Council Says Partnership With Princeton University A 'Lifeline'

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton University President Christopher Eisgruber recently joined Mayor Mark Freda and the Town Council in a meeting, and highlighted the successful partnership between the university and council, especially in the past year marked by pandemic difficulties.

Eisgruber said the university has kept in constant touch with local health officials when making decisions about reopening the campus. He expressed “special gratitude” to Princeton Health Officer Jeff Grosser for the “outstanding work he has done” on behalf of the town.

“The advice we received from public health authorities was important to the decision making we did,” said Eisgruber.

“We are glad we have been able to bring them (students) back even under these very constrained circumstances where most of their classes are online,” he said.

Eisgruber said the university stands ready to run COVID-19 vaccination clinics when called upon by the state and county.

Freda thanked Eisgruber for his “extremely generous offer” of hosting vaccine clinics.

“I know it comes at a significant expense to the University to provide that,” Freda said. “It’s a tremendous thing to do for the community.”

Council member Leticia Fraga thanked the university for providing vulnerable Princeton residents with rental and utility assistance during the pandemic, especially those who did not qualify for unemployment or for stimulus checks.

“Having this partnership really provided a lifeline for many in our community,” Fraga said.

Going forward, Fraga said she would like to see the university and township continue this partnership to address needs of the community but not just during the time of crisis.

Support for businesses also proved to be critical, according to council member Michelle Pirone Lambros.

“The recovery resiliency fund helped those 90-some businesses,” Lambros said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t save them all. But it was really just a huge impact.”

In the past year the university has supported local COVID-19 relief efforts.

A $1 million Princeton University Relief Fund was established to provide direct financial support to organizations and businesses.

Of those funds, $400,000 went to Princeton Area Community Foundation COVID Relief Fund, $100,000 was given to the Coronavirus Emergency Relief Fund coordinated by the Princeton Children’s Fund, and $350,000 launched the Princeton Small Business Resiliency Fund.

Council members said they were keen to keep communication lines open with the university and fostering a healthy collaboration.

Every year, the university President attends the Town Council meeting to talk about their various partnerships and collaboration.

With the university expanding beyond Princeton, mainly to West Windsor, Councilwoman Eve Niedergang asked that the university keep "the new, innovative projects," based in Princeton.

"This Mayor, this council is anxious to work with you and move forward on innovative projects that you have in mind," she said.

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