Standing Together for Columbia

Dear fellow members of our Columbia community:

Over the last months, components of the federal government have announced investigations into our University, creating great concern across our community and the nation. The stakes are high not only for Columbia, but for every college and university in this country. Columbia finds itself yet again leading the nation and we will do what is right.

Our University is defined by the principles of academic freedom, open inquiry, and respect for all. These principles are fundamental to Columbia’s broader mandate of advancing the betterment of our community, our city, our country, and the world. We will defend these principles with courage and determination. It is because of these values that Columbia serves the world so well. From Alexander Hamilton to Dwight D. Eisenhower to the present, we teach, we heal, we innovate, and we create knowledge. To damage Columbia is to weaken American ingenuity and leadership.

This is a critical moment for higher education in this country. The freedom of universities is tied to the freedom of every other institution in a thriving democracy. In this moment, I want to reiterate: Columbia University will stand by its values.

As an institution committed to creating and advancing knowledge, we will never stray from open dialogue and free debate of ideas, even when it is difficult. We cannot let the challenges we face stop our work to make our institution stronger and better, including our efforts to combat hate and discrimination on campus. We must continually reaffirm our commitment to freedom of expression, due process, and the rights of all members of this community.

At this moment, we must stand together to make our University stronger, not to further divide us. Since I stepped into this role, we have worked tirelessly to address both internal and external concerns, to build a better Columbia. As we continue this hard work of repairing and strengthening our community, we must preserve our ability to decide what is right for Columbians and the people we serve. We will decide how to do that together as a community.

I am incredibly fortunate to have spent my career at great universities. I take the responsibility of serving as your leader at this time as an honor and privilege. For 270 years we have transcended our challenges and I know we will continue to do so.

Standing together for Columbia,

Katrina Armstrong
Interim President, Columbia University in the City of New York