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Grad Student Fled Assault Before Killed By Car; Suspect Arrested for Manslaughter

Daniel Amzallag — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:12:14 -0500

Kluge To Donate $400 Million

Alexander Peacocke — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 23:00:00 -0500

The University is set to receive a $400 million donation from media mogul John Kluge, CC '37. University President Lee Bollinger confirmed in an interview last night that the donation, to be bequeathed following Kluge's death, is the largest in Columbia's 253-year history. The money will be earmarked exclusively for student financial aid. "John [Kluge] deserves the eternal gratitude of Columbia," said Bollinger, who also called the donation a "colossal step forward." Bollinger also said that, through conversations with Kluge, he believed that a "reasonable portion" of the donation will be allocated to international students. Currently, admissions are not need-blind for international students, and only a handful of international students receive financial aid each year, creating a lack of economic diversity among international students. Kluge's donation puts the University past the halfway point in its $4 billion capital campaign, in itself comprising 10 percent of the final goal. Of the $400 million gift, $200 million will fund financial aid for students in Columbia College, while the other half of the donation will fund financial aid programs in the other schools of the University. The gift dwarfs the second largest amount ever given to the University, a $200 million donation given by the Jerome L. Greene Foundation and Dawn Greene, intended for a Mind Brain and Behavior Center on the University's proposed Manhattanville campus. "This is an amazing act of generosity with a clear intention to help young people," Bollinger said. "Part of his [Kluge's] thinking here is, 'I want to make this pledge now, and I want it to be known even though there are some things that will remain up for conversation in the future,'" Bollinger said. "This is a huge step towards fixing the financial aid problems that we have at this University" said Chris Riano, GS and co-chair of the University Senate's Student Affairs Committee. "I think it's a wonderful gesture to ... ensure that students can come to Columbia regardless of their financial needs." According to Forbes magazine, Kluge is the 25th richest man in America, with a net worth of $9.1 billion. Kluge has already donated $100 million for a scholar's program, named after him. This latest donation brings his total donations to the University within the region of one-half of a billion dollars. "It's amazing. There's absolutely no way I would have been able to come to Columbia if not for Kluge," said Ana Ortiz, CC '07, a Kluge scholar, and Columbia College Student Council outgoing vice president of student life. "It's really great for the school, and I'm especially excited that $200 million of it is earmarked for the College." The official announcement of the donation will be made this morning at 11:45 a.m. in Low Library before members of the University, the press, and Kluge scholars. Josh Hirschland contributed to this article.

Protesters Attack China Over Darfur

Alexander Peacocke — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 23:00:00 -0500

Cries of "send peacekeepers not weapons" broke the sleepy atmosphere of Murray Hill Friday as Amnesty International wrapped up a week-long campaign of activism with a vigil for the victims of human rights abuses in Darfur. The protest, held outside the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations at 35th Street and 1st Avenue, was aimed at encouraging the Chinese government, who have allied themselves economically with the Sudanese regime, to put more pressure on the government to end atrocities in Darfur. "We specially tailor these events for student activists," said Denise Bell, an Amnesty International Sudan Country Specialist, who helped to organize the event. Bell estimated that about 200 people attended the vigil, which included students from Columbia, Villanova University, New York University, and various New York City high schools. Bell also mentioned that Amnesty International was meeting that day with officials from the Chinese embassy in Washington, and that she and some members of local amnesty chapters would be meeting with officials from the Permanent Mission later in the week to discuss the situation. Isaac Rowlett, an NYU student and member of STAND, a campus activist group committed to ending the genocide in Darfur, spoke to the assembled crowd. Rowlett said that the protest was "extremely important because we are making the crucial link with China," referring to China's abstention from voting on U.N. Security Council resolution 1706, which would have put U.N. peacekeepers on the ground in Darfur. Amnesty also circulated a petition through the assembled crowd, which called on the Chinese President Hu Jintao to increase the political pressure on the Sudanese. China has an extensive investment in Sudan's oil sector, and on a recent visit to Africa, Hu promised an interest-free loan for the Sudanese to build a new presidential palace. Sharon Silber, of the New York City Coalition for Darfur, also spoke at the vigil. Silber will be meeting with local congressman and chair of the House Ways and Means committee Charlie Rangel, D-Harlem, to discuss proposed legislation that would close U.S. ports to goods, including crude oil, coming from Sudan. Clare Garvie, BC '07 and a member of Amnesty, was one of the volunteers who helped plan the event. "I think targeting China is one of the smartest ways to go," she said, referencing the fact that China is one of the biggest importers of crude oil from Sudan. Bell also noted that support for this cause comes from far and wide. "People always ask me, 'have you made a difference?' [New York Times columnist] Kristof and I have the same position, absolutely," she said.

Lack of Action on Darfur Condemned

Alexander Peacocke — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 23:00:00 -0500

A panel sponsored by the Committee on Global Thought called on the general public to continue putting pressure on political leaders to help end human rights abuses in Darfur. Moderated by University Professor and Chair of the Committee Joseph Stiglitz, the panel, called "The Global Response to Darfur: Lessons for the Future," discussed the perceived failure of the international community to impose its will in the region. "What went wrong, why, when, and who is responsible? Everything went wrong" said Jan Pronk, former special representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan, who ran peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in the region until 2004. "There is a humanitarian situation that has improved due to people from this country [the United States]," he said, referring to work by non-governmental organizations to increase the political will of more powerful nations to intervene in the crisis. "The present situation is extremely bleak." Also on the panel were judge Antonio Cassese, professor of international law at the University of Florence, who led a U.N. team that determined genocide was not committed in Sudan, and Alastair Ager, Columbia professor of clinical population and family health, who addressed how the crisis is affecting the children of the region. Cassese spoke of his experience in the region, inspecting prisons and gathering evidence, then explaining his decision not to call the humanitarian crisis genocide. "We spent three months working very hard," Cassese said. He went on to say that his team consisted of five commissioners and 20 experienced investigators, none of whom found enough evidence of genocide, based on the narrow definition set by the U.N. The "special intent" required for genocide was not present, he said. "I think U.N. action has been totally deficient," Cassese said, saying that the Security Council's move to place four members of the Sudanese government on an international terrorist watch list-preventing them from travel and freezing their assets abroad-was a token gesture. "This man's [one of the government members of the Sudanese government placed on the watch list] assets are in camels, cows, and wives," he said. Cassese also predicted a grim future. "Arrest warrants [in the case of Darfur] will not be executed. ... To my regret, the [U.N.] prosecutor has only issued orders of appearance for second-rate people," he said. Cassese and Pronk also spoke of the fact that-according to Cassese-the United States has "lost credibility" in the region, a statement that Pronk vehemently agreed with.

Housing Smartens Itself Up

Alexander Peacocke — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:00:00 -0500

Whether you are a rising sophomore trying to avoid the McBain shaft or a rising senior holding out for Hogan in group selection, here's the annual update on updates, giving you the inside skinny on housing renovations slated for the summer. The eight-person Ruggles suites are undergoing major changes. Director of Housing Services Herman Matte has said that he is "very excited" about the changes, which will remove an unused dumbwaiter from each suite and rearrange the bathrooms to create an integrated living-dining area. "Before, there was no place for members of the suite to all hang out," Matte said. The larger Ruggles suites were often characterized by residents gathering in rooms of suite members, or groups standing around dark, cramped kitchens. Next year, the housing department hopes that suites will feature more flexible and integrated spaces. Also for rising sophomores, McBain will receive a second elevator. Matte said he was "super excited about this," not only because of the elevator itself, but also for the "smart technology" that is being installed and will use the locations of both elevators to determine where they are needed the most. "For instance, if one elevator is taking someone down from a higher floor, the other elevator will stay somewhere around the middle floors," said Heather Tsonopoulos, manager of marketing and communications for Housing and Dining. Tsonopoulos also said that the elevator system will "learn" requests. "Let's say you have a class at 9 a.m. every day, so you push the elevator button at about that time every day," he said. "The elevator will learn that it needs to be there then, and so will eventually just be there." The McBain project won't be finished in time for move-in in September, but Matte said that it is due to be completed "around October or November." On the east side of campus, Wien is also due to undergo major changes. After months of promises, the dorm will see its vented doors replaced with new, more sound-proof ones. "We expect that this will dramatically reduce the noise level, both in the rooms and in the halls," Tsonopoulos said of the upgrades to the vents. The new doors will also feature CUID swipe access locks like those curently in place in River. Wien is also slated to have its unisex bathrooms replaced with single-sex bathrooms by floor. However, since floors will still be co-ed, some students will have to walk up or down a flight of stairs to access their facilities. While the information on which floors are which has not yet been released, the designations will come out before general selection. Additionally, the Wien Food Court will close at the end of the year. Director of Housing and Dining Scott Wright cited a lack of student attendance as the reason for the facility's closure, adding that it was a simple matter of dollars and cents. "We haven't broken even in years" he said of the facility. Housing and Dining is still in talks with the Columbia College Student Council and the Engineering Student Council on what should be done with the to-be-vacated space. Wright said that he anticipates some kind of lounge to replace the food court. On Riverside Drive, Woodbridge may become more environmentally friendly. The building is scheduled to have its ailing boiler replaced with a new, more efficient one. Like the McBain elevators, the new boiler will have a smart system so that heat will only go on when its thermometers sense a need, avoiding the overheated days that occasionally hit the building. Woodbridge will also receive new windows designed to insulate the building more effectively. "There is no point in putting in a new energy efficient boiler if all the energy you are saving leaks out," Matte said. The administration also plans to use clean-burning biofuels in the boiler, provided the cost doesn't escalate too much. Matte also indicated that Housing plans on renovating two of the brownstones, although administrators have not yet determined which two would be slated for work.

Ienuso Presents Columbia's Plans for Morningside to CB9

Alexander Peacocke — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 23:00:00 -0500

Correction Appended Discussion of development in Morningside Heights punctuated the monthly meeting of Manhattan's Community Board 9, held last Thursday night. Joseph Ienuso, executive vice president of Columbia University Facilities, opened the meeting by presenting information on upcoming Columbia developments in and around Morningside Heights. "We thought it would be a good idea to make sure you were all aware [of the projects]," Ienuso said. In his address to the assembled board members, Ienuso discussed the proposed changes to McVickar Hall on 113th Street, Knox Hall at Union Theological Seminary, developments to the top of Jerome Green Hall, and the Northwest Corner project. Initially, some board members were concerned that the University intended to use explosives in the excavation of the Northwest Corner project, a science building set to be constructed where the tennis courts north of Dodge are currently located. While Ienuso said that the University's plan did not specifically call for the use of explosives, he did not rule out the possibility of their use. "If there is a need for explosives, we would let the community board know," he said. The meeting also featured addresses from several local activists speaking out against Columbia's Manhattanville expansion plans. "We are winning the battle against Columbia's plan," Coalition to Preserve Community member Tom Kappner said. He alleged that under Columbia's plan, 4,000 jobs in the proposed area of expansion would be lost. "We have to keep the WHLDC [West Harlem Development Corporation] on its toes," he added, referring to the group that is negotiating a community benefits agreement with Columbia. "Its important for us to pose these questions to Columbia University, because it's a bizarre premise they are basing this [expansion] on," said Harlemite Michael Adams, referring to the University's presumption in a document prepared for the state that the area is blighted. He also disputed claims that West Harlem property owners who have refused to sell to Columbia are simply trying to "extort" money out of the University. "This is what's known as compromise," he said. CPC leader Tom DeMott took issue with University President Lee Bollinger's language during his appearance on WNYC's Brian Lehrer show on March 8, claiming that his use of the word "outsiders" in reference to Manhattanville business owners, represented the views of the University. "The Columbia University Business School should be finding a way to help [West Harlem businesses]," he said. At the meeting, Kim Russell, speaking on behalf of a group of tenants in apartment buildings owned by the Pinnacle Group, also announced the tenants had retained the law firm of Jenner & Block to file a class action lawsuit against the landlord. She said that the tenants would soon be proceeding with the what she called a "very important lawsuit." CORRECTION: The headline on the original version of this article incorrectly characterized the subject of Ienuso's presentation. He was talking about development in Morningside Heights, not about Manhattanville.

T'ai Chi Professor Dies

Alexander Peacocke — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:00:00 -0600

Barnard professor of physical education John Lad died on Monday after collapsing at an off-campus martial arts class. He was 60. Lad had taught the martial art T'ai Chi at Barnard and Columbia for 28 years in addition to instructing courses on as music and philosophy-in which he held a Ph.D. from Stanford University. "He was a Renaissance man who was passionate about music, philosophy, Asian studies," Laura Masone, senior associate in the Barnard department of physical education, said in a statement. "John led a balanced life: an intellectual, a musician, an athlete. ... He will be very missed." Lad had studied T'ai Chi for more than 30 years, teaching and writing on the subject prolifically. "He was a good instructor," Jessica Hong, BC '09, said. "He was very much into the way of teaching T'ai Chi." As well as practicing martial arts, Lad was an active violinist, playing in various New York chamber music groups and orchestras since the 1970s. "For such a person, he always carried himself in a humble and unassuming way," George Padilla, associate of the Barnard department of physical education, said. "I'm not sure he knew the extent of the influence he had on those of us who knew and worked with him."

Microloan Program Announced

Alexander Peacocke — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:00:00 -0600

Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-Harlem) joined local and city community leaders to announce the launch of a new microloan fund for upper Manhattan entrepreneurs on Thursday. The fund, created through a partnership between ACCION-the largest microlender in the U.S.-the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ), and several national banks, will provide $5.5 million for business in the upper Manhattan area and will be the largest dedicated loan fund of its kind in state history, according to a press release. "You don't just get access to the money, you get access to the techniques," Rangel said of the new collaboration in his address to assembled local community leaders, representatives from UMEZ, ACCION, and various financial institutions. However, the new partnership aims to provide its loan clients with more than just financial support. ACCION clients can also take advantage of OnTRAC, ACCION's Training, Resource and Advising Center, which offers entrepreneurs personalized training in finance and credit management. "Our main goal is to get capital and technical assistance to the community, and partnering with ACCION is the best way to benefit the community," Kenneth Knuckles, President and CEO of UMEZ, said in an interview. The new partnership aims to replicate the success of previous ACCION microlending programs, which have enjoyed a 93 percent repayment rate. As of Dec. 31, 2006, ACCION has lent in excess of $65 million to clients, 92 percent of whom are racial minorities, and 40 percent of whom are women. Ralph Bumbaca of Banco Popular-which contributed 25 percent of the initial capital on the project-mentioned how the practice of microlending is not unusual for his bank. "Fostering community relations is a national goal for us," he said in an interview. Other sources of capital included JP Morgan Chase, TD Bank USA, and two donations from UMEZ-one grant of $1 million, and one loan of $500,000. The capital is expected to last through 2009, and will be offered to small businesses in the form of subsidized loans ranging from $500 to $50,000, all of which will charge reduced interest rates. "Access to affordable credit is vital," said Diana Taylor, superintendent of banks for the state of New York, in her address to the crowd. Commissioner of New York City Department of Small Business Services Robert Walsh agreed, "These businesses need access to this capital. I know all of you [the banks] care about upper Manhattan."

Disrepair of Residence Hall Outrages Students

Alexander Peacocke — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 23:00:00 -0600

More than a month after many senior members of the Columbia administration inspected the site and promised improvements, residents of 600 W. 113th St. residence hall still complain of poor conditions in the dorm. The building walk-through, which was held last October at the behest of the General Studies Student Council, prompted promises of upgrades for the ailing building, commonly known as Nussbaum, which houses students from Columbia College, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, GS, and some private tenants. Problems in the dorm included instances of rampant black mold, dirty toilets, cockroaches in the kitchens, and a litany of similar problems. Marlyn Gamez, GS '08, said she feels that Columbia administrators are not taking the problems seriously. "Its like they totally don't care," she said, describing kitchens suites as "filthy." She said in an e-mail that she was starting the new semester with "no kitchen, no potable water, and run-down bathrooms and showers." Another resident of the building, a GS first-year who asked to remain anonymous, also claimed that earlier in the semester a tile fell on her while she was in the shower, and that a rusted-out cabinet that had been there since she moved in September had not been fixed despite complaints. "My main goal now is to get out of here," she said. She also mentioned a general lack of cooperation in her dealings with members of the Columbia administration, including repeated maintenance requests and visits to the housing office, while still waiting for any significant changes to materialize. Work was hampered due to a necessary building electrical upgrade and a delay in the delivery of the cabinets for the kitchens, a Columbia housing spokesman said. "We should have them [the kitchens] finished by the end of the week," said Mark Kerman, assistant vice president of the Institutional Real Estate office, which manages all non-undergraduate housing. "We replace the kitchens on a cycle, and this building was at the end of its cycle," he added. Kerman also mentioned that a delay in the delivery of the kitchen cabinets had slowed the process of renovation and that the rusted mirrors in the bathrooms would be replaced later in the week with further renovation continuing throughout the year.