Princeton student body ready to grow?

Is Princeton ready for another expansion? In recent weeks, President Eisgruber ’83 has brought up the possibility of expanding the undergraduate student body at several forums. Pointing out that the University repeatedly has expanded over its 267-year history, he told PAW, “The question is not about whether we’re going to do this. It’s about when,” though it may not occur during his administration. He has no specific plans or timetable in mind, he said, but is seeking input from the community. He noted that Yale and Stanford are planning to add undergraduates. 

He added, “We ought to feel, as a community, [that] if we can take in more students and preserve our essential character, this is a good thing to do.” The University completed a five-year expansion in 2012; there are now about 5,260 undergraduates.