Another Princeton football coach has been terminated. Because of the University’s 20-year ban against accepting transfer students, our coach went into battle with one hand tied behind his back. Ironically, the failure to accept transfers also works against Princeton’s stated admission goals of excellence and diversity.
If Harvard had a policy banning transfer students, it would not boast of John F. Kennedy as an alumnus (he came from Princeton). If Columbia had a similar policy, it would not boast of Barack Obama as an alumnus (he came from Occidental). And, if Princeton long ago had a transfer ban, we would not boast of Woodrow Wilson as a graduate (he came from Davidson).
When will the trustees awaken and end this terribly shortsighted policy?