Volume LXXVII, Number 51
Cadwalader Park Trees Get Much-Needed Care . . . . 5 New Name for Princeton Senior Resource Center . . . . 8 Council’s Anti-Islamophobia Resolution Follows Measure Against Antisemitism . .11 NJ Symphony Brings Handel’s Messiah to Richardson . . . . . . . . 15 Sophomore Guard St. Rose Shows Her Growth As PU Women’s Hoops Tops Rutgers . . . . . . . 21 Junior Stars Mele, Rose Help PHS Wrestling Make Strong Showing at Del Val Event . . . . . . 24
Humphrey Bogart Joins Henry Miller for a Christmas Toast . . . . 14 Art . . . . . . . . . . . .17, 18 Books . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Calendar . . . . . . . . . . 19 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 29 Holiday Magic. . . . . . 2, 3 Mailbox . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New to Us . . . . . . . . . . 20 Performing Arts . . . . . 16 Police Blotter . . . . . . . 12 Real Estate. . . . . . . . . 29 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Topics of the Town . . . . 5 Town Talk . . . . . . . . . . 6
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NJ, PU Announce New Collaboration For Artificial Intelligence Hub At a presentation on Monday in the Chancellor Green Library at Princeton University, a new hub for artificial intelligence (AI) was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy and University President Christopher L. Eisgruber. A collaboration with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, the initiative puts Central New Jersey and the University at a key position in the AI boom. On April 11, the University and the state will cohost a conference designed to bring together leaders of industry, academia, and government to discuss AI and its capabilities. AI is defined as the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. Murphy said AI has the capability to help find new cures for diseases and new solutions for battling climate change. “Once again, New Jersey is pioneering cutting-edge technologies in lockstep with one of the world’s most prestigious universities,” Murphy said. “Indeed, there is no better place in the nation to build a nexus for AI development than in the heart of New Jersey at Princeton University, which attracts the companies of the future with its robust innovation ecosystem and unparalleled combination of location and talent. As these industry leaders seek the next big breakthrough in AI technologies from their labs in Central Jersey, they will help generate economic activity and good paying jobs in communities across our state.” Eisgruber said the University, already engaged in the study and development of AI, has a unique capacity to meet AI’s challenges. “Working to establish this hub for AI will further our efforts in this important area, while strengthening the regional ecosystem of innovation and advancing Princeton’s teaching and research mission,” he said. As an example of the power of AI, Murphy referred to a chemist who recently used AI to devise a process for creating oxygen on Mars. “He did it in a matter of weeks. Without AI, it would have taken 2,000 years,” he said. “That’s more than a 50,000 percent increase in efficiency. What could this mean for us on Earth? How far and how fast can we all go if we equip New Jersey’s best and brightest with the latest achievements in AI?” Continued on Page 10
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Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Princeton Public Schools Looking to Expand Facing the challenges of a growing community and overcrowded schools, the Princeton Public Schools (PPS) are planning for major expansion over the next three or four years. The plans, presented by consultants and the district’s long term facilities planning committee (LTFPC) at a public meeting last week, call for expansion and improvements at Princeton Middle School (PMS) and Community Park and Littlebrook elementary schools; additional work at Princeton High School; and demolition of the older section of the district’s Valley Road building. Total preliminary costs are estimated at $81 million to $85 million, with a fall 2024 anticipated referendum date. If Princeton voters approve the referendum, September of 2027 should see completion of the projects with “students in seats.” The largest portions of the projected costs are expected to be allocated to expansions and improvements at PMS (about $30 million), Community Park ($24 million-$25 million), and Littlebrook ($13 million), according to professional planner Mike Zuba, director of public education master planning for SLAM Engineering, and George Duthie, president of FVHD Architects-Planners, who presented their report at the PPS Board of Education (BOE) December 12 meeting. The plan includes a one-story addition
at PMS expanding the cafeteria and providing a multi-purpose room and auxiliary gym space along with a two-story addition for new classrooms, a science lab and a base for the district’s IT department, as well as renovations for the music area; a two-story addition at Community Park for new classrooms, along with a one-story addition for a multi-purpose room/gym with stage, and expansion and renovations for the cafeteria; and renovations and improvements at Littlebrook for six
classrooms, the cafeteria, kitchen, gym, library, and an addition to the music area. Plans for PHS include renovations to the tech area (about $2.8 million) and HVAC upgrades ($9 million-$9.5 million), and anticipated demolition costs at Valley Road are estimated at just over $4 million. The recommendation also calls for maintaining the dual-language immersion (DLI) Spanish-English program and pairing it with at least two traditional elementary tracks at Community Park. Continued on Page 10
Eisgruber and Princeton University Respond To U.S. Congress Criticism of Universities
Leading universities have been on the firing line in recent weeks as they try to balance demands for freedom of speech with the need to condemn antisemitism and Islamophobia and to ensure students’ safety. In the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, Princeton, along with many universities across the country, has seen demonstrations, protests, forums, vigils, and other reactions, some pro-Israel, some pro-Palestinian. Hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month led to scathing criticism of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill, Harvard President Claudine Gay, and MIT President Sally Kornbluth. Magill resigned soon afterward.
Compared to Harvard and Penn and many other universities, Princeton has been relatively quiet, despite outspoken debate with strong feelings on both sides. At a December 11 meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community (CPUC), University President Christopher L. Eisgruber commented on the commitment of the University “to act forcefully in response to hypothetical calls for the genocide of Jews.” On the following day he wrote that he had told the CPUC, “I have great confidence in this community of which we are all a part. I have never heard calls for genocide, or calls for murder, on this campus, and I don’t expect ever to hear Continued on Page 9
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON: Courtney’s Carolers recently entertained visitors and shoppers as they strolled around Palmer Square. Holiday music is featured on Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 2 p.m. through December 24. (Photo by Weronika A. Plohn)