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Articles by Simon Leton
Mnookin says ‘not much changes at all’ for Columbia after Democrats sweep Congress
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Mahmoud Khalil, SIPA ’24, makes first return to campus after detention to promote ‘No Land to Stand On’
You can choose how your personal data is used. Vendors want your permission to do the following: Information about your activity on this service (such as forms you submit, content you look at) can be stored and combined with other information about you (for example, information from your previous activity on this service and other websites or apps) or similar users. This is then used to build or improve a profile about you (that might include possible interests and personal aspects).
‘A wave of hope’: Columbia students celebrate Democrats’ big wins in midterm elections
“It’s reflective of the fact that people are upset,” Eira Prakash, BC ’28, president of Columbia University Democrats, said. “The president’s party almost always loses in the midterms, but almost never this badly. I think it’s a referendum on how a lot of people that Trump said that he would take care of feel like they’re being left in the dust, just like everybody else.” Democrat James Talarico handily won his election to represent Texas in the Senate, representing a 26-point shift from 2024.
2 Columbia dining halls operated with critical sanitation violations, city health inspectors find
Columbia Dining officials told Spectator they were “disappointed in the results of recent inspections.” Columbia Dining officials told Spectator they were “disappointed in the results of recent inspections.” The inspections come as Columbia Dining enters its fifth year of rapid expansion, which has more than doubled total seating capacity and increased operating hours in an effort to keep up with student growth.
Law School launches new initiative to bolster AI education
The initiative comes a year after the Law School established a task force on AI to analyze how the school should adapt its educational approach. The initiative comes a year after the Law School established a task force on AI to analyze how the school should adapt its educational approach. In interviews with Spectator, law students expressed a diversity of opinions about AI. However, they largely agreed the school should implement changes like the new initiative to keep up as technology advances.
Why Columbia’s tax filings show millions in payments to unaffiliated nonprofits
Columbia has distributed around $13 million on average from its donor-advised funds annually over the last five years, records show. Columbia has distributed around $13 million on average from its donor-advised funds annually over the last five years, records show. In interviews with Spectator, nonprofit finance experts said that the initiative allows Columbia to act as an intermediary for donations, and that the University does not make decisions about where the funds are ultimately sent.
Columbia, Other Universities, Systematically Suppressed Pro-Palestinian Speech, ACLU and Amnesty International Report Alleges
Columbia, Other Universities, Systematically Suppressed Pro-Palestinian Speech, ACLU and Amnesty International Report Alleges Published October 8, 2026 Columbia, alongside other U.S. universities, systematically suppressed pro-Palestinian speech, the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International USA claims in a Sept. 23 report.
Columbia apologizes for mislabeled ‘October 7th’ pasta sauce
Columbia apologized Wednesday for displaying two signs at the pasta station in John Jay Dining Hall that included “October 7th Blush Sauce” on the daily menu. The signage was quickly removed by a Columbia Dining manager. It sparked online discourse because it coincided with the third anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, when a Hamas-led militant group killed 1,200 individuals and took 251 hostage, marking the beginning of Israel’s war in Gaza.
Columbia announces distinguished fellows program, which will bring accomplished professionals to campus
Columbia’s fellowship differs from similar programs at peer institutions through its foundations in the “renowned Core Curriculum” and location in New York City. Columbia’s fellowship differs from similar programs at peer institutions through its foundations in the “renowned Core Curriculum” and location in New York City.
Columbia, other universities, systematically suppressed pro-Palestinian speech, ACLU and Amnesty International report alleges
The 322-page joint report is the result of a two-year investigation that covered 80 universities across the country. The 322-page joint report is the result of a two-year investigation that covered 80 universities across the country.
Columbia rises to No. 12 in U.S. News ranking, above Cornell, Brown
The annual U.S. News & World Report list is widely considered to be the most prominent—and controversial—set of national university rankings. The annual U.S. News & World Report list is widely considered to be the most prominent—and controversial—set of national university rankings. This fall marks the fifth consecutive year in which the University has not submitted data to U.S. News after being embroiled in a controversy over the rankings.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo cancels World Leaders Forum appearance
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo canceled his Monday World Leaders Forum appearance, which was set to be the first of eight World Leaders Forum events this week at Columbia. The University attributed the cancellation “to a change in President Bernardo Arévalo’s schedule,” in a Thursday email sent to registered attendees, adding that it would share updated details if it is able to reschedule the event for later in the academic year.
FAS hires 26 new full-time faculty for 2026-27 school year
In interviews with Spectator, five new hires said they were excited about the opportunities at Columbia. In interviews with Spectator, five new hires said they were excited about the opportunities at Columbia. The new professors and lecturers span 13 academic departments, including mathematics, political science, and anthropology.
Shay Orentlicher, CC ’26, leaves legacy of Jewish pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia
But while Orentlicher is known for their dedication to on-campus activism, their Columbia experience was defined by more than protest. A self-described “recovering theater kid,” Orentlicher listens to “more cast albums than a civilized person should be listening to.” One of their most memorable Columbia experiences, they said, was spotting a disguised Olivia Rodrigo during a lecture on U.S. Gay and Lesbian History.
Columbia Dining enters fifth year of rapid growth, capacity concerns remain
At noon on a typical weekday in fall 2021, students looking for lunch joined lines flowing out of Columbia’s two main dining options: John Jay Dining Hall and Ferris Booth Commons. Once inside, students joined additional queues for individual food stations. They would then lean against walls or in extreme cases, sit on the floor to eat their food, after searching and failing to find a chair.
Columbia becomes last Ivy to reinstate standardized test scores requirement post-COVID
Applicants to Columbia College and the School of Applied Science will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores beginning in the 2027-28 application cycle. Applicants to Columbia College and the School of Applied Science will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores beginning in the 2027-28 application cycle. Students applying to Columbia College or the School of Engineering and Applied Science will be required to submit SAT or ACT scores for the 2027-28 admissions cycle.
Daniella Uvaldo, SEAS ’26, on leading a Columbia sorority as a first-generation college student
A first-generation Latina biomedical engineering student from Larchmont, New York, Uvaldo defies the typical sorority stereotype. Despite not knowing that Columbia had Greek life when she started college, she quickly rose to the top of the Epsilon Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, one of Columbia’s five sororities. Uvaldo’s ascent, however, came as no surprise to her friends, who described her in interviews with Spectator as highly ambitious and devoted.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog delivers JTS commencement address, drawing protest
Around 40 demonstrators gathered outside the Jewish Theological Seminary on 122nd Street and used noisemaking devices to disrupt the ceremony. Around 40 demonstrators gathered outside the Jewish Theological Seminary on 122nd Street and used noisemaking devices to disrupt the ceremony. The Columbia chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine, which has been unaffiliated with the University since its suspension in 2023, organized a protest outside JTS during its commencement.
Dozens commemorate Palestinian academics killed in Gaza on anniversary of Hamilton Hall occupation
The demonstration came two years after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Hamilton Hall in April 2024, at the height of campus protests over the war in Gaza. The demonstration came two years after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied Hamilton Hall in April 2024, at the height of campus protests over the war in Gaza.
Israeli president Isaac Herzog to serve as 2026 JTS commencement speaker, sparking internal discourse
Herzog has served as president of Israel since 2021 and has been active in Israeli politics for over 25 years. Herzog has served as president of Israel since 2021 and has been active in Israeli politics for over 25 years. Herzog has served as president of Israel since 2021 and has been active in Israeli politics for 23 years.
GSSC launches alumni mentorship program, latest initiative expanding resources within General Studies
The General Studies Student Council’s Alumni Task Force has recruited more than 160 alumni and 240 students for the new mentorship program. The General Studies Student Council’s Alumni Task Force has recruited more than 160 alumni and 240 students for the new mentorship program. The program, which officially opened for student applications on March 10, mirrors initiatives at Columbia College and the School of Engineering and Applied Science.
Venture capitalist and former marine Larry Lawrence, GS ’69, Business ’71, named School of General Studies 2026 Class Day speaker
Lawrence is the single largest donor to financial aid scholarships for students at the School of General Studies in its history. Lawrence is the single largest donor to financial aid scholarships for students at the School of General Studies in its history.
Demonstrators call for solidarity with Lebanon during ‘Week of Action’ amid Israel’s ongoing military operations in the region
Around 30 protesters gathered outside the 116th Street and Broadway gates to kick off the “Week of Action” on March 30. Around 30 protesters gathered outside the 116th Street and Broadway gates to kick off the “Week of Action” on March 30. A coalition of student organizations, including the Columbia chapter of Sunrise Movement, hosted a “Week of Action” starting March 30, featuring a rally and daily mutual aid tabling.
Columbia, Barnard see improvements in Anti-Defamation League’s 2026 campus antisemitism report card
In addition to officially partnering with the Anti-Defamation League in July 2025, Columbia adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, the same definition the ADL broadly endorses. In addition to officially partnering with the Anti-Defamation League in July 2025, Columbia adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, the same definition the ADL broadly endorses.
Columbia and Barnard once again named top Fulbright producing institutions
The State Department once again named Columbia and Barnard as top Fulbright producing institutions for the 2025-26 academic year. Columbia has ranked among the highest producing universities for the postgraduate fellowship for over two decades, while Barnard earned the distinction for the ninth consecutive year. Graduates from the two schools were awarded a combined 36 Fulbright scholarships in July 2025. The program selected 25 student awardees from the 129 Columbia applicants.
Rice Dems, Rep. Ann Johnson discuss state politics
The Rice Young Democrats hosted Texas Representative Ann Johnson for a dinner and discussion Feb. 7. Johnson, who represents the area surrounding Rice in District 134, spoke with undergraduate students about policy issues including reproductive rights, criminal justice, climate change and Texas political culture. The discussion with Johnson focused on how the Democratic Party could rally grassroots support and mobilize voters to change the partisan dynamic in both Washington and Austin.
Rice breaks university records for voter participation
Rice has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge as one of 2024’s most engaged campuses. Harris County precinct data indicates a record number of 1,399 ballots were cast from students and employees living on campus. This represents an 18% and 35% increase from the 2020 and 2016 elections, respectively. The total number of on-campus registered voters increased a similar 17% to 2,419.
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