The Year at Princeton: Top five campus headlines

There was little doubt about the year’s top campus headline — PAW’s editors unanimously chose President Tilghman’s September announcement that she would step down at the end of the academic year, her 12th in Nassau Hall. But for the other four spots on our list, opinions varied. Read the consensus choices and share your picks below in the comments.

5. Rocking the house for Cornel West *80

The University never has bid goodbye to a departing professor quite the way it did May 16, when it rolled out a parade of rap stars, hip-hop artists, and funk music personalities at a retirement celebration at McCarter Theatre for West, a prominent African-American studies professor. READ MORE

Related story: West *80 to leave Princeton faculty

4. Cecilia Rouse named Wilson School dean

As economics and public affairs professor Cecilia Rouse takes over as the new dean of the Woodrow Wilson School, her first task is the implementation of major changes already under way at the school. Rouse, a well-known scholar of the economics of education and a faculty member for two decades, took over the post Sept. 1. READ MORE

Related story: Brown chooses Paxson as next president

3. Ban on freshman rush alters social life, spurs changes at Greek organizations

The Class of 2016 was the first to experience the ban on freshman rush of Greek organizations. The new policy led to changes on the part of the Greek organizations: Fraternities were considering ways to shorten their pledge process so that it ends before bicker, and both fraternities and sororities revamped their publicity campaigns to attract sophomores. READ MORE

Related story: Tilghman OKs penalties for violating Greek policy

2. At 7.9 percent, admission rate is Princeton’s lowest ever

The University offered admission to 2,095 students, or 7.9 percent of the near-record 26,664 applicants for the Class of 2016. Almost 35 percent of the admitted students applied through early action and were notified in December, while the rest learned of their acceptance March 29. READ MORE

Related story: Converting lounges into dorm rooms, Princeton squeezes in 53 extra frosh

1. Tilghman to step down as president

President Tilghman will step down in June, after 12 years at Princeton’s helm. Her decision was announced Sept. 22, a day after she informed University trustees who were meeting on campus. The news follows the conclusion of the Aspire fundraising campaign, which raised $1.88 billion over five years. READ MORE

Related story: Decision to leave helm ‘very easy,’ Tilghman says