Off we go: Facts, figures and fun on the first day of classes

By Michael Hotchkiss and Maggie Westergaard, Office of Communications on Sept. 14, 2016, 8 a.m.
The first day of classes; Wednesday, September 14; Just a few of the day’s classes; 8 a.m.; Czech 101 Beginning Czech I; 9 a.m.; Economics 553 International Monetary Theory and Policy; Molecular Biology 340 Molecular and Cellular Immunology; Neuroscience 501A Neuroscience: from Molecules to Systems; Politics 366 Politics in Africa; Woodrow Wilson School 591H Policy Workshop: Managing Transformational Change in K-12 Education; 10 a.m.; Architecture 578 Utopics: Utopias, Dystopias, Technotopia; Civi...

In the 106 days since the Class of 2016 walked out FitzRandolph Gate at Commencement, Princeton students and faculty have spread out around the world for a summer filled with learning, teaching, research, work and — hopefully — a lot of fun.

But there's nothing like the buzz on campus when classes are in session. And as of 8 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, classes are underway for the 2016-17 academic year. In honor of that new beginning, here are a few facts and figures — beginning with a look way back and ending with a date many have circled on their calendars.

“November 28, 1756: First day of classes in Nassau Hall”

 

"in 2016..."

 

“1,306 first-year students; 647 new graduate students; 42 new faculty”

 

“Around the world: 62 students are studying abroad this fall in 16 countries”

 

“2,200 different course looks available at Labyrinth Books”

 

“265 days until Commencement”

 

Illustration of Nassau Hall courtesy of Princeton University Archives.

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