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Author Archives: Brian No

The Prez.

What’s on Shirley Tilghman’s mind these days?

Besides dealing with a $3.7 billion drop in the University’s endowment (thanks, Great Recession!), Tilghman said at this afternoon’s CPUC (Council for the Princeton University Community) meeting that moving ahead with establishing the nation’s premier neuroscience department is her biggest priority. Tilghman also said the lack of funding to renovate the soon-to-be vacant Frick Laboratory has been worrying her.

The construction of a neuroscience and psychology building below Icahn Laboratory was postponed after the economic climate turned sour, but Tilghman said she’s trying to secure enough alumni donations to break ground as soon as possible. She said the new building is “shovel-ready” and said it was urgent that the University take advantage of today’s historically low construction costs. (Basic Wall Street, y’all – buy low, sell high, you know?) Channeling Sarah Palin, Tilghman said she’s reaching out to a small group of loyal alumni benefactors “to get our ‘base’ energized,” though we’re not sure what this exactly means.

On Tilghman’s Mind: Neuroscience and an Empty Frick

By Brian No

Posted in Faculty, Goings On Tagged budget cuts, CPUC, Frick Laboratory, neuroscience and psychology building, Shirley Tilghman Leave a comment

Overheard: "Yo, where my man servant at?"

Overheard in Witherspoon: "Yo, where my man servant at?"

Wouldn’t it be nice, especially during exams, if someone would just take care of life’s little things? Apparently, Princetonians of yore had just that: private servants.

The Princeton Alumni Weekly recently posted on its blog a University tuition bill from 1910 (you can see it here), and one of the expense lines reads “Private Servant”–though it appears the person to whom the bill belonged did not have a personal Jeeves.

And where did these servants reside? In the dorms! Ever wonder why Witherspoon Hall is so goddamn nice? According to a history of Princeton’s campus, the school began to draw wealthier students after the Civil War, and the existing dorms just wouldn’t do for them:

The spartan facilities of many of the college’s dormitories were simply unpalatable to this new type of undergraduate. With amenities such as waterclosets on every floor, dumbwaiters, and special corridors and rooms for servants, Witherspoon was tailored to meet the needs of these wealthy students.

Built in 1877, Witherspoon was called “the most beautiful and luxurious college dormitory in the country.” Because Princeton charged varying rents for different dorms, it soon faced a problem of another sort: where would it put students who weren’t rich?

Just two years later, the University built another dorm to solve this problem–a building with the most spartan accommodations. Ever wonder why Edwards Hall is so goddamn drab? Indeed, Edwards was considered “the poor man’s dormitory.” The Prince back then had a less-than-flattering opinion of Edwards:

…Naturally dark and dirty, the Hall is made the object on many contemelious [sic] remarks, and the general opinion is that it takes courage backed up by more or less impecunious circumstances to spend a year or more in those dark and dusty entries.

Of course, both Edwards and Witherspoon have subsequently been renovated–Witherspoon lost its servants’ quarters and Edwards lost its poverty-chic status. But despite what the University tells us, it’s clear not all Princeton dorms are equal–at least they weren’t back in the 19th century.

(image source: http://etcweb.princeton.edu/Campus/)

Jan 29, 2010

True Life circa 1880: I am a Princeton student & need quarters for my servant!

By Brian No

Posted in Musings, Nostalgia Tagged Edwards Hall, how Princeton earned its stereotypes, private servants, Rockefeller College, Rocky, Witherspoon Hall Leave a comment

(source: AP Photo; Yahoo News)

If you were watching last night’s State of the Union address, you might have observed six of the nine Supreme Court justices in attendance, sitting directly in front of President Obama.

Justices Samuel Alito ‘72 and Sonia Sotomayor ‘76 were sitting next to each other, which we thought was cute. Perhaps, we daydreamed, they’re good friends who reminisce about their times at Old Nassau. Highly unlikely. What would they talk about? Alito’s membership in Concerned Alumni of Princeton (the now-defunct conservative group that opposed women and minorities at Princeton)? Awkward! Instead, they were probably forced to sit next to each other, since it appears the justices sat in order of their seniority, starting with Chief Justice John Roberts.

Of course, unless you’ve been living under a rock, Alito made more news than that last night when he shook his head vehemently and appeared to mouth “Not true. Not true.” as Obama criticized the recent Citizens United v. FEC decision, which ruled that corporations can use unlimited money to influence political elections. Reactions have been varied: some are calling it an unprecedented breach of decorum (one liberal blog refers to it as Alito’s “Joe Wilson” moment), while others say that Obama was out of line by criticizing the Court. You can check out the YouTube clip below to see for yourself.

Perhaps the incident shouldn’t be such a surprise. Alito and Obama famously don’t get along. As Jeffrey Toobin from The New Yorker writes:

What makes Alito’s reaction even more delicious is that it’s further evidence that the Justice just can’t stand Obama. As a Senator, Obama voted against Alito’s confirmation, which the Justice does not seem to have forgotten. When the President-elect Obama made a courtesy call on the Justices shortly before his inauguration last year, Alito was the only member of the Court not to attend. (Obama voted against Roberts, too, but the Chief Justice managed to spare the time to welcome Obama.) The first law that Obama signed as President was the Lilly Ledbetter Act—which reversed a decision by the Supreme Court that had erected new barriers to plaintiffs filing employment discrimination cases. The author of that now-overruled decision? Samuel Alito. These two guys have a history.

Jan 28, 2010

Alito ‘72 & Sotomayor ‘76 attend SOTU; Alito not an Obama fan

By Brian No

Posted in Alumni, Politics Tagged Barack Obama, CAP, Concerned Alumni of Princeton, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, State of the Union, Supreme Court Leave a comment

Bernanke

Krugman

Blinder

[UPDATED 1/28/10: SEE BELOW]

When President Obama reappointed Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in August (who was a Princeton economics professor and department chair before his 2005 appointment), his second term seemed almost assured and his Senate confirmation appeared to be smooth sailing–until, of course, this month.

Public anger over bank bailouts and bonuses has made Senators nervous, and Bernanke has been on the receiving end of the resulting political backlash. With Bernanke’s Senate vote suddenly put in doubt, the market has plummeted in recent days in the face of uncertainty.

Princeton professor and New York Times columnist Paul Krugman has weighed in on the issue this week: he supports Bernanke’s reappointment…barely.

Where do I stand? I deeply admire Mr. Bernanke, both as an economist and for his response to the financial crisis. (Full disclosure: before going to the Fed he headed Princeton’s economics department, and hired me for my current position there.) Yet his critics have a strong case. In the end, I favor his reappointment, but only because rejecting him could make the Fed’s policies worse, not better.

Bernanke, according to Krugman, has been too complacent on financial reform and unemployment, and too prone to seeing the world “through bankers’ eyes.”

According to the Wall Street Journal and Foreign Policy magazine, several names have been thrown around as possible Bernanke replacements, with Princeton professor (and Press Club alumnus) Alan Blinder ‘67 as a top contender. Krugman, too, mentions Blinder (who was Vice Chair of the Fed during the Clinton administration) as a good candidate for Bernanke’s job.

Still, Krugman offers his lukewarm support for Bernanke because he believes appointing someone else would create unneeded political turmoil. Krugman says the country would also risk getting someone who lacks the influence and sway to prevent the other members of the Fed (who, he says, are worse) from ignoring unemployment and financial reform.

UPDATE 1/28/10:

Who said Princetonians don’t look after one another? First it was Krugman (albeit half-heartedly), and now it’s Blinder. Two Democrats supporting a Republican? So post-partisan!

Blinder’s thoughts after the jump!:

[UPDATED] Krugman on Bernanke: Meh! (Could Blinder Be Next Fed Chair?)

By Brian No

Posted in Alumni, Faculty, Goings On, In the news, Politics Tagged Alan Blinder, Awkward Faculty Interactions, Ben Bernanke, Economics, Federal Reserve, Paul Krugman, Paul Volcker Leave a comment

Cornel West at his freshest!

If you’re taking one of Professor Cornel West *80’s two seminars this coming semester make sure you do your reading! Because he will be “real fresh”! That, apparently, includes clean clothes–an aspiration that is a constant struggle for Princeton students.

West was recently featured in The New York Times‘ “Sunday Routine” series. On the subject of class preparation, he said:

I try to shoot to be home by 8 or 9 at night. I like to get home and wash my clothes. I have to read all night; I have to be real fresh for class. I like to read two or three hours every night. Right now I’m reading Robert Brandom, one of the great pragmatic American philosophers. I read until 2, 2:30 a.m. I don’t really need that much sleep.

Curiously, West also said he has never spent a weekend on campus:

I’ve never spent a weekend in Princeton. I would like to be at home, but my calling beckons me.

Instead, he usually visits four cities each weekend! And he does all this on DECAF coffee, which is the craziest thing we’ve ever heard.

(image source: princeton.edu)

Cornel West Does Laundry & Course Readings All Night Before Class. Do You?

By Brian No

Posted in Faculty, In the news Tagged Cornel West, New York Times Leave a comment

The number of applicants applying to Princeton increased by 19% this year–a record 26,166 applicants compared to last year’s 21,963, according to the University.

Ninety percent of this year’s applicants said that they intended to apply for financial aid, versus 75% of last year’s applicants.

Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye attributed the marked increase in applications to the school’s financial aid program, recruitment efforts, and an easier application process.

What was easier this year?:

Applicants for the first time this year could participate in Score Choice, a program offered by the College Board that provides students with the option of sending to colleges and universities their three best SAT scores (rather than a history of all test scores). Also for the first time this year, the students were required to submit just two SAT subject tests, while past applicants submitted three.

The Office of Admission made the change because of the SAT writing section introduced by the College Board in 2005 that now helps admission officers evaluate students, in addition to research indicating that many students take only two subject tests, Rapelye said.

“Because of our commitment to reaching out to students from lower socio-economic backgrounds — those who may not have had the college counseling to start taking the tests early in high school — and because we have three parts of the SAT for our evaluations, we changed our requirement this year,” she said.

(Our reaction: Kids have it so much easier nowadays!)

The University said the number of male and female applicants were evenly balanced. In addition, the University said the budget for financial aid is projected to be $113 million for next year. The financial aid budget this year was $103 million.

Jan 15, 2010

Applications for Class of 2014 Increase 19%

By Brian No

Posted in Goings On One comment

At yesterday afternoon’s CPUC meeting, USG Treasurer Trevor Martin ‘11 presented to the Council the COMBO II survey results. Remember those depressing survey results? Midway through the presentation, President Shirley Tilghman suddenly exclaimed in horror. What had upset her?

Martin had been explaining a bar graph that showed social sciences, the most popular category of majors, with the lowest percentage of students who said they chose their major based on “academic passion.” Fortunately for Tilghman, the bar graph had been scaled so that the lowest category of majors (social sciences) appeared to be at about 50 percent, instead of the 70+ percent that it actually was. After someone pointed this out to her, Tilghman was able to calm down, but not before exclaiming, “I was ready to shoot myself!”

The CPUC had just gotten a little bit awkward. But the nervous laughter soon subsided, and the presentation moved forward.

We also learned a couple disconcerting factoids about our psychological well-being when the director of Counseling and Psychological Services at McCosh, Anita McLean, gave a presentation about the office’s services.

Funny/Awkward Things Shirley Tilghman Says

By Brian No

Posted in Faculty, Musings Tagged COMBO, CPUC, Shirley Tilghman Leave a comment

(credit: Beverly Schaefer; source: paw.princeton.edu)

Last month, an all-star panel of Supreme Court journalists criticized Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor ’76’s confirmation hearings that took place over the summer:

Sotomayor — now Associate Justice Sotomayor — “was asked what her judicial philosophy was and she said, ‘I follow the law,’” CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin told a packed Dodds Auditorium in Robertson Hall. “What a cynical view of the confirmation process.”

Click here to read more at the PAW.

IN PRINT: Sotomayor’s Confirmation Hearings Pretty Lame

By Brian No

Posted in Alumni, In Print Tagged Sonia Sotomayor, Supreme Court, Supreme Court Nominee Leave a comment

Her book tour probably doesn't include Princeton University

Sarah Palin probably hates you, me, and basically the entire idea of Princeton. As Comedy Central’s John Oliver told us at his show in Richardson a few weeks ago, we’re probably her biggest nightmare. But she has been back in the news, and if you follow her on Twitter like I do, her tweets have gotten more frequent and ever more nonsensical (she “appreciates u hearty souls” who came to her book signings!).

Nevertheless, there’s a good chance that she’ll run for president, and there was rampant speculation after she abruptly resigned the governorship over the summer. While toiling away as an intern this summer, I had a chance to interview several prominent Republican strategists. I asked them what advice they would give Palin if she wants to run in 2012. My reporting didn’t end up getting used, so I thought I’d share some of the more interesting/funny quotes with our dear readers.

Mary Matalin (adviser to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney; married to James Carville): Matalin said she thinks Palin has a good chance, but she should first take time off and not even think about the presidency until the midterm elections in 2010. Her initial reaction upon hearing about Palin’s resignation? “What? WTF?”

Roger Stone (self-styled “GOP hitman”): After a brief cooling off period, Stone would recommend Palin do a TV show for 2010 and maybe half of 2011 on either CNN or Fox. On Palin’s reputation as an intellectual lightweight, Stone said, “Joe Biden is a fucking moron. Just hold everyone to the same standards. He’s a nut, a whack job. But you don’t hear about that in the liberal media.”

More hilarious comments after the jump!

GOP Strategists on Palin’s White House Chances in 2012

By Brian No

Posted in Goings On, Politics Tagged John Oliver, Republican Party, Sarah Palin Leave a comment

(source: insidehighered.com)

Everyone knows the story of Cornel West, Princeton’s Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African American Studies: West teaches at Harvard, then-Harvard president Larry Summers tells West that he’s concerned about West’s scholarly output, West takes offense, West comes to Princeton earlier this decade. Big coup for Princeton!

West has recently been making the rounds promoting his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, that he co-wrote with David Ritz. In response, Scott McLemee, a columnist for Inside Higher Ed, recently wrote a scathing review of West’s latest book. He writes:

Cornel West’s work was once bold, challenging, exciting. The past tense here is unavoidable. His critical edge and creative powers might yet be reborn (he is 56). But in the wake of his latest book, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud, this hope requires a considerable leap of faith. Published by Hay House, the book also bears a second subtitle: “A Memoir.” It is the most disappointing thing I have read in at least a year.

McLemee criticizes West for (you guessed it) his lack of academic output in the past decade and points out instances in the book where he believes West is simply self-congratulating himself, not unlike a celebrity would. The writer later concludes:

It is clearly time for Cornel West to take himself to the woodshed — and not for a weekend either.

Ouch. Unfortunately for McLemee, West has reached iconic status here at Princeton. He’s untouchable.

Dec 7, 2009

Inside Higher Ed Rips Cornel West’s Recent Scholarship

By Brian No

Posted in Faculty, Goings On, In the news Tagged Cornel West, Inside Higher Ed, Scott McLemee Leave a comment

ALTMAN ‘11 MISTAKES CDY FOR ICE CREAM, YAROSHEFSKY ‘12 HATES SPONGEBOB, & LINDEMAN ‘11 REALLY LIKES CLOISTER INN

Name: Jack Altman ‘11 / Michael Yaroshefsky ‘12 / Jack Lindeman ‘11
Age: 20 / 20 / 21
Major: Economics / ORFE / English
Hometown: St. Louis / Wayne, NJ / Cape May, NJ
Eating club/residential college/affiliation: Tower & Forbes / Wilson / Cloister & Whitman

Who’s your favorite Princetonian, living or dead, real or fictional?
Altman: John Nash for the win.
Yaroshefsky: Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah; Batman! Bruce Wayne, that is, because he has a bat cave, drives a cool car, and beats up baddies.
Lindeman: Aaron Burr, for the way he drops Hamiltons.

What’s the best meal you’ve eaten in Princeton?
A: Forbes vegetarian night! Not.
Y: My first meal at the new WuCox this year and the realization that finally I don’t have to invade another dining hall for a good meal. Now we have delicious pizza, pasta, and salads!
L: I have to add that the meals at Cloister are pretty much amazing, but I think my favorite there would have to be the Steak and Crab Legs we have on Member’s Nights. The chef there is amazing.

In one sentence, what do you actually do all day?
A: I wish I knew, days just always seem to end.
Y: I zip around campus on my bike between classes, send emails constantly, rush to finish a problem set at the last minute, catch up on the latest Daily Show on Hulu, read a few technology blogs, work a little more on problem sets, then give in at about 3 a.m.
L: I just have a great time.

What is your greatest guilty pleasure?
A: Afrin. More like a 7 year addiction actually.
Y: I have an addiction to bottled water. But I recycle!
L: Fallout 3 for XBox 360. I can’t say how many hours I’ve wasted watching a character traverse the Wasteland on the projector we have in our dorm.

21 Questions with… USG Presidential Candidates!

By Brian No

Posted in 21 Questions Tagged Jack Altman, Jack Lindeman, Mike Yaroshefsky, USG, USG Elections Leave a comment

A new week. A new USG-related brouhaha. The Prince breathlessly reported this morning that the USG had failed to follow through with a recently passed referendum—that all USG members publicly declare whether they’ve signed a pledge to never solicit recommendations from University administrators. If the Prince comments are any indication, a handful of students have gotten pretty vitriolic about making sure USG members are prohibited from asking administrators for references because of a possible “conflict of interest.”

I understand the spirit behind the pledge—that USG members shouldn’t be unethical. But it’s unclear to me why getting a recommendation from an administrator has become the flashpoint over ethics and why asking for a recommendation should even be considered unethical. [Full disclosure: I'm the U-Council Chair on the USG.]

Opinion: Why referendum banning USG-ers from asking administrators for recs is silly

By Brian No

Posted in Goings On, Musings Tagged USG, USG Referendum Leave a comment