Monica Varman

As the end of the semester draws near, many students—their meal plans largely untouched—scramble to get as much use out of John Jay and Hewitt as possible. However, with each swipe into the dining hall costing nearly $13—even for cups of hot chocolates or bowls of cereal—it is easy to understand why many freshmen feel less than satisfied with their meal plan options.

Columbia’s fifth State of the Planet conference kicked off Thursday with a keynote speech by former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and debates sponsored by the Economist that covered topics such as poverty, climate change, and sustainable development.

Say goodbye to paper housing contracts. This year, Columbia Undergraduate Housing has inaugurated Protocol, a new room selection software product that completely removes the need for paper contracts in the room-selection process.

While students are busy mulling over possible options in the perennial housing-selection process, administrators have their own annual housing ritual: renovations.

As the contest for the Democratic presidential nomination approaches a pivotal and possibly conclusive moment with today’s primaries in Texas and Ohio, top left-leaning University administrators’ allegiances raise questions about the significance of the race on campus.

Columbia Dining Services is looking to make major changes in its operations and in the hours of its locations this semester and the next, according to Executive Director of Dining Services Joseph Heavey.

By the beginning of summer 2008, smoking will be prohibited in all Columbia residence halls due to a new Housing and Dining policy.

After months of deliberation by student council members, Columbia students now have tentative locations for the new Off Campus Flex program and a date for its launch—March 24.

John Jay Dining Hall at Columbia was cited for 32 violation points this January, while Hewitt Dining Hall at Barnard performed comparatively well with nine violation points.

Some residents of Barnard’s Elliot Hall returned from winter break to find that their rooms had been cleared out due to water damage. A room in Reid Hall also suffered water damage over the break.

Many spend their lives concealing emotions and doing their best to put on a brave face for the world. But does a smile set everything right?

Tucked away deep in a corner of Low Library, out of sight of most Columbians, the King’s College Room is a treasure trove of some of this University’s most prized documents, portraits, and valued objects from its earliest history.

The Trustees of Columbia University have named two new members to the Board—Armen A. Avanessians, SEAS ’83, and A’Leila Bundles, Journalism ’76.

A steam pipe burst in suite 1103 of Carman on Saturday night, flooding five suites and setting off the fire alarm.