Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Jyoti Menon
How Gen Z and Millennials Are Reshaping Holiday Commerce
Gen Z and millennials are known disrupters — and the retail landscape is their latest target. Specifically, their payment choices signify a shifting consumer spending landscape this holiday season. While the economic projected outlook is tentatively positive — despite inflation stubbornly persisting and an increasingly volatile economic landscape — expects U.S. online holiday sales to hit $221.8 billion this holiday season, a 4.8 percent increase year-over-year (YoY).
Columbia Admissions drops SAT Subject Test, standardized writing requirements
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions announced on Thursday that it will no longer require applicants to submit SAT Subject Tests or writing portions of the SAT or ACT. Columbia will join the University of Pennsylvania as the only Ivy League schools without either requirement. Previously, applicants had to submit at least two SAT Subject Tests as well as either SAT or ACT scores, including scores from each test's writing section.
Ninety lecture courses with discussion sections to be offered at 4 credits in fall
Ninety Columbia College and School of General Studies courses—including popular courses like General Chemistry, Introduction to American Politics, and Intermediate Microeconomics—will be offered for four credits instead of three this fall. The complete list, which was announced on Tuesday evening in an email from Columbia College Student Council President Ben Makansi, CC '16, has courses from five academic departments: chemistry, economics, history, religion, and political science.
Barnard contingent faculty union protests outside Barnard's annual fundraising gala
The Barnard Contingent Faculty UAW-Local 2110, a group of non-tenure track full-time and adjunct faculty protested for job security, benefits, and a living wage outside of Barnard's annual fundraising gala at the Plaza Hotel on Tuesday night. The union—which was formed in October and represents 67 percent of Barnard's non-tenure track faculty—is in the midst of negotiating with the college over a union contract.
Barnard to raise minimum wage for student workers to $15 per hour over next three years
Barnard will incrementally raise the minimum wage for student workers to $15 per hour over the next three years, according to an announcement made on Wednesday by COO Rob Goldberg and Dean of the College Avis Hinkson. Beginning on Sept. 6, wages will first be raised to $12 per hour. On Sept. 5, 2017, wages will increase again to $13.50 per hour, and then the following year on Sept. 4, 2018, wages will be set at $15 per hour.
Barnard releases tuition, meal plan, and winter housing updates
Barnard released its tuitions and fees for the 2016-17 academic year and announced several updates to the college's dining services and winter break housing policy in an email sent from Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldberg and Dean of the College Avis Hinkson on Tuesday. The total rate of tuition, fees, room, and board will be $65,992, which is $3,251 more than the rates for the current academic year. Tuition and the comprehensive fee will rise to $50,394—a 5.8 percent increase from last year.
Letter to the editor: Barnard faculty members support student calls for diversity at Commencement
We, members of the Barnard faculty from across departments and programs, write to you in support of Barnard senior Mariam Elnozahy's editorial published Feb. 24 by Spectator concerning the choice of speaker for Barnard's 2016 Commencement.
Claremont Ave residents voice concerns about Barnard's Teaching and Learning Center design, construction
As the December start date for construction on Barnard's new Teaching and Learning Center approaches, some residents of Claremont Avenue are concerned about how the project will alter and affect their street. Residents expressed concerns about the construction process of the 11-story building and how landscape, views, and light on the street—which is also home to Barnard President Debora Spar—would be affected at a meeting with administrators on Wednesday.
Despite student complaints, Columbia Fellowships Office not looking to hire new staff
Though students have complained that Columbia's Office of Global Programs Fellowships Office is understaffed and overworked, Associate Dean of Global Education and Fellowships Scott Carpenter says the office is not looking to hire new fellowships staff. Carpenter said that instead of hiring new staff members, his own role within the office has shifted so that he focuses solely on advising and administration for fellowships.
New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet, former BuzzFeed president and COO Jon Steinberg named CC and SEAS Class Day speakers
Executive Editor of the New York Times Dean Baquet and former president and COO of BuzzFeed Jon Steinberg, Business '03, will deliver the keynote addresses at Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science class days, respectively. Baquet, who became the New York Times' first black executive editor in May 2014, attended Columbia College from 1974 to 1978—he ultimately left Columbia before graduating in order to take on a full-time reporting position with the States-Item.
CC, SEAS to waive course fees for students on financial aid
Columbia College and School of Engineering and Applied Science students on financial aid will no longer have to pay for course fees in classes that have previously cost additional money to take. The decision, announced Wednesday evening, affects all students who receive Columbia grants and take film, visual arts, creative writing, laboratory, or language courses. This new policy will take effect in the 2016-17 academic year.
Alicia Lawrence hired as new executive director of Barnard ResLife
Barnard's Residential Life and Housing has named Alicia Lawrence as the new executive director of residential life and current Associate Director Josh Conway as senior associate director of residential life, according to an email sent from Dean of the College Avis Hinkson to the Barnard community on Friday afternoon. Barnard ResLife has been operating without central leadership since last summer, when former Associate Dean for Campus and Residential Life Annie Aversa left the College.
SGA election results announced
Barnard's Student Government Association announced the results of this year's council elections—which garnered a 28 percent voter turnout—on Friday afternoon. Several council incumbents will be returning to lead next year's council, including current Representative for Academic Affairs Sara Heiny, BC '17, who has been elected as SGA president. See the full list of winners below.
Barnard reveals final renderings of Teaching & Learning Center
After a controversial planning process, administrators unveiled the final renderings for Barnard's new Teaching & Learning Center on Monday evening.
Letter to the editor: President Spar responds to student and faculty concerns about Commencement
Thank you for taking the time and energy to share your thoughts with me regarding our slate of medalists and speaker for this year's Commencement. Like many of you, I was also deeply impressed by Mariam's powerful editorial in Spectator, and was moved by her passion and thoughtfulness. She and I met yesterday and were able to speak at length about her concerns.
Barnard to replace dying magnolia with new tree
Barnard will replace its ailing magnolia tree with a new tree, according to Chief Operating Officer Rob Goldberg. "Whether it's officially dead or whether it's going to die, it's not going to be in bloom and it's not coming back," Goldberg said in an interview with Spectator. "This was not the plan.
New minor proposed for Barnard Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures department
Barnard's Asian and Middle Eastern Cultures department may soon offer a minor. Though AMEC is affiliated with Columbia's department of East Asian Language and Cultures and department of Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies, which both offer concentrations, AMEC currently only offers a major.
Possible direct detection of gravitational waves by LIGO could spell Nobel Prize
One year ago, exactly a century after Einstein introduced his General Theory of Relativity, a Columbia student started up a machine that aimed to probe the deepest mysteries Einstein's theory proposed. On Thursday, the LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) collaboration of over 1000 scientists worldwide—including many from Columbia—will announce the state of its hunt for gravitational waves.
Barnard curricular review committee to recommend sweeping changes to Nine Ways of Knowing
Barnard's academic curricular review committee will recommend a set of significant revisions to Barnard's general education requirement, referred to as the Nine Ways of Knowing. Members of the committee informed Spectator on Thursday of a new set of proposed revisions, which include reducing the number of general education requirements, no longer permitting Advanced Placement credits to fulfill requirements, and allowing courses to count toward multiple requirements.
Deans approve next year's Bacchanal
The four undergraduate deans have given their full approval for next year's Bacchanal to take place, according to the Bacchanal executive board. The future of the concert was called into question amid reports from student leaders that the deans were actively considering disbanding the concert and creating a series of smaller events in its' stead and following the deans' repeated threats to cancel the concert if students misbehaved.
Furnald's ongoing maintenance issues leave residents frustrated
Students living in Furnald Hall have voiced concerns over Facilities' response to damage caused by a burst pipe connected to the heating system during during winter break. According to a spokesperson for Columbia Facilities, there were two separate pipe bursts. A frozen sprinkler line on the fifth floor was repaired over winter break.
Joshua Villa, CC '18, found dead in Carman Hall
Joshua Villa, CC '18, was found dead in Carman Hall on Friday morning, Columbia College Dean James Valentini said in an email sent at 1:35 p.m. on Friday. Police are investigating the death in Carman Hall, where Villa lived. Villa was from Azusa, California, and graduated in 2014 from Gladstone High School in Covina, California, near Los Angeles. A medical examiner spokesperson said on Sunday that Villa died from asphyxiation and ruled the death a suicide.
Barnard revises sexual assault policy, now handles cases in which the accused is a Barnard student
Barnard has revised its policy against discrimination and harassment and other related gender-based misconduct procedures so that the college will now wholly manage cases in which the accused student attends Barnard. Previously, Barnard's Title IX and Equity Office only oversaw cases in which both the respondent and the complainant were Barnard students.
Columbia clerical workers union petitions against change in healthcare options
United Auto Workers Local 2110, the union that represents clerical workers at Columbia, is circulating a petition among its members asking the administration to negotiate and provide employees with more health care options. According to Local 2110 President Maida Rosenstein, the petition, started this fall, is in response to the University's announcement in July that the current Cigna health care plans will be replaced by UnitedHealthcare plans.
Four things to know from our meeting with Bollinger
Spectator sat down with University President Lee Bollinger on Tuesday to discuss his search for a new athletic director, his meetings with Columbia Prison Divest and Barnard Columbia Divest, the Rules of Conduct, and more. Here's what we learned: On the search for an executive vice president for Student Affairs: Bollinger plans to name the first executive vice president of student affairs at the beginning of next semester, which is later than his original timeline set for this fall semester.
Drawing on trusted administrators, Bollinger rapidly reorganizes central administration
University President Lee Bollinger rapidly reorganized Columbia's central administration over the summer, promoting a handful of trusted senior administrators. The reorganization was propelled by a sense of urgency following the recent departure of two executive vice presidents and in preparations for the 2016 opening of the Manhattanville campus. "It's a case where I wanted to move very quickly.
UPDATED: Barnard under Title IX investigation
Barnard is under investigation by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights for allegedly violating Title IX in its handling of sexual assault cases, a spokesperson for the Department of Education confirmed for Spectator on Thursday. The Huffington Post first reported that Barnard was under investigation on Wednesday. The investigation follows a federal complaint filed by 23 Barnard and Columbia students in April, alleging violations of Title IX, Title II, and the Clery Act.
Columbia graduate students win right to unionize in landmark case
In a landmark case, graduate students at private universities nationwide will now be able to unionize following the National Labor Relations Board's decision in favor of graduate research and teaching assistants at Columbia. A 3-1 decision released by the NLRB on Tuesday overturns a 2004 Brown University precedent that banned graduate students from unionizing, which stated that students were not employees and were not entitled to the right to collectively bargain.
Students rally on Low Plaza following Ferguson grand jury announcement
Around 200 students gathered on the Sundial on Monday night following the announcement in Ferguson, Missouri, that a grand jury decided police officer Darren Wilson will not be charged in the death of Michael Brown. The gathering was one of many that erupted across New York City on Monday night, though it was smaller and quieter than the ones that eventually occupied the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Robert F. Kennedy bridges. "We're here in solidarity with Ferguson.
Bacchanal to issue 2,000 lawn tickets pending grant of additional student council funds
The Bacchanal committee has been given permission by administrators to issue 2,000 additional concert tickets for the April 4 concert. These new tickets would allow students to view the concert from the West Lawn and Butler Lawn, which were previously going to be closed during the performance. The tickets would supplement the original 4,000 tickets, which sold out within hours.
Limitations of faculty size, lectures weaken the Global Core
When Alex Della Santina, SEAS '17 and a Spectator columnist, found time to complete her Global Core requirement, she ended up deeply disappointed by the results. "Global Urbanism was the worst I've ever taken at this University, including all of my engineering classes I don't think it was really useful for anyone, and I'm not sure what I got out of it," Della Santina said.
Valentini pledges $7K in additional funding to Bacchanal
Columbia College Dean James Valentini has pledged to provide Bacchanal organizers with approximately $7,000 to help safeguard against any budget shortfalls they may incur. Spectator reported Thursday that students organizing Bacchanal were left with a significantly smaller buffer to accommodate last minute expenses after being hit with an unexpected $16,000 charge for the new barricade design Public Safety imposed.
Sixteen Columbia Divest for Climate Justice protesters plan to maintain Low Library sit-in over weekend
Sixteen members of Columbia Divest for Climate Justice are conducting an indefinite sit-in inside Low Library to demand that the University divest from the fossil fuel industry. The group—which has been campaigning for this goal since its founding in fall 2012—may be in potential violation of the Rules of Conduct. While CDCJ had a meeting with Bollinger scheduled for Apr.
Public Safety refuses to answer questions on safety changes to Bacchanal
Public Safety has repeatedly refused to answer questions about new safety measures they have implemented for this year's Bacchanal that students feel will ruin the spring concert. Earlier this month, Spectator reported that Public Safety planned to implement a new crowd configuration setup for Bacchanal that would force students to be confined into six pens. Students organizing the spring concert expressed concerns that the design was unsafe and would ruin attendees' experiences.
Bacchanal student organizers fear changes imposed by Public Safety will ruin event
When the theme of this year's Bacchanal, "They Don't Want You to Bacch," was released, it was recognized as a tongue-in-cheek reference to the administrative oversight and stipulations that dogged last year's spring concert. As a result of those stipulations, a series of changes to Bacchanal were implemented that students felt significantly damaged the event billed as the most fun day of the year.
71 vets march from service to School of General Studies Class of 2019
When the General Studies class of 2019 stepped onto campus last week, there were 71 U.S. Military veterans included in its ranks. The admission of such a large group of veterans is in line with the historical mission of the school, which was founded to accommodate student veterans returning from World War II. Now, the Post-9/11 GI Bill funds the incoming veterans, who compose 10 percent of the class.
Columbia to pay student workers $15 an hour
Columbia will increase the hourly wage paid to students on work-study and in other part-time positions to $15 an hour, Provost John Coatsworth announced on Monday.
Majority of on-campus sexual assaults do not trigger Public Safety alerts
Of 33 alleged sexual assaults on campus that were reported to Public Safety in the past two years, Spectator has found that only two resulted in an alert sent to the Columbia community, in some cases leaving students unaware of repeated assaults within the same geographical area in a short span of time. In one case, three sexual assaults were reported within a two-block radius on 121st Street near an undergraduate dorm between September and October 2015.
White nationalists to speak on campus at Republican student group’s invitation
Columbia University College Republicans has invited white nationalist figures including Tommy Robinson and Mike Cernovich to speak on campus this semester, drawing statements of concern from other student organizations.
Morningside Heights Shake Shack to open on Wednesday
Shake Shack announced in a press release on Monday that its Morningside Heights location will be opening for business this Wednesday at 11 a.m. The restaurant chain first announced its plans to move into the spot formerly occupied by Ollie’s Noodle Shop & Grille in January to Spectator, then stating that it would open its doors by the end of the year.
University stands by decision to ban Orgo Night from Butler as alumni pressure mounts
Amid mounting calls from alumni for the University to allow the Columbia University Marching Band to hold its Orgo Night performance in Butler Library, administrators say they will stand by their decision to prevent the long-standing tradition from taking place in the library this semester. Orgo Night, a decades-old tradition in which CUMB performs in Butler on the night before finals begin, features a music and comedy act that lampoons student groups and the University.
Barnard tuition set to increase by 4.6 percent for 2017-2018 year
Barnard has announced that tuition for the 2017-2018 school year will be $50,882, up more than 4.6 percent from last year’s tuition fee of $48,614. Tuition at Barnard—which has risen by 25 percent since 2010—remains the college’s greatest source of revenue, alongside housing.
Student’s lawsuit against Columbia for handling of sexual assault implicates eight University offices
A Columbia student filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday against the University for allegedly failing to properly handle her reports of rape. The lawsuit comes during four ongoing Office of Civil Rights investigations into the University for allegedly violating Title IX in its response to reports of gender-based misconduct, with one investigating the same claims raised by this lawsuit. Dozens of investigations into Columbia have been opened by OCR since 2014.
Columbia files amicus brief against Trump’s immigration ban
Columbia University, along with 15 other universities, filed an amicus brief on Monday challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order halting immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations. Trump’s immigration ban, which is not currently being implemented after being blocked by a federal appeals court, was met with initial resistance from student activists and administrators, with Bollinger calling it “discriminatory and damaging” after its rollout last month.
Doctors without Borders president to speak at Barnard commencement
Joanne Liu, International President of Médicins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders), will be delivering the keynote address at Barnard’s 125th commencement ceremony, Dean of the College Avis Hinkson announced in an email to the community Wednesday. Liu will also receive the Barnard Medal of Distinction, along with fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art Johnnetta Cole, and women’s rights activist Zainab Salbi.
University denies marching band access to Butler Library for Orgo Night
The University has denied the Columbia University Marching Band access to Butler Library for Orgo Night this year, breaking a tradition dating back to 1975. In past semesters, the band has occupied Room 209 of Butler Library and performed the Thursday night before the organic chemistry final. CUMB has elicited controversy in recent years for the nature of many of the jokes told in the performance.
Barnard contingent faculty union votes to approve strike authorization
A supermajority of the Barnard contingent faculty union has voted in favor of a strike authorization. The union's bargaining committee is now authorized to declare a strike without further vote from the members of the union or prior notice to the college. Still, members of the bargaining committee said that they would only take this action after consulting with the unit.
Barnard President Debora Spar to resign in March
Barnard President Debora Spar will resign from the college on March 5 to become the president and CEO of Lincoln Center. In an email sent to the Barnard community on Wednesday morning, Spar—who was inaugurated as president in 2008—said she had originally intended to fulfill the extent of her contract, which was set to expire in June 2018. An interim president has not yet been announced, but a presidential search will soon be led by Chair of the Board of Trustees Jolyne Caruso-Fitzgerald, BC '81.
Barnard contingent faculty union to vote on strike authorization
The Barnard contingent faculty union will begin voting to commence a strike authorization on Wednesday. If the authorization vote passes by a two-thirds majority, the union—which represents 180 adjunct and full-time non-tenured faculty—will be able to strike at any time during the course of negotiations without prior notice to the college.
Wrestling team under investigation after racially, sexually explicit group messages surface
The University confirmed late Thursday that it is investigating the wrestling team after racially and sexually explicit messages exchanged among several senior wrestlers were made public. In the meantime, the team's season-opening match against Binghamton has been canceled after Athletics was notified about the messages, which date back more than two years, on Wednesday.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Jyoti
Contact Jyoti, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack