Elyssa Goldberg

Today's issues are as hot as the 85 degree weather we're expecting today (welcome back, Summer!).

What won't the class of 2011 do to convince the president, CC '83, to speak at this spring's Commencement ceremony? After last year's jealousy over Obama at UMichigan, Columbia's stepping its game up. Make no mistake, THIS IS A CALL TO ARMS.more The POTUS Project and the class of 2011 are going balls-to-the-wall over the next few months to make sure Obama comes back to his alma mater once again and tells them what to do with the rest of their lives. PrezBo penned a letter to Obama, declaring that the students will "translate their inspiration through action." What kind of action? Think:

Turns out the ball is finally rolling to find a resolution to Academic Calendargate 2010. But this rate, that day seems a ways away. The student affairs caucus (SAC) of the USenate will continue to push the proposal on Friday for a pre-Labor Day start in years when Labor Day falls late (like this year, and next year, and the year after that) to prevent going home on Christmas. The Senate most likely won't vote at this meeting, meaning that we still have no clue what's going on next year. But, in an effort to increase transparency, Friday's meeting will be open to all CUID holders and will start at 1:15 pm in 106 Jerome Greene Hall. [News]

Okay, so we'll admit it — this week's rough. Housing sucks, class registration sucks, the dramatic drop in temperature sucks, etc. But everyone's giving us a lot to be proud of. PrezBo's big day, Barnard's community-building, successful sports, and the achievements of other (semi-)famous Columbians after the jump.more PrezBo's big day. Sunday we were in shock thinking Bollinger wouldn't be teaching his famous "Freedom of Speech and Press" class. Turns out he's just replacing it with a "Global Free Press" class for fall 2010. Last night he also met with grad students to talk Manhattanville, international loans, and grad students-cum-profs. [News and News] Barnard community > Columbia community. To get a rundown of last night's SGA election debates, click here. Current reps push for sophomore-freshman 'sister' mentoring program for next year.  [News and News] We have good sports teams. Freshman outfielder Dario Pizzano named College Baseball National Player of the Week. Also, the  men's tennis team is tied for first place and goes for a share of the Ivy League championship title this weekend. [Sports and Sports] Accomplished alums and polished profs. Columbia alums trying to make it in the NYC music biz. School of the Arts professor, Sam Lipsyte, wrote a satirical book infused with self-reflection. [A&E and A&E] Student activism. Take Back the Night is on Thursday night. Should the march be divided by gender? Or should all participants be marching as one in a gender-neutral space? The Editorial Board has an answer. [Opinion]

Big cupcake on campus from Columbia Daily Spectator on Vimeo.

We've gotten some vague news about a shady business deal in Morningside Heights that's been happening right under our noses. Luis Nunez, the property manager of MoHi buildings that house Columbia students and other tenants, admitted to stealing $879,000 in rent money that he used to buy furniture, jewelry, cars, school tuition, and appliances. The Daily News suggests that the buildings in question are: 45 Tiemann Pl., 184-188 Claremont Ave., and 3139 Broadway. More info available from the NY District Attorney's office. We'll post more as we learn more.

Because of a new University policy, everyone has to register to stay on campus over winter break. It's a little bureaucratic for our tastes, but we understand that the University needs to figure out how much staff it'll need, among other things. So, if you're in school housing for the fall and spring terms and you want to be in the residence halls at any point over break, register here and find instructions here (just in case you're as confused by StarRez as we are). You have until December 15.

It's pretty hard to be stressed when New York is looking like California. Still, our exam-weary bodies beg to differ. But don't let that stop you. Students all over this campus are making time to spearhead change. If it's broken, fix it. Send an email. Assemble a committee. Take it to the streets. Outsource your labor, if you have to. Everyone else is doing it. [The Weather Channel]more Campaign for a more accommodating Academic Calendar. Options on the table: start school before Labor Day, pull a Princeton and hold finals in January, shorten the study day period, or hold finals on the weekend. [News and Princeton Registrar] Campaign for mandatory sex-ed in NYC public schools despite lack of money, enthusiasm. Also still up for debate. [News] Campaign for GS degrees to be in Latin to blend in with Columbia College. Denied. Will still be in English. [News] Campaign for relevant and paid summer internships. NYU's already beat us to this one. [Opinion and Washington Square News]