A rendering of the new Princeton University Art Museum opening this fall. The museum is a significant resource for campus and the wider community.
Eisgruber, municipal officials emphasize shared values during annual meeting
At a meeting Monday, March 24, President Christopher L. Eisgruber and Princeton municipal officials commended each other’s commitment to the strong relationship between the University and town, and emphasized their shared priorities and values — from projects that benefit the campus and community, such as the new Princeton University Art Museum, to the essential role of higher education.
“This is a tradition that I greatly value,” Eisgruber said of his 12th annual public conversation with the Princeton Council. “The town of Princeton is a wonderful place to be. It’s fabulous to walk out and feel the energy on our sidewalks — people from the town, people from the University and people from outside of town coming together.”
During the meeting at the Witherspoon Hall municipal building, Mayor Mark Freda and council members expressed their appreciation for town-gown collaborations as well as the University’s important contributions to the community. The University supports both the municipality and local organizations with its ongoing voluntary contributions and is also the largest property taxpayer in Princeton, paying $8.8 million in property and sewer taxes in 2024.
Councilmember Leighton Newlin said he hopes the town and University can continue looking for creative ways to collaborate.
“I want to acknowledge and express our gratitude to the University for your collaboration. Ever since I’ve been part of the council, which is going on eight years, I’ve been very aware of how well we work together,” Councilmember Leticia Fraga said. “We are all part of Princeton. We are stronger together.”
Eisgruber agreed and added that he’s especially looking forward to the new Princeton University Art Museum opening this fall, which will be a tremendous resource for Princeton and the wider world.
“It will be an extraordinary place for the humanities on the Princeton University campus,” Eisgruber said. “It will also be an important point of pride, I hope, for this entire community,” he said, noting how the museum is also a draw for locals and visitors to the region.
Councilmember Michelle Pirone Lambros said she particularly appreciated how municipal and University leaders have recently worked together on public transit priorities. The University operates the all-electric TigerTransit bus system, which is free and open to the public, and has contributed to mass transit initiatives organized by the municipality.
The University's TigerTransit bus system is free and open to the public. The University and the municipality collaborate on many community projects, including public transit initiatives.
Council members also expressed strong support for the University in the context of national threats to academic freedom, scientific research and excellence in higher education.
Eisgruber recently wrote in defense of higher education in The Atlantic, saying that “strong, independent academic institutions produce new technologies and insights that catalyze economic growth, save lives, improve well-being and overcome injustices. Every citizen and officeholder who cares about the strength of our country must also care about free speech, self-governing thought, and the untrammeled quest for knowledge.”
“Thank you so much for your article in The Atlantic — speaking up like that really meant so much to us,” Council President Mia Sacks said. “We feel very supported by the University and we hope that we can make the University feel supported in our town.”
Eisgruber expanded on his essay at the council meeting, sharing concern about proposed federal funding cuts to research. He noted how the partnership between government and research universities lead to America’s scientific, technological and medical breakthroughs.
In response to a question from Councilmember Brian McDonald, Class of 1983, about the importance of higher education endowments, Eisgruber detailed how charitable endowments support colleges and universities’ commitments to affordability, accessibility, scholarship, research and innovation.
Councilmember David Cohen said he recently was a guest speaker at a Princeton class and observed firsthand how the University fosters “diversity of opinions” and civil debate.
“It’s fundamental to universities,” Eisgruber said, to “have conversations across lines and to foster civic argument that is constructive.”
As the discussion concluded, Eisgruber and municipal officials said they looked forward to continuing to support a vibrant campus and community.
“I meet with our students and hear from our faculty about what they are doing … and I am filled with enthusiasm,” Eisgruber said. “I hope you will share that with us, too. We have a lot to be excited about as the town of Princeton and as Princeton University.”