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Monday February 5, 2018 vol. CXLII no. 127
{ www.dailyprincetonian.com } STUDENT LIFE
EcoReps kick off new initiatives By Ariel Chen associate science editor
As the new semester begins, the Office of Sustainability’s Ecology Representative Program (EcoReps) led by undergraduates who “promote the integration of sustainability into campus life,” is working to continue the successful EcoReps Clothing Swap and kick off two new initiatives: MEND and Greening Athletics. The EcoReps Clothing Swap was founded in the spring of 2016 and has taken place each semester since, according to EcoRep Amber Lin ‘19. Students drop off unwanted clothes in donation bins located around campus, and those clothes are up for grabsfirst come first serve. “I think what makes this event so successful is its simplicity and its general appeal,” explained Lin. “There are many reasons for students, and even staff, to find free, nice, clothing attractive—whether you don’t want to spend money on new clothing, or you’d like to reduce
waste by wearing locally sourced, reused items.” She estimates that about 100 people attended the most recent clothing swap on Jan 12. The Clothing Swap was more focused on practicality than sustainability at first, Lin explained. “The first clothing swap was actually an effort to reduce the load Facilities gets during Move-Out, as there are many more donations than local organizations can handle,” added Lin. In addition, keeping clothes within the University community has a significant environmental impact, reducing emissions caused by transportation to other sites. “Our goal is really for the University community to think about where things come from and where they go, and how their actions can have effects far beyond what they can see,” Lin explained. Besides providing inexpensive and sustainably sourced clothing to members of the University community, the See ECOREPS page 2
BEYOND THE BUBBLE
ON CAMPUS
KEVIN MCELWEE :: PRINCETONIAN STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Julia Ioffe discusses Trump, Russia alongside music professor Simon Morrison and Ferris Professor of Journalism Deborah Amos.
Ioffe ’05 discusses Russia, Trump, and journalism By Kevin McElwee contributor
Journalist Julia Ioffe ‘05 set out to dispel some of the hype surrounding U.S.Russian relations in her recent cover article for The Atlantic, entitled “What Putin Really Wants.” That same hype, however, probably contributed to the long line at the University to hear Ioffe speak in person. Professor of Music Simon Morrison moderated a conversation between Ioffe and
Deborah Amos, a seasoned National Public Radio reporter and a Ferris Professor of Journalism at the University. Ioffe, who covers national security and foreign policy for The Atlantic, was quick to outline the two traps to which Americans often fall victim: seeing Putin and Russians as more competent than they actually are, and blaming the result of the 2016 presidential election on an outside power. Ioffe pointed out that the
latter is, ironically, “very Russian.” She explained that she doesn’t think Putin coordinated every component of the hack of the Democratic National Committee and the incendiary and highly polarizing social media ads that have now been revealed to be funded by an arm of the Kremlin, but that even if he did, the onus still falls on the American people. “[Putin] didn’t create Donald Trump,” said Ioffe. See IOFFE page 4
IN MEMORIAM
Gov. Murphy orders Remembering Chester Lam ’19 NJ Transit audit senior writer
By Benjamin Ball contributor
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed an executive order on Jan. 22 ordering a full-scale audit of New Jersey Transit. The chair of the NJ Transit Board was instructed by the order to engage independent consultants to recommend strategy optimization. The ultimate goal is to “create a world-class transportation corporation” by engaging outside input on operations. The order stated that “the selection process and review shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible.” The executive order included a call for the review to look into NJ Transit funding, current leadership structure, hiring protocols, and relationship with Amtrak. These changes are intended to make NJ Transit safer, cheaper, and more efficient, with an emphasis on upgrading the system and keeping it maintained. The order also seeks to make NJ Transit better for its customers in general by taking a closer look at “technology improvements that can
In Opinion
be made to its mobile application, reporting of performance to the public, [and] the physical infrastructure of stations, platforms, and cars.” The report comes as a response to New Jersey Transit’s rising fares, as well as numerous concerns with its overall infrastructure and general safety. Last September, a man was caught in the path of a NJ Transit train west of Newark Broad Street Station, and a week later another individual was struck by a train at Princeton Junction station. Another man was struck and killed by an NJ Transit train near the Summit station in Chatham last July. “New Jerseyans should not have to constantly worry about whether they can make it to their jobs on time because of train delays or whether their personal safety will be imperiled while traveling on NJ Transit,” said the order. Reforming the NJ Transit system was one of the major parts of Murphy’s platform when running for governor. Now that he holds the position, he plans to attempt to improve the See NJ TRANSIT page 3
Nicholas Wu, Head Opinion Editor Emeritus, considers the role of television in a healthy lifestyle, and columnist Winnie Brandfield-Harvey writes in defence of the judge who sentenced Larry Nassar. PAGE 6
Chester Lam ’19 of Morganville, N.J., was a loyal, caring, and funny, though quiet, friend to those who knew him well. Lam was a B.S.E. computer science concentrator who loved studying music and playing the piano. He often played classical music, but liked jazz, and even composed some of his own pieces. He also enjoyed video games, from the strategy-based to “Super Smash Bros.,” reading, the television drama “Breaking Bad,” and telling jokes. He passed away in a New York City hospital on Jan. 12. He was 20 years old. According to an email sent to undergraduates by Dean of Undergraduate Students Kathleen Deignan on Jan. 13, Lam’s death was ruled a suicide. Ananya Joshi ‘19, Lam’s close friend since childhood and a fellow computer science major, said that Lam was “a loyal friend” who was “always open to listening and treated everyone with respect.” “My favorite memory of Chester was when Mario [Liu ‘19], Chester, and I trekked down to Lake Carnegie on a Friday at sunset,” said Joshi. She added that Canadian geese upset their plans to picnic by the lake by eating all the fruit they brought, but despite this, the three friends stayed to talk and watch the sunset together. His friends remember him as principled, hardworking, and kind, with a quick wit and
an enduring love of learning. Liu was also close to Lam since childhood. He described Lam as “wise beyond his years” and someone who supported those around him. In a joint statement, Liu and Joshi wrote “Chester was very loving and very well loved. He will be missed.” Amber Lin ‘19 met Chester through mutual friends during her first year. “To me, Chester’s most memorable quality was his refreshing sense of humor,” she said. “At the meals we had together, he would never be afraid to break through social pretense and say what everyone else was thinking, in a way that would make everyone else at the table laugh, but also reflect.” Lam was a graduate of the High Technology High School, a magnet school in Lincroft, N.J. On campus, Lam was a member of Wilson College. Besides computer science, Lam enjoyed studying technology, physics, and engineering, with specific interests in machine learning and app development. Classmates interviewed said he had a philosophical, detail-oriented approach to academics. Lam’s direct first year roommate, Isaac Martinez ‘19, remembers him as someone who would never hesitate to help a friend in need, whether that meant taking care of a roommate who had overindulged at a pregame, or talking through computer science concepts with a struggling classmate. Daniel Petticord ‘19, one of
Today on Campus 10 a.m.: An exhibition of new student work in a wide array of analog and digital media curated from a dozen fall classes in typography, graphic design, desktop publishing, consumer media, and DIY culture. Lucas Gallery, 185 Nassau Street.
Lam’s first year suitemates, said that Lam was one of the first people he got to know on campus. “He was a really good guy. I don’t think he had a malicious bone in his body,” said Petticord, “Even though he didn’t talk a lot, he had a dry wit, he was very funny.” Petticord added that one of his favorite memories of Lam took place at the end of their first year, when they said goodbye before going home for the summer. “He quoted Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” continued Petticord, “‘So long and thanks for all the fish.’” Lam was preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his father and brother. Lam’s family could not be reached for comment. No memorial service has been planned. Editor’s Note: If you need to talk to someone, please refer to: Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS): Call (609) 2583141; for emergencies: (609) 2583333. An on-call counselor is available every day after hours.) CONTACT of Mercer County: Call (609) 896-2120 or (609) 5852244. Princeton Peer Nightline: Call (609) 258-0279; visit http:// princetonpeernightline.com, open Tuesdays and Fridays 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1 (800) 273-8255. This article was published online on Friday, Jan. 26.
WEATHER
By Rose Gilbert
HIGH
34˚
LOW
21˚
Sunny chance of rain:
10 percent