Announcements

But the horrifying ending of the life of George Floyd, a citizen in the very system of justice intended to protect him, and us, which then, along with other recent tragic deaths, drew back the curtains on centuries of invidious discrimination against African Americans, and others, did that. My hopes for a renewed sense of national purpose to continue the heroic efforts of so many, over so many generations, to change once and for all that terrible course of history have been raised, and then deflated.

I am writing to announce that I have appointed Troy Eggers Interim Dean of the School of Professional Studies, as of July 1, 2020. Troy is currently Executive Vice Provost of the University, a position he will maintain during his tenure as Interim Dean.

I am now equally pleased to say that Avril Haines will take over as the next Director of Columbia World Projects, as of July 1, 2020. In her current role as Deputy Director, Avril has been the principal architect and supervisor of CWP’s distinctive method for developing and managing projects.

Following the guidance of our public health experts, and pending the approvals from the State to ease stay-at-home orders in New York City, we will gradually allow our faculty and certain graduate students to return to their lab research sites, ensuring, most of all, of course, the safety of our community.

We also have been intensely focused on the general form of our next academic year. We all wish to return to in-person instruction and campus life, and our intent is to make that possible as soon as it is safe to do so. The hard fact is, however, that we just cannot predict now when that moment…

Wingard will conclude his service as Dean at the end of the academic year. 

Now we need to bring our attention to the fall semester and next academic year. The purpose of this message is to say that this process is now underway.

Professor Katznelson will continue serving as Interim Provost through 2020. 

President Bollinger announced the first Columbia community deaths due to COVID-19, recognized the incredible work being done by the Medical Center and by frontline workers, and explained how virtual Class Days and Commencement would be handled. 

Dr. Rustgi's appointment will begin on July 1, 2020. 

I am postponing instruction for the first three days of next week. Classes will continue virtually on Thursday, March 26th. All classes this semester will be graded pass/fail. We cannot go forward with Commencement Ceremonies on May 20, as planned. And, unfortunately, we are not in a position at this moment to announce an alternative plan.

Any student who can leave must leave, by Tuesday, March 17. We must take steps to reduce our research activities to those that are “essential.” We need to close various non-academic areas that bring people together in large groups, such as the gymnasium and our Chapel. 

As of Monday, March 16, we are asking only designated personnel who are required to perform essential functions to report to work on-site.