Call it what you want—a rash decision, an existential crisis, my total and complete unraveling— but I decided to become a mother. I am now a mother to the most annoying and pretentious little dog named Astrid. I meal prep for her every Sunday and brush her hair before bed every night. Did I ever see myself becoming a dog mom at 22? Not a chance. This time last year, I didn’t even know how to cook or take care of myself.

International students who are pursuing degrees in the United States will have to leave the country or face deportation if their universities are operating entirely online, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement declared on Monday. At Columbia and Barnard, which are both reopening with a mix of in-person and online classes, international students must be enrolled in at least one in-person class to remain in the United States and keep their visas.

Financial support for small businesses dried up just weeks after it was announced, leaving West Harlem businesses in financial limbo as the COVID-19 pandemic continues without signs of cessation.

Journalism School professors joined their peers across the nation in writing and circulating an open letter to the owners of Fox News that urged the TV channel to stop the spread of “misinformation” and “false statements” regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

University President Lee Bollinger addressed the issue of divestment, the lack of financial aid for international and General Studies students, and his reflections on President Trump’s impeachment trial during his semesterly Fireside Chat on Thursday.

LionBase, a data solutions startup, started as the brainchild of Kevin Le, SEAS ’20, and friends two years ago, when they felt compelled to share their experiences doing freelance, data-driven development work in the city. Today, as the organization celebrates its first anniversary, the startup has over 30 members across eight different projects involving data science and solutions, as well as three advisors.

In an eventful and historic plenary, the University Senate passed a resolution to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day to be celebrated on the second Monday of October every year, while later issuing a special election for the chair of the Executive Committee—nullifying a previous appointment for the first time in Senate history—on Friday afternoon.

Director of Campus Sustainability and Climate Action Sandra Goldmark gave an overview of Barnard’s climate action program and newly launched initiatives centered on promoting climate action through cross-campus collaborations between students, faculty, and administrators at the Student Government Association meeting on Monday night.

As the dust settles on a new semester, the add/drop craze several weeks since passed, we’d like to welcome you back to The Eye. Whether you’re a first-time reader or a longtime friend, we want to invite you this semester to take an active role in our work.

This summer, Alani Sumako Fujii will be growing her own food at home in Maryland. Her decision, she explains, stems from a belief in “self-sustenance,” a key trait she’ll need before she starts working for the Peace Corps. In just a few months’ time, Fujii will be in the Kingdom of Tonga, in the South Pacific, teaching English.