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Thursday March 18, 2021 vol. CXLV no. 19
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U. AFFAIRS
Designed by: Jessica Cui
Princeton announces summer thesis research to occur on campus, continuous housing available for select students By Anika Buch, Paige Cromley Asst News Editor and Features Writer
On-campus programs and housing for summer 2021 will be restricted to senior thesis research that requires laboratory access or other special University resources, according to a memo sent to students by Dean of the College Jill Dolan and Vice President for Campus Life Rochelle Calhoun. “Approval for on-campus thesis research will be contingent on the endorsement of the student’s department and presumes that individual students may be accommodated safely in research facilities under the applicable social distancing protocols,” Dolan and Calhoun wrote. Seniors interested in doing on-campus thesis research should contact their thesis adviser or Director of Undergraduate Studies “as soon as possible” and submit an application for senior thesis research funding in SAFE by April 4. Those on campus will be expected to continue adhering to the Social Contract and completing Daily Symptom Checks. COVID-19 guidelines will continue to be enforced, with gatherings and use of University facilities limited as they are currently. Students approved for summer research “will have the option to remain on campus from the end of final exams until June 1,” or to leave after Commencement and return for the summer session. Those who leave campus must return on June 1 and move out by Aug. 2. Students who submit vaccination records to University Health Services (UHS) will be exempted from arrival quarantine. Dolan and Calhoun acknowledged that some other University-sponsored activities that occur off-campus might take place. “We expect there will be some opportunity for senior
thesis research involving domestic travel, as well as for participation in domestic offcampus internships. Revised travel guidelines will be released shortly and will provide full details on permissible University-sponsored travel for the summer, including for undergraduates,” wrote Dolan and Calhoun. Dolan and Calhoun’s memo also reiterated prior announcements stating that the “vast majority” of University-funded internships that typically occur on campus will be conducted remotely. Aside from seniors engaging in on-campus thesis research, the only other students permitted on campus will be those registered with the University’s continuous housing program. Students will be able to apply for continuous housing in early April. The memo stated that this will be available to students who will be enrolled next fall and “face significant financial hardship and/or other serious extenuating circumstances that make it impossible to secure alternative housing during the summer months.” This summer housing includes students who would otherwise be “subjected to a dangerous, unhealthy or hostile living or learning environment,” including based on social identity or protected characteristics. This is consistent with updated criteria for emergency housing announced last November after an anonymous student wrote in The Daily Princetonian that the University had denied them emergency housing for the fall, despite their being gay and closeted in a household where they felt unsafe. According to the recent memo, “all students in residence on campus during the summer will be charged the standard rates for housing and dining, if applicable,” though exact costs have not been finalized yet.
JON ORT / THE DAILY PRINCETONIAN
The front facade of Nassau Hall.
Last summer, the University charged $1,500 for summer housing — a decrease from the typical $218 weekly rate, which would have totaled over $2,800 over the 13-week period of emergency shelter. Though discounted, last summer’s costs still created financial difficulties for some students. More information about costs this summer will be listed on the Housing & Real Estate Services website once available, according to the memo. This memo comes before the University has received any information from the state about a vaccination timeline; however, the University is eligible to serve as a vaccination center when it receives supply from New Jersey. The memo also referenced opportunities for summer classes. Dolan wrote that select courses will be offered over the summer by the Math and Physics departments; students must submit an application for these programs by April 7. Dolan also provided a full list of summer course offer-
ings in her memo. This story is breaking and will continue to be updated as more information is provided. On-campus programs and housing for summer 2021 will be restricted to senior thesis research that requires laboratory access or other special University resources, according to a memo sent to students by Dean of the College Jill Dolan and Vice President for Campus Life Rochelle Calhoun. “Approval for on-campus thesis research will be contingent on the endorsement of the student’s department and presumes that individual students may be accommodated safely in research facilities under the applicable social distancing protocols,” Dolan and Calhoun wrote. Seniors interested in doing on-campus thesis research should contact their thesis adviser or Director of Undergraduate Studies “as soon as possible” and submit an application for senior thesis research funding in SAFE by April 4.
Those on campus will be expected to continue adhering to the Social Contract and completing Daily Symptom Checks. COVID-19 guidelines will continue to be enforced, with gatherings and use of University facilities limited as they are currently. Students approved for summer research “will have the option to remain on campus from the end of final exams until June 1,” or to leave after Commencement and return for the summer session. Those who leave campus must return on June 1 and move out by Aug. 2. Students who submit vaccination records to University Health Services (UHS) will be exempted from arrival quarantine. Dolan and Calhoun acknowledged that some other University-sponsored activities that occur off-campus might take place. “We expect there will be some opportunity for senior thesis research involving domestic travel, as well as for participation in domestic offSee NEWS for more
BEYOND THE BUBBLE
Common Application modifies questions on sex and gender identity By Sai Rachumalla Asst News Editor
TOM SLUCER / CC0 1.0
Last year, over 900 member colleges accepted applications through the Common App.
In Opinion
On Feb. 24, the Common Application announced changes to questions relating to gender identity and legal sex, which are to take effect in the 2021–2022 application process. The Common Application implemented these changes to address students’ widespread concerns about their inability to express themselves properly on the application. The revised application will include adding an optional question asking students for their preferred first name in addition to their legal name. It will also add an opportunity for students to multi-select or write in a set of pronouns that they use and will change
Contributing Columnist Kirsten Keels uses her family’s experience with mutual aid to not only illustrate the impact it may have on lives, but to also urge the affluent to actively support these campaigns and contribute more.
a question asking for “sex” to “legal sex.” In a blog from the Common Application website, President and CEO Jenny Rickard wrote that the changes were discussed and implemented because “in order to fulfill the promise of higher education as a pathway to economic opportunity, it’s incumbent upon institutions, advocates, and stakeholders to eliminate any potential barriers that may stand in the way for students from all backgrounds.” These changes accompany a similar modification in 2016, where a text box was added to allow students the opportunity to express their gender identities. Some students believe that the new changes aren’t enough to allow for full inclusivity
In Prospect
of students. Mel Hornyak ’23, who does not go by their legal name, noted that the phrase “preferred name” was not the best language to use. “It’s not really a preference for many students,“ Hornyak said. “It’s just their name and something integral to their identity.” Hornyak said they agree, however, that these changes are overall beneficial for students. “I’m really glad that they are taking steps to make the Common Application inclusive and acknowledging the fact that there are trans students that are applying to college and that they may need help feeling more comfortable with this difficult process,” they said. Over 97 percent of current See NEWS for more
In his virtual talk on February 23rd for the M+M Program in Media and Modernity, Muntadas spoke about how fear manifests in the media and the built environment. His presentation covered several of his works, each of which seeks to elucidate our relationship with fear.