Parents Handbook

In 1750, Governor Jonathan Belcher’s gift of 474 books to the College of New Jersey (as Princeton was known from 1746 to 1896) instantly made its library the sixth largest in the colonies. Ever since, the library has remained in the vanguard of higher education and focused on its primary mission: to further the advancement of learning at Princeton.

The library, a large central building complemented by 10 branch libraries, is widely regarded as one of the premier research institutions in the world. With more than 6.7 million printed works, 5 million manuscripts, and 2 million nonprint items — from Egyptian papyri and historical photographs to geospatial data, digital map services and other high-quality electronic resources — the library meets the diverse needs of Princeton’s academic community.

The collections are dynamic, growing at the rate of about 13,000 volumes per month, and the library maintains more than 50,000 journal subscriptions. Several thousand seats are located throughout the main building’s six floors, including study spaces in seminar rooms and subject collections.

Princeton students have access to a varied and powerful computing environment supported by the Office of Information Technology (OIT). A high-speed data connection through the Dormnet network and wireless service are available in every undergraduate dormitory room. Wireless service is also available throughout campus. Connections to the Internet allow students to take full advantage of the wide range of networked resources, including e-mail, central printing services, online library systems and streaming video for use in language and other courses.

All students have the opportunity to purchase a quality laptop computer at a competitive price through the University’s Student Computer Initiative (SCI). SCI computers are fully supported by OIT software and hardware specialists, are pre-configured for the University network and have University-selected software and productivity tools pre-installed.

Students also have access to more than 250 computers in the two dozen computer clusters located across campus, most open 24 hours daily. Cluster computers provide productivity, creativity and specialty course software, as well as access to scanners and high-quality printers.

The OIT Help Desk provides IT support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by phone, e-mail or online chat. In-person assistance is available at the Solutions Center Tech Clinic, and in students’ rooms from residential computing consultants.

In support of academic work, a learning management system provides students with personalized Web access to their courses, many organizations and other campus information.

The Humanities Resource Center supports the study of foreign languages, literatures and cultures. The expansive selection of instructional materials assists in independent language study.

The New Media Center is a leading-edge, cross-platform multimedia lab that supports students in their academic and other University-related projects by providing assistance with color printing, Web development, audio/video capturing and editing, slide and flatbed scanning and graphic design.

For general information about technology resources, contact OIT’s Help Desk at (609) 258-4357 (HELP) or visit the OIT website.

The Princeton University Art Museum. Founded in 1882 to support the teaching of the Department of Art and Archaeology, the Princeton University Art Museum has grown through gifts and purchases to one of the foremost university art museums in the country. The museum serves as a cultural resource for the entire University community and the greater Princeton area.

The museum’s collections range from art of the ancient world, including rare classical, Far Eastern and Pre-Columbian objects to Renaissance, modern European and American painting and sculpture. It holds outstanding examples of original photographs, prints and drawings. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m., Sunday.

The John B. Putnam Jr. Memorial Collection of contemporary sculpture (on permanent display through­out the campus) includes works by Calder, Nevelson, Lipchitz, Moore, Noguchi, Picasso and David Smith.

Exhibition Spaces. In addition to the art museum, Princeton offers constantly changing exhibits in various other locations on campus. Exhibition spaces open to the public include the Exhibition Gallery, the Cotsen Children’s Library and the Milberg Gallery for the Graphic Arts (Firestone Library, first and second floors, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.); the Gest Oriental Library (Jones Hall, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 2-11 p.m.); and the Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library on Olden Street (Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.).

Peter B. Lewis Center for the Arts. Once a public school building, 185 Nassau Street houses the newly launched Peter B. Lewis Center for the Arts, home to Princeton’s programs in creative writing, visual arts, theater, dance, and the Princeton Atelier. Its facilities include the Marie and Edward Matthews ’53 Acting Studio, the James M. Stewart ’32 Film Theater, the Hagan Dance Studio, the Lucas Gallery and several smaller exhibition spaces, darkrooms and studios for dance, painting, sculpture, ceramics and printmaking.

McCarter Theatre Center for the Performing Arts. Under the artistic direction of Emily Mann, the Tony Award-winning McCarter Theatre is nationally known for presenting outstanding theater, music, dance, jazz and world events. Students can redeem their Passport to the Arts Tiger Tickets at the McCarter Theatre box office for free admission. Student discount and half-price student rush tickets are also available for most performances. The Princeton Triangle Club (whose alumni include F. Scott Fitzgerald, Joshua Logan ’31, Jimmy Stewart ’32 and Brooke Shields ’87) presents its annual musical revue here. The Roger S. Berlind Theatre, a 350-seat state-of-the-art theater that opened in 2003, is shared by McCarter and the programs in dance and theater. Call the box office at (609) 258-2787 for more information. McCarter Theatre is located at 91 University Place. Visit McCarter’s website for more details on upcoming events and performers.

Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall. Alexander Hall, one of Princeton’s most colorful and historic buildings (in the Romanesque style), was completed in 1894 and renovated in 1984. The auditorium, which seats nearly 900 people, is the venue for a wide variety of performing arts events presented by departmental, student and community organizations. Student performances are regularly given here by the University Orchestra, Glee Club, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and other student performing arts organizations. In addition, it is the home of Princeton University Concerts, an annual series of performances by world-class professional musical artists and ensembles. Richardson Auditorium also serves as the site for many University ceremonies and official functions as well as occasional public lectures and government hearings.

Taplin Auditorium in Fine Hall. Taplin Auditorium serves as the laboratory of the Department of Music. The intimate 200-seat hall presents recitals of undergraduate students and faculty in the Department of Music and the certificate Program in Musical Performance. Through the Composers’ Ensemble, readings of graduate student and faculty works are presented by professional and student musicians. Musical performances augmenting and supporting the programs of academic departments and co-sponsored by the Department of Music also are presented at Taplin Auditorium. The majority of events offered are free and open to the public. For additional information, please contact taplin@music.princeton.edu.

University Ticketing. Tickets for events at the various performing arts venues at Princeton University may be purchased through University Ticketing. Tickets can be purchased in person at the University Ticketing Office in the Frist Campus Center, by phone at (609) 258-9220 or online.

The Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding, founded in 1971, embodies the historical presence of students of color at Princeton. It stands as a symbolic reference point for alumni and current students and represents the University’s continuing commitment to diversity. Located at 58 Prospect Avenue, the Fields Center is a place to relax, study and make new friends and is open to the entire community. The center offers workshops, training and retreats for student organizations and campus affiliates that focus on topics related to race and ethnicity, class, civic engagement and leadership development and also hosts lectures, films, discussion groups and a variety of social events. In collaboration with academic departments and other campus life offices, the Fields Center acts as a catalyst for exploring critical issues on campus as well as on the national and global scene. The resources of the center include a large hall, smaller meeting rooms, a library/resource room, student organization offices and lounges for quiet conversation.

The Fields Center is also home to Community House, a service program which focuses on underserved children in the local community by providing educational, cultural and recreational programs.

The Frist Campus Center is where Princeton undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff and alumni come together to participate in a cohesive and vibrant campus community. The campus center fosters opportunities for individuals and organizations to meet and interact formally and informally as well as engage in programs and activities that enhance their learning experiences.

One of the many unique features of the Frist Campus Center is the convergence of the social and academic aspects of the University. The campus center provides a place for a variety of social, cultural and entertainment programs such as a film series, lectures and late-night activities. It is also the home of the Near Eastern and East Asian studies departments and many academic classes. The center also houses the Davis International Center, the Women’s Center, the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, the Center Stage Program Board, the Pace Center, the LGBT Center, the Student Agencies office and the Office of Disability Services.

The Frist Campus Center provides late-night and weekend programming for students; services and facilities such as the Welcome Desk; a ticket office; meeting, conference, retail and private dining facilities; lounges; a film and performance theater; copy machines; classrooms and a lecture hall; ATM machines; a food gallery; Café Vivian; computer clusters and e-mail terminals; Pharos and printing stations for students; the Convenience Store; an ice cream and coffee shop called Witherspoon’s; mail services and mailboxes for all undergraduates; catering services; public and campus telephones; a billiards room; and a branch of the Princeton Federal Credit Union.

The Welcome Desk at the campus center is a main point of contact for the University community and campus visitors.

The Kathryn W. and Shelby Cullom Davis ’30 International Center, located in Frist Campus Center, provides a friendly setting for international students and visiting scholars to meet one another and share aspects of their diverse cultures with members of the Princeton community.

Center volunteers tutor students in English conversation, provide host family and holiday hospitality and sponsor weekly international lunches. In cooperation with national, ethnic and international student groups, the center sponsors regularly scheduled lectures, festivals and cultural events that are open to the general public. Community outreach programs include television interviews and routinely scheduled talks in area schools.

The Center for Jewish Life (CJL) provides cultural, social, religious and informal educational activities for all Jewish students, faculty and staff on campus. It is also a place for the Jewish community to welcome and interact with people of other backgrounds, enriching the lives of all Princetonians.

The CJL is a University facility and the fruit of a partnership between the University and Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life. The University maintains the physical plant, provides administrative support and operates the kosher dining hall, which attracts a wide spectrum of participants from the entire University community. Hillel staffs and operates the program and coordinates student leadership. The CJL is under the aegis of the University’s offices of religious life and campus life.

The CJL building contains an auditorium, a café, a library, a sanctuary, a kosher dining hall, a computer cluster, lounges and recreation areas. It serves as a home base for many Jewish student groups and projects, including Koleinu (an a cappella singing group), Nemayra: Jewish Women of Princeton, interfaith and interethnic activities, and the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox minyans.

Princeton’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Center, located in the Frist Campus Center, works to create a safe and supportive environment through providing educational opportunities and advocating for the needs and concerns of LGBT students. The goal is to enhance the campus community and ensure the advancement of students’ academic pursuits by creating an open and affirming environment void of homophobia, heterosexism and gender bias. The center serves the entire campus community by providing programming, offering student advising and conducting training and consultation campus wide.

The LGBT Center’s key programs and services are designed to provide support and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and ally students at Princeton. The center’s extensive programs include weekly educational and social programs that range from large lectures and lunch discussion to films and coffeehouses. In addition, the center provides a home for LGBT organizations.

The center houses an extensive library of books and magazines on a variety of LGBT topics. These books can be checked out or read in one of the cozy seating areas. In addition, students will find opportunities for dialogue and academic pursuits around LGBT and queer-related topics. The LGBT Center is a safe space to talk, listen and be supported. For more information, please stop by the center or visit the website.

The Women’s Center, located in the Frist Campus Center, provides a forum for the exploration of gender issues from many perspectives. Since its founding in 1971 (soon after Princeton became coeducational), the center has helped improve the quality of life for women at Princeton by providing a supportive atmosphere for undergraduate and graduate students to create educational opportunities, discuss issues concerning women, promote institutional and social change and expand opportunities for women at the University and beyond. Through these opportunities for leadership, students increase their knowledge and develop skills in program planning, group process and time management.

The center’s educational, social and cultural programs are open to all members of the University community and serve people of all social classes, racial and ethnic groups, abilities and sexual orientations.

The resources of the Women’s Center include a library, a comfortable meeting space, a regularly published newsletter and staff members who help put students in touch with local and national resources. The Women’s Center provides information about women and gender on campus.

Bills. The Office of the Treasurer collects payments for student accounts, student loans and parent loans and issues bills according to prearranged payment plans. Princeton provides three options for paying the University bill (which includes the comprehensive fee, room, board, class dues, the Undergraduate Student Government/USG fee, the Student Health Plan and residential college fee, less financial aid): (1) the Semester Payment Plan, (2) the Monthly Payment Plan and (3) the Parent Loan Program.

Billing notifications are sent electronically to students at their princeton.edu e-mail address. There is a one-time enrollment requirement online. Students must enroll first and during enrollment can authorize others, such as parents/guardians, to enroll and receive an e-billing notification. Students are asked to visit the site to enroll and invite other parties. Prompt enrollment will ensure the timely distribution of the term bill and will help avoid late fees and other penalties associated with non-payment of the University bill. More information is available on the Office of Student Accounts website.

The Semester Payment Plan consists of two payments: the first is due August 18 for the fall portion of the bill, the second is due January 21 for the spring portion of the bill. Under the Monthly Payment Plan, University charges are paid in 12 installments, due the first of each month from September through August. The annual interest charged for the Monthly Plan during the 2009-10 acade­mic year will be 2.25 percent. Both options have late-payment charges. Bills for other miscellaneous expenses (for example, library fines and automobile registration) are sent monthly, and payment is due upon receipt. The Parent Loan Program is explained below.

Changes in academic programs or variations in the school calendar do not entitle students to any credits against established fees.

Refund Policies. Students withdrawing from the University within the first two weeks of either term, whether voluntarily or by dismissal (with special consideration for medical cases), will be charged 10 percent of tuition for the term; during the third week, 20 percent; during the fourth week, 30 percent; during the fifth week, 40 percent; during the sixth and seventh week, 50 percent. If the student withdraws after week seven, 80 percent of tuition for that term will be charged; after the end of week nine, the full amount for the term will be charged.

Students withdrawing after the beginning of a term also incur room and board charges in accordance with the terms of their contracts; ordinarily, board charges will be adjusted on a pro rata basis, while the full amount of the room charges for that term will be charged.

The fees set by student organizations, residential colleges and other dining or living units are established on a semester-by-semester basis and will not be refunded to students who withdraw after the beginning of a term.

Although financial assistance is awarded for the academic year, aid is credited to the student account on a semester basis. If the student withdraws prior to completing the term, financial aid is canceled in the same proportion that the comprehensive fee is reduced.

Princeton Parent Loan Program (PPL). The Princeton Parent Loan Program (PPL) allows families to borrow money to pay their share of Princeton’s costs. With the intention of creating a loan program that is truly beneficial to parents, the University has arranged interest rates that have been favorable in the past and established a convenient loan application process. By using the University’s creditworthiness, an interest rate has been set that is competitive with current market rates. The loan application process itself is simple, and parents need complete only a single application form for four years of borrowing. These features make the PPL a desirable financing option as parents seek to reduce their monthly college payments to a more manageable level.

To be eligible, you must be a parent of a Princeton student, be creditworthy and have an income of less than $500,000 per year. Parents with higher incomes may be eligible in certain circumstances, such as having more than one child in college, large medical expenses or a decrease in income.

The loan limit for each family is the amount remaining to be paid after other resources earmarked for educational expenses have been considered. The families of students receiving financial aid can normal­ly borrow an amount equal to the expected parental contribution; the families of students not receiving financial aid can borrow up to the amount of the cost of attendance remaining after outside scholarships are credited.

You may apply for the PPL during any application period throughout the student’s enrollment. Applications must be received by June 27 for freshmen and July 31 for returning students for the fall semester, and by January 2 for the spring semester. Your loan will be established to cover the projected borrowing for the years remaining in the student’s degree program; you may increase the original loan amount if your need to borrow rises, however, you will be required to complete a new application form to determine your creditworthiness for the higher amount.

Monthly payments on the loan begin September 1 of the first year in which borrowing takes place; repayment continues for 10 years after graduation.

More information about the PPL is available from the Parent Loan Office, Third Floor, New South Building; by phone at (609) 258-6401; via e-mail at puloans@princeton.edu; and online.

Princeton provides aid to all enrolled students who are judged by the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office to be in need of assistance. Financial aid is awarded annually; students who believe they may need assistance should not hesitate to apply to the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office at any time while they are attending Princeton.

When awarding aid, this office looks first at the amount parents can be expected to contribute. Students are then asked to share in meeting the cost of their education through term-time and summer jobs. Students whose educational costs exceed these resources are eligible for grants and scholarships.

The counselors at the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office welcome your questions. They can tell you more about how Princeton’s need-based financial aid program works and offer additional information on financing a college education. You may contact the Undergraduate Financial Aid Office at Box 591, Princeton, NJ 08542; by phone at (609) 258-3330; by fax at (609) 258-0336; or via e-mail at faoffice@princeton.edu.

Princeton’s Student Employment Office helps undergraduates find jobs on and off campus. Students who qualify for financial aid are given priority. However, jobs are available for all students who seek employment, even if they are not financial aid recipients.

The type of work varies greatly as does the hourly rate of pay. The Student Employment Office publishes a handbook that describes Princeton’s job program and pay scale in greater detail.

The Student Employment Office is located in 220 West College; the telephone number is (609) 258-3334.

The TigerCard Office provides services involving the TigerCard, the University’s all-in-one campus card for students, faculty, staff and affiliates. In addition to serving as the University’s official ID card, the TigerCard provides access to dormitories, the library, McCosh Health Center and athletic facilities. Students may also use the TigerCard to purchase meals on campus, books, tickets and apparel; utilize meal plans; use copiers; and attend various University events.

The TigerCard can be used as a pre-paid debit card by adding money, or Paw Points, to the card. Paw Points are accepted at various locations on campus including the residential college dining halls, restaurants and stores at the Frist Campus Center, University Ticketing offices, student-run agencies, Labyrinth Books and the Princeton University Store.

The TigerCard Office is located on the A Floor of the New South Building, and its phone number is (609) 258-8300. For more information, including ways to purchase Paw Points and a compete list of locations that accept Paw Points, please visit the TigerCard website or e-mail tigercard@princeton.edu.

The Office of Career Services assists undergraduates, graduate students and alumni with all aspects of career planning including choosing a major/career, exploring career-related interests, developing effective job search strategies (for summer or permanent employment), applying to graduate schools and changing careers. Its goal is to help students integrate their academic and career interests and to develop lifelong career management skills.

The Career Services staff is comprised of experienced career counselors who are knowledgeable about a wide range of career options and employment trends. Career counselors are available to guide students and alumni through the career/major decision-making or job search process via scheduled, 30-minute appointments or one-hour mock interviews and career assessment reviews. Walk-in hours (15-minute consultations for quick questions) are generally available on a daily basis throughout the academic year. Freshmen and sophomores have access to our Career Peer Advisors (CPAs) during our walk-in hours. (CPAs are student volunteers who are selected and trained by the Career Services staff to assist fellow students and to offer programming through the residential colleges). The Career Services staff also conducts and hosts a variety of panels, workshops and presentations on careers and experiential options, resume writing, employment searching and preparation for post-college goals. Most workshops and panels are open to all students and some are open to alumni as well as the general public.

Career Services strives to foster and maintain relationships with employers and alumni and offer several resources and events to facilitate their connection to students and alumni. Current students can access TigerTracks and UCAN, the two main systems supported by Career Services for online job and internship postings targeting Princeton students. (TigerTracks also lists all opportunities for on-campus interviews and employer information sessions.) The Alumni Careers Network program offers students the opportunity to search for and communicate with Princeton alumnae in their field of interest. The Princeternship Program is a career exploration program available to all Princeton undergraduates and offers the unique opportunity to spend time (usually 1-3 days) with alumni in their workplaces in order to make professional connections and investigate a potential career field of interest. The office also sponsors several career fairs throughout the year for students to meet face-to-face with recruiters.

For students interested in applying to graduate or professional schools, Career Services hosts graduate school fairs for students to meet with admissions representatives. The staff also assists with letters of recommendation and provides reference materials on how to obtain financial aid for graduate study. In addition, the office lists a variety of 1-2 year options and fellowships for seniors who would like to gain work experience prior to beginning their studies in graduate or professional school.

Career Services is located at 36 University Place, Suite 200; the main number is (609) 258-3325. For more information on Career Services programs, services, events and online resources, visit the office’s website.

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) provides services for students, faculty, staff and visitors with disabilities. ODS coordinates support services for students with disabilities that will allow them equal access to the educational opportunities and programs available to all Princeton students. ODS reviews documentation and grants appropriate academic accommodations that will equalize the educational environment for these students. All disability-related information including documentation, correspondence, consultations and accommodations are considered confidential. If you have questions about these procedures or if you want more information, contact the Office of Disability Services in person at 327 Frist Campus Center, by phone at (609) 258-8840, or by e-mail at ods@princeton.edu.

University Health Services (UHS), located in the McCosh Health Center, is a fully accredited health care facility. Its staff includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, counselors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, health educators and technical and administrative personnel.

Outpatient Services. Outpatient services provide primary health care through an appointment system or on a walk-in basis for urgent problems as well as immunization and allergy services. Laboratory and X-ray services are available for most routine diagnostic services.

Inpatient Services. Inpatient services are open 24 hours a day throughout the academic year, except during winter recess. This unit is equipped to treat illnesses and injuries and provide postoperative care. Medical care, nursing care and rooms are provided without additional charge. Students needing urgent care when outpatient services or Counseling and Psychological Services are closed are seen in Inpatient Services.

Sexual Health and Wellness. This service is staffed by nurse practitioners, physicians and a consulting gynecologist. Sexual Health and Wellness offers clinical and educational programs, including gynecological examinations and care, male health examinations, diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, pregnancy testing and counseling and education about a range of sexual health concerns.

Athletic Medicine. Sports medicine physicians and an orthopaedist provide medical care. Certified physical therapists and athletic trainers provide therapy and training sessions at Dillon Gym and Caldwell Field House for student athletes.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) is the mental health division of University Health Services and serves as a focal point for students’ mental health concerns and psychological care. Students come to CPS for a range of issues, from mild adjustment difficulties to more serious psychological problems; at times, even the most resilient and self-reliant students have trouble negotiating the stresses of these demanding years and may benefit from speaking with professionals.

CPS staff is composed of experienced mental health professionals well-versed in late adolescent and young adult development and in the special demands and rigors of the University culture. Expert mental health care is provided to all students. The staff includes clinical and counseling psychologists, clinical social workers, consulting and staff psychiatrists and postgraduate residents in clinical psychology. CPS clinicians are a consultative resource for all University personnel with questions, concerns or observations about students’ behaviors and mental health status. A range of time-limited psychological and psychiatric services is offered at CPS. Service offerings include: urgent care assessment and crisis intervention, psychological evaluations, individual and group psychotherapy, referral services for ongoing off-campus treatment, campus psycho-education and community consultation. Consistent with UHS’s collaborative care model, CPS clinicians often work as members of multidisciplinary teams with other health care professionals within UHS and selectively share relevant student-related information with each other to enhance quality of care. The multidisciplinary teams are dedicated to helping the University community address eating problems, alcohol and other drug concerns, and mind-body health issues.

Routine appointments or same-day urgent care consultations may be scheduled in person or by calling (609) 258-3285. Students asking to be seen the same day will be triaged by a member of the CPS staff, and a determination will be made as to the appropriate level of care. CPS clinicians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, during the academic year to respond to urgent psychological and psychiatric concerns. If an after-hours or weekend matter is urgent or pressing and requires prompt attention, a CPS clinician-on-call can be reached through the UHS Inpatient Services at (609) 258-3139 or through the Department of Public Safety at (609) 258-1000.

This program provides confidential counseling, advocacy and advice to students who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault or harassment based on sexual orientation. The SHARE staff, with the assistance of trained student peer educators, also provides educational outreach and training on issues of sexual harassment and assault.

Health Promotion and Wellness Services is dedicated to serving the Princeton student community through effective programming, education and outreach. The staff of the Health Promotion and Wellness Services strives to identify and serve the unique needs of Princeton’s undergraduate and graduate student population, helping them to develop healthy behaviors that will support them in their pursuit of academic excellence and social fulfillment. Services include collaborative work with campus-wide offices in the design and implementation of outreach and education, patient education and student programming, supervision of the Student Health Advisory Board and one-on-one health consultation for students.

The student health fee covers all services at McCosh Health Center and is included in the general University fee. Some costs, however, are charged directly to the student — for instance, outside reference laboratory tests, prescriptions, orthopaedic supplies, physical therapy and speciality services.

Enrollment in the Princeton University Student Health Plan (SHP) for medical care received in a hospital or at a physician’s office is mandatory for all Princeton students. Undergraduates may waive enrollment and the fee only upon certification that they have coverage comparable to the SHP. The “Student Health Plan for Off-Campus Care” booklet describes the plan in detail. Copies are available from the Student Health Plan Office at McCosh Health Center. If you have any questions, please call (609) 258-3138.

If your son or daughter is an inpatient at McCosh Health Center or a nearby hospital, you may request the use of a two-room suite in McCosh Health Center by calling the director of nursing at (609) 258-3139.

University Health Services, by law and policy, protects patients’ rights to privacy. Except in serious emergencies, students are responsible for notifying their parents about any health problems.

The Department of Public Safety consists of approximately 50 professionally trained sworn and non-sworn public safety officers who patrol the campus 24 hours a day to safeguard and serve the University community.

Department of Public Safety officers respond to emergencies, monitor the flow of traffic on campus, enforce parking regulations and investigate crimes. The officers are actively engaged with members of the community through the department’s Community Partnership Initiative, a program that requires officers to work with various student organizations, residential colleges and athletic teams to build relationships and spread the word of crime prevention. The department subscribes to the theory that crime prevention is everyone’s job and urges all members of the University community to practice crime prevention by reporting suspicious or unusual activities and by taking steps to ensure their own safety. The department publishes an Annual Security Report that outlines steps to enhance safety and security on the Princeton University campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics, a description of programs that are available to community members and what to do if you are the victim of a crime. If you have questions regarding crime on campus please call (609) 258-1000.

Due to the pedestrian-friendly nature of the campus, many students find they do not need bicycles to get around. We ask that your son or daughter consider not bringing a bicycle to campus until they evaluate their need for one.