Grace Hamilton
University News Senior Staff WriterLatest articles
Editor’s note: This article includes mentions of sexual abuse.
University President Jennifer Mnookin affirmed the importance of the University’s autonomy in the wake of Columbia’s July 2025 $221 million settlement with President Donald Trump’s administration and expressed interest in expanding campus access at a presidential welcome reception for alumni on Oct. 1.
The newly renovated Li Lu Law Library has opened, with the school marking the multimillion dollar expansion during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Dec. 5.
Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science received 5,497 early decision applications for the class of 2030, according to Columbia Undergraduate Admissions, marking a 6.4 percent decrease from the previous year.
The University Senate voted at an Oct. 24 plenary to approve the creation of a Master of Science in artificial intelligence, a new master’s degree in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Jonathon Kahn, GSAS ’03, appointed inaugural Columbia senior associate dean of community and culture
Jonathon Kahn, GSAS ’03, will serve as the first senior associate dean of community and culture for Columbia College, Dean Josef Sorett announced in a Sept. 2 email to the Columbia community.
Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science enrolled a combined 1,806 first-year students in the class of 2029—the largest ever incoming class for both schools—according to admissions data released Aug. 29.
Acting University President Claire Shipman, CC ’86, SIPA ’94, delivered her first address to the class of 2029 at Columbia’s annual Convocation ceremony on Aug. 24, over a month after the University’s contentious deal with the federal government.
A last-minute nudge from a friend is what launched Mariam Jallow, CC ’25, into her four-year journey in student government. The outgoing Columbia College Student Council president, Jallow has spent her four years as an elected student representative learning what it takes to lead during moments of crisis, particularly amid the spring 2024 protests and the national spotlight on Columbia.
Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest academic honor society, will initiate 106 Columbia College seniors this semester.