Founded 1876 daily since 1892 online since 1998
Friday December 15, 2017 vol. CXLI no. 120
{ www.dailyprincetonian.com } STUDENT LIFE
Chickenpox, mumps found on campus By Mallory Williamson contributor
An email sent to University students Thursday afternoon stated that one student is sick with a “probable” case of the chickenpox virus and noted that another student has a confirmed case of the mumps virus. According to the email, both students are expected to fully recover. “This is not an outbreak response,” says Dr. Jonathan Pletcher, director of medical services at University Health Services. “We wanted to let people know so they can take extra precautions, especially if they are at higher risk,” he said. Pletcher and the email noted that high-risk persons include pregnant women, immunocompromised persons, and those infected with HIV/AIDS. According to the email, chickenpox, known for “an itchy, blister-like rash all over the body” it implies, is spread by physical contact with the virus, breathing in blister particles, or absorbing tiny saliva droplets from infected persons. Individuals who have been vaccinated against chickenpox can still get the disease, although these individuals’ symptoms are milder than symptoms in non-vaccinated patients. Symptoms of chickenpox include those consistent with a fe-
ver or cold, which then develops into the virus’s infamous rash. As the virus takes 10–21 days to display symptoms, it can be spread by an unknowingly infected individual 1–2 days before the rash initially occurs. Mumps can be spread through coughs and sneezes, sharing utensils and cups, or touching surfaces with the virus. Individuals vaccinated against mumps typically do not contract the virus, although on college campuses or other places where individuals live in close quarters, infection among immunized individuals can still occur. Symptoms of the mumps include swollen salivary glands as well as fatigue, low-grade fever, and general muscle aches. Princeton community members can take steps to reduce their risk of contracting either virus. “Handwashing is incredibly, incredibly important throughout the day and ideally using alcoholbased hand sanitizers. Avoiding sharing cups and utensils, and anything where people are swapping spit,” Pletcher said. Students who have symptoms of either ailment should call the McCosh Health Center immediately at 609-258-3141. John Kolligian, executive director of UHS, could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
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COURTESY OF SUSTAINABILITY AT PRINCETON
Total campus emissions are expected to fall, in part thanks to sustainability efforts.
Solar power plant plans ahead for 100 years of investments paying off By Neha Chauhan contributor
About a mile south of campus is a 27-acre field of solar panels that generates 5.5 percent of the University’s power. Of all the University’s clean energy efforts, this solar field has a relatively small contribution — at least on paper. Despite this technicality, the solar field is a key contributor to the University’s status as a leader in sustainable energy. The solar field’s contribution to the University’s carbon footprint is measured
through Solar Renewable Energy Certificates, or SRECs. For each megawatthour of clean energy that a company produces, it earns one SREC. SREC’s can be bought and sold, according to New Jersey law. This process transfers credit for the production of clean energy to an SREC’s new owner. Since New Jersey state law requires that a certain percentage of companies’ total energy production is clean, corporations that do not want to invest in creating their own clean energy can compensate by
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buying SRECs from others in order to meet the state minimum. Though the University earns SRECs from the energy its solar field produces, the University currently sells those SRECs to pay off the initial loan for the solar field, explained Engineering and Campus Energy executive director Thomas Nyquist. As such, the SRECmeasured value of the energy produced by its solar field is masked, at least on paper. See SOLAR page 3
STUDENT LIFE
Business manager elected By Sanjana Duggirala contributor
Current undergraduates expressed skepticism at the lack of space cited by University administration.
Class of 2018 stone to be set on walkway in front of Nassau Hall By Nick Shashkini contributor
One of the University’s longest-running traditions has come to a close. For almost 150 years, most graduating classes have placed an engraved stone commemorating their graduation years on the walls of Nas-
In Opinion
sau Hall. But space for new stones on the building’s exterior has become increasingly limited in recent years, according to University administrators, prompting the University to find a new place for the stones. Starting next spring, class stones will now be placed around the two walkways that
Contributing columnist Madeleine Marr asks where the female professors are, guest contributor Julian Dean writes for more H1-B visas, and contributing columnist Jon Ort examines the legacy of Firestone Library’s namesake. Page 6
lead to Nassau Hall. According to Bob Durkee ’69, vice president and secretary of the University, discussions on altering the tradition began in 2013. Durkee explained that a group representing various offices — including the Office of the Vice President and Secretary, the Office of the Univer-
sity Architect, Office of Alumni Affairs, and the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, among others — shared responsibility for making the decision. The Office of the University Architect, Office of Alumni AfSee STONES page 2
Today on Campus 7 p.m.: As part of this year’s film series, “Deepwater Horizon Blowout Aftermath, Humans, Earth’s Treasures, and Animals,” Lewis Science Library presents National Geographic’s 2012 documentary, “Untamed Americas: Coasts.” Lewis Library/Room 225.
WEATHER
COURTESY OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
Ryan Gizzie ’18 was elected The Daily Princetonian’s business manager for the 142nd Managing Board. Gizzie will begin his tenure in February. As head of operations for one year, Gizzie oversaw various operations of the ‘Prince,’ namely the paper’s distribution. Before that, Gizzie served as associate manager of subscriptions. Regarding his new role as business manager, Gizze explained that he will now be in charge of all the business operations of the ‘Prince.’ The duties of a business manager, he noted, include making sure that the paper is producing revenue and that the ‘Prince’ has enough financial backing to continue to produce a print copy every day. Gizzie says that, next year, he will be “exploring new opportunities for advertising, as well as looking to keep costs low to keep the ‘Prince’ thriving and support the newsroom as best as we can, so that it has the freedom and opportunity to produce its best content.” Additionally, Gizzie hopes to “continue producing good and accessible content, both in the print and electronic versions and modernize the Prince.” Gizzie ran for business manager unopposed. The electoral body for the position is comprised of all members of The Daily Princetonian’s business team. He is preceded by the current business manager Matt McKinlay ’18.
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