Announcements

As we prepare to celebrate Class Days and Commencement, I invite you to watch a short video message reflecting on this important time.

For the past several months, Columbia’s research enterprise has been confronting one of the most sustained and serious disruptions in its history.

As we move into finals tomorrow, I’d like to let our faculty and students know about a few important updates.

Disruptions to our academic activities will not be tolerated and are violations of our rules and policies. This is especially unacceptable while our students study and prepare for final exams.

In March, the University shared its plan to assess and prioritize our research activity in light of substantial cuts to more than 300 multi-year awards for federally funded research.

The end of the semester at Columbia is like a sprint to the finish line.

It’s been heartening, over the last week, to witness so many wonderful scenes on our campus: students everywhere in Commencement regalia, eager to capture photos in the balmy weather.

One thing has become abundantly clear to me since I stepped into the role of Acting President last month: To navigate this moment successfully, we need to activate and mobilize the remarkable wisdom and talent of the entire Columbia community.

Over the past few weeks, days, indeed over the past few hours, you have no doubt seen and heard much about Columbia and the future of higher education.

Today, I write to you in my new capacity as Acting President. I do so with awe for the role, reverence for this institution, and clarity about our challenges. 

The past week has been unlike any other in Columbia's history. 

As I have shared with you, we have been working this year on critical priorities for our University, which you can find on our “Fulfilling Our Commitments” website.