Eisgruber Visits Princeton Council: Highlights Cooperation Between Town & Gown

PRINCETON, NJ – Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber recently met Councilmembers during the last meeting, to deliver his annual update on the University.

This was the 10th year of the annual meeting between town and gown.

Eisgruber gave an overview of the recent State of the University letter highlighting the institution’s return to full in-person teaching following the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reinstated the University’s commitment towards diversity, an increase in financial aid and dialogue with the township. Eisgruber also spoke about the University might adapt to forthcoming challenges by rapidly developing technology.

Eisgruber thanked council members for the opportunity to have the yearly conversation.

“It’s so much better for us to be having conversations about our many, many shared interests and about any disagreements that we have rather than have to come together only when there is a particular issue to be resolved,” Eisgruber said.

The University president thanked the Council for its collaboration during the pandemic.

“Obviously we are not out of it yet. On the other hand, I’ve been very happy over the last week to watch the numbers dropping in Mercer County and New Jersey, and it’s great to be able to collaborate in the way we did,” he said.

The University recently opened two new residential colleges and Eisgruber told Council that more students from low-and middle-income backgrounds are now enrolled at Princeton.

He said students are more enthusiastic to interact with the town through the Pay with Points Program that gives students in the unlimited dining plan points to spend at cafes and restaurants in town. Since the launch of the program, students have spent more than 140,000 on local businesses, Eisgruber said.

“It’s a great way to add to the vibrancy in town. It’s a great way for the students to get to experience what a great place to live Princeton is,” Eisgruber said. “I think they are very interested in engaging with the town in other ways including through their volunteer work.”

One of the concerns highlighted by the University President was the impact of technology on attention span. “I at least find as a teacher what I'm trying to do is to get my students to focus deeply on things that are incredibly rewarding,” Eisgruber said. “We carry our world and worries in our pockets around with us all the time. Our attention is sought after by all sorts of people and companies that can make money off of that attention.”

Councilwoman Leticia Fraga said she appreciated the opportunity to share dialogue with the University. She thanked the University for contributing funding to support Habitat for Humanity to build two affordable homes in the Municipality.

As a member of the Planning Board, Councilman David Cohen praises the University for their work in sustainability.

“From my perch on the planning board, seeing all the projects coming through, the design quality and the sustainability aspects of your projects, they are really a model for every other entity that comes before us,” Cohen said.

Councilwoman Eve Niedergang said the new graduate housing would help alleviate housing issues among students. She said the partnership between the University and Municipality helped them get through COVID-19.

Council President Mia Sacks asked Eisgruber if the University would consider supporting local schools.

“Our public school system is something that unites us. People move to Princeton not just for the University but for the quality of our public school education. And we have a shared interest in maintaining the quality of that,” Sacks said.

The council president said the school district was constrained by state budget caps, which is proving to be a challenge.

“We are working as creatively as possible as we can at the council level, in all sorts of ways, including channeling pilot funding to facilities expansion,” Sacks said. “We’re doing everything we can, but there are limitations.”

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