Inside a packed John Jay Dining Hall in early September, 30 faculty members and senior administrators mingled with students, filling the space with chatter and vibrant conversation. When the event—part of the University’s Fac’ to Table initiative—came to a close, Andrew Jungclaus, GSAS ’21, assistant dean for community and culture and head of the Undergraduate Community Initiative, cleaned up the tables and prepared to leave.

Community advocates, residents, students, faculty, and local politicians gathered outside Columbia’s 115th Street and Broadway gates Thursday for the Morningside Heights Community Coalition’s sixth “Open the Gates” rally in three years, escalating pressure on the University to restore public access to College Walk.

For two nights, the underworld teemed with song and complicated relationship dynamics beneath the feet of students, faculty, and all those who love dinners at Ferris Booth Commons. Columbia’s Black Theatre Ensemble staged its medley rendition of Anaïs Mitchell’s Tony-winning musical “Hadestown” on Thursday and Friday in the Wang Pavilion.

Women’s basketball won its season-opening game on Monday, defeating Davidson College 71-65.

With fall and Thanksgiving break soon approaching, you may be wondering how to spend these precious days off. While students who live near the city can head home for the weekend, if you live on the West Coast or abroad, going home can be tricky, expensive, or flat-out impossible—so where should you go?