When Columbia announced in August its plan to limit on-campus undergraduate housing, bars and restaurants in Morningside Heights were faced with a significant hurdle. While outdoor dining has helped many struggling restaurants stay afloat, inadequate government support for small businesses and colder weather, which deters customers from wanting to dine outdoors, has created new challenges for local bars and restaurants.

Community leaders raised concerns over shifting to virtual meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing issues about informing residents and maintaining public engagement.

Following the publication of reports and articles on the arrest of Malika Jones, formerly BC ’20 before taking a leave of absence, a group of family members and friends formed a group, Justice4Malika, to support one another and respond to the portrayal of Jones in the media.

City leaders reaffirmed their commitment to moving Columbia Secondary School from the overcrowded building it currently cohabitates with two other schools at a Community Board 9 meeting Thursday. CB9 is a local advisory board representing Morningside Heights and its surrounding areas.