Princeton Free Speech News & Commentary

NSF Reverses Funding Freeze for Duke, Harvard and Yale

NSF Reverses Funding Freeze for Duke, Harvard and Yale

Jessica Blake June 02, 2026 1 min read

The National Science Foundation has reversed its recent freeze on new grant funding for Duke, Harvard and Yale Universities, Nature reported. Limitations on new grants for Princeton University, however, remain in effect. 

The reversal took place on May 28, one day after Nature published a story detailing a funding pause for all four institutions. An NSF database showed that on April 9 the accounts of the four universities had been marked with a note that said, “Future Awards to Organization on Hold,” Nature reported. As of Thursday, the note had been removed from every account except Princeton’s.

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Princetonians for Free Speech Hosts a Great Reunions ‘26 Breakfast!

Princetonians for Free Speech Hosts a Great Reunions ‘26 Breakfast!

On Sunday, May 24, Princetonians for Free Speech (PFS) hosted a breakfast at the Nassau Inn — and despite dreary skies outside, the energy inside couldn't have been brighter. About 70 alumni, current students and other free speech supporters turned out for what proved to be an engaging and inspiring morning. June 01, 2026 3 min read

On Sunday, May 24, Princetonians for Free Speech (PFS) hosted a breakfast at the Nassau Inn — and despite dreary skies outside, the energy inside couldn't have been brighter. About 70 alumni, current students and other free speech supporters turned out for what proved to be an engaging and inspiring morning.

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Marriage, Kids, and the State: Can Government Help?

Marriage, Kids, and the State: Can Government Help?

Alexcis Johnson '26 May 29, 2026 5 min read

A solid marriage lasts until…finances do us part?The marriage and family planning landscape are changing, partly due to the financial costs of raising children. At a discussion hosted by the James Madison Program in early March of 2026 titledMarriage, Kids, and the State: Can Government Help?, panelists informed attendees that research from the Institute for Family Studies finds that the U.S. birth rate sits at a low 1.6 births per woman, marriage and fertility rates are linked, and the median age of marriage is increasing for those who don’t opt out altogether.

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A Princeton Senior’s Thoughts on the Purpose of Education

A Princeton Senior’s Thoughts on the Purpose of Education

Annabel Green '26 May 29, 2026 3 min read

As I complete my undergraduate studies at Princeton University, I find myself reflecting on the purpose of education. This article aims to articulate my understanding of education in an abstract sense and to advance a normative argument grounded in the classical tradition. I address more concrete implications of the historical vocation of education in greater depth in my essay published last October by PFS,The Ideal of the University.

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President Christopher Eisgruber

President Eisgruber’s 2026 Commencement address: ‘Learning, Citizenship, and the Courage to Be Unpopular’

By Christopher L. Eisgruber on May 26, 2026, 5:59 p.m. May 27, 2026 6 min read

In a few minutes, all of you will walk out of this stadium as newly minted graduates of this University.  Before you do, however, long-standing tradition permits the University president to offer a few remarks about the path that lies ahead.

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Abigail Readlinger student

A Review of Princeton Preview: A student reflects on how Princeton actively encourages viewpoint diversity at the Annual Admitted Students’ Day

Abigail Readlinger ‘27 May 27, 2026 3 min read 1 Comment

In having a truly diverse group of students share their perspectives, Princeton makes known that there exists a home for every viewpoint. However, as much as I believe this claim to be true, there are unfortunately those who do not. It is easy to dismiss the Princeton administration and culture as entirely polarizing and ideologically biased. In fact, it is true that many here hold the same dominant perspective . But to focus on this fact alone, to rest our entire judgement on one such observation, runs the dangerous risk of neglecting the clear and persistent efforts of this University to encourage every student—even the conservative ones—to share the beliefs that he or she so earnestly pursues. 

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