September 21, 2018 with Fall Sports Preview

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Friday September 21, 2018 vol. CXLII no. 71

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TOWN

NJ Transit suspends Dinky service By Benjamin Ball and Albert Jiang Staff Writer and Contributor

In an effort to install an automatic braking system throughout the state, New Jersey Transit is suspending all Dinky service from Sunday, Oct. 14 through mid-January 2019. The statewide transit agency is currently rushing to meet a federal deadline to install a GPS-reliant emergency braking system, called Positive Train Control or “PTC,” by Dec. 31st, according to the New York Times. In 2008, Congress mandated rail companies to implement PTC, initially setting the deadline at 2015 before providing a three-year extension. The New York Times reported yesterday that the project to implement PTC statewide in New Jersey was more than 65 percent complete. According to the NJ Transit website, the Dinky service “will be replaced by buses on weekdays and weekends” to accommodate pas-

sengers. Adam Chang ’20 expressed skepticism that the buses would be an adequate replacement, citing previous instances where the Dinky had been replaced with bus services. “On every occasion in the past where they’ve replaced Dinky service with buses, the buses only meet the express train, which comes one in every three to five trains,” Chang said. “The buses also don’t run on an actual schedule; there’s nothing online and they don’t have anything on the station.” Chang also noted that, previously, the buses did not run late at night or early in the mornings. Chang feared that the change to buses would disproportionately impact University staff members and others who may not be able to afford Ubers, taxis, or other alternatives. Daily ridership on the Dinky was around 814 passengers in fiscal year 2017. Other affected routes on the Northeast Corridor include the temporary discontinuations of Trains

3832 and 3857 — the 10:42 a.m. and 3:42 p.m. from New York Penn Station to Trenton, respectively. While the repairs take place, NJ Transit is offering 10 percent discounts on all rail tickets from November through January. The Times also reported that a lack of engineers is part of the cause for cancellations throughout the state. Chang claimed that he and other University students believed that mismanagement and understaffing were to blame as well. “[NJ Transit doesn’t] have enough engineers and conductors to run the trains systemwide,” Chang said. “Installing this system on the Dinky should not be something that takes three months.” Total cancellations throughout the state consist of 18 daily trains on five NJ Transit lines and weekend service on the Gladstone Branch of the Morris & Essex line, plus the Dinky. COURTESY OF FLICKR

Dinky services have been suspended in order for the NJ Transit to install a new braking mechanism.

This story will be updated online as more information becomes available.

STUDENT LIFE

U . A F FA I R S

Late meal at Frist undergoes makeover

New walking tours reveal obscure aspects of U. history

By Roberto Hasbun Contributor

Frist Campus Center’s famous “late meal” just had its biggest makeover in recent years. Students can now get foods like chicken and waff les, vegan mac and cheese, dumplings, Korean fried chicken, build-your-own salads, and pho in the late meal servery on Frist’s Alevel. Plastic water bottles have been replaced with boxed water, in an effort to be more environmentally conscious. And students craving late meal quesadillas will no longer order them in the same spot, since the quesadilla section is now combined with the pizza section. Chris Lentz, associate director of marketing and community engagement, also explained that cooking procedures have also changed — Campus Dining now roasts instead of boiling to reduce water usage

in the kitchen. The credit allowance for students on meal plan has also changed from $5.95 to $6 for late lunch and $6.95 to $7 for late dinner. “This year’s changes ref lect the most comprehensive review in several years,” said Chris Lentz, associate director of marketing and community engagement. When Monica Dobrinoiu ’21 went to late meal for the first time this year, she immediately noticed the changes. She said she could tell there was more variety and appreciated the change in design. “Having more options is always great,” she said. According to Lentz, Campus Dining introduces new items every year. “New menus ref lect our efforts to meet the tastes of a diverse campus population,” said Lentz. “Our culinary team felt it was the right time to reconsidSee LATE MEAL page 2

By Ivy Truong Associate News Editor

Circular colored stickers have been carefully placed on the ground all over campus. They display QR codes inlaid with images — images of graduation hoodings, FitzRandolph Gate, freed African-American laborers, and more. When scanned with a mobile device, each code reveals a story connected to the University’s history. These stickers are part of a series of tours, named “(In) Visible Princeton,” launched by the University. (In)Visible Princeton aims to tell some of the lesser-known stories of the University’s history and traditions. “[These tours] are a way of including marginalized voices that haven’t historically been included in the University’s history and bringing them back into the historical narrative,” project

specialist Abby Klionsky ’14 said. In the spring of 2016, a trustee report called for the University to diversify the art and iconography around campus. That summer, the Campus Iconography Committee was created with this aim in mind. Chaired by executive vice president Treby Williams ’84 and Department of Anthropology chair Carolyn Rouse, the committee searched for a way to integrate visual cues on campus that serve to give a more in-depth interpretation of the University’s history. For instance, one stop on the tour features an interview with Vera Marcus ’72, the first known female African American non-transfer student to obtain an undergraduate degree from the University. Marcus did not maintain connections with the University upon graduating. According to Klionsky,

working on the interview had given Marcus a “new sensation” — one of inclusion. Another stop in front of Alexander Hall tells another important story: The building once held 1,200 people attending a memorial service for Martin Luther King, Jr. after the Association of Black Collegians convinced the University to cancel classes for the day because of the event. At each stop, those on the tour can scan the QR code that will reveal the significance and story behind a certain site through audio narration, text, and other forms of media. The tours can be accessed remotely by those who are not on campus. “We thought it was important to make these as easy to access as possible, whether you’re on campus or whether you’re not,” said Debby FosSee TOURS page 2

ACADEMICS

Climate change conference kicks off with call for states to take action Contributor

Changes to late meal include an increase in the credit allowance, additions to the menu, and changes to cooking procedures.

Debbie Mans, Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, called for state governments to take more initiative with environmental challenges. In a public lecture, Mans spoke about climate and energy challenges in New Jersey. Recent federal government pullbacks from key environmental initiatives have made efforts at the state level more important than ever. “We can all do our part,” said Mans. “Now, states need to take the lead.” She highlighted several actions that New Jersey governor Phil Murphy has taken to combat climate change.

In Opinion

Today on Campus

ROBERTO HASBUN :: THE DAILY PRINCETONIAN

Guest contributor Varun Bhave takes issue with contributing columnist Gabe Lipkowitz’s argument against displaying science as art, while guest contributor Eve Niedergang calls for Princeton University Trustee Bob Hugin to resign. PAGE 4

For instance, Murphy issued Executive Order No. 7, directing New Jersey to rejoin the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative — a market-based method for lowering greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, New Jersey joined the U.S. Climate Initiative, a coalition of states pledging to follow principles similar to those in Paris Climate Agreement. Mans celebrated the outcomes of the New Jersey Global Warming Response Act. According to Mans, New Jersey achieved its 2018 target goal of reducing emissions back to 1990 levels by 2020. Mans then spoke about continued efforts to expand clean energy in solar, wind, and electrical power. New Jersey recently had the largest solicitation of offshore wind devel-

7:30 p.m.: Bobby McFerrin, vocalist, will perform in a Princeton University Concerts special event. Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall

opment, enough to power 1.5 million homes. Community solar energy programs also allow neighborhoods to draw energy from a single shared source. Mans emphasized that New Jersey’s Greenhouse Gas Emission profile shows that transportation accounts for 42 percent of the greenhouse contribution in New Jersey, compared to transportation only contributing 32 percent contribution for the rest of the U.S. To reduce transportation emissions, New Jersey has focused on expanding its public charging network. The “It Pay$ to Plug In” program provides grants to install charging stations. “It’s really important now more than ever for key players See CLIMATE page 2

WEATHER

By Katie Tam

HIGH

77˚

LOW

67˚

Cloudy chance of rain:

10 percent


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