For the inauguration of a president known for uniting Americans from diverse walks of life, the doors of Roone Arledge Auditorium will be open to both the Columbia community and the Democracy Prep Charter School, a public junior high in Central Harlem.
While many students watch the swearing-in of Barack Obama, CC ’83, on Low Plaza, the ceremony will also be broadcast live in Lerner Hall. The indoor event, coordinated by the Columbia College Student Council, will offer Columbia students the chance to mingle with local students from Harlem for the historic day.
George Krebs, CC ’09 and CCSC president, said he hopes Columbia students will take this opportunity to bond with their Harlem neighbors. “Obviously, we want as many people as possible to go out on Low Plaza, but Roone Arledge will be a warm alternative,” Krebs noted.
Representatives of CCSC and the Campus Life Committee have been working with Democracy Prep for about a month to organize the viewing. Any Columbia student must show his or her Columbia University ID to enter.