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Friday November 12, 2021 vol. CXLV no. 56
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USG discusses grading policy, CPUC discusses dissociation, approves Honor Code amendment DEI, COVID-19 updates By Andrew Somerville Staff Writer
When the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) Senate met on Sunday, Nov. 7, they voted to amend the Honor Code Constitution in addition to discussing grading policy and the atmosphere around grading on campus. Chair of the Honor Committee Wells Carson ’22 submitted an amendment that would formally establish the Peer Representatives as an Honor Committee resource avail-
able to students who have been accused of violating the honor code. Since their charter in 2017, Peer Representatives have been an Ad Hoc committee of the Honor Committee, meaning they were initially established for a limited period of time. The amendment was unanimously approved by the Senate, after being unanimously approved by the Honor Committee on Oct. 31. Dean of the College Jill Dolan and Senior Associate Dean of the College Claire Fowler presented at the meetSee USG page 3
Roughly half of the membership of Natives at Princeton.
By Lia Opperman Contributor
In Monday’s Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC) meeting, administrators discussed the University’s plans on fossil fuel dissociation, COVID-19 updates, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Report. Administrators discuss divestment and dissociation A group of students from Divest Princeton showed up to the event wearing green and holding posters demanding
COURTESY OF NATIVES AT PRINCETON
U. announces new Indigenous initiatives By Jasmyn Dobson Staff Writer
Princeton is the latest university to acknowledge Native and Indigenous communities, both domestically and internationally, through curricula and initiatives, joining dozens of universities across the U.S. On Oct. 8, the University’s Office of Communications released an announcement detailing several initiatives being implemented, including a formal land acknowledgement marker near Prospect House and a memorial garden in the woodlands north of Lake Carnegie for the Lenape peoples. The University has been working closely with the three federally recognized Lenape tribes to draft the acknowledgement. Eric Schmidt ’76 and Wen-
dy Schmidt have endowed a professorship of Indigenous Studies at the University. The endowment was announced on Dec. 3, 2020, and the University is currently looking to fill the role. The Humanities Council also launched an Indigenous seminar series in September and seeks to increase awareness and understanding of Indigenous cultures and experiences. The seminar series was designed by Sarah Rivett, professor of English and American Studies, and members of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative at Princeton (NAISIP). Olga Ulturgasheva, a Pathy Distinguished Visitor at the University and guest lecturer in the seminar series, has expressed her enthusiasm for the new initiatives. Ulturgasheva wrote in
Princeton divest now. Dr. Anu Ramaswami, leader of Princeton’s new faculty panel working to advise and inform the dissociation process, said that the panel includes faculty from a variety of fields working to discuss the University’s relationship with fossil fuels. The panel has met fully once and plans to meet once a month. “[The panel] is working on breaking up the topic into manageable chunks,” Ramaswami said. Mayu Takeuchi ’23, the Sustainability Chair of the Undergraduate Student GovSee CPUC page 2
U.-led clinics start giving COVID-19 vaccine doses to kids ON CAMPUS
BHOOMIKA CHOWDHARY / THE DAILY PRINCETONIAN
A line forms to the University vaccine clinic in Jadwin Gym.
a statement to The Daily Princetonian that she is “excited to contribute to building an inclusive, supportive and intellectually stimulating environment for scholars, artists and intellectuals from international indigenous and Native North American backgrounds at Princeton.” The announcement also highlighted existing programs including College Horizons, a college access program focused on academic success for Native students, and Natives at Princeton (NAP), a student community group focused on supporting Native and Indigenous students at Princeton. Jessica Lambert ’22, copresident of NAP, said that many of the initiatives announced have been a long time in the making, and See NAP page 4
By Zoya Amir Gauhar Staff Writer
The University announced on Nov. 5 that the University-led COVID-19 vaccination clinics will begin administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children between ages five and 11, following authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the State of New Jersey. The University clinic, held in Jadwin Gymnasium, officially began administering pediatric vaccinations on Monday, Nov. 8. For University faculty with young children, the authorization brings a sense of relief. “This has been a particularly difficult semester for those of us with young children, who have been straddling the relative safety of the campus community and the unpredictable and unvacci-
nated world of the elementary schools,” wrote History Professor Kevin Kruse in an email to the Daily Princetonian. “The uncertainties there have been a constant worry for us.” “I’m thrilled to see that the University is opening the vaccination clinic for young kids,” he added. University Health Services (UHS) recommends the Jadwin clinic for children eight years and older. While children between five and eight will be able to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the clinics, it is recommended that they receive the vaccine in a pediatric office setting. The University expects to see an increase in the number of people attending the clinics following the authorization and has added new measures to account for the change. See CLINIC page 3
IN TOWN
NJ legislation partially banning plastic straws now in effect By Tara Agarwal Contributor
As of Nov. 4, all New Jersey restaurants and food service establishments are banned from providing single-use plastic straws unless specifically requested by customers, according to legislation passed by Gov. Phil Murphy and other lawmakers last year. The ban is part of a statewide move to reduce plastic pollution originating from food and retail businesses. The next phase of the plan to cut reliance on single-use plastics is scheduled to come into effect on May 4, 2022, when businesses will no longer be allowed to give customers carryout plastic bags or polystyrene food packaging. Convenience
In This Issue
and grocery stores larger than 2,500 square feet will also be fined if found distributing paper bags. Stores, food service businesses, and grocery stores will receive a warning for the first offense, monetary fines up to $1,000 per day of violation for a repeat offense, and fines ranging up to $5,000 per day for the third offense. Gov. Murphy’s office described this legislation as “the strongest such ban in the country,” according to NBC News. New Jersey uses 4.4 billion plastic bags annually, contributing to the severity of the plastic problem. “Single-use plastic straws are one of the most publicly recognized ocean pollutants, causing
ANGEL KUO / THE DAILY PRINCETONIAN
See STRAWS page 4
SPORTS PAGE 16
OPINION PAGE 10
Men’s soccer clinched the Ivy League Championship, and both the men’s and women’s teams are heading to the NCAA tournament.
Contributing columnist Audrey Chau argues that Princeton should create a failure-friendly environment so students can get used to reflecting on and recovering from failure.
THE PROSPECT PAGE 12 In honor of National First-Gen Day, we solicited reflections from Princeton’s first-generation and/or low-income community about their experiences.