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Wednesday January 10, 2018 vol. CXLI no. 122
{ www.dailyprincetonian.com } U . S . A F FA I R S
U. purchases U.S. Congress By Daily Princetonian Staff
In a move that few expected, President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 announced that, from Jan. 32 onwards, the U.S. Congress will be owned by the University and will operate as a branch of the University. “We have over $22 billion in the bank,” said Eisgruber. “Rather than continually engaging in lawsuits with the government and dealing with tax-exemption headaches, it just seemed cleaner to buy it all out.” University Director of Government Affairs Joyce Rechtschaffen ’75 was not available for comment. However, Assistant Vice President for Communications Daniel Day said that he expected Rechtschaffen’s job to be much harder now, as she will be serving as acting majority shareholder. Dean of the Wilson School Cecilia Rouse was
also pleased with the University’s actions. “We’re almost going to outgrow our current spaces in Robertson Hall,” said Rouse, “So it’s wonderful that we now have more room for faculty and precepts in a building that’s almost as nice as our current one, and almost as old as this institution.” The original Capitol was finished by 1800, over half a century after the University’s founding. The Wilson School plans to offer new courses, including “Policymaking for Beginners” and “Making Government Work: Sharing is Caring.” These courses will be taught in the new satellite campus in Washington, D.C. All current members of Congress can receive auditor credit for any courses taught there. “It’s so exciting to finally make a difference,” said Nicholas Wu ’18, a Wilson School major. “Princeton See CONGRESS page 2
STUDENT LIFE
U. proposes change of mascot to an ox, students have a cow By Benjamin Ball contributor
Students across the University were deeply mooved yesterday when the University released its formal proposal to change the University mascot from the regal tiger to the humble yet persistent cow. “We’ve herd the voices of the students and we truly believe this to be the best decision,” said President Eisgruber. “The ox is a symbol of service and courage, and when we at Princeton see a good idea like this, we milk it for all it’s worth.” The idea struck Eisgruber after witnessing a few students who slept too late and had to hoof it to class. Watching the students’ dedication to academics, Eisgruber mused that they would certainly be outstanding in their fields one day, and they deserved a mascot that encapsulated their work ethic. “It’s the best thing we as the administration cud do for the students,” said Eisgruber. “We want to foster a caring and inclusive environment and eliminate any beef between students, and we think this is a great step forward.” Student responses have been mixed at best. Regina Yu ‘18 was all for it. “I think it’s an incredibull idea,” said Yu. “As a Princeton student, there are so many late nights
where you’re up pasture bedtime and you need to hit the hay but there’s just more work to do. We’re all little persistent oxen if you think about it!” Other students were not as sold on the idea, believing the change by the university was a severe miscowculation. “It’s an udder disaster,” said disgruntled student Ethan Ferniwinkle ‘20. “I’ve heard a lot of weird ideas come out of this administration, but this one is just bull.” Thomas DiMaggio ‘19 was also angry with the position the administration was taking, especially after they rejected his own proposal to change the new school mascot to a mouse, claiming the plan was just too cheesy. “I, for one, thought it was a gouda idea,” said DiMaggio. “The fact that the University would shut down my idea for an ox is unbrieleavable. I guess I blue it.” Eisgruber plans to formally announce his decision about the mascot at the tenth Annual PreDean’s Date Undergraduate Omelette Dinner, “Don’t Crack Under the Pressure.” “The omelette dinner will be an eggsellent venue to unveil the new idea, and we can’t wait to hear what the students think,” said Dean of College Jill Dolan. “This is no yolk.”
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S Q U I R R E L A F FA I R S
Campus squirrels form union despite tension with chipmunks
COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Squirrello Smith is one of the members of the new squirrels union.
By Daily Princetonian Staff In a late vote Thursday night, over 500 squirrels voted to unionize and form Nutcrackers Local 522. The vote was marred by allegations leveled against organizers by chipmunks that accused the organizers of leaving them out of the process. These protests were discarded after attendants were reminded that it was time to hibernate. “CHEHEHEHEHE,” said one voter after all acorns had been counted. “CHEHCHEHEH HEHCHE! WHEHEHSHHEHEHWH!” Multiple other voters scurried away after being approached by reporters from The Daily Princetonian. The vote came after a contentious tourist season during which many squirrels felt they were being taken advantage of by the University. “The squirrels of Princ-
eton University are tired of being the face of the University and not receiving just compensation,” said Jeff Zymeri ’20, who served as a legal consultant for the squirrels’ pro-union movement. “They are forced to beg for their food, beg! What kind of life is that? By banding together, we can force the University to come to the table and bargain in good faith, instead of buying us off with birdseed. Well, not us. I don’t eat birdseed. The University feeds me.” “We ... really don’t know what to do about this,” said a spokesperson for Princeton Graduate Students United. “Are they an AFLCIO affiliate?” Chip and Dale, chipmunks opposed to the union, voiced discontent with the union’s formation. “Squirrels live a charmed life on campus. They already get handouts from everyone on campus,” Dale
said as he waited in line to snatch boba tea away from a study break. A squirrel by Firestone Library countered those claims, explaining “HEHASHCHEHCHE HCEHCEH CHECHHECHEH,” as she went about digging up nuts. “Are you serious? Get out of my office!” said University President Christopher Eisgruber ’83 when questioned by the ‘Prince’ about the union. Due to Eisgruber’s greatly diminished open office hours, reporters, alongside union representatives, had to climb the ivy on Nassau Hall to reach Eisgruber’s office. An email sent later in the day to union representatives indicated that the University was going to decline to recognize the union. Former University spokesperson Martin Mbugua declined to comment.
U . A F FA I R S
COURTESY OF TWITTER
Trump takes to Twitter to praise U.’s Annual Giving campaign, claims credit for new record By Daily Princetonian Staff
United States President Donald Trump noted on Twitter today that the University’s Annual Giving campaign has had its
most successful year yet. He also appeared to take some credit for alumni donations through this campaign, and promised there was “MUCH MORE TO COME!!”
When reached for comment, the University put out the following statement: “Sorry, but he attended the University of Pennsylvania.”
In Opinion
Today on Campus
Senior columnist Ryan Born argues for the arming of Princeton’s squirrel population, and Associate Opinion Editor Emily Erdos defends vegans who wear Canada Goose. PAGE 4
12 a.m. - 12 p.m: Students will suffer as they prepare their Dean’s Date assignments.
WEATHER
This is the Daily Princetonian’s annual joke issue. Don’t believe everything you read! HIGH
38˚
LOW
31˚
It’s going to be cold. chance of rain:
10 percent