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On July 10, University President Lee Bollinger announced the opening of the Columbia Climate School. He based the decision on Columbia’s commitment to public life, writing: “We are not free to ignore the issues of our age and pursue whatever we want. We are ultimately responsible to our societies and the world. To that end, we must answer the call to serve.”

Although campus is partially open and more students are living in or near New York City, the negative impacts of the pandemic are still present. Long hours on Zoom alone have caused common feelings of fatigue among many students and teachers, with peace of mind becoming increasingly rare during these anxiety-inducing times. Here are some activity ideas that are both easily accessible and fun to help you relieve stress and regain a sense of serenity.

Dear fellow members of the Columbia community,

“You say you like to tan because it’s fun / But half the time you burn yourself; how is that fun?” Grace Victoria D’Haiti, BC ’21, asks in her song “Black Looks Better on Me.” The song is simultaneously a Black cultural anthem and a commentary on the phenomenon of “blackfishing,” which is when non-Black people pretend to be Black or alter their appearances to look ethnically Black.

The iconic Hollywood sign is more than a strange group of letters that overlook Los Angeles; this sign represents all the glamour, fame, and industry the city has to offer as a titan of American film. Yet those stark white letters reveal a truth about Hollywood’s exclusivity—often of marginalized groups.

In front of an array of posters emblazoned with red and black slogans, the Columbia-Barnard Young Democratic Socialists of America mounted a rally in support of its tuition strike. The rally began with a press conference in front of University President Lee Bollinger’s 60 West Morningside Drive home and culminated in a march to the steps of Low Library.

Over 2,700 students have signed a petition declaring a tuition strike until Columbia meets its demands to reallocate the University’s spending. The tuition strike petition calls for a 10 percent reduction in tuition fees, a 10 percent increase in financial aid, to defund Public Safety, and to stop the University’s expansion into West Harlem.

As the fall 2020 semester comes to an end, we’re all looking forward to enjoying our winter break. However, as much as we are excited for next semester, many of us are still questioning whether it is safe to return to campus and the city. Although it is ultimately your own decision, here are some questions to consider while you prepare for next semester.

Student life at Columbia was hard enough to navigate even before the COVID-19 pandemic, but with people scattered across the globe, finding a community within the student body has become even more difficult. With our monthly Spotify playlists, Spectrum hopes to engage the University community and reminisce about the activities and memories that we share. We hope you enjoy our first installment!

On Monday afternoon, University President Lee Bollinger sent out an email announcing Columbia’s preliminary plans for spring 2021. This follows an email that Barnard President Sian Beilock sent to the Barnard community on Oct. 26 detailing the school’s tentative spring 2021 plans.