a target on your back, you do not stand still and wait for the arrow to strike. You put on a bulletproof vest, hunker down into a foxhole, and fire back.


Gray brick modern building with red and white patio furniture above a gravel ground. Two individuals walking with personal electric vehicles along a concrete path.

New Jersey is burning. Stop pretending Princeton won’t.

“In the wake of these dire warnings, it is time for the University to remember that the climate crisis will one day affect Princeton’s campus even more directly — and to redouble its commitments to leadership on climate, sustainability, and environmental justice.”

“In the wake of these dire warnings, it is time for the University to remember that the climate crisis will one day affect Princeton’s campus even more directly — and to redouble its commitments to leadership on climate, sustainability, and environmental justice.”


A gray gothic building is dusted with black soot.

We are a republic — but it’s up to young people to keep it

“In the future, the history books — if there are any — will either remember a failure of American institutions to defend our democracy, or they will paint a picture of our universities, press corps, and public servants as the last line of defense against a petty tyrant who tried — and failed — to wrest from us our most fundamental freedoms.”

“In the future, the history books — if there are any — will either remember a failure of American institutions to defend our democracy, or they will paint a picture of our universities, press corps, and public servants as the last line of defense against a petty tyrant who tried — and failed — to wrest from us our most fundamental freedoms.”


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

Princeton must abolish the counselor recommendation letter

“Princeton must abolish the counselor recommendation entirely. Today, it is more of a reflection on the resources of the high school and the biases of the counselor than the merits of the individual student.”

“Princeton must abolish the counselor recommendation entirely. Today, it is more of a reflection on the resources of the high school and the biases of the counselor than the merits of the individual student.”


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